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Jiang C, Chen Z, Liao W, Zhang R, Chen G, Ma L, Yu H. The Medicinal Species of the Lycium Genus (Goji Berries) in East Asia: A Review of Its Effect on Cell Signal Transduction Pathways. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1531. [PMID: 38891336 PMCID: PMC11174690 DOI: 10.3390/plants13111531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Natural plants contain numerous chemical compounds that are beneficial to human health. The berries from the Lycium genus are widely consumed and are highly nutritious. Moreover, their chemical constituents have attracted attention for their health-promoting properties. In East Asia, there are three varieties of the Lycium genus (Lycium barbarum L., Lycium chinense Miller, and L. ruthenicum Murray) that possess medicinal value and are commonly used for treating chronic diseases and improving metabolic disorders. These varieties are locally referred to as "red Goji berries" or "black Goji berries" due to their distinct colors, and they differ in their chemical compositions, primarily in terms of carotenoid and anthocyanin content. The pharmacological functions of these berries include anti-aging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-exercise fatigue effects. This review aims to analyze previous and recent studies on the active ingredients and pharmacological activities of these Lycium varieties, elucidating their signaling pathways and assessing their impact on the gut microbiota. Furthermore, the potential prospects for using these active ingredients in the treatment of COVID-19 are evaluated. This review explores the potential targets of these Lycium varieties in the treatment of relevant diseases, highlighting their potential value in drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Lijuan Ma
- Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China; (C.J.); (Z.C.); (W.L.); (R.Z.); (G.C.)
| | - Haijie Yu
- Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China; (C.J.); (Z.C.); (W.L.); (R.Z.); (G.C.)
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Zheng J, Zhang J, Zhou Y, Zhang D, Guo H, Li B, Cui S. Taurine Alleviates Experimental Colitis by Enhancing Intestinal Barrier Function and Inhibiting Inflammatory Response through TLR4/NF-κB Signaling. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:12119-12129. [PMID: 38761152 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c00662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Taurine (Tau) is a semiessential amino acid in mammals with preventive and therapeutic effects on several intestinal disorders. However, the exact function of taurine in ulcerative colitis (UC) is still largely unclear. In this study, we used two taurine-deficient mouse models (CSAD-/- and TauT-/- mice) to explore the influence of taurine on the progression of UC in both dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and LPS-stimulated Caco-2 cells. We found that cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase (CSAD) and taurine transporter (TauT) expressions and taurine levels were markedly reduced in colonic tissues of mice treated with DSS. The CSAD and TauT knockouts exacerbated DSS-induced clinical symptoms and pathological damage and aggravated the intestinal barrier dysfunction and the colonic mucosal inflammatory response. Conversely, taurine pretreatment enhanced the intestinal barrier functions by increasing goblet cells and upregulating tight junction protein expression. Importantly, taurine bound with TLR4 and inhibited the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, ultimately reducing proinflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6) and oxidative stress. Our findings highlight the essential role of taurine in maintaining the intestinal barrier integrity and inhibiting intestinal inflammation, indicating that taurine is a promising supplement for colitis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Zheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinglin Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yewen Zhou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Di Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Reproduction and Metabolism, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongzhou Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Reproduction and Metabolism, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Reproduction and Metabolism, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People's Republic of China
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Kim DH, Lee S, Ahn J, Kim JH, Lee E, Lee I, Byun S. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis unveils nanoplastic-induced gut barrier dysfunction via STAT1/6 and ERK pathways. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 249:118437. [PMID: 38346486 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
The widespread prevalence of micro and nanoplastics in the environment raises concerns about their potential impact on human health. Recent evidence demonstrates the presence of nanoplastics in human blood and tissues following ingestion and inhalation, yet the specific risks and mechanisms of nanoplastic toxicity remain inadequately understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the toxicity of nanoplastics at both systemic and molecular levels by analyzing the transcriptomic/metabolomic responses and signaling pathways in the intestines of mice after oral administration of nanoplastics. Transcriptome analysis in nanoplastic-administered mice revealed a notable upregulation of genes involved in pro-inflammatory immune responses. In addition, nanoplastics substantially reduced the expression of tight junction proteins, including occludin, zonula occluden-1, and tricellulin, which are crucial for maintaining gut barrier integrity and function. Importantly, nanoplastic administration increased gut permeability and exacerbated dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. Further investigation into the underlying molecular mechanisms highlighted significant activation of signaling transsducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1 and STAT6 by nanoplastic administration, which was in line with the elevation of interferon and JAK-STAT pathway signatures identified through transcriptome enrichment analysis. Additionally, the consumption of nanoplastics specifically induced nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 signaling pathways in the intestines. Collectively, this study identifies molecular mechanisms contributing to adverse effects mediated by nanoplastics in the intestine, providing novel insights into the pathophysiological consequences of nanoplastic exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Hyun Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungho Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jisong Ahn
- Research Group of Traditional Food, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju, 55365, Republic of Korea; Department of Food Science and Technology, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hwan Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunjung Lee
- Research Group of Traditional Food, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju, 55365, Republic of Korea; Department of Food Biotechnology, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Insuk Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea; POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sanguine Byun
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea; POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea.
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Cao Y, Zhang S, Tang L, Chen Y, Jiang S, Liu L, Gao X. Exploring the effects of Qijiao Shengbai capsule on leukopenic mice from the perspective of intestinbased on metabolomics and 16S rRNA sequencing. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19949. [PMID: 37810141 PMCID: PMC10559567 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Qijiao Shengbai capsule (QJSB) is formulated according to the traditional Chinese medicine formula, its function is to nourish Qi and blood, improve the body's immunity. Leukopenia has been treated with it in clinical settings. However, the mechanism of leukopenia from the perspective of intestinal tract has not been reported. This study combined metabolomics and 16S rRNA sequencing technologies to investigate the mechanism of QJSB on leukopenia from the intestine. As a result of cyclophosphamide induction in mice, the results demonstrated that QJSB may greatly increase the quantity of peripheral leukocytes (including neutrophils). Meanwhile, QJSB had a restorative effect on the colon of leukopenic mice; it also increased the level of IL-2, IL-6 and G-CSF in the intestine, further enhancing the immunity and hematopoietic function of mice. Metabolic studies showed that QJSB altered 27 metabolites, most notably amino acid metabolism. In addition, QJSB had a positive regulatory effect on the intestinal microbiota, and could alter community composition by improving the diversity and abundance of the intestinal microbial, which mainly involved 6 related bacterial groups, and primarily regulates three associated SCFAs (acetic acid, butyrate acid and valeric acid). Therefore, this study suggests that QJSB can improve hematopoietic function, enhance the immune system, relieve leucopenia and improve the gut in leucopenic mice by modulating metabolic response pathways, fecal metabolites and intestinal microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants and School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Center of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmaceutical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants and School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Experimental Animal Center of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Li Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants and School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Center of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmaceutical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yixuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants and School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Center of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmaceutical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Siyue Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants and School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Center of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmaceutical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Li Liu
- Guizhou Hanfang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Guiyang 550002, China
| | - Xiuli Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants and School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Center of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmaceutical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
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Versatile Triad Alliance: Bile Acid, Taurine and Microbiota. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152337. [PMID: 35954180 PMCID: PMC9367564 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Taurine is the most abundant free amino acid in the body, and is mainly derived from the diet, but can also be produced endogenously from cysteine. It plays multiple essential roles in the body, including development, energy production, osmoregulation, prevention of oxidative stress, and inflammation. Taurine is also crucial as a molecule used to conjugate bile acids (BAs). In the gastrointestinal tract, BAs deconjugation by enteric bacteria results in high levels of unconjugated BAs and free taurine. Depending on conjugation status and other bacterial modifications, BAs constitute a pool of related but highly diverse molecules, each with different properties concerning solubility and toxicity, capacity to activate or inhibit receptors of BAs, and direct and indirect impact on microbiota and the host, whereas free taurine has a largely protective impact on the host, serves as a source of energy for microbiota, regulates bacterial colonization and defends from pathogens. Several remarkable examples of the interaction between taurine and gut microbiota have recently been described. This review will introduce the necessary background information and lay out the latest discoveries in the interaction of the co-reliant triad of BAs, taurine, and microbiota.
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