Polysaccharides from Platycodon grandiflorus attenuates high-fat diet induced obesity in mice through targeting gut microbiota

Bifidobacterium inhibits the progression of colorectal tumorigenesis in mice through fatty acid isomerization and gut microbiota modulation

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the third most common cancer worldwide. Consequently, there is an urgent need to identify novel preventive and therapeutic strategies for CRC. This study aimed to screen for beneficial bacteria that have a preventive effect on CRC and to elucidate the potential mechanisms. Initially, we compared gut bacteria and bacterial metabolites of healthy volunteers and CRC patients, which demonstrated that intestinal conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), butyric acid, and Bifidobacterium in CRC patients were significantly lower than those in healthy volunteers, and these indicators were significantly negatively correlated with CRC. Next, spontaneous CRC mouse model were conducted to explore the effect of supplemental CLA-producing Bifidobacterium on CRC. Supplementation of mice with CLA-producing Bifidobacterium breve CCFM683 and B. pseudocatenulatum MY40C significantly prevented CRC. Moreover, molecular approaches demonstrated that CLA and the CLA-producing gene, bbi, were the key metabolites and genes for CCFM683 to prevent CRC. Inhibitor intervention results showed that PPAR-γ was the key receptor for preventing CRC. CCFM683 inhibited the NF-κB signaling pathway, up-regulated MUC2, Claudin-1, and ZO-1, and promoted tumor cell apoptosis via the CLA-PPAR-γ axis. Additionally, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and metagenomic analysis showed that CCFM683 up-regulated Odoribacter splanchnicus through CLA production, which then prevented CRC by producing butyric acid, up-regulating TJ proteins, regulating cytokines, and regulating gut microbiota. These results will contribute to the clinical trials of Bifidobacterium and the theoretical research and development of CRC dietary products.

Potential of queen bee larvae as a dietary supplement for obesity management: modulating the gut microbiota and promoting liver lipid metabolism

Queen bee larvae (QBL) have been consumed as both a traditional food and medicine in China for thousands of years; however, their specific benefits for human health, particularly their potential anti-obesity property, remain underexplored. This study investigated the anti-obesity effect of QBL freeze-dried powder (QBLF) on high-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity in mice and explored the underlying mechanisms. Our findings showed that QBLF effectively reduced body weight, fasting blood glucose levels, lipid accumulation, and inflammation in HFD mice. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that QBLF significantly modulated the gut microbiota disrupted by an HFD, notably increasing the relative abundance of beneficial microbes such as Ileibacterium, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Incertae sedis, Streptococcus, Lactococcus, Clostridia UCG-014, and Lachnospiraceae UCG-006, which were inversely associated with obesity-related phenotypes in the mice. RNA sequencing analysis further demonstrated that QBLF intervention upregulated the expression of genes involved in liver lipid metabolism, including Pck1, Cyp4a10, Cyp4a14, and G6pc, while downregulating genes associated with the inflammatory response, such as Cxcl10, Ccl2, Traf1, Mapk15, Lcn2, and Fosb. These results suggested that QBLF can ameliorate HFD-induced obesity through regulating the gut microbiota, promoting liver lipid metabolism, and reducing inflammatory response.

Evolutionary research trends of polysaccharides from Polygonatum genus: A comprehensive review of its isolation, structure, health benefits, and applications

Polygonatum sibiricum, valued both as a medicinal and nutritional plant, has long been recognized for its health benefits. Increasing evidence highlights its polysaccharides (PSPs) as key components. As research into the structural characteristics and biological activity of PSPs continues to grow, there is rising interest in developing functional foods that harness their therapeutic potential. However, existing studies on PSPs remain fragmented, lacking a comprehensive framework for their application in functional food development and drug delivery. This review aims to fill that gap by systematically summarizing the purification, structural characterization, and diverse biological activities of PSPs. We also explore the significant potential of these polysaccharides in functional food development and their promising applications as natural, eco-friendly drug carriers. Furthermore, we address the key challenges and limitations in this field, offering insights into future research trends and opportunities for advancing PSPs in areas such as sustainable materials, functional foods, and therapeutic innovations.

Analyzing the effect of different storage times and different processes on the volatile components in Shenling Baizhu powder by HS-GC-IMS combined with multivariate statistics

AIM

this study aimed to examine the effect of different storage times (0, 7, 24, 57, and 119 days) on the volatile components of Shenling Baizhu powder across different preparation processes (Pharmacopoeia, ultra-micro pulverization-pulverization, and microparticle design methods). The findings offer insights to guide quality control measures for Shenling Baizhu powder.

METHODS

gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) was employed to ascertain the volatile components in Shenling Baizhu powder at various storage times across different preparation processes. In addition, the study compared the dynamic changes of these components under different conditions. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) were conducted using SIMCA-P19.0 software to analyze differences among these volatile components.

RESULTS

the volatile components identified by GC-IMS comprised 52 monomers and dimers and polymers of some substances, primarily including aldehydes, esters, terpenes, nitrogenous compounds, and ketones. Fingerprint spectra revealed significant differences in the types and quantities of volatile components in Shenling Baizhu powder at different storage times under different processes. PCA indicated negligible differences in the types of volatile components among samples prepared using different processes. An OPLS-DA model was developed to distinguish storage times and identify characteristic markers. In addition, 22 volatile components with variable importance for the projection (VIP) > 1 were identified, significantly contributing to the discrimination of storage times for Shenling Baizhu powder. Overall, the content of volatile components in the samples gradually decreased with prolonged storage time. Samples prepared using the Pharmacopoeia method exhibited the most significant decline, whereas those prepared using the microparticle design method showed the least reduction in volatile components.

CONCLUSION

HS-GC-IMS effectively captures the changing trends of volatile components in Shenling Baizhu powder across different preparation processes and storage times. This analysis provides a reference for quality control and process optimization in the production of Shenling Baizhu powder.

Effects of brown seaweed oligosaccharides on obesity and constipation managements

Brown seaweed oligosaccharides (BSO) have demonstrated potential as nutraceuticals with cholesterol-lowering, anti-obesity, and anti-constipation properties. In this study, we initially examined how BSO impact body weight, blood lipid levels, and adipose tissue in a rat model of obesity induced by a high-fat diet. Our findings revealed that BSO administration significantly attenuated body weight gain, ameliorated dyslipidemia, and reduced visceral adiposity. Additionally, we evaluated the prophylactic efficacy of BSO in a loperamide hydrochloride-induced constipation mouse model by assessing defecation parameters and gastrointestinal motility. Our results indicated that BSO intervention significantly increased fecal pallet output and fecal water content, as well as improved intestinal transit. In conclusion, this study lays the foundation for a deeper understanding of how BSO may influence obesity and constipation, offering novel insights into its potential safe and efficacious clinical applications.

Neutral Polysaccharide from Platycodonis Radix-Ameliorated PM2.5-Induced Lung Injury by Inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB p65 Pathway and Regulating the Lung and Gut Microbiome

Platycodonis radix (PR) has been reported to play a protective role in lung injury. However, much less is known about the protective effect and mechanism of its main component PR polysaccharides (PRPs) in particulate matter (PM2.5)-induced lung injury. Here, a neutral polysaccharide (MW: 244.56 kDa) was isolated from PR, mainly composed of Rha, Ara, Gal, Glc, Xyl, and Man. PRPs significantly improved PM2.5-induced pulmonary edema, oxidative damage, and cell apoptosis and downregulated inflammatory factor levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Mechanistically, PRPs reduced intestinal mucosal barrier damage, thereby lowering serum lipopolysaccharide levels and inhibiting the overactivation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in the lung tissue. Notably, PRPs could optimize the composition of pulmonary and intestinal microbiota. Oral administration of PRPs resulted in enrichment of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, thereby upregulating the levels of acetate, butyrate, and isovalerate. Taken together, PRPs have great potential in preventing and repairing the lung injury caused by PM2.5.

Utilizing Lactic Acid Bacteria to Improve Hyperlipidemia: A Comprehensive Analysis from Gut Microbiota to Metabolic Pathways

Hyperlipidemia poses significant risks for cardiovascular diseases, with emerging evidence underscoring the critical role of gut microbiota in metabolic regulation. This study explores Lactobacillus casei CAAS36, a probiotic strain with promising cholesterol-lowering capabilities, assessing its impact on hyperlipidemic hamsters. Utilizing 1H NMR-based metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we observed that L. casei CAAS36 treatment not only altered metabolic pathways but also reshaped gut microbiota composition. Notably, the treatment restored the balance between Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes and significantly increased the abundance of propionate-producing Muribaculaceae. Metabolically, L. casei CAAS36 administration led to the normalization of key lipid markers, including reductions in total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides (29.9%, 29.4% and 32.6%), while enhancing the protective HDL-C levels. These effects were accompanied by significant increases in beneficial metabolites such as propionate and succinate, which are known for their roles in preventing metabolic disorders. These findings highlight the dual regulatory effects of L. casei CAAS36 on the metabolic profile and gut microbiota, suggesting a substantial potential for this probiotic in the management of hyperlipidemia and possibly other metabolic diseases. Future applications may include its use as a natural therapeutic agent in clinical settings, aiming to reduce reliance on conventional pharmaceuticals and their associated side effects.

Effects of traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharides on chronic diseases by modulating gut microbiota: A review

Intestinal tract is the largest immune system of human body. Gut microbiota (GM) can produce a large number of metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids and bile acids, which regulate the physiological health of the host and affect the development of disease. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) polysaccharides have attracted extensive attention with multiple biological activities and low toxicity. TCM polysaccharides can promote the growth of intestinal beneficial bacteria and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria by regulating the structure and function of GM, thus playing a crucial role in preventing or treating chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), liver diseases, cancer, etc. In this paper, the research progress of TCM polysaccharides in the treatment of chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, T2DM, liver diseases, cancer, etc. by modulating GM was reviewed. Meanwhile, this review makes an in-depth discussion on the shortcomings of the research of TCM polysaccharides on chronic diseases by modulating GM, and new valuable prospection for the future researches of TCM polysaccharides are proposed, which will provide new ideas for the further study of TCM polysaccharides.

Gut microbiota combined with serum metabolites to reveal the effect of Morchella esculenta polysaccharides on lipid metabolism disordered in high-fat diet mice

The ameliorating effects and mechanisms of Morchella esculenta polysaccharides (MEP-1) on lipid metabolism were investigated in high-fat diet (HFD) mice. The results showed that MEP-1 intervention significantly reduced serum TC, TG, LDL-C, and inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) in HFD mice in a dose-dependent manner, and high-dose (400 mg/kg/d) exhibited the most significant reductive effects. In addition, MEP-1 significantly recovered the gut microbiota disorders caused by HFD, especially decreasing the ratio of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes (F/B) and increasing the dominant bacterial of Muribaculaceae_genus, Bacteroides, Alistipes and Enterococcus. Moreover, MEP-1 promoted the production of SCFAs and increased the expression levels of Occludin, Claudin and Muc2, also regulated lipid metabolism disorder and inflammation by inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB via the gut-liver axis. In addition, serum metabolomic analysis revealed that l-phenylalanine, l-arginine and acetylcholine were significantly upregulated with MEP-1 intervention, and were negatively correlated with blood lipid level, in which l-arginine could activate NO/PPARα/CPT1A pathway to ameliorate lipid metabolism disorders. Such results demonstrated that gut microbiota, amino acid metabolic and insulin secretion pathways might be the important factors that mediated the regulation of MEP-1 in lipid metabolism. The results also provided new evidence and strategies for the application of MEP-1 as functional foods.

Yellow tea polysaccharides protect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via regulation of gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism in mice

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major clinical and global public health issue, with no specific pharmacological treatment available. Currently, there is a lack of approved drugs for the clinical treatment of NAFLD. Large-leaf yellow tea polysaccharides (YTP) is a natural biomacromolecule with excellent prebiotic properties and significant therapeutic effects on multiple metabolic diseases. However, the specific mechanisms by which YTP regulates NAFLD remain unclear.

PURPOSE

This study aims to explore the prebiotic effects of YTP and the potential mechanisms by which it inhibits hepatic cholesterol accumulation in NAFLD mice.

METHODS

The effects of YTP on lipid accumulation were evaluated in NAFLD mice through obesity trait analysis and bile acids (BAs) metabolism assessment. Additionally, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was performed, and high-throughput sequencing was employed to investigate the mechanisms underlying YTP's regulatory effects on gut microbiota and BA metabolism.

RESULTS

Our study demonstrated that YTP altered the constitution of colonic BA, particularly increasing the levels of conjugated BA and non-12OH BA, which suppressed ileum FXR receptors and hepatic BA reabsorption, facilitated BA synthesis, and fecal BA excretion. The modifications were characterized by a decrease in the levels of FXR, FGF15, FGFR4, and ASBT proteins, and an increase in the levels of Cyp7a1 and Cyp27a1 proteins. YTP might affect enterohepatic circulation and by the activated the hepatic FXR-SHP pathway. Meanwhile, YTP reshaped the intestinal microbiome structure by decreasing BSH-producing genera and increasing taurine metabolism genera. The correlation analysis implied that Muribaculaceae, Pseudomonas, acterium_coprostanoligenes_group, Clostridiales, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Delftia, Dubosiella, and Romboutsia were strongly correlated with specific BA monomers.

CONCLUSIONS

YTP modulates bile salt hydrolase-related microbial genera to activate alternative bile acid synthesis pathways, thereby inhibiting NAFLD progression. These results suggest that YTP may serve as a potential probiotic formulation, offering a feasible dietary intervention for NAFLD.

Lactobacillus plantarum Ameliorates Colorectal Cancer by Ameliorating the Intestinal Barrier through the CLA-PPAR-γ Axis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third-largest cancer worldwide. Lactobacillus can regulate the intestinal barrier and gut microbiota. However, the mechanisms of Lactobacillus that alleviate CRC remained unknown. This study aimed to explore the regulatory effect of Lactobacillus plantarum on CRC and its potential mechanism. CCFM8661 treatment significantly ameliorated CRC compared with phosphate-buffered solution (PBS) treatment in ApcMin/+ mice. In addition, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) was proved to be the key metabolite for CCFM8661 in ameliorating CRC by molecular biology techniques. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) was proved to be the key receptor in ameliorating CRC by inhibitor intervention experiments. Moreover, supplementation with CCFM8661 ameliorated CRC by producing CLA to inhibit NF-κB pathway and pro-inflammatory cytokines, up-regulate ZO-1, Claudin-1, and MUC2, and promote tumor cell apoptosis in a PPAR-γ-dependent manner. Metagenomic analysis showed that CCFM8661 treatment significantly increased Odoribacter splanchnicus, which could ameliorate CRC by repairing the intestinal barrier. Clinical results showed that intestinal CLA, butyric acid, PPAR-γ, and Lactobacillus were significantly decreased in CRC patients, and these indicators were significantly negatively correlated with CRC. CCFM8661 alleviated CRC by ameliorating the intestinal barrier through the CLA-PPAR-γ axis. These results will promote the development of dietary probiotic supplements for CRC.

Natural products in atherosclerosis therapy by targeting PPARs: a review focusing on lipid metabolism and inflammation

Inflammation and dyslipidemia are critical inducing factors of atherosclerosis. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors and control the expression of multiple genes that are involved in lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses. However, synthesized PPAR agonists exhibit contrary therapeutic effects and various side effects in atherosclerosis therapy. Natural products are structural diversity and have a good safety. Recent studies find that natural herbs and compounds exhibit attractive therapeutic effects on atherosclerosis by alleviating hyperlipidemia and inflammation through modulation of PPARs. Importantly, the preparation of natural products generally causes significantly lower environmental pollution compared to that of synthesized chemical compounds. Therefore, it is interesting to discover novel PPAR modulator and develop alternative strategies for atherosclerosis therapy based on natural herbs and compounds. This article reviews recent findings, mainly from the year of 2020 to present, about the roles of natural herbs and compounds in regulation of PPARs and their therapeutic effects on atherosclerosis. This article provides alternative strategies and theoretical basis for atherosclerosis therapy using natural herbs and compounds by targeting PPARs, and offers valuable information for researchers that are interested in developing novel PPAR modulators.

Recent advances in Platycodon grandiflorum polysaccharides: Preparation techniques, structural features, and bioactivities

Platycodon grandiflorum, a globally recognized medicinal and edible plant, possesses significant nutritional value and pharmacological value. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has the effects of tonifying the spleen and replenishing the Qi, moistening the lung and relieving the cough, clearing the heat and detoxifying, and relieving the pain. Accumulating evidence has revealed that the polysaccharides from P. grandiflorum (PGPs) are one of the major and representative biologically active macromolecules and have diverse biological activities, such as immunomodulatory activity, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-tumor activity, regulation of the gut microbiota, anti-oxidant activity, anti-apoptosis activity, anti-angiogenesis activity, hypoglycemic activity, anti-microbial activity, and so on. Although the polysaccharides extracted from P. grandiflorum have been extensively studied for the extraction and purification methods, structural characteristics, and pharmacological activities, the knowledge of their structures and bioactivity relationship, toxicologic effects, and pharmacokinetic profile is limited. The main purpose of the present review is to provide comprehensively and systematically reorganized information on extraction and purification, structure characterizations, and biological functions as well as toxicities of PGPs to support their therapeutic potentials and sanitarian functions. New valuable insights for future research regarding PGPs were also proposed in the fields of therapeutic agents and functional foods.

Diet Change Improves Obesity and Lipid Deposition in High-Fat Diet-Induced Mice

The number of obese people is increasing dramatically worldwide, and one of the major causes of obesity is excess energy due to high-fat diets. Several studies have shown that reducing food and energy intake represents a key intervention or treatment to combat overweight/obesity. Here, we conducted a 12-week energy-restricted dietary intervention for high-fat diet-induced obese mice (C57BL/6J) to investigate the effectiveness of diet change in improving obesity. The results revealed that the diet change from HFD to NFD significantly reduced weight gain and subcutaneous adipose tissue weight in high-fat diet-induced obese mice, providing scientific evidence for the effectiveness of diet change in improving body weight and fat deposition in obese individuals. Regarding the potential explanations for these observations, weight reduction may be attributed to the excessive enlargement of adipocytes in the white adipose tissue of obese mice that were inhibited. Diet change significantly promoted lipolysis in the adipose tissue (eWAT: Adrb3, Plin1, HSL, and CPTA1a; ingWAT: CPT1a) and liver (reduced content of nonesterified fatty acids), and reduced lipogenesis in ingWAT (Dgat2). Moreover, the proportion of proliferative stem cells in vWAT and sWAT changed dramatically with diet change. Overall, our study reveals the phenotypic, structural, and metabolic diversity of multiple tissues (vWAT and sWAT) in response to diet change and identifies a role for adipocyte stem cells in the tissue specificity of diet change.