Traditional medicinal plants and herbs are commonly used for health purposes and have been extensively studied [1–4]. Nowadays, dietary supplements have received particular interest worldwide as they are valuable health tools in disease management [5–8]. They are relatively easy to use. Moreover, they are cost-effective when compared with chemical entities obtained from synthesis. Botanicals, one of the most emerging classes of dietary supplements, are made of herbs. They are also created by mixing different herbs from raw materials, from whole plants, or from certain parts. This includes flowering herbs, leaves, leaf exudates, fruits, berries, roots, and rhizomes.
Current methodologies enable us to isolate, standardize, and characterize fractions of medicinal plants with specific bioactivities. However, there is a need to investigate further methodologies. Nowadays, research focuses on new formulations and the health properties of dietary supplements. Moreover, dietary supplement research is progressively integrating multidisciplinary research approaches. Current and novel research includes emerging technologies such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, isotopic ratio mass spectrometry, multielemental analysis, fluorescence, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry combined with chemometrics [9–12].
This Special Issue aimed at bringing together original research and review articles discussing our current knowledge of the health effects of dietary supplements. Multidisciplinary approaches, with particular focus on the investigation of the quality assessment and control of dietary supplements, have been explored into following topics: (i) isolation and quantification of natural products used for dietary supplements (e.g., standardized fractions and emerging technologies involving chemometrics); (ii) in vitro and in vivo research investigating the potential health properties of natural products used in dietary supplements; (iii) classification and categorization of dietary supplements; (iv) quality assessment and control of dietary supplements, with particular focus on the metrological approach.
In this context, Wu et al. [13] elucidated the role of cinnamic acid in amelioration of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by suppressing hepatic lipogenesis and promoting fatty acid oxidation. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials on the improving effect and safety of probiotic supplements on patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia was carried out by Zeng et al. [14]. Yarizadeh et al. [15] studied the effects of omega-3 supplementation on resting metabolic rate in a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. On the other hand, edible Cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis collected from the south Atlantic coast of Morocco was studied and proposed as a promised source of dietary supplements [16].
New functionalities of foods are also considered. For instance, the work of Salamatullah et al. [17] explored the bioactive properties of coffee beans, with particular regards to the effect of roasting. In another work, Salamatullah et al. [18] studied the effects of different solvents extractions on total polyphenol content, HPLC analysis, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial properties of peppers (red, yellow, and green Capsicum annum L.). Another example is given by Elhadef et al. [19] who studied pistachio hull extract as a practical strategy to extend the shelf life of raw minced beef: compared to synthetic antioxidants, the pistachio hull extract could be a clean-label alternative that can protect and enhance the quality of meat products. Song et al. [20] studied the biological functions of diallyl disulfide, a garlic-derived natural organic sulfur compound.
de Morais Lima et al. [21] studied the effects of “Bacuri” seed butter (Platonia insignis Mart.) on metabolic parameters in hamsters with diet-induced hypercholesterolemia: Bacuri seed butter at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg/day has positive repercussions on the lipid profile, more precisely on plasma HDL-c and LDL-c, and additionally promotes reduction in the risk of atherosclerosis in hamsters.
All articles, part of this Special Issue, reflect new trends and promote new ideas for future collaborative network and infrastructure in perspective of update, and standardize the study approach and quality control, adding new information and sharing data.
We hope that the readers will find this Special Issue interesting and inspiring.
Conflicts of Interest
The editors declare no conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgments
The editors would like to thank the authors and the reviewers of the publications in this Special Issue for their invaluable contributions and their effort. The editors are also grateful to the editorial board members and support staff of the journal for their kind support during the preparation of this Special Issue.
Alessandra Durazzo
Daniel Dias Rufino Arcanjo
Massimo Lucarini