Urinary and plasma levels of resveratrol and quercetin in humans, mice, and rats after ingestion of pure compounds and grape juice

Wine, Polyphenols, and the Matrix Effect: Is Alcohol Always the Same?

While the number of publications on wine and health is steadily increasing, ranging from a molecular level to epidemiological studies, often with contradictory results, little attention has been given to a holistic approach to research, starting from the molecular level to arrive at pharmacological and medical conclusions. In this review, some unusual concepts are considered, such as the phytocomplex, the vehicle, and the Matrix effect. The concept of the phytocomplex is discussed, specifically the biological activities of Tyrosol, Hydroxytyrosol, and Resveratrol; indeed, the interactions among different molecules in herbal matrices provide a specific response. This is often markedly different from the response evoked by single constituents in the modulation of microbial populations in the gut, in intestinal stability and bioaccessibility, and, obviously, in inducing biological responses. Among the many alcoholic beverages which contain these molecules, wine has the most peculiar Matrix effect, which can heavily influence the bioavailability of the phytocomplex obtained by the fermentation processes that produce this beverage. Wine's Matrix effect plays an instrumental role in improving the beneficial compounds' bioavailability and/or in inhibiting alcohol metabolites' carcinogenicity. Underestimation of the wine Matrix effect could lead to deceiving results, as in the case of dealcoholized wine or wine-compound-based nutritional supplements; alternatively, this can occur in the emphasis of a single component's toxic activity, in this case, alcohol, ignoring the specific molecular-level protective action of other compounds (polyphenols) that are present in the same matrix. The dark side of the Matrix effect is also discussed. This review confirms the research recommendations made by the WHO Scientific Group, which suggests it is important "to investigate the possible protective effects of ingredients other than alcohol in alcoholic beverages", considering that most recent studies seem not only relevant but also capable of directing future research towards innovative points of view that have so far been too neglected.

Tapping into Nature's Arsenal: Harnessing the Potential of Natural Antioxidants for Human Health and Disease Prevention

Numerous natural antioxidants commonly found in our daily diet have demonstrated significant benefits for human health and various diseases by counteracting the impact of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Their chemical properties enable a range of biological actions, including antihypertensive, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anticancer effects. Despite promising outcomes from preclinical studies, ongoing debate persists regarding their reproducibility in human clinical models. This controversy largely stems from a lack of understanding of the pharmacokinetic properties of these compounds, coupled with the predominant focus on monotherapies in research, neglecting potential synergistic effects arising from combining different antioxidants. This study aims to provide an updated overview of natural antioxidants, operating under the hypothesis that a multitherapeutic approach surpasses monotherapy in efficacy. Additionally, this study underscores the importance of integrating these antioxidants into the daily diet, as they have the potential to prevent the onset and progression of various diseases. To reinforce this perspective, clinical findings pertaining to the treatment and prevention of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and conditions associated with ischemia and reperfusion phenomena, including myocardial infarction, postoperative atrial fibrillation, and stroke, are presented as key references.

Increase in plasma resveratrol levels and in acid-resistant proteins in the acquired enamel pellicle after use of resveratrol-containing orodispersible tablets

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the effect of administration of trans-resveratrol-containing orodispersible tablets on the protein composition of the AEP and on blood plasma trans-resveratrol concentrations.

METHODS

Ten volunteers participated in two crossover double-blind phases. In each phase, after dental prophylaxis, they received a trans-resveratrol (15 mg) orodispersible tablet, or a placebo tablet (without actives). The AEP formed after 120 min was collected with electrode filter papers soaked in 3 % citric acid. Blood samples were collected 30, 45, 60 and 120 min after the use of the tablet. After protein extraction, AEP samples were analyzed by shotgun labelfree quantitative proteomics and plasma samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTS

Eight hundred and two proteins were identified in the AEP. Among them, 336 and 213 were unique to the trans-resveratrol and control groups, respectively, while 253 were common to both groups. Proteins with important functions in the AEP had increased expression in the trans-resveratroltreated group, such as neutrophil defensins, S100 protein isoforms, lysozyme C, cystatin-D, mucin-7, alphaamylase, albumin, haptoglobin and statherin. Trans-resveratrol was detected in the plasma at all the times evaluated, with the peak at 30 min.

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of trans-resveratrol in sublingual orodispersible tablets was effective both to increase the bioavailability of the polyphenol and the expression of antibacterial and acid-resistant proteins in the AEP, which might benefit oral and general health.

Flavonoid Metabolites in Serum and Urine after the Ingestion of Selected Tropical Fruits

The serum concentration and urinary excretion of flavonoids after the ingestion of guava, pineapple, and pomelo were determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS). Each group of healthy volunteers was given 200 g of fresh fruit after overnight fasting and a 24-h flavonoid-free diet. The results demonstrate that only the glucuronic-conjugated metabolites of luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin were detected after fruit ingestion. The metabolites were first detected after 2 h, with the time to maximum concentration (Tmax) at 6 h. The most abundant metabolites for guava, pineapple, and pomelo were the glucuronide metabolites of quercetin (AUC0-8 5.4 ± 1.3 μg·h/mL), kaempferol (AUC0-8 9.9 ± 2.3 μg·h/mL), and luteolin (AUC0-8 6.4 ± 1.1 μg·h/mL), respectively. The flavonoids found in the 24-h urinary excretions were glucuronic- and mainly sulfate-conjugated metabolites. Quercetin metabolites were the most abundant after guava and pineapple ingestion, accounting for 900 and 700 μg, respectively. Luteolin metabolites were the most abundant after pomelo ingestion, accounting for 450 μg. The serum and urinary metabolite profiles suggested that guava and pineapple are good sources of quercetin, pineapple is a good source of kaempferol, and pomelo is a good source of luteolin. The study of flavonoid profiles may provide information for the selection of fruits as functional foods for their health benefits to help with various health conditions.

The Role of Genistein in Mammalian Reproduction

Genistein is a natural compound belonging to flavonoids, having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-neoplastic properties. Genistein is considered a phytoestrogen. As such, genistein can bind estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), although with a lower affinity than that of estradiol. Despite considerable work, the effects of genistein are not well established yet. This review aims to clarify the role of genistein on female and male reproductive functions in mammals. In females, at a high dose, genistein diminishes the ovarian activity regulating several pathway molecules, such as topoisomerase isoform I and II, protein tyrosine kinases (v-src, Mek-4, ABL, PKC, Syk, EGFR, FGFR), ABC, CFTR, Glut1, Glut4, 5α-reductase, PPAR-γ, mitogen-activated protein kinase A, protein histidine kinase, and recently circulating RNA-miRNA. The effect of genistein on pregnancy is still controversial. In males, genistein exerts an estrogenic effect by inducing testosterone biosynthesis. The interaction of genistein with both natural and synthetic endocrine disruptors has a negative effect on testis function. The positive effect of genistein on sperm quality is still in debate. In conclusion, genistein has a potentially beneficial effect on the mechanisms regulating the reproduction of females and males. However, this is dependent on the dose, the species, the route, and the time of administration.

