Formulating anti-diabetic nutraceutical tablets based on edible plants from Tripura, India

Nutraceuticals are food-based drugs that are used as dietary supplements to minimize chronic diseases. Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases all over the world. Recently, herbal nutraceuticals have taken a promising role in treating diabetes. We aimed to develop herbal nutraceutical tablets and evaluate its anti-diabetic activity using ob/ob mice. Five plant species were collected by field survey methods based on oral interviews with traditional healers of Tripura. The wet granulation method was applied to formulate the herbal nutraceutical tablet. Water- and fat-soluble vitamins were determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Trace elements were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. To evaluate the anti-diabetic activity of the herbal tablets, we determined serum hemoglobin, glycosylated serum protein, and oral glucose tolerance. The newly formulated herbal nutraceutical tablets provided the optimal energy level. It contained sufficient amounts of essential minerals, such as iron (74.6 ± 2.7 mg/g), sodium (4.4 ± 0.4 mg/g), potassium (5.3 ± 0.7 mg/g), calcium (163.1 ± 2.2 mg/g), magnesium (39.2 ± 1.7 mg/g), and phosphorus (14.6 ± 2.1 mg/g). We also found optimal quantities of water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C (27.2 ± 4.3 mg/g), vitamin B1 (0.6 ± 0 mg/g), vitamin B3 (0.6 ± 0.2 mg/g), vitamin B6 (1.1 ± 0.2 mg/g), vitamin B12 (0.6 ± 0.2 mcg/g), and folic acid (82.6 ± 7.6 mcg/g), as well as fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A (287.4 ± 6.3 mcg/g), vitamin D3 (2.6 ± 0.6 mcg/g), and vitamin E (0.7 ± 0 ng/g). Finally, the herbal nutraceutical tablet (200 mg/kg) significantly improved the anti-hyperglycemic effect on ob/ob mice (type 2 diabetes), compared to the standard drug, metformin (200 mg/kg). The results suggest that the newly formulated herbal tablet may be recommended as an anti-diabetic nutraceutical drug.

Development of an analytical method for the quantitative determination of multi-class nutrients in different food matrices by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using design of experiments

A simple and rapid analytical method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with the aid of design of experiments (DOE) approach was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of multi-class nutrients (water- and fat-soluble vitamins and flavonoids) in various food matrices (vegetables, fruits, and cereals). The factors affecting the SPE method were optimized using DOE tools. The separation was achieved in 13 min using the C18 column by gradient LC programme. The SPE-LC-MS/MS method was validated in terms of limit of detection (1.29-29.17 ng/g), linearity range (25-1000 ng/g), coefficient of determination (0.993-0.999) and recovery (72.53-104.24%) for multi-class nutrients in different food samples. Inter- and intra-day precision were evaluated and found to be within acceptable range. The developed method finds extensive application in the routine analysis of multi-class nutrients in various food matrices.

Pea protein based vitamin D nanoemulsions: Fabrication, stability and in vitro study using Caco-2 cells

Pea protein-stabilized nanoemulsions were prepared to encapsulate vitamin D with the aim to develop novel non-dairy functional foods for vitamin D fortifications. Homogenization conditions of 20 kpsi and two homogenization cycles were identified as optimal conditions for producing stable nanoemulsions. The nanoemulsions exhibited controllable sizes (170-350 nm), good stability with zeta-potential of -25 mV, and high vitamin encapsulation efficiency (94-96%). Cellular uptake efficiency of small sized nanoemulsions (233 nm) was ~2.5 times higher than large sized nanoemulsions (350 nm). Interestingly, protein-based nanoemulsions exhibited significantly higher cellular uptake than emulsions prepared using a combination of protein and lecithin. The vitamin D transport efficiency across Caco-2 cells for small sized nanoemulsions (233 nm) was ~5.3 times greater than free vitamin D suspension. This research demonstrated that pea protein can be used as an effective emulsifier for preparing food nanoemulsions, which may enhance vitamin D bioavailability and improve vitamin deficiency status in aged population.

Liquid Chromatography Analysis of Common Nutritional Components, in Feed and Food

Food and feed laboratories share several similarities when facing the implementation of liquid-chromatographic analysis. Using the experience acquired over the years, through application chemistry in food and feed research, selected analytes of relevance for both areas were discussed. This review focused on the common obstacles and peculiarities that each analyte offers (during the sample treatment or the chromatographic separation) throughout the implementation of said methods. A brief description of the techniques which we considered to be more pertinent, commonly used to assay such analytes is provided, including approaches using commonly available detectors (especially in starter labs) as well as mass detection. This manuscript consists of three sections: feed analysis (as the start of the food chain); food destined for human consumption determinations (the end of the food chain); and finally, assays shared by either matrices or laboratories. Analytes discussed consist of both those considered undesirable substances, contaminants, additives, and those related to nutritional quality. Our review is comprised of the examination of polyphenols, capsaicinoids, theobromine and caffeine, cholesterol, mycotoxins, antibiotics, amino acids, triphenylmethane dyes, nitrates/nitrites, ethanol soluble carbohydrates/sugars, organic acids, carotenoids, hydro and liposoluble vitamins. All analytes are currently assayed in our laboratories.

Electrochemical Study and Determination of All-trans-Retinol at Carbon Paste Electrode Modified by a Surfactant

The oxidation mechanism of all-trans-retinol (vitamin A₁) and its several esters in non-aqueous, aqueous organic mixture, and pure aqueous media was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The oxidation occurred in several irreversible steps. The calculated highest density of electrons in retinoid molecules which are delocalized over carbon atoms of the five conjugated double bonds (C5-C14) was found in the part of the molecule involved in oxidation processes. The most sensitive oxidation peak (at +0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl) was used for development of new direct voltammetric method based on differential pulse voltammetry for the determination of retinol at carbon paste electrode modified with surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (CPE/SDS). The results show that 30% (by mass) of modifier SDS exhibited optimal sensitivity and shape of voltammograms. Compared to commonly used glassy carbon electrode (GCE), the CPE/SDS showed significant progress in the retinol electroanalysis. The linear ranges for retinol determination were 1.5·10⁻⁶–1.8·10⁻⁴ M for CPE/SDS and 4.4·10⁻⁶–7.0·10⁻⁴ M for GCE with the detection limits of 1.3·10⁻⁶ and 4.6·10⁻⁷ M, respectively.

Retinol and α-Tocopherol in the Breast Milk of Women after a High-Risk Pregnancy

BACKGROUND

There is scant information about whether, after a high-risk pregnancy, breast milk provides enough vitamins for assuring satisfactory bodily reserves in newborns.

OBJECTIVE

To comparatively evaluate, in women with high-risk and normal pregnancy, the concentration of retinol and α-tocopherol in breast milk.

METHODS

This cross-sectional, analytical study was evaluated with reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Informed consent was signed by 95 mothers with a high-risk pregnancy and 32 mothers with a normal pregnancy. From the mothers with a high-risk pregnancy were obtained: 23 samples of colostrum, 24 of transitional milk, and 48 of mature milk. From the normal pregnancy group, 32 mature milk samples were collected. Pregestational Body Mass Index (BMI) and the gestational weight gain were noted. Models of logistic regression were constructed to identify the variables related to a low concentration of either retinol or α-tocopherol in breast milk.

RESULTS

The concentration of retinol and α-tocopherol in mature milk was 60 (interquartile range (IQR), 41-90) and 276 (103-450) μg/dL, respectively, for the high-risk pregnancy group, and 76 (65-91) and 673 (454-866) µg/dL, respectively, for the normal pregnancy group (p = 0.001). The concentration of retinol and α-tocopherol was similar in the subgroups of mothers with different disorders during gestation. A clear correlation was found between a greater pregestational weight and a lower concentration of retinol (Rho = -0.280, p = 0.006), and between α-tocopherol and retinol in all cases (Rho = 0.463, p = 0.001). Among women having a high-risk pregnancy, those delivering prematurely rather than carrying their pregnancy to term had a reduced concentration of retinol (54 (37-78) vs. 70 (49-106) µg/dL; p = 0.002) and a tendency to a lower concentration of α-tocopherol in breast milk (185 (75-410) vs. 339 (160-500) µg/dL; p = 0.053). Compared to mothers with a normal pregnancy, those with a high-risk pregnancy (whether carried to term or ending in preterm delivery) exhibited a reduced concentration of retinol in mature milk (p = 0.003), as well as a tendency to a lower concentration of α-tocopherol (p = 0.054).

