The ingredients in Saengshik, a formulated health food, inhibited the activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase as anti-diabetic function

Impact of Native Form Oat β-Glucan on the Physical and Starch Digestive Properties of Whole Oat Bread

To investigate the effect of oat bran on bread quality and the mechanism of reducing the glycemic index (GI) of bread, wheat bran (10%, w/w, flour basis), oat bran (10%), and β-glucan (0.858%) were individually added to determine the expansion of dough, the specific volume, texture, color, GI, starch digestion characteristics, and α-amylase inhibition rate of bread. The results showed that the incorporation of wheat bran and oat bran both reduced the final expanded volume of the dough, decreased the specific volume of the bread, and increased the bread hardness and crumb redness and greenness values as compared to the control wheat group. The above physical properties of bran-containing bread obviously deteriorated while the bread with β-glucan did not change significantly (p < 0.05). The GI in vitro of bread was in the following order: control (94.40) > wheat bran (69.24) > β-glucan (65.76) > oat bran (64.93). Correspondingly, the oat bran group had the highest content of slowly digestible starch (SDS), the β-glucan group had the highest content of resistant starch (RS), and the control group had the highest content of rapidly digestible starch (RDS). For the wheat bran, oat bran, and β-glucan group, their inhibition rates of α-amylase were 9.25%, 28.93%, and 23.7%, respectively. The β-glucan reduced the bread GI and α-amylase activity by intertwining with starch to form a more stable gel network structure, which reduced the contact area between amylase and starch. Therefore, β-glucan in oat bran might be a key component for reducing the GI of whole oat bread.

Macroalgal Proteins: A Review

Population growth is the driving change in the search for new, alternative sources of protein. Macroalgae (otherwise known as seaweeds) do not compete with other food sources for space and resources as they can be sustainably cultivated without the need for arable land. Macroalgae are significantly rich in protein and amino acid content compared to other plant-derived proteins. Herein, physical and chemical protein extraction methods as well as novel techniques including enzyme hydrolysis, microwave-assisted extraction and ultrasound sonication are discussed as strategies for protein extraction with this resource. The generation of high-value, economically important ingredients such as bioactive peptides is explored as well as the application of macroalgal proteins in human foods and animal feed. These bioactive peptides that have been shown to inhibit enzymes such as renin, angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE-1), cyclooxygenases (COX), α-amylase and α-glucosidase associated with hypertensive, diabetic, and inflammation-related activities are explored. This paper discusses the significant uses of seaweeds, which range from utilising their anthelmintic and anti-methane properties in feed additives, to food techno-functional ingredients in the formulation of human foods such as ice creams, to utilising their health beneficial ingredients to reduce high blood pressure and prevent inflammation. This information was collated following a review of 206 publications on the use of seaweeds as foods and feeds and processing methods to extract seaweed proteins.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata): A food with functional properties aimed to type 2 diabetes prevention and management

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing the prevalence worldwide at an alarming rate, becoming a serious public health problem that mainly affects developing countries. Functional food research is currently of great interest because it contributes to developing nutritional therapy strategies for T2DM prevention and treatment. Bioactive compounds identified in some plant foods contribute to human health by mechanisms of action that exert biological effects on metabolic pathways involved in the development of T2DM. Hence, vegetables with high bioactive compounds content may be a source of functional value for the control of T2DM. Cabbages varieties (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) such as green (GCB), white (WCB), and red (RCB) are foods consumed (raw or cooked) and cultivated in different regions of the world. Scientific evidence shows that cabbage has multi-target effects on glucose homeostatic regulation due to its high content of bioactive compounds. It has also been shown to decrease damage to organs affected by T2DM complications, such as the liver and kidney. Additionally, it could contribute as a preventive by attenuating problems underlying the development of T2DM as oxidative stress and obesity. This review highlights the functional properties of cabbage varieties involved in glucose regulation and the main mechanisms of the action exerted by their bioactive compounds. In conclusion, cabbage is a valuable food that can be employed as part of nutritional therapy or functional ingredient aimed at the prevention and treatment of T2DM.

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.

A mechanistic review: potential chronic disease-preventive properties of sorghum

Sorghum is one of the most widely cultivated crops, and is used in foods, domestic animal feedstuffs, alcohol production, and biofuels. Recently, many research groups have demonstrated that sorghum contains various components that are strongly associated with the prevention of major human chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, cancer, and inflammation. However, to use sorghum more widely as a food for the potential prevention and treatment of human chronic diseases, more studies will be required to elucidate the biological mechanisms. In this review paper, we highlight multiple findings to propose a mechanistic link between sorghum consumption and reduced risk of chronic diseases. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

A study on nutritional and functional study properties of Mayan plant foods as a new proposal for type 2 diabetes prevention

Mayan communities cultivate a great variety of plant foods that could be of interest due to their nutritional and functional potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional value, glycemic index (GI), total phenol content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC), and in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of 24 plant foods of a Mayan community from the Yucatan Peninsula. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that Psidium guajava L. (fruit), Cucurbita moschata (vegetable), Raphanus sativus L. (tuber), Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. (leaf), and Bixa orellana L. (seed) had the highest nutritional and functional value for each plant food group. Principal component analysis suggested that TFC is a key feature to select plant foods with antidiabetic potential. Mayan plant foods have nutritional and functional properties that can be used in the development of a new proposal aimed at preventing type 2 diabetes.

