Radish (Raphanus sativus) and Diabetes

Antioxidant Activity of Radish Seed Oil and the Quality and Storage Characteristics of Pork Patties with Added Radish Seed Oil

This study investigated the antioxidant activity of radish seed oil (RSO) and its effects on the quality and storage characteristics of pork patties. To assess the antioxidant capacity of RSO, this study analyzed fatty acid composition, peroxide value (PV), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Pork patties were manufactured with the addition of RSO-0.4%, 0.8%, 1.6%, and 2.4%-and measured in terms of proximate composition, pH, water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (CL), color, texture profile analysis, and a sensory evaluation. Total microbial count (TMC), volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and PV were measured at 1, 3, and 7 days of refrigerated storage. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of RSO was found to be 75.46%. In the cases of WHC and CL, there was no significant differences observed between RSO0.4%, RSO0.8%, and positive control (PC; p>0.05). Meanwhile, RSO2.4% showed significantly lower hardness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness than PC (p<0.05), and these values tended to decrease with the addition of increasing RSO. In terms of storage characteristics, with an increase in the amount of RSO added, TMC, VBN, TBARS, and PV all decreased; among the treatment groups, RSO2.4% showed the lowest values. In conclusion, RSO exhibits antioxidant activity, but when added in large amounts, it negatively affects the quality characteristics of patties while positively impacting their storage properties, thus necessitating a balanced consideration of both outcomes. Therefore, adding 1.6% RSO is considered to be the most appropriate level for formulations to be used in practice.

Bioactive molecules from terrestrial and seafood resources in hypertension treatment: focus on molecular mechanisms and targeted therapies

Hypertension (HTN), a complex cardiovascular disease (CVD), significantly impacts global health, prompting a growing interest in complementary and alternative therapeutic approaches. This review article seeks to provide an up-to-date and thorough summary of modern therapeutic techniques for treating HTN, with an emphasis on the molecular mechanisms of action found in substances found in plants, herbs, and seafood. Bioactive molecules have been a significant source of novel therapeutics and are crucial in developing and testing new HTN remedies. Recent advances in science have made it possible to understand the complex molecular mechanisms underlying blood pressure (BP)-regulating effects of these natural substances better. Polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and peptides are examples of bioactive compounds that have demonstrated promise in influencing several pathways involved in regulating vascular tone, reducing oxidative stress (OS), reducing inflammation, and improving endothelial function. The article explains the vasodilatory, diuretic, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) modifying properties of vital plants such as garlic and olive leaf. Phytochemicals from plants are the primary in traditional drug development as models for novel antihypertensive drugs, providing diverse strategies to combat HTN due to their biological actions. The review also discusses the functions of calcium channel blockers originating from natural sources, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and nitric oxide (NO) donors. Including seafood components in this study demonstrates the increased interest in using bioactive chemicals originating from marine sources to treat HTN. Omega-3 fatty acids, peptides, and minerals obtained from seafood sources have anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, and antioxidant properties that improve vascular health and control BP. Overall, we discussed the multiple functions of bioactive molecules and seafood components in the treatment of HTN.

Pathological and biochemical evaluation of radish microgreen on diabetes and aflatoxicosis in rats

Diabetes mellitus type 2 remains one of the common diseases nowadays. Several risk factors can be implicated like increased environmental pollution. This study is aimed at evaluating the toxic effect of aflatoxin on diabetes mellitus and possible protection using natural food like radish microgreen (RM). Forty-eight male rats were randomly assigned to 8 groups: G1 control group, G2 RM group, G3 aflatoxin group, G4 aflatoxin-RM group, G5 diabetic group, G6 diabetic RM group, G7 diabetic-aflatoxin group, G8 diabetic, aflatoxin, RM group. Phytane and citronellyl tiglate were the main phytochemicals present in RM. The glucose and insulin levels were the worst in G5 and G7 groups. RM feeding restored glucose level to normal but did not alter insulin level. Insulin resistance was decreased, and insulin sensitivity was increased in groups fed RM. Liver and kidney function parameters and LDH activity were improved in groups fed RM. Histopathology of the pancreas and immunohistochemistry of insulin in pancreatic islets was improved in groups fed RM. In RM fed groups, the MDA content was decreased, whereas GSH content and antioxidant enzymes activity were increased. In conclusion, feeding RM in diabetic and/or aflatoxicated groups improved all evaluated parameters which could be due to its antioxidant potential.

Profiling of Health-Promoting and Taste-Relevant Compounds in Sixteen Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) Genotypes Grown under Controlled Conditions

It is becoming increasingly challenging to maintain crop yields and quality as the global climate changes. The aim of this study was to determine whether and how the profile of health-promoting and taste-related compounds of radishes changes within a growing season. A total of 16 radish (Raphanus sativus L.) genotypes that are commercially available on the Czech market were assessed by means of chemical analysis. Radishes were cultivated in three independent growing cycles under controlled conditions, and the effects of the genotype and growing cycle, as well as their interactions, on the chemical traits were evaluated. Most of the variability in chemical composition was associated with the growing cycle, which accounted for 51.53% of total variance, followed by the genotype (26% of total variance). The interaction between the growing cycle and genotype explained 22.47% of total variance. The growing cycle had the strongest effect on amino acid profiles. More specifically, the amino acids that are known to contribute to overall taste (glycine, along with glutamic and aspartic acids) showed the highest degree of variation, while the amino acids related to glucosinolate biosynthesis (methionine, isoleucine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine) showed relatively low variability. On the other hand, indole glucosinolates were found to differ the most between genotypes.

Effects of Glucosinolate-Enriched Red Radish (Raphanus sativus) on In Vitro Models of Intestinal Microbiota and Metabolic Syndrome-Related Functionalities

The gut microbiota profile is determined by diet composition, and therefore this interaction is crucial for promoting specific bacterial growth and enhancing the health status. Red radish (Raphanus sativusL.) contains several secondary plant metabolites that can exert a protective effect on human health. Recent studies have shown that radish leaves have a higher content of major nutrients, minerals, and fiber than roots, and they have garnered attention as a healthy food or supplement. Therefore, the consumption of the whole plant should be considered, as its nutritional value may be of greater interest. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effects of glucosinolate (GSL)-enriched radish with elicitors on the intestinal microbiota and metabolic syndrome-related functionalities by using an in vitro dynamic gastrointestinal system and several cellular models developed to study the GSL impact on different health indicators such as blood pressure, cholesterol metabolism, insulin resistance, adipogenesis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The treatment with red radish had an influence on short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) production, especially on acetic and propionic acid and many butyrate-producing bacteria, suggesting that consumption of the entire red radish plant (leaves and roots) could modify the human gut microbiota profile toward a healthier one. The evaluation of the metabolic syndrome-related functionalities showed a significant decrease in the gene expression of endothelin, interleukin IL-6, and cholesterol transporter-associated biomarkers (ABCA1 and ABCG5), suggesting an improvement of three risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. The results support the idea that the use of elicitors on red radish crops and its further consumption (the entire plant) may contribute to improving the general health status and gut microbiota profile.

