Influence of Betalain-Rich Extract on Reduction of Discomfort Associated with Osteoarthritis

Summary Introduction. Osteoarthritis (OA) subjects typically experience progressive discomfort related to pain, joint stiffness, and general tiredness. The most common treatment of these conditions includes use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). However, efficacy of NSAID treatment is generally not completely satisfactory. Therefore, further improvements in management of OA-associated discomfort are needed. Aim. The aim was to verify whether a betalain-rich red beet extract at dose range of 35-100 mg twice per day could reduce discomfort associated with osteoarthritis (OA) conditions. Materials and methods. Study participants experiencing OA symptoms were treated with red beet extract (RBE) twice per day for exactly ten days. McGill and Energy Score data were evaluated at days 1, 5 and 10. The serum levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) were measured using a commercial kit (Cell Biolabs, Inc., #STA318). Sera from volunteers treated with RBE were subjected to a cytokines and chemokines array as offered by Qynsys Inc. Results. Collected data showed that ingestion of RBE for 10 days reduced McGill scores in a time-and dose-dependent manner with maximum 33% reduction as compared to the first day of the treatment. Interestingly, due to the treatment, serum levels of TNF-alpha were reduced in subjects whose serum TNF-alpha was greater than 1 pg/mL prior to initiation of the treatment. It was also found that serum levels of AOPP (proteins oxidized by hypochlorous acid/hypochlorites) were reduced by up to 48% after 10 days of the treatment. Conclusions. This study showed that ingestion of RBE, at dosages greater than 35 mg, had a beneficial effect on pain associated with OA conditions. RBE may act by inhibiting protein oxidation typically induced by hypochlorous acid released from active neutrophils

Acute reduction of serum 8-iso-PGF2-alpha and advanced oxidation protein products in vivo by a polyphenol-rich beverage; a pilot clinical study with phytochemical and in vitro antioxidant characterization

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Measuring the effects of the acute intake of natural products on human biomarker concentrations, such as those related to oxidation and inflammation, can be an advantageous strategy for early clinical research on an ingredient or product.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>31 total healthy subjects were randomized in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, acute pilot study with post-hoc subgroup analysis on 20 of the subjects. The study examined the effects of a single dose of a polyphenol-rich beverage (PRB), commercially marketed as "SoZo^®", on serum anti-inflammatory and antioxidant markers. In addition, phytochemical analyses of PRB, and <it>in vitro </it>antioxidant capacity were also performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At 1 hour post-intake, serum values for 8-iso-PGF2-alpha and advanced oxidation protein products decreased significantly by 40% and 39%, respectively. Additionally, there was a trend toward decreased C-reactive protein, and increased nitric oxide levels. Both placebo and PRB treatment resulted in statistically significant increases in hydroxyl radical antioxidant capacity (HORAC) compared to baseline; PRB showed a higher percent change (55-75% versus 23-74% in placebo group), but the two groups did not differ significantly from each other.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>PRB produced statistically significant changes in several blood biomarkers related to antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effects. Future studies are justified to verify results and test for cumulative effects of repeated intakes of PRB. The study demonstrates the potential utility of acute biomarker measurements for evaluating antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effects of natural products.</p

Thermal Decarboxylation of Betacyanins in Red Beet Betalain-Rich Extract

Betalains are one of the most common groups of plant pigments found in nature, especially in red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) which is the main commercially exploited source of betalains produced in the form of concentrates or powders. This report presents results of thermal decarboxylation studies on betacyanins present in a specifically purified highly concentrated betalain-rich extract (BRE). The first tentative structures formed by decarboxylation of the main pigment present in BRE, betanin and its diastereomer, were established by means of liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS). In the extract, two new isomeric bidecarboxylated betanins were tentatively identified. A high rate of generation of 2-decarboxy-betanin/-isobetanin which are present in the BRE extract at very low level was observed, which was dependent on the starting concentration of the BRE substrate. The bidecarboxylated derivatives were generated at a higher rate mostly from 17-decarboxy-betanin/-isobetanin as well as 15-decarboxy-betanin by further decarboxylation at carbon C-2. Further studies will be performed to demonstrate if the decarboxylated betanins being products of heating B. vulgaris preparations can be used for various food applications with new health-promoting actions and colorant properties

