Anti-inflammaging and antiglycation activity of a novel botanical ingredient from African biodiversity (Centevita™)

Phytochemicals as Potential Inhibitors of Advanced Glycation End Products: Health Aspects and Patent Survey

BACKGROUND

The glycation of proteins and lipids synthesizes the advanced glycation end products (AGEs), i.e., substances that irreversibly damage macromolecules present in tissues and organs, which contribute to the impairment of biological functions. For instance, the accumulation of AGEs induces oxidative stress, the inflammatory responses, and consequently the on set/worsening of diseases, including obesity, asthma, cognitive impairment, and cancer. There is a current demand on natural and low-cost sources of anti-AGE agents. As a result, food phytochemicals presented promising results to inhibit glycation and consequently, the formation of AGEs.

OBJECTIVE

Here we describe how the AGEs are present in food via Maillard reaction and in organs via natural aging, as well as the effects of AGEs on the worsening of diseases. Also we described the methods used to detect AGEs in samples, and the current findings on the use of phytochemicals (phenolic compounds, phytosterols, carotenoids, terpenes and vitamins) as natural therapeuticals to inhibit health damages via inhibition of AGEs in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

This manuscript reviewed publications available in the PubMed and Science Direct databases dated from the last 20 years on the uses of phytochemicals for the inhibition of AGEs. Recent patents on the use of anti-AGEs drugs were reviewed with the use of Google Advanced Patents database.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

There is no consensus about which concentration of AGEs in blood serum should not be hazardous to the health of individuals. Food phytochemicals derived from agroindustry wastes, including peanut skins, and the bagasses derived from citrus and grapes are promising anti-AGEs agents via scavenging of free radicals, metal ions, the suppression of metabolic pathways that induces inflammation, the activation of pathways that promote antioxidant defense, and the blocking of AGE connection with the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE).

CONCLUSION

Phytochemicals derived from agroindustry are promising anti-AGEs, which can be included to replace synthetic drugs to inhibit AGE formation, and consequently to act as therapeutical strategy to prevent and treat diseases caused by AGEs, including diabetes, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease.

Potential Nutrients from Natural and Synthetic Sources Targeting Inflammaging-A Review of Literature, Clinical Data and Patents

Inflammaging, the steady development of the inflammatory state over age is an attributable characteristic of aging that potentiates the initiation of pathogenesis in many age-related disorders (ARDs) including neurodegenerative diseases, arthritis, cancer, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis. Inflammaging is characterized by subclinical chronic, low grade, steady inflammatory states and is considered a crucial underlying cause behind the high mortality and morbidity rate associated with ARDs. Although a coherent set of studies detailed the underlying pathomechanisms of inflammaging, the potential benefits from non-toxic nutrients from natural and synthetic sources in modulating or delaying inflammaging processes was not discussed. In this review, the available literature and recent updates of natural and synthetic nutrients that help in controlling inflammaging process was explored. Also, we discussed the clinical trial reports and patent claims on potential nutrients demonstrating therapeutic benefits in controlling inflammaging and inflammation-associated ARDs.

Oral and Topical Centella asiatica in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Dry Skin: A Three-Arm Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial

Introduction

Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) is related to skin disorders, particularly dry skin. Pathogenesis of dry skin in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rises from the chronic hyperglycemia causing an increase in advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), proinflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress. Combination of oral and topical Centella asiatica (CA) is expected to treat dry skin in T2DM patients more effectively through decreasing N(6)-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) and interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity.

Methods

A three-arm prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the oral and topical CA extract in 159 T2DM patients with dry skin. The subjects were divided into the CA oral (CAo) 2 × 1.100 mg + CA topical (CAt) 1% ointment group, oral placebo (Plo) + CAt group, and Plo and topical placebo (Plt) group. Dry skin assessment was performed on day 1, 15, and 29, while evaluation of CML, IL-1α, and SOD activity was on day 1 and 29.

Result

Effectivity of CAo + CAt combination was assessed based on HbA1c and random blood glucose (RBG). In well-controlled blood glucose, on day 29, the percentage of SRRC decrement was greater in the CAo + CAt group compared to the control group (p = 0.04). SCap value in the CAo + CAt group was greater than that in the control group (p = 0.01). In the partially controlled blood glucose, increment of SOD activity in the CAo + CAt group was greater than that in the control group (p = 0.01). There were medium-to-strong correlation between CML with SOD (r = 0.58, p < 0.05) and IL-1α with SOD (r = 0.70, p < 0.05) in well-controlled blood glucose. Systemic and topical adverse events were not significantly different between groups.

Conclusion

CAo and CAt combination can be used to significantly improve dry skin condition through increasing SOD activity in T2DM patients with controlled blood glucose.

Inhibitory effects and actions of pentacyclic triterpenes upon glycation

Pentacyclic triterpenic compounds including asiatic, betulinic, maslinic, oleanolic and ursolic acid occur naturally in many herbs and plant foods. It is well known that these triterpenoids possess anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Furthermore, recent in vitro and in vivo researches indicated that these compounds could inhibit the production of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). The impact of these triterpenes upon the activity and protein expression of enzymes involved in polyol pathway including aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase has been examined, and positive results are reported. These studies suggest that certain triterpenes are potent anti-glycative agents, and may benefit the prevention and/or therapy of glycation-related diseases such as diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease. In this review article, the anti-glycative activity and action mode of certain triterpenes are highlighted. These information may promote the anti-glycative application of these natural compounds.