Dietary supplements could prevent cardiometabolic syndrome: Are they safe and reliable enough for disease prevention and health promotion?

Dietary supplements (DS) and their purchase is often based on a consumer's personal choice and advertisements. The associated DS regulations, particularly in manufacturing and marketing, are far more flexible and permissive than that of the well-regulated prescription pharmaceuticals. However, the adverse health effects associated with the inadvertent use of mega-doses of DS are not well understood. The demand for DS, nutraceuticals, and herbal remedies has experienced an upswing during the past two to three decades, and global product sales have thrived. More so, the prevention of cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) and related disorders like diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, and serum lipid abnormalities, as well as of other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), is of highest health care priority globally, since these disorders impose very high economic burdens on health care systems and society. In this review, we argue why DS could prevent cardiometabolic syndrome, by providing the potential benefits and risks associated with them, especially self-medication considering their intake by the public at large. Good manufacturing practices and quality control are absolutely necessary for the manufacture of DS products, and proper labeling is needed regarding the optimal dose schedules of various DS and bioactive ingredients. Specific examples are used to underscore the indications and dosage recommendations made for the marketing and promotion of fish oil, coenzyme Q10, and Mg-containing products for the prevention of cardiometabolic syndrome.

Role of the renin-angiotensin system in the pathophysiology of coronary heart disease and heart failure: Diagnostic biomarkers and therapy with drugs and natural products.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a pivotal role in blood pressure regulation. In some cases, this steering mechanism is affected by various deleterious factors (mainly via the overactivation of the RAS) causing cardiovascular damage, including coronary heart disease (CHD) that can ultimately lead to chronic heart failure (CHF). This not only causes cardiovascular disability and absenteeism from work but also imposes significant healthcare costs globally. The incidence of cardiovascular diseases has escalated exponentially over the years with the major outcome in the form of CHD, stroke, and CHF. The involvement of the RAS in various diseases has been extensively researched with significant limelight on CHD. The RAS may trigger a cascade of events that lead to atherosclerotic mayhem, which causes CHD and related aggravation by damaging the endothelial lining of blood vessels via various inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways. Although there are various diagnostic tests and treatments available in the market, there is a constant need for the development of procedures and therapeutic strategies that increase patient compliance and reduce the associated side effects. This review highlights the advances in the diagnostic and treatment domains for CHD, which would help in subjugating the side effects caused by conventional therapy.

Challenges and Opportunities of Metal Chelation Therapy in Trace Metals Overload-Induced Alzheimer's Disease.

Essential trace metals like zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) play an important physiological role in the metabolomics and healthy functioning of body organs, including the brain. However, abnormal accumulation of trace metals in the brain and dyshomeostasis in the different regions of the brain have emerged as contributing factors in neuronal degeneration, Aß aggregation, and Tau formation. The link between these essential trace metal ions and the risk of AD has been widely studied, although the conclusions have been ambiguous. Despite the absence of evidence for any clinical benefit, therapeutic chelation is still hypothesized to be a therapeutic option for AD. Furthermore, the parameters like bioavailability, ability to cross the BBB, and chelation specificity must be taken into consideration while selecting a suitable chelation therapy. The data in this review summarizes that the primary intervention in AD is brain metal homeostasis along with brain metal scavenging. This review evaluates the impact of different trace metals (Cu, Zn, Fe) on normal brain functioning and their association with neurodegeneration in AD. Also, it investigates the therapeutic potential of metal chelators in the management of AD. An extensive literature search was carried out on the "Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar" to investigate the effect of trace elements in neurological impairment and the role of metal chelators in AD. In addition, the current review highlights the advantages and limitations of chelation therapies and the difficulties involved in developing selective metal chelation therapy in AD patients.

Physical activity induced alterations of gut microbiota in humans: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Gut microbiota is considered to have a great impact on human health and disease. While it is widely recognized that the gut microbiota of healthy individuals differs from those with obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic syndrome, and other chronic diseases, the alterations of gut microbiota with physical activity are not fully understood. Accordingly, we performed this systematic review to address the question regarding the effects of mild and intense exercise on the gut microbiota in humans. METHODS: The comparative analyses of gut microbiota were conducted following the PRISMA protocol to determine the differences in the active vs. non-active individuals (phenotypes) (n = 11), including the influence of physical activity intervention on the human gut microbiota (n = 13); the differences in the gut microbiota of athletes vs. non-athletes (n = 8); and the microbiota status at different stages of athletic performance or intervention (n = 7), with various of physical activities, sport disciplines, and activity duration. Literature searches were completed using four databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO, and 2090 articles were retrieved by using appropriate keywords. The low heterogeneity of the studies hasn't allowed us to prepare a meta-analysis. After excluding 2052 articles, we ultimately selected 38 articles that met the eligibility criteria for this review. RESULTS: The data analyses revealed that in non-athletes rising physical activity markedly influenced the relative abundance of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA). Aerobic training that lasted 60 min, and physical activity that characterized 60% HRmax or more also influenced beta diversity indexes. The results showed that athletes harbor a more diverse type of intestinal microflora than non-athletes, but with a relatively reduced abundance of SCFA- and lactic acid-producing bacteria, thereby suggesting an adverse effect of intense exercise on the population of gut microbiota. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the level of physical activity modulates the gastrointestinal microbiota in humans. For a long period, increasing the intensity and volume of exercise may lead to gut dysbiosis. Perhaps, proper supplementation should be considered to keep gut microbiota in large biodiversity and richness, especially under unfavorable gut conditions associated with intense exercise. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospero CRD42021264064.

A Systematic Review of the Influence of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation on Leaky Gut Syndrome in Athletes: Diagnostic Biomarkers and Future Directions.

BACKGROUND: Bovine colostrum (BC) contains a myriad of bioactive molecules that are renowned for possessing unique medicinal benefits in children and adults, and BC supplements are considered safe and cost-effective options to manage/prevent the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections and gut-related problems in athletes. In this review, we will try to answer the question: How will BC supplementation ameliorate gut permeability problems among athletes? METHODS: Literature searches were performed using PRISMA guidance to identify studies assessing the influence of BC supplements on gut permeability. Studies were selected using four databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO, and a total number of 60 articles were retrieved by using appropriate keywords. RESULTS: Nine studies were selected that met the eligibility criteria for this review. The data analysis revealed that vigorous exercise profoundly increases intestinal permeability, and BC supplementation helps to reverse gut permeability in athletes. CONCLUSION: BC supplementation may be highly beneficial in improving gut permeability in athletes. However, well-designed, placebo-controlled, and randomized studies are needed to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy and to determine the optimal dose schedules of BC supplementation in high-performance athletes.

Baicalein: promising therapeutic applications with special reference to published patents.

Baicalein is a medicinally important flavonoid present in Scutellaria baicalensis, which has numerous biological benefits like anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihepatotoxicity, anticancer properties, etc. Recent studies have revealed that baicalein is an efficient antihepatoma agent and has the strongest antiproliferative effect toward cancerous bladder cell lines, and suppression of cell cycle progression in prostate cancer cells. This natural substance has a high commercial value because it strengthens the heart and cerebral vessels and protects the nervous system and also reduces diabetes and diabetic complications. In addition, baicalein is known to decrease inflammatory markers such as IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α. In this review, we have attempted to compile the list of recent therapeutic patents of baicalein used for treating different disorders.

Xanthohumol: A Metabolite with Promising Anti-Neoplastic Potential.

The overwhelming global burden of cancer has posed numerous challenges and opportunities for developing anti-cancer therapies. Phytochemicals have emerged as promising synergistic compounds with potential anti-cancer effects to supplement chemo- and immune-therapeutic regimens. Anti cancer synergistic effects have been investigated in the interaction between phytocompounds derived from flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, kaempferol, hesperidin, emodin, etc., and conventional drugs. Xanthohumol is one of the prenylated phytoflavonoid that has demonstrated key anti-cancer activities in in vitro (anti proliferation of cancer cell lines) and in vivo (animal models of xenograft tumours) studies, and has been explored from different dimensions for targeting cancer subtypes. In the last decade, xanthohumol has been investigated how it induces the anti- cancer effects at cellular and molecular levels. The different signalling cascades and targets of xanthohumol are summarized in this review. Overall, this review summarizes the current advances made in the field of natural compounds with special reference to xanthohumol and its promising anti-cancer effects to inhibit tumour progression. The present review has also discussedthe potential of xanthohumol transitioning into a leadingcandidate from nano-therapy viewpoint along with the challenges which need to be addressed for extensive preclinical and clinical anti-cancer studies.

