Managing obesity through natural polyphenols: A review

Revealing Comprehensive Food Functionalities and Mechanisms of Action through Machine Learning

Foods possess a range of unexplored functionalities; however, fully identifying these functions through empirical means presents significant challenges. In this study, we have proposed an in silico approach to comprehensively predict the functionalities of foods, encompassing even processed foods. This prediction is accomplished through the utilization of machine learning on biomedical big data. Our focus revolves around disease-related protein pathways, wherein we statistically evaluate how the constituent compounds collaboratively regulate these pathways. The proposed method has been employed across 876 foods and 83 diseases, leading to an extensive revelation of both food functionalities and their underlying operational mechanisms. Additionally, this approach identifies food combinations that potentially affect molecular pathways based on interrelationships between food functions within disease-related pathways. Our proposed method holds potential for advancing preventive healthcare.

Dietary phenolic compounds as promising therapeutic agents for diabetes and its complications: A comprehensive review

In the middle of an ever-changing landscape of diabetes care, precision medicine, and lifestyle therapies are becoming increasingly important. Dietary polyphenols are like hidden allies found in our everyday meals. These biomolecules, found commonly in fruits, vegetables, and various plant-based sources, hold revolutionary potential within their molecular structure in the way we approach diabetes and its intimidating consequences. There are currently numerous types of diabetes medications, but they are not appropriate for all patients due to limitations in dosages, side effects, drug resistance, a lack of efficacy, and ethnicity. Currently, there has been increased interest in practicing herbal remedies to manage diabetes and its related complications. This article aims to summarize the potential of dietary polyphenols as a foundation in the treatment of diabetes and its associated consequences. We found that most polyphenols inhibit enzymes linked to diabetes. This review outlines the potential benefits of selected molecules, including kaempferol, catechins, rosmarinic acid, apigenin, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid, in managing diabetes mellitus as these compounds have exhibited promising results in in vitro, in vivo, in silico, and some preclinical trials study. This encompassing exploration reveals the multifaceted impact of polyphenols not only in mitigating diabetes but also in addressing associated conditions like inflammation, obesity, and even cancer. Their mechanisms involve antioxidant functions, immune modulation, and proinflammatory enzyme regulation. Furthermore, these molecules exhibit anti-tumor activities, influence cellular pathways, and activate AMPK pathways, offering a less toxic, cost-effective, and sustainable approach to addressing diabetes and its complications.

Polyphenols: Role in Modulating Immune Function and Obesity

Polyphenols, long-used components of medicinal plants, have drawn great interest in recent years as potential therapeutic agents because of their safety, efficacy, and wide range of biological effects. Approximately 75% of the world's population still use plant-based medicinal compounds, indicating the ongoing significance of phytochemicals for human health. This study emphasizes the growing body of research investigating the anti-adipogenic and anti-obesity functions of polyphenols. The functions of polyphenols, including phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, glycosides, and phenolic acids, are distinct due to changes in chemical diversity and structural characteristics. This review methodically investigates the mechanisms by which naturally occurring polyphenols mediate obesity and metabolic function in immunomodulation. To this end, hormonal control of hunger has the potential to inhibit pro-obesity enzymes such as pancreatic lipase, the promotion of energy expenditure, and the modulation of adipocytokine production. Specifically, polyphenols affect insulin, a hormone that is essential for regulating blood sugar, and they also play a role, in part, in a complex web of factors that affect the progression of obesity. This review also explores the immunomodulatory properties of polyphenols, providing insight into their ability to improve immune function and the effects of polyphenols on gut health, improving the number of commensal bacteria, cytokine production suppression, and immune cell mediation, including natural killer cells and macrophages. Taken together, continuous studies are required to understand the prudent and precise mechanisms underlying polyphenols' therapeutic potential in obesity and immunomodulation. In the interim, this review emphasizes a holistic approach to health and promotes the consumption of a wide range of foods and drinks high in polyphenols. This review lays the groundwork for future developments, indicating that the components of polyphenols and their derivatives may provide the answer to urgent worldwide health issues. This compilation of the body of knowledge paves the way for future discoveries in the global treatment of pressing health concerns in obesity and metabolic diseases.

The effect of Sumac on cardiometabolic parameters in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

The current evidence on the effect of Sumac consumption on cardiovascular parameters has produced controversial findings.

Methods

We systematically searched several databases, including PubMed-Medline, SCOPUS, and ISI Web of Science, to find eligible studies until January 2023. Meta-analysis to calculated the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95 %CI, Sub-group meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis were conducted throughout the study.

Results

16 randomized controlled trials comprising a total number of 1,225 participants were included. The results of meta-analysis revealed that Sumac significantly affected low-density lipoprotein (WMD: -8.66 mg/dL; 95% CI: -14.2, -3.12), high-density lipoprotein (WMD: 3.15 mg/dL; 1.99,4.31), triglycerides (WMD: -11.96 mg/dL; -19.44, -4.48), fasting blood glucose (WMD: -4.15 mg/dL; -7.31, -0.98), insulin (WMD: -1.72; -3.18, -0.25), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; WMD: -0.61; -1.22, -0.01), and anthropometric indices (p < 0.05). Moreover, the results significantly reduced total cholesterol when the intervention duration was ≥12 weeks (WMD: -8.58 mg/dL; -16.8, -0.37).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that Sumac is potentially an effective complementary intervention to improve cardiometabolic parameters. Thus, patients could utilize Sumac as part of their diet to improve their overall cardiometabolic status.

