Anti-obesogenic and antidiabetic effects of plants and mushrooms

Lonicera japonica Thunb. and its characteristic component chlorogenic acid alleviated experimental colitis by promoting Lactobacillus and fecal short‐chain fatty acids production

Ulcerative colitis is intricately linked to intestinal oxidative stress and dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. Lonicera japonica Thunb. (LJ) is a traditional edible and medical flower in China, and chlorogenic acid (CGA) is one of its characteristic components. However, it remains unclear whether gut microbiota plays a role in the therapeutic effects of LJ and GCA on colitis. Here, we first observed that oral administration of LJ and CGA for 3 weeks dramatically promoted the growth of Lactobacillus and fecal short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production in healthy mice. Subsequently, the alleviating effects of LJ and CGA on colitis were explored with a dextran sulfate sodium‐induced colitis mice model. The intervention of LJ and CGA notably alleviated inflammation, intestinal barrier impairment, and oxidative stress in colitis and led to a significant elevation in Lactobacillus and fecal SCFAs. Eventually, the key role of gut microbiota and their metabolites on the therapeutic effects was validated by performing fecal microbiota transplantation and sterile fecal suspensions transplantation from LJ and CGA‐treated healthy mice to colitis mice. Our findings demonstrated that consumption of LJ and CGA could benefit the host both in healthy condition and colitis. The beneficial effects were attributed to the improvement of the endogenous antioxidant system and promotion of the probiotic Lactobacillus and SCFAs production. Our study highlighted the great potential of LJ and CGA to be consumed as functional foods and provided novel mechanisms by which they alleviated colitis.

Selective impact of three homogenous polysaccharides with different structural characteristics from Grifola frondosa on human gut microbial composition and the structure-activity relationship

Natural polysaccharides interact with gut microbes to enhance human well-being. Grifola frondosa is a polysaccharides-rich edible and medicinal mushroom. The prebiotic potential of G. frondosa polysaccharides has been explored in recent years, however, the relationship between their various structural features and prebiotic activities is poorly understood. In this study, three homogenous polysaccharides GFP10, GFP21 and GFP22 having different molecular weights (Mw), monosaccharide compositions and glycosidic linkages were purified from G. frondosa, and their effects on intestinal microbial composition were compared. GFP10 was a fucomannogalactan with an Mw of 23.0 kDa, and it selectively inhibited Enterobacter, while GFP21 was a fucomannogalactoglucan with an Mw of 18.6 kDa, and it stimulated Catenibacterium. GFP22 was a 4.9 kDa mannoglucan that selectively inhibited Klebsiella and boosted Bifidobacterium, Catenibacterium and Phascolarctobacterium, and prominently promoted the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The selective modulation of gut microbiota by polysaccharides was structure-dependent. A relatively lower Mw and a high proportion of glycosidic linkages like T-Glcp, 1,3-Glcp, 1,3,6-Glcp and 1,4-Glcp might be more easily utilized to produce SCFAs and beneficial for the proliferation of Catenibacterium and Phascolarctobacterium. This research provided a valuable resource for further exploring the structure-activity relationship and prebiotic activity of G. frondosa polysaccharides.

Influence of Gut Microbiota-Mediated Immune Regulation on Response to Chemotherapy

The involvement of the gut microbiota in anti-cancer treatment has gained increasing attention. Alterations to the structure and function of the gut bacteria are important factors in the development of cancer as well as the efficacy of chemotherapy. Recent studies have confirmed that the gut microbiota and related metabolites influence the pharmacological activity of chemotherapeutic agents through interactions with the immune system. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of how malignant tumor and chemotherapy affect the gut microbiota, how the gut microbiota regulates host immune response, and how interactions between the gut microbiota and host immune response influence the efficacy of chemotherapy. Recent advances in strategies for increasing the efficiency of chemotherapy based on the gut microbiota are also described. Deciphering the complex homeostasis maintained by the gut microbiota and host immunity provides a solid scientific basis for bacterial intervention in chemotherapy.

