Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dimitrios Kotsos, Konstantinos Tziomalos
Summary: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common in the general population and even more prevalent in obese and diabetic patients. NAFLD, especially nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), increases the risk for liver-related and cardiovascular morbidity. The development and progression of NAFLD involve complex and multifactorial pathogenesis, with potential involvement of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 and -2. Targeting these enzymes may offer a novel therapeutic approach for NAFLD. This review discusses the association between microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 and -2 and NAFLD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sandra Marcelino, Filipa Mandim, Oludemi Taofiq, Tania C. S. P. Pires, Tiane C. C. Finimundy, Miguel A. A. Prieto, Lillian Barros
Summary: Due to a lack of innovative valorization strategies, pomegranate processing generates a significant amount of residues with a negative environmental footprint. However, these by-products can be used as a source of bioactive ingredients with various beneficial properties. In this study, pomegranate leaves were extracted using different techniques and the extracts were analyzed for their phenolic composition and tested for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and skin-beneficial properties. The results showed that the leaf extracts contained rich bioactive compounds and exhibited promising effects. Therefore, pomegranate leaves could be a cost-effective source of functional ingredients for nutraceutical and cosmeceutical applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Monisha Singhal, Sreemoyee Chatterjee, Ajeet Kumar, Asad Syed, Ali H. Bahkali, Nidhi Gupta, Surendra Nimesh
Summary: The research demonstrates an economical and rapid approach for biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Punica granatum leaves extract. Experimental design and analysis were used to optimize the synthesis process and understand the relationships between parameters. Physicochemical characterization and antibacterial efficacy evaluation were conducted on the synthesized nanoparticles, showing promising results.
Article
Horticulture
Huihui Ni, Heming Suo, Xuan Zhang, Lei Hu, Fangyu Yuan, Maowen Zhang, Shuiming Zhang
Summary: In this study, 75 members of the pomegranate ANS family were identified and categorized into four groups based on evolutionary relationships. These genes were unevenly distributed on seven chromosomes and most proteins were acidic and unstable. The proteins had alpha-spiral and irregular curl as the main structural elements, and conserved domains such as DIOX-N subfamily and 2OG-FeII_Oxy subfamily. The expression of pomegranate ANS genes was specific to variety and growth period.
Article
Plant Sciences
Cinzia Sanna, Arianna Marengo, Stefano Acquadro, Alessia Caredda, Roberta Lai, Angela Corona, Enzo Tramontano, Patrizia Rubiolo, Francesca Esposito
Summary: The study found that extracts from pomegranate leaves, bark, and peels contain compounds with anti-HIV-1 activity, mainly belonging to the phenolic, flavonoid, and hydrolyzable tannin classes. Hydrolyzable tannins and ellagic acid showed high inhibition, while luteolin and apigenin were able to inhibit RNase H and IN functions. Betulinic acid, ursolic acid, and oleanolic acid were selective for the HIV-1 RNase H activity.
Review
Plant Sciences
Maira Huerta-Reyes, Luis A. Gaitan-Cepeda, Luis O. Sanchez-Vargas
Summary: Pomegranate, as a natural remedy, plays an important role in oral health and the treatment of oral issues in HIV/AIDS patients.
Article
Plant Sciences
Lijing Chang, Sheng Wu, Li Tian
Summary: The study suggests that MeJA can enhance plant responses to environmental stresses, leading to unique changes in hydrolyzable tannins, flavonoids, and phyto-oxylipins in pomegranate leaves. Transcriptome and real-time PCR analyses identified genes and transcription factors involved in the response, potentially benefiting plant health, productivity, and human health by enhancing the nutritional compounds in pomegranate fruits.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ralitza Alexova, Simona Alexandrova, Stela Dragomanova, Reni Kalfin, Ayten Solak, Sidharth Mehan, Maria Cristina Petralia, Paolo Fagone, Katia Mangano, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Lyubka Tancheva
Summary: Pomegranate is a rich source of polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, and can support the immune system during viral infection and recovery. Studies have shown that pomegranate polyphenol extract and its components can control immune cell infiltration, regulate cytokine secretion, inhibit viruses like SARS-CoV-2, and modulate the NF-κB pathway. Further research is needed to understand the interactions between polyphenols, viruses, and the host immune response.
Article
Oncology
Yuka Sasaki, Hiroshi Kuwata, Eri Aida, Tsubasa Ochiai, Daisuke Kamei, Yoshihito Nakatani, Shuntaro Hara
Summary: The study indicates that mPGES-1 plays an important role in skin carcinogenesis, with mPGES-1 deficiency suppressing DMBA/TPA-induced skin carcinogenesis and inhibiting the induction of inflammatory cytokines by TPA.
ANTICANCER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Qian Wang, Yuanyuan Li, Mengying Wu, Songming Huang, Aihua Zhang, Yue Zhang, Zhanjun Jia
Summary: mPGES-1 inhibitors show promise in blocking the production of PGE2 with better specificity compared to NSAIDs, making them crucial in treating inflammatory diseases. Two inhibitors are undergoing clinical trials, with more novel inhibitors in development.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Rajitha Charla, Priyanka P. P. Patil, Vishal S. S. Patil, Vishwambhar V. V. Bhandare, Veeresh Karoshi, Venkanna Balaganur, Rajesh K. K. Joshi, Darasaguppe R. R. Harish, Subarna Roy
Summary: This study investigated the inhibitory activity of polyphenolic compounds from three Indian plants against cholera toxin. Molecular modelling, in vitro and in vivo experiments were carried out, and it was found that Ellagic acid and Chlorogenic acid exhibited significant inhibitory activity against the toxin.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yunqiao Yang, Xieying Ding, Fareed Uddin Memon, Geyin Zhang, Mingsheng Jiang, DanDan Hu, Hongbin Si
Summary: This study screened out seven herbs with the best effect against Eimeria tenella infection in poultry and further explored the mechanism of Punicalagin during the infection. The results showed that Punicalagin had a promising anticoccidial effect, reducing inflammation, improving immune function, and maintaining a healthy gut microbiota.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Olga Dichala, Anastasia Evripidis Giannakoula, Ioannis Therios
Summary: This study evaluated the physiological and biochemical responses of three pomegranate varieties under different levels of salt stress. The results showed that Ermioni had the highest content of proline, phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity among all salts, while Grenada was the most susceptible to salt stress. Additionally, all cultivars showed a reduction in chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina Parisi, Valentina Santoro, Giuliana Donadio, Maria Laura Bellone, Gianfranco Diretto, Carla Sandri, Francesca Mensitieri, Nunziatina De Tommasi, Fabrizio Dal Piaz, Alessandra Braca
Summary: A comparative study of peel extracts from eight Punica granatum cultivars in South Italy revealed rich ellagitannins and flavonoids, as well as strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. One local cultivar, 'Granato di Aiello del Sabato', showed particularly high bioactivity, suggesting its potential for germplasm conservation and local farmers' cultivation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
X. Jiang, H. Renkema, B. Pennings, S. Pecheritsyna, J. C. Schoeman, T. Hankemeier, J. Smeitink, J. Beyrath
Summary: Increased levels of PGE(2) were detected in patient cells with mitochondrial disease, but were normalized by exposure to KH176m. This redox-modulator also selectively inhibited PGE(2) production in control skin fibroblasts, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for mitochondrial disease and beyond.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)