Inhibitory effects of chickpea and Tribulus terrestris on lipase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase

Flavonoids from the genus Polygonatum: biological activities and biosynthesis mechanism

The genus Polygonatum is a medicinal plant that has been used as food for a long time, containing various biologically active compounds, including polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and many others. Polygonatum, like other Chinese herbal plants, can be employed as natural medicines, exhibiting a reduced incidence of adverse effects compared to synthetic pharmaceuticals. Flavonoids are key biomarkers that indicate the quality of the genus Polygonatum, and constitute one of the primary active ingredients. Additionally, flavonoids exhibit a range of nutritional, biological and health-promoting characteristics, including antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and hypoglycemic properties. This paper reviewed biosynthesis and bioactivities of flavonoids from the genus Polygonatum. We hope that this paper would ultimately serve as a valuable reference for the development of flavonoid-related functional foods from the genus Polygonatum.

Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine extract in the treatment of diabetic erectile dysfunction

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Diabetic erectile dysfunction (DED) is a prevalent but often overlooked microvascular complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with strong associations to cardiovascular disease. The pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction (ED) in T2DM patients is more intricate than in non-diabetic individuals, likely involving multiple pathogenic mechanisms such as endothelial dysfunction, vascular alterations, neuropathy, and oxidative stress. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long been utilized in the management of DED, drawing on an extensive body of clinical experience. In TCM, DED is typically attributed to imbalances such as renal yang deficiency or insufficiencies in qi and blood. Herbal therapies within the TCM framework offer a multifaceted approach to treatment, targeting not only the replenishment of kidney yang and the regulation of qi and blood but also incorporating strategies for glycemic control and renal protection. This holistic approach has demonstrated effectiveness in alleviating erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients, thereby improving quality of life. However, the complexity of Chinese herbal formulations, with their diverse bioactive constituents, complicates the identification of specific active compounds and the mechanistic understanding of their therapeutic actions. This complexity has contributed to ongoing skepticism regarding the clinical utility of TCM and herbal remedies in the treatment of DED.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the pathological mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of TCM in the treatment of DED, with a specific focus on the associated signaling pathways. By elucidating these mechanisms, the study seeks to provide a scientific basis for novel therapeutic strategies and enhance the viability of TCM-based approaches for DED management. Future research should prioritize the development of efficacious Chinese patent medicines tailored for the treatment of DED.

METHODS

This study utilizes keywords such as "diabetic erectile dysfunction", "signaling pathways", "traditional Chinese Medicine", "bioactive compounds", "herbal", "herbal monomers", and "herbal extracts" to conduct a comprehensive literature search in databases including Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP, spanning all relevant publications up to February 2024.

RESULTS

It has been demonstrated that TCM extract can treat the DED by influencing the signaling pathways involved.

CONCLUSION

A comprehensive literature review was conducted across multiple databases, followed by rigorous screening, exclusion, summarization, synthesis, and analysis of relevant studies. The results indicate that TCM for DED primarily targets key pathological features, including endothelial dysfunction, vascular and neural abnormalities, and oxidative stress. The underlying mechanisms involve the NO/cGMP, eNOS, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways, contributing to significant improvements in erectile function. These findings provide a scientific basis for the use of TCM in DED, offering viable therapeutic options and innovative strategies to advance TCM-based treatment approaches. Furthermore, TCM exhibits notable potential in mitigating the pathological progression of DED. The pharmacological mechanisms and molecular signaling pathways of TCM extracts have been extensively investigated, underscoring their high value for clinical research and therapeutic development.

Improving α-amylase inhibitory activity of simulated gastrointestinal digested pea protein by pH shifting assisted proteolysis

To mitigate postprandial hyperglycemia, α-amylase inhibitory peptides have been casually prepared by various pretreatments and proteolysis without exploring their impacting mechanisms and digestive stabilities. In this study, pea protein treated by pH 2 shifting followed by flavourzyme hydrolysis (PS2-PF) expressed excellent protein recovery rate (40.06 %) and α-amylase inhibitory activity (IC50 of 6.75 mg/mL) after simulated gastrointestinal digestion. A moderate decrease of α-helix structure (by 10.80 %) but increases of β conformations (by ∼17.75 %) and small molecules (< 5 kDa, 94.73 %) on the pea protein were beneficial to enhance α-amylase inhibition of the digested PS2-PF. 13 of potential α-amylase inhibitory peptides were identified from the digested PS2-PF to inactivate α-amylase via hydrogen bonding, Pi-Alkyl, Pi-Pi and attractive interactions of phenylalanine, proline, leucine, arginine, glutamic acid and lysine. Overall, pH 2 shifting assisted flavourzyme hydrolysis could be a valuable strategy to enhance α-amylase inhibition of in vitro digested pea protein for diabetes mellitus.

The Heating Under Micro Variable Pressure (HUMVP) Process to Decrease the Level of Saponin in Quinoa: Evidence of the Antioxidation and the Inhibitory Activity of α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase

To reduce the level of saponin while preserving essential nutrients and antioxidative properties in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), this study delves into the optimization of the HUMVP process and thoroughly examines its effects on antioxidation as well as its inhibitory influence on α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The optimal HUMVP conditions involved wetting quinoa grains with 6% water (pH = 6.0) and subjecting them to a 4 min treatment under 0.35 MPa pressure. The values of •OH, DPPH, and ABTS•+ scavenging rate of the extracts from the quinoa sample (named Q2HUMVP) treated under the optimum HUMVP process were 70.02, 87.13, and 50.95%, respectively. Furthermore, the treatment preserved 95.20% of polyphenols and 73.06% of flavonoids, while the saponin content was reduced to 23.13% of that in raw quinoa. Notably, Q2HUMVP extracts demonstrated superior inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase compared to dehulled quinoa samples. The inhibition exhibited by the quinoa sample extracts on α-amylase and α-glucosidase was found to be reversible.

