Journal of medicinal food最新文献

The prevalence of diabetes and malaria remains high in developing countries despite remarkable progress in the health sector. Functional food remedies with acha grains and black cumin have been used locally to treat/manage type 2 diabetes (T2D) and malaria separately. However, this study sought to assess the comorbidity and the ameliorative potential of black cumin-enriched acha-based cookies in Plasmodium berghei infection in diabetic mice. High-fat diet fed mice of 20-25 g were grouped into eight groups (n = 8), while a single dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered to induce T2D. After this, the NK65 strain of P. berghei was used to infect the mice, and the infected diabetic mice were fed with the formulated cookies for 14 days, and the percentage (%) parasitemia suppression and blood glucose levels were evaluated at 3-day intervals in the morning. The effect of the cookies on pancreatic α-amylase, α-glucosidase, endogenous antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase), catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities, reduced glutathione level, and inflammatory nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer and interleukin-10 markers was determined. The result of the malaria-infected diabetic mice fed with a fortified cookies diet indicates a reversal of damage incurred compared with the negative control group. This shows that black cumin-enriched acha-based cookies could be a promising nutraceutical therapy in T2D-malaria pathology.

Despite the introduction of new drugs, cardiac remodeling (CR) following myocardial infarction (MI) is still associated with increased mortality. Therefore, the search for new therapeutic strategies and bioactive compounds capable of attenuating CR is highly relevant. Although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, growing evidence suggests that oxidative stress regulation and modulation of the intestinal microbiota may contribute to the cardioprotective effects of bean consumption in cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the influence of bean flour on CR and intestinal microbiota after MI. Male Wistar rats underwent experimental infarction or sham surgery and were allocated into (1) Sham fed a standard diet (C = 18); (2) MI fed a standard diet (I = 22); and (3) MI fed a diet with bean flour (IB = 28) 15%. After 3 months were submitted to functional, morphometric, and biochemical study. The average infarct size was 38% for the I group and 40% for the IB group, there being no difference between the groups. The MI groups presented morphological changes and functional variables compared with C. Beans did not attenuate these changes, however, microbiota, the S24-7 Bacteroides, and the Halobacteriaceae firmicutes had reduced abundance after the MI in IB group. The supplementation of bean flour modulates the intestinal microbiota after MI. However, it does not attenuate the CR process following MI.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Jucá tea for curative treatment in rats with acute colitis. A total of 40 male Wistar rats (n = 10 per group) were fed a commercial ration and filtered water, wherein one group received Jucá tea by gavage. The rats were divided into the following groups: control, colitis control, drug control receiving sulfasalazine, and Jucá group, where the rats received an intermediate dose of the fruit (285 mg/kg/day). The disease activity index, macroscopic damage score of the large intestine (LI), histopathological analysis of the LI, biochemical examinations, and antioxidant measurements were performed. The group that received Jucá tea exhibited reduced water and feed consumption (P = .000) and presented a higher index of disease activity on days 1 (P = .000) and 7 (P = .004). Additionally, this group presented more severe intestinal lesions on histopathological evaluation of the total damage score (P = .017). The intestinal crypts were not negatively affected by tea consumption (P = .001). Jucá did not cause hepatic alterations in rats, as verified by alanine aminotransferase measurement (P = .04), but lowered albumin levels (P = .00). Jucá tea alters the dietary consumption in animals, is implicated in intestinal damage, and does not soften the inflammatory process caused by colitis. Jucá does not induce hepatotoxicity.