Coding roles of long non-coding RNAs in breast cancer: Emerging molecular diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets with special reference to chemotherapy resistance.

Dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms have been depicted in several pathological consequence such as cancer. Different modes of epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation (hypomethylation or hypermethylation of promotor), histone modifications, abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs, and small nucleolar RNAs), are discovered. Particularly, lncRNAs are known to exert pivot roles in different types of cancer including breast cancer. LncRNAs with oncogenic and tumour suppressive potential are reported. Differentially expressed lncRNAs contribute a remarkable role in the development of primary and acquired resistance for radiotherapy, endocrine therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. A wide range of molecular subtype specific lncRNAs have been assessed in breast cancer research. A number of studies have also shown that lncRNAs may be clinically used as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for early detection of breast cancer. Such molecular biomarkers have also been found in cancer stem cells of breast tumours. The objectives of the present review are to summarize the important roles of oncogenic and tumour suppressive lncRNAs for the early diagnosis of breast cancer, metastatic potential, and chemotherapy resistance across the molecular subtypes.

Effects of Long-Term Supplementation of Bovine Colostrum on Iron Homeostasis, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Female Athletes: A Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Bovine colostrum supplementation has been suggested as a potential factor in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of six months of bovine colostrum supplement intake (3.2 g; four capsules/day) in highly trained female athletes on changes in oxidative stress level, inflammation, and iron metabolism biomarkers after intense exercise. In this study, 20 trained female athletes were recruited. Participants were divided into two groups: 11 in the bovine colostrum (6-month supplementation) and 9 in the placebo group (6-month placebo supplementation). All participants completed an intense exercise test at the beginning of the experiment and after six months post-treatment. Blood samples were taken before, following exercise, and after 3 h recovery. Compared to the placebo group, the colostrum group showed a significant decrease in TBARS level (p< 0.01) at all time points, whereas a marked increase was observed in IL-6 (p < 0.01; pre-exercise) and SOD activity (p < 0.01), and transferrin (p < 0.01; rest period) and lactoferrin (p < 0.05; post-exercise) levels. The results suggested that 6-months of bovine colostrum supplementation is beneficial in the reduction of the harmful effects produced by free radicals (ROS), oxidative stress, and inflammation. In consequence, alleviation of the inflammatory response by bovine colostrum supplementation may also cause positive action on iron homeostasis in female athletes.

Pomegranate, its Components, and Modern Deliverable Formulations as Potential Botanicals in the Prevention and Treatment of Various Cancers.

Cancer is a global multifactorial disease consisting of over 200 types of cancers. It is well recognized that primary prevention is an effective way to fight cancers by using natural polyphenolic anticancer foods, vegetables, and fruits, avoiding exposure to the carcinogenic environment, smoking cessation, and through lifestyle modifications. The present review provides up-todate information on the effects and functions of pomegranate juice and its bioactive components on the most widespread six cancer types. Pomegranate contains important polyphenolic compounds, such as ellagitannins and punicalagin, with strong antioxidant ability for scavenging free radicals and producing metal-chelates in the biological tissues. The in vitro and in vivo studies suggests that antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties of pomegranate constitute have major antimutagenic and antiproliferative activities for regulating gene expression, modulating cellular mechanisms, and limiting the ability of cancers to metastasize. A limited number of clinical studies have suggested that pomegranate ingredients have the potential for the prevention and treatment of cancer, especially colorectal and prostate cancer. In cancer therapy, it remains a clinical dilemma to hit the right target without inducing side effects. The costly anticancer chemotherapies are often associated with drug resistance and serious side effects in vital organs and noncancerous neighboring cells. It appears that the pomegranate-based phytotherapy would be affordable and cost-effective for next-generation non-pharmacologic anticancer remedies with lesser side effects. However, well-designed, randomized, double-blind, and multi-center studies are needed to establish the long-term safety, efficacy, and dose schedules for orally deliverable pomegranate formulations.

Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases with Anti-Inflammatory and Anti- Oxidant Nutraceuticals and Herbal Products: An Overview of Pre-Clinical and Clinical Studies.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation-induced endothelial abnormalities, dietary habits, and tobacco smoking are considered to be the primary risk factors for causing atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs), including Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disorders, peripheral arterial disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart defects, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Prevention of CVDs with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agents has been a challenging task for decades. Currently, CVDs have taken a top position among the health-related issues and are considered the foremost cause of mortality and morbidity around the globe. OBJECTIVE: Emerging evidence from several sources indicates that nutraceuticals and plant products may be a cost-effective approach for the prevention of CVDs. A limited number of clinical studies done with nutraceuticals have shown positive effects for promoting health and well-being as well as reduction of CVDs in humans. Some plants from which nutraceutical ingredients are isolated and will be discussed in this review are: Murraya koenigii, Curcuma longa, Beta vulgaris, Allium sativum, Allium cepa, Lagenaria siceraria Stand, Trigonella foenum-graecum. METHODS: Literature searches were done using keywords for plants, nutraceuticals, and plant products that have revealed beneficial effects in the prevention of CVDs. The anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory actions of nutraceuticeuticals and plant ingredients play a significant role in capturing free radicals and reducing endothelial risk factors associated with the occurrence CVDs. RESULTS: This review has explored the usefulness of animal studies performed with nutraceuticals and herbal products and to understand their mode of action in the prevention of CVDs. Also, we have referred to patents for different nutraceuticals for better understanding their quantitative effects and dosage forms. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that nutraceuticals possess enormous health benefits and their interventions can be highly beneficial in the prevention/reduction of CVDs and related disorders such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart attack and stroke. The findings of this review provide an update on the emerging uses of nutraceuticals, functional foods, and herbal remedies in humans. Nevertheless, large-scale randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials are needed to confirm the health benefit claims about nutraceuticals and herbal products to establish their long-term safety and to resolve the controversy about the role of clinical nutrition in curing lifestyle diseases.

Development of Silver-Based Bactericidal Composite Nanofibers by Airbrushing.

In this article, we report a simple, cost-effective and eco-friendly method of airbrushing for the fabrication of antibacterial composite nanofibers using Nylon-6 and silver chloride (AgCl). The Nylon-6 is a widely used polymer for various biomedical applications because of its excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties. Similarly, silver has also been known for their antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. In order to enhance the antibacterial functionality of the Nylon-6, composite nanofibers in combination with AgCl have been fabricated using airbrush method. The chemical functional groups and morphological studies of the airbrushed Nylon-6/AgCl composite nanofibers were carried out by FTIR and SEM, respectively. The antibacterial activity of airbrushed Nylon-6/AgCl composite nanofibers was evaluated using Gram +ve (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram -ve (Escherichia coli) bacterial strains. The results showed that the airbrushed Nylon-6/AgCl composite nanofibers have better antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial strains than the airbrushed Nylon-6 nanofibers. Therefore, the airbrushed Nylon-6/AgCl composite nanofibers could be used as a potential antibacterial scaffolding system for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Antibacterial and Antiinflammatory Properties of Bovine Colostrum.

CONTEXT: Immunity related disorder is one of the leading causes of disease in the world. Oxidative stress and microbial infections play a major role in inflammation-induced diseases. Bovine colostrum (BC) contains immunoglobulins and lactoferrins which help in building the immunity and protect against the bacterial proliferation and growth. AIM: This study was designed to investigate the antimicrobial and antiinflammatory activities of BC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antimicrobial activity was determined by the pour-plate method using five different strains of bacteria (Gram -ve and +ve), and carrageenan-induced rat paw edema method was used for the evaluation of antiinflammatory activity in adult Wistar rats. Diclofenac was used as standard antiinflammatory drug, and amoxicillin was used as standard antimicrobial agent. RESULTS: BC showed significant antimicrobial activity against Escherichia. coli, Staphylococcus. aureus, Proteus. vulgaris, Enterobacter. aerogenes and Salmonella. typhi. At 100 µg/mL of BC, the inhibition zones were found to be 13mm, 11mm, 12mm, 12mm, and 11mm, respectively. The BC zones were comparatively smaller than those of amoxicillin at 10µg/mL, where the inhibition zones were 16mm, 30mm, 23mm, 22mm and 23mm, respectively. In the BC treated animals, the percentage edema inhibition was found to be 67.94% at the third hour, suggesting high antiinflammatory activity of BC in rats. CONCLUSION: BC may be beneficial in reducing the risks of inflammation associated diseases. Further studies are needed before BC can be recommended for therapeutic interventions in humans.

