Alcohol-free fermented blueberry-blackberry beverage phenolic extract attenuates diet-induced obesity and blood glucose in C57BL/6J mice

Incorporating ions during thermal processing tailors the microstructure and practical features of rice starch/anthocyanin binary system

Understanding the interplay among salt ions, anthocyanin and starch within food matrices under thermal conditions is important for the development of starch-based foods with demanded quality attributes. However, how salt ions presence influences the microstructure and properties of starch/anthocyanin binary system remains largely unclear. Herein, indica rice starch (IRS) and rice anthocyanin (RA) were used to construct an IRS-RA binary system, with thermal treatment under different concentrations of Na+ (10-40 mM) and types of salt ions (Na+ and Ca2+). The incorporation of salt ions induced the formation of a porous gel matrix, and destroyed the hydrogen bond between starch and anthocyanin through electrostatic interactions, reducing the storage modulus and radius of gyration of the binary system, and increasing the relative crystallinity (from 1.08 % to 1.51 % (20 mM Na+) and 1.69 % (20 mM Ca+)) of the IRS-RA binary system at 90 °C. Also, the DPPH radical scavenging ability of the binary system at 90 °C was enhanced upon incorporating salt ions (0.93 for Na+ condition and 0.94 for Ca2+ condition at 20 mM ion concentration). It is noteworthy that Ca2+ inclusion had more significant effects than the case for Na+ presence, presumably due to the increased charge density.

Potential mechanism of probiotic fermentation of Auricularia cornea var. Li./blueberry to reduce obesity induced by a high-fat diet

The primary objective of this research was to investigate the effects of fermented Auricularia cornea var. Li./blueberry (FACB) on the gut microbiota of these super-large mouse models. The study, found that the groups who were given different amounts of FACB saw a significant reduction in their triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. There was a noteworthy increase in the ranks of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P < 0.05). Furthermore, it was noted that FACB influenced the gut microbiota of the obese rats, improving in both the variety and quantity of short-chain fatty acids present in their intestines. This research provided the inaugural evidence of FACB's potential as an effective anti-obesity agent in a high-fat diet model, implying it could serve as a preventive measure against obesity.

Modulatory effect of green coffee bioactives on high-fat diet-induced obesity in C57BL6 mice model

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of green coffee bioactives in ameliorating the effects of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity through in vitro and in vivo assessments.

METHODS

Green coffee extract (GCE) was obtained by implementing a novel green extraction technique. The efficacy of GCE to inhibit in vitro pancreatic amylase and lipase was evaluated. Further, in vivo studies were conducted using a C57BL6 mice model grouped as starch-fed diet control, HFD control, HFD + positive control, HFD + GCE (100 mg/kg body weight), and HFD + GCE (200 mg/kg body weight). Animal body weight, diet intake, and fecal fat excretion were measured during the feeding period. On completion of the experiment, blood serum was collected for biochemical analysis, and organs were harvested for assessing the obesity-related biomarkers.

RESULTS

The obtained GCE was enriched with polyphenols and alkaloids. GCE led to significant (P < 0.05) in vitro inhibition of pancreatic amylase and lipase. GCE supplementation considerably prevented weight gain in treated groups post-consumption of HFD. It also led to increased fecal fat excretion and regulated the high-fat-mediated blood glucose levels. GCE effectively modulated the blood lipid profile, morphology of adipose and liver tissues, and liver antioxidant defense enzymes and resulted in hepatoprotective effects. It also downregulated the genes associated with lipid biosynthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

GCE exhibits promising results in suppressing the consequences associated with HFD-induced obesity. It has the potential to be incorporated into food products benefiting consumer health and food industries.

Blueberry and Blackberry Anthocyanins Ameliorate Metabolic Syndrome by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Short-Chain Fatty Acids Metabolism in High-Fat Diet-Fed C57BL/6J Mice

In this study, blueberry (Vaccinium ssp.) anthocyanins (VA) and blackberry (Rubus L.) anthocyanins (RA) were used to investigate the effects on metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the potential mechanisms. Importantly, all of the data presented in this study were obtained from experiments conducted on mice. As a result, VA and RA reduced body weight gain and fat accumulation while improving liver damage, inflammation, glucose, and lipid metabolism induced by a high-fat diet. Moreover, VA and RA regulated the gut microbiota composition, decreasing the pro-obesity and proinflammation bacteria taxa, such as the phylum Actinobacterium and the genera Allobaculum and Bifidobacterium, and increasing those negatively associated with obesity and inflammation, such as the phylum Bacteroidetes and the genera Prevotella and Oscillospira. Additionally, the supplementation with VA and RA reversed the elevated levels of valeric, caproic, and isovaleric acids observed in the high-fat diet (HFD) group, bringing them closer to the levels observed in the Chow group. This reversal indicated that alterations in the composition and abundance of gut microbiota may contribute to the restoration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels. Additionally, PICRUSt2 exhibited that cyanamino acid metabolism and betalain biosynthesis might be the major metabolic pathways in the HVA group compared with the HFD group, while in the HRA group, it was the phosphotransferase system. These findings suggest that VA and RA can ameliorate MetS by modulating the gut microbiota and production of SCFAs.

A review of natural plant extracts in beverages: Extraction process, nutritional function, and safety evaluation

The demand for foods and beverages with therapeutic and functional features has increased as a result of rising consumer awareness of health and wellness. In natural, plants are abundant, widespread, and inexpensive, in addition to being rich in bioactive components that are beneficial to health. The bioactive substances contained in plants include polyphenols, polysaccharides, flavonoids, aromatics, aliphatics, terpenoids, etc., which have rich active functions and application potential for plant-based beverages. In this review, various existing extraction processes and their advantages and disadvantages are introduced. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, intestinal flora regulation, metabolism regulation, and nerve protection effects of plant beverages are described. The biotoxicity and sensory properties of plant-based beverages are also summarized. With the diversification of the food industry and commerce, plant-based beverages may become a promising new category of health functional foods in our daily lives.

The Extraction and High Antiproliferative Effect of Anthocyanin from Gardenblue Blueberry

Blueberries are rich in flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and other bioactive substances. Anthocyanins are important functional components in blueberries. We collected 65 varieties of blueberries to investigate their nutritional and functional values. Among them, Gardenblue had the highest anthocyanin content, with 2.59 mg/g in fresh fruit. After ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction and macroporous resin absorption, the content was increased to 459.81 mg/g in the dried powder. Biological experiments showed that Gardenblue anthocyanins (L¹) had antiproliferative effect on cervical cancer cells (Hela, 51.98 μg/mL), liver cancer cells (HepG2, 23.57 μg/mL), breast cancer cells (MCF-7, 113.39 μg/mL), and lung cancer cells (A549, 76.10 μg/mL), and no apparent toxic effects were indicated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, especially against HepG2 cells both in vitro and in vivo. After combining it with DDP (cisplatin) and DOX (doxorubicin), the antiproliferative effects were enhanced, especially when combined with DOX against HepG2 cells; the IC₅₀ value was 0.02 μg/mL. This was further evidence that L¹ could inhibit cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis. The detailed mechanism might be L¹ interacting with DNA in an intercalation mode that changes or destroys DNA, causing apoptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation. The findings of this study suggest that L¹ extract can be used as a functional agent against hepatoma carcinoma cells.

Hydroalcoholic Extract of Rabbiteye Blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) Leaves Mitigates Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Model Inducing Depressive-Like Behavior in Rats

Several studies reported that rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) leaves present promising biological properties. To the best of our knowledge, no study investigated the possible application of their hydroalcoholic extract for treating mood disorders. Herein, we evaluated if the hydroalcoholic extract of rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) leaves (HEV) promotes an antidepressant-like effect in rodents using chronic experimental approaches. The effect of repeated administration of HEV (50 mg/kg, p.o.) on the immobility time was assessed in the forced swimming test (FST) in an unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) model. Repeated treatment with HEV reversed the depressive-like behavior induced by UCMS by reducing the immobility time. Besides, the exposure to HEV caused no changes in relative organ weights in rats submitted to UCMS. The results indicated that HEV administration presented antidepressant-like action devoid of toxic effects. Thus, it is possible to suggest its potential as a safe and accessible therapeutic tool in the management of depression and other related mood disorders.

