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Topic Review
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Topic Review
Anthocyanins and Hepatoprotection
Anthocyanins are water-soluble, colored compounds of the flavonoid class, abundantly found in the fruits, leaves, roots, and other parts of the plants. The fruit berries are prime sources and exhibit different colors. The anthocyanins utility as traditional medicament for liver protection and cure, and importance as strongest plants-based anti-oxidants have conferred these plants products different biological activities. These activities include anti-inflammation, liver protective, analgesic, and anti-cancers, which have provided the anthocyanins an immense commercial value, and has impelled their chemistry, biological activity, isolation, and quality investigations as prime focus.
916
11 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Carotenoids
Carotenoids are colored natural pigments belonging to a large family of C40 skeleton with eight isoprene molecules.
914
13 May 2021
Topic Review
Polyphenols and Muscle Atrophy
Skeletal muscle atrophy is the decrease in muscle mass and strength caused by reduced protein synthesis/accelerated protein degradation. Various conditions, such as denervation, disuse, ageing, chronic diseases, heart disease, obstructive lung disease, diabetes, renal failure, AIDS, sepsis, cancer, and steroidal medications, can cause muscle atrophy. Mechanistically, inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction are among the major contributors to muscle atrophy, by modulating signalling pathways that regulate muscle homeostasis. To prevent muscle catabolism and enhance muscle anabolism, several natural and synthetic compounds have been investigated. Recently, polyphenols (i.e., natural phytochemicals) have received extensive attention regarding their effect on muscle atrophy because of their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have reported polyphenols as strongly effective bioactive molecules that attenuate muscle atrophy and enhance muscle health.
914
08 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Curcumin and Autophagy Signaling Pathway
Autophagy is the major intracellular machinery for degrading proteins, lipids, polysaccharides, and organelles. This cellular process is essential for the maintenance of the correct cellular balance in both physiological and stress conditions. Because of its role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, dysregulation of autophagy leads to various disease manifestations, such as inflammation, metabolic alterations, aging, and neurodegeneration. A common feature of many neurologic and neuromuscular diseases is the alteration of the autophagy-lysosomal pathways. For this reason, autophagy is considered a target for the prevention and/or cure of these diseases. Dietary intake of polyphenols has been demonstrated to prevent/ameliorate several of these diseases. Thus, natural products that can modulate the autophagy machinery are considered a promising therapeutic strategy. In particular, curcumin, a phenolic compound widely used as a dietary supplement, exerts an important effect in modulating autophagy.
913
01 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Polyphenols against COVID-19 Cytokines storm
SARS-CoV-2 first emerged in China during late 2019 and rapidly spread all over the world. Alterations in the inflammatory cytokines pathway represent a strong signature during SARS-COV-2 infection and correlate with poor prognosis and severity of the illness. The hyper-activation of the immune system results in an acute severe systemic inflammatory response named cytokine release syndrome (CRS). No effective prophylactic or post-exposure treatments are available, although some anti-inflammatory compounds are currently in clinical trials. Studies of plant extracts and natural compounds show that polyphenols can play a beneficial role in the prevention and the progress of chronic diseases related to inflammation. The aim of this manuscript is to review the published background on the possible effectiveness of polyphenols to fight SARS-COV-2 infection, contributing to the reduction of inflammation. Here, some of the anti-inflammatory therapies are discussed and although great progress has been made though this year, there is no proven cytokine blocking agents for COVID currently used in clinical practice. In this regard, bioactive phytochemicals such as polyphenols may become promising tools to be used as adjuvants in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Such nutrients, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, associated to classical anti-inflammatory drugs, could help in reducing the inflammation in patients with COVID-19.
912
06 Jan 2021
Topic Review
The Potent Phytoestrogen 8-Prenylnaringenin
8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN) is a prenylated flavonoid, occurring, in particular, in hop, but also in other plants. It has proven to be one of the most potent phytoestrogens in vitro known to date, and in the past 20 years, research has unveiled new effects triggered by it in biological systems. These findings have aroused the hopes, expectations, and enthusiasm of a “wonder-drug” for a host of human diseases. However, the majority of 8-PN effects require such high concentrations that they cannot be reached by normal dietary exposure, only pharmacologically; thus, adverse impacts may also emerge.
912
01 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Edible food plants Hepatoprotective Potential
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is one type of liver disease, causing a global healthcare problem and mortality. The liver undergoes tissue damage by chronic alcohol consumption because it is the main site for metabolism of ethanol. Chronic alcohol exposure progresses from alcoholic fatty liver (AFL) to alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH), which further lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular cancer. Therapeutic interventions to combat ALD are very limited such as use of corticosteroids. However, these therapeutic drugs are not effective for long-term usage. Therefore, additional effective and safe therapies to cope with ALD are urgently needed. Previous studies confirmed that edible food plants and their bioactive compounds exert a protective effect against ALD.
901
23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Chios Mastic Gum (Pistacia lentiscus) for Human Health
Despite the remarkable development of the medical industry in the current era, herbal products with therapeutic potentials arise as attractive alternative treatments. Consequently, Chios mastiha, a natural, aromatic resin obtained from the trunk and brunches of the mastic tree, has recently gained increasing scientific interest due to its multiple beneficial actions. Chios mastiha is being exclusively produced on the southern part of Chios, a Greek island situated in the northern Aegean Sea, and its therapeutic properties have been known since Greek antiquity. There is now substantial evidence to suggest that mastiha demonstrates a plethora of favorable effects, mainly attributed to the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties of its components. The main use of mastiha nowadays, however, is for the production of natural chewing gum, although an approval by the European Medicines Agency for mild dyspeptic disorders and for inflammations of the skin has been given.
