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Cordiano R, Gammeri L, Di Salvo E, Gangemi S, Minciullo PL. Pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.) Extract Effects on Inflammaging. Molecules 2024; 29:4174. [PMID: 39275022 PMCID: PMC11396831 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29174174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Pomegranate is a notable source of nutrients, containing a considerable proportion of organic acids, polysaccharides, vitamins, fatty acids, and polyphenols such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and tannins. It is also rich in nutritionally important minerals and chemical elements such as K, P, Na, Ca, Mg, and N. The presence of several bioactive compounds and metabolites in pomegranate has led to its incorporation into the functional food category, where it is used for its numerous therapeutic properties. Pomegranate's bioactive compounds have shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Aging is a process characterized by the chronic accumulation of damages, progressively compromising cells, tissues, and organs over time. Inflammaging is a chronic, subclinical, low-grade inflammation that occurs during the aging process and is linked to many age-related diseases. This review aims to summarize and discuss the evidence of the benefits of pomegranate extract and its compounds to slow the aging processes by intervening in the mechanisms underlying inflammaging. These studies mainly concern neurodegenerative and skin diseases, while studies in other fields of application need to be more practical. Furthermore, no human studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammaging effects of pomegranate. In the future, supplementation with pomegranate extracts, polyphenols, or urolithins could represent a valuable low-risk complementary therapy for patients with difficult-to-manage diseases, as well as a valid therapeutic alternative for the topical or systemic treatment of skin pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Cordiano
- Unit and School of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Luca Gammeri
- Unit and School of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Eleonora Di Salvo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Science and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Unit and School of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Paola Lucia Minciullo
- Unit and School of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
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Li H, Xu G, Zhu W, Yuan G. Editorial: Application of natural medicinal products in preventing and ameliorating aging-caused cognitive impairment. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1059398. [PMID: 36408250 PMCID: PMC9670168 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1059398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Li
- School of Pharmacy, Beihua University, Jilin, China
| | - Guangyu Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Beihua University, Jilin, China
| | - Wenhe Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Jilin Medical University, Jilin, China
| | - Guangxin Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Beihua University, Jilin, China,*Correspondence: Guangxin Yuan,
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Bhat BA, Almilaibary A, Mir RA, Aljarallah BM, Mir WR, Ahmad F, Mir MA. Natural Therapeutics in Aid of Treating Alzheimer's Disease: A Green Gateway Toward Ending Quest for Treating Neurological Disorders. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:884345. [PMID: 35651632 PMCID: PMC9149276 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.884345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The current scientific community is facing a daunting challenge to unravel reliable natural compounds with realistic potential to treat neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The reported compounds/drugs mostly synthetic deemed the reliability and therapeutic potential largely due to their complexity and off-target issues. The natural products from nutraceutical compounds emerge as viable preventive therapeutics to fill the huge gap in treating neurological disorders. Considering that Alzheimer's disease is a multifactorial disease, natural compounds offer the advantage of a multitarget approach, tagging different molecular sites in the human brain, as compared with the single-target activity of most of the drugs so far used to treat Alzheimer's disease. A wide range of plant extracts and phytochemicals reported to possess the therapeutic potential to Alzheimer's disease includes curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, morin, delphinidins, quercetin, luteolin, oleocanthal, and other phytochemicals such as huperzine A, limonoids, and azaphilones. Reported targets of these natural compounds include inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, amyloid senile plaques, oxidation products, inflammatory pathways, specific brain receptors, etc. We tenaciously aimed to review the in-depth potential of natural products and their therapeutic applications against Alzheimer's disease, with a special focus on a diversity of medicinal plants and phytocompounds and their mechanism of action against Alzheimer's disease pathologies. We strongly believe that the medicinal plants and phytoconstituents alone or in combination with other compounds would be effective treatments against Alzheimer's disease with lesser side effects as compared to currently available treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basharat Ahmad Bhat
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
| | - Abdullah Almilaibary
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Albaha University Alaqiq, Alaqiq, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rakeeb Ahmad Mir
- Department of Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, India
| | - Badr M. Aljarallah
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wajahat R. Mir
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
| | - Fuzail Ahmad
- College of Applied Medical Science, Majmaah University, Al Majma’ah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manzoor Ahmad Mir
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
