Review of existing experimental approaches for the clinical evaluation of the benefits of plant food supplements on cardiovascular function

Abstract

We conducted a survey of the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) PubMed database to identify methods most commonly used for the evaluation of the effect of plant food supplements on the cardiovascular system and their relevance to the regulatory status of these products. Particularly, our search strategy was aimed at the selection of studies concerning the clinical evaluation of the beneficial effects of the most commonly studied plant food supplements acting on the cardiovascular system. Following the screening of 3839 papers for inclusion criteria, 48 published reports were retained for this review. Most studies included in this review used a double blind controlled design, and evaluated the effect of plant food supplements on individuals affected by a disease of the cardiovascular system. The majority of the studies were found to be of low methodological quality on the Jadad scale, mainly because of inadequate reporting of adverse events and of patient withdrawals. In comparison, measures used for the evaluation of benefits included mostly cardiovascular risk factors as recommended in international guidelines and in accordance with principles laid down for the evaluation of health claims in food. The risk factors most frequently evaluated belonged to the category of "lipid function and levels", "heart function" and "blood pressure". For the absolute majority of the studies, the study period did not exceed one month. This review highlights critical factors to be considered in the design of studies evaluating the health effects of plant food supplements on the cardiovascular system. Between others, the inclusion of healthy individuals, better reporting and description of the characteristics of the product used could improve the quality and relevance of these studies.

Characterization of Nitric Oxide Modulatory Activities of Alkaline-Extracted and Enzymatic-Modified Arabinoxylans from Corn Bran in Cultured Human Monocytes

“…Consequently, the ingestion of foods and food-derived substances that may enhance the immune system is widely studied. Dietary intervention is considered an efficient way of preventing a decline in immune functions and reducing the risk of infection or cancer 5,6 . Some dietary fiber-derived food substances (such as β-1,3-glucan, β-1,6-glucan and α-1,6-mannan) have been discovered that show immune stimulation activity 7,8 .…”

“…Dietary intervention is considered an efficient way of preventing a decline in immune functions and reducing the risk of infection or cancer. 5,6 Some dietary fiber-derived food substances (such as β-1,3-glucan, β-1,6-glucan, and α-1,6-mannan) have been discovered that show immune stimulation activity. 7,8 Arabinoxylan (AX), an important hemicellulose found in the outer layer and endosperm cell walls of cereals, is a dietary fiber.…”

“…Several factors including malnutrition and unhealthy lifestyles (e.g., poor diet) can disturb human immune functions. − Consequently, the ingestion of foods and food-derived substances that may enhance the immune system is widely studied. Dietary intervention is considered an efficient way of preventing a decline in immune functions and reducing the risk of infection or cancer. , Some dietary fiber-derived food substances (such as β-1,3-glucan, β-1,6-glucan, and α-1,6-mannan) have been discovered that show immune stimulation activity. , Arabinoxylan (AX), an important hemicellulose found in the outer layer and endosperm cell walls of cereals, is a dietary fiber. In vivo studies have reported that cereal AXs can modulate both the innate (typical of natural killer cells and monocytes/macrophages) and adaptive (typical of T and B cells) immune activities after oral administration in mice and chickens .…”

A Phytochemical-Sensing Strategy Based on Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Metabolic Profiling for Understanding the Functionality of the Medicinal Herb Green Tea

“…Many functionality-oriented botanicals, nutraceuticals, and foods have been developed for widespread consumption, although some have been included in health hazard evaluation reports on the inadequate and excessive consumption of a specific ingredient with functionality [ 1 , 2 ]. At present, there are few reliable quantitative evaluation methods for predicting the efficacy, safety, and dosing of dietary components.…”

Small molecule-sensing strategy and techniques for understanding the functionality of green tea

“…1,2) At present, reliable quantitative evaluation methods for predicting the efficacy, safety, and dosing of dietary components are limited. Detailed knowledge about the exact composition of a food product, the active or inactive ingredient(s), their metabolism and mechanism of action is frequently lacking.…”