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Hypertension remains a significant global health concern, contributing significantly to cardiovascular diseases and mortality rates. The inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays a crucial role in alleviating high blood pressure. We investigated the potential of finger millets (Eleusine coracana) as a natural remedy for hypertension by isolating and characterizing its ACE-inhibitory compound. First, we evaluated the ACE-inhibitory activity of the finger millet ethanol extract and subsequently proceeded with solvent fractionation. Among the solvent fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest ACE inhibitory activity and was further fractionated. Using preparative high-performance liquid chromatography, the ethyl acetate fraction was separated into four subfractions, with fraction 2 (F2) exhibiting the highest ACE inhibitory activity. Subsequent 1 H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and 13 C-NMR analyses confirmed that the isolated compound from F2 was catechin. Furthermore, molecular docking studies indicated that catechin has the potential to act as an ACE inhibitor. These findings suggest that finger millets, particularly as a source of catechin, have the potential to be used as a natural antihypertensive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the antihypertensive effects of the combined extract of sorghum, adzuki bean, and finger millet (SAFE) on spontaneously hypertensive rats. The rats were divided into four groups (n = 8): WKY, SHR, SAFE (500 mg/kg SAFE), and CAP (50 mg/kg captopril). SAFE significantly decreased the lean-to-fat mass ratio with no notable changes in body weight, food intake, or food efficiency ratio, and it effectively lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressures, comparable to CAP. Moreover, it significantly reduced the cardiac mass index and alleviated cardiac fibrosis. SAFE did not induce hepatotoxicity, as indicated by the maintenance of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels in the normal range, confirming its safety. Taken together, these findings suggested that SAFE can be used as a dietary supplement for blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular disease prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grains contain bioactive components that potentially have protective effects on chronic diseases such as diabetes. The anti-diabetic effects of blended grain ethanol extract (BGE) were evaluated in streptozotocin–nicotinamide (STZ–NA)-induced diabetic rats. BGE was prepared by mixing oat, sorghum, adzuki bean, finger millet, and proso millet (30:30:15:15:10). The rats were assigned into four groups, normal control, diabetic model control (DM), STZ–NA rats administered 200 mg/kg body weight (bw) of metformin, and STZ–NA rats administered 500 mg/kg bw of BGE (BGE). After 6 weeks of administration, the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (12%) in BGE decreased compared to DM. Strikingly, the fasting blood glucose (23%) and oral glucose tolerance test (15%) were improved in BGE compared to DM. BGE also increased insulin immunoreactivities in pancreatic β-cells. In sum, BGE exhibits anti-hyperglycemic effects by improving fasting glucose levels and insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells in the STZ–NA-induced diabetic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to identify the efficient cryoprotectants formulations on the survival of Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP133 microencapsulated in calcium alginate during freeze-drying. Trehalose, maltodextrin, sorbitol, sucrose, and soy peptone were selected to develop optimal formulations of cryoprotectants that were added to the calcium alginate microencapsulation using extrusion technology. The soy peptone after being combined with trehalose and maltodextrin was determined to have the highest cell viability than other combinations of sucrose and sorbitol during freeze-drying after microencapsulation (p ≤ 0.05). After storage for 12 weeks at 40 °C, the viability of microencapsulated L. plantarum was reduced by 1.03 log CFU mL− 1, while free cell viability was reduced by 1.68 log CFU mL− 1. Additionally, microencapsulated cells with cryoprotectants were resistant to simulated stomach–duodenum passage (SSDP) in vitro model, compared to free cells (p ≤ 0.05). This study highlighted that soy peptone was the most suitable cryoprotectant with trehalose and that the addition of maltodextrin during freeze-drying after microencapsulation of L. plantarum conferred enhanced survival during long-term storage at high temperatures and under adverse SSDP conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorghum is a vital cereal source that has various phenolic compounds and potential health-promoting benefits. This study evaluated the phenolic content, antioxidant and anti-obesity effects of sorghum extract (SE) prepared using three solvent systems: 50% (SE50), 80% (SE80), and 100% (SE100) ethanol. The results showed that SE50 exhibited the highest total polyphenol and flavonoid content among the sorghum extracts using different ethanol concentrations as extraction solvents. In addition, SE50 showed significantly higher antioxidant capacity than the other extracts. Interestingly, SE50 significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes; however, SE80 and SE100 had no beneficial effects. Moreover, SE50 significantly downregulated the mRNA expression levels of adipogenic genes (Cebpα, Pparγ, and Fabp4) and lipogenic genes (Srebp1c, Fas, and Scd1). These results suggest that SE50 is superior to other ethanol extracts in phenolic contents, antioxidant and anti-obesity activities, and it could be used as a nutraceutical for anti-obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial whey protein (CWP) is generally produced in the cheese making process with heat treatment. Recently, native whey protein (NWP) can be obtained through microfiltration without heat treatment. The difference in physicochemical properties of CWP and NWP was confirmed in previous studies; however, in vivo research on the effect on muscle strength and protein synthesis is still lacking. In this study, rats were orally administered 1.56 g protein/kg body weight of lyophilized beverages containing CWP and NWP for 8 weeks. The biological value and net protein utilization in the NWP were significantly higher than in the CWP. Moreover, NWP increased muscle mass and grip strength compared to CWP. NWP also increased the phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin and ribosomal protein S6 kinase, pivotal proteins for muscle protein synthesis. These results suggest that NWP enhance muscle strength and protein synthesis more effectively than CWP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]