Blue synthetic dyes are widely used in many industries. Although they are approved for use as food dyes and in cosmetics and some medicines, their impacts on consumer health remain unknown. Some studies indicate that 2 synthetic dyes, Blue No. 1 and Blue No. 2, may have toxic effects. It has therefore been suggested that these should be replaced with natural dyes; however, despite being nontoxic and arguably healthier than synthetic dyes, these compounds are often unsuitable for use in food or drugs due to their instability. Nevertheless, among the natural blue pigments, anthocyanins and genipin offer particular health benefits, as they are associated with the prevention of cardiovascular disease and have anticancer, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties. This review summarizes the effects of blue food and drug colorings on health and proposes that synthetic colors should be replaced with natural ones.

Saponins comprise a heterogenous group of chemical compounds containing a triterpene or steroid aglycone group and at least one sugar chain. They exist as secondary metabolites, occurring frequently in dicotyledonous plants and lower marine animals. Plant saponin extracts or single saponins have indicated antiplatelet and anticoagulant activity. Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a multifactorial disease influenced by various patient characteristics such as age, immobility, previous thromboembolism and inherited thrombophilia. This mini-review (1) evaluates the current literature on saponins as modulators of the coagulation system, (2) discusses the impact of chemical structure on the modulation of the coagulation system, which may further provide a basis for drug or supplement design, (3) examines perspectives of their use in the prevention of VTE. It also describes the molecular mechanisms of action of the saponins involved in the prevention of VTE.

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Genipin is an important monoterpene iridoid compound isolated from Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis fruits and from Genipa americana fruits, or genipap. It is a precursor of a blue pigment which may be attractive alternative to existing food dyes and it possesses various potential therapeutic properties such as anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and hepatoprotective activity. Biomedical studies also show that genipin may act as a neuroprotective drug. This review describes new aspects of the bioactivity of genipin against various diseases, as well as its toxicity and industrial applications, and presents its potential mechanism of action.

Background This manuscript contains the results of Podkarpackie Voivodeship (Poland) ethnomedical studies on the treatment of urinary tract diseases using wild and cultivated plants. The study concerns plants mainly used for the supportive treatment of urinary tract infections, urolithiasis and benign prostatic hyperplasia. In this present study, we aim to collect and assess the ethnomedicinal potential of plants used in Podkarpackie Voivodeship (Poland) to treat urological diseases. Methods This article is based on interviews with fourteen recognized traditional healers (urban areas) and nine informants (rural areas) living in the south-eastern region of Poland - Podkarpackie Voivodeship. The survey took place between November 2019 and January 2021. For each plant mentioned in herbal remedies, polish name, part used, mode of preparation, and their properties, according to the healers and informants, were recorded. Results For the analysis, 123 species that belong to 43 families were selected. The most common families used to treat urinary diseases in Podkarpackie herbal medicine are the Compositae (18 species), Rosaceae and Apiaceae (11 species in each), Leguminosae (9 species), and Ericaceae (6 species). Of the species listed, Apium graveolens L., Arctium lappa L., Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng., Elymus repens (L.) Gould, Juniperus communis L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss, Solidago virgaurea L., Urtica dioica L., and Viola tricolor L. were the most frequently mentioned. Most plants are used in multicomponent blends, which are given in the form of infusions or decoction. The described plants have mainly antiseptic, diuretic, spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory properties. Conclusions The results of the research described in this paper indicate that herbal treatment of urinary tract diseases is still used in Poland in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. It is mainly used by people who do not want to use allopathic medicine, especially antibiotics. They are both inhabitants of large cities and villages. The latter often because of the multi-generational tradition, prefer self-healing.