Current Issue : October-December Volume : 2023 Issue Number : 4 Articles : 5 Articles
Coriander is a widely used plant for its medicinal and biological properties. Both coriander essential oil and extracts are interesting sources of bioactive compounds and are widely used as spices in culinary practice due to their exclusive aroma and flavour. We focus our attention on coriander extracts that are rich in polyphenols. It is well known that plant polyphenols possess different biological activities and several functional foods contain this class of compounds. The polyphenol profile in an extract can be influenced by the plant part studied, the method of extraction and other parameters. This study performs a literature review using the words “coriander”, “polyphenols” and “extraction” or “biological activity” in different databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus. After that, we focus on the evidence of coriander polyphenols as protective agents against some inflammation-related diseases. Due to the bioactivities of coriander extract, this herb can be considered a valuable functional food against obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes....
Urolithiasis is a complex and multifactorial disease characterized by the formation of calculi at the urinary tract level. Conventional therapeutic prophylaxis relies on the use of Cablockers, alkalis, diuretics, and anti-edema agents, but their prolonged utilization is often limited by several side effects. In this scenario, the aim of the present work was the design of an innovative multi-component nutraceutical formulation (NF) for the management of urinary stones consisting of a synergistic combination of natural aqueous extracts of Oreganum vulgare L. (1% of saponin), Urtica dioica (0.8% of β-sitosterol), Phyllanthus niruri (15% of tannins w/w), and Ceterach officinarum in association with bromelain, K, and Mg citrate. To assess the potential of NF also in the treatment of uric acid (UA) stones, the effects on the expression of the cellular UA transporters OAT1 and URAT1 were investigated in a renal tubular cell line. In addition, the myorelaxant effect of NF was investigated in a human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (HPASMC) model resulting in a decreased muscle contractility of −49.4% (p < 0.01) compared to the control. The treatment with NF also showed a valuable inhibition of in vitro calcium-oxalate crystal formation, both in prevention (−52.3% vs. control, p < 0.01) and treatment (−70.8% vs. control, p < 0.01) experiments. Finally, an ischemic reperfusion rat model was used to evaluate the NF anti-edema effects, resulting in a reduction in the edema-related vascular permeability (Normalized Gray Levels, NGL = 0.40 ± 0.09, p < 0.01, −67.1% vs. untreated rats). In conclusion, the present NF has shown to be a promising natural alternative for managing urinary tract stones....
Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), a strategic oasian species in most Mediterranean regions, is often known by the commercialized Deglet Nour variety. However, many other common varieties that might have high importance are neglected. The current study aims to evaluate the nutraceutical and functional properties of six common date palm cultivars, collected from three Tunisian oasian regions. The biochemical composition and antioxidant potential of these date cultivars were investigated. Total polyphenols (TPP), total flavonoids (TF), and condensed tannins (CT) contents varied significantly between varieties. In particular, the Ftimi cultivar had the highest amounts of TPP, TF, and CT (204.04 ± 12.85 mg·GAE/100 g·FW, 117.35 ± 7.49 mg·RE/100 g·FW, and 147.93 ± 7.65 mg·CTE/100 g·FW, respectively). Similarly, this cultivar exhibited the highest antioxidant activity with 131.59 ± 11.54 mg·TE/100 g·FW and 106.57 ± 2.33 mg·TE/100 g·FW, respectively, for DPPH and ABTS+ assays. Contrary to the Deglet Nour variety, the six common dates contain a high amount of fructose and glucose (reducing sugars) and a low content of sucrose. LC-ESI-MS analysis showed that “Kenta” had the highest number of polyphenolic compounds (19 compounds) followed by “Ftimi” with 18 compounds, whereas “Deglet Nour” has only 15. Six major compounds (quinic acid, epicatechin, rutin, hyperoside, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, and kaempferol) were omnipresent. These findings highlight the high potential of neglected date palm varieties and confirm their richness with nutraceuticals and natural antioxidants....
Nutraceuticals are bioactive compounds present in foods, utilized to ameliorate health, prevent diseases, and support the proper functioning of the human body. They have gained attention due to their ability to hit multiple targets and act as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and modulators of immune response and cell death. Therefore, nutraceuticals are being studied to prevent and treat liver ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). This study evaluated the effect of a nutraceutical solution formed by resveratrol, quercetin, omega-3 fatty acid, selenium, ginger, avocado, leucine, and niacin on liver IRI. IRI was performed with 60 min of ischemia and 4 h of reperfusion in male Wistar rats. Afterward, the animals were euthanized to study hepatocellular injury, cytokines, oxidative stress, gene expression of apoptosis-related genes, TNF-α and caspase-3 proteins, and histology. Our results show that the nutraceutical solution was able to decrease apoptosis and histologic injury. The suggested mechanisms of action are a reduction in gene expression and the caspase-3 protein and a reduction in the TNF-α protein in liver tissue. The nutraceutical solution was unable to decrease transaminases and cytokines. These findings suggest that the nutraceuticals used favored the protection of hepatocytes, and their combination represents a promising therapeutic proposal against liver IRI....
Skin cancer is a prevalent type of cancer worldwide and has a high growth rate compared to other diseases. Although modern targeted therapies have improved the management of cutaneous neoplasms, there is an urgent requirement for a safer, more affordable, and effective chemoprevention and treatment strategy for skin cancer. Nutraceuticals, which are natural substances derived from food, have emerged as a potential alternative or adjunctive treatment option. In this review, we explore the current evidence on the use of omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols (curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, apigenin, resveratrol, and genistein) for the treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), as well as in their prevention. We discuss the mechanisms of action of the aforementioned nutraceuticals and their probable therapeutic benefits in skin cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, apigenin, resveratrol, and genistein have several properties, among which are anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor, which can help to prevent and treat skin cancer. However, their effectiveness is limited due to poor bioavailability. Nanoparticles and other delivery systems can improve their absorption and targeting. More research is needed to evaluate their safety and effectiveness as a natural approach to skin cancer prevention and treatment. These compounds should not replace conventional cancer treatments, but may be used as complementary therapy under the guidance of a healthcare professional....
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