H. Hara, R. Mifuru, Yoshiro Ishikura, Ryo Yokotani, N. Ishida, T. Hara, Shuji Ozaw
{"title":"In vivo evaluation of holocellulose and cellulose isolated from kumaizasa (Sasa senanensis) powder on bowel movements in rats","authors":"H. Hara, R. Mifuru, Yoshiro Ishikura, Ryo Yokotani, N. Ishida, T. Hara, Shuji Ozaw","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1078","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1078","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Kumaizasa (Sasa senanensis Rehder) is a representative natural plant growing in Hokkaido, Japan, and has a history of being used in herbal medicine and as a health food option. Nishihira et. al. (2019) confirmed in a clinical trial that the kumaizasa dry powder had the effect of improving bowel movements of healthy volunteers. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the components of kumaizasa powder, like holocellulose (hemicellulose + cellulose) and cellulose, involved in the bowel movement of rats and tried to elucidate the role of each component.Methods: Male rats (Slc:SD, weight 79~93 g) were administered kumaizasa powder (3000 mg/kg/day) orally, holocellulose (1500 mg/kg/day), cellulose (900mg /kg/day) or water using a stomach tube twice a day for 14 days.Results: Among the intervention groups (kumaizasa powder, holocellulose, cellulose group) and control group (water), no significant differences were observed with changes in body weight and food consumption. All the feces were normal, with one exception of watery feces on day 2 in the cellulose group. Multigroup comparison by the Tukey-Kramer method showed that the dry weight of feces collected at day 14 in the kumaizasa powder group significantly increased as compared with that of the control group (p<0.01). This result confirmed that kumaizasa powder had the effect of increasing fecal amount. A paired t-test between each kumaizasa group and control group indicated that the cellulose increased the fecal dry weights and moisture content in feces, while the kumaizasa powder and the holocellulose increased only fecal dry weights.Conclusion: It is shown that the holocellulose and cellulose of kumaizasa powder have the effect of increasing the bowel movement of rats by oral administration. It is also suggested that the cellulose increases the moisture content in the feces by swelling, while hemicellulose in the holocellulose acts as a prebiotic to regulate the moisture content in feces.Keywords: Kumaizasa, Sasa senanensis Rehder, hemicellulose, cellulose, holocellulose, bowel movements","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42575416","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pinal N. Kanabar, Nina S. Los, T. Lawal, S. Patel, Nisikant A. Raut, M. Maienschein-Cline, Z. Arbieva, G. Mahady
{"title":"Combinations of vitamin A and D induced are synergistic in breast cancer cells and alter gene expression in the endoplasmic reticulum stress, unfolded protein and estrogen signaling canonical pathways","authors":"Pinal N. Kanabar, Nina S. Los, T. Lawal, S. Patel, Nisikant A. Raut, M. Maienschein-Cline, Z. Arbieva, G. Mahady","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1069","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1069","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Numerous studies over the past 30 years have shown that bioactive compounds present in functional foods, including vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals reduce cancer risk. For example, vitamins A and D derivatives found in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, reduce the growth of breast, bladder, head, neck, lung, prostate, and skin cancers. However, the effects of these combined vitamins have not been previously reported for breast cancer.Aims: To investigate the activities of vitamin A (all-trans-retinoic acid; ATRA), as well as vitamins D2 and D3 in combination in the breast epithelial cancer cell lines T47D:A18, MCF-7, and SK-BR-3 and perform whole genome analysis in MCF-7 cells using RNA-seq.Methods: Breast cancer cells were cultured in appropriate media and treated with ATRA, D2 or D3 alone in concentrations from 1-10 μg/ml, or in combination at 1, 5, and 10 μg/ml. The CellTiter-Glo® 2.0 assay, Caspase-Glo®3/7, Caspase®8, and ApoTox-Glo™ Triplex assays measured cell viability and apoptosis. The effect of treatment on autophagy in MCF-7 cells was measured with a CYTO-ID® Autophagy Detection Kit 2.0. The whole transcriptome analysis was assessed using mRNA-seq and qPCR.Results: Separately, ATRA, D2, and D3 all reduced the viability of all breast cancer cell lines tested, with median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) between 2.1 to 31.7 μg/ml. However, when breast cancer cells were treated with combinations of ATRA+D2+D3, the IC50 was reduced indicating synergism. In MCF-7 cells, 5-flurouracil (5-FLU) had an IC50 of 1.37 µg/ml, while the vitamin A and D combination had an IC50 of 1.5 µg/ml, indicating the combination was ~90% as effective as 5-FLU. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with ATRA+D2+D3 enhanced caspase 3/7 activity, as well as the expression of Bax, BAD, PTEN and p53 (apoptosis canonical pathway), as well as induced autophagy. Whole genome analysis of treated MCF-7 cells showed a significant upregulation in gene expression in the autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response apoptosis canonical pathways. Furthermore, MCF-7 cells treated with ATRA+D2+D3 demonstrated significant downregulation of gene expression in estrogen-mediated S phase entry and estrogen signaling canonical pathways suggesting antiestrogenic effects. Conclusions: Vitamins A and D combinations had synergistic effects in breast cancer cells and induced both apoptosis and autophagy. Transcriptional profiling showed significant alterations in gene expression patterns and upregulation of multiple cancer signaling pathways supporting the hypothesis that combining vitamins A and D is a more effective treatment than either vitamin alone. Keywords: all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), Vitamin D2, Vitamin D3, breast cancer cells, apoptosis, estrogen receptors","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45938927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
U. Singh, Pankaj Singh, Pradeep Kumar Singh, S. Shukla, R. Singh, Sukanta Mondal
{"title":"Evaluation of antioxidant potential, DNA damage and hepatoprotective properties of Lagenaria siceraria plant against acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity","authors":"U. Singh, Pankaj Singh, Pradeep Kumar Singh, S. Shukla, R. Singh, Sukanta Mondal","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1072","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1072","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Lagenaria siceraria has various pharmacological effects like antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-ulcer, anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective activities and is used to treat various diseases like diabetes, jaundice, piles, ulcers, hypertension, colitis, insanity, and skin diseases.Context and purpose of the study: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the phytochemical content, antioxidant activity, DNA damage and hepatoprotective activities of Lagenaria siceraria (LS)plant’s parts to explore their nutraceutical value.Methods: Phytochemical content was measured by the estimation of total phenolics, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, protein and carbohydrates while antioxidant activities were investigated by assaying the parameters of free radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and DNA damage protection assay. Hepatoprotective activity of LS leaf was measured by assaying cell viability, superoxide dismutase activity, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide formation.Results: Among the tested plant samples, LS leaves showed high contents of total phenolics, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and protein contents whereas LS fruits have high carbohydrate contents. Evaluation of antioxidant activities in different parts of the LS plant showed that the LS leaf has high antioxidant properties as compared to other plant parts. The L. siceraria leaf also showed DNA protection activities against Fenton’s reagent as well as UV induced hydroxyl radical’s damage. To test the hepatoprotective activity of LS leaf against acetaminophen, induced hepatocellular toxicity and leaf extract concentrations of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 μg/104 cells were administered to cultured hepatocytes before acetaminophen exposure. The experimental results showed that LS leaf extract restores superoxide dismutase activity and reduces malondialdehyde and nitric oxide formation as compared to acetaminophen alone treated cultured cells.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that leaves of L. siceraria plants have high antioxidant potential and DNA damage-protective and hepatoprotective activities. Hence, the leaf part of this plant may be used in different food applications to provide nutritional and health benefits, as well as in various liver care herbal formulations.Keywords: Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective activity, Hepatocytes, Lipid peroxidation, Total phenolics ","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46865043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kelly Williams, Lauren A. Fielding, Jessica Davis, D. Martirosyan
