Blackcurrants: A Nutrient-Rich Source for the Development of Functional Foods for Improved Athletic Performance

Blackcurrants are nutrient-rich fruits with a significant amount of bioactive compounds including vitamin C and polyphenols, especially anthocyanins. The high phytochemical content of blackcurrants promotes this fruit to become a valuable functional food ingredient with varying health-promoting activities targeting different consumers including athletes. Athletes experience oxidative stress during intense exercise, which can result in inflammation and reduced exercise performance. Antioxidants such as vitamin C and polyphenols can restore the regular oxidative status of the body. Blackcurrant supplementation has shown potential ergogenic activity to improve athlete performance during high-intensity training. Clinical trials have evaluated the effectiveness of blackcurrant supplementation on exercise performance, fat oxidation, blood lactate levels, muscle fatigue, and cardiac output. Due to the rich nutritional value of blackcurrants, they can be a potential candidate for the development of functional foods targeted at the improved performance of athletes. Blackcurrants can be used as ingredients to develop functional beverages and snacks for athletes as well as gluten-free products for celiac athletes.Blackcurrant is rich in bioactive compounds that can help improve athletic performance. It can be considered a potential bioactive ingredient to develop functional foods for athletes

Blackcurrants: A Nutrient-Rich Source for the Development of Functional Foods for Improved Athletic Performance

Blackcurrants are nutrient-rich fruits with a significant amount of bioactive compounds including vitamin C and polyphenols, especially anthocyanins. The high phytochemical content of blackcurrants promotes this fruit to become a valuable functional food ingredient with varying health-promoting activities targeting different consumers including athletes. Athletes experience oxidative stress during intense exercise, which can result in inflammation and reduced exercise performance. Antioxidants such as vitamin C and polyphenols can restore the regular oxidative status of the body. Blackcurrant supplementation has shown potential ergogenic activity to improve athlete performance during high-intensity training. Clinical trials have evaluated the effectiveness of blackcurrant supplementation on exercise performance, fat oxidation, blood lactate levels, muscle fatigue, and cardiac output. Due to the rich nutritional value of blackcurrants, they can be a potential candidate for the development of functional foods targeted at the improved performance of athletes. Blackcurrants can be used as ingredients to develop functional beverages and snacks for athletes as well as gluten-free products for celiac athletes.Blackcurrant is rich in bioactive compounds that can help improve athletic performance. It can be considered a potential bioactive ingredient to develop functional foods for athletes

Insights on Anticancer Activities, Associated Phytochemicals and Potential Molecular Mechanisms of Quisqualis indica: A Mini Review

Drug resistance is the main issue causing the treatment failure of anticancer drugs. This issue has urged researchers to search for new substances from medicinal plants, which are widely reported as the good sources of anticancer agents. Quisqualis indica is a plant belongs to Combretaceae family, known as Rangoon Creeper, which can be found abundantly in tropical countries and distributed profusely as a wild shrub. It has been widely used traditionally and scientifically claimed to process various therapeutic activities. It has recently been reported to possess various potential anticancer activities against different cancers. Looking at its availability in almost all seasons and grow fast, it is an arising source of herbal medicine in the discovery of anticancer drugs economically. Besides, Q. indica is enriched with several secondary metabolites of interest, which are responsible for the positive findings for its anticancer potentials. In this review, we aim to decipher and discuss the anticancer activities of Q. indica crude extracts and isolated phytochemicals as evidenced in preclinical models, as well as the associated molecular mechanisms. More preclinical investigations on its anticancer potentials should be conducted before translation to clinical testing

Insights on anticancer activities, associated phytochemicals and potential molecular mechanisms of Quisqualis indica: a mini review

