Metabolic profile and atherogenic indices of rats treated with Tamarindus indica and Mentha piperita juice.

Changes in diet, physical inactivity and stress contribute to obesity, cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. Literature shows that bioactive compounds may result in benefits to human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the glycemic, lipid profile and atherogenic indices of Wistar rats treated with Mentha piperita and Tamarindus indica juice. Animals received food and water ad libitum and were divided into 3 groups: control group (G1) that received 0.5 mL of water twice daily; Mentha group (G2) treated with 0.5 mL of mint juice and group treated with Tamarindus indica juice (G3),  that received 0.5 mL of tamarind juice twice daily for 40 days. Groups G1, G2 and G3 received the drinks by intragastric rout. After this period the animals were sedated with sodium pentobarbital for blood collection and evaluation of the biochemical profile: total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, triglycerides and glucose. Atherogenic indexes were also calculated. The results showed a reduction of total cholesterol, LDL-c, triglyceride, body weight and atherogenic indices; and increase in the levels of HDL-c. We may suggest that the use of mint and tamarind juice can positively affect the biochemical parameters and reduce the atherogenic indexes of Wistar rats

Consumption of Moringa oleifera flour and its effects on the biochemical profile and intestinal motility in an animal model

Moringa oleifera (MO) belongs to the family Moringaceae and is native to tropical Africa. It exhibits many therapeutic properties and has been widely cultivated because of the high food value of the leaves, fruit, flowers and roasted seeds. It possesses high quality protein, calcium, iron, fiber, minerals and essential amino acids. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of MO flour in anthropometric and biochemical profile of Wistar rats. Animals were divided randomly into the following groups (n=10): G1 (control group) and G2 (treated with MO flour mixed to the rat food) were both treated for 40 days and G3 (control group), G4 (treated with senne) and G5 (treated with MO flour) were studied to evaluate the intestinal motility. After 40 days, animals of G1 and G2 were euthanized and evaluation of glycaemia, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, VLDL-c, HDL-c, C reactive Protein (PCR), hepatic enzymes, Lee Index, weight and visceral fat were performed. Our results showed reduction of visceral fat, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, and VLDL-c and increase in the HDL-c levels. No significant differences were found in the body weight, glycaemia, hepatic enzymes and PCR. The MO flour also promoted laxative effects similar do senne. Our results with the use of Moringa oleifera flour are very promising, once its use improved lipid profile, prevented weight gain and showed no adverse effects. Thus we may conclude that this flour could be added to industrial products in order to provide healthier products to the consumers.

Effects of Passiflora edulis on the Metabolic Profile of Diabetic Wistar Rat Offspring

Dry extract of the genus Passiflora has been shown to help control glycemia and lipid levels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of passion fruit (P. edulis) on the biochemical profile of offspring from diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin. The diabetes group consisted of 10 rats with glucose levels greater than 200 mg/dL; the nondiabetic (control) group consisted of 10 rats with glucose levels less than 120 mg/dL. After the diagnosis of diabetes, the mating phase was started. By day 21 of pregnancy, the offspring were born; the dams were kept in individual cages with their offspring until the weaning period. The offspring were then divided into 4 groups (n = 15 each): G1 were offspring from control dams, G2 were offspring from treated nondiabetic dams, G3 were offspring from diabetic dams, and G4 were offspring from treated diabetic dams. For 30 consecutive days, G1 and G3 offspring were treated with vehicle (oral gavage) and G2 and G4 offspring were treated with passion fruit juice (oral gavage). After 30-day treatment, the animals were anesthetized and killed, and blood was drawn immediately for analysis of the biochemical profile (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose). The G2 and G4 rats showed significantly reduced total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and an increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. The use of passion fruit juice improved lipid profiles, suggesting that this plant may have beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemias and hyperglycemia

Phytochemicals and Regulation of NF-kB in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: An Overview of In Vitro and In Vivo Effects

