The Efficacy of the Novel Bioavailable Curcumin (Cureit) in the Management of Sarcopenia in Healthy Elderly Subjects: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Study

Sarcopenia represents the progressive loss of skeletal muscles, which occurs as a result of aging. Plant-derived phytochemicals have the potential ability to manage sarcopenial conditions. The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study involving thirty subjects evaluated the efficacy of Cureit™ supplementation in the management of sarcopenial conditions by measuring the variables, such as hand grip strength, weight lift strength, time/distance before feeling tired after cycling, walking and climbing stairs, and Karnofsky performance scale index along with effects on general fitness, such as protein, urea, oxidative stress, and hematology parameters. The results showed that Cureit supplementation resulted in a significant increase of 1.43% (P < .001) in the handgrip strength compared with placebo. The weight-lifting capacity of subjects supplemented with Cureit showed an increase of 6.08%, whereas placebo showed a 4.54% decrease after the end of the study period. The results demonstrated that the Cureit tended to have a positive impact on distance covered before feeling tired as shown by an increase (P = .09) of 5.51%, compared with placebo group, which showed an increase of 2.29%. The time taken to walk the same distance was reduced in the Cureit group (1.15%), whereas in the placebo group, it was increased (2.02%). Cureit plays a significant role in the management of sarcopenia by anti-inflammatory action, increased hand grip strength, antifatigue effects, and muscle protein management. Clinical Trials Registry-India registration no. CTRI/2018/05/014176.

Preparation and Characterization of Liposomal β-Caryophyllene (Rephyll) by Nanofiber Weaving Technology and Its Effects on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) in Humans: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Crossover-Designed, and Placebo-Controlled Study

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a complex spreading out, which is related to swelling of muscles, tenderness, rigidity, pain, disruption of muscle fiber, alteration in the kinematics of joint, acute tissue damage, and reduction in power and strength. β-Caryophyllene (BCP), a potent phytocannabinoid, could play an important role in managing DOMS because of its wide diversity of biological activities, particularly its anti-inflammatory activity; however, its poor stability in light, temperature, high volatility, and insolubility can restrict the medical practices. In this study, liposomal β-caryophyllene (Rephyll) was designed and established in powder form constructed by the nanofiber weaving technology to improve the bioavailability of BCP with improved stability. Rephyll was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry studies. Encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, and in vitro release studies revealed that Rephyll can be an auspicious drug delivery arrangement for BCP. The effects of Rephyll were evaluated by a randomized, double-blinded, crossover-designed, placebo-controlled study. The oral consumption of Rephyll significantly reduced the pain visual assessment score, revealing that Rephyll effectively reduced DOMS with improved recovery without any side effects due to the bioavailable form of the phytocannabinoid BCP in the liposomal powder formulation.

Preparation, characterization and antimicrobial activity of polyvinyl alcohol/gum arabic/chitosan composite films incorporated with black pepper essential oil and ginger essential oil

Natural materials have attracted increasing attention in wound dressing and food packaging process, which could overcome the serious environmental issues caused by conventional synthetic materials. Essential oils (EOs) such as black pepper essential oil (BPEO) and ginger essential oil (GEO) have extensively been reported for their nutritional and biomedical properties. In this study, biocomposite films based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), gum arabic (GA) and chitosan (CS) incorporated with BPEO and GEO were fabricated by solvent casting method. FTIR, XRD, SEM and DSC were performed with mechanical and antimicrobial properties of PVA/GA/CS films with and without BPEO and GEO. The BPEO-PVA/GA/CS film showed heterogeneous rough surface with cavities containing entrapment of BPEO droplets, whereas, the GEO-PVA/GA/CS film showed heterogeneous rough surface with coarseness due to the incorporation of respective EOs. The BPEO and GEO incorporated PVA/GA/CS films were considerable resistant to breakage and flexible with improved heat stability. The BPEO and GEO incorporated PVA/GA/CS films were significantly inhibited the growth of Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. The obtained results have demonstrated that both BPEO and GEO incorporated PVA/GA/CS films are promising alternatives to wound dressing and food packaging materials.

