Beneficial effects of cranberry in the prevention of obesity and related complications: Metabolic syndrome and diabetes – A review

Lowering fasting blood glucose with non-dialyzable material of cranberry extract is dependent on host genetic background, sex and diet

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a polygenic metabolic disease, characterized by high fasting blood glucose (FBG). The ability of cranberry (CRN) fruit to regulate glycemia in T2D patients is well known. Here, a cohort of 13 lines of the genetically diverse Collaborative Cross (CC) mouse model was assessed for the effect of non-dialyzable material (NDM) of cranberry extract in lowering fasting blood glucose.

METHODS

Eight-week-old mice were maintained on either a standard chow diet (control group) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks, followed by injections of intraperitoneal (IP) NDM (50 mg/kg) per mouse, three times a week for the next 6 weeks. Absolute FBG (mg/dl) was measured bi-weekly and percentage changes in FBG (%FBG) between weeks 0 and 12 were calculated.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis showed a significant decrease in FBG between weeks 0 and 12 in male and female mice maintained on CHD. However, a non-significant increase in FBG values was observed in male and female mice maintained on HFD during the same period. Following administration of NDM during the following 6 weeks, the results show a variation in significant levels of FBG lowering between lines, male and female mice and under the different diets.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the efficacy of NDM treatment in lowering FGB depends on host genetic background (pharmacogenetics), sex of the mouse (pharmacosex), and diet (pharmacodiet). All these results support the need for follow-up research to better understand and implement a personalized medicine approach/utilization of NDM for reducing FBG.

Vaccinium Species (Ericaceae): Phytochemistry and Biological Properties of Medicinal Plants

The Vaccinium L. (Ericaceae) genus consists of a globally widespread and diverse genus of around 4250 species, of which the most valuable is the Vaccinioidae subfamily. The current review focuses on the distribution, history, bioactive compounds, and health-related effects of three species: cranberry, blueberry, and huckleberry. Several studies highlight that the consumption of Vaccinium spp. presents numerous beneficial health-related outcomes, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and protective effects against diabetes, obesity, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular disorders. These plants' prevalence and commercial value have enhanced in the past several years; thus, the generated by-products have also increased. Consequently, the identified phenolic compounds found in the discarded leaves of these plants are also presented, and their impact on health and economic value is discussed. The main bioactive compounds identified in this genus belong to anthocyanins (cyanidin, malvidin, and delphinidin), flavonoids (quercetin, isoquercetin, and astragalin), phenolic acids (gallic, p-Coumaric, cinnamic, syringic, ferulic, and caffeic acids), and iridoids.

Extracts Rich in Nutrients as Novel Food Ingredients to Be Used in Food Supplements: A Proposal Classification

Consumers' commitment to healthy lifestyles and a varied diet has experienced rapid growth in recent decades, causing an increase in the demand of better food quality and variety. The food industry has opted for innovation and the search for new sources of food, and these trends led to the need to develop a European regulatory framework. Novel foods are under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 (formerly Regulation (EC) No 258/97), and this concept includes all food not used in an important measure for human consumption in the EU before 15 May 1997, and which is included in any of the food categories established. Currently, there are 26 extracts authorized as novel foods or ingredients, being one of the most numerous groups. These extracts are concentrated sources of nutrients, and 23 of them can be used in food supplements. Given their heterogeneous composition and the perceptive risk assessments performed, sometimes, the authorizations are limited to certain population groups. The present work is a comprehensive review of the extracts rich in nutrients authorized as novel ingredients to be used in food supplements within the EU. A classification is proposed according to their source of origin, resulting in four main groups: extracts of plant, animal, algae, and fungal origins. A description of each extract as well as the evaluation of the potential use restriction and health benefits are also addressed.

Cranberry: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity and Impact on Human Health: Overview

Cranberries are a rich source of bioactive compounds that comprise a healthy diet. Cranberry is abundant in nutritional components and many bioactive compounds that have antioxidant properties. Both American (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and European (Vaccinium oxycoccus) cranberry species are rich in polyphenols such as phenolic acids, anthocyanins and flavonoids, and is one of the few fruits that is high in proanthocyanidins, which is linked to many health benefits. The review systematizes information on the chemical composition of cranberry, its antioxidant effect, and the beneficial impact on human health and disease prevention after cranberry consumption, and in particular, its effect against urinary tract inflammation with both adults and children, cardiovascular, oncology diseases, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, tooth decay and periodontitis, Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the stomach and other diseases. Additional research needs to study cranberry proteomics profiling, polyphenols interaction and synergism with other biologically active compounds from natural ingredients and what is important in formulation of new functional foods and supplements.

Utilizing preclinical models of genetic diversity to improve translation of phytochemical activities from rodents to humans and inform personalized nutrition

Mouse models are an essential tool in different areas of research, including nutrition and phytochemical research. Traditional inbred mouse models have allowed the discovery of therapeutical targets and mechanisms of action and expanded our knowledge of health and disease. However, these models lack the genetic variability typically found in human populations, which hinders the translatability of the results found in mice to humans. The development of genetically diverse mouse models, such as the collaborative cross (CC) or the diversity outbred (DO) models, has been a useful tool to overcome this obstacle in many fields, such as cancer, immunology and toxicology. However, these tools have not yet been widely adopted in the field of phytochemical research. As demonstrated in other disciplines, use of CC and DO models has the potential to provide invaluable insights for translation of phytochemicals from rodents to humans, which are desperately needed given the challenges and numerous failed clinical trials in this field. These models may prove informative for personalized use of phytochemicals in humans, including: predicting interindividual variability in phytochemical bioavailability and efficacy, identifying genetic loci or genes governing response to phytochemicals, identifying phytochemical mechanisms of action and therapeutic targets, and understanding the impact of genetic variability on individual response to phytochemicals. Such insights would prove invaluable for personalized implementation of phytochemicals in humans. This review will focus on the current work performed with genetically diverse mouse populations, and the research opportunities and advantages that these models can offer to phytochemical research.

The anti-obesogenic effects of dietary berry fruits: A review

The prevalence of obesity in the world is fearsomely climbing, which has brought about heavy threats on human health and economic development. For coping with this problem, researchers have looked at the profound potentials of natural products for resolving obesity because of their high efficiencies and few undesirable outcomes in the recent years. Berry fruits are huge reservoirs of bioactive components, and their anti-obesity potentials are arousing much interests. In this review, the current main strategies to manage obesity were summarized, including inhibiting appetite and lowering the food intake, improving energy expenditure and thermogenesis, suppressing absorption and digestion, reducing lipid synthesis and storage as well as modulating composition of gut microbiota. In addition, this review discussed the potentials of dietary berry fruits (blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, mulberries, lingonberries, blackberries, black chokeberries, elderberries, bilberries, grape, blackcurrants, jaboticabas, red bayberries, sea-buckthorns, goldenberries and goji berries) to counteract obesity or obesity-associated complications based on recent animal experiments and human studies. Then, the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds present in berry fruits was discussed. On the other hand, several challenges including securing effective dosage, further understanding their interaction with human tissues, improving bioavailability and protection of functional ingredients during delivery should be taken into account and conquered in the coming years.

Blueberry and cranberry anthocyanin extracts reduce bodyweight and modulate gut microbiota in C57BL/6 J mice fed with a high-fat diet

PURPOSE

Blueberry and cranberry are rich in anthocyanins. The present study was to investigate the effects of anthocyanin extracts from blueberry and cranberry on body weight and gut microbiota.

METHODS

C57BL/6 J Mice were divided into six groups (n = 9 each) fed one of six diets namely low-fat diet (LFD), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD with the addition of 1% blueberry extract (BL), 2% blueberry extract (BH), 1% cranberry extract (CL), and 2% cranberry extract (CH), respectively.

RESULTS

Feeding BL and BH diets significantly decreased body weight gain by 20-23%, total adipose tissue weight by 18-20%, and total liver lipids by 16-18% compared with feeding HFD. Feeding CH diet but not CL diet reduced the body weight by 27%, accompanied by a significant reduction of total plasma cholesterol by 25% and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) by 38%. The metagenomic analysis showed that the supplementation of blueberry and cranberry anthocyanin extracts reduced plasma lipopolysaccharide concentration, accompanied by a reduction in the relative abundance of Rikenella and Rikenellaceae. Dietary supplementation of berry anthocyanin extracts promoted the growth of Lachnoclostridium, Roseburia, and Clostridium_innocuum_group in genus level, leading to a greater production of fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA).

CONCLUSIONS

It was concluded that both berry anthocyanins could manage the body weight and favorably modulate the gut microbiota at least in mice.

