Therapeutic Effects of Amaranth: Analysis of the Antidiabetic Potential of the Plant.

Amaranth is a pseudocereal rich in macronutrients and micronutrients, with about 60 species cultivated worldwide. It is a high nutritional value food because of its many essential amino acids. Recent investigations demonstrate that the phytochemicals and extracts of amaranth have beneficial effects on health, including antidiabetic potential, a decrease in plasmatic cholesterol and blood pressure, and protection from oxidative stress and inflammation. Nowadays, type 2 diabetes has increased worldwide, becoming a problem of public health that makes it necessary to look for alternative strategies for its prevention and treatment. This review aims to summarize the antidiabetic potential of diverse species of the Amaranth genus. A bibliographical review was updated on the plant's therapeutic potential, including stem, leaves, and seeds, to know the benefits and potential as an adjuvant in treating and managing diabetes and associated pathologies (hypertension, dyslipidemia, and heart disease). This analysis contributes to the generation of knowledge about the therapeutic effects of amaranth, promoting the creation of new products, and the opportunity to conduct clinical trials to assess their safety and efficacy.

The effects of jujube (Ziziphus jujube) on metabolic and mental health outcomes in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of jujube (Ziziphus jujube) consumption on metabolic and mental health outcomes in subjects diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (MetS) is unknown and remains to be examined. Hence, we carried out a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial to investigate this issue. METHODS: Eligible participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 30) or the control (n = 30) groups to receive either jujube or a placebo for eight weeks. Subjects were provided with 30 g dried jujube powder or placebo and were asked to consume half of the powder at 10 a.m. and the rest at 4 p.m. Lipid profile, fasting blood glucose (FBG), waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure were evaluated as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes collected were mental health measures (e.g., depression, anxiety, and stress). RESULTS: Jujube consumption failed to decrease FBG, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood pressure, as well as depression and anxiety scores (P > 0.05). However, the between-group comparison revealed a significant improvement in WC (- 3.98 vs. - 0.51, P = 0.01), triglyceride (TG) (- 24.96 vs. - 0.73, P = 0.03), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (2.83 vs. 0.40, P = 0.01) in the jujube group compared to the placebo. In addition, compared to the control group, jujube consumption led to a significant improvement in the score of stress (- 5.80 vs. - 2.86, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Jujube consumption only had beneficial effects on WC, TG, and HDL-C in subjects with MetS. However, the current study has methodological weaknesses in blinding and herb purity/potency testing, which should be addressed in future studies.

Current insights and future perspectives of flavonoids: A promising antihypertensive approach.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure (BP), is a complex disease influenced by various risk factors. It is characterized by persistent elevation of BP levels, typically exceeding 140/90 mmHg. Endothelial dysfunction and reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability play crucial roles in hypertension development. L-NG-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an analog of L-arginine, inhibits endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) enzymes, leading to decreased NO production and increased BP. Animal models exposed to L-NAME manifest hypertension, making it a useful design for studying the hypertension condition. Natural products have gained interest as alternative approaches for managing hypertension. Flavonoids, abundant in fruits, vegetables, and other plant sources, have potential cardiovascular benefits, including antihypertensive effects. Flavonoids have been extensively studied in cell cultures, animal models, and, to lesser extent, in human trials to evaluate their effectiveness against L-NAME-induced hypertension. This comprehensive review summarizes the antihypertensive activity of specific flavonoids, including quercetin, luteolin, rutin, troxerutin, apigenin, and chrysin, in L-NAME-induced hypertension models. Flavonoids possess antioxidant properties that mitigate oxidative stress, a major contributor to endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. They enhance endothelial function by promoting NO bioavailability, vasodilation, and the preservation of vascular homeostasis. Flavonoids also modulate vasoactive factors involved in BP regulation, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and endothelin-1. Moreover, they exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, attenuating inflammation-mediated hypertension. This review provides compelling evidence for the antihypertensive potential of flavonoids against L-NAME-induced hypertension. Their multifaceted mechanisms of action suggest their ability to target multiple pathways involved in hypertension development. Nonetheless, the reviewed studies contribute to the evidence supporting the useful of flavonoids for hypertension prevention and treatment. In conclusion, flavonoids represent a promising class of natural compounds for combating hypertension. This comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource summarizing the current knowledge on the antihypertensive effects of specific flavonoids, facilitating further investigation and guiding the development of novel therapeutic strategies for hypertension management.