Drought stress mitigation by foliar application of L-carnitine and its effect on radish morphophysiology

Drought is the major abiotic stress limiting crop production worldwide, with drought events being expected to be harsher and more frequent due to the global warming. In this context, the development of strategies to mitigate the deleterious effects of drought, such as the use of biostimulants, is imperative. Radish is a globally cultivated root vegetable, with high nutritional and phytochemical value. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of exogenous carnitine application in the mitigation of drought stress on radish morphophysiology. For this, radish plants were grown for 30 days, being irrigated with 80% (well-watered) or 15% (drought stress) of water holding capacity and sprayed with carnitine (5, 50, and 500 µM) or water (0 µM-no carnitine). The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme (carnitine concentrations × water conditions) with six replicates, and each experimental unit consisted of one plant. The gas exchanges, chlorophyll a fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments, electrolyte leakage, relative water content, and biomass production and allocation were evaluated. Drought reduced the photosynthetic capacity of plants by impairing water balance and membrane integrity, decreasing biomass accumulation, mainly in globular roots. The application of low carnitine (5 µM) mitigated these negative effects caused by drought, increasing membrane integrity and water balance of plants, while higher carnitine concentration (50 and 500 µM) aggravated drought stress. This study highlights the potential of carnitine in the mitigation of drought stress on radish plants, supporting its role as a biostimulant.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-023-01308-6.

Do dietary habits affect the premenstrual syndrome severity among a cohort of Egyptian females? A cross-sectional study

Background

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is considered a common recurring emotional as well as physical disorder which has an effect on the women’s quality of life. Results of previous studies about the relationship between PMS and food intake are contradicted. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the PMS and food consumption in menstrual females. The study was carried out in the Outpatient Physiotherapy Department Clinic in Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. The study was carried out from October 2021 to March 2022. One-hundred participants that were having PMS enrolled into this study (n = 100) with a mean age of 27.1 ± 4.98 and a mean BMI of 26.4 ± 4.5. The PMS scale was used to assess the degree of PMS, and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was applied to evaluate the food consumption.

Results

A total of 16% of females had mild PMS, 60% had moderate, and 24% had severe PMS. There was a significant relationship between PMS severity and specific food consumption as consumption of tubers as well as fish and seafood (p = 0.03 & p = 0.008, respectively). There was a significant inverse correlation between PMS severity and the fish and seafood consumption, while there was no significant correlation between the PMS severity and tuber consumption. However, there was no significant relationship between PMS and grains, dairy products, caffeine intake, fat intake, sweets, vegetables, fruits, seasonings, and pickles.

Conclusion

The present study suggested that severity of PMS might be affected by specific dietary habits. Therefore, further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between PMS and amount of food consumption.

Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Activities, and HPLC Analysis of Nine Edible Sprouts in Cambodia

The non-nutritional health benefits of sprouts are unconfirmed. Thus, nine sprout methanolic extracts were tested for phytoconstituents and antioxidant activity. The TPC, TCC, TFC, TAC, and TALC were measured. ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays were used to assess the antioxidant activity. HPLC detected gallic acid, vanillin, syringic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and rutin in the extracts. The sprout extracts contained six compounds, with caffeic acid being the most abundant. Gallic acid, syringic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, vanillin, and rutin were highest in soybean, black sesame, mustard, sunflower, white radish, and black sesame sprouts, respectively. Sunflower sprouts had the highest level of TCC while soybean sprouts had the highest level of TFC, Taiwanese morning glory had the highest level of TPC, mustard sprouts had the highest level of TALC, and black sesame sprouts had the highest level of TAC. Taiwanese morning glories scavenged the most DPPH and ABTS radicals. Colored and white radish sprouts had similar ferric-reducing antioxidant power. Antioxidation mechanisms varied by compound. Our findings demonstrated that sprouts have biological effects, and their short time for mass production offers an alternative food source for health benefits, and that they are useful for future research development of natural products and dietary supplements.

Efficient thermal treatment of radish (Raphanus sativus) for enhancing its bioactive compounds

Old preserved radish (OPR), a traditional pickled-food of Asia, contains the healthy bioactive compounds, such as phenols and flavonoids. To preserve the phenols levels in radish by thermal treatment, which are decreased due to the polyphenol oxidase activity during long storage. Range of thermal processing evaluated to retain the maximum phenols level in the radish while processed at temperatures of 70 °C, 80 °C and 90 °C for 30 days. In this study, the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of thermal processing radish (TPR) were evaluated and compared with commercial products of OPR. Results showed the best condition of thermal processing, 80°C for 30 days, could increase the values of phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity that were 2.27, 2.74 and 2.89 times, respectively. When comparing the thermally processed radish or TPR with OPR, TPR has a higher content of phenols and flavonoids, indicating that the thermal processing was effective to increase the content of functional compounds in radish and significantly improved its nutritional values.

NM, Jebakani K. S, Selvaraj S, Pramitha J. L, Selvaraj R, Petchiammal K. I, Kather Sheriff S, Thinakaran J, Rathinamoorthy S, Kumar P. R. Genetic manipulation of anti-nutritional factors in major crops for a sustainable diet in future

The consumption of healthy food, in order to strengthen the immune system, is now a major focus of people worldwide and is essential to tackle the emerging pandemic concerns. Moreover, research in this area paves the way for diversification of human diets by incorporating underutilized crops which are highly nutritious and climate-resilient in nature. However, although the consumption of healthy foods increases nutritional uptake, the bioavailability of nutrients and their absorption from foods also play an essential role in curbing malnutrition in developing countries. This has led to a focus on anti-nutrients that interfere with the digestion and absorption of nutrients and proteins from foods. Anti-nutritional factors in crops, such as phytic acid, gossypol, goitrogens, glucosinolates, lectins, oxalic acid, saponins, raffinose, tannins, enzyme inhibitors, alkaloids, β-N-oxalyl amino alanine (BOAA), and hydrogen cyanide (HCN), are synthesized in crop metabolic pathways and are interconnected with other essential growth regulation factors. Hence, breeding with the aim of completely eliminating anti-nutrition factors tends to compromise desirable features such as yield and seed size. However, advanced techniques, such as integrated multi-omics, RNAi, gene editing, and genomics-assisted breeding, aim to breed crops in which negative traits are minimized and to provide new strategies to handle these traits in crop improvement programs. There is also a need to emphasize individual crop-based approaches in upcoming research programs to achieve smart foods with minimum constraints in future. This review focuses on progress in molecular breeding and prospects for additional approaches to improve nutrient bioavailability in major crops.

