Mahonia Aquifolium Flowers Extract Effects in Acute Experimental Inflammation

Natural products were proved to have inhibitory effect on the nitro-oxidative stress. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Mahonia aquifolium (MA) flowers extract upon nitro-oxidative stress in acute experimental inflammation. The extract was prepared by repercolation method. Acute experimental inflammation was induced with turpentine oil (0,6ml/kg b.w. i.m.). MA extract was given for 7 days. Were used 6 groups (n=5) of male Wistar rats: Groups 1-3 were with acute inflammation and treated with MA dilutions (100%, 50%, 25%); Group 4 was acute inflammation control; Group 5 was negative control; Group 6 was acute inflammation treated with diclofenac (10mg/kg b.w. p.o). In day 8 nitro-oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring serum nitrites and nitrates (NOx), Total oxidative stress (TOS), Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Oxidative stress index (OSI), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Thiols (SH). MA reduced OSI and TOS, increased SH, and had no important effect on TAC, NO and MDA. Compared to MA, Diclofenac was a stronger inhibitor of TOS and OSI, and had a smaller effect on SH. Mahonia aquifolium flowers extract had inhibitory effect on the oxidative stress, without influencing NO and lypoperoxides production, the effect being smaller than that of Diclofenac

Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory effect of Phellodendron amurense Rupr. stem bark extract

In many diseases inflammation and oxidative stress coexist and are therapeutic targets. Phellodendron amurense Rupr. has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but the mechanisms are not completely elucidated. Therefore, first P. amurense stem bark extract was analysed regarding chemical compounds such as total polyphenol content (TPC), polyphenols (gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid and ferulic acid) and alkaloids (berbamine, jatrorrhizine, palmatine, and berberine). Quantitative determination of alkaloids revealed that berberine had the highest concentration of 2.44±0.22 mg/g. In vitro antioxidant activity was significant. Then, thein vivo anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of P. amurense extract were studied before and after acute experimental rat inflammation induction in order to find some mechanisms of these effects. The P. amurense stem bark extract had a good anti-inflammatory activity by reducing nitric oxide, 3-nitrotyrosine and NF-kB, and an antioxidant activity by lowering oxidants and increasing antioxidants. This study provides scientific knowledge and could contribute to the development of novel drugs based on P. amurense stem bark extract for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and prevention of oxidative stress

Polyphenolic Compounds, Antioxidant, and Cardioprotective Effects of Pomace Extracts from Fetească Neagră Cultivar

Grape pomace is a potential source of natural antioxidant agents. Phenolic compounds and antioxidant and cardioprotective properties of fresh and fermented pomace extracts obtained from Vitis vinifera L. red variety Fetească neagră grown in Romania in 2015 were investigated. Grape pomace extracts total phenolic index, total tannins, total anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavan-3-ol monomers, stilbenes, and DPPH free radical scavenger were measured. The effect of a seven-day pretreatment with grape pomace extracts on the isoprenaline-induced infarct-like lesion in rats was assessed by ECG monitoring, serum levels of creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase. Total serum oxidative status, total antioxidant response, oxidative stress index, malondialdehyde, total thiols, and nitric oxide have been also assessed. Higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity were found in fermented pomace extracts when compared to fresh pomace extracts. Pretreatment with grape pomace extracts significantly improved cardiac and oxidative stress parameters. In conclusion, Fetească neagră pomace extracts had a good in vitro antioxidant activity due to an important phenolic content. In vivo, the extracts had cardioprotective effects against isoprenaline-induced infarct-like lesion by reducing oxidative stress, fresh pomace extracts having a better effect

Potential therapeutic applications of infusions and hydroalcoholic extracts of Romanian glutinous sage (Salvia glutinosa L.)

