Insights & Discussion
Bananas and plantains contain compounds with anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidative properties that hold promise for potentially reversing neurological disorders.
The methodology of the study revolved around scrutinizing the bioactive properties found in bananas and plantains. Researchers pinpointed various neuroprotective mechanisms within commonly consumed fruits, specifically bananas and plantains. The study examined protein expression regulation and targeted specific gene pathways, including nuclear and tumor necrosis factors, extracellular signal-regulated and mitogen-activated protein kinases, activator protein-1, and the glial fibrillary acidic protein. In their investigations, they also considered the underutilized peel components of these fruits.
The results suggest that the multitude of bioactive compounds found in both the pulp and peels of bananas and plantains perform a variety of beneficial neuroprotective activities. These range from acting as antioxidants, preventing cell death (anti-apoptotic), and reducing inflammation (anti-inflammatory), to directly influencing the functionality of the nervous system (neuromodulatory). This discovery implicates plant-based foods, specifically bananas and plantains, as potentially significant substances in combating, halting, or mitigating the pathological mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders.
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Pumpkin seeds are recognised for their medicinal, nutritional, and cosmetic benefits, including anti-diabetic, heart disease prevention, anti-cancer, and antioxidant qualities.
2024 The Natural Products Journal Pumpkin Seeds (Cucurbita spp.) as a Nutraceutical Used In Various Lifestyle Disorders Wal A, Singh MR, Gupta A, Rathore S, Rout RR, Wal P
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The review article undertakes a comprehensive exploration of the nutraceutical importance of pumpkin seeds. The methodology includes an examination of the various known substances in the seeds, such as phytoestrogens, unsaturated fatty acids, and vitamin E. The study then delves into the different benefits and therapeutic uses of these components stretching from medicinal to nutritional to cosmetic applications.
The results of this research are diverse and impressive, with implications for several major health sectors. Their potential anti-diabetic and hypoglycemic properties could suggest a significant role in the management and prevention of diabetes. Meanwhile, the seeds' potential in cardiovascular disease prevention could help to address one of the most pressing global health issues. Moreover, potential anti-cancer properties imply that these seeds could even have a part to play in cancer prevention. The review also described potential additional qualities, such as antidepressant, anti-helminthic (parasite-removing), and antioxidant effects.
Eating apples and apple products can enhance health by protecting the cardiovascular system, combating cancer and cognitive impairment, and improving hair growth, among other beneficial effects.
2023 Food Science & Nutrition Does an apple a day keep away diseases? Evidence and mechanism of action Zhang Y, Zeng M, Zhang X, Yu Q, Zeng W, Yu B, et al.
Review Article Apple Cancer Cardiovascular Disease
The study took a comprehensive approach to evaluate the health benefits of apples and apple products by conducting a literature review of relevant clinical, epidemiological, in vitro, and in vivo studies. It involved an exhaustive search of the PubMed database for a ten-year period, sourcing studies that reported on the effects of different apple products: juices, purees, pomaces, dried apples, and extracts rich in apple bioactives.
The findings indicate that the consumption of apples and their derivations contributes to multiple aspects of human health. These products exhibited a range of protective effects against diseases such as cardiovascular conditions and cancer. Moreover, they were associated with enhanced cognitive function, facilitated hair growth, the healing of burn wounds, and improved oral health. The use of apples and apple-based products also helped to reduce UV-induced skin pigmentation, alleviated the symptoms of atopic dermatitis and cedar hay fever, and even prevented skin flushing caused by niacin. The beneficial impacts of apple consumption can be attributed to a variety of mechanisms including, but not limited to, vascular endothelial protection, blood lipid regulation, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, as well as anti-invasion and antimetastatic tendencies. These results provide a significant reference point for various fields, including medicine and nutrition, contributing to their development and application.
Gold kiwifruit extracts contained different bioactive materials which showed selective cytotoxic activity against human oral tumor cells and displayed anti-HIV, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities.