Physiological and biochemical markers of gamma irradiated white radish (Raphanus sativus)

PURPOSE

A field experiment was performed to investigate the impact of low-dose gamma rays on growth parameters and bioactive compounds of white radish.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

White radish seeds were irradiated by gamma rays dose levels (10, 20, 40 and 80 Gy) beside control. Physiological and biochemical markers were done to follow the effect of gamma rays on white radish.

RESULTS

The results revealed that gamma rays increased growth parameters with increasing irradiation to a dose of 40 Gy. The maximum increments were found at 14.64 (cm), 48.30 (cm), 20.84 (cm) and 5.51 (cm) for leaves number, leaves length, roots length and roots diameter, respectively, with a dose of 40 Gy. By increasing the irradiation dose to 80 Gy, the results showed reduction in all parameters studied. Ascorbic acid gave the maximum increase with the dose of 40 Gy, while phenols, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase showed the highest increase with the dose 80 of Gy in radish leaves. Similar trend was observed for the radish roots. Furthermore, the protein and isoenzyme profiles of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase changed and induced alteration by different irradiation dose levels.

CONCLUSION

Gamma rays can be a useful tool for increasing the growth and biochemical content of white radish plants and perhaps other food crops.

Enhancing Bioactive Saponin Content of Raphanus sativus Extract by Thermal Processing at Various Conditions

Pickled radish (Raphanus sativus) is a traditional Asian ingredient, but the traditional method takes decades to make this product. To optimize such a process, this study compared the saponin content of pickled radishes with different thermal processing and traditional processes (production time of 7 days, 10 years, and 20 years) and evaluated the effects of different thermal processes on the formation of radish saponin through kinetics study and mass spectrometry. The results showed that increasing the pickling time enhanced the formation of saponin in commercial pickled radishes (25 °C, 7 days, 6.50 ± 1.46 mg g^-1; 3650 days, 23.11 ± 1.22 mg g^-1), but these increases were lower than those induced by thermal processing (70 °C 30 days 24.24 ± 1.01 mg g^-1). However, it was found that the pickling time of more than 10 years and the processing temperature of more than 80 °C reduce the saponin content. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis showed that the major saponin in untreated radish was Tupistroside G, whereas treated samples contained Asparagoside A and Timosaponin A1. Moreover, this study elucidated the chemical structure of saponins in TPR. The findings indicated that thermal treatment could induce functional saponin conversion in plants, and such a mechanism can also be used to improve the health efficacy of plant-based crops.

Immunomodulatory Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Black Radish on Mouse Macrophages via the TLR2/4-Mediated Signaling Pathway

Here, we determined the immunostimulatory effects of black radish (Raphanus sativus ver niger) hot water extract (BRHE) on a mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) and mouse peritoneal macrophages. We found that BRHE treatment increased cell proliferation, phagocytic activity, nitric oxide (NO) levels, cytokine production, and reactive oxygen species synthesis. Moreover, BRHE increased the expression of the following immunomodulators in RAW 264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages: pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), iNOS, and COX-2. BRHE treatment significantly up-regulated the phosphorylation of components of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Akt, and STAT3 signaling pathways. Further, the effects of BRHE on macrophages were significantly diminished after the cells were treated with the TLR2 antagonist C29 or the TLR4 antagonist TAK-242. Therefore, BRHE-induced immunostimulatory phenotypes in mouse macrophages were reversed by multiple inhibitors, such as TLR antagonist, MAPK inhibitor, and Akt inhibitor indicating that BRHE induced macrophage activation through the TLR2/4-MAPK-NFκB-Akt-STAT3 signaling pathway. These results indicate that BRHE may serve as a potential immunomodulatory factor or functional food and provide the scientific basis for the comprehensive utilization and evaluation of black radish in future applications.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing of RsGL1a and RsGL1b in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) is a powerful tool widely used for genome editing in various organisms, including plants. It introduces and facilitates the study of rare genetic mutations in a short time and is a potent tool to assist in plant molecular breeding. Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is an important Brassicaceae vegetable cultivated and consumed worldwide. However, the application of the CRISPR/Cas9 system is limited by the absence of an efficient transformation system in radish. This study aimed to establish a CRISPR/Cas9 system in radish employing the Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation system reported recently. For this purpose, we performed genome editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system targeting the GLABRA1 (GL1) orthologs, RsGL1a and RsGL1b, that induces leaf trichome formation in radish. A Cas9/single guide RNA (sgRNA) vector with a common sgRNA corresponding to RsGL1a and RsGL1b was transferred. A total of eight T₀ plants were analyzed, of which six (editing efficiency 75%) had a mutated RsGL1a, five (62.5%) had a mutated RsGL1b, and five showed mutations in both RsGL1a and RsGL1b. Most mutations in T₀ plants were short (<3 bp) deletions or insertions, causing frameshift mutations that might produce non-functional proteins. Chimeric mutations were detected in several T₀ generation plants. In the T₁ generation, the hairless phenotype was observed only in plants with knockout mutations in both RsGL1a and RsGL1b. The majority of mutant alleles in T₀ plants, with the exception of the chimeric mutant plants detected, were stably inherited in the T₁ generation. In conclusion, we successfully knocked out RsGL1a and RsGL1b using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and demonstrated that both RsGL1a and RsGL1b independently contribute to the induction of leaf trichome formation in radish. In this study, genome-edited plants without T-DNA, which are useful as breeding material, were obtained. The findings prove the feasibility of genome editing in radish using a CRISPR/Cas9 system that could accelerate its molecular breeding to improve agronomically desirable traits.

