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Therapeutic Effects of Amaranth: Analysis of the Antidiabetic Potential of the Plant.
Campos Herrera, A, Valenzuela Zamudio, F, Segura Campos, MR
Journal of medicinal food. 2024;(4):279-286
Abstract
Amaranth is a pseudocereal rich in macronutrients and micronutrients, with about 60 species cultivated worldwide. It is a high nutritional value food because of its many essential amino acids. Recent investigations demonstrate that the phytochemicals and extracts of amaranth have beneficial effects on health, including antidiabetic potential, a decrease in plasmatic cholesterol and blood pressure, and protection from oxidative stress and inflammation. Nowadays, type 2 diabetes has increased worldwide, becoming a problem of public health that makes it necessary to look for alternative strategies for its prevention and treatment. This review aims to summarize the antidiabetic potential of diverse species of the Amaranth genus. A bibliographical review was updated on the plant's therapeutic potential, including stem, leaves, and seeds, to know the benefits and potential as an adjuvant in treating and managing diabetes and associated pathologies (hypertension, dyslipidemia, and heart disease). This analysis contributes to the generation of knowledge about the therapeutic effects of amaranth, promoting the creation of new products, and the opportunity to conduct clinical trials to assess their safety and efficacy.
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Vasorelaxant Activity of Salvia hispanica L.: Involvement of the Nitric Oxide Pathway in Its Pharmacological Mechanism.
Herbert-Doctor, LA, Sánchez-Recillas, A, Ortiz-Andrade, R, Hernández-Núñez, E, Araujo-León, JA, Coral-Martínez, TI, Cob-Calan, NN, Segura Campos, MR, Estrada-Soto, S
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2023;(17)
Abstract
Salvia hispanica L., commonly known as chía, and its seeds have been used since ancient times to prepare different beverages. Due to its nutritional content, it is considered a dietary ingredient and has been reported with many health benefits. Chia seed components are helpful in cardiovascular disease (CVD) by reducing blood pressure, platelet aggregation, cholesterol, and oxidation. Still, its vasodilator effects on the vascular system were not reported yet. The hexanic (HESh), dichloromethanic (DESh), and methanolic (MESh) extracts obtained from chía seeds were evaluated on an aortic ring ex-vivo experimental model. The vasorelaxant efficacy and mechanism of action were determined. Also, phytochemical data was obtained through 13C NMR-based dereplication. The MESh extract showed the highest efficacy (Emax = 87%), and its effect was partially endothelium-dependent. The mechanism of action was determined experimentally, and the vasorelaxant curves were modified in the presence of L-NAME, ODQ, and potassium channel blockers. MESh caused a relaxing effect on KCl 80 mM-induced contraction and was less potent than nifedipine. The CaCl2-induced contraction was significantly decreased compared with the control curve. Phytochemical analysis of MESh suggests the presence of mannitol, previously reported as a vasodilator on aortic rings. Our findings suggest NO-cGMP pathway participation as a vasodilator mechanism of action of S. hispanica seeds; this effect can be attributed, in part, to the mannitol presence. S. hispanica could be used in future research focused on antihypertensive therapies.
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Flavonoids as a therapeutical option for the treatment of thrombotic complications associated with COVID-19.
Quintal Martínez, JP, Segura Campos, MR
Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2023;(3):1092-1114
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Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has been one of the largest public health crises globally, while thrombotic complications have emerged as an important factor contributing to mortality. Therefore, compounds that regulate the processes involved in thrombosis could represent a dietary strategy to prevent thrombotic complications involved in COVID-19. In August 2022, various databases were consulted using the keywords "flavonoids", "antiplatelet", "anticoagulant", "fibrinolytic", and "nitric oxide". Studies conducted between 2019 and 2022 were chosen. Flavonoids, at concentrations mainly between 2 and 300 μM, are capable of regulating platelet aggregation, blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, and nitric oxide production due to their action on multiple receptors and enzymes. Most of the studies have been carried out through in vitro and in silico models, and limited studies have reported the in vivo and clinical effect of flavonoids. Currently, quercetin has been the only flavonoid evaluated clinically in patients with COVID-19 for its effect on D-dimer levels. Therefore, clinical studies in COVID-19 patients analyzing the effect on platelet, coagulant, fibrinolytic, and nitric oxide parameters are required. In addition, further high-quality studies that consider cytotoxic safety and bioavailability are required to firmly propose flavonoids as a treatment for the thrombotic complications implicated in COVID-19.