Antidiabetic Property Optimization from Green Leafy Vegetables Using Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction to Improve Cracker Production.

Here we test a method of incorporating of plant extracts into popular snack foods to help control diabetes. Since some fresh vegetables contain antidiabetic compounds, ultrasound-assisted extraction was used to optimize their extraction of from spring onions, bunching onions, and celery for later incorporation into crackers. We compared various concentrations of ethanol used during extraction, after which they were exposed to an ultrasound processor whose amplitude and sonication time were also varied. The optimal extraction conditions were found to be an ethanol concentration of 44.08%, an amplitude of 80%, and a sonication time of 30 min. This resulted in the highest level of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (i.e., 1,449.73 mmol ACE/g) and the highest extraction yield (i.e., 24.16%). The extract produced from these optimum conditions was then used as a constituent component of crackers at 0.625%, 1.25%, or 2.5% w/w. These biscuits were then produced at baking temperatures of 140°C, 150°C, or 160°C. We then measured the physical characteristics and bioactivities of sample biscuits from each treatment. We found that biscuits containing 2.5% vegetable combination extract and baked at 140°C had the highest total phenolic content, the strongest antioxidant performance, and showed the most substantial antidiabetic and antiobesity effects. Here we establish conditions for the effective extraction of antidiabetic functional ingredients via ultrasound from green leafy vegetables. We also provide a method of using these ingredients to prepare crackers with the aim of developing a functional antidiabetic snack food.

Knowledge and eating habits regarding functional food among adults.

Background: Functional food is a key element in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. The ingredients it contains, such as phytosterols that lower cholesterol, also have a preventive effect on type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and heart attack. Phenolic compounds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Xylo-oligosaccharides control insulin levels, and fibre lowers blood pressure, potentially reducing insulin resistance. These beneficial properties mean that there is an increasing interest in this kind of food. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the state of knowledge and behaviour regarding functional food among adults and to answer the question whether there are differences between the state of knowledge and behaviour of women and men. Material and methods: The survey was conducted among 301 people, including 181 women and 120 men. The research tool was an original survey questionnaire. Results: The definition of functional food is known to 42.5% of people (47.5% of women and 35% of men), while the definition of prebiotic is known to 41.9% of people (43.1% of women and 40.0% of men). For 56.2% of respondents, the factor encouraging the consumption of functional food was a healthy lifestyle, and for 54.7% of them, the product composition was the main purchase criterion. Among functional products, cereals or muesli were most often consumed for breakfast by 35% of men and 55.8% of women, 42.5% of men and 33.7% of women were eaten oils for lunch. For dinner they most often consumed fruit teas, herbal teas, herbal mixtures, this answer was given by 25.8% of men and 29.8% of women. Conclusions: Knowledge of functional foods is unsatisfactory, and no differences in the knowledge of women and men have been observed. Consumption of functional food is generally low, and no differences in consumption have been observed between women and men.

Functional and Therapeutic Potential of Cynara scolymus in Health Benefits.

