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The potential interactions among food additives/contaminants and the consequences to biological systems is a topic that is rarely addressed in scientific literature. Thus, the current study investigated if the combined administration of ASP and AFB1 would impair hepatic and renal oxidative status. Male Wistar rats received during 14 days once a day ASP (75 mg/Kg) and/or AFB1 (250 µg/Kg) through intragastric route. At the end of experimental protocol, samples of liver and kidneys were collected for assessing biochemical markers of oxidative status. In the hepatic tissue, the treatment with a single substance (ASP or AFB1) caused an increase in TBARS levels, and a reduction in non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses (Vit C and NPSH levels and FRAP test). In the kidneys, TBARS levels were increased only in the group that received ASP + AFB1. The association reduced NPSH content, while the treatment with AFB1 reduced the FRAP levels. GST and CAT activities were increased in all treatments. Overall, ASP and AFB1 association presented higher toxic effects to the tissues. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating that the associated use of both ASP and AFB1 induces more extensive injuries in comparison to the effects caused by each one alone. Therefore, these data demonstrated that concomitant exposure to ASP and AFB1 potentiated their oxidative damage in hepatic tissue, suggesting that this organ is particularly sensitive to the toxic action induced by these substances.

Background Aspartame is used to treat obesity, and the diabetic people could induce changes in liver and kidney structures and function. Garlic extract, melatonin and thymoquinone have an important role against aspartame toxicity due to their antioxidant properties. The current study was designed to examine the protective effects of garlic, melatonin and thymoquinone against aspartame-induced hepatorenal toxicity in albino rates. Results The results indicated that aspartame induced changes in the serum levels of liver parameters function (glucose, ALT, AST and ALP) and renal parameters function (urea and creatinine). Garlic, melatonin and thymoquinone reversed the values of liver and kidney enzymes levels near to or similar to that of control. The histopathological effects of aspartame on the histological structures of liver and kidney were either reduced or removed by garlic, melatonin and thymoquinone. Conclusion Long-term (6 months) administration of aspartame induced toxic effects on hepatorenal function and structure, whereas garlic, melatonin and thymoquinone resulted in hepatorenal ameliorative and protective effects.

Introduction: Adolescence age group has significant impact of advertizing industry for use of soft drink and junk food. Present study is aimed to find out the alteration in the bone markers in medical and dental students, who regularly consume soft drinks. Materials and Methods: Students from our institute were divided (n = 200) in two groups. Group A – Students who consume 200 ml or less than 200 ml of soft drink in a week. Group B -Students consuming more than 200 ml of either ‘regular’ soft drink (B1) or ‘diet’ soft drink (B2) per day. Results: There is a significant decrease in the levels of bone density, calcium, phosphorous, vitamin D and increase in the activity of alkaline phosphatase in Group B2 than group A as well as B1. Conclusion: Diet soft drinks are consumed instead of regular soft drinks, the decrease in the pH due to phosphoric acid and aspartame; may lead to bone demineralization resulting into decreased bone density. Inhibition of 1alpha hydroxylase may get inhibited due to acid pH caused by phosphoric acid from soft drinks. These changes may lead to develop tendency of bone fractures in the future life. Keywords: Soft drinks, Bone density.

BackgroundA multicenter investigation of neonate exposure to potentially harmful excipients (PHEs) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Japan has not been conducted.MethodsA multicenter nationwide observational study was conducted. Neonate patient demographic data and information on all medicines prescribed and administered during hospitalization on 1 day between November 2019 and March 2021 were extracted from the medical records. Nine PHEs, paraben, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, benzoates, saccharin sodium, sorbitol, ethanol, benzalkonium chloride, and aspartame, were selected. PHEs were identified from the package insert and the Interview Form. The quantitative daily exposure was calculated if quantitative data were available for each product containing the PHE.ResultsPrescription data was collected from 22 NICUs in Japan. In total, 343 neonates received 2360 prescriptions for 426 products containing 228 active pharmaceutical ingredients. PHEs were found in 52 (12.2%) products in 646 (27.4%) prescriptions for 282 (82.2%) neonates. Benzyl alcohol, sodium benzoates, and parabens were the most common PHEs in parenteral, enteral, and topical formulations, respectively. Quantitative analysis showed that 10 (10%), 38 (42.2%), 37 (94.9%), and 9 (39.1%) neonates received doses exceeding the acceptable daily intake of benzyl alcohol, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, and sorbitol, respectively. However, due to the lack of quantitative information for all enteral and topical products, accurate daily PHE exposure could not be quantified.ConclusionsNeonates admitted to NICUs in Japan were exposed to PHEs, and several of the most commonly prescribed medicines in daily clinical practice in NICUs contained PHEs. Neonate PHE exposure could be reduced by replacing these medicines with available PHE-free alternatives.

