Journal Of Medicinal Food[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Metabolites Generated from Foods Through Lactic Fermentation and Their Benefits on the Intestinal Microbiota and Health.
Guzmán-Escalera D, Valdés-Miramontes EH, Iñiguez-Muñoz LE … +2 more , Reyes-Castillo Z, Espinoza-Gallardo AC
J Med Food · 2025 Jan · PMID 39474688 · Publisher ↗
Metabolites generated in foods with lactic fermentation have been subject of research in recent years due to different beneficial effects attributed to them on the microbiota and health in general, including their proper...
Metabolites generated in foods with lactic fermentation have been subject of research in recent years due to different beneficial effects attributed to them on the microbiota and health in general, including their properties as antihypertensives, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial, among others. The present review aims to systematically analyze the results of original research that evaluates effects on the microbiota and health in general, mediated by metabolites generated from the lactic fermentation of foods. The review was carried out in the PubMed database, three studies in humans, four studies in murine models, four studies, and the rest focused on the quantification of biofunctional qualities in fermented foods were analyzed. The results of the studies compiled in this systematic review reveal the potential of different food matrices and microorganisms to generate metabolites through lactic fermentation with important properties and effects on the intestinal microbiota and other health benefits. Among these benefits is the increase in short chain fatty acids to which anti-inflammatory properties are associated, as well as bioactive peptides with antihypertensive, antithrombotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Ginsenoside Rg1 Promotes Wound Healing in Mice with Superficial Second-Degree Burns Through Energy Metabolism, Cell Migration, and Cell Adhesion Pathways.
Qin Y, Zhang Z, Jiang R
J Med Food · 2025 Feb · PMID 39469786 · Publisher ↗
Natural products are known to have distinct roles in the treatment of various diseases. However, the potential role of ginsenoside Rg1 (GRg1) in the context of scald injuries remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidat...
Natural products are known to have distinct roles in the treatment of various diseases. However, the potential role of ginsenoside Rg1 (GRg1) in the context of scald injuries remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of GRg1 on scald wound healing by utilizing a mouse scald wound model and administering varying concentrations of GRg1 orally. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was employed to identify the signaling pathways and key genes influenced by GRg1 in the wound healing process. Our findings indicate that mice treated with a low concentration of GRg1 exhibited a significantly higher wound healing rate compared with the model group and other treatment groups. Through RNA-seq, we observed that the gene expression profile in the wound tissues of the low-concentration-treated group was consistent with that of the normal control group. Furthermore, a low concentration of GRg1 was found to maintain cellular energy metabolism homeostasis by enhancing mitochondrial aerobic respiration and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. In addition, GRg1 facilitated wound healing by restoring the expression of genes associated with cell migration and adhesion. Confirming the appropriate concentration of GRg1 that accelerates tissue healing at scald sites and enhances our understanding of the efficacy and molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of natural products in disease treatment.
Association Between Consumption of Foods Containing Vitamin D and All-Cause Mortality in Korea.
Kwak JH, Paik JK
J Med Food · 2025 Jan · PMID 39453639 · Publisher ↗
Sufficient vitamin D levels are reported to be a factor in reducing various chronic diseases and resulting mortality rates. Well-dried mushrooms and blue-backed fish are known to be rich in vitamin D. In this study, the...
Sufficient vitamin D levels are reported to be a factor in reducing various chronic diseases and resulting mortality rates. Well-dried mushrooms and blue-backed fish are known to be rich in vitamin D. In this study, the association between mortality rates and the intake of vitamin D-rich foods was confirmed using data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiological Study (KoGES). Among the KoGES database, we followed up a total of 6844 adults who participated in the Ansung-Ansan cohort study recruited from 2001 to 2002 and continued for an average of 16.7 years until 2018. The main findings were analyzed using Cox regression analysis. During follow-up, 439 cases of all-cause mortality, 149 cases of cancer-related mortality, and 91 cases of cardiovascular mortality were confirmed. In the fully adjusted model, the hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality in quartile 3 of mushroom consumption was 0.709 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.525-0.958) compared with quartile 1. In addition, the HRs for cardiovascular mortality in quartile 3 of mushroom consumption were 0.348 (95% CI, 0.154-0.787) compared with those in quartile 1. The HRs of cardiovascular mortality for quartiles 3 and 4 of fish consumption were 0.442 (95% CI, 0.226-0.865) and 0.533 (95% CI, 0.285-0.998), respectively, compared with quartile 1. In conclusion, moderate consumption of mushrooms was related to decreased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, while heightened fish consumption was inversely related to cardiovascular mortality.
