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Gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort is common worldwide, needing safe and rapid symptom relief options. Perilla frutescens is a phytochemical-rich herb with traditional anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic use. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study (n=30), adults consumed a standardized high-calorie meal followed by a single 300 mg dose of a standardized Perilla frutescens leaf extract or placebo. The primary endpoint was the iAUC0–90 min of overall GI discomfort. The extract reduced this endpoint versus placebo (iAUC 3073 vs 3742 mm·min; p=0.0061), with supportive improvements versus the screening visit in fullness, bloating, burping and nausea; no product-related adverse events occurred. Overall, this standardized Perilla frutescens leaf extract provided acute postprandial relief in healthy adults.

Background: Nutritional preload strategies can improve postprandial glycemic control through modulation of incretin secretion. We previously identified specific collagen peptides (CP; Nextida GC) that stimulate glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion in vitro and improve postprandial glycemic responses in preclinical models and a pilot human study.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of a CP preload on postprandial glycemic control and to characterize the associated hormonal and physiological responses in participants with normoglycemia or prediabetes.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 30 participants (12 normoglycemic and 18 prediabetic) ingested 10 g CP or placebo 30 min before a standardized carbohydrate-rich meal (preload phase). Plasma glucose, serum insulin, C-peptide, GLP-1, and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) concentrations were measured during the preload and postprandial periods. As a potential physiological mechanism, gastric transit was assessed via the gastric residence time of an indigestible capsule.

Results: During the preload phase, CP significantly increased insulin and incretin levels (GLP-1 and GIP) compared with placebo (all P < 0.0001). After the meal, CP significantly reduced postprandial glucose excursions (incremental area under the curve (iAUC)0-180 min, P = 0.0178), whereas total insulin responses were unchanged (iAUC-30-180 min, P = 0.8929). Furthermore, CP prolonged the gastric residence time of the indigestible 3D-Transit capsule in the prediabetic subgroup (P = 0.0436).

Conclusions: A 10 g preload of CP improved postprandial glycemic control without increasing overall postprandial insulin exposure. These effects were accompanied by early stimulation of insulin and incretin hormones and, in individuals with prediabetes, prolonged gastric residence time. The findings suggest that CP may support healthy postprandial metabolic regulation through complementary hormonal and physiological mechanisms.

This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT06789263.

Background: Hypertension is a key modifiable driver of cardiovascular risk and often clusters with dyslipidemia and insulin resistance within the metabolic syndrome. Olive leaf extract (OLE) and potassium have traditionally been used to support blood pressure (BP) management and cardiometabolic health.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of this OLE - potassium combination on BP and key cardiometabolic markers.

Study design: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 70 adults with untreated mildly to moderately elevated BP received an OLE - potassium supplement (1000 mg OLE, ≥160 mg oleuropein, 300 mg potassium/day) or placebo for 12 weeks.

Results: While office BP fell significantly over time in both groups, 7-day home-based BP monitoring showed a significant greater response, with morning systolic BP decreasing by 5.4 mmHg, in the verum group. Supplementation also reduced total cholesterol by 11.1 mg/dL, LDL-cholesterol by 6.9 mg/dL, and triglycerides by approximately 22 mg/dL at Week 6, while HDL-cholesterol remained stable. Fasting glucose and HbA1c were unchanged, but fasting insulin and HOMA-Index declined in the verum group, indicating a modest improvement in insulin sensitivity. Additionally, oxidized LDL decreased by ∼23 %, without changes in hs-CRP. Quality-of-life scores remained stable, although global self-ratings favoured the combination. The intervention was well tolerated, with no product-related serious adverse events.

Conclusion: The combination of OLE and potassium is a safe adjunctive strategy for individuals with mildly to moderately elevated BP, with favourable effects on lipid profile, oxidative status, and insulin sensitivity that may help reduce cardiometabolic risk in the context of metabolic syndrome.

Introduction: Plant-derived functional foods are increasingly recognized for their role in managing different health-related risk factors. Despite the known traditional uses of fenugreek seed, its potential and influence on nitric oxide production require further scientific validation.

Aim: To investigate the role of Standardized fenugreek seed extract (Testosurge® and FLG) in enhancing eNOS phosphorylation and nitric oxide production to support endothelial function under in vitro conditions.