Studying the pharmacogenomic effect of cranberry extract on reducing body weight using collaborative cross mice

The non-dialyzable material (NDM) of polyphenol-rich cranberry extract (CRE) powder (NDM-CRE) was studied for its effect of inducing body weight (BW) loss in 13 different mouse lines with well-defined genetically diverse backgrounds, named the collaborative cross (CC). From the age of 8 weeks, the mice were maintained on a high-fat diet (HFD) for 18 weeks, to induce obesity, and BW was measured biweekly. From week 12, CRE was injected intraperitoneally (IP) (50 mg kg^-1) 3 times a week per mouse for a 6 week period. Statistical analysis results have shown a significant increase in body weight between week 0 and week 12; the increase in BW of 13 lines of mice on HFD was in the range of 10.41% to 68.65% for males and 9.78% to 64.74% for females. After injecting NDM-CRE extract, our analysis has shown an induced change in BW between week 12 and week 18. In males, NDM-CRE caused a significant decrease in BW of 5 out of the 13 lines in the range of -5.68% to -16.69% and a significant increase of 8.31% in BW of one male line, whereas in seven lines there was no significant decrease (-2.14% to -4.09%). In females, NDM-CRE caused a significant decrease in BW of 5 out of the 13 lines in the range of -3.90% to -11.83%, whereas in eight lines there were no significant changes in BW and it ranged between -1.50% and 4.90%. The broad-sense heritability (H²) and genetic coefficient of variation (CV_g) were estimated and found to be between 0.71 and 0.81 for H², and 0.18 and 0.24 for CV_g of females and males, respectively, with respect to the efficacy of NDM-CRE on body weight reduction. Our results have shown that hosts with different genetic backgrounds respond differently to body weight increase, as well as to NDM-CRE treatment for body weight reduction. These results provide a platform for assessing more CC lines and mapping genes underlying the efficacy of the NDM-CRE treatment as a way of understanding pharmacogenomics.

Current Applications of Ultrasound in Fruit and Vegetables Osmotic Dehydration Processes

Ultrasound (US) is a promising technology, which can be used to improve the efficacy of the processes in food technology and the quality of final product. US technique is used, e.g., to support mass and heat transfer processes, such as osmotic dehydration, drying and freezing, as well as extraction, crystallization, emulsification, filtration, etc. Osmotic dehydration (OD) is a well-known process applied in food processing; however, improvements are required due to the long duration of the process. Therefore, many recent studies focus on the development of OD combined with sonication as a pretreatment method and support during the OD process. The article describes the mechanism of the OD process as well as those of US and changes in microstructure caused by sonication. Furthermore, it focuses on current applications of US in fruits and vegetables OD processes, comparison of ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration to sonication treatment and synergic effect of US and other innovative technics/treatments in OD (such as innovative osmotic solutions, blanching, pulsed electric field, reduced pressure and edible coatings). Additionally, the physical and functional properties of tissue subjected to ultrasound pretreatment before OD as well as ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration are described.

The Quality of Red Bell Pepper Subjected to Freeze-Drying Preceded by Traditional and Novel Pretreatment

It has been demonstrated previously in the literature that utilization of PEF or a combination of a pulsed electric field (PEF) and ultrasounds (US) can facilitate dehydration processes and improve the quality of dried products even better than the application of thermal methods such as blanching. The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of red bell pepper subjected to freeze-drying preceded by blanching or PEF or US treatment applied in a single and combined mode. Furthermore, the freeze-drying was preceded by shock freezing or vacuum freezing performed inside the freeze-dryer as a result of pressure drop during the first stage of freeze-drying. All of the analyzed technological variants enhanced the drying kinetics when compared to the intact material. Freeze-dried bell pepper subjected to non-thermal pretreatment exhibited higher vitamin C, total phenolic and carotenoids content than blanched material despite the fact that blanching reduced drying time the most compared to all other analyzed methods.

The Effect of Traditional and Non-Thermal Treatments on the Bioactive Compounds and Sugars Content of Red Bell Pepper

The aim of the study was an investigation of the effect of traditional and non-thermal treatment on the bioactive compounds of red bell pepper. As a thermal process, blanching in water and in steam was studied, while for non-thermal the sonication, pulsed electric field treatment and their combination were used in this experiment. The red bell peppers were evaluated based on quality attributes such as: total carotenoids content; polyphenols; vitamin C; antioxidant activity and sugars content. Vitamin C and sugar content were analyzed using liquid chromatography and other measurements were determined based on the spectrophotometric method. Results showed that the blanching in water or in steam reduced bioactive compounds concentration; whereas non-thermal treatments as pulsed electric field (PEF) applied separately or in combination with ultrasound (US + PEF) let to obtain similar or slightly lower content of bioactive compounds in comparison to untreated peppers. When sonication (US) and combined treatment as PEF + US were applied; in most cases reduction of bioactive compounds concentration occurred. This effect was probably related to the effect of relatively long (30 min) ultrasound treatment. The application of appropriate parameters of non-thermal processing is crucial for the high quality of processed material.

