Plant Food Supplements with Antioxidant Properties for the Treatment of Chronic and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Benefits or Risks?

Carotenoid Supplementation for Alleviating the Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by, among other things, dementia and a decline in cognitive performance. In AD, dementia has neurodegenerative features and starts with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Research indicates that apoptosis and neuronal loss occur in AD, in which oxidative stress plays an important role. Therefore, reducing oxidative stress with antioxidants is a natural strategy to prevent and slow down the progression of AD. Carotenoids are natural pigments commonly found in fruits and vegetables. They include lipophilic carotenes, such as lycopene, α- and β-carotenes, and more polar xanthophylls, for example, lutein, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, and β-cryptoxanthin. Carotenoids can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and scavenge free radicals, especially singlet oxygen, which helps prevent the peroxidation of lipids abundant in the brain. As a result, carotenoids have neuroprotective potential. Numerous in vivo and in vitro studies, as well as randomized controlled trials, have mostly confirmed that carotenoids can help prevent neurodegeneration and alleviate cognitive impairment in AD. While carotenoids have not been officially approved as an AD therapy, they are indicated in the diet recommended for AD, including the consumption of products rich in carotenoids. This review summarizes the latest research findings supporting the potential use of carotenoids in preventing and alleviating AD symptoms. A literature review suggests that a diet rich in carotenoids should be promoted to avoid cognitive decline in AD. One of the goals of the food industry should be to encourage the enrichment of food products with functional substances, such as carotenoids, which may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Green Methods to Recover Bioactive Compounds from Food Industry Waste: A Sustainable Practice from the Perspective of the Circular Economy

The worrying and constant increase in the quantities of food and beverage industry by-products and wastes is one of the main factors contributing to global environmental pollution. Since this is a direct consequence of continuous population growth, it is imperative to reduce waste production and keep it under control. Re-purposing agro-industrial wastes, giving them new life and new directions of use, is a good first step in this direction, and, in global food production, vegetables and fruits account for a significant percentage. In this paper, brewery waste, cocoa bean shells, banana and citrus peels and pineapple wastes are examined. These are sources of bioactive molecules such as polyphenols, whose regular intake in the human diet is related to the prevention of various diseases linked to oxidative stress. In order to recover such bioactive compounds using more sustainable methods than conventional extraction, innovative solutions have been evaluated in the past decades. Of particular interest is the use of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and compressed solvents, associated with green techniques such as microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and pulsed-electric-field-assisted extraction (PEF). These novel techniques are gaining importance because, in most cases, they allow for optimizing the extraction yield, quality, costs and time.

Occurrence and health risk of pesticide residues in Chinese herbal medicines from Shandong Province, China

Pesticide residue was one of the stress factors affecting quality and safety of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs). The present study was designed to investigate the occurrence and dietary exposure of 70 pesticide residues in 307 samples of CHMs, including 104 American ginseng, 100 Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum), and 103 Dendrobium officinale (D. officinale) in Shandong Province, China. The study revealed that a total of 29 pesticides were detected in the majority (92.5%) of samples, and the pesticide residues of 85 (27.7%) samples exceeded the maximum residue levels (MRLs). Particularly, the maximum concentration of chlorpyrifos was 23.8 mg kg-1, almost 50 times of the MRLs in food in GB 2763-2021, while there's no standard restrictions specified in CHMs in China. The chronic, acute, and cumulative risk assessment results indicated that risk exposure of the three types of CHMs were unlikely to pose a health risk to consumers. However, more attention should be paid to the multiple residues with the presence of four or more pesticides in one sample and high over-standard rate of pesticides. The pesticide users and the government should pay more attention to the pesticides used in CHMs and regularly monitor the presence of these compounds. The study recommended the MRLs of these pesticides in CHMs should be established and perfected by the relevant departments in China.

