The anti-inflammatory effects of flavanol-rich lychee fruit extract in rat hepatocytes

Oligonol enhances brain cognitive function in high-fat diet-fed mice

Oligonol, a low-molecular-weight polyphenol derived from lychee fruit, is well recognized for its antioxidant properties, blood glucose regulation, and fat mass reduction capability. However, its effect on the central nervous system remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of oligonol on brain in a high-fat diet (HFD) fed mouse model, and SH-SY5Y neuronal cells and primary cultured cortical neuron under insulin resistance conditions. HFD mice were orally administered oligonol (20 mg/kg) daily, and SH-SY5Y cells and primary cortical neurons were pretreated with 500 ng/mL oligonol under in vitro insulin resistance conditions. Our findings revealed that oligonol administration reduced blood glucose levels and improved spatial memory function in HFD mice. In vitro data demonstrated that oligonol protected neuronal cells and enhanced neural structure against insulin resistance. We confirmed RNA sequencing in the oligonol-pretreated insulin-resistant SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. Our RNA-sequencing data indicated that oligonol contributes to metabolic signaling and neurite outgrowth. In conclusion, our study provides insights into therapeutic potential of oligonol with respect to preventing neuronal cell damage and improving neural structure and cognitive function in HFD mice.

Litchi Pericarp Extract Treats Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Regulating Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Response, and Energy Metabolism

Litchi pericarp is rich in polyphenols, and demonstrates significant biological activity. This study assessed the therapeutic effects of litchi pericarp extract (LPE) on type 2 diabetes mellitus in db/db mice. The results showed that LPE ameliorated symptoms of glucose metabolism disorder, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and insulin resistance in db/db mice. The mechanistic studies indicated that LPE activates adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and suppresses the protein expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), thereby reducing hepatic gluconeogenesis. Additionally, LPE facilitates the translocation of nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) into the cell nucleus, initiating the transcription of antioxidant factors superoxide dismutase (SOD) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), which alleviate oxidative stress and reduce oxidative damage. Furthermore, LPE blocks nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) nuclear translocation and subsequent inflammatory response initiation, thereby reducing inflammation. These findings indicate that LPE addresses type 2 diabetes mellitus by activating the AMPK energy metabolic pathway and regulating the Nrf2 oxidative stress and NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathways.

Natural products as pharmacological modulators of mitochondrial dysfunctions for the treatment of diabetes and its complications: An update since 2010

Diabetes, characterized as a well-known chronic metabolic syndrome, with its associated complications pose a substantial and escalating health and healthcare challenge on a global scale. Current strategies addressing diabetes are mainly symptomatic and there are fewer available curative pharmaceuticals for diabetic complications. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify novel pharmacological targets and agents. The impaired mitochondria have been associated with the etiology of diabetes and its complications, and the intervention of mitochondrial dysfunction represents an attractive breakthrough point for the treatments of diabetes and its complications. Natural products (NPs), with multicenter characteristics, multi-pharmacological activities and lower toxicity, have been caught attentions as the modulators of mitochondrial functions in the therapeutical filed of diabetes and its complications. This review mainly summarizes the recent progresses on the potential of 39 NPs and 2 plant-extracted mixtures to improve mitochondrial dysfunction against diabetes and its complications. It is expected that this work may be useful to accelerate the development of innovative drugs originated from NPs and improve upcoming therapeutics in diabetes and its complications.

Oligonol ameliorates liver function and brain function in the 5 × FAD mouse model: transcriptional and cellular analysis

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease worldwide and is accompanied by memory deficits, personality changes, anxiety, depression, and social difficulties. For treatment of AD, many researchers have attempted to find medicinal resources with high effectiveness and without side effects. Oligonol is a low molecular weight polypeptide derived from lychee fruit extract. We investigated the effects of oligonol in 5 × FAD transgenic AD mice, which developed severe amyloid pathology, through behavioral tests (Barnes maze, marble burying, and nestle shredding) and molecular experiments. Oligonol treatment attenuated blood glucose levels and increased the antioxidant response in the livers of 5 × FAD mice. Moreover, the behavioral score data showed improvements in anxiety, depressive behavior, and cognitive impairment following a 2-month course of orally administered oligonol. Oligonol treatment not only altered the circulating levels of cytokines and adipokines in 5 × FAD mice, but also significantly enhanced the mRNA and protein levels of antioxidant enzymes and synaptic plasticity in the brain cortex and hippocampus. Therefore, we highlight the therapeutic potential of oligonol to attenuate neuropsychiatric problems and improve memory deficits in the early stage of AD.

