Protection against LPS-induced cartilage inflammation and degradation provided by a biological extract of Mentha spicata

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A variety of mint [<it>Mentha spicata</it>] has been bred which over-expresses Rosmarinic acid (RA) by approximately 20-fold. RA has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity <it>in vitro </it>and in small rodents; thus it was hypothesized that this plant would demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory activity <it>in vitro</it>. The objectives of this study were: a) to develop an <it>in vitro </it>extraction procedure which mimics digestion and hepatic metabolism, b) to compare anti-inflammatory properties of High-Rosmarinic-Acid <it>Mentha spicata </it>(HRAM) with wild-type control <it>M. spicata </it>(CM), and c) to quantify the relative contributions of RA and three of its hepatic metabolites [ferulic acid (FA), caffeic acid (CA), coumaric acid (CO)] to anti-inflammatory activity of HRAM.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>HRAM and CM were incubated in simulated gastric and intestinal fluid, liver microsomes (from male rat) and NADPH. Concentrations of RA, CA, CO, and FA in simulated digest of HRAM (HRAM_sim) and CM (CM_sim) were determined (HPLC) and compared with concentrations in aqueous extracts of HRAM and CM. Cartilage explants (porcine) were cultured with LPS (0 or 3 μg/mL) and test article [HRAM_sim(0, 8, 40, 80, 240, or 400 μg/mL), or CM_sim(0, 1, 5 or 10 mg/mL), or RA (0.640 μg/mL), or CA (0.384 μg/mL), or CO (0.057 μg/mL) or FA (0.038 μg/mL)] for 96 h. Media samples were analyzed for prostaglandin E₂(PGE₂), interleukin 1β (IL-1), glycosaminoglycan (GAG), nitric oxide (NO) and cell viability (differential live-dead cell staining).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>RA concentration of HRAM_simand CM_simwas 49.3 and 0.4 μg/mL, respectively. CA, FA and CO were identified in HRAM_simbut not in aqueous extract of HRAM. HRAM_sim(≥ 8 μg/mL) inhibited LPS-induced PGE₂and NO; HRAM_sim(≥ 80 μg/mL) inhibited LPS-induced GAG release. RA inhibited LPS-induced GAG release. No anti-inflammatory or chondroprotective effects of RA metabolites on cartilage explants were identified.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our biological extraction procedure produces a substance which is similar in composition to post-hepatic products. HRAM_simis an effective inhibitor of LPS-induced inflammation in cartilage explants, and effects are primarily independent of RA. Further research is needed to identify bioactive phytochemical(s) in HRAM_sim.</p

Inhibition of Gastric Lipase as a Mechanism for Body Weight and Plasma Lipids Reduction in Zucker Rats Fed a Rosemary Extract Rich in Carnosic Acid

BACKGROUND: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extracts (REs) exhibit hepatoprotective, anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory properties and are widely used in the food industry. REs are rich in carnosic acid (CA) and carnosol which may be responsible for some of the biological activities of REs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether inhibition of lipase activity in the gut may be a mechanism by which a RE enriched in CA (40%) modulates body weight and lipids levels in a rat model of metabolic disorders and obesity. METHODS AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: RE was administered for 64 days to lean (fa/+) and obese (fa/fa) female Zucker rats and body weight, food intake, feces weight and blood biochemical parameters were monitored throughout the study. Lipase activity (hydrolysis of p-nitrophenylbutyrate) was measured in the gastrointestinal tract at the end of the study and the contents of CA, carnosol and methyl carnosate were also determined. Sub-chronic administration of RE moderately reduced body weight gain in both lean and obese animals but did not affect food intake. Serum triglycerides, cholesterol and insulin levels were also markedly decreased in the lean animals supplemented with RE. Importantly, lipase activity was significantly inhibited in the stomach of the RE-supplemented animals where the highest content of intact CA and carnosol was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that long-term administration of RE enriched in CA moderates weight gain and improves the plasma lipids profile, primarily in the lean animals. Our data also suggest that these effects may be caused, at least in part, by a significant inhibition of gastric lipase and subsequent reduction in fat absorption

Influence d’extraits naturels de romarin sur l’initiation de la cancérogenèse : recherche des mécanismes d’action

