Effects of flavonoid extract Enzogenol® with vitamin C on protein oxidation and DNA damage in older human subjects

Conifers Phytochemicals: A Valuable Forest with Therapeutic Potential

Conifers have long been recognized for their therapeutic potential in different disorders. Alkaloids, terpenes and polyphenols are the most abundant naturally occurring phytochemicals in these plants. Here, we provide an overview of the phytochemistry and related commercial products obtained from conifers. The pharmacological actions of different phytochemicals present in conifers against bacterial and fungal infections, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are also reviewed. Data obtained from experimental and clinical studies performed to date clearly underline that such compounds exert promising antioxidant effects, being able to inhibit cell damage, cancer growth, inflammation and the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, an attempt has been made with the intent to highlight the importance of conifer-derived extracts for pharmacological purposes, with the support of relevant in vitro and in vivo experimental data. In short, this review comprehends the information published to date related to conifers' phytochemicals and illustrates their potential role as drugs.

Investigating the effects of bark extract and volatile oil of Pinus eldarica against cisplatin-induced genotoxicity on HUVECs cell line

Cisplatin is used for treating multiple types of cancers. Alongside its therapeutic effects, there are side effects, including cytotoxicity and genotoxicity for healthy cells, which are mainly related to radical oxygen species (ROS) production by the drug. These side effects could troublesome the treatment process. Previous studies have suggested that members of Pinaceae family are rich sources of antioxidant components. This article investigates the antioxidant activity (AA) of Pinus eldarica (Pinaceae) along with its cyto/genoprotective effects following cisplatin exposure on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cell line. Pinus eldarica's hydroalcoholic bark extract (PEHABE) and P. eldarica's needle volatile oil (PENVO) were prepared using maceration and hydrodistillation methods, respectively. PENVO was analysed via gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry, and the total phenolic content of PEHBAE was measured by folin-ciocalteu reagent. AA of both PEHABE and PENVO were determined using DPPH assay. Moreover, MTT test was used to determine the cytoprotective effects of both agents. Comet and micronucleus (MN) tests were also performed to investigate the genoprotective effect of P. eldarica. Germacrene D (35.72%) was the main component of PENVO. PEHABE showed higher AA compared with PENVO, with the highest AA observed at 25 and 250 μg/ml, respectively. Both PENVO and PEHABE were cytoprotective, with the latter having mitogenic effects on cells at 75, 100, and 200 μg/ml concentrations (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001). Also, both PEHABE and PENVO showed genoprotective effects against cisplatin in comet assay (P < 0.001). As PEHABE's concentrations were increased, a reduced number of MN formation was observed after cisplatin's exposure (P < 0.001). In conclusion, PEHABE had higher AA compared with PENVO, and both agents had cyto/genoprotective effects on HUVECs.

Pinus massoniana Bark Extract: Structure-Activity Relationship and Biomedical Potentials

Proanthocyanidins (PAs) belong to the condensed tannin subfamily of natural flavonoids. Recent studies have shown that the main bioactive compounds of Pinus massoniana bark extract (PMBE) are PAs, especially the proanthocyanidins B series, which play important roles in cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction and migration inhibition of cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. PA-Bs are mixtures of oligomers and polymers composed of flavan-3-ol, and the relationship between their structure and corresponding biomedical potentials is summarized in this paper. The hydroxyl at certain positions or the linkage between different carbon atoms of different rings determines or affects their anti-oxidant and free radical scavenging bioactivities. The degree of polymerization and the water solubility of the reaction system also influence their biomedical potential. Taken together, PMBE has a promising future in clinical drug development as a candidate anticancer drug and as a food additive to prevent tumorigenesis. We hope this review will encourage interested researchers to conduct further preclinical and clinical studies to evaluate the anticancer activities of PMBE, its active constituents and their derivatives.

