Herbal Treatments for Obesity: A Review.

Obesity is the most pervasive metabolic disorder, further linked with many other diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, and sleep apnea. To control the increasing weight of obese individuals, experts usually recommend exercise and lifestyle alterations, but medication and surgeries are also advised in severe cases. FDA-approved obesity-controlling drugs are effective but possess certain adverse effects, including dry mouth, drug abuse, dysregulation in monoamine neurotransmitters, insomnia, and many more. Medication processes are expensive; researchers have focused on safer and more effective alternative approaches than pharmaceutical drugs. Since ancient times, a diverse array of herbal plants have been used due to their therapeutic effect, as in-vitro and in-vivo experimentations have proved the effectiveness of herbal plants with no mortality. In this review, we have presented various herbs with their metabolically active secondary metabolites, including Berberis vulgaris L, Rhizoma Coptidis, Radix Lithospermi, Aloe vera, Clerodendrum multiflorum Burm f., Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch), Boerhaavia diffusa, Achyranthes aspera L., etc. All of these herbs are responsible for anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Most of the previously published clinical trials and animal studies that confirmed the significant potential of these herbal plants and their active ingredients to reduce weight by decreasing the accumulated fats in the body have also been discussed in this review. Thus, it is concluded that scientists must consider and utilize these natural treasures for safe, effective, and cost-effective treatment. It will open new and novel ways for treatment regimes.

The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Pharmacopoeia in the Evaluation and Treatment of COVID-19.

The epidemic prompted by COVID-19 continues to spread, causing a great risk to the general population's safety and health. There are still no drugs capable of curing it. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) are the two other diseases caused by coronaviruses. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) showed benefits in treating SARS and MERS by preventing the disease early, substantially mitigating symptoms, shortening the treatment period, and minimizing risks and adverse reactions caused by hormone therapy. Although several vaccines have been developed and are being used for the treatment of COVID-19, existing vaccines cannot provide complete protection against the virus due to the rapid evolution and mutation of the virus, as mutated viral epitopes evade the vaccine's target and decrease the efficacy of vaccines. Thus, there is a need to develop alternative options. TCM has demonstrated positive effects in the treatment of COVID-19. Previous research studies on TCM showed broad-spectrum antiviral activity, offering a range of possibilities for their potential use against COVID-19. This study shed some light on common TCM used for SARS and MERS outbreaks and their effective use for COVID-19 management. This study provides new insights into COVID-19 drug discovery.

The Possible Roles of ß-alanine and L-carnosine in Anti-aging.

alanine (BA), being a non-proteinogenic amino acid, is an important constituent of L-carnosine (LC), which is necessary for maintaining the muscle buffering capacity and preventing a loss of muscle mass associated with aging effects. BA is also very important for normal human metabolism due to the formation of a part of pantothenate, which is incorporated into coenzyme A. BA is synthesized in the liver, and its combination with histidine results in the formation of LC, which accumulates in the muscles and brain tissues and has a well-defined physiological role as a good buffer for the pH range of muscles that caused its rapidly increased popularity as ergogenic support to sports performance. The main antioxidant mechanisms of LC include reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and chelation of metal ions. With age, the buffering capacity of muscles also declines due to reduced concentration of LC and sarcopenia. Moreover, LC acts as an antiglycation agent, ultimately reducing the development of degenerative diseases. LC has an anti-inflammatory effect in autoimmune diseases such as osteoarthritis. As histidine is always present in the human body in higher concentrations than BA, humans have to get BA from dietary sources to support the required amount of this critical constituent to supply the necessary amount of LC synthesis. Also, BA has other beneficial effects, such as preventing skin aging and intestinal damage, improving the stress-- fighting capability of the muscle cells, and managing an age-related decline in memory and learning. In this review, the results of a detailed analysis of the role and various beneficial properties of BA and LC from the anti-aging perspective.