Mediterranean Diet and Sleep Features: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence

The prevalence of sleep disorders, characterized by issues with quality, timing, and sleep duration is increasing globally. Among modifiable risk factors, diet quality has been suggested to influence sleep features. The Mediterranean diet is considered a landmark dietary pattern in terms of quality and effects on human health. However, dietary habits characterized by this cultural heritage should also be considered in the context of overall lifestyle behaviors, including sleep habits. This study aimed to systematically revise the literature relating to adherence to the Mediterranean diet and sleep features in observational studies. The systematic review comprised 23 reports describing the relation between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and different sleep features, including sleep quality, sleep duration, daytime sleepiness, and insomnia symptoms. The majority of the included studies were conducted in the Mediterranean basin and reported a significant association between a higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet and a lower likelihood of having poor sleep quality, inadequate sleep duration, excessive daytime sleepiness or symptoms of insomnia. Interestingly, additional studies conducted outside the Mediterranean basin showed a relationship between the adoption of a Mediterranean-type diet and sleep quality, suggesting that biological mechanisms sustaining such an association may exist. In conclusion, current evidence suggests a relationship between adhering to the Mediterranean diet and overall sleep quality and different sleep parameters. The plausible bidirectional association should be further investigated to understand whether the promotion of a healthy diet could be used as a tool to improve sleep quality.

The impact of consuming technologically processed functional foods enriched/fortified with (poly)phenols on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Cardiovascular diseases are a major global cause of death and healthcare costs, emphasizing the need for effective prevention and management of cardiometabolic risk factors. One promising approach is the consumption of technologically processed functional foods enriched/fortified with (poly)phenols. The current systematic review aimed to evaluate the human clinical trials evidence on the effect of intake of these foods on reducing the most common cardiometabolic risk factors. 12 randomized controlled studies were included in the systematic review, with varying food intake amounts (27-360 g/day) and (poly)phenol doses (32.5-850 mg/day). These interventions included consumption of functional bakery goods, cereal bars, pasta, chocolate, and yogurt, with supplementation periods spanning from 2 to 52 wk. Several foods, such as green tea extract-fortified rye bread and olive fruit (poly)phenol-fortified yogurt, significantly lowered blood pressure. Flavonoid-enriched chocolate, hydroxytyrosol-fortified bread, and other products influenced glucose metabolism. Additionally, various functional foods were associated with improved blood lipid levels. While these results indicate the health advantages of consuming technologically processed functional foods enriched/fortified with (poly)phenols, caution is warranted due to the scarcity and limitations of existing studies. Further research is needed to confirm and expand upon these results in the prevention and management of cardiometabolic risk factors.

Effect of Pigmented Rice Consumption on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Dietary patterns that include polyphenols may help manage cardiometabolic risk factors. Pigmented rice contains phenolic acids and flavonoids that contribute to its antioxidant properties. This review examined the effect of polyphenol-containing pigmented rice on antioxidant status, lipid profile, glucose/insulin, blood pressure, and weight among adults. Four electronic databases including PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for relevant articles published in English since 2000, using PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022358132). Two-staged screening resulted in the inclusion of seventeen (seven acute, ten chronic) randomized controlled trials. A random effects model was conducted on cardiometabolic outcomes reported in at least three studies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Acute intake increased plasma antioxidant activity and lowered postprandial glucose and insulin levels. Chronic consumption was associated with reductions in fasting glucose (WMD: -1.60 mg/dL; 95% CI:-3.05,-0.14, p = 0.03, k = 5, n = 349), weight (WMD: -0.23 kg, 95% CI: -0.44, -0.02, p = 0.03, k = 3, n = 182), and diastolic blood pressure (WMD: -1.39 mmHg, 95% CI: -2.21, -0.56, p = 0.001, k = 3, n = 185). No effect on total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, body mass index, and systolic blood pressure was found. The consumption of pigmented rice may improve cardiometabolic risk factors. However, the small number of studies and differences in study design, including participants' health status, form of rice utilized, and duration of intervention, support the need for more high-quality trials to further investigate these findings.

Fermentation of Murta (Ugni molinae) Juice: Effect on Antioxidant Activity and Control of Enzymes Associated with Glucose Assimilation

Berries are rich in bioactive compounds, including antioxidants and especially polyphenols, known inhibitors of starch metabolism enzymes. Lactic acid fermentation of fruits has received considerable attention due to its ability to enhance bioactivity. This study investigated the effect of fermentation with L. mesenteroides of juice from the Chilean berry murta on antioxidant activity, release of polyphenols, and inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Three types of juices (natural fruit, freeze-dried, and commercial) were fermented. Total polyphenol content (Folin-Ciocalteu), antioxidant activity (DPPH and ORAC), and the ability to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes were determined. Fermented murta juices exhibited increased antioxidant activity, as evidenced by higher levels of polyphenols released during fermentation. Inhibition of α-glucosidase was observed in the three fermented juices, although no inhibition of α-amylase was observed; the juice from freeze-dried murta stood out. These findings highlight the potential health benefits of fermented murta juice, particularly its antioxidant properties and the ability to modulate sugar assimilation by inhibiting α-glucosidase.

