A concise review of the nutritional profiles, microbial dynamics, and health impacts of fermented mushrooms.

Mushrooms have garnered significant attention for their nutritional composition and potential health benefits, including antioxidant, antihypertensive, and cholesterol-lowering properties. This review explores the nutritional composition of edible mushrooms, including their high protein content, essential amino acids, low fat, cholesterol levels, and bioactive compounds with medicinal value. Moreover, the study analyzes the microbiology of mushroom fermentation, focusing on the diverse microbial ecosystem involved in the transformation of raw mushrooms and the preservation methods employed to extend their shelf life. Special emphasis is placed on lactic acid fermentation as a cost-effective and efficient preservation technique. It involves controlling the growth of lactic acid bacteria to enhance the microbial stability and nutritional quality of mushrooms. Furthermore, the bioactivities of fermented mushrooms are elucidated, which are antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-glycemic, immune modulatory, and other biological activities. The mechanisms underlying these bioactivities are explored, emphasizing the role of fermented mushrooms in suppressing free radicals, enhancing antioxidant defenses, and modulating immune responses. Overall, this review provides comprehensive insights into the nutritional composition, microbiology, bioactivities, and underlying mechanisms of fermented mushrooms, highlighting their potential as functional foods with significant health-promoting properties.

Role and Mechanisms of Phytochemicals in Hair Growth and Health.

Hair health is associated with personal distress and psychological well-being. Even though hair loss (alopecia) does not affect humans' biological health, it affects an individual's social well-being. So, treatment for hair problems and improving hair health are obligatory. Several pharmacological and cosmeceutical treatment procedures are available to manage hair loss and promote growth. Several factors associated with hair health include genetics, disease or disorder, drugs, lifestyle, chemical exposure, and unhealthy habits such as smoking, diet, and stress. Synthetic and chemical formulations have side effects, so people are moving towards natural compounds-based remedies for their hair problems. The history of using phytochemicals for hair health has been documented anciently. However, scientific studies on hair loss have accelerated in recent decades. The current review summarizes the type of alopecia, the factor affecting hair health, alopecia treatments, phytochemicals' role in managing hair loss, and the mechanisms of hair growth-stimulating properties of phytochemicals. The literature survey suggested that phytochemicals are potent candidates for developing treatment procedures for different hair problems. Further detailed studies are needed to bring the scientific evidence to market.

Composition, Microbiota, Mechanisms, and Anti-Obesity Properties of Rice Bran.

Rice is a major cereal crop and a staple food for nearly 50% of people worldwide. Rice bran (RB) is a nutrient-rich by-product of rice processing. RB is rich in carbohydrates, fibers, proteins, lipids, minerals, and several trace elements (phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and manganese). The extraction process and storage have influenced RB extracts and RB oil's quality. The RB composition has also varied on the rice cultivars. The color of RB indicates the richness of the bioactive compounds, especially anthocyanins. γ-oryzanol, tocopherols, tocotrienols, and unsaturated fatty acids are major components of RB oil. It has been established that RB supplementation could improve the host's health status. Several preclinical and clinical studies have reported that RB has antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anticolitis, and antidiabetic properties. The beneficial biological properties of RB are partially attributed to its ability to alter the host microbiome and help to maintain and restore eubiosis. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and lung disease, account for 74% of deaths worldwide. Obesity is a global health problem and is a major reason for the development of NCDs. The medical procedures for managing obesity are expensive and long-term health supplements are required to maintain a healthy weight. Thus, cost-effective natural adjuvant therapeutic strategy is crucial to treat and manage obesity. Several studies have revealed that RB could be a complementary pharmacological candidate to treat obesity. A comprehensive document with basic information and recent scientific results on the anti-obesity activity of RB and RB compounds is obligatory. Thus, the current manuscript was prepared to summarize the composition of RB and the influence of RB on the host microbiome, possible mechanisms, and preclinical and clinical studies on the anti-obesity properties of RB. This study suggested that the consumption of RB oil and dietary RB extracts might assist in managing obesity-associated health consequences. Further, extended clinical studies in several ethnic groups are required to develop dietary RB-based functional and nutritional supplements, which could serve as an adjuvant therapeutic strategy to treat obesity.