Polyphenols in Plants: Structure, Biosynthesis, Abiotic Stress Regulation, and Practical Applications (Review)

Phenolic compounds or polyphenols are among the most common compounds of secondary metabolism in plants. Their biosynthesis is characteristic of all plant cells and is carried out with the participation of the shikimate and acetate-malonate pathways. In this case, polyphenols of various structures are formed, such as phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, and various oligomeric and polymeric compounds of phenolic nature. Their number already exceeds 10,000. The diversity of phenolics affects their biological activity and functional role. Most of their representatives are characterized by interaction with reactive oxygen species, which manifests itself not only in plants but also in the human body, where they enter through food chains. Having a high biological activity, phenolic compounds are successfully used as medicines and nutritional supplements for the health of the population. The accumulation and biosynthesis of polyphenols in plants depend on many factors, including physiological-biochemical, molecular-genetic, and environmental factors. In the review, we present the latest literature data on the structure of various classes of phenolic compounds, their antioxidant activity, and their biosynthesis, including their molecular genetic aspects (genes and transfactors). Since plants grow with significant environmental changes on the planet, their response to the action of abiotic factors (light, UV radiation, temperature, and heavy metals) at the level of accumulation and composition of these secondary metabolites, as well as their metabolic regulation, is considered. Information is given about plant polyphenols as important and necessary components of functional nutrition and pharmaceutically valuable substances for the health of the population. Proposals on promising areas of research and development in the field of plant polyphenols are presented.

Circadian Modulation of the Antioxidant Effect of Grape Consumption: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Grape consumption acts on the immune system to produce antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Since immune activity demonstrates circadian rhythmicity, with peak activity occurring during waking hours, the timing of grape intake may influence the magnitude of its antioxidant effect. This study followed a 2 × 2 factorial randomized, controlled design wherein healthy men and women (n = 32) consumed either a grape or placebo drink with a high-fat meal in the morning or evening. Urine was collected for measurements of biomarkers of oxidative stress and grape metabolites at baseline and post-meal at hour 1 and hours 1-6. F-2 isoprostane levels showed main effects of time period (baseline < hour 1 < hours 1-6, p < 0.0001), time (a.m. > p.m., p = 0.008) and treatment (placebo > grape, p = 0.05). Total F2-isoprostane excretion expressed as % baseline was higher in the a.m. vs. p.m. (p = 0.004) and in the a.m. placebo vs. all other groups (p < 0.05). Tartaric acid and resveratrol excretion levels were higher in the grape vs. placebo group (p < 0.05) but were not correlated with F-2 isoprostane levels. The findings support a protective effect of grape consumption against morning sensitivity to oxidative stress.

Effects of in ovo feeding of chlorogenic acid on antioxidant capacity of postnatal broilers

In this study, chlorogenic acid (CGA) was injected into the amniotic cavity of chicken embryos to study the effects of in ovo feeding of CGA on the antioxidant capacity of postnatal broilers. On the 17th day of embryonic age, a total of 300 healthy broiler fertile eggs with similar weights were randomly subjected to five groups as follows; in ovo injection with 0.5 ml CGA at 4 mg/egg (4CGA) or 7 mg/egg (7CGA) or 10 mg/egg (10CGA), or sham-injection with saline (positive control, PC) or no injection (negative control, NC). Each group had six replicates of ten embryos. Six healthy chicks with similar body weights hatched from each replicate were selected and reared until heat stress treatment (35°C ± 1°C, 8 h/d) at 28-42 days of age. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the hatching rate between the groups (p > 0.05). After heat stress treatment, 4CGA group showed an improved intestinal morphology which was demonstrated by a higher villus height in the duodenum and a higher villus height/crypt depth ratio in the jejunum, compared with the NC group (p < 0.05). The antioxidant capacity of chickens was improved by in ovo feeding of CGA since 4CGA decreased the plasma content of malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05), whereas, it increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT) activities compared with NC group (p < 0.05). Also, the MDA content of the different injection groups had a quadratic effect, with the 4CGA group having the lowest MDA content (P _quadratic < 0.05). In the duodenum, 4CGA injection significantly increased the mRNA expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (H O -1), glutathione synthetase (GSS), and SOD1 compared to the NC and PC groups (p < 0.05). The mRNA expressions of glutathione reductase (GSR) and GPX7 were significantly increased in all CGA-treated groups compared with the PC group (p < 0.05), while the mRNA expression of CAT was significantly increased by 4CGA group than the NC group (p < 0.05). The mRNA expressions of epigenetic-related genes, ten eleven translocation 1 and 2 (Tet1 and Tet2), and DNA-methyltransferase 3 alpha (DNMT3A) in the duodenum of 4CGA injected group was significantly increased compared with the NC and PC groups (p < 0.05). The mRNA expressions of Nrf2, SOD1, and Tet2 showed a significant quadratic effects with the 4CGA group having the highest expression (P _quadratic < 0.05). In conclusion, in ovo feeding of CGA alleviated heat stress-induced intestinal oxidative damage. Injection with CGA of 4 mg/egg is considered most effective due to its actions in improving intestinal antioxidant capacity, especially in the duodenum. The antioxidant effects of in ovo CGA on postnatal heat-stressed broilers may be related to its regulation of epigenetic mechanisms. Thus, this study provides technical knowledge to support the in ovo feeding of CGA to alleviate oxidative stress in postnatal heat-stressed broilers.

Targeting microbiota-host interactions with resveratrol on cancer: Effects and potential mechanisms of action

Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural polyphenolic compound detected in grapes, berries, and red wine. The anticancer activities of RSV have been observed in vivo and in vitro studies. However, the pharmacology mechanism of RSV is confusing due to its low bioavailability. According to studies of the metabolic characteristics of RSV, the gut intestine is a crucial site of its health benefits. Dietary RSV exhibits a profound effect on the gut microbiota structure and metabolic function. In addition, emerging evidence demonstrates a protective effect of RSV metabolites against carcinogenesis. Therefore, to better understand the anticancer mechanisms of dietary RSV, it is vital to evaluate the role of RSV-microbiota-host interactions in cancer therapy. In this review, we summarized significant findings on the anticancer activities of RSV based on epidemiological, experimental and clinical studies involved in investigating the metabolic characteristics and the traditional anticancer mechanisms of RSV. Special attention is given to the putative mechanisms involving microbiota-host interactions, such as the modulation of gut microecology and the anticancer effects of RSV metabolites. The changes in microbiota-host interactions after RSV supplementation play vital roles in cancer prevention and thus offering a new perspective on nutritional interventions to treat cancer.