901
18 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Caffeine
Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is an alkaloid widely used to improve exercise performance.
897
19 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Interventions for Hemodialysis Patients
The hemodialytic clinic must today be directed towards a greater biocompatibility tecnology , the evaluation of the most valid tools to evaluate the nutritional status of patients on every kind of extracorporeal substitutive treatments. Good nutrition is a cultural background that must represent the daily routine of nephrologists. In our opinion, the loss of amino acids up to 1 kg / year is a good starting point. Many parameters used for nutritional outcomes are uncertain and by now the figure of the nutritionist must support tthe nephrologist from pre-dialysis, to dialysis and also in the course of the transplant.
893
05 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Creatine for Exercise/Sports Performance
Creatine is one of the most studied and popular ergogenic aids for athletes and recreational weightlifters seeking to improve sport and exercise performance, augment exercise training adaptations, and mitigate recovery time. Studies consistently reveal that creatine supplementation exerts positive ergogenic effects on single and multiple bouts of short-duration, high-intensity exercise activities, in addition to potentiating exercise training adaptations.
891
16 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Towards a More Sustainable Nutrition
The concept of sustainable nutrition considers different fields: from human health to environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects. Currently, in Europe, the diets that reflect the assumptions of the sustainable diet are the Mediterranean Diet and the New Nordic Diet. They both encourage the consumption of vegetable, organic and minimally processed foods, as well as regional, seasonal and Fair-Trade products, reducing the ecological impact of the production chain. These eating habits could be established starting from the prenatal period and from infancy during the complementary feeding stage, aiding children to accept of a more variable diet in terms of flavor, taste and texture. In particular, the positive parental role model is an effective method for improving a child’s diet and behaviors. Two healthy plates representing a sustainable diet in early infancy, at 6 and 24 months, are here proposed, in line with the “Planetary Health Diet” approved by the EAT-Lancet Commission.
887
15 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Subclinical B12 Deficiency in Elderly
Vitamin B12 is an essential water-soluble vitamin that plays a pivotal role for several physiologic functions during one’s lifespan. Specific sub-group populations, such as elderly, are at risk of vitamin B12 subclinical deficiency due to different factors. This narrative review aims to summarize facts about B12 deficiency and the burden of inadequate dietary intake in elderly population, as well as to discuss sustainable approaches to vitamin B12 deficiency in aging population.
885
11 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Fruits and Beverages as Functional Foods
It is largely accepted that the daily intake of fruits, vegetables, herbal products and derivatives is an added value in promoting human health, given their capacity to counteract oxidative stress markers and suppress uncontrolled pro-inflammatory responses. Given that, natural-based products seem to be a promising strategy to attenuate, or even mitigate, the development of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, and to boost the immune system.
884
01 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Energy Drinks
Energy drinks have a high caffeine content which is normally combined with large amounts of vitamins, minerals, taurine, amino acids, and different mixtures of phytochemicals.
877
22 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Colostrum Functional Properties in Puppies and Kittens
Colostrum is the secretion of the mammary gland at the time of the final third of pregnancy. The main source of energy is provided by lipids and carbohydrates. The protein fraction is principally constituted by casein and immunoglobulins, whose role is fundamental for passive immune transfer to newborns.
877
29 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Anti-Obesity Effect of Carotenoids
Adipose tissue is a key organ in obesity etiology and the main storage site for carotenoids. We thus first describe carotenoid metabolism in adipocyte and adipose tissue and the effects of carotenoids on biological processes in adipose tissue that may be linked to obesity management in in vitro and preclinical studies.
876
22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Beneficial effects of Glycine in the Organism
Glycine is an amino acid that our bodies can produce naturally, so we don't necessarily need to get it from our diet. Nevertheless, it plays a vital role in various functions throughout our entire body. Glycine interacts with specific receptors and transporters found in many different types of cells, which allows it to have important effects on our health. One of the most fascinating things about glycine is its potential to reduce inflammation in our body. Researchers have conducted many studies focusing on this aspect. Glycine has been shown to decrease pro-inflammatory molecules called cytokines, which are responsible for promoting inflammation. Additionally, it can lower the levels of free fatty acids, which are sometimes linked to inflammation in certain situations. Moreover, glycine seems to positively influence how our body responds to insulin, which is crucial for maintaining stable blood sugar levels. It also appears to bring about other beneficial changes in our body, although scientists are still investigating the specific details of these effects. Glycine is a remarkable amino acid that offers many health benefits, especially in terms of reducing inflammation and possibly enhancing how our bodies respond to insulin. It's fascinating because it is present throughout our entire body, and we can obtain it through our diet or nutraceuticals, affecting our health in various ways. Scientists continue to study glycine to unlock its full potential and better understand its role in supporting our well-being.
876
26 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Gut-Liver Axis
The gut-liver axis describes the physiological interplay between the gut and the liver and has important implications for the maintenance of health. Disruptions of this equilibrium are an important factor in the evolution and progression of many liver diseases. The composition of the gut microbiome, the gut barrier, bacterial translocation, and bile acid metabolism are key features of this cycle.
876
26 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Kynurenic Acid
Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a metabolite of tryptophan, is an endogenous substance produced intracellularly by various human cells. In addition, KYNA can be synthesized by the gut microbiome and delivered in food.
874
24 Oct 2022
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