O mercado de cosméticos é altamente dinâmico, com o lançamento de novos produtos em velocidade acelerada. Nos últimos anos, novos conceitos também foram surgindo, como é o caso dos cosmecêuticos e, mais recentemente, dos nutricosméticos. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo explorar o conceito dos nutricosméticos e, por meio de uma pesquisa exploratória, torna-se evidente que os mesmos são apresentados como a última tendência da indústria da beleza. Eles são o resultado da convergência entre as indústrias de cosméticos e alimentos, e são caracterizados pela ingestão de alimentos ou suplementos com o propósito de melhorar aspectos estéticos da pele e apêndices (antirrugas, antiacne, anticelulite, entre outros). São conhecidos como pílulas da beleza, cosméticos orais ou nutracêuticos cosméticos, cujo destaque é a beleza de dentro para fora. O principal apelo é o efeito antienvelhecimento, reduzindo a formação de rugas por combaterem os radicais livres. Verifica-se que a comunidade científica tem se esforçado em apresentar esclarecimentos e comprovações sobre os efeitos dos produtos com este conceito. Outra parte da pesquisa objetivou contribuir para o estudo do comportamento do consumidor, por meio de um survey, apresentando análises que buscam pontos comuns entre a fundamentação teórica e os dados resultantes relacionados a fatores que influenciam no planejamento e ação de compra dos consumidores. As respostas do questionário aplicado em uma amostra de pessoas do campus da USP de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, mostraram que 26% dos entrevistados conheciam previamente o termo nutricosmético, e apenas 20% relataram o uso. Verificou-se que existe uma grande parcela de consumidores que tem interesse em usar tais produtos, e a quase unanimidade dos entrevistados acreditam nos benefícios dos nutrientes ingeridos no dia a dia como impactantes na saúde e na beleza, o que justifica uma atitude favorável em relação a esses produtos. O caráter multidisciplinar desta pesquisa apresenta uma visão geral do conceito de nutricosméticos, representando uma grande contribuição para a literatura técnico científica do setor de cosméticos. / The market of cosmetics is highly dynamic and new product launches happen at a fast rate. Over the last years, new concepts have also been rising, as in the case of cosmeceuticals and more recently, nutricosmetics. This study aimed to explore the concept of nutricosmetics and, through exploratory research, it becomes evident that they are presented as the latest trend in the beauty industry. They are the result of the convergence of cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals, characterized as oral supplementation of nutrients formulated and marketed specifically for beauty purposes (anti-wrinkles, anti-acne, anti-cellulite, among others). Nutricosmetics are also known as beauty pills, nutraceutical cosmetics, oral cosmetics, highlighting the beauty from within concept. The major claim is the anti-aging effect, reducing wrinkles by fighting free radicals generated by solar radiation. The scientific community has made efforts to clarify and to prove the effects of products with the nutricosmetic concept. The second part of this research aimed to contribute to the consumer behavior study, through a survey, showing analyses with common point between theoretical basis and data from factors influencing consumer behavior. The answers of the questionnaire applied to a sample of USP, campus of Ribeirão Preto, showed that 26% of respondents knew the term nutricosmetics previously, and only 20% reported the use. It was found that there is a large portion of consumers who are interested in using such products, and a significant portion believe in the benefits of nutrient intake on a daily basis as impacting on health and beauty, which justifies a positive attitude to these products. The multidisciplinary character of this research presents a favorable attitude regarding nutricosmetics, showing a great contribution to technical scientific literature in the cosmetic sector.

