Role of nutraceuticals in human health

Enhancing the physicochemical properties and bioactivities of 2'-hydroxyflavanone through fungal biotransformation

Flavonoids comprise a group of natural compounds with diverse bioactivities; however, their low water solubility and limited bioavailability often impede their potential health benefits for humans. In this study, five derivatives, namely 2',5'-dihydroxyflavanone (1), 2'-dihydroxyflavanone-5'-O-4″-O-methyl-β-d-glucoside (2), 2'-dihydroxyflavanone-6-O-4″-O-methyl-β-d-glucoside (3), 2'-dihydroxyflavanone-3'-O-4″-O-methyl-β-d-glucoside (4) and hydroxyflavanone-2'-O-4″-O-methyl-β-d-glucoside (5), were biosynthesized from 2'-hydroxyflavanone through microbial transformation using Beauveria bassiana ATCC 7159. Product 1 was identified as a known compound while 2-5 were structurally characterized as new structures through extensive 1D and 2D NMR analysis. The water solubility of biotransformed products 1-5 was enhanced by 30-280 times compared to the substrate 2'-hydroxyflavanone. Moreover, the antioxidant assay revealed that 1 and 2 exhibited improved 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity relative to the substrate, decreasing the logIC50 from 8.08 ± 0.11 μM to 6.19 ± 0.08 μM and 7.15 ± 0.08 μM, respectively. Compound 5 displayed significantly improved anticancer activity compared to the substrate 2'-hydroxyflavanone against Glioblastoma 33 cancer stem cells, decreasing the IC50 from 25.05 μM to 10.59 μM. Overall, fungal biotransformation represents an effective tool to modify flavonoids for enhanced water solubility and bioactivities.

Contamination of trace, non-essential/heavy metals in nutraceuticals/dietary supplements: A chemometric modelling approach and evaluation of human health risk upon dietary exposure

Across the world, nutraceuticals/dietary supplements are commonly consumed without medical supervision, and believing these products are harmless to health. However, these products may contain trace (TMs) and non-essential/heavy metals (nHMs) as contaminants at levels higher than the recommended daily allowance (RDA), which can be hazardous to human health. Consequently, it is crucial to assess the levels of these metals to ensure the safety of these products. This study aimed to analyze the concentration of TMs (Mn, Cu and Zn) and nHMs (Al, Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb) in nutraceuticals/dietary supplements. Metal analysis was conducted using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Multivariate and bivariate analysis including principle component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) were applied to understand inter-metal association and sources of these metals. Concentration ranges for TMs were found as, Mn (0.2-4.3 mg/kg), Cu (0.11-2.54 mg/kg), and Zn (0.1-22.66 mg/kg) while the nHMs concentration ranges were: Al (0.046-3.336 mg/kg), Cr (0.11-1.63 mg/kg), Ni (0.18-0.72 mg/kg), Cd (0.04-0.92 mg/kg), and Pb (0.18-1.08 mg/kg). The levels of tolerable dietary intake (TDI) for Cr and Ni, and the provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) limit for Cd, exceeded the values set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The estimation of the target hazard quotient (THQ <1), hazard index (HI < 1) and cumulative cancer risk (CCR <1 ✕ 10-3) indicated no significant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks associated with consuming these products. Therefore, the primary recommendation from this study is to use the nutraceuticals/dietary supplements should be under the supervision of dietitian.

Advancements in application of chitosan and cyclodextrins in biomedicine and pharmaceutics: recent progress and future trends

The global community is faced with numerous health concerns such as cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, diabetes, joint pain, osteoporosis, among others. With the advancement of research in the fields of materials chemistry and medicine, pharmaceutical technology and biomedical analysis have entered a new stage of development. The utilization of natural oligosaccharides and polysaccharides in pharmaceutical/biomedical studies has gained significant attention. Over the past decade, several studies have shown that chitosan and cyclodextrin have promising biomedical implications in background analysis, ongoing development, and critical applications in biomedical and pharmaceutical research fields. This review introduces different types of saccharides/natural biopolymers such as chitosan and cyclodextrin and discusses their wide-ranging applications in the biomedical/pharmaceutical research area. Recent research advances in pharmaceutics and drug delivery based on cyclodextrin, and their response to smart stimuli, as well as the biological functions of cyclodextrin and chitosan, such as the immunomodulatory effects, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, have also been discussed, along with their applications in tissue engineering, wound dressing, and drug delivery systems. Finally, the innovative applications of chitosan and cyclodextrin in the pharmaceutical/biomedicine were reviewed, and current challenges, research/technological gaps, and future development opportunities were surveyed.

The way forward to produce nutraceuticals from agri-food processing residues: obstacle, solution, and possibility

Food matrices contain bioactive compounds that have health benefits beyond nutritional value. The bulk of bioactive chemicals are still present in agro-industrial by-products as food matrices. Throughout the food production chain, there is a lot of agro-industrial waste that, if not managed effectively, could harm the environment, company, and how nutritiously and adequately people eat. It's important to establish processes that maximise the use of agro-industrial by-products, such as biological technologies that improve the extraction and acquisition of bioactive compounds for the food and pharmaceutical industries. As opposed to nonbiological processes, biological procedures provide high-quality, bioactive extracts with minimum toxicity and environmental impact. Fermentation and enzymatic treatment are biological processes for obtaining bioactive compounds from agro-industrial waste. In this context, this article summarises the principal bioactive components in agro-industrial byproducts and the biological methods employed to extract them. In this review efficient utilization of bioactive compounds from agro-industrial waste more effectively in food and pharmaceutical industries has been described.

Amelioration of Phytanic Acid-Induced Neurotoxicity by Nutraceuticals: Mechanistic Insights

Phytanic acid (PA) (3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecanoic acid) is a methyl-branched fatty acid that enters the body through food consumption, primarily through red meat, dairy products, and fatty marine foods. The metabolic byproduct of phytol is PA, which is then oxidized by the ruminal microbiota and some marine species. The first methyl group at the 3-position prevents the β-oxidation of branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA). Instead, α-oxidation of PA results in the production of pristanic acid (2,10,14-tetramethylpentadecanoic acid) with CO2. This fatty acid (FA) builds up in individuals with certain peroxisomal disorders and is historically linked to neurological impairment. It also causes oxidative stress in synaptosomes, as demonstrated by an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is a sign of oxidative stress. This review concludes that the nutraceuticals (melatonin, piperine, quercetin, curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), coenzyme Q10, ω-3 FA) can reduce oxidative stress and enhanced the activity of mitochondria. Furthermore, the use of nutraceuticals completely reversed the neurotoxic effects of PA on NO level and membrane potential. Additionally, the review further emphasizes the urgent need for more research into dairy-derived BCFAs and their impact on human health.

