Kaempferol is a dietary polyphenol with abundant bioactivities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer. However, its poor bioavailability limits the utilization. Therefore, food-grade delivery formulations are explored to overcome it. In this study, kaempferol was loaded into deamidated zein/pectin to prepare complex nanoparticles (KZN) with a diameter of 158.3 nm and loading efficiency of 89.54%. The kaempferol exists in amorphous form within the complex nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions were the main force holding these complexes together. Heating, sodium chloride addition and pH changes did not result in aggregation of KZN. Compared with free kaempferol, the bioaccessibility of kaempferol complexed with zein nanoparticle was enhanced 2-fold, which attributed to higher antioxidant activities. Overall, this study indicates that the KZN had great potential as a delivery technique for hydrophobic compounds in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.
Mushrooms are widely recognized and consumed for their nutraceutical and medicinal values due to the presence of biologically active compounds particularly beta-glucans, phenolic, flavonoid, proteins and minerals. Beta-glucans are complex polysaccharides composed of glucose units linked mainly by u03B2-(1u21923) and u03B2-(1u21926) glycosidic bonds. Beta-glucans remain major structural components of mushroom cell wall and have gained attention for their prebiotic, immunomodulatory, and gut-health-promoting properties. One important functional role of mushroom u03B2-glucans is their ability to support the viability and activity of probiotic microorganisms especially species of Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, and Bifidobacterium. The paper therefore, review the beneficial roles played by mushroom u03B2 -glucans on the viability and biofunctional activities of lactic acid bacteria.
Obesity-diabetes syndrome poses a considerable risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Our study was designed to explore therapeutic potential of u03B3-oryzanol (Orz), a brown rice-specific oil composed of ferulic acid ester with several phytosterols, on MCI in high-fat diet (HFD) induced obese aged mice. After being housed on an HFD for 4 months, regular Orz or the nanoparticulated form of Orz (Nano-Orz), which markedly enhances its intestinal absorption, was administered to aged mice. Mice treated with regular Orz for 4 months exhibited significant improvement in spatial cognitive function. Impressively, mice treated with Nano-Orz demonstrated cognitive improvement as early as 1 month, with substantial recovery by 3 months. In the hippocampus, treatment with both regular Orz and Nano-Orz upregulated genes associated with neurogenesis and stem cell function accompanied by a significant increase in gene expressions of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Our data highlight a therapeutic potential of Orz for obesity-associated MCI.
Japanese-style diets have been linked to Japanu2019s long life expectancy. However, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases has increased as Japanese diets have become more influenced by Western food culture. Since it is impossible to administer a lifelong diet to humans, rodent studies have addressed the question of which diet is linked to longevity. National surveys were used to compile menus representative of the Japanese diet at various points over several decades. These studies found that the typical Japanese diet in the late 1990s was healthier than the American diet at that time. Furthermore, mice fed a Japanese diet from 1975 showed the slowest aging and longest life expectancy compared to those fed diets from more recent years. Characteristic components of the 1975 Japanese diet included fish, vegetables, fruits, seaweed, soybean foods, dashi soup stock, and fermented seasonings. Although human studies suggest that the 1975 Japanese diet is healthier than the typical Japanese diet today, more research is needed to confirm these results when considering other lifestyle factors.
Intestinal barrier exerts a fundamental role in homeostasis and loss of barrier integrity is often implicated in diseases. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of tectochrysin (TEC), a flavonoid broadly existing in dietary plants, on the intestinal barrier dysfunction in DSS-induced colitis mice. TEC treatment significantly improved DSS-induced clinical performances and intestinal pathological alterations including high scores of disease activity index (DAI), shortened colon length, apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells and loss of tight junction (TJ) molecules. As for the mechanism, TEC suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-u03B1, IFN-u03B3), alleviated macrophage infiltration, and shifted macrophage polarization from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. Furthermore, TEC targeted DSS-induced MAPK-NF-u03BAB-MLCK signal cascade in inflamed intestine. Consequently, our findings suggested that administration of dietary flavonoid TEC effectively ameliorated DSS-induced intestinal barrier damage and offered a potential therapeutic strategy for intestinal barrier dysfunction.
