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Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematologic neoplasm, characterized by a blockage of differentiation and an unconstrained proliferation of immature myeloid cells. Recently, the survival of leukemia patients has increased thanks to the use of differentiating agents, though these may cause serious side effects. Hence, the search for safer differentiating compounds is necessary. Our aim was to assess the pro-differentiating effects of a flavonoid-rich extract of bergamot juice (BJe) in human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells, an in vitro AML model. For the first time, we showed that treatment with BJe induced differentiation of THP-1 cells, changes in cell morphology and increased expression of differentiation-associated surface antigens CD68, CD11b and CD14. Moreover, BJe enhanced protein levels of autophagy-associated markers, such as Beclin-1 and LC3, as well as induced the phosphorylation of the MAPKs JNK, ERK and p38, hence suggesting a potential mechanism underlying its antiproliferative effects. Indeed, parallel experiments highlighted that BJe was able to hamper THP-1 cell growth. In conclusion, our study suggests that BJe induces the differentiation of THP-1 cells and reduces their proliferation, highlighting its potential in differentiation therapy of AML.

Abstract Antibiotics, improper food, and stress have created a dysbiotic state in the gut and almost 81% of the world’s population has been affected due to the pandemic of COVID-19 and the prevalence of dengue virus in the past few years. The main intent of this study is to synthesize nanosynbiotics as nu traceuticals by combining probiotics, and prebiotics with nanoformulation. The effectiveness of the nanosynbiotics was evaluated using a variety of Nutra-pharmacogenetic assays leading to an AI-integrated formulation profiling was assessed by using machine learning methods. Consequently, Acetobacter oryzoeni as a probiotic and inulin as a prebiotic has been chosen and iron-mediated nanoformulation of symbiotic is achieved. Nanosynbiotics possessed 89.4, 96.7, 93.57, 83.53, 88.53% potential powers of Nutra-pharmacogenetic assays. Artificial intelligent solid dispersion formulation of nanosynbiotics has high dissolution, absorption, distribution, and synergism, in addition, they are non-tox, non-allergen and have a docking score of − 10.83 kcal/mol, implying the best interaction with Pregnane X receptor involved in dysbiosis. The potential of nanosynbiotics to revolutionize treatment strategies through precise targeting and modulation of the gut microbiome for improved health outcomes and disease management is promising. Their transformational influence is projected to be powered by integration with modern technology and customized formulas. Further in-vivo studies are required for the validation of nanosynbiotics as nutraceuticals.

Background. Kwashiorkor disease is due to deficiency of protein in malnutrition condition. Malnutrition is one of the major drawbacks among the Indian children. In India, the impact of undernutrition among impoverished children is disproportionately felt in rural areas. Due to the unequal distribution of food within the household and the consumption of foods with low nutritional qualities, increases the percent of malnutrition in children. Objective. To formulate liposomal glutathione as a potent high antioxidant agent for delivery nutritional effect in nutraceutical formulations and other food supplements for boosting immunity through combating Kwashiorkor disease during malnutrition condition in children. Method. Nanoliposome of glutathione was formulated by ethanol injection method via formation of organic and aqueous phases. Further, morphology of the formulated liposomal glutathione was characterized using cryo-TEM and confirmed for suitability in nutraceuticals as immune enhancers in children. Result. Glutathione was successfully entrapped in lipid as nanoformulations. Cyro-TEM analysis resulted the shape of the particles are spherical with 0.1 µM average diameter. Conclusion. The overall result concluded that liposomal glutathione is very effective in formulation of nutraceutical as well as food supplements as potent immune booster for children and reduce protein deficiency in malnutrition to cure Kwashiorkor disease.

Background and aim: Phytoformulation therapy is a pioneering strategy for the treatment of metabolic disorders and related diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of a phytoformulation consisting of hydroxycitric acid and capsaicin against obesity-related cardiomyopathy. Experimental procedure: Sprague-Dawley rats were fed HFD for 21 weeks, and phytoformulation (100 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally for 45 days starting at week 16. Results and conclusion: We found that HFD supplementation resulted in significant hyperglycemia and caused an increase in cardiac lipid deposition, inflammation and apoptosis in the heart. Phytoformulation therapy not only significantly decreased blood levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and inflammatory cytokines in obese rats, but also protected cardiac tissue, as shown by histological analysis. Conversely, phytoformulation therapy decreased mRNA levels for sterol regulatory element-binding factor 1, fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid binding protein 1 genes involved in fatty acid synthesis and absorption in obese rats. It increased the levels of lysosomal acid lipase, hormone-sensitive lipase, and lipoprotein lipase genes involved in fatty acid degradation in the heart. In addition, the phytoformulation improved cardiac inflammation and apoptosis by downregulating the genes nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB), tumour necrosis factor α, interleukin-6, toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), BCL2-associated X and caspase-3. In conclusion, our results show that the phytoformulation improved insulin sensitivity and attenuated myocardial lipid accumulation, inflammation, and apoptosis in the heart of HFD-induced obese rats by regulating fatty acid metabolism genes and downregulating NF-kB/TLR-4/caspase-3.

Aging is a complex process associated with tissue degeneration and an increased risk of age-related diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Terasen®, a nutraceutical containing standardized extracts of Euterpe oleracea, Myrciaria dubia, and purified oil of Bixa orellana and Astrocaryum aculeatum on the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans. The findings demonstrated that Terasen® exhibited significant radical scavenging in vitro, decreased the feeding behavior of C. elegans without affecting the animals’ final size, increased the eggs laid in a concentration-dependent fashion, although the total progeny was reduced compared to the control, and increased the median and maximum lifespan. These findings suggest that Terasen® may improve the lifespan in C. elegans, warranting further investigation.

Nutraceuticals are compounds or components in food that offer health benefits. They can be incorporated into food to make it functional or used as supplements or medicine. Lilium brownii/Baihe is one of the classic nutraceuticals. The chemical composition of Lilium is complex and has a variety of pharmacological effects. Moreover, the compound preparation based on Lilium has been used in the treatment of respiratory diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. In addition, Lanzhou lily has become food on the dinner table. Therefore, Lilium brownii/Baihe is a nutraceutical with a long history. Based on the current understanding of Lilium, this review provides an in-depth discussion of the bioactive components and pharmacological effects of Lilium. This is important to provide theoretical reference for the in-depth study of Lilium as well as its development and application in medicine, food, and other industries.

