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Health Promoting Benefits of Natural Products and Functional Foods
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Health Promoting Benefits of Natural Products and Functional Foods

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 November 2024 | Viewed by 5939

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Andrea Zangara

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Euromed S.A., C/ Rec de Dalt, 21-23, Pol. Ind. Can Magarola, 08100 Mollet del Valles, Barcelona, Spain
Interests: botanicals; phytochemicals; polyphenols; nutraceuticals; functional foods; healthy ageing; psychopharmacology; cardiovascular & metabolic
Prof. Dr. Emad Al-Dujaili

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
Interests: nutrition; stress; exercise; polyphenols; steroid hormones
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Throughout history, the association between plant-based remedies, food constituents, and good health has been recognized. Modern research has focused on the therapeutic, preventive, and health optimizing potential of nutrients, leading to the emergence of research areas, such as nutrigenomics and proteomics. This has also resulted in the development of new consumer product categories, such as functional foods, nutraceuticals, and medical foods.

The growing interest in natural products is driven by consumer demands, industry advancements, and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases in aging populations. As people seek safe and effective alternatives, the potential of natural products and functional foods in promoting health and wellness gains momentum.

The scientific community is intrigued by the pleiotropic potential of natural products, particularly plant phytochemicals, which optimize physiological functions, modulate immune responses, influence epigenome activity, enhance stress adaptation, and impact body system pathophysiology. A prominent example is milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.), specifically its major active constituent, silibinin, which modulates molecular pathways related to liver health and demonstrates antitumor and chemo-preventive activities.

Understanding and identifying molecular biomarkers are crucial in establishing evidence-based claims and ensuring the safe utilization of natural products and functional foods.

This Special Issue delves into their health-promoting benefits, emphasizing their role in supporting overall well-being and preventive healthcare. We encourage the submission of manuscripts encompassing molecular investigations, preclinical studies, and clinical trials to uncover underlying molecular pathways, biological interactions, and physiological effects relevant to chronic disease prevention and health promotion. Comprehensive literature reviews are also welcome.

Dr. Andrea Zangara
Prof. Dr. Emad Al-Dujaili
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • natural products
  • functional foods
  • health promotion
  • nutrigenomics
  • evidence-based preventive healthcare
  • phytochemicals
  • biomarkers
  • chronic diseases
 

