Current Nutraceuticals - Current Issue

S. barbata D. Don is a Chinese herb, that belongs to the family Lamiaceae. It has established traditional use in ethnomedicine for treating various ailments, including mood disorders and sleep disorders, which led to growing interest in exploring its neurological potential, particularly as a potential anti-depressant agent.

This study explores the anti-depressant potential of the HSBE utilizing a Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-induced depression model in mice. Additionally, the research aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action.

Swiss albino mice were subjected to a 3-week CUMS paradigm and subsequently administered HSBE at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg via oral administration. The behavioral alterations were evaluated using the FST, TST, OFT, and SPT. Brain levels of serotonin, dopamine, and nor-epinephrine were estimated in different brain regions (cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus) to uncover the molecular mechanism. Additionally, assays for monoamine oxidase-A, monoamine oxidase-B, and antioxidant enzyme activities were conducted. Plasma nitrite and corticosterone levels were also measured to get further insight into potential mechanisms underlying the anti-depressant effects of HSBE.

HSBE significantly ameliorated depressive-like behavior induced by CUMS paradigm, as evidenced by reduced immobility in FST and TST, increased locomotor activity in OFT, and improved sucrose preference in SPT. Neurochemical analysis revealed a significant increase in serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels in the cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus of HSBE-treated mice, implying a potential regulation of monoaminergic neurotransmitter levels. Moreover, biochemical analyses demonstrated a significant inhibition of both MAO-A and MAO-B activity, contributing to the increase of the brain levels of neurotransmitters. The administration of HSBE also led to a significant enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced brain lipid peroxidation, indicating a pronounced antioxidant effect of HSBE. Furthermore, decreased plasma nitrite and corticosterone levels provided additional insights into HSBE's potential multi-targeted anti-depressant mechanism.

This study indicates that HSBE exhibits robust anti-depressant properties, supported by behavioral, neurochemical, and biochemical alterations. These findings underscore the therapeutic promise of HSBE as a natural intervention for depressive disorders, warranting further clinical exploration.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) can appear due to the absence of insulin (DM1-type 1) or poor response of cells to insulin (DM2-type 2). Even though DM1 cannot be controlled using general treatments, DM2 can be easily controlled or prevented using pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, or dietary practices. Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is one such natural remedy that has been consumed against elevated blood glucose levels in the past. Cinnamon and different types of cinnamon extracts have been scientifically tested for their activities on the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes that are responsible for carbohydrate metabolism and are effective in blood glucose regulation. However, the combined effect of aqueous and ethanol extracts of cinnamon bark on blood glucose regulation is still lacking. In this study, Water Extract of Cinnamon (CWE), Ethanol Extracts of Cinnamon (hot ethanol extract of cinnamon-CHEE, cold ethanol extract of cinnamon-CEE, and 50% ethanol extract of cinnamon- CEE-50) were studied for their sugar-controlling properties.

This study was performed to identify the efficacy of different cinnamon extracts on the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, followed by animal studies to confirm the use of the extracts in nutraceutical formulations.

Water and ethanol-based extraction method was used to prepare cinnamon extracts. These extracts have been scientifically tested for their activities on the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Molecular docking studies were used to identify the binding of the active molecules to the substrate binding sites of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. In vivo time dependence postprandial blood glucose regulation studies have been performed with healthy Wistar male rats.

Yields of the CHEE, CEE, and CWE were 14±2%, 12±2%, and 8±1% respectively. According to the LCMS data, the major component in the CEE was cinnamaldehyde. Both CWE and CEE were subjected to the Total Polyphenol assay (TPC) and Total Flavonoids (TFC) assays. The TPC of CWE and CEE were 117±1 mg (Gal)/g and 170±10 mg (Gal)/g, while the TFC of CWE and CEE were 359±1 mg (Qc)/g and 254±4 mg (Qc)/g, respectively. In the α-amylase inhibition assay, Acarbose; a known α-amylase inhibitor, and CEE showed IC50 values of 65.4 ppm and 2.6 ppm, while CWE failed to show inhibition against α-amylase. In the α-glucosidase inhibition assay, Acarbose; a known α-amylase inhibitor, CEE, and CWE showed IC50 values of 312 ppm, 4.5 ppm, and 1.3 ppm, respectively. In vivo time dependence postprandial blood glucose regulation studies that have been performed with healthy Wistar male rats showed a lowering of blood glucose concentrations by 22%, 11%, and 10% of glucose at 30 min, 60 min, and 90 min compared to the control group.