Sleep, Dietary Melatonin Supplementation, and COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, people suffered from major mental health problems. These include stress, anxiety, and confusion about the existing situation of home confinement. Melatonin is a popular anti-inflammatory and antioxidant molecule sold as an over-the-counter dietary supplement. OBJECTIVE: This review discusses the indications for using melatonin in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including treatment. METHODS: A comprehensive search of publications was conducted in electronic databases focusing on the administration of melatonin in COVID-19. RESULTS: Stress has a huge negative impact on sleep routines and the quality of life of individuals. Sleep is considered an important modulator of the immune response. Thus, a lack of sleep can weaken immunity, increasing organism susceptibility to infection. For instance, shorter sleep durations are associated with a rise in suffering from the common cold. The administration of melatonin protects against viral and other pathogens and speeds clinical recovery. CONCLUSION: In patients admitted to intensive care units, melatonin decreases the risks of severe complications, such as thrombosis and sepsis, and mortality rates. In addition, it is efficacious in lowering vessel permeability, depression, and sedation, and improving the quality of sleep, which could also help COVID-19 patients achieve better clinical outcomes.

Natural Compounds Used for Treating Hair Loss.

Hair loss or alopecia is a common dermatological condition affecting up to 2% of the world population. It is often caused by hereditary factors, such as male or female pattern baldness, but it can also result from various environmental factors, an unbalanced diet, or chronic illness. While hair loss is not life-threatening, it can cause significant anxiety, depression, and other psychological problems, ultimately impacting an individual's quality of life. Various treatments for hair loss, including both synthetic drugs, such as minoxidil and finasteride, or medicinal herbs, have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Despite synthetic drugs' effectiveness, they may come with potential side effects. Natural remedies have been proposed as a viable option for treating hair loss because many chronic disorders can cause alopecia. As such, this review focuses on identifying alternative, efficient treatment agents with limited side effects. Specifically, it looks into medicinal plants as potential healing agents for treating hair loss. To gather relevant information for the study, multiple databases were searched, including Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. A comprehensive search was conducted using a range of search terms, such as "hair loss", "alopecia", "natural remedies for hair loss", "herbal treatments for hair loss", and others to extract relevant scientific articles. Many medicinal plants and natural compounds have shown potential in reducing hair loss, thanks to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and the ability to improve local metabolism when applied externally. According to existing literature, herbal extracts and formulations derived from plants, such as Urtica dioica, Humulus lupulus, Serenoa repens, Vitis vinifera, Pygeum africanum, Cucurbita pepo, etc., as well as certain individual herbal compounds, micronutrients, bee products, and keratin, may be effective in reducing hair loss directly or indirectly. Research suggests that medicinal plants and a variety of natural compounds hold promise in promoting hair growth and preventing alopecia.

Natural Ingredients to Improve Immunity.

The immune system protects the body from infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Once encountered with pathogens or antigens, the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system trigger a strong immune response to eliminate them from the system and protect the body. Thus, well-balanced immunity is pivotal for maintaining human health, as an insufficient level of immune defense leads to infections and tumors. In contrast, the excessive functioning of the immune system causes the development of autoimmune diseases and allergies. Strong immunity requires adequate nutrition, dietary interventions, and sufficient intake of certain vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin D, and folic acid) and minerals (magnesium, zinc, and selenium). Therefore, nutritional and micronutrient deficiencies lead to compromised immunity. Several natural ingredients have shown potent immunomodulatory properties. The immune-enhancing properties of many plants and fungi are due to containing bioactive phytoconstituents such as polyphenols, terpenoids, ß-glucans, vitamins, etc. Probiotics and prebiotics can be used as innovative tools to reduce intestinal inflammation and downregulate hypersensitivity reactions. Plant sources of melatonin, a multifunctional molecule with proven anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, have been discovered relatively recently. The bioactive compounds augment the immune response by directly increasing the cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. Many phytoconstituents prevent cell damage due to their powerful antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The present review attempts to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the immune-enhancing properties of some bioactive compounds from plants, fungi, animals, microorganisms, and other natural sources.

Traditional Chinese Medicine as the preventive and therapeutic remedy for COVID-19.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic still has tremendous impacts on the global socio-economy and quality of living. The traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) approach showed encouraging results during previous outbreaks of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). With limited treatment availability, TCM herbs and formulations could be viable to reduce COVID-19 symptoms and potential sources for discovering novel therapeutic targets. We reviewed 12 TCM herbs and formulations recommended for COVID-19 management by the National Health Commission and National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the People's Republic of China. This article explored the Chinese national authorities' guidelines from 2003 to 2020, the scientific data in public databases for the recommended TCM remedies, and their potential mechanistic actions in COVID-19 management. Several TCM herbs and formulations could potentially benefit COVID-19 management. The recommended TCM oral preparations list are Huoxiang zhengqi, Jinhua Qinggan, Lianhua Qingwen, and Shufeng jiedu; the recommended injection preparations comprise Xiyanping Xuebijing, Re-Du-Ning, Tanreqing, Xingnaojing, Shenfu, Shengmai, and Shenmai. TCM remedies are viable options for symptom alleviation and management of COVID-19. The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presents an opportunity to find novel therapeutic targets from TCM-active ingredients. Despite the recommendations in Chinese National guidelines, these remedies warrant further assessments in well-designed clinical trials for their efficacies in COVID-19.

Coenzyme Q10 for enhancing physical activity and extending the human life cycle.

BACKGROUND: Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is an enzyme family that plays a crucial role in maintaining the electron transport chain and antioxidant defense. CoQ10 is the most common form of CoQ in humans. A deficiency of CoQ10 occurs naturally with aging and may contribute to the development or progression of many diseases. Besides, certain drugs, in particular, statins and bisphosphonates, interfere with the enzymes responsible for CoQ10 biosynthesis and, thus, lead to CoQ10deficiency. OBJECTIVES: This article aims to evaluate the cumulative studies and insights on the topic of CoQ10 functions in human health, focusing on a potential role in maintaining physical activity and extending the life cycle. RESULTS: Although supplementation with CoQ10offers many benefits to patients with cardiovascular disease, it appears to add little value to patients suffering from statin-associated muscular symptoms. This may be attributed to substantial heterogeneity in doses and treatment regimens used. CONCLUSION: Therefore, there is a need for further studies involving a greater number of patients to clarify the benefits of adjuvant therapy with CoQ10 in a range of health conditions and diseases.

Dietary supplements and bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery has been in practice for achieving significant weight loss in patients who have failed to achieve weight loss after pharmacological interventions. The rising cases of obesity are a triggering factor for more bariatric surgeries worldwide. Interestingly, sustained weight loss achieved post-bariatric surgery offers metabolic advantages, and patients show improved glucose and lipid metabolisms. Bariatric surgery is directly linked to higher incidences of vitamin, mineral, and trace element deficiencies, thus making patients susceptible to anemia, osteoporosis, and cardiomyopathy. Reduced nutrient absorption capacity, dietary changes, dietary restriction, and altered gastrointestinal tract morphology are some reasons for nutritional deficiency observed in post-bariatric surgery procedures. Micro-and-macronutrient deficiency observed in patients during the postoperative phase requires continuous monitoring of nutritional parameters. Therefore, adequate multivitamin and mineral supplements become essential to prevent/overcome micronutrient deficiencies. Bariatric surgery also raises the risk of small for gestational age (SGA) babies. Hence, a 12 - 24 months gap is recommended between bariatric surgery and pregnancy to achieve desired weight loss targets. The topic of this review is the impact of bariatric surgery procedures on vitamin and mineral absorption and the role of dietary supplements in maintaining a healthy nutritional balance during the postoperative phase.

The Role of Astaxanthin as a Nutraceutical in Health and Age-Related Conditions.

