Food is our medicine

The paper describes the role of foods and nutrition in the promotion of human health. The relationship between foods, metabolism, homeostasis and metabolic disorder are briefly described. The aim of the paper is to highlight a simple strategy based on biochemistry, process engineering, human physiology and foods to achieve cellular homeostasis and health

A proanthocyanidin from cinnamomum zeylanicum stimulates phosphorylation of insulin receptor in 3t3-l1 adipocytes

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is due to in large part to insulin resistance, a state where the target cells are no longer responding to ordinary levels of circulating insulin. A drug that promotes the initiation of insulin receptor (IR) signaling by enhancing IR phosphorylation should be useful in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. To investigate a compound that is able to phosphorylate IR, a proanthocyanidin, cinnamtannin B1, has been isolated from the stem bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume (Lauraceae). The structure of the compound was established by spectroscopic methods. Cinnamtannin B1 (0.11 mM) activates the phosphorylation of insulin receptor â-subunit on 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Like insulin, cinnamtannin B1-stimulated phosphorylation of insulin receptor was inhibited by wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and cytochalasin B, an inhibitor of the glucose transporter (GLUT4); otherwise the phosphorylation was enhanced by vanadate, a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor. These results suggest that the activity of cinnamtannin B1 is specially mediated by phosphorylation of IR through activation of the PI3K

Antioxidant properties of cashew leaves' extracts before and after treatment with activated carbon used in cosmetics

Natural ingredients such as cashew leaves extract could be an attractive candidate in cosmetic formulation. However, the plant extracts are normally dark brown and greenish color that might spoil the appearance of the products if they are added in cosmetic formulation. In order to solve this problem, use of activated carbon was tested to eliminate the intense color of plant extract without affecting the cosmeceutical properties. Ethanol and water extracts of cashew leaves were compared for the cosmeceutical properties mainly antioxidants. The system was tested with different concentrations of cashew leaves extract (CLE-5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30%) for solid and liqufied form of cashew leaves extract (CLE) before treatment with activated carbon and after treatment with (10, 15, 20 and 25g). The study shows that 15g activated carbon using 20%CLE (water) produces 0.13 radical scavenging activity (RSC%) antioxidant. Moreover, using a similar system, 25%CL (ethanol) produces 0.10(RSC%) antioxidants

Storage Stability of α-tocopherol Extracted from Heated and Unheated Palm Oil Mesocarp

α-tocopherol is one of the eight vitamers in palm oil which known as powerful biological antioxidants. It is known as phytonutrient which is natural occurring bioactives. However, it has high affinity towards heat and light. An investigation was carried out on the effect of different heating time on the α-tocopherol concentration of the extracted palm oil mesocarp. The work was also aimed to determine the stability of α-tocopherol after stored for three months period. A set of samples were stored at room temperature range between 28ËšC - 32ËšC. Another set of samples were refrigerated at a temperature between -14ËšC to – 18ËšC. The result showed that the highest yield was obtained at 40 minutes of heating with 19.9 ± 0.21% (w/w). Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference in α-tocopherol content (p < 0.05) between room and freezer temperature storage. The results also showed that unheated sample records the highest losses of α-tocopherol with 65.42 ± 3.06% compared to heated sample which is 39.10 ± 1.78%

The effect of virgin coconut oil loaded solid lipid particles (VCO-SLPs) on skin hydration and skin elasticity

Virgin Coconut Oil is usually extracted from well matured and fresh coconut through specialized processes without damaging its natural nutrition. In this work, formulation, characterization and efficacy of VCO-SLPs have been studied. VCO-SLPs were prepared using ultrasonification of molten stearic acid and virgin coconut oil in an aqueous solution and particles with the size of 0.608 μm have been obtained. 20% concentration of VCO-SLPs of 0.608 μm particle size was added into the base lotion. Sensory study and skin evaluation study was conducted to compare the difference between lotion containing VCO-SLPs and lotion without VCO-SLPs. Moisturizing lotion incorporated with VCO-SLPs was found to increase skin hydration and skin elasticity by 24.8% and 2.60% respectively from day 0 to day 28. This shows that solid lipid particles has the potential to be utilized as a carrier for improved dermal delivery of VCO

Mini-Review of Dehydrated Products: Nutritional Properties and Mineral Components of Freeze Dried Tropical Fruits

The purpose of dehydration process is to reduce moisture content to prolong shelf life, to promote convenience and at the same time to assist transportation of delicate and perishable products across long distances. Freeze drying is known as one of the best methods to retain quality compared to other dehydration processes. This is due to lower instances of rupture of the structure and minimal loss of nutrient. These parameters are important to consumers and also for the food industry. This mini-review compares methods of dehydration processes, as well as their advantages and disadvantages when used in combination with other technologies. Data compilation on nutritional properties and mineral components of tropical fruits, namely guava, pineapple, papaya and jackfruits which had underwent freeze drying technologies are also reviewed