Lipid based therapeutics represent a clinically influential segment of the global pharmaceutical market and illustrate how the Food as Medicine concept can be translated into rigorously validated drugs. Lovaza/Omacor is a defining example: originally derived from a supplement grade omega-3 mixture, it progressed through large cardiovascular outcome trials such as GISSI Prevenzione and ultimately achieved full medicinal status, becoming the most commercially successful omega-3 drug worldwide. This trajectory is not unique. Retinoids and prostaglandin analogues show that lipid derived or nutrient related molecules can evolve into major therapeutic classes once they are purified, standardized, and clinically tested. Across fatty acids, prostaglandins, and retinoids, successful agents share clear mechanisms of action, controllable pharmacokinetics, and robust outcome level evidenceu2014exemplified by icosapent ethyl and bempedoic acid in cardiovascular prevention, prostacyclins in pulmonary arterial hypertension, and retinoids in dermatology. By contrast, many investigational lipid compounds fail due to mechanistic ambiguity, safety liabilities, chemical instability, or poor regulatory fit. Cross-class analysis shows that lipid drugs succeed when their inherent biological promiscuity is constrained through formulation, structural refinement, and targeted delivery. Looking ahead, progress is expected from intravenous omega-3 emulsions, stable specialized pro resolving mediator analogues, next generation retinoids, and precision lipid modulators designed to harness endogenous signalling with greater specificity.
Brown rice bran fermented with Aspergillus oryzae (FBRA), produced via fermentation of rice bran with the specific fungus, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in murine models. Because oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are critical in the brain aging and cognitive impairment, we hypothesized that FBRA would improve cognitive function. We explored the impact of FBRA on cognitive impairment in mice focusing on cognitive behaviors and the profile of hippocampal gene expression. Twenty-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups: lab chow (LCD), LCD+FBRA, high fat diet (HFD), and HFD+FBRA. After fifty weeks, cognitive function was examined by two behavioral tests. FBRA administration significantly improved cognitive function under both LCD and HFD conditions. Hippocampal microarray analyses revealed that expression levels of immediate early genes including Egr1 and Nr4a1 were exclusively increased in LCD+FBRA compared to LCD. These findings raise a possibility that FBRA improves cognitive function in aged mice at least partly by modulating hippocampal gene expression.
Dietary supplements with label or packaging references to thermogenesis, fat burn, weight loss, or similar terms contain poorly documented ingredient identities. The 98 US products contained 337 ingredients that were divided into six categories using manufacturer product labeling and indicated quantities. There were 135 different raw plant or plant extract ingredients, with 22 present in three or more products, and green tea (521 u00B1 1,334 mg) being most common in 32 products. There were 49 small molecule isolates, with 11 in three or more products, with caffeine (181 u00B1 59 mg) being the most common in 36 products. There were 14 minerals, with 10 in three or more products, and chromium (268 u00B1 282 mg) being most common in 12 products. There were 13 vitamins, with 10 in three or more products, and cobalamin (49 u00B1 78 u00B5g) being most common in 15 products. Amino acid and lipid categories were also identified with under 10 ingredients in each class. Ingredients described as proprietary, formulas, or blends were present in 44 of the 98 products. Thermogenic and weight loss supplement ingredients are very heterogeneous, complicating clinical understanding of their efficacy or safety for use in the USA or global marketplace.
