Polyphenols targeting diabetes via the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway; future approach to drug discovery

Topical Administration of Teucrium polium on Diabetic Foot Ulcers Accelerates Healing: A Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Study

Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most devastating complications of uncontrolled diabetes. Although there have been advances in the management of diabetic foot ulcers, still diabetic foot ulcers are a major cause of many amputations in diabetic patients. Teucrium polium (T. polium) is widely used by folk medicine practitioners in Iran for the treatment of diabetic ulcers.The present study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical T. polium ointment besides the standard treatment in diabetic foot ulcers.A total of 70 diabetic patients with foot ulcers grade 1 or 2 according to Wagner's scale were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in both groups received standard treatment for diabetic foot ulcers. In addition, group 1 received topical T. polium ointment, and group 2 received topical placebo ointment for 4 weeks. The T. polium and placebo ointments were rubbed twice daily two hours before the conventional dressing. The ulcer size, healing time, and laboratory tests were measured in both groups at baseline and end of the study after 4 weeks.Twenty-nine patients remained in the T. polium group and 26 in the placebo group until the end of the study. The mean surface area of ulcers was 3.52 ± 1.47 and 3.21 ± 1.67 cm2 in T. polium group and placebo group respectively at baseline which decrease to .717 ± .19 and 1.63 ± .72 cm2 respectively at the endpoint. The mean ulcer surface area was significantly lower in T. polium compared with the placebo group (p < .0001) at end of the study. Also, the number of patients that completely recovered in the T. polium group was significantly higher than the placebo group (p < .001) at the end of the study.The addition of topical T. polium ointment to standard treatment significantly improves the healing time of diabetic non-infected foot ulcers.

AMPK and metabolic disorders: The opposite roles of dietary bioactive components and food contaminants

AMPK is a key player in a variety of metabolic and physiological processes, which might be considered one of the most promising targets for both prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome and its associated diseases. Many dietary components and contaminants have been recently demonstrated to prevent or promote the development these diseases via AMPK-mediated pathways. AMPK can be activated by diverse phytochemical substances such as EGCG, chicoric acid, tomatidine, and others, all of which have been found to contribute to preventing or ameliorating chronic disorders. On the other hand, recent studies have found that metabolic disruptions induced by pesticides such as 1,3-Dichloro-2-propanol, imidacloprid, permethrin, are attributed to the inactivation of AMPK. This review may contribute to the development of functional foods for treatment of metabolic syndrome and associated diseases through modulating AMPK pathway.

Role of polyphenols in the management of diabetic complications

BACKGROUND

Diabetes Mellitus is an endocrine disorder that will affect, about 693 million adults by 2045 worldwide, (>50% increase from 2017). The conventional treatment of the disease, include the oral hypoglycemic drugs which are given in combination with other drugs and are known to possess various adverse effects like gastrointestinal disturbance, nausea, water retention etc. PURPOSE: Due to the urgent need of combating this disorder without side effects, the alternative and complementary therapies should be explored due to their natural origins and comparable safety. Herbal sources serve as new leads, due to the presence of phytoconstituents with potential therapeutic properties, efficacy and safety. In this review, we tried to summarise the polyphenolic phytoconstituents effective in the treatment of diabetic complications.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted using 4 databases (Google scholar, Pubmed, Scopus, Embase) for the identification of relevant data. Search was performed using various key words such as "diabetes", "polyphenols", "marine sources","anti-diabetic polyphenols". The in vitro studies involving the cell lines used in diabetes and animal models were also considered for inclusion. Additional research papers were identified by reviewing abstracts, scrutinizing reference lists, and reviewing previously published review articles.

RESULTS

Polyphenols, a group of phytoconstituents are known worldwide for their tremendous antioxidant potential. So, various research groups have explored their mechanism and therapeutic value in diabetic complications, to improve the insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, in controlling the glycemic conditions.

CONCLUSION

Polyphenols exhibit effective therapeutic potential in managing diabetic complications through their multifaceted mechanism of action. They exhibit antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-glycemic properties, which collectively contribute to their beneficial effects in mitigating diabetic complications. Thus, the inclusion of polyphenols into the diet, may be cosidered as an approach of managing diabetes on long term basis. In this review, we have tried to identify polyphenols effective in diabetes and summarize their mechanism of action along with their potential, for the treatment of diabetic complications.