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Bioactive compounds and functional foods as coadjuvant therapy for thrombosis.
Quintal Martínez, JP, Segura Campos, MR
Food & function. 2023;(2):653-674
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death. The most common cardiovascular pathologies are thromboembolic diseases. Antithrombotic therapy prevents thrombus formation or dissolves that previously constituted. However, it presents a high rate of accidents such as gastric bleeding and cerebrovascular embolism. Plant foods and their secondary metabolites have been reported to regulate blood hemostasis. This review article aims to propose plant foods and their metabolites as adjuvant therapy for the management of thromboembolic diseases. Various databases were consulted, using antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and fibrinolytic as key terms. In total, 35 foods and 24 secondary metabolites, via in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, have been reported to regulate platelet aggregation, blood coagulation, and fibrinolysis. According to the studies presented in this review, plant foods with effects at concentrations less than 50 μg mL-1 and secondary metabolites with IC50 less than 100 μM can be considered agents with high antithrombotic potential. This review suggests that plant foods and their secondary metabolites should be used to develop foods, ingredients and nutraceuticals with functional properties. The evidence presented in this review shows that plant foods and their bioactive compounds could be used as adjuvants for the treatment and prevention of thrombotic complications. However, further in vivo and clinical trials are required to establish effective and safe doses.
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Effect of ultra-processed diet on gut microbiota and thus its role in neurodegenerative diseases.
Martínez Leo, EE, Segura Campos, MR
Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.). 2020;71:110609
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Plain language summary
The consumption of ultra-processed foods has increased dramatically in recent years, resulting in an overconsumption of foods that are nutritionally only suitable to be consumed occasionally. Prolonged and short-term dietary modifications can affect the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota and in turn, dysregulation of the gut microbiota may be associated with diseases of the brain. This systematic review study aimed to determine the relationship between diets high in ultra-processed foods, gut microbiota dysregulation and how this may influence early development of brain diseases. The authors first reviewed literature surrounding the role of gut microbiota on health owing to their ability to produce signalling molecules that have various functions around the body. An imbalance in the gut microbiota can result in an overproduction of signalling molecules that contribute to an unhealthy state. These signalling molecules can also act on the brain through several ways such as the nervous, circulatory, and immune systems. The review demonstrates that high fat, high sugar diets are related to increased risk for diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and that diets high in fibre, are related to a low incidence of brain disorders, but as very few studies have looked at this in relation to gut microbiota relationships are only speculative. It was concluded that gut microbiota dysregulation could act as a clinical indicator between brain diseases and ultra-processed foods, however further studies are needed on the relationship between diet, gut microbiota and brain diseases.
Abstract
The current dietary pattern is characterized by high consumption of ultra-processed foods and lower consumption of fiber and vegetables, environmental factors that are associated directly with the current incidence of chronic metabolic diseases. Diet is an environmental factor that influences the diversity and functionality of the gut microbiota, where dietary changes have a direct action on their homeostasis. The environment created in the gut by ultra-processed foods, a hallmark of the Western diet that are recognized as trigger factors for low-grade systemic inflammatory and oxidative changes, favor the development of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). From a systematic search, the present review analyzes the relationship and effect of the current feeding pattern, with the dysregulation of the microbiota and its influence on the development of cognitive decline. Because diagnosis of NDs is usually at late stages, this review highlights the importance of a search for stricter public health strategies regarding access to and development of ultra-processed foods.
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Foods from Mayan Communities of Yucatán as Nutritional Alternative for Diabetes Prevention.