{"title":"The blockade of Artsakh causing long-term food, nutrition shortage and starvation: How functional food education can help resolve health related conditions","authors":"Kelly Williams, Lauren A. Fielding, Jessica Davis, D. Martirosyan","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1081","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1081","url":null,"abstract":"Throughout history, regimes have utilized starvation as a form of genocide. Genocide is defined by Rafael Lempkin as an intentional effort to annihilate a national group. The purpose of this research is to analyze the physiological immediate and lasting effects of starvation in the human body. In the current conflict in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), ecologists from Azerbaijan are preventing fuel, medicine, and food from entering the Armenian border at the Berdzor (Lachin) Corridor since December 12, 2022. Russian peacekeepers are simultaneously stationed at the Berdzor Corridor, which connects Artsakh and Armenia. In this article, observations are presented on the effects of starvation and recovery on the human body as they relate to historical genocides. Short and long-term effects of starvation can be severe, especially in minority populations and small territories. Although prolonged starvation has more profound impacts on the body, metabolic processes and increased stress levels can cause serious harm to someone who hasn’t consumed food for even only a few days. The predominant physiological shift during a short period of starvation is the transition from gluconeogenesis as a form of fuel production to lipid oxidation as fuel production, resulting in formation of ketone bodies. This switch ultimately leads to metabolic acidosis and the beginning of further complications if trends continue.A prolonged lack of food can lead to an altered mental state, cardiac dysrhythmia, loss of bone density and various other abnormal physiological processes. Many of these findings are potentially reversible via proposed treatments for recovery, although some are not. The blockade of Artsakh has the potential to cause both severe short and long-term physical and psychological damage as discussed below. The blockade began more than 80 days ago, thus certain damage has already occurred.We strongly urge the international community to act against this blockade and help prevent a future genocide.Keywords: food shortage, Starvation, genocide,Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), blockade, Berdzor (Lachin) corridor, bioactive compounds, functional foods ","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44753362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Lorenzetti, Makiko Osato, Fang He, Cristiana Aperio, Antonio Ayala, S. Rasulova, M. Barbagallo
{"title":"Interim report from a 2-year double-blind rct testing fermented papaya preparation on immune enhancement, endothelial health and qol in elderly adults","authors":"A. Lorenzetti, Makiko Osato, Fang He, Cristiana Aperio, Antonio Ayala, S. Rasulova, M. Barbagallo","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i2.1050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i2.1050","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Agingis associated with alterations in oxi-inflammatory-immune profile, and endothelial cell dysfunction. Indeed, increased generation of free radicals as well as immunosenescence are hallmarks of the aging process and age-related diseases. In the past 12 years or so, data has been accumulated on fermented papaya preparation (FPP®)(Osato Research Institute, Gifu, Japan), a specific functional food with robust redox and immune regulator nutrigenomics effect. The aim of this 2-year ongoing study of which we report the first-year data, was to test FPP® in redox, endothelial, and immune markers.Methods: Study population. From a total of 106 subjects, we report the analyzed data referring to 78 clinically stable, healthy, community-dwelling males and females, aged 60 to 75 years. The study was conducted using a double-blind method with designated groups A and B to fulfill the two different treatments. The two treatments are as follows: Group A, also known as “FPP Group,” was given one sachet two times per day containing 4.5g FPP®, along with one placebo capsule provided in the morning. Group B, also known as “AA Group,” was given one papaya-flavored sachet two times per day, along with one antioxidant mixture capsule in the morning. Morning blood samples were collected and tested for: Ultra-sensitive c-reactive protein (a highly sensitive ELISA), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) (by Human Nitric Oxide Synthase kit), asymmetric dimethylarginine, or ADMA, (a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), apoptosis of PBMCs (by Annexin V staining) and MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) to assess quality of life. Screening and blood tests were carried out as follows: Visit I: Day 0 - Baseline, Visit II: Day 60, or 2 months, Visit III: 6 months, Visit IV: 11 months.Results: Plasma iNOS levels were comparable among both groups at the beginning of the study. FPP®-treated subjects showed a significant increased level at Visits II and III (P<0.05 vs