Short Communication: effect of positive handling of sows on litter performance and pre-weaning piglet mortality

Fear and environmental stressors may negatively affect the welfare of farm animals such as pigs. The present study investigated the effects of music and positive handling on reproductive performance of sows (n = 1014; parity 1 to 8) from a commercial pig farm practicing a batch farrowing system. Every 2 weeks, 56 sows were moved from the gestation unit to conventional-crated farrowing houses 1 week prior to expected farrowing. Treated (T; n = 299) and control (C; n = 715) sows were included in the study. In the farrowing houses, auditory enrichment (music from a radio) was provided to sows of T groups daily from 0600 to 1800 h until the end of lactation. Until the day of farrowing, T sows were additionally subjected, for 15 s per day per sow, to continuous back scratching by one member of farm staff. Litter performance and piglet mortality were recorded and analysed between T and C sows using linear mixed regression models. The number of liveborn piglets (C 13.85 v. T 13.26) and liveborn corrected for fostering (C 13.85 v. T 13.43) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in C groups compared to the T groups. The number of stillborn piglets was 0.60 and 0.72 in T and C groups, respectively (P > 0.05). With regard to piglet mortality, a linear mixed regression model showed a significant overall effect of treatment in reducing piglet mortality (P < 0.01). Yet, the effect of treatment varied according to litter size (number of liveborn piglets) with a diminishing treatment effect in sows with a high litter size (P < 0.01). Pre-weaning survival was improved in the current study by the combined effect of daily back scratching of sows prior to farrowing and providing music to sows and piglets during lactation. Further research is needed to assess the separate effects of both interventions.

Neuropharmacological and cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst - A review on its mechanistic aspects

Bacopa monnieri (L.) - (BM) is a perennial, creeping herb which is widely used in traditional ayurvedic medicine as a neural tonic to improve intelligence and memory. Research into the biological effects of this plant has burgeoned in recent years, promising its neuroprotective and memory boosting ability among others. In this context, an extensive literature survey allows an insight into the participation of numerous signaling pathways and oxidative mechanism involved in the mitigation of oxidative stress, along with other indirect mechanisms modulated by bioactive molecules of BM to improve the cognitive action by their synergistic potential and cellular multiplicity mechanism. This multi-faceted review describes the novel mechanisms that underlie the unfounded but long flaunted promises of BM and thereby direct a way to harness this acquired knowledge to develop innovative approaches to manipulate its intracellular pathways.

Non-Curcuminoids from Turmeric and Their Potential in Cancer Therapy and Anticancer Drug Delivery Formulations

Over the past decades curcuminoids have been extensively studied for their biological activities such as antiulcer, antifibrotic, antiviral, antibacterial, antiprotozoal, antimutagenic, antifertility, antidiabetic, anticoagulant, antivenom, antioxidant, antihypotensive, antihypocholesteremic, and anticancer activities. With the perception of limited toxicity and cost, these compounds forms an integral part of cancer research and is well established as a potential anticancer agent. However, only few studies have focused on the other bioactive molecules of turmeric, known as non-curcuminoids, which are also equally potent as curcuminoids. This review aims to explore the comprehensive potency including the identification, physicochemical properties, and anticancer mechanism inclusive of molecular docking studies of non-curcuminoids such as turmerones, elemene, furanodiene (FN), bisacurone, germacrone, calebin A (CA), curdione, and cyclocurcumin. An insight into the clinical studies of these curcumin-free compounds are also discussed which provides ample evidence that favors the therapeutic potential of these compounds. Like curcuminoids, limited solubility and bioavailability are the most fragile domain, which circumscribe further applications of these compounds. Thus, this review credits the encapsulation of non-curcuminoid components in diverse drug delivery systems such as co-crystals, solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, microspheres, polar-non-polar sandwich (PNS) technology, which help abolish their shortcomings and flaunt their ostentatious benefits as anticancer activities.

Health and management of hobby pigs: a review

Miniature pigs, like the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig and the Kunekune, are the most popular hobby pig breeds. Despite their popularity, the knowledge of their health and management is still scarce. They have an exemplary sense of smell and hearing, possess good adaptability and are easy to handle. A well-ventilated shelter space with an area for recreation, and incorporation of straw for manipulation prevents boredom. Drinking water must be provided at all times. Restricted feeding ones or twice a day is preferred to prevent obesity. Unexpected aggressive behavior may occur and lead to abandonment of pet pigs. Overgrowth of claws, mange and sunburns are common skin problems. Diarrhea due to Escherichia coli is a common problem in piglets. Neutering is recommended to prevent aggressive behavior and pungent smell in males and to avoid the risk of neoplasms. It is preferably done at a young age to avoid surgical complications. Prophylaxis against erysipelas and parasites are recommended biannually. Other periodical health care practices include tusk and hoof trimming.