DNA protection, molecular docking, enzyme inhibition and enzyme kinetic studies of 1,5,9-epideoxyloganic acid isolated from Nepeta aristata with bio-guided fractionation

1,5,9-epideoxyloganic acid (ELA) was isolated from the aerial parts of endemic Nepeta aristata Boiss Et Kotschy Ex Boiss crude extract (methanol:chloroform) using silica gel (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol) and sephadex LH-20 (65% methanol-35% chloroform) columns. Activity-guided isolation was performed on methanol sub-fractions with DNA protection and enzyme inhibitory activities, and then the ELA was purified by prep-HPLC. The ELA structure, bio-guided isolate, was determined via 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and MS spectrometry. ELA's enzyme inhibition and DNA protection activities were investigated and compared with standard drugs. The inhibition capacity of ELA against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), urease, carbonic anhydrase (CA), α-glucosidase, α-amylase, lipase, and tyrosinase enzymes was evaluated by kinetic and molecular docking results. The ELA displayed the best inhibitory activity on AChE, BChE, α-glucosidase, urease, α-amylase, and tyrosinase with IC50 values of 2.53 ± 0.27, 3.75 ± 0.11, 3.98 ± 0.07, 4.40 ± 0.01, 6.43 ± 0.54 and 7.39 ± 0.00 µg/mL, respectively. ELA acted as a competitive inhibitor against BChE and α-glucosidase and a non-competitive inhibitor against AChE. The ELA's binding affinity values on AChE, BChE, and α-glucosidase were -7.70, -8.50, and -8.30 kcal/mol, respectively. DNA protection activity of the ELA molecule was determined as 57.53% for form I and 53.57% for form II. In conclusion, the inhibitory activity of ELA demonstrated its effectiveness in terms of its suitability in the pharmaceutical industry.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

The inhibitory activity of Flos Sophorae Immaturus extract and its major flavonoid components on pancreatic lipase

Inhibition of pancreatic lipase (PL) is a strategy to prevent obesity. The inhibitory effects of Flos Sophorae Immaturus (FSI) extract and its main flavonoid components, rutin and quercetin, on PL were investigated. The contents of rutin and quercetin in FSI extract were 44.10 ± 1.33 % and 6.07 ± 1.62 %, respectively. The IC50 values of FSI extract, rutin and quercetin on PL were 322, 258 and 71 μg/mL, respectively. Rutin and quercetin inhibited PL in a reversible and noncompetitive manner. The combination of rutin and quercetin exhibited synergistic inhibitory effects at low concentration. The binding of rutin/quercetin with PL caused the fluorescence quenching of protein. Fluorescence titration showed the binding affinity of quercetin with PL protein was stronger than that of rutin. Circular dichroism analysis showed the binding changed the secondary structure of PL with an increase in random coil and a decrease in α-Helix and β-Sheet. Molecular docking revealed that rutin and quercetin could interact with the amino acid residues around the catalytic site through multiple secondary interactions. In vivo studies showed that FSI extract can reduce fat absorption and promote fecal fat excretion through inhibition of PL activity, and the effects were mainly due to rutin and quercetin.

Extraction, identification, and molecular mechanisms of α-glucosidase inhibitory peptides from defatted Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) powder hydrolysates

The objective of this study was to explore the potential of Antarctic krill-derived peptides as α-glucosidase inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The enzymolysis conditions of α-glucosidase inhibitory peptides were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM), a statistical method that efficiently determines optimal conditions with a limited number of experiments. Gel chromatography and LC-MS/MS techniques were utilized to determine the molecular weight (Mw) distribution and sequences of the hydrolysates. The identification and analysis of the mechanism behind α-glucosidase inhibitory peptides were conducted through conventional and computer-assisted techniques. The binding affinities between peptides and α-glucosidase were further validated using BLI (biolayer interferometry) assay. The results revealed that hydrolysates generated by neutrase exhibited the highest α-glucosidase inhibition rate. Optimal conditions for hydrolysis were determined to be an enzyme concentration of 6 × 103 U/g, hydrolysis time of 5.4 h, and hydrolysis temperature of 45 °C. Four peptides (LPFQR, PSFD, PSFDF, VPFPR) with strong binding affinities to the active site of α-glucosidase, primarily through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. This study highlights the prospective utility of Antarctic krill-derived peptides in curtailing α-glucosidase activity, offering a theoretical foundation for the development of novel α-glucosidase inhibitors and related functional foods to enhance diabetes management.

Tribulus terrestris and Sport Performance: A Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation of Its Advertisement and Availability via Online Shopping in Six Different Countries

Dietary supplements are commonly used among athletes, and the Internet may be an easy source of these products. Tribulus terrestris is an herbal supplement with multiple properties. Of interest to athletes are reports that its consumption can lead to muscle mass gain and a faster recovery process. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the availability of Tribulus terrestris via the Internet in six countries (Canada, Puerto Rico, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, and the United States of America) via a specifically designed computer program. The characteristics of the websites selling this substance, the country from which it can be purchased, the route of administration, and recommendations for its use were analyzed. The results of the study show that this supplement is marketed mainly in Russia, Ukraine, and Spain on many websites that are mostly dedicated to sports products. Just over half of the webpages (59.14%) identified only distribute this supplement within the same country. The main claims for its consumption refer to sports performance benefits, but there are also claims that it may improve male hormone levels and sexual function. Athletes should be encouraged to seek professional advice prior to ingesting this supplement to ensure that it is suitable for their specific training and sports objectives.

Effect of UV-A Irradiation on Bioactive Compounds Accumulation and Hypoglycemia-Related Enzymes Activities of Broccoli and Radish Sprouts

In the present study, different intensities of UV-A were applied to compare their effects on growth, bioactive compounds and hypoglycemia-related enzyme activities in broccoli and radish sprouts. The growth of sprouts was decreased after UV-A irradiation. A total of 12 W of UV-A irradiation resulted in the highest content of anthocyanin, chlorophyll, polyphenol and ascorbic acid in broccoli and radish sprouts. The highest soluble sugar content was recorded in sprouts under 8 W of UV-A irradiation, while no significant difference was obtained in soluble protein content among different UV-A intensities. Furthermore, 12 W of UV-A irradiation induced the highest glucosinolate accumulation, especially glucoraphanin and glucoraphenin in broccoli and radish sprouts, respectively; thus, it enhanced sulforaphane and sulforaphene formation. The α-amylase, α-glucosidase and pancrelipase inhibitory rates of two kinds of sprouts were enhanced significantly after UV-A irradiation, indicating UV-A-irradiation-treated broccoli and radish sprouts have new prospects as hypoglycemic functional foods.

