Camellia Oil ( Camellia oleifera Abel.) Modifies the Composition of Gut Microbiota and Alleviates Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis in Rats

Macadamia oil alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in mice via activating the Nrf2/Ho-1 pathway

Macadamia nut oil (MO) fatty acids are mainly composed of oleic acid and palmitoleic acid, which have a variety of health benefits. This study established an ulcerative colitis (UC) mouse model using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), and the ameliorative effects of MO on UC were investigated. The results revealed that MO supplementation mitigated weight loss and colon shortening, increased goblet cell counts, and alleviated histopathologic changes in UC mice. MO significantly increased the intestinal antioxidant levels in UC mice. Moreover, Nrf2 and Ho-1 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly upregulated in UC mice following treatment with low- and high-dose MO. In contrast, expression levels of Keap1 were significantly downregulated. Lastly, MO inhibited the inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) expression in UC mice. These results indicate that MO could enhance colonic antioxidant levels, induce apoptosis, and activate the Nrf2/Ho-1 pathway, thereby ameliorating the pathological injuries associated with UC.

Optimization of a green tea seed oil-loaded double-layer emulsion and its preventive effects on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice

Green tea seed oil (GTSO; Camellia sinensis) is rich in bioactive compounds and has great potential for preventing intestinal inflammation. Conversely, high-fat diets have been shown to promote or aggravate gastrointestinal inflammation, and the bioactive ingredients of GTSO face difficulty passing through the gastrointestinal tract while remaining intact. This study employed whey protein isolate (WPI) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) to prepare a GTSO-loaded double-layer emulsion. The optimal parameters were as follows: WPI (2% w/w) and 35% oil phase for the primary emulsion preparation, CMC-Na (0.8% w/w) for the final emulsion, and 450 W of ultrasonic power for homogenization. No significant changes in particle size or coalescence in the emulsions were observed after 30 days of storage at 4°C. In addition, in a simulated gastrointestinal digestion system, more than 60% of the encapsulated GTSO was able to remain intact while passing through the gastric and small intestinal environment. In mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis, pretreatment with the GTSO emulsion significantly prevented the further development of colitis, whereas an empty-carrier-plus-free-GTSO treatment had no such protective effects and even tended to aggravate the disease. The results of the present study suggest that encapsulated GTSO is a reliable alternative approach for colitis prevention. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The green tea seed oil-loaded double-layer emulsion demonstrates good storage stability when kept at 4°C, exhibits excellent slow-release performance, and achieves superior outcomes in the prevention of colitis. Our current study provides a reliable alternative approach for the prevention of colitis.

Perilla Seed Oil: A Review of Health Effects, Encapsulation Strategies and Applications in Food

Perilla (Perilla frutescens L.) is an annual herbaceous plant whose seed oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). This oil exhibits various health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, hypoglycemic, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory activities. In addition, incorporating perilla oil into a diet can effectively increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiota. However, perilla oil is prone to oxidation, which reduces its nutritional value and lowers its bioavailability. To address these issues, encapsulation technologies such as emulsions, oleogels, liposomes and microcapsules have been employed, showing promising results. Nonetheless, further research is needed to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms of perilla seed oil's health effects, validate its benefits through large-scale human clinical trials and optimize encapsulation techniques. Future investigations should also explore the synergistic effects of combining perilla seed oil with other functional components and its role in modulating gut microbiota to achieve comprehensive health benefits.

Antioxidant Therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: How Far Have We Come and How Close Are We?

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) pose a growing public health challenge with unclear etiology and limited efficacy of traditional pharmacological treatments. Alternative therapies, particularly antioxidants, have gained scientific interest. This systematic review analyzed studies from MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Scopus using keywords like "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases" and "Antioxidants." Initially, 925 publications were identified, and after applying inclusion/exclusion criteria-covering studies from July 2015 to June 2024 using murine models or clinical trials in humans and evaluating natural or synthetic substances affecting oxidative stress markers-368 articles were included. This comprised 344 animal studies and 24 human studies. The most investigated antioxidants were polyphenols and active compounds from medicinal plants (n = 242; 70.3%). The review found a strong link between oxidative stress and inflammation in IBD, especially in studies on nuclear factor kappa B and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathways. However, it remains unclear whether inflammation or oxidative stress occurs first in IBD. Lipid peroxidation was the most studied oxidative damage, followed by DNA damage. Protein damage was rarely investigated. The relationship between antioxidants and the gut microbiota was examined in 103 animal studies. Human studies evaluating oxidative stress markers were scarce, reflecting a major research gap in IBD treatment. PROSPERO registration: CDR42022335357 and CRD42022304540.

Unraveling the metabolic profile regulation of camellia oilseeds under insect and heat stress: Insights into functional effects and mechanistic basis

There is very little information on the impacts of pre/post-harvest stresses on oilseeds. Individual and combined insect (pre-harvest) and heat stress (post-harvest) impacts on the metabolic profile of camellia oilseeds (COs) were investigated using a combination of widely-targeted metabolomics and network pharmacology. A total of 1875 metabolites were identified. In response to individual and combined stresses, 169 (insect),149 (heat), and 21 (insect + heat) metabolites were screened as differential metabolic markers (DEMs), Terpenoids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids are the most impacted metabolite species, accounting for almost 49% of total DEMs. Then network pharmacological analysis identifies 98 key active ingredients (AIs) in CO. A single stress may induce CO to impede cardiovascular system function, but the combined stress induced AI-promoting effects of CO in the urinary system. The individual and combined perturbed biological mechanisms were related to the flavonoid biosynthesis and the biosynthesis of various plant secondary metabolites pathway, respectively.

Multi-omics reveals the alleviating effect of berberine on ulcerative colitis through modulating the gut microbiome and bile acid metabolism in the gut-liver axis

The dysfunction of gut microbiome and bile acid metabolism might cause the incidence and relapse of ulcerative colitis (UC). Thus, natural products have been considered effective for UC through the regulation of gut microbiome and bile acid. In this study, we evaluated the regulatory effect of berberine on gut microbiome and bile acid metabolism in UC. Results showed that the relative abundances of beneficial bacteria showed a decreasing trend in the UC model, and the taurine conjugated bile acids increased from the liver tissue to the colon tissue. Berberine inhibited the colonization of harmful bacteria and promoted the primary bile acid metabolism. Moreover, we used multi-omics technology (metagenomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics technology) to reveal that berberine restored the intestinal barrier function through bile acid/S1PR2/RhoA/ROCK pathway. The result of transmission electron microscopy directly showed that the damaged intestinal mucosal barrier was repaired through the berberine treatment. This study revealed the treatment influence on UC through multi-omics technology in vitro and in vivo models, which provides references for explaining the mechanism of berberine on UC.

