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Chronic inflammation is a recognized risk factor for various cancers, including prostate cancer (PCa). We aim to explore the potential protective effects of aged black garlic extract (ABGE) against inflammation-induced prostate damage and its impact on prostate cancer cell lines. We used an ex vivo model of inflammation induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on C57BL/6 male mouse prostate specimens to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of ABGE. The gene expression levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers ( COX-2 , NF-κB , and TNF-α , IL-6 ) were measured. Additionally, we evaluated ABGE's therapeutic effects on the prostate cancer cell lines through in vitro functional assays, including colony formation, tumorsphere formation, migration assays, and phosphorylation arrays to assess the signaling pathways (MAPK, AKT, JAK/STAT, and TGF-β). ABGE demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in preclinical models, partly attributed to its polyphenolic content, notably catechin and gallic acid. In the ex vivo model, ABGE reduced the gene expression levels of COX-2 , NF-κB , TNF-α , and IL-6 . The in vitro studies showed that ABGE inhibited cell proliferation, colony and tumorsphere formation, and cell migration in the prostate cancer cells, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent. ABGE exhibits promising anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, supporting further investigation into ABGE as a potential agent for managing inflammation and prostate cancer.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a morbid condition characterized by relapsing-remitting inflammation of the colon, accompanied by persistent gut dysmotility and abdominal pain. Different reports demonstrated biological activities of aged black garlic (ABG), including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. We aimed to investigate beneficial effects exerted by ABGE on colon inflammation by using ex vivo and in vivo experimental models. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of an ABG water extract (ABGE) on rat colon specimens exposed to E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a known ex vivo experimental model of ulcerative colitis. We determined gene expression of various biomarkers involved in inflammation, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Moreover, we studied the acute effects of ABGE on visceral pain associated with colitis induced by 2,4-di-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS) injection in rats. ABGE suppressed LPS-induced gene expression of IL-1β, IL-6, NF-kB, and TNF-α. In addition, the acute administration of ABGE (0.03-1 g kg -1 ) dose-dependently relieved post-inflammatory visceral pain, with the higher dose (1 g kg -1 ) able to significantly reduce both the behavioral nociceptive response and the entity of abdominal contraction (assessed by electromyography) in response to colorectal distension after the acute administration in DNBS-treated rats. Present findings showed that ABGE could represent a potential strategy for treatment of colitis-associated inflammatory process and visceral pain. The beneficial effects induced by the extract could be related to the pattern of polyphenolic composition, with particular regard to gallic acid and catechin., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The Cucurbita genus has been widely used in traditional medicinal systems across different countries. In this study, we aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant properties, enzyme inhibitory, and cytotoxic effects of methanol and aqueous extracts obtained from the aerial parts, seeds, and fruit shells of Cucurbita okeechobeensis. Antioxidant properties were assessed using various chemical methods, including radical quenching (DPPH and ABTS), reducing power (CUPRAC and FRAP), metal chelation, and phosphomolybdenum assays. The extracts' enzyme inhibitory effects were tested against cholinesterase, amylase, glucosidase, and tyrosinase, whereas different cancer cell lines were used for the cytotoxicity study. The chemical composition, evaluated by HPLC-ESI-MS n , showed that the most abundant compounds were flavonoids (mainly quercetin glycosides) followed by phenolic acids (mostly caffeic acid derivatives). The aerial parts displayed stronger antioxidant ability than the seed and fruit shells, in agreement with the highest content in phytochemicals. In addition, the methanol extracts presented the highest bioactivity and content in phytochemicals; among them, the extract of the aerial part exhibited significant cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines and induced apoptosis. Overall, our results suggest that C. okeechobeensis is a valuable source of bioactive compounds for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries., (© 2024 Deutsche Pharmazeutische Gesellschaft.)

The present study investigated the role of a commercial formulation constituted by herbal extracts from Rhodiola rosea, Undaria pinnatifida, Tribulus terrestris, and Moringa oleifera. The formulation was analysed for determining the content in total phenols and flavonoids and scavenging/reducing properties. The formulation was also tested on isolated mouse hypothalamus in order to investigate effects on serotonin, dopamine, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and orexin A. The gene expression of gonadrotopin releasing hormone (GnRH) was also assayed. The formulation was able to reduce dopamine and serotonin turnover, and this could be related, albeit partially, to the capability of different phytochemicals, among which hyperoside and catechin to inhibit monoaminooxidases activity. In parallel, the formulation was effective in reducing the gene expression of NPY and orexin-A and to improve the gene expression of GnRH. In this context, the increased GnRH gene expression induced by the formulation may contribute not only to improve the resistance towards the stress related to ageing, but also to prevent the reduction of libido that could be related with a stimulation of the serotoninergic pathway. According to the in silico analysis, hyperoside could play a pivotal role in modulating the gene expression of GnRH. Regarding NPY and orexin A gene expression, no direct interactions between the formulation phytochemicals and these neuropeptides were anticipated; thus, suggesting that the pattern of gene expression observed following exposure of the hypothalamus to the formulation may be secondary to inhibitory effects of dopamine and serotonin turnover. Concluding, the present study demonstrated the efficacy of the formulation in exerting neuromodulatory effects at the hypothalamic level; thus, suggesting the potential to contrast stress and fatigue., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Background: Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) is a fruiting shrub native to tropical and subtropical countries around the world and cultivated in many regions due to its nutraceutical value. The current study investigated the metabolic profiling and enzyme inhibitory activities of volatile constituents derived from the C. aurantium peel cultivated in Egypt by three different extraction methods. Methods: The volatile chemical constituents of the peel of C. aurantium were isolated using three methods; steam distillation (SD), hydrodistillation (HD), and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD), and then were investigated by GC-MS. The antioxidant potential was evaluated by different assays such as DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, and phosphomolybdenum and metal chelating potential. Moreover, the effect of enzyme inhibition of the three essential oils was tested using BChE, AChE, tyrosinase, glucosidase, as well as amylase assays. Results: A total of six compounds were detected by GC/MS analysis. The major constituent obtained by all three extraction methods was limonene (98.86% by SD, 98.68% by HD, and 99.23% by MAHD). Differences in the composition of the compounds of the three oils were observed. The hydrodistillation technique has yielded the highest number of compounds, notably two oxygenated monoterpenes: linalool (0.12%) and α-terpineol acetate (0.1%). Conclusion: In our study differences in the extraction methods of C. aurantium peel oils resulted in differences in the oils' chemical composition. Citrus essential oils and their components showed potential antioxidant, anticholinesterase, antimelanogenesis, and antidiabetic activities. The presence of linalool and α-terpineol acetate may explain the superior activity observed for the oil isolated by HD in both radical scavenging and AChE inhibition assays, as well as in the enzyme inhibition assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]