19 research outputs found
Acute and Chronic Effects of Green Oat (Avena sativa) Extract on Cognitive Function and Mood during a Laboratory Stressor in Healthy Adults: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study in Healthy Humans
Green oat (Avena sativa) extracts contain several groups of potentially psychoactive phytochemicals. Previous research has demonstrated improvements in cognitive function following a single dose of these extracts, but not following chronic supplementation. Additionally, whilst green oat extracts contain phytochemicals that may improve mood or protect against stress, for instance species-specific triterpene saponins, to date this possibility has not been examined. The current study investigated the effects of a single dose and four weeks of administration of a novel, Avena sativa herbal extract (cognitaven®) on cognitive function and mood, and changes in psychological state during a laboratory stressor. The study adopted a dose-ranging, double-blind, randomised, parallel groups design in which 132 healthy males and females (35 to 65 years) received either 430 mg, 860 mg, 1290 mg green oat extract or placebo for 29 days. Assessments of cognitive function, mood and changes in psychological state during a laboratory stressor (Observed Multitasking Stressor) were undertaken pre-dose and at 2 h and 4 h post-dose on the first (Day 1) and last days (Day 29) of supplementation. The results showed that both a single dose of 1290 mg and, to a greater extent, supplementation for four weeks with both 430 mg and 1290 mg green oat extract resulted in significantly improved performance on a computerised version of the Corsi Blocks working memory task and a multitasking task (verbal serial subtractions and computerised tracking) in comparison to placebo. After four weeks, the highest dose also decreased the physiological response to the stressor in terms of electrodermal activity. There were no treatment-related effects on mood. These results confirm the acute cognitive effects of Avena sativa extracts and are the first to demonstrate that chronic supplementation can benefit cognitive function and modulate the physiological response to a stressor
Intestinal anti-inflammatory and visceral analgesic effects of a Serpylli herba extract in an experimental model of irritable bowel syndrome in rats
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Serpylli herba extract (SHE), composed of
the aerial parts of wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) (Lamiaceae family), is
traditionally used in Europe and North Africa to treat diarrhea, gastric ulcers,
intestinal parasites and upper respiratory tract infections. Recently, SHE has
generated a great interest for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) management,
probably due to its intestinal anti-inflammatory properties shown in
experimental colitis and the fact that its active components could preserve
the intestinal barrier integrity, which is altered in patients with IBS.
Aim of study: We aimed to test the effects of a SHE in a rat experimental model
resembling human IBS.
Materials and methods: IBS was provoked by deoxycholic acid (DCA). Rats
were then treated with SHE (100 mg/kg) or gabapentin (70 mg/kg) and different
inflammatory and gut barrier integrity markers were evaluated. Moreover,
several gut hypersensitivity and hyperalgesia determinations were performed.
Results: SHE improved referred pain and visceral hypersensitivity. Additionally, SHE
enhanced immune status by downregulating of the expression of the proinflammatory
mediators Il-1ÎČ, Il-6, Ifn-Îł, Tlr-4, and the inducible enzyme Cox-2,
thus inducing visceral analgesia, and promoting the restore of the gut barrier
function by upregulating the mucins Muc-2 and Muc-3. These antiinflammatory effects could be related to its action on mast cells since it significantly
inhibited the ÎČ-Hexosaminidase production in RBL-2H3 cells. Lastly, SHE also seems
to modulate the serotonin pathway by restoring the altered expression of the 5-HT
receptors Htr-3 and Htr-4.
Conclusion: SHE could be considered a potential new treatment for IBS, since it
ameliorates hypersensitivity, visceral hyperalgesia, and inflammation. These
beneficial effects may be due to the inhibition of mast cells degranulation
and serotonin pathway.Junta de Andalucia AGR6826
CTS 164Spanish Government SAF 2011-29648Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIEuropean Commission PI19/01058
PI20/0144
Calcium Pyruvate Exerts Beneficial Effects in an Experimental Model of Irritable Bowel Disease Induced by DCA in Rats
Pyruvate is a normal constituent of the body that participates in carbohydrate metabolism
and functions as a scavenger of free radicals. Calcium pyruvate monohydrate (CPM) is a more stable
derivative that has proved its anti-inflammatory effect in experimental colitis, among other disorders,
and that could also be considered a source of calcium. Thus, it would be useful for the treatment of
diseases with an inflammatory component and a high prevalence of osteoporosis like the irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of CPM in a rat model
of chronic post-inflammatory visceral pain induced by deoxycholic acid (DCA) that resembles IBS.
