דו״ח מאומת

The bilberry is a low-growing plant native to northern Europe. It belongs to the genus Vaccinium. Bilberry is essential in the local diets of some countries and is used as an herbal medicine to manage several ailments. Still, it is not used for commercial farming in many countries. It has recently been known as a great source of naturally available bioactive compounds and colorants. Bilberry is a therapeutic fruit acknowledged for its rich flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, phenolic acid, tocopherols, and vitamin content. It is one of the richest sources of natural anthocyanins. The polyphenolic compounds in bilberry provide abundant antioxidant content, which are supposed to be the vital bioactive compounds accountable for various health benefits. Even though bilberry is mostly promoted for eye care or vision improvement. It is also stated to promote antioxidant defense and lower oxidative stress, having antiaging, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, antimicrobial effects, lowering blood glucose and other age-related diseases, etc. Reports suggest that apart from the fruit, the leaves of bilberry are equally rich in numerous bioactive compounds of medicinal importance. This current review offers valuable insights on bilberry fruits, leaves, and extracts, providing an inclusive assessment of their bioactive compound configuration, related biological prospects, and the extraction methodology of their major compounds. This review offers a summary of the existing information on the antiaging potential of bilberry fruits and leaves, and analytically reviews the outcome of clinical trials, with special attention towards its medicinal properties.…

PMID: 41599963

Natural polyphenols, particularly tannins, are of interest due to their complex composition and multi-target biological activities. A highly purified tannin fraction was isolated from <i>Aronia melanocarpa</i> fruits, and its composition was characterized by HPLC-MS and IR spectroscopy. The Aronia tannin fraction exhibited comprehensive antioxidant properties, demonstrating superior DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to quercetin and a membrane-protective effect exceeding reference antioxidants. In vivo, Aronia tannins showed a delayed but potent antioxidant effect against cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced oxidative stress, significantly reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, with the maximum effect observed at days 14-21. The immunomodulatory effect involved a complex regulation of the phagocytic system: selective activation of the monocytic arm with simultaneous modulation of neutrophilic activity. Crucially, a high phagocytic completion rate was maintained, indicating support for both bacterial uptake and intracellular killing. Tannins accelerated recovery post-CP, restoring leukocyte and platelet counts. Modulation of neutrophil oxidative metabolism, measured by chemiluminescence, indicates an ability to balance defense activation with prevention of excessive oxidative stress. These findings confirm the potential of the <i>Aronia melanocarpa</i> tannin fraction for correcting oxidative stress and immune dysfunction.…

PMID: 41302398

Flavonoids are a class of natural plant compounds that are categorised within the polyphenolic group. It is widely acknowledged that their structural diversity results in a wide distribution within food sources, thus leading to a concomitant wide spectrum of biological activity. This review provides an updated overview of the main flavonoid subclasses, including flavonols, flavones, flavanones, flavanols, anthocyanins, and isoflavones, and includes an examination of their chemical properties and biosynthetic pathways. The present study will discuss the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on flavonoid function in plants, including their role in ultraviolet protection, stress tolerance, and defence signalling. The regular consumption of foods rich in flavonoids has been demonstrated to be associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular, metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. This observation underscores the significance of flavonoids in a balanced diet. Medicinal plants play an important role in this task. The mechanisms of action of this substance include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, modulation of signalling pathways, and neuroprotective functions. The present findings underscore the significance of flavonoids as multifunctional bioactive molecules, which hold considerable potential for preventive and therapeutic applications. However, further well-designed human studies are necessary to determine effective dosage, long-term safety, and clinical relevance.…

PMID: 41515363

India, home to 4 biodiversity hotspots, hosts 675 wild species used for nutritional and therapeutic purposes. Wild edible fruits are highly valuable for their rich content of health-beneficial compounds, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, and vitamins. The shift in modern lifestyles has increasingly impacted human health. Several factors contribute to heightened oxidative stress, which underpins the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Endometriosis, one of these conditions influenced by oxidative stress, currently lacks a definitive cure, leaving patients reliant on hormonal and surgical treatments. According to the WHO, 10% of girls and women worldwide are affected by endometriosis, often experiencing severe symptoms. This review explores the role of oxidative stress in the progression of endometriosis, its pathophysiology, and the effects of polyphenols found in wild Himalayan fruits, including various phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes, and lignans. It also examines their synergistic effects with other non-polyphenolic compounds in reducing these biomarkers, such as inflammatory enzymes, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and estrogen receptors, and in modulating pathways like NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, among others, based on preclinical and clinical studies. Additionally, the review highlights key wild fruit species native to the Indian Himalayas, details their nutritional and phytochemical profiles, and assesses their potential, individually and synergistically, as functional foods or nutraceuticals for non-invasive treatment options for endometriosis.…

