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Immunomodulatory Effect of Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) Fruit Extracts on Activated Macrophages and Dysfunctional Vascular Endothelial Cells
Background: Growing evidence highlights the beneficial effects of flavonoids, including anthocyanins, as key components in reducing cardiovascular risk, and emphasizes that incorporating anthocyanin-rich fruits into the daily diet significantly impacts public health. Methods: The effect of bioactive polyphenols from raspberry fruit (RBF) on molecular pathways in inflammation was studied in activated RAW 264.7 macrophages and their protective potential against endothelial dysfunction was analyzed using TNF-α-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Results: The results have shown that RBF extract, along with its anthocyanin and polyphenol fractions, has a significant anti-inflammatory effect in macrophage cell culture by inhibiting the LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory genes, including IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-κB. Moreover, RBF and both fractions have demonstrated a protective effect on endothelial function by decreasing the expression of several inflammation-related genes and adhesion molecules, such as IL-6, IL-1β, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and SELE, in TNF-α-induced HUVECs. Conclusions: The consumption of RBF and/or polyphenol-rich extracts may help prevent the onset of early atherosclerosis. This is attributed to their ability to improve inflammation status and enhance vascular endothelial function. Given the strong anti-inflammatory properties of RBF, incorporating them into a daily diet could significantly reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases related to inflammation.
Effect of gastrointestinal digestion on the stability and cytotoxicity of conventional and pegylated liposomes encapsulated with stigmasterol and its esters
Thermo-oxidative stability and safety of new acylglycerols with stigmasterol residue: Effects of fatty acids saturation and position in the glycerol backbone
Effects of Daidzein, Tempeh, and a Probiotic Digested in an Artificial Gastrointestinal Tract on Calcium Deposition in Human Osteoblast-like Saos-2 Cells
Adequate calcium intake is crucial for the prevention and treatment of bone-related issues. Developing a nutritional source of readily bioavailable calcium is particularly significant for individuals deficient in this essential element and at risk of developing osteoporosis. This research aimed to evaluate the impact of tempeh (T), daidzein (D), and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) within a simulated intestinal environment consisting of Caco-2 epithelial and Saos-2 cells, focusing on their implications for bone mineralization mechanisms. In the initial phase, calcium bioaccessibility from calcium citrate (CaCt), LA, D, the daidzein combination D–CaCt–LA (D1:1:1), and the tempeh combination T–CaCt–LA (T1:1:1) was assessed through digestion simulation. The calcium content of both untreated and digested samples was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). In the subsequent stage, the digested samples were used to induce intestinal absorption in differentiated enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells. The permeable fractions were then evaluated in a culture of osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells. Preliminary cellular experiments employed the MTT assay to assess cytotoxicity. The results indicated that the analyzed products did not influence the deposition of extracellular calcium in Saos-2 cells cultured without mineralization stimulators. The combined formulations of permeable fractions of digested CaCt, LA, D, and T demonstrated the capacity to enhance the proliferation of Saos-2 cells. In Saos-2 cells, D, D1:1:1, and LA showed no discernible impact on intracellular calcium accumulation, whereas T and T1:1:1 reduced the calcium deposits. Additionally, mRNA transcripts and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity levels in Saos-2 cells cultured without mineralization induction were unaffected by the analyzed products. An examination of the products revealed no discernible effect on ALP activity or mRNA expression during Saos-2 cell differentiation. Our findings suggest that tempeh, daidzein, and L. acidophilus did not positively impact cellular calcium deposition in Saos-2 cells. However, tempeh, daidzein and its combination, and L. acidophilus might enhance the process of osteogenic differentiation in Saos-2 cells. Nevertheless, this study did not identify any synergistic impact on calcium deposition and the process of osteogenic differentiation in Saos-2 cells of isoflavones and probiotics.
