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Fruits, Seeds, Vegetables and Their Constituents Functions by Regulating Gene Expressions in Human Health

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemicals and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 January 2023) | Viewed by 7226

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Tong Ho Kang

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Guest Editor

Graduate School of Biotechnology and Department of Oriental Medicinal Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea
Interests: bioactives; functional foods; nutrigenetics; metabolism; health promotion; auditory function

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Various factors that pose risks to human health, such as UV irradiation, pollutants, excessive noise, and mental hazards, are constantly increasing. These issues induce various diseases in the human body, such as issues related to the skin, metabolism, sensory organs, and the central nervous system.

The complex action of health risk with aging causes many difficulties when it comes to maintaining health. However, consumption of seeds, fruits, and vegetables in everyday life is a good way to prevent various diseases, and many studies are emerging that explore how to maintain human health by regulating gene expression for diseases.

The aim of this Special Issue is to gather high-quality evidence on the potential impact of seeds, fruits, vegetables, and their constituents on human health.

Original research, literature reviews, and meta-analyses are welcome. The main objective of the work should be to investigate the impact of seeds, fruits, vegetables, and their constituents on animal model and or human for health or diseases, including skin, metabolism, sensory organs, central nervous system disease, etc.

Studies exploring how to maintain health by controlling biomarkers of diseases through regulation of gene expressions are particularly welcome.

Prof. Dr. Tong Ho Kang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

seeds
fruits
vegetables
constituents
human health
function
animal
gene expression
biomarker
disease
health risk

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 3832 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Ameliorative Effects of Flavonoids from Platycodon grandiflorus Aerial Parts on Alloxan-Induced Pancreatic Islet Damage in Zebrafish

by Youn Hee Nam, Eun Bin Kim, Ji Eun Kang, Ju Su Kim, Yukyoung Jeon, Sung Woo Shin, Tong Ho Kang and Jong Hwan Kwak

Nutrients 2023, 15(7), 1798; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15071798 - 06 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1420

Abstract

Platycodon grandiflorus (balloon flower), used as a food reserve as well as in traditional herbal medicine, is known for its multiple beneficial effects. In particular, this plant is widely used as a vegetable in Republic of Korea. We examined the ameliorative effects of P. grandiflorus on alloxan-induced pancreatic islet damage in zebrafish. The aerial part treatment led to a significant recovery in pancreatic islet size and glucose uptake. The efficacy of the aerial part was more potent than that of the root. Eight flavonoids (1–8) were isolated from the aerial part. Structures of two new flavone glycosides, designated dorajiside I (1) and II (2), were elucidated to be luteolin 7-O-α-L-rhamno-pyranosyl (1 → 2)-(6-O-acetyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside and apigenin 7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1 → 2)-(6-O-acetyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside, respectively, by spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1, 3, 4 and 6–8 yielded the recovery of injured pancreatic islets in zebrafish. Among them, compound 7 blocked K_ATP channels in pancreatic β-cells. Furthermore, compounds 3, 4, 6 and 7 showed significant changes with respect to the mRNA expression of GCK, GCKR, GLIS3 and CDKN2B compared to alloxan-induced zebrafish. In conclusion, the aerial part of P. grandiflorus and its constituents conferred a regenerative effect on injured pancreatic islets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fruits, Seeds, Vegetables and Their Constituents Functions by Regulating Gene Expressions in Human Health)

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13 pages, 3304 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Amelioration of Sensorineural Hearing Loss through Regulation of Trpv1, Cacna1h, and Ngf Gene Expression by a Combination of Cuscutae Semen and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata

by Bin Na Hong, Sung Woo Shin, Youn Hee Nam, Ji Heon Shim, Na Woo Kim, Min Cheol Kim, Wanlapa Nuankaew, Jong Hwan Kwak and Tong Ho Kang

Nutrients 2023, 15(7), 1773; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15071773 - 05 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2011

Abstract

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a common condition that results from the loss of function of hair cells, which are responsible for converting sound into electrical signals within the cochlea and auditory nerve. Despite the prevalence of SNHL, a universally effective treatment has yet to be approved. To address this absence, the present study aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of TS, a combination of Cuscutae Semen and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata. To this end, both in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to evaluate the efficacy of TS with respect to SNHL. The results showed that TS was able to protect against ototoxic neomycin-induced damage in both HEI-OC1 cells and otic hair cells in zebrafish. Furthermore, in images obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), an increase in the number of kinocilia, which was prompted by the TS treatment, was observed in the zebrafish larvae. In a noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) mouse model, TS improved hearing thresholds as determined by the auditory brainstem response (ABR) test. Additionally, TS was found to regulate several genes related to hearing loss, including Trpv1, Cacna1h, and Ngf, as determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that TS holds promise as a potential treatment for sensorineural hearing loss. Further research is necessary to confirm these results and evaluate the safety and efficacy of TS in a clinical setting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fruits, Seeds, Vegetables and Their Constituents Functions by Regulating Gene Expressions in Human Health)

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13 pages, 1539 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Increased Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Mitigates Oxidative Damage and Associated Inflammatory Response in Obese Subjects Independent of Body Weight Change

by Salah Gariballa, Ghada S. M. Al-Bluwi and Javed Yasin

Nutrients 2023, 15(7), 1638; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15071638 - 28 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3406

Abstract

Introduction: The growing prevalence of obesity and related type 2 diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions in the Gulf countries. Oxidative damage and inflammation are possible mechanisms linking obesity to diabetes and other related complications, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Aims: To measure the effects of increased fruit and vegetable consumption on body weight, waist circumference, oxidative damage, and inflammatory markers. Materials and Methods: We recruited and followed up with 965 community free-living subjects. All recruited subjects had fruit and vegetable intakes, physical activity, antioxidants, and markers of oxidative damage and inflammation measured at baseline and follow up. A validated, semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire was used to assess subjects’ fruit and vegetable consumption. We stratified subjects based on their daily fruit and vegetable consumption and compared metabolic risk factors between those with high fruit and vegetable consumption and those with low consumption. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent effects of fruit and vegetable intake on changes in body weight and waist circumference (WC). Results: A total of 965 community free-living subjects (801 (83%) females, mean (SD) age 39 ± 12 years) were recruited and followed up with for a mean (SD) period of 427 ± 223 days. Using WHO cut-off points for body mass index (BMI), 284 (30%) subjects were overweight and 584 (62%) obese, compared to 69 (8%) at normal body weight. An increased fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with a significant decrease in inflammatory markers (hs CRP, TNF-α) and oxidative damage markers (TBARs) and with increased antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase) compared to a low consumption (p < 0.05). The benefits of an increased fruit and vegetable consumption in obese subjects was independent of changes in body weight and WC and was maintained at follow up. Conclusion: Our results support the beneficial role of a higher fruit and vegetable intake in obese subjects independent of changes in body weight and WC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fruits, Seeds, Vegetables and Their Constituents Functions by Regulating Gene Expressions in Human Health)

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