TNF-α modulation by natural bioactive molecules in mouse RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of plant-derived products marketed for human health benefits. METHODS: The tumor necrotic factor-α (TNF-α) was used as a proinflammatory biomarker generated by mouse macrophage RAW 264.6 cells. The in vitro tested plant products include Saskatoon berry (SKB), quercetin, purified oat beta-glucan (OBG), curcumin, and turmeric. Quantification of TNF-α in cell culture supernatants was carried out using mouse TNF-α assay kit and the cell proliferation was determined by MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The cells were grown in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum and 100 U/mL penicillin and 100 µg/mL streptomycin. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a concentration of 500 ng/mL was employed to stimulate the TNF-α production in mouse macrophage cells. RESULTS: Results showed that curcumin at 10 µM (3.7 µg/mL) level effectively attenuated the LPS-induced inflammatory response, and at 100 µM completely inhibited macrophage RAW cell growth (p<0.05). The aqueous turmeric extract caused inhibitory effect on TNF-α at 25, 50, 100, and 500 µg/mL. SKB inhibited TNF-α production at 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 µg/mL. On the other hand, at 10, 25, 500, and 1,000 µg/mL SKB promoted significant cell growth/proliferation. Quercetin at 10, 25, 50 and 100 µg/mL inhibited TNF-α, but at 500 and 1,000 µg/mL stimulated cell growth. OBG at 10, 25, and 50 µg/mL inhibited TNF-α, but in some cases OBG stimulated TNF-α At 1,000 and 10,000 µg/mL OBG proved to be extremely toxic or lethal to the macrophage cells. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the plant products showed anti-inflammatory effects as well as cell proliferation or inhibition in the in vitro system used in this investigation. The underlying mechanisms of dualistic actions caused by plant-derived ingredients, viz., macrophage cellular growth stimulation or retardation, remain to be elucidated.

Evaluation of the antioxidant properties of tryptophan and its metabolites in in vitro assay.

BACKGROUND: Human milk contains a number of nutrients and bioactive ingredients which play an important role in the growth and development of infants. One important nutrient and bioactive ingredient of human milk is L-tryptophan. L-Tryptophan is an essential aromatic α-amino acid and is required in the diet of children and adult humans. As an essential amino acid, it is needed for protein synthesis and as a precursor of key biomolecules such as serotonin, melatonin, tryptamine, niacin, quinolinic acid and kynurenic acid, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties of tryptophan isolated from enzymatic hydrolysates from human milk and its metabolites on human glioma U251 cells and to evaluate the effects of human recombinant (hrIFNγ) on molecular ions of tryptophan and its metabolites in human glial U251 cells. METHODS: The cytotoxicity was determined by MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The antioxidant property was assessed by the oxygen radical scavenging capacity (ORAC) method. The anti-inflammatory effect was determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. The effects of recombinant human (rhIFNγ) on molecular ions of tryptophan and its catabolites were evaluated by mass spectrometry. The tryptophan was isolated from milk peptides following enzymatic digestion, followed by separation by chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods. RESULTS: Tryptophan from human milk exhibited profoundly higher oxygen radical absorption capacity (7,986±468 µm Trolox equivalent (TE)/g) than that of whole human milk (80.4±13.3 µm TE/g). Tryptophan showed a moderate degree of anti-inflammatory activity against TNF-α and IL-6. rhIFNγ inhibited tryptophan metabolism. A low concentration of L-tryptophan (10-25 µg/mL) inhibited nearly 25% of cell growth. When U251 cells were treated with 25 µg/mL L-tryptophan and subsequently challenged with 30 ng/mL of human recombinant IFNγ, a significant inhibitory effect on cell growth was observed. Low concentrations of Xanthurenic acid, L-kynurenine, and 3-OH DL kynurenine were found to inhibit cell growth except melatonin and 3-OH anthranilic acid. Melatonin was a strong inducer of TNF-α in RAW cells, whereas 3-OH kynurenine at 25, 50 and 100 µg/mL inhibited IL-6 in RAW cells. No significant change was observed in the IL-8 profile in tryptophan-treated U251 cells except that L-kynurenine at 10 µg/mL produced significantly high level of an inflammatory cytokine IL-8. Melatonin, 3-OH, DL kynurenine at high concentrations (100 µg/mL) induced proliferation of U251 cells. Melatonin seemed to show synergistic effects with recombinant human IFNγ (rhINFγ) in promoting growth of human glioma cells. While treatment of U251 cells with tryptophan alone and subsequent treatment with rhIFNγ inhibited the growth of human cancer glioma cells, and conversely melatonin combined with rhIFNγ promoted growth of the U251 cells. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study suggest that human milk-derived tryptophan and its metabolites possess strong antioxidant properties. Such effects might play a significant role in regulating the cell proliferation and growth of human cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner.