Clinical efficacy and safety of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial

AIMS

The recent trend toward the use of natural functional and medical supplements has motivated the focus on the search and revival of traditional medicinal plant applications for many years. As a valuable dietary crop, okra fruit (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal food. This clinical trial aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the okra pod capsule as an adjuvant treatment in controlling type 2 diabetes mellitus and provide clinical trial-based evidence about its anti-inflammatory effects.

METHODS

A total of 100 type II diabetic patients, aged between 40 and 60 years, were randomly assigned into two groups of okra and placebo. The first group was administered 1000 mg of powdered okra fruit three times a day for 3 months, while the other group received a placebo capsule with the same dosage. Both groups continued the standard antidiabetic therapy (consisting of metformin and gliclazide, as well as a nutritional regimen). At the start and three months later, various factors were measured, including FBG, insulin, HbA1c, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, CRP, liver and renal function tests, blood pressure, and BMI changes.

RESULTS

According to the results, patients who received okra treatment exhibited a significant decrease in FBG, HbA1c, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels when compared to both the baseline and the placebo group. Patients in the okra group have lower levels of hs-CRP compared with the placebo group after 3 months of treatment. No liver, kidney, and blood pressure or other side effects were observed in the groups associated with okra treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that adjunctive consumption of okra, in type 2 diabetic patients with 1000 mg three times a day for three months, improves lipid profile, glycemic control, and chronic inflammation without any tangible adverse effects.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY

IRCT.Ir (IRCT20120112008712N2). https://www.irct.ir/trial/42042 .

Arsenic trioxide-induced cytotoxicity in A549 cells: The role of necroptosis

INTRODUCTION

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers globally. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is still present as a highly effective drug in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Chemotherapy resistance is one of the major problems in cancer therapy. Necroptosis, can overcomes resistance to apoptosis, and can promote cancer treatment. This study examines the necroptosis pathway in A549 cancer cells exposed to ATO.

METHODS

We used the MTT test to determine the ATO effects on the viability of A549 cells at three different time intervals. Also, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were performed in three-time intervals. The effect of ATO on apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V / PI staining and, the RIPK1 and MLKL gene expression were measured by Real-Time PCR.

RESULTS

The ATO has dose and time-dependent cytotoxic effects, so at 24, 48, and 72 h, the IC50 doses were 33.81 '11.44 '2.535 µM respectively. A 50 μM ATO is the most appropriate to increase the MMP loss significantly at all three times. At 24 and 48 h after exposure of cells to ATO, the ROS levels increased. The RIPK1 gene expression increased significantly compared to the control group at concentrations of 50 and 100 μM; however, MLKL gene expression decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

The A549 cells, after 48 h exposure to ATO at 50 and 100 μM, induces apoptosis and necroptosis. Due to the reduced expression of MLKL, it can be concluded that ATO is probably effective in the metastatic stage of cancer cells.

Recent advances in curcumin-based nanoformulations in diabetes

Diabetes is predicted to affect 700 million people by the year 2045. Despite the potential benefits for diabetics, curcumin's low bioavailability significantly reduces its utility. However, newer formulation methods of decreasing particle size, such as through nanotechnological advances, may improve curcumin's bioavailability and cell-absorption properties. Various curcumin nanoformulations such as nanofibers, nanoparticles-like nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), Solid Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (S-SNEDDS), and nanohydrogels have been evaluated. These studies reported increased bioavailability of nanoformulated curcumin compared to free curcumin. Here, we provide a detailed review of the antidiabetic effects of nanocurcumin compounds and subsequent effects on diabetic complications. Overall, various nanocurcumin formulations highly increase curcumin water-solubility and bioavailability, and these safe formulations can positively affect managing some diabetes-related manifestations and complications. Moreover, nanocurcumin efficacy in various diabetes complications is discussed. These complications included inflammation, neuropathy, depression, anxiety, keratopathy, cataract, cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction (MI), nephropathy, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic wound. Moreover, several nanocurcumin formulations improved wound healing in the diabetic. However, few studies have been performed in humans, and most results have been reported from cellular and animal studies. Therefore, more human studies are needed to prove the antidiabetic effects of nanocurcumin.

