The synergistic effect of Citrus bergamia and Cynara cardunculus extracts on vascular inflammation and oxidative stress in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Vincenzo Musolino; Micaela Gliozzi; Ezio Bombardelli; Saverio Nucera; Cristina Carresi; Jessica Maiuolo; Rocco Mollace; Sara Paone; Francesca Bosco; Federica Scarano; Miriam Scicchitano; Roberta Macrì; Stefano Ruga; Maria Caterina Zito; Ernesto Palma; Santo Gratteri; Monica Ragusa; Maurizio Volterrani; Massimo Fini; Vincenzo Mollace

Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (May 2020)

The synergistic effect of Citrus bergamia and Cynara cardunculus extracts on vascular inflammation and oxidative stress in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Vincenzo Musolino,
Micaela Gliozzi,
Ezio Bombardelli,
Saverio Nucera,
Cristina Carresi,
Jessica Maiuolo,
Rocco Mollace,
Sara Paone,
Francesca Bosco,
Federica Scarano,
Miriam Scicchitano,
Roberta Macrì,
Stefano Ruga,
Maria Caterina Zito,
Ernesto Palma,
Santo Gratteri,
Monica Ragusa,
Maurizio Volterrani,
Massimo Fini,
Vincenzo Mollace

Affiliations

Vincenzo Musolino: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Micaela Gliozzi: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Ezio Bombardelli: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Saverio Nucera: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Cristina Carresi: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Jessica Maiuolo: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Rocco Mollace: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Sara Paone: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Francesca Bosco: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Federica Scarano: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Miriam Scicchitano: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Roberta Macrì: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Stefano Ruga: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Maria Caterina Zito: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Ernesto Palma: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Santo Gratteri: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Monica Ragusa: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy
Maurizio Volterrani: San Raffaele IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Massimo Fini: San Raffaele IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Vincenzo Mollace: Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Nutramed Scarl and, Italy; San Raffaele IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Corresponding author. Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH), University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Loc. Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10, no. 3
pp. 268 – 274

Abstract

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Background and aim: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) represents a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. NAFLD is worsened by the simultaneous occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) causing an enhancement of inflammatory and fibrotic processes. Although insulin resistance appears the link between NAFLD and T2DM, current pharmacological treatments of T2DM failed to produce relevant benefits in preventing T2DM-related liver dysfunction. In this randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, we evaluated the effect of Bergacyn, an innovative formulation originating from the combination of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction (BPF) and Cynara cardunculus (CyC). Experimental procedure: 80 adult patients with a history of at least 12 months of T2DM and NAFLD received orally BPF (300 mg/daily) Cyc (300 mg/daily), separately or formulated in combination 50/50% (Bergacyn; 300 mg/daily), or placebo all containing 300 mg of bergamot albedo fibers micronized and co-grinded as excipients. Results and conclusion: Serum measurements and liver ultrasound analyses showed that concomitant administration of BPF and CyC produced significant improvement of NAFLD biomarkers in patients with T2DM. This effect was associated with a substantial reduction of oxidative stress/inflammatory biomarkers, thus contributing to a significant improvement of NO-mediated reactive vasodilation. Furthermore, the effect of Bergacyn showed a synergistic effect of both extracts, thus suggesting that this peculiar formulation represents a novel therapeutic strategy to counteract vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in patients suffering from T2DM and NAFLD. Further studies in larger cohort of diabetic patients are required to better identify the potential of Bergacyn on metabolic disorders accompanying T2DM and NAFLD.

Published in Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine

ISSN: 2225-4110 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-traditional-and-complementary-medicine/

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