Protective effects of extracts from Ephedra foeminea Forssk fruits against oxidative injury in human endothelial cells

Khalil, Mohamad; Khalifeh, Hala; Saad, Fatima; Serale, Nadia; Salis, Annalisa; Damonte, Gianluca; Lupidi, Giulio; Daher, Ahmad; Vergani, Laura

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.112976

Cited by 17 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 57 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, no significant differences were found in the ABTS radical scavenging activity of the five E. foeminea crude extracts. The DPPH, ABTS, FRAP antioxidant activity expressed as Trolox equivalents of E. foeminea collected from South Lebanon was reported in a recent study, where the radical scavenging activities varied according to solvent system used [ 74 ]. Our results concluded that methanol is the most relatively efficient solvent for extracting diverse bioactive metabolites from E. foeminea .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Untargeted Metabolomic Profiling and Antioxidant Capacities of Different Solvent Crude Extracts of Ephedra foeminea

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ephedra foeminea is a traditional medicinal plant used in the Eastern Mediterranean region. This study aims to investigate the chemical profiles of different solvent extracts of E. foeminea via an untargeted metabolomics approach, alongside determining their antioxidant capacities. E. foeminea samples collected from Jordan were macerated in solvents of varying polarities; dichloromethane/methanol, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and acetone. The crude extracts were subjected to comprehensive chemical profiling and metabolomics study using Gas chromatography–Mass spectrometry (GC–MS), Liquid chromatography–Mass spectrometry (LC–MS), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The obtained data were analyzed using Venn diagrams, Principle Component Analysis (PCA), and Metabolite Enrichment Set Analysis (MESA). ABTS assay was performed to measure the crude extracts’ antioxidant activity. MESA revealed the dominant chemical groups as amino acids, fatty acids, carboxylic acids, and carbohydrates. Results indicated that dichloromethane/methanol and methanolic extracts had the most distinct composition as well as the most unique compounds. The methanolic extract had the most potency (IC50 249.6 µg/mL) in the ABTS assay. However, no significant differences were found. In conclusion, solvents influenced the recovery of metabolites in E. foeminea and the antioxidant activity of the E. foeminea methanolic extract could be correlated to the abundant presence of diverse bioactive compounds.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Untargeted Metabolomic Profiling and Antioxidant Capacities of Different Solvent Crude Extracts of Ephedra foeminea

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Ephedra foeminea is known in Jordan as Alanda and traditionally. It is used to treat respiratory symptoms such as asthma and skin rashes [ 10 ]. The plant is a small evergreen climbing or hanging shrub and found in the Eastern Mediterranean region.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antioxidant and Antihyperglycemic Effects of Ephedra foeminea Aqueous Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Ephedra foeminea is known in Jordan as Alanda and traditionally. It is used to treat respiratory symptoms such as asthma and skin rashes as an infusion in boiling water. The purpose of this study was to determine the antidiabetic property of Ephedra foeminea aqueous extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The aqueous extract of Ephedra foeminea plant was used to determine the potential of its efficacy in the treatment of diabetes, and this extract was tested on diabetic rats as a model. The chemical composition of Ephedra foeminea aqueous extract was determined using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Antioxidant activity was assessed using two classical assays (ABTS and DPPH). Results: The most abundant compounds in the Ephedra foeminea extract were limonene (6.3%), kaempferol (6.2%), stearic acid (5.9%), β-sitosterol (5.5%), thiamine (4.1%), riboflavin (3.1%), naringenin (2.8%), kaempferol-3-rhamnoside (2.3%), quercetin (2.2%), and ferulic acid (2.0%). The antioxidant activity of Ephedra foeminea aqueous extract was remarkable, as evidenced by radical scavenging capacities of 12.28 mg Trolox/g in ABTS and 72.8 mg GAE/g in DPPH. In comparison to control, induced diabetic rats treated with Ephedra foeminea extract showed significant improvement in blood glucose levels, lipid profile, liver, and kidney functions. Interleukin 1 and glutathione peroxidase levels in the spleen, pancreas, kidney, and liver of induced diabetic rats treated with Ephedra foeminea extract were significantly lower than in untreated diabetic rats. Conclusions: Ephedra foeminea aqueous extract appears to protect diabetic rats against oxidative stress and improve blood parameters. In addition, it has antioxidant properties that might be very beneficial medicinally.

show abstract

“…For some molecular parameters, we did not observe a dose-dependent effect of SAMe in the range of concentrations under analyses. However, the lack of a clear dose-response relationship has often been reported in vitro when the range of doses is rather narrow, as in the present study and in other papers of our group [52,53]. We wish to emphasize that, in the present study, we focused on SAMe concentrations that may have appreciable beneficial effects without any toxicity because of our interest in the nutraceutical potential of this molecule.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

New Perspectives of S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) Applications to Attenuate Fatty Acid-Induced Steatosis and Oxidative Stress in Hepatic and Endothelial Cells

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is an endogenous methyl donor derived from ATP and methionine that has pleiotropic functions. Most SAMe is synthetized and consumed in the liver, where it acts as the main methylating agent and in protection against the free radical toxicity. Previous studies have shown that the administration of SAMe as a supernutrient exerted many beneficial effects in various tissues, mainly in the liver. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the direct effects of SAMe on fatty acid-induced steatosis and oxidative stress in hepatic and endothelial cells. Hepatoma FaO cells and endothelial HECV cells exposed to a mixture of oleate/palmitate are reliable models for hepatic steatosis and endothelium dysfunction, respectively. Our findings indicate that SAMe was able to significantly ameliorate lipid accumulation and oxidative stress in hepatic cells, mainly through promoting mitochondrial fatty acid entry for β-oxidation and external triglyceride release. SAMe also reverted both lipid accumulation and oxidant production (i.e., ROS and NO) in endothelial cells. In conclusion, these outcomes suggest promising beneficial applications of SAMe as a nutraceutical for metabolic disorders occurring in fatty liver and endothelium dysfunction.

show abstract

Protective effects of extracts from Ephedra foeminea Forssk fruits against oxidative injury in human endothelial cells

Cited by 17 publications

References 57 publications

Untargeted Metabolomic Profiling and Antioxidant Capacities of Different Solvent Crude Extracts of Ephedra foeminea

Untargeted Metabolomic Profiling and Antioxidant Capacities of Different Solvent Crude Extracts of Ephedra foeminea

Antioxidant and Antihyperglycemic Effects of Ephedra foeminea Aqueous Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

New Perspectives of S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) Applications to Attenuate Fatty Acid-Induced Steatosis and Oxidative Stress in Hepatic and Endothelial Cells

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About