Red Wine Consumption and the Impact on Cardiovascular Health: The Methodological Barriers of Observational Study Design.
Baxevanis GK, Kanellos PT
J Med Food · 2024 Nov · PMID 39450474 · Publisher ↗
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and its prevalence is going to rise even more by 2030. The discovery of different "functional" foods containing...
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and its prevalence is going to rise even more by 2030. The discovery of different "functional" foods containing a plethora of bioactive compounds is considered an ally in the effort to reduce the global CVD burden in the context of primary prevention. It has been about 3 decades since the observation that red wine consumption in French population could lead to lower coronary heart disease risk despite the high dietary consumption of saturated fats, known as the "French paradox." Since then, numerous epidemiological studies, mainly observational, have emerged in order to investigate this association with great enthusiasm. However, due to the nature of these studies, the scientific community has raised concerns about the methodological approach of the studies and thus the generalization of their results. Therefore, the current review aims to summarize some of the major methodological issues deriving from observational studies on the association between red wine consumption and cardiovascular health and to highlight the importance of higher quality study design in the general effort of drawing safer conclusions on this topic.
Investigating the Additive Effects of Loxacon Food Supplement Capsules in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis. A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled, Crossover, Follow-Up, Three-Arm Study.
Bender T, Somogyi P, Gógl Á … +4 more , Sebők E, Gruber G, Hodosi K, Nemes K
J Med Food · 2024 Dec · PMID 39446666 · Publisher ↗
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common locomotor diseases, with a steadily increasing prevalence and incidence. Loxacon is a food supplement capsule containing vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts with extract and...
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common locomotor diseases, with a steadily increasing prevalence and incidence. Loxacon is a food supplement capsule containing vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts with extract and extract as its two main active components. The study involved 88 patients at 4 sites. The 88 patients were divided into 3 groups. The first group received physical therapy and Loxacon capsules for 5 weeks, while the second group (30 patients) received physical therapy only for 5 weeks, and the third group (30 patients) received physical therapy and placebo capsules for 5 weeks. After 5 weeks, physical therapy was discontinued in all three groups and all groups continued Loxacon capsules exclusively for an additional 60 days. Physical therapy had been carried out by a standard protocol over 5 weeks. Investigated parameters included Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) testing, European Quality of Life (EQ-5D-5L) quality of life test and the Range of Motion (ROM). Among the 4 visual analogue scale (VAS) values investigated from WOMAC, significant change was seen for functionality in all three groups; however, the extent of change was twice as large in the physical therapy + Loxacon group at Visit 2 in comparison with the other two groups. In the physical therapy + placebo group, improvement was seen only at the 3rd visit when they were also receiving Loxacon capsules. The most pronounced difference was seen in the minimum clinically important difference index, calculated from the quality of life-VAS, where those taking Loxacon capsules had a chance 3 times as high to obtain clinical improvement versus the other two groups. Our study confirmed that a combination of boswellic acid and harpagosides is beneficial as an additional therapy in knee OA.
Effects of Krill Oil and Coconut Oil on Behavioral Changes and Inflammatory Markers in Rats with Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Induced Depression Model.
Küçükkatırcı Baykan H, Öner N, Lekesizcan A
J Med Food · 2024 Dec · PMID 39446626 · Publisher ↗
This study was conducted to determine the effects of two different types of fat (krill oil [KO] and coconut oil [CO]) on obesity, behavioral tests, and some inflammatory markers when consumed with a high-fat or control d...
