Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) Extract Exerts an Anti-Inflammatory Action by Modulating Macrophage Phenotypes

Supplementation with cassis polyphenol has no effect on menopausal symptoms in healthy middle-aged women: A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial

Hormonal changes during the menopause transition may lead to vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes (HFs) and neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety and irritability. We hypothesized that the effects of cassis polyphenol (CaP) to improve microcirculation and vasorelaxation may alleviate menopausal symptoms. We performed a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial involving 59 healthy women (mean [standard deviation] age, 51.3 [4.3] years; body mass index, 20.8 [2.6] kg/m2). Participants experiencing subjective menopausal symptoms consumed CaP tablets (400 mg/d, CaP group) or placebo tablets (placebo group) for 4 weeks. Participants were evaluated using questionnaires at baseline, during the 4-week intervention period, and during a 2-week postinterventional observation period. The primary objective was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with CaP on HFs in healthy Japanese women with menopausal symptoms. Additional assessments included the modified Kupperman menopausal index, World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index, World Health Organization quality-of-life 26-item index, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (anxiety and trait components), and Oguri-Shirakawa-Azumi sleep inventory (middle-aged and elderly versions). During the 4-week intervention period, no significant between-group differences were detected in the HF frequency, HF score, sweating frequency, menopausal symptoms, quality of life, anxiety, or sleep. During the 2-week postintervention observational period, the HF score and sweating frequency were significantly decreased in the CaP group compared with the placebo group. These findings suggest that twice daily intake of CaP for 4 weeks does not alleviate menopause symptoms, but the improvement observed in the CaP intake group during the postintervention period warrants confirmation through further large-scale studies.

Natural blackcurrant extract contained gelatin hydrogel with photothermal and antioxidant properties for infected burn wound healing

Burns represent a prevalent global health concern and are particularly susceptible to bacterial infections. Severe infections may lead to serious complications, posing a life-threatening risk. Near-infrared (NIR)-assisted photothermal antibacterial combined with antioxidant hydrogel has shown significant potential in the healing of infected wounds. However, existing photothermal agents are typically metal-based, complicated to synthesize, or pose biosafety hazards. In this study, we utilized plant-derived blackcurrant extract (B) as a natural source for both photothermal and antioxidant properties. By incorporating B into a G-O hydrogel crosslinked through Schiff base reaction between gelatin (G) and oxidized pullulan (O), the resulting G-O-B hydrogel exhibited good injectability and biocompatibility along with robust photothermal and antioxidant activities. Upon NIR irradiation, the controlled temperature (around 45-50 °C) generated by the G-O-B hydrogel resulted in rapid (10 min) and efficient killing of Staphylococcus aureus (99 %), Escherichia coli (98 %), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (82 %). Furthermore, the G-O-B0.5 hydrogel containing 0.5 % blackcurrant extract promoted collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and accelerated burn wound closure conclusively, demonstrating that this well-designed and extract-contained hydrogel dressing holds immense potential for enhancing the healing process of bacterial-infected burn wounds.

Well-Established and Traditional Use of Vegetal Extracts as an Approach to the "Deep Roots" of Cough

Cough is a common presenting symptom for patients in a primary care setting and significantly impacts a patient's quality of life. Cough involves a complex reflex arc beginning with the stimulation of sensory nerves that function as cough receptors that stimulate the cough center in the brain. This "cough center" functions to receive these impulses and produce a cough by activating efferent nervous pathways to the diaphragm and laryngeal, thoracic, and abdominal musculature. Drugs that suppress the neural activity of cough are non-specific as those treatments are not directed toward pathogenic causes such as inflammation and oxidative stress. Moreover, they block a reflex called the watchdog of the lung and have a defense mechanism. Acute respiratory infections of the upper and lower airways most commonly cause acute cough. In contrast, the most common causes of chronic cough are upper airway cough syndrome, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, all associated with an inflammatory reaction at the level of the cough receptors. The use of natural compounds or herbal drugs such as carob syrup, dry blackcurrant extract, dry extract of caraway fruit, dry extract of ginger rhizome, dry extract of marshmallow root, and dry extract of ivy leaves, to name a few, not only have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, but also act as antimicrobials, bronchial muscle relaxants, and increase gastric motility and empty. For these reasons, these natural substances are widely used to control cough at its deep roots (i.e., contrasting its causes and not inhibiting the arch reflex). With this approach, the lung watchdog is not put to sleep, as with peripheral or central inhibition of the cough reflex, and by contrasting the causes, we may control cough that viruses use at self-advantage to increase transmission.

