Nutrition Claims on Fruit Drinks Are Inconsistent Indicators of Nutritional Profile: A Content Analysis of Fruit Drinks Purchased by Households With Young Children.

BACKGROUND: Fruit drinks are the most commonly consumed sugar-sweetened beverage among young children. Fruit drinks carry many nutrition-related claims on the front of package (FOP). Nutrition-related claims affect individuals' perceptions of the healthfulness of products and purchase intentions, often creating a "health halo" effect. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to describe the prevalence of FOP nutrition-related claims on fruit drinks purchased by households with young children and to examine the association between claims and the nutritional profile of fruit drinks. DESIGN: The sample included 2059 fruit drinks purchased by households with children 0 to 5 years old participating in Nielsen Homescan in 2017. FOP labels were obtained from 2 databases that contain bar code-level information on all printed material on product labels. A codebook was used to code for presence of FOP nutrition-related claims. The coded claims data were linked by bar code with Nutrition Facts label data. Claim type prevalence was calculated, and the association between claim types and median calories and total grams of sugar per 100 mL was analyzed using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. The percentages of products containing noncaloric sweeteners (NCSs) with and without each claim type were also calculated and compared. RESULTS: Almost all (97%) fruit drinks sampled had at least 1 nutrition-related FOP claim. Implied natural claims such as "natural flavors" were the most common (55% of products), followed by claims about the presence of juice or nectar (49%). Claims about vitamin C (33%), sugar (29%), and calories (23%) were also common. Fruit drinks with vitamin C, juice or nectar, fruit or fruit flavor, and overt natural claims were higher in calories and sugar and less likely to contain NCSs compared with products without these claims. Fruit drinks with calorie, sugar, NCS, implied natural, and other claims were lower in calories and sugar and more likely to contain NCSs compared with products without these claims. CONCLUSIONS: Claims are prevalent on fruit drinks purchased by households with young children. This is concerning given prior research demonstrating that claims can mislead consumers. Regulatory actions such as requiring a warning or disclosure on drinks that contain added sugars or NCSs should be considered.

Advice on lifestyle changes (diet, red wine and physical activity) does not affect internal carotid and middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity in patients with carotid arteriosclerosis in a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: A Mediterranean diet, with and without small daily amounts of red wine, and physical activity reduce the risk of cerebrovascular disease and improve cognition. An increase in cerebral blood flow may be the underlying mechanism. Under normal conditions, cerebral blood flow velocity changes in the internal carotid arteries and in large basal cerebral arteries correlate closely with cerebral blood flow changes, as the diameter of these vessels hardly changes and only the smaller vessels downstream change their diameter. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed in 108 patients with carotid atherosclerosis (mean age 64 years, 67% men, 66% on statin therapy). Half of them were advised to follow a polyphenol-rich modified Mediterranean diet including 1-2 tomatoes, 3-5 walnuts and a bar of dark chocolate (25 g) a day and to perform moderate physical exercise for 30 min/day (lifestyle changes). Within these two groups, half of the patients were randomized either to avoid any alcohol or to drink 100 ml of red wine (women) or 200 ml of red wine (men) daily. Bilateral middle cerebral and internal carotid blood flow velocity (peak systolic, peak end-diastolic and mean) was measured at baseline and after 4 and 20 weeks using colour-coded duplex ultrasound. Insonation depth and insonation angle were used to identically place the sample volume during follow-up investigations. A general linear model with Tukey-Kramer adjustment for multiple comparisons was used to assess the primary end points. For the analysis we used the mean values of the right and left artery. RESULTS: Neither lifestyle changes nor red wine had an effect on peak systolic, peak end-diastolic or mean cerebral blood flow velocity. CONCLUSIONS: Advice on lifestyle changes, including a modified polyphenol-rich Mediterranean diet, a glass of red wine daily and physical exercise, did not affect middle cerebral and internal carotid blood flow velocity in our patient group with carotid atherosclerosis. An increase in cerebral blood flow is thus unlikely to be the cause of the reduced risk of cerebrovascular disease and improved cognitive functioning described in the literature. One possible explanation for the fact that blood flow velocity was not affected by red wine, diet and physical activity advice is that two thirds of our patients were already on statin therapy. Statins increase cerebral blood flow and vasomotor reactivity via nitric oxide.

