Tag: polyphenols

Polyphenols as possible alternative agents in chronic fatigue: a review

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a pathological state of extreme tiredness that lasts more than six months and may possess an impact on the social, emotional, or occupational functioning of an individual. CFS is characterized by profound disabling fatigue associated with infectious, rheumatological, and neurological symptoms.

The current pharmacological treatment for CFS does not offer a complete cure for the disease, and none of the available treatments show promising results.

The exact mechanism of the pathogenesis of the disease is still unknown, with current suggestions indicating the overlapping roles of the immune system, central nervous system, and neuroendocrine system.

However, the pathological mechanism revolves around inflammatory and oxidative stress markers.

Polyphenols are the most abundant secondary metabolites of plant origin, with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and can exert protective activity against a whole range of disorders.

The current review is aimed at highlighting the emerging role of polyphenols in CFS from both preclinical and clinical studies. Numerous agents of this class have shown promising results in different in vitro and in vivo models of chronic fatigue/CFS, predominantly by counteracting oxidative stress and the inflammatory cascade.

The clinical data in this regard is still very limited and needs expanding through randomized, placebo-controlled studies to draw final conclusions on whether polyphenols may be a class of clinically effective nutraceuticals in patients with CFS.

Source: Ullah, H., Khan, A., Riccioni, C. et al. Polyphenols as possible alternative agents in chronic fatigue: a review. Phytochem Rev (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-022-09838-9 (Full text)

High cocoa polyphenol rich chocolate may reduce the burden of the symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Chocolate is rich in flavonoids that have been shown to be of benefit in disparate conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer. The effect of polyphenol rich chocolate in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has not been studied previously.

METHODS: We conducted a double blinded, randomised, clinical pilot crossover study comparing high cocoa liquor/polyphenol rich chocolate (HCL/PR) in comparison to simulated iso-calorific chocolate (cocoa liquor free/low polyphenols(CLF/LP)) on fatigue and residual function in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome. Subjects with CFS having severe fatigue of at least 10 out of 11 on the Chalder Fatigue Scale were enrolled. Subjects had either 8 weeks of intervention in the form of HCL/PR or CLF/LP, with a 2 week wash out period followed by 8 weeks of intervention with the other chocolate.

RESULTS: Ten subjects were enrolled in the study. The Chalder Fatigue Scale score improved significantly after 8 weeks of the HCL/PR chocolate arm [median (range) Exact Sig. (2-tailed)] [33 (25 – 38) vs. 21.5 (6 – 35) 0.01], but that deteriorated significantly when subjects were given simulated iso-calorific chocolate (CLF/CP) [ 28.5 (17 – 20) vs. 34.5 (13-26) 0.03]. The residual function, as assessed by the London Handicap scale, also improved significantly after the HCL/PR arm [0.49 (0.33 – 0.62) vs. 0.64 (0.44 – 0.83) 0.01] and deteriorated after iso-calorific chocolate [00.44 (0.43 – 0.68) vs. 0.36 (0.33 – 0.62)0.03]. Likewise the Hospital Anxiety and Depression score also improved after the HCL/PR arm, but deteriorated after CLF/CP. Mean weight remained unchanged throughout the trial.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that HCL/PR chocolate may improve symptoms in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome.

 

Source: Sathyapalan T, Beckett S, Rigby AS, Mellor DD, Atkin SL. High cocoa polyphenol rich chocolate may reduce the burden of the symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome. Nutr J. 2010 Nov 22;9:55. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-9-55. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3001690/ (Full article)

 

Epigallocatechin gallate ameliorates chronic fatigue syndrome in mice: behavioral and biochemical evidence

Abstract:

Three decades after the coining of the term chronic fatigue syndrome, the diagnosis of this illness is still symptom based and the aetiology remains elusive. Chronic fatigue syndrome pathogenesis seems to be multifactorial and the possible involvement of immune system is supported. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of the epigallocatechin gallate in a mouse model of immunologically induced chronic fatigue.

On 19th day, after lipopolysaccharide/Brucella abortus administration, the mice showed significant increase in immobility period, post swim fatigue and thermal hyperalgesia. Behavioral deficits were coupled with enhanced oxidative-nitrosative stress as evident by increased lipid peroxidation, nitrite levels and decreased endogenous antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and catalase) and inflammation (increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and tissue growth factor-beta).

Chronic treatment with epigallocatechin gallate restored these behavioral and biochemical alterations in mice. The present study points out towards the beneficial effect of epigallocatechin gallate in the amelioration of chronic fatigue syndrome and thus may provide a new, effective and powerful strategy to treat chronic fatigue syndrome.

 

Source: Sachdeva AK, Kuhad A, Tiwari V, Chopra K. Epigallocatechin gallate ameliorates chronic fatigue syndrome in mice: behavioral and biochemical evidence. Behav Brain Res. 2009 Dec 28;205(2):414-20. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2009.07.020. Epub 2009 Jul 28. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19643148

 

Modulation of antigen-induced chronic fatigue in mouse model of water immersion stress by naringin, a polyphenolic antioxidant

Abstract:

It is believed that physical stress, infection and oxidative stress are involved in the development of chronic fatigue syndrome. There is little evidence stating the beneficial role of nutritional supplements in chronic fatigue syndrome. Based on this, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of naringin, a natural polyphenol, in a mouse model of immunologically-induced fatigue, wherein purified lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as well as Brucella abortus (BA) antigen was used as immunogens.

The assessment of chronic fatigue syndrome was based on chronic water-immersion stress test for 10 mins as well as measurement of hyperalgesia for 19 days. Immobility time and tail withdrawal latency as well as oxidative stress were taken as the markers of fatigue. Mice challenged with LPS or BA for 19 days showed significant increase in the immobility time, hyperalgesia and oxidative stress on 19th day. Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels markedly increased with LPS or BA challenge.

Concurrent treatment with naringin resulted in the significant decrease in the immobility time as well as hyperalgesia. There was significant attenuation of oxidative stress as well as in TNF-alpha levels. Present findings strongly suggest the role of oxidative stress and immunological activation in the pathophysiology of chronic fatigue syndrome, and treatment with naringin can be a valuable option in chronic fatigue syndrome.

 

Source: Vij G, Gupta A, Chopra K. Modulation of antigen-induced chronic fatigue in mouse model of water immersion stress by naringin, a polyphenolic antioxidant. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2009 Jun;23(3):331-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2009.00675.x. Epub 2009 Mar 11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19469804