Current Functional Foods - Volume 3, Issue 2, 2025

Hypothyroidism is characterized by decreased T3 and T4 levels and increased TSH levels. Hypothyroid obesity has been linked to numerous metabolic irregularities, such as slowed-down BMR. Citrullus colocynthis Linn. fruit has been utilized historically to decrease appetite and hence weight.

This work aimed to study the administration of Citrullus colocynthis Linnaeus extracts for the treatment of hypothyroidism-induced obesity in mice and related serum biochemical parameters and thyroid histopathology.

Hypothyroid obesity was brought about by giving the mice methimazole for 21 days consecutively. After that, the mice were given Citrullus colocynthis aqueous extract, alcoholic extract, and thyroxine standard for 21 days, and their ability to reverse the disease was examined. Blood samples were taken to estimate the serum biochemical parameters like normal thyroid hormone values, hypothyroidism-induced obesity hormone levels, and their levels after treatment with the test extracts. Lipid profile {Total Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol, Very Low-Density Lipoprotein, and High-Density Lipoprotein}, and physical parameters such as waist circumference, body weight, and water and food and consumption were recorded. Heart and Liver were removed from each group of the mice for oxidative stress measurement via estimation of Catalase, MDA, and GSH levels. For histological examination, the thyroid glands of each group of mice were removed and examined.

GSH and Catalase levels of serum were significantly decreased (p<0.001); conversely, the MDA levels were increased significantly (p<0.001) in hypothyroid obese mice. MDA levels were decreased (p<0.0001) in the standard and test groups, while GSH and Catalase levels increased (p<0.0001) and moved toward normal values. The thyroid profile, lipid profile, and levels of TSH, TC, TGs, and VLDL were all increased after the introduction of hypothyroid obesity, whereas the levels of T3, T4 hormones, and HDL were dramatically decreased. The TSH (p<0.0001), TC (p<0.05), TGs (0.0001), and VLDL levels (p<0.0001) decreased following the treatment with standard drug and plant extracts, Catalase, and the levels of T3 (p<0.0001), T4 (p<0.0001), and HDL (p<0.0001) increased, moving towards the normal range. When compared to the control group, histological analysis and the thyroid gland of the hypothyroid obese group showed a significant reduction in colloid levels and a size-wise shrinkage of thyroid globules; in contrast, the thyroid globule size of the standard and test groups was shown to move towards the normal state.

The Citrullus colocynthis extracts can be applied as a secure herbal remedy for hypothyroid obesity in mice, and clinical trials can be conducted in this field for the exploration of their potential in human subjects.

Lac is derived from Laccifer lacca Kerr and has historically been used as a dye due to its coloring qualities. It is now widely utilised in the food and colouring industries. Lac dye was isolated for the first time with the help of preparative HPLC. Further characterization was also performed using NMR and MS spectroscopy techniques.

The column used for the isolation was the Inertsil ODS-3 reverse-phase C18 column. The wavelength of the PDA detector was set between 275 nm and 410 nm. Data acquisition was carried out for Empower 2.0 (Waters Ltd., United States). For the mobile phase, Methanol: acetonitrile (85:15) is the ideal solvent system A, while 0.15% perchloric acid in water is the ideal solvent system B. Ultimately, a 0.22 µm membrane filter was used to filter the mobile phase. We conducted an effective gradient run after the runtime of 33 minutes, setting the flow rate at 15 mL/min. We set up the fraction collector to operate on a time basis, with a maximum collection volume of 5 ml per vial and a period of 0.41 min for each vial.

After the chromatographic run, three single elution peaks were observed with retention times (Rt) of 15.19, 25.09, and 30.54 min, respectively. The compounds associated with Rt 15.19 were effectively collected in vials nos. 13, 22, 31, and 40, respectively, in the fraction collector. The compound with a retention time of 25.09 was collected in vials no. 24, 33, 42, and 51, respectively, whereas the compound with a retention time of 30.54 was collected in vials no. 52, 61, 70, and 79, respectively, in the fraction collector.

A sufficient amount of the samples was collected, and the Rota evaporator (Buchi, Germany) was used to evaporate the solvents. After lyophilization, the dried product was stored at 4°C for further analysis. The compound having an Rt of 15.19 min revealed that it is laccaic acid A. The compound having an Rt of 25.09 indicated that it is laccaic acid B. Finally, the compound having an an Rt of 30.54 min indicated that the compound is laccaic acid D.

Hypertension is one of the chronic diseases causing a serious health problem in many countries worldwide. Therefore, the prevention and amelioration of hypertension with medicinal food is considered to be important for maintaining good health and well-being. The main objective of this study is to verify that the extract of lotus seed has a significant inhibitory effect on the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE).

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is well known to have a variety of biological and medical activities and is popularly used as a traditional medicinal food in several East Asian countries. In a previous study, we reported that the aqueous extract of lotus root used as a popular foodstuff caused an inhibitory effect on the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), suggesting its possible effectiveness for improving high blood pressure.

The purpose of the present study was to reveal the effect of lotus seed extract on ACE activity and to identify a potentially active component of the extract originating from lotus seed.