A Comprehensive Review of Phytonutrients as a Dietary Therapy for Obesity

Obesity is a complex medical condition mainly caused by eating habits, genetics, lifestyle, and medicine. The present study deals with traditional diets like the Mediterranean diet, Nordic diet, African Heritage diet, Asian diet, and DASH, as these are considered to be sustainable diets for curing obesity. However, the bioavailability of phytonutrients consumed in the diet may vary, depending on several factors such as digestion and absorption of phytonutrients, interaction with other substances, cooking processes, and individual differences. Hence, several phytochemicals, like polyphenols, alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, etc., have been investigated to assess their efficiencies and safety in the prevention and treatment of obesity. These phytochemicals have anti-obesity effects, mediated via modulation of many pathways, such as decreased lipogenesis, lipid absorption, accelerated lipolysis, energy intake, expenditure, and preadipocyte differentiation and proliferation. Owing to these anti-obesity effects, new food formulations incorporating these phytonutrients were introduced that can be beneficial in reducing the prevalence of obesity and promoting public health.

Identification of hits as anti-obesity agents against human pancreatic lipase via docking, drug-likeness, in-silico ADME(T), pharmacophore, DFT, molecular dynamics, and MM/PB(GB)SA analysis

Obesity, characterized by excessive fat accumulation, is a major health concern. Inhibition of human pancreatic lipase, an enzyme involved in fat digestion, offers a potential strategy for weight loss and obesity treatment. This study aimed to identify polyphenols capable of forming stable complexes with human pancreatic lipase to block its activity. Molecular docking, density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and MMPBGBSA calculations were employed to evaluate ligand binding, stability, and energy profiles. Pharmacophore modeling was also performed to identify key structural features for effective inhibition. Virtual screening identified ZINC000015120539, ZINC000000899200, ZINC000001531702, and ZINC000013340267 as potential candidates, exhibiting favorable binding and stable interactions over 100 ns MD simulations. These findings provide insights into the inhibitory potential of selected polyphenols on human pancreatic lipase and support further experimental investigations for obesity treatment.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Effect of Green and Red Thai Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) on pancreatic digestive enzymes (alpha-glucosidase and lipase) and acetyl-carboxylase 1 activity: A possible therapeutic target for obesity prevention

Regular use of Thai kratom has been linked to reduced blood triglyceride levels and body mass index (BMI) in healthy individuals. We analyzed Green Thai Kratom (GTK) and Red Thai Kratom (RTK) to investigate their effects on pancreatic digestive enzymes. The ethanol extracts of GTK and RTK inhibited lipase activity more strongly than alpha-glucosidase activity, suggesting the presence of lipase inhibitors. Mitragynine, the major compound in GTK, showed potent lipase inhibition and moderate alpha-glucosidase inhibition. Quercetin, found in both extracts, strongly inhibited alpha-glucosidase but had limited effects on lipase. These findings suggest that mitragynine and quercetin may hinder triglyceride and starch digestion. Combination inhibition studies revealed synergistic effects between mitragynine and quercetin on alpha-glucosidase activity. Additionally, both GTK and RTK extracts reduced fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells, with quercetin specifically inhibiting Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), a key enzyme in fatty acid biosynthesis. Thus, GTK and RTK extracts, particularly mitragynine and quercetin, exhibit potential anti-obesity effects. We report the novel finding that Thai kratom inhibits de novo fatty acid synthesis by targeting ACC1, resulting in decreased fat accumulation in adipocytes. Regular use of Thai kratom in specific populations may improve blood triglyceride levels and reduce BMI by inhibiting lipase, alpha-glucosidase, and ACC1 activity. Further clinical trials are needed to determine optimal dosage, duration, toxicity levels, and potential side effects of Kratom use.

A Review of the Potential Health Benefits of Nigella sativa on Obesity and Its Associated Complications

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic and its prevalence continues to increase at an alarming rate. It is considered a major risk factor for the development of several comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes, stroke, other cardiovascular diseases and even cancer. Conventional treatments for obesity, such as dietary interventions, exercise and pharmacotherapy, have proven to have limited effectiveness and are often associated with undesirable side effects. Therefore, there is a growing interest in exploring alternative therapeutic approaches. Nigella sativa (NS), a medicinal plant with multiple pharmacological properties, has gained attention due to its potential role in the treatment of obesity and its associated complications. The aim of this review is therefore to assess the effects of NS on obesity and its complications and to provide insights into the underlying mechanisms. From this review, NS appears to play a complementary or supportive role in the treatment of obesity and its complications. However, future studies are needed to verify the efficacy of NS in the treatment of obesity and its complications and to prove its safety so that it can be introduced in patients with obesity.

Coffee leaf extract exhibits anti-obesity property and improves lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-induced C57BL6 obese mice

In the present study, the effect of coffee leaf extract (CLE) on in vitro enzyme inhibition was studied. Furthermore, its impact on the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice (C57BL/6) at the levels of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight along with positive control (orlistat) and the normal group maintained with starch-fed diet (SFD) was observed. CLE had significant α amylase and lipase enzyme inhibitory properties. In HFD-induced obese mice, treatment with CLE significantly reduced the body weight gain. The investigation demonstrated that CLE administration lowered blood glucose, total cholesterol, total triglycerides and LDL levels while increasing the HDL levels. It reduced the development of fatty liver by reducing hepatic fat accumulation and decreased the fat cell size in the adipose tissue. Further, CLE significantly increased the liver antioxidant enzyme activities and lowered the levels of hepatotoxicity markers in the serum when compared to the HFD-fed mice. The treatment also downregulated the mRNA expression of lipogenic transcription factors (SREBP-1c, CEBP-α) and enzymes (ACC, FAS) than HFD. Overall, the results indicate that coffee leaves have anti-obesity potential and can be used as functional ingredients in the development of innovative products for managing lifestyle disorders such as obesity.

