Alliaceae versus Brassicaceae for Dyslipidemia: State of the Art and Future Perspectives. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Studies.

Dyslipidemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Preclinical studies have shown that organosulfur compounds from the Alliaceae and Brassicaceae plants, such as garlic (Allium sativum L.) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.), have potential lipid-lowering effects. However, their clinical efficacy is controversial, especially in "drug-free" patients. The aim of this work was to summarize evidence on the lipid-lowering properties of extracts containing organosulfur compounds in patients with dyslipidemia. Studies were searched in four databases (Medline, Scopus, Embase, and CENTRAL), from inception to October 11, 2023.Controlled clinical studies on patients with dyslipidemia receiving Alliaceae or Brassicaceae were included. The outcome was the change in lipid parameters from baseline. Random-effect meta-analysis of the extracted data was performed using R software. The effect size was expressed as mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The certainty of evidence was assessed with the GRADE approach. Out of 28 studies that were reviewed, 22 were included in the meta-analysis (publication period: 1981-2022). Results showed that Alliaceae extracts significantly reduce total cholesterol [MD: -15.2 mg/dL; 95% CI: -21.3; -9.1] and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels [MD: -12.0 mg/dL; 95% CI: -18.1; -5.7], although with low certainty of evidence. Conversely, the lipid-lowering properties of Brassicaceae extracts are still unexplored. Our results support the use of Alliaceae extracts in patients with hypercholesterolemia, but future high-quality studies are needed. Our work suggests further exploration of the efficacy of Brassicaceae extracts, which may have high nutraceutical/phytotherapeutic potential, opening new perspectives in the management of dyslipidemia.

Impact of thermal processing on polyphenols, carotenoids, glucosinolates, and ascorbic acid in fruit and vegetables and their cardiovascular benefits.

Bioactive compounds in fruit and vegetables have a positive impact on human health by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular (CV) diseases, and metabolic disorders. However, some fruit and vegetables must be heated before consumption and thermal processes can modify the amount of nutraceuticals, that is, polyphenols, carotenoids, glucosinolates, and ascorbic acid, that can increase or decrease in relation to different factors such as type of processing, temperature, and time but also the plant part (e.g., flower, leaf, tuber, and root) utilized as food. Another important aspect is related to the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of nutraceuticals. Indeed, the key stage of nutraceutical bioefficiency is oral bioavailability, which involves the release of nutraceuticals from fruit and vegetables in gastrointestinal fluids, the solubilization of nutraceuticals and their interaction with other components of gastrointestinal fluids, the absorption of nutraceuticals by the epithelial layer, and the chemical and biochemical transformations into epithelial cells. Several studies have shown that thermal processing can enhance the absorption of nutraceuticals from fruit and vegetable. Once absorbed, they reach the blood vessels and promote multiple biological effects (e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, vasoprotective, and cardioprotective). In this review, we described the impact of different thermal processes (such as boiling, steaming and superheated steaming, blanching, and microwaving) on the retention/degradation of bioactive compounds and their health-promoting effects after the intake. We then summarized the impact of heating on the absorption of nutraceuticals and the biological effects promoted by natural compounds in the CV system to provide a comprehensive overview of the potential impact of thermal processing on the CV benefits of fruit and vegetables.

Non-Pharmacological Treatments in Lewy Body Disease: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Lewy body disease (LBD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in patients older than 65 years. LBD is characterized by heterogeneous symptoms like fluctuation in attention, visual hallucinations, Parkinsonism, and REM sleep behaviour disorders. Considering the relevant social impact of the disease, identifying effective non-pharmacological treatments is becoming a priority. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an up-to-date literature review of the most effective non-pharmacological treatments in patients with LBD, focussing on evidence-based interventions. METHODS: Following PRISMA criteria, we carried out a systematic search through three databases (PubMed, Cochrane Libraries, and PEDro) including physical therapy (PT), cognitive rehabilitation (CR), light therapy (LT), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), deep brain stimulation (DBS). All studies were qualitatively assessed using standardized tools (CARE and EPHPP). RESULTS: We obtained a total of 1,220 studies of which 23 original articles met eligibility criteria for inclusion. The total number of LBD patients included was 231; mean age was 69.98, predominantly men (68%). Some PT studies highlighted improvements in motor deficits. CR produced significant improvements in mood, cognition, and patient's quality of life and satisfaction. LT outlined a partial trend of improvements in mood and sleep quality. DBS, ECT, and TMS showed some partial improvements mainly on neuropsychiatric symptoms, whereas tDCS provided partial improvements in attention. CONCLUSION: This review highlights the efficacy of some evidence-based rehabilitation studies in LBD; however, further randomized controlled trials with larger samples are needed to provide definitive recommendations.

Unveiling the shade nature of cyanic leaves: A view from the "blue absorbing side" of anthocyanins.

