The mechanisms and therapeutic potential of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz in chronic liver disease management.

Early pregnancy loss (EPL) is a global public health concern with significant physical and psychological effects on individuals and society. The specific etiology of many EPL cases is not well understood, and first trimester maternal diet may play a role in EPL occurrence. This study aimed to examine the differences in first trimester maternal nutrient intake, nutritional habits and nutritional knowledge levels between healthy pregnant women and women who experienced EPL. A single center retrospective case-control study was conducted at a public hospital in Istanbul, Turkey between May-October 2024. The case group comprised 65 women who experienced first-time pregnancy loss. The control group included 65 healthy pregnant women in the first trimester without a previous PL history, with both groups matched for age, body mass index (BMI) and parity. Data were collected from the participants regarding their general information, dietary habits, the Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (QFFQ), and the Nutrition Knowledge Level Scale for Adults (NKLSA). Dietary nutrient intakes were evaluated on the basis of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) values and compared between the two groups. To further investigate the link between specific dietary nutrient intakes and EPL risk, adjusted binary logistic regression models were employed. The mean age of the participants was 28.5years, and their mean BMI was 24.20kg/m2. The dietary intake of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, folate, vitamin C, potassium, iodine and total minerals were statistically higher in the control group (p < 0.05). Dietary vitamin D and cholesterol intake and the omega-6/omega-3 ratio were greater in the case group without statistical significance (p > 0.05). The control group presented significantly higher proportions of dietary supplement use, regular consumption between meals, and higher daily meal number (p < 0.05). Adjusted binary logistic regression analysis revealed negative correlations between total dietary fiber intake (continuous and Q3/Q4) and EPL risk in all models, even after adjusting for all potential confounders (p < 0.05). There was no statistically difference regarding nutrition knowledge level between two groups (p > 0.05). This study contributes to the literature by showing the protective role of maternal nutritional status in the first trimester against EPL risk.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to nonconventional methods used to treat diseases and has been gaining global acceptance, including in Palestine. The growing interest in CAM and its various modalities highlights the need to understand its prevalence, types, and associated patient satisfaction among osteoarthritis (OA) patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted among OA patients attending hospitals in the study setting. Eligible participants were interviewed face-to-face via a structured questionnaire adapted from a previous regional study and developed on the basis of a comprehensive literature review. The data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, CAM use, and satisfaction levels. Of the 399 participants, 252 (63.2%) reported using CAM for OA management. Commonly used therapies include herbal medicine (49.9%), dietary supplements (26.6%), and various forms of prophetic medicine. Most CAM users reported a noticeable level of satisfaction with the therapies they used. CAM use is prevalent among OA patients in northern Palestine. This highlights the need to increase public awareness of CAM practices and their potential interactions with conventional treatments. Healthcare providers should stay informed about CAM options to guide patients appropriately. Further research is needed to establish stronger evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of CAM.

AstaReal AB (“the applicant”) submitted a novel food (NF) application for the modification in condition of use of the NF Astaxanthin (ATX)-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis algae to each nation of Great Britain in April 2024. The NF is produced from Haematococcus pluvialis algae and then dried and extracted into an oil containing ATX. The NF was authorised in the EU (and GB) in 2006 following an opinion through the substantial equivalence process of Regulation (EC) 258/97 to Haematococcus pluvialis biomass containing astaxanthin, which has been marketed in the EU since 1995. The NF is currently authorised for use as food supplements in the general population excluding infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents younger than 14 years. This application seeks to modify the specification of the oleoresin NF for ATX monoesters, ATX diesters, the 9-cis ATX stereoisomer, and the minimum protein content. The current maximum authorised level of the novel food is 40–80 mg/day of oleoresin, resulting in ≤ 8 mg astaxanthin per day, which will remain unchanged. In 2023, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a scientific opinion on the safety of the change to the conditions of use of the NF ingredient. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have reviewed the information available, including the EFSA opinion, and confirmed that the NF is safe under the proposed change to the conditions of use. The anticipated intake levels and use in food supplements were not considered to be nutritionally disadvantageous. This safety assessment represents the opinion of the FSA and FSS.

