Volume 11, Issue 3 -

Nutrients present in various foods plays an important role in maintaining the normal functions of the human body. The major nutrients present in foods include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. Besides these, there are some bioactive food components known as “phytonutrients” that play an important role in human health. They have tremendous impact on the health care system and may provide medical health benefits including the prevention and/or treatment of disease and various physiological disorders. Phytonutrients play a positive role by maintaining and modulating immune function to prevent specific diseases. Being natural products, they hold a great promise in clinical therapy as they possess no side effects that are usually associated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. They are also comparatively cheap and thus significantly reduce health care cost. Phytonutrients are the plant nutrients with specific biological activities that support human health. Some of the important bioactive phytonutrients include polyphenols, terpenoids, resveratrol, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, carotenoids, limonoids, glucosinolates, phytoestrogens, phytosterols, anthocyanins, ω-3 fatty acids, and probiotics. They play specific pharmacological effects in human health such as anti-microbial, anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-spasmodic, anti-cancer, anti-aging, hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, neuroprotective, hypotensive, diabetes, osteoporosis, CNS stimulant, analgesic, protection from UVB-induced carcinogenesis, immuno-modulator, and carminative. This mini-review attempts to summarize the major important types of phytonutrients and their role in promoting human health and as therapeutic agents along with the current market trend and commercialization.

Background : Diabetes mellitus arises from a deficient production and action of insulin. Ziziphus vulgaris L. (jujube) is a medicinal plant that is known to have anti-diabetic actions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of jujube fruit powder and extract against biochemical imbalances in stereptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Methods : Diabetes was induced in rats using intraperitoneal injection of STZ at a dose of 60 mg/kg body weight (bw). Jujube powder (1 g/kg bw) and extract (1 g/kg bw) were administered daily via gavage, from two weeks prior to three weeks after STZ injection. Serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, and lipids and histological changes of the pancreas tissue were assessed at the end of study. Results : The kaempferol content of jujube extract was found to be 0.013±0.0005% (w/w). Two weeks of supplementation with jujube powder resulted in a significant reduction of serum glucose levels compared with the non-diabetic control group prior to STZ treatment. Both jujube preparations prevented serum insulin decrease following STZ treatment, increased antioxidant capacity, and reduced total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and malondialdehyde levels. Jujube powder reduced serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and C-reactive protein concentrations while jujube extract had no effect on these parameters. Histopathological examination revealed a significant attenuation of pancreatic inflammation in the jujube-treated animals. Conclusions : The present findings suggest a protective role of jujube supplementation, in particular in the powdered form, against diabetes-induced biochemical and histopathological abnormalities.

Rhizophora mucronata , plant of Mangroove family, found on the coastal region of India and used in treatment of various diseases. Different parts of plants are used in treatment of diabetes as folkloric medicine. The present study was designed to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of R. mucronata . Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were treated with RME (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (0.5 mg/kg). Blood glucose levels were evaluated for the acute and sub-acute studies and body weight of rats were also monitored. All the treatments showed the highly significant (p<0.01) hypoglycemic effect in both the acute and the sub-acute studies. RME and glibenclamide treated rats were maintained the body weight during the study period while as the body weight of diabetic rats had gone down. The result of this study scientifically proved the hypoglycemic folkloric use of leaves of R. mucronata in treatment of diabetes.

Background : The goal of the study was to determine the antidiabetic mechanisms and the antioxidant effects of aqueous (decoction and maceration) and methanol extracts from the stem bark of Ceiba pentandra . Methods : These extracts were tested in vitro on glucose uptake by skeletal muscles and liver slices and on glucose release by liver slices. The antioxidant activities of C. pentandra extracts were investigated at concentrations ranging from 1 to 300 µg/mL on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 )-induced hemolysis, H 2 O 2 -induced brain lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl (˙OH) radical as well as their reducing power. Results : The decoction similarly to insulin exhibited a significant glucose lowering activity. In a hyperglycemic milieu, it significantly increased glucose uptake by the liver by 56.57% and in the skeletal muscle by 94.19%. In a hypoglycemic milieu, it significantly reduced glucose release by the liver by 33.94%. The decoction, maceration and methanol extracts exhibited a significant radical scavenging activity on DPPH with respective EC 50 of 87.84, 54.77 and 6.15 µg/mL versus 2.24 µg/mL observed with ascorbic acid. All the extracts showed a significant antioxidant effect on hydroxyl radical, against lipid peroxidation and H 2 O 2 -induced hemolysis. The decoction showed the greatest antihemolytic effect with a maximum inhibition of 77.57% at the concentration of 100 µg/mL. C. pentandra extracts also showed a concentration-dependent reducing power. Conclusions : These results suggest that the antidiabetic effect of C. pentandra is due to its ability to increase glucose uptake and to reduce glucose release by target organs. The antioxidant properties of C. pentandra extracts are additional benefit for their antidiabetic effects.