Effects of Combinations of Dietary Vitamin C and Acetylsalicylic Acid on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and, Serum and Immune Response Parameters in Broilers

This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of ascorbic acid (VC) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on broiler health and performance. A total of 200 Ross 308 male broilers were divided into five groups, each receiving different dietary combinations of ASA and VC (ASA: 50 or 100 mg/kg; VC: 200 or 400 mg/kg). The 42-day trial assessed parameters such as feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass characteristics, serum parameters, immune response and cecal microbial flora. The results indicate significant treatment effects on feed intake and growth performance, with a higher feed intake of ADG and FCR in treatment groups (p < 0.05). Serum lipid parameters were unaffected, but creatine kinase increased with ASA and VC intake (p < 0.05). Changes in sheep red blood cell titers and influenza antibodies were noted (p < 0.05). The combination of ASA and VC positively influenced carcass traits, reducing abdominal fat and altering the ratio of immune response organs to body weight (p < 0.05). Additionally, the cecal E. coli count decreased with treatment (p < 0.05). This study underscores the intricate interactions between ASA and VC supplementation, growth performance and carcass composition and immune response in broilers. Further research is warranted to explore dosage nuances and variations under specific stress conditions.

Targeting Metabolic Diseases: The Role of Nutraceuticals in Modulating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

The escalating prevalence of metabolic and cardiometabolic disorders, often characterized by oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, poses significant health challenges globally. As the traditional therapeutic approaches may sometimes fall short in managing these health conditions, attention is growing toward nutraceuticals worldwide; with compounds being obtained from natural sources with potential therapeutic beneficial effects being shown to potentially support and, in some cases, replace pharmacological treatments, especially for individuals who do not qualify for conventional pharmacological treatments. This review delves into the burgeoning field of nutraceutical-based pharmacological modulation as a promising strategy for attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation in metabolic and cardiometabolic disorders. Drawing from an extensive body of research, the review showcases various nutraceutical agents, such as polyphenols, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, which exhibit antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. All these can be classified as novel nutraceutical-based drugs that are capable of regulating pathways to mitigate oxidative-stress- and inflammation-associated metabolic diseases. By exploring the mechanisms through which nutraceuticals interact with oxidative stress pathways and immune responses, this review highlights their potential to restore redox balance and temper chronic inflammation. Additionally, the challenges and prospects of nutraceutical-based interventions are discussed, encompassing bioavailability enhancement, personalized treatment approaches, and clinical translation. Through a comprehensive analysis of the latest scientific reports, this article underscores the potential of nutraceutical-based pharmacological treatment modulation as a novel avenue to fight oxidative stress and inflammation in the complex landscape of metabolic disorders, particularly accentuating their impact on cardiovascular health.

The Role of Nutraceutical Supplements in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Mini Review

BACKGROUND

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prolonged bowel illness that is generally stress-related and is characterized by a variety of gastrointestinal problems, the most prominent of which is chronic visceral abdominal discomfort. As a result, IBS typically impacts sufferers' standard of living, and it is typically associated with depression and anxiety symptoms. IBS medication is based mostly on symptom alleviation. However, no effective medicines have been discovered too far. As a result, it is essential to discover novel anti-IBS medications.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this brief review is to describe the existing research on nutraceutical supplements in irritable bowel syndrome management, including probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, herbal products, and dietary fibers.

METHODS

This review covered the relevant papers from the previous twenty years that were available in different journals such as Science Direct, Elsevier, NCBI, and Web of Science that were related to the role and function of nutraceuticals in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

RESULTS

Nutraceutical substances have a variety of modes of action, including restoring the healthy microbiome, improving the function of the gastrointestinal barrier, immunomodulatory, antiinflammatory, and antinociceptive properties. According to the literature, these substances not only can improve irritable bowel syndrome symptomatology but also have an excellent long-term safety profile.

CONCLUSION

Irritable bowel syndrome is a prolonged bowel illness with a lot of gastrointestinal problems. The nutraceuticals treatment works as an anti-IBS intervention and enhances patient compliance with minimum side effects since patients take it better than pharmaceutical treatments.

Dietary supplements, nutraceuticals and functional foods use after myocardial infarction depend on the age, sex, BMI and professional activity - a pilot study

OBJECTIVES

To assess dietary supplements, functional foods and nutraceuticals use among the patients after myocardial infarction (MI).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The authors prospectively enrolled 100 consecutive patients hospitalized due to MI and remaining under coordinated outpatient care after MI in the authors' cardiology department.

RESULTS

The authors showed that patients within median (interquartile range) 12.30 (10.18-14.57) months after MI use dietary supplements, nutraceuticals and functional foods in their everyday diet. Vitamins (53% patients), especially vitamin D (35%), were the most frequently used dietary supplements. In contrary to common usage of dietary supplements (59%), smaller proportion of patients use functional foods (21%) and nutraceuticals (5%), especially phytosterols. The authors found that the use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and dietary supplements is associated with age (participants <60 years old vs. participants ≥60 years old: OTC drugs: N = 8 [20.0%] vs. N = 32 [53.3%], p < 0.001; herbals: N = 3 [7.5%] vs. N = 16 [26.7%], p = 0.019), sex of the patients following MI (females vs. males: vitamins: N = 17 [70.8%] vs. N = 36 [47,4%], p = 0.045; vitamin D: N = 13 [54.2%] vs. N = 22 [28.9%], p = 0.024; omega-3 fatty acids: N = 3 [12.5%] vs. N = 1 [1.3%], p = 0.042; herbals: N = 8 [33.3%] vs. N = 11[14.5%], p = 0.040), as well as the BMI of the participants (BMI < 24.9 vs. BMI ≥ 25.0: multivitamin/ multimineral dietary supplements: N = 3 [15.0%] vs. N = 31 [42.5%], p = 0.035; vitamin B6: N = 1 [5.0%] vs. N = 21 [28.8%], p = 0.035). In the study group all participants with the age above retirement age have already withdrawn from professional activity and they more often used OTC drugs (N = 14 [25.9%] before retirement age vs. N = 26 [56.5%] above retirement age, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The patients following MI use supplements, functional foods and nutraceuticals. Their use depends on sex, age, BMI and professional activity. The authors believe that their potential beneficial effects require further evaluation in clinical longitudinal studies. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(6):732-43.

Effects of Dietary Components on Mast Cells: Possible Use as Nutraceuticals for Allergies?

Allergic diseases affect an estimated 30 percent of the world's population. Mast cells (MC) are the key effector cells of allergic reactions by releasing pro-inflammatory mediators such as histamine, lipid mediators, and cytokines/chemokines. Components of the daily diet, including certain fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins, as well as secondary plant components, may have effects on MC and thus may be of interest as nutraceuticals for the prevention and treatment of allergies. This review summarizes the anti-inflammatory effects of dietary components on MC, including the signaling pathways involved, in in vitro and in vivo models. Butyrate, calcitriol, kaempferol, quercetin, luteolin, resveratrol, curcumin, and cinnamon extract were the most effective in suppressing the release of preformed and de novo synthesized mediators from MC or in animal models. In randomized controlled trials (RCT), vitamin D, quercetin, O-methylated epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, curcumin, and cinnamon extract improved symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR) and reduced the number of inflammatory cells in patients. However, strategies to overcome the poor bioavailability of these nutrients are an important part of current research.

