Laura Gaman

Chelidonium majus – an Integrative Review: Traditional Knowledge versus Modern Findings

Chelidonium majus L. (family Papaveraceae), or greater celandine, is an important plant in western phytotherapy and in traditional Chinese medicine. Crude extracts of C. majus as well as purified compounds derived from it exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities (antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumoral, analgesic, hepatoprotective) that support some of the traditional uses of C. majus. However, herbal medicine also claims that this plant has several important properties which have not yet been scientifically studied: C. majus is supposed to have diuretic, antitussive and eye-regenerative effects. On the other hand, C. majus also has scientifically proven effects, e.g. anti-osteoporotic activity and radioprotection, which are not mentioned in traditional sources. Moreover, recent controversy about the hepatoprotective versus hepatotoxic effects of Chelidonium majus has renewed the interest of the medical community in this plant. This review is intended to integrate traditional ethno-medical knowledge and modern scientific findings about C. majus in order to promote understanding of its therapeutic actions as well as its toxic potential.

Increase in Total Antioxidant Capacity of Plasma despite High Levels of Oxidative Stress in Uncomplicated Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus and its chronic complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma antioxidant status in patients with uncomplicated type 2 diabetes, in order to understand the interactions between its components and the diabetic milieu. METHODS: Plasma samples were collected from 15 patients with type 2 diabetes receiving oral antidiabetic agents and from 18 healthy control subjects without diabetes. Glycosylated haemoglobin was measured as an indicator of blood glucose control. Total and residual antioxidant activities were measured. Lipid peroxides were measured as indicators of plasma oxidative stress. Copper and caeruloplasmin were also assayed as possible pro-oxidants. RESULTS: Antioxidant activities, lipid peroxide level, copper concentration and caeruloplasmin activity were significantly increased in the plasma of patients with diabetes compared with control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The total antioxidant capacity of plasma was increased, despite high levels of oxidative stress, in patients with uncomplicated type 2 diabetes. Increased levels of copper and caeruloplasmin characterized the diabetic milieu, despite an absence of chronic complications.

Phytomedicine in Joint Disorders

Chronic joint inflammatory disorders such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have in common an upsurge of inflammation, and oxidative stress, resulting in progressive histological alterations and disabling symptoms. Currently used conventional medication (ranging from pain-killers to biological agents) is potent, but frequently associated with serious, even life-threatening side effects. Used for millennia in traditional herbalism, medicinal plants are a promising alternative, with lower rate of adverse events and efficiency frequently comparable with that of conventional drugs. Nevertheless, their mechanism of action is in many cases elusive and/or uncertain. Even though many of them have been proven effective in studies done in vitro or on animal models, there is a scarcity of human clinical evidence. The purpose of this review is to summarize the available scientific information on the following joint-friendly medicinal plants, which have been tested in human studies: Arnica montana, Boswellia spp., Curcuma spp., Equisetum arvense, Harpagophytum procumbens, Salix spp., Sesamum indicum, Symphytum officinalis, Zingiber officinalis, Panax notoginseng, and Whitania somnifera.

A New Insight into Estrogen Signaling: Yin–Yang Perspective

During recent years, new advances in the field of estrogen signaling (e.g., the discovery of the second estrogen receptor named ERβ) have led to the conclusion that all the major human tissues are estrogen-responsive. The impact of estrogen on human health is far more complex and stronger than scientists had previously thought. Several scientists suggested that the interplay between ERα and ERβ (antagonism, synergism, etc.) simulates a Yin-Yang relationship. This article is intended to integrate the Yin-Yang theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern scientific findings on estrogen signaling to offer a better understanding of the complex interactions between ERα and ERβ. A different approach, such as that of Yin-Yang theory, may complete the standard scientific perspective, reveal hidden meanings of the tissue-dependent ERα-ERβ predominance, and reveal new aspects of estrogen-receptor imbalance.

Paraoxonase lactonase activity, inflammation and antioxidant status in plasma of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Objectives To investigate paraoxonase-1 (PON1) lactonase activity, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (as a marker of inflammation) and antioxidant status in plasma of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methods Whole blood and plasma samples were collected from patients with diabetes and healthy control subjects. PON1 lactonase and MPO activities and total antioxidant capacity (TEAC) were determined in plasma. Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was quantified in whole blood. Results Plasma PON1 lactonase and MPO activities were significantly higher and TEAC was significantly lower in patients with diabetes (n = 18) compared with healthy control subjects (n = 20). There were significant positive correlations between PON1 lactonase activity and MPO activity and HbA1c level, and plasma MPO and HbA1c. There were significant negative correlations between PON1 lactonase activity and TEAC, and MPO activity and TEAC. Conclusions Increased lactonase activity may inefficiently compensate for the high level of chronic inflammation and low antioxidant capacity in the plasma of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Phytoceuticals in Acute Pancreatitis: Targeting the Balance between Apoptosis and Necrosis

Despite recent advances in understanding the complex pathogenesis of pancreatitis, the management of the disease remains suboptimal. The use of phytoceuticals (plant-derived pleiotropic multitarget molecules) represents a new research trend in pancreatology. The purpose of this review is to discuss the phytoceuticals with pancreatoprotective potential in acute pancreatitis and whose efficacy is based, at least in part, on their capacity to modulate the acinar cell death. The phytochemicals selected, belonging to such diverse classes as polyphenols, flavonoids, lignans, anthraquinones, sesquiterpene lactones, nitriles, and alkaloids, target the balance between apoptosis and necrosis. Activation of apoptosis via various mechanisms (e.g., inhibition of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis proteins by embelin, upregulation of FasL gene expression by resveratrol) and/or inhibition of necrosis seem to represent the essential key for decreasing the severity of the disease. Apart from targeting the apoptosis/necrosis balance, the phytochemicals displayed other specific protective activities: inhibition of inflammasome (e.g., rutin), suppression of neutrophil infiltration (e.g., ligustrazine, resveratrol), and antioxidant activity. Even though many of the selected phytoceuticals represent a promising therapeutic alternative, there is a shortage of human evidence, and further studies are required to provide solid basis to justify their use in the treatment of pancreatitis.

Body burden of toxic metals and rare earth elements in non-smokers, cigarette smokers and electronic cigarette users

ABSTRACT Smoking is considered an important source for inorganic elements, most of them toxic for human health. During the last years, there has been a significant increase in the use of e‐cigarettes, although the role of them as source of inorganic elements has not been well established. A cross‐sectional study including a total of 150 subjects from Brasov (Romania), divided into three groups (non‐smokers, cigarette smokers and electronic cigarettes smokers) were recruited to disclose the role of smoking on the human exposure to inorganic elements. Concentration of 42 elements, including trace elements, elements in the ATSDRs priority pollutant list and rare earth elements (REE) were measured by ICP‐MS in the blood serum of participants. Cigarette smokers showed the highest levels of copper, molybdenum, zinc, antimony, and strontium. Electronic cigarette (e‐cigarette) users presented the highest concentrations of selenium, silver, and vanadium. Beryllium, europium and lanthanides were detected more frequently among e‐cigarette users (20.6%, 23.5%, and 14.7%) than in cigarette smokers (1.7%, 19.0%, and 12.1%, respectively); and the number of detected REE was also higher among e‐cigarette users (11.8% of them showed more than 10 different elements). Serum levels of cerium and erbium increased as the duration of the use of e‐cigarettes was longer. We have found that smoking is mainly a source of heavy metals while the use of e‐cigarettes is a potential source of REE. However, these elements were detected at low concentrations. HighlightsThe role of smoking as a source for 42 inorganic element intakes was explored.The exposure levels of non‐smoker, cigarette smokers and e‐cigarette users was compared.Cigarette smokers showed the highest levels of Cu, Mo, Zn, Sb, and Sr.E‐cigarettes users presented the highest concentrations of Se, Ag, and V.Be, Eu and La were detected more frequently among e‐cigarette users.

Functional Micrococcus lysodeikticus layers deposited by laser technique for the optical sensing of lysozyme

Whole cell optical biosensors, made by immobilizing whole algal, bacterial or mammalian cells on various supports have found applications in several fields, from ecology and ecotoxicity testing to biopharmaceutical production or medical diagnostics. We hereby report the deposition of functional bacterial layers of Micrococcus lysodeikticus (ML) via Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) on poly(diallyldimethylamonium) (PDDA)-coated-glass slides and their application as an optical biosensor for the detection of lysozyme in serum. Lysozyme is an enzyme upregulated in inflammatory diseases and ML is an enzymatic substrate for this enzyme. The MAPLE-deposited bacterial interfaces were characterised by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Fourier-Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman and optical microscopy and were compared with control interfaces deposited via layer-by-layer on the same substrate. After MAPLE deposition and coating with graphene oxide (GO), ML-modified interfaces retained their functionality and sensitivity to lysozymes lytic action. The optical biosensor detected lysozyme in undiluted serum in the clinically relevant range up to 10μgmL-1, in a fast and simple manner.

Microwave versus electrical oven heating influence on oxidative stress parameters, flavonoids and polyphenols content of five different commercial cooking oils

Consumers are increasingly concerned about the health aspects of food preparation. There is data to support that foods treated with microwaves (MW) develop harmful substances. Vegetable oils are susceptible to lipid peroxidation due to the chemical structure, but also contain antioxidant compounds. Peroxidation products can have harmful effects for human health. The aim of the study was to evaluate the variation of total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant degradation in relation to lipid peroxides formation during conventional and microwave oils heating. Sunflower, corn, soybean, palm and a mixed oil (sunflower, grape, flaxseed and rice oil) were purchased from the local market. To simulate home cooking, different exposure times were tested 5, 10 and 15 min. For all samples, and for each exposure time, Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), lipid peroxides as thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes, vitamin E as α-tocopherol, flavonoids and total polyphenols were determined. After 15 minutes heating the best retention for vitamin E was observed for the palm oil (MW 12 mM/l), and corn oil (convection 17 mM/l). The highest total antioxidant capacity after heating belonged to mixed & palm oil (MW 4.6 eq. TROLOX/l) and soybean oil (convection 7.5 mM eq. TROLOX/l). Highest levels of TBARS belonged to the mixed oil (convection 54 uM/l) and soybean oils (MW 83 uM/l). Highest conjugated dienes levels were observed for soybean oil (MW 17 mM/l) and sunflower oil (convection 22 mM/l). The best retention for polyphenols was found in the mixed and sunflower oils (MW and convection 0.80.9 mg/ml. The retention of flavonoid was very small in all oils and the highest amount was found in corn and soybean oil (0.04 mg/ml). During the heating of edible vegetable oils commonly used, total antioxidant capacity along with the amount of vitamin E, flavonoids and polyphenols decreases, while the amount of lipid peroxidation products increases and these processes are more intense when using microwave heating than when using convection heating.