A review of the dietary flavonoid, kaempferol on human health and cancer chemoprevention

Evaluation of the antioxidant profile and cytotoxic activity of red propolis extracts from different regions of northeastern Brazil obtained by conventional and ultrasound-assisted extraction

Propolis is a complex mixture of resinous and balsamic material collected from the exudates of plants, shoots, and leaves by bees. This study evaluated red propolis extracts obtained by conventional (ethanolic) extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction of six samples from different regions of northeastern Brazil. The total phenolic compounds and flavonoids, in vitro antioxidant activity, concentration of formononetin and kaempferol and the cytotoxicity against four human tumor cell lines were determined for all twelve obtained extracts. Significant variations in the levels of the investigated compounds were identified in the red propolis extracts, confirming that the chemical composition varied according to the sampling region. The extraction method used also influenced the resulting propolis compounds. The highest concentration of the compounds of interest and the highest in vitro antioxidant activity were exhibited by the extracts obtained from samples from state of Alagoas. Formononetin and kaempferol were identified in all samples. The highest formononetin concentrations were identified in extracts obtained by ultrasound, thus indicating a greater selectivity for the extraction of this compound by this method. Regarding cytotoxic activity, for the HCT-116 line, all of the extracts showed an inhibition of greater than 90%, whereas for the HL-60 and PC3 lines, the minimum identified was 80%. In general, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the antiproliferative potential when comparing the extraction methods. The results showed that the composition of Brazilian red propolis varies significantly depending on the geographical origin and that the method used influences the resulting compounds that are present in propolis. However, regardless of the geographical origin and the extraction method used, all the red propolis samples studied presented great biological potential and high antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the ultrasound-assisted method can be efficiently applied to obtain extracts of red propolis more quickly and with high concentration of biomarkers of interest.

Bioactive Phytochemicals from Mercurialis spp. Used in Traditional Spanish Medicine

Plants from the genus Mercurialis have a long history of use as herbal remedies in traditional Spanish medicine. The growing interest in the conservation of knowledge related to biodiversity has encouraged us to review the bioactive phytochemicals from the four most widespread Mercurialis species in the Iberian Peninsula (M. annua L., M. ambigua L., M. perennis L., and M. tomentosa L.). First, the medicinal uses of these four species throughout Spain were compiled, and then a bibliographical search on their chemical composition was conducted in an attempt to justify their reported traditional uses. We found that most of the medicinal uses of Mercurialis spp. are supported by scientific evidence. This includes its antidiabetic and antihypertensive properties attributable to the flavonoid rutin and narcissin, respectively; its benefits in the treatment of skin dark spots, attributable to mequinol; and its anti-inflammatory activity, attributable to scopoletin, kaempferol, squalene, and cycloartenol. This review contributes to the validation of the medicinal uses of Mercurialis spp. in Spain and provides some new avenues for further investigations on the biological activity of this interesting medicinal plant.

Comparative study of some bioactive compounds and their antioxidant activity of some berry types

Berries are wealthy in bioactive compounds like phenolic compounds and flavonoids that are deemed antioxidants and are great important to health. This research was performed to examine, recognize and compare bioactive compounds in certain types of berries and their antioxidant activity. The data show that blue berry, black berry and Egyptian black mulberry contain the highest content of most bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids and tannins, while long mulberry and red currant berry have the lowest content for most of these compounds. They therefore, contain the highest value of antioxidant activity. The chemical composition of the berries varies depending on cultivar, variety, location of growth, environmental conditions and harvest time, as well as post-harvest treatments therefore the composition differed from berry fruit to another. Thus, berry fruits are very useful in nutrition to protect the body from many diseases because of its containment of these compounds, which act as free radicals scavenger that harm the body and thus rid the body of many harmful toxins.

The mechanism of anticancer action and potential clinical use of kaempferol in the treatment of breast cancer

In the last century, natural compounds have achieved remarkable achievements in the treatment of tumors through chemotherapy. This inspired scientists to continuously explore anticancer agents from natural compounds. Kaempferol is an ordinary natural compound, the most common flavonoid, which is widely existed in vegetables and fruits. It has been reported to have various anticancer activities, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, leukemia, etc. Meanwhile, we found that there were more reports on breast cancer among these cancers although there are limited clinical studies that have addressed the benefits of kaempferol as an anti-cancer agent for breast cancer treatment. Then we realize that although kaempferol has been reported to have anti-breast cancer effect many times, it is still far from becoming a real anti-breast cancer agent. Therefore, in this review, we talk about the options for improving the anti-breast cancer effect of kaempferol, including various techniques and methods to improve the bioavailability of kaempferol, the idea of combining other compounds to produce synergistic effects, and the possibility of developing kaempferol into a targeted drug delivery system.

Characterization of Polyphenolic Compounds in Cantaloupe Melon By-Products

The Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), which includes several crops of great economic importance worldwide, belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, and it is well recognized for culinary and medicinal purposes. The high fruit consumption produces a large quantity of waste materials, such as peels and seeds that are still rich in molecules like polyphenols, carotenoids, and other biologically active components that possess a positive influence on human health and wellness. A sustainable development in agro-food and agro-industry sectors could come through the reutilization and valorization of these wastes, which in turn, could result in reducing their environmental impact. The current study provides a biochemical characterization of cantaloupe by-products, peels and seeds, through evaluating total polyphenols, ortho-diphenols, flavonoids, and tannins content. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity was assessed in order to understand potential benefits as natural antioxidants. Overall, the peel extract revealed the highest radical's scavenging and reducing activities, moreover, it showed higher polyphenolic content than seed extract as revealed by both cromatographic and spectrophotometric analyses. The results of the present study indicate that the melon residues are a good source of natural phytochemicals useful for many purposes, such as ingredients for nutraceutic, cosmetic, or pharmaceutical industries, development of functional ingredients and new foods, and production of fertilizers and animal feed.

Cannabimimetic plants: are they new cannabinoidergic modulators?

