Pomegranate Peel Extract Prevents Bone Loss in a Preclinical Model of Osteoporosis and Stimulates Osteoblastic Differentiation in Vitro

Staphylococcus aureus/Staphylococcus epidermidis from skin microbiota are balanced by Pomegranate peel extract: An eco-sustainable approach

The imbalance in skin microbiota is characterized by an increased number of pathogens in respect to commensal microorganisms. Starting from a skin microbiota collection, the aim of this work was to evaluate the possible role of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Peel Extract (PPE) in restoring the skin microbiota balance acting on Staphylococcus spp. PPE was extracted following green methodology by using n-butane and the Dimethyl Ether (DME) solvents and analyzed for phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activity. The PPE antimicrobial action was evaluated against Gram +, Gram - bacteria and yeast reference strains and the most effective extract was tested against the main skin microbiota isolated strains. PPE extracted with DME showed the best antimicrobial action with MICs ranging from 1 to 128 mg/mL; the main active compounds were Catechin, Quercetin, Vanillic acid and Gallic acid. The PPE in DME anti-adhesive effect was examined against S. epidermidis and S. aureus mono and dual-species biofilm formation by biomass quantification and CFU/mL determination. The extract toxicity was evaluated by using Galleria mellonella larvae in vivo model. The extract displayed a significant anti-adhesive activity with a remarkable species-specific action at 4 and 8 mg/mL against S. epidermidis and S. aureus mono and dual-species biofilms. PPE in DME could represent an eco-sustainable non-toxic strategy to affect the Staphylococcal skin colonization in a species-specific way. The innovation of this work is represented by the reuse of food waste to balance skin microbiota.

Understanding the mechanistic potential of plant based phytochemicals in management of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Postmenopausal osteoporosis, an epidemic disorder is defined as a loss in bone mineral density and a greater possibility of fractures in older women. It is a multifactorial disease under the control of various genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Insufficiency of estrogen hormone, leads to postmenopausal osteoporosis. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), despite being the most effective treatment, it is associated with the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disorders. This review seeks to compile the most recent information on medicinal plants and natural compounds used to treat and prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. Furthermore, the origin, chemical constituents and the molecular mechanisms responsible for this therapeutic and preventive effect are also discussed. Literature research was conducted using PubMed, Science direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Different plant extracts and pure compounds exerts their antiosteoporotic activity by inhibition of RANKL and upregulation of OPG. RANKL signaling regulates osteoclast formation, characterized by increased bone turnover and osteoprotegrin is a decoy receptor for RANKL thereby preventing bone loss from excessive resorption. In addition, this review also includes the chemical structure of bioactive compounds acting on NFκB, TNF α, RUNX2. In conclusion, we propose that postmenopausal osteoporosis could be prevented or treated with herbal products.

Pomegranate natural extract Pomanox® positively modulates skin health-related parameters in normal and UV-induced photoaging conditions in Hs68 human fibroblast cells

Skin photoaging is primarily caused by ultraviolet radiation and can lead to the degradation of skin extracellular matrix components, resulting in hyperpigmentation and skin elasticity loss. In this area, polyphenols have become of great interest because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiaging properties. Here, we evaluated the effects of the pomegranate natural extract Pomanox^® on skin health-related parameters in normal and UV-induced photoaging conditions in human fibroblast Hs68 cells. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of Pomanox^® on tyrosinase activity were assessed. In normal conditions, Pomanox^® significantly modulated collagen and hyaluronic acid metabolisms. In UV-exposed cells, both preventive and regenerative treatments with Pomanox^® positively modulated hyaluronic acid metabolism and decreased ROS levels. However, only the preventive treatment modulated collagen metabolism. Finally, Pomanox^® showed a marked inhibitory capacity of tyrosinase activity (IC50 = 394.7 μg/mL). The modulation of skin health-related parameters exhibited by Pomanox^® open a wide range of potential applications of this product.