Food Industry Byproducts as Starting Material for Innovative, Green Feed Formulation: A Sustainable Alternative for Poultry Feeding

Rising global populations and enhanced standards of living in so-called developing countries have led to an increased demand of food, in particular meat, worldwide. While increasing the production of broiler meat could be a potential solution to this problem, broiler meat is plagued by health concerns, such as the development of antimicrobial resistance and lower meat quality. For this reason, the supplementation of poultry feed with vitamins and antioxidant compounds, such as polyphenols, has become an attractive prospect for research in this sector. Such supplements could be obtained by extraction of agricultural byproducts (in particular, grape pomaces and artichoke leaves and bracts), thus contributing to reductions in the total amount of waste biomass produced by the agricultural industry. In this review, the effects of poultry feed supplementation with bioactive extracts from grape pomace (skins and/or seeds), as well as extracts from artichoke leaves and bracts, were explored. Moreover, the various methods that have been employed to obtain extracts from these and other agricultural byproducts were listed and described, with a particular focus on novel, eco-friendly extraction methods (using, for example, innovative and biocompatible solvents like Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs)) that could reduce the costs and energy consumption of these procedures, with similar or higher yields compared to standard methods.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Toxins Produced by Marine Dinoflagellates: An Issue to Explore

This paper examined the toxins naturally produced by marine dinoflagellates and their effects on increases in β-amyloid plaques along with tau protein hyperphosphorylation, both major drivers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This approach is in line with the demand for certain natural compounds, namely those produced by marine invertebrates that have the potential to be used in the treatment of AD. Current advances in AD treatment are discussed as well as the main factors that potentially affect the puzzling global AD pattern. This study focused on yessotoxins (YTXs), gymnodimine (GYM), spirolides (SPXs), and gambierol, all toxins that have been shown to reduce β-amyloid plaques and tau hyperphosphorylation, thus preventing the neuronal or synaptic dysfunction that ultimately causes the cell death associated with AD (or other neurodegenerative diseases). Another group of toxins described, okadaic acid (OA) and its derivatives, inhibit protein phosphatase activity, which facilitates the presence of phosphorylated tau proteins. A few studies have used OA to trigger AD in zebrafish, providing an opportunity to test in vivo the effectiveness of new drugs in treating or attenuating AD. Constraints on the production of marine toxins for use in these tests have been considered. Different lines of research are anticipated regarding the action of the two groups of toxins.

Levels and Health Risk of Pesticide Residues in Chinese Herbal Medicines

In the present study, 168 pesticides in 1,017 samples of 10 Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) were simultaneously determined by high-performance liquid (HPLC-MS/MS) and gas (GC-MS/MS) chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 89.2% of the samples encompassed one or multiple pesticide residues, and the residue concentrations in 60.5% of samples were less than 0.02 mg kg⁻¹, revealing the relatively low residue levels. The hazard quotient and hazard index methods were used to estimate the health risk for consumers. For a more accurate risk assessment, the exposure frequency and exposure duration of CHMs were involved into the exposure assessment, which was obtained from a questionnaire data of 20,917 volunteers. The results of chronic, acute, and cumulative risk assessment indicated that consumption of CHMs is unlikely to pose a health risk to consumers. Ranking the risk of detected pesticides revealed that phorate, BHC, triazophos, methidathion, terbufos, and omethoate posed the highest risk. Our results also showed that pollution of the aboveground medicinal part was more serious. Although exposure to pesticides in tested CHMs was below dangerous levels, more strict controlled management should be carried out for banned pesticides due to the high detection rate and illegal use in the actual planting practice.

Potential Health Benefits of Plant Food-Derived Bioactive Components: An Overview

Plant foods are consumed worldwide due to their immense energy density and nutritive value. Their consumption has been following an increasing trend due to several metabolic disorders linked to non-vegetarian diets. In addition to their nutritive value, plant foods contain several bioactive constituents that have been shown to possess health-promoting properties. Plant-derived bioactive compounds, such as biologically active proteins, polyphenols, phytosterols, biogenic amines, carotenoids, etc., have been reported to be beneficial for human health, for instance in cases of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, as well as for people with gut, immune function, and neurodegenerative disorders. Previous studies have reported that bioactive components possess antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, in addition to improving intestinal barrier functioning etc., which contribute to their ability to mitigate the pathological impact of various human diseases. This review describes the bioactive components derived from fruit, vegetables, cereals, and other plant sources with health promoting attributes, and the mechanisms responsible for the bioactive properties of some of these plant components. This review mainly compiles the potential of food derived bioactive compounds, providing information for researchers that may be valuable for devising future strategies such as choosing promising bioactive ingredients to make functional foods for various non-communicable disorders.

