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At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources

PubMed2006

Phytosterols: applications and recovery methods.

Phytosterols, or plant sterols, are compounds that occur naturally and bear close structural resemblance to cholesterol, but have different side-chain configurations. Phytosterols are relevant in pharmaceuticals (production of therapeutic steroids), nutrition (anti-cholesterol additives in functional foods, anti-cancer properties), and cosmetics (creams, lipstick). Phytosterols can be obtained from vegetable oils or from industrial wastes, which gives an added value to the latter. Considerable efforts have been recently dedicated to the development of efficient processes for phytosterol isolation from natural sources. The present work aims to summarize information on the applications of phytosterols and to review recent approaches, mainly from the industry, for the large-scale recovery of phytosterols.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Antioxidant activity of differently regioselective chitosan sulfates in vitro.

Differently regioselective chitosan sulfates were prepared according to Hanno Baumann's methods. Their antioxidant potencies were investigated employing various established in vitro systems, such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)/superoxide/hydroxyl radicals scavenging, reducing power, iron ion chelating and total antioxidant activity. All kinds of sulfated chitosans (HCTS, TSCTS, SCTS, TCTS) showed strong inhibitory activity toward superoxide radical by the PMS-NADH system compared to Vc. According to the above-mentioned order their IC50 were 0.012, 0.040, 0.015, 0.022 mg/mL, respectively, however, scavenging activity of Vc on superoxide radical was 68.19% at 2.0 mg/mL. Scavenging activity of superoxide radical was found to be in the order of HCTS>SCTS>TCTS>TSCTS>Vc. Furthermore, all kinds of sulfated chitosans exhibited strong concentration-dependent inhibition of deoxyribose oxidation. Except for HCTS, others had stronger scavenging activity on hydroxyl radical than Vc. Scavenging effect of TSCTS on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical was little lower than that of BHA, but better than that of others. All kinds of sulfated chitosans were efficient in the reducing power, especially TSCTS. TSCTS and TCTS showed considerable ferrous ion chelating potency. The data obtained in vitro models clearly establish the antioxidant potency of all kinds of sulfated chitosans. These in vitro results suggested the possibility that sulfated chitosans could be effectively employed as ingredient in health or functional food, to alleviate oxidative stress. However, comprehensive studies need to be conducted to ascertain the in vivo safety of sulfated chitosans in experimental animal models.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2005

The antioxidant activity of glucosamine hydrochloride in vitro.

The antioxidant potency of chitin derivative-glucosamine hydrochloride was investigated employing various established in vitro systems, such as superoxide (O2*-)/hydroxyl (*OH)-radical scavenging, reducing power, and ferrous ion chelating potency. As expected, we obtained several satisfying results, as follows: first, glucosamine hydrochloride had pronounced scavenging effect on superoxide radical. For example, the O2*- scavenging activity of glucosamine hydrochloride was 83.74% at 0.8 mg/mL. Second, the *OH scavenging activity of glucosamine hydrochloride was also strong and was about 54.89% at 3.2 mg/mL. Third, the reducing power of glucosamine hydrochloride was more pronounced. The reducing power of glucosamine hydrochloride was 0.632 at 0.75 mg/mL. However, ferrous ion-chelating potency was soft. Furthermore, ferrous ion-chelating potency, the scavenging rate of radical, and the reducing power of glucosamine hydrochloride increased with their increasing concentration, and they were concentration dependent. The multiple antioxidant activity of glucosamine hydrochloride was evident as it showed considerable reducing power, superoxide/hydroxyl-radical scavenging ability. These in vitro results suggest the possibility that glucosamine hydrochloride could be effectively employed as an ingredient in health or functional food, to alleviate oxidative stress.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2005

Modulatory effects of quercetin on proliferation and differentiation of the human colorectal cell line Caco-2.

The effect of the dietary flavonoid quercetin was investigated on proliferation and differentiation of the human colon cancer cell line Caco-2. Confluent Caco-2 monolayers exposed to quercetin showed a biphasic effect on cell proliferation and a decrease in cell differentiation (0.001<P<0.05). During differentiation Caco-2 cells formed 5 phase II metabolites, of which the amount of 4'-O-methyl-quercetin-3'-O-glucuronide correlated with the differentiation grade (r=0.99, P<0.003). The increment of cell proliferation at low quercetin concentrations and the decrease in cell differentiation are effects opposite to what would be expected for a functional food ingredient with anti-carcinogenic potential.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗

PubMed2004

Altered expression of anti and proapoptotic proteins during chemoprevention of hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis by tomato and garlic combination.

