Fortification of Fermented Camel Milk with Salvia officinalis L. or Mentha piperita Leaves Powder and Its Biological Effects on Diabetic Rats

Researchers Supporting Project number (RSPD2023R655), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Supplementary Materials: The following supporting information can be downloaded from: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/molecules28155749/s1The incorporation of fermented camel milk with natural additives possesses numerous benefits for the treatment of various pathological and metabolic conditions. The present study investigated the impact of fortification of fermented camel milk with sage or mint leaves powder (1 and 1.5%, respectively) on glucose and insulin levels, lipid profile, and liver and kidney functions in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The gross chemical composition of sage and peppermint leaves powder was studied. The chemical composition of sage and mint extracts was performed using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) of sage and mint extracts. Furthermore, a total of forty-two adult normal male albino rats were included in this study, whereas one group was kept as the healthy control group (n = 6 rats) and diabetes was induced in the remaining animals (n = 36 rats) using alloxan injection (150 mg/kg of body weight). Among diabetic rats groups, a control group (n = 6 rats) was kept as the diabetic control group whereas the other 5 groups (6 rats per group) of diabetic rats were fed fermented camel milk (FCM) or fermented camel milk fortified with 1 and 1.5% of sage or mint leaves powder. Interestingly, the oral administration of fermented camel milk fortified with sage or mint leaves powder, at both concentrations, caused a significant decrease in blood glucose level and lipid profile, and an increase in insulin level compared to the diabetic control and FCM groups. Among others, the best results were observed in the group of animals that received fermented camel milk fortified with 1.5% sage powder. In addition, the results revealed that the fermented camel milk fortified with sage or mint leaves powder improved the liver and kidney functions of diabetic rats. Our study concluded that the use of sage and mint leaves powder (at a ratio of 1.5%) with fermented camel milk produces functional food products with anti-diabetic activity.Researchers Supporting Project, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia RSPD2023R655European Union-NextGenerationE

Hepatic- and Renal protective Effects of Chrysophyllum albidum (African Star Apple) Fruit-Skin Supplementation on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Chrysophyllum albidum commonly called African star apple, has been reported for its antidiabetic potential but its effect on liver and kidney functions in diabetic rats has not been well investigated. This study investigated effects of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit-skin (CAFS) supplemented diet on Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced intraperitonealy at a single dose of 50mg/kg bw of Streptozotocin (STZ). Forty male Wistar rats weighing averagely 170g were randomly divided into four groups of ten rats each; Group 1-Normal control, Group 2-Diabetic control, Group 3-Diabetic rats treated Glibenclamide, Group 4-Diabetic rats treated 70g/kg CAFS supplemented diet. After four weeks of treatment, the rats were sacrificed. Liver function biomarkers (Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)) activities, kidney function biomarkers (Creatinine and Urea), electrolyte ions (K+,  Na+,  HCO3- and Cl-), total protein and bilirubin levels were measured in the plasma. The diabetic control exhibited hepato-renal dysfunction with significant (p<0.05) increase in the liver marker enzymes’ activities, total bilirubin, creatinine and urea concentrations while decreasing total protein, albumin and electrolyte ions levels compared with normal control group. Treatment with CAFS supplemented diet significantly (p<0.05) enhanced liver and kidney recovery by reducing the elevated activities of liver marker enzymes, reversed the increments in creatinine, urea and total bilirubin while increasing the concentration of total protein and restoring electrolyte ions concentrations to near normal values. CAFS supplemented diet has hepatic- and renal protective effects on STZ-induced diabetic rats. Thus, CAFS could be considered as therapeutic agent against the progression of diabetes complications. Keywords: Chrysophyllum  albidum; fruit-skin; liver markers; kidney markers; diabetes. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-6-02 Publication date:March 31st 2020

Ameliorative effect of virgin olive oil against nephrotoxicity following sub-chronic administration of ethephon in male rats

Background: Ethephon (EP) is the most famous plant growth regulator with different adverse effects on kidney function. Virgin Olive Oil (VOO) is considered as a natural source of antioxidant with beneficial effects. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of VOO on nephrotoxicity induced by EP in rats. Methods and materials: In this study, 80 male rats (weighing 200�250 g) were divided into four groups including I: control group received normal saline as vehicle, II: received VOO, III: received EP (150 mg/kg/day) for 2 months, IV: received EP (150 mg/kg/day for 2 months, after 2-month pretreatment with VOO. VOO (2 mL/kg/day) and vehicle were administered by gastric gavage for 2 months. At the end, the animals were sacrificed, and their blood and kidneys were used for examinations. Isolated kidneys were used for histopathological and oxidative stress studies. Results: Significant increases were recorded in blood (neutrophils, monocytes) and urinary parameters as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the group III compared to groups II and I (P�0.05). Antioxidant enzymes significantly declined and histopathological alterations increased in the group III. In the group IV, significant decreases were recorded in blood and urinary parameters, MDA, and histopathological alterations and a significant increase were found in antioxidant enzymes compared to group III (P�0.05). Conclusions: Findings of the present study demonstrated protective effects of VOO in prevention of kidneys against EP -induced toxicity in albino rats. © 2019 Center for Food and Biomolecules, National Taiwan Universit