A Biotechnological Approach for the Production of Pharmaceutically Active Human Interferon-α from Raphanus sativus L. Plants

Human interferon (IFN) is a type of cytokine that regulates the immune system’s response to viral and bacterial infections. Recombinant IFN-α has been approved for use in the treatment of a variety of viral infections as well as an anticancer medication for various forms of leukemia. The objective of the current study is to produce a functionally active recombinant human IFN-α2a from transgenic Raphanus sativus L. plants. Therefore, a binary plant expression construct containing the IFN-α2a gene coding sequence, under the regulation of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35SS promoter, was established. Agrobacterium-mediated floral dip transformation was used to introduce the IFN-α2a expression cassette into the nuclear genome of red and white rooted Raphanus sativus L. plants. From each genotype, three independent transgenic lines were established. The anticancer and antiviral activities of the partially purified recombinant IFN-α2a proteins were examined. The isolated IFN-α2a has been demonstrated to inhibit the spread of the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV). In addition, cytotoxicity and cell apoptosis assays against Hep-G2 cells (Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma) show the efficacy of the generated IFN-α2a as an anticancer agent. In comparison to bacterial, yeast, and animal cell culture systems, the overall observed results demonstrated the efficacy of using Raphanus sativus L. plants as a safe, cost-effective, and easy-to-use expression system for generating active human IFN-α2a.

Therapeutic potential of medicinal plants for the management of renal stones: A review

Kidney stone disease is the third most common urological ailment worldwide, people. The mechanism of stone formation includes: urine supersaturation, aggregation, retention, nucleation, and growth of crystals in the cells of the renal tubular epithelium. Kidney stones may cause extreme pain and blockage of urine flow. They are usually treated with conventional drugs and shock wave (ESWL) as well as a variety of medications that may cause several adverse effects. The remaining stone fragments and the risk of infection following ESWL are major challenges in the treatment of kidney stones. Recently, despite the emergence of modern drugs, medicinal plants have been recognized and utilized in many nations clinically due to their safety profile, efficiency, cultural acceptance, and fewer side effects than approved drugs. Medicinal plants are used in different cultures as a reliable source of natural remedies. The aim of this review is to provide comprehensive information about traditionally used plants as well as their scientifically proven pharmacological activities, their primary chemical ingredients, and potential mechanisms of action, such as analgesic, astringent, demulcent, diuretic activity, antioxidant activity, inhibition of the inflammatory process, nucleation inhibition, crystallization inhibition, inhibition of crystal aggregation, reducing , reducing stone size, and reducing urine supersaturation.

A water soluble extract of radish greens ameliorates high fat diet-induced obesity in mice and inhibits adipogenesis in preadipocytes

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is a rich source of nutrients and its greens have reported functionalities. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a water-soluble extract from radish greens (WERG) on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-fat diet-induced obesity in model mice. We also quantified the phytochemical composition of WERG such as glucoraphenin and ferulic acid. These findings show that treatment with 100 μg mL^-1 WERG reduced lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, whereas in mice, the administration of 100 mg kg^-1 WERG reduced weight gain and hepatic lipid accumulation and improved the levels of serum lipid biomarkers. Furthermore, WERG treatment improved intestinal permeability and suppressed the activities of harmful intestinal enzymes in feces, thus improving gut health. It also inhibited metabolic endotoxemia and inflammatory marker levels in serum. Moreover, WERG reduced the expression of lipid-metabolism-related proteins in the liver and white adipose tissue. Collectively, these results indicate that WERG may potentiate the anti-obesity effect by improving gut health and regulating lipid metabolism.

A qRT-PCR Method Capable of Quantifying Specific Microorganisms Compared to NGS-Based Metagenome Profiling Data

Metagenome profiling research using next-generation sequencing (NGS), a technique widely used to analyze the diversity and composition of microorganisms living in the human body, especially the gastrointestinal tract, has been actively conducted, and there is a growing interest in the quantitative and diagnostic technology for specific microorganisms. According to recent trends, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) is still a considerable technique in detecting and quantifying bacteria associated with the human oral and nasal cavities, due to the analytical cost and time burden of NGS technology. Here, based on NGS metagenome profiling data produced by utilizing 100 gut microbiota samples, we conducted a comparative analysis for the identification and quantification of five bacterial genera (Akkermansia, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Phascolarctobacterium, and Roseburia) within same metagenomic DNA samples through qRT-PCR assay in parallel. Genus-specific primers, targeting the particular gene of each genus for qRT-PCR assay, allowed a statistically consistent quantification pattern with the metagenome profiling data. Furthermore, results of bacterial identification through Sanger validation demonstrated the high genus-specificity of each primer set. Therefore, our study suggests that an approach to quantifying specific microorganisms by applying the qRT-PCR method can compensate for the concerns (potential issues) of NGS while also providing efficient benefits to various microbial industries.

Nutrient Deficiency Affects the Growth and Nitrate Concentration of Hydroponic Radish

In hydroponics, a continuous supply of mineral nutrients is essential for plant growth. However, constitutive nutrient-rich conditions also increase the nitrate content in the plants, which can be harmful to human health. Here, we investigated the effect of nutrient deficiency on the growth and component composition of hydroponic radish by changing the timing of nutrient removal from the hydroponic solution. Radish plants that were 14 days old were transferred to four different nutrient conditions for 14 days: nutrient deficiency for 14 days (WW), full nutrient for 14 days (NN), nutrient deficiency for the last 7 days (NW), and nutrient deficiency for the first 7 days (WN). After the treatments, the NW plants had similar taproot growth to NN plants. In contrast, the WN plants significantly reduced taproot growth. The WW plants reduced the shoot and taproot weight and their water contents. The nitrate content in the taproots was reduced in the NW and WW plants. The WW plants contained lower total phenol and higher ascorbic acid and sugar contents. These results suggest that the uptake of nutrient minerals at the young growth stage is important for the growth of radish taproot. Nutrient deficiency management can be one of the most effective tools for regulating radish growth and composition.

Traditional ancient Egyptian medicine: A review

The ancient Egyptians practiced medicine with highly professional methods. They had advanced knowledge of anatomy and surgery. Also, they treated a lot of diseases including dental, gynecological, gastrointestinal, and urinary disorders. They could diagnose diabetes and cancer. The used therapeutics extended from different plants to include several animal products and minerals. Some of these plants are still used in the present day. Fortunately, they documented their life details by carving on stone, clay, or papyri. Although a lot of these records have been lost or destroyed, the surviving documents represent a huge source of knowledge in different scientific aspects including medicine. This review article is an attempt to understand some information about traditional medicine in ancient Egypt, we will look closely at some basics, sources of information of Egyptian medicine in addition to common treated diseases and therapeutics in this great civilization.

