內容: High-throughput technologies in combination with modern exciting advancements in mass spectrometry-based proteomics and data analysis pipelines have empowered comprehensive characterization of disease phenotypes and their mechanistic regulation by dietary agents and bioactive molecules at unprecedented dimensionality and resolution. Extra-ordinary breakthroughs in the field of nutrigenomics have leveraged our understanding altogether to a new level of maturity. Interdisciplinary researchers have extensively analyzed health promoting and pharmacologically significant properties of garlic (Allium sativum). Importantly, garlic and its biologically active chemicals targeted oncogenic signaling cascades. In this mini-review we have attempted to summarize how garlic and its bioactive constituents regulated signal transduction cascades in cell culture studies and tumor-bearing mice.

內容: Glycation of proteins and DNA forms advanced glycation end products (AGEs) causing cell and tissue dysfunction and subsequent various chronic diseases, in particular, metabolic and age-related diseases. Targeted AGE inhibition includes scavengers of reactive carbonyl species (RCS) such as methylglyoxal (MG), glyoxalase-1 enhancers, Nrf2/ARE pathway activators, AGE/RAGE formation inhibitors and other antiglycatng agents. Citrus flavonoids have demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and are also found to be effective antiglycating agents. Herein, we reviewed the up to date progress of the antiglycation effects of citrus flavonoids and associated mechanisms. Major citrus flavonoids, hesperedin and its aglycone, hesperetin, inhibited glycation by scavenging MG forming mono- or di-flavonoid adducts with MG, enhanced the activity of glyoxase-1, activated Akt/Nrf2 signal pathway while inhibiting AGE/RAGE/NF-κB pathway, reduced the formation of Nε-(carboxylmethyl)lysine (CML) and pentosidine, inhibited aldol reductase activity and decreased the levels of fructosamine. The antiglycating activity and mechanisms of other flavonoids was also summarized in this review. In conclusion, citrus flavonoids possess effective antiglycating activity via different mechanisms, yet there are many challenging questions remaining to be studied in the near future such as in vivo testing and human study of citrus flavonoids for efficacy, effectiveness and adverse effects of citrus flavonoids as a functional food in managing high levels of AGEs and controlling AGE-induced chronic diseases, diabetic complications in particular.

內容: Proteomics is a new technology that has been widely applied in the field of life and health science. It effectively addresses issues related to the impact of dietary structure on organs, tissues, and cells, as well as the changes in proteins in various organs, tissues, and cells under disease conditions. The differential proteins identified through proteomics can serve as disease biomarkers and target proteins affecting health and can be used for disease diagnosis and health regulation. In this paper, the application of proteomics in the field of inflammation in recent years was summarized, especially in the therapeutic target and mechanism of action, which opens up a new way for more effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of inflammation, and provides medical protection for human life and health.

內容: Appropriate oral hygiene significantly reduces the possibility of oral infections. However, dental caries and periodontal diseases are major oral health issues causing chronic diseases due to poor oral health. Recently, herbal compounds have gained interest in maintaining oral health. Extracts of burdock root (Arctium), noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia), and neem leaf (Azadirachta indica) are now used as intracanal medicaments in endodontics and periodontics. Plectranthus amboinicus species and other plants produces essential oil like β-caryophyllene, p-cymene, and γ-terpinene can exhibit antibacterial activity; highlighting phytoconstituents plays a vital role in oral health. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of hygiene and sanitization, to curb SARS-CoV-2. Oral cavity is among the gateways for virus entry into saliva. Saliva is a potential reservoir of SARS-CoV-2, and there is an increased risk of infection if there is any fissure in the mouth. This enables entry of virus into the vascular system through gingival or periodontal pocket, possibly reaching lung periphery then to lung vessels by interacting with endothelial surface receptors triggering pulmonary vasoconstriction and lung damage due to endothelial dysfunction. This review aims to draw attention to the possible route of SARS-CoV-2 infection via the oral cavity and the importance of oral hygiene against COVID-19.

內容: Consumption of natto, a traditional eastern Asian food made of fermented soybeans by Bacillus subtilis, has long been linked to healthy aging and longer human lifespan. As the key thrombolytic ingredient of natto, the serine protease nattokinase (NK) has been developed into a widely-used dietary supplement. NK has shown excellent anti-thrombus, thrombolytic, and anti-inflammation activities that potentially delay aging and provide therapeutic effects on aging-related diseases. In this review, we critically overview the experimental and clinical evidence in the past 20 years that support the beneficial function of NK in the prevention and treatment of aging-related diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, other abnormalities and cancer. We focus on the underlying molecular mechanisms and recent advances in application methods that are aimed at further development of NK for healthier aging of modern society. The challenges and unsolved issues in this area are also discussed.

內容: The core drivers of the modern food industry are meeting consumer demand for tasty and healthy foods. The application of food flavor perception enhancement can help to achieve the goals of salt- and sugar-reduction, without compromising the sensory quality of the original food, and this has attracted increasing research attention. The analysis of bibliometric results from 2002 to 2022 reveals that present flavor perception enhancement strategies (changing ingredient formulations, adding salt/sugar substitutes, emulsion delivery systems) are mainly carry out based on sweetness, saltiness and umami. Emulsion systems is becoming a novel research foci and development trends of international food flavor perception-enhancement research. The structured design of food emulsions, by using interface engineering technology, can effectively control, or enhance the release of flavor substances. Thus, this review systematically summarizes strategies, the application of emulsion systems and the mechanisms of action of food flavor perception-enhancement technologies, based on odor-taste cross-modal interaction (OTCMI), to provide insights into the further structural design and application of emulsion systems in this field.

內容: As a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus (SC) has been used in medicine and food industry due to its health care and therapeutic effects. Over the past 20 years, the use of SC and its active ingredient lignans in the prevention and treatment of liver diseases has been increasing, and their hepatoprotective effects has increased the interest of the public and academia. Therefore, in the present work, we first determined the effectiveness of SC in the treatment of liver diseases such as metabolic associated fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, cholestatic liver disease and acute liver injury. Subsequently, the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of lignans, the active components of SC, for liver disease treatment were comprehensively summarized for the first time. The results showed that the lignans in SC could achieve hepatoprotective effects by regulating lipid metabolism, anti-fibrosis, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor and regulating bile acid metabolism. The mechanism mainly involved adenosine 5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase, endoplasmic reticulum stress, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c, autophagy, transforming growth factor-β, mitogen-activated protein kinase, microRNA, nuclear factor kappa-B, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2, heat shock proteins and pregnane X receptor signaling pathways. These results can lay a scientific foundation for the development of hepatoprotective drugs or functional foods from SC/lignans.

內容: Aflatoxins (AFTs) represent one of the most notorious classes of deadly mycotoxins produced by certain fungi that are found on agricultural crops. Aflatoxins are highly toxic to mammals and are known to cause a series of detrimental effects, including neuro-, hepato-, nephron-, and immuno-toxicity. In this original review we summarize the mechanisms of aflatoxin-induced neurotoxicity and the clinical potential of novel neuroprotective agents. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic congener among the 21 identified AFTs. Recent studies have shown that food borne exposure to AFB1 and/or its metabolites often leads to fatal neurotoxicity in animals and humans. Animal studies indicated that AFB1 exposure could induce abnormal behavioral changes, including anxiety, lethargy disorders, depression-like behavior, cognitive, learning and memory defects, and decreased feeding behavior. Mechanistically, AFB1 exposure has been associated with lipid peroxidation, ablation of non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant defense systems and decreased neurotransmitter levels. AFB1 exposure has also been shown to induce DNA damage, apoptosis, pyroptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain tissue. Several signaling pathways, including gasdermin D, toll like receptor 2 (TLR2), TLR4, Akt, NF-κB, ERK/MAPK, protein kinase C (PKC), and mitochondrial apoptotic pathways have been shown to participate in AFB1-induced neuronal or astrocyte cell death. Targeting these pathways by small molecules (e.g., quercetin, curcumin, and gallic acid, and dimethyl fumarate), Chinese herbal extracts (e.g., Artichoke leaf extract, Chelidonium majus ethanolic extract, pumpkin extract, and Crocus sativus L. tea), and probiotic supplements could effectively improve AFB1-induced neurobehavioral abnormalities and neurotoxicity. To date, the precise molecular mechanisms of AFB1-induced neurotoxicity and potential neuroprotective agents remain unclear. In the present review, the clinical manifestations, molecular mechanisms, and potential neuroprotective agents of AFB1-induced neurotoxicity are summarized in the broadest overview. It is most hopeful that this broad reaching review provides valuable insights and stimulates broader discussion to develop the effective neuroprotective agents against aflatoxins.

內容: The degree of processing is rarely considered an independent factor in the health effects of fruit juices and beverages (FJBs) consumption. In fact, the consumption of ultra-processed foods has been shown to pose health risks. In this study, we first integrated 4 systems used to classify the degree of food processing and then classified FJBs into three major categories, low (minimal), moderate and high. Second, we compared the differences in attitudes towards FJBs in dietary guidelines. Third, we integrated the results of existing epidemiological surveys, randomized controlled trials, and animal experiments to explore the health risks associated with consuming FJBs. Deepening the processing of FJBs has been found to lead to an increased risk of diseases. Dietary pattern, nutrients, addition agents and consumer preferences may be influential factors. Finally, we investigated whether there were any changes in the health benefits of 100% fruit juices produced by different processing methods. In conclusion, minimally/moderately processed 100% fruit juices provide more health benefits than highly processed fruit beverages. The results support the need to consider the extent of FJBs processing in future studies to adjust official nutritional recommendations for beverage consumption.

內容: Portulaca oleracea L., commonly known as purslane, is a worldwide weed species belonging to the family Portulacaceae and has been known as “Global Panacea”. As one of the most widely consumed green vegetables and medicinal plants around the world, it has recently been re-evaluated as a potential “new crop” due to the properties that differentiate it as one of the best vegetable sources of omega-3 fatty acid (α-linolenic acid), as well as a variety of nutrients and phytochemicals. Accordingly, emerging research has found that purslane exhibits health-promoting properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory. These findings suggest that this species possesses a potential using as a dietary supplement beyond potherb and traditional medicine. This review systematically summarizes the up-to-date research carried out on purslane, including the nutritional compositions, bioactive compounds, and health benefits it exerts as well as limitations, challenges, and future directions of research. Finally, we hope that this review would provide purslane with a comprehensive reference and future scope as functional and health-promoting food for disease prevention and treatment.