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Cited by 11Medicinal Plants and Bioactive CompoundsMedicinal Plant Extracts EffectsPhytochemicals and Medicinal Plants

Anxiolytic and Antioxidant Effect of Phytoecdysteroids and Polyphenols from Chenopodium quinoa on an In Vivo Restraint Stress Model

Open access
Sidorova, Yuliya S., Shipelin, Vladimir A., Petrov, Nikita A., Zorin, Sergey N., Mazo, Vladimir K.·2022·Molecules
DOI 10.3390/molecules27249003PMC PMC9785041
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Abstract

The variety of stressful conditions in daily human activity requires nutritional support with safe, specialized food products containing functional food ingredients (FFIs) enriched with biologically active plant substances with proven adaptogenic properties. In this in vivo study, by evaluating a set of physiological parameters and biochemical markers, we investigated the effectiveness of the developed FFIs from Chenopodium quinoa grains in stress conditions induced by daily episodes of immobilization for 36 days. The results of the evaluation of the anxiety-like functions, locomotor, and search activity of rats in the “open field” and “elevated plus maze” tests demonstrated the ability of FFIs to reduce stressful behavior induced by immobilization. The improvement in the long-term memory of animals treated with FFIs was noted in the passive avoidance test. Together with the hypolipidemic effect and compensation of transaminase levels, FFIs normalized the excretion of catecholamines in the urine and reduced the levels of malondialdehyde to values of the control group. According to the results of the assessment of FFI acute oral toxicity, the LD50 value exceeded 5000 mg/kg of body weight, which categorizes the FFIs under hazard class 5—substances with low hazard. The conducted experiment demonstrated the effectiveness of nutritional support with FFIs on the selected stress model. The positive safety profile of FFIs makes them reasonable to study on other stress models and to conduct clinical testing as part of specialized food products in various categories of people exposed to chronic stress.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In a 36-day rat restraint-stress model, a *Chenopodium quinoa*-derived functional food ingredient (FFI) enriched in phytoecdysteroids and polyphenols reduced anxiety-like behavior, improved long-term memory, normalized urinary catecholamines, and lowered malondialdehyde to control levels. Acute oral toxicity testing found no deaths at 5000 mg/kg, suggesting low hazard (class 5).

Key findings

  • Acute oral FFI administration at 5000 mg/kg in mice caused no deaths or pathologic organ changes; LD50 was estimated as >5000 mg/kg, classifying the FFIs as hazard class 5 (low hazard).
  • In the 36-day immobilization study, FFI intake provided 20E at 1.72 ± 0.02 mg/kg b.w./day and flavonoids at 9.37 ± 0.14 mg/kg b.w./day; IMM-FFI rats showed no significant differences from CTRL in EPM and open-field anxiety/locomotor measures, whereas stressed IMM rats did differ.
  • Immobilization increased malondialdehyde by more than 77% versus CTRL; FFI reduced it to CTRL levels, and SOD activity was 35% higher in IMM-FFI than CTRL 24 h after stress. Urinary norepinephrine and epinephrine were normalized in IMM-FFI despite daily immobilization, while corticosterone remained elevated in both stressed groups.
  • Stressed groups had lower food intake; IMM body weight was significantly lower than CTRL from day 8 and lower than IMM-FFI from days 11–25, while IMM-FFI body weight did not differ significantly from CTRL.

Methods

  • Acute oral toxicity: modified OECD 425 fixed-dose procedure in 16 male and 16 female ICR mice, gavaged with FFIs at 5000 mg/kg, monitored for 14 days with autopsy and biochemical measures.
  • Stress study: 60 male Wistar rats, 36 selected by elevated plus maze behavioral phenotype, randomized to CTRL, IMM, and IMM-FFI (n = 12/group); 36-day experiment with 40 min daily immobilization for IMM and IMM-FFI; FFI added to diet at 0.055 ± 0.003%.
  • Behavioral and biochemical testing: EPM, open field, and conditioned passive avoidance tests; terminal 180-min immobilization, urine and blood collection; biochemical analyzer, ELISA kits, and HPLC-MS for urinary catecholamines; statistics used SPSS with Mann–Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis, ANOVA, and p < 0.05.

