• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.621-628
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• 2016

Hypertension can be caused by various factors while the predominant causes include increase in body fluid volume and resistance in the circulatory system that elevate the blood pressure. Consumption of probiotics has been proven to attenuate hypertension; however, the effect is much strain-dependent. In this study, a newly isolated Lactobacillus casei (Lb. casei ) strain C1 was investigated for its antihypertensive properties in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) suspension of 11 log colony-forming unit (CFU) was given to SHR (SHR+LAB, n=8), and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) was given as a control in SHR (SHR, n=8) and in Wistar rats as sham (WIS, n=8). The treatment was given via oral gavage for 8 weeks. The results showed that the weekly systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and aortic reactivity function were remarkably improved after 8 weeks of bacterial administration in SHR+LAB. These effects were mostly attributed by restoration of wall tension and tensile stress following the bacterial treatment. Although not statistically significant, the level of malondialdehye (MDA) in SHR+LAB serum was found declining. Increased levels of glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (NO) in SHR+LAB serum suggested that the bacterium exerted vascular protection through antioxidative functions and relatively high NO level that induced vasodilation. Collectively, Lb. casei strain C1 is a promising alternative for hypertension improvement.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.284-291
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• 2011

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of water extracts from red pepper seeds powder on antioxidative enzyme activities and oxidative damage in groups of rrats fed high-fat and high-cholesterol diets group (HFC). The Rrats were divided into the following five experimental groups which are : composed of a normal diet group, a high fat high cholesterol diet group, and a high fat high cholesterol diet group supplemented with different amounts contents (1%, 2% and 4%) of red pepper seeds powder water extracts supplemented groups (HFCW1, HFCW2 and HFCW4, respectively). Body weight gains and food intake were lower ofin the red pepper seed water extracts groups were lower than those inof the HFC group. Hepartic xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity was decreased in the HFCW2 and HFCW4 groups compared to the HFC group. Hepartic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activitiyactivity was increased in the HFCW4 group compared to the HFC group. Hepatic superoxide radicals within the mitochondria and microsomes of cells were significantly reduced in the HFCW2 and HFCW4 groups compared to the HFC group. Hepartic hydrogen peroxide in the cytosol was significantly reduced in the HFCW3 and HFCW4 groups compared to the HFC group. Hepatic carbonyl values in the microsomes and mitochondria were significantly reduced in the HFCW4 group compared to the HFC group. Hepartic thiobarbituric acid reaction substance (TBARS) activity was decreased in the HFCW2 group compared to the HFC group. These results suggest that water extracts of red pepper seeds powder may reduce oxidative damage by activation of antioxidative defense systems in rats fed high fat-high cholesterol diets.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.127-132
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• 2004

The current study examined the effects of mulberry fruit on the antioxidative defense systems and oxidative stress in the erythrocytes of diabetes-induced rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly assigned to one normal and three streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic groups. 1be diabetic groups were fed a mulberry fruit-free diet (DM-group), 0.3% mulberry fruit diet (DM-F group) or 0.6% mulberry fruit diet (DM-2F group). Diabetes was induced with STZ after three weeks of the experimental diets. 1be rats were sacrificed 9 days later for examination of the antioxidative defense systems and oxidative stress in the erythrocytes. Means of cy-3-Ο-glucopyranoside, cy-3-Ο-rutinoside, rutin, isoquercitrin, quercetin, morin and dehydroquercetin contents were 230.45, 131.5, 142.5, 10.3, 5.8, 1.6 and 3.83mg per l00g dry weight, respectively, in the mulberry fruit. Mulberry fruit strengthened the antioxidative defense systems through increased activity of the antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) and catalase (CAT), in the erythrocytes of the diabetes-induced rats. Accrdingly, mulberry fruit was found to reduce the accumulation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (WARS). Therefore, mulberry fruit was found to be excellent for strengthening the antioxidative defense system and reducing damaging oxidative substances in the erythrocytes of the diabetes-induced rats.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.928-935
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• 2007

