Thymus atlanticus (Ball) Roussine Aqueous Extract Exerts Lipid-lowering and Anti-atherosclerotic Effects in Hyperlipidemic Guinea Pigs.

BACKGROUND: Thymus atlanticus (Ball) Roussine (T. atlanticus) is traditionally used in the Moroccan high Atlas Mountains to treat several disorders, including cardiovascular disease. In the present study, the lipid-lowering and anti-atherosclerotic activities of the traditionally used aqueous extract of T. atlanticus were evaluated on guinea pigs subjected to chronic hyperlipidemia. METHODS: Animals were given a diet containing 2% cholesterol and 20% lard for 12 weeks. Moreover, thyme extract was given daily at 400 mg/kg. At the end of the experiment, lipid levels and paraoxonase arylesterase activity were measured, and aorta histology was studied. RESULTS: Our findings revealed that there was an important elevation of blood lipids in the HFD group along with a significant decrease in paraoxonase arylesterase activity (-40.06%). Moreover, the consumption of fat altered the histology of aorta by thickening the intima media and forming atherosclerotic lesions and foam cells in these tissues. However, the administration of thyme extract attenuated HFD-caused alterations by decreasing blood lipids, elevating paraoxonase activity (+24.04%), and limiting the progression of atherosclerotic lesions. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the supplementation with the aqueous extract of T. atlanticus could potentially protect against hyperlipidemia and consequently, the development of atherosclerosis.

The Modulatory Bioeffects of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Polyphenols on Metabolic Disorders: Understanding Their Preventive Role against Metabolic Syndrome.

Modern research achievements support the health-promoting effects of natural products and diets rich in polyphenols. Pomegranate (PG) (Punica granatum L.) contains a considerable number of bioactive compounds that exert a broad spectrum of beneficial biological activities, including antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiobesity, and atheroprotective properties. In this context, the reviewed literature shows that PG intake might reduce insulin resistance, cytokine levels, redox gene expression, blood pressure elevation, vascular injuries, and lipoprotein oxidative modifications. The lipid parameter corrective capabilities of PG-ellagitannins have also been extensively reported to be significantly effective in reducing hyperlipidemia (TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and TAGs), while increasing plasma HDL-C concentrations and improving the TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios. The health benefits of pomegranate consumption seem to be acheived through the amelioration of adipose tissue endocrine function, fatty acid utilization, GLUT receptor expression, paraoxonase activity enhancement, and the modulation of PPAR and NF-κB. While the results from animal experiments are promising, human findings published in this field are inconsistent and are still limited in several aspects. The present review aims to discuss and provide a critical analysis of PG's bioeffects on the components of metabolic syndrome, type-2 diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia, as well as on certain cardiovascular-related diseases. Additionally, a brief overview of the pharmacokinetic properties, safety, and bioavailability of PG-ellagitannins is included.

Thymus atlanticus polyphenol-rich extract regulates cholesterol metabolism by inhibiting its biosynthesis without affecting its excretion in hamsters fed a high-fat diet.