A daily glass of red wine associated with lifestyle changes independently improves blood lipids in patients with carotid arteriosclerosis: results from a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise and a Mediterranean diet improve serum lipid profile. The present work studied whether red wine has an effect on top of a lipid-lowering lifestyle in patients with carotid atherosclerosis. METHODS: A prospective randomised unblinded trial was performed from 2009 to 2011 in 108 patients with carotid atherosclerosis, 65% of whom were already on statin therapy with a low mean LDL of 104.9 mg/dl. Half of them were advised to follow a modified Mediterranean diet and to perform moderate physical exercise during 30 min/day (lifestyle changes) for 20 weeks. Within these two groups half of the patients were randomised either to avoid any alcohol or to drink 100 ml of red wine (women) or 200 ml of red wine (men) daily. RESULTS: LDL was significantly lowered by 7% in the lifestyle-changes group compared to the no-lifestyle-changes group (p = 0.0296) after 20 weeks. Lifestyle changes lowered the LDL/HDL ratio after 20 weeks by 8% (p = 0.0242) and red wine independently by 13% (p = 0.0049). The effect on LDL/HDL ratio after 20 weeks was, however, more pronounced in the non-LC group. Total cholesterol (-6%; p = 0.0238) and triglycerides (-13%; p = 0.0361) were lowered significantly by lifestyle changes after 20 weeks compared to the no-lifestyle-changes group. Lipoprotein (a) was not significantly affected by any intervention. The given results are per ITT analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle changes including a modified Mediterranean diet and physical exercise as well as a glass of red wine daily improve independently the LDL/HDL ratio in patients with carotid arteriosclerosis even though the vast majority of them was already on statin therapy.

A daily glass of red wine and lifestyle changes do not affect arterial blood pressure and heart rate in patients with carotid arteriosclerosis after 4 and 20 weeks.

BACKGROUND: Regular consumption of small amounts of red wine improves blood lipids. However, there is concern whether this beneficial effect might be counterbalanced by an increase in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR), which are risk factors for cerebro-cardiovascular disease. In particular, we studied whether regular consumption of red wine with and without lifestyle changes (LC; healthy diet and physical activity advice) results in an increase in BP and HR. METHODS: A prospective, unblinded randomized trial was performed in 108 patients (67% men) with carotid atherosclerosis documented by ultrasound, a mean BP of 122/79 mm Hg and a mean HR of 71 bpm at inclusion in the study. Sixty-eight percent were known and treated hypertensives. The mean 24-hour BP at baseline was 122/79 mm Hg. Half of the study participants, the control group, was seen by a nurse at baseline, after 4 and after 20 weeks, and was instructed not to change their eating and physical activity habits. In the other half, a dietician performed five sessions of 30 min each (at baseline, after 1 week and after 2, 3 and 4 weeks) giving advice on healthy eating based on a Mediterranean diet and physical exercise. The recommendations given were the following: 5 portions of fruit/vegetables per day, a diet low in absolute fat, a preference of vegetable oil (olive or rapeseed oil), whole-grain products, poultry, low-fat dairy products, 1 fat and 1 lean fish meal per week, reduced consumption of red meat, and avoidance of pork, ready-made meals, sugar and excessive salt intake. In addition, regular consumption of 1 bar of dark chocolate (25 g, >70% of cacao), 1-2 tomatoes, and 3-5 walnuts as well as at least 30 min of moderate daily physical activity were recommended. Within these two groups, half of the patients were randomized either to avoid alcohol completely or to drink 100 ml (women) or 200 ml of red wine (men) daily. RESULTS: Neither LC nor red wine had an effect on the mean systolic and diastolic 24-hour BP and HR after 4 and 20 weeks, as analyzed by general linear modeling. No difference was found for diurnal and nocturnal values. CONCLUSIONS: The possible beneficial effect of regular consumption of small amounts of red wine is not counterbalanced in the long term by an increase in the mean BP or HR in mainly normotensive and well-treated hypertensive patients with carotid atherosclerosis, neither in the patients given healthy lifestyle advice nor in those with a standard lifestyle. Yet, we remain cautious about actively advice patients to drink alcohol regularly given the well-known risks.

Therapeutic activity of two xanthones in a xenograft murine model of human chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that allanxanthone C and macluraxanthone, two xanthones purified from Guttiferae trees, display in vitro antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities in leukemic cells from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and leukemia B cell lines. RESULTS: Here, we investigated the in vivo therapeutic effects of the two xanthones in a xenograft murine model of human CLL, developed by engrafting CD5-transfected chronic leukemia B cells into SCID mice. Treatment of the animals with five daily injections of either allanxanthone C or macluraxanthone resulted in a significant prolongation of their survival as compared to control animals injected with the solvent alone (p = 0.0006 and p = 0.0141, respectively). The same treatment of mice which were not xenografted induced no mortality. CONCLUSION: These data show for the first time the in vivo antileukemic activities of two plant-derived xanthones, and confirm their potential interest for CLL therapy.

