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Special Issue "Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods"

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A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2017)

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Special Issue Editor

Advisory Board Member

Prof. Dr. Luis Vitetta

Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School – Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney
Website | E-Mail
Phone: +61 2 8094 1939
Interests: probiotics/human microbiome and pro-oxidant signalling systems; nutraceuticals/nutrition; clinical trials/epidemiology; integrative medicine and a multidisciplinary approach to clinical medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

For decades the scientific literature has demonstrated and posited the beneficial effects of functional foods, and their components. Epidemiology holds the key to aetiology and, as such, the epidemiological both from in vivo and in vitro studies and clinical evidence data indicate that functional foods/plant-based diets can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Functional foods comprise an array of compounds designated as phytochemicals, micronutrients in food and from animal sources, microbes (probiotics) and their metabolic by-products directly or indirectly maintaining homeostasis by influencing the body’s physiological system. This activity encompasses immune-neuro-endocrine networks that help maintain optimum health and end-organ functionality (e.g., liver, skeletal muscle function, brain) that currently places the intestines at the centre of this co-ordinated activity.

Prof. Dr. Luis Vitetta
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Marine Drugs is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Functional Foods
Phytochemicals
Probiotics
Prebiotics
Metabolites

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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Open AccessArticle Antibacterial and Antioxidant Capacities and Attenuation of Lipid Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes by Low-Molecular-Weight Fucoidans Prepared from Compressional-Puffing-Pretreated Sargassum Crassifolium

by Chun-Yung Huang, Chia-Hung Kuo and Chia-Hsin Lee

Mar. Drugs 2018, 16(1), 24; doi:10.3390/md16010024

Received: 21 November 2017 / Revised: 20 December 2017 / Accepted: 4 January 2018 / Published: 11 January 2018

Cited by 1 | PDF Full-text (3919 KB) | HTML Full-text | XML Full-text

Abstract

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In this study, we extracted fucoidan from compressional-puffing-pretreated Sargassum crassifolium by hot water. The crude extract of fucoidan (SC) was degraded by various degradation reagents and four low-molecular-weight (LMW) fucoidans, namely SCO (degradation by hydrogen peroxide), SCA (degradation by ascorbic acid), SCOA (degradation by hydrogen peroxide + ascorbic acid), and SCH (degradation by hydrogen chloride) were obtained. The degradation reagents studied could effectively degrade fucoidan into LMW fucoidans, as revealed by intrinsic viscosity, agarose gel electrophoresis, and molecular weight analyses. These LMW fucoidans had higher uronic acid content and sulfate content than those of SC. It was found that SCOA exhibited antibacterial activity. All LMW fucoidans showed antioxidant activities as revealed by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt), and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) methods. Biological experiments showed that SC and SCOA had relatively high activity for the reversal of H₂O₂-induced cell death in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and SCOA showed the highest effect on attenuation of lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Therefore, for the LMW fucoidans tested, SCOA showed antibacterial activity and had a high fucose content, high sulfate content, high activity for the reversal of H₂O₂-induced cell death, and a marked effect on attenuation of lipid accumulation. It can thus be recommended as a natural and safe antibacterial and anti-adipogenic agent for food, cosmetic, and nutraceutical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods)

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Open AccessArticle Effect of Low Molecular Weight Oligopeptides Isolated from Sea Cucumber on Diabetic Wound Healing in db/db Mice

by Di Li, Lin Li, Teng Xu, Tianxing Wang, Jinwei Ren, Xinran Liu and Yong Li

Mar. Drugs 2018, 16(1), 16; doi:10.3390/md16010016

Received: 20 October 2017 / Revised: 28 December 2017 / Accepted: 28 December 2017 / Published: 8 January 2018

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Impaired wound healing is a major clinical problem in patients with diabetes and is the leading cause of lower limb amputation. This study is aimed to observe the effects of small molecule oligopeptides isolated from sea cucumber (SCCOPs) on the wound healing process in diabetic mice. Ninety db/db male mice were divided into five groups, including the model control group, whey protein group (0.50 g/kg) and three SCCOPs dose groups (0.25 g/kg, 0.50 g/kg and 1.00 g/kg). Additionally, 18 db/m male mice were used as normal control group. After full-thickness incisions on the dorsum, mice in SCCOPs-treated groups were intragastrically administered SCCOPs, while others were administered vehicle or whey protein. Mice were sacrificed on days 4, 7 and 14. The wound healing condition, inflammatory response, angiogenesis, collagen deposition, oxidative stress and nutritional status were evaluated. A pathological report showed increased vascularisation, collagen deposition and epithelialisation in SCCOPs-treated groups. SCCOPs-treated mice showed decreased C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents, and increased IL-10, stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha (SDF-1α), nitric oxide (NO), albumin (ALB), prealbumin (PA) and transferrin (TRF) levels and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. All parameters were significant (p < 0.05) in comparison to model control group. These results suggest that treatment with SCCOPs can promote significant wound healing in diabetic mice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods)

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Open AccessArticle An Insight into Sargassum muticum Cytoprotective Mechanisms against Oxidative Stress on a Human Cell In Vitro Model

by Susete Pinteus, Marco F. L. Lemos, Joana Silva, Celso Alves, Agnieszka Neugebauer, Rafaela Freitas, Adriana Duarte and Rui Pedrosa

Mar. Drugs 2017, 15(11), 353; doi:10.3390/md15110353

Received: 10 May 2017 / Revised: 17 October 2017 / Accepted: 4 November 2017 / Published: 10 November 2017

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Sargassum muticum is a brown seaweed with strong potential to be used as a functional food ingredient, mainly due to its antioxidant properties. It is widely used in traditional oriental medicine for the treatment of numerous diseases. Nevertheless, few studies have been conducted to add scientific evidence on its effects as well as on the mechanisms of action involved. In this work, the human cell line MCF-7 was used as an in vitro cellular model to evaluate the capability of Sargassum muticum enriched fractions to protect cells on an oxidative stress condition. The concentration of the bioactive compounds was obtained by vacuum liquid chromatography applied on methanol (M) and 1:1 methanol:dichloromethane (MD) crude extracts, resulting in seven enriched fractions from the M extraction (MF2–MF8), and eight fractions from the MD extraction (MDF1–MDF8). All fractions were tested for cytotoxic properties on MCF-7 cells and the nontoxic ones were tested for their capacity to blunt the damaging effects of hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. The nontoxic effects were also confirmed in 3T3 fibroblast cells as a nontumor cell line. The antioxidant potential of each fraction, as well as changes in the cell’s real-time hydrogen peroxide production, in the mitochondrial membrane potential, and in Caspase-9 activity were evaluated. The results suggest that the protective effects evidenced by S. muticum can be related with the inhibition of hydrogen peroxide production and the inhibition of Caspase-9 activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods)

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Open AccessArticle Brown Algae Padina sanctae-crucis Børgesen: A Potential Nutraceutical

by Raquel B. S. S. Nogueira, Anna Cláudia A. Tomaz, Déborah R. Pessoa, Aline L. Xavier, João Carlos L. R. Pita, Marianna V. Sobral, Marcela L. C. Pontes, Hilzeth L. F. Pessôa, Margareth F. F. M. Diniz, George Emmanuel C. Miranda, Maria Aparecida R. Vieira, Marcia O. M. Marques, Maria de Fátima V. Souza and Emídio V. L. Cunha

Mar. Drugs 2017, 15(10), 251; doi:10.3390/md15100251

Received: 1 July 2017 / Revised: 24 July 2017 / Accepted: 7 August 2017 / Published: 26 September 2017

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Padina sanctae-crucis Børgesen is distributed worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas; belongs to the Dictyotaceae family, and has proven to be an exceptional source of biologically active compounds. Four compounds were isolated and identified, namely: dolastane diterpene new for the genus Padina; phaeophytin and hidroxy-phaeophytin new for the family Dictyotaceae, and; mannitol first described in this species. Saturated fatty acids as compared to the percentages of unsaturated fatty acids were shown to be present in greater abundance. Palmitic and linolenic acid were the main saturated and unsaturated acids, respectively. Cytotoxic and antioxidant activities were evaluated using human erythrocytes. In vivo evaluations of acute toxicity and genotoxicity were performed in mice. Methanolic extract of P. sanctae-crucis presented antioxidant activity and did not induce cytotoxicity, genotoxicity or acute toxicity. Since Padina sanctae-crucis is already used as food, has essential fatty acids for the nutrition of mammals, does not present toxicity and has antioxidant activity, it can be considered as a potential nutraceutical. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods)

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Open AccessArticle Compositional Characteristics and In Vitro Evaluations of Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Properties of Crude Extracts of Fucoidan Prepared from Compressional Puffing-Pretreated Sargassum crassifolium

by Wen-Ning Yang, Po-Wei Chen and Chun-Yung Huang

Mar. Drugs 2017, 15(6), 183; doi:10.3390/md15060183

Received: 13 May 2017 / Revised: 4 June 2017 / Accepted: 14 June 2017 / Published: 18 June 2017

Cited by 7 | PDF Full-text (3658 KB) | HTML Full-text | XML Full-text

Abstract

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Fucoidan, a fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharide with diverse biological functions, is mainly recovered from brown algae. In this study, we utilized a compressional-puffing process (CPP) to pretreat Sargassum crassifolium (SC) and extracted fucoidans from SC by warm water. Three fucoidan extracts (SC1: puffing at 0 kg/cm²; SC2: puffing at 1.7 kg/cm²; and SC3: puffing at 6.3 kg/cm²) were obtained, and their composition, and antioxidant and neuroprotective activities were examined. The results suggest that CPP decreased the bulk density of algal samples, expanded the algal cellular structures, and eliminated the unpleasant algal odor. The extraction yields of fucoidans were increased and impurities of fucoidans were decreased by increasing the pressures used in CPP. The SC1–SC3 extracts displayed various characteristics of fucoidan as illustrated by the analyses of composition, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and molecular weight. All three extracts SC1–SC3 showed antioxidant activity dose-dependently. Although both SC1 and SC2 possessed high and similar neuronal protective properties, SC2 showed a higher extraction yield, higher efficacy in the reversion of H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity in rat pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells, and lower impurities compared with SC1, and thus SC2 is suggested as a good candidate for a therapeutic agent in the preventive treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods)

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Review

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Open AccessFeature PaperReview Perna canaliculus and the Intestinal Microbiome

by Emma Tali Saltzman, Michael Thomsen, Sean Hall and Luis Vitetta

Mar. Drugs 2017, 15(7), 207; doi:10.3390/md15070207

Received: 1 June 2017 / Revised: 21 June 2017 / Accepted: 26 June 2017 / Published: 30 June 2017

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Abstract

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Natural medicines are often an attractive option for patients diagnosed with chronic conditions. Three main classes of bioactives that have been reported from marine mussel extracts include proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. Commercially, the most relevant species of marine mollusks belong to two genera, Perna and Mytilus. Specifically, the Perna canaliculus species has been repeatedly demonstrated to harbor anti-inflammatory compounds such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) that can ameliorate pro-inflammatory conditions, or proteins that can promote thrombin inhibitory activity. Recent clinical studies have posited that extracts from green-lipped mussels may lead to prebiotic activity in the intestinal microbiome that in turn has been reported to improve symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee. Prebiotics have been reported to favorably interact with the intestinal microbiome through the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the gut, suppressing exogenous and endogenous intestinal infections and promoting homeostasis by balancing local pro- and anti-inflammatory actions. Bioactive compounds from Perna canaliculus are functional foods and, in this regard, may positively interact with the intestinal microbiome and provide novel therapeutic solutions for intra-intestinal and extra-intestinal inflammatory conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods)

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