Preventive and Therapeutic aspects of Fermented Foods

In recent times, the status of some fermented foods which are considered as functional foods that confer health benefits in certain disease conditions has grown rapidly. The health benefits of fermented foods are due to the presence of probiotic microbes and the bioactive compound formed during fermentation. Microbes involved and metabolites produced by them are highly species-specific and contribute to the authenticity of the fermented foods. Several studies pertaining to the effect of fermented foods on various disease conditions have been conducted in recent years using both animal models and clinical trials on humans. This review focuses on the impact of fermented foods on conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity, gastrointestinal disorder, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Beneficial effects of blueberry supplementation on the components of metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of interconnected disorders that puts a heavy burden on societies. This study investigated the impact of blueberry (BB) supplementation on components of MetS. A...

The anti-obesogenic effects of dietary berry fruits: A review

The prevalence of obesity in the world is fearsomely climbing, which has brought about heavy threats on human health and economic development. For coping with this problem, researchers have looked at the profound potentials of natural products for resolving obesity because of their high efficiencies and few undesirable outcomes in the recent years. Berry fruits are huge reservoirs of bioactive components, and their anti-obesity potentials are arousing much interests. In this review, the current main strategies to manage obesity were summarized, including inhibiting appetite and lowering the food intake, improving energy expenditure and thermogenesis, suppressing absorption and digestion, reducing lipid synthesis and storage as well as modulating composition of gut microbiota. In addition, this review discussed the potentials of dietary berry fruits (blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, mulberries, lingonberries, blackberries, black chokeberries, elderberries, bilberries, grape, blackcurrants, jaboticabas, red bayberries, sea-buckthorns, goldenberries and goji berries) to counteract obesity or obesity-associated complications based on recent animal experiments and human studies. Then, the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds present in berry fruits was discussed. On the other hand, several challenges including securing effective dosage, further understanding their interaction with human tissues, improving bioavailability and protection of functional ingredients during delivery should be taken into account and conquered in the coming years.

Fermentation of blueberry juices using autochthonous lactic acid bacteria isolated from fruit environment: Fermentation characteristics and evolution of phenolic profiles

In this study, 4 Lactobacillus plantarum strains and 5 Lactobacillus fermentum strains adapting well to the unfavorable fruit system were isolated under different fruit environments. The fermentation ability of these autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains in blueberry juice, and the influence of microbial metabolism on juice composition were explored. After 48 h of fermentation, the viable cell counts exceeded 10.0 log CFU/mL, malic acid content decreased from 511.47 ± 10.50 mg/L to below 146.38 ± 3.79 mg/L, and lactic acid content increased from 0 mg/L to above 2184.90 ± 335.80 mg/L. Moreover, the metabolism of these strains exerted a profound influence on the phenolic composition of juice. Total phenolic content in blueberry juice increased by 6.1-81.2% under lactic acid fermentation, and the antioxidant capacity in vitro enhanced by at least 34.0%. Anthocyanin content showed a declining trend, while the profile of non-anthocyaninic phenolics exhibited complex changes. The increments of rutin, myricetin and gallic acid contents through 48 h lactic acid fermentation exceeded 136%, 71% and 38%, respectively. Instead, the contents of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and caffeic acid decreased with fermentation. Overall, Lactobacillus plantarum LSJ-TY-HYB-T9 and LSJ-TY-HYB-T7, and Lactobacillus fermentum LSJ-TY-HYB-C22 and LSJ-TY-HYB-L16 could be the suitable strains to produce fermented fruit juices, including blueberry in practical applications.

Blueberry as an Attractive Functional Fruit to Prevent (Pre)Diabetes Progression

Prediabetes, a subclinical impairment between euglycemia and hyperglycemia, is a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and associated micro- and macrovascular complications. Lifestyle therapy, the first-line treatment of prediabetes, includes physical exercise and dietary regimens enriched in phytochemicals with health-related properties. Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), given their pleasant taste and great abundance in beneficial phytochemicals, have gained public interest all over the world. Along with a high antioxidant activity, this functional fruit is also well-recognized due to its hypoglycemic and insulin-sensitizing effects and has been recommended for overt T2DM management. Yet blueberries target several other pathophysiological traits, namely gut microbiota dysbiosis and hepatic dysmetabolism, that ensue when prediabetes begins and for which pharmacological interventions tend to be delayed. In this work, we revisited preclinical data from in vitro assays, animal models and human studies, aiming to disclose the potential mechanisms by which blueberries may be a fruitful source of phytochemicals able to prevent (pre)diabetes progression. Collectively, future efforts should focus on longer-term studies with standardized interventions and readouts, particularly in humans, that will hopefully bring more robust evidence and concrete guidance for blueberries' effective use in prediabetes.

