Regulatory effects of hawthorn polyphenols on hyperglycemic, inflammatory, insulin resistance responses, and alleviation of aortic injury in type 2 diabetic rats

Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry for the detection of human disease: a review

Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) is an advanced technique used for detecting trace compounds, due to its non-destructive, straightforward, and rapid analytical capabilities. However, the application of GC-IMS in human disease screening is barely reported. This review summarizes the application and related parameters of GC-IMS in human disease diagnosis. GC-IMS detects volatile organic compounds in human breath, feces, urine, bile, etc. It can be applied to diagnose diseases, such as respiratory diseases, cancer, enteropathy, Alzheimer's disease, bacterial infection, and metabolic diseases. Several potential disease markers have been identified by GC-IMS, including ethanal (COVID-19), 2-heptanone (lung cancer) and 3-pentanone (pulmonary cryptococcosis). In conclusion, GC-IMS offers a non-invasive approach to monitor and diagnose human diseases with broad applications.

Antidiabetic Effect of Bifidobacterium animalis TISTR 2591 in a Rat Model of Type 2 Diabetes

This study investigated the beneficial effects of probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis TISTR 2591 on the regulation of blood glucose and its possible mechanisms in a rat model of type 2 diabetes. The type 2 diabetic-Sprague Dawley rats were established by the combination of a high-fat diet and a low dose of streptozotocin. After 4 weeks of treatment with 2 × 108 CFU/ml of B. animalis TISTR 2591, fasting blood glucose (FBG), oral glucose tolerance, serum insulin, and pancreatic and hepatic histopathology were determined. Liver lipid accumulation, glycogen content, and gluconeogenic protein expression were evaluated. Oxidative stress and inflammatory status were determined. B. animalis TISTR 2591 significantly reduced FBG levels and improved glucose tolerance and serum insulin in the diabetic rats. Structural damage of the pancreas and liver was ameliorated in the B. animalis TISTR 2591-treated diabetic rats. In addition, significant decreases in hepatic fat accumulation, glycogen content, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-1 protein expression were found in the diabetic rats treated with B. animalis TISTR 2591. The diabetic rats showed a significant reduction of inflammation following B. animalis TISTR 2591 supplementation, as demonstrated by decreasing hepatic NF-κB protein expression and serum and liver TNF-α levels. The B. animalis TISTR 2591 significantly decreased MDA levels and increased antioxidant SOD and GPx activities in the diabetic rats. In conclusion, B. animalis TISTR 2591 was shown to be effective in controlling glucose homeostasis and improving glucose tolerance in the diabetic rats. These beneficial activities were attributed to reducing oxidative and inflammatory status and modulating hepatic glucose metabolism.

Review on the Role of Polyphenols in Preventing and Treating Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence from In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the leading causes of death globally. There was a 70% increase in diabetes-related deaths between 2000 and 2020, particularly among males. This non-communicable disease is characterized by increased insulin resistance, leading to elevated blood sugar levels and, if untreated, resulting in complications such as nerve damage, kidney disease, blindness, and poor wound healing. T2D management includes dietary intervention, physical exercise, and the administration of blood sugar-lowering medication. However, these medications often have side effects related to intestinal discomfort. Therefore, natural alternatives to standard diabetes medications are being sought to improve the quality of life for individuals with this condition. Polyphenols, which are naturally occurring plant metabolites, have emerged as strong candidates for T2D control. Various phenolic acids (e.g., chlorogenic acid), flavonoids (e.g., quercetin), proanthocyanidins (e.g., procyanidin B2), gallotannins (e.g., monogalloyl hexoside), and ellagitannins (e.g., ellagic acid hexoside) can enhance insulin sensitivity in tissues, reduce chronic inflammation, scavenge free radicals, improve insulin secretion, inhibit enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion, regulate glucose transport across cell membranes, and modulate gut microbiota. This contribution compiles up-to-date evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies on the role of polyphenols in the prevention and management of T2D, emphasizing the mechanisms of action underlying these effects.