Antidiabetic Property Optimization from Green Leafy Vegetables Using Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction to Improve Cracker Production

Here we test a method of incorporating of plant extracts into popular snack foods to help control diabetes. Since some fresh vegetables contain antidiabetic compounds, ultrasound-assisted extraction was used to optimize their extraction of from spring onions, bunching onions, and celery for later incorporation into crackers. We compared various concentrations of ethanol used during extraction, after which they were exposed to an ultrasound processor whose amplitude and sonication time were also varied. The optimal extraction conditions were found to be an ethanol concentration of 44.08%, an amplitude of 80%, and a sonication time of 30 min. This resulted in the highest level of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (i.e., 1,449.73 mmol ACE/g) and the highest extraction yield (i.e., 24.16%). The extract produced from these optimum conditions was then used as a constituent component of crackers at 0.625%, 1.25%, or 2.5% w/w. These biscuits were then produced at baking temperatures of 140°C, 150°C, or 160°C. We then measured the physical characteristics and bioactivities of sample biscuits from each treatment. We found that biscuits containing 2.5% vegetable combination extract and baked at 140°C had the highest total phenolic content, the strongest antioxidant performance, and showed the most substantial antidiabetic and antiobesity effects. Here we establish conditions for the effective extraction of antidiabetic functional ingredients via ultrasound from green leafy vegetables. We also provide a method of using these ingredients to prepare crackers with the aim of developing a functional antidiabetic snack food.

Development of a polyphenol-enriched whole kiwifruit dietary supplement and its potential in ameliorating hyperlipidemia

BACKGROUND

Kiwifruit pomace, which contains abundant phenolic compounds, is typically discarded during the juicing process, leading to wastage of valuable resources. To address this issue, various indicators (including total acidity, sugar/acid ratio, vitamin C, total polyphenols, polyphenol monomers, and soluble solids content) of 15 kiwifruit cultivars were evaluated and juiced. Then, a polyphenol-concentrated solution from kiwifruit pomace was backfilled into kiwi juice to prepare whole nutritious compound kiwi juice, and its anti-hyperlipidemic activity on obese model mice was then investigated.

RESULTS

Through grey relational analysis and the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS), Kuimi and Huayou were identified as the predominant varieties for juicing, with weighted relevance scores of 0.695 and 0.871 respectively and TOPSIS scores of 0.6509 and 0.8220 respectively. The polyphenol content of Cuixiang pomace was 43.97 mg g-1 , making it the most suitable choice for polyphenol extraction. By backfilling a polyphenol-concentrated solution derived from Cuixiang pomace into compound kiwi juice of Huayou and Kuimi, the whole nutritious compound kiwi juice with polyphenols was produced and exhibited superior bioactivities, including enhanced hepatic oxidative stress defense, and alleviated serum lipid abnormalities. Furthermore, whole nutritious compound kiwi juice with polyphenols ameliorated host intestinal microbiota dysbiosis by increasing the relative abundance of the phyla Bacteroidota and Verrucomicrobiota.

CONCLUSION

A hypolipidemic dietary supplement based on kiwifruit pomace polyphenols has been successfully developed, providing an effective solution for hyperlipidemia intervention. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Biological Activities of Secondary Metabolites from the Edible-Medicinal Macrofungi

Macrofungi are well-known as edible-medicinal mushrooms, which belong mostly to Basidiomycota, with a few from Ascomycota. In recent years, macrofungi have been recognized as a rich resource of structurally unique secondary metabolites, demonstrating a wide range of bioactivities, including anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antimalarial, neuro-protective, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic activities. This review highlights over 270 natural products produced by 17 families of macrofungi covering 2017 to 2023, including their structures, bioactivities, and related molecular mechanisms.

