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Functional Foods as a New Therapeutic Strategy 2.0
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Functional Foods as a New Therapeutic Strategy 2.0

A special issue of Nutraceuticals (ISSN 1661-3821).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 23009

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ivan Cruz-Chamorro

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Guest Editor
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Universidad de Sevilla, 41009 Seville, Spain
Interests: functional foods; protein hydrolysate; antioxidant; immunomodulation; natural extracts; biopeptides; lupine; hemp; olive
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Guillermo Santos Sánchez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Universidad de Sevilla, 41009 Seville, Spain
Interests: hydrolysates; peptides; lupine; oxidant stress; functional foods; nutraceuticals; atherosclerosis; MAFLD
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Functional foods have gained popularity in the scientific population due to their therapeutic and preventive use against certain pathological conditions.

Nowadays, numerous lines of research are dedicated to identifying bioactive compounds, as well as assessing their health properties. Thus, antioxidant, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effects, among others, have been demonstrated for a large number of bioactive ingredients. These investigations have been conducted in both in vitro and/or in vivo systems. The final aim of all these studies is to generate sufficient knowledge to prepare new functional foods that improve the human lifestyle, without using synthesized chemical compounds.

Thus, functional foods are the present and the future in the prevention of several diseases.

This new Special Issue is a continuation of the previous Special Issue, “Functional Foods as a New Therapeutic Strategy”, which was closed on 31 December 2022, including more than 10 valuable peer-reviewed papers.

It welcomes the submission of original articles or reviews that can improve knowledge about the beneficial effects of functional foods.

Dr. Ivan Cruz-Chamorro
Dr. Guillermo Santos Sánchez
Guest Editors

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 submissions that pass pre-check are 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. Nutraceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1000 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.