PMID: 41976472

Depression is a common psychiatric condition with a considerable influence on global health. Although current pharmacotherapeutic choices are of indisputable relevance, there is sustained interest in natural medicines for treating depressive symptoms. Polyphenols, a class of plant-derived natural compounds, have received attention due to their possible neuroprotective and anti-depressive properties. In this review, we aimed to present the intricate mechanisms through which polyphenols modulate inflammation, neurogenesis, oxidative stress, and the gut microbiota. Consumption of polyphenol-rich diets is emerging as a non-invasive, natural, and cost-effective approach to supporting brain health, with potential influence on depressive symptoms. While there have been promising results, more research is needed to draw solid conclusions regarding the medicinal potential of polyphenols.…

PMID: 40933166

<b>Background:</b> Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, are among the leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Dietary patterns have emerged as modifiable risk factors that may influence disease onset and progression. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish, and extra virgin olive oil, has been consistently associated with better cognitive outcomes and reduced risk of neurodegeneration. <b>Aim:</b> This narrative review summarizes current evidence on the role of the MedDiet in slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular focus on polyphenols such as resveratrol and oleuropein as key bioactive mediators. <b>Methods:</b> We synthesized findings from epidemiological studies, clinical trials, and mechanistic research to provide an integrated overview of how adherence to the MedDiet and its polyphenol components affects neurodegenerative disease trajectories. <b>Results:</b> Epidemiological studies suggest that higher MedDiet adherence is associated with slower cognitive decline, reduced conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease, and better motor and non-motor outcomes in Parkinson's disease. Mechanistically, the MedDiet modulates oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial function, vascular health, and the gut-brain axis. Polyphenols such as resveratrol and oleuropein exert neuroprotective effects through antioxidant activity, modulation of amyloid aggregation, mitochondrial biogenesis, and activation of signaling pathways (e.g., SIRT1). Clinical studies, although limited, indicate beneficial effects of polyphenol-rich interventions on cognitive and metabolic biomarkers. <b>Conclusions:</b> Current evidence supports the Mediterranean diet as a promising dietary strategy to slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Polyphenols, including resveratrol and oleuropein, may play a role in mediating these effects. Further well-designed, long-term clinical trials are needed to establish causal relationships, optimize dosage, and explore biomarker-driven personalized nutrition approaches.…

PMID: 41470875

<b>Background</b>: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease, with key features being synovial hyperplasia, autoantibody production, and ultimately cartilage and bone destruction. The pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not fully understood, but it is estimated that genetic factors account for 50-60% of the risk, with the remainder attributed to environmental factors, including infectious agents, smoking, gut microbiota, and diet. Given that most current clinical trials on RA and nutrition are limited in sample size and duration, there is an unmet need for higher-quality studies in the future, a need that EULAR has already recognized. <b>Objective</b>: This article aims to investigate the impact of diet and nutritional factors on the development, progression, and potential prevention of RA. Specifically, it provides a comprehensive review of certain foods, such as alcohol, gluten, red meat, and saturated and trans fats, and their contribution to the onset and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition, it examines the effect of key anti-inflammatory nutrients in reducing the risk of RA, including olive oil, fatty fish, juices, and certain fruits. Finally, it discusses the potential protective effects of certain dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet (MD) and diets rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). <b>Methods</b>: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, and Scopus databases (1990-2025). English-language observational studies, clinical trials, and systematic reviews addressing the relationship between diet and dietary patterns and RA were included. <b>Results</b>: High consumption of red and processed meat, saturated and trans fats, sugary drinks, and gluten (in vulnerable individuals) is associated with increased RA risk and greater disease activity, partly through pro-inflammatory pathways and gut dysbiosis. In contrast, regular intake of olive oil, fatty fish rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, fruit juices, cocoa, certain fruits, and vitamin D appears protective and may reduce disease activity and symptom severity. Adherence to anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, particularly the Mediterranean diet and diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is consistently associated with a lower incidence of RA, reduced inflammatory markers, and improved clinical outcomes. However, most available studies are limited by small sample sizes, short duration, heterogeneous methodologies, and potential confounding by other lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, obesity). <b>Conclusions</b>: Although an appropriate diet and dietary habits cannot replace pharmacological therapy, current knowledge supports the inclusion of an anti-inflammatory diet as an adjunct strategy in the prevention and management of RA. The relatively limited studies that have been conducted suggest that high-quality, large-scale, prospective studies are needed to prevent and treat RA. These studies should incorporate genetic, microbiome, and long-term clinical endpoints, so as to establish definitive dietary recommendations and allow for personalized nutritional interventions for patients with RA.…

