Search

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has long been the focus of interest due to its promising effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize findings from existing human intervention studies evaluating the effect of ALA on vascular function. We performed a systematic search in the PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of science electronic databases from inception until 1 July 2020. A total of 1106 records were identified from the database search, of which 12 were eligible: nine addressed chronic effects and three measured acute effects of ALA on vascular function. Of 11 trials that evaluated endothelial function by methods such as flow-mediated dilation (n = 7), reactive hyperemia (n = 2) and ACh-induced endothelium-dependent vasodilation (n = 2), 10 reported a significant improvement in endothelial function. In contrast, none of six trials examining the response of endothelium-independent vasodilation reported the favorable impact. The effect of ALA on arterial stiffness measures has been poorly studied. ALA appears to improve endothelial function through increasing the bioavailability of endothelium-derived nitric oxide as well as decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation. In conclusion, these results suggest improvement of endothelial function, but not endothelium-independent vasodilation as a potential mechanism by which ALA attenuates cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) promotes the generation of free radicals, which leads to chronic oxidative stress predisposing to chronic oxidative stress, inflammation, and related diseases. This systematic review aimed to determine the effect of resveratrol (RSV) on AGE‐induced toxicity and its deleterious consequences. A comprehensive search was performed through literature were published until December 2018 using relevant keywords. The databases that were used for the search were PubMed, Scopus, Embase, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. A total of 29 eligible studies were found and included in the review for the analysis. Except one, all studies showed suppressing effects for RSV on the production of AGEs or receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and its detrimental consequences including oxidative stress, inflammatory response, cellular immune reactions, insulin response, and atherosclerosis. RSV exerts its effects through influencing RAGE, nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB), peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) γ, and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β activities. This review suggests that RSV has got potential to decrease AGEs toxicity and inhibit the AGE‐induced complications. More clinical trials are suggested to evaluate the beneficial effect of RSV on AGEs in chronic metabolic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chamomile, as a rich source of phenolic compounds and terpenoids, seems to be an effective approach in the management of chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate evidence from animal and human studies of the effects of chamomile on metabolic risk markers and complications of diabetes mellitus. The literature search was conducted in PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, ProQuest and Google Scholar electronic and were considered the articles published on April 2019. Original studies that investigated the effect of chamomile in diabetes mellitus which met the inclusion criteria were eligible. After screening 208 citations, 15 studies were included. The results of these studies demonstrated a significant effect of chamomile administration on metabolic profiles. All 12 studies that examined the impact of chamomile supplementation on glycemic control indicated this feature. Four of the five studies appraising the impact of chamomile on lipid profiles showed that it improved dyslipidemia. Six studies showed that chamomile markedly decreased oxidative stress particularly malondialdehyde. Altogether, four chamomile studies evaluating diabetes complications, including renal and hepatic profiles, found significant decreases compared to controls. These findings extend the novel functions of chamomile in the improvement of glycemic and lipid profiles and oxidative stress indicators in diabetes mellitus and related complications. In-depth studies focusing on underlying mechanisms are warranted to make useful conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]