Effects of Tea Seed Oil Extracted by Different Refining Temperatures on the Intestinal Microbiota of High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Obesity has become one of the most serious chronic diseases threatening human health. Its onset and progression are closely related to the intestinal microbiota, as disruption of the intestinal flora promotes the production of endotoxins and induces an inflammatory response. This study aimed to investigate the variations in the physicochemical properties of various refined tea seed oils and their impact on intestinal microbiota disorders induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) through dietary intervention. In the present study, C57BL/6J mice on a HFD were randomly divided into three groups: HFD, T-TSO, and N-TSO. T-TSO and N-TSO mice were given traditionally refined and optimized tea seed oil for 12 weeks. The data revealed that tea seed oil obtained through degumming at 70 °C, deacidification at 50 °C, decolorization at 90 °C, and deodorization at 180 °C (at 0.06 MPa for 1 h) effectively removed impurities while minimizing the loss of active ingredients. Additionally, the optimized tea seed oil mitigated fat accumulation and inflammatory responses resulting from HFD, and reduced liver tissue damage in comparison to traditional refining methods. More importantly, N-TSO can serve as a dietary supplement to enhance the diversity and abundance of intestinal microbiota, increasing the presence of beneficial bacteria (norank_f__Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillus, and Bacteroides) while reducing pathogenic bacteria (Alistipes and Mucispirillum). Therefore, in HFD-induced obese C57BL/6J mice, N-TSO can better ameliorate obesity compared with a T-TSO diet, which is promising in alleviating HFD-induced intestinal microbiota disorders.

A critical review of the bioactive ingredients and biological functions of camellia oleifera oil

Camellia oleifera oil is a pure and natural high-grade oil prevalent in South China. Camellia oleifera oil is known for its richness in unsaturated fatty acids and high nutritional value. There is increasing evidence indicating that a diet rich in unsaturated fatty acids is beneficial to health. Despite the widespread production of Camellia oleifera oil and its bioactive components, reports on its nutritional components are scarce, especially regarding systematic reviews of extraction methods and biological functions. This review systematically summarized the latest research on the bioactive components and biological functions of Camellia oleifera oil reported over the past decade. In addition to unsaturated fatty acids, Camellia oleifera oil contains six main functional components contributing to its antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anticancer, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular protective properties. These functional components are vitamin E, saponins, polyphenols, sterols, squalene, and flavonoids. This paper reviewed the biological activity of Camellia oleifera oil and its extraction methods, laying a foundation for further development of its bioactive components.

Camellia oil exhibits anti-fatigue property by modulating antioxidant capacity, muscle fiber, and gut microbial composition in mice

Camellia seed oil (CO) has high nutritional value and multiple bioactivities. However, the specific anti-fatigue characteristics and the implied mechanism of CO have not yet been fully elucidated. Throughout this investigation, male C57BL/6J mice, aged 8 weeks, underwent exhaustive exercise with or without CO pretreatment (2, 4, and 6 mL/kg BW) for 28 days. CO could extend the rota-rod and running time, reduce blood urea nitrogen levels and serum lactic acid, and increase muscle and hepatic glycogen, adenosine triphosphate, and anti-oxidative indicators. Additionally, CO could upregulate the mRNA and Nrf2 protein expression levels, as well as enhance the levels of its downstream antioxidant enzymes and induce the myofiber-type transformation from fast to slow and attenuate the gut mechanical barrier. Moreover, CO could ameliorate gut dysbiosis by reducing Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio at the phylum level, increasing the percentage of Alistipes, Alloprevotella, Lactobacillus, and Muribaculaceae, and decreasing the proportion of Dubosiella at the genus level. In addition, specific bacterial taxa, which were altered by CO, showed a significant correlation with partial fatigue-related parameters. These findings suggest that CO may alleviate fatigue by regulating antioxidant capacity, muscle fiber transformation, gut mechanical barrier, and gut microbial composition in mice. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Our study revealed that camellia seed oil (CO) could ameliorate exercise-induced fatigue in mice by modulating antioxidant capacity, muscle fiber, and gut microbial composition in mice. Our results promote the application of CO as an anti-fatigue functional food that targets oxidative stress, myofiber-type transformation, and microbial community.

Effects of Funneliformis mosseae on Growth and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Camellia oleifera under Different Nitrogen Forms

Nitrogen fertilizer increases agricultural yields but increases economic costs and causes a series of environmental problems. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have the potential to be used as biological fertilizer. However, the influence of nitrogen form on plant growth responsiveness to AMF inoculation is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of Funneliformis mosseae on growth, root morphology and photosynthetic characteristics of Camellia oleifera under different nitrogen forms during three harvest periods and clarified the most suitable nitrogen form for C. oleifera-AMF symbiosis. The results showed that urea, ammonium and nitrate nitrogen promoted plant growth and photosynthetic capacity, among which urea treatment had the highest value in all three harvests. No significant difference in plant growth parameters was observed between ammonium and nitrate nitrogen treatments in the first two harvests, while the plant height was significantly lower under ammonium nitrogen treatment than nitrate nitrogen treatment in the third harvest. Inoculation with F. mosseae in the presence of indigenous AMF could promote AMF colonization and plant growth at all three harvest times. Inoculation with F. mosseae significantly increased gas exchange parameters, the maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) and the actual photochemical efficiency (ΦPSII). Inoculation with AMF increased the photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) better under urea treatment and improved the non-photochemical quenching coefficient (qN) better under ammonium nitrogen treatment. Principal component analysis showed that urea is the most beneficial nitrogen fertilizer for C. oleifera-AMF symbiosis. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the combination use of AMF and nitrogen fertilizer in agroforestry.

Insight into the comparison of key aroma-active compounds between camellia oils from different processing technology

Currently, the difference between key odorants of camellia oils from different processing technology (i.e., extra virgin camellia oil (EVCO), virgin camellia oil (VCO), fragrant camellia oil (FCO)) is unclear. In this study, a total of 91 odorants were identified by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC × GC-qMS). The headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) provided fingerprint information for 57 odorants distinguished between EVCO, VCO, and FCO. Moreover, 76 odorants were shown flavor dilution (FD) factors range from 1 to 729, and fruity esters (ethyl 2-hydroxypropanoate, ethyl decanoate, and ethyl phenylacetate) with FD factors ≥ 27 and odor activity values ≥ 1 are the unique odorants in EVCO. (E, E)-2,4-Heptadienal, (E, E)-2,4-nonadienal, and d-limonene are the aroma-active compounds in VCO. While furfural and 3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine with FD factors ≥ 243 are the major contributors to roasted and nutty odor in FCO. This work provides aroma markers for quality assessment of camellia oils.

