Poria cocos polysaccharides attenuate chronic nonbacterial prostatitis by targeting the gut microbiota: Comparative study of Poria cocos polysaccharides and finasteride in treating chronic prostatitis

Enhancing palm kernel cake nutritional quality through combined bacterial fermentation and enzymatic hydrolysis

BACKGROUND

Palm kernel cake (PKC), a non-conventional feed resource, contains a large amount of crude fibre (CF), mainly manna-polysaccharides, which are key limiting factors in regard to monogastric animal production. In this study, we have developed a synergistic bacteria-enzyme co-fermentation system to enhance the nutritional profile of PKC and evaluated its digestion dynamics using a physiologically relevant porcine in vitro gastrointestinal model.

RESULTS

Sequential fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum LY19 and Bacillus natto ND1 (48 h, 37 °C) degraded 3.0% crude fiber, yielding 9.30 g kg-1 reducing sugars. Enzymatic treatment (β-mannanase 45 U g-1 + cellulase 160 U g-1 + acid protease 125 U g-1) synergistically enhanced nutrient release: soluble protein increased 214% (0.72% to 2.26%), reducing sugars surged 13.8-fold (4.45 to 61.21 g kg-1), with 55.3% fibre reduction (15.40% to 6.88%). In vitro digestion demonstrated an improvement in regard to dry matter (7.1% increase) and protein digestibility (17.0% increase), whereas colonic fermentation showed decreased concentrations of short-chain fatty acids and gases production during 48 h. 16S ribosomal RNA analysis revealed increased beneficial Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 alongside decreased pathogens (i.e. Escherichia-Shigella) and fibre-degrading taxa (i.e. Christensenellaceae R-7, UCG-005).

CONCLUSION

The integrated bacterial-enzymatic co-fermentation process significantly enhanced the nutritional profile of PKC through fibre reduction, protein solubilisation, and sugar release. This pretreatment improved in vitro small intestinal digestibility and modulated colonic fermentation patterns, as evidenced by favourable microbial community shifts. These findings demonstrate the potential of this bioprocessing strategy to expand PKC utilisation in swine nutrition. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Dietary purslane modulates gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in aging rats

Introduction

Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) is a highly nutritious and edible wild vegetable beneficial to human health. However, its impacts on the structure of gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in aging individuals remain unclear. This study aims to clarify its potential mechanisms in aging-related gut health.

Methods

Naturally aged rats (18 months) were divided into two groups. One group was fed a maintenance chow, and the other was fed a mixture with 3.5% purslane for 15 weeks. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing were employed to explore the effects of purslane on the intestinal health of these rats.

Results

The fecal concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were significantly increased in aging rats fed the purslane supplement. Purslane significantly reduced the relative abundance levels of Firmicutes and Fusobacteria, as well as the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes. KEGG pathway analysis annotated 109 differential metabolites, which mainly affected metabolic pathways such as linoleic acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, steroid biosynthesis, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. There was a strong correlation between Paracbacteroides, the Prevotella NK3B31_group, the Rikenella_RC9_gut_group, and SCFA levels. Aging rats consuming purslane had a more complete and healthy gut morphology than the control group.

Discussion

These results suggested that the maintenance of intestinal health by purslane in aging rats might be associated with the targeted regulation of gut microbiota and fecal metabolites.

The interaction between various food components and intestinal microbiota improves human health through the gut-X axis: independently or synergistically

Food contains various components that improve health by affecting the gut microbiota, primarily by modulating its abundance or altering its diversity. Active substances in food have different effects on the gut microbiota when they act alone or in synergy, resulting in varying impacts on health. The bioactive compounds in food exert different effects on various gut microbiota through multiple pathways, thereby delaying or preventing different kinds of disease. The combination of two or more active compounds may have a synergistic effect, which can more effectively alter the gut microbiota and alleviate diseases through the microbiota-gut-organ axis. According to reports, multiple different food components have similar effects, some of which have been shown to have a synergistic effect on the gut microbiota to promote health. However, there is currently no systematic review of its synergistic effects and mechanisms. There may be more compounds with synergistic effects that have not yet been discovered, while their mechanisms of synergy and ways of impacting host health through the gut microbiota deserve further investigation. The purpose of this review is to systematically summarize the effects of different food components on intestinal flora and health, and further analyze the potential synergies between different food components. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched in this review.

The role of microbiota in the chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvis pain syndrome: a review

Chronic prostatitis/Chronic pelvis pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), a kind of frequent urinary condition among adult males, has caused a lot of inconvenience to patients in life, whose pathogenesis is unclear. Current evidence suggests that it is most likely to be an autoimmune disease. Symbiotic microbes, a highly diverse biological community that harbors trillions of microbes in each region of the human body, have gradually made people realize their important role in immune regulation, material metabolism, and health maintenance. In recent years, increasing studies have shown a connection between microbiota and CP/CPPS. In view of this, we performed this review to summarize the literature pertaining to microbiota and its association with the pathophysiological mechanism of CP/CPPS. In addition, we gleaned the latest progress in the therapeutic strategy of CP/CPPS that related to microbiota regulation in order to offer new perspectives on the management of CP/CPPS.

The Role of Wolfiporia cocos (F. A. Wolf) Ryvarden and Gilb. Polysaccharides in Regulating the Gut Microbiota and Its Health Benefits

Wolfiporia cocos (F. A. Wolf) Ryvarden and Gilb. is a widely used herb in China, belonging to the large fungi of the family Polyporaceae. P. cocos; it consists of a variety of biologically active ingredients such as polysaccharides, triterpenes, and sterols, and is considered a treasure in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Notably, P. cocos polysaccharides, as the most prominent constituent, are of interest for their superior anti-obesity, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. P. cocos polysaccharides can be divided into water-soluble polysaccharides and water-insoluble polysaccharides, which may contribute to their diverse biological functions. Numerous scholars have focused on the extraction process, structural identification, and classical pharmacological pathways of P. cocos polysaccharides, but there are few systematic reviews on P. cocos polysaccharides regulating the gut microbiota. Natural products and their active ingredients are closely related to intestinal health, and further exploration of these mechanisms is warranted. This review summarizes the recent cases of P. cocos polysaccharides regulating the gut microbiota to promote health and discusses their relationship with bioactive functions. It aims to provide a basis for exploring the new mechanisms of P. cocos polysaccharides in promoting intestinal health and offers a new vision for the further development of functional products.

Study progress of etiologic mechanisms of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) represents a prevalent condition within the male genitourinary system. CP/CPPS occurs in men of varying ages, with an increasing recurrence rate associated with advancing age. The pathogenesis of CP/CPPS remains unclear, and clinical treatment typically focuses on symptom management with limited efficacy, resulting in significant economic and psychological burdens for patients. Research has increasingly identified several factors potentially associated with the development of CP/CPPS, including lifestyle, psychosocial influences, neuroendocrine elements, and other variables. This paper reviews recent studies on the risk factors and etiological mechanisms of CP/CPPS to enhance understanding of its mechanisms, providing a reference framework for future basic research and clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Gut Microbiota and Neurotransmitter Regulation: Functional Effects of Four Traditional Chinese Fermented Soybean (Sojae Semen Praeparatum)

This study aims to evaluate the potential disease prevention and treatment functions of four types of traditional Chinese fermented Sojae Semen Praeparatum (SSP) by analyzing their nutritional active components and their effects on the gut microbiota. Raw soybeans and the four SSPs were administered as dietary supplements to normal SD rats for 6 weeks. Fecal samples were collected at weeks 0, 2, and 6 to assess changes in the gut microbiota. Our results revealed that different fermentation methods resulted in variations in soybean isoflavone content. Fermented soybeans promoted the growth of beneficial microorganisms associated with short-chain fatty acid production in the gut microbiota, such as Christensenellaceae_R_7_group, compared to unfermented soybeans. Supplementation with SSPs fermented with different processes increased the diversity of the rat gut microbiota, except for the fermented group of qingwenjiedu decoction (QW). The dominant gut microbiota in the fermented group of Artemisia Annuae Herba and Mori Folium (QS) exhibited anti-inflammatory effects, while the dominant gut microbiota in the fermented group of Ephedrae Herba and Perillae Folium (MZ) showed antidepressant effects. In the neurotransmitter analysis, MZ reduced gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels, the fermented group without Chinese medicine (DD) decreased dopamine levels, and both QS and QW increased norepinephrine levels. Correlation analysis highlighted connections between gut microbiota, neurotransmitters, and chemical levels. The results indicate that SSPs may contribute uniquely to health by maintaining intestinal balance and improving neurological disorders while predicting a potential association between neurotransmitters and gut microbiota by correlation analysis.

New bitongling regulates gut microbiota to predict angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis via the gut-joint axis: a deep neural network approach

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a persistent autoimmune disorder marked by inflammation and joint damage. Although current treatments, such as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), help control symptoms, they frequently cause substantial side effects, highlighting the urgent need for safer and more effective alternatives. Recent research indicates that gut microbiota might be pivotal in RA development through the "gut-joint axis," presenting novel therapeutic possibilities.

Purpose

This study seeks to explore the therapeutic potential of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound new bitongling (NBTL) for RA, with an emphasis on its capacity to regulate gut microbiota and suppress angiogenesis via the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway.

Methods

We utilized a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model to assess the impact of NBTL. The study employed 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) sequencing to analyze gut microbiota composition, machine learning techniques to identify characteristic microbial taxa, and transcriptomic analysis (GSVA) to assess the impact on the VEGF signaling pathway. The findings were further validated through analysis with deep neural network models and in vivo/in vitro experiments, including western blot, immunofluorescence, and miRNA analysis.

Results

NBTL treatment markedly diminished inflammation in RA rats, evidenced by the reduced expression of TNF-α, IL-17, IL-6, and ASC in synovial tissues. Histopathological analysis confirmed alleviation of joint damage. Five characteristic microbial taxa, including f_Mycoplasmataceae, s_Metamycoplasma_sualvi, and g_Prevotellaceae_Ga6A1_group, were identified and associated with NBTL's modulation of the VEGF pathway. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) revealed significant downregulation of the VEGF signaling pathway following NBTL treatment. Subsequent experiments confirmed that NBTL inhibited VEGF and its receptors, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, along with HIF-1α (hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha), thereby reducing angiogenesis. Additionally, NBTL upregulated miR-20a-5p and miR-223-3p, contributing to its anti-angiogenic effects.

Conclusion

NBTL exhibits significant therapeutic potential in RA by modulating gut microbiota and inhibiting the VEGF signaling pathway. These findings support NBTL's use as a promising candidate for RA treatment, emphasizing the need for further research on its mechanisms and clinical application.

Poria cocos polysaccharide alleviates dextran sulphate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in mice by modulating intestinal inflammatory responses and microbial dysbiosis

Poria cocos polysaccharide (PCP), one of the main active components of P. cocos, is extensively used worldwide and exhibits strong pharmacological effects. However, whether PCP can attenuate inflammatory bowel disease remains unclear. In this study, we assessed the effects of PCP supplementation on dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. We found that PCP supplementation mitigated UC symptoms in DSS-treated mice, as evidenced by reductions in body weight loss, colon length shortening and disease activity index score. Importantly, PCP supplementation enhanced colonic barrier integrity by increasing tight junction protein abundance and exerted anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation in DSS-treated mice. Furthermore, PCP supplementation reversed DSS-induced dysbiosis in colonic microbiota by increasing the colonic abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g. Akkermansiaceae) and decreasing the colonic abundance of harmful bacteria (e.g. Erysipelotrichaceae) in DSS-treated mice. Although PCP supplementation failed to ameliorate DSS-induced UC in antibiotic-treated mice, faecal microbiota transplantation from PCP-administered mice ameliorated DSS-induced UC in antibiotic-treated mice. In summary, PCP alleviates UC in mice by attenuating intestinal inflammation via the inhibition of NF-κB activation and modulating the intestinal microbiota.

Microorganism Diversity Found in Blatta orientalis L. (Blattodea: Blattidae) Cuticle and Gut Collected in Urban Environments

Pest cockroaches share urban habitats with us; their prevalence in urban areas prompts concerns regarding their effect on human health, as synanthropic cockroaches often host pathogenic microorganisms. Nonetheless, microbial associates in these insects can also be related to their biology, contributing to their physiological homeostasis and reproductive success. In this article, we present in detail, for the first time, the bacterial community associated with the oriental cockroach Blatta orientalis, one of the world's five most prominent pest cockroaches. We report the composition of the communities of bacteria found over the exoskeleton and inside the gut of this global pest. We collected B. orientalis in Santiago, Chile's capital city, and the urban nucleus in this country. We conducted DNA extractions and metabarcoding analysis. We found diverse bacterial lineages, including mutualist symbiotic strains, and microorganisms considered pathogenic to humans. We also analyzed the metabolic functions of the bacterial communities identified and discussed the role of B. orientalis as a reservoir and vector of pathogens in urban areas. We discuss to what extent the diversity of functions of the microbial community associated with cockroaches may contribute to emergent properties enabling these insects to inhabit human-modified habitats.