Probiotic-fermented blueberry juice prevents obesity and hyperglycemia in high fat diet-fed mice in association with modulating the gut microbiota

Blueberry dietary interventions have demonstrated remarkable potential against obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the effects of fermented blueberry juice on metabolic syndrome, the gut microbiota, and insulin resistance have not yet been reported. This study aimed to investigate the potential of fermented blueberry juice against obesity, hyperglycemia, and gut microbiota dysbiosis in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Our study findings revealed that supplementation with fresh blueberry juice (BBJ), and fermented blueberry juice with homemade probiotic starter (FBJ) or commercial starter (CFBJ) significantly decreased fat accumulation and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in HFD-fed mice. FBJ showed relatively more potency to reduce body weight than BBJ and CFBJ. The percentage increase in the body weight of the FBJ group was almost the same as that in the normal chow diet (NCD) group, and was approximately 10% lower than the BBJ and CFBJ groups. Overall, all blueberry juices significantly ameliorated hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, the dietary interventions with BBJ, FBJ, and CFBJ for 17 weeks significantly improved the community richness and diversity of the gut microflora along with an altered structure in the HFD-fed mice group. The FBJ treated mice group showed relatively low abundance of Firmicutes, obesity-related bacteria (Oscillibacter and Alistipes), and high abundance of lean bacteria (Akkermansia, Barnesiella, Olsenella, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus) compared to the HFD-fed mice group. Furthermore, BBJ and FBJ treatments regulated the liver mRNA and protein expression levels involved in lipid and glucose metabolism. This study inferred that fermented blueberry juice could be used as a functional food to prevent the modern pandemics i.e., obesity and insulin resistance.

Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Properties of Fermented Plant Foods

Fermented plant foods are gaining wide interest worldwide as healthy foods due to their unique sensory features and their health-promoting potentials, such as antiobesity, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and anticarcinogenic activities. Many fermented foods are a rich source of nutrients, phytochemicals, bioactive compounds, and probiotic microbes. The excellent biological activities of these functional foods, such as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions, are widely attributable to their high antioxidant content and lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB). LAB contribute to the maintenance of a healthy gut microbiota composition and improvement of local and systemic immunity. Besides, antioxidant compounds are involved in several functional properties of fermented plant products by neutralizing free radicals, regulating antioxidant enzyme activities, reducing oxidative stress, ameliorating inflammatory responses, and enhancing immune system performance. Therefore, these products may protect against chronic inflammatory diseases, which are known as the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Given that a large body of evidence supports the role of fermented plant foods in health promotion and disease prevention, we aim to discuss the potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of selected fermented plant foods, including berries, cabbage, and soybean products, and their effects on gut microbiota.

Berries as a Treatment for Obesity-Induced Inflammation: Evidence from Preclinical Models

Inflammation that accompanies obesity is associated with the infiltration of metabolically active tissues by inflammatory immune cells. This propagates a chronic low-grade inflammation associated with increased signaling of common inflammatory pathways such as NF-κB and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Obesity-associated inflammation is linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Preclinical rodent and cell culture studies provide robust evidence that berries and their bioactive components have beneficial effects not only on inflammation, but also on biomarkers of many of these chronic diseases. Berries contain an abundance of bioactive compounds that have been shown to inhibit inflammation and to reduce reactive oxygen species. Therefore, berries represent an intriguing possibility for the treatment of obesity-induced inflammation and associated comorbidities. This review summarizes the anti-inflammatory properties of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. This review highlights the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of berries and their bioactive components that have been elucidated through the use of preclinical models. The primary mechanisms mediating the anti-inflammatory effects of berries include a reduction in NF-κB signaling that may be secondary to reduced oxidative stress, a down-regulation of TLR4 signaling, and an increase in Nrf2.