Objectives To assess dietary supplements, functional foods and nutraceuticals use among the patients after myocardial infarction (MI). Material and Methods The authors prospectively enrolled 100 consecutive patients hospitalized due to MI and remaining under coordinated outpatient care after MI in the authors’ cardiology department. Results The authors showed that patients within median (interquartile range) 12.30 (10.18–14.57) months after MI use dietary supplements, nutraceuticals and functional foods in their everyday diet. Vitamins (53% patients), especially vitamin D (35%), were the most frequently used dietary supplements. In contrary to common usage of dietary supplements (59%), smaller proportion of patients use functional foods (21%) and nutraceuticals (5%), especially phytosterols. The authors found that the use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and dietary supplements is associated with age (participants

Background and aim: In Taiwan, Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana (VTT) is used in traditional medicine and as a local tea. VTT rich in resveratrol and resveratrol oligomers have been reported to exhibit anti-obesity and anti-hypertensive activities in animal models; however, no studies have investigated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treatments. This study aimed to investigate the anti-T2DM effects of resveratrol tetramers isolated from the VTT in nicotinamide/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice. Experimental procedure: The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used to imitate postprandial blood glucose (BG) regulations in mice by pre-treatment with VTT extracts, resveratrol tetramers of vitisin A, vitisin B, and hopeaphenol 30 min before glucose loads. Vitisin B (50 mg/kg) was administered to treat T2DM-ICR mice once daily for 28 days to investigate its hypoglycemic activity. Results and conclusion: Mice pre-treated with VTT-S-95EE, or vitisin B (100 mg/kg) 30-min before glucose loading showed significant reductions (P

Muscle wasting is one of the main causes for exercise intolerance and ventilatory inefficiency in patients with heart failure and a strong predictor of frailty and reduced survival. The prevalence of sarcopenia is at least 20% in patients with heart failure. Patients with heart failure often have subclinical systemic inflammation, which may exert sustained effects on skeletal muscle. Besides exercise, nutrition should also be carefully evaluated as an appropriate diet with selected nutraceuticals may be able to stimulate muscle anabolism and inhibit muscle catabolism. This review summarizes the epidemiological and clinical trial evidence supporting the recommendations for the use of nutraceuticals with anti-inflammatory properties in heart failure and provides an overview of the state of the evidence for nutraceutical supplementation to prevent and/or mitigate heart failure muscle wasting.

This review article covers the therapeutic potential of the plants Harpagophytum procumbens and Turnera subulata in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Despite the recognition of their beneficial properties, there is notable shortage of specific clinical and in vitro studies on these species regarding neurodegenerative diseases. Compounds such as harpagosides and vite-xin-2-O-rhamnoside, found in Harpagophytum procumbens and Turnera subulata, respectively, as well as other antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, are associated with mechanisms of action that involve reducing oxidative stress and modulating the inflammatory response, indicating their therapeutic potential in these pathologies. Additionally, the use of nutraceuticals derived from medicinal plants has emerged as a promising approach, offering natural therapeutic alternatives. However, the pressing need for studies focusing on the pharmacokinetics, safety, and pharmacological interactions of these extracts for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases is emphasized. This review also evaluated advances in nutraceutical delivery systems, highlighting technological innovations that can optimize the precise delivery of these compounds to patients. Such findings highlight the gaps in the study of these plants for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and, at the same time, the potential for opening new perspectives in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, providing expectations for innovative solutions in this critical domain of medicine.

Hippocrates - Father of Medicine (ca 460-370 BC) - endorsed the cuative effects of foods; he said: "Leave your drugs in the chemist's pot if you can heal the patient with food". This review focuses on the management of cardio-metabolic diseases (CMDs) with nutraceuticals and antioxidant diets such as Allium sativum, turmeric, soybean, peptides, phytosterols, resveratrol, polyphenolic substances etc. CMDs are a cluster of conditions linked to altered fat and carbohydrate metabolism as well as macroand micro-vascular problems. CMDs cause severe pathophysiological and metabolic alterations in the body, resulting in the occurrence of chronic diseases like atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and stroke, neurodegenerative ailments, fatty liver, kidney malfunction, hypercholesterolaemia, hyperlipidaemia, insulin resi-tance and some cancers, consequently imposing a very high economic burden on the healthcare costs. Currently used pharmacotherapies are not only expensive but also are associated with undesirable adverse events. Thus, there is an urgent need for affordable, cost-effective and alternative safe therapies for the prevention and management of CMDs. Holistic approaches targeted for health promotion and prevention of CMDs include the intake of antioxidant-rich diets, anti-inflammation wholesome foods and moderate physical activity (about 30 min/day). Such strategies will not only prevent obesity-related CMDs, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), coronary heart disease and stroke, but also will improve the quality of patient's life and consequently reduce healthcare burdens. Nutraceuticals and probiotics exhibit anti-inflammation, anti-aging, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects, thereby reducing the adverse health risks associated with CMDs. Antioxidants protect cell membranes and DNA from excessive free radicals, which contribute to CMD related diseases. Physical exercise along with dietary interventions helps to mitigate oxidative stress, improve blood triglyceride levels, increase HDL-cholesterol and reduce LDLcholesterol and reverse the biological markers associated with CMDs. Many studies have provided robust scientific evidence and demonstrated links between dietary interventions, nutraceuticals, probiotics, wholesome foods and physical activity for the prevention of CMDs. The major limitations in promoting nonpharmacological therapies for health and well-being benefits are a lack of public awareness and a paucity of clinical nutrition instruction for medical students on the merits of complementary methods for the prevention and management of CMDs. The goals of this review are to provide up-to-date knowledge about selected nutraceuticals, wholesome foods and physical activity in the prevention of CMDs and the underlying mechanisms associated with each intervention, which will ultimately improve patient's quality of life and assist in reducing healthcare costs globally.

