Suppression of DNA/RNA and protein oxidation by dietary supplement which contains plant extracts and vitamins: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

The Role of Plant Extracts in Enhancing Nutrition and Health for Dogs and Cats: Safety, Benefits, and Applications

Plant extracts, derived from various natural sources, encompass primary and secondary metabolites, which include plant polysaccharides, polyphenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenes, and volatile oils. These compounds exhibit a range of biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial functions. Currently, polyphenols and other bioactive compounds are being incorporated into the diets of farm animals, fish, and pets to promote health benefits. Despite this, the application and potential of plant extracts in canine and feline nutrition have not been comprehensively explored. Many aspects of the mechanisms underlying the action of these plant metabolites remain to be analyzed and elucidated. Furthermore, leveraging natural plant extracts for the treatment of clinical conditions in dogs and cats is a crucial component of clinical nutrition. Consequently, this review aims to highlight the impact of plant extracts on overall health, gastrointestinal health, immune health, cardiovascular health, redox balance, and pathology in dogs and cats.

Protective Effects of Micronutrient Supplements, Phytochemicals and Phytochemical-Rich Beverages and Foods Against DNA Damage in Humans: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials and Prospective Studies

Accumulation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage diminishes cellular health, increases risk of developmental and degenerative diseases, and accelerates aging. Optimizing nutrient intake can minimize accrual of DNA damage. The objectives of this review are to: 1) assemble and systematically analyze high-level evidence for the effect of supplementation with micronutrients and phytochemicals on baseline levels of DNA damage in humans, and 2) use this knowledge to identify which of these essential micronutrients or nonessential phytochemicals promote DNA integrity in vivo in humans. We conducted systematic literature searches of the PubMed database to identify interventional, prospective, cross-sectional, or in vitro studies that explored the association between nutrients and established biomarkers of DNA damage associated with developmental and degenerative disease risk. Biomarkers included lymphocyte chromosome aberrations, lymphocyte and buccal cell micronuclei, DNA methylation, lymphocyte/leukocyte DNA strand breaks, DNA oxidation, telomere length, telomerase activity, and mitochondrial DNA mutations. Only randomized, controlled interventions and uncontrolled longitudinal intervention studies conducted in humans were selected for evaluation and data extraction. These studies were ranked for the quality of their study design. In all, 96 of the 124 articles identified reported studies that achieved a quality assessment score ≥ 5 (from a maximum score of 7) and were included in the final review. Based on these studies, nutrients associated with protective effects included vitamin A and its precursor β-carotene, vitamins C, E, B1, B12, folate, minerals selenium and zinc, and phytochemicals such as curcumin (with piperine), lycopene, and proanthocyanidins. These findings highlight the importance of nutrients involved in (i) DNA metabolism and repair (folate, vitamin B12, and zinc) and (ii) prevention of oxidative stress and inflammation (vitamins A, C, E, lycopene, curcumin, proanthocyanidins, selenium, and zinc). Supplementation with certain micronutrients and their combinations may reduce DNA damage and promote cellular health by improving the maintenance of genome integrity.

Consumption of Farmed Fish, Fed with an Olive-Pomace Enriched Diet, and Its Effect on the Inflammatory, Redox, and Platelet-Activating Factor Enzyme Profile of Apparently Healthy Adults: A Double-Blind Randomized Crossover Trial

A fish-rich diet has a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health. The platelet activating factor (PAF) is involved in the development of atherosclerosis, and in vitro results support the regulating action of bioactive nutrients on PAF metabolism. The purpose of this study is to examine whether the consumption of farmed fish fed with an olive-pomace enriched diet (EF) affects PAF metabolism and the markers of inflammation and oxidative stress compared to the consumption of conventionally fed farmed fish (CF). Thirty apparently healthy adults completed a randomized double-blind crossover trial, during which they consumed both CF and EF twice a week for 8 weeks with a six-week washout period in between. The activities of PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH), lysoPAF acetyltransferase (lysoPAF-AT), DTT-insensitive CDP-choline: 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol-choline-phosphotransferase (PAF-CPT) in leukocytes, and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ (LpPLA₂) in serum were determined. The quantities of interleukin-6 (IL-6), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), oxidized LDL (ox-LDL), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as the serum oxidation, were also determined. Both types of fish exerted similar effects as there were no statistically significant differences between the two interventions except for an elevated PAF-CPT and reduced arachidonic acid (AA) in the red blood cell (RBC) membrane lipids after the EF intake.

