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Gallego-Barceló P, Bagues A, Benítez-Álvarez D, López-Tofiño Y, Gálvez-Robleño C, López-Gómez L, del Castillo MD, Abalo R. Evaluation of the Effects of Instant Cascara Beverage on the Brain-Gut Axis of Healthy Male and Female Rats. Nutrients 2023; 16:65. [PMID: 38201895 PMCID: PMC10780800 DOI: 10.3390/nu16010065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Instant cascara (IC) is a sustainable beverage obtained from dried coffee cherry pulp, rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds. The present research aimed to determine the effects of IC on general health and brain-gut axis parameters of healthy female and male rats. Wistar rats were exposed to IC (10 mg/mL) in their drinking water for 3 weeks. Body weight and solid and liquid intakes were monitored as indicators of food safety. Gastrointestinal transit was radiographically evaluated one day (acute) and 3 weeks (chronic) after the start of IC exposure. Locomotor activity, anxiety, and anhedonia of the animals after 3 weeks of treatment was also studied. Overall, compared to water-exposed animals, IC significantly increased food intake in males (p < 0.0001) and liquid intake in females (p < 0.05) without changes in body weight in either case. IC did not significantly modify gastrointestinal motility parameters after its acute or repeated intake and did not cause any significant behavioral alterations in males or females (p > 0.05). In conclusion, repeated intake of IC at the studied concentration did not negatively affect brain-gut axis functions of healthy male and female rats. Anxiety behavior, diarrhea, constipation, abnormal weight modifications, or other typical effects of toxicity were not observed in animals treated with the new powdered beverage, suggesting its food safety under the studied conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Gallego-Barceló
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain; (P.G.-B.); (D.B.-Á.); (Y.L.-T.); (C.G.-R.); (L.L.-G.)
| | - Ana Bagues
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain; (P.G.-B.); (D.B.-Á.); (Y.L.-T.); (C.G.-R.); (L.L.-G.)
- Associated R+D+i Unit to the Institute of Medicinal Chemistry (IQM), Scientific Research Superior Council (CSIC), Calle Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
- High Performance Research Group in Experimental Pharmacology (PHARMAKOM-URJC), University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
- High Performance Research Group in Physiopathology and Pharmacology of the Digestive System (NeuGut-URJC), University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
| | - David Benítez-Álvarez
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain; (P.G.-B.); (D.B.-Á.); (Y.L.-T.); (C.G.-R.); (L.L.-G.)
| | - Yolanda López-Tofiño
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain; (P.G.-B.); (D.B.-Á.); (Y.L.-T.); (C.G.-R.); (L.L.-G.)
- High Performance Research Group in Physiopathology and Pharmacology of the Digestive System (NeuGut-URJC), University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Carlos Gálvez-Robleño
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain; (P.G.-B.); (D.B.-Á.); (Y.L.-T.); (C.G.-R.); (L.L.-G.)
- High Performance Research Group in Physiopathology and Pharmacology of the Digestive System (NeuGut-URJC), University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Laura López-Gómez
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain; (P.G.-B.); (D.B.-Á.); (Y.L.-T.); (C.G.-R.); (L.L.-G.)
- High Performance Research Group in Physiopathology and Pharmacology of the Digestive System (NeuGut-URJC), University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
| | - María Dolores del Castillo
- Food Bioscience Group, Department of Bioactivity and Food Analysis, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentacion (CIAL) (CSIC-UAM), Calle Nicolás Cabrera, 9, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Raquel Abalo
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain; (P.G.-B.); (D.B.-Á.); (Y.L.-T.); (C.G.-R.); (L.L.-G.)