Molecular docking, molecular dynamics, MM/PBSA approaches and bioactivity studies of nepetanudoside B isolated from endemic Nepeta aristata

Nepetanudoside B (NNB) was isolated from aerial parts of endemic Nepeta aristata crude extract (CH3OH-CHCl3) using silica gel (n-hexane, methanol, ethyl acetate, and dichlorometane, respectively) and sephadex LH-20 (65% Methanol-35% Chloroform) column chromatographies. Preparative-HPLC was used to purify NNB after activity-guided isolation of methanol sub-fractions with enzyme inhibitory and DNA protective properties. The NNB was determined using 1H,13C, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and LC-MS/MS. The study compared the effects of NNB with conventional drugs in terms of its ability to inhibit enzymes such as urease, α-amylase, carbonic anhydrase (CA), lipase, α-glucosidase, and tyrosinase, as well as its ability to protect DNA. Enzyme kinetic and molecular docking were also used to evaluate this. NNB exhibited the best inhibitory activity on urease (1.28 ± 0.00 µg/mL), lipase (5.83 ± 0.10 µg/mL), BChE (3.73 ± 0.46 µg/mL), tyrosinase (7.39 ± 0.00 µg/mL), α-glucosidase (10.95 ± 0.00 µg/mL), α-amylase (22.11 ± 1.03 µg/mL) and AChE (25.68 ± 3.32 µg/mL), respectively. NNB has higher MolDock scores with binding energy in α-glucosidase (-233) and BChE (-8.90 kcal/mol). In enzyme kinetics studies, it was determined that urease, AChE, α-glucosidase, lipase, and CA were non-competitive , while BChE and tyrosinase were competitive inhibition mechanisms. Their Ki values were calculated as 0.09, 0.24, 0.09, 0.10, 0.08, 0.05, and 0.07 mM, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulation studies were performed for the interactions of NNB-BChE with MM/PBSA binding free energey RMSD, RMSF, Rg, SASA, and also the number of hydrogen bonds was calculated. The suitability and effectiveness of NNB have been proven in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The NNB molecule may lead to development studies as a BChE inhibitor.

Effect of Growth Stages and Lactic Acid Fermentation on Anti-Nutrients and Nutritional Attributes of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a winter-season green, leafy vegetable grown all over the world, belonging to the family Amaranthus, sub-family Chenopodiaceae. Spinach is a low-caloric food and an enormous source of micronutrients, e.g., calcium, folates, zinc, retinol, iron, ascorbic acid and magnesium. Contrarily, it also contains a variety of anti-nutritional factors, e.g., alkaloids, phytates, saponins, oxalates, tannins and many other natural toxicants which may hinder nutrient-absorption. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of fermentation on improving the nutrient-delivering potential of spinach and mitigating its burden of antinutrients and toxicants at three growth stages: the 1st growth stage as baby leaves, the 2nd growth stage at the coarse stage, and the 3rd growth stage at maturation. The results revealed the significant (p < 0.05) effect of fermentation on increasing the protein and fiber content of spinach powder from 2.53 to 3.53% and 19.33 to 22.03%, respectively, and on reducing total carbohydrate content from 52.92 to 40.52%; the effect was consistent in all three growth stages. A significant decline in alkaloids (6.45 to 2.20 mg/100 g), oxalates (0.07 mg/100 g to 0.02 mg/100 g), phytates (1.97 to 0.43 mg/100 g) and glucosinolates (201 to 10.50 µmol/g) was observed as a result of fermentation using Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Fermentation had no impact on total phenolic content and the antioxidant potential of spinach, as evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. This study proposes fermentation as a safer bioprocess for improving the nutrient-delivering potential of spinach, and suggests processed powders made from spinach as a cost-effective complement to existing plant proteins.

Effect of Wild Strawberry Tree and Hawthorn Extracts Fortification on Functional, Physicochemical, Microbiological, and Sensory Properties of Yogurt

The composition analyses and health-promoting properties (antioxidant capacity, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive properties) of wild fruit extracts and the effect of the incorporation of strawberry tree (STE) and hawthorn (HTE) extracts on the physicochemical, instrumental textural, microbiological, and sensory parameters of yogurts were evaluated. The incorporation of wild fruit extracts in yogurt increased antioxidant and antidiabetic properties (inhibition of digestive α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase enzymatic activities) compared to the control, without decreasing their sensory quality or acceptance by consumers. The hawthorn yogurt (YHTE) showed the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity (ABTS and ORAC methods). Yogurts containing wild fruit extracts and dietary fiber achieved high overall acceptance scores (6.16-7.04) and showed stable physicochemical, textural, and microbiological properties. Therefore, the use of wild fruit extracts and inulin-type fructans as ingredients in yogurt manufacture stands as a first step towards the development of non-added sugar dairy foods for sustainable health.

Health benefits of legume seeds

Pulses have been part of human nutrition for centuries. They are also used in folk medicine as products with multidirectional medicinal effects. They are annual plants representing the Fabaceae family. Their edible part is the fruit, i.e. the so-called pods. Whole pods or their parts can be eaten, depending on the species and fruit ripeness. Beans, peas, peanuts, chickpeas, lentils, broad beans and soybeans are edible legume species. Legume seeds are characterized by high nutritional value. Compared to seeds from other plants, they have high protein content ranging, on average, from 20% to 35%, depending on the type, growing conditions and maturity of the fruit. This review focuses on various health-promoting properties of legumes and presents their nutritional value and compounds exerting health-promoting effects. Many pulses have a low glycemic index, which is important for prevention and treatment of diabetes. In addition to their low glycemic index and high fiber content, pulses have α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors, which reduce the absorption of glucose from the gastrointestinal tract. These compounds have antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Pulses have been shown to contain bioactive peptides with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory properties; hence, they are useful in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Pulses used in the nutrition of obese individuals provide compounds with pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties, thus promoting weight reduction and control. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Impact of thermal treatments and simulated gastrointestinal digestion on the α-amylase inhibitory activity of different legumes

Legumes are excellent sources of proteins that can be hydrolysed to generate antidiabetic peptides, which inhibit carbohydrate digestive enzymes. The degree of protein hydrolysis depends on the thermal treatment applied and how it impacts protein denaturation and thus accessibility to enzymes. In this study, α-amylase inhibitory activities of cooked (conventional, pressure, and microwave cooking) and digested (simulated gastrointestinal digestion, GID) green pea, chickpea, and navy beans were evaluated, together with the impact of thermal treatments on peptide profiles after GID. All peptides extracts inhibited α-amylase after cooking and GID, and the peptide fraction <3 kDa was responsible for main activity. In green peas and navy beans, microwave cooking showed the highest impact whereas none thermal treatment highlighted in chickpeas. The peptidomics analysis of the fractions <3 kDa identified a total of 205 peptides, 43 of which were found to be potentially bioactive according to in silico analysis. Also quantitative results evidenced differences in the peptide profile between the type of legume and thermal treatment.