Folic Acid-Decorated pH-Responsive Nanoniosomes With Enhanced Endocytosis for Breast Cancer Therapy: In Vitro Studies.

Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer. The purpose of this study is a targeted delivery toward in vitro (on MCF7 and 4T1 breast cancer cell lines) through niosomes-based nanocarriers. To this end, different bioactive molecules, including hyaluronic acid (HA), folic acid (FA), and polyethylene glycol (PEG), were used and compared for surface modification of niosomes to enhance endocytosis. FA-functionalized niosomes (Nio/5-FU/FA) were able to increase cell cytotoxicity and reduce cell migration and invasion compared to PEG-functionalized niosomes (Nio/5-FU/PEG), and HA-functionalized niosomes (Nio/5-FU/HA) groups in MCF-7 and 4T1 cell lines. Although the Nio/5-FU/PEG and Nio/5-FU/HA demonstrated MCF7 cell uptake, the Nio/5-FU/FA exhibited the most preponderant endocytosis in pH 5.4. Remarkably, in this study 5-FU loaded niosomes (nonionic surfactant-based vesicles) were decorated with various bioactive molecules (FA, PEG, or HA) to compare their ability for breast cancer therapy. The fabricated nanoformulations were readily taken up by breast cancer cells (in vitro) and demonstrated sustained drug release characteristics, inducing cell apoptosis. Overall, the comprehensive comparison between different bioactive molecules-decorated nanoniosomes exhibited promising results in finding the best nano formulated candidates for targeted delivery of drugs for breast cancer therapy.

The Effects of Synbiotics Administration on Stress-Related Parameters in Thai Subjects-A Preliminary Study.

Urbanization influences our lifestyle, especially in fast-paced environments where we are more prone to stress. Stress management is considered advantageous in terms of longevity. The use of probiotics for psychological treatment has a small amount of diverse proven evidence to support this. However, studies on stress management in stressed subjects using synbiotics are still limited. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of synbiotics on stress in the Thai population. A total of 32 volunteers were enrolled and screened using a Thai Stress Test (TST) to determine their stress status. Participants were divided into the stressed and the non-stressed groups. Synbiotics preparation comprised a mixture of probiotics strains in a total concentration of 1 × 1010 CFU/day (5.0 × 109 CFU of Lactobacillus paracasei HII01 and 5.0 × 109 CFU of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis) and 10 g prebiotics (5 g galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), and 5 g oligofructose (FOS)). All parameters were measured at baseline and after the 12th week of the study. In the stressed group, the administration of synbiotics significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the negative scale scores of TST, and tryptophan. In the non-stressed group, the synbiotics administration decreased tryptophan significantly (p < 0.05), whereas dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), acetate and propionate were increased significantly (p < 0.05). In both groups, cortisol, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were reduced, whereas anti-inflammatory mediator interleukin-10 (IL-10) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels were increased. In conclusion, synbiotics administration attenuated the negative feelings via the negative scale scores of TST in stressed participants by modulating the HPA-axis, IL-10, IgA, and LPS. In comparison, synbiotics administration for participants without stress did not benefit stress status but showed remodeling SCFAs components, HPA-axis, and tryptophan catabolism.

Enhancement of the Colorectal Chemopreventive and Immunization Potential of Northern Thai Purple Rice Anthocyanin Using the Biotransformation by ß-Glucosidase-Producing Lactobacillus.