Food Antioxidants and Their Anti-Inflammatory Properties: A Potential Role in Cardiovascular Diseases and Cancer Prevention.

Mediterranean-style diets caused a significant decline in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in early landmark studies. The effect of a traditional Mediterranean diet on lipoprotein oxidation showed that there was a significant reduction in oxidative stress in the intervention group (Mediterranean diet + Virgin Olive Oil) compared to the low-fat diet group. Conversely, the increase in oxidative stress causing inflammation is a unifying hypothesis for predisposing people to atherosclerosis, carcinogenesis, and osteoporosis. The impact of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents on cancer and cardiovascular disease, and the interventive mechanisms for the inhibition of proliferation, inflammation, invasion, metastasis, and activation of apoptosis were explored. Following the Great Oxygen Event some 2.3 billion years ago, organisms have needed antioxidants to survive. Natural products in food preservatives are preferable to synthetic compounds due to their lower volatility and stability and generally higher antioxidant potential. Free radicals, reactive oxygen species, antioxidants, pro-oxidants and inflammation are described with examples of free radical damage based on the hydroxyl, nitric oxide and superoxide radicals. Flavonoid antioxidants with 2- or 3-phenylchroman structures such as quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, apigenin, and luteolin, constituents of fruits, vegetables, tea, and wine, which may reduce coronary disease and cancer, are described. The protective effect of flavonoids on the DNA damage caused by hydroxyl radicals through chelation is an important mechanism, though the converse may be possible, e.g., quercetin. The antioxidant properties of carotenoids, which are dietary natural pigments, have been studied in relation to breast cancer risk and an inverse association was found with plasma concentrations: higher levels mean lower risk. The manipulation of primary and secondary human metabolomes derived especially from existing or transformed gut microbiota was explored as a possible alternative to single-agent dietary interventions for cancer and cardiovascular disease. Sustained oxidative stress leading to inflammation and thence to possibly to cancer and cardiovascular disease is described for spices and herbs, using curcumin as an example of an intervention, based on activation of transcription factors which suggest that oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and cancer are closely linked.

Antibacterial activity of combination of synthetic and biopolymer non-woven structures.

BACKGROUND: Fibrous structures and synthetic polymer blends offer potential usages in making biomedical devices, textiles used in medical practices, food packaging, tissue engineering, environmental applications and biomedical arena. These products are also excellent candidates for building scaffolds to grow stem cells for implantation, to make tissue engineering grafts, to make stents to open up blood vessels caused by atherosclerosis or narrowed by blood clots, for drug delivery systems for micro- to nano-medicines, for transdermal patches, and for healing of wounds and burn care. The current study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of woven and non-woven forms of nano- and macro-scale blended polymers having biocompatible and biodegradable characteristics. METHODS: The antimicrobial activity of non-woven fibrous structures created with the combination of synthetic and biopolymer was assessed using Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes using pour plate method. Structural evaluation of the fabricated samples was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. RESULTS: Broad spectrum antibacterial activities were found from the tested materials consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with chitosan and nylon-6 combined with chitosan and formic acid. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of PVA with chitosan was more bactericidal or bacteriostatic than that of nylon-6 combined with chitosan and formic acid. PVA combination with chitosan appears to be a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent.

Bovine colostrum: an emerging nutraceutical.