Objective: To increase the protein content of two commercial prickly pear cultivars, fermenting and adding some components, in order to complement the diet of ruminants in areas whose conditions impose limitations upon agriculture. Design/Methodology/Approach: A randomized complete bock design and a factorial treatment arrangement were used to test two prickly pears cultivars (Cristalino (Opuntia albicarpa) and Rojo Pelón (Opuntia ficus-indica)), two particle sizes (chopped and blended), and two non-protein nitrogen (NPN) sources and their combination (1 % urea, 0.1 % ammonium sulfate, and urea + ammonium sulfate). The substrates were fermented for 9 h. One percent yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and 0.25 % Saccharum spp. treacle were added to the substrates. Results: The levels of the tested factors recorded significant differences (p&lt;0.05). The “Cristalino” cv, the “blended” particle size, and the “urea plus ammonium sulfate” NPN had the highest protein content (CP): 29.9 %, 33.5 %, and 37.7 %, respectively. The treatment with the highest CP (46.1 %) used the Cristalino cv, blended particles, and urea plus ammonium sulfate. Study Limitations/Implications: The study faced no limitations. Findings/Conclusions: Fermenting prickly pears is a nutritious option to feed ruminants.

In March 2024, a food poisoning incident in Japan was traced to red yeast rice (beni-koji) supplements contaminated with puberulic acid (PA), a mycotoxin produced by Penicillium adametzioides. Although PA was implicated in renal dysfunction in both humans and rats, its mutagenic potential had not been clarified. Here, we comprehensively assessed the mutagenicity of PA using a tiered approach that combined in silico, in vitro, and in vivo methods. In silico quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analyses predicted PA to be mutagenic, and in vitro Ames tests confirmed the positive finding. In contrast, in vivo assays, including the transgenic rodent gene mutation assay in mice and the Pig-a assay in rats, demonstrated no induction of mutations in kidney, glandular stomach and blood cells, even at high exposure levels. Collectively, these findings indicate that PA is mutagenic in vitro bacterial tests, but not in mammalian in vivo systems, suggesting that the overall concern for mutagenicity in humans is low.

Glucosamine suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression through dual inhibition of cell cycle progression and nucleotide metabolism.

Collagen is a protein that helps maintain the structural integrity and functionality of connective tissue. Collagen hydrolysate, which has recently gained popularity due to its high bioavailability, has attracted attention due to its reported benefits, such as improving skin health, relieving joint pain, and reducing signs of ageing. This review aims to compile and categorize 28 well-researched and well-known, as well as less popular, types of collagens, and investigate their relationship with physiological processes and diseases. It also examines how collagen affects ageing and its potential impact on various health conditions. Collagen hydrolysate is a food ingredient known for its support of collagen synthesis and a wide range of health benefits, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive effects. Types I, II, and III collagen constitute 80–90 % of the human body. Collagen Types I through VII are most commonly associated with skin health, with other collagen types also playing a variety of roles in health and disease. Dietary supplements containing collagen hydrolysate have been shown to have positive effects, including reducing signs of ageing, maintaining skin health, reducing symptoms of joint disorders, and improving overall quality of life.

Introduction and objective: Dietary supplements are becoming increasingly popular, especially among physically active people, regardless of their level of experience. In Poland, as many as 90% of adults use such products, which highlights their importance in everyday life. The reasons for using supplements are varied, ranging from actual health needs to the influence of intensive marketing. Given the huge number of products available and insufficient market supervision, it is crucial to understand the principles of their use. The aim of this study is to assess the validity of supplementation among physically active people in the context of real health needs and the impact of marketing on consumer decisions. Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge: Supplements are products that supplement the diet and contain concentrated ingredients with physiological effects. Unlike drugs, they do not undergo rigorous clinical trials. They are often used without consulting experts, and knowledge about them comes mainly from advertising and the media. The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has divided supplements into four groups, A-D, according to their effectiveness and safety. Professional athletes usually seek the help of specialists, while amateurs often choose supplements on their own, which carries a risk of error. Products that support recovery, performance, and concentration are particularly popular. Social media, through influential celebrities, often promote unverified information. Summary: Supplements can support the health of physically active people, but their use should be informed and consulted with specialists. Excessive trust in advertising and a lack of knowledge increase the risk of misuse of these products. Education, legal regulations, and professional advice are key to safe supplementation.

