scholarly journals Prebiotic Potential of Culinary Spices Used to Support Digestion and Bioabsorption

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine T. Peterson ◽  
Dmitry A. Rodionov ◽  
Stanislav N. Iablokov ◽  
Meredith A. Pung ◽  
Deepak Chopra ◽  
...  

Although the impact of medicinal and culinary herbs on health and disease has been studied to varying extents, scarcely little is known about the impact of these herbs on gut microbiota and how such effects might contribute to their health benefits. We applied in vitro anaerobic cultivation of human fecal microbiota followed by 16S rRNA sequencing to study the modulatory effects of 4 culinary spices: Curcuma longa (turmeric), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Piper longum (pipli or long pepper), and Piper nigrum (black pepper). All herbs analyzed possessed substantial power to modulate fecal bacterial communities to include potential prebiotic and beneficial repressive effects. We additionally analyzed the sugar composition of each herb by mass spectrometry and conducted genome reconstruction of 11 relevant sugar utilization pathways, glycosyl hydrolase gene representation, and both butyrate and propionate biosynthesis potential to facilitate our ability to functionally interpret microbiota profiles. Results indicated that sugar composition is not predictive of the taxa responding to each herb; however, glycosyl hydrolase gene representation is strongly modulated by each herb, suggesting that polysaccharide substrates present in herbs provide selective potential on gut communities. Additionally, we conclude that catabolism of herbs by gut communities primarily involves sugar fermentation at the expense of amino acid metabolism. Among the herbs analyzed, only turmeric induced changes in community composition that are predicted to increase butyrate-producing taxa. Our data suggests that substrates present in culinary spices may drive beneficial alterations in gut communities thereby altering their collective metabolism to contribute to the salubrious effects on digestive efficiency and health. These results support the potential value of further investigations in human subjects to delineate whether the metabolism of these herbs contributes to documented and yet to be discovered health benefits.

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Garnier ◽  
Fereidoon Shahidi

Spices and herbs have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, with research starting to accumulate on their beneficial properties. Of these properties, the immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory capabilities of many spices and herbs have led to promising results. The current review article aims to explore the current research of several spices and herbs as immune-enhancers and anti-inflammatory agents. The spices and herbs examined are African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea), allspice (Pimenta dioica), basil (Ocimum basilicum), black pepper (Piper nigrum), chili powders (Capsicum species), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Devil’s claw (Harpagophytem procumbens), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), oregano (Origanum vulgare), rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), rosemary/sage (Salvia rosmarinus/officinalis), saffron (Crocus sativus), South African geranium (Pelargonium sidoides), and turmeric (Curcuma longa). All the spices and herbs exhibited immune-enhancing or immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory capabilities through various processes. Rooibos and oregano had the most contradictory results, with some studies finding pro-inflammatory properties, especially at high doses regarding oregano. Turmeric had the most extensive research with positive results.


Author(s):  
S. Devasahayam ◽  
T. K. Jacob ◽  
C. M. Senthil Kumar ◽  
M Balaji Rajkumar

Pest control strategies based on relatively non-toxic procedures that preserve the health of the ecosystem and minimizes negative effects on beneficial organisms, and utilize microbial pathogens and their products, plant natural products, semiochemicals, biotechnological strategies and reduced-risk pesticides can be termed as ‘biorational strategies’. This review consolidates the information available on the use of biorational strategies for the management of insect pests of spice crops such as Piper nigrum (black pepper), Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Curcuma longa (turmeric), Coriandrum sativum (coriander), Cuminum cyminum (cumin) and Foeniculum vulgare (fennel). The review also identifies the current gaps in knowledge and the opportunities and challenges in using biorational strategies for the production of clean spices, reflecting the global concern over pesticide misuse.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 188-203
Author(s):  
Pérez-Pérez Ana Isabel ◽  
Quiroz-Guerra Kimberly Alexandra ◽  
Ruiz-Escalona Evelyn Victoria ◽  
Bonfante-Cabarcas Rafael Armando

Background: Medicinal plants represent a proven alternative strategy to treat cancer. Objective: To determine Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Piper nigrum (black pepper) effects in vitro and on the evolution of malignant melanoma B16F10 in C57BL/6 mice. Methods: 103 female mice divided in 4 groups: Control (n=44), Turmeric (n=20), Pepper (n=21), Turpepp (n=18). Turmeric 5% and/or pepper 0.5% were mixed with a dough made of pre-cooked cornmeal, eggs and coconut milkshake and given ad libitum to experimental groups as main diet; control received dough based diet. 200,000 melanoma cells were transplanted into right leg hind paw. Clinical, psychological, pathological and biochemical parameters were evaluated in vivo to measure melanoma progression. In vitro, metabolic activity was measured by quantifying anaerobic glycolysis and viability through MTT assay. Results: Combined preventive treatment with turmeric and pepper increased latency time for tumor onset, improved locomotor activity, preserved nociceptive response, decreased tumor volume and weight, reduced metastases and increased survival. These results were reproduced in the Pepper group, but with less statistical force; however, pepper showed greater potency in vitro experiments. Conclusion: Pepper showed an antineoplastic chemopreventive activity in B16F10 malignant melanoma, which was enhanced by the synergistic effect of turmeric.


2016 ◽  
Vol 115 (7) ◽  
pp. 2637-2645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad K. Dyab ◽  
Doaa A. Yones ◽  
Zedan Z. Ibraheim ◽  
Tasneem M. Hassan

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Habibeh Mashayekhi-Sardoo ◽  
Adeleh Mashayekhi‐Sardoo ◽  
Basil D. Roufogalis ◽  
Tannaz Jamialahmadi ◽  
Amirhossein Sahebkar

: Curcumin, a yellow pigment in Asian spice, is a natural polyphenol component of Curcuma longa rhizome. Curcuminoid components include curcumin, demethoxycurcumin (DMC), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC). Previous studies established curcumin as a safe agent based on preclinical and clinical evaluations and curcuminoids have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS). The present review collects and summarizes clinical and preclinical studies of curcumin interactions, with an emphasis on the effect of curcumin and curcumin analogs on the mRNA and protein levels of microsomal CYP450 enzymes (phase I metabolism) and their interactions with toxicants, drugs and drug probes. The literature search was conducted using keywords in various scientific databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Studies concerning the impact of curcumin and curcumin analogs on microsomal enzyme activity are reviewed and include oral, topical, and systemic treatment in humans and experimental animals, as well as studies from in vitro research. When taken together the data identified some inconsistent results between various studies. The findings showed significant inhibition of CYP450 enzymes by curcumin and its analogs. However such effects often differed when curcumin and curcumin analogs were coadministered with toxicant and other drugs and drug probes. We conclude from this review that herb-drug interactions should be considered when curcumin and curcumin analogs are consumed.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiziana Filardi ◽  
Rosaria Varì ◽  
Elisabetta Ferretti ◽  
Alessandra Zicari ◽  
Susanna Morano ◽  
...  

Curcumin, the main polyphenol contained in turmeric root (Curcuma longa), has played a significant role in medicine for centuries. The growing interest in plant-derived substances has led to increased consumption of them also in pregnancy. The pleiotropic and multi-targeting actions of curcumin have made it very attractive as a health-promoting compound. In spite of the beneficial effects observed in various chronic diseases in humans, limited and fragmentary information is currently available about curcumin’s effects on pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications. It is known that immune-metabolic alterations occurring during pregnancy have consequences on both maternal and fetal tissues, leading to short- and long-term complications. The reported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitoxicant, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, antiapoptotic, antiangiogenic, anti-hypertensive, and antidiabetic properties of curcumin appear to be encouraging, not only for the management of pregnancy-related disorders, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preeclampsia (PE), depression, preterm birth, and fetal growth disorders but also to contrast damage induced by natural and chemical toxic agents. The current review summarizes the latest data, mostly obtained from animal models and in vitro studies, on the impact of curcumin on the molecular mechanisms involved in pregnancy pathophysiology, with the aim to shed light on the possible beneficial and/or adverse effects of curcumin on pregnancy outcomes.


2003 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria de Lourdes R. Duarte ◽  
Simon A. Archer

Fusarium solani f. sp. piperis (teleomorph: Nectria haematococca f. sp. piperis), causal agent of root rot and stem blight on black pepper (Piper nigrum), produces secondary metabolites with toxigenic properties, capable of inducing vein discoloration in detached leaves and wilting in transpiring microcuttings. Production of F. solani f. sp. piperis (Fsp) toxic metabolites reached a peak after 25 days of static incubation on potato sucrose broth at 25 ºC under illumination. Changes in the pH of the culture filtrate did not alter the effect of toxic metabolites. However, when the pH was changed before the medium had been autoclaved, a more intense biological response was observed, with an optimum at pH 6.0. Isolates that produced red pigments in liquid cultures were more efficient in producing biologically active culture filtrates than those which produced pink coloured or clear filtrates suggesting that these pigments could be related to toxigenic activity. Detached leaves of seven black pepper cultivars and Piper betle showed symptoms of vein discoloration after immersion in autoclaved and non-autoclaved Fsp culture filtrates indicating the thermostable nature of these toxic metabolites.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Alexander Pérez Cordero ◽  
Leonardo Chamorro Anaya ◽  
Jorge Mercado Gomez

Los aceites esenciales son compuestos orgánicos importantes en el sector farmacéutico debido a sus propiedades antimicrobianas, volviéndose una alternativa de solución para determinadas fitopatologías. En el presente estudio se evaluó in vitro la actividad inhibitoria de aceites esenciales de Curcuma longa y Zingiber officinale contra Colletotrichum sp. obtenidas a partir de cultivos de Dioscorea rotundata en Toluviejo (Sucre, Colombia). Concentraciones de 3,000; 5,000; 8,000 y 10,000 mg/L de extracciones de aceite (método de hidrodestilación asistida por microondas) fueron aplicados a cultivos in vitro del hongo. Además, se empleó un testigo absoluto y controles positivo y negativo. Los aceites fueron caracterizados por cromatografía de gases acoplado a espectrometría de masa. La actividad inhibitoria se realizó por medio de la prueba de siembra en superficie (porcentaje de índice de inhibición). Los mayores valores de índice antifúngico se observaron a 10,000 mg/L similar al obtenido con el control positivo por benomil. De la caracterización química de los aceites esenciales el metabolito secundario que se presentó con mayor rango fue el monoterpeno 3-Thujeno y el citral. Los aceites esenciales de C. longa y Z. officinale generaron actividad inhibitoria contra el crecimiento de Colletotrichum sp., y por lo tanto pueden ser empleados para reducir la antracnosis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ju Eun Kim ◽  
Abinash Chandra Shrestha ◽  
Hyo Shin Kim ◽  
Ha Neul Ham ◽  
Jun Hyeong Kim ◽  
...  

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is linked to an extensive neuron loss via accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) as senile plaques associated with reactive astrocytes and microglial activation in the brain. The objective of this study was to assess the therapeutic effect of WS-5 ethanol extract in vitro and in vivo against Aβ-induced AD in mice and to identify the extract’s active constituents. In the present study, WS-5 exerted a significant inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that WS-5 prevented Aβ oligomerization via inhibition of Aβ1-42 aggregation. Evaluation of antioxidant activities using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) demonstrated that WS-5 possessed a high antioxidant activity, which was confirmed by measuring the total antioxidant status (TAS). Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties of WS-5 were examined using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. WS-5 significantly inhibited the lipopolysaccharide–induced production of nitric oxide and two proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6. The memory impairment in mice with Aβ-induced AD was studied using the Morris water maze and passive avoidance test. Immunohistochemistry was performed to monitor pathological changes in the hippocampus and cortex region of the mouse brain. The animal study showed that WS-5 (250 mg/kg) treatment improved learning and suppressed memory impairment as well as reduced Aβ plaque accumulation in Aβ-induced AD. HPLC analysis identified the extract’s active compounds that exert anti-AChE activity. In summary, our findings suggest that WS-5 could be applied as a natural product therapy with a focus on neuroinflammation-related neurodegenerative disorders.


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