This study explored the anti-obesity potential of Fatdizol, a blend composed of Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Morus alba, in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of Fatdizol verified the presence of two key bioactive constituents, rosmarinic acid and 1-deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ), which are recognized for their anti-obesity effects. In vitro, the influence of Fatdizol on adipogenesis and lipogenesis was assessed through glycerol release assays, Oil Red O staining, and Western blotting. Fatdizol treatment notably reduced lipid accumulation and triglyceride content while enhancing glycerol release in differentiated adipocytes. In vivo, obesity was induced in C57BL/6J mice by administration of a 60% HFD, followed by oral supplementation with Fatdizol for 16 weeks. Various analyses, including micro-computed tomography imaging, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of plasma, adipose tissue, and feces, histological evaluation by hematoxylin and eosin staining of adipose tissues and liver, and western blot analysis, were conducted. Fatdizol administration significantly attenuated body weight gain, reduced white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue mass, improved serum lipid profiles, and decreased both systemic WAT accumulation and lipid droplet size. Mechanistically, Fatdizol inhibited adipogenic and lipogenic protein expression, enhanced lipolytic pathways, stimulated energy metabolism, activated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling axis, and promoted glucose metabolism. Collectively, these findings suggest that Fatdizol holds significant promise as a therapeutic agent for obesity management and may serve as a functional ingredient for health-promoting food development if its efficacy can be confirmed in human clinical trials.

Human breast milk-derived extracellular vesicles (HMEVs) have various physiological functions, including immune regulation, cell regeneration, and inflammation suppression, as well as potential therapeutic applications; however, research on the role of HMEVs in bone growth and bone remodeling is insufficient. This study examined the effects of extracellular vesicles derived from human breast milk on osteoblast differentiation and mineralization and elucidated their role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. The study's results showed that HMEVs significantly enhance osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization, as confirmed by increased expression of proteins and genes related to bone formation. These effects are mediated via the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. In other words, this study suggests that HMEVs may have a beneficial effect on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis by promoting differentiation and mineralization of bone cells through the BMP2 and MAPK signaling pathways.

This study evaluated the effects of Salacia reticulata on glucose metabolism, insulin signaling, and key metabolic markers in type 2 diabetes (T2D). We evaluated how S. reticulata influences the activity of major enzymes responsible for carbohydrate breakdown. In vitro studies on C2C12 cells also examined glucose uptake and insulin signaling pathway activation. Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats were treated with S. reticulata (25 and 50 mg/kg body weight [bw]) or metformin (126 mg/kg bw) for 16 weeks. S. reticulata suppressed the activities of α-glucosidase and α-amylase while promoting insulin signaling pathways and glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes. In OLETF rats, administration of S. reticulata markedly enhanced glucose tolerance, lowered fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels, and significantly decreased the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, reflecting improved insulin sensitivity. Western blot analysis revealed increased insulin receptor substrate-1, PI3K, Akt, and activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, along with upregulated GLUT4 expression in skeletal muscle. Serum glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and adiponectin levels were significantly elevated in the S. reticulata-treated groups, helping improve insulin action and systemic metabolic regulation. As a result, S. reticulata exerts beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis by affecting key mechanisms such as insulin signaling, incretin dynamics, and adipokine modulation, reinforcing its value as a n'atural agent for treating T2D and associated metabolic issues.

Hypertension increases the risk of mortality from cardiovascular complications. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açaí) seed extract (ASE), a polyphenol-rich Amazonian plant, and moderate exercise training (TR), in combination or not, exert beneficial effects on cardiovascular structural and functional changes, oxidative stress, and loss of physical performance (PP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Five groups were assigned: Control (CT), SHR, SHR + ASE (200 mg/kg/day by gavage), SHR + TR, and SHR + TR + ASE. The TR was performed on a treadmill for 8 weeks (5×/week) for 30 min. Blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were measured. Vascular reactivity was evaluated in the mesenteric arterial bed (MAB) and aortic ring. Aorta samples were obtained for biochemical, immunohistochemical, and morphological assessments. Running distance and exercise time increased in SHR + TR compared with the first maximal stress test. This performance was lost in the third test but restored with ASE. Hypertension, aorta hypertrophy, reduced acetylcholine-induced vasodilation, phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (p-eNOS) expression, oxidative damage (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine), and superoxide dismutase activity were improved by ASE but not TR. ASE and TR alone improved endothelial dysfunction in MAB and fibrosis in the aorta. The lipid profile and glutathione peroxidase activity improvement were observed only in SHR + TR + ASE, and additional p-eNOS expression and anti-hypertrophy effect were observed. In conclusion, ASE was superior to TR as an antihypertensive strategy because it improved vascular endothelial dysfunction, hypertrophy, and oxidative stress in SHR. The association of both strategies further improves vascular hypertrophy, antioxidant defense, the loss of PP, and lipid profile, which may benefit hypertension-related cardiovascular risks.

Monarda fistulosa (M. fistulosa) is a flowering plant used as an herbal remedy due to its anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we sought to test the anti-inflammatory properties of a M. fistulosa methanolic flower crude extract and found that the extract decreased lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-6 cytokine production by RAW 264.7 macrophages. We went on to characterize potential anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds present in the methanolic extract of M. fistulosa flower using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and molecular networking analysis. In total, 183 compounds were putatively identified. These findings contribute to our knowledge of the anti-inflammatory medicinal properties and underlying chemistry of M. fistulosa.

Western-style diets are positively correlated with many chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, coronary artery disease, inflammatory disease, and colon cancer. Western-style diets are characterized by high consumption of protein, fat, sugar, salt, and low intake of fruits and vegetables. Here, we compared the effect of western-style diets (diet-induced obesity [DIO] and the Total Western Diet [TWD]) on colonic inflammation and gut microbiome, and the effects of supplementing apiaceous vegetables (API; celery and parsnip) to those diets. Mice were fed the western-style diets with or without API for 12 weeks; control mice were given the AIN-93G diet. TWD-induced inflammatory gene expression (p65, IκBα, TNF-α, IL-1β), which was reversed by API supplementation. DIO promoted p65 phosphorylation, which was suppressed by API supplementation. In microbiome analyses, α-diversity was increased by DIO but decreased by TWD, which were not restored by API. Both DIO and TWD showed distinct microbial structures, as indicated by Bray-Curtis and Jaccard β-diversity indices, compared with AIN-93G, and were distinct from each other. API supplementation led to differentiation from the DIO and TWD, except for TWD in Jaccard. Random forest analysis identified altered key taxa: [Ruminococcus]_gnavus was DIO- and TWD-specifically increased taxa, which was decreased by API supplementation, and Lachnospiraceae was enriched by API in both DIO and TWD. In conclusion, DIO and TWD both altered microbial composition in ways that could contribute to colonic inflammation. API may mitigate this inflammatory compositional shift through modulating bacterial abundance belonging to Lachnospiraceae family when supplemented to both DIO and TWD.

Glycogen storage diseases are genetic disorders involving glycogen storage or release. The cost of the modified starch (trademark Glycosade®) for treatment sometimes is not feasible, and patients are treated with oral uncooked cornstarch every 3 h. Our aim was to modify cornstarch at the lab and to translate it to a homemade process to extend glucose uptake for at least 5 h. We measured the transition phase of available cornstarch at low moisture. Then, cornstarch was heat-treated in a laboratory convection oven at 90, 95, and 100°C for 2 and 5 h and analyzed for in vitro hydrolysis and digestibility in comparison to Glycosade® by a cluster analysis. We replicated conditions in a kitchen roasting oven. A trial with 19 fasted healthy adults evaluated glucose after intake of 100 g/300 mL for 5 h. There were no phase transitions at 30% moisture, up to 100°C. At the lab, optimum conditions were 5 h at 90°C, with similar in vitro behavior to Glycosade®, and 95°C for 2 h in the kitchen roasting oven. The glucose levels of participants were maintained (106 to 95 mg/dL) along 5 h. In conclusion, euglycemia was prolonged at least 5 h after our product dosing as breakfast. The modified cornstarch could be prepared at home and used in patients with glycogen storage diseases, after clinical assessment.