Cinnamtannin B1: a small compound having antidiabetes properties

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that results from defects in insulin secretion and insulin receptor kinase. Investigation of novel small active molecule that can potentiate insulin action or having a similar action as insulin is important in the treatment of diabetes. World ethnobotanical information on medicinal plants reports almost 800 plants used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. However, only a small number of them have been studied thoroughly. Recent study conducted on Cinnamomum reported that it has a great activity in activating insulin receptor kinase and inhibiting insulin receptor phosphatase leading to increased insulin sensitivity and function as a mimetic for insulin. Our study was designed to investigate insulin-mimetic activity of cinnamtannin B1 isolated from Cinnamomum zeylanicum on adipocyte cells. The insulin-mimetic activity of cinnamtannin B1 was evaluated by monitoring preadipocytes differentiation, glucose uptake and phosphorylation of insulin receptor -subunit in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. To determine whether cinnamtannin B1 able to promote differentiation of preadipocytes, we cultured 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in the presence of cinnamtannin B1, or combination of cinnamtannin B1 and insulin, and then cell proliferation was measured at several points during the course of growth. Investigation of role of cinnamtannin B1 on tyrosine posphorylation of insulin receptor of 3T3-L1 cells was done by immunoprecipitation of cells lysate with anti-insulin receptor -subunit antibody and the immunocomplex samples were subjected to SDS-PAGE, transferred to nitrocellulose membranes, and immunoblotted with monoclonal anti- phosphotyrosine antibody. Evaluation of glucose uptake by adipocyte cells after treatment with cinnamtannin B1 was carried out by analyzing of radioactive glucose uptake with liquid scintillation counter. Based on these experiments, it was found that, a mixture cinnamtannin B1 with differentiation cocktail was able to induce differentiation of preadipocytes cells. Cinnamtannin B1 was found to active to stimulate phosphorylation of insulin receptor -subunit by positively exhibited phosphorylation at 170-kDa. The mixture of cinnamtannin B1 was also able to stimulate glucose uptake from a basal value. The results demonstrated that activity of cinnamtannin B1 on adipocyte cells was found to mimicking insulin action. It acted directly on insulin receptor -subunit by activation of PI3-kinase that stimulates glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) translocation. Stimulation of GLUT4 translocation therefore stimulates glucose uptake lead to glucose disposal process in adipocytes. Based on the work that has been carried out, it was suggested that cinnamtannin B1 could be one of the potential lead drug compound in the treatment of type 2 diabetes

Optimization of extraction conditions of antioxidant activity from zingiber zerumbet oleoresin

The health promoting capacity of natural antioxidant from phytochemicals has increase attention from researchers and public. However, processing is affecting the activity and the bioavailability of bioactive compounds. Therefore, the optimization of extraction condition of antioxidant activity from Zingiber zerumbet oleoresin was investigated. A Box-Behnken design technique was employed to study the effect of different range parameters of soxhlet extraction. Analysis of variance and response surface methodology were applied to identify the optimal processing parameter. Independent variables were extraction time (8, 10 and 12), type of solvent used (hexane, acetone, ethanol) and blanching treatment (steam treated, boil treated, untreated). The response and variables were fitted well to each other by multiple regressions. All the independent parameters affected oleoresin yield and antioxidant activity significantly. The optimal processing parameter that fulfilled the requirement for yield of oleoresin and antioxidant activity were found to be 12 h extraction time, ethanol as the solvent used and untreated sample. While, the optimal yield of oleoresin was 13.05% w/w and antioxidant activity was 16.01% w/w

Study on the effects of carbohydrate-protein-coconut oil on the viability of lactobacillus bulgaricus during spray drying, simulated gastrointestinal conditions and unrefrigerated storage by simplex-lattice mixture design

Ideally, probiotics bacteria should be metabolically stable during processing, storage under unrefrigerated condition, survive passage through the upper digestive tract in large numbers for colonisation and proliferation in the large intestine, and have beneficial effects when in the intestine host. This study helps to understand the effect of feed composition towards viability of L. bulgaricus by using carbohydrate-protein-coconut oil mixtures. The encapsulation work was focused on the performance of carbohydrate-protein-coconut oil as the protective barrier. A simplex-lattice design was employed to study the effect of different feed formulation of the carbohydrate-protein-coconut oil mixtures on three response variables; the viability of L. bulgaricus after spray drying, under simulated gastrointestinal condition, and after 6 weeks storage in unrefrigerated environment. Analysis of variance and mixture design techniques were applied to identify the optimal feed composition. The optimal feed composition that results in the viability beyond the therapeutic minimum dose consisted of 30 % gum Arabic, 16.95 % gelatine and 53.05 % coconut oil. The percent of viability after spray drying, under simulated gastrointestinal condition, and after 6 weeks of storage were 4.24 %, 11.43 % and 77.36 % respectively. In conclusion, the mixture of gum Arabic - gelatine - coconut oil shows more protecting to protect against damaging of oxidative stress during storage under unrefrigerated condition

Labisia pumila extract protects skin cells from photoaging caused by UVB irradiation

Labisia pumila (Myrsinaceae), known as "Kacip Fatimah," has been used by many generations of Malay women to induce and facilitate child birth as well as a post partum medicine. However, its topical application on skin has not been reported yet. In this study, we have focused on the anti-photoaging effects of L. pumila. Extract of L. pumila was first analyzed for their antioxidant activities using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) since UV irradiation is a primary cause of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the skin. The 50% free radical scavenging activity (FSC(50)) of L. pumila extract was determined to be 0.006%, which was equal to that produced by 156 microM ascorbic acid. TNF-alpha and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) play a primary role in the inflammation process upon UV irradiation and are known to be stimulated by UVB. Treatment with L. pumila extract markedly inhibited the TNF-alpha production and the expression of COX-2. Decreased collagen synthesis of human fibroblasts by UVB was restored back to normal level after treatment with L. pumila extract. On the other hand, the enhanced MMP-1 expression upon UVB irradiation was down regulated by L. pumila extract in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, treatment of normal keratinocytes with L. pumila extract attenuated UVB-induced MMP-9 expression. These results collectively suggest L. pumila extract has tremendous potential as an anti-photoaging cosmetic ingredient