Three Angelica sinensis polysaccharide fractions (APFs), named APF1, APF2 and APF3, were isolated and purified from Radix A. sinensis and their antioxidant activities were evaluated in isolated mouse peritoneal macrophages by pretreatment with APFs before exposure to 0.2 mM tertbutylhydroperoxide (t-BHP). The results showed that pretreatment of the macrophages with APFs as low as $10{\mu}g$/ml could significantly enhance t-BHP-decreased cell survival, intracellular glutathione (GSH) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and also inhibited t-BHP-increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) formation (p < 0.05), and APF3 was the most active fraction, followed by APF2 and APF1 in decreasing order. Furthermore, we found for the first time that the bound-protein in APF3 was associated closely with the protective effects and the polysaccharide inhibited the excess NO release from t-BHP-activated macrophages to protect host cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.488-493
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• 2009

Protulaca oleracea, a widely distributed weed, has been reported to exhibit different health promoting effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of P. oleracea on LPS-stimulated AGS cells. The cytotoxicity of P. oleracea in AGS cells was examined by MTT assay. The anti-oxidative effects of P. oleracea were examined by DPPH assay. RT-PCR was carried out to examine the effect of P. oleracea in the mRNA expression of different inflammatory mediators. MTT assay revealed that P. oleracea have almost no cytotoxity in AGS cells. DPPH radical scavenging activities were better than butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT). The mRNA expression of different endogenous anti-oxidative enzymes (SOD2, GPx3 and catalase) were preserved by P. oleracea in AGS cells. The nitric oxide production and expression of iNOS in LPS stimulated RAW264.7 were suppressed in P. oleracea treated groups. Based on these findings, P. oleracea has protective anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.156-162
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• 2016

Iridoid glycosides (mainly geniposide) and crocetin derivatives (crocins) are the two major active constituents in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. In the present study, geniposide, crocins, crocin-1 and crocetin were separated from gardenia chromatographically. Then, mice were orally administrated with geniposide (400 mg/kg b.w.), crocins (400 mg/kg b.w.), crocin-1 (400 mg/kg b.w.) and crocetin (140 mg/kg b.w.) once daily for 7 days with $CCl_4$. Hepatoprotective properties were evaluated by biochemical parameters: Administration of geniposide, crocins, crocin-1and crocetin significantly lowered serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in $CCl_4$-treated mice. The reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) activities were also increased by geniposide, crocins, crocin-1 and crocetin. Histopathological examination of livers showed that these components reduced deformability, irregular arrangement and rupture of hepatocyte in $CCl_4$-treated mice. These biochemical results and liver histopathological assessment demonstrated that geniposide, crocetin derivatives and crocetin show comparative beneficial effects on $CCl_4$-induced liver damage via induction of antioxidant defense. Therefore, contents of geniposide and crocetin derivatives should be both considered for hepatoprotective efficacy of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7641-7651
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• 2015

It has been shown previously that nutritional supplements rich in polyphenolic compounds play a significant role in prostate cancer chemoprevention. Propolis is a natural, resinous hive product that has several pharmacological activities including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumoral activities. The aim of this study was to compare the cytotoxic, antioxidant and antitumoral activities of an ethanolic extract of Egyptian propolis (EEP) in vitro with an established chemotherapeutic drug such as doxorubicin (DOX), and the effects of their combination against the PC3 human prostate cancer cell line. Cellular viability and $IC_{50}$ levels with EEP, DOX and their (v/v) combination were detected by sulphorhodamine-B (SRB) assay after incubation of PC3 cells for 72h with different doses (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and $100{\mu}g/ml$). Two selected doses of $IC_{50}$ and $IC_{25}$ were applied to cells for 24h for antitumor evaluation assay of treatment compounds. EEP and its (v/v) combination with DOX showed significant antitumor potential besides high antioxidant properties of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT), nitric oxide (NO) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels when compared with the control untreated cells. DNA fragmentation assay and semi quantitative RT-PCR analyses for p53 and Bax genes showed that EEP activated cellular apoptosis and increased the mRNA expression levels more than other treatment. In conclusion, EEP alone or in combination with DOX at both doses used here showed greater antioxidant, antiproliferative and apoptotic effects against the PC3 cell lines as compared to treatment with DOX alone. Therefore, EEP could be considered as a promising candidate for prostate cancer chemotherapy.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2007