A virtual insight into mushroom secondary metabolites: 3D-QSAR, docking, pharmacophore-based analysis and molecular modeling to analyze their anti-breast cancer potential

Breast cancer is a major issue of investigation in drug discovery due to its rising frequency and global dominance. Plants are significant natural sources for the development of novel medications and therapies. Medicinal mushrooms have many biological response modifiers and are used for the treatment of many physical illnesses. In this research, a database of 89 macro-molecules with anti-breast cancer activity, which were previously isolated from the mushrooms in literature, has been selected for the three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships (3D-QSAR) studies. The 3D-QSAR model was necessarily used in Pharmacopoeia virtual evaluation of the database to develop novel MCF-7 inhibitors. With the known potential targets of breast cancer, the docking studies were achieved. Using molecular dynamics simulations, the targets' stability with the best-chosen natural product molecule was found. Furthermore, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity of three compounds, resulting after the docking study, were predicted. The compound C1 (Pseudonocardian A) showed the features of effective compounds because it has bioavailability from different coral species and is toxicity-free for the prevention of many dermatological illnesses. C1 is chemically active and possesses charge transfer inside the monomer, as seen by the band gaps of highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) electrons. The reactivity descriptors ionization potential, electron affinity, chemical potential (μ), hardness (η), softness (S), electronegativity (χ), and electrophilicity index (ω) have been estimated using the energies of frontier molecular orbitals (HOMO-LUMO). Additionally, molecular electrostatic potential maps were created to show that the C1 is reactive.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Schizophyllan from Schizophyllum commune BRM 060008: Potential application as an inhibitor of lipase

β-D-glucan has significant implications in regulating lipid metabolism and preventing diseases associated with lipid accumulation. Schizophyllan (SPG) from Schizophyllum commune fungus is a commercially important β-glucan with applications in the health food industry, pharmacy, and cosmetics. However, SPG was obtained by submerged culture of the wood-rotting and filamentous fungus S. commune BRM 060008, which may have been isolated from the Cerrado Biome of Brazil. In this study, to confirm that the polysaccharide produced by BRM 060008 strain fermentation was indeed (1→3)(1→6)-β-D-glucan, it was purified and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, high-performance size exclusion chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and methylation analysis. The polysaccharide produced was identified as the β-D-glucan expected with a high molecular weight (1.093 × 106 g/mol) and the thermogravimetric analysis indicated a maximum degradation temperature of ~324 °C and a 60 % residual weight, lower than commercial SPG. The molecular structure and thermal properties of the β-D-glucan were similar to the commercial sample. Additionally, the in vitro pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity was evaluated, investigating anti-obesity and anti-lipidemic properties. The results showed unprecedented lipase inhibition activity to SPG prepared using the S. commune strain BRM 060008, making it promising for food and pharmaceutical applications.

Integrating network pharmacology and animal experimental validation to investigate the action mechanism of oleanolic acid in obesity

BACKGROUND

Obesity, a condition associated with the development of widespread cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and other health complications, has emerged as a significant global health issue. Oleanolic acid (OA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound that is widely distributed in various natural plants, has demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic properties. However, the mechanism by which OA fights obesity has not been well studied.

METHOD

Network pharmacology was utilized to search for potential targets and pathways of OA against obesity. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were utilized to validate the interaction of OA with core targets, and an animal model of obesity induced by high-fat eating was then employed to confirm the most central of these targets.

RESULTS

The network pharmacology study thoroughly examined 42 important OA targets for the treatment of obesity. The key biological processes (BP), cellular components (CC), and molecular functions (MF) of OA for anti-obesity were identified using GO enrichment analysis, including intracellular receptor signaling, intracellular steroid hormone receptor signaling, chromatin, nucleoplasm, receptor complex, endoplasmic reticulum membrane, and RNA polymerase II transcription Factor Activity. The KEGG/DAVID database enrichment study found that metabolic pathways, PPAR signaling pathways, cancer pathways/PPAR signaling pathways, insulin resistance, and ovarian steroidogenesis all play essential roles in the treatment of obesity and OA. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was used to screen nine main targets: PPARG, PPARA, MAPK3, NR3C1, PTGS2, CYP19A1, CNR1, HSD11B1, and AGTR1. Using molecular docking technology, the possible binding mechanism and degree of binding between OA and each important target were validated, demonstrating that OA has a good binding potential with each target. The molecular dynamics simulation's Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), and Radius of Gyration (Rg) further demonstrated that OA has strong binding stability with each target. Additional animal studies confirmed the significance of the core target PPARG and the core pathway PPAR signaling pathway in OA anti-obesity.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our study utilized a multifaceted approach to investigate the value and mechanisms of OA in treating obesity, thereby providing a novel foundation for the identification and development of natural drug treatments.