Anti-inflammatory natural products modulate interleukins and their related signaling markers in inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review

This review aims to identify in vivo studies investigating the potential of plant substances and their natural molecules in managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Specifically, the objective is to examine the impact of these substances on interleukins and other key inflammatory signaling markers. Relevant articles published up to December 2022 were identified through a search of the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases. The search used keywords including "inflammatory bowel disease", "medicinal plants", "natural molecules", "anti-inflammatory", and "ulcerative colitis", and identified 1,878 potentially relevant articles, of which 89 were included in this review after completion of the selection process. This study provides preclinical data on natural products (NPs) that can potentially treat IBD, including ulcerative colitis. The main actions of these NPs relate to their effects on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway, the regulation of T helper 17/regulatory T cells balance, and oxidative stress. The ability of these NPs to inhibit intestinal inflammation appears to be dependent on lowering levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-17, via the Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)1, NF-κβ-p65, and STAT3 pathways. In addition, NPs were shown to reduce oxidative stress and the severity of ulcerative colitis, as well as increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes. These actions suggest that NPs represent a promising treatment for IBD, and potentially have greater efficacy and safety than current treatments.

Effects of Interaction between Claroideogolmus etuicatum and Bacillus aryabhattai on the Utilization of Organic Phosphorus in Camellia oleifera Abel

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are involved in phosphorus (P) mobilization and turnover; however, the impact of their interaction on plant P absorption and organic P mineralization in the hyphosphere (rootless soil) are unknown. This study examined the interactive effects of two native microorganisms, namely Claroideogolmus etuicatum and Bacillus aryabhattai, and the effects of co-inoculation of both microorganisms on organic P mineralization and the subsequent transfer to Camellia oleifera, using a three-compartment microcosm with a nylon mesh barrier. The results demonstrated that the co-inoculation treatment (AMF + PSB) significantly increased the plant P content and biomass accumulation in C. oleifera compared to those of the non-inoculated control. Furthermore, co-inoculation boosted soil phosphatase and phytase activities as well as the liable P content. Compared to the non-inoculated control, inoculation of AMF decreased the NaOH-Po content. A correlation analysis showed that AMF colonization and hyphal density was significantly positively correlated with H2O-P and NaHCO3-Pi and negatively correlated with NaOH-Po. It was shown that co-inoculation could increase phosphatase activity, phytase activity, and promote the liable P content, thus increasing the phosphorus content and biomass accumulation of C. oleifera. In conclusion, AMF and PSB interactively enhanced the mineralization of soil organic P, and therefore positively affected P uptake and plant growth.

The Potential of Natural Oils to Improve Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic intestinal inflammatory disorder that includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), the exact cause of which is still unknown. Numerous studies have confirmed that diet is one of the major environmental factors associated with IBD, as it can regulate the gut microbiota and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Since the consumption of oil is essential in the diet, improving IBD through oil has potential. In this article, we first briefly reviewed the current treatment methods for IBD and introduce the role of natural oils in improving inflammatory diseases. We then focused on the recent discovery of the role of natural oils in the prevention and treatment of IBD and summarized their main mechanisms of action. The results showed that the anti-inflammatory activity of oils derived from different plants and animals has been validated in various experimental animal models. These oils are capable of improving the intestinal homeostasis in IBD animal models through multiple mechanisms, including modulation of the gut microbiota, protection of the intestinal barrier, reduction in colonic inflammation, improvement in oxidative stress levels in the intestine, and regulation of immune homeostasis. Therefore, dietary or topical use of natural oils may have potential therapeutic effects on IBD. However, currently, only a few clinical trials support the aforementioned conclusions. This review emphasized the positive effects of natural oils on IBD and encouraged more clinical trials to provide more reliable evidence on the improvement of human IBD by natural oils as functional substances.

Algal oil alleviates antibiotic-induced intestinal inflammation by regulating gut microbiota and repairing intestinal barrier

Introduction

Taking antibiotics would interfere with gut microbiota and increase the risk of opportunistic pathogen infection and inflammation.

Methods

In this study, 36 male C57BL/6 mice were divided into 4 groups (n = 9) to investigate whether two kinds of algal oil could alleviate the intestinal damage induced by CS (Ceftriaxone sodium). These algal oils were obtained from Schizochytrium sp. cultures using Yeast extract (YE) and Rapeseed meal (RSM) as substrate, respectively. All tested mice were administrated with CS for 8 days and then the colon pathological morphology, the expression levels of inflammatory factors and the gut microbial profile were analyzed in mice supplemented with or without algal oil.

Results

The results showed that both YE and RSM algal oils markedly reduced mucosal damage and intestinal inflammatory response in CS-treated mice by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. In addition, fluorescence immunohistochemistry showed that the tight junction protein ZO-1 was increased in mice supplemented with YE and RSM algal oil. Furthermore, YE algal oil promoted the beneficial intestinal bacteria such as Lachnospiraceae and S24_7 compared with the CS group, while supplementation with RSM algal oil enriched the Robinsoniella. Spearman's correlation analysis exhibited that Melissococcus and Parabacteroides were positively correlated with IL-6 but negatively correlated with IL-10.

Discussion

This study suggested that supplementation with algal oil could alleviate intestinal inflammation by regulating gut microbiota and had a protective effect on maintaining intestinal barrier against antibiotic-induced damage in mice.

Camellia oil (Camellia oleifera Abel.) treatment improves high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-/- mice

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular diseases, and healthy dietary habits are a feasible strategy to prevent atherosclerosis development. Camellia oil, an edible plant oil, exhibits multiple beneficial cardiovascular effects. Our previous study showed that oral administration of camellia oil attenuated hyperglycemia, fat deposits in the liver, and the atherosclerosis index in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Here, an atherosclerosis model of apolipoprotein E (ApoE)^-/- mice induced by HFD was used to study the effect of camellia oil on atherosclerosis, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the changes in gut microbiota composition. The results showed that camellia oil significantly inhibited the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE^-/- mice, which were characterized by significantly reduced levels of serum total cholesterol and enhanced levels of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The aortic levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor were decreased. The results of the 16S rRNA analysis showed that after camellia oil interventions, the intestinal flora of ApoE^-/- mice changed significantly, with the diversity of intestinal flora especially increasing, the relative abundances of Bacteroides, Faecalibaculum, Bilophila, and Leuconostoc increasing, and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and Firmicutes abundance decreasing. Collectively, our findings confirmed the promising value of camellia oil in preventing the development of atherosclerosis in ApoE^-/- mice. Mechanistically, this preventive effect of camellia oil was probably due to its lipid-lowering activity, anti-inflammatory effects, and alteration of the gut microbiota composition in the mice.