Punica granatum Peel and Leaf Extracts as Promising Strategies for HSV-1 Treatment

Punica granatum is a rich source of bioactive compounds which exhibit various biological effects. In this study, pomegranate peel and leaf ethanolic crude extracts (PPE and PLE, respectively) were phytochemically characterized and screened for antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiviral activity. LC-PDA-ESI-MS analysis led to the identification of different compounds, including ellagitannins, flavonoids and phenolic acids. The low IC₅₀ values, obtained by DPPH and FRAP assays, showed a noticeable antioxidant effect of PPE and PLE comparable to the reference standards. Both crude extracts and their main compounds (gallic acid, ellagic acid and punicalagin) were not toxic on Vero cells and exhibited a remarkable inhibitory effect on herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) viral plaques formation. Specifically, PPE inhibited HSV-1 adsorption to the cell surface more than PLE. Indeed, the viral DNA accumulation, the transcription of viral genes and the expression of viral proteins were significantly affected by PPE treatment. Amongst the compounds, punicalagin, which is abundant in PPE crude extract, inhibited HSV-1 replication, reducing viral DNA and transcripts accumulation, as well as proteins of all three phases of the viral replication cascade. In contrast, no antibacterial activity was detected. In conclusion, our findings indicate that Punica granatum peel and leaf extracts, especially punicalagin, could be a promising therapeutic candidate against HSV-1.

Fabrication and characterization of a smart film based on cassava starch and pomegranate peel powder for monitoring lamb meat freshness

Nowadays, the development of pH-sensitive smart edible films using biopolymers and natural plant extracts (especially those rich in anthocyanins) has attracted much attention. Therefore, in this study, the intelligent edible film was produced and characterized using cassava starch and pomegranate peel powder (PPP) and the possibility of using production films to monitor the freshness of lamb meat. The smart films were prepared using different concentrations of PPP (2, 4, 6, and 8% w/w) and the solvent casting method. The results showed that the incorporation of PPP had a significant effect on the mechanical parameters of the starch films. With increasing the levels of PPP, the color of the films became darker and redder. Increasing the PPP levels also led to an increase in total phenol content (TPC) (from 0 to 13 mg GAE (gallic acid equivalent)/g) and antioxidant activity (from 0% to 70% DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) radical scavenging) of the produced films (p < .05). The intelligent film was used in the lamb meat packaging, and the color of the film changed from red to green during the storage period at 25°C. The amount of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) in the meat could be detected by color changes of the intelligent films. Finally, this study demonstrated that the film based on cassava starch and PPP could be used as an intelligent and pH-sensitive film to monitor the freshness of meat and meat products.

Fermentability of select polyphenol-rich substrates in the canine faecal inoculum and their interaction with a canine-origin probiotic: an in vitro appraisal

BACKGROUND

This in vitro study aimed to compare the hindgut fermentability and digestibility of four different sources of polyphenols, namely orange (Citrus sinensis) peel (ORP), pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel (PMP), Indian blackberry (Syzygium cumini) pulp (IBP), and Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) tuber (JAT), and their influence on the viability of a canine-origin probiotic, Lactobacillus johnsonii CPN23.

RESULTS

An in vitro gas production test carried out using the four substrates for a period of 72 h with dog faecal inoculum indicated that the total gas production, dry matter, and organic matter digestibility were significantly (P < 0.001) higher with JAT, whereas they were lowest for PMP. Short-chain fatty acids production was significantly higher (P < 0.001) with ORP and JAT, with the least values recorded for PMP. The ammonia-nitrogen production was significantly (P < 0.001) higher with JAT than with ORP, IBP, and PMP, and a lower (P < 0.001) pH was evident with ORP, JAT, and IBP than with PMP. Viability of L. johnsonii CPN23 was tested in the presence of the polyphenol-rich extract from each of the four sources at varying doses (50, 500, 1000, 2500, and 5000 μg mL^-1 ). PMP extract showed the highest inhibitory effect on the probiotic bacteria's growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P < 0.001). ORP and IBP extracts were stimulatory at the optimum dosage, whereas JAT reduced probiotic activity significantly at all doses tested.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the results indicate a higher hindgut fermentability of JAT, ORP, and IBP, suggesting their potential beneficial effects for gut health application. An interaction study between polyphenol extract and L. johnsonii CPN23 showed a stimulatory effect of polyphenolic extracts from ORP and IBP on probiotic growth at optimal dosage. Consistent with the fermentation study findings, PMP extract reduced the growth of L. johnsonii CPN23 irrespective of the doses tested. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of urolithin A on osteoclast differentiation induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand via bone morphogenic protein 2

Urolithin A (UA) is an intestinal microbial metabolite derived from ellagitannins and a promising agent for treating osteoarthritis. However, its effects on osteoporosis are unclear. This study explored the effects of urolithin A (UA) on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclasts and its underlying molecular mechanisms. RANKL treatment significantly increased tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) or osteoclast marker levels (P < 0.05), while adding UA decreased the RANKL-induced levels (P < 0.05) in RAW264.7 cells. Total RNA isolated from RANKL- or RANKL + UA-treated cells was sequenced, and the obtained transcriptome dataset revealed 2,399 differentially expressed genes. They were enriched in multiple pathways involved in rheumatoid arthritis, ERK1 and ERK2 cascade, regulation of inflammatory response, ECM-receptor interactions, and TNF signaling. Scanning electron microscopy showed that RANKL promoted bone resorption pits in bone biopsy specimens, whereas UA inhibited their formation. When bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2) was shRNA-silenced, the bone resorption pits were restored. Moreover, while RANKL significantly enhanced the levels of p-ERK2/ERK2, p-p38/p38, p-Akt1/Akt1, p-ERK1/ERK1, and osteoclast-related proteins (P < 0.05), UA reduced them. BMP2 silencing also reversed the UA inhibitory effect. Thus, UA represses the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation of RAW264.7 cells by regulating Akt1, p38, and ERK1/2 signaling, and BMP2 likely reverses the UA inhibitory effect via these pathways. We propose BMP2 as a potential drug target for treating bone metabolic diseases, such as osteoporosis.

In Vitro Biological Evaluation of a Fabricated Polycaprolactone/Pomegranate Electrospun Scaffold for Bone Regeneration

Different scaffold biomaterials are being investigated as a solution for bone loss due to disease or trauma. The aim of this study is the fabrication, characterization, and in vitro biological evaluation of a novel polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoscaffold incorporating pomegranate peel extract (PG) for bone regeneration. Using electrospinning, three groups of scaffolds were prepared: the control group PCL and two groups of PCL with PG concentrations (11 and 18 weight %). The antioxidant activity and the total phenolic content (TPC) of the fabricated nanoscaffolds were evaluated, in addition to the porosity and degradation measurement. Cultured osteoblasts derived from rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were used for the assessment of cell proliferation and attachment on the scaffold's surface. Scaffolds' characterization showed uniform nanofibers (NFs) with a fiber diameter range of 149-168 nm. Meanwhile, higher antioxidant activity and TPC of the PG groups were detected. Furthermore, total porosities of 59 and 62% were determined for the PCL-PG scaffolds. An increased degradation rate and significant improvement in cell proliferation and cell attachment were revealed for the PCL-PG fabricated scaffolds. Such incorporation of natural food waste, PG, in PCL NFs offered novel PCL-PG scaffolds as a promising candidate for bone regeneration applications.

Ongoing and potential novel trends of pomegranate fruit peel; a comprehensive review of its health benefits and future perspectives as nutraceutical

Pomegranate is an ancient shrub, globally distributed nowadays. It has been used in the middle east as a medicinal food and traditional medicine for thousands of years. Pomegranate peel (PP) constitutes about 50% of the total fruit, however, it has been previously regarded as a waste. Recent research points to PP as a rich source of phenolics (e.g., ellagitannins, flavonoids, and anthocyanins), polysaccharides, in addition to its biotransformed metabolites viz. urolithins making it a valuable waste with promising pharmacological actions. Compared to the pulp and the juice, PP exhibited stronger antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Besides, it inhibited inflammation in several conditions, including colitis, arthritis, hepatitis, contact dermatitis, and lung inflammation. Moreover, it displayed anti-osteoporosis, anti-hyperglycemic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, vasculoprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory effects. Additionally, it was effective as a prebiotic and in obesity control, besides it promoted wound healing. Furthermore, PP demonstrated anticancer effects against different cancer types, for example, colon, liver, thyroid, uterine, breast, bladder, prostate, leukemia, and osteosarcoma. Despite PP safety, it may interfere with the metabolism of other drugs because it inhibits cytochromes (CYP) changing their bioavailability, effectiveness, and toxicity. PP biowaste valorization not only avoids against its environmental and economic burden but can also provide a promising platform to produce novel or improved nutraceuticals. This study provides a comprehensive overview of PP biological activities with the reported action mechanisms related to its phytochemicals and further biotransformed metabolites inside the body. Future research prospects to unravel the merits of such waste and optimize its use are discussed. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Pomegranate is widely distributed throughout the world. Although its peel was previously considered a waste, recent research regards it as a rich source of bioactive compounds with promising biological activities. Its recycling not only overcomes the bio-waste problems, but also provides a source of valuable compounds with several health benefits. In recent years, PP has been demonstrated to exhibit excellent pharmacological bioactivities, for example, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiosteoporosis, antihyperlipidemic, and anticancer activities. Its health-promoting power is mostly attributed to the phenolic and polysaccharide content, in addition to its amazing biotransformed metabolites. The underlying action mechanisms of such pharmacological activities are discussed and related to its chemical content. This review presents the latest research progress on the role of PP in the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases, and its protective health effects for future research to be used in nutraceuticals.