Resveratrol from Dietary Supplement to a Drug Candidate: An Assessment of Potential

Resveratrol (RVT) is a well known phyto-chemical and is widely used in dietary supplements and botanical products. It shows a wide range of pharmacological/beneficial effects. Therefore, it can be a potential candidate to be developed as phyto-pharmaceutical. Multiple diseases are reported to be treated by the therapeutic effect of RVT since it has antioxidant, anti-cancer activity and anti-inflammatory activities. It also has a major role in diabetes, arthritis, cardiac disorder and platelet aggregation etc. The major requirements are establishments regarding safety, efficacy profile and physicochemical characterization. As it is already being consumed in variable maximum daily dose, there should not be a major safety concern but the dose needs to be established for different indications. Clinical trials are also being reported in different parts of the world. Physicochemical properties of the moiety are also well reported. Moreover, due to its beneficial effect on health it leads to the development of some intellectual property in the form of patents.

Flavonols and dihydroflavonols inhibit the main protease activity of SARS-CoV-2 and the replication of human coronavirus 229E

Since December 2019, the deadly novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the current COVID-19 pandemic. To date, vaccines are available in the developed countries to prevent the infection of this virus; however, medicines are necessary to help control COVID-19. Human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) causes the common cold. The main protease (Mpro) is an essential enzyme required for the multiplication of these two viruses in the host cells, and thus is an appropriate candidate to screen potential medicinal compounds. Flavonols and dihydroflavonols are two groups of plant flavonoids. In this study, we report docking simulation with two Mpro enzymes and five flavonols and three dihydroflavonols, in vitro inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, and in vitro inhibition of the HCoV 229E replication. The docking simulation results predicted that (+)-dihydrokaempferol, (+)- dihydroquercetin, (+)-dihydromyricetin, kaempferol, quercetin, myricentin, isoquercitrin, and rutin could bind to at least two subsites (S1, S1', S2, and S4) in the binding pocket and inhibit the activity of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. Their affinity scores ranged from -8.8 to -7.4 (kcal/mol). Likewise, these compounds were predicted to bind and inhibit the HCoV-229E Mpro activity with affinity scores ranging from -7.1 to -7.8 (kcal/mol). In vitro inhibition assays showed that seven available compounds effectively inhibited the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro activity and their IC50 values ranged from 0.125 to 12.9 μM. Five compounds inhibited the replication of HCoV-229E in Huh-7 cells. These findings indicate that these antioxidative flavonols and dihydroflavonols are promising candidates for curbing the two viruses.

Field application of nanoliposomes delivered quercetin by inhibiting specific hsp70 gene expression against plant virus disease

BACKGROUND

The annual economic loss caused by plant viruses exceeds 10 billion dollars due to the lack of ideal control measures. Quercetin is a flavonol compound that exerts a control effect on plant virus diseases, but its poor solubility and stability limit the control efficiency. Fortunately, the development of nanopesticides has led to new ideas.

RESULTS

In this study, 117 nm quercetin nanoliposomes with excellent stability were prepared from biomaterials, and few surfactants and stabilizers were added to optimize the formula. Nbhsp70er-1 and Nbhsp70c-A were found to be the target genes of quercetin, through abiotic and biotic stress, and the nanoliposomes improved the inhibitory effect at the gene and protein levels by 33.6 and 42%, respectively. Finally, the results of field experiment showed that the control efficiency was 38% higher than that of the conventional quercetin formulation and higher than those of other antiviral agents.

CONCLUSION

This research innovatively reports the combination of biological antiviral agents and nanotechnology to control plant virus diseases, and it significantly improved the control efficiency and reduced the use of traditional chemical pesticides.

PD-1/PD-L1 Checkpoints and Resveratrol: A Controversial New Way for a Therapeutic Strategy

Simple Summary

Over the last decade, immunotherapies using antibodies targeting the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) checkpoint or its ligand, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), have emerged as promising therapeutic strategies against cancer. However, some current limitations include a relatively low rate of “responders”, the high cost of the treatment, and a rare risk of hyper-progression. Currently, the main challenge is, therefore, to improve these therapies, for instance, by using combined approaches. Here, we summarize the accumulating evidence that resveratrol (RSV) plays a role in the modulation of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in cancer cells, suggesting the potential of therapeutic strategies combining RSV with PD-L1 or anti-PD-1 inhibitors. We then discuss the therapeutic potential of polyphenols such as RSV to be used in combination with PD-L1 or PD-1 inhibitors for the management of cancer patients.

Abstract

Immune checkpoints refer to a range of immunoregulatory molecules that modulate the immune response. For example, proteins expressed at the surface of T-cells (including PD-1 and CTLA-4) and their ligands (PD-L1 and B7-1/B7-2, respectively), expressed by cancer cells and antigen-presenting cells, are needed to prevent excessive immune responses. However, they dampen anti-tumor immunity by limiting T-cell activity, making them promising therapeutic targets in cancer. Although immunotherapies using checkpoint blocking/neutralizing antibodies targeting PD-L1 or PD-1 have proven their superiority over conventional chemotherapies or targeted therapies by enhancing T-cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity, some limitations have emerged. These include a relatively low rate of “responders” (<50%; irrespective of cancer type), the high cost of injections, and a rare risk of hyper-progression. For clinicians, the current challenge is thus to improve the existing therapies, potentially through combinatory approaches. Polyphenols such as resveratrol (RSV), a trihydroxystilbene found in various plants and an adjuvant in numerous nutraceuticals, have been proposed as potential therapeutic targets. Beyond its well-known pleiotropic effects, RSV affects PD-L1 and PD-1 expression as well as PD-L1 subcellular localization and post-translational modifications, which we review here. We also summarize the consequences of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling, the modalities of their blockade in the context of cancer, and the current status and limitations of these immunotherapies. Finally, we discuss their potential use in combination with chemotherapies, and, using RSV as a model, we propose polyphenols as adjuvants to enhance the efficacy of anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 immunotherapies.