CONTEXT: Thymus atlanticus has been reported to have significant hypolipidaemic effect in animal models. However, the mechanism of this hypolipidaemic action still unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determinate the possible mechanism(s) of hypolipidaemic action of a Thymus atlanticus polyphenol-rich extract (PRE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plasma, faecal, and liver cholesterol, bile acid content in the faeces, and gene expression level of HMG-CoA reductase, CYP7A1, ABCG5 and ABCG8 were analysed after 9 weeks in hamsters feeding normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD) or HFD supplemented with 400 mg/kg body weight/day of PRE. RESULTS: PRE significantly decreased total cholesterol content (p < .05) and HMG-CoA reductase expression (p < .05), but did not affect the faecal cholesterol, bile acid contents and CYP7A1 and ABCG5/G8 expression (p > .05). CONCLUSION: We can conclude that the T. atlanticus extract is efficient in the alleviation of chronic hyperlipidaemia by acting as cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Attenuates Neuroinflammation Involved in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Food scientists have studied the many health benefits of polyphenols against pernicious human diseases. Evidence from scientific studies has shown that earlier healthy lifestyle changes, particularly in nutrition patterns, can reduce the burden of age-related diseases. In this context, a large number of plant-derived components belonging to the class of polyphenols have been reported to possess neuroprotective benefits. In this review, we examined studies on the effect of dietary polyphenols, notably from Punica granatum L., on neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's disease, which is symptomatically characterized by impairment of cognitive functions. Clinical trials are in favor of the role of some polyphenols in maintaining neuronal homeostasis and attenuating clinical presentations of the disease. However, discrepancies in study design often bring inconsistent findings on the same component and display differences in their effectiveness due to interindividual variability, bioavailability in the body after administration, molecular structures, cross-blood-brain barrier, and signaling pathways such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Based on preclinical and clinical trials, it appears that pomegranate may prove valuable in treating neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Therefore, due to the lack of information on human clinical trials, future in-depth studies, focusing on human beings, of several bioactive components of pomegranate's polyphenols and their synergic effects should be carried out to evaluate their curative treatment.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb) Lindl.): Evaluation of nutritional value, polyphenol composition, antidiabetic effect, and toxicity of leaf aqueous extract.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.) is an evergreen tree native to China, which is introduced in many Mediterranean countries. As in many ancient medical systems, loquat leaves have been used in Moroccan traditional medicine to treat diabetes and its complications. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to determine the nutritional and polyphenol composition and to evaluate the in vivo antidiabetic, and antihyperlipidemic properties and oral toxicity of a leaf aqueous extract (LLE) derived from loquat grown in Morocco. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Energy value and fiber, fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, total carbohydrate, sugar, lipid, and protein contents were determined according to international methods committee guidelines. Polyphenol profiling was carried out using the HPLC-DAD method. Mice fed a high-fat and high-glucose (HFG) diet for 10 weeks were used as a model to assess the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of a daily administration of LLE at three different doses (150, 200, 250 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day), in comparison with metformin (50 mg/kg BW/day) and pravastatin (20 mg/kg BW/day). The oral toxicity was determined following OECD 425 Guideline. RESULTS: Loquat leaves were found to be rich in fiber, minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and sodium), and vitamins (B2, B6, and B12) and lower in energy, sugar, and fat. Ten different phenolic compounds were characterized. Naringenin, procyanidin C1, epicatechin, and rutin were the more abundant compounds in LLE. The administration of the LLE dose-dependently ameliorated hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and hyperlipidemia in HFG diet-fed mice. The median lethal dose of LLE was higher than 5000 mg/kg BW. CONCLUSIONS: Loquat leaves are a potential source of micronutrients and polyphenols with beneficial effects on diabetes and its complications.

Effect of supplementation with polyphenol extract of Thymus atlanticus on paraoxonase-1 activity, insulin resistance, and lipid profile in high-fat diet-fed hamsters.

Thymus atlanticus has been used by Moroccan people to treat a variety of health problems, particularly metabolic disorders. In this study, hamsters fed a high-fat diet daily received distilled water (a positive control) or a single dose of Thymus atlanticus polyphenols (Pp) for 63 days. The negative control was fed a normal diet and received distilled water. Results showed that the supplementation of HFD with Pp significantly (p < .001) reduced the levels of MDA and LDL cholesterol, restored insulin level, and increased the activities of serum paraoxonase-1 and HDL cholesterol levels, but did not affect (p > .05) the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase when compared with the group feeding HFD alone. Thymus atlanticus could be an effective agent against dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: HFD consumption is a risk factor for oxidative stress and the development of metabolic disorders, such as hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance, which may result in atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases, the leading causes of death globally. The management of these alterations is an important strategy to prevent and treat heart complications. Our results showed thatT. atlanticus effectively alleviated HFD-induced hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance and improved PON1 activity. T. atlanticus is a source of biomolecules that may be an effective supplement for controlling HFD-related metabolic disorders. Therefore, the findings of this study may be helpful in the preparation of effective supplements from T. atlanticus to control metabolic disorders and related complications.

Antioxidant Effect of Moroccan Pomegranate (Punica granatum L. Sefri Variety) Extracts Rich in Punicalagin against the Oxidative Stress Process.

Natural antioxidants products are widely distributed in food and medicinal plants. These natural antioxidants, especially polyphenols, exhibit a wide range of biological activities including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherosclerosis activities. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a rich source of polyphenolic components. The purpose of this study was to characterize the phenolic composition and flavonoids and anthocyanin content of different parts (peel and aril) of the Sefri variety of pomegranate. Our results showed that Peel extract was richer in these compounds than that of the Arils, especially in Punicalagin (A and B). DPPH free radical scavenging, reducing power (FRAP), ß-carotene bleaching, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays revealed a greater dose-dependent activity of pomegranate peel phenolic extract (PPPE) compared to pomegranate aril phenolic extract (PAPE). PPPE was also more potent than PAPE concerning its ability to inhibit conjugated diene formation and to reduce α-tocopherol disappearance induced by CuSO4-mediated LDL peroxidation. Interestingly, both extracts (PPPE and PAPE) significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in stressed J82 human bladder cancer cells. These results reflect the protective effects that this Moroccan variety of pomegranate can provide against the development of metabolic disorder, cancer, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. Given these properties, further studies should be undertaken to investigate possible applications of Sefri pomegranate extracts in the fields of food preservation and health supplements.