Phytochemicals and secondary metabolites able to interact with the endocannabinoid system (Cannabimimetics) have been recently described in a broad range of plants and fruits. These findings can open new alternative avenues to explore for the development of novel therapeutic compounds. The cannabinoids regulate many physiological and pathological functions in both animals and plants. Cannabis sativa is the main plant that produces phytocannabinoids inside resins capable to defend the plant from the aggression of parasites and herbivores. Animals produce anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, which thanks to binding with main receptors such as type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) and the type-2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) are involved in inflammation processes and several brain functions. Endogenous cannabinoids, enzymes for synthesis and degradation of cannabinoids, and CB1R and CB2R constitute the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Other plants can produce cannabinoid-like molecules such as perrottetinene extracted from Radula perrottetii, or anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol extracted from some bryophytes. Moreover, several other secondary metabolites can also interact with the ECS of animals and take the name of cannabimimetics. These phytoextracts not derived from Cannabis sativa can act as receptor agonists or antagonist, or enzyme inhibitors of ECS and can be involved in the inflammation, oxidative stress, cancer, and neuroprotection. Finally, given the evolutionary heterogeneity of the cannabimimetic plants, some authors speculated on the fascinating thesis of the evolutionary convergence between plants and animals regarding biological functions of ECS. The review aims to provide a critical and complete assessment of the botanical, chemical and therapeutic aspects of cannabimimetic plants to evaluate their spread in the world and medicinal potentiality.

Metabolic Engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for De Novo Production of Kaempferol

Kaempferol is a polyphenolic compound with various reported health benefits and thus harbors considerable potential for food-engineering applications. In this study, a high-yield kaempferol-producing cell factory was constructed by multiple strategies, including gene screening, elimination of the phenylethanol biosynthetic branch, optimizing the core flavonoid synthetic pathway, supplementation of precursor PEP/E4P, and mitochondrial engineering of F3H and FLS. A total of 86 mg/L of kaempferol was achieved in strain YL-4, to date the highest production titer in yeast. Furthermore, a coculture system and supplementation of surfactants were investigated, to relieve the metabolic burden as well as the low solubility/possible transport limitations of flavonoids, respectively. In the coculture system, the whole pathway was divided across two strains, resulting in 50% increased cell growth. Meanwhile, supplementation of Tween 80 in our engineered strains yielded 220 mg/L of naringenin and 200 mg/L of mixed flavonoids-among the highest production titer reported via de novo production in yeast.

Maximizing Polyphenol Content to Uncork the Relationship Between Wine and Cancer

Studies have revealed conflicting results regarding the risk of cancer from alcohol consumption. Furthermore, some studies have suggested that wine may have benefits that separate it from other alcoholic beverages. As wine contains a significant amount of chemicals, specifically polyphenols like anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins (PA), that can affect cellular function and promote health, this hypothesis is reasonably supported by recent research. Polyphenols promote several anticancer cellular pathways, including xenobiotic metabolism, support of innate antioxidant production, and stimulation of phase I and II detoxification of carcinogens. However, the multitude of growing and production conditions of grapes, including temperature, water availability, soil type, maceration, and aging can result in a remarkably varying final product based on the available literature. Thus, we hypothesize that wines produced from grapes cultivated between steady daily temperatures at 15–25°C with moderate sun exposure from flowering to harvest, lower vine-water status, resulting either from lower precipitation, and irrigation practices or more permeable soil types, limitation of fertilizers, extended maceration, and aging in oak will impact the concentration of anthocyanins and PA in the finished wine and may have a differential impact on cancer. This higher concentration of polyphenols would, in theory, create a healthier wine, thus explaining the conflicting reports on the benefits or harms of wine.

Red Beetroot and Betalains as Cancer Chemopreventative Agents

Carcinogenesis is the process whereby a normal cell is transformed into a neoplastic cell. This action involves several steps starting with initiation and followed by promotion and progression. Driving these stages are oxidative stress and inflammation, which in turn encompasses a myriad of aberrant gene expressions, both within the transforming cell population and the cells within the surrounding lesion. Chemoprevention of cancer with bioreactive foods or their extracted/purified components occurs via normalizing these inappropriate gene activities. Various foods/agents have been shown to affect different gene expressions. In this review, we discuss whereby the chemoprevention activities of the red beetroot itself may disrupt carcinogenesis and the activities of the water-soluble betalains extracted from the plant.

Antioxidant, Gastroprotective, Cytotoxic Activities and UHPLC PDA-Q Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry Identification of Metabolites in Baccharis grisebachii Decoction

The decoction of the local plant Baccharis grisebachii is used as a digestive, gastroprotective, external cicatrizing agent and antiseptic in Argentine. A lyophilized decoction (BLD) from the aerial parts of this plant was evaluated regarding its anti-ulcer, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities and the bioactivities were supported by UHPLC-MS metabolome fingerprinting which revealed the presence of several small bioactive compounds. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by DPPH, TEAC, FRAP and lipoperoxidation inhibition in erythrocytes methods, and the antibacterial activity was evaluated according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. The BLD showed a moderate free radical scavenging activity in the DPPH (EC₅₀ = 106 µg/mL) and lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes assays (67%, at 250 µg/mL). However, the BLD had the highest gastroprotective effect at a dose of 750 mg/kg with a ninety-three percent inhibition of damage through a mechanism that involve NO and prostaglandins using the ethanol-induced gastric damage in a standard rat model. On the other hand, BLD does not induce cytotoxic changes on human tumor and no-tumor cell lines at the concentrations assayed. Regarding the metabolomic analysis, thirty-one compounds were detected and 30 identified based on UHPLC-OT-MS including twelve flavonoids, eleven cinnamic acid derivatives, one coumarin, one stilbene and two other different phenolic compounds. The results support that the medicinal decoction of Baccharis grisebachii is a valuable natural product with gastroprotective effects and with potential to improve human health that opens a pathway for the development of important phytomedicine products.