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic relapsing idiopathic inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract. They are mainly represented by two forms, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). IBD can be associated with the activation of nuclear factors, such as nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), leading to increased transcription of pro-inflammatory mediators that result in diarrhea, abdominal pain, bleeding, and many extra-intestinal manifestations. Phytochemicals can interfere with many inflammation targets, including NF-kB pathways. Thus, this review aimed to investigate the effects of different phytochemicals in the NF-kB pathways in vitro and in vivo models of IBD. Fifty-six phytochemicals were included in this study, such as curcumin, resveratrol, kaempferol, sesamol, pinocembrin, astragalin, oxyberberine, berberine hydrochloride, botulin, taxifolin, naringin, thymol, isobavachalcone, lancemaside A, aesculin, tetrandrine, Ginsenoside Rk3, mangiferin, diosgenin, theanine, tryptanthrin, lycopene, gyngerol, alantolactone, mangostin, ophiopogonin D, fisetin, sinomenine, piperine, oxymatrine, euphol, artesunate, galangin, and nobiletin. The main observed effects related to NF-kB pathways were reductions in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and augmented occludin, claudin-1, zonula occludens-1, and IL-10 expression levels. Moreover, phytochemicals can improve weight loss, stool consistency, and rectal bleeding in IBD. Therefore, phytochemicals can constitute a powerful treatment option for IBD in humans

Curcuma longa on the Metabolic Profile and Atherogenic Index of Rats Fed with a Hyper Caloric Diet

The chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases have reached epidemic proportions in developed and developing countries. The high costs of the allopathic medicines represent a growing demand for non-allopathic alternatives. Curcuma longa is usually used as a spice in curries and as a dietary pigment and is considered a medicinal plant due important properties, with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-tumor action.The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of Curcuma longa on the metabolic profile of Wistar rats treated with hyper caloric diet. Forty eight male rats were divided randomly into 4 groups (n=12) and treated for 40 days: G1 that received water (Control Group); G2 that received condensed milk solution ad libitum; G3 that received C. longa by gavage route and G4 that received condensed milk solution ad libitum and C. longa by gavage route. No significant differences for body weight and cholesterol were observed among the groups. Visceral fat, triglycerides and glycaemia were higher in the groups treated with condensed milk but did not differ when comparing G1 with G3 and G2 with G4. Analyzing our results it is possible to say that C. longa may not be efficient to promote benefits in lipid and glycemic profile as well as in the body weight and visceral fat of animals treated with hyper caloric diet

Photobiomodulation Therapy as a Possible New Approach in COVID-19: A Systematic Review

COVID-19 is a viral disease characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Since then, researchers from all over the world have been looking for ways to fight this disease. Many cases of complications arise from insufficient immune responses due to low immunity, with intense release of pro-inflammatory cytokines that can damage the structure of organs such as the lung. Thus, the hypothesis arises that photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) with the use of a low-level laser (LLLT) may be an ally approach to patients with COVID-19 since it is effective for increasing immunity, helping tissue repair, and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. This systematic review was performed with the use of PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar databases with the following keywords: “low-level laser therapy OR photobiomodulation therapy AND COVID-19”. The inclusion criteria were complete articles published from January 2020 to January 2021 in English. The exclusion criteria were other languages, editorials, reviews, brief communications, letters to the editor, comments, conference abstracts, and articles that did not provide the full text. The bibliographic search found 18 articles in the Pubmed/MEDLINE database, 118 articles on the Web of Science, 23 articles on Scopus, and 853 articles on Google Scholar. Ten articles were included for qualitative synthesis, of which four commentary articles discussed the pathogenesis and the effect of PBMT in COVID-19. Two in vitro and lab experiments showed the effect of PBMT on prevention of thrombosis and positive results in wound healing during viral infection, using the intravascular irradiation (ILIB) associated with Phthalomethyl D. Two case reports showed PBMT improved the respiratory indexes, radiological findings, and inflammatory markers in severe COVID-19 patients. One case series reported the clinical improvement after PBMT on 14 acute COVID-19 patients, rehabilitation on 24 patients, and as a preventive treatment on 70 people. One clinical trial of 30 patients with severe COVID-19 who require invasive mechanical ventilation, showed PBMT-static magnetic field was not statistically different from placebo for the length of stay in the Intensive Care Unit, but improved diaphragm muscle function and ventilation and decreased the inflammatory markers. This review suggests that PBMT may have a positive role in treatment of COVID-19. Still, the necessity for more clinical trials remains in this field and there is not sufficient research evidence regarding the effects of PBMT and COVID-19 disease, and there is a large gap

