Botanicals and Natural Bioactives: Prevention and Treatment of Diseases

Cognizant that ‘the world is one family’, this overview describes chemosensory characteristics of food and related issues that may enable global inequalities in healthy food consumption to be improved with a reduction in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), preventatively. Past and modern aspects of food tradition are briefly described followed by titular chemosensory characteristics and their potential application to improving health in nutrition in the sense intended, including the culinary plate. Human-computer interface and food augmentation reality and commensal dining, in association with chemosensory properties, including sound concerning oral food processing, are described. Future research on arresting trends in the prevalence of NCD is suggested based on the literature. Visual cues for in-store food choice are discussed that potentially allow the consumer, through psychological processes and behavior outcomes, to be more discerning. Advertisements and store architecture per se are not discussed. The relatively high prevalence of anosmia caused by COVID-19 infection relative to non-infected subjects may alter taste and flavor perception and lead to changed dietary habits and metabolism. Most global consumers can practice the ‘how’ and ‘when’ to beneficially eat but food insecurity poses a global problem.

Aging is a visible indicator of malfunctioning or toxic proteins that sensitize other proteins to oxidative damage which is most prominently observed on the skin. Protein misfolding is caused by the protein following an incorrect folding pathway which may lead to spontaneous misfolding while oxidative stress refers to the disruption of the balance between antioxidant defenses and reactive oxygen species production. Oxidation may alter noncovalent interactions within proteins, peptide chain fragmentation, and protein cross-linking, which causes protein misfolding and further skin aging. A feedback loop is observed in all three processes. A proper understanding of these events is significant in the formulation of anti-aging preparations and further understanding of the mechanism of aging. In this Chapter, we will be discussing some natural antioxidants available to combat oxidative stress which facilitate healthy aging and normal functioning of the body. We will be elaborating on the body’s natural defense mechanism against these problems such as the role of Chaperones. We will be looking at the detailed mechanism of oxidative stress, protein misfolding, and their correlation with skin aging along with factors influencing it. The biomarkers for oxidative stress will be enlisted. A brief correlation between these processes in a test worm and how it correlates to humans and its importance will be explained in this chapter.

In the present era, the notion that “prevention is better than cure” has gained impetus with increased incidences of infectious and degenerative lifestyle diseases. Recent years have seen many people choosing functional food such as probiotics, plant-based nutritional supplements, and their normal dietary needs. Studies have shown significant health benefits in using these nutraceuticals as they aid in the body's general well-being. Among food varieties, edible mushrooms have also become a functional dietary food. It has been used as a source of nutrition in many parts of the world. Oriental medicine has been using mushrooms as a component in various medicinal concoctions for several decades. Today, with the advent of scientific knowhow, around 2,000 edible mushrooms have been identified; among them, 700 possess bioactive compounds. Both In vitro and In vivo studies have shown immunomodulatory effects via the regulation of innate, complement-mediated, and adaptive immunity by enhancing the active mechanisms of immune systems such as the macrophages, IL, TNF-α, IFN-γ, NO, and the complement system. The possibility of modulating these immune system players by the bioactives may pave the way to side-effect-free anticancer and immunosuppressant drugs. Recent studies have also elucidated the neuroprotective effect induced by mushroom-derived compounds through ROS scavenging and antioxidant activity. This chapter highlights the recent findings and the importance of these mushroom-derived compounds and their anti-inflammatory, anticancerous antioxidant, and immunomodulatory roles.

Human blood protozoa infections cause oxidative stresses from the parasites, host's defense systems, and administered drugs. Oxidative stress is an important tool to eliminate parasites from the host's body. However, the host's cells, tissues, and even organs would be damaged along with parasites. Many pathologies such as cerebral malaria, and renal or hepatic failures are a result of the unbalanced oxidative condition. Many medicinal plant extracts show both anti-protozoa and antioxidant activities simultaneously. Therefore, the administration of medicinal plant extracts in combination with chemical drugs should be beneficial for patients with blood-protozoa infection, by both eradicating the parasites and alleviating the oxidative stress. In addition, the combination might also help prevent parasite resistance to chemical drugs as the extract and chemical drugs aim at different targets simultaneously. In this chapter, the properties and benefits of medicinal plant extracts are discussed

Autophagy is a complex phenomenon that occurs constantly in cells for maintaining the well-being of individuals. However, any dysregulation in the mechanism or the proteins involved leads to detrimental effects on several diseases including cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Autophagy dysfunction is involved in the progression of NDs including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD). With the involvement being identified, autophagy has become a prospective target in ameliorating NDs. Natural products in the form of extracts and bioactive compounds were repeatedly reported for targeting autophagy-related proteins and the mechanism making them promising drug candidates against NDs. The current chapter briefly outlines the role of autophagy in NDs and the effect of selected natural products in restoring pathological outcomes.

Osteoporosis is one of the most significant health issues on the globe. The activity of osteoclast cells is connected to altered hormone levels and other factors such as age. The condition is characterized by increased bone fragility and loss of bone tissue. Osteoporosis, osteopetrosis, and Paget's disease are frequently caused by an imbalance in the production and function of osteoclasts and osteoblasts. The disease's early signs are scarcely noticeable. It results in gradual bone loss, which eventually makes the patients more prone to fractures. Osteoporosis must be avoided since the fractures caused by it have substantial medical expenses and morbidity. Bisphosphonates are used in the treatment of osteoporosis, along with hormone therapy, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), calcitonin, strontium ranelate (SR), and other treatments. Marine Natural Products (MNPs) have also had a significant impact on bone metabolism by preventing osteoclastogenesis. These MNPs are generated from a variety of marine resources, including marine cyanobacteria, soft corals, mollusks, fish, dinoflagellates, algae, sponges, and mangroves. Numerous plant and herb species are also effective in the treatment of osteoporosis. We check if these plant-based bio-actives may replace hormonal and synthetic drug-based treatments. This chapter also throws light on any possible effect of COVID-19 that might be on the body, particularly the musculoskeletal system. 

Atherosclerosis is characterized by hardening/narrowing of arteries and reduction of blood flow to vital organs. Animal models and human research show that endothelial dysfunction and plaque development precede the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and related coronary heart disease, neurological, and renal disorders. Cardiac CT-scans are used to detect atherosclerosis. Early diagnosis of atherosclerosis reduces mortality, morbidity, and healthcare expenditures. Biomarkers like C-reactive protein, IL-6, IL-8, phospholipase A2, cardiac troponin, MicroRNA, miR-21, and other endothelial inflammation biomarkers are novel targets for monitoring atherosclerosisrelated cardiovascular disorders. Anti-platelet and anti-cholesterol drugs are used in the treatment of atherogenesis and blood vessel clots. However, cholesterol-lowering drugs may cause serious adverse effects. Thus, safe and cost-effective non-pharmacological anti-atherogenic and anticoagulant therapies are urgently needed. Nutraceuticals, functional foods, plant-derived therapies, antioxidant/anti-inflammation, foods/fruits/vegetables, and lifestyle changes (e.g., physical activity, less alcohol, smoking cessation) reduce atherogenesis, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, LDL, and C-reactive protein in all age groups, especially younger people. Overwhelming evidence suggests that regular physical activity (30 min/day), cessation of cigarette smoking, and consumption of antioxidant nutraceuticals rich in flavonoids and retinoids, fresh vegetables and fruits, omega-3 PUFA, culinary spices, probiotics, Mediterranean-type diet, and “DASH DIET” lower the risk of atherogenesis and cardiovascular diseases. This review summarizes current advances in the diagnosis and management of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular illnesses with plant-based and wholesome diets, including the Mediterranean diet, DASH DIET, and lifestyle changes. New preventative measures and alternative therapies, including dietary interventions and plant-based foods may be the most cost-effective ways to manage atherosclerosis and cardiovascular illnesses.

Immunomodulation refers to the mechanism by which the response of the immune system is modified by the regulation of antibody synthesis, leading to either an increase or a decrease in its levels in the circulation and body organs. Owing to their immunomodulation and remedial benefits, a broad range of herbal remedies have been shown to be effective in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, myasthenia gravis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The ancient Indian system of Ayurveda and different other alternative therapeutic methods have acknowledged the potential benefits of herbal-based remedies to upregulate or suppress the immune response in the human body. The conventional pharmacotherapies used for the management of autoimmune ailments are documented to cause serious drug-induced adverse reactions (ADRs). Whereas, some phytotherapies have proven safe, reliable, and efficient alternatives for the existing drug regimens with lesser ADRs. For instance, Withania somnifera, Andrographis paniculate, Tinospora cordifolia, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Berberis arista are a few herbs whose bioactive phytoconstituents have been reported to possess powerful immunomodulation properties. Based on their purported immunomodulatory mechanisms, they can be used for the management of autoimmune conditions. The focus of this review is to highlight the key inflammatory biomarkers such as TNF-α and interleukin 1, 6 involved in the distortion of the immune system in humans. Also, we will discuss the usefulness of animal models for understanding the underlying mechanisms of autoimmune disorders. In addition, we will describe the patents of phytomedicine formulations filed by different manufacturers for the management of autoimmune disorders, as well as futuristic opportunities that should be explored for discovering the therapeutic functions of alternate remedies for treating autoimmune diseases.