Rape bee pollen alleviates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis by neutralizing IL-1β and regulating the gut microbiota in mice

Radiation protection of sodium alginate and its regulatory effect on intestinal microflora in mice

Prolonged or high-dose exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) can cause damage to normal tissues of the body. Therefore, it is imperative to find effective radiation protective agents to mitigate IR-induced damage. This study evaluated the effects of sodium alginate (SA) on the radiation protection and modulatory effects of gut microorganisms using a 60Coγ-induced damage model in mice. Results showed that SA could reduce the damage of hematopoietic system; and alleviate the oxidative damage in irradiated mice by inhibiting the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) in serum, spleen, jejunum and liver. Moreover, SA treatment ameliorated IR-induced small intestine lesions and alleviated liver injury. This was consistent with decreased levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and increased levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) after SA treatment. Furthermore, SA treatment reversed IR-induced gut dysbiosis, elevated the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, increased the beneficial bacteria and reduced the pathogenic bacteria in the small intestine. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that SA exerted good radioprotective effect by improving hematopoietic system, alleviating oxidative stress, attenuating liver injury and inflammatory response, and modulating the intestinal microbiota in irradiated mice.

Helix pomatia mucin alleviates DSS-induced colitis in mice: Unraveling the cross talk between microbiota and intestinal chemokine

Gut microbiota imbalance and alterations in the chemokine-chemokine receptor interactions are pivotal in the initiation and advancement of ulcerative colitis (UC). The current UC treatments are prolonged, exhibit high recurrence rates, and may lead to colorectal cancer. So, this study explores the efficacy of Helix pomatia (H. pomatia) mucin in preventing DSS-induced UC. This research focuses on investigating the underlying mechanisms, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and alterations in gut microbiota and chemokine-chemokine receptor interactions, to understand the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics of the mucin. Using 4 % DSS in drinking water, UC was induced in C57BL/6 mice. For seven days, mice were given oral doses of either H. pomatia mucin or sulfasalazine. The study assessed changes in oxidative stress, gut microbiota, and histopathology, along with expression of IL-6, CXCR4, CCR7, CXCL9, and CXCL10. The H. pomatia mucin exhibited unique contents, including high glycolic acid (200 ± 2.08 mg/L), collagen (88 ± 2.52 mg/L), allantoin (20 ± 2 mg/L), and concentrated vitamins and minerals. Treatment with H. pomatia mucin in high dose demonstrated reduction in DAI, an increase in fecal Firmicutes, and elevated expression of colonic CCR7, CXCL9, and CXCL10, accompanied by enhanced CXCR4 (75 %) and diminished IL-6 (1.33 %) immunostaining. It also alleviated oxidative stress, reduced fecal Bacteroidetes, and mitigated inflammation, indicating its potential efficacy against DSS-induced UC. In conclusion, H. pomatia mucin is a promising candidate that could be an effective adjuvant in the management and prophylaxis of UC.

A novel Bacillus aerolatus CX253 attenuates inflammation induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae in childhood and pregnant rats by regulating gut microbiome

Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) is the predominant pathogen responsible for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children under five years old, and it can induce over 17% of pregnant women. However, no more effective measures exist to prevent infection induced by Spn in these two special populations. The beneficial microbes can antagonize Spn and provide new targets for preventing pneumococcal infections. This study used 16S rRNA gene sequencing and targeted metabolomics to evaluate the role of the Bacillus aerolatus CX253 (CX253) in alleviating Spn infection. Additionally, the colonization of CX253 was observed in nose, trachea, and lung by using confocal laser scanning microscopy and fluorescent labeling techniques. Compared with the model group, the expression level of interleukin-1β was dropped 1.81-fold and 2.22-fold, and interleukin-6 was decreased 2.39-fold and 1.84-fold. The express of tumor necrosis factor-α was down 2.30-fold and 3.84-fold in prevention group of childhood and pregnant rats, respectively. The 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that CX253 administration alone significantly increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, Limosilactobacillus, and Prevotella in the gut of childhood and pregnant rats. Furthermore, the CX253 increased propionate in the gut of childhood rats and increased propionate and butyrate in the gut of pregnant rats to inhibit pulmonary inflammation. In summary, CX253 attenuated Spn-induced inflammation by regulating the gut microbiota and SCFAs. The research provides valuable information for the prevention of pneumonia.

Resveratrol ameliorates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis by acting on mouse gut microbiota

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a multi-faceted, recurrent immune disorder caused by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The intestinal microbiota has multiple functions in the host, so UC requires long-term potent medication. The effect of resveratrol (RSV) has seldom been reported, and this study researched that. Herein, the effect of RSV and Grape seed oil that anti-inflammatory ability in experimental mice was explored, also why RSV altered Gut Microbiota has been researched.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experiment, the effects of experimental drugs on colon length in mice with DSS-induced colitis were compared. H&E Staining was performed on serial sections of colon tissues and histological scores were determined for all groups. The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the colon tissue of mice was detected by immunohistochemical staining. In the end, the α-diversity index, sobs index, and rarefaction curve of the cecal and colon microbiota of different groups of mice were measured. Bray-Curtis-based Venn diagram of PCoA (principal coordinate analysis) and OTUs distribution in mouse gut microbiota were obtained.

RESULTS

The results showed that the use of 40 mg/kg RSV (high dose) significantly reduced the severity of UC. The use of 10 mg/kg RSV (low dose) significantly reduced the effect of shortened colon length in DSS mice. Compared with the DSS-treated group, the levels of COX-2 and TNF-α in the colon tissues of RSV + DSS-treated mice were significantly decreased. According to this experiment, 19 mouse gut microbiota species had a relative abundance greater than 0.1%, with Beerella, Bacteroides, Helicobacter, Oscillator, and cecum pylori being more abundant in the colon than in the colon. A higher relative abundance of Lachnospira NK4A136 was observed in DSS and RSV groups compared with the control group, whereas the opposite was observed for Alloprevotella. This proves that resveratrol increases the uniformity and diversity of gut microbes to a certain extent, and has a protective effect on the gut.

