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Globalization witnessed changing trends in consumer markets. However, their long-term impacts include lifestyle and dietary changes. Although research in the pharmaceutical and chemical sciences led to the discovery and development of drugs saving millions of lives, their persistent use led to safety and toxicological issues. The plants previously used in Chinese and Ayurveda medicines received attention of the researchers to validate their traditional therapeutic applications. As a result, the reliance of communities on complementary and alternative medicines started to recover in the last few decades. The myrobalan (Terminalia chebula) is one such example that was renowned as the king of medicinal plants in Ayurveda due to its wide range of utilization in herbal decoctions to treat various health disparities. The current review showed phytochemical profile, that includes phenolic acids, casuarinin, chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid, rutin, and corilagin. Phytochemistry is linked with its medicinal applications and several research studies validated its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and digestive tonic. The facts presented in the current article are derived from cell culture, animal, and human studies. Moreover, conceptualized framework regarding the effectiveness against cardiovascular disorders, immune dysfunction, cancer insurgence, and neurological disorders is in the limelight of the article. In last, a comprehensive discussion regarding its potential inclusion in the modern-day functional food market and presents its future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary fiber is a nondigestible constituent of vegetal foods, formed by insoluble and soluble dietary fiber. The intake of dietary fiber, especially soluble dietary fiber, is limited and demands researcher's attention. The modification of cereal's dietary fiber, predominantly insoluble fiber, could be one possible solution. The current study evaluated the comparative effects of several thermal treatments on the modification of insoluble dietary fiber in barley and explored their therapeutic potential in vivo against hypercholesterolemia. The two cultivars of barley, Haider‐93 and Jau‐87, were thermally treated using different techniques, and dietary fiber was extracted. Successively, the intake of these dietary fibers was evaluated for its antilipidemic activity in normal and hypercholesterolemic rats. In the first phase, thermal treatments especially cooking without soaking increased the soluble fiber (68.08%). The roasting all increased the soluble fiber contents, however, at relatively lower rate (53.91%). The results of efficacy study revealed that biochemical parameters in control animals were within the normal clinical ranges, thus appraising the safe status of the experimental diets. The thermally treated barley fiber decreased total cholesterol (12.14%–12.63%), low‐density lipoprotein (14.12%–14.85%), and triglycerides (2.25%–4.32%). The study recorded increasing trends for high‐density lipoprotein in both normal and hypercholesterolemic rats. In the nutshell, thermal modification of dietary fiber increased the ratio of soluble to insoluble dietary fiber that improved its hypocholesterolemic potential. The thermally treated barley dietary fiber is effective in reducing the lipid profile in Sprague–dawley rats than untreated dietary fiber and, therefore, can be considered as a functional food and ingredient to cope different lifestyle diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: is an important component of several traditional herbal preparations in various countries. Nigella sativa It finds its applications in improving overall health and boosting immunity. The current study evaluated the role of fixed and essential oil of against potassium bromate induced oxidative stress with special reference to Nigella sativa modulation of glutathione redox enzymes and myeloperoxidase. Methods: Animals; 30 rats (Sprague Dawley) were divided in three groups and oxidative stress was induced using mild dose of potassium bromate. The groups were on their respective diets (iso-caloric diets for a period of 56 days) i.e. control and two experimental diets containing fixed (4 %) and essential (0.3 %) oils. The activities of enzymes N. sativa involved in glutathione redox system and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were analyzed. Results: The experimental diets modulated the activities of enzymes i.e. glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) positively. Indices of antioxidant status like tocopherols and glutathione were in linear relationship with that of GPx, GR and GST (P < 0.01). MPO activities were in negative correlation with GST (P < 0.01) but positive correlation with some other parameters. Conclusions: Our results indicated that both fixed and essential oil are effective in improving the Nigella sativa antioxidant indices against potassium bromate induced oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The onset of 21st century witnessed the awareness among the masses regarding the diet-health linkages. The researchers attempted to explore traditional products/plants were in the domain of pharmacy and nutrition focussing on their health benefits. In the present research intervention, we investigate the role of Nigella sativa fixed oil (NSFO) and essential oil (NSEO) in improving antioxidant status