Dietary supplements enriched with bioactive compounds represent a promising approach to influence physiological processes and enhance longevity and overall health. Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus serves as a functional food supplement with a high concentration of bioactive compounds, which offers various health-promoting benefits. Several chronic diseases have metabolic, genetic, or inflammatory origins, which are frequently interconnected. Pharmacological treatments, although effective, often result in undesirable side effects. In this context, preventive approaches are gaining increased attention. Recent literature indicates that the consumption of bioactive compounds in the diet can positively influence the organism's biological functions. Polyphenols, well-known for their health benefits, are widely recognized as valuable compounds in preventing/combating various pathologies related to lifestyle, metabolism, and aging. The C. scolymus belonging to the Asteraceae family, is widely used in the food and herbal medicine fields for its beneficial properties. Although the inflorescences (capitula) of the artichoke are used for food and culinary purposes, preparations based on artichoke leaves can be used as an active ingredient in herbal medicines. Cynara scolymus shows potential benefits in different domains. Its nutritional value and health benefits make it a promising candidate for improving overall well-being. C. scolymus exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, liver-protective, bile-expelling, antimicrobial, and lipid-lowering neuroprotective properties. Different studies demonstrate that oxidative stress is the leading cause of the onset and progression of major human health disorders such as cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic, and cancer diseases. The large amount of polyphenol found in C. scolymus has an antioxidant activity, enabling it to neutralize free radicals, preventing cellular damage. This reduces the subsequent risk of developing conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, these polyphenols demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity, which is closely associated with their antioxidant properties. As a result, C. scolymus has the potential to contribute to the treatment of chronic diseases, including intestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative pathologies. The current review discussed the nutritional profiles, potential benefits, and pharmacological effects of C. scolymus.

Anti-hemostatic, antithrombotic, and chemical profiles of a curly-leaf variety of Petroselinum crispum (Apiaceae), a food and medicinal aromatic herb.

Thrombosis is currently among the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the World. New prevention and therapy alternatives have been increasingly sought in medicinal plants. In this context, we have been investigating parsley, Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nym, an aromatic herb with two leaf varieties. We report here the in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo anti-hemostatic and antithrombotic activities of a parsley curly-leaf variety. Aqueous extracts of aerial parts (PCC-AP), stems (PCC-S), and leaves (PCC-L) showed significant in vitro antiplatelet activity. PCC-AP extract exhibited the highest activity (IC50 2.92 mg/mL) when using ADP and collagen as agonists. All extracts also presented in vitro anticoagulant activity (APTT and PT) and anti-thrombogenic activity. PCC-S was the most active, with more significant interference in the factors of the intrinsic coagulation pathway. The oral administration of PCC-AP extract in rats caused a greater inhibitory activity in the deep vein thrombi (50%; 65 mg/kg) than in arterial thrombi formation (50%; 200 mg/kg), without cumulative effect after consecutive five-day administration. PCC-AP extract was safe in the induced bleeding time test. Its anti-aggregating profile was similar in ex vivo and in vitro conditions but was more effective in the extrinsic pathway when compared to in vitro results. Apiin and coumaric acid derivatives are the main compounds in PCC-AP according to the HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS profile. We demonstrated for the first time that extracts from different parts of curly parsley have significant antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and antithrombotic activity without inducing hemorrhage, proving its potential as a source of antithrombotic compounds.

Evaluation of acute, 28-day, 13-week repeated dose oral toxicity and genotoxicity of a herbal extract (HemoHIM G) from Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, and Peaonia lactiflora.

HemoHIM G is a functional food ingredient composed of a triple herbal combination of Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, and Paeonia lactiflora, to improve impaired immune function. Considering the pharmacological benefits of its constituent herbal components, HemoHIM G is anticipated to have various health benefits; however, its toxicity has not been thoroughly evaluated. Here, we conducted a comprehensive study to assess the safety of HemoHIM G in terms of acute oral toxicity, 13-week repeat-dose toxicity, and genotoxicity. In the oral acute toxicity study, Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered a single dose of HemoHIM G at 5000 mg/kg/day, the limit dose for the acute study. No abnormal findings or adverse effects were observed in this study, as confirmed by gross pathology. A 13-week repeated-dose toxicity study was conducted with HemoHIM G at doses of 1250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg/day to examine the subchronic toxicity in both male and female rats after 28 days of dose-range finding study. No test substance-related clinical signs or mortality was observed at any of the tested doses. Gross pathology, hematology, blood chemistry, and histopathology were within normal ranges, further supporting the safety of HemoHIM G. Therefore, the NOAEL of HemoHIM G was considered to be at 5000 mg/kg/day for both sexes of rats. Bacterial reverse mutation tests, a chromosome aberration test in human peripheral blood lymphocytes, and a mouse micronuclei test were conducted to identify the potential genotoxicity of HemoHIM G. HemoHIM G is non-mutagenic and non-clastogenic. Collectively, these findings provide valuable evidence for the safe use of HemoHIM G as a functional food ingredient.