Schisandra chinensis Bee Pollen Ameliorates Colitis in Mice by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Regulating Treg/Th17 Balance

Colitis is a chronic disease associated with alterations in the composition of gut microbiota. Schisandra chinensis bee pollen extract (SCPE) has been proved to be rich in phenolic compounds and effective in modulating gut microbiota, but its effect on colitis and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study investigates the relationship between colitis amelioration and the gut microbiota regulation of SCPE via fecal microbial transplantation (FMT). The results showed that administration of 20.4 g/kg BW of SCPE could primely ameliorate colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice, showing as more integration of colon tissue structure and the colonic epithelial barrier, as well as lower oxidative stress and inflammation levels compared with colitis mice. Moreover, SCPE supplement restored the balance of T regulatory (Treg) cells and T helper 17 (Th17) cells. Gut microbiota analysis showed SCPE treatment could reshape the gut microbiota balance and improve the abundance of gut microbiota, especially the beneficial bacteria (Akkermansia and Lactobacillus) related to the production of short-chain fatty acids and the regulation of immunity. Most importantly, the protection of 20.4 g/kg BW of SCPE on colitis can be perfectly transmitted by fecal microbiota. Therefore, the gut microbiota-SCFAS-Treg/Th17 axis can be the main mechanism for SCPE to ameliorate colitis. This study suggests that SCPE can be a new promising functional food for prevention and treatment of colitis by reshaping gut microbiota and regulating gut immunity.

Limosilactobacillus fermentum HF06-derived paraprobiotic and postbiotic alleviate intestinal barrier damage and gut microbiota disruption in mice with ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Paraprobiotics and postbiotics have shown potential in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). However, their in vivo application is still in its infancy and their mechanisms of action are not well understood.

RESULTS

Here, we investigated the mitigation effects of Limosilactobacillus fermentum HF06-derived paraprobiotic (6-PA) and postbiotic (6-PS) on dextran sulfate sodium induced UC and the potential mechanisms. Results indicated that the administration of 6-PA and 6-PS resulted in the inhibition of weight loss and colon shortening in mice with UC. Furthermore, they led to a significant reduction in both fecal moisture content and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in the intestine of the mice. 6-PA and 6-PS treatment strengthened the intestinal mucosal barrier by dramatically upregulating the levels of zonula occludens-1 and occludin proteins. In addition, 6-PA and 6-PS restored intestinal dysbiosis by regulating abundances of certain bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium, Faecalibaculum, Muribaculaceae, Corynebacterium, Escherichia-Shigella and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and regulated the level of short-chain fatty acids.

CONCLUSION

These findings illustrated for the first time that L. fermentum HF06-derived paraprobiotic and postbiotic enhanced the intestinal barrier function, and restored gut microbiota alterations. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

New insights into bee pollen: Nutrients, phytochemicals, functions and wall-disruption

Bee pollen is hailed as a treasure trove of human nutrition and has progressively emerged as the source of functional food and medicine. This review conducts a compilation of nutrients and phytochemicals in bee pollen, with particular emphasis on some ubiquitous and unique phenolamides and flavonoid glycosides. Additionally, it provides a concise overview of the diverse health benefits and therapeutic properties of bee pollen, particularly anti-prostatitis and anti-tyrosinase effects. Furthermore, based on the distinctive structural characteristics of pollen walls, a substantial debate has persisted in the past concerning the necessity of wall-disruption. This review provides a comprehensive survey on the necessity of wall-disruption, the impact of wall-disruption on the release and digestion of nutrients, and wall-disruption techniques in industrial production. Wall-disruption appears effective in releasing and digesting nutrients and exploiting bee pollen's bioactivities. Finally, the review underscores the need for future studies to elucidate the mechanisms of beneficial effects. This paper will likely help us gain better insight into bee pollen to develop further functional foods, personalized nutraceuticals, cosmetics products, and medicine.

Rapeseed bee pollen alleviates chronic non-bacterial prostatitis via regulating gut microbiota

BACKGROUND

Rapeseed bee pollen has been recognized as a critical treatment for chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (CNP) and it also can modulate gut microbiota and improve gut health. This study aimed to explore the anti-prostatitis effects of rapeseed bee pollen with or without wall-disruption, and to investigate the connection between this treatment and gut microbiota.

RESULTS

The results reveal that rapeseed bee pollen can effectively alleviate chronic non-bacteria prostatitis by selectively regulating gut microbiota, with higher doses and wall-disrupted pollen showing greater efficacy. Treatment with a high dose of wall-disrupted rapeseed bee pollen (WDH, 1.26 g kg-1 body weight) reduced prostate wet weight and prostate index by approximately 32% and 36%, respectively, nearly the levels observed in the control group. Wall-disrupted rapeseed bee pollen treatment also reduced significantly (p < 0.05) the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and TNF-α), as confirmed by immunofluorescence with laser scanning confocal microscope. Our results show that rapeseed bee pollen can inhibit pathogenic bacteria and enhance probiotics, particularly in the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio and the abundance of Prevotella (genus).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to investigate the alleviation of CNP with rapeseed bee pollen through gut microbiota. These results seem to provide better understanding for the development of rapeseed bee pollen as a complementary medicine. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Gut microbiota disorder induces liver dysfunction in polycystic ovary syndrome rats' model by regulating metabolite rosmarinic acid

AIMS

The present study aims to investigate the impact of the gut microbiota and serum metabolites on the regulation of liver dysfunction in PCOS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PCOS rat models were established by treating Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with DHEA (an androgen, 60 mg/kg) and LET (a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor, 1 mg/kg) for 90 days. Hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E), Western blotting, and radioimmunoassay were employed to test ovarian and liver functions. Gut microbiome and serum metabolites were assessed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics, respectively. The association between gut microbiota and serum metabolites was examined using Spearman analysis. Finally, using HepG2 cells to investigate the function of the serum metabolite rosmarinic acid (RA).

KEY FINDINGS

Both Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and letrozole (LET) treatments induced a PCOS phenotype and liver dysfunction. However, LET resulted in more severe lipid accumulation and liver cell apoptosis than DHEA. 16S rRNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics analysis revealed significant differences in beta diversity and serum metabolite profiles among the three groups. Furthermore, among the significantly changed metabolites, RA was found to have a significant correlation with the levels of serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and could promote HepG2 cell apoptosis.

