This article contains findings obtained from research on animals:
- The results from animal research studies should not be directly applied to humans and the results may not generalise to the human population.
- There may be significant differences between species in terms of physiology, physiology, and pharmacology, as well as differences in the way diseases and treatments are modelled in animals.
- Any conclusions drawn from animal research should be considered with caution and in the context of other types of research studies such as observational studies, clinical trials, and reviews of the literature.
Insights & Discussion
Pomegranate has been found to alleviate morphological and functional changes in the thyroid glands induced by Lithium Carbonate by controlling apoptosis and oxidative stress.
The study divided rats into four groups: control, lithium, lithium-pomegranate, and pomegranate. For eight weeks, the rats were treated according to their respective group assignments. Following this period, they were sacrificed, and an array of assessments were conducted on the extracted thyroid glands. These evaluations included estimated levels of thyroid hormones and markers indicating oxidative stress, along with histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural evaluations of the thyroid tissues.
Observations in the group treated with lithium carbonate showed significant changes in thyroid hormone levels along with an increased expression of the oxidant marker and decreased expression of the antioxidant marker. Additionally, histological evaluation highlighted disorganization and follicle involution, a decline in both staining intensity and immunoreactivity of an antioxidant enzyme, an increase in collagen fiber content and Bax immunoreactivity, and marked distortions in follicular ultrastructure. However, in the group treated with both lithium carbonate and pomegranate, most of these changes were substantially mitigated, thereby indicating the potential protective role of pomegranate against lithium-induced alterations.
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Pomegranate peel extract, along with a calorie deficit diet, could improve risk factors of metabolic syndrome and reduce fatty liver in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
2023 Nutrition Journal Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel extract ameliorates metabolic syndrome risk factors in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized double-blind clinical trial Barghchi H, Milkarizi N, Belyani S, Norouzian Ostad A, Askari VR, Rajabzadeh F, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial NAFLD Pomegranate Peel
In the first phase, the research involved the hydro-alcoholic extraction of the peel of 750 kilograms of pomegranate using the soaking method. The second phase saw patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease divided into two groups - a placebo group and a pomegranate peel capsule group. Both groups followed a diet with a 500 kcal deficit for eight weeks. Aspects like intolerance to the treatment, participants' dietary intake, their lipid and glycemic profiles, blood pressure, body composition, insulin resistance indexes and changes in fatty liver disease evaluated through elastography were monitored.
Further, the study reported substantial decreases in multiple indicators such as body weight, waist circumference, body mass index, body fat index, trunk fat, blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride levels, LDL cholesterol, fat free mass, and fasting blood sugar in the group that took pomegranate peel capsules compared to the placebo group. Meanwhile, HDL cholesterol and liver steatosis and stiffness saw improvement. No significant differences, however, were found in the insulin and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance between the two groups.
Theabrownin from dark tea can potentially reverse insulin resistance and regulate glycolipid metabolism, with longer fermented samples showing greater effects.
2023 Nutrients Theabrownin from Dark Tea Ameliorates Insulin Resistance via Attenuating Oxidative Stress and Modulating IRS-1/PI3K/Akt Pathway in HepG2 Cells Liu J, Wang X, Zhu Y, Deng H, Huang X, Jayavanth P, et al.
Experimental Study Insulin Resistance Oxidative Stress Theabrownin
The study focused on TB1 and TB2, theabrownin isolated from dark tea. TB1 was fermented for 7 days whereas TB2 was fermented for 14 days. The research used HepG2 cells for the experiment. Various techniques such as Western blot and real-time PCR experiments were employed to measure the effects of TB on oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and glycolipid regulation, which are key components of insulin resistance.
The results suggest TB can significantly improve oxidative stress conditions by enhancing mitochondrial function. TB unveiled its potential in improving glycogen synthesis and glucose consumption. Furthermore, TB was found to inhibit harmful processes like gluconeogenesis and fatty acid synthesis via the regulation of various enzymes and proteins. The researchers investigated this by focusing on a signaling pathway (IRS-1/PI3K/Akt). Verification of the effects of TB on glycolipid metabolism was done using a PI3K inhibitor, highlighting a positive correlation between PI3K activation and TB's activity. Notably, the experiment showed TB2, which was fermented longer, was more effective in improving insulin resistance.
Saffron supplementation significantly decreased oxidative stress markers and has beneficial effects in reducing oxidative stress.
2023 Frontiers in Medicine Effect of saffron supplementation on oxidative stress markers (MDA, TAC, TOS, GPx, SOD, and pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance): An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials Abedi A, Ghobadi H, Sharghi A, Iranpour S, Fazlzadeh M, Aslani MR
Systematic Review Oxidative Stress Saffron
For this analysis, we sought to evaluate the impact of saffron supplementation on oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and prooxidant/antioxidant balance. To do this, we conducted an extensive search across databases such as PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, and Google Scholar until December 2022. Our search criteria included randomized controlled trial studies examining the effects of oral saffron supplements on the aforementioned oxidative stress markers. The resulting data were pooled using a random effects model to analyze the results, and we assessed heterogeneity using the Cochrane values. We incorporated 16 cases into our meta-analysis, which comprised of subjects in both saffron and control groups.
In our results, we found that saffron consumption resulted in significant reductions in malondialdehyde and total oxidant status levels. Furthermore, it led to a considerable increase in total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase - all of which are markers indicating oxidative stress. More specifically, within studies where the daily dosage of saffron was greater than 30 mg, and in studies lasting less than 12 weeks, we noted a significant reduction in malondialdehyde levels, especially in participants under 50 years old. Our study faced limitations, including the geographical limitation of the studies being from Iran, the varying nature of the diseases included, and potential confounding factors such as smoking, physical activity, and diet.
Pomegranate and its active components can protect against natural and chemical toxic agents, impacting mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and liver or cardiac function regulation.
2023 Phytomedicine Protective effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum) and its main components against natural and chemical toxic agents: A comprehensive review Hosseini A, Razavi BM, Hosseinzadeh H
Review Article Oxidative Stress Pomegranate
This paper is a review of various in vivo and in vitro studies focusing on pomegranate (Punica granatum) and its active components, including ellagic acid and punicalagin, and their protective effects against toxic substances. The articles were sourced from multiple databases like Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus spanning all available time periods until the end of September 2022.
The research indicates that pomegranate and its constituents have showcased protective effects against both natural toxins, such as aflatoxins and endotoxins, and chemical toxicants like arsenic, diazinon, and carbon tetrachloride. This protection is attributed to the preventive mechanisms activated against oxidative stress, reduction of key inflammatory mediators, modulation of apoptosis, and signaling pathways associated with cellular growth. Additionally, these components appear to aid in the improvement of liver and cardiac function through the regulation of key enzymes.
Carrot's bioactive compounds can regulate immune response, reduce oxidative stress, and prevent damaging oxidative destruction, making it a potential preventive tool for various diseases.
2022 Journal of Functional Foods Critical review on the immunomodulatory activities of carrot’s β-carotene and other bioactive compounds Anjani G, Ayustaningwarno F, Eviana R
Review Article Anti-Inflammatory Carotene Carrot
In this literature review, mechanisms were proposed for how the antioxidant properties of carrot’s β-carotene and other bioactive compounds, such as phenolic acid, flavonoid, polyacetylene, and ascorbic acid could modulate the immune system. These proposals were centered around three main paths: anti-inflammatory response modulation, antioxidant response modulation, and overall immune response modulation (which involves both innate and adaptive responses).
In the discussion of results, it was revealed that the bioactive compounds in carrots have the ability to regulate pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and are also capable of reducing oxidative stress. This was shown by the decrease in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and an increase in antioxidant capacity, which collaboratively helps to minimize destructive oxidative destruction. Additionally, these compounds influenced immune components, specifically via the regulation of leukocytes, antigens, immunoglobulins, and histamine levels. As a result, carrots were defined as a functional food source capable of immune modulation and potential prevention and treatment for a range of diseases.
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