BACKGROUND: Effective combinations of dietary agents are promising candidates for cancer chemoprevention because of their safety and the fact that they are not perceived as medicine. The present study was designed to investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of combined administration of tomato and garlic during 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch (HBP) carcinogenesis. METHODS: Hamsters were divided into four groups. The right buccal pouches of animals in group 1 were painted with 0.5% DMBA three times a week. Animals in group 2 painted with DMBA as in group 1, received in addition intragastric administration of a combined dose of tomato and garlic on days alternate to DMBA application. Group 3 animals were given chemopreventive agents alone. Animals in group 4 served as control. All the animals were sacrificed after an experimental period of 14 weeks. DNA fragmentation and the apoptosis-associated proteins-Bcl-2, Bax, Bim, P53 as well as caspases 8 and 3 were used as markers of apoptosis. RESULTS: Topical application of DMBA for 14 weeks resulted in well-developed squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) associated with increased expression of Bcl-2 and decreased expression of Bax, Bim, P53 and caspases 8 and 3. Combined administration of tomato and garlic significantly inhibited the development of HBP carcinomas and induced apoptosis. This was evidenced by downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax, Bim, P53 and caspases 8 and 3. CONCLUSION: The induction of apoptosis may be one of the mechanisms through which functional foods such as tomato and garlic exert their anticancer properties.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Improved high performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of carotenoids in the microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa.

Microalgae have become an important commercial source of carotenoids and microalgae-derived functional foods are consumed by people worldwide. Therefore, an HPLC method was developed to discern the variety and content of carotenoids in the microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa. The microalga sample was powdered, extracted, saponified and subjected to HPLC analysis. A mobile phase of methanol-acetonitrile-water (84:14:2, v/v/v) (A) and methylene chloride (100%) (B) with the following gradient elution was developed: 100% A and 0% B in the beginning, maintained for 14 min, decreased to 95% A in 25 min, 75% A in 30 min, 74% A in 35 min, 45% A in 50 min and returned to 100% A in 55 min. A total of 32 carotenoids were resolved within 49 min by using a C30 column with flow rate at 1 mL/min and detection at 450 nm. An internal standard beta-apo-8'-carotenal was used to quantify all the carotenoids. All-trans-lutein was present in exceptionally large amount (125034.4 microg/g), followed by cis isomers of lutein (27975.3 microg/g), all-trans-alpha-carotene (2465.8 microg/g), zeaxanthin (2170.3 microg/g), cis isomers of beta-carotene (2159.3 microg/g), all-trans-beta-carotene (2155.0 microg/g), cis isomers of alpha-carotene (1766.7 microg/g), beta-cryptoxanthin (334.9 microg/g), neoxanthin and its cis isomers (199.7 microg/g), neochrome (65.2 microg/g), auroxanthin (38.5 microg/g) and violaxanthin and its cis isomers (38.1 microg/g).

Carotenoids↗

PubMed2004

Phloridzin improves absorption of genistin in isolated rat small intestine.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Cancer-protective effects of isoflavones like genistin or genistein are well known. High intakes and an adequate absorption rate of isoflavones are necessary for efficient chemoprevention, though other dietary agents might increase absorption efficacy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of phloridzin, an inhibitor of the sodium-dependent glucose transporter (SGLT1), on genistin absorption and metabolism. METHODS: Phloridzin and genistin were luminally administered in an isolated preparation of luminally and vascularly perfused rat small intestine. A synthetic perfusate free from blood components was used as vascular medium, with a perfluorocarbon as oxygen carrier. Luminal media consisted of a bicarbonate buffered sodium chloride solution spiked with genistin (24.5 micromol/l) and phloridzin (1 mmol/l). RESULTS: In previous experiments, genistin absorption rate of 17.2% has been observed. In the present study, phloridzin administered simultaneously with genistin, increased genistin uptake 2.5 fold (44.5%). CONCLUSION: The naturally occurring substance phloridzin, present in apples, thus considerably amplify genistin absorption. These effects might offer a promising novel method in designing functional foods for cancer prevention by combining genistin- and phloridzin-containing foods.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

The use of nutraceuticals in cancer therapy.

The high prevalence of nutraceutical use among human patients with cancer suggests that the use of nutraceuticals in pet animals with cancer is probably common. Dogs with a wide variety of malignant diseases have significant alterations in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. These metabolic alterations may be ameliorated by using functional foods relatively low in soluble carbohydrate, moderate amounts of protein that includes sources of arginine, and moderate amounts of fat supplemented with omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Well-controlled clinical studies in a variety of species with cancer, including rodents, people, and dogs, have documented that increased dietary and serum levels of omega-3 fatty acids are associated with a number of health benefits, including improved disease-free interval, survival time, and quality of life. Other nutraceuticals of interest in patients with cancer include antioxidant vitamins, trace minerals, glutamine, protease inhibitors, garlic, tea polyphenols, vitamin A, and shark cartilage.

Animal Diseases↗

PubMed2005

Thyroid hormone availability and activity in avian species: a review.

The intracellular thyroid hormone (TH) availability is influenced by different metabolic pathways. Some of the changes in intracellular TH availability can be linked to changes in local deiodination and sulfation capacities. The secretion of the chicken thyroid consists predominantly of thyroxine (T4). TH receptors (TRs) preferentially bind 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3). Therefore, the metabolism of T4 secreted by the thyroid gland in peripheral tissues, resulting in the production and degradation of receptor-active T3, plays a major role in thyroid function. Food restriction in growing chickens increases hepatic type III deiodinase (D3) levels but decreases growth hormone (GH)-dependent variables such as plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and T3 concentrations. Refeeding restores hepatic D3 and plasma T3 to control levels within a few hours. It can be concluded that the tissue and time dependent regulation of the balance between TH activating and inactivating enzymes plays an essential role in the control of local T3 availability and hence in TH activity. Two separate genes encode multiple TR isoforms, i.e. TRalpha and TRbeta. These TRs consist of a DNA-binding domain, a ligand-binding domain, a hinge region and an amino-terminal (A/B) domain. TRs mediate their effects on transcription by binding as homodimers or heterodimers to the TH response elements (TREs). Also, unliganded TRs can bind to TREs and may so modulate transcription of target genes.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Safety evaluation of phytosterol esters. Part 8. Lack of genotoxicity and subchronic toxicity with phytosterol oxides.

Vegetable oil spreads containing phytosterol-esters are marketed as a cholesterol-lowering functional food in more than 20 countries worldwide. An extensive package of safety data has shown phytosterol-esters to be safe for human use. However, even though phytosterols are very stable molecules, oxidation may occur at low levels under extreme heating conditions, resulting in phytosterol oxides. As there is some suggestion of adverse biological effects in the literature for the related cholesterol oxidation products, safety data have been generated for phytosterol oxides. A phytosterol oxide concentrate (POC) was generated by prolonged heating of phytosterol-esters in the presence of oxygen. The genotoxicity and subchronic toxicity of this mixture was assessed in a series of in vitro genotoxicity assays (bacterial mutation, chromosome aberration and micronucleus) and a subchronic feeding study in the rat. Results showed that a phytosterol oxide concentrate containing approximately 30% phytosterol oxides did not possess genotoxic potential and no obvious evidence of toxicity when administered in the diet of the rat for 90 consecutive days. In the latter study, a NOEL was established at an estimated dietary level of phytosterol oxides of 128 mg/kg/day for males and 144 mg/kg/day for females. In conclusion, these materials have been shown to raise no obvious concerns for human safety.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2004

Safety evaluation of a triterpenoid-rich extract from bamboo shavings.

Triterpenoids, which may have significant application to the development of natural medicines and functional foods as biological active components, are widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom. This paper evaluated the safety of a triterpenoid-rich extract of bamboo shavings (EBS) systematically. (i) Acute toxicity test: The oral maximum tolerated dose of EBS was more than 10 g/kg body weight both in rats and in mice, due to the absence of toxicity according to the criteria of acute toxic classifications. (ii) Mutagenicity test: It had no mutagenicity judged by negative experimental results of Ames test, mouse bone marrow cell micronucleus test and mouse sperm abnormality test. (iii) 30 days feeding study: No abnormal symptoms and clinical signs or deaths had been found in rats in each group during the test. No significant difference had been found in body weight, food consumption and food availability of rats in each test group (P>0.05). In addition, no significant differences were found in each hematology value, clinical chemistry value and organ/body weight ratio, either (P>0.05). No abnormality of any organ was found during histopathological examination. It can be concluded that the extract of bamboo shavings is of low toxicity and support the use of EBS for various foods.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2005

Lack of subchronic toxicity of an aqueous extract of Agaricus blazei Murrill in F344 rats.