A Review of the Changes Produced by Extrusion Cooking on the Bioactive Compounds from Vegetal Sources

The demand for healthy ready-to-eat foods like snacks is increasing. Physical modification of vegetal food matrices through extrusion generates significant changes in the chemical composition of the final product. There is a great variety of food matrices that can be used in extrusion, most of them being based on cereals, legumes, fruits, vegetables, or seeds. The aim of this review was to summarize the main effects of the extrusion process on the bioactive compounds content, namely phenolics, terpenes, vitamins, minerals, and fibers of vegetal mixes, as well as on their biological activity. The literature reported contradictory results regarding the changes in bioactive compounds after extrusion, mainly due to the differences in the processing conditions, chemical composition, physicochemical properties, and nutritional value of the extruded material and quantification methods. The thermolabile phenolics and vitamins were negatively affected by extrusion, while the fiber content was proved to be enhanced. Further research is needed regarding the interactions between bioactive components during extrusion, as well as a more detailed analysis of the impact of extrusion on the terpenes since there are few papers dealing with this aspect.

Functional and Nutritional Characteristics of Natural or Modified Wheat Bran Non-Starch Polysaccharides: A Literature Review

Wheat bran (WB) consists mainly of different histological cell layers (pericarp, testa, hyaline layer and aleurone). WB contains large quantities of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), including arabinoxylans (AX) and β-glucans. These dietary fibres have long been studied for their health effects on management and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cholesterol, obesity, type-2 diabetes, and cancer. NSP benefits depend on their dose and molecular characteristics, including concentration, viscosity, molecular weight, and linked-polyphenols bioavailability. Given the positive health effects of WB, its incorporation in different food products is steadily increasing. However, the rheological, organoleptic and other problems associated with WB integration are numerous. Biological, physical, chemical and combined methods have been developed to optimise and modify NSP molecular characteristics. Most of these techniques aimed to potentially improve food processing, nutritional and health benefits. In this review, the physicochemical, molecular and functional properties of modified and unmodified WB are highlighted and explored. Up-to-date research findings from the clinical trials on mechanisms that WB have and their effects on health markers are critically reviewed. The review points out the lack of research using WB or purified WB fibre components in randomized, controlled clinical trials.

The role of Elateriospermum tapos yoghurt in mitigating high-fat dietary cause of maternal obesity-an experimental study

Maternal obesity is the key predictor for childhood obesity and neurodevelopmental delay in the offspring. Medicinal plants are considered to be the safe and best option, and at the same time, probiotic consumption during pregnancy provides beneficial effects for both the mother and the child. Current research has shown that Elateriospermum tapos (E. tapos) yoghurt is safe to consume and consists of many bioactive compounds that can exert an anti-obesity effect. Thus, this study has been designed to study the role of E. tapos yoghurt in mitigating maternal obesity. In this study, a total of 48 female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were assigned to six groups, with eight rats per group, and obesity was induced over 16 weeks with a high-fat diet (HFD) pellet. On the 17th week, the rats were allowed to mate and pregnancy was confirmed through vaginal smear. The obese induced group was further divided into negative and positive control groups, followed by E. tapos yoghurt treatment groups with three different concentrations (5, 50, and 500 mg/kg). The changes in body weight, calorie intake, lipid profile, liver profile, renal profile, and histopathological analysis were measured on postnatal day (PND) 21. The results show that the group with the highest concentration of E. tapos yoghurt (HYT500) supplementation shows gradual reduction in body weight and calorie intake on PND 21 and modulates the lipid level, liver, and renal enzymes to a normal level similar to the normal group. In histological analysis, HYT500 reverses the damage caused by HFD in liver and colon, and reverses the adipocytes' hypertrophy in retroperitoneal white adipose tissue and visceral fat. In conclusion, supplementation of E. tapos yoghurt during the gestational period up to weaning is effective in the gradual weight loss of maternal obese dams from the 500-mg/kg-supplemented group in this study.

Exploring the binding effects and inhibiting mechanism of hyperoside to lipase using multi-spectroscopic approaches, isothermal titration calorimetry, inhibition kinetics and molecular dynamics

Hyperoside (HYP) is a flavonoid with various physiological activities. The present study examined the interaction mechanism between HYP and lipase using multi-spectrum and computer-aided techniques. Results demonstrated that the force type of HYP on lipase was mainly hydrogen bond, hydrophobic interaction force, and van der Waals force, and HYP had an excellent binding affinity with lipase at 1.576 × 10⁵ M^-1. HYP dose-dependently inhibited lipase in the inhibition experiment, and its IC₅₀ value was 1.92 × 10^-3 M. Moreover, the results suggested that HYP could inhibit the activity by binding to essential groups. Conformational studies indicated that the conformation and microenvironment of lipase were slightly changed after the addition of HYP. Computational simulations further confirmed the structural relationships of HYP to lipase. The interaction between HYP and lipase can provide ideas for the development of functional foods related to weight loss. The results of this study help comprehend the pathological significance of HYP in biological systems, as well as its mechanism.

