scholarly journals Proanthocyanidins and Where to Find Them: A Meta-Analytic Approach to Investigate Their Chemistry, Biosynthesis, Distribution and Effect on Human Health

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1229
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Mannino ◽  
Giorgia Chinigò ◽  
Graziella Serio ◽  
Tullio Genova ◽  
Carla Gentile ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Forest Plot ◽  
Human Diet ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Complete Report ◽  
Plant Families ◽  
Plant Sources

Proanthocyanidins (PACs) are a class of polyphenolic compounds that are attracting considerable interest in the nutraceutical field due to their potential health benefits. However, knowledge about the chemistry, biosynthesis, and distribution of PACs is limited. This review summarizes the main chemical characteristics and biosynthetic pathways and the main analytical methods aimed at their identification and quantification in raw plant matrices. Furthermore, meta-analytic approaches were used to identify the main plant sources in which PACs were contained and to investigate their potential effect on human health. In particular, a cluster analysis identified PACs in 35 different plant families and 60 different plant parts normally consumed in the human diet. On the other hand, a literature search, coupled with forest plot analyses, highlighted how PACs can be actively involved in both local and systemic effects. Finally, the potential mechanisms of action through which PACs may impact human health were investigated, focusing on their systemic hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects and their local anti-inflammatory actions on the intestinal epithelium. Overall, this review may be considered a complete report in which chemical, biosynthetic, ecological, and pharmacological aspects of PACs are discussed.

scholarly journals Impacts of home lighting on human health

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 453-475
Author(s):  
C Ticleanu
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Sleep Patterns ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Areas Of Concern

Typical home lighting practice is mainly centred on visual aspects to enable safe movement between spaces, flexibility in multiuse spaces, a sense of aesthetics and energy efficiency. Whilst lighting impacts on the health of residents have not received similar consideration, this area is gaining increasing interest. This is even more important and actual in the context of the recent pandemic where people have been working or studying from home. A combination of bright daytime light and night-time darkness is essential for circadian entrainment and maintenance of a regular daily sleep–wake cycle, whereas exposure to light at night can negatively impact circadian rhythms and sleep patterns and ultimately lead to potential health problems. Additionally, lighting also has the potential to affect health through associated effects such as flicker, glare, optical hazards or electromagnetic fields. This article discusses the main areas of concern related to home lighting and outlines general recommendations to limit detrimental effects and contribute to good health.

scholarly journals Impact of Bacillus in fermented soybean foods on human health

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trishala Gopikrishna ◽  
Harini Keerthana Suresh Kumar ◽  
Kumar Perumal ◽  
Elavarashi Elangovan
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Fermented Soybean ◽  
Food Pathogens ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Fermented Soybean Foods

Abstract Purpose Fermented soybean foods (FSF) is popularly consumed in the South-East Asian countries. Bacillus species, a predominant microorganism present in these foods, have demonstrated beneficial and deleterious impacts on human health. These microorganisms produce bioactive compounds during fermentation that have beneficial impacts in improving human health. However, the health risks associated with FSF, food pathogens, biogenic amines (BAs) production, and late-onset anaphylaxis, remain a concern. The purpose of this review is to present an in-depth analysis of positive and negative impacts as a result of consumption of FSF along with the measures to alleviate health risks for human consumption. Methods This review was composed by scrutinizing contemporary literature of peer-reviewed publications related to Bacillus and FSF. Based on the results from academic journals, this review paper was categorized into FSF, role of Bacillus species in these foods, process of fermentation, beneficial, and adverse influence of these foods along with methods to improve food safety. Special emphasis was given to the potential benefits of bioactive compounds released during fermentation of soybean by Bacillus species. Results The nutritional and functional properties of FSF are well-appreciated, due to the release of peptides and mucilage, which have shown health benefits: in managing cardiac disease, gastric disease, cancer, allergies, hepatic disease, obesity, immune disorders, and especially microbial infections due to the presence of probiotic property, which is a potential alternative to antibiotics. Efficient interventions were established to mitigate pitfalls like the techniques to reduce BAs and food pathogens and by using a defined starter culture to improve the safety and quality of these foods. Conclusion Despite some of the detrimental effects produced by these foods, potential health benefits have been observed. Therefore, soybean foods fermented by Bacillus can be a promising food by integrating effective measures for maintaining safety and quality for human consumption. Further, in vivo analysis on the activity and dietary interventions of bioactive compounds among animal models and human volunteers are yet to be achieved which is essential to commercialize them for safe consumption by humans, especially immunocompromised patients.

