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The Effects of Phytochemicals on Health Benefit

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemicals and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 June 2020) | Viewed by 68205

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Mariko Uehara

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Department of Nutritional Science and Food Safety, Faculty of Applied Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
Interests: polyphenols; phytoestrogens; flavonoids; isoflavonoids; sulfur compounds; prebiotics; osteoporosis; diabetes; redox homeostasis; minerals

Prof. Dr. Yoshiko Ishimi

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Guest Editor

Tokyo University of Agriculture, NODAI Research Institute, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
Interests: nutrition; phytoestrogen; bone metabolism; women’s health; food science; nutrition labeling

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Phytochemicals in vegetables and fruits are considered to be responsible for health benefits. Dietary phytochemicals are inversely associated with the risk of several chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and osteoporosis. Recently, it has also been reported that some phytochemicals may enhance brain function and antiaging. Phytochemical metabolism is interesting as well. It is known that recent clinical effectiveness of phytochemicals on health benefits might be due to their metabolites by the intestinal microbiota. This Special Issue focuses on the antioxidant defenses, anti-inflammatory efficacies, and estrogenic activities of phytochemicals including their metabolites, and how phytochemicals contribute to health benefits and antiaging, especially in lowering the risk of metabolic syndrome, locomotive syndrome, brain function, and so on. Furthermore, we should discuss and elucidate their mechanisms, because those are not all the same.

Prof. Dr. Mariko Uehara
Prof. Dr. Yoshiko Ishimi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Polyphenols
Phytoestrogens
Carotenoids
Phytochemical metabolites
Antioxidants
Anti-inflammatory substances
Metabolic syndrome
Locomotive syndrome
Chronic diseases
Brain function

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1694 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gamma-Polyglutamic Acid-Rich Natto Suppresses Postprandial Blood Glucose Response in the Early Phase after Meals: A Randomized Crossover Study

by Risa Araki, Takeshi Yamada, Kazushi Maruo, Akihiro Araki, Rena Miyakawa, Hiroaki Suzuki and Koichi Hashimoto

Nutrients 2020, 12(8), 2374; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082374 - 08 Aug 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5156

Abstract

We evaluated the suppressive effects of high-gamma-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) natto on postprandial blood glucose level and insulin response. After confirming the eligibility of candidates using a pre-selective test with packaged white rice, a meal loading test including low- or high-γ-PGA natto (with 57.6 mg (LPGA) and 439.6 mg (HPGA) of γ-PGA, respectively) was conducted in men aged 20 to 70 years (n = 29) and postmenopausal women aged ≤70 years (n = 7). On each examination day, blood samples were obtained after they fasted overnight and for 120 min after test meal loading. The primary outcome of this study was the difference between the measurements of the incremental area under the curve (IAUC) for blood glucose 0 to 30 min after loading of LPGA and HPGA meals. The IAUCs for blood glucose and insulin after the HPGA meal were lower than those after the LPGA meal within 45 min (0 to 15 and 0 to 30 min: p < 0.001, 0 to 45 min: p < 0.01) and 1 h (all p < 0.001) of loading, respectively. The suppressive effects of HPGA natto on postprandial glucose response in the early phase, which possibly relates to the risk of dysglycemia and cardiovascular disease, were clarified. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Phytochemicals on Health Benefit)

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22 pages, 592 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Diseases and the Blood Concentration of Carotenoids among the General Population without Apparent Illness

by Mai Matsumoto, Naoko Waki, Hiroyuki Suganuma, Ippei Takahashi, Sizuka Kurauchi, Kahori Sawada, Itoyo Tokuda, Mina Misawa, Masataka Ando, Ken Itoh, Kazushige Ihara and Shigeyuki Nakaji

Nutrients 2020, 12(8), 2310; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082310 - 31 Jul 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3891