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Attenuation of Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia via Cholinergic Modulation in Mice by Synthetic Curcumin Analogs. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27082468. [PMID: 35458662 PMCID: PMC9029618 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27082468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is an emerging health disorder associated with cognitive decline and memory loss. In this study, six curcumin analogs (1a−1f) were synthesized and screened for in vitro cholinesterase inhibitory potential. On the basis of promising results, they were further investigated for in vivo analysis using elevated plus maze (EPM), Y-maze, and novel object recognition (NOR) behavioral models. The binding mode of the synthesized compounds with the active sites of cholinesterases, and the involvement of the cholinergic system in brain hippocampus was determined. The synthesized curcumin analog 1d (p < 0.001, n = 6), and 1c (p < 0.01, n = 6) showed promising results by decreasing retention time in EPM, significantly increasing % SAP in Y-maze, while significantly (p < 0.001) enhancing the % discrimination index (DI) and the time exploring the novel objects in NORT mice behavioral models. A molecular docking study using MOE software was used for validation of the inhibition of cholinesterase(s). It has been indicated from the current research work that the synthesized curcumin analogs enhanced memory functions in mice models and could be used as valuable therapeutic molecules against neurodegenerative disorders. To determine their exact mechanism of action, further studies are suggested.
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Yadav G, Ansari TM, Shamim A, Roy S, Khan MMU, Ahsan F, Shariq M, Parveen S, Wasim R. Herbal Plethora for Management of Neurodegenerative Disorders:
An Invigorating Outlook. CURRENT NUTRITION & FOOD SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.2174/1573401317666210913094938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective:
Oxidative stress, proteasomal impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction,
and accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates have shovelled a major section of the senior
population towards neurodegenerative disorders. Although age, genetic and environmental factors
are thought to play a significant role, drug abuse is considered to be a potent trigger in
Parkinsonism among the young generation. The present study is a critical examination of herbal
resources for attenuation of neurodegeneration.
Materials and Methods:
The following electronic databases have been used to search for literature:
MEDLINE, Scopus, PubMed, and EMBASE
Results :
Paying heed to the prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and
Parkinson’s, the current review encompasses the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration at the cellular
level and possible prospects to overcome the challenge sailing through the ocean of herbal
boon. The United States’s Alzheimer’s Association states that deaths attributable to heart disease
in the country fell by 11% between 2000 and 2015, while deaths from neurodegenerative
diseases increased by a staggering 123% making it, the world’s sixth-leading cause of death.
The irreversible pathological damage amounts to cognitive loss, dementia, Amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease (PD) Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Various herbal drugs like Brahmi, Shankhpushpi, and Amla are reported to be rich in phytoconstituents
like flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, fatty acids, sterols, tannins, saponins, and
terpenes that have remarkable antioxidant potential and could be explored for the same to prevent
neuronal necrosis.
Conclusion:
It is also believed that herbal medicines are more effective and less toxic than
synthetic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garima Yadav
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226026, India
| | | | - Arshiya Shamim
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226026, India
| | - Supriya Roy
- Amity Institute of Pharmacy,
Amity University, Lucknow Campus, Uttar Pradesh 226028, India
| | - Mohd Masih Uzzaman Khan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry &
Pharmacognosy, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Al-qassim Unaizah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Farogh Ahsan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226026, India
| | - Mohammad Shariq
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226026, India
| | - Saba Parveen
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226026, India
| | - Rufaida Wasim
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226026 , India
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Crude Saponin from Platycodon grandiflorum Attenuates Aβ-Induced Neurotoxicity via Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Apoptotic Signaling Pathways. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10121968. [PMID: 34943071 PMCID: PMC8750977 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10121968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Platycodon grandiflorum saponins exhibit many beneficial biological effects in various diseases and conditions, how they protect nerve cells against neurodegenerative diseases and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology is unknown. We investigated whether P. grandiflorum crude saponin (PGS) protects neurons from neurodegeneration caused by amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced oxidative stress. Hippocampal neuron HT-22 cells were used in the in vitro experiment, and AD mice (5XFAD mice) were used as the in vivo model. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was stained with DCF-DA and assessed using fluorescence microscopy. To elucidate the mechanism underlying neuroprotection, intracellular protein levels were assessed by western blotting. In 5XFAD mice, an animal model of AD, nerve damage recovery due to the induction of Aβ toxicity was evaluated by histological analysis. PGS attenuates Aβ-induced neurotoxicity by inhibiting Aβ-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis in HT-22 cells. Furthermore, PGS upregulated Nrf2-mediated antioxidant signaling and downregulated NF-κB-mediated inflammatory signaling. Additionally, PGS inhibited apoptosis by regulating the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins. In addition, PGS ameliorated Aβ-mediated pathologies, leading to AD-associated cognitive decline. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings suggest that PGS inhibits Aβ accumulation in the subiculum and cerebral cortex and attenuates Aβ toxicity-induced nerve damage in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, PGS is a resource for developing AD therapeutics.
