Nelly Mayulu

Cognitive frailty, characterized by the coexistence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment, has emerged as a major challenge in aging populations and is closely linked to sarcopenia, neurodegeneration, and chronic inflammation. Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota acts as a central regulator of neuromuscular and neurocognitive aging through the integrated gut–brain–muscle axis. This review highlights how microbial dysbiosis, reduced short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, systemic endotoxemia, and altered microbial metabolites contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, anabolic resistance, and impaired neuroplasticity. Key signaling mediators, including SCFAs, bile acids, tryptophan-derived metabolites, cytokines, and myokines such as irisin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and cathepsin B, orchestrate bidirectional communication among the gut, skeletal muscle, and brain. We further discuss the role of exercise-induced microbiota remodeling and muscle endocrine signaling in promoting mitochondrial biogenesis and cognitive resilience. In addition, emerging translational strategies including probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, polyphenol-rich functional foods, marine bioactives, and precision nutrition are explored as potential interventions targeting this axis. Collectively, the gut–brain–muscle axis provides a novel systems biology framework for understanding cognitive frailty and developing integrated therapeutic strategies for healthy longevity.

Marine macroalgae are nutraceuticals rich in nutritional profile and secondary bioactive metabolites. However, they have varied nutritional and biochemical qualities due to a variety of reasons. This study aimed to determine the phytochemical profile and biological activities of Caulerpa racemosa, edible green algae also known as Sea grapes. The study successfully identified secondary metabolites through metabolomic profiling untargeted by LC-HRMS as well as a bioactive peptide. In addition, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of extracts and compounds were determined. A total of 103 metabolites were identified in C. racemosa extract obtained by the maceration, while 48 were detected in the soxhlet extract. A peptide with the sequence ELWKTF (Glu-Leu-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe; C₄₁H₅₈N₈O) and its abundance was identified in the α-chymotrypsin hydrolysate of C. racemosa. In the antioxidant activity test, Soxhletated-extract (ES) and purified fraction 1 (PF1) had half-maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) < EC₅₀ of control/GSH (DPPH inhibition) and PF1 had EC₅₀ < EC₅₀ of control/Trolox (ABTS inhibition). The cytotoxicity results showed that macerated-extract (EM), ES, and PF1 as antioxidant agents in the observed EC₅₀ were safe. In general, C. racemosa contains antioxidant nutrients, metabolites, and bioactive peptides, a factor that makes it a promising functional food and pharmaceutical.

Marine algae, encompassing both macroalgae and microalgae, have emerged as a promising and prolific source of bioactive compounds with potent anticancer properties. Despite their significant therapeutic potential, the clinical application of these peptides is hindered by challenges such as poor bioavailability and susceptibility to enzymatic degradation. To overcome these limitations, innovative delivery systems, particularly nanocarriers, have been explored. Nanocarriers, including liposomes, nanoparticles, and micelles, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in enhancing the stability, solubility, and bioavailability of marine algal peptides, ensuring controlled release and prolonged therapeutic effects. Marine algal peptides encapsulated in nanocarriers significantly enhance bioavailability, ensuring more efficient absorption and utilization in the body. Preclinical studies have shown promising results, indicating that nanocarrier-based delivery systems can significantly improve the pharmacokinetic profiles and therapeutic outcomes of marine algal peptides. This review delves into the diverse anticancer mechanisms of marine algal peptides, which include inducing apoptosis, disrupting cell cycle progression, and inhibiting angiogenesis. Further research focused on optimizing nanocarrier formulations, conducting comprehensive clinical trials, and continued exploration of marine algal peptides holds great promise for developing innovative, effective, and sustainable cancer therapies.

Breast cancer presents a significant global health challenge with rising incidence rates worldwide. Despite current efforts, it remains inadequately controlled. Functional foods, notably tempeh, have emerged as promising candidates for breast cancer prevention and treatment due to bioactive peptides and isoflavones exhibiting potential anticancer properties by serving as antioxidants, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. This study integrates pharmacoinformatics and cellular investigations (i.e., a multifaceted approach) to elucidate the antioxidative and anti-breast cancer properties of tempeh-derived isoflavones. Methodologies encompass metabolomic profiling, in silico analysis, antioxidant assays, and in vitro experiments. Daidzein and genistein exhibited potential therapeutic options for breast cancer treatment and as antioxidant agents. In vitro studies also supported their efficacy against breast cancer and their ability to scavenge radicals, particularly in soy-based tempeh powder (SBT-P) and its isoflavone derivatives. Results have demonstrated a significant downregulation of breast cancer signaling proteins and increased expression of miR-7-5p, a microRNA with tumor-suppressive properties. Notably, the LD₅₀ values of SBT-P and its derivatives on normal breast cell lines indicate their potential safety, with minimal cytotoxic effects on MCF-10A cells compared to control groups. The study underscores the favorable potential of SBT-P as a safe therapeutic option for breast cancer treatment, warranting further clinical exploration.

Metabolic syndrome is a global health problem. The use of functional foods as dietary components has been increasing. One food of interest is forest onion extract (FOE). This study aimed to investigate the effect of FOE on lipid and glucose metabolism in silico and in vitro using the 3T3-L1 mouse cell line. This was a comprehensive study that used a multi-modal computational network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking in silico and 3T3-L1 mouse cells in vitro. The phytochemical components of FOE were analyzed using untargeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Next, an in silico analysis was performed to determine FOE’s bioactive compounds, and a toxicity analysis, protein target identification, network pharmacology, and molecular docking were carried out. FOE’s effect on pancreatic lipase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase inhibition was determined. Finally, we determined its effect on lipid accumulation and MAPK8, PPARG, HMGCR, CPT-1, and GLP1 expression in the preadipocyte 3T3-L1 mouse cell line. We showed that the potential metabolites targeted glucose and lipid metabolism in silico and that FOE inhibited pancreatic lipase levels, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase in vitro. Furthermore, FOE significantly (p < 0.05) inhibits targeted protein expressions of MAPK8, PPARG, HMGCR, CPT-1, and GLP-1 in vitro in 3T3-L1 mouse cells in a dose-dependent manner. FOE contains several metabolites that reduce pancreatic lipase levels, α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and targeted proteins associated with lipid and glucose metabolism in vitro.

Introduction Essential oil treatment has been explored as a potential alternative medicine, as these therapies can induce calming and sedative effects by acting on the neuro-limbic system and upregulating neurotransmitter synthesis. Objectives This paper aims to assess the impact of essential oil interventions on aggressive behavior in people with dementia. Methods The literature search was carried out through six databases. The outcomes of interest were the survival risk and post-treatment score of the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and Quality of Life (QoL). Quality appraisal was done using RoB 2.0, while meta-analysis was done using RevMan 5.4. This systematic review has been registered to the PROSPERO database (CRD42023476844). Results We analyzed 11 included studies with 1,418 patients. RoB 2.0 analysis resulted in eight low-risk-of-bias and three high-risk-of-bias studies. This study suggests that essential oil interventions lead to statistically significant improvements in survival risk with moderate heterogeneity [OR = 0.63 (95% CI: 0.41, 0.98, p = 0.04; I2 = 74%)]. This study also found a significant improvement in NPI scores following the use of essential oils [SMD = -2.97 (95% CI = -5.61, -0.32, p = 0.03; I2 = 98%)], but no statistically significant improvements were found in CMAI scores [SMD = 0.17 (95% CI = 0.37, 0.71, p = 0.53; I2 = 74%)]. The QoL assessment showed a trend favoring the control group after implementing essential oil treatments [SMD = 4.89 (95% CI = 1.51, 8.27, p = 0.005; I2 = 98%)]. Conclusions Essential oil is a potential approach in alleviating the agitated behavior of dementia patients considering its survival risk and some parameters, such as NPI, CMAI, and QoL score. However, more studies regarding essential oils on these parameters should be done, especially studies with specific main ingredients of the essential oil.

Food security, food sustainability, and malnutrition represent critical global challenges. Th urgency of comprehensive action is evident in the need for research collaboration between the food industry, agriculture, public health, and nutrition. This article highlights the role of philanthropy, of a non-profit organization, in supporting research and development and filling financial gaps. The article also explores the interplay of nutrition, agriculture, and government and policy, positioning philanthropy as a catalyst for transformative change and advocating for collaborative efforts to comprehensively address global food challenges. In addition, the discussion also underscores the ethical complexities surrounding charitable food aid, especially in terms of the dignity and autonomy of its recipients. The paper concludes by proposing future directions and implications, advocating for diversified intervention portfolios and collaborative efforts involving governments, businesses, and local communities. Apart from that, the importance of answering and alleviating ethical dilemmas related to food charity assistance needs to be a concern for future studies related to philanthropy because of the significant challenges faced by the contemporary food system, which include food security, health, and nutritional sustainability.

Background The oceans are teeming with a diverse range of marine organisms that offer unique health benefits, such as seagrass which is one of many key marine products that have garnered attention for their potential therapeutic properties. However, until now there have been few successful reports of seagrass’s metabolites profile and biological activity. Therefore, this work aims to profile metabolites or chemical constituents and assess the potential antioxidants and anti-obesity effects of two seagrasses, Thalassia hemprichii and Zostera marina. Methods Once authenticated, T. hemprichii and Z. marina were extracted with two different solvents, polar (ethanol) and nonpolar (hexane). Metabolite profiling was performed using untargeted metabolomic profiling via liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry method analysis, and then antioxidant and anti-obesity capabilities were assessed by molecular docking and in vitro studies on selected receptors. Results A total of 9 and 11 metabolites were observed from T. hemprichii and Z. marina and continued molecular docking. Some of the observed compounds have promising potential as inhibitors of human inducible nitric oxide synthase, reactive oxygen species (ROS) 1 kinase, human pancreatic lipase, and fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) proteins, including luteolin, 6-hydroxy compounds luteolin O-glucoside, luteolin-O-sulphate, Thalassiolin A, Thalassiolin C, kaempferol-7,4′-dimethylether-3-O-sulfate, apigenin, and diosmetin. T. hemprichii ethanol extract (THE) EC50 value shows antioxidant capabilities via ABTS radical scavenging activity of 76.00 μg/mL, a smaller value than standard antioxidant controls (Trolox, 76.54 μg/mL) and followed by EC50 of lipase inhibition activity by THE which has the same pattern (EC50 THE < EC50 Orlistat). Conclusions This concludes that the two seagrasses have promising biological activity as candidates for functional food and/or drugs in combating free radicals and obesity.