Browsing by Author "Sharifi-Rad J."

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Apium plants: Beyond simple food and phytopharmacological applications
    (2019-09-01) Salehi B.; Venditti A.; Frezza C.; Yücetepe A.; Altuntaş Ü.; Uluata S.; Butnariu M.; Sarac I.; Shaheen S.; Petropoulos S.A.; Matthews K.R.; Kiliç C.S.; Atanassova M.; Adetunji C.O.; Ademiluyi A.O.; Özçelik B.; Fokou P.V.T.; Martins N.; Cho W.C.; Sharifi-Rad J.
    Apium plants belong to the Apiaceae family and are included among plants that have been in use in traditional medicine for thousands of years worldwide, including in the Mediterranean, as well as the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa. Some highlighted medical benefits include prevention of coronary and vascular diseases. Their phytochemical constituents consist of bergapten, flavonoids, glycosides, furanocoumarins, furocoumarin, limonene, psoralen, xanthotoxin, and selinene. Some of their pharmacological properties include anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, nematocidal, anti-rheumatism, antiasthma, anti-bronchitis, hepatoprotective, appetizer, anticonvulsant, antispasmodic, breast milk inducer, anti-jaundice, antihypertensive, anti-dysmenorrhea, prevention of cardiovascular diseases, and spermatogenesis induction. The present review summarizes data on ecology, botany, cultivation, habitat, medicinal use, phytochemical composition, preclinical and clinical pharmacological efficacy of Apium plants and provides future direction on how to take full advantage of Apium plants for the optimal benefit to mankind.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Banana Peels: A Waste Treasure for Human Being
    (2022-01-01) Hikal W.M.; Said-Al Ahl H.A.H.; Bratovcic A.; Tkachenko K.G.; Sharifi-Rad J.; Kačániová M.; Elhourri M.; Atanassova M.
    In recent years, scientists' interest in agricultural waste has increased, and the waste has become attractive to explore and benefit from, rather than being neglected waste. Banana peels have attracted the attention of researchers due to their bioactive chemical components, so we focused on this review article on the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of banana peels that can be used as good sources of natural antioxidants and for pharmaceutical purposes in treating various diseases. Banana is an edible fruit belonging to the genus Musa (Musaceae), cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. Banana peels are used as supplementary feed for livestock in their cultivation areas. Its massive by-products are an excellent source of high-value raw materials for other industries by recycling agricultural waste. Hence, the goal is to use banana by-products in various food and nonfood applications and sources of natural bioactive compounds. It can be concluded that banana peel can be successfully used in food, pharmaceutical, and other industries. Therefore, banana residues may provide new avenues and research areas for the future.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Bioactive compounds and health benefits of Artemisia species
    (2019-01-01) Nigam M.; Atanassova M.; Mishra A.P.; Pezzani R.; Devkota H.P.; Plygun S.; Salehi B.; Setzer W.N.; Sharifi-Rad J.
    Artemisia L. is a genus of small herbs and shrubs found in northern temperate regions. It belongs to the important family Asteraceae, one of the most numerous plant groupings, which comprises about 1000 genera and over 20000 species. Artemisia has a broad spectrum of bioactivity, owing to the presence of several active ingredients or secondary metabolites, which work through various modes of action. It has widespread pharmacological activities and has been used as traditional medicine since ancient times as an anthelmintic, antispasmodic, antirheumatic, and antibacterial agent and for the treatment of malaria, hepatitis, cancer, inflammation, and menstrual-related disorders. This review comprises the updated information about the ethnomedical uses and health benefits of various Artemisia spp. and general information about bioactive compounds and free radicals.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Cocoa as immunomodulatory agent: an update
    (2023-01-01) Atanassova M.; Martorell M.; Sharopov F.; Atanassov L.; Kumar P.; Sharifi-Rad J.; Tejada-Gavela S.; Iriti M.; Pezzani R.; Varoni E.M.
    Cocoa is rich in polyphenols, mainly flavonoids, which correlate with several health benefits mediated by their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Cocoa and chocolate consumption have been reported to impact the regulation of the immune system, both in preclinical studies and in human trials. The mechanisms for immunomodulation can involve different effects of cocoa polyphenols on the immune system, acting as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-allergic agents, as well as the direct influence of cocoa on innate and acquired immunity, with cytokines production and activation of both lymphocyte-dependent and -independent pathways. Cocoa intake has been also correlated to changes in gut microbiota ecology and composition, also affecting the intestinal immune system. This review summarises the updates of the last two decades on cocoa as immunomodulatory agent and explores the health-related benefits of cocoa and chocolate intake.