Phenol Biological Metabolites as Food Intake Biomarkers, a Pending Signature for a Complete Understanding of the Beneficial Effects of the Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet (MD) has become a dietary pattern of reference due to its preventive effects against chronic diseases, especially relevant in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Establishing an objective tool to determine the degree of adherence to the MD is a pending task and deserves consideration. The central axis that distinguishes the MD from other dietary patterns is the choice and modality of food consumption. Identification of intake biomarkers of commonly consumed foods is a key strategy for estimating the degree of adherence to the MD and understanding the protective mechanisms that lead to a positive impact on health. Throughout this review we propose potential candidates to be validated as MD adherence biomarkers, with particular focus on the metabolites derived from the phenolic compounds that are associated with the consumption of typical Mediterranean plant foods. Certain phenolic metabolites are good indicators of the intake of specific foods, but others denote the intake of a wide-range of foods. For this, it is important to emphasise the need to increase the number of dietary interventions with specific foods in order to validate the biomarkers of MD adherence. Moreover, the identification and quantification of food phenolic intake biomarkers encouraging scientific research focuses on the study of the biological mechanisms in which polyphenols are involved.

Ex vivo to in vivo extrapolation of syringic acid and ferulic acid as grape juice proxies for endothelium-dependent vasodilation: Redefining vasoprotective resveratrol of the French paradox

Resveratrol, in wines, has been implicated to be primarily responsible for the French paradox, remaining controversial. Herein, we elucidated the representative vasodilation-increasing polyphenols from concord grape juice (CGJ) using ex vivo-to-in vivo extrapolation (EVIVE). We verified the interference-free antioxidant response of CGJ post-dose supernatant of deproteinated serum (CPSDS, as ex vivo proxy) in isolated aortic rings, and in healthy, and H₂O₂-treated endothelial cells (H-ECs). Syringic acid and ferulic acid (SF) were detected in CGJ and post-dose rat serum (PRS). In isolated aortic rings and H-ECs, polyphenols alone, or in combination, at doses equivalent to those detected in PRS, quantitatively reflected endothelium-dependent vasodilation of CPSDS, as evidenced by nitric oxide (NO) formation-mediated antioxidation-sensitive activation of Src kinase with subsequent PI3/Akt-dependent phosphorylation of endothelial NO synthase. Using EVIVE, SF closely reflected CGJ in coronary flow-mediated vasodilation. Hence, SF application in precision ethnomedicine may redefine antioxidant-sensitive vasoprotective resveratrol of the French paradox.

Insight into Polyphenol and Gut Microbiota Crosstalk: Are Their Metabolites the Key to Understand Protective Effects against Metabolic Disorders?

Lifestyle factors, especially diet and nutrition, are currently regarded as essential avenues to decrease modern-day cardiometabolic disorders (CMD), including obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Many groups around the world attribute these trends, at least partially, to bioactive plant polyphenols given their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. In fact, polyphenols can prevent or reverse the progression of disease processes through many distinct mechanisms. In particular, the crosstalk between polyphenols and gut microbiota, recently unveiled thanks to DNA-based tools and next generation sequencing, unravelled the central regulatory role of dietary polyphenols and their intestinal micro-ecology metabolites on the host energy metabolism and related illnesses. The objectives of this review are to: (1) provide an understanding of classification, structure, and bioavailability of dietary polyphenols; (2) underline their metabolism by gut microbiota; (3) highlight their prebiotic effects on microflora; (4) discuss the multifaceted roles of their metabolites in CMD while shedding light on the mechanisms of action; and (5) underscore their ability to initiate host epigenetic regulation. In sum, the review clearly documents whether dietary polyphenols and micro-ecology favorably interact to promote multiple physiological functions on human organism.

Food intake biomarkers for berries and grapes

Grapes and berries are two types of widely consumed fruits characterized by a high content in different phytochemicals. However, their accurate dietary assessment is particularly arduous, because of the already wide recognized bias associated with self-reporting methods, combined with the large range of species and cultivars and the fact that these fruits are popularly consumed not only in fresh and frozen forms but also as processed and derived products, including dried and canned fruits, beverages, jams, and jellies. Reporting precise type and/or quantity of grape and berries in FFQ or diaries can obviously be affected by errors. Recently, biomarkers of food intake (BFIs) rose as a promising tool to provide accurate information indicating consumption of certain food items. Protocols for performing systematic reviews in this field, as well as for assessing the validity of candidate BFIs have been developed within the Food Biomarker Alliance (FoodBAll) Project. This paper aims to evaluate the putative BIFs for blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, blackcurrant, and grapes. Candidate BFIs for grapes were resveratrol metabolites and tartaric acid. The metabolites considered as putative BFI for berries consumption were mostly anthocyanins derivatives together with several metabolites of ellagitannins and some aroma compounds. However, identification of BFIs for single berry types encountered more difficulties. In the absence of highly specific metabolites reported to date, we suggested some multi-metabolite panels that may be further investigated as putative biomarkers for some berry fruits.

Cyclodextrin Complexation for Enhanced Stability and Non-invasive Pulmonary Delivery of Resveratrol-Applications in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment

Pulmonary drug delivery is a noninvasive therapeutic approach that offers many advantages including localized drug delivery and higher patient compliance. As with all formulations, the low aqueous solubility of a drug often poses a challenge in the formulation development. Thus, strategies such as cyclodextrin (CD) complexation have been utilized to overcome this challenge. Resveratrol (RES), a natural stilbene, has shown abundant anti-cancer properties. Due to many drawbacks of conventional chemotherapeutics, RES has been proposed as an emerging alternative with promising pharmacological effects. However, RES has limited therapeutic applications due to low water solubility, chemical stability, and bioavailability. This study was aimed at developing an inhalable therapy that would increase the aqueous solubility and stability of RES by complexation with sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBECD). Phase solubility profiles indicated an optimal stoichiometric inclusion complex at 1:1 (SBECD:RES) ratio for formulation considerations. Physiochemical characterizations were performed to analyze CD-RES. Stability studies at pH 7.4 and in plasma indicated significant improvement in RES stability after complexation, with a much longer half-life. The mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of CD-RES was 2.6 ± 0.7 μm and fine particle fraction (FPF) of 83.4 ± 3.0% are suitable for pulmonary delivery and efficient deposition. Lung cancer was selected as the respiratory model disease, owing to its high relevance as the major cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Cell viability studies in 5 non-small-cell-lung-cancer (NSCLC) cell lines suggest CD-RES retained significant cytotoxic potential of RES. Taken together, CD-RES proves to be a promising inhalation treatment for NSCLC.

Wine Consumption and Oral Cavity Cancer: Friend or Foe, Two Faces of Janus

The health benefits of moderate wine consumption have been extensively studied during the last few decades. Some studies have demonstrated protective associations between moderate drinking and several diseases including oral cavity cancer (OCC). However, due to the various adverse effects related to ethanol content, the recommendation of moderate wine consumption has been controversial. The polyphenolic components of wine contribute to its beneficial effects with different biological pathways, including antioxidant, lipid regulating and anti-inflammatory effects. On the other hand, in the oral cavity, ethanol is oxidized to form acetaldehyde, a metabolite with genotoxic properties. This review is a critical compilation of both the beneficial and the detrimental effects of wine consumption on OCC.