This study was conducted to determine the effects of two different types of fat (krill oil [KO] and coconut oil [CO]) on obesity, behavioral tests, and some inflammatory markers when consumed with a high-fat or control diet in rats with depression. The study was conducted mainly in two phases: the induction of depression (37 days) and the dietary intervention (60 days). After the induction of depression by chronic unpredictable mild stress, dietary intervention started. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups with 10 rats in each group: (1) standard diet (SD), (2) SD + 5% KO, (3) SD + 5% medium-chain triglyceride (MCT)* (*CO to contain 5% MCT), (4) high-fat diet (HFD), (5) HFD + 5% KO, and (6) HFD + 5% MCT*. The open field test (OFT), forced swimming test (FST), and sucrose preference test were performed at baseline, end of the depression induction, and dietary intervention to observe behavioral changes in rats. After the final behavioral test, animals were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses C-reactive protein (milligram per liter), cortisol (microgram per deciliter), and insulin (micro-international units per milliliter) to assess inflammatory changes in the blood. All data were analyzed under two headings: baseline, end of depression induction, end of dietary intervention, and dietary intervention groups. Body weight gain was highest in the SD+KO and lowest in the SD+MCT group ( < .05). When behavioral tests were evaluated according to dietary intervention, it was found that the SD+MCT group spent the most time in the center, the least time in the periphery, and the lowest immobilization time ( < .05). In FST, the SD+KO with the highest weight gain was the most immobile group ( < .05). The study indicates that the weight-reducing effects of MCTs resulted in positive behavioral responses, particularly in OFT and FST. Through these properties, MCTs can be used medicinally in the prevention and treatment of behavioral changes due to depression.
Anti-Diabetic Activity of -Fermented Edible Insects by the Promotion of Glucose Absorption.
Kim BS, Turk A, Lee S … +6 more , Lee HH, Kim MH, Jeong SY, Kwon EB, Hwang BY, Lee MK
J Med Food · 2025 Jan · PMID 39435578 · Publisher ↗
Insects are considered important food resources for future diet due to diverse nutrients and pharmacological effects. Fermentation is an important strategy of food processing with various beneficial effects such as incre...
Insects are considered important food resources for future diet due to diverse nutrients and pharmacological effects. Fermentation is an important strategy of food processing with various beneficial effects such as increasing nutrients, promoting bioavailability, and reducing anti-nutrients. is a mushroom that grows on insects and produces various active ingredients. Therefore, we investigated the effect of fermentation of insects on the nutritional composition and functional benefits of the insects. Six edible insects: , , , and were fermented with to produce mycelia and fruiting bodies. Analysis of nutritional components showed that protein content was increased whereas carbohydrate content was decreased by the fermentation with . In addition, the fermented insects showed anti-diabetic efficacy by the promotion of glucose absorption as evaluated using differentiated L6-GLUT4myc cells. Quantitation using HPLC analysis suggested that cordycepin was produced in both mycelium and fruiting bodies in -fermented edible insects with different amounts depending on insect type and cultivation conditions. Therefore, the fermentation of insects with is expected to increase nutritional values and bioactive constituents and exert anti-diabetic effects.
Research Progress in the Medicine-Food Dual Use of Astragalus for Gastrointestinal Tumors.
Li J, Niu Y, Yuan L … +4 more , Jiang W, Jiao T, Dou H, Nan Y
J Med Food · 2024 Dec · PMID 39431943 · Publisher ↗
Gastrointestinal tumors have a major impact on human life expectancy and quality of life and are a major cause of personal and social hygiene stress. Gastrointestinal tumors are the main cause of cancer-related death, an...
Gastrointestinal tumors have a major impact on human life expectancy and quality of life and are a major cause of personal and social hygiene stress. Gastrointestinal tumors are the main cause of cancer-related death, and the main treatment methods are surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, they also cause great damage to the body and have a poor prognosis after surgery. Therefore, we urgently need safe and effective drugs to intervene in gastrointestinal tumors. In recent years, Traditional Chinese Medicine has been widely used in tumor treatment as a complementary and alternative therapy. is one of the main herbal medicines with tonic effect and one of the important components of many antitumor herbal compounds. Astragalus polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids are the main active components of Astragalus, all of which have antitumor effects. In this article, we studied the mechanism of action of Astragalus and its active ingredients in the intervention of gastrointestinal tumors in recent years and suggested a new approach for the study of Astragalus intervention in gastrointestinal tumors from the perspective of the homology of medicine and food.
Phenylethanol Glycosides from Modulate the Gut Microbiota and Cecal Metabolites to Ameliorate Diabetic Nephropathy Induced by Streptozotocin Combined with High-Fat Diet in Rats.
