Prebiotic Systems Containing Anthocyanin-Rich Pomegranate Flower Extracts with Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Effects.

Pomegranate flower extract, rich in anthocyanins, demonstrates beneficial health-promoting properties such as an anti-diabetic and antioxidant effect, among others. However, the potential health-promoting properties may be hindered by the low stability of anthocyanins. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess whether stabilizing carriers, namely HP-γ-cyclodextrin (HP-γ-CD), α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), Methyl-ß-cyclodextrin (Me-ß-CD), Inulin (Inu) and Arabic gum (AGu) affect the antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of lyophilized pomegranate flower extract, how they influence stability, release profile, and whether the systems exhibit prebiotic activity. Interactions between pomegranate flower extract and these factors were analyzed using FT-IR. The structures were examined through microscopic imaging while for the prepared prebiotic systems, antidiabetic activity was determined and confirmed by the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase; antioxidant activity was expressed by DPPH and CUPRAC assays. The content of pelargonidin-3,5-glucoside in these systems was assessed using the HPLC method. The release profiles of pelargonidin-3,5-glucoside were examined in a medium at pH = 6.8 and pH = 1.2, and the stability was assessed after subjecting the systems to high temperatures (T = 90 °C). The prebiotic potential was evaluated for 10 prebiotic bacterial strains (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis Lactobacillus rhamnosus gg, Lactobacillus reuteri, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus fermentum lf, Streptococcus thermophilus). As a result of the conducted research, better functionalities of the obtained systems containing Pomegranate flower extract were proven in terms of prebiotic and antidiabetic effects. The obtained delivery systems for pelargonidin-3,5-glucoside allow for better use of its health-promoting effects.

Multidirectional Effects of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) in Support of Menopause Therapy.

Red clover is a raw material of interest primarily due to its isoflavone content. However, other groups of compounds may affect the pleiotropic biological effects of this raw material. It is used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, but the fact that there are many varieties of this plant that can be grown makes it necessary to compare the biological activity and phytochemical composition of this plant. Also of interest are the differences between the leaves and flowers of the plant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the properties of the leaves and flowers of six clover varieties-'Tenia', 'Atlantis', 'Milena', 'Magellan', 'Lemmon' and 'Lucrum'-with respect to their ability to inhibit α-glucosidase, lipase, collagenase and antioxidant activity. Therefore, the contents of polyphenols and the four main isoflavones-genistein, daidzein, biochanin and formononetin-were assessed. The study was complemented by testing for permeability through a model membrane system (PAMPA). Principal component analysis (PCA) identified a relationship between activity and the content of active compounds. It was concluded that antioxidant activity, inhibition of glucosidase, collagenase and lipase are not correlated with isoflavone content. A higher content of total polyphenols (TPC) was determined in the flowers of red clover while a higher content of isoflavones was determined in the leaves of almost every variety. The exception is the 'Lemmon' variety, characterized by high isoflavone content and high activity in the tests conducted.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)-Current Research on the Health-Promoting Activities: A Narrative Review.

In recent years, there has been a significant surge in reports on the health-promoting benefits of winter cherry (Withania somnifera), also known as Ashwagandha. Its current research covers many aspects of human health, including neuroprotective, sedative and adaptogenic effects and effects on sleep. There are also reports of anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardioprotective and anti-diabetic properties. Furthermore, there are reports of reproductive outcomes and tarcicidal hormone action. This growing body of research on Ashwagandha highlights its potential as a valuable natural remedy for many health concerns. This narrative review delves into the most recent findings and provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of ashwagandha's potential uses and any known safety concerns and contraindications.

Assisted Extraction with Cyclodextrins as a Way of Improving the Antidiabetic Activity of Actinidia Leaves.

Five varieties of Actinidia leaves (Geneva, Jumbo, Ken's Red, Kijivska Hibridna, and Sentyabraskaya) were analyzed. The profiles of active compounds were determined, namely quercetin, rutin, epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, and kaempferol, in the raw material. Suspecting that the raw material might prove important in the treatment of diabetes, the authors assessed the antioxidant activity and the ability to inhibit enzymes responsible for the development of diabetes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase). As a result of the conducted analysis, the Ken's Red variety was indicated as having the highest biological activity (DPPH IC50 = 0.332 ± 0.048; FRAP IC0.5 = 0.064 ± 0.005; α-glucosidase inhibition IC50 = 0.098 ± 0.007; α-amylase inhibition IC50 = 0.083 ± 0.004). In order to increase the efficiency of the extraction of active compounds from Ken's Red variety leaves, cyclodextrins (α-CD, ß-CD, and γ-CD) were used as extraction process enhancers. The obtained results showed a significant increase in the contents of extracted active compounds. In addition, the type of CD used enhanced the extraction of selected compounds (quercetin, kaempferol, rutin, chlorogenic acid, and epicatechin. This study shows that the application of cyclodextrin-based extraction significantly improved the leaf activity of the Ken's Red variety (DPPH IC50 = 0.160 ± 0.019; FRAP IC0.5 = 0.008 ± 0.001; α-glucosidase inhibition IC50 = 0.040 ± 0.002; α-amylase inhibition IC50 = 0.012 ± 0.003).

