Nutraceuticals in Human Health

The combined and concerted action of nutrient and biologically active compounds is flagged as an indicator of a “possible beneficial role” for health. The use and applications of bioactive components cover a wide range of fields, in particular the nutraceuticals. In this context, the Special Issue entitled “Nutraceuticals in Human Health” is focused on the all aspects around the nutraceuticals, ranging from analytical aspects to clinical trials, from efficacy studies to beneficial effects on health status.

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A Brief Overview on Probiotics: The Health Friendly Microbes

Biomedical & Pharmacology Journal ◽

10.13005/bpj/2285 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 1869-1880

Author(s):

Sanjukta Mishra ◽

Swastik Acharya

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Human Health ◽

Intrinsic Property ◽

Saccharomyces Boulardii ◽

Human Beings ◽

Fatty Acid Production ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Probiotic Mechanisms

Probiotics are defined as non-pathogenic live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits on the host. Association of probiotics with human beings has a lot of history. Well known as 'health-friendly bacteria', they are widely used commercially as a functional food. The popularity of probiotics has gone exponentially high due to an increasing number of clinical trials, supporting their beneficial effects. Several in vivo and in-vitro experimental evidence supports strain-specific and disease-specific probiotic efficacy to prevent and ameliorate antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, traveller's diarrhoea, ulcerative colitis, and many more. Besides, numerous recent studies have reported that probiotics could have a significant effect in alleviating various metabolic, lifestyle and diet-related disorders like obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome Strains of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces boulardii are the most commonly used as probiotics. Safety, efficacy, pathogenicity, infectivity, intrinsic property, virulence factors are to be addressed during probiotic selection. The underlying mechanisms of probiotics effects are still not fully elucidated and have been under intensive research. Numerous diverse, strain-specific probiotic mechanisms have been proposed, which include early colonization of perturbed microbes, competitive exclusion of pathogens, short-chain volatile fatty acid production, alteration of gut pH, immunomodulation and many more. Considering the remarkable influence on human health, probiotics seem to be alluring attractive agents to promote human health conditions and to improve the quality of life against several diseases. This review discusses the current documentation and recent advances on probiotics and their possible health attributes, in scientific literature, focusing on diverse, heterogeneous, and strain-specific mechanisms of action. Randomised human controlled clinical trials are needed to reconfirm its safety and beneficial effects.

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Special Issue on Environmental Biocatalysis

Catalysts ◽

10.3390/catal10050490 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 490

Author(s):

Jasmina Nikodinovic-Runic ◽

Evangelos Topakas

Keyword(s):

Energy Consumption ◽

Human Health ◽

Raw Material ◽

Molecular Tools ◽

Special Issue ◽

Wide Range

Biocatalysis has developed new molecular tools for the improvement of a wide range of bioprocesses that diminish raw material and energy consumption, while reducing or eliminating the formation of byproducts that might be hazardous to human health and the environment [...]

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Current Perspectives of the Applications of Polyphenols and Flavonoids in Cancer Therapy

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25153342 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (15) ◽

pp. 3342 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Xavier Montané ◽

Oliwia Kowalczyk ◽

Belen Reig-Vano ◽

Anna Bajek ◽

Krzysztof Roszkowski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Therapy ◽

Human Health ◽

Food Additives ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Natural Compounds ◽

Future Directions ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Wide Range ◽

Cancer Initiation ◽

Natural Drugs

The development of anticancer therapies that involve natural drugs has undergone exponential growth in recent years. Among the natural compounds that produce beneficial effects on human health, polyphenols have shown potential therapeutic applications in cancer due to their protective functions in plants, their use as food additives, and their excellent antioxidant properties. The possibility of combining conventional drugs—which are usually more aggressive than natural compounds—with polyphenols offers very valuable advantages such as the building of more efficient anticancer therapies with less side effects on human health. This review shows a wide range of trials in which polyphenolic compounds play a crucial role as anticancer medicines alone or in combination with other drugs at different stages of cancer: cancer initiation, promotion, and growth or progression. Moreover, the future directions in applications of various polyphenols in cancer therapy are emphasized.

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Application of Analytical Chemistry to Foods and Food Technology

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods9091296 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 1296

Author(s):

Daniele Naviglio ◽

Monica Gallo

Keyword(s):

Analytical Chemistry ◽

Human Health ◽

Human Body ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Food Technology ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Vital Functions ◽