Cranberry Polyphenolic Extract Exhibits an Antiobesity Effect on High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice through Increased Thermogenesis

BACKGROUND

Although polyphenol-rich cranberry extracts reportedly have an antiobesity effect, the exact reason for this remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

In light of the reported health benefits of the polyphenolic compounds in cranberry, we investigated the effects and mechanism of a cranberry polyphenolic extract (CPE) in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice.

METHODS

The distributions of individual CPE compounds were characterized by HPLC fingerprinting. Male C57BL/6J mice (4 wk old) were fed for 16 wk normal diet (ND, 10% fat energy) or HFD (60% fat energy) with or without 0.75% CPE in drinking water (HFD + CPE). Body and adipose depot weights, indices of glucose metabolism, energy expenditure (EE), and expression of genes related to brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis, and inguinal/epididymal white adipose tissue (iWAT/eWAT) browning were measured.

RESULTS

After 16 wk, the body weight was 22.5% lower in the CPE-treated mice than in the HFD group but remained 17.9% higher than in the ND group. CPE treatment significantly increased EE compared with that of the ND and HFD groups. The elevated EE was linked with BAT thermogenesis, and iWAT/eWAT browning, shown by the induction of thermogenic genes, especially uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1), and browning-related genes, including Cd137, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (Tnfrsf9). The mRNA expression and abundance of uncoupling protein 1 in BAT of CPE-fed mice were 5.78 and 1.47 times higher than in the HFD group, and 0.61 and 1.12 times higher than in the ND group, respectively. Cd137 gene expression in iWAT and eWAT of CPE-fed mice were 2.35 and 3.13 times higher than in the HFD group, and 0.84 and 1.39 times higher than in the ND group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary CPE reduced but did not normalize HFD-induced body weight gain in male C57BL/6J mice, possibly by affecting energy metabolism.

Gut Microbiota, Blood Metabolites, and Spleen Immunity in Broiler Chickens Fed Berry Pomaces and Phenolic-Enriched Extractives

This study evaluated the performance, gut microbiota, and blood metabolites in broiler chickens fed cranberry and blueberry products for 30 days. A total of 2,800 male day-old broiler Cobb-500 chicks were randomly distributed between 10 diets: control basal diet; basal diet with bacitracin (BACI); four basal diets with 1 and 2% of cranberry (CP1, CP2) and blueberry (BP1, BP2) pomaces; and four basal diets supplemented with ethanolic extracts of cranberry (COH150, COH300) or blueberry (BOH150, BOH300) pomaces. All groups were composed of seven replicates (40 birds per replicate). Cecal and cloacal samples were collected for bacterial counts and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Blood samples and spleens were analyzed for blood metabolites and gene expressions, respectively. The supplementation of COH300 and BOH300 significantly increased the body weight (BW) during the starting and growing phases, respectively, while COH150 improved (P < 0.05) the overall cumulated feed efficiency (FE) compared to control. The lowest prevalence (P = 0.01) of necrotic enteritis was observed with CP1 and BP1 compared to BACI and control. Cranberry pomace significantly increased the quinic acid level in blood plasma compared to other treatments. At days 21 and 28 of age, the lowest (P < 0.05) levels of triglyceride and alanine aminotransferase were observed in cranberry pomace and blueberry product-fed birds, respectively suggesting that berry feeding influenced the lipid metabolism and serum enzyme levels. The highest relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae was found in ceca of birds fed CP2 (P < 0.05). In the cloaca, BOH300 significantly (P < 0.005) increased the abundances of Acidobacteria and Lactobacillaceae. Actinobacteria showed a significant (P < 0.05) negative correlation with feed intake (FI) and FE in COH300-treated birds, whereas Proteobacteria positively correlated with the BW but negatively correlated with FI and FE, during the growing phase. In the spleen, cranberry products did not induce the release of any pro-inflammatory cytokines but upregulated the expression of several genes (IL4, IL5, CSF2, and HMBS) involved in adaptive immune responses in broilers. This study demonstrated that feed supplementation with berry products could promote the intestinal health by modulating the dynamics of the gut microbiota while influencing the metabolism in broilers.