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 892 KiB  
Communication
Antimicrobial Potential of Pomegranate and Lemon Extracts Alone or in Combination with Antibiotics against Pathogens
by Grace Farhat, Lewis Cheng, Emad A. S. Al-Dujaili and Mikhajlo Zubko
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 6943; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25136943 - 25 Jun 2024
Viewed by 923
Abstract
Amidst the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance as a significant health challenge, research has emerged, focusing on elucidating the antimicrobial potential of polyphenol-rich extracts to reduce reliance on antibiotics. Previous studies explored the antifungal effects of extracts as potential alternatives to conventional therapeutic [...] Read more.
Amidst the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance as a significant health challenge, research has emerged, focusing on elucidating the antimicrobial potential of polyphenol-rich extracts to reduce reliance on antibiotics. Previous studies explored the antifungal effects of extracts as potential alternatives to conventional therapeutic strategies. We aimed to assess the antibacterial and antifungal effects of standardised pomegranate extract (PE) and lemon extract (LE) using a range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and two yeast species. Additionally, we assessed the antimicrobial activities of common antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin, Imipenem, Gentamicin, and Ceftazidime), either alone or in combination with extracts, against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. PE displayed substantial antibacterial (primarily bactericidal) and antifungal effects against most pathogens, while LE exhibited antibacterial (mostly bacteriostatic) and antifungal properties to a lesser extent. When compared with antibiotics, PE showed a greater zone of inhibition (ZOI) than Ciprofloxacin and Ceftazidime (p < 0.01) and comparable ZOI to Gentamicin (p = 0.4) against Staphylococcus aureus. However, combinations of either PE or LE with antibiotics exhibited either neutral or antagonistic effects on antibiotic activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. These findings contribute to the existing evidence regarding the antimicrobial effects of PE and LE. They add to the body of research suggesting that polyphenols exert both antagonistic and synergistic effects in antimicrobial activity. This highlights the importance of identifying optimal polyphenol concentrations that can enhance antibiotic activity and reduce antibiotic resistance. Further in vivo studies, starting with animal trials and progressing to human trials, may potentially lead to recommendation of these extracts for therapeutic use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promoting Benefits of Natural Products and Functional Foods)
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18 pages, 2128 KiB  
Article
Hydroxytyrosol, a Promising Supplement in the Management of Human Stroke: An Exploratory Study
by Ángela Naranjo, M. Josefa Álvarez-Soria, Pilar Aranda-Villalobos, Ana M. Martínez-Rodríguez, Esther Martínez-Lara and Eva Siles
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 4799; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25094799 - 27 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1374
Abstract
Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is a bioactive olive oil phenol with beneficial effects in a number of pathological situations. We have previously demonstrated that an HT-enriched diet could serve as a beneficial therapeutic approach to attenuate ischemic-stroke-associated damage in mice. Our exploratory pilot study examined [...] Read more.
Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is a bioactive olive oil phenol with beneficial effects in a number of pathological situations. We have previously demonstrated that an HT-enriched diet could serve as a beneficial therapeutic approach to attenuate ischemic-stroke-associated damage in mice. Our exploratory pilot study examined this effect in humans. Particularly, a nutritional supplement containing 15 mg of HT/day was administered to patients 24 h after the onset of stroke, for 45 days. Biochemical and oxidative-stress-related parameters, blood pressure levels, serum proteome, and neurological and functional outcomes were evaluated at 45 and 90 days and compared to a control group. The main findings were that the daily administration of HT after stroke could: (i) favor the decrease in the percentage of glycated hemoglobin and diastolic blood pressure, (ii) control the increase in nitric oxide and exert a plausible protective effect in oxidative stress, (iii) modulate the evolution of the serum proteome and, particularly, the expression of apolipoproteins, and (iv) be beneficial for certain neurological and functional outcomes. Although a larger trial is necessary, this study suggests that HT could be a beneficial nutritional complement in the management of human stroke. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promoting Benefits of Natural Products and Functional Foods)
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15 pages, 3026 KiB  
Article
Piper sarmentosum Roxb. Inhibits Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Activity in Phorbol 12-Myristate-13-Acetate-Induced Endothelial Cells
by Azizah Ugusman, Siti Marjiana Ismail, Nur Syahidah Nor Hisam, Chua Kien Hui, Mohammed S. M. Saleh, Abdul Kadir Abdul Karim, Nur Syakirah Othman, Adila A. Hamid and Amilia Aminuddin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(5), 2806; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052806 - 28 Feb 2024
Viewed by 932
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Piper sarmentosum Roxb., an herb known for its antihypertensive effect, lacks a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism underlying its antihypertensive action. This study aimed to elucidate the antihypertensive mechanism of aqueous [...] Read more.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Piper sarmentosum Roxb., an herb known for its antihypertensive effect, lacks a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism underlying its antihypertensive action. This study aimed to elucidate the antihypertensive mechanism of aqueous extract of P. sarmentosum leaves (AEPS) via its modulation of the ACE pathway in phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs were divided into five groups: control, treatment with 200 µg/mL AEPS, induction 200 nM PMA, concomitant treatment with 200 nM PMA and 200 µg/mL AEPS, and treatment with 200 nM PMA and 0.06 μM captopril. Subsequently, ACE mRNA expression, protein level and activity, angiotensin II (Ang II) levels, and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) mRNA expression in HUVECs were determined. AEPS successfully inhibited ACE mRNA expression, protein and activity, and angiotensin II levels in PMA-induced HUVECs. Additionally, AT1R expression was downregulated, whereas AT2R expression was upregulated. In conclusion, AEPS reduces the levels of ACE mRNA, protein and activity, Ang II, and AT1R expression in PMA-induced HUVECs. Thus, AEPS has the potential to be developed as an ACE inhibitor in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promoting Benefits of Natural Products and Functional Foods)
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0 pages, 752 KiB  
Article
Eleutherococcus divaricatus Fruits Decrease Hyaluronidase Activity in Blood Serum and Protect from Oxidative Damages in In Vitro Model
by Jakub Gębalski, Milena Małkowska, Dorota Gawenda-Kempczyńska, Artur Słomka, Maciej Strzemski, Jan Styczyński and Daniel Załuski
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(4), 2033; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25042033 - 7 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1035
Abstract
Fruits are very important dietary components and a source of biologically active compounds used in nutritional pharmacology. Particularly due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds, fruits play an important role in the prevention of diseases of civilization. Therefore, it is important to study [...] Read more.
Fruits are very important dietary components and a source of biologically active compounds used in nutritional pharmacology. Particularly due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds, fruits play an important role in the prevention of diseases of civilization. Therefore, it is important to study the phytochemicals and biological activity of fruits, especially those with a long-standing use in ethnomedicine. In this study, we determined the chemical profile and biological activity of a methanolic extract of the Eleutherococcus divaricatus fruits. Amongst nine polyphenols studied, only chlorogenic acid, protocatechuic acid, and eleutheroside E have been detected. The extract showed a weak anti-hyaluronidase activity from bovine testicular in a range of 9.06–37.70% and quite high for human serum hyaluronidase from children diagnosed with acute leukemia in a range of 76–86%. A weak anti-tyrosinase activity was obtained in a range of 2.94–12.46%. Moreover, the extract showed antioxidant properties against DPPH radical, ABTS radical, and O2•−. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by FRAP assay and Fe2+ ion chelation assay. These preliminary studies partially justify the traditional use of the plant in inflammatory- and immune-related diseases, in which hyaluronidase and free radicals can participate. A difference in human serum hyaluronidase inhibition may result from the inter-patient variability. Regardless of that, the results mean that polyphenolic compounds may stimulate activity of hyaluronidase, as well as to protect cells from the oxidative damages. However, further studies in ex vivo and in vivo models are needed, including blood isolated from a larger number of patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promoting Benefits of Natural Products and Functional Foods)
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Review