Food Matrices ◽

Functional Components

Foods are a mixture of substances capable of supplying the human body with nutrients, which, once metabolized, are used mainly for the production of energy, heat, replenishment, and growth material for organs and tissues, ensuring the normal performance of vital functions necessary for growth of the human body. Therefore, the study of the chemical composition of foods and the properties of their constituents helps to define their nutritional and commodity values. Furthermore, it allows for evaluation of the chemical modifications that the constituents of the food undergo following the treatments (Food Technology) to which they are subjected. Analytical chemistry is the branch of chemistry based on the qualitative and quantitative determination of compounds present in a sample under examination. Therefore, through its application, it is possible to determine the quality of a product and/or its nutritional value, reveal adulterations, identify the presence of xenobiotic substances potentially harmful to human health (heavy metals, IPA, pharmaceuticals, etc.). Furthermore, some foods, in particular those of plant origin, contain numerous substances, secondary metabolites, with huge beneficial effects for human health. These functional components can be taken both through a correct diet, but also obtained from different food matrices by technological or biotechnological processes for the formulation of both functional foods and/or nutraceutical products. This Special Issue brings together 10 original studies and two comprehensive reviews on the above topics, in particular: (i) processes of extraction, identification, and characterization of biologically active compounds from different food matrices, (ii) overview of the main techniques applied for the determination of food colors, (iii) newer and greener solid-liquid extraction techniques.

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Polyphenols, the Healthy Brand of Olive Oil: Insights and Perspectives

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13113831 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 3831

Author(s):

Mauro Finicelli ◽

Tiziana Squillaro ◽

Umberto Galderisi ◽

Gianfranco Peluso

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Olive Oil ◽

Human Health ◽

Protective Role ◽

Bioactive Molecules ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Healthy Diets ◽

Key Aspects

Given their beneficial potential on human health, plant food bioactive molecules are important components influencing nutrition. Polyphenols have been widely acknowledged for their potentially protective role against several complex diseases. In particular, the polyphenols of olive oil (OOPs) emerge as the key components of many healthy diets and have been widely studied for their beneficial properties. The qualitative and quantitative profile defining the composition of olive oil phenolic molecules as well as their absorbance and metabolism once ingested are key aspects that need to be considered to fully understand the health potential of these molecules. In this review, we provide an overview of the key aspects influencing these variations by focusing on the factors influencing the biosynthesis of OOPs and the findings about their absorption and metabolism. Despite the encouraging evidence, the health potential of OOPs is still debated due to limitations in current studies. Clinical trials are necessary to fully understand and validate the beneficial effects of olive oil and OOPs on human health. We provide an update of the clinical trials based on olive oil and/or OOPs that aim to understand their beneficial effects. Tailored studies are needed to standardize the polyphenolic distribution and understand the variables associated with phenol-enriched OO. An in-depth knowledge of the steps that occur following polyphenol ingestion may reveal useful insights to be used in clinical settings for the prevention and treatment of many diseases.

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Environmental Рollution by Рharmaceuticals

Ecology and Industry of Russia ◽

10.18412/1816-0395-2020-8-51-55 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 24 (8) ◽

pp. 51-55

Author(s):

I.N. Lykov ◽

S.A. Kusacheva ◽

M.E. Safronova ◽

A.Yu. Loginova

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Domestic Wastewater ◽

Pharmaceutical Products ◽

Freshwater Ecosystems ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Active Metabolites ◽

Environmental Consequences ◽

Russian Scientific ◽

Wide Range

The global use of pharmaceuticals is constantly growing and leads to water contamination with xenobiotic compounds with a wide range of biological activity. Most pharmaceutical products that are widely used in medicine and veterinary medicine are constantly discharged into domestic wastewater in unchanged form or as active metabolites. These medications include hormones, antibiotics, analgesics, antidepressants, and antitumor medications. Treatment plants are not able to effectively remove these compounds from wastewater, which contributes to their migration to freshwater ecosystems. With a long half-life, pharmaceuticals can accumulate in the environment, reaching biologically active levels. The presence of pharmaceuticals in aquatic ecosystems can lead to unpredictable environmental consequences and reactions and can also have a negative impact on human health. In the Russian scientific literature, very little attention is paid to the problem of environmental pollution by pharmaceuticals. Therefore, this review article discusses the main sources of pharmaceuticals and their metabolites, the fate of these compounds in the aquatic environment, their impact on human health and aquatic biocenoses.

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Біохімічні особливості плодів лимонника китайського (Schizandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill.)

Medical and Clinical Chemistry ◽

10.11603/mcch.2410-681x.2017.v0.i2.7969 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

N. V. Skrypchenko ◽

N. I. Dzhurenko ◽

H. V. Slyusar

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Chemical Composition ◽

Essential Oils ◽

Volatile Compounds ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Bioactive Components ◽