SIGNIFICANCE

Restoring gut microbiota, altering serum metabolites and/or decreasing RA may provide a new insight to treat this complication.

Effect of Polycan, a β-Glucan from Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001, on Inflammatory Response and Intestinal Barrier Function in DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a subtype of inflammatory bowel disease, is a chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory disease with unclear etiology and pathophysiology. Herein, we determined the effects of extracellular polysaccharides purified from Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001 (Polycan) on tight junction protein expression, inflammation, and apoptosis in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute colitis model. Fifty mice were divided into normal, DSS, DSS + Polycan 250 mg/kg (Polycan 250), DSS + Polycan 500 mg/kg (Polycan 500), and DSS + 5-aminosalicylic acid 100 mg/kg (5-ASA) groups. Their body weights, colon lengths, histological changes in colon tissue, and tight junction function were observed. Results showed that Polycan 250, Polycan 500, and 5-ASA significantly inhibited body weight loss compared with DSS. Similar to 5-ASA, Polycan 500 exhibited preventive effects on colon length shortening and histological changes in colon tissues. Polycan inhibited the DSS-induced decrease in fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran permeability and myeloperoxidase activity. Moreover, Polycan significantly recovered serum cytokine (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β) or mRNA expression in colon tissue compared with DSS. Polycan also inhibited apoptosis by reducing caspase-3 activity and the Bcl-2 associated X/B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) ratio. Additionally, DSS treatment significantly reduced microbial abundance and diversity, but the administration of Polycan reversed this effect. Collectively, Polycan protected intestinal barrier function and inhibited inflammation and apoptosis in DSS-induced colitis.

Selenium-Fortified Kombucha-Pollen Beverage by In Situ Biosynthesized Selenium Nanoparticles with High Biocompatibility and Antioxidant Activity

Biogenic selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have been shown to exhibit increased bioavailability. Fermentation of pollen by a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY/Kombucha) leads to the release of pollen content and enhances the prebiotic and probiotic effects of Kombucha. The aim of this study was to fortify Kombucha beverage with SeNPs formed in situ by Kombucha fermentation with pollen. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the biosynthesis of SeNPs and the pollen-fermented Kombucha beverage. SeNPs were characterized by Transmission electron microscopy energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Zeta potential. The pollen-fermented Kombucha beverage enriched with SeNPs was characterized by measuring the total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, soluble silicon, saccharides, lactic acid, and the total content of Se0. The polyphenols were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The pollen and the bacterial (nano)cellulose were characterized by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), FTIR, and X-Ray diffraction (XRD). We also assessed the in vitro biocompatibility in terms of gingival fibroblast viability and proliferation, as well as the antioxidant activity of SeNPs and the pollen-fermented Kombucha beverage enriched with SeNPs. The results highlight their increased biological performance in this regard.

Integrated microbiomic and metabolomic analyses reveal the mechanisms by which bee pollen and royal jelly lipid extracts ameliorate colitis in mice

Bee pollen (BP) and royal jelly (RJ) have shown therapeutic effects against colitis, but the functional components contained therein remain elusive. Here, we used an integrated microbiomic-metabolomic strategy to clarify the mechanism by which bee pollen lipid extracts (BPL) and royal jelly lipid extracts (RJL) ameliorated dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Lipidomic results showed that levels of ceramide (Cer), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) were significantly higher in BPL than in RJL. The anti-inflammatory efficacy of BPL surpassed that of RJL, although both BPL and RJL could attenuate DSS-induced colitis through several mechanisms: reducing the disease activity index (DAI); decreasing histopathological damage; inhibiting the expression of genes encoding proinflammatory cytokines; improving intestinal microbial community structure, and modulating host metabolism. These findings demonstrated that BPL and RJL have great potential as functional ingredients for the production of dietary supplements to prevent early colitis.

Translational Research on Bee Pollen as a Source of Nutrients: A Scoping Review from Bench to Real World

The emphasis on healthy nutrition is gaining a forefront place in current biomedical sciences. Nutritional deficiencies and imbalances have been widely demonstrated to be involved in the genesis and development of many world-scale public health burdens, such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, bee pollen is emerging as a scientifically validated candidate, which can help diminish conditions through nutritional interventions. This matrix is being extensively studied, and has proven to be a very rich and well-balanced nutrient pool. In this work, we reviewed the available evidence on the interest in bee pollen as a nutrient source. We mainly focused on bee pollen richness in nutrients and its possible roles in the main pathophysiological processes that are directly linked to nutritional imbalances. This scoping review analyzed scientific works published in the last four years, focusing on the clearest inferences and perspectives to translate cumulated experimental and preclinical evidence into clinically relevant insights. The promising uses of bee pollen for malnutrition, digestive health, metabolic disorders, and other bioactivities which could be helpful to readjust homeostasis (as it is also true in the case of anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidant needs), as well as the benefits on cardiovascular diseases, were identified. The current knowledge gaps were identified, along with the practical challenges that hinder the establishment and fructification of these uses. A complete data collection made with a major range of botanical species allows more robust clinical information.

Bee Pollen and Probiotics' Potential to Protect and Treat Intestinal Permeability in Propionic Acid-Induced Rodent Model of Autism

Rodent models may help investigations on the possible link between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and gut microbiota since autistic patients frequently manifested gastrointestinal troubles as co-morbidities. Thirty young male rats were divided into five groups: Group 1 serves as control; Group 2, bee pollen and probiotic-treated; and Group 3, propionic acid (PPA)-induced rodent model of autism; Group 4 and Group 5, the protective and therapeutic groups were given bee pollen and probiotic combination treatment either before or after the neurotoxic dose of PPA, respectively. Serum occludin, zonulin, lipid peroxides (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase, and gut microbial composition were assessed in all investigated groups. Recorded data clearly indicated the marked elevation in serum occludin (1.23 ± 0.15 ng/mL) and zonulin (1.91 ± 0.13 ng/mL) levels as potent biomarkers of leaky gut in the PPA- treated rats while both were normalized to bee pollen/probiotic-treated rats. Similarly, the high significant decrease in catalase (3.55 ± 0.34 U/dL), GSH (39.68 ± 3.72 µg/mL), GST (29.85 ± 2.18 U/mL), and GPX (13.39 ± 1.54 U/mL) concomitant with a highly significant increase in MDA (3.41 ± 0.12 µmoles/mL) as a marker of oxidative stress was also observed in PPA-treated animals. Interestingly, combined bee pollen/probiotic treatments demonstrated remarkable amelioration of the five studied oxidative stress variables as well as the fecal microbial composition. Overall, our findings demonstrated a new approach to the beneficial use of bee pollen and probiotic combination as a therapeutic intervention strategy to relieve neurotoxic effects of PPA, a short-chain fatty acid linked to the pathoetiology of autism.