Background : Malaria remains a major global health concern in developing regions of the world. Homeopathy, a holistic system of medicine, has a lot to offer in protecting against malaria. Methods : In the present study, antimalarial efficacy of combination of two homeopathic drugs Chelidonium 30 and nosode 30 has been evaluated in vivo against Plasmodium berghei ( P. berghei ) infection using Peters 4-day test. Biochemical assays have been performed to assess the levels of hepatic and renal function biomarkers upon drug treatment using diagnostic kits. Results : The combination of the drugs demonstrated considerable in vivo antimalarial activity with chemosuppression of 91.45% on day 7. The combination also significantly (p<0.0005) enhanced the mean survival time of mice which was calculated to be 22.5±6.31 days, whereas it was 8.55±0.83 days in infected control. The increase in levels of the liver function marker enzymes tested in serum of treated mice were significantly less (p<0.0005) than those observed in infected control on day 10. The serum urea and creatinine used for assessment of renal sufficiency were slightly elevated above normal, but were statistically significant (p<0.0005) as compared to infected control. Conclusions : The study establishes the effectiveness of the combination against P. berghei in vivo along with the safety of the drugs to the liver and kidney functions of the host.

Background : People living in Asian countries including Thailand are likely to use herbal and dietary supplements (HDS). However, there is limited evidence of their usage in Thailand. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the prevalence of HDS usage amongst a general population in Bangkok; (2) patterns of HDS use; (3) reasons why Bangkok residents use HDS. Methods : This cross-sectional survey recruited 400 Thai people aged 15 years or over at busy bus stops in Bangkok, Thailand, using convenience sampling. Data were collected via an interview regarding demographics, HDS usage and reasons of using HDS. Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages, were used to analyse the prevalence and the patterns of HDS use. Results : The prevalence of HDS usage in the previous 6 months was 52%. The majority of people who took herbs used them to treat illnesses (58%), whereas the majority of people who took dietary supplements used them to promote well-being (65%). Respondents reported using HDS due to their efficacy (28%), wanting to try them (26%) and safety concerns with conventional medicines (15%). Conclusions : Health care providers should be aware of HDS use amongst Thai residents in Bangkok. Policy makers should educate people about appropriate HDS use.

Background : Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is becoming a pillar in the rehabilitative efforts for many living with HIV/AIDS. A community-based research program called the Living Well Lab (LWL) was established in 2007, operating out of Friends For Life (FFL), a non-profit wellness center in Vancouver, Canada offering free CAM therapies to people living with HIV/AIDS. Therapies range from naturopathy to yoga. The LWL partnered with academic and community organizations to evaluate CAM use and changes in health and quality of life outcomes of FFL’s HIV+ members. Methods : A longitudinal, combined methods approach assessed the health- and quality-of-life-related outcomes and experiences of CAM users. Participants completed outcome packages (5 time points) over 18 months, which focused on changes in physical and emotional states, satisfaction with services and social support. Interviews were conducted at baseline, 9- and 18-month time points. Quantitative analyses were descriptive while content analysis and thematic coding were used in the qualitative analysis. Results : Two hundred and seven members enrolled in the LWL. Quantitative data demonstrated improvement in mental and physical wellbeing, social support and patient satisfaction specifically: SF-12, Arizona Integrative Outcomes Scale and three visual analog scales (stress, pain and energy). Participants felt several factors contributed to these changes such as managing anxiety, accepting their illness, learning to relax, an increased capacity for self-care and social support. Conclusions : CAM use may be associated with changes to physical, social and mental wellbeing. Issues throughout the study provided important lessons for future research.

Background : The goal was to investigate the effects of Brain Wave Vibration (BWV), a meditation practised in a class involving rhythmic movements of the head, neck and body practised with related yoga-style exercises, and to isolate the rhythmic effects. Methods : A randomised controlled trial was conducted with assessments pre- and post-trial and immediately before and after each session. Thirty-one healthy adults were assessed for mood, sleep, mindfulness, health and well-being, and pre- and post-class activation–deactivation. Participants were randomly assigned to either BWV in toto or a control group having similar yoga exercises without the rhythmic components. Participants completed eight to twelve 75-min classes of BWV or control training over 8–12 weeks. To control for expectation participants were told only that the aim was to compare two subtly different styles of Korean yoga. Results : The BWV group had comparatively greater improvements in sleep duration and efficiency, although they had higher baseline inefficiency, and post-trial they had better global sleep and well-being and fewer illness symptoms, and better tiredness and energy post-class. Both groups benefitted in mood, mindfulness and vitality post-trial with improved tension and calmness post-class. Conclusions : The participants of both interventions had better mood and well-being on the whole following the trial and were more relaxed immediately after a class. However, BWV training was unique in its benefits to sleep, health, well-being, energy and tiredness, warranting further research.