Insights on Dietary Polyphenols as Agents against Metabolic Disorders: Obesity as a Target Disease

Obesity is a condition that leads to increased health problems associated with metabolic disorders. Synthetic drugs are available for obesity treatment, but some of these compounds have demonstrated considerable side effects that limit their use. Polyphenols are vital phytonutrients of plant origin that can be incorporated as functional food ingredients. This review presents recent developments in dietary polyphenols as anti-obesity agents. Evidence supporting the potential application of food-derived polyphenols as agents against obesity has been summarized. Literature evidence supports the effectiveness of plant polyphenols against obesity. The anti-obesity mechanisms of polyphenols have been explained by their potential to inhibit obesity-related digestive enzymes, modulate neurohormones/peptides involved in food intake, and their ability to improve the growth of beneficial gut microbes while inhibiting the proliferation of pathogenic ones. Metabolism of polyphenols by gut microbes produces different metabolites with enhanced biological properties. Thus, research demonstrates that dietary polyphenols can offer a novel path to developing functional foods for treating obesity. Upcoming investigations need to explore novel techniques, such as nanocarriers, to improve the content of polyphenols in foods and their delivery and bioavailability at the target sites in the body.

Scytosiphon lomentaria Extract Ameliorates Obesity and Modulates Gut Microbiota in High-Fat-Diet-Fed Mice

Scytosiphon lomentaria (SL) is a brown seaweed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its effects on obesity are unknown. In this research, we investigated the anti-obesity properties and underlying mechanisms of the SL extract in vitro and in vivo. In 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, SL extract inhibited lipid accumulation, decreased the expression of Acc1, C/ebpa, Pparg mRNA and p-ACC1, and increased the expression of Ucp1 mRNA, UCP1 and p-AMPK. In animal experiments, mice were fed a chow diet, a high-fat diet (HF; 60% of calories as fat), and high-fat diet with SL extract (150 and 300 mg/kg body weight) for eight weeks (n = 10/group). SL extract reduced HF-induced weight gain, epididymal fat weight, fat cell size, LDL-C, leptin, fasting glucose, and glucose tolerance. In addition, SL extract had comparable effects on mRNA expression in WAT and liver to those observed in vitro, thereby inhibiting p-ACC1/ACC1 and increasing p-AMPK/AMPK and UCP1 expression. Furthermore, SL extract decreased HF-induced Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and reversed HF-reduced Bacteroides spp., Bacteroides vulgatus, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. These findings suggest that SL extract can aid in weight loss in mice fed a high-fat diet by altering adipogenic and thermogenic pathways, as well as gut microbiota composition.

Visceral Adipose Tissue Bioenergetics Varies According to Individuals' Obesity Class

Obesity is associated with complex adipose tissue energy metabolism remodeling. Whether AT metabolic reprogramming differs according to body mass index (BMI) and across different obesity classes is unknown. This study’s purpose was to evaluate and compare bioenergetics and energy substrate preference of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) pertaining to individuals with obesity class 2 and class 3. VAT obtained from patients with obesity (n = 15) class 2 (n = 7; BMI 37.53 ± 0.58 kg/m2) or class 3 (n = 8; BMI 47.79 ± 1.52 kg/m2) was used to assess oxygen consumption rate (OCR) bioenergetics and mitochondrial substrate preferences. VAT of patients with obesity class 3 presented significantly higher non-mitochondrial oxygen consumption (p < 0.05). In VAT of patients with obesity class 2, inhibition of pyruvate and glutamine metabolism significantly decreased maximal respiration and spare respiratory capacity (p < 0.05), while pyruvate and fatty acid metabolism inhibition, which renders glutamine the only available substrate, increased the proton leak with a protective role against oxidative stress (p < 0.05). In conclusion, VAT bioenergetics of patients with obesity class 2 depicts a greater dependence on glucose/pyruvate and glutamine metabolism, suggesting that patients within this BMI range are more likely to be responsive to interventions based on energetic substrate modulation for obesity treatment.

The Protective Role of Grape Seed in Obesity and Lipid Profile: An Updated Narrative Overview of Preclinical and Clinical Studies

Obesity and dyslipidemia are common disorders universally. According to the acquired outcomes of recent studies, dietary supplementations which have great content of phenolic compounds exert protective effects against obesity and dyslipidemia. Grape [Vitis vinifera] seeds are considered attractive sources of phenolic compounds with anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects. There are also various experimental studies describing hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-aging, cardioprotective, and anti-carcinogenic effects of polyphenols isolated from grape seed, highlighting the therapeutic and biological aspects of proanthocyanidins. The present review article first discusses pharmacological, botanical, toxicological, and phytochemical characteristics of Vitis vinifera seeds and afterward designates the protective properties which are attributed to the intake of grape seeds in obesity and hyperlipidemia. Overall valuable and updated findings of this study display that polyphenol of grape seeds has meaningful impacts on the regulation of lipid profile levels and management of obesity.

Determination of human FaFg of polyphenols using allometric scaling

Certain polyphenols exhibit low permeability; precise prediction of their intestinal absorption is important for understanding internal exposure in humans. Intestinal availability, which represents the fraction of administered compounds that reach the portal blood (F_aF_g), is calculated by dividing bioavailability (F) by hepatic availability (F_h), and F is obtained from pharmacokinetic data from both intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administration. However, human F_aF_g of polyphenols is hardly reported, as human i.v. data are extremely scarce. In this study, we developed an estimation method for F_aF_g of polyphenols in humans based on the extrapolation of rat clearance using allometric scaling (allometric scaling-based F_aF_g calculation method, AS- F_aF_gCM). First, for quercetin, for which human i.v. data have been reported, we compared the F_aF_g obtained by AS-F_aF_gCM with the traditional approach using human i.v. and p.o. data. Less than two-fold difference in FaFg values was observed between the two approaches. Next, we obtained F_aF_g of structurally diverse polyphenols (genistein, baicalein, resveratrol, and epicatechin) using AS-F_aF_gCM, demonstrating that all of them were poorly absorbable. Furthermore, to utilize the pharmacokinetic data of the total concentration, including aglycones and metabolites, we modified the AS-F_aF_gCM to focus on their excretion. The F_aF_g value of naringenin was obtained using modified AS-F_aF_gCM and was nearly equal to that of baicalein, a structural isomer of naringenin. This study provides quantitative information on the intestinal absorption of polyphenols using comprehensive estimation methods.