Globulixanthone F, a new polyoxygenated xanthone with an isoprenoid group and two antimicrobial biflavonoids from the stem bark of Symphonia globulifera.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the stem bark of Symphonia globulifera has yielded three known xanthones, ugaxanthone (1), mbarraxanthone (2) and gentisein (3), two biflavonoid derivatives named GB2 (4) and manniflavanone GB3 (5), and one new polyoxygenated xanthone with an isoprenoid group, named globulixanthone F (6). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods. The spectral data of 1 and 2 are reported here for the first time, as well as the antimicrobial activity of globulixanthone F against a range of microorganisms. We also report the total synthesis of the xanthone skeleton.

An antiplasmodial new (bis)indole alkaloid from the hard coral Tubastraea sp.

Tubastarea sp., a stony coral (Dendrophylliidae) from the Great Hanish in the Archipelago of the Hanish Islands, Yemen, contains, in addition to the known aplysinopsin (1) and 6-bromo-3'-deimino-3'-oxoaplysinopsin (2), the new bis(indole) alkaloid (3). The structures of compounds (1-3) were elucidated by interpretation of spectral data. Compound 3 inhibits the growth of Plasmodium falciparum (chloroquine-resistant strain) with an IC(50) 1.2 microg mL(-1).

Xanthones from the seeds of Allanblackia monticola and their apoptotic and antiproliferative activities.

Phytochemical investigations of the seeds of ALLANBLACKIA MONTICOLA have led to the isolation and characterization of one new xanthone derivative, named allanxanthone E ( 1), together with seven known compounds, including five xanthones, 1,7-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-2-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)xanthone ( 2), alpha-mangostin ( 3) , garciniafuran ( 4) , allanxanthone C ( 5), and 1,6-dihydroxy-2,4-diprenylxanthone ( 6), and two pentacyclic triterpenes, friedelin and lupeol. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR homo- and heteronuclear correlation evidence. Some of these compounds were evaluated for their apoptotic and antiproliferative activities against human leukemic B lymphocytes, such as the hairy cell leukemia-derived ESKOL cell line and cells from B-CLL (B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia) patients.

Antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extracts and compounds from Vismia laurentii De Wild (Guttiferae).

Methanolic extracts prepared from the leaves, twigs and the roots of Vismia laurentii De Wild as well as nine compounds isolated from these crude extracts, were tested for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (six species), Gram-negative bacteria (12 species) and two Candida species using disc diffusion and well micro-dilution methods. The disc diffusion assay indicated that the crude extract was active against all the pathogens tested, whereas isolated compounds showed selective activities. The degree of sensitivity of the test organisms to purified compounds varied from 25 to 90%. Fridelin (8) was found to be the most active compound, while Bivismiaquinone (3) was the least active. The lowest minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) values as obtained by the micro-dilution assays were 19.53 and 1.22 microg/ml for the crude extracts and purified compounds, respectively. The lowest value for the purified compounds (1.22 microg/ml) was obtained with O(1)-demethyl-3',4'-deoxypsorospermin-3',4'-diol (6) on Candida gabrata and Bacillus subtilis; 1,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methylanthraquinone (5) on Bacillus subtilis and 6-deoxyisojacareubin (7) on Bacillus stearothermophilus. These results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of these crude extracts as well as some of the isolated compounds in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections.

Alkaloids from the stem bark of Turraeanthus africanus (Meliaceae).

Fractionation of the methanol extract of the stem bark of Turraeanthus africanus led to the isolation of two new alkaloids designated turraeanthin A and B, together with two known alkaloids. The structures of the new alkaloids were elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis and characterized as 10-O-demethyl-17-O-methyl isoarnottianamide and 11-demethoxyl-12-methoxyl oxynitidine respectively.

Laurentixanthones A and B, antimicrobial xanthones from Vismia laurentii.

A phytochemical investigation of the constituents of the roots of Vismia laurentii has resulted in the isolation of two xanthone derivatives named laurentixanthone A (1) (6-hydroxy-3,3-dimethyl-11-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)pyrano[2,3-c]xanthen-7(3H)-one) and laurentixanthone B (2) (1-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetramethoxyxanthone), along with 11 known compounds: 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone, vismiaquinone, vismiaquinone B, bivismiaquinone, 3-geranyloxy-6-methyl-1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone, O(1)-demethyl-3',4'-deoxypsorospermin-3',4'-diol, 6-deoxyisojacareubin, 1,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methylanthraquinone, kaempferol, friedelin and stigmasterol. The structures of compounds were established by means of spectroscopic methods. Furthermore, the compounds were screened for antimicrobial activities in vitro.

