Studies of the Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Palmitoylethanolamide (Pea) and Potential Synergistic Combinations with Plant Polyphenols

The endogenous compound palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), has significant anti-inflammatory and immune modulating properties. As a nutraceutical, PEA assists in prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, acting at several molecular targets. This study hypothesized a potential synergistic interaction between PEA, quercetin and curcuminoids in mitigating the inflammatory response. The interactive effects of their combination against inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages were investigated and combinations demonstrated ability to reduce the expression of proinflammatory markers related to the NF-kB pathway, such as IL-1b, TNF-α and IL-10. The synergistic nature of the interactions was demonstrated in mRNA expression of IL-1b. Simulated CI values identified, for the first time, a range of effect levels in which combinations are synergistic. PEA reduced IL-1b and TNF-α expression via activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-α), whereas quercetin and curcuminoids effects were not affected by PPAR-α blockage. LPS-stimulation decreased expression of PEA-degrading enzymes, while treatment with PEA increased enzyme expression. PEA exhibited good stability under cell culture conditions, as 82% and 78% of added PEA and d4-PEA, respectively, were found in the supernatant after 12h. Presence of quercetin and curcuminoids did not change d4-PEA cellular uptake. Additional studies are recommended to understand the role of polyphenols in the PEA uptake process. A combined formulation containing the three agents (PCQ) reduced in vitro expression of pro-inflammatory markers, as well as reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide release in RAW264.7 cells. When given as a dietary supplement for 8-weeks to family-owned osteoarthritic dogs, PCQ reduced concentration of disease associated pro-inflammatory markers in some patients. Improvement in pain scores from Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI was seen in 3 out of 6 dogs and force plate analysis indicated that 4 dogs exhibited improvement in both peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI). Outcomes from this pilot study provided insight on the potential benefits of this combination in an already established disease and how the supplementation can help in pain management, activity and improved gait, as well as in reduction of OA-associated inflammation. The novel formulation exhibits high applicability as a dietary supplement to be used alone or as an adjuvant to standard of care in chronic inflammatory conditions

Physicochemical and enzimatic transformations of "eva" apples stored under modified atmosphere

The need for a permanent market supply of fresh fruit has generated great interest in postharvest techniques that can promote useful life and quality of the fruit. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of atmospheric modification using different polymeric films in maintaining postharvest quality and prolonging the shelf life of Eva (Mallus sp) apples. For this, fruits from the city of Barbacena - MG, selected and sanitized were packed in plastic trays and wrapped in the corresponding films. The films used were: polypropylene - 20 µm, low-density polyethylene - 14 µm and high-density polyethylene - 7 µm. Another group of fruits (control) was not submitted to a modified atmosphere. Subsequently, all the the packages were stored under refrigeration (0 ° C ± 0.5) for 210 days and the evaluations of the following variables were performed every 30 days of storage: hydrogen potential (pH), titratable acidity, soluble solids, weight loss, firmness, total pectin, soluble pectin, pectin methyl esterase and polygalacturonase. The work was conducted in a completely randomized design (4x8), with 4 treatments and 8 experimental times. Each treatment consisted of three replicates and each experimental unit consisted of six fruits. The results were submitted to variance analysis and means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability and regression analysis. The low density polyethylene (14 µm) packaging provided the best conservation of the Eva cultivar apple textural characteristics

Anti-inflammatory Formulations And Uses Thereof Including A Combination Of Palmitoylethanolamide And Plant-based Polyphenols

Pharmaceutical or nutraceutical formulations are provided for treating inflammation in a subject in need thereof, as well as methods of treating inflammation in a subject in need thereof by administering one of the formulations. In some aspects, the pharmaceutical or nutraceutical formulation includes an effective amount of (i) palmitoylethanolamide or a derivative thereof, and (ii) one, two, three or more different small-molecule polyphenols or derivatives thereof to alleviate one or more causes or symptoms of the inflammation in the subject. In some aspects, the formulations include all three, e.g. the formulations includes (i) palmitoylethanolamide or a derivative thereof, (ii) quercetin or a derivative thereof, and (iii) curcumin or a derivative thereof. In some instances, the components (i)-(iii) discussed above are present at a mass ratio of about (i) 4 mg to 6 mg of palmitoylethanolamide or a derivative thereof to (ii) about 0.5 to 2.5 mg curcumin or a derivative thereof, and (iii) about 0.5 mg to 1.5 mg quercetin or a derivative thereof.U

Cassava starch edible coating incorporated with propolis on bioactive compounds in strawberries

ABSTRACT Strawberry is a fruit appreciated throughout the world due to its attractive quality attributes and stands out due to its high phenolic compound content, which positively contribute to biological properties of nutritional interest. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cassava starch coatings incorporated with propolis combinations on the phytochemical content and the maintenance and increase of the strawberry antioxidant activity. The treatments were 3% cassava starch (CS), 3% cassava starch + 33% ethanolic propolis extract (CS + P33%), 3% cassava starch + 66% ethanolic propolis extract (CS + P66%) and control (C). The fruits were stored at 4 °C ± 0.5 ºC and 90%RH for 16 days, making up a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 5 time evaluations. Vitamin C, phenolic compound, anthocyanin, and antioxidant activity levels were evaluated through two methods. The coating with 66% of propolis promoted higher Vitamin C content than fruits submitted to the other treatments at 8 and 12 days of storage. For antioxidant activity, fruits treated with CS maintained a higher FRS percentage (free radical scavenging) at all time evaluations. Control fruits presented higher anthocyanin content at the last evaluation time when the highest antioxidant capacity, by the ABTS method (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)), was observed in fruits with CS and CS + P66% treatments. There was an increase tendency of the phenolic content during storage in all evaluated fruits. The propolis concentrations used, however, were not sufficient to increase or maintain the antioxidant capacity and phenolic contents of strawberries