Curcumin improves the ability of donepezil to ameliorate memory impairment in Drosophila melanogaster: involvement of cholinergic and cnc/Nrf2-redox systems

One of the well-established models for examining neurodegeneration and neurotoxicity is the Drosophila melanogaster model of aluminum-induced toxicity. Anti-cholinesterase drugs have been combined with other neuroprotective agents to improve Alzheimer's disease management, but there is not much information on the combination of anti-cholinesterases with dietary polyphenols to combat memory impairment. Here, we assess how curcumin influences some of the critical therapeutic effects of donepezil (a cholinesterase inhibitor) in AlCl3-treated Drosophila melanogaster. Harwich strain flies were exposed to 40 mM AlCl3 - alone or in combination with curcumin (1 mg/g) and/or donepezil (12.5 µg/g and 25 µg/g) - for seven days. The flies' behavioral evaluations (memory index and locomotor performance) were analyzed. Thereafter, the flies were processed into homogenates for the quantification of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), catalase, total thiol, and rate of lipid peroxidation, as well as the mRNA levels of acetylcholinesterase (ACE1) and cnc/NRF2. Results showed that AlCl3-treated flies presented impaired memory and increased activities of acetylcholinesterase and lipid peroxidation, while there were decrease in total thiol levels and catalase activity when compared to the control. Also, the expression of ACE1 was significantly increased while that of cnc/NRF2 was significantly decreased. However, combinations of curcumin and donepezil, especially at lower dose of donepezil, significantly improved the memory index and biochemical parameters compared to donepezil alone. Thus, curcumin plus donepezil offers unique therapeutic effects during memory impairment in the D. melanogaster model of neurotoxicity.

Cutting-edge knowledge on the roles of phytobiotics and their proposed modes of action in swine

With the ban on antibiotics in the swine industry, the exploration of alternative options has highlighted phytobiotics as a promising substitute for antibiotic growth promoters, aiming to foster a more sustainable swine industry. Phytobiotics are non-nutritive natural bioactive components derived from plants that offer numerous health benefits. They exhibit antioxidative, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Phytobiotics can be utilized in various forms, including solid, dried, ground, or as extracts, either in crude or concentrated form. They are characterized by low residual levels, a lack of resistance development, and minimal adverse effects. These qualities make phytobiotics an attractive choice for enhancing health and productivity in swine, presenting them as a viable alternative to antibiotics. While there is a general understanding of the effects of phytobiotics, there is still a need for detailed information regarding their effectiveness and mechanisms of action in practical settings. Therefore, the purpose of this mini review was to summarize the current knowledge supporting the roles of phytobiotics and their proposed modes of action, with a specific focus on swine.

In Vitro Assessment of The Bioactive Compounds and Anticancer Potential of Citrus medica Leaf Extract

Citrus medica is a horticultural crop grown in different parts of the world. The plant leaves have medicinal importance in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. The leaves are an underutilised part of the plant, despite having various bioactive compounds with health benefits, with phytochemical analysis having revealed the presence of flavonoids, fatty acids, alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, carbohydrates and phytosterols. The biochemical constituents were identified using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which confirmed the presence of terpenoids, alcohols, alkanes, phytosterols and fatty acids. Among these, methyl 8, 11, 14-heptadecatrienoate is a linolenic acid, and α-linolenic acid, trimethylsilyl ester and levulinic acid are the predominant compounds belonging to the omega-3 fatty acid group, which has known health benefits. Further, the antimicrobial activity of C. medica plant leaves were tested against certain food-borne pathogens and showed significant results. The minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 6.09 mg/mL to 390 mg/mL for bacterial organisms and 48.75 mg/mL to 390 mg/mL for fungal organisms. The antioxidant activity values were 300 μg/mL and 450 μg/mL by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assay, respectively. The methanolic extract from the C. medica leaves also showed anticancer activity against MCF7 breast cancer cell lines, with an IC50 value of material for developing a healthy processed food such as nutraceuticals and functional foods.

Impact of Thermal Processing on the Composition of Curcuma longa Rhizome

Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae), known as turmeric, is a perennial tuberous plant from the genus Curcuma, which includes about 100 plant species. The chemical composition of the turmeric rhizome is very diverse. Diarylheptanoid derivatives, also known as curcuminoids (of which curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin are the most important representatives), are the major active constituents of the plant rhizome. Many extracts used in the food and pharmaceutical industries are produced from thermally processed rhizome, when there are significant changes in the composition of the main compounds. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare how the type of thermal treatment affects the content of curcuminoids and the antioxidant properties of the rhizome. The plant material was subjected to three different methods of thermal processing-microwave heating, boiling and frying in different time intervals. The chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the processed rhizome was evaluated using LC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry), HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) and spectrophotometric methods (a DPPH test and TPC assay). Obtained results revealed that curcumin was the major curcuminoid present in all samples (113.92 mg/g of the fresh rhizome). Significant correlation between the type and time of the thermal processing and the composition of turmeric samples was revealed. A traditional boiling process lasting for 10 min was the most beneficial process in terms of the curcuminoid content (204 mg/g of curcumin) and antioxidant activity of the samples.

An Efficient Prephenate Dehydrogenase Gene for the Biosynthesis of L-tyrosine: Gene Mining, Sequence Analysis, and Expression Optimization

L-tyrosine is a key precursor for synthesis of various functional substances, but the microbial production of L-tyrosine faces huge challenges. The development of new microbial chassis cell and gene resource is especially important for the biosynthesis of L-tyrosine. In this study, the optimal host strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens HZ-12 was firstly selected by detecting the production capacity of L-tyrosine. Subsequently, the recombinant expression of 15 prephenate dehydrogenase genes led to the discovery of the best gene, Bao-tyrA from B. amyloliquefaciens HZ-12. After the overexpression of Bao-tyrA, the L-tyrosine yield of the recombinant strain HZ/P43-Bao-tyrA reach 411 mg/L, increased by 42% compared with the control strain (HZ/pHY300PLK). Moreover, the nucleic acid sequence and deduced amino acid sequence of the gene Bao-tyrA were analyzed, and their conservative sites and catalytic mechanisms were proposed. Finally, the expression of Bao-tyrA was regulated through a promoter and 5'-UTR sequence to obtain the optimal expression elements. Thereby, the maximum L-tyrosine yield of 475 mg/L was obtained from HZ/P43-UTR3-Bao-tyrA. B. amyloliquefaciens was applied for the first time to produce L-tyrosine, and the optimal prephenate dehydrogenase gene Bao-tyrA and corresponding expression elements were obtained. This study provides new microbial host and gene resource for the construction of efficient L-tyrosine chassis cells, and also lays a solid foundation for the production of various functional tyrosine derivatives.

Molecular docking as a tool for the discovery of molecular targets of nutraceuticals in diseases management

Molecular docking is a computational technique that predicts the binding affinity of ligands to receptor proteins. Although it has potential uses in nutraceutical research, it has developed into a formidable tool for drug development. Bioactive substances called nutraceuticals are present in food sources and can be used in the management of diseases. Finding their molecular targets can help in the creation of disease-specific new therapies. The purpose of this review was to explore molecular docking's application to the study of dietary supplements and disease management. First, an overview of the fundamentals of molecular docking and the various software tools available for docking was presented. The limitations and difficulties of using molecular docking in nutraceutical research are also covered, including the reliability of scoring functions and the requirement for experimental validation. Additionally, there was a focus on the identification of molecular targets for nutraceuticals in numerous disease models, including those for sickle cell disease, cancer, cardiovascular, gut, reproductive, and neurodegenerative disorders. We further highlighted biochemistry pathways and models from recent studies that have revealed molecular mechanisms to pinpoint new nutraceuticals' effects on disease pathogenesis. It is convincingly true that molecular docking is a useful tool for identifying the molecular targets of nutraceuticals in the management of diseases. It may offer information about how nutraceuticals work and support the creation of new therapeutics. Therefore, molecular docking has a bright future in nutraceutical research and has a lot of potentials to lead to the creation of brand-new medicines for the treatment of disease.

Tumor Microenvironment Remodeling in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Role of miRNAs as Biomarkers of Tumor Invasion

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are the most frequent neoplasm, responsible for half of all cancer-related deaths. Metastasis is the leading cause of death from GI cancer; thus, studying the processes that regulate cancer cell migration is of paramount importance for the development of new therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms adopted by cancer cells to promote cell migration and the subsequent metastasis formation by highlighting the key role that tumor microenvironment components play in deregulating cellular pathways involved in these processes. We, therefore, provide an overview of the role of different microRNAs in promoting tumor metastasis and their role as potential biomarkers for the prognosis, monitoring, and diagnosis of GI cancer patients. Finally, we relate the possible use of nutraceuticals as a new strategy for targeting numerous microRNAs and different pathways involved in GI tumor invasiveness.

From Industrial Food Waste to Bioactive Ingredients: A Review on the Sustainable Management and Transformation of Plant-Derived Food Waste

According to the United Nations, approximately one-third of the food produced for human consumption is wasted. The actual linear "Take-Make-Dispose" model is nowadays obsolete and uneconomical for societies and the environment, while circular thinking in production systems and its effective adoption offers new opportunities and benefits. Following the "Waste Framework Directive" (2008/98/CE), the European Green Deal, and the actual Circular Economy Action Plan, when prevention is not possible, recovering an unavoidable food waste as a by-product represents a most promising pathway. Using last year's by-products, which are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, such as dietary fiber, polyphenols, and peptides, offer a wake-up call to the nutraceutical and cosmetic industry to invest and develop value-added products generated from food waste ingredients.

Potential Role of Natural Antioxidant Products in Oncological Diseases

Nutrition has a significant effect and a crucial role in disease prevention. Low consumption of fruit and vegetables and a sedentary lifestyle are closely related with the onset and development of many types of cancer. Recently, nutraceuticals have gained much attention in cancer research due to their pleiotropic effects and relatively non-toxic behavior. In fact, although in the past there have been conflicting results on the role of some antioxidant compounds as allies against cancer, numerous recent clinical studies highlight the efficacy of dietary phytochemicals in the prevention and treatment of cancer. However, further investigation is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of the potential anticancer capacities of dietary phytochemicals as well as the mechanisms of their action. Therefore, this review examined the current literature on the key properties of the bioactive components present in the diet, such as carotenoids, polyphenols, and antioxidant compounds, as well as their use in cancer therapy. The review focused on potential chemopreventive properties, evaluating their synergistic effects with anticancer drugs and, consequently, the side effects associated with current cancer treatments.

Coconut sugar derived from coconut inflorescence sap lowers systolic blood pressure and arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults: a pilot study

Nutraceutical-based interventions hold promise to reduce blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness, which are two cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. However, the effects of coconut sap powder (CSP), an Asian sweetener and novel nutraceutical, on BP and arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults (MA/O, ≥45 yr) has yet to be established. We hypothesized CSP will decrease BP and arterial stiffness in MA/O adults. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study design, 19 (age 55.3 ± 2.1 yr) MA/O adults completed measures of brachial and carotid BP, and arterial stiffness [carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), common carotid artery (CCA) β-stiffness, compliance, distensibility, and Young's and Peterson's Elastic moduli] before and after 8 wk of CSP (1.5 g/day) or placebo (1.5 g/day). A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare group mean differences. Compared with placebo, CSP lowered brachial systolic BP (SBP) (CSP pre: 117.4 ± 2.9 vs. post: 109.0 ± 2.4 mmHg, P < 0.05), but not carotid SBP (P = 0.12). CSP also lowered Young's (CSP pre: 5,514.4 ± 1,115.4 vs. post: 3,690.6 ± 430.9 kPa) and Peterson's elastic moduli (CSP pre: 22.2 ± 4.4 vs. post: 19.2 ± 4.5 kPa) (P < 0.05, both). A trend for CSP to lower CCA β-stiffness (P = 0.06) and increase CCA compliance (P = 0.07) was also observed. Arterial stiffness assessed by cfPWV did not change (P > 0.05). No inflammatory or antioxidant biomarkers were affected by CSP. In summary, 8 wk of CSP lowers brachial SBP and CCA mechanical stiffness indicating a potential cardioprotective effect in MA/O adults.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness are important predictors of cardiovascular health with aging. Nutraceuticals are an easy-to-implement lifestyle strategy demonstrating promise to effectively lower BP and arterial stiffness with aging and ultimately cardiovascular disease risk. We demonstrate that coconut sap powder (CSP), a traditional Asian sweetener, lowers brachial systolic BP and carotid artery mechanical stiffness in middle-aged and older (MA/O) adults. These findings provide initial evidence for the CSP-related cardioprotective effects in MA/O adults.

Application of botanical products as nutraceutical feed additives for improving poultry health and production

Poultry is one of the most consumed sources of animal protein around the world. To meet the global demands for poultry meat and eggs, it is necessary to improve their nutrition to sustain the poultry industry. However, the poultry industry faces several challenges, including feedstuff availability, the banning of antibiotics as growth promoters, and several environmental stressors. Therefore, there is a critical need to include available nutraceuticals in the diet to sustain the poultry industry. Nutraceuticals are natural chemical substances that positively influence animal physiological and productive traits. Botanical products (such as fenugreek seeds, ginger roots, and olive leaves) are among the most commonly used nutraceuticals and are gradually gaining popularity in the poultry industry due to their immense benefits in nutrition and therapeutic properties. They can be added to the diet separately or in combination (as a natural antioxidant and immunostimulant) to improve poultry health and production. Botanical products are rich in essential oils and essential fatty acids, which have multiple benefits on the animal's digestive system, such as activating the digestive enzymes and restoring microbiota balance, enhancing poultry health, and production. These nutraceuticals have been shown to stimulate the expression of several genes related to growth, metabolism, and immunity. In addition, the essential oil supplementation in poultry diets up-regulated the expression of some crucial genes associated with nutrient transportation (such as glucose transporter-2 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-1). Previous studies have suggested that supplementation of botanical compounds increased broiler body weight and hen egg production by approximately 7% and 15%, respectively. Furthermore, the supplementation of botanical compounds enhanced the reproductive efficiency of hens and the semen quality of roosters by 13%. This review article discusses the significant effects of some botanical products in the poultry industry and how they can benefit poultry, especially in light of the ban on antibiotics as growth promoters.

Have safety and efficacy assessments of bioactives come of age?