Subcutaneous insulin injection is one of the therapies in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. However, problems such as pain at the injection site and lipodystrophy present a challenge that will influence patient compliance. This study aims to develop and characterise buccal film formulations containing insulin, utilising the glucose-lowering and pharmaceutical properties of Aloe vera. Characterisation tests such as morphology, rheological measurement, pH value, mechanical properties, and permeation test were performed on the optimal formulation. Assessment of the glucose-lowering efficacy was performed using alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. Composition of the final film formulation included 3% w/w sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, 40% v/v glycerol, 70% v/v Aloe vera, 0.5% w/v mannitol, 0.125% w/v aspartame, 0.125% v/v Tween 80 and 15.3 mg insulin. The drug content has been determined to be 56.77 ± 8.55%. The formulation shows a low variation in weight and thickness measurements and acceptable physicochemical properties, in addition to sustained drug release for 6 h. The final film formulation that combined insulin and Aloe vera was effective enough to reduce blood glucose levels compared to the negative control (p > 0.05), despite fluctuation in the blood glucose levels throughout the study, and did not show any enhancement in reduction compared to the insulin-only film. In conclusion, the developed buccal film formulation has the potential to be used as a vessel for the delivery of insulin. Nevertheless, further studies are required to ensure the stability of the insulin via buccal route and stabilisation of insulin within the formulation.

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common and chronic inflammatory skin disease that erupts periodically. Although the negative impact of the disorder on overall quality of life has been well established, new treatments for AD are still needed. Various studies have reported on cannabidiol's effectiveness in relieving pain and easing inflammation while not presenting major health risks. Aims In this communication, we aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of a novel cannabidiol (CBD) and aspartame formulation, JW-100, in relieving signs and symptoms of AD. Patients/methods We conducted a double-blinded placebo-controlled interventional study randomizing patients to one of three treatment groups: JW-100 (CBD plus aspartame), CBD only, or placebo topical formulations. The Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) score was used to document any changes in AD resulting from the applied interventions at 14 days. Results Fifty-seven patients completed the trial and were included in the final analysis. The ISGA score of the patients at baseline was 2.56, 2.24, and 2.24, for the JW-100, CBD, and placebo groups, respectively. After two weeks of treatment, the ISGA score reduced by 1.28, 0.81, and 0.71, for the JW-100, CBD, and placebo groups, respectively. The JW-100 cohorts demonstrated statistically significant ISGA score reduction (p = 0.042). 50% of patients in the JW-100 group achieved ISGA score of clear or almost clear (0 or 1) with at least a 2-grade improvement from baseline after treatment (p = 0.028). Only 20% and 15% of patients in the CBD only and placebo groups reported ISGA score of clear or almost clear (0 or 1). Conclusions JW-100, a novel topical formulation containing CBD and aspartame, was demonstrated to produce statistically significant improvements in AD following 14 days of topical application.

Objective : Aspartame (ASP) consumption in various food and beverage products has generated a lot of controversy on safety. Many reports, ASP caused deterioration of health condition likes diabetes, psychiatric disorders, memory loss, etc. This study aimed to investigate the optimization duration of ASP to induce memory loss in Sprague Dawley rats. Methods : The ASP was administered 40 mg/kg BW orally for 28 days in rats. Analysis of memory loss by neurobehavioural changes including latency time, length of track, per cent time and frequency target quadrant using Morris Water Maze (MWM) at day 14, 21, 28, and 24 hours after the last treatment. Results: The administration of ASP showed the time-dependent changes for each indicator of neurobehavioural. The results demonstrated during 28 days of induction showed a significant decrease in latency time, length of track, per cent time and frequency target quadrant. Conclusion : From the results, it can be concluded administration of ASP during 28 days induce neurobehavioural changes related to memory loss in rats. Abstrak: Objektif: Penggunaan aspartame (ASP) sebagai pemanis buatan yang banyak terdapat pada makanan, dan minuman menimbulkan berbagai kontroversi dalam hal keamanan. Berbagai data menunjukkan ASP dapat menyebabkan gangguan kesehatan seperti diabetes, gangguan psikiatrik, penurunan fungsi memori, dll. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan waktu durasi penggunaan ASP yang dapat menyebabkan gangguan fungsi memori pada tikus Sprague Dawley. Metode:ASP diberikan secara oral pada tikus dengan dosis 40 mg/kg BB selama 28 hari. Analisis terhadap fungsi memori dilakukan dengan adanya perubahan perilaku pada hewan, meliputi waktu latensi, Panjang lintasan, persentase waktu dan frekuensi kuadran menggunakan Morris Water Maze (MWM) setelah 24 jam setelah pemberian pada hari ke 14,21, 28. Hasil: Pemberian ASP menunjukkan adanya perbedaan waktu pada setiap indicator perilaku. Pemberian selama 28 hari menujukkan adanya perbedaan signifikan pada penurunan waktu latensi, Panjang lintasan, persentase waktu dan frekuensi kuadran. Kesimpulan: Berdasarkan hasil, pemberian ASP selama 28 hari dapat menyebabkan adanya perubahan perilaku yang berkaitan dengan fungsi memori pada tikus.