Design of Physicochemical Properties of Eggs as a Result of Modification of the Fat Fraction of Laying Feed.

The aim of this study was to investigate and confirm the properties of eggs produced by laying hens fed a diet consisting of pomegranate seed oil as a source of CLnA and flaxseed oil as a source of α-linolenic acid. The study involved determining the chemical composition of the eggs, including their fatty acid profile. The results showed that modifying the laying hens' feed composition resulted in eggs with high nutritional value, with a favorable change in their fatty acid profile. In most cases, the addition of linseed oil or pomegranate seed oil did not affect the physical and chemical properties of the eggs. However, the diet of laying hens had a positive effect on the fatty acid profile of the egg yolk. The presence of conjugated linolenic acid trienes in eggs produced by laying hens fed a modified diet makes them a potential source of these compounds for human consumption.

Challenges in Functional Food Products with the Incorporation of Some Microalgae.

Much attention has been given to the use of microalgae to produce functional foods that have valuable bioactive chemicals, including essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, carotenoids, fiber, and minerals. Microalgal biomasses are increasingly being used to improve the nutritional values of foods because of their unique nutrient compositions that are beneficial to human health. Their protein content and amino acid composition are the most important components. The microalgal biomass used in the therapeutic supplement industry is dominated by bio-compounds like astaxanthin, ß-carotene, polyunsaturated fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, and polysaccharides such as ß-glucan. The popularity of microalgal supplements is growing because of the health benefits of their bioactive substances. Moreover, some microalgae, such as Dunaliella, Arthrospira (Spirulina), Chlorella, and Haematococcus, are commonly used microalgal species in functional food production. The incorporation of microalgal biomass leads not only to enhanced nutritional value but also to improved sensory quality of food products without altering their cooking or textural characteristics. Microalgae, because of their eco-friendly potential, have emerged as one of the most promising and novel sources of new functional foods. This study reviews some recent and relevant works, as well as the current challenges for future research, using different methods of chemical modification in foods with the addition of a few commercial algae to allow their use in nutritional and sensory areas. It can be concluded that the production of functional foods through the use of microalgae in foods has become an important issue.

Phytochemical Profile, Bioactive Properties, and Se Speciation of Se-Biofortified Red Radish (Raphanus sativus), Green Pea (Pisum sativum), and Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Microgreens.

The impact of selenium (Se) enrichment on bioactive compounds and sugars and Se speciation was assessed on different microgreens (green pea, red radish, and alfalfa). Sodium selenite and sodium selenate at a total concentration of 20 µM (1:1) lead to a noticeable Se biofortification (40-90 mg Se kg-1 DW). In green pea and alfalfa, Se did not negatively impact phenolics and antioxidant capacity, while in red radish, a significant decrease was found. Regarding photosynthetic parameters, Se notably increased the level of chlorophylls and carotenoids in green pea, decreased chlorophyll levels in alfalfa, and had no effect on red radish. Se treatment significantly increased sugar levels in green pea and alfalfa but not in red radish. Red radish had the highest Se amino acid content (59%), followed by alfalfa (34%) and green pea (28%). These findings suggest that Se-biofortified microgreens have the potential as functional foods to improve Se intake in humans.

The Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Acebuche Oil Exert a Retinoprotective Effect in a Murine Model of High-Tension Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is characterized by cupping of the optic disc, apoptotic degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons, and thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer, with patchy loss of vision. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor for hypertensive glaucoma and the only modifiable one. There is a need to find novel compounds that counteract other risk factors contributing to RGC degeneration. The oil derived from the wild olive tree (Olea europaea var. sylvestris), also called Acebuche (ACE), shows powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and retinoprotective effects. We evaluated whether ACE oil could counteract glaucoma-related detrimental effects. To this aim, we fed mice either a regular or an ACE oil-enriched diet and then induced IOP elevation through intraocular injection of methylcellulose. An ACE oil-enriched diet suppressed glaucoma-dependent retinal glia reactivity and inflammation. The redox status of the glaucomatous retinas was restored to a control-like situation, and ischemia was alleviated by an ACE oil-enriched diet. Notably, retinal apoptosis was suppressed in the glaucomatous animals fed ACE oil. Furthermore, as shown by electroretinogram analyses, RGC electrophysiological functions were almost completely preserved by the ACE oil-enriched diet. These ameliorative effects were IOP-independent and might depend on ACE oil's peculiar composition. Although additional studies are needed, nutritional supplementation with ACE oil might represent an adjuvant in the management of glaucoma.

Fucus vesiculosus-Rich Extracts as Potential Functional Food Ingredients: A Holistic Extraction Approach.

Brown macroalgae are rich sources of nutrients and health-promoting compounds. Nevertheless, their consumption is still limited by their strong organoleptic characteristics, thus requiring the development of extraction strategies to profit from their nutritional value. To fulfil this, two sequential extraction approaches were developed, differing in the solvent used in the first extraction step, water in approach 1 or food-grade ethanol in approach 2, to obtain economic and affordable extracts rich in specific compounds from Fucus vesiculosus. The use of water in the first step of extraction allowed us to recover water-soluble phlorotannins, laminarans and mannuronic-rich alginates, making the subsequent 70% ethanol extract richest in fucoxanthin (0.07% algae DW), and the hot water fractions purest in fucoidans and alginates with a lower mannuronic-to-guluronic (M/G) ratio (2.91). Conversely, when beginning extraction procedures with 96% ethanol, the recovered yields of phlorotannins increased (0.43 g PGE/100 g algae DW), but there was a concomitant seven-fold decrease in the recovery of fucoxanthin in the subsequent 70% ethanol extract. This approach also led to less pure hot water fractions containing fucoidans, laminarans and alginates with a higher M/G ratio (5.50). Overall, this work unveiled the potential of the first extraction steps in sustainable and holistic cascade strategies to modulate the composition of food-grade extracts, creating prospects of their application as tailored functional ingredients in food products.

Antiulcer activity of Mauritia flexuosa L.f. (Arecaceae) pulp oil: An edible Amazonian species with functional properties.

Mauritia flexuosa, known as buriti in Brazil, is a widespread palm tree in Amazonia. It has many ethnobotanical uses, including food, oil, and medicine. The oil obtained from buriti's fruit pulp has high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, and tocopherols, and is used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries for its antioxidant properties. Many biological activities have been reported for buriti oil, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, chemopreventive, and immunomodulatory. Due to its high content of bioactive compounds, buriti oil is considered a functional ingredient with possible benefits in preventing oxidative stress and chronic diseases, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract. Peptic ulcer disease is a multifactorial disorder, involving lesions in the stomach and duodenum mucosa, which has a complex healing process. In this context, some nutrients and bioactive compounds help the maintenance of gastrointestinal mucosal integrity and function, such as carotenoids, tocopherols, and unsaturated fatty acids, which makes buriti oil an interesting candidate to be used in the prevention and management of gastrointestinal diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective and antiulcer effects of buriti oil and its possible mechanisms of action. Buriti oil reduced the ulcerative area and lipid peroxidation induced by ethanol. The gastroprotective activity of buriti oil partially depends on nitric oxide and sulfhydryl compounds. In acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers, buriti oil accelerated healing and stimulated the formation of new gastric glands. These results demonstrated the potential of buriti oil as a functional ingredient to promote health benefits in the gastrointestinal tract.

Acute Beetroot Juice Supplementation Has No Effect on Upper- and Lower-Body Maximal Isokinetic Strength and Muscular Endurance in International-Level Male Gymnasts.

