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Natural Compounds and Healthy Foods: New Strategy to Counteract Chronic Diseases

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemicals and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2022) | Viewed by 27864

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Dr. Antonella Amato

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Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies STEBICEF, University of Palermo, I-90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: obesity; high fat diet; glucose dysmetabolism; dyslipidemia; obesity-related neurodegeneration; functional foods; dietary supplements
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The prevalence of chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, cancer, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is currently increasing worldwide. These diseases have in common a complex interaction between genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors and a pathogenic mechanisms that include oxidative stress and inflammation. In this context, recent basic and clinical investigations have demonstrated the importance of different natural bioactive compounds present in food or extracted by vegetables or derived from microalgal biomass that are extremely efficacious in the prevention and/or treatment of chronic diseases. The principal natural bioactive compounds are i. natural antioxidants (tocopherols, polyphenols, carotenoids, etc.), ii. vegetal sterols (such as phytosterols), iii. short and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, and iv. bioactive peptides and pre- and probiotics. These molecules may regulate many cellular processes in different tissues under pathological situations. In this sense, natural bioactive compounds play a relevant and direct role in regulating several of the metabolic and molecular pathways involved in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.

This Special Issue is thus dedicated to identifying and characterizing natural substances, bioactive compounds, or beneficial foods, leading or contributing to the prevention of or reduction in metabolic dysfunctions responsible for the onset and progression of the chronic diseases. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanism by which natural substances can counteract metabolic dysfunctions could be useful to better identify potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of chronic diseases.

Dr. Antonella Amato
Guest Editor

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Keywords

bioactive natural compounds
functional foods
chronic diseases
obesity
cancer
diabetes
neurodegeneration
inflammation
oxidative stress

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 192 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Natural Compounds and Healthy Foods: Useful Tools against Onset and Progression of Chronic Diseases

by Antonella Amato

Nutrients 2023, 15(13), 2898; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu15132898 - 27 Jun 2023

Viewed by 808

Abstract

The Special Issue (SI) in Nutrients, titled “Natural Compounds and Healthy Foods: New Strategy to Counteract Chronic Diseases”, deals with the beneficial effects of some natural bioactive substances and the relative action mechanisms, providing evidence for the potential to counteract some chronic diseases [...] Read more.

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds and Healthy Foods: New Strategy to Counteract Chronic Diseases)

Research

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10 pages, 1284 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Nutraceutical Containing Chlorogenic Acid and Luteolin Improves Cardiometabolic Parameters in Subjects with Pre-Obesity: A 6-Month Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

by Simona Terzo, Antonella Amato, Antonio Magán-Fernández, Giuseppa Castellino, Pasquale Calvi, Roberta Chianetta, Rosaria V. Giglio, Angelo M. Patti, Dragana Nikolic, Alberto Firenze, Flavia Mulè, Marcello Ciaccio and Manfredi Rizzo

Nutrients 2023, 15(2), 462; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu15020462 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3043

Abstract

Pre-obesity is a condition that predisposes to the risk of developing obesity, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and diabetes. Our previous study demonstrated that a Cynara cardunculus (L.) based nutraceutical named Altilix^® (Bionap, Italy), containing chlorogenic acid and luteolin extracts, was able to improve several hepatic and cardio-metabolic parameters. Given this background, we conducted a post-hoc analysis of the Altilix^® study in order to analyze the supplement’s effects in the subgroup of pre-obesity subjects on anthropometry (weight and waist circumference), glucose metabolism (HbA1C, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β), lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol), hepatic functionality (FLI, AST, ALT and AST/ALT), carotid-media thickness (CIMT) and endothelial function (FMD). Fifty subjects from the original study cohort (which consisted of 100 subjects) were chosen with BMI ≥ 25 and < 30 kg/m². All subjects received the Altilix^® supplement (150 mg/day) or placebo using a computer-based random allocation system. After six months of treatment Altilix^® significantly reduced body weight, glycemic, and lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol) and improved hepatic functionality, CIMT, and FMD. In conclusion, these results confirm that Altilix^® supplementation has a significant effect on cardiometabolic parameters not only in obese subjects but also in pre-obesity subjects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds and Healthy Foods: New Strategy to Counteract Chronic Diseases)

