One New Phenolic Compound from Castanea mollissima Shells and its Suppression of HepatomaCell Proliferation and Inflammation by Inhibiting NF-κB Pathway

Plant-Based Approaches for Rheumatoid Arthritis Regulation: Mechanistic Insights on Pathogenesis, Molecular Pathways, and Delivery Systems

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is classified as a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder, associated with a varied range of immunological changes, synovial hyperplasia, cartilage destructions, as well as bone erosion. The infiltration of immune-modulatory cells and excessive release of proinflammatory chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors into the inflamed regions are key molecules involved in the progression of RA. Even though many conventional drugs are suggested by a medical practitioner such as DMARDs, NSAIDs, glucocorticoids, etc., to treat RA, but have allied with various side effects. Thus, alternative therapeutics in the form of herbal therapy or phytomedicine has been increasingly explored for this inflammatory disorder of joints. Herbal interventions contribute substantial therapeutic benefits including accessibility, less or no toxicity and affordability. But the major challenge with these natural actives is the need of a tailored approach for treating inflamed tissues by delivering these bioactive agentsat an appropriate dose within the treatment regimen for an extended periodof time. Drug incorporated with wide range of delivery systems such as liposomes, nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, and other nano-vehicles have been developed to achieve this goal. Thus, inclinations of modern treatment are persuaded on the way to herbal therapy or phytomedicines in combination with novel carriers is an alternative approach with less adverse effects. The present review further summarizes the significanceof use of phytocompounds, their target molecules/pathways and, toxicity and challenges associated with phytomolecule-based nanoformulations.

By-Product Extracts from Castanea sativa Counteract Hallmarks of Neuroinflammation in a Microglial Model

Castanea sativa is very common in Italy, and the large amount of waste material generated during chestnut processing has a high environmental impact. Several studies demonstrated that chestnut by-products are a good source of bioactive compounds, mainly endowed with antioxidant properties. This study further investigates the anti-neuroinflammatory effect of chestnut leaf and spiny bur extracts, together with the deepest phytochemical characterisation (by NMR and MS) of active biomolecules contained in leaf extracts, which resulted in being more effective than spiny bur ones. BV-2 microglial cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used as a model of neuroinflammation. In BV-2 cells pre-treated with chestnut extracts, LPS signalling is partially blocked via the reduced expression of TLR4 and CD14 as well as the expression of LPS-induced inflammatory markers. Leaf extract fractions revealed the presence of specific flavonoids, such as isorhamnetin glucoside, astragalin, myricitrin, kaempferol 3-rhamnosyl (1-6)(2″-trans-p-coumaroyl)hexoside, tiliroside and unsaturated fatty acids, all of which could be responsible for the observed anti-neuroinflammatory effects. Interestingly, the kaempferol derivative has been identified in chestnut for the first time. In conclusion, the exploitation of chestnut by-products is suitable for the achievement of two goals: satisfaction of consumers’ demand for new, natural bio-active compounds and valorisation of by-products.

Metabolic Profiling of Chestnut Shell (Castanea crenata) Cultivars Using UPLC-QTOF-MS and Their Antioxidant Capacity

The inner shell of the chestnut (Castanea crenata) has long been used in Asia as a medicinal herb for improving digestion and blood circulation, and treating diarrhea. However, most chestnut shells are now treated as waste materials in industrial peeling processes. In this study, we examined the metabolite variation among major cultivars of C. crenata shells using mass spectrometry. Among five representative cultivars, Okkwang, Porotan, and Ishizuuchi had higher levels of bioactive compounds, such as ellagic acid derivatives, ellagitannins, flavonoids, and gallic acid derivatives. Their antioxidant capacity was positively correlated with their chemical composition. The byproducts (whole shells) from the industrial peeling process were re-evaluated in comparison with the inner shell, a rich source of phenolic compounds. The phenolic acids and flavonoid glucoside derivatives were significantly higher in the whole shells, whereas the levels of flavonoids were higher in the inner shells. In addition, the whole shell extracts significantly reduced cellular reactive oxygen species production compared to the inner shell extracts. This study demonstrated the different biochemical benefits of different C. crenata cultivars through metabolic profiling and suggests that the whole shell could be used as a functional ingredient, as it has the highest levels of bioactive products and antioxidant effects.

A Review of the Stress Resistance, Molecular Breeding, Health Benefits, Potential Food Products, and Ecological Value of Castanea mollissima

Chestnut (Castanea spp., Fagaceae family) is an economically and ecologically valuable species. The main goals of chestnut production vary among species and countries and depend on the ecological characteristics of orchards, agronomic management, and the architecture of chestnut trees. Here, we review recent research on chestnut trees, including the effects of fungal diseases (Cryphonectria parasitica and Phytophthora cinnamomi) and insect pests (Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu), molecular markers for breeding, ecological effects, endophytic fungi, and extracts with human health benefits. We also review research on chestnut in the food science field, technological improvements, the soil and fertilizer used for chestnut production, and the postharvest biology of chestnut. We noted differences in the factors affecting chestnut production among regions, including China, the Americas, and Europe, especially in the causal agents of disease and pests. For example, there is a major difference in the resistance of chestnut to C. parasitica in Asian, European, and American countries. Our review provides new insights into the integrated disease and pest management of chestnut trees in China. We hope that this review will foster collaboration among regions and help to clarify differences in the direction of breeding efforts among countries.