Identification of Anti-Inflammatory Compounds from Peucedanum praeruptorum Roots by Using Nitric Oxide-Producing Rat Hepatocytes Stimulated by Interleukin 1β

The roots of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn and Angelica decursiva Franchet et Savatier are designated Zenko, which is a crude drug defined by the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. This crude drug is used as an antitussive and an expectorant and is included in the Kampo formula Jinsoin, which improves cough, fever, and headache. Although the anti-inflammatory effects of this crude drug have been determined, the constituents responsible for this effect remain unknown. To investigate biologically active compounds, rat hepatocytes were used, which produce proinflammatory mediator nitric oxide (NO) in response to proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 1β (IL-1β). A methanol extract of P. praeruptorum roots, which suppressed IL-1β-induced NO production, was fractionated into three crude fractions (ethyl acetate (EtOAc)-soluble, n-butanol-soluble, and water-soluble fractions) based on hydrophobicity. The EtOAc-soluble fraction markedly inhibited NO production. After this fraction was purified, three biologically active compounds were identified as praeruptorins A, B, and E, the contents of which were high. A comparison of their activities indicated that praeruptorin B exhibited the highest potency to inhibit NO production by decreasing inducible NO synthase expression and suppressed the expression of mRNAs encoding proinflammatory cytokines. Collectively, the three praeruptorins may primarily contribute to the anti-inflammatory effects of P. praeruptorum roots.

Cytotoxicity and cell injuries of flavored electronic cigarette aerosol and mainstream cigarette smoke: A comprehensive in vitro evaluation

INTRODUCTION

Although electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have attracted much attention due to their claimed harm-reduction effects compared with conventional cigarettes, the adverse effects of e-cigarette aerosol exposure on human health are still unclear. In this work we compared the cytotoxic effects of combustion cigarettes with four commercially available flavored electronic cigarettes and their main components on ten cell lines. Cell injury mechanism of e-cigarette aerosol and combustible cigarette smoke was also explored using cellular models.

METHODS

Eleven kinds of e-cigarettes aerosol condensates (ECSCs) and cigarette smoke constituent's condensates (CSC) were collected by Cambridge filter pad, and the nicotine contents were determined by UPLC to provide an equivalent nicotine dosage. The CCK-8 assay was used to measure the cell viability differences between ECSC and CSC. Based on RNA-seq results, we compared the effects of ECSC and CSC on various cell injury pathways. Oxidative stress and inflammatory responses were further tested by Western Blot, immunofluorescence, and qRT-PCR assays.

RESULTS

CSC was found to be more cytotoxic than flavored ECSC and their main components, and BEAS-2B cell line was the most sensitive cells by comparing the IC50 value. With prolonged exposure duration and higher doses, ECSC began to exhibit cytotoxicity at and above 72 µg/mL. The IC50 values of ECSC were 15-fold higher than that of CSC. Transcriptome analyses indicated that cell injury-related processes were enriched after the treatment of CSC. CSC could significantly induce more oxidative stress and inflammatory signals than ECSC.

CONCLUSION

ECSCs and their components induced significantly less cytotoxicity than CSC under the laboratory exposure conditions, and CSC caused much severe cell injuries. Our study adds to the body of scientific evidence for a more comprehensive safety evaluation of e-cigarette products as compared to cigarettes.

Ixodicidal effect of extracts from Cordia boissieri, Artemisia ludoviciana and Litchi chinensis on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

The ixodicidal activity of the methanolic extracts of Artemisia ludoviciana (Astereceae), Cordia boissieri (Boraginaceae) and Litchi chinensis (Sapindaceae) against two field populations of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus from the state of Nuevo Leon (NL) and Veracruz (VER) was evaluated. The extract of L. chinensis in the concentration of 150 mg/ml showed efficacies of 100% and 99% against engorged females and mortalities of 98% and 99% against larvae. C. boissieri in the same concentration showed efficacies of 71% and 37% against engorged adults and mortalities of 33.04% and 10.33% against larvae and A. ludoviciana had efficacies of 94% and 83% in adults and mortalities of 89.39% and 89.21% against larvae in both populations respectively. The enzymatic activity of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Carboxylesterase (CaE), Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) was measured in both populations of ticks. As a result, a significant difference between both populations was shown, being the VER population the one that exhibited a higher enzymatic activity (p ≤ 0.05). It can be concluded that the methanolic extract of the seed of L. chinensis shows potential ixodicidal activity and can be used as an alternative source of tick control, however, prior characterization, toxicity and formulation studies are necessary.

A review on the gastrointestinal protective effects of tropical fruit polyphenols

Tropical fruits are popular because of their unique, delicious flavors and good nutritional value. Polyphenols are considered to be the main bioactive ingredients in tropical fruits, and these exert a series of beneficial effects on the human gastrointestinal tract that can enhance intestinal health and prevent intestinal diseases. Moreover, they are distinct from the polyphenols in fruits grown in other geographical zones. Thus, the comprehensive effects of polyphenols in tropical fruits on gut health warrant in-depth review. This article reviews, first, the biological characteristics of several representative tropical fruits, including mango, avocado, noni, cashew apple, passion fruit and lychee; second, the types and content of the main polyphenols in these tropical fruits; third, the effects of each of these fruit polyphenols on gastrointestinal health; and, fourth, the protective mechanism of polyphenols. Polyphenols and their metabolites play a crucial role in the regulation of the gut microbiota, increasing intestinal barrier function, reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors and regulating immune function. Thus, review highlights the value of tropical fruits, highlighting their significance for future research on their applications as functional foods that are oriented to gastrointestinal protection.