The plant Ichnocarpus frutescens (Linn) R.Br. (Family-Apocynaceae) has been indicated for the treatment of various diseases, one amongst it is cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate experimentally the possible antitumor activity and antioxidant role of Ichnocarpus frutescens in the mice transplanted with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). The chloroform and methanol extract of whole plant of Ichnocarpus frutescens (CEIF and MEIF) were administered intraperitoneally at the dose of 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, body weight per day for 7 days after 24 h of tumor inoculation in mice. Treatment with CEIF at the dose of 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg remarkably decreased the tumor volume, packed cell volume, viable cell count and increased the nonviable cell count of EAC tumor bearing mice when compared to e effect of MEIF at 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg. Further the EAC mice treated with CEIF and MEIF showed significant decrease in the level of lipid peroxidation and significant increase in the level of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), however the decreasing and increasing capacity of CEIF was less in both doses as compared to MEIF. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the chloroform and methanol extact of Ichnocarpus frutescens exhibit significant antitumor and antioxidant activity in EAC bearing mice.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.259-265
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• 2008

This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of fucoidan against AAPH-induced oxidative stress in LLC-PK1 cells (porcine kidney epithelial cells). Oxidative stress was induced by exposing of LLC-PK1 cells to the 1 mM 2,2'-azobis(2-amidino propane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) for 24 hr. Exposure of LLC-PK1 cells to 1 mM AAPH for 24 hr resulted in a significant (p<0.05) decrease in cell viability, but fucoidan treatment protected LLC-PK1 cells from AAPH-induced cell damage in a dose dependant manner. To investigate the protective action of fucoidan against AAPH-induced damage of LLC-PK1 cells, we measured the effects of fucoidan on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes activities of AAPH treated cells as well as scavenging activities on superoxide anion radical and hydroxyl radical. Fucoidan had protective effect against the AAPH-induced LLC-PK1 cellular damage and decreased lipid peroxidation and increased activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px). Furthermore, fucoidan showed strong scavenging activity against superoxide anion radical. The $IC_{50}$ value of fucoidan was $48.37{\pm}1.54\;{\mu}g/mL$ for superoxide anion radical scavenging activity. The fucoidan also had high hydroxyl radical scavenging activity ($IC_{50}=32.03\;{\mu}g/mL$). These results indicate that fucoidan protects against AAPH-induced LLC-PK1 cell damage by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and scavenging offree radicals.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.342-348
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• 2014

This study was conducted to examine the effects of condensed tannins (CT) from Ficus bengalensis leaves on the feed utilization, milk production and health status of crossbred cows. Eighteen crossbred dairy cows at their second and mid lactation (avg. BW $351.6{\pm}10.6$ kg) were randomly divided into two groups of nine each in a completely randomized block design and fed two iso-nitrogenous supplements formulated to contain 0% and 1.5% CT through dried and ground leaves of Ficus bengalensis. The diets were designated as CON and FBLM, respectively and fed to cows with a basal diet of rice straw to meet requirements for maintenance and milk production. The daily milk yield was significantly (p<0.05) increased due to supplementation of FBLM diet. The 4% fat corrected milk yield was also significantly (p<0.01) higher due to increased (p<0.05) milk fat in cows under diet FBLM as compared to CON. The inclusion of CT at 1.5% in the supplement did not interfere with the feed intake or digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF, and ADF by lactating cows. Digestible crude protein (DCP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) values of the composite diets were comparable between the groups. The blood biochemical parameters remained unaltered except significantly (p<0.05) lowered serum urea concentration in cows fed FBLM diet. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity in cows supplemented with condensed tannins. The total thiol group (T-SH) was found to be higher with reduction in lipid peroxidation (LPO) in cows of FBLM group. The cost of feeding per kg milk production was also reduced due to supplementation of Ficus bengalensis leaves. Therefore, a perceptible positive impact was evident on milk production and antioxidant status in crossbred cows during mid-lactation given supplement containing 1.5% CT through Ficus bengalensis leaves.