ABSTRACT
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) place a significant burden on global health and the healthcare systems which support it. Metabolic syndrome is a major risk factor for a large number of NCDs; however, treatments remain limited. Previous research has shown the protective benefits of edible dietary spices on key components of metabolic syndrome. Therefore we performed a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial to evaluate the effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum), and black seed (Nigella sativa) consumption on blood glucose, lipid profiles, and body composition in 120 participants with, or at risk of, metabolic syndrome. Each participant consumed 3 g/day of powder (spice or placebo). Data related to different parameters were collected from participants at the baseline, midpoint, and endpoint of the intervention. Over the 12-week interventions, there was an improvement in a number of biochemical indices of metabolic syndrome, including fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, LCL, and total cholesterol associated with supplementation with the spices when compared to a placebo. This study provides evidence to support the adjunct use of supplementation for those at risk of metabolic syndrome and its sequelae.
Subject(s)
Blood Glucose , Cinnamomum zeylanicum , Metabolic Syndrome , Spices , Zingiber officinale , Humans , Male , Female , Double-Blind Method , Middle Aged , Cinnamomum zeylanicum/chemistry , Blood Glucose/drug effects , Blood Glucose/metabolism , Adult , Nigella sativa/chemistry , Glycated Hemoglobin/metabolism , Glycated Hemoglobin/analysis , Body Composition/drug effects , Aged , Lipids/blood , Dietary SupplementsABSTRACT
Preeclampsia, the more severe manifestation of gestational hypertensive disorders, is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Genetic polymorphisms in long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are considered as potential genetic preeclampsia. This study aimed to explore the association between SENCR rs555172 SNP and PE risk in healthy pregnant women compared to women with preeclampsia. A total of 140 healthy pregnant women and 130 preeclampsia cases were included in the study. The rs555172 genotype was determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and the expression of the SENCR gene was analyzed in 40 placenta tissue samples from both groups. Various statistical approaches were employed to assess the genotypic and allelic frequencies. The results showed no significant difference in the frequency of the rs555172 polymorphism between healthy pregnant women and those with preeclampsia in terms of the dominant (p=0.82), recessive (p=0.39), and over-dominant (p=0.42) models. Additionally, the analysis of SENCR relative expression revealed no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.48). In conclusion, the LncRNA SENCR rs555172(G/A) seems not associated with an increased risk of Preeclampsia in pregnant women.
Subject(s)
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Pre-Eclampsia , RNA, Long Noncoding , Adult , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Case-Control Studies , Gene Frequency/genetics , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics , Genotype , Placenta/metabolism , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics , Pre-Eclampsia/genetics , Risk Factors , RNA, Long Noncoding/geneticsABSTRACT
The present study aimed to investigate the nutritional constituents of common market available spices in the United Arab Emirates. Seven commonly consumed spices namely, ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), black seed (Nigella sativa), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) and saffron (Crocus sativus) were obtained from local markets. Proximate analyses were performed according to AOAC procedures. Assessment of major (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P and S) and minor (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) elements was conducted using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Findings revealed varying macronutrient, micronutrient and mineral contents which are highly valuable for dietary purposes. The present study demonstrates that these edible spices could be used for nutritional support, due to their micro and macronutrient contents.
Subject(s)
Diet, Mediterranean , Trace Elements , Zingiber officinale , Spices/analysis , Minerals , Zingiber officinale/chemistry , Trace Elements/analysisABSTRACT
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of physiologically dysregulated parameters that can include elevated fasting blood glucose, high blood pressure, central obesity, increased triglyceride levels, insulin resistance, diabetes, elevated low density lipoprotein levels, and reduced high density lipoprotein levels in the blood. Effective clinical management of MetS is critical as it is strongly associated with long lasting and fatal complications in patients. Alongside standard care of lifestyle changes and medication, dietary supplements derived from herbal resources could be an alternative therapeutic strategy that is safe, efficient, culturally acceptable, and has few side effects. Of the dietary supplements, spicy foods have always been considered a great source of functional bioactive compounds. Herbal therapy is broadly used in many countries as a treatment or as a preventive measure in the management of MetS risk factors, including blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipid levels. Herein, an attempt is made to evaluate the recent studies in the management of MetS with herbal alternatives, and to explore the possibility of their use as therapeutic treatments or supplements.