Dark-purple rice extract modulates gut microbiota composition in acetic acid– and indomethacin-induced inflammatory bowel disease in rats

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) are two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The disease has been linked with gut microbiota dysbiosis in which the balance of commensal communities is disrupted. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that treatment with biologically active compounds can modulate gut microbiota composition in animal models. Our previous work has also shown the beneficial effect of Luem Pua (LP) rice extract, which is rich in anthocyanins, on inflammation. However, its effect on gut microbiota is yet to be explored. In this study, we profiled fecal microbiota of acetic acid (AA)-induced UC and indomethacin (ID)-induced CD rat models with and without pretreatment with LP rice extract by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that gut microbiota communities of rats were altered by both AA-induced UC and ID-induced CD. The relative abundances of beneficial bacteria, especially the Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group and Lactobacillus, were decreased in the AA-induced UC model, while some opportunistic pathogens (Bacteroides, Escherichia/Shigella, Fusobacterium, and Veillonella) were raised by ID-induced CD. Interestingly, pretreatment with LP rice extract before AA-inducing UC in rats increased the proportion of the butyrate-producing bacteria (Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group). The abundances of these beneficial bacteria and other SCFA-producing bacteria were unaffected by the indomethacin treatment with LP. Overall, our study revealed different impacts of AA-induced UC and ID-induced CD on changes in community composition and hinted at how LP may protect against UC by modifying the gut microbiota.

Rhinacanthus nasutus and okara polysaccharides attenuate colitis via inhibiting inflammation and modulating the gut microbiota

Plant polysaccharides have prebiotic properties for gut microbiota and immune modulation. This study aimed to investigate the prevention abilities of edible Rhinacanthus nasutus polysaccharide (RNP) and okara polysaccharide (OP) in Sprague-Dawley rats with acetic acid-induced colitis. The characterizations of RNP and OP were analyzed, including Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and monosaccharide composition. The prebiotic properties of RNP and OP were determined in vitro. In addition, the pathological features of colon length and inflammatory cytokine levels in acetic acid-induced colitis were improved by intragastric preadministration of RNP and OP for 3 weeks. There was no nephrotoxicity or hepatotoxicity in rats via histopathological assessment after RNP and OP intake. Moreover, the abundance of short-chain fatty acids-producing bacteria (Lachnospiraceae, Lactobacilli, and Prevotellaceae) were increased after RNP supplementation. In conclusion, intragastric gavage of RNP and OP significantly modulated the gut microbiota and immune response, consequently alleviating the symptoms of colitis. This novel finding provides an alternative strategy and potential application of these two polysaccharides for colitis prevention and treatment.

Flaxseed oil ameliorates aging in d-galactose induced rats via altering gut microbiota and mitigating oxidative damage

BACKGROUND

Aging causes decreased antioxidant capacity and chronic inflammation and may even elevate cancer risks. Previous studies reported that flaxseed oil (FO) can alleviate age-related diseases, including improving alcoholic liver disease, atherosclerosis and diabetes. However, whether the intestinal microbiota accountable for this alleviation is still unknown. This study aims to study the antioxidant effects of FO in an aging rat model and the underlying mechanism between the intestinal microbiota and aging.

RESULTS

Our results presented that serum and liver antioxidant capacities in FO group were up-regulated, and liver inflammation in FO group was reduced. The 16S rDNA sequencing showed that FO regulated the microbial community, including up-regulation of four families of Lactobacillus and six families of Clostridium. In addition, FO had also adjusted the relative abundance of several genera such as Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 and Prevotella_9, which may be the key bacteria associated with the aging process. Colonic transcriptome analysis showed that there were 1679 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the Model group and the FO group (134 up-regulated and 1545 down-regulated). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed FO down-regulates the expression of the upstream genes Ptprc, Lck, Zap70, Lat and Lcp2 in the T cell receptor signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, FO improved antioxidant capacity and reduced intestinal microbial disturbances caused by aging damage, indicating that dietary FO has the potential to fight aging damage. This study provides a more comprehensive view of dietary intervention to improve aging. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Dietary camellia seed oil attenuates liver injury in mice chronically exposed to alcohol

Dietary fat composition is closely associated with the pathological development of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Fat enriched with saturated fatty acids protects whereas with polyunsaturated fatty acids aggravates alcohol-induced liver injury. However, limited study has addressed how monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) determines the pathological process of ALD. Our study was conducted to evaluate the effect of MUFAs-enriched-camellia seed oil (CSO) on alcohol-induced liver injury. The ALD model was established by feeding C57BL/6 mice with Lieber-DeCarli diet, and with either CSO or polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)-enriched-corn oil (CO) as fat source. After 4-week-intervention, CSO-feed rescued alcohol-induced liver injury compared to CO-feed, evidenced by measurements of plasma ALT activity, H&E stain, and hepatic cleaved-Caspase-3 expression. Besides, CSO-feed alleviated alcohol-induced oxidative stress, associated with NRF2 and Hif-1α expressions improvement. The reduction of F4/80 immunostaining and the decreased expressions of hepatic TNF-α and IL-6 suggested CSO-feed improved alcohol-induced inflammation. The mechanistic analysis showed that the inhibition of ASK1 and MAPKs might contribute to CSO-protected liver injury. Notably, we observed CSO-feed relieved the gut microbiota disturbance with the decreased Firmicutes and Turicibater, and the increased Bacteroidota, Alloprevotella, and Bacteroides, and reduced circulatory endotoxin level and lipolysis of adipose tissue, which are the known pathogenic factors in alcohol-induced liver injury. Unexpectedly, CSO induced more hepatic steatosis than CO-feed. In conclusion, CSO attenuated chronic alcohol consumption-induced liver injury but enhanced hepatic steatosis. CSO could be a potential dietary choice for alcoholic individuals with liver injury.

Protective effects of camellia and olive oils against cognitive impairment via gut microbiota-brain communication in rats

Food intake influences neurofunction via the gut microbiota-brain axis. Monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) consumption is highly associated with neuroprotection; the mechanism behind the effects of olive oil and camellia oil on gut microbiota remains unclear. In this study, the objective was to compare the neuroprotective role of oleic acid-rich camellia oil and olive oil against AlCl₃-induced mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in rats. Morris water maze tests revealed that learning and memory capacities improved in AlCl₃-induced rats subjected to camellia oil administration better than olive oil treatment. Moreover, the results showed that the camellia oil- and olive oil-treated AlCl₃-induced rat groups had significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines. Notably, Spearman correlation analysis indicated that the inflammatory cytokines negatively correlated with the microbial strains (Bacteroides pectinophilus_group and Blautia) in response to camellia oil administration. Furthermore, Ruminococcaceae_UCG014 abundance was significantly enhanced by camellia oil intake, which was highly positively associated with antioxidant activity expression. In conclusion, the novel data suggest that the outcomes of camellia oil consumption were superior to those of olive oil intake as camellia oil may have a beneficial effect on MCI protection and improvement through the gut microbiota-brain communication.

