4.7 Review

Nutraceuticals: Focus on Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Cancer, Antioxidant Properties in Gastrointestinal Tract

Journal

ANTIOXIDANTS
Volume 11, Issue 7, Pages -

Publisher

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/antiox11071274

Keywords

bioactive molecule; gut microbiota; bioavailability; phenolic compounds; polyunsaturated fatty acids

Funding

  1. RC 2021-2022 [15, 516/2021]

Ask authors/readers for more resources

Nutraceuticals have gained popularity due to their physiological and potential health effects. This review focuses on the major constituents of the Mediterranean diet and their effects on human health, specifically in the gastrointestinal tract. It provides a deeper understanding of nutraceuticals' therapeutic purpose and suggests personalized dietary components for adjuvant therapies.
In recent years, nutraceuticals have gained great popularity, owing to their physiological and potential health effects, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and prebiotic effects, and their regulation of lipid metabolism. Since the Mediterranean diet is a nutritionally recommended dietary pattern including high-level consumption of nutraceuticals, this review aimed to summarize the main results obtained by our in vitro and in vivo studies on the effects of the major constituents of the Mediterranean diet (i.e., extra virgin olive oil compounds, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and fruit components). Based on experimental studies, the therapeutic purpose of nutraceuticals depends on their bioavailability, solubility, toxicity, and delivery system. This review provides more in-depth knowledge on the effects linked to nutraceuticals administration on human health, focusing the gastrointestinal tract and suggesting specific dietary components for personalized adjuvant therapies.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.7
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

Review Microbiology

How Metabolomics Provides Novel Insights on Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free Diet: A Narrative Review

Mirco Vacca, Annalisa Porrelli, Francesco Maria Calabrese, Tamara Lippolis, Ilaria Iacobellis, Giuseppe Celano, Daniela Pinto, Francesco Russo, Gianluigi Giannelli, Maria De Angelis

Summary: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by ingesting gluten and is diagnosed through invasive methods. CD and GFD both impact the gut microbiota, resulting in changes to specific metabolite production. The application of metabolomics in CD research is still relatively unexplored.

FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY (2022)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Anti-Proliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of Digested Aglianico Grape Pomace Extract in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

Giusy Rita Caponio, Miriam Cofano, Tamara Lippolis, Isabella Gigante, Valentina De Nunzio, Graziana Difonzo, Mirella Noviello, Luigi Tarricone, Giuseppe Gambacorta, Gianluigi Giannelli, Maria De Angelis, Maria Notarnicola

Summary: This study investigates the effects of grape pomace extract on colon cancer cells, showing its anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects. Phenolic compounds were found to be the main active ingredients, and the extract digested with simulated gastrointestinal digestion could potentially be used as a dietary ingredient with health benefits for colon cancer cell proliferation.

MOLECULES (2022)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Beneficial Effects of Table Grape Use on Serum Levels of Omega-3 Index and Liver Function: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Maria Notarnicola, Valentina De Nunzio, Tamara Lippolis, Valeria Tutino, Anna Maria Cisternino, Palma Aurelia Iacovazzi, Rosa Anna Milella, Marica Gasparro, Roberto Negro, Maurizio Polignano, Maria Gabriella Caruso

Summary: This clinical trial investigated the effects of fresh table grape intake on the serum Omega-3 index. The results showed that grape intake increased oleic acid content, improved the Omega-3 index, increased adiponectin levels, and reduced FGF21 levels, leading to beneficial effects on liver function.

BIOMEDICINES (2022)

Review Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of Diet Polyphenols and Their Modulation of Gut Microbiota

Tamara Lippolis, Miriam Cofano, Giusy Rita Caponio, Valentina De Nunzio, Maria Notarnicola

Summary: It is commonly acknowledged that polyphenols derived from diet have several potential benefits for human health. Polyphenols have various chemical structures, with flavonoids, phenolic acids, and stilbenes being the most representative types. The beneficial effects of polyphenols are closely linked to their bioavailability and bioaccessibility, as many of them are quickly metabolized after being consumed. Polyphenols, which protect the gastrointestinal tract, promote the maintenance of a healthy intestinal microbiota, thereby guarding against gastric and colon cancers. Therefore, it seems that the beneficial effects of dietary polyphenol supplementation are mediated by the gut microbiota.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES (2023)

Article Food Science & Technology

Shelf-life extension of leavened bakery products by using bio-protective cultures and type-III sourdough

Maria Calasso, Marinella Marzano, Giusy Rita Caponio, Giuseppe Celano, Bruno Fosso, Francesco Maria Calabrese, Domenico De Palma, Mirco Vacca, Elisabetta Notario, Graziano Pesole, Maria De Angelis, Francesca De Leo

Summary: To extend the shelf-life of bakery products, a type-III sourdough combined with a mixture of probiotics was used, which resulted in improved physicochemical and microbiological attributes. The addition of bioprotective-cultures and the sourdough had positive effects on microbial and metabolite improvements in the products, leading to a longer shelf-life. These findings suggest a potential alternative to chemical preservatives for extending the shelf-life of processed foods.

LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (2023)

Review Green & Sustainable Science & Technology

Promising Application of Grape Pomace and Its Agri-Food Valorization: Source of Bioactive Molecules with Beneficial Effects

Giusy Rita Caponio, Fabio Minervini, Grazia Tamma, Giuseppe Gambacorta, Maria De Angelis

Summary: Grapes, especially Vitis vinifera L., are widely cultivated and winemaking produces a large amount of waste. These residues are causing environmental and economic sustainability issues. To combat this, researchers are exploring ways to create high-value products from these waste materials. Grape pomace, a byproduct of winemaking, contains compounds like polyphenols, phenolic acids, resveratrol, and fiber that have antioxidant properties. Traditional uses of grape pomace include producing distillates and extracting tartaric acid and coloring substances, but newer applications include extracting antioxidants, using it as fermentation substrates and biomass for energy production, and extracting fiber for high-value bioactive product development. This article discusses the involvement of bioactive molecules from grape pomace in human biological functions and their applications in the agri-food sector.

SUSTAINABILITY (2023)

Article Medicine, General & Internal

Serum Cytokine and miRNA Levels Are Differently Expressed in Right- and Left-Sided Colon Cancer

Valentina De Nunzio, Rossella Donghia, Pasqua L. Pesole, Sergio Coletta, Nicola Calo, Maria Notarnicola

Summary: The location of the tumor in colorectal cancer is crucial in determining disease progression, with right-sided and left-sided colon tumors showing distinct clinical and molecular characteristics. Dysregulation of proinflammatory cytokines (TGF-β, TNF-α) and PPAR-γ, as well as changes in miRNA expression, are key pathways involved in the development of this cancer. Analysis of circulating levels of TGF-β, TNF-α, PPAR-γ, and specific miRNAs in the serum can help identify specific characteristics of colorectal cancer patients, aiding in personalized treatment selection.

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE (2023)

Article Microbiology

Plasma Bacterial DNA Load as a Potential Biomarker for the Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer: A Case-Control Study

Robertina Giacconi, Rossella Donghia, Graziana Arborea, Maria Teresa Savino, Mauro Provinciali, Fabrizia Lattanzio, Giusy Rita Caponio, Sergio Coletta, Antonia Bianco, Maria Notarnicola, Caterina Bonfiglio, Giuseppe Passarino, Patrizia DAquila, Dina Bellizzi, Pasqua Letizia Pesole

Summary: This study found that patients with colorectal cancer have higher levels of bacterial DNA in their plasma compared to healthy individuals, and this is associated with the size of the tumor mass.

MICROORGANISMS (2023)

Article Nutrition & Dietetics

A Low Glycemic Index Mediterranean Diet Combined with Aerobic Physical Activity Rearranges the Gut Microbiota Signature in NAFLD Patients

Francesco Maria Calabrese, Vittoria Disciglio, Isabella Franco, Paolo Sorino, Caterina Bonfiglio, Antonella Bianco, Angelo Campanella, Tamara Lippolis, Pasqua Letizia Pesole, Maurizio Polignano, Mirco Vacca, Giusy Rita Caponio, Gianluigi Giannelli, Maria De Angelis, Alberto Ruben Osella

Summary: This study investigates the impact of different lifestyle interventions on the gut microbiota composition in NAFLD patients and demonstrates the synergistic effect of lifestyle interventions (diet and/or physical activity programs) on the gut microbiota composition in NAFLD patients.

NUTRIENTS (2022)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

The Ketogenic Diet Improves Gut-Brain Axis in a Rat Model of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Impact on 5-HT and BDNF Systems

Antonella Orlando, Guglielmina Chimienti, Maria Notarnicola, Francesco Russo

Summary: This study evaluated the effects of a neuroprotective diet on the levels of neurotransmitters and neurotrophins in the gut and brain of rats with irritable bowel syndrome. The diet was found to improve the dysregulation of the 5-HT and BDNF systems, reducing intestinal 5-HT levels and increasing brain BDNF levels. This suggests that the diet may have therapeutic potential for managing intestinal dysfunctions associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES (2022)

No Data Available