Agaricus blazei Murrill, an edible mushroom, is widely used as a functional food due to its possible medicinal effects. Aqueous extracts are also used as food additive to provide an agreeable bitter taste. As a part of its safety assessment, the present 90-day subchronic toxicity study was performed in F344 rats. To establish a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL), rats were fed powder diet containing A. blazei Murrill aqueous extract at dose levels of 0 (basal diet), 0.63, 1.25, 2.5 and 5% (maximum) for 90 days. During the experiment, there were no remarkable changes in general appearance and no deaths occurred in any experimental group. Although serum blood urea nitrogen was slightly but significantly increased in males of the 2.5 and 5% groups, no related histopathological changes were observed in the kidney, and serum creatinine levels were rather reduced, suggesting the increase of blood urea nitrogen to be of little toxicological significance. Hematology, organ weight measurement and histopathological observation revealed no test compound-related toxicological changes. In conclusion, A. blazei Murrill extract even at 5% in the diet (2654 mg/kgb.w./day for male rats and 2965 mg/kgb.w./day for female rats) did not cause remarkable adverse effects in F344 rats. Thus, the NOAEL was concluded to be 5% in the diet.

Agaricus↗

PubMed2005

Characterization of alkyl phenols in cashew (Anacardium occidentale) products and assay of their antioxidant capacity.

In this study the content of anacardic acids, cardanols and cardols in cashew apple, nut (raw and roasted) and cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) were analysed. The higher amounts (353.6 g/kg) of the major alkyl phenols, anacardic acids were detected in CNSL followed by cashew fibre 6.1 g/kg) while the lowest (0.65 g/kg) amounts were detected in roasted cashew nut. Cashew apple and fibre contained anacardic acids exclusively, whereas CNSL also contained an abundance of cardanols and cardols. Cashew nut (raw and roasted) also contained low amounts of hydroxy alkyl phenols. Cashew nut shell liquid was used for a basic fractionation of the alkyl phenol classes and the individual anacardic acids, major cardanols and cardols were purified to homogeneity from these fractions by semi-preparative HPLC and definitively identified by nano-ESI-MS-MS, GC-MS and NMR analyses. The hexane extracts (10 mg/ml) of all cashew products tested plus CNSL, displayed significant antioxidant capacity. Cashew nut shell liquid was the more efficient (inhibition=100%) followed by the hexane extract of cashew fibre (94%) and apple (53%). The antioxidant capacity correlated significantly (P<0.05) with the concentration of alkyl phenols in the extracts. A mixture of anacardic acids (10.0 mg/ml) showed the higher antioxidant capacity (IC50=0.60 mM) compared to cardols and cardanols (IC50>4.0 mM). The data shows that of these substances, anacardic-1 was by far the more potent antioxidant (IC50=0.27 mM) compared to cardol-1 (IC50=1.71 mM) and cardanol-1 (IC50>4.0 mM). The antioxidant capacity of anacardic acid-1 is more related to inhibition of superoxide generation (IC50=0.04 mM) and xanthine oxidase (IC50=0.30 mM) than to scavenging of hydroxyl radicals. At present a substantial amount of cashew fibre is mostly used in formulations of animal or poultry feeds. The data presented in this study, indicates that this waste product along with CNSL, both of which contain high contents of anacardic acids, could be better utilized in functional food formulations and may represent a cheap source of cancer chemopreventive agents.

Anacardic Acids↗

PubMed2006

Safety evaluation of short-term exposure to chitooligomers from enzymic preparation.

Chitooligomers have significant application to the development of functional foods. This paper evaluated systematically the safety of chitooligomers, which were prepared by enzymatic depolymerization of chitosan. The oral maximum tolerated dose of this chitooligomes was more than 10 g/kg body weight in mice. It had no mutagenicity judged by negative experimental results of Ames test, mouse bone marrow cell micronucleus test and mouse sperm abnormality test. A 30-day feeding study shows that no abnormal symptoms and clinical signs or deaths were found in rats during the test. There were no significant difference in body weight, food consumption and food availability of rats in each test group. No significant differences were found in each hematology value, clinical chemistry value and organ/body weight ratio, either. No abnormality of any organ was found during histopathological examination. It is concluded that short-term ingestion of chitooligomers is of non-toxicity.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Effectiveness of customary use of phytosterol/-stanol enriched margarines on blood cholesterol lowering.