Comparative toxicokinetics of Trans-resveratrol and its major metabolites in Harlan Sprague Dawley rats and B6C3F1/N mice following oral and intravenous administration

Trans-resveratrol (RES) is a naturally occurring stilbene found in numerous plants and foods. Due to its widespread human exposure and lack of toxicity and carcinogenicity data, RES was nominated to the National Toxicology Program for testing. To aid the toxicology studies, the dose, sex, and species differences in RES toxicokinetics was investigated in Harlan Sprague Dawley rats and B6C3F1/N mice following single intravenous (IV) (10 mg/kg) or oral gavage administration (312.5, 625, and 1250 mg/kg and 625, 1250, and 2500 mg/kg in rats and mice, respectively). Following IV and gavage administration, systemic exposure of RES based on AUC was trans-resveratrol-3-O-β-D-glucuronide (R3G)> > trans-resveratrol-3-sulfate (R3S) > RES in both species. Following gavage administration Tmax_predicted values were ≤ 263 min for both species and sexes. RES elimination half-life was longer in rats than mice, and shortest in male mice. Clearance was slower in mice with no apparent sex difference in both species. In both rats and mice, following gavage administration AUC increased proportionally to the dose. After gavage administration, enterohepatic recirculation of RES was observed in both rats and mice with secondary peaks occurring around 640 min in the concentration-time profiles. RES was rapidly metabolized to R3S and R3G in both species. Extensive first pass conjugation and metabolism resulted in low levels of the parent compound RES which was confirmed by the low estimates for bioavailability. The bioavailability of RES was low, ~12-31% and ~2-6% for rats and mice, respectively, with no apparent difference between sexes.

Resveratrol in Cancer Patients: From Bench to Bedside

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a natural phytoalexin that accumulates in several vegetables and fruits like nuts, grapes, apples, red fruits, black olives, capers, red rice as well as red wines. Being both an extremely reactive molecule and capable to interact with cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins in human cells, resveratrol has been studied over the years as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for the therapy of cancer, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases like myocardial ischemia, myocarditis, cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. This review will describe the main biological targets, cardiovascular outcomes, physico-chemical and pharmacokinetic properties of resveratrol in preclinical and clinical models implementing its potential use in cancer patients.

Physiological relevance of food antioxidants

Dietary antioxidants are associated with prevention of oxidative stress related chronic diseases including certain types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in extending the knowledge on their physiological effects in human body. There are numbers of epidemiological, clinical, meta-analysis, and in vitro studies to explain formation mechanisms of each chronic diseases as well as the potential effects of dietary antioxidants on these diseases and gut health. Comprehensive studies for food antioxidants' journey from dietary intake to target tissues/organs deserve a serious consideration to have a clear understanding on the physiological effects of dietary antioxidants. Therefore, absorption and metabolism of dietary antioxidants, and the factors affecting their absorption, such as solubility of antioxidants, food matrix, and interaction between antioxidants have been evaluated in several research articles. This chapter provides an overview about potential health effects of dietary antioxidants considering with their absorption and metabolism in human body.

Resveratrol inhibits the development of obesity-related osteoarthritis via the TLR4 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways

Aim of the study: Obesity leads to mild, chronic inflammation which is a primary risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA). Resveratrol exerts a protective effect on OA through its anti-inflammatory properties, but the precise mechanism remains unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which resveratrol alleviates obesity-related OA, and whether it is linked to the TLR4 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Materials and methods: C57BL/6J male mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) with or without resveratrol treatment and knee joints were collected for analysis. In addition, IL-1β-induced SW1353 cells were used to study in vitro the reciprocal effects of TLR4 and PI3K/Akt pathways. Results: Resveratrol inhibited the development of OA in mice fed a HFD. TLR4 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways were both activated in the articular cartilage; resveratrol treatment down-regulated TLR4 but up-regulated PI3K/Akt signaling. Further in vitro results showed that the effect of resveratrol alone on activation of PI3K/Akt was attenuated but not abolished by the TLR4 inhibitor CLI-095, and resveratrol failed to reduce TLR4 protein expression in IL-1β stimulated cells pretreated with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Conclusions: Resveratrol may exert an anti-osteoarthritic effect by inhibiting TLR4 via the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Resveratrol has potential as a drug for OA prevention.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide and Its New Formulations in Synergy with Different Antioxidant Molecules Present in Diets

The use of a complete nutritional approach seems increasingly promising to combat chronic inflammation. The choice of healthy sources of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, associated with regular physical activity and avoidance of smoking is essential to fight the war against chronic diseases. At the base of the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, or antioxidant action of the diets, there are numerous molecules, among which some of a lipidic nature very active in the inflammatory pathway. One class of molecules found in diets with anti-inflammatory actions are ALIAmides. Among all, one is particularly known for its ability to counteract the inflammatory cascade, the Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). PEA is a molecular that is present in nature, in numerous foods, and is endogenously produced by our body, which acts as a balancer of inflammatory processes, also known as endocannabionoid-like. PEA is often used in the treatment of both acute and chronic inflammatory pathologies, either alone or in association with other molecules with properties, such as antioxidants or analgesics. This review aims to illustrate an overview of the different diets that are involved in the process of opposition to the inflammatory cascade, focusing on capacity of PEA and new formulations in synergy with other molecules.

A critical review on grape polyphenols for neuroprotection: Strategies to enhance bioefficacy

The aging of populations worldwide is driving greater demands for dietary polyphenols which have been recognized as promising prophylactic and/or therapeutic agents in the context of neurodegeneration, and are ubiquitously present in plant-based diets. In particular, grape-derived products encompass a wide array of phenolic compounds purported with multiple health benefits including neuroprotective efficacy. Despite the increasing preclinical and clinical evidence demonstrating high potential of grape polyphenol (GPP)-rich botanicals in preventing and attenuating diverse neurodegenerative disorders, the limited bioavailability of GPPs, especially in the brain, generates questions as to their applications and effectiveness in neuroprotection. To address this issue, significant research efforts have been made to enhance oral bioavailability of GPPs via application of novel strategies. This review highlights some critical issues related to the bioavailability and neuroprotective efficacy of GPPs and GPP-rich botanicals. The representative bioavailability-enhancing strategies are critically reviewed to provide practical solutions for augmenting the bioefficacy of GPP-rich botanicals. Synergistic applications of encapsulation techniques (for physiochemical protection and bypassing xenobiotic metabolism) and dietary intervention strategies involving modulation of gut microbiota (for generating more bioavailable phenolic metabolites) appear promising, and may substantially enhance the bioefficacy, especially the neuroprotective efficacy, of orally consumed GPPs.

