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Sulla coronaria is indigenous to the Mediterranean region. It is grown as fodder in southern Italy because it contains various secondary metabolites with beneficial activities on animals. Recently, its potential use in cosmeceutical treatments for skin problems was reported. In this scenario, to contribute to a possible cosmeceutical application, we characterized the phytochemical profile of Sulla coronaria flowers' hydroalcoholic extract by HPLC-DAD, Folin-Ciocalteu, Aluminum Chloride methods, DPPH assay, and, for the first time, we evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities on dermal fibroblasts. The phytochemical analysis confirmed the significant content of phenolic compounds (TPC 69.8 ± 0.6 mg GAE/g extract, TFC 15.07 mg CE/g extract) and the remarkable presence of rutin, quercetin, and isorhamnetin derivatives that give to the phytocomplex a good antioxidant activity as highlighted by the DPPH assay (IC50 of 8.04 ± 0.5 µg/mL). Through the reduction in NO• and ROS levels in human dermal fibroblasts, the biological tests demonstrated both the safety of the extract and its ability to counteract the inflammatory state generated by Interleukin-1β exposure. Our findings indicate that the antioxidant activities of the phytocomplex are strictly related to the anti-inflammatory action of the Sulla coronaria flowers extract, confirming that this plant could be a valuable source of bioactive molecules for cosmeceutical and nutraceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reperfusion following liver ischemia results in oxidative stress leading to liver injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effects of two antioxidant agents, rutin and L-arginine, in rat liver ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: 1) sham operated, 2) I/R, 3) I/R + rutin, 4) I/R + L-arginine, and 5) I/R + rutin + L-arginine. Plasmatic and hepatic levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), lipid peroxides (LOOH), and thiol groups (RSH) were examined, as well as DNA fragmentation and liver histopathology. Furthermore, to elucidate the pathophysiological processes involved in the antioxidant mechanism(s) of turin and L-arginine, we assessed the expression of inducible (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) isoforms and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), both playing key roles in the biochemical cascade of liver injury. Significant increase in plasmatic ALT and AST activities were observed in untreated I/R rats compared with sham-operated animals, whereas treatment with rutin or L-arginine in I/R rats reduced hepatic damage. Interestingly, combined therapy with rutin and L-arginine resulted in a further reduction of plasmatic ALT and AST activities compared with rutin or L-arginine alone. These results were further confirmed by the analysis of DNA fragmentation, LOOH, RSH groups, and liver histopathology, which showed the highest protective effects following the coadministration of rutin and L-arginine. Finally, the combined therapy protocol resulted in a significant induction of liver HO-1 and a concomitant reduction of iNOS expression that may both be responsible for the beneficial effects of the proposed pharmacological protocol. heme oxygenase; nitric oxide synthase; oxidative stress; total thiol groups; lipid hydroperoxides; DNA damage; polyphenols

Castanea sativa is particularly exploited in the Mediterranean basin, for fruit and wood production. Several authors studied the possible effects of C. sativa compounds as interesting ingredients for food supplements, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. Some of the most antioxidant molecules are not always found in fruits, but in matrices richer in polyphenols like flowers or shells. In the present study, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer properties of C. sativa (Fagaceae) aqueous and ethanolic pellicle extracts were investigated for the first time. The ethanolic extract had the highest total polyphenol and flavonoid content and was also found to have the highest antioxidant activity in dose dependent manner. The antimicrobial tests showed that only ethanolic extract inhibited the growth of bacteria, whereas no activity was recorded by the aqueous extract. The cytotoxicity of both extracts was evaluated on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line by the MTT assay and reactive oxygen species (ROS) determination, suggesting a potential antiproliferative activity. Our results suggested that C. sativa ethanolic pellicle extract might represent a good natural source of antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer agents with potential health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particular features in the pulp of blood oranges are marked levels of anthocyanin, a class of polyphenolic compounds well known to exert numerous health-promoting actions on human wellbeing including anti-obesity effects. In this study, we investigated in vitro, the antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of Morosil®, a standardised extract of Moro blood oranges. During adipocyte differentiation, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with concentrations of extract containing 2.5, 5, 10, 25 μM of anthocyanins. After seven days of treatment and differentiation, we measured reactive oxygen species production, non-proteic thiol groups content, adipokine secretion and triglyceride accumulation together with mRNA expression of adipogenic transcription factors such as PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1c. Furthermore, both ACCα, FAS protein expression and citrate synthase activity were measured. Results show that Morosil® exerts antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities during adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal discomfort (GD), which often includes gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a common disorder in healthy adults affecting 40% of the worldwide population. The symptoms related to GD can have a negative impact on the quality of life (QoL). Current treatments for GERD are associated with side effects. We conducted a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial to assess the effect of a standardized extract of Opuntia ficus‐indica L. cladodes and Olea europaea L. leaves on the symptoms and QoL of healthy adults with GD. One hundred healthy participants with GD were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups: 60 participants taking verum (400 mg/day) and 40 taking the placebo for 8 weeks. The Gastrointestinal Quality of Life index (GIQLI) and GERD Symptom Assessment Scale (GSAS) questionnaires were administered at the beginning of the study and after 4 and 8 weeks. The group treated with verum experienced a statistically significant improvement of GIQLI and GSAS scores (p <.001). Moreover, the effect size measured revealed a clinical significance. A day‐dependent improvement of symptoms was also observed. The standardized extract represents a fast, effective, and well‐tolerated treatment for improving symptoms related to GD and GERD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]