- Associated R+D+i Unit to the Institute of Medicinal Chemistry (IQM), Scientific Research Superior Council (CSIC), Calle Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
- High Performance Research Group in Physiopathology and Pharmacology of the Digestive System (NeuGut-URJC), University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
- Working Group of Basic Sciences on Pain and Analgesia of the Spanish Pain Society (Grupo de Trabajo de Ciencias Básicas en Dolor y Analgesia de la Sociedad Española del Dolor), 28046 Madrid, Spain
- Working Group of Basic Sciences on Cannabinoids of the Spanish Pain Society (Grupo de Trabajo de Cannabinoides de la Sociedad Española del Dolor), 28046 Madrid, Spain
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Feng X, Chen M, Song H, Ma S, Ou C, Li Z, Hu H, Yang Y, Zhou S, Pan Y, Fan F, Gong S, Chen P, Chu Q. A systemic review on Liubao tea: A time-honored dark tea with distinctive raw materials, process techniques, chemical profiles, and biological activities. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2023; 22:5063-5085. [PMID: 37850384 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Liubao tea (LBT) is a unique microbial-fermented tea that boasts a long consumption history spanning 1500 years. Through a specific post-fermentation process, LBT crafted from local tea cultivars in Liubao town Guangxi acquires four distinct traits, namely, vibrant redness, thickness, aging aroma, and purity. The intricate transformations that occur during post-fermentation involve oxidation, degradation, methylation, glycosylation, and so forth, laying the substance foundation for the distinctive sensory traits. Additionally, LBT contains multitudinous bioactive compounds, such as ellagic acid, catechins, polysaccharides, and theabrownins, which contributes to the diverse modulation abilities on oxidative stress, metabolic syndromes, organic damage, and microbiota flora. However, research on LBT is currently scattered, and there is an urgent need for a systematical recapitulation of the manufacturing process, the dominant microorganisms during fermentation, the dynamic chemical alterations, the sensory traits, and the underlying health benefits. In this review, current research progresses on the peculiar tea varieties, the traditional and modern process technologies, the substance basis of sensory traits, and the latent bioactivities of LBT were comprehensively summarized. Furthermore, the present challenges and deficiencies that hinder the development of LBT, and the possible orientations and future perspectives were thoroughly discussed. By far, the productivity and quality of LBT remain restricted due to the reliance on labor and experience, as well as the incomplete understanding of the intricate interactions and underlying mechanisms involved in processing, organoleptic quality, and bioactivities. Consequently, further research is urgently warranted to address these gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Feng
- Tea Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Ming Chen
- Tea Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Haizhao Song
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance & Economics, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Shicheng Ma
- Wuzhou Liubao Tea Research Association, Wuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Cansong Ou
- Wuzhou Tea Industry Development Service Center, Wuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Zeqing Li
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuzhou University, Wuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Hao Hu
- College of Agriculture and Food Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yunyun Yang
- College of standardization, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Su Zhou
- Tea Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yani Pan
- Tea Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Fangyuan Fan
- Tea Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Shuying Gong
- Tea Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Ping Chen
- Tea Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Qiang Chu
- Tea Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
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Caserta S, Genovese C, Cicero N, Toscano V, Gangemi S, Allegra A. The Interplay between Medical Plants and Gut Microbiota in Cancer. Nutrients 2023; 15:3327. [PMID: 37571264 PMCID: PMC10421419 DOI: 10.3390/nu15153327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota is a dynamic community of bacteria distributed in the gastroenteric tract and changes in response to diseases, diet, use of antibiotics and probiotics, hygiene status, and other environmental factors. Dysbiosis, a disruption of the normal crosstalk between the host and the microbes, is associated with obesity, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, is linked to a reduction of anti-inflammatory bacteria like Lactobacillus and Roseburia, and to an increase in the growth of proinflammatory species like Ruminococcus gnavus and Bacteroidetes. Some plants possess anticancer properties and various studies have reported that some of these are also able to modulate the gut microbiota. The aim of this work is to evaluate the crucial relationship between medical plants and gut microbiota and the consequences on the onset and progression of cancer. In vivo studies about hematological malignancies showed that beta-glucans tie to endogenous antibeta glucan antibodies and to iC3b, an opsonic fragment of the central complement protein C3, leading to phagocytosis of antibody-targeted neoplastic cells and potentiation of the cytotoxic activity of the innate immune system if administered together with monoclonal antibodies. In conclusion, this review suggests the potential use of medical plants to improve gut dysbiosis and assist in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santino Caserta
- Division of Hematology, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy; (S.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Claudia Genovese
- National Research Council, Institute for Agriculture and Forestry Systems in the Mediterranean, Via Empedocle 58, 95128 Catania, Italy;
| | - Nicola Cicero
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Valeria Toscano
- National Research Council, Institute for Agriculture and Forestry Systems in the Mediterranean, Via Empedocle 58, 95128 Catania, Italy;
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Allegra
- Division of Hematology, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy; (S.C.); (A.A.)
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