"Biqi" Bayberry Extract Promotes Skeletal Muscle Fiber Type Remodeling by Increasing Fast Myofiber Formation via the Akt/FoxO1 Pathway in Mice

Bayberry is known to be a rich source of natural flavonoids and has been reported to have various health-promoting abilities. However, its function on regulating skeletal muscle fiber type remains unclear. This study examined whether bayberry extract affects skeletal muscle fiber type by promoting fast myofiber formation, as well as the potential molecular mechanism. After eight weeks, the "Biqi" bayberry extract (BBE) groups mice displayed markedly enhanced grip strength and improved metabolic rate compared to the control group mice. BBE also significantly increased myofibers size, LDH activity, MyHC-IIb (fast-twitch mRNA) expression, and the percentage of fast-twitch myofibers, while decreasing SDH activity, MyHC-I (slow-twitch mRNA) expression, and slow-twitch myofibers percentage in the skeletal muscle of the mice. The effect of BBE on regulating skeletal muscle fiber type remodeling is likely attributed to its activation of the Akt-FoxO1 pathway. Our findings indicated that BBE can effectively regulate the expression and proportion of fast-twitch fibers, making it a potential therapy for improving glucose homeostasis of skeletal muscle.

The Positive Effect of 6-Gingerol on High-Fat Diet and Streptozotocin-Induced Prediabetic Mice: Potential Pathways and Underlying Mechanisms

The purposes of the present work are to assess how 6-gingerol (6G) positively influences serum glucose regulation in mice with prediabetes triggered by streptozotocin (STZ) plus a high-fat diet (HFD) and to clarify its underlying mechanisms. An analysis of prediabetic symptoms and biochemical characteristics found that 6G intervention was significantly associated with reduced fasting glucose levels, alleviated insulin resistance, better glucose tolerance, hepatic and pancreatic impairment, and dyslipidemia. For the recognition of the target gut microbiota and the pathways linked to 6G's hypoglycemic function, a combination of hepatic RNA and 16S rRNA sequencing was employed. Specifically, 6G significantly improved the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and elevated the relative abundances of Alistipes, Alloprevotella, and Ruminococcus_1. Furthermore, 6G supplementation inhibited gluconeogenesis and stimulated glycolysis by activating the PI3K/AKT axis, which also repressed the oxidative stress through Nrf2/Keap1-axis initiation. In addition, Spearman's correlation analyses reveal a complex interdependency set among the gut microbiota, metabolic variables, and signaling axes. Taken together, the hypoglycemic effect of 6G is partially mediated by altered gut microbiota, as well as by activated Nrf2/Keap1 and PI3K/AKT axes. Thus, 6G may be used as a candidate dietary supplement for relieving prediabetes.

N-Octyl Caffeamide, a Caffeic Acid Amide Derivative, Prevents Progression of Diabetes and Hepatic Steatosis in High-Fat Diet Induced Obese Mice

The underlying pathological mechanisms of diabetes are complicated and varied in diabetic patients, which may lead to the current medications often failing to maintain glycemic control in the long term. Thus, the discovery of diverse new compounds for developing medicines to treat diabetes and its complications are urgently needed. Polyphenols are metabolites of plants and have been employed in the prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a category of compounds structurally similar to polyphenols. In this study, we aimed to investigate the antidiabetic activity and potential molecular mechanisms of a novel synthetic CAPE derivative N-octyl caffeamide (36M) using high-fat (HF) diet induced obese mouse models. Our results demonstrate that 36M prevented the progression of diabetes in the HF diet fed obese mice via increasing phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibiting expression of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). We also found that 36M could prevent hepatic lipid storage in the HF diet fed mice via inhibition of fatty acid synthase and lipid droplet proteins, including perilipins and Fsp27. In conclusion, 36M is a potential candidate compound that can be developed as AMPK inhibitor and PTP1B inhibitor for treating diabetes and hepatic steatosis.

