LC-Q-TOF-MS Characterization of Polyphenols from White Bayberry Fruit and Its Antidiabetic Effect in KK-Ay Mice

Metabolomic analysis to unravel the composition and dynamic variations of anthocyanins in bayberry-soaked wine during the maceration process

In this work, we employed a global untargeted metabolomics technique to explore the intricate composition of anthocyanin constituents in bayberry wine and elucidate their alteration during the maceration process. Our analysis uncovered 20 distinct forms of anthocyanins in bayberry wine, including cyanidin-type, delphinidin-type, peonidin-type, malvidin-type, and other-type. 'Dongkui' (DK) bayberry wine was characterized by a predominance of glycoside forms of cyanidin-type and delphinidin-type anthocyanins, while 'Shuijing' (SJ) bayberry wine mainly contained other-type anthocyanins. Additionally, differential anthocyanins analyses conducted across various maceration periods demonstrated the different fate of the components in the wine, with a conspicuous decline in most glycosidic form anthocyanins. Moreover, correlation analysis revealed that the red hue of bayberry wine was primarily associated with cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-rhamnoside, delphinidin-3-O-arabinoside, and delphinidin-3-O-galactoside. This research contributes to our understanding of the anthocyanin composition and the dynamic variations in bayberry wine, opening avenues for further exploration and optimization of production techniques in the future.

Changes in Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Jackfruit) Pulp during In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion

An in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model was applied to investigate the effect of digestion on the phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (jackfruit) pulp. The total phenol content (TPC) was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu method, and the antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH and ABTS assays. Phenolic compounds were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization, followed by quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS). The results showed that TPC was significantly higher after gastric digestion. Thirty phenolic compounds (hydroxybenzoic acids and derivatives, hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives, and flavonoids) were identified. The antioxidant activities of the digested samples varied with the TPC, and there was a correlation between antioxidant activity and TPC. The present study implies that gastrointestinal digestion may improve TPC and increase the amount of free phenolic compounds, mainly related to changes in pH value and digestive enzymes.

"Biqi" Bayberry Extract Promotes Skeletal Muscle Fiber Type Remodeling by Increasing Fast Myofiber Formation via the Akt/FoxO1 Pathway in Mice

Bayberry is known to be a rich source of natural flavonoids and has been reported to have various health-promoting abilities. However, its function on regulating skeletal muscle fiber type remains unclear. This study examined whether bayberry extract affects skeletal muscle fiber type by promoting fast myofiber formation, as well as the potential molecular mechanism. After eight weeks, the "Biqi" bayberry extract (BBE) groups mice displayed markedly enhanced grip strength and improved metabolic rate compared to the control group mice. BBE also significantly increased myofibers size, LDH activity, MyHC-IIb (fast-twitch mRNA) expression, and the percentage of fast-twitch myofibers, while decreasing SDH activity, MyHC-I (slow-twitch mRNA) expression, and slow-twitch myofibers percentage in the skeletal muscle of the mice. The effect of BBE on regulating skeletal muscle fiber type remodeling is likely attributed to its activation of the Akt-FoxO1 pathway. Our findings indicated that BBE can effectively regulate the expression and proportion of fast-twitch fibers, making it a potential therapy for improving glucose homeostasis of skeletal muscle.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Capacity and Gut Microbiota Modulatory Effects of Different Kinds of Berries

Berries are fairly favored by consumers. Phenolic compounds are the major phytochemicals in berries, among which anthocyanins are one of the most studied. Phenolic compounds are reported to have prebiotic-like effects. In the present study, we identified the anthocyanin profiles, evaluated and compared the antioxidant capacities and gut microbiota modulatory effects of nine common berries, namely blackberry, black goji berry, blueberry, mulberry, red Chinese bayberry, raspberry, red goji berry, strawberry and white Chinese bayberry. Anthocyanin profiles were identified by UPLC-Triple-TOF/MS. In vitro antioxidant capacity was evaluated by four chemical assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and ORAC). In vivo antioxidant capacity and gut microbiota modulatory effects evaluation was carried out by treating healthy mice with different berry extracts for two weeks. The results show that most berries could improve internal antioxidant status, reflected by elevated serum or colonic T-AOC, GSH, T-SOD, CAT, and GSH-PX levels, as well as decreased MDA content. All berries significantly altered the gut microbiota composition. The modulatory effects of the berries were much the same, namely by the enrichment of beneficial SCFAs-producing bacteria and the inhibition of potentially harmful bacteria. Our study shed light on the gut microbiota modulatory effect of different berries and may offer consumers useful consumption guidance.