O mercado de cosméticos é altamente dinâmico, com o lançamento de novos produtos em velocidade acelerada. Nos últimos anos, novos conceitos também foram surgindo, como é o caso dos cosmecêuticos e, mais recentemente, dos nutricosméticos. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo explorar o conceito dos nutricosméticos e, por meio de uma pesquisa exploratória, torna-se evidente que os mesmos são apresentados como a última tendência da indústria da beleza. Eles são o resultado da convergência entre as indústrias de cosméticos e alimentos, e são caracterizados pela ingestão de alimentos ou suplementos com o propósito de melhorar aspectos estéticos da pele e apêndices (antirrugas, antiacne, anticelulite, entre outros). São conhecidos como pílulas da beleza, cosméticos orais ou nutracêuticos cosméticos, cujo destaque é a beleza de dentro para fora. O principal apelo é o efeito antienvelhecimento, reduzindo a formação de rugas por combaterem os radicais livres. Verifica-se que a comunidade científica tem se esforçado em apresentar esclarecimentos e comprovações sobre os efeitos dos produtos com este conceito. Outra parte da pesquisa objetivou contribuir para o estudo do comportamento do consumidor, por meio de um survey, apresentando análises que buscam pontos comuns entre a fundamentação teórica e os dados resultantes relacionados a fatores que influenciam no planejamento e ação de compra dos consumidores. As respostas do questionário aplicado em uma amostra de pessoas do campus da USP de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, mostraram que 26% dos entrevistados conheciam previamente o termo nutricosmético, e apenas 20% relataram o uso. Verificou-se que existe uma grande parcela de consumidores que tem interesse em usar tais produtos, e a quase unanimidade dos entrevistados acreditam nos benefícios dos nutrientes ingeridos no dia a dia como impactantes na saúde e na beleza, o que justifica uma atitude favorável em relação a esses produtos. O caráter multidisciplinar desta pesquisa apresenta uma visão geral do conceito de nutricosméticos, representando uma grande contribuição para a literatura técnico científica do setor de cosméticos. / The market of cosmetics is highly dynamic and new product launches happen at a fast rate. Over the last years, new concepts have also been rising, as in the case of cosmeceuticals and more recently, nutricosmetics. This study aimed to explore the concept of nutricosmetics and, through exploratory research, it becomes evident that they are presented as the latest trend in the beauty industry. They are the result of the convergence of cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals, characterized as oral supplementation of nutrients formulated and marketed specifically for beauty purposes (anti-wrinkles, anti-acne, anti-cellulite, among others). Nutricosmetics are also known as beauty pills, nutraceutical cosmetics, oral cosmetics, highlighting the beauty from within concept. The major claim is the anti-aging effect, reducing wrinkles by fighting free radicals generated by solar radiation. The scientific community has made efforts to clarify and to prove the effects of products with the nutricosmetic concept. The second part of this research aimed to contribute to the consumer behavior study, through a survey, showing analyses with common point between theoretical basis and data from factors influencing consumer behavior. The answers of the questionnaire applied to a sample of USP, campus of Ribeirão Preto, showed that 26% of respondents knew the term nutricosmetics previously, and only 20% reported the use. It was found that there is a large portion of consumers who are interested in using such products, and a significant portion believe in the benefits of nutrient intake on a daily basis as impacting on health and beauty, which justifies a positive attitude to these products. The multidisciplinary character of this research presents a favorable attitude regarding nutricosmetics, showing a great contribution to technical scientific literature in the cosmetic sector.

Vitamin E TPGS (d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate), the water-soluble derivative of the naturally occurring d-a-tocopherol, was used initially to overcome malabsorption and correct severe vitamin E deficiency in cholestatic children. The observation that its administration increased the absorption of vitamin D focused attention on its amphiphilic properties as nonionic surfactant and applications in solubilizing lipophilic and poorly soluble compounds and enhancing their absorption and bioavailability. Further research has evaluated its safety and efficacy which combines solubilization and formation of micelle-like particles with inhibition of P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux, the key mechanism to the development of drug resistance. These properties expanded its applications in pharmaceuticals and dietary, disease-specific, supplements for malabsorbing patients. Emerging research on major nutraceuticals and the developing field of cannabinoids have shown that poor water solubility and extensive first-pass metabolism cause poor absorption and bioavailability. This chapter describes the properties, safety, and efficacy of vitamin E TPGS with a focus on its applications in nutraceuticals and cannabinoids.

