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The Potential of Food Nutrients in the Prevention and Amelioration of Cognitive Dysfunction Caused by Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published in Abhai Kumar, Debasis Bagchi, Antioxidants and Functional Foods for Neurodegenerative Disorders, 2021
Vitamin D, contained in fish liver, fish fat, mushrooms, and fortified milk, is vital to maintaining awareness in the elderly. Vitamin E is abundant in asparagus, avocado, nuts, peanuts, olives, red palm oil, seeds, spinach, vegetable oil, and wheat germ, which can reduce cognitive impairment in the elderly. Further, a group of vitamins (C, E, carotene) known as antioxidants improves cognitive decline in the elderly. Various foods contain folic acid, such as spinach, orange juice, and yeast. After absorbing vitamin B from the intestines, the liver produces some folic acid. The proper intake of folic acid is essential for maintaining brain function. In addition, folic acid deficiency leads to neurological diseases such as depression and cognitive impairment. As for vitamins and cognition, supplementation with the vitamin B group (vitamin B6, vitamin B12, or folic acid) has a positive effect on memory performance [22], and vitamin B12 improves cognitive impairment in rats given a choline-deficient diet [23].
Risk Reduction and Screening for Women’s Cancers
Published in James M. Rippe, Lifestyle Medicine, 2019
Ama McKinney, Jo Marie Tran Janco
In prior studies, higher intake of fruits and vegetables and certain micronutrients has been associated with a decreased risk of cervical dysplasia, but the evidence is largely from observation and is not overwhelming. A recent case–control study compared 231 women diagnosed with CIN 3 to 453 controls. Significantly reduced fruit and vegetable intake was noted when those with CIN 3 were surveyed, compared with controls. Smokers in both groups reported lower overall fruit and vegetable consumption. Sexual history and reproductive factors were similar among both smokers and nonsmokers in the CIN 3 group. Lower fruit and vegetable intake was associated with an increased risk of high-grade cervical dysplasia, with an odds ratio of 1.14. However, smokers with a higher intake of fruits and vegetables had a higher risk, with an odds ratio of 1.83. The study suggests a weak association with dietary intake, but a stronger effect of smoking on the development of cervical dysplasia.149 There have been some studies showing benefit from vitamins C and E, carotene, and lycopene in ameliorating HPV persistence. Additionally, folate, retinol, vitamin B12, lutein, and cryptoxanthin have been discussed as protective against cervical neoplasia. However, most analyses do not demonstrate strong evidence for dietary protection when HPV is taken into account.150
The Xanthophyll Cycle
Published in Ruth G. Alscher, John L. Hess, Antioxidants in Higher Plants, 2017
Barbara Demmig-Adains, William W. Adams
Among the xanthophylls typically found in the leaves of higher plants, only lutein is a derivative of α-carotene (β, ε-carotene). All other major xanthophylls are derived from β-carotene (β,β-carotene); zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin, violaxanthin, and neoxanthin. A portion of the presumed biosynthetic pathway17 of the formation of the xanthophyll cycle components is depicted in Figures 4 and 5. Neoxanthin is not included in this diagram, but it has been suggested that neoxanthin can be formed from violaxanthin (see below). Excess light specifically stimulates the β,β-carotenoid pathway, and leads to the accumulation of large amounts of β-carotene, and, particularly, the components of the xanthophyll cycle, zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin, and violaxanthin.15,16 The xanthophyll cycle appears to be present throughout all families of higher plants.15,16 From indirect evidence, it seems that, among the three xanthophyll cycle components, zeaxanthin is formed first through hydroxylation of β-carotene. Antheraxanthin and violaxanthin are formed subsequently through epoxidation of zeaxanthin. The epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle is thereafter regulated by light. It has recently been reported that a mutant of Arabidopsis, unable to form more than trace amounts of violaxanthin, accumulated larger amounts of both β-carotene and zeaxanthin than did the wild type.18,19 This mutant also possessed reduced levels of lutein as a derivative of α-carotene,19 and was therefore enhanced in the β,β-carotenoid pathway, apparently at the expense of the ß,ε-carotenoid pathway. This mutant contained only trace amounts of neo-xanthin as well, a result consistent with a formation of neoxanthin from violaxanthin.18,19
Anticancer Activity of Leonurus sibiricus L.: Possible Involvement of Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Published in Nutrition and Cancer, 2022
Vasanth Krishnan, Selvakumar Subramaniam, Chang Chia–Chuan, Balamurugan Venkatachalam, Amal Thomas Cheeran, Huang Chi-Ying F.
HPLC analysis of LS-M extracts reveal the presence of carotenoids, including β-carotene and lutein. The majority of carotenoids in the plant photosynthetic tissues is lutein. It is a dihydroxy β, ε carotene accounting for more than 50% of the carotenoids in leaf tissue (43). There are several fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoid content that can prevent several cancers, particularly lung cancer (44). The various isoforms of carotenoids such as zeaxanthin, lutein, and β-carotene reduced the HPV infection as well as cancer cell proliferation (43–50%) (45). Our in vitro studies showed that both lutein or β-carotene has a significant inhibitory effect on HCC. These results correlate with the anticancer activity of LS-M extract on HCC cell lines and indicated the potential involvement of carotenoids in ROS mediated apoptosis. In a previous report, both lutein and lutein epoxide significantly inhibited the cancer growth and induced apoptosis (46). In this study, the mechanism of lutein modulated apoptosis in cancer cell line was attributed to the increased intracellular ROS production and regulation of several apoptotic proteins, including phosphorylation of p53.
Protective effect of Spirulina against cyclophosphamide-induced urotoxicity in mice
Published in Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 2018
Fatma M. Eltantawy, Mohamed A. Ali Sobh, Ahmed M. EL-Waseef, Rehab-Allah A. Ibrahim, Mohamed A.A. Saad
MDA is an end-product of lipid peroxidation, which is a free radical-mediated process. It may be used as an indicator of oxidative stress and increases in the body after administration of CP. MDA resulting from increased lipid peroxidation in aberrantly proliferating cells is known to be secreted into the circulating blood, leading to increased MDA levels in cancer patients. In line with these results, the present study showed that MDA levels were increased and that HC and bladder toxicity were induced by CP administration in mice. Sp has multiple active component, including superoxide dismutase, vitamin E, carotene, chlorophyll, B-complex vitamins and numerous minerals, these components may be accountable for the tissue protective properties of Sp [26]. In addition, C-phycocyanin, a protein-bound pigment found in Sp, prevents renal injury by inhibiting oxalate-mediated lipid peroxidation [27]. Furthermore, it inhibits apoptotic death of pancreatic cells by enhancing the GSH and SOD peroxidase enzymes to prevent the overproduction of ROS [28].
Anti-inflammatory Effects of Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) in Experimental Rodent Rheumatoid Arthritis
Published in Journal of Dietary Supplements, 2020
Rosa Direito, João Rocha, Ana-Teresa Serra, Adelaide Fernandes, Marisa Freitas, Eduarda Fernandes, Rui Pinto, Rosário Bronze, Bruno Sepodes, Maria-Eduardo Figueira
Persimmon is also highly concentrated in sugars (about 12.5 g/100 g FW), with fructose, glucose, and sucrose being the major components, and in total ascorbic acid: 100–150 g of fresh persimmon clearly fulfills the recommended daily amount of vitamin C. The main carotenoid components are β-cryptoxantin (193 μg/100 g FW), β,β-carotene (113 μg/100 g FW), and β,ε-carotene (30 μg/100 g FW) (Giordani et al. 2011).