Shedding light on the impacts of Spirulina platensis on gut microbiota and related health benefits.

Spirulina (S.) platensis is a blue-green algae with reported nutritional and health-promoting properties, such as immunomodulating, antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering properties, and beneficial effects on inflammatory diseases. Spirulina platensis can improve the function and composition of the gut microbiota and exert systemic beneficial effects. Gut dysbiosis is characterized by an imbalance in the composition and function of gut microbiota and is associated with several diseases. Some dietary bioactive compounds can restore the composition, diversity, and function of the gut microbiota and improve health-related parameters. This review proposes to gather relevant information on the effects of S. platensis supplementation on the modulation of the function and composition of gut microbiota and local and systemic measures related to gut health, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and glucose and lipid metabolism. The body of evidence conducted with animals and clinical studies shows that S. platensis supplementation increased gut microbiota diversity and improved gut microbiota composition, as reported by a decrease in the Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio, increase in the relative abundance of Prevotella and Lactobacillaceae, increase in short-chain fatty acid production and decrease of gut permeability. Improvements in gut microbiota have been associated with host health benefits such as anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, anti-lipemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects.

Effectiveness of Polyphenols on Perinatal Brain Damage: A Systematic Review of Preclinical Studies.

Polyphenol supplementation during early life has been associated with a reduction of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in diseases caused by oxygen deprivation, including cerebral palsy, hydrocephaly, blindness, and deafness. Evidence has shown that perinatal polyphenols supplementation may alleviate brain injury in embryonic, fetal, neonatal, and offspring subjects, highlighting its role in modulating adaptative responses involving phenotypical plasticity. Therefore, it is reasonable to infer that the administration of polyphenols during the early life period may be considered a potential intervention to modulate the inflammatory and oxidative stress that cause impairments in locomotion, cognitive, and behavioral functions throughout life. The beneficial effects of polyphenols are linked with several mechanisms, including epigenetic alterations, involving the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways. To highlight these new perspectives, the objective of this systematic review was to summarize the understanding emerging from preclinical studies about polyphenol supplementation, its capacity to minimize brain injury caused by hypoxia-ischemia in terms of morphological, inflammatory, and oxidative parameters and its repercussions for motor and behavioral functions.

Propyl (E)-3-(furan-2-yl) Acrylate: a synthetic antifungal potential with a regulatory effect on the biosynthesis of ergosterol in Candida Albicans

Abstract The genus Candida represents the main cause of infections of fungal origin. Some species stand out as disease promoters in humans, such as C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis. This study evaluated the antifungal effects of propyl (E)-3-(furan-2-yl) acrylate. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the synthetic compound, amphotericin B and fluconazole alone against four species of Candida ranged from 64 to 512 µg/mL, 1 to 2 µg/mL, and 32 to 256 µg/mL, respectively. The synergistic effect of the test substance was observed when associated with fluconazole against C. glabrata, there was no antagonism between the substances against any of the tested strains. The potential drug promoted morphological changes in C. albicans, decreasing the amount of resistance, virulence, and reproduction structures, such as the formation of pseudohyphae, blastoconidia, and chlamydospores, ensuring the antifungal potential of this substance. It was also possible to identify the fungicidal profile of the test substance through the study of the growth kinetics of C. albicans. Finally, it was observed that the test compound inhibited the ergosterol biosynthesis by yeast

Evidence for Quercetin as a Dietary Supplement for the Treatment of Cardio-Metabolic Diseases in Pregnancy: A Review in Rodent Models.

Quercetin supplementation during pregnancy and lactation has been linked to a lower risk of maternal cardio-metabolic disorders such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), dyslipidemia, preeclampsia, attenuation of malnutrition-related conditions, and gestational obesity in animal studies. Pre-clinical studies have shown that maternal supplementation with quercetin reduces cardio-metabolic diseases in dams and rodents' offspring, emphasizing its role in modifying phenotypic plasticity. In this sense, it could be inferred that quercetin administration during pregnancy and lactation is a viable strategy for changing cardio-metabolic parameters throughout life. Epigenetic mechanisms affecting the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3 K) pathways could be associated with these changes. To highlight these discoveries, this review outlines the understanding from animal studies investigations about quercetin supplementation and its capacity to prevent or decrease maternal and offspring cardio-metabolic illnesses and associated comorbidities.