Nutritional Characterization, Antioxidant, and Lipid-Lowering Effects of Yellow Mombin (Spondias mombin) Supplemented to Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing yellow mombin (YM) on the oxidative, somatic, and lipid parameters in rats fed a high-fat diet. A total of 24 adult Wistar rats were randomized into three groups: normal-fat diet (NF), high-fat diet (HF), and high-fat diet with YM supplementation (HFYM). Diets were administered for four weeks, and YM (400 mg/kg) was supplemented via gavage in the last two weeks of the experiment. After the four-week period, the somatic, serum biochemical, and liver oxidative parameters were evaluated. YM has a high antioxidant activity and significant amounts of phenolic compounds, carotenoids, vitamin C, dietary fibre, and minerals. The HFYM group had the lowest body weight (18.75%), body mass index (17.74%), and adiposity (31.63%) compared with the HF group. YM supplementation reduced low-density lipoprotein by 43.05% and increased high-density lipoprotein by 25.73%, but did not improve the triglyceride levels in the serum. YM treatment improved glucose tolerance and lipid peroxidation, and also enhanced the antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in the liver. These results indicate the lipid-lowering property and potential antioxidant activity of YM against liver oxidative damage caused by a high-fat diet intake, which may be associated with the bioactive compounds present in this fruit.

Effect of Pomegranate Extract Consumption on Satiety Parameters in Healthy Volunteers: A Preliminary Randomized Study

There has been an increasing interest in nutraceuticals and functional foods in reducing appetite and to lose weight. We assessed the effect of oral pomegranate extract (PE) and PE juice (PJ) intake vs. placebo on satiety parameters in healthy volunteers. Twenty-eight subjects (mean age 34.5 ± 13.7 years, body mass index [BMI] 25.05 ± 3.91 kg/m2) were randomized to 3-week priming supplementation with PE (Pomanox®) or placebo. On week 3, satiety parameters were determined on 1 testing day after participants ingested a breakfast and a lunch meal with PJ juice, using 100-mm visual acuity scales (VAS) for hunger, desire to eat, fullness and satisfaction. Meal quality and palatability were also tested. The desire to eat was less at all time points in the PJ juice with PE priming group and participants were also less hungry (p = 0.044) than those who consumed placebo. There was an overall significant difference between the groups (p < 0.001). Participants in the PJ juice with PE priming group experienced significantly greater satisfaction (p = 0.036) and feeling of fullness (p = 0.02) than those in the placebo group. These findings suggest that consumption of PE could have the potential to modulate satiety indicators.

Polyphenol-rich oolong tea alleviates obesity and modulates gut microbiota in high-fat diet-fed mice

Obesity is a major public health issue worldwide. Oolong tea (OT), which is partially fermented from Camellia sinensis leaves, has proven health benefits and potential preventive applications in multiple studies. However, research on the role of OT in obesity prevention and potential mechanisms is still limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the modulatory effects of OT intervention on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and gut microbiota dysbiosis using an obese mouse model. Our results showed that 8-week OT supplementation with 93.94% polyphenols significantly decreased body weight gain, adipose tissue mass, and serum levels of triglyceride (2.60 mmol/L), cholesterol (5.49 mmol/L), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.61 mmol/L) in HFD-fed mice. Meanwhile, OT intervention was observed to improve fat accumulation, hepatic damage, glucose intolerance, and endotoxemia and alleviate inflammation by decreasing the levels of pro-inflammatory factors. OT also upregulated the expression of genes including Srebf1, Ppara, Lxra, Pgc1a, and Hsl and downregulated the expression of genes including Leptin, Il-6, and Il-1b. In addition, the gut dysbiosis characterized by decreased flora diversity and increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in obese mice was recovered by OT intervention. Certain differentially abundant microbes caused by HFD feeding, including Enterococcus, Intestinimonas, Blautia, and Bilophila, were also improved by OT treatment. This study demonstrated that OT, as a novel resource of dietary polyphenols, exhibited a protective effect on HFD-induced obesity and gut microbiota disorder.

Recovery from Food Waste-Biscuit Doughs Enriched with Pomegranate Peel Powder as a Model of Fortified Aliment

The aim of the present work is the characterization of biscuit doughs enriched with pomegranate peel powder (PPP) at 3 (PPP3) and 5 (PPP5) wt% in the prospect of developing a fortified aliment as a support of the therapy of chronic inflammatory diseases of the intestinal tract. The total phenolic content of the powder was preliminarily evaluated. Then, the main compounds present in the PPP were identified by HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS analysis, being mainly hydrolysable tannins. The PPP was then treated at 180 °C for 20 min to mimic the baking treatment, and its water-soluble fraction (PPPwsf) was then added in the Caco-2 cell culture as a model of the intestinal epithelial barrier to verify its dose-dependent toxicity, ability in counteracting the oxidative stress, and anti-inflammatory action. Rheological experiments were performed to predict the macroscopic behavior of the PPP-added doughs during lamination and biscuit baking. SEM investigations gave their contribution to the microscopic comprehension of the dough structure. Finally, a consumer panel composed by thirty volunteers was enrolled to express its opinion on the sensory agreeableness of the biscuits prepared with two different concentrations of PPP compared with the reference dough. The discussion is focused on the biological effects of the main components found in the PPP.

