The effects of hypoglycemia and weight loss of total lignans from Fructus Arctii in KKAy mice and its mechanisms of the activity
This study aimed to investigate antidiabetic activity and mechanism of total lignans from Fructus Arctii (TLFA) in KKAy mice, a spontaneous Type 2 diabetic rodent model that exhibits marked obesity. In this study, KKAy mice were gavaged once daily with solvents (0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose), TLFA (250 and 125 mg/kg), or metformin (200 mg/kg) for 11 weeks, and C57BL/6J mice treated with saline solution (0.9%, w/v) were used as normal control. The results indicate that TLFA has dual effects of hypoglycemia and weight loss, and administration of TLFA in KKAy mice could decrease fasting blood glucose, glycated hemog...
Source: Phytotherapy Research - December 13, 2017 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Yingying Gao, Chenchen Gu, Kai Wang, Haiying Wang, Kefeng Ruan, Zhaohui Xu, Yi Feng Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research
Arctigenin induces the apoptosis of primary effusion lymphoma cells under conditions of glucose deprivation.
Abstract
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the causative agent of primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and Kaposi's sarcoma. PEL is a type of non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma, affecting immunosuppressed individuals, such as post-transplant or AIDS patients. However, since PEL is resistant to chemotherapeutic regimens, new effective treatment strategies are required. Arctigenin, a natural lignan compound found in the plant Arctium lappa, has been widely investigated as a potential anticancer agent in the clinical setting. In the present study, we examined the cytotoxic effects of arctigenin by cel...
Source: International Journal of Oncology - December 1, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Baba Y, Shigemi Z, Hara N, Moriguchi M, Ikeda M, Watanabe T, Fujimuro M Tags: Int J Oncol Source Type: research
Letter to the Editor in response to "Our unrequited love for natural ingredients," by Burdock and Wang.
Abstract
This letter is in response to the review article "Our unrequited love for natural ingredients" authored by Burdock and Wang in the September edition of FCT. Our purpose is to clarify the procedure used by the FEMA Expert Panel for the safety evaluation of natural flavor complexes, as well as to note and/or correct inaccuracies that we have identified within the article.
PMID: 29180063 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Food and Chemical Toxicology)
Source: Food and Chemical Toxicology - November 24, 2017 Category: Food Science Authors: Harman CL, Taylor SV Tags: Food Chem Toxicol Source Type: research
Response to "letter to the editor in response to "Our unrequited love for natural ingredients" by Burdock and Wang".
PMID: 29174498 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Food and Chemical Toxicology)
Source: Food and Chemical Toxicology - November 23, 2017 Category: Food Science Authors: Burdock GA Tags: Food Chem Toxicol Source Type: research
Effects of aquarobic exercise and burdock intake on serum blood lipids and vascular elasticity in Korean elderly women.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that aquarobic exercise and burdock intake improved the serum blood lipid levels and vascular elasticity of Korean elderly women. Additionally, burdock extract intake may be useful in vascular health by playing a secondary role in disease prevention and health promotion.
PMID: 29154814 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Experimental Gerontology)
Source: Experimental Gerontology - November 14, 2017 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Ha MS, Kim JH, Kim YS, Kim DY Tags: Exp Gerontol Source Type: research
Mitodepressive, antioxidant, antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects of wild-growing Romanian native Arctium lappa L. (Asteraceae) and Veronica persica Poiret (Plantaginaceae).
Abstract
The present study aims to evaluate the potential uses of hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from Romanian native wild-growing plants. The hydroalcoholic extracts were obtained from the burdock roots and respectively the aerial parts of birdeye speedwell. The extracts were characterised by HPLC (quantifying 13 compounds in the V. persica extract, 6 compounds in the A. lappa extract and confirming the presence of arctiin and arctigenin in the burdock extract). The antioxidant potential of the crude extracts was evaluated using two methods: the DPPH assay (79.91% for speedwell extract, 76.23% for burdo...
Source: Food and Chemical Toxicology - November 7, 2017 Category: Food Science Authors: Fierascu RC, Georgiev MI, Fierascu I, Ungureanu C, Avramescu SM, Ortan A, Georgescu MI, Sutan AN, Zanfirescu A, Dinu-Pirvu CE, Velescu BS, Anuta V Tags: Food Chem Toxicol Source Type: research
Evaluation of antioxidant capacity and phenolic content in ethanolic extracts of leaves and flowers of some Asteraceae species.
CONCLUSION: Artemisia absinthium, A. lappa and E. ritro can use as easily accessible source of natural antioxidants and as a possible food supplement or in pharmaceutical industry.
PMID: 29065850 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Recent Patents on Food, Nutrition and Agriculture)
Source: Recent Patents on Food, Nutrition and Agriculture - October 29, 2017 Category: Food Science Tags: Recent Pat Food Nutr Agric Source Type: research
Arctigenin attenuates ischemic stroke via SIRT1-dependent inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome.
