The Safety and Effectiveness of a Polysaccharide Extracted from Rosa Canina in Patients with NAFLD: A Randomized Trial

Objective: Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) is a common pathology of hepatocytes due to the accumulation of fat which is predominantly implicated in obesity. Due to the multifaceted characterization of fatty liver and no effective treatment, this study was aimed to assess the protective effect of a polysaccharide in NAFL patients. Materials and methods: Polysaccharide fraction was isolated from Rosa canina and administered to 33 NAFL patients for 90 days. Demographic information, liver ultrasonography, and the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes were studied. Data were analyzed with the use of SPSS version 21 (SPSS, Inc.) All data were shown as means ± SDs and p < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: After 90-day prescription, the weight loss, reduced activity of ALT and AST as well as changing the echogenicity of the liver from grades of 3, 2, and 1 to 2, 1 and normal, respectively, were observed in patients compared to the baseline (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, there were no visible side effects in patients during drug consumption. Conclusions: The data indicated that polysaccharide fraction with no obvious side effects is significantly able to protect the liver from steatosis in patients with NAFL disease. However, further information is required to better conclude on the effectiveness of the isolated polysaccharide as a promising fatty liver drug

Anthocyanins in the Management of Metabolic Syndrome: A Pharmacological and Biopharmaceutical Review

The term “metabolic syndrome” (MetS) refers to a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. The origin of MetS includes a combination of multiple factors, such as sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet choice, and genetic factors. MetS is highly prevalent and adversely affects the general population by elevating risk of cardiovascular complications, organ failure, and much other pathology associated with late-stage diabetes. Anthocyanins (ANTs) are health-promoting bioactive compounds belonging to the flavonoids subclass of polyphenols. Numerous studies have reported the potential therapeutic benefits on MetS syndrome and diabetes from fruits rich in ANTs. This review summarizes the role of several dietary ANTs on preventing and managing MetS as well as the pharmacological mechanisms and biopharmaceutical features of their action. We also discuss potential nanoformulation and encapsulation approaches that may enhance the bioefficacy of ANTs in MetS. Experiments have demonstrated that ANTs may attenuate the symptoms of MetS via improving insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidaemia, cholesterol levels, hypertension, blood glucose, protecting β cells, and preventing free radical production. In brief, the intake of ANT-rich supplements should be considered due to their plausible ability for prevention and management of MetS. Additionally, randomized double-blind clinical trials are obligatory for evaluating the bioefficacy and pharmacological mechanisms of ANTs and their pharmaceutical formulations in patients with MetS

Relation of magnesium level to cyclosporine and metabolic complications in renal transplant recipients

Cyclosporine is the main immunosuppressive drug used for renal transplant reci-pients in order to prevent transplant rejection. Although the drug has increased the survival of patients and grafted organ, it has some side effects independent of its effect on the immune system. This study was done to evaluate the effect of cyclosporine on serum Mg level and its metabolic side effects in renal allograft patients. 157 (62 female and 95 male) renal transplant recipients treated with cyclosporine to prevent transplant rejection were included in the study. Clinical and biochemical data along with cyclosporine levels was documented. Mean serum Mg level was 196 ± 0.31 mg/dL and mean serum cyclosporine level was 371 ± 192 µg/dL. Hypomagnesemia was detected in 16 (10.2%) with a negative significant correlation with cyclosporine levels, serum creatinine, plasma LDL, fasting Blood sugar and uric acid. In conclusion according to the results of this study there is a significant correlation between cyclosporine and hypomagnesemia. Therefore, routine measurement of serum Mg and its treatment seems necessary to prevent its complications

Effect of diabetes mellitus type 2 on salivary glucose, immunoglobulin A, total protein, and amylase levels in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case–control studies