Acute Effect of MCRC on Selected Blood Parameters -A Placebo-controlled Acute Clinical Study

Abstract Acute clinical testing was performed on healthy human subjects to verify whether a single 150mg dose of a proprietary formula marketed under the trade name &quot;Mitochroma TM &quot; (MCRC) can actually increase blood levels of ATP. Sera and blood were collected immediately prior to treatment and at times 30, 60, and 90 minutes after treatment to measure amounts of blood ATP, lactate, ROS, and pO 2 . Additionally, whole blood was collected at 270 minutes after treatment to measure expression of selected cytokines and chemokines. In comparison to the placebo group, samples collected from subjects treated with MCRC showed increased levels of total blood ATP by 12.5% on average and reduced levels of lactate up to 13%. Blood levels of ROS and pO 2 were found unchanged under these experimental conditions. Analyses of blood collected at 270 minutes showed reduced levels of MCP-1 by up to 21%, and increased levels of Interferonalpha up to 16%. In summary, collected data shows that treatment with a single dose of MCRC resulted in an acute increase in blood levels of total blood ATP. These results justify further clinical studies on MCRC in order to determine the effects on a more narrowly selected subject population with reduced blood levels of ATP and increased blood levels of MCP-1

Dehydrogenation of Betacyanins in Heated Betalain-Rich Extracts of Red Beet (<i>Beta vulgaris</i> L.)

Betacyanins are a group of water-soluble red-violet compounds containing nitrogen in their structure. These are biosynthesized in red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.), a widely consumed vegetable that contains significant amounts of nutritious and bioactive compounds which are also found in dietary supplements. This contribution presents results of betacyanin thermal oxidation (resulting in dehydrogenation) interrelated with decarboxylation in selected acetate/phosphate buffers at pH 3–8 and at 85 °C, which may be of particular significance for formulation and performance of foods. Most of the reaction products were detected at the highest concentrations in the acidic solutions (pH 3–4). The main dehydrogenation reaction pathways were monitored by LC-DAD-MS/MS and were associated with decarboxylation of the principal extract pigments, betanin/isobetanin and neobetanin, at carbon positions C-2 and C-17. Additional reactions are accompanied by the 2,15-decarboxylation processes at different dehydrogenation levels with 15-decarboxy-betanin and 2,15-bidecarboxy-betanin, structurally elucidated by NMR analysis, as the distinct indicators of this route type. For other novel pigments detected, 2,15-bidecarboxy-xanbetanin, 2,15-bidecarboxy-xanneobetanin and 2,15,17-tridecarboxy-neobetanin, additional high resolution mass spectrometric analyses were performed and confirmed their molecular formulas

The Responses of Bioactive Betanin Pigment and Its Derivatives from a Red Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) Betalain-Rich Extract to Hypochlorous Acid

Neutrophils produce hypochlorous acid (HOCl) as well as other reactive oxygen species as part of a natural innate immune response in the human body; however, excessive levels of HOCl can ultimately be detrimental to health. Recent reports suggest that betacyanin plant pigments can act as potent scavengers of inflammatory factors and are notably effective against HOCl. Comparison of the in vitro anti-hypochlorite activities of a novel betalain-rich red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) extract with its pure betalainic pigments revealed that the extract had the highest anti-hypochlorite activity, far exceeding the activity of all of the betalainic derivatives and selected reference antioxidants. This suggests that it may be an important food-based candidate for management of inflammatory conditions induced by excessive HOCl production. Among all pigments studied, betanidin exhibited the highest activity across the pH range