Anchoring Metallic MoS2 Quantum Dots over MWCNTs for Highly Sensitive Detection of Postharvest Fungicide in Traditional Chinese Medicines

Carbendazim, a very common contamination to the traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), has posed serious threat to the environment and human health. However, sensitive and selective detection of carbendazim (MBC) in the TCMs is a big challenge for their complex chemical constituents. In this work, a 0D/1D nanohybrid was developed by anchoring 1T-phased MoS₂ quantum dots (QDs) over multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via a facile assembly method. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) together with EIS reveal that the 1T-phased QDs can anchor over MWCNTs via van der Waals forces, and the anchoring improves the nanohybrid surface area and conductivity. Therefore, the electrochemical sensor fabricated based on the MoS₂ QDs@MWCNT nanohybrid shows excellent catalytic activity to MBC oxidation. Under optimized conditions, the sensor presents a linear voltammetry response to MBC concentration from 0.04 to 1.00 μmol·L^-1, a low detection limit of 2.6 × 10^-8 mol·L^-1, as well as high selectivity, good reproducibility, and long-term stability. Moreover, the sensor has been successfully employed to determine MBC in two typical TCMs and the obtained recoveries are in good accordance with the results achieved by HPLC, showing that the constructed sensor plate holds great practical application in MBC analysis with complex matrix.

Natural Compounds for the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Secondary metabolites from plants and fungi are stimulating growing interest in consumers and, consequently, in the food and supplement industries. The beneficial effects of these natural compounds are being thoroughly studied and there are frequent updates about the biological activities of old and new molecules isolated from plants and fungi. In this article, we present a review of the most recent literature regarding the recent discovery of secondary metabolites through isolation and structural elucidation, as well as the in vitro and/or in vivo evaluation of their biological effects. In particular, the possibility of using these bioactive molecules in the prevention and/or treatment of widely spread pathologies such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases is discussed.

Environmental toxins and Alzheimer's disease progression

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, which causes progressive memory loss and cognitive decline. Effective strategies to treat or prevent remains one of the most challenging undertakings in the medical field. AD is a complex and multifactorial disease that involves several risk factors. Aging and genetic factors both play important roles in the onset of the AD, however; certain environmental factors have been reported to increase the risk of AD. Chronic exposure to toxins has been seen as an environmental factor that may increase the risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease such as AD. Exposure to metals and biotoxins produced by bacteria, molds, and viruses may contribute to the cognitive decline and pathophysiology associated with AD. Toxins may contribute to the pathology of the disease through various mechanisms such as deposition of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and tangles in the brain, induction of apoptosis, inflammation, or oxidative damage. Here, we will review how toxins affect brain physiology with a focus on mechanisms by which toxins may contribute to the development and progression of AD. A better understanding of these mechanisms may help contribute towards the development of an effective strategy to slow the progression of AD.

Quality of Dietary Supplements Containing Plant-Derived Ingredients Reconsidered by Microbiological Approach

Dietary supplements cover a wide range of products, the most popular are those containing plant-based ingredients. Supplements are consumed by consumers of all ages as well as by both healthy and sick people. The lack of unified regulation in this sector increases the probability that supplements are poor chemical and microbiological quality and can be dangerous for patients. The aim of this paper is to highlight selected issues associated with the microbiological quality of dietary supplements containing plant materials. We focus on the most recent reports referring to bacterial and fungal contaminations as well as the presence of mycotoxins. Dietary supplements containing plant ingredients commonly show a variety of microbial contaminants, which might be crucial for consumer safety. They often contain microorganisms potentially pathogenic to humans. Metabolites produced by microorganisms may pose a threat to the health of consumers. Because of that, in this review, we emphasize the risk that may be associated with the lack of appropriate studies of the quality of the supplements.

Quality of New Functional Powdered Beverages Enriched with Lyophilized Fruits—Potentially Bioaccessible Antioxidant Properties, Nutritional Value, and Consumer Analysis

This study evaluates nutrients and health-promoting compounds responsible for antioxidant capacity in eight novel formulations based on lyophilized fruit and vegetable powders. The composition contained lyophilized carrot, pumpkin, lentil sprouts, raspberry, strawberry, and apple. The effect of functional additives on the antioxidant, nutritional, and functional characteristics of powdered beverages was determined in the powders and after rehydration followed by in vitro digestion. The antioxidant activity, phenols, vitamin C, and reducing power were significantly higher in the powders enriched with additives having potential functional properties. Furthermore, the analyses indicated that all the powdered formulations may be potential sources of total starch (100–112 mg/100 mL) and proteins (125–139 mg/100 mL). The designed powdered beverages after reconstitution exhibited high antioxidant content, reasonable consumer acceptance, and good in vitro bioaccessibility. The best results of antioxidant capacity were obtained for beverages enriched with raspberry, i.e., 10.4 mg Trolox equivalent (TE)/100 mL and 12.1 mg TE/100 mL rehydrated at 20 °C and 80 °C, respectively. Additionally, color characteristics were used as indicators of the quality of the powdered beverages. This research promotes the reduction of food waste, since whole plant tissues are used, thus allowing maximum exploitation of food raw materials; moreover, drying provides stable shelf life.

