Altered element homeostasis and transmethylation ability in short-term polyphenol rich supplementation in hyperlipidemic animal model

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the most common chronic liver diseases with unclarified pathomechanism and without evidence-proven therapy. Dietary polyphenols, targeting oxidative stress, are at the center of investigations. Our aim was to examine the effects of a polyphenol rich extract on metal element homeostasis and transmethylation ability in non-alcoholic fatty liver model. A ten-day rat model was used (control group, hyperlipidemic group with fat-rich diet, hyperlipidemic group with fat-rich diet and polyphenol supplementation, N = 8 in each group). The hyperlipidemic diet increased the concentration of the majority of the elements with significantly higher contents of B, Co, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Se, Si, and Zn in the liver. Further elevation of Al, Pb, and Sn concentrations could be observed in polyphenol supplemented animals. The polyphenol supplement unexpectedly decreased the transmethylation ability of the liver (132.00 vs. 114.15 vs. 92.25 HCHO μg g−1) further. The results emphasize the possible role of altered metal and non-metal element concentrations and decreased transmethylation ability in the pathomechanism of fatty liver disease. Dietary supplementation with natural compounds may have undesirable effect as well, there is the necessity to improve the efficacy of polyphenol formulations because of their low oral bioavailability.

Protective effect of CV247 against cisplatin nephrotoxicity in rats

CV247 (CV), an aqueous mixture of copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) gluconates, vitamin C and sodium salicylate increased the antitumour effects of cisplatin (CDPP; cis-diamminedichloroplatinum) in vitro. We hypothesized that the antioxidant and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2; prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2) inhibitory components of CV can protect the kidneys from CDPP nephrotoxicity in rats. CDPP (6.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) slightly elevated serum creatinine (Crea) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 12 days after treatment. Kidney histology demonstrated extensive tubular epithelial damage and COX-2 immunoreactivity increased 14 days after treatment. A large amount of platinum (Pt) accumulated in the kidney of CDPP-treated rats. Furthermore, CDPP decreased renal iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), Cu and Mn concentrations and increased plasma Fe and Cu concentrations. CDPP elevated plasma free radical concentration. Treatment with CV alone for 14 days (twice 3 ml/kg/day orally) did not influence these parameters. Chronic CV administration after CDPP reduced renal histological damage and slightly decreased COX-2 immunoreactivity, while failed to prevent the increase in Crea and BUN levels. Blood free radical concentration was reduced, that is, CV improved redox homeostasis. CV restored plasma Fe and renal Fe, Mo and Zn, while decreased Pt and elevated Cu and Mn concentrations in the kidney. Besides the known synergistic antitumour effects with CDPP, CV partially protected the kidneys from CDPP nephrotoxicity probably through its antioxidant effect.

The effect of citrus flavonoids on the redox state of alimentary-induced fatty liver in rats

Both chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and fatty liver may develop at the same time. Hesperidin and diosmin are used for the treatment CVI. There is no information, however, on the effect of these flavonoids in the redox state of fatty liver. In this study, male Wistar albino rats were fed a lipid-rich diet with or without 450 mg diosmin-50 mg hesperidin-containing drug (60 mg kg(-1) body weight/day, per os) for 9 days to determine the impact of treatment on antioxidant defence system of the fatty liver. We detected free SH-group concentration (SHC), hydrogen-donating ability (HDA), and natural scavenger capacity were decreased and hepatic malonaldehyde content and dien conjugate (DC) content in rats with fatty liver were increased compared to the control. After treatment in fatty liver, these parameters (except DC) significantly improved and approached the control value. Our results indicate that diosmin-hesperidin-containing drug may be a useful agent in improving the antioxidant defensive system in alimentary-induced fatty liver disease.

In vitro study of elements in herbal remedies

Decreased glucose tolerance is a first sign of diabetes mellitus and therefore rigorous control must be taken in carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms. Herbal remedies (lyophilized extracts of Myrtilli folium and Phaseoli fructus sine seminibus (L1), Myrtilli folium, Phaseoli fructus sine seminibus, and Salviae folium (L2) are traditionally used in mid-European folk medicine and in common adjuvant therapy for the prevention of complications in type 2 diabetes. Significant iron (355.7 +/- 13.8 mg/kg) and zinc (84.73 +/- 1.83 mg/kg) concentration was found in L1 and chromium (3.82 +/- 2.71 mg/kg) in L2. Ion concentrations in teas made from L1 and L2 are relatively low because the quantities of metal ions in teas do not cover the daily need, although the teas are good sources for some elements. According to the Recommended Daily Allowances, the tea of L1 is a good source for iron and manganese, whereas for chromium, the tea of L2 is better. For evaluating the element bioavailability, an in vitro dialysis system was applied to determine the element transfer from tea of the lyophilized sample to the plasma (buffer pH=7.4). Measurements showed that the elements transferred between 6.90% (iron from tea of L2) and 90.05% (chromium from tea of L2) through the membrane from teas to the plasma. Metal ions in teas of herbal remedies might contribute to the favorable therapeutic effect of preventing complications, because they might transfer through the membranes in relatively high percentages.