Lesser-Consumed Tropical Fruits and Their by-Products: Phytochemical Content and Their Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential

Açaí, lychee, mamey, passion fruit and jackfruit are some lesser-consumed tropical fruits due to their low commercial production. In 2018, approximately 6.8 million tons of these fruits were harvested, representing about 6.35% of the total world production of tropical fruits. The present work reviews the nutritional content, profile of bioactive compounds, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of these fruits and their by-products, and their ability to modulate oxidative stress due to the content of phenolic compounds, carotenoids and dietary fiber. Açaí pulp is an excellent source of anthocyanins (587 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents/100 g dry weight, dw), mamey pulp is rich in carotenoids (36.12 mg β-carotene/100 g fresh weight, fw), passion fruit peel is rich in dietary fiber (61.16 g/100 dw). At the same time, jackfruit contains unique compounds such as moracin C, artocarpesin, norartocarpetin and oxyresveratrol. These molecules play an important role in the regulation of inflammation via activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (including p38, ERK and JNK) and nuclear factor κB pathways. The properties of the bioactive compounds found in these fruits make them a good source for use as food ingredients for nutritional purposes or alternative therapies. Research is needed to confirm their health benefits that can increase their marketability, which can benefit the primary producers, processing industries (particularly smaller ones) and the final consumer, while an integral use of their by-products will allow their incorporation into the circular bioeconomy.

Active Compounds in Fruits and Inflammation in the Body

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, diabetes, asthma, and cancer. An appropriate diet and the active compounds contained in it can affect various stages of the inflammatory process and significantly affect the course of inflammatory diseases. Recent reports indicate that polyphenolic acids, vitamins, minerals, and other components of fruits may exhibit activity stimulating an anti-inflammatory response, which may be of importance in maintaining health and reducing the risk of disease. The article presents the latest data on the chemical composition of fruits and the health benefits arising from their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The chemical composition of fruits determines their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but the mechanisms of action are not fully understood.

A new benzaldehyde from the coral-derived fungus Aspergillus terreus C23-3 and its anti-inflammatory effects via suppression of MAPK signaling pathway in RAW264.7 cells

Marine fungi are important members of the marine microbiome, which have been paid growing attention by scientists in recent years. The secondary metabolites of marine fungi have been reported to contain rich and diverse compounds with novel structures (Chen et al., 2019). Aspergillus terreus, the higher level marine fungus of the Aspergillus genus (family of Trichocomaceae, order of Eurotiales, class of Eurotiomycetes, phylum of Ascomycota), is widely distributed in both sea and land. In our previous study, the coral-derived A. terreus strain C23-3 exhibited potential in producing other biologically active (with antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, and anti-inflammatory activity) compounds like arylbutyrolactones, territrems, and isoflavones, and high sensitivity to the chemical regulation of secondary metabolism (Yang et al., 2019, 2020; Nie et al., 2020; Ma et al., 2021). Moreover, we have isolated two different benzaldehydes, including a benzaldehyde with a novel structure, from A. terreus C23-3 which was derived from Pectinia paeonia of Xuwen, Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, China.

Omnifarious fruit polyphenols: an omnipotent strategy to prevent and intervene diabetes and related complication?

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic syndrome which cannot be cured. Recently, considerable interest has been focused on food ingredients to prevent and intervene in complications of diabetes. Polyphenolic compounds are one of the bioactive phytochemical constituents with various biological activities, which have drawn increasing interest in human health. Fruits are part of the polyphenol sources in daily food consumption. Fruit-derived polyphenols possess the anti-diabetic activity that has already been proved either from in vitro studies or in vivo studies. The mechanisms of fruit polyphenols in treating diabetes and related complications are under discussion. This is a comprehensive review on polyphenols from the edible parts of fruits, including those from citrus, berries, apples, cherries, mangoes, mangosteens, pomegranates, and other fruits regarding their potential benefits in preventing and treating diabetes mellitus. The signal pathways of characteristic polyphenols derived from fruits in reducing high blood glucose and intervening hyperglycemia-induced diabetic complications were summarized.

Isosinensetin alleviates the injury of human bronchial epithelial cells induced by PM2.5

Flavonoids which are extracted from citrus peel and pulp have been reported to have multiple beneficial effects on human health. Isosinensetin (ISO) is a type of flavonoid compound, which has several protective effects including anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and bacteriostatic. However, the molecular mechanism of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the intervention effect and possible mechanism of ISO on human bronchial epithelial cells injured by fine particular matter ≤2.5 µm in diameter (PM_2.5). In the present study, the cell viability was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 method. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were analyzed by ELISA. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by fluorescence probe. The expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor кΒ (NF-кB) proteins were detected by western blotting. The results revealed that ISO evidently increased the viability of 16-HBE cells and sharply decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory factors in cell culture supernatant. ISO significantly inhibited ROS release caused by PM_2.5. Moreover, the expression levels of PCNA, Nrf2 and NF-кB proteins were downregulated after ISO incubation. These results indicated that ISO alleviated 16-HBE-cell injury by PM_2.5 through the ROS-Nrf2/NF-кB signaling pathway.