Blackcurrant Alleviates Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Colitis in Mice

Previous studies have reported that anthocyanin (ACN)-rich materials have beneficial effects on ulcerative colitis (UC). Blackcurrant (BC) has been known as one of the foods rich in ACN, while studies demonstrating its effect on UC are rare. This study attempted to investigate the protective effects of whole BC in mice with colitis using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Mice were orally given whole BC powder at a dose of 150 mg daily for four weeks, and colitis was induced by drinking 3% DSS for six days. Whole BC relieved symptoms of colitis and pathological changes in the colon. The overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in serum and colon tissues was also reduced by whole BC. In addition, whole BC significantly lowered the levels of mRNA and protein of downstream targets in the NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, BC administration increased the expression of genes related to barrier function: ZO-1, occludin, and mucin. Moreover, the whole BC modulated the relative abundance of gut microbiota altered with DSS. Therefore, the whole BC has demonstrated the potential to prevent colitis through attenuation of the inflammatory response and regulation of the gut microbial composition.

Surfactin Mitigates Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis and Behavioral Disorders in Mice by Mediating Gut-Brain-Axis Balance

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with brain neurotransmitter disorders and intestinal dysbiosis. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens fmb50 produces the lipopeptide surfactin, which has a wide range of biological activities. However, the effects of surfactin on DSS-induced colitis have not been reported. In the present study, oral surfactin significantly ameliorated colitis in a mouse model and reduced depression-like behavior, such as slowed walking speed, shortened movement distance in the open field test, and weakened exploration ability in the light-dark shuttle test. Surfactin noticeably improved gut microbial dysbiosis, intestinal barrier dysfunction in the colon, and blood-brain barrier dysfunction in the brain. Furthermore, the colon levels of occludin were upregulated by 68.51%, and the brain levels of occludin and ZO-1 were upregulated by 77.81% and 36.42%, respectively. Surfactin supplementation also inhibited inflammatory responses by inactivating the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), and NLRP3 signaling pathways in the colon and brain. Thus, we believe that surfactin improved the behavioral disorders by upregulating the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), norepinephrine (NE), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), suppressing the inflammatory responses, and improving the blood-brain barrier dysfunction. Surfactin also reduced the abundances of gut microbes that are related to colitis, especially targeting facultative anaerobes of the phylum Proteobacteria, and it increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and unidentified Prevotella. Combined with its nontoxic nature observed in this long-term study in mice, oral surfactin might be a promising intervention strategy for preventing colitis by acting on the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Sodium houttuyfonate derived from Houttuynia cordata Thunb improves intestinal malfunction via maintaining gut microflora stability in Candida albicans overgrowth aggravated ulcerative colitis

Candida albicans is a common opportunistic pathogen and normally resides in the human gut. Increasing number of reports link the overgrowth of C. albicans to the severity of ulcerative colitis (UC). Sodium houttuyfonate (SH), a derivative of the medicinal herb Houttuynia cordata Thunb, has been demonstrated to exhibit decent antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities. We showed previously that SH could ameliorate colitis mice infected with C. albicans. However, it is unclear whether the therapeutic effect of SH is connected to its modulation of intestinal microflora in UC. In this study, the impact of SH on the gut microbiota was explored in both cohabitation and non-cohabitation patterns. The results showed that in UC mice inflicted by C. albicans, the administration of SH could greatly improve the pathological signs, weaken the oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and enhance the intestinal mucosal integrity. By 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we found that C. albicans interference caused intestinal microbiota dysbiosis accompanied by an increase of some harmful pathogens including Klebsiella and Bacteroides. In contrast, SH could modulate the abundance and diversity of microbiota with an increase of several beneficial bacteria comprising short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria (Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Intestinimonas) and probiotics (Lactobacillus and Alloprevotella). Furthermore, the cohabitation strategy could also prove the efficacy of SH, indicating a role of transmissible gut flora in the colitis model. These findings suggest that SH might be an effective compound for the treatment of UC complicated by C. albicans overgrowth through maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis, thereby improving intestinal function.

Betaine supplementation alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis via regulating the inflammatory response, enhancing the intestinal barrier, and altering gut microbiota

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifaceted and recurrent immune disorder that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. Betaine is a natural compound that exerts beneficial anti-inflammatory effects. However, the role of betaine in protecting IBD is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of betaine in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. The results showed that betaine greatly increased the body weight and decreased the disease activity index score of DSS-treated mice. Furthermore, betaine effectively downregulated the protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα) and upregulated tight junction proteins (occludin and ZO-1) in the mice. Additionally, betaine exposure remarkably restricted the DSS-induced phosphorylation of IκB and NF-κB p65 in mice. Similarly, betaine pretreatment improved the inflammatory response and intestinal barrier of Caco-2 cells. Betaine altered the gut microbiota composition, markedly decreasing the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria and considerably increasing the relative abundance of Bacteroidota and Campylobacterota in DSS-induced mice. In conclusion, betaine could attenuate colitis via regulating the inflammatory response, enhancing the intestinal barrier, and altering gut microbiota and is conducive to developing new drugs for treating human diseases.

Sanguinarine ameliorates DSS induced ulcerative colitis by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and modulating intestinal microbiota in C57BL/6 mice

BACKGROUND

Sanguinarine (SAN) is an important natural anti-inflammatory constitutes and dietary supplementation with SAN could improve the relative length of the intestine, alter gut microbiota, and enhance growth performance of pigs, broiler chickens, and cattle. However, it is unclear whether it has the therapeutic effect on ulcerative colitis (UC).