Oxidative Stress and Osteoporosis

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Oxidative stress has been implicated as a causative factor in many disease states, possibly including the diminished bone mineral density in osteoporosis.

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Understanding the effects of oxidative stress on the development of osteoporosis may lead to further research improving preventative and therapeutic measures that can combat this important contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide.

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A diet rich in whole plant foods with high antioxidant content along with antioxidant-preserving lifestyle changes may improve bone mineral density and reduce the risk of fragility-related fractures. While it is not explicitly clear if antioxidant activity is the effector of this change, the current evidence supports this possibility.

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Supplementation with isolated antioxidants may also provide some osteoprotective benefits, but whole plant food-derived antioxidants potentially have more overall benefits. Larger-scale clinical trials are needed to give credence to definitive clinical recommendations.

Chitosan/Gold Hybrid Nanoparticles Enriched Electrospun PVA Nanofibrous Mats for the Topical Delivery of Punica granatum L. Extract: Synthesis, Characterization, Biocompatibility and Antibacterial Properties

Purpose

Intending to obtain Punica granatum L. extract (PE)-loaded drug delivery system of better impact and biomedical applicability, the current study reports the use of crosslinked PVA nanofibers (NFs) as platforms incorporating different amounts of biosynthesized PE-CS-gold nanoparticles (PE-CS-Au NPs).

Methods

PE-conjugated CS-Au nanoparticles (PE-CS-Au NPs) were synthesized via green chemistry approach. The formation of PE-CS-Au NPs was confirmed by UV spectroscopy, DLS, SEM and STEM. PE-CS-Au NPs were then dispersed into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution at different ratios, where the optimized ratios were selected for electrospinning and further studies. Crosslinking of PE-CS-Au NPs loaded PVA nanofibers (NFs) was performed via glutaraldehyde vapor. The morphology, chemical compositions, thermal stability and mechanical properties of PE-CS-Au NPs loaded NFs were evaluated by SEM, FTIR and DSC. Swelling capacity, biodegradability, PE release profiles, release kinetics, antibacterial and cell biocompatibility were also demonstrated.

Results

By incorporating PE-CS-Au NPs at 0.6% and 0.9%, the diameters of the nanofibers decreased from 295.7±83.1 nm in neat PVA to 165.6±43.4 and 147.8±42.7 nm, respectively. It is worth noting that crosslinking and incorporation of PE-CS-Au NPs improved thermal stability and mechanical properties of the obtained NFs. The release of PE from NFs was controlled by a Fickian diffusion mechanism (n value ˂0.5), whereas Higuchi was the mathematical model which could describe this release. The antibacterial activity was found to be directly proportional to the amount of the incorporated PE-CS-Au NPs. The human fibroblasts (HFF-1) showed the highest viability (123%) by seeding over the PVA NFs mats containing 0.9% PE-CS-Au NPs.

Conclusion

The obtained results suggest that the electrospun PVA NFs composites containing 0.9% PE-CS-Au NPs can be used as antibacterial agents against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and as suitable scaffolds for cell adhesion, growth and proliferation of fibroblast populations.

In vitro anti-adenoviral activities of ethanol extract, fractions, and main phenolic compounds of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel

Background

Adenovirus causes a number of diseases in human, and can cause serious infection in severely immunosuppressed individuals. Despite the seriousness of adenovirus infection, there is no definitely approved anti-adenoviral therapy. Many studies have shown that compounds derived from medicinal plants have antiviral activity. Therefore, this study evaluated in vitro anti-adenoviral activity of ethanol extract, fractions, and main phenolic compounds of pomegranate peel.

