International Journal on Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods and Novel Foods

Therapeutical potential of nutraceuticals in the prevention and management of Alzheimer’s disease

Dr Trapti Saxena — 2024-11-05

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a long-term brain neurodegenerative condition. Approximately 55 million individuals worldwide currently suffer from dementia. The WHO projects that the number of people with AD will reach over 78 million globally by 2030 and almost 139 million by 2050. In recent years, nutraceuticals – supplements to contemporary medicine that provide health benefits – have become more well-known. Using nutraceuticals could potentially reduce complete dependence on prescription drugs while minimizing side effects, due to their unique chemical properties. Often, nutraceuticals have special chemical properties that aren't seen in medications. Treatments for AD primarily target β-amyloid (Aβ). However, due to its poor permeability, medications that target Aβ are difficult to utilize. Other drugs, such as NMDA-receptor antagonists and cholinesterase inhibitors, when combined, only temporarily relieve the symptoms of AD. Hence, nutraceuticals are being researched to potentially slow down the progression of dementia and in the management of AD. Reported clinical trial failures of AD drugs in literature, mostly in phase 2 &3 trials, are mainly due to a lack of evidence of effectiveness as they failed to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The use of new therapies, such as specific nutraceuticals, and their latest delivery approaches facilitates the entry of active ingredients into the BBB such as nanoencapsulation and liposomal based delivery systems. These new therapies work on a novel method of delivery of nutraceuticals and have shown their effectiveness in clinical studies in the management of AD. This study examines how medicinal nutraceuticals may be useful in the management of AD.

Protective mechanism of butyrate and palmitoylethanolamide highlighted by VitroScreen ORA® - a new microphysiological system mimicking colon inflammation

Marco Valente — 2024-05-22

The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) continues to increase worldwide. Furthermore, a considerable fraction of individuals with IBD do not respond effectively to conventional treatments, suggesting a need for new therapeutic strategies. Butyrate and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) are individually recognised for their protective effect on the gut epithelial permeability barrier. In this study, VitroScreen ORA™ intestinal 3D scaffold-free spheroids were used to mirror in vitro a model of an inflamed colonic epithelium and to investigate, in a preliminary setting, the protective mechanisms of a synergistic blend of butyrate and PEA. Spheroids were produced using human colonic fibroblasts and primary epithelial colonic cells. Differentiated spheroids were pretreated with either mesalamine, butyrate, PEA, or a blend of butyrate and PEA in a 3:1 ratio. To evaluate the protective effect of these molecules, a stimulation with interleukin 1β or with dextran sodium sulfate was applied to induce a pro-inflammatory status and epithelial damage respectively. ELISA assay and immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect the inflammatory status and epithelium integrity. Butyrate mitigated the expression and release of interleukin-1β while PEA increased zonula occludens-1 expression. Treatment with the blend consisting of butyrate and PEA showed a synergistic effect on tight junctions in terms of zonula occludens-1 increased expression and improved localization. Our preliminary data are promising, suggesting an application of ORA™ intestinal spheroids as an innovative platform with the ability to mirror gut inflammatory status. Furthermore, the results suggest a novel application of butyrate and PEA in clinical practice to better manage pathogenesis and flare-ups of IBD.

Ateronorm Plus® – effects on total, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol levels and its hypothetical action on weight control: a pre- and post-observational study

Giordano B Zonzini — 2024-04-11

Cardiovascular diseases are the primary cause of death worldwide. Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), known as hypercholesterolaemia, play a direct role in the development of atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries. Reducing hypercholesterolaemia and LDL-C levels can lower the risk of cardiovascular events. This observational study examined the effects of the nutraceutical supplement Ateronorm Plus® (marketed by Aquaviva srl) on 30 individuals with mild hypercholesterolaemia. Ateronorm Plus® contains extracts of berberine, red yeast rice (monacolin K and Ka) and Polygonum cuspidatum. After 120 days of treatment, improvements were noted in serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (Trig.) compared to baseline values. Specifically, Ateronorm Plus® supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in TC (-21.7%), LDL-C (-26.3%), and Trig. (-16.4%), along with an increase in HDL serum levels (+9.3%). Furthermore, a greater weight loss and improved metabolic parameters were observed in participants undergoing supplementation with Ateronorm Plus® during the study period. Ateronorm Plus® may represent a novel approach and an effective tool for managing mild dyslipidaemia, particularly mild hypercholesterolaemia. However, further large-scale clinical trials are necessary to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of the extract mixtures used in the clinical management of dyslipidaemias.

Replacing sugar with the polyol isomalt: technological advances and nutritional benefits focusing on blood glucose management

Lisa Schweitzer — 2024-04-11

National and international authorities and organizations, including the WHO, recommend limiting dietary consumption of added sugars. Isomalt is a well-established polyol used in food manufacturing to replace sugars. It is the only sugar-free bulk sweetener exclusively made from pure beet sugar. Due to its physical and technological properties, such as a mild, sugar-like taste and low hygroscopicity, it is an ideal sugar substitute for many foods such as confectionery or dry and soft baked goods. Furthermore, isomalt provides several nutritional benefits, including low digestibility, very low glycaemic and insulinaemic response and low physiological energy value (approximately 8.4 kJ/g). It is also non-cariogenic. This review gives an overview of the technological properties of isomalt and the latest advances in food applications. It also discusses the physiological health benefits of isomalt, with an emphasis on its low glycaemic and insulinaemic effects. These benefits have now been corroborated with a series of randomized controlled trials conducted according to international standards in blood glucose response testing for a variety of food applications. Our study confirms a reduced postprandial glycaemic and insulin response of various confectionary products in which sugar was replaced by isomalt. These findings agree with previous data and extend our knowledge by providing evidence for various sweets containing isomalt. Isomalt, with its technological advantages and nutritional benefits, is a proven versatile sugar substitute for supporting a sugar-reduced diet that combines health and indulgence at the same time.

Clerodendrum volubile and Vernonia amygdalina flavonoid fractions exhibit toxic metal chelation, microminerals, and thiol systems – augmenting potentials in arsenic exposed male rats

Akinhanmi TF — 2024-03-21

Exposure to arsenic from drinking water poses a significant threat to public health worldwide. Clerodendrum volubile and Vernonia amygdalina are potent natural sources of antioxidants to mitigate the toxic effect of arsenic. This study evaluated the effects of flavonoid fractions from C. volubile and V. amygdalina (FICV and FIVA) on the thiol cycling pathways and ion regulation of male albino rats exposed to sub-acute arsenic. Thirty male rats were randomly divided into six treatment groups. Control animals (distilled water), arsenic (40 ppm arsenic), arsenic + FICV (100 mg/kg), arsenic + FIVA (100 mg/kg), arsenic + FICV and FIVA (50 mg/kg each) and arsenic + Vitamin C (100 mg/kg). The treatment commenced four weeks after exposure to arsenic in drinking water and continued for a further four weeks. The liver and kidneys of the rats were excised following an overnight fast. Arsenic had caused significant (p<0.05) reductions in the total protein levels and metallothionein levels, reduced glutathione levels in the liver and kidneys, and decreased glutathione-S-transferase enzymatic activity. Additionally, essential elements (magnesium, zinc, copper and calcium) were significantly reduced (p<0.05) in the arsenic-exposed rats. Study results showed that the reductions were reversed after treatment with FICV and FIVA. This study concludes that flavonoid fractions from C. volubile and V. amygdalina possess potent therapeutic actions against arsenic-induced oxidative stress and toxicity in male albino rats.