Neuroscience Studies

From Biorefinery to Food Product Design: Peach (Prunus persica) By-Products Deserve Attention.

This review highlights the potential of using peach by-products, such as peel, stone, and pomace, as sources of bioactive compounds for new functional food products. These by-products make up 10% of the global annual production of peaches. The review includes information on recent peach production, extraction methods for valuable components, and in vivo studies demonstrating anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and anti-cerebral ischemia activities. The circular bioeconomy approach encourages the use of these by-products for sustainable food production. The review provides proposals for further studies on food-product design.

Rudke CRM, Zielinski AAF and Ferreira SRS (2022).
Food Bioproc Tech.
PubMed:
36465719

Long-term supplementation with anthocyanin-rich or -poor Rubus idaeus berries does not influence microvascular architecture nor cognitive outcome in the APP/PS-1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers investigated whether feeding APP/PS-1 mice (a model for Alzheimer’s disease) raspberries could ameliorate microvascular pathology and improve cognition. Mice were fed glucose (control group), or glucose and red/yellow raspberries for 24 weeks and assessed post-intervention. However, long-term feeding of raspberries had limited effects on microvascular architecture or cognition, although there were changes in cerebral and plasmatic metabolites.

Alonso Torrens A et al (2022).
Int J Food Sci Nutr.
PubMed:
36450698

Traditional Chinese medicine Tongxie Yaofang treating irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea and type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats with liver-depression and spleen-deficiency: A preliminary study.

Researchers investigated the Chinese medicine Tongxie Yaofang (TXYF) in treating inflammation in rats with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Rat models were created and given TXYF treatment, and major inflammatory factors and intestinal permeability proteins were measured through H&E staining, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. Results show that TXYF treatment reduced inflammatory reactions and improved disease states in rats with D-IBS and T2DM. The study suggests potential benefits of TXYF in treating these conditions.

Xu W et al (2022).
Front Nutr.
PubMed:
36438735

Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) calyx: a systematic and meta-analytic review of memory-enhancing, anti-neuroinflammatory and antioxidative activities.

Researchers conducted preclinical investigations into the neuroprotective properties of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HSD) extract. The study examined how the extract improved memory function, reduced neuroinflammation and oxidative damage in the central nervous system. These findings could guide future research for areas such as Alzheimer's Disease.

Olasehinde TA et al (2023).
Inflammopharmacology.
PubMed:
36436183

Mechanistic Insights into the Neuroprotective Potential of Sacred Ficus Trees.

The Bo tree and Indian banyan are valued for their spiritual and therapeutic properties. While various parts of these trees have been studied for their diverse medicinal properties, comprehensive reviews of their neuroprotective potential are lacking. This review highlights key phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and terpenes, from these trees that have potent neuroprotective effects. With neurodegenerative disorders having complex pathophysiology, bioactive compounds with diverse pharmacological effects offer potential for developing treatments. Such compounds could lead to pharmacophores for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Shim KH, Sharma N and An SSA (2022).
Nutrients.
PubMed:
36432418