Phosphorylated peptides derived from egg yolk phosvitin (PPP) have been reported with various physiological functions such as mineral absorption promoting, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the animal/clinical study and commercial application of PPP was hampered by the difficulties in phosvitin purification and peptide fragmentation. This study introduced a new approach to prepare phosphopeptides from egg yolk granules to avoid difficulties obtaining purified phosvitin. The egg yolk granules were first dephosphorylated by 0.2 N NaOH for 0.5 h and then hydrolyzed by eight enzymes, respectively. Pancreatin produced the highest degree of hydrolysis of 24.2% with a protein recovery of 41.8% and nitrogen to phosphorus atomic ratio of 19.1, which is comparable to commercial casein phosphopeptides. In the pancreatin hydrolysate 15 peptide sequences were characterized from three phosvitin domains: AKTSSSSSSASSTATSSSSSSASSPN (PV 9-34), DEEENDQV (PV 40-47) and SGHLEDDSSSSSSSSVLSKIWG (PV 190-211). In addition, 54 peptides were characterized from lipovitellins, and 26 of them were phosphorylated. This experiment suggests that it is feasible to produce phosphopeptides from granules instead of purified phosvitin.
Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. is a medicinal plant that is cultivated in many countries around the world. The major bioactives of C. tinctoria include marein, flavanomarein, okanin, isookanin and others; among them, marein and flavanomarein are the dominant components, whereas the others present in minor amounts, although they have demonstrated significant biological activities. Continued pharmacological research of flavanomarein, okanin, and isookanin requires sufficient amounts of these components, therefore, this study investigated the efficient biotransformation of marein to flavanomarein, okanin, and isookanin. By screening different enzyme types and optimizing reaction conditions (temperature, concentration, time, and pH), the optimal enzymatic conditions for converting marein to its corresponding cyclic isomer and aglycone were determined. Under enzymatic catalysis, marein and flavanomarein were transformed into their aglycones, okanin and isookanin, respectively. The optimal conditions were as follows: enzyme activity 25 U/mL (VinoTasteu00AE proline enzyme), 37 u2103, pH 8.0, and a reaction time of 2 h. Under these conditions, marein yielded 34.56% okanin and 18.31% isookanin, while flavanomarein yielded 92.25% isookanin. This study reports, for the first time, the efficient enzymatic conversion of Coreopsis tinctoria flavonoid glycosides into their aglycones.
A standardized extract of cultured Lentinula edodes mycelia (ECLM) has been reported to enhance innate and acquired immunity and suppress chronic inflammation. The present study revealed that the aqueous extract of ECLM significantly enhanced the phagocytic activity of J774A.1 macrophages. After fractionation, 23 distinct 2,5-diketopiperazines (DKPs) were identified in the active fraction, of which 12 were detected at concentrations u22651 u00B5mol/kg or L in various samples from rats after oral administration of ECLM at 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg. These bioavailable DKPs did not suppress phagocytosis in LPS-stimulated macrophages, whereas DKPs significantly suppressed LPS-induced NO and IL-6 productions. In the absence of LPS, these DKPs significantly enhanced phagocytosis in macrophages to levels similar to those achieved by the calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) allosteric agonist R-568, which was partially abolished by the CaSR allosteric antagonist NPS-2143. These facts indicate that DKPs in ECLM have dual roles in promoting innate immune responses without inducing proinflammatory responses, possibly via allosteric CaSR activation.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes oxidative stress and DNA damage in skin cells. This study investigated the protective effects of bioactive-rich extracts prepared from upcycled kale powder using UV-induced human skin fibroblasts (WS1 cells) in vitro. The extracts were prepared using ultrasound-assisted extraction [K(U)] and microwave-assisted extraction [K(M)]. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS) demonstrated that K(M) contains higher concentrations of major bioactive phytochemicals, including phenolic acids, carotenoids, glucosinolates and flavonoids, than K(U). Both extracts contributed to higher cell viability (u0026gt;80%) at concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 u00B5g/mL compared to the UV-exposed control. Furthermore, the kale extracts and all tested phytochemicals (0.001-100 u00B5g/mL) significantly reduced UV-induced reactive oxygen species (p u0026lt; 0.05) compared to the UV-treated control. UV irradiation increased DNA damage, while K(U) at 0.01 and 0.1 u00B5g/mL, chlorogenic acid at 0.1 u00B5g/mL, and sulforaphane at 0.001 and 0.01 u00B5g/mL significantly reduced DNA damage compared to the UV-treated control, as determined using phosphorylated H2A histone (u03B3-H2AX) immunofluorescence assay. Therefore, phytochemical-rich kale extracts demonstrate potential in protecting skin fibroblasts from UV-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage, suggesting potential applications in cosmeceutical formulations for skin protection against UV radiation.