Relationship of Inflammatory Markers and Metabolic Syndrome in Postmenopausal Women

The increased deposition of visceral fat in the postmenopause period increases the production of inflammatory cytokines and the release of tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and decrease in IL-10. This study investigated the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and metabolic syndrome (MS) in postmenopausal women considering different diagnostic criteria. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study based on STROBE. Data were collected regarding the diagnostic criteria for MS (International Diabetes Federation; NCEP (International Diabetes Federation (IDF), National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP-III), and Harmonized criteria), body composition, comorbidities, time without menstruation, values of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α. ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, Levene tests, ROC, and odds ratio were performed to analyze the data. The results showed no significant difference between the methods and no interaction between the method and the presence of MS. However, for the values of WC, body fat percentage, TNF-α, and IL-10/TNF-α ratio, a significant effect of MS was observed. In subjects with MS, lower values of body fat percentage and TNF-α and higher values of the IL-10/TNF-α ratio were also observed. The higher IL-10/TNF-α ratio in the MS group is related to the greater anti-inflationary action of IL-10. The IL-10/TNF-α ratio showed significant accuracy to discriminate patients with MS according to the NCEP-ATP III criteria

Radiological and Functional Pulmonary Evolution in Post-COVID-19 Patients: An Observational Study

COVID-19 has generated a scenario for global health with multiple systemic impairments. This retrospective study evaluated the clinical, radiological, and pulmonary functional evolution in 302 post-COVID-19 patients. Regarding post-COVID-19 pulmonary symptoms, dry cough, dyspnea, and chest pain were the most frequent. Of the associated comorbidities, asthma was more frequent (23.5%). Chest tomography (CT) initially showed a mean pulmonary involvement of 69.7%, and evaluation in the subsequent months showed improvement in the evolutionary image. With less than six months post-pathology, there was a commitment of 37.7% from six to twelve months it was 20%, and after 12 months it was 9.9%. As for most of the sample, 50.3% of the patients presented CT normalization less than six months after infection, 23% were normalized between six and twelve months, and 5.2% presented with normalized images after twelve months, with one remaining. A percentage of 17.3% maintained post-COVID-19 pulmonary residual sequelae. Regarding spirometry, less than six months after pathology, 59.3% of the patients presented regular exam results, 12.3% had their function normalized within six to twelve months, and 6.3% had normal exam results twelve months after their post-pathology evaluation. Only 3.6% of the patients still showed some alteration during this period

Ginkgo biloba in the Aging Process: A Narrative Review

Neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, insulin resistance, cancer, and other degenerative processes commonly appear with aging. Ginkgo biloba (GB) is associated with several health benefits, including memory and cognitive improvement, in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and cancer. Its antiapoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory actions have effects on cognition and other conditions associated with aging-related processes, such as insulin resistance, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions. The aim of this study was to perform a narrative review of the effects of GB in some age-related conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases, CVD, and cancer. PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched, and the PRISMA guidelines were applied. Fourteen clinical trials were selected; the studies showed that GB can improve memory, cognition, memory scores, psychopathology, and the quality of life of patients. Moreover, it can improve cerebral blood flow supply, executive function, attention/concentration, non-verbal memory, and mood, and decrease stress, fasting serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin, insulin levels, body mass index, waist circumference, biomarkers of oxidative stress, the stability and progression of atherosclerotic plaques, and inflammation. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that the use of GB can provide benefits in the prevention and treatment of aging-related conditions