Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is revolutionizing the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders by leveraging the gut microbiome in innovative ways. This systematic review evaluates the clinical effectiveness and safety of FMT across various medical conditions, offering insights into its therapeutic potential and limitations. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov from January 2000 to December 2023 identified 97 relevant studies on FMT's efficacy, safety, and microbiome changes after eliminating duplicates. FMT has demonstrated high success rates, particularly in treating recurrent and refractory Clostridium difficile infections (CDI), with up to 90% effectiveness, establishing it as a primary treatment for antibiotic-resistant cases. FMT’s applications are expanding to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, as well as metabolic disorders and neuropsychiatric conditions. Remission rates for IBD range from 37-45%, with outcomes influenced by donor characteristics, stool preparation, and disease subtype. with mild, self-limiting side effects such as transient diarrhea and abdominal cramping. However, rare serious adverse events underscore the need for rigorous donor screening and standardized preparation protocols to mitigate risks. FMT’s ability to restore healthy gut flora highlights its promise in both gastrointestinal and systemic disease management. However, further research is essential to establish optimized procedures, standardized guidelines, and long-term safety data to facilitate its integration into mainstream medical practice.

The present study investigates the phytochemical composition, antioxidant potential, and hypoglycemic efficacy of topical Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) fruit extract in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The fruit extract, obtained through solvent extraction and analyzed via Gas-Liquid Chromatography (GLC), revealed a high concentration of bioactive compounds, notably terpinene (16.58 %), camphor (12.25 %), p-cymene (8.46 %), limonene (7.12 %), and saponins (9.58 %), contributing to a total identified component concentration of 71.41 %. The extract demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, with DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays showing up to 77.04 % and 76.97 % inhibition, respectively, and an Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) peaking at 574.82 μmol TE/g extract. Interestingly, metal chelating activity followed an inverse trend, with the highest activity observed at the lowest concentration (25 μL), likely driven by low-molecular-weight phenolics and flavonoids with high bioavailability. A clinical trial involving 36 T2DM patients revealed a significant reduction in blood glucose levels following topical application of the extract to the feet. Blood glucose decreased by 46–65 mg/dL per application, with average values dropping from 157 mg/dL to 99.67 mg/dL (minimum) and from 374.67 mg/dL to 321.33 mg/dL (maximum), irrespective of gender. These findings demonstrate that C. colocynthis extract, rich in terpenes, saponins, phenolics, and flavonoids, exhibits potent antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties, supporting its potential as a safe, effective, and complementary therapeutic approach for managing type 2 diabetes. However, due to the open-label, single-arm design of this pilot study, placebo effects cannot be excluded, and the results require confirmation in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.

Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe), significantly limit wheat productivity and grain nutritional quality in calcareous soils, contributing to hidden hunger in populations heavily dependent on cereal-based diets. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nano-based micronutrient fertilizers compared to conventional sources in improving wheat growth, yield, biofortification, and nutrient use efficiency under semi-arid conditions. A field experiment was conducted in the Sharazoor Plain, Halabja , using a randomized complete block design with four treatments: control, conventional conventional zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) + iron sulfate (FeSO₄), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO), and combined zinc oxide nanoparticles + iron oxide nanoparticles (ZnO + Fe₂O₃). The soil composition consisted of clay loam with a mild alkalinity (pH 7.6) and contained a total calcium carbonate level of 19.8%. It exhibited a deficiency in readily available Zn and Fe, as indicated by diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid extractable concentrations of Fe and Zn measuring 0.39 mg kg⁻¹ and 0.63 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Nanofertilizer treatments significantly enhanced plant growth parameters, with the combined nano-ZnO + nano-Fe₂O₃ treatment producing the highest plant height (93.67 cm), tiller density (413.33 m⁻²), and chlorophyll index (SPAD 50.93). Yield components were markedly improved, resulting in a maximum grain yield of 5.53 Mg ha⁻¹, representing a 39% increase over the control. Grain quality was also enhanced, with protein content increasing to 13.30%, while Zn and Fe concentrations reached 48.83 and 51.17 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Overall, nano-based zinc and iron fertilizers, particularly the combined ZnO + Fe₂O₃ treatment, significantly improved wheat growth, yield, grain protein, and micronutrient concentrations, highlighting their potential for sustainable biofortification and enhanced nutrient use efficiency in micronutrient-deficient soils.

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) are being recognized as a capable novel class of natural nanocarriers that have important uses in delivering bioactives and facilitating innovations in functional foods and precision health technologies. PDEVs are lipid-bilayer-enclosed vesicular structures that commonly occur at the nanoscale, although their reported sizes vary depending on the plant source, isolation procedure, and measurement method. They contain diverse biomolecules, including lipids, proteins, microRNAs, and phytochemicals, and have been investigated for their potential roles in interspecies communication and the delivery of bioactive compounds. Compared with some conventional nanocarriers, PDEVs have shown favorable biocompatibility and stability under certain experimental conditions; however, these properties are dependent on the plant source, isolation method, cargo, formulation, and experimental model; therefore, they are uniquely positioned for oral delivery systems. This review presents a complete picture of the process of PDEV biogenesis, the molecular architecture of PDEVs, and their cargo. We evaluate and compare the source materials of PDEVs to determine whether they will influence how effectively the bioactive agent is delivered to its intended target and produce the therapeutic effect. Additionally, we present a review of the advances in technology for the analysis of PDEVs: methods of extraction, purification, and characterization of PDEV; current and future techniques for loading cargo into PDEVs; methods of modifying the surfaces of PDEVs; and methods of developing, producing, and delivering hybrid systems of PDEVs. Finally, a comprehensive review of the use of PDEVs in delivering nutraceuticals, modulating the gut microbiome, delivering probiotic systems, and exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer effects. Even as these positive advancements occur, challenges related to scalability, standardization, and purity remain significant barriers to industrial translation. PDEVs are well-positioned to serve as a sustainable, next-generation nanoplatform at the intersection of nanotechnology, food science, and biomedicine. PDEVs also provide unprecedented opportunities to advance functional foods and precision nutrition.

Browntop millet ( Brachiaria ramosa ) is significantly underutilized small millet with substantial potential. This review summarizes findings on its nutritional composition, bioactive profile, prebiotic and antimicrobial properties, and food applications along with its relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2, 3, 12, 13, and 15). Peer‐reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025 were considered from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Browntop millet contains significant levels of protein (≈9–14 g/100 g), dietary fiber (≈8–12 g/100 g), and essential minerals (Ca, Fe, Mg, Zn), and contributes polyphenols, flavonoids, phytosterols, and lignans with reported antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. Bioaccessibility and functional properties are enhanced through processing techniques such as fermentation, germination, and roasting. Emerging food applications include gluten‐free bakery products, probiotic beverages, functional snacks, and plant‐based meat substitutes. However, commercialization is constrained by limited human clinical trials, evidence of bioavailability and metabolomics, and supply chain and data gaps (predominantly in the described areas). Integration of browntop millet into a sustainable diet is feasible with supportive policies and well‐designed human clinical studies. Browntop millet is a climate resilient crop, with potential to add value to food systems and address nutrition security.