Ficus asperifolia Miq ‐enriched biscuit diet protects against L ‐NAME induced hyperlipidemia and hypertension in rats

Current insights and future perspectives of flavonoids: A promising antihypertensive approach

Hypertension, or high blood pressure (BP), is a complex disease influenced by various risk factors. It is characterized by persistent elevation of BP levels, typically exceeding 140/90 mmHg. Endothelial dysfunction and reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability play crucial roles in hypertension development. L-NG-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an analog of L-arginine, inhibits endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) enzymes, leading to decreased NO production and increased BP. Animal models exposed to L-NAME manifest hypertension, making it a useful design for studying the hypertension condition. Natural products have gained interest as alternative approaches for managing hypertension. Flavonoids, abundant in fruits, vegetables, and other plant sources, have potential cardiovascular benefits, including antihypertensive effects. Flavonoids have been extensively studied in cell cultures, animal models, and, to lesser extent, in human trials to evaluate their effectiveness against L-NAME-induced hypertension. This comprehensive review summarizes the antihypertensive activity of specific flavonoids, including quercetin, luteolin, rutin, troxerutin, apigenin, and chrysin, in L-NAME-induced hypertension models. Flavonoids possess antioxidant properties that mitigate oxidative stress, a major contributor to endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. They enhance endothelial function by promoting NO bioavailability, vasodilation, and the preservation of vascular homeostasis. Flavonoids also modulate vasoactive factors involved in BP regulation, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and endothelin-1. Moreover, they exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, attenuating inflammation-mediated hypertension. This review provides compelling evidence for the antihypertensive potential of flavonoids against L-NAME-induced hypertension. Their multifaceted mechanisms of action suggest their ability to target multiple pathways involved in hypertension development. Nonetheless, the reviewed studies contribute to the evidence supporting the useful of flavonoids for hypertension prevention and treatment. In conclusion, flavonoids represent a promising class of natural compounds for combating hypertension. This comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource summarizing the current knowledge on the antihypertensive effects of specific flavonoids, facilitating further investigation and guiding the development of novel therapeutic strategies for hypertension management.

Unveiling the neuroprotective properties of isoflavones: current evidence, molecular mechanisms and future perspectives

Neurodegenerative diseases encompass a wide range of debilitating and incurable brain disorders characterized by the progressive deterioration of the nervous system's structure and function. Isoflavones, which are naturally occurring polyphenolic phytochemicals, have been found to regulate various cellular signaling pathways associated with the nervous system. The main objective of this comprehensive review is to explore the neuroprotective effects of isoflavones, elucidate the underlying mechanisms, and assess their potential for treating neurodegenerative disorders. Relevant data regarding isoflavones and their impact on neurodegenerative diseases were gathered from multiple library databases and electronic sources, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Science Direct. Numerous isoflavones, including genistein, daidzein, biochanin A, and formononetin, have exhibited potent neuroprotective properties against various neurodegenerative diseases. These compounds have been found to modulate neurotransmitters, which in turn contributes to their ability to protect against neurodegeneration. Both in vitro and in vivo experimental studies have provided evidence of their neuroprotection mechanisms, which involve interactions with estrogenic receptors, antioxidant effects, anti-inflammatory properties, anti-apoptotic activity, and modulation of neural plasticity. This review aims to provide current insights into the neuroprotective characteristics of isoflavones and shed light on their potential therapeutic applications in future clinical scenarios.

Evaluation of Andrographis paniculata-supplemented Diet on the reproductive indices of Plasmodium berghei-infected mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The King of Bitters (Andrographis paniculata) is a plant used to cure a wide range of infectious diseases which includes malaria, fever and others. However, there is a paucity of scientific evidence of its effect on male reproductive indices during malaria treatment.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of supplemented diet on antiplasmodial, hematological and male reproductive indices in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Aqueous extract of A. paniculata (King of Bitters, KGB) was prepared and the total phenol and flavonoid contents were determined. Forty-two mice, weighing 20-25 g, were distributed into 7 groups consisting of 6 mice each. The mice were innoculated with strain NK65 Plasmodium berghei (Chloroquine, CQ sensitive) and the parasitemia suppression was assessed. The mice were fed with the dietary supplementation of KGB at varying inclusions (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%) and administered 10 mg/kg CQ (which served as the positive control) for 5 consecutive days after infection was established. The reactive malondialdeahyde (MDA), antioxidant [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH)] and the hematological (hemoglobin, packed cell volume and red blood cell) parameters in the infected mice were determined. The reproductive indices (serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm viability) and testis histopathology were also assessed.

RESULT

The result revealed that KGB had a total phenol content of 32.55 mgGAE/g and total flavonoid content of 19.71 mgQUE/g. The infected mice treated with the dietary supplementation of KGB showed significantly decreased (p < 0.05) parasitaemia and MDA levels. Furthermore, the 7.5% dietary inclusion showed significant improvement in the antioxidant, hematological and reproductive indices as well as the restoration of testis morphology as seen in the histopathology plate of the infected mice treated with KGB. Hence, this study suggests that the KGB- supplemented diet (7.5%) may be a potential alternative and complementary therapy in the treatment of malaria infection and reproductive disorders.

Laminaria japonica polysaccharide alleviates type 2 diabetes by regulating the microbiota-gut-liver axis: A multi-omics mechanistic analysis

The hypoglycemic effects of low-molecular-weight Laminaria japonica polysaccharide (LJO) were investigated in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice, focusing on its effect on the microbiome, metabolome, and transcriptome. The findings demonstrated that LJO significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels, insulin levels, and inflammatory factors. Additionally, LJO induced changes in gut microbiota composition and increased the concentrations of cecal short-chain fatty acids. Analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics data revealed that LJO primarily altered the endocrine and digestive systems, signal transduction, and lipid metabolism. It led to a decrease in palmitic acid levels and an increase in glutathione levels. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay suggested that LJO upregulated Irs1 expression, consequently reducing insulin resistance. These findings strongly suggest that LJO holds promise in ameliorating T2DM and may serve as a potential dietary supplement for patients with T2DM.

Research progress in lipid metabolic regulation of bioactive peptides

Hyperlipidemia poses a serious threat to human health and evaluating the ability of natural active substances to regulate disorders of lipid metabolism is the focus of food functionality research in recent years. Bioactive peptides are distinguished by their broad range of sources, high nutritional content, ease of absorption and use by the body, and ease of determining their sequences. Bioactive peptides have a wide range of potential applications in the area of medicines and food. The regulation of lipid metabolism disorder caused by bioactive peptides from different sources provides a reference for the development and research of bioactive peptides for lipid reduction.

Graphical Abstract

Modulation of gut microbiota and lipid metabolism in rats fed high-fat diets by Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids

Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids (GP) have been reported to help prevent and improve hyperlipidemia. Modulation of the gut microbiota was proposed as underlying factor as well as a novel measure to prevent and treat hyperlipidemia. The effects of GP on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemia and gut microbiota modulation were determined in rats. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF MS-MS) indicated that GP were enriched with ganoderic acids G, B, H, A, and F. After feeding with GP supplementation, serum lipid levels including total triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly decreased in hyperlipidemic rats. Furthermore, administration of GP also has reversed the HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, including a significant increase in Alloprevotella and reduced proportion of Blautia. The result above suggests that GP would be developed as a functional food to ameliorate lipid metabolic disorders and hyperlipidemia.

Bioactivities and mechanisms of dietary proanthocyanidins on blood pressure lowering: A critical review of in vivo and clinical studies

Proanthocyanidins, widespread in natural plant sources, are bioactive substances that exhibit broad benefits to human health. Of note, proanthocyanidins have been reported to lower blood pressure and prevent hypertension, but a critical review of this is lacking. In this review, information on the basic structures and absorption of dietary proanthocyanidins as well as their bioactivities and related mechanisms on the lowering of blood pressure derived via in vivo and clinical studies are summarized. Clinical studies have shown that proanthocyanidins have a pronounced blood pressure-lowering effect, effectively preventing hypertension and reducing the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The potential mechanisms, which are herein reviewed in detail, involve the improvement of vascular function, reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation, and modulation of lipid metabolism. Taken together, this work provides information for a better understanding of the antihypertensive effects of proanthocyanidins, which may promote their use to reduce the risk of developing hypertension.