Oligosaccharides and Complex Carbohydrates: A New Paradigm for Cranberry Bioactivity

Cranberry is a well-known functional food, but the compounds directly responsible for many of its reported health benefits remain unidentified. Complex carbohydrates, specifically xyloglucan and pectic oligosaccharides, are the newest recognized class of biologically active compounds identified in cranberry materials. Cranberry oligosaccharides have shown similar biological properties as other dietary oligosaccharides, including effects on bacterial adhesion, biofilm formation, and microbial growth. Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activity has also been observed. Oligosaccharides may therefore be significant contributors to many of the health benefits associated with cranberry products. Soluble oligosaccharides are present at relatively high concentrations (~20% w/w or greater) in many cranberry materials, and yet their possible contributions to biological activity have remained unrecognized. This is partly due to the inherent difficulty of detecting these compounds without intentionally seeking them. Inconsistencies in product descriptions and terminology have led to additional confusion regarding cranberry product composition and the possible presence of oligosaccharides. This review will present our current understanding of cranberry oligosaccharides and will discuss their occurrence, structures, ADME, biological properties, and possible prebiotic effects for both gut and urinary tract microbiota. Our hope is that future investigators will consider these compounds as possible significant contributors to the observed biological effects of cranberry.

The application of unconventional technologies as pulsed electric field, ultrasound and microwave-vacuum drying in the production of dried cranberry snacks

A lot of effort is put to decrease the energy consumption of drying. This effect might be achieved by shift of a drying technology e.g. from a hot-air to a microwave-vacuum method. Moreover, an unconventional pre-treatment such as ultrasound or pulsed electric field may modify a cellular tissue, what influences drying kinetics of plant tissue. The aim of the study was to analyse the quality of microwave-vacuum dried, osmodehydrated (OD) cranberries processed by the means of blanching and ultrasound (US) or blanching followed by pulsed electric field and sonication (PEF + US) in comparison to traditionally treated material. Physical, chemical and sensorial properties of cranberry fruits were assessed. What is more, the impact of aforementioned unconventional treatments on the kinetics of microwave-vacuum dried cranberries was studied. Microwave-vacuum drying process was very short (25-38 min) in comparison to convective drying, which lasted several hours (13.2 h). Most of the samples subjected to US and PEF + US treatments before OD and drying were characterized by similar or a higher amount of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, anthocyanins and flavonoids, and better colour and taste, as compared to cut osmodehydrated cranberry fruits subjected to convective drying (reference samples).

The Application of Combined Pre-treatment with Utilization of Sonication and Reduced Pressure to Accelerate the Osmotic Dehydration Process and Modify the Selected Properties of Cranberries

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a pretreatment, performed by a combined method based on blanching, ultrasound, and vacuum application, on the kinetics of osmotic dehydration and selected quality properties such as water activity, color, and bioactive compound (polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins) content. The pretreatment was carried out using blanching, reduced pressure, and ultrasound (20 min, 21 kHz) in various combinations: Blanching at reduced pressure treatment conducted three times for 10 min in osmotic solution; blanching with reduced pressure for 10 min and sonicated for 20 min in osmotic solution; and blanching with 20 min of sonication and 10 min of reduced pressure. The osmotic dehydration was performed in different solutions (61.5% sucrose and 30% sucrose with the addition of 0.1% of steviol glycosides) to ensure the acceptable taste of the final product. The changes caused by the pretreatment affected the osmotic dehydration process by improving the efficiency of the process. The use of combined pretreatment led to an increase of dry matter from 9.3% to 28.4%, and soluble solids content from 21.2% to 41.5%, lightness around 17.3% to 56.9%, as well as to the reduction of bioactive compounds concentration until even 39.2% in comparison to the blanched sample not subjected to combined treatment. The osmotic dehydration caused further changes in all investigated properties.

Drying Kinetics and Quality of Dehydrated Cranberries Pretreated by Traditional and Innovative Techniques

The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of traditional and combined pretreatment on dehydration kinetics and quality of dried swamp cranberries. Fruits were blanched, cut, or treated by combined technique consisting of blanching and application of pulsed electric field. Afterwards, fruits were subjected for osmotic dehydration (OD; 72 hr) in 61.5% sucrose solution or in ternary solution consisting of 30% sucrose with 0.1% addition of steviol glycosides to ensure similar sweetness of both mixtures. In the case of samples treated by combined method, OD was enhanced during first 30 min by sonication. Partially dehydrated cranberries were air dried at 70 °C. The quality of dehydrated fruits was assessed by the means of phenolics content, anthocyanin content, flavonoid content, vitamin C content, water activity, and color. Blanching decreased drying time by 48% to 50% in comparison to cutting. Utilization of combined method reduced drying time of cranberries up to 55% in comparison to cut samples. Water activity of all samples was below 0.6. Blanched samples or blanched and then treated with pulsed electric field and ultrasound contained more anthocyanins and flavonoids and less sucrose than cut samples. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: According to current trends in food and beverage industry, consumers seek for products which does not contain excessive amounts of sugars, salt, or fats. Dried cranberry fruits are rich in bioactive compounds and need to be osmotically dehydrated in sugar solutions to make the taste of the final product acceptable. Osmotic dehydration is also carried out to decrease time of drying, which is one of the most energy intensive processes. Therefore, there is a need to develop a technology with potential to maintain the bioactive compounds, reduce sugar content in comparison to traditionally process fruits, and enhance the kinetics of drying.