Nitrate (NO3-) has properties that can improve muscle function, leading to improvements in metabolic cost of exercise as well as enhance force production. Gymnastics is a whole-body sport, involving events that demand a high level of strength and fatigue resistance. However, the effect of NO3- supplementation on both upper- and lower-body function in gymnasts is unknown. This study examined the effect of acute beetroot juice (BRJ) supplementation on isokinetic strength and endurance of the upper- and lower-body in highly trained international-level male gymnasts. In a double-blind, randomized crossover design, 10 international-level male gymnasts completed two acute supplementation periods, consuming either 2 × 70 ml NO3--rich (∼12.8 mmol/L of NO3-) or NO3--depleted (PLA) BRJ. Maximal strength of the upper-leg and upper-arm at 60°/s, 120°/s, 180°/s, and 300°/s, and muscular endurance (50 repeated isokinetic contractions at 180°/s) were assessed. Plasma NO3- (BRJ: 663 ± 164 µM, PLA: 89 ± 48 µM) and nitrite (NO2-) concentrations (BRJ: 410 ± 137 nmol/L, PLA: 125 ± 36 nmol/L) were elevated following BRJ compared to PLA (both p < .001). Maximal strength of knee and elbow extensors and flexors did not differ between supplements (p > .05 for all velocities). Similarly, fatigue index of knee and elbow extension and flexion was not different between supplements (all p > .05). Acute BRJ supplementation, containing ∼12.8 mmol/L of NO3-, increased plasma NO3- and NO2- concentrations, but did not enhance isokinetic strength or fatigue resistance of either upper or lower extremities in international-level male gymnasts.

Mitigation of lens opacification by a functional food in a diabetic rodent model.

The current study was designed to test a functional food (FF) mixture containing aldose reductase inhibitors and antiglycation bioactive compounds for suppressing the onset and progression of cataracts in a diabetic rat model. Two-month-old Sprague Dawley rats were grouped as control (C), diabetes untreated (D), and diabetic rats treated with FF at two doses (FF1 = 1.35 g and FF2 = 6.25 g/100g of diet). Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin. The FF is a mixture of amla, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, and fenugreek added to the rodent diet. The status of cataracts was monitored weekly by a slit lamp examination for 20 weeks, after which animals were sacrificed to collect eye lenses. Feeding FF1 and FF2 to diabetic rats yielded a significant anti-hyperglycaemic effect and marginally prevented body weight loss. FF delayed cataract progression, and FF2 showed better efficacy than FF1. FF prevented the loss of lens crystallins and their insolubilization in diabetic rats. The antioxidant potential of FF was evident with the lowered protein carbonyls, lipid peroxidation, and prevention of altered antioxidant enzyme activities induced by diabetes. These studies demonstrate the efficacy of plant-derived dietary supplements against the onset and progression of cataracts in a well-established rat model of diabetic eye disease.

Novel Fermentation Strategies of Strawberry Tree Arbutus unedo Fruits to Obtain High Nutritional Value Products.

The strawberry tree (Arbustus unedo) is a medicinal plant and an important source of biocompounds, potentially useful for pharmaceutical and chemical applications to prevent or treat several human diseases. The strawberry tree fruits have usually been used to produce traditional products such as jams and jellies and to obtain fermented alcoholic drinks, representing the most valuable derivative products. Other fermented products are potentially interesting for their nutritional value; however, the fermentation process needs to be controlled and standardized to obtain high-quality products/ingredients. In this work, we investigated two different fermentative procedures, using strawberry tree whole fruit and fruit paste as matrices inoculated with a selected starter strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae LI 180-7. The physical, chemical, microbiological and nutritional properties of fermented products were evaluated, as well as their antioxidant activity. The new obtained fermented products are enriched in organic acids (acetic acid varied from 39.58 and 57.21 mg/g DW and lactic acid from 85.33 to 114.1 mg/g DW) and have better nutritional traits showing a higher amount of total polyphenols (phenolic acids, flavonoids and anthocyanins) that ranged from 1852 mg GAE/100 g DW to 2682 mg GAE/100 g DW. Also, the amount of isoprenoid increased ranging from 155.5 µg/g DW to 164.61 µg/g DW. In this regard, the most promising strategy seemed to be the fermentation of the fruit paste preparation; while the extract of fermented whole fruits showed the most powerful antioxidant activity. Finally, a preliminary attempt to produce a food prototype enriched in fermented strawberry tree fruits suggested the whole fruit fermented sample as the most promising from a preliminary sensory analysis.

