Insights & Discussion
The study shows the promising potential of Suan Zao Ren as a multi-effect traditional Chinese medicine derived from the seeds of Ziziphus Jujuba.
The methodology of the research was primarily a comprehensive literature review of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (aka Suan Zao Ren). The team explored the botanical characteristics, traditional uses, pharmacology, and discovered compounds in the seeds of Ziziphus Jujuba.
In regards to the results of the review, more than 150 compounds were identified in Ziziphi Spinosae Semen. These compounds, which mainly include terpenoids, flavonoids and others, show various biological activities. It was found that the seeds are particularly prominent in having sedative and hypnotic effects. Other properties discovered include antitumor potential, improvement to learning and memory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-aging, alongside lower blood pressure and lipid levels. Traditional usage of the seeds for the treatment of insomnia, forgetfulness, headaches and dizziness were confirmed by the review.
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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
Review Article Anti-Parasite Anticancer Antioxidant
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.
The fermented jujube seeds extract significantly enhances sleep by binding to the GABA receptors, thus offers a promising natural alternative for sleep disorders treatment.
2023 Foods Sleep-Enhancing Effect of Water Extract from Jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill.) Seeds Fermented by Lactobacillus brevis L32 Bae GY, Ahn Y, Hong KB, Jung EJ, Suh HJ, Jo K
Experimental Study GABA Jujube Sleep
Methodology: An aqueous extract of jujube seeds (ZW) was fermented, following a starch-removing enzymatic degradation process, to increase its γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content, resulting in a fermented product (ZW-FM). The sleep-promoting effect of ZW-FM was evaluated using rodent models; specifically, sleep tests were performed on ICR mice with pentobarbital-induced sleep, while the electroencephalography analysis was undertaken in Sprague Dawley rats. Awakening relief effects of ZW-FM were assessed using a caffeine-induced insomnia model. To understand the mechanism, GABA receptor type A (GABA) antagonists were used.
Results: The groups given ZW-FM treatment displayed a longer sleep duration, particularly increased δ-wave time during non-rapid eye movement sleep, and reduced sleep latency. Particularly, the model treated with ZW-FM showed an increase in non-rapid-eye-movement sleep and a reduction in the REM sleep duration, brought about by caffeine treatment. The enhanced sleep induction caused by ZW-FM was hindered by GABA receptor antagonists, thereby validating the involvement of a GABAergic mechanism in promoting sleep.
Consumption of blueberry powder daily improves vascular function, cognitive abilities, and reduces blood pressure in healthy older individuals.
2023 The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Wild blueberry (poly)phenols can improve vascular function and cognitive performance in healthy older individuals: a double-blind randomized controlled trial Wood E, Hein S, Mesnage R, Fernandes F, Abhayaratne N, Xu Y, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial Blueberry Cardiovascular Disease Cognitive Function
This double-blind, parallel randomized controlled trial engaged 61 healthy older individuals aged between 65 to 80 years old. Participants were given either 26g of freeze-dried wild blueberry (WBB) powder, comprising 302 mg anthocyanins, or a similar placebo with zero mg anthocyanins. Measurements were made for endothelial function, cognitive function, arterial stiffness, blood pressure, cerebral blood flow, gut microbiome, and blood parameters, both at the start of the trial and again following 12 weeks of daily consumption. In addition, plasma and urinary polyphenol metabolites were analyzed through the use of microelution solid-phase extraction combined with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
In the WBB group, there was a notable increase in endothelial function and a decrease in 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure, when compared to the placebo group. Enhanced immediate recall on the auditory verbal learning task was also observed, along with better accuracy on a task-switch task following administering of WBB. Notably, the total 24-hour urinary excretion of polyphenols also significantly increased in the WBB group comparative to the control group. In contrast, there were no discernible changes in cerebral blood flow or gut microbiota composition. These findings imply that WBB polyphenols could contribute to reducing future cardiovascular disease risk in older populations, and might enhance memory processes and executive functioning in older adults at risk of cognitive decline.
Purple carrot roots, rich in bioactive compounds like anthocyanin, may be effective in preventing metabolic syndrome and cancer by reducing inflammation and metabolic changes.
2022 Applied Sciences Delving into the Nutraceutical Benefits of Purple Carrot against Metabolic Syndrome and Cancer: A Review Rasheed H, Shehzad M, Rabail R, Kowalczewski P, Kidoń M, Jeżowski P, et al.
Review Article Anti-Inflammatory Anticancer Carrot
The methodology employed in the research deeply studies the role of purple carrot’s main bioactive compounds against metabolic syndrome and cancer. The main focus lies on anthocyanin, a phenolic compound present in purple carrot roots. This natural food source was shifted towards as a healthier nutritional approach instead of dietary supplements. The research leans on the effectiveness of these compounds in evading or delaying the onset of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, and cancer by inhibiting inflammatory effects.
The discussion primarily surrounds the role of bioactive compounds found in purple carrots, specifically anthocyanin, in their potential prevention of metabolic syndrome and cancer. The study focused on how these components could disrupt the onset of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and similar health issues. The results suggest that these compounds were successful in decreasing metabolic changes and inflammation. It has been suggested that purple carrots' inherent components might serve as a major tool in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome and cancer.
Bananas and plantains contain compounds with anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidative properties that hold promise for potentially reversing neurological disorders.
2022 Foods Suitability of Banana and Plantain Fruits in Modulating Neurodegenerative Diseases: Implicating the In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence from Neuroactive Narratives of Constituent Biomolecules Oyeyinka BO, Afolayan AJ
Anti-Apoptotic Anti-Inflammatory Antioxidant
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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