baseline and vs AA). ADMA values were not affected by AA supplementation whereas FPP® treatment was associated with a significant decrease beginning with observation during Visit III (P<0.05 vs baseline and vs AA administration). The FPP® intervention was associated with improvements among several domains of quality of life such as physical function, general health, and mental components (P < 0.01 vs baseline and vs AA group). There was also at significant and comparable positive effect for time on vitality shown in both AA and FPP® groups.Conclusion: Unlike with the antioxidant treatment, the FPP® intervention yielded a transient decrease of ADMA, a decrease of iNOS and lower percentage in apoptotic PBMC. These results suggest that FPP®, by a more multifaceted, subcellular mechanism, as well as non-redox modulatory properties, was beneficially effective in regulating aging markers. These mechanisms are associated with a better SF-36 profile in support of FPP® as a candidate interventio","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41760547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Santonicola, R. Molinari, G. Piccinocchi, A. Salvetti, F. Natale, G. Cimmino
{"title":"Role of a novel nutraceutical composition for irritable bowel syndrome management: symptoms relief and unexpected triglycerides-lowering effect","authors":"A. Santonicola, R. Molinari, G. Piccinocchi, A. Salvetti, F. Natale, G. Cimmino","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i2.1068","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i2.1068","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort and an irregular bowel habit. The prevalence is up to 20% in Western adults, which makes IBS the most common diagnosis in gastroenterology. Despite extensive interest and investigation, IBS's precise aetiology and pathophysiology are poorly understood. Current knowledge suggests that an altered gut microbiota, altered motility, visceral hyperalgesia, and dysregulation of the brain-gut axis are central to IBS. This is also significantly related to a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome and elevated triglycerides among the adult population. This retrospective study examines the effect of a novel nutraceutical compound, Triobiotix, on gastrointestinal symptoms in IBS patients. Effects on lipid profiles have also been recorded. Objectives: The focus of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Triobiotix, a nutraceutical compound composed of prebiotics and probiotics. Methods:Triobiotix is a nutraceutical consisting of Maltodextrin; mineralized extract of Lithothamnion (Lithothamnion calcareum (Pallas) Areschoug, thallus dry extract); Bioecolians® gluco-oligosaccharides; Ferment mix (corn starch, Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. Lactis BLC1 (DSM 17741), Lactobacillus acidophilus LA3 (DSM 17742), Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501 (DSM 16104), Lactobacillus paracasei Streptococcus 501 IMC102 SP4 (DSM 19385); short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides powder. The database of 40 Italian General Practitioners (GPs) was analyzed. A total of 587 patients with IBS treated with Triobiotix were identified. Among them, 535/587 (91.1%) completed the first (T0) and second (T1) visits and their data were available. The primary endpoint of this analysis was to assess if Triobiotix, at a dosage of 1 sachet per day for 30 days, could reduce abdominal pain and bloating, thus resulting in a lower intensity of the main gastrointestinal symptoms. Secondary endpoints were to evaluate presence of any significant changes in triglycerides blood levels and glycaemia.Results: Treatment with this nutraceutical for one month resulted in a reduction in the frequency and intensity of bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence, and tenesmus. In the 85 patients who reported evacuative urgency, the frequency of the episodes didn’t significantly change while their intensity was statistically reduced. Unexpectedly, triglyceride levels also significantly decreased.Conclusions:Our analysis demonstrates this formulation is effective in the relief of the main symptoms associated with IBS. Moreover, an unexpected effect of this combination of micronutrients on tryglicerides, beyond IBS symptoms, was also found. However, further studies are needed to confirm this evidence and to evaluate the particular compound responsible of this effect.Keywords: Irritable bowel disease; Triglyceridemia; Nutraceuticals","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46088553","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chakkraphong Khonthun, Krissana Khoothiam, Orada Chumphukam, Rungthip Thongboontho, Panida Oonlao, P. Nuntaboon, Kanokkarn Phromnoi