Effect of Aqueous Extract and Polyphenol Fraction Derived from Thymus atlanticus Leaves on Acute Hyperlipidemia in the Syrian Golden Hamsters.

Thymus atlanticus, an endemic plant of Morocco, is traditionally used as a liniment or a drink to treat various diseases. However, there are few available scientific data regarding its biological effects. In this connection, the present study aimed to investigate the hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of aqueous extract and polyphenol fraction of Thymus atlanticus in Syrian golden hamsters treated with Triton WR-1339 (triton, 20 mg/100 g body weight). The hamsters orally received the extracts (400 mg/kg), and blood samples were collected after 24 h of treatment to determine plasma lipid, insulin, and fasting blood glucose levels. Plasma malondialdehyde level and plasma total antioxidant (TAS) were also evaluated. The T. atlanticus extracts significantly decreased triglycerides, total cholesterol, VLDL-C, and LDL-C and increased HDL-C when compared with the hyperlipidemic group. Both extracts suppressed the effect of the triton injection on TAS and reduced the level of plasma malondialdehyde. The extracts produced no significant change in the blood glucose level but effectively prevented the mild hyperinsulinemia induced by triton. These findings suggest that T. atlanticus may be a useful alternative treatment for the control of hyperlipidemia and its related diseases.

Phenolic profile and anti-inflammatory activity of four Moroccan date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seed varieties.

Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seeds are seen as good drug to cure rheumatoid arthritis and asthma in Moroccan traditional medicine. The present research aimed to study the anti-inflammatory effect, of methanol extract of different date seed varieties using membrane stabilizing effect, nitric oxide radical scavenging activity, inhibition of protein denaturation, carrageenan-induced paw edema and croton oil induced ear edema. The polyphenolic profile was examined using HPLC-DAD. Rutin, quercetin, p-coumaric and caffeic acids were the main among the analysed phenolic compounds. Concerning the anti-inflammatory activity, the analysed date seed were significantly effective in scavenging nitric oxide free radical, in stabilisation of erythrocyte membrane and possessed a high anti denaturation effect. In agreement with this finding, date seed exhibited a profound ability to reduce paw and ear swelling induced by carrageenan and croton oil respectively. The biochemical parameters showed that date seed are able to reduce the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ERS) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration in rats used in Carrageenan-induced paw edema model. The predominant phenolic compounds are the potential candidates that drive these activities and the differences observed among varieties are related to their chemical composition. These data suggest that date seeds can be explored as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant effects of polyphenol-rich extracts from Thymus atlanticus: An in vitro and in vivo study.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL EVIDENCE: Thymus atlanticus (TA) is used in traditional medicine in Morocco to treat chronic inflammatory diseases, after local and oral treatment. AIM OF STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant activities of an aqueous extract (AE) and polyphenol fraction (PF) derived from TA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of AE and PF on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) production by naïve and LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages isolated from C57Bl/6 mice was assessed by ELISA assay. The effect of chronic administration of the extracts at three different doses by oral rout for 2 weeks on blood coagulation and inflammation induced by carrageenan in Wistar rats was evaluated. In addition, the in vitro anticoagulant effect was tested on blood plasma collected from healthy rats using the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT) tests. The acute toxicity of AE was investigated. Phytochemical analysis was carried out by HPLC. RESULTS: Analysis by HPLC indicated rosmarinic acid as the main phenolic acid in TA extracts. Compared to control macrophages, MCP-1 level was lower in medium supplemented with AE at 50 and 500 µg/mL and PF at 500 µg/mL, but higher in medium with PF at 50 µg/mL. Rosmarinic and chicoric acids, served as controls, significantly decreased MCP-1 production. Chronic oral administration of TA extracts prevented inflammation induced by carrageenan and induced a significant prolongation of blood coagulation time, in a dose dependant manner, in Wistar rats. The results of the in vitro assay showed that the coagulation time was significantly prolonged in plasma incubated with extracts in APTT, PT and TT tests. Lethal dose 50 of AE in mice was 27.90 ± 1.19 g/kg. CONCLUSION: This study indicated TA as an herb with anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant proprieties and supports the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.