This study aimed to study the biotransformation of indigenous northern Thai purple rice using ß-glucosidase-producing Lactobacillus (BGPL) to increase the content of bioactive anthocyanin for colorectal chemoprevention and immunization. BGPL, namely, Lactobacillus FR 332, was first isolated from Thai fermented foods. Indigenous northern Thai purple rice, namely, Khao' Gam Leum-Phua (KGLP), was selected to study bioactive anthocyanin using biotransformation by L. plantarum FR332 according to the highest amounts of cyanidin-3-glucoside. The determination of anthocyanin quantities revealed that the highest cyanidin was detected after 12 h of biotransformation, corresponding to the highest ß-glucosidase activity of L. plantarum FR332 and a decrease in cyanidin-3-glucoside. The anthocyanin extract, after 12 h of biotransformation, exhibited the most potent in vitro antioxidative activity. Additionally, it showed potent anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nitric oxide, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) production in interferon-γ-stimulated colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cells without exerting cytotoxicity. Moreover, it also showed a potent inhibitory effect on proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion and an induction effect on anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 secretion. These documents highlight the potential to be used of the anthocyanin extract after 12 h of biotransformation by L. plantarum FR332 as a natural active pharmaceutical ingredient (NAPI) for colorectal chemoprevention and immunization.

Identifying Chemical Composition, Safety and Bioactivity of Thai Rice Grass Extract Drink in Cells and Animals.

Rice grass has been reported to contain bioactive compounds that possess antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activities. We aimed to assess rice grass extract (RGE) drink by determining catechin content, free-radical scavenging and iron-binding properties, as well as toxicity in cells and animals. Young rice grass (Sukhothai-1 strain) was dried, extracted with hot water and lyophilized in a vacuum chamber. The resulting extract was reconstituted with deionized water (260 mg/40 mL) and served as Sukhothai-1 rice grass extract drink (ST1-RGE). HPLC results revealed at least eight phenolic compounds, for which the major catechins were catechin, epicatechin and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) (2.71-3.57, 0.98-1.85 and 25.47-27.55 mg/40 mL serving, respectively). Elements (As, Cu, Pb, Sn and Zn) and aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1 and G2) contents did not exceed the relevant limits when compared with WHO guideline values. Importantly, ST1-RGE drink exerted radical-scavenging, iron-chelating and anti-lipid peroxidation properties in aqueous and biological environments in a concentration-dependent manner. The drink was not toxic to cells and animals. Thus, Sukhothai-1 rice grass product is an edible drink that is rich in catechins, particularly EGCG, and exhibited antioxidant, free radical scavenging and iron-binding/chelating properties. The product represents a functional drink that is capable of alleviating conditions of oxidative stress and iron overload.

Role of Herbal Teas in Regulating Cellular Homeostasis and Autophagy and Their Implications in Regulating Overall Health.

Tea is one of the most popular and widely consumed beverages worldwide, and possesses numerous potential health benefits. Herbal teas are well-known to contain an abundance of polyphenol antioxidants and other ingredients, thereby implicating protection and treatment against various ailments, and maintaining overall health in humans, although their mechanisms of action have not yet been fully identified. Autophagy is a conserved mechanism present in organisms that maintains basal cellular homeostasis and is essential in mediating the pathogenesis of several diseases, including cancer, type II diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer's disease. The increasing prevalence of these diseases, which could be attributed to the imbalance in the level of autophagy, presents a considerable challenge in the healthcare industry. Natural medicine stands as an effective, safe, and economical alternative in balancing autophagy and maintaining homeostasis. Tea is a part of the diet for many people, and it could mediate autophagy as well. Here, we aim to provide an updated overview of popular herbal teas' health-promoting and disease healing properties and in-depth information on their relation to autophagy and its related signaling molecules. The present review sheds more light on the significance of herbal teas in regulating autophagy, thereby improving overall health.

A narrative review on biogenic amines in fermented fish and meat products.

Biogenic amines (BAs) are organic nitrogenous compounds, formed mostly by decarboxylation of corresponding amino acids. BAs are responsible for several biological events. However, if the concentration of BAs reached the threshold level, it causes mild to serious health problems in human. The objective of this manuscript was to summarize the prevalence and prevention of Bas formation, detection methods and factors affecting the BAs formation in fermented fish and meat products. Meat sausages are the fermented meat product that contains high BAs. Fish sauces are reported to have high BAs compared to other fish products. Several chemosensors and chromatography methods are available to screen and detect BAs in foods. The prevention measures are vital to avoid toxic outbreaks. The use of starter culture, application of physical factors, control of environmental factors, and use of polyphenols could prevent or diminish the formation of BAs in fermented foods. The literature survey warrants that the development of potent starter with desirable characters, maintenance of hygienic food production and regular monitoring of commercial products are necessary to ensure the quality and safety of fermented fish and meat product.