Essential oils (EOs), complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds derived from aromatic plants, have demonstrated significant therapeutic potential for neurological and psychiatric disorders through multi-targeted mechanisms. This comprehensive review synthesizes current evidence regarding the neurological effects of essential oil components, with emphasis on psychiatric disorders (depression and anxiety), sleep disorders (insomnia), and neurodegenerative diseases (particularly Alzheimeru2019s disease). The major bioactive constituentsu2014including monoterpenes (linalool, u03B1-pinene, limonene, 1,8-cineole), sesquiterpenes (u03B2-caryophyllene, patchoulol), and phenylpropanoids (cinnamaldehyde, eugenol)u2014exert neuroprotective effects through convergent mechanisms despite compositional diversity. These mechanisms encompass modulation of neurotransmitter systems (GABAergic, serotonergic, dopaminergic, cholinergic), regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, inhibition of pathological protein aggregation, enhancement of neurotrophic factor expression, and receptor-mediated neuroprotection involving GABAA and cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptors. The convergence of diverse phytochemical compositions on common therapeutic targets suggests potential for personalized approaches based on individual tolerability profiles, while the multi-targeted nature of EOs aligns with the multifactorial pathogenesis of neurological disorders, supporting their investigation as complementary therapeutic strategies.
Upcycling and zero-waste food processing are transforming how we think about leftovers from farms, fisheries, and food production. Instead of letting nutrient-rich coproducts go to waste, new sustainable technologies - such as smart fermentation, green extraction methods, and innovative biotransformation - can turn them into valuable ingredients for healthy foods, supplements, and even animal feed. These materials often contain proteins, fibers, beneficial fats, and health-promoting bioactive compounds. By reclaiming them, we not only reduce landfill use and environmental impact but also strengthen food security, support local economies, and move closer to a truly circular food system. This review highlights sustainable strategies for valorizing agricultural, oilseed, and marine coproducts into high-value functional ingredients and industrial materials, thereby advancing the transition toward a zero-waste, circular bioeconomy.
Food with enhanced health benefits has gained global popularity, surpassing traditional food science and nutrition. This trend influences consumer behavior, health, longevity, and food systems. However, it strains value chains, from traditional production to scientifically advanced foods, including regulatory processes. Functional Food is expected to be safe and support wellness, disease prevention, and healthy lifestyles. In Asia, functional food development has grown competitive, driven by accelerated academic Ru0026amp;D. Yet, regulatory challenges hinder product health claim approval. This presentation shares a policy study and proposes systemic infra-structure and capacity building needs for intervention. Examples of Thailandu2019s Food with Function Claims (FFC) and other concepts will be discussed.
Oral intake of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) reduces stress and promotes relaxation, but its effect on esports performance is unclear. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 21 MOBA-genre esports players were enrolled; 18 were analyzed after prespecified exclusions. Thirty minutes after ingesting 200 mg GABA or placebo, players completed the Mobalytics Proving Ground (MPG), a standardized MOBA micro-performance battery. Frontal EEG at Fp1 yielded an SMR-weighted, EEG-derived engagement index, a putative EEG marker of task engagement (flow). GABA increased total MPG score and the engagement index versus placebo (p u0026lt; 0.05). Higher u0394SMR was associated with higher MPG scores (r = 0.418, p = 0.011), and the u0394SMR u00D7 treatment interaction was not significant (F(1,16) = 0.367, p = 0.553). These findings indicate that oral GABA intake can enhance immediately micro-management performance under cognitive load accompanied by increasing EEG-indexed engagement in esports.
