Search Results (14,493)

This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the botany, phytochemical composition, and dermatological effects of Cydonia oblonga (CO), with a particular focus on its therapeutic mechanisms across various skin conditions. Among the different parts of the plant, the fruit and peel are especially rich in bioactive compounds, primarily polyphenols such as phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and flavonoids, which are known for their potent antioxidant activity. These constituents contribute significantly to the fruit and peel’s health-promoting properties. To date, multiple extracts derived from various CO parts have been studied in both in vitro and in vivo models. Reported dermatological effects include antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, UV-protective, moisturizing, and anti-aging effects, as well as beneficial outcomes in conditions such as wound healing, erythema, and hyperpigmentation. As a result, formulations containing CO-derived compounds have been developed for use in both diseased and healthy skin care. However, only a limited number of these effects have been validated in human clinical studies. Given the promising results from preclinical research, future directions should prioritize in vivo investigations in human subjects to determine optimal concentrations and delivery systems for targeting specific skin disorders. Full article

Plant-derived compounds offer immense therapeutic potential, yet many suffer from limited solubility, instability, and poor bioavailability, restricting their clinical application. Curcumin, a polyphenol extracted from Curcuma longa, is one such molecule, with proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. To overcome its pharmacokinetic limitations, we developed Jamamina, a sustainable nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) system incorporating curcumin and a Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NaDES) phase composed of malic acid and betaine. The bioinspired formulation, based on Amazonian tucumã butter and jambu oil, achieved high encapsulation efficiency (>80%) and curcumin amorphization, enhancing solubility and colloidal stability. In vitro assays with L132 demonstrated potent antioxidant activity (DPPH), a significant reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), and upregulation of IL-10. The system also suppressed MMP-2/9 activity and preserved cytoskeletal integrity under oxidative stress. These findings highlight Jamamina as a multifunctional, eco-friendly nanoplatform that enables the pharmacological application of plant-derived curcumin, representing a promising platform for modulating redox balance and investigating inflammation in epithelial-like contexts. Full article

Hairless canary seed (Phalaris canariensis L.) can play significant roles in human health and nutrition due to its unique nutrient profile. It belongs to the Gramineae family similar to common cereal grains like wheat, rice and corn. On the other hand, the traditional canary seed is characterized by the presence of silicified spicules or hairs on the hulls of the kernel that could pose health hazards to humans. The hairless canary seed was developed in Canada by a conventional breeding program to mitigate the health concerns associated with the silicified hairs. The hairless grain is silica free, i.e., totally glabrous, and is granted regulatory food approvals by Health Canada and US-FDA. The hairless grain holds a great potential as a whole grain functional food ingredient due to its unique nutritional and functional attributes. As a cereal grain, it is rich in protein that is non-gluten and exceptionally high in tryptophan and bioactive peptides. The grain also contains reasonable amounts of carotenoids, polyphenols, and healthy unsaturated oil. Because of these special characteristics, it is considered a promising nutritious and therapeutic food. This review provides insights into the potential of hairless canary seed as a functional ingredient in products designed to mitigate oxidative stress, diabetes and celiac disease and/or to improve vision and cognition. Full article

In humans, the bioactivity of polyphenols is highly dependent on dose intake and their interactions with the gastrointestinal tract and gut microbiota, which metabolize polyphenols into bioactive or inactive derivatives. Polyphenols are only partially absorbed in the small intestine, where enzymatic hydrolysis releases aglycone forms that may cross the gut barrier. A significant proportion of polyphenols escapes absorption and reaches the colon, where resident microbes convert them into simpler phenolic metabolites. Such molecules are often more bioavailable than the parent compounds and can enter systemic circulation, leading to distant effects. Although higher polyphenol consumption has been associated with preventive and therapeutic outcomes, even low intake or poor intestinal absorption may still confer benefits, as polyphenols in the colon can positively modulate gut microbiota composition and function, contributing to favorable shifts in the microbial metabolome. These interactions can influence host metabolic, immune, and neurological pathways, particularly through the gut–liver–brain axis. To provide a comprehensive understanding of these relationships, this review examines the dose-related activity of polyphenols, their microbiota-mediated biotransformation, their bioavailability, and the health effects of their metabolites, while also presenting a comparative overview of key studies in the field. We underscore the importance of integrating microbiome and polyphenol research to recapitulate and contextualize the health benefits of dietary polyphenols. Full article