Prenylated xanthone derivatives with antiplasmodial activity from Allanblackia monticola STANER L.C.

Further study of the methanol extract of the stem bark of Allanblackia monticola STANER L.C. resulted in the isolation of a new prenylated xanthenedione, designated allanxanthone C, together with the five known xanthones, garciniafuran, tovophyllin A, rubraxanthone, norcowanin and mangostin and one saponin, stigmasterol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The structure of the new compound was established by detailed spectroscopic analysis to be 1,2-dihydro-3,6,8-trihydroxy-1,1,7-tri(3-methylbut-2-enyl)xanthen-2,9-dione (3-hydroxyapetalinone C). The methanol extract and pure compounds were tested on two strains of Plasmodium falciparum, F32 (chloroquine sensitive) and FcM29 (chloroquine resistant). The IC50 values obtained ranged from 0.6 to 8.9 microg/ml. Their cytotoxicity was estimated on human melanoma cells (A375) and the cytotoxicity/antiplasmodial ratio was found to be between 15.45 and 30.46. The antimicrobial activities against a range of microorganisms of the crude extract and some of these compounds are also reported.

Allanxanthone B, a polyisoprenylated xanthone from the stem bark of Allanblackia monticola Staner L.C.

In addition to five known compounds including three xanthones, tovophyllin A, rubraxanthone and garciniafuran, one pentacyclic triterpene, lupeol and one phytosterol, stigmasterol, a polyisoprenylated xanthone named allanxanthone B was isolated from the stem bark of Allanblackia monticola. The structure of the new compound was assigned as 2-geranyl-1,3,6-trihydroxy-2',2'-dimethyl[5',6':7,8]xanthone by means of spectroscopic analysis. The antimicrobial activities of some of these compounds against a range of micro-organisms are also reported.

Facile protection of phenols and hydroxypyridines: key components of natural products--a new pathway to orellanine.

The (1,3,6-trioxa-heptyl) aromatic compounds are easily prepared from various phenols and hydroxypyridines. Protection by 2-methoxyethoxymethyl chloride (MEM-Cl) was achieved by phase transfer catalysis with Aliquat 336, subsequent removal of the protecting group was completed with Amberlyst 15. The 2-bromo-3-hydroxy-pyridine 3o constitutes the appropriate starting material for the synthesis of orellanine, the most potent nephrotoxin found in some Cortinarius mushrooms species.

New sphingosines from the marine sponge Grayella cyatophora.

The marine sponge Grayella cyatophora furnished several new homologous sphingosines having the same acyl substituent. Structure elucidations were achieved by spectroscopic methods and chemical transformations.

Globulixanthones C, D and E: three prenylated xanthones with antimicrobial properties from the root bark of Symphonia globulifera.

Two prenylated xanthone derivatives, named globulixanthones C and D and one bis-xanthone, designated globulixanthone E, have been isolated from the root bark of Symphonia globulifera. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by a detailed spectroscopic analysis. They have been shown to exhibit in vitro significant antimicrobial activity against a range of micro-organisms.

Globulixanthones A and B, two new cytotoxic xanthones with isoprenoid groups from the root bark of Symphonia globulifera.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of a root bark extract of Symphonia globulifera has yielded, in addition to stigmasterol, two new xanthones with isoprenoid units, named globulixanthones A (1) and B (2). The structures of these compounds have been elucidated by spectroscopic means. They possess significant cytotoxicity in vitro against the KB cell line.

Production of taxoids with biological activity by plants and callus culture from selected Taxus genotypes.

Twenty seven different yew trees belonging to various genotypes and hybrids have been screened for their capacity to produce significant amounts of taxoids provided with biological activity in the tubulin test. From the three best genotypes selected, Taxus x media "Sargentii" proved to be able to produce viable calluses from excised roots placed in vitro. Taxoid composition at various times of the in vitro culture was determined and the carcinostatic efficiency of the extracts was established using the KB cell cytotoxicity test. In leaves and calluses, respectively, 0.069 and 0.032% paclitaxel (taxol) contents were found. These contents were significantly higher than those previously reported for other genotypes.

5,9,23-Triacontatrienoic methyl ester, an elastase inhibitor from the marine sponge Chondrilla nucula.

A polyethylenic fatty ester was isolated from the marine sponge Chondrilla nucula. The structure was elucidated through NMR spectral data and MS analysis as 5,9,23-triacontatrienoic methyl ester 1. Compound 1 is an elastase inhibitor [ID50 = 10 microg/mL (2 x 10(-5) M)].