Plasma metabolomic analysis indicates flavonoids and sorbic acid are associated with incident diabetes: A nested case-control study among Women's Interagency HIV Study participants

INTRODUCTION

Lifestyle improvements are key modifiable risk factors for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) however specific influences of biologically active dietary metabolites remain unclear. Our objective was to compare non-targeted plasma metabolomic profiles of women with versus without confirmed incident DM. We focused on three lipid classes (fatty acyls, prenol lipids, polyketides).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty DM cases and 100 individually matched control participants (80% with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]) were enrolled in a case-control study nested within the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Stored blood samples (1-2 years prior to DM diagnosis among cases; at the corresponding timepoint among matched controls) were assayed in triplicate for metabolomics. Time-of-flight liquid chromatography mass spectrometry with dual electrospray ionization modes was utilized. We considered 743 metabolomic features in a two-stage feature selection approach with conditional logistic regression models that accounted for matching strata.

RESULTS

Seven features differed by DM case status (all false discovery rate-adjusted q<0.05). Three flavonoids (two flavanones, one isoflavone) were respectively associated with lower odds of DM (all q<0.05), and sorbic acid was associated with greater odds of DM (all q<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Flavonoids were associated with lower odds of incident DM while sorbic acid was associated with greater odds of incident DM.

Therapeutic potentials of genistein: New insights and perspectives

Genistein, a polyphenolic isoflavone compound found abundantly in soy or soy-based products, is widely consumed in the Asian population. Genistein has poor bioavailability, to overcome this problem many advanced nano-drug delivery carrier systems are designed to enhance its water solubility and stability. However, further research is required to develop more efficient bioavailability improvement strategies. Genistein is a phytoestrogen which has been associated with reducing the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and diabetes mellitus. This plant-based bioactive compound possesses numerous biological activities such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-cancer, cardioprotective, and anti-diabetic activities to treat various disease states. Genistein has been used as an active therapeutic agent in many medications. Moreover, several clinical trials are in the ongoing stage to develop more efficient treatment therapies, especially for cancer treatment. This article highlights the protective and therapeutic benefits of genistein in the treatment of different ailments, and more specifically elaborates on the anti-cancer potential of genistein regarding various types of cancers. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Genistein possesses versatile biological activities, including anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-obesity, and anti-angiogenic. The most studied activity is anti-cancer. Currently, a number of pre-clinical and clinical trials are being carried out on anti-neoplastic and cytotoxic activities of genistein to develop novel therapeutic agents with excellent anti-cancer potential for the treatment of various kinds of cancer. Moreover, many bioavailability enhancement strategies have been developed to improve the bioavailability of genistein. Genistein shows significant hypoglycemic effects alone or in combination with other anti-diabetic agents. Genistein in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents is used for the treatment of prostate, bone, colorectal, glioma, breast, and bladder cancer.

Hypoglycemic bioactivity of anthocyanins: A review on proposed targets and potential signaling pathways

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease with complicated interrelationships responsible for initiating its pathogenesis. Novel strategies for the treatment of this devastating disease have attracted increasing attention worldwide. Anthocyanins are bioactive compounds that are widely distributed in the plant kingdom, and multiple studies have elucidated their beneficial role in preventing and managing T2DM. This review summarizes and comments on the hypoglycemic actions of anthocyanins from the perspective of molecular mechanisms and different target-related signaling pathways in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials. Anthocyanins can ameliorate T2DM by functioning as carbohydrate digestive enzyme inhibitors, facilitating glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation, suppressing the effectiveness of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV), promoting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion, inhibiting protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) overexpression, and interacting with sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT) to delay glucose absorption in various organs and tissues. In summary, anthocyanin is a promising and practical small molecule that can hyperglycemic symptoms and accompanying complications suffered by patients with diabetes. However, rational and potent doses for daily intake and clinical studies are required in the future.

Effect of Different Processing Methods on the Millet Polyphenols and Their Anti-diabetic Potential

Interest in polyphenols has grown due to their beneficial effect on diabetes attenuation. Millets are ancient crops that are rich in polyphenols and used for both food and feed. They are grown worldwide and are adapted to production under dry, hot conditions. The polyphenols found in millets have anti-diabetic properties. However, millet is usually consumed after being processed by heating, germination, fermentation, and other processing methods, which may alter polyphenol content and thus affect their anti-diabetic potential. This mini-review profiles the effects of different processing methods on millet polyphenols and how changes in millet polyphenols affect the hypoglycemic effect of millet. Future studies are needed to compare the anti-diabetes potential of millet polyphenols before and after processing and to explore ways to minimize polyphenol losses and thus maintain their hypoglycemic effect in final products.