Limitations

  • The paper does not include a dedicated limitations section; it states that further studies on other stress models and clinical testing are needed, and that molecular-genetic/proteomic approaches are required to clarify mechanisms.
  • Evident from the text: the 36-day stress experiment used only male Wistar rats, while acute toxicity used mice; no clinical outcomes are reported.
  • Evident from the text: the mechanisms of the anxiolytic and antioxidant effects are not fully established, as the authors call for additional work on signaling and antioxidant defense pathways.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3390/molecules27249003

Cites

45 of 46 references verified1 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 31 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    FFIs from Chenopodium quinoa improve long-term memory in rats subjected to immobilization stress, as assessed by passive avoidance test.

    “The improvement in the long-term memory of animals treated with FFIs was noted in the passive avoidance test.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    FFIs from Chenopodium quinoa reduce stress-induced behavior in rats subjected to daily immobilization for 36 days, as assessed by open field and elevated plus maze tests.

    “The results of the evaluation of the anxiety-like functions, locomotor, and search activity of rats in the “open field” and “elevated plus maze” tests demonstrated the ability of FFIs to reduce stressful behavior induced by immobilization.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    FFIs from Chenopodium quinoa have a hypolipidemic effect in rats.

    “Together with the hypolipidemic effect and compensation of transaminase levels, FFIs normalized the excretion of catecholamines in the urine and reduced the levels of malondialdehyde to values of the control group.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    FFIs from Chenopodium quinoa compensate transaminase levels in rats.

    “Together with the hypolipidemic effect and compensation of transaminase levels, FFIs normalized the excretion of catecholamines in the urine and reduced the levels of malondialdehyde to values of the control group.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    FFIs from Chenopodium quinoa reduce malondialdehyde levels to values of the control group in rats under immobilization stress.

    “Together with the hypolipidemic effect and compensation of transaminase levels, FFIs normalized the excretion of catecholamines in the urine and reduced the levels of malondialdehyde to values of the control group.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 21
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 11
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The rats of the stressed IMM group spent significantly more time in the open arms and significantly less in the closed arms of the maze than the CTRL control group did.

    “The rats of the stressed IMM group spent significantly more time in the open arms and significantly less in the closed arms of the maze than the CTRL control group did.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    During the first four hours after FFI administration and the following 13 days, all mice were motile; had normal appearance, feces, and food consumption; and had similar body weight gain.

    “During the first four hours after FFI administration (Supplementary Table S1) and the following 13 days, all mice were motile; had normal appearance, feces, and food consumption; and had similar body weight gain.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The total distance traveled and the number of transitions between the arms of the maze were significantly greater in animals of the IMM group than control animals of the CTRL group.

    “A similar result was revealed in the indicators of locomotor activity (Figure 2c,d): the total distance traveled and the number of transitions between the arms of the maze were significantly greater in animals of the IMM group than control animals of the CTRL group.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    During repeated EPM testing on the 28th day, CTRL group animals spent significantly less time in the open arms and significantly more in the closed arms than in the first test.

    “Animals of the CTRL group spent significantly less time in the open arms of the maze (Figure 2a) and significantly more in the closed arms (Figure 2b) than in the first test, which, in general, is consistent with age-related changes in animal behavior.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The age-related changes in EPM behavior of the CTRL group are normal.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    No adverse changes were found in body weight gain, relative liver weight, liver lipid profile, corticosterone, and prostaglandin E2 plasma levels of experimental animals in comparison with control ones.

    “No adverse changes were found in body weight gain, relative liver weight, liver lipid profile, corticosterone, and prostaglandin E2 plasma levels of experimental animals in comparison with control ones (Supplementary Table S2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The animals of the IMM group spent significantly less time in the center of the maze, staying mainly in the periphery zone, compared with the rats of the CTRL and IMM-FFI groups, demonstrating increased anxiety-like functions.

    “According to the indicators of anxiety-like functions (Figure 3b–e), it was found that the animals of the IMM group spent significantly (p < 0.05, Mann–Whitney test) less time in the center of the maze, staying mainly in the periphery zone compared with the rats of the CTRL and IMM-FFI groups, thus demonstrating increased anxiety-like functions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the IMM-FFI group, there was a significant decrease in ALT and an increase in AST levels compared with the animals of the IMM group, against the background of no differences in the IMM-FFI group compared with the CTRL group.

    “In the IMM-FFI group, there was a significant decrease in ALT and an increase in AST levels compared with the animals of the IMM group, against the background of no differences in the IMM-FFI group compared with the CTRL group.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    On the 14th day of long-term memory testing, an increase in the latency period of entry of animals of the IMM-FFI group into the dark compartment of the camera was found, along with a decrease in the number of animals that failed the test, compared with the CTRL control group.

    “On the 14th day of long-term memory testing, an increase in the latency period of entry of animals of the IMM-FFI group into the dark compartment of the camera was found, along with a decrease in the number of animals that failed the test, compared with the CTRL control group.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the present study, the average cumulative feed intake in stressed animals of the IMM and IMM-FFI groups did not differ and was lower compared with the CTRL group.

    “In the present study, the average cumulative feed intake in stressed animals of the IMM and IMM-FFI groups did not differ and was also lower compared with the CTRL group; however, the introduction of FFIs into the diet had a positive effect on the body weight of animals up to the 25th day of the experiment, despite the hypolipidemic properties of quinoa [12,13,14].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    FFIs from quinoa lack antinutritional factors such as saponins.

    “The absence of such antinutritional factors as saponins and the positive safety profile of FFIs makes it advisable to further study the adaptogenic properties of FFIs in clinical studies in the composition of specialized foods in various categories of people exposed to chronic stress.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The FFI tested is representative of FFIs from Chenopodium quinoa generally.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingnone given

    FFIs have a positive safety profile.

    “The absence of such antinutritional factors as saponins and the positive safety profile of FFIs makes it advisable to further study the adaptogenic properties of FFIs in clinical studies in the composition of specialized foods in various categories of people exposed to chronic stress.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The acute oral toxicity results in mice at 5000 mg/kg indicate a positive safety profile of FFIs for humans.
    • Rests on an assumption: The FFI tested is representative of FFIs from Chenopodium quinoa generally.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    FFIs from quinoa lack gluten proteins, gliadins, and protein fractions corresponding to gliadin.

    “Because of the absence of gluten proteins, gliadins and protein fractions corresponding to gliadin, it is advisable to include FFIs from quinoa in a personalized diet as a component of specialized foods for patients with celiac disease.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The FFI tested is representative of FFIs from Chenopodium quinoa generally.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Interpretationown data

    The acute oral LD50 of FFIs from Chenopodium quinoa in mice exceeds 5000 mg/kg body weight.

    “According to the results of the assessment of FFI acute oral toxicity, the LD50 value exceeded 5000 mg/kg of body weight, which categorizes the FFIs under hazard class 5—substances with low hazard.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [22] OECD (2008). Test No. 425: Acute Oral Toxicity: Up-and-Down Procedure, OECD Publishing.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Quinoa consumption shows antihyperlipidemic action against a high-fat diet, leading to increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and decreased malondialdehyde levels.

    “Quinoa has pronounced antioxidant activity, as shown in in vitro studies [10,11] or in in vivo experiments, where quinoa consumption showed antihyperlipidemic action against the background of a high-fat diet, leading to increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and to decreased levels of malondialdehyde [12] and inflammatory cytokines [13,14].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [12] Song, 2021, Alleviating the Effect of Quinoa and the Underlying Mechanism on Hepatic Steatosis in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats, Nutr. Metab. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Sinapinic acid in the composition of quinoa grains can potentiate GABA currents in individual cortical neurons and thus exert pronounced anxiolytic effects.

    “Sinapinic acid in the composition of quinoa grains can potentiate GABA currents in individual cortical neurons and thus exert pronounced anxiolytic effects [8,15].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [8] Lin, M., Han, P., Li, Y., Wang, W., Lai, D., and Zhou, L. (2019). Quinoa secondary metabolites and their biological activities or functions. Molecules, 24. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [15] Yoon, 2007, Anxiolytic-like effects of sinapic acid in mice, Life Sci. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Preliminary randomization of animals according to their behavioral phenotype in the elevated plus maze test and other integral parameters was performed on the first experimental day.

    “The results of preliminary animals’ randomization according to their behavioral phenotype in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test and other integral parameters on the first experimental day are shown in Table 1.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Immobilization has a strong stressful impact on male Wistar rats, leads to increased excretion of catecholamines and circulating corticosterone levels, reduced energy consumption, and a lag in body weight gain.

    “We have previously shown that immobilization has a strong stressful impact on male Wistar rats, leads to the increased excretion of catecholamines and circulating corticosterone levels, reduced energy consumption, and, as a consequence, a lag in body weight gain [33].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [33] Sidorova, Y.S., Shipelin, V.A., Petrov, N.A., Zorin, S.N., and Mazo, V.K. (2021). Adaptogenic Properties of a Phytoecdysteroid-Rich Extract from the Leaves of Spinacia oleracea L.. Plants, 10. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The technological scheme chosen for the production of FFIs allows excluding saponins from the composition and concentrating phytoecdysteroids 20E in Chenopodium quinoa more than 200 times in the final product compared with the raw material.

    “The technological scheme we have chosen for the production of FFIs allows us to exclude saponins from the composition and concentrate phytoecdysteroids 20E in Chenopodium quinoa more than 200 times in the final product compared with the raw material [27].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [27] Zorin, 2021, A New Functional Food Ingredient Enriched by Phytoecdisteroids and Polyphenols from Quinoa Grains (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), Res. J. Pharm. Technol.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The model of immobilization stress in rodents causes the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and increased levels of glucocorticoid hormones, leading to dysfunction of glucose metabolism, oxidative-nitrosative stress, and oxidative tissue damage.

    “The model of immobilization stress in rodents causes the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and increased levels of glucocorticoid hormones, leading to the dysfunction of the glucose metabolism, oxidative-nitrosative stress, and oxidative tissue damage [31,32].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [31] Domingues, 2019, Effects of a selanylimidazopyridine on the acute restraint stress-induced depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors and biological changes in mice, Behav. Brain Res. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [32] Chen, 2019, Sub-acute restraint stress progressively increases oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammatory markers while transiently upregulating antioxidant gene expression in the rat hippocampus, Free Radic. Biol. Med. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Restraint stress in rats leads to a decrease in memory function, the development of anxiety-like functions, and an increase in motor activity, changing the functional state of antioxidant enzymes in the brain, especially in the poststress period.

    “Restraint stress in rats leads to a decrease in memory function, the development of anxiety-like functions, and an increase in motor activity, changing the functional state of antioxidant enzymes in the brain, especially in the poststress period [33,34].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [33] Sidorova, Y.S., Shipelin, V.A., Petrov, N.A., Zorin, S.N., and Mazo, V.K. (2021). Adaptogenic Properties of a Phytoecdysteroid-Rich Extract from the Leaves of Spinacia oleracea L.. Plants, 10. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [34] Chaoui, 2022, Long lasting effect of acute restraint stress on behavior and brain anti-oxidative status, AIMS Neurosci. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Under immobilization stress, there is a significant increase in acetylcholinesterase activity in some parts of the rat brain.

    “Under immobilization stress, there is a significant increase in acetylcholinesterase activity in some parts of the rat brain [34].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [34] Chaoui, 2022, Long lasting effect of acute restraint stress on behavior and brain anti-oxidative status, AIMS Neurosci. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    20-hydroxyecdysone is able to mediate its neuroprotective effect by activating cellular antioxidant enzymes, inhibiting oxidative stress, and reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species.

    “The component 20-hydroxyecdysone is able to mediate its neuroprotective effect by activating cellular antioxidant enzymes, inhibiting oxidative stress, and reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species [40].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [40] Hu, J., Luo, C.X., Chu, W.H., Shan, Y.A., Qian, Z.-M., Zhu, G., Yu, Y.B., and Feng, H. (2012). 20-Hydroxyecdysone protects against oxidative stress-induced neuronal injury by scavenging free radicals and modulating NF-κB and JNK pathways. PLoS ONE, 7. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The nutritional support of FFIs contributed to hypolipidemic action in rats, some compensation of the circulating transaminases activity, and normalization to control values of malondialdehyde levels.

    “The nutritional support of FFIs contributed to hypolipidemic action in rats, some compensation of the circulating transaminases activity, and normalization to control values of malondialdehyde levels, the concentration of which increases in all brain structures during immobilization stress, reflecting the rate of the formation of reactive oxygen species [34].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [34] Chaoui, 2022, Long lasting effect of acute restraint stress on behavior and brain anti-oxidative status, AIMS Neurosci. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The inclusion of FFIs in the diet showed pronounced anxiolytic and antidepressant properties, leveling the effect of immobilization stress.

    “The peculiarities of animal behavior in the combined use of two physiological tests, EPM and OF, showed that the inclusion of FFIs in the diet showed pronounced anxiolytic and antidepressant properties, thus leveling the effect of immobilization stress.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The increase in the activity of SOD revealed 24 h after stress exposure against the background of animal consumption of FFIs suggests that its main components, namely 20-hydroxyecdysone and polyphenols, can act as suppressors and activate the antioxidant defense system.

    “The increase in the activity of SOD revealed in our study 24 h after stress exposure against the background of animal consumption of FFIs suggests that its main components, namely 20-hydroxyecdysone and polyphenols, can act as suppressors and activate the antioxidant defense system.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [40] Hu, J., Luo, C.X., Chu, W.H., Shan, Y.A., Qian, Z.-M., Zhu, G., Yu, Y.B., and Feng, H. (2012). 20-Hydroxyecdysone protects against oxidative stress-induced neuronal injury by scavenging free radicals and modulating NF-κB and JNK pathways. PLoS ONE, 7. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductcitation

    All animal procedures were conducted according to standard requirements [42].

    “All animal procedures were conducted according to standard requirements [42].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [42] Committee for the Update of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (2011). Guide Laboratory for the Care and Use of Animals, National Academies Press (US).

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Animal studies were approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal Research Centre of Nutrition and Biotechnology (protocol code No. 02-19, 6 October 2019) in accordance with the standard principles described in "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals".

    “Animal studies were approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal Research Centre of Nutrition and Biotechnology (protocol code No. 02-19, 6 October 2019) in accordance with the standard principles described in “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals”.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [42] Committee for the Update of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (2011). Guide Laboratory for the Care and Use of Animals, National Academies Press (US).

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Animals were randomly divided (according to the body weight and EPM test results) into three groups (n = 12): CTRL, IMM, and IMM-FFI.

    “Animals were randomly divided (according to the body weight and EPM test results) into three groups (n = 12): CTRL, IMM, and IMM-FFI.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductcitation

    The experiment on the evaluation of the acute oral toxicity of FFIs was conducted according to OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals No. 425 [22], with some modifications.

    “The experiment on the evaluation of the acute oral toxicity of FFIs was conducted according to OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals No. 425 [22], with some modifications.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [22] OECD (2008). Test No. 425: Acute Oral Toxicity: Up-and-Down Procedure, OECD Publishing.

      Not checked in the free run.

29 of 29

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The safety profile of FFIs observed in mice and rats at the tested doses predicts safety in humans.

    “The positive safety profile of FFIs makes them reasonable to study on other stress models and to conduct clinical testing as part of specialized food products in various categories of people exposed to chronic stress.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The increase in blood glucose in IMM-FFI is within the physiological norm for rats of this line and age.

    “The detected increase in blood glucose levels in animals of the IMM-FFI group is within the range of fluctuations in the physiological norm for rats of this line and this age.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The age-related changes in EPM behavior of the CTRL group are normal.

    “which, in general, is consistent with age-related changes in animal behavior.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Forced immobilization induces oxidative/nitrosative stress and emotional stress in rats.

    “Animals in the IMM and IMM-FFI groups during the whole experiment were exposed to forced immobilization.”
    “The use of FFIs under conditions of induced oxidative/nitrosative stress normalized the levels of malondialdehyde and catecholamines against the background of maintaining the high activity of superoxide dismutase, thus contributing to the normalization of the behavioral reactions of animals and their cognitive functions.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The acute oral toxicity results in mice at 5000 mg/kg indicate a positive safety profile of FFIs for humans.

    “The absence of such antinutritional factors as saponins and the positive safety profile of FFIs makes it advisable to further study the adaptogenic properties of FFIs in clinical studies in the composition of specialized foods in various categories of people exposed to chronic stress.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The rat immobilization stress model is predictive of human responses to chronic stress.

    “The absence of such antinutritional factors as saponins and the positive safety profile of FFIs makes it advisable to further study the adaptogenic properties of FFIs in clinical studies in the composition of specialized foods in various categories of people exposed to chronic stress.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The FFI tested is representative of FFIs from Chenopodium quinoa generally.

    “The conducted experiment demonstrated the effectiveness of nutritional support using FFIs from Chenopodium quinoa on the immobilization stress model.”
7 of 7

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Quinoa extracts showed anti-obesity, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, immunoregulatory, and collagenase-modulating effects in in vivo experiments with rats.

    “Quinoa extracts showed anti-obesity, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, immunoregulatory, and collagenase-modulating effects in in vivo experiments with rats [208,209,210,211,212,213,214].”

    From Ecdysterone and Turkesterone—Compounds with Prominent Potential in Sport and Healthy Nutrition (2024) · cites this paper as [209]

    The Discussion reports antioxidant effects and hypolipidemic action from quinoa-derived ingredients in stressed rats. It does not establish anti-obesity, immunoregulatory, or collagenase-modulating effects; the Results report an increase, not a decrease, in blood glucose in the treated group. (LLM, conf=0.90)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Sidorova et al. revealed that quinoa effectively normalized oxidative stress markers and improved cognitive function.

    “Sidorova et. al. revealed that quinoa effectively normalized oxidative stress markers and improved cognitive function [209].”

    From Ecdysterone and Turkesterone—Compounds with Prominent Potential in Sport and Healthy Nutrition (2024) · cites this paper as [209]

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Reported intakes do not match the FFI composition

    Major

    The stated FFI contains 212.0/50.4 = 4.21 times as much flavonoid as 20E, but the reported daily intakes have a ratio of 9.37/1.72 = 5.45. Because both intakes are attributed to the same FFI, the ratios should agree.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Sidorova, 2020, Spinach and Quinoa—Prospective Food Sources of Biologically Active Substances, Vopr. Pitan. [Probl. Nutr.], 89, 100
  2. Committee for the Update of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (2011). Guide Laboratory for the Care and Use of Animals, National Academies Press (US).

Cited by

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Related

Authors
Sidorova, Y. S., Shipelin, V. A., Petrov, N. A., Zorin, S. N., & Mazo, V. K.
Affiliations
  • Federal Research Centre of Nutrition and Biotechnology, 109240 Moscow, Russia
  • Federal Research Centre of Nutrition and Biotechnology (RU)
ORCID
Venue
Molecules
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2022-12-17
Volume
27
Issue
24
Pages
9003
ISSN
1420-3049 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/molecules27249003
PMC
PMC9785041
OpenAlex
W4312211531
Cited by
11
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1
FWCI
0.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Molecules (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Russian Science Foundation (19-16-00107)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Medicinal Plant Extracts Effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants
Keywords
quinoa, phytoecdysteroids, polyphenols, restraint stress, anxiety-like behavior, antioxidant activity, functional food ingredients, long-term memory, hypolipidemic effect, transaminases, catecholamine excretion, malondialdehyde, acute oral toxicity, chronic stress
MeSH terms
Animals, Antioxidants, Anxiety, Humans, Anti-Anxiety Agents, Chenopodium quinoa, Rats, Polyphenols

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-10.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-10.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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