Acta Scientific Nutritional Health (ASNH)(ISSN: 2582-1423)

Review Article Volume 9 Issue 1

Nutraceutical-Pharmaceutical Synergy: Unlocking the Future of Precision Nutrition and Holistic Healthcare

Rwaida A Al Haidari1*, Mahmoud AH Mostafa1,2*, Aseel M Alayoubi3, Haneen T Alharbi3, Adel S Altarjami3, Shatha S Alahmadi3, Arwa A Aljohani3 and Dina S Alnizari3

1Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah 41477, Saudi Arabia
2Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut 71524, Egypt
3PharmD Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah 41477, Saudi Arabia

*Corresponding Author: Mahmoud AH Mostafa, Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawarah 41477, Saudi Arabia and Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut 71526, Egypt.

Received: December 09, 2024; Published: December 23, 2024

Abstract

Chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, metabolic syndromes, and neurodegenerative conditions, are complex and multifactorial, requiring innovative therapeutic strategies. The integration of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals is emerging as a synergistic approach to address these conditions by leveraging the complementary mechanisms of action of both modalities.

This review aims to evaluate the role of nutraceutical-pharmaceutical integration in enhancing therapeutic outcomes, focusing on advancements in delivery systems, functional foods, and the potential for personalized and precision healthcare applications.

A systematic search following PRISMA guidelines was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for articles published between 2015 and 2023. Inclusion criteria focused on studies evaluating combined nutraceutical and pharmaceutical interventions for chronic, metabolic, or neurological diseases. Quality assessment of randomized and observational studies was performed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Eighty-two studies were synthesized, revealing that combining nutraceuticals with pharmaceuticals enhances therapeutic efficacy and reduces adverse effects. Key innovations in delivery systems, such as liposomal encapsulation and nanotechnology, improved the bioavailability and stability of bioactive compounds like curcumin and resveratrol. Functional foods, such as omega-3-enriched yogurts and polyphenol-fortified beverages, demonstrated improved patient compliance and measurable health benefits. Challenges include the standardization of nutraceutical formulations, potential drug-nutrient interactions, and cost barriers. Integrating nutraceuticals with pharmaceuticals represents a promising avenue for managing chronic diseases. Advances in technology and personalized approaches can bridge current gaps, offering scalable and sustainable healthcare solutions aligned with precision medicine principles.

Keywords: Nutraceuticals; Pharmaceuticals; Personalized Nutrition; Functional Foods; Chronic Diseases Omega-3 Fatty Acids; Curcumin

References

  1. World Health Organization. "Noncommunicable Diseases: Key Facts”. WHO (2023).
  2. Orlando F A and A G Mainous III. "Editorial: Inflammation and Chronic Disease”. Frontiers in Medicine 11 (2024): 1434533.
  3. Pahwa R., et al. "Chronic Inflammation”. StatPearls, updated 7 Aug. 2023, StatPearls Publishing (2024).
  4. Shabbir U., et al. "The Potential Role of Polyphenols in Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Induced by Gut Microbiota in Alzheimer’s Disease”. Antioxidants 9 (2021): 1370.
  5. Calder P C. "Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Inflammatory Processes: From Molecules to Man”. Biochemical Society Transactions5 (2017): 1105-1115.
  6. Bhatt Deepak L., et al. "Cardiovascular Risk Reduction with Icosapent Ethyl for Hypertriglyceridemia”. New England Journal of Medicine1 (2019): 11-22.
  7. Boden WE., et al. "Profound Reductions in First and Total Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl in the REDUCE-IT Trial”. European Heart Journal 24 (2020): 2304-2312.
  8. Jun J E., et al. "Efficacy and Safety of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Patients Treated with Statins for Residual Hypertriglyceridemia”. Diabetes and Metabolism Journal 1 (2020): 78-90.
  9. Kris-Etherton P M., et al. "Recent Clinical Trials Shed New Light on the Cardiovascular Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids”. Methodist Debakey Cardiovascular Journal 3 (2019): 171-178.
  10. Qiu L., et al. "Effects of Dietary Polyphenol Curcumin Supplementation on Metabolic, Inflammatory, and Oxidative Stress Indices in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”. Frontiers in Endocrinology 14 (2023): 1216708.
  11. Rattis B A C., et al. "Curcumin as a Potential Treatment for COVID-19”. Frontiers in Pharmacology 12 (2021): 675287.
  12. Chandran B and A Goel. "A Randomized, Pilot Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Curcumin in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis”. Phytotherapy Research 11 (2012): 1719-1725.
  13. Margolis K G., et al. "The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: From Motility to Mood”. Gastroenterology 5 (2021): 1486-1501.
  14. Nakhal MM., et al. "The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis and Neurological Disorders: A Comprehensive Review”. Life10 (2024): 1234.
  15. Fusco W., et al. "Short-Chain Fatty-Acid-Producing Bacteria: Key Components of the Human Gut Microbiota”. Nutrients 9 (2023): 2211.
  16. Gao J., et al. "Probiotics for the Treatment of Depression and Its Comorbidities: A Systematic Review”. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 13 (2023): 1167116.
  17. Lukić I., et al. "Antidepressants Affect Gut Microbiota and Ruminococcus Flavefaciens Is Able to Abolish Their Effects on Depressive-Like Behavior”. Translational Psychiatry 9 (2019): 133.
  18. Xie S., et al. "Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus KY16 Improves Depression by Promoting Intestinal Secretion of 5-HTP and Altering the Gut Microbiota”. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 39 (2024): 21560-21573.
  19. Yong S J., et al. "Antidepressive Mechanisms of Probiotics and Their Therapeutic Potential”. Frontiers in Neuroscience 13 (2020): 1361.
  20. Gu J., et al. "Neuroprotective Effect of Trans-Resveratrol in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial”. Neurology and Therapy2 (2021): 905-917.
  21. Dos Santos Michele Goulart., et al. "Neuroprotective Effects of Resveratrol in In Vivo and In Vitro Experimental Models of Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review”. Neurotoxicity Research (2022): 1-27.
  22. Pang M., et al. "Molecular Understanding of the Translational Models and the Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products for Parkinson's Disease”. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy 155 (2022): 113718.
  23. Li K X., et al. "Curcumin-Loaded Long-Circulation Liposomes Ameliorate Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetic Mice”. International Journal of Nanomedicine 19 (2024): 12099-12110.
  24. Ali M., et al. "Recent Developments in Nanoparticle Formulations for Resveratrol Encapsulation as an Anticancer Agent”. Pharmaceuticals 1 (2024): 126.
  25. Chung IM., et al. "Resveratrol Nanoparticles: A Promising Therapeutic Advancement over Native Resveratrol”. Processes4 (2020): 458.
  26. Vaiserman A., et al. "Nanodelivery of Natural Antioxidants: An Anti-aging Perspective”. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 7 (2020): 447.
  27. Yeo S., et al. "Solid Lipid Nanoparticles of Curcumin Designed for Enhanced Bioavailability and Anticancer Efficiency”. ACS Omega40 (2022): 35875-35884.
  28. Zhang X., et al. "Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Intake and Blood Pressure: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials”. Journal of the American Heart Association11 (2022): e025071.
  29. Francini-Pesenti F., et al. "Potential Role of Phytochemicals in Metabolic Syndrome Prevention and Therapy”. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy 12 (2019): 1987-2002.
  30. Mohr AE., et al. "Gut Microbiome Remodeling and Metabolomic Profile Improves in Response to Protein Pacing with Intermittent Fasting versus Continuous Caloric Restriction”. Nature Communications 15 (2024): 4155.
  31. Cronin P., et al. "Dietary Fibre Modulates the Gut Microbiota”. Nutrients 5 (2021): 1655.
  32. Sone T., et al. "Randomized Controlled Trial for an Effect of Catechin-Enriched Green Tea Consumption on Adiponectin and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors”. Food and Nutrition Research 55 (2011).
  33. Sheng Y., et al. "Catechins: Protective Mechanism of Antioxidant Stress in Atherosclerosis”. Frontiers in Pharmacology 14 (2023): 1144878.
  34. Breuss JM., et al. "Resveratrol and Its Effects on the Vascular System”. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 7 (2019): 1523.
  35. Zamani M., et al. "The Effects of Green Tea Supplementation on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”. Frontiers in Nutrition 9 (2023): 1084455.
  36. Popoola J O., et al. "Nutritional, Functional, and Bioactive Properties of African Underutilized Legumes”. Frontiers in Plant Science 14 (2023): 1105364.
  37. Laurindo LF., et al. "Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) in Health and Disease: A Critical Review”. Nutrients 4 (2023): 989.
  38. Aryal D., et al. "Dietary Phenolic Compounds as Promising Therapeutic Agents for Diabetes and Its Complications: A Comprehensive Review”. Food Science and Nutrition (2024).
  39. Ohishi T., et al. "The Beneficial Effects of Principal Polyphenols from Green Tea, Coffee, Wine, and Curry on Obesity”. Molecules2 (2021): 453.
  40. García-Maldonado E., et al. "Changes in Fatty Acid Levels after Consumption of a Novel Docosahexaenoic Supplement from Algae: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial in Omnivorous, Lacto-Ovo Vegetarians and Vegans”. European Journal of Nutrition4 (2023): 1691-1705.
  41. Li A., et al. "Advances in Low-Lactose/Lactose-Free Dairy Products and Their Production”. Foods 12.13 (2023): 2553.
  42. Chengolova Z., et al. "How to Keep Lactose Avoiders Healthy”. Dairy4 (2024): 702-726.
  43. Cristina N M and Lucia D. "Nutrition and Healthy Aging: Prevention and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Diseases”. Nutrients12 (2021): 4337.
  44. Gasmi A., et al. "Natural Ingredients to Improve Immunity”. Pharmaceuticals4 (2023): 528.
  45. Patil K., et al. "Immunomodulation Property of Antioxidants”. Antioxidants as Nutraceuticals, Apple Academic Press (2025): 95-124.
  46. Cascajosa-Lira A., et al. "Protective Effects of Sulforaphane Against Toxic Substances and Contaminants: A Systematic Review”. Phytomedicine 130 (2024): 155731.
  47. Singla A., et al. "Beta-Glucan as a Soluble Dietary Fiber Source: Origins, Biosynthesis, Extraction, Purification, Structural Characteristics, Bioavailability, Biofunctional Attributes, Industrial Utilization, and Global Trade”. Nutrients 6 (2024): 900.
  48. Sima P., et al. "β-Glucans and Cholesterol (Review)”. International Journal of Molecular Medicine4 (2018): 1799-1808.
  49. Majumder J and T Minko. "Multifunctional and Stimuli-Responsive Nanocarriers for Targeted Therapeutic Delivery”. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery2 (2021): 205-227.
  50. Amiri A., et al. "Exosomes as Bio-Inspired Nanocarriers for RNA Delivery: Preparation and Applications”. Journal of Translational Medicine1 (2022): 125.
  51. Serrano D R., et al. "3D Printing Technologies in Personalized Medicine, Nanomedicines, and Biopharmaceuticals”. Pharmaceutics 2 (2023): 313.

Citation

Citation: Mahmoud AH Mostafa., et al. “Nutraceutical-Pharmaceutical Synergy: Unlocking the Future of Precision Nutrition and Holistic Healthcare". Acta Scientific Nutritional Health 9.1 (2025): 33-41.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Mahmoud AH Mostafa., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.




Metrics

Acceptance rate30%
Acceptance to publication20-30 days
Impact Factor1.316

Indexed In





News and Events


  • Certification for Review
    Acta Scientific certifies the Editors/reviewers for their review done towards the assigned articles of the respective journals.
  • Last Date to Submit Articles
    Journal accepting all the types of Articles for upcoing issue by on/before July 30, 2025
  • Issue of Publication Certificate
    Publication Certificate will be issued to the author after Online publication of an Article
  • Best Article
    One Article will be selected as Best Article from all the Articles of the corresponding Issue, once the issue released, and honored with A Best Article Certificate

Contact US