Diplôme : Dr. d'UniversitéL’objectif de ce travail est d’étudier l’influence d’extraits de romarin sur l’étape d’initiation de la cancérogenèse ainsi que les mécanismes mis en jeu. Plusieurs extraits de romarin sont utilisés, notammen tun extrait contenant des diterpènes phénoliques (ED) et un extrait contenant des acides-phénols et des flavonoïdes (EHS). Dans un modèle d’hépatocancérogenèse induite par le benzo(a)pyrène (BaP), les deux extraits (ED et EHS) diminuent significativement la formation de foyers prénéoplasiques. L’utilisation de fractions subcellulaires de foie de rats traités avec les extraits ED et EHS, dans le test de Armes, a notamment permis de mettre en évidence une forte diminution de la mutagénicité du benzo(a)pyrène diol epoxyde, le métabolite le plus mutagène du BaP. L’ensemble de ces résultats suggère que l’induction d’enzymes de détoxication serait un des mécanismes impliqués dans l’effet anti-cancérogène du romari

Research on an effect of a short term exposure to low concentrations of ozone on V79 cells using the comet assay

During episode of atmospheric pollution in industrialized areas, the ozone concentration can reach up to 0.35 ppm for a few hours. These concentrations are beyond the protection thresholds for human health and vegetation recommended by EU directive 92/72 and based on the guidelines of the World Health Organisation. Ozone is not by itself a radicalar species, but most of its toxic effects are thought to result from radicalar reactions mediated by .OH or by nucleases activation. So far, most of the genotoxic effects reported have been observed in vitro at concentrations in the range of 1 to 10 ppm during 1 hour (Victorin, 1992), that is higher than the actual individual exposure

Skin Minerals: Key Roles of Inorganic Elements in Skin Physiological Functions

As odd as it may seem at first glance, minerals, it is what we are all about…or nearly. Although life on Earth is carbon-based, several other elements present in the planet’s crust are involved in and often indispensable for functioning of living organisms. Many ions are essential, and others show supportive and accessory qualities. They are operative in the skin, supporting specific processes related to the particular situation of this organ at the interface with the environment. Skin bioenergetics, redox balance, epidermal barrier function, and dermal remodeling are amongst crucial activities guided by or taking advantage of mineral elements. Skin regenerative processes and skin ageing can be positively impacted by adequate accessibility, distribution, and balance of inorganic ions

Influence d'extraits naturels de romarin sur l'initiation de la cancérogenèse (recherche des mécanismes d'action)

Depuis quelques années, des études épidémiologiques et expérimentales ont montré que la consommation d'aliment d'origine végétale est associée à une réduction du risque de cancer. Plusieurs études menées in vitro ou in vivo chez le rongeur, ont révélé l'existence de propriétés protectrices d'extraits de romarin contre la cancérogenèse. L'objectif de ce travail est d'étudier l'influence d'extraits de romarin sur l'étape d'initiation de la cancérogenèse ainsi que les mécanismes mis en jeu. Plusieurs extraits de romarin sont utilisés, notamment un extrait contenant des diterpènes phénoliques (ED) et un extrait contenant des acides-phénols et des flavonoïdes (EHS). Administrés par voie alimentaire, ils induisent fortement les enzymes de détoxication (glutathion S-transférase, UDP-glucuronosyltransférase, quinone réductase) dans le foie. Dans un modèle d'hépatocancérogenèse induite par le benzo(a)pyrène (BaP), les deux extraits (ED et EHS) diminuent significativement la formation de foyers prénéoplasiques. L'utilisation de fractions subcellulaires de foie de rats traités avec les extraits ED et EHS, dans le test de Ames, a notamment permis de mettre en évidence une forte diminution de la mutagénicité du benzo(a)pyrène diol epoxyde, le métabolite le plus mutagène du BaP. L'ensemble de ces résultats suggère que l'induction d'enzymes de détoxication serait un des mécanismes impliqués dans l'effet anti-cancérogène du romarin. Toutefois, le romarin n'exercerait pas d'effet protecteur contre l'action génotoxique du BaP au niveau pulmonaire. En effet, la consommation d'extraits ED ou EHS n'a pas engendré, dans nos conditions expérimentales, de diminution du nombre d'adduits BaP à l'ADN dans le poumon de rat. Ce travail démontre que le romarin possède des propriétés protectrices contre l'initiation de la cancérogenèse hépatique par BaP. Cet effet anti-initiateur mériterait d'être exploré dans d'autres organes et d'être étudié avec d'autres cancérogènes.DIJON-BU Sciences Economie (212312102) / SudocSudocFranceF

Herbs and spices : natural sources of phenolic and terpenoid compounds with potential value in nutrition and health

International audienc

Effects of a water-soluble extract of rosemary and its purified component rosmarinic acid on xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in rat liver

International audienc