pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Effects of coumestrol administration to pregnant and lactating mice on intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity.

The present study was conducted to clarify the effects of coumestrol administration on Ca metabolism during pregnancy and in lactating mice. From 6.5 to 16.5 days post coitus (dpc), pregnant mice were administered coumestrol at 200 µg/kg body weight/day. The duodenum, jejunum and blood samples were obtained at 17.5 dpc or 10 days after parturition (dap). Coumestrol administration decreased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mRNA expression of IAP and estrogen responsive genes, c-fos and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in the duodenum and jejunum of pre-delivery mice. In lactating mice, the ALP activity and mRNA expression of IAP were not changed, although coumestrol administration decreased mRNA expression of c-fos in the duodeum and VEGF in the jejunum. Coumestrol did not affect serum Ca and the expression of vitamin D receptor protein in the duodenum and jejunum. Thus, coumestrol administration during pregnancy may decrease the mRNA expression of IAP and the ALP activity in the intestine of the pre-delivery mice through ERα, but coumestrol had little effect on intestinal ALP activity at 10 days after parturition
Infusions and decoctions of mixed herbs used in folk medicine: synergism in antioxidant potential

Infusions (herbal teas) and decoctions are frequently used to administer oral doses of herbs. Although some herbs are used as single ingredients, they are often prepared as mixtures, as reported by numerous ethnobotanical surveys. The present work was carried out to identify the different types of interaction (synergistic, additive and antagonistic effects) which may be found in the antioxidant activity of preparations from mixtures of the popular herbs Aloysia citrodora (lemon verbena), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) and Mentha spicata (spearmint). Herbs were prepared using traditional methods, and the effects after different periods of storage, up to 120 days, were also evaluated. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation by the β-carotene-linoleate system and the TBARS assay. Known antioxidant compounds such as total phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and reducing sugars were also determined. Spearmint was found to be present in the herb mixtures with the greatest antioxidant activity and these also had the highest flavonoid content. The most potent antioxidant activity was found in combinations of different herbs, suggesting synergistic effects
Antioxidant activity of Moringa oleifera tissue extracts

Moringa oleifera is an important source of antioxidants, tools in nutritional biochemistry that could be beneficial for human health; the leaves and flowers are used by the population with great nutritional importance. This work investigates the antioxidant activity of M. oleifera ethanolic (E1) and saline (E2) extracts from flowers (a), inflorescence rachis (b), seeds (c), leaf tissue (d), leaf rachis (e) and fundamental tissues of stem (f). The radical scavenging capacity (RSC) of extracts was determined using dot-blots on thin layer chromatography stained with a 0.4 mm 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) solution; spectrophotometric assays were recorded (515 nm). Antioxidant components were detected in all E1 and E2 from a, b and d. The best RSC was obtained with E1d; the antioxidants present in E2 reacted very slowly with DPPH. The chromatogram revealed by diphenylborinate-2-ethylamine methanolic solution showed that the ethanolic extract from the flowers, inflorescence rachis, fundamental tissue of stem and leaf tissue contained at least three flavonoids; the saline extract from the flowers and leaf tissue revealed at least two flavonoids. In conclusion, M. oleifera ethanolic and saline extracts contain antioxidants that support the use of the plant tissues as food sources.The authors acknowledge financial support from the Portuguese Fundacao para Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) by the Post-doctoral grant SFRH/BPD/37349/2007. The Brazilian Programmes Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq) for research grants and fellowships (PMGP and LCBBC) and the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) are acknowledged for financial support
Prebiotics to fight diseases:  reality or fiction?

Bacteria living in the gastrointestinal tract are crucial for human health and disease occurrence. Increasing the beneficial intestinal microflora by consumption of prebiotics, which are 'functional foods', could be an elegant way to limit the number and incidence of disorders and to recover from dysbiosis or antibiotic treatments. This review focuses on the short-chain low-digestible carbohydrates (LDCs) which are metabolized by gut microbiota serving as energy source, immune system enhancers or facilitators of mineral uptake. Intake of foods containing LDCs can improve the state of health and may prevent diseases as for example certain forms of cancer. Given the large number of different molecules belonging to LDCs, we focused our attention on fructans (inulin, fructo-oligosaccharides), galacto-oligosaccharides and resistant starches and their therapeutic and protective applications. Evidence is accumulating that LDCs can inhibit bacterial and viral infections by modulating host defense responses and by changing the interactions between pathogenic and beneficial bacteria. Animal studies and studies on small groups of human subjects suggest that LDCs might help to counteract colorectal cancer, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The action mechanisms of LDCs in the human body might be broader than originally thought, perhaps also including reactive oxygen species scavenging and signaling events.status: publishe
A biochemical and cellular approach to explore the antiproliferative and prodifferentiative activity of Aloe Arborescens leaf extract

Aloe arborescens Miller, belonging to the Aloe genus (Liliaceae family), is one of the main varieties of Aloe used worldwide. Although less characterized than the commonest Aloe vera, Aloe arborescens is known to be richer in beneficial phytotherapeutic, anticancer, and radio-protective properties. It is commonly used as a pharmaceutical ingredient for its effect in burn treatment and ability to increase skin wound healing properties. However, very few studies have addressed the biological effects of Aloe at molecular level. The aim of the research is to provide evidences for the antiproliferative properties of Aloe arborescens crude leaf extract using an integrated proteomic and cellular biological approach. We analysed the composition of an Aloe arborescens leaf extract by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. We found it rich in Aloe-emodin, a hydroxylanthraquinone with known antitumoral activity and in several compounds with anti-oxidant properties. Accordingly, we show that the Aloe extract has antiproliferative effects on several human transformed cell lines and exhibits prodifferentiative effects on both primary and immortalized human keratinocyte. Proteomic analysis of whole cell extracts revealed the presence of proteins with a strong antiproliferative and antimicrobial activity specifically induced in human keratinocytes by Aloe treatment supporting its application as a therapeutical agen
The isolation of antiprotozoal compounds from Libyan propolis

Propolis is increasingly being explored as a source of biologically active compounds. Until now, there has been no study of Libyan propolis. Two samples were collected in North East Libya and tested for their activity against Trypanosoma brucei. Extracts from both samples had quite high activity. One of the samples was fractionated and yielded a number of active fractions. Three of the active fractions contained single compounds, which were found to be 13-epitorulosal, acetyl-13-epi-cupressic acid and 13-epi-cupressic acid, which have been described before in Mediterranean propolis. Two of the compounds had a minimum inhibitory concentration value of 1.56 µg/mL against T. brucei. The active fractions were also tested against macrophages infected with Leishmania donovani, and again moderate to strong activity was observed with the compounds having IC50 values in the range 5.1-21.9 µg/mL
Xanthine Oxidase-Inhibitory Activity of Extracts Prepared from Polygonaceae Species

The xanthine oxidase (XO)-inhibitory activity of aqueous and organic extracts of 27 selected species belonging in five genera (Fallopia, Oxyria, Persicaria, Polygonum and Rumex) of the family Polygonaceae occurring in the Carpathian Basin were tested in vitro. From different plant parts (aerial parts, leaves, flowers, fruits and roots) a total of 196 extracts were prepared by subsequent extraction with methanol and hot H2O, and solvent–solvent partition of the MeOH extract yielding n-hexane, chloroform and 50% MeOH subextracts. It was found that the chloroform subextracts and/or the remaining 50% MeOH extracts of Fallopia species (F. bohemica, F. japonica and F. sachalinensis), Rumex species (R. acetosa, R. acetosella, R. alpinus, R. conglomeratus, R. crispus, R. hydrolapathus, R. pulcher, R. stenophyllus, R. thyrsiflorus, R. obtusifolius subsp. subalpinus, R. patientia) and Polygonum bistorta, P. hydropiper P. lapathifolium  and P. viviparum demonstrated the highest XO-inhibitory activity (> 85% inhibition) at 400 µg/mL. The IC50 values of the active extracts were also determined. On the basis of the results, these plants, and especially P. hydropiper and R. acetosella, are considered worthy of activity-guided phytochemical investigations
The anti-inflammatory properties of humic substances : a mini review

Humic substances are effective in the suppression of delayed type hypersensitivity, rat paw oedema, a graftversus-
host reaction and contact hypersensitivity in rats. They reduce the C-reactive protein levels of patients
suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee and the wheel and flare reaction of patients suffering from hay fever.
They have also been described as cardioprotective and pro-angiogenic. Toxicity studies have indicated that
potassium humate is safe in humans up to a daily dosage of 1 g/kg, whereas fulvic acid is safe in humans up to
a daily dosage of 1.8 g per adult. The antiinflammatory action of potassium humate can be contributed to the
inhibition of the release of inflammatory-related cytokines, an adhesion molecule, oxidants and components of
the complement system.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-15732016-06-30hb2016School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH
Some South African Rubiaceae tree leaf extracts have antimycobacterial activity against pathogenic and non-pathogenic Mycobacterium species

Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains an ongoing threat to
human health. Many plant species contain antimycobacterial compounds which may serve
as template molecules for new anti-TB drugs. The Rubiaceae family is the largest family of
trees in southern Africa and preliminary evidence revealed antimycobacterial activity in
several species of the genus, motivating further studies. Leaf extracts of 15 tree species
from the Rubiaceae family were screened for antimycobacterial activity against pathogenic
M. tuberculosis and non-pathogenic M. smegmatis, M. aurum and M. bovis BCG using a two-fold serial microdilution assay. Cytotoxicity was determined using a tetrazolium-based
colorimetric assay against C3A liver cells and Vero kidney cells. MIC values as low as 0.04
mg/mL against M. smegmatis and M. tuberculosis were recorded. Activity against M.
aurum was the best predictor of activity against pathogenic M. tuberculosis (correlation
coefficient = 0.9). Bioautography indicated at least 40 different antimycobacterial
compounds in the extracts. Cytotoxicity of the extracts varied and Oxyanthus speciosus had
the most promising selectivity index values.The University of Pretoria Institutional Research Theme for Animal and Zoonotic Diseases
(IRT-AZD), National Research Foundation (NRF, Grant No 81010) and Medical Research
Council (MRC).http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-15732016-07-30hb201
Extract from Ceratonia siliqua exhibits depigmentation properties

Skin hyper-pigmentation is a condition initiated by the overproduction of melanin existing in
the melanocytes. Melanin pigment is responsible for the colour of skin in humans. It is
formed through a series of oxidative reactions involving the amino acid tyrosine in the
presence of the key enzyme tyrosinase. In continuation with our efforts to identify tyrosinase
inhibitors from plants sources, the methanol extract from leaf, bark and fruit of Ceratonia
siliqua were screened for tyrosinase inhibition and diphenolase activity. The bark extract
exhibited significant inhibition on mushroom tyrosinase using L-tyrosine as a substrate and
showed diphenolase activity. The extract further significantly inhibited tyrosinase mRNA
levels in B16-F10 mouse melanocytes. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of
six compounds. Compounds (-)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate, 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-ß-D-glucose
and Gallocatechin-3-O-gallate showed tyrosinase inhibitions with the IC50 values of 27.52,
83.30 and 28.30 μg/mL, respectively. These compounds also exhibited L-DOPA activities
with IC50 values of >200, 150 and 200 μg/mL, respectively. A clinical study was conducted
using 20 volunteers in a patch testing trial for irritancy potential and skin depigmentation.
The clinical results showed the sample to be non-irritant with irritancy potential of -34.21 and
depigmentation trial showed an improvement in the even skin tone of UV induced
pigmentation at 3% after 28 days of application.University of Pretoria and National Research Foundation (NRF).http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-15732016-11-30hb2016GeneticsPlant Scienc
Colon cancer chemoprevention by sage tea drinking: decreased DNA damage and cell proliferation

Salvia officinalis and some of its isolated compounds have been found to be preventive of DNA damage and increased proliferation in vitro in colon cells. In the present study, we used the azoxymethane model to test effects of S. officinalis on colon cancer prevention in vivo. The results showed that sage treatment reduced the number of ACF formed only if administered before azoxymethane injection, demonstrating that sage tea drinking has a chemopreventive effect on colorectal cancer. A decrease in the proliferation marker Ki67 and in H2O2-induced and azoxymethane-induced DNA damage to colonocytes and lymphocytes were found with sage treatment. This confirms in vivo the chemopreventive effects of S. officinalis. Taken together, our results show that sage treatment prevented initiation phases of colon carcinogenesis, an effect due, at least in part, to DNA protection, and reduced proliferation rates of colon epithelial cell that prevent mutations and their fixation through cell replication. These chemopreventive effects of S. officinalis on colon cancer add to the many health benefits attributed to sage and encourage its consumption.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - grant SFRH/BD/35672/2007, SFRH/BD/64817/200
Adverse effects of plant food supplements and plants consumed as food: Results from the poisons centres-based PlantLIBRA study

Plant food supplements (PFS) are products of increasing popularity and wide-spread distribution. Nevertheless, information about their risks is limited. To fill this gap, a poisons centres-based study was performed as part of the EU project PlantLIBRA. Multicentre retrospective review of data from selected European and Brazilian poisons centres, involving human cases of adverse effects due to plants consumed as food or as ingredients of food supplements recorded between 2006 and 2010. Ten poisons centres provided a total of 75 cases. In 57 cases (76%) a PFS was involved; in 18 (24%) a plant was ingested as food. The 10 most frequently reported plants were Valeriana officinalis, Camellia sinensis, Paullinia cupana, Melissa officinalis, Passiflora incarnata, Mentha piperita, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ilex paraguariensis, Panax ginseng, and Citrus aurantium. The most frequently observed clinical effects were neurotoxicity and gastro-intestinal symptoms. Most cases showed a benign clinical course; however, five cases were severe. PFS-related adverse effects seem to be relatively infrequent issues for poisons centres. Most cases showed mild symptoms. Nevertheless, the occurrence of some severe adverse effects and the increasing popularity of PFS require continuous active surveillance, and further research is warranted
Polyphenols and Their Role in Obesity Management: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials

Polyphenols have been suggested to reduce body weight and modify body composition through different\ud
mechanisms. These effects have been extensively studied in animals and in vitro and to a lesser extent in humans.\ud
The aim of this review is to consider the association between polyphenols and body weight status by focusing on\ud
human intervention studies. We conducted a systematic literature search in MEDLINE (via EBSCOhost),\ud
ProQuest CENTRAL, and Cochrane CENTRAL without time restrictions. Randomized controlled trials\ud
assessing the effect of polyphenols on weight and/or body composition in the overweight and/or obese population\ud
were included. Nineteen studies met our inclusion criteria. Results suggest that further research is required\ud
before supporting a potential role of polyphenols in reducing weight in overweight and obese individuals (nine\ud
studies showed a significant decrease in weight by a mean of 1.47 ± 0.58 kg). Nevertheless, several studies\ud
indicated that polyphenols might be effective in preventing small increases in weight during periods of\ud
overfeeding rather than reducing weight as such. The outcomes noted do not yet support polyphenol\ud
supplementation as a complementary approach in weight loss diets. Further larger trials with a duration of\ud
12 months or more are needed to elucidate the effect of polyphenols on body weight status
Supplementation with a Polyphenol-Rich Extract, TensLess® , Attenuates Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness and Improves Muscle Recovery from Damages After Eccentric Exercise.

High-intensity exercises are known to provoke delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Delayed onset muscle soreness typically occurs within the first 24 h, peaks between 24 and 72 h, and can last as long as 5-7 days post-exercise. Delayed onset muscle soreness is a multifactorial process involving both mechanical and biochemical components, associated with clinical features that may limit range of motion, and athletes seek for effective recovery strategies to optimize future training sessions. TensLess® is a food supplement developed to help manage post-exercise recovery. The supplement has been investigated on 13 recreationally active athletes of both sex, during a randomized, double-blind, and crossover clinical investigation, including a 3-week washout period. The clinical investigation was based on the study of TensLess® effects for DOMS management and on the reduction of associated muscle damages following an eccentric exercise protocol. Supplementation with TensLess® induced significant decrease in DOMS perception (-33%; p = 0.008) as of the first 24 h; this was significantly correlated with a lowered release of muscle damage-associated biomarkers, namely myoglobin, creatinine, and creatine kinase, for the whole length of the recovery period. Taken together, these positive results clearly indicate that post-exercise supplementation with TensLess® may preserve myocytes and reduce soreness following eccentric exercise-induced damages, and, accordingly, significantly shorten muscle recovery.Actividad Física y Deport
The Use of Traditional Herbal Medicines Amongst South Asian Diasporic Communities in the UK

Migrant South Asian communities in the UK have brought with them their own traditional forms of medicine, yet little is known about their current use of herbal medicines (HMs) in the UK. The aim of the study was to explore the origins, use and transmission of knowledge of traditional HMs used by diasporic South Asian communities in the UK. A researcher-administered questionnaire was used for data collection (n = 192). An opportunity sampling technique was used to recruit participants across several locations in Birmingham and Leicester. Two thirds of participants (n = 126) stated they used HMs to maintain their health and to treat various health conditions such as digestive problems, skin conditions and diabetes. Almost 2000 actively used HMs were documented including 123 plant species that were identified. Participants imported HMs from abroad as well as sourcing them locally and even growing some of their own plants. Up to 82% (n = 87) of participants who took prescription medicines did not tell their healthcare professionals about any HMs they consumed; this raises concerns about people’s knowledge of herb–drug interactions, compliance and effect on prescribed medicine regimens. Similar studies to explore the use of HMs by other ethnic groups are imperative to help optimise pharmaceutical care of patients
Bio-prospecting endemic Mascarene Aloes for potential neuroprotectants.

The Mascarene Aloes are used in the traditional pharmacopoeia against various ailments including cutaneous diseases and as antispasmodics. Scientific evidence to support these claims is non-existent and mainly based on the scientific repute of A. vera. The antioxidant profile of methanolic leaf extracts of A. purpurea Lam., A. tormentorii (Marais) L. E. Newton & G. D. Rowley, A. lomatophylloides Balf. f., A. macra Haw. and A. vera (L.) Burm. f. was studied using the total antioxidant capacity, copper equivalent and superoxide dismutase assays. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated on CAD (Cath.-a-differentiated) neuronal cells by the methyl tetrazolium assay, and the neuroprotective profile was assessed using hydrogen peroxide-induced neurotoxicity with the CAD cells. The aloin and vitexin content were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection. A. purpurea had the highest aloin content (546.6 nmol/g), while A. tormentorii had the highest vitexin content (67.3 nmol/g). A. macra (concentration <0.1 mg/mL) elicited a 10% cytotoxicity effect on CAD cells while other Mascarene Aloes were not cytotoxic. This study validates the antioxidant and neuroprotective potential of Mascarene Aloes focusing on their aloin and vitexin content that are also present in other reputed medicinal Aloes