Search Results (118)

The beneficial effect of consuming fruits and vegetables in the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases and healthy aging is well known. This is attributed to food and vegetable antioxidant and fiber content. The aim of this publication is to communicate the results of recent research on pectin in humans, to propose an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, or their possible use as a food supplement. A comprehensive narrative review was conducted considering recent publications on pectin. The description of starch, pectin, the physicochemical changes caused by pectin, and the effect of pectin on the activity of amylase are reported. Dietary fiber and gut microbiota in human health are also described, with the production of saturated fatty acids with fewer than six carbon atoms. Finally, health effects such as anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic activities, preventing and controlling obesity and heart disease, are analyzed, as well as other health effects in tumors, the gastrointestinal tract, and immunity. Considering the beneficial effects of pectin in health and the low consumption throughout the world, it is recommended to promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables to increase pectin intake in the human diet. Full article

Brasenia schreberi (BS) is a perennial aquatic plant of the water lily family, of which the recognition as a functional food is on the rise. Polysaccharides from BS have been found to possess antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities. This study aimed to partially clarify the structural and evaluate the hypoglycemic potentials of Brasenia schreberi polysaccharide (BSP). In this study, BSP was isolated from the mucilage covering the surface of Brasenia schreberi (BS). SEM and AFM results verified that BSP molecules were tightly connected and formed a ring-shaped network structure. Further structural analysis showed that BSP was an acidic heteropolysaccharide with a molecular weight of 2.47 × 10⁴ Da. It had 1,2,3-linked α-D-Galp, 1,2-linked α-D-Manp, and 1,4-linked β-GlcA residues as the main chain, with 1,3-linked α-Galp, 1,3-linked α-Fucp, 1,3-linked α-Xylp, T-Araf, and T-Rhap as side chains. The rheological results indicated that the BSP solution was a pseudoplastic fluid and exhibited shear-thinning properties. Moreover, the gel strength and texture properties of BSP tended to be higher as the BSP and Ca²⁺ concentration increased. More importantly, BSP exhibited good inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, indicating that it may be a good candidate for a hypoglycemic functional food. Full article

Hyperlipidemia, marked by high levels of fats in the blood, is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. It has been linked to the action of reactive oxygen species and the formation of advanced glycation end products. Current treatments for hyperlipidemia, like orlistat, simvastatin, and atorvastatin, often present undesirable side effects, prompting the need for new therapeutic agents that are safer, more effective, cost-efficient, and have fewer side effects. In this context, new compounds, specifically propano- and butanosulfonic acids with 9-substituted quinobenzothiazinyl substituents, were synthesized through reactions with 9-substituted quinobenzothiazines and propane sultone or butane sultone. These novel quinobenzothiazine derivatives were verified using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HR-MS techniques. The research focused on assessing these compounds for their toxicity, ability to prevent glycation, antioxidant properties, and their potential to combat hyperlipidemia. Toxicity was evaluated on the 3T3 L1 fibroblast cell line using the MTT assay. The capacity to prevent glycation was tested with bovine serum albumin–methylglyoxal and bovine serum albumin–glucose systems. This study measured total reactive oxygen species in the 3T3 L1 cell line using 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining, and antioxidant capacity was assessed through DPPH scavenging and metal ion chelation tests. The effectiveness against hyperlipidemia was determined by targeting cholesterol esterase and pancreatic lipase activities, with concentrations of the compounds 5 to 12 ranging from 0.0245 to 0.268 μM. Standard drugs such as orlistat, simvastatin, statins, and aminoguanidine were used as positive controls in various assays. Additionally, computational docking studies with AutoDock Vina were performed. The resulting findings indicated that the compounds were non-toxic to cells, effectively inhibited key enzymes related to hyperlipidemia, and showed significant antioxidant properties, including the prevention of advanced glycation end-product formation. Compounds 11 and 12 demonstrated the highest activity levels. These promising results highlight the potential of new quinobenzothiazine derivatives as lead compounds for the development of antihyperlipidemic drugs, although further research is necessary to confirm their efficacy and safety. Full article