The Health Benefits of the Bioactive Compounds in Foods

The development of new foods or nutraceuticals with health benefits is among today’s most important issues, which presents an opportune moment for the food and/or pharmaceutical industries. However, the launch of new products should be supported by strong scientific evidence on the health benefits attributable to the intake of these bioactive food ingredients. Studies focusing on changes during the storage conditions, digestion process, intestinal absorption rates, biological mechanisms of action, or bioactivity of their metabolites are also required to establish the real contribution of these compounds to the health status of today’s societie

Prunus avium vegetal parts as a potential source of health benefits

The benefit effects of edible and medicinal plants are recognized since ancient times, being intimately linked with the capacity of them to synthesize a great variety of bioactive compounds, that can be used in their biological functions, for example in their defense against predators, but also as a supplement and/or medicinal drug due to their higher antioxidant power and anti-inflammatory capacity. Medicinal plant is defined as the entire plant, or parts, as for example leaves, fruits, roots, flowers, among others. In P. avium L. specie, the fruit, has been the target of several studies and its consumption has been encouraged. In addition to be largely appreciated due to its color, sweet taste, high contents of water and low-calorie value, sweet cherries also present a notorious antioxidant capacity. Relatively to leaves, flowers and stems of cherry tree, all of them are used as fertilizers. The flowers and stems are used as infusions, especially stems whose diuretic and sedative functions are well-known. Then and with the objective to extending the knowledge and applicability of stems, there were prepared two extracts, one hydroethanolic (50:50 v/v) and an infusion of the three matrices, and the phenolic profile and biological activity of the extracts were analyzed. LC-DAD analysis allowed the identification of thirty-one phenolic compounds: one hydroxybenzoic acid, thirteen hydroxycinnamic acids, three flavanols, three isoflavones, three flavanones and eight flavan-3-ols. Being sakuratenin derivative, 5-O-caffeolquinic acid and hydroxycinnamic derivative 1, the major compound in stems, leaves and flowers extracts, respectively. The antioxidant potential was evaluated by in vitro assays against DPPH, superoxide and nitric oxide radicals. All extracts revealed great potential in a dose-dependent manner for all assays. The hydroethanolic extracts of stems and leaves showed to be to the most active against DPPH radical (IC50 = 22.37 ± 0.29 µg/mL and IC50 = 27.29 ± 0.77 µg/mL, respectively). The same extracts obtained the best results to scavenging superoxide radicals IC50 = 9.11 ± 0.16 µg/mL and IC50 = 13.87 ± 0.41 µg/mL, for the hydroethanolic leaves and stems extracts, respectively. On the other hand, the infusion stems and hydroethanolic flowers extracts showed the highest antioxidant activity against nitric oxide radical (IC50 = 99.99 ± 1.89 µg/mL and IC50 = 123.38 ± 1.57 µg/mL), respectively. The antidiabetic activity was tested using the a-glucosidase enzyme, being the extracts of stems the most active, with an IC50 = 3.18 ± 0.23 µg/mL for infusion, and IC50 = 7.67 ± 0.23 µg/mL for hydroethanolic extract. Finally, the protective capacity of the human erythrocytes against oxidative damage of leaves, stems and flowers extracts was evaluated through the assays concerning the hemoglobin oxidation, lipid peroxidation and hemolysis. The hydroethanolic extract of stems was the most active against lipid peroxidation and hemolysis with IC50 = 26.20 ± 0.38 µg/mL and IC50=1.58 ± 0.18 µg/mL, respectively. On the other hand, the hydroethanolic extract of flowers showed the greater activity against the hemoglobin oxidation assay (IC50=12.85 ± 0.61 µg/mL). Considering the results obtained in this work, we can consider that leaves, stems and flowers of sweet cherry are a promising source of bioactive compounds, with antioxidant properties, protecting cells from the oxidative damage caused by free radicals, possess antidiabetic potential and