Search

Morinda citrifolia (MC) is a herb that is famous for its various medicinal properties. However, there has been little research on its effect on increased stamina and physical fatigue reduction. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of high-dose oral intake of 50% ethanol MC leaf extract on exercise performance and physical fatigue in an animal model. Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups; Control (C); Sedentary (S); Exercise (EX); MC leaf extract 1000 mg/kg/day (MC); MC leaf extract 1000 mg/kg/day with Exercise (MC+EX). The endurance test showed a significant difference in endurance time between EX and MC groups, whereby intake of MC leaf extract without daily exercise lowered endurance level by 68.75%. These findings correlated with serum fatigue indicator analysis whereby significant increases in CK levels of MC group, and LDH levels in MC and MC+EX groups were noted when compared to other groups. Electron microscopy analysis on cardiac muscle tissue showed ultrastructural injuries in muscle fibers of the EX, MC and MC+EX groups whereas injuries to the gastrocnemius myofibres were not so prominent. Based on the study findings, it can be concluded that the consumption of 1000 mg/kg/day 50% ethanol MC extract disturbed internal physiology and resulted in injury to the muscle tissues thus lowering rats endurance capability. This shows that a high dose has unfavourable effects on an animal model while a lower dose may be more appropriate.

Oxidative stress contributes to cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to study the effects of palm tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) on plasma homocysteine and cardiac oxidative stress in rats fed with a high-methionine diet. Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided into six groups. The first group was the control. Groups 2–6 were fed 1 % methionine diet for 10 weeks. From week 6 onward, folate (8 mg/kg diet) or palm TRF (30, 60 and 150 mg/kg diet) was added into the diet of groups 3, 4, 5 and 6. The rats were then killed. Palm TRF at 150 mg/kg and folate supplementation prevented the increase in plasma total homocysteine (4.14 ± 0.33 and 4.30 ± 0.26 vs 5.49 ± 0.25 mmol/L, p < 0.05) induced by a high-methionine diet. The increased heart thiobarbituric acid reactive substance in rats fed with high-methionine diet was also prevented by the supplementations of palm TRF (60 and 150 mg/kg) and folate. The high-methionine group had a lower glutathione peroxidase activity (49 ± 3 vs 69 ± 4 pmol/mg protein/min) than the control group. This reduction was reversed by palm TRF at 60 and 150 mg/kg diet (p < 0.05), but not by folate. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were unaffected by both methionine and vitamin supplementations. In conclusion, palm TRF was comparable to folate in reducing high-methionine diet-induced hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress in the rats’ hearts. However, palm TRF was more effective than folate in preserving the heart glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity.

Introduction Vitamin E is beneficial in restoring bone histomorphometric parameters in nicotine-treated rats. This study determined the effectiveness of 3 forms of vitamin E in restoring bone metabolism in nicotine-treated rats. Material and methods Thirty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups: (1) control (C), (2) nicotine cessation (NC), (3) α-tocopherol (ATF), (4) tocotrienol-enhanced fraction (TEF) and (5) γ-tocotrienol (GTT). Treatment was carried out for 4 months. The control group was administered normal saline and olive oil throughout the treatment period while treatment for groups 2-5 was performed in 2 phases. In the first phase, the groups received nicotine 7 mg/kg intraperitoneally for 2 months. The following 2 months, group 2 received normal saline and olive oil while groups 3-5 received ATF, TEF or GTT, 60 mg/kg orally. Pre-treatment and post-treatment serum was collected for bone biochemical marker measurement using the ELISA method. Results Nicotine increased serum bone-resorbing cytokines (interleukin-1 and interleukin-6) and the bone resorption marker pyridinoline (PYD) while reducing the bone formation marker osteocalcin after 2 months of nicotine treatment. The parameters failed to improve after nicotine was stopped for 2 months. Supplementation with the 3 forms of vitamin E improved the parameters, i.e. reduced the cytokines and pyridinoline as well as increased the osteocalcin. In addition, the TEF and GTT groups had a higher level of osteocalcin than the control group. Conclusions Nicotine impaired bone metabolism and cessation of nicotine treatment did not reverse the effects. Vitamin E, especially the tocotrienols, restored bone metabolism that was impaired due to nicotine.

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of three forms of vitamin E supplements following nicotine treatment on bone histomorphometric parameters in an adult male rat model. Rats were divided into seven groups: baseline (B, killed without treatment), control (C, normal saline for 4 months), nicotine (N, nicotine for 2 months), nicotine cessation (NC), tocotrienol-enhanced fraction (TEF), gamma-tocotrienol (GTT), and alpha-tocopherol (ATF). Treatments for the NC, TEF, GTT, and ATF groups were performed in two phases. For the first 2 months they were given nicotine (7 mg/kg), and for the following 2 months nicotine administration was stopped and treatments with respective vitamin E preparations (60 mg/kg) were commenced except for the NC group, which was allowed to recover without treatment. Rats in the N and NC groups had lower trabecular bone volume, mineral appositional rate (MAR), and bone formation rate (BFR/BS) and higher single labeled surface and osteoclast surface compared to the C group. Vitamin E treatment reversed these nicotine effects. Both the TEF and GTT groups, but not the ATF group, had a significantly higher trabecular thickness but lower eroded surface (ES/BS) than the C group. The tocotrienol-treated groups had lower ES/BS than the ATF group. The GTT group showed a significantly higher MAR and BFR/BS than the TEF and ATF groups. In conclusion, nicotine induced significant bone loss, while vitamin E supplements not only reversed the effects but also stimulated bone formation significantly above baseline values. Tocotrienol was shown to be slightly superior compared to tocopherol. Thus, vitamin E, especially GTT, may have therapeutic potential to repair bone damage caused by chronic smoking.

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) contains high antioxidant activity which may have protective effects on the heart in hypertensive rats.The study investigated the effects of VCO on blood pressure and cardiac tissue by measuring angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and its histomorphometry in rats fed with a heated palm oil (HPO) diet.Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: (i) control, (ii) orally given VCO (1.42 ml/kg), (iii) fed with a HPO (15%) diet, and (iv) fed with a HPO diet and supplemented with VCO (1.42 ml/kg, po) (HPO+VCO) for 16 weeks. Blood pressure was measured monthly. After 16 weeks, rat hearts were dissected for lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and ACE activity measurement and histomorphometric study.Systolic blood pressure was significantly increased in the HPO group compared with the control starting at week eight (112.91 ± 1.32 versus 98.08 ± 3.61 mmHg, p 0.05) which was prevented by VCO supplementation (91.73 ± 3.42 mmHg). The consumption of HPO increased TBARS and ACE activity in heart, which were inhibited by VCO supplementation. The increases in the myofiber width and area as well as nuclear size reduction in the HPO group were significantly prevented by VCO supplementation.These results suggested that VCO supplementation possesses a cardioprotective effect by preventing the increase in blood pressure via an antioxidant mechanism and remodeling in rats fed repeatedly with a HPO diet.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases. The study investigated the effects of dietary palm tocotrienol-rich fraction on homocysteine metabolism in rats fed a high-methionine diet. Forty-two male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to six groups. Five groups were fed with high-methionine diet (1%) for 10 weeks. Groups 2 to 5 were also given dietary folate (8 mg/kg) and three doses of palm tocotrienol-rich fraction (30, 60 and 150 mg/kg) from week 6 to week 10. The last group was only given basal rat chow. High-methionine diet increased plasma homocysteine after 10 weeks, which was prevented by the supplementations of folate and high-dose palm tocotrienol-rich fraction. Hepatic S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) content was unaffected in all groups but S-adenosyl homocysteine (SAH) content was reduced in the folate group. Folate supplementation increased the SAM/SAH ratio, while in the palm tocotrienol-rich fraction groups, the ratio was lower compared with the folate. Augmented activity of hepatic cystathionine β-synthase and lipid peroxidation content by high-methionine diet was inhibited by palm tocotrienol-rich fraction supplementations (moderate and high doses), but not by folate. The supplemented groups had lower hepatic lipid peroxidation than the high-methionine diet. In conclusion, palm tocotrienol-rich fraction reduced high-methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinaemia possibly by reducing hepatic oxidative stress in high-methionine-fed rats. It may also exert a direct inhibitory effect on hepatic cystathionine β-synthase.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the risk factors in the development of vascular complications. Decreased nitric oxide (NO) production and increased lipid peroxidation in diabetes mellitus are the dominant exaggerating factors. Mormodica charantia (MC) was proven to be useful in improving diabetes mellitus and its complications. In the present study, a total of 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Diabetes was induced by a single dose (50 mg/kg) of streptozotocin (STZ), intramuscularly. Following 4 weeks of STZ induction, the animals were equally divided into five groups (n = 8); Control group (Ctrl), control group treated with MC (Ctrl-MC), diabetic untreated group (DM-Ctrl), diabetic group treated with MC (DM-MC) and diabetic group treated with metformin 150 g/kg (DM-Met). Oral administration of the MC fruit extract (1.5 g/kg) was continued for 28 days. DM-MC group showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in blood pressure, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to the DM-Ctrl group. Aortic tissue NO level was significantly increased and malondialdehyde level was decreased in the DM-MC group. Immunohistochemical staining showed an increase in eNOS expression in the endothelial lining of the DM-MC group. Similarly, morphological deterioration of the aortic tissues was reverted to normal. In summary, treatment with the MC fruit extract exerted the significant vasculoprotective effect in the type 1 diabetic rat model., EXCLI Journal ; Vol. 14, 2015

Parkia speciosa Hassk., or stink bean, is a plant indigenous to Southeast Asia. It is consumed either raw or cooked. It has been used in folk medicine to treat diabetes, hypertension, and kidney problems. It contains minerals and vitamins. It displays many beneficial properties. Its extracts from the empty pods and seeds have a high content of total polyphenol, phytosterol, and flavonoids. It demonstrates a good antioxidant activity. Its hypoglycemic effect is reported to be attributable to the presence of β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and stigmast-4-en-3-one. The cyclic polysulfide compounds exhibit antibacterial activity, while thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid possesses anticancer property. The pharmacological properties of the plant extract are described in this review. With ongoing research conducted on the plant extracts, Parkia speciosa has a potential to be developed as a phytomedicine.

Curcuma longa (turmeric) rhizomes contains curcumin, an active compound which possesses anti-inflammatory effects. Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is an accepted experimental animal model of rheumatoid arthritis. The present study aimed to observe the histological changes in the joints of experimental arthritic rats treated with curcumin. Twenty four male Sprague-Dawley (approximately 7 weeks-old) rats were randomly divided into four groups. Three groups were immunized with 150 μg collagen. All rats with established CIA, with arthritis scores exceeding 1, were orally treated with betamethasone (0.5 mg/ml/kg body weight), curcumin (110 mg/ml/kg body weight) or olive oil (1.0 ml/kg body weight) daily, for two weeks. One remaining group was kept as normal control. Treatment with 110 mg/ml/kg curcumin showed significant mean differences in the average white blood cell (WBC) count (p, EXCLI Journal ; Vol. 11, 2012

This study investigated the effects of palm tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) on aortic proatherosclerotic changes in rats fed with a high methionine diet. Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided into six groups. The first group was the control (fed with a basal diet). Another five groups were fed with 1% methionine diet for 10 weeks. From week 6 onward, folate (8 mg/kg diet) or palm TRF (30, 60, and 150 mg/kg diets) was added into the diet of the last four rat groups, respectively. The high methionine diet raised the plasma total homocysteine and aortic lipid peroxidation, which were reduced by the palm TRF and folate supplementations. Plasma nitric oxide was reduced in the high methionine group compared to the control (3.72±0.57versus6.65±0.53 μmol/L,P<0.05), which reduction was reversed by the palm TRF (60 and 150 mg/kg) and folate supplementations. The increased aortic vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression in the methionine group (2.58±0.29) was significantly reduced by the folate (1.38±0.18) and palm TRF at 150 mg/kg (1.19±0.23). Palm TRF was comparable to folate in reducing high methionine diet-induced plasma hyperhomocysteinemia, aortic oxidative stress, and inflammatory changes in rats.

Hypertension is a common health problem worldwide. According to the World Health Organization's Global Health Risks 2009; hypertension accounts for 13% of mortality globally. It is the major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure (Iyer et al. 2010). Dietary factors have been known to be playing an important role in hypertension. For instance, the consumption of a Mediterranean diet with an abundant source of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) from olive oil might reduce the prevalence of hypertension (Alonso et al. 2006). Nevertheless, the quality of vegetable oils consumed in the diet might also affect blood pressure. Vegetable oils are usually served in the thermally oxidized state because of the heat exposure during food preparation. Soriguer et al. 2003 reported that the risk of hypertension was positively associated with the intake of cooking oil polar compounds. Deep frying has become one of the most commonly used methods of the food preparation. In today's time deficient lifestyle, deep fried foods are gaining more popularity in daily diet because of their desirable sensory characteristics (Boskou et al. 2006). Deep frying is defined as the process of cooking foods by immersing them in edible oil at the temperature of 150–200 °C (Yamsaengsung & Moreira 2002). At the same time, the vegetable oils are also exposed to the air and moisture, in which they undergo a complex series physical and chemical deterioration known as ‘lipid oxidation’, like hydrolysis, polymerization and isomerization. This oxidative deterioration affects the chemical compositions of the vegetable oils by oxidizing its fatty acids (Marmesat et al. 2008), decreasing the free radical scavenging vitamin E contents (Rossi et al. 2007) and generating polar compounds and polymeric products (Romero et al. 2006; Bansal et al. 2010). In combination, these lipid oxidation products are detrimental to the endothelial cells. Moreover, during deep-frying process, it is common for the vegetable oils to be re-used repeatedly to cut the cost. The oxidation products may disturb the redox steady state (Boueiz & Hassoun 2009), causing an imbalance between the vasodilator prostacyclin (PGI2) and vasoconstrictor thromboxane A2 (TXA2) (Muzaffar et al. 2011). PGI2 protects against elevated blood pressure and leucocytes adhesion, and it is therefore considered to be cardioprotective. On the contrary, TXA2 amplifies platelet aggregation and triggers vasoconstriction, counteracting the effect of PGI2. Hypertension is associated with an imbalance between the vasoactive substances (Yamada et al. 1999). Additionally, excessive oxidant might cause inflammation, which may as well play an imperative part in the pathogenesis of hypertension (Ghanem & Movahed 2007). Endothelium is the major regulator of vascular health as well as the primary target of immunological attack in inflammatory responses. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (LOX-1) are expressed by endothelium and are up-regulated in response to inflammatory insult (Chen et al. 2002; Kim et al. 2011). VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 mediate leucocytes binding to the endothelium. Infiltration of inflammatory molecules may disturb the normal function of endothelium in regulating blood pressure. On the other hand, enhanced expression of LOX-1, which acts as a cell receptor for endocytosis of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), may attenuate the endothelial function and cause hypertension (Ogura et al. 2009). Long-term intake of meal containing repeatedly heated oil has been reported to cause an increase in blood pressure (Leong et al. 2008). The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible inflammatory mechanisms involved in the increase in blood pressure following prolonged consumption of repeatedly heated soybean oil in experimental rats. We compared the effects between fresh, five-time-heated (5HSO) and 10-time-heated (10HSO) oils to see whether the changes were affected by the reheating frequency.

Nigella sativa seeds (NS) has been used traditionally for various illnesses. The most abundant and active component of NS is thymoquinone (TQ). Animal studies have shown that NS and TQ may be used for the treatment of diabetes-induced osteoporosis and for the promotion of fracture healing. The mechanism involved is unclear, but it was postulated that the antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory activities may play some roles in the treatment of osteoporosis as this bone disease has been linked to oxidative stress and inflammation. This paper highlights studies on the antiosteoporotic effects of NS and TQ, the mechanisms behind these effects and their safety profiles. NS and TQ were shown to inhibit inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 and 6 and the transcription factor, nuclear factor κB. NS and TQ were found to be safe at the current dosage for supplementation in human with precautions in children and pregnant women. Both NS and TQ have shown potential as antiosteoporotic agent but more animal and clinical studies are required to further assess their antiosteoporotic efficacies.

Oil thermoxidation during deep frying generates harmful oxidative free radicals that induce inflammation and increase the risk of hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the effect of repeatedly heated palm oil on blood pressure, aortic morphometry, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: control, fresh palm oil (FPO), one-time-heated palm oil (1HPO), five-time-heated palm oil (5HPO), or ten-time-heated palm oil (10HPO). Feeding duration was six months. Blood pressure was measured at baseline and monthly using tail-cuff method. After six months, the rats were sacrificed and the aortic arches were dissected for morphometric and immunohistochemical analyses. FPO group showed significantly lower blood pressure than all other groups. Blood pressure was increased significantly in 5HPO and 10HPO groups. The aortae of 5HPO and 10HPO groups showed significantly increased thickness and area of intima-media, circumferential wall tension, and VCAM-1 than other groups. Elastic lamellae were disorganised and fragmented in 5HPO- and 10HPO-treated rats. VCAM-1 expression showed a significant positive correlation with blood pressure. In conclusion, prolonged consumption of repeatedly heated palm oil causes blood pressure elevation, adverse remodelling, and increased VCAM-1, which suggests a possible involvement of inflammation.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Piper sarmentosum supplementation on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced oxidative stress in lung. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into two groups; a control and a treatment group which was given 125 mg/kg body weight P. sarmentosum orally for 28 days, after which each group was further subdivided into two groups. A group was exposed to CCl4 (1 ml/kg body weight, orally), while another group was given corn oil. After 24 h, blood and lung were taken. CCl4 increased lung lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and glutathione peroxidase significantly. P. sarmentosumsupplementation was able to reduce these increases. However, both CCl4 and P. sarmentosum extract did not affect lung superoxide dismutase activity. In conclusion, P. sarmentosum is capable in reducing the oxidative stress in lungs by decreasing lipid peroxidation and maintaining the glutathione peroxidase activity towards the normal level. Key words: Piper sarmentosum, oxidative stress, antioxidant, carbon tetrachloride.

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is a relatively easy, reliable, and safe method for bone status assessment, but reference data for Asian males remain scarce. Our study aimed to determine the values for one QUS parameter, the speed of sound (SOS) at the calcaneus, in Malaysian Chinese men and to determine the association between the SOS and several demographic characteristics, such as age, weight, height, and body mass index. Three hundred forty-eight Malaysian Chinese men aged 40yr and older were recruited, and their calcaneal QUS value was determined using the CM-200 densitometer (Furuno Electric, Nishinomiya City, Japan). The results indicated a significant correlation between SOS and age, and multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that age and height were important predictors of SOS. A significant reduction in SOS value was observed when men 60yr and older were compared with men aged 40–49yr. Compared with the reference data for Japanese males, Chinese men in Malaysia showed higher SOS values across all the age groups studied. In conclusion, there is an age-related decrease in SOS values in Malaysian Chinese men, and the SOS values established in this study can be used as a reference for future studies.