Background/Objectives: Low semen quality and male infertility are critical global health issues. Emerging research highlights that nutritional factors could play a significant role in determining reproductive outcomes. Understanding and optimizing these dietary influences, including the role of polyphenols, is crucial for developing targeted strategies to improve male fertility. We aimed to explore the relationship between the intake of different classes of polyphenols and semen quality indicators in a cohort of healthy young males. Methods: This is a secondary analysis involving 106 male individuals, aged 18–35 years, from the FERTINUTS trial. Dietary intake was assessed using 3-day dietary records, and semen quality parameters were analyzed. Multivariable linear regression analysis was employed to evaluate the associations between dietary polyphenol consumption and semen quality indicators. Results: Our findings revealed both positive and negative associations between polyphenol consumption and sperm morphology parameters. A higher intake of total polyphenols was associated with a lower percentage of abnormalities in sperm heads but a higher rate of abnormalities in the principal piece. Similar results were observed for lignan and flavonoid intake. Additionally, a higher intake of flavonoids was also associated with a greater percentage of normal sperm forms. In contrast, a higher dietary intake of stilbenes was associated with a higher percentage of combined abnormalities. Conclusions: Higher intake of polyphenols, particularly flavonoids and lignans, was associated with improved sperm head morphology but also with increased tail abnormalities, although no associations with motility or vitality were observed. These results suggest that specific polyphenol classes may have both beneficial and adverse effects on sperm structure, warranting consideration of compound type and dosage in dietary recommendations. Further studies are needed to determine whether these morphological changes impact fertilization outcomes and reproductive potential. Full article

Background/Objectives: Despite its growing application, life-cycle assessment (LCA) in the nutraceutical sector has not been systematically studied, leaving a gap in our understanding of the unique challenges of assessing its environmental footprint. The main objective of this study was to provide an overview of scientific publications related to nutraceuticals from the LCA perspective. Methods: This review combined bibliometric analysis, using VOSViewer as an analytic tool, with the search of the Web of Science database, aiming to identify the most relevant papers associated with nutraceuticals and life-cycle assessment. Results: The final selection of the most relevant publications was set at 65, analyzing 78 different nutraceuticals. Results reveal that the main sources of raw materials for extraction of nutraceuticals are marine-based, plant-based, and from agri-food waste. Polyphenols were analyzed 34 times and were predominantly sourced from plants, while carotenoids, analyzed 17 times, were mainly linked with marine-based and food waste-derived sources. The main environmental footprints were focused on climate change, covering most of the nutraceuticals analyzed (97.4%), followed by acidification (78.2%) and eutrophication (74.4%). SimaPro was the prevailing software used for 43.6% nutraceuticals, while the prevailing database was Ecoinvent, used in two thirds of the cases (66.7%). ReCiPe, as a life-cycle inventory assessment method, was used for calculating 34.6% of analyzed cases, followed by CML (33.3%). Conclusions: This systematic review highlights the main challenge in LCA studies, outlining great variability in study boundaries, functional units, and reported environmental footprints, and making it difficult to compare the environmental impacts of similar nutraceutical groups from a life-cycle perspective. This underscores the urgent need to improve input-data quality and develop standardized methodologies to validate sustainability claims using LCA. Full article

Polyphenols play a crucial role in promoting human health. This study aims to investigate the polyphenols of black hulless barley bran (HBP) and evaluate their anti-diabetic mechanisms in vivo. Using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS, 27 compounds were identified in HBP, including four phenolic acids, 14 flavonoids, and nine anthocyanidins. High contents of Chrysoeriol 7-O-glucuronide (42.09 mg/g), Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (21.02 mg/g), and Cyanidin 3-O-(6″-O-malonyl)-glucoside (24.45 mg/g) were quantified via UPLC in HBP. Administration of HBP significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG), improved glucose intolerance and lipid profiles, and alleviated liver and pancreatic damage in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) mice. Furthermore, it enhanced serum antioxidant enzyme activities and modulated inflammatory cytokines. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that HBP influenced signal transduction and the immune system, particularly in key signaling pathways, including Hippo, TGF-beta, HIF-1, and p53, associated with T2DM. Although HBP had minimal impact on gut microbiota diversity and SCFA levels, it presents a promising candidate for T2DM intervention through its multifaceted mechanisms. Full article

