Relevance of functional foods in the Mediterranean diet: the role of olive oil, berries and honey in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases

Extraction, purification, structural characteristics and biological properties of the polysaccharides from Rubus L: A review

Rubus L. is widely distributed throughout the world as a medicinal and food plant with rich values. There is increasing evidence that Rubus L. polysaccharides are important and representative active macromolecules with abundant in vitro and in vivo bioactivities, such as: antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-fatigue and so on. Despite significant advancements in research, a comprehensive and systematic review of Rubus L. polysaccharides has been absent. In this paper, we innovatively provide an in-depth overview of the extraction and purification methods, structural characterization, biological activities, possible molecular mechanisms, toxicity and applications of Rubus L. polysaccharides for the first time. In addition, the existing literature was quantitatively analyzed by bibliometrics. The paper also focuses on the challenges and future perspectives of the existing studies with a view to providing new insights and directions for the future development of Rubus L. polysaccharides.

Sensory preferences are important motivators for using herbs and spices: A cross-sectional analysis of Australian adults

INTRODUCTION

Herbs and spices have been used in cooking and food preparation to add flavour and aroma for centuries. However, many herbs and spices are also associated with a number of health benefits. Despite this, little is known about the types and frequency of use of herbs and spices in Australian households. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the types of herbs and spices used in cooking and food preparation in Australian households.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was undertaken amongst Australian adults aged ≥18 years. Participants were recruited via social media platforms requesting voluntary participation in an online questionnaire. The survey tool included questions related to the types of herbs and spices used and consumed in Australian households, frequency of use, and adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener.

RESULTS

A total of n = 400 participants responded and completed the survey. Participants were mostly female (n = 341; 85.3%) aged between 25 and 64 years (n = 331; 82.8%) and were overweight (body mass index: 26.5 ± 5.9 kg/m2). In the previous 12 months, two-thirds of participants (n = 257; 64.3%) reported consuming herbs and spices 1-2 times per day, which were mostly consumed as part of lunch/dinner meals (n = 372; 93%). Basil (n = 391; 97.8%), pepper (n = 390; 97.5%) and garlic (n = 387; 96.8%) were amongst the most frequently used herbs and spices. Moderate to high adherence to a MedDiet was associated with daily use of herbs and spices [χ2 (1, n = 397) = 5.6, P = 0.018].

CONCLUSION

This cross-sectional analysis of Australian households shows that most Australian adults consume herbs and spices daily. Further investigation into the quantities used and needed to elicit potential health benefits of herbs and spices when incorporated into a healthy dietary pattern warrants future investigation.

Assessment of fruity aroma intensity in olive oils from different Spanish regions using a portable electronic nose

BACKGROUND

The organoleptic profile of an olive oil is a fundamental quality parameter obtained by human sensory panels. In this work, a portable electronic nose was employed to predict the fruity aroma intensity of 199 olive oil samples from different Spanish regions and cultivar varieties ('Picual', 'Arbequina', and 'Cornicabra'), with special emphasis in testing the robustness of the predictions versus cultivar variety variability. The primary data given by the electronic nose were used to obtain two different feature vectors that were employed to fit ridge and lasso regressions models to two datasets: one consisting of all the samples and another just the cv. Picual samples.

RESULTS

The results obtained showed mean average error (MAE) values below 0.88 in all cases, with an MAE of 0.67 for the 'Picual' model. These MAE values and the similarities in the model parameters fitted for the different data folds are in agreement with the results obtained in previous studies.

CONCLUSION

The large number of samples analyzed and the results obtained show the robustness of the approach and the applicability of the methods. Also, the results suggest that better performance can be obtained when specific models are fitted for particular cultivars. Overall, the proposed methods are capable of providing useful information for a fast screening of the fruity aroma intensity of olive oils. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Modulation of Intestinal Flora: a Novel Immunotherapeutic Approach for Enhancing Thyroid Cancer Treatment

Over the past 3 years, there has been a growing interest in clinical research regarding the potential involvement of intestinal flora in thyroid cancer (TC). This review delves into the intricate connection between intestinal flora and TC, focusing on the particular intestinal flora that is directly linked to the disease and identifying which may be able to predict potential microbial markers of TC. In order to shed light on the inflammatory pathways connected to the onset of TC, we investigated the impact of intestinal flora on immune modulation and the connection between chronic inflammation when investigating the role of intestinal flora in the pathogenesis of TC. Furthermore, the potential role of intestinal flora metabolites in the regulation of thyroid function was clarified by exploring the effects of short-chain fatty acids and lipopolysaccharide on thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism. Based on these findings, we further explore the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, vitamins, and trace elements.

Tea-derived exosome-like nanoparticles prevent irritable bowel syndrome induced by water avoidance stress in rat model

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs) have emerged as crucial mediators of intercellular communication, evaluated as potential bioactive nutraceutical biomolecules. We hypothesized that oral ELNs have some therapeutic effect on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

METHODS

In our study, ELNs from tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves were extracted by differential centrifugation. We investigated the role of ELNs by assessing visceral hypersensitivity, body weight, bowel habits, tight junctions, and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in rats subjected to water avoidance stress (WAS) to mimic IBS with and without ELNs (1 mg/kg per day) for 10 days.

RESULTS

The average diameter of ELNs from LCC, FD and MZ tea tree were 165 ± 107, 168 ± 94, and 168 ± 108 nm, the concentration of ELNs were 1.2 × 1013, 1 × 1013, and 1.5 × 1013 particles/mL, respectively. ELNs can be taken up by intestinal epithelial cells. In WAS rats, ELNs significantly restored weight, recovered tight junctions, decreased CRH, and CRH receptor 1 expression levels and inhibited abdominal hypersensitivity in comparison to positive control.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral tea-derived ELN improves symptoms of IBS by potentially modulating the CRH pathway.

In Vivo Antioxidant Activity of Common Dietary Flavonoids: Insights from the Yeast Model Saccharomyces cerevisiae

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress, associated with diseases and aging, underscores the therapeutic potential of natural antioxidants. Flavonoids, known for scavenging free radicals and modulating cell signaling, offer significant health benefits and contribute to longevity. To explore their in vivo effects, we investigated the antioxidant activity of quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, naringenin, and genistein, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism.

METHODS

We performed viability assays to evaluate the effects of these compounds on cell growth, both in the presence and absence of H2O2. Additional assays, including spot assays, drug drop tests, and colony-forming unit assays, were also conducted.

RESULTS

Viability assays indicated that the tested compounds are non-toxic. H2O2 reduced yeast viability, but flavonoid-treated cells showed increased resistance, confirming their protective effect. Polyphenols scavenged intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protected cells from oxidative damage. Investigations into defense systems revealed that H2O2 induced catalase activity and oxidized glutathione accumulation, both of which were reduced by polyphenol treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The tested natural compounds enhance cell viability and reduce oxidative damage by scavenging ROS and modulating antioxidant defenses. These results suggest their potential as supplements and pave the way for further research.

The co-benefits of climate change mitigation strategies on cardiovascular health: a systematic review

Background

Climate change is a significant threat to global human health and a leading cause of premature death. Global warming, leading to more extreme weather (in particular extreme heat events), and air pollution has been associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, 62% of the deaths attributable to climate change were from CVD. Climate change mitigation is a slow, steady process, and the concept of co-benefits has arisen to promote climate action. This systematic review examines how numerous mitigation strategies, such as plant-based diets, increasing green spaces, increasing active transport, using renewable energy sources, and smoking cessation, may have the co-benefit of reducing CVD.

Methods

A mixed methods systematic review with narrative synthesis was conducted on four databases, according to the PRISMA guidelines. The articles retrieved (published between 2012 and 2022) had a mitigation strategy as the exposure, and CVD related morbidity or mortality reduction as an outcome.

Findings

The review found that renewable energy has a stronger association with cardiovascular co-benefits compared to emission reduction targets. Multimodal transport is more beneficial for both the climate and cardiac health than zero emission vehicles. Diet modification, such as Mediterranean and plant-based-diets, is positively associated with CVD reduction. Proximity to green spaces and reducing urbanisation may also improve cardiac health.

Interpretation

This systematic review demonstrates that implementing four mitigation strategies - increasing renewable energy use, active transport, green spaces, and plant-based diets; could lead to the co-benefit of reducing CVD morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, it illustrates the importance of plant-based diets and active transport to improve cardiovascular health.

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

The power of berries against cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) pose a serious threat to human health and incidence is increasing gradually. Nutrition has an important impact on the prophylaxis and progression of CVD. In this article, general attention is drawn to the possible positive effects of berries on CVD. Polyphenols have beneficial effects on the vascular system by inhibiting low-density lipoprotein oxidation and platelet aggregation, lowering blood pressure, improving endothelial dysfunction, and attenuating antioxidant defense and inflammatory responses. This review provides an overview of the effects of berries for the prevention and treatment of CVDs. Berries contain several cardioprotective antioxidants, vitamins, and numerous phytochemicals, such as phenolic compounds, that have antioxidant properties and antiplatelet activity. Phytochemical compounds in their structures can modulate dissimilar signaling pathways related to cell survival, differentiation, and growth. Important health benefits of berries include their antioxidant roles and anti-inflammatory impacts on vascular function. The effectiveness and potential of polyphenols primarily depend on the amount of bioavailability and intake. Although circulating berry metabolites can improve vascular function, their biological activities, mechanisms of action, and in vivo interactions are still unknown. Analyzing human studies or experimental studies to evaluate the bioactivity of metabolites individually and together is essential to understanding the mechanisms by which these metabolites affect vascular function.

Personalizing Nutrition Strategies: Bridging Research and Public Health

In recent years, although life expectancy has increased significantly, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to pose a significant threat to the health of the global population. Therefore, eating habits have been recognized as key modifiable factors that influence people's health and well-being. For this reason, it is interesting to study dietary patterns, since the human diet is a complex mixture of macronutrients, micronutrients, and bioactive compounds, and can modulate multiple physiological processes, including immune function, the metabolism, and inflammation. To ensure that the data we acquired were current and relevant, we searched primary and secondary sources, including scientific journals, bibliographic indexes, and databases in the last 15 years with the most relevant articles. After this search, we observed that all the recent research on NCDs suggests that diet is a critical factor in shaping an individual's health outcomes. Thus, cardiovascular, metabolic, mental, dental, and visual health depends largely on the intake, habits and patterns, and nutritional behaviors. A diet high in processed and refined foods, added sugars, and saturated fats can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases. On the other hand, a diet rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and a high adherence to Mediterranean diet can improve health's people.

Effects of Particle Size on Physicochemical and Nutritional Properties and Antioxidant Activity of Apple and Carrot Pomaces

The food processing industry is growing rapidly and producing large amounts of by-products, such as pomaces, which are considered as no-value waste and cause significant environmental pollution. The main by-products of fruit juice processing companies are apple and carrot pomaces, which can be used to create new functional food products. In the present study, the effects of particle size (PS) on the proximate composition, nutritional properties, and antioxidant activity of apple pomace flour (APF) and carrot pomace flour (CPF) were determined. Four different PS fractions, PS > 1 mm, 1 > PS > 0.71 mm, 0.71 > PS > 0.18 mm, and 0.18 > PS > 0.075 mm were used for the present study. Their vitamin, carotenoid, organic acid, and reducing sugar contents were determined using HPLC. The proximate compositions of each PS fraction of the AP and CP flours were determined using recommended international standard methods. DPPH, FRAP, and Folin-Ciocalteu methods were used to measure their antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds, respectively. The moisture content (around 12.1 mg/100 g) was similar in all PS fractions and in both flours. The APF had lower protein (4.3-4.6 g/100 g dw) and ash (1.7-2.0 g/100 g dw) contents compared to the CPF, with protein contents ranging from 6.4-6.8 g/100 g dw and ash contents ranging from 5.8-6.1 g/100 g dw. Smaller particles, regardless of flour type, exhibited higher sugar and phenolic contents and antioxidant activity, while vitamins were more abundant in particles larger than 1 mm. In the APF, larger particles had a higher fiber content than smaller particles, while their fat content was the lowest. PS also had an impact on the results of the carotenoid contents. This study underscores the direct impact of PS on the distribution of sugars, crude fiber, fat, carotenoids, vitamins, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity in pomaces.

From immune checkpoints to therapies: understanding immune checkpoint regulation and the influence of natural products and traditional medicine on immune checkpoint and immunotherapy in lung cancer

Lung cancer is a disease of global concern, and immunotherapy has brought lung cancer therapy to a new era. Besides promising effects in the clinical use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and low response rates are problems unsolved. Natural products and traditional medicine with an immune-modulating nature have the property to influence immune checkpoint expression and can improve immunotherapy's effect with relatively low toxicity. This review summarizes currently approved immunotherapy and the current mechanisms known to regulate immune checkpoint expression in lung cancer. It lists natural products and traditional medicine capable of influencing immune checkpoints or synergizing with immunotherapy in lung cancer, exploring both their effects and underlying mechanisms. Future research on immune checkpoint modulation and immunotherapy combination applying natural products and traditional medicine will be based on a deeper understanding of their mechanisms regulating immune checkpoints. Continued exploration of natural products and traditional medicine holds the potential to enhance the efficacy and reduce the adverse reactions of immunotherapy.

Dual COX-2/15-LOX inhibitors: A new avenue in the prevention of cancer

Dual cyclooxygenase 2/15-lipoxygenase inhibitors constitute a valuable alternative to classical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and selective COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, as well as preventing the cancer. Indeed, these latter present diverse side effects, which are reduced or absent in dual-acting agents. In this review, COX-2 and 15-LOX (15-lipoxygenase) pathways are first described in order to highlight the therapeutic interest of designing such compounds. Various structural families of dual inhibitors are illustrated. This study discloses various structural families of dual 15-LOX/COX-2 inhibitors, thus pave the way to design potentially-active anticancer agents with balanced dual inhibition of these enzymes.

Metabolic diseases and healthy aging: identifying environmental and behavioral risk factors and promoting public health

Aging is a progressive and irreversible pathophysiological process that manifests as the decline in tissue and cellular functions, along with a significant increase in the risk of various aging-related diseases, including metabolic diseases. While advances in modern medicine have significantly promoted human health and extended human lifespan, metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes among the older adults pose a major challenge to global public health as societies age. Therefore, understanding the complex interaction between risk factors and metabolic diseases is crucial for promoting well-being and healthy aging. This review article explores the environmental and behavioral risk factors associated with metabolic diseases and their impact on healthy aging. The environment, including an obesogenic environment and exposure to environmental toxins, is strongly correlated with the rising prevalence of obesity and its comorbidities. Behavioral factors, such as diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and sleep patterns, significantly influence the risk of metabolic diseases throughout aging. Public health interventions targeting modifiable risk factors can effectively promote healthier lifestyles and prevent metabolic diseases. Collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers and community organizations is essential for implementing these interventions and creating supportive environments that foster healthy aging.

Gingerols synergize with anthocyanins to induce antioxidant activity in vitro

Oxidative stress caused by free radicals contributes to the pathogenesis of multiple chronic health conditions. Phytochemicals protect against oxidative stress; however, low bioavailability from dietary sources limits their health benefits. This study aimed to assess the effects of anthocyanins and gingerols' combination on the cellular antioxidant response of Caco-2 cells against oxidative stress. A strong synergism was observed for anthocyanin-gingerol (Ac-G) w/w combined ratios of 8:1 and 2:1 (dosages of (1 + 0.125) and (1 + 0.5) μg/mL) in the cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) and cytoprotective effects, with synergistic effect indicator (SE) values of 1.41 and 1.61, respectively. The synergism of Ac-G combinations promoted cellular antioxidant defense systems and cytoprotective effects by reducing the induced GPx enzyme activity, protecting SOD enzyme activity, reducing cellular ROS generation, increasing glutathione content, and inhibiting lipid peroxidation. Thus, Ac-G combinations showed potential in supporting the endogenous antioxidant systems to protect cells from oxidation and restore physiological redox status. The Ac-G formulation is a promising healthy option that can be developed into functional foods or nutraceutical products. Furthermore, it could help address the low bioavailability of these phenolics, as higher effects were achieved when combining the same doses.

Biomarkers of Berry Intake: Systematic Review Update

Berries are rich in (poly)phenols, and these compounds may be beneficial to human health. Estimating berry consumption through self-reported questionnaires has been challenging due to compliance issues and a lack of precision. Estimation via food-derived biomarkers in biofluids was proposed as a complementary alternative. We aimed to review and update the existing evidence on biomarkers of intake for six different types of berries. A systematic literature search was performed to update a previous systematic review on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus from January 2020 until December 2022. Out of 42 papers, only 18 studies were eligible. A multimetabolite panel is suggested for blueberry and cranberry intake. Proposed biomarkers for blueberries include hippuric acid and malvidin glycosides. For cranberries, suggested biomarkers are glycosides of peonidin and cyanidin together with sulfate and glucuronide conjugates of phenyl-γ-valerolactone derivatives. No new metabolite candidates have been found for raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants, and blackberries. Further studies are encouraged to validate these multimetabolite panels for improving the estimation of berry consumption.

Consumption of olive oil and risk of breast cancer in U.S. women: results from the Nurses' Health Studies

BACKGROUND

Olive oil consumption may reduce breast cancer risk, but it is unclear whether olive oil is beneficial for breast cancer prevention in populations outside of Mediterranean regions, namely in the U.S., where the average consumption of olive oil is low compared with Mediterranean populations. We examined whether olive oil intake was associated with breast cancer risk in two prospective cohorts of U.S. women.

METHODS

We used multivariable-adjusted time-varying Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for breast cancer among 71,330 (Nurses' Health Study, 1990-2016) and 93,295 women (Nurses' Health Study II, 1991-2017) who were free of cancer at baseline. Diet was assessed by a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire every 4 years.

RESULTS

During 3,744,068 person-years of follow-up, 9,638 women developed invasive breast cancer. The multivariable-adjusted HR (95% CI) for breast cancer among women who had the highest consumption of olive oil (>1/2 tablespoon/d or >7 g/d) compared with those who never or rarely consumed olive oil, was 1.01 (0.93, 1.09). Higher olive oil consumption was not associated with any subtype of breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

We did not observe an association between higher olive oil intake and breast cancer risk in two large prospective cohorts of U.S. women, whose average olive oil consumption was low. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and to further investigate whether different varieties of olive oil (e.g., virgin and extra virgin olive oil) may play a role in breast cancer risk.

Mechanisms of Action of Fruit and Vegetable Phytochemicals in Colorectal Cancer Prevention

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and its incidence is expected to increase by almost 80% by 2030. CRC apparition is related to poor diet, mainly due to low consumption of phytochemicals present in fruits and vegetables. Hence, this paper reviews the most promising phytochemicals in the literature, presenting scientific evidence regarding potential CRC chemopreventive effects. Moreover, this paper reveals the structure and action of CRC mechanisms that these phytochemicals are involved in. The review reveals that vegetables rich in phytochemicals such as carrots and green leafy vegetables, as well as some fruits such as pineapple, citrus fruits, papaya, mango, and Cape gooseberry, that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and chemopreventive properties can promote a healthy colonic environment. Fruits and vegetables in the daily diet promote antitumor mechanisms by regulating cell signaling and/or proliferation pathways. Hence, daily consumption of these plant products is recommended to reduce the risk of CRC.

Co-Extraction Technique Improves Functional Capacity and Health-Related Benefits of Olive Oils: A Mini Review

Olive oil, a fundamental component of the Mediterranean diet, is recognized as a functional food due to its health-promoting composition. The concentration of phenolic compounds in olive oil is influenced by various factors such as genetics, agro-climatic conditions, and technological processes. Therefore, to ensure an ideal intake of phenolics through the diet, it is recommended to produce functional enriched olive oil that contains a high concentration of bioactive compounds. The co-extraction technique is used to create innovative and differentiated products that promote the sensory and health-related composition of oils. To enrich olive oil, various natural sources of bioactive compounds can be used, including raw materials derived from the same olive tree such as olive leaves, as well as other compounds from plants and vegetables, such as herbs and spices (garlic, lemon, hot pepper, rosemary, thyme, and oregano). The development of functional enriched olive oils can contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases and improve consumers' quality of life. This mini-review compiles and discusses relevant scientific information related to the development of enriched olive oil using the co-extraction technique and its positive effects on the health-related composition of oils.

Bioactive compounds and functional foods as coadjuvant therapy for thrombosis

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death. The most common cardiovascular pathologies are thromboembolic diseases. Antithrombotic therapy prevents thrombus formation or dissolves that previously constituted. However, it presents a high rate of accidents such as gastric bleeding and cerebrovascular embolism. Plant foods and their secondary metabolites have been reported to regulate blood hemostasis. This review article aims to propose plant foods and their metabolites as adjuvant therapy for the management of thromboembolic diseases. Various databases were consulted, using antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and fibrinolytic as key terms. In total, 35 foods and 24 secondary metabolites, via in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, have been reported to regulate platelet aggregation, blood coagulation, and fibrinolysis. According to the studies presented in this review, plant foods with effects at concentrations less than 50 μg mL^-1 and secondary metabolites with IC₅₀ less than 100 μM can be considered agents with high antithrombotic potential. This review suggests that plant foods and their secondary metabolites should be used to develop foods, ingredients and nutraceuticals with functional properties. The evidence presented in this review shows that plant foods and their bioactive compounds could be used as adjuvants for the treatment and prevention of thrombotic complications. However, further in vivo and clinical trials are required to establish effective and safe doses.

Honey polyphenols: regulators of human microbiota and health

A comprehensive review of research over the last decade was conducted to carry out this work. The main objective of this work is to present relevant evidence of the effect of honey intake on the human intestinal microbiota and its relationship with the improvement of various chronic diseases, such as cirrhosis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and obesity, among others. Therefore, this work focuses on the health-improving honey dietary supplementation implications associated with specific changes in the human microbiota and their biochemical mechanisms to enhance the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms and the inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms. Consumption of honey polyphenols significantly improves people's health conditions, especially in patients with chronic disease. Hence, honey intake unequivocally constitutes an alternative way to enhance health and could be used to prevent some relevant chronic diseases.

Antioxidants: Structure-activity of plant polyphenolics

The excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)/free radicals can lead to abnormal oxidation of biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, fats, carbohydrates and nucleic acids in human organisms. Accordingly, endogenous oxidative stress induces the progressive development of various chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, cancers, cardiovascular risks, diabetes, digestive ulcers, hypertension, obesity, neurological disorders, and age-related complications. Therefore, anti-oxidant defense mechanisms are needed to control/prevent the unbalanced molecular oxidative damage. Indeed, the oxidative stress arises from both endogenous and exogenous factors such as smoking, alcohol, medications, air pollution, sunlight, lifestyle disorders, and metabolic processes. Therefore, consumption of fruits, vegetables, grains, beverages, and leafy vegetables rich in antioxidants may inhibit or treat oxidative damage accompanying diseases. From this aspect, dietary foods are rich in various antioxidant metabolites such as flavonoids, vitamin A, C, E, phenolic acids, curcumin, stilbenes, anthocyanins, etc., which promote healthy life and nutritional benefits. Additionally, various studies have also proven that foods rich in antioxidants interact with reactive species to prevent cell damage(s) or therapeutic pathways for diseases. Although, there are various myths about the antioxidant mechanism(s), the optimal dosage of antioxidants can show beneficial pharmacological activities against various molecular oxidation paths.

Association between Dried Fruit Intake and DNA Methylation: A Multivariable Mendelian Randomization Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Observational studies have reported associations between dried fruit intake and DNA methylation(DNAm). However, inherent flaws in observational study designs make them susceptible to confounding and reverse causality bias. Consequently, it is unclear whether a causal association exists. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the causal associations between dried fruit intake and DNAm.

METHODS

We performed two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) using the IEU Open GWAS database aggregated data. Forty-three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with dried fruit intake as instrumental variables (IVs) were selected as exposure. DNAm outcomes include Gran (estimated granulocyte proportions); AgeAccelGrim(GrimAge acceleration); Hannum (Hannum age acceleration); IEAA(Intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration), AgeAccelPheno( PhenoAge acceleration), and DNAmPAIadjAge (DNAm-estimated plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels). We used the MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier test (MRPRESSO) and Radial-MR test to identify any level of multi-effect outliers and assessed the causal effect estimates(after removing outliers). The primary causal effects were estimated using inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method and undertook sensitivity analyses using MR methods robust to horizontal pleiotropy.The direct effects of dried fruit intake on DNAm were estimated using multivariable mendelian randomization (MVMR).

RESULTS

Leveraging two-sample MR analysis, we observed statistically significant associations between dried fruit intake with a lower AgeAccelGrim(β=-1.365, 95% confidence intervals [CI] -2.266 to -0.464, PIVW=2.985×10-3) and AgeAccelPheno (β= -1.933, 95% CI -3.068 to -0.798, PIVW=8.371×10-4). By contrast, the effects level on Gran (β=0.008, PIVW=0.430), Hannum(β=-0.430, PIVW=0.357), IEAA(β=-0.184, PIVW=0.700), and DNAmPAIadjAge (β=-1.861, PIVW=0.093) were not statistically significant. MVMR results adjusting for the potential effects of confounders showed that the causal relationship between dried fruit intake and AgeAccelGrim(β= -1.315, 95% CI -2.373 to -0.258, PIVW=1.480×10-2) and AgeAccelPheno(β= -1.595, 95% CI -2.987 to -0.202, PIVW=2.483×10-2) persisted. No significant horizontal polymorphism was found in the sensitivity analysis.

CONCLUSION

Our MR study suggested that increased dried fruit intake is associated with slower AgeAccelGrim and AgeAccelPheno. It can providing a promising avenue for exploring the beneficial effects of dried fruit intake on lifespan extension.

A Comparative Analysis of Dominant Dietary Patterns in Patients with and without Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background

As a modifiable risk factor, nutrition plays a pivotal role in the prevention or delay of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study was aimed to investigate and compare the dominant dietary patterns in the patients with and without OSCC.

Materials and Methods

This case-control study evaluated the usual dietary intake of 80 cases and 120 controls during 2019-2020 using the 117-item Food Frequency Questionnaire, with confirmed validity and reliability. Factor analysis was used to detect the dominant dietary patterns. Data analysis was done by SPSS (version 21) using the Chi-square test, ANOVA, logistic regression analysis, and independent t-test (P < 0.05).

Results

Three dietary patterns were identified, including the western dietary pattern, health dietary pattern, and traditional dietary pattern. The odds ratio (OR) = 1.181 and confidence interval (CI) = 0.671 and 2.082 were found for the western dietary pattern, OR = 1.087 and CI = 0.617 and 1.914 were detected for the healthy dietary pattern, and OR = 0.846 and CI = 0.480 and 1.491 were reported for the traditional dietary pattern. No significant difference was found between the study groups in the dietary pattern and the risk of disease. This relationship remained insignificant after adjustment for the energy intake and confounding factors.

Conclusion

There was no significant relationship between adherence to healthy, traditional, and western dietary patterns and OSCC. Consumption of vegetables and nuts had a protective role against the disease, but risky behaviors such as smoking and alcohol use were directly associated with the incidence of the disease.

Wild berries and related wild small fruits as traditional healthy foods

The consumption of cultivated berry species (e.g., strawberries, blueberries) has increased dramatically in the last two decades after consumers appreciated them as flavorful, convenient and healthy fruits. Wild berries and similar small wild fruits are traditionally consumed around the world by local people as safe, nutritious, tasty, and versatile foods. These wild fruits have played an important role in the nutrition and bio-cultural aspects of rural communities. Like their commercial counterparts, wild berries contain important nutrients and bioactive compounds that may prevent or delay some chronic diseases attributed to oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. This review provides a comprehensive appraisal of the chemical and bioactive components in wild berry species and their traditional uses as foods around the globe. Presently, wild berries and similar wild small fruits are novel food sources that inspire applications as culinary products, processed foods, and nutraceuticals. Further research is needed to validate the content and action of bioactive components responsible for health claims. Sustainable commercial exploitation of wild berries should consider biocultural, environmental, and socio-economic aspects.

A high-fiber diet synergizes with Prevotella copri and exacerbates rheumatoid arthritis

Both preclinical and established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients display alterations in the gut microbiome. Prevotella spp. are preferentially enriched in a subset of RA patients. Here, we isolated a Prevotella strain, P. copri RA, from the feces of RA patients and showed that colonization of P. copri RA exacerbated arthritis in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. With the presence of P. copri RA colonization, a high-fiber diet exacerbated arthritis via microbial alterations and intestinal inflammation. Colonization of P. copri together with a high-fiber diet enabled the digestion of complex fiber, which led to the overproduction of organic acids, including fumarate, succinate and short-chain fatty acids. Succinate promoted proinflammatory responses in macrophages, and supplementation with succinate exacerbated arthritis in the CIA model. Our findings highlight the importance of dysbiosis when evaluating the effects of dietary interventions on RA pathogenesis and provide new insight into dietary interventions or microbiome modifications to improve RA management.

Synergic interactions between berry polyphenols and gut microbiota in cardiovascular diseases

Now a days, scientific community has been taking initiatives to decrease burden of metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, chronic hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and many others. Many nutraceuticals and functional food have a crucial function in preventing and decreasing burden of chronic diseases. Main purpose of the study was to relate association between mechanism of gut microbiota effecting cardiovascular diseases, moreover, to find out advantageous effects of berry polyphenols on gut microbiota and cardiovascular diseases. To summarize, we explore literature for beneficial effects of berry polyphenols by using multiple search engines including Google Scholar, Science Direct and PubMed. Original research article, review articles, experimental trials (human and animal studies) and abstract were also included in the current study based on relevancy to the characteristics of berries and their potential benefit on human health. This detailed review revealed that all classes of berries and their metabolites possess a definite impact on human health by preventing onset of chronic diseases by its anti-inflammatory property, thus, consider as one of the beneficial natural compounds that can be consumed on daily basis to prevent various disorders. There is also a positive association between berry polyphenols and modulation of gut microbiota and their metabolites, furthermore, showed a relationship between gut microbiome and incidence of cardiovascular disease.

Flavonoids in vegetables: improvement of dietary flavonoids by metabolic engineering to promote health

Flavonoids are the most abundant polyphenols in plants, and have antioxidant effects as well as other bioactivities (e.g., anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-allergic, and neuroprotective effects). Vegetables are rich in flavonoids and are indispensable in our daily diet. Moreover, the vegetables as chassis for producing natural products would emerge as a promising means for cost-effective and sustainable production of flavonoids. Understanding the metabolic engineering of flavonoids in vegetables allows us to improve their nutrient composition. In this review, a comprehensive overview of flavonoids in vegetables, including the characterized types and distribution, health-promoting effects, associated metabolic pathways, and applied metabolic engineering are provided. We also introduce breakthroughs in multi-omics approaches that pertain to the elucidation of flavonoids metabolism in vegetables, as well as prospective and potential genome-editing technologies. Based on the varied composition and content of flavonoids among vegetables, dietary suggestions are further provided for human health.

Association between the empirical dietary inflammatory index and cardiorespiratory fitness in Tehranian adults in 2017-2018

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory-related chronic diseases are increasing in Iran with high consumption of a diet containing pro-inflammatory potential and a sedentary lifestyle. The empirical dietary inflammatory index (EDII) was developed as a tool to assess dietary effects on systemic inflammation. We examined the hypothesis that specific dietary patterns reflecting systemic inflammation are associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in Tehranian adults.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was carried out on 270 adults who are residents of Tehran. Dietary intake was assessed using a 168-item valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire. The EDII score was developed according to participant dietary intakes of 21-item pre-defined food groups. CRF was assessed by using a graded exercise treadmill test. Anthropometric measurements were assessed using standard methods. To discover the association between CRF and EDII, we used multivariable logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Those who were in the third tertile of the EDII had 57% lower odds of having better VO2Max (ml/kg/min) than those in the first tertile (OR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.16, 1.12, p = 0.01). There were no significant differences between tertiles of the EDII score in terms of VO2 (L·min) and VO2 (LBM) before and after adjusting for confounders. There was a significant decrease in VO2Max (ml/kg/min) across tertiles of the EDII after controlling for covariates (p-value = 0.04). There was a significant inverse association between the EDII score and VO2Max (ml/kg/min) (β = -0.35, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our finding demonstrated that a higher EDII might be associated with lower CRF in Tehranian adults. Prospective studies are needed to shed light on the causal link between the EDII and CRF.

Chemopreventive Properties of Black Raspberries and Strawberries in Esophageal Cancer Review

Esophageal cancer is one of the most fetal malignancies in the world. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (AC) are two main types of esophageal cancer and each with distinct epidemiological, etiological and histopathological characteristics. The continued global prevalence of tobacco use and alcohol consumption, coupled with limited intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, ensures that esophageal cancer will remain one of the major health threats. In addition to promoting quitting smoking and alcohol abuse, one of the strategies of cancer prevention is to identify foods, food components, or dietary patterns that can prevent or delay the onset of esophageal cancer. A food-based approach has the advantage of a complex of mixtures of bioactive components simultaneously targeting multiple processes in carcinogenesis. We have employed a preclinical rodent model of esophageal SCC to assess the effects of black raspberries (BRB) and strawberries. Our investigations demonstrate that BRB and strawberries are potent inhibitors of esophageal cancer. To prepare for this review, a literature search was performed to screen BRB and strawberries against esophageal cancer using electronic databases from PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Search was conducted covering the period from January 2000 to June 2022. Our present review has provided a systematic review about chemopreventive effects of BRB and strawberries in esophageal cancer by collecting and compiling diverse research findings from the above sources. In this review, we discussed the anti-tumor potentials of BRB and strawberries in esophageal SCC and esophageal AC separately. For each cancer type, we discuss animal models and research findings from both animal bioassays and human clinical studies. We also discuss the potential mechanisms of action of berries and their key bioactive components.

Towards smart and sustainable development of modern berry cultivars in Europe

Fresh berries are a popular and important component of the human diet. The demand for high-quality berries and sustainable production methods is increasing globally, challenging breeders to develop modern berry cultivars that fulfill all desired characteristics. Since 1994, research projects have characterized genetic resources, developed modern tools for high-throughput screening, and published data in publicly available repositories. However, the key findings of different disciplines are rarely linked together, and only a limited range of traits and genotypes has been investigated. The Horizon2020 project BreedingValue will address these challenges by studying a broader panel of strawberry, raspberry and blueberry genotypes in detail, in order to recover the lost genetic diversity that has limited the aroma and flavor intensity of recent cultivars. We will combine metabolic analysis with sensory panel tests and surveys to identify the key components of taste, flavor and aroma in berries across Europe, leading to a high-resolution map of quality requirements for future berry cultivars. Traits linked to berry yields and the effect of environmental stress will be investigated using modern image analysis methods and modeling. We will also use genetic analysis to determine the genetic basis of complex traits for the development and optimization of modern breeding technologies, such as molecular marker arrays, genomic selection and genome-wide association studies. Finally, the results, raw data and metadata will be made publicly available on the open platform Germinate in order to meet FAIR data principles and provide the basis for sustainable research in the future.

Effect of food processing on antioxidants, their bioavailability and potential relevance to human health

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Processing alters the amount, matrix interaction, and structure of antioxidants.

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It is not easy to dissociate processing effects from food matrix effects.

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It is still difficult to make general statements on the effects of processing on bioavailability.

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Facilitated release by heat, pressure, etc. contributes to increased bioaccessibility.

It has long been recognized that the antioxidants present in fresh plant materials may be very different to those we ingest via our foods. This is often due to the use of food processing strategies involving thermal/non-thermal treatments. Current research mostly focuses on determining what is present in vegetative starting materials; how this is altered during processing; how this influences activity in the gut and following uptake into bloodstream; and which in vivo physiological effects this may have on human body. Having a better understanding of these different steps and their importance in a health-and-nutrition-context will place us in a better position to breed for improved crop varieties and to advise the food industry on how to optimize processing strategies to enhance biochemical composition of processed foods. This review provides an overview of what is currently known about the influence which food processing treatments can have on antioxidants and gives some pointers as to their potential relevance.

Food bioactives lowering risks of chronic diseases induced by fine particulate air pollution: a comprehensive review

Airborne particulate matter (PM) exerts huge negative impacts on human health worldwide, not only targeting the respiratory system but more importantly inducing and aggravating associated chronic diseases like asthma, lung cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer diseases. Food-derived bioactive compounds like vitamins, dietary polyphenols, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and sulforaphane are feasible alternative therapeutic approaches against PM-mediated potential health damages, drawing great attention in recent years. In this review, the association between PM exposure and risks of developing chronic diseases, and the detailed mechanisms underlying the detrimental effects of PM will be discussed. Subsequently, principal food-derived bioactive compounds, with emphasize on the preventative or protective effects against PM, along with potential mechanisms will be elucidated. This comprehensive review will discuss and present current research findings to reveal the nutritional intervention as a preventative or therapeutic strategy against ambient air pollution, thereby lowering the risk of developing chronic diseases.

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa cv. Romina) methanolic extract attenuates Alzheimer's beta amyloid production and oxidative stress by SKN-1/NRF and DAF-16/FOXO mediated mechanisms in C. elegans

Bioactive compounds from strawberries have been associated with multiple healthy benefits. The present study aimed to assess chemical characterization of a methanolic extract of the Romina strawberry variety in terms of antioxidant capacity, polyphenols profile and chemical elements content. Additionally, potential toxicity, the effect on amyloid-β production and oxidative stress of the extract was in vivo evaluated in the experimental model Caenorhabditis elegans. Results revealed an important content in phenolic compounds (mainly ellagic acid and pelargonidin-3-glucoside) and minerals (K, Mg, P and Ca). The treatment with 100, 500 or 1000 μg/mL of strawberry extract did not show toxicity. On the contrary, the extract was able to delay amyloid β-protein induced paralysis, reduced amyloid-β aggregation and prevented oxidative stress. The potential molecular mechanisms present behind the observed results explored by RNAi technology revealed that DAF-16/FOXO and SKN-1/NRF2 signaling pathways were, at least partially, involved.

Lifestyle, psychological and socio-demographic drivers in functional food choice: a systematic literature review based on bibliometric and network analysis

Food-related diseases are a topic of concern for the population and institutions; therefore, regulations have been envisaged to improve consumer knowledge about food properties and to guide them towards healthy food consumption. Europe has addressed the use of claims on labels with two important regulations in 2006 and 2012. The use of claims allows for the differentiation of food products, particularly functional foods, i.e., those that can provide health benefits as part of a standard diet. The study aims to describe the interest of researchers on the topic of functional foods and health claims by observing the trend of publications and highlighting the role of the country on the topic through a network analysis. Another objective is to evaluate the role of lifestyle, psychological and socio-demographic predictors in the choice of functional foods bearing label claims or not, using a systematic literature review. To this aims, a bibliometric and a network analysis were assessed. The results reveal a positive trend in publications and a growing interest in the topic, thus showing that socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle variables partially influence consumer behaviour. In particular, it emerges that educated people and women are more interested in functional foods, showing a higher willingness to pay for them. In addition, physical activity and beliefs regarding the nutritional quality of functional foods are positively correlated with WTP. However, several contradictory results were observed for some variables in the collected studies. For these reasons and considering the high number of functional foods and claims yet to be evaluated, further investigations are recommended.

The Regular Consumption of Nuts Is Associated with a Lower Prevalence of Abdominal Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in Older People from the North of Spain

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to relate the adherence to nut consumption (30 g) three or more days per week to the prevalence of abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in an elderly population from the north of Spain.

METHODS

The study consists of an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study conducted in 556 non-institutionalised individuals between 65 and 79 years of age. To define the consumption recommendation of nuts the indication of the questionnaire MEDAS-14 was followed. The diagnosis of MetS was conducted using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria.

RESULTS

In 264 subjects aged 71.9 (SD: ±4.2) years old, 39% of whom were men, the adherence to nut consumption recommendations was 40.2%. Of these individuals, 79.5% had abdominal obesity. The prevalence of MetS was 40.2%, being 47.6% in men and 35.4% in women (p < 0.05). A nut consumption lower than recommended was associated with a 19% higher prevalence of abdominal obesity (Prevalence Ratio: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.03-1.37; p < 0.05) and a 61% higher prevalence of MetS (Prevalence Ratio: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.16-2.25; p = 0.005) compared to a consumption of ≥3 servings per week.

CONCLUSION

An inverse relationship was established between nut consumption and the prevalence of abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Olive oil intake and cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Research evidence has established the beneficial effects of diet in cancer prevention; various epidemiological studies have suggested that olive oil component could play a role in decreasing cancer risk. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the association between olive oil consumption, cancer risk and prognosis.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE and Google Scholar databases (end-of-search: May 10, 2020). Pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated with random-effects (DerSimonian-Laird) models. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses and meta-regression analysis were also performed.

RESULTS

45 studies were included in the meta-analysis; 37 were case-control (17,369 cases and 28,294 controls) and 8 were cohort studies (12,461 incident cases in a total cohort of 929,771 subjects). Highest olive oil consumption was associated with 31% lower likelihood of any cancer (pooled RR = 0.69, 95%CI: 0.62-0.77), breast (RR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.52-0.86), gastrointestinal (RR = 0.77, 95%CI: 0.66-0.89), upper aerodigestive (RR = 0.74, 95%CI: 0.60-0.91) and urinary tract cancer (RR = 0.46, 95%CI: 0.29-0.72). Significant overall effects spanned both Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean participants, studies presenting a multivariate and a univariate analysis and all subgroups by study quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Olive oil consumption seems to exert beneficial actions in terms of cancer prevention. Additional prospective cohort studies on various cancer types and survivors, as well as large randomized trials, seem desirable.

Screening of Hibiscus and Cinnamomum Plants and Identification of Major Phytometabolites in Potential Plant Extracts Responsible for Apoptosis Induction in Skin Melanoma and Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells

Carcinogenesis is a major concern that severely affects the human population. Owing to persistent demand for novel therapies to treat and prohibit this lethal disease, research interest among scientists is drawing its huge focus toward natural products, as they have minimum toxicity comparable with existing treatment methods. The plants produce secondary metabolites, which are known to have the anticancer potential for clinical drug development. Furthermore, the use of nanocarriers could boost the solubility and stability of phytocompounds to obtain site-targeting delivery. The identification of potential phytochemicals in natural compounds would be beneficial for the synthesis of biocompatible nanoemulsions. The present study aimed to investigate the potential cytotoxicity of ethanol extracts of Hibiscus syriacus and Cinnamomum loureirii Nees plant parts on human skin melanoma (G361) and lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells. Importantly, biochemical analysis results showed the presence of high phenol (50-55 µgGAE/mg) and flavonoids [42-45 µg quercetin equivalents (QE)/mg] contents with good antioxidant activity (40-58%) in C. loureirii Nees plants extracts. This plant possesses potent antiproliferative activity (60-90%) on the malignant G361 and A549 and cell lines correlated with the production of nitric oxide. Especially, C. loureirii plant extracts have major metabolites that exhibit cancer cell death associated with cell cycle arrest. These findings support the potential application of Cinnamomum for the development of therapeutic nanoemulsion in future cancer therapy.

The mediterranean diet: Healthy and sustainable dietary pattern in the time of Sars-Cov-2

COVID-19, first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019 quickly spread worldwide leading to serious health, social and economic consequences. A crucial role in the pathogenesis of severe disease has been attributed to the inflammatory status, that in more severe cases may evolve in an overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines (“cytokine storm)” and fatal outcome. Non-communicable diseases, nutritional disorders and advanced age, conditions associated with a low-grade systemic inflammation and immune function alterations, have been identified as major risks for severe COVID-19. General recommendations for fighting COVID-19 highlighted the paramount importance of adopting a healthy plant-based dietary pattern and healthy lifestyle. The Mediterranean dietary pattern is considered as one of the healthiest dietary patterns, and its benefits are supported by a large body of evidence. Furthermore, it is considered as a sustainable lifestyle model. The aim of this research was to update the multiple benefits of the Mediterranean dietary pattern on physical and mental health, focusing on the effects that it may have in combating COVID-19. The potential effects and mechanisms of action of the main bioactive components of Mediterranean diet were also analyzed. Considering its effects in modulating inflammation and oxidative stress and supporting the immune system, the Mediterranean dietary pattern may be considered the most promising dietary approach to combat COVID-19.

Nutritional interventions based on dietary restriction and nutrient reductions for the prevention of doxorubicin chemotherapy side effects

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of most used chemotherapeutic drugs, but it has important adverse effects. Nutrition has a critical role to prevent or minimize chemotherapy side effects. Caloric and nutrient restriction has been widely studied in different health fields showing extensive beneficial effects. Given the importance of these interventions, it is expected that some of them have benefits in patients under DOX chemotherapy. OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to compile published studies evaluating the effects of different dietary intetrventions based on restriction of calories or certain nutrients against DOX-induced damage and toxicity. RESULTS: Caloric restriction and partial reduction of fat have shown to reduce DOX cardiotoxicity correlating with a reduction of oxidative stress. Reduction of dietary fat was proved to act in the same sense at liver and kidney. Studies in relation to protein reduction is more elevated has focused only on kidneys and bone, and under certain circumstances, these interventions could increase susceptibility to DOX toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: The promising effects of restriction of dietary fat, protein and sodium on differerent organs have been supported by a greater number of studies among all the dietary interventions evaluated. Still, clinical studies are necessary to confirm the potential usefulness of these interventions.

Improving the Biological Value of Olive and Soybean Oil Blends with Olive Leaf Extract Obtained by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction towards the Preparation of a Sauce Product

French sauce from different blends of soybean and olive oils was prepared and the oxidative stability of the optimum sauce sample, enriched with various amounts of olive leaf polyphenolic extract (OLE) (obtained via ultrasound-assisted extraction), was investigated over 90 days of storage. The microbiological and sensory properties of the samples containing the optimum amounts of OLE, as a substitution for synthetic preservatives, were studied. According to the results, the addition of olive oil at higher levels (75% and 100%) could affect the physicochemical properties of the sauce as compared to the control sample. It was also found that the addition of olive oil (up to 50%) would not significantly impact the sauce properties. Regarding the OLE enrichment in the samples, it was found that high levels of OLE could improve the oxidative stability of the samples. It was also found that OLE could be used as a preservative instead of commercial ones. Overall, this study suggests the potential use of olive oil and olive leaf extract in the preparation of French sauce to boost its nutritional value and its stability.

Ethyl Acetate Fraction and Isolated Phenolics Derivatives from Mandevilla moricandiana Identified by UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn with Pharmacological Potential for the Improvement of Obesity-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction

Endothelial dysfunction in obesity plays a key role in the development of cardiovascular diseases, and it is characterized by increased vascular tonus and oxidative stress. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the vasodilatory and antioxidant activities of Mandevilla moricandiana ethyl acetate fraction and subfractions. Vascular effects were investigated on aorta isolated from control and monosodium glutamate (MSG) induced-obese Wistar rats, and antioxidant activity was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) methods. The ethyl acetate fraction (MMEAF) induced a concentration-dependent vasodilation on aortic rings through the NO pathway, with the involvement of histamine H1 and estrogen ERα receptors and showed potent antioxidant activity. In aorta of MSG obese rats, maximal relaxation to acetylcholine was increased in the presence of MMEAF (3 µg/mL), indicating that MMEAF ameliorated obesity-induced endothelial dysfunction. Quercetin and kaempferol aglycones and their correspondent glycosides, as well as caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, A-type procyanidin trimer, ursolic and oleanolic triterpenoid acids were identified in subfractions from MMEAF and seem to be the metabolites responsible for the vascular and antioxidant activities of this fraction.

Nanovesicles from Organic Agriculture-Derived Fruits and Vegetables: Characterization and Functional Antioxidant Content

Dietary consumption of fruits and vegetables is related to a risk reduction in a series of leading human diseases, probably due to the plants' antioxidant content. Plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) have been recently receiving great attention regarding their natural ability to deliver several active biomolecules and antioxidants. To investigate the presence of active antioxidants in fruits, we preliminarily analyzed the differences between nanovesicles from either organic or conventional agriculture-derived fruits, at equal volumes, showing a higher yield of nanovesicles with a smaller size from organic agriculture-derived fruits as compared to conventional ones. PDNVs from organic agriculture also showed a higher antioxidant level compared to nanovesicles from conventional agriculture. Using the PDNVs from fruit mixes, we found comparable levels of Total Antioxidant Capacity, Ascorbic Acid, Catalase, Glutathione and Superoxide Dismutase 1. Finally, we exposed the nanovesicle mixes to either chemical or physical lytic treatments, with no evidence of effects on the number, size and antioxidant capacity of the treated nanovesicles, thus showing a marked resistance of PDNVs to external stimuli and a high capability to preserve their content. Our study provides for the first time a series of data supporting the use of plant-derived nanovesicles in human beings' daily supplementation, for both prevention and treatment of human diseases.