Dietary citrus and/or its extracts intake contributed to weight control: Evidence from a systematic review and meta‐analysis of 13 randomized clinical trials

Randomized controlled trials, being published in English and investigating the associations of at least 4 weeks intervention of citrus and/or its extracts on weight loss among adults, were searched from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane by June 2019 to conduct a meta‐analysis. Thirteen articles, including 921 participants, were selected and evaluated by modified Jadad scale. Pooled results by the random‐effects model showed that citrus and/or its extracts administration significantly reduced 1.280 kg body weight (95% CI: ?1.818 to ?0.741, p = 0.000, I² = 81.4%), 0.322 kg/m² BMI (95% CI: ?0.599 to ?0.046, p = 0.022, I² = 87.0%), 2.185 cm WC (95% CI: ?3.804 to ?0.566, p = 0.008, I² = 98.3%), and 2.137 cm HC (95% CI: ?3.775 to ?0.500, p = 0.011, I² = 96.2%), respectively, but no significantly decreased effects on WHR and body fat were observed. Subgroup analysis deduced the different effects of study location, intervention duration on body weight associated indices. No publication bias was observed. Our meta‐analysis supported the beneficial effects of citrus and/or its extracts supplement on body weight control, and future well‐designed studies are required to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of citrus and/or its extracts intervention on body weight.     

新会柑酵素成分综合测定

目的:分析测定新会柑酵素中总黄酮、多糖、蛋白质、氨基酸4类成分的含量,为新会柑酵素综合利用开发提供依据。方法:黄酮采用超声法提取,紫外分光光度法定量;多糖采用水提醇沉法提取,苯酚-硫酸法定量;蛋白质采用细胞裂解法提取,二喹啉甲酸(BCA)试剂盒定量;氨基酸采用超声法提取,茚三酮比色法定量。结果:新会柑酵素A、新会柑酵素B、新会柑肉酵素缩液C中的总黄酮含量分别为0.327 8%、0.122 9%、0.441 4%,多糖含量分别为0.656 3%、0.268 2%、0.242 3%,蛋白质含量分别为6.636 0%、1.388 4%、4.847 2%,氨基酸含量分别为0.527 4%、0.155 8%、0.925 7%。结论:建立了新会柑酵素的总黄酮、多糖、蛋白质、氨基酸的含量测定方法,结果表明,4类成分含量丰富,新会柑酵素具有良好的保健与营养价值。     

陈皮酵素可体内抑制小鼠的肝纤维化

目的 研究陈皮酵素在体内抗肝纤维化的作用。方法 119只雄性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为4组：模型组（n=49）、实验组（n=56）、对照组（n=7）和陈皮酵素组（n=7）。模型组灌胃40% CCl4橄榄油溶液（3×0.1 mL/周）;实验组灌胃40% CCl4橄榄油溶液（3× 0.1 mL/周）和陈皮酵素（0.26 mL/d）;对照组和陈皮酵素组分别给予橄榄油（3×0.1 mL/周）和陈皮酵素（0.26 mL/d）,共8周。采用腹腔注射CCl4的方法来构建小鼠肝纤维化模型,模型组和实验组每周处死7只小鼠,对照组和陈皮酵素组小鼠第8周处死,收集肝脏标本和血清。用HE染色和天狼星红染色观察各组小鼠肝组织病理改变,测定血清甘氨酸、丙氨酸氨基转移酶、谷氨酰胺转氨酶、碱性磷酸酶水平。结果 HE和天狼星染色结果显示,只灌胃CCl4的模型组,肝纤维化程度逐渐加深,表现为汇管区明显的脂肪变性、坏死和炎性细胞浸润。但给予陈皮酵素的实验组炎症程度较模型组减轻,表现为空泡化和炎症细胞浸润减少,胶原沉积减少且实验组 Ishak 评分显著低于模型组（P<0.05）。与模型组相比,实验组血清肝功能指标甘氨酸、丙氨酸氨基转移酶、谷氨酰胺转氨酶、碱性磷酸酶水平显著降低（P<0.05）。结论 陈皮酵素有肝保护作用,可以显著减轻肝纤维化程度。     

