Effect of vibrating-type ultrafine grinding on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of Turkish galls in Uyghur medicine

Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Activities of Quercus sp. Galls (Oak Galls): A Systematic Review of Studies Published in the Last 5 Years

Quercus species have been widely used in traditional medicine, and recently, researchers' attention has focused on galls of the genus Quercus as a source of health-promoting phytochemicals. This review presents a summary of the most recent findings on the phytochemistry and bioactivity of oak galls, following the screening of scientific papers published in two relevant databases, PubMed and Embase, between January 2018 and June 2023. The oak galls are rich in active compounds, mostly gallotannins and phenolic acids. Due to these secondary metabolites, the reviewed studies have demonstrated a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, antimicrobial properties, tissue-protective effects, and antitumor, anti-aging, and hypoglycemic potential. Thus, oak galls are a promising natural matrix, to be considered in obtaining pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations used in anti-aging strategies and, together with medications, in the management of age-related diseases. In further evaluations, the valuable functional properties of oak galls, reported mostly in preclinical studies, should be confirmed with clinical studies that would also take into account the potential health risks of their use.

Effect of Mechanical Grinding on the Physicochemical, Structural, and Functional Properties of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv) Bran Powder

This study investigated the functional, physicochemical, and structural characteristics of foxtail millet bran powder with different particle sizes. The morphological analysis revealed that the surface roughness declined in conjunction with the particle sizes of the millet bran powder. The Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed that none of the samples generated any additional chemical functional groups. A decrease in the particle sizes of the millet bran powder increased their dissemination and surface areas, as well as the bulk density, tap density, water-holding capacity (WHC), angle of repose (θ) and angle of slide (α), and peak temperature, while the oil holding capacity (OHC) and crystallinity index (CI) value declined. Moreover, fine millet bran powder (54.7 μm) exhibited a higher protein, fat, soluble dietary fiber (SDF), total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity than its coarse counterpart.

Effects of superfine pulverization technology on the morphology, microstructure, and physicochemical properties of Apium graveolens L. root

In this study, the characteristics of the transverse section of Apium graveolens L. root (AR) were observed. The surface morphology, physicochemical properties, and antioxidant activity of five kinds of powders obtained by superfine pulverization (850-355, 355-180, 180-125, 125-50, and <50 μm) were evaluated. Under the microscope, the transverse section of AR had distinct identification features. Parenchyma cells, cork cells, vessels, fibers, nonglandular hair, and tubing fragments were observed via powder microscopic identification. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that superfine pulverization evidently changed the shape and surface morphology of the AR powders. As particle size decreased, the moisture and oil-binding capacity (OBC) of AR powder decreased, whereas its total ash content, water solubility index (WSI), swelling capacity (SC), water-holding capacity (WHC), bulk densities, tapped densities, repose angles, slide angles, and crash angles increased. The AR powder with a particle size of <50 μm had the highest contents of total flavonoids (30.46 mg/g), apiin (15.29 mg/g), and 3'-methoxyapiin (6.78 mg/g). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that the chemical composition of the powder and its extracts did not notably change as particle size decreased. Meanwhile, the scavenging ability of DPPH and ABTS radicals increased with the decrease of particle size. Therefore, there are more obvious differences in physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of AR powders with different particle sizes. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development and application of new AR products.

Ultrafine Jujube Powder Enhances the Infiltration of Immune Cells during Anti-PD-L1 Treatment against Murine Colon Adenocarcinoma

Simple Summary

While modulating gut microbiota using dietary intervention with natural nutrients has proven to be effective in improving the response rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), the underpinning mechanism is poorly understood. This work demonstrates that the oral administration of ultrafine jujube powder (JP) let to a significant alteration of gut microbiota, an increased abundance of Clostridiales, including Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae, an elevated SCFA production, an intensified infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells to the tumor microenvironment, and a greatly improved response of anti-PD-L1 treatment against murine colon adenocarcinoma. Moreover, the size of the JP particles had a significant impact on the abovementioned attributes. The present study demonstrates that dietary intervention with nutrients is highly effective in modulating the gut microbiota for an improved immune checkpoint blockage therapy.

