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The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is approximately doubled in subjects with hypercholesterolemia compared to those with normal blood cholesterol levels. Monacolin K (MK), the main active substance in rice fermented by the Monascus purpureus, acts on cholesterol metabolism. Rice also contains other bioactive compounds such as γ-oryzanol (OZ) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, the efficacy and tolerability of a food supplement (FS) based on an ingredient standardized to contain monacolins (4.5%), OZ, and GABA were evaluated in subjects with mild dyslipidemia. For the duration of the trial, enrolled subjects (n = 44, each group) received the FS or placebo and were instructed to use an isocaloric diet. Compared to the placebo group, after a 3 months of the FS, the mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and mean TC values were reduced by 19.3 and 8.3%, respectively, while the mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol value increased by 29.3%. On average, the subjects shifted from very high to moderate CVD risk. Glucose metabolism and hepatic and renal parameters did not change after the treatment and no adverse events were reported. Guidelines to handle hypercholesterolemia with food supplements in specific clinical settings are needed to better manage mild dyslipidemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on 81 individuals (18–75 years old) with mildly impaired fasting blood glucose (FBG) concentrations (98–125 mg/dL) was undertaken to investigate the tolerability of a food supplement (FS) based on Zea mays and Gymnema sylvestre extracts, zinc, and chromium and its efficacy on glucose and lipid metabolism. The subjects were randomized into three groups (27 in each group) and supplemented with one or two tablet(s)/day of FS (groups 1 and 2, respectively), or two tablets/day of placebo (group 3). Blood sampling was carried out at baseline (t0) and after a 3-month treatment (t1), and biochemical parameters associated with glucose and lipid metabolism and kidney and liver toxicity were evaluated. Compared to the placebo, FBG and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were significantly (p < 0.001) reduced in group 1 subjects. In contrast, at the doses of one and two tablet(s)/day, the FS exerted no effect on the other parameters examined. We conclude that in subjects with slightly impaired FBG, ingestion of a FS based on Z. mays and G. sylvestre extracts, zinc, and chromium over 3 months lowers FBG and modulates glucose homeostasis by improving glucose metabolism. These beneficial effects occur in the absence of biochemical evidence of kidney and liver toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the rise of emerging and re-emerging viruses in recent years constitute significant public health problems. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new antimicrobial strategies to overcome these challenges. Herein, we describe an innovative method to synthesize ligand-free silver nanoparticles by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid (PLAL-AgNPs). Thus produced, nanoparticles were characterized by total X-ray fluorescence, zeta potential analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to evaluate the nanoparticles' cytotoxicity. Their potential was evaluated against the enveloped herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and the naked poliovirus type 1 (PV-1) by plaque reduction assays and confirmed by real-time PCR and fluorescence microscopy, showing that nanoparticles interfered with the early stage of infection. Their action was also examined against different bacteria. We observed that the PLAL-AgNPs exerted a strong effect against both methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL). In detail, the PLAL-AgNPs exhibited a bacteriostatic action against S. aureus and a bactericidal activity against E. coli. Finally, we proved that the PLAL-AgNPs were able to inhibit/degrade the biofilm of S. aureus and E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the wide etiology of conjunctivitis, the expensive and time-consuming diagnosis requires new therapeutic strategies with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and nonselective mechanisms of action. In this context, eye drops could provide an alternative to conventional antimicrobial therapies. Here, we compare the antibacterial and antiviral activity of Oftasecur and Visuprime, commercially available ophthalmic solutions. Cytotoxicity assay was performed on Vero CCL-81 cells by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Antibacterial efficacy was evaluated on Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae by disk diffusion, broth microdilution methods, and time-killing tests. Furthermore, the antiviral activity against HSV-1 was estimated by co-treatment, cell and viral pretreatment and post-treatment, via plaque reduction assay, fluorescence assessment (GFP-engineered HSV-1), and real-time PCR. After 24 h of exposure, Oftasecur and Visuprime showed a volume-inducing 50% of cytotoxicity of 125 and 15.8 μL, respectively Oftasecur and Visuprime induced 90% antibacterial activity in response to mean volume of 10.0 and 4.4 µL for Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, respectively. Oftasecur exerted bactericidal action on both bacterial populations, while Visuprime was bacteriostatic on Gram-negative strains and slightly bactericidal on Gram-positive bacteria. A major impact on infectivity occurred by exposure of viral particles to the ophthalmic solutions. In detail, 50% of inhibition was verified by exposing the viral particles to 3.12 and 0.84 μL of Oftasecur and Visuprime, respectively, for 1 h. The reduction of the fluorescence and the expression of the viral genes confirmed the recorded antiviral activity. Due to their high antimicrobial efficiency, Oftasecur and Visuprime could represent a valid empirical strategy for the treatment of conjunctivitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives: Malva sylvestris L. is rich in mucilage and is traditionally used for the management of numerous ailments including gastrointestinal disorders. Functional constipation (FC) is a gastrointestinal condition characterized by defecation anomalies such as infrequent stools, difficulty in stool passage, or both in the absence of pathological abnormalities. FC can be reduced through lifestyle factors and dietary intervention. This consumer-based survey aimed to assess the efficacy of a M. sylvestris extract-based food supplement on the improvement of FC., Methods: Healthy participants ( n = 56), enrolled in a consumer-based survey, took a food supplement containing a chemically characterized M. sylvestris extract at a dose of 20 mL/day (containing 750 mg of M. sylvestris extract rich in food fiber and polyphenols) for 20 days on the advice of their pharmacist. The study evaluated bowel movement frequency (intestinal diary), stool consistency (Bristol Stool Form Scale, BSFS), and abdominal pain (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), at baseline (T0), after 10 days (T1), and after 20 days (T2)., Results: A significant increase in bowel movement frequency and stool consistency ( p < 0.001) with a significant decrease in abdominal pain ( p < 0.001) was observed. Additionally, this food supplement was well-tolerated as no adverse effects were reported by the enrolled subjects., Conclusion: M. sylvestris -based food supplement showed promising effectiveness and satisfaction in improving FC in healthy subjects, however, randomized clinical studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

Viral hepatitis still represents a significant worldwide public health issue, being an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study is to evaluate the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers from serologic analysis of hospitalized patients at University Hospital of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" and also to investigate the prevalence of HBV/HCV coinfection. We screened serum Anti-Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs), antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), and antibody to Hepatitis C Virus (Anti-HCV) Anti-HCV from January to December 2020. Analyses of HBV serological profile based on age showed that the 51-60 age group was the most numerous and with the highest cases of HBsAg. The 61-70 age group recorded the highest prevalence of anti-HBc while age groups 0-10 years and 31-40 years the highest cases of anti-HBs. Antibody levels decline with time. In subjects older than 20 years, compared to vaccinated cohort individuals, anti-HBc seropositive prevalence increased linearly. This study underlined, in our geographic region, the decreased incidence of hepatitis B and high immunogenicity in the young population. Therefore, administration of HBV vaccine booster dose should be considered for the population rather than vaccination in the first year of life. In conclusion, our findings reaffirm the importance of health surveillance in hospitalized subjects, stressing the need to improve immunized subjects to increase the general population's health.