The main topic of this work is food supplements, their legislation and other theory connected with them, the main focus is on plant nutraceuticals, of which are chosen food supplements marketed to support immunity system - echinacea, sea buckthorn and oyster mushroom, food supplements to support psyche - St. John's wort, ginkgo and valerian and dietary supplements to support body fitness - tribulus, garcinia and psyllium. Subsequently, the topic focuses on the marketing of nutraceuticals, its modern ways and the possibilities of increasing the students' awareness in this field through the principles of media education. In the practical part, 112 students aged 15-19 are presented with a lecture presenting the topic and inviting students to raise their interest in the subject. The feedback of the lecture is provided by a questionnaire whose questions correspond to the hypotheses set by the author. KEYWORDS nutraceuticals, media education, marketing, Echinacea, Garcinia, Pleurotus, Hippophae, Gingko, Plantago, Hypericum, Valeriana, Tribulus

"Prostate cancer (Pca) is the number one cancer in U.S. men and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The disease is initially dependent upon active male androgens for survival, such as testosterone or dihydrotestosterone. However, relatively inactive androgens like 5-androstenediol (5Adiol) have been considered to play larger roles in disease progression than previously considered. 5Adiol is synthesized in the prostate, is not affected by current anti-androgen therapies, and activates the androgen receptor in human prostate cancer cell lines more effectively than active male androgens. The causal relationship between androgens and prostate cancer progression has significantly risen due to anabolic steroid abuse in competitive sports and recreational athletes. The evidence surrounding an association between androgen abuse and prostate cancer, as well as various other carcinomas, is of great concern within this demographic because of its preventability. Despite their prohibited use, anabolic products continue to be marketed and available for purchase as nutritional supplements. Surveys on current steroid user trends have documented high dosing regimens, extended periods of use, multiple self-diagnosed side effects, and unsafe injection practices. Because few studies have investigated the effects of advertised 5Adiol products on prostate cancer progression, the goal of this study was to investigate whether Value Nutrition’s 5Adiol product possesses comparable mitogenic stimulant activity to testosterone in the androgen-dependent cell line, LNCaP. It should be noted that while this compound is banned by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is no longer sold through this company, alternative steroids continue to be marketed to consumers. Additional goals included determining whether this product would affect the proliferation of liver cells using the HepG2 cell line, if HepG2 metabolism of the product would play a role in the proliferation of LNCaP cells, and whether the LNCaP cells are capable of converting the 5Adiol product into testosterone. Multiple assays determined that the LNCaP cells were androgen responsive to the 5Adiol product, HepG2 proliferation was stimulated, and HepG2 metabolism of the 5Adiol product increased LNCaP mitogenicity, although significant differences were unattainable primarily due to the LNCaP cells reduced adhesion properties. Because reverse-phase HPLC was unable to detect compounds within 5Adiol even at high concentrations, the mitogenicity observed in both cell lines is unable to be correlated with a particular component in this product. While it is possible that 5Adiol is present at extremely low levels, contamination with other factors, hazardous or not, cannot be ruled out. In conclusion, these results suggest that the use of nutraceuticals have inherent risks for men at risk of developing prostate cancer. The mitogenic effects observed from small levels of unknown compounds in the tested 5Adiol product raise serious questions as to the legitimacy of allowing companies to market and self-regulate their own products."

The rise of nutraceutical health formulations has increased the need for more stringent analytical testing methods. Complex matrices present a new problem when determining concentration of compounds of interest. The presented method uses LC-MS analysis with a novel sample preparation method in the determination of Beta-hydroxybutyric acid in health formulations. The use of an aqueous analytical column allows for separations of polar compounds after non-polar compounds are removed through C18 packed column filtration. The samples were analyzed through time-of-flight mass spectrometry and results show that this is an effective method for the presented samples with a range of expected concentrations of total BHB was from 11.80% to 38.92%. It was seen that all samples exhibited a less than 10% percent deviation from the expected concentrations of the nutraceutical health samples with the highest being 9.74 % for sample 9 and the lowest being sample 3 with a deviation of 0.08 % from expected values.

