A novel polysaccharide from Rubus chingii Hu unripe fruits: Extraction optimization, structural characterization and amelioration of colonic inflammation and oxidative stress

Isolation, structural characterization and immunomodulatory activity on RAW264.7 cells of a novel exopolysaccharide of Dictyophora rubrovalvata

Fungal polysaccharides have been explored by many for both structural studies and biological activities, but few studies have been done on the extracellular polysaccharides of Dictyophora rubrovalvata, so a new exopolysaccharide was isolated from Dictyophora rubrovalvata and its structure and its immunological activity were investigated. The crude exopolysaccharide (EPS) was purified by DEAE52 cellulose and Sephadex G-200 to obtain a new acidic polysaccharide (DR-EPS). DR-EPS (2.66 × 103 kDa) was consisted mainly of mannose, glucose, galactose and glucuronic acid with a molar ratio of 1: 0.86: 0.20: 0.01. In addition, DR-EPS increased the phagocytic activity of RAW264.7 cells up to 2.67 times of the blank control group. DR-EPS improved intracellular nucleic acid and glycogen metabolism as observed by AO and PAS staining. DR-EPS(40 μg/mL) promoted NO production up to 30.66 μmol, enhanced acid phosphatase (ACP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, with activity maxima of 660 U/gprot and 96.27 U/mgprot, respectively, and DR-EPS (160 μg / mL) significantly increased the lysozyme content as 2.73 times of the control group. The good immunological activity of extracellular polysaccharides of Dictyophora rubrovalvata provides directions for the use of fermentation broths.

Raspberry polysaccharides attenuate hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress in diet-induced obese mice by enhancing butyrate-mediated intestinal barrier function

Obesity and associated liver diseases are becoming global public health challenges. Raspberry (Rubus chingii Hu.), as a medicine food homology plant, possesses a series of health-promoting properties, but its protective effect on obesity-related liver injury and the potential mechanisms remain obscure. Herein high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice were orally treated with raspberry polysaccharides (RCP) for 14 weeks. Treatment with RCP alleviated obesity and associated symptoms including hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia, endotoxemia, as well as hepatic inflammation and oxidant stress in HFD-induced obese mice. RCP restructured the gut microbiota and host metabolism especially by increasing the levels of Dubosiella and its metabolite butyrate. Besides, exogenous butyrate supplementation protected against intestinal barrier disruption, and thereby reduced inflow of lipopolysaccharide and mitigated inflammation and oxidative injury in the liver of obese mice. Therefore, we suggest that RCP can be utilized as a novel prebiotics to improve obesity-induced hepatic oxidative injury by enhancing butyrate-mediated intestinal barrier function.

Amelioration of obesity and inflammation by polysaccharide from unripe fruits of raspberry via gut microbiota regulation

Raspberry, a traditional medicine food homology species, has important benefits in patients with metabolic syndrome. However, the mechanism of raspberry polysaccharides (RP) on obesity remains unclear. In our study, we showed that RP intervention is negatively associated with body weight gain, hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and fat accumulation in obese mice. RP ameliorated HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, produced short-chain fatty acids, maintained intestinal barrier integrity, and prevented metabolic endotoxemia, manifested by decreased host lipopolysaccharide level, and increased colon expression of tight junction proteins. These effects might be related with driven by a SCFAs-producing bacterium and downregulation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling transduction. Notably, the abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG - 014, Lactobacillus taiwanensis, Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, and Turicibacter are markedly correlated with enhanced intestinal barrier function induced by RP treatment. Thus, we believe that RP could be as a potential health supplement or prebiotic for obesity therapy.

Regulation of the intestinal flora using polysaccharides from Callicarpa nudiflora Hook to alleviate ulcerative colitis and the molecular mechanisms involved

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that cannot be completely cured by current treatments. C. nudiflora Hook has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hemostatic biological functions; however, the therapeutic role of C. nudiflora Hook or its extracts in IBD remains poorly understood. In this study, we extracted and purified three fractions of C. nudiflora Hook polysaccharides by hydroalcohol precipitation method, which were named as CNLP-1, CNLP-2 and CNLP-3, respectively. CNLP-2, the main component of the polysaccharides of C. nudiflora Hook is an pyranose type acidic polysaccharide composed of Fuc, Rha, Ara, Gal, Glc, Xyl, Man, Gal-UA and Glc-UA, with an Mn of 15.624 kDa; Mw of 31.375 kDa. CNLP-2 was found to have a smooth lamellar structure as observed by scanning electron microscopy. To investigate the effect of CNLP-2 (abbreviated to CNLP) on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC mice and its mechanism of action, we treated DSS-induced UC mice by administering CNLP at a dose of 100 mg/kg every other day. The results of the study showed that CNLP alleviated the clinical symptoms such as body weight (BW) loss, pathological damage, and systemic inflammation. The mechanism may be through the regulation of intestinal flora and its metabolism, which in turn affects the expression of NF-κB/MAPK pathway-related proteins through the metabolites of intestinal flora to further alleviate inflammation and ultimately improve the intestinal barrier function in UC mice. In conclusion, CNLP has great potential for the treatment of IBD.

Licorice flavonoid alleviates gastric ulcers by producing changes in gut microbiota and promoting mucus cell regeneration

Licorice flavonoid (LF) is the main component of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, a "medicine food homology" herbal medicine, which has anti-digestive ulcer activity, but the mechanism in anti-gastric ulcer (GU) remains to be elucidated. In this study, we manifested that LF increased the viability of human gastric mucosal epithelial (GES-1) cells, attenuated ethanol (EtOH)-induced manifestations, reduced histological injury, suppressed inflammation, and restored gastric mucosal barrier in GU rats. After LF therapy, the EtOH-induced gut dysbiosis was partly modulated, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyric acid, propionic acid, and valeric acid were found in higher concentrations. We discovered that the majority of genera that increased in the GU group had a negative correlation with SCFAs in the intestinal tract. In addition, LF-upregulated SCFAs boosted mucus secretion in the gastric epithelium and the expression of mucoprotein (MUC) 5AC and MUC6, particularly the MUC5AC in the gastric foveola. Moreover, LF triggered the EGFR/ERK signal pathway which promoted gastric mucus cell regeneration. Therefore, the findings indicated that LF could inhibit inflammation, promote mucosal barrier repair and angiogenesis, regulate gut microbiota and SCFA metabolism; more importantly, promote epithelial proliferation via activation of the EGFR/ERK pathway, exerting a protective and regenerative effect on the gastric mucosa.

Dietary Patterns Are Associated with the Gut Microbiome and Metabolic Syndrome in Mexican Postmenopausal Women

Postmenopausal women are at an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) due to hormonal changes and lifestyle factors. Gut microbiota (GM) have been linked to the development of MetS, and they are influenced by dietary habits. However, the interactions between dietary patterns (DP) and the GM of postmenopausal women, as well as their influence on MetS, still need to be understood. The present study evaluated the DP and microbiota composition of postmenopausal Mexican women with MetS and those in a control group. Diet was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, and the GM were profiled using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Greater adherence to a "healthy" DP was significantly associated with lower values of MetS risk factors. GM diversity was diminished in women with MetS, and it was negatively influenced by an "unhealthy" DP. Moreover, a higher intake of fats and proteins, as well as lower amounts of carbohydrates, showed a reduction in some of the short-chain fatty acid-producing genera in women with MetS, as well as increases in some harmful bacteria. Furthermore, Roseburia abundance was positively associated with dietary fat and waist circumference, which may explain 7.5% of the relationship between this macronutrient and MetS risk factors. These findings suggest that GM and diet interactions are important in the development of MetS in postmenopausal Mexican women.

Plant-Based Dietary Fibers and Polysaccharides as Modulators of Gut Microbiota in Intestinal and Lung Inflammation: Current State and Challenges

Recent research has underscored the significant role of gut microbiota in managing various diseases, including intestinal and lung inflammation. It is now well established that diet plays a crucial role in shaping the composition of the microbiota, leading to changes in metabolite production. Consequently, dietary interventions have emerged as promising preventive and therapeutic approaches for managing these diseases. Plant-based dietary fibers, particularly polysaccharides and oligosaccharides, have attracted attention as potential therapeutic agents for modulating gut microbiota and alleviating intestinal and lung inflammation. This comprehensive review aims to provide an in-depth overview of the current state of research in this field, emphasizing the challenges and limitations associated with the use of plant-based dietary fibers and polysaccharides in managing intestinal and lung inflammation. By shedding light on existing issues and limitations, this review seeks to stimulate further research and development in this promising area of therapeutic intervention.

Research progress on the structural characterization, biological activity and product application of polysaccharides from Crataegus pinnatifida

Crataegus pinnatifida is a plant of the Crataegus genus in the Rosaceae family and is commonly used as a food and medicinal resource. Crataegus pinnatifida polysaccharide, as one of the main active ingredients of Crataegus pinnatifida, has a variety of beneficial biological activities, such as antioxidant, hypoglycemic activity, lipid-lowering, intestinal flora regulation, promotion immune regulation, and antitumor activities. However, the extraction methods of Crataegus pinnatifida polysaccharides lack innovation, the primary structure is relatively limited, and the biological activity mechanism needs to be further explored. Therefore, this review summarizes the research status of the extraction, purification, structural characterization, biological activity, and product application of Crataegus pinnatifida polysaccharides. The purpose of this study is to generate support for further development and application of polysaccharides from Crataegus pinnatifida.