Background/Aim: Nutraceuticals or dietary supplements have been recognised as a fundamental part of the holistic approach to achieve complete wellness and health. Their usage is continuously increasing due to lifestyle and sport-style requirements. The present study was designed to estimate the use of nutraceuticals in the younger population and find the association between gender and community in their usage. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was carried out on the younger population (between 15 and 30 years of age) of North India over a period of two weeks in October 2022. The data regarding the demographic profile and nutraceutical use among participants was collected per predesigned and pre-validated questionnaire. The collected data were analysed to determine the outcomes. Results: The study included 575 participants, with 272 males and 303 females. Out of them, 321 were from the urban background. It was found in the study that a total of 275 (47.82 %) study subjects were using nutraceuticals, with 163 (59.27 %) and 112 (40.73 %) from the urban and rural dwellings, respectively. Among the users, 122 (44.36 %) were men and 153 (55.64 %) were women. Thus, overall, 153 (50.49 %) of females and 122 (44.85 %) of males in survey were consuming dietary supplements. The study further added that 189 (68.72 %) users believed that nutraceuticals improved their health, two-thirds of participants were using nutraceuticals for lifestyle reasons and 239 (86.90 %) of consumers were using single nutraceuticals. There was no association between gender and community in nutraceuticals usage (Chi-square test, p > 0.05). Conclusion: Almost half of the younger population was using nutraceuticals and there was no association between gender and community while using them.

Introduction and purpose: Kombucha is a fermented beverage, usually made by fermenting sugared black or green tea with the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). Kombucha has gained increasing popularity in recent years, mainly due to the fact that it has been associated with some health effects. The aim of the study is to review the articles available in the PubMed database in order to learn about the health benefits of Kombucha consumption. State of knowledge: Kombucha is a source of phenolic compounds, vitamins and minerals, amino acids, enzymes, proteins and other compounds which influence biological activity. Scientific research on Kombucha has shown that it exhibits antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerogenic and antidiabetic properties. It also has a good influence on the digestive system. Kombucha consumption helps to lower cholesterol level, stimulates liver detoxification processes and also supports the proper functioning of the immune system. These properties depend on the various factors such as used products, concentration of bacteria and yeast, duration of fermentation or temperature. Summary: Kombucha tea is known as a nutraceutical. It could be used as a dietary supplement. Most of the trials have been conducted on rats or mice. Kombucha has only been involved or tested in a few human trials. It is important to spread awareness among the population about this product and its impact on people’s health, conduct more research and standardise the production methods of this beverage.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a global health concern and reducing plasma LDL-C levels is a major goal in cardiovascular prevention. Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nutraceutical formulation including leucoselect® phytosome®, red yeast rice, policosanol and folic acid on LDL-c levels in patients at low cardiovascular risk with dyslipidemia. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled all consecutive patients with dyslipidemia at low cardiovascular risk who were unresponsive to diet and physical activity. Clinical assessments and laboratory analyses, encompassing lipid profile, hepatic function, and CPK levels, were performed at baseline prior to initiating treatment and repeated at the 12-week mark following administration of the study nutraceutical. Results: Sixty (60) consecutive patients (mean age 48.02 ± 10.1 years; 60% male) were included. At the 12-week follow-up, a statistically significant reduction in Total Cholesterol (13.1%) and LDL-c serum level (20.4%) was observed. Hepatic and muscular function remain stable over the time. The adherence to therapy was 99% and the persistence was maximum. Conclusions: The nutraceutical formulation including leucoselect® phytosome® red yeast rice, policosanol and folic acid significantly reduced the LDL-c plasma levels, consistent with previous research showing that the bioactive component in red yeast rice—lovastatin—is effective in addressing problems with lipid metabolism. Importantly, it was safe and well-tolerated among patients with dyslipidemia in a real-world setting.

Tribulus terrestris L. (Tt) has been recently gaining attention for its pharmacological value, including its neuroprotective activities. In this study, we explore the neuroprotective effects of a Tribulus terrestris extract in a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model of scopolamine (SCOP)-induced memory impairment and brain oxidative stress. SCOP, an anticholinergic drug, was employed to replicate fundamental aspects of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in animal models. The fish were treated with ethanolic leaf extract (ELE) from Tt (1, 3, and 6 mg/L) for 15 days. SCOP (100 µM) was administered 30 min before behavioral tests were conducted. Molecular interactions of the major compounds identified via UPLC-PDA/MS in Tt fractions with the active site of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were explored via molecular docking analyses. Terrestrosin C, protodioscin, rutin, and saponin C exhibited the most stable binding. The spatial memory performance was assessed using the Y-maze test, and memory recognition was examined using a novel object recognition (NOR) test. Tt extract treatment reversed the altered locomotion patterns that were caused by SCOP administration. Biochemical analyses also verified Tt’s role in inhibiting AChE, improving antioxidant enzyme activities, and reducing oxidative stress markers. The present findings pave the way for future application of Tt as a natural alternative to treat cognitive disorders.

Introduction Bergamot and opuntia (prickly pear cladodes) standardized extracts have been demonstrated to have positive metabolic effects in preclinical and clinical models. Material and methods The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic effect of a combined nutraceutical containing 150 mg of Opuntia ficus Indica extract, 400 mg of plant sterols, 12.5 mg of thiamine, and 200 mg of Brumex® a phytocomplex from bergamot fruit (Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau, fructus) standardized 40% in total flavonoids and min 5% in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-flavanones. Thus, we carried out a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial on 75 hypercholesterolaemic subjects randomized to take the active compound (2 tablets per day), placebo (2 tablets per day), or both (1 per product per day). Results After 12 weeks of treatment with 1 tablet per day, we observed a significant reduction of a number of metabolic parameters: total cholesterol (TC) (–14.6%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (–19.9%), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDLC) (–22.1%), triglycerides (TG) (–13.1%), Apolipoprotein B (–16%) (all p < 0.05 both versus baseline and versus placebo), fasting plasma glucose (–5.1%), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (–7.8%), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (–7.3%), and -glutamyl transferase (–34.4%) (all p < 0.05 versus baseline). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was increased 6.9% by the use of 1 tablet per day (p < 0.05 versus baseline). All parameters were reduced to the same extent when taking the full dose (2 tablets), beyond TG. Conclusions The tested nutraceutical compound based on a flavonoid complex from bergamot and opuntia showed a short-term positive impact on plasma lipids, fasting plasma glucose, and liver enzyme in overall healthy subjects affected by hypercholesterolaemia with low cardiovascular risk.

Abstract Background Recently, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a chief public health disaster caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There are no established effective preventive or therapeutic anti-COVID-19 drugs available except for some recently approved vaccines. Still, countless recent studies recommend various alternative and complementary approaches against COVID-19, which are medicinal herbs employed as traditional remedies to enhance immunity to struggle with viral infections. In addition, physicians worldwide are highly interested in vitamin and mineral supplements to help them combat COVID-19 either through protection or treatment. Dietary supplements specifically vitamin D, vitamin C, and zinc provide good prophylactic and therapeutic support to the presently available treatment regimens. In the present work, we have focused on plant-based remedies with promising anti-COVID-19 activities. Aim To enable investigators and researchers to identify potential herbal compounds with anti-COVID activity to be used as promising therapies to combat this pandemic. Main body This review highlights the recently published studies concerning natural traditional herbs, herbal bioactive metabolites, dietary supplements, and functional foods that could help prevent and/or treat COVID-19. Herein, we explored medicinal herbs as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 and discussed how these studies help form larger discussions of diet and disease. Moreover, by investigating the herbal bioactive components, we have outlined several medicinal herbs that can fight against COVID-19 by hindering SARS-CoV-2 replication and entry to its host cells, deterring the cytokine storm, and several other means. Finally, we have summarized various herbal products, functional foods, and dietary supplements with potent bioactive compounds which can inhibit and/or prevent COVID-19 disease progression. Conclusions Based on the studies reviewed in this work, it was concluded with no doubt that phytochemical components present in various herbs could have a starring role in the deterrence and cure of coronavirus contagion.

Abstract Background Migraine is a highly prevalent disorder with significant economical and personal burden. Despite the development of effective therapeutics, the causes which precipitate migraine attacks remain elusive. Clinical studies have highlighted altered metabolic flux and mitochondrial function in patients. In vivo animal experiments can allude to the metabolic mechanisms which may underlie migraine susceptibility. Understanding the translational relevance of these studies are important to identifying triggers, biomarkers and therapeutic targets in migraine. Main body Functional imaging studies have suggested that migraineurs feature metabolic syndrome, exhibiting hallmark features including upregulated oxidative phosphorylation yet depleted available free energy. Glucose hypometabolism is also evident in migraine patients and can lead to altered neuronal hyperexcitability such as the incidence of cortical spreading depression (CSD). The association between obesity and increased risk, frequency and worse prognosis of migraine also highlights lipid dysregulation in migraine pathology. Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) has demonstrated an important role in sensitisation and nociception in headache, however its role in metabolic regulation in connection with migraine has not been thoroughly explored. Whether impaired metabolic function leads to increased release of peptides such as CGRP or excessive nociception leads to altered flux is yet unknown. Conclusion Migraine susceptibility may be underpinned by impaired metabolism resulting in depleted energy stores and altered neuronal function. This review discusses both clinical and in vivo studies which provide evidence of altered metabolic flux which contribute toward pathophysiology. It also reviews the translational relevance of animal studies in identifying targets of biomarker or therapeutic development.

Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) is a significant public health challenge that has an adverse impact on functional independence, quality of life, and life expectancy. Management of people’s chronic conditions is a key aspect of contemporary medical practice. Our study was an open label, single arm, prospective pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of treating people with TSCI. The study intervention was treatment with oral selenium and vitamin E. Participants were 18 years or older and experienced a TSCI at least one year prior to enrollment. Daily doses of 50 mcg of selenium and 400 IU of vitamin E were administered. Participants had radiologic (MRI tractography) and clinical (ASIA) assessments prior to initiating treatment, and these assessments were repeated after one year of treatment. Four subjects completed the full twelve-month study. Adherence, based on pill counts, was approximately 75% in all subjects. There were no adverse events related to study medications. During the treatment period, subjects reported improvement in certain symptoms. There was no significant difference in ASIA scores before and after the intervention. Combination treatment with vitamin E and selenium has been demonstrated as safe for TSCI patients. It is possible to use DTI values to locate the epicenter of a lesion as well as gauge the extent of injury. MRI tractography may serve as a meaningful surrogate endpoint. The results of this study suggest that it is feasible to conduct a larger long-term clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of combination treatment of TSCI.

Psidium guajava L. is a small evergreen tree known for its magnificent medicinal and nutritional value. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional profile and in vitro pharmacological potentialities of the different leaf extracts of four cultivars of Psidium guajava namely Surka chitti, Allahabad safeda, Karela, and Lucknow-49. The standard procedures of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) were followed to carry out the nutritional analysis and all of the cultivars recorded the presence of elements at a nominal range. The highest presence of phenols (125.77 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (92.38 mg QE/g) in the methanolic leaf extract of the Karela cultivar was recorded. A wide range of minerals such as sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and boron were recorded with a higher percentage in the Karela cultivar of Psidium guajava. In the enzyme inhibitory assays, Allahabad safeda showed potential inhibition with an IC50 of 113.31 ± 1.07, 98.2 ± 0.66 and 95.73 ± 0.39 μg/mL in α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and tyrosinase inhibition assays, respectively. The strong antioxidant effect was established by Lucknow-49 (IC50 of 74.43 ± 1.86 μg/mL) and Allahabad safeda (IC50 of 78.93 ± 0.46 μg/mL) for ABTS and DPPH assays, respectively. The ethyl acetate and methanolic leaf extracts of the Allahabad safeda cultivar showed better inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with an MIC of 14.84 and 28.69 µg/mL, respectively. A decent mean zone of inhibition was recorded in methanolic leaf extract that ranged from 21–25 mm in diameter against the tested bacterial strains (Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus subtilis, and P. aeruginosa). This is the first scientific report on the comparative and comprehensive analysis of indigenous guava cultivars to evidently shortlist the elite cultivars with enriched dietary nutrition and biological activities.

Introduction. The constant action of harmful factors, increased levels of neuropsychological stress and stress-associated decline in immunity increase scientific interest for studying the therapeutic properties of phytoadaptogens. In particular, the study of preventive use of drugs based on the adaptogen of oriental traditional medicine – schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) is now gaining relevance. The aim of the study. To analyze modern scientific sources of literature on the main characteristics and use of Schisandra chinensis, to identify the dominant biological effects and prospects for the use of adaptogen in the prevention and treatment of disorders of the nervous system. Materials and methods. The analyzed literature was searched using the following electronic databases: PubMed, Medline, ResearchGate and Google Scholar. Results. This review demonstrates a wide range of effects of S. chinensis chemical components on the activity of various human organ systems. Based on the available data, it was found that the antitumor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pharmacological effects of chinese magnolia-vine have been actively studied. Special attention was paid to the psychophysiological properties of adaptogens, in particular S. chinensis. Experimental use of S. chinensis in mice with neurodegenerative disorders has shown an improvement in animal mental activity. Clinical trials of adaptogenic drugs with a high content of chinese magnolia-vine components have shown improved cognitive activity, speed and accuracy of movement in tired people, although in the literature there are cases when the consumption of mixtures did not show the desired results. Conclusions. The analysis of literature data confirms the prospects of using S. chinensis as a mean of prophylactic treatment in clinical medicine. However, despite the large amount of scientific research on the adaptogenic potential of chinese magnolia, the results of S. chinensis influence on human cognitive abilities are contradictory and need further study in the future.

Background Every year, the food business produces a sizeable amount of waste, including the portions of fruits and vegetables that are inedible, and those that have reached a stage where they are no longer suitable for human consumption. These by-products comprise of components such as natural antioxidants (polyphenols, carotenoid etc.), dietary fiber, and other trace elements, which can provide functionality to food. Due to changing lifestyles, there is an increased demand for ready-to-eat products like sausages, salami, and meat patties. In this line, meat products like buffalo meat sausages and patties are also gaining the interest of consumers because of their rich taste. Meat, however, has a high percentage of fat and is totally deprived of dietary fiber, which poses severe health problems like cardiovascular (CV) and gastrointestinal diseases. The health-conscious consumer is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of balancing flavor and nutrition. Therefore, to overcome this problem, several fruit and vegetable wastes from their respective industries can be successfully incorporated into meat products that provide dietary fiber and play the role of natural antioxidants; this will slow down lipid oxidation and increase the shelf-life of meat products. Methodology Extensive literature searches have been performed using various scientific search engines. We collected relevant and informative data from subject-specific and recent literature on sustainable food processing of wasted food products. We also looked into the various applications of waste fruit and vegetable products, including cereals, when they are incorporated into meat and meat products. All relevant searches meeting the criteria were included in this review, and exclusion criteria were also set. Results The pomace and peels of fruits like grapes, pomegranates, cauliflower, sweet lime, and other citrus are some of the most commonly used fruit and vegetable by-products. These vegetable by-products help inhibit oxidation (of both lipids and proteins) and the growth of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria, all without altering the consumer’s acceptability of the product on a sensory level. When included in meat products, these by-products have the potential to improve the overall product quality and lengthen its shelf-life under certain circumstances. Conclusion Cost-effective and easily accessible by-products from the fruit and vegetable processing industries can be used in meat products to enhance their quality features (physicochemical, microbial, sensory, and textural aspects) and health benefits. Additionally, this will provides environmental food sustainability by lowering waste disposal and improving the food’s functional efficacy.

COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by the beta-corona virus SARS-CoV2, has posed a global health threat causing more than five million of deaths in the last two years in the world. Although the disease often presents with mild cold-like symptoms, it may have lethal consequences following thromboembolisms, hyperinflammation and cytokine storm eventually leading to pulmonary fibrosis and multiple organ failure.Despite the progress made in the understanding of the SARS-CoV2 pathology and the clinical management of COVID-19, the viral illness is still a health concern since outbreaks continue to resurge due to the emergence of mutant variants of the virus that resist the vaccines.Therefore, there is an urgent need for therapeutics that can block SARS-CoV2 viral transmission and the progression from infection to severe symptomatic illness.Natural products could be a valuable source of drugs for the management of COVID-19 disease, particularly because they can act on multitargets and through different mechanisms including inhibition of biochemical pathways, epigenetic regulation of gene expression, modulation of immune response, regulation of pathophysiological stress response.Here we present an overview of the natural products that possess SARS-CoV2 antiviral activity and the potential to benefit the management of COVID-19.

Background and aim: Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles which causes energy consumption; moderate and constant physical activity is known to be beneficial and to slow the muscle loss process associated with aging. The aim of the present study was to test, in an in vitro exercise model, the biological effects of a new formulation composed of magnesium and potassium combined with vitamin D and curcumin created to support muscle activity and to prevent hypercontraction damage. Experimental procedure: C2C12 cells were treated with vitamin D, buffered magnesium bisglycinate, curcumin, and potassium citrate. Cell viability, morpho-functional changes, calcium and magnesium movements, and the main kinases involved in glucose uptake were analyzed. The glycogen level and lactate were also evaluated. Results and conclusion: Important results about a positive effect on mitochondrial activity, ATP production, oxygen consumption and in the physiological differentiation of C2C12 cells were obtained. Further experiments were performed under conditions that mimic the biological aspects of strenuous exercise. The combination of magnesium, vitamin D3, curcumin, and potassium citrate revealed beneficial effects on skeletal muscle cells under physiological conditions as well as while mimicking intense activity. In particular, in an in vitro model, they were able to control the hypercontraction, restoring ion fluxes, reducing inflammation signaling and supporting the main mechanism involved on aerobic activity. Our results have indicated for the first time that this new combination could be considered as a new nutraceutical formulation to improve physical performance and muscle recovery.

Although patients would rather oral therapies to injections, the gastrointestinal tract’s low permeability makes this method limiting for most compounds, including anticancer drugs. Due to their low bioavailability, oral antitumor therapies suffer from significant variability in pharmacokinetics and efficacy. The improvement of their pharmacokinetic profiles can be achieved by a new approach: the use of natural extracts enriched with polyphenolic compounds that act as intestinal permeability enhancers. Here, we propose a safe sweet cherry extract capable of enhancing oral absorption. The extract was characterized by the HPLC-UV/MS method, evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity, safety on the Caco-2 cell line, and as a potential permeation enhancer. The sweet cherry extract showed a high antioxidant capacity (ABTS and DPPH assays were 211.74 and 48.65 µmol of Trolox equivalent/g dried extract, respectively), high content of polyphenols (8.44 mg of gallic acid per gram of dry extract), and anthocyanins (1.80 mg of cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalent per g of dry extract), reassuring safety profile (cell viability never lower than 98%), and a significant and fully reversible ability to alter the integrity of the Caco-2 monolayer (+81.5% of Lucifer yellow permeability after 2 h). Furthermore, the ability of the sweet cherry extract to improve the permeability (Papp) and modify the efflux ratio (ER) of reference compounds (atenolol, propranolol, and dasatinib) and selected pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives was investigated. The obtained results show a significant increase in apparent permeability across the Caco-2 monolayer (tripled and quadrupled in most cases), and an interesting decrease in efflux ratio when compounds were co-incubated with sweet cherry extract.

The visceral stimuli from the digestive tract are transmitted via afferent nerves through the spinal cord to the brain, where they are felt as pain. The overreaction observed in the brain of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients may be due to increased peripheral sensitivity to stimuli from the gastrointestinal tract. Although the exact pathway is uncertain, attenuation of visceral hypersensitivity is still of interest in treating IBS. It has been shown that stress stimulates the sympathetic nervous system while inhibiting the vagus nerve (VN). In addition, stress factors lead to dysbiosis and chronic low-grade inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, which can lead to lower gastrointestinal visceral hypersensitivity. Therefore, an important goal in the treatment of IBS is the normalization of the intestinal microflora. An interesting option seems to be nutraceuticals, including Terminalia chebula, which has antibacterial and antimicrobial activity against various pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Additionally, short-term transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation can reduce the stress-induced increase in intestinal permeability, thereby reducing inflammation. The conducted studies also indicate a relationship between the stimulation of the vagus nerve (VN) and the activation of neuromodulatory networks in the central nervous system. Therefore, it seems reasonable to conclude that a two-way action through stimulating the VN and using nutraceuticals may become an effective therapy in treating IBS.

Pomegranate fruit (PF) is a fruit rich in nutraceuticals. Nonedible parts of the fruit, especially peels, contain high amounts of bioactive components that have been largely used in traditional medicine, such as the Chinese, Unani, and Ayurvedic ones, for treating several diseases. Polyphenols such as anthocyanins, tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and lignans are the major bioactive molecules present in PF. Therefore, PF is considered a source of natural multifunctional agents that exert simultaneously antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antidiabetic, cardiovascular, and neuroprotective activities. Recently, several studies have reported that the nutraceuticals contained in PF (seed, peel, and juice) have a potential beneficial role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Research suggests that the neuroprotective effect of PF is mostly due to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities which contribute to attenuate the neuroinflammation associated with AD. Despite the numerous works conducted on PF, to date the mechanism by which PF acts in combatting AD is not completely known. Here, we summarize all the recent findings (in vitro and in vivo studies) related to the positive effects that PF and its bioactive components can have in the neurodegeneration processes occurring during AD. Moreover, considering the high biotransformation characteristics of the nutraceuticals present in PF, we propose to consider the chemical structure of its active metabolites as a source of inspiration to design new molecules with the same beneficial effects but less prone to be affected by the metabolic degradation process.

This review focuses on the causes and consequences of nutritional deficiencies in the pregnant woman’s diet, as well as on the possibilities of its supplementation. It has been shown that inadequate intake of vitamins and minerals during pregnancy is accompanied by a lack of nutrient supply to the fetus, which can cause growth retardation, low birth weight and other obstetric and perinatal complications.According to the analysed guidelines and recommendations, the body’s need for vitamins and minerals increases at least twice as much during pregnancy. Adverse effects of the environment, a number of gastrointestinal and liver diseases, chronic diseases, antibiotic therapy, etc. increase this need.However, adequate nutritional support of the fetus is the result of several steps. These include the frequency of maternal food intake, the availability of nutrients in the food and the ability of the placenta to transport substrates effectively to the fetus.The most recommended vitamin for consumption in pregnancy is folic acid, alone or in combination with other B vitamins, as its deficiency leads to birth defects in the child.The authors of this review have reviewed a number of large studies conducted over the past decade that recommend iron and folic acid for pregnant women, regardless of dietary intake, as they have proven beneficial effects on the course and outcome of pregnancy. Folic acid, according to current recommendations, must be prescribed to every pregnant woman in the form of 400 mcg tablets daily regardless of her diet. Other most important and necessary vitamins for pregnant women are: vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B1, B2, B6, B12, PP, pantothenic acid, biotin.

Abstract Background Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating illness, characterised by persistent fatigue that is unrelieved by rest, in combination with a range of other disabling symptoms. There is no diagnostic test nor targeted treatment available for this illness. The pathomechanism also remains unclear. Mitochondrial dysfunctions have been considered a possible underlying pathology based on reported differences including structural and functional changes in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls. Due to the potential role that mitochondria may play in ME/CFS, mitochondrial-targeting nutraceutical interventions have been used to potentially assist in improving patient outcomes such as fatigue. The aim of this systematic review is to appraise literature assessing these nutraceuticals as a possible intervention for treating ME/CFS. Methods A systematic search of Pubmed, Embase, Medline (EBSCO host) and Web of Science (via Clarivate Analytics) for journal articles published between January 1995 and 10th November 2020 was conducted. Articles assessing nutraceutical interventions and ME/CFS patient outcomes were retrieved. Using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, the list of articles was further refined. Quality was measured using the Rosendal scale. Results Nine intervention studies were included in this review. The studies investigated patient symptom severity changes such as altered fatigue levels in response to mitochondrial-targeting nutraceuticals. Improvements in fatigue levels were observed in six of the nine studies. Secondary outcomes assessed include biochemical, psychological, and quality of life parameters. Conclusion There is insufficient evidence on the effectiveness of mitochondria- targeting nutraceuticals in ME/CFS patients. Future well-designed studies are required to elucidate both the involvement of mitochondria in the pathomechanism of ME/CFS and the effect of mitochondrial-modifying agents on illness severity.

Abstract Objective We investigated the anti-proliferative or cytotoxic activities of five nutraceutical compounds: allyl isothiocyanate, β-carotene, caffeine, capsaicin, and lupanine that we consume respectively, for example, from mustard seeds, carrot, coffee, pepper, and lupin seeds against cancer cell lines (human colon: HCT 116 p53 wild type, HCT 116 p53−/− and lymphoblastic: CEM/CCRF, CEM/ADR5000). Result Out of the five compounds tested in vitro, capsaicin and β-carotene were more cytotoxic than the other three compounds against the four cancer cell lines. The most potent nutraceutical compound was capsaicin and it exerted its highest cytotoxicity against HCT 116 p53−/− with IC50 value of 19.67 ± 0.06 µM. It is worth considering capsaicin for further development of anticancer drug against both colon and leukemia cancer types.

Withania somnifera L. is a multipurpose medicinal plant of family Solanaceae occurring abundantly in sub-tropical regions of the world. The folk healers used the plant to treat several diseases such as fever, cancer, asthma, diabetes, ulcer, hepatitis, eyesores, arthritis, heart problems, and hemorrhoids. The plant is famous for the anti-cancerous activity, low back pain treatment, and muscle strengthening, which may be attributed to the withanolide alkaloids. W. somnifera is also rich in numerous valued secondary metabolites such as steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, and glycosides. A wide range of preclinical trials such as cardioprotective, anticancer, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-depressant, and hypoglycemic have been attributed to various parts of the plant. Different parts of the plant have also been evaluated for the clinical trials such as male infertility, obsessive-compulsive disorder, antianxiety, bone and muscle strengthening potential, hypolipidemic, and antidiabetic. This review focuses on folk medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological, and nutrapharmaceutical potential of the versatile plant.

The discovery of a drug requires over a decade of intensive research and financial investments – and still has a high risk of failure. To reduce this burden, we developed the NICEdrug.ch resource, which incorporates 250,000 bioactive molecules, and studied their enzymatic metabolic targets, fate, and toxicity. NICEdrug.ch includes a unique fingerprint that identifies reactive similarities between drug–drug and drug–metabolite pairs. We validated the application, scope, and performance of NICEdrug.ch over similar methods in the field on golden standard datasets describing drugs and metabolites sharing reactivity, drug toxicities, and drug targets. We use NICEdrug.ch to evaluate inhibition and toxicity by the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil, and suggest avenues to alleviate its side effects. We propose shikimate 3-phosphate for targeting liver-stage malaria with minimal impact on the human host cell. Finally, NICEdrug.ch suggests over 1300 candidate drugs and food molecules to target COVID-19 and explains their inhibitory mechanism for further experimental screening. The NICEdrug.ch database is accessible online to systematically identify the reactivity of small molecules and druggable enzymes with practical applications in lead discovery and drug repurposing.

The problem of residues of toxic contaminants in food products has assumed considerable importance in terms of food safety. Naturally occurring contaminants, such as mycotoxins, are monitored routinely in the agricultural and food industries. Unfortunately, the consequences of the presence of mycotoxins in foodstuffs are evident in livestock farms, where both subacute and chronic effects on animal health are observed and could have non-negligible effects on human health. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a common mycotoxin that contaminates food and feeds. Due to its thermal stability, the eradication of OTA from the food chain is very difficult. Consequently, humans and animals are frequently exposed to OTA in daily life. In this review article, we will devote time to highlighting the redox-based nephrotoxicity that occurs during OTA intoxication. In the past few decades, the literature has improved on the main molecules and enzymes involved in the redox signaling pathway as well as on some new antioxidant compounds as therapeutic strategies to counteract oxidative stress. The knowledge shown in this work will address the use of nutraceutical substances as dietary supplements, which would in turn improve the prophylactic and pharmacological treatment of redox-associated kidney diseases during OTA exposure, and will attempt to promote animal feed supplementation.

The in vitro effects of four nutraceuticals, catechin hydrate, gallic acid, α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid, on the ability of human osteoarthritic chondrocytes of two female obese groups to form articular cartilage (AC) tissues and to reduce inflammation were investigated. Group 1 represented thirteen females in the 50–69 years old range, an average weight of 100 kg and an average body mass index (BMI) of 34⋅06 kg/m2. Group 2 was constituted of three females in the 70–80 years old range, an average weight of 75 kg and an average BMI of 31⋅43 kg/m2. The efficacy of nutraceuticals was assessed in monolayer cultures using histological, colorimetric and mRNA gene expression analyses. AC engineered tissues of group 1 produced less total collagen and COL2A1 (38-fold), and higher COL10A1 (2⋅7-fold), MMP13 (50-fold) and NOS2 (15-fold) mRNA levels than those of group 2. In comparison, engineered tissues of group 1 had a significant decrease in NO levels from day 1 to day 21 (2⋅6-fold), as well as higher mRNA levels of FOXO1 (2-fold) and TNFAIP6 (16-fold) compared to group 2. Catechin hydrate decreased NO levels significantly in group 1 (1⋅5-fold) while increasing NO levels significantly in group 2 (3⋅8-fold). No differences from the negative control were observed in the presence of other nutraceuticals for either group. In conclusion, engineered tissues of the younger but heavier patients responded better to nutraceuticals than those from the older but leaner study participants. Finally, cells of group 2 formed better AC tissues with less inflammation and better extracellular matrix than cells of group 1.

This research aimed to design, optimize, and evaluate berberine-laden nanostructured lipid carriers overlaid with chitosan (BER-CTS-NLCs) for efficient brain delivery via the intranasal route. The nanostructured lipid carriers containing berberine (BER-NLCs) were formulated via hot homogenization and ultrasonication strategy and optimized for the influence of a variety of causal variables, including the amount of glycerol monostearate (solid lipid), poloxamer 407 (surfactant) concentration, and oleic acid (liquid lipid) amount, on size of the particles, entrapment, and the total drug release after 24 h. The optimal BER-NLCs formulation was then coated with chitosan. Their diameter, in vitro release, surface charge, morphology, ex vivo permeability, pH, histological, and in vivo (pharmacokinetics and brain uptake) parameters were estimated. BER-CTS-NLCs had a size of 180.9 ± 4.3 nm, sustained-release properties, positive surface charge of 36.8 mV, and augmented ex-vivo permeation via nasal mucosa. The histopathological assessment revealed that the BER-CTS-NLCs system is safe for nasal delivery. Pharmacokinetic and brain accumulation experiments showed that animals treated intranasally with BER-CTS-NLCs had substantially greater drug levels in the brain. The ratios of BER brain/blood levels at 30 min, AUCbrain/AUCblood, drug transport percentage, and drug targeting efficiency for BER-CTS-NLCs (IN) were higher compared to BER solution (IN), suggesting enhanced brain targeting. The optimized nanoparticulate system is speculated to be a successful approach for boosting the effect of BER in treating CNS diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, through intranasal therapy.