The current review provides an up-to-date analysis of scientific data on astaxanthin (ASX) sources and experimental studies on its health benefits as a potent antioxidant in the aging process. ASX is a liposoluble carotenoid nutrient and reddish-orange pigment, naturally synthesized by numerous microalgae, yeasts, and bacteria as secondary metabolites. Provides a reddish hue to redfish and shellfish flesh that feed on ASX-producing microorganisms. The microalga Haematococcus pluvialis is the most important source for its industrial bioproduction. Due to its strong antioxidant properties, numerous investigations reported that natural ASX is a more significant antioxidant agent than other antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and ß-carotene. Furthermore, several data show that ASX possesses important nutraceutical applications and health benefits, especially in healthy aging processes. However, further studies are needed for a deeper understanding of the potential mechanisms through which ASX could lead to its effective role in the healthy aging process, such as supporting brain health and skin homeostasis. This review highlights the current investigations on the effective role of ASX in oxidative stress, aging mechanisms, skin physiology, and central nervous system functioning, and shows the potential clinical implications related to its consumption.

Combined Supplementation of Coenzyme Q10 and Other Nutrients in Specific Medical Conditions.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a compound with a crucial role in mitochondrial bioenergetics and membrane antioxidant protection. Despite the ubiquitous endogenous biosynthesis, specific medical conditions are associated with low circulating CoQ10 levels. However, previous studies of oral CoQ10 supplementation yielded inconsistent outcomes. In this article, we reviewed previous CoQ10 trials, either single or in combination with other nutrients, and stratified the study participants according to their metabolic statuses and medical conditions. The CoQ10 supplementation trials in elders reported many favorable outcomes. However, the single intervention was less promising when the host metabolic statuses were worsening with the likelihood of multiple nutrient insufficiencies, as in patients with an established diagnosis of metabolic or immune-related disorders. On the contrary, the mixed CoQ10 supplementation with other interacting nutrients created more promising impacts in hosts with compromised nutrient reserves. Furthermore, the results of either single or combined intervention will be less promising in far-advanced conditions with established damage, such as neurodegenerative disorders or cancers. With the limited high-level evidence studies on each host metabolic category, we could only conclude that the considerations of whether to take supplementation varied by the individuals' metabolic status and their nutrient reserves. Further studies are warranted.

Neurotransmitters Regulation and Food Intake: The Role of Dietary Sources in Neurotransmission.

Neurotransmitters (NTs) are biologically active chemicals, which mediate the electrochemical transmission between neurons. NTs control numerous organic functions particularly crucial for life, including movement, emotional responses, and the physical ability to feel pleasure and pain. These molecules are synthesized from simple, very common precursors. Many types of NTs have both excitatory and inhibitory effects. Neurotransmitters' imbalance can cause many diseases and disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, depression, insomnia, increased anxiety, memory loss, etc. Natural food sources containing NTs and/or their precursors would be a potential option to help maintain the balance of NTs to prevent brain and psychiatric disorders. The level of NTs could be influenced, therefore, by targeting dietary habits and nutritional regimens. The progressive implementation of nutritional approaches in clinical practice has made it necessary to infer more about some of the nutritional NTs in neuropsychiatry. However, the importance of the intake of nutritional NTs requires further understanding, since there are no prior significant studies about their bioavailability, clinical significance, and effects on nerve cells. Interventional strategies supported by evidence should be encouraged.

The Role of Diet and Supplementation of Natural Products in COVID-19 Prevention.

Recently, a discussion has begun on the global management strategy against COVID-19 based on the hypothesis that individuals' macro- and micronutrient status combined with antiviral drugs and herbs can be an ally against the infection. The hypothesis is that people's nutritional and oxidative scavenging capacity may provide fundamental data to predict severe and acute pulmonary distress following SARS-Cov2 infection. Consequently, the scientific community has addressed the role of balanced diets, nutritional supplements, and micronutrients, including folk herbal formulations, in reducing hospitalization and the severity of pulmonary impact in COVID-19 by preventing the most serious forms of the infection. This led to an animated debate on the potential effectiveness of some vitamins, micronutrients, and traditional Chinese medicine in preventing COVID-19, with some authors convinced that plant extracts could act oppositely, exacerbating the effect of the infection. While current research is still far to assess the suggestions and issues raised in this short communication, it is undoubtedly true that determining an individual's current metabolic status, including macro- and micronutrients, is an essential factor in defining any individuals' deficiencies, which will need to be addressed urgently through a proper diet, specific personalized nutritional supplementation, and lifestyle changes.

Phosphocalcic metabolism and the role of vitamin D, vitamin K2, and nattokinase supplementation.