Metabolic engineering of microbial cell factories for production of nutraceuticals

Metabolic engineering allows for the rewiring of basic metabolism to overproduce both native and non-native metabolites. Among these biomolecules, nutraceuticals have received considerable interest due to their health-promoting or disease-preventing properties. Likewise, microbial engineering efforts to produce these value-added nutraceuticals overcome traditional limitations of low yield from extractions and complex chemical syntheses. This review covers current strategies of metabolic engineering employed for the production of a few key nutraceuticals with selecting polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenolic compounds, carotenoids and non-proteinogenic amino acids as exemplary molecules. We focus on the use of both mono-culture and co-culture strategies to produce these molecules of interest. In each of these cases, metabolic engineering efforts are enabling rapid production of these molecules.

Halophytic Grasses, a New Source of Nutraceuticals? A Review on Their Secondary Metabolites and Biological Activities

The Poaceae family, known as grasses, is distributed worldwide and is considered the most important group of monocotyledonous crops. Salt stress is multifactorial, therefore to survive, halophytes evolved a variety of adaptations, which include the biosynthesis of different primary and secondary metabolites. This trait enhances the accumulation of important families of compounds crucial to the prevention of a variety of chronic diseases. Besides, if proven edible, these species could cope with the increased soil salinity responsible for the decline of arable land due to their high nutritional/nutraceutical value. Herein, the phytochemical investigations performed in halophytes from the Poaceae family as well as their biological properties were explored. Among the 65 genera and 148 species of known halophytic grasses, only 14% of the taxa were studied phytochemically and 10% were subjected to biological evaluation. Notably, in the studied species, a variety of compound families, as well as bioactivities, were demonstrated, highlighting the potential of halophytic grasses.

Kaempferol suppresses cell migration through the activation of the ERK signaling pathways in ARPE-19 cells

Kaempferol is a flavonoid with anticancer and anti-metastasis activity in different cancer-cell lines. However, the underlying mechanisms by which kaempferol acts on human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that kaempferol inhibited migration and invasion in ARPE-19 cells at non-toxic dosages. We discovered that kaempferol obviously reduced the enzyme activity and protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 by increasing the phosphorylated levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathways. Additionally, ERK1/2-specific inhibitor PD98059 significantly reversed kaempferol's inhibitory effects on migration and expression of MMP-2 in ARPE-19 cells. Overall, our results are the first to demonstrate that kaempferol is capable of inhibiting cell migration by targeting ERK1/2 signaling in human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

IRE1α is critical for Kaempferol-induced neuroblastoma differentiation

Neuroblastoma is an embryonic malignancy that arises out of the neural crest cells of the sympathetic nervous system. It is the most common childhood tumor known for its spontaneous regression via the process of differentiation. The induction of differentiation using small molecules such as retinoic acid is one of the therapeutic strategies to treat the residual disease. In this study, we have reported the effect of kaempferol (KFL) in inducing differentiation of neuroblastoma cells in vitro. Treatment of neuroblastoma cells with KFL reduced the proliferation and enhanced apoptosis along with the induction of neuritogenesis. Analysis of the expression of neuron-specific markers such as β-III tubulin, neuron-specific enolase, and N-myc downregulated gene 1 revealed the process of differentiation accompanying KFL-induced apoptosis. Further analysis to understand the molecular mechanism of action showed that the effect of KFL is mediated by the activation of the endoribonuclease activity of inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1α), an endoplasmic reticulum-resident transmembrane protein. In silico docking analysis and biochemical assays using recombinant human IRE1α confirm the binding of KFL to the ATP-binding site of IRE1α, which thereby activates IRE1α ribonuclease activity. Treatment of cells with the small molecule STF083010, which specifically targets and inhibits the endoribonuclease activity of IRE1α, showed reduced expression of neuron-specific markers and curtailed neuritogenesis. The knockdown of IRE1α using plasmid-based shRNA lentiviral particles also showed diminished changes in the morphology of the cells upon KFL treatment. Thus, our study suggests that KFL induces differentiation of neuroblastoma cells via the IRE1α -XBP1 pathway.

Solid Dispersion of Kaempferol: Formulation Development, Characterization, and Oral Bioavailability Assessment

Kaempferol (KPF), an important flavonoid, has been reported to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activity. However, this compound has low water solubility and hence poor oral bioavailability. This work aims to prepare a solid dispersion (SD) of KPF using Poloxamer 407 in order to improve the water solubility, dissolution rate, and pharmacokinetic properties KPF. After optimization, SDs were prepared at a 1:5 weight ratio of KPF:carrier using the solvent method (SD_SM) and melting method (SD_MM). Formulations were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The solubility in water of carried-KPF was about 4000-fold greater than that of free KPF. Compared with free KPF or the physical mixture, solid dispersions significantly increased the extent of drug release (approximately 100% within 120 min) and the dissolution rate. Furthermore, after oral administration of SD_MM in rats, the area under the curve (AUC) and the peak plasma concentration (C_max) of KPF from SD_MM were twofold greater than those of free KPF (p < 0.05). In conclusion, SD with Poloxamer 407 is a feasible pharmacotechnical strategy to ameliorate the dissolution and bioavailability of KPF.

A method for visualizing fluorescence of flavonoid therapeutics in vivo in the model eukaryote Dictyostelium discoideum

Naturstoff reagent A (diphenylboric acid 2-aminoethyl ester [DPBA]) has been used historically in plant science to observe polyphenolic pigments, such as flavonoids, whose fluorescence requires enhancement to be visible by microscopy. Flavonoids are common dietary constituents and are the focus of considerable attention because of their potential as novel therapies for numerous diseases. The molecular basis of therapeutic activity is only gradually being established, and one strand of such research is making use of the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. We extended the application of DPBA to flavonoid imaging in these preclinical studies, and report the first method for use of DPBA in this eukaryotic model microbe and its applicability alongside subcellular markers. This in vivo fluorescence imaging provided a useful adjunct to parallel chemical and genetic studies.