Iridoid glycoside isolated from Wendlandia glabrata and the role of its enriched fraction in regulating AMPK/PEPCK/G6Pase signaling pathway of hepatic gluconeogenesis

Phytochemical investigation of W. glabrata and antihyperglycemic potential of isolated novel iridoid glycoside enriched fraction in CC1 hepatocytes and STZ-induced diabetic mice.

Plants Secondary Metabolites as Blood Glucose-Lowering Molecules

Recently, significant advances in modern medicine and therapeutic agents have been achieved. However, the search for effective antidiabetic drugs is continuous and challenging. Over the past decades, there has been an increasing body of literature related to the effects of secondary metabolites from botanical sources on diabetes. Plants-derived metabolites including alkaloids, phenols, anthocyanins, flavonoids, stilbenoids, saponins, tannins, polysaccharides, coumarins, and terpenes can target cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, they can grant protection to pancreatic beta cells from damage, repairing abnormal insulin signaling, minimizing oxidative stress and inflammation, activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and inhibiting carbohydrate digestion and absorption. Studies have highlighted many bioactive naturally occurring plants' secondary metabolites as candidates against diabetes. This review summarizes the current knowledge compiled from the latest studies published during the past decade on the mechanism-based action of plants-derived secondary metabolites that can target various metabolic pathways in humans against diabetes. It is worth mentioning that the compiled data in this review will provide a guide for researchers in the field, to develop candidates into environment-friendly effective, yet safe antidiabetics.

Using polyphenols as a relevant therapy to diabetes and its complications, a review

Diabetes is currently a worldwide health concern. Hyperglycemia, hypertension, obesity, and oxidative stress are the major risk factors that inevitably lead to all the complications from diabetes. These complications severely impact the quality of life of patients, and they can be managed, reduced, or even reverted by several polyphenols, plant extracts and foods rich in these compounds. The goal of this review is to approach diabetes not as a single condition but rather an interconnected combination of risk factors and complications. This work shows that polyphenols have multi target action and effects and they have been systematically proven to be relevant in the reduction of each risk factor and improvement of associated complication.

Nano-based drug delivery systems used as vehicles to enhance polyphenols therapeutic effect for diabetes mellitus treatment

Diabetes mellitus is one of the biggest health emergencies of the 21^st century worldwide, characterized by deficiency in insulin secretion and/or action, leading to hyperglycemia. Despite the currently available antidiabetic therapeutic options, 4.2 million people died in 2019 due to diabetes. Thus, new effective interventions are required. Polyphenols are plant secondary metabolites and have been recognized for their vast number of biological activities, including potential antidiabetic effects. However, the poor bioavailability and high metabolization of polyphenols restrict their biological effects in vivo. Nanotechnology is a promising area of research to improve the therapeutic effect of several compounds. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the literature about the utility of nano-based drug delivery systems as vehicles of polyphenols in diabetes treatment. It was possible to conclude that, in general, nano-based drug delivery systems can potentiate the beneficial antidiabetic properties of polyphenols, when compared with the free compounds, opening a new field of research in diabetology.

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Selected Lifestyle Elements among Young Women with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus from Northeast Poland: A Case-Control COVID-19 Survey

An appropriate balanced diet and dietary patterns are important at every stage of life, but in the case of young patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), it is especially crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to assess health and nutritional behaviors, mainly adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland among women with T1DM, and to compare them with a healthy population. This survey (based on a questionnaire) was conducted in December 2020 and included 219 young women, healthy (n = 106) and with T1DM (n = 113), from northeast Poland. Over 30% of the study group admitted that they did not engage in any physical activity. A large proportion declared that their screen time was 5-7 h a day (48% in control and 40% in T1DM group). High intakes of sweet-beverages, sweets and red meat, but also low intakes of olive oil, fish and nuts were observed. The vast majority of participants (60% vs. 71%) were moderately adherent to the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). The study demonstrated that despite the similarity between the behaviors of healthy people and those with T1DM, negative health and nutritional practices, such as low physical activity, long screen time, medium and high levels of stress and inappropriate eating habits were observed.

