Nutraceuticals and diet in human health and disease. The special issue at a glance

Abstract

This first Special Issue collects fifteen original research and up-to-date review articles addressing the beneficial properties of herbal products, nutrient supplements, dietary regimens, and functional food for the complementary therapy of human pathologies. In these articles, renowned scholars present and discuss the curative effects and the molecular mechanisms of action of nutraceuticals, medicinal herbs, and dietary regimens that have been proven effective in the treatment of cancers, metabolic syndrome, fatty liver disease, hearth arrythmia and neurodegenerative disorders.

Effect of Botanical Extracts on the Growth and Nutritional Quality of Field-Grown White Head Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

“…They exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activities and play a role in numerous processes (e.g., antioxidant defences, cell proliferation, gene expression, and safeguarding of mitochondrial integrity). They can be used to postpone the ageing process, treat and prevent diseases like cancer, coronary heart and neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, obesity, inflammation, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, high blood pressure, and spasmodic disorders [ 5 , 12 , 14 , 18 , 20 ]. It is considered that there are 4000 phytochemicals present in vegetables, fruits, and grains, thus their rational consumption can provide these valuable compounds [ 13 ].…”

Prophylactic Effects of Purple Shoot Green Tea on Cytokine Immunomodulation through Scavenging Free Radicals and NO in LPS-Stimulated Macrophages

“…Flavonoids are categorized as plant-derived mast cell stabilizers and have the potential to downregulate cytokine storms in cases of COVID-19 [ 29 ]. In view of the pivotal roles of diverse phytochemicals in human health and disease, beneficial foods could be used as dietary or complementary therapy to prevent infection and strengthen immunity [ 30 , 31 ]. In light of the combined results of our inflammatory and prophylactic models, habitual consumption of PG is associated with lower risks of oxidative stress-induced inflammatory cytokine cascades that serve as a healthy natural product.…”