Pomegranate Flower Extract-The Health-Promoting Properties Optimized by Application of the Box-Behnken Design.

Herbal raw materials with antidiabetic activity can be a valuable support to therapy. An optimized extraction process allows for the best possible health-promoting effect. Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize the content of methanol used in the extraction mixture, its time, and temperature. The aim of this study was to enhance the efficiency of the pomegranate flowers extraction process in order to obtain extracts with the highest enzyme inhibition power (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), which is important for the antidiabetic effect and the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH assay). In the Box-Behnken design model, the content of pelargonidin-3,5-glucoside-anthocyanin compound that is associated with antidiabetic activity was also optimized as a variable associated with the action profile of pomegranate flower extracts. The process optimization carried out in this study provides a basis for further research using the pomegranate flower extract with the most potent desired properties, essential for supporting diabetes treatment based on pomegranate flowers.

Artificial Gastrointestinal Models for Nutraceuticals Research-Achievements and Challenges: A Practical Review.

Imitating the human digestive system as closely as possible is the goal of modern science. The main reason is to find an alternative to expensive, risky and time-consuming clinical trials. Of particular interest are models that simulate the gut microbiome. This paper aims to characterize the human gut microbiome, highlight the importance of its contribution to disease, and present in vitro models that allow studying the microbiome outside the human body but under near-natural conditions. A review of studies using models SHIME, SIMGI, TIM-2, ECSIM, EnteroMix, and PolyfermS will provide an overview of the options available and the choice of a model that suits the researcher's expectations with advantages and disadvantages.

Blackberry Leaves as New Functional Food? Screening Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Microbiological Activities in Correlation with Phytochemical Analysis.

Blackberry fruits are recognized as functional foods while blackberry leaves are outside this classification and they also contain active compounds with health-promoting potential. Therefore, the aim of this study was the phytochemical analysis of blackberry leaves of varieties (Chester, Loch Ness, Loch Tay and Ruczaj) and screening of their biological activity (antioxidant potential, possibility of inhibition of enzymes, anti-inflammatory and microbial activity). The following compounds from selected groups: phenolic acids (caffeic acid, ellagic acid, gallic acid, syringic acid), flavonols (quercetin, kaempferol) and their glycosides (rutin, isoquercetin, hyperoside) and flavon-3-ols (catechin, epicatechin) were chromatographically determined in the aqueous and hydroalcoholic leaves extracts. All tested blackberry leaves extracts showed antioxidant effects, but the highest compounds content (TPC = 101.31 mg GAE/g) and antioxidant activity (e.g., DPPH IC50 = 57.37 µg/mL; ABTS IC50 = 24.83 µg/mL; CUPRAC IC50 = 62.73 µg/mL; FRAP IC50 = 39.99 µg/mL for hydroalcoholic extracts) was indicated for the Loch Tay variety. Blackberry leaf extracts' anti-inflammatory effect was also exceptionally high for the Loch Tay variety (IC50 = 129.30 µg/mL), while leaves extracts of the Loch Ness variety showed a significant potential for microbial activity against Lactobacillus spp. and Candida spp. Summarizing, the best multidirectional pro-health effect was noted for leaves extracts of Loch Tay variety.

Can Plant Materials Be Valuable in the Treatment of Periodontal Diseases? Practical Review.

Periodontal diseases are one of the most significant challenges in dental health. It is estimated that only a few percent of the worldwide population have entirely healthy teeth, and according to WHO, oral diseases may affect up to 3.5 billion people worldwide. One of the most serious oral diseases is periodontitis, an inflammatory disease affecting periodontal tissues, caused by pathogenic bacteria and environmental factors such as the ageing population, abuse of tobacco products, and lack of adequate oral hygiene due low public awareness. Plant materials are widely and successfully used in the management of many conditions, including periodontitis. Plant materials for periodontitis exhibit antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activities and affect the periodontium structure. Numerous studies demonstrate the advantages of phytotherapy for periodontitis relief and indicate the usefulness of Baikal skullcap root, Pomegranate fruit peel and root cortex, Tea leaves, Chamomile flowers, Magnolia bark, Blackberry leaves and fruits, Cranberry fruits and Lippia sidoides essential oil. This review aims to analyze the use and applicability of selected plant materials in periodontitis management since it is of paramount importance to evaluate the evidence of the traditionally used plant materials in light of continuously growing interest in phytotherapy and its adjuvant role in the treatment of periodontitis.

Herbal Infusions as a Valuable Functional Food.

Herbal infusions are an underestimated and easy to intake a source of biologically active natural compounds (polyphenols), which, in the dissolved form, are more easily absorbed. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential of herbal infusions as a functional food to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia (inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and to reduce the effects of increased blood glucose level (antioxidant effect-DPPH, CUPRAC, and Fe2+ chelating assays, as well as anti-inflammatory activity-inhibition of collagenase). We showed that polyphenols are present in the examined aqueous herbal infusions (including chlorogenic and gallic acids). Subsequently, our research has shown that herbal infusions containing cinnamon bark, mulberry leaves, and blackberry fruits most strongly inhibit glucose release from complex carbohydrates, and that all herbal infusions can, to different degrees, reduce the effects of elevated blood sugar. In conclusion, infusions prepared from herbal blends could be recommended to prevent type II diabetes.