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Das M, Jaya Balan D, Kasi PD. Mitigation of oxidative stress with dihydroactinidiolide, a natural product against scopolamine-induced amnesia in Swiss albino mice. Neurotoxicology 2021; 86:149-161. [PMID: 34371027 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2021.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The present work describes the neuroprotective efficacy of DHAc under escalated oxidative stress condition in scopolamine-induced amnesic mice. During the toxicity test of DHAc in mice, the acute dose (LD50) is found to be 3.468 mg/kg bw and the sub-acute dose is 0.68 mg/kg bw. Improved cognitive and learning abilities are observed in Morris water maze and Y-maze test in 10 days DHAc (0.68 mg/kg bw) treated scopolamine-induced male Swiss albino mice. In the molecular level these changes are monitored as reduced oxidative load followed by significantly lower lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation, increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, acetylcholinesterase, caspase-3 activity and glutathione content followed by higher expression of anti apoptotic protein bcl-2 in mice brain as compared to scopolamine (1 mg/kg bw) treated mice. Meanwhile real time PCR shows higher expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and synaptophysin in DHAc pretreated scopolamine treated mice brain. HPLC analysis suggested its possible blood brain barrier crossing ability. Overall DHAc reversed behavioral anomalies in the scopolamine treated mice via oxidative stress quenching, enhancing antioxidative enzyme activity, enhancing BDNF and synaptophysin mRNA levels and reducing expression of apoptotic protein Bax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamali Das
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University (Science Campus), Karaikudi, 630003, TN, India
| | - Devasahayam Jaya Balan
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University (Science Campus), Karaikudi, 630003, TN, India
| | - Pandima Devi Kasi
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University (Science Campus), Karaikudi, 630003, TN, India.
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Pandey SN, Rangra NK, Singh S, Arora S, Gupta V. Evolving Role of Natural Products from Traditional Medicinal Herbs in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:2718-2728. [PMID: 34010562 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease that causes dementia by impairing mental capacity growth and disrupting neurocognitive activity. Despite recent advancements in AD therapy, therapeutic effectiveness has been small, noncurative, and susceptible to drug resistance. The reality that AD's origin remains unknown and that the blood-brain barrier limits treatment effectiveness are two significant impediments to science. Plants are repositories for novel chemical entities, which provide an exciting avenue for Alzheimer's disease studies. Although several herbal remedies are unquestionably efficient, only a small number have been clinically tested for their active chemical constituents and biological activities. Using published data in the literature, we summarized commonly used medicinal plants and herbs and their phyto components for the care and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease as an alternative therapy. In this, we summarize the main compounds found in 30 different herbal medicines that target neurodegenerative diseases. Using the experimental study of physicochemical properties, we put forward a hypothesis about potential medicinal plants and the management of Alzheimer's disease. The summary analysis demonstrates that conventional herbal medicines produce compounds with physicochemical properties with a high degree of similarities with existing approved medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surya Nath Pandey
- University Institute of Pharma Sciences, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab 140413, India
| | - Naresh Kumar Rangra
- Faculty of Medical Sciences & Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gurukula Kangri (Deemed to be University), Haridwar, Uttarakhand 249404, India
| | - Sima Singh
- University Institute of Pharma Sciences, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab 140413, India
| | - Saahil Arora
- University Institute of Pharma Sciences, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab 140413, India
| | - Varun Gupta
- University Institute of Pharma Sciences, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab 140413, India
