Two new lignan glycosides from Acanthus ilicifoliusL. with their NO inhibition and cytotoxic activity.

A phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of aerial parts of the Acanthus ilicifolius led to the isolation of two new lignan glycosides, acaniliciosides A and B (1 and 2), together with ten known compounds (3-12). The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated based on HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of two new compounds were established by CD spectra. With the exception of compound 12, other compounds inhibited NO production in LPS activated RAW264.7 cells with IC50 values of 2.14-28.18 µM, as potent as that of the positive control of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine acetate (L-NMMA, IC50 of 32.50 µM). In addition, compounds 5-8 showed cytotoxic effects against SK-LU-1 and HepG2 cell lines with the IC50 values ranging from 16.48 to 76.40 µM compared to the positive control (ellipticine) with the IC50 values ranging from 1.23 to 1.46 µM.

Animal source foods, rich in essential amino acids, are important for linear growth and development of young children in low- and middle-income countries.

Growth faltering under 5 years of age is unacceptably high worldwide, and even more children, while not stunted, fail to reach their growth potential. The time between conception and 2 years of age is critical for development. The period from 6 to 23 months, when complementary foods are introduced, coincides with a time when growth faltering and delayed neurocognitive developments are most common. Fortunately, this is also the period when diet exercises its greatest influence. Growing up in an adverse environment, with a deficient diet, as typically seen in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), hampers growth and development of children and prevents them from realising their full developmental and economic future potential. Sufficient nutrient availability and utilisation are paramount to a child's growth and development trajectory, especially in the period after breastfeeding. This review highlights the importance of essential amino acids (EAAs) in early life for linear growth and, likely, neurocognitive development. The paper further discusses signalling through mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) as one of the main amino acid (AA)-sensing hubs and the master regulator of both growth and neurocognitive development. Children in LMICs, despite consuming sufficient total protein, do not meet their EAA requirements due to poor diet diversity and low-quality dietary protein. AA deficiencies in early life can cause reductions in linear growth and cognition. Ensuring AA adequacy in diets, particularly through inclusion of nutrient-dense animal source foods from 6 to 23 months, is strongly encouraged in LMICs in order to compensate for less than optimal growth during complementary feeding.

Triterpenoid glycosides from the rhizomes of Allium ascalonicum and their anoctamin-1 inhibitory activity.

Ten triterpenoid glycosides including two undescribed compounds (1 and 2) were isolated from the methanol extract of Allium ascalonicum rhizomes. These compounds were structurally elucidated to be 3ß-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-19α-hydroxyolean-12-ene-28-oic acid 28-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl] ester (1), 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)]-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-3ß,19α-dihydroxyoleanane-12-en-28-oic acid (2), lactifoloside C (3), lactifoloside H (4), randiasaponin IV (5), kudinoside G (6), ilexkudinoside W (7), lactifoloside G (8), kudinoside D (9), and ilexkudinoside T (10) by analyzing their HR-ESI-MS, NMR spectral data and by comparison with those reported in the literature. Compounds 1-10 were evaluated for anoctamin-1 (ANO1) inhibitory activity using yellow fluorescent protein reduction assays. At the concentration of 30 µM, compounds 2 and 9 displayed moderate ANO1 inhibitory percentages of 28.9 ± 0.85% and 26.2 ± 0.65%, respectively.

A rapid assessment and response approach for socially marketed nutrition commodities in Viet Nam.

BACKGROUND: The leading cause of death in children in developing countries is protein-energy malnutrition. In Viet Nam, 25.9% of children under 5 experience stunted growth and 6.6% are moderately wasted. Iron deficiency anaemia and vitamin A deficiency contribute to these and other malnutrition conditions. OBJECTIVES: Given these factors, more evidence based approaches are required to improve understanding of current attitudes, opinions and behaviours of mothers with young children, in order to operationalise social marketing of nutrition commodities in Viet Nam. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: A literature review supported a rapid assessment and response method involving semi-structured interviews with 77 stakeholders and focus group discussions with 80 program beneficiaries from four geographic locations in the north and south of Viet Nam. Discussion agendas were developed to address key program issues with grounded theory utilized for data analysis. RESULTS: Data analysis highlighted challenges and opportunities within the six Ps of social marketing: Supply and demand side issues included: cost and the quality of products, the limited scale of interventions and promotional activities. Policy issues identified related to current policies that inhibited the broader promotion and distribution of micronutrient products, and opportunities for improved dialogue with policy partners. Partnerships further emphasized the need for public private partnerships to support the social change process. CONCLUSION: Implications for theory, policy, and practice indicates that rapid assessment and response is a cost-effective, pragmatic method of public health research, in resource constrained settings, to explore policies and behaviours amenable to change and build stakeholder engagement in the program.