PMID: 41470771

Sleep disorders and poor sleep quality are increasingly recognized as global health concerns, with substantial consequences for mental and physical health. While pharmacological treatments are available, growing evidence suggests that nutritional interventions offer effective, sustainable alternatives for enhancing sleep quality. This review aims to synthesize current evidence on the impact of key nutrients, dietary patterns, bioactive compounds, and gut microbiome modulation on sleep regulation, and to explore emerging personalized nutrition approaches for managing sleep disorders. A comprehensive review of clinical trials, observational studies, and mechanistic research published over the past two decades was conducted. Key focus areas included sleep-supportive nutrients, dietary patterns (e.g., Mediterranean, ketogenic, plant-based diets), chrononutrition, gut-brain axis modulation, functional foods, and personalized nutrition strategies. Evidence supports the role of specific nutrients (e.g., magnesium, tryptophan, omega-3 fatty acids) and dietary patterns rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds in improving sleep outcomes. Functional foods such as tart cherry juice and kiwifruit demonstrate potential benefits. The gut microbiome emerges as a significant regulator of sleep physiology, suggesting probiotics and prebiotics as novel interventions. Personalized nutrition approaches, incorporating genetic, metabolic, and lifestyle factors, offer promising individualized solutions. Nutritional interventions represent a promising, non-pharmacological strategy for improving sleep quality and managing sleep disorders. Future research should focus on personalized approaches and large-scale clinical trials to validate and refine these strategies for clinical practice.…

PMID: 41356231

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death worldwide. A healthy diet has an important role in delaying the development of many modifiable risk factors of CVD, including abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high plasma levels of cholesterol, and glucose. The consumption of various nuts, especially walnuts, may benefit both primary and secondary prevention due to their bioactive components. This review focuses on (1) the protective role of walnut consumption on CVD at large (2) and the potential cellular and molecular mechanisms by which they have beneficial effects on vascular endothelial function. Walnuts contain many essential ingredients (such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and vitamin E) necessary for the healthy functioning of membranes. Since membranes are involved in nearly all processes associated with life-related function, the main underlying mechanism of walnut-improved cardiovascular function is likely based on improving membrane composition and function by providing all of the substrates necessary for membranes, such as cell, mitochondria, Golgi, nucleus, and so on. In addition to endothelial cell function, all other cells and membranes are likely to benefit from walnut consumption, suggesting that incorporating walnuts into the human diet is essential, for example, during higher physical and mental demand, such as exercise, and may mitigate the risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases and compensate for the sedentary lifestyle, especially in those of an older age.…

PMID: 39598224

Plant-derived nutritional components represent a promising adjunctive strategy for addressing neuropsychiatric manifestations of thyroid disorders. Although conventional hormone replacement normalizes biochemical parameters, many patients continue to experience neurocognitive impairment and affective symptoms, underscoring the complexity of thyroid-brain axis regulation. This review synthesizes recent advances on how plant-based nutritional approaches may modulate oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter homeostasis, and blood-brain barrier integrity, and evaluates their emerging clinical applicability and existing evidence gaps. Overall, plant-based interventions may complement standard therapy and improve neuropsychiatric outcomes, though larger prospective studies are needed to clarify their efficacy and identify suitable patient subgroups.…

PMID: 41798846

Depression is a common psychiatric condition with a considerable influence on global health. Although current pharmacotherapeutic choices are of indisputable relevance, there is sustained interest in natural medicines for treating depressive symptoms. Polyphenols, a class of plant-derived natural compounds, have received attention due to their possible neuroprotective and anti-depressive properties. In this review, we aimed to present the intricate mechanisms through which polyphenols modulate inflammation, neurogenesis, oxidative stress, and the gut microbiota. Consumption of polyphenol-rich diets is emerging as a non-invasive, natural, and cost-effective approach to supporting brain health, with potential influence on depressive symptoms. While there have been promising results, more research is needed to draw solid conclusions regarding the medicinal potential of polyphenols.…