Preparation, structure and application of polysaccharides from Poria cocos

Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCPs) are fungal polysaccharides derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Poria cocos. They are considered an important active ingredient for their pharmacological activity. Herein, the extraction, separation and purification, structure, and application of PCPs are reviewed. Additional research is necessary to fully understand the advanced structure of PCPs, which has implications for their structure-activity relationship. Their application mostly involves the medical industry, with less involvement in other fields. This article highlights the current research status on PCPs in the above-mentioned areas and some problems that need to be solved in future research. Additionally, it points the way for further studies on PCPs in the hopes that they will be more widely and realistically used in various industries.

The carrier function and inhibition effect on benign prostatic hyperplasia of a glucan from Epimedium brevicornu Maxim

Epimedium, a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used as a dietary supplement, contains polysaccharides and flavonoids as its main bioactive ingredients. In this study, a neutral homogeneous polysaccharide (EPSN-1) was isolated from Epimedium brevicornu Maxim. EPSN-1 was identified as a glucan with a backbone of →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, branched units comprised α-D-Glcp-(1→6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, β-D-Glcp-(1→6)-β-D-Glcp-(1→ and α-D-Glcp-(1→ connected to the C6 position of backbone. The conformation of EPSN-1 in aqueous solution indicated its potential to form nanoparticles. This paper aims to investigate the carrier and pharmacodynamic activity of EPSN-1. The findings demonstrated that, on the one hand, EPSN-1, as a functional ingredient, may load Icariin (ICA) through non-covalent interactions, improving its biopharmaceutical properties such as solubility and stability, thereby improving its intestinal absorption. Additionally, as an effective ingredient, EPSN-1 could help maintain the balance of the intestinal environment by increasing the abundance of Parabacteroides, Lachnospiraceae UGG-001, Anaeroplasma, and Eubacterium xylanophilum group, while decreasing the abundance of Allobaculum, Blautia, and Adlercreutzia. Overall, this dual action of EPSN-1 sheds light on the potential applications of natural polysaccharides, highlighting their dual role as carriers and contributors to biological activity.

Gut microbiome: a novel preventive and therapeutic target for prostatic disease

The human gut microbiome (GM) impacts various physiological processes and can lead to pathological conditions and even carcinogenesis if homeostasis is disrupted. Recent studies have indicated a connection between the GM and prostatic disease. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This review aims to provide a summary of the existing information regarding the connection between the GM and various prostatic conditions such as chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate cancer (PCa). Furthermore, the review aims to identify possible pathogenic mechanisms and suggest potential ways of targeting GM to prevent and treat prostatic disease. Due to the complexity of the mechanism between GM and prostatic diseases, additional research is required to comprehend the association between the two. This will lead to more effective treatment options for prostatic disease.

Structural characterization and adjuvant activity of a water soluble polysaccharide from Poria cocos

Adjuvants, as the essential component of vaccines, are crucial in enhancing the magnitude, breadth and durability of immune responses. Unfortunately, commonly used Alum adjuvants predominantly provoke humoral immune response, but fail to evoke cellular immune response, which is crucial for the prevention of various chronic infectious diseases and cancers. Thus, it is necessary to develop effective adjuvants to simultaneously induce humoral and cellular immune response. In this work, we obtained a water soluble polysaccharide isolated and purified from Poria cocos, named as PCP, and explored the possibility of PCP as a vaccine adjuvant. The PCP, with Mw of 20.112 kDa, primarily consisted of →6)-α-D-Galp-(1→, with a small amount of →3)-β-D-Glcp-(1 → and →4)-β-D-Glcp-(1→. Our results demonstrated that the PCP promoted the activation of dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages in vitro. As the adjuvant to ovalbumin, the PCP facilitated the activation of DCs in lymph nodes, and evoked strong antibody response with a combination of Th1 and Th2 immune responses. Moreover, compared to Alum adjuvant, the PCP markedly induced a potent cellular response, especially the cytotoxic T lymphocytes response. Therefore, we confirmed that the PCP has great potential to be an available adjuvant for simultaneously inducing humoral and cellular immune responses.

Genetic insights into gut microbiota and risk of prostatitis: a Mendelian randomization study

Background

The dysbiosis of gut microbiota (GM) is considered a contributing factor to prostatitis, yet the causality remains incompletely understood.

Methods

The genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for GM and prostatitis were sourced from MiBioGen and FinnGen R10, respectively. In the two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, weighted mode, and maximum likelihood (ML) methods were utilized to investigate the causal relationship between GM and prostatitis. A series of sensitivity analysis were conducted to confirm the robustness of the main results obtained from the MR analysis.

Results

According to the IVW results, genus Sutterella (OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.09-1.71, p = 0.006) and genus Holdemania (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.02-1.43, p = 0.028) were associated with an increased risk of prostatitis. The phylum Verrucomicrobia (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.58-0.98, p = 0.033) and genus Parasutterella (OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.70-1.00, p = 0.045) exhibited a negative association with prostatitis, indicating a potential protective effect. Sensitivity analysis showed that these results were not affected by heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy. Furthermore, the majority of statistical methods yielded results consistent with those of the IVW analysis.

Conclusions

In this study, we identified two GM taxon that might be protective against prostatitis and two GM taxon that could increase the risk of developing prostatitis. These findings could potentially provide a valuable theoretical basis for the future development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for prostatitis.

The human microbiome and benign prostatic hyperplasia: Current understandings and clinical implications

The research of the human microbiome in the preceding decade has yielded novel perspectives on human health and diseases. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease in middle-aged and elderly males, which negatively affects the life quality. Existing evidence has indicated that the human microbiome, including urinary, intra-prostate, gut, oral and blood microbiome may exert a significant impact on the natural progression of BPH. The dysbiosis of the microbiome may induce inflammation at either a local or systemic level, thereby affecting the BPH. Moreover, metabolic syndrome (MetS) caused by the microbiome can also be involved in the development of BPH. Additionally, alterations in the microbiome composition during the senility process may serve as another cause of the BPH. Here, we summarize the influence of human microbiome on BPH and explore how the microbiome is linked to BPH through inflammation, MetS, and senility. In addition, we propose promising areas of investigation and discuss the implications for advancing therapeutic approaches.

The triangular relationship between traditional Chinese medicines, intestinal flora, and colorectal cancer

Over the past decade, colorectal cancer has reported a higher incidence in younger adults and a lower mortality rate. Recently, the influence of the intestinal flora in the initiation, progression, and treatment of colorectal cancer has been extensively studied, as well as their positive therapeutic impact on inflammation and the cancer microenvironment. Historically, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in the treatment of colorectal cancer via promoted cancer cell apoptosis, inhibited cancer metastasis, and reduced drug resistance and side effects. The present research is more on the effect of either herbal medicine or intestinal flora on colorectal cancer. The interactions between TCM and intestinal flora are bidirectional and the combined impacts of TCM and gut microbiota in the treatment of colon cancer should not be neglected. Therefore, this review discusses the role of intestinal bacteria in the progression and treatment of colorectal cancer by inhibiting carcinogenesis, participating in therapy, and assisting in healing. Then the complex anticolon cancer effects of different kinds of TCM monomers, TCM drug pairs, and traditional Chinese prescriptions embodied in apoptosis, metastasis, immune suppression, and drug resistance are summarized separately. In addition, the interaction between TCM and intestinal flora and the combined effect on cancer treatment were analyzed. This review provides a mechanistic reference for the application of TCM and intestinal flora in the clinical treatment of colorectal cancer and paves the way for the combined development and application of microbiome and TCM.

Preliminary study of the effect of gut microbiota on the development of prostatitis

BACKGROUND

Dysbacteriosis of intestinal tract may cause systemic inflammation, making distant anatomical locations more susceptible to illness. Recent research has demonstrated that the microbiome can affect both prostatitis and the inflammation of the prostate that is linked to prostate cancer. It is still unclear, though, whether this relationship indicates causation. We conducted a Mendelian randomization investigation on two samples to fully uncover gut microbiota's potential genetic causal role in prostatitis.

METHOD

Prostatitis (1859 prostatitis cases and 72,799 controls) was utilized as the outcome, while SNPs highly linked with 196 microbial taxa (18 340 people) were chosen as instrumental factors. Random effects, inverse variance weighting, weighted medians, and MR-Egger were used to analyze causal effects. The Cochran's Q test, funnel plot, leave-one-out analysis, and MR-Egger intercept test were all used in the sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS

A causal effect in lowering the incidence of prostatitis is anticipated for five gut microorganisms (Methanobacteria, Methanobacteriaceae, Erysipelatoclostridium, Parasutterella, and Slackia; P < 0.05). Four gut bacteria, including Faecalibacterium, LachnospiraceaeUCG004, Sutterella, and Gastranaerophilales, are predicted to play a causal role in increasing the risk of prostatitis (P < 0.05). There were no discernible estimates of pleiotropy or heterogeneity.

CONCLUSION

Our investigation established the genetic links between nine gut microorganisms and prostatitis, which may offer fresh perspectives and a theoretical framework for the future prevention and management of prostatitis.

Thermosensitive hydrogel with emodin-loaded triple-targeted nanoparticles for a rectal drug delivery system in the treatment of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis

BACKGROUND

The complex etiology and pathogenesis underlying Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis (CNP), coupled with the existence of a Blood Prostate Barrier (BPB), contribute to a lack of specificity and poor penetration of most drugs. Emodin (EMO), a potential natural compound for CNP treatment, exhibits commendable anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-fibrosis properties but suffers from the same problems as other drugs.

METHODS

By exploiting the recognition properties of lactoferrin (LF) receptors that target intestinal epithelial cells (NCM-460) and prostate epithelial cells (RWPE-1), a pathway is established for the transrectal absorption of EMO to effectively reach the prostate. Additionally, hyaluronic acid (HA) is employed, recognizing CD44 receptors which target macrophages within the inflamed prostate. This interaction facilitates the intraprostatic delivery of EMO, leading to its pronounced anti-inflammatory effects. A thermosensitive hydrogel (CS-Gel) prepared from chitosan (CS) and β-glycerophosphate disodium salt (β-GP) was used for rectal drug delivery with strong adhesion to achieve effective drug retention and sustained slow release. Thus, we developed a triple-targeted nanoparticle (NPs)/thermosensitive hydrogel (Gel) rectal drug delivery system. In this process, LF, with its positive charge, was utilized to load EMO through dialysis, producing LF@EMO-NPs. Subsequently, HA was employed to encapsulate EMO-loaded LF nanoparticles via electrostatic adsorption, yielding HA/LF@EMO-NPs. Finally, HA/LF@EMO-NPs lyophilized powder was added to CS-Gel (HA/LF@EMO-NPs Gel).

RESULTS

Cellular assays indicated that NCM-460 and RWPE-1 cells showed high uptake of both LF@EMO-NPs and HA/LF@EMO-NPs, while Raw 264.7 cells exhibited substantial uptake of HA/LF@EMO-NPs. For LPS-induced Raw 264.7 cells, HA/LF@EMO-NPs can reduce the inflammatory responses by modulating TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways. Tissue imaging corroborated the capacity of HA/LF-modified formulations to breach the BPB, accumulating within the gland's lumen. Animal experiments showed that rectal administration of HA/LF@EMO-NPs Gel significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine expression, oxidative stress levels and fibrosis in the CNP rats, in addition to exerting anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway without obvious toxicity.

CONCLUSION

This triple-targeted NPs/Gel rectal delivery system with slow-release anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-fibrosis properties shows great potential for the effective treatment of CNP.

The Protective Effects of Bushen Daozhuo Granule on Chronic Non-bacterial Prostatitis

Background: Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (CNP), one of the most common chronic diseases in urology, leads to pain in the prostate and dysuria, critically affecting the physical or mental health of patients. However, there are no standard treatment approaches for the treatment of CNP in the clinic. Although the clinical application of Bushen Daozhuo granule (BSDZG) offers hope to CNP patients in China, the mechanisms of BSDZG in treating CNP are still not entirely clear. Hence, we aimed to investigate the novel therapeutic mechanisms of BSDZG on CNP. Methods: In this study, we first assayed the prostate index of rats and then determined the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of BSDZG on CNP in vivo and in vitro by employing ELISA kits and TUNEL staining. Next, we investigated whether the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mechanisms of BSDZG on prostate protein-induced rats and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced RWPE-1 cells were related to the AKT, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB pathways with the help of Western blot. Finally, the influence of BSDZG on the interaction between the p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathway in LPS-induced RWPE-1 cells was explored by adopting dehydrocorydaline (DHC, p38 MAPK activator) with the help of ELISA kits and Western blot. Results: In vivo, BSDZG effectively reduced the prostate index. In vivo and in vitro, BSDZG dramatically declined the level of two pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, as well as the apoptosis rate. Moreover, in vivo and in vitro, BSDZG memorably upregulated the expression level of p-AKT, and substantially downregulated the expression level of p-p38 MAPK and NF-κB2. The activation of p38 MAPK significantly reversed the moderation effects of BSDZG on the level of TNF-α and IL-1β, as well as the expression level of p-p38 MAPK and NF-κB2 in vitro. Conclusion: To sum up, the in vivo and in vitro therapeutic mechanisms of BSDZG on CNP were reflected as the anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis that was formed by inhibiting the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, to regulate the AKT, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB pathways, and the anti-inflammatory effect of BSDZG was realized by suppressing the p38 MAPK pathway to inhibit the downstream NF-κB pathway.

Microbial modifications with Lycium barbarum L. oligosaccharides decrease hepatic fibrosis and mitochondrial abnormalities in mice

BACKGROUND

Lycium barbarum L. is a typical Chinese herbal and edible plant and are now consumed globally. Low molecular weight L. barbarum L. oligosaccharides (LBO) exhibit better antioxidant activity and gastrointestinal digestibility in vitro than high molecular weight polysaccharides. However, the LBO on the treatment of liver disease is not studied.

PURPOSE

Modification of the gut microbial ecosystem by LBO is a promising treatment for liver fibrosis.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Herein, LBO were prepared and characterized. CCl4-treated mice were orally gavaged with LBO and the effects on hepatic fibrosis and mitochondrial abnormalities were evaluated according to relevant indicators (gut microbiota, faecal metabolites, and physiological and biochemical indices).

RESULTS

The results revealed that LBO, a potential prebiotic source, is a pyranose cyclic oligosaccharide possessing α-glycosidic and β-glycosidic bonds. Moreover, LBO supplementation restored the configuration of the bacterial community, enhanced the proliferation of beneficial species in the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., Bacillus, Tyzzerella, Fournierella and Coriobacteriaceae UCG-002), improved microbial metabolic alterations (i.e., carbohydrate metabolism, vitamin metabolism and entero-hepatic circulation), and increased antioxidants, including doxepin, in mice. Finally, LBO administration reduced serum inflammatory cytokine and hepatic hydroxyproline levels, improved intestinal and hepatic mitochondrial functions, and ameliorated mouse liver fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that LBO can be utilized as a prebiotic and has a remarkable ability to mitigate liver fibrosis.

Gut microbiota: A magical multifunctional target regulated by medicine food homology species

BACKGROUND

The relationship between gut microbiota and human health has gradually been recognized. Increasing studies show that the disorder of gut microbiota is related to the occurrence and development of many diseases. Metabolites produced by the gut microbiota are responsible for their extensive regulatory roles. In addition, naturally derived medicine food homology species with low toxicity and high efficiency have been clearly defined owing to their outstanding physiological and pharmacological properties in disease prevention and treatment.

AIM OF REVIEW

Based on supporting evidence, the current review summarizes the representative work of medicine food homology species targeting the gut microbiota to regulate host pathophysiology and discusses the challenges and prospects in this field. It aims to facilitate the understanding of the relationship among medicine food homology species, gut microbiota, and human health and further stimulate the advancement of more relevant research.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

As this review reveals, from the initial practical application to more mechanism studies, the relationship among medicine food homology species, gut microbiota, and human health has evolved into an irrefutable interaction. On the one hand, through affecting the population structure, metabolism, and function of gut microbiota, medicine food homology species maintain the homeostasis of the intestinal microenvironment and human health by affecting the population structure, metabolism, and function of gut microbiota. On the other hand, the gut microbiota is also involved in the bioconversion of the active ingredients from medicine food homology species and thus influences their physiological and pharmacological properties.

Three Strains of Lactobacillus Derived from Piglets Alleviated Intestinal Oxidative Stress Induced by Diquat through Extracellular Vesicles

Previous studies found that Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCPs) significantly enhanced the antioxidant activity in piglet intestines while increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus. However, the relationship between Lactobacillus and antioxidant activity has yet to be verified, and the mode of action needs further investigation. Six Lactobacillus strains isolated from the intestines of neonatal piglets fed with PCPs were studied to investigate the relationship between Lactobacillus and intestinal oxidative stress. The results showed that three of them alleviated intestinal oxidative stress and protected the intestinal barrier. Subsequently, we extracted the extracellular vesicles (EVs) of these three Lactobacillus strains to verify their intestinal protection mode of action. We found that these EVs exerted an excellent antioxidant effect and intestinal barrier protection and could directly improve intestinal microbial composition. Our findings suggested that the EVs of the three Lactobacillus strains could enhance antioxidant activity by improving the physical intestinal barrier and remodeling gut microbiota. Unlike probiotics, which should be pre-colonized, EVs can act directly on the intestines. This study provides new ideas for the subsequent development of products to protect intestinal health.

A Systematic Review on the Research Progress on Polysaccharides from Fungal Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a class of natural drugs with multiple components and significant therapeutic effects through multiple targets. It also originates from a wide range of sources containing plants, animals and minerals, and among them, plant-based Chinese medicine also includes fungi. Fungal traditional Chinese medicine is a medicinal resource with a long history and widespread application in China. Accumulating evidence confirms that polysaccharide is the main pharmacodynamic material on which fungal TCM is based. The purpose of the current systematic review is to summarize the extraction, isolation, structural identification, biological functions, quality control and medicinal and edible applications of polysaccharides from fungal TCM in the past three years. This paper will supplement and deepen the understanding and application of polysaccharides from fungal TCM, and propose some valuable insights for further research and development of drugs and functional foods.

Association between gut microbiota and benign prostatic hyperplasia: a two-sample mendelian randomization study

Background

Recent researches have shown a correlation between the gut microbiota (GM) and various diseases. However, it remains uncertain whether the relationship between GM and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is causal.

Methods

We carried out a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, utilizing data from the most extensive GM-focused genome-wide association study by the MiBioGen consortium, with a sample size of 13,266. Data for BPH, encompassing 26,358 cases and 110,070 controls, were obtained from the R8 release of the FinnGen consortium. We employed multiple techniques, such as inverse variance weighted (IVW), constrained maximum likelihood and model averaging methods, maximum likelihood, MR-Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MRPRESSO),MR-Egger, and weighted median methods, to investigate the causal relationship between GM and BPH. To evaluate the heterogeneity among the instrumental variables, Cochran's Q statistics were employed. Additionally, the presence of horizontal pleiotropy was assessed through the application of both MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO tests. The direction of causality was scrutinized for robustness using the MR-Steiger directionality test. A reverse MR analysis examined the GM previously linked to BPH through a causal relationship in the forward MR assessment.

Results

According to the analysis conducted using IVW,Eisenbergiella (odds ratio [OR]=0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85-0.99,P=0.022) and Ruminococcaceae (UCG009) (OR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.79-0.99, P=0.027) were found to reduce the risk of BPH, while Escherichia shigella (OR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.05-1.36, P=0.0082) appeared to increase it. The subsequent reverse MR analysis revealed that the three GM were not significantly influenced by BPH, and there was no noticeable heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy among the instrumental variables.Conclusion: These results indicated a causal relationship between Eisenbergiella, Ruminococcaceae (UCG009), and Escherichia shigella and BPH. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to explore more comprehensively the roles and operational mechanisms of these GM in relation to BPH.

