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Ethnopharmacological relevance: Serpylli herba extract (SHE), composed of the aerial parts of wild thyme ( Thymus serpyllum L.) ( Lamiaceae family), is traditionally used in Europe and North Africa to treat diarrhea, gastric ulcers, intestinal parasites and upper respiratory tract infections. Recently, SHE has generated a great interest for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) management, probably due to its intestinal anti-inflammatory properties shown in experimental colitis and the fact that its active components could preserve the intestinal barrier integrity, which is altered in patients with IBS. Aim of study: We aimed to test the effects of a SHE in a rat experimental model resembling human IBS. Materials and methods: IBS was provoked by deoxycholic acid (DCA). Rats were then treated with SHE (100 mg/kg) or gabapentin (70 mg/kg) and different inflammatory and gut barrier integrity markers were evaluated. Moreover, several gut hypersensitivity and hyperalgesia determinations were performed. Results: SHE improved referred pain and visceral hypersensitivity. Additionally, SHE enhanced immune status by downregulating of the expression of the pro-inflammatory mediators Il-1β, Il-6, Ifn-γ, Tlr-4, and the inducible enzyme Cox-2 , thus inducing visceral analgesia, and promoting the restore of the gut barrier function by upregulating the mucins Muc-2 and Muc-3 . These anti-inflammatory effects could be related to its action on mast cells since it significantly inhibited the β -Hexosaminidase production in RBL-2H3 cells. Lastly, SHE also seems to modulate the serotonin pathway by restoring the altered expression of the 5-HT receptors Htr-3 and Htr-4 . Conclusion: SHE could be considered a potential new treatment for IBS, since it ameliorates hypersensitivity, visceral hyperalgesia, and inflammation. These beneficial effects may be due to the inhibition of mast cells degranulation and serotonin pathway.

Sideritis scardica Griseb. has a long history of collection from the wild as a traditional remedy for respiratory and gastrointestinal complaints. It has also been investigated for its promising pharmacological activities in the central nervous system. However, its toxicological data is entirely missing. This study investigated the acute and repeated-dose oral toxicity of a S. scardica 20% (v/v) ethanol extract in Sprague Dawley rats, and mutagenicity using the Ames test. No gross pathological abnormalities and no toxicity signs or mortality were detected in animals treated with the dose of 2000 mg/kg bw during 14 days of observation. The tested extract was assigned to category 5 of the GHS. To evaluate a repeated-dose toxicity, an extract has been tested over a 28-day period followed by a 14-day recovery period. No mortality and no changes in body/organ weight or food consumption have been observed. The no-observed-adverse-effect-level of the extract was determined at 1000 mg/kg bw. The results of Ames tests conducted on extracts of different polarity (water; 20% (v/v) ethanol; 50% (v/v) ethanol; n-heptane), were unequivocally negative. The study reveals no toxicity of S. scardica and no concerns for its mutagenic effects, supports its positive safety profile, and confirms the acknowledged traditional medicinal use in human.

Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in alternative therapies in the treatment of metabolic syndrome that combine efficacy and safety profiles. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of an extract of Thymus serpyllum, containing rosmarinic acid, on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mice, highlighting the impact of its antioxidant activity on the inflammatory status and gut dysbiosis. The extract was administered daily (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg) in HFD-fed mice. The treatment reduced body weight gain, glucose and lipid metabolic profiles. Moreover, the extract ameliorated the inflammatory status, with the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JUNK) pathway being involved, and showed a significant antioxidant effect by the reduction of radical scavenging activity and the mitigation of lipid peroxidation. Moreover, the extract was able to modulate the altered gut microbiota, restoring microbial richness and diversity, and augmenting the counts of short-chain fatty acid producing bacteria, which have been associated with the maintenance of gut permeability and weight regulation. In conclusion, the antioxidant activity of Thymus serpyllum extract displayed a positive impact on obesity and its metabolic alterations, also reducing systemic inflammation. These effects may be mediated by modulation of the gut microbiota.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a common chronic health condition, has major health and socioeconomic consequences. In the Indian subcontinent, it is a health condition for which individuals commonly consult Ayurvedic (traditional medical system) practitioners and use their medicines. However, to date, a good quality T2DM clinical guideline for Ayurvedic practitioners, grounded on the best available scientific evidence, is not available. Therefore, the study aimed to systematically develop a clinical guideline for Ayurvedic practitioners to manage T2DM in adults. The development work was guided by the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) manual for developing guidelines, the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, and the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument. First, a comprehensive systematic review was conducted which evaluated Ayurvedic medicines' effectiveness and safety in managing T2DM. In addition, the GRADE approach was used for assessing the certainty of the findings. Next, using the GRADE approach, the Evidence-to-Decision framework was developed, and we focused on glycemic control and adverse events. Subsequently, based on the Evidence-to-Decision framework, a Guideline Development Group of 17 international members made recommendations on Ayurvedic medicines' effectiveness and safety in T2DM. These recommendations formed the basis of the clinical guideline, and additional generic content and recommendations were adapted from the T2DM Clinical Knowledge Summaries of the Clarity Informatics (UK). The feedback given by the Guideline Development Group on the draft version was used to amend and finalize the clinical guideline. A clinical guideline for managing T2DM in adults by Ayurvedic practitioners was developed, which focuses on how practitioners can provide appropriate care, education, and support for people with T2DM (and their carers and family). The clinical guideline provides information on T2DM, such as its definition, risk factors, prevalence, prognosis, and complications; how it should be diagnosed and managed through lifestyle changes like diet and physical activity and Ayurvedic medicines; how the acute and chronic complications of T2DM should be detected and managed (including referral to specialists); and advice on topics like driving, work, and fasting including during religious/socio-cultural festivals. We systematically developed a clinical guideline for Ayurvedic practitioners to manage T2DM in adults.

Three separate studies were performed with the aim to 1) determine the effect of a single sodium pyruvate intake on the blood acid-base status in males and females; 2) compare the effect of sodium and calcium pyruvate salts and establish their role in the lipolysis rate; and 3) quantify the effect of single pyruvate intake on the resting energy metabolism. In all, 48 individuals completed three separate studies. In all the studies, participants consumed a single dose of pyruvate 0.1 g/kg 60 min before commencing the measurements. The whole blood pH, bicarbonate concentration, base excess or plasma glycerol, free fatty acids, glucose concentrations, or resting energy expenditure and calculated respiratory exchange ratio were determined. The analysis of variance for repeated measurements was performed to examine the interaction between treatment and time. The single dose of sodium pyruvate induced blood alkalization, which was more marked in the male than in the female participants. Following the ingestion of sodium or calcium pyruvate, the blood acid-base parameters were higher than in the placebo trial. Furthermore, 3-h postingestion glycerol was lower in both pyruvate trials than in placebo. Resting energy expenditure did not differ between the trials; however, carbohydrate oxidation was increased after sodium pyruvate ingestion. Pyruvate intake induced mild alkalization in a sex-dependent fashion. Moreover, it accelerated carbohydrate metabolism and delayed the rate of glycerol appearance in the blood, but had no effect on the resting energy expenditure. Furthermore, sodium salt seems to have had a greater effect on the blood buffering level than calcium salt. •Pyruvate intake induced mild alkalization in a sex-dependent fashion.•Sodium salt has a greater effect on the blood acid-base parameters than calcium salt.•Pyruvate consumption delayed the rate of glycerol appearance in the blood.•Pyruvate ingestion increased respiratory exchange ratio.

Meeting abstracts - A single PDF containing all abstracts in this supplement is available at http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/files/pdf/1550-2783-8-S1-full.pdf.EMPTY Background High-intensity exercise typically leads to a depletion of body carbohydrate stores, primarily muscle glycogen. [...] typical 'sports recovery drinks' include a high carbohydrate dose, which stimulate muscle glucose uptake and glycogen re-synthesis via increased plasma insulin level. [...] interventions that elevate plasma insulin following exercise could facilitate repletion of muscle glycogen stores, and serve as a useful 'recovery agent'.

Background: Russian tarragon extracts have been reported to have anti-diabetic activity in animals. This pilot study aimed to investigate the acute effects of an aqueous extract of Russian tarragon (RT) on serum glucose and insulin in response to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Methods: Using a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design, 12 non-diabetic men reported to the lab on 2 different mornings separated by 1 to 2 weeks, and ingested 75 g of dextrose in solution. Fifteen minutes before ingestion, subjects ingested either 2 g of RT or a placebo. Blood samples were collected before ingestion of the RT and placebo, and at 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 minutes post ingestion of the dextrose load. Samples were assayed for serum glucose and insulin. Results: For serum glucose, no condition (P = 0.19) or condition × time (P = 0.99) effect was noted. A time effect was noted (P < 0.0001), with values at 15 and 30 minutes higher than pre-ingestion (P < 0.05). No area under the curve (AUC) effect (P = 0.54) was noted, although a 4.5% reduction in AUC was observed for RT (569 ± 92 mg · dL−1 · 75 min−1) vs placebo (596 ± 123 mg · dL−1 · 75 min−1). Similar findings were noted for serum insulin, with no condition (P = 0.24) or condition × time (P = 0.98) effect noted. A time effect was noted (P < 0.0001), with values at 15, 30, and 45 minutes higher than pre-ingestion (P < 0.05). No AUC effect (P = 0.53) was noted, although a 17.4% reduction in AUC was observed for RT (114 ± 22 µIU · mL−1 · 75 min−1) vs placebo (138 ± 30 µIU · mL−1 · 75 min−1). Approximately two-thirds of subjects ingesting the RT experienced attenuation in both the glucose and insulin response to the OGTT. Conclusion: These data indicate that acute ingestion of RT results in a slight, non-statistically significant lowering of blood glucose in response to a dextrose load. This occurs in the presence of a slightly lower insulin response. These findings are specific to a small sample of healthy, non-diabetic men. Additional study is needed involving a larger sample of individuals with pre-diabetes or untreated diabetes.