Hyperlipidemia is a metabolic disorder in which cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TGs) in the blood exceed the normal physiological levels. The incidence of the condition has continued to rise in recent years, posing a serious threat to public health. Its clinical treatment mainly relies on drug interventions, such as statins, fibrate, and niacin. Although these drugs have shown some efficacy in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, their adverse effects cannot be ignored. In contrast, naturally derived peptides have gradually become potential candidates for the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia due to their strong anti-hyperlipidemic activity and safety; examples of such peptides include those from dairy products, grains, legumes, and seafood. This review systematically summarizes peptides with anti-hyperlipidemic activity and analyzes their mechanisms of action, providing a theoretical basis for further research. In addition, we also outline some challenges facing the application of peptides, hoping to prevent hyperlipidemia and reduce its incidence by encouraging the consumption of foods rich in anti-hyperlipidemia peptides. Full article

Background/Objectives: Atorvastatin (ATR), an antihyperlipidemic drug with a potential antibacterial effect, was investigated in this study. Like other statins, ATR has been repurposed for several uses, ranging from anti-inflammatory to antimicrobial applications, and has demonstrated successful results. However, the efficacy of ATR is limited by its low solubility, indicating an opportunity for its encapsulation in a nanotechnology-based drug delivery system. Methods: Nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) formulations were prepared using high-pressure homogenization and ultrasonication. The formulations were characterized, including their particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release. Antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was evaluated using the growth curve (bacterial growth over time) and well diffusion methods (zone of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination). The crystal violet assay was employed to assess biofilm inhibition. Results: The NLC formulations were optimized, and the size and zeta potential of the blank nanoparticles were 130 ± 8.39 nm and −35 ± 0.5 mV, respectively. In comparison, the encapsulated NLCs had a size of 142 ± 52.20 nm and a zeta potential of −31 ± 1.41 mV. The average encapsulation efficiency was 94%, and 70% of the drug was released after 24 h. The ATR-loaded NLCs showed significantly enhanced antibacterial activity by reducing the minimum inhibitory concentration by 2.5-fold for E. coli, 1.8-fold for S. aureus, and 1.4-fold for MRSA, and promoting more effective bacterial growth inhibition. Notably, biofilm inhibition was significantly improved with ATR-NLCs, achieving 80% inhibition for S. aureus, 40% for E. coli, and 30% for MRSA, compared to free ATR (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that NLC encapsulation enhances ATR’s antimicrobial efficacy and biofilm suppression. Conclusions: This study identified NLCs as successful carriers of ATR, significantly enhancing its antibacterial efficacy and biofilm inhibition capabilities. This formulation, which shows antimicrobial potential against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, should be further studied and developed against different resistant microbial strains. Full article

Background and Aim: Rhoifolin is a bioactive flavonoid that possesses strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The current investigation aimed to examine the anti-diabetic potential of rhoifolin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Dose-dependent (10 and 20 mg/kg) anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of rhoifolin were evaluated by measuring fasting blood glucose, serum glucose, serum insulin, HOMA-IR, lipidemic status, inflammatory cytokines, and hepatic antioxidant markers. To identify the underlying mechanism behind the anti-diabetic activity of rhoifolin, qRT-PCR was carried out using rat pancreatic and hepatic tissues. Results: The results have shown that rhoifolin produced antioxidant effects, as exhibited by DPPH and ABTS⁺ assays, respectively. Rhoifolin showed potent alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Rhoifolin enhanced the serum insulin level, significantly decreased the serum glucose, HOMA-IR, and cytokine levels, and improved the lipid profile. Rhoifolin also showed a substantial decline in insulin resistance in the treated rats. Rhoifolin significantly raised catalase and superoxide dismutase levels in hepatic tissues while potentially decreasing the malondialdehyde levels. Moreover, rhoifolin significantly down-regulated the MAPK-8, TRAF-6, and TRAF-4 expressions and up-regulated the PDX-1, SIRT-1, INS-1, and GLUT-4 expressions in treated groups. Conclusions: Our results indicate that rhoifolin exhibits a hypoglycemic effect, which appears to be associated with its regulatory impact on metabolic inflammation and oxidative stress markers. This was accompanied by a lower HOMA-IR index, highlighting its potential role in promoting glucose homeostasis and mitigating insulin resistance. According to preliminary results, rhoifolin could further be tested to introduce it as another viable treatment option for diabetes. Full article