Select Polyphenol-Rich Berry Consumption to Defer or Deter Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Complications

Berries are considered "promising functional fruits" due to their distinct and ubiquitous therapeutic contents of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, flavanols, alkaloids, polysaccharides, hydroxycinnamic, ellagic acid derivatives, and organic acids. These polyphenols are part of berries and the human diet, and evidence suggests that their intake is associated with a reduced risk or the reversal of metabolic pathophysiologies related to diabetes, obesity, oxidative stress, inflammation, and hypertension. This work reviewed and summarized both clinical and non-clinical findings that the consumption of berries, berry extracts, purified compounds, juices, jams, jellies, and other berry byproducts aided in the prevention and or otherwise management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and related complications. The integration of berries and berries-derived byproducts into high-carbohydrate (HCD) and high-fat (HFD) diets, also reversed/reduced the HCD/HFD-induced alterations in glucose metabolism-related pathways, and markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid oxidation in healthy/obese/diabetic subjects. The berry polyphenols also modulate the intestinal microflora ecology by opposing the diabetic and obesity rendered symbolic reduction of Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio, intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction-restoring bacteria, short-chain fatty acids, and organic acid producing microflora. All studies proposed a number of potential mechanisms of action of respective berry bioactive compounds, although further mechanistic and molecular studies are warranted. The metabolic profiling of each berry is also included to provide up-to-date information regarding the potential anti-oxidative/antidiabetic constituents of each berry.

Brás N, Mateus N, de Freitas V, Fernandes I. Anthocyanins as Antidiabetic Agents-In Vitro and In Silico Approaches of Preventive and Therapeutic Effects

Many efforts have been made in the past two decades into the search for novel natural and less-toxic anti-diabetic agents. Some clinical trials have assigned this ability to anthocyanins, although different factors like the food source, the amount ingested, the matrix effect and the time of consumption (before or after a meal) seem to result in contradictory conclusions. The possible mechanisms involved in these preventive or therapeutic effects will be discussed-giving emphasis to the latest in vitro and in silico approaches. Therapeutic strategies to counteract metabolic alterations related to hyperglycemia and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) may include: (a) Inhibition of carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes; (b) reduction of glucose transporters expression or activity; (c) inhibition of glycogenolysis and (d) modulation of gut microbiota by anthocyanin breakdown products. These strategies may be achieved through administration of individual anthocyanins or by functional foods containing complexes of anthocyanin:carbohydrate:protein.

Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside restores insulin signaling and reduces inflammation in hypertrophic adipocytes

Obesity is a metabolic disorder characterized by excess adipose tissue, macrophages infiltration, and inflammation which in turn lead to insulin-resistance. Epidemiological evidences reported that anthocyanins possess not only high antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities, but also improve metabolic complications associated with obesity. The aim of this work was to evaluate the in vitro beneficial effects of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) in counteracting inflammation and insulin-resistance in 3T3-L1 hypertrophic adipocytes exposed to palmitic acid (PA). In the present study murine 3T3-L1 adipocytes were pretreated with C3G for 24 h and then exposed to palmitic acid (PA) for 24 h. Real-time PCR, western blotting analysis and Oil Red O staining were applied for investigating the mechanism involved in adipocytes dysfunction. C3G pretreatment reduced lipid accumulation, PPARγ pathway and NF-κB pathway induced by PA in murine adipocytes. In addition, our data demonstrated that PA reduced insulin signaling via IRS-1 Ser³⁰⁷phosphorylation while C3G dose-dependently improved insulin sensitivity restoring IRS-1/PI3K/Akt pathway. Furthermore, C3G improved adiponectin mRNA levels altered by PA in 3T3-L1 murine and SGBS human adipocytes. Herein reported data demonstrate that C3G ameliorated adipose tissue dysfunction, thus suggesting new potential roles for this compound of nutritional interest in the prevention of pathological conditions linked to obesity.

Cascading effects of polyphenol-rich purple corn pericarp extract on pupal, adult, and offspring of tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta L.)