The CEE contains polyphenols and flavonoids and is effective in inhibiting both α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The CWE also contains polyphenols and a comparatively higher level of flavonoids and is effective in inhibiting α-glucosidase while not affecting α-amylase inhibition. Overall, the IC50 data, TPC data, and TFC data proposed that the inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes by polyphenols may depend on the polarity of particular polyphenols. Based on the rat trials, it can be concluded that the 1:1 combination of CWE and CEE may be useful in formulating postprandial blood glucose level-regulating nutraceuticals.

Functional foods play an important role in the prevention and amelioration of metabolic syndromes leading to type 2 diabetes. Plant resources that have anti-metabolic syndromes activity, such as Morus alba L. and Cha (Camellia sinensis L.), have been used in functional foods against diabetes. Since Morus and Cha have different mechanisms of action against metabolic syndromes, such as prevention of sugar uptake and lipidosis, respectively, the combination of both resources will be a reliable approach for developing more efficient functional food against type 2 diabetes because certain synergism is expected in their functions.

Male Wister Rats were fed the high fat-high sucrose (HFHS) diet for 12 weeks, with and without supplementation of Morus and Cha alone and their combination, and the effect of their supplementation on the markers of the metabolic syndrome such as obesity, lipidosis, and fatty liver formation, were examined.

Several metabolic syndrome markers, including body weight gain, lipid deposit, and fatty liver formation, were more significantly prevented by the diet supplemented with Morus and Cha combination compared to Morus or Cha given separately.

Appropriate formulation of food resources with different functional mechanisms is a promising strategy for developing effective dietary treatment of type 2 diabetes that is a typical Mibyou.

The study aimed to develop pharmaceutical nutraceutical capsules containing extracts from sunflower seeds to treat anemia and associated diseases. Sunflower seed extract (SFSE) was obtained from Helianthus annuus L, and the phytochemicals, antioxidant vitamins and mineral compositions were evaluated.

Pharmaceutics evaluations were analyzed using the dried extracts to determine their flowability. The extracts were further formulated into capsule dosage forms and evaluated. The phytochemical screening of sunflower seed extract and powdered crude indicated the presence of tannin, flavonoid, phenol, saponins, phytate, oxalate, alkaloids and steroids. The quantitative phytochemical composition of sunflower seed extract revealed a high alkaloid content of 11.80 ± 0.02%, steroid composition of 2.80 ± 0.01% and a phenolic compound of 0.02 ± 0.00%. SFSE also showed different amounts of antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and E. Vitamin C (1924.20 µg/mg) was significantly the highest (p<0.05), followed by vitamin E (42.01±1.02 µg/mg), and the least was vitamin A (18.01 µg/mg). The micromeritics studies of the dried powdered extract revealed an excellent flow. The extracts were adequately formulated in capsules using hard-shell gelatin capsules in combination with compatible pharmaceutical-grade excipients. The uniformity of capsule weight showed an average weight of 488 mg ± 0.7377% and 492 mg ± 0.3252%.

The data obtained from the extracts' content analysis showed that the extracts and all their constituents were neither affected by formulation procedures nor excipients. Hence, they exhibited an average content of 98 ± 0.07%. Zinc, iron, copper, manganese, and selenium in sunflower seeds could provide antioxidants, which can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction, improving health status and the blood's red blood cell composition.

SFSE capsules were stable and could be used to mask the taste and odor of this extract to enhance patient compliance.

The aim of this in-depth review is to provide an overview of the pharmacological effects of Lobelia trigona and its bioactive components, highlighting its potential as a source of medicinal agents for various diseases.

This review involved a comprehensive analysis of existing literature and research studies on the pharmacological effects of Lobelia trigona and its bioactive compounds. A bibliography survey was carried out using various electronic databases like Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Springer, Scopus, PubMed, Wiley, etc., and other offline as well as online academic libraries were also used for the bibliography survey and compilation of data.

Lobelia trigona was found to exhibit diverse pharmacological effects, primarily mediated by bioactive alkaloids, such as lobeline, lobelanidine, and lobelanine. It demonstrated bronchodilator effects with potential applications in respiratory conditions, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties for treating painful and inflammatory conditions, and cardiovascular effects, including vasodilation and hypotensive effects. The alkaloid lobeline was reported to have promising anti-addictive effects, particularly in smoking cessation. Nanocarrier-based formulations have the potential to address limitations, improve dosing schedules, and enhance the pharmacological effects of Lobelia trigona.

Lobelia trigona demonstrates diverse pharmacological effects, primarily attributed to its bioactive alkaloids. It holds promise as a source of medicinal agents for a range of diseases. The potential synergy between the pharmacological effects of Lobelia trigona and nanocarrier technology highlights the significance of nanotechnology in improving Lobelia trigona-based therapeutics. However, further research is warranted to determine the clinical effectiveness, safety, biocompatibility, and long-term effects of nanocarrier-based Lobelia trigona formulations in different disease models.