Modulating heterologous pathways and optimizing fermentation conditions for biosynthesis of kaempferol and astragalin from naringenin in Escherichia coli

Kaempferol and astragalin are used as standards to assess the quality of Ginkgo biloba extract and Radix astragali, respectively, and possess numerous biological properties. In this study, we constructed a recombinant strain with a highly efficient biosynthetic pathway of kaempferol by screening key enzyme genes, designing a synthetic fusion enzyme and increasing the gene copy number. By optimizing conversion and fed-batch fermentation conditions, maximal kaempferol production reached 1184.2 ± 16.5 mg/L, which represents the highest yield of kaempferol from naringenin reported to date. Based on this result, glycosyltransferase (AtUGT78D2) and an efficient UDP-glucose synthesis pathway were introduced into the recombinant strain to produce astragalin, resulting in maximal astragalin production at 1738.5 ± 24.8 mg/L without kaempferol accumulation. The efficient synthesis pathway described in this study for kaempferol and astragalin biosynthesis can be widely used for flavonoid biosynthesis in Escherichia coli.

Flavonoids and Their Biological Secrets

Flavonoids are tricyclic polyphenolic compounds naturally occurring in plants. Being nature’s antioxidants flavonoids have been shown to reduce the damages induced by oxidative stress in cells. Besides being an antioxidant, flavonols are demonstrated to have anti-infective properties, i.e., antiviral, antifungal, anti-angiogenic, anti-tumorigenic, and immunomodulatory bioproperties. Plants use them as one of their defense mechanisms against radiation-induced DNA damage and also for fungal infections. The use of flavonols for fabrication of new drugs has been underway with objectives to develop safer and effective therapeutic agents. This review covers 15 flavonols for their structure, biological properties, role in plant metabolisms, and current research focused on computational drug design using flavonols for searching drug leads.

The Phenolic compound Kaempferol overcomes 5-fluorouracil resistance in human resistant LS174 colon cancer cells

Resistance to 5-Fluorouracil chemotherapy is a major cause of therapeutic failure in colon cancer cure. Development of combined therapies constitutes an effective strategy to inhibit cancer cells and prevent the emergence of drug resistance. For this purpose, we investigated the anti-tumoral effect of thirteen phenolic compounds, from the Tunisian quince Cydonia oblonga Miller, alone or combined to 5-FU, on the human 5-FU-resistant LS174-R colon cancer cells in comparison to parental cells. Our results showed that only Kaempferol was able to chemo-sensitize 5-FU-resistant LS174-R cells. This phenolic compound combined with 5-FU exerted synergistic inhibitory effect on cell viability. This combination enhanced the apoptosis and induced cell cycle arrest of both chemo-resistant and sensitive cells through impacting the expression levels of different cellular effectors. Kaempferol also blocked the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modulated the expression of JAK/STAT3, MAPK, PI3K/AKT and NF-κB. In silico docking analysis suggested that the potent anti-tumoral effect of Kaempferol, compared to its two analogs (Kaempferol 3-O-glucoside and Kampferol 3-O-rutinoside), can be explained by the absence of glucosyl groups. Overall, our data propose Kaempferol as a potential chemotherapeutic agent to be used alone or in combination with 5-FU to overcome colon cancer drug resistance.

UPLC-DAD-QTOF/MS Analysis of Flavonoids from 12 Varieties of Korean Mulberry Fruit

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) has been used in East Asia (Korea, China, and Japan) as a medicine because of its various pharmacological effects including the excellent antioxidant properties of its fruit. This study analyzed extracts from 12 varieties of Korean mulberry fruit for flavonoids using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-QTOF/MS). Six quercetin derivatives were identified by mass spectrometry (MS) based on the [quercetin + H]+ ion (m/z 303), while four kaempferol derivatives were identified based on the [kaempferol + H]+ ion (m/z 287). Two new compounds (morkotin A and morkotin C, quercetin derivatives) were identified for the first time in mulberry fruit. The total flavonoid contents of the mulberry fruits ranged from 35.0 ± 2.3 mg/100 g DW in the Baek Ok Wang variety (white mulberry) to 119.9 ± 7.0 mg/100 g DW in the Dae Shim variety. This study has, for the first time, evaluated the flavonoid chromatographic profiles of 12 varieties of Korean mulberry fruits in a following quali-quantitative approach, which will contribute to improved utilization of these fruits as health foods.

Flavonoids in Cancer and Apoptosis

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. Although, there are many different approaches to cancer treatment, they are often painful due to adverse side effects and are sometimes ineffective due to increasing resistance to classical anti-cancer drugs or radiation therapy. Targeting delayed/inhibited apoptosis is a major approach in cancer treatment and a highly active area of research. Plant derived natural compounds are of major interest due to their high bioavailability, safety, minimal side effects and, most importantly, cost effectiveness. Flavonoids have gained importance as anti-cancer agents and have shown great potential as cytotoxic anti-cancer agents promoting apoptosis in cancer cells. In this review, a summary of flavonoids and their effectiveness in cancer treatment targeting apoptosis has been discussed.

Lipid reducing potential of liposomes loaded with ethanolic extract of purple pitanga (Eugenia uniflora) administered to Caenorhabditis elegans

The ethanolic extract obtained from purple pitanga fruit (Eugenia uniflora - PPE) has been previously described by its potential to reduce lipid accumulation in vitro. In this study, we aimed to study this potential in vivo using Caenorhabditis elegans as animal model. Considering the low pH of the extract, its hydrophilic characteristic, its absorption by the medium where the worms are cultivated and the need of a chronic exposure in the worms solid medium, we have loaded liposomes with PPE and investigated its potential for oral administration. Following 48 h exposure to the PPE-loaded liposomes on worms nematode growth medium, we did not observe any toxic effects of the formulation. Under high cholesterol diet, which increased worms total lipid and also triacylglycerides levels, liposomes containing PPE were able to significantly attenuate these alterations, which could not be observed when worms were treated with free PPE. Furthermore, we could evidence that liposomes were ingested by worms through their labelling to uranin fluorescence dye. Through total phenolic compounds quantification, we estimated an entrapment efficacy of PPE into liposomes of 87.7%. The high levels of phenolic compounds present in PPE, as previously described by our group, indicate that these antioxidants may interfere in worms lipid metabolism, which may occur through many and intricated mechanisms. Although the use of conventional liposomes for human consumption may not be pragmatic, its application for oral delivery of a hydrophilic substance in C. elegans was absolutely critical for our experimental design and has proven to be efficient.