Potential herb‒drug interactions between anti-COVID-19 drugs and traditional Chinese medicine

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide. Effective treatments against COVID-19 remain urgently in need although vaccination significantly reduces the incidence, hospitalization, and mortality. At present, antiviral drugs including Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (PaxlovidTM), Remdesivir, and Molnupiravir have been authorized to treat COVID-19 and become more globally available. On the other hand, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for the treatment of epidemic diseases for a long history. Currently, various TCM formulae against COVID-19 such as Qingfei Paidu decoction, Xuanfei Baidu granule, Huashi Baidu granule, Jinhua Qinggan granule, Lianhua Qingwen capsule, and Xuebijing injection have been widely used in clinical practice in China, which may cause potential herb-drug interactions (HDIs) in patients under treatment with antiviral drugs and affect the efficacy and safety of medicines. However, information on potential HDIs between the above anti-COVID-19 drugs and TCM formulae is lacking, and thus this work seeks to summarize and highlight potential HDIs between antiviral drugs and TCM formulae against COVID-19, and especially pharmacokinetic HDIs mediated by metabolizing enzymes and/or transporters. These well-characterized HDIs could provide useful information on clinical concomitant medicine use to maximize clinical outcomes and minimize adverse and toxic effects.

The differences between the water- and alkaline-soluble Poria cocos polysaccharide: A review

Poria cocos (PC) refers to a fungal species which is also known as "Fuling" in China. For >2000 years, PC has demonstrated its therapeutic values as a kind of traditional medicine. It is believed that the various biological benefits created by PCs highly rely on the Poria cocos polysaccharide (PCP). This review recapitulates the recent progress made in PCP in four aspects: i) the methods of extraction, separation, and purification, ii) structural characterization and identification, iii) the related bioactivities and mechanism of action, and iv) structure-activity relationships. Through discussion about the objective as mentioned above, it can be found out that PCP is categorized into water-soluble polysaccharide (WPCP) and alkaline-soluble polysaccharide (APCP), which are totally different in structure and bioactivity. The structures of WPCP are multiplicity whose backbone can be (1,6)-α-galactan and (1,3)-β-mannoglucan etc. to perform various bioactivities including anti-tumor effect, anti-depressant effect, anti-Alzheimer effect, anti-atherosclerosis effect, hepatoprotection etc. The structures of APCP are much more single with backbone of (1,3)-β-D-glucan and the studies of activity concentrate on anti-tumor effect, anti-inflammatory effect and immunomodulation. Besides, the future opportunities of WPCP are primary structure identification. For APCP, scholars can focus on the conformation of polysaccharide and its relationship with activity.

Four polysaccharides isolated from Poria cocos mycelium and fermentation broth supernatant possess different activities on regulating immune response

Four polysaccharide fractions were isolated and purified from the culture supernatant and mycelium of Poria cocos, and differences in their immunomodulatory activity were investigated. The average molecular weights of EPS-0M, EPS-0.1M, IPS-0M, and IPS-0.1M were 1.77 × 10³, 2.01 × 10³, 0.03 × 10³ and 4.97 × 10³ kDa, respectively. They all mainly consisted of 5 monosaccharides, including glucose, mannose, galactose, fucose and rhamnose, but with different molar ratios. At a dose of 50 μg/mL, EPS-0M, EPS-0.1M, and IPS-0.1M significantly increased the production of nitric oxide (NO), as well as the mRNA and protein levels of pro-inflammatory factors including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in RAW264.7 cells, suggesting that they enhanced macrophage-mediated innate immunity. Moreover, based on the in vitro inflammation model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, EPS-0M, EPS-0.1M and IPS-0M but not IPS-0.1M could inhibit the LPS-induced excessive inflammatory response, including NO, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β production and gene transcription. Interestingly, IPS-0M showed a relatively poor immunostimulatory effect, but had the strongest inhibitory effect against the LPS-induced RAW264.7 inflammatory response. Furthermore, our results indicate that the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway is associated with the immunomodulatory effects of the polysaccharide samples on RAW264.7 cells. This study can provide a reference for the more targeted application of different polysaccharide components from Poria cocos for human health.

The Interaction between Mushroom Polysaccharides and Gut Microbiota and Their Effect on Human Health: A Review

Mushroom polysaccharides are a kind of biological macromolecule extracted from the fruiting body, mycelium or fermentation liquid of edible fungi. In recent years, the research on mushroom polysaccharides for alleviating metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, cancers and other symptoms by changing the intestinal microenvironment has been increasing. Mushroom polysaccharides could promote human health by regulating gut microbiota, increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids, improving intestinal mucosal barrier, regulating lipid metabolism and activating specific signaling pathways. Notably, these biological activities are closely related to the molecular weight, monosaccharide composition and type of the glycosidic bond of mushroom polysaccharide. This review aims to summarize the latest studies: (1) Regulatory effects of mushroom polysaccharides on gut microbiota; (2) The effect of mushroom polysaccharide structure on gut microbiota; (3) Metabolism of mushroom polysaccharides by gut microbiota; and (4) Effects of mushroom polysaccharides on gut microbe-mediated diseases. It provides a theoretical basis for further exploring the mechanism of mushroom polysaccharides for regulating gut microbiota and gives a reference for developing and utilizing mushroom polysaccharides as promising prebiotics in the future.

Poria cocos Polysaccharide Ameliorated Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea in Mice via Regulating the Homeostasis of the Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Mucosal Barrier

Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCP) have been validated for several biological activities, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective and modulation on gut microbiota. In this research, we aim to demonstrate the potential prebiotic effects and the therapeutic efficacies of PCP in the treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), and confirm the beneficial effects of PCP on gut dysbiosis. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea mice models were established by treating them with broad-spectrum antibiotics in drinking water for seven days. Mice in two groups treated with probiotics and polysaccharide were given Bifico capsules (4.2 g/kg/d) and PCP (250 mg/kg/d) for seven days using intragastric gavage, respectively. To observe the regulatory effects of PCP on gut microbiota and intestinal mucosal barrier, we conducted the following experiments: intestinal flora analysis (16S rDNA sequencing), histology (H&E staining) and tight junction proteins (immunofluorescence staining). The levels of mRNA expression of receptors associated with inflammation and gut metabolism were assessed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The study revealed that PCP can comprehensively improve the clinical symptoms of AAD mice, including fecal traits, mental state, hair quality, etc., similar to the effect of probiotics. Based on histology observation, PCP significantly improved the substantial structure of the intestine of AAD mice by increasing the expression levels of colonic tight junction protein zonula-occludens 1 (ZO-1) and its mRNA. Moreover, PCP not only increased the abundance of gut microbiota, but also increased the diversity of gut microbiota in AAD mice, including alpha diversity and beta diversity. Further analysis found that PCP can modulate seven characteristic species of intestinal flora in AAD mice, including Parabacteroides_distasonis, Akkermansia_muciniphila, Clostridium_saccharolyticum, Ruminoc-occus_gnavus, Lactobacillus_salivarius, Salmonella_enterica and Mucispirillum_schaedleri. Finally, enrichment analysis predicted that PCP may affect intestinal mucosal barrier function, host immune response and metabolic function by regulating the microbiota. RT-PCR experiments showed that PCP can participate in immunomodulatory and modulation on metabolic by regulating the mRNA expression of forkhead-box protein 3 (FOXP3) and G protein-coupled receptor 41 (GPR41). These results indicated that Poria cocos polysaccharide may ameliorate antibiotic-associated diarrhea in mice by regulating the homeostasis of the gut microbiota and intestinal mucosal barrier. In addition, polysaccharide-derived changes in intestinal microbiota were involved in the immunomodulatory activities and modulation of the metabolism.