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1204 KiB  
Article
Obesity Prevention Effects of Avocado (Persea americana) Seed Powder in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Rats
by Shoeshoe Mokhele, Oluwaseyi Aboyade and David R. Katerere
Nutraceuticals 2024, 4(3), 417-429; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals4030025 - 9 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1217
Abstract
Avocado seed contains 64% of the phenolic compounds of the whole fruit. This makes avocado seed a potential candidate for the development of treatments for different illnesses, including obesity (the major risk factor for metabolic disorders). The aim of this study was to [...] Read more.
Avocado seed contains 64% of the phenolic compounds of the whole fruit. This makes avocado seed a potential candidate for the development of treatments for different illnesses, including obesity (the major risk factor for metabolic disorders). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of avocado seed powder on high-fat diet-induced obesity in rats. Sprague Dawley rats (16 rats) were fed a high-fat diet for 10 weeks. After 10 weeks, the rats were assigned into two groups of eight animals each and were fed either a high-fat diet (HFD; control group) or a high-fat diet containing avocado seed powder (HFD-A; treatment group) for 6 weeks. Animals were weighed weekly, and weekly weight gain was determined. Animals in the treatment (avocado seed) group showed significantly lower body weight gain (7.8 ± 9.63 g) than animals in the control group (33.9 ± 10.84 g) at the end of this study. The treatment group presented with lower triglycerides than the control, with LDL and HDL comparable to the control group. Avocado seed powder showed potential to reduce obesity in rats fed a high-fat diet. Avocado seed can therefore be investigated further as a potential anti-obesity nutraceutical. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods as a New Therapeutic Strategy 2.0)
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13 pages, 1941 KiB  
Article
Melatonin Modulates Lipid Metabolism and Reduces Cardiovascular Risk in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice Fed a Western Diet
by Guillermo Santos-Sánchez, Ana Isabel Álvarez-López, Eduardo Ponce-España, Ana Isabel Álvarez-Ríos, Patricia Judith Lardone, Antonio Carrillo-Vico and Ivan Cruz-Chamorro
Nutraceuticals 2024, 4(2), 260-272; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals4020016 - 9 May 2024
Viewed by 1504
Abstract
Melatonin (MLT), a natural compound found in the animal and vegetable kingdom, participates in several physiological processes. MLT exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, among others, but information about its action on lipid metabolism is still scarce. For this reason, mice deficient in apolipoprotein [...] Read more.
Melatonin (MLT), a natural compound found in the animal and vegetable kingdom, participates in several physiological processes. MLT exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, among others, but information about its action on lipid metabolism is still scarce. For this reason, mice deficient in apolipoprotein E (ApoE−/−) fed a Western diet (WD) were intragastrically treated with different concentrations of MLT (2 and 9 mg/kg) for 12 weeks. The lipid parameters were quantified, and, since links between cardiovascular risk and immune function and oxidative stress have been established, we also analyzed the population of leukocytes and the oxidative stress status. Although there was no change in the weight of the mice, a significant reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was observed in mice treated with the higher concentration of MLT tested in this study. Additionally, an improvement in cardiovascular risk indexes was observed. A reduction in the hepatic total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C levels was also observed in the treated mice. Finally, a decrease in leukocytes and lymphocytes in particular, as well as an increase in the antioxidant status, were shown in MLT-treated mice. In conclusion, MLT is a promising candidate that could be considered as a possible functional ingredient capable of preventing cardiovascular risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods as a New Therapeutic Strategy 2.0)
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12 pages, 993 KiB  
Article
The Acute Effects of a Commercially Available Caffeinated and Caffeine-Free Thermogenic Dietary Supplement on Resting Energy Expenditure, Hunger, and Hemodynamic Responses
by Kworweinski Lafontant, Jacob Broeckel, Kara Phillips, Yasamian Alsayed, Wayne A. Ayers-Creech, Yuto Ohigashi, John Solis, Cassidy Bale, Arielle Parks, Scott Dankel and Bill I. Campbell
Nutraceuticals 2024, 4(1), 82-93; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals4010006 - 21 Feb 2024
Viewed by 2139
Abstract
There has been a rise in popularity of “stimulant-free” or caffeine-free fat loss supplements, but it is not well understood whether those fat loss supplements are effective at enhancing thermogenesis without caffeine’s influence. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects [...] Read more.
There has been a rise in popularity of “stimulant-free” or caffeine-free fat loss supplements, but it is not well understood whether those fat loss supplements are effective at enhancing thermogenesis without caffeine’s influence. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a caffeinated and non-caffeinated commercially available fat loss supplement on resting energy expenditure (REE), hunger, and hemodynamic variables in healthy adults. Twenty-five healthy male and female participants completed three separate laboratory visits after overnight fasts. Baseline assessments of REE, subjective hunger, heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP) were followed by ingestion of a caffeinated (Phoenix, Legion®; CAF), non-caffeinated (Phoenix Caffeine-Free, Legion®; NCAF), or placebo (PL) fat loss supplement. REE, hunger, HR, and BP assessments were repeated at 60-, 120-, and 180-min post-ingestion. CAF, but not NCAF, significantly elevated REE greater than PL at all time points (p < 0.05). NCAF significantly reduced hunger compared to CAF and PL at the 120-min time point (p = 0.006). CAF significantly increased diastolic BP 60-min post-ingestion and significantly increased systolic BP 120- and 180-min post-ingestion compared to NCAF and PL. Further research is warranted with respect to investigating non-caffeinated ingredients and their effects on REE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods as a New Therapeutic Strategy 2.0)
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12 pages, 2048 KiB  
Article
Protection against Microglia Senescence by the Dietary Supplement Dekosilhue® in BV2 Cells: A New Perspective for Obesity and Related Complications
by Vittoria Borgonetti, Chiara Sasia, Martina Morozzi, Lorenzo Cenci and Nicoletta Galeotti
Nutraceuticals 2023, 3(2), 250-261; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals3020020 - 23 May 2023
Viewed by 2367
Abstract
Growing evidence indicates chronic low-grade systemic inflammation as a major pathophysiological mechanism of obesity. Systemic inflammation provokes an immune response in the brain through the activation of microglia that results in the development of neuroinflammation, cellular senescence, and occurrence of neurological dysfunction. In [...] Read more.
Growing evidence indicates chronic low-grade systemic inflammation as a major pathophysiological mechanism of obesity. Systemic inflammation provokes an immune response in the brain through the activation of microglia that results in the development of neuroinflammation, cellular senescence, and occurrence of neurological dysfunction. In the efforts to identify an innovative intervention with potential efficacy on obesity and associated complications, our aim was to study the capability of the dietary supplement Dekosilhue® (DKS), successfully used for improving the control of body weight, to attenuate microglia senescent phenotype. Microglia senescence was induced by intermittent stimulation of BV2 cells with LPS 500 ng/mL every 72 h for 4 h/day, over a period of 10 days. DKS (100 µg/mL) treatment reduced ß-galactosidase activity and expression, the formation of senescence-associated heterochromatin foci to control levels, and increased cell viability of senescent BV2 (2 folds of control). DSK reduced the expression of Nuclear Factor-kB (NF-kB) (20% lower than control), a key molecule involved in the acquisition of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). DKS promoted a neuroprotective effect by increasing the cell viability of SH-SY5Y neuronal cells exposed to the senescent BV2 conditioned medium to values of non-senescent cells. In conclusion, DKS attenuated the senescent microglia phenotype, showing senotherapeutic activity that might be further investigated as adjunctive intervention for obesity and obesity-related neurological disturbances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods as a New Therapeutic Strategy 2.0)
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Review