scholarly journals Uncovering Prospective Role and Applications of Existing and New Nutraceuticals from Bacterial, Fungal, Algal and Cyanobacterial, and Plant Sources

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3671
Author(s):  
Jameel R. Al-Obaidi ◽  
Khalid H. Alobaidi ◽  
Bilal Salim Al-Taie ◽  
David Hong-Sheng Wee ◽  
Hasnain Hussain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Future Perspective ◽  
The Public ◽  
Biological Sources ◽  
Pharmaceutical Properties ◽  
Plant Sources ◽  
Health And Well Being

Nutraceuticals are a category of products more often associated with food but having pharmaceuticals property and characteristics. However, there is still no internationally accepted concept of these food-pharmaceutical properties, and their interpretation can differ from country to country. Nutraceuticals are used as part of dietary supplements in most countries. They can be phytochemicals which are biologically active and have health benefits. These can be supplied as a supplement and/or as a functional food to the customer. For human health and longevity, these materials are likely to play a vital role. Consumption of these items is typical without a therapeutic prescription and/or supervision by the vast majority of the public. The development of nutraceuticals can be achieved through many bioresources and organisms. This review article will discuss the current research on nutraceuticals from different biological sources and their potential use as an agent for improving human health and well-being, as well as the gaps and future perspective of research related to nutraceutical development.

scholarly journals Potential antidiabetic phytochemicals in plant roots: a review of in vivo studies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamidreza Ardalani ◽  
Fatemeh Hejazi Amiri ◽  
Amin Hadipanah ◽  
Kenneth T. Kongstad
Keyword(s):  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
Plant Roots ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Antidiabetic Activity ◽  
Scientific Databases ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Plant Families ◽  
Promising Source

Abstract Background Medicinal plants are used to treat various disorders, including diabetes, globally in a range of formulations. While attention has mainly been on the aerial plant parts, there are only a few review studies to date that are focused on the natural constituents present in the plant roots with health benefits. Thus, the present study was performed to review in vivo studies investigating the antidiabetic potential of the natural compounds in plant roots. Methods We sorted relevant data in 2001–2019 from scientific databases and search engines, including Web of Knowledge, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Medline, Reaxys, and Google Scholar. The class of phytochemicals, plant families, major compounds, active constituents, effective dosages, type of extracts, time of experiments, and type of diabetic induction were described. Results In our literature review, we found 104 plants with determined antidiabetic activity in their root extracts. The biosynthesis pathways and mechanism of actions of the most frequent class of compounds were also proposed. The results of this review indicated that flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and phytosteroids are the most abundant natural compounds in plant roots with antidiabetic activity. Phytochemicals in plant roots possess different mechanisms of action to control diabetes, including inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, oxidative stress reduction, secretion of insulin, improvement of diabetic retinopathy/nephropathy, slow the starch digestion, and contribution against hyperglycemia. Conclusion This review concludes that plant roots are a promising source of bioactive compounds which can be explored to develop against diabetes and diabetes-related complications. Graphical abstract

Planetary Health, Climate Change, and Lifestyle Medicine: Threats and Opportunities

2021 ◽  
pp. 155982762110081
Author(s):  
Neha Pathak ◽  
Amanda McKinney
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Lifestyle Medicine ◽  
The Face ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change