Applications of Chinese Camellia oleifera and its By-Products: A Review

Camellia oleifera is a woody oil tree species unique to China that has been cultivated and used in China for more than 2,300 years. Most biological research on C. oleifera in recent years has focused on the development of new varieties and breeding. Novel genomic information has been generated for C. oleifera, including a high-quality reference genome at the chromosome level. Camellia seeds are used to process high-quality edible oil; they are also often used in medicine, health foods, and daily chemical products and have shown promise for the treatment and prevention of diseases. C. oleifera by-products, such as camellia seed cake, saponin, and fruit shell are widely used in the daily chemical, dyeing, papermaking, chemical fibre, textile, and pesticide industries. C. oleifera shell can also be used to prepare activated carbon electrodes, which have high electrochemical performance when used as the negative electrode of lithium-ion batteries. C. oleifera is an economically valuable plant with diverse uses, and accelerating the utilization of its by-products will greatly enhance its industrial value.

Effect of Shenling Baizhu San on Intestinal Flora in a Rat Model of Ulcerative Colitis with Spleen Deficiency and Dampness

OBJECTIVE

Shenling Baizhu San (SLBZS) is reported as an effective drug for ulcerative colitis (UC); however, its effect on intestinal flora remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of SLBZS on intestinal flora in a rat model of UC with spleen deficiency and dampness.

METHODS

UC was induced in rats using 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid on the basis of a model of spleen deficiency and dampness. The 16S rDNA sequencing was used to detect structural changes in the intestinal flora; the phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved state (PICRUSt) analysis was used to predict the altered pathways.

RESULTS

Compared with the model group, rats in the SLBZS group exhibited decreased levels of TNF-α(P < 0.05), and increased abundance and diversity of the intestinal flora. The abundance of Actinobacteria (P < 0.001) and Bacteroides (P < 0.01) increased and that of Firmicutes decreased (P < 0.001), and the abundance of Bifidobacterium(P < 0.05) and Allobaculum increased. PICRUSt analysis showed that the altered pathways between the groups were those of fatty acid and antibiotic biosynthesis, amino acid metabolism, and the pentose phosphate pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

SLBZS can regulate the structure and function of the intestinal flora, alter expression levels of certain metabolic pathways, and has the potential to treat UC.

Transcriptome and Gut Microbiota Profiling Revealed the Protective Effect of Tibetan Tea on Ulcerative Colitis in Mice

Traditionally, Ya’an Tibetan tea is routinely consumed by local people in the Tibet region. It is believed to possess promising anti-inflammatory benefits. This study was conducted to elucidate the protective impact of Tibetan tea extract (TTE) on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Mice were split into four groups: control (C) group, Tibetan tea (T) group, DSS-induced model (CD) group, and Tibetan tea + DSS (TD) group. The intake of TTE significantly reduced the clinical symptoms of ulcerative colitis (UC) by alleviating the impact of cellular damage and reducing glandular hypertrophy and the infiltration of inflammatory cells. UC led to a prominent shift of the microbial communities in the gut. Interestingly, the beneficial microbes, such as Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium choerinum, and Lactobacillus intestinalis, were significantly increased in TTE-treated mice when compared to any other experimental group. The transcriptome analysis revealed that the positive effect of TTE on UC could be attributed to changes in the G alpha (i) signaling pathway and the innate immune system. The genes related to inflammation and immune system pathways were differentially expressed in the TTE-treated group. Moreover, the relative expression of genes linked to the inflammatory TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway was significantly downregulated toward the level of normal control samples in the TD group. Overall, this study revealed the modulatory effect by which TTE reversed the development and severity of chronic colon damage.

Characterization of the Volatile Compounds in Camellia oleifera Seed Oil from Different Geographic Origins

Volatile flavor of edible oils is an important quality index and factor affecting consumer choice. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize virgin Camellia oleifera seed oil (VCO) samples from different locations in southern China in terms of their volatile compounds to show the classification of VCO with respect to geography. Different samples from 20 producing VCO regions were collected in 2020 growing season, at almost the same maturity stage, and processed under the same conditions. Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) with a gas chromatography–mass spectrometer system (GC–MS) was used to analyze volatile compounds. A total of 348 volatiles were characterized, including aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, acids, esters, alkenes, alkanes, furans, phenols, and benzene; the relative contents ranged from 7.80–58.68%, 1.73–12.52%, 2.91–37.07%, 2.73–46.50%, 0.99–12.01%, 0.40–14.95%, 0.00–27.23%, 0.00–3.75%, 0.00–7.34%, and 0.00–1.55%, respectively. The VCO geographical origins with the largest number of volatile compounds was Xixiangtang of Guangxi (L17), and the least was Beireng of Hainan (L19). A total of 23 common and 98 unique volatile compounds were detected that reflected the basic and characteristic flavor of VCO, respectively. After PCA, heatmap and PLS-DA analysis, Longchuan of Guangdong (L8), Qingshanhu of Jiangxi (L16), and Panlong of Yunnan (L20) were in one group where the annual average temperatures are relatively low, where annual rainfalls are also low. Guangning of Guangdong (L6), Yunan of Guangdong (L7), Xingning of Guangdong (L9), Tianhe of Guangdong (L10), Xuwen of Guangdong (L11), and Xiuying of Hainan (L18) were in another group where the annual average temperatures are relatively high, and the altitudes are low. Hence, volatile compound distributions confirmed the differences among the VCO samples from these geographical areas, and the provenance difference evaluation can be carried out by flavor.

Myoglobin diet affected colonic mucus layer and barrier by increasing the abundance of several beneficial gut bacteria

The study aimed to explore the in vitro digestion of myoglobin diet and its relationship with the gut microbiota and intestinal barrier at two feeding time points. In vitro study...

Construction and characterization of Juglans regia L. polyphenols nanoparticles based on bovine serum albumin and Hohenbuehelia serotina polysaccharides, and their gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation in vitro

Herein, we report the construction and characterization of nanoparticles based on bovine serum albumin and Hohenbuehelia serotina polysaccharides for the delivery of polyphenols isolated from the shells of Juglans regia L. (BSA-JRP-HSP NPs). We also systematically investigated their gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation characteristics in vitro. BSA-JRP-HSP NPs, with amorphous properties and regular spherical morphological features, have a high encapsulation efficiency of 88.47 ± 0.04%, average particle size of 285.7 ± 3.1 nm, and zeta potential of -12.20 ± 0.61 mV, and they exhibit excellent photothermal stabilities and strong mucin adhesion capacity. Through measurements of gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation in vitro, the results suggest that BSA-JRP-HSP NPs presented well-sustained release characteristics for preventing the biodegradation of JRP during gastrointestinal digestion. After gastrointestinal digestion, BSA-JRP-HSP NPs could modulate the composition and structure of gut microbiota, promoting the growth of beneficial bacterial (e.g. Prevotella, Dialister, Akkermansia, etc.) and inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria (e.g. Bacteroides, Phascolarctobacterium, Lachnospiracea incertae sedis, etc.). The production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) including acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid was remarkably enhanced by treatment with BSA-JRP-HSP NPs. This study has proved that BSA-JRP-HSP NPs can serve as a novel candidate for improving the bioavailability of JRP.