Drug resistance is the main issue causing the treatment failure of anticancer drugs. This issue has urged researchers to search for new substances from medicinal plants, which are widely reported as the good sources of anticancer agents. Quisqualis indica is a plant belongs to Combretaceae family, known as Rangoon Creeper, which can be found abundantly in tropical countries and distributed profusely as a wild shrub. It has been widely used traditionally and scientifically claimed to process various therapeutic activities. It has recently been reported to possess various potential anticancer activities against different cancers. Looking at its availability in almost all seasons and grow fast, it is an arising source of herbal medicine in the discovery of anticancer drugs economically. Besides, Q. indica is enriched with several secondary metabolites of interest, which are responsible for the positive findings for its anticancer potentials. In this review, we aim to decipher and discuss the anticancer activities of Q. indica crude extracts and isolated phytochemicals as evidenced in preclinical models, as well as the associated molecular mechanisms. More preclinical investigations on its anticancer potentials should be conducted before translation to clinical testing

Nutritional and Health Benefits of the Brown Seaweed Himanthalia elongata

Himanthalia elongata is a brown seaweed containing several nutritional compounds and bioactive substances including antioxidants, dietary fibre, vitamins, fatty acids, amino acids, and macro- and trace- elements. A variety of bioactive compounds including phlorotannins, flavonoids, dietary fucoxanthin, hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, polyphenols and carotenoids are also present in this seaweed. Multiple comparative studies were carried out between different seaweed species, wherein H. elongata was determined to exhibit high antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, fucose content and potassium concentrations compared to other species. H. elongata extracts have also shown promising anti-hyperglycaemic and neuroprotective activities. H. elongata is being studied for its potential industrial food applications. In new meat product formulations, it lowered sodium content, improved phytochemical and fiber content in beef patties, improved properties of meat gel/emulsion systems, firmer and tougher with improved water and fat binding properties. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the nutritional composition, bioactive properties, and food applications of H. elongata

Insights on Anticancer Activities, Associated Phytochemicals and Potential Molecular Mechanisms of Quisqualis indica: A Mini Review [Pandangan tentang Aktiviti Antikanser, Fitokimia Berkaitan dan Mekanisme Molekul Berpotensi Quisqualis indica: Suatu Kajian Mini]

Drug resistance is the main issue causing the treatment failure of anticancer drugs. This issue has urged researchers to search for new substances from medicinal plants, which are widely reported as the good sources of anticancer agents. Quisqualis indica is a plant belongs to Combretaceae family, known as Rangoon Creeper, which can be found abundantly in tropical countries and distributed profusely as a wild shrub. It has been widely used traditionally and scientifically claimed to process various therapeutic activities. It has recently been reported to possess various potential anticancer activities against different cancers. Looking at its availability in almost all seasons and grow fast, it is an arising source of herbal medicine in the discovery of anticancer drugs economically. Besides, Q. indica is enriched with several secondary metabolites of interest, which are responsible for the positive findings for its anticancer potentials. In this review, we aim to decipher and discuss the anticancer activities of Q. indica crude extracts and isolated phytochemicals as evidenced in preclinical models, as well as the associated molecular mechanisms. More preclinical investigations on its anticancer potentials should be conducted before translation to clinical testing

A comprehensive review of phytochemicals of <i>Withania somnifera</i> (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae) as antiviral therapeutics

Viruses have caused millions and billions of infections and high mortality rates without successful immunization due to a lack of antiviral drugs approved for clinical use. Therefore, the discovery of novel antiviral drugs is impertinent and natural products are excellent alternative sources. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae) is recognized as one of the most significant herbs in the Ayurvedic system and it had been utilized in various biological actions for more than 3000 years. This review aimed to discuss the therapeutic effects and associated molecular mechanisms of Withania somnifera (WS) and its phytochemicals, withanolides against various viruses in preclinical and clinical settings towards developing potential inhibitors which could target virus proteins or their respective host cell receptors. WS was reported to attenuate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), serve as a potential ligand against the herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA polymerase, suppress Alzheimer’s disease progression by inhibiting the cytotoxicity induced by the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1)-activated beta-amyloid (Aβ), and attenuate the neuraminidase activity of H1N1 influenza. WS root extracts have also reduced the mortality rates and stress levels in tilapia infected with tilapia lake virus (TiLV), and stimulated antiviral nitric oxide formation in chicks infected with infectious bursal disease (IBD). With increasing evidence from previous literatures, further in vitro and in vivo investigations of WS against other viral infections may provide promising results. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)</p