Methods

The ethanol extract of pomegranate peel was prepared with maceration method and fractionated by consecutive liquid/liquid partition. The cytotoxic and anti-adenovirus activities of the extract, fractions, and main phenolic compounds (ellagic acid, punicalagin and gallic acid) were evaluated on Hep-2 cell line using MTT assay. Inhibitory effect on adsorption and post-adsorption phases of the virus replication cycle was also evaluated.

Results

Pomegranate peel extract had a desirable effect against adenovirus with IC₅₀ of 5.77 µg/mL and selectivity index of 49.9. Among the fractions and compounds, the n-butanol fraction and gallic acid had the highest anti-adenoviral activity with IC₅₀ of 2.16 µg/mL and 4.67 µM and selectivity indices of 122.5 and 10.5, respectively. The crude extract, n-butanol fraction and gallic acid inhibited the virus replication in post-adsorption phase (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Pomegranate peel extract, especially its n-butanol fraction, could serve as a new promising anti-adenovirus agent due to high inhibitory effect against adenovirus replication. The effect of the n-butanol fraction may be related to the synergistic effect or other compounds of this fraction. Further understanding of the bioassay guided isolation of natural compounds of this fraction seems essential.

Physical Properties of Chitosan Films Containing Pomegranate Peel Extracts Obtained by Deep Eutectic Solvents

Pomegranate peel is a byproduct of pomegranate juice production, and is rich in polyphenol compounds. The objective of this study was to investigate the incorporation of pomegranate peel extract in chitosan films. Green deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were used as extraction solvents. Choline chloride (ChCl) and glycerol (Gly) were used as the hydrogen bond acceptor and hydrogen bond donor, respectively; the molar ratio of the DES ingredients, ChCl:Gly, was 1:11. The extraction process was optimized by deploying response surface methodology. Under the optimized conditions, the extraction yield in total polyphenols amounted to 272.98 mg of gallic acid equivalents per g of dry matter and, for total flavonoids, 20.12 mg of quercetin equivalents per g of dry matter, with a liquid to solid ratio of 47 mL g⁻¹, time of 70 min, and 30% (v/v) water concentration in the DES. Afterwards, composite chitosan films were prepared by using five different formulations; the DES containing extract was incorporated as a plasticizer in the chitosan films. Specimens of every recipe were submitted to large deformation tensile testing in Texture Analyzer. Furthermore, water sorption behavior and color parameters of the films were determined.

Transient Hyperphosphatasemia Due to Pomegranate Juice

In most cases, feeding problems in young children are mild and of no consequence. However, it is one of the situations that generate more anxiety in parents and can lead them to incorrect feeding patterns. We present the case of a 20-month-old male child who came to the emergency room with a pathological elevation of alkaline phosphatase secondary to an error in his dietary pattern.

Tangerine, banana and pomegranate peels valorisation for sustainable environment: A review

Over the last decade the world has been generating a high quantity of tangerine peel waste (TPW), pomegranate peel waste (PPW) and banana peel waste (BPW). These peels have several economic benefits but there is mismanagement or inappropriate valorisation that could present risks to environment and public health. In the current review, we discussed the use of TPW, PPW and BPW directly for animal feed, soil fertilization, specific compost production and bio-adsorbent. We also discussed the valorisation of these peels for manufacturing the value-added products including enzymes, essential oil and other products that can be used in human food, in medical and cosmetic industry. Additionally, recent studies concerning the valorisation of these peels by biorefinery for bioethanol, biogas and biohydrogen production have been discussed. In the same context some other recent studies about valorisation of microorganisms isolated from these peels for medical, agronomic and industrial interests have been also discussed.

Application of Pomegranate by-Products in Muscle Foods: Oxidative Indices, Colour Stability, Shelf Life and Health Benefits

In recent years, considerable importance is given to the use of agrifood wastes as they contain several groups of substances that are useful for development of functional foods. As muscle foods are prone to lipid and protein oxidation and perishable in nature, the industry is in constant search of synthetic free additives that help in retarding the oxidation process, leading to the development of healthier and shelf stable products. The by-products or residues of pomegranate fruit (seeds, pomace, and peel) are reported to contain bioactive compounds, including phenolic and polyphenolic compounds, dietary fibre, complex polysaccharides, minerals, vitamins, etc. Such compounds extracted from the by-products of pomegranate can be used as functional ingredients or food additives to harness the antioxidant, antimicrobial potential, or as substitutes for fat, and protein in various muscle food products. Besides, these natural additives are reported to improve the quality, safety, and extend the shelf life of different types of food products, including meat and fish. Although studies on application of pomegranate by-products on various foods are available, their effect on the physicochemical, oxidative changes, microbial, colour stabilizing, sensory acceptability, and shelf life of muscle foods are not comprehensively discussed previously. In this review, we vividly discuss these issues, and highlight the benefits of pomegranate by-products and their phenolic composition on human health.