Ma C, Ju B, Liu J … +4 more , Wen L, Zhao Y, Yang J, Hu J
J Med Food · 2025 Mar · PMID 39401174 · Publisher ↗
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a prevalent complication and serious microvascular of diabetes mellitus. After previous studies, we found that phenylethanol glycosides (CPhGs) derived from (Schenk) Wight exerts antidiabeti...
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a prevalent complication and serious microvascular of diabetes mellitus. After previous studies, we found that phenylethanol glycosides (CPhGs) derived from (Schenk) Wight exerts antidiabetic and renoprotective effects. However, the effects of CPhGs on DN remain incompletely understood. The study aimed to examine the effects of CPhGs on DN in rats and explore the underlying mechanism involved. A DN rat model was established by streptozotocin (STZ) combined with a high-fat diet. Reagent kits were used to assess the extent to which CPhGs ameliorate hyperglycemia, insulin resistance (IR), renal dysfunction, kidney oxidative stress, and peripheral inflammation. Histology and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the changes in renal tissue structure and the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen I. Furthermore, we analyzed the cecal contents of DN rats to investigate the effect of CPhGs on gut microbiota by using 16S rRNA sequencing and broad-spectrum metabolite profiling. The results showed that CPhGs demonstrated a range of advantageous outcomes in DN, encompassing the enhancement of kidney function and alleviation of hyperglycemia, IR, renal injury, oxidative stress, and peripheral inflammatory reactions. In addition, CPhGs regulated the abundance of the group, , etc. to modulate the gut microbiota. CPhGs significantly upregulated the content of vitamin B6 and tyrosyl-tryptophan and downregulated histamine, L-methionine, etc. In summary, the therapeutic efficacy of CPhGs on DN rats may be achieved by modulating the gut microbiota and cecal metabolites to restore the metabolic disorders of vitamin B6, histidine, etc.
Suppressive Effects of Arriheuk Wheat Sprout Extract on Muscle Atrophy in Dexamethasone-Induced C2C12 Myotubes and a Mouse Model.
Jo HS, Kim MJ, Amaya-Quiroz L … +4 more , Yoon H, Han BK, Hong JY, Kim YJ
J Med Food · 2024 Dec · PMID 39388119 · Publisher ↗
Skeletal muscle atrophy refers to the loss of muscle strength and mass due to decreased protein synthesis or increased protein degradation. Various conditions can cause muscle atrophy, including aging, heart disease, chr...
Skeletal muscle atrophy refers to the loss of muscle strength and mass due to decreased protein synthesis or increased protein degradation. Various conditions can cause muscle atrophy, including aging, heart disease, chronic illness, obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney failure, diabetes, AIDS, cancer, sepsis, and steroid use. Various natural materials have been studied for the prevention of muscle atrophy. In this study, we found that extracts from the sprouts of purple wheat, Arriheuk, prevented muscle atrophy and . Arriheuk wheat sprouts extract inhibited the expression of muscle protein breakdown factors, which were increased by dexamethasone, and improved muscle strength. In C2C12 myotubes, Arriheuk wheat sprout extract (ARE) protected against dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy by potentiating Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/forkhead box O3 (AMPK/Foxo3) signaling and inhibiting the expression of Atrogin-1, muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF1), and Myostatin. In addition, the administration of ARE in an animal model of muscle atrophy induced by dexamethasone prevented myocardial and muscle strength loss by regulating the expression of muscle atrophy-related factors by affecting AMPK/Foxo3 signaling. Taken together, these results suggest that Arriheuk wheat sprouts extract effectively alleviates muscle atrophy by regulating the synthesis and breakdown of muscle proteins.
Purple Butter Clam () as a Potential Functional Food Source for Obesity Treatment.
Dayarathne LA, Ko SC, Yim MJ … +8 more , Lee JM, Kim JY, Oh GW, Kim CH, Kim KW, Lee DS, Jung WK, Je JY
J Med Food · 2024 Nov · PMID 39382491 · Publisher ↗
extract (SPE) is a highly consumable seafood worldwide with known health-related benefits. However, there are no reports of its' anti-obesity effect. This study explores the potential of SPE for anti-obesity effects by m...