Active compounds from Calendula officinalis flowers act via PI3K and ERK signaling pathways to offer neuroprotective effects against Parkinson's disease.

Calendula officinalis flowers, associated with diverse biological effects, could be utilized as functional food ingredients to play a crucial role in human health. In this study, we examined the anti-PD activity of C. officinalis flower extracts and investigated their bioactive compounds and molecular mechanisms based on LC-MS/MS assay, bioinformatic exploration and in vitro treatment of SH-SY5Y cells. C. officinalis extracts exhibited significant positive effects on the length and fluorescence density of the dopaminergic neuron region in zebrafish larvae. At 10 µg/mL, the extract restored the length to 96.54% and fluorescence density to 87.77% of the control values, which was equivalent to the effect of a positive drug, indicating the extract's powerful potential to alleviate PD symptoms. Five active compounds, including chlorogenic acid, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid (DA), rutin, isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside (IG) and calenduloside E (CE) were identified in extracts by LC-QTOF-MS/MS. Hsp90α, PI3K and ERK were revealed as core targets of DA, IG and CE in relation to anti-PD activity. The compounds docked deeply within the pocket region of Hsp90α protein, and their binding energies (∆G b) were -6.93 kcal/mol (DA), -6.51 kcal/mol (IG) and -3.03 kcal/mol (CE), respectively. Subsequently, they concurrently activated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and inhibited the ERK signaling pathway, thereby preventing neuronal death and alleviating neuronal degeneration. These compounds from C. officinalis could be potent nutraceutical agents with protective properties that may shield dopaminergic neurons against the damage caused by PD. Our findings provide a basis for utilizing the C. officinalis flowers in functional foods.

A Review of the Ethnobotany, Biological Activity, and Phytochemistry of the Plants in the Gundelia Genus.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) catalog, and Google Scholar from January 1980 up until October 2023 on plants in the Gundelia genus. Gundelia L. (Asteraceae) has been treated as a monospecific genus with Gundelia tournefortii L. (1753: 814) in most recent floras with wide variation in corolla color, but nowadays, the genus consists of 17 species. The unripe inflorescences of these species, especially G. tournefortii L., are consumed in many ways. 'Akkoub' or 'akko' in Arabic, "Kangar" in Persian, and "Silifa" in Greek are the common names of G. tournefortii L., also known as tumble thistle in English. They have been used in traditional medicine to treat bronchitis, kidney stones, diarrhea, stomach pain, inflammation, liver and blood diseases, bacterial and fungal infections, and mumps. Based on recent studies, their extracts have exhibited hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. Moreover, a variety of phytochemicals, including terpenoids, sterols, and fatty acids, as well as vitamins and minerals, have been identified in this genus. This study reviewed the ethnobotany, phytochemicals, and biological activities of the plants in the Gundelia genus as functional foods and herbal remedies.

Scope and challenges of seaweed utilization in food and nutraceutical industry in India: a review.

Seaweeds are an excellent source of unique antioxidant phytochemicals, dietary fibres, essential amino acids, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and minerals. The presence of such structurally diverse and high value bioactive compounds has led to popularization of seaweed as functional food ingredient in global health supplement market. India, with a long coastline of 8100 km and exclusive economic zone of 2.17 million km2, is rich in diverse seaweed resources belonging to almost 700 species. However, food and nutraceutical application of Indian seaweed is highly constrained. Apart from Kappaphycus alvarezii, there is no systematic commercial cultivation of seaweed in India. The regulatory framework for use of seaweed as food is still developing and consumer acceptance is still low. However, there is a timely and renewed interest from different government agencies and research organisations to develop a thriving food and nutraceutical industry using India's vast seaweed resources. The review briefly describes the nutritional and functional food potential of the seaweed and goes on to discuss the scope of seaweed utilization in food and nutraceutical industry in India. Further, the review has identified the regulatory challenges and quality control requirements for use of seaweeds in food and nutraceuticals.