Exploring the astonishing beneficial effects of round gourd (Praecitrullus fistulosus) and plant lectins towards cancer: A comprehensive review.

Praecitrullus fistulosus, commonly known as round gourd or tinda, is a remarkable source of bioactive substances like polyphenols, antioxidants, carotene, magnesium, and vitamin C. It is considered one of the Cucurbitaceae family due to its medicinal features. Plant lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that can bind and identify the carbohydrate moieties upon cancerous cells demonstrated some anticancer potentials. Several plant lectins are helpful as cancer biomarkers because they can find cancer cells and contribute to cell death initiation via apoptosis and autophagy, suggesting the possible role of cancer-inhibiting pathways. Therefore, round gourd and lectins might be useful in the controlling of cancer. This study compiled the most recent scientific literature regarding the round gourd and numerous plant lectins, and the clinical trials of lectins exploring their effects on cancer were examined. Research according to the literature, round gourd, and lectins demonstrated pharmacological alterations not only in cancer but in many other disorders as well. Thus, clinical investigations proved the beneficial impacts of round gourd and lectins on cancer due to their antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic properties. Further studies are required to fully comprehend the potential applications of these plant-derived compounds against cancer, as well as to identify the round gourd components and clarify their mode of action.

Therapeutic potential of mangiferin in cancer: Unveiling regulatory pathways, mechanisms of action, and bioavailability enhancements - An updated review.

Mangiferin (MGF) is a phenolic compound, which is a major source of MGF is the mango tree. MGF possesses some antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties, enabling it to play its role against various diseases such as diabetes, obesity, lung injuries, and cancer. The word "Cancer" depicts an uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells. This review paper reveals MGF's therapeutic, curative and protective potential impact against lung, liver, ovarian, prostate, breast, stomach, and oral cancers. MGF is used in various types of research in the form of powder, liquid extract, intramuscular, intravenous, nanoparticles coated with gold, in the form of a solution, or in combination with other drugs to evaluate synergistic effects. Many studies showed that MGF is safe to use but has less bioavailability in the body and 0.111 mg/mL solubility in water. However, certain studies indicated that its bioavailability and retention time increased when taken in the form of nanoparticles and in combination with other drugs. MGF also increases the sensitivity of other drugs (i.e., cisplatin) resistant to tumors. MGF has different mechanisms of action for different cancers. It mainly targets enzymes, interleukins, tumor growth factors, signaling pathways, apoptotic proteins, and genes to inhibit the growth of tumors, volume, angiogenesis, cellular functionality, further progression, and movement to other areas of the body. Moreover, MGF increases apoptosis and body weight with no or fewer side effects on normal cells. MGF unveiled a novel gate toward the treatment of cancer. Further research and human trials are needed in this regard.

Astounding Health Benefits of Jamun (Syzygium cumini) toward Metabolic Syndrome.

Syzygium cumini, also called Jamun, or black plum, is an excellent source of bioactive components such as flavonoids, polyphenols, antioxidants, iron, and vitamin C. The Jamun tree is a tropical evergreen blooming plant and is an important medicinal plant from the Myrtaceae family that has been used for a long time in Indian and other traditional medicines across the world. Jamun is mainly cultivated in Asian countries such as Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Since ancient medicine, it has been utilized to treat a variety of diseases and physiological conditions. Currently, it is mostly used as a medication to treat various metabolic issues, including diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity, etc. Therefore, Jamun could serve a beneficial role against metabolic syndrome (MS). In this work, the latest available scientific literature on Jamun was collected and the clinical trials investigating its effect on diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and hyperlipidemia were analyzed to find out how Jamun could improve the symptoms and biomarkers of MS. Overall, the results of this study found a significant association of Jamun with the prevention and treatment of these biomarkers of MS. In many studies, Jamun showed pharmacological modifications not only in MS but in many other diseases as well. Currently, its utilization as a folk medicine for the treatment of patients with MS is widely acknowledged. Hence, the findings of a large number of clinical studies confirmed the ameliorating effects of Jamun against MS due to its antioxidation, antidiabetic, anti-inflammation anticarcinogenic, and hyperlipidemic effects. More research is still needed to determine and identify the Jamun compounds and to elucidate their mechanisms of action that are responsible for these astounding bioactive properties and health benefits.

Effect of Antioxidant-Rich Moringa Leaves on Quality and Functional Properties of Strawberry Juice.