A major bottleneck in the commercialization of plant-based pest management compounds is that the extraction methods are complex, time-consuming, and even highly expensive. Using a recently developed inexpensive extraction and quantification methodology to isolate polyphenols (including anthocyanins and condensed tannins) from purple corn pericarp, we examined their effects on Manduca sexta, a common insect herbivore. Following up on our previous work which demonstrated the negative impacts of polyphenol-rich extract on larval stages, we further examined whether there are any cascading effects on subsequent life stages (pupal and adult) including any possible transgenerational effects. Our results show that polyphenol-rich purple corn extract-fed caterpillars had significantly lower pupal mass and survival. Moreover, adult moths also had lower mass when eclosed from caterpillars reared on the extract diet. To test whether there were any transgenerational effects, we allowed male and female adults fed on purple corn extract diet and control diet to mate and lay eggs in a full factorial experiment. We found that purple corn extract-fed adult pair laid a lower number of eggs compared to other treatments. In addition, we also found that second instar M. sexta caterpillars hatched from eggs laid by any mating combination with at least one parent reared on purple corn extract gained significantly lower mass compared to caterpillars with both parents reared on the control diet. Taken together, our results show that there are cascading negative effects for feeding purple corn pericarp extract on pupal, adult, and second generation of M. sexta, reaffirming its potential application as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly pest deterrent.

Anthocyanins from black peanut skin protect against UV-B induced keratinocyte cell and skin oxidative damage through activating Nrf 2 signaling

Excessive Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation induces skin damage. In the present study, the potential protective activity of anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-O-sophoroside and cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside) from black peanut against skin damage induced by UV-B was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Treatment with anthocyanins significantly reversed UV-B induced oxidative damage and following apoptotic death in human HaCaT cells. Nuclear-factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf 2) was activated by anthocyanins through Nrf 2 protein stabilization and nuclear translocation, along with the expressions of antioxidant responsive element (ARE)- related genes (HO1, GCLC and NOQ1). Nrf 2 knockdown in HaCaT cells by targeted-shRNA plasmid markedly abolished the protective activity of anthocyanins against UV-B irradiation. Additionally, topical application of anthocyanins (5 mg cm-2) inhibited UV-B induced oxidative stress and cell apoptosis in BALB/c mouse skin tissues. The protective effect of anthocyanins can be explained by the regulation of oxidative-stress and the suppression of cell apoptosis through the activation of Nrf-2 by interaction with the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Our results suggested that anthocyanins from black peanut skin might be used as a potential photochemo-protective agent against UV-B induced skin damage.

Polyphenol-Rich Purple Corn Pericarp Extract Adversely Impacts Herbivore Growth and Development

Plant secondary metabolites such as terpenes, phenolics, glycosides, and alkaloids play various functional roles including pigmentation, foliar and floral volatile synthesis, hormonal regulation, and direct and indirect defenses. Among these, phenolic compounds are commonly found in plants, but vary in the distribution of their specific compounds among plant families. Polyphenols, including anthocyanins and tannins, are widely distributed and have been well documented for their roles- primarily in plant pigmentation and also in plant defenses. However, commercialization of such compounds for use in insect pest management is severely hampered by expensive, inefficient, and time-consuming extraction protocols. Using a recently developed inexpensive and easy extraction method using the byproducts of pigmented (purple) corn processing, we examined whether the crude pericarp extract rich in polyphenols can affect the growth and development of tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta L.) caterpillars. Our findings show that purple corn pericarp extract negatively affected M. sexta egg hatching and larval mass gain and prolonged developmental time compared to regular yellow corn extract or an artificial control diet. We also found that these effects were more severe during the early stages of caterpillar development. These results conclusively demonstrate that purple corn pericarp, an inexpensive by-product of the corn milling industry, is a valuable product with excellent potential as an insect antifeedant.

Correlation of the rumen fluid microbiome and the average daily gain with a dietary supplementation of Allium mongolicum Regel extracts in sheep1