Poria cocos polysaccharides rescue pyroptosis-driven gut vascular barrier disruption in order to alleviates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCP) are abundant in Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Poria). This is a common traditional Chinese medicine used to treat gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Poria cocos dispel dampness and enhance gastrointestinal functions, strongly affecting the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Still, the mechanism is not yet clear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The latest research found that protecting the integrity of the intestinal barrier can slow down the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Hence, our research ought to explore the protective mechanism of PCP on the intestinal barrier under a high-fat diet and to clarify the relationship between intestinal barrier damage and steatohepatitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

H&E staining was done to evaluate pathological damage, whereas Nile red and oil red O staining was conducted to evaluate hepatic fat infiltration. Immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect protein expression and locations. Bone marrow-derived macrophages were isolated for in vitro experiments. ONOO- and ROS fluorescent probes and MDA, SOD, and GSH kits assessed the levels of nitrogen and oxidative stress. LPS levels were detected with a Limulus Amebocyte Lysate assay. The Western blot analysis and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR detected the expression of related proteins and genes. The Elisa kit detected the level of the inflammatory factors in the cell supernatant. For the vivo NAFLD experiments, in briefly, mice were randomly chosen to receive either a High-fat diet or control diet for 12 weeks. Drug treatments started after 4 weeks of feeding. Zebrafish larvae were raised separately in fish water or 7 mM thioacetamide as the control or model group for approximately 72 h. In the therapy groups, different concentrations of PCP were added to the culture environment at the same time.

RESULTS

In zebrafish, we determined the safe concentration of PCP and found that PCP could effectively reduce the pathological damage in the liver and intestines induced by the NAFLD model. In mice, PCP could slow down weight gain, hyperlipidemia, and liver steatosis caused by a high-fat diet. More importantly, PCP could reduce the destruction of the gut-vascular barrier and the translocation of endotoxins caused by a high-fat diet. Further, we found that PCP could inhibit intestinal pyroptosis by regulating PARP-1. Pyroptosis inhibitors, such as MCC950, could effectively protect the intestinal and liver damage induced by a high-fat diet. We also found that pyroptosis mainly occurred in intestinal macrophages. PCP could effectively improve the survival rate of bone marrow-derived macrophages in a high-fat environment and inhibit pyroptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that PCP inhibited the pyroptosis of small intestinal macrophages to protect the intestinal barrier integrity under a high-fat diet. This resulted in decreased endotoxin translocation and progression of steatohepatitis.

Quantification of Chemical Groups and Quantitative HPLC Fingerprint of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf

(1)Objective: In this study, a quantitative analysis of chemical groups (the triterpenoids, water-soluble polysaccharides, and acidic polysaccharides) and quantitative high liquid performance chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (PC) for quality control was developed. (2) Methodology: First, three main chemical groups, including triterpenoids, water-soluble polysaccharides, and acidic polysaccharides, in 16 batches of PC were evaluated by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. Afterward, the quantitative fingerprint of PC was established, and the alcohol extract of PC was further evaluated. The method involves establishing 16 batches of PC fingerprints by HPLC, evaluating the similarity of different batches of PC, and identifying eight bioactive components, including poricoic acid B (PAB), dehydrotumulosic acid (DTA), poricoic acid A (PAA), polyporenic acid C (PAC), 3-epidehydrotumulosic acid (EA), dehydropachymic acid (DPA), dehydrotrametenolic acid (DTA-1), and dehydroeburicoic acid (DEA), in PC by comparison with the reference substance. Combined with the quantitative analysis of multi-components by a single marker (QAMS), six bioactive ingredients, including PAB, DTA, PAC, EA, DPA, and DEA, in PC from different places were established. In addition, the multivariate statistical analyses, such as principal component analysis and heatmap hierarchical clustering analysis are more intuitive, and the visual analysis strategy was used to evaluate the content of bioactive components in 16 batches of PC. Finally, the analysis strategy of three main chemical groups in PC was combined with the quantitative fingerprint strategy, which reduced the error caused by the single method. (3) Results: The establishment of a method for the quantification of chemical groups and quantitative HPLC fingerprint of PC was achieved as demonstrated through the quantification of six triterpenes in PC by a single marker. (4) Conclusions: Through qualitative and quantitative chemical characterization, a multi-directional, simple and efficient routine evaluation method of PC quality was established. The results reveal that this strategy can provide an analytical method for the quality evaluation of PC and other Chinese medicinal materials.

Three main metabolites from Wolfiporia cocos (F. A. Wolf) Ryvarden & Gilb regulate the gut microbiota in mice: A comparative study using microbiome-metabolomics

Wolfiporia cocos (F. A. Wolf) Ryvarden & Gilb, also known as Poria cocos is an ancient edible and medicinal mushroom that has been valued for thousands of years for its tranquilizing, diuretic, and spleen-enhancing properties. Because of the mushroom’s complex composition, its pharmacological effects have not been fully clarified. Therefore, to expand our knowledge of these effects from a pharmacological perspective and exploit potential medicinal value of fungal mushroom, we extracted three main metabolites from P. cocos, including water-soluble polysaccharides (PCX), water-insoluble polysaccharides (PCY), and triterpenoid saponins (PCZ) for intragastric injection into mice. These injections were made to explore the component’s effects on the mice’s gut microbiota and their metabolomics. The microbiota analysis showed that PCY had the strongest effect on regulating gut microbiota through altering its composition and increasing the number of Lactobacillus (p < 0.01). A total of 1,828 metabolites were detected using metabolomics methods, and the results showed that the three main active metabolites of P. cocos significantly changed the content of short-chain peptides in intestinal metabolites. In conclusion, our study further investigated the pharmacological functions of P. cocos, and revealed the differing effects of its three main metabolites on gut microbiota. The results suggested that PCY is a prominent prebiotic, and provided us with new insights into the potential development of fungal polysaccharides in Chinese traditional medicine.

The improvement of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by Poria cocos polysaccharides associated with gut microbiota and NF-κB/CCL3/CCR1 axis

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has been linked to inflammation induced by intestinal microbiota. Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCP) possesses anti-inflammation and immunomodulation functions; however, its preventive effects against NASH and potential mechanisms need to be explored.