Heating and storage of structured acylglycerols with succinyl-linked stigmasterol residue does not cause negative chemical or biological changes
AbstractFour structured acylglycerols with stigmasterol bonded by a succinyl linker were investigated and their stability were analyzed. Samples were heated to 60 °C and kept at that temperature to simulate storage, and to 180 °C to simulate frying conditions. The degradation of the synthesized compounds and formed derivatives was determined, and their cytotoxicity and genotoxicity on normal human cells from the digestive system was determined. Holding at 180 °C resulted in greater degradation of the compounds than holding at 60 °C. The most stable compound in each sample proved to be one with oleic acid in its structure—1,3-dioleoyl-2-stigmasterylsuccinoyl-sn-glycerol (DO2SSt) at 60 °C and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-stigmasterylsuccinoyl-sn-glycerol (DO3SSt) at 180 °C. These results indicate that the type of fatty acid in the molecule is more important than its position in the glycerol structure. None of the diacylmonostigmasterylsuccinoyl-sn-glycerols (DASStGs) before or after heating exhibited cytotoxic or genotoxic potential to small intestine and colon mucosa cells.
Rosehip Extract Decreases Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Lipid Accumulation in Hypertrophic 3T3-L1 Adipocytes with the Modulation of Inflammatory State
Background: Rosa canina L. (rosehip) is used worldwide in traditional medicine as a plant with medicinal properties. However, its anti-obesity effects are not fully explained on a transcriptional level. Methods: In the present work, the 3T3-L preadipocytes were utilized to explore the impact of R. canina fruit extract (RCE) on the cellular and molecular pathways involved in adipocyte hypertrophy. Results: Obtained results showed the ability of RCE to reduce lipid overloads in hypertrophic adipocytes associated with the down-regulation of mRNA expressions of adipogenic transcription factors such as PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP-1c as well as genes involved in lipid biosyntheses such as FAS, LPL, and aP2. Moreover, obesity-associated oxidative stress (antioxidant enzyme activities and ROS generation) and inflammation were ameliorated in RCE-treated hypertrophic adipocytes. The mRNA and protein levels of adipokines such as leptin, resistin, and adiponectin were restored to more favorable levels. Conclusions: Rosa canina fruit might be a valuable source of phytochemicals in preventing obesity and obesity-related metabolic complications.
Analiza potencjału przeciwzapalnego i przeciwcukrzycowego ekstraktu z owoców dzikiej róży (Rosa conina L.) w odniesieniu do hipertroficznej i insulinoopornej tkanki tłuszczowej in vitro
Bioactive Substances of Potato Juice Reveal Synergy in Cytotoxic Activity against Cancer Cells of Digestive System Studied In Vitro
More and more literature data indicate the health-promoting effect of potato juice (PJ). However, to date, it has not been precisely explained which of the many compounds present in PJ exhibit biological activity. The work aimed to establish the antiproliferative effect of gastrointestinal digested PJ and the products of its processing. Fresh PJs derived from three edible potato varieties, industrial side stream resulting from starch production, partially deproteinized PJ derived from feed protein production line, and three different potato protein preparations subjected to digestion in the artificial gastrointestinal tract were used in this study. The cytotoxic potential of glycoalkaloids (GAs), phenolic acids, digested PJ, and products of PJ processing was determined in human normal and cancer cells derived from the digestive system. The results showed that GAs exhibit concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against all analyzed cell lines. In contrast, phenolic acids (caffeic, ferulic, and chlorogenic acid) do not show cytotoxicity in the applied cell lines. A correlation between cytotoxic potency and GAs content was found in all PJ products studied. The most potent effects were observed under treatment with deproteinized PJ, a product of industrial processing of PJ, distinguished by the highest effective activity among the fresh juice products studied. Moreover, this preparation revealed a favorable cytotoxicity ratio towards cancer cells compared to normal cells. Statistical analysis of the obtained results showed the synergistic effect of other bioactive substances contained in PJ and its products, which may be crucial in further research on the possibility of using PJ as a source of compounds of therapeutic importance.