Exploring global research status and trends in anti-obesity effects of traditional Chinese medicine through intestinal microbiota: a bibliometric study

Background

The intestinal microbiota (IM) has been found to contribute to metabolic disorders that lead to excessive fat accumulation, systemic and chronic low-grade inflammation, and insulin resistance in the host. Current research highlights a pivotal interaction between IM and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in mitigating obesity-related diseases. Undeniably, IM stands as a central focus in TCM research aimed at preventing and treating obesity. Therefore, tracing the progress and trends in this field can offer valuable references and insights for future studies.

Methods

On June 17, 2023, we conducted a literature search on the topic of "IM and obesity in TCM" spanning the period from 2009 to 2023. We extracted the primary information of the publications, which includes complete records and reference citations, from the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-E) within the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). To visualize and analyze the literature, we utilized CiteSpace and VOSviewer for bibliometric analysis.

Results

During the past fifteen years, a rapid increase in the number of publications has been observed. The cooperative networks demonstrate China, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, and Food & Function as the most active countries, organizations, and journals in this field, respectively. Liu Bin has contributed the most publications. A paper by Xu Jia, published in 2014, holds the highest Local Citation Score (LCS). Analyses of keyword co-occurrence and reference co-citation indicate that the research hotspots of IM and obesity in TCM are primarily focused on the metabolic benefits driven by endogenous functional metabolic molecules generated by TCM regulation of IM. Other focal points include the mechanism by which TCM regulates IM to restore the intestinal mucosal barrier This is a provisional file, not the final typeset article, and manages the gut-organ axis, the metabolic advantages of acupuncture's regulation of IM, and the process by which Chinese medicine small molecules transform IM.

Conclusion

This research offers a comprehensive understanding of the current status, hotspots, and trends in global TCM research. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive summary and exploration of the latest advancements in this field, thereby emphasizing the essence of TCM more effectively.

Lowering glycemic levels via gastrointestinal tract factors: the roles of dietary fiber, polyphenols, and their combination

Dietary fiber (DF) and polyphenols (DP) are typical blood sugar-lowering components, and both play distinct yet interconnected roles in exerting their blood sugar-lowering effects. We comprehensively summarized the single and combined effects of DF and DP on blood glucose homeostasis through regulating the relevant factors in the upper gastrointestinal tract (UGT) and lower gastrointestinal tract (LGT). In the UGT, DF slowed down glucose metabolism by enhancing digesta viscosity and hindering enzyme-substrate interaction. DP primarily targeted enzymes and substrates. When combined, DP enhanced the adsorption capacity of DF for glucose. DF weakened DP's inhibitory effect on enzymes. Both DF and DP disrupted glucose intestinal uptake via physical or genomic modulation, but the co-consumption of DF and DP demonstrated a lower inhibitory effect on glucose uptake than DP alone. In the LGT, DF and DP showed synergistic or antagonistic effects on gut microbiota. Remarkably, whole foods exhibited potent prebiotic effects due to their compound-rich matrix, potentially enhancing glucose homeostasis and expanding dietary options for glucose regulation research.

Physicochemical properties and anti-diabetic ability of polysaccharides from a thinned peach fruit

Thinned peach fruit is a by-product with abundant yields. However, it is barely utilized. This study aimed to study the physicochemical properties and anti-diabetic ability of polysaccharides (PPSs) from a thinned peach fruit to investigate its application potential. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterizations were performed together with tests to determine rheology properties, monosaccharide composition, and molecular weight of the obtained polysaccharide. Moreover, the antioxidant activity, α-amylase inhibitory activity, binding abilities to bile salts, and effects on type 2 diabetic mice were analyzed. The results indicated that PPS consisted of two components with molecular weights of 287.38 kDa and 12.02 kDa, accounting for 89.83% and 10.17% of the composition, respectively. The dominant monosaccharides were galactose, galacturonic acid, and arabinose, exhibiting α-configurations. The concentration was positively related to the viscosity of PPS. As the temperature was increased from 25 °C to 37 °C and the pH from 2.0 to 7.0, the viscosity decreased. The IC50 values for scavenging DPPH and ABTS were around 0.22 and 1.47 mg mL-1. Also, PPS could inhibit α-amylase ability and bind bile salts. The administration of PPS significantly inhibited emaciation, organ damage, improved oral glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, enhanced the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and regulated blood lipid profiles and the composition and structure of colon microbiota in type-2 diabetic mice. These results provide new evidence for the potential of PPS as a bioactive ingredient with anti-diabetic properties for use in the food industry.

Micro-Executor of Natural Products in Metabolic Diseases

Obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases are the major chronic metabolic diseases that threaten human health. In order to combat these epidemics, there remains a desperate need for effective, safe, and easily available therapeutic strategies. Recently, the development of natural product research has provided new methods and options for these diseases. Numerous studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of metabolic diseases, and natural products can improve lipid and glucose metabolism disorders and cardiovascular diseases by regulating the expression of miRNAs. In this review, we present the recent advances involving the associations between miRNAs and natural products and the current evidence showing the positive effects of miRNAs for natural product treatment in metabolic diseases. We also encourage further research to address the relationship between miRNAs and natural products under physiological and pathological conditions, thus leading to stronger support for drug development from natural products in the future.

Insight into biological activities of chemically characterized extract from Marrubium vulgare L. in vitro, in vivo and in silico approaches

Aqueous extracts of Marrubium vulgare L. (M. vulgare) are widely used in traditional medicine for their therapeutic effects. Hence, this study aims to evaluate in vitro, in vivo, and in silico the biological activities of M. vulgare aqueous extract to further support their traditional use. Qualitative phytochemical tests of M. vulgare extracts showed the presence of primary and secondary metabolites, while quantitative analyses recorded revealed the contents of total phenols, flavonoids, and tannins, with values of 488.432 ± 7.825 mg/EAG gallic acid extract/g, 25.5326 ± 1.317 mg/EQ Quercetin extract/g and 23.966 ± 0.187 mg/EC catechin extract/g, respectively. Characterization of the phytochemical constituents of the extract revealed the presence of catechin and maleic acid as the most abundant while the evaluation of the antioxidant power revealed that the extract possesses significant antioxidant capacity, antimitotic potential, and antimicrobial properties against Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus epidermidis among many others. The antidiabetic activity of the extract showed a potent antihyperglycemic effect and a significant modulation of the pancreatic α-amylase activity as revealed by both in vitro and in vivo analysis, while an in silico evaluation showed that chemicals in the studied extract exhibited the aforementioned activities by targeting 1XO2 antimitotic protein, W93 antidiabetic protein and 1AJ6 antimicrobial protein, which revealed them as worthy of exploration in drug discovery odyssey. Conclusively, the result of this study demonstrates the numerous biological activities of M. vulgare and gives credence to their folkloric and traditional usage.