Traditional Chinese medicine and plant-derived natural products in regulating triglyceride metabolism: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential

The incidence of cardiometabolic disease is increasing globally, with a trend toward younger age of onset. Among these, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Despite the efficacy of traditional lipid-lowering drugs, such as statins, in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, a significant residual risk of cardiovascular events remains, which is closely related to unmet triglyceride (TG) targets. The clinical application of current TG-lowering Western medicines has certain limitations, necessitating alternative or complementary therapeutic strategies. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and plant-derived natural products, known for their safety owing to their natural origins and diverse biological activities, offer promising avenues for TG regulation with potentially fewer side effects. This review systematically summarises the mechanisms of TG metabolism and subsequently reviews the regulatory effects of TCM and plant-derived natural products on TG metabolism, including the inhibition of TG synthesis (via endogenous and exogenous pathways), promotion of TG catabolism, regulation of fatty acid absorption and transport, enhancement of lipophagy, modulation of the gut microbiota, and other mechanisms. In conclusion, through a comprehensive analysis of recent studies, this review consolidates the multifaceted regulatory roles of TCM and plant-derived natural products in TG metabolism and elucidates their potential as safer, multi-target therapeutic agents in managing hypertriglyceridemia and mitigating cardiovascular risk, thereby providing a basis for new drug development.

A Comprehensive Review on the Isolation, Bioactivities, and Structure-Activity Relationship of Hawthorn Pectin and Its Derived Oligosaccharides

Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge) has been highlighted as an excellent source of a variety of bioactive polymers, which has attracted increasing research interest. Pectin, as a kind of soluble dietary fiber in hawthorn, is mainly extracted by hot water extraction and ultrasonic or enzymatic hydrolysis and is then extensively used in food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. Numerous studies have shown that hawthorn pectin and its derived oligosaccharides exhibit a wide range of biological activities, such as antioxidant activity, hypolipidemic and cholesterol-reducing effects, antimicrobial activity, and intestinal function modulatory activity. As discovered, the bioactivities of hawthorn pectin and its derived oligosaccharides were mainly contributed by structural features and chemical compositions and were highly associated with the extraction methods. Additionally, hawthorn pectin is a potential resource for the development of emulsifiers and gelling agents, food packaging films, novel foods, and traditional medicines. This review provides a comprehensive summary of current research for readers on the extraction techniques, functional characteristics, structure-activity relationship, and applications in order to provide ideas and references for the investigation and utilization of hawthorn pectin and its derived oligosaccharides. Further research and development efforts are imperative to fully explore and harness the potential of hawthorn pectin-derived oligosaccharides in the food and medicine fields.

The roles of dietary polyphenols at crosstalk between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease in ameliorating oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction via PI3K/Akt signaling pathways

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease in which senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are crucially involved in its physiological and pathophysiological processes. Growing animal and clinical studies have suggested that AD is also comorbid with some metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and therefore, it is often considered brain diabetes. AD and T2DM share multiple molecular and biochemical mechanisms, including impaired insulin signaling, oxidative stress, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In this review article, we mainly introduce oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction and explain their role and the underlying molecular mechanism in T2DM and AD pathogenesis; then, according to the current literature, we comprehensively evaluate the possibility of regulating oxidative homeostasis and mitochondrial function as therapeutics against AD. Furthermore, considering dietary polyphenols' antioxidative and antidiabetic properties, the strategies for applying them as potential therapeutical interventions in patients with AD symptoms are assessed.

Hawthorn Vinegar in Health with a Focus on Immune Responses

BACKGROUND

The hawthorn fruit is an interesting medicinal plant that has several biological features, especially related to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-modulating actions, and boosting general health. In this study, we aimed to clarify the immunological effects of hawthorn vinegar on immunity and general health. We also focused on three different production processes to improve the antioxidant activity of hawthorn vinegar (2) Methods: In the study, besides the traditional production of hawthorn vinegar (N), thermal pasteurization (P) and ultrasound (U) techniques were applied to vinegars. A total of 56 female adult Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated into seven groups; Control, N0.5 (regular vinegar; 0.5 mL/kgbw), N1 (regular vinegar; 1 mL/kgbw), P0.5 (pasteurized vinegar; 0.5 mL/kgbw), P1 (pasteurized vinegar; 1 mL/kgbw), U0.5 (ultrasound treated vinegar; 0.5 mL/kgbw), and U1 (ultrasound treated vinegar; 1 mL/kgbw). Vinegars were administered by oral gavage daily. The average weight gains, body mass index, and blood hematological parameters were measured, and the Neutrophil Lymphocyte ratio was calculated. The plasma IL-1β and TNF-α values, and MDA, IL-1β and TNF-α values of intestinal tissue, were determined. Also, the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method was applied to determine the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in duodenum. (3) Results: There was a decreasing tendency in the average weight gains in all vinegar groups compared to the control group. In addition, there was an increase in NL ratio in all vinegar groups, although not significant. There were no statistical differences among all vinegar groups, although decreases were observed in plasma IL-1β. Also, the plasma TNF-α values showed slight increases in high-dose-of-vinegar groups (N1, P1 and U1), although not significant. In addition, the intestinal tissue IL-1β value tended to increase in groups N0.5, N1 and P0.5, while it tended to decrease in P1, U0.5 and U1. On the other hand, there were slight increases in the TNF-α values of intestinal tissue in all groups compared to control, although these were not significant. Furthermore, the intensive expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β were determined in groups U0.5 and U1. (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that either high doses or ultrasound applications of hawthorn vinegar have positive effects on intestinal health, boosting immunity and general health.