Rice Bran Extract Reduces the Risk of Atherosclerosis in Post-Menopausal Vietnamese Women.

We investigated whether pre-germinated brown rice bran extract containing acylated steryl glucosides (PSG) reduces the risk of atherosclerosis in post-menopausal Vietnamese women. A total of 60 post-menopausal Vietnamese women (45-65 y old) with high LDL cholesterol levels (over 140 mg/dL) were randomly divided into PSG (n=30) and placebo (n=30) groups. The subjects in the PSG group were assigned a daily intake of 6 capsules containing 50 mg PSG, and the subjects in the placebo group were assigned a daily intake of 6 capsules containing corn oil for 6 mo. Before baseline and after month 2, month 4, and month 6 of the intervention, we conducted anthropometric measurements, blood biochemical examinations, a nutrition survey, and physical activity, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) measurements. Serum LDL cholesterol concentrations were significantly reduced from 163.6±25.3 (mg/dL) to 135.9±26.8 (mg/dL) compared to the placebo group (p<0.001). FMD values of the placebo group were significantly reduced from 6.6±5.1 (%) to 4.7±2.6 (%) compared to the PSG group (p<0.05). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α concentrations in the PSG group were significantly reduced from 19.8±11 (pg/mL) to 10.6±5.5 (pg/mL) compared to the placebo group (p<0.05). The findings suggest that PSG may improve LDL cholesterol, TNF-α levels, and FMD values. PSG might be considered in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis in post-menopausal Vietnamese women with high LDL cholesterol.

Species-Specific Associations Between Soil-Transmitted Helminths and Micronutrients in Vietnamese Schoolchildren.

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections and micronutrient deficiencies are closely related and often coexist among low-income populations. We studied the association between infections with specific STH species and micronutrient status in rural Vietnamese schoolchildren. Children (N = 510) aged 6-9 years were recruited from two primary schools. STH infections were determined in stool samples. Hemoglobin, ferritin, retinol, and zinc were measured in blood samples, as well as C-reactive protein to control for inflammation. Iodine excretion was measured in urine. Associations of single and multiple infections with Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm with micronutrient status (hemoglobin, plasma ferritin, retinol, zinc, and urinary iodine) were estimated by multiple regression analysis. Ascaris infections showed a specific and intensity-dependent negative association with vitamin A. Trichuris and hookworm infections were associated with lower hemoglobin concentration, but not with plasma ferritin. Trichuris-infected children had zinc deficiency less often than uninfected children. In conclusion, our study shows species-specific associations between STH infections and micronutrient status in children. The different life cycles of STH species might have specific effects on the absorption or loss of specific micronutrients. Tailor-made combinations of deworming and nutritional interventions may be needed to improve child health and nutrition.

A Delivery Model for Home Fortification of Complementary Foods with Micronutrient Powders: Innovation in the Context of Vietnamese Health System Strengthening.

Adding micronutrient powders (MNP) to complementary foods at the point of preparation (home fortification) can improve micronutrient status of young children. Ensuring sustained access to MNPs at scale, however, remains challenging in many countries. The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) partnered with the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) in Vietnam to pioneer the distribution of a locally-produced MNP, provided for sale through the public health system with counseling on optimal infant and young child feeding practices by trained health workers. Different packaging options were available to adapt to caregivers' disposable income. During the six-month pilot, 1.5 million sachets were sold through 337 health centers across four provinces, targeting children 6-59 months of age. Sales were routinely monitored, and a cross-sectional survey in 32 communes for caregivers (n = 962) and health staff (n = 120) assessed MNP coverage and compliance, five months after the start of distribution. A total of 404 caregivers among the 962 caregivers surveyed (i.e., 42%) had visited the health center in the past year. Among them, 290 caregivers had heard about the product and a total of 217caregivers had given the MNP to their child at least once, representing a conversion rate from product awareness to product trial of 74.8%. The effective coverage (i.e., consumption of ≥3 sachets/child/week) was 11.5% among the total surveyed caregivers and reached 27.3% amongst caregivers who visited health centers in the previous month. The MNP purchase trends showed that the number of sachets bought by caregivers was positively correlated with the wealth index. The pilot showed that providing MNPs for sale in packs of various quantities, combined with infant and young child feeding (IYCF) counseling at the health center, is effective for groups accessing the health system.