Comparative study on fruit development and oil synthesis in two cultivars of Camellia oleifera

BACKGROUND

The oil-tea tree (Camellia oleifera Abel.) is a woody tree species that produces edible oil in the seed. C. oleifera oil has high nutritional value and is also an important raw material for medicine and cosmetics. In China, due to the uncertainty on maturity period and oil synthesis mechanism of many C. oleifera cultivars, growers may harvest fruits prematurely, which could not maximize fruit and oil yields. In this study, our objective was to explore the mechanism and differences of oil synthesis between two Camellia oleifera cultivars for a precise definition of the fruit ripening period and the selection of appropriate cultivars.

RESULTS

The results showed that 'Huashuo' had smaller fruits and seeds, lower dry seed weight and lower expression levels of fatty acid biosynthesis genes in July. We could not detect the presence of oil and oil bodies in 'Huashuo' seeds until August, and oil and oil bodies were detected in 'Huajin' seeds in July. Moreover, 'Huashuo' seeds were not completely blackened in October with up to 60.38% of water and approximately 37.98% of oil in seed kernels whose oil content was much lower than normal mature seed kernels. The oil bodies in seed endosperm cells of 'Huajin' were always higher than those of 'Huashuo' from July to October.

CONCLUSION

Our results confirmed that C. oleifera 'Huashuo' fruits matured at a lower rate compared to 'Huajin' fruits and that 'Huajin' seeds entered the oil synthesis period earlier than 'Huashuo' seeds. Moreover, 'Huashuo' fruits did not mature during the Frost's Descent period (October 23-24 each year).

Oral administration of camellia oil ameliorates obesity and modifies the gut microbiota composition in mice fed a high-fat diet

Obesity, which is often caused by adipocyte metabolism dysfunction, is rapidly becoming a serious global health issue. Studies in the literature have shown that camellia oil (Camellia oleifera Abel) exerted potential lipid regulation and other multiple biological activities. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of camellia oil on obese mice induced by a high-fat diet and to explore gut microbiota alterations after camellia oil intervention. The results showed that oral administration of camellia oil dramatically attenuated the fat deposits, serum levels of the total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, the atherosclerosis index, the hepatic steatosis and inflammation in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Meanwhile, the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in obese mice was enhanced after the camellia oil treatment. Furthermore, 16S rRNA analysis showed that certain aspects of the gut microbiota, especially the gut microbiota diversity and the relative abundance of Actinobacteria, Coriobacteriaceae, Lactobacillus and Anoxybacillus, were significantly increased by camellia oil treatment while the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes was decreased. Taken together, our finding suggested that camellia oil was a potential dietary supplement and functional food for ameliorating fat deposits, hyperglycemia and fatty liver, probably by modifying the gut microbiota composition.

Fingerprinting triacylglycerols and aldehydes as identity and thermal stability indicators of camellia oil through chemometric comparison with olive oil

Camellia oil is widely recognized as a high-quality culinary oil in East Asia for its organoleptic and health-promoting properties, but its chemical composition and thermal stability have not been comprehensively defined by comparisons with other oils. In this study, the triacylglycerols (TAGs) in camellia, olive, and six other edible oils were profiled by the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based chemometric analysis. Besides observing the similarity between camellia oil and olive oil, TAG profiling showed that OOO, POO, and OOG (O: oleic acid, P: palmitic acid, and G: gadoleic acid) can jointly serve as the identity markers of camellia oil. Thermal stability of virgin camellia oil (VCO) was further evaluated by extensive comparisons with virgin olive oil (VOO) in common lipid oxidation indicators, aldehyde production, and antioxidant and pro-oxidant contents. The results showed that p-anisidine value (AnV) was the sensitive lipid oxidation indicator, and C9-C11 aldehydes, including nonanal, 2-decenal, 2,4-decadienal, and 2-undecenal, were the most abundant aldehydes in heated VCO and VOO. Under the frying temperature, heated VCO had lower AnV and less aldehydes than heated VOO. Interestedly, the VCO had lower levels of pro-oxidant components, including α-linolenic acid, free fatty acids, and transition metals, as well as lower levels of antioxidants, including α-tocopherol and phenolics, than the VOO. Overall, great similarities and subtle differences in TAG and aldehyde profiles were observed between camellia and olive oils, and the thermal stability of camellia oil might be more dependent on the balance among its unsaturation level, pro-oxidant, and antioxidant components than a single factor.

Effects of Funneliformis mosseae on the utilization of organic phosphorus in Camellia oleifera Abel

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi play an important role in the acquisition of phosphorus (P) by plants. The external hyphae of AM fungi function as an extension of plant roots and may downregulate related functions in the roots. It is not clear whether the ability of AM fungi to mineralize organic P affects root phosphatase activities. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of Funneliformis mosseae on soil organic P mineralization under phytate application and to explore root phosphatase activities, P uptake, and growth in Camellia oleifera Abel. The plants and their growth substrates were harvested 4 and 8 months after planting. The results showed that organic P application had no effect on the total dry mass of nonmycorrhizal plants, but differences in dry mass under P application were observed in mycorrhizal plants in both harvests. Inoculation with F. mosseae increased soil acid phosphatase, phytase, and alkaline phosphatase activities and reduced the soil organic P content. Mycorrhizal plants had higher root activity, shoot and root P contents and root acid phosphatase and phytase activities than nonmycorrhizal plants irrespective of organic P application. In conclusion, AM fungi enhanced the mineralization of soil organic P and positively affect root phosphatase activities.

Identification and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of different forms of phenolic compounds in Camellia oleifera oil

Camellia oleifera (C. oleifera) oil is known as "oriental olive oil". We previously reported the anti-inflammatory activity of C. oleifera oil was mainly attributed to the phenolic compounds, but the specific compounds remain uncovered. In this study, phenolic compounds in the form of free (11.92 μg GAE/g), esterified (37.57 μg GAE/g), glycosylated (128.71 μg GAE/g), and insoluble (47.53 μg GAE/g) were prepared from C. oleifera oil. Their anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated by lipopolysaccharide induced RAW 264.7 macrophage. Glycosylated fraction showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity as indicated by the low production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Subsequently, 13 different glycosylated polyphenols were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, and the major compounds were purified for anti-inflammatory re-evaluation. Lower anti-inflammatory activities of compound 3 and compound 6 were observed when compared to kaempferol. Overall, these results would promote the utilization of phenolic compounds in C. oleifera oil.

