Nutritional Significance and Antioxidant-Mediated Antiaging Effects of Finger Millet: Molecular Insights and Prospects

Abstract

Aging is a multifaceted process that is associated with progressive, lethal, and unalterable changes like damage to different molecules (DNA, proteins, and lipids), cells, tissues, and organs. It is an inevitable process but can be delayed by both genetic and dietary interventions. Besides aging, premature death and age-associated diseases can be dealt with diet regulation and the use of compounds that inhibit the stress responsiveness or promote the damage repair signaling pathways. Natural compounds offer a repertoire of highly diverse structural scaffolds that can offer hopeful candidate chemical entities with antiaging potential. One such source of natural compounds is millets, which are minor cereals with an abundance of high fiber, methionine, calcium, iron, polyphenols, and secondary metabolites, responsible for numerous potential health benefits. The present review article elucidates the nature and significance of different phytochemicals derived from millets with a major focus on finger millet and highlights all the important studies supporting their health benefits with special emphasis on the antiaging effect of these compounds. The present article also proposes the possible mechanisms through which millets can play a significant role in the suppression of aging processes and aging-related diseases by influencing genetic repair, protein glycation, and stress-responsive pathways. We further discuss well-established natural compounds for their use as antiaging drugs and recommend raising awareness for designing novel formulations/combinations from them so that their maximum antiaging potential can be harnessed for the benefit of mankind.

The role of plant‐derived natural antioxidants in reduction of oxidative stress

“…Since low‐molecular‐weight antioxidants can safely interact with free radicals, the chain reaction would terminate before further cell damage. Due to the contribution of oxidative stress to a wide range of diseases such as atherosclerosis, inflammatory condition, certain cancers, and the process of aging, almost all inflammatory diseases (arthritis, vasculitis, glomerulonephritis, lupus erythematous, adult respiratory diseases syndrome), ischemic diseases (heart diseases, stroke, intestinal ischemia), hemochromatosis, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, emphysema, organ transplantation, gastric ulcers, hypertension and preeclampsia, a neurological disorder (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy), alcoholism, smoking‐related diseases, and many others, attempts should be made to decrease the number of free radicals in human cells 135–137 …”

“…Due to the contribution of oxidative stress to a wide range of diseases such as atherosclerosis, inflammatory condition, certain cancers, and the process of aging, almost all inflammatory diseases (arthritis, vasculitis, glomerulonephritis, lupus erythematous, adult respiratory diseases syndrome), ischemic diseases (heart diseases, stroke, intestinal ischemia), hemochromatosis, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, emphysema, organ transplantation, gastric ulcers, hypertension and preeclampsia, a neurological disorder (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy), alcoholism, smoking-related diseases, and many others, attempts should be made to decrease the number of free radicals in human cells. [135][136][137] Today, natural compounds with antioxidant properties of various parts of herbs, namely oilseeds, vegetables, leaves, and roots of trees, spices, and seaweed have been utilized in pharmaceuticals and therapies since they can protect human cells from oxidative damage and have a strong potential for scavenging the free radicals. Natural products, plants, and fruits are introduced because of their biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects.…”

Genetic and genomic interventions in crop biofortification: Examples in millets

“…Finger millet is an important source of key nutrients including 18% dietary fiber, 6%–13% protein, 2.5%–3.5% minerals, 0.3%–3% phenolic compounds, and 0.34% calcium ( Chandra et al., 2016 ). The crop is also valued for its health benefits like anti-diabetic, anti-tumorigenic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties ( Nakarani et al., 2020 ; Kumar et al., 2021 ). Millets serve as a rich source of vitamins and trace elements that are essential for normal physiological functions in human.…”

Nourishing the Cognition with Millets: A Comprehensive Review of Their Nutritional Impact and Potential as Cognitive Enhancers

“…The antioxidant capacity of pearl millet contributes to its protective effects against oxidative stress-induced damage in the brain, potentially reducing the risk of cognitive diseases. Additionally, Kumar et al [89] and Pushparaj et al [90] conducted a study to assess the antioxidant activity and phytochemical composition of different millet species, including finger millet and pearl millet. The researchers observed significant antioxidant activity in these millet species, highlighting their potential as dietary sources of antioxidants for combating oxidative stressrelated cognitive impairments.…”

“…Additionally, Kumar et al. [ 89 ] and Pushparaj et al. [ 90 ] conducted a study to assess the antioxidant activity and phytochemical composition of different millet species, including finger millet and pearl millet.…”