The Effects of Bovine Colostrum on the Stress-Hyperglycemia Ratio and the Triglyceride-Glucose Index in Exercise-Trained Healthy Subjects: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study

Bovine colostrum (BC) is a natural substance that has been shown of benefits for exercising, and reducing the blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes. Stress hyperglycemia is a brief rise in blood glucose levels caused by physiological stress. This placebo-controlled clinical study aimed to investigate the effects of BC on stress hyperglycemia and the triglyceride-glucose index in healthy subjects who trained in resistance exercise. This research was carried out at Al-Kut University College from April 30th to November 30th, 2022. Fifty healthy young men were randomly assigned: Group I (n = 24) received a placebo, whereas Group II (n = 26) received a 500mg single oral dosage of BC nutraceutical pill. During the treatment period, both groups of volunteers engaged in resistance exercise training. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), stress glucose ratio (SGR), triglyceride-glucose index (TyGI), and rate pressure product (as a hemodynamic response) were all measured at the start and end of the eight-week study.‎ Stress blood glucose levels were considerably higher in Group II following resistance training (89.0±6.5 vs 102.1±11.5mg/dL, p<0.001), whereas stress HbA1c% did not alter (4.70±0.25 vs 4.66±0.29, p=0.608). Bovine colostrum significantly increases the SGR from 1.01±0.03 to 1.18±0.13, p<0.001. The TyGI at the stress glucose level was increased by 2.7%.  We conclude that bovine colostrum significantly elevates the stress hyperglycemic ratio without inducing significant changes in the TyGI following exercise. This impact is accompanied by a stabilizing hemodynamic response.  

Pharmacological properties of bergapten: mechanistic and therapeutic aspects

Bergapten (BP) or 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) is a furocoumarin compound mainly found in bergamot essential oil but also in other citrus essential oils and grapefruit juice. This compound presents antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hypolipemic, and anticancer effects and is successfully used as a photosensitizing agent. The present review focuses on the research evidence related to the therapeutic properties of bergapten collected in recent years. Many preclinical and in vitro studies have been evidenced the therapeutic action of BP; however, few clinical trials have been carried out to evaluate its efficacy. These clinical trials with BP are mainly focused on patients suffering from skin disorders such as psoriasis or vitiligo. In these trials, the administration of BP (oral or topical) combined with UV irradiation induces relevant lesion clearance rates. In addition beneficial effects of bergamot extract were also observed in patients with altered serum lipid profiles and in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver. On the contrary, there are no clinical trials that investigate the possible effects on cancer. Although the bioavailability of BP is lower than that of its 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) isomer, it has fewer side effects allowing higher concentrations to be administered. In conclusion, although the use of BP has therapeutic applications on skin disorders as a sensitizing agent and as components of bergamot extract as hypolipemic therapy, more trials are necessary to define the doses and treatment guidelines and its usefulness against other pathologies such as cancer or bacterial infections.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Chemical and biological studies on <i>Cichorium intybus</i> L.

<p><i>Cichorium intybus</i> L. (Asteraceae family) is a world-wide grown plant known as chicory. In traditional medicine, this plant is used as diuretic, anti-inflammatory, digestive, cardiotonic and liver tonic. Chromatographic purification of the supercritical fluid extract of aerial parts of <i>C. intybus</i> on silica gel column led to isolation of three compounds: new compound, 28<i>β</i>-hydroxytaraxasterol (<b>I</b>), and two known compounds usnic acid (<b>II</b>) and <i>β</i>-sitosterol (<b>III</b>). Purification of the ethanolic extract of aerial parts of this plant on silica gel column chromatography yielded four compounds: 1,3-dioleylglycerate (<b>IV</b>), sitoindoside II (<b>V</b>), 11<i>β</i>-13-dihydrolactucin (<b>VI</b>) and <i>β</i>-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside (<b>VII</b>). The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by their 1D, 2D NMR and MS spectral data. All the fractions and isolated compounds were tested for cannabinoid and opioid receptor binding, as well as antibacterial, antifungal and antimalarial activities. Compound <b>I</b> showed moderate activity (60.5% displacement) towards CB1 receptor.</p