Anthocyanins have long been suggested as having great potential in offering photoprotection to plants facing high light irradiance. Nonetheless, their effective ability in protecting the photosynthetic apparatus from supernumerary photons has been questioned by some authors, based upon the inexact belief that anthocyanins almost exclusively absorb green photons, which are poorly absorbed by chlorophylls. Here we focus on the blue light absorbing features of anthocyanins, a neglected issue in anthocyanin research. Anthocyanins effectively absorb blue photons: the absorbance of blue relative to green photons increases from tri- to mono-hydroxy B-ring substituted structures, reaching up to 50% of green photons absorption. We offer a comprehensive picture of the molecular events activated by low blue-light availability, extending our previous analysis in purple and green basil, which we suggest to be responsible for the "shade syndrome" displayed by cyanic leaves. While purple leaves display overexpression of genes promoting chlorophyll biosynthesis and light harvesting, in green leaves it is the genes involved in the stability/repair of photosystems that are largely overexpressed. As a corollary, this adds further support to the view of an effective photoprotective role of anthocyanins. We discuss the profound morpho-anatomical adjustments imposed by the epidermal anthocyanin shield, which reflect adjustments in light harvesting capacity under imposed shade and make complex the analysis of the photosynthetic performance of cyanic versus acyanic leaves.

Photoprotective Role of Photosynthetic and Non-Photosynthetic Pigments in Phillyrea latifolia: Is Their "Antioxidant" Function Prominent in Leaves Exposed to Severe Summer Drought?

Carotenoids and phenylpropanoids play a dual role of limiting and countering photooxidative stress. We hypothesize that their "antioxidant" function is prominent in plants exposed to summer drought, when climatic conditions exacerbate the light stress. To test this, we conducted a field study on Phillyrea latifolia, a Mediterranean evergreen shrub, carrying out daily physiological and biochemical analyses in spring and summer. We also investigated the functional role of the major phenylpropanoids in different leaf tissues. Summer leaves underwent the most severe drought stress concomitantly with a reduction in radiation use efficiency upon being exposed to intense photooxidative stress, particularly during the central hours of the day. In parallel, a significant daily variation in both carotenoids and phenylpropanoids was observed. Our data suggest that the morning-to-midday increase in zeaxanthin derived from the hydroxylation of ß-carotene to sustain non-photochemical quenching and limit lipid peroxidation in thylakoid membranes. We observed substantial spring-to-summer and morning-to-midday increases in quercetin and luteolin derivatives, mostly in the leaf mesophyll. These findings highlight their importance as antioxidants, countering the drought-induced photooxidative stress. We concluded that seasonal and daily changes in photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic pigments may allow P. latifolia leaves to avoid irreversible photodamage and to cope successfully with the Mediterranean harsh climate.

"Help is in the air": volatiles from salt-stressed plants increase the reproductive success of receivers under salinity.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Salinity alters VOC profile in emitter sweet basil plants. Airborne signals by emitter plants promote earlier flowering of receivers and increase their reproductive success under salinity. Airborne signals can prime neighboring plants against pathogen and/or herbivore attacks, whilst little is known about the possibility that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by stressed plants alert neighboring plants against abiotic stressors. Salt stress (50 mM NaCl) was imposed on Ocimum basilicum L. plants (emitters, namely NaCl), and a putative alerting-priming interaction was tested on neighboring basil plants (receivers, namely NaCl-S). Compared with the receivers, the NaCl plants exhibited reduced biomass, lower photosynthesis, and changes in the VOC profile, which are common early responses of plants to salinity. In contrast, NaCl-S plants had physiological parameters similar to those of nonsalted plants (C), but exhibited a different VOC fingerprint, which overlapped, for most compounds, with that of emitters. NaCl-S plants exposed later to NaCl treatment (namely NaCl-S + NaCl) exhibited changes in the VOC profile, earlier plant senescence, earlier flowering, and higher seed yield than C + NaCl plants. This experiment offers the evidence that (1) NaCl-triggered VOCs promote metabolic changes in NaCl-S plants, which, finally, increase reproductive success and (2) the differences in VOC profiles observed between emitters and receivers subjected to salinity raise the question whether the receivers are able to "propagate" the warning signal triggered by VOCs in neighboring companions.

Discerning between Two Tuscany (Italy) Ancient Apple cultivars, 'Rotella' and 'Casciana', through Polyphenolic Fingerprint and Molecular Markers.