A Review of Recent Patents (2016-2019) on Plant Food Supplements with Potential Application in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative and Metabolic Disorders

In the near future, it is expected that the prevalence of illnesses related to the increasing life expectancies and quality of life, such as neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular diseases related to metabolic disorders, will soar to unprecedented levels, leading to high socioeconomic costs. To address this rising threat, natural products are emerging as a novel strategy for the prevention and therapy of these ages- and lifestyle-related diseases, thanks to their high marketability and few side effects. In this patent review, we summarize selected patents for food supplements, functional and fortified foods, filed from 2016 to 2019, categorizing them based on the biological activity of their components.

Contaminants: a dark side of food supplements?

Food supplements (FS) are often consumed as one of the strategies to fight ageing-associated pathologies, especially in the case of oxidative stress-related diseases. Despite the popularity of FS, some concerns about their quality and safety have been raised, especially regarding the presence of contaminants. This paper reviews and discusses the occurrence of contaminants in marketed samples of FS in the last two decades, considering both scientific literature and notifications registered on RASFF portal. The most relevant classes of contaminants were included namely metals, toxins, pesticides, dioxins and PCBs, as well as pharmacologically active ingredients. Variable amounts of contaminants were reported in a significant number of commercially available FS. Although the presence of contaminants does not necessarily mean that their levels exceed the regulatory limits or that the FS intake constitutes a risk to human health, it alerts for the need to further monitor FS safety. The evaluation of the risk associated to the consumption of FS, especially in the elderly population, is particularly challenging due to the frequent exposure to multiple toxicants and to different exposure sources, as well as due to possible pre-existing diseases and respective therapeutics. Therefore, improved quality control procedures and monitoring programs should be pursued in order to avoid undesirable products and assure the safety of FS.

Analysis of exposure to pesticide residues from Traditional Chinese Medicine

The safety of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is of concern worldwide. Herein, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Chaenomelis Fructus and Moutan Cortex, representing three medicinal components, were subjected to toxicological analysis to investigate possible pesticide contamination. Exposure using a point estimate model identified 47 residues that were simultaneously validated by the QuEChERS-UPLC-MS/MS method, which is sufficiently reliable for measuring residue concentrations. Of the 313 samples tested, 94.57% contained pesticide residues, with concentrations ranging from 0.10 to 1199.84 μg kg^-1, of which >83.17% contained 4-15 different residues. Carbendazim was the most frequently detected pesticide (>85%), and procymidone, pendimethalin and phoxim were also abundant (median concentration = 15.33-623.12 μg kg^-1). Risk assessment based on the hazard quotient/hazard index (HQ/HI) approach revealed that exposure to pesticide residues in all three TCMs (95th percentile) were far below levels that might pose a health risk. However, insecticides contributed to cumulative exposure, especially phoxim, and worryingly, several banned pesticides were detected. The results are of theoretical and practical value for evaluating the safety TCMs, and could improve their quality and safety.

Natural Scaffolds with Multi-Target Activity for the Potential Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

A few symptomatic drugs are currently available for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) therapy, but these molecules are only able to temporary improve the cognitive capacity of the patients if administered in the first stages of the pathology. Recently, important advances have been achieved about the knowledge of this complex condition, which is now considered a multi-factorial disease. Researchers are, thus, more oriented toward the preparation of molecules being able to contemporaneously act on different pathological features. To date, the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and of β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation as well as the antioxidant activity and the removal and/or redistribution of metal ions at the level of the nervous system are the most common investigated targets for the treatment of AD. Since many natural compounds show multiple biological properties, a series of secondary metabolites of plants or fungi with suitable structural characteristics have been selected and assayed in order to evaluate their potential role in the preparation of multi-target agents. Out of six compounds evaluated, 1 showed the best activity as an antioxidant (EC₅₀ = 2.6 ± 0.2 μmol/µmol of DPPH) while compound 2 proved to be effective in the inhibition of AChE (IC₅₀ = 6.86 ± 0.67 μM) and Aβ_1–40 aggregation (IC₅₀ = 74 ± 1 μM). Furthermore, compound 6 inhibited BChE (IC₅₀ = 1.75 ± 0.59 μM) with a good selectivity toward AChE (IC₅₀ = 86.0 ± 15.0 μM). Moreover, preliminary tests on metal chelation suggested a possible interaction between compounds 1, 3 and 4 and copper (II). Molecules with the best multi-target profiles will be used as starting hit compounds to appropriately address future studies of Structure-Activity Relationships (SARs).

