Current Issue : October-December Volume : 2025 Issue Number : 4 Articles : 5 Articles
Background Hypertension remains a significant global health burden, affecting over 1.28 billion people worldwide. As a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and renal failure, effective blood pressure control is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. Although conventional antihypertensive therapies are effective, their long-term use is often limited by adverse effects and patient non-adherence. This has prompted interest in exploring alternative or adjunctive interventions, particularly those with favorable safety profiles. Results Nutraceuticals, derived from natural food-based sources, have gained increasing attention for their potential role in hypertension management. These agents exert antihypertensive effects through several well-characterized mechanisms. One such mechanism is angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, which reduces vasoconstriction and sodium retention. Another is vasodilation mediated by endothelial function, which enhances vascular relaxation and lowers systemic vascular resistance by restoring nitric oxide bioavailability and reducing inflammation. Nutraceuticals also contribute to metabolic regulation by modulating glucose and lipid metabolism, thereby improving insulin sensitivity and reducing cardiovascular risk. Additionally, emerging evidence supports the relevance of nutrigenetics, where genetic profiling can help tailor nutraceutical interventions to individual genotypes, potentially optimizing therapeutic outcomes and enabling more personalized hypertension management. Conclusions This review provides a mechanistic and evidence-based overview of how nutraceuticals may complement conventional antihypertensive therapies. Their integration into clinical practice could enhance blood pressure control, improve patient adherence, and minimize adverse effects. As research advances, especially in the area of personalized nutrition, nutraceuticals may offer a promising pathway toward more individualized and effective hypertension management strategies....
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by an accumulation of fat in hepatocytes, and it may progress, under additional triggering factors, to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Effective strategies to counteract this progression are essential, especially considering that at the moment, there is a lack of approved pharmacological therapies. Our previous study showed that the daily consumption of Navelina oranges significantly reduced hepatic steatosis in patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD). Starting with our previous study, here, we have investigated the molecular targets through which Hesperidin (HE), a citrus flavanone, is able to prevent the progression of NAFLD to NASH using an in vitro model. In Hepa-RG cells exposed to NAFLD Promoting Agents, HE reduced lipid droplet accumulation (~35%) and suppressed de novo lipogenesis, with decreased expression of FASN (0.62 ± 0.06 vs. 0.39 ± 0.03 at 100 μg/mL) and SCD1 (0.05 ± 0.001 vs. 0.03 ± 0.004 at 50 μg/mL). HE also enhanced fatty acid oxidation by increasing SIRT1 (0.73 ± 0.16 vs. 2.36 ± 0.10 at 50 μg/mL) and PGC1α (0.71 ± 0.03 vs. 0.89 ± 0.003 at 50 μg/mL). In LX-2 cells, HE downregulated COL1A1 (1.48 ± 0.10 vs. 0.90 ± 0.11 at 100 μg/mL) and α-SMA (1.21 ± 0.16 vs. 0.76 ± 0.07 at 75 μg/mL) and upregulated MMP3 (0.64 ± 0.05 vs. 0.98 ± 0.07) and MMP9 (0.99 ± 0.005 vs. 2.61 ± 0.16 at 100 μg/mL). In conclusion, HE may offer a promising approach for NAFLD/NASH prevention and treatment, demonstrating in vitro its potential to reduce hepatic steatosis and fibrosis....
Background/Objectives. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a debilitating diseaserelated complication with a significant impact on quality of life. Its management represents a therapeutic challenge. Antioxidant agents such as α-lipoic acid, N-acetyl cysteine, and glutatione may be useful treatment strategies. Methods. A real-world, observational, retrospective, case–control study involving consecutive subjects with type 2 diabetes with diabetic peripheral neuropathy was performed. Participants who were supplemented with three different formulations for 12 weeks (high-dose α-lipoic acid (800 mg); lowdose α-lipoic acid (100 mg) plus glutathione (200 mg) plus Vitamin D (800 IU); N-acetyl cysteine (600 mg) plus glutathione (200 mg) plus Vitamin D (800 IU)) were compared with a non-treated control group. Questionnaires aimed at investigating the degree of disability and quality of life were administered. The primary endpoint was the change in neuropathic pain intensity measured by the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Results. Among 750 consecutive screened subjects with type 2 diabetes, 98 (13%) had diabetic neuropathy (mean age 66.7 ± 7.6 years, diabetes duration 11.3 ± 6.7 years, HbA1c 8.1 ± 1.5%, 43.8% insulin-treated). When comparing the differences between treatment groups in the changes in individual questionnaire scores between baseline and follow-up, all three supplements showed significant reductions compared to the control group in the NRS scale scores. No side effects have been reported during the study. Conclusions. As well as lipoic acid, other substances with specific activity on the genesis of neuropathic pain, such as N-acetyl cysteine and glutathione, have proved effective in reducing the intensity of pain....
Thiamine (vitamin B1) is key in maintaining cellular health and energy metabolism. Thiamine is required for proper functioning of enzymes involved in glucose metabolism, which is critical for providing energy to cells. This energy is essential for various cellular processes, including DNA repair mechanisms. In addition, it is a prerequisite for the functioning of key enzymes in the biosynthesis of pentose sugars, which are essential in the synthesis of nucleic acids. Additionally, thiamine has antioxidant properties that help reduce oxidative stress in cells; thus, by relieving this stress, thiamine indirectly supports the maintenance of DNA integrity. Ensuring adequate thiamine intake through diet or supplements can support overall cellular health and potentially aid in DNA repair processes. This review aims to highlight the essential role of vitamin B1 in supporting metabolic health, especially given that deficiencies can develop in patients with disease-related malnutrition as well as in those with an inadequate diet....
Peripheral nerve injuries, caused by trauma or iatrogenic damage, often lead to permanent disabilities with limited effectiveness of current therapeutic treatments. This has driven the growing interest toward natural bioactive molecules, including ursolic acid (UA). Literature studies have shown that white grape pomace oleolyte (WGPO), a natural source of UA, is a promising candidate for promoting peripheral nerve regeneration. Considering that many neurological injuries involve compression or partial damage, the present study examined the effects of WGPO on peripheral neuropathy using a neuropathic pain mouse model. Briefly, 14 days after starting the WGPO-enriched diet, mice underwent cuffing of the right sciatic nerve to induce nerve injury and inflammation. At sacrifice, the WGPO-fed mice exhibited reduced muscle atrophy, as indicated by a greater number and larger diameter of muscle fibers, along with decreased expression of Atrogin-1 and Murf-1, compared with the injured control-diet group. To determine the functional impact of the WGPO treatment, the WGPO-supplemented group was compared with a control group receiving only sunflower oil, evaluating exercise performance post-cuffing via a treadmill test. Mice on the WGPO diet exhibited improved physical performance and a significantly lower expression of pro-inflammatory interleukins than controls. Our findings suggest WGPO as a promising candidate for managing peripheral neuropathy and related muscular impairments....
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