Nutrient Composition, Physicobiochemical Analyses, Oxidative Stability and Antinutritional Assessment of Abundant Tropical Seaweeds from the Arabian Sea

Foods enriched with nutritional compounds and biological activities, especially antioxidants, are considered healthier for human and/or animal consumption. Seaweeds are rich sources of biologically active metabolites and are used as functional foods. In this study, proximate compositions, physicobiochemical characteristics and oil oxidative stability were analyzed for 15 abundant tropical seaweeds (four green-Acrosiphonia orientalis, Caulerpa scalpelliformis, Ulva fasciata, Ulva lactuca; six brown-Iyengaria stellata, Lobophora variegate, Padina boergesenii, Sargassum linearifolium, Spatoglossum asperum, Stoechospermum marginatum; and five red-Amphiroa anceps, Grateloupia indica, Halymenia porphyriformis, Scinaia carnosa, Solieria chordalis). All seaweeds were analyzed for the proximate composition, including moisture content, ash content, total sugar content, total proteins, total lipids, crude fiber, carotenoid content, total chlorophyll content, proline, iodine content, nitrogen-free extract, total phenolic content and total flavonoid content. Green seaweeds showed higher nutritional proximate composition, followed by brown and red seaweeds. Among the different seaweeds, Ulva, Caulerpa, Sargassum, Spatoglossum and Amphiroa showed high nutritional proximate composition compared to other seaweeds. High cation scavenging, free radical scavenging and total reducing activities were observed for Acrosiphonia, Caulerpa, Ulva, Sargassum, Spatoglossum and Iyengaria. It was also observed that 15 tropical seaweeds contained negligible amounts of antinutritional compounds, including tannic acid, phytic acid, saponins, alkaloids and terpenoids. Nutritionally, green and brown seaweeds provided higher sources of energy (150-300 calories per 100 g) compared to red seaweeds (80-165 calories per 100 g). Additionally, this study also confirmed that tropical seaweeds improved the oxidative stability of food oils and, therefore, might be recommended as natural antioxidant additives. The overall results confirm that tropical seaweeds are potential sources of nutrition and antioxidants and may be explored as functional food, dietary supplementation or animal feed. Additionally, they may also be explored as food supplements for fortifying food products, as food toppings or for garnishing and seasoning foods. However, a human or animal toxicity analysis is required before any conclusive recommendation for daily food or feed intake can be made.

Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry-Based Profiling of Secondary Metabolites in Two Unexplored Eminium Species and Bioactivity Potential

The study aimed at the metabolite profiling and evaluation of antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties of methanol extracts from flowers, leaves, and tubers of unexplored Eminium intortum (Banks & Sol.) Kuntze and E. spiculatum (Blume) Schott (Araceae). A total of 83 metabolites, including 19 phenolic acids, 46 flavonoids, 11 amino, and 7 fatty acids were identified by UHPLC-HRMS in the studied extracts for the first time. E. intortum flower and leaf extracts had the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents (50.82 ± 0.71 mg GAE/g and 65.08 ± 0.38 RE/g, respectively). Significant radical scavenging activity (32.20 ± 1.26 and 54.34 ± 0.53 mg TE/g for DPPH and ABTS) and reducing power (88.27 ± 1.49 and 33.13 ± 0.68 mg TE/g for CUPRAC and FRAP) were observed in leaf extracts. E. intortum flowers showed the maximum anticholinesterase activity (2.72 ± 0.03 mg GALAE/g). E. spiculatum leaves and tubers exhibited the highest inhibition towards α-glucosidase (0.99 ± 0.02 ACAE/g) and tirosinase (50.73 ± 2.29 mg KAE/g), respectively. A multivariate analysis revealed that O-hydroxycinnamoylglycosyl-C-flavonoid glycosides mostly accounted for the discrimination of both species. Thus, E. intortum and E. spiculatum can be considered as potential candidates for designing functional ingredients in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

Review: Harmonised in vitro digestion and the Ussing chamber for investigating the effects of polyphenols on intestinal physiology in monogastrics and ruminants

Because of the relevant effects of plant-derived polyphenols (PPs) on monogastrics and ruminants' nutrition, emissions and performance, an increasing number of in vivo and in vitro studies are being performed to better understand the mechanisms of action of polyphenols at both the ruminal and intestinal levels. The biological properties of these phenolic compounds strongly depend on their degradation, absorption and metabolism. The harmonised in vitro digestion method (INFOGEST) is one of the most reliable in vitro methods used to assess the bioaccessibility and or antioxidant activity of PP contained in different matrixes, as well as the interactions of PP and their degradation products with other feed ingredients. The effects of PP released from their matrix after in vitro digestion on different intestinal physiological parameters, such as epithelium integrity, can be further evaluated by the use of ex vivo models such as the Ussing chamber. This review aims to describe the combination of the INFOGEST method, coupled with the Ussing chamber as a valuable model for the digestion and subsequent effects and absorption of phenolic compounds in monogastrics and potentially in ruminants. The advances, challenges and limits of this approach are also discussed.