Internet-Based Healthcare Knowledge Service for Improvement of Chinese Medicine Healthcare Service Quality

With the development of new-generation information technology and increasing health needs, the requirements for Chinese medicine (CM) services have shifted toward the 5P medical mode, which emphasizes preventive, predictive, personalized, participatory, and precision medicine. This implies that CM knowledge services need to be smarter and more sophisticated. This study adopted a bibliometric approach to investigate the current state of development of CM knowledge services, and points out that accurate knowledge service is an inevitable requirement for the modernization of CM. We summarized the concept of smart CM knowledge services and highlighted its main features, including medical homogeneity, knowledge service intelligence, integration of education and research, and precision medicine. Additionally, we explored the intelligent service method of traditional Chinese medicine under the 5P medical mode to support CM automatic knowledge organization and safe sharing, human-machine collaborative knowledge discovery and personalized dynamic knowledge recommendation. Finally, we summarized the innovative modes of CM knowledge services. Our research will guide the quality assurance and innovative development of the traditional Chinese medicine knowledge service model in the era of digital intelligence.

Dietary Recommendations for Ethiopians on the Basis of Priority Diet-Related Diseases and Causes of Death in Ethiopia: An Umbrella Review

Food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) need to be evidence-based. As part of the development of Ethiopian FBDG, we conducted an umbrella review to develop dietary recommendations. Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), deficiencies of vitamin A, zinc, calcium, or folate, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were selected as a priority. Systematic reviews were eligible if they investigated the impact of foods, food groups, diet, or dietary patterns on priority diseases. After a search, 1513 articles were identified in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar published from January 2014 to December 2021. The results showed that 19 out of 164 systematic reviews reported the impact of diet on PEM or micronutrient deficiencies. Daily 30-90 g whole-grain consumption reduces risk of CVD and T2DM. Pulses improve protein status, and consuming 50-150 g/d is associated with a reduced incidence of CVD and T2DM. Nuts are a good source of minerals, and consuming 15-35 g/d improves antioxidant status and is inversely associated with CVD risk. A daily intake of 200-300 mL of milk and dairy foods is a good source of calcium and contributes to bone mineral density. Limiting processed meat intake to <50 g/d reduces CVD risk. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamins A and C. CVD and T2DM risks are reduced by consuming 200-300 g of vegetables plus fruits daily. Daily sugar consumption should be below 10% of total energy to lower risk of obesity, CVD, and T2DM. Plant-based fat has favorable nutrient profiles and modest saturated fat content. The association of saturated fatty acids with CVD and T2DM is inconclusive, but intake should be limited because of the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-raising effect. Plant-based diets lower risk of CVD and T2DM but reduce micronutrient bioavailability. The review concludes with 9 key dietary recommendations proposed to be implemented in the Ethiopian FBDG. This review was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42019125490).

Water Extract from Brown Strain of Flammulina velutipes Alleviates Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury by Attenuating Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Autophagy via PI3K/AKT Pathway Regulation

One of the most popular edible mushrooms in the world, Flammulina velutipes, has been shown to possess pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, the potential activity of the brown strain of F. velutipes, a hybrid between the white and yellow strains, has not been thoroughly investigated. Numerous studies have been conducted in recent years to determine whether natural products can aid in improving or treating kidney diseases. In this study, we focused on the renoprotective effects of the brown strain of F. velutipes on cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice. Mice were pretreated with water extract from the brown strain of F. velutipes (WFV) from day 1 to day 10, with a single-dose intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin on day 7 to induce AKI. Our results demonstrated that WFV administration resulted in a reduction in weight loss and the amelioration of renal function and renal histological changes in mice with cisplatin-induced AKI. WFV improved antioxidative stress and anti-inflammatory capacity by increasing antioxidant enzymes and decreasing inflammatory factors. The expression of related proteins was determined via Western blot analysis, which showed that WFV could improve the expression of apoptosis and autophagy. We used the PI3K inhibitor Wortmannin and found that WFV achieved a protective effect by modulating the PI3K/AKT pathway and the expression of autophagy. Overall, WFV as a natural substance could be used as a new therapeutic agent for AKI.

