Novel Natural Products for Healthy Ageing from the Mediterranean Diet and Food Plants of Other Global Sources—The MediHealth Project

Abstract

There is a rapid increase in the percentage of elderly people in Europe. Consequently, the prevalence of age-related diseases will also significantly increase. Therefore, the main goal of MediHealth, an international research project, is to introduce a novel approach for the discovery of active agents of food plants from the Mediterranean diet and other global sources that promote healthy ageing. To achieve this goal, a series of plants from the Mediterranean diet and food plants from other origins are carefully selected and subjected to in silico, cell-based, in vivo (fly and mouse models), and metabolism analyses. Advanced analytical techniques complement the bio-evaluation process for the efficient isolation and identification of the bioactive plant constituents. Furthermore, pharmacological profiling of bioactive natural products, as well as the identification and synthesis of their metabolites, is carried out. Finally, optimization studies are performed in order to proceed to the development of innovative nutraceuticals, dietary supplements or herbal medicinal products. The project is based on an exchange of researchers between nine universities and four companies from European and non-European countries, exploiting the existing complementary multidisciplinary expertise. Herein, the unique and novel approach of this interdisciplinary project is presented.

Muscari comosum L. Bulb Extracts Modulate Oxidative Stress and Redox Signaling in HepG2 Cells

“…The Mediterranean diet is characterized by high consumption of fruits and vegetables, moderate consumption of fish and reduced consumption of cheeses and meats. Wild or semi-cultivated plants play a key role in this diet [ 3 ]. Although the Mediterranean diet has been the subject of numerous studies, the contribution provided by wild or semi-cultivated plants has often been neglected.…”

“…They are widely consumed in the daily diet of the Mediterranean people; their consumption is often associated with information on a potential therapeutic effect based on the knowledge of popular medicine. Only recently has there been an increasing interest in these plant species; in particular several studies have shown their phytonutrient content and potential therapeutic effect [ 3 , 4 ].…”

Novel Anti-Aging Benzoquinone Derivatives from Onosma bracteatum Wall

“…Advances in public health practices, education and medicine have not only improved life expectancy but have also increased the aged population. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the population of people aged 60 years will double by 2050 [2]. Increasing life expectancy also increases the prevalence of age-related diseases.…”

Antifungal, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Components of Ethyl Acetate Extract of Quinoa Stem

“…Currently, in Asian and African countries, 80% of the population depends upon folk medicines prepared from traditional phytochemicals isolated from plants being used in healthcare products, medicines, pesticides and fungicides (Pereira et al, 2017). In general, plants are a rich source of secondary metabolites with enormous chemical diversity possessing antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antioxidant and nematicidal properties (Waltenberger et al, 2018). Some of them are constitutive and exist only in their bioactive forms whereas many others are responded as inactive precursors in response to pathogenic attacks.…”