Nutrimentum et Curae

Potential Modulation of Phytochemical Bioavailability by Furanocoumarins from Citrus × paradisi

Luca Bolognini — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The in vivo efficacy of dietary phytochemicals, known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, is often limited by poor bioavailability due to cytochrome P450 3A4 mediated metabolism. This review explores the potential of furanocoumarins from grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi) to modulate the bioavailability of these compounds by inhibiting CYP3A4. A narrative review of the literature was conducted. The PubMed database was searched up to December 2024 using the keywords "phytochemistry," "grapefruit juice," "furocoumarins," "bioavailability," and "CYP3A4". Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed English language articles with full-text availability directly addressing phytochemical bioavailability or grapefruit juice effects. The literature indicates that furanocoumarins in grapefruit juice are potent inhibitors of intestinal CYP3A4, significantly affecting the metabolism of various drugs. While extensive research exists on drug-food interactions, studies on the interaction between furanocoumarins and food-derived phytochemicals are limited. The significant inhibitory effect of grapefruit juice on CYP3A4 suggests a potential for modulating the bioavailability of dietary polyphenols metabolized by this enzyme. Further research is warranted to explore specific polyphenol-CYP3A4 interactions to optimize phytochemical bioavailability for therapeutic benefits, while also considering potential risks in individuals taking CYP3A4-metabolized drugs.

Momordica charantia for Diabetes: Exploring Mechanisms & Clinical Implications

B.Dharani Dr.B.Dharani, SUBA A — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is said to be a chronic disorder, known to cause persistent hyperglycemia. This leads to diabetes-related complications like neuropathy, dyslipidemia, nephropathy and retinopathy. Since the incidence and prevalence of diabetes is increasing globally, there is an urgent requirement of adjunct therapies.

Recently, Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is attaining popularity among clinicians and researchers because of its potential anti-diabetic properties. This is due to its inbuilt bioactive compounds like polypeptide-p, charantin and vicine.

The current review examines the mechanisms and possible benefits of bitter gourd in treating diabetes along with its safety profile and efficacy. It was found that the bioactive compound present in M.charantia helps to regulate the blood glucose level by its mechanism like increased insulin release and sensitivity. Also, it exerts anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effect in diabetes. This helps to mitigate the diabetes related complications.

Despite many evidences, challenges remain in creating a drug profile on standard formulations, optimal dose and its long-term safety. This limits its clinical application.

Further well designed and large-scale clinical trials are needed to validate its drug profile, efficacy and safety in treatment of diabetes as an adjunct therapy.

Retraction notice: Fermentative production, comparative characterization with carrots, and functional analysis of β-carotene produced from Rhodotorulla toruloids

Celestino Letizia — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The article “Fermentative production, comparative characterization with carrots, and functional analysis of β-carotene produced from Rhodotorulla toruloids” by Bahaa Aldeen Abdalrahman Hadi, published in Nutr Cur 2025; 04: e157 – Doi: 10.57625/nec.2024.73, has been retracted by the Editor in Chief for the following reasons.

We received an email asking to retract Dr. Bahaa Aldeen Abdalrahman Hadi’s article “Fermentative production, comparative characterization with carrots, and functional analysis of β-carotene produced from Rhodotorulla toruloids” because he was not the sole author of that research and there was no agreement on its publication. We launched an investigation and contacted Dr. Bahaa Aldeen Abdalrahman Hadi.

Dr. Bahaa Aldeen Abdalrahman Hadi admitted that the manuscript was co-authored and previously submitted to another journal; later, after acceptance, the authors withdrew the article due to disagreements among them. Subsequently, he submitted the manuscript to Nutrimentum et Curae after having fully revised it. Therefore, given the checks carried out, the Editor in Chief and the NEC staff decided to withdraw the manuscript.

This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.