METHODS

The composition of PCP was determined using ion chromatography. C57BL/6 mice were administered the methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet for 4 weeks to establish the NASH model or methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS) diet to serve as the control. Mice were assigned to the MCS group, MCD group, low-dose PCP (LP) group, and high-dose PCP (HP) group, and were administered the corresponding medications via gavage. Serum biochemical index analysis and liver histopathology examination were performed to verify the successful establishment of NASH model and to evaluate the efficacy of PCP. The composition of intestinal bacteria was profiled through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Hepatic RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed to explore the potential mechanisms, which were further confirmed using qPCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

PCP consists of glucose, galactose, mannose, D-glucosamine hydrochloride, xylose, arabinose, and fucose. PCP could significantly alleviate symptoms of NASH, including histological liver damage, impaired hepatic function, and increased oxidative stress. Meanwhile, HP could reshape the composition of intestinal bacteria by significantly increasing the relative abundance of Faecalibaculum and decreasing the level of endotoxin load derived from gut bacteria. PCP could also downregulate the expression of pathways associated with immunity and inflammation, including the chemokine signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and NF-kappa B signaling pathway. The expression levels of CCL3 and CCR1 (involved in the chemokine signaling pathway), Tlr4, Cd11b, and NF-κb (involved in the NF-kappa B signaling pathway), and Tnf-α (involved in the TNF signaling pathway) were significantly reduced in the HP group compared to the MCD group.

CONCLUSIONS

PCP could prevent the development of NASH, which may be associated with the modulation of intestinal microbiota and the downregulation of the NF-κB/CCL3/CCR1 axis.

A review on the advances in the extraction methods and structure elucidation of Poria cocos polysaccharide and its pharmacological activities and drug carrier applications

Poria cocos polysaccharide (PCP) is one of the main active components of Poria cocos that is extensively used in the world. PCP can be divided into intro-polysaccharides and exopolysaccharides. PCP is mainly composed of glucose, galactose and mannose. There are many methods to exact PCP, and methods can affect its yield. PCP and its derivatives exhibit diverse biological functions such as antitumour, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-regulatory, hepatoprotective, etc. There is the potential application of PCP as drug carriers. The review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest extraction and purification methods of PCP, its chemistry, synthesis of PCP derivates, their pharmacological activities and their applications as drug carriers. This review provides comprehensive information on PCP, which can be used as the basis for further research on PCP and its derivates.

Theabrownin and Poria cocos Polysaccharide Improve Lipid Metabolism via Modulation of Bile Acid and Fatty Acid Metabolism

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is prevalent worldwide, while no pharmaceutical treatment has been approved. Natural herbs are promising for their amelioration effect on lipid metabolism. Theabrownin (TB) and Poria cocos polysaccharide (PCP) have been reported to have effect on hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Here, we compared the effect of individual TB or PCP and the combination of TB and PCP (TB + PCP) on NAFLD phenotypes and the alteration of metabolism in the mice with high-fat diet. The results showed that TB, PCP, and TB + PCP reduced serum and hepatic lipid levels, among which TB + PCP was the most effective. Serum metabolomic profile and liver mRNA analyses revealed that the treatments altered metabolic pathways involved in fatty acid metabolism, bile acid metabolism, and tricarboxylic acid cycle, which was also most significant in the TB + PCP group. This study demonstrated that TB, PCP, especially the combination of TB and PCP could be potential therapeutic formula for NAFLD that promoted lipid utilization and inhibited lipid synthesis and absorption.

The Positive Influence of Polyphenols Extracted From Pueraria lobata Root on the Gut Microbiota and Its Antioxidant Capability

Pueraria lobata, an edible food and medicinal plant, is a rich source of bioactive components. In this study, a polyphenol-rich extract was isolated from P. lobata. Puerarin was identified, and the high antioxidant bioactivity of the P. lobata extract was evaluated using the methods of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS), and hydroxyl free radical scavenging ratio. Additionally, the IC₅₀ values of DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities were 50.8, 13.9, and 100.4 μg/ml, respectively. Then, the P. lobata extract was administered to C57Bl/6J mice and confirmed to have a superior effect on enhancing the antioxidant status including improving superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione peroxidase peroxide activity, total antioxidant capacity activity, and malondialdehyde contents in vivo. Furthermore, the P. lobata extract had beneficial and prebiotic effects on the composition and structure of gut microbiota. Results showed that the P. lobata extract significantly increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, involving Lactobacillaceae and Bacteroidetes, and decreased the abundance of Ruminococcaceae, Prevotellaceae, and Burkholderiaceae. Overall, our results provided a basis for using the P. lobata extract as a promising and potential functional ingredient for the food industry.

Alterations of gut microbiota diversity, composition and metabonomics in testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia rats

BACKGROUND

Studies had shown many diseases affect the stability of human microbiota, but how this relates to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has not been well understood. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the regulation of BPH on gut microbiota composition and metabonomics.

METHODS

We analyzed gut samples from rats with BPH and healthy control rats, the gut microbiota composition and metabonomics were detected by 16S rDNA sequencing and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

RESULTS

High-throughput sequencing results showed that gut microbiota beta-diversity increased (P < 0.01) in the BPH group vs. control group. Muribaculaceae (P < 0.01), Turicibacteraceae (P < 0.05), Turicibacter (P < 0.01) and Coprococcus (P < 0.01) were significantly decreased in the BPH group, whereas that of Mollicutes (P < 0.05) and Prevotella (P < 0.05) were significantly increased compared with the control group. Despite profound interindividual variability, the levels of several predominant genera were different. In addition, there were no statistically significant differences in several bacteria. BPH group vs. control group: Firmicutes (52.30% vs. 57.29%, P > 0.05), Bacteroidetes (46.54% vs. 41.64%, P > 0.05), Clostridia (50.89% vs. 54.66%, P > 0.05), Ruminococcaceae (25.67% vs. 20.56%, P > 0.05). LC-MS/MS of intestinal contents revealed that differential metabolites were mainly involved in cellular processes, environmental information processing, metabolism and organismal systems. The most important pathways were global and overview maps, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, digestive system and endocrine system. Through enrichment analysis, we found that the differential metabolites were significantly enriched in metabolic pathways, steroid hormone biosynthesis, ovarian steroidogenesis, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and bile secretion. Pearson correlation analysis (R = 0.94) showed that there was a strong correlation between Prevotellaceae, Corynebacteriaceae, Turicibacteraceae, Bifidobacteriaceae and differential metabolites.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested an association between the gut microbiota and BPH, but the causal relationship between the two groups is unclear. Thus, further studies are warranted to elucidate the potential mechanisms and causal relationships between BPH and gut microbiota.