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Abstract Black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) shows beneficial health effects, such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, chemopreventive, antiproliferative, and antihyperglycemic activities. The present study investigated the antihyperglycemic activity of black raspberry extract (BRE) and potential mechanisms in skeletal muscle cells. Differentiated C2C12 myotubes were treated with the BRE (1–1000 μg/mL) or metformin (1 mM). The protein levels of various insulin signaling targets were measured by western blot analysis. BRE significantly increased glucose uptake by upregulated insulin receptor and phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI3K) in C2C12 cells, leading to enhanced translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) to the plasma membrane. The expression of phosphorylated (p)‐adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) was also enhanced by treatment with BRE, this resulting in stimulation of GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane and hence glucose uptake in skeletal muscles. These results suggest that BRE has an antihyperglycemic effect by stimulating GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane via activating the PI3K and AMPK pathways in skeletal muscle cells, thereby upregulating glucose uptake. Black raspberry is a potential functional food and has important implications for preventing and treating type‐2 diabetes. In addition, our study found that the flavonoids fraction is the main contributor fraction to promote glucose uptake in C2C12 cells.

Long-term postprandial hyperglycemia is a primary risk factor for developing chronic metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Chronic hyperglycemia induces the glycation of proteins, oxidative stress, inflammation and increases plasma insulin and lipid concentrations. Insulin resistance is the primary cause of postprandial excursions of blood glucose and lipids. Hyperglycemia can be treated by lowering dietary carbohydrates intake, digestion, and absorption. Various functional foods improve glucose metabolism by increasing insulin sensitivity and inhibiting α-glucosidase in the small intestine. Natural phytochemicals, especially active phenolics are good antioxidants and show anti-inflammatory action and regulate blood glucose. This review aimed to report on hypoglycemic properties of active phenolics from functional foods and their proposed anti-diabetic mechanisms. Nevertheless, further clinical trials are required to confirm the bioavailability, safety, and efficacy of phenolics, especially the dosage and duration of treatment, to avoid adverse effects and give better dietary recommendations.

For decades, researchers have sought ways to reduce or eliminate type 2 diabetes, for which the exact cause is not known, and there is no cure. Chinese herbal medicine has a long history of successful treatment of diabetes. Long term consumption of food products containing Chinese herbs with hypoglycemic properties could be a viable treatment solution for diabetic patients. The purpose of this study was to develop a process for manufacturing a new bread product that contains Chinese herbs with hypoglycemic properties. Different fractions of the herbal formula were added into the dough to determine a maximum dosage that would produce bread that is palatable, shelf-stable, and retains desirable organoleptic properties of bread. Results demonstrated little variation in moisture between the control sample and the samples with herbs. With increasing amounts of herbs, the acidity of the bread increased and the porosity decreased. Organoleptic characteristics, such as appearance and internal structure of the baked samples with herbal formula did not demonstrate significant changes. It was concluded that the addition of the herbal formula, regardless of the dosage, improved shelf life, slowed the staling process and improved the microbiological stability of bread.

Context: Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss: Fr) Karst. (Polyporaceae) is an oriental medicinal fungus, commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating various condition or diseases such as hypertension, hyperglycaemia, hepatitis and cancer. Objective: The current study examines whether triterpenoids and polysaccharide-enriched G. lucidum (GL) influence antioxidation and hepatoprotective efficacy by suppressing oxidative stress. Materials and methods: Forty-two healthy subjects (22 male and 20 female) were recruited and segregated into two groups as experimental or placebo and requested to intake GL (n = 21) or placebo (n = 21) capsule (225 mg; after lunch or dinner) for six consecutive months and vice versa with one month washout period in between. The anthropometric analysis and biochemical assays, as well as abdominal ultrasonic examination were performed. Results: Consumption of GL substantially improved (p

Context: Royal jelly (RJ) has been reported for its health promoting factors such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and lipid lowering activities. Objective: The present randomized, placebo-controlled study examines the hypolipidemic beneficial effect of RJ through evaluating anthropometric measurements, lipid profile and various hormone levels in mildly hypercholesterolemic participants. Materials and methods: Forty subjects with mild hypercholesterolemia (180–200 mg/dL) were randomly selected and divided into two groups as experimental or placebo, who requested to intake nine capsules (350 mg/capsule) of RJ or placebo/day, respectively, for three months with one month of follow-up without any supplementation. Results: No significant changes were noted in any of the anthropometric parameters like body weight, waist and body fat. The serum total cholesterol (TC; 207.05–183.15 mg/dL) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c; 126.44–120.31 mg/dL) levels were reduced significantly (p

Context: Prunus domestica Linn (Rosaceae) has been considered a functional food, owing to its various pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and anticancer. Objective: This placebo-controlled, randomized study was framed to check the beneficial activity of prune essence concentrates (PEC) in corroboration with intestinal function and lipid profile in mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects. Materials and methods: Sixty healthy mild hypercholesterolemic subjects were randomly chosen and segregated into three groups as placebo (consume 50 mL of simulated prune drink), PEC I (consume 50 mL of PEC/day) and PEC II (consume 100 mL of PEC/day) for 4 weeks with 2 weeks of follow-up without PEC consumption. Results: Intake of PEC (I and II) for 4 weeks substantially ameliorated (p

Functional plant-based foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and berries) can improve health, have a preventive effect, and diminish the risk of different chronic diseases during in vivo and in vitro studies. Berries contain many phytochemicals, fibers, vitamins, and minerals. The primary phytochemicals in berry fruits are phenolic compounds including flavonoids (anthocyanins, flavonols, flavones, flavanols, flavanones, and isoflavonoids), tannins, and phenolic acids. Since berries have a high concentration of polyphenols, it is possible to use them for treating various diseases pharmacologically by acting on oxidative stress and inflammation, which are often the leading causes of diabetes, neurological, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. This review examines commonly consumed berries: blackberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, black raspberries, and strawberries and their polyphenols as potential medicinal foods (due to the presence of pharmacologically active compounds) in the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and other diseases. Moreover, much attention is paid to the bioavailability of active berry components. Hence, this comprehensive review shows that berries and their bioactive compounds possess medicinal properties and have therapeutic potential. Nevertheless, future clinical trials are required to study and improve the bioavailability of berries’ phenolic compounds and extend the evidence that the active compounds of berries can be used as medicinal foods against various diseases.

Polyphenols are classified as an organic chemical with phenolic units that display an array of biological functions. However, polyphenols have very low bioavailability and stability, which make polyphenols a less bioactive compound. Many researchers have indicated that several factors might affect the efficiency and the metabolism (biotransformation) of various polyphenols, which include the gut microbiota, structure, and physical properties as well as its interactions with other dietary nutrients (macromolecules). Hence, this mini-review covers the two-way interaction between polyphenols and gut microbiota (interplay) and how polyphenols are metabolized (biotransformation) to produce various polyphenolic metabolites. Moreover, the protective effects of numerous polyphenols and their metabolites against various gastrointestinal disorders/diseases including gastritis, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease (CD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) like celiac disease (CED) are discussed. For this review, the authors chose only a few popular polyphenols (green tea polyphenol, curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin), and a discussion of their proposed mechanism underpinning the gastroprotection was elaborated with a special focus on clinical evidence. Overall, this contribution would help the general population and science community to identify a potent polyphenol with strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, prebiotic, and immunomodulatory properties to combat various gut-related diseases or disorders (complementary therapy) along with modified lifestyle pattern and standard gastroprotective drugs. However, the data from clinical trials are much limited and hence many large-scale clinical trials should be performed (with different form/metabolites and dose) to confirm the gastroprotective activity of the above-mentioned polyphenols and their metabolites before recommendation.