Antioxidant activities of Dhanwantaram Kashayam -an Ayurvedic poly herbal formulation alleviates diabetic complications in rats

Purpose

Phytochemicals of ethno medicines are being developed as effective drugs with minimum or no toxic side effects. Dhanwantaram Kashayam (DK) is a polyherbal formulation used as a potent general health tonic and is found to have antioxidant activities, but there are no proper scientific studies on its possible benefits. In this study we investigated the antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of DK and trying to explore the possibility of employing DK for the treatment of diseases like diabetes mellitus caused by the imbalance in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).

Methods

We investigated the effect of DK on normal and rat model of diabetes. Rats were fed with DK for 21 days. Fasting blood glucose level, haemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, non enzymatic antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, reduced glutathione, and MDA were evaluated.

Results

DK was found to ameliorate the disease symptoms of diabetes. A significant decrease in non enzymatic antioxidants - vitamin C, vitamin E, reduced glutathione and an increase in MDA and fasting blood glucose level was observed in diabetic rats. Administration of DK resulted significant increase in non enzymatic antioxidant levels both in diabetic and normal rats and a decrease in MDA, fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and HOMA-IR index was observed.

Conclusion

This study reveals the protective role of DK in diabetic condition through its antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activity. Our results strongly indicate the possibility of DK being developed as a potent antidiabetic drug. DK could be an alternative in the treatment of diseases with ROS imbalance to expensive and toxic synthetic 'medicines'.

Beneficial Effect of Taraxacum coreanum Nakai via the Activation of LKB1-AMPK Signaling Pathway on Obesity

Objective

Liver kinase B (LKB) 1 and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) are master regulators and sensors for energy homeostasis. AMPK is mainly activated via phosphorylation of LKB1 under energy stress. Here, we highlighted the antiobesity effect and underlying mechanism of Taraxacum coreanum Nakai (TCN) in connection with LKB1-AMPK signaling pathway.

Methods

Male C57BL/6 mice were fed on a high-fat diet (60% kcal fat; HFD) to induce obesity. Simultaneously, they received 100 or 200 mg/kg TCN orally for 5 weeks. We measured the body weight gain and liver weight along with liver histology. Moreover, the changes of factors related to lipid metabolism and β-oxidation were analyzed in the liver, together with blood parameters.

Results

The body weights were decreased in mice of the TCN200 group more than those of the HFD control group. Moreover, TCN supplementation lowered serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels, whereas TCN increased HDL-cholesterol level. Liver pathological damage induced by HFD was alleviated with TCN treatment and accompanied with significant reduction in serum AST and ALT activities. In addition, TCN significantly increased the expression of p-AMPK compared with the HFD control group via the activation of LKB1/AMPK signaling pathway. Lipid synthesis gene like ACC was downregulated and factors related to β-oxidation such as carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (CPT-1) and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP-2) were upregulated through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α activation.

Conclusion

Taken together, these data suggest that TCN treatment regulates lipid metabolism via LKB1-AMPK signaling pathway and promotes β-oxidation by PPARα; hence, TCN may have potential remedy in the prevention and treatment of obesity.

A recent update on the multifaceted health benefits associated with ginger and its bioactive components

Due to recent lifestyle shifts and health discernments among consumers, synthetic drugs are facing the challenge of controlling disease development and progression. Various medicinal plants and their constituents are recognized for their imminent role in disease management via modulation of biological activities. At present, research scholars have diverted their attention on natural bioactive entities with health-boosting perception to combat the lifestyle-related disarrays. In particular, Zingiber officinale is a medicinal herb that has been commonly used in food and pharmaceutical products. Its detailed chemical composition and high value-added active components have been extensively studied. In this review, we have summarized the pharmacological potential of this well-endowed chemo preventive agent. It was revealed that its functionalities are attributed to several inherent chemical constituents, including 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol, 6-shogaol, 6-hydroshogaol, and oleoresin, which were established through many studies (in vitro, in vivo, and cell lines). In this review, we also focused on the therapeutic effects of ginger and its constituents for their effective antioxidant properties. Their consumption may reduce or delay the progression of related diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and obesity, via modulation of genetic and metabolic activities. The updated data could elucidate the relationship of the extraction processes with the constituents and biological manifestations. We have collated the current knowledge (including the latest clinical data) about the bioactive compounds and bioactivities of ginger. Their detailed mechanisms, which can lay foundation for their food and medical applications are also discussed.

