Nicotinamide Riboside, a Promising Vitamin B3 Derivative for Healthy Aging and Longevity: Current Research and Perspectives.

Many studies have suggested that the oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is involved in an extensive spectrum of human pathologies, including neurodegenerative disorders, cardiomyopathy, obesity, and diabetes. Further, healthy aging and longevity appear to be closely related to NAD+ and its related metabolites, including nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). As a dietary supplement, NR appears to be well tolerated, having better pharmacodynamics and greater potency. Unfortunately, NR is a reactive molecule, often unstable during its manufacturing, transport, and storage. Recently, work related to prebiotic chemistry discovered that NR borate is considerably more stable than NR itself. However, immediately upon consumption, the borate dissociates from the NR borate and is lost in the body through dilution and binding to other species, notably carbohydrates such as fructose and glucose. The NR left behind is expected to behave pharmacologically in ways identical to NR itself. This review provides a comprehensive summary (through Q1 of 2023) of the literature that makes the case for the consumption of NR as a dietary supplement. It then summarizes the challenges of delivering quality NR to consumers using standard synthesis, manufacture, shipping, and storage approaches. It concludes by outlining the advantages of NR borate in these processes.

Zinc-Boron Complex-Based Dietary Supplements for Longevity and Healthy Life.

The nutritional role of zinc (Zn) and boron (B) in the plant-animal-human food chain is highly topical worldwide research. Our data indicated that Zn-B complex (ZBC)-based dietary supplements can be used as stable non-toxic formulations, with high intestinal absorption rate, inducing alpha2-macroglobulin (A2M) expression for longevity and healthy life. ZBC is metabolized by hydrolysis, mainly at the absorption site (intestinal level), and most of it is excreted in the urine. Within seven hours from the administration in mice, almost the entire amount of orally absorbed ZBC is eliminated in a metabolized form. The highest amount of A2M protein in mouse liver was determined by immunoabsorbance assay in the chronic experiment (1000mg/kg of ZBC), followed by the subchronic experiment (at the same dose of ZBC), and by the acute experiment (5000mg/kg of ZBC).

Zinc-Boron-PLGA biocomposite material: preparation, structural characterization, and in vitro assessment.

Nowadays, the state-of-the-art discoveries in the field of delivery systems for therapeutic purposes have redefined the importance of biocompatible and biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanocomposites. The study aimed to obtain a biocomposite material, with improved properties of its constituents [zinc-boron (Zn-B) complex and PLGA], by a simple, cost-effective method. The water∕oil∕water double emulsion technique allowed the adjustment of the synthesis parameters, to maximize the degree of Zn-B complex encapsulation. The morphological aspects of the samples were established by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Particle size distribution was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Morphology was typical for PLGA, spherical one. Depending on the synthesis conditions, the obtained particles have diameters between 10-450 nm. Zeta potential (ZP) showed that the particles have electronegative surface charge, offering a favorable perspective on aggregation, flocculation, and dispersion phenomena. It was observed, applying the design of experiments, that the particles size increased with increasing amounts of PLGA and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), while ZP increased with higher PLGA and smaller PVA amounts in the formulation. The encapsulation efficiency was determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography∕mass spectrometry (UHPLC∕MS). The in vitro assessment was performed using Vero CCL-81 epithelial cell line and the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Zn-B-PLGA biocomposite has promising characteristics and can be used for future biomedical applications.

Biocompatibility Studies on a Collagen-Hydroxyapatite Biomaterial.

The current treatment of osteomyelitis includes systemic antibiotic therapy and a debridement procedure of the formed biofilm and necrotic tissue. Moreover, cements and three-dimensional scaffolds are used both for the delivery of therapeutic agents and as fillers for bone defects. The aim of our research was to test, on cellular cultures, the biocompatibility of a previously synthesized microporous biocomposite containing hydroxyapatite and a collagen matrix including a therapeutic agent (ciprofloxacin and gentamicin). The scaffold was obtained by direct mineralization namely co-precipitation of hydroxyapatite on a collagen matrix.

New Insights into Boron Essentiality in Humans and Animals.

Boron (B) is considered a prebiotic chemical element with a role in both the origin and evolution of life, as well as an essential micronutrient for some bacteria, plants, fungi, and algae. B has beneficial effects on the biological functions of humans and animals, such as reproduction, growth, calcium metabolism, bone formation, energy metabolism, immunity, and brain function. Naturally organic B (NOB) species may become promising novel prebiotic candidates. NOB-containing compounds have been shown to be essential for the symbiosis between organisms from different kingdoms. New insights into the key role of NOB species in the symbiosis between human/animal hosts and their microbiota will influence the use of natural B-based colon-targeting nutraceuticals. The mechanism of action (MoA) of NOB species is related to the B signaling molecule (autoinducer-2-borate (AI-2B)) as well as the fortification of the colonic mucus gel layer with NOB species from B-rich prebiotic diets. Both the microbiota and the colonic mucus gel layer can become NOB targets. This paper reviews the evidence supporting the essentiality of the NOB species in the symbiosis between the microbiota and the human/animal hosts, with the stated aim of highlighting the MoA and targets of these species.