Growth Performance, Antioxidant and Immunity Capacity Were Significantly Affected by Feeding Fermented Soybean Meal in Juvenile Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

This study aims to investigate the effects of partial dietary replacement of fish meal with unfermented and/or fermented soybean meal (fermented by Bacillus cereus) supplemented on the growth performance, whole-body composition, antioxidant and immunity capacity, and their related gene expression of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Four groups of juveniles (initial weight 159.63 ± 9.54 g) at 6 months of age in triplicate were fed for 12 weeks on four different iso-nitrogen (about 41% dietary protein) and iso-lipid (about 15% dietary lipid) experimental diets. The main results were: Compared with the control diet, the diet with replaced 10% fish meal protein with fermented soybean meal protein supplementation can significantly (p < 0.05) influence the expression of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6 genes, the growth performance, the serum biochemical indices, and the activity of antioxidant and immunity enzymes. However, there was no significant effect (p > 0.05) on the survival rate (SR) and whole-body composition in the juveniles among the experimental groups. In conclusion, the diet with replaced 10% fish meal protein with fermented soybean meal protein supplementation could significantly increase the growth performance, antioxidant and immunity capacity, and their related gene expression of juveniles.

Screening and identification of lipase inhibitors extracted from Dioscorea nipponica Makino by UV-vis and HPLC coupled to UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS

Dioscoreae nipponica Makino (D. nipponica) as the rhizome of dioscoreaceae rich in steroidal saponins, has been reported to have the hypolipidemic effects etc. However, it is still unclear which exact active components are primary responsible for the beneficial effects. This study was conducted to fish out the lipase inhibitors from D. nipponica, and evaluate the inhibitory activity on porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) through in vitro kinetic assay using p-nitrophenyl palmitate as substrate. Accordingly, the ethanolic extract was subjected to D101 macroporous resin purification for spectrophotometric screening, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation and structural characterization by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Through orlistat validation, the PPL inhibitory activity and IC₅₀ value of the extract were respectively 68.34 ± 1.47 % and 107.05 μg/mL under the optimized inhibition conditions. From 6 steroidal saponins identified, the inhibitory components named the protodioscin, protogracillin, dioscin and gracillin were fished out by grouping separation and HPLC analysis. Furthermore, dioscin and gracillin with the parent structure of diogenin were confirmed as the major inhibitors by virtue of stability tests based on transformation of protodioscin and protogracillin. Finally, the inhibitory mechanism of the major inhibitors toward PPL was further clarified by kinetic analysis and molecular docking analysis. The proposed method not only revealed the PPL inhibitory components in D. nipponica, but also provided an effective approach to hierarchical screening of PPL inhibitors from natural plants.

Food processing to reduce antinutrients in plant-based foods

Antinutrients such as phytic acids, tannins, saponin, and enzyme inhibitors are phytochemicals that can decrease the bioavailability of micro- and macronutrients, thus causing them to be unavailable for absorptions in the digestive system. Antinutrients are a major concern especially in countries where plant-based commodities such as wheat, legumes, and cereals are staple foods, for the antinutrients can cause not only mineral deficiencies, but also lead to more serious health issues. Although various thermal and non-thermal processing methods such as cooking, boiling, and fermentation processes have been practiced to decrease the level of antinutrients, these processes may also undesirably influence the final products. More advanced practices, such as ozonation and cold plasma processing (CPP), have been applied to decrease the antinutrients without majorly affecting the physicochemical and nutritional aspects of the commodities post-processing. This review will cover the types of antinutrients that are commonly found in plants, and the available processing methods that can be used, either singly or in combination, to significantly decrease the antinutrients, thus rendering the foods safe for consumption.

Wide-genome selection of lactic acid bacteria harboring genes that promote the elimination of antinutritional factors

Anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) substances in plant products, such as indigestible non-starchy polysaccharides (α-galactooligosaccharides, α-GOS), phytate, tannins, and alkaloids can impede the absorption of many critical nutrients and cause major physiological disorders. To enhance silage quality and its tolerance threshold for humans as well as other animals, ANFs must be reduced. This study aims to identify and compare the bacterial species/strains that are potential use for industrial fermentation and ANFs reduction. A pan-genome study of 351 bacterial genomes was performed, and binary data was processed to quantify the number of genes involved in the removal of ANFs. Among four pan-genomes analysis, all 37 tested Bacillus subtilis genomes had one phytate degradation gene, while 91 out of 150 Enterobacteriacae genomes harbor at least one genes (maximum three). Although, no gene encoding phytase detected in genomes of Lactobacillus and Pediococcus species, they have genes involving indirectly in metabolism of phytate-derivatives to produce Myo-inositol, an important compound in animal cells physiology. In contrast, genes related to production of lectin, tannase and saponin degrading enzyme did not include in genomes of B. subtilis and Pediococcus species. Our findings suggest a combination of bacterial species and/or unique strains in fermentation, for examples, two Lactobacillus strains (DSM 21115 and ATCC 14869) with B. subtilis SRCM103689, would maximize the efficiency in reducing the ANFs concentration. In conclusion, this study provides insights into bacterial genomes analysis for maximizing nutritional value in plant-based food. Further investigations of gene numbers and repertories correlated to metabolism of different ANFs will help clarifying the efficiency of time consuming and food qualities.

Oregano as a potential source of antidiabetic agents

Oregano is the name given to a great variety of herbs belonging mainly to the Lamiaceae and Verbenaceae botanical families. Oregano species are rich sources of phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds like rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid, and luteolin, among others. A few articles have previously accessed some potential pharmacological bioactivities of oregano plants; however, none has focused on the antidiabetic studies. This review aims to summarize recent studies about the potential effect of phenolic compounds from oregano plant species. The reports were retrieved from electronic databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), and Scopus. In addition, articles related to the mentioned topics and published between 2004-2022 were selected. The results from this study show that the antidiabetic pharmacological reports of oregano phenolic compounds are mainly in vitro reports. Therefore, the diversity of oregano species yields a broad variety of phenolic constituents, where preclinical and clinical studies are strongly recommended.

