Comparison of phenolic acids and flavonoids in black garlic at different thermal processing steps

Recently, numerous side effects of synthetic drugs have lead to using medicinal plants as a reliable source of new therapy. Pain is a global public health problem with a high impact on life quality and a huge economic implication, becoming one of the most important enemies in modern medicine. The medicinal use of plants as analgesic or antinociceptive drugs in traditional therapy is estimated to be about 80% of the world population. The Lamiaceae family, one of the most important herbal families, incorporates a wide variety of plants with biological and medical applications. In this study, the analgesic activity, possible active compounds of Lamiaceae genus, and also the possible mechanism of actions of these plants are presented. The data highlighted in this review paper provide valuable scientific information for the specific implications of Lamiaceae plants in pain modulation that might be used for isolation of potentially active compounds from some of these medicinal plants in future and formulation of commercial therapeutic agents.

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Medicinal Plants of the Family Lamiaceae in Pain Therapy: A Review.

Allium sativum (L.) is rich in antioxidants which help destroy free radicals particles that can damage cell membranes and DNA, and may contribute to the aging process as well as the development of a number of conditions, including heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause over time. The antioxidant activity of fresh Allium sativum L. (garlic) is well known and is mainly due to unstable and irritating organosulphur compounds. Fresh garlic extracted over a prolonged period (up to 20 months) produces odourless aged garlic extract (AGE) containing stable and water soluble organosulphur compounds that prevent oxidative damage by scavenging free radicals. The aim of this review was to understand the mechanism of antioxidant action and therapeutic efficacy of garlic.

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Antioxidant Action and Therapeutic Efficacy of Allium sativum L.

Kidney toxicity related to herbs and dietary supplements: Online table of case reports. Part 3 of 5 series

Oxidative stress is known to compromise human sperm function and to activate the intrinsic apoptotic cascade in these cells. One of the key features of oxidatively stressed spermatozoa is the induction of a lipid peroxidation process that results in the formation of aldehydes potentially capable of disrupting sperm function through the formation of adducts with DNA and key proteins. In this study, we have examined the impact of a range of small molecular mass aldehydes generated as a consequence of lipid peroxidation on human sperm function and also compared the two most commonly formed compounds, 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA), for their relative ability to reflect a state of oxidative stress in these cells. Dramatic differences in the bioactivity of individual aldehydes were observed, that generally correlated with the second order rate constants describing their interaction with the model nucleophile, glutathione. Our results demonstrate that acrolein and 4HNE were the most reactive lipid aldehydes, inhibiting sperm motility while augmenting reactive oxygen species production, lipid peroxidation, oxidative DNA damage and caspase activation, in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001). In contrast, a variety of saturated aldehydes and the well-known marker of oxidative stress, MDA, were without effect on this cell type. While MDA was not cytotoxic per se, its generation did reflect the induction of oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro in a manner that was highly correlated with the bioactive lipid aldehyde, 4HNE. Despite such overall correlations, individual patient samples were observed in which either MDA or 4HNE predominated. Given the relative cytotoxicity of 4HNE, we propose that this aldehyde should be the preferred criterion for diagnosing oxidative stress in the male germ line.

Oxidative stress and human spermatozoa: diagnostic and functional significance of aldehydes generated as a result of lipid peroxidation

Antioxidant activity of fresh Allium sativum L. (garlic) is well known and is mainly due to unstable and irritating organosulphur compounds. Fresh garlic extracted over a prolonged period (up to 20 months) produces odourless aged garlic extract (AGE) containing stable and water soluble organosulphur compounds that prevent oxidative damage by scavenging free radicals. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro antioxidant activity of aged (up to 20 months) 15% hydroethanolic extracts of different parts (bulbs, bulblets, flower bulblets, flowers, and leaves) of three Allium spontaneous species which are endemic for Italian flora: Allium neapolitanum Cyr., Allium subhirsutum L., Allium roseum L. and to compare it with the in vitro antioxidant activity of aged 15% hydroethanolic extracts of bulbs and leaves of garlic. The antioxidant potential of aged extracts of all species has been evaluated using two different spectrophotometric assays: 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test and the ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Furthermore the polyphenol content was determined. The aged extracts obtained from the leaves showed the best antioxidant activity, followed by flowers and then by bulbs in both used tests, while flower bulblets and bulblets exhibited lower results or no activity. The polyphenol content was generally directly correlated with antioxidant/antiradical activity. This study confirms the data obtained in previous researches, the wild-type species of Allium and in particular organs other than bulbs are more active and efficacious than garlic bulb. Surely leaves of these Allium spp. deserve special attention.

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In vitro antioxidant activity of aged extracts of some Italian Allium species.

The aim of this study was to assess the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the seminal plasma of infertile men and to highlight a relationship between the level of MDA and semen parameters. Eighty-one infertile patients were divided into groups according to their clinical diagnosis: genitourinary infections, varicocele and idiopathic infertility. Semen quality was assessed by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM data were quantified with a mathematical formula able to obtain a fertility index and the percentage of sperm apoptosis, immaturity, and necrosis. Seminal MDA levels were determined by spectrofluorometry. Scrotal Eco-color Doppler was used to detect the varicocele. Infected patients had a positive bacteriological semen analysis. A control group consisted of 14 normospermic fertile men. Fertile group showed significantly increased values of sperm concentration, motility, and fertility index compared to infertile groups. In the infertile groups, sperm motility, concentration, apoptosis, and fertility index were not significantly different. In infection group, the percentage of necrosis was significantly higher than that observed in fertile men, varicocele, and idiopathic infertility groups (p < 0.001). MDA levels increased significantly in infection group in comparison with varicocele group (p < 0.01), idiopathic infertility group, and fertile men (p < 0.001) and in varicocele group compared to idiopathic infertility group (p < 0.001). In infection group, MDA levels positively correlated with sperm concentration (p < 0.01), fertility index (p < 0.05), and necrosis (p < 0.001), whereas a negative correlation was found with motility (p < 0.01). In varicocele group MDA levels correlated positively with necrosis and negatively with immaturity (p < 0.05). In fertile men and idiopathic infertility group, they did not show any correlation. In conclusion, we suggest that the evaluation of seminal MDA may be a good marker for understanding pathologies responsible of a sperm motility reduction such as urogenital infections or inflammatory status.

Semen characteristics and malondialdehyde levels in men with different reproductive problems.

Summary

This study was aimed to assess the antioxidant enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds in semen of infertile men. Seventy-four infertile patients were grouped according to their clinical diagnosis: genitourinary infection, varicocele, idiopathic infertility. Semen samples of fertile men represent the control. Semen characteristics were evaluated by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM data was quantified with a mathematical formula, which provides numerical scores. Spectrophotometric and HPLC methods were used to measure the amount of reduced (GSH), oxidised glutathione (GSSG), ascorbic acid (AA) and malondialdehyde (MDA, marker of lipid peroxidation) and the activity of glutathione reductase, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase. Infertile groups showed significantly decreased values of sperm parameters vs. controls. In infection and varicocele groups, the seminal MDA levels were significantly increased when compared to controls (p < 0.001), indicating an alteration of oxidative status and a peroxidative damage. In infection and varicocele groups, AA levels were reduced (p < 0.05) vs. control; in the varicocele group, the GSH levels were also decreased (p < 0.05). Significantly higher CAT activity was observed in infection and varicocele groups vs. fertile men (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 respectively). The GSH/GSSG ratio was significantly decreased in varicocele and idiopathic infertility groups vs. control (p < 0.01). The study of the alteration of a single parameter of oxidative stress or of the antioxidant system may not have a relevant clinical value to estimate male fertilising potential and the background of infertility causes, since complex and multifactorial mechanisms are involved in different pathologies. In our study, each pathology is characterised by a definite pattern of markers such as MDA and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds. In the different pathologies related to infertility, the identification of the complex of involved parameters could be useful in the diagnosis, prognosis and in the choice of a possible treatment such as specific antioxidant supplements.

Evaluation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in seminal plasma of men with genitourinary infections, varicocele and idiopathic infertility.

Aim: Two recurrent cases of severe acute liver injury attributed to the use of a wild germander decoction, prepared with some variation in traditional method has been reported. The aim of the present study was to correlate the hepatotoxic effect observed in patients who consumed germander decoction with teucrin A levels. Antioxidant properties were analyzed to assess any possible differences between the decoction used traditionally by the family (without negative consequences) and the decoction taken by the patients. Materials and Methods: Different types of germander decoctions were prepared in the laboratory by simulating the same conditions for preparing the decoction by the patients and their family members. The levels of teucrin A, the polyphenols and the antioxidant power were determined. One-way analysis of variance was used to test for differences between the groups. Results and Conclusions: The extract consumed by the patients had higher concentration of teucrin A, lower antioxidant activity and lower content of polyphenols compared with the traditional decoction, revealing an inverse relationship between teucrin A content and antioxidant capacity. These case reports emphasize that more information is needed on the safety and quality of these natural products.

Hepatotoxicity of Teucrium chamaedrys L. decoction: role of difference in the harvesting area and preparation method.

In this study, we investigated the effects of exposition to IC50 dose for 24 h of a new synthetic cannabinoid (CB83) and of phytocannabinoids Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on HT-29 colorectal carcinoma cells. Cell viability and proliferative activity evaluated using the MTT, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and CyQUANT assays showed that cell viability was significantly affected when CB83, THC, and CBD were administered to cells. The results obtained showed that the reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio was significantly reduced in the cells exposed to CBD and significantly increased in the cells treated with the CB83 when compared to the controls. CBD treatment causes a significant increase in malondialdehyde content. The catalase activity was significantly reduced in HT-29 cells after incubation with CB83, THC, and CBD. The activities of glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly increased in cells exposed to THC and significantly decreased in those treated with CBD. The ascorbic acid content was significantly reduced in cells exposed to CB83, THC, and CBD. The ultrastructural investigation by TEM highlighted a significantly increased percentage of cells apoptotic and necrotic after CB83 exposition. The Annexin V-Propidium Iodide assay showed a significantly increased percentage of cells apoptotic after CB83 exposition and necrotic cells after CBD and THC exposition. Our results proved that only CBD induced oxidative stress in HT-29 colorectal carcinoma cells via CB receptor-independent mechanisms and that CB83 caused a mainly CB2 receptor-mediated antiproliferative effect comparable to 5-Fuorouracil, which is still the mainstay drug in protocols for colorectal cancer.

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/15/5533/pdf

Andrea Menchiari

Papers

In vitro antioxidant activity of aged extracts of some Italian Allium species.

Semen characteristics and malondialdehyde levels in men with different reproductive problems.

Evaluation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in seminal plasma of men with genitourinary infections, varicocele and idiopathic infertility.

Hepatotoxicity of Teucrium chamaedrys L. decoction: role of difference in the harvesting area and preparation method.

Cytotoxic Effects of Cannabinoids on Human HT-29 Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells: Different Mechanisms of THC, CBD, and CB83.