Moringa oleifera and strawberry are cultivated extensively worldwide and are divinely blessed with an enormous amount of nutritional and medicinal constituents, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, potassium, and phenolic antioxidants that play a pivotal role in treating, confining, and preventing diabetes and many kinds of cancer. The focus of the study is to develop different samples of highly acceptable ready to serve (RTS) Moringa strawberry juice blend by underutilizing Moringa and strawberry juice in different proportions. Moringa oleifera's bitter taste and green color steeply limits its acceptability and counter this drawback utilized with strawberry juice. The physicochemical analysis of blended juice was performed to investigate the suitability and keeping quality of the juice mixture. The collected data signify that pH titratable acidity (TA) and total soluble solids (TSS) the slight modification after the inclusion of Moringa juice extract and throughout the storage. The Moringa treatment positively improved the total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant, and vitamin C from 12 to 49.17 mg GAE/100g, 61.41 to 87.69%, and 64.03 to 86.65 mg/100 mL, respectively, but there was a slight decline in antioxidant quantity while stored under refrigerated conditions for one month. An assimilative trend was noticed in TPC and vitamin C, which collapsed from 49.17-36.32 mg GAE to 86.65-79.19 mg, respectively. In accordance with sensory analysis T 2 (90% strawberry juice and 10% Moringa extract), the juice blend was rated best in context to flavor, color, and taste. This juice blend proved to be greatly effective especially for children suffering from malnutrition as well as women to counter with its appreciable number of nutritional constituents.

Delving into the Therapeutic Potential of Carica papaya Leaf against Thrombocytopenia.

Thrombocytopenia is a clinical manifestation that refers to the low platelet count, i.e., <150 × 103/µL, of blood, resulting in imbalanced hemostasis, which leads to several fatal complications. The causative factors vary greatly, but, as a consequence, they interfere with platelet production and promote destruction, leading to death. Carica papaya leaf has unique therapeutic and medicinal characteristics against thrombocytopenia, and this is supported by scientific studies. Secondary metabolites and minerals in the leaf, such as carpaine and quercetin, promote platelet production, inhibit platelet destruction, and maintain platelet membrane through gene expression activity and the ceasing of viral proteases, respectively. This review explores the scientific studies that support the role of papaya leaf in the form of juice, extract, or powder against thrombocytopenia through animal modeling and clinical trials. Phytochemical profiles of C. papaya leaf revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, cardiac glycosides, tannins, terpenes, and saponins, which impart therapeutic potential to the leaf. The therapeutic benefits of the leaf include immunomodulatory, antiviral, antidiabetic, anticancer, antimalarial, antiangiogenic, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities. Several conducted scientific research studies have proved the efficacy of C. papaya leaf against thrombocytopenia, expanding the implication of natural sources to eradicate numerous ailments.

Effect of Structurally Different Pectin on Dough Rheology, Structure, Pasting and Water Distribution Properties of Partially Meat-Based Sugar Snap Cookies.

Pectin has been widely used as a hydrocolloid in foods, but its effectiveness based on hydrodynamics radius (Rh), average side chain length (ACL) and degree of esterification (DE) has been less studied. This study investigated the effect of 4 types of pectin (with different molecular weight and structures) at a level of 1.5% w/w of wheat flour on functional, structural and water binding properties of sugar snap cookies partially substituted with fish meat. The results showed that pectin (CU-201 and CU-601) with higher ACL and Rh controlled excessive expansion, while the improved rheology of dough in terms of behavior as viscous matrix compared to control and other pectin. Texture was found to be highly dependent on Rh and ACL compared to DE of pectin. The pasting properties, especially peak viscosity and final viscosity, were significantly (p < 0.05) increased with increasing DE, as well as ACL, by entangling and increasing the interaction between starch and pectin. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis exhibited that control sample showed wide voids and more intercellular spaces, while samples prepared with CU-601, CU-201, and CUL displayed compact structure, which was also evidenced by controlled expansion and improved hardness of the cookies. Low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) analysis showed that T21 relaxation time and amplitude were found to be shorter for CU-601 and CU-201 treatments, signifying the high amount of tightly bound water compared to control. The findings endorse the feasibility of adding CU-601, and CU-201 as an efficient hydrocolloid for the improved structural and functional properties of cookies.

Impact of sonolytic ozonation (O3/US) on degradation of pesticide residues in fresh vegetables and fruits: Case study of Faisalabad, Pakistan.