Rats were administered DCA for three days intracolonically and then treated daily with CPM (40 and
100 mg/kg) or gabapentin (70 mg/kg) (positive control) by oral gavage for 17 days. The treatments
reduced the visceral hypersensitivity measured by response to colorectal distension and referred
pain. DCA induced changes in the colonic immune response characterized by increased expression
of the cytokine Il-1b and the inducible enzyme Cox-2, which was reduced by the treatments. DCA
also decreased the gut expression of the mucins Muc-2 and Muc-3, which was normalized by CPM,
whereas gabapentin only increased significantly Muc-3. Moreover, DCA increased the expression of
Tlr3, which was decreased to basal levels by all the treatments. However, the serotonin receptor Htr-4,
which was also elevated, was not affected by any of the treatments, indicating no effect through this
signalling pathway. In conclusion, CPM ameliorated the visceral hypersensitivity and the referred
pain caused by DCA, being as effective as the control drug. Furthermore, it improved the immune
status of the animals, which could contribute to the visceral analgesia and the regeneration of the
intestinal epithelial barrier integrity.This work was supported by the Junta de AndalucĂa (CTS 164) and by the Spanish Ministry of Economy
and Competitiveness (AGL2015-67995-C3-3-R) with funds from the European Union. The CIBER-EHD is funded
by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III
The Antioxidant Activity of Thymus serpyllum Extract Protects against the Inflammatory State and Modulates Gut Dysbiosis in Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice
Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in alternative therapies in the treatment of
metabolic syndrome that combine efficacy and safety profiles. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate
the effect of an extract of Thymus serpyllum, containing rosmarinic acid, on high-fat diet (HFD)-
induced obesity mice, highlighting the impact of its antioxidant activity on the inflammatory status
and gut dysbiosis. The extract was administered daily (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg) in HFD-fed mice.
The treatment reduced body weight gain, glucose and lipid metabolic profiles. Moreover, the extract
ameliorated the inflammatory status, with the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JUNK) pathway being
involved, and showed a significant antioxidant effect by the reduction of radical scavenging activity
and the mitigation of lipid peroxidation. Moreover, the extract was able to modulate the altered gut
microbiota, restoring microbial richness and diversity, and augmenting the counts of short-chain fatty
acid producing bacteria, which have been associated with the maintenance of gut permeability and
weight regulation. In conclusion, the antioxidant activity of Thymus serpyllum extract displayed a
positive impact on obesity and its metabolic alterations, also reducing systemic inflammation. These
effects may be mediated by modulation of the gut microbiota.Junta de Andalucia CTS 164Instituto de Salud Carlos III
European Commission PI19.01058Spanish Government AGL201567995-C3-3-REuropean CommissionInstituto de Salud Carlos II
Hibiscus sabdariffa L. - A phytochemical and pharmacological review
Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Hs, roselle; Malvaceae) has been used traditionally as a food, in herbal drinks, in hot and cold beverages, as a flavouring agent in the food industry and as a herbal medicine. In vitro and in vivo studies as well as some clinical trials provide some evidence mostly for phytochemically poorly characterised Hs extracts. Extracts showed antibacterial, anti-oxidant, nephro- and hepato-protective, renal/diuretic effect, effects on lipid metabolism (anti-cholesterol), anti-diabetic and anti-hypertensive effects among others. This might be linked to strong antioxidant activities, inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase, inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE), and direct vaso-relaxant effect or calcium channel modulation. Phenolic acids (esp. protocatechuic acid), organic acid (hydroxycitric acid and hibiscus acid) and anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside) are likely to contribute to the reported effects. More well designed controlled clinical trials are needed which use phytochemically characterised preparations. Hs has an excellent safety and tolerability record. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd
Influence of combined botanical extract preparation on body composition â results from double blind randomized clinical trial
Introduction: Obesity is becoming a great cause of concern in many countries. To shift the energy balance towards expenditure, dietary supplements should be designed to increase thermogenesis, lipolysis, loss of body water, and activation of digestive enzymes. Material and methods: Double blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate a botanical water extract composed of green tea extract, bean peel and asparagus. During 56 days of the study body composition, anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters were estimated in fifty-one healthy, moderately obese subjects. Results: Forty-two subjects completed the study according to the protocol. In the active preparation group, weight, BMI, percent of body fat, waist, hip and waist-to-hip ratio were not statistically different compared to placebo. The sum of skinfolds differed significantly. When selecting a subgroup of patients with hypercholesterolaemia (n=21), in the active extract group the change in body composition index (BCI) and fat mass (FM) were significant (p=0.037 and p=0.019 respectively) in patients with hypercholesterolaemia when compared to normocholesterolaemic patients. Fat-free mass (FFM) did not change significantly in the active extract group (p=0.083) when hypercholesterolaemic and normocholesterolaemic patients were compared. None of the parallel parameters (FM and FFM change, BCI) changed significantly in the placebo group when compared to hypercholesterolaemic and normocholesterolaemic subjects. Conclusions: There was no statistically significant change in weight, BMI or percent of body fat measured by bioimpedance in the active extract and placebo groups. Obese patients with hypercholesterolaemia benefited from the active extract, with reduced total fat mass and a positive influence on the body composition improvement index