Background: The presence of polyphenols such as hydroxy-cinnamic acids and flavonoids in Sideritis scardica (Greek mountain tea) are likely responsible for the cognitive and mood effects of its consumption and this could be underpinned by the ability of such polyphenols to prevent monoamine neurotransmitter reuptake and to increase cerebral blood flow (CBF). Objective: The current study extends the small amount of Sideritis scardica literature in humans by assessing both cognitive and mood outcomes in a sample of older adults, as well as blood pressure (BP) and CBF, in a subsample, utilizing near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Design: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel groups trial randomized N = 155, 50–70-year-old male and female participants who were assessed for the cognitive (N = 140), mood (N = 142), BP (N = 133) and CBF (N = 57) effects of two doses of Greek mountain tea (475 and 950 mg) as well as an active control of 240 mg Ginkgo biloba, and a placebo control, following acute consumption (Day 1) and following a month-long consumption period (Day 28). Results: Relative to the placebo control, 950 mg Greek mountain tea evinced significantly fewer false alarms on the Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVIP) task on Day 28 and significantly reduced state anxiety following 28 days consumption (relative also to the active, Ginkgo control). This higher dose of Greek mountain tea also attenuated a reduction in accuracy on the picture recognition task, on Day 1 and Day 28, relative to Ginkgo and both doses of Greek mountain tea trended towards significantly faster speed of attention on both days, relative to Ginkgo. Both doses of Greek mountain tea, relative to placebo, increased oxygenated haemoglobin (HbO) and oxygen saturation (Ox%) in the prefrontal cortex during completion of cognitively demanding tasks on Day 1. The higher dose also evinced greater levels of total (THb) and deoxygenated (Hb) haemoglobin on Day 1 but no additional effects were seen on CBF on Day 28 following either dose of Greek mountain tea. Ginkgo biloba led to lower levels of Ox% and higher levels of Hb on Day 1 and lower levels of both HbO and THb on Day 28. Conclusions: The significantly improved cognitive performance following Greek mountain tea on Day 1 could be due to significant modulation of the CBF response. However, these improvements on Day 28 are more likely to be due to the reductions in state anxiety and, taken together, suggests that the former mechanism is more likely to facilitate acute cognitive effects and the latter more likely to underpin more prolonged cognitive improvements.

[...] it was officially advised to limit the intake of such herbal spices. [...] as a solution to this problem, an aqueous extract of RT (RTE), which does not contain these compounds, was developed (Finzelberg GmbH & Co.KG, Germany) for further investigation.

Green oat (Avena sativa) extracts contain several groups of potentially psychoactive phytochemicals. Previous research has demonstrated improvements in cognitive function following a single dose of these extracts, but not following chronic supplementation. Additionally, whilst green oat extracts contain phytochemicals that may improve mood or protect against stress, for instance species-specific triterpene saponins, to date this possibility has not been examined. The current study investigated the effects of a single dose and four weeks of administration of a novel, Avena sativa herbal extract (cognitaven®) on cognitive function and mood, and changes in psychological state during a laboratory stressor. The study adopted a dose-ranging, double-blind, randomised, parallel groups design in which 132 healthy males and females (35 to 65 years) received either 430 mg, 860 mg, 1290 mg green oat extract or placebo for 29 days. Assessments of cognitive function, mood and changes in psychological state during a laboratory stressor (Observed Multitasking Stressor) were undertaken pre-dose and at 2 h and 4 h post-dose on the first (Day 1) and last days (Day 29) of supplementation. The results showed that both a single dose of 1290 mg and, to a greater extent, supplementation for four weeks with both 430 mg and 1290 mg green oat extract resulted in significantly improved performance on a computerised version of the Corsi Blocks working memory task and a multitasking task (verbal serial subtractions and computerised tracking) in comparison to placebo. After four weeks, the highest dose also decreased the physiological response to the stressor in terms of electrodermal activity. There were no treatment-related effects on mood. These results confirm the acute cognitive effects of Avena sativa extracts and are the first to demonstrate that chronic supplementation can benefit cognitive function and modulate the physiological response to a stressor.