Genistein as a regulator of signaling pathways and microRNAs in different types of cancers

Cancers are complex diseases orchestrated by a plethora of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Research spanning over several decades has provided better understanding of complex molecular interactions responsible for the multifaceted nature of cancer. Recent advances in the field of next generation sequencing and functional genomics have brought us closer towards unravelling the complexities of tumor microenvironment (tumor heterogeneity) and deregulated signaling cascades responsible for proliferation and survival of tumor cells. Phytochemicals have begun to emerge as potent beneficial substances aimed to target deregulated signaling pathways. Isoflavonoid genistein is an essential phytochemical involved in regulation of key biological processes including those in different types of cancer. Emerging preclinical evidence have shown its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Testing of this substance is in various phases of clinical trials. Comprehensive preclinical and clinical trials data is providing insight on genistein as a modulator of various signaling pathways both at transcription and translation levels. In this review we have explained the mechanistic regulation of several key cellular pathways by genistein. We have also addressed in detail various microRNAs regulated by genistein in different types of cancer. Moreover, application of nano-formulations to increase the efficiency of genistein is also discussed. Understanding the pleiotropic potential of genistein to regulate key cellular pathways and development of efficient drug delivery system will bring us a step towards designing better chemotherapeutics

Pharmacological properties of bergapten: mechanistic and therapeutic aspects

Bergapten (BP) or 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) is a furocoumarin compound mainly found in bergamot essential oil but also in other citrus essential oils and grapefruit juice. This compound presents antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hypolipemic, and anticancer effects and is successfully used as a photosensitizing agent. The present review focuses on the research evidence related to the therapeutic properties of bergapten collected in recent years. Many preclinical and in vitro studies have been evidenced the therapeutic action of BP; however, few clinical trials have been carried out to evaluate its efficacy. These clinical trials with BP are mainly focused on patients suffering from skin disorders such as psoriasis or vitiligo. In these trials, the administration of BP (oral or topical) combined with UV irradiation induces relevant lesion clearance rates. In addition, beneficial effects of bergamot extract were also observed in patients with altered serum lipid profiles and in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver. On the contrary, there are no clinical trials that investigate the possible effects on cancer. Although the bioavailability of BP is lower than that of its 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) isomer, it has fewer side effects allowing higher concentrations to be administered. In conclusion, although the use of BP has therapeutic applications on skin disorders as a sensitizing agent and as components of bergamot extract as hypolipemic therapy, more trials are necessary to define the doses and treatment guidelines and its usefulness against other pathologies such as cancer or bacterial infections.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pharmacological Properties of Bergapten: Mechanistic and Therapeutic Aspects

[eng] Bergapten (BP) or 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) is a furocoumarin compound mainly found in bergamot essential oil but also in other citrus essential oils and grapefruit juice. This compound presents antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hypolipemic, and anticancer effects and is successfully used as a photosensitizing agent. The present review focuses on the research evidence related to the therapeutic properties of bergapten collected in recent years. Many preclinical and in vitro studies have been evidenced the therapeutic action of BP; however, few clinical trials have been carried out to evaluate its efficacy. These clinical trials with BP are mainly focused on patients suffering from skin disorders such as psoriasis or vitiligo. In these trials, the administration of BP (oral or topical) combined with UV irradiation induces relevant lesion clearance rates. In addition, beneficial effects of bergamot extract were also observed in patients with altered serum lipid profiles and in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver. On the contrary, there are no clinical trials that investigate the possible effects on cancer. Although the bioavailability of BP is lower than that of its 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) isomer, it has fewer side effects allowing higher concentrations to be administered. In conclusion, although the use of BP has therapeutic applications on skin disorders as a sensitizing agent and as components of bergamot extract as hypolipemic therapy, more trials are necessary to define the doses and treatment guidelines and its usefulness against other pathologies such as cancer or bacterial infections