Effects of an inoculation dose of Issatchenkia terricola WJL-G4 on physicochemical properties, active substances, and antioxidant capacity of black, red, and white currant juice

BACKGROUND

Due to the high level of organic acids - primarily citric acid - black, red, and white currants have an excessively sour taste, making taste adjustment during processing challenging. This study investigated and evaluated the effects of an inoculation dose of the acid-reducing yeast Issatchenkia terricola WJL-G4 on several aspect such as physicochemical properties, chromaticity, active substances, and antioxidant capacity. A sensory evaluation was also conducted.

RESULTS

The results indicated that, when the inoculation dose increased from 2% to 12%, the total phenol, total flavonoid, and total anthocyanin content, and antioxidant capacity in currant juice decreased. A low inoculation dose (2-4%) was beneficial for preserving the total phenol and total flavonoid content. Although the levels of most phenolic compounds decreased, the concentrations of caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, rutin, and epicatechin were significantly higher than the control after fermentation. Overall acceptability and taste scores of fermented currants improved compared with those of the control group.

CONCLUSION

This experiment provided an effective solution, with a theoretical basis, to the problems of the sour taste and harsh flavor of currant juice. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Suppression of Pro-Inflammatory M1 Polarization of LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cells by Fucoxanthin-Rich Sargassum hemiphyllum

Macrophages play an important role in managing the onset and progression of chronic inflammatory diseases. The primary objective of this study is to explore the antioxidant potential and anti-inflammatory properties of Sargassum hemiphyllum ethanol extract (SHE) and its fraction. SHE and its five constituent fractions were assessed for overall antioxidant capabilities and inhibitory effects on LPS-induced inflammation by modulating macrophages polarization in both RAW 264.7 macrophages and bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). Among the organic solvent fractions of SHE, the ethyl acetate fraction displayed the highest total phenolic content and total antioxidant capacity. Notably, the n-hexane (Hex) fraction showed the most substantial suppression of LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor α secretion in BMDM among the five fractions of SHE. The SHE and Hex fraction significantly reduced the heightened expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-inducible enzymes induced by LPS in RAW 264.7 macrophages. In particular, the SHE and Hex fraction inhibited M1 macrophage polarization by reducing the mRNA expression of M1 macrophage markers in macrophages that were polarized toward the M1 phenotype. Furthermore, the SHE and Hex fraction attenuated the induction in nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 and its target genes, which was accompanied by an alteration in antioxidant gene expression in M1-polarized BMDM. The findings suggest that both SHE and its Hex fraction exhibit inhibitory effects on LPS-triggered inflammation and oxidative stress by modulating the polarization of M1 macrophages within macrophage populations.

Effects of blackcurrant extract on indole and ammonia productions in an in vitro human fecal culture model

Blackcurrant is available as a traditional medicine in Europe. However, the detailed effects of blackcurrant on the human gut microbiota remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the prebiotic effects of a blackcurrant extract using a human fecal culture model in six healthy subjects. Feces were individually inoculated into a medium with or without the blackcurrant extract and then fermented for 48 hr under anaerobic conditions. The results obtained from analysis of samples from the fermented medium demonstrated that after 48 hr of fermentation, the pH of the medium with the blackcurrant extract was significantly decreased (control, 6.62 ± 0.20; blackcurrant extract, 6.41 ± 0.33; p=0.0312). A 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis of the microbiota of the fermented medium showed a significant increase in the relative abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae. In measuring the concentrations of putrefactive components in the fermented medium, we found that the blackcurrant extract significantly reduced ammonia levels and displayed a tendency toward reduced indole levels. Our results suggest that blackcurrant extract could be a potential ingredient for relief of putrefactive components in the gut.