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.): a comprehensive review of phytochemistry, medicinal properties, and product development

Since ancient times, litchi has been well recognized as a functional food for the management of various ailments. Many bioactives, including flavanoids, anthocyanins, phenolics, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, and lignans, have been identified from litchi with a myriad of biological properties both in vitro and in vivo. In spite of the extensive research progress, systemic reviews regarding the bioactives of litchi are rather scarce. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehensively analyze the pharmacological activities and the structure-activity relationships of the abundant bioactives of litchi. Besides, more and more studies have focused on litchi preservation and development of its by-products, which is significant for enhancing the economic value of litchi. Based on the analysis of published articles and patents, this review aims to reveal the development trends of litchi in the healthcare field by providing a systematic summary of the pharmacological activities of its extracts, its phytochemical composition, and the nutritional and potential health benefits of litchi seed, pulp and pericarp with structure-activity relationship analysis. In addition, its by-products also exhibited promising development potential in the field of material science and environmental protection. Furthermore, this study also provides an overview of the strategies of the postharvest storage and processing of litchi.

Does Flavonoid Consumption Improve Exercise Performance? Is It Related to Changes in the Immune System and Inflammatory Biomarkers? A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies since 2005

Flavonoids are attracting increasing attention due to their antioxidant, cardioprotective, and immunomodulatory properties. Nevertheless, little is known about their role in exercise performance in association with immune function. This systematic review firstly aimed to shed light on the ergogenic potential of flavonoids. A search strategy was run using SCOPUS database. The returned studies were screened by prespecified eligibility criteria, including intervention lasting at least one week and performance objectively quantified, among others. Fifty-one studies (54 articles) met the inclusion criteria, involving 1288 human subjects, either physically untrained or trained. Secondly, we aimed to associate these studies with the immune system status. Seventeen of the selected studies (18 articles) assessed changes in the immune system. The overall percentage of studies reporting an improved exercise performance following flavonoid supplementation was 37%, the proportion being 25% when considering quercetin, 28% for flavanol-enriched extracts, and 54% for anthocyanins-enriched extracts. From the studies reporting an enhanced performance, only two, using anthocyanin supplements, focused on the immune system and found certain anti-inflammatory effects of these flavonoids. These results suggest that flavonoids, especially anthocyanins, may exert beneficial effects for athletes’ performances, although further studies are encouraged to establish the optimal dosage and to clarify their impact on immune status.

In vitro simulated digestion and colonic fermentation of lychee pulp phenolics and their impact on metabolic pathways based on fecal metabolomics of mice

Biochemical change and bioactivities of lychee pulp phenolics following simulated human digestion and in vivo metabolism in mice.

Mapping Pharmacological Network of Multi-Targeting Litchi Ingredients in Cancer Therapeutics

Considerable pharmacological studies have demonstrated that the extracts and ingredients from different parts (seeds, peels, pulps, and flowers) of Litchi exhibited anticancer effects by affecting the proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, metastasis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy sensitivity, stemness, metabolism, angiogenesis, and immunity via multiple targeting. However, there is no systematical analysis on the interaction network of “multiple ingredients-multiple targets-multiple pathways” anticancer effects of Litchi. In this study, we summarized the confirmed anticancer ingredients and molecular targets of Litchi based on published articles and applied network pharmacology approach to explore the complex mechanisms underlying these effects from a perspective of system biology. The top ingredients, top targets, and top pathways of each anticancer function were identified using network pharmacology approach. Further intersecting analyses showed that Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), Gallic acid, Kaempferol, Luteolin, and Betulinic acid were the top ingredients which might be the key ingredients exerting anticancer function of Litchi, while BAX, BCL2, CASP3, and AKT1 were the top targets which might be the main targets underling the anticancer mechanisms of these top ingredients. These results provided references for further understanding and exploration of Litchi as therapeutics in cancer as well as the application of “Component Formula” based on Litchi’s effective ingredients.

Flavanol-rich lychee fruit extract substantially reduces progressive cognitive and molecular deficits in a triple-transgenic animal model of Alzheimer disease

Effective treatment to prevent or arrest the advance of Alzheimer disease (AD) has yet to be discovered. We investigated whether Oligonol^R, an FDA-approved flavanol-rich extract prepared from lychee fruit and green tea, exerted beneficial effects relevant to AD in a triple transgenic male mouse model of AD (3×Tg-AD). At 9 months of age, untreated 3×Tg-AD mice vs. wild-type (WT) controls displayed cognitive deficits in behavioral assays and, at 12 months, elevated levels of hippocampal amyloid beta-protein (Aβ), amyloid precursor protein (APP), tau phosphorylation, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. 3×Tg-AD mice given Oligonol showed fewer cognitive deficits and attenuated pathological indices at 12 months. Oligonol treatment of 3×Tg-AD mice modulated expression of some critical brain proteins that involve multiple pathways relevant to mitochondrial dysfunction, proteasomal failure, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and synaptic impairment. Together, these results demonstrate that continuous Oligonol treatment attenuates AD-like pathology and cognitive impairment of 3×Tg-AD mice and set the stage for clinical trials of this flavanol-rich plant extract in patients with early AD.

