Andrographolide, diterpenoid constituent of Andrographis paniculata: Review on botany, phytochemistry, molecular docking analysis, and pharmacology.

Andrographispaniculata (kalmegh) is also known as "king of bitters", is an herbaceous plant belongs to family Acanthaceae. The therapeutic effect is due to presence of diterpenoid lactone derivatives of A. paniculata mainly andrographolide. The main purpose of this review includes detailed (past and present) study of A. paniculata and its most important component andrographolide a diterpenoid lactone with respect to its botany, phytochemistry, molecular docking analysis and pharmacological effects i.e., therapeutic benefits. In reference to the search, we also compiled variety of dosage forms available, which are made up of A. paniculata extract and Andrographolide such as tablets and capsules. This review also discusses reported methods of extraction of phytoconstituents, pharmacokinetics of main components, their molecular docking analysis data and main therapeutic applications with their proposed mechanism of actions in various diseases. According to data collected, A. paniculata is becoming more and more valuable as a therapeutic herb.

Therapeutic effects of stevia aqueous extract alone or in combination with metformin in induced polycystic ovary syndrome rats: Gene expression, hormonal balance, and metabolomics aspects.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the individual and combined effects of SAE and Met on the expression of genes related to insulin signaling, oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia in rats with induced PCOS. METHODS: The estrous cycle of 50 adult Wistar female rats was monitored through vaginal smears. Subsequently, the rats were randomly assigned into five groups of 10, including control (receiving 1ml of carboxymethyl cellulose for 49 days), induction (letrozole at 1mg/kg/d for 21 days), SAE, Met, and SAE/Met. SAE and Met were orally administered at doses of 400mg/kg/d and 250mg/kg/d on day 22 and continued for an additional 28 days. Vaginal smears were analyzed, and gene expression levels of GLUT4, SIRT1, TNF-α, and INSR were evaluated using RT-qPCR. Antioxidant parameters were assessed using detection kits. RESULTS: Treatment with SAE and Met restored a regular estrous cycle pattern in PCOS rats. Furthermore, SAE and Met treatment improved hormonal balance, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia in the rats. Administration of SAE and Met significantly elevated levels of antioxidant enzymes SOD and GPx in ovarian tissue (P<0.001). Additionally, mRNA levels of GLUT4, SIRT1, and INSR were significantly increased in ovarian tissue following SAE and Met treatment, while TNF-α gene expression decreased significantly (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that SAE and Met aqueous extract exert protective effects on letrozole-induced PCOS in rats by modulating gene expression associated with insulin signaling and oxidative stress.

[Alpha-blockers or hexanic extract of Serenoa repens for 6 months: sub-analysis of the PERSAT study]. / Alpha-bloquants ou extrait hexanique de Serenoa repens pendant 6 mois : sous-analyse de l'étude PERSAT.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this sub-analysis of the PERSAT study was to evaluate the efficacy of hexanic extract of S. Repens (HESr) and alpha-blockers (AB), at 6 months in patients with moderate to severe LUTS/BPH. METHODS: The PERSAT observational study was conducted in France by general practitioners on patients with BPH with an IPSS≥12 score. The primary endpoint was the percentage of responders (decrease in total IPSS score ≥ 3) at 6 months. Improvement in quality of life (IPSS-QoL) as well as patient satisfaction were also measured. RESULTS: Of the 759 patients in the study, 324 treated with HESr and 309 with AB were reviewed at 6 months, with no change in treatment during follow-up. Characteristics at inclusion were globally similar with a mean IPSS of 18.2±4.9. The response rates at 6 months (IPSS-total decrease ≥ 3) were 93.7% and 94.8% for patients treated with HESr and AB, with a mean decrease in IPSS score of 10.1±5.6 points, which reached 13.6 and 14.8 points respectively, in severe patients (IPSS>19), without major difference between groups. More than 95% of HESr or AB patients reported a significant overall improvement in their LUTS/BPH. The most frequently reported adverse events with AB were ejaculation disorders (4.9%) and hypotension (4.2%) and with HESr digestive disorders (1.5%). CONCLUSION: This sub-analysis of the PERSAT cohort reported the clinical efficacy of HESr and AB as a first-line treatment in the management of moderate or severe LUTS/BPH patients.