In this study, we investigated whether ARC ameliorated ischemic stroke by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-derived neuroinflammation and whether SIRT1 signaling was involved in this process. ARC (20 mg/kg) or vehicle were intraperitoneally injected to Sprague-Dawley rats for 3 days before middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery performed. The infarct volume, neurological score, brain water content, neuroinflammation, NLRP3 inflammasome activation and SIRT1 protein expression were assessed. Furthermore, we also investigated whether ARC protected against cerebral ischemia via SIRT1-dependent inhibition of NLRP3 inflamm...
Source: Biochemical and Biophysical Research communications - October 18, 2017 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Zhang S, Jiang L, Che F, Lu Y, Xie Z, Wang H Tags: Biochem Biophys Res Commun Source Type: research
Ameliorative Effect of Arctium lappa Against Cadmium Genotoxicity and Histopathology in Kidney of Wistar Rat.
CONCLUSION: Moreover, cadmium induced cellular destruction of the kidney was resumed with the pre-treatment of the secondary metabolites as an antioxidant compounds that produced from plant extracts. Arctium lappa leaf extract was efficient at both applied doses while 200 mg Arctium lappa kg-1 b.wt., had the most ameliorative effect.
PMID: 29023056 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences: PJBS)
Source: Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences: PJBS - October 14, 2017 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Suliman Al-Gebaly A Tags: Pak J Biol Sci Source Type: research
Inhibitory effect of burdock leaves on elastase and tyrosinase activity.
In conclusion, the optimal method for obtaining BLE with a high antioxidant polyphenolic content was freeze-drying followed by 30-50% EtOH extraction. In addition, the antielastase and antityrosinase activities of the BLE produced may be aid in the development of skincare products with antiwrinkle and skin-evening properties.
PMID: 28912875 [PubMed] (Source: Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine)
Source: Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine - September 17, 2017 Category: General Medicine Tags: Exp Ther Med Source Type: research
GSE65565 Next-generation sequencing analysis of Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) in Drosophila wild-type and bel mutant ovaries
Contributors : Pang-Kuo Lo ; Yi-Chun Huang ; Wu-Min DengSeries Type : Non-coding RNA profiling by high throughput sequencingOrganism : Drosophila melanogasterBelle has been known to be co-localized with piRNA-related proteins at the nuage of germline cells during Drosophila oogenesis. However, its role in piRNA biogenesis remains unclear. To reveal whether Belle is involved in regulating piRNA expression, we performed next-generation sequencing analysis of small non-coding RNAs on ovaries harvested from the wild type (W1118) and trans-heterozygous bel[74407/neo30] mutant. Small RNA-seq experiments were performed on thre...
Source: GEO: Gene Expression Omnibus - September 1, 2017 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Tags: Non-coding RNA profiling by high throughput sequencing Drosophila melanogaster Source Type: research
Arctium minus crude extract presents antinociceptive effect in a mice acute gout attack model
AbstractGout is a disorder that triggers a severe inflammatory reaction which generates episodes of intense pain and discomfort to the patient.Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. (Asteraceae) is known as “burdock” and displays anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, against rheumatic pain and radical-scavenging activities. Species of the genusArctium have been used in assistant therapy of gout and other inflammatory processes. We investigated the antinociceptive and anti-edematogenic effects of the crude extract ofA. minus seeds in an acute gout attack model induced by intra-articular injection of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals i...
Source: Inflammopharmacology - August 11, 2017 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Arctiin Protects against Cardiac Hypertrophy through Inhibiting MAPKs and AKT Signaling Pathways
Conclusions In conclusion, arctiin can improve cardiac function and prevent the development of cardiac hypertrophy by blocking the MAPKs and AKT signaling pathways. (Source: Journal of Pharmacological Sciences)
Source: Journal of Pharmacological Sciences - August 10, 2017 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Acid-gastric antisecretory effect of the ethanolic extract from Arctium lappa L. root: role of H + , K + -ATPase, Ca 2+ influx and the cholinergic pathway
ConclusionOur results reinforce the gastric antisecretory properties of preparations obtained fromArctium lappa, and indicate that the mechanisms involved in EET antisecretory effects include a moderate reduction of the H+, K+-ATPase activity associated with inhibitory effects on calcium influx and of cholinergic pathways in the stomach muscle. (Source: Inflammopharmacology)
Source: Inflammopharmacology - July 28, 2017 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
The threat of invasive species to bats: a review
Abstract
Biological invasions are a major driver of biodiversity loss, but no study has described the scope of threats to bats (Chiroptera) by invasive species.
We reviewed the literature for negative effects of invasive species to bats and summarised threats according to four categories: predation, disease, competition, and indirect interactions. We identified threats of 37 invasive species to 40 bat species. Ten bat species were threatened by more than one invasion pathway.
About 38 percent of cases are speculative and 18 percent circumstantial, many attributed to overlapping ranges, and most accounts do not quantify...
Source: Mammal Review - July 1, 2017 Category: Zoology Authors: Jessica Nicole Welch, Christy Leppanen Tags: Review Source Type: research