Plant extracts can affect the rumen microbiome and ADG in ruminants, and studies of the association between the rumen microbiome and ADG provide information applicable to improving ruminant growth performance. The objectives were to investigate the effects of Allium mongolicum Regel extracts on the rumen microbiome and ADG and their association in sheep. Forty healthy, male, small-tailed Han sheep (6 mo, 34 ± 3.5 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to 1 of the following 4 dietary treatments: basal diet as control group (CK, n = 10), basal diet supplemented with 3.4 g·sheep-1·d-1A. mongolicum Regel powder extract as PAM group (PAM, n = 10), basal diet supplemented with 10 g·sheep-1·d-1A. mongolicum Regel powder as AM group (AM, n = 10), and basal diet supplemented with 10 g·sheep-1·d-1A. mongolicum Regel powder extract residue as RAM group (RAM, n = 10). The ADG for individual sheep was calculated using the sum of the ADGs observed during the experimental period divided by the number of days in the experimental period. At the end of the experiment, sheep were randomly selected from each treatment for slaughter (n = 6), and the rumen fluids were collected and stored immediately at -80 °C. Illumina HiSeq was subsequently used to investigate the changes in the rumen microbiome profile, and the associations with ADG were analyzed by Spearman correlation coefficient analysis. The results demonstrated that, compared with that in CK group, the ADG in AM and RAM significantly increased (P = 0.0171). The abundances of Tenericutes and Mollicutes ([ρ] = 0.5021, P = 0.0124) were positively correlated with ADG. Within Mollicutes, the abundances of Anaeroplasmatales ([ρ] = 0.5458, P = 0.0058) and Anaeroplasmataceae ([ρ] = 0.5458, P = 0.0058) were positively correlated with ADG. The main negatively correlated bacteria were Saccharibacteria ([ρ] = -0.4762, P = 0.0187) and Betaproteobacteria ([ρ] = -0.5669, P = 0.039). Although Anaeroplasmatales and Anaeroplasmataceae were positively correlated with ADG, Saccharibacteria and Betaproteobacteria were negatively correlated with ADG. In conclusion, supplementation with A. mongolicum Regel powder and extracts will influence the rumen microbiome and increase the ADG.

Blackberry and Blueberry Anthocyanin Supplementation Counteract High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obesity by Alleviating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation and Accelerating Energy Expenditure

Many studies indicate that an anthocyanin-rich diet has beneficial effects preventing metabolic disease. In the present study, the molecular mechanism underlying the antiobesity effect of consuming blackberry anthocyanins (BLA) and blueberry anthocyanins (BBA) was investigated in high-fat-diet- (HFD-) fed C57BL/6 mice. Sixty mice were administered a low-fat diet (LFD), a HFD, or a HFD plus orlistat, and BLA or BBA in their daily food for 12 weeks. As a result, the consumption of BLA and BBA inhibited body weight gain by 40.5% and 55.4%, respectively, in HFD-fed mice. The BLA and BBA treatments markedly reduced serum and hepatic lipid levels and significantly increased hepatic superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. In addition, the treatments effectively increased fecal acetate and butyrate levels and significantly attenuated expression of tumor necrosis factor TNF-α, interleukin-6, and nuclear factor-kappaB genes. Moreover, gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectroscopy results suggested that BLA and BBA significantly affected the hepatic lipid and glucose metabolic pathways, including glycerophospholipid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and the insulin-signaling pathway. Therefore, BLA and BBA ameliorated diet-induced obesity by alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation and accelerating energy expenditure.

Structural characterization of blackberry wine polysaccharides and immunomodulatory effects on LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages

Three polysaccharide fractions were isolated from blackberry wine. The crude extract BWPs was obtained with ethanol precipitation and freeze-thawing process, it was then submitted to Fehling treatment, giving soluble BWPFs and insoluble BWPFp fractions. These fractions were characterized by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Major polysaccharides were identified for each fraction: mannan, type II arabinogalactan and type I rhamnogalacturonan for BWPs, a mannan formed by a major chain of α-Manp(1 → 6)-linked units, O-2 substituted with α-d-Manp(1 → 2)-linked side chains for BWPFp and a AG II formed by a major chain of β-d-Galp(1 → 3)-linked, substituted at O-6 by side chains of the β-d-Galp(1 → 6)-linked, which then are substituted at O-3 by non-reducing units of α-l-Araf and a RG I, formed by [→4)-α-d-GalpA-(1 → 2)-α-l-Rhap-(1→]_n for BWPFs. Anti-inflammatory effects of polysaccharide fractions were evaluated in RAW 264.7 cells. Fractions markedly reduced nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokine production (TNF-α and IL-1β) in LPS-treated cells.

Dietary Anthocyanins and Insulin Resistance: When Food Becomes a Medicine

Insulin resistance is an abnormal physiological state that occurs when insulin from pancreatic β-cells is unable to trigger a signal transduction pathway in target organs such as the liver, muscles and adipose tissues. The loss of insulin sensitivity is generally associated with persistent hyperglycemia (diabetes), hyperinsulinemia, fatty acids and/or lipid dysregulation which are often prevalent under obesity conditions. Hence, insulin sensitizers are one class of drugs currently employed to treat diabetes and associated metabolic disorders. A number of natural products that act through multiple mechanisms have also been identified to enhance insulin sensitivity in target organs. One group of such compounds that gained interest in recent years are the dietary anthocyanins. Data from their in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies are scrutinized in this communication to show their potential health benefit through ameliorating insulin resistance. Specific mechanism of action ranging from targeting specific signal transduction receptors/enzymes to the general antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of insulin resistance are presented.