High pesticide residues in fresh produce is a serious food safety issue. This study was aimed at assessing the pesticides residues in some important vegetables and fruits marketed in Faisalabad, Pakistan and the impact of sonolytic ozonation (O3/US) treatment in removing these contaminants. From a short grower's survey, five registered and mostly used pesticides (acetamiprid, carbendazim, imidacloprid, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam) were identified. A time optimization trial of O3/US application (05, 10 and 15 min) on okra, showed that 10 min treatment significantly reduced three identified chemicals (thiamethoxam 100 %, imidacloprid and thiacloprid 97.17 %), without any adverse effect on its quality. In follow up trial, five fresh vegetables (cauliflower, chillies, cucumber, spinach and tomato) three fresh fruits (grapes, guava and peach) collected from three markets of Faisalabad, were pooled together to have uniform samples. Vegetables and fruits were treated with O3/US for 10 and 6 min, respectively, along with control (simple tap wash) for determining the impacts on pesticides degradation. Samples were processed for extraction, clean up and analysis using HPLC-UV-Vis in isocratic mode. The data revealed the presence of five mentioned chemicals, with an accumulative mean residue of 9.006 and 1.921 µg/g in tested vegetables and fruits, respectively. After subjecting to O3/US, the accumulative chemical residues were reduced to 3.214 µg/g (64.313 %) and 1.064 (44.6 %) in treated vegetables and fruits respectively. Irrespective of fresh produce, the mean residues of thiamethoxam, imidachloprid, acetamiprid and thiachloprid and carbendazim were reduced by 99.3 %, 52.6 %, 65.2 %, 87.3 % and 72% respectively. It was concluded that sonolytic ozonation treatment was effective in significant reduction of pesticide residues from vegetables and fruits and thus can be employed as a good food safety practice at culinary level to reduce the associated health hazardous risks.

Nutritional and lifestyle changes required for minimizing the recovery period in home quarantined COVID-19 patients of Punjab, Pakistan.

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a new battle in human history for a safe and fearless life. Therefore, this cross-sectional survey was conducted (Punjab, Pakistan) on healthy recovered, home quarantined COVID-19 patients to draw conclusive health support guidelines in the fight against this pandemic. COVID-19 recovered patients (n = 80) of age ≥14 years were randomly selected during the period November 2020 to February 2021. A nutrition and lifestyle changes questionnaire, containing ten sections and seventy questions, was completed through the telephone/WhatsApp. Data were transferred into an Excel spreadsheet and statistically analyzed by applying chi-square, correlation, and a t test of independent values using SPSS-16 software. The patients had an age range of 14 to 80 years, of which 52 (65%) were male and 28 (35%) were female, and 32 (40%) had a normal BMI. The patients had a peak COVID-19 recovery period of 2 weeks, and a mean recovery period of 2.8 ± 1.4 weeks. Certain variables, including gender (males), age (>40 years), sleep (≤5 hr), less/no physical activity, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and autoimmune diseases, were significantly associated with delayed recovery. Poor nutritional outcomes, including lower intakes of water, legumes, nuts, meat, and milk/yogurt; and higher consumption of fast/fried/junk/spicy foods and cold water/drinks, were also significantly associated with a longer recovery period. The results were similar for not taking daily doses of multivitamins, and vitamins C, D, E, and zinc. This study identified that staying physically active, maintaining sensible body weight, having a sleep of 7 hr, consuming more foods of plant origin especially plant-based proteins from nuts and legumes, taking supplemental doses of multivitamins, vitamin D, E, and zinc, along with drinking ≥2 L of water daily can provide a significant role in early and safe recovery from COVID-19.

Lotus seeds (Nelumbinis semen) as an emerging therapeutic seed: A comprehensive review.

Nelumbinis semen is commonly known as lotus seeds that have been used as a vegetable, functional food, and medicine for 7,000 years. These are low caloric, a rich source of multiple nutrients and bioactive constituents, which make it a unique therapeutic food. N. semen plays an important part in the physiological functions of the body. Nowadays, people are more conscious about their health and desire to treat disease naturally with minimal side effects. So, functional foods are getting popularity due to a wide range of essential constituents, which are associated to decrease the risk of chronic diseases. These bioactive compounds from seeds are involved in anti-adipogenic, antioxidant, antitumor, cardiovascular, hepato-protective, anti-inflammatory, anti-fertility, anti-microbial, anti-viral, hypoglycemic, etc. Moreover, the relationship between functional compounds along with their mechanism of action in the body, their extraction from the seeds for further research would be of great interest.

