Effect of retinol and α-tocopherol supplementation on photoreceptor and retinal ganglion cell apoptosis in diabetic rats model

Wild and cultivated olive trees: Nutraceutical insights of extra virgin olive oils in cardiovascular and ocular diseases

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) from Olea europaea (cultivated olive tree) and the oil obtained from the wild olive variety or acebuche (ACE oil from Olea oleaster) contain an extraordinary number of bioactive molecules. These include oleic acid, sterols, tocopherols, triterpene compounds, and polyphenols. Both oils are known for their healthy properties and are considered to be a nutraceutical tool against cardiovascular diseases, including arterial hypertension, preeclampsia, and ocular diseases such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy. The benefits of EVOO and ACE oil stem from their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. They also have potential as prebiotic compounds. In this update, we synthesise and illustrate the various characteristics and beneficial effects of olive oils from different varieties of olive trees, with special emphasis on Olea oleaster, also known as Olea europaea, L. var. sylvestris.

Is fat the future for saving sight? Bioactive lipids and their impact on glaucoma

Glaucoma is characterized by a continuous loss of retinal ganglion cells. The cause of glaucoma is associated with an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), but the underlying pathophysiology is diverse and, in most cases, unknown. There is an indisputable unmet need to identify new pathways involved in glaucoma pathogenesis. Increasing evidence suggests that bioactive lipids may be critical in the development and progression of glaucoma. Preclinical and clinical bioactive lipid targets exist and are being developed. In this review, we aim to shed light on the potential of bioactive lipids for the prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of glaucoma by asking the question "is fat the future for saving sight".

Phenolic compound profile, and evaluation of biological properties of Bassia muricata (L.) Asch. aerial part

Current study verifies the biological efficiency of Bassia muricata (Chenopodiaceae vent), a wild plant in the Algerian desert. MeOH extract (70%) of the aerial parts of B. muricata was tested for antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In addition to determining the value of the SPF and its effectiveness as hypoglycemia through a glucose uptake assay by yeast cells. Its phenolic content was also verified by quantitative estimations and RP-HPLC-UV analysis. MeOH extract of B. muricata exhibited antioxidant effects, where it showed good to moderate free radical inhibition activity towards both DPPH• and OH•, and this corresponded with excellent anti-hemolytic activity. As well as being a Fe2+ and molybdate reducing agent, the extract showed moderate photoprotective activity with SPFSpectrophootometric=18.89±0.005. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and enhances glucose uptake. MeOH extract of B. muricata showed remarkable antibacterial activity against B. subtilis, L. innocua, S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa. It did not give efficacy against S. typhimurium. Its phenolic content on the other hand was verified by quantitative estimations and RP-HPLC-UV analysis, which revealed the presence of chlorogenic acid, p-coumarin acid, gallic acid as a major phenolic compounds. These results showed that B. muricata could be useful as source of bioactive compounds for food, the pharmaceutical industry and the manufacture of cosmetics.