Uuh Narvaez, JJ, Segura Campos, MR
Journal of medicinal food. 2020;(4):349-357
Abstract
The increase in the prevalence of diabetes has become a severe problem around the world; mainly affecting indigenous communities as the Mayan of Yucatán in Mexico. Because of the high rates of poverty and insufficient health services in this ethnic group, inexpensive and accessible treatments are necessary. Some plant foods grown in traditional Mayan agricultural systems have antidiabetic potential. Our objective was to present a review of plant foods with nutritional alternatives for diabetes prevention from traditional agricultural systems in Mayan communities of Yucatán. This review reports the hypoglycemic, antihyperglycemic, and antidiabetic activities of leaves, fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes, and tubercles grown in milpas and home gardens of Mayan communities. Some plant foods have antidiabetic effect in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical studies. Some plant foods grown in traditional Mayan agricultural systems have antidiabetic potential. The inclusion of these plant foods in the diet can serve in the treatment of diabetes.
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Encapsulation of vegetable oils as source of omega-3 fatty acids for enriched functional foods.
Ruiz Ruiz, JC, Ortiz Vazquez, EL, Segura Campos, MR
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. 2017;(7):1423-1434
Abstract
Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (PUFAs), a functional component present in vegetable oils, are generally recognized as being beneficial to health. Omega-3 PUFAs are rich in double bonds and unsaturated in nature; this attribute makes them highly susceptible to lipid oxidation and unfit for incorporation into long shelf life foods. The microencapsulation of oils in a polymeric matrix (mainly polysaccharides) offers the possibility of controlled release of the lipophilic functional ingredient and can be useful for the supplementation of foods with PUFAs. The present paper provides a literature review of different vegetable sources of omega-3 fatty acids, the functional effects of omega-3 fatty acids, different microencapsulation methods that can possibly be used for the encapsulation of oils, the properties of vegetable oil microcapsules, the effect of encapsulation on oxidation stability and fatty acid composition of vegetable oils, and the incorporation of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in foods.
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Bioactive vegetable proteins and peptides in lipid-lowering; nutraceutical potential.
Ruiz Ruiz, JC, Betancur Ancona, DA, Segura Campos, MR
Nutricion hospitalaria. 2014;(4):776-84
Abstract
As the last century saw a decline in the burden of nutritional deficiency and infectious disease, the global burden of chronic disease, cardiovascular disease (CVD) in particular, is increasing. CVD is the leading cause of death in the developed countries. Significant research efforts on the prevention and treatment of this disease have identified elevated plasma cholesterol as a primary risk factor for CVD. Although CVD progresses with hypercholesterolemia, it seems possibility to delay and prevent its development through improvement of diet. Recent findings demonstrate that protein concentrates, protein hydrolysates, and peptides derived from vegetables may promote a significant decrease in blood cholesterol concentration. This reduction in cholesterol and lipid levels by protein, protein hydrolysates, and peptides can be the result of dietary changes, reduced cholesterol biosynthesis, changes in bile acid synthesis, and reduced absorption of lipid cholesterol and bile acid. Combination drug/diet therapies may reduce the number of drug prescriptions, the progressive rise in "optimal" drug dosage and costs associated with pharmaceutical management of disease. These bioactive vegetable proteins, hydrolysates and peptides may be used in formulation of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and natural drugs because of their health benefit effects suggesting their use as an alternative in treatment of various dyslipidemias, and a potential agent for reducing cardiovascular diseases risk factors.
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[Dietary bioactive compounds with potential in preventing pathologies related with overweight and obesity;biologically active peptides].
Herrera Chalé, F, Betancur Ancona, D, Segura Campos, MR
Nutricion hospitalaria. 2014;(1):10-20
Abstract
Overweight and obesity are risk factors for noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and some types of cancer. The risk for these noncommunicable diseases increase with the increase in body mass index. Dietary proteins are known to carry a wide range of nutritional, functional and biological properties. Nutritionally, the proteins are a source of energy and amino acids, which are essential for growth and maintenance. Functionally, the proteins contribute to the physicochemical and sensory properties of various protein-rich foods. Furthermore, many dietary proteins possess specific biological properties which make these components potential ingredients of functional or health-promoting foods. Many of these properties are attributed to physiologically active peptides encrypted in protein molecules. This paper reviews antihypertensive, antithrombotic, hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic peptides originating from different sources and hydrolysis of proteins.