The habit of drinking tea is highly prevalent and could be utilized to introduce more health benefits through fortification with medicinal plants. The purpose of this analysis was to assess the nutritional quality and health benefits of fortified Ziziphus tea (ZT) with green tea (GT) against obesity and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Proximate analysis and sensory evaluation were carried out on the fortified tea. In the in vivo study, 15 SD rats were used for each group. Flow cytometry was utilized for caspase 3 analysis. ELISA was used for the detection of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha and adiponectin levels. Real‐time PCR was used to detect Notch‐1 and Hes‐1 gene expression. The composition of fortified (GT+ZT) showed a significant improvement in the nutritional value represented by the increase in overall protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, carbohydrate, mineral contents, and antioxidant capacity. Treatment with GT+ZT restored the disturbance in body weight, lipid profile, liver function, glucose, insulin sensitivity index, and oxidative status. It reversed the changes in TNF‐α and adiponectin levels. Their protective effects against NAFLD were indicated by the inhibition of hepatic caspase‐3 activity, suppression of Notch‐1, and Hes‐1 gene expression and amelioration of high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced histological alterations. Collectively, our findings, elucidate the precise mechanism of fortified ZT+GT for the attenuation of obesity‐induced metabolic disorders and NAFLD via regulating lipolysis, TNF‐α, adiponectin, apoptosis, and Notch‐1 signaling pathways, and provide a foundation for an easily implemented healthy habit of drinking. Practical applications The incorporation of bioactive compounds into functional foods is a growing market. Consumer attention in well‐being has increased rapidly toward a fortified diet that provides additional health effects. The fortified (GT+ZT) tea may potentially serve as an easily implemented healthy drinking habit to prevent and manage obesity and NAFLD and reduce the risk of other diseases. Fortification with ZT improved the health‐promoting functionality of GT through the enhancement of total protein, carbohydrates, antioxidant, and mineral contents. This was reflected by their synergetic therapeutic activity in ameliorating the disturbance in obesity‐related disorders and NAFLD via regulating lipolysis, inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and Notch‐1 signaling pathways. Therefore, (GT+ZT) could be considered functional foods which attribute to functional improvement and reduction in disease risk.

The focus of consumers in healthy food turned to the possible health benefits of particular foods and food ingredients. This study aimed to evaluate the newly fortified biscuits supplemented with sidr leaves and flaxseed and to highlight their nutritional quality and health benefits against cyclosporine A-induced dexterous effects.Sidr leaves (SL), and flaxseed (FS) were used in the preparation of fortified biscuits.Proximate analysis and sensory evaluation were carried out on the biscuits. In in vivo study, 15 male albino mice were used for each group. Groups were divided into control, CsA, SL, FS, and SL+FS-treated groups. Hematological analysis, kidney function tests, oxidative stress, and anti-oxidant status were estimated. Flow cytometry was utilized to detect apoptosis and autophagy levels. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for detection of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferonγ (IFNγ), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) levels. The composition of biscuits complemented by SL and FS demonstrated significant improvement in the nutritional value represented by the increase in overall protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, and carbohydrate contents. Treatment with SL and FS restored the disturbance in hematological, kidney function, oxidative, and antioxidant biomarkers. CsA-induced apoptotic and autophagic renal cell death was suppressed. Cytokines and pro-inflammatory markers were ameliorated. The use of SL and FS in dietary products can be recommended as a functional food. Moreover, they showed renal-protective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-enhancing activities. Practical applicationsSidr leaves (SL) and flaxseed (FS) were used in the preparation of fortified biscuits.The composition of biscuits complemented by SL and FS demonstrated a significant improvement in the nutritional values represented by the increase in overall protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, and carbohydrate contents. SL and FS showed a potential therapeutic activity in reversing CsA-induced dexterous side effects by acting as an antioxidant, antiapoptotic, antiautophagic, anti-inflammatory, renal-protective, and How to cite this article: El Seedy GM, El-Shafey ES, Elsherbiny ES. Fortification of biscuit with sidr leaf and flaxseed mitigates immunosuppression and nephrotoxicity induced by cyclosporine A.

The present study aims to determine the chemical composition, nutritional value, bioactive compounds content and biological activities of the brown alga (Sargassum subrepandum) collected from the Mediterranean Sea coasts, Egypt. Data of proximate chemical composition of Sargassum subrepandum powder indicated that carbohydrates were the largest compound (59.68 ± 3.23%) followed by ash (16.23 ± 1.14 %), crude fiber (9.18 ± 2.02 %), total protein (4.98 ±0.61%) and crude fat (0.91 ± 0.12%.). Also, the total energy Kcal/100g, G.D.R. (g) for protein (63 g) and G.D.R. (g) for energy (2900 Kcal) for the same samples were 266.83± 4.73, 1265.06±20.67g and 1086.83±15.48, respectively. Furthermore, bioactive compounds content of Sargassum subrepandum powder indicated that polysaccharides were the largest compound (152.45± 19.32 mg starch equivalent. g -1 ) followed by phenolics (122.67 ± 20.34 mg gallic acid equivalent. g -1 ), tannins (34.15 ± 6.90 mg catechin equivalent. g -1 ), carotenoids (30.78± 6.41 mg. g -1 ), flavonoids (29.31 ± 5.67 mg catechin equivalent. g -1 ) and anthocyanin's (3.65± 0.44 mg Cyanidin 3-glucoside, CCy3G equivalent.100g -1 ). The samples also recorded several very high biological activities which include inhibition of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, scavenging of free radicals, and antibacterial and antifungal. Such important biological effects could play important roles in strategies to combat/treat many diseases, especially those for which oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms for its occurrence i.e. diabetes, cancer, atherosclerosis, etc. Therefore, the present study recommended that brown alga (Sargassum subrepandum) powder and/or extracts to be included in our daily diets, drinks, food supplementation and pharmacological formulae.

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