The influences of chokeberry extract supplementation on redox status and body composition in handball players during competition phase.

The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of 12 weeks of consumption of chokeberry extract on redox status, body composition, lipid profile, and biochemical parameters in active handball players. The study included 16 handball players aged 16-24 years (20.26 ± 2.86 years). Every morning before training, players received 30 mL of liquid chokeberry extract for 12 weeks during the regular competition season. The research consisted of morphofunctional and biochemical testing, which was performed at three points (at the beginning of the study and at 6 and 12 weeks after extract consumption). After the chokeberry extract treatment, we observed significant changes in three main aspects. The 12 week supplementation with chokeberry extract decreased the levels of prooxidants (TBARS and nitrites) and increased catalase activity. Analyzing the dynamic of body composition showed a decrease in body fat (9.4 ± 0.5 vs. 7.3 ± 0.6 kg) as well as its percent in a body (11.4 ± 0.4% vs. 8.8 ± 0.4%). On the other hand, the analysis showed an increase of high-density lipoprotein (1.3 ± 0.3 vs. 1.6 ± 0.2 mmol/L) and hemoglobin (144.4 ± 11.7 vs. 151.7 ± 9.9 g/L) after 6 weeks of treatment. At the same time, a decrease in leukocytes (7.2 × 109 ± 2.8 vs. 6.5 ± 1.2 × 109/L) and an increase in red blood cells count (4.9 ± 0.4 × 109 vs. 5.5 ± 0.5 × 109/L) were observed. Overall, these results emphatically show that the use of chokeberry extract dietary supplement induced a wide range of beneficial effects in the examined group of athletes.

Proteomic analysis of the inhibitory effect of the butanolic fraction of Jacquinia macrocarpa on Fusarium verticillioides.

Jacquinia macrocarpa, a plant native to northwestern Mexico, has an inhibitory effect against phytopathogenic fungi. Previous studies have shown that the butanolic extract of J. macrocarpa causes retardation and atrophy in mycelial growth of Fusarium verticillioides. However, the action mechanism of this extract is unknown. We used a proteomics approach to understand the inhibitory effect of J. macrocarpa butanolic extract, based on differential protein accumulation in F. verticillioides. Proteins were extracted from F. verticillioides cultured in Czapek broth with and without 202.12 µg/mL (IC50) of butanolic extract of J. macrocarpa. Thirty-eight protein spots showing statistically significant changes (ANOVA, p < 0.01) and at least a 2-fold change in abundance between experimental conditions were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Identified proteins were grouped into different biological processes according to Gene Ontology, among them were amino acid metabolism, protein folding and stabilization, protein degradation, protein transport, carbohydrate metabolism, oxidative stress response, and miscellaneous. This work is the first report of changes in the proteomic profile of F. verticillioides exposed to the J. macrocarpa extract. This information provides new insights into the inhibitory mechanism of the extract and represents a starting point for dissection of the fungal response against the J. macrocarpa extract components.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus cell-free extract targets virulence and antifungal drug resistance in Candida albicans.

Candidiasis caused by multidrug-resistant Candida species continues to be difficult to eradicate. The use of live probiotic bacteria has gained a lot of interest in the treatment of candidiasis; however, whole-cell probiotic use can often be associated with a high risk of sepsis. Strategies manipulating cell-free methods using probiotic strains could lead to the development of novel antifungal solutions. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of three probiotic cell-free extracts (CFEs) on the growth, virulence traits, and drug efflux pumps in C. albicans. On the basis of its minimum inhibitory concentration, Lactobacillus rhamnosus was selected and assessed against various virulence traits and drug resistance mechanisms. The results showed that L. rhamnosus CFE significantly inhibited hyphae formation and reduced secretion of proteinases and phospholipases. Moreover, L. rhamnosus inhibited the drug efflux proteins in resistant C. albicans strains thus reversing drug resistance. Gene expression data confirmed downregulation of genes associated with microbial virulence and drug resistance following treatment of C. albicans with L. rhamnosus CFE. Through gas chromatography - mass spectrometry chemical characterization, high contents of oleic acid (24.82%) and myristic acid (13.11%) were observed in this CFE. Collectively, our findings indicate that L. rhamnosus may potentially be used for therapeutic purposes to inhibit C. albicans infections.