Kinetic study of zinc sulphate release from lipophilic matrices prepared for the therapy of Wilson's disease

The rate and extent of drug release from the most controlled release wax matrices are influenced by the drug loading/embedding excipient ratio of the systems. In the present study hydrophobic wax - zinc sulphate matrices with different drug loadings were prepared for the therapy of Wilson's disease. The drug release was tested by the paddle method of USP and the dissolution data were analysed. Both the dissolution rate and kinetic profile can be controlled by alteration in the quantity of embedding material. Matrices of 75% zinc sulphate loadings showed steady state diffusion-controlled matrix release with good correlation in vitro. Good absorption of zinc sulphate from the gastrointestinal tract was proven by significant elevation of serum zinc level in patients with Wilson's disease.

Study on the transfer of components of Aetheroleum carvi and Aetheroleum foeniculi oils

The transfer through a membrane of the main organic components and mineral elements of Carum carvi and Foeniculum vulgare volatile oils was studied. The transfer was studied from buffer solution pH 1.1 (stomach) and pH 6.5 (intestine) to pH 7.5 (plasma) in a Sartorius model. The transferred components were measured by GC-MS for volatile components and ICP-OES for inorganic elements. The main components (trans-anethole and fenchone from F. vulgare, carvone and D-limonene from C. carvi), as well as some mineral elements (Ca, Mg, S, Zn), transferred through the membrane.

Major and trace elements in whole blood of phlebotomized patients with porphyria cutanea tarda

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a disorder of hem biosynthesis resulting from a decreased activity of the uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase enzyme. Hem precursors are accumulated in the blood, liver and skin. Inherited and acquired factors also contribute to the pathogenesis of PCT. Hem precursors and porphyrins are excreted with urine and faeces. Whole blood of 8 PCT patients and 6 volunteers of Caucasian origin were analysed. In addition to routine laboratory measurements, 19 elements (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, S, V, Zn) were determined by means of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Mg, P and S concentrations in whole blood were decreased significantly (p<0.05), whereas Ba was increased in PCT patients compared to controls. Metabolic alterations are reflected in the correlation of parameters. Positive correlations were found between the element pairs of Zn-Al, Zn-Mg, Zn-Mn, B-S, Fe-Mg, K-P, Mg-Mn for PCT patients, whereas in the control group Al-Mn, Ca-Cu, Ca-Na, Cu-Mg, Fe-K, Mg-Na, Zn-P showed positive correlations.

In vitro analysis of the properties of Beiqishen tea

OBJECTIVE

Chinese Beiqishen tea was studied in an in vitro test system.

METHODS

Phytochemical screening, trace element analysis, and the analysis of antioxidant properties were carried out. Characteristic constituents were determined by chromatographic (capillary gas chromatography and GCQ Ion Trap mass spectrometry) and spectrometric (ultraviolet and UV-VIS) methods. Element concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Antioxidant capacity was studied by spectrophotometric and luminometric techniques using a Berthold Lumat 9501 luminometer. Hydrogen-donating activity, reducing power, and total scavenger capacity were measured.

RESULTS

Total polyphenol content was 20.77 +/- 0.52 g/100 g of drug; total flavonoid content was 0.485 +/- 0.036 g/100 g of drug; and tannin content was 9.063 +/- 0.782 g/100 g of drug. Caffeine content was 1.08 mg/100 g of drug. Essential oils were identified by gas chromatography: (+)-limonene (21%), p-cymene (1.7%), estragol (3.2%), beta-ocimene (1.4%), and thymol (2.6%). Metallic ion analysis showed significantly high concentrations of Al, As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Ti in the drug. Antioxidant and scavenger properties were identified as a function of concentration.

CONCLUSIONS

The tea infusion contained some non-desirable trace elements and caffeine in addition to polyphenols and tannins in high concentrations. Therefore, the consumption of this tea may involve risks.

Herbal remedies of Solidago--correlation of phytochemical characteristics and antioxidative properties

In this study the correlation of phytochemical characteristics and antioxidative properties of classical herbal tea extracts-Infusum solidaginis, Decoctum solidaginis, Maceratum solidaginis-and tinctures prepared by various concentration of ethanol (40, 70, 96% v/v) have been examined for the release of flavonoids and their antioxidant activity. Quantitative and composition determination of flavonoids were carried out by spectrophotometry, high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis, respectively. Hydrogen-donating ability and reducing power properties were used to define in vitro radical scavenging activity of Solidago extracts, but integral antioxidative capacity was determined by luminometry (Photochem), calculating the ascorbic acid equivalents. Chlorogenic acid, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-rutinoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-rhamnoside, kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside and quercetin were confirmed by retention times and UV spectra. Based on the dissolution rate, variance of flavonoid release and ascorbic acid equivalents it was concluded, that Tinctura solidaginis (70% v/v ethanol) and Infusum solidaginis are the most appropriate preparations.