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of SAN on UC and explore its mechanisms of action.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Several efficacy indexes of SAN on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced C57BL/6 mice were evaluated. ELISA kit and western blot analysis were used to evaluate it's anti-inflammatory effect and the mechanism of action. 16S rDNA sequencing detection was used to determine the impact of SAN on gut microbiota.

RESULTS

SAN and Sulfasalazine could significantly improve the colon length, the weight loss, the symptoms and the pathological injury of colon in DSS-induced mice. Meanwhile, SAN could decrease the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-13 and IL-18) and increase the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) in colon, and suppress DSS-induced high expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1β. In addition, SAN (0.5, 1 μM) could inhibit the expression level of NLRP3 and the activation of caspase-1 and IL-1β in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated THP-1 cells in non-cytotoxic doses, which was similar to that of MCC950, a specific inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The abundance changes of many genera such as Muribaculaceae_unclassified, Escherichia-Shigella, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Helicobacter were also closely related to the improvement of SAN on intestinal inflammatory response.

CONCLUSION

SAN exhibited therapeutic effect on DSS-induced colitis by blocking NLRP3-(Caspase-1)/IL-1β pathway and improving intestinal microbial dysbiosis. SAN might be developed to treat UC and other disorders associated with microbial dysbiosis.

Alternative to Sugar, Honey Does Not Provoke Insulin Resistance in Rats Based on Lipid Profiles, Inflammation, and IRS/PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathways Modulation

Insulin resistance (IR) is the central link to metabolic syndrome (MS), and IR prevention has become the key to overcoming this worldwide public health problem. A diet rich in simple sugars is an important pathogenic factor in IR development. To investigate the effect of honey on IR compared to the sugar-water diet, we analyzed phenolics and oligosaccharides in jujube honey and rape honey based on LC-MS and silane derivatization/GC-MS. The effects of different diets on glucose and lipid profile, histopathology and IR-related mechanism pathways were analyzed and compared by equal sugar levels intervention of fructose, fructose + glucose and two kinds of unifloral honey (high-/low-dose) in rats. The results suggested that sugar-equivalent honey, which differs from sugar solution, especially 17.1 g/kg BW jujube honey rich in phenolics (1.971 mg/100 g of isoquercitrin) and oligosaccharides (2.18 g/100 g of turanose), suppressed IR via maintaining glucose (OGTT and ITT) and lipid (TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, and NEFA) homeostasis, improving histological structural abnormalities of the liver, adipose and skeletal muscle, reducing oxidative stress (GSH-Px and MDA) and inflammation (IL-6 and TNF-α), modulating the NF-κB (NF-κB gene expression was down-regulated to 0.94) and IRS/PI3K/AKT signaling pathways (e.g., AKT and GLUT2 expression in liver increased by 4.56 and 13.37 times, respectively) as well as reshaping the gut microbiota. These revealed a potential nutritional contribution of substituting honey for simple sugar in the diet, providing a theoretical basis for controlling IR development via dietary modification and supplementation.

Aromatic-turmerone ameliorates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis via modulating gut microbiota in mice

Curcuma longa L. is one of the traditional Chinese herbs in the list of medicinal and food homology. Aromatic-turmerone is the main ingredient in turmeric essential oil. The aim of the present study is to investigate the treatment of Aromatic-turmerone on DSS-included colitis and its regulatory effect on intestinal flora disorder. Male KM mice supplemented with different concentration of aromatic-turmerone and mesalazine are subjected to 2% DSS in drinking water to induce colitis. Colon and cecum contents were collected for colitis lesion evaluation and inflammation-related gene analysis and colon contents for gut microbiota. The results show that treatments with Aromatic-turmerone significantly prevents colon shortening, alleviates the damage of colonic tissue, and reduces colonic inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and COX-2. Furthermore, the 16S rDNA gene sequence data indicate that Aromatic-turmerone improve the abundance of bacterial species, maintain some beneficial bacteria, and reduce harmful bacteria. Aromatic-turmerone downregulates the colonic inflammatory cytokines and modulates the abundance of intestinal flora, which is conductive to ameliorates DSS-induced colitis. Regularly intake of the edible herb may be help to prevent ulcerative colitis-related diseases.

Beneficial effects of Gynostemma pentaphyllum honey paste on obesity via counteracting oxidative stress and inflammation: An exploration of functional food developed from two independent foods rich in saponins and phenolics

The development of functional foods that possess a combination of biological functions and good sensory properties is an emerging topic in the field of food and function. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (G. pentaphyllum) is widely considered to exert anti-obesity effect owing to its abundant saponins and other bioactive components, but bitter and unacceptable taste limit its utilization. While honey, a natural sweetener, not only has the pleasure sense but is also usually used as the carrier of functional food due to its phenolic oligosaccharide, etc. In the present study, we proposed the preparation method of a G. pentaphyllum honey paste (GH) and its beneficial effects on obese mice. The results showed that GH contented 0.055 mg/g Gypenoside XLIX, 0.01 mg/g Gypenoside A, and 11 kinds of phenolics. It could down-regulate 23.3% of liver TC level, increase serum ALT activity, improve liver tissue damage and epididymal adipocyte hypertrophy than obese mice. Besides, GH regulated enzyme activities such as SOD and GSH to enhance oxidative stress defense and exerted anti-inflammatory activity via IL-6 (52.4%), TNF-α (38.7%), IFN-γ (32%) and NF-κB (28%) genes down-regulation, which also reshaped the gut microbiota structure, exerting anti-obesity effects. More importantly, GH promoted obese mice appetite with orexin-A compared to G. pentaphyllum alone. This study provided a new perspective on the development of G. pentaphyllum functional foods with both good organoleptic performance and obesity therapy.

Protective Mechanism of Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. Bee Pollen EtOH Extract Against Type II Diabetes in a High-Fat Diet/Streptozocin-Induced C57BL/6J Mice

Bee pollen is known as a natural nutrient storehouse and plays a key role in many biological processes. Based on the preliminary separation, identification, and characterization of the main active components of Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. bee pollen (FBP), the protective effects of F. esculentum bee pollen extract (FBPE) on high-fat-diet (HFD) and streptozocin (STZ) induced type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was evaluated in this study. The results revealed that FBPE contains 10 active compounds mainly including luteolin (9.46 g/kg), resveratrol (5.25 g/kg), kaemferol (3.67 g/kg), etc. The animal experiment results showed that FBPE could improve HFD-STZ induced T2DM mice. Moreover, the underlying mechanism of the above results could be: (i) FBPE could reduce the inflammation related to phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway, and (ii) the gut microbiota remodeling. The results of correlation analysis showed Candidatus Arthromitus and SMB53 indicated positive correlations to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); Coprococcus, Ruminocossus, and Odoribacteraceae reported negative correlations to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). That FBPE has an outstanding ability to improve T2DM and could be used as a kind of potential functional food for the prevention of T2DM.

Bee pollen in zebrafish diet affects intestinal microbiota composition and skin cutaneous melanoma development

Bee pollen is recommended as dietary supplement due to immunostimulating functions including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of such properties is still not well understood. As diet can be associated with animal performance, microbiota modulation and potentially factor for cancer, this study aimed to analyze if bee pollen could influence growth, gut microbial and skin cutaneous melanoma development in zebrafish. Control diets based on commercial flakes and Artemia were compared with the same diet supplemented with bee pollen. Fish weight gain, increased length, intestinal bacteria metagenomics analysis, serum amyloid A gene expression and cutaneous melanoma transplantation assays were performed. Bee pollen affected microbiota composition and melanoma development. Differential abundance revealed higher abundance in the control group for Aeromonadaceae family, Aeromonas and Pseudomonas genus, A. sobria, A. schubertii, A. jandaei and P. alcaligenes species compared with pollen diet group. Pollen group presented higher abundance for Chromobacterium genus and for Gemmobacter aquaticus, Flavobacterium succinicans and Bifidobacterium breve compared with control group. Unexpectedly, fish fed with bee pollen showed higher tumor growth rate and larger tumor size than control group. This is the first study to report intestinal microbial changes and no protective cancer properties after bee pollen administration.

Mitigation of DSS-Induced Colitis Potentially via Th1/Th2 Cytokine and Immunological Function Balance Induced by Phenolic-Enriched Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) Bee Pollen Extract

Colitis is an inflammatory disease that results from the overactivation of effector immune cells, producing a high quantity of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our study aimed to explore whether buckwheat (F. esculentum) bee pollen extract (FBPE) could inhibit the progression of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis via regulating immune function. We isolated and identified six main phenolic compounds of FBPE such as luteolin (9.46 mg/g) by column chromatography, HPLC-DAD, ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopy, then assessed their effects on colonic mucosal injury by clinical symptoms, histomorphology and immunohistochemistry examinations. The results showed that FBPE at 25.2 g/kg body weight (g/kg BW) changed the clinical symptoms of colitis, the ICAM-1 expression in colon, the activity of related inflammatory mediators in colon tissue and helped restore the immune system. Compared with the model group (40.28%), the CD4 positivity was significantly reduced in the HD (High-dose group: 25.2 g FBPE/kg BW/day) group (20.45%). Administration of 25.2 g/kg BW of FBPE decreased the IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-4 levels, while enhancing the IL-10 level, and significantly inhibited the abnormally decreased IgG (Model: 13.25 mg/mL, HD: 14.06 mg/mL), showing a reversal effect on the Th1/Th2 levels in colitis. These findings suggested that FBPE at 25.2 g/kg BW had the effects of alleviating colitis and immunomodulation, which can help in the development of safe and effective immune therapy.

Glycosides and flavonoids from the extract of Pueraria thomsonii Benth leaf alleviate type 2 diabetes in high-fat diet plus streptozotocin-induced mice by modulating the gut microbiota

Twenty glycoside derivatives and nine flavonoids from the leaves of Pueraria (P. thomsonii) were isolated by column chromatography and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The contents of twenty glycosides and nine flavonoids from the extract of P. thomsonii leaf (PL) were 173.3 mg g^-1 and 134.7 mg g^-1, respectively. Two flavonoids with the highest content were robinin (49.28 mg g^-1) and puerarin (42.87 mg g^-1). Six flavonoids, i.e. puerarin, robinin, rutin, quercetin, quercitrin, and kaempferol showed more inhibitory effects against α-glucosidase than acarbose. PL could effectively increase the level of insulin, decrease the content of fasting blood glucose, reduce lipid accumulation in plasma, ameliorate oxidative injury and inflammation, and relieve liver and kidney damage in diabetic mice. Moreover, PL could increase intestinal probiotics to improve metabolic disorders caused by diabetes and decrease the level of Clostridium celatum to relieve inflammation. This study suggested that PL or its glycoside derivatives and flavonoids regulating glycolipid metabolism and inflammation levels might have the potential to be used to control type 2 diabetes.

Putative Mechanisms Underlying the Beneficial Effects of Polyphenols in Murine Models of Metabolic Disorders in Relation to Gut Microbiota

The beneficial effects of polyphenols on metabolic disorders have been extensively reported. The interaction of these compounds with the gut microbiota has been the focus of recent studies. In this review, we explored the fundamental mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of polyphenols in relation to the gut microbiota in murine models of metabolic disorders. We analyzed the effects of polyphenols on three murine models of metabolic disorders, namely, models of a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic disorder, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, and a metabolic disorder not associated with HFD or DSS. Regardless of the model, polyphenols ameliorated the effects of metabolic disorders by alleviating intestinal oxidative stress, improving inflammatory status, and improving intestinal barrier function, as well as by modulating gut microbiota, for example, by increasing the abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria. Consequently, polyphenols reduce circulating lipopolysaccharide levels, thereby improving inflammatory status and alleviating oxidative imbalance at the lesion sites. In conclusion, polyphenols likely act by regulating intestinal functions, including the gut microbiota, and may be a safe and suitable therapeutic agent for various metabolic disorders.

Cherry Polyphenol Extract Ameliorated Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice by Suppressing Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and nonspecific inflammatory disease of the colon and rectum, and its etiology remains obscure. Cherry polyphenols showed potential health-promoting effects. However, both the protective effect and mechanism of cherry polyphenols on UC are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of the free polyphenol extract of cherry in alleviating UC and its possible mechanism of action. Our study revealed that the free polyphenol extract of cherry management significantly alleviated UC symptoms, such as weight loss, colon shortening, the thickening of colonic mucous layer, etc. The free polyphenol extract of cherry treatment also introduced a significant reduction in levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nitric oxide (NO), while causing a significant elevation in levels of catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This indicated that such positive effects were performed through reducing oxidative damage or in a cytokine-specific manner. The immunofluorescence analysis of ZO-1 and occludin proteins declared that the free polyphenol extract of cherry had the potential to prompt intestinal barrier function. The reduced expression levels of β-catenin, c-myc, cyclin D1 and GSK-3β suggested that the cherry extract performed its positive effect on UC by suppressing the Wnt/β-ctenin pathway. This finding may pave the way into further understanding the mechanism of cherry polyphenols ameliorating ulcerative colitis.

The Potential Role of Phytonutrients Flavonoids Influencing Gut Microbiota in the Prophylaxis and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), characterized by the chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, is comprised of two idiopathic chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases. As the incidence of IBD increases, so does the need for safe and effective treatments. Trillions of microorganisms are colonized in the mammalian intestine, coevolve with the host in a symbiotic relationship. Gut microbiota has been reported to be involved in the pathophysiology of IBD. In this regard, phytonutrients flavonoids have received increasing attention for their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this review, we address recent advances in the interactions among flavonoids, gut microbiota, and IBD. Moreover, their possible potential mechanisms of action in IBD have been discussed. We conclude that there is a complex interaction between flavonoids and gut microbiota. It is expected that flavonoids can change or reshape the gut microbiota to provide important considerations for developing treatments for IBD.

Ultrasound-assisted ethanol extraction of Actinidia arguta pollen possesses antioxidant activity and protects DNA from oxidative damage

Actinidia arguta pollen owns abundant nutrients, such as vitamins, polyphenols, etc., however, little research on its antioxidant ability and biological function was conducted. In this study, we observed A. arguta pollen spore structure by SEM (Scanning electron microscope), analyzed the phenolic composition of A. arguta pollen extract (AAPE) obtained by four extraction methods (A: ultrasound-assisted extraction with water, B: heat reflux extraction with water, C: ultrasound-assisted extraction with ethanol, and D: heat reflux extraction with ethanol). Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activities (ferric reducing/antioxidant power [FRAP], chelating activity, and DPPH^⋅ scavenging activity) were also determined. Finally, we investigated its protective effect on DNA and lymphocytes damage response to oxidative stress. The results showed that the morphology of A. arguta pollen was similar to other pollen of the genus A. Lindl., but differs from them slightly in the specific morphology indicators. What is more, AAPE obtained by different extraction methods exhibited a protective effect against DNA oxidative damage, they also possessed a strong cytoprotection effect on mouse lymphocytes, especially the extraction obtained by method C, which had the highest total phenolic content (15.05 ± 0.34 mg GAE/g), strong ferrous ion-chelating ability (0.37 ± 0.023 mg Na₂ EDTA/g), DPPH^⋅ scavenging activity (IC₅₀  = 0.14 ± 0.04 mg/ml), and FRAP (7.13 ± 0.33 mg Trolox/g). This paper provided a new edible natural antioxidant for human which will protect us from oxidative stress. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study was the first to report the morphology of Actinidia arguta pollen by SEM analysis, and studied the effects of different extraction methods on antioxidant activities and cytoprotective effect of A. arguta pollen extract. We believed that our research makes a significant contribution to the literature, because the results of this research provide a reference for the development of a new edible natural antioxidant.

Nutrients Bioaccessibility and Anti-inflammatory Features of Fermented Bee Pollen: A Comprehensive Investigation

We compared raw bee-collected pollen (Raw-BCP), spontaneously fermented BCP (Unstarted-BCP), and BCP fermented with selected microbial starters (Started-BCP) to deepen whether fermentation may favorably affect the nutrients bioaccessibility and functional features of BCP. Under in vitro gastrointestinal batches, the highest serum-availability of phenolic compounds was found in Started-BCP, highlighting the positive effect exerted by selected microbial starters. The same effect was not found in spontaneously fermented BCP. In colon adenocarcinoma cell line-2 (Caco-2) cells stressed by a pro-inflammatory stimulus, the treatment with Started-BCP halted the increase of pro-inflammatory mediator's level. Started-BCP counteracted efficiently the deleterious effects of inflammatory stimuli on the integrity of the Caco-2 cells monolayer and its barrier function. Started-BCP successfully counteracted the H₂O₂-induced intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Caco-2 cells. A protective role against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation was exerted by Started-BCP in human keratinocytes. The same protective effects on Caco-2 and keratinocyte cell lines were negligible after treatments with Raw-BCP or Unstarted-BCP.

Flavonoids: structure-function and mechanisms of action and opportunities for drug development

Flavonoids are polyphenolic phytochemicals produced in fruits, nuts and vegetables and dietary consumption of these structurally diverse compounds is associated with multiple health benefits including increased lifespan, decreased cardiovascular problems and low rates of metabolic diseases. Preclinical studies with individual flavonoids demonstrate that these compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities and they enhance the immune system. Their effectiveness in both chemoprevention and chemotherapy is associated with their targeting of multiple genes/pathways including nuclear receptors, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), kinases, receptor tyrosine kinases and G protein-coupled receptors. However, despite the remarkable preclinical activities of flavonoids, their clinical applications have been limited and this is due, in part, to problems in drug delivery and poor bioavailability and these problems are being addressed. Further improvements that will expand clinical applications of flavonoids include mechanism-based precision medicine approaches which will identify critical mechanisms of action of individual flavonoids with optimal activities that can be used in combination therapies.