extract (SPE) is a highly consumable seafood worldwide with known health-related benefits. However, there are no reports of its' anti-obesity effect. This study explores the potential of SPE for anti-obesity effects by modulating adipogenesis and lipolysis. SPE reduced intracellular lipid and triglyceride accumulation while increasing free glycerol release in adipocytes. SPE inhibited lipogenesis protein expressions and increased the phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase and Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) to promote lipolysis. In addition, SPE suppressed adipogenesis by downregulating protein expression of key adipogenic markers, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) via Wnt/β-catenin signaling. SPE augmented the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. Thus, pharmacological intervention with Zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP-HO-1 antagonist) was employed to validate the HO-1 role. The presence of ZnPP increased the lipid accumulation and reduced the free glycerol release. At the molecular level, adipogenic transcription factors (PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP1) expressions were restored in the presence of ZnPP. GC-MS analysis revealed that SPE was comprised of several fatty acids, contributing to its anti-obesity activity. SPE is an effective nutraceutical that can be used to reduce the progression of obesity. HO-1 expression during adipogenesis might be the mechanism of action for the anti-obesity effect of SPE.
Cruciferous Plant Extracts, Their Isothyocianate or Indol Derivatives, and Their Effect on Cellular Viability of Breast Cancer Cell Lines.
Sanchez-Guzman X, Alvarez-Domínguez L, Ramírez-Torres MF … +5 more , Montes-Alvarado JB, Garcia-Ibañez P, Moreno DA, Domínguez F, Maycotte P
J Med Food · 2024 Dec · PMID 39382485 · Publisher ↗
Brassicaceaes are rich in glucosinolates (GSL), whose derivatives, the isothyocianates sulforaphane (SFN), iberine (IB), or indole derivatives as indole-3-carbinol (I3C), have anticancer activities. We evaluated the effe...
Brassicaceaes are rich in glucosinolates (GSL), whose derivatives, the isothyocianates sulforaphane (SFN), iberine (IB), or indole derivatives as indole-3-carbinol (I3C), have anticancer activities. We evaluated the effects of a broccoli sprout ( var italica) and red cabbage ( L. var capitata f. rubra) extracts and their GSL derivatives on breast cancer cells. Broccoli sprout aqueous extract (BSE) and red cabbage aqueous (RCA) or ethanolic (RCE) extracts were high in SFN, IB, and/or I3C. BSE and RCA decreased proliferation at doses of 2.5-5 mg/mL but induced proliferation at lower doses. RCE decreased proliferation starting at 10 µg/mL with selectivity toward cancer cells. SFN, IB, or I3C alone or in combination did not decrease proliferation similarly, suggesting synergistic effects with other phytochemicals in the extract. RCE showed selectivity toward breast cancer cells, but the effect of the individual metabolites or their combination did not reduce proliferation to the same extent. It will be important to determine the combination responsible for this effect to characterize their use for breast cancer treatment.
as a Novel Alternative Strategy Against Infection Development to Gastric Cancer.
Espinosa-Sánchez A, Montaño-Estrada LF, Rendón-Huerta EP … +4 more , Navarrete-Peón A, Gómez-Aldapa CA, Muñóz-Pérez VM, Castro-Rosas J
J Med Food · 2024 Dec · PMID 39382479 · Publisher ↗
Most gastric cancers (95%) are related to an initial infection worldwide. Treatments against this pathogen include a mix of antibiotics, antimicrobials, and proton-pump inhibitors. Over time, mutated, generating resist...
Most gastric cancers (95%) are related to an initial infection worldwide. Treatments against this pathogen include a mix of antibiotics, antimicrobials, and proton-pump inhibitors. Over time, mutated, generating resistance to treatments and making it hard to combat its infection. The purpose of this review is , commonly known as hibiscus, as a potential agent for anti- activity. Scientific interest has increased toward plant-derived bioactive compounds, which have the ability to enhance the antibiotic effect and can lead to the development of new drugs, such is the case for In general, studies show that natural products, such as plant-derived bioactive compounds, can be used as alternative treatments from natural origin against the pathogen. The specific action mechanism of these bioactive compounds is still controversial, but it is suggested that they have an anti-inflammatory effect, and they also act as antibiotic coadjutants. Research has been conducted regarding different bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, epicatechins, alkaloids, and caryophyllenes. contains several of these compounds; therefore, more studies are needed to establish its effect against .
Comprehensive Investigation of Homology and Heterogeneity Between Aurantii Fructus and Aurantii Fructus Immaturus Using Chemometrics Combined with Network Pharmacology.