Oxidative stress plays a key role in tissue damage during inflammation, highlighting the need for effective antioxidant interventions. This study investigates the antioxidant potential of argan oil (AO)—obtained from Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels almonds—in comparison with olive oil (OO), cactus seed oil (CSO), and colza oil (CO). Quantitative analyses of total polyphenols and pigments—including chlorophylls, carotenoids, and xanthophylls—were conducted alongside antioxidant capacity assessments via DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The methanolic fraction consistently demonstrated the highest phenolic concentration and antioxidant efficacy across all oils. To establish in vivo relevance, a male C57BL/6J mouse model of acute oxidative stress was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Pretreatment with oils significantly modulated key oxidative stress biomarkers—SOD, CAT, GPx activities, GSH levels, and lipid peroxidation (MDA)—in both heart and kidney. LPS challenge induced marked oxidative imbalance, notably increasing enzymatic activity and MDA levels, while depleting GSH in the heart and elevating it in the kidney. However, pretreatment with oils effectively restored redox homeostasis, with AO showing particularly potent effects and a stronger regulatory effect observed in the kidney. Hierarchical clustering of z-score-normalized heatmaps revealed distinct oxidative stress signatures, clearly separating LPS-treated heart and kidney tissues from other groups due to heightened oxidative markers. In contrast, oil-treated and oil-combined-with-LPS groups clustered closer to the control, underscoring the protective effect of oils against LPS-induced oxidative stress, with efficiency varying by oil type. Pearson correlation analysis, complemented by multivariate principal component analysis (PCA), further emphasized strong positive associations between antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) and MDA levels, while GSH exhibited tissue-specific behavior—negatively correlated in the heart but positively in the kidney—highlighting divergent redox regulation between organs. Collectively, AO demonstrated robust cardioprotective and nephroprotective properties, supporting its potential as a natural dietary strategy against inflammation-induced oxidative stress. Full article

Kefir is a historic dairy-fermented beverage produced using lactic acid bacteria and yeast as a starter culture and is considered nutritious with a good taste. Many studies have been conducted to incorporate various possible functional materials into kefir to enhance its nutritional value. This study aims to enrich kefir with 0.25% and 0.5% of Stinging nettle (Sn) powder before fermentation to improve its nutritional value. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a nutritious and multifunctional herb with a variety of healthful components such as fibers and polyphenols; it has significant potential as a useful food functional ingredient. The physicochemical, microbial, and nutritional properties of kefir fortified with Sn were examined weekly during refrigerated storage for 21 days. The results showed that adding Stinging nettle significantly (p < 0.05) increased the probiotic counts from 7.90 ± 0.22 log to 8.46 ± 0.19 log CFU/g, antioxidant activity (4%), and total polyphenol contents (5%) in kefir yogurt after 12 days of refrigerated storage. The addition of Sn also had a positive effect on the acidity of kefir and increased the viscosity and the syneresis to a certain extent. Furthermore, adding Sn increased lactic acid bacteria counts and the production of short-chain fatty acids after in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation. The results of this study indicated the potential use of Sn powder as a functional ingredient in kefir yogurt and other similar products. Full article

Breast cancer remains a formidable global health challenge, with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) posing unique clinical complexities. Characterized by its aggressive nature and limited number of specific therapeutic targets, this breast cancer subtype disproportionately affects African American women, highlighting critical disparities in care. The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) plays a critical role in breast cancer development and response to immunotherapy, and it is essential in fostering an immunosuppressive and pro-inflammatory niche. Inflammation, primarily mediated by the NF-κB signaling pathway and chemokine signaling, particularly involving CCL2, plays a pivotal role in TNBC progression and therapy resistance. This review describes some of the molecular mechanisms of polyphenols, which are naturally occurring compounds abundant in various dietary sources, and their potential use as therapeutic agents in the management of TNBC. Polyphenolic compounds have been described as modulating the TIME through the inhibition of tumor progression, immune evasion, and therapy resistance, due to their diverse bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, making them attractive candidates for combating the aggressiveness of TNBC and addressing treatment disparities. Polyphenols, such as curcumin, gossypol, butein, epigallocatechin gallate, cardamonin, and resveratrol, have demonstrated efficacy in modulating several signaling pathways within the TIME, which are implicated in the progression of TNBC. This review highlights the potential effects of polyphenols on inflammatory cytokine release, programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, which is associated with immune evasion by the host cell, and various intracellular signaling cascades, demonstrating their potential use in personalized therapeutic interventions for TNBC. This study also describes differential responses of TNBC cell lines to polyphenol treatment, highlighting the importance of considering genetic variability in therapeutic strategies, as well as the importance of the interaction of polyphenols with the gut microbiome, which may establish the bioavailability and effectiveness of these compounds toward therapeutic outcomes. Further preclinical and clinical studies are warranted to fully elucidate the therapeutic potential of polyphenols and translate these findings into clinical practice, thereby improving outcomes for patients with TNBC worldwide. Full article

Salvia yangii is a popular garden plant known for its medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and skin protective properties of S. yangii extracts, which have not previously been studied in this regard. Comparison of the water–ethanol extract obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with a CO₂ extract showed that the former had higher content of polyphenolic compounds. Chromatographic analyses of UAE identified such phenolic compounds as rosmarinic acid, hesperidin, and caffeic acid. The biological properties of UAE were also tested in vitro on 15 microbial strains as well as on two lines of skin cells. In addition, a hydrogel and lotion based on the extract were tested for rheological and textural properties. This study showed that S. yangii extract can be a valuable natural cosmetic material owing to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, photoprotective, and anti-aging effects. The future use of S. yangii extracts in the cosmetic industry is promising due to its particular chemical profile and biological properties. Full article