Calcium is involved in bone metabolism, regulation of nerve signaling, and release of neurotransmitters. Phosphorus is a structural component of ATP, participates in metabolic energy regulation, and ensures stability to biological membranes and cells. Vitamin D and vitamin K are important for intestinal absorption and renal excretion of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D plays a regulatory role in bone formation, carbohydrate metabolism, immune responses, and cardiovascular regulation. Research has linked vitamin D deficiency to the development of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cancer, and osteoporosis. Vitamin K has been associated with a reduced risk of osteoporosis, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases (due to improved vascular elasticity). This review highlights the importance of vitamins D and K in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus and explores various molecular mechanisms that help maintain the system's mineral homeostasis. Moreover, the paper reviews the enzyme nattokinase's role in thrombotic prevention due to its fibrinolytic activity.

Micronutrients deficiences in patients after bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery is an effective option for managing obesity and has gained general acceptance among patients in recent years. Generally, despite the high caloric intake, a bad nutritional habit of obese people results in the deficiency of several vitamins, minerals, and trace elements essential for body metabolism and normal physiological processes. Additionally, the current bariatric surgical approaches such as sleeve gastrectomy (SG), Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass (RYGB), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), and jejunoileal bypass (JIB) can cause or exacerbate these deficiencies. Based on several reports, it appears that the various bariatric surgical procedures affect nutrient absorption differently. Being purely restrictive, LAGB and SG affect the absorption of iron, selenium, and vitamin B12, while RYGB, JIB, and biliopancreatic diversion have a more profound impact on the absorption of essential vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Nutritional deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and trace elements may follow bariatric surgery and are associated with clinical manifestations and diseases, including anemia, ataxia, hair loss, and Wernicke encephalopathy. The present review summarizes some of the major vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies associated with bariatric surgery, particularly those presented post-surgically. To avoid any adverse consequences of vitamin and trace element deficiency, proper monitoring and tests are recommended at any stage, from pre- to post-surgery (periodical check-up), followed by specific and individual nutritional supplementation treatments and a proper healthy diet.

Micronutrients as immunomodulatory tools for COVID-19 management.

COVID-19 rapidly turned to a global pandemic posing lethal threats to overwhelming health care capabilities, despite its relatively low mortality rate. The clinical respiratory symptoms include dry cough, fever, anosmia, breathing difficulties, and subsequent respiratory failure. No known cure is available for COVID-19. Apart from the anti-viral strategy, the supports of immune effectors and modulation of immunosuppressive mechanisms is the rationale immunomodulation approach in COVID-19 management. Diet and nutrition are essential for healthy immunity. However, a group of micronutrients plays a dominant role in immunomodulation. The deficiency of most nutrients increases the individual susceptibility to virus infection with a tendency for severe clinical presentation. Despite a shred of evidence, the supplementation of a single nutrient is not promising in the general population. Individuals at high-risk for specific nutrient deficiencies likely benefit from supplementation. The individual dietary and nutritional status assessments are critical for determining the comprehensive actions in COVID-19.

Calanus oil in the treatment of obesity-related low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis.

Calanus oil (COil) is a natural product extracted from marine zooplankton Calanus finmarchicus found in the North Atlantic Ocean. This oil is rich in wax esters of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and has been projected as the best alternative to fish oil because its production cannot keep pace with the demands from the growing markets. The COil is the only commercially available marine source of wax esters, whereas classic ω-3 PUFAs comes from triglycerides, ethyl esters, and phospholipids. It has, in recent decades, been seen that there is an unprecedented rise in the use of PUFA-rich oil in the aquaculture industry. A simultaneous rise in the demand of PUFAs is also observed in the health care industry, where PUFAs are suggested preventing various disorders related to lifestyles such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, chronic low-grade inflammation, atherosclerosis, and brain and cardiovascular disorders (CVDs). In this review, we will explore the metabolic aspects related to the use of COil as an antioxidant, anticholesterinemic, and anti-inflammatory dietary source and its impact on the prevention and therapy of obesity-related metabolic disorders.