Black soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.): paving the way toward new nutraceutical

Black soybean (BS) is a nutritious legume that is high in proteins, essential amino acids, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, isoflavones, and flavones. Traditional approaches for extracting BS bioactive compounds are commonly employed because they are simple and inexpensive, but they use toxic solvents and have lower yields. As a result, new extraction techniques have been developed, such as microwave, ultrasound, and enzyme-assisted extraction. Modern approaches are less harmful to the environment, are faster, and produce higher yields. The major anthocyanin in the BS seed coat was discovered as cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, accounting for nearly 75% of the total anthocyanins. BS and its seed coat also contains phenolic acids (p-hydroxybenzoic, gallic, vanillin, syringic acid), isoflavones (daidzein, glycitein and genistein), flavones, flavonols, flavanones, and flavanols. Bioactive compounds present in BS exhibit antioxidant, anti-cancerous, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, cardio and neuroprotective activities. The characterization and biological activity investigation of these bioactive compounds has provided researchers and food manufacturers with valuable information for developing functional food products and nutraceutical ingredients. In this review, the nutritional makeup of BS is reviewed, and the paper seeks to provide an insight of bioactive compound extraction methods as well as bioactive compounds identified by various researchers. The biological activities of BS extracts and their potential applications in food products (noodles), biodegradable films (pH sensitive film), and therapeutic applications (wound healing and anti-inflammation) are also discussed in the study. Therefore, BS have enormous potential for use in developing functional foods and nutraceutical components. This is the first review of its sort to describe and explain various extraction methodologies and characterization of bioactives, as well as their biological activity recorded in diverse works of literature, making it possible for food manufacturers and scientists to get a quick overview.

Beneficial Effects of Laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) and Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) Extract on Rat Health

Polyphenols of Laurel and Myrtle exhibit structural diversity, which affects bioavailability, metabolism, and bioactivity. The gut microbiota plays a key role in modulating the production, bioavailability and, thus the biological activities of phenolic metabolites, particularly after the intake of food containing high-molecular-weight polyphenols. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the polyphenolic components of Laurel and Myrtle aqueous extract have beneficial effects on rat health. The growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), β-glucuronidase, β-glucosidase, β-galactosidase activity, pH value, body weight change and food efficacy ratio after intragastric treatment of rats with Laurel and Myrtle extract at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg for two weeks were investigated. The endogenous populations of colonic probiotic bacteria (Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria) were counted on selective media. According to the obtained data, Laurel extract in the applied dose of 50 and 100 and Myrtle extract (100 mg/kg) positively affects the rats health by increasing the number of colonies of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria compared to the control group, causes changes in glycolytic enzymatic activity and minor change in antioxidative tissue activity. In addition, high doses of Laurel increase food efficiency ratio, while Myrtle has the same effect at a lower dose.

Curcumin and Weight Loss: Does It Work?

Obesity is a global health problem needing urgent research. Synthetic anti-obesity drugs show side effects and variable effectiveness. Thus, there is a tendency to use natural compounds for the management of obesity. There is a considerable body of knowledge, supported by rigorous experimental data, that natural polyphenols, including curcumin, can be an effective and safer alternative for managing obesity. Curcumin is a is an important compound present in Curcuma longa L. rhizome. It is a lipophilic molecule that rapidly permeates cell membrane. Curcumin has been used as a pharmacological traditional medicinal agent in Ayurvedic medicine for ∼6000 years. This plant metabolite doubtless effectiveness has been reported through increasingly detailed in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials. Regarding its biological effects, multiple health-promoting, disease-preventing and even treatment attributes have been remarkably highlighted. This review documents the status of research on anti-obesity mechanisms and evaluates the effectiveness of curcumin for management of obesity. It summarizes different mechanisms of anti-obesity action, associated with the enzymes, energy expenditure, adipocyte differentiation, lipid metabolism, gut microbiota and anti-inflammatory potential of curcumin. However, there is still a need for systematic and targeted clinical studies before curcumin can be used as the mainstream therapy for managing obesity.

Biochemistry of Amaranthus polyphenols and their potential benefits on gut ecosystem: A comprehensive review of the literature

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Amaranthus is phytonutrients-rich plant distributed worldwide and has been recognized as having medicinal value in traditional use against several diseases and conditions. There are a large amount of research data on the polyphenol profiles of Amaranthus plants and their links with potential benefits against gastrointestinal disorders.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review article aims to provide a comprehensive review of Amaranthus phenolic compounds and their microbial metabolites, as well as the biological and/or pharmacological effects of those compounds/metabolites.

METHODOLOGY

The relevant information about the genus Amaranthus was collected from various sources and databases, including Google Scholar, Google Books, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and other internet sources. The World Flora Online (2021) database was used to verify the scientific names of the plants.

RESULTS

Comprehensive review of identified compounds in Amaranthus plants revealed the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and coumarins in each part of the plants. The biotransformation by gut microbiota enzymes prominently produces diverse bioactive metabolites that are potentially active than their precursors. Lines of the evidence support the beneficial roles of Amaranthus extracts in several gastrointestinal diseases, particularly with the polar extracts of several plant parts. Dietary fibers in Amaranthus plants also coordinate the alteration of gut microbiota-related metabolisms and may be beneficial to certain gastrointestinal disorders in particular, such as constipation.