Anti-adipogenesis and antioxidative defense status of a crude extract of 'Kalasin 2' peanut sprouts in 3T3-L1 mouse adipocytes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of extracts from germinated (GPE) and non-germinated peanuts (NGPE) on adipogenesis and oxidative status in normal and oxidative-stress-induced 3T3-L1 mouse adipocytes. The treated cells were analysed for cell growth, lipid accumulation, levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the expression levels of mRNAs and proteins related to adipogenesis and antioxidative defense systems. The results indicated that an extract from peanuts made 9 days after germination (9GPE) reduced lipid contents and mRNA expression of adipogenesis-related genes to a greater extent than an extract from peanuts made 1-day after germination (1GPE) or from NGPE, respectively. In oxidative-stress-induced adipocytes, 9GPE decreased ROS levels, lipid content, and the protein expression of peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma, and also increased the protein expression of antioxidants. These results illustrate the anti-adipogenic capacity and oxidative status improvement achievable with GPE, and that it could be used as a putative therapeutic agent in the prevention of and (or) treatment of obesity and diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Ameliorating effects of Sporidiobolus pararoseus extract on dyslipidemia in mice with high fat diet induced obesity.

The study investigated how an extract of Sporidiobolus pararoseus (S.p.) affects lipid metabolism in Kunming mice that were obese as a result of being fed a high-fat diet; the control group were administered Max EPA fish oil. Ten mice were randomly selected from a pool of 60 mice for the control group and the remaining 50 mice were fed with a high-fat diet to establish a dyslipidemia model. After 4 weeks, these 50 mice were randomly distributed among 5 groups: high-fat model group; Max EPA group; and 3 groups of mice fed different doses of S.p. extract (low dose, medium dose, and high dose). After 8 weeks, the mice were sacrificed and the relevant parameters were measured. Compared with the high-fat model group, the group administered the high dose of S.p. extract showed significantly decreased body mass and serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The results from RT-PCR showed that the mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c, fatty acid synthesis enzyme, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase was lower in the groups supplemented with S.p. extract than in the high-fat model group, whereas the expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 was higher in the group supplemented with S.p. extract than in the high-fat model group. Our results suggest that taking S.p. extract could benefit patients with dyslipidemia. Therefore, S.p. extract should be developed as a dietary supplement to improve lipid metabolism in obese people.

Alcohol extract of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) reduces fatty liver, dyslipidemia, and other complications of metabolic syndrome in a mouse model.

We investigated whether North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) could reduce development of the metabolic syndrome phenotype in a mouse model (ETKO) of the disease. Young ETKO mice have no disease but similar to humans start to develop the fatty liver, hypertriglyceridemia, obesity, and insulin resistance at 25-30 weeks of age, and the disease continues to progress with ageing. ETKO mice were orally given an ethanol extract of ginseng roots at 4 and 32 weeks of age. Treatments with ginseng eliminated the ETKO fatty liver, reduced hepatic and intestinal lipoprotein secretion, and reduced the level of circulating lipids. Improvements by ginseng treatments were manifested as a reduction in the expression of genes involved in the regulation of fatty acid and triglyceride (fat) synthesis and secretion by the lipoproteins on one hand, and the stimulation of fatty acid oxidation and triglyceride degradation by lipolysis on the other hand. These processes altogether improved glucose, fatty acid, and triglyceride metabolism, reduced liver fat load, and reversed the progression of metabolic syndrome. These data confirm that treatments with North American ginseng could alleviate metabolic syndrome through the maintenance of a better balance between glucose and fatty acid metabolism, lipoprotein secretion, and energy homeostasis in disease-prone states.

