Royal Jelly Fatty Acids: Chemical Composition, Extraction, Biological Activity, and Prospect

Royal jelly (RJ) is a milk-like secretion produced by honey bees that is used to nourish larvae in the honeycomb. It contains many nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and minerals. Fatty acids from RJ are gaining popularity owing to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, and antibacterial properties. Solvent and Soxhlet extraction are the most commonly used methods for fatty acid extraction from RJ. Owing to the inherent limitations of these methods, the development of a rapid and efficient method for fatty acid extraction from RJ is challenging. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the chemical composition, extraction methods, and biological activities of RJ fatty acids to provide a theoretical basis for expanding the prospective applications of RJ in human health

Effects of Environmental Heat Load on Endocannabinoid System Components in Adipose Tissue of High Yielding Dairy Cows

Environmental heat load (HL) adversely affects the performance of dairy cows. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates metabolism and the stress response, thus we hypothesized that HL may affect the ECS of dairy cows. Our objective was to determine the levels of endocannabinoids (eCBs) and gene and protein expressions of the ECS components in adipose tissue (AT) and plasma of early postpartum (PP) and late-lactation cows. In addition, we examined eCBs in milk, and studied the interaction of eCBs with bovine cannabinoids receptors CB1 and CB2. In the first experiment, plasma and AT were sampled from cows calving during summer (S, n = 9) or winter (W, n = 9). Dry matter intake (DMI) and energy balance (EB) were lower in S vs. W, and relative gene expressions of transient-receptor-potential-cation-channel-subfamily-V-member-1 (TRPV1), the cannabinoid receptors CNR1 (CB1) and CNR2 (CB2), and monoglyceride lipase (MGLL) were decreased in AT of S compared to W. Protein abundance of peroxisome proliferator-activated-receptor-alpha (PPAR-α) was decreased, while tumor-necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was increased in AT of S vs. W. Other components of the ECS were not different between S and W calving cows. To study whether the degree of HL may affect the ECS, we performed a second experiment with 24 late-lactation cows that were either cooled (CL) or not cooled (heat-stressed; HS) during summer. DMI was lower in HS vs. CL, AT protein abundance of PPAR-α was lower, and TRPV1 tended to be lower in HS vs. CL, but other components of the ECS were not different between groups. Milk levels of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) tended to increase in HS vs. CL. Additionally, modeling of the bovine cannabinoid receptors demonstrated their binding to anandamide and 2-AG. Environmental HL, possibly via lower intake, is associated with limited alterations in ECS components in AT of dairy cows

Alpha-linolenic acid modulates systemic and adipose tissue-specific insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and the endocannabinoid system in dairy cows

Abstract Metabolic disorders are often linked to alterations in insulin signaling. Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids modulate immunometabolic responses; thus, we examined the effects of peripartum n-3 on systemic and adipose tissue (AT)-specific insulin sensitivity, immune function, and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in dairy cows. Cows were supplemented peripartum with saturated fat (CTL) or flaxseed supplement rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Blood immunometabolic biomarkers were examined, and at 5–8 d postpartum (PP), an intravenous glucose-tolerance-test (GTT) and AT biopsies were performed. Insulin sensitivity in AT was assessed by phosphoproteomics and proteomics. Peripartum n-3 reduced the plasma concentrations of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-17α, lowered the percentage of white blood cells PP, and reduced inflammatory proteins in AT. Systemic insulin sensitivity was higher in ALA than in CTL. In AT, the top canonical pathways, according to the differential phosphoproteome in ALA, were protein-kinase-A signaling and insulin-receptor signaling; network analysis and immunoblots validated the lower phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt), and lower abundance of insulin receptor, together suggesting reduced insulin sensitivity in ALA AT. The n-3 reduced the plasma concentrations of ECS-associated ligands, and lowered the abundances of cannabinoid-1-receptor and monoglycerol-lipase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells PP. Peripartum ALA supplementation in dairy cows improved systemic insulin sensitivity and immune function, reduced ECS components, and had tissue-specific effects on insulin-sensitivity in AT, possibly counter-balancing the systemic responses

Rose Bengal induced formation of thrombosis in rats and an investigation of cardiovascular worries by haematological changes