Crown Procyanidin Tetramer: A Procyanidin with an Unusual Cyclic Skeleton with a Potent Protective Effect against Amyloid-β-Induced Toxicity

The structure of a new procyanidin tetramer, which we call a crown procyanidin tetramer, with an unprecedented macrocyclic structure has been characterized for the first time. Its comprehensive spectroscopic analysis revealed that it is a symmetric procyanidin tetramer composed of four (-)-epicatechin sub-units linked alternatively via 4β→8 or 4β→6 B-type interflavanyl linkages to form the macrocyclic structure. This NMR-characterized carbon skeleton has never been reported before for procyanidins in grape or in wine, neither in the plant kingdom. Surprisingly, the crown procyanidin tetramer appeared to be specifically localized in grape skin, contrasting with the oligomeric and polymeric procyanidins present in seed, skin, and bunch stem. Moreover, this crown procyanidin tetramer showed promising protective effects against amyloid-β induced toxicity.

Preventive effect of oligonol on nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production through regulation of nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells against sodium nitroprusside

Oligonol attenuated SNP-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responsesviaregulation of the NF-κB signalling pathway in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

Sakuranetin downregulates inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by affecting interleukin-1 receptor and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β

Pruni Cortex is a herbal drug from the bark of the Japanese flowering cherries, Prunus jamasakura or Prunus verecunda, and is included in the traditional Japanese herbal (Kampo) formula Jumihaidokuto, which is administered orally to patients suffering from inflammatory skin diseases. The flavanones contained in Pruni Cortex (e.g., sakuranetin and naringenin) have potent anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-microbial activities. Although the effects of Pruni Cortex on skin disease have been well studied, reports regarding its pharmacological effects on the liver are limited. In this study, we extracted the bark of Prunus jamasakura and purified it to isolate the pharmacologically active constituents by monitoring nitric oxide (NO) production in rat hepatocytes that were treated with the pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-1β. Sakuranetin and (-)-naringenin, which were present in an ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the bark extract, significantly inhibited NO induction and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. These two flavanones decreased the expression of type 1 IL-1 receptor gene and phosphorylation of Akt, also known as protein kinase B, which is regulated by phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K). Furthermore, sakuranetin decreased the phosphorylation of the activator isoforms of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ), which synergistically activates the transcription of the iNOS gene with nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Therefore, sakuranetin inhibited the co-activating activity of C/EBPβ with NF-κB, leading to the suppression of iNOS gene expression in hepatocytes. Taken together, sakuranetin in Pruni Cortex downregulated the iNOS gene by inhibiting PI3K/Akt signal transduction and the phosphorylation of C/EBPβ. These results imply that sakuranetin may be primarily responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of Pruni Cortex in the liver.

Sicilian Litchi Fruit Extracts Induce Autophagy versus Apoptosis Switch in Human Colon Cancer Cells

Litchi chinensis Sonnerat is a tropical tree whose fruits contain significant amounts of bioactive polyphenols. Litchi cultivation has recently spread in Sicily where the climate conditions are particularly favorable for this crop. Recent findings have shown that Litchi extracts display anti-tumor and pro-apoptotic effects in vitro, but the precise underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we report for the first time the effects of Sicilian litchi fruit extracts on colon cancer cells. The results indicated that litchi exocarp, mesocarp and endocarp fractions reduce the viability and clonogenic growth of HT29 cells. These effects were due to cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase followed by caspase-dependent cell death. Interestingly, litchi exocarp and endocarp triggered a precocious autophagic response (16–24 h), which was accompanied by an increase in the level of autophagy related 1/autophagy activating kinase 1 (ATG1/ULK1), beclin-1, microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-II and p62 proteins. Autophagy inhibition by bafilomycin A1 or beclin-1 silencing increased cell death, thus suggesting that autophagy was initially triggered as a pro-survival response. Significant effects of Litchi extracts were also observed in other colon cancer cells, including HCT116 and Caco-2 cells. On the other hand, differentiated Caco-2 cells, a model of human enterocytes, appeared to be insensitive to the extracts at the same treatment conditions. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Electrospray Ionization-Quadrupole-Time-Of-Flight HPLC/ESI/Q-TOF evidenced the presence of some polyphenolic compounds, specifically in exocarp and endocarp extracts, that can account for the observed biological effects. The results obtained suggest a potential therapeutic efficacy of polyphenolic compounds purified from Sicilian Litchi fractions for the treatment of colon cancer. Moreover, our findings indicate that modulation of autophagy can represent a tool to improve the effectiveness of these agents and potentiate the anti-tumor response of colon cancer cells.