Gao J, Liu M, Yang Z … +5 more , Zhao X, Ma Z, Sun L, Liu Y, Ren X
J Med Food · 2024 Nov · PMID 39347600 · Publisher ↗
Aurantii Fructus (AF) and Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (AFI) are distinct herbs outlined by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. They are sourced from the same plant but harvested at different times, resulting in differences in effi...
Aurantii Fructus (AF) and Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (AFI) are distinct herbs outlined by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. They are sourced from the same plant but harvested at different times, resulting in differences in efficacy. It is important to avoid mixing them clinically and to distinguish between the two. Furthermore, dissimilar cultivation conditions may cause variability in the quality of herbs, so it is vital to differentiate drugs from dissimilar origins. In this study, two plants, AF and AFI from different provinces, were comparatively analyzed based on High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints and classified using chemometric methods. The results indicate that the two medicines can be clearly distinguished. Also, AF and AFI grown in different locations can be distinguished. Ten chemical markers were screened, and their variations were determined, including eriocitrin, narirutin, naringin, meranzin hydrate, naringenin, hesperidin, nobiletin, tangeretin, neohesperidin, and poncirin. Subsequent network pharmacology correlated the screened chemical components with the biological network of the organism. The material basis of the difference in efficacy of the two homologous herbs was explored from the perspective of changes in chemical composition. This study provides a reference for formulating quality evaluation standards for AF and AFI and lays a foundation for the efficacy-related quality research of the two.
The Gastroprotective Effect of Against Hydrochloric Acid/Ethanol-Induced Acute Gastritis and Gastric Ulcer in Mice.
Kim HR, Kim MC, Kang EJ … +8 more , Choi JH, Choi YK, Lee IB, Choi DH, Seo YJ, Noh JR, Kim YH, Lee CH
J Med Food · 2024 Dec · PMID 39321339 · Publisher ↗
Gastritis and gastric ulcers are common gastric diseases that are caused by infection, drugs, alcohol consumption, or stress. These conditions lead to increased inflammatory cytokines and recruitment of leukocytes, which...
Gastritis and gastric ulcers are common gastric diseases that are caused by infection, drugs, alcohol consumption, or stress. These conditions lead to increased inflammatory cytokines and recruitment of leukocytes, which damage the stomach mucosa and exacerbate disease severity. (SA), an annual vine in the family, is known to have an anti-inflammatory effect, but its efficacy for preventing gastritis and gastric ulcers has not yet been evaluated. In the present study, we investigated the gastroprotective effect of SA using a hydrochloric acid/ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury mouse model and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated KATO III cells. Macroscopic analysis revealed a reduction in gastric ulcer area. Similarly, histopathological analysis showed a dose-dependent decrease in gastric mucosal injury, with significant improvement at 750 mg/kg of SA treatment. Gene expressions of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecule were reduced in the SA-administered group. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that SA significantly decreased neutrophil infiltration in the lamina propria and epithelium of the stomach. Kaempferol, a major bioactive flavonoid of SA, also improved gastric injury by reducing macroscopic and microscopic lesions, inflammatory mediator gene expression, and neutrophil infiltration. Furthermore, both SA and kaempferol downregulated LPS-mediated increases in inflammatory cytokines and chemokines following inhibition of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation in KATO III cells. These results suggest that SA can ameliorate gastric mucosal injury by inhibiting the recruitment of inflammatory cells, particularly neutrophils, and by suppressing p38 and JNK phosphorylation.
Thymoquinone Abrogates Acrylamide-Induced Cerebellar Toxicity via Modulation of Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2/Nuclear Factor Kappa B Signaling, Oxidative Neuroinflammation, and Neuroapoptosis in Rats.
Famurewa AC, Elsawy H, Sedky A
J Med Food · 2024 Nov · PMID 39321097 · Publisher ↗
Acrylamide (ACR) is an obligate human neurotoxicant ubiquitously produced and found in foods processed at high temperature. There is an increasing public health concern regarding its probable carcinogenic potential. Its...