Curcuma longa L. Prevents the Loss of β-Tubulin in the Brain and Maintains Healthy Aging in Drosophila melanogaster

Loss of tubulin is associated with neurodegeneration and brain aging. Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) has frequently been employed as a spice in curry and traditional medications in the Indian subcontinent to attain longevity and better cognitive performance. We aimed to evaluate the unelucidated mechanism of how turmeric protects the brain to be an anti-aging agent. D. melanogaster was cultured on a regular diet and turmeric-supplemented diet. β-tubulin level and physiological traits including survivability, locomotor activity, fertility, tolerance to oxidative stress, and eye health were analyzed. Turmeric showed a hormetic effect, and 0.5% turmeric was the optimal dose in preventing aging. β-tubulin protein level was decreased in the brain of D. melanogaster upon aging, while a 0.5% turmeric-supplemented diet predominantly prevented this aging-induced loss of β-tubulin and degeneration of physiological traits as well as improved β-tubulin synthesis in the brain of D. melanogaster early to mid-age. The higher concentration (≥ 1%) of turmeric-supplemented diet decreased the β-tubulin level and degenerated many of the physiological traits of D. melanogaster. The turmeric concentration-dependent increase and decrease of β-tubulin level were consistent with the increment and decrement data obtained from the evaluated physiological traits. This correlation demonstrated that turmeric targets β-tubulin and has both beneficial and detrimental effects that depend on the concentration of turmeric. The findings of this study concluded that an optimal dosage of turmeric could maintain a healthy neuron and thus healthy aging, by preventing the loss and increasing the level of β-tubulin in the brain.

A novel methylated analogue of L-Mimosine exerts its therapeutic potency through ROS production and ceramide-induced apoptosis in malignant melanoma

Melanoma is an aggressive and highly metastatic type of skin cancer where the design of new therapies is of utmost importance for the clinical management of the disease. Thus, we have aimed to investigate the mode of action by which a novel methylated analogue of L-Mimosine (e.g., L-SK-4) exerts its therapeutic potency in an in vitro model of malignant melanoma. Cytotoxicity was assessed by the Alamar Blue assay, oxidative stress by commercially available kits, ROS generation, caspase 3/7 activation and mitochondrial membrane depolarisation by flow cytometry, expression of apoptosis-related proteins by western immunoblotting and profiling of lipid biosynthesis by a metabolomic approach. Overall, higher levels of ROS, sphingolipids and apoptosis were induced by L-SK-4 suggesting that the compound's therapeutic potency is mediated through elevated ROS levels which promote the upregulation of sphingolipid (ceramide) biosynthesis thus leading to the activation of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis, in an experimental model of malignant melanoma.

Traditional plants with antioxidant properties in clinical trials-A systematic review

There is a trend toward the use of natural substances present in plants and vegetables. In general, foods rich in antioxidants are complex matrices; therefore, understanding its absorption effects is extremely relevant to know its bioactive potential. Thus, this systematic review focused on clinical trials involving plants (or compounds) registered on the National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest to the Unified Health System (RENISUS) with antioxidant properties. Following the reporting guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes studies of interest indexed in the PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were analyzed. Of the 59 clinical trials found, Allium sativum and Curcuma longa are the plant species with the highest percentage of clinical research. Prevention/attenuation of oxidative stress was one of the main antioxidant mechanisms indicated in the studies. The most tested compounds of the RENISUS plants in clinical trials were curcumin and soy isoflavone. In this review, we selected studies in advanced stages that highlight plants' value in optimizing antioxidant status; however, even with high-quality studies, it is not prudent to overstate the clinical efficacy of these plants.