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30 pages, 2626 KiB  
Review
Urtica dioica: Anticancer Properties and Other Systemic Health Benefits from In Vitro to Clinical Trials
by Marc Abi Sleiman, Maria Younes, Roy Hajj, Tommy Salameh, Samir Abi Rached, Rimane Abi Younes, Lynn Daoud, Jean Louis Doumiati, Francesca Frem, Ramza Ishak, Christopher Medawar, Hassan Y. Naim and Sandra Rizk
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 7501; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137501 (registering DOI) - 8 Jul 2024
Viewed by 986
Abstract
While conventional medicine has advanced in recent years, there are still concerns about its potential adverse reactions. The ethnopharmacological knowledge established over many centuries and the existence of a variety of metabolites have made medicinal plants, such as the stinging nettle plant, an [...] Read more.
While conventional medicine has advanced in recent years, there are still concerns about its potential adverse reactions. The ethnopharmacological knowledge established over many centuries and the existence of a variety of metabolites have made medicinal plants, such as the stinging nettle plant, an invaluable resource for treating a wide range of health conditions, considering its minimal adverse effects on human health. The aim of this review is to highlight the therapeutic benefits and biological activities of the edible Urtica dioica (UD) plant with an emphasis on its selective chemo-preventive properties against various types of cancer, whereby we decipher the mechanism of action of UD on various cancers including prostate, breast, leukemia, and colon in addition to evaluating its antidiabetic, microbial, and inflammatory properties. We further highlight the systemic protective effects of UD on the liver, reproductive, excretory, cardiovascular, nervous, and digestive systems. We present a critical assessment of the results obtained from in vitro and in vivo studies as well as clinical trials to highlight the gaps that require further exploration for future prospective studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promoting Benefits of Natural Products and Functional Foods)
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