Grafting is a common agricultural technique widely used in horticulture plants to improve stress tolerance, increase yield and improve quality. However, the biochemical processes underlying graft healing, especially the temporal dynamics and specific roles of polyphenolic metabolites, remain largely unknown. Polyphenols, widely present in plants, possess many biological activities, including antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Temporal-resolution metabolomics, a powerful tool for studying metabolite dynamics over time, offers insights into the metabolic changes during this critical phase. To better understand this process, internodes above and below the graft site were harvested from 12 time points after grafting in both non-grafted and grafted peppers for polyphenolic metabolism analyses. In this study, we describe the accumulation pattern of 432 polyphenol metabolites. By comparing with the control group, nine polyphenolics were identified that responded to graft healing. The high temporal-resolution metabolomics reported here provides a basic resource for future functional study to unravel the genetic control of pepper graft development. Full article

Oxidative stress is the key contributor to the onset of numerous diseases. Herein, we develop tea polyphenol–zinc (Tp-Zn) using a metal–polyphenol coordination strategy through a simple hybrid approach. The product is characterized by methods such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to evaluate the particle size and potential of Tp-Zn. Oxidative stress was induced in mice by administering diquat (25 mg/kg body weight) followed by pre-treatment with 210 mg/kg body weight tea polyphenols (TPs), 280 mg/kg body weight Tp-Zn, and 70 mg/kg body weight ZnSO₄ for 7 days. Results showed that Tp-Zn treatment significantly improved intestinal barrier function by preventing the diquat-induced down-regulation of tight junction proteins Zonula Occludens protein 1 (ZO-1) and occludin. It also mitigated liver inflammation and damage, as evidenced by reduced serum levels of Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and Alkaline phosphatase (AKP). Furthermore, Tp-Zn enhanced the antioxidant response in both the intestine and liver by up-regulating the mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes and reducing the levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to the diquat group (DIQ group). Also, the detection of ROS in the small intestine confirmed Tp-Zn markedly increased intestinal Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression compared to the control group. This study aims to clarify that metal–polyphenol coordination with multifaceted regulation of the inflammatory microenvironment could be a novel approach for preventing or treating oxidative stress-related diseases. Full article

Olive oil, a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet, is increasingly recognized not only for its cardiovascular benefits but also for its potential role in cancer prevention and therapy. Among its bioactive constituents, several phenolic compounds—tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, oleacein, and oleocanthal—have demonstrated promising anticancer activities in various experimental models. These compounds act synergistically through diverse mechanisms, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects, as well as modulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Notably, oleocanthal selectively induces cancer cell death via lysosomal membrane permeabilization, while hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein exhibit potent radical-scavenging and anti-proliferative properties. This review synthesizes findings from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies on the anticancer potential of these polyphenols, with emphasis on their mechanisms of action and possible applications in cancer prevention and adjunctive therapy. Given the established link between obesity and cancer development, clinical studies examining the metabolic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects of olive polyphenols in populations with obesity or prediabetes provide valuable insights into their potential to influence cancer-related pathways indirectly. However, direct clinical evidence in cancer patients remains limited and preliminary, underscoring the need for focused, well-controlled trials with cancer-specific endpoints. Furthermore, it critically evaluates the translational relevance of these findings, highlighting gaps in clinical research and future directions. Literature was retrieved from Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect using keywords such as cancer, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, olive, tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, oleacein, and oleocanthal. Given the rising global cancer burden and the favorable safety profiles of these natural molecules, elucidating their molecular actions may support the development of novel integrative therapeutic strategies. Full article

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of global mortality, despite advances in adult-focused prevention and therapy. Mounting evidence supports the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) paradigm, which identifies early-life exposures as critical determinants of long-term cardiovascular health. Among the key mechanistic pathways, oxidative stress and gut microbiota dysbiosis have emerged as central, interrelated contributors to cardiovascular programming. Prenatal and postnatal insults can induce sustained redox imbalance and disrupt microbial homeostasis. This disruption creates a feed-forward loop that predisposes offspring to CVD later in life. Antioxidants offer a promising reprogramming strategy by targeting both oxidative stress and gut microbiota composition. Preclinical studies demonstrate that maternal antioxidant interventions—such as vitamins, amino acids, melatonin, polyphenols, N-acetylcysteine, and synthetic agents—can restore redox homeostasis, modulate gut microbial communities, and attenuate cardiovascular risk in offspring. This review synthesizes current evidence on how oxidative stress and gut microbiota act together to shape cardiovascular trajectories. It also examines how antioxidant-based therapies may disrupt this pathological axis during critical developmental windows. Although human data remain limited due to ethical and practical constraints, advancing microbiota-targeted antioxidant interventions may offer a transformative approach to prevent CVD at its origins. Full article