Abdelhafid Nani

Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of worldwide mortality, and current diabetes medications have serious adverse effects. Therefore, herbal medicine is gaining popularity as a complementary treatment for diabetes. This study investigated the polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity of a polyherbal formulation (PHF), which is used in traditional medicine in the Adrar region (Southwestern Algeria) for the management of diabetes mellitus. We also investigated the anti-diabetic activity of infusions from PHF (i.e., PHFI, 0.5%, and 1%) and PHF-based diets (i.e., PHFD, 25% and 50%) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were used in this study and randomly divided into six groups (n=5 per group) using a completely randomized design (CRD). Diabetes was induced by a single (i.p) injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg), followed by oral administration of either PHF infusions or diets for 28 days. A molecular docking analysis using AutoDock Vina was conducted to predict the binding affinity of p-Coumaric acid (p-CA), the most dominant phenolic compound found in the main PHF ingredients towards four diabetes-related target proteins (AMPK, LKB1, ChREBP, and TBC1D1). Phytochemical assessment revealed the abundance of tannins, flavonoids, and polyphenols (0.87 mg CE/100 g DW, 0.82 mg CE/g DW, and 1.43 mg GAE/g DW, respectively) in the crude extract of the PHF. In vitro DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assays revealed that the crude extract of PHF possesses significant antioxidant activity against all tested radicals, with an IC50 of 0.025 mg/mL for DPPH. Most experimental groups (i.e., PHFD, 25%; PHFD, 50%; and PHFI, 1%) demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in glycemia, corticosterone levels, hepatic biomarkers, and lipid profile (HDL, LDL, TG, and TC). In silico results indicate that p-CA demonstrates superior binding affinities and interactions with the target proteins compared to metformin, with binding affinities of −6.6, −5.6, −6.5, and −5.5 kcal/mol for AMPK, LKB1, ChREBP, and TBC1D1, respectively. The considerable anti-hyperlipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic activities of the studied FPH validate its application in complementary and alternative medicine for diabetes management.

Obesity, pancreatitis, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal (GI), and liver diseases have all been linked to the Western lifestyle, characterized by increased unhealthy food consumption and decreased physical activity. Besides obesity and pancreatitis, many GI and liver diseases are associated with inflammation. Inflammasomes are multi-protein complexes that mediate acute and restorative inflammatory pathways. However, many aberrations in inflammasome activity originate from shifts in dietary habits. Evidence reveals that dietary polyphenols effectively modulate inflammasome-associated dysfunctions. With a focus on pancreatitis, GI, and liver disorders, this review set out to provide the most relevant evidence for the therapeutic impact of polyphenols via the regulation of the inflammasome pathway. Overall, flavonoid and non-flavonoid polyphenols maintain intestinal eubiosis, downregulate NLRP3 inflammasome canonical pathway, and restore redox status via upregulating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. These effects at the level of the intestine, the liver, and the pancreas are associated with decreased systemic levels of key pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6.

Colorectal cancer is considered the second most deadly cancer in the world. Studies have indicated that diet can prevent the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in polyphenols due to their plausible effect on cancer prevention and treatment. p-Coumaric acid ( p-CouA), a phenolic compound, is a cinnamic acid derivative found in several fruits, vegetables, and herbs. A growing body of evidence suggests that p-CouA may be an effective agent for preventing and managing colorectal cancer. In this current review, we briefly highlight the bioavailability of p-CouA. We also provide an up-to-date overview of molecular mechanisms underlying its anticancer effects, focusing on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials, apoptosis induction, and cell cycle blockade. Finally, we discuss the impact of p-CouA on clonogenicity and multidrug resistance of colorectal cancer cells.

Nutrition transition can be defined as shifts in food habits, and it is characterized by high-fat (chiefly saturated animal fat), hypercaloric and salty food consumption at the expense of dietary fibers, minerals and vitamins. Western dietary patterns serve as a model for studying the impact of nutrition transition on civilization diseases, such as obesity, which is commonly associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. In fact, reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction can be associated with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-mediated inflammation in obesity. NF-κB regulates gene expression of several oxidant-responsive adipokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Moreover, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which plays a pivotal role in energy homeostasis and in modulation of metabolic inflammation, can be downregulated by IκB kinase (IKK)-dependent TNF-α activation. On the other hand, adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet is highly encouraged because of its healthy dietary pattern, which includes antioxidant nutraceuticals such as polyphenols. Indeed, hydroxycinnamic derivatives, quercetin, resveratrol, oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, which are well known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, exert anti-obesity proprieties. In this review, we highlight the impact of the most common polyphenols from Mediterranean foods on molecular mechanisms that mediate obesity-related oxidative stress and inflammation. Hence, we discuss the effects of these polyphenols on a number of signaling pathways. We note that Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) dietary polyphenols can de-regulate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX) and NF-κB-mediated oxidative stress, and metabolic inflammation. MedDiet polyphenols are also effective in upregulating downstream effectors of several proteins, chiefly AMPK.

Bone is a hard connective tissue that undergoes a systematic renewal. This highly dynamic organ is made up of four different types of cells, however, bone formation is commonly attributed to osteoblasts and bone resorption to osteoclasts. Bone tissue formation occurs during embryonic development and in certain post-birth pathological conditions. The immune system could influence the functions of bone cells, and the crosstalk between hematopoietic, immune, and bone cells is known as osteoimmunology. Indeed, cytokines produced by immune cells, including TNF-α and IL-6, are critically implicated in bone pathogenesis. It is well established that diet plays an important role in bone health and function. Indeed, antioxidant nutraceuticals-rich diet, of which pearl millet is one, can be effective in treating osteoporosis. Pearl millet (PM) is an African native cereal that constitutes the staple food for African Sahel region inhabitants as well as for many peoples in rural regions in India. Pearl millet grains content in amino acids, minerals, and phytochemicals may contribute to promoting bone health and metabolism. Accordingly, in the current review, we discuss the putative effects of PM nutrients, with a focus on polyphenols, on bone metabolism and osteoimmunology. In the light of our previous studies and others from literature, we speculate that PM whole grains may be effective in the prevention and management of bone pathogenesis. ​Keywords: PM whole grains, polyphenols, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteoimmunology, TNF-α.

Bone is a hard connective tissue that undergoes a systematic renewal. This highly dynamic organ is made up of four different types of cells, however, bone formation is commonly attributed to osteoblasts and bone resorption to osteoclasts. Bone tissue formation occurs during embryonic development and in certain post-birth pathological conditions. The immune system could influence the functions of bone cells, and the crosstalk between hematopoietic, immune, and bone cells is known as osteoimmunology. Indeed, cytokines produced by immune cells, including TNF-α and IL-6, are critically implicated in bone pathogenesis. It is well established that diet plays an important role in bone health and function. Indeed, an antioxidant nutraceuticals-rich diet, of which pearl millet is one, can be effective in treating osteoporosis. Pearl millet (PM) is an African native cereal that constitutes the staple food for African Sahel region inhabitants as well as for many peoples in rural regions in India. Pearl millet grains’ content in amino acids, minerals, and phytochemicals may contribute to promoting bone health and metabolism. Accordingly, in the current review, we discuss the putative effects of PM nutrients, with a focus on polyphenols, bone metabolism and osteoimmunology. In the light of our previous studies and others from the literature, we suggest that PM whole grains can be effective in the prevention and management of bone pathogenesis. Keywords: PM whole grains, nutrients, polyphenols, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteoimmunology, TNF-α.