Acceptability of Two Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods by HIV-Positive Patients in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) has been found effective in treating severe acute malnutrition. Vietnam's National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), and UNICEF collaborated to formulate a local RUTF called High-Energy Bar for Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (HEBI). RUTF might be useful to address malnutrition in HIV patients. OBJECTIVE: To compare the acceptability of the local RUTF and an imported RUTF among malnourished people with HIV in Vietnam Methods: The acceptability of HEBI and Plumpy'Nut was studied among 80 HIV-positive children and 80 HIV-positive adults. In a crossover design, participants were randomly assigned to receive either Plumpy'Nut or HEBI for 2 weeks and were switched to the other product for the subsequent 2 weeks. A third (control) group of about 40 HIV-positive participants in each study was randomly assigned to receive no RUTF. Nurses took anthropometric measurements weekly, and the subjects or their caregivers monitored daily RUTF intake. RESULTS: Children consumed 69% of HEBI and 65% of Plumpy'Nut (p = .13). Adults consumed 91% of HEBI and 81% of Plumpy'Nut (p = .059). Both children (p = .058) and adults (p ≤ .0001) preferred HEBI. Significant gains were observed in percent weight (p = .035), weight-for-age (p = .014), and body mass index (BMI)-for-age (p = .036) in children who received RUTF and in percent weight (p = .017) and BMI (p = .0048) in adults who received RUTF compared with the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study in Vietnam, both HEBI and Plumpy'Nut were found acceptable by people with HIV.

Development and implementation of a locally produced ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: In Vietnam, malnutrition remains a public health problem, even though much progress has been made in the last decades. The number of cases of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is more than 200,000 per year. To accelerate the treatment of SAM, community-based treatment with ready-to-use-therapeutic foods (RUTFs) is preferred. However, a locally available and acceptable RUTF for the treatment of SAM was lacking. OBJECTIVE: In a joint effort by the National Institute of Nutrition, UNICEF, and the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, a local RUTF was developed and tested. METHODS: The product was optimalized for impact and acceptability. At the same time, capacity for the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) was developed. RESULTS: The local product was found to be highly acceptable and effective. After training of health staff the product could be introduced in the IMAM program. CONCLUSIONS: The IMAM program was highly successful in treating children with SAM, with more than 90% of the children recovering. Production capacity of the factory is currently being increased to enable up-scaling of the IMAM program and potential export of the product to countries in the region.

Multi-micronutrient-fortified biscuits decreased prevalence of anemia and improved micronutrient status and effectiveness of deworming in rural Vietnamese school children.

Concurrent micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent among Vietnamese school children. A school-based program providing food fortified with multiple micronutrients could be a cost-effective and sustainable strategy to improve health and cognitive function of school children. However, the efficacy of such an intervention may be compromised by the high prevalence of parasitic infestation. To evaluate the efficacy of school-based intervention using multi-micronutrient-fortified biscuits with or without deworming on anemia and micronutrient status in Vietnamese schoolchildren, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 510 primary schoolchildren, aged 6-8 y, in rural Vietnam. Albendazole (Alb) (400 mg) or placebo was given at baseline. Nonfortified or multi-micronutrient-fortified biscuits including iron (6 mg), zinc (5.6 mg), iodine (35 microg), and vitamin A (300 microg retinol equivalents) were given 5 d/wk for 4 mo. Multi-micronutrient fortification significantly improved the concentrations of hemoglobin (+1.87 g/L; 95% CI: 0.78, 2.96), plasma ferritin (+7.5 microg/L; 95% CI: 2.8, 12.6), body iron (+0.56 mg/kg body weight; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.84), plasma zinc (+0.61 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.95), plasma retinol (+0.041 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.001, 0.08), and urinary iodine (+22.49 micromol/L; 95% CI: 7.68, 37.31). Fortification reduced the risk of anemia and deficiencies of zinc and iodine by >40%. Parasitic infestation did not affect fortification efficacy, whereas fortification significantly enhanced deworming efficacy, with the lowest reinfection rates in children receiving both micronutrients and Alb. Multi-micronutrient fortification of biscuits is an effective strategy to improve the micronutrient status of Vietnamese schoolchildren and enhances effectiveness of deworming.