Search Results (960)

Oral nutricosmetic supplements are widely used to support skin appearance, but finished multi-ingredient products require dedicated clinical evaluation because their performance cannot be inferred from ingredient-level data alone. This prospective, single-centre, open-label, single-arm exploratory study evaluated NatureU^® Mind Care BeautyU Caps, a capsule containing quercetin, cranberry-derived proanthocyanidins, pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), and ergothioneine. A total of 33 healthy women aged 36–56 years, eligible only if baseline cheek hydration was below 60 corneometer units, took one capsule daily for 56 days, with 31 women completing the full protocol. Instrumental assessments at days 0, 28, and 56 covered crow’s-feet wrinkle parameters (PRIMOS CR); stratum corneum hydration (Corneometer CM 825); and biomechanical, radiance, pigmentation, and dermal-structure measures. The prespecified primary endpoint, wrinkle count, fell from 965 ± 334 to 514 ± 171 (−46.73%) and hydration rose from 44.3 ± 7.8 to 70.3 ± 9.9 (+58.57%); both changes occurred in all 31 completers. Wrinkle depth changed only non-significantly. Individual-participant data show that the reduction in wrinkle count was almost exactly proportional across a 5.9-fold range of baseline values (D56/D0 ratio 0.535 ± 0.041) and was complete by day 28, a pattern more consistent with a systematic difference between imaging sessions than with a biological effect; the analysis parameters needed to exclude this were not available. No adverse reactions occurred. Because there was no control arm, because enrolment selected the low end of the hydration distribution, and because count-based profilometry is threshold-dependent, these magnitudes are upper-bound within-participant observations subject to regression to the mean and to expectancy effects; the hydration finding is hypothesis-generating, and the wrinkle-count finding should not be treated as evidence of efficacy. Confirmation in randomized, placebo-controlled trials is required. Full article

Protein oxidation is a critical factor governing meat quality. Although lotus seedpod proanthocyanidins (LSPC) can inhibit protein oxidation in beef during refrigerated storage, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study investigated the antioxidant activity and conformation impacts of epigallocatechin gallate (ECG), the principal active constituent of LSPC, on myosin from the perspective of molecular interactions. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), molecular docking, and multispectral analyses were applied to characterize ECG–myosin interactions and unravel the mechanism underlying myosin oxidation inhibition. The results showed that ECG exerted a biphasic, dose-dependent effect on myosin conformation and related functional properties. At 10–30 μmol/L, ECG significantly enhanced the radical scavenging capacity of myosin and alleviated oxidative damage to amino acid side chains. Mechanistically, ECG bound spontaneously to myosin via entropy-driven hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interactions, inducing conformational rearrangement characterized by an α-helix-to-β-sheet transition, reduced surface hydrophobicity, and stabilization of secondary and tertiary structures, thereby inhibiting oxidative denaturation of myosin. However, at 40 μmol/L, ECG still retained antioxidant capacity toward myosin, while it increased surface hydrophobicity and reduced fluorescence intensity. These changes further aggravated the structural disorder, led to protein aggregation and microstructure damage, and ultimately caused the instability of myosin. These findings underscore the necessity of optimizing ECG dosage for reliable application in meat processing and provide experimental evidence supporting ECG and LSPC as natural antioxidants for meat systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) berries are edible wild fruits traditionally consumed in several regions of Asia and the Americas and used in folk medicine for the management of fever, pain, inflammation, and digestive disorders. In recent years, they have attracted increasing attention as prospective sources of phytochemicals with potential biological activity and as candidate ingredients for future food applications. This review aimed to critically evaluate the current knowledge on the nutritional value, phytochemical composition, biological activities, and functional food potential of Gaultheria fruits. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using major scientific databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect) to identify studies investigating the chemical composition, nutritional constituents, biological activities, and potential applications of Gaultheria berries. Published evidence from phytochemical analyses, cell-free assays, cellular models, and available nutritional studies was critically assessed and comparatively summarised across different Gaultheria species. Results: Available evidence indicates that Gaultheria berries are rich in polyphenols, including anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, and chlorogenic acid isomers, together with characteristic salicylate glycosides, iridoids, volatile methyl salicylate derivatives, vitamins, and mineral elements. Experimental studies, predominantly performed in vitro using chemical and cell-based models, provide preliminary evidence of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, photoprotective, cytoprotective, antiproliferative, dermatological, and enzyme-inhibitory activities. Despite these promising findings, comparative investigations across species remain limited, and evidence regarding bioavailability, metabolism, mechanisms of action, and clinical efficacy remains insufficient. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that Gaultheria berries represent underutilised sources of structurally diverse bioactive compounds that warrant further investigation as potential food and nutraceutical ingredients. However, their health-promoting effects in humans remain unestablished. Future research should prioritise comprehensive metabolomic profiling, standardisation of phytochemical composition, bioavailability and safety assessment, in vivo validation, and controlled human studies before specific health benefits or therapeutic applications can be substantiated. Full article