and modulation of enzymes. The National Institute of Health (NIH) provided us 30 Sprague Dawley rats that were equally placed in three groups. The groups were fed on their respective diets (56 days) two experimental diets i.e. D2 (NSFO @ 4.0%) and D3 (NSEO @ 0.30%) and control. The indices pertaining to antioxidant status, antioxidant enzymes, and parameters pertaining to immunity were evaluated at 4 weeks interval. The experimental diets (NSFO@ 4.0% &NSEO@ 0.30%) modulated the activities of antioxidant enzymes i.e., catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), positively. Indices of antioxidant status like tocopherols and glutathione were in linear relationship with that of GPx, GR and GST (P<0.01). Myeloperoxidase activities were in negative correlation with GST (P<0.01) but positive correlation with some other parameters. In the nutshell, the fixed and essential oil of Nigella sativa are effective in improving the indices pertaining to antioxidant status, however, the immune boosting potential needs further clarification. However, authors are of the view that there is need to explore the molecular targets of Nigella sativa fixed and essential oils. Findings from such studies would be useful to validate this instant study for health promoting potential against diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functional and nutraceutical importance of various foods is often attributed to the bioactive molecules present in them. A number of components have been studied but dietary fiber and its different constituents are of prime consideration. Among these, arabinoxylan (AX) and arabinogalactan (AG) are of significant importance in that they hold potential in improving the quality of the baked products along with providing health benefits against various ailments. However, the improvements are dependent on their molecular weights, cross linkages, and solubility. Water-Extractable Arabinoxylan (WEAX) is more effective as compared to Water-Unextractable Arabinoxylan (WUEAX). In this review article, efforts were directed to describe the structural and molecular conformations of these functional ingredients. The discussion has been made regarding the functional properties of AX and AG, for example, improvements in water absorption capacities, dough stability time, and viscosity. They also improve the baking absorption of flour that is positively correlated with bread volume, the most important criterion for stakeholders. The arguments are also provided on the detrimental effects on gluten quality with some possible solutions. Their role in improving the quality and extending the shelf life of bread by reducing the process of staling and retrogradation is the main idea presented in the article. The nutraceutical perspectives were also highlighted as they are helpful in regulating blood cholesterol which thereby protect the body from cardiovascular disorders like atherosclerosis. Additionally, they act as prebiotics for microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coinage of terms like nutraceuticals, functional, and pharma foods has diverted the attention of human beings to where they are seeking more natural cures. Though pharmaceutical drugs have been beneficial for human health and have cured various diseases but they also impart some side effects. Numerous plants have been tested for their therapeutic potential; Nigella sativa, commonly known as black cumin, is one of them. It possesses a nutritional dense profile as its fixed oil (lipid fraction), is rich in unsaturated fatty acids while essential oil contains thymoquinone and carvacrol as antioxidants. N. sativa seeds also contain proteins, alkaloids (nigellicines and nigelledine), and saponins (α-hederin) in substantial amounts. Recent pharmacological investigations suggested its potential role, especially for the amelioration of oxidative stress through free radical scavenging activity, the induction of apoptosis to cure various cancer lines, the reduction of blood glucose, and the prevention of complications from diabetes. It regulates hematological and serological aspects and can be effective in dyslipidemia and respiratory disorders. Moreover, its immunopotentiating and immunomodulating role brings balance in the immune system. Evidence is available supporting the utilization of Nigella sativa and its bioactive components in a daily diet for health improvement. This review is intended to focus on the composition of Nigella sativa and to elaborate its possible therapeutic roles as a functional food to prevent an array of maladies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is a popular natural drug, traditionally used for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. Its root, as its most popular part used for medicinal purposes, contains different types of phytochemicals and minerals. This review summarizes what is currently known on biochemistry, safety, pharmacological activities (mechanistically), and clinical applications of turmeric. In short, curcumin is considered as the fundamental constituent in ground turmeric rhizome. Turmeric possesses several biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, antiobesity, hypolipidemic, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective effects. These reported pharmacologic activities make turmeric an important option for further clinical research. Also, there is a discussion on its safety and toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]