Magazine

Hydroxyanthracene derivatives (or anthraquinones) are a class of molecules found in various plant species used for health purposes, particularly aloe, rhubarb, senna, cascara, and buckthorn, as well as in common vegetables, such as peas, beans, lettuce, and cabbage. In traditional medicine, anthraquinone plants have a long use to treat constipation. However, since 2018, an opinion from EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, has called into[...]

In spring, many people experience mood swings and sleep disturbances: the sudden increase in daylight and temperatures has an impact on the sleep-wake cycle; it is also the season when the consequences of a heavier diet and sedentary lifestyle typical of the cold season become evident. Let’s discover together a tropical plant that can help us. An African bean naturally rich in 5-hydroxytryptophan Griffonia simplicifolia[...]

Periodontal diseases are among the 6 most common non-communicable diseases worldwide. In particular, gingivitis, a mild inflammation of the gums, which, if left untreated, may progress to more serious periodontitis, according to a survey conducted by the GfK research institute and sponsored by GSK Consumer Healthcare, affects approximately 23 million Italians. Symptoms and causes of gingivitis and periodontitis Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal[...]

Formal botanical names are used as the “lingua franca” for a unique identification of plants worldwide. Essentially, it is their scientific designation, established after the taxonomic classification process. It enables the identification of a plant irrespective of vernacular names, which vary from one language to another or even from one region to another within the same country. Today, the rules of botanical naming are established[...]

Fatigue, mood swings, headaches, insomnia, weight changes and other common symptoms of stress are affecting more and more people around the world: according to a study by Assosalute before the pandemic, 85% of Italians had stress-related disorders; on the other hand, the WHO (World Health Organization) has estimated anxiety-related disorders to be the most common mental disorders worldwide. The Covid-19 pandemic, with its economic and[...]

A new in vitro study published in January 2024 in the scientific journal Molecules shows for the first time that a chemically characterized extract of Scutellaria lateriflora L. (BlueCALM®) may be an ideal candidate as a nutraceutical ingredient for relaxation and sleep, due to its significant inhibitory action on the release of cortisol, the so-called ‘stress hormone’. The study employed an in vitro model in[...]

The cold weather and reduced daylight typical of winter are external stress factors that act on our bodies. Internal imbalances such as disorders in diet and sleeping, anxiety and fatigue can also play a similar role. Such conditions can disrupt the self-regulation capacity of our body, which naturally tends to a state of stability. When homeostasis is challenged by imbalances of various origins, our bodies[...]

A new in-vitro study published in the scientific journal Foods in December 2023 shows that the combination of Cistus x incanus L. and Castanea sativa Mill. (Gastalagin®) may be an ideal candidate to counteract gastric discomfort due to H. pylori, a bacterium that, according to literature sources, is present in 50% of the human population. Plants of the genus Cistus have traditionally been used in[...]