Phyto Effect of <i>Punica granatum</i> on the Remodelling of <i>Maxilla</i> Bone, Study of Osteoblast and Osteoclast

Punica granatum (PG) contained anthocyanin, the chemical compound that played significant role in increasing bone cell proliferabbitsion and osteoblasts differentiation in bone remodelling. This research was aimed at measuring the effect of Punicagranatum on maxilla bone remodelling relating to the profile of both osteoblast and osteoclast. Punicagranatum was extracted by using butanol while the analysis of bone remodelling was conducted by observing the profile of osteoblast and osteoclast cells using histopathologic method. Butanol hydrogel of Punicagranatum was abled to enhance bone reabsorption which was proven by the increase of osteoclast and new bone formation since the osteoblast was presented. Moreover, bone remodelling activity was characterised by increased collagen fibres and osteocyte cell, in addition, bone shape compactness was getting better. Statistical analysis revealed that the histoscore profile of osteoblast was influenced by butanol fraction dosage with significance level (p<0.05) which was at medium criteria according to Pearson correlation (r=0,6). While the effect of dosage on osteoclast was at significance level (p<0.05) but was poorly correlated with (r=0.01) and osteoblast frequency was dominant at the concentrabbitsion of 125 mg/ml and 250 mg/ml. On the other hand, at the concentrabbitsion of 175 mg/ml osteoclast presentation was found to be more dominant. The fraction of butanol PG was abled to induce osteoblast increment and osteoclast at the concentrabbitsion of (mg/ml) 125, 175, and 250 and accelerabbitse the remodelling of alveolar maxilla.

Punica granatum L.-derived omega-5 nanoemulsion improves hepatic steatosis in mice fed a high fat diet by increasing fatty acid utilization in hepatocytes

Pomegranate seed oil (PSO) is mainly composed of punicic acid (PA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid also known as omega-5 (ω-5), a potent antioxidant associated with a variety of metabolic and cellular beneficial effects. However, the potential benefits of a nanoemulsified version of ω-5 (PSOn) have not been evaluated in a pathological liver condition. Here, we examined whether PSOn had beneficial effects on C57BL/6N mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), specifically on hepatic steatosis. We observed that PSOn supplementation decreased body weight and body fat mass in control mice, whereas glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, energy expenditure, and hepatic steatosis were improved in both control mice and in mice fed a HFD. Interestingly, PSOn increased fatty acid oxidation in primary hepatocytes and antioxidant gene expression. Altogether, our data indicate that PSOn effectively reduces some of the HFD-derived metabolic syndrome indicators by means of an increase in fatty acid oxidation within hepatocytes.

Protective Effects of Punicalagin on Osteoporosis by Inhibiting Osteoclastogenesis and Inflammation via the NF-κB and MAPK Pathways

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a worldwide disease characterized by reduced bone mineral density and increased fracture risk. Inflammatory bone loss due to excessive osteoclast bone resorption is significant in the pathogenesis and development of osteoporosis. Punicalagin (PUN) is a pomegranate fruit derivative and has potential anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effect of PUN on osteoporotic bone loss has yet to be clarified. In this study, we investigated the effect of PUN on RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption in vitro, as well as its potential therapeutic effect on ovariectomized-induced bone loss in vivo. PUN was demonstrated to suppress osteoclast formation and bone resorptive function dose-dependently, while osteoclast-specific genes were also downregulated by PUN. In vivo micro-CT and histopathological staining showed that the OVX procedure led to significant bone loss characterized by decreased bone parameters and increased osteoclast numbers, while PUN treatment dramatically prevented these changes. Furthermore, PUN treatment effectively inhibited proinflammatory cytokine expression in vitro. Mechanistically, PUN maintained bone mass via suppressing nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway activation. Collectively, our observations provide evidence that PUN is a potential candidate for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Fruits By-Products - A Source of Valuable Active Principles. A Short Review

The growing demand for more sustainable, alternative processes leading to production of plant-derived preparations imposes the use of plants waste generated mainly by agri-food and pharmaceutical industries. These mostly unexploited but large quantities of plants waste also increase the interest in developing alternative approaches for sustainable production of therapeutic molecules. In order to reduce the amount of plant waste by further processing, different novel extraction techniques can be applied. Fruits and their industrial by-products are rich sources of different classes of compounds with therapeutic properties. The processed fruits waste can be reused and lead to novel pharmaceuticals, food supplements or functional foods. This review intends to briefly summarize recent aspects regarding the production of different active compounds from fruit by-products, and their therapeutic properties. The potential use of fruits by-products in different industries will be also discussed.

Food Applications and Potential Health Benefits of Pomegranate and its Derivatives

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an ancient fruit that is particularly cultivated in west Asia, though it is also cultivated in the Mediterranean region and other parts of the world. Since ancient years, its consumption has been associated with numerous health benefits. In recent years, several in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed its beneficial physiological activities, especially its antioxidative, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, human-based studies have shown promising results and have indicated pomegranate potential as a protective agent of several diseases. Following that trend and the food industry's demand for antioxidants and antimicrobials from natural sources, the application of pomegranate and its extracts (mainly as antioxidants and antimicrobials), has been studied extensively in different types of food products with satisfactory results. This review aims to present all the recent studies and trends in the applications of pomegranate in the food industry and how these trends have affected product's physicochemical characteristics and shelf-life. In addition, recent in vitro and in vivo studies are presented in order to reveal pomegranate's potential in the treatment of several diseases.

Structures, NMR Spectroscopic Features, and Cytotoxic Properties of Oligomeric Hellinoyl (m-GO-m-GOG)-Type Ellagitannins from the Galls of Tamarix aphylla

Ellagitannin oligomers are large molecules habitually showing complex NMR spectra that are sometimes misinterpreted and lead to incorrect structures. Understanding the NMR spectroscopic features of a group of ellagitannins would overcome these inadequacies. In this study, investigation of the galls of Tamarix aphylla led to the isolation of three new ellagitannin oligomers, phyllagallins T1 (1), T2 (2), and Q1 (3), a known monomer nilotinin M4 (4), four known dimers, nilotinins D7 (5) and D8 (6), hirtellin B (7), and tamarixinin A (8), and a simple phenolic, dehydrotrigallic acid (9). 1D and 2D NMR, HRESI-TOFMS, and ECD experiments show that compounds 1-8 are hellinoyl-type ellagitannins. The NMR spectroscopic features of this type of ellagitannins and the reasons for the abnormal upfield shifts of glucose anomeric proton and hellinoyl moiety proton signals are established considering the experimental results as well as quantum chemical calculation on a simple hellinoyl-type monomer, phyllagallin M2. Based on these results, the NMR assignments reported previously by a different research group for bracteatinin T₁ and hirtellin T₃ are revised. A cytotoxicity study against human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (Ca9-22, HSC-2, and HSC-4) and human mesenchymal normal oral cells (HGF, HPC, and HPLF) showed cytotoxic effects with tumor-specificity higher than 5.2, 3.0, 1.6, and 2.0 for compounds 5, 2, 9, and 3, respectively.

The Anti-inflammatory Effects of Dietary Anthocyanins against Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC), which is a major form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is a chronic relapsing disorder of the gastrointestinal tract affecting millions of people worldwide. Alternative natural therapies, including dietary changes, are being investigated to manage or treat UC since current treatment options have serious negative side effects. There is growing evidence from animal studies and human clinical trials that diets rich in anthocyanins, which are pigments in fruits and vegetables, protect against inflammation and increased gut permeability as well as improve colon health through their ability to alter bacterial metabolism and the microbial milieu within the intestines. In this review, the structure and bioactivity of anthocyanins, the role of inflammation and gut bacterial dysbiosis in UC pathogenesis, and their regulation by the dietary anthocyanins are discussed, which suggests the feasibility of dietary strategies for UC mitigation.

Theabrownin suppresses in vitro osteoclastogenesis and prevents bone loss in ovariectomized rats

Drinking tea exhibits beneficial effects on bone health and may protect against osteoporosis, particularly in postmenopausal women. Theabrownin (TB) is the main component responsible for the biological activities of Pu-erh tea, but whether it possesses anti-osteoporotic potential remains unknown. Here we investigated the in vitro and in vivo anti-osteoporotic effects of TB in the RAW 264.7 cell line and ovariectomized (OVX) rats, respectively. Our in vitro studies showed that TB significantly suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and the expression of related marker proteins, including NFATc1, TRAP, c-Fos, and cathepsin K. In vivo studies showed that TB treatment effectively ameliorated blood biochemical parameters, organ weights and organ coefficients in OVX rats. In addition, TB treatment significantly improved femoral bone mineral density (BMD) and biomechanical properties. What's more, TB treatment strikingly ameliorated bone microarchitecture in OVX rats because of increased cortical bone thickness and trabecular bone area in the femur. Our study therefore demonstrated that TB can inhibit RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro and prevent bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Consequently, TB has a promising potential in postmenopausal osteoporosis treatment.

Polyphenol uses in biomaterials engineering

Polyphenols are micronutrients obtained from diet that have been suggested to play an important role in health. The health benefits of polyphenols and their protective effects in food systems as antioxidant compounds are well known and have been extensively investigated. However, their functional roles as a "processing cofactor" in tissue engineering applications are less widely known. This review focuses on the functionality of polyphenols and their application in biomaterials. Polyphenols have been used to stabilize collagen and to improve its resistance to degradation in biological systems. Therefore, they have been proposed to improve the performance of biomedical devices used in cardiovascular systems by improving the mechanical properties of grafted heart valves, enhancing microcirculation through the relaxation of the arterial walls and improving the capillary blood flow and pressure resistance. Polyphenols have been found to stimulate bone formation, mineralization, as well as the proliferation, differentiation, and the survival of osteoblasts. These effects are brought about by the stimulatory effect of polyphenols on osteoblast cells and their protective effect against oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines. In addition, polyphenols inhibit the differentiation of the osteoclast cells. Collectively, these actions lead to promote bone formation and to reduce bone resorption, respectively. Moreover, polyphenols can increase the cross-linking of dentine and hence its mechanical stability. Overall, polyphenols provide interesting properties that will stimulate further research in the bioengineering field.

Evaluation of a Pomegranate Peel Extract as an Alternative Means to Control Olive Anthracnose

Olive anthracnose is caused by different species of Colletotrichum spp. and may be regarded as the most damaging disease of olive fruit worldwide, greatly affecting quality and quantity of the productions. A pomegranate peel extract (PGE) proved very effective in controlling the disease. The extract had a strong in vitro fungicidal activity against Colletotrichum acutatum sensu stricto, was very effective in both preventive and curative trials with artificially inoculated fruit, and induced resistance in treated olive tissues. In field trials, PGE was significantly more effective than copper, which is traditionally used to control the disease. The highest level of protection was achieved by applying the extract in the early ascending phase of the disease outbreaks because natural rots were completely inhibited with PGE at 12 g/liter and were reduced by 98.6 and by 93.0% on plants treated with PGE at 6 and 3 g/liter, respectively. Two treatments carried out 30 and 15 days before the expected epidemic outbreak reduced the incidence of the disease by 77.6, 57.0, and 51.8%, depending on the PGE concentration. The analysis of epiphytic populations showed a strong antimicrobial activity of PGE, which sharply reduced both fungal and bacterial populations. Because PGE was obtained from a natural matrix using safe chemicals and did not have any apparent phytotoxic effect on treated olive fruit, it may be regarded as a safe and effective natural antifungal preparation to control olive anthracnose and improve olive productions.

Molecular signaling mechanisms behind polyphenol-induced bone anabolism

For millennia, in the different cultures all over the world, plants have been extensively used as a source of therapeutic agents with wide-ranging medicinal applications, thus becoming part of a rational clinical and pharmacological investigation over the years. As bioactive molecules, plant-derived polyphenols have been demonstrated to exert many effects on human health by acting on different biological systems, thus their therapeutic potential would represent a novel approach on which natural product-based drug discovery and development could be based in the future. Many reports have provided evidence for the benefits derived from the dietary supplementation of polyphenols in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Polyphenols are able to protect the bone, thanks to their antioxidant properties, as well as their anti-inflammatory actions by involving diverse signaling pathways, thus leading to bone anabolic effects and decreased bone resorption. This review is meant to summarize the research works performed so far, by elucidating the molecular mechanisms of action of polyphenols in a bone regeneration context, aiming at a better understanding of a possible application in the development of medical devices for bone tissue regeneration.