Whey protein based electrosprayed nanospheres for encapsulation and controlled release of bioactive compounds from Tinospora cordifolia extract

Diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease: Understanding disease mechanisms, their correlation, and promising dual activity of selected herbs

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

This review explores the link between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and diabetes-induced Alzheimer's disease (AD). It emphasizes the shared pathophysiological links and mechanisms between the two conditions, focusing on reduced insulin levels and receptors, impaired glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative damage in AD-affected brains-paralleling aspects of T2DM. The review suggests AD as a "diabetes of the brain," supported by cognitive enhancement through antidiabetic interventions. It focuses on the traditionally used Indian herbs as a means to manage both conditions while addressing developmental challenges.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study explores the DM-AD connection, reviewing medicinal herbs with protective potential for both ailments, considering traditional uses and developmental challenges.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Studied research, reviews, and ethnobotanical and scientific data from electronic databases and traditional books.

RESULTS

The study analyzes the pathophysiological links between DM and AD, emphasizing their interconnected factors. Eight Ayurvedic plants with dual protective effects against T2DM and AD are thoroughly reviewed with preclinical/clinical evidence. Historical context, phytoconstituents, and traditional applications are explored. Innovative formulations using these plants are examined. Challenges stemming from phytoconstituents' physicochemical properties are highlighted, prompting novel formulation development, including nanotechnology-based delivery systems. The study uncovers obstacles in formulating treatments for these diseases.

CONCLUSION

The review showcases the dual potential of chosen medicinal herbs against both diseases, along with their traditional applications, endorsing their use. It addresses formulation obstacles, proposing innovative delivery technologies for herbal therapies, while acknowledging their constraints. The review suggests the need for heightened investment and research in this area.

A Review of Whey Protein-Based Bioactive Delivery Systems: Design, Fabrication, and Application

The efficacy of many edible bioactive agents is limited by their low water dispersibility and chemical instability in foods, as well as by their poor bioaccessibility, low absorption, and metabolism within the human gastrointestinal tract. Whey proteins are amphiphilic molecules that can be used to construct a variety of edible carrier systems that can improve the performance of bioactive ingredients. These carrier systems are being used by the food and biomedical industries to encapsulate, protect, and deliver a variety of bioactive agents. In this article, we begin by providing an overview of the molecular and functional characteristics of whey proteins, and then discuss their interactions with various kinds of bioactive agents. The ability of whey proteins to be used as building blocks to assemble different kinds of carrier systems is then discussed, including nanoparticles, hydrogels, oleogels, bigels, nanofibers, nanotubes, and nanoemulsions. Moreover, applications of these carrier systems are highlighted. Different kinds of whey protein-based carriers can be used to encapsulate, protect, and deliver bioactive agents. Each kind of carrier has its own characteristics, which make them suitable for different application needs in foods and other products. Previous studies suggest that whey protein-based carriers are particularly suitable for protecting chemically labile bioactive agents and for prolonging their release profiles. In the future, it is likely that the applications of whey protein-based carriers in the food and pharmaceutical fields will expand.

Electrospraying of phytosterols and their controlled release characteristics under in vitro digestive conditions

Phytosterols reduce cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein concentrations in humans. The use of phytosterols is restricted due to their high melting temperature, low water solubility, and chalky taste. In addition, due to its structure, it is easily oxidized and its absorption and bioavailability by the human body decrease. For these reasons, the phytosterol mixture was encapsulated by electrospraying. The carrier materials and their concentrations were optimized in mixture design as responses of the phytosterol release, minimum in the model stomach and maximum in the model intestinal solutions. As a result of the optimization, the most successful carrier material composition; was 7.19 g whey protein isolate/100 mL distilled water, 9.03 g inulin/100 mL distilled water, and 3.78 g resistant starch/100 mL distilled water. The phytosterol capsules produced in the electrospraying process at the optimized conditions were released 115.19 mg/kg in the stomach and 312.49 mg/kg in the intestinal conditions.

Unveiling Various Facades of Tinospora cordifolia Stem in Food: Medicinal and Nutraceutical Aspects

Natural products with curative properties are gaining immense popularity in scientific and food research, possessing no side effects in contrast to other drugs. Guduchi, or Tinospora cordifolia, belongs to the menispermaceae family of universal drugs used to treat various diseases in traditional Indian literature. It has received attention in recent decades because of its utilization in folklore medicine for treating several disorders. Lately, the findings of active phytoconstituents present in herbal plants and their pharmacological function in disease treatment and control have stimulated interest in plants around the world. Guduchi is ethnobotanically used for jaundice, diabetes, urinary problems, stomachaches, prolonged diarrhea, skin ailments, and dysentery. The treatment with Guduchi extracts was accredited to phytochemical constituents, which include glycosides, alkaloids, steroids, and diterpenoid lactones. This review places emphasis on providing in-depth information on the budding applications of herbal medicine in the advancement of functional foods and nutraceuticals to natural product researchers.

Essential Oil Nanoemulsion as Eco-Friendly and Safe Preservative: Bioefficacy Against Microbial Food Deterioration and Toxin Secretion, Mode of Action, and Future Opportunities

Microbes are the biggest shareholder for the quantitative and qualitative deterioration of food commodities at different stages of production, transportation, and storage, along with the secretion of toxic secondary metabolites. Indiscriminate application of synthetic preservatives may develop resistance in microbial strains and associated complications in human health with broad-spectrum environmental non-sustainability. The application of essential oils (EOs) as a natural antimicrobial and their efficacy for the preservation of foods has been of present interest and growing consumer demand in the current generation. However, the loss in bioactivity of EOs from fluctuating environmental conditions is a major limitation during their practical application, which could be overcome by encapsulating them in a suitable biodegradable and biocompatible polymer matrix with enhancement to their efficacy and stability. Among different nanoencapsulated systems, nanoemulsions effectively contribute to the practical applications of EOs by expanding their dispersibility and foster their controlled delivery in food systems. In line with the above background, this review aims to present the practical application of nanoemulsions (a) by addressing their direct and indirect (EO nanoemulsion coating leading to active packaging) consistent support in a real food system, (b) biochemical actions related to antimicrobial mechanisms, (c) effectiveness of nanoemulsion as bio-nanosensor with large scale practical applicability, (d) critical evaluation of toxicity, safety, and regulatory issues, and (e) market demand of nanoemulsion in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals along with the current challenges and future opportunities.

Recent update on nano-phytopharmaceuticals in the management of diabetes

Due to changed lifestyle and other reasons, diabetes has become one of the common metabolic disorder of the globe. Numerous therapeutic options are available, which controls the plasma glucose levels. However, most of the drugs are associated with some undesired side effects. Owing to the side effects and enhanced understanding of the phytochemicals, an inclination toward herbal medicine is seen in the population. These herbal products are also associated with concerns like poor aqueous solubility, compromised permeation, and a low degree of bioavailability. So, the emergence of nanotechnology in the herbal medicine is required to nullify the associated concerns of conventional antidiabetic drugs. The present review aims to compile the literature available for the nano-interventions pertinent to herbal products for diabetes management.