Chickpea Peptide: A Nutraceutical Molecule Corroborating Neurodegenerative and ACE-I Inhibition

Chickpea seeds are the source of proteins in human nutrition and attribute some nutraceutical properties. Herein, we report the effects of chickpea seed bioactive peptide on albumin, insulin, lactoglobulin and lysozyme amyloid fibril formation. Employing thioflavin T (ThT) assays and circular dichroism (CD), amyloid structural binding transition was experimented to analyze the inhibition of amyloid fibril formation. The purified active peptide with a molecular mass of 934.53 Da was evaluated in vitro for its ACE-I inhibitory, antibacterial, antifungal and antidiabetic activities. Further, in vivo animal studies were carried out in wistar rats for blood pressure lowering action. In hypertensive rats, chickpea peptide decreased 131 ± 3.57 mm of Hg for systolic blood pressure and 86 ± 1.5 mm of Hg for diastolic blood pressure after 8 h intraperitoneal administration. Additionally, the peptide suppressed the fibrillation of amyloid and destabilized the preformed mature fibrils. Data emphasize efficacy of chickpea peptide vis-a-vis ACE-Inhibitory, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic and anti-amyloidogenic activities, allowing us to propose this novel peptide as a suitable candidate for nutraceutical-based drugs and seems the first kind of its nature.

Effect of Rhizopus oryzae fermentation on proximate composition, anti-nutrient contents, and functional properties of banana peel flour

The present work aimed to evaluate the effect of fermentation by Rhizopus oryzae on the proximate composition, anti-nutrient contents, and functional properties of banana peel flour using the solid-state fermentation method in a tray bioreactor at 30°C for 96 h. Throughout fermentation, samples were obtained at different times (0/NF, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h), and analysed using standard procedures to determine the proximate composition, anti-nutrient contents, and functional properties. Based on the results, there were significant differences observed (p < 0.05). Carbohydrate content decreased by 3.35%, while the crude protein, fat, ash, and crude fibre contents increased by 11.12, 2.43, 10.99, and 3.50%, respectively. Hydrogen cyanide, saponin, oxalate, and phytate contents decreased by 42.59, 25, 23.83, and 43.82%, respectively. Water absorption capacity (WAC) and the water solubility index (WSI) increased by 3.94 and 37.14%, respectively, while oil absorption capacity (OAC) decreased by 4.48%. These results showed that the fermentation of banana peel flour by R. oryzae has potential benefits for the food industry due to its effect on chemical composition and functional properties.

Traditional chinese medicine to prevent and treat diabetic erectile dysfunction

Diabetic erectile dysfunction (DED) is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus. However, current therapeutics have no satisfactory effect on DED. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown good effects against DED. By now, several clinical trials have been conducted to study the effect of TCM in treating DED; yet, the underlying mechanism is not fully investigated. Therefore, in this review, we briefly summarized the pathophysiological mechanism of DED and reviewed the published clinical trials on the treatment of DED by TCM. Then, the therapeutic potential of TCM and the underlying mechanisms whereby TCM exerts protective effects were summarized. We concluded that TCM is more effective than chemical drugs in treating DED by targeting multiple signaling pathways, including those involved in oxidation, apoptosis, atherosclerosis, and endothelial function. However, the major limitation in the application of TCM against DED is the lack of a large-scale, multicenter, randomized, and controlled clinical trial on the therapeutic effect, and the underlying pharmaceutical mechanisms also need further investigation. Despite these limitations, clinical trials and further experimental studies will enhance our understanding of the mechanisms modulated by TCM and promote the widespread application of TCM to treat DED.

The effect of Tribulus terrestris supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress, and performance of recreational runners: study protocol for a randomized placebo-controlled trial

Background

High intensity and endurance exercises lead to exercise-induced oxidative stress (EIOS), exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), and inflammation, which are the influencing factors on muscle soreness, localized swelling, and sports performance decrease. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of Tribulus terrestris (TT) as an herbal supplement with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties on the nutritional, oxidative, inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory status, as well as the sports performance of recreational runners.

Methods/design

This study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, which will be conducted among recreational runners of Tabriz stadiums, Iran. Thirty-four recreational runners will be selected, and participants will be assigned randomly to two groups: to receive 500 mg TT supplement or placebo capsules twice daily for 2 weeks. Both groups will do high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts during the study. Baseline and post-intervention body composition, muscle pain, and aerobic and anaerobic performance will be assessed. In addition, assessment of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), uric acid (UA), 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α), protein carbonyl (PC), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin (MYO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) irisin, cortisol, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) will be done during three blood samplings. Changes in oxidative stress, anti/inflammatory biomarkers, and sports performance will be assessed as primary outcomes.

Discussion

This study will be the first to assess the potential effects of TT on recreational runners. Our results will contribute to the growing body of knowledge regarding TT supplementation on the nutritional, oxidative, inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory status and sports performance in recreational runners.

Trial registration

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir) (ID: IRCT20150205020965N8). Registration date: 13 February 2021.

Mechanistic insights on burdock (Arctium lappa L.) extract effects on diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2 is amongst the most common chronic diseases, being responsible for various problems in humans and contributing to increased mortality rates worldwide. Fructooligosaccharide, which can be produced from the roots of burdock (Arctium lappa L.), has been shown to have a wide range of pharmacological proprieties, including antiviral, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, and antidiabetic effects. Moreover, burdock also contains chlorogenic acid, which has been used in traditional medicine as an antioxidant. Considering its natural origin and minimal toxicity, burdock fructooligosaccharides (BFO) has gained considerable attention from researchers owing its wide, efficient, and beneficial action against DM. Although the effectiveness of fructooligosaccharide and chlorogenic acid has been extensively discussed, limited information is available on the application of burdock for DM treatment. In this review, we discuss the beneficial contributions, and the recent in vitro and in vivo analytical findings on A. lappa extract as DM therapy.