Modulation of the neurological and vascular complications by grape seed extract in a rat model of spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury by downregulation of both osteopontin and cyclooxygenase-2.

In this study, we investigated the effects of grape seed extract (GSE) on the expression of osteopontin (OPN) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in a rat model of spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury (SC-IRI). Fifty male rats were divided into 5 groups: control (CON); control + GSE (CON + GSE) (received GSE for 28 days); sham operated (Sham); IRI; and IRI + GSE. SC-IRI was induced by clamping the aorta just above the bifurcation for 45 min, and then the clamp was released for 48 h for reperfusion. IRI + GSE group received GSE for 28 days before SC-IRI. Sensory, motor, and placing/stepping reflex assessment was performed. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured in spinal cord homogenate. Immunohistochemical examination of the spinal cord for OPN and COX-2 were carried out. SC-IRI resulted in significant increase in plasma nitrite/nitrate level and spinal cord homogenate levels of TBARs and PGE2, and OPN and COX-2 expression with significant decrease in TAC. GSE improves the sensory and motor functions through decreasing OPN and COX-2 expression with reduction of oxidative stress parameters. We conclude a neuroprotective effect of GSE in SC-IRI through downregulating COX-2 and OPN expression plus its antioxidants effects.

Grape seed and skin extract protects against arsenic trioxide induced oxidative stress in rat heart.

Arsenic is a metalloid found in water, soil, and air from natural and anthropogenic sources, and is commonly found in inorganic as well as organic forms. The clinical use of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is limited by its cardiotoxic side effects. Grape seed and skin extract (GSSE) is a polyphenolic mixture with antioxidant properties. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of GSSE on arsenic-induced cardiac oxidative stress and injury. Animals exposed to 2.5 mg/kg As2O3 for 21 days exhibited a relevant increase in heart lipoperoxidation, protein carbonylation, and inflammation, as well as a drop in the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). In addition, As2O3 disturbed heart lipidemia and lipase activity, transition metals distribution and the associated enzymes, intracellular mediators such as calcium and the associated calpain activity, as well as myocardial architecture. Treatment with 4 g/kg GSSE protected against most of the deleterious effects provoked by As2O3. Our data suggest that GSSE has the potential to protect against As2O3-induced cardiotoxicity.

Interleukin-33 promotes inflammatory cytokine production in chronic airway inflammation.

Interleukin (IL)-33, belonging to the IL-1 family, is a novel cytokine that plays an important role in several chronic inflammatory diseases. Its role in chronic airway inflammation that develops into COPD is widely unknown. To determine this, we identified the expression of IL-33 in human bronchial epithelial layer and detected the inflammatory effects of IL-33 stimulation and the relative signaling pathways in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), respectively. In this study, the expression of IL-33 in human bronchial epithelial layer was upregulated in COPD patients compared with normal controls. The expressions of IL-6 and IL-8 were also increased in both HBE cells and PBMCs, stimulated by IL-33 alone or combining the cigarette smoke extract (CSE). And the increased expressions could be partially blocked by ST2-Fc and IL-1RacP-Fc in both HBE cells and PBMCs. The p42/p44 ERK inhibitor in HBE cells and the p38 MAPK inhibitor in PBMCs exerted similar effects. Our data showed that IL-33 could induce and enhance the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in HBE cells and PBMCs of COPD patients via ST2/IL-1RacP pathway and MAPKs pathway. Thus, the IL-33 is a promoter of chronic airway inflammation that contributes to COPD development.

Anti-fatigue effects of porcine placenta and its amino acids in a behavioral test on mice.

Placenta extracts are used for their health benefits; however, the anti-fatigue effects of placenta have not been elucidated. Thus, we investigated the anti-fatigue effects of porcine placenta extract (PE) and the amino acids present in the PE (glycine, Gly; proline, Pro; glutamic acid, GA; and arginine, Arg) using a forced swimming test (FST) and a tail-suspension test (TST) on mice. Whole PE or individual amino acids decreased immobility times in the FST. PE, Pro, and Arg all lowered blood levels of lactic acid and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). PE and Gly improved glycogen content and catalase activity. As determined from the serum after the FST: PE regulated the effects of interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; GA regulated the effects of IFN-γ; Gly and Arg regulated the effects of interleukin (IL)-6; and all of the amino acids present in PE regulated the effects of TNF-α. As determined from the spleen after the FST: Gly and Arg regulated the effects of IL-1ß; Gly, Pro, and Arg regulated the effects of IL-6; PE and all of the amino acids present in PE regulated the effects of TNF-α. After the TST, PE and all of the amino acids present in PE reduced immobility duration as well as levels of aspartate aminotransferase and ALT. As determined from the serum after the TST: PE and Gly regulated the effects of TNF-α; Gly and Arg regulated the effects of IL-1ß; Gly, Pro, and Arg regulated the effects of IL-6; PE and all of the amino acids present in PE regulated the effects of TNF-α. These results suggest that PE should be considered a candidate anti-fatigue agent.

[Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Moroccan Erica arborea L]. / Évaluation des activités antioxydante et anti-inflammatoire de Erica arborea L. du Maroc.

AIM: The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity, and acute toxicity of Moroccan Erica arborea leaves. METHODS: Antioxidant capacity was assessed by diphenyle-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), phosphomolybdate (PPM) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests and anti-inflammatory capacity was evaluated by hind paw oedema model using carrageenan-induced inflammation in rat. The acute toxicity was evaluated using mice. RESULTS: Acute toxicity of ethanolic extract of E. arborea showed no sign of toxicity at dose of 5 g/kg B.W. Our extracts have important antioxidant properties. The efficient concentration of the ethanolic extract (10.22 µg/ml) required for decreasing initial DPPH concentration by 50% was comparable to that of standard solution butyl-hydroxy-toluene (BHT) (8.87 µg/ml). The administration of ethanolic extract at doses of 200 and 400mg/kg B.W. was able to prevent plantar oedema and exhibited a significant inhibition against carrageenan-induced inflammation when compared to the control group (NaCl 0.9%) but comparable to those of diclofenac (reference drug). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the leaves of E. arborea may contain some bioactive compounds which are responsible for the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities observed here. Our finding may indicate the possibility of using the extracts of this plant to prevent the antioxidant and inflammatory processes.

[Drug therapy of urethral diseases]. / Les médicaments de l'urètre.

AIM: To describe drugs targeting urethra and prostate to treat dysfunctions such LUTS related to BPH, primary bladder neck obstruction (PBNO), detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) or sphincter deficiency (SD). METHOD: Pubmed search for efficacy, mode of action and side effects for each molecule. Additional data were searched from the French regulatory agencies web sites (HAS and ANSM). RESULTS: To treat LUTS related to BPH alpha-blockers (AB) and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) have a clearer efficacy than plant extract. Daily Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) alone or in association with AB also demonstrate efficacy in this indication. AB are an option in PBNO and DSD related to multiple sclerosis. Although Botulinum toxin A derived molecules decrease urethral pressure in patient with DSD related to spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis, efficiency remains to be demonstrated. Duloxetine a serotonin reuptake inhibitor increases urethral sphincter pressure and reduce stress urinary incontinence in women and men. Nevertheless, moderate efficacy combine with frequent side effects lead French regulation agency to reject its agreement. CONCLUSION: Armamenterium to treat urethral dysfunctions has recently increases. Two new therapeutic classes emerge: PDE5Is to treat LUTS related to BPH and an SRIs (Duloxetine) to treat stress urinary incontinence. Efficacy and safety evaluation of all the possible associations between drugs targeting urethra and/or bladder is needed to a subtler and more efficient pharmacologic modulation of lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Rosemary extract activates AMPK, inhibits mTOR and attenuates the high glucose and high insulin-induced muscle cell insulin resistance.

