Screening of antibacterial activity of lactic acid bacteria isolated from fermented vegetables against food borne pathogens

This study aims to screen the antibacterial activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from home-made fermented vegetables against common food borne pathogens. The antagonistic properties of these isolates against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica and Bacillus cereus were examined using agar well diffusion method. Four LAB namely MF6, MF10, MF13, and MF15 identified as Lactobacillus animalis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus reuteri, respectively were effective against all selected pathogenic strains. Amongst the four isolates, MF6 exhibited the highest antibacterial activity, against all the indicator pathogens tested except Y. enterocolitic. Its activity was maximum against E.coli with a Zone of Inhibition (ZOI) ranging from 18.7 to 21.3 mm and least for Y. enterocolitica (10 \pm 1.1 mm). Isolate MF13 also showed antimicrobial property against all tested pathogens showing highest activity against Y. enterocolitica (14 \pm 1.7 mm) and least against E.coli (8 \pm 1.4 mm), which was in direct contrast to isolate MF6. Isolate MF15 showed greater activity against E.coli (12 \pm 0.8 mm) and least against S. aureus (8 \pm 1.7 mm). Least antimicrobial property was observed in isolate MF10, with a ZOI in the range of 2.5-7 mm. The degree of antimicrobial property among the isolates was in the order of MF6>MF13>MF15>MF10. Overall, the isolated LAB showed the remarkable inhibitory effect against both Gram positive and Gram negative pathogenic strains. However, the spectrum of inhibition was different for the isolates tested. These results suggest that this potent isolates could be used as a natural biopreservatives in different food products.Comment: 10 page

Potential of Traditional Medicinal Plants for Treating Obesity: A Review

Obesity is a global health concern associated with high morbidity and mortality. Therapeutic strategies include synthetic drugs and surgery, which may entail high costs and serious complications. Plant-based medicinal agents offer an alternative approach. A review of the studies on accessible botanical sources for the treatment of obesity is provided, which attempts to explain how these medicinal plants act to cause weight loss, and which approach is safer and more efficient. Information was gathered for the period of 1991 to 2012. Five basic mechanisms, including stimulating thermogenesis, lowering lipogenesis, enhancing lipolysis, suppressing appetite, and decreasing the absorption of lipids may be operating. Consumption of standardized medicinal plant extracts may be a safe treatment for obesity. However, some combinations of medicinal plants may result in either lower efficacy or cause unexpected side-effects.Comment: this article contains 5 pages with 2 table

The effect of Carum Carvi water extract intake as an alternative therapy for weight loss in overweight and obese women / Mahnaz Kazemipoor

Obesity and overweight are considered as challenging health problems worldwide. Despite several modern methods for treatment of obesity such as medical nutrition therapy, low-energy diets, and physical activity. The prevalence of this disease is still high, suggesting the need for alternative therapies. One of the trending approaches is the consumption of traditional medicinal plants. Caraway (Carum carvi L.), has been traditionally used as a spice in Iran. It is also claimed as a potent medicinal plant that is used to treat a variety of ailments including obesity. The objectives of this study are to analyse the phytochemicals present in caraway water extract (CWE), to measure body composition, anthropometric indices, dietary food intake and appetite, and clinical and para-clinical parameters before and after twelve-weeks of intervention. Hence, a randomized triple blind placebo controlled clinical trial was carried out on healthy, overweight and obese adult women in Yazd, Iran. The phytochemical content of CWE was analysed using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Out of 110 volunteers registered, 70 eligible candidates were randomized into two groups of caraway treatment and placebo (N=35 in each group) and were assigned to participate in a twelve-week intervention. Data were collected through questionnaire, face-to-face interview, physical examination and biochemical tests. Body composition and anthropometric indices were measured using bioelectrical impedance analyser (BIA) and measuring tape, while the appetite index was assessed using visual analogue scale method (VAS). Participants received either 30mL/day of CWE or placebo without changing their diet or physical activity and were examined at baseline and after twelve weeks of intervention and the data were analysed using SPSS. Results showed that the predominant ingredients detected from the GC-MS analysis were of different volatile and phenolic iv compounds, including limonene, terpinene, carveol, carvone, carvacrol, and thymol. After twelve weeks of study results showed significant reduction of weight (-1.9 kg), body mass index (-0.8 kg/m2), body fat percentage (-0.7%), appetite level (-1) and carbohydrate intake (-30g) in the CWE group. All anthropometric indices including waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, thigh circumference and mid-upper arm circumference also reduced significantly (-6.2, -0.1, -5.4, and -2.2 cm respectively). Besides, significant increase was observed in the muscle percentage of the CWE group (+0.2%). No changes were detected in blood and urine tests, blood pressure and heart rate of respondents. Moreover, after twelve weeks of study, the red blood cell (RBC) level showed a clinically significant rise (+0.3 106/μL), whereas the platelet distribution width (PDW) showed a significant drop in the CWE group (-1.8 fL). The results suggest that adding CWE into the daily diet with no restriction in food intake, when combined with exercise, is of value for obese and overweight women wishing to reduce their body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, body size and appetite and carbohydrate intake. In addition, CWE intake has also improved body muscle and RBC level of the subjects with no clinical side effects. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest a safe weight loss adjuvant and a potential phytotherapeutic approach for CWE in the management of obesity