Modulation of gut microbiota in healthy rats after exposure to nutritional supplements

INTRODUCTION

Rats are experimental animals, frequently used as model organisms in the biomedical studies, and increasingly used to study the gut microbiota. Specifically, the aim of latter studies is either the elucidation of relationship between intestinal dysbiosis and diseases or the determination of nutrients or pharmaceutical agents which can cause the modulation in the presence or abundance of gut microbiota.

AIM

Herein, the research studies conducted on the gut microbiota of healthy rats are presented in a summarized and concise overview. The focus is on studies aimed to reveal the shifts in microbial composition and functional changes after exposure to various types of nutritional supplements.

METHODS

We performed the search of PubMed database using the term "rat gut microbiome microbiota" and examined studies aimed to assess the composition of gut microbiota in physiological homeostasis as well as the effect of various nutritional supplements on the gut microbiota of healthy rats.

Huai hua san alleviates dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis and modulates colonic microbiota

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Huai hua san (HHS) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula which is firstly documented in the ancient Chinese classic medical work "Pu Ji Ben Shi Fang" in 1132 AD. It has been widely used in the treatment of lower gastrointestinal disorders such as acute colitis and hematochezia for more than 800 years. However, scientific evidence of the efficacy and the exact mechanism of HHS against colitis has not yet been reported.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential effects of HHS in the alleviation of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and the alteration of colonic microbiota composition and structure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HHS solution was orally administrated to 5% DSS-challenged rats once a day for 8 days. Colitis clinical symptoms of colitis were collected, together with colonic mucosal damage assessed at histomorphometric and ultrastructural levels. The protein levels of inflammatory mediators TNF-α and CRP were detected by ELISA. The colonic vascular permeability was evaluated by Evans blue extravasation. Meanwhile, The effects of the HHS therapy on the colonic microbiota were evaluated by analyzing the V3 and V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene by Illumina sequencing and multivariate statistical methods.

RESULTS

Daily oral administration of HHS markedly alleviated DSS-induced colitis, as evidenced by decreased colitis disease activity index (DAI) score, reduced colonic inflammation and normalization of colonic vascular hyperpermeability. Moreover, the 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis demonstrated that HHS treatment during colitis prevented the colitis-associated alteration of colonic microbial community at operational taxonomic unit level, together with the DSS-induced colonic microbiota dysbiosis at taxonomic levels. In addition, HHS therapy reduced colitis-associated high increased ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes to a normal level.

CONCLUSION

HHS could attenuate ulcerative colitis and ameliorate gut microbial dysbiosis.

Camellia oil alleviates the progression of Alzheimer's disease in aluminum chloride-treated rats

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common type of dementia, is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and gut microbiota (GM) imbalance. Recent studies have demonstrated that camellia oil has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and modulates the immune system and GM. However, the effect of camellia oil in alleviating AD pathogenesis remains unclear. An SD rat model of cognitive decline was established by the daily oral administration of aluminum chloride. The results revealed that the aluminum chloride-treated group exhibited deteriorated memory capacity and increased expression of AD-related proteins, whereas these features were mitigated in camellia oil-treated groups. Treatment with camellia oil increased antioxidant enzyme levels and decreased MDA levels. Additionally, camellia oil modulated the expression of cytokines by inhibiting RAGE/NF-κB signaling and microglial activation. Interestingly, autophagy-related proteins were increased in the camellia oil-treated groups. Moreover, camellia oil increased the abundance of probiotics in the GM. Camellia oil can reverse AD brain pathology by alleviating deficits in memory, increasing learning capacity, increasing antioxidant activity, modulating the expression of immune-related cytokines, enhancing autophagy and improving the composition of GM in aluminum chloride-treated rats, implying that AD pathogenesis may be mitigated by treatment with camellia oil through the microbiome-gut-brain axis.

Camellia cake extracts reduce burn injury through suppressing inflammatory responses and enhancing collagen synthesis

Background

Burn injury accidents happen in our daily life, and the burn mortality is especially high in the low-to-middle-income countries. Camellia cake extracts (CCEs) are compound extracts from Camellia cake, and the major ingredients in CCEs may have antimicrobial, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effects of CCEs on burn inflammation and injury remain unknown.

Objective

This study is to investigate the effects of CCEs in burn injury and explore its mechanism.

Design

First, CCEs were identified to mainly contain camelliaside A and B using Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (UHPLC-TOF-MS) method. Second, the CCEs' effect on burn was tested. Burn was induced by boiling water in mice, and then CCEs (30, 50, and 100 mg/mL) were applied on the damaged skin at 3, 7, and 14 days after burn induction.

Results

The results showed that CCEs protected the skin from burn-induced inflammation and enhanced the wound healing in a dose-dependent manner. CCEs decreased the expression levels of various cytokines including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1, TGF-β, and IL-10, as well as inflammatory related factors iNOS. Moreover, CCEs increased the levels of collagens, including the mRNA of COLα-1 and COL-3, and inhibited the mRNA of MMP-1 and TIMP-1, and increased the collagen staining. CCEs also reversed the impairment of activity levels of anti-oxidative enzymes. Furthermore, CCEs suppressed the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated human skin keratinocyte, possibly through inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, toxicological safety experiments on CCEs showed that the oral median lethal dose (LD50) was 2,000 mg/kg, the percutaneous LD50 was greater than 2,000 mg/kg, and CCEs did not cause gene mutation.

Conclusion

CCEs exert a potent anti-inflammatory effect against burn damage in mice. And toxicological safety experiments suggest that CCEs are safe for usage.

Camellia sinensis and Litsea coreana Ameliorate Intestinal Inflammation and Modulate Gut Microbiota in Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis Mice

SCOPE

Polyphenol-enriched herbal extracts have been proved as alternative therapeutic strategies for experimentally induced colitis. The in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of Camellia sinensis (green, white, yellow, oolong, black, and dark tea) and Litsea coreana (hawk tea) are comparatively explored.

METHODS AND RESULTS

HPLC analysis confirms dissimilarities among phytochemical compositions of these teas. The tea extracts (TEs) significantly decrease the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-α) and increase the anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model. The treatment of TEs in colitis mice can ameliorate colon inflammation, pro-oxidative enzyme activity, colon integrity, and suppress the activation of nuclear factor-κB. Of note, green TE significantly attenuates the DSS-induced decrease in richness and diversity of gut microbiota. Moreover, TEs are capable of exerting a prebiotic effect on gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria (e.g., Faecalibaculum, and Bifidobacterium), and decreasing the abundance of potentially harmful bacteria (e.g., Bacteroids, and Mucispirillum). TEs restore the decreased production of SCFAs in the feces of colitic mice.

CONCLUSION

The treatment of seven types of tea can alleviate DSS-induced colitis in mice, and modulate the dysbiosis of gut microbiota in colitis mice.

