Current Nutrition & Food Science - Volume 17, Issue 4, 2021

The rise in the prevalence of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental cognitive disorders combined with a lack of efficient therapeutic strategies has necessitated the need to develop alternate approaches. Dietary supplements are now being considered as a complementary and alternative medicine for cognitive impairments. Considerable evidence suggests the role of vitamins in modulating the genetic and epigenetic factors implicated in neuropsychiatric, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we provide an overview of the implications of nutrigenomics with reference to vitamins that are suggested to boost cognitive functions (nootropic vitamins). Several vitamins have been found to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which make them potential candidates in preventing or delaying age-related neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Well-designed longitudinal studies are essential to examine the association between vitamins and cognitive functions. Future studies linking nutrition with advances in neuroscience, genomics and epigenomics would provide novel approaches to managing cognitive disorders.

Aim: The present review aims to discuss the therapeutic potential and pharmaceutical applications of the Cucurbita plant. Methods: Various search engines such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, Google Patents, etc. were used for the literature survey. Discussion: During the literature survey, it was observed that different parts of the Cucurbita species have significant therapeutic effects against disease conditions. They have antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antiulcer, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, etc., activities. Studies also showed that various pharmaceutical formulations have been prepared for the delivery of therapeutic active ingredients of cucurbits. A list of patents based on pharmaceutical formulations and therapeutic activity has also been included in the manuscript. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the findings that Cucurbita has significant therapeutic potential, clinical effects and can be used to treat various diseases.

Every human body has a gut microbiome, which is a complex collection of microorganisms that live in the digestive tracts. The composition of the gut flora changes over time, when diet changes, overall health changes. Intestinal flora hosts more amounts of the microbes when compared to stomach flora as it is less vulnerable to the acidity of the gastric mucosa. Intestinal flora plays a major role in balancing the immune function as well as metabolic homeostasis, regulating inflammation, increasing mineral bioavailability, synthesizing neurotransmitters, regulating appetite and blood sugar and protecting against pathogens. Dysbiosis in the gut leads to various gastrointestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcer, metabolic syndromes like obesity, diabetes and various neurological disorders like autism, multiple sclerosis. Therefore, the complete wellness of our body is dependent on the microbial composition of the gut. Probiotics and prebiotic foods can add as a key element supplementing the wellness of our body.

Worldwide, the population of elderly persons is rising at a very fast rate. Elderly people have difficulties in performing day to day activities as the aging process deteriorates the normal functioning of their body. There is risk of inadequate nutrition because of difficulties in shopping for food, cooking a meal, chewing and putting food in mouth. Vision loss makes cooking, and even eating, more difficult. Some elderly people live alone or with their spouses. Cooking for one or two persons/s is not very stimulating. These changes have a great role to play in changing the eating habits of the elderly which may affect their nutrient intake. All these factors may cause nutritional deficiencies, malnutrition and other health problems among them. There are major opportunities to develop convenience food products in order to meet the changing needs of aging population. In order to get maximum product acceptance, it is important to combine the elements of convenience and affordability. While designing products for elderly, it is desirable to modify the food consistency to assist in swallowing, make it nutrient-dense and design it in a way that it can be easily handled and eaten. The packaging can be easy to open, information written in large fonts and contrasting colours to help in easy reading. The availability of nutritious ‘ready-meals’ can serve as an opportunity for elderly people who do not want to cook or have low interest in cooking. This can provide a variety of healthier food choices to them and help to reduce malnutrition. Access to nutritious convenience food products can facilitate a positive intervention to the aging consumers.

Background: Economic development and vast changes in food habits have accelerated the consumption of junk foods, which are the leading causes of several disorders that turn the majority of the people to use various herbal formulations or drugs for preventing various lifestyle diseases. Nutraceuticals are the borderline apparatus between nutrients and drugs that provide supplementation of the particular nutrient with a favorable health effect. Objective: Various nutraceutical compounds like vitamins, spices, polyphenols, prebiotics, and probiotics in the form of powders, tablets, and capsules are currently marketed globally. Among them, previous literature have reported that polyphenols are the most promising compounds that have been proven to treat various chronic diseases like cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, dyslipidemia, multiple sclerosis, congenital anomalies, Alzheimer’s disease, etc. It is warranted to discuss the benefits of nanoformulations of nutraceuticals. Methods: We have searched PubMed using the keywords nutraceuticals, nanoformulations, therapeutic approaches, bionanotechnology, and therapeutics. The relevant papers and classical papers in this field were selected to write this review. Results and Discussion: The different classifications of nutraceuticals were described in this review. The comparison between the different categories of nutraceuticals with their nanoformulated forms was made, explaining the benefits of nanoformulations regarding stability, bioavailability, enhanced anti-oxidant properties, etc. A glimpse of the drawbacks of nanoformulations was also included. Conclusion: The current review highlights an overview of various nanoformulated nutraceuticals and their approach towards the treatment of multiple diseases.

Background: CoVID-19, caused by a new type of coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2, has become a pandemic. Together with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, CoVID-19 is a large global outbreak of coronavirus infection; however, its rate of spread is much higher. Since the vaccines and anti-SARS-CoV-2 have not been found, a faster control mechanism is much needed. Traditional herbs have shown the potential for this purpose, as has been demonstrated by the Chinese Government with a high success rate. One of the herbs used was Lindera aggregata, which is part of the collection in Purwodadi Botanic Gardens. Objectives: Through in silico study, this research aims to reveal the secondary metabolites contained in L. aggregata that have the potential to serve as anti-SARS-CoV-2 medication as well as showcase their inhibitory mechanisms. Methods: The research was conducted through molecular docking analysis of terpenoids and alkaloids contained in the root of L. aggregata, with target proteins 3CLpro, PLpro, Spike, and ACE 2 playing a role in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Result: All analyzed compounds tended to interact with all four target proteins with different binding affinity values, but the interaction seemed stronger with 3CLpro and Spike. Terpenoids, linderane and linderalactone had the strongest interaction tendency with 3CLpro, PLpro, and Spike; the compound norboldine, an alkaloid, had the strongest interaction with ACE 2, with a binding affinity value of -8.2 kcal/mol. Conclusion: Terpenoids and alkaloids contained in the root of L. aggregata, which caused inhibition of adsorption and replication of SARS-CoV-2, could serve as anti-SARS-CoV-2.

Background: Premature babies have physiological vulnerabilities that influence their absorption and digestion capacity, compromising their clinical condition. Human milk from human milk banks has contributed enormously to providing these newborns with complete nutrition. Objective: To evaluate the quality of human milk collected at the Human Milk Bank during its distribution in neonatal units. Methods: A cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, was carried out in a maternity hospital with Human Milk Bank. After the pasteurization of milk and its consequent release to these units, a new test was carried out for the analysis of acid titration, caloric and microbiological content. Results: Human Milk showed a decrease of approximately 20% in caloric content and a reduction in acidity. Approximately 12.3% of the samples were contaminated by fecal coliforms. Conclusion: There is a need for a second moment of evaluation of human milk, after the flow, or to rethink the new ways of preserving the initial quality of human milk.

Background: Time trends in nutrient intakes have been reported from household food consumption using food table values. However, accurate estimates of trends over the past decade in nutrient intakes using computerised nutrient analysis of Indian diets are lacking. Objectives: To examine changes in nutrient intakes of Indian adults by re-analysis of dietary food intakes between 1998 and 2015 with computerized diet analysis software, CDiet. Methods: Diets of men and women (20-60 years) from Western India in 1998-2000 (n=559), in 2007-2009 (n=638), and in 2013-2015 (n=1073) were assessed mostly using semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire by interview method. Daily nutrient intakes were calculated with laboratory- based food composition database using computerised diet analysis software (CDiet). Physical activity was assessed through a structured questionnaire and classified as; sedentary, light, and moderate activity level (PAL). Trends in mean nutrient intakes were evaluated using generalised linear regression model. Results: Over the past 17 years, trend estimates of energy intakes adjusted for age and PAL showed a decline of 11 to 19.7% for men, whereas an insignificant increase of 1 to 3% in women. Higher reduction (23 to 45%) was seen in intakes of iron, riboflavin, thiamine, and folate than in other micronutrients. Men with sedentary activity increased by 16.8%, whereas women having light/moderate activity increased by 7.2%. Conclusions: A decreasing trend in nutrient intakes over the last 17 years and an increase in sedentary behavior suggested the need for change in lifestyle and increased consumption of nutrient-- dense foods by Indian adults.

Background: Dillenia indica (Family: Dilleniaceae) is an antioxidant-rich edible fruitbearing medicinal plant. The fruit of this plant (known as elephant apple) has many uses in traditional medicine. Objective: By considering its antioxidant content and ameliorating effects, this study aimed to evaluate the anti-adipogenic effects of D. indica fruit extract (DIFE) on high-fat diet (HFD) fed obese rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were fed with a standard diet (SD), or high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD with 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg DIFE for 8 weeks. The fruit extract was given orally by feeding gavage. The body weight, liver weight, visceral fat weight, plasma lipids, and oxidative stress-related parameters were measured. The mRNA level of different adipogenesis related transcription factors, lipogenic and lipolytic enzymes was also evaluated. Results: Consumption of DIFE daily (400 mg/kg) for 8 weeks resulted in a significant reduction of high-fat diet-induced body weight, liver weight, visceral fat weight, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol level. High-fat diet-mediated elevation of oxidative stress markers was also lowered, with a parallel augmentation of the activities of antioxidant enzymes, due to 400 mg/kg DIFE feeding. DIFE also down-regulated the mRNA level of important pro-adipogenic factors like PPARγ, LXRα, and SREBP1c which consequently downregulated the transcript levels of lipogenic enzymes: ACC, FAS, HMGCR, and DGAT. The transcript level of lipolytic enzyme, HSL was also down-regulated in 400 mg/kg DIFE-fed rats. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the antioxidant-rich ethanolic extract of D. indica fruit can down-regulate the gene expression of pro-adipogenic transcription factors and lipid metabolizing enzymes and thus can suppress diet-induced obesity in Wistar rat.