Utilization of Flavonoid Compounds from Bark and Wood: A Review

Flavonoid compounds, which are extracted from bark and wood and used commercially, are flavan 3-ols as monomers and their polymers, which are called “condensed tannins”. Reactions of the condensed tannins with formaldehyde are the basis for wood adhesives. In the late 1940s, tannin research for wood adhesives was begun and the world-first commercial use of wattle tannin from black wattle ( Acacia mearnsii) bark as wood adhesives occurred in Australia in the 1960s. In addition, wattle tannin-based adhesives were further developed in South Africa and the uses of these adhesives have been continuing to date. The success of wattle tannin in wood adhesives is demonstrated by the collaboration of the ACIAR with the CAF in the early 1990s. Although radiata pine bark ( Pinus radiata) could be a useful resource for the production of wood adhesives, three problems prevented its use in this application: low extractive yields from the bark, variable quality of the tannin extracts and excessive viscosity of the formulated tannin adhesives. In order to overcome these problems, various extraction methods have been proposed. Studies on tannin adhesives from bark of other pine species are also described. Furthermore, the use of the tannin in the bark without extraction is described as “bark adhesives” from radiata pine and black wattle. The use of radiata tannin without formaldehyde for moulded wood products is also described. Owing to the strong antioxidant activity of flavonoid compounds, bark extracts from French maritime pine ( Pinus pinaster, synonym P. maritima) and radiata pine have been commercialized as nutritional supplements: Pycnogenol and Enzogenol, respectively. The background and the development of Pycnogenol and the basic difference in the preparation processes between Pycnogenol and Enzogenol are described. On the basis of the discovery that the SOSA value for wattle tannin is approximately 10 times that of extracts from pine bark supplements (Pycnogenol and Enzogenol), chemical, biochemical and clinical studies on wattle tannin were conducted. Results from these studies are outlined. Wattle tannin has been developed as a nutritional supplement and marketed as Acapolia in Japan.

Pine bark extracts: nutraceutical, pharmacological, and toxicological evaluation

Proanthocyanidins are among the most abundant constituents in pine bark extracts (PBEs). This review summarizes medical research on PBEs from Pinus pinaster, Pinus radiata, Pinus massoniana, and other less well characterized species. The precise mechanisms of the important physiologic functions of PBE components remain to be elucidated, but there is evidently great potential for the identification and development of novel antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, neuroprotective, and anticancer medicines. Although toxicological data for PBEs are limited, no serious adverse effects have been reported. PBEs, therefore, may have potential as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals and should be safe for use as food ingredients.

Antioxidant and pro-apoptotic effects of marine-derived, multi-mineral aquamin supplemented with a pine bark extract, Enzogenol, and a green tea extract, Sunphenon

A high dietary intake of polyphenols has been associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, attributed in part to their antioxidant activity and pro-apoptotic effects. Aquamin is a multi-mineral algal extract that enhances bone mineralization, relieves osteoarthritis, and aids digestion; however, Aquamin has not demonstrated antioxidant activity. In the present study, Aquamin was supplemented with 8% Enzogenol, a pine bark extract with a high phenolic content, and 2% Sunphenon, a green tea extract that also has a high phenolic content to produce a mixed product (A:E:S). The antioxidant activity of A:E:S was compared with that of its constituent compounds and also with catechin and epigallocatechin by measuring total phenol content, ferric-reducing antioxidant potential, and 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate. The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of the compounds were also measured in the U937, human monocytic blood cell line. A:E:S demonstrated an antioxidant activity that was equal to that of the compounds used in its preparation. Aquamin was not cytotoxic in the U937 cell line; however, A:E:S was cytotoxic and the primary mechanism of cell death was apoptosis. The biological effects of Aquamin were enhanced by supplementation with Enzogenol and Sunphenon to include antioxidant effects and the ability to induce apoptosis in U937 cells.

Panax ginseng reduces oxidative stress and restores antioxidant capacity in aged rats

Nutritional antioxidants interact with cells in an active mode, including retrieving and sparing one another, to diminish oxidative stress. However, the intracellular balance of prooxidants and antioxidants becomes unbalanced, favoring prooxidants during the aging process. One hypothesis is that an aging-associated increase in oxidative stress is the primary cause of aging. Hence, the research hypothesis for this study is that Korean red ginseng reduces oxidative stress in vivo. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of Korean red ginseng water extract (GWE) in reducing aging-associated oxidative stress by measuring lipid peroxidation and antioxidant levels in older rats compared with young rats. We observed a significant increase in the markers for oxidative damage (eg, lipid peroxidation) and markers for vital organ damage (eg, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, and creatinine levels) in aged rats. The oxidative damage was accompanied by a significant decrease in enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase, and nonenzymatic antioxidants such as reduced glutathione, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Aged rats fed a diet supplemented with Korean red ginseng water extract had significantly less oxidative damage, possibly by enhancing the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants status. Our data suggest that consumption of Korean red ginseng reduces lipid peroxidation and restores antioxidant capacity by suppressing oxidative stress in rats.

Enzogenol for cognitive functioning in traumatic brain injury: a pilot placebo-controlled RCT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Enzogenol, a flavonoid-rich extract from Pinus radiata bark with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties has been shown to improve working memory in healthy adults. In traumatic brain injury (TBI), oxidation and inflammation have been linked to poorer cognitive outcomes. Hence, this phase II, randomized controlled trial investigated safety, compliance and efficacy of Enzogenol for improving cognitive functioning in people following mild TBI.

METHODS

Sixty adults, who sustained a mild TBI, 3-12 months prior to recruitment, and who were experiencing persistent cognitive difficulties [Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) score > 38], were randomized to receive Enzogenol (1000 mg/day) or matching placebo for 6 weeks. Subsequently, all participants received Enzogenol for a further 6 weeks, followed by placebo for 4 weeks. Compliance, side-effects, cognitive failures, working and episodic memory, post-concussive symptoms and mood were assessed at baseline, 6, 12 and 16 weeks. Simultaneous estimation of treatment effect and breakpoint was effected, with confidence intervals (CIs) obtained through a treatment-placebo balance-preserving bootstrap procedure.

RESULTS

Enzogenol was found to be safe and well tolerated. Trend and breakpoint analyses showed a significant reduction in cognitive failures after 6 weeks [mean CFQ score, 95% CI, Enzogenol versus placebo -6.9 (-10.8 to -4.1)]. Improvements in the frequency of self-reported cognitive failures were estimated to continue until week 11 before stabilizing. Other outcome measures showed some positive trends but no significant treatment effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Enzogenol supplementation is safe and well tolerated in people after mild TBI, and may improve cognitive functioning in this patient population. This study provides Class IIB evidence that Enzogenol is well tolerated and may reduce self-perceived cognitive failures in patients 3-12 months post-mild TBI.

Pine bark extract enzogenol attenuated tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced endothelial cell adhesion and monocyte transmigration

The transmigration and extravasation of leukocytes across the endothelium that lines the vessel wall occurs in distinct multisteps first comprising rolling of the leukocytes over the endothelial cells, resulting in a tightly controlled and very complex system of leukocyte trafficking and transmigration. Vascular endothelial cells are an important target of proinflammatory cytokines modulating many genes involved in cell adhesion, thrombosis, and inflammatory responses. This study examined whether enzogenol blunts transendothelial migration of monocytes through tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). HUVECs were incubated with 10 ng/mL TNF-alpha for 6 h in the absence and presence of 5-50 microg/mL enzogenol. Expression of protein and mRNA of adhesion molecules in HUVEC were measured with Western blot analysis and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. Monocytic THP-1 cell adhesion and transmigration were examined by calcein AM-staining and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity measured by gelatin zymography. Intracellular localization of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) p65 revealed involvement of NF-kappaB signaling. TNF-alpha markedly induced protein expression of cell adhesion molecule and E-selectin with increasing mRNA levels in HUVEC. Nontoxic enzogenol at 5-25 microg/mL attenuated the expression of all adhesion molecules in a dose-dependent fashion. Consistently, enzogenol suppressed the enhanced THP-1 cell adhesion onto TNF-alpha-activated HUVEC through diminishing integrin beta2 induction. In TNF-alpha-activated HUVEC were observed IkappaB dissociation and NF-kappaB nuclear translocation, which was ameliorated by enzogenol. Furthermore, enzogenol hampered the transendothelial migration of THP-1 cells by increasing MMP-9 secretion and activity. Blunting induction of cell adhesion molecules by enzogenol was mediated by their interference with the NF-kappaB-dependent transcription pathways. Thus, enzogenol may have therapeutic potential targeting inflammatory response-associated atherosclerosis.

Protective effect of fucoxanthin isolated from Sargassum siliquastrum on UV-B induced cell damage

Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid isolated from Sargassum siliquastrum and is considered to be one of major active compound of marine algae. In this study, we investigated and confirmed the protective effect of fucoxanthin on UV-B induced cell injury in human fibroblast via 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), and comet assays. Intracellular ROS generated by exposure to UV-B radiation, which was significantly decreased by addition with various concentrations of fucoxanthin. Cell survival rate was increased with fucoxanthin pre-treated cells, which was reached around 81.47% at 100 microM, and the inhibitory effect of cell damage exhibited dose-dependent manner. Moreover, fucoxanthin having protective properties was demonstrated via Hoechst 33342/PI staining. Hence, on the basis of the above-mentioned studies, fucoxanthin has the ability to protect against oxidative stress induced by UV-B radiation and which might be applied to antioxidant and cosmeceutical industries.

Efficacy of Siddha formulation Kalpaamruthaa in ameliorating joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis in rats

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a kind of chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. The degradation of extracellular matrix and cartilage pave way in understanding the molecular mechanisms in RA. Degradation of cartilage is a more complex event involving the local release of metallaoproteases and lysosomal enzymes that mediate inflammation in joints and in the synovial fluid in RA.