An overview of the nutritional value, health properties, and future challenges of Chinese bayberry

Chinese bayberry (CB) is among the most popular and valuable fruits in China owing to its attractive color and unique sweet/sour taste. Recent studies have highlighted the nutritional value and health-related benefits of CB. CB has special biological characteristics of evergreen, special aroma, dioecious, nodulation, nitrogen fixation. Moreover, the fruits, leaves, and bark of CB plants harbor a number of bioactive compounds including proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, vitamin C, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins that have been linked to the anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and neuroprotective properties and to the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The CB fruits have been used to produce a range of products: beverages, foods, and washing supplies. Future CB-related product development is thus expected to further leverage the health-promoting potential of this valuable ecological resource. The present review provides an overview of the botanical characteristics, processing, nutritional value, health-related properties, and applications of CB in order to provide a foundation for further research and development.

Minor tropical fruits as a potential source of bioactive and functional foods

Tropical fruits are defined as fruits that are grown in hot and humid regions within the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, covering most of the tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, Africa, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Oceania. Depending on the cultivation area covered, economic value and popularity these tropical fruits are divided into major and minor tropical fruits. There is an annual increment of 3.8% in terms of commercialization of the tropical fruits. In total 26 minor tropical fruits (Kiwifruit, Lutqua, Carambola, Tree Tomato, Elephant apple, Rambutan, Bay berry, Mangosteen, Bhawa, Loquat, Silver berry, Durian, Persimon, Longan, Passion fruit, Water apple, Pulasan, Indian gooseberry, Guava, Lychee, Annona, Pitaya, Sapodilla, Pepino, Jaboticaba, Jackfruit) have been covered in this work. The nutritional composition, phytochemical composition, health benefits, traditional use of these minor tropical fruits and their role in food fortification have been portrayed.

Identification of UDP-rhamnosyltransferases and UDP-galactosyltransferase involved in flavonol glycosylation in Morella rubra

Flavonol glycosides are health-promoting phytochemicals important for human nutrition and plant defense against environmental stresses. Glycosylation modification greatly enriches the diversity of flavonols. Morella rubra, a member of the Myricaceae, contains high amounts of myricetin 3-O-rhamnoside (M3Rha), quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside (Q3Rha), and quercetin 3-O-galactoside (Q3Gal). In the present study, MrUGT78R1 and MrUGT78R2 were identified as two functional UDP-rhamnosyltransferases, while MrUGT78W1 was identified as a UDP-galactosyltransferase. Site-directed mutagenesis identified Pro143 and Asn386 as important residues for rhamnosyl transfer activity of MrUGT78R1, while the two corresponding positions in MrUGT78W1 (i.e. Ser147 and Asn370) also play important roles in galactosyl transfer activity. Transient expression data for these three MrUGTs in Nicotiana benthamiana tested the function of MrUGT78R1 and MrUGT78R2 as rhamnosyltransferases and MrUGT78W1 as a galactosyltransferase in glycosylation of flavonols. This work enriches knowledge of the diversity of UDP-rhamnosyltransferase in planta and identifies two amino acid positions important for both rhamnosyltransferase and galactosyltransferase.

Lignin as a MALDI matrix for small molecules: a proof of concept

Driven by the interest in metabolomic studies and the progress of imaging techniques, small molecule analysis is booming, while it remains challenging to be realized by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). Herein, lignin, the second most abundant biomass in nature, was applied as a dual-ion-mode MALDI matrix for the first time to analyze small molecules. The low ionization efficiency and strong optical absorption properties make lignin a potential MALDI matrix in small molecule analysis. A total of 30 different small molecules were identified qualitatively and six kinds of representative molecules were detected quantitatively with a good linear response (R² > 0.995). To verify the accuracy of our quantitative method in MALDI, myricitrin, a major bioactive component in Chinese bayberry, was analyzed in different cultivars and tissues. The myricitrin content in real samples detected by MALDI was highly consistent (R² > 0.999) with that detected by high-performance liquid chromatography, thus indicating the applicability of the lignin matrix. Further characterization by ultraviolet and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was carried out to explain the possible mechanism of lignin as a matrix and provide more theories for a rational matrix design.

Omnifarious fruit polyphenols: an omnipotent strategy to prevent and intervene diabetes and related complication?

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic syndrome which cannot be cured. Recently, considerable interest has been focused on food ingredients to prevent and intervene in complications of diabetes. Polyphenolic compounds are one of the bioactive phytochemical constituents with various biological activities, which have drawn increasing interest in human health. Fruits are part of the polyphenol sources in daily food consumption. Fruit-derived polyphenols possess the anti-diabetic activity that has already been proved either from in vitro studies or in vivo studies. The mechanisms of fruit polyphenols in treating diabetes and related complications are under discussion. This is a comprehensive review on polyphenols from the edible parts of fruits, including those from citrus, berries, apples, cherries, mangoes, mangosteens, pomegranates, and other fruits regarding their potential benefits in preventing and treating diabetes mellitus. The signal pathways of characteristic polyphenols derived from fruits in reducing high blood glucose and intervening hyperglycemia-induced diabetic complications were summarized.