Impaired action of insulin in skeletal muscle, termed insulin resistance, leads to increased blood glucose levels resulting in compensatory increase in insulin levels. The elevated blood glucose and insulin levels exacerbate insulin resistance and contribute to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In previous studies we found attenuation of free fatty acid-induced muscle cell insulin resistance by rosemary extract (RE). In the present study we investigated the effects of RE on high glucose (HG) and high insulin (HI)-induced muscle cell insulin resistance. Exposure of L6 myotubes to 25 mmol/L glucose and 100 nmol/L insulin for 24 h, to mimic hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, abolished the acute insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, increased the serine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and the phosphorylation/activation of mTOR and p70S6K. Treatment with RE significantly improved the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and increased the acute insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation while reducing the HG+HI-induced serine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and phosphorylation of mTOR and p70S6K. Additionally, treatment with RE significantly increased the phosphorylation of AMPK, its downstream effector ACC and the plasma membrane GLUT4 levels. Our data indicate a potential of RE to counteract muscle cell insulin resistance and more studies are required to investigate its effectiveness in vivo. Novelty: RE phosphorylated muscle cell AMPK and ACC under both normal and HG+HI conditions. The HG+HI-induced serine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and activation of mTOR and p70S6K were attenuated by RE. RE restored the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by enhancing GLUT4 glucose transporter translocation to plasma membrane.

The effects of high-intensity interval training and saffron aqueous extract supplementation on alterations of body weight and apoptotic indices in skeletal muscle of 4T1 breast cancer-bearing mice with cachexia.

Exercise training and antioxidant supplementation may improve unintentional weight loss and programmed cell death associated with cancer cachexia. The aim of this study was to examine the alterations of body weight and apoptotic indices in skeletal muscle of 4T1 breast cancer-bearing mice with cachexia following 4 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and saffron aqueous extract (SAE) supplementation. Female BALB/c mice following induction of breast cancer were divided into (i) controls, (ii) HIIT, (iii) SAE, (iv) HIIT+SAE, and (v) sham groups. Mice were euthanized and gastrocnemius muscle was collected after intervention. The control group elicited a significant weight reduction during third and fourth weeks of tumor injection, while other treatments such as HIIT and SAE, but not HIIT+SAE, showed that they counteracted this adverse event. Furthermore, HIIT and SAE treatments (not HIIT+SAE) demonstrated reduced caspase-3 and Bax levels compared with the control group. The level of Bcl-2 was elevated following both HIIT and SAE treatments compared with the control group. Finally, the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax was significantly higher in both HIIT and SAE groups, but was lower in HIIT+SAE group compared with sham group. It is likely that either HIIT or SAE intervention alone (not HIIT+SAE) represents a readily applicable approach in the regulation of muscle wasting and apoptosis in cancer cachexia. Novelty HIIT is associated with a reduced risk of cancer-related muscle wasting. SAE enhances the improvement of muscle loss and apoptotic indices. Combination of HIIT and SAE does not improve cancer-related loss of muscle mass and mediate apoptotic activation.

Anti-Inflammatory, Antiapoptotic and Proproliferative Effects of Vitis vinifera Seed Ethanolic Extract in the Liver of Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide-Induced Type 2 Diabetes in Male Rats.