PMID: 40933166

This review highlights the nutritional and therapeutic significance of Allium vegetables-including garlic, onion, leek, and chive-emphasizing their principal bioactive compounds such as organosulfur compounds, flavonoids, and essential micronutrients. These phytochemicals exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities that contribute to the prevention and management of chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders. Mechanistic studies indicate that Allium-derived compounds modulate oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways through NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling, thereby enhancing metabolic and immune resilience. Despite these well-established benefits, challenges such as low bioavailability, inter-species variability, and limited clinical validation restrict translational potential. Recent advances in nanoencapsulation, emulsion-based delivery, and inclusion complexes offer promising strategies to improve compound stability and absorption. Future research should integrate clinical validation, comparative genomics, and functional food formulation to maximize health outcomes. This review underscores Allium vegetables as promising functional foods for preventive healthcare and supports their integration into daily diets to promote sustainable wellbeing.…

PMID: 41425624

The dual challenge of rising antimicrobial resistance and consumer demand for natural preservatives threatens global food safety. In this context, plant-derived polyphenolic extracts offer a potent and sustainable solution. These compounds exhibit potent activity against key food-borne pathogens responsible for diseases ranging from diarrhea to gastrointestinal ulcers, as well as pathogen-associated inflammatory conditions linked to long-term gastrointestinal complications. This review synthesizes current research on the efficacy of polyphenolic extracts as antimicrobial agents. I detail their diverse mechanisms of action, evaluate their potential for medical applications, and discuss their integration into advanced food preservation systems to meet modern safety and sustainability standards. Collectively, these insights highlight the potential of plant-derived polyphenolic extracts as sustainable tools for improving food safety in modern food systems.…

PMID: 41900380

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with garlic extract, mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) and their combinations on growth performance, immunity, gut morphology and microbiota in broilers. A total of 250 Hubbard chicks were allocated into five groups: control (basal diet), garlic extract, MOS, Combo-I (half doses of both) and Combo-II (full doses of both). The trial lasted 42 days under standard management conditions. Results demonstrated that Combo-I consistently improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the starter, grower and finisher phases (p < 0.05), highlighting a synergistic effect of the combined supplements. Carcass weight was significantly enhanced in Combo-II (p = 0.03), although dressing percentage and organ weights were not affected (p > 0.05). Immunological parameters were strongly influenced by supplementation. Combo-I induced the highest antibody titres against Newcastle disease and infectious bursal disease (p < 0.05), with Combo-II ranking second, whereas single additives showed moderate improvements compared to the control. Similarly, serum immunoglobulin concentrations (IgM, IgA and IgG) were greatest in Combo-I, confirming enhanced humoral immunity. Gut morphology was significantly improved in the combination groups, particularly Combo-I, which showed increased villus height, wider villi, reduced crypt depth, and the highest villus:crypt ratio (p < 0.05), reflecting superior absorptive potential. Although differences in ileal microbiota were not statistically significant, both combination treatments reduced Escherichia coli and Salmonella counts while promoting Lactobacillus spp. populations. In conclusion, the combined use of garlic extract and MOS, especially at half doses (Combo-I), optimally improved growth, immune response, gut architecture and microbial balance, offering a synergistic strategy for enhancing broiler performance.…

PMID: 41495007

The human gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem of microorganisms fundamental to human health, influencing metabolism, immunity, and neurological function. Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in this microbial community, is increasingly linked to a range of chronic diseases, from inflammatory bowel disease to metabolic syndrome. This article explores the therapeutic potential of several common botanicals in modulating the gut microbiota and promoting intestinal health. We delve into the phytochemical composition and pharmacological properties of nine medicinal plants: globe artichoke, aloe vera, German chamomile, pot marigold, Ceylon cinnamon, dandelion, fennel, garlic, ginger, and green tea. We focus on their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and prebiotic effects. The article also discusses the scientific evidence supporting their use, acknowledges the limitations of current research, and highlights considerations for safe and effective application. We conclude by summarising the significant role of these herbal remedies in modern complementary medicine and proposing future research directions to further elucidate their mechanisms of action and optimise their use for gut health.…

PMID: 41303363