Boron-containing compounds in Dentistry: a narrative review.

Research on the use of boron (B) in the field of oral health has gained momentum in recent years, with various studies on the possibilities of using various B-containing compounds (BCCs). A multitude of applications have been discovered, from cariostatic activity to anti-inflammatory and antifungal activity, paving the way for other new research directions. B is a microelement that is commonly found in the human diet, and present throughout the body, with the highest concentration in the structure of bones, teeth, and gastrointestinal mucus gel layer. Multiple studies have demonstrated that B plays some important roles, especially in bone development and recently has been proposed to have an essential role in the healthy symbiosis. In addition, B has also attracted the interest of researchers, as various studies used BCCs in conventional or modern biomaterials. In this review, we have brought together the information we have found about B updates in the dental field and analyzing its future perspectives and potential for further studies.

The Fructoborates: Part of a Family of Naturally Occurring Sugar-Borate Complexes-Biochemistry, Physiology, and Impact on Human Health: a Review.

Sugar-borates (SBs) are mono- or di-sugar-borate esters (SBEs) comprised of one or two monosaccharide molecules linked to a boron (B) atom. SBEs occur naturally in commonly consumed herbs, vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts and, other than greatly varying levels of B found in local drinking water, are the primary natural dietary sources of B-containing molecules in humans. To date, the most studied SBE is calcium fructoborate (CaFB). CaFB represents an important example of how organic B-containing molecules are significantly distinct from their inorganic counterparts. During these past two decades, CaFB has been researched for its physical and biochemical characteristics, safety, and clinical outcomes. Results of these researches are presented and discussed herein. CaFB has been characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), liquid chromatography-multistage accurate mass spectrometry (LC-MSn), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) in non-biological and biological specimens. Potential health benefits of CaFB have been clinically investigated in pilot and efficacy studies demonstrating (i) significant reductions in knee discomfort and improved flexibility within 7, 14, and 90 days and (ii) significant effect on blood levels of inflammatory, cardiovascular, and other biomarkers. These studies support the use of CaFB as a dietary supplement for the management of joint discomfort. CaFB is presented here in order to illustrate how physiological benefits are imparted by distinct organic boron-containing molecules rather than solely by the element B itself. Considering recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data reporting increases in age-related joint pain and an increasing elderly demographic, SBEs offer potential for safe, natural, and effective management of joint discomfort and improved mobility in human and animal health applications. Several of these studies may also open new opportunities for use of SBEs for health benefits beyond joint health.

Simultaneous Quantitation of Boric Acid and Calcium Fructoborate in Dietary Supplements by HPTLC-Densitometry.

The paper describes a new, simple, selective and precise high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for the simultaneous identification and quantitative determination of boric acid (BA) and calcium fructoborate (CFB) in bulk and tablet/capsule dosage forms of dietary supplements. HPTLC silica gel G 60 F254 precoated glass plates were used as the stationary phase. The mobile phase consisted of 2-propanol-water 8:2 (v/v). The two boron-based compounds were adequately separated with the Rf values of 0.83 ± 0.01 (BA) and 0.59 ± 0.01 (CFB).

Biological Evaluation of Two 1,4-Naphthoquinone Derivatives Against a Breast Human Adenocarcinoma Cell Line.

Two novel 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives containing salicylic acid and procaine moieties were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity in vitro. The antiproliferative effect was assayed against MDA-MB-231 cells, a human breast adenocarcinoma cell line, using CellTiter-Glo® Luminescent Cell Viability Assay. Both compounds tested proved a growth inhibition effect on this cell line in a dose-dependent manner. Our results showed that the compound with procaine effectively reduces breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells viability and proliferation at higher concentration while that with salicylic acid had an inhibitory effect at lower concentrations and might be tested as an anticancer agent.

Calcium Fructoborate for Bone and Cardiovascular Health.

Calcium fructoborate (CF), a natural sugar-borate ester found in fresh fruits and vegetables, is a source of soluble boron. CF contains three forms of borate (diester, monoester, and boric acid) and all are biologically active, both at the intracellular (as free boric acid) and extracellular level (as fructose-borate diester and monoester). At the cellular and molecular level, CF is superior to the boric acid/borate, exhibiting a complex "protective" effect against inflammatory response. CF is commercially available in the USA as a "nature-identical" complex, an active compound for dietary supplements. It provides effective and safe support against the discomfort and lack of flexibility associated with osteoarticular conditions (arthritis and joint degeneration), and improves Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) and McGill indexes. In addition, orally administered CF is effective in ameliorating symptoms of physiological response to stress, including inflammation of the mucous membranes, discomfort associated with osteoarthritis disorders, and bone loss, and also for supporting cardiovascular health. Clinical studies have exhibited the ability of CF to significantly modulate molecular markers associated with inflammatory mechanisms, mainly on the elevated serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP).