Inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes associated with type 2 diabetes and antioxidative properties of some edible seeds in vitro

Parinari curatellifolia: A treasure trove of phytochemicals, nutritional benefits, and biological activities

The increasing impact of climate change and growing consumer interest in healthful foods have forced a reconsideration of indigenous plants as sustainable food resources. Parinari curatellifolia, popularly known as Mobola plum, is a prominent African underutilized plant whose natural habitat stretches from West to Southern Africa. It is an important source of food and ethnomedicines across Africa, a status boosted by the rich content of nutrients and phytochemicals in its different plant parts. Extracts from the different parts of the P. curatellifolia plant, which include leaves, pulp, seed, and whole fruit, have exhibited a broad range of health benefits, promoting its valorization into value-added products that are being marketed globally. This article provides a comprehensive review of the literature on P. curatellifolia, critically discussing its nutritional composition, bioactive phytochemicals, biological activities, safety and allergenicity, application in ethnomedicine, and value-added food and cosmetic products. To incite further research on this plant and its consideration as a vital resource that can be sustainably utilized to improve food and nutrition security and human health, the knowledge gaps and prospects of P. curatellifolia are highlighted.

Functional Cyperus esculentus L. Cookies Enriched with the Probiotic Strain Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus SL42

This study presents for the first time functional cookies for diabetics made with 100% organic Cyperus esculentus L. flour, either plain or enhanced with 5% polyfloral honey syrup containing the probiotic strain Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus SL42. The flour's chemical composition and rheological and functional properties were analyzed, and 33 diabetic and semi-naive panelists assessed the cookies' sensory properties. MRS-cys agar cultures and SEM analysis evaluated SL42 survival and adhesion capacity over 21 days at 25 °C. Results showed that the flour and its extracts are rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, indicating strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Both cookie types met international standards when compared to commercial cookies and had similar physical properties. Sensory evaluation on day 1 revealed higher quality indicators for honey syrup-enriched cookies, but after 15 days, control cookies were preferred. The CIE LAB analysis confirmed the dietetic flour's typical dark color, with honey syrup-enriched cookies being darker. Despite textural differences, both cookies maintained detectable crispness over storage. Honey syrup-enriched cookies effectively carried L. rhamnosus SL42, remaining viable at 6.43 Log CFU per cookie after 21 days and adhering to the cookie's surface, as confirmed by SEM analysis. Further research is recommended to better understand the therapeutic value of these cookies.

Cyperus (Cyperus esculentus L.): A Review of Its Compositions, Medical Efficacy, Antibacterial Activity and Allelopathic Potentials

Cyperus (Cyperus esculentus L.) is an edible perennial grass-like plant, which propagates exclusively with underground tubers. Its tubers are rich in starch (20-30%), fat (25-35%), sugar (10-20%), protein (10-15%) and dietary fiber (8-9%). In addition, the tubers also contain alkaloids, organic acids, vitamins (C and E), steroids, terpenoids and other active components. The contents of oleic acid and linoleic acid in Cyperus oil are very high, which have important medicinal value and health-promoting properties. Most of the extracts from the tubers, stems and leaves of Cyperus have allelopathic potential and antibacterial, antioxidant and insecticidal activities. In recent years, the planting area of Cyperus has increased significantly all over the world, especially in China and some other countries. This paper presents the current status of Cyperus and the recent trend in research in this area. Published reports on its nutritional contents, active ingredients, medicinal efficacy, antibacterial activity and allelopathic potential were also reviewed.

Tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus L.): Nutrition, Processing, Function and Applications

The tiger nut is the tuber of Cyperus esculentus L., which is a high-quality wholesome crop that contains lipids, protein, starch, fiber, vitamins, minerals and bioactive factors. This article systematically reviewed the nutritional composition of tiger nuts; the processing methods for extracting oil, starch and other edible components; the physiochemical and functional characteristics; as well as their applications in food industry. Different extraction methods can affect functional and nutritional properties to a certain extent. At present, mechanical compression, alkaline methods and alkali extraction-acid precipitation are the most suitable methods for the production of its oil, starch and protein in the food industry, respectively. Based on traditional extraction methods, combination of innovative techniques aimed at yield and physiochemical characteristics is essential for the comprehensive utilization of nutrients. In addition, tiger nut has the radical scavenging ability, in vitro inhibition of lipid peroxidation, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects and displays medical properties. It has been made to milk, snacks, beverages and gluten-free bread. Despite their ancient use for food and feed and the many years of intense research, tiger nuts and their components still deserve further exploitation on the functional properties, modifications and intensive processing to make them suitable for industrial production.

Anti-Hyperglycemic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Polyphenolic-Rich Extract of Syzygium cumini Linn Leaves in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

In this study, anti-hyperglycemic and anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenolic-rich extract of Syzygium cumini leaves in alloxan-induced diabetic rats were determined. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight) in female Wistar rats. The rats were orally administered with 400 mg/kg free phenol, 400 mg/kg bound phenol, and 5 mg/kg metformin, respectively. On the 14th day of oral administration, the animals were sacrificed, anti-hyperglycemic and anti-inflammatory were assessed. Fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels; homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance scores, lipid peroxidation concentration, glucose-6-phosphatase activity, and all concentrations of anti-inflammatory studied in alloxan-induced diabetic rats were significantly ( P < .05) reduced with the administration of polyphenolic-rich extract of Syzygium cumini leaves. Also there was significant ( P < .05) increase in glycogen and insulin concentrations, pancreatic β-cell scores, antioxidant enzymes and hexokinase activities, as well as glucose transporter levels in diabetic animals administered with polyphenolic-rich extract of S cumini leaves. The results indicate that S cumini leaves possess anti-hyperglycemic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Inhibitory effect of aqueous extracts of raw and roasted Sesamum indicum L. seeds on key enzymes linked to type-2 diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and Alzheimer's disease (acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase)

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seeds are nutritional food, but researches have limited knowledge about the antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticholinesterase activities of the seed. This study was conducted to determine the antioxidant activity, enzyme inhibitory potential (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory property of aqueous extracts of raw and roasted sesame seeds. Antioxidant activities were analyzed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging property, 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenthiazoline-6- sulphonic acid (ABTS) scavenging ability, iron chelating ability and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Anti-Alzheimer's potential was determined using acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzyme inhibition assay. The results showed that the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were higher in the roasted S. indicum sample with the values of 19.81mg/100g and 17.19 mg/100g respectively. The raw S. indicum sample showed higher antioxidant activity in DPPH, and iron chelation assays; while roasted S. indicum sample showed higher in the reducing power and ABTS scavenging activity. However, anticholinesterase activity was higher in the roasted S. indicum sample than in the raw S. indicum sample. The extracts inhibited α-amylase activity in a concentration-dependent manner (20 - 100 µg.mL-1). The raw sample (16.55 ±0.89%) had higher inhibitory α-amylase activity compared to the roasted sample (15.78 ±0.48%) at 100 µg.mL-1. Inhibition of α-glucosidase was higher in the roasted sample at 100 µg.mL-1 (19.40 ±0.26%) compared to the raw sample at the same concentration (3.65 ±0.52%). These findings suggest that S. indicum L. is not only nutritious but also showed potential pharmacological properties.