Health Effects of Resveratrol: Results from Human Intervention Trials

The effect of resveratrol (RV) intake has been reviewed in several studies performed in humans with different health status. The purpose of this review is to summarize the results of clinical trials of the last decade, in which RV was determined in biological samples such as human plasma, urine, and feces. The topics covered include RV bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, effects on cardiovascular diseases, cognitive diseases, cancer, type 2 diabetes (T2D), oxidative stress, and inflammation states. The overview of the recent research reveals a clear tendency to identify RV in plasma, showing that its supplementation is safe. Furthermore, RV bioavailability depends on several factors such as dose, associated food matrix, or time of ingestion. Notably, enterohepatic recirculation of RV has been observed, and RV is largely excreted in the urine within the first four hours after consumption. Much of the research on RV in the last 10 years has focused on its effects on pathologies related to oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, T2D, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological diseases.

Quantification of trans-resveratrol and its metabolites in human plasma using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry

Trans-resveratrol is a stilbene polyphenol with a large spectrum of biological activities. This is why it is widely studied in terms of activities, bioavailability and quantitation in different foods, beverages and biological matrices. Different analytical methods are employed for its quantitation. In this study a quadrupole-orbitrap tandem mass spectrometer coupled to a reverse phase ultra-high performance liquid chromatography is applied to a quantitation of trans-resveratrol and its metabolites trans-resveratrol-3-O-β-d-glucuronide, trans-resveratrol-4'-O-β-d-glucuronide, trans-resveratrol-3-O-sulfate, a,b-dihydroresveratrol, a,b-dihydroresveratrol-glucuronide, a,b-dihydroresveratrol-glucuronide-sulfate, a,b-dihydroresveratrol-sulfate, trans-resveratrol-3,5-O-β-d-diglucuronide, trans-resveratrol-3,4'-O-d-β-diglucuronide, trans-resveratrol-3-O-β-d-glucuronide-sulfate and trans-resveratrol-4'-O-β-d-glucuronide-sulfate in human plasma. MS/MS experiments coupled to a high resolving power and accurate mass measurements as well as the use of labeled internal standards enabled the achievement of linear calibration curves across the four orders of magnitude concentration ranges. The method was validated in terms of specificity and selectivity, accuracy and precision, sensitivity and matrix effect and can be now applied to pharmacokinetic studies or routine analysis. In addition, the application of quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometer to the quantitation of trans-resveratrol and its metabolites provides acquisition of full collision induced dissociation spectra of analyzed compounds giving place to the structural characterization and sensitivity and linear concentration ranges respecting the accuracy and precision, specificity and selectivity requirements.

French and Mediterranean-style diets: Contradictions, misconceptions and scientific facts-A review

The determination of appropriate dietary strategies for the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases remains a challenging and highly relevant issue worldwide. Epidemiological dietary interventions have been studied for decades with contrasting impacts on human health. Moreover, research scientists and physicians have long debated diets encouraging alcohol intake, such as the Mediterranean and French-style diets, with regard to their impact on human health. Understanding the effects of these diets may help to improve in the treatment and prevention of diseases. However, further studies are warranted to determine which individual food components, or combinations thereof, have a beneficial impact on different diseases, since a large number of different compounds may occur in a single food, and their fate in vivo is difficult to measure. Most explanations for the positive effects of Mediterranean-style diet, and of the French paradox, have focused largely on the beneficial properties of antioxidants, among other compounds/metabolites, in foods and red wine. Wine is a traditional alcoholic beverage that has been associated with both healthy and harmful effects. Not withstanding some doubts, there is reasonable unanimity among researchers as to the beneficial effects of moderate wine consumption on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and longevity, which have been ascribed to polyphenolic compounds present in wine. Despite this, conflicting findings regarding the impact of alcohol consumption on human health, and contradictory findings concerning the effects of non-alcoholic wine components such as resveratrol, have led to confusion among consumers. In addition to these contradictions and misconceptions, there is a paucity of human research studies confirming known positive effects of polyphenols in vivo. Furthermore, studies balancing both known and unknown prognostic factors have mostly been conducted in vitro or using animal models. Moreover, current studies have shifted focus from red wine to dairy products, such as cheese, to explain the French paradox. The aim of this review is to highlight the contradictions, misconceptions, and scientific facts about wines and diets, giving special focus to the Mediterranean and French diets in disease prevention and human health improvement. To answer the multiplicity of questions regarding the effects of diet and specific diet components on health, and to relieve consumer uncertainty and promote health, comprehensive cross-demographic studies using the latest technologies, which include foodomics and integrated omics approaches, are warranted.

Bioavailability of Quercetin in Humans with a Focus on Interindividual Variation

After consumption of plant-derived foods or beverages, dietary polyphenols such as quercetin are absorbed in the small intestine and metabolized by the body, or they are subject to catabolism by the gut microbiota followed by absorption of the resulting products by the colon. The resulting compounds are bioavailable, circulate in the blood as conjugates with glucuronide, methyl, or sulfate groups attached, and they are eventually excreted in the urine. In this review, the various conjugates from different intervention studies are summarized and discussed. In addition, the substantial variation between different individuals in the measured quercetin bioavailability parameters is assessed in detail by examining published human intervention studies where sources of quercetin have been consumed in the form of food, beverages, or supplements. It is apparent that most reported studies have examined quercetin and/or metabolites in urine and plasma from a relatively small number of volunteers. Despite this limitation, it is evident that there is less interindividual variation in metabolites which are derived from absorption in the small intestine compared to catabolites derived from the action of microbiota in the colon. There is also some evidence that a high absorber of intact quercetin conjugates could be a low absorber of microbiota-catalyzed phenolics, and vice versa. From the studies reported so far, the reasons or causes of the interindividual differences are not clear, but, based on the known metabolic pathways, it is predicted that dietary history, genetic polymorphisms, and variations in gut microbiota metabolism would play significant roles. In conclusion, quercetin bioavailability is subject to substantial variation between individuals, and further work is required to establish if this contributes to interindividual differences in biological responses.