Molecular Action of Herbal Medicine in Physiology of Erection and its Dysfunction

Erection is a physiological process that involves vascular, hormonal, and nervous factors. Erectile dysfunction is one of the male sexual problems that occur globally and is reported to affect men's quality of life. Herbal plants have been widely used for disease treatment, including the problem of erectile dysfunction. This paper aims to review the molecular potential of various plants in the physiology of erection and to treat erectile dysfunction. The literature search was carried out through the Pubmed and Google Scholar databases regarding the molecular mechanisms of herbal plants and their potential involvement in the physiology of erection and overcoming erectile dysfunction. This paper focuses on six herbal plants: Panax ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, Epimedium, Black pepper, Tribulus terrestris, and Eurycoma longifolia. The six herbal plants have involvement in the erection process and have molecular potential in the treatment of erectile problems

The Obscure Effect of Tribulus terrestris Saponins Plus Inulin on Liver Morphology, Liver Fatty Acids, Plasma Glucose, and Lipid Profile in SD Rats with and without Induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is a predictor of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). There are data suggesting that Tribulus terrestris (TT) saponins act as antidiabetic agents and protect against NAFLD. The effect of saponins may be increased by fermentable fibers such as inulin. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of TT saponins and TT saponins plus inulin on the plasma lipid profile and liver fatty acids of rats with induced diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM). The study was performed on 36 male Sprague–Dawley rats divided into two main groups: control and diabetic. Animals of the diabetic (DM) group were fed a high-fat diet and injected with streptozotocin (low doses). Animals of the control group (nDM) were on a regular diet and were injected with buffer. After the injections, the animals were split into subgroups: three non-diabetic (nDM): (i) control (c-C); (ii) saponin-treated rats (C-Sap); (iii) rats treated with saponins + inulin (C-Sap + IN), and three diabetic subgroups (DM): (iv) control (c-DM); (v) saponin-treated rats (DM-Sap); (vi) rats treated with saponins + inulin (DM-Sap + IN). Liver fatty acids were extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography, and plasma glucose and lipids were measured. The study showed significant changes in liver morphology, liver fatty acids, plasma lipid profile, and plasma glucose. In summary, supplementation with TT saponins or saponins with inulin for one month decreased the level of steatosis in rats with induced type 2 diabetes. Moreover, there were favorable effects on the plasma lipid profile in the rats. However, additional supplementation with inulin had a negative effect on liver morphology (with a microvesicular type of steatosis) in the non-diabetes group. Moreover, supplementation with inulin had a negative effect on plasma glucose in both diabetic and non-diabetic rats. These data show that a diet enriched with fermentable fibers reveals different effects in different organisms, and not all sources and forms of fiber are beneficial to health.

Effect of digestion on bound phenolic content, antioxidant activity and hypoglycemic ability of insoluble dietary fibre from four Triticeae crops

To assess the physiological functions of bound phenols in insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) from different Triticeae crops, bound phenols in IDF were extracted from wheat, triticale, barley and quinoa. In addition, model in vitro was established and used in evaluating the release of bound phenols and changes in their physiological functions after simulated digestion. Results showed that bound phenol content in IDF from Triticeae crops before digestion was higher than which during digestion, and its physiological functions were also better (p < .05). Moreover, barley extracted before digestion, its bound phenolic content in IDF was higher than those in other three Triticeae crops, besides,its bound phenol also showed better antioxidant ability. Before digestion, bound phenols in IDF from triticale showed the best hypoglycemic ability (the inhibition rate of α-glucosidase was 95%; the inhibition rate of α-amylase was 97%). In the simulated digestion model, the bound phenols were mainly released during the intestinal digestion stage, they showed better physiological functions than which released at the gastric digestion stage. The bound phenol content in triticale was higher and its physiological functions was better than those in the other crops. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The results of this experiment showed that the release of bound phenols measured by chemical extraction (i.e., before digestion) was higher than that by simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Compared with the chemical extraction method, in vitro gastro-intestinal digestion simulates the pH value and enzyme environment of food in the human body gastrointestinal digestion process more effectively. This study can provide reference for selecting Triticeae crops feeding in the future. To be more precise, bound phenol content in the insoluble dietary fiber of barley was the highest before digestion. The bound phenol in the insoluble dietary fiber of triticale had the best hypoglycemic ability. The bound phenolic compounds are mainly released during intestinal digestion, and their physiological functions are better than that in gastric digestion.

Tribulus terrestris Efficacy and Safety Concerns in Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction, Assessed in an Experimental Model

The present project aims to evaluate Tribulus terrestris (TT) extracts by addressing various possible mechanisms of action in order to see whether the use of TT supplements in diabetes and diabetes complications is justified. Diabetic rats were divided into three groups: diabetic control group, TT extract with low protodioscin content group (TT-LPC) and TT extract with high protodioscin content group (TT-HPC). After twelve weeks of treatment, fasting blood glucose, insulin, LH, FSH and testosterone levels were measured. Both TT preparations reduced elevated blood glucose level. Insulin and luteinizing hormone levels were not significantly different compared with the control group; however, the FSH and testosterone levels were significantly higher in the TT-HPC group compared with the diabetic control group. The testosterone level is correlated in part with the protodioscin concentration in extracts and is probably mediated through an FSH-linked pathway.

Enhancement of isoflavone aglycone, amino acid, and CLA contents in fermented soybean yogurts using different strains: Screening of antioxidant and digestive enzyme inhibition properties

This study was the first to evaluate changes in isoflavone, amino acid, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), antioxidant effect, and digestive enzyme inhibition during fermentation of soy-milk to soy-yogurt with L. brevis and L. plantarum. Total average isoflavones were reduced (1318.2 → 971.1 μg/g) with an increase of aglycones (60.2 → 804.9 μg/g, genistein > daidzein > glycitein) in soy powder yogurts (SPYs). Amino acids increased considerably, as did ornithine (average 4.1 → 551.0 mg/g), and CLA showed high variations from not-detected (ND) to 0.5, 0.9 mg/g (cis-9, trans-11) and ND to 0.3, 0.2 mg/g (trans-10, cis-12). Digestive enzyme inhibitions (α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and pancreatic lipase) displayed high activities (average 50.6 → 67.2, 5.2 → 46.4, 10.6 → 51.4%). Moreover, the antioxidant abilities against radicals were elevated as follows: ABTS > DPPH > hydroxyl (average 63.5 → 86.5, 50.2 → 70.3, 39.3 → 55.2%). Specifically, SPY using mixed strains exhibited the greatest enzymatic inhibition and antioxidant capacities.