Co-Delivery of Letrozole and Cyclophosphamide via Folic Acid-Decorated Nanoniosomes for Breast Cancer Therapy: Synergic Effect, Augmentation of Cytotoxicity, and Apoptosis Gene Expression.

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent causes of cancer mortality in women. In order to increase patient prognosis and survival rates, new technologies are urgently required to deliver therapeutics in a more effective and efficient manner. Niosome nanoparticles have been recently employed as therapeutic platforms capable of loading and carrying drugs within their core for both mono and combination therapy. Here, niosome-based nanoscale carriers were investigated as a targeted delivery system for breast cancer therapy. The platform developed consists of niosomes loaded with letrozole and cyclophosphamide (NLC) and surface-functionalized with a folic-acid-targeting moiety (NLCPFA). Drug release from the formulated particles exhibited pH-sensitive properties in which the niosome showed low and high release in physiological and cancerous conditions, respectively. The results revealed a synergic effect in cytotoxicity by co-loading letrozole and cyclophosphamide with an efficacy increment in NLCPFA use in comparison with NLC. The NLCPFA resulted in the greatest drug internalization compared to the non-targeted formulation and the free drug. Additionally, downregulation of cyclin-D, cyclin-E, MMP-2, and MMP-9 and upregulating the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 genes were observed more prominently in the nanoformulation (particularly for NLCPFA) compared to the free drug. This exciting data indicated that niosome-based nanocarriers containing letrozole and cyclophosphamide with controlled release could be a promising platform for drug delivery with potential in breast cancer therapy.

Putative Mechanisms Responsible for the Antihyperglycemic Action of Lactobacillus paracasei HII01 in Experimental Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

Despite the updated knowledge of the impact of gut dysbiosis on diabetes, investigations into the beneficial effects of individual bacteria are still required. This study evaluates the antihyperglycemic efficacy of Lactobacillus paracasei HII01 and its possible mechanisms in diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were assigned to receive vehicle, L. paracasei HII01 (108 CFU/day), metformin 30 (mg/kg) or a combination of L. paracasei HII01 and metformin. Normal rats given vehicle and L. paracasei HII01 were included. Metabolic parameters, including in vitro hemi-diaphragm glucose uptake, skeletal insulin-signaling proteins, plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS), gut permeability, composition of gut microbiota and its metabolites, as well as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), were assessed after 12 weeks of experiment. The results clearly demonstrated that L. paracasei HII01 improved glycemic parameters, glucose uptake, insulin-signaling proteins including pAktSer473, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (pAMPKThr172), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-kB) in diabetic rats. Modulation of gut microbiota was found together with improvement in leaky gut, endotoxemia and SCFAs in diabetic rats administered L. paracasei HII01. In conclusion, L. paracasei HII01 alleviated hyperglycemia in diabetic rats primarily by modulating gut microbiota along with lessening leaky gut, leading to improvement in endotoxemia and inflammation-disturbed insulin signaling, which was mediated partly by PI3K/Akt signaling and AMPK activation.

Neuroprotective Properties of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) in Parkinson's Disease: A Review.

Neurodegenerative disease is a collective term given for the clinical condition, which results in progressive degeneration of neurons and the loss of functions associated with the affected brain region. Apart from the increase in age, neurodegenerative diseases are also partly affected by diet and lifestyle practices. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a slow onset neurodegenerative disorder and the second most common neurodegenerative disease, which affects the motor system. Although there is no prescribed treatment method to prevent and cure PD, clinical procedures help manage the disease symptoms. Green tea polyphenols are known for several health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective activity. The current manuscript summarizes the possible mechanisms of neuroprotective potential of green tea with a special focus on PD. Studies have suggested that the consumption of green tea protects against free-radicals, inflammation, and neuro-damages. Several in vivo studies aid in understanding the overall mechanism of green tea. However, the same dose may not be sufficient in humans to elicit similar effects due to complex physiological, social, and cultural development. Future research focused on more clinical trials could identify an optimum dose that could impart maximum health benefits to impart neuroprotection in PD.