Kaempferol attenuates retinal ganglion cell death by suppressing NLRP1/NLRP3 inflammasomes and caspase-8 via JNK and NF-κB pathways in acute glaucoma

AIMS OR PURPOSE

Glaucoma is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the world. Elucidating the pathogenesis of glaucoma and developing effective treatment should be the priority. Inflammation and oxidative stress play essential roles in glaucoma pathogeneisis. Kaempferol is a natural flavonol and has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. In this study, we explored the potential effects of kaempferol on acute glaucoma.

METHODS

We established the retinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) mice model and administrated kaempferol to I/R mice. We monitored the retina thickness change, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death, caspase-8 and caspase-3 activation, NLRP1/NLRP3 inflammasomes activation, pro-inflammatory cytokines production, and activations of NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways.

RESULTS

Kaempferol prevented retina thickness change and RGC death in I/R mice. The activations of caspase-8, caspase-3, and NLRP1/NLRP3 inflammasome activation were inhibited by kaempferol. Kaempferol prevented pro-inflammatory cytokines productions in I/R mice. The activation of NF-κB and JNK signaling pathways was also inhibited by Kaempferol in I/R mice.

CONCLUSION

Kaempferol attenuated retinal ganglion cell death by suppressing NLRP1/NLRP3 inflammasomes and caspase-8 via inhibiting NF-κB and JNK pathways in acute glaucoma.

Combined In Vitro Studies and in Silico Target Fishing for the Evaluation of the Biological Activities of Diphylleia cymosa and Podophyllum hexandrum

This paper reports the in silico prediction of biological activities of lignans from Diphylleia cymosa and Podophyllum hexandrum combined with an in vitro bioassays. The extracts from the leaves, roots and rhizomes of both species were evaluated for their antibacterial, anticholinesterasic, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. A group of 27 lignans was selected for biological activities prediction using the Active-IT system with 1987 ligand-based bioactivity models. The in silico approach was properly validated and several ethnopharmacological uses and known biological activities were confirmed, whilst others should be investigated for new drugs with potential clinical use. The extracts from roots of D. cymosa and from rhizomes and roots of P. hexandrum were very effective against Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus, while podophyllotoxin inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. D. cymosa leaves and roots showed anticholinesterasic and antioxidant activities, respectively. The evaluated extracts showed to be moderately toxic to THP-1 cells. The chromatographic characterization indicated that podophyllotoxin was the major constituent of P. hexandrum extract while kaempferol and its hexoside were the main constituents of D. cymosa leaves and roots, respectively. These results suggest that the podophyllotoxin could be the major antibacterial lignan, while flavonoids could be responsible for the antioxidant activity.

Anti-obesity effects of kaempferol by inhibiting adipogenesis and increasing lipolysis in 3T3-L1 cells

Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid widely found in fruits, vegetables, and tea. Kaempferol possesses beneficial biological properties such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Positive energy balance during obesity correlates with a pro-inflammatory chronic state. In this context, we hypothesized that kaempferol might promote anti-obesity effects by modulating adipogenesis and lipolytic pathways. Adipocyte viability at 24, 48, and 72 h was measured by an ATP-based assay. Pre-adipocytes (day 0) or mature adipocytes (day 12) were treated with 60 μM kaempferol until day 21 to evaluate its potential anti-adipogenic and lipolytic effect, respectively. Total lipid accumulation was assessed using Oil Red O staining assay. Gene expression was measured by RT-qPCR to evaluate the effect of kaempferol on adipogenesis and lipolysis gene expression. Our results showed a dose-dependent effect of kaempferol treatment on cell viability promoting cell death at higher than 60 μM concentration. Pre-adipocytes stimulation by 60 μM kaempferol resulted in 62% adipogenesis inhibition whereas in mature adipocytes, it reduced 39% intracellular lipid accumulation. Also, 60 μM kaempferol treatment decreased Cebpa mRNA expression when compared to control cells. In contrast, Pnpla2 and Lipe gene expression were upregulated in 3T3-L1 cells incubated with 60 μM kaempferol. In summary, our results showed that kaempferol modulates adipogenic differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells by promoting downregulation of Cebpa gene expression and decreasing lipid accumulation in mature adipocytes by its positive effects on Pnpla2 and Lipe mRNA levels. Kaempferol might display an anti-obesity effect.

Flavonoids and Colorectal Cancer Prevention

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer, but despite advances in treatment, it remains the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality. Prevention may, therefore, be a key strategy in reducing colorectal cancer deaths. Given reports of an inverse association between fruit and vegetable consumption with colorectal cancer risk, there has been significant interest in understanding the metabolism and bioactivity of flavonoids, which are highly abundant in fruits and vegetables and account for their pigmentation. In this review, we discuss host and microbiota-mediated metabolism of flavonoids and the potential mechanisms by which flavonoids can exert protective effects against colon tumorigenesis, including regulation of signaling pathways involved in apoptosis, cellular proliferation, and inflammation and modulation of the gut microbiome.

The Effects of the 3-OH Group of Kaempferol on Interfollicular Epidermal Stem Cell Fate

Background

Kaempferol (3,4′,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone) is a flavonoid known to have a wide range of pharmacological activities. The 3-OH group in flavonoids has been reported to determine antioxidant activities.

