This study assessed the antioxidant potencies of several widespread dietary flavonoids across a range of concentrations and compared with vitamin C as a positive control. The antioxidant effects of pretreatment with flavonoids and vitamin C, at standardized concentrations (7.6, 23.2, 93, and 279.4 mol/L), on oxygen radical-generated DNA damage from hydrogen peroxide (100 mol/L) in human lymphocytes were examined by using the single-cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay). Pretreatment with all flavonoids and vitamin C produced dose-dependent reductions in oxidative DNA damage. At a concentration of 279 mol/L, they were ranked in decreasing order of potency as follows: luteolin (9% of damage from unopposed hydrogen peroxide), myricetin (10%), quercetin (22%), kaempferol (32%), quercitrin (quercetin-3-L-rhamnoside) (45%), apigenin (59%), quercetin-3-glucoside (62%), rutin (quercetin-3-␤-D-rutinoside) (82%), and vitamin C (78%). The protective effect of vitamin C against DNA damage at this concentration was significantly less than that of all the flavonoids except apigenin, quercetin-3-glucoside, and rutin. The ranking was similar with estimated ED 50 (concentration to produce 50% protection) values. The protective effect of quercetin and vitamin C at a concentration of 23.2 mol/L was found to be additive (quercetin: 71% of maximal DNA damage from unopposed hydrogen peroxide; vitamin C: 83%; both in combination: 62%). These data suggest that the free flavonoids are more protective than the conjugated flavonoids (eg, quercetin compared with its conjugate quercetin-3-glucoside, P < 0.001). Data are also consistent with the hypothesis that antioxidant activity of free flavonoids is related to the number and position of hydroxyl groups.

Background. Based on recent basic and clinical investigations, the extract of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf has been revealed to be used for hepatoprotective and cholesterol reducing purposes. We aimed to assess the therapeutic effects of artichoke on biochemical and liver biomarkers in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Methods. In a randomized double blind clinical trial, 60 consecutive patients suffering NASH were randomly assigned to receive Cynara scolymus extract (as 6 tablets per day consisting of 2700 mg extract of the herb) as the intervention group or placebo as the control group for two months. Results. Comparing changes in study markers following interventions showed improvement in liver enzymes. The levels of triglycerides and cholesterol were significantly reduced in the group treated with Cynara scolymus when compared to placebo group. To compare the role of Cynara scolymus use with placebo in changes in study parameters, multivariate linear regression models were employed indicating higher improvement in liver enzymes and also lipid profile particularly triglycerides and total cholesterol following administration of Cynara scolymus in comparison with placebo use. Conclusion. This study sheds light on the potential hepatoprotective activity and hypolipidemic effect of Cynara scolymus in management of NASH. This clinical trial is registered in the IRCT, Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, by number IRCT2014070218321N1.

Objectives: to predict¯avonols content of the habitual diets of free-living subjects from urine and plasma concentrations of¯avonols. Design: Ten type 2 diabetic patients (®ve male, ®ve female), mean age 60 (s.e.m. 7) y and BMI 30.2 (s.e.m. 3.5) kgam 2 were treated in a random crossover design for a 2 week period on either a low¯avonoid diet or on the same diet supplemented at one of two high¯avonols levels (total 77.3 or 110.4 mgaday) provided by supplements of 1500 ml tea daily and 400 g fried white onion in olive oil with and without tomato ketchup and herbs. Setting: Glasgow Royal In®rmary, University of Glasgow, Scotland. Main outcome measures: Fasting plasma concentration, urine concentration and 24 h excretion of quercetin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol and myricetin. Results: Plasma¯avonol concentration (r 0.750, P 0.001), 24 h urine concentration (r 0.847, P 0.001) and 24 h urine excretion (r 0.728, P `0.001) were all highly signi®cantly related to dietary intake and gave similar estimates of intakes. Fasting plasma¯avonols concentrations on habitual diets ranged from 0 to 43.7 ngaml mean. Regression equations were constricted: total¯avonols intake r 0.74, P`0.001 and quercetin intake r 0.744, P`0.001. From these equations,¯avonol intakes from habitual diets were estimated at 17±50, mean 35 mgaday. Of this, 91% was from quercetin. Conclusions: Dietary¯avonols are absorbed and appear in plasma and urine as potential biomarkers in concentrations related quantitatively to intake. Estimation of dietary intake from plasma or urine concentrations appears possible. Sponsorship: Rank Prize Funds and Rank Foundation of the Department of Human Nutrition; Ministry of Health and Medical Education, IR Iran.

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Iron supplementation during pregnancy should be more considered. Also women with low education should be asked concerning pregnancy pica.