Ara Kirakosyan

Altered Hyperlipidemia, Hepatic Steatosis, and Hepatic Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors in Rats with Intake of Tart Cherry

Elevated plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, and fatty liver are among components of metabolic syndrome, a phenotypic pattern that typically precedes the development of Type 2 diabetes. Animal studies show that intake of anthocyanins reduces hyperlipidemia, obesity, and atherosclerosis and that anthocyanin-rich extracts may exert these effects in association with altered activity of tissue peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). However, studies are lacking to test this correlation using physiologically relevant, whole food sources of anthocyanins. Tart cherries are a rich source of anthocyanins, and whole cherry fruit intake may also affect hyperlipidemia and/or affect tissue PPARs. This hypothesis was tested in the Dahl Salt-Sensitive rat having insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia. For 90 days, Dahl rats were pair-fed AIN-76a-based diets supplemented with either 1% (wt:wt) freeze-dried whole tart cherry or with 0.85% additional carbohydrate to match macronutrient and calorie provision. After 90 days, the cherry-enriched diet was associated with reduced fasting blood glucose, hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and reduced fatty liver. The cherry diet was also associated with significantly enhanced hepatic PPAR-alpha mRNA, enhanced hepatic PPAR-alpha target acyl-coenzyme A oxidase mRNA and activity, and increased plasma antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, physiologically relevant tart cherry consumption reduced several phenotypic risk factors that are associated with risk for metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes. Tart cherries may represent a whole food research model of the health effects of anthocyanin-rich foods and may possess nutraceutical value against risk factors for metabolic syndrome and its clinical sequelae.

Regular Tart Cherry Intake Alters Abdominal Adiposity, Adipose Gene Transcription, and Inflammation in Obesity-Prone Rats Fed a High Fat Diet

Obesity, systemic inflammation, and hyperlipidemia are among the components of metabolic syndrome, a spectrum of phenotypes that can precede the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Animal studies show that intake of anthocyanin-rich extracts can affect these phenotypes. Anthocyanins can alter the activity of tissue peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), which affect energy substrate metabolism and inflammation. However, it is unknown if physiologically relevant, anthocyanin-containing whole foods confer similar effects to concentrated, anthocyanin extracts. The effect of anthocyanin-rich tart cherries was tested in the Zucker fatty rat model of obesity and metabolic syndrome. For 90 days, rats were pair-fed a higher fat diet supplemented with either 1% (wt/wt) freeze-dried, whole tart cherry powder or with a calorie- and macronutrient-matched control diet. Tart cherry intake was associated with reduced hyperlipidemia, percentage fat mass, abdominal fat (retroperitoneal) weight, retroperitoneal interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) expression, and plasma IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Tart cherry diet also increased retroperitoneal fat PPAR-alpha and PPAR-gamma mRNA (P = .12), decreased IL-6 and TNF-alpha mRNA, and decreased nuclear factor kappaB activity. In conclusion, in at-risk obese rats fed a high fat diet, physiologically relevant tart cherry consumption reduced several phenotypes of metabolic syndrome and reduced both systemic and local inflammation. Tart cherries may reduce the degree or trajectory of metabolic syndrome, thereby reducing risk for the development of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

The production of hypericins and hyperforin by in vitro cultures of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)

St. Johns wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is a herbaceous perennial distributed throughout the World that has been widely used in traditional medicine. H. perforatum produces several types of biologically active compound, including the hypericins – a family of light‐activated anthraquinones, localized within specialized glands found predominantly on flowers and leaves – and the hyperforins – a family of prenylated acylphloroglucinols localized in the reproductive structures of the plant. Hypericins are known to be toxic to mammals and display antiviral and anticancer activity, but the role of these compounds within the plant is unknown. Hyperforins display potent antimicrobial activity and are thought to be the primary bioactive ingredient for anti‐depressive effects of the herb. The introduction of H. perforatum from Europe into the U.S.A. occurred in the 17th Century. Since the plant is considered a noxious weed, few efforts have been carried out to analyse populations in the context of secondary‐metabolite concentrations. But in terms of secondary‐metabolite studies, H. perforatum is an ideal model system to study the biosyntheses of aromatic polyketides and regulation of those pathways by environmental and genetic influences. This is due, in part, to the ease of conducting these studies in plant tissue culture. This review describes the progress of secondary‐metabolite studies currently underway using H. perforatum. Specifically, this Review focuses on the production and regulation of the hypericins and the hyperforin in wild populations, field cultivation, greenhouse studies and plant tissue culture. Additionally, factors optimizing compound production – particularly in in vitro cultures – are presented and reviewed.

Blueberry intake alters skeletal muscle and adipose tissue peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor activity and reduces insulin resistance in obese rats.

Metabolic syndrome can precede the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease and includes phenotypes such as obesity, systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia. A recent epidemiological study indicated that blueberry intake reduced cardiovascular mortality in humans, but the possible genetic mechanisms of this effect are unknown. Blueberries are a rich source of anthocyanins, and anthocyanins can alter the activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), which affect energy substrate metabolism. The effect of blueberry intake was assessed in obesity-prone rats. Zucker Fatty and Zucker Lean rats were fed a higher-fat diet (45% of kcal) or a lower-fat diet (10% of kcal) containing 2% (wt/wt) freeze-dried whole highbush blueberry powder or added sugars to match macronutrient and calorie content. In Zucker Fatty rats fed a high-fat diet, the addition of blueberry reduced triglycerides, fasting insulin, homeostasis model index of insulin resistance, and glucose area under the curve. Blueberry intake also reduced abdominal fat mass, increased adipose and skeletal muscle PPAR activity, and affected PPAR transcripts involved in fat oxidation and glucose uptake/oxidation. In Zucker Fatty rats fed a low-fat diet, the addition of blueberry also significantly reduced liver weight, body weight, and total fat mass. Finally, Zucker Lean rats fed blueberry had higher body weight and reduced triglycerides, but all other measures were unaffected. In conclusion, whole blueberry intake reduced phenotypes of metabolic syndrome in obesity-prone rats and affected PPAR gene transcripts in adipose and muscle tissue involved in fat and glucose metabolism.

Quantification of major isoflavonoids and l-canavanine in several organs of kudzu vine (Pueraria montana) and in starch samples derived from kudzu roots

Abstract Isoflavonoids (daidzein, genistein, daidzin, genistin and puerarin) were extracted and analyzed quantitatively by high pressure liquid chromatography from different organs of kudzu vine ( Pueraria montana ) and starch samples derived from kudzu roots. Aerial parts of kudzu plants (young shoots, leaf blades and leaf petioles) contained relatively low levels of all isoflavonoids examined, whereas seeds and seedlings were intermediate in isoflavonoid levels and roots consistently had the highest levels, particularly puerarin and the glucosyl conjugates of genistein and daidzein, namely, genistin and daidzin. Interestingly, commercially available kudzu root starch from Japan does not contain the isoflavonoids of interest, whereas homemade kudzu root starch contains all studied isoflavonoids in various amounts, and especially, high levels of puerarin. Shoots of light-grown kudzu seedlings, when compared with shoots of dark-grown seedlings had higher levels of all isoflavonoids with the exception of daidzin. In contrast, for seedling roots, such differences were not greatly different between light-grown and dark-grown plants. Light-grown intact kudzu seedlings had significantly higher levels of soluble proteins than dark-grown seedlings. Mass spectrometer analyzes of all kudzu samples for the toxic non-protein amino acid, l -canavanine, indicated it to be absent using this method of detection and level of sensitivity.

Recent advances in plant biotechnology

Preface.- Section I Plant Biotechnology From Inception to the Present: Overview of Plant Biotechnology from its Early Roots to the Present. The Use of Plant Cell Biotechnology for the Production of Phytochemicals. Molecular Farming of Antibodies in Plants. Use of Cyanobacterial Proteins to Engineer New Crops. Molecular Biology of Secondary Metabolism: Case Study for Glycyrrhiza Plants.- Section II Applications of Plant Biotechnology in Agriculture and Industry: New Developments in Agricultural and Industrial Biotechnology. Phytoremediation: The Wave of the Future. Biotechnology of the Rhizosphere. Plants as Sources of Energy.- Section III Use of Plant Secondary Metabolites in Medicine and Nutrition: Interactions of Bioactive Plant Metabolites: Synergism, Antagonism, and Additivity. The Use of Selected Medicinal Herbs for Chemoprevention and Treatment of Cancer, Parkinsons Disease, Heart Disease, and Depression. Regulating Phytonutrient Levels in Plants -- Towards Modification of Plant Metabolism for Human Health.- Section IV Risks and Benefits Associated with Plant Biotechnology: Risks and Benefits Associated with Genetically Modified (GM) Plants. Risks Involved in the Use of Herbal Products. Risks Associated with Over-collecting Medicinal Plants in Natural Habitats. The Potential of Biofumigants as Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for the Control of Pest Infestation in Grain and Dry Food Products.- Index.

Tissue bioavailability of anthocyanins from whole tart cherry in healthy rats

Our aim was to confirm and identify the presence of tart cherry anthocyanins in several target tissues of healthy rats. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis was employed for detection and characterisation of anthocyanin metabolites. It was shown that four native anthocyanins, namely cyanidin 3-glucosylrutinoside, cyanidin 3-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-rutinoside 5-β-D-glucoside, and peonidin 3-rutinoside were differentially distributed among targeted tissues of rats. Bladder and kidney contained more total anthocyanins than all other tissues analysed. It was also revealed that the bioavailability pattern of these native anthocyanins among tissues is varied. The highest concentration of individual anthocyanin cyanidin 3-glucosylrutinoside (2339 picograms/gram of tissue) was detected in bladder, followed by cyanidin 3-rutinoside 5-β-d-glucoside (916 picograms/gram) in the liver of rats. Although the diverse distribution of tart cherry anthocyanins in different rat tissues still requires further explanation, it may provide an evidentiary link between tissue bioavailability and health-enhancing properties of anthocyanins at target sites.

Plants as Sources of Energy

This chapter is concerned with biotechnological applications involving the use of plants as sources of energy. Plants contain stored carbon captured from light-catalyzed carbon dioxide fixation via photosynthesis. This stored carbon from plants is available in oil and coal deposits that can be used as energy sources known as petrofuels. Living plants or plant residues can be used to generate biofuels such as methane from methane generators, wood fuel from wood chips, and alcohol from plant-based starch or cellulose in fermentation reactions. Topics that illustrate these applications include plant-based biofuels for engines – biodiesel and bioethanol; energy from woodchips (woodchip combustion, gazogen, or wood gasification); and methane (CH4) or natural gas – methane gas production from landfills, methane gas produced in biodigesters using plant materials as substrate. We discuss the pros and cons of these applications with plant-derived fuels as well as the different types of value-added crops, including algae, that are currently being used to produce biofuels.

The Use of Plant Cell Biotechnology for the Production of Phytochemicals

In this chapter, we bring together up-to-date information concerning plant cell biotechnology and its applications. Because plants contain many valuable secondary metabolites that are useful as drug sources (pharmaceuticals), natural fungicides and insecticides (agrochemicals), natural food flavorings and coloring agents (nutrition), and natural fragrances and oils (cosmetics), the production of these phytochemicals through plant cell factories is an alternative and concurrent approach to chemical synthesis. It also provides an alternative to extraction of these metabolites from overcollected plant species. While plant cell cultures provide a viable system for the production of these compounds in laboratories, its application in industry is still limited due to frequently low yields of the metabolites of interest or the feasibility of the bioprocess. A number of factors may contribute to the efficiency of plant cells to produce desired compounds. Genetic stability of cell lines, optimization of culture condition, tissue-diverse vs. tissue-specific site-specific localization and biosynthesis of metabolites, organelle targeting, and inducible vs. constitutive expression of specific genes should all be taken into consideration when designing a plant-based production system. The major aims for engineering secondary metabolism in plant cells are to increase the content of desired secondary compounds, to lower the levels of undesirable compounds, and to introduce novel compound production into specific plants. Recent achievements have also been made in altering various metabolic pathways by use of specific genes encoding biosynthetic enzymes or genes that encode regulatory proteins. Gene and metabolic engineering approaches are now being used to successfully achieve highest possible levels of value-added natural products in plant cell cultures. Applications through functional genomics and systems biology make plant cell biotechnology much more straightforward and more attractive than through previous, more traditional approaches.

The Use of Selected Medicinal Herbs for Chemoprevention and Treatment of Cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, Heart Disease, and Depression

In this chapter, we present recent advances on the use of several different kinds of medicinal herbs to treat cancer, Parkinson’s disease (PD), heart disease, and depression. These include recent studies on the use of Vaccinium spp. (blueberries and relatives) for cancer treatment and prevention; blueberries in the diet to improve motor skills and cognitive ability in patients with PD; digitalis (foxglove) to treat patients with heart disease; and St. John’s wort that is used to treat patients with mild-to-moderate depression. The basic conclusion from these studies is that rigorous, well-designed clinical trials are needed to validate the safe use of these and other medicinal herbs for treatment of these and other diseases.