Correction: Javed et al. The Potential Impact of Smog Spell on Humans' Health Amid COVID-19 Rages. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 11408.

There was an error in the original publication [...].

Spicy and Aromatic Plants for Meat and Meat Analogues Applications.

Aromatic and spicy plants are an important factor that contributes not only to improving the taste of meat, meat products, and meat analogues, but also to increasing the nutritional value of the products to which they are added. The aim of this paper is to present the latest information on the bioactive antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the most commonly used herbs and spices (parsley, dill, basil, oregano, sage, coriander, rosemary, marjoram, tarragon, bay, thyme, and mint) used in the meat and meat analogues industry, or proposed to be used for meat analogues.

Metabolomics based mechanistic insights to vasorelaxant and cardioprotective effect of ethanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai. seeds in isoproterenol induced myocardial infraction.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a significant cause of morbidity and death in the current world, posing a challenge to both developing and industrialized nation's health systems. Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai. seeds have long been utilized to supplement and enhance health and treat cardiovascular illnesses. However, its treatments for CVDs are still unknown. More research is required to fully comprehend the impact of C. lanatus seeds on vasorelaxation and myocardial infractions. PURPOSE: Therefore, an integrated metabolomics profiling technique was used to investigate possible pathways of C. lanatus in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI). Isoproterenol causes long-term cardiac hypertrophy by causing cardiomyocyte compensatory loss, eventually leading to heart failure. METHODS: In vitro models of vasoconstriction, atrium, and in vivo models of invasive blood pressure measurement and isoproterenol (ISO) induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats were used to understand underlying mechanistic by LC-MS/MS based dynamic metabolomics analysis of the serum and heart samples to be investigated the effect of ethanolic extract of C. lanatus (Cl.EtOH). RESULTS: Cl.EtOH exhibited vasorelaxant, negative chronotropic, and inotropic effects in in-vitro models whereas, a potent hypotensive effect was observed in normotensive rats. The Cl.EtOH protected the animals from ISO-induced myocardial infarction (MI) with therapeutic interventions in left ventricular thickness, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, mRNA gene expression, biochemical assays, and metabolomic profiling of serum and heart tissues. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, our study confirmed that C. lanatus seeds (Cl.EtOH) possess significant antihypertensive and prevent ISO-induced myocardial infarction. These findings comprehensively demonstrated mechanistic insights of Cl.EtOH in vasorelaxation and myocardial infarction. The current study provides evidence for further mechanistic studies and the development of C. lanatus seeds as a potential therapeutic intervention for patients with cardiovascular disorders.

Metabolomics analysis delineates the therapeutic effects of hydroethanolic extract of Cucumis sativus L. seeds on hypertension and isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction.

Cucumis sativus L., widely cultivated as an edible vegetable. Its seeds are well reputed for cardiovascular preventive properties. However, the mechanisms underlying for cardiovascular protection of C. sativus are still unidentified. Therefore, this study utilized a metabolomics approach to investigate putative mechanisms of C. sativus seeds in myocardial infarction (MI) and in vitro models of vasoconstriction, atrium, and invasive blood pressure measurement. Results showed that Cu.EtOH extract showed a vasorelaxant response with potent hypotensive effect in normotensive rats and L-NAME induced hypertension. Cu.EtOH caused a negative inotropic and positive chronotropic effect on the atrium. Cu.EtOH protected the animals from ISO-induced myocardial infarction (MI) interventions in left ventricular thickness, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, mRNA gene expression, and biochemical assays. The metabolomics data suggested that Cu.EtOH mainly affected amino acid metabolism, BCAA degradation, ketone bodies degradation, and oxidative stress. Our study showed that Cu.EtOH suppressed inflammation with a strong anti-myocardial infarction impact. Additionally, our findings indicated Cu.EtOH reverted the amino acid metabolism, BCAA, and ketone bodies degradation. The findings show the antihypertensive mechanism of Cu.EtOH may include the modulation of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) produced from nitric oxide (NO) and is connected with vascular endothelial function. C. sativus seeds, in particular, played a pivotal role in the treatment of myocardial and vascular disorders by enhancing the EDRF mechanism, energy generation, and antioxidant capacity. In summary, our findings showed the mechanistic insights on the therapeutic potential of C. sativus seeds for cardiovascular disorders.

The Potential Impact of Smog Spell on Humans' Health Amid COVID-19 Rages.

Rapid and unchecked industrialization and the combustion of fossil fuels have engendered a state of fear in urban settlements. Smog is a visible form of air pollution that arises due to the over-emissions of some primary pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hydrocarbons, SO2, NO, and NO2 which further react in the atmosphere and give rise to toxic and carcinogenic secondary smog components. Smog reduces the visibility on roads and results in road accidents and cancellation of flights. Uptake of primary and secondary pollutants of smog is responsible for several deleterious diseases of which respiratory disorders, cardiovascular dysfunction, neurological disorders, and cancer are discussed here. Children and pregnant women are more prone to the hazards of smog. The worsening menace of smog on one hand and occurrence of pandemic i.e., COVID-19 on the other may increase the mortality rate. But the implementation of lockdown during pandemics has favored the atmosphere in some ways, which will be highlighted in the article. On the whole, the focus of this article will be on the dubious relationship between smog and coronavirus.

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Flour-Based Wheat Bread as Fortified Bakery Product.

Hemp flour from Dacia Secuieni and Zenit varieties was added to bread in different proportions (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) to improve its nutritional properties. The purpose of this paper was to present the advanced nutritional characteristics of these bread samples. The selected varieties of hemp, accepted for human consumption, met the requirements for the maximum accepted level of THC in seeds. The protein content of new products increased from 8.76 to 11.48%, lipids increased from 0.59 to 5.41%, mineral content from 1.33 to 1.62%, and fiber content from 1.17 to 5.84%. Elasticity and porosity decreased from 95.51 to 80% and 78.65 to 72.24%, respectively. K, Mg, Ca, P, Mn and Fe are the main mineral substances in bread with addition of hemp flour from the Dacia Secuieni and Zenit varieties. The total amount of unsaturated fatty acids in the bread samples with hemp flour ranged from 67.93 g/100 g and 69.82 g/100 g. Eight amino acids were identified, of which three were essential (lysine, phenylalanine, histidine). Lysine, the deficient amino acid in wheat bread, increased from 0.003 to 0.101 g/100 g. Sucrose and fructose decreased with the addition of hemp flour, and glucose has not been identified. The amount of yeasts and molds decreased in the first 3 days of storage. Regarding the textural profile, the best results were obtained for the samples with 5% addition. In conclusion, bread with the addition of hemp flour has been shown to have superior nutritional properties to wheat bread.

Advanced Characterization of Hemp Flour (Cannabis sativa L.) from Dacia Secuieni and Zenit Varieties, Compared to Wheat Flour.

The advanced characterization of flour from hemp seeds (edible fruits of Cannabis sativa L.) from the Dacia Secuieni and Zenit varieties, compared to wheat flour, was studied in this research. The aim was to present the characterization of 2 varieties, out of the 70 accepted in Europe, for human consumption. The varieties selected from hemp meet the THC level requirement (0.3 or 0.2% of the dry weight of the reproductive part of the female flowering plant) in seeds. Hemp flour was obtained by grinding. The flour samples were evaluated for physicochemical parameters (moisture, crude protein, lipids, ash, crude fiber), the content of micro and macro elements, fatty acids, amino acids, and carbohydrates. The total proteins in hemp flour are found in larger quantities by over 35% compared to wheat flour, and the lipids reach the threshold of 28%. The amount of mineral substances exceeds 3% in hemp flour, and the fibers exceed 26%, compared to 0.61% for wheat flour. The predominant mineral substances were K, Ca, Mg, p, Fe, and Mn. The predominant fatty acids were the unsaturated ones, predominantly being linoleic acid, followed by oleic and gamma-linoleic acid. In the case of amino acids, the highest amount is found in glutamic acid for hemp flours. As for carbohydrates, sucrose is found in the largest amount, followed by glucose and fructose. In conclusion, hemp flours have superior non-traditional characteristics to wheat flour, being a potential raw material for fortifying food or using them as such, having beneficial effects of consumption on the proper functioning of the human body.

Biomolecular Evaluation of Lavandula stoechas L. for Nootropic Activity.

Lavandula Stoechas L. is widely known for its pharmacological properties. This study was performed to identify its biomolecules, which are responsible for enhancement of memory. L. stoechas aqueous extract was first purified by liquid column chromatography. The purified fractions were analyzed for in vitro anti-cholinesterase activity. The fraction that produced the best anti-cholinesterase activity was named an active fraction of L. stoechas (AfL.s). This was then subjected to GC-MS for identifications of biomolecules present in it. GC-MS indicated the presence of phenethylamine and α-tocopherol in AfL.s. Different doses of AfL.s were orally administered (for seven days) to scopolamine-induced hyper-amnesic albino mice and then behavioral studies were performed on mice for two days. After that, animals were sacrificed and their brains were isolated to perform the biochemical assay. Results of behavioral studies indicated that AfL.s improved the inflexion ratio in mice, which indicated improvement in retention behavior. Similarly, AfL.s significantly (p < 0.001) reduced acetylcholinesterase and malondialdehyde contents of mice brain, but on the other hand, it improved the level of choline acetyltransferase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione. It was found that that high doses of AfL.s (≥400 mg/Kg/p.o.) produced hyper-activity, hyperstimulation, ataxia, seizures, and ultimate death in mice. Its LD50 was calculated as 325 mg/Kg/p.o. The study concludes that α-tocopherol and phenethylamine (a primary amine) present in L. stoechas enhance memory in animal models.

Antidiarrheal and Cardio-Depressant Effects of Himalaiella heteromalla (D.Don) Raab-Straube: In Vitro, In Vivo, and In Silico Studies.

Himalaiella heteromalla (D.Don) Raab-Straube is a commonly used remedy against various diseases. Crude extract and fractions of H. heteromalla were investigated for a gastrointestinal, bronchodilator, cardiovascular, and anti-inflammatory activities. H. heteromalla crude extract (Hh.Cr) relaxed spontaneous contractions and K+ (80 mM)-induced contraction in jejunum tissue dose-dependently. The relaxation of K+ (80 mM) indicates the presence of Ca++ channel blocking (CCB) effect, which was further confirmed by constructing calcium response curves (CRCs) as they caused rightward parallel shift of CRCs in a manner comparable to verapamil, so the spasmolytic effect of Hh.Cr was due to its CCB activity. Application of Hh.Cr on CCh (1 µM) and K+ (80 mM)-induced contraction in tracheal preparation resulted in complete relaxation, showing its bronchodilator effect mediated through Ca++ channels and cholinergic antagonist activity. Application of Hh.Cr on aortic preparations exhibited vasorelaxant activity through angiotensin and α-adrenergic receptors blockage. It also showed the cardio suppressant effect with negative chronotropic and inotropic response in paired atrium preparation. Similar effects were observed in in vivo models, i.e., decreased propulsive movement, wet feces, and inhibition of edema formation.