Mineral Complex ◽

Wide Range ◽

Schizandra Chinensis ◽

Promising Source

Introduction. Today the searching of new innocuous plant substances of the introduced non-traditional plants is increasingly important due to its possibility of versatile use in the pharmaceutical industry. These include Chinese Magnolia vine (Schizandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill.) – the valuable source of bioactive compounds, which are widely used in folk and scientific medicine.The aim of the study – to learn biochemical characteristics of fruits of Chinese Magnolia vine, introduced in Wood-steppe of Ukraine. The lipid fraction, the content of volatile compounds and the mineral composition of the Magnolia-vine (S. chinensis) fruits (the cultivar Sadovy – 1), selected in M. Hryshko National Botanic Garden of NAS ofUkraine, were carried out.Research Methods. As a raw material we used the Magnolia-vine fruits (the cultivar Sadovy – volatile compounds was implemented with chromatographic method, the content of fatty acids – with the method of capillary gas chromatography, the content of macro- and microelements – with X-ray fluorestcent method.Results and Discussions. The chemical composition of the S. chinensis fruits is characterized by a combination of the important bioactive components, including fatty and essential oils with the rich mineral complex of the macro- and microelements. The lipid complex of Magnolia-vine seeds is revealed a high content of unsaturated fatty acids with the highest percentage of linoleic acid (69.97 %). The 65 components are founded in volatile fractions of the fruits, and 75 components – in the seeds, the main of which are nerolidol, β-elemen, D. hermakren. The mineral complex is represented with 13 macro- and microelements, the main of which are potassium, calcium, sulfur, iron, manganese and zinc.Conclusions. The results confirm the high value of the fruits of Magnolia-vine, introduced in conditions of the Wood-steppe ofUkraine. The chemical composition of the fruit is distinguished by a combination of important bioactive components, including fatty and essential oils, rich mineral complex macro- and microelements, which has a wide range of pharmacological action. This gives the base to widespread cultivation of Magnolia-vine as a promising source of biologically active compounds that can be used to create the food additives and phyto-compositions of medical-prophylactic action.

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Marine Health-Promoting Compounds: Recent Trends for Their Characterization and Human Applications

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10123100 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 3100

Author(s):

Eva Quitério ◽

Cristina Soares ◽

Ricardo Ferraz ◽

Cristina Delerue-Matos ◽

Clara Grosso

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Chemical Degradation ◽

Potential Health ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Degradation Reactions ◽

Food And Feed ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Marine Compounds ◽

Valuable Compounds

Seaweeds represent a rich source of biologically active compounds with several applications, especially in the food, cosmetics, and medical fields. The beneficial effects of marine compounds on health have been increasingly explored, making them an excellent choice for the design of functional foods. When studying marine compounds, several aspects must be considered: extraction, identification and quantification methods, purification steps, and processes to increase their stability. Advanced green techniques have been used to extract these valuable compounds, and chromatographic methods have been developed to identify and quantify them. However, apart from the beneficial effects of seaweeds for human health, these natural sources of bioactive compounds can also accumulate undesirable toxic elements with potential health risks. Applying purification techniques of extracts from seaweeds may mitigate the amount of excessive toxic components, ensuring healthy and safer products for commercialization. Furthermore, limitations such as stability and bioavailability problems, chemical degradation reactions during storage, and sensitivity to oxidation and photo-oxidation, need to be overcome using, for example, nanoencapsulation techniques. Here we summarize recent advances in all steps of marine products identification and purification and highlight selected human applications, including food and feed applications, cosmetic, human health, and fertilizers, among others.

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Activities of Tannins – from in Vitro Studies to Clinical Trials

Natural Product Communications ◽

10.1177/1934578x1501001118 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1934578X1501001 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Elwira Sieniawska

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Human Health ◽

Laboratory Tests ◽

Plant Secondary Metabolites ◽

In Vitro Studies ◽

Literature Research ◽

Wide Range

Tannins are considered as valuable plant secondary metabolites providing many benefits for human health. In this review information was gathered about bioactivity in vitro and in vivo, as well as about conducted clinical trials. The literature research was based on ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Cochrane databases and presents a wide range of tested activities of tannins. The described clinical trials verify laboratory tests and show the effective health benefits taken from supplementation with tannins.

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Skuteczność i bezpieczeństwo stosowania korzenia Symphytum officinale L. – przegląd danych literaturowych

Postępy Fitoterapii ◽

10.25121/pf.2021.22.1.23 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Katarzyna Kimel ◽

Mirosława Krauze-Baranowska

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Chemical Composition ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Herbal Products ◽

Plant Raw Materials ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

History Of ◽

Ancient Times ◽

History Of Use

Comfrey root – Symphyti radix has been present in medicine since ancient times. Nowadays, European Medicine Agency (EMA) restricts its only for external use, in short therapies not exceeding 10 days. The last decade has been characterized by the progress in research on the chemical composition and metabolism of biologically active compounds present in the root and leaves. The result is the presence of herbal medicinal products containing comfrey root extracts with reduced content or free of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids on the European market of herbal products. Moreover, the medicinal properties of leaves from another Symphytum species, namely Russian comfrey, are also in the use. The results of clinical trials indicate the beneficial effects of plant raw materials obtained from comfreys in musculoskeletal system disorders – comfrey root and skin inflammations – leaves of Russian comfrey. The paper presents the history of use, chemical composition, therapeutic effect and toxicity of comfrey, as well as characterizes clinical trials on products containing comfrey extracts from root and leaves.

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