Due to their outstanding nutritional profile, the consumption of seeds has been an essential source of nutrients. These foods have a unique composition, containing carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds in the same food matrix. Furthermore, the nutritional profile can naturally be maximized and optimized through the germination process through two key methods: degradation of macromolecules and biosynthesis of metabolites, which favors an increase in the concentration of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds. The extraction of these compounds has been studied in various plant fractions, including roots, stems, leaves, fruits, and seeds, using different extraction techniques. Among these, ultrasound-assisted extraction has gained popularity due to its efficiency and yield, considering specific parameters to maximize the bioactive yield. These advances have allowed us to evaluate the potential of the extracted compounds as preventive agents in cardiovascular and degenerative diseases, showing promising results in preventive medicine. Recent studies have shown that cereals possess anti-lipid, anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic properties, mainly due to their antioxidant capacity. This work describes the effects of germination on the nutritional profile, presents benefits to human health through seed consumption, and refers to a collection of strategies to improve the extraction process.

Cereals have phytochemical compounds that can diminish the incidence of chronic diseases such as hypertension. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) participates in the modulation of blood pressure and is the principal receptor of the virus SARS-CoV-2. The inhibitors of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and the block receptors of angiotensin II regulate the expression of ACE2; thus, they could be useful in the treatment of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. The inferior peptides from 1 to 3 kDa and the hydrophobic amino acids are the best candidates to inhibit ACE, and these compounds are present in rice, corn, wheat, oats, sorghum, and barley. In addition, the vitamins C and E, phenolic acids, and flavonoids present in cereals show a reduction in the oxidative stress involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. The influence of ACE on hypertension and COVID-19 has turned into a primary point of control and treatment from the nutritional perspective. The objective of this work was to describe the inhibitory effect of the angiotensin-converting enzyme that the bioactive compounds present in cereals possess in order to lower blood pressure and how their consumption could be associated with reducing the virulence of COVID-19.

Background: Hypertension is one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide. Despite advances in conventional treatments, there remains a significant need for more effective and natural alternatives to control hypertension. In this context, sprouted barley extracts have emerged as a potential therapeutic option. This study presents the evaluation of the bioactive properties of extracts from two varieties of barley germinated for different periods (3, 5, and 7 days), focusing on their potential to regulate blood pressure mechanisms. Objectives/Methods: The main objective was to assess the effects of these extracts on blood pressure regulation in N(ω)-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats. Renal (creatinine, urea, uric acid, and total protein) and endothelial (NOx levels) function, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I and II activity, and histopathological effects on heart and kidney tissues were evaluated. Results: In particular, Esmeralda barley extract demonstrated 83% inhibition of ACE activity in vitro. Furthermore, the combined administration of sprouted barley extract (SBE) and captopril significantly reduced blood pressure and ACE I and II activity by 22%, 81%, and 76%, respectively, after 3, 5, and 7 days of germination. The treatment also led to reductions in protein, creatinine, uric acid, and urea levels by 3%, 38%, 42%, and 48%, respectively, along with a 66% increase in plasma NO concentrations. Conclusions: This study highlights the bioactive properties of barley extracts with different germination times, emphasizing their potential health benefits as a more effective alternative to conventional antihypertensive therapies.

Los alimentos de origen natural presentan compuestos bioactivos que pueden disminuir la incidencia de enfermedades crónicas, como la hipertensión. La presión arterial alta es una de las enfermedades cardiovasculares con mayor prevalencia, la cual está regulada por el Sistema Renina Angiotensina Aldosterona. La enzima convertidora de angiotensina 2 participa en la modulación de la presión arterial, la homeostasis de la presión arterial y es el principal receptor del virus SARS-CoV-2. Entre los compuestos más estudiados se encuentran los péptidos bioactivos y los compuestos fenólicos. Los péptidos inferiores de 1 kDa y la presencia de aminoácidos hidrofóbicos son los mejores candidatos para inhibir la enzima convertidora de angiotensina (ECA). Los compuestos fenólicos como los ácidos fenólicos y flavonoides son capaces de inhibir la ECA al reducir el estrés oxidativo implicado en la patogenia de la hipertensión. Este trabajo presenta una síntesis crítica sobre el efecto de los compuestos bioactivos en la ECA, la hipertensión y su relación con el COVID-19.

La enfermedad de Chagas es una infección causada por el parásito hemoflagelado Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). En el 2017 la Organización Mundial de la Salud reportó 6 a 7 millones de personas infectadas y la muerte de 50,000 en donde 30 a 40% desarrollan miocardiopatías con consecuencias fatales. Es por eso la necesidad de tener inmunógenos que confieran protección contra la infección. El objetivo de este estudio fue probar un extracto antigénico totales de T. cruzi dentro de liposomas para facilitar su introducción en macrófagos de ratones CD-1 para favorecer la protección contra T. cruzi el cual es un excelente modelo, similar al humano. Los parásitos cultivados en medio LIT se lisaron por congelación-descongelación y el extracto total purificado se introdujo en liposomas con los cuales se inmunizaron ratones los cuales después de 45 días se retaron con el parásito. Los resultados mostraron aumento de la producción de anticuerpos anti-T. cruzi tanto en hembras como en machos después de los 45 días de infección, disminución de la mortalidad y la parasitemia y la sobrevivencia del 100% para hembras y 14% para machos, además de una franca activación de macrófagos concluyendo inmunoprotección contra la infección de T. cruzi.

The authors would like to make the following correction to their published paper