Objective

We tested whether kaempferol can affect the expression of integrins and the stem cell fate of interfollicular epidermal stem cells.

Methods

Skin equivalent (SE) models were constructed, and the expression levels of stem cell markers and basement membrane-related antigens were tested. The immunohistochemical staining patterns of integrins, p63, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were compared between kaempferol- and apigenin-treated SE models. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate the mRNA expression of integrins.

Results

Kaempferol increased the thickness of the epidermis when added to prepare SEs. In addition, the basal cells of kaempferol- treated SEs appeared more columnar. In the immunohistological study, the expression of integrins α6 and β1 and the numbers of p63- and PCNA-positive cells were markedly higher in the kaempferol-treated model. However, apigenin showed no effects on the formation of three-dimensional skin models. RT-PCR analysis also confirmed that kaempferol increased the expression of integrin α6 and integrin β1.

Conclusion

Our findings indicated that kaempferol can increase the proliferative potential of basal epidermal cells by modulating the basement membrane. In other words, kaempferol can affect the fate of interfollicular epidermal stem cells by increasing the expression of both integrins α6 and β1. These effects, in particular, might be ascribed to the 3-OH group of kaempferol.

Rutin and orlistat produce antitumor effects via antioxidant and apoptotic actions

Cancer is a broad term used to describe a large number of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation that leads to tumor production. Cancer is associated with mutations in genes controlling proliferation and apoptosis, oxidative stress, fatty acid synthase (FAS) expression, and other mechanisms. Currently, most antineoplastic drugs have severe adverse effects and new effective and safe drugs are needed. This study aims to investigate the possible anticancer activity of rutin and orlistat which are both safely used clinically in humans against two breast cancer models (in vivo EAC and in vitro MCF7) and the pancreatic cancer cell line (PANC-1). Our results have shown that both rutin and orlistat exerted an in vivo anticancer activity as evidenced by the decrease in tumor volume, CEA level, cholesterol content, FAS, and the exerted antioxidant action (reduced MDA level and increased GSH content) and through histopathological examination. In addition, both were cytotoxic to MCF-7 and Panc-1 cell lines by promoting apoptosis. In conclusion, the anticancer activity of rutin and orlistat makes them promising candidates for cancer treatment alone or in combination with other anticancer drugs specially that they are used clinically with an acceptable safety profile.

Protection of Kaempferol on Oxidative Stress-Induced Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Damage

The protection of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) injury plays an important role in the prevention of or in delaying the pathological progress of retinal degeneration diseases, like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa. Oxidative stress has been identified as a major inducer of RPE injury, which eventually could lead to a loss of vision. Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid widely distributed in many edible plants, fruits, and traditional medicines and has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities. The present study demonstrates that the total antioxidant capacity of kaempferol is approximately two times stronger than that of lutein which is also a natural antioxidant that is widely used in the prevention or treatment of AMD. Our data indicates that kaempferol protects human RPE cells (ARPE-19) from hydrogen peroxide- (H₂O₂-) induced oxidative cell damage and apoptosis through the signaling pathways involving Bax/Bcl-2 and caspase-3 molecules proofed by real-time PCR and Western blot results. Kaempferol also inhibits the upregulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression levels induced by H₂O₂ in ARPE-19 cells and affects the oxidation and antioxidant imbalanced system in ARPE-19 cells treated by H₂O₂ through the regulations of both the activities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Furthermore, our in vivo experimental results show that in sodium iodate-induced retinal degeneration rat model, kaempferol could protect sodium iodate-induced pathological changes of retina tissue and retinal cells apoptosis as well as the upregulated VEGF protein expression in RPE cells. In summary, these novel findings demonstrate that kaempferol could protect oxidative stressed-human RPE cell damage through its antioxidant activity and antiapoptosis function, suggesting that kaempferol has a potential role in the prevention and therapeutic treatment of AMD or other retinal diseases mediated by oxidative stress.

Postgenomic Properties of Natural Micronutrients

Modern medical approaches to the therapy of various diseases, including cancer, are based on the use of toxic drugs. The unfavorable side effects of traditional medicine could be counterbalanced by addition of natural bioactive substances to conventional therapy due to their mild action on cells combined with the multitargeted effects. To elucidate the real mechanisms of their biological activity, versatile approaches including a number of "omics" such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics are used. This review highlights inclusion of bioactive natural compounds into the therapy of chronic diseases from the viewpoint of modern omics-based nutritional biochemistry. The recently accumulated data argue for necessity to employ nutrigenetic and nutrimetabolomic analyses to prevent or diminish the risk of chronic diseases.

Activity of quercetin and kaemferol against Streptococcus mutans biofilm

OBJECTIVE

Nidus Vespae (NV) is the honeycomb of Polistes Olivaceous, P. Japonicus Saussure, and Parapolybiavaria Fabricius. Previously, we have shown the extract and chemical fractions from NV demonstrated remarkable capacities of inhibiting the acid production of oral bacteria at sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) concentrations. In searching the most potent anti-caries compounds in NV, we further separated the NV Chl/MeOH fraction and obtained two purified compounds: quercetin and kaemferol. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of quercetin and kaemferol against S. mutans biofilm formation.

METHODS

The MIC, minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (MBIC₅₀) and minimum biofilm reduction concentration (MBRC₅₀) against Streptococcus mutans were examined for NV-derived of quercetin and kaemferol. The effectiveness of inhibiting S. mutans biofilm formation was further examined using in vitro biofilm model.

RESULTS

Both quercetin and kaemferol compounds demonstrated anti-biofilm activities when compared to the negative control. They are capable of reducing biofilm dry-weight, total protein, viable cells measured by colony forming unit (CFU), insoluble and soluble glucans formation. The in situ culture pH was less acidic when the biofilms were treated by quercetin and kaemferol. The quercetin and kaemferol demonstrated comparable capability of S. mutans killing in biofilms, compared to chlorhexidine.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study showed inhibitory activity of quercetin and kaemferol against S. mutans biofilms, suggesting that quercetin and kaemferol might be considered as alternative anti-caries agents in searching novel anti-caries therapeutics.