Background: The present investigation planned to study the cardiovascular worries in Rose Bengal (RB) induced thrombotic rats by analysing biochemical profile of plasma, platelet membrane and cardiac tissue. Methods: Male Wistar rats were categorized into two groups. The group I was Control (C) rats and received glucose, whereas group II was Rose Bengal (50 mg/kg) induced thrombotic rats. The animals sacrificed and biological samples collected were analysed for various biochemical parameters. Results: In rats RB induced heart damage/thrombosis showed significantly increased levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitrate and nitrite. In RB administered group the antioxidant activities were lowered significantly i.e., reduced glutathione, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase when compared with control rats. Plasma enzymes SGOT, SGPT were decreased and Na+-K+ ATPase was significantly increased in group II in comparison with group I. There is no significant change in plasma hexokinase enzyme in RB administered rats when compared with control rats. The non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants levels were decreased significantly in experimental groups II to compare with control group I rats. A significant increase in platelet membrane fluidity observed in group II rats when compared with group I rats in DPH and pyrene employed method. A significant raise in LPO of platelet membrane was observed in the experimental rats. Plasma nitrite and nitrate levels were increased in group II when compared to group I. Furthermore, the haematological parameters were also increased in group II when compared to group I rats. Conclusion: This investigation pointed out that the nitric oxide scavenging levels increased and might be protected the oxidative stress and free radicals generated by RB induced cardiac thrombosis in rats

Phytochemical screening and in vitro evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial efficacies of Pteropyum scoparium (Jaub. & Spach) Sidaf crude extracts

Objective: Pteropyrum scoparium Jaub. &amp; Spach locally known as “Sidaf” is a meal known to the ancient Omani people with many health benefits. It is traditionally used in Oman to treat high cholesterol, hypertension, indigestion problems, wound healing, and diabetes. However, these claims are yet to be scientifically proven. Hence, this study aimed to perform phytochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial analysis of P. scoparium leaves aqueous and alcoholic extracts to confirm its medicinal potential. Methods: A detailed phytochemical analysis of ethanol and aqueous extracts of leaves was carried out to confirm the presence of bioactive substances. DPPH (2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), agar-well diffusion and disc diffusion methods were used to evaluate antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, respectively. The extracts were tested against four microorganisms viz. E. coli (ATCC 25922), S. aureus (ATCC 23235), Penicillium sp. (ATCC 11597) and Rhizopus stolonifer (ATCC 14037). Results: The ethanol extract exhibited higher DPPH scavenging activity than aqueous extract that was confirmed with IC50 values of both extracts. However, the aqueous extract was found to be significantly more effective as an antimicrobial agent than the ethanol extract. This could be due to higher coumarins content that is thrice as much as in ethanol extract. One-way repeated measure RM ANOVA showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the antimicrobial susceptibility of all four organisms for the aqueous and ethanol well diffusion extracts (DF = 7; SS = 56.350, MS = 8.050; F = 5.865; P < 0.001). The highest mean zone of inhibition was recorded for S. aureus (12 ± 3.851 mm) well diffusion aqueous extract followed by R. stolonifer (11.750 ± 4.250 mm) well diffusion aqueous extract, and S. aureus (10.625 ± 3.771 mm) well diffusion ethanol extract. Conclusions: Phytochemical screening of ethanol and aqueous extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, amino acid, fats &amp; fixed oils, phenolic compounds &amp; tannins, proteins, phytosterols, saponins, gum &amp; mucilage, terpenoids, coumarins and anthocyanins. The findings from this study will be useful in evaluating the phytochemical constituents present in the extract and developing commercial drugs as antioxidant and antimicrobial agents based on this plant

Prospective Role of Bioactive Molecules and Exosomes in the Therapeutic Potential of Camel Milk against Human Diseases: An Updated Perspective

Camel milk (CM) constitutes an important dietary source in the hot and arid regions of the world. CM is a colloidal mixture of nutritional components (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, and minerals) and non-nutritional components (hormones, growth factors, cytokines, immunoglobulins, and exosomes). Although the majority of previous research has been focused on the nutritional components of CM; there has been immense interest in the non-nutritional components in the recent past. Reckoning with these, in this review, we have provided a glimpse of the recent trends in CM research endeavors and attempted to provide our perspective on the therapeutic efficacy of the nutritional and non-nutritional components of CM. Interestingly, with concerted efforts from the research fraternities, convincing evidence for the better understanding of the claimed traditional health benefits of CM can be foreseen with great enthusiasm and is indeed eagerly anticipated

Illuminating the Molecular Intricacies of Exosomes and ncRNAs in Cardiovascular Diseases: Prospective Therapeutic and Biomarker Potential

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Accumulating evidences have highlighted the importance of exosomes and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in cardiac physiology and pathology. It is in general consensus that exosomes and ncRNAs play a crucial role in the maintenance of normal cellular function; and interestingly it is envisaged that their potential as prospective therapeutic candidates and biomarkers are increasing rapidly. Considering all these aspects, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent understanding of exosomes and ncRNAs in CVDs. We provide a great deal of discussion regarding their role in the cardiovascular system, together with providing a glimpse of ideas regarding strategies exploited to harness their potential as a therapeutic intervention and prospective biomarker against CVDs. Thus, it could be envisaged that a thorough understanding of the intricacies related to exosomes and ncRNA would seemingly allow their full exploration and may lead clinical settings to become a reality in near future