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15 pages, 1852 KiB

Open AccessArticle

p-Hydroxybenzyl Alcohol Antagonized the ROS-Dependent JNK/Jun/Caspase-3 Pathway to Produce Neuroprotection in a Cellular Model of Parkinson’s Disease

by Mei-Chou Lai, Wayne-Young Liu, Shorong-Shii Liou and I-Min Liu

Nutrients 2022, 14(23), 5002; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14235002 - 24 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3672

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive disorder that affects brain nerve cells responsible for body motion and remains incurable. p-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol (HBA) is the primary phenolic compound in Gastrodiae Rhizoma, known for its therapeutic benefits against neurodegeneration. However, the protective effect of HBA against Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of HBA in vitro 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced PD model in SH-SY5Y cells. SH-SY5Y cells were pretreated with various concentrations of HBA for 1 h and incubated with 100 μmol/L 6-OHDA for 24 h to induce cellular lesions. 2,5-Diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide was used to detect cellular viability. 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin oxidation detects reactive oxygen species (ROS). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. The cellular mitochondrial function was identified through the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential, the release of cytochrome c, and the synthesis of mitochondrial ATP. Expression of pro-and anti-apoptotic factors was measured by Western blot. HBA enhanced cell viability, blocked ROS overproduction, and reduced antioxidant activities induced by 6-OHDA. HBA also reduced mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death caused by 6-OHDA. Moreover, HBA reversed the 6-OHDA-mediated activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, the downregulation of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, the Apaf-1 upregulation and the induction of caspase-9, caspase-3, and PARP cleavage. This study shows that the protective effects of HBA against 6-OHDA-induced cell injury provide the potential preventive effects of HBA, making it a promising preventive agent for PD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds and Healthy Foods: New Strategy to Counteract Chronic Diseases)

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17 pages, 1955 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geraniol Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

by Chiara Ricci, Fernando Rizzello, Maria Chiara Valerii, Enzo Spisni, Paolo Gionchetti, Silvia Turroni, Marco Candela, Federica D’Amico, Renato Spigarelli, Irene Bellocchio, Giovanni Marasco and Giovanni Barbara

Nutrients 2022, 14(19), 4208; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14194208 - 10 Oct 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3249

Abstract

Geraniol is an acyclic monoterpene alcohol with well-known anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties which has shown eubiotic activity towards gut microbiota (GM) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Methods: Fifty-six IBS patients diagnosed according to Rome III criteria were enrolled in an interventional, prospective, multicentric, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. In the treatment arm, patients received a low-absorbable geraniol food supplement (LAGS) once daily for four weeks. Results: Patients treated with LAGS showed a significant reduction in their IBS symptoms severity score (IBS-SSS) compared to the placebo (195 vs. 265, p = 0.001). The rate of responders according to IBS-SSS (reduction ≥ 50 points) was significantly higher in the geraniol vs placebo group (52.0% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.009) mainly due to the IBS mixed subtype. There were notable differences in the microbiota composition after geraniol administration, particularly a significant decrease in a genus of Ruminococcaceae, Oscillospira (p = 0.01), a decreasing trend for the Erysipelotrichaceae and Clostridiaceae families (p = 0.1), and an increasing trend for other Ruminococcaceae taxa, specifically Faecalibacterium (p = 0.09). The main circulating proinflammatory cytokines showed no differences between placebo and geraniol arms. Conclusion: LAGS was effective in treating overall IBS symptoms, together with an improvement in the gut microbiota profile, especially for the IBS mixed subtype. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds and Healthy Foods: New Strategy to Counteract Chronic Diseases)

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16 pages, 4179 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Arthrospira Enhances Seroclearance in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Receiving Nucleos(t)ide Analogue through Modulation of TNF-α/IFN-γ Profile

by Sheng-Jie Shiue, Chao-Ling Cheng, Han-Shiang Shiue, Chun-Nan Chen, Sheng-Wei Cheng, Li-Wei Wu, Ganbolor Jargalsaikhan, Tze-Sian Chan, Hsin-Yi Lin and Ming-Shun Wu