Kaempferol Binding to Zinc(II), Efficient Radical Scavenging through Increased Phenol Acidity

Zinc(II) enhances radical scavenging of the flavonoid kaempferol (Kaem) most significantly for the 1:1 Zn(II)-Kaem complex in equilibrium with the 1:2 Zn(II)-Kaem complex both with high affinity at 3-hydroxyl and 4-carboxyl coordination. In methanol/chloroform (7/3, v/v), 1:1 Zn(II)-Kaem complex reduces β-carotene radical cation, β-Car^•+, with a second-order rate constant, 1.88 × 10⁸ L·mol^-1·s^-1, while both Kaem and 1:2 Zn(II)-Kaem complex are nonreactive, as determined by laser flash photolysis. In ethanol, 1:1 Zn(II)-Kaem complex reduces the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, DPPH^•, with a second-order rate constant, 2.48 × 10⁴ L·mol^-1·s^-1, 16 times and 2 times as efficient as Kaem and 1:2 Zn(II)-Kaem complex, respectively, as determined by stopped-flow spectroscopy. Density functional theory calculation results indicate significantly increased acidity of Kaem as ligand in 1:1 Zn(II)-Kaem complex other than in 1:2 Zn(II)-Kaem complex. Kaem in 1:1 Zn(II)-Kaem complex loses two protons (one from 3-hydroxyl and one from phenolic hydroxyl) forming 1:1 Zn(II)-(Kaem-2H) during binding with Zn(II), while Kaem in 1:2 Zn(II)-Kaem complex loses one proton in each ligand forming Zn(II)-(Kaem-H)₂, as confirmed by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Zn(II)-(Kaem-2H) is a far stronger reductant than Kaem and Zn(II)-(Kaem-H)₂ as determined by cyclic voltammetry. Significant rate increases for the 1:1 complex in both β-Car^•+ scavenging by electron transfer and DPPH^• scavenging by hydrogen atom transfer were ascribed to decreases of ionization potential and of bond dissociation energy of 4'-OH for deprotonated Zn(II)-(Kaem-2H), respectively. Increased phenol acidity of plant polyphenols by 1:1 coordination with Zn(II) may explain the unique function of Zn(II) as a biological antioxidant and may help to design nontoxic metal-based drugs derived from natural bioactive molecules.

A Unified View of Assessing the Pro-oxidant versus Antioxidant Nature of Amyloid Beta Conformers

Transition-metal-catalyzed oxidative stress is a widespread concern in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. However, the exact role of amyloid beta oligomers towards oxidative stress is widely debated. Assessing the oxidative nature of the oligomers in vitro is complicated by the different experimental conditions under which they are prepared. We have investigated Cu²⁺ -catalyzed reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by using oligomers prepared in phosphate-buffered saline (Aβ^O-PBS ) and in cell culture medium (Aβ^O-CCM ), and compared their activities with respect to the monomers and fibrils prepared at neutral and acidic pH. Although both are deca- to dodecamers, the Aβ^O-PBS oligomers have a spherical morphology and are smaller than the Aβ^O-CCM . The Aβ^O-PBS behaved as pro-oxidants; in contrast, Aβ^O-CCM quench OH^. generation attributed to CCM itself. Although the pro-oxidant oligomers showed oxidation, they also partially protect themselves from radical damage and maintain their overall spherical arrangement. The monomers and fibrils manifested antioxidant properties: radical scavenging as opposed to redox silencing. A dual role of Aβ species depending on the stage of the disease is proposed. In the earlier stages, the monomers can act as antioxidants, whereas at the later stages, the oligomers take on a pro-oxidant role. Kaempferol, a natural flavonoid, bound Cu²⁺ in 2:1 ratio and abolished ROS production in all Aβ species. It also distinctly modified the folding landscape of Aβ species into new or altered morphologies.

Kaempferol alleviates ox-LDL-induced apoptosis by up-regulation of miR-26a-5p via inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB pathway in human endothelial cells

BACKGROUND

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) has been well-documented to induce endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis and contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis. Kaempferol was reported to alleviate ox-LDL-induced apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. However, the detailed mechanism by which kaempferol alleviated ox-LDL-induced EC apoptosis remains largely elusive.

METHODS

The expression of miR-26a-5p in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) treated with either ox-LDL alone or in combination with kaempferol was detected by qRT-PCR. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The interaction between miR-26a-5p and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA was examined by luciferase reporter assay. The protein levels of TLR4, phosphorylated-p65, p65, phosphorylated-IκBα and IκBα were determined by western blot.

RESULTS

Kaempferol upregulated miR-26a-5p expression in ox-LDL-stimulated HAECs. Moreover, kaempferol alleviated ox-LDL-induced apoptosis in HAECs by upregulating miR-26a-5p. Additionally, TLR4 mRNA was identified as a target of miR-26a-5p in ox-LDL-treated HAECs. TLR4 overexpression partially counteracted the anti-apoptotic role of miR-26a-5p in ox-LDL-treated HAECs. Furthermore, kaempferol inactivated the TLR4/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in ox-LDL-treated HAECs by upregulating miR-26a-5p.

CONCLUSION

Kaempferol alleviated ox-LDL-induced apoptosis in HAECs by upregulating miR-26a-5p via inactivation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, shedding light on the molecular mechanism by which kaempferol alleviated ox-LDL-induced EC apoptosis.

