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Catalano A, Ceramella J, Iacopetta D, Marra M, Conforti F, Lupi FR, Gabriele D, Borges F, Sinicropi MS. Aloe vera-An Extensive Review Focused on Recent Studies. Foods 2024; 13:2155. [PMID: 38998660 PMCID: PMC11241682 DOI: 10.3390/foods13132155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Since ancient times, Aloe vera L. (AV) has attracted scientific interest because of its multiple cosmetic and medicinal properties, attributable to compounds present in leaves and other parts of the plant. The collected literature data show that AV and its products have a beneficial influence on human health, both by topical and oral use, as juice or an extract. Several scientific studies demonstrated the numerous biological activities of AV, including, for instance, antiviral, antimicrobial, antitumor, and antifungal. Moreover, its important antidepressant activity in relation to several diseases, including skin disorders (psoriasis, acne, and so on) and prediabetes, is a growing field of research. This comprehensive review intends to present the most significant and recent studies regarding the plethora of AV's biological activities and an in-depth analysis exploring the component/s responsible for them. Moreover, its morphology and chemical composition are described, along with some studies regarding the single components of AV available in commerce. Finally, valorization studies and a discussion about the metabolism and toxicological aspects of this "Wonder Plant" are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Jessica Ceramella
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Domenico Iacopetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Maria Marra
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Filomena Conforti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Francesca R Lupi
- Department of Information, Modeling, Electronics and System Engineering, (D.I.M.E.S.), University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 39C, CS, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Domenico Gabriele
- Department of Information, Modeling, Electronics and System Engineering, (D.I.M.E.S.), University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 39C, CS, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Fernanda Borges
- CIQUP-IMS-Centro de Investigação em Química da Universidade do Porto, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
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He KY, Lei XY, Zhang L, Wu DH, Li JQ, Lu LY, Laila UE, Cui CY, Xu ZX, Jian YP. Development and management of gastrointestinal symptoms in long-term COVID-19. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1278479. [PMID: 38156008 PMCID: PMC10752947 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1278479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Emerging evidence reveals that SARS-CoV-2 possesses the capability to disrupt the gastrointestinal (GI) homeostasis, resulting in the long-term symptoms such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, gastroesophageal reflux, and nausea. In the current review, we summarized recent reports regarding the long-term effects of COVID-19 (long COVID) on the gastrointestine. Objective To provide a narrative review of abundant clinical evidence regarding the development and management of long-term GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Results Long-term persistent digestive symptoms are exhibited in a majority of long-COVID patients. SARS-CoV-2 infection of intestinal epithelial cells, cytokine storm, gut dysbiosis, therapeutic drugs, psychological factors and exacerbation of primary underlying diseases lead to long-term GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Interventions like probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and antibiotics are proved to be beneficial in preserving intestinal microecological homeostasis and alleviating GI symptoms. Conclusion Timely diagnosis and treatment of GI symptoms in long-COVID patients hold great significance as they may contribute to the mitigation of severe conditions and ultimately lead to the improvement of outcomes of the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Yue He
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Lei
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Dan-Hui Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jun-Qi Li
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Li-Yuan Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Umm E. Laila
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Cui-Yun Cui
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhi-Xiang Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yong-Ping Jian
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
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Merenstein C, Bushman FD, Collman RG. Alterations in the respiratory tract microbiome in COVID-19: current observations and potential significance. MICROBIOME 2022; 10:165. [PMID: 36195943 PMCID: PMC9532226 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01342-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection causes COVID-19 disease, which can result in consequences ranging from undetectable to fatal, focusing attention on the modulators of outcomes. The respiratory tract microbiome is thought to modulate the outcomes of infections such as influenza as well as acute lung injury, raising the question to what degree does the airway microbiome influence COVID-19? Here, we review the results of 56 studies examining COVID-19 and the respiratory tract microbiome, summarize the main generalizations, and point to useful avenues for further research. Although the results vary among studies, a few consistent findings stand out. The diversity of bacterial communities in the oropharynx typically declined with increasing disease severity. The relative abundance of Haemophilus and Neisseria also declined with severity. Multiple microbiome measures tracked with measures of systemic immune responses and COVID outcomes. For many of the conclusions drawn in these studies, the direction of causality is unknown-did an alteration in the microbiome result in increased COVID severity, did COVID severity alter the microbiome, or was some third factor the primary driver, such as medication use. Follow-up mechanistic studies can help answer these questions. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carter Merenstein
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Frederic D. Bushman
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Ronald G. Collman
- Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Division, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
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Kang JY, Lee B, Kim CH, Choi JH, Kim MS. Enhancing the prebiotic and antioxidant effects of exopolysaccharides derived from Cordyceps militaris by enzyme-digestion. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2022.113830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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