Search

In the Mediterranean diet, olive oil serves as the predominant fat source and has been linked to a decreased risk of mortality related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Still, there is no conclusive evidence correlating olive oil consumption to CVD. The aim of this study is to assess the global research, current research trends, and knowledge mapping related to the correlation between the consumption of olive oil and CVD using bibliometric analysis. On August 19, 2023, a title‐specific literature search was conducted on the Scopus database using the search terms "olive oil" and "cardiovascular disease" with a date range of the past 50 years. Subsequently, bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer and Bibliometrix were employed to analyze and evaluate the obtained documents. The search yielded (n = 429) publications and showed an upward trend in the annual publication count over the last five decades. The publication number exhibited a gradual increase with a rate of 5.55%. The results also indicated that 2530 authors, 759 institutions, 47 countries, and 223 journals have publications in this research domain. The present bibliometric study will be a valuable research reference for describing the worldwide research patterns concerning the relationship between olive oil and CVD during the past 50 years. In the future, the application of olive oil for the treatment of CVDs may be an emerging research trend. Apart from this, collaborations among authors, countries, and organizations are expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Himalayan region supports a wide diversity of flora and fauna; hence it is home to many natural resources. Despite this, the people living here are struggling for essential needs such as food and nutrition. However, in Himalayan region, wild plants and their fruits contribute significantly to the livelihood of local people and communities. Several studies recommended that Himalayan wild fruits possess significant biologically active compounds, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. In addition, the presence of secondary metabolites in these plants gives them a prominent place in traditional medicinal systems. However, detailed investigation of health-promoting effects, chemical composition, and nutraceutical profiling is lacking in the variety of Himalayan wild fruits. Therefore, this review article will explore the information about wild edible fruits, such as health-promoting effects, chemical composition, and nutraceutical profiling in the Himalayan region. In this context, a detailed search was done through different search engines including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Specific keywords were used to explore available data about Himalayan wild fruits. Several Himalayan wild fruits like Berberis asiatica, Celtis australis, Ficus palmata, Fragaria indica, Morus alba, Myrica esculenta, Phyllanthus emblica, Prunus armeniaca, etc. showed presence of important bioactive compounds responsible for different therapeutic activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anticancer, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, etc. These fruits also possess high nutraceutical value. Hence this study presents detailed information about wild edible fruits which will be helpful in future for researchers, food industries, pharmaceutical industries, and several other government and non-government organisations in developing strategies to ensure food security by using these important wild fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astragalus L. is widely distributed throughout the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. The genus is widely used in folk medicine and in dietary supplements, as well as in cosmetics, teas, coffee, vegetable gums, and as forage for animals. The major phytoconstituents of Astragalus species with beneficial properties are saponins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. Astragalus extracts and their isolated components exhibited promising in vitro and in vivo biological activities, including antiaging, antiinfective, cytoprotective, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, antidiabesity, and immune‐enhancing properties. Considering their proven therapeutic potential, the aim of this work is to give a comprehensive summary of the Astragalus spp. and their active components, in an attempt to provide new insight for further clinical development of these xenobiotics. This is the first review that briefly describes their ethnopharmacology, composition, biological, and toxicological properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rhododendron arboreum and Rhododendron campanulatum are two important trees of Uttarakhand, known for their ethnopharmacological importance. In the present study, the aqueous and methanolic extracts of leaves of both the plants were analyzed for phytochemical, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities against cancer cell line and repression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α) transcription. Materials and Methods: Aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of both the plants were prepared through pressurized liquid extraction method. Various assays were performed to analyze phytochemical and antioxidant potential. The antiproliferative activity was determined through 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxy anilide salt (XTT) assay. Further, the effect of plant extracts on the modulation of HIF-1α and VEGF mRNA expression was analyzed through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: A significantly high total phenol content, total flavonoid content, free radical scavenging, and reducing power activities were observed in both the plant extracts. High-performance thin-layer chromatography analysis indicated the presence of ascorbic acid, quercetin, gallic acid, and hesperidin in different extracts. XTT reduction assay confirmed the antiproliferative activities of aqueous extracts against cancer cell line, HeLa. Aqueous extract of R. arboreum (RAA), at a concentration of 31.25 μg/ml, inhibited 60.12% and 25.41% proliferation of HeLa and Vero cell lines, respectively. An equal concentration of aqueous extract of R. campanulatum (RCA) inhibited the growth by 48.04% and 15.17% for HeLa and Vero cell lines, respectively. Further, the RAA and RCA have downregulated the expression of two key angiogenic factors responsible for tumor neovascularization, HIF-1α and VEGF to a great extent. Conclusion: The present study affirms that the leaf extracts of R. arboreum and R. campanulatum have enormous potential to be developed as an effective natural antioxidant and anticancer drug. Abbreviations used: PLE: Pressurized liquid extraction; XTT: 2,3-Bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxy anilide salt; TPC: Total phenol content; TFC: Total flavonoid content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Himalaya pulses have promising health-promoting benefits derived from the bioactive compounds they contain. • Pulses can be used as food to prevent and manage various ailments. • Polyphenols, phytosterols, resistant starch, oligosaccharides and dietary fibre are major components of pulses. • Pulses have a low glycemic index and hypocholesterolemic action. • New epidemiological research and clinical trials should be conducted to learn more about biological activities in Himalayan pulses. Pulses have been consumed worldwide for over 10 centuries and are currently among the most widely used foods. They are not economically important, but also nutritionally beneficial as they constitute a good source of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, folate and magnesium. Pulses, but particularly species such as Macrotyloma uniflorum , Phaseolus vulgaris L., Glycine max L. and Vigna umbellate , are essential ingredients of the local diet in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). Consuming pulses can have a favourable effect on cardiovascular health as they improve serum lipid profiles, reduce blood pressure, decrease platelet activity, regulate blood glucose and insulin levels, and reduce inflammation. Although pulses also contain anti-nutritional compounds such as phytates, lectins or enzyme inhibitors, their deleterious effects can be lessened by using effective processing and cooking methods. Despite their great potential, however, the use of some pulses is confined to IHR regions. This comprehensive review discusses the state of the art in available knowledge about various types of pulses grown in IHR in terms of chemical and nutritional properties, health effects, accessibility, and agricultural productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an increasingly common neurodegenerative disease that attracts the attention of researchers and medical community in order to develop new, safe and more effective drugs. Currently available drugs could only slow the AD progression and relieve the symptoms, in addition to being linked to moderate-to-severe side effects. N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors antagonists were reported to have the ability to block the glutamate-mediated excitotoxic activity being good therapeutic targets for several neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. Based on data obtained so far, this review provides an overview over the use of NMDA antagonists for AD treatment, starting with a key emphasis on present features and future aspects regarding the use of NMDA antagonists for AD, and lastly a key focus is also given on its use in precision medicine., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)