The polysaccharides from seeds of Glycyrrhiza uralensis ameliorate metabolic disorders and restructure gut microbiota in type 2 diabetic mice

T2D and its complications are significant threats to human health and are among the most concerning metabolic diseases worldwide. Previous studies have revealed that Glycyrrhiza uralensis polysaccharide extract (GUP) exhibits remarkable antioxidant capabilities and inhibits alpha-glucosidase activity. However, whether GUP improves glycemic control in T2D is unknown. This study aims to investigate the effects of GUP on glucose and lipid metabolism as well as the intestinal microbiota in HFD/STZ-induced T2D. The results demonstrated that GUP could significantly ameliorate hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and reduce liver lipid levels in T2D mice. Furthermore, it also enhanced the integrity of the intestinal barrier in T2D mice by reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and serum LPS levels. Interestingly, GUP treatment significantly lowered serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels, mitigating renal function deterioration and interstitial fibrosis. Additionally, GUP intervention increased the α diversity of gut microbiota, promoting beneficial species like Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, Romboutsia and Faecalibaculum, while decreasing harmful ones such as Bacteroides, Escherichia-Shigella, and Clostridium sensu stricto 1 in T2D mice. Overall, this study highlights the potential of GUP in alleviating complications and enhancing intestinal health in T2D mice, providing valuable insights into dietary strategies for diabetes control and overall health improvement.

Polyphenol consumption and Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease risk in adults

In this cross-sectional investigation, the primary objective was to explore the correlation between the consumption of polyphenols and the likelihood of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the adult population participating in the Hoveyzeh cohort. Data from the Hoveyzeh cohort study, part of the Persian Cohort Study, involving 10,009 adults aged 35-70, were analyzed. Exclusions were made for missing data, extreme energy intake, and liver cancer patients. Dietary habits were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, and polyphenol intake was calculated using the Phenol Explorer database. Logistic regression analyses, adjusted for confounders, were performed to assess the relationship between polyphenol subclasses (total polyphenols, total flavonoids, phenolic acid, and lignin) and NAFLD. Among 9894 participants, those in the highest quintile of total polyphenol (OR 0.65, CI 0.5-0.84; P = 0.007), phenolic acid (OR 0.67, CI 0.52-0.86; P < 0.001), and lignin intake (OR 0.69, CI 0.52-0.87; P = 0.001) demonstrated lower odds of NAFLD compared to the lowest quintile, even after adjusting for confounding factors. However, no significant association was found between total flavonoid intake and NAFLD (OR 1.26, CI 0.96-1.67; P = 0.47). Subgroup analysis indicated a significant inverse association between total polyphenols and NAFLD in women (OR 0.64, CI 0.42-0.93; P = 0.001). Higher intake of total polyphenols, phenolic acid, and lignin was associated with reduced odds of NAFLD among adults in the Hoveyzeh cohort. This suggests that dietary patterns rich in these polyphenols may play a role in mitigating the risk of NAFLD. Further interventional and longitudinal studies are needed to validate these findings and explore potential preventive strategies involving polyphenol-rich diets.

Effect of hawthorn polyphenol extracts on the physicochemical properties and digestibility of corn starch

To investigate the effect of hawthorn polyphenols on the physicochemical properties and digestibility of corn starch, different proportions (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% [w/w]) of hawthorn polyphenol extracts (HPEs) were mixed with corn starch, and their physicochemical properties and digestive properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Rapid Visco Analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and in vitro/in vivo analysis. Results indicated that small V-type crystal starch tended to be formed in the samples, and the addition of HPEs reduced the viscosity, prolonged the gelatinization temperature of corn starch, and increased the proportion of slowly digestible starch and resistant starch of the corn starch, which accounted for 36.32% ± 1.05% and 33.32% ± 4.07%, respectively. Compared with the raw corn starch, the postprandial blood glucose of mice that were administered the hawthorn polyphenols decreased significantly: the blood glucose peak (30 min) decreased from 14.30 ± 1.52 to 11.77 ± 1.21 mmol/L. Our study might provide some basic theoretical support for the application of hawthorn polyphenols in healthy starchy food processing.

Anti-Diabetic Potential of Polyphenol-Rich Fruits from the Maleae Tribe-A Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Animal and Human Trials

The Maleae tribe consists of over one thousand species, including many well-known polyphenol-containing fruit crops with wide-ranging biological properties, e.g., apples (Malus), chokeberries (Aronia), pears (Pyrus), quinces (Cydonia, Chaenomeles), saskatoon (Amelanchier), loquats (Eriobotrya), medlars (Mespilus), rowans (Sorbus), and hawthorns (Crataegus). Considering the current interest in the concept of functional foods and the still-insufficient methods of diabetes management, the anti-diabetic potential of fruits has been studied intensively, including those of the Maleae tribe. This paper is the first comprehensive overview of this selected topic, covering articles published from 2000 to 2023 (131 articles in total). The first part of this review focuses on the potential mechanisms of action of fruits investigated so far (46 species), including their effects on tissue-specific glucose transport and the expression or activity of proteins in the insulin signalling pathway. The second part covers the phytocompounds responsible for particular fruits' activity-primarily polyphenols (e.g., flavonols, dihydrochalcones, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, phenolic acids), but also polysaccharides, triterpenes, and their additive and synergistic effects. In summary, fruits from the Maleae tribe seem promising as functional foods and anti-diabetic agents; however, their prospects for more expansive pro-health application require further research, especially more profound in vivo trials.

Chinese chestnut shell polyphenol extract regulates the JAK2/STAT3 pathway to alleviate high-fat diet-induced, leptin-resistant obesity in mice

Chinese chestnut shell is a by-product of chestnut food processing and is rich in polyphenols. This study sought to investigate the effect of chestnut shell polyphenol extract (CSP) on weight loss and lipid reduction in a 12-week high-fat diet (HFD)-induced murine obesity model. CSP (300 mg per kg body weight) was administered intragastrically daily. AG490, a JAK2 protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was also intraperitoneally injected. The results showed that an HFD induced leptin resistance (LR). Compared to corresponding values in the HFD group, CSP treatment improved blood lipid levels, weight, and leptin levels in obese mice (p < 0.01). Additionally, CSP treatment enhanced enzyme activity by improving total antioxidant capacity, attenuating oxidative stress, and reducing fat droplet accumulation and inflammation in the liver, epididymal, and retroperitoneal adipose tissue. CSP also activated the LEPR-JAK2/STAT3-PTP1B-SOCS-3 signal transduction pathway in hypothalamus tissue and improved LR while regulating the expression of proteins related to lipid metabolism (PPARγ, FAS, and LPL) in white adipose tissue in the retroperitoneal cavity. However, the amelioration of lipid metabolism by CSP was dependent on JAK2. Molecular docking simulation further demonstrated the strong binding affinity of procyanidin C1 (-10.3983297 kcal mol^-1) and procyanidin B1 (-9.12686729 kcal mol^-1) to the crystal structure of JAK2. These results suggest that CSP may be used to reduce HFD-induced obesity with potential application as a functional food additive.

Probiotic Yogurt Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Lipid Accumulation and Insulin Resistance in Mice via the Adiponectin Pathway

A high-fat diet (HFD) easily contributes to the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance. Obesity and insulin resistance have been clinical and public health challenges all over the world. Probiotic-fermented yogurt is one type of popular and functional beverage in people's daily lives. This study mainly explored the lipid- and glucose-lowering effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus NX2-6-fermented yogurt (LA-Y) in HFD-fed mice. The results showed that LA-Y administration improved the lipid profile in the serum and liver, reduced fasting blood glucose levels, and enhanced insulin sensitivity. Protein analysis showed that LA-Y treatment promoted fatty acid oxidation and suppressed de novo lipogenesis in the adipose tissue and liver. LA-Y effectively alleviated glucose metabolism disorders by activating the insulin signaling pathway, suppressing gluconeogenesis in the liver and muscle, reducing the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum, and promoting glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in the small intestine. LA-Y supplementation also promoted fat browning via the adiponectin/AMPKα/PGC-1α/UCP1 pathway and enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis in the liver and muscle by activating the adiponectin/AdipoR1/APPL1/AMPKα/PGC-1α pathway, leading to increased energy expenditure. Therefore, LA-Y may be a functional dairy food for preventing and alleviating diet-induced metabolic disorders.