Cardioprotective Effects of Taurisolo® in Cardiomyoblast H9c2 Cells under High-Glucose and Trimethylamine N-Oxide Treatment via De Novo Sphingolipid Synthesis

In addition to high plasma glucose, increased levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) have been found in obese subjects, where are considered as a novel risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of a novel nutraceutical formulation based on grape polyphenols (registered as Taurisolo®) in counteracting TMAO- and high glucose (HG)-induced cytotoxicity in cardiomyoblast H9c2 cells. Cell damage was induced with HG (HG-H9c2) and HG+TMAO (THG-H9c2); both experimental cell models were, thus, incubated for 72 h in the presence or absence of Taurisolo®. It was observed that Taurisolo® significantly increased the cell viability and reduced lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate transaminase release in both HG- and THG-H9c2 cells. Additionally, through its antioxidant activity, Taurisolo® modulated cell proliferation via ERK activation in THG-H9c2. Furthermore, Taurisolo® was able to induce autophagic process via increasing the expression of LC3II, a protein marker involved in formation of autophagosome and ex novo synthesis of sphingomyelin, ceramides, and their metabolites both in HG- and THG-H9c2 cells. Finally, Taurisolo® reduced hypertrophy and induced differentiation of HG-H9C2 cells into cardiomyocyte-like cells. These data suggest that Taurisolo® counteracts the toxicity induced by TMAO and HG concentrations increasing autophagic process and activating de novo sphingolipid synthesis, resulting in a morphological cell remodeling. In conclusion, our results allow speculating that Taurisolo®, combined with energy restriction, may represent a useful nutraceutical approach for prevention of cardiomyopathy in obese subjects.

Polyphenols of cambuci (Campomanesia phaea (O. Berg.)) fruit ameliorate insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in obese mice

Polyphenols from cambuci (CBC) (Campomanesia phaea (O. Berg.)), a Brazilian native fruit, were investigated on therapeutic actions mitigating insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in high-fat-sucrose diet (HFS) induced obese mice. For this, C57BL/6J mice fed with a obesogenic and diabetogenic HFS diet were administered with either water or two CBC doses (36 or 74 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/kg body weight) by gavage from week 6 to week 14 (end-point) of HFS feeding. CBC reduced body weight gain, inflammation, hepatic steatosis, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance in liver and skeletal muscle of obese mice, and such effects were associated with activation of Akt and AMPK in these tissues. In conclusion, polyphenols from CBC show important therapeutic actions ameliorating obesity-associated complications.

Microencapsulation as a tool to counteract the typical low bioavailability of polyphenols in the management of diabetes

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites widely distributed in many plant foods, such a tea, coffee, chocolate and fruits. The consumption of these compounds is related to the improvement or amelioration of many diseases, including diabetes. Nevertheless, the great barrier to the therapeutic use of polyphenols is the low bioavailability of these compounds once ingested. For that reason, the encapsulation of polyphenols in different matrices may protect them from digestion and improve their release and subsequent absorption to obtain target-specific health effects. Some studies have reported the beneficial effect of encapsulation to increase both bioavailability and bioaccessibility. However, these works have mostly been carried out in vitro and few studies are specifically addressed at improving diabetes. In the current work, an overview of the knowledge related to nanoparticles and their use in the diabetic condition has been reviewed.

Fluorescence Method for the Detection of Protein Kinase Activity by Using a Zirconium-Based Metal-Organic Framework as an Affinity Probe

In cell-signaling pathways, protein kinases are critical and ubiquitous regulators. Abnormal kinase activity leads to many major diseases; therefore, simple and efficient methods for detecting protein kinases are in high demand. This study proposed a simple, rapid fluorescence-based sensor for protein kinase activity analysis, using the zirconium-based metal organic framework UiO-66 as a highly efficient affinity probe. UiO-66 has a large specific surface area, good stability, and a large number of Zr defect sites, which can efficiently identify phosphorylation sites. UiO-66 is an ideal nanoreactor that can efficiently enrich phosphorylated peptides. Under optimal experimental conditions, the increased fluorescence intensity was directly proportional to the protein kinase activity. The lower limit of detection was 0.00005 U·μL^-1. The assay could also be used for the screening of protein kinase inhibitors, could determine the activity of other kinds of kinases, and was universally applicable. This method was used for protein kinase activity detection in drug-stimulated MCF-7 cell lysates and demonstrated its potential applicability in kinase-related research.