Effects of Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Persoon Essential Oil Aromatherapy on Mood States and Salivary Cortisol Levels in Healthy Volunteers.

Aromatherapy is one of the complementary therapies to improve health. The aromatic essential oils have been used in the treatment procedure through inhalation of essential oil vapor, massage, and herbal bathing. Litsea species are generally used in traditional medicine, and Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Persoon is a potent fumigant plant, used in cosmetics and foods as essence. The chemical composition of the essential oil of different parts of L. cubeba has been found to be varied. L. cubeba essential oil (LEO) is known for the treatment of cognition-associated discomforts. The current study assessed the impact of inhalation of LEO on mood states and salivary cortisol levels of healthy people. Fifteen healthy volunteers were involved in the study. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) Questionnaire and ELISA methods were employed to determine the mood states and salivary cortisol level, respectively. (-)-ß-pinene, ß-citral, cis- and trans-citral, citronellal, limonene, linalool, and 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one were detected in LEO by GC-MS analysis. The heart rate and blood pressure were not affected significantly during LEO exposure. The inhalation of LEO significantly improved the total mood disturbance and reduced the confusion among the healthy human subjects. LEO inhalation reduced the salivary cortisol level at a notable level. The results of the current study warrant further studies on the beneficial effect of LEO aromatherapy in healthy and diseased subjects to uncover the therapeutic nature of the L. cubeba plant.

The Influence of Supplementation of Anthocyanins on Obesity-Associated Comorbidities: A Concise Review.

Anthocyanins are water-soluble plant pigments, and based on their chemical structure (nature, position, and the number of sugar moieties attached; the number of hydroxyl groups; acylation of sugars with acids) about 635 different anthocyanins have been identified and reported from plants. Cyanidin, peonidin, pelargonidin, petunidin, and malvidin are the commonly found anthocyanidins (aglycon forms of anthocyanins) in edible plants out of almost 25 anthocyanidins that are identified (based on the position of methoxyl and hydroxyl groups in the rings) in nature. Anthocyanins are known for numerous health benefits including anti-diabetes, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory bowel disease, anti-cancer, etc. Obesity can be defined as excessive or abnormal adipose tissue and body mass, which increases the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, etc. The manuscript summarizes the recent updates in the effects of anthocyanins supplementation on the health status of obese subjects, and briefly the results of in vitro and in vivo studies. Several studies confirmed that the consumption of anthocyanins-rich food improved obesity-associated dysbiosis in gut microbiota and inflammation in adipose tissue. Anthocyanin consumption prevents obesity in healthy subjects, and aids in maintaining or reducing the body weight of obese subjects, also improving the metabolism and energy balance. Though preclinical studies proved the beneficial effects of anthocyanins such as the fact that daily intake of anthocyanin rich fruits and vegetables might aid weight maintenance in every healthy individual, JuÒ«ara pulp might control the inflammatory status of obesity, Queen garnet plum juice reduced the blood pressure and risk factors associated with metabolic disorders, and highbush organic blueberries improved the metabolism of obese individuals, we don't have an established treatment procedure to prevent or manage the over-weight condition and its comorbidities. Thus, further studies on the optimum dose, duration, and mode of supplementation of anthocyanins are required to develop an anthocyanins-based clinical procedure.

The Role of Probiotics in Colorectal Cancer Management.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancerous diseases worldwide and causes leading cancer-associated deaths. Several factors are related to the incidence of CRC such as unhealthy diet and lifestyle, heredity, metabolic disorders, and genetic factors. Even though several advanced medical procedures are available for CRC treatment, the survival rates are poor with many adverse treatments associated side effects, which affects the quality of life. Probiotics are a well-known bioactive candidate for the treatment of several diseases and ill-health conditions. The recent scientific evidence suggested that probiotic supplementation protects the CRC patients from treatment-associated adverse effects. The manuscript summarizes the influence of probiotic supplementation on the health status of CRC patients and discusses the possible mechanism behind the protective effect of probiotics against CRC. The literature survey revealed that beneficial impact of probiotic supplementation depends on several factors such as strain, dosage, duration of the intervention, host physiology, and other food supplements. The probiotic intervention improves the microbiota, releases antimicrobials and anticarcinogenic agents, helps to remove carcinogens, and improves the intestinal permeability, tight junction function, and enzyme activity in CRC patients. Besides, not all probiotic strains exhibit anti-CRC activities; it is necessary to screen the potent strain for the development of a probiotic-based therapeutic agent to control or prevent the incidence of CRC.