柑橘提取物杀菌效果及影响因素试验研究

目的观察以柑橘提取物为主要成分的消毒液的杀菌效果。方法采用悬液定量杀菌试验方法进行了研究。结果以总酸含量为436 mg/L的柑橘提取物消毒液作用3 min,对悬液内金黄色葡萄球菌杀灭对数值>5.00;总酸为872.5 mg/L的该消毒液作用2 min,对大肠杆菌和铜绿假单胞菌杀灭对数值均>5.00;总酸为5584 mg/L的该消毒液作用5min,对白色念珠菌杀灭对数值>4.00。用总酸含量为6980 mg/L的该消毒液作用2 min,对皮肤和物体表面自然菌的平均杀灭对数值均>1.00。菌悬液内含体积分数25%小牛血清可使该消毒液杀菌效果降低。将该提取物消毒液密封储存于37℃90 d,其杀菌效果基本不下降。结论该柑橘提取物消毒液对细菌繁殖体和白色念珠菌杀灭效果较好,性能稳定,但杀菌效果受诸多因素影响。     

From the Cover: A stable antimicrobial peptide with dual functions of treating and preventing citrus Huanglongbing

Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), caused by a vector-transmitted phloem-limited bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), is the most devastating citrus disease worldwide. Currently, there are no effective strategies to prevent infection or to cure HLB-positive trees. Here, using comparative analysis between HLB-sensitive citrus cultivars and HLB-tolerant citrus hybrids and relatives, we identified a novel class of stable antimicrobial peptides (SAMPs). The SAMP from Microcitrus australiasica can rapidly kill Liberibacter crescens (Lcr), a culturable Liberibacter strain, and inhibit infections of CLas and CL. solanacearum in plants. In controlled greenhouse trials, SAMP not only effectively reduced CLas titer and disease symptoms in HLB-positive trees but also induced innate immunity to prevent and inhibit infections. Importantly, unlike antibiotics, SAMP is heat stable, making it better suited for field applications. Spray-applied SAMP was taken up by citrus leaves, stayed stable inside the plants for at least a week, and moved systemically through the vascular system where CLas is located. We further demonstrate that SAMP is most effective on α-proteobacteria and causes rapid cytosol leakage and cell lysis. The α-helix-2 domain of SAMP is sufficient to kill Lcr. Future field trials will help determine the efficacy of SAMP in controlling HLB and the ideal mode of application.

Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening, is caused by the vector-transmitted phloem-limited bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). It is the most destructive disease threatening citrus industries worldwide (1, 2), and thus far, no cure has been discovered. Current management strategies include insecticide application to control the transmission vector Asian citrus psyllids (ACP) and antibiotics treatment to inhibit CLas (3), but neither of these could control HLB effectively. Since the first report of HLB in Florida in 2005, citrus acreage and production in Florida decreased by 38% and 74%, respectively (2, 4). The disease has spread to most citrus-producing states, including Texas and California. Along with drastic losses in fruit production, increasing chemical applications to control the vector and the bacteria have raised costs significantly, making citrus production for growers unsustainable. In severely affected areas, such as Florida, effective therapy is demanded because disease eradication is impractical. In recently impacted areas, such as California, the focus remains on preventing new infections. Hence, innovative therapeutic and preventive strategies to combat this lethal citrus disease are urgently needed to ensure the survival of the citrus industry.One of the most effective and ecofriendly strategies to combat pathogen infection is to utilize existing plant innate immunity–related genes from disease resistant or tolerant varieties for plant protection. Upon pathogen infection, plant defense response genes undergo expression reprogramming to trigger plant innate immunity. Plant endogenous small RNAs play a pivotal role in this regulatory process (5, 6). In addition, primary pathogen infection or application of some phytohormone analogs and chemicals, such as salicylic acid (SA) analogs, could induce systemic acquired resistance or defense priming in plants, which can promote faster and stronger host immune responses upon subsequent pathogen challenges (7, 8).Although all commercially important citrus varieties are susceptible to HLB (9, 10), HLB tolerance has been observed in some hybrids [e.g., US-942 and Sydney hybrid 72 (11, 12)] and close citrus relatives (e.g., Microcitrus australiasica, Eremocitrus glauca, and Poncirus trifoliata) (13). By comparative expression analysis of small RNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) between HLB-sensitive cultivars and HLB-tolerant citrus hybrids and relatives (11, 12), we identified a list of candidate natural defense genes potentially responsible for HLB tolerance (14). One of the candidate regulators is a novel antimicrobial peptide (AMP), which we named “stable antimicrobial peptide” (SAMP). Here, we demonstrate that SAMP not only has the antimicrobial activity but also has the priming activity and can induce citrus systemic defense responses. This dual-functional SAMP can reduce CLas titer and suppress disease symptoms in HLB-positive trees and activate plant systemic defense responses against new infection.     