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) juice fermented with autochthonous Lactobacillus plantarum S-811

The present study aimed at investigating the lactic fermentation of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit juice with the autochthonous and potentially probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum S-811. L. plantarum S-811 was able to quickly acidify the juice with a decrease in the pH from 5.5 to 3.7 and a production of 5.06 g l-1 of lactic acid. Fermentation of cactus pear juice led to conservation of its health-promoting properties and it markedly promoted antioxidant mechanisms in yeast cells, showing in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae model a protective effect of up to 11 times against H2O2 (4 mM), compared to yeasts not supplemented with the fermented juice. Administration of fermented juice to obese mice caused a significant decrease in the body weight gain and ameliorated the insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipemia that characterize obesity. These results reveal the potential of the cactus pear juice fermented with L. plantarum S-811 as a functional beverage for the prevention of obesity and related pathologies.

Does pomegranate consumption affect weight and body composition? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials

Pomegranate is rich in tannins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and several other types of antioxidant compounds whose role in weight loss has been shown in previous studies. However, the results have been mixed regarding the effects of pomegranate consumption on weight loss. Electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar were systematically searched up to May 2018 for controlled clinical trials assessing the effect of pomegranate consumption on weight loss. A random effects model was used to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) as the difference between the mean for the intervention and control groups. Thirteen randomized controlled trials (including 513 participants) were included in the present meta-analysis. Compared with the control groups, there was no significant reduction in bodyweight, body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat percentage after pomegranate consumption (WMD = -0.23 kg, 95% CI: -0.94, 0.47, P = 0.515; WMD = -0.12 kg/m² , 95% CI: -0.29, 0.03, P = 0.132; WMD = -0.08 cm, 95% CI: -0.33, 0.17, P = 0.534; WMD = -0.05, 95% CI: -1.66, 1.55, P = 0.947, respectively). According to the results of the present systematic review and meta-analysis, there was no significant effect of pomegranate consumption on weight and body composition indices.

Structurally Different Flavonoid Subclasses Attenuate High-Fat and High-Fructose Diet Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats

Metabolic syndrome is a serious health problem worldwide. Increasing evidence indicates that flavonoid-rich foods exert beneficial effects. However, the function of flavonoids in metabolic syndrome is controversial. Here, we focus on the structural effects of flavonoids by comparing the effect of five purified subclasses of flavonoids on high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD) induced metabolic syndrome in vivo. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed with (i) basal diet (3.21 kcal/g) (ii) HFFD (25% lard and 25% fructose, 4.70 kcal/g), and (iii) HFFD with flavonoids representing different subclasses (2.6 mmol/kg diet): apigenin (flavones), quercetin (flavonols), genistein (isoflavones), naringenin (flavanones), and epigallocatechin gallate (flavanols) for 13 weeks. Our results showed that structurally different flavonoid subclasses prevented the HFFD-induced metabolic syndrome. Apigenin significantly decreased adipose fat and leptin levels and increased adiponectin levels. Epigallocatechin gallate and naringenin were both effective on dyslipidemia and hepatic lipid accumulations. The proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 were alleviated by quercetin, genistein, and naringenin. All the flavonoids exerted significant functions on improving insulin resistance and fasting glucose. In conclusion, flavonoid subclasses structurally exert antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory functions by attenuating the lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism, and inflammation of metabolic syndrome.

Absorption, metabolism, distribution and faecal excretion of B-type procyanidin oligomers in mice after a single oral administration of black soybean seed coat extract

We investigated the absorption, metabolism, distribution and faecal excretion of 3 B-type procyanidin oligomers, including procyanidin B2, procyanidin C1 and cinnamtannin A2, and their monomeric unit (-)-epicatechin after a single oral administration of black soybean seed coat extract (BE) to male ICR mice at 250 mg per kg body weight. Plasma, tissues and faeces samples were collected within 24 h for the determination of (-)-epicatechin, procyandidin B2, procyanidin C1 and cinnamtannin A2 with or without β-glucuronidase and sulfatase treatment by the high-performance liquid chromatography method. A portion of the B-type procyanidin oligomers and (-)-epicatechin in BE was absorbed from the small intestine after the oral administration of BE. In the plasma, absorbed procyanidins and (-)-epicatechin existed mainly as conjugates. In the tissues, procyanidin B2, procyandin C1 and cinnamtannin A2, in addition to (-)-epicatechin distributed widely, primarily in their free forms. Their conjugation occurred mainly in the small intestine, rather than in the liver. Monomeric unit (-)-epicatechin had the highest bioavailability, followed by procyanidin B2, procyanidin C1 and cinnamtannin A2.