Most research on sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) has focused on the berries and oils. This structured narrative review examines the chemical profile of the leaves and evaluates cardiovascular and metabolic evidence from leaf preparations, isolated constituents, and other sea buckthorn materials. Two complementary PubMed searches yielded 3539 unique records. After screening in successive stages, 85 publications were included. A supplementary search in Scopus yielded no unique records. Leaves contain glycosides of isorhamnetin, quercetin, and kaempferol, together with ellagitannins, proanthocyanidins, phenolic acids, and triterpenoids. Their relative amounts vary between cultivars, harvest, processing, extraction, and the denominator used for reporting. Leaf preparations improved selected metabolic, vascular, or inflammatory outcomes in several animal and ex vivo models. Studies of isolated flavonols support biological plausibility but do not identify the compounds responsible for effects of complete leaf preparation. Human trials have examined berries, purée, juice and oils; effects on lipids, glucose regulation, blood pressure, and platelet activity were generally small or inconsistent. No controlled human trial or human pharmacokinetic study has evaluated a chemically characterized leaf preparation. This absence is the main obstacle to clinical translation. The next stage should compare one defined leaf preparation with appropriate controls in validated animal models, test fractions prepared from the same leaf batch, and require replication before human studies of pharmacokinetics, dose, safety, and efficacy. Current evidence supports this sequence but does not justify therapeutic use of sea buckthorn leaves. Full article

This narrative review synthesizes and evaluates the current scientific evidence on Bactris guineensis (L.) H.E. Moore, an underutilized tropical palm native to the Caribbean region and Central America. This review integrates current evidence on the nutritional composition, phytochemical profile, biological activities, and technological properties of B. guineensis to identify current knowledge, technological advances, and remaining research gaps. The available literature indicates that B. guineensis contains a bioactive matrix rich in thermally stable cyanidin-3-rutinoside, oligomeric proanthocyanidins, carotenoids, α-tocopherol, and phenolic acids. Optimized extracts exhibit notable antioxidant capacity (e.g., ORAC: 6690–14,688 µmol Trolox equivalents/100 g fresh weight (FW)), alongside preliminary in vitro evidence of selective cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines and antiviral activity. Technologically, the reported thermal and storage stability of its anthocyanins supports further investigation of their use in functional beverages, fermented dairy matrices, and cosmetic formulations. Furthermore, the review outlines theoretical, hypothesis-generating perspectives for advanced delivery systems and circular bioeconomy strategies, explicitly distinguishing these conceptual frameworks from experimentally validated data. Despite these significant findings, current evidence remains largely restricted to in vitro and pilot-scale studies. Major gaps persist regarding gastrointestinal bioaccessibility, pharmacokinetics, systematic toxicology, and agronomic standardization. Addressing these limitations through rigorous in vivo validation will be essential to substantiate health claims and enable the sustainable industrial exploitation of this tropical bioresource. Full article