This article describes why the safety and efficacy assessment of non-nutrient bioactives for reducing chronic disease risk is so complicated, especially for dietary supplements and traditional medicines. Scientists, regulators, and the public have different and sometimes opposing perspectives about bioactives. Drug, food, and traditional medicine models used for bioactive safety assessment are based on different assumptions and use different processes. Efficacy assessment is seldom based on clinical trials of boactives' effects in reducing chronic disease risk. It usually consists of application of quality assurance measures and evaluation of label claims and commercial speech about ingredients or products to ensure conformity to regulations. Harmonization of safety and efficacy assessment on a global basis is difficult because of differences within and between regulatory systems. The recommendations provided may open the way for bioactives to play a larger health role in the future, fill gaps in data needed for crafting authoritative dietary guidance on intakes, and speed harmonization of global standards.

Dietary-Polysaccharide-Modified Fish-Oil-Based Double Emulsion as a Functional Colloidal Formulation for Oral Drug Delivery

Oral delivery is the most convenient drug administration route. However, oral delivery of peptides is extremely challenging due to the physical and chemical barriers within the gastrointestinal tract. Polysaccharides are often utilized as polymeric biomaterials in drug delivery. Among these, dietary polysaccharides extracted from okra, yam, and spirulina have been reported to stimulate innate immunity with well-known nutritional benefits. In this study, we developed a dietary-polysaccharide-modified fish-oil-based emulsion for oral co-delivery of a hydrophilic PD-L1 blocking peptide and the hydrophobic small molecule simvastatin. The optimal emulsion was nano-sized and exhibited a negative surface charge, high drug encapsulation efficiency of over 97%, low viscosity, and sustained drug release manner. The formulation could significantly increase the uptake of peptides by intestinal Caco-2 cells, which demonstrated the great potential of the formulation for promoting the oral absorption of peptides. Additionally, these dietary polysaccharides could promote dendritic cell maturation and cytokine expression in macrophages, demonstrating that these nutraceutical polysaccharides had dual roles of functioning as promising colloidal delivery systems and as potential immune modulators or adjuvants. Thus, this food-based colloidal delivery system shows promise for the oral delivery of peptide drugs and lays a great platform for future applications in immunotherapy.

Microbial Polysaccharide-Based Nanoformulations for Nutraceutical Delivery

In recent times, nutrition and diet have become prominent health paradigms due to sedentary lifestyle disorders. Preventive health care strategies are becoming increasingly popular instead of treating and managing diseases. A nutraceutical is an innovative concept that offers additional health benefits beyond its fundamental nutritional value. These nutraceuticals have the potential to reduce the exorbitant use of synthetic drugs because the modern medicine approach of treating diseases with high-tech, expensive supplements, and long-term consequences aggravates consumers. However, most nutraceuticals are plant-derived, making them susceptible to degradation and prone to chemical instability, poor solubility, unpleasant taste, and bioactivity loss before absorption to the targeted site. To counteract this problem, the bioavailability of these labile compounds can be maximized by encapsulating them in protective nanocarriers. It is crucial that nanoencapsulation technologies convert bioactive compounds into forms that can be easily combined with functional foods and beverages without adversely affecting their organoleptic properties. In recent years, nanoformulations using food-grade materials, such as polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, etc., have received considerable attention. Among them, microbial polysaccharides are biocompatible, nontoxic, and nonimmunogenic, and most of them are US-FDA approved and can undergo tailored modifications. The nanoformulation of microbial polysaccharide is a relatively new frontier which has several advantages over existing systems. The present article, for the first time, comprehensively reviews microbial polysaccharides-based nanodelivery systems for nutraceuticals and discusses various techno-commercial aspects of these nanotechnological preparations. Moreover, this has also attempted to draw a future research perspective in this area.

Nutraceutical Approaches to Dyslipidaemia: The Main Formulative Issues Preventing Efficacy

Currently, the nutraceutical approach to treat dyslipidaemia is increasing in use, and in many cases is used by physicians as the first choice in the treatment of patients with borderline values. Nutraceuticals represent an excellent opportunity to treat the preliminary conditions not yet showing the pathological signs of dyslipidaemia. Their general safety, the patient's confidence, the convincing proof of efficacy and the reasonable costs prompted the market of new preparations. Despite this premise, many nutraceutical products are poorly formulated and do not meet the minimum requirements to ensure efficacy in normalizing blood lipid profiles, promoting cardiovascular protection, and normalizing disorders of glycemic metabolism. In this context, bioaccessibility and bioavailability of the active compounds is a crucial issue. Little attention is paid to the proper formulations needed to improve the overall bioavailability of the active molecules. According to these data, many products prove to be insufficient to ensure full enteric absorption. The present review analysed the literature in the field of nutraceuticals for the treatment of dyslipidemia, focusing on resveratrol, red yeast rice, berberine, and plant sterols, which are among the nutraceuticals with the greatest formulation problems, highlighting bioavailability and the most suitable formulations.

A Comprehensive Review on Nutraceuticals: Therapy Support and Formulation Challenges

Nutraceuticals are the nourishing components (hybrid of nutrition and pharmaceuticals) that are biologically active and possess capability for maintaining optimal health and benefits. These products play a significant role in human health care and its endurance, most importantly for the future therapeutic development. Nutraceuticals have received recognition due to their nutritional benefits along with therapeutic effects and safety profile. Nutraceuticals are globally growing in the field of services such as health care promotion, disease reduction, etc. Various drug nutraceutical interactions have also been elaborated with various examples in this review. Several patents on nutraceuticals in agricultural applications and in various diseases have been stated in the last section of review, which confirms the exponential growth of nutraceuticals' market value. Nutraceuticals have been used not only for nutrition but also as a support therapy for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as to reduce side effects of cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Diverse novel nanoformulation approaches tend to overcome challenges involved in formulation development of nutraceuticals. Prior information on various interactions with drugs may help in preventing any deleterious effects of nutraceuticals products. Nanotechnology also leads to the generation of micronized dietary products and other nutraceutical supplements with improved health benefits. In this review article, the latest key findings (clinical studies) on nutraceuticals that show the therapeutic action of nutraceutical's bioactive molecules on various diseases have also been discussed.

Exploring the Role of Lipid-Binding Proteins and Oxidative Stress in Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Focus on the Neuroprotective Effects of Nutraceutical Supplementation and Physical Exercise

The human brain is primarily composed of lipids, and their homeostasis is crucial to carry on normal neuronal functions. In order to provide an adequate amount of lipid transport in and out of the central nervous system, organisms need a set of proteins able to bind them. Therefore, alterations in the structure or function of lipid-binding proteins negatively affect brain homeostasis, as well as increase inflammation and oxidative stress with the consequent risk of neurodegeneration. In this regard, lifestyle changes seem to be protective against neurodegenerative processes. Nutraceutical supplementation with antioxidant molecules has proven to be useful in proving cognitive functions. Additionally, regular physical activity seems to protect neuronal vitality and increases antioxidant defenses. The aim of the present review was to investigate mechanisms that link lipid-binding protein dysfunction and oxidative stress to cognitive decline, also underlining the neuroprotective effects of diet and exercise.

