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The present study evaluated the contribution of mango fiber (MF) and mango phenolic compounds (MP) to the hepatoprotective effect of freeze-dried mango pulp (FDM) cultivar (cv.) "Ataulfo" diets in high cholesterol/sodium cholate (HCC)-fed rats. Male Wistar rats were fed with a HCC diet for 12 weeks, either untreated, or supplemented with MF, MP, FDM, or a control diet (no HCC; n = 6/group). All mango treatments significantly decreased hepatic cholesterol deposition and altered its fatty acid profile, whereas MF and MP mitigated adipose tissue hypertrophy. MF caused a lower level of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1α/β, IFN-γ, TNF-α) whereas FDM increased the anti-inflammatory ones (IL-4, 6, 10). Mango treatments increased catalase (CAT) activity and its mRNA expression; superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was normalized by MF and FDM, but its activity was unrelated to its hepatic mRNA expression. Changes in CAT and SOD mRNA expression were unrelated to altered Nrf2 mRNA expression. Higher hepatic PPARα and LXRα mRNA levels were found in MP and MF. We concluded that MF and MP are highly bioactive, according to the documented hepatoprotection in HCC-fed rats; their mechanism of action appears to be related to modulating cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism as well as to stimulating the endogenous antioxidant system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of gastritis requires the consumption of functional foods to counteract this disease. The objective of this work was to characterize guava-Aloe vera purees, evaluate their in vitro anti-inflammatory effect and demonstrate the gastroprotective effect in a murine model induced to the gastric lesion. The nutritional composition, physicochemical parameters, and bioactive compounds were determined in fresh guava-Aloe vera puree (FP) as well as in guava-Aloe vera puree stored at 4 ºC for six months (RP). The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of polyphenolic extracts from purees and the effect of FP intake on gastric lesion-induced rats were also evaluated. FP was rich in dietary fibre (10%), vitamin C (238.81 mg/100 g), phenolic compounds (1969.70 mg/100 g), and minerals such as Cu, Fe, and K; while RP decreased in 80%, 64%, and 69% of vitamin C, minerals, and phenolic compounds, respectively. The polyphenolic extracts from the purees showed high in vitro anti-inflammatory activity (~60-80%). The purees did not cause significant changes (p>0.05) in the plasma biochemical parameters. The activity of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase decreased in the gastric lesion-induced rats after treatment with the puree. The intake of FP by gastric lesion-induced rats accelerated the cell regeneration of the gastric tissue, showing a fast recovery. Guava-Aloe vera puree is a healthy alternative and serves as a gastroprotective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The meninges shield the nervous system from diverse, rather harmful stimuli and pathogens from the periphery. This tissue is composed of brain endothelial cells (BECs) that express diverse ion channels and chemical-transmitter receptors also expressed by neurons and glial cells to communicate with each other. However, information about the effects of ATP and angiotensin II on BECs is scarce, despite their essential roles in blood physiology. This work investigated in vitro if BECs from the meninges from rat forebrain respond to ATP, angiotensin II and high extracellular potassium, with intracellular calcium mobilizations and its second messenger-associated pathways. We found that in primary BEC cultures, both ATP and angiotensin II produced intracellular calcium responses linked to the activation of inositol trisphosphate receptors and ryanodine receptors, which led to calcium release from intracellular stores. We also used RT-PCR to explore what potassium channel subunits are expressed by primary BEC cultures and freshly isolated meningeal tissue, and which might be linked to the observed effects. We found that BECs mainly expressed the inward rectifier potassium channel subunits Kir1.1, Kir3.3, Kir 4.1 and Kir6.2. This study contributes to the understanding of the functions elicited by ATP and angiotensin II in BECs from rat meninges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neurovascular unit, composed of neurons, brain endothelial cells, and glial cells, regulates cerebral blood flow. Physical and chemical signals govern the physiology of the neurovascular unit within this cell network. This manuscript will briefly discuss recent evidence about the contribution of this cell network and its plethora of ion channels, to the leading cellular mechanisms involved in the physiology of the neurovascular unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetes mellitus. Both can damage the brain. Mango and its by‐products are sources of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. We hypothesized that mango cv. 'Ataulfo' peel and pulp mitigate oxidative stress in the brain of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats. RESULTS: Twenty‐four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, untreated diabetic (UD), diabetic treated with a mango‐supplemented diet (MTD), and diabetic pretreated with a mango‐supplemented diet (MPD). The rats were fed the different diets for 4 weeks after diabetes induction (MTD), or 2 weeks before and 4 weeks after induction (MPD). After the intervention, serum and brain (cerebellum and cortex) were collected to evaluate gene expression, enzyme activity, and redox biomarkers. Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) expression increased in the cortex of the MTD group, whereas glutathione‐S‐transferase p1 (GSTp1) expression was higher in the cortex of the MTD group, and cortex and cerebellum of the MPD group. SOD1 activity was higher in the cerebellum and cortex of all diabetic groups, whereas GST activity increased in the cerebellum and cortex of the MPD group. Lipid peroxidation increased in the cerebellum and cortex of the UD group; however, a mango‐supplemented diet prevented this increase in both regions, while also mitigating polyphagia and weight loss, and maintaining stable glycemia in diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: We propose that mango exerts potent neuroprotective properties against diabetes‐induced oxidative stress. It can be an alternative to prevent and treat biochemical alterations caused by diabetes. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to characterize the quality and bioactive compounds from five cultivars grown in Mexico´s northern region: Heritage, Summit, Harvest, and red and yellow Autumn. The physicochemical characteristics, DPPH anti-radical capacity, total phenolics, flavonoid and anthocyanins, polyphenolic profile, and ascorbic acid levels of the raspberries were assessed. The Harvest cultivar presented the highest weight and firmness and the lowest yield, total phenolics, and flavonoids. The yellow Autumn Bliss contained higher concentrations of polyphenols and ascorbic acid, and the red Autumn Bliss contained higher concentrations of flavonoids and anthocyanins and possessed a greater antioxidant capacity. The polyphenol profile indicated the presence of seven phenolic acids, namely, ellagic, gallic, caffeic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, hydroxybenzoic, and protocatechuic acids; and four flavonoids, namely, catechin, quercetin-3-β-D-glucoside, quercetin-3-glucuronide, and rutin; these compounds were present in all the varieties, except for rutin, in yellow Autumn Bliss. The results of this study highlight the most valuable raspberry cultivars in terms of weight and firmness (Harvest), yield (Heritage), polyphenols and ascorbic acid (yellow Autumn Bliss), and anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity (red Autumn Bliss) in raspberries grown in northern Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella typhimurium is able to form biofilms as a resistance mechanism against antimicrobials; therefore, it represents a problem for assuring food safety and highlights the importance of research on anti‐biofilm technologies. In this study, S. typhimurium biofilms were inactivated with the combination of clove essential oil (CEO) and ultraviolet light (UV‐C). The volatile composition of the CEO determined by gas chromatography showed eugenol as the major constituent (82%). A combination of CEO with UV‐C achieved a complete bacterial reduction (6.8 log/cm2) on biofilms with doses of 1.2 mg/ml and 76.41 mJ/cm2, respectively. Individually, the CEO at 1.2 mg/ml caused a reduction of 1.8 log CFU/cm2 of attached bacteria cells on stainless steel, while UV‐C individually used at 620.4 mJ/cm2 caused a 2.9 log CFU/cm2 reduction compared to control biofilms. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a synergistic effect of combining CEO and UV‐C irradiation to inactivate biofilms of S. typhimurium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on the effects of extruded sorghum bran (ESB) or raw sorghum bran (RSB) on biomarkers of glucose dysregulation, dyslipidemia, inflammation, and antioxidant potential induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in rats was carried out. Four groups of male Wistar rats (six per group) consumed a basal diet (BD), which were supplemented with either lard at 310 g/kg (HFD) or lard and ESB at 180 g/kg (HFD + ESB) or lard and RSB (HFD + RSB), for 8 weeks. The intake of HFD supplemented with ESB or RSB hindered the fat storage in adipocytes of abdominal tissue, dyslipidemia and the loss of glucose homeostasis. A positive correlation between inflammation biomarkers (Interleukin-1β and Interleukin-6) and glucose homeostasis was observed, while a negative correlation between antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and Interleukin-1β and Interleukin-6 was observed. As a conclusion, the ESB or RSB may be intended as part of healthy diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safety and quality of food have become a challenge for the food industry looking to replace synthetic preservatives with natural agents. In this context, cinnamon leaf essential oil (CLO) showed to be potent antioxidant and antimicrobial agent; however, its active compounds are highly reactive volatiles and grant strong odors and flavors when used as food additive. With this in mind, the objective of this study was to evaluate the antiradical and antimicrobial activity, and oxidative stability of CLO encapsulated within β- cyclodextrin (β-CD). Radical scavenging activity of encapsulated CLO measured by 2, 2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and trolox equivalents antioxidant capacity (TEAC) methods showed values of 67.3 mol (Trolox equivalent) TE/g and 177.2 mol TE/g of sample, respectively. In addition, the total phenol and flavonoid contents were 48.7 mg (eugenol equivalents) EE/g of capsules and 8.6 mg CE/g of capsules, respectively. The antibacterial activity of the encapsulated oil against Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Choleraesuis, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus showed a minimum inhibitory concentration of 5.5 mg/mL for all the tested bacteria. β-CD protected the bioactive properties of the essential oil exposed to ozone, compared to the free oil. Based on these results, the encapsulation of CLO in β- CD can be considered as a viable method for stabilizing its bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]