Effect of Blackcurrant Consumption on the Genitourinary System: A Literature Review

Both in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that functional plant-based food such as fruits, vegetables, and berries can enhance health, have preventive effects, and reduce the risk of several chronic diseases. This review discusses blackcurrant fruit usage in humans and experimental animals and its effect on the genitourinary system (GUS). This comprehensive review demonstrates that blackcurrants and their bioactive compounds possess medicinal and therapeutic properties related to the GUS. Emphasis in the literature has been placed on the bioavailability of the active blackcurrant components. Nonetheless, future clinical trials are needed to investigate and improve the bioavailability of blackcurrant phenolic compounds, such as anthocyanins, and to expand the evidence that active blackcurrant compounds can treat various genitourinary diseases.

The Flavonoid Rich Black Currant (Ribes nigrum) Ethanolic Gemmotherapy Extract Elicits Neuroprotective Effect by Preventing Microglial Body Swelling in Hippocampus and Reduces Serum TNF-α Level: Pilot Study

Many plant-derived flavonoids are known for their anti-neuroinflammatory and anti-neurodegenerative effects. The fruits and leaves of the black currant (BC, Ribes nigrum) contain these phytochemicals with therapeutic benefits. The current study presents a report on a standardized BC gemmotherapy extract (BC-GTE) that is prepared from fresh buds. It provides details about the phytoconstituent profile specific to the extract as well as the associated antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory properties. The reported BC-GTE was found to contain approximately 133 phytonutrients, making it unique in its composition. Furthermore, this is the first report to quantify the presence of significant flavonoids such as luteolin, quercetin, apigenin, and kaempferol. Drosophila melanogaster-based tests revealed no cytotoxic but nutritive effects. We also demonstrated that adult male Wistar rats, pretreated with the analyzed BC-GTE and assessed after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection, did not show any apparent increase in body size in the microglial cells located in the hippocampal CA1 region, while in control experiments, the activation of microglia was evident. Moreover, no elevated levels of serum-specific TNF-α were observed under the LPS-induced neuroinflammatory condition. The analyzed BC-GTE's specific flavonoid content, along with the experimental data based on an LPS-induced inflammatory model, suggest that it possesses anti-neuroinflammatory/neuroprotective properties. This indicates that the studied BC-GTE has the potential to be used as a GTE-based complementary therapeutic approach.

A Supplement with Ribes Nigrum, Boswellia Serrata, Bromelain and Vitamin D to Stop Local Inflammation in Chronic Sinusitis: A Case-Control Study

Although chronic sinusitis widely affects the adult population, the treatments currently used did not always satisfactorily solve the symptoms. Traditional therapy with steroids and antibiotics presents risks and benefits and the new drugs, i.e., monoclonal antibody, are valid solutions despite being quite expensive. Natural molecules could be a valid treatment that combines good efficacy and low price. We conducted a case -control study to evaluate the benefit of an oral supplement with Ribes nigrum, Boswellia serrata, Bromelain and Vitamin D on chronic sinusitis symptoms. 60 patients were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: control using nasal steroids only, treatment 1 using nasal steroid and 1 dose of the oral supplement for 30 days and treatment 2 in which patients used nasal steroid and two oral supplement doses daily for 15 days. Conditions of the nasal mucosa and a blood sample (WBC, IgE and CRP) were analyzed at T0, T1 (15 days after treatment) and T2 (30 days after treatment. Patients treated with the supplement improved their nasal findings (hyperemia of mucosa and rhinorrhea) with statistically significant differences from the control. Our preliminary data suggest that the addition of supplement containing Ribes nigrum, Boswellia serrata, Vitamin D and Bromelain to the traditional local therapy (nasal spray with cortisone) can be a supporting therapy to modulate the local inflammation in the nose in patients affected by chronic sinusitis.

Blackcurrant Alleviates Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Colitis in Mice

Previous studies have reported that anthocyanin (ACN)-rich materials have beneficial effects on ulcerative colitis (UC). Blackcurrant (BC) has been known as one of the foods rich in ACN, while studies demonstrating its effect on UC are rare. This study attempted to investigate the protective effects of whole BC in mice with colitis using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Mice were orally given whole BC powder at a dose of 150 mg daily for four weeks, and colitis was induced by drinking 3% DSS for six days. Whole BC relieved symptoms of colitis and pathological changes in the colon. The overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in serum and colon tissues was also reduced by whole BC. In addition, whole BC significantly lowered the levels of mRNA and protein of downstream targets in the NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, BC administration increased the expression of genes related to barrier function: ZO-1, occludin, and mucin. Moreover, the whole BC modulated the relative abundance of gut microbiota altered with DSS. Therefore, the whole BC has demonstrated the potential to prevent colitis through attenuation of the inflammatory response and regulation of the gut microbial composition.

