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Alternative and herbal therapies for the treatment of neonatal jaundice (NJ) in Iranian children and infants have recently been developed, to reduce the side effects and toxicity of pharmaceutical drugs. In this study results of ethnomedicinal-based clinical trial studies to treat NJ are critically reviewed. Cotoneaster manna was the most important medicinal plant to treat the neonate's hyperbilirubinemia. The maternal consumption of cotoneaster drops, pomegranate paste, and chicory aroma water reduced the serum bilirubin and length of hospitalization. The topical barley flour and oral jujube extract remarkably reduced NJ severity. The topical and oral application of many products of medicinal plants grown in Iran are useful for NJ treatment. However, further studies are required to assess the safety and efficacy of these herbal remedies in larger pediatric populations.

Ultrasonication is an emerging nonthermal process to extract pectins and pectic-polysaccharides from natural sources. This review aimed to highlight recent results of techno-functional (e.g., water and oil holding capacities, foaming capacity and stability, emulsifying activity, emulsion stability, rheological and pasting properties, and tin corrosion inhibitory activity) and biofunctional (e.g., antioxidant, antiradical, antiglycation, anticoagulant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulatory, and analgesic activities) properties of pectins extracted using both single and combined sonication modes. Integrating the ultrasound with other techniques (e.g., microwave heating and enzymatic digestion) can significantly increase the cell disruption, better penetration, and mass transfer of pectins at a shorter time. The ultrasound-microwave (UMAE) and ultrasound-enzyme (UEAE) assisted extraction systems compared to the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) can more improve the techno-functional quality of pectins and their body's healing capacity to accomplish optimum health and functioning. The current opportunities and promising perspectives are also presented to enhance the pectin bioavailability in clinical studies.

This updated review summarizes the available literature on major bio-functionalities of Ca-M and its protein hydrolysates such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiradical, antidiabetic, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antiallergic, and anti-autism activities. The most important bioactive compounds affecting health functions are some minerals (Zn and Mg), vitamins (C and E), protective proteins (lactoferrin, lysozyme, and immunoglobulins), and antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase). Bioactive peptides derived from Ca-M proteins during fermentation processes and hydrolysis reactions by proteolytic enzymes play protective roles for body cells through the release of amino acids such as proline. In contrast with bovine milk, Ca-M has lower antiallergic effects due to the presence of immunoglobins and its protein (free of β-lactoglobulin) profile. The short- and long-term regular consumption of Ca-M because of the suppression of oxidative/inflammation stresses significantly improves diabetes and hypertension in adults and the behavioral of children with autism spectrum disorder.