Protective effect of diindolylmethane-enriched dietary cabbage against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in mice.

Chemotherapy with doxorubicin (Dox) can lead to cardiotoxic effects, presenting a major complication in cancer therapy. Diindolylmethane (DIM), derived from cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, exhibits numerous health benefits. However, its clinical application is limited because of low bioavailability and suboptimal natural concentrations in dietary sources. To address this limitation, we developed a processing methodology, specifically fermentation and boiling, to enhance DIM levels in cabbage. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed a threefold DIM increase in fermented cabbage and a substantial ninefold increase in fermented-boiled cabbage compared to raw cabbage. To evaluate the clinical implications, we formulated a DIM-enriched diet and administered it to mice undergoing Dox treatment. Our in vivo results revealed that Dox treatment led to cardiotoxicity, manifested by changes in body and heart weight, increased mortality, and severe myocardial tissue degeneration. Dietary administration of the DIM-enriched diet enhanced antioxidant defenses and inhibited apoptosis in the cardiac tissue by interfering with mitoptosis and increasing antioxidant enzyme expression. Interestingly, we found that the DIM-enriched diet inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-kB in cardiac tissue, thereby downregulating the expression of inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and IL-6. Further, the DIM-enriched diet significantly reduced serum cardiac injury markers elevated by Dox treatment. These results suggest that the DIM-enriched cabbage diet can serve as a complementary dietary intervention for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Further, our research highlights the role of plant-based diets in reducing treatment side effects and improving the quality of life for cancer patients.

Brown algae and barley-based anti-obesity food and its safety in C57BL6 mice.

Brown algae have been considered a potential source of bioactives and used as a dietary supplement to manage obesity and its associated health complications. However, its effective use is limited due to heavy metals and microbial contamination, unawareness of health benefits and limited dietary exploitation. We developed, the Indian brown algae Padina tetrastromatica and barley-based anti-obesity food (AOF) and examined for microbial and heavy metal safety. Additionally, acute [0 (control), 50, 100, 200, 500 g AOF/kg diet] and sub-acute [0, 5, 50 g AOF/kg diet] doses of AOF were fed to C57BL6 mice and toxicity was examined. The physical, locomotory, hematological, biochemical parameters and histopathology were examined. Postprandial plasma and tissue levels of fucoxanthin and its metabolites were analyzed. Feeding AOF did not affect the general behavior, food and water intake, growth or survival of animals. Biochemical indices did not show any differences between AOF-fed and control groups. However, significantly lower levels of plasma cholesterol and triglycerides in groups fed 5 and 50 g of AOF/kg diet were observed. The post-mortem examination revealed no macroscopic/microscopic alteration in the vital organs. Overall, results validate that AOF is a safe and effective dietary supplement (even at higher doses of 500 g AOF/kg) to mitigate obesity. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-022-05483-4.

Microencapsulation of antioxidant phenolic compounds from green coffee.

Green coffee is a prime source of antioxidants to functional food and nutraceuticals. Arabica and Robusta varieties were screened and decaffeinated using ethyl lactate and extracted with a polar solvent to obtain chlorogenic acid (CGA) enriched green coffee extract (GCE). The physicochemical qualities (moisture, pH, particle size, and color) and bioactive compounds (total phenolics, chlorogenic acid, and caffeine) of GCE were assessed. The GCE had 12.78 ± 2.1 mg GAE g-1 phenolics and 10.98 mg g-1 chlorogenic acid (CGA). To improve the stability of CGA, the GCE encapsulated by spray drying using maltodextrin (MD) and skim milk (SM) as coating agent individually and in combination. Physicochemical, antioxidant properties, and biofunctionalities of microparticles were evaluated. Highest encapsulation efficiency of GCE with maltodextrin (1:1) was 86%±3 with the smaller particle size (2.3 ± 0.1 µm). Under the simulated gastric juice and bile salts solution, microencapsulation provided significantly better protection compared to non-encapsulated GCE. MGE elicits use as adjuvant/supplements in food, fortified for nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.

Proximate and mineral composition of Kadamba (Neolamarckia cadamba) fruit and its use in the development of nutraceutical enriched beverage.

Neolamarckia cadamba, commonly known as Kadamba, is one of the economically important trees, which is being exploited for paper, pulp and wood industries, however uses of its fruits are not reported. In the present investigation the N. cadamba fruits were analysed for their proximate and mineral content at different stages of maturity, and the ripe fruit was used for nectar preparation. Proximate analysis of the ripe edible fruit showed that it is rich in fat (2.4%) and proteins (2.1%), and has calorific value of 103.7 kcal/100 g. The nectar prepared from the ripe fruits showed mean overall acceptability score of more than 6 indicating its suitability for nectar preparation. The shelf life of nectar was found to be 150 days at ambient conditions (28 ± 3 °C). The nectar was rich in minerals and antioxidants, and can be recommended for consumption by various age groups. However, studies are required to ascertain its physiological effect on consumers.

Kaulath, a new fungal fermented food from horse gram.

Horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) is used in the traditional method for treatmentof several health complications. It is also known that fermentation of such substrates yields a number of compounds that enhance the overall activities against several disease states. Solid state fermentation of horse gram using Penicillium camemberti showed an inhibition of pancreatic lipase and alpha glucosidase activities. The fermented material, termed Kaulath, showed 60 % increase in fat content. A reduction in sodium and increased levels of potassium and calcium was observed in Kaulath. In addition, a higher free radical scavenging activity was noted in this product compared to unfermented horse gram. Anti-nutritional factors, such as phytic acid and trypsin inhibitors showed a reduction in Kaulath. Furthermore, Kaulath, upto 1 g per kg body weight, did not exhibit any mortality or toxic effects in experimental rats after 14 days of administration. The hematological and clinical parameters were within safe limits between the groups, supported by the histopathology of liver and kidney. These results indicate potential food use of Kaulath in diets and as functional ingredients in formulated foods.