Seed germination induces profound physiological and metabolic changes that promote the synthesis and accumulation of bioactive metabolites in cereal grains. However, the combined effects of germination time and temperature on these responses in black rice (Oryza sativa L.) remain poorly understood. This study investigated how controlled germination modulates the accumulation of GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) and phenolic metabolites and identified optimal conditions for obtaining bioactive-rich water-soluble extracts. A central composite design was applied by varying germination time (24–96 h) and temperature (14–32 °C). Germinated flours and their corresponding water-soluble extracts were analyzed for GABA, total soluble phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Response surface methodology, desirability analysis, principal component analysis, heatmap, and partial least squares discriminant analysis were used to characterize metabolic responses and optimize germination conditions. Germination significantly altered metabolite accumulation, with higher GABA levels observed at lower temperatures, whereas phenolic metabolites showed distinct responses to the interaction between time and temperature. Multivariate analyses revealed clear metabolic differentiation among germination treatments. Multi-response optimization identified 27 h and 19.7 °C as the optimal germination conditions. These findings demonstrate that controlled germination modulates the bioactive profile of black rice, enhancing phytochemical accumulation and supporting the production of bioactive-rich water-soluble extracts. Full article

Halophytes are recognized for their adaptive capacity and potential applications in phytomanagement and ecosystem restoration. This study investigates the comparative physiology and antioxidant responses of two native halophytes, Caroxylon vermiculatum (L.) and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum L., growing naturally in saline and metal-affected coastal environments. A comprehensive set of physiological and biochemical parameters was assessed, including macro- and microelements (Na, K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cd), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids), soluble sugars, and proteins. In addition, oxidative stress markers (hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂, and malondialdehyde, MDA), enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, SOD, catalase, CAT, and guaiacol peroxidase, GPX), and non-enzymatic antioxidants (total phenolics, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins) were evaluated. Antioxidant activities, including DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging and reducing power, were also measured. The results revealed clear species-specific adaptive strategies. Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum exhibited higher accumulation of Na and K, together with elevated levels of carotenoids and oxidative stress markers. This species showed translocation factors (TF > 1) for Na (~1.60) and K (~1.90), indicating efficient ion transport to aerial parts, while displaying low bioconcentration (BCF < 0.5 for most trace elements) and biological accumulation factors (BAF < 1), suggesting limited capacity for heavy metal accumulation. In contrast, Caroxylon vermiculatum showed higher concentrations of chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and proteins, along with stronger superoxide dismutase activity. It also exhibited lower translocation of trace elements (TF < 1) and higher root retention of metals (BCF up to ~0.5), indicating a more effective exclusion and detoxification strategy. Overall, these findings demonstrate that M. nodiflorum relies on ion accumulation and translocation, whereas C. vermiculatum exhibits stronger ion regulation and antioxidant protection. Given the moderate BAF and BCF values observed, both species are more likely to contribute to phytomanagement through ion regulation and phytostabilization rather than efficient phytoextraction. Full article

The Mediterranean region is a hotspot for many plants rich in bioactive compounds due to its climate and geological regime. Aerial parts of native perennials Satureja montana and Teucrium montanum (Lamiaceae) were spectrophotometrically compared on the levels of antioxidant potential, phenolics, soluble sugars and proteins. S. montana had a notably higher antioxidant potential than T. montanum across all three assays applied, ABTS, DPPH and FRAP. This was accompanied by a significantly higher amount of most analyzed groups of phenolic compounds. Compared with T. montanum, S. montana had more total phenols (45.09 mg galic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dw; 1.54-fold higher), flavonoids (137.17 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g dw; 1.42-fold higher), flavonols (2.24 mg QE/g dw; 1.58-fold higher), phenolic (39.52 mg caffeic acid equivalents/g dw; 1.45-fold higher) and hydroxycinnamic acids (180.84 mg cinnamic acid equivalents /g dw; 1.57-fold higher), as well as tannins (23.95 mg GAE/g dw; 2.17-fold higher). Total proteins were also higher in S. montana (96.12 mg bovine serum albumin equivalents/g dw; 6.50-fold higher). On the contrary, total proanthocyanidins were significantly higher in T. montanum (1.46 mg catechin equivalents/g dw; 1.55-fold higher), as well as soluble sugars (49.86 mg sucrose equivalents/g dw; 1.42-fold higher). Finally, S. montana exhibited a 1.5-fold higher phenolic index than T. montanum, whereas T. montanum showed a 1.3-fold higher metabolic index than S. montana. Therefore, S. montana prioritizes synthesis of defense-related compounds, while T. montanum invests more energy into growth-related metabolism. Based on the results, S. montana had higher phenolic content, suggesting a greater potential for phenolic-associated bioactivity. However, further analyses regarding bioavailability, toxicity and nutritional composition are required for assessment of its nutritional quality. Full article

