The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of various bran sources, including wheat, barley, and rice, on the quality and volatile compounds of Egyptian ‘balady’ bread (Fino). The protein, fat, and total carbohydrates content of the studied brans ranged from 8.49 to 14.16%, 2.16 to 8.12%, and 34.38 to 85.06%, respectively. The mi- neral composition and colour parameters of the brans were also evaluated. The substitution of wheat flour with 10%, 20%, and 30% of different brans resulted in decreased loaf volume and specific volume, and increased loaf weight. A significant decrease in colour parameters (L, a, and b) of the bread crust and crumb were observed in all the sam- ples. The addition of bran at three concentrations showed a remarkable increase in the total phenolic content of the bread samples, compared to the control. The antioxidant activity of the bread samples fortified with brans showed the following order: RB (rice bran) > BB (barley bran) > WB (wheat bran), as determined by the DPPH and β-carotene assays. Thirty-six volatile compounds identified in the bread samples using GC-MS included 5 alcohols, 6 pyrazines, 2 acids, 9 aldehydes, 5 ketones, 3 esters, and 6 sulphur-containing compounds. Alcohols were the predominant vola- tile constituents accounting for 58.3; 61.57; 59.08; and 56.15% in the control and in the bread samples prepared with bran from rice, barley, and wheat, respectively.

Snacks fortified with Jameed are new candidates for use as protein supplements. The effect of the fortification of snacks with natural sources of protein such as Jameed at levels of 5%,10%, 15% and 20%, respectively on the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, nutritional, sensory properties and volatile compounds were determined compared to control snacks. The high levels of fortification characterized with high protein, fat, fiber and ash content. However, sensory data showed that snacks fortified with 5% Jameed recorded the highest score in sensory attributes. The results showed that the highest total phenolic content (1.29 mg/g) was found at 20% level compared to all treatments and control. The data exhibited a significant increase (P≤0.05) in antioxidant activity with the increase fortification level of snacks with Jameed. Thirty-three volatile compounds were identified in control as well as fortified snacks with Jameed at levels of 5 and 10% using GC-MS. The volatile compounds had arranged as following ; 9 (alcohols); 8 (aldehyes); 5 (ketones); 3 (esters); 3 (furans); 3 (acids) and 2 (terpenes). The data indicated that the fortification with 5% Jameed recorded the highest sensory attributes may be related to the elevation of concentrations of aldehydes especially 2-methyl propanal, 2- methyl butanal and 3- methyl butanal as characteristic volatile in snacks.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by the inflammation of synovial fluid. The incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is increasing in RA patients. This research is the first report to investigate the anti-arthritic effect of avocado peel nutraceutical (APN) and its potential in mitigating the cardiovascular risk associated with RA. The antioxidant activity and phytochemical composition of APN were assessed. The potential interaction of APN’s active compounds with protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22) was studied using molecular docking. The impact of APN on the plasma lipid profile, oxidative and inflammatory markers, and the indices of coronary risk and atherogenicity as CVD markers were evaluated. The gene expression of COX-2, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, and TNF-α in liver and spleen tissues were measured. The rat gut microbiota profile was investigated using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. APN exhibited high antioxidant activity, low atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices, and a high ratio of hypocholesterolemic to hypercholesterolemic fatty acids indicating its cardioprotective potential. The administration of APN led to a reduction in oxidative stress markers, inflammatory markers, dyslipidemia, and CVD markers. APN administration downregulated the expression of COX-2, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α genes, while the IL-10 gene was significantly upregulated in the liver and spleen. Treatment with APN was favorable in restoring eubiosis in the gut by modulating RA-associated bacterial taxa linked to impaired immune function and cardiometabolic diseases. In molecular docking, β-amyrin and ellagic acid showed the highest binding affinity for PTPN22. APN may represent a promising approach to ameliorating the cardiovascular risk of RA. The present results will be offering a foundation for future in-depth research in nutraceuticals from agriculture by-products. Additionally, they will be supporting the public health policies aimed at preventing and controlling rheumatoid arthritis.

Hyperlipidemia is a major global risk factor for cardiovascular disease, underscoring the need for safe, multi-target preventive strategies. In this study, two novel dietary supplements were developed by blending freeze-dried aqueous extracts of chamomile (CDS) or thyme (TDS) with linseed oil (1:1, w/w) and evaluated for their phytochemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and hypolipidemic efficacy. Total phenolics, total flavonoids, fatty acid composition, volatile constituents, and individual phenolic profiles were characterized, while antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH· radical-scavenging and FRAP assays. Hypolipidemic activity was investigated in a Triton X-100-induced hyperlipidemia rat model through an assessment of plasma lipid parameters, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, and liver and kidney function indices, supported by hepatic histopathology. Molecular docking was performed to explore the interactions of major bioactive compounds with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and HMG-CoA reductase. Both CDS and TDS exhibited strong antioxidant activity and high polyphenol content, with kaempferol and chlorogenic acid identified as the predominant phenolics in CDS and TDS, respectively. β-Farnesene and carvacrol were the main volatile constituents. In vivo, both formulations significantly reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, lipid peroxidation markers, and TNF-α, while increasing HDL-C and improving cardiac risk indices, with more pronounced effects observed for TDS. Histopathological analyses confirmed marked hepatoprotection, particularly in the TDS-treated group. Docking analyses identified ellagic acid as the strongest dual binder to both AMPK and HMG-CoA reductase. Overall, these findings demonstrate that chamomile-linseed and thyme-linseed formulations exert synergistic, multi-target antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects, supporting their potential as nutraceutical strategies for the early prevention and management of hyperlipidemia and cardiometabolic risk.