Modulation of Cytoskeleton, Protein Trafficking, and Signaling Pathways by Metabolites from Cucurbitaceae, Ericaceae, and Rosaceae Plant Families

One promising frontier within the field of Medical Botany is the study of the bioactivity of plant metabolites on human health. Although plant metabolites are metabolic byproducts that commonly regulate ecological interactions and biochemical processes in plant species, such metabolites also elicit profound effects on the cellular processes of human and other mammalian cells. In this regard, due to their potential as therapeutic agents for a variety of human diseases and induction of toxic cellular responses, further research advances are direly needed to fully understand the molecular mechanisms induced by these agents. Herein, we focus our investigation on metabolites from the Cucurbitaceae, Ericaceae, and Rosaceae plant families, for which several plant species are found within the state of Florida in Hillsborough County. Specifically, we compare the molecular mechanisms by which metabolites and/or plant extracts from these plant families modulate the cytoskeleton, protein trafficking, and cell signaling to mediate functional outcomes, as well as a discussion of current gaps in knowledge. Our efforts to lay the molecular groundwork in this broad manner hold promise in supporting future research efforts in pharmacology and drug discovery.

The anti-diabetic activity of polyphenols-rich vinegar extract in mice via regulating gut microbiota and liver inflammation

Polyphenols in vinegar are benefit to human health. The purpose of this research was to identify the polyphenols-rich vinegar extract (VE) and evaluate the anti-diabetic mechanisms in vivo. The results showed that 29 polyphenols were identified by UPLC-Q/Trap-MS/MS analysis. 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid, ferulic acid, and ethyl ferulate were the main polyphenols. In addition, VE relieved the symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by down-regulating blood glucose and lipemia. VE reduced inflammation by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, VE treatment restored gut microbiota dysbiosis (upregulating Bacteroidetes, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides and downregulating Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Enterorhabdus abundances), and increased short chain fatty acids contents in diabetic mice, which participated in anti-diabetic effect of VE by correlation analysis. These findings suggest that VE may be a candidate for T2DM intervention by regulating gut microbiota and inflammation.

Fufang Fanshiliu Decoction Revealed the Antidiabetic Effect through Modulating Inflammatory Response and Gut Microbiota Composition

Background

Diabetes mellitus brings serious threats and financial burdens to human beings worldwide. Fufang Fanshiliu decoction (FFSLD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula showing great antidiabetic effects, has been used in clinics for many years.

Objective

This study aims to explore the underlying therapeutic mechanisms of FFSLD in Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

Sprague–Dawley rats induced by high-fat diet feeding combined with streptozotocin injection were used to establish the T2DM model. All rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: control, model, metformin, high dosage, middle dosage, and low dosage of FFSLD. After 4 weeks of treatment, serum, intestinal mucosa, and fecal samples were collected for further analysis. ELISA was used to detect the diabetic-related serum indicators and proinflammation cytokines. Gene or protein expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in intestinal mucosa were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or western blot. 16s rRNA gene sequencing was used to detect the changes of gut microbiome in these groups. Intestinal gut microbiota (GM) composition was further analyzed according to the sequencing libraries.

Results

FFSLD effectively recovered the diabetic-related biochemical indexes by reducing fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), insulin, and increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Furthermore, FFSLD significantly ameliorated the abnormal levels of proinflammation cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β. In addition, the GM compositions of rats in control, model, and FFSLD treated groups were different. FFSLD significantly increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, and Proteus, and reduced the relative abundance of Alistipes, Desulfovibrio, and Helicobacter. Moreover, these changed bacteria were closely related to the diabetic-related serum indicators and proinflammatory cytokines.

Conclusion

These results suggest that FFSLD alleviates diabetic symptoms in T2DM rats through regulating GM composition and inhibiting inflammatory response, which clarify the therapeutic mechanism of FFSLD on T2DM and provide a theoretical basis for its further clinical application.