{"title":"Screening and characterization of antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-microbial activity of herbal extracts in Northern Thailand","authors":"Chakkraphong Khonthun, Krissana Khoothiam, Orada Chumphukam, Rungthip Thongboontho, Panida Oonlao, P. Nuntaboon, Kanokkarn Phromnoi","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i2.1070","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i2.1070","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Aging is a process caused by oxidants and aging-related enzymes. Therefore, the inhibition of these processes can exacerbate anti-aging agents. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-aging activities of leaf extracts from seven herbs used in traditional Thai herbal remedies. Methods: Researchers assessed the total levels of phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant, anti-collagenase, and anti-tyrosinase activity using colorimetric methods. Cytotoxicity effects were determined using MTT assays, and matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) secretion was assessed through gelatin zymography. In addition, inhibitory effects on the growth of microorganisms were examined using the disc diffusion and broth microdilution method.Results: TPC ranged between 48.68–440.91 mg GAE/g of ethanolic leaf extracts. High antioxidant activities against ABTS radicals were detected in P. granatum, P. emblica, P. guajava, T. bellirica, and T. chebula, while high DPPH neutralization appeared in M. coreia, P. guajava, and P. granatum. FRAP assays significantly reduced the power of T. chebula and P. granatum. T. chebula and P. guajava exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on H2O2induced ROS production. P. emblica, P. guajava, T. bellirica, and E. hygrophilus reduced tyrosinase and collagenase activities. P. gaujava, T. chebula, and T. bellirica were shown to inhibit the secretion of MMP-2 from fibroblast cells. All concentrations of leaf extracts were non-toxic to fibroblast cells. P.granatum and T. bellirica could inhibit the growth of P. acnes, E. coli, and S. aureus. Conclusion: Preliminary studies showed that P.granatum and T. bellirica leaf extracts have antioxidants, anti-aging, and anti-bacterial activities, as well as active ingredients suitable for cosmetic products.Keywords: antioxidants, anti-aging, leaf extracts","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44971602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pawan Kumar, S. Banik, Apurva Goel, Sanjoy Chakraborty, M. Bagchi, D. Bagchi
{"title":"Chemical, microbial and safety profiling of a standardized Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) extract and Withaferin A, a potent novel phytotherapeutic of the millennium","authors":"Pawan Kumar, S. Banik, Apurva Goel, Sanjoy Chakraborty, M. Bagchi, D. Bagchi","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i2.1071","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i2.1071","url":null,"abstract":"Background:Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, popularly known as Ashwagandha, is an ethnomedicinal plant with multiple pharmacotherapeutic applications. The diverse medicinal properties of the plant are largely due to the presence of withanolides, a group of C28 ergostane based steroidal lactones, with several sites of unsaturation and oxygenation. Withaferin A, a major with anolide present in Ashwagandha plant accounts for its emerging new roles to treat cancer, arthritis, inflammatory responses, immunomodulatory properties, and neuronal disorders. The root and leaf extracts are specifically important constituent materials for the development of phytotherapeutics, mostly intended for oral consumption. Several studies have been carried out to delineate the toxic manifestations of the extract for human consumption.Objective:Establish the broad-spectrum safety of W-ferinAmax ashwagandha (WFA).Study: This investigation demonstrated a novel, standardized W-ferinAmax ashwagandha (WFA) extraction technology from the whole herb of Withania sominfera, conducted HPLC analysis to identify the constituents, detected the heavy metals, microbiological contaminants, pesticides contaminants, and safety profile.Results:A novel extraction technology was employed to obtain WFA from the whole plant of Withania sominfera. HPLC analysis revealed that WFA contains a total of 15.4% Withanolides. In particular, Withaferin A, Withanoside IV, and Withanolide A contents were 6.469%, 1.022%, and 0.073%, respectively. The extract contained only 0.403 ppm of heavy metals out of which traces of arsenic, mercury and lead were detected, and cadmium was absent. USP recommended 80 residue basic pesticide screen indicated that the extraction was safe for human consumption. It was also found to be free from pathogenic microbes as assessed by the absence of E. coli and other coliforms, Salmonella and Staphylococcus species.Conclusion: The data generated cumulatively indicated that WFA is safe for further downstream processing to and for human consumption.Keywords: Ashwagandha, Withaferin A, phytotherapeutics, material