Identification of α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Leaf Extract of Pepper (Capsicum spp.) through Metabolomic Analysis

Metabolomics and in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory (AGI) activities of pepper leaves were used to identify bioactive compounds and select genotypes for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Targeted metabolite analysis using UPLC-DAD-QToF-MS was employed and identified compounds that belong to flavone and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives from extracts of pepper leaves. A total of 21 metabolites were detected from 155 samples and identified based on MS fragmentations, retention time, UV absorbance, and previous reports. Apigenin-O-(malonyl) hexoside, luteolin-O-(malonyl) hexoside, and chrysoeriol-O-(malonyl) hexoside were identified for the first time from pepper leaves. Pepper genotypes showed a huge variation in their inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase enzyme(AGE) ranging from 17% to 79%. Genotype GP38 with inhibitory activity of 79% was found to be more potent than the positive control acarbose (70.8%.). Orthogonal partial least square (OPLS) analyses were conducted for the prediction of the AGI activities of pepper leaves based on their metabolite composition. Compounds that contributed the most to the bioactivity prediction model (VIP >1.5), showed a strong inhibitory potency. Caffeoyl-putrescine was found to show a stronger inhibitory potency (IC₅₀ = 145 µM) compared to acarbose (IC₅₀ = 197 µM). The chemometric procedure combined with high-throughput AGI screening was effective in selecting polyphenols of pepper leaf for T2DM management.

Genetic Diversity of Phenotypic and Biochemical Traits in VIR Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) Germplasm Collection

Small radish and radish are economically important root crops that represent an integral part of a healthy human diet. The world collection of Raphanus L. root crops, maintained in the VIR genebank, includes 2810 accessions from 75 countries around the world, of which 2800 (1600 small radish, 1200 radish) belong to R. sativus species, three to R. raphanistrum, three to R. landra, and four to R. caudatus. It is necessary to systematically investigate the historical and modern gene pool of root-bearing plants of R. sativus and provide new material for breeding. The material for our research was a set of small radish and radish accessions of various ecological groups and different geographical origin, fully covering the diversity of the species. The small radish subset included 149 accessions from 37 countries, belonging to 13 types of seven varieties of European and Chinese subspecies. The radish subset included 129 accessions from 21 countries, belonging to 18 types of 11 varieties of European, Chinese, and Japanese subspecies. As a result of the evaluation of R. sativus accessions according to phenological, morphological, and biochemical analyses, a wide variation of these characteristics was revealed, which is due to the large genetic diversity of small radish and radish of various ecological and geographical origins. The investigation of the degree of variation regarding phenotypic and biochemical traits revealed adaptive stable and highly variable characteristics of R. sativus accessions. Such insights are crucial for the establishment and further use of trait collections. Trait collections facilitate germplasm use and contribute significantly to the preservation of genetic diversity of the gene pool.

One-step extraction and analysis of 45 contaminants of emerging concern using QuEChERS methodology and HR-MS in radish leaves and roots

The scarcity of freshwater has led to a considerable increase of the reuse of reclaimed wastewater for irrigation of field crops [1,2]. This practice potentially exposes agricultural produce to a large variety of xenobiotic compounds including contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) which have been widely recognized to be present in wastewater [3]. Common approaches for the extraction of CECs from crops rely on solid-liquid extraction [4], assisted solvent extraction [5], ultra-sound solvent extraction [6] and recently QuEChERS (QUick, Easy, CHeap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) [[7], [8]–9]. Here, eight QuEChERS-based methodologies were compared for their suitability to determine 45 CECs in roots and leaves of soil-grown radish.

The key points of the method development were:•

The development of two single-step analytical methods specific for radish root and leaves, after testing eight different approaches using QuEChERS extraction for the quantitation of 45 CECs. The analytical methodology selected requires minimal time and solvent, making it cost-effective.

•

Methods validation were performed at five concentrations levels (2, 5, 10, 50 and 200 ng g⁻¹), with low limits of quantification between 0.01 and 0.32 ng g⁻¹.

•

The two optimized methodologies may be applied to identify large number of compounds of different families in radish crop. However, validation will be needed to quantify compounds different from the target compounds of this paper.

Antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic activity of Mayan plant foods in rodent models

BACKGROUND

Postprandial hyperglycemia and decreased insulin secretion are relevant to risk factors in the development of type 2 diabetes and its complications. Plant foods with antidiabetic properties could be an affordable alternative in the prevention and treatment of this disease. In the present study, the antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic activity of Bixa orellana, Psidium guajava L., Cucurbita moschata, Raphanus sativus L. and Brassica oleracea var. capitata - Mayan plant foods - were evaluated at doses of 5 and 10 mg kg^-1 . Antihyperglycemic activity was measured in healthy Wistar rats and those with obesity induced by high-sucrose diet (group HSD) (20%). The hypoglycemic activity was measure in healthy CD1 mice.

RESULTS

Fasting glucose, Lee index and the body weight of HSD rats increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) after 12 weeks of induction compared to healthy rats. In healthy rats, P. guajava and Bixa orellana (10 mg kg^-1 ) demonstrated higher and statistically different (P ≤ 0.05) antihyperglycemic activity compared to control acarbose (0.5 mg kg^-1 ). In the HSD rat group, all Mayan plant foods (10 mg kg^-1 ) demonstrated antihyperglycemic activity statistically equal (P ≤ 0.05) to control acarbose. However, Brassica oleracea and R. sativus registered the highest antihyperglycemic activity. Bixa orellana and P. guajava (5 mg kg^-1 ) showed similar hypoglycemic activity (P ≤ 0.05) to glibenclamide (0.5 mg kg^-1 ) but was not significant (P ≤ 0.05) compared to insulin (5 UI kg^-1 ).

CONCLUSION

The present study provides valuable evidence on the possible health benefits of Mayan plant foods. These foods could contribute to the development of therapeutic diet strategies for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Alpha-Linolenic Acid Alleviates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation of the large intestine, rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain. It can be alleviated by certain bioactive compounds, including α-linolenic acid (ALA), which is a bioactive component in fermented black radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. niger). The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of ALA in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC in mice. UC was induced in C57BL/6 mice by allowing them to freely drink water containing 2.5% DSS for 7 days, followed by oral administration of ALA (30 and 60 mg/kg/day) or vehicle control for 7 days. DSS-induced colitis was evaluated using the Disease Activity Index (DAI) and by measuring colon length and performing a histopathological examination. Compared to the control group, the vehicle-treated group showed a higher DAI score, shorter colon, goblet cell loss, and crypt shortening. The ALA treatment mitigated clinical signs of UC and histopathological changes. Furthermore, it mitigated intestinal inflammation by reducing the expression of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1-positive macrophages in the colon. These results show that ALA alleviates DSS-induced UC by suppressing colon damage, which includes goblet cell loss, crypt shortening, and a reduction of macrophages in the colon.

Systematic Investigation of the Effects of Seven Plant Extracts on the Physiological Parameters, Yield, and Nutritional Quality of Radish (Raphanus sativus var. sativus)

The modern agricultural sector faces the challenge of addressing the needs of the fast-growing global population. This process should be both high-yielding and sustainable, without creating risks for the environment and human health. Therefore, natural products are gaining attention in the production of safe and nutritious food. In a systematic effort to develop affordable and effective biostimulants, we examined the impact of botanical extracts on the growth and physiological parameters of radish plants under field conditions. Ultrasound-assisted extraction, mechanical homogenization, and water were used for the production of potential plant-based biostimulants. Foliar applications of the bio-products, developed and used in our study, have led to an increase in the examined parameters (total yield, dry weight, photosynthetic pigments, vitamin C, nitrates, and micro- and macroelements). A decrease in the total phenolic compounds content was also noted, as well as a varied impact on the steam volatile compounds, fatty acids, sterol, and glucosinolates composition. The most beneficial effects on radish, in terms of physiological and biochemical properties, were found in groups treated with extracts based on the common dandelion, valerian, and giant goldenrod. This innovative approach presented in our study could provide a valuable tool for sustainable horticultural production.

Beneficial effects of the consumption of sun-dried radishes (Raphanus sativus cv. YR-Hyuga-Risou) on dyslipidemia in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of daily consumption of raw (RR) or sun-dried (SDR) radishes (Raphanus sativus cv. YR-Hyuga-Risou) on apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^-/- ) mice. Daily consumption of RR for 16 weeks significantly decreased body weight gain in the both wild-type and ApoE^-/- mice. The wild-type mice fed the SDR diet gained significantly less body weight than the ApoE^-/- mice fed the same diet, although the ApoE^-/- mice showed a trend toward decreased body weight gain. Consumption of both diets led to a marked decrease in visceral fat weight and serum triglyceride levels in ApoE^-/- mice. Oral fat tolerance tests indicated that pretreatment with RR or SDR mitigated the increase in serum triglyceride levels seen after oil administration. In conclusion, we found that daily consumption of both RR- and SDR-containing diets can help us to prevent from dyslipidemia by inhibiting fat absorption.

Functional relationship of vegetable colors and bioactive compounds: Implications in human health

Vegetables are essential protective diet ingredients that supply ample amounts of minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fiber, and various nutraceutical compounds for protection against various disease conditions. Color is the most important quality parameter for the farmers to access the harvest maturity while for the consumer's reliable indices to define acceptability or rejection. The colored vegetables contain functional compounds like chlorophylls, carotenoids, betalains, anthocyanins, etc. well recognized for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, neuroprotective, antiaging, diuretic, and antidiabetic properties. Recently, there has been a shift in food consumption patterns from processed to semi-processed or fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure a healthy disease-free life. This shifted the focus of agriculture scientists and food processors from food security to nutrition security. This has resulted in recent improvements to existing crops like blue tomato, orange cauliflower, colored and/or black carrots, with improved color, and thus enriched bioactive compounds. Exhaustive laboratory trials though are required to document and establish their minimum effective concentrations, bioavailability, and specific health benefits. Efforts should also be directed to breed color-rich cultivars or to improve the existing varieties through conventional and molecular breeding approaches. The present review has been devoted to a better understanding of vegetable colors with specific health benefits and to provide in-hand information about the effect of specific pigment on body organs, the effect of processing on their bioavailability, and recent improvements in colors to ensure a healthy lifestyle.

Inhibitory Effect of Black Radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. niger) Extracts on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Response in the Mouse Monocyte/Macrophage-Like Cell Line RAW 264.7

Black radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. niger), which is cultivated worldwide, is used in traditional medicine as it aids liver function, gastric secretion, gallbladder function, and gallstone mitigation. In this study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of black radish extract (BRE) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and interleukin (IL)-6-mediated inflammatory responses in the RAW 264.7 cell lines. Our findings show that BRE significantly ameliorated LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) release and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and prostaglandin E2. The levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were found to be suppressed by BRE. Further, BRE significantly suppressed the LPS-induced expression of mRNAs encoding COX-2, iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in a concentration-dependent manner. BRE treatment significantly inhibited Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation in IL-6- and LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, BRE decreased the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases and c-Jun N-terminal kinase under the same conditions. Moreover, BRE induced high nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) levels and its target gene heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in the absence of LPS. These data demonstrate that BRE may be beneficial for treating inflammation through selective immunomodulatory effects, which may be mediated by inhibition of the STAT3/JAK2 and activation of the NRF2/HO-1 signal transduction pathways.

Analysis of Overturning and Vibration during Field Operation of a Tractor-Mounted 4-Row Radish Collector toward Ensuring User Safety

The overturning stability and vibration of upland crop machinery under development are important issues for analysis because farms for upland crops are usually uneven, which may cause work-related fatalities, and vibration affects user comfort and reduces the durability of components. In this study, the overturning stability and vibration of a tractor-mounted radish collector were investigated to ensure safety during radish collection. To analyze lateral stability, the center of gravity (CG) of the tractor-mounted radish collector system was calculated mathematically. Then, a simulation was performed to determine the lateral overturning angles at different folding positions of the radish conveyor belt and load conditions, and the results were validated through tests. Vibration sensors were used to measure the vibration levels and the power spectrum density (PSD) was obtained to check the cyclic apparatuses of the major frequencies. The load conditions, different conveyor speeds, and locations were considered as factors affecting the vibration levels. Considering the physical parameters of the tractor–collector system, the analytical overturning angle was 30.5°. The average overturning angle difference between the simulation and validation was 5°, and the difference between loaded and unloaded conditions was 2°. For 0, 45, and 90° folding positions of the conveyor belt, overturning angles increased and varied from 0.5 to 1°. The vibration level was greater under the unloaded conditions and increased with an increase in the conveyor speed. Vibrations under the loaded condition (0.37~0.48 ms−2) satisfied the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standard (except the first conveyor belt). According to the PSD analysis, high magnitude peaks (>25 dB) appeared frequently in all directions, which indicates a high possibility of damage to the first conveyor belt. This study provides useful information for improving the safety and durability of agricultural machinery for uneven and sloped field conditions.

Effects of Radishes, Apples, and Pears on the Lactic Acid Bacteria and Nutritional and Functional Qualities of Flavored Soy Sauce

Producers of soy sauce are constantly making efforts to improve the sensory quality and nutritional value of their products. In this study, radishes, apples, and pears were used to prepare a distinctly flavored soy sauce, and the lactic acid bacteria, volatile compound content, and nutritional and functional qualities of the product were compared with two commercial flavored soy sauce products. Comparable physiochemical properties, antioxidant activities (in vitro and cellular), and higher prevalence of lactic acid bacteria (7.74 ± 0.55 log CFU mL⁻¹) were observed in the prepared flavored soy sauce than in commercial flavored soy sauce. The comprehensive enzyme activity profile of the isolated lactic acid bacteria, Tetragenococcus halophilus (NCBI GenBank Accession no. MN270899), revealed the absence of any harmful enzymes such as β-glucuronidase. Moreover, the cell-free extract of T. halophilus showed xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) = 0.79 mg mL⁻¹), suggesting that the product possessed functionality against xanthine oxidase-induced oxidative stress. Additionally, the prepared flavored soy sauce had higher amounts of total free amino acids (48.68 mg mL⁻¹) and organic acids (7.77 mg mL⁻¹). These results suggest that radishes, apples, and pears at a defined ratio are suitable for the large scale production of a flavored soy sauce with improved nutritional and functional qualities.

Development of HPLC Method for Quantification of Sinigrin from Raphanus sativus Roots and Evaluation of Its Anticancer Potential

Sinigrin, a precursor of allyl isothiocyanate, present in the Raphanus sativus exhibits diverse biological activities, and has an immense role against cancer proliferation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to quantify the sinigrin in the R. sativus roots using developed and validated RP-HPLC method and further evaluated its’ anticancer activity. To achieve the objective, the roots of R. sativus were lyophilized to obtain a stable powder, which were extracted and passed through an ion-exchange column to obtain sinigrin-rich fraction. The RP-HPLC method using C18 analytical column was used for chromatographic separation and quantification of sinigrin in the prepared fraction, which was attained using the mobile phase consisting of 20 mM tetrabutylammonium: acetonitrile (80:20%, v/v at pH 7.0) at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The chromatographic peak for sinigrin was showed at 3.592 min for pure sinigrin, where a good linearity was achieved within the concentration range of 50 to 800 µg/mL (R² > 0.99), with an excellent accuracy (−1.37% and −1.29%) and precision (1.43% and 0.94%), for intra and inter-day, respectively. Finally, the MTT assay was performed for the sinigrin-rich fraction using three different human cancer cell lines, viz. prostate cancer (DU-145), colon adenocarcinoma (HCT-15), and melanoma (A-375). The cell-based assays were extended to conduct apoptotic and caspase-3 activities, to determine the mechanism of action of sinigrin in the treatment of cancer. MTT assay showed IC₅₀ values of 15.88, 21.42, and 24.58 µg/mL for DU-145, HCT-15, and A-375 cell lines, respectively. Increased cellular apoptosis and caspase-3 expression were observed with sinigrin-rich fraction, indicating significant increase in overexpression of caspase-3 in DU-145 cells. In conclusion, a simple, sensitive, fast, and accurate RP-HPLC method was developed for the estimation of sinigrin in the prepared fraction. The data observed here indicate that sinigrin can be beneficial in treating prostate cancer possibly by inducing apoptosis.

Lactobacillus pentosus SMB718 as a probiotic starter producing allyl mercaptan in garlic and onion-enriched fermentation

Lactobacillus pentosus SMB718 has the properties of being a beneficial probiotic for human health and is a desirable starter for better flavor in fermented allium species plants.

The combined effects of ultrasound and lactic acid in inactivating microorganisms on fresh radish (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus): Microbiological and quality changes

In order to reduce the risk of microbial contamination in fresh radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and ensure its safety, combined effects of ultrasound and lactic acid in inactivating microorganisms and quality changes of radish were studied. Fresh radish samples were inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Shigella sonnei separately and were treated with lactic acid (L) 1% and 2%, ultrasound (U) with the amplitude of 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% for 15 and 30 min and their combination. The quality parameters, including total phenol content, firmness, and total color change, were evaluated on the day of the experiment and after 24 hr of cold storage. Results showed that both applied treatments and their combinations had significant (p < .05) inhibitory effect on all of the studied bacteria. Total phenolic content of the ultrasound treated samples led to higher amounts comparing to other samples. Results showed that using ultrasound power (75%), for 30 min significantly (p < .05) decreased the firmness of samples after 24 hr of cold storage. In conclusion, the application of ultrasound and lactic acid can extend the shelf life of fresh radish.

Famotidine does not affect human sperm fertility characteristics (motility, viability and DNA integrity) in vitro

Famotidine, a histamine-2 receptor antagonist, is commonly used to relieve the acid-related gastrointestinal diseases; however, its effect on human sperm parameters, and hence on sperm function, is still undetermined. Here, we intended to measure human sperm motility, viability, and DNA integrity of ejaculated human sperm in the presence of famotidine at 0, 0.1, 1 and 10 mM concentrations in vitro. Forty-nine semen samples of normal count, motility, and morphology were included in this study. Sperm motility was assessed using Makler counting chamber and a phase contrast optics (200× magnification), whereas sperm viability was assessed using eosin-nigrosin staining procedure. The effect of famotidine on sperm DNA integrity was measured using flow cytometry. Famotidine at 0.1, 1 or 10 mM had insignificant effect on human sperm motility (progressive, p = .9594; and total, p = .8420), sperm viability (p = .6471), and content of DNA breaks in sperm (p > .05) compared with the control. In conclusion, famotidine at 0.1, 1 or 10 mM did not alter human sperm motility, viability or DNA integrity in vitro. Although, these findings indicate safety of famotidine in human sperm, further in vivo studies are required to establish the drug's safety.

Protection efficiency of red radish seeds and roots against paracetamol mediated hepatotoxicity in rats

Introduction: Protection of liver from the aggressive force of various environmental and chemical agents is very important for the overall health of an individual. So, the present study aimed to evaluate the protection efficiency of crude extracts of red radish seeds and roots against paracetamol mediated hepatotoxicity in rats. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Group I was served as normal rats, Group II received orally single dose of 2 g paracetamol/kg body weight on the 22nd day, Group III and Group IV were administered orally with 300 mg/kg/d crude ethanol extract of either seeds or roots of red radish for 21 days, then received paracetamol on 22nd day. After 48 hours of paracetamol administration blood was withdrawn to determine the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Gama-GT (γ-GT) as well as total and direct bilirubin. Also, liver tissues were separated to determine malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) as well as histological changes. Results: Pretreatment of rats with crude ethanol extract of either seeds or roots of red radish significantly (P ≤ 0.05) suppressed the elevations in serum activities of ALT, AST, ALP, γ- GT, total and direct bilirubin as well as liver MDA and NO levels. The results of histopathologic examinations were consistent with the biochemical results. Conclusion: Seeds and roots of red radish have a protection efficiency against paracetamol mediated oxidative damage and hepatotoxicity in rats.

Mechanisms of honey on testosterone levels

Testosterone is an anabolic steroid and the principal sex hormone in males. Maintaining adequate levels of testosterone throughout the life span of male is very desirable, especially it is now well-known that low levels of testosterone is associated with various aging diseases/disorders. Therefore, still, so many research studies have focused on enhancing serum levels of testosterone in males. Here, we intended to systematically discuss and present the impact of honey on serum levels of testosterone in males. This was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Embase electronic databases for research articles from May 1993 through April 2019 using the keywords “honey” and “honeybee” versus “testosterone”. Moreover, references from relevant published articles were also reviewed and cited to frame an integral discussion, conclusion, and future research needs. In conclusion, the collective evidence, which is mainly based on in vivo system studies, reveals that oral administration of honey increases serum testosterone level in males. Mechanistically, honey may increase serum level of testosterone by increasing the production of luteinizing hormone, enhancing the viability of Leydig cells, reducing oxidative damage in Leydig cells, enhancing StAR gene expression, and inhibiting aromatase activity in the testes. However, further research studies on humans, mainly clinical trials, in this specific research approach are still needed to confirm the effect of honey on testosterone.

Potential applications of cyanobacteria: Spirulina platensis filtrates and homogenates in agriculture

In the present paper, products obtained from a blue-green microalga Spirulina platensis filtrate (applied for seed soaking and for foliar spray) and homogenate (used for seed coating) were tested in the cultivation of radish. Their effect on length, wet mass, multielemental composition and the greenness index of the radish leaves was examined. Multi-elemental analyses of the algal products, and radish were also performed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The best soaking time, concentrations of filtrate and doses of homogenate were established. The longest and heaviest plants were observed for homogenate applied at a dose of 300 µL per 1.5 g of seeds and 15% of filtrate applied as foliar spray. The highest chlorophyll content was found in the group treated with 100 µL of homogenate and 5% of filtrate. In the case of soaking time, the longest plants were in the group where seeds were soaked for 6 h, but the heaviest and greenest were after soaking for 48 h. The applied algal products increased the content of elements in seedlings. Obtained results proved that algal extracts have high potential to be applied in modern horticulture and agriculture. The use of Spirulina-based products is consistent with the idea of sustainable agriculture that could help to ensure production of sufficient human food to meet the needs of rising population and protection of the environment.

Fresh Pomegranate Juice Decreases Fasting Serum Erythropoietin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Pomegranate juice (PJ) has been recognized to have various biological benefits in several pathological conditions. One such benefit is the augmentation of hemoglobin level and the number of erythrocytes in the human body. Here, we assessed the short-term effect of fresh PJ on the level of Erythropoietin (EPO) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to healthy individuals. Blood samples from 59 participants with T2D and 30 healthy individuals were collected after a 12-hour fast and 3 hours after administration of fresh PJ at 1.5 mL per kg body weight. Serum glucose was measured by standard method and commercially available chemiluminescent immunoassay kits were used to determine serum EPO concentration. Mean changes in serum EPO levels 3 hours after ingesting PJ and before the juice ingestion (EPO response to PJ) for both diabetic and healthy participants were -2.002 ± 0.541 vs. - 0.041 ± 0.214, respectively (P = 0.0087). This EPO response to PJ was found not to be correlated with age (P = 0.6622) and gender (P = 0.5354) for patients with T2D, while a negative correlation (P = 0.0183) between EPO response to PJ and fasting serum glucose concentrations was observed in these patients. In conclusion, fresh PJ reduced serum EPO level in patients with T2D, but not in healthy individuals, 3 hours after ingesting the juice. The EPO response to PJ was found to be negatively correlated with fasting serum glucose, but not with age and gender, of patients with T2D. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier. NCT03902288.

Antidiabetic activity of Cassia angustifolia Vahl. and Raphanus sativus Linn. leaf extracts

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Senna and radish leaf extracts reduced hyperglycemia in diabetic animals.

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Treatment with study extracts improved lipid profile and decreased atherogenicity.

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Treatment reduced insulin resistance and ameliorated pancreatic histology.

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Antidiabetic action attributed to synergistic effect of phytoconstituents.

Testosterone in Males as Enhanced by Onion (Allium Cepa L.)

Testosterone (17β-Hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one) is the main sex hormone in males. Maintaining and enhancing testosterone level in men is an incessant target for many researchers. Examples of such research approaches is to utilize specific types of food or dietary supplements as a safe and easily reached means. Here, specifically, since 1967 until now, many research studies have revealed the effect of onion on testosterone; however, this link has yet to be collectively reviewed or summarized. To accomplish this contribution, we searched the Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases for full articles or abstracts (published in English language) from April 1967 through December 2018 using the keywords “onion” versus “testosterone”. In addition, a number of related published articles from the same databases were included to improve the integrity of the discussion, and hence the edge of the future directions. In summary, there is an evidence that onions enhance testosterone level in males. The mechanisms by which this occurs is mainly by increasing the production of luteinizing hormone, enhancing the antioxidant defense mechanism in the tests, neutralizing the damaging effects of the generated free radicals, ameliorating insulin resistance, promoting nitric oxide production, and altering the activity of adenosine 5′-monophosphate -activated protein kinase. However, this effect requires further approval in humans, mainly by conducting clinical trials.

Sorting out the Value of Cruciferous Sprouts as Sources of Bioactive Compounds for Nutrition and Health

Edible sprouts with germinating seeds of a few days of age are naturally rich in nutrients and other bioactive compounds. Among them, the cruciferous (Brassicaceae) sprouts stand out due to their high contents of glucosinolates (GLSs) and phenolic compounds. In order to obtain sprouts enriched in these phytochemicals, elicitation is being increasing used as a sustainable practice. Besides, the evidence regarding the bioavailability and the biological activity of these compounds after their dietary intake has also attracted growing interest in recent years, supporting the intake of the natural food instead of enriched ingredients or extracts. Also, there is a growing interest regarding their uses, consumption, and applications for health and wellbeing, in different industrial sectors. In this context, the present review aims to compile and update the available knowledge on the fundamental aspects of production, enrichment in composition, and the benefits upon consumption of diverse edible cruciferous sprouts, which are sources of phenolic compounds and glucosinolates, as well as the evidence on their biological actions in diverse pathophysiological situations and the molecular pathways involved.