Preparation and characterization of nanocomposite films based on gum arabic, maltodextrin and polyethylene glycol reinforced with turmeric nanofiber isolated from turmeric spent

Turmeric nanofibers (TNF) were used as reinforcement in the gum arabic (GA), maltodextrin (MDX) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) matrices to enhance the physicochemical properties. The TNF were prepared from turmeric spent by acid hydrolysis accompanied by high pressure homogenization. The thermal and mechanical properties, structure morphology and antimicrobial activities of the prepared nanocomposites were investigated. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data indicate that the addition of TNF significantly increased the onset temperature (T_o), peak temperature (T_p) and conclusion temperature (T_c) of the melting peaks of nanocomposites, but considerably decreased the enthalpy change values. The tensile properties showed that the addition of TNF enhanced mechanical properties due to the formation of networks within the GA, MDX and PEG. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed the films of GA-TNF and MDX-TNF show smooth, homogenous surface due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding, and the film of PEG-TNF shows good dispersion of TNF with PEG matrix with rough surface because of strong interfacial adhesion between TNF and PEG and strong hydrogen bonding, which are further confirmed by the FT-IR spectroscopy. XRD results exhibited the disappearances of peaks of TNF indicating the reinforcement of TNF in the prepared nanocomposite matrices. The antibacterial tests show the prepared nanocomposites exhibited excellent antibacterial performance against Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium.

A novel bioavailable hydrogenated curcuminoids formulation (CuroWhite™) improves symptoms and diagnostic indicators in rheumatoid arthritis patients - A randomized, double blind and placebo controlled study

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that cause chronic pain, disability and joint destruction. The present placebo controlled randomized study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a novel hydrogenated curcuminoid formulation-CuroWhite™, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Twenty four RA patients were randomized in 1:1:1 ratio to receive 250 mg, 500 mg CuroWhite or placebo as one capsule a day, over a period of three months. Improvement in the ACR response, changes in disease activity assessed using the DAS 28 score, change in physical function assessed on change in ESR, CRP, RF values were evaluated before and after the study. Results suggested that patients who received CuroWhite both low and high doses reported statistically significant changes in their clinical symptoms towards end of the study when compared with placebo. There were significant changes in DAS28 (50–64%) VAS (63–72%) ESR (88–89%), CRP (31–45%) RF (80–84%) values and ACR response for CuroWhite groups in comparison with placebo. Thus, CuroWhite acts as the analgesic and anti-inflammatory product for management of RA by the reduction of the inflammatory action which was confirmed by improvement in ESR, CRP, VAS, RF, DAS-28 and ACR responses. CuroWhite was significantly effective against RA with highly safe without serious side effects and well tolerated.

Development of Validated Methods and Quantification of Curcuminoids and Curcumin Metabolites and Their Pharmacokinetic Study of Oral Administration of Complete Natural Turmeric Formulation (Cureit™) in Human Plasma via UPLC/ESI-Q-TOF-MS Spectrometry

Specific and sensitive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight-mass spectroscopy (UPLC-QTOF-MS) methods have been developed for the determination of curcuminoids and curcumin metabolites in human blood plasma. The UPLC-QTOF-MS method used a binary solvent delivery system and the chromatographic separation was performed on a C-18 (2.1 × 50 mm; 1.7 µm) column. Mass spectra were obtained on a Waters Xevo G2S Q-TOF mass spectrometer. The developed methods to characterize the pharmacokinetics of curcuminoids and curcumin metabolites in human blood plasma after an oral administration of bioavailable curcumin-Cureit™-were validated. It was found that the complete turmeric matrix enhances the concentration of tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), hexahydrocurcumin (HHC), octahydrocurcumin (OHC), curcumin-O-glucuronide (COG) and curcumin-O-sulfate (COS) in the blood plasma once the product is administrated.

Oral toxicity study of sports nutritional powder in Wistar rats: A 90 day repeated dose study

Fitnox is a newly developed dietary ingredient for physical endurance composed of the extracts of Moinga oleifera leaf (45-50%), Kaempferia parviflora (black ginger) root (15-20%) and Punica granatum peel (25-30%). The aim of this study was to assess the subchronic oral toxicity of Fitnox (test substance) - in Wistar albino rats. Forty rats equally divided into 4 groups (control male, control female, treatment male and treatment female) administrated the test substance at 1000 mg/kg per rat daily for 90 days. All the animals were observed for body weight, mortality and clinical observations during the entire study. Results revealed no significant changes between the control and Fitnox treated groups. Based on the results, it was concluded that orally administered Fitnox to rats (dose of 1000 mg/kg per rat, orally-90 days) is safe with no drug-related toxicity was observed during the study period. Thus, the no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for the present study is evaluated to be 1000 mg/kg body weight in both the sexes.

Preparation, characterization and in vitro study of liposomal curcumin powder by cost effective nanofiber weaving technology

Liposomes can facilitate the incorporation of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules into nutraceutical products through a constructive impact on their stability, drug delivery and bioavailability.

Comparative Oral Absorption of Curcumin in a Natural Turmeric Matrix with Two Other Curcumin Formulations: An Open-label Parallel-arm Study

Curcuminoids are the major bioactive molecules in turmeric, and poor bioavailability deters them from being the major components of many health and wellness applications. This study was conducted to assess the bioavailability of a completely natural turmeric matrix formulation (CNTMF) and compare its bioavailability with two other commercially available formulations, namely, curcumin with volatile oil (volatile oil formulation) and curcumin with phospholipids and cellulose (phospholipid formulation) in healthy human adult male subjects (15 each group) under fasting conditions. Each formulation was administrated orally as a single 500-mg dose in capsule form, and blood samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry at various time intervals up to 24 h. The ingestion of the CNTMF was very well absorbed and resulted in a mean curcuminoids plasma C_max of 170.14 ng/mL (T_max  = 4 h) compared with 47.54 ng/mL and 69.63 ng/mL for the volatile oil (T_max  = 3 h) and phospholipid (T_max  = 2.25 h) formulations, respectively. The extent of absorption of total curcuminoids in the blood for the CNTMF was 6× greater than volatile oil formulation and 5× greater than phospholipids formulation. The results of this study indicate that curcumin in a natural turmeric matrix exhibited greater bioavailability than the two comparator products. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Biological activities of curcuminoids, other biomolecules from turmeric and their derivatives - A review

In recent years, several drugs have been developed deriving from traditional products and current drug research is actively investigating the possible therapeutic roles of many Ayruvedic and Traditional Indian medicinal therapies. Among those being investigated is Turmeric. Its most important active ingredient is curcuminoids. Curcuminoids are phenolic compounds commonly used as a spice, pigment and additive also utilized as a therapeutic agent used in several foods. Comprehensive research over the last century has revealed several important functions of curcuminoids. Various preclinical cell culture and animals studies suggest that curcuminoids have extensive biological activity as an antioxidant, neuroprotective, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-acidogenic, radioprotective and arthritis. Different clinical trials also suggest a potential therapeutic role for curcuminoids in numerous chronic diseases such as colon cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases. The aim of this review is to summarize the chemistry, analog, metal complex, formulations of curcuminoids and their biological activities.

Medicinal properties of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn.: A review

Medicinal plants have been a main source of therapeutic agents from ancient time to cure diseases. Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. (T. arjuna) is one of the most accepted and beneficial medicinal plants in indigenous system of medicine for the treatment of various critical diseases. This comprehensive review provides various aspects of its ethnomedical, phytochemical, pharmacognostical, pharmacological and clinical significance to different diseases particularly in cardiovascular conditions. This plant has a good safety outline when used in combination with other conventional drugs. This review highlights various medicinal properties of T. arjuna through different studies such as antioxidant, hypotensive, anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic and gastro-productive effect.

Biological activities and medicinal properties of Asafoetida: A review

Ferula asafoetida Linn. is a main source of asafoetida, a strong, tenacious and sulfurous odor, and oleo-gum resin of medicinal and nutritional importance. Asafoetida has been consumed as a spice and a folk medicine for centuries. Recent studies have shown several promising activities particularly relaxant, neuroprotective, memory enhancing, digestive enzyme, antioxidant, antispasmodic, hypotensive, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, anticancer, anticytotoxicity, antiobesity, anthelmintic and antagonistic effect. This review effectively deals with phytochemistry and various pharmacological and clinical studies of asafoetida.

Polymeric drug based on sulfanilamide: synthesis, antimicrobial and drug releasing studies

N-((4-amino sulfonyl)phenyl)acrylamide (APA) was synthesized using sulfanilamide and acryloyl chloride in the presence of triethyl amine at 0–5°C. Homo- and co-polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) and acrylic acid (AA) were done by adopting a solution polymerization technique using methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) as a solvent and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as a free radical initiator at 70+1°C. All the monomers and polymers were characterized by IR and NMR techniques. These monomers and polymers were tested for their antimicrobial activity against five different ATCC strain microorganisms (Escherichia coli (25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (27853), Klebsiella (70063), Salmonella typhi (6539) and Staphylococcus aureus (25923)). The effect of co-monomer, other than the active drug moiety present in the polymeric drug, is discussed. The antimicrobial activity of APA on Gram-positive bacteria was enhanced when copolymerized with AA and HEA. The polymer was made into a film form and that film was used for drug releasing study. The drug releasing rate was monitored by the absorption at 268 nm using a UV spectrophotometer. The effect of pH and the temperature on the drug releasing rate was monitored and found that the releasing rate was dependent on the co-monomer, pH and temperature of the medium.