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20 pages, 378 KiB  
Review
Effectiveness of Commercial Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) Products for the Treatment of Symptoms in Menopausal Women—A Narrative Review
by Mirjana Zukić, Irzada Taljić and Ines Banjari
Nutraceuticals 2024, 4(3), 430-449; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals4030026 - 9 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1793
Abstract
Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is found in southeast Europe and Anatolia. Its primary traditional medicinal use includes the treatment of various conditions of the upper respiratory tract. In recent years, its isoflavones have become the focus of research aimed at developing [...] Read more.
Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is found in southeast Europe and Anatolia. Its primary traditional medicinal use includes the treatment of various conditions of the upper respiratory tract. In recent years, its isoflavones have become the focus of research aimed at developing treatments to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Reduced levels of circulating estrogen due to reduced ovarian function can cause short-term symptoms such as hot flashes, palpitations, difficulty sleeping, headaches, fatigue, mood disorders and reduced concentration but also long-term chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, accelerated weight and bone mass loss, atrophic vaginitis, osteoporosis, and cognitive impairment. The aim of this narrative review was to analyze the effects of commercially available and standardized red clover extracts on menopausal women. Eight randomized controlled trials on a total of 8769 menopausal women (aged 40 to 65 years) evaluated the effect of red clover isoflavone extract on menopausal symptoms. In all studies, isoflavone extract treatment showed improvement in all menopausal symptoms, including some common comorbidities, namely, hot flashes (1487 women, 25%), blood lipids (1155 women, 19%), atherosclerosis (6938 women, 79%), risk of breast cancer and endometrial cancer (428 women, 5%), osteoporosis and osteopenia (555 women, 6%), and menopause-related cognitive impairment (3530 women, 40%). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods as a New Therapeutic Strategy 2.0)
22 pages, 1476 KiB  
Review
Effects of Ursolic Acid on Colorectal Cancer: A Review of Recent Evidence
by Amanda Kornel and Evangelia Tsiani
Nutraceuticals 2024, 4(3), 373-394; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals4030022 - 8 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1230
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and the five-year survival rate of the metastatic disease is less than 15%. Treatment approaches include surgery, systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The aggressive nature and low five-year survival rate of metastatic colorectal cancer [...] Read more.
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and the five-year survival rate of the metastatic disease is less than 15%. Treatment approaches include surgery, systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The aggressive nature and low five-year survival rate of metastatic colorectal cancer indicate a need for new treatment options to help combat this disease. Ursolic acid is a pentacyclic triterpenoid naturally occurring in many plants, with high concentrations found in cranberries. This review summarizes evidence from the last ten years of the effects of ursolic acid on colorectal cancer. Overall, the available studies indicate that the treatment of colon cancer cells with ursolic acid results in a significant inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis. In addition, the limited in vivo studies indicate a significant reduction in tumor volume and tumor angiogenesis in animal models of colorectal cancer administered ursolic acid. More in vivo animal studies are required to better understand the potential anticancer properties of ursolic acid and to form the basis for human clinical trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods as a New Therapeutic Strategy 2.0)
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40 pages, 2451 KiB  
Review
Seaweed as a Safe Nutraceutical Food: How to Increase Human Welfare?
by João Cotas, Joana O. Tavares, Rita Silva and Leonel Pereira
Nutraceuticals 2024, 4(3), 323-362; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals4030020 - 29 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3486
Abstract
Seaweeds have been utilized for millennia in Asian countries, although they have only more recently become popular in Western society. They began to be used in ancient times because of their long-term properties and, nowadays, seaweeds are being targeted as a potential tool [...] Read more.
Seaweeds have been utilized for millennia in Asian countries, although they have only more recently become popular in Western society. They began to be used in ancient times because of their long-term properties and, nowadays, seaweeds are being targeted as a potential tool to combat climate change. There are not many laws governing seaweeds because they have just lately been utilized as food. However, guidelines are being developed to regulate their manufacture and use. Because of seaweed’s tendency to accumulate components, whether helpful or poisonous, limited doses of certain substances have been established to prevent consumer overdosage. Aside from chemical safety, microbiological safety is important for people, and preventing any pathogen from spreading and infecting seaweeds is critical. As a result, systems and ways to safeguard consumers must be developed. Because various seaweed species have varied compositions, certain seaweeds may be safer nutraceuticals than others. To ensure the safety of seaweed-based food items, the HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) system needs to be used. The majority of seaweeds consumed come from aquaculture; however, others come from wild harvesting. To ensure the success of the cultures, the waters must be tested for chemicals and biological risks, as well as for the pH, salinity, and temperature. Seaweeds have enormous promise in many industries, but in the food industry, they are beginning to play a major role, and seizing the chances to produce innovative, safe, and sustainable food sources is strongly advised. This critical review investigates the real potential of seaweed as a human food source and as a nutraceutical solution. This review also focuses on the usage of seaweed as a food product and the procedures required to prepare it. In addition, it compiles information on the applicable legislation and regulations, and it addresses the lengthy road that has to be traveled to increase human well-being by employing a new food source in a controlled manner while simultaneously reducing the human population’s health problems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods as a New Therapeutic Strategy 2.0)