Protective Effect of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam. Fruit on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice: Role of Keap1/Nrf2 Pathway and Gut Microbiota

Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (BG), a medicinal mangrove, and its fruit (a food material) (BGF), have traditionally been used to treat diarrhea (also known as ulcerative colitis) in folk medicine. However, the mechanism of action against colitis remains ambiguous. This study aimed to investigate the potential efficacy and mechanism of BGF on experimental colitis. Colitis was induced by oral intake of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and treated with aqueous extract of BGF (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) for a week. The Disease Activity Index (DAI), colon length, and histological changes of colon were analyzed. The inflammatory and oxidative stress status was explored. The protein expression of Nrf2 and Keap1 in the colon was detected by Western blotting. The mRNA expression of Nrf2 downstream genes (GCLC, GCLM, HO-1 and NQO1) was determined by RT-PCR. Furthermore, the effect on intestinal flora was analyzed. Results indicated that BGF was rich in pinitol, and showed strong antioxidative activity in vitro. Compared with the DSS model, BGF effectively reduced the body weight loss and DAI, restored the colon length, repaired colonic pathological variations, and decreased the histological scores, which was superior to salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) with smaller dosage. Moreover, BGF not only abated the levels of MDA and inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IFN-γ), increased the level of IL-10, but also prevented the depletion of SOD and GSH. BGF upregulated the protein level of nuclear Nrf2 and mRNA levels of GCLC, GCLM, HO-1 and NQO1, while significantly inhibited the protein expression of Keap1 and cytosolic Nrf2. Besides, BGF promoted the growth of probiotics (Bifidobacterium, Anaerotruncus, and Lactobacillus) in the gut, and inhibited the colonization of pathogenic bacteria (Bacteroides and Streptococcus), which contributed to the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. BGF possessed protective effect against DSS-induced colitis. The potential mechanism of BGF may involve the amelioration of inflammatory and oxidative status, activation of Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway, and maintenance of micro-ecological balance of the host. This study provides experimental evidence for the traditional application of BGF in the treatment of diarrhea, and indicates that BGF may be a promising candidate against colitis.

Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Microbiota-Modulating Effects of Camellia Oil from Camellia brevistyla on Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis in Rats

Altering the microbiota by the daily diet is highly associated with improved human health. Studies confirms the gastrointestinal protective and anti-inflammatory effects of camellia oil; however, the benefits in gut microbiota remain unclear. Camellia oils of Camellia oleifera (PCO) and C. brevistyla (TCCO) were used to evaluate probiotic growth in vitro. In addition, the protective effects of camellia oils in the acetic acid (AA)-induced colitis rat model were investigated. In vitro fermentation study showed the proliferation of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. from human intestinal microbiota was increased after TCCO treatment. Moreover, the rats pretreated with TCCO exhibited significantly less AA-induced colonic injury and hemorrhage, higher serum immunoglobulin G 1 (IgG 1) levels, lower malondialdehyde levels, and lower inflammatory cytokine production in the colon tissue compared with those in the PCO group. Surprising, the protective effect against acetic acid-induced colitis by TCCO was similar to sulfasalazine (positive control) treatment. Moreover, TCCO increased the richness and diversity of probiotics in gut microbiota. TCCO alleviated AA-induced colitis by modulating gut microbiota, reducing oxidative stress and suppressing inflammatory responses.

Camellia oil (Camellia oleifera Abel.) attenuates CCl4-induced liver fibrosis via suppressing hepatocyte apoptosis in mice

Liver fibrosis is a common part of the pathological development of many chronic liver diseases.

Two Kaempferol Glycosides Separated from Camellia Oleifera Meal by High-Speed Countercurrent Chromatography and Their Possible Application for Antioxidation

Recently, kaempferol and its glycosides have attracted considerable attention owing to their potentially health-benefitting properties including protection against chronic diseases. Here, a microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) method was developed for the extraction of total flavonoid glycosides (FG) from Camellia oleifera meal, a major agrifood waste largely generated as a byproduct from the Camellia oil processing industry. Compared with traditional extraction methods, MAE enables more efficient extraction of FG. High-speed countercurrent chromatography was then applied to separate FG from MAE extract, and two major compounds were successfully separated with purities above 90.0% as determined by HPLC. These two compounds were further identified by UV, FT-IR, ESI-MS, ¹ H-NMR, and ¹³ C-NMR as kaempferol 3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and kaempferol 3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl]-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, which were for the first time separated from C. oleifera meal. The results of antioxidant activity assay demonstrated that both compounds had excellent scavenging activity for DPPH radical, and exhibited protective effects against H₂ O₂ -induced oxidative damage of vascular endothelial cells. The findings of this work suggest the possibility of employing C. oleifera meal as an attractive source of health-promoting compounds, and at the same time facilitate its high-value reuse and reduction of environmental burden.

Tea Seed Oil Prevents Obesity, Reduces Physical Fatigue, and Improves Exercise Performance in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese Ovariectomized Mice

Menopause is associated with changes in body composition (a decline in lean body mass and an increase in total fat mass), leading to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and heart disease. A healthy diet to control body weight is an effective strategy for preventing and treating menopause-related metabolic syndromes. In the present study, we investigated the effect of long-term feeding of edible oils (soybean oil (SO), tea seed oil (TO), and lard oil (LO)) on female ovariectomized (OVX) mice. SO, TO, and LO comprise mainly polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and saturated fatty acids (SFA), respectively. However, there have been quite limited studies to investigate the effects of different fatty acids (PUFA, MUFA, and SFA) on physiological adaption and metabolic homeostasis in a menopausal population. In this study, 7-week-old female Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice underwent either bilateral laparotomy (sham group, n = 8) or bilateral oophorectomy (OVX groups, n = 24). The OVX mice given a high-fat diet (HFD) were randomly divided into three groups: OVX+SO, OVX+TO, and OVX+LO. An HFD rich in SO, TO, or LO was given to the OVX mice for 12 weeks. Our findings revealed that the body weight and relative tissues of UFP (uterus fatty peripheral) and total fat (TF) were significantly decreased in the OVX+TO group compared with those in the OVX+SO and OVX+LO groups. However, no significant difference in body weight or in the relative tissues of UFP and TF was noted among the OVX+SO and OVX+LO groups. Furthermore, mice given an HFD rich in TO exhibited significantly decreased accumulation of liver lipid droplets and adipocyte sizes of UFP and brown adipose tissue (BAT) compared with those given an HFD rich in SO or LO. Moreover, replacing SO or LO with TO significantly increased oral glucose tolerance. Additionally, TO improved endurance performance and exhibited antifatigue activity by lowering ammonia, blood urea nitrogen, and creatine kinase levels. Thus, tea seed oil (TO) rich in MUFA could prevent obesity, reduce physical fatigue, and improve exercise performance compared with either SO (PUFA)- or LO(SFA)-rich diets in this HFD-induced obese OVX mice model.