Abstract

Several studies have demonstrated that carotenoid-rich vegetables are useful against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, it is still unclear when a healthy population should start eating these vegetables to prevent CVDs. In this study, we evaluated the role of carotenoids in CVD markers in healthy subjects using age-stratified analysis. We selected 1350 subjects with no history of apparent illness who were undergoing health examinations. We then evaluated the relationship between the serum concentrations of six major carotenoids as well as their total, and nine CVD markers (i.e., body mass index (BMI), pulse wave velocity (PWV), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), blood insulin, fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TGs), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol) using multiple regression analysis. It was found that the total carotenoid level was significantly associated with seven markers other than BMI and FBG in males and with eight markers other than DBP in females. Many of these relationships were independent of lifestyle habits. Many significant relationships were found in young males (aged 20–39) and middle-aged females (aged 40–59). These findings can be used as lifestyle guidance for disease prevention although the causal relationships should be confirmed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Phytochemicals on Health Benefit)

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11 pages, 2275 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Immunomodulatory Effect of a Salvia plebeia R. Aqueous Extract in Forced Swimming Exercise-induced Mice

by Jinseop Shin, Ok-kyung Kim, Shintae Kim, Donghyuck Bae, Jeongmin Lee, Jeongjin Park and Woojin Jun

Nutrients 2020, 12(8), 2260; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082260 - 28 Jul 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3118

Abstract

This study investigated the immunomodulatory effect of Salvia plebeia R. aqueous extract (FIE-SP, SPW) in forced swimming exercise-induced mice and the immunostimulatory effects on Raw264.7 cells. Mice were randomly assigned to four groups: the control group (CON), the forced swimming test group (FST), and two FIE-SP groups (low and high dose of FIE-SP). Compared with the control group, the FIE-SP groups showed significantly increased ratios of T lymphocyte surface markers CD4⁺/CD8⁺ and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)I/MHCII, as well as increased concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG. FIE-SP groups significantly increased Th1 cytokines and decreased Th2 cytokines compared with negative control exercise-induced mice. Conversely, the immunostimulatory effects of FIE-SP significantly increased phagocytic activities, nitric oxide (NO) production, and pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1β in Raw264.7 cells. Furthermore, FIE-SP increased natural killer (NK) cell activities and cytokines (IL-12) in splenocytes compared with the CON group. These results indicated that FIE-SP supplementation could prevent imbalanced immune states and produce immunostimulatory effects to support innate immunity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Phytochemicals on Health Benefit)

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13 pages, 2042 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Combination of Soy Isoflavones and Resveratrol Preserve Bone Mineral Density in Hindlimb-Unloaded Mice

by Yuko Tousen, Ryota Ichimaru, Takashi Kondo, Masaki Inada, Chisato Miyaura and Yoshiko Ishimi

Nutrients 2020, 12(7), 2043; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12072043 - 09 Jul 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2666

Abstract

It is well known that physical inactivity during space flight or prolonged bed rest causes rapid bone loss. Soy isoflavones (ISOs) and resveratrol (RES) have been reported to be useful to maintain a positive balance for bone turnover. Therefore, we examined the combined effects of ISO and RES on bone loss that was induced by hindlimb-unloading in mice. Female eight-week-old ddY mice were divided into the following six groups (n = 6–8 each): normally housed mice, loading mice, hindlimb-unloading (UL) mice fed a control diet, UL mice fed a 0.16% ISO conjugates, UL mice fed a 0.15% RES diet, and UL mice fed a 0.16% ISO and 0.15% RES diet. After three weeks, femoral bone mineral density was markedly decreased in unloading mice. The combination of ISO and RES prevented bone loss and especially maintained the trabecular bone mineral density more effectively compared with cortical bones. ISO and/or RES inhibited the increase in the RANKL/OPG expression ratio in bone marrow cells in UL mice. These results suggest that the combination of ISO and RES had a preventive effect against bone loss induced by hindlimb-unloading in mice. These osteoprotective effects of ISO and RES may result from the inhibition of bone resorption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Phytochemicals on Health Benefit)

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18 pages, 1214 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of a Flaxseed Lignan Intervention on Circulating Bile Acids in a Placebo-Controlled Randomized, Crossover Trial

by Sandi L. Navarro, Lisa Levy, Keith R. Curtis, Isaac Elkon, Orsalem J. Kahsai, Hamza S. Ammar, Timothy W. Randolph, Natalie N. Hong, Fausto Carnevale Neto, Daniel Raftery, Robert S. Chapkin, Johanna W. Lampe and Meredith A. J. Hullar

Nutrients 2020, 12(6), 1837; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061837 - 19 Jun 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3549

Abstract

Plant lignans and their microbial metabolites, e.g., enterolactone (ENL), may affect bile acid (BA) metabolism through interaction with hepatic receptors. We evaluated the effects of a flaxseed lignan extract (50 mg/day secoisolariciresinol diglucoside) compared to a placebo for 60 days each on plasma BA concentrations in 46 healthy men and women (20–45 years) using samples from a completed randomized, crossover intervention. Twenty BA species were measured in fasting plasma using LC-MS. ENL was measured in 24-h urines by GC-MS. We tested for (a) effects of the intervention on BA concentrations overall and stratified by ENL excretion; and (b) cross-sectional associations between plasma BA and ENL. We also explored the overlap in bacterial metabolism at the genus level and conducted in vitro anaerobic incubations of stool with lignan substrate to identify genes that are enriched in response to lignan metabolism. There were no intervention effects, overall or stratified by ENL at FDR < 0.05. In the cross-sectional analysis, irrespective of treatment, five secondary BAs were associated with ENL excretion (FDR < 0.05). In vitro analyses showed positive associations between ENL production and bacterial gene expression of the bile acid-inducible gene cluster and hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. These data suggest overlap in community bacterial metabolism of secondary BA and ENL. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Phytochemicals on Health Benefit)

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12 pages, 443 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Skin Carotenoid Level as an Alternative Marker of Serum Total Carotenoid Concentration and Vegetable Intake Correlates with Biomarkers of Circulatory Diseases and Metabolic Syndrome

by Mai Matsumoto, Hiroyuki Suganuma, Sunao Shimizu, Hiroki Hayashi, Kahori Sawada, Itoyo Tokuda, Kazushige Ihara and Shigeyuki Nakaji

Nutrients 2020, 12(6), 1825; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061825 - 19 Jun 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4112

Abstract

To confirm the usefulness of noninvasive measurements of skin carotenoids to indicate vegetable intake and to elucidate relationships between skin carotenoid levels and biomarkers of circulatory diseases and metabolic syndrome, we conducted a cross-sectional study on a resident-based health checkup (n = 811; 58% women; 49.5 ± 15.1 years). Skin and serum carotenoid levels were measured via reflectance spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Vegetable intake was estimated using a dietary questionnaire. Levels of 9 biomarkers (body mass index [BMI], brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity [baPWV], systolic and diastolic blood pressure [SBP and DBP], homeostasis model assessment as an index of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR], blood insulin, fasting blood glucose [FBG], triglycerides [TGs], and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]) were determined. Skin carotenoid levels were significantly positively correlated with serum total carotenoids and vegetable intake (r = 0.678 and 0.210, respectively). In women, higher skin carotenoid levels were significantly associated with lower BMI, SBP, DBP, HOMA-IR, blood insulin, and TGs levels and higher HDL-C levels. In men, it was also significantly correlated with BMI and blood insulin levels. In conclusion, dermal carotenoid level may indicate vegetable intake, and the higher level of dermal carotenoids are associated with a lower risk of circulatory diseases and metabolic syndrome. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Phytochemicals on Health Benefit)

19 pages, 2152 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acute and Chronic Effects of Green Oat (Avena sativa) Extract on Cognitive Function and Mood during a Laboratory Stressor in Healthy Adults: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study in Healthy Humans

by David O. Kennedy, Bernd Bonnländer, Stefanie C. Lang, Ivo Pischel, Joanne Forster, Julie Khan, Philippa A. Jackson and Emma L. Wightman

Nutrients 2020, 12(6), 1598; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061598 - 29 May 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 10571

Abstract

Green oat (Avena sativa) extracts contain several groups of potentially psychoactive phytochemicals. Previous research has demonstrated improvements in cognitive function following a single dose of these extracts, but not following chronic supplementation. Additionally, whilst green oat extracts contain phytochemicals that may improve mood or protect against stress, for instance species-specific triterpene saponins, to date this possibility has not been examined. The current study investigated the effects of a single dose and four weeks of administration of a novel, Avena sativa herbal extract (cognitaven^®) on cognitive function and mood, and changes in psychological state during a laboratory stressor. The study adopted a dose-ranging, double-blind, randomised, parallel groups design in which 132 healthy males and females (35 to 65 years) received either 430 mg, 860 mg, 1290 mg green oat extract or placebo for 29 days. Assessments of cognitive function, mood and changes in psychological state during a laboratory stressor (Observed Multitasking Stressor) were undertaken pre-dose and at 2 h and 4 h post-dose on the first (Day 1) and last days (Day 29) of supplementation. The results showed that both a single dose of 1290 mg and, to a greater extent, supplementation for four weeks with both 430 mg and 1290 mg green oat extract resulted in significantly improved performance on a computerised version of the Corsi Blocks working memory task and a multitasking task (verbal serial subtractions and computerised tracking) in comparison to placebo. After four weeks, the highest dose also decreased the physiological response to the stressor in terms of electrodermal activity. There were no treatment-related effects on mood. These results confirm the acute cognitive effects of Avena sativa extracts and are the first to demonstrate that chronic supplementation can benefit cognitive function and modulate the physiological response to a stressor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Phytochemicals on Health Benefit)

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11 pages, 1482 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Punicalagin Protects Diabetic Nephropathy by Inhibiting Pyroptosis Based on TXNIP/NLRP3 Pathway

by Xin An, Yahui Zhang, Yuan Cao, Jihua Chen, Hong Qin and Lina Yang

Nutrients 2020, 12(5), 1516; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12051516 - 22 May 2020

Cited by 109 | Viewed by 7549

Abstract

Diabetic nephropathy is a diabetic complication caused by chronic inflammation. As the primary polyphenol in pomegranate, punicalagin is believed to have significant anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we established a mice model for diabetes induced by high-fat diet (HFD)/ streptozotocin (STZ) to verify the protective effect of punicalagin in vivo. The results show that the blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (CREA), and the urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) were significantly decreased in diabetic mice after punicalagin intervention, and the symptoms of glomerular interstitial hyperplasia and glomerular hypertrophy were alleviated. Pyroptosis is an essential manner of programmed cell death in the inflammatory response; the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins such as interleukin-1 (IL-1β), cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 (caspase-1), gasdermin D (GSDMD), and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) was decreased in our study, which proved that the administration of punicalagin for eight weeks can significantly inhibit pyroptosis in mice. In addition, punicalagin reduced high glucose-mediated protein expressions of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4) and alleviated mitochondria damage. Low expression of NOX4 inhibits the dissociation of thioredoxin (Trx) and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) and the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. To summarize, our study provided evidence that punicalagin can alleviate diabetic nephropathy, and the effect is associated with downregulating the expression of NOX4, inhibiting TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway-mediated pyroptosis, suggesting its therapeutic implications for complications of diabetes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Phytochemicals on Health Benefit)

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14 pages, 2262 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gallic Acid Inhibits Lipid Accumulation via AMPK Pathway and Suppresses Apoptosis and Macrophage-Mediated Inflammation in Hepatocytes

by Miori Tanaka, Akari Sato, Yoshimi Kishimoto, Hideaki Mabashi-Asazuma, Kazuo Kondo and Kaoruko Iida

Nutrients 2020, 12(5), 1479; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12051479 - 20 May 2020

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 5081

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease, sometimes ranges from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Various hits including excessive hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation, contribute to NASH development. Gallic acid (GA), a natural polyphenol, was reported to exert a protective effect on hepatic steatosis in animal models, but the precise molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we examined the effect of GA on hepatic lipid accumulation, apoptosis, and inflammatory response caused by hepatocyte–macrophage crosstalk. We demonstrated that GA attenuated palmitic acid (PA)-induced fat accumulation via the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in HepG2 cells. GA also ameliorated cell viability and suppressed apoptosis-related gene expression and caspase 3/7 activity induced by PA and H₂O₂. In a co-culture of lipid-laden Hepa 1-6 hepatocytes and RAW 264 macrophages, GA reduced inflammatory mediator expression and induced antioxidant enzyme expression. These results indicate that GA suppresses hepatic lipid accumulation, apoptosis, and inflammation caused by the interaction between hepatocytes and macrophages. The potential effects of GA observed in our study could be effective in preventing NASH and its complications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Phytochemicals on Health Benefit)

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10 pages, 1253 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biological and Computational Studies for Dual Cholinesterases Inhibitory Effect of Zerumbone

by Jayeong Hwang, Kumju Youn, Yeongseon Ji, Seonah Lee, Gyutae Lim, Jinhyuk Lee, Chi-Tang Ho, Sun-Hee Leem and Mira Jun

Nutrients 2020, 12(5), 1215; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12051215 - 25 Apr 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2767

Abstract

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) mediate the degradation of acetylcholine (ACh), a primary neurotransmitter in the brain. Cholinergic deficiency occurs during the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), resulting in widespread cognitive dysfunction and decline. We evaluated the potential effect of a natural cholinesterase inhibitor, zerumbone, using in vitro target enzyme assays, as well as in silico docking and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) simulation. Zerumbone showed a predominant cholinesterase inhibitory property with IC₅₀ values of 2.74 ± 0.48 µM and 4.12 ± 0.42 µM for AChE and BChE, respectively; however, the modes of inhibition were different. Computational docking simulation indicated that Van der Waals interactions between zerumbone and both the cholinesterases were the main forces responsible for its inhibitory effects. Furthermore, zerumbone showed the best physicochemical properties for both bioavailability and blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Together, in the present study, zerumbone was clearly identified as a unique dual AChE and BChE inhibitor with high permeability across the BBB, suggesting a strong potential for its physiological benefits and/or pharmacological efficacy in the prevention of AD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Phytochemicals on Health Benefit)

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14 pages, 2125 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Indole-3-Carbinol Inhibits Citrobacter rodentium Infection through Multiple Pathways Including Reduction of Bacterial Adhesion and Enhancement of Cytotoxic T Cell Activity

by Yanbei Wu, Qiang He, Liangli Yu, Quynhchi Pham, Lumei Cheung, Young S. Kim, Thomas T. Y. Wang and Allen D. Smith

Nutrients 2020, 12(4), 917; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12040917 - 27 Mar 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3633

Abstract

Intestinal inflammation is associated with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer and may result from dysregulated responses to commensal bacteria or exposure to bacterial pathogens. Dietary modulation of intestinal inflammation may protect against development of colon cancer. However, the precise diet-derived components and underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Citrobacter rodentium (Cr) induces acute intestinal inflammation and has been used to study the role of inflammation in the susceptibility to colon cancer. Here we examine the effects of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a dietary compound with anticarcinogenic properties, on intestinal immune and inflammatory responses to Cr infection and adhesion to colonic cells in vitro. C57BL/6J mice were fed a diet with/without 1 μmol/g I3C and infected with Cr. Compared to infected mice fed with a control diet, consumption of a 1 μmol I3C/g diet significantly reduced fecal excretion of Cr, Cr colonization of the colon, and reduced colon crypt hyperplasia. Furthermore, expression of Cr-induced inflammatory markers such as IL-17A, IL-6, and IL1β were attenuated in infected mice fed with the I3C diet, compared to mice fed a control diet. The expression of cytotoxic T cell markers CD8 and FasL mRNA were increased in I3C-fed infected mice. In-vitro, I3C inhibited Cr growth and adhesion to Caco-2 cells. I3C alleviates Cr-induced murine colitis through multiple mechanisms including inhibition of Cr growth and adhesion to colonic cells in vitro and enhancement of cytotoxic T cell activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Phytochemicals on Health Benefit)

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14 pages, 1016 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modulation of Adhesion Process, E-Selectin and VEGF Production by Anthocyanins and Their Metabolites in an In Vitro Model of Atherosclerosis

by Mirko Marino, Cristian Del Bo’, Massimiliano Tucci, Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, Patrizia Riso and Marisa Porrini

Nutrients 2020, 12(3), 655; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12030655 - 28 Feb 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3259

Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate the ability of peonidin and petunidin-3-glucoside (Peo-3-glc and Pet-3-glc) and their metabolites (vanillic acid; VA and methyl-gallic acid; MetGA), to prevent monocyte (THP-1) adhesion to endothelial cells (HUVECs), and to reduce the production of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, E-selectin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a stimulated pro-inflammatory environment, a pivotal step of atherogenesis. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α; 100 ng mL⁻¹) was used to stimulate the adhesion of labelled monocytes (THP-1) to endothelial cells (HUVECs). Successively, different concentrations of Peo-3-glc and Pet-3-glc (0.02 µM, 0.2 µM, 2 µM and 20 µM), VA and MetGA (0.05 µM, 0.5 µM, 5 µM and 50 µM) were tested. After 24 h, VCAM-1, E-selectin and VEGF were quantified by ELISA, while the adhesion process was measured spectrophotometrically. Peo-3-glc and Pet-3-glc (from 0.02 µM to 20 µM) significantly (p < 0.0001) decreased THP-1 adhesion to HUVECs at all concentrations (−37%, −24%, −30% and −47% for Peo-3-glc; −37%, −33%, −33% and −45% for Pet-3-glc). VA, but not MetGA, reduced the adhesion process at 50 µM (−21%; p < 0.001). At the same concentrations, a significant (p < 0.0001) reduction of E-selectin, but not VCAM-1, was documented. In addition, anthocyanins and their metabolites significantly decreased (p < 0.001) VEGF production. The present findings suggest that while Peo-3-glc and Pet-3-glc (but not their metabolites) reduced monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells through suppression of E-selectin production, VEGF production was reduced by both anthocyanins and their metabolites, suggesting a role in the regulation of angiogenesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Phytochemicals on Health Benefit)

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15 pages, 2999 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Withania somnifera Extract Enhances Energy Expenditure via Improving Mitochondrial Function in Adipose Tissue and Skeletal Muscle

by Da-Hye Lee, Jiyun Ahn, Young-Jin Jang, Hyo-Deok Seo, Tae-Youl Ha, Min Jung Kim, Yang Hoon Huh and Chang Hwa Jung

Nutrients 2020, 12(2), 431; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12020431 - 07 Feb 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6112

Abstract

Withania somnifera (WS), commonly known as ashwagandha, possesses diverse biological functions. WS root has mainly been used as an herbal medicine to treat anxiety and was recently reported to have an anti-obesity effect, however, the mechanisms underlying its action remain to be explored. We hypothesized that WS exerts its anti-obesity effect by enhancing energy expenditure through improving the mitochondrial function of brown/beige adipocytes and skeletal muscle. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) containing 0.25% or 0.5% WS 70% ethanol extract (WSE) for 10 weeks. WSE (0.5%) supplementation significantly suppressed the increases in body weight and serum lipids, and lipid accumulation in the liver and adipose tissue induced by HFD. WSE supplementation increased oxygen consumption and enhanced mitochondrial activity in brown fat and skeletal muscle in the HFD-fed mice. In addition, it promoted browning of subcutaneous fat by increasing mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression. Withaferin A (WFA), a major compound of WS, enhanced the differentiation of pre-adipocytes into beige adipocytes and oxygen consumption in C2C12 murine myoblasts. These results suggest that WSE ameliorates diet-induced obesity by enhancing energy expenditure via promoting mitochondrial function in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, and WFA is a key regulator in this function. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Phytochemicals on Health Benefit)

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Review

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14 pages, 848 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Influence of Polyphenol Compounds on Human Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiota

by Michał Wiciński, Jakub Gębalski, Ewelina Mazurek, Marta Podhorecka, Maciej Śniegocki, Paweł Szychta, Ewelina Sawicka and Bartosz Malinowski

Nutrients 2020, 12(2), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12020350 - 29 Jan 2020

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 5802

Abstract

Polyphenols form a diverse group of compounds containing at least two hydroxyl groups in their chemical structure. Because of the common presence in plant kingdom, polyphenols are considered a significant component of food and an important group of compounds with antioxidant properties. The absorption of polyphenols present in food depends mostly on the activity of intestinal microflora. However, little is known about the processes and interactions responsible for such phenomenon in guts ecosystem. There are only few available publications that examine the effect on polyphenols on intestinal microbiota. Therefore, this work will focus on describing the relationship between polyphenol compounds present in food and bacteria colonizing the intestines, their mechanism, and impact on human’s health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Phytochemicals on Health Benefit)

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