Potential of Traditional Medicinal Plants for Treat- ing Obesity: A

Abstract: Obesity is an important global health concern, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Modern methods of treatment, such as synthetic drugs and surgery, still have to be improved to show safety and efficacy. The main concerns with such treatments are the high costs and serious complications. As a result, there is great interest in the use of plant-based medicinal agents as an alternative therapy. This study aims to provide a review of the studies on accessible botanical sources for the treatment of obesity. Based on published studies, this review attempts to explain how these medicinal plants act in humans to cause weight loss, and which method of usage is safer and more efficient. Information was gathered from books, journals and electronic sources published in the period of 1991 to 2012. The medicinal plants studied can reduce weight through five basic mechanisms, including stimulating thermogenesis, lowering lipogenesis, enhancing lipolysis, suppressing appetite, and decreasing the absorption of lipids. Furthermore, consumption of reliable medicinal plant extracts in a single form and at an optimum dosage could be a safe treatment for obesity. However, based on reviews, some combinations of certain medicinal plants may result in either lower efficacy or cause unexpected sideeffects

Antiobesity Effect of Caraway Extract on Overweight and Obese Women: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Caraway (Carum carvi L.), a potent medicinal plant, is traditionally used for treating obesity. This study investigates the weightlowering effects of caraway extract (CE) on physically active, overweight and obese women through a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Seventy overweight and obese, healthy, aerobic-trained, adult females were randomly assigned to two groups ( = 35 per group). Participants received either 30 mL/day of CE or placebo without changing their diet or physical activity. Subjects were examined at baseline and after 90 days for changes in body composition, anthropometric indices, and clinical and paraclinical variables. The treatment group, compared with placebo, showed a significant reduction of weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist-to-hip ratio. No changes were observed in lipid profile, urine-specific gravity, and blood pressure of subjects. The results suggest that a dietary CE with no restriction in food intake, when combined with exercise, is of value in the management of obesity in women wishing to lower their weight, BMI, body fat percentage, and body size, with no clinical side effects. In conclusion, results of this study suggest a possible phytotherapeutic approach for caraway extract in the management of obesity. This trial is registered with NCT01833377

Antiobesity effect of caraway extract on overweight and obese women: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Caraway (Carum carvi L.), a potent medicinal plant, is traditionally used for treating obesity. This study investigates the weight-lowering effects of caraway extract (CE) on physically active, overweight and obese women through a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Seventy overweight and obese, healthy, aerobic-trained, adult females were randomly assigned to two groups (n - 35 per group). Participants received either 30 mL/day of CE or placebo without changing their diet or physical activity. Subjects were examined at baseline and after 90 days for changes in body composition, anthropometric indices, and clinical and paraclinical variables. The treatment group, compared with placebo, showed a significant reduction of weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist-to-hip ratio. No changes were observed in lipid profile, urine-specific gravity, and blood pressure of subjects. The results suggest that a dietary CE with no restriction in food intake, when combined with exercise, is of value in the management of obesity in women wishing to lower their weight, BMI, body fat percentage, and body size, with no clinical side effects. In conclusion, results of this study suggest a possible phytotherapeutic approach for caraway extract in the management of obesity. This trial is registered with NCT01833377