Naturally occurring food-derived active ingredients have received huge attention for their chemopreventive and chemotherapy capabilities in several diseases. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a caffeic acid ester and a naturally-occurring phenolic compound in a number of plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family, such as Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) from which it was formerly isolated. RA intervenes in carcinogenesis through different ways, including in tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and inflammation. On the other hand, it also exerts powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and even antidepressant, anti-aging effects. The present review aims to provide an overview on anticancer activities of RA and to deliberate its therapeutic potential against a wide variety of diseases. Given the current evidence, RA may be considered as part of the daily diet in the treatment of several diseases, with pre-determined doses avoiding cytotoxicity.

Extraction is a separation technique for bioactive compounds from food samples that are used as an active ingredient in pharmaceutical, and food manufacturing industries. There is now an ever-increase demand for these bioactive compounds in different food products that encourage the development of new extraction techniques. Various novel thermal and non-thermal extraction techniques, i.e. microwave-assisted-extraction, ultrasound-assisted-extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, pulsed electric field assisted-extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction that have been intensively investigated. These advanced extraction techniques are more efficient in comparison to conventional methods in terms of solvent consumption, extraction time and energy cost. The efficiency of these extraction methods depends upon the input parameters and target bioactive compounds. This review discusses the application of these different extraction techniques, basic mechanisms and limiting factors for the extraction of bioactive compounds through different food matrix. This review also emphasises on cost-effectiveness, energy consumption, sustainability, advantages and disadvantages of these extraction techniques.

Nutritional immunology perception is a condition in which an altered supply of nutrients modifies immune response, and it has become linked intimately with endeavors to improve the clinical patients who often require an exogenous supply of nutrients. Scientists have revealed narrative mechanisms by which naturally occurring compounds such as abscisic acid, conjugated linoleic acid, n-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins A, D and E modulate immune responses. Beyond providing indispensable nutrients, diet can dynamically influence the immune system. Over 65% of the immune cells in the body are positioned in the gut, technically making the gut the “largest immune organ.” The immune receptors of the innate immune system positioned in the gut are the primary targets of strategies for immunomodulation via diet. There are several areas that need to be addressed; the most important is to raise the awareness of the people for balanced uptake of nutrients.