A weight-loss Mediterranean diet/lifestyle intervention ameliorates inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: results of the "MIMOSA" randomized clinical trial

PURPOSE

Inflammation and oxidative stress are implicated in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) pathophysiology. We aimed at exploring whether the combination of a weight-loss Mediterranean diet/lifestyle intervention with OSA standard care, i.e., continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) prescription, can lead to greater improvements in inflammation and oxidative stress, compared to standard care alone.

METHODS

This was a randomized controlled clinical trial in 187 adult, overweight patients with moderate-to-severe OSA. Participants were randomized to a standard care (SCG, n = 65), a Mediterranean diet (MDG, n = 62) or a Mediterranean lifestyle group (MLG, n = 60). All groups received OSA standard care. Intervention arms participated in a 6-month behavioral weight-loss intervention based on the Mediterranean diet, while the MLG also received counselling on physical activity and sleep habits.

RESULTS

Seven patients were excluded and 53/180 were lost to follow-up. In intention to treat analysis (n = 180), the SCG did not exhibit changes in any of the markers assessed. Post-intervention age-, sex-, baseline- and CPAP use-adjusted plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (mg/L) were lower in the MDG and the MLG compared to the SCG (mean difference - 1.33, P = 0.039 and - 1.68, P = 0.007, respectively). The MLG also exhibited lower urinary 8-iso prostaglandin F2a levels (ng/mg creatinine) compared to the SCG and the MDG (mean difference - 1.10, P < 0.0001 and - 0.80, P = 0.001, respectively). Adiponectin and oxidized guanine levels were not altered in any of the study groups. Results were similar in per protocol analysis (n = 127).

CONCLUSION

A weight-loss Mediterranean diet/lifestyle intervention on top of CPAP has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits in OSA.

REGISTRATION

The trial was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02515357) on August 4, 2015.

Redox biomarkers in dietary interventions and nutritional observation studies - From new insights to old problems

Purpose

The purpose of this review is to give an overview on recently published articles investigating the associations of diet and dietary interventions with biomarkers of oxidative stress with special emphasis on different categories of redox biomarkers.

Findings

Intervention and observational studies both in healthy participants and patients that investigated associations of dietary habits, foodstuffs or isolated nutrients with biomarkers of oxidative stress were included in this review. Recently published observation studies confirm the inverse association between fruit and vegetable intake and oxidative stress markers. Studies investigating the effect of vitamin D and vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, chromium, selenium, probiotic supplementation and several phytochemicals reported consistent changes in redox biomarkers. Of 88 articles included in this review, only seven studies measured biomarkers from the three categories: oxidative damage, endogenous antioxidants, and exogenous antioxidants. Many studies rely on controversial assays for total antioxidant capacity, thus there is potential in many studies to improve biomarker repertoire to cover all three categories of biomarkers and to turn away from such assays.

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Oxidative stress can be assessed by specific biomarker categories.

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Three biomarker categories: oxidative damage, endogenous, exogenous antioxidants.

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Only seven studies performed measurements of all three biomarker categories.

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TAC, TRAP, FRAP, ORAC should not be used as stand-alone redox marker.

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Several interventions reported improvements in markers of oxidative stress.

Plant extracts as natural modulators of gut microbiota community structure and functionality

The main objective of this work was to evaluate the effect that several plant extracts (currently sold as functional ingredients) have on gut microbiota community structure and functionality. Plant extracts were submitted to an in vitro digestion and fecal fermentation. Overall, plant extracts showed a marked inhibitory activity when compared to basal conditions. However, they also favored the growth of some bacteria such as Coprococcus and Butyricimonas, two butyrate producers. Especially interesting was tea extract which inhibited the growth of the genus Escherichia/Shigella, known to involve species related with gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, tea extract increased the growth of Faecalibacterium, a known butyrate producer. Regarding short chain fatty acids production, while plant extracts reduced acetate production, butyrate was increased for most samples, especially tea extract. Propionate production was less affected in comparison with basal conditions. Fermentation by gut microbiota also modified the antioxidant capacity (assessed via DPPH, FRAP and Folin-Ciocalteu methods).