Fresh Saengshik Showed a Positive Effect on Mitigating Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Experimental Colitis in Mice

This study was to compare the anticolitis activity of fresh Saengshik (FSS) with heated Saengshik (HSS) with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis mouse model. Both FSS- and HSS-fed colitis mice exhibited the effects of the increase in the body weight, the alleviation in the colon shortening, and the reduction of the ratio of colon weight to length. However, FSS-fed colitis mice showed a much more significant decrease in DSS-induced tissue damage by mucosal edema and crypt deficiency than did HSS-fed ones. Besides, FSS contributed to decreasing the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta) and inhibiting the colonic mRNA expressions of these cytokines in colitis tissue of the mice. FSS also resulted in the lower colonic mRNA expression level of inflammation-related inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in colitis mice than did HSS. Overall results confirmed Saengshik, especially FSS, inhibits more effectively against DSS-induced inflammation reaction in colitis mice than HSS.

PDO Rotonda’s Red Eggplant Extract: In vitro Determination of Biological Properties and Minerals Bioaccessibility

Background:

The Rotonda’s Red Eggplant belongs to the family of Solanum aethiopicum and it is cultivated in a specific area of Potenza (Basilicata, South of Italy) including villages of Rotonda, Viggianello, Castelluccio Superiore and Castelluccio Inferiore. The Red Eggplant cultivated in this area has gained the PDO, “Protected Designation of Origin”.

Objective:

The aim of this research was to evaluate the use of PDO Rotonda’s Red Eggplant extract as a possible nutraceutical supplement. The antioxidant, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic properties were in vitro evaluated.

Methods:

The antioxidant activity was investigated by evaluating the scavenging properties against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals and by performing the Ammonium Molybdate and Folin-Ciocalteu assay. The hypoglycemic and antihypertensive activity was studied by evaluating the α-Amylase, α-Glucosidase and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme, respectively, inhibiting activity. In order to evaluate the hypolipidemic activity, the pancreatic lipase inhibiting property was determined and Oil Red O staining assay was performed. Finally, to evaluate the possible use of this extract as a minerals supplement, Selenium, Potassium and Chrome bioaccessibility was studied.

Results:

The obtained results underline the good antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antihypertensive and hypolipidemic in vitro properties of the PDO Rotonda’s Red Eggplant extract. Moreover, the obtained data show a higher minerals bioaccessibility and this higher value could be ascribable to the natural phytocomplex of PDO Rotonda’s Red Eggplant, which increases the minerals bioaccessibility if compare it with a control sample.

Conclusion:

The obtained results show that PDO Rotonda’s Red Eggplant extract, might be used as a possible nutraceutical supplement, along with traditional therapies, both for its biological properties and for its minerals bioaccessibility value.

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.

Assessment of microbiological contamination in saengshik products from the Korean market and identification of the irradiation status

This study investigated the prevalence of microbiological contamination in commercial Saengshik products (samples SP-1 to SP-12) from the Korean market, and identified their irradiation status. SP-2, SP-8, and SP-12 showed less than 3.66 and 1.10 log colony forming units (CFU)/g in total plate and coliforms counts, respectively, while the remaining samples showed more than 4.70 and 2.35 log CFU/g, respectively. Four samples were positive on some of foodborne pathogenic bacteria (Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Bacillus cereus). SP-2, SP-8, and SP-12 contained no pathogenic bacteria and were suspected to have been irradiated. They were confirmed as positive using photostimulated luminescence (PSL) analysis. PSL positive results on samples SP-2, SP-8 and SP-12 were finally confirmed by the authentic thermoluminescence (TL) analysis on the basis of TL glow curve shape, intensity, temperature range of TL peak maxima and TL ratio (TL₁/TL₂).

Sargassum sagamianum Extract Alleviates Postprandial Hyperglycemia in Diabetic Mice

In this study, we investigated the postprandial hypoglycemic effect of Sargassum sagamianum extract (SSE) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Freeze-dried S. sagamianum was extracted with 80% ethanol and concentrated. The inhibition of postprandial hyperglycemia was determined by the inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase as well as the measurement of postprandial blood glucose levels. SSE demonstrated a high inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase. The IC50 value of SSE against α-glucosidase and α-amylase was 0.095 mg/mL and 0.199 mg/mL, respectively, and thus it was significantly more efficacious than the pharmaceutical acarbose (0.115 mg/mL and 0.229 mg/mL, respectively). The postprandial blood glucose levels in the SSE-administered group were significantly lower than those in the control group. Furthermore, the area under the curve significantly decreased following the administration of SSE. These results indicate that SSE can be used as an α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitor and can delay the absorption of dietary carbohydrates.

Radish (Raphanus sativus) and Diabetes

For more than three decades, various in vitro and in vivo studies have linked radishes with diabetes, though this link has not been discussed. This review systematically addresses and summarizes the effect of radishes on diabetes. We searched the Web of Science, PubMed, and EMBASE databases for English language articles from June 1987 through May 2017 using the key words "radish" and "diabetes," and the references from particular reports were also considered if relevant. In summary, radish has been identified as having antidiabetic effects, making it favorable for those with diabetic conditions. This may be due to its ability to enhance the antioxidant defense mechanism and reduce the accumulation of free radicals, affect hormonal-induced glucose hemostasis, promote glucose uptake and energy metabolism, and reduce glucose absorption in the intestine. However, this summary requires further confirmation in research in vivo studies and clinical trials.

Marine Peptides as Potential Agents for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus-A Prospect

An increasing prevalence of diabetes is known as a main risk for human health in the last future worldwide. There is limited evidence on the potential management of type 2 diabetes mellitus using bioactive peptides from marine organisms, besides from milk and beans. We summarized here recent advances in our understanding of the regulation of glucose metabolism using bioactive peptides from natural proteins, including regulation of insulin-regulated glucose metabolism, such as protection and reparation of pancreatic β-cells, enhancing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and influencing the sensitivity of insulin and the signaling pathways, and inhibition of bioactive peptides to dipeptidyl peptidase IV, α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities. The present paper tried to understand the underlying mechanism involved and the structure characteristics of bioactive peptides responsible for its antidiabetic activities to prospect the utilization of rich marine organism proteins.

Intervention of pumpkin seed oil on metabolic disease revealed by metabonomics and transcript profile

BACKGROUND

Understanding the metabolic and transcription basis of pumpkin seed oil (PSO) intervention on metabolic disease (MD) is essential to daily nutrition and health.

RESULTS

This study analyzed the liver metabolic variations of Wistar rats fed normal diet (CON), high-fat diet (HFD) and high-fat plus PSO diet (PSO) to establish the relationship between the liver metabolite composition/transcript profile and the effects of PSO on MD. By using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy together with multivariate data analysis, it was found that, compared with CON rats, HFD rats showed clear dysfunctions of choline metabolism, glucose metabolism and nucleotide and amino acid metabolism. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), it was found that, compared with HFD rats, PSO rats showed alleviated endoplasmic reticulum stress accompanied by lowered unfolded protein response.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide useful information to understand the metabolic alterations triggered by MD and to evaluate the effects of PSO intervention. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ashanti pepper (Piper guineense Schumach et Thonn) attenuates carbohydrate hydrolyzing, blood pressure regulating and cholinergic enzymes in experimental type 2 diabetes rat model

BACKGROUND

Ashanti pepper (Piper guineense Schumach et Thonn) seed is well known in folkloric medicine in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with little or no scientific documentation for its action. This study investigated the effect of Ashanti pepper seed on some enzymes relevant to carbohydrate hydrolysis, blood regulation and the cholinergic system, as well as the blood glucose level, lipid profile, antioxidant parameters, and hepatic and renal function markers in T2DM rats.

METHODS

T2DM was induced by feeding rats with high-fat diet (HFD) for 14 days followed by a single intraperitoneal dose of 35 mg/kg body weight of streptozotocin (STZ). Three days after STZ induction, diabetic rats were placed on a dietary regimen containing 2%-4% Ashanti pepper.

RESULTS

Reduced blood glucose level with decreased α-amylase, α-glucosidase and angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) activities were observed in Ashanti pepper seed and acarbose-treated rat groups when compared to that of the diabetic control rat group. Furthermore, the results revealed that inclusion of 2%-4% Ashanti pepper seed in diabetic rat fed group diets may ameliorate the lipid profile, antioxidant status, and hepatic and renal function in T2DM rats as much as in the acarbose-treated groups. In addition, a chromatographic profile of the seed revealed the presence of quercitrin (116.51 mg/g), capsaicin (113.94 mg/g), dihydrocapsaicin (88.29 mg/g) and isoquercitrin (74.89 mg/g).

CONCLUSIONS

The results from this study clearly suggest that Ashanti pepper could serve as a promising source of phenolic compounds with great alternative therapeutic potentials in the management of T2DM.

The Protective Effect of Marigold Hydroalcoholic Extract in STZ-Induced Diabetic Rats: Evaluation of Cardiac and Pancreatic Biomarkers in the Serum

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder worldwide and it is usually along with complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of diabetes is increasing and its treatment has created concerns in society. The use of herbal medicine can be helpful in the management of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of marigold hydroalcoholic extract under diabetes condition. A total of 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, diabetic control group, and groups treated with 250 or 500 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract of marigold flower during four weeks. At the end of the study, the rats were anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine, and sampling was performed through cardiac puncture. The results showed that treatment with marigold improved body weight. In addition, we determined that marigold normalized the level of CK-MB, total CK, amylase, and lipase in a dose-dependent manner. Probably these effects resulted from antioxidant property of marigold; thus we suggest that marigold flower can be useful for reduction of diabetes complication.