Bioactive Molecules from Medicinal Plants as Functional Foods (Biscuits) for the Benefit of Human Health as Antidiabetic Potential

Grapes and Their Derivatives in Functional Foods

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10030672 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 672

Author(s):

Panagiotis Kandylis

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Functional Foods ◽

Consumer Interest ◽

Health Promoting

Consumer interest in the consumption of health promoting foods is growing worldwide due to the realization of the link between diet and human health [...]

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Medicinal Plants Used for the Traditional Management of Diabetes in the Eastern Cape, South Africa: Pharmacology and Toxicology

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules23112759 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (11) ◽

pp. 2759 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Samuel Odeyemi ◽

Graeme Bradley

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Medicinal Plants ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Traditional Healers ◽

Bioactive Molecules ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Insulin Mimetic ◽

Almost All

The use of medicinal plants for the management of diabetes mellitus is on the rise in the developing countries, including South Africa. There is increasing scientific evidence that supports the claims by the traditional healers. In this review, we compare the families of previously reported anti-diabetic plants in the Eastern Cape by rating the anti-diabetic activity, mode of action and also highlight their therapeutic potentials based on the available evidence on their pharmacology and toxicity. Forty-five plants mentioned in ethnobotanical surveys were subjected to a comprehensive literature search in the available electronic databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Elsevier, by using “plant name” and “family” as the keywords for the primary searches to determine the plants that have been scientifically investigated for anti-diabetic activity. The search returned 25 families with Asteraceae highly reported, followed by Asphodelaceae and Alliaceae. Most of the plants have been studied for their anti-diabetic potentials in vivo and/or in vitro, with most of the plants having a higher percentage of insulin release and inhibition against carbohydrate digesting enzymes as compared with insulin mimetic and peripheral glucose uptake. Almost all the investigated plants also inhibit oxidative stress as part of their hypoglycemic activity with less toxicity. However, the isolation of their bioactive molecules is still lacking. This review provides a resource to enable thorough assessments of the therapeutic profiles of available medicinal plants used for the management of diabetes in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Further studies such as the identification of the active ingredients of potent plants still need to be carried out; this may lead to new molecules in drug discovery and development.

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The Triple Jags of Dietary Fibers in Cereals: How Biotechnology Is Longing for High FiberGrains

Frontiers in Plant Science ◽

10.3389/fpls.2021.745579 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Ermelinda Botticella ◽

Daniel Valentin Savatin ◽

Francesco Sestili

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Cell Walls ◽

Chemical Structure ◽

Bioactive Molecules ◽

Whole Grain ◽

Grain Products ◽

Macro And Micronutrients ◽

Main Components ◽

Grain Foods ◽

Significant Health

Cereals represent an important source of beneficial compounds for human health, such as macro- and micronutrients, vitamins, and bioactive molecules. Generally, the consumption of whole-grain products is associated with significant health benefits, due to the elevated amount of dietary fiber (DF). However, the consumption of whole-grain foods is still modest compared to more refined products. In this sense, it is worth focusing on the increase of DF fractions inside the inner compartment of the seed, the endosperm, which represents the main part of the derived flour. The main components of the grain fiber are arabinoxylan (AX), β-glucan (βG), and resistant starch (RS). These three components are differently distributed in grains, however, all of them are represented in the endosperm. AX and βG, classified as non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), are in cell walls, whereas, RS is in the endosperm, being a starch fraction. As the chemical structure of DFs influences their digestibility, the identification of key actors involved in their metabolism can pave the way to improve their function in human health. Here, we reviewed the main achievements of plant biotechnologies in DFs manipulation in cereals, highlighting new genetic targets to be exploited, and main issues to face to increase the potential of cereals in fighting malnutrition.

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Thymus algeriensis and Artemisia herba-alba Essential Oils: Chemical Analysis, Antioxidant Potential and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic Activities, and Acute Toxicity

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26226780 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (22) ◽

pp. 6780

Author(s):

Khadija El Ouahdani ◽

Imane Es-safi ◽

Hamza Mechchate ◽

Mohammed Al-zahrani ◽

Ashraf Ahmed Qurtam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Activity ◽

Free Radical ◽

Medicinal Plants ◽

Essential Oils ◽

Iron Reduction ◽

Radical Scavenging ◽

Bioactive Molecules ◽

Potential Toxicity ◽

Thymus Algeriensis ◽

Anti Inflammatory

The study of bioactive molecules of natural origin is a focus of current research. Thymus algeriensis and Artemisia herba-alba are two medicinal plants widely used by the Moroccan population in the traditional treatment of several pathologies linked to inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the single and combined antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the essential oils extracted from these two medicinal plants, and also their potential toxicity. Essential oils were extracted using hydro-distillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by two methods: the scavenging of the free radical DPPH, and the reduction in iron. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by evaluating the edema development induced by carrageenan injecting, while the analgesic power was evaluated according to the number of abdominal contortions induced by the intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid (0.7%). The acute oral toxicity was performed to assess the potential toxicity of the studied EOs, followed by an analysis of the blood biochemical parameters. The results of the two antioxidant tests indicated that our extract mixture exhibits good iron reduction capacity and very interesting DPPH free radical scavenging power, with an IC50 of around 4.38 ± 0.98 μg/mL higher than that of the benchmark antioxidant, BHT. The anti-inflammatory test demonstrated that the mixture administered orally at a dose of 150 mg/kg has a better activity, exceeding that of 1% Diclofenac, with a percentage of maximum inhibition of the edema of 89.99 ± 4.08. The number of cramps in the mice treated with the mixture at a dose of 150 mg/kg is significantly lower (29.80 ± 1.92) than those of the group treated with Tramadol (42.00 ± 2.70), respectively. The toxicity results show no signs of toxicity with an LD50 greater than 150 mg/Kg. These interesting results show that the two plants’ EOs had an important anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant activity, and also a powerful synergistic effect, which encourages further in-depth investigations on their pharmacological proprieties.

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Designer Eggs with an Increased Content of Omega-3 fatty Acids and Pigments — Production and Health Benefits of their Consumption

Poljoprivreda ◽

10.18047/poljo.27.2.9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 67-74

Author(s):

Zlata Kralik ◽

Gordana Kralik ◽

Manuela Grčević ◽

Danica Hanžek ◽

Ewa Biazik

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Human Health ◽

Functional Foods ◽

Health Benefits ◽

Nutritional Composition ◽

Poultry Production ◽

Composition Change ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Research And Innovation ◽

Positive Effect

Designed-enriched products have been recently one of the most interesting areas of research and innovation in the animal production and food industry. These products are considered functional foods and contain ingredients that have beneficial physiological effects on human health. Designed or enriched eggs are an important type of functional food in poultry production. Demand for functional foods in the market has been increasing in recent years. Due to the increased interest of people in buying designed products, there is a production adjustment in the poultry industry. Composition change of laying hens feed affects nutritional composition change of eggs as well as their quality preservation. This process can an effect of the change in the concentration of cholesterol and its fractions, fatty acids, and pigments in eggs. It is evident from the relevant scientific literature that designer eggs consumption can have a positive effect on human health. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to describe different concepts of designer eggs production and emphasize the health benefits of their consumption in humans.

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Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used for Human Health Care in Yem Culture, South Ethiopia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-325128/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Gideon Woldemariam ◽

Sebsebe Demissew ◽

Zemede Asfaw

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Medicinal Plants ◽

Indigenous Knowledge ◽

Human Health ◽

Traditional Knowledge ◽

Low Income ◽

Health Care Systems ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Ethnobotanical Study ◽

Care Systems

Abstract BackgroundIndigenous or traditional herbal medicine has been widely regarded as a resource for strengthening the health care systems among communities of low income countries including Ethiopia. The Yem people in Ethiopia have deep-rooted and ancient traditional knowledge of managing human ailments and health conditions using medicinal plants (mps). On the other hand, mps and the associated indigenous knowledge are under erosion due to human-induced and natural factors. Therefore, documenting the plant biodiversity along with the associated indigenous knowledge is of urgent task for conservation. MethodsThis study was conducted in April, 2013, October, 2016 and July, 2016 with the objective of documenting traditional mps in different land uses that are used for treating human ailments. Ethnobotanical data were collected from 69 informants that were selected by stratified random sampling and purposive sampling. Vegetation data were obtained from 30, 30x30 m quadrats. Ethnobotanical data were analysed using paired ranking, Informant consensus factor and Fidelity Level index. ResultsAbout 213 medicinal plant species that are used for treating 117 human ailments were recorded. ICF calculated depicted a highest ICF value of 0.82 for Gastrointestinal & Visceral organs ailments. Haplocarpha rueppellii, Carduus schimperi and Inula confortiflora each 100%, Maesa lanceolata 80% and Rumex abyssinicus 75%. Vegetation analysis showed three plant communities.ConclusionThe Yem people have rich traditional knowledge of utilising plants side by side with the mainstream biomedical system for maintaining human health care.

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Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers in Algeria: A Multiregional Ethnobotanical Study

Frontiers in Pharmacology ◽

10.3389/fphar.2021.760492 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Khadidja Belhouala ◽

Bachir Benarba

Keyword(s):

Medicinal Plants ◽

Zingiber Officinale ◽

Traditional Healers ◽

Bioactive Molecules ◽

Ethnobotanical Study ◽

Medicinal Species ◽

Face To Face ◽

New Therapeutic Approaches ◽

Informant Consensus ◽

Therapeutic Uses

Traditional medicine is the cornerstone that boosts scientific research to explore new therapeutic approaches. The study aimed to assess the traditional knowledge and use of medicinal plants to treat various ailments by Algerian traditional healers. Forty traditional healers were face-to-face interviewed in three different Algerian areas (West, Kabylia, and Sahara). The data collected were analyzed using quantitative indices such as fidelity level (FL) and informant consensus factor (FIC). A total of 167 species belonging to 70 families were recorded. Lamiaceae (13%), Asteraceae (13%), Apiaceae (7%), and Rosaceae and Fabaceae (5% each) were the most cited families. The survey revealed that leaves were the most used parts of the plants (29%). Furthermore, decoction (35%), raw (24%), and infusion (19%) were the common modes for the remedies’ preparation. Here, 15% of the total species were newly reported as medicinal plants. Besides, it was reported for the first time a total of 47 new therapeutic uses for 20 known plant species. Of 17 ailments categories, cancer was presented by 44 species, showing the highest FIC of 0.46. Marrubium vulgare L., Artemisia herba-alba Asso., Zingiber officinale Roscoe., and Juniperus phoenicea L. recorded the maximum fidelity value of 100%. Therefore, our study reveals strong ethnomedicinal knowledge shared by local populations living in the three regions studied. The medicinal species with a high FL could be promising candidates for identifying new bioactive molecules.

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Short Overview of Heavy Metals Effects for Plants and Human Health and Their Determination in Medicinal Plants

10.1109/ehb52898.2021.9657747 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Laura Hagiu Zaleschi ◽

Maria Apostol ◽

Isabela Maria Simion ◽

Gabriela Irina Cara ◽

Gabriel Ciprian Teliban ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Medicinal Plants ◽

Human Health ◽

Short Overview

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Traditional Herbs With Potential Wound Healing Properties

10.4018/978-1-6684-3546-5.ch012 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 214-232

Author(s):

Neelesh Babu ◽

Ajeet Singh ◽

Navneet

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Medicinal Plants ◽

Human Health ◽

Healing Process ◽

Herbal Medicines ◽

Wound Healing Process ◽

Traditional Medicines ◽

Natural Remedies ◽

Wide Zone

Medicinal plants have been necessary to conventional and non-customary types of prescriptions dating back to somewhere around 5000 years ago. Researchers progressively depend on current logical techniques and proof-based medication to demonstrate the viability of herbal medicines and spotlight on a better comprehension of the systems of their activity. Notwithstanding, data concerning quantitative human health advantages on natural remedies is yet uncommon, constraining their legitimate valuation. Traditional medicines are regularly utilized for the wound-healing process covering a wide zone of various skin-related infections. This chapter will give information about the wound-healing capability of plants that are useful for the advancement of new wound-healing formulations.

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