Background: Saliva is a fluid with the complex compound which can be used as diagnostic markers for type 2 diabetes (T2D). This meta-analysis evaluated salivary glucose, immunoglobulin A (IgA), total protein, and amylase levels in adult T2D compared with the controls as well as the correlation of salivary glucose levels with serum glucose and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) levels in both groups. Materials and Methods: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to July 2017. A random-effects analysis was performed using the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals . The search terms were “T2D, IgA, amylase, total protein, or glucose” combination with “saliva.” The studied variables were the sample size, the percentage of male, the mean age, the condition of saliva sampling, and the salivary levels of mentioned factors. Results: A total of 25 studies were included in this meta-analysis with 1432 and 900 diabetic patients and healthy controls, respectively. MD of salivary glucose level in patients with T2D, compared with the healthy controls, in fasting and nonfasting conditions were 6.23 mg/dL (P = 0.0002) and 6.70 mg/dL (P < 0.00001), respectively. Furthermore, the fasting salivary total protein in the patients was significantly higher than the controls (MD = 167.96 mg/dL; p = 0.03). Non-fasting salivary amylase and secretory IgA levels were significantly lower in the patients (MD = −48.61 IU/mL; p < 0.00001) than in the controls (MD = −9.42 IU/mL; p = 0.0006), respectively. The pooled estimate showed a significant correlation between salivary and serum glucose in the patients (r = 0.765; p < 0.001) and the controls (r = 0.646; p < 0.001) and between salivary glucose and serum glycated hemoglobin in the patients (r = 0.721; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Measurement of these salivary factors can be helpful for diagnostic and monitoring purposes of T2D. In addition, salivary glucose as a diagnostic tool can evaluate serum glucose and HbA1c levels in the diabetic patients

Curcumin in Liver Diseases: A Systematic Review of the Cellular Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress and Clinical Perspective

Oxidative stress has been considered a key causing factor of liver damage induced by a variety of agents, including alcohol, drugs, viral infections, environmental pollutants and dietary components, which in turn results in progression of liver injury, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, non-alcoholic liver disease, liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. During the past 30 years and even after the major progress in the liver disease management, millions of people worldwide still suffer from an acute or chronic liver condition. Curcumin is one of the most commonly used indigenous molecules endowed by various shielding functionalities that protects the liver. The aim of the present study is to comprehensively review pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms, as well as clinical evidence, of curcumin as a lead compound in the prevention and treatment of oxidative associated liver diseases. For this purpose, electronic databases including &ldquo;Scopus,&rdquo; &ldquo;PubMed,&rdquo; &ldquo;Science Direct&rdquo; and &ldquo;Cochrane library&rdquo; were extensively searched with the keywords &ldquo;curcumin or curcuminoids&rdquo; and &ldquo;hepatoprotective or hepatotoxicity or liver&rdquo; along with &ldquo;oxidative or oxidant.&rdquo; Results showed that curcumin exerts remarkable protective and therapeutic effects of oxidative associated liver diseases through various cellular and molecular mechanisms. Those mechanisms include suppressing the proinflammatory cytokines, lipid perodixation products, PI3K/Akt and hepatic stellate cells activation, as well as ameliorating cellular responses to oxidative stress such as the expression of Nrf2, SOD, CAT, GSH, GPx and GR. Taking together, curcumin itself acts as a free radical scavenger over the activity of different kinds of ROS via its phenolic, &beta;-diketone and methoxy group. Further clinical studies are still needed in order to recognize the structure-activity relationships and molecular mechanisms of curcumin in oxidative associated liver diseases

Pharmacological effects of gallic acid in health and disease: A mechanistic review

Objective(s): Gallic acid is a natural phenolic compound found in several fruits and medicinal plants. It is reported to have several health-promoting effects. This review aims to summarize the pharmacological and biological activities of gallic acid in vitro and animal models to depict the pharmacological status of this compound for future studies.Materials and Methods: All relevant papers in the English language were collected up to June 2018. The keywords of gallic acid, antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, gastrointestinal-, cardiovascular-, metabolic-, neuropsychological-, and miscellaneous- diseases were searched in Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus.Results: Several beneficial effects are reported for gallic acid, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic properties. This compound has been reported to have therapeutic activities in gastrointestinal, neuropsychological, metabolic, and cardiovascular disorders. Conclusion: Current evidence confirms the pharmacological and therapeutic interventions of gallic acid in multiple health complications; however, available data are limited to just cellular and animal studies. Future investigations are essential to further define the safety and therapeutic efficacy of gallic acid in humans