A comparison of anti-inflammatory activities of green tea and grapefruit seed extract with those of microencapsulated extracts

We compared the effects of grapefruit seed extract (GFSE), green tea extract (GT) and their microencapsulated extract on anti-inflammatory activities in murine RAW 264.7 macrophages cell line. In order to protect the bioactive compounds in the extracts, they were microencapsulated with maltodextrin and H2O. Nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression and thiobarbiturate reactive substances (TBARS) were analyzed in LPS activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The green tea extract at the range of 100-600 microg/mL inhibited NO, PGE2 production and iNOS protein expression without cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Grapefruit seed extract had strong inhibitory effects on NO and PGE production and iNOS protein expression at the range of 5-20 microg/mL without cytotoxicity. Microencapsulation of green tea extract had further inhibitory effects on NO and PGE2 production and on iNOS protein expression, whereas microencapsulated GFSE did not show any further inhibitory effects on these parameters. Taken together, our results suggest that GSFE might be a promising candidate for preventing inflammation related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer or diabetes, and the microencapsulation of green tea extract could improve its bioactivity.

Microscopic Observation of Decomposition-inhibition Effect in GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract) in Rat Liver / 체질인류학회지

Regarding to preserve the cadaver, formaldehyde has been used as a major preservative. However, the usage of formaldehyde has been considered by its harmful effects such as the disturbing ordor, toxicities and limitations to use. Therefore we studied the effect of decomposition-inhibition which is a natural product, grapefruit seed extract (GSE). Concerning the preservative activity, we sacrificed 8 week old male SD rat and collected liver. Using liver tissues, we treated GSE as a time dependant manner under 37degrees, 80+/-5% humidity conditions. To confirm GSE effects, we applied light and electron microscopic analysis. In results, we observed GSE attenuated the morphological changes and putrefaction of liver tissues more than 3 days. Herein, we introduced the potential substitute of formaldehyde to preserve the cadaver as well as animal tissues.

The ameriorating effects of grapefruit seed extract on testicular morphology and function of varicocelized rats

Varicoceles are abnormal tortuosity and dilatation of the veins of the pampiniform plexus that drain the testis. The pathophysiology of testicular damage in varicocele has not been completely understood. However there is an increasing body of evidence pointing towards the role of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of varicocele related subfertility. In the present study we examined the role of proanthocynidin-rich ethanol extract of grapefruit seed as an antioxidant in protecting the testis against damage in experimental varicocele. Three groups of rats were constructed as the first group had intact rats; experimental bilateral varicoceles were established by complete ligation of the left and right main spermatic veins in the later two groups. The third group had in addition daily gavage administration of 1 Omg/ kg body weight ethanol extract of grapefruit seed. Eight weeks after varicocele induction, bilateral testicular weights, bilateral testicular volumes, bilateral caudal epididymal sperm characteristics, and bilateral testicular histology and serum hormone levels were tested. It was found that the testes of grapefruit seed extract treated animals had better functional and histological profiles compared to the untreated varicocelized animals. These results indicated the effectiveness of grapefruit seed extract for preservation of testes function morphology in varicocelized subjects.

Los varicoceles son tortuosidades anormales y dilataciones de las venas del plexo pampiniforme que drenan el testículo. La fisiopatología del daño testicular en el varicocele no se ha entendido completamente. Sin embargo, existe un creciente cúmulo de evidencias que apunta hacia el papel de especies reactivas al oxígeno y al estrés oxidativo, en la patogénesis del varicocele relacionados con subfertilidad. En el presente estudio, se examinó el papel de proantocianidina en el extracto etanólico de semilla del pomelo, como un antioxidante en la protección contra el daño testicular experimental en el varicocele. Tres grupos de ratas fueron seleccionados, un grupo de ratas control y dos grupos experimentales. En estos dos últimos grupos, se provocó varicocele bilateral a través de la ligadura completa de las venas testiculares principales izquierda y derecha. El tercer grupo tuvo además una sonda de administración diaria de 10 mg /kg de peso corporal, de extracto etanólico de semilla de pomelo. Ocho semanas después de la inducción de varicocele, se determinó el peso testicular bilateral, volúmenes testiculares bilaterales, características de los espermatozoides de la cola del epidídimo bilateral, la histología testicular bilateral y los niveles séricos de hormona. Se determinó que los testículos de los animales tratados con extracto de semilla de pomelo presentaban una mayor funcionalidad y mejores perfiles histológicos, en comparación con los animales varicocelizados no tratados. Estos resultados indican la eficacia de extracto de semilla de pomelo para la conservación de la morfología funcional testicular, en sujetos varicocelizados.

Antimicrobial and anti-gingivitis effect of chewing gum containing grapefruit seed extract and xylitol / 대한치주과학회지

Grapefruit seed extract has been reported to have antimicrobial effect. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and anti-gingivitis effect of chewing gum containing grapefruit seed extract and xylitol. 40 healthy subjects with gingivitis or early periodontitis were divided into two groups. Subjects in the experimental group chewed gum containing grapefruit seed extract and xylitol while subjects in the control group chewed gum containing only xylitol. All subjects received scaling and tooth brushing instruction. 1 week after scaling was set as baseline. Gingival index and plaque index were scored at baseline, 1 week, 2 week, 3 week and 4 week. Bleeding index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level were scored at baseline, 2 week and 4 week. The number of total bacteria and Streptococcus mutans in unstimulated saliva of experimental group were counted at 1 week, 2 week, 3 week and 4 week. Gingival indices of experimental group and control group at baseline, 1 week, 2 week, 3 week and 4 week were 0.850+/-0.298, 0.575+/-0.345, 0.533+/-0.332, 0.459+/-0.311, 0.408+/-0.224 and 0.758+/-0.379, 0.592+/-0.296, 0.563+/-0.281, 0.454+/-0.194, 0.413+/-0.199 (mean+/-SD), respectively. Plaque indices of experimental group and control group at baseline, 1 week, 2 week, 3 week and 4 week were 0.497+/-0.500, 0.375+/-0.484, 0.332+/-0.471, 0.286+/-0.452, 0.210+/-0.407 and 0.411+/-0.492, 0.375+/-0.484, 0.354+/-0.479, 0.313+/-0.463, 0.193+/-0.395, respectively. Bleeding indices of experimental group and control group at baseline, 2 week and 4 week were 0.377+/-0.177, 0.298+/-0.152, 0.192+/-0.108 and 0.383+/-0.124, 0.318+/-0.153, 0.225+/-0.126, respectively. Probing pocket depth of experimental group and control group at baseline, 2 week and 4 week were 2.56+/-1.00, 2.40+/-0.65, 2.23+/-0.64 and 2.45+/-0.68, 2.37+/-0.57, 2.19+/-0.57, respectively. Clinical attachment level of experimental group and control group at baseline, 2 week and 4 week were 2.58+/-1.01, 2.43+/-0.67, 2.26+/-0.65 and 2.49+/-0.70, 2.40+/-0.59, 2.22+/-0.62, respectively. The % of reduction of total bacteria in saliva of experimental group at 2 week, 3 week and 4 week were 46 +/- 53%, 53 +/- 5% and 69 +/- 33%. The % of reduction of Streptococcus mutans count in saliva of experimental group at 2 week, 3 week and 4 week were 52 +/- 69%, 88 +/- 30% and 89 +/- 17%. From these findings, it can be concluded that regular use of grapefruit seed extract /xylitol chewing gum may be effective to control and prevent gingivitis and may have caries-preventive effect.