Glucogallin Attenuates the LPS-Induced Signaling in Macrophages and Protects Mice against Sepsis

The anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of beta-glucogallin (BGG), a plant-derived natural product, was evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo studies. For the in vitro study, the ability of BGG pre-treatment to quench LPS-induced effects compared to LPS alone in macrophages was investigated. It was found that BGG pre-treatment showed a significant decrease in ROS, NO, superoxide, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-4, IL-17, IL-1β, and IL-6) and increased reduced glutathione coupled with the restoration of mitochondrial membrane potential. Gene profiling and further validation by qPCR showed that BGG pre-treatment downregulated the LPS-induced expression of c-Fos, Fas, MMP-9, iNOS, COX-2, MyD88, TRIF, TRAF6, TRAM, c-JUN, and NF-κB. We observed that BGG pre-treatment reduced nuclear translocation of LPS-activated NF-κB and thus reduced the subsequent expressions of NLRP3 and IL-1β, indicating the ability of BGG to inhibit inflammasome formation. Molecular docking studies showed that BGG could bind at the active site of TLR4. Finally, in the LPS-driven sepsis mouse model, we showed that pre-treatment with BGG sustained toxic shock, as evident from their 100% survival. Our study clearly showed the therapeutic potential of BGG in toxic shock syndrome.

Advances in Nanofabrication Technology for Nutraceuticals: New Insights and Future Trends

Bioactive components such as polyphenolics, flavonoids, bioactive peptides, pigments, and essential fatty acids were known to ward off some deadliest diseases. Nutraceuticals are those beneficial compounds that may be food or part of food that has come up with medical or health benefits. Nanoencapsulation and nanofabricated delivery systems are an imminent approach in the field of food sciences. The sustainable fabrication of nutraceuticals and biocompatible active components indisputably enhances the food grade and promotes good health. Nanofabricated delivery systems include carbohydrates-based, lipids (solid and liquid), and proteins-based delivery systems. Solid nano-delivery systems include lipid nanoparticles. Liquid nano-delivery systems include nanoliposomes and nanoemulsions. Physicochemical properties of nanoparticles such as size, charge, hydrophobicity, and targeting molecules affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of nano delivery systems. Advance research in toxicity studies is necessary to ensure the safety of the nanofabricated delivery systems, as the safety of nano delivery systems for use in food applications is unknown. Therefore, improved nanotechnology could play a pivotal role in developing functional foods, a contemporary concept assuring the consumers to provide programmed, high-priced, and high-quality research toward nanofabricated delivery systems.

Antiviral perspectives of economically important Indian medicinal plants and spices

Human respiratory diseases caused by viral infections leads to morbidity. Among infectious diseases, viral infections associated with the respiratory tract remain the primary reason for global deaths due to their transmissibility. Since immemorial, traditional Indian medicinal plants, their extracts, and several phytochemicals can treat various diseases. Sources for this review paper are data derived from a peer-reviewed journal that emphasizes the economic importance of medicinal plants. Several plant-based medicines have been reported to be effective against multiple viral infections, including the Human Adenovirus, Enterovirus, Influenza virus, Hepatitis virus, etc. This review emphasizes use of the Indian medicinal plants like as Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha, Winter Cherry), Moringa oleifera (Drumstick), Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulsi), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Curcuma longa (Turmeric), Terminalia chebula (Chebulic Myrobalan), Punica granatum (Pomegranate) and the Indian household spices (ginger, garlic and black pepper). It further describes their secondary phytoconstituents extraction procedure, mode of action and the potential application to improve clinical outcomes of neutraceuticals against various viral infections.

Review on nutraceuticals: phase transition from preventive to protective care

Nutraceuticals are essential for healthcare which is an alternative medicine that has gained popularity in recent years. Nutraceuticals consist of nutrients, herbals, and dietary supplements, which make them useful in preserving and promoting health, fighting illness, and improving overall quality of life. Its success or failure will be determined by its rapid expansion, research advances, lack of standards, marketing enthusiasm, quality assurance, and regulations. Nutraceuticals have been used in different regions under different names/categories. however, globally there are no stringent pharmaceutical standards for nutraceutical health products till date, but slowly regulators are paying attention on it. Nutraceuticals can be broadly classified according to it clinical significance, source and therapeutic effects. Nutraceuticals and functional foods have grown to be a multibillion-dollar business worldwide in recent years and personalization is the emerging approach to deliver the best therapeutic effect in future. This review carries extensive information about nutraceutical history, classification, regulatory aspects and industrial perspective.

Biochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological attributes of caper (Capparis ovata) flowering buds and berries pickles

Capparis ovata is a natural plant that grows widely in Turkey and its flowering buds and berry pickle are used in traditional medicine. Thus, the current study was expanded to evaluate the biochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological aspects of the Capparis ovata water extract (COWE). To determine the biochemical properties of COWE, mineral and fatty acid content, elemental analysis, flavonoid/phenolic content, radical-scavenging capacity, and pesticide analysis were performed. Furthermore, to find out whether it had anti-inflammatory properties, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) luciferase activity tests were conducted. Whole-genome transcriptomic profiling was carried out at a dose level of 500 mg/kg COWE to understand its pharmacological effect. Transaminases in serum were tested, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was done using a custom design array that included the stress and molecular toxicology pathway to establish its toxicological qualities. As a result of the evaluations, it was observed that COWE has a high mineral and unsaturated fatty acid content, flavonoid/phenolic content, and radical-scavenging ability. It significantly inhibited NF-κB transcriptional activity as well as inflammatory cytokine expression in T-lymphoblast cells. Whole-genome transcriptomic profiling depicted that COWE modulates immune responses by upregulating natural killer cell activation, cellular response to type I interferon, B-cell proliferation and differentiation, and Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathways. Molecular Toxicology Pathfinder RT² Profiler PCR array analysis revealed that COWE at or lower dose of 500 mg/kg/day did not cause a comparatively adverse effect. According to the findings, COWE is a rich source of nutrients and can be used as an adjunct therapy for various inflammatory diseases.

Nutraceuticals: Pharmacologically Active Potent Dietary Supplements

A growing demand exists for nutraceuticals, which seem to reside in the grey area between pharmaceuticals and food. Nutraceuticals, up today, do not have a specific definition distinct from those of other food-derived categories, e.g., food supplements, herbal products, functional foods, and fortified foods. They have, however, a pharmacological beneficial effect on health. Many studies have been recently addressed to assess their safety, efficacy, and regulation. The object of writing this review article is that we need to pay more attention to natural and organic foods. The bases of nutraceutical components (food supplements) are known for potent and powerful clinical evidence effects on the treatment of hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

Nutraceuticals: Focus on Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Cancer, Antioxidant Properties in Gastrointestinal Tract

In recent years, nutraceuticals have gained great popularity, owing to their physiological and potential health effects, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and prebiotic effects, and their regulation of lipid metabolism. Since the Mediterranean diet is a nutritionally recommended dietary pattern including high-level consumption of nutraceuticals, this review aimed to summarize the main results obtained by our in vitro and in vivo studies on the effects of the major constituents of the Mediterranean diet (i.e., extra virgin olive oil compounds, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and fruit components). Based on experimental studies, the therapeutic purpose of nutraceuticals depends on their bioavailability, solubility, toxicity, and delivery system. This review provides more in-depth knowledge on the effects linked to nutraceuticals administration on human health, focusing the gastrointestinal tract and suggesting specific dietary components for personalized adjuvant therapies.