The ACE inhibitory activity was determined using Hippuryl-L-histidyl-L-leucin (HHL) as substrate, and the amount of hippuric acid formed enzymatically was determined using an HPLC system.

The lotus seed extract was shown to strongly inhibit the ACE activity, thus ameliorating the hypertensive state. Furthermore, the fractionation of the lotus seed extract provided evidence for suggesting nicotianamine as a putative ACE-inhibiting component contained in the extract.

These findings were considered to propose the possibility that the lotus seed and the lotus root might benefit patients with hypertension.

This study uses adult zebrafish as a model organism to explore the possible cognitive-boosting properties of Shilajit, a traditional Ayurvedic herbal resin. Shilajit is known for its potential cognitive benefits, and the study focuses on its impact on memory and cognitive function.

The study employs a T-maze apparatus to assess cognitive performance in zebrafish, particularly memory, and uses Hyoscine, a memory-deficit-inducing compound, in the experiments. Various doses of Shilajit (0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 mg/ml) were administered to zebrafish via water immersion, and lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione was checked to measure oxidative stress.

The results reveal that Shilajit positively affects memory in zebrafish with Hyoscine-induced amnesia. Zebrafish treated with Shilajit exhibited improved memory performance, as indicated by increased entries into the reward arm (yellow) (p<0.05) and reduced latency time (p<0.0001). Different doses of Shilajit demonstrated varying effects, with higher doses leading to more pronounced memory improvements. Furthermore, the study examined biochemical parameters in the zebrafish brains, with a specific focus on markers of oxidative stress. Shilajit treatment was associated with a decrease in lipid peroxidation and an increase in reduced glutathione levels, signalling a reduction in oxidative stress (p<0.0001).

Finally, these findings suggest that Shilajit not only alleviates memory deficits in the zebrafish model but also possesses potential antioxidative properties in lowering reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the brain.

Our result suggests that Shilajit counteracted the damage caused to cholinergic neurons in zebrafish brains by reducing ROS levels and improving learning and memory.

Canistel Fruit (Pouteria campechiana) is an underutilized nutritious tropical fruit containing Vitamin A and complex carbohydrates with high potentiality. Hence, the present study focused on a novel Canistel fruit (Pouteria campechiana)-based beverage.

This study aimed to develop innovative fruit-based beverages from underutilized but widely available Canistel fruit around tropical regions and determine its nutrient stability at different temperature treatments.

The higher starchiness of fruit pulp was remedied through α-amylase enzyme treatment. The base formula was prepared with fruit pulp and coconut milk (at ratios of 1:2, 2:3, 1:1), followed by incorporating sugar and stabilizers. The two-way preservation techniques of pasteurization (85^oC, 15 min) and sterilizing techniques (121^oC, 15 min) were used. Sensory acceptance by a trained panel from each formula of beverages, i.e., fruit pulp: coconut milk at ratios of 2:3 from each technique, was analyzed for physical and nutritional properties, fatty acid composition, and antioxidants.

A significant difference (p<0.05) was found among two-way processing techniques for the pH, Brix, viscosity, and titratable acidity, as well as total sugars, crude protein, and crude fibre. The predominant fatty acid in both beverages was lauric acid. Vitamin A contents (mg/kg) were 0.3±0.01 and 0.2±0.01, respectively.

This study showed Canistel fruit as a viable source for upgrading nutritional status when paired with coconut milk and other ingredients, and both processing techniques retained vitamin A, which fulfilled 8 – 10% of the daily requirement by 200 ml of beverage.

A fruit, the soft, pulpy part of a flowering plant, is abundant in essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds. It provides macronutrients such as carbohydrates and energy while being low in protein and lipids. Health authorities advocate a minimum daily intake of five servings of fruits and vegetables for a balanced diet. Fruits contain simple sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose, which are essential for regulating blood sugar levels and supporting brain function. However, excessive sugar consumption can be harmful in certain health conditions. This highlights the importance of accurately estimating glucose content in fruits for the field of nutrition science.

In this study, a total of 42 fruit samples from 20 groups were collected from local markets in West Bengal, India, to measure glucose levels using the GOD-POD method.

Results revealed the top five fruits highest in glucose: green grapes (54.12 ± 5.82 mg/g), java apple (green jamrul: 47.25 ± 8.23 mg/g), red grapes (44.75 ± 5.23 mg/g), Zahedi dates (43.88 ± 3.25 mg/g), and Medjool dates (43.48 ± 3.87 mg/g). Conversely, the five fruits lowest in glucose were Indian gooseberry (amla: 0.84 ± 0.21 mg/g), Bengal currant (koromcha: 1.24 ± 0.15 mg/g), gondhoraj lemon (2.62 ± 0.25 mg/g), himsagar mango (3.46 ± 0.81 mg/g), and pearafuli mango (5.5 ± 0.52 mg/g).

This study aims to contribute to the development of a comprehensive database on fruit glucose content. Fruits with lower glucose levels are beneficial for diabetic patients, obese individuals, and others, whereas those with higher glucose levels are not recommended for diabetics but are suitable for athletes and malnourished individuals.