Buckwheat has been considered as a potential source of nutraceutical components on the world market of probiotic foodstuffs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) sprouts on oxidation and pro-inflammatory mediators.

OBJECTIVEBuckwheat has been considered as a potential source of nutraceutical components on the world market of probiotic foodstuffs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) sprouts on oxidation and pro-inflammatory mediators.

METHODSThe anti-oxidant effects of buckwheat extract (BWE) and rutin were evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)- and nitric oxide (NO)-scavenging activities, serum peroxidation and chelating assays. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were used to evaluate anti-inflammatory activities of buckwheat and rutin. NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells was determined by using Griess reagent. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 subunit in cytosolic and nuclear portions were determined by Western blot analysis. Also, the production of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSInhibitory concentration 50 values for DPPH- and NO-scavenging activities of BWE were 24.97 and 72.54 μg/mL respectively. BWE inhibited serum oxidation and possessed chelating activity. Furthermore, BWE inhibited IL-6 and TNF-α production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Also, BWE inhibited iNOS and COX-2 expression and NF-κB p65 translocation.

CONCLUSIONBuckwheat sprouts possessed strong antioxidant activity and inhibited production of pro-inflammatory mediators in the applied model systems. Thus, buckwheat can be suggested to be beneficial in inflammatory diseases by inhibiting the free radicals and inflammatory mediators.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; analysis ; Fagopyrum ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Inflammation Mediators ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Interleukin-6 ; biosynthesis ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis

Juglans regia Linn. (Juglandaceae), popularly known as English or Persian walnut, is a valuable medicinal plant with a potency to cure various diseases in traditional medicine. Since ancient time, different local ethnic groups have used various part of J. regia for a wide array of ailments including helminthiasis, diarrhea, sinusitis, stomach ache, arthritis, asthma, eczema, scrofula, skin disorders, diabetes mellitus, anorexia, thyroid dysfunction, cancer and infectious diseases. Biological activities of J. regia have been reported in several peer review journals and scientific attention is increasing. The present review attempts to provide comprehensive information on plant description, ethnobotanical use, toxicity, phytochemical profile, pharmacology, clinical studies and current research prospective of the J. regia. Currently, there is an immense interest on isolation/identification of active constituents from walnut and screening those active compounds for pharmacological activities. In addition, researchers are performing clinical trials as well as screening various solvent extracts or fractions of J. regia in several animal diseases models to identify promising therapeutic benefits. In the present work, we review the latest information based on published scientific investigations of J. regia.

Aegle marmelos Linn. (Rutaceae), commonly known as "bael" in Nepal and India, is a valuable medicinal plant and is considered sacred by the Hindus. It is used to cure several diseases in the Indian traditional medicine system of Ayurveda and has had similar uses among many ethnic communities residing in Indian subcontinent for over 5000 years. Its leaves, bark, stem, fruits and seeds have been used for various medicinal purposes. Bael fruits are especially effective in the treatment of chronic diarrhea, dysentery and peptic ulcers, while they are also useful as a laxative and cure for respiratory infections. Scientific studies have validated many of the ethnomedicinal uses of A. marmelos, which include antibacterial, antiviral, antidiarrheal, gastroprotective, anti-ulcerative colitis, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, cardioprotective and radioprotective effects. Recently, this plant has also received attention as an anticancer agent for the treatment of various types of cancers. Thus, this review focuses on scientific evidence verifying the important pharmacological activity such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective and anticancer activity of A. marmelos.
Aegle ; chemistry ; Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Phytochemicals ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry