Highlights into the pharmacology of nutraceuticals

Effects of Ginseng Consumption on Cardiovascular Health Biomarkers in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Ginseng, with various pharmacological activities, has received increasing attention to improve cardiovascular health (CVH). Therefore, this meta-analysis synthesized the effect of ginseng consumption on biomarkers of CVH in adults. A systematic search was performed in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library through July 24, 2023 to screen out English-language randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of ginseng consumption on body composition, blood pressure, vascular stiffness, lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, inflammatory cytokines, and adipocytokines in adults. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to evaluate the overall effect size, and STATA 12.0 was used for comprehensive analysis. Forty-five studies were included in the meta-analysis. Ginseng consumption significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD = -2.57 mmHg, 95% CI = -4.99 to -0.14, p = 0.038), total cholesterol (TC) (WMD = -4.40 mg/dL, 95% CI = -8.67 to -0.132, p = 0.043), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD = -2.81 mg/dL, 95% CI = -4.89 to -0.72, p = 0.008), C-reactive protein (CRP) (WMD = -0.41 mg/L, 95% CI = -0.73 to -0.10, p = 0.010), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (WMD = -2.82 pg./mL, 95% CI = -4.31 to -1.32, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses suggested that supplementation with ginseng for less than 12 weeks significantly reduced SBP, but 12 weeks or more improved TC and CRP. Ginseng consumption on SBP, TC, and CRP seemed to be more effective on unhealthy participants. The meta-analysis showed that ginseng consumption might have the potential to improve SBP, TC, LDL-C, CRP, and IL-6. These findings suggest that ginseng is a potential candidate for the maintenance of CVH. However, our results had high heterogeneity. Future high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of ginseng consumption.

Plant Antioxidants: Therapeutic Potential in Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a global health problem. The mortality associated with them is one of the highest. Essentially, CVDs occur when the heart or blood vessels are damaged. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and antioxidant defenses. Increased production of reactive oxygen species can cause cardiac and vascular injuries, leading to CVDs. Antioxidant therapy has been shown to have beneficial effects on CVDs. Plants are a rich source of bioactive antioxidants on our planet. Several classes of these compounds have been identified. Among them, carotenoids and phenolic compounds are the most potent antioxidants. This review summarizes the role of some carotenoids (a/β-carotene, lycopene and lutein), polyphenols such as phenolic acids (caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic and chlorogenic acids), flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol and epigallocatechin gallate), and hydroxytyrosol in mitigating CVDs by studying their biological antioxidant mechanisms. Through detailed analysis, we aim to provide a deeper understanding of how these natural compounds can be integrated into cardiovascular health strategies to help reduce the overall burden of CVD.

Anxiety and Metabolic Disorders: The Role of Botanicals

Anxiety and anxiety-related disorders are becoming more evident every day, affecting an increasing number of people around the world. Metabolic disorders are often associated with anxiety. Furthermore, anxiety branches into metabolic disorders by playing multiple roles as a cofactor, symptom, and comorbidity. Taken together, these considerations open the possibility of integrating the therapy of metabolic disorders with specific drugs for anxiety control. However, anxiolytic compounds often cause disabling effects in patients. The main goal could be to combine therapeutic protocols with compounds capable of reducing side effects while performing multiple beneficial effects. In this article we propose a group of bioactive ingredients called botanicals as a healthy supplement for the treatment of metabolic disorders related to anxiety.

Nutraceuticals and dietary supplements: Disparities in usage and potential for harm

Background: The use of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements has a complex history. Aim: This work seeks to discuss the current state of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements, with a particular focus on the ambiguity of these terms, their current usage, potential harms, roles within the healthcare system, and associated disparities. Methods: This work reviews recent literature spanning the history of nutraceuticals and expands upon recommendations made by previous authors. Results: While a substantial portion of the United States population consumes these substances, their safety profiles are rarely well characterized. Taking a broad definition of these terms paints a picture of harmless use by a population that is middle-aged, educated, and white. However, focusing on specific substances reveals concerning disparities in race, ethnicity, income, physical health, and health literacy. This is of particular concern when looking at the side effects of these supplements both in isolation and due to drug-supplement interactions. Conclusions: In this work, the authors build upon the recommendations of others to propose ways in which physicians and healthcare systems can work to reduce the disproportionate harms of these substances on historically marginalized groups.

Review on nutraceuticals: phase transition from preventive to protective care

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

Highlights into the pharmacology of nutraceuticals

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed section on The Pharmacology of Nutraceuticals. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.6/issuetoc.