Unlocking Nature's Potential: A Comparative Study of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Tropical Microalgae.

To promote the use of marine microalgae for nutraceuticals, we aimed to characterize extracts of Nannochloropsis oculata, Porphyridium cruentum, and Skeletonema costatum, all of which harbor numerous bioactive substances. Chlorophylls and carotenoids were identified as the primary pigments in N. oculata and S. costatum extracts. Furthermore, the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents in the three microalgae ranged 20.32-21.96 mg GAE/g and 0.3-2.1 mg QE/g, respectively. Notably, the extract of N. oculata exhibited the most significant radical scavenging activity in both 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays, with flavonoids and pigments identified as the main contributors to antioxidant activities. Our results revealed variations in metabolite profiles among the microalgal extracts: N. oculata extract (43 types), P. cruentum (13 types), and S. costatum (21 types). Hexadecanamide emerged as the major metabolite detected in all microalgae. Collectively, the results of the present study may open new avenues of microalgae for various applications.

Computational evaluation of bioactive compounds in Curcuma zanthorrhiza targeting SIRT1 and NFκB.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease with a high risk of complications and mortality. Novel T2DM therapeutic interventions are needed to combat this disease. This study aimed to identify pathways involved in T2DM and investigate sesquiterpenoid compounds from Curcuma zanthorrhiza that could act as SIRT1 activators and NFκB inhibitors. Protein-protein interaction and bioactive compound analysis were conducted using the STRING and STITCH databases, respectively. Molecular docking was used to determine the compounds' interactions with SIRT1 and NFκB, while toxicity prediction was performed using Protox II. The results showed that curcumin could act as a SIRT1 activator (4I5I, 4ZZJ, and 5BTR) and NFκB inhibitor on the p52 relB complex and p50-p65 heterodimer, while xanthorrhizol could function as an IκK inhibitor. The toxicity prediction indicated that the active compounds of C. zanthorrhiza were relatively nontoxic because beta-curcumene, curcumin, and xanthorrizol belong to toxicity classes 4 or 5. These findings suggest that the bioactive compounds of C. zanthorrhiza could be promising candidates for developing SIRT1 activators and NFκB inhibitors to combat T2DM.

Lactogenic effect of Polyscias scutellaria extract to maintain postpartum prolactin and oxytocin in lactating rats.

BACKGROUND: Hypogalactia remains a challenge for mother to complete exclusive breastfeeding. Shield aralia (Polysicias scutellaria) has been used by Indonesian society to increase breast milk production. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to elucidate the novel galactopoietic effect of P. scutellaria extract (PSE) in lactating rats for three weeks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PSE were assayed for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant capacity. The secondary metabolites of PSE were determined by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). After parturition, dams were randomly divided into four groups: lactating rats (LR) + distilled water (LRO), LR + Asifit, and LR + PSE at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (BW). Virgin rats served as the control group. The treatments were given for 14 days. RESULTS: There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacity among the three solvents. LC-HRMS revealed 22 compounds greater than 70 of the best-match, which were categorised as flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic acids, and lignan. PSE increased the weight gain and survival rate of pups from our 3-week observation. Serum Prl was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in lactating rats treated with PSE 250 mg/kg BW at the first and third weeks than in the LRO group. Oxt serum was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in lactating rats treated with PSE (500 mg/kg BW) in the first and second weeks than in the LRO group. CONCLUSION: PSE-rich polyphenols are promising galactopoietics by orchestrating Prl and Oxt and reducing the mortality of pups.

Lactobacillus plantarum FNCC 0137 fermented red Moringa oleifera exhibits protective effects in mice challenged with Salmonella typhi via TLR3/TLR4 inhibition and down-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines.

BACKGROUND: Salmonella typhi is a foodborne pathogenic bacterium that threatens health. S. typhi infection exacerbated the antibiotic resistance problem that needs alternative strategies. Moringa oleifera possesses anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. However, there is a lack of information about the pharmacological value of red M. oleifera. The fermentation of red M. oleifera leaves extract (RMOL) is expected to add to its nutritional value. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate non-fermented RMOL (NRMOL) and fermented RMOL (FRMOL) effects on S. typhi infection in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female Balb/C mice were randomly divided into eight groups. The treatment groups were orally administered with NRMOL or FRMOL at doses 14, 42, and 84 mg/kg BW during the 28 days experimental period. Then S. typhi was introduced to mice through intraperitoneal injection except in the healthy groups. The NRMOL or FRMOL administration was continued for the next seven days. Cells that expressed CD11b+ TLR3+, CD11b+TLR4+, CD11b+IL-6+, CD11b+IL-17+, CD11b+TNF-a+, and CD4+CD25+CD62L+ were assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Our result suggested that NRMOL and FRMOL extracts significantly reduced (p <0.05) the expression of CD11b+TLR3+, CD11b+TLR4+, CD11b+IL-6+, CD11b+IL-17+, and CD11b+TNF-α+ subsets. In contrast, NRMOL and FRMOL extracts significantly increased (p <0.05) the expression of CD4+CD25+CD62L+ subsets. NRMOL at dose 14 and 42 mg/kg BW was more effective compared to FRMOL in reducing the expression of CD11b+TLR3+, CD11b+TLR4+, and CD11b+TNF-α+ subsets. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that NRMOL and FRMOL extracts could be promising agents for protection against S. typhi infection via modulation of TLR3/TLR4, regulatory T cells, and proinflammatory cytokines.