Involvement of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases and Sulfotransferases in the Excretion and Tissue Distribution of Resveratrol in Mice

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound with various pharmacological activities. It is unknown whether the expression of metabolizing enzymes correlates with resveratrol levels in organs and tissues. Therefore, we investigated the metabolism and tissue distribution of resveratrol in mice and assessed its association with the expression of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (Ugt) and sulfotransferase (Sult) genes. Plasma, urine, feces, and various organs were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography at up to 8 h after intragastric resveratrol administration. The metabolism of resveratrol was pronounced, leading to the formation of resveratrol glucuronides and sulfates. Concentrations of resveratrol and its metabolites were high in the gastrointestinal organs, urine, and feces, but low in the liver and kidneys. In lung, heart, thymus, and brain tissues, parent resveratrol levels exceeded the sulfate and glucuronide concentrations. The formation of resveratrol conjugates correlated with the expression of certain Ugt and Sult genes. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis revealed high mRNA expression of Ugt1a1 and Ugt1a6a in the liver, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon, leading to high concentrations of resveratrol-3-O-glucuronide in these organs. Strong correlations of resveratrol-3-O-sulfate and resveratrol-3-O-4'-O-disulfate formation with Sult1a1 mRNA expression were also observed, particularly in the liver and colon. In summary, our data revealed organ-specific expression of Sults and Ugts in mice that strongly affects resveratrol concentrations; this may also be predictive in humans following oral uptake of dietary resveratrol.

Resveratrol, human health and winemaking perspectives

Resveratrol, (3, 5, 4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a non-flavonoid polyphenol stilbene synthesized by plants when damaged by infectious diseases or ionizing radiation. Although present in more than seventy plant species, grapes and wine are the major dietary contributors of resveratrol, responsible for 98% of the daily intake. In 1992, Renaud and De Lorgeril first linked wine polyphenols, including resveratrol, to the potential health benefits ascribed to regular and moderate wine consumption (the so called "French Paradox"). Since then, resveratrol has received increasing scientific interest, leading to research on its biological actions, and to a large number of published papers, which have been collected and discussed in this review. The relatively low amounts of resveratrol measured in wine following moderate consumption, however, may be insufficient to mitigate biological damage, such as that due to oxidative stress. On this basis, the authors also highlight the importance of viticulture and the winemaking process to enhance resveratrol concentrations in wine in order to bolster potential health benefits.

Biological effects of combined resveratrol and vitamin D3 on ovarian tissue

BACKGROUND

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a natural antioxidant polyphenol able to exert a wide range of biological effect on several tissues. Despite its important beneficial properties, it has a low water solubility, which limits its therapeutic applications in humans. Resveratrol also acts as a phytoestrogen that modulates estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated transcription. In addition, it has been shown that ovarian tissues benefit greatly from vitamin D3, which exerts its beneficial effects through VDR receptors. The aim was to evaluate the cooperative effects of resveratrol combined with vitamin D3 on ovarian cells and tissues and some other organs as well. Moreover, the modulation of specific intracellular pathways involving ER and VDR receptors has been studied.

METHODS

The experiments were performed both in vitro and in vivo, to analyze cell viability, radical oxygen species production, signal transductions through Western Blot, and resveratrol quantification by HPLC.

RESULTS

Cell viability, radical oxygen species production, and intracellular pathways have been studied on CHO-K1 cells. Also, the relative mechanism activated following oral intake in female Wistar rats as animal model was investigated, evaluating bioavailability, biodistribution and signal transduction in heart, kidney, liver and ovarian tissues. Both in in vitro and in vivo experiments, resveratrol exerts more evident effects when administered in combination with vitD in ovarian cells, showing a common biphasic cooperative effect: The role of vitamin D3 in maintaining and supporting the biological activity of resveratrol has been clearly observed. Moreover, resveratrol plus vitamin D3 blood concentrations showed a biphasic absorption rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Such results could be used as a fundamental data for the development of new therapies for gynecological conditions, such as hot-flashes.

Resveratrol has anti-thyroid effects both in vitro and in vivo

Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative properties. We have shown previously that resveratrol decreases sodium/iodide symporter expression and iodide uptake in thyrocytes, both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we further investigated the effects of resveratrol, with evaluation of the expression of additional thyroid-specific genes in the FRTL-5 rat thyroid cell line: thyroglobulin, thyroid peroxidase, TSH receptor, Nkx2-1, Foxe1 and Pax8. We observed decreased expression of these genes in FRTL-5 cells treated with 10 μM resveratrol. The effects of resveratrol was further evaluated in vivo using Sprague-Dawley rats treated with resveratrol 25 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally, for 60 days. No clinical signs of hypothyroidism were seen, although the treated rats showed significant increase in thyroid size. Serum TSH and thyroid hormone levels were in the normal range, with significantly higher TSH seen in resveratrol-treated rats, compared with control rats. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed increased proliferative activity in the thyroid from resveratrol-treated rats. These data suggest that resveratrol acts as a thyroid disruptor and a goitrogen, which indicates the need for caution as a supplement and for therapeutic uses.

Glucuronidation: driving factors and their impact on glucuronide disposition

Glucuronidation is a well-recognized phase II metabolic pathway for a variety of chemicals including drugs and endogenous substances. Although it is usually the secondary metabolic pathway for a compound preceded by phase I hydroxylation, glucuronidation alone could serve as the dominant metabolic pathway for many compounds, including some with high aqueous solubility. Glucuronidation involves the metabolism of parent compound by UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) into hydrophilic and negatively charged glucuronides that cannot exit the cell without the aid of efflux transporters. Therefore, elimination of parent compound via glucuronidation in a metabolic active cell is controlled by two driving forces: the formation of glucuronides by UGT enzymes and the (polarized) excretion of these glucuronides by efflux transporters located on the cell surfaces in various drug disposition organs. Contrary to the common assumption that the glucuronides reaching the systemic circulation were destined for urinary excretion, recent evidences suggest that hepatocytes are capable of highly efficient biliary clearance of the gut-generated glucuronides. Furthermore, the biliary- and enteric-eliminated glucuronides participate into recycling schemes involving intestinal microbes, which often prolong their local and systemic exposure, albeit at low systemic concentrations. Taken together, these recent research advances indicate that although UGT determines the rate and extent of glucuronide generation, the efflux and uptake transporters determine the distribution of these glucuronides into blood and then to various organs for elimination. Recycling schemes impact the apparent plasma half-life of parent compounds and their glucuronides that reach intestinal lumen, in addition to prolonging their gut and colon exposure.

Resveratrol and endometriosis: In vitro and animal studies and underlying mechanisms (Review)

Endometriosis is characterized by the existence of endometrial tissue and stroma exterior to the uterus. Despite the high prevalence, the etiology of endometriosis remains elusive. The search for the most promising compounds for treatment of endometriosis has led to the identification of resveratrol. Resveratrol, a plant-derived polyphenolic phytoalexin, demonstrates broad-spectrum health beneficial effects, including anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic and antioxidant. Because of these properties and its wide distribution in plants, resveratrol is proposed as a great potential to treat endometriosis. In animal models of endometriosis, resveratrol supplementation has displayed beneficial results as it decreased the number and volume of endometrial implants, suppressed proliferation, vascularization, inflammation, cell survival and increased apoptosis. On the other hand, resveratrol treatment in-vitro studies, reduced invasiveness of endometriotic stromal cells (ESCs) and suppressed their inflammatory responses. In this review, we will summarize the recent studies in in-vitro and animal studies on resveratrol and endometriosis.