Peanut skin procyanidins ameliorate insulin resistance via modulation of gut microbiota and gut barrier in type 2 diabetic mice

BACKGROUND

Peanut skin procyanidins (PSP) have been shown to possess antidiabetic activities. However, the mechanism remains poorly understood due to its low bioavailability. This study aims to investigate the preventive effect of PSP on type 2 diabetes (T2D) in mice through regulating gut microbiota and gut barrier in mice with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T2D. During the 30 consecutive days of the study, T2D mice were administered PSP intragastrically at 75, 150 and 300 mg kg^-1 body weight d^-1 .

RESULTS

PSP treatment obviously alleviated glucolipid metabolism disorders, decreased the levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukin (IL)-6 and myeloperoxidase(MPO), and increased that of IL-10. PSP treatment enhanced the abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Alloprevotella, Akkermansia and Faecalibaculum, and reduced that of Muribaculaceae. Some of these were associated with the production of short-chain fatty acids and anti-inflammatory effect, suggesting their important roles in T2D mice. More importantly, PSP improved the gut barrier integrality by restoring gut morphology and enhancing tight junction protein expression including ZO1, claudin1 and occludin in colon. Subsequently, PSP ameliorated insulin resistance by decreasing the LPS/Toll-like receptor 4/c-Jun N-terminal kinase inflammatory response, and enhancing insulin receptor substrate 1/ phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B insulin signaling pathways in the liver.

CONCLUSION

Peanut skin procyanidins may alleviate the symptoms of T2D by mitigating inflammatory response, modulating gut microbiota and improving intestinal integrity. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Alleviation of Fufang Fanshiliu decoction on type II diabetes mellitus by reducing insulin resistance: A comprehensive network prediction and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Fufang Fanshiliu decoction (FFSLD) is a Chinese herbal medicine prescription that has been used in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), while the underlying mechanism remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To validate the efficacy and explore the potential mechanisms of FFSLD in treating T2DM via integrating a network pharmacological approach and experimental evaluation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

T2DM mice model induced by high-fat diet feeding combined with streptozotocin injection was selected to investigate the alleviation of FFSLD against T2DM, via detecting the levels of glucose, insulin, glucagon (GC), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Network pharmacological analysis was used to predict the potential mechanisms, including the pharmacokinetics and drug-likeness screening, active ingredients and potential targets prediction, network analysis, and enrichment analysis. The candidate bioactive molecules of FFSLD, and targets information excavated through TCMSP, Uniprot, GeneCards, OMIM databases, were combined for comprehensive analysis by constructing "drug-compound-target-disease" and "protein-protein interaction" networks. Enrichment analysis was performed via Gene Ontology (GO) and Koto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. HepG2 insulin-resistance (IR) cells model induced by high glucose was used to verify the potential mechanisms of FFSLD against T2DM which were predicted by the network pharmacology.

RESULTS

The animal study showed that FFSLD significantly decreased the blood glucose, and reversed the abnormal levels of insulin, GC, TG, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C in T2DM mice. Network pharmacological analysis indicated that 106 active compounds of FFSLD might be correlated with 628 targets in treating T2DM, and the mechanism would probably be related to insulin resistance that harbored a high response value (P = 5.88844 E^-33) though regulating Akt1, ESR1, oxidoreductase activity, and JAK/STAT signalings. Experimental validation showed that FFSLD reduced the ROS level, up-regulated the expressions of p-AKT, Nrf-2, and ESR1, and down-regulated the expressions of JAK2, STAT3, and Keap-1 in the HepG2-IR cells model.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that the therapeutic effect of FFSLD on T2DM was related to IR alleviation. The underlying mechanisms were associated with the regulation of PI3K/AKT, JAK/STAT, oxidative stress, and ESR signaling pathways.

Role of polyphenols in combating Type 2 Diabetes and insulin resistance

Compromised carbohydrate metabolism leading to hyperglycemia is the primary metabolic disorder of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Reformed digestion and altered absorption of carbohydrates, exhaustion of glycogen stock, enhanced gluconeogenesis and overproduced hepatic glucose, dysfunction of β-cell, resistance to insulin in peripheral tissue, and impaired insulin signaling pathways are essential reasons for hyperglycemia. Although oral anti-diabetic drugs like α-glucosidase inhibitors, sulfonylureas and insulin therapies are commonly used to manage Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and hyperglycemia, natural compounds in diet also play a significant role in combating the effect of diabetes. Due to their vast bioavailability and anti-hyperglycemic effect with least or no side effects, polyphenolic compounds have gained wide popularity. Polyphenols such as flavonoids and tannins play a significant role in carbohydrate metabolism by inhibiting key enzymes responsible for the digestion of carbohydrates to glucose like α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Several polyphenols such as resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and quercetin enhanced glucose uptake in the muscle and adipocytes by translocating GLUT4 to plasma membrane mainly by the activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. This review provides an insight into the protective role of polyphenols in T2D, highlighting the aspects of insulin resistance.