A Review of the Role of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) in Antiphotoaging, Stress Resistance, Neuroprotection, and Autophagy.

Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide, and is available in various forms. Green tea is richer in antioxidants compared to other forms of tea. Tea is composed of polyphenols, caffeine, minerals, and trace amounts of vitamins, amino acids, and carbohydrates. The composition of the tea varies depending on the fermentation process employed to produce it. The phytochemicals present in green tea are known to stimulate the central nervous system and maintain overall health in humans. Skin aging is a complex process mediated by intrinsic factors such as senescence, along with extrinsic damage induced by external factors such as chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation-A process known as photoaging-Which can lead to erythema, edema, sunburn, hyperplasia, premature aging, and the development of non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers. UV can cause skin damage either directly, through absorption of energy by biomolecules, or indirectly, by increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Green tea phytochemicals are a potent source of exogenous antioxidant candidates that could nullify excess endogenous ROS and RNS inside the body, and thereby diminish the impact of photoaging. Several in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that green tea supplementation increases the collagen and elastin fiber content, and suppresses collagen degrading enzyme MMP-3 production in the skin, conferring an anti-wrinkle effect. The precise mechanism behind the anti-photoaging effect of green tea has not been explored yet. Studies using the worm model have suggested that green tea mediated lifespan extension depends on the DAF-16 pathway. Apart from this, green tea has been reported to have stress resistance and neuroprotective properties. Its ROS scavenging activity makes it a potent stress mediator, as it can also regulate the stress induced by metal ions. It is known that tea polyphenols can induce the expression of different antioxidant enzymes and hinder the DNA oxidative damage. Growing evidence suggests that green tea can also be used as a potential agent to mediate neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. EGCG, an abundant catechin in tea, was found to suppress the neurotoxicity induced by Aß as it activates glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß), along with inhibiting c-Abl/FE65-the cytoplasmic nonreceptor tyrosine kinase which is involved in the development of the nervous system and in nuclear translocation. Additionally, green tea polyphenols induce autophagy, thereby revitalizing the overall health of the organism consuming it. Green tea was able to activate autophagy in HL-60 xenographs by increasing the activity of PI3 kinase and BECLIN-1. This manuscript describes the reported anti-photoaging, stress resistance, and neuroprotective and autophagy properties of one of the most widely known functional foods-green tea.

A Mini Review on Antidiabetic Properties of Fermented Foods.

In general, fermented foods (FFs) are considered as functional foods. Since the awareness about the health benefits of FFs has increased, the consumption of FF also improved significantly in recent decades. Diabetes is one of the leading threats of the health span of an individual. The present manuscript details the general methods of the production of FFs, and the results of various studies (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies) on the antidiabetic properties of FFs. The fermentation method and the active microbes involved in the process play a crucial role in the functional properties of FFs. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have been reported on the health-promoting properties of FFs, such as anti-inflammation, anticancer, antioxidant properties, improved cognitive function and gastrointestinal health, and the reduced presence of metabolic disorders. The studies on the functional properties of FFs by randomized controlled clinical trials using human volunteers are very limited for several reasons, including ethical reasons, safety concerns, approval from the government, etc. Several scientific teams are working on the development of complementary and alternative medicines to improve the treatment strategies for hyperglycemia.

Development of Colorectal-Targeted Dietary Supplement Tablets Containing Natural Purple Rice Bran Oil as a Colorectal Chemopreventive.

Colorectal cancer occurs due to various factors. The important risks are dietary lifestyle and inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It has been found that the inhibitory enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the colorectal region can potentially reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. The present study investigated rice bran oil from natural purple rice bran, which exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. This study aimed to evaluate the bioactive compound content of natural purple rice bran oil (NPRBO) derived from native Thai purple rice and the anti-inflammatory activity of NPRBO in colorectal cancer cells, and to develop a colorectal delivery platform in the form of film-coated tablets. NPRBO from the rice bran of five different Thai purple rice cultivars, namely Khao’ Gam Leum-Phua (KGLP), Khao’ Gam Boung (KGB), Khao’ Gam Thor (KGT), Khao’ Gam Pah E-Kaw (KGPEK), and Khao’ Niaw Dam (KND), were extracted using the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction technique. The amount of γ-oryzanol (ORY), tocotrienols, and tocopherols present in NPRBOs and the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of NPRBO were investigated. The highest anti-inflammatory NPRBO was transformed into a dry and free-flowing powder by liquisolid techniques. Then, it was compressed into core tablets and coated with Eudragit®L100 and Eudragit® NE30D. The in vitro release study of the film-coated NPRBO tablets was performed in three-phase simulated gastrointestinal media. The cultivar KGLP was superior to the other samples in terms of the ORY, tocotrienol and tocopherol contents and anti-inflammatory activity. Aerosil® was the most suitable absorbent for transforming NPRBO into a free-flowing powder and was used to prepare the NPRBO core tablets. The in vitro KGLP-NPRBO film-coated tablet release profile showed that no ORY was released at gastric pH while 85% of ORY was released at pH 7.4 after 6 h; this would be expected to occur in the colorectal area. Therefore, this study demonstrates the potential of KGLP-NPRBO to prevent colorectal cancer via a specific colorectal dietary supplement delivery system.

A survey of consumer' opinion about consumption and health benefits of fermented plant beverages in Thailand

Fermented beverages are widely used all over the country. Fermented plant beverages (FPB) are prevalent in Thailand and FPBs are believed to cure and prevent many health oriented problems. The people of Thailand produce many varieties of FPBs in small scale or large scale and consume them in their daily lives. This study is a survey conducted among the representative consumers of FPBs in Thailand to know the consumer's opinion on FPBs, effects and benefits of FPBs, and real status of consumer satisfaction in Thailand. This study revealed that the rationale for the consumption of respective FPBs was to treat their health issues and for the betterment of their health. Most of the consumers of FPBs benefited in case of improving their physical and mental health. The current survey revealed the opinion of the FPBs consumers in Thailand. This study concluded that FPBs are health promoting drink that is affordable in the daily life of Thai people. The FPBs prepared in Thailand did not report any massive adverse effects in Thailand. Till now the preparation and consumption of FPBs are followed in Thailand and not influenced by adverse effects; FPBs are considered safe for human consumption.

Extraction of β-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Comparison of different extraction methods and in vivo assessment of immunomodulatory effect in mice

Abstract Beta-glucan (BG) is a conserved cell wall components of bacteria, fungi, and yeast. BG is an immunomodulator and stimulates the host immune system. This study was performed to screen Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain with high BG, extraction of BG using different chemical extraction methods, composition analysis of BG, and evaluation of the immunomodulatory effect of high-quality BG using mice model. Ten yeast strains were screened for high BG content using total glucan extraction kit and were subjected to FT-IR analysis. The kit based extraction revealed that HII31 showed a high content of total glucan and BG. HII31 cells were subjected to four different acid/base extractions, which indicated that combination of a strong base (NaOH) and weak acid (CH3COOH) extraction recovered high BG and a high ratio of polysaccharide, protein, and lipid. Further, the immunomodulatory effect of the selected BG was evaluated using mice, which suggested that low dose of HII31-BG induces the expression of selected pro-inflammatory (IL-17, IFN-γ) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) significantly, whereas relatively high dose was required to alter the IL-6 and TGF-β expression. Overall, the present study revealed that BG extracted from HII31 cells alters the expression of studied cytokines, which can be used as a potent immunomodulator in pharmaceutical products.