Abstract

Whereas dietary intervention with natural nutrients plays an important role in activating the immune response and holds unprecedented application potential, the underpinning mechanism is poorly understood. The present work was dedicated to comprehensively examine the effects of ultrafine jujube powder (JP) on the gut microbiota and, consequentially, the effects associated with the response rate to anti-PD-L1 treatment against murine colon adenocarcinoma. A murine colon adenocarcinoma model with anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy was established to evaluate how dietary interventions affect the microbiota. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the role of SCFAs in the immune response. Oral administration of JP greatly improves the response of anti-PD-L1 treatment against murine colon adenocarcinoma. Such an improvement is associated with the alteration of gut microbiota which leads to an increased abundance of Clostridiales, including Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae, an elevated SCFA production, and an intensified infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells to the tumor microenvironment. This work demonstrates that JP is particularly effective in modulating the gut microbiota for an improved immune checkpoint blockage therapy by boosting cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cells in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The experimental findings of the present study are helpful for the development of dietary intervention methods for cancer immunotherapy using natural nutrients.

Effects of ultrafine grinding on physicochemical, functional and surface properties of ginger stem powders

BACKGROUND

Ginger stem (GS) is a by-product of ginger processing. It is not directly edible as a feed or food, which leads to it being discarded as waste or burned. Accordingly, it is very important to develop new functional products in the food or feed industry as a result of high nutritional and medicinal values. In the present study, the structures and physicochemical properties of GS powders of different sizes were evaluated after ultrafine grinding by a vibrating mill.

RESULTS

The ultrafine powders exhibited a smaller particle size and uniform distribution. Higher values in bulk density (from 1.07 ± 0.06 to 1.62 ± 0.08 g mL-1 ), oil holding capacity (from 3.427 ± 0.04 to 4.83 ± 0.03 g mL-1 ), and repose and slide angles (from 42.33 ± 1.52 to 54.36 ± 1.15° and 33.62 ± 0.75 to 47.27 ± 1.34°, respectively) of ultrafine GS powders were exhibited compared to coarse powders. With a reduced particle size, the solubility of ultrafine powders increased significantly (P < 0.05), whereas the water holding and swelling capacities decreased with a reduced particle size and then increased. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that ultrafine grinding did not damage the main cellular structure of GS powder. The reduction of fiber length and particle size in GS was observed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The X-ray diffraction patterns demonstrated the crystallinity and the intensity of the peak in superfine GS powders.

CONCLUSION

The present study suggests that ultrafine grinding treatments influence the structures and physicochemical properties of GS powders, and such changes would improve the effective utilization of GS in the food or feed industry. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

HPLC-DAD analysis of Hyssopus Cuspidatus Boriss extract and mensuration of its antioxygenation property

BACKGROUND

Hyssopus cuspidatus Boriss has been used as an important ethnomedicinal plant for long to eliminate phlegm, relieve cough and as well as having antibacterial, antioxygenation, and antitumor activities. In this study, the polyphenol contents, flavonoid contents, free radical scavenging assay and animal antioxygenation property assay of ethanol extract of H. cuspidatus were measured.

METHODS

This study determined the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents in H. cuspidatus by UV-VIS. Caffeic, ferulic, and rosmarinic acids were measured using HPLC-DAD. Free radical scavenging assay of H. cuspidatus was studied by colorimetric method. Animal antioxygenation property assay of H. cuspidatus was studied with mice by biochemical assay kits.

RESULTS

The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of H. cuspidatus in 2017, 2018, 2019 were determined and the contents of H. cuspidatus in 2019 was the highest. In addition, rosmarinic acid was the phenolic acid with the highest content in H. cuspidatus. Compared with those of DPPH free radical, hydroxyl free radical, and superoxide anion free radical, the scavenging ability of H. cuspidatus of ABTS free radical was stronger, the average IC50 value was 0.0245 mg/mL. In animal antioxygenation property experiment, the model group was successfully established with decreased activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH-px and increased content of MDA. The ethanol extract of H. cuspidatus increased the activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH-px and reduced the content of MDA. Each group of samples and the ascorbic acid positive control group showed significant differences in the results of free radical scavenging and animal antioxygenation property experiments (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that H. cuspidatus exerts an antioxygenation property, which can be attributed to the contents of total polyphenol and flavonoid. Given its strong antioxygenation property, H. cuspidatus can be used as a new natural antioxidant in food preservation and disease treatment.