protect the human erythrocytes. However, it is necessary to carry out new studies to demystify the use of these products as a possibility of natural formulations used as food supplements, nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical applications.Os benefícios das plantas edíveis e medicinais são conhecidos desde a antiguidade, estando intimamente relacionados com a capacidades destas de sintetizar uma grande variedade de compostos bioativos, que podem ser usados nas suas funções biológicas, como por exemplo na defesa contra predadores, mas também como suplementos e/ou novos fármacos devido ao seu grande poder antioxidante e capacidade anti-inflamatória. Entende-se como planta medicinal a própria planta, ou parte desta, como por exemplo folhas, frutos, raízes, flores, entre outros. Na espécie Prunus avium Linnaeus, o fruto tem sido alvo de vários estudos e o seu consumo incentivado. Para além de ser muito apreciado devido à sua cor, sabor doce, alto teor em água e baixo teor em calorias, apresenta ainda uma capacidade antioxidante notória. Relativamente à folha, à flor e ao pedúnculo da cerejeira, todos eles são usados como fertilizantes. A folha e o pedúnculo são ainda usados na preparação de infusões, em especial o pedúnculo, cujas funções diuréticas e sedativas são amplamente conhecidas. Nesta ordem de contexto e com o objetivo de se alargar o conhecimento e a aplicabilidade das folhas, flores e pedúnculos da cerejeira, foram preparados dois extratos, um hidroetanólico (50:50 v/v) e uma infusão das 3 matrizes. Procedeu-se então à análise do perfil fenólico e da atividade biológica dos mesmos. A análise por LC-DAD permitiu a identificação de trinta e um compostos fenólicos: um ácido hidroxibenzóico, treze ácidos hidroxicinâmicos, três flavanóis, três isoflavonas, três flavanonas e oito flavan-3-óis, sendo um derivado da sakuranetina, o ácido 5-O-caffeolquínico e o derivado 1 do ácido hidroxicinâmico, os compostos maioritários no pedúnculo, folha e flor, respetivamente. Em relação à atividade antioxidante, esta foi avaliada através de ensaios in vitro contra os radicais DPPH, superóxido e óxido nítrico. Todos os extratos mostraram grande potencial, numa dose-dependente da concentração para todos os ensaios. Os extratos hidroetanólicos dos pedúnculos e das folhas demonstraram ser os mais ativos contra o radical DPPH (IC50 = 22.37 ± 0.29 µg/mL e IC50 = 27.29 ± 0.77 µg/mL, respetivamente). Os mesmos extratos obtiveram os melhores resultados na captura dos radicais superóxido com (IC50 = 9.11 ± 0.16 µg/mL e IC50 = 13.87 ± 0.41 µg/mL, para o extrato hidroetanólico das folhas e dos pedúnculos, respetivamente). Por outro lado, a infusão dos pedúnculos e o extrato hidroetanólico das flores demonstraram ter a maior capacidade antioxidante contra o radical óxido nítrico (IC50 = 99.99 ± 1.89 µg/mL e IC50 = 123.38 ± 1.57 µg/mL, respetivamente). A atividade antidiabética foi testada utilizando a enzima a-glucosidade, sendo os extratos dos pedúnculos os que obtiveram o melhor resultado com IC50 de 3.18 ± 0.23 µg/mL para a infusão e 7.67 ± 0.23 µg/mL para o extrato hidroetanólico. Por fim, foi avaliado a capacidade protetora destas mesmas matrizes na proteção dos eritrócitos humanos contra o dano oxidativo, através de ensaios contra a oxidação da hemoglobina, peroxidação lipídica e hemólise. Todos os extratos mostraram grande capacidade protetora. O extrato hidroetanólico do pedúnculo foi o mais ativo na prevenção da peroxidação lipídica e da hemólise com IC50 = 26.20 ± 0.38 µg/mL e IC50 = 1.58 ± 0.18 µg/mL, respetivamente. Por outro lado, o extrato hidroetanólico da flor demonstrou maior capacidade protetora contra a oxidação da hemoglobina (IC50=12.85 ± 0.61 µg/mL). Através dos resultados obtidos neste trabalho, podemos considerar que as folhas, flores e pedúnculos da cerejeira são uma fonte promissora de compostos bioativos, com propriedades antioxidantes, protegendo as células dos danos causados por radicais livres, potencial antidiabético e de proteção dos eritrócitos humanos. Sendo, no entanto, necessário a realização de novos estudos para desmistificar o uso destes produtos como possibilidade de formulações naturais usadas como suplementos alimentares, produtos nutracêuticos e farmacêuticos