Essential Dietary Bioactive Lipids in Neuroinflammatory Diseases

SIGNIFICANCE

Under physiological conditions, neurons and glia are in a healthy, redox-balanced environment; when injury perturbs this equilibrium, a neuroinflammatory state is established by activated microglia that triggers pro-inflammatory responses and alters the oxidant/antioxidant balance, thus leading to neuronal loss and neurodegeneration. In neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyothrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis), the brain is in a constitutively self-sustaining cycle of inflammation and oxidative stress that prompts and amplifies brain damage. Recent Advances: Recently, an increasing amount of scientific data highlight the ability of specific nutrients to cross the blood-brain barrier, and to modulate inflammatory and oxidative pathways. Therefore, nutritional approaches may contribute to restore the lost equilibrium among factors accounting for neurodegeneration.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Herein, we critically examine how essential lipids (including fatty acids, liposoluble vitamins and phytosterols) might contribute to accelerate or prevent the onset and progression of such pathologies. In particular, we highlight that experimental and clinical findings, although promising, are still inadequate to draw definitive conclusions.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

More research is warranted in order to establish the real impact of lipid intake on brain health, especially when redox balance and inflammatory responses have been already compromised. In the future, it would be hoped to gain a detailed knowledge of chemical modifications and dynamic properties of such nutrients, before planning to exploit them as potential therapeutics. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 29, 37-60.

Anti-Amyloid Aggregation Activity of Black Sesame Pigment: Toward a Novel Alzheimer's Disease Preventive Agent

Black sesame pigment (BSP) represents a low cost, easily accessible material of plant origin exhibiting marked antioxidant and heavy metal-binding properties with potential as a food supplement. We report herein the inhibitory properties of the potentially bioaccessible fraction of BSP following simulated gastrointestinal digestion against key enzymes involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD). HPLC analysis indicated that BSP is transformed under the pH conditions mimicking the intestinal environment and the most abundant of the released compounds was identified as vanillic acid. More than 80% inhibition of acetylcholinesterase-induced aggregation of the β-amyloid Aβ1-40 was observed in the presence of the potentially bioaccessible fraction of BSP, which also efficiently inhibited self-induced Aβ1-42 aggregation and β-secretase (BACE-1) activity, even at high dilution. These properties open new perspectives toward the use of BSP as an ingredient of functional food or as a food supplement for the prevention of AD.

The Role of Food Antioxidants, Benefits of Functional Foods, and Influence of Feeding Habits on the Health of the Older Person: An Overview

This overview was directed towards understanding the relationship of brain functions with dietary choices mainly by older humans. This included food color, flavor, and aroma, as they relate to dietary sufficiency or the association of antioxidants with neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Impairment of olfactory and gustatory function in relation to these diseases was also explored. The role of functional foods was considered as a potential treatment of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease through inhibition of acetylcholinesterase as well as similar treatments based on herbs, spices and antioxidants therein. The importance of antioxidants for maintaining the physiological functions of liver, kidney, digestive system, and prevention of cardiovascular diseases and cancer has also been highlighted. Detailed discussion was focused on health promotion of the older person through the frequency and patterns of dietary intake, and a human ecology framework to estimate adverse risk factors for health. Finally, the role of the food industry, mass media, and apps were explored for today’s new older person generation.

Multi-Targeted Molecular Effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa Polyphenols: An Opportunity for a Global Approach to Obesity

Improper diet can alter gene expression by breaking the energy balance equation and changing metabolic and oxidative stress biomarkers, which can result in the development of obesity-related metabolic disorders. The pleiotropic effects of dietary plant polyphenols are capable of counteracting by modulating different key molecular targets at the cell, as well as through epigenetic modifications. Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS)-derived polyphenols are known to ameliorate various obesity-related conditions. Recent evidence leads to propose the complex nature of the underlying mechanism of action. This multi-targeted mechanism includes the regulation of energy metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways, transcription factors, hormones and peptides, digestive enzymes, as well as epigenetic modifications. This article reviews the accumulated evidence on the multiple anti-obesity effects of HS polyphenols in cell and animal models, as well as in humans, and its putative molecular targets. In silico studies reveal the capacity of several HS polyphenols to act as putative ligands for different digestive and metabolic enzymes, which may also deserve further attention. Therefore, a global approach including integrated and networked omics techniques, virtual screening and epigenetic analysis is necessary to fully understand the molecular mechanisms of HS polyphenols and metabolites involved, as well as their possible implications in the design of safe and effective polyphenolic formulations for obesity.

Inhibitory Effect of Lycopene on Amyloid-β-Induced Apoptosis in Neuronal Cells

Alzheimer′s disease (AD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease. Brain amyloid-β deposition is a crucial feature of AD, causing neuronal cell death by inducing oxidative damage. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate NF-κB, which induces expression of Nucling. Nucling is a pro-apoptotic factor recruiting the apoptosome complex. Lycopene is an antioxidant protecting from oxidative stress-induced cell damage. We investigated whether lycopene inhibits amyloid-β-stimulated apoptosis through reducing ROS and inhibiting mitochondrial dysfunction and NF-κB-mediated Nucling expression in neuronal SH-SY5Y cells. We prepared cells transfected with siRNA for Nucling or nontargeting control siRNA to determine the role of Nucling in amyloid-β-induced apoptosis. The amyloid-β increased intracellular and mitochondrial ROS levels, apoptotic indices (p53, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, caspase-3 cleavage), NF-kB activation and Nucling expression, while cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, and oxygen consumption rate decreased in SH-SY5Y cells. Lycopene inhibited these amyloid-β-induced alterations. However, amyloid-β did not induce apoptosis, determined by cell viability and apoptotic indices (p53, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, caspase-3 cleavage), in the cells transfected with siRNA for Nucling. Lycopene inhibited apoptosis by reducing ROS, and by inhibiting mitochondrial dysfunction and NF-κB-target gene Nucling expression in neuronal cells. Lycopene may be beneficial for preventing oxidative stress-mediated neuronal death in patients with neurodegeneration.

Heterocyclic compounds as key structures for the interaction with old and new targets in Alzheimer's disease therapy

Nowadays, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is widely recognized as a real social problem. In fact, only five drugs are FDA approved for the therapy of this widespread neurodegenerative disease, but with low results so far. Three of them (rivastigmine, donepezil and galantamine) are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, memantine is a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, whereas the fifth formulation is a combination of donepezil with memantine. The prevention and treatment of AD is the new challenge for pharmaceutical industry, as well as for public institutions, physicians, patients, and their families. The discovery of a new and safe way to cure this neurodegenerative disease is urgent and should not be delayed further. Because of the multiple origin of this pathology, a multi-target strategy is currently strongly pursued by researchers. In this review, we have discussed new structures designed to better the activity on the classical AD targets. We have also examined old and new potential drugs that could prove useful future for the therapy of the pathology by acting on innovative, not usual, and not yet fully explored targets like peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARs).

Deep Eutectic Solvents as Novel and Effective Extraction Media for Quantitative Determination of Ochratoxin A in Wheat and Derived Products

An unprecedented, environmentally friendly, and faster method for the determination of Ochratoxin A (OTA) (a mycotoxin produced by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium and largely widespread in nature, in wheat and derived products) has, for the first time, been set up and validated using choline chloride (ChCl)-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) (e.g., ChCl/glycerol (1:2) and ChCl/ urea (1:2) up to 40% (w/w) water) as privileged, green, and biodegradable extraction solvents. This also reduces worker exposure to toxic chemicals. Results are comparable to those obtained using conventional, hazardous and volatile organic solvents (VOCs) typical of the standard and official methods. OTA recovery from spiked durum wheat samples, in particular, was to up to 89% versus 93% using the traditional acetonitrile-water mixture with a repeatability of the results (RSD_r) of 7%. Compatibility of the DES mixture with the antibodies of the immunoaffinity column was excellent as it was able to retain up to 96% of the OTA. Recovery and repeatability for durum wheat, bread crumbs, and biscuits proved to be within the specifications required by the current European Commission (EC) regulation. Good results in terms of accuracy and precision were achieved with mean recoveries between 70% (durum wheat) and 88% (bread crumbs) and an RSD_r between 2% (biscuits) and 7% (bread).