The Chinese herbal medicine Dai-Zong-Fang promotes browning of white adipocytes in vivo and in vitro by activating PKA pathway to ameliorate obesity

Introduction: The global prevalence of obesity is rising rapidly. Conversion of white adipose tissue (WAT) into beige adipose tissue with heat-consuming characteristics, i.e., WAT browning, effectively inhibits obesity. Dai-Zong-Fang (DZF), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has long been used to treat metabolic syndrome and obesity. This study aimed to explore the pharmacological mechanism of DZF against obesity. Methods: In vivo, C57BL/6J mice were fed high-fat diets to establish the diet-induced obese (DIO) model. DZF (0.40 g/kg and 0.20 g/kg) and metformin (0.15 g/kg, positive control drug) were used as intervention drugs for six weeks, respectively. The effects of DZF on body size, blood glucose and lipid level, structure and morphology of adipocytes and browning of inguinal WAT (iWAT) in DIO mice were observed. In vitro, mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes were used as the model. Concentrations of DZF (0.8 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL) were selected according to the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8). After 2d intervention, lipid droplet morphology was observed by BODIPY493/503 staining, and mitochondria number was observed by mito-tracker Green staining. H-89 dihydrochloride, a PKA inhibitor, was used to observe the change in browning markers' expression. The expression levels of browning markers UCP1 and PGC-1α and key molecules of PKA pathway were detected in vivo and in vitro. Results: In vivo, compared with vehicle control group, 0.40 g/kg DZF significantly reduced obesity in DIO mice from body weight, abdomen circumference, Lee's index, and WAT/body weight (p < 0.01 or p < 0.001). 0.40 g/kg DZF also significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p < 0.01 or p < 0.001). The iWAT's morphology and mitochondria were browning after DZF intervention. In HE-staining, the lipid droplets became smaller, and the number of mitochondria increased. The mitochondrial structure was remodeled under the electron microscope. The expression of UCP1, PGC-1α and PKA was elevated in iWAT detected by RT-qPCR (p < 0.05 or p < 0.001). In vitro, compared with the control group, 0.8 mg/mL DZF intervention significantly increased the number of mitochondria and expression of UCP1, PGC-1α, PKA, and pCREB (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). In contrast, UCP1 and PGC-1α expression were significantly reversed after adding PKA inhibitor H-89 dihydrochloride. Conclusion: DZF can promote UCP1 expression by activating the PKA pathway, thereby promoting browning of WAT, attenuating obesity, and reducing obesity-related glucose and lipid metabolism abnormalities, indicating that DZF has the potential to be selected as an anti-obesity drug to benefit obese patients.

Geniposide ameliorates atherosclerosis by regulating macrophage polarization via perivascular adipocyte-derived CXCL14

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gardenia jasminoides Ellis is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for treatment of various diseases, including atherosclerosis by clearing heat and detoxication. Geniposide is considered as the effective compounds responsible for the therapeutic efficacy of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis against atherosclerosis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the effect of geniposide on atherosclerosis burden and plaque macrophage polarization, with focus on its potential impact on CXCL14 expression by perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ApoE^-/- mice fed a western diet (WD) were used to model atherosclerosis. In vitro cultures of mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and RAW264.7 macrophages were used for molecular assays.

RESULTS

The results revealed that geniposide treatment reduced atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE^-/- mice, and this effect was correlated with increased M2 and decreased M1 polarization of plaque macrophages. Of note, geniposide increased the expression of CXCL14 in PVAT, and both the anti-atherosclerotic effect of geniposide, as well as its regulatory influence on macrophage polarization, were abrogated upon in vivo CXCL14 knockdown. In line with these findings, exposure to conditioned medium from geniposide-treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes (or to recombinant CXCL14 protein) enhanced M2 polarization in interleukin-4 (IL-4) treated RAW264.7 macrophages, and this effect was negated after CXCL14 silencing in 3T3-L1 cells.

CONCLUSION

In summary, our findings suggest that geniposide protects ApoE^-/- mice against WD-induced atherosclerosis by inducing M2 polarization of plaque macrophages via enhanced expression of CXCL14 in PVAT. These data provide novel insights into PVAT paracrine function in atherosclerosis and reaffirm geniposide as a therapeutic drug candidate for atherosclerosis treatment.

Polymethoxyflavone-Enriched Fraction from Ougan (Citrus reticulata cv. Suavissima) Attenuated Diabetes and Modulated Gut Microbiota in Diabetic KK-Ay Mice

Diabetes mellitus is a serious, chronic disease worldwide; yet it is largely preventable through physical activity and healthy diets. Ougan (Citrus reticulata cv. Suavissima) is a characteristic citrus variety rich in polymethoxyflavones. In the present study, the anti-diabetic effects of the polymethoxyflavone-enriched fraction from Ougan (OG-PMFs) were investigated. Diabetic KK-A^y mice were supplemented with different doses of OG-PMFs for 5 weeks. Our results demonstrated that OG-PMFs exhibited robust protective effects against diabetes symptoms in KK-A^y mice. The potential mechanisms may partially be attributed to the restoration of hepatic GLUT2 and catalase expression. Notably, OG-PMF administration significantly altered the gut microbiota composition in diabetic KK-A^y, indicated by the suppression of metabolic disease-associated genera Desulfovibrio, Lachnoclostridium, Enterorhabdus, and Ralstonia, implying that the gut microbiota might be another target for OG-PMFs to show effects. Taken together, our results provided a supplementation for the metabolic-protective effects of PMFs and highlighted that OG-PMFs hold great potential to be developed as a functional food ingredient.

Emerging technologies for preservation and quality evaluation of postharvest edible mushrooms: A review

Edible mushrooms are the highly demanded foods of which production and consumption have been steadily increasing globally. Owing to the quality loss and short shelf-life in harvested mushrooms, it is necessary for the implementation of effective preservation and intelligent evaluation technologies to alleviate this issue. The aim of this review was to analyze the development and innovation thematic lines, topics, and trends by bibliometric analysis and review of the literature methods. The challenges faced in researching these topics were proposed and the mechanisms of quality loss in mushrooms during storage were updated. This review summarized the effects of chemical processing (antioxidants, ozone, and coatings), physical treatments (non-thermal plasma, packaging and latent thermal storage) and other emerging application on the quality of fresh mushrooms while discussing the efficiency in extending the shelf-life. It also discussed the emerging evaluation techniques based on the various chemometric methods and computer vision system in monitoring the freshness and predicting the shelf-life of mushrooms which have been developed. Preservation technology optimization and dynamic quality evaluation are vital for achieving mushroom quality control. This review can provide a comprehensive research reference for reducing mushroom quality loss and extending shelf-life, along with optimizing efficiency of storage and transportation operations.

Metagenomic and Untargeted Metabolomic Analysis of the Effect of Sporisorium reilianum Polysaccharide on Improving Obesity

Gut microbiota plays an important role in the pathophysiology of obesity. Fungal polysaccharide can improve obesity, but the potential mechanism needs further study. This experiment studied the potential mechanism of polysaccharides from Sporisorium reilianum (SRP) to improve obesity in male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) using metagenomics and untargeted metabolomics. After 8 weeks of SRP (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day) intervention, we analyzed the related index of obesity, gut microbiota, and untargeted metabolomics of rats. The obesity and serum lipid levels of rats treated with SRP were reduced, and lipid accumulation in the liver and adipocyte hypertrophy was improved, especially in rats treated with a high dose of SRP. SRP improved the composition and function of gut microbiota in rats fed with a high-fat diet, and decreased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroides at the phylum level. At the genus level, the abundance of Lactobacillus increased and that of Bacteroides decreased. At the species level, the abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus helveticus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus increased, while the abundance of Lactobacillus reuteri and Staphylococcus xylosus decreased. The function of gut microbiota mainly regulated lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism. The untargeted metabolomics indicated that 36 metabolites were related to the anti-obesity effect of SRP. Furthermore, linoleