Cadmium nephrotoxicity is a serious environmental health problem as it will eventually end up with end stage renal disease. The pathobiochemical mechanism of this toxic heavy metal is related to oxidative stress. This study investigated whether Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala fruit extract (CNFE) could protect the kidney against oxidative injury caused by cadmium. Initial analysis of the extract revealed antioxidant abilities and high levels of polyphenols, particularly catechin. Its potential renal benefits was further explored in rats treated with vehicle, CNFE, cadmium (2 mg/kg), and cadmium plus CNFE (0.5, 1, 2 g/kg) for four weeks. Oxidative renal injury was developed after cadmium exposure as evidenced by blood urea nitrogen and creatinine retention, glomerular filtration reduction, renal structural damage, together with increased nitric oxide and malondialdehyde, but decreased antioxidant thiols, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in renal tissues. Cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity was diminished in rats supplemented with CNFE, particularly at the doses of 1 and 2 g/kg. It is concluded that CNFE is able to protect against the progression of cadmium nephrotoxicity, mostly via its antioxidant power. The results also point towards a promising role for this naturally-occurring antioxidant to combat other human disorders elicited by disruption of redox homeostasis.

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Acne vulgaris impairs the appearance of an individual and causes psychological irritation. Inflammatory acne lesion is caused by multifactor incorporates in each step of acne pathogenesis. In an attempt to archive inflammatory lesion treatment with the promise of prevention of acne vulgaris, randomized and double-blind studies on the comparison of the efficacies of topical formulations containing 5% sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP) and 0.2% retinol, separately as well as in combination application, were conducted. The resulting data showed that SAP reduced the inflammatory lesion by 20.14% and 48.82% within 4 and 8 weeks respectively. Application of the formulation containing retinol slightly improved the treatment efficacy as the lesion reduced by 21.79% and 49.50% after 4 and 8 weeks respectively. The combination treatment significantly reduced the inflammatory lesion by 29.28% after 4 weeks and 63.10% after 8 weeks of application. The most effective treatment was by using the combination of 5% SAP and 0.2% retinol, which incorporated the synergistic effects on lipid peroxidation and sebaceous gland function in addition to the enhancement of SAP permeability by the desquamation of stratum corneum influenced by retinol, keratin plug removal and anti-inflammatory effect of retinol. This study promises for the development of cosmetic products to overcome aesthetic and psychological problems caused by acne vulgaris.

Background: Star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L.) is a seasonal fruit, which has proven antioxidant and inflammation activities in vitro. However, sweet-type is more available than sour-type. Therefore, developing a new product from sweet-type star fruit, and evaluating its effectiveness on antioxidants and inflammation have been very challenging. Objectives: The aims were to develop a prototype product from sweet-type star fruit and evaluate its effectiveness with or without walking exercise on participants with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: The prototype product of sweet-type star fruit was prepared industrially by mixing with honey before nutrients such as L-ascorbic acid (Vit C) and total phenolic compound, and contaminants like chemicals, microbials and oxalic acid were evaluated. Effectiveness of this product on antioxidents, inflammation and physical function was evaluated in participants with stable COPD with and without walking exercise, and compared to walking exercise and control participants. Two spoons of the product (20 g) in sterile warm water (150 mL) were guided and consumed twice daily for 4 weeks, whereas the walking exercise was prescribed with moderate intensity at home for 30 min 3 days per week. Plasma Vit C, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrotic factoralpha (TNF-∝) and 6-minutes walking distance (6MWD) were evaluated before and after the 4-week study period. Results: The prototype product composed of star fruit juice with honey (1:1, v:v). Main nutrients were composed of ash (0.4 g), carbohydrate (74.59 g), lipid (2.88 g), protein (0.57 g) and 326.56 kcal of total energy, whereas Vit C and total phenolic compound were equivalent to 0.25 ± 0.11 mg and 144.89 ± 2.51 µg gallic acid equivalent in a 100 gram of product. The results of chemicals and microbials showed safety under food conditions. The results of study compared the ages of stable COPD participants between those of the controls (n=10, 69.20±1.40 years), and those with star fruit juice and honey supplement (n=20, 71.25 ± 6.01 years), walking exercise (n=15, 60.60±3.38 years), and supplement with walking exercise (n=15, 64.40±1.63 years) and no statistical difference was shown in any parameters in the control group. Whereas, the plasma Vit C and TAC levels increased, and MDA and TNF-∝ levels reduced significantly, in the supplement consumption group, which was in contrast to the Vit C, MDA and TNF-∝ levels in the walking exercise group. However, the TAC level increased significantly when the walking exercise was completed. When the prototype product was applied to the walking exercise, the levels of Vit C and TAC increased, and MDA and TNF-∝ levels reduced significantly. Whereas, the supplement levels increased significantly in all of the groups, especially in the 6MWD. Conclusion: This study proposed that sweet-type star fruit can be prepared industrially by mixing with honey, and be developed as a new commercial product with antioxidant and inflammation activities for p...

e aim of this study was to develop green robusta coffee beans extract loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for enhancing dermal application and its efficiency. e green robusta coffee beans extract cultivated in Chumphon (CP) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay with IC 50 of 34.1 ± 0.9 µg/ml, lipid peroxidation inhibition with percentage inhibition of 38.8 ± 1.7, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay with a FRAP value of 234.5 ± 12.3 mM FeSO 4 /g. e extract contained caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid as major compounds. e anti-inflammatory test indicated that CP could decrease the secretion of IL-6 in macrophage cells and caused no irritation to blood vessels on the irritation test by hen's egg test chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) assay. e particle size of CP-loaded NLCs was 158.1 ± 0.2 nm with a narrow polydispersity index and showed no noticeable difference after the stability test. Entrapment efficacy of CP-loaded NLCs was found to be over 60%. Caffeine and chlorogenic acid in CP-loaded NLCs were released sustainably and penetrated deeper into the skin than the extract in a conventional emulsion. In conclusion, the CP-loaded NLCs can be further used in cosmetics for dermal applications due to good efficacy and safety.