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Halder S, Anand U, Nandy S, Oleksak P, Qusti S, Alshammari EM, El-Saber Batiha G, Koshy EP, Dey A. Herbal drugs and natural bioactive products as potential therapeutics: A review on pro-cognitives and brain boosters perspectives. Saudi Pharm J 2021; 29:879-907. [PMID: 34408548 PMCID: PMC8363108 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory, one of the most vital aspects of the human brain, is necessary for the effective survival of an individual. 'Memory' can be defined in various ways but in an overall view, memory is the retention of the information that the brain grasps. Different factors are responsible for the disbalance in the brain's hippocampus region and the acetylcholine level, which masters the memory and cognitive functions. Plants are a source of pharmacologically potent drug molecules of high efficacy. Recently herbal medicine has evolved rapidly, gaining great acceptance worldwide due to their natural origin and fewer side effects. In this review, the authors have discussed the mechanisms and pharmacological action of herbal bioactive compounds to boost memory. Moreover, this review presents an update of different herbs and natural products that could act as memory enhancers and how they can be potentially utilized in the near future for the treatment of severe brain disorders. In addition, the authors also discuss the differences in biological activity of the same herb and emphasize the requirement for a higher standardization in cultivation methods and plant processing. The demand for further studies evaluating the interactions of herbal drugs is mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Halder
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Uttpal Anand
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Engineering, Jacob Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj 211007, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Samapika Nandy
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Patrik Oleksak
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Safaa Qusti
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, king Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eida M. Alshammari
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22511, AlBeheira, Egypt
| | - Eapen P. Koshy
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Engineering, Jacob Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj 211007, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Abhijit Dey
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
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Assessment of Antioxidant Activity and Neuroprotective Capacity on PC12 Cell Line of Frankenia thymifolia and Related Phenolic LC-MS/MS Identification. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2016; 2016:2843463. [PMID: 27829862 PMCID: PMC5088309 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2843463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This work aimed to investigate the richness of a Tunisian xerohalophyte Frankenia thymifolia aerial and root parts on phenolics and to evaluate the antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of this medicinal species. After fractionation using increasing and different solvent polarities, results displayed five fractions, where ethyl acetate (EtOAc) shoot and root fractions possess considerable total phenolic contents (221 and 308 mg of GAE/g of E, resp.) related to their important antioxidant activities such as ORAC (918 and 713 mg of TE/g of E), DPPH (282 and 821 mg of TE/g), and ABTS (778 and 1320 mg of TE/g) tests. Then, the identification of the main compounds by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS and neuroprotective property of the most active fraction EtOAc were assessed. A total of 14 molecules were identified, which have been described for the first time in F. thymifolia. The major compounds identified were pinoresinol and kaempferol glycoside in aerial parts and gallic acid and ellagitannin in roots. Neuroprotective capacity against β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide induced toxicity in PC12 cells of EtOAc fraction showed a significant protective activity at lower concentration (25 and 50 µM). The relevant antioxidant and neuroprotective activities of F. thymifolia EtOAc fraction corroborated their chemical compositions.
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Pomegranate supplementation improves affective and motor behavior in mice after radiation exposure. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2013; 2013:940830. [PMID: 23662154 PMCID: PMC3639646 DOI: 10.1155/2013/940830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2012] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Currently, NASA has plans for extended space travel, and previous research indicates that space radiation can have negative effects on cognitive skills as well as physical and mental health. With long-term space travel, astronauts will be exposed to greater radiation levels. Research shows that an antioxidant-enriched diet may offer some protection against the cellular effects of radiation and may provide significant neuroprotection from the effects of radiation-induced cognitive and behavioral skill deficits. Ninety-six C57BL/6 mice (48 pomegranate fed and 48 control) were irradiated with proton radiation (2 Gy), and two-month postradiation behaviors were assessed using a battery of behavioral tests to measure cognitive and motor functions. Proton irradiation was associated with depression-like behaviors in the tail suspension test, but this effect was ameliorated by the pomegranate diet. Males, in general, displayed worse coordination and balance than females on the rotarod task, and the pomegranate diet ameliorated this effect. Overall, it appears that proton irradiation, which may be encountered in space, may induce a different pattern of behavioral deficits in males than females and that a pomegranate diet may confer protection against some of those effects.
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