Stabilization and attributive amelioration of sugarcane juice by naturally derived preservatives using aonla and moringa extract.

Sugarcane juice (SCJ) is a cheap, popular, and very nutritious beverage served at roadside stalls in many countries during harvesting season. The juice is normally consumed immediately after extraction as fermentation sets within a few hours of extraction. Preserving the raw sugarcane juice is always challenging because it spoils within a few hours of extraction due to fermentation. Therefore, the bottling, distribution, and marketing of sugarcane are difficult tasks. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of naturally derived preservatives using aonla extract (AE) and moringa extract (ME) in different proportions (0%, 3%, 5%, and 7%) for the preservation of SCJ during 21 days of the storage period at 4 ± 2°C temperature. The effect of extracts and storage time were analyzed on physicochemical parameters, bioactive compounds, enzymatic, microbiological, and sensory analyses of SCJ. A significant improvement in pH of 5% AE (5.30 ± 0.06) and 5% ME (5.36 ± 0.02) was observed at 21 days as compared to control (5.89 ± 0.02). The total phenolic contents in 7% ME were also observed to be retained (4.4 ± 0.02 mg GAE/mL) at 21 days as compared to control (2.65 ± 0.03 mg GAE/mL). Other physicochemical and phytochemical analyses including titratable acidity, total soluble solids, total flavonoids, ascorbic acid, 2,2-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) also indicated that SCJ treated with ME was significantly stable (p < .05) regarding quality parameters, nutritional and sensory attributes at different storage intervals. These findings may be practical for the large-scale production, storage, and marketing of SCJ products.

Cereal processing waste, an environmental impact and value addition perspectives: A comprehensive treatise.

This review is to describe various methods used for the treatment of cereal processing wastes and their efficiency to reduce environmental issues. Physico-chemical and biological methods have great potential for the treatment of cereal industrial waste. These methods can be used alone or in combination with effective treatment. Physico-chemical treatments are mostly employed for the pretreatment of cereal processing wastes that helps in reduced sludge formation during biological treatments. Biological treatments are mostly used owing to their high efficiency in removing pollutants, and less expensive than physico-chemical treatments. However, these treatments consume more time as compared to physico-chemical treatments. These treatments also proved to be efficient for a high rate of cereal waste conversion into value-added products. Thus, cereal industrial waste can result in value-added products such as biohydrogen, bioethanol, butanol, biogas and biocoal as biofuels, industrial valued enzymes, biomass, biofertilizer, proteins, organic acids, polysaccharides and few others.

Therapeutic potential of Moringa oleifera seed polysaccharide embedded silver nanoparticles in wound healing.

Wound healing is a complicated process that influences patient's life quality. Plant-based polysaccharide has recently gained interest in its use in wound dressing materials because of its biological compatibility, natural abundance, and ideal physiochemical properties. The present study reveals the potential of polysaccharide isolated from Moringa oleifera seed (MOS-PS) and its nanocomposite with silver (MOS-PS-AgNPs) as alternative materials for wound dressing. First, MOS-PS was isolated and structurally characterized by TLC, HPLC, FTIR, NMR, and GPC analyses. A green and simple method was used to synthesize AgNPs using MOS-PS as a stabilizing and reducing agent. The size, morphology, and structure of the MOS-PS-AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and zeta potential analysis. The results showed that the MOS-PS-AgNPs were spherically shaped, having no cytotoxicity toward mouse fibroblasts cells and promoting their in-vitro migration. Moreover, the MOS-PS-AgNPs displayed strong anti-microbial activity against wound infectious pathogenic bacteria. Finally, the MOS-PS-AgNPs were used for dressing animal wounds and its preliminary mechanism was studied by RT-PCR and histological analysis. The results showed that the MOS-PS-AgNPs can promote wound contraction and internal tissue growth well. Overall, our results indicated that the MOS-PS-AgNPs might be an excellent candidate for use as an optimal wound dressing material.

Sonolytic-ozonation technology for sanitizing microbial contaminants and pesticide residues from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves, at household level.