Eudragit S100 Coated Citrus Pectin Nanoparticles for Colon Targeting of 5-Fluorouracil

In the present study, Eudragit S100 coated Citrus Pectin Nanoparticles (E-CPNs) were prepared for the colon targeting of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). Citrus pectin also acts as a ligand for galectin-3 receptors that are over expressed on colorectal cancer cells. Nanoparticles (CPNs and E-CPNs) were characterized for various physical parameters such as particle size, size distribution, and shape etc. In vitro drug release studies revealed selective drug release in the colonic region in the case of E-CPNs of more than 70% after 24 h. In vitro cytoxicity assay (Sulphorhodamine B assay) was performed against HT-29 cancer cells and exhibited 1.5 fold greater cytotoxicity potential of nanoparticles compared to 5-FU solution. In vivo data clearly depicted that Eudragit S100 successfully guarded nanoparticles to reach the colonic region wherein nanoparticles were taken up and showed drug release for an extended period of time. Therefore, a multifaceted strategy is introduced here in terms of receptor mediated uptake and pH-dependent release using E-CPNs for effective chemotherapy of colorectal cancer with uncompromised safety and efficacy.     

Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine is increased in citrus red mite (Panonychus citri)-sensitive children without asthmatic symptoms

BACKGROUND: A recent investigation has suggested that citrus red mite (Panonychus citri, CRM) is a common sensitizing allergen among children living around citrus farms. OBJECTIVE: A cross-sectional survey was performed to evaluate the bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in CRM-sensitive children without asthmatic symptoms. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 375 children living around citrus farms were enrolled in this study. There were 201 boys and 174 girls with a mean age of 12.5 (range 7-16) years. Each subject was evaluated by a questionnaire, a skin prick test with 13 common inhalant allergens including CRM, and a methacholine bronchial provocation test (MBPT). RESULTS: Positive rate of MBPT (PC20-methacholine < 25 mg/mL) was higher in atopic rhinitic and atopic control children than in nonatopic rhinitic and nonatopic control subjects (41.3% and 33.3% vs 17.2% and 15.4%, respectively, both P < 0.05). Slope of dose-response curve (DRS, %/mg/mL) was higher in atopic rhinitic children than in nonatopic rhinitic, atopic control and nonatopic control subjects (14.3 +/- 0.87 vs 9.4 +/- 0.72, 10.0 +/- 1.37 and 9.2 +/- 1.51, P < 0.05, respectively). Both the positive rate of MBPT and the DRS were increased in children with positive skin response to CRM than in those without sensitization (48.2% vs 22.9%, P = 0.0001; 15.6 +/- 1.26 vs 10.2 +/- 0.65, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Bronchial responsiveness is increased in citrus red mite-sensitive children even if they have no asthmatic symptoms.     

枳实对脑梗死大鼠急性期胃黏膜的保护性作用

目的：观察脑梗死大鼠急性期胃黏膜损害性的变化,研究枳实对脑梗死急性期大鼠胃黏膜的保护性作用。方法采用线栓法制备大脑中动脉闭塞局灶性脑缺血大鼠模型,将所有大鼠分为正常对照组、假手术组、脑梗死组、西咪替丁组、枳实组,连续灌胃4 d后处死大鼠,分离胃组织进行电镜观察。结果与正常对照组及假手术组相比,脑梗死大鼠的胃黏膜结构出现明显的组织破坏,枳实组与西咪替丁均能减轻上述组织破坏,且枳实的疗效优于西咪替丁。结论脑梗死急性期胃黏膜出现明显损害,枳实对急性脑梗死导致的胃黏膜损害具有一定的保护性作用。     

Sensitivity to Myroxylon pereirae resin (balsam of Peru). A study of 50 cases

The Myroxylon pereirae resin (MP; balsam of Peru) is a natural resin used in the local treatment of burns and wounds. M. pereirae extracts and distillates are very often contained in a wide range of cosmetic products and causes frequently allergic contact dermatitis - to the extent of being considered an allergy marker to perfumes. We have carried out a retrospective study of 863 patients who have been submitted to patch tests from January 2002 to June 2004. A total of 50 patients were positive to MP. Thus, the prevalence was 5.79%, slightly higher in men (7.32%) than in women (4.91%). The positive patch tests were relevant in 64%. Over the last years, it appears that there is a clear increase of the prevalence of the sensitization to MP in all the studies published. We observe an increase of the prevalence especially in aged patients, where the sensitization is linked with the use of topical medications secondary to stasis dermatitis. The high frequency of allergy to MP in our area might be associated with manipulation of citrus fruits. The increasing use of cosmetic products by the male population can also be held responsible for the higher sensitization rate in this group of patients.