Acrylamide (ACR) is an obligate human neurotoxicant ubiquitously produced and found in foods processed at high temperature. There is an increasing public health concern regarding its probable carcinogenic potential. Its prevailing toxicity mechanism is oxidative inflammation and apoptosis. Herein, we explored whether thymoquinone (TQ), a bioactive quinone in seed, could mitigate ACR-induced cerebellar toxicity in rats. Our study design featured four rat groups: control, TQ (5 mg/kg bw), ACR (50 mg/kg bw), and TQ + ACR (5 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg). After 14 days of respective treatments, cerebellar homogenate was used to estimate acetylcholinesterase activity (AchE) activity, antioxidant enzymes (catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and glutathione peroxidase [GPx]), malondialdehyde (MDA), inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, IL-4, and IL-10), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), caspase-3, and caspase-9. The level of DNA damage by fragmentation and histopathological lesions was also determined in the cerebellum. The rat exposure to ACR caused significant decreases in the cerebellar activities of AchE, CAT, SOD, and GPx, IL-4, IL-10, and expression of Nrf2, whereas the levels of MDA, IL-6, TNF-α, caspase-3, and caspase-9 were prominently increased compared with the control. ACR induced significant DNA fragments and cerebellar lesions when compared with the control. Contrarily, TQ treatment inhibited the depression of CAT, SOD, and GPx activities and reversed the MDA level and expression of Nrf2/NF-κB, cytokines, and caspases. These effects were confirmed by reduced DNA damage and cerebellar histopathological lesions in comparison with the ACR. TQ afforded neuroprotection via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic mechanisms in rats.
Respiratory Responses to a Single Oral Dose of Caffeine in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats.
Cho SH, Kim M, Doo M … +1 more , Ha JH
J Med Food · 2025 Jan · PMID 39321096 · Publisher ↗
Caffeine is a key component of beverages such as coffee and tea and has effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, prompting a variety of physiological changes. In our previous study, intravenously administer...
Caffeine is a key component of beverages such as coffee and tea and has effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, prompting a variety of physiological changes. In our previous study, intravenously administered caffeine at high concentrations significantly influenced respiratory rates. However, comparative research on the potential adverse effects of caffeine consumption on the respiratory system is limited. To address this issue, in this study, we focused on evaluating the effects of orally administered caffeine (0, 2, 6, and 20 mg/kg) on the respiratory system of 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats. We measured the respiratory rate, tidal volume, and minute volume following the guidelines set forth by the International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, specifically adhering to Harmonized Tripartite Guideline S7A for Safety Pharmacology Studies for Human Pharmaceuticals. Caffeine administration led to a notable increase in both the respiratory rate and the tidal volume. Conversely, a marked reduction in minute volume was recorded between 0.5 and 2 h following caffeine administration in doses exceeding 6 mg/kg.
Neurological Restorative Effects of (-)-Epicatechin in a Model of Gulf War Illness.
Ramirez-Sanchez I, Navarrete-Yañez V, Espinosa-Raya J … +7 more , Rubio-Gayosso I, Palma-Flores C, Mendoza-Lorenzo P, Ordoñez-Razo R, Estrada-Mena J, Ceballos G, Villarreal F
J Med Food · 2024 Nov · PMID 39321070 · Publisher ↗
Gulf War Illness (GWI) afflicts US military personnel who served in the Persian Gulf War. Suspect causal agents include exposure to pyridostigmine (PB), permethrin (PM) and ,-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET). Prominent symptom...
Gulf War Illness (GWI) afflicts US military personnel who served in the Persian Gulf War. Suspect causal agents include exposure to pyridostigmine (PB), permethrin (PM) and ,-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET). Prominent symptoms include cognitive deficits, such as memory impairment. In aging animal models, we have documented the beneficial effect of the flavanol (-)-epicatechin (Epi) on hippocampus structure and related function. Using a rat model of GWI, we examined the effects of Epi on hippocampus inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, cell death/survival pathways, and memory endpoints. Male Wistar rats underwent 3 weeks of exposure to either vehicles or DEET, PM, PB, and stress. Subgroups of GWI rats were then allocated to receive orally 15 days of either water (vehicle) or 1 mg/kg/day of Epi treatment. Object recognition tasks were performed to assess memory. Hippocampus samples were analyzed. Epi treatment yields significant improvements in short- and long-term memory versus GWI rats. Hippocampus oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels showed significant increases with GWI that were largely normalized with Epi becoming comparable to controls. Significant increases in markers of hippocampus neuroinflammation and cell death were noted with GWI and were also largely reduced with Epi. Neuronal survival signaling pathways were adversely impacted by GWI and were partially or fully restored by Epi. Markers of mitochondrial function were adversely impacted by GWI and were fully restored by Epi. In conclusion, in an animal model of GWI, Epi beneficially impacts recognized markers of hippocampus neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, cell survival, neurotoxicity and mitochondrial function leading to improved memory.
Schisandrol A Alleviates Allergic Asthma in Mice via Regulating the NF-κB/IκBα and Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathways.
Dong Y, Zou YZ, Li T … +5 more , Sun JH, Li H, Zhuang WY, Song Y, Wang CM
J Med Food · 2025 Jan · PMID 39315928 · Publisher ↗
(Turcz) Baill () is the key traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of asthma used by ancient and modern medical practitioners. However, the material basis and the main mechanism of its antiasthmatic effect remain...
(Turcz) Baill () is the key traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of asthma used by ancient and modern medical practitioners. However, the material basis and the main mechanism of its antiasthmatic effect remain unclear. Our preliminary results showed that schisandrol A (SCA), a representative monomer of lignans, had the best relaxation effect on tracheal rings in isolated rats. In this research, a mouse asthma model was prepared by combining ovalbumin (OVA) with Al (OH) for exploring the antiasthmatic action and the underlying mechanism of SCA. The study results demonstrated that SCA improved the behavior of mice with asthma and pathological changes in their lung tissues and airways, decreased serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and OVA-IgE levels, interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, IL-13, and eotaxin contents, and leukocytes number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. SCA downregulated the gene expressions of keratinocyte-derived protein chemokines and ILs and reduced the expressions of phosphorylated IκB kinase α (p-IKKα) and p-nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) proteins in lung tissues. In addition, it was found that SCA could significantly increase T-superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, decrease malondialdehyde content, and elevate p-IκBα, NF-E2-related-factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expressions. In summary, SCA treatment resulted in a significant improvement in the allergic bronchial asthma in mice, and its mechanisms may involve the regulation of the NF-κB/IκBα pathway to reduce inflammatory response and the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to improve the body's antioxidant capacity. These results suggest that SCA is a key component of in exerting antiasthmatic effects.
Guaijaverin and Epigallocatechin Gallate Complex Modulate Th1 and Th2 Cytokine-Mediated Allergic Responses Through STAT1/T-bet and STAT6/GATA3 Pathways.
Park SH, Jeon YH, Park YJ … +3 more , Kim KY, Kim JS, Lee JB
J Med Food · 2024 Sep · PMID 39293041 · Publisher ↗
We aimed to determine the and synergistic antiallergic effect of guaijaverin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) complex (GEC), and the antiallergic rhinitis (AR) properties of guaijaverin-rich and EGCG-rich (ILS-F-2...
We aimed to determine the and synergistic antiallergic effect of guaijaverin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) complex (GEC), and the antiallergic rhinitis (AR) properties of guaijaverin-rich and EGCG-rich (ILS-F-2301). GEC showed synergistic inhibition of β-hexosaminidase by 4.20% and interleukin (IL)-4, -5, and -13 by 4.08%, 0.67%, and 4.71%, respectively, while increasing interferon (IFN)-γ by 12.43%, compared with EGCG only. In addition, 50 μg/mL of ILS-F-2301 inhibited β-hexosaminidase release, and inhibited IL-4, -5, and -13 by 61.54%, 58.79%, and 59.25%, respectively, while increasing IFN-γ (showing 133.14% activation). Moreover, 50 μg/mL of ILS-F-2301 suppressed p-STAT6 and GATA3, while p-STAT1 and T-bet increased, and 0.039 μg/mL of guaijaverin or 5.275 μg/mL of EGCG modulated T helper (Th)1- and Th2-related proteins. These data suggested that guaijaverin and EGCG in ILS-F-2301 was the main active compound involved in Th1/Th2 modulation. In the AR mouse model, the administration of ILS-F-2301 inhibited ovalbumin (OVA)-specific IgE, histamine in serum; it also inhibited IL-4 and -5 by 28.23% and 47.15%, respectively, while increasing IFN-γ (showing 37.11% activation), compared with OVA/Alu-treated mice. Taken together, our findings suggest that ILS-F-2301 is a functional food for alleviating anti-AR.
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