Single-bulb garlic oil regulates toll-like receptors and Nrf2 cross-talk and IL-17 production in mice fed with high-fat diet.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of single-bulb garlic oil (SGO) on toll-like receptors 3 and 4 (TLR3 and TLR 4) and nuclear erythroid factor-like 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway resulted from a high-fat diet and its underlying mechanism. Twenty-four Balb/c mice allocated into six groups: 1) N: mice fed with standard chow; 2) HFD: mice fed a high-fat diet for 45 days without any treatment; 3) HFD + Simv: mice fed a high-fat diet for 45 days and treated with simvastatin; 4-6) HFD + SGO 100, 200, 400 (mice fed a high-fat diet for 45 days and treated with single-bulb garlic oil at dose: 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight for 30 days), respectively. At the end of treatment, spleen and hepar were isolated. The flow cytometry analysis was performed to analyze the relative number of nrf2, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), TLR3, TLR4 and interleukin (IL-17). The results showed that HFD induction significantly reduced Nrf-2 and antioxidant enzyme levels. Furthermore, HFD induction increased TLR3 and TLR4 signaling and IL-17 production. Interestingly, 200 mg/kg BW of SGO increased the relative number Nrf-2 followed by SOD and HO-1 elevation at a dose of 100 mg/kg BW. SGO100 notably decrease the relative number of TLR3 (CD11b+TLR3+) and TLR4 (CD11b+TLR4+). The production of IL-17 by CD4 and CD8 were also reduced after receiving SGO at 200 mg/kg BW. This study suggests that the protective effect of SGO treatment on HFD mice was achieved by modulating TLR-Nrf2 cross-talks and decreasing IL-17 production. Our findings support a potential beneficial role of SGO for treating metabolic disease caused by a high-fat diet.

Elicited soybean extract attenuates proinflammatory cytokines expression by modulating TLR3/TLR4 activation in high-fat, high-fructose diet mice.

BACKGROUND: The high-fat, high-fructose diet (HFFD) provokes overnutrition and inflammation directly, mainly through Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Soybean (Glycine max L.) contains isoflavone that can be transformed into glyceollin by microbial and physical stimuli. Glyceollin possesses many beneficial effects on health. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the beneficial effect of soybean extract elicited by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and light (ESE) on dendritic cells (DCs) profile and naïve T cells in HFFD mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female Balb/C mice were fed with HFFD for 24 weeks then orally administered with simvastatin 2.8 mg/kg BW or ESE 78, 104, and 130 mg/kg BW at the last four weeks. The expression of splenic CD11c+TLR3+, CD11c+TLR4+, NFκB+, CD11c+IL-17+, CD11c+TNF-α+, CD4+CD62L+, and CD8+CD62L+ subsets was measured by flow cytometry. The molecular docking has been measured using Pyrx 0.8, displayed in PyMol and Biovia Discovery Studio. RESULT: HFFD significantly increased CD11c+TLR3+, CD11c+TLR4+, NFκB+, CD11c+IL-17+, CD11c+TNF-α+ expression and decreased CD4+CD62L+ and CD8+CD62L+ (p < 0.05) compared to normal diet (ND) groups. ESE reduced CD11c+TLR3+, CD11c+TLR4+, thereby decreasing NFκB+, as well as decreased the CD11c+IL-17+, CD11c+TNF-α+, and restores CD4+CD62L+ and CD8+CD62L+ subsets in HFFD mice. Glyceollin II exhibited the best binding affinity with an average energy of -7.3 kcal/mol to TLR3 and -7.9 kcal/mol to TLR4. CONCLUSION: The bioactive compound in ESE act synergistically to modulate TLR3/TLR4 activation, reduced NFκB, IL-17, and TNF-α, and restores naïve T cells expression in HFFD mice. ESE was a favorable candidate to mitigate chronic inflammation.