OBJECTIVES: Consumption of Vitis vinifera seed has been reported to ameliorate liver pathology in diabetes mellitus; however, the mechanisms underlying its effects remain unknown. In this study, the anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and pro-proliferative effects of the ethanolic seed extract of V. vinifera (VVSEE) in the liver in cases of diabetes were identified. METHODS: Adult male rats with streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetes were given 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight VVSEE orally for 28 days. At the end of the treatment, body weights were determined, and the blood was collected for analyses of fasting blood glucose, insulin and liver enzyme levels. Following sacrifice, livers were harvested and their wet weights and glycogen contents were measured. Histologic appearances of the livers were observed under light microscopy, and the expression and distribution of inflammatory, apoptosis and proliferative markers in the livers were identified by molecular biologic techniques. RESULTS: Treatment of rats with diabetes by VVSEE attenuates decreased body weight, liver weight and liver glycogen content. Additionally, increases in fasting blood glucose levels and liver enzyme levels and decreases in serum insulin levels were ameliorated. Lesser histopathologic changes were also observed: decreased inflammation and apoptosis, as indicated by decreased levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, NF-Kß, IKK-ß, IL-6, IL-1ß) and apoptosis markers (caspase-3, caspase-9 and Bax). VVSEE treatment induces increase in hepatocyte regeneration, as indicated by increased PCNA and Ki-67 distribution in the livers of rats with diabetes. Several molecules identified in VVSEE via gas chromatography mass spectrometry might contribute to these effects. CONCLUSIONS: The anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and pro-proliferative effects of VVSEE could account for its hepatoprotective actions in diabetes.

[Effectiveness of aqueous extracts of aromatic and medicinal plants against tomato grey mould in Morocco]. / Efficacité des extraits aqueux des plantes aromatiques et médicinales contre la pourriture grise de la tomate au Maroc.

Grey mould is a major disease threatening the Moroccan tomato; this disease is often controlled by fungicides. However, the latter are a real danger to human health and environment. Thus, this study is part of the research of harmless alternatives such extracts of aromatic and medicinal plants (Lavandula officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Cymbopogon citratus, and Melissa officinalis). In this study, the extracts of four medicinal and aromatic plants were tested for their antifungal potency in vitro and in vivo in order to select the most effective. The results show that, in vitro, the Lavandula officinalis, Thymus vulgaris and Cymbopogon citratus aqueous extracts all possess significant antifungal activity, whereas Melissa officinalis shows the least effective. Also in vivo only the aqueous extract of Cymbopogon citratus proves most effective against B. cinerea on tomato fruit. The test of the plants confirms that aqueous extracts of Cymbopogon citratus and Thymus vulgaris are most effective, while the aqueous extracts of Melissa officinalis and Lavandula officinalis always seem to be the least effective. Therefore, the aqueous extracts of Cymbopogon citratus and Thymus vulgaris are the most envisaged for the biological control of grey mould.

Short-term green tea extract supplementation attenuates the postprandial blood glucose and insulin response following exercise in overweight men.

Green tea extract (GTE) ingestion improves glucose homeostasis in healthy and diabetic humans, but the interactive effect of GTE and exercise is unknown. The present study examined the effect of short-term GTE supplementation on the glycemic response to an oral glucose load at rest and following an acute bout of exercise, as well as substrate oxidation during exercise. Eleven sedentary, overweight men with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥5.6 mmol·L-1 (age, 34 ± 13 years; body mass index = 32 ± 5 kg·m-2; FPG = 6.8 ± 1.0; mean ± SD) ingested GTE (3× per day, 1050 mg·day-1 total) or placebo (PLA) for 7 days in a double-blind, crossover design. The effects of a 75-g glucose drink were assessed on 4 occasions during both GTE and PLA treatments: On days 1 and 5 at rest, and again following an acute bout of exercise on days 3 and 8. The glycemic response was assessed via an indwelling continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and venous blood draws. At rest, 1-h CGM glucose area under the curve was not different (P > 0.05), but the postexercise response was lower after GTE versus PLA (330 ± 53 and 393 ± 65 mmol·L-1·min-1, main effect of treatment, P < 0.05). The 1-h postprandial peaks in venous blood glucose (8.6 ± 1.6 and 9.8 ± 2.2 mmol·L-1) and insulin (96 ± 59 and 124 ± 68 µIU·ml-1) were also lower postexercise with GTE versus PLA (time × treatment interactions, P < 0.05). In conclusion, short-term GTE supplementation did not affect postprandial glucose at rest; however, GTE was associated with an attenuated glycemic response following a postexercise oral glucose load. These data suggest that GTE might alter skeletal muscle glucose uptake in humans.