Anthocyanins from Purple Corn Ameliorated Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Induced Inflammation and Insulin Resistance in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes via Activation of Insulin Signaling and Enhanced GLUT4 Translocation

SCOPE

The aim was to compare the effect of an anthocyanin-rich extract from purple corn pericarp (PCW) and pure anthocyanins on adipogenesis, inflammation, and insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes on basal and inflammatory conditions.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Preadipocytes (3T3-L1) were treated during differentiation with or without PCW. Differentiated adipocytes were treated either individually or in combination with tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and PCW, or pure C3G, Pr3G, P3G. PCW reduced preadipocyte differentiation (IC₅₀ = 0.4 mg/mL). PCW and pure anthocyanins including C3G reduced fatty acid synthase enzymatic activity. PCW reduced TNF-α-dependent inflammatory status increasing adiponectin (39%), and decreasing leptin (-79%). PCW and C3G increased glucose uptake and reduced reactive oxygen species generation in insulin resistant adipocytes. An increase in phosphorylation was observed in AKT, IKK, and MEK, and a decrease in IRS and mTOR activating the insulin receptor-associated pathway. PCW (7.5-fold) and C3G (6.3-fold) enhanced GLUT4 membrane translocation compared to insulin resistant adipocytes.

CONCLUSION

Anthocyanins from colored corn prevented adipocyte differentiation, lipid accumulation, and reduced PPAR-γ transcriptional activity on adipocytes in basal conditions. Ameliorated TNF-α-induced inflammation and insulin resistance in adipocytes via activation of insulin signaling and enhanced GLUT4 translocation suggesting a reduced hyperglycemia associated with the metabolic syndrome.

Antiobesity Effects of Anthocyanins in Preclinical and Clinical Studies

The natural phytochemicals present in foods, including anthocyanins, might play a role in attenuating obesity by producing a decrease in weight and adipose tissue. This review focused on current knowledge about anthocyanins' role in obesity and its related comorbidities reported in animal models and humans. We summarized their target identification and mechanism of action through several pathways and their final effects on health and well-being. Into consideration of ongoing researches, we highlighted the following key points: a healthy relationship between anthocyanin supplementation and antiobesity effects suffers of the same pros and cons evidenced when the beneficial responses to other phytochemical treatments towards different degenerative diseases have been considered; the different dosage applied in animal versus clinical studies; the complex metabolism and biotransformation to which anthocyanins and phytochemicals are subjected in the intestine and tissues; the possibility that different components present in the supplemented mixtures can interact generating antagonistic, synergistic, or additive effects difficult to predict, and the difference between prevention and therapy. The evolution of the field must seriously consider the need to establish new and adequate cellular and animal models which may, in turn, allow the design of more efficient and prevention-targeted clinical studies.

A comparative study of anthocyanin distribution in purple and blue corn coproducts from three conventional fractionation processes

The aim was to compare the distribution of ANCs in purple and blue corn coproducts from three conventional corn fractionation processes and linking ANC partitioning in different coproducts to corn kernel phenotype. Total monomeric anthocyanin (TA) from purple corn extract was 4933.1±43.4mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalent per kg dry corn, 10 times more than blue corn. In dry milled purple corn, maximum ANCs were present in the pericarp (45.9% of total ANCs) and in wet-milling they were concentrated in steeping water (79.1% of total ANCs). For blue corn, the highest TA was in small grits and gluten slurry in dry-milling and wet-milling coproducts, respectively. HPLC showed the highest concentration of each ANC in steeping water for purple corn coproducts. Micrographs of kernel showed pigments concentrated in pericarp layer of purple but only in aleurone of blue corn. ANCs can concentrate in certain coproducts depending upon physical distribution of pigments in kernel.

Freeze-dried strawberry and blueberry attenuates diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in rats by inhibiting adipogenesis and lipogenesis

Freeze-dried strawberry/blueberry powder might be useful for treatment/prevention of obesity-related diseases as it improves weight, fat and glucose-related biomarkers.