Tilapia viscera hydrolysate extract alleviates oxidative stress and renal damage in deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt-induced hypertension rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hypertension is closely related to oxidative stress conditions, which increases malondialdehyde (MDA) expression and renal damage. Tilapia viscera hydrolysate extract (TVHE) contains compounds and peptides that act as antioxidants. This study aimed to investigate TVHE therapy effect on MDA levels and renal histological conditions in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt-induced hypertension rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tilapia viscera were defatted and hydrolyzed using Alcalase enzyme to obtain TVHE. TVHE antioxidant activity was measured using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl method. Fifteen Wistar male rats were divided into five groups: Normal control (without induced DOCA-salt), DOCA-salt, DOCA-salt+Captopril 5 mg/kg body weight (BW), DOCA-salt+TVHE 150 mg/kg BW, and DOCA-salt+TVHE 300 mg/kg BW. MDA level and renal histology were observed in each group. RESULTS: TVHE half maximal inhibitory concentration values ranged from 3.87±0.35 µg/mL to 42.03±3.55 µg/mL, which were identified as in the very strong Blois category. TVHE and captopril therapy reduced MDA expression significantly (p<0.05) compared to DOCA-salt only. TVHE and captopril therapy also improved glomerular damage in DOCA-salt-induced hypertension rats. CONCLUSION: TVHE has antioxidant ability, decreased MDA level, and decreased glomerular damage in DOCA-salt-induced hypertension rats.

Black soybean tempeh and purple sweet potato improve sperm quality in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hyperglycemia increases advanced glycation end-product (AGE) production, and the activity of receptor for AGE (RAGE) in testis, which leads to testicular histopathological damage and infertility. This research investigated the effect of black soybean tempeh (BST), purple sweet potato (PSP), and its combination on AGE and RAGE expression and spermatozoa quality in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats were given high-fat diets for 5 weeks, then were injected intraperitoneally with multiple low doses of STZ (30 mg/kg body weight). Diabetes mellitus (DM) rats were divided into seven groups: DM, DM+glibenclamide, DM+BST, DM+PSP, and DM+combination of BST and PSP in ratio 1:3, 2:2, and 3:1 as C1, C2, and C3, respectively. The rats were treated for 30 days. Testicular AGE and RAGE expression and spermatozoa quality were measured. RESULTS: The combination of BST and PSP significantly decreased AGE and RAGE expression in testicular organs and improved spermatozoa quality compared to the normal group. CONCLUSION: The combination of BST and PSP can be used as future alternatives to improve spermatozoa quality in DM patients.

Single garlic oil modulates T cells activation and proinflammatory cytokine in mice with high fat diet.

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia triggers atherosclerosis by involving immune cells, such as T-cells. T-cells plays a role in worsening conditions during a high-fat diet (HFD). OBJECTIVE: The research aimed to analyze the role of single garlic oil (SGO) on T-cells activation and its proinflammatory cytokine expression in HFD mice. METHODS: Mice were divided into six groups: ND (normal diet); HFD (high-fat diet without treatment); HFD + Simv (HFD + simvastatin 2.6 mg/kg body weight); and HFD + SGO 1-3 (high-fat diet + single garlic oil in a dose of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg body weight), respectively. Treatments were orally given every day for 45 days. At the end of treatments, lymphocytes were isolated from mice spleen. The relative number of T-cells and proinflammatory cytokines were measured using flow-cytometry and analyzed using one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). RESULT: Our result indicated that HFD mice had lower naive T cells (CD4+CD62L+) than normal mice (p < 0.05). SGO treatment in HFD mice increased the relative number of naïve T cells. HFD treatment increased the expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ through NF-κB expression. Furthermore, SGO treatment improved the expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that SGO could act as a promising prospect for therapy to improve chronic inflammation in a HFD.

Herbal Medicine from Single Clove Garlic Oil Extract Ameliorates Hepatic Steatosis and Oxidative Status in High Fat Diet Mice.

INTRODUCTION: High fat diet (HFD) can cause lipid accumulation and contribute to various metabolic disorders. Single clove garlic oil (SCGO) has advantages over regular garlic due to its higher amounts of organosulfide compounds in particular. This study aimed to determine the ability of SCGO extract to ameliorate hepatic steatosis and improve oxidative status by modulating expression of tumour necrosis factor α and superoxide dismutase in mice fed a HFD. METHODS: Twenty-four adult male Balb/C mice were divided into six groups: i) normal diet; ii) positive control diet; iii) negative control diet; and iv) HFD with SCGO at 12.5 mg/kg body weight (mg/kg BW); v) HFD with SCGO at 25 mg/kg BW, vi) HFD with SCGO at 50 mg/kg BW. Liver weight and morphology, spleen weight, serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), TNF-α expression in the aorta and lipid profiles were assessed at the end of the experimental period. RESULTS: SCGO treatment was associated with significant decreases in liver and spleen weight as well as amelioration of hepatic steatosis. SCGO treatment also decreased TNF-α levels and expression. Serum levels of SOD in the SCGO groups were significantly increased compared with the negative control group. Lipid profiles were improved in the SCGO treatment groups compared with the negative control group. CONCLUSION: SCGO as an herbal medicine could be an effective treatment for degenerative disorders caused by HFD.