Garlic (Allium sativum Linnaeus) improved inflammation and reduced cryptosporidiosis burden in immunocompromised mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

For thousands of years, garlic (Allium sativum Linnaeus) has been consumed in food and health by numerous civilizations. Cryptosporidium (C.) parvum is an apicomplexan parasite that causes a gastrointestinal disease, with the most common symptoms being watery diarrhea. Although several substances have been tried for its anti-cryptosporidial action, there is no effective treatment for Cryptosporidium disease, especially in immunocompromised individuals. The present study aimed firstly to characterize the bio-active compounds in Allium sativum L. and secondly to evaluate its efficacy as a therapy for cryptosporidiosis especially in immunocompromised mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was accomplished by evaluating the parasitological and histopathological parameters in the experimentally infected immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice. Also, the cytokine profile during the experimental time was recorded through the measuring of T helper (h)1, Th2 and Th17 cells cytokines. Immunosuppressed mice were given 0.25 μg/g per day of dexamethasone orally, before infection with Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, for fourteen consecutive days. Starting 10 days post infection (PI), nitazoxanide (100 mg/kg per day) or Allium sativum (50 mg/kg per day) was given orally for fourteen consecutive days.

RESULTS

Our results showed that oocyst shedding, on the 32nd day PI, in immunocompromised infected group treated with Allium sativum (354.11, 99.35% PR) showed a significant decrease when compared to its corresponding group treated with nitazoxanide (4369.14, 92.05% PR). On the 32nd day PI, all cytokines levels have been decreased to levels that were similar to those of their uninfected corresponding control groups; also, the histopathological changes and the loss in animals' body weight had been improved. Treatment with nitazoxanide did not result in infection clearance or a reduction in the increased cytokines' levels.

CONCLUSION

Allium sativum L. displayed high efficacy as a potential therapeutic agent against Cryptosporidium, which supports its traditional usage in parasite diseases.

Formulating anti-diabetic nutraceutical tablets based on edible plants from Tripura, India

Nutraceuticals are food-based drugs that are used as dietary supplements to minimize chronic diseases. Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases all over the world. Recently, herbal nutraceuticals have taken a promising role in treating diabetes. We aimed to develop herbal nutraceutical tablets and evaluate its anti-diabetic activity using ob/ob mice. Five plant species were collected by field survey methods based on oral interviews with traditional healers of Tripura. The wet granulation method was applied to formulate the herbal nutraceutical tablet. Water- and fat-soluble vitamins were determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Trace elements were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. To evaluate the anti-diabetic activity of the herbal tablets, we determined serum hemoglobin, glycosylated serum protein, and oral glucose tolerance. The newly formulated herbal nutraceutical tablets provided the optimal energy level. It contained sufficient amounts of essential minerals, such as iron (74.6 ± 2.7 mg/g), sodium (4.4 ± 0.4 mg/g), potassium (5.3 ± 0.7 mg/g), calcium (163.1 ± 2.2 mg/g), magnesium (39.2 ± 1.7 mg/g), and phosphorus (14.6 ± 2.1 mg/g). We also found optimal quantities of water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C (27.2 ± 4.3 mg/g), vitamin B1 (0.6 ± 0 mg/g), vitamin B3 (0.6 ± 0.2 mg/g), vitamin B6 (1.1 ± 0.2 mg/g), vitamin B12 (0.6 ± 0.2 mcg/g), and folic acid (82.6 ± 7.6 mcg/g), as well as fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A (287.4 ± 6.3 mcg/g), vitamin D3 (2.6 ± 0.6 mcg/g), and vitamin E (0.7 ± 0 ng/g). Finally, the herbal nutraceutical tablet (200 mg/kg) significantly improved the anti-hyperglycemic effect on ob/ob mice (type 2 diabetes), compared to the standard drug, metformin (200 mg/kg). The results suggest that the newly formulated herbal tablet may be recommended as an anti-diabetic nutraceutical drug.

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) in the treatment of neuropathic pain: a case study

BACKGROUND

Neuropathic pain is a condition caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. It may present as debilitating pain with a sensation of burning and electric-like symptoms and is often difficult to manage effectively. Although pharmacological medications are the first line of treatment, multidisciplinary teams are sometimes required to provide appropriate treatment to improve quality of life and overall wellbeing.

AIM

The aim of this study is to present a case of post herpetic neuralgia relieved successfully by the compound palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) - a natural alternative to pharmacological pain relief.

METHODS

We present the case of a 67 year-old male with ongoing post-herpetic neuralgia, over a 3-year period, as a result of complications from shingles (herpes zoster). Previous studies on the relationship between PEA and neuropathy were reviewed, with an attempt to discuss the possible underlying mechanism of PEA on neuropathic pain.

RESULTS

PEA demonstrated effective pain relief within 48 hours at an administered daily dose of 900 mg (10 mg/kg).

CONCLUSIONS

PEA may offer a valid nutraceutical treatment for practitioners.

Recent developments in industrial applications of nanoemulsions

Nanotechnology is being utilized in various industries to increase the quality, safety, shelf-life, and functional performance of commercial products. Nanoemulsions are thermodynamically unstable colloidal dispersions that consist of at least two immiscible liquids (typically oil and water), as well as various stabilizers (including emulsifiers, texture modifiers, ripening inhibitors, and weighting agents). They have unique properties that make them particularly suitable for some applications, including their small droplet size, high surface area, good physical stability, rapid digestibility, and high bioavailability. This article reviews recent developments in the formulation, fabrication, functional performance, and gastrointestinal fate of nanoemulsions suitable for use in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, and food industries, as well as providing an overview of regulatory and health concerns. Nanoemulsion-based delivery systems can enhance the water-dispersibility, stability, and bioavailability of hydrophobic bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, they must be carefully formulated to obtain the required functional attributes. In particular, the concentration, size, charge, and physical properties of the nano-droplets must be taken into consideration for each specific application. Before launching a nanoscale product onto the market, determination of physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles and their potential health and environmental risks should be evaluated. In addition, legal, consumer, and economic factors must also be considered when creating these systems.

Study on South African Indigenous Teas-Antioxidant Potential, Nutritional Content, and Hypoxia-Induced Cyclooxygenase Inhibition on U87 MG Cell Line

Background: This study comparatively assessed seven indigenous traditional tea plants on several attributes that included antioxidant, nutritional, caffeine contents, and cyclooxygenase activity. Methodology: Nutritional content of all tea plants were determined for energy, fat, carbohydrates, total sugars, dietary fiber and amino acids. Antioxidant potential and the antioxidant potentiating secondary metabolites were also measured and compared. Further, we investigated the tea plants for any role they would have on cyclooxygenase (COX) activity on cobalt chloride (CoCl₂) induced human glioma cell lines (U87MG). Results: The tea plants were found non-cytotoxic at concentrations tested against the human Chang liver and HeK 293 kidney cells and were found to be naturally caffeine free. The lowest and highest extraction yield among the tea plants was 7.1% for B. saligna and 15.48% for L. scaberrimma respectively. On average, the flavonol content was 12 to 8 QE/g, ORAC 800 µmol TE/g, TEAC 150 µmol TE/g, FRAP 155 µmol AAE/g, polyphenols 40 mg GAE/g, flavanols 0.35 mg CE/g, flavonols 12 mg QE/g and total flavonoid content (TFC) 180 µg QE/mg. The COX activity has been found to be inhibited by a dose-dependent manner by L. scaberrimma, B. saligna and L. javanica. Conclusion: The results further support competitive value of tea plants and need for improved and further development.

Resveratrol Attenuates Mast Cell Mediated Allergic Reactions: Potential for Use as a Nutraceutical in Allergic Diseases?

Allergic diseases are one of the most common health disorders affecting about 30% of the world population. Mast cells (MCs) are key effector cells of allergic reactions by releasing proinflammatory mediators including histamine, lipid mediators, and cytokines/chemokines. Natural substances like secondary plant substances such as resveratrol (RESV), which can contribute to prevention and treatment of diseases, are becoming increasingly interesting for use as nutraceuticals. In this review, the anti-inflammatory effects of RESV on MC-mediated allergic reactions in vitro and in vivo models are summarized. The studies indicate that RESV inhibits MC degranulation, synthesis of arachidonic acid metabolites, expression of cytokines and chemokines as well as activation of signal molecules involved in proinflammatory mechanisms. Also, beneficial impacts by this polyphenol are reported in randomized controlled trials with allergic rhinitis patients. Although it cannot yet be concluded that RESV can be used successfully in allergy patients in general, there are many results that indicate a possible role for RESV for use as an anti-inflammatory nutraceutical. However, strategies to favorably influence the poor bioavailability of RESV would be helpful.

Lupin Protein Concentrate as a Novel Functional Food Additive That Can Reduce Colitis-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Food fortification with bioactive compounds may constitute a way to ameliorate inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Lupin seeds contain an oligomer named deflamin that can reduce IBD’s symptoms via MMP-9 inhibition. Here, our goal was to develop a lupin protein concentrate (LPC) enriched in deflamin and to test its application as a food additive to be used as a functional food against colitis. The nutritional profile of the LPC was evaluated, and its efficacy in vivo was tested, either alone or as added to wheat cookies. The LPC presented high protein and carbohydrate contents (20.09 g/100 g and 62.05/100 g, respectively), as well as antioxidant activity (FRAP: 351.19 mg AAE/10 mg and DPPH: 273.9 mg AAE/10 mg). It was also effective against TNBS-induced colitis in a dose dependent-manner, reducing DAI scores by more than 50% and concomitantly inhibiting MMP-9 activity. When added to cookies, the LPC activities were maintained after baking, and a 4-day diet with LPC cookies induced a significant protective effect against acetic acid-induced colitis, overall bringing lesions, oxidative stress and DNA damage levels to values significantly similar to controls (p < 0.001). The results show that the LPC is an efficient way to deliver deflamin in IBD-targeted diets.

Nutrition, Epigenetics, and Major Depressive Disorder: Understanding the Connection

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex, multifactorial disorder of rising prevalence and incidence worldwide. Nearly, 280 million of people suffer from this leading cause of disability in the world. Moreover, patients with this condition are frequently co-affected by essential nutrient deficiency. The typical scene with stress and hustle in developed countries tends to be accompanied by eating disorders implying overnutrition from high-carbohydrates and high-fat diets with low micronutrients intake. In fact, currently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has drawn more attention to this underdiagnosed condition, besides the importance of the nutritional status in shaping immunomodulation, in which minerals, vitamins, or omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) play an important role. The awareness of nutritional assessment is greater and greater in the patients with depression since antidepressant treatments have such a significant probability of failing. As diet is considered a crucial environmental factor, underlying epigenetic mechanisms that experience an adaptation or consequence on their signaling and expression mechanisms are reviewed. In this study, we included metabolic changes derived from an impairment in cellular processes due to lacking some essential nutrients in diet and therefore in the organism. Finally, aspects related to nutritional interventions and recommendations are also addressed.

Growth performance, carcass yield and characteristics, meat quality, serum biochemistry, jejunal histomorphometry, oxidative stability of liver and breast muscle, and immune response of broiler chickens fed natural antioxidant alone or in combination with &lt;i&gt;Bacillus licheniformis&lt;/i&gt;

Abstract. In this study, oxidative stability of liver and breast meat, and immune response were evaluated in broiler chickens fed supplemental phytogenic feed additive (PFA) alone or in combination with Bacillus licheniformis. Three experimental groups – control, PFA (60 mg kg−1), and PFA (60 mg kg−1) + 0.5 mg kg−1 B. licheniformis (1.6 × 1012 cfu g−1), each consisting of 5 replicates – were established with 20 one-day-old chickens per replicate (300 birds in total). Growth performance, carcass yield and characteristics, and meat quality remained unaffected. However, supplemental PFA and PFA + B. licheniformis improved the serum biochemistry and jejunal histomorphometry of broiler chickens (P<0.05). PFA and PFA + B. licheniformis groups had lower thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) in liver, and freeze–thaw breast meat after 30, 60, and 90 d of storage (P<0.05). PFA and PFA + B. licheniformis supplementation lowered the carbonyl group in fresh and stored breast meat (P<0.05). Antibody titer against infectious bursal disease virus was higher in the PFA + B. licheniformis group than the control group (P<0.05). It can be concluded that PFA or PFA + B. licheniformis in broiler diets improves the health, oxidative stability of liver and breast meat, and immune response of broiler chickens.

Nutraceutical Concepts and Dextrin-Based Delivery Systems

Nutraceuticals are bioactive or chemical compounds acclaimed for their valuable biological activities and health-promoting effects. The global community is faced with many health concerns such as cancers, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, etc. The effect of nutraceuticals is similar to pharmaceuticals, even though the term nutraceutical has no regulatory definition. The usage of nutraceuticals, to prevent and treat the aforementioned diseases, is limited by several features such as poor water solubility, low bioavailability, low stability, low permeability, low efficacy, etc. These downsides can be overcome by the application of the field of nanotechnology manipulating the properties and structures of materials at the nanometer scale. In this review, the linear and cyclic dextrin, formed during the enzymatic degradation of starch, are highlighted as highly promising nanomaterials- based drug delivery systems. The modified cyclic dextrin, cyclodextrin (CD)-based nanosponges (NSs), are well-known delivery systems of several nutraceuticals such as quercetin, curcumin, resveratrol, thyme essential oil, melatonin, and appear as a more advanced drug delivery system than modified linear dextrin. CD-based NSs prolong and control the nutraceuticals release, and display higher biocompatibility, stability, and solubility of poorly water-soluble nutraceuticals than the CD-inclusion complexes, or uncomplexed nutraceuticals. In addition, the well-explored CD-based NSs pathways, as drug delivery systems, are described. Although important progress is made in drug delivery, all the findings will serve as a source for the use of CD-based nanosystems for nutraceutical delivery. To sum up, our review introduces the extensive literature about the nutraceutical concepts, synthesis, characterization, and applications of the CD-based nano delivery systems that will further contribute to the nutraceutical delivery with more potent nanosystems based on linear dextrins.