Phytotherapy reports strong anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory potential of agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria L.). However the effects of agrimony tea consumption are not scientifically proven in humans. We investigated the effects of one month’s consumption of agrimony tea in healthy volunteers. Significant elevation of plasma total antioxidant capacity was observed and interleukin 6 levels were significantly lowered at the end of the intervention. An improved lipid profile as estimated by increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was established upon agrimony tea supplementation and HDL cholesterol correlated with adiponectin levels. The results presented in this first human intervention study with agrimony tea indicate that the plant has potential in improving markers of lipid metabolism, oxidative status and inflammation in healthy adults.

Sambucus ebulus (SE) fruits are used for immune stimulation and amelioration of gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions. Currently, there is no scientific evidence of their effects on various aspects of the immune response mechanisms in humans. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of SE fruit infusion intake in healthy humans. Anthocyanin content was determined with UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Fifty-three volunteers enrolled in a 4-week SE infusion intake intervention. Blood count, serum total protein, Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFα), High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), C3, and C4 levels were measured on automatic analyzers, and Interleukin 8 (IL-8) was measured manually with an ELISA kit. Cyanidin-3-O-galactoside (48.15 mg/g DW), followed by cyaniding-3-sambubioside (43.41 ± 1.07 mg/g DW), were the most abundant anthocyanins in SE samples. A significant decrease in total protein (2.82%), IL-6 (20.15%), TNFα (5.38%), IL-8 (5.50%), C3 (4.16%), and C4 (14.29%) was established in the whole group. Total protein, IL-8, TNFα, and C4 decreased in women (3.11%, 4.76%, 5.09%, and 11.11%), and IL-6 decreased (40.61%) in men. Hb (1.20%) and hematocrit (1.55%) levels decreased in the whole group and in the women group (1.61% and 2.20%). SE fruits exert immune-modulatory activity as revealed by decreased pro-inflammatory status and complement activity markers in healthy volunteers after a 4-week intervention.

Sulphurous mineral waters (SMW) have a wide range of applications. Sulphur content of mineral waters is considered as possible determinant for their anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory effects.To...

Based on template hexapeptides Ac-Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Arg-Trp-Lys-NH2 and Ac-Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Arg-Ile-Lys-NH2 analogues and corresponding deacylated homologues were synthesized substituting ornithine, diaminobutanoic (Dab) and diaminopropanoic (Dap) acids for lysine at position 6. The aim was to investigate the effect of the newly synthesized compounds on the neurogenic contractions of isolated rat vas deferens. Ac-Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Arg-Trp-Lys-NH2 and its analogues manifested a strong inhibitory effect on the neurogenic contractions without effect on the muscle tone, which is characteristic effect of NOP receptor agonists. In contrast, Ac-Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Arg-Ile-Lys-NH2 and its analogs manifested a strong inhibitory effect on the muscle tone and negligible effect on the neurogenic contractions which is characteristic effect of NOP receptor antagonists. The most active were the peptides in which Dab or Dap is the substitute. The study reveals that substitution of Lys with shorter amino acids could increase agonist or antagonist activity of the peptide.

The incidence of male fertility disorders has increased greatly due to various genetic and lifestyle factors. Recently, it has been hypothesized that vitamin D may be involved with idiopathic infertility. The goal of the study was to determine the effect and relationship between blood vitamin D metabolites, intracellular sperm vitamin D levels, and gene expression of 1‐α‐hydroxylase and VDR, with regard to semen quality. Seventy volunteers aged 25–45 were involved in the study. According to spermogram analysis, participants were stratified into normozoospermic control group, non‐normozoospermic target group, and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic group. Vitamin D metabolites (total 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol, 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol) in blood and spermatozoa were determined by ELISA. Free and bioavailable 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol were calculated using the Vermeulen equation. mRNA expression of VDR and 1‐α hydroxylase was evaluated by qPCR. Free and bioavailable 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol were significantly higher in the control group compared to the target group and compared to the oligoasthenoteratozoospermic group . Intracellular sperm 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol was higher in the control group compared to the target group. The mRNA levels of 1‐ α‐hydroxylase were significantly higher in the control samples, while VDR expression was significantly higher in the target group. Significant positive correlations were established between free and bioavailable 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol with sperm motility and morphology. Vitamin D metabolites in blood and intracellular sperm 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol seem to exert beneficial effects on sperm motility and morphology. Regarding sperm quality, these effects are more pronounced in the free and bioavailable 25OHD compared to the total 25OHD in blood. Higher expression of 1‐α‐hydroxylase likely leads to higher intracellular levels of 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol, which could contribute to sperm motility and morphology. Higher VDR expression may be a compensatory mechanism related to lower intracellular sperm 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol.

Ethnic foods and beverages are cultural heritage. This review summarizes the available data about the manufacturing, flavouring, and colouring of the homemade Bulgarian ethnic alcoholic beverage rakia, including information from scientific and grey literature, published surveys, traditional old recipe books, and field observations and interviews with local producers of homemade rakia. Taking into consideration the scarce scientific evidence available on the subject, this study aims to contribute to the preservation of a valuable Bulgarian tradition and cultural heritage for future generations. A detailed description of the process of manufacturing homemade rakia is presented, and the role of this ancient technology in the extraction of bioactive compounds is discussed. Different aspects of the consumption of alcoholic beverages and their dual metabolic effects on human health are elucidated. The centuries-old knowledge about the preparation of the homemade beverage rakia, flavoured and coloured using arboreal species, is discussed as a basis for the development of low-alcohol or non-alcoholic functional beverages with high content of bioactive compounds with beneficial health effects.