Increasing foodborne illnesses linked with the consumption of contaminated food pose serious health risks. Fresh fruits and vegetables can potentially be contaminated (microbes/chemicals) throughout the supply chain. Various chemical and thermal approaches have been used in the past to decontaminate fresh produce, which have had a negative impact on commodities and health hazardous. Henceforth, this conducted study was aim to test an ecofriendly/green decontamination technique, for impact on food safety and quality of spinach. Freshly harvested spinach leaves were treated with a combined application of ozone and ultrasound (O3+US) for different times (5, 10, and 15 min) in an aqueous medium. Different food safety (microbes and pesticide residues) and quality (VC content, TSS, TA, and weight loss) parameters were studied in comparison with tap washed samples. Total plate count method was used to evaluate microbial contamination and pesticide residues were determined by HPLC. There was gradual decrease in contaminants with increase in O3+US treatment time. Sonolytic-ozonation 10 and 15 min treatments were found optimal in reduction of microbial counts (TPC, E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria) and pesticide residues (10 min 94.04% and 15 min 99.77% residue reduction). However, chlorophyll degradation was observed in 15 min treated sample under 1-week household storage. There was no significant detrimental impact on quality parameters of spinach during 1 week of storage under refrigerated conditions. So, it was concluded that O3+US treatment for 10 min can be employed for microbial and chemical decontamination in spinach leaves at household level without any negative effect on its quality up to 1 week under refrigerator storage (5 ± 2 ○C).

Dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment reduces IgG binding capacity of ß-lactoglobulin by inducing structural changes.

The present study investigated the effects of dielectric-barrier-discharge (DBD) plasma treatment (12 kHz, 40 kV) at 1, 2, 3, and 4 min on the reduction of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding capacity of ß-lactoglobulin (ß-LG). The IgG binding capacity of ß-LG was reduced by 58.21% following a plasma treatment time of 4 min, as confirmed by western-blot and ELISA analyses. The reduction in IgG binding capacity of ß-LG was directly related to a stepwise change in its structure. The initial drop in the IgG binding capacity of ß-LG was found to be caused by conformational alteration, free sulfhydryl exposure and cross-linkage of molecules induced by oxidation of NH-/NH2- functional groups of peptide bonds and of sensitive amino acid residues (Tyr, Trp) as confirmed by SDS-PAGE, surface hydrophobicity and multi-spectroscopic analyses. Plasma treatment of more than 3 min resulted in cleavage of disulfidebonds and fragmentation of ß-LG that was confirmed by LC-MS/MS analysis, which resulted a further decline in the IgG binding capacity of ß-LG. Plasma treatment therefore has great potential as a substitute treatment for enzymatic hydrolysis for the production of hypoallergenic milk protein-based products.

Cysteine and homocysteine as biomarker of various diseases.

Cysteine and homocysteine (Hcy), both sulfur-containing amino acids (AAs), produced from methionine another sulfur-containing amino acid, which is converted to Hcy and further converted to cysteine. This article aims to highlight the link between cysteine and Hcy, and their mechanisms, important functions, play in the body and their role as a biomarker for various types of diseases. So that using cysteine and Hcy as a biomarker, we can prevent and diagnose many diseases. This review concluded that hyperhomocysteinemia (elevated levels of homocysteine) is considered as toxic for cells and is associated with different health problems. Hyperhomocysteinemia and low levels of cysteine associated with various diseases like cardiovascular diseases (CVD), ischemic stroke, neurological disorders, diabetes, cancer like lung and colorectal cancer, renal dysfunction-linked conditions, and vitiligo.

Functional food and nutra-pharmaceutical perspectives of date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit.

Date palm counts among the oldest fruit crops of the world and is mainly cultivated for its highly nutritious fruits consumed as a staple food in many countries, especially in the Gulf region. Dates are enriched with numerous therapeutic bioactives and functional compounds such as phenolics, flavonols, carotenoids, minerals, and vitamins that not only provide an appreciable amount of energy required for the human body but also act as an effective therapeutic agent against several diseases. This review aimed to provide a deep insight into the nutritional as well as phytochemicals profile of date fruit and its seeds in order to explore their biological (anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, cardio-protective, anti-inflammatory properties), functional food, and nutra-pharmaceutical attributes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This review provides updated information regarding the date fruits and seeds phytochemicals composition together with highlighting dates potential as a natural therapeutic agent against several diseases. The study also urges the importance of consuming dates as a great package to live a healthy life due to the functional food and nutraceutical properties of this valuable fruit. The study also provides information first time as recommending dates to cope with the hidden hunger or micronutrient deficiency faced by the third world inhabitants. Hence, the review may further help the industry and researchers to explore the potential of dates for future medicinal and nutra-pharmaceutical applications.