In vitro study on the transfer of volatile oil components

The following volatile oils were tested in vitro: chamomile (Matricaria recutica L.), peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) and sage (Salvia officinalis L.) to obtain information on which components of volatile oils or minerals are able to pass through the membranes under different conditions. The transfer of chamomile and peppermint oil from aqueous volatile oil to the stomach (pH=1.1) and then to the plasma (pH=7.5) was studied, and the transfer of sage oil through the skin (from pH=5.5 to pH=7.5) was examined. The transfer of some components was more favorable than that of others. The transfer of chamomile oil was faster to buffer pH=1.1 than from buffer pH=1.1 to buffer pH=7.5 and most of the components, except for chamazulene, passed through the membranes. In the case of peppermint the components went through the membranes in the first 15 min although the main components mostly remained in the initial solution. The sage oil transferred showed the same characteristics as the starting oil. A small amount of metal present in the volatile oils also passed through the membranes. The transfer of metals varied, depending on the time, type of the oil, metal quality and the conditions applied.

Effect of sample handling on alkaloid and mineral content of aqueous extracts of greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.)

The authors examined the extraction of alkaloids from the greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.) by different methods (traditional pressing and tea making, microwave and supercritical fluid extraction). The extractants were water and propylene glycol. For comparison of the extraction methods, the yield was evaluated according to total alkaloid content measured by spectroscopy. The highest alkaloid yield was obtained by microwave extraction and by making tea. Distribution of the components was studied by thin-layer chromatography and densitometry. The concentration and the ratio of alkaloid components in extracts are significantly different depending on the extraction method. The solution obtained by supercritical fluid extraction contains coptisine and chelidonine, while berberine could be obtained by microwave extraction only. Extracts with high coptisine content were obtained by supercritical fluid extraction, followed by pressing and microwave extraction. Mineral element content of the drug and extracts was also determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Element content (Na, Ca, Fe) was found to be highest in microwave extracts.

[Plant anatomical and phytochemical evaluation of Salvia species]

Plant-anatomical and phytochemical investigations were carried out on three Salvia species: S.officinalis L., S.sclarea L., S.pratensis L. It was established that the structure of the glandular hairs of the three species doesn't differ from each other but the characteristics of the covering hairs are different. The covering hairs of sage (Salvia officinalis) consist of 1-4 cells and have protective function. The hairs of the other two Salvia species are bristle hairs. The highest essential oil content was found in sage and the lowest one in S. pratensis. The qualitative and quantitative composition of the essential oils of Salvia species was also various but the qualitative composition of leaf, calix and petal of the same Salvia species was characteristical standard; significant differences were found only in their quantitative composition. Sclareol diterpene alcohol was the main component of the hexane extract obtained from clary sage flowering herb. In polyphenol ingredients Salvia officinalis was the richest. The results demonstrated that the 20% ethanol is the best of the 20, 40, 70% alcoholic solvents, for the extraction of polyphenol compounds. It was established that the rosmarinic acid depside was the main component of polyphenols. Mineral elements were also analysed in the Salvia species leaves as well in the alcoholic and wateric extracts of sage. The magnesium content was considerable in S. pratensis, the zinc content was the highest in S. officinalis.

[Determination of 23 elements in lady's thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertner)]

23 elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, Pb, S, Ti, V, Zn) were measured in lady's thistle (Silybum marianum L.) herba and fructus by ICP-AES technique after digestion in teflon vessels. This is the first report about the content of these elements in the plant originated from Hungary. This measurements is important in view of plant physiology and pharmacology. Significant amounts of aluminium and iron were measured in lady's thistle herba. In the course of tea making, the relative concentration of some elements decreases because of the poor solubility of the compounds of these elements. The low concentration of these elements in teas in favourable in pharmacological aspect. No significant differences were found in boron, calcium, potassium and magnesium concentrations of lady's thistle fructus samples of different origin.

[Analytic evaluation of Clorox household bleach from the viewpoint of its value in the use in endodontics]

The purpose of this study was to determine the impurities and the concentrations of the main components (e. g. the total chlorine, the sodium hypochlorite, the sodium chloride, the sodium hydroxide, the sodium chlorate, the sodium content) of Clorox house-hold bleach available in Hungary. We also determined the available chlorine of clorox sample. Our examinations showed that the concentrations of impurities examined are far from those affecting adversely the human health.