Bioactivity of Dietary Polyphenols: The Role in LDL-C Lowering

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of the death around the world. An elevation of the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. To achieve optimal plasma LDL-C levels, clinal therapies were investigated which targeted different metabolism pathways. However, some therapies also caused various adverse effects. Thus, there is a need for new treatment options and/or combination therapies to inhibit the LDL-C level. Dietary polyphenols have received much attention in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases due to their potential LDL-C lowering effects. However, the effectiveness and potential mechanisms of polyphenols in lowering LDL-C is not comprehensively summarized. This review focused on dietary polyphenols that could reduce LDL-C and their mechanisms of action. This review also discussed the limitations and suggestions regarding previous studies.

LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS detection of food flavonoids: principle, methodology, and applications

Flavonoids have been attracting increasing research interest because of their multiple health promoting effects. However, many flavonoids with similar structures are present in foods, often at low concentrations, which increases the difficulty of their separation and identification. Liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) has become one of the most widely used techniques for flavonoid detection. LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS can achieve highly efficient separation by LC; it also provides structural information regarding flavonoids by Q-TOF-MS/MS. This review presents a comprehensive summary of the scientific principles and detailed methodologies (e.g., qualitative determination, quantitative determination, and data processing) of LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS specifically for food flavonoids. It also discusses the recent applications of LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS in determination of flavonoid types and contents in agricultural products, changes in their structures and contents during food processing, and metabolism in vivo after consumption. Moreover, it proposes necessary technological improvements and potential applications. This review would facilitate the scientific understanding of theory and technique of LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS for flavonoid detection, and promote its applications in food and health industry.

Proanthocyanidins and Where to Find Them: A Meta-Analytic Approach to Investigate Their Chemistry, Biosynthesis, Distribution, and Effect on Human Health

Proanthocyanidins (PACs) are a class of polyphenolic compounds that are attracting considerable interest in the nutraceutical field due to their potential health benefits. However, knowledge about the chemistry, biosynthesis, and distribution of PACs is limited. This review summarizes the main chemical characteristics and biosynthetic pathways and the main analytical methods aimed at their identification and quantification in raw plant matrices. Furthermore, meta-analytic approaches were used to identify the main plant sources in which PACs were contained and to investigate their potential effect on human health. In particular, a cluster analysis identified PACs in 35 different plant families and 60 different plant parts normally consumed in the human diet. On the other hand, a literature search, coupled with forest plot analyses, highlighted how PACs can be actively involved in both local and systemic effects. Finally, the potential mechanisms of action through which PACs may impact human health were investigated, focusing on their systemic hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects and their local anti-inflammatory actions on the intestinal epithelium. Overall, this review may be considered a complete report in which chemical, biosynthetic, ecological, and pharmacological aspects of PACs are discussed.

A Network Pharmacology Approach to Investigate the Mechanism of Erjing Prescription in Type 2 Diabetes

Erjing prescription (EJP) was an ancient formula that was recorded in the General Medical Collection of Royal Benevolence of the Song Dynasty. It has been frequently used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the long history of China. The formula consists of Lycium barbarum L. and Polygonatum sibiricum F. Delaroche with a ratio of 1 : 1. This study aimed to identify the potential effects and mechanisms of EJP treatment T2DM. The target proteins and possible pathways of EJP in T2DM treatment were investigated by the approach of network pharmacology and real-time PCR (RT-PCR). 99 diabetes-related proteins were regulated by 56 bioactive constituents in EJP in 26 signal pathways by Cytoscape determination. According to GO analysis, 606 genes entries have been enriched. The PPI network suggested that AKT1, EGF, EGFR, MAPK1, and GSK3β proteins were core genes. Among the 26 signal pathways, the PI3K-AKT signal pathway was tested by the RT-PCR. The expression level of PI3K p85, AKT1, GSK3β, and Myc mRNA of this pathway was regulated by EJP. The study based on network pharmacology and RT-PCR analysis revealed that the blood sugar level was regulated by EJP via regulating the PI3K-AKT signal pathway. Plenty of new treatment methods for T2DM using EJP were provided by network pharmacology analysis.

Comprehensive Profiling of Phenolic Compounds in White and Red Chinese Bayberries (Morella rubra Sieb. et Zucc.) and Their Developmental Variations Using Tandem Mass Spectral Molecular Networking

Chemical structural characterization of phenolic compounds from the red ("Biqi") and white ("Shuijing") bayberries was carried out in the present study. With the aid of Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS), 18 flavonoid glycosides and 13 proanthocyanidins (PACs) in bayberry extracts were tentatively identified. Three cyanidin-3-glucoside derivatives (cyanidin-acetylapiosyl-glucoside, catechin-cyanidin-3-glucoside, and gallocatechin-cyanidin-3-glucoside), two quercetin derivatives (quercetin-3-arabinoside and quercetin-3-glucuronide), patuletin-7-glucoside, and individual PACs consisting of (epi)catechin or (epi)gallocatechin units were reported for the first time in bayberry fruits. In addition, "Biqi" exhibited a considerable increase of flavonoid glycoside content together with a dramatic decrease in the content of PACs in mature fruits, while "Shuijing" showed a decrease in levels of PACs but failed to accumulate flavonoid glycosides during fruit development.