Protective Effect of Ribes nigrum Extract against Blue Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration In Vitro and In Vivo

Although blackcurrant has several health benefits, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, its effects on the retina remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of black currant extract (BCE) in an in vitro and in vivo model of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) induced by blue light. Dry macular degeneration is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of lipofuscin (e.g., N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine, A2E) in the retina. Blue light (BL) significantly decreased the viability of A2E-laden human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19). However, BCE treatment protected ARPE-19 cells from A2E and BL. A2E, which is oxidized by blue light, generates reactive oxygen species in RPE cells. Treatment with BCE significantly decreased (80.8%) reactive oxygen species levels induced by A2E and BL in a concentration-dependent manner. BCE inhibited A2E accumulation in ARPE-19 cells and significantly downregulated the expression of genes increased by A2E and BL in ARPE-19 cells. In vivo, oral administration of BCE (25–100 mg/kg) ameliorated ocular lesions of BL-induced retinal damage in a mouse model and rescued the thickness of the whole retina, photoreceptor segment layer, outer nuclear layer, and inner nuclear layer. The decrease in the number of nuclei in the outer nuclear layer induced by BL was also rescued by BCE. Additionally, BCE administration rescued (40.0%) the BL-induced reduction in the expression level of superoxide dismutase 1. Taken together, our results suggest that BCE may have preventive and therapeutic effects on dry AMD through its antioxidant activity and inhibition of lipofuscin accumulation in the retina.

An Insight into Anti-Inflammatory Activities and Inflammation Related Diseases of Anthocyanins: A Review of Both In Vivo and In Vitro Investigations

Anthocyanin is a type of flavonoid pigment widely present in fruits and vegetables. It can not only be used as natural pigment, but also has a variety of health functions, for instance, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and neuroprotective activities. Persistent proinflammatory status is a major factor in the development, progression, and complications of chronic diseases. Not surprisingly, there are thus many food ingredients that can potentially affect inflammation related diseases and many studies have shown that anthocyanins play an important role in inflammatory pathways. In this paper, the inflammation related diseases (such as, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer) of anthocyanins are introduced, and the anti-inflammatory effect of anthocyanins is emphatically introduced. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of anthocyanins is elaborated from the aspects of NF-κB, toll like receptor, MAPKs, NO, and ROS and the main efficacy of anthocyanins in inflammation and related diseases is determined. In conclusion, this review aims to get a clear insight into the role of anthocyanins in inflammation related diseases.

Toxicological and bioactivity evaluation of blackcurrant press cake, sea buckthorn leaves and bark from Scots pine and Norway spruce extracts under a green integrated approach

Aqueous extracts from blackcurrant press cake (BC), Norway spruce bark (NS), Scots pine bark (SP), and sea buckthorn leaves (SB) were obtained using maceration and pressurized hot water and tested for their bioactivities. Maceration provided the extraction of higher dry matter contents, including total phenolics (TPC), anthocyanins, and condensed tannins, which also impacted higher antioxidant activity. NS and SB extracts presented the highest mean values of TPC and antioxidant activity. Individually, NS extract presented high contents of proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, and some phenolic acids. In contrast, SB contained a high concentration of ellagitannins, ellagic acid, and quercetin, explaining the antioxidant activity and antibacterial effects. SP and BC extracts had the lowest TPC and antioxidant activity. However, BC had strong antiviral efficacy, whereas SP can be considered a potential ingredient to inhibit α-amylase. Except for BC, the other extracts decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in HCT8 and A549 cells. Extracts did not inhibit the production of TNF-alpha in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated THP-1 macrophages but inhibited the ROS generation during the THP-1 cell respiratory burst. The recovery of antioxidant compounds from these by-products is incentivized for high value-added applications.

The role of plant-derived natural substances as immunomodulatory agents in carcinogenesis

The role of immune system in carcinogenesis represents fundamental events associated with cancer eradication; however, tumor evolution is connected with various mechanisms of tumor evasion and progression of cancer. Based on recent evidence, phytochemicals are directly associated with immunomodulation of the innate and adaptive immunity via different mechanisms of action including stimulation and amplification of immune cells, humoral compartments, and associated molecules. This comprehensive study focuses on immunomodulating potential of phytochemicals (mixture in plants or separately such as individual phytochemical) and their impact on regulation of immune response during cancer development, immune tolerance, and immune escape. Clinical application of phytochemicals as modulators of host immunity against cancer may represent perspective approach in anticancer therapy.

Phenolic Compounds Exerting Lipid-Regulatory, Anti-Inflammatory and Epigenetic Effects as Complementary Treatments in Cardiovascular Diseases

Atherosclerosis is the main process behind cardiovascular diseases (CVD), maladies which continue to be responsible for up to 70% of death worldwide. Despite the ongoing development of new and potent drugs, their incomplete efficacy, partial intolerance and numerous side effects make the search for new alternatives worthwhile. The focus of the scientific world turned to the potential of natural active compounds to prevent and treat CVD. Essential for effective prevention or treatment based on phytochemicals is to know their mechanisms of action according to their bioavailability and dosage. The present review is focused on the latest data about phenolic compounds and aims to collect and correlate the reliable existing knowledge concerning their molecular mechanisms of action to counteract important risk factors that contribute to the initiation and development of atherosclerosis: dyslipidemia, and oxidative and inflammatory-stress. The selection of phenolic compounds was made to prove their multiple benefic effects and endorse them as CVD remedies, complementary to allopathic drugs. The review also highlights some aspects that still need clear scientific explanations and draws up some new molecular approaches to validate phenolic compounds for CVD complementary therapy in the near future.

2'-fucosyllactose Supplementation Improves Gut-Brain Signaling and Diet-Induced Obese Phenotype and Changes the Gut Microbiota in High Fat-Fed Mice

Obesity is characterized by fat accumulation, chronic inflammation and impaired satiety signaling, which may be due in part to gut microbial dysbiosis. Manipulations of the gut microbiota and its metabolites are attractive targets for obesity treatment. The predominant oligosaccharide found in human milk, acts as a prebiotic with beneficial effects on the host. However, little is known about the beneficial effects of 2′-FL in obesity. The aim of this study was to determine the beneficial effects of 2′-FL supplementation on the microbiota-gut-brain axis and the diet-induced obese phenotype in high fat (HF)-fed mice. Male C57/BL6 mice (n = 6/group; six weeks old) were counter-balanced into six weight-matched groups and fed either a low-fat (LF; 10% kcal as fat), HF (45% kcal as fat) or HF diet with 2′-FL (HF_2′-FL) at 1, 2, 5 and 10% (w/v) in drinking water for six weeks. General phenotypes (body weight, energy intake, fat and lean mass), cecal microbiome and metabolites, gut-brain signaling, intestinal permeability and inflammatory and lipid profiles were assessed. Only 10% 2′-FL, but not 1, 2 or 5%, decreased HF diet-induced increases in energy intake, fat mass and body weight gain. A supplementation of 10% 2′-FL changed the composition of cecal microbiota and metabolites compared to LF- and HF-fed mice with an increase in Parabacteroides abundance and lactate and pyruvate, respectively, whose metabolic effects corresponded to our study findings. In particular, 10% 2′-FL significantly reversed the HF diet-induced impairment of cholecystokinin-induced inhibition of food intake. Gene expressions of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 in the cecum were significantly downregulated by 10% 2′-FL compared to the HF group. Furthermore, 10% 2′-FL suppressed HF diet-induced upregulation of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, a transcription factor for adipogenesis, at the gene level. In conclusion, 10% 2′-FL led to compositional changes in gut microbiota and metabolites associated with improvements in metabolic profiles and gut-brain signaling in HF-fed mice. These findings support the use of 2′-FL for modulating the hyperphagic response to HF diets and improving the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Dietary Anthocyanins and Human Health

Anthocyanins may contribute to the inverse relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and chronic disease. Anthocyanins are pigments found in plant structures that consist of an anthocyanidin (aglycone) attached to sugar moieties. Anthocyanins may be beneficial for health through effects on cellular antioxidant status and inflammation; however, their underlying mechanisms of action in their protection of chronic diseases are likely complex and require further elucidation. This Special Issue comprises 8 peer-reviewed papers (including 6 original research articles) which highlight the diverse bioactivities of anthocyanins and anthocyanin-rich foods in the protection against chronic disease.