Current perspectives on the clinical implications of oxidative RNA damage in aging research: challenges and opportunities

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules can be easily attacked by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are produced during normal cellular metabolism and under various oxidative stress conditions. Numerous findings report that the amount of cellular 8-oxoG, the most abundant RNA damage biomarker, is a promising target for the sensitive measurement of oxidative stress and aging-associated diseases, including neuropsychiatric disorders. Most importantly, available data suggest that RNA oxidation has important implications for various signaling pathways and gene expression regulation in aging-related diseases, highlighting the necessity of using combinations of RNA oxidation adducts in both experimental studies and clinical trials. In this review, we primarily describe evidence for the effect of oxidative stress on RNA integrity modulation and possible quality control systems. Additionally, we discuss the profiles and clinical implications of RNA oxidation products that have been under intensive investigation in several aging-associated medical disorders.

Interventions targeted at oxidatively generated modifications of nucleic acids focused on urine and plasma markers

Oxidative stress is associated with the development and progression of numerous diseases. However, targeting oxidative stress has not been established in the clinical management of any disease. Several methods and markers are available to measure oxidative stress, including direct measurement of free radicals, antioxidants, redox balance, and oxidative modifications of cellular macromolecules. Oxidatively generated nucleic acid modifications have attracted much interest due to the pre-mutagenic oxidative modification of DNA into 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), associated with cancer development. During the last decade, the perception of RNA has changed from that of a 'silent messenger' to an 'active contributor', and, parallelly oxidatively generated RNA modifications measured as 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-guanosine (8-oxoGuo), has been demonstrated as a prognostic factor for all-caused and cardiovascular related mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Several attempts have been made to modify the amount of oxidative nucleic acid modifications. Thus, this review aims to introduce researchers to the measurement of oxidatively generated nucleic acid modifications as well as critically review previous attempts and provide future directions for targeting oxidatively generated nucleic acid modifications.

Consumption of plant extract supplement reduces platelet activating factor-induced platelet aggregation and increases platelet activating factor catabolism: a randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent mediator of inflammation that plays a crucial role in atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a dietary supplement containing mainly plant extracts on PAF actions and metabolism in healthy volunteers. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, 8 weeks' duration study was performed. Healthy volunteers were randomly allocated into the supplement or the placebo group and fifty-eight of them completed the study. The supplement contained plant extracts (Aloe gel, grape juice, Polygonum cuspidatum) and vitamins. The activities of PAF metabolic enzymes: the two isoforms of acetyl-CoA:lyso-PAF acetyltransferase, cytidine 5'-diphospho-choline:1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol cholinephosphotransferase (PAF-cholinephosphotransferase) and platelet-activating factor-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) in leucocytes and lipoprotein associated phospholipase-A2 in plasma were measured along with several markers of endothelial function. Platelet aggregation against PAF, ADP and thrombin receptor activating peptide was measured in human platelet-rich plasma by light transmission aggregometry. No difference was observed on soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, sP-selectin and IL-6 levels at the beginning or during the study period between the two groups. Concerning PAF metabolism enzymes' activity, no difference was observed at baseline between the groups. PAF-AH activity was only increased in the supplement group at 4 and 8 weeks compared with baseline levels. In addition, supplement consumption led to lower platelet sensitivity against PAF and ADP compared with baseline levels. However, a trial effect was only observed when platelets were stimulated by PAF. In conclusion, supplementation with plant extracts and vitamins ameliorates platelet aggregation primarily against PAF and secondarily against ADP and affects PAF catabolism by enhancing PAF-acetylhydrolase activity in healthy subjects.