Conditions like diabetes mellitus (DM), cancer, infections, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders continue to have a major global impact on mortality and morbidity. Medicinal plants have been used since ancient times in ethnomedicine (e.g., Ayurveda, Unani, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and European Traditional Medicine) for the treatment of a wide range of disorders. Plants are a rich source of diverse phytoconstituents with antidiabetic, anticancer, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, cardioprotective, immunomodulatory, and/or anti-inflammatory activities. This review focuses on the 35 plants most commonly reported for the treatment of these major disorders, with a particular emphasis on their traditional uses, phytoconstituent contents, pharmacological properties, and modes of action. Active phytomolecules with therapeutic potential include cucurbitane triterpenoids, diosgenin, and limonoids (azadiradione and gedunin), which exhibit antidiabetic properties, with cucurbitane triterpenoids specifically activating Glucose Transporter Type 4 (GLUT4) translocation. Capsaicin and curcumin demonstrate anticancer activity by deactivating NF-κB and arresting the cell cycle in the G2 phase. Antimicrobial activities have been observed for piperine, reserpine, berberine, dictamnine, chelerythrine, and allitridin, with the latter two triggering bacterial cell lysis. Quercetin, catechin, and genistein exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, with genistein specifically suppressing CD8+ cytotoxic T cell function. Ginsenoside Rg1 and ginsenoside Rg3 demonstrate potential for treating cardiovascular diseases, with ginsenoside Rg1 activating PPARα promoter, and the PI3K/Akt pathway. In contrast, ternatin, tannins, and quercitrin exhibit potential in gastrointestinal disorders, with quercitrin regulating arachidonic acid metabolism by suppressing cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase activity. Further studies are warranted to fully investigate the clinical therapeutic benefits of these plants and their phytoconstituents, as well as to elucidate their underlying molecular mechanisms of action. Full article

In addition to conventional treatments, there is growing interest in preventive and complementary therapies. Proper nutrition can prevent the manifestation of several chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, and can attenuate the severity of these diseases. Edible mushrooms have been used as nutrition and medicine for thousands of years. The spectrum and quantity of their medicinal compounds made them a widely investigated target both in basic research and clinical trials. The most abundant and medically important components are polysaccharides, terpenoids, phenols, and heterocyclic amines, but bioactive proteins, vitamins, including vitamin D, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and essential minerals are also important ingredients with noteworthy health benefits. Mushroom extracts have anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cardioprotective, anti-osteoporotic, and anti-tumor effects and are well tolerated, even by cancer patients. In our previous review we detailed the molecular aspects of the development of type 2 diabetes, discussing the role of physical activity and diet, but we did not detail the role of medicinal mushrooms as part of nutrition. In this review, we aimed to summarize the most important medical mushrooms, along with their natural habitats, growing conditions, and components, that are presumably sufficient for the prevention and treatment of insulin resistance. Full article

Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, commonly known as okra or lady’s finger, is an annual flowering plant belonging to the Malvaceae family. Okra is a native plant in Africa as well as a traditional medicine in Africa and India for treating different diseases and conditions. Today, okra is widely consumed as a vegetable and is increasingly recognized as a superfood due to its rich nutritional profile and potential pharmacological benefits. Research indicates that okra exhibits a range of biological activities, including antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antifatigue, vasoprotective, hepatoprotective, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. Despite its promising therapeutic potential, research on the active compounds in okra and evaluating efficacy in clinical settings remains limited. This review aims to consolidate existing scientific knowledge on the biological and pharmacological properties of okra, thereby encouraging further investigation into its health benefits. Ultimately, this could pave the way for the development of functional foods or health supplements that leverage okra as a key ingredient to prevent chronic diseases and enhance overall health outcomes. Full article

