Current Issue : January-March Volume : 2026 Issue Number : 1 Articles : 5 Articles
The dried root extract of Astragalus membranaceus, also known as Astragali radix, is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for its multiple health benefits and well-established safety profile. Astragalus root extract exhibits several bioactive properties, including antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral and hepatoprotective effects. Due to its unique features, it is being investigated in a novel application as a complementary remedy in the management of joint disorders. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Astragalus membranaceus hydroalcoholic root extract (0.01 and 0.1 mg/mL) in vitro on the HTB-94 cell line, a wellknown model for studying inflammatory pathways in human chondrocytes. The mRNA modulation levels were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR), while the protein secretion levels were assessed using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results obtained demonstrated that this extract is able to decrease the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced inflammatory response by downregulating both the mRNA expression and release of the pro-inflammatory mediators Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and Interelukin-8 (IL-8), as well as matrix metalloproteases, including Matrix Metalloprotease-3 (MMP-3), Matrix Metalloprotease-13 (MMP-13) and A disintegrin, and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS-5). Moreover, the interleukin and matrix metalloprotease production was also assessed in non-TNF-α- stimulated cells, revealing that the extract did not alter the basal levels of these mediators. Finally, our findings highlight the potential benefits of Astragalus membranaceus extract, both in terms of its favorable safety profile and its efficacy mitigating joint inflammatory responses. These results support the potential of this extract as a nutraceutical agent for joint health support....
Background/Objectives: High concentration of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the predominant cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease progression and coronary heart disease. Nutraceutical combination together with a cholesterol-lowering action provides an alternative to pharmacotherapy in patients reporting intolerance to statins and in subjects with low cardiovascular risk. The effects on lipid parameters were evaluated over 6 months for a food supplement containing aqueous extract of Berberis aristata and Olea europea, fenugreek seed extract, water/ethanol extract of artichoke leaf and phytosterols from sunflower seeds (Ritmon Colesystem®). Methods: Laboratory data were obtained at baseline from 44 otherwise healthy subjects (33 males, mean 50 ± 11 years) without cardiovascular disease having LDL-C in the range 115 to 190 mg/dL pharmacologically untreated for hypercholesterolemia. Subjects were re-evaluated at 1, 3 and 6 months during which they took one tablet of Ritmon Colesystem® after dinner. Results: At baseline, the mean values were 151 ± 21 mg/dL for LDL-C, 223 ± 24 mg/dL for total cholesterol (T-C), 52 ± 14 mg/dL for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and 124 ± 58 mg/dL for triglycerides. A significant reduction in LDL-C was observed; 9 mg/dL (95% confidence interval 3–14), 10 (4–17) and 7 (1–14) at 1, 3 and 6 months. A similar significant trend was detected for T-C while triglycerides did not show significant changes and HDL-C had lower values only at 3 months. Conclusions: These nutraceuticals in individuals with sub-optimal blood cholesterol levels at intermediate–low cardiovascular risk reduced LDL-C and T-C over 6 months contributing to the improvement of cholesterol control by dietary supplements....
Lipote (Syzygium curranii), a seasonal berry native to the Philippines, is currently underutilized. This study aims to evaluate the nutraceutical and therapeutic potentials of lipote fruit juice by examining its physicochemical properties, phytochemical content, antioxidative activity, and bioassays both in vitro and in vivo. The physicochemical analysis revealed that lipote fruit juice has a pH of 2.74, 14.67 total soluble solids, water activity of 0.968, ash content of 0.559 g/100 g, and nutritional values, including 0.114 g fat, 0.101 g protein, 3.30 g reducing sugar, and 7.83 mg calcium per 100 g of lyophilized juice. Phytochemical analysis showed that the juice contains 63.981 mg of gallic acid equivalents and 80.587 mg of quercetin equivalents. The antioxidant properties of the juice demonstrated strong radical scavenging and iron-reducing activities. In vivo tests showed that oral administration of lipote fruit juice, at dosages of 200 mg/Kg and 2000 mg/Kg, significantly reduced cholesterol and LDL-C levels, while increasing HDL-C (p < 0.05). Additionally, the juice exhibited potent α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition, along with blood glucose-lowering effects, suggesting its therapeutic potential in managing blood glucose levels. These results indicate that lipote fruit juice could be developed into a nutraceutical beverage for normalizing blood lipid and glucose profiles....
Background and Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by a cluster of factors, including dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, central obesity, elevated blood pressure, and impaired fasting glucose, which together elevate the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Nutraceuticals containing botanical extracts with antioxidant and metabolic activity have emerged as promising adjunctive strategies in the management of MetS. This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness and biological rationale of a standardized food supplement (QUINOLAM), containing extracts of Cydonia oblonga (quince), Olea europaea (olive leaf), and Amaranthus spp., in adults with metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center observational study including adults with documented MetS who received one tablet daily of the QUINOLAM-based supplement for at least 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in total cholesterol. Secondary endpoints included LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, fasting glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, CRP, and BMI. In parallel, preclinical studies were conducted using HepG2 cells to investigate QUINOLAM’s effects on LDL receptor expression, glucose uptake, antioxidant activity, and cell viability. Results: Thirty patients met the inclusion criteria. A significant reduction in total cholesterol was observed at both 6 and 12 weeks (p < 0.005), accompanied by a significant decline in LDL-C by week 12 (p < 0.05). Among patients with baseline fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL (n = 19), a significant improvement in glycemia was recorded (p < 0.005). Trends toward improvement were noted in other metabolic indices. In vitro, QUINOLAM enhanced LDL receptor expression (p < 0.05) and glucose uptake (p < 0.01), demonstrated antioxidant activity in the TEAC assay, and showed no cytotoxicity at relevant doses. Conclusions: In a real-world setting, daily supplementation with QUINOLAM was associated with significant improvements in lipid and glycemic control among patients with MetS. Preclinical findings further support its mechanistic plausibility via modulation of LDL handling, glucose metabolism, and oxidative stress. These results warrant confirmation in larger, prospective clinical trials....
The oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica has emerged as a powerful chassis for the sustainable production of high-value nutraceuticals. Its innate metabolism, characterized by a high flux towards the key precursor acetyl-CoA, makes it an ideal host for synthesizing complex molecules like carotenoids, flavonoids, and specialty lipids. This review summarizes recent progress in engineering Y. lipolytica cell factories, focusing on the synergistic application of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Key strategies discussed include enhancing precursor supply, redirecting metabolic flux away from competing pathways, and optimizing heterologous gene expression. We highlight the use of advanced tools like organelle compartmentalization to improve reaction efficiency and biosensor-driven screening to accelerate strain development. Furthermore, systems biology approaches utilizing multi-omics data are proving crucial for identifying novel engineering targets and overcoming metabolic bottlenecks. This review consolidates these advancements and discusses future perspectives for creating robust, industrially-relevant Y. lipolytica platforms for the bio-based economy....
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