Population aging has intensified the search for natural compounds capable of promoting healthy aging and preventing age-related diseases. Among medicinal plants, species of the genus Crataegus (hawthorn) have attracted increasing attention because of their rich phytochemical composition and broad spectrum of biological activities. This review summarizes and critically evaluates current evidence on the geroprotective potential of Crataegus species, integrating data from phytochemical, pharmacological, and mechanistic studies. Particular attention is given to the major bioactive constituents of Crataegus, including flavonoids, oligomeric proanthocyanidins, phenolic acids, and triterpenoids, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, metabolic, and anticancer properties. We discuss the growing evidence that these phytochemicals target multiple hallmarks of aging by modulating oxidative stress, chronic low-grade inflammation (inflammaging), mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Their biological effects are mediated through key signaling pathways involved in cellular homeostasis and longevity, including Nrf2/ARE, NF-κB, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, AMPK, and SIRT1. The review also critically examines findings from in vitro, in vivo, and available clinical studies, highlighting both the therapeutic potential and current limitations of Crataegus-based interventions for age-related disorders. Although preclinical evidence strongly supports the multi-target geroprotective properties of Crataegus species, clinical validation remains limited. Overall, Crataegus represents a promising source of natural geroprotective agents with the potential to promote healthy aging through the modulation of multiple aging-related molecular pathways. Future well-designed clinical studies are essential to establish their efficacy, safety, optimal dosage, and long-term therapeutic value in humans. Full article

Background/Objectives: Idesia polycarpa Maxim. possesses conspicuous glandular protuberances on its petioles, but the chemical composition and potential biological significance of these structures remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to characterize the metabolic profile of I. polycarpa petiole glands and to determine their organ-specific accumulation patterns of secondary metabolites compared with leaves and shoot tips. Methods: A widely targeted metabolomics approach based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was applied to analyze petiole glands, leaves, and shoot tips collected from the same I. polycarpa individuals. Multivariate statistical analyses and differential metabolite profiling were performed to compare metabolic characteristics among the three organs. Results: Petiole glands contained 700 detected metabolites, representing the highest metabolic diversity among the three examined organs, and 39 metabolites were exclusively detected in petiole glands. Principal component analysis clearly separated petiole glands from leaves and shoot tips, demonstrating their distinct metabolic profile. Compared with other organs, petiole glands showed preferential accumulation of several secondary metabolite classes, including flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and phenolic acids. The gland-exclusive metabolites included flavonoids such as kaempferide, kaempferitrin, and tectoridin, as well as diverse proanthocyanidins and phenolic acid derivatives. Conclusions: This study provides the first systematic metabolomic characterization of I. polycarpa petiole glands and reveals their organ-specific accumulation of secondary metabolites. The unique metabolic profile of petiole glands suggests potential ecological relevance and provides a foundation for further investigations into the biological functions of gland-associated metabolites. Full article

