Showing papers by "Iris F.F. Benzie published in 2006"
TL;DR: Results showed clearly that homogenisation of wolfberry in hot skimmed milk results in a formulation that has a 3-fold enhanced bioavailability of zeaxanthin compared with both the ‘classical’ hot water and warm skimmed Milk treatment of the berries.
Abstract: The carotenoid zeaxanthin is concentrated within the macula Increased macular zeaxanthin is suggested to lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration The small red berry, wolfberry (Fructus barbarum L; Gou Qi Zi and Kei Tze), is one of the richest natural sources of zeaxanthin However, carotenoid bioavailability is low, and food-based products with enhanced bioavailability are of interest The present study investigated zeaxanthin bioavailability from three wolfberry formulations Berries were homogenised in hot (80 degrees C) water, warm (40 degrees C) skimmed milk and hot (80 degrees C) skimmed milk, with freeze drying of each preparation into a powdered form A zeaxanthin-standardised dose (15 mg) of each was consumed, in randomised order, together with a standardised breakfast by twelve healthy, consenting subjects in a cross-over trial, with a 3-5-week washout period between treatments Blood samples were taken via a venous cannula immediately before (fasting) and 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10 h post-ingestion Zeaxanthin concentration in the triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein fraction of plasma was measured by HPLC Results showed that triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein zeaxanthin peaked at 6 h post-ingestion for all formulations Zeaxanthin bioavailability from the hot milk formulation was significantly higher (P < 0001) than from the others Mean area under the curve (n 12) results were 973 (sem 245), 324 (sem 072) and 314 (sem 109) nmol x h/l for the hot milk, warm milk and hot water formulations, respectively Results showed clearly that homogenisation of wolfberry in hot skimmed milk results in a formulation that has a 3-fold enhanced bioavailability of zeaxanthin compared with both the 'classical' hot water and warm skimmed milk treatment of the berries
67 citations
TL;DR: It is indicated that the yin nature of herbs may not be necessarily associated with superior antioxidative effect to yang-tonic herbs, at least in terms of DNA protection against oxidant challenge.
27 citations
TL;DR: Results show that artificial tears containing sodium hyaluronate or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose as lubricating agents give enhanced corneal protection against desiccation and show the use of this novel pDEM model in evaluating corneals protection from desiccence.
Abstract: Purpose:To use a novel porcine dry eye model (pDEM) to study the effect of various artificial tears on corneal abrasion and epithelial cell death under severe “dry eye” conditionsMethods:A 60-second lacrimation-blink interval, which simulates a severe dry eye condition, was set up with our novel pD
21 citations
TL;DR: The effects of several types of whole fruits and vegetables on human lymphocytic DNA were investigated by using two versions of the comet assay to explore the relationship between the effect and antioxidant content.
Abstract: The effects of several types of whole fruits and vegetables on human lymphocytic DNA were investigated by using two versions of the comet assay. The total antioxidative capacity, as the FRAP value, and ascorbic acid (AA) content were also measured to explore the relationship between the effect and antioxidant content.
16 citations
TL;DR: Only estradiol was shown to have a significant protective effect against atheroma formation in rabbits treated with a commercially available mixed phytoestrogen concentrate.
Abstract: Objectives There is increasing interest in the role of complementary and alternative medicines for the treatment of menopause-related problems. This study compared the preventive effect on atheroma formation of a commercially available mixed phytoestrogen concentrate with that of estradiol.Methods An ovariectomized cholesterol-fed rabbit model of atheroma formation was used. Rabbits were ovariectomized before the commencement of the 12-week treatment period. There were two control groups. Control Group 1 received isoflavone-free rabbit chow whilst Control Group 2 received 1% cholesterol-enriched isoflavone-free rabbit chow. Rabbits in Group 3 received 1% cholesterol-enriched isoflavone-free rabbit chow plus a 500 mg tablet containing a concentrated extract of Trifolium pretense (red clover). Rabbits in Group 4 received 1% cholesterol-enriched isoflavone-free rabbit chow plus a 0.5 mg tablet of oral estradiol. Atheroma formation was measured by, first, calculation of the area of atheroma on the intimal sur...
12 citations
Patent•
28 Jun 2006TL;DR: An ophthalmic composition for artificial tears useful for treating dry eye symptoms or for general eye protection is presented in this article, which includes a physiologically balanced salt solution and one or more anti-oxidative ingredients.
Abstract: An ophthalmic composition for artificial tears useful for treating dry eye symptoms or for general eye protection. The composition includes a physiologically balanced salt solution and one or more anti-oxidative ingredients which collectively confer on said ophthalmic composition a total antioxidant capacity as a FRAP value of greater than 100 μmol/l, preferably greater than 150 μmol/l. The composition also has peak UV absorption in the range of 200-350 nm. Suitable anti-oxidative ingredient includes ascorbate (ascorbic acid), urate (uric acid), cysteine, glutathione, tyrosine, lactoferrin, transferrin, albumin, caeruloplasmin and lacrimal gland peroxidase.
5 citations