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Abstract Different oregano species have been traditionally used as infusions in folk medicine. Oregano medicinal properties, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, have been partially attributed to its polyphenolic content. However, information regarding bioaccessibility of oregano polyphenols is limited. Cell-based antioxidant activity, and in vitro hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic properties of polyphenolic extracts from three species of oregano species, namely, Hedeoma patens (HP), Lippia graveolens (LG) and Lippia palmeri (LP), subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion were evaluated. LC-TOF-MS analysis of HP, LG and LP allowed the identification of 9 flavonoids and 6 hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives with nutraceutical significance. Oregano polyphenolic extracts and digests from HP, LG, and LP exhibited cellular antioxidant capacity, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties. Altogether, our results suggest that HP, LG and LP polyphenols exhibit potential for use as hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant agents. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Cellular antioxidant activity of oregano polyphenols is enhanced after digestion. • Oregano polyphenols show higher α-glucosidase inhibition than acarbose. • Oregano polyphenols showed lower inhibition of α-amylase than acarbose. • Lipase inhibition of polyphenols from oregano is enhanced after digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulses supply many bioactive substances, such as enzyme inhibitors, lectins, phytates and phenolic compounds. Phenolic compounds are found in minor amounts in food but have significant metabolic and/or physiological effects. Enzyme inhibitors can diminish protein digestibility, and lectins can reduce nutrient absorption, but both have little effect after cooking. Because bioactive compounds can be beneficial or adverse, depending on the processing conditions, an assessment of their various physiological effects is necessary to determine whether they should be preserved or eliminated. Pulses are normally consumed after processing, which not only improves the palatability of foods but also increases the bioavailability of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Recent findings from the literature published within the last 10 years about the effect of cooking and germination is compiled and summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Cinnamon is the most important spice used worldwide in food (traditional medicine). • Substantial benefits for human health, its protective role on cardiovascular diseases. • It exhibited beneficial effects on cardiovascular-related comorbidities like diabetes & metabolic syndrome. • Cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid are main cinnamon compounds with cardiovascular protective effects. Cinnamon from the bark of Cinnamomum species is one of the most important spices used worldwide in food and as a traditional medicine for centuries. It has substantial benefits for human health including its protective role on cardiovascular diseases. This review provides an overview of the cardiovascular protective effects of cinnamon and its major bioactive constituents. Reviewed literature showed sufficient evidence that cinnamon can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including cardiac ischemia, cardiac hypertrophy, and myocardial infarction. Furthermore, cinnamon exhibited beneficial effects on cardiovascular-related comorbidities like diabetes, and other metabolic disorders, and showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Cinnamon contains several bioactive compounds such as phenolics and volatile compounds. Cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid are among the main cinnamon compounds with protective effects on cardiovascular diseases through different molecular mechanisms. Although the protective effects of cinnamon and its main compounds have been extensively reported, more preclinical and clinical studies are still required before its use as a biopharmaceutical agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Korean traditional food (KTF), originated from ancestral agriculture and the nomadic traditions of the Korean peninsula and southern Manchuria, is based on healthy food that balances disease prevention and treatment. Fermented foods that include grains, herbs, fruits, and mushrooms are also an important practice in KTF, providing high levels of Lactobacilli , which confer relevant health benefits, including antiviral properties. Some of these probiotics may also protect against the Influenza virus through the modulation of innate immunity. The emerging of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to other diseases of viral origin, and the problems associated with other respiratory disorders, highlight how essential is a healthy eating pattern to strengthen our immune system. Key Findings and Conclusions : The present review covers the information available on edible plants, herbs, mushrooms, and preparations used in KTF to outline their multiple medicinal effects (e.g., antidiabetic, chemopreventive, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial), emphasizing their role and effects on the immune system with an emphasis on modulating properties of the gut microbiota that further support strong respiratory immunity. Potential functional foods commonly used in Korean cuisine such as Kimchi (a mixture of fermented vegetables), Meju, Doenjang, Jeotgal, and Mekgeolli and fermented sauces, among others, are highlighted for their great potential to improve gut-lung immunity. The traditional Korean diet and dietary mechanisms that may target viruses ACE-2 receptors or affect any step of a virus infection pathway that can determine a patient's prognosis are also highlighted. The regular oral intake of bioactive ingredients used in Korean foods can offer protection for some viral diseases, through protective and immunomodulatory effects, as evidenced in pre-clinical and clinical studies. • KTF is based on healthy food that balances disease prevention/treatment. • KTF outline their multiple medicinal effects and support strong respiratory immunity. • Potential functional foods used in KTF are highlighted for their potential to improve gut-lung immunity. • Regular oral intake of bioactive ingredients used in KTF offer protection for viral diseases. • Through protective and immunomodulatory effects, as evidenced in pre-clinical and clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Galangal is highly appreciated for its potential applications in food and medicine. In spite of its usage in food and herbal medicine in countries like Indonesia and Thailand, very limited data is accessible about its potential applications in therapeutics and pharmacology. It has been reported to be utilized in herbal medicines for treatment against diseases like hemorrhoids, abnormal menstruation, abdominal discomfort, and inflammation, among others. The widespread use of galangal in food and traditional medicine has fascinated researchers all over the world looking for its enhanced medicinal capabilities, new bioactive compounds with nutraceutical potentials, and probable uses in medicine and pharmacology. A number of literature search methods like searching the related contents with the keywords such as Alpinia sp., galangal, antiviral, cardiovascular, neuroprotective, bioactive compounds, phytochemicals etc. in the web search engines' such as the Google search, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed etc. were implemented. Conversely, there is no recent structured and ample review that summarizes the available data on these issues. In the current review, these topics are addressed in detail along with the investigation of scientific evidence supporting the vast applications of galangal in food and its medicinal properties, such as antiviral, cardiovascular and neuroprotective properties, together with the preclinical and clinical studies with galangal bioactive compounds. • Medicinal herbs are one of the imperative sources of drugs all over the world. • A. galanga is highly appreciated for potential applications in food and medicine. • Treatment in hemorrhoids, abnormal menstruation, abdominal distress, inflammation. • Vast applications as antiviral, cardiovascular and neuroprotective properties. • This review aspires to integrate information on customary attributes of galangal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]