safety; heavy metals; pesticides","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48297826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"An assessment of clinical trials used in functional food science","authors":"Samantha Marecek, D. Martirosyan","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i2.1077","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i2.1077","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: The emergence of chronic diseases with nutritional origin has rendered the wide use of clinical trials and intervention strategies necessary. Clinical trials have become a “gold standard” for testing the health impacts of different dietary changes; however, they also pose a potential risk to participants. Particularly with clinical trials used in food studies, there is an added complexity of food chemistry and food behavior as well as unique ethical issues related to clinical nutrition trials such as a potential violation of the right to be fed, disruption of food culture, and the need for food security. Thus, it becomes imperative to have a basic understanding of the key principles and methodology of different clinical trials to enable researchers to determine the best type of clinical trial for their functional food nutrition study. The progression of clinical nutrition trials is promising, but there is an increased importance of reviewing different models to determine the best method of performing nutrition-based research that minimizes the potential risk to participants while increasing current food knowledge. In this article, we aim to achieve two major goals: the first is analyzing various types of clinical trials and the second is using this analysis to figure out which type of clinical trial is ideally suited for research related to food and nutrition. Conclusion: We conclude that randomized trials are the most effective type of clinical trial used in functional food studies. Randomized cluster trials and randomized parallel-group trials are particularly effective in diminishing the challenges in functional food studies that are outlined in this paper as they reduce the effects one intervention has on another intervention.Keywords: Clinical trials, Functional Food Science, Clinical research, Functional Food, Food, Nutrition","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42356974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Natthaphon Thatsanasuwan, A. Duangjai, Pannatat Suttirak, Naritsara Phanthurat
{"title":"Proximate composition and sensory attributes of gluten-free pasta made from jackfruit seeds","authors":"Natthaphon Thatsanasuwan, A. Duangjai, Pannatat Suttirak, Naritsara Phanthurat","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i1.1039","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i1.1039","url":null,"abstract":"Background:Pasta is the world’s favourite food, except among those with celiac disease and other gluten sensitivities. Jackfruit seeds are a good source of nutrients and are gluten-free. Replacing wheat flour with jackfruit seeds in pasta represents a potential alternative food for those with gluten sensitivities. This investigation examined the impact of replacing wheat flour with jackfruit seeds on the proximate composition and sensory assessment of gluten-free fresh pasta (fettuccine). Methods:The pasta was prepared by replacing wheat flour with jackfruit seeds and adding 10% (percentage of rice flour [PJS] 10%), 15% (PJS 15%) or 20% (PJS 20%). The proximate composition and sensory attributes of the pastas were evaluated. Results:The proximate composition of pasta was significantly improved (p < 0.05) when the amount of jackfruit seeds added to the pasta was increased. Results showed decreased in energy (152-174 kcal/100g) and carbohydrate (8.2-14.8%), however increased in crude fiber (0.4–0.9%) and ash (1.9–4.7%). The results of a sensory characteristic evaluation with a nine-point hedonic scale showed that pasta made from 100% wheat flour was acceptable to the participants, and the gluten-free fresh pasta was not significantly different. The gluten-free pasta’s colour and texture changed as a result of adding rice flour and replacing the wheat flour with jackfruit seeds. The addition of jackfruit seeds resulted in a reduction in the flavour, cohesiveness, taste, and colour characteristics compared to wheat flour pasta. The pasta that substituted jackfruit seeds and added 15% rice flour scored highly on the sensory analysis. Conclusion:This study showed that fresh gluten-free pasta made from jackfruit seeds can be a tasty and nutritious substitute for regular pasta, with promising potential for food variety, notably for those with celiac disease.Clinical trial registration: TCTR20220325001Keywords:Gluten-free, jackfruit seed, just-about-right, nutrition, pasta","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44035543","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}