Lowbush cranberry acts through DAF-16/FOXO signaling to promote increased lifespan and axon branching in aging posterior touch receptor neurons

Medicinal berries are appreciated for their health benefits, in traditional ecological knowledge and nutrition science. Determining the cellular mechanisms underlying the effects of berry supplementation may contribute to our understanding of aging. Here, we report that lowbush cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) treatment causes marked nuclear localization of the central aging-related transcription factor DAF-16/FOXO in aged Caenorhabditis elegans. Further, functional DAF-16 is required for the lifespan extension, improved mechanosensation, and posterior touch receptor neuron morphological changes induced by lowbush cranberry treatments. DAF-16 is not observed in nuceli nor required for lifespan extension in lifespan-extending Alaskan blueberry treatments and, while DAF-16 is not visibly induced into the nucleus in lifespan-extending Alaskan chaga treatments, it is required for chaga-induced lifespan extension. These findings underscore the importance of DAF-16 in the aging of whole organisms and touch receptor neurons and also, importantly, indicate that this critical pathway is not always activated upon consumption of functional foods that impact aging.

Feruloylated oligosaccharides from maize bran alleviate the symptoms of diabetes in streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats

This study investigated the therapeutic effect of feruloylated oligosaccharides (FOs) extracted from maize bran on type 2 diabetic rats and its potential mechanism. Streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 2 diabetic male rats were orally administered with different levels of FOs for 8 weeks, and ferulic acid (FA) treatment was conducted as the positive control. Among all the treatments, the oral administration of 600 mg per kg bw per d FOs showed the best therapeutic effects on the diabetic rats by significantly lowering the levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin, TG, LDL-c, aspartate transaminase, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase in plasma, while increasing the level of plasma HDL-c. In addition, the intake of FOs at 600 mg per kg bw per d exhibited the best antioxidant effects in the plasma, liver, kidney and heart of the diabetic rats, and the highest inhibitory effects on the formation of AGEs and CML in the organs, which might explain the alleviating effects of FOs on abdominal aorta injury observed in the current study. FOs presented better regulation effects on FPG, plasma lipid and the protection of abdominal aorta than FA under the same administered dosage. Based on these outcomes, FOs from maize bran could be beneficial for prevention or early treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Protective effect of rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid against streptozotocin-induced oxidation, glycation, inflammation and microbiota imbalance in diabetic rats

This study evaluated the protective effects of two rosemary components, rosmarinic acid (RA) and carnosic acid (CA), against hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress and an imbalanced gut microbiota architecture in diabetic rats. Treatment with RA and CA (30 mg kg-1) decreased the levels of fasting plasma glucose (23.7%, 15.6%), total cholesterol (30.4%, 14.1%) and triglyceride (65.7%, 47.8%) at 15 weeks. RA and CA also exhibited an anti-oxidative and anti-glycative effect by lowering the formation of malondialdehyde and advanced glycation end products. In addition, they showed protective effects against tissue damage and inflammation in the abdominal aorta, based on microscopic observations and the analysis of protein expression. Finally, the prebiotic effects of RA and CA on gut microbiota were demonstrated by increasing the population of diabetes-resistant bacteria and decreasing the amounts of diabetes-sensitive bacteria. Overall, RA showed a stronger protective effect than CA in mitigating diabetic symptoms in rats.

Effect of ultrasound treatment during osmotic dehydration on bioactive compounds of cranberries

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of ultrasound treatment applied in osmotic solution on bioactive compounds, such as vitamin C, polyphenols, anthocyanins and flavonoids content as well as antioxidant activity in cranberries (Vaccinium oxycoccus). Ultrasound treatment was performed at the frequency of 21kHz for 30 and 60min in two osmotic solutions - 61.5% sucrose and 30% sucrose with an addition of 0.1% of steviol glycosides. Before the ultrasound treatment the material was subjected to cutting or blanching. The obtained results indicated that the influence of ultrasound waves on cranberries depends on a type of bioactive component. The ultrasound treated cranberries as well as the ones subjected to cutting or blanching enhanced by ultrasound were characterized mainly by a lower content of bioactive compounds.

Changes of Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Cranberries Subjected to Ultrasound Treatment

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound treatment in osmotic solution, carried out at different time and solutions, on mechanical and thermal properties of cranberries. Ultrasound treatment was applied for 30 and 60 min in liquid mediums such as 61.5 % sucrose solution and 30 % sucrose solution with 0.1 % steviol glycosides addition. Before the ultrasound treatment samples were subjected to traditional operations (cutting, blanching). The traditional operations and ultrasonic treatment of whole fruits did not influence or slightly influenced dry matter content and mechanical properties. The cutting had impact on thermal properties to the highest extent due to the exposition of fruits’ flesh. The combination of cutting and sonication decreased thermal conductivity which suggests that mass transfer was more pronounced. The sonication had greater influence when compared to only ultrasonic treatment. Combined both cutting and blanching with ultrasonic treatment led to greater changes in cranberries properties.

Purple corn silk: A potential anti-obesity agent with inhibition on adipogenesis and induction on lipolysis and apoptosis in adipocytes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Corn silk or the stigma of Zea mays L. has traditionally been used in weight loss stimulation and treatment of cystitis, urinary infections and obesity. Purple corn silk, rich of polyphenolic substances, was reported on anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effect in animal studies. However, scientific evidence on mechanisms and targets of action of purple corn silk related to adipocyte life cycle has been limited.

AIM OF STUDY

To determine phytochemical compositions and investigate anti-obesity potential of the purple corn silk focusing on interruption of adipocyte life cycle; effect on pre-adipocyte proliferation, adipogenesis, adipocyte lipolysis, and apoptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ethanolic purple corn silk extract (PCS) was prepared and investigated for phytochemical compositions by LC/MS/MS technique and anti-obesity potential using murine 3T3-L1 cell line. Using methyl thiazole tetrazolium (MTT) assay, the effects on pre-adipocytes and adipocyte viability and on pre-adipocytes proliferation at 24-, 48-, and 72-h incubation period were evaluated. In addition, anti-adipogenesis via inhibition on adipocyte differentiation and reduction of total lipid accumulation was evaluated using Oil Red O staining and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. The lipolysis effect was determined by measurement of glycerol released content using glycerol test kit after 48-h treatment of PCS to adipocytes. Apoptosis inductive effect was done by using 2-(4-Amidinophenyl)-6-indolecarbamidine dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining method.

RESULTS

The polyphenols including anthocyanins, quercetin and phenolic acids and derivatives were found as the major chemical compositions of the PCS. With multiple-stages interruption on the adipocyte life cycle, anti-obesity effect of PCS was interestingly demonstrated. When compared to the control, the PCS at concentration range between 250-1000 μg/mL showed anti-adipogenesis effect as expressing of significant inhibition on pre-adipocyte proliferation at all incubation period (43.52±5.28 - 75.51±9.09%) and significant decreasing of total lipid accumulation at concentration of 500μg/mL (80.22±6.58%) and 1000μg/mL (69.62±5.42%). Moreover, the PCS exhibited lipolysis and apoptosis inductive effect with dose dependent manner and significance at concentration of 1000μg/mL by increase of released glycerol content (173.88±6.13% of the control) and of nuclei condensing and apoptotic bodies (with relative apoptosis induction as 131.74±1.64% of the control).

CONCLUSION

Our data has evidenced the anti-obesity potential of PCS related interruption at multiple stages of adipocyte life cycle. Its potency was attributed to inhibition on adipocyte proliferation and adipogenesis as well as induction on lipolysis and apoptosis at high concentration. However, further in vivo investigation should be considered to insist the possibility in applications of PCS in prevention and treatment of obesity.

Current evidence on the health-beneficial effects of berry fruits in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Berries belong to the best dietary sources of bioactive compounds, which exert a synergistic and cumulative effect on promotion of human health and prevention of diseases. The present review presents the most recent findings of animal and human studies regarding the health benefits of berries in terms of prevention and treatment of obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

In the last years, there was a growing number of evidence from human epidemiological and interventional studies, which emphasized the role of berries in the management of metabolic diseases. Based on the results from recent clinical trials, it can be established that a berry diet rich in antioxidants and bioactive phytochemicals has beneficial effects on hepatic function, increase of insulin sensitivity and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, decrease of serum glucose and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and finally is inversely associated with the incidence of type 2 diabetes.

SUMMARY

Numerous recent studies have shown that berries provide great benefits in preventing or mitigating metabolic disorders. The results of this review indicate that regular long-term consumption of different berries could potentially delay the progression of metabolic syndrome and comorbidities.