Ulcerative colitis: Gut microbiota, immunopathogenesis and application of natural products in animal models

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease with increasing incidence in the world, especially in developing countries. Although knowledge of its pathogenesis has progressed over the last years, some details require clarification. Studies have highlighted the role of microbial dysbiosis and immune dysfunction as essential factors that may initiate the typical high-grade inflammatory outcome. In order to better understand the immunopathophysiological aspects of UC, experimental murine models are valuable tools. Some of the most commonly used chemicals to induce colitis are trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid, oxazolone and dextran sodium sulfate. These may also be used to investigate new ways of preventing or treating UC and therefore improving targeting in human studies. The use of functional foods or bioactive compounds from plants may constitute an innovative direction towards the future of alternative medicine. Considering the above, this review focused on updated information regarding the 1. gut microbiota and immunopathogenesis of UC; 2. the most utilized animal models of the disease and their relevance; and 3. experimental application of natural products, not yet tested in clinical trials.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Regular Consumption of Cooked Ham Enriched with Dietary Phenolics in Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Oxidative damage and chronic inflammation have been proven as one of the major factors associated with obesity, which increases the incidence of non-communicable chronic diseases. In this sense, the development of new functional products aiming at the palliation of oxidative stress and inflammatory disruption can be a determining factor for public health as seen in previous researches. In this study, a blend of potentially bioavailable dietary phenolics was added to low sodium and low-fat cooked ham. A diet-induced obesity model in C57/BL6J mice has been used for testing the effectiveness of the phenolic blend and the new functionalized product, which bioavailability was tested by UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS. After obesity induction, different oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers were evaluated. Results in the murine induced obesity model, demonstrate a robust statistically significant improvement in key parameters related with obesity risk in the groups feed with a phenolic-enriched diets (P) + high-fat diet (HFD) and phenolic enriched cooked ham (PECH) + HFD. In both groups there was an improvement in body composition parameters, inflammatory biomarkers and antioxidant enzymes levels. Specifically in the group feed with the phenolic enriched cooked ham (PECH + HFD) there was an improvement of total fat volume (23.08% reduction), spleen index (22.04% of reduction), plasmatic MCP-1 (18% reduction), IL-6 (38.94% reduction), IL-10 (13.28% reduction), TNF-α (21.32% reduction), gut IL-1β (10.86% reduction), gut IL-6 (13.63% reduction) and GPx (60.15% increase) and catalase (91.37% increase) enzymes. Thus, the functionalized ham could be considered an appropriate dietary polyphenol source, which might improve the oxidative and inflammatory status and could finally result in the potential decrease of the risk of certain non-communicable chronic diseases.

Ameliorative effects of L-theanine on dextran sulfate sodium induced colitis in C57BL/6J mice are associated with the inhibition of inflammatory responses and attenuation of intestinal barrier disruption

This study investigated the effects of L-theanine supplementation on the colonic mucosa injury in C57BL/6J male mice treated with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Treatment with L-theanine significantly decreased the disease activity index and ameliorated the inflammation-associated pathological damage in colon length, as well as the histopathological features of DSS-induced colitis. L-Theanine administration also inhibited DSS-induced changes in the colonic tissue that included myeloperoxidase by 4.5-fold and malondialdehyde by 2.3-fold in comparison to the DSS group. In addition, GSH was increased by 85% and lipopolysaccharides level was decreased by 55% in comparison to the DSS group. Proinflammatory cytokines expression, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, at the both protein and mRNA levels were also decreased significantly. Notably, the increase in serum content of lipopolysaccharides and colonic expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, toll like receptor (TLR)-2, TLR-4, TLR-6, and TLR-9 induced by DSS were also significantly inhibited by L-theanine administration. In addition, L-theanine also attenuated the reduction of serum contents of diamine oxidase and the production of short-chain fatty acids in the colonic tissue, and gene expression of mucosal barrier zonula occludens-1 and claudin-1 in DSS-induced colitis. Furthermore, 16S rRNA phylogenetic sequencing revealed a shift in microbial community composition induced by DSS, but no significant difference was observed following L-theanine supplementation. Overall, our findings demonstrated that L-theanine inhibits intestinal inflammation and protects against intestinal barrier disruption in mice with DSS-induced colitis. Further clinical trials should be considered to assess the effects of L-theanine supplementation on oxidative and inflammatory responses in humans.

Lycopene Alleviates DSS-Induced Colitis and Behavioral Disorders via Mediating Microbes-Gut-Brain Axis Balance

Gut microbes play significant roles in colitis development. The current study was aimed to uncover the preventive effects of lycopene (LYC), a functional carotenoid component, on colitis and the accompanied behavior disorders. The current study demonstrated that LYC treatment (50 mg/kg body weight/day) for 40 days prevented the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced gut barrier damages and inflammatory responses in male mice. LYC improved DSS-induced depression and anxiety-like behavioral disorders by suppressing neuroinflammation and prevented synaptic ultrastructure damages by upregulating the expressions of neurotrophic factor and postsynaptic-density protein. Moreover, LYC reshaped the gut microbiome in colitis mice by decreasing the relative abundance of proteobacteria and increasing the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. LYC also elevated the generation of short-chain fatty acids and inhibited the permeability of lipopolysaccharide in colitis mice. In conclusion, LYC ameliorate DSS-induced colitis and behavioral disorders via mediating microbes-gut-brain axis balance.

Bioactive Constituents of F. esculentum Bee Pollen and Quantitative Analysis of Samples Collected from Seven Areas by HPLC

Bee pollen contains all the essential amino acids needed by humans. China is the largest producer of bee pollen in the world. In the present study, we identified 11 fatty acids in F. esculentum bee pollen oil by GC-MS analysis, and 16 compounds were isolated from F. esculentum bee pollen by column chromatography and identified. A high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method was established for the quality control of F. esculentum bee pollen. A validated HPLC-DAD method was successfully applied to the simultaneous characterization and quantification of nine main constituents in seven samples collected from seven different areas in China. The results showed that all standard calibration curves exhibited good linearity (R2 > 0.999) in HPLC-DAD analysis with excellent precision, repeatability and stability. The total amount in the samples from the seven regions ranged from 23.50 to 46.05 mg/g. In addition, seven compounds were studied for their bioactivity using enzymic methods, whereby kaempferol (3) showed high α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50: 80.35 μg/mL), ergosterol peroxide (8) showed high tyrosinase inhibitory activity (IC50: 202.37 μg/mL), and luteolin (1) had strong acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC50: 476.25 μg/mL). All results indicated that F. esculentum bee pollen could be a nutritious health food.