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42 pages, 2359 KiB  
Review
Nutraceutical Aspects of Selected Wild Edible Plants of the Italian Central Apennines
by Francesca Fantasma, Vadym Samukha, Gabriella Saviano, Maria Giovanna Chini, Maria Iorizzi and Claudio Caprari
Nutraceuticals 2024, 4(2), 190-231; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals4020013 - 9 Apr 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2539
Abstract
All over the world, wild edible plants are an essential source of chemical components that justify their use in folk medicine. The aim of this review is to document and summarize the knowledge of ten wild plants analyzed in a previous study for [...] Read more.
All over the world, wild edible plants are an essential source of chemical components that justify their use in folk medicine. The aim of this review is to document and summarize the knowledge of ten wild plants analyzed in a previous study for their ethnomedical significance. Achillea millefolium, Borago officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, Gentiana lutea, Juniperus communis, Laurus nobilis, Malva sylvestris, Satureja montana, Silybum marianum and Urtica dioica were the subjects of our study. They are commonly found in the central Italian Apennines and the Mediterranean basin. Phytochemicals contained in wild plants, such as phenols, polyphenols, flavonoids, condensed tannins, carotenoids, etc., are receiving increasing attention, as they exert a wide range of biological activities with resulting benefits for human health. Based on the 353 studies we reviewed, we focused our study on the following: (a) the ethnobotanical practices and bioactive phytochemicals; (b) the composition of polyphenols and their role as antioxidants; (c) the methodologies commonly used to assess antioxidant activity; (d) the most advanced spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques used to visualize and characterize all components (metabolomic fingerprinting). The potential of pure compounds and extracts to be used as nutraceuticals has also been highlighted through a supposed mechanism of action. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods as a New Therapeutic Strategy 2.0)
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9 pages, 557 KiB  
Review
The Marine Alga Sargassum horneri Is a Functional Food with High Bioactivity
by Masayoshi Yamaguchi
Nutraceuticals 2024, 4(2), 181-189; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals4020012 - 8 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1604
Abstract
Functional food factors can play a preventive and therapeutic role in several human diseases. The marine alga Sargassum horneri (S. horneri) has restorative effects in several types of metabolic disorders, including osteoporosis, diabetes, inflammatory conditions, and cancer cell growth. Osteoporosis is [...] Read more.
Functional food factors can play a preventive and therapeutic role in several human diseases. The marine alga Sargassum horneri (S. horneri) has restorative effects in several types of metabolic disorders, including osteoporosis, diabetes, inflammatory conditions, and cancer cell growth. Osteoporosis is widely recognized as a major public health problem. Bone loss associated with ageing and diabetic states was prevented through the intake of bioactive compounds from S. horneri water extract in vivo by stimulating osteoblastic bone formation and inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro. The intake of S. horneri water extract was found to have preventive effects on diabetic findings with an increase in serum glucose and lipid components. Furthermore, the S. horneri component has been shown to suppress adipogenesis from rat bone marrow cells and inflammatory conditions in vitro. Notably, the growth of bone metastatic human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells, which induce bone loss with osteolytic effects, was suppressed through culturing with the S. horneri water extract component in vitro. The S. horneri component, which has a molecular weight of less than 1000, was found to suppress the activation of NF-κB signaling by tumor necrosis factor-α, a cytokine associated with inflammation, in osteoblastic cells and macrophage RAW264.7 cells in vitro, suggesting a molecular mechanism. The bioactive component of S. horneri may play a multifunctional role in the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders. This review outlines the advanced knowledge of the biological activity of the aqueous extract components of S. horneri and discusses the development of health supplements using this material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods as a New Therapeutic Strategy 2.0)
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18 pages, 3290 KiB  
Review
Momordica balsamina L.: A Plant with Multiple Therapeutic and Nutritional Potential—A Review
by Marème Thiaw, Issa Samb, Manon Genva, Mohamed Lamine Gaye and Marie-Laure Fauconnier
Nutraceuticals 2023, 3(4), 556-573; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals3040040 - 17 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3830
Abstract
This review seeks to deepen our comprehension of the African plant Momordica balsamina L. by elucidating its therapeutically important molecules and nutrient composition. Commonly referred to as the balsam apple, this plant species is extensively harnessed for its diverse therapeutic potential across its [...] Read more.
This review seeks to deepen our comprehension of the African plant Momordica balsamina L. by elucidating its therapeutically important molecules and nutrient composition. Commonly referred to as the balsam apple, this plant species is extensively harnessed for its diverse therapeutic potential across its various organs, including leaves, fruits, roots, and stems. Numerous bioactive molecules have been isolated or identified within this plant, notably encompassing polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenes, and carotenoids. These compounds exhibit a wide array of biological activities, ranging from antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-carcinogenic to anti-malarial properties, among others. Furthermore, the leaves of Momordica balsamina L. stand out for their abundant micronutrients, proteins, and amino acids. This investigation aims to shed light not only on the botanical characteristics of the Momordica balsamina plant and its potential applications in traditional medicine but also on its chemical composition, biological functionalities, and physicochemical attributes, thus accentuating its nutritional advantages. Nonetheless, an intriguing avenue presents itself for the exploration of strategies to conserve this species, delve deeper into its potential within the cosmetics industry, and innovate methodologies for the synthesis or biosynthesis of these bioactive molecules. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods as a New Therapeutic Strategy 2.0)
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