The Lamiaceae family of medicinal plants holds immense promise in the development of functional foods aimed at preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). These plants are rich in bioactive compounds, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, which act as potent enzyme inhibitors and exhibit strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihyperlipidemic properties. Key phenolic compounds, such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid, along with flavonoids like luteolin, apigenin, and quercetin, contribute to these health benefits. Essential oils derived from Lamiaceae species have demonstrated diverse biological activities, including vasorelaxant, thrombolytic, and cytotoxic effects, making them valuable in nutraceutical formulations. This study analyzes and investigates global patent trends related to Lamiaceae plants targeting cardiovascular health, focusing on applications in nutraceuticals and functional foods. Using patent databases, we examine the technological landscape, identify leading applicants, and evaluate the geographical distribution of innovations. Our analysis reveals a notable increase in patent filings since the late 1970s, peaking in 2007, indicating a growing interest in leveraging Lamiaceae plants for cardiovascular health. Tianjin Tasly Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. emerges as a leading applicant, reflecting active engagement by pharmaceutical companies alongside independent researchers and organizations. Geographically, China leads patent activity, followed by the United States and Europe, underscoring global interest and market potential. Key International Patent Classification (IPC) codes identified include A61K36/53 (Lamiaceae extracts), A61P9/00 (cardiovascular drugs), and A61P9/10 (treatments of ischemic or atherosclerotic diseases). These findings highlight the therapeutic and commercial relevance of Lamiaceae bioactives, offering insights into their potential in advancing cardiovascular health and shaping the future of the functional food and nutraceutical industries. Full article

Overactivation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) pathway leads to vasoconstriction and elevated blood pressure. Persicaria minor (Huds.) Opiz is an herbal plant known for its antioxidant, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-atherosclerotic properties, with bioactive compounds that exhibit antihypertensive effects. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive effects of the standardized aqueous extract of P. minor leaf (AEPM) through the ACE/AT1R pathway in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). HUVECs were stimulated with PMA to induce ACE, with or without AEPM or captopril treatment, for 24 h. Subsequently, ACE mRNA expression, ACE protein levels, ACE activity, angiotensin II levels, and AT1R expression were measured. The results demonstrated that AEPM treatment significantly reduced ACE mRNA expression, ACE protein levels, ACE activity, angiotensin II levels, and AT1R expression in PMA-induced HUVECs. The modulatory effects of AEPM on the ACE/AT1R pathway were comparable to those of captopril. Ex vivo experiments further confirmed that AEPM reduced the contraction responses of rat aortic rings to PMA. In conclusion, P. minor effectively inhibits the ACE/AT1R pathway in PMA-induced HUVECs, suggesting its potential as a natural antihypertensive agent. Full article

High levels of fats like triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood can cause cardiovascular diseases, prompting the search for safer, natural treatments. This study investigates the efficacy of Ruta chalepensis ethanol extract in lowering cholesterol levels using a rat model of hyperlipidemia induced by Triton WR-1339. Leaves and flowers of R. chalepensis were extracted with ethanol, and LC-MS analysis revealed high levels of quercetin (9.5%), 2,2-Dimethyl-3-methylidenebicyclo [2.2.1] heptane (8.1%), and other compounds, with monoterpenes being the most common class. Male Wistar rats received doses of the extract at 20 and 40 mg/kg, while fenofibrate (100 mg/kg) was the positive control. After 20 h, plasma lipid levels were significantly affected, showing a 72.1% reduction in total cholesterol for the 40 mg/kg group (p < 0.01) and a 67.6% reduction for the 20 mg/kg group (p < 0.01). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased by 68.8% in the 40 mg/kg group (p < 0.01) and 58.6% in the 20 mg/kg group (p < 0.01). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol saw reductions of 67.3% (p < 0.001) in the 40 mg/kg group and 60.4% (p < 0.01) in the 20 mg/kg group. Triglycerides dropped by 90.6% in the 40 mg/kg group (p < 0.001) and 86.7% in the 20 mg/kg group (p < 0.001). Overall, the results highlighted a stronger anti-hyperlipidemic effect in the 40 mg/kg group across all lipid parameters measured. The extract outperformed fenofibrate, particularly at the higher dose. These results imply that R. chalepensis extract is a promising natural alternative for managing hyperlipidemia. Full article

We planned to explore the protective activities of extract of Phyllanthus emblica L. (EPE) on insulin resistance and metabolic disorders including hyperlipidemia, visceral obesity, and renal dysfunction in high-fat diet (HFD)-progressed T2DM mice. Mice treatments included 7 weeks of HFD induction followed by EPE, fenofibrate (Feno), or metformin (Metf) treatment daily for another 4-week HFD in HFD-fed mice. Finally, we harvested blood to analyze some tests on circulating glycemia and blood lipid levels. Western blotting analysis was performed on target gene expressions in peripheral tissues. The present findings indicated that EPE treatment reversed the HFD-induced increases in blood glucose, glycosylated HbA1_C, and insulin levels. Our findings proved that treatment with EPE in HFD mice effectively controls hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Our results showed that EPE reduced blood lipid levels, including a reduction in blood triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and free fatty acid (FFA); moreover, EPE reduced blood leptin levels and enhanced adiponectin concentrations. EPE treatment in HFD mice reduced BUN and creatinine in both blood and urine and lowered albumin levels in urine; moreover, EPE decreased circulating concentrations of inflammatory NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1). These results indicated that EPE displayed antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities but alleviated renal dysfunction in HFD mice. The histology examinations indicated that EPE treatment decreased adipose hypertrophy and hepatic ballooning, thus contributing to amelioration of lipid accumulation. EPE treatment decreased visceral fat amounts and led to improved systemic insulin resistance. For target gene expression levels, EPE enhanced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation expressions both in livers and skeletal muscles and elevated the muscular membrane glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) expressions. Treatment with EPE reduced hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) expressions to suppress glucose production in the livers and decreased phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) expressions to affect hepatic glycogen synthesis, thus convergently contributing to an antidiabetic effect and improving insulin resistance. The mechanism of the antihyperlipidemic activity of EPE involved a decrease in the hepatic phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex C1 (mTORC1) and p70 S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) expressions to improve insulin resistance but also a reduction in hepatic sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1c expressions, and suppression of ACC activity, thus resulting in the decreased fatty acid synthesis but elevated hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α and SREBP-2 expressions, resulting in lowering TG and TC concentrations. Our results demonstrated that EPE improves insulin resistance and ameliorates hyperlipidemia in HFD mice. Full article

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) cause 41 million deaths annually, accounting for 74% of global fatalities. The so-called Mediterranean diet, with its especially significant consumption of olive oil, has shown promising results in reducing the risk of developing NCDs, such as cardiovascular, liver, or bone diseases. In the context of the nutritional health benefits of foods, phenolic compounds such as olive oil’s main components, oleuropein (OLE) and hydroxytyrosol (HT), have been shown to possess different beneficial effects. However, no systematic review has evaluated the health-promoting effects of OLE and HT until now. Consequently, this systematic review analyzed 12 human randomized controlled trials (RCTs), involving 683 participants, to assess the effects of supplements, pure compounds, or enriched foods containing OLE and HT regarding systemic health outcomes, including CVD risk factors, liver parameters, and bone, joint, and cognitive health. The review found contrasting but encouraging results, with some studies reporting significant modulation of body weight, lipid profile, and glucose metabolism, and improvements in bone, joint, and cognitive functions. The studies described different dosages and forms of supplementation, ranging from 5 mg/d HT to 990 mL/d olive leaf infusion (320.8 mg OLE and 11.9 mg HT), highlighting the need for further research to determine the optimal dosing and duration. Despite the mixed outcomes, OLE and HT supplementation show potential for improving some of the cardiometabolic health outcomes and bone, joint, and cognitive health. However, further studies are necessary to understand their benefits better and address existing limitations. Full article

Obesity is a pandemic disease characterized by lipid accumulation, increased proinflammatory cytokines, and reactive oxygen species. It is associated with the development of comorbidities that lead to death. Additionally, drug treatments developed to control obesity are insufficient and have a variety of adverse effects. Thus, the search for new anti-obesity therapies is necessary. Campomanesia adamantium is a species from the Brazilian Cerrado that has the potential to treat obesity, as described by the antihyperlipidemic activity of its roots. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the activity of the aqueous extract of C. adamantium leaves (AECa) on the control of reactive species in vitro, on lipid accumulation in adipocytes and Caenorhabditis elegans, and on the production of proinflammatory cytokines in adipocytes. The antioxidant capacity of AECa was observed by its action in scavenging DPPH^• free radical, iron-reducing power, and inhibition of β-carotene bleaching. AECa reduced lipid accumulation in preadipocytes and in C. elegans. Moreover, AECa reduced the production of the proinflammatory cytokines MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 in adipocytes. In summary, the antioxidant activity and the ability of AECa to reduce the accumulation of lipids and proinflammatory cytokines indicate, for the first time, the anti-obesity potential of C. adamantium leaves. Full article