The kind of novel herbal formulations such as polymeric nanoparticles, nanocapsules, liposomes, phytosomes, animations, microsphere, transfersomes, and ethosomes has been reported using proactive and plant selections. The novel formulations are described to have remarkable advantages over conventional formulations of plant actives and extracts which include enhancement of solubility, bioavailability, and protection from toxicity, enhancement of pharmacological activity, enhancement of stability, improved tissue macrophages distribution, sustained delivery, and protection from physical and chemical degradation. Phytosome is a patented technology developed by a leading maker of drugs and nutraceuticals, to incorporate standardized plant extracts or water-soluble phytoconstituents into phospholipids to produce lipid-compatible molecular complexes. The herbal drugs can be used in a more upright course with enhanced efficacy by incorporating them into modern dosage forms. This can be accomplished by designing novel drug delivery systems for herbal ingredients. The present review highlights the current condition of the development of novel herbal formulations and summarizes their type of active components, biological activity, and applications of novel formulations.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex and common disorder, with many factors involved in its onset and development. The clinical management of this condition is frequently based on the use of some pharmacological antidepressant agents, together with psychotherapy and other alternatives in most severe cases. However, an important percentage of depressed patients fail to respond to the use of conventional therapies. This has created the urgency of finding novel approaches to help in the clinical management of those individuals. Nutraceuticals are natural compounds contained in food with proven benefits either in health promotion or disease prevention and therapy. A growing interest and economical sources are being placed in the development and understanding of multiple nutraceutical products. Here, we summarize some of the most relevant nutraceutical agents evaluated in preclinical and clinical models of depression. In addition, we will also explore less frequent but interest nutraceutical products which are starting to be tested, also evaluating future roads to cover in order to maximize the benefits of nutraceuticals in MDD.

Background: Alcohol-induced cerebellar neurodegeneration is a neuroadaptation that is associated with chronic alcohol abuse. Conventional drugs have been largely unsatisfactory in preventing neurodegeneration. Yet, multimodal neuro-protective therapeutic agents have been hypothesised to have high therapeutic potential for the treatment of CNS conditions; there is yet a dilemma of how this would be achieved. Contrarily, medicinal botanicals are naturally multimodal in their mechanism of action.

Ursolic acid (UA) is a bioactive compound which has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in a variety of cancer cell lines. UA activates various signalling pathways in Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and offers a promising starting point in drug discovery; however, understanding the relationship between cell death and migration has yet to be elucidated. UA induces a dose dependent cytotoxic response demonstrated by flow cytometry and biochemical cytotoxicity assays. Inhibitor and fluorescent probe studies demonstrate that UA induces a caspase independent, JNK dependent, mechanism of cell death. Migration studies established that UA inhibits GBM collective cell migration in a time dependent manner that is independent of the JNK signalling pathway. Cytotoxicity induced by UA results in the formation of acidic vesicle organelles (AVOs), speculating the activation of autophagy. However, inhibitor and spectrophotometric analysis demonstrated that autophagy was not responsible for the formation of the AVOs. Confocal microscopy and isosurface visualisation determined co-localisation of lysosomes with the previously identified AVOs, thus providing evidence that lysosomes are likely to be playing a role in UA induced cell death. Collectively, our data identify that UA rapidly induces a lysosomal associated mechanism of cell death in addition to UA acting as an inhibitor of GBM collective cell migration.

Background Nowadays, growing attention was being given to the alternative ways to prevent or treat diseases. Nutraceuticals are used increasingly for this purpose. Many of these are being used as alternative therapy. Classic therapy with synthetic drugs, although very effective, has many side effects. The term “nutraceuticals” refers to the link between the nutritional and pharmaceutical domains. Also, lately, many studies have been done to investigate the role of microbiota in maintaining health. There is the hypothesis that some of the health benefits of nutraceuticals are due to their ability to change the microbiota. The aim of this review was to emphasize the link between the most commonly used nutraceuticals, the microbiota and the health benefits. Methods We selected the articles in PubMed, published up to July 2017, that provided information about most used nutraceuticals, microbiota and health benefits. In this review, we incorporate evidence from various types of studies, including observational, in vitro and in vivo, clinical studies or animal experiments. Results The results demonstrate that many nutraceuticals change the composition of microbiota and can interfere with health status of the patients. Discussion There is evidence which sustains the importance of nutraceuticals in people’s health through microbiota but further studies are needed to complete the assessment of nutraceuticals in health benefit as a consequence of microbiota’s changing.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) are generally safe and well-tolerated drugs that are extensively used for the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. Muscle and liver adverse reactions are the best recognized, while cutaneous side effects are exceedingly rare. We present the case of a 65-year-old woman with severe hypercholesterolemia, who developed generalized erythematous cutaneous lesions with pruritus, resembling lichen planus, months after starting treatment with simvastatin. The symptoms disappeared on withdrawal of simvastatin and reappeared within 3 months upon rechallenge with rosuvastatin. In addition to describing a rare adverse effect of statins, the authors also discuss the nutraceutical approach to the management of a statin-intolerant patient.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in its latest World Cancer Report (2014) has projected the increase in the global cancer burden from 14 million (2012) to 22 million incidence annually within the next two decades. Such statistics warrant a collaborative engagement of conventional and complementary and alternative therapies to contain and manage cancer. In recent years, there has been a shift in the cancer chemoprevention paradigm with a significant focus turning towards bioactive components of human diets for their anticancer properties. Since diet is an integral part of lifestyle and given that an estimated one third of human cancers are believed to be preventable though appropriate lifestyle modification including dietary habits, the current shift in the conventional paradigm assumes significance. Several epidemiological studies have indicated that consumption of broccoli is associated with a lower risk of cancer incidence including breast, prostate, lung, stomach and colon cancer. The edible plant belonging to the family of cruciferae such as broccoli is a rich source of glucoraphanin, a precursor of isothiocyanate sulforaphane which is considered to be a potent anti-cancer agent. Plant-based dietary agents such as sulforaphane mimic chemotherapeutic drugs such as vorinostat, possessing histone deacetylase inhibition activity. Evidence from epidemiological and experimental studies have emerged, enhancing the clinical plausibility and translational value of sulforaphane in cancer chemoprevention. The present review provides the current understanding of the cancer chemopreventive pharmacology of sulforaphane towards its potential as an anticancer agent.