Nutraceutical, a term combining the words "nutrition" and "pharmaceuticals", is a food or food product that provides health benefits as an adjuvant or alternative therapy, including the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases in children and adults. There is emerging evidence that bovine colostrum (BC) may be one of the promising nutraceuticals which can prevent or mitigate various diseases in newborns and adults. Immunity-related disorders are one of the leading causes of mortality in the world. BC is rich in immunity, growth and antimicrobial factors, which promote tissue growth and the maturation of digestive tract and immune function in neonatal animals and humans. The immunoglobulins and lactoferrin present in colostrum are known to build natural immunity in newborns which helps to reduce the mortality rate in this population. Also, the side-effect profile of colostrum proteins and possible lactose intolerance is relatively less in comparison with milk. In general, BC is considered safe and well tolerated. Since colostrum has several important nutritional constituents, well-designed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with colostrum products should be conducted to widen its therapeutic use. The objectives of this review are to create awareness about the nutraceutical properties of colostrum and to discuss the various ongoing alternative treatments of colostrum and its active ingredients as well as to address colostrum's future nutraceutical and therapeutic implications in humans.

Evaluation of the antidepressant activity of Moringa oleifera alone and in combination with fluoxetine.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of mental depression has increased in recent years, and has become a serious health problem in most countries of the world, including India. Due to the high cost of antidepressant synthetic drugs and their accompanying side effects, the discovery of safer antidepressant herbal remedies is on the rise. Moringa oleifera (MO) (drumstick) has been used in traditional folk medicine, and in Ayurveda, it is considered as a valuable remedy for treating nervous system disorders as well as memory enhancing agent. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to evaluate the acute and chronic behavioral and antidepressant effects of alcoholic extracts of MO leaves in standardized mouse models of depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Alcoholic extracts of MO (MOE) leaves were prepared, and phytoconstituents were determined using appropriate chemical analytical methods. Following preliminary dose-finding toxicity studies, the biological activity of MOE was tested in Swiss albino mice. Animals were divided into six groups: Groups 1 and 2 served as vehicle control and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) standard control, respectively. Groups 3 and 4 served as treatment groups and were orally administered ethanolic MOE at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Groups 5 and 6, respectively, received combination doses of MOE 100 mg/kg + 10 mg fluoxetine, and MOE 200 mg/kg + 10 mg/kg fluoxetine. Following acute and 14 days chronic treatments, all animals were tested using behavioral models of depression, such as forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and locomotor activity test (LAT). RESULTS: Significant changes in all tested activities (FST, TST, LAT) of chronically dosed mice were observed, especially in animals given simultaneously combined doses of 200 mg/kg/day MOE + 10 mg/kg/day fluoxetine for 14 days. The antidepressant effect of MOE may have been invoked through the noradrenergic-serotonergic neurotransmission pathway, which is the hallmark of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) class of drugs. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study suggest that combined administration of MOE with low doses of fluoxetine or other SSRI drugs seems to have promising potential.

Prevention of cardiovascular diseases: Role of exercise, dietary interventions, obesity and smoking cessation.

Hypertension, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, arrhythmias and valvular heart disease, coagulopathies and stroke, collectively known as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), contribute greatly to the mortality, morbidity and economic burden of illness in Canada and in other countries. It has been estimated that over four million Canadians have high blood pressure, a comorbid condition that doubles or triples the risk of CVD. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, CVDs caused 36% of deaths in 2001 and were responsible for 18% of the total hospital costs in Canada. The majority of Canadians exhibit at least one CVD-related risk factor, such as tobacco smoking, physical inactivity, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, a lack of daily fruit and vegetable consumption, and psychosocial factors, making these people more prone to developing a serious CVD-related illness in the future. It is therefore important that CVD-related causes and concerns be addressed. Given the scope and prevalence of CVDs, it is obvious that a population health approach - 'prevention is better than cure' - would be the most appropriate model to adopt to deal with this ubiquitous health problem and to reduce the costs of hospitalization, long-term medication and rehabilitation. The focus of the present review is to evaluate and compare the results of epidemiological, experimental and clinical studies, reporting on the influence of physical activity, dietary intervention, obesity and cigarette smoking on cardiovascular health and the prevention of CVDs. The prophylactic measures must be dealt with collectively because there is overwhelming evidence that the occurrence of CVDs can be reduced by approximately 80% by making lifestyle modifications. The preventive strategies against CVDs must be targeted at a primary health promotion level before some of the important underlying causes of CVD seriously afflict a person or a population at large. Such preventive approaches would help in reducing not only employee absenteeism but also the hospital and drug costs burdening the health care systems of both developed and developing countries.