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Salvia glutinosa, also known as the glutinous sage, has been used in Romanian folk medicine in the treatment of inflammation, injuries, and mild infections. However, there is no direct scientific evidence to demonstrate these activities. Aim of the Study: The present research was based on evaluating antioxidant, antiproliferative, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of S. glutinosa extracts, as well as the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Materials and Methods: Infusions and 70% (v:v) ethanol solution extracts of S. glutinosa stems and leaves, collected from two different locations in Romania, were prepared. Ten phenolic compounds were identified and quantified using the LC-DAD-ESI/MSn method, and total phenolic and flavonoid content, as well as in vitro antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays), antiproliferative, antiinflammatory and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities were determined. A rat model of induced inflammation with turpentine oil was used for the examination of in vivo effects of the extracts, using diclofenac as an antiinflammatory control. Results: The highest inhibitory α-glucosidase activity was determined to be IC50 = 0.546 mg/ml for the hydroalcoholic extract made with plant material collected on the road to Sighișoara. The highest cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cell line was determined to be GI50 = 131.68 ± 5.03 μg/ml, for the hydroalcoholic extract made with plant material from Sighișoara. In vivo administration of extract (200 mg lyophilized powder/ml) showed a significant reduction of NO production.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that S. glutinosa extracts exhibit antioxidant, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, as well as a modest cytotoxic effect on HepG2 cell line. By in vivo administration, the extracts show antiinflammatory and antioxidant activity, which correlates with the traditional use of the species. The environmental conditions seemed to induce important changes in the chemical composition and the bioactivity of the herbal preparations derived from S. glutinosa.This work was supported by a grant of the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research, CNCS–UEFISCDI, project number PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019–5360.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of <i>Allium ursinum</i>

The aim of the present study was to evaluate Allium ursinum leaves and flowers extract anti-inflammatory effect. Plant extract 1:1 (w:v) was prepared from A. ursinum leaves by a modified Squibb repercolation method. The in vivo anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated on a rat turpentine oil-induced inflammation (i.m. 6 mL/kg BW). The animals were randomly assigned to nine groups (n=8): negative control, inflammation, A. ursinum flower extract (AUF), A. ursinum leaves extract (AUL), indomethacin (INDO) (20 mg/kg BW), aminoguanidine (AG) (50 mg/kg b.w./d i.p.) as a selective NOS2 inhibitor, NG-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (NAME) (5 mg/kg b.w./d i.p.) as a nonselective NOS inhibitor, L-arginine (ARG) (100 mg/kg b.w./d i.p.), NO synthesis substrate, and Trolox (20 mg/kg b.w./d i.p) as an antioxidant. At 24h from inflammation induction total oxidative status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), nitric oxide (NOx) and in vitro phagocytosis test were reduced and the total antioxidative reactivity (TAR) was increased by the testes plant extracts. AUF had a better inhibitory effect than AUL. In conclusion, we provided evidence for the hypothesis that A. ursinum leaves and flowers extract exerts anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the phagocytosis through the reduction of the nitro-oxidative stress

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of <i>Allium ursinum</i>

The aim of the present study was to evaluate <i>Allium ursinum</i> leaves and flowers extract anti-inflammatory effect. Plant extract 1:1 (w:v) was prepared from <i>A. ursinum</i> leaves by a modified Squibb repercolation method. The in vivo anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated on a rat turpentine oil-induced inflammation (i.m. 6 mL/kg BW). The animals were randomly assigned to nine groups (n=8): negative control, inflammation, <i>A. ursinum</i> flower extract (AUF), <i>A. ursinum</i> leaves extract (AUL), indomethacin (INDO) (20 mg/kg BW), aminoguanidine (AG) (50 mg/kg b.w./d i.p.) as a selective NOS2 inhibitor, NG-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (NAME) (5 mg/kg b.w./d i.p.) as a nonselective NOS inhibitor, L-arginine (ARG) (100 mg/kg b.w./d i.p.), NO synthesis substrate, and Trolox (20 mg/kg b.w./d i.p) as an antioxidant. At 24h from inflammation induction total oxidative status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), nitric oxide (NOx) and in vitro phagocytosis test were reduced and the total antioxidative reactivity (TAR) was increased by the testes plant extracts. AUF had a better inhibitory effect than AUL. In conclusion, we provided evidence for the hypothesis that <i>A. ursinum</i> leaves and flowers extract exerts anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the phagocytosis through the reduction of the nitro-oxidative stress

Metabolic Mechanisms in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: Insights from Bariatric/Metabolic Surgery

Obesity and the related diabetes epidemics represent a real concern worldwide. Bariatric/metabolic surgery emerged in last years as a valuable therapeutic option for obesity and related diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The complicated network of mechanisms involved in obesity and T2DM have not completely defined yet. There is still a debate on which would be the first metabolic defect leading to metabolic deterioration: insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia? Insight into the metabolic effects of bariatric/metabolic surgery has revealed that, beyond weight loss and food restriction, other mechanisms can be activated by the rearrangements of the gastrointestinal tract, such as the incretinic/anti-incretinic system, changes in bile acid composition and flow, and modifications of gut microbiota; all of them possibly involved in the remission of T2DM. The complete elucidation of these mechanisms will lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease. Our aim was to review some of the metabolic mechanisms involved in the development of T2DM in obese patients as well as in the remission of this condition in patients submitted to bariatric/metabolic surgery