Postlaunch monitoring of functional foods can encompass monitoring of effectiveness under conditions of customary use. To this end, the effectiveness of phytosterol/-stanol enriched margarine consumption in free-living conditions was investigated with data from the Dutch "Doetinchem cohort study". In total, 4,505 subjects (aged 26-70 years) were examined in 1994-1998 and re-examined during 1999-2003. A general and a food frequency questionnaire and non-fasting blood samples for total and HDL cholesterol determination were obtained. Subjects were stratified into phytosterol/-stanol enriched margarine users (n = 84) and non-users (n = 4,421) based on the re-examination data, as these margarines were available on the Dutch market from 1999 onwards. Mean spontaneous daily use (g +/- SD) of phytosterol-containing margarine (n = 71) was 15 +/- 8 and of phytostanol-containing margarine (n = 13) 9+/-6. After five years, total blood cholesterol had increased with 0.26 mmol/l in non-users while it had not significantly changed in users. The difference in total blood cholesterol change in users versus non-users was -0.30 mmol/l (p < 0.001). The beneficial effect of the phytosterol/-stanol enriched margarine, used under customary conditions can be characterized as a stabilization of cholesterol levels. This is the first report finding a modest beneficial effect on blood cholesterol level under customary conditions thereby partly confirming findings from clinical trials.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Effect of gamma irradiation on the microbiological quality and antioxidant activity of fresh vegetable juice.

A fresh vegetable juice has become a new functional food available for dieting and health. However, it poses a microbiological hazard to the consumer because it is distributed and consumed without any cooking. In this study, we applied the radiation sterilization of fresh vegetable juice, and the effectiveness of gamma irradiation for inactivating Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli in the carrot and kale juice was investigated. D((10)) values of S. typhimurium in the carrot and kale juice were 0.445+/-0.004 and 0.441+/-0.006 kGy, while those of E. coli were 0.301+/-0.005 and 0.299+/-0.006 kGy. The test organisms (inoculated at 10(7) cfu/ml) were eliminated by irradiation at 3 kGy. The total phenol contents of the irradiated juice during 3 days of storage at a cold chain temperature (10 degrees C) increased significantly (P<0.05), while those of the non-irradiated juice decreased (P<0.05). The antioxidant capacity of the irradiated carrot juice was higher than that of the non-irradiated control. Therefore, it was concluded that irradiation treatments of carrot and kale juice improve the microbiological safety with maintaining or even enhancing the antioxidative activity.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2026

Discovery and characterization of multifunctional bioactive peptides from Alaska Pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) milt: hybrid in silico, in vitro, and proteomic approaches.

The growing demand for multifunctional bioactive peptides has sparked interest in underutilized marine by-products as sustainable bioresources. This study explored Alaska Pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) milt protein as a novel source of peptides with anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, and anti-diabetic effects. Protein composition was analyzed via LC-MS, followed by in silico digestion and bioactivity prediction. Molecular docking identified peptides targeting DPP-IV, α-glucosidase, ACE, GLP-1 receptor, COX-2, MuRF1, and the 20S proteasome. Among the candidates, a promising peptide (CLPPH) was synthesized and validated in vitro, demonstrating inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production, DPP-IV, ACE, and α-glucosidase. These results highlight CLPPH's potential as a multifunctional bioactive peptide and support the valorization of Alaska Pollock milt as a sustainable source for functional foods and nutraceutical applications.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Hydroxytyrosol, a natural antioxidant from olive oil, prevents protein damage induced by long-wave ultraviolet radiation in melanoma cells.

Previous studies showed that long-wave ultraviolet (UVA) radiation induces severe skin damage through the generation of reactive oxygen species and the depletion of endogenous antioxidant systems. Recent results from our laboratory indicate a dramatic increase of both lipid peroxidation products (TBARS) and abnormal L-isoaspartyl residues, marker of protein damage, in UVA-irradiated human melanoma cells. In this study, the effects of hydroxytyrosol (DOPET), the major antioxidant compound present in olive oil, on UVA-induced cell damages, have been investigated, using a human melanoma cell line (M14) as a model system. In UVA-irradiated M14 cells, a protective effect of DOPET in preventing the uprise of typical markers of oxidative stress, such as TBARS and 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence intensity, was observed. In addition, DOPET prevents the increase of altered L-isoAsp residues induced by UVA irradiation. These protective effects are dose dependent, reaching the maximum at 400 microM DOPET. At higher concentrations, DOPET causes an arrest of M14 cell proliferation and acts as a proapoptotic stimulus by activating caspase-3 activity. In the investigated model system, DOPET is quantitatively converted into its methylated derivative, endowed with a radical scavenging ability comparable to that of its parent compound. These findings are in line with the hypothesis that the oxidative stress plays a major role in mediating the UVA-induced protein damage. Results suggest that DOPET may exerts differential effects on melanoma cells according to the dose employed and this must always be taken into account when olive oil-derived large consumer products, including cosmetics and functional foods, are employed.

Antioxidants↗