LIFE Science Hub ® Scientific information on nutrition and health

LIFE Science Hub — evidence-based science communication

In this Hub you can search for scientific articles created by professionals on topics concerning nutrition, nutraceuticals, health and lifestyles in general.
The authors of the editorial team are qualified biologists, each identified by an ORCID profile and with proven editorial experience in the relevant sector. Every article published on the Hub is identified by a DOI and accompanied by a complete and rigorously structured bibliography, with authors, year of publication, original title, scientific journal and clickable DOI, to guarantee transparency and traceability of sources.

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Latest articles

Syzygium aromaticum buds and laboratory glassware illustrating phytochemical analysis via GC-MS and the predominance of eugenol.

Phytochemical composition of cloves: new evidence from 2025

D.ssa Deborah Iodice; Last updated: October 2026

In brief: The study examined an extract obtained from dried buds of Syzygium aromaticum. The authors measured several plant compounds, evaluated the ability to neutralize radicals in a test tube, and identified volatile molecules using GC-MS. The main finding is the predominance of eugenol in the analyzed sample.The authors' summary describes experimental laboratory research, not a study on humans. The extract showed activity in the DPPH test, a method that verifies how well a substance can neutralize an artificial radical in a test tube. In this test, a lower IC50 (concentration required to reduce the signal by 50%) indicates greater activity in the analytical system. The IC50 of the extract was 0.08 ± 0.01 mg/mL; in the same comparison, ascorbic acid and BHT had lower values, therefore showing greater activity in this specific test. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, known as GC-MS (a technique that separates and identifies volatile molecules), detected 21 components. Eugenol accounted for 58.86% of the relative area of the identified signals. The authors also applied molecular docking, a simulation that estimates whether the shape of a molecule can fit into a specific area of a protein. This part generates hypotheses about interactions but does not prove antimicrobial, insecticidal, or therapeutic effects in living organisms.

Scientific composition featuring plant cell walls from grains, legumes, and tubers, illustrating differences in gut microbiota fermentation.

Fiber and intestinal fermentation: a study on grains, legumes, and tubers

Dr.ssa Mena Bitonti; Last updated: October 2026

In brief: The study compared cell walls isolated from nine plant-based foods to understand whether their composition alters fermentation by gut bacteria. The results indicate different profiles for grains, legumes, and tubers, particularly regarding the rate of fermentation and the metabolites produced.The publication studied cell walls from three grains, three legumes, and three tubers in a laboratory setting, incubating them for 48 hours with a fecal suspension obtained from three healthy volunteers. Cell walls are the network that provides shape and support to plants. For the human body, they are largely resistant to initial digestion, but they can become a substrate for microorganisms in the colon. The authors measured fiber composition, gas production, short-chain fatty acids—small molecules generated during fermentation—and changes in the bacterial community. Grain cell walls, rich in lignin and low in pectin, fermented more slowly and produced fewer short-chain fatty acids compared to those of legumes and tubers. Legume cell walls showed a higher relative proportion of propionate, while those of tubers showed a higher relative proportion of butyrate. The result suggests that it is not just the total amount of fiber that matters: the composition and organization of the plant material also guide the microbial response. However, the experimental model does not reproduce the diet, intestinal transit, and biological variability of real people.

Cloves next to a simple meal and a fruit compote, in a bright scene showing measured culinary use.

Cloves in your daily diet: when to really use them for flavor and balance

Dott. Antonio Conte; Last updated: October 2026

In brief: Research on cloves shows a clear interest in their aroma and variety of flavor. It also examines some possible effects on metabolism. The most reliable culinary sources indicate that spices can enhance flavor. They may also help in following a structured diet. However, more targeted research concerns extracts, cells, or animals. Therefore, these are not enough to prove an independent nutritional effect in home use.

Eugenol-derived molecules and the PPARγ receptor in a bright laboratory, with visual symbols of molecular binding and cellular protection.

Eugenol derivatives and PPARγ: in vitro anti-inflammatory effects

D.ssa Deborah Iodice; Last updated: October 2026

In brief: A laboratory study designed six molecules derived from eugenol to verify whether they could bind to PPARγ, a cellular receptor involved in the regulation of metabolism and inflammation. The compound designated as 1f achieved the most favorable results in the series, but it has not been tested in humans.The authors' summary describes medicinal chemistry research, which is oriented toward creating and selecting new candidate molecules. Anjum and colleagues modified the structure of eugenol, an aromatic compound also found in cinnamon but particularly abundant in cloves, obtaining six derivatives named 1a–1f. They then verified their ability to compete for binding with PPARγ (a receptor activated by molecules that can modify the activity of certain genes) using TR-FRET, a fluorescent technique that detects whether a molecule displaces a tracer substance from the protein's binding site. Derivative 1f showed the lowest value among the six molecules, with an IC50 of 5.15 µM; a lower IC50 indicates that less of it is needed to produce the signal in the test. However, the value remained higher than that of pioglitazone, the reference drug, which was 1.77 µM. In cell-free tests, 1f reduced heat-induced albumin denaturation and protected human red blood cell membranes from lysis. These outcomes suggest experimental activities consistent with further studies, but they do not demonstrate a therapeutic action, nor do they confirm that PPARγ is effectively activated in cells or in the organism.

Vegetable capsules and laboratory glassware illustrate the oral absorption of piperine and its presence in plasma.

Pharmacokinetics of oral piperine extract: what the Sahastara study shows

Manuel Moscati; Last updated: October 2026

In brief: This phase 1 clinical trial measured piperine in the blood following a single dose of Sahastara capsules, a multi-plant herbal preparation. The main finding is that the compound was detectable in plasma for up to 48 hours. The study does not evaluate therapeutic benefits or common dietary black pepper.The authors' summary describes a study on 24 healthy volunteers, divided into two groups of 12 people. Participants took a single dose of 100 or 200 mg of Sahastara extract after fasting. Researchers collected blood samples for up to 48 hours and urine during the first 24 hours. Piperine was quantified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, a technique that identifies and measures specific molecules in biological samples. Plasma concentrations increased to a peak about two hours after intake, then decreased without disappearing by the final measurement. The average peak reported was higher with 200 mg compared to 100 mg. The authors also observed a second increase in concentrations at some points on the curve, interpreted as possible enterohepatic recirculation: a portion of the substance or its derivatives may pass from the liver to the intestine and re-enter circulation. A negligible amount of unmodified piperine was detected in the urine. No serious adverse events emerged; one person reported transient abdominal pain. The data describe the behavior of piperine in this formulation, not the clinical efficacy of the preparation.