Dementia has become a widespread public health issue. Preventing Alzheimeru2019s disease and other forms of dementia is a significant challenge. Observational studies suggest that certain nutritional factors may provide cognitive benefits. However, nutritional epidemiology studies have only inconsistently found an association between food or nutrition and cognitive decline, dementia, or Alzheimeru2019s disease. Clinical trials of dietary and nutritional interventions have generally been unable to demonstrate a reduction in cognitive impairment. The available intervention results were usually small, heterogeneous, and statistically insignificant. Long-term interventions may be necessary to demonstrate an effect. Nevertheless, our understanding of risk factors for dementia and potential preventive measures is improving. There is high potential for preventing dementia; nearly half of cases could theoretically be prevented by eliminating 14 modifiable risk factors. Four of these risk factorsu2014including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesityu2014are nutrition-related. Lifestyle changes related to diet and nutrition that aim to decrease the risk of dementia should include maintaining a systolic blood pressure of 130 mmHg or less starting at age 40, detecting and treating high LDL cholesterol from midlife, and maintaining a healthy weight and treating obesity, which also helps prevent diabetes.
The North American lobster and snow crab fishery is critical to coastal economies and for global trade. It is also heavily dependent on forage fish such as herring, mackerel, and squid as trap bait, consuming tremendous amount of them annually. This reliance exerts pressure on marine ecosystems, competes with human food markets, and raises sustainability concerns. Recent innovations have focused on developing alternative bioactive baits derived from seafood co-products, synthetic attractants and etc. This mini-review summarizes current advances in natural, artificial, and synthetic lobster baits, evaluates their efficacy, environmental and economic implications, and highlights future opportunities for developing nutritionally optimized, stable, and sustainable formulations.
Proteo-stress refers to cellular stress caused by disturbances in proteostasis, such as an increase in unfolded or aggregated proteins, whereas its roles in biofunctions of phytochemicals remain to be fully elucidated. Zerumbone has previously been shown to bind to cellular proteins in a non-specific manner to cause proteo-stress and activate the protein quality control (PQC) systems. In this study, we aimed to identify other phytochemicals that have properties similar to zerumbone. The formation of p62/SQSTM1 protein oligomers was evaluated in a screening assay. Among 28 nutrients and phytochemicals, curcumin markedly increased the formation of p62/SQSTM1 oligomers. Treatment with curcumin increased denatured proteins in an insoluble protein fraction. Moreover, two housekeeping proteins degraded or insolubilized by curcumin and zerumbone, and they significantly induced the formation of aggresomes. The amounts of curcumin-generated abnormal proteins increased in a time-dependent manner and thereafter decreased, suggesting the activation of adaptive mechanisms for proteostasis. In fact, both zerumbone and curcumin markedly upregulated the expressions of heat shock proteins. They markedly suppressed cell death induced by 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal. Our results suggest that curcumin induces proteo-stress toward cellular proteins and the resultant activation of the PQC systems may protect the cell from proteo-toxic stimuli.
The circadian clock and sleep are tightly linked in mammals; they regulate central and peripheral oscillators and react dynamically to sleep deprivation and circadian misalignment, affecting metabolic health. Genetic evidence highlights the impact of single-gene variants, such as Per2, Cry1, and Dec2, on a personu2019s sleep. On a related note, clinical studies have confirmed that chronic circadian disruption plays a role in disorders like insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and metabolic syndrome. Importantly, phenolic acids, bioactive compounds found in cereals, fruits, and coffee, are shown by growing research to influence the circadian clock and sleep. They can modulate this through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neurotransmitter-related pathways. Chlorogenic, rosmarinic, caffeic, ferulic, cichoric, salicylic, and gallic acids demonstrate differential capacities to regulate core clock gene expression, melatonin metabolism, neurotransmission, and peripheral metabolic rhythms. These interactions provide mechanistic insights into how phenolic acids may ameliorate sleep disturbances, restore circadian alignment, and improve metabolic resilience. The phenolic acids discussed in this review as promising candidates for precision strategies targeting sleep and circadian rhythm-related disorders.