Review On Documented Medicinal Plants Used For The Treatment Of Cancer

Background:

Cancer is a frightful disease and it is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Naturally derived compounds are gaining interest of research workers as they have less toxic side effects as compared to currently used treatments such as chemotherapy. Plants are the pool of chemical compounds which provides a promising future for research on cancer.

Objective:

This review paper provides updated information gathered on medicinal plants and isolated phytoconstituents used as anticancer agents and summarises the plant extracts and their isolated chemical constituents exhibiting anticancer potential on clinical trials.

Methods:

An extensive bibliographic investigation was carried out by analysing worldwide established scientific databases like SCOPUS, PUBMED, SCIELO, ScienceDirect, Springerlink, Web of Science, Wiley, SciFinder and Google Scholar etc. In next few decades, herbal medicine may become a new epoch of medical system.

Results:

Many researches are going on medicinal plants for the treatment of cancer but it is a time to increase further experimental studies on plant extracts and their chemical constituents to find out their mechanism of action at molecular level.

Conclusion:

The article may help many researchers to start off further experimentation that might lead to the drugs for the cancer treatment.

Bioactive phenolic components and potential health effects of chestnut shell: A review

Chestnut kernels are often used for direct consumption; or processed to produce marron glacé, chestnut purée, and gluten-free products, while chestnut by-products (inner shell and outer shell) are treated as waste residues. Many in vivo and in vitro studies have proved how chestnut shell extract functions as an antioxidant and exhibits anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anti-obesity activities. This review introduces the main components of phenolic compounds in chestnut shells, traditional and modern extraction methods, and reported potential health effects. The aim is to have a better understanding of the functional active ingredients in chestnut shells and their value-added uses, to increase understanding of future applications of this agricultural and sideline product in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In recent years, chestnut shells have become a hot research topic because of their rich bioactive ingredients. Due to the large amount of phenolic compounds in chestnut shells and their potential health functions (antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and treatment of obesity), extracts of chestnut shells have high biological value in the treatment of diseases. Therefore, this review introduces the main components of phenolic compounds in chestnut shells, traditional and modern extraction methods, and the potential health effects of these compounds. The aim of this review is to better understand the functional, active ingredients in chestnut shells and their value-added uses, and to increase understanding of future applications of this agricultural and sideline product in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Endothelial Nitric Oxide Mediates the Anti-Atherosclerotic Action of Torenia concolor Lindley var. Formosama Yamazaki

Torenia concolor Lindley var. formosama Yamazaki ethanolic extract (TCEE) is reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity properties. However, the effects of TCEE and its underlying mechanisms in the activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) have not yet been investigated. Increasing the endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) production has been known to be beneficial against the development of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of TCEE on eNOS activation and NO-related endothelial function and inflammation by using an in vitro system. In endothelial cells (ECs), TCEE increased NO production in a concentration-dependent manner without affecting the expression of eNOS. In addition, TCEE increased the phosphorylation of eNOS at serine 635 residue (Ser635) and Ser1179, Akt at Ser473, calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) at threonine residue 286 (Thr286), and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) at Thr172. Moreover, TCEE-induced NO production, and EC proliferation, migration, and tube formation were diminished by pretreatment with LY294002 (an Akt inhibitor), KN62 (a CaMKII inhibitor), and compound C (an AMPK inhibitor). Additionally, TCEE attenuated the tumor necrosis factor-α-induced inflammatory response as evidenced by the expression of adhesion molecules in ECs and monocyte adhesion onto ECs. These inflammatory effects of TCEE were abolished by L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (an NOS inhibitor). Moreover, chronic treatment with TCEE attenuated hyperlipidemia, systemic and aortic inflammatory response, and the atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Collectively, our findings suggest that TCEE may confer protection from atherosclerosis by preventing endothelial dysfunction.

Rice Protein Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Growing and Adult Rats via Suppressing NF-κB Pathway

To elucidate the effect of rice protein (RP) on the depression of inflammation, growing and adult rats were fed with caseins and RP for 2 weeks. Compared with casein, RP reduced hepatic accumulations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitro oxide (NO), and plasma activities of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in growing and adult rats. Intake of RP led to increased mRNA levels, and protein expressions of phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), nuclear factor-κB 1 (NF-αB1), reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog A (RelA), tumor necrotic factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were decreased, whereas hepatic expressions of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) were increased by RP. The activation of NF-κB was suppressed by RP through upregulation of inhibitory κB α (IκBα), resulting in decreased translocation of nuclear factor-κB 1 (p50) and RelA (p65) to the nucleus in RP groups. The present study demonstrates that RP exerts an anti-inflammatory effect to inhibit ROS-derived inflammation through suppression of the NF-κB pathway in growing and adult rats. Results suggest that the anti-inflammatory capacity of RP is independent of age.