Nutraceuticals, Volume 6, Issue 1 (March 2026) – 10 articles

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of reactive extrusion (thermomechanical and chemical process) on the chemical composition, techno-functional properties, glucose and cholesterol adsorption capacity, and bioactive compound profile of spent coffee grounds (SCG). SCG was extruded using citric acid or alkaline hydrogen peroxide as reagents, and a control sample was extruded without reagents. Treatment with citric acid resulted in the highest levels of total dietary fiber (79.6 g/100 g) and insoluble fiber (76.2 g/100 g), especially cellulose, and significantly improved glucose (32.7 mmol/L) and cholesterol (4.5 mg/g) adsorption at neutral pH. Treatment with alkaline hydrogen peroxide increased water retention capacity (3.9 g/g). Although chemical treatments reduced total polyphenol and antioxidant activity, they effectively broke down the lignocellulosic matrix, thereby increasing fiber availability and functionality. Extrusion without reagents (processes induced by mechanical and thermal factors) favored the retention of caffeine and chlorogenic acids, increasing soluble fiber and maintaining antioxidant capacity. Therefore, reactive extrusion is a technological strategy that aligns with the principles of the circular economy, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to landfill disposal and adding value to spent coffee grounds by transforming lignocellulosic residue into functional ingredients with broad application potential. Full article

Morus alba L., a member of the Moraceae family, is known for its positive effects on human health, linked to the presence of different classes of secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, stilbenoids, and alkaloids, found in different parts of the plant. Stilbenoids, in particular, are mainly present at the root cortex level and, owing to their valuable activities, have attracted scientific interest in recent years. Since roots are a non-renewable source, in this study, M. alba in vitro callus cultures were established. The biomass with the appropriate growth and texture was selected for juice extraction, and the total phenol, flavonoid, and proanthocyanidin contents, along with the antioxidant activity, were estimated in the juices. The analyses throughout the callus growth cycle revealed the juice of 14-day-old calli to be the richest, resulting in the most active. In this juice, the LC-MS/MS-DAD analysis unveiled the presence of seventeen stilbenoids. Together with the data obtained by the nutritional analysis, the results showed that M. alba cell cultures have the potential to be utilised for producing innovative healthy food materials, bridging the gap between the ever-increasing natural-based-product demand and the need for more environmental, social, and economic development. Full article

Arachidonic acid (AA), an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, serves as a metabolic precursor for prostaglandins (PGs) such as PGE₂ and PGF_2α, which have been implicated in the regulation of skeletal muscle adaptations to resistance exercise. On this basis, AA supplementation has been proposed as a potential ergogenic aid in resistance training, under the hypothesis that increasing endogenous AA availability through supplementation may enhance PGs synthesis, thereby potentially influencing muscle remodeling and recovery process. However, AA remains a relatively underexplored candidate. This review aimed to summarize and critically evaluate the current evidence regarding the effects of AA supplementation in the context of resistance exercise. The limited available studies provide preliminary mechanistic observations suggesting that AA supplementation may be associated with changes in muscle strength and anaerobic performance and with modulation of the acute inflammatory response to exercise, without affecting chronic inflammation. Conversely, findings related to body composition and muscle hypertrophy remain inconsistent and a significant effect has not been consistently observed. Despite these preliminary insights, the current body of evidence is insufficient and heterogeneous, precluding the recommendation of routine clinical or practice-based use. Future well-designed, long-term investigations are warranted to clarify the efficacy, optimal dosage, and timing of AA supplementation, as well as its safety profile and potential applications across populations differing in age, sex, nutritional status, and training background. Full article

Fermented foods and prebiotics are increasingly studied for their potential therapeutic roles in metabolic disorders. In this study, 52 male Wistar rats maintained on a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFS) diet were supplemented for 8 weeks with either water kefir (providing approximately 10⁵ CFU per rat per day), olive leaf polyphenols (equivalent to 1.6 mg oleuropein daily), or a combination of both. Both interventions ameliorated HFS-diet induced weight gain, accompanied by reductions in subcutaneous and mesenteric fat, without additive effects when combined. Moreover, olive polyphenols decreased liver weight, suggesting a potential protective effect against hepatic steatosis through Fasn modulation. These metabolic improvements were accompanied by enhanced gut microbiota diversity. Together, these findings highlight water kefir and olive leaf polyphenols as potential dietary strategies for the management of obesity, hepatic steatosis, and dyslipidemia. Full article

Mixed dementia, most often caused by the coexistence of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia pathologies, presents unique preventive and therapeutic challenges that may be addressed through dietary and nutraceutical interventions. Current evidence demonstrates that diets emphasizing polyphenol-rich foods like olive oil, berries, and leafy greens exert neuroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and amyloid pathology while improving cerebrovascular function. Specific bioactive compounds, including resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate, N-acetylcysteine, and Huperzine A, among some others, have demonstrated therapeutic potential through their multimodal mechanisms targeting the pathogenic pathways of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, including Aβ and tau pathology, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neurovascular dysfunction. However, our limited appreciation of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of natural compounds and the inadequate extent of clinical studies underscore the need for further research. This review synthesizes current knowledge on diet and nutraceutical compounds that may be of value in the prevention and treatment of mixed Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. We focus on their molecular mechanisms of action relevant to the dual pathophysiological basis of mixed Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Full article

Nutraceuticals are food-based products that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition and play an increasingly important role in preventive healthcare. Ensuring their quality, safety, and efficacy is critical as the global market expands. A systematic literature search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed using keywords such as ‘nutraceuticals,’ functional foods,’ and ‘quality control,’ with studies selected based on their focus on methods for standardization, characterization, and quality assessment. This review summarizes current analytical approaches, including spectroscopic, chromatographic, and techniques for elemental analysis, highlighting their applications in compound identification, quantification, detection of adulterants, and overall quality control. Emerging challenges and future trends, such as the integration of chemometrics and real-time analytical strategies, are also discussed, providing a comprehensive perspective on the evolving field of nutraceutical analysis. Full article

The interrelationship between iron metabolism and vitamin D has attracted increasing attention; however, nutritional knowledge regarding the relationship between iron and vitamin D remains scarce. We hypothesized that a continuous increase in dietary vitamin D intake would enhance biological iron levels through the regulation of hepcidin, and we investigated whether dietary vitamin D levels alter iron dynamics and blood cell status. Twenty-five male Wistar rats aged 7 and 8 weeks were used in experiments 1 (14 days) and 2 (4 days), respectively. Rats were divided into control and vitamin D-supplemented diet groups (14C vs. 14A in Experiment 1; 4C vs. 4A in Experiment 2) and fed the experimental diet ad libitum. In Experiment 2, no significant differences were observed in serum and liver iron levels, total iron-binding capacity, and serum transferrin saturation between groups; however, hepcidin (HAMP) mRNA expression was lower in the 4A group. By contrast, the 14A group showed significantly higher serum and liver iron levels and higher HAMP mRNA expression than the 14C group. These results indicate that high-dose dietary vitamin D alters iron metabolism in rats, characterized by transient suppression of hepatic hepcidin expression and increased liver iron, suggesting modulation of iron regulatory pathways. Full article

Background: Oxidative stress is a key contributor to many chronic diseases. Natural biocompounds with antioxidant activity are of growing therapeutic interest. Brassica macrocarpa, a plant from the Brassicaceae family, has shown in vitro safety and antioxidant potential due to its rich content of glucosinolates and phenolics. However, in vivo, its effects remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo safety and biological effects of Brassica macrocarpa leaf extract in zebrafish embryos and to assess its potential to counteract copper sulphate (CuSO₄)-induced oxidative stress. Methods: Zebrafish embryos were exposed to Brassica macrocarpa extract at concentrations from 125 to 2000 µg/mL. Embryonic mortality and malformations were monitored daily to determine sub-lethal concentrations (125–500 µg/mL) for further behavioural and biochemical analysis. Antioxidant properties were tested in a CuSO₄-induced oxidative stress model. Results: No teratogenic effects were observed over 96 h. Larvae showed normal swimming and no behavioural changes. Pre-treatment with the extract significantly reduced CuSO₄-induced ROS and NO production, modulated antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT) activity, and lowered lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, slightly affecting DNA damage. Conclusions: Brassica macrocarpa extract in vivo appears safe at sub-lethal doses and shows promising antioxidant effects, suggesting its potential role in managing oxidative stress-related conditions. Full article

Curcumin is widely used for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but its poor oral bioavailability has driven the development of advanced formulations such as CAVACURMIN^®, a γ-cyclodextrin-based curcumin complex with enhanced absorption. Given recent regulatory scrutiny of high-bioavailability curcumin products, we evaluated the subacute oral safety of CAVACURMIN^® in Wistar rats. Animals received 2000 mg/kg/day (low dose) or 3500 mg/kg/day (high dose) for 28 days, with controls receiving vehicle or γ-cyclodextrin alone. No mortality or systemic toxicity occurred, except for one incidental death unrelated to treatment. Transient post-dosing signs (salivation, bedding displacement) were attributed to local sensory or irritant effects. Clinical chemistry showed modest, non-adverse variations—including decreased urea (up to −25% in males) and increased albumin (up to +9% in females)—that were not associated with pathological or clinical abnormalities. All other parameters, including body weight, food intake, haematology, organ weights (except for a small, non-adverse liver-weight increase in high-dose females), and gross pathology, were comparable to controls. These findings demonstrate that CAVACURMIN^® was well tolerated at doses up to 3500 mg/kg/day and provide a basis for subsequent OECD 408-compliant 90-day toxicity studies. Full article

Neurological and neurodegenerative diseases encompass a wide range of conditions affecting the central nervous system, leading to progressive dysfunction and damage. These diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and some cerebral organic acidurias, often result in debilitating symptoms impacting motor control, cognitive function, and sensory processing. Research into their complex etiologies, including the role of energy and redox homeostasis, is crucial for developing effective diagnostics and therapeutic interventions. Despite the current lack of effective treatments for many neurological and neurodegenerative disorders, nutraceuticals are garnering significant interest. These food-derived compounds offer benefits beyond basic nutrition, primarily due to their ability to modulate intracellular processes that are known to be disrupted in these diseases. This study reviews the neuroprotective potential of several nutraceuticals, specifically creatine, acetyl-L-carnitine, melatonin, and resveratrol, as promising adjuvants to therapeutic interventions in neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Full article