A supplement, OPTIADE® DE, containing specific lactic acid bacteria, Enterococcus faecium WB2000, has been shown to provide significant ameliorative effects in patients. However, the mechanism of the supplement has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of the supplement on dry eye symptoms using an air stress-induced dry eye mice. Stress-induced dry eye in mice was produced by exposing the mice to an air stream. OPTIADE® DE was administered for 5 days during the daily exposure to the air stress, and then the tear volume and the expression of specific mRNA were measured. Furthermore, the effects of WB2000 and the other nutritional ingredients were also investigated, respectively. The contribution of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) to the regulation of tear secretion was investigated by an inhibitor of PPARα. Exposure of the mice to air stress displayed a remarkable decrease in the tear volume with a concomitant reduction in the PPARα expression in the lacrimal gland. OPTIADE® DE significantly inhibited the decrease in the tear volume and the expression of the PPARα. WB2000 and the other nutritional ingredients additively inhibited the decrease in the tear volume. Inhibition of PPARα completely canceled the effects of the OPTIADE® DE and WB2000 without influencing the effect of the mixture of other nutritional ingredients on the tear volume. These results suggest that both the PPARα-dependent pathway and the independent pathway contributed to the ameliorative effect of OPTIADE® DE in the dry eye mice.

Metabolic bone disease of nutritional origin (Ca/vitamin D3 deficiency) is common in pet reptiles. This study aimed to investigate the effects of four dietary supplements with or without artificial UVB irradiation. Selected blood parameters, health and growth were also examined. Thirty-six, one-month-old bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) were housed individually and fed five times a week; dietary supplements were given daily. Blood samples were taken from 3 animals in each group (n = 18) seven times, once at 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15, and twice at 16 months of age (with 2 weeks difference). Measured parameters were Ca (2.6 ± 0.5 mmol*L-1), Ca2+ (1.2 ± 0.2 mmol*L-1), uric acid (358 ± 243 µmol*L-1), total protein (66.2 ± 14.9 g*L-1), alanine-aminotransferase (<1-83 U*L-1), Na+ (161 ± 8.0 mmol*L-1) and K+ (3.9 ± 1.1 mmol*L-1). The UVB exposure enhances both the Ca (P = 0.0489) and Ca2+(P=0.0222) levels. The 24-h fasting before sampling resulted in significantly (P < 0.0001) lower uric acid values. The effect of age seems clinically relevant in total protein, with lower levels in juveniles (P=0.0016). Treatments did not affect the animals' body weight and length; all of them were clinically healthy.

Accurate identification of active ingredients in dietary supplements and functional beverages is essential for ensuring product quality and consumer safety. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, when coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), provides molecular information for compound characterization but is limited by solvent interference. This study presents a liquid-liquid microextraction (LLME)-assisted HPLC-FTIR method for isolating and identifying bioactive compounds in complex supplement matrices. HPLC fractions of a branched-chain amino acid beverage were subjected to LLME using infrared-transparent, non-polar solvents to remove mobile phase residues and buffer salts prior to FTIR analysis. Extraction parameters, solvent composition, and buffer effects were optimized and compared with conventional solvent evaporation. The LLME approach effectively eliminated solvent and salt interference, yielding clear spectra that enabled identification of citric acid, L-ascorbic acid, valine, leucine, isoleucine, and caffeine. The method uses standard laboratory equipment and is compatible with common chromatographic systems, offering a practical solution for routine supplement quality control and regulatory testing. This LLME-assisted HPLC-FTIR strategy provides a reliable pathway for infrared-based identification of active ingredients in complex food and pharmaceutical products.

Sustainable spectrofluorimetric determination of berberine in dietary supplements via Erythrosin B Ion-Pair complexation with mechanistic investigation, Box-Behnken optimization, and green chemistry assessment

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction and comorbid symptoms including anxiety and cognitive problems. The main pathological mechanisms underlying ASD are synaptic abnormalities and neuroinflammation. Ginger, commonly used as a spice, has been reported to enhance neurogenesis and attenuate inflammation in neurological disease; however, its effects on ASD remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of ginger extract (GE) in ASD. Prenatally valproic acid (VPA)-exposed mice were orally administered GE for 4 weeks from 6 weeks of age. Behavioral tests were performed to assess social interaction, anxiety, and cognitive functions. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses were used to predict targets and mechanisms of GE in ASD, which were verified using western blotting. Histological changes, including neurogenesis, neuroinflammation, and synaptic formation, were analyzed using immunostaining, western blotting, and qRT-PCR. GE ameliorated VPA-induced social deficits, anxiety-like behavior, and memory impairments. Network pharmacology identified AKT as a core molecular target of GE, and its active compounds exhibited high binding affinity for AKT. Consistent with these predictions, GE increased AKT and GSK3β phosphorylation in the hippocampus of mice, thereby restoring neuronal development, as evidenced by the increased Ki67- and DCX-positive cells. GE also mitigated gliosis and reduced STAT3 phosphorylation and TNF-α upregulation, thereby suppressing neuroinflammation and synaptic loss. GE alleviates ASD-like behaviors by promoting neuronal and synaptic development while suppressing neuroinflammation through AKT/GSK3β signaling, highlighting its potential as a natural supplement for ASD prevention.

This study tested the effects of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) rs110692574 polymorphism and rumen-protected choline and methionine supplementation on biochemical parameters, milk yield, reproductive performance and health status during the transition period in Holstein cows raised in Türkiye. Genotypes of 356 cows were determined using the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) method. Following genotyping, 80 cows were selected and assigned to four groups based on nucleotide genotype at two loci (homozygous CC and heterozygous CT) and dietary supplement (choline or choline+methionine). Blood samples were collected on day 21 prepartum, on the day of parturition (day 0), and on day 21 postpartum to measure homocysteine, folic acid, vitamin B12, and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations. beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) values and production data were obtained from the farms' routine monitoring records. Statistical analyses were performed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess time-dependent effects, and a general linear model was used for between-group comparisons at the same time points. The frequency of the CT genotype was 12.64%. The polymorphism significantly affected folic acid and vitamin B12 concentrations across different stages of the transition period. Feed supplementation had a significant effect on folic acid concentrations on calving day and on day 21 postpartum, as well as on milk yield on days 100, 200 and 305. Moreover, the polymorphism was significantly associated with folic acid and vitamin B12 concentrations on day 21 prepartum and with BHBA values on day 7 postpartum. This variation was linked to specific health issues that could lead to decreased productivity. In conclusion, genotype-based nutritional strategies were found to play a key role in maintaining metabolic balance and enhancing productivity during the transition period.

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is one of Indonesia’s leading fishery commodities, with high potential as a raw material for fish oil, especially from the eye tissue, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. This study aimed to evaluate the heavy metal content in yellowfin tuna eyes from Aceh waters to ensure the safety of extracted fish oil. Eye samples were obtained as by-products from a tuna fillet processing industry in Banda Aceh. Preparations were carried out by separating soft tissues from hard parts, followed by oil extraction using the cold water extraction method. Characterization included morphometric analysis and determination of heavy metal contents (Hg, Pb, Cd, As) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), based on national (SNI) and international (Codex Alimentarius 2017) standards. Results showed that Hg, Pb, and Cd were not detected, while As was present at a concentration of &lt;0.005 mg/kg—well below safety thresholds. These findings indicate that yellowfin tuna eye oil from Aceh is safe for consumption and holds promising potential as a high-value functional food or dietary supplement ingredient.

Synergistic effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GUANKE and Tryptophan on alleviating lung injury through the AHR/STAT3/IL-10 pathway in influenza infection mice.

Insomnia among hospitalized inpatients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Polyethylene-induced gill alterations in Mytilus galloprovincialis and the mitigation potential of Chlorellavulgaris.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) is used as a culinary spice and dietary supplement. A major constituent, cinnamaldehyde, was previously shown to inactivate cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A6 invitro. A mechanistic static model predicted an ~5-fold increase in the AUC of the CYP2A6 substrates nicotine and letrozole. Accordingly, the effects of a well-characterized cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) product on the pharmacokinetics of nicotine and letrozole were evaluated in 16 healthy, non-nicotine using adults. They were administered a single dose of nicotine gum (2 mg) or letrozole tablet (2.5 mg) (baseline). After a sufficient washout (2-14 days), they self-administered C. verum (2 g thrice daily) for 5 consecutive days. On Day 6, they were administered C. verum with nicotine or letrozole, followed by two more doses of C. verum (cinnamon exposure). Plasma was collected from 0 to 12 (nicotine) or 0-240 (letrozole) hours. The geometric mean plasma concentration vs. time profile for both drugs was nearly superimposable in the presence vs. absence of C. verum. The geometric mean ratio (GMR) [90% confidence interval] of the AUC of nicotine and letrozole in the presence to absence of cinnamon was 0.98 [0.96-1.12] and 1.11 [0.98-1.24], respectively (P > 0.16), indicating no interactions. Application of the "slope approach" involving the 3-hydroxycotinine-to-cotinine ratio provided potential new mechanistic insight into CYP2A6 inhibition. The general lack of effect of a typical dosage of C. verum on the pharmacokinetics of nicotine and letrozole suggests that C. verum may be safe to consume with both drugs, as well as other CYP2A6 substrates.