CONCLUSIONS

Amaranthus plants are rich in polyphenols and dietary fibers. Several microbial metabolites are biologically active, so alteration of gut microbiota is largely linked to the metabolic feature of the plants. Based on the evidence available to date, several Amaranthus plants containing a combination of phytonutrients, particularly polyphenols and dietary fibers, may be a promising candidate that is of interest to be further developed for use in the treatment of certain gastrointestinal conditions/disorders.

Consumption of Phenolic-Rich Food and Dietary Supplements as a Key Tool in SARS-CoV-19 Infection

The first cases of COVID-19, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2, were reported in December 2019. The vertiginous worldwide expansion of SARS-CoV-2 caused the collapse of health systems in several countries due to the high severity of the COVID-19. In addition to the vaccines, the search for active compounds capable of preventing and/or fighting the infection has been the main direction of research. Since the beginning of this pandemic, some evidence has highlighted the importance of a phenolic-rich diet as a strategy to reduce the progression of this disease, including the severity of the symptoms. Some of these compounds (e.g., curcumin, gallic acid or quercetin) already showed capacity to limit the infection of viruses by inhibiting entry into the cell through its binding to protein Spike, regulating the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, disrupting the replication in cells by inhibition of viral proteases, and/or suppressing and modulating the host's immune response. Therefore, this review intends to discuss the most recent findings on the potential of phenolics to prevent SARS-CoV-2.

Natural Dietary and Medicinal Plants with Anti-Obesity Therapeutics Activities for Treatment and Prevention of Obesity during Lock Down and in Post-COVID-19 Era

Overweight and obesity have become global epidemics, especially during the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The potential of medicinal plants as a better and safe option in treating obesity and overweight has gained attention in recent years. Obesity and overweight has become a major public health concern, and its incidence rising at an alarming rate. Obesity is one of the major types of metabolic syndrome, resulting in various types of problems such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and excess fat accumulation. The current searching was done by the keywords in main indexing systems including Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, the search engine of Google Scholar, and Institute for Scientific Web of Science. The keywords were traditional medicine, health benefits, pharmaceutical science, pomegranate, punicalin, punicalagin, and ellagitannins. Google Scholar was searched manually for possible missing manuscripts, and there was no language restriction in the search. This review was carried out to highlight the importance of medicinal plants which are common in traditional medicinal sciences of different countries, especially Asia to prevent and treatment of obesity and overweight during the global pandemic and the post-COVID-19 era.

Beneficial Effects of Soybean-Derived Bioactive Peptides

Peptides present in foods are involved in nutritional functions by supplying amino acids; sensory functions related to taste or solubility, emulsification, etc.; and bioregulatory functions in various physiological activities. In particular, peptides have a wide range of physiological functions, including as anticancer agents and in lowering blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels, enhancing immunity, and promoting calcium absorption. Soy protein can be partially hydrolyzed enzymatically to physiologically active soy (or soybean) peptides (SPs), which not only exert physiological functions but also help amino acid absorption in the body and reduce bitterness by hydrolyzing hydrophobic amino acids from the C- or N-terminus of soy proteins. They also possess significant gel-forming, emulsifying, and foaming abilities. SPs are expected to be able to prevent and treat atherosclerosis by inhibiting the reabsorption of bile acids in the digestive system, thereby reducing blood cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and fat levels. In addition, soy contains blood pressure-lowering peptides that inhibit angiotensin-I converting enzyme activity and antithrombotic peptides that inhibit platelet aggregation, as well as anticancer, antioxidative, antimicrobial, immunoregulatory, opiate-like, hypocholesterolemic, and antihypertensive activities. In animal models, neuroprotective and cognitive capacity as well as cardiovascular activity have been reported. SPs also inhibit chronic kidney disease and tumor cell growth by regulating the expression of genes associated with apoptosis, inflammation, cell cycle arrest, invasion, and metastasis. Recently, various functions of soybeans, including their physiologically active functions, have been applied to health-oriented foods, functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. This review introduces some current results on the role of bioactive peptides found in soybeans related to health functions.

In-vitro functional efficacy of extracts from Phyllanthus emblica, Eucalyptus globulus, Tinospora cordifolia as pancreatic lipase inhibitor and source of anti-oxidant in goat meat nuggets

The present study was aimed to evaluate the functional efficacy of plant extracts as a source of pancreatic lipase inhibitor and antioxidant in goat meat nuggets to address the fat paradox issue of red meat. The PPLIA, antioxidant potential, and resistance against fat digestion were in the order ofPhyllanthus emblica > Eucalyptus globulus > Tinospora cordifolia.PPL inhibition activities of water and ethanolic extracts fromPhyllanthus emblicausing DNPB and Triolein as substrate were 63.76, 67.94 and 56.17 and 64.36 percent respectively whereas, TPC, DPPH RSA, FRPA were 40.82 and 59.52 (mgGAE/g), 54.89 and 59.84 (percent), 1.26 and 1.61 (OD) respectively. The average diameter of fat globules in digest was maximum (8.91 µm) withPhyllanthus emblicafruits extracts whereas; TBARs (0.347 mg MDA/Kg) and FFA (4.47 µg/g) values were lowest. This study showed that extracts from plants can act as a promising natural alternative in the development of healthy meat products.