Although pericarp browning is a major postharvest challenge in litchi fruit, the browning behavior of the aril and seeds remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate tissue-specific browning and the underlying mechanisms. Mature litchi fruit were separated into pericarp, aril, and cut seed, stored at 25 °C. Browning occurred predominantly in the pericarp and seeds, while aril showed no visible browning. The pericarp exhibited greater increases in electrolyte leakage (REL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content than the aril and seeds. The pericarp and seed were rich in total phenolics, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins (PAs), all of which declined in both the pericarp and seed during browning, whereas PAs were nearly undetectable in aril. Notably, epicatechin (EC) content was higher in the pericarp than in the seed, while catechin (CT) was abundant in seed but absent in pericarp. Laccase (LAC) and peroxidase (POD) activities, along with transcript levels of LcLAC14-4/5, LcLAC7, and LcPOD3, were substantially higher in the pericarp than in the seed, and barely detectable in aril. The results indicate that tissue-specific browning in litchi fruit is associated with enzymatic oxidation of PA-associated phenolics in the pericarp and seeds, offering a mechanistic target for postharvest preservation. Further studies should explore the biosynthetic regulation of PAs in the pericarp and seeds. Full article

The characteristic red walnut germplasm ‘RW-1′ (Juglans regia L.) exhibits a stable red seed coat phenotype due to the abundant accumulation of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins (PAs). The regulatory mechanisms underlying PA biosynthesis in red walnut remain poorly studied, which hinders the improvement of walnut color quality. Leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR) is a key enzyme in the PA metabolic pathway, while its function in red walnut remains unclear. Here, the leucoanthocyanidin reductase gene JrLAR1, whose expression pattern is consistent with the accumulation trend of PAs, was cloned from the seed coats of red walnut ‘RW-1′, and its function in PA biosynthesis was verified via heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana, a well-recognized cross-species LAR functional validation system free of endogenous LAR interference due to absent native homologs. The results showed that the full-length coding sequence (CDS) of JrLAR1 gene is 1104 bp, encoding a 367-amino-acid protein belonging to the NADB_Rossmann superfamily, and the protein shares an extremely high sequence similarity with grape VvLAR2. Heterologous overexpression of JrLAR1 significantly increased total PA content in the leaves and seeds of A. thaliana. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses further revealed that JrLAR1 overexpression markedly upregulated the core genes involved in PA metabolism and the transcription factor GL3 in A. thaliana, specifically induced (+)-catechin synthesis, and ultimately promoted the significant accumulation of procyanidin B3. In addition, a set of antioxidant enzyme-encoding genes were substantially upregulated in JrLAR1-overexpressing A. thaliana lines. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that JrEGL1b, a homolog of A. thaliana GL3, can bind to the promoter region of JrLAR1 gene and significantly enhance its transcriptional activity. Transient overexpression of JrLAR1 or JrEGL1b in red walnut leaves significantly promoted PA accumulation, and JrEGL1b overexpression notably upregulated JrLAR1 expression. In conclusion, JrLAR1 plays a crucial role in PA biosynthesis in red walnut and is positively regulated by the transcription factor JrEGL1b. These findings improve the molecular regulatory network of pigment metabolism in red walnut and provide valuable molecular targets for the quality improvement and directional breeding of walnuts. Full article

Rosa roxburghii Tratt is characterized by its abundant flavonoid content. However, the mechanisms underlying MYB-mediated regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis in R. roxburghii remain largely unknown. In this study, we found that flavonoid accumulation was markedly higher in fruits. By WGCNA of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with flavonoid accumulation profiles, we identified RrMYB5 as a key regulatory factor in flavonoid biosynthesis of R. roxburghii. RrMYB5 contained characteristic R2R3 domains and a conserved PA1-type motif YEEYLQALL. It was localized exclusively to the nucleus. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that RrMYB5 was constitutively expressed, with peak expression occurring at the rapid fruit expansion stage. The total soluble flavonoid accumulation in R. roxburghii calli was substantially increased by overexpression of RrMYB5. Further LC–MS-based metabolomic analysis revealed significant enrichment of flavonols and proanthocyanidins in RrMYB5-OE calli. Consistently, the transcript levels of RrLAR (Rr404249) and RrANR (Rr300417) were markedly elevated in RrMYB5-overexpressing calli. Moreover, DAP-seq analysis suggested that RrMYB5 might directly bind the promoters of flavonoid structural genes. Subsequent yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays confirmed that RrFLS (Rr101307) and RrF3H (Rr306546) were direct downstream targets of RrMYB5. These findings indicated that RrMYB5 promoted the expression of flavonol and flavanol biosynthetic genes through different regulatory routes. Thus, our study elucidates the regulatory role of RrMYB5 in flavonoid biosynthesis and provides a valuable molecular target for improving the quality and utilization of R. roxburghii. Full article