CONCLUSION

Even though the women in the high-risk pregnancy group showed a deficiency of vitamins A and E in their breast milk, the unique biological benefits of this milk justify the promotion of breast feeding as the optimal method of nourishing neonates and infants. In these cases, it should be recommended that the woman increase her consumption of certain nutrients during pregnancy. Additionally, after childbirth mothers should consider the use of supplements to produce milk of adequate quality and thus meet the needs of the baby and prevent any deficiency in micronutrients.

A novel bile salts-lipase polymeric film-infused minitablet system for enhanced oral delivery of cholecalciferol

Few researchers have investigated the use of multiple physiological enhancers combined with synthetic carriers to augment delivery of nutraceuticals. The current work describes the development of an oral delivery system termed a bioactive association platform (BAP) capable of delivering nutraceutical actives from a formulation framework specifically for enhancing the in vitro and in vivo performance of model vitamin, cholecalciferol (Vitamin D₃). Synthesis of a novel triple vitamin minitablet and an optimized bile salt/lipase alginate-glycerin film provided unique oral components for inclusion in a BAP capsule. Component validation and physicochemical characterizations included comparative ex vivo permeability, chemical structure mapping, thermodynamic analysis and magnetic resonance imaging. In vitro dissolution studies of the BAP produced an area under the dissolution curve (AUC) for cholecalciferol release that was 28% greater than a conventional comparator product. A total of 84.01% of cholecalciferol was released from the BAP within 3 h versus only 59% from a comparator. Ex vivo permeation studies revealed superior cholecalciferol membrane diffusion from the triple vitamin minitablet BAP component. In vivo performance showed a greater mean change from baseline cholecalciferol to peak plasma levels (C_max) from the BAP compared to the comparator (55.66 versus 46.05 ng/mL). Cholecalciferol bioavailability was improved in vivo with an AUC_0-inf from the BAP that was 3.2× greater than the conventional product. The BAP was also superior at improving and maintaining serum levels of the main metabolite, 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃, compared to the conventional system. In vitro and in vivo results thus confirmed improvements in cholecalciferol dissolution, membrane permeability and plasma drug levels. The study results position the BAP as an ideal oral vehicle for enhanced delivery of cholecalciferol.

Quantification of the level of fat-soluble vitamins in feed based on the novel microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) method

BACKGROUND

Simultaneous quantification of liposoluble vitamins is not a new area of interest, since these compounds co-determine the nutritional quality of food and feed, a field widely explored in the human and animal diet. However, the development of appropriate methods is still a matter of concern, especially when the vitamin composition is highly complex, as is the case with feed designated for laboratory animals, representing a higher health and microbiological status.

RESULTS

A method combining microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) with liquid-liquid extraction was developed for the determination of four fat-soluble vitamins in animal feed. A separation medium consisting of 25 mmol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer (pH 2.5), 2-propanol, 1-butanol, sodium dodecyl sulfate and octane allowed the simultaneous determination of vitamins A, D, E and K within a reasonable time of 25 min. The polarity of the separation voltage was reversed in view of the strongly suppressed electro-osmotic flow, and the applied voltage was set at 12 kV. The fat-soluble vitamins were separated in the order of decreasing hydrophobicity.

CONCLUSION

It was proved that the proposed MEEKC method was sufficiently specific and sensitive for screening fat-soluble vitamins in animal feed samples after their sterilization.

Menadione

This chapter includes the aspects of Menadione (vitamin K). The drug is synthesized by the use of itaconic acid obtained through Friedel-Craft condensation or by direct oxidation of the 2-methyl-1,4-naphthquinone. Vitamin K generally maintains healthy blood clotting and prevents excessive bleeding and hemorrhage, it is also important for maintaining healthy bone structure and for carbohydrate storage in the body. In addition, it is given to newborn babies born in hospitals to prevent the development of life-threatening bleeding caused by low prothrombin levels. The chapter discusses the drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics and presents various method of analysis of this drug such as compendial tests, electrochemical analysis, spectroscopic analysis, and chromatographic techniques of separation. It also discusses its physical properties such as solubility characteristics, X-ray powder diffraction pattern, and thermal methods of analysis. The chapter is concluded with a discussion on its biological properties such as activity, toxicity, and safety.