Natural therapies such as Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) have displayed cardioprotective properties, with studies indicating that AGE can inhibit platelet aggregation both in vivo and in vitro. The mechanism of inhibition induced by AGE is proposed to be due to AGE exerting effects upon several targets within platelets, including calcium and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The effect of AGE upon the other cyclic nucleotide, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is currently unknown. The aims therefore of this project are to identify the effect of AGE upon platelet cGMP, as well as associated signaling molecules including nitric oxide (NO) and cAMP.It was found that the NO donor 3-morpholinosydnonimine (Sin-1) in high concentrations along with the presence of specific inhibitors inhibited platelet aggregation independently of cGMP. Experimentation using chemical inhibitors also displayed erratic results in the presence of high concentrations of AGE, indicating that AGE was influencing the binding of such inhibitors. The results of in vitro experiments indicated that AGE moderately increases intraplatelet cGMP, whereas intraplatelet cAMP is significantly increased. it is proposed that the main mechanism of inhibition caused by AGE is due to increases in cAMP. As intraplatelet cAMP can also be influenced by intraplatelet cGMP, it is likely that cAMP is increased directly and indirectly by AGE.Evidence provided in the present study supports the proposed theory that the mechanisms of inhibition of platelet aggregation by AGE is multimechanistic. More specifically inhibition of platelet aggregation by AGE is due to AGE increasing intraplatelet cyclic nucleotides, reducing the expression of key receptors such as GPIIb/IIIa and inhibiting agonist induced platelet shape change. As AGE can inhibit platelet aggregation, which is a key risk factor in cardiovascular disease, the consumption of AGE would be beneficial to those who are at risk of cardiovascular episodes.

The main topic of this work is food supplements, their legislation and other theory connected with them, the main focus is on plant nutraceuticals, of which are chosen food supplements marketed to support immunity system - echinacea, sea buckthorn and oyster mushroom, food supplements to support psyche - St. John's wort, ginkgo and valerian and dietary supplements to support body fitness - tribulus, garcinia and psyllium. Subsequently, the topic focuses on the marketing of nutraceuticals, its modern ways and the possibilities of increasing the students' awareness in this field through the principles of media education. In the practical part, 112 students aged 15-19 are presented with a lecture presenting the topic and inviting students to raise their interest in the subject. The feedback of the lecture is provided by a questionnaire whose questions correspond to the hypotheses set by the author. KEYWORDS nutraceuticals, media education, marketing, Echinacea, Garcinia, Pleurotus, Hippophae, Gingko, Plantago, Hypericum, Valeriana, Tribulus

In my dissertation research we used use human wild type α-synuclein gene expression using an adeno-associated viral vector (AAV9) that induced a slowly progressive loss of dopamine (DA) neurons in the Substantia nigra (SN) as one of our animal model of Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is our hypothesis that neuroinflammation predisposes the brain to susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases. Thus we examined the progression of a PD lesion and examined the manipulations of the immune system to understand further the inflammatory role when we administered exogenous soluble fractalkine. The specific etiology of neurodegeneration in PD is unknown, but the inflammatory mechanisms and free radicals have been postulated to play a central role. α-synuclein is believed to be the one of the main characteristic associated with PD. It has been found inside saclike structures, called lewy bodies. α-synuclein is believed to activate resident microglia worsening the degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway due to its aggregation. Aggregation increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) released from microglia. The constant release of these factors and prolonged activation of microglia could be the cause that leads to neurodegeneration in the SN. Spirulina, a blue - green algae, has been shown to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. For example, when rats received an intrastriatal injection of 6-OHDA and were fed a spirulina enriched diet for 4 weeks, there was a significant increase in regeneration of DA terminals into the Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH) -negative zone of the striatum. This regeneration was accompanied by a decrease in microglia activation as determined by immunohistochemistry of major histo compatibility class II (MHC) (OX-6). This suggests that decreases in microglia activation modulate the beneficial effects of spirulina. Another important therapeutic tool we used was fractalkine as an anti-inflammatory treatment. It is known that fractalkine levels are reduced in the brain during aging. For this reason we administered exogenous fractalkine to 6-OHDA model of PD to test the hypothesis that it improved the microenvironment by reducing microglial activation.

The anti-inflammatory and restorative effects of the flavonoid-enriched fraction AF4 were examined in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Relative to EAE mice that received vehicle (water, 10 ml/kg/day), oral administration of AF4 (25 mg/kg/day) beginning 24 hours after the onset of clinical signs reduced disease progression that was accompanied by diminished pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression (cerebellum and spinal cord) and protein concentrations in the plasma. LPS-induced release of TNF-? from the whole blood of EAE mice that received AF4 was reduced at peak disease severity (day 18) but not once central inflammation had declined (day 31) indicative of unique immune modulator properties. Lastly, the expression of myelin-associated genes (PGC-1?, SCD1, and MBP) suggestive of remyelination was enhanced in the spinal cord of EAE mice that received AF4. These findings suggest that AF4 reduces EAE severity by selectively inhibiting autoimmunity and enhancing the expression of genes necessary for remyelination.