Serum Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Apple Polyphenols in Healthy Subjects

Antioxidant and Toxicity Activity in Vitro of Twelve Safrole Derivatives

“…On the other hand, In vitro studies and experiments in animal models suggest that the pharmacological activities such as cytoprotective, antitumoral promoting, antiinflammatory, antipyretic and antiplatelet activities have been associated with the ability of fenolic compounds to scavenge highly reactive free radicals 13,14 . In this sense, there is evidence that synthetic antioxidants, some of which possess hydroxyl and nitro groups in their structures, inhibit LDL oxidation and cardioprotective effects [15][16][17][18] ; for this reason the antioxidant capacity of safrole derivatives with phenolic structure and nitro substituent's, might give us excellent a priori information about this property when not yet studied.…”

Annurca (Malus pumila Miller cv. Annurca) apple as a functional food for the contribution to a healthy balance of plasma cholesterol levels: results of a randomized clinical trial

“…Pilot data from an interventional study by Nagasako‐Akazome et al supported the assumption that the probability to achieve a better result on apple extract than placebo is 0.71. Hence a sample size of 21 patients in each group would have 77% power to detect the difference between two groups using a two‐sided Mann–Whitney U test at a 5% significance level.…”

“…Firstly, since both cultivars are characterized by a similar polyphenolic composition, an equivalent in vivo effect of the two cultivars could be reasonably hypothesized, whereas Granny Smith is unquestionably a more widespread and commercially interesting apple. Secondly, Granny Smith apple is the only cultivar that has been employed for a nutraceutical application (Applephenon®) . This product, formulated using Granny Smith apple polyphenolic extract, is the only apple‐based nutraceutical for which clinical study results, regarding the effects on plasma cholesterol levels, are available so far .…”

“…Similarly to fruit in general, the fibre fraction, mainly pectin, would be the major apple component responsible for the reported effects on cholesterol metabolism . Nevertheless, a recent clinical trial in which apple polyphenolic extracts were administered to mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects for 1 month resulted in a significant lowering of TC (5%) and LDL‐C (8%), and a significant increase in HDL‐C levels (5%) …”

“…13,32,33 Nevertheless, a recent clinical trial in which apple polyphenolic extracts were administered to mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects for 1 month resulted in a significant lowering of TC (5%) and LDL-C (8%), and a significant increase in HDL-C levels (5%). 34 Our research group has previously evaluated the antioxidant composition and in vitro effects on specific metabolic parameters of polyphenolic extracts from Annurca apple -the only apple cultivar native to the Campania region of southern Italy, listed as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) product (Commission Regulation (EC) No. 417/2006).…”