From: Millets: a solution to agrarian and nutritional challenges
Disease | Functional factor | Mechanism of action | References |
---|---|---|---|
PEM | Optimum carbohydrate and high quality protein | Sustainable crop option in arid and semi-arid regions | [8] |
Micronutrient deficiencies | High content of Iron, iodine, zinc, calcium, magnesium and other micronutrients compared to other cereals | Inclusion of millets in diet Bio-fortification of staple cereals | |
Obesity | Dietary fibre | Controls release of carbohydrates Soluble fibre leads to highly viscous intestinal contents that possess gelling properties and could delay the intestinal absorption of carbohydrates Low glycaemic index | [72] |
Diabetes | Dietary fibre | Slow glucose release and low glycaemic load | [72] |
Protein concentrates rich in antioxidants | Seed coat phenolics act as inhibitors which decrease postprandial hyperglycaemia by blocking the action of complex carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes (amylase, alpha-glucosidase); increase in adinopectin concentration may improve insulin sensitivity | [71] | |
Cardiovascular diseases | Protein concentrate of foxtail millet | Elevated levels of adinopectin which protects cardiovascular tissues by: (1) Inhibition of pro-inflammatory and hypertrophic response (2) Stimulation of endothelial cell responses | [67] |
Administration of proso/foxtail millet | Reducing plasma triglycerides, LDL through improved cholesterol metabolism Lower C reactive protein: a marker of inflammation and a stronger predictor of cardiovascular events in clinical applications | [68] | |
Phenolic extracts from seven millet varieties (kodo, finger proso, foxtail, little and pearl millet | Kodo millet exhibited higher inhibition to lipid peroxidation, analogous to butylated hydroxyanisole at 200Â ppm | [63] | |
Cancer | Phenolic extracts from seven millet varieties (kodo, finger proso, foxtail, little and pearl millet | Inhibition of lipid peroxidation in liposomes, singlet oxygen quenching and inhibition of DNA scission Millet extracts inhibited H-29 cell proliferation in the range of 28–100% after 4 days of administration | [63] |
35Â kDa protein FMBP extracted from foxtail millet bran extract | FMBP, homologous to peroxidase suppress colon cancer cell growth through: (1) Induction of G1Â phase arrest (2) Loss of mitochondrial trans-membrane potential resulting in caspase-dependent apoptosis in colon cancer cells | [73] | |
Inflammation and wound healing | Antioxidants: 50Â g of finger millet per 100Â g feed in diabetic and non-diabetic rats | Enhances dermal wound healing process in diabetes with oxidative stress-mediated modulation of inflammation | [74] |
Administration of proso/foxtail millet | Lower C reactive protein | [68] | |
Ageing | Antioxidant: Methanolic extract of finger millet | Inhibit glycation and cross-linking of collagen Scavange free radicals in protection against ageing | [69] |
Anti-microbial activity | Protein extracts, polyphenols | Anti-fungal and antibacterial activity: active against Bacillus cereus, Aspergillus niger | [75] |
Seed coat phenolic extract | Loss of fungal functionality by: (1) Oxidation of microbial membranes and cell components by the free radicals (2) Inactivation of enzymes due to irreversible complex formation with nucleophilic amino acids (3) Complex formation of phenolic compounds with biopolymers such as proteins, polysaccharides and metal ions making them unavailable to micro-organisms | [76] | |
Ocular diseases and disorders | Polyphenols, flavanoids: Wistar rats maintained on 5% finger millet seed coat matter (SCM) for 6Â weeks | (1) Direct scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), anti-apoptotic activity, and phase 2 induction (2) Inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) production (3) Inhibiting certain enzymes responsible for the production of superoxide anions (xanthine oxidase and protein kinase C) (4) Prevents the accumulation of sorbitol by inhibiting aldose reductase by non-competitive inhibition and reduce the risk of diabetes-induced cataract diseases | |
Coeliac Disease | Protein of all millets | Absence of gluten in millet protein prevents coeliac disease and related complications | [79] |