OBJECTIVES

In the present study, the efficacy of a Siddha preparation named Kalpaamruthaa (KA) in ameliorating the disease process via markedly reducing the joint destruction was demonstrated in adjuvant induced arthritis rat model. KA consists of Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract (SA), dried powder of Emblica officinalis fruit and honey.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Both SA and KA were administered at dose of 150 mg/kg b.wt. for 14 days after 14 days of adjuvant injection in rats. The activity of lysosomal enzymes, the level of collagen, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and its degradative products were analyzed in control and experimental animals.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The study revealed that KA exhibited a profound reduction (p<0.05) in the activities of lysosomal enzymes and thereby decreasing (p<0.05) the levels of GAGs and its fractions when compared to arthritis rats. The latter was confirmed by Safrannin O staining for GAGs in the interphalangeal joints of control and experimental animals. The effect of KA was found to be improved than SA and this might be due to the combined interactions of phytoconstituents present in KA.

Analgesic, antipyretic and Ulcerogenic properties of an indigenous formulation--Kalpaamruthaa

A modified indigenous Siddha formulation Kalpaamruthaa (KA), containing Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract (SA), dried powder of Emblica officinalis (EO) fruit and honey was evaluated for its analgesic, antipyretic and Ulcerogenic properties. Both SA and KA, at a dose of 150 mg/kg b. wt were compared with the standard drug diclofenac sodium. KA exhibited an enhanced effect on all properties compared with that found with sole SA treatment, and is likely to be due to synergistic and additive interactions within the complex mixture of phytochemicals present in KA.

Alteration of DMBA-induced oxidative stress by additive action of a modified indigenous preparation--Kalpaamruthaa

The present study investigated the protective efficacy of the novel preparation named as Kalpaamruthaa (KA, includes Semecarpus anacardium Linn nut milk extract (SA), dried powder of Phyllanthus emblica fruit and honey) on the peroxidative damage and abnormal antioxidant levels in the hepatic mitochondrial fraction of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinoma rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats of weight 180+/-10 g were categorized into six groups. Three groups were administered DMBA (25 mg/rat dissolved in olive oil, orally) to induce mammary carcinoma. One of these groups received KA treatment (300 mg/kg b.wt., orally) and other group received SA (200 mg/kg b.wt., orally) for 14 days after 90 days of DMBA induction. Vehicle-treated control and drug control groups were also included. The hepatic mitochondrial fraction of untreated DMBA rats showed 2.96-fold increase in MDA content when compared to control rats and abnormal changes in the activities/levels of mitochondrial enzymic (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase) and non-enzymic (glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E) antioxidants were observed. DMBA-treated rats also showed decline in the activities of mitochondrial enzymes such as succinate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase. In contrast, rats treated with SA and KA showed normal lipid peroxidation antioxidant defenses and mitochondrial enzymes, thereby showing the protection rendered by SA and KA. Although, KA treatment exhibited more profound effect in inhibiting DMBA-induced oxidative stress than sole SA treatment. Results of the study indicate that the anticarcinogenic activity of KA during DMBA-initiated mammary carcinogenesis is mediated through alteration of hepatic antioxidant status as well as modulation of TCA cycle enzymes. On the basis of the observed results, KA can be considered as a readily accessible, promising and novel cancer chemopreventive agent.

Comparative effects of enzogenol and vitamin C supplementation versus vitamin C alone on endothelial function and biochemical markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in chronic smokers

Chronic smoking is associated with endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, with oxidative stress contributing to both these processes. In this study, we investigated the effect of combined antioxidant treatment with Enzogenol, a flavonoid extract from the bark of Pinus radiata and vitamin C, over and above vitamin C alone, on endothelial function, plasma markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, blood pressure (BP) and anthropometrics. Forty-four chronic smokers without established cardiovascular disease were assigned randomly to receive either 480 mg Enzogenol and 60 mg vitamin C, or 60 mg vitamin C alone daily for 12 weeks. Endothelial function in the brachial artery was assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD). FMD improved in both treatment groups (p < 0.001), with no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.84). In the group receiving Enzogenol and vitamin C, protein carbonyl levels were significantly reduced compared to the group taking vitamin C alone (p = 0.03). Enzogenol and vitamin C resulted in a significant reduction in fibrinogen levels in heavy smokers compared with vitamin C alone (p < 0.009). These findings demonstrated that co-supplementation with Enzogenol and vitamin C in smokers conferred no additional beneficial effect on macrovascular endothelial function over and above that seen in the vitamin C alone group. However, Enzogenol did demonstrate additional favourable effects on protein oxidative damage and fibrinogen levels.