Ancient apple cultivars usually have higher nutraceutical value than commercial ones, but in most cases their variability in pomological traits does not allow us to discriminate among them. Fruit of two Tuscany ancient apple cultivars, 'Casciana' and 'Rotella', picked from eight different orchards (four for each cultivar) were analyzed for their pomological traits, organoleptic qualities, polyphenolic profile and antiradical activity. The effectiveness of a polyphenol-based cluster analysis was compared to molecular markers (internal transcribed spacers, ITS1 and ITS2) to unequivocally discern the two apples. 'Casciana' and 'Rotella' fruit had a higher nutraceutical value than some commercial cultivars, in terms of phenolic abundance, profile and total antiradical activity. Although pedo-climatic conditions of different orchards influenced the phenolic profile of both apples, the polyphenolic discriminant analysis clearly separated the two cultivars, principally due to higher amounts of procyanidin B2, procyanidin B3 and p-coumaroylquinic acid in 'Casciana' than in 'Rotella' fruit. These three polyphenols can be used proficiently as biochemical markers for distinguishing the two apples when pomological traits cannot. Conversely, ITS1 and ITS2 polymorphism did not allow us to distinguish 'Casciana' from 'Rotella' fruit. Overall, the use of polyphenolic fingerprint might represent a valid tool to ensure the traceability of products with a high economic value.

How Quercus ilex L. saplings face combined salt and ozone stress: a transcriptome analysis.

BACKGROUND: Similar to other urban trees, holm oaks (Quercus ilex L.) provide a physiological, ecological and social service in the urban environment, since they remove atmospheric pollution. However, the urban environment has several abiotic factors that negatively influence plant life, which are further exacerbated due to climate change, especially in the Mediterranean area. Among these abiotic factors, increased uptake of Na + and Cl - usually occurs in trees in the urban ecosystem; moreover, an excess of the tropospheric ozone concentration in Mediterranean cities further affects plant growth and survival. Here, we produced and annotated a de novo leaf transcriptome of Q. ilex as well as transcripts over- or under-expressed after a single episode of O3 (80 nl l-1, 5 h), a salt treatment (150 mM for 15 days) or a combination of these treatments, mimicking a situation that plants commonly face, especially in urban environments. RESULTS: Salinity dramatically changed the profile of expressed transcripts, while the short O3 pulse had less effect on the transcript profile. However, the short O3 pulse had a very strong effect in inducing over- or under-expression of some genes in plants coping with soil salinity. Many differentially regulated genes were related to stress sensing and signalling, cell wall remodelling, ROS sensing and scavenging, photosynthesis and to sugar and lipid metabolism. Most differentially expressed transcripts revealed here are in accordance with a previous report on Q. ilex at the physiological and biochemical levels, even though the expression profiles were overall more striking than those found at the biochemical and physiological levels. CONCLUSIONS: We produced for the first time a reference transcriptome for Q. ilex, and performed gene expression analysis for this species when subjected to salt, ozone and a combination of the two. The comparison of gene expression between the combined salt + ozone treatment and salt or ozone alone showed that even though many differentially expressed genes overlap all treatments, combined stress triggered a unique response in terms of gene expression modification. The obtained results represent a useful tool for studies aiming to investigate the effects of environmental stresses in urban-adapted tree species.

Mediterranean Wild Edible Plants: Weeds or "New Functional Crops"?

The Mediterranean basin is a biodiversity hotspot of wild edible species, and their therapeutic and culinary uses have long been documented. Owing to the growing demand for wild edible species, there are increasing concerns about the safety, standardization, quality, and availability of products derived from these species collected in the wild. An efficient cultivation method for the species having promising nutraceutical values is highly desirable. In this backdrop, a hydroponic system could be considered as a reproducible and efficient agronomic practice to maximize yield, and also to selectively stimulate the biosynthesis of targeted metabolites. The aim of this report is to review the phytochemical and toxic compounds of some potentially interesting Mediterranean wild edible species. Herein, after a deep analysis of the literature, information on the main bioactive compounds, and some possibly toxic molecules, from fifteen wild edible species have been compiled. The traditional recipes prepared with these species are also listed. In addition, preliminary data about the performance of some selected species are also reported. In particular, germination tests performed on six selected species revealed that there are differences among the species, but not with crop species. "Domestication" of wild species seems a promising approach for exploiting these "new functional foods".

Frequently asked questions about chlorophyll fluorescence, the sequel.

Using chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence many aspects of the photosynthetic apparatus can be studied, both in vitro and, noninvasively, in vivo. Complementary techniques can help to interpret changes in the Chl a fluorescence kinetics. Kalaji et al. (Photosynth Res 122:121-158, 2014a) addressed several questions about instruments, methods and applications based on Chl a fluorescence. Here, additional Chl a fluorescence-related topics are discussed again in a question and answer format. Examples are the effect of connectivity on photochemical quenching, the correction of F V /F M values for PSI fluorescence, the energy partitioning concept, the interpretation of the complementary area, probing the donor side of PSII, the assignment of bands of 77 K fluorescence emission spectra to fluorescence emitters, the relationship between prompt and delayed fluorescence, potential problems when sampling tree canopies, the use of fluorescence parameters in QTL studies, the use of Chl a fluorescence in biosensor applications and the application of neural network approaches for the analysis of fluorescence measurements. The answers draw on knowledge from different Chl a fluorescence analysis domains, yielding in several cases new insights.