Nutrients 2022, 14(14), 2790; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14142790 - 06 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2298

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection, causing immune dysfunction and chronic hepatitis, is one of the leading risk factors for hepatocellular cancer. We investigated how Arthrospira affected hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) reduction in CHB patients under continued nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA). Sixty CHB patients who had been receiving NA for at least one year with undetectable HBV DNA were randomized into three groups: control and oral Arthrospira at 3 or 6 g daily add-on therapy groups. Patients were followed up for 6 months. Oral Arthrospira-diet mice were established to investigate the possible immunological mechanism of Arthrospira against HBV. Within 6 months, mean quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg) decreased in the oral Arthrospira add-on therapy group. Interestingly, interferon gamma (IFN-γ) increased but TNF-α, interleukin 6 (IL-6), hepatic fibrosis, and steatosis decreased in the add-on groups. In mice, Arthrospira enhanced both innate and adaptive immune system, especially natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity, B cell activation, and the interleukin 2 (IL-2), IFN-γ immune response. Arthrospira may modulate IL-2- and TNF-α/IFN-γ-mediated B and T cell activation to reduce HBsAg. Also, Arthrospira has the potential to restore immune tolerance and enhance HBsAg seroclearance in CHB patients through promoting T, B, and NK cell activation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds and Healthy Foods: New Strategy to Counteract Chronic Diseases)

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14 pages, 2387 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preventive Impact of Long-Term Ingestion of Chestnut Honey on Glucose Disorders and Neurodegeneration in Obese Mice

by Simona Terzo, Pasquale Calvi, Domenico Nuzzo, Pasquale Picone, Giacoma Galizzi, Luca Caruana, Marta Di Carlo, Laura Lentini, Roberto Puleio, Flavia Mulè and Antonella Amato

Nutrients 2022, 14(4), 756; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14040756 - 11 Feb 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2417

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of long-term honey ingestion on metabolic disorders and neurodegeneration in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Three groups of mice were fed with a standard diet (STD), HFD or HFD supplemented with honey (HFD-H) for 16 weeks. Biochemical, histological, Western blotting, RT-PCR and Profiler PCR array were performed to assess metabolic parameters, peripheral and central insulin resistance and neurodegeneration. Daily honey intake prevented the HFD-induced glucose dysmetabolism. In fact, it reduced plasma fasting glucose, insulin and leptin concentrations and increased adiponectin levels. It improved glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and HOMA index without affecting plasma lipid concentration. HFD mice showed a significantly higher number of apoptotic nuclei in the superficial and deep cerebral cortex, upregulation of Fas-L, Bim and P27 (neuronal pro-apoptotic markers) and downregulation of Bcl-2 and BDNF (anti-apoptotic factors) in comparison with STD- and HFD-H mice, providing evidence for honey neuroprotective effects. PCR-array analysis showed that long-term honey intake increased the expression of genes involved in insulin sensitivity and decreased genes involved in neuroinflammation or lipogenesis, suggesting improvement of central insulin resistance. The expressions of p-AKT and p-GSK3 in HFD-H mice, which were decreased and increased, respectively, in HFD mouse brain, index of central insulin resistance, were similar to STD animals supporting the ability of regular honey intake to protect brain neurons from insulin resistance. In conclusion, the present results provide evidence for the beneficial preventative impact of regular honey ingestion on neuronal damage caused by HFD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds and Healthy Foods: New Strategy to Counteract Chronic Diseases)

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Review

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16 pages, 349 KiB

Open AccessReview

Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Brassicaceae-Derived Phytochemicals: In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence for a Putative Role in the Prevention and Treatment of IBD

by Adele Cicio, Rosa Serio and Maria Grazia Zizzo

Nutrients 2023, 15(1), 31; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu15010031 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2824

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of intestinal disorders, of unknown etiology, characterized by chronic inflammation within the gut. They are gradually becoming critical because of the increasing incidence worldwide and improved diagnosis. Due to the important side effects observed during conventional therapy, natural bioactive components are now under intense investigation for the prevention and treatment of chronic illnesses. The Brassicaceae family comprises vegetables widely consumed all over the world. In recent decades, a growing body of literature has reported that extracts from the Brassicaceae family and their purified constituents have anti-inflammatory properties, which has generated interest from both the scientific community and clinicians. In this review, data from the literature are scrutinized and concisely presented demonstrating that Brassicaceae may have anti-IBD potential. The excellent biological activities of Brassicacea are widely attributable to their ability to regulate the levels of inflammatory and oxidant mediators, as well as their capacity for immunomodulatory regulation, maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity and intestinal flora balance. Possible future applications of bioactive-derived compounds from Brassicaceae for promoting intestinal health should be investigated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds and Healthy Foods: New Strategy to Counteract Chronic Diseases)

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19 pages, 1221 KiB

Open AccessReview

Targeting mTOR Signaling by Dietary Polyphenols in Obesity Prevention

by Yunyun Cao, Shuai Han, Han Lu, Yi Luo, Tianyi Guo, Qi Wu and Feijun Luo

Nutrients 2022, 14(23), 5171; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14235171 - 05 Dec 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3902

Abstract

Dietary polyphenols can be utilized to treat obesity and chronic disorders linked to it. Dietary polyphenols can inhibit pre-adipocyte proliferation, adipocyte differentiation, and triglyceride accumulation; meanwhile, polyphenols can also stimulate lipolysis and fatty acid β-oxidation, but the molecular mechanisms of anti-obesity are still unclear. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that regulates cell growth, survival, metabolism, and immunity. mTOR signaling is also thought to play a key role in the development of metabolic diseases such as obesity. Recent studies showed that dietary polyphenols could target mTOR to reduce obesity. In this review, we systematically summarized the research progress of polyphenols in preventing obesity through the mTOR signaling pathway. Mechanistically, polyphenols can target multiple signaling pathways and gut microbiota to regulate the mTOR signaling pathway to exert anti-obesity effects. The main mechanisms include: modulating lipid metabolism, adipogenesis, inflammation, etc. Dietary polyphenols exerting an anti-obesity effect by targeting mTOR signaling will broaden our understanding of the anti-obesity mechanisms of polyphenols and provide valuable insights for researchers in this novel field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds and Healthy Foods: New Strategy to Counteract Chronic Diseases)

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32 pages, 1087 KiB

Open AccessReview

Fisetin, a Potent Anticancer Flavonol Exhibiting Cytotoxic Activity against Neoplastic Malignant Cells and Cancerous Conditions: A Scoping, Comprehensive Review

by Robert Kubina, Kamil Krzykawski, Agata Kabała-Dzik, Robert D. Wojtyczka, Ewa Chodurek and Arkadiusz Dziedzic

Nutrients 2022, 14(13), 2604; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14132604 - 23 Jun 2022

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4370

Abstract

Diet plays a crucial role in homeostasis maintenance. Plants and spices containing flavonoids have been widely used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Flavonols present in our diet may prevent cancer initiation, promotion and progression by modulating important enzymes and receptors in signal transduction pathways related to proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, inflammation, angiogenesis, metastasis and reversal of multidrug resistance. The anticancer activity of fisetin has been widely documented in numerous in vitro and in vivo studies. This review summarizes the worldwide, evidence-based research on the activity of fisetin toward various types of cancerous conditions, while describing the chemopreventive and therapeutic effects, molecular targets and mechanisms that contribute to the observed anticancer activity of fisetin. In addition, this review synthesized the results from preclinical studies on the use of fisetin as an anticancer agent. Based on the available literature, it might be suggested that fisetin has a bioactive potential to become a complementary drug in the prevention and treatment of cancerous conditions. However, more in-depth research is required to validate current data, so that this compound or its derivatives can enter the clinical trial phase. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds and Healthy Foods: New Strategy to Counteract Chronic Diseases)

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