2023 Journal of Ethnopharmacology Cancer prevention and therapy with kiwifruit in Chinese folklore medicine: a study of kiwifruit extracts Motohashi N, Shirataki Y, Kawase M, Tani S, Sakagami H, Satoh K, et al.
Network Pharmacology Antibacterial Antioxidant Kiwifruit
The methodology involved stepwise extraction of gold kiwifruit with hexane, acetone, methanol, and 70% methanol; the extracts were then fractionated using silica gel and ODS column chromatographies to examine their biological activities. Different fractions like H1, H2 (from the hexane extract), A1, A2 (from the acetone extract), and M2 (from the methanol extract) were tested, as well as more hydrophilic fractions from the 70% methanol extract.
In the discussion of the results, fractions H1, H2, A1, A2 and M2 displayed notable cytotoxic activity against human oral tumor cell lines, with these showing more sensitivity compared to human gingival fibroblasts. The hydrophilic fractions from the 70% methanol extract demonstrated higher anti-HIV activity, radical generation, and oxygen scavenging activity. However, the antibacterial activity of these fractions was generally lower than that of the more lipophilic (hexane, acetone, methanol) extracts, indicating no distinct antimicrobial action. Interestingly, all fractions were inactive against Helicobacter pylori.
The compound (Z)-5’-Hydroxyjasmone 5’-O-β-D-Glucopyranoside from chrysanthemum flowers demonstrated superior antioxidant and anti-osteoporosis effects.
2023 Journal of Science and Technology - HaUI Investigate the antioxidant and anti-osteoporosis activities of compounds isolated from chrysanthemum indicum flowers Le The Hoai, Nguyen Thi Huong, Bui Thi Thu Trang
Experimental Study Antioxidant Chrysanthemum Osteoporosis
The research involved isolating five compounds from Chrysanthemum indicum L flowers: Syringin, Dihydrosyringin, Benzyl-O-β-D- glucopyranoside, -Phenylethoxy-O--D-glucopyranoside, and (Z)-5’-Hydroxyjasmone 5’-O-β-D-Glucopyranoside. The identification and structure determination of these compounds were performed via the interpretation of their 1D - NMR spectra and comparison to established literature. The collected compounds were then assessed for their antioxidative and anti-osteoporosis activities.
During the analysis of results, it was observed that the compound (Z)-5’-Hydroxyjasmone 5’-O-β-D-Glucopyranoside exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity and anti-osteoporosis effects compared to the others. It showed a strong capacity for peroxyl radical scavenging, surpassing the protection offered by the standard Trolox. Dihydrosyringin also demonstrated a good reducing capacity, as indicated by its CUPRAC values. Furthermore, (Z)-5’-Hydroxyjasmone 5’-O-β-D-Glucopyranoside displayed strong inhibitory effects on osteoclast differentiation, indicating its potential as an anti-osteoporosis agent.
Chrysanthemum morifolium contains natural bioactive compounds, including 29 types of phenolics, which display significant antioxidant activity.
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The study determined the antioxidant properties of Chrysanthemum morifolium by using methanol and ethyl acetate as solvents to extract and then analyse the plant's phenolic profile. The antioxidant activity was assessed with three separate in vitro tests: a reducing power assay, a Phosphomolybdenum antioxidative power assay, and the testing of inhibition of free radical 1,1-di phenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl. The content of total phenolics and total flavonoids was measured using the Folin Ciocalteu reagent, yielding a range of values.
In relation to the results, it was established that the examined plant was a significant source of bioactive compounds with notable antioxidant properties. A total of 29 phenolics, divided into 15 phenolic acids and 14 flavonoids were identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. Ellagic acid was the most present phenolic in the methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction of green aerial parts. Meanwhile, Hesperidin was the most common flavonoid in the flower methanol extract. The ethyl acetate fraction from the flowers showed the highest efficiency in all tested antioxidant methods, indicating that different parts of the plant can vary in their antioxidant potential.
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