Global environmental degradation and climate change threaten the foundation of human health and well-being. In a confluence of crises, the accelerating pace of climate change and other environmental disruptions pose an additional, preventable danger to a global population that is both aging and carrying a growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Climate change and environmental disruption function as “threat multipliers,” especially for those with NCDs, worsening the potential health impacts on those with suboptimal health. At the same time, these environmental factors threaten the basic pillars of health and prevention, increasing the risk of developing chronic disease. In the face of these threats, the core competencies of lifestyle medicine (LM) present crucial opportunities to mitigate climate change and human health impacts while also allowing individuals and communities to build resilience. LM health professionals are uniquely positioned to coach patients toward climate-healthy behavior changes that heal both people and the planet.

scholarly journals Anti-Atherogenic Effect of 10% Supplementation of Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) Waste Protein Hydrolysates in ApoE-Deficient Mice

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2137
Author(s):  
Jessica Maria Abbate ◽  
Francesco Macrì ◽  
Francesca Arfuso ◽  
Carmelo Iaria ◽  
Fabiano Capparucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Protein Hydrolysate ◽  
Protein Hydrolysates ◽  
Metabolic Effects ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
High Frequency Ultrasound ◽  
Aortic Sinus ◽  
Fish Waste ◽  
Plaque Development

Fish protein consumption exerts beneficial metabolic effects on human health, also correlating with a decreased risk for cardiovascular disease. Fish waste contains high amount of proteins and utilization may offer the opportunity for generating compounds advantageous for human health. Especially, fish waste protein hydrolysates beneficially influence pathways involved in body composition, exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, making their potential supplementation in human disorders of increased interest. This study assessed the effect of a 10% (w/w) anchovy waste protein hydrolysate (APH) diet for 12 weeks in reducing atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice, through histological and immunohistochemical methods. In addition, monitoring of plaque development was performed, using high-frequency ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Overall, the APH diet attenuated atherosclerotic plaque development, producing a regression of arterial lesions over time (p < 0.05). Twelve weeks on an APH diet had an anti-obesity effect, improving lipid metabolism and reducing hepatic enzyme activity. A significant reduction in plaque size and lipid content was observed in the aortic sinus of APH-fed mice, compared to the control (p < 0.001), whereas no differences in the extracellular matrix and macrophage recruitment were observed. Supplementation of APH significantly attenuates atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice, exerting a lipid-lowering activity. The opportunity to use fish waste protein hydrolysates as a nutraceutical in atherosclerosis is worthy of future investigations, representing a low cost, sustainable, and nutritional strategy with minimal environmental impact.

scholarly journals Genetic and Pre- and Postharvest Factors Influencing the Content of Antioxidants in Cucurbit Crops

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 894
Author(s):  
Cecilia Martínez ◽  
Juan Luis Valenzuela ◽  
Manuel Jamilena
Keyword(s):  
Abiotic Stresses ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Human Diet ◽  
Antioxidant Power ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Cultivated Species ◽  
Plant Families ◽  
Valuable Compounds

Cucurbitaceae is one of the most economically important plant families, and includes some worldwide cultivated species like cucumber, melons, and squashes, and some regionally cultivated and feral species that contribute to the human diet. For centuries, cucurbits have been appreciated because of their nutritional value and, in traditional medicine, because of their ability to alleviate certain ailments. Several studies have demonstrated the remarkable contents of valuable compounds in cucurbits, including antioxidants such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids, but also tannins and terpenoids, which are abundant. This antioxidant power is beneficial for human health, but also in facing plant diseases and abiotic stresses. This review brings together data on the antioxidant properties of cucurbit species, addressing the genetic and pre- and postharvest factors that regulate the antioxidant content in different plant organs. Environmental conditions, management, storage, and pre- and postharvest treatments influencing the biosynthesis and activity of antioxidants, together with the biodiversity of this family, are determinant in improving the antioxidant potential of this group of species. Plant breeding, as well as the development of innovative biotechnological approaches, is also leading to new possibilities for exploiting cucurbits as functional products.