Purpose: Nutrition has been increasingly recognized as a key component to optimal sports performance. Though several botanical agents have been reported to possess ergogenic potential, there exists a great interest for tasty and safe natural substances as performance boosters. In the present contribution, the ergogenic potential of a novel powder form of coconut inflorescence sap (CSP) was investigated for the first time. Method: Out of the fourteen participants recruited, twelve recreationally active men completed the single-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study for 8 weeks. Running based anaerobic sprint test (RAST) and 2.4 km running test were performed as anaerobic and aerobic tests, respectively. In arm 1, the participants were received with either placebo (200 mL water containing 400 mg aspartame/day) or CSP (3 g in 200 mL water/day) for 21 days. After the washout period, arm 2 was performed with a reversed treatment regime. VO2 max was estimated using a predictive formula. Results: The primary outcome showed a significant enhancement in peak power and mean power (peak power from 3.67 W/kg b. wt. to 5.38 W/kg b. wt.; mean power from 3.47 W/kg b. wt. to 5.06 W/kg b. wt.). A significant (p 0.05) in safety parameters. Conclusion: It was concluded that CSP possesses significant ergogenic effect and may find wide application as a natural ingredient for sports nutrition and energy drinks. Trail Registration: The study was registered in Clinical Trial Registry of India (Reg No.: CTRI/2018/03/012551 dated 13/03/2018).

In this work the binding of artificial sweetener aspartame with human serum albumin (HSA) was studied at physiological pH. Binding studies of aspartame (APM) with HSA are useful to understand APM -HSA interaction, mechanism and providing guidance for the application and design of new and more efficient artificial sweeteners. The interaction was investigated by spectrophotometric, spectrofluorometric competition experiment and circular dichroism (CD) techniques. The results indicated that the binding of APM to HSA caused fluorescence quenching of HSA through static quenching mechanism with binding constant 1.42 × 10

Aspartame (ASP) and sucralose (SUC) are non-nutritive sweeteners which are widely consumed worldwide. They are considered safe for human consumption, but their effects on certain physiological aspects, such as the lifespan or health status, of the organism have not yet been studied in depth and only limited data are available in the literature. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of ASP and SUC on the lifespan and health indexes using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model system. Interestingly, it was shown that at the concentrations tested, ASP (0.03-3 mg mL-1) showed an increasing trend of the mean lifespan of C. elegans, with a significant increase of 27.6% compared to the control at 3 mg mL-1. Similarly, SUC (ranging from 0.03 to 10 mg mL-1) also significantly increased the mean lifespan by 20.3% and 22.3% at 0.03 and 0.3 mg mL-1, respectively. However, 10 mg mL-1 SUC had a negative effect on the lifespan, though it did not reach a statistically significant level. In addition, ASP and SUC decreased lipofuscin accumulation and transiently improved motility, indicating improved health status. Nonetheless, they had different effects on food intake and intestinal fat deposition (IFD) at different intervals of time. Taken together, our findings revealed that ASP and SUC can prolong the lifespan and improve the health status of C. elegans.

On behalf of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Kass and Lodi recently published a letter purporting to ‘refute’ our July 2019 analysis of EFSA’s December 2013 assessment of the risks of aspartame. We had previously claimed inter alia that the EFSA panel had evaluated studies that had indicated that aspartame might be harmful far more sceptically than those that had not indicated harm. We reported that EFSA had deemed every one of 73 studies suggesting harm to have been unreliable. Kass and Lodi provided a tabulation with figures that differed from ours in every detail. This commentary shows that, while Kass and Lodi provided a response to our analysis, they have not come close to refuting it. Our analysis provided detailed characterisations of each of the studies and how the panel interpreted them, but Kass and Lodi provide no corresponding information at all. Kass and Lodi claim that EFSA deemed 21 of 35 studies that had indicated possible harm to have been reliable. But if that is so, we now ask: why did the EFSA panel not recommend that aspartame should be banned, or at least tightly restricted? Supplementary Information Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s13690-020-00489-w.

Background Caffeine and aspartame (ASP) are mostly used as a diet regimen to reduce overweight. The risk increase if used during critical life periods that may affect the development of fetal organs. Objective To evaluate the individual and combined effects of maternal exposure to caffeine and ASP during gestation and lactation on the kidneys' development of rats' offspring. Methods Pregnant rats were divided randomly into four groups; Group I (control group). Group II (ASP group): ASP was given at a dose of 40 mg of /kg/day. Group III (Caffeine group): caffeine was given at a dose of 80 mg/kg/day. Group IV (ASP & caffeine group); where previous doses of ASP and caffeine were given at the same time. All the treatments were given by oral gavage from the first day of pregnancy until postnatal day 30. Kidneys of rats' offspring were dissected and tested for detection of oxidative stress markers and for histopathological & immunohistochemical examination. Results This study showed a high significant increase in oxidative load (malondialdehyde) in renal tissues in group IV associated with decreased activities of total glutathione and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase). Histological and morphometric examination results showed delayed maturation of renal tissues in Group II and III, but more deleterious effects were observed in group IV with a lot of pathological changes in renal tissues. Conclusion The extensive use of caffeine and ASP should be controlled to avoid the risk of their toxicity.

Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) has recently emerged as an important therapeutic enzyme with several biomedical applications. The enzyme catabolizes l-phenylalanine to trans-cinnamate and ammonia. PAL is widely distributed in higher plants, some algae, ferns, and microorganisms, but absent in animals. Although microbial PAL has been extensively exploited in the past for producing industrially important metabolites, its high substrate specificity and catalytic efficacy lately spurred interest in its biomedical applications. PEG-PAL drug named Palynziq™, isolated from Anabaena variabilis has been recently approved for the treatment of adult phenylketonuria (PKU) patients. Further, it has exhibited high potency in regressing tumors and treating tyrosine related metabolic abnormalities like tyrosinemia. Several therapeutically valuable metabolites have been biosynthesized via its catalytic action including dietary supplements, antimicrobial peptides, aspartame, amino-acids, and their derivatives. This review focuses on all the prospective biomedical applications of PAL. It also provides an overview of the structure, production parameters, and various strategies to improve the therapeutic potential of this enzyme. Engineered PAL with improved pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties will further establish this enzyme as a highly efficient biological drug.

Foodstuffs containing large amounts of sucrose, which is rapidly absorbed by the human body, cause a marked increase in blood glucose levels; for some people, especially those with diabetes, this is undesirable. Therefore, efforts were undertaken to produce food with a reduced calorie content, but maintaining a sweet taste. Additionally, food producers were interested in cutting costs by replacing sugar with a cheaper alternative. Saccharin, one of the first synthetic sweeteners, was discovered in the USA in the 2nd half of the 19th century. Subsequently, other sugar substitutes were developed: synthetic (e.g. aspartame or acesulfame K), semi-synthetic (xylitol, mannitol), or polyols. The latter were used during the First and Second World War to increase the calorific content of the available food. Nowadays, the advancing obesity epidemic has resulted in the increasing popularity of synthetic and semi-synthetic sweeteners. However, from the beginning of their existence there have been controversies regarding their safety and impact on health. There have been many studies on individual sweeteners, specifying any adverse or side effects. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to summarizes the characteristics of the most popular sweeteners and their effects on human health.

Wojcieszonek Adam, Szpyt Justyna, Pajor Kacper, Hawryłkowicz Viktoria. Can aspartame-sweetened products safely help with weight loss? Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2020;10(9):345‑348. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2020.10.09.039 https://apcz.umk.pl/czasopisma/index.php/JEHS/article/view/JEHS.2020.10.09.039 https://zenodo.org/record/4030031 The journal has had 5 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. § 8. 2) and § 12. 1. 2) 22.02.2019. © The Authors 2020; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author (s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non commercial license Share alike. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 20.08.2020. Revised: 25.08.2020. Accepted: 15.09.2020. Can aspartame-sweetened products safely help with weight loss? Adam Wojcieszonek1, Justyna Szpyt1, Kacper Pajor1, Viktoria Hawryłkowicz1 Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolomics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Broniewskiego 24, 71 - 460 Szczecin, Poland Address for correspondence Adam Wojcieszonek, e-mail: adam.wojcieszonek@interia.pl Abstract One of the main causes of obesity is the high consumption of products rich in easily absorbed carbohydrates. Sweet products with lower energy value, which sweetness comes from artificial sweeteners are becoming more and more popular. One of the most examined and popular is aspartame. This sweetener is broken down in the human body among others to methanol, which is oxidized to formaldehyde and formic acid, that are toxic to the human body. Furthermore, there is an ongoing discussion about the potential carcinogenicity and the impact of aspartame on the gut microbiota. A literature review was conducted to determine whether aspartame could be considered a safe weight loss aid. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidelines indicate that the toxic dose of aspartame in chronic use is 4000 mg per every kilogram of body mass per day. On the other hand, there are studies on rats that indicate that EFSA's position is overly optimistic. However, it should be noted, that so high consumption situations of this sweetener that would allow to approach the recommended daily maximum are extremely rare. The amount of methanol provided by aspartame-sweetened foods also makes it extremely difficult to achieve toxic levels. Aspartame has also been shown not to affect the gut microbiota. What is important from a dietary point of view, study that compared the consumption of "light" drinks with water showed that people on a diet and consuming "light" drinks achieved significantly greater weight reduction (approx. 1.24 kg) compared to people consuming only water. The use of aspartame as a substitute for sugar may help in reducing excess body weight. However, attention should be paid to the inconclusive results regarding the acceptable safe level of consumption of this sweetener. Keywords: Aspartame, Sweeteners, Obesity, Weight Reduction Diet

Background: Artificial sweeteners interfere with normal physiological processes. Objective: The study aims at assessing the changes associated with consuming different doses of aspartame (Sugar-Match®) and sucralose (Sweetal®). Methods: A total of sixty rats were divided into two phases; phase I was categorized into 6 groups including a control group, sucralose 2 and 4 g/kg, aspartame 0.8 and 1.6 g/kg, and sucrose with dose 0.5 mg/kg given orally every day for 12 weeks. Rats were euthanized and lipid profile was measured. Phase II comprised 4 groups including the same previously mentioned doses of sucralose and aspartame which were given orally every day for 12 weeks then omitted for further 6 weeks to study the ability of body to restore the biological changes associated with their consumption. Results: The highest triglyceride level was observed in rats fed on high dose sucralose (80.83 ± 5.46 mg/dl) and aspartame (78.83 ± 4.17 mg/dl). After 12 weeks of experimentation, cholesterol was higher in all groups. LDL-C was the highest in rats supplemented with a high dose of aspartame (43.90 ± 8.41 mg/dl), followed by a low dose of aspartame (39.28 ± 2.03 mg/dl). Terminating intake of artificial sweeteners caused large drop in LDL-C in rats fed on high dose of aspartame, while HDL-C increased slightly but insignificantly. Severe histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissues were observed in rats supplemented with a high dose of aspartame. Conclusion: Supplementing rats with aspartame and sucralose for 12 weeks increased lipid profile. Pathological changes were recovered neither in the liver nor in the kidney even after terminating artificial sweeteners intake.

Evidence linking the excessive consumption of nutritive sweeteners (NS) to adverse metabolic health outcomes has led to an increase in consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS), particularly among the obese and individuals with diabetes. NNS are characterized by having zero-to-negligible caloric load, while also having a sweet taste. They are utilized as a replacement for traditional NS to reduce energy intake and to limit carbohydrate-related negative health outcomes. However, recent studies have suggested that NNS may actually contribute to the development or worsening of metabolic diseases, including metabolic syndrome, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Thus, it is imperative to understand the NNS efficacy and the relationship between NNS and metabolic diseases.

This study aimed to determine the effect of pure forms of sucralose and aspartame, in doses reflective of common consumption, on glucose metabolism. Healthy participants consumed pure forms of a non-nutritive sweetener (NNS) that were mixed with water and standardized to doses of 14% (0.425 g) of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for aspartame and 20% (0.136 g) of the ADI for sucralose every day for 2 weeks. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for glucose, insulin, active glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and leptin. Seventeen participants (10 females and 7 males; age, 24 ± 6.8 years; body mass index, 22.9 ± 2.5 kg/m2) participated in the study. The total area under the curve values of glucose, insulin, active GLP-1 and leptin were similar for the aspartame and sucralose treatment groups compared with the baseline values in healthy participants. There was no change in insulin sensitivity after NNS treatment compared with the baseline values. These findings suggest that daily repeated consumption of pure sucralose or aspartame for 2 weeks had no effect on glucose metabolism among normoglycaemic adults. However, these results need to be tested in studies with longer durations. Novelty Daily consumption of pure aspartame or sucralose for 2 weeks had no effect on glucose metabolism. Daily consumption of pure aspartame or sucralose for 2 weeks had no effect on insulin sensitivity among healthy adults.

Moringa oleifera (Lam.) is a nutritious plant species that has the potential to alleviate food insecurity in low- and middle-income regions. However, the bitter taste associated with M. oleifera leaves is a key barrier to its acceptance as food. It was hypothesized that reducing the bitterness in M. oleifera-fortified instant soups would increase their acceptance. Acid soaking and the addition of a sweetener (aspartame) were examined for their effectiveness in the removal of bitter taste in M. oleifera leaves. Fifty assessors rated the acceptance and perceived bitterness in a randomized complete block sensory evaluation. South Indian instant soup samples with 0%, 50% and 100% replacement of vegetable powder with M. oleifera leaf powder were evaluated. Acceptance for M. oleifera-fortified instant soups was higher for samples with lower perceived bitterness. Addition of sweetener was found to be effective in increasing the acceptability and reducing the perceived bitterness at the 50% replacement level, but not at the 100% replacement level. Perceived bitterness did not decrease in formulations with acid-soaked M. oleifera leaves. Undesirable organoleptic properties need to be masked or removed for the acceptance of M. oleifera leaves as a regular food. We recommend that foods fortified with M. oleifera to include a sweet excipient to reduce the bitter tastes. Fortified instant soup samples with reduced perceived bitterness had increased acceptability. Debittered M. oleifera-fortified foods would appeal to consumers, which would increase their consumption and could lead to reduced prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies.

Obesity often originates in early life, and is linked to excess sugar intake. Nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS) are widely consumed as “healthier” alternatives to sugar, yet recent evidence suggests NNS may adversely influence weight gain and metabolic health. The impact of NNS during critical periods of early development has rarely been studied. We investigated the effect of prenatal NNS exposure on postnatal adiposity and adipocyte development. In the CHILD birth cohort (N = 2298), we assessed maternal NNS beverage intake during pregnancy and child body composition at 3 years, controlling for maternal BMI and other potential confounders. To investigate causal mechanisms, we fed NNS to pregnant C57BL6J mice at doses relevant to human consumption (42 mg/kg/day aspartame or 6.3 mg/kg/day sucralose), and assessed offspring until 12 weeks of age for: body weight, adiposity, adipose tissue morphology and gene expression, glucose and insulin tolerance. We also studied the effect of sucralose on lipid accumulation and gene expression in cultured 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cells. In the CHILD cohort, children born to mothers who regularly consumed NNS beverages had elevated body mass index (mean z-score difference +0.23, 95% CI 0.05–0.42 for daily vs. no consumption, adjusted for maternal BMI). In mice, maternal NNS caused elevated body weight, adiposity, and insulin resistance in offspring, especially in males (e.g., 47% and 15% increase in body fat for aspartame and sucralose vs. controls, p

BACKGROUND: Dental gels have several advantages over other oral dosage forms. Being a viscoplastic dosage form, the gel, when applied to the damaged area of the gum or mucous membrane, creates a protective film, preventing mechanical irritation, and providing a localized effect of the drug components. AIM: The aim of this work was to develop the composition and technology of the dental gel of meloxicam, the study of the main technological and consumer characteristics, as well as the local irritating effect of the dosage form. METHODS: Dental gels were prepared using purified water, alcohol, glycerol, and buckthorn oil as solvents, gelling agents used were: Hydroxyethylcellulose Natrosol® 250 HHX Pharm, Carbopol® 974P NF Polymer, and solubilizer Poloxamer 407 (Lutrol® F 127). The bioadhesive component and Noveon® Polycarbophil component were used for dental gel preparation. Aspartame was used as sweetener. Menthol and ascorbic acid were used to correct the organoleptic properties of the pharmaceutical composition. The formulated dental gel of meloxicam at a concentration of 7.5% was evaluated for organoleptic properties, pH, rheological characteristics, bioadhesive properties, and stability under the accelerated aging period. The in vivo local irritant effect was evaluated using ten rabbits by cutaneous, subcutaneous, subconjunctival administration, as well as application to the upper palate. RESULTS: Based on the results of studying technological and organoleptic properties, the optimal composition based on the Natrosol® 250 HHX hydroxyethylcellulose gelling agent, glycerol solvent, and purified water in the ratio 1/5 was selected, the composition contains Noveon® bioadhesive in an amount of 2%. The composition has good taste, pH close to pH of saliva has high bioadhesive properties, satisfactory rheological characteristics. The shelf life of the experimental series by accelerated aging was 2 years. The selected composition does not have a local irritant effect. CONCLUSION: A new dosage form of meloxicam was developed – a gel for use in dental practice.

Background/aim Aspartame (APM, L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methylester) is a low-calorie, nonsaccharide artificial sweetener widely used in foods and beverages. When metabolized by the body, APM is broken down into aspartic acid, phenylalanine amino acids, and a third substance, methanol. Since the amino acid phenylalanine serves as a neurotransmitter building block affecting the brain, and methanol is converted into toxic formaldehyde, APM has deleterious effects on the body and brain. Thus, its safety and, toxicity have been the subjects of concern ever since it was first discovered. Although many studies have been performed on it, due to the presence of conflicting data in the literature, there are still numerous question marks concerning APM.Therefore, the safety of aspartame was tested using in vitro methods. Materials and methods We aimed to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic effects by using 3-(4,5-dimetylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase release tests, genotoxic damage potential by using chromosome aberration (CA) assay, and antioxidant/oxidant activity by using total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative stress (TOS) analysis in primary human whole blood cell cultures. Results The results of the MTT test showed that APM led to significant decreases in cell viability in a clear concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, an increase in CA frequency was found in the cells treated with APM. However, APM treatments did not cause any significant changes in TAC and TOS levels in whole blood cultures. Conclusion Overall, the obtained results showed that APM had genotoxicity potential and a concentration-dependent cytotoxic activity in human blood cells.

Background: Aspartame is considered the most widely used nocaloric artificial sweetener. It is used in a variety of food products and beverages. However, the consumption of aspartame has been controversial as several studies have reported an association between its use and many serious diseases. Aim of the work: The aim of the present study was to evaluatethe potential neurotoxic effect of long duration aspartame consumption on the sciatic nerve of the adult male albino rats and the possibility of spontaneous recovery following cessation of its administration. Material and methods: Thirty adult male albino rats were used in this study, aged from 6-8 months, weighting 180 -200 gm. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: Group I: ten rats that received nothing except food and water, Group II: ten rats that received aspartame (250 mg/kg/d) for 12 weeks and Group III: ten rats that received aspartame as in group II then left for four weeks to recover. Results: The present work revealed that aspartame induced histological changes of rats’ sciatic nerves in the form of irregular nerve structure with wide separation of myelinated nerve fibers and dark elongated Schwann cells. Ultrastructural examination of group II showed separated myelin lamellae and excessive in folding with myelin loops formation. The recovery group showed histological improvement when compared to group II, yet it didn’t reach completely to the histological picture of the control group. Conclusion: The results supported the neurotoxic effect of aspartame on rats’ sciatic nerves when consumed regularly for a long period and proved that the spontaneous recovery wasn’t complete.

In the modern era, chewable tablets are preferred over conventional dosage forms by pediatric, geriatric and bedridden patients due to difficulty in swallowing, lesser amount of water for swallowing medications as well as unable to tolerate the bitter taste of certain drugs. Chewable tablets of Desloratadine (DS) were formulated by aqueous and non-aqueous granulation method using water paste and Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) as a wetting agents respectively. Desloratadine is used to treat the symptoms of allergy such as sneezing, watery eyes. In the recent research, we have formulated eight trials by various concentrations of excipients. For instance; lactose, talcum, magnesium stearate, blue color, flavor, aspartame, mannitol, avicel 101 and polyvenylpyrollidine (PVP). Pre-compression and post compression parameters (thickness, hardness, friability weight variation and drug content) of the formulations were evaluated. B3 was our optimum dosage form because its Hausner’s ratio, compressibility index, bulk density, tap density, angle of repose have optimum values i.e. 1.01, 5.1%, 0.66(g/cc), 0.69(g/cc), 26.1º respectively and post-compression i.e. thickness, hardness, friability weight variation and drug content have values, 2.9mm, 3.9(kg/cm²), 0.6%, 99.5% respectively. Tablets prepared by wet granulation technique showed reasonable release profile i.e. 100% within the required time i.e. 2 hours. Moreover, organoleptic evaluation of all formulations were performed. Keywords: Desloratadine, chewable, magnesium stearate, aspartame, compressibility, granulation.

Objective: Aspartame (ASP) is one of the most common artificial sweeteners. It has been recorded to be safe by World Health Organization. However, numerous publications have concluded that ASP is a genotoxic and carcinogenic sweetener. Methods: The current study aims to examine the effect of ASP consumption (250 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 d) on some biochemical parameters, oxidative/antioxidative status in different tissues, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), chromosomal aberration (CA) frequency and mitotic index (MI) percentage in addition to the possible ameliorative role of silymarin (50 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 d) against ASP-induced toxicity in male albino rats. Results: The present results have confirmed that ASP is able to induce significant increase in the blood glucose level, liver, kidney and lipid function tests, Malondialdehyde (MDA) level, serum TNF-α level, frequency of CA and MI%. Meanwhile, Glutathione reduced level (GSH), Glutathione–S-transferase (GST) and catalase activity (CAT) were decreased by ASPadministration. Recovery group showed slight enhancement in all parameters but remained significant as compared to the control group. Co-administration of ASP with silymarin showed greater improvement than the recovery group. Conclusion: Silymarin have an ameliorative role against biochemical oxidative stress, inflammatory changes in blood and different tissues, chromosomal aberrations and MI% induced by ASP administration.

The use of artificial sweeteners as non-nutritive food additive is becoming very common nowadays. The aim of this research was to study the effect of commercial artificial sweeteners consumption on the adult mouse mammary gland in pregnancy (18-day pregnancy) and 3 weeks nursing. A commercial artificial sweetener solution was given to pregnant mice of treated groups 50 mg/kg body weight, from day one of pregnancy till the end of 3 weeks nursing. Controls were given distilled water. The histological studies of the mammary gland of treated animals showed some changes. In treated 18-day pregnant mothers; the amount of adipose cells seemed to increase and the amount of lipid droplets within the alveoli seemed to increase compared to the controls. Also alveoli in the treated mammary gland sections appeared to be larger and less in number compared to the controls. In 3 weeks treated nursing mothers the amount of milk and lipid droplets in the alveoli decreased compared to the controls. The mammary gland circumference of treated 18-day pregnant mothers was significantly smaller compared to the controls, while it was significantly larger in 3 weeks treated nursing mothers compared to the controls. These results show that artificial sweeteners disturbed the arrangement of the histological structure in the mammary gland of pregnant and nursing mice. Awareness should be raised to restrict the use of artificial sweeteners to people with diabetes or who are in medical need.

Background Added sugars' deleterious effects have been established for several chronic diseases, leading food industries to turn towards high-intensity sweeteners. Their safety is debated and findings remain contrasted regarding their role in the etiology of various diseases. In particular, their carcinogenicity has been suggested by several experimental studies but epidemiological data are lacking. Thus, our objective was to investigate the associations between sweetener intakes (total from all dietary sources, and most frequently consumed: acesulfame-K e950, aspartame e951 and sucralose e955) and cancer risk (overall and by sites). Methods Overall, 102,046 adults from the French NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort (2009-2021) were included. Consumption of sweeteners was obtained by repeated 24h-dietary records including brands and commercial names of industrial products. Associations between sweeteners and cancer incidence were assessed by multi-adjusted Cox hazard models. Results Compared to non-consumers, high-consumers had higher risk of overall cancer (n = 2527, hazard ratio=1.12, 95% confidence interval=1.00-1.25, P-trend=0.005). In particular, acesulfame-K (HR = 1.18 [1.04-1.34] P = 0.003) and aspartame (HR = 1.20 [1.05-1.38] P = 0.001) were associated with increased cancer risk. Similarly, higher risks were observed for breast (n = 723, HR = 1.25 [1.02-1.53] P = 0.01, HR = 1.39 [1.11-1.74] P = 0.003 and HR = 1.33 [1.05-1.69] P = 0.007 for total sweeteners, e950 and e951, respectively) and obesity-related cancers (n = 1509, HR = 1.16 [1.00-1.33] P = 0.02, HR = 1.23 [1.04-1.45] P = 0.01 and HR = 1.22 [1.02-1.45] P = 0.01 for total sweeteners, e950 and e951, respectively). Conclusions These results suggest that artificial sweeteners (especially e950 and e951), which are found in > 12,000 foods and beverage references worldwide, may be associated with increased cancer risk. These findings provide important and novel insights for the ongoing re-evaluation of sweeteners by the European Food Safety Authority. Key messages In this large-scale prospective cohort of French adults, intake of high-intensity artificial sweetener intake (especially acesulfame-K and aspartame) was associated with higher risk of cancer. These results provide novel insights to feed EFSA’s expertise for the ongoing risk assessment of artificial sweeteners.

The widely recognized association between high sugar intakes and adverse health outcomes has increased consumer demand for products lower in sugar. This may lead to increased use of other sweeteners by the food industry. The current study investigated the prevalence and types of non-nutritive sweeteners over time (2013–2019) in New Zealand’s packaged food and beverages, overall and between categories. A New Zealand database of packaged foods and beverages was used to investigate the presence of Food Standards Australia New Zealand Code-approved non-nutritive sweeteners (n = 12). Products available in 2013 (n = 12,153) and 2019 (n = 14,645) were compared. Between 2013 and 2019, the prevalence of non-nutritive sweeteners in products increased from 3% to 5%. The most common non-nutritive sweeteners in both years were acesulphame-potassium, sucralose, aspartame, and stevia, which were predominantly found in special foods (breakfast beverages and nutritional supplements), non-alcoholic beverages, dairy products, and confectionery. The prevalence of non-nutritive sweeteners is increasing over time in New Zealand’s packaged foods and beverages and is likely a consequence of consumer demand for lower-sugar products. Ongoing monitoring of the prevalence and type of NNS is important to detect further increases.

As obesity rates increase, several countries in Latin America have implemented strategies to curb the consumption of sugars, resulting in reformulations of products with low and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS). The increased availability of LNCS-containing products raises concerns about the potential risk of exceeding the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). Information on the intake of LNCS among Latin American countries are limited by the lack of publicly available national consumption data. Using the Budget Method, screening level intake estimates of six LNCS (acesulfame potassium, aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, steviol glycosides, and sucralose) were derived for Argentina, Chile, and Peru based on national sales data and product labels. Four tiered assessments were conducted where assumption of LNCS use ranged from the most conservative Tier 1 to the more refined yet conservative LNCS use and concentrations in subsequent tiers. The estimated intakes, applicable to the total population as well as children, were below their ADIs for all tiers. For Tier 2 where average LNCS concentrations were assumed present in all LNCS-containing products, intakes were60% of the ADI. Estimates for the more refined tiers were comparable to published estimates based on select subpopulations in these countries, validating the approach used in this study.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has become a global health concern, with about 40% of people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus developing DKD. Upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the kidney is a significant pathology of DKD associated with increased glomerular vascular permeability. To date, however, current anti-VEGF therapies have demonstrated limited success in treating DKD. Recent studies have shown that artificial sweeteners exhibit anti-VEGF potential. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the effects of aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose on VEGF-induced leak using an in vitro model of the glomerular endothelium. Saccharin and sucralose but not aspartame protected against VEGF-induced permeability. Whilst the sweeteners had no effect on traditional VEGF signalling, GC-MS analysis demonstrated that the sweetener sucralose was not able to enter the glomerular endothelial cell to exert the protective effect. Chemical and molecular inhibition studies demonstrated that sweetener-mediated protection of the glomerular endothelium against VEGF is dependent on the sweet taste receptor, T1R3. These studies demonstrate the potential for sweeteners to exert a protective effect against VEGF-induced increased permeability to maintain a healthy endothelium and protect against vascular leak in the glomerulus in settings of DKD.

This study compared the effect of commercial and pure sweetener containing stevia to that of aspartame, to sucrose and xylitol on the development of dental caries.228 bovine enamel and root dentin were exposed to microcosm biofilm model using human saliva. From the 2Pure stevia, pure aspartame, xylitol and control were able to significantly reduce 92% of lactate production compared to sucrose. Stevia finn, aspartame finn and sucrose showed similar production of lactic acid (around 0.45±0.12 g/L and 0.67±0.18 g/L, for enamel and dentin, p0.0001). With respect to total lactobacilli and S. mutans/S. sobrinus CFU, xylitol and control did not show growth on enamel, while CFU numbers were found in stevia finn, aspartame finn and sucrose groups for both tissues. Enamel and dentin demineralization was significantly reduced for xylitol, control, pure stevia and pure aspartame (85% and 83% reduction, respectively) compared to stevia finn, aspartame finn and sucrose, which in turn did not differ from each other (sucrose ΔZ: 2913.7 ± 646.7 vol%.µm for enamel and 3543.3 ± 432.5 vol%.µm for dentin).Commercial sweeteners containing stevia and aspartame proved to be as cariogenic as sucrose, which may be due to the other components, since the pure forms were not cariogenic.Our study showed that some commercial sweeteners (aspartame and stevia) are as cariogenic as sucrose, which may be due to the presence of lactose. The population should be advice about the presence of lactose in such brand names, to avoid their consume.