Kaempferol Attenuates ROS-Induced Hemolysis and the Molecular Mechanism of Its Induction of Apoptosis on Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer has become the most common malignant urinary carcinoma. Studies have shown that significant antioxidant and bladder cancer-fighting properties of several plant-based diets like Psidium guajava, ginger and amomum, are associated with their high kaempferol content. In this paper, we evaluated the antioxidant and anticancer activities of kaempferol and its mechanism of induction to apoptosis on bladder cancer cells. Our findings demonstrated that kaempferol showed an obvious radical scavenging activity in erythrocytes damaged by oxygen. Kaempferol promoted antioxidant enzymes, inhibited ROS generation and lipid peroxidation and finally prevented the occurrence of hemolysis. Additionally, kaempferol exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on bladder cancer cells and high safety on normal bladder cells. At the molecular level, kaempferol suppressed EJ bladder cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting the function of phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), CyclinD1, CDK4, Bid, Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL, and promoting p-BRCA1, p-ATM, p53, p21, p38, Bax and Bid expression, and finally triggering apoptosis and S phase arrest. We found that Kaempferol exhibited strong anti-oxidant activity on erythrocyte and inhibitory effects on the growth of cancerous bladder cells through inducing apoptosis and S phase arrest. These findings suggested that kaempferol might be regarded as a bioactive food ingredient to prevent oxidative damage and treat bladder cancer.

Assessment of toxicity and differential antimicrobial activity of methanol extract of rhizome of Simaba ferruginea A. St.-Hil. and its isolate canthin-6-one

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Simaba ferruginea A. St.-Hil., Simaroubaceae, popularly known as "calunga" is a typical subtropical shrub used in Central Brazil mainly for infection, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and gastric duodenal-ulcers. It presents in its composition the alkaloid canthin-6-one, an alkaloid indole β-carboxylic.

AIM

This study aims to investigate the toxicity, antimicrobial activities of methanol extract of Simaba ferruginea (MESf) and canthin-6-one by using different experimental models.

METHODS

The present study evaluated the phytochemical analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), toxicological potential of MESf and canthin-6-one, using the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity assays with CHO-K1 cells and in vivo acute test in mice. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the broth microdilution assays, while the antimicrobial mechanism of action was also assessed using different in vitro bacterial and fungal models.

RESULTS

The HPLC analysis of MESf revealed the presence of canthin-6-one, kaempferol and morin. Differential in vitro toxicities were observed between MESf and canthin-6-one. In the cytotoxicity assay, MESf presented toxicity against CHO-K1, while canthin-6-one did not. In the case of in vitro genotoxicity, both showed to be potentially genotoxic. In the in vivo toxicity study, both MESf (up to 1000 mg/kg) and cantin-6-one (up to 100 mg/kg) caused no toxicologically relevant alterations and are thus considered not to be toxic. MESf was shown to be relatively safe with NOAEL (100 mg/kg) when administrate in mice. Both MESf and canthin-6-one also showed differential antimicrobial activities. On one hand, MESf demonstrated good spectrum of antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 12.5 μg/mL) and Escherichia coli (MIC 25 μg/mL) and moderate activity against Enterococcus faecalis and Shigella flexneri (MIC 200 μg/mL) but no antifungal effect. On the hand, canthin-6-one showed no antibacterial activity, except against Staphylococcus aureus (100 μg/mL), but potent in vitro fungicidal activity against clinically important Aspergillus niger and Candida species at MFC intervals ranging from 3.12 to 25 μg/mL. Both MESf and canthin-6-one were bacteriostatic in action. MESf antimicrobial mechanism of actions are associated with changes in the permeability of bacterial membranes, evidenced by the increased entry of hydrophobic antibiotic in Shigella flexneri, intense K⁺ efflux (Shigella flexneri, Staphylococcus aureus) and nucleotides leakage (Staphylococcus aureus). In the antifungal mode of action, canthin-6-one inhibited Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth and including alteration in the cell membrane of Neurospora crassa.

CONCLUSION

The results of this work demonstrated the differential antimicrobial activities of MESf and its alkaloid isolate, canthin-6-one with antibacterial and antifungal activities, respectively. The present study support the popular use of Simaba ferruginea in combatting afflictions related to bacterial infections, and demonstrate that canthin-6-one as a promising antifungal agent. Both MESf and canthin-6-one are considered non-toxic based on the in vitro toxicological study.

Antiparasitic activity of chicory (Cichorium intybus) and its natural bioactive compounds in livestock: a review

Increasing drug resistance in gastrointestinal (GI) parasites of livestock and concerns about chemical residues in animal products and the environment are driving the development of alternative control strategies that are less reliant on the use of synthetic drugs. An increasingly investigated approach is the use of bioactive forages with antiparasitic properties as part of the animal's diet (nutraceuticals) or as potential sources of novel, natural parasiticides. Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a multi-purpose crop and one of the most promising bioactive forages in temperate regions, and numerous in vivo trials have explored its potential against parasitic nematodes in livestock. However, it is unclear whether chicory can induce a direct and broad activity against various GI parasites in different livestock species, and the levels of chicory in the diet that are required to exert an efficient antiparasitic effect. Moreover, the mechanisms leading to the reported parasiticidal activity of chicory are still largely unknown, and its bioactive phytochemicals have only recently been investigated. In this review, we summarise the progress in the study of the antiparasitic activity of chicory and its natural bioactive compounds against GI parasites in livestock, through examination of the published literature. The available evidence indicates that feeding chicory can reduce faecal egg counts and/or worm burdens of abomasal nematodes, but not infections with intestinal worms, in ruminants. Highly chicory-rich diets (≥ 70% of chicory dry matter in the diet) may be necessary to directly affect abomasal parasitism. Chicory is known to synthesise several bioactive compounds with potential antiparasitic activity, but most research has been devoted to the role of sesquiterpene lactones (SL). Recent in vitro studies have confirmed direct and potent activity of SL-rich extracts from chicory against different GI helminths of livestock. Chicory SL have also been reported to exhibit antimalarial properties and its potential antiprotozoal activity in livestock remains to be evaluated. Furthermore, the detailed identification of the main antiparasitic metabolites of chicory and their pharmacokinetics need further confirmation. Research gaps and perspectives on the potential use of chicory as a nutraceutical forage and a source of bioactive compounds for parasite control in livestock are discussed.