Phytoestrogens Induce Differential Estrogen Receptor Alpha- or Beta-Mediated Responses in Transfected Breast Cancer Cells

Increased intake of phytoestrogens may be associated with a lower risk of cancer in the breast and several other sites, although there is controversy surrounding this activity. One of the mechanisms proposed to explain the activity of phytoestrogens is their ability to bind and activate human estrogen receptor a (ERα) and human estrogen receptor β (ERβ). Nine phytoestrogens were tested for their ability to transactivate ERα or ERβ at a range of doses. Mammary adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells were co-transfected with either ERα or ERβ, and an estrogen-response element was linked to a luciferase reporter gene. Dose-dependent responses were compared with the endogenous ligand 17β-estradiol. Purified genistein, daidzein, apigenin, and coumestrol showed differential and robust transactivation of ERα- and ERβ-induced transcription, with an up to 100-fold stronger activation of ERβ. Equol, naringenin, and kaempferol were weaker agonists. When activity was evaluated against a background of 0.5 nM 17β-estradiol, the addition of genistein, daidzein, and resveratrol superstimulated the system, while kaempferol and quercetin were antagonists at the highest doses. This transfection assay provides an excellent model to evaluate the activation of ERα and ERβ by different phytoestrogens in a breast cancer context and can be used as a screening bioassay tool to evaluate the estrogenic activity of extracts of herbs and foods.

Resveratrol and exercise

Although it is recommended for a healthy lifestyle, moderate exercise is known to lead to oxidative stress, inflammation and muscle injury. Hence there are efforts to develop dietary strategies to counter the oxidative stress caused by physical activity. Recently, there has been an interest in the capability of resveratrol (RES) to modulate physical performance and prevent oxidative stress. Despite the inconsistency among reports regarding the topic, it has been suggested that RES delays fatigue by hindering lipid peroxidation. It is hypothesized that RES administration produces favorable effects on hepatic cell rejuvenation, exerts a regulatory effect on glucose metabolism, and preserves liver glycogen reserves that are diminished during physical activity. Consequently, there is a growing interest in the association between RES and exercise. The aim of the current review is to interpret the association between RES and exercise.

Urinary Clearance of Cranberry Flavonol Glycosides in Humans

Cranberry is reported to have health benefits, including prevention of urinary tract infections and other chronic diseases, due to the high content of polyphenols, including flavonols and flavan-3-ols. The aim of this study was to determine the clearance of flavonol glycosides and flavan-3-ols and/or their metabolites in human urine. Ten healthy women volunteers ingested 240 mL of cranberry juice containing flavonol glycosides. Urine samples were collected at 0, 90, 225, and 360 min postingestion. While flavan-3-ols were not detected, five flavonol glycosides common in cranberry were identified. Quercetin-3-galactoside, the most abundant cranberry flavonol, exhibited the highest peak urine concentration (C_max) of 1315 pg/mg creatinine, followed by quercetin-3-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-arabinoside, myricetin-3-arabinoside, and myricetin-3-galactoside. Quercetin-3-arabinoside showed delayed clearance, C_max at 237 min (T_max), relative to other flavonols (90-151 min). Both aglycone and the conjugated sugar moiety structure mediate the flavonol's bioavailability. Interindividual variation for bioavailability and clearance is also apparent. Metabolites, e.g. glucoronides, were not detected.

Alternative treatment methods attenuate the development of NAFLD: A review of resveratrol molecular mechanisms and clinical trials

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered to be one of the most common liver pathologies that occur widely among societies with a predominance of the Western dietary pattern. NAFLD may progress from hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), subsequently leading to cirrhosis and becoming a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus its prevention and therapy play an important role in hepatology. To our knowledge, there is no effective treatment for patients with NAFLD. The aim of this review was to summarize the results of recent alternative treatment studies conducted both on cell cultures and in vivo that concern molecular effects of resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) in the treatment of NAFLD. The precise metabolism, pharmacology, and clinical trials with different concentrations of resveratrol were described. The review also presents a brief summary of other alternative treatment methods of NAFLD and their mechanisms compared with current clinical understanding.

Bioconversion of piceid to resveratrol by selected probiotic cell extracts

Resveratrol exerts several pharmacological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, or antioxidant effects. However, due to its occurrence in plants more in glycosidic form as piceid, the bioavailability and bioactivity are limited. The enzymatic potential of probiotics for the transformation of piceid to resveratrol was elucidated. Cell extract from Bifidobacteria (B.) infantis, B. bifidum, Lactobacillus (L.) casei, L. plantarum, and L. acidophilus was evaluated for their effect in this bioconversion using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as analytical tool. Cell extract of B. infantis showed the highest effect on the deglycosylation of piceid to resveratrol, already after 30 min. Cell extracts of all other tested strains showed a significant biotransformation with no further metabolization of resveratrol. The conversion of piceid to resveratrol is of importance to increase bioavailability and bioactivity as shown for anti-inflammation in this study. Cell extracts from probiotics, especially from B. infantis, may be added to piceid containing products, for achieving higher biological effects caused by the bioactivity of resveratrol or by health promoting of the probiotics. These findings open a new perspective of novel combination of cell extracts from probiotics and piceid, in health-promoting pharmaceutical and food products.

Resveratrol alleviates MPTP-induced motor impairments and pathological changes by autophagic degradation of α-synuclein via SIRT1-deacetylated LC3

SCOPE

The accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons is the leading cause of Parkinson's disease (PD). Resveratrol (RV), a polyphenolic compound derived from grapes and red wine, exerts a wide range of beneficial effects via activation of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and induction of vitagenes. Here, we assessed the role of RV in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induced mouse model of PD and explored its potential mechanisms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

RV and EX527, a specific inhibitor of SIRT1, were administered before and after MPTP treatment. RV protected against MPTP-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons, and decreases in tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine levels, as well as behavioral impairments. Meanwhile, RV administration activated SIRT1. Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) was then deacetylated and redistributed from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, which provoked the autophagic degradation of α-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons. Furthermore, EX527 antagonized the neuroprotective effects of RV by reducing LC3 deacetylation and subsequent autophagic degradation of α-synuclein.

CONCLUSION

We showed that RV ameliorated both motor deficits and pathological changes in MPTP-treated mice via activation of SIRT1 and subsequent LC3 deacetylation-mediated autophagic degradation of α-synuclein. Our observations suggest that RV may be a potential prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for PD.