Traditional injectable vaccine adjuvants are limited by local granulomatous reactions, chronic inflammation, and reduced compliance, creating an urgent need for safe, host-directed strategies to enhance vaccine immunogenicity. Proanthocyanidins (PACs)—natural polyphenols abundant in grapes, cocoa, and tea—are food-derived bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities, positioning them as attractive candidates for oral immunostimulants. Using classical swine fever virus (CSFV), a Pestivirus within the Flaviviridae that shares conserved genomic and immunological features with human pathogens such as hepatitis C and dengue virus, we systematically evaluated oral PACs (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg/d) combined with attenuated live or subunit CSFV vaccines in mice. PACs were well tolerated across the full dose range, with no impact on body weight or major organs, while selectively increasing the splenic index—suggesting spleen-targeted immune activation without systemic inflammation. Compared with vaccine alone, the moderate dose (30 mg/kg/d) produced the strongest immunostimulation, particularly with the subunit vaccine: peak antigen-specific IgG titer reached 1:409,600, a 4-fold increase versus 1:102,400 for subunit alone and exceeding the 3.4-fold gain observed with the attenuated vaccine. IgG2a and IgG2b rose by 199.4% and 269.1%, respectively, alongside coordinated elevations of Th1 (IL-2 +160.6%, IFN-γ +91.9%) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines, enhanced B- and T-lymphocyte proliferation, and expansion of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ subsets, establishing a balanced and durable Th1/Th2 response. These findings provide preclinical evidence that food-derived PACs can serve as safe oral immunostimulants for low-immunogenicity subunit vaccines, supporting their further development in human and veterinary vaccinology. Full article

Obesity and its associated metabolic disorders drive the search for natural compounds with anti-adipogenic properties. This study evaluated Vitis vinifera seed extract (GE), rich in oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), and Allium sativum bulb extract (ALL), rich in thiosulfinates, for their effects on adipogenesis and COX-related prostanoid modulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Differentiating preadipocytes were treated with non-cytotoxic concentrations of GE, ALL, or their combination (AGE) at a 1:600 dilution (approximately 23 μg/mL allicin and 0.05% OPCs). Lipid accumulation was assessed by Oil Red O staining, prostanoid levels (PGE₂, TXA₂, and PGI₂) were quantified by enzyme immunoassay, and adipogenic gene expression (PPARγ, CEBPα and GLUT4) was analyzed by RT-qPCR. All treatments reduced lipid accumulation, with GE showing the most potent inhibition (68.0% of control), followed by ALL (81.6%) and AGE (78.0%). Distinct prostanoid patterns emerged: GE increased both PGE₂ and PGI₂ and decreased TXA₂, while ALL increased PGE₂ and reduced both TXA₂ and PGI₂. The combination (AGE) did not enhance the anti-adipogenic effects. At the molecular level, GE downregulated PPARγ, CEBPα, and GLUT4, whereas ALL did not affect their transcription, indicating distinct mechanisms. These findings demonstrate that GE and ALL inhibit adipogenesis through differential modulation of the COX pathway and gene expression, highlighting their potential as functional ingredients for obesity management. The lack of synergy in the combination warrants further investigation. Full article