Potential Roles and Key Mechanisms of Hawthorn Extract against Various Liver Diseases

The genus Crataegus (hawthorn), a flowering shrub or tree, is a member of the Rosaceae family and consists of approximately 280 species that have been primarily cultivated in East Asia, North America, and Europe. Consumption of hawthorn preparations has been chiefly associated with pharmacological benefits for cardiovascular diseases, including congestive heart failure and angina pectoris. Treatment with hawthorn extracts can be related to improvements in the complex pathogenesis of various hepatic and cardiovascular disorders. In this regard, the present review described that the presence of hawthorn extracts ameliorated hepatic injury, lipid accumulation, inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer in an abundance of experimental models. Hawthorn extracts might have these promising activities, largely by enhancing the hepatic antioxidant system. In addition, several mechanisms, including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling and apoptosis, are responsible for the role of hawthorn extracts in repairing the dysfunction of injured hepatocytes. Specifically, hawthorn possesses a wide range of biological actions relevant to the treatment of toxic hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Accordingly, hawthorn extracts can be developed as a major source of therapeutic agents for liver diseases.

Procyanidins from Hawthorn (Crataegus Pinnatifida) Alleviates Lipid Metabolism Disorder via Inhibiting Insulin Resistance and Oxidative Stress, Normalizing Gut Microbiota Structure and Intestinal Barrier, Further Suppressing Hepatic Inflammation and Lipid Accumulation

Recently, lipid metabolism disorder (LMD) has been regarded as a risky factor leading to multiple diseases and affecting human health. Procyanidins have been reported to be the potential therapy for...

Molecular Mechanisms of Hawthorn Extracts in Multiple Organs Disorders in Underlying of Diabetes: A Review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most important metabolic disorders associated with chronic hyperglycemia and occurs when the body cannot manage insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells and insulin resistance are the major pathophysiological factors of types 1 and 2 of DM, respectively. Prolonged hyperglycemia leads to multiple organs dysfunctions, including nephropathy, neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, gastropathy, and micro- and macrovascular disorders. The basis of the metabolic abnormalities in carbohydrate, fat, and protein in diabetes is insufficient action of insulin on various target tissues. Medicinal plants are rich sources of bioactive chemical compounds with therapeutic effects. The beneficial effects of leaves, fruits, and flowers extracts of Crataegus oxyacantha, commonly called hawthorn, belonging to the Rosaceae family, are widely used as hawthorn-derived medicines. Data in this review have been collected from the scientific articles published in databases such as Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scientific Information Database from 2000 to 2021. Based on this review, hawthorn extracts appear both therapeutic and protective effects against diabetic-related complications in various organs through molecular mechanisms, such as decreasing triglyceride, cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein and increasing the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity, decreasing malondialdehyde level, and attenuating tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 and sirtuin 1/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway and increasing the phosphorylation of glucose transporter 4, insulin receptor substrate 1, AKT and phosphoinositide 3-kinases, and attenuating blood sugar and regulation of insulin secretion, insulin resistance, and improvement of histopathological changes in pancreatic beta cells. Collectively, hawthorn can be considered as one new target for the research and development of innovative drugs for the prevention or treatment of DM and related problems.

Purification and characterization of hypoglycemic peptides from traditional Chinese soy-fermented douchi

Douchi is a popular soy-fermented food originated in China, with documented hypoglycemic effect. However, the responsible molecules and the mechanism underlying its beneficial effects remains unclear. Therefore, in this study,...

Lactobacillus acidophilus NX2-6 Improved High-Fat Diet-Induced Glucose Metabolism Disorder Independent of Promotion of Insulin Secretion in Mice

High-fat diet (HFD) contributes to metabolic inflammation and glucose metabolism disorder, thereby resulting in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. Accumulating evidence has revealed that some probiotics could improve HFD-induced metabolic inflammation and glucose metabolism disorder. Our previous study has discovered that Lactobacillus acidophilus NX2-6 exhibited in vitro lipid-lowering, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study mainly investigated whether L. acidophilus NX2-6 improved HFD-induced glucose metabolism disorder. The results exhibited that L. acidophilus NX2-6 effectively reduced blood glucose levels and improved glucose tolerance by activating the insulin signaling pathway, promoting glucose uptake, glycolysis, and intestinal gluconeogenesis and suppressing hepatic gluconeogenesis, independent of regulation of glycogen synthesis in the liver and muscle. Enhanced insulin sensitivity was associated with L. acidophilus NX2-6-mediated suppression of inflammatory cascades in the target organs. Meanwhile, L. acidophilus NX2-6 also improved hepatic energy metabolism via the FGF21/AMPKα/PGC-1α/NRF1 pathway. However, L. acidophilus NX2-6 did not affect apoptosis, pyroptosis, inflammation, and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the pancreas of HFD-fed mice. In conclusion, our results indicated that L. acidophilus NX2-6 improved glucose metabolism disorder through enhancing insulin sensitivity, suppressing metabolic inflammation, and promoting energy expenditure.

In Vitro Immuno-Modulatory Potentials of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) Polysaccharides with a Chemical Selenylation

The soluble polysaccharides from a non-conventional and edible plant purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), namely PSPO, were prepared by the water extraction and ethanol precipitation methods in this study. The obtained PSPO were selenylated using the Na₂SeO₃-HNO₃ method to successfully prepare two selenylated products, namely SePSPO-1 and SePSPO-2, with different selenylation extents. The assay results confirmed that SePSPO-1 and SePSPO-2 had respective Se contents of 753.8 and 1325.1 mg/kg, while PSPO only contained Se element about 80.6 mg/kg. The results demonstrated that SePSPO-1 and SePSPO-2 had higher immune modulation than PSPO (p < 0.05), when using the two immune cells (murine splenocytes and RAW 264.7 macrophages) as two cell models. Specifically, SePSPO-1 and SePSPO-2 were more active than PSPO in the macrophages, resulting in higher cell proliferation, greater macrophage phagocytosis, and higher secretion of the immune-related three cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β. Meanwhile, SePSPO-1 and SePSPO-2 were more potent than PSPO in the concanavalin A- or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated splenocytes in cell proliferation, or more able than PSPO in the splenocytes to promote interferon-γ secretion but suppress IL-4 secretion, or more capable of enhancing the ratio of T-helper (CD4⁺) cells to T-cytotoxic (CD8⁺) cells for the T lymphocytes than PSPO. Overall, the higher selenylation extent of the selenylated PSPO mostly caused higher immune modulation in the model cells, while a higher polysaccharide dose consistently led to the greater regulation effect. Thus, it is concluded that the employed chemical selenylation could be used in the chemical modification of purslane or other plant polysaccharides, when aiming to endow the polysaccharides with higher immuno-modulatory effect on the two immune cells.

Crataegus aronia prevents high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis in rats by activating AMPK-induced suppression of SREBP1 and activation of PPARα

This study examined if the aqueous extract of Crataegus aronia (C. aronia) can prevent high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis in rats by activating AMPK. Adult male Wistar rats were fed either a control diet or HFD for 12 weeks and treated either with vehicle (normal saline) or C. aronia extract (200 mg/kg/orally), daily. Also, hepatocytes were treated with increasing concentrations of the extract in the presence or absence of compound C (CC), an AMPK inhibitor. C. aronia prevented the increase in serum and hepatic lipids, reduced hepatic levels of reactive oxygen species, and increased hepatic glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels. It also downregulated the hepatic expression of SREBP1/2, fatty acid synthase, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase but stimulated the activity of AMPK and levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha. Similar effects were reported in the cultured cells, in a dose-dependent manner but were prevented by CC. In conclusion, C. aronia ameliorates HFD-induced hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress by activating AMPK. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The use of the aqueous extract of Crataegus aronia has been extensively used during the last years in traditional medicine to treat chronic disorders including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The findings of this study support these findings and suggest that oral administration of C. aronia aqueous extract has potent hypoglycemic effect and demonstrate the mechanism of action mimics such drugs such as metformin and involves activation of AMPK and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha. These findings are very encouraging for further biochemical analysis and isolation of active ingredients responsible for these effects to be used in more clinical trials.