Microstructure of Whole Wheat versus White Flour and Wheat-Chickpea Flour Blends and Dough: Impact on the Glycemic Response of Pan Bread

Whole foods are generally considered healthier choices compared to processed foods. For nutritional consideration, whole wheat bread is recommended over the white bread. However, it has a similarly high effect on glycemic response (GR) as the white bread. This study is aimed at assessing the microstructure of whole wheat flour (WWF), white flour (WF), chickpea flour (BF), their blends, and dough and the GR of the bread made thereof. Scanning electron microscope analysis showed clear distinctions in the microstructure of the three flours. WWF particle size distribution had the widest spread with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 1.0 (±0.0) and wider average diameter, with z value of 1679.5 (±156.3) compared with the particle size of 658.9 (±160.4) and PDI of 0.740 (±0.04) for WF followed by BF with the particle size of 394.1 (±54.9) and PDI of 0.388 (±0.07) (p < 0.05). The falling number was significantly (p < 0.05) lower for WWF compared to WF or BF, indicating higher alpha-amylase activity. Thus, bread made from WWF without BF substitution exhibited a higher glycemic response similar to the bread made from WF. When partly replaced with BF, the GR of the bread made with WWF or WF reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in healthy individuals.

The hydrolysis of saponin-rich extracts from fenugreek and quinoa improves their pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity and hypocholesterolemic effect

Saponins are promising compounds for ameliorating hyperlipidemia but scarce information exists about sapogenins, the hydrolyzed forms of saponins. Saponin-rich extracts and their hydrolysates from fenugreek (FE, HFE) and quinoa (QE, HQE), and saponin and sapogenin standards, were assessed on the inhibition of pancreatic lipase and interference on the bioaccessibility of cholesterol by in vitro digestion models. All extracts inhibited pancreatic lipase (IC₅₀ between 1.15 and 0.59 mg/mL), although the hydrolysis enhanced the bioactivity of HQE (p = 0.014). The IC₅₀ value significantly correlated to the saponin content (r = -0.82; p = 0.001). Only the hydrolyzed extracts showed a reduction of bioaccessible cholesterol (p < 0.001) higher than that of phytosterols (35% reduction). Sapogenin standards exhibited no bioactivities, protodioscin and hederacoside C slightly inhibited the lipase (around 10%) and protodioscin reduced the bioaccessible cholesterol (23% reduction, p = 0.035). The hydrolysis process of saponin-rich extracts enhances the bioactivity and allows developing multibioactive products against pancreatic lipase and cholesterol absorption simultaneously.

The Probable Use of Genus amaranthus as Feed Material for Monogastric Animals

This review presents, discusses, and provides a comprehensive understanding of the potential use of amaranth as feed for monogastric animals. Amaranth is an ancient nutritious crop that has been cultivated for multiple purposes. In America, Asia, and Africa, the leaves of amaranth species are used as vegetables. The change in climatic conditions globally has resulted in shortages of rainfall, unpredictable weather, and lack of inputs such as fertilizer. This has led to scarcity of protein sources in the market and instability in prices which makes it necessary to consider alternative ingredients in poultry, pigs, fish, and rabbits feed formulation. Amaranth is rich in fiber, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and phenolic compounds which have some health benefits in animals and can be used to improve productivity. It also contains anti-nutritional factors which can be reduced by several processing methods. Moreover, its use in monogastric nutrition is useful because amaranth has shown to improve monogastric productivity without having any adverse effect on animals' productivity. Thus, from this review, it can be concluded that amaranth leaves and grains can be used successfully in monogastric animals though different processing methods which might need to be employed in order to reduce anti-nutritional factors before use in animals.

Biological Activities of Chickpea in Human Health (Cicer arietinum L.). A Review

Chickpea is one of the most consumed legumes worldwide. Among their benefits are the high protein concentration that reflects not only at the nutritional level but also on the supply of active peptides; besides, it presents different metabolites with pharmacological activities. Some biological activities identified in the different compounds of chickpea are antioxidant, antihypertensive, hypocholesterolemic, and anticancer. Although most reports are based on the effects of the proteins and their hydrolysates, alcoholic extracts have also been proven that contain phenolic compounds, saponins, phytates, among others; therefore, their consumption has been dubbed as an alternative for the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases. In the present review, we summarize the nutritional composition of the chickpea and describe the main biological activities reported for this legume, revealing some of its beneficial effects on health, of which there is still much to be elucidated.

Lipase Inhibitors for Obesity: A Review

With the rapid increase in the population of obese individuals, obesity has become a global problem. Many kinds of chronic metabolic diseases easily caused by obesity have received increasing attention from researchers. People are also striving to find various safe and effective treatment methods as well as anti-obesity medicines. Pancreatic lipase (PL) inhibitors have received substantial attention from researchers in recent years, and PL inhibitors from natural products have attracted much attention due to their structural diversity, low toxicity and wide range of sources. They have been used in the intestinal tract, blood, and the central nervous system with no side effects, and these advantages could lead to a new generation of diet pills or health care products with great development potential. This article is mainly aimed at discussing the research of obesity drug treatment with PL inhibitors and offers a brief review of related properties and the use of PL inhibitors in the field of weight loss.

A Comprehensive Review of the Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Toxicological Properties of Tribulus terrestris L

The general spread of Tribulus terrestris L. (South Africa, Australia, Europe, and India), the high content of active ingredients (in particular sterol saponins, as well as flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, phenol carboxylic acids, and alkaloids), and its frequent uses in folk medicine, and as food supplements highlight the importance of evaluating its phytopharmacological properties. There are miscellaneous hypotheses that the species could have a high potential for the prevention and improvement of various human conditions such as infertility, low sexual desire, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases. Worldwide, numerous herbal supplements are commercialized with indications mostly to improve libido, sexual performance in both sexes, and athletic performance. Phytochemical studies have shown great disparities in the content of active substances (in particular the concentration of furostanol and spirostanol saponoside, considered to be the predominant active ingredients related to the therapeutic action). Thus, studies of experimental pharmacology (in vitro studies and animal models in vivo) and clinical pharmacology (efficacy and safety clinical trials) have sometimes led to divergent results; moreover, the presumed pharmacodynamic mechanisms have yet to be confirmed by molecular biology studies. Given the differences observed in the composition, the plant organ used to obtain the extract, the need for selective extraction methods which are targeted at the class of phytocompounds, and the standardization of T. terrestris extracts is an absolute necessity. This review aims to highlight the phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological properties of T. terrestris, with a focus on the contradictory results obtained by the studies conducted worldwide.