Risk Assessment of Some Heavy Metals in Two Fish Species Oreochromis Niloticus and Clarias Gariepinus from Sharqia Province, Egypt

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Nahla S El-Shenawy ◽  
Heba N Gad EL-Hak ◽  
Mahi A Ghobashy ◽  
Maha FM Soliman ◽  
Farida A Mansour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Oreochromis Niloticus ◽  
Clarias Gariepinus ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Critical Problem ◽  
Potential Health

Accumulation of heavy metals in fish is considered a critical problem for human health. Therefore, the study aimed to quantify the concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb) in Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus from two areas in Al Sharqia governorate, Egypt, from September 2017 to August 2018. A human health risk assessment was conducted to evaluate the potential hazards associated with fish consumption. Metals concentrations (mg/kg dry weight) in muscles of catfish ranged 1.88-221.26 for Fe; 1.78-19.77 for Zn; BDL-238.51 for Mn; BDL-22.75 for Pb. In muscles of tilapia fish metals concentrations ranged 7.96-149.10 for Fe; 1.20-19.77 for Zn; BDL-230.82 for Mn; BDL-25.93 for Pb. Pb had Hazard quotients (HQs) which indicated potential health risks to tilapia consumers at both study areas and catfish consumers at the Faqous area. Fishermen were at higher risk compared to the other consumers.

Polymorphism of bovine beta-casein and its potential effect on human health

2007 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanisław Kamiński ◽  
Anna Cieślińska ◽  
Elżbieta Kostyra
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Beta Casein

scholarly journals An Ethnobotanical Survey of a Dryland Botanical Garden and Its Environs in Kenya: The Mutomo Hill Plant Sanctuary

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrick Munyao Mutie ◽  
Lun-Lun Gao ◽  
Vivian Kathambi ◽  
Peninah Cheptoo Rono ◽  
Paul Mutuku Musili ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Relative Frequency ◽  
Digestive System ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Botanical Garden ◽  
Ethnobotanical Survey ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Plant Families ◽  
Growth Habits

Mutomo hill plant sanctuary is a ten-hectare piece of land in Kenya listed as a botanical garden under the Botanical Gardens Conservation International, originally established in 1964 with the aim of conserving indigenous flora from destructive anthropogenic activities. This paper presents ethnobotanical documentation of medicinal plants of Mutomo hill plant sanctuary and its environs. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in Mutomo hill plant sanctuary and its environs with 48 herbalists aged between 32 and 96 years from July 2018 to February 2019 using a semistructured open-ended questionnaire. The plants were collected through random surveys with each herbalist in different ecotypes around the villages and within the Mutomo hill plant sanctuary. The Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) for each species reported was calculated to determine the plant species frequently collected. In total, 68 different plant species distributed in 28 families and 54 genera were reported. The frequently used plant families were Leguminosae (13 species), Lamiaceae (6 species), and Euphorbiaceae (6 species). Shrubs (37%) and trees (34%) were the dominant growth habits reported. The most cited plant species were Cassia abbreviata Oliv. (RFC = 0.63), Acacia nilotica (L.). Delile (RFC = 0.54), Strychnos heningsii Gilg (RFC = 0.46), and Aloe secundiflora Engl. (RFC = 0.31). Root (19 species) and bark (19 species) were the frequently collected plant parts. Infectious diseases (33) and digestive system disorders (24) were reported to be managed with the majority of the plant species. This study contributes to safeguarding the traditional knowledge on medicinal plants in the study area, which is useful in appreciating and acknowledging the cultural heritage of the Kamba people from the local perspective of Mutomo area in Kenya. It also adds to the knowledge base and documentation of medicinal plants, which is useful information as potential data for drug development.

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