Study Design: In vitro experimental study using a Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) model to evaluate dose-dependent enzymatic signaling and bioactive efficacy.

Study Location: BioTeSys GmbH, Schelzorstrasse 54-56, 73728 Esslingen, Germany, from November 2023 to January 2024.

Methodology: HUVECs were treated with varying concentrations of Standardized fenugreek seed extract. Extracts underwent simulated gastrointestinal digestion prior to treatment of HUVECs. The activity of eNOS was quantified using an indirect immunofluorescence assay specifically targeting phosphorylation at the Serine (S1176) residue. Subsequent enzymatic activation was measured to correlate nitric oxide production with functional output. Significances were calculated using Student’s t-test or One-way ANOVA and Dunnett’s post test.

Results: The extract demonstrated a clear dose-dependent increase in eNOS phosphorylation at S1176. This upregulation may lead to a significant increase in NO production compared to the control groups. The data confirms that the phytochemicals within the extract (flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins) directly stimulate the eNOS signaling pathway. Testosurge® resulted in a 117% activation at 5 minutes compared to vehicle control.

Conclusion: Standardized fenugreek seed extracts may support endothelial function which leads to improved vascular tone and blood flow. Further in vivo and clinical studies are required to confirm these findings.

Keywords: Fenugreek seed extract, Testosurge®, eNOS activation, NO production, cardiovascular health, blood pressure

Biomarkers of ageing are defined as age‐related changes in body function or composition that could serve as a measure of ‘biological’ age and predict the onset of age‐related diseases and/or residual life expectancy. We conducted the MARK‐AGE Study, a European population study (3300 subjects aged 35–74) to identify a powerful set of biomarkers of ageing. A total of 362 clinical‐chemistry, genetic, cellular or molecular biomarkers were analysed for each subject. Using statistical models as well as machine learning we derived mathematical formulas for females and for males that yield a ‘bioage score’ of an individual, based on sets of 10 biomarkers for females and 10 for males. Collectively, these biomarkers model chronological age of our study population and, thus yield the ‘biological’ age of a certain person. ‘Age difference’ (defined as biological minus chronological age) should then identify biologically older or younger individuals. Using our set of biomarkers, subjects with Down Syndrome and smoking females are biologically older, whereas postmenopausal females taking hormone replacement therapy are biologically younger. Strikingly, our data reveal that age difference of MARK‐AGE subjects, but not chronological age, is linearly correlated with levels of HDL, 25‐hydroxy‐Vitamin D, and CD3+ CD4+/CD45+ ratio in such a way that biologically younger subjects display values that are favourable to good health, whereas other markers such as glucose and HbA1c are correlated with chronological age, but not age difference. This dichotomy of correlations may point to different roles of such markers, that is, drivers of the ageing process versus bystanders of ageing.

Background/Objectives: The milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum) is known for its hepatoprotective properties. However, the poor water solubility of silymarin limits its dissolution in the intestinal tract and restricts its bioavailability following oral administration.

Methods: To improve bioavailability, special formulations, in particular micellar solubilization, are explored. In this study, we examined the transport rate of silymarin in a krill oil-based formulation across a Caco-2 epithelial barrier after upstream digestion simulation in vitro. Furthermore, in a randomized cross-over design study the bioavailability of the krill oil-based formulation was investigated after single dose intake in fasting conditions in healthy participants.

Results: We could demonstrate that the apparent transport coefficient of silybin, measured as lead substance of milk thistle extract, across the epithelium is efficiently boosted by a krill oil formulation, resulting in a 28% increase compared to silymarin powder. Consistent with these findings, a significant enhancement of bioavailability (P < 0.0001) was demonstrated for the krill oil-based formulation in comparison to the milk thistle extract resulting in an 8.59-fold higher AUC_0-8h and a 15.08-fold greater C_max of silybin and faster uptake kinetic after single dose intake.

Discussion and Conclusions: These findings suggest that phospholipid-based delivery systems offer a promising strategy for improving the efficacy of lipophilic bioactives. Furthermore, the combination of krill oil with milk thistle extracts efficiently provides silybin, PUFAs, and choline, which are important nutrients contributing to liver and heart health.