Ulinastatin attenuates LPS-induced inflammation in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells by inhibiting the JNK/NF-κB signaling pathway and activating the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway

Ulinastatin (UTI) is a broad-spectrum serine protease inhibitor isolated and purified from human urine with strong anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective actions, which is widely used for the treatment of various diseases, such as pancreatitis and sepsis. Although the therapeutic effects of UTI are reported to be associated with a variety of mechanisms, the signaling pathways mediating the anti-inflammatory action of UTI remain to be elucidated. In the present study we carried out a systematic study on the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative mechanisms of UTI and their relationships in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Pretreatment with UTI (1000 and 5000 U/mL) dose-dependently decreased the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS) and upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β1) in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. UTI pretreatment significantly inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB by preventing the degradation of IκB-α. UTI pretreatment only markedly inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK at Thr183, but it did not affect the phosphorylation of JNK at Tyr185, ERK-1/2 and p38 MAPK; JNK was found to function upstream of the IκB-α/NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, UTI pretreatment significantly suppressed LPS-induced ROS production by activating PI3K/Akt pathways and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 via promotion of p62-associated Keap1 degradation. However, JNK was not involved in mediating the anti-oxidative stress effects of UTI. In summary, this study shows that UTI exerts both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects by targeting the JNK/NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathways.

Beneficial effects of naringenin in liver diseases: Molecular mechanisms

Liver diseases are caused by different etiological agents, mainly alcohol consumption, viruses, drug intoxication or malnutrition. Frequently, liver diseases are initiated by oxidative stress and inflammation that lead to the excessive production of extracellular matrix (ECM), followed by a progression to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It has been reported that some natural products display hepatoprotective properties. Naringenin is a flavonoid with antioxidant, antifibrogenic, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties that is capable of preventing liver damage caused by different agents. The main protective effects of naringenin in liver diseases are the inhibition of oxidative stress, transforming growth factor (TGF-β) pathway and the prevention of the transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), leading to decreased collagen synthesis. Other effects include the inhibition of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), toll-like receptor (TLR) and TGF-β non-canonical pathways, the inhibition of which further results in a strong reduction in ECM synthesis and deposition. In addition, naringenin has shown beneficial effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through the regulation of lipid metabolism, modulating the synthesis and oxidation of lipids and cholesterol. Moreover, naringenin protects from HCC, since it inhibits growth factors such as TGF-β and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), inducing apoptosis and regulating MAPK pathways. Naringenin is safe and acts by targeting multiple proteins. However, it possesses low bioavailability and high intestinal metabolism. In this regard, formulations, such as nanoparticles or liposomes, have been developed to improve naringenin bioavailability. We conclude that naringenin should be considered in the future as an important candidate in the treatment of different liver diseases.

Oligonol, a Low-Molecular Weight Polyphenol Derived from Lychee, Alleviates Muscle Loss in Diabetes by Suppressing Atrogin-1 and MuRF1

Stimulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway-especially E3 ubiquitin ligases Atrogin-1 and MuRF1-is associated with muscle loss in diabetes. Elevated lipid metabolites impair myogenesis. Oligonol, a low molecular weight polyphenol derived from lychee, exhibited anti-diabetic and anti-obesity properties, suggesting it could be a proper supplement for attenuating muscle loss. Dietary (10 weeks) oligonol supplementation (20 or 200 mg/kg diet) on the skeletal muscle loss was investigated in diabetic db/db mice. Transcription factors NF-κB and FoxO3a involved in regulation of Atrogin-1 and MuRF1 were also investigated. Attenuation of muscle loss by oligonol (both doses) was associated with down-regulation of Atrogin-1 and MuRF1 gene expression. Oligonol supplementation decreased NF-κB expression in the nuclear fraction compared with db/db mice without oligonol supplement. Upregulation of sirtuin1 (SIRT1) expression prevented FoxO3a nuclear localization in db/db mice supplemented with oligonol. Marked increases in AMPKα activity and Ppara mRNA expression leading to lower lipid accumulation by oligonol provided additional benefits for attenuating muscle loss. Oligonol limited palmitate-induced senescent phenotype and cell cycle arrest and suppressed Atrogin-1 and MuRF1 mRNA expression in palmitate-treated C2C12 muscle cells, thus contributing to improving the impaired myotube formation. In conclusion, oligonol-mediated downregulation of Atrogin-1 and MuRF1 gene expression alleviates muscle loss and improves the impaired myotube formation, indicating that oligonol supplementation may be useful for the attenuation of myotube loss.

Combination of citrus polymethoxyflavones, green tea polyphenols, and Lychee extracts suppresses obesity and hepatic steatosis in high-fat diet induced obese mice

SCOPE

SlimTrym^® is a formulated product composed of citrus polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), green tea extract, and lychee extract. We investigated the effect of dietary SlimTrym^® on diet-induced obesity and associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet (ND), high fat diet (HFD) or HFD containing 0.1% or 0.5% SlimTrym^® for 16 weeks. Dietary SlimTrym^® significantly reduced weight gain and relative perigonadal, retroperitoneal, mesenteric fat weight as well as the size of adipocyte in HFD-fed mice. SlimTrym^® supplementation also effectively diminished hepatic steatosis and the serum levels of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), triacylglycerol (TG), and total cholesterol (TCHO). Down-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ, sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1, and the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling by SlimTrym^® in both adipose tissue and liver may be responsible for the observed anti-obesity effects.

CONCLUSION

SlimTrym^® supplementation potentially diminished diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis via regulating AMPK signaling and molecules involved in lipid metabolism.

Methyl-inositol, γ-aminobutyric acid and other health benefit compounds in the aril of litchi

The available components in the flesh of litchi seem insufficient to interpret its wide and significant physiological effects. Some unusual compounds, including myo-inositol, inositol methyl derivatives and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were identified as main constituents in the flesh of litchi. Their concentrations varied among cultivars but remain relatively constant during development. Litchi flesh was shown to contain moderate myo-inositol (0.28-0.78 mg g(-1) FW), ascorbic acid (0.08-0.39 mg g(-1) FW) and phenolics (0.47-1.60 mg g(-1) FW), but abundant l-quebrachitol (1.6-6.4 mg g(-1) FW) and GABA (1.7-3.5 mg g(-1) FW). The concentration of GABA in the flesh of litchi was about 100 times higher than in other fruits. And l-quebrachitol is not a common component in fruits. The biological and physiological activities of inositols, inositol derivatives and GABA have been extensively documented. These compounds are probably important compositional characteristic contributing to the widely shown health benefits of litchi.

Oligonol, a lychee fruit-derived low-molecular form of polyphenol mixture, suppresses inflammatory cytokine production from human monocytes

Monocytes produce high levels of inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and TNF-α that are involved in autoimmunity, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular disease and obesity. Therapies targeting IL-6 and TNF-α have been utilized in treating chronic inflammatory diseases. Oligonol is a lychee fruit-derived low-molecular form of polyphenol mixture, typically catechin-type monomers and oligomers of proanthocyanidins, which are produced by an oligomerization process. Although previous studies reported anti-inflammatory properties of Oligonol, it is unknown whether and how Oligonol suppresses IL-6 and TNF-α production in human monocytes. The results of our study demonstrate that Oligonol (25μg/ml) decreases the production of IL-6 and TNF-α from human primary monocytes as measured by flow cytometry and ELISA. Such an anti-cytokine effect was likely mediated by the suppression of NF-κB activation without inducing cell death. Our findings raise the possibility of exploring the benefits of Oligonol in controlling inflammatory conditions, especially those associated with monocytes, in humans.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Properties of Flavonoids from the Fruits of Black Mulberry (Morus nigra L.)

We analyzed the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of total flavonoids (TF) found in black mulberry fruits. The TF content was 20.9 mg/g (dry weight). Two anthocyanins, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (8.3 mg/g) and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside (2.9 mg/g), were identified in the fruits by UPLC. The TF of black mulberry fruits had significant reducing power and radical (OH^-, O2.−, DPPH and ABTS) scavenging activities that was demonstrated in a dose-response curve. The TF had inhibitory activities on xylene-induced ear edema and carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice. In addition, TF had antinociceptive activities in the two nociceptive phases of formalin test. We used ELISA to detect the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and NO in the serum of mice. These cytokines were significantly inhibited or scavenged by TF (50 and 100 mg/kg). The results demonstrated that TF of black mulberry possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects that might correlate to its antioxidant activities and inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Biological and Phytopharmacological Descriptions of Litchi Chinensis

Plants remain a vital source of drugs and at present, much emphasis is given to nutraceuticals. Herbal medicines have been the basis of treatment and cure for various diseases and physiological conditions in the traditional methods practiced such as ayurveda and homeopathy. Litchi chinensis belongs to the Sapindaceae family and is well-known in the Indian traditional system for its traditional uses. The parts of the plant used are leaves, flowers, fruits, seed, pulp, and pericarp. All parts of the plant are rich sources of phytochemicals--epicatechin; procyanidin A2 and procyanidin B2; leucocyanidin; cyanidin glycoside, malvidin glycoside, and saponins; butylated hydroxytoluene; isolariciresinol; kaempferol; rutin; and stigmasterol. In the present review, we explore the lychee's description, traditional medicinal uses, and phytoconstituents, and investigate the pharmacological activities in various parts of the lychee to show its importance in ethanopharmacology. This is so that this review can serve as a ready-to-use material for further research on the plant.

Low-molecular-weight polyphenols protect kidney damage through suppressing NF-κB and modulating mitochondrial biogenesis in diabetic db/db mice

We examined the protective effects of oligonol, a low-molecular-weight polyphenol derived from lychee fruit and green tea, on kidney damage in diabeticdb/dbmice.

Litchi chinensis: medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Litchi chinensis Sonn. (Sapindaceae) has been widely used in many cultures for the treatment of cough, flatulence, stomach ulcers, diabetes, obesity, testicular swelling, hernia-like conditions, and epigastric and neuralgic pains. The ethnopharmacologial history of L. chinensis indicated that it possesses hypoglycemic, anticancer, antibacterial, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-platelet, anti-tussive, analgesic, antipyretic, hemostatic, diuretic, and antiviral activities.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The aim of this review is to provide up-to-date information on the botanical characterization, distribution, traditional uses, and chemical constituents, as well as the pharmacological activities and toxicity of L. chinensis. Moreover, the focus of this review is the possible exploitation of this plant to treat different diseases and to suggest future investigations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To provide an overview of the ethnopharmacology, chemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of litchi, and to reveal their therapeutic potentials and being an evidence base for further research works, information on litchi was gathered from scientific journals, books, and worldwide accepted scientific databases via a library and electronic search (PubMed, Elsevier, Google Scholar, Springer, Scopus, Web of Science, Wiley online library, and pubs.acs.org/journal/jacsat). All abstracts and full-text articles were examined. The most relevant articles were selected for screening and inclusion in this review.

RESULTS

A comprehensive analysis of the literature obtained through the above-mentioned sources confirmed that ethno-medical uses of L. chinensis have been recorded in China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Philippines. Phytochemical investigation revealed that the major chemical constituents of litchi are flavonoids, sterols, triterpenens, phenolics, and other bioactive compounds. Crude extracts and pure compounds isolated from L. chinensis exhibited significant antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, hepato-protective, and immunomodulatory activities. From the toxicological perspective, litchi fruit juice and extracts have been proven to be safe at a dose 1 g/kg.

CONCLUSIONS

Phytochemical investigations indicated that phenolics were the major bioactive components of L. chinensis with potential pharmacological activities. The ethnopharmacological relevance of L. chinensis is fully justified by the most recent findings indicating it is a useful medicinal and nutritional agent for treating a wide range of human disorders and aliments. Further investigations are needed to fully understand the mode of action of the active constituents and to fully exploit its preventive and therapeutic potentials.

[Anti-Candida activity of aroma candy and its protective activity against murine oral candidiasis]

A daily eatable candy that has possible protective activity against oral candidiasis was experimentally produced. The candy was made from reduced-maltose as main constituent and from several natural products, such as oligonol (depolymerized polyphenols derived from lychee), cinnamon (cassia), citral, and capric acid, which are known to have anti-Candida activity in vitro and in vivo. The candy effectively inhibited the mycelial growth of C. albicans, even when it was diluted 1,000 times with culture media. We assessed the protective activity of the candy against murine candidiasis. When 50μl of candy dissolved and diluted 4 times with water was administered 3 times into the oral cavity of Candida infected mice, the score of lesions on the Candida-infected tongues improved on day 2. These findings suggest that this candy has potential as food that provides protective activity against oral candidiasis.

A new flavanone and other flavonoids from green perilla leaf extract inhibit nitric oxide production in interleukin 1β-treated hepatocytes

A new flavanone, shisoflavanone A (1), and several flavonoids were purified from the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of green perilla leaves (Perilla frutescens Britton var. crispa form viridis), and their structures were identified. Shisoflavanone A was elucidated as 8-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavanone based on its spectral data. Other constituents of the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction, i.e. 5,8-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (2), negletein (5,6-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone) (3), luteolin (4), apigenin (5), esculetin (6), and protocatechuic acid (7), were identified. This is the first time that constituents 2, 3, and 6 have been found in green perilla. Shisoflavanone A and the other constituents (except 7) significantly inhibited nitric oxide production in interleukin 1β-stimulated rat hepatocytes, which have been used to monitor the anti-inflammatory effects of herbal constituents. The present findings suggest that these constituents, including shisoflavanone A, may be involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of green perilla leaves.

Oligonol improves memory and cognition under an amyloid β(25-35)-induced Alzheimer's mouse model

Alzheimer's disease is an age-dependent progressive neurodegenerative disorder that results in impairments of memory and cognitive function. It is hypothesized that oligonol has ameliorative effects on memory impairment and reduced cognitive functions in mice with Alzheimer's disease induced by amyloid β(25-35) (Aβ(25-35)) injection. The protective effect of an oligonol against Aβ(25-35)-induced memory impairment was investigated in an in vivo Alzheimer's mouse model. The aggregation of Aβ25-35 was induced by incubation at 37°C for 3 days before injection into mice brains (5 nmol/mouse), and then oligonol was orally administered at 100 and 200 mg/kg of body weight for 2 weeks. Memory and cognition were observed in T-maze, object recognition, and Morris water maze tests. The group injected with Aβ(25-35) showed impairments in both recognition and memory. However, novel object recognition and new route awareness abilities were dose dependently improved by the oral administration of oligonol. In addition, the results of the Morris water maze test indicated that oligonol exerted protective activity against cognitive impairment induced by Aβ(25-35). Furthermore, nitric oxide formation and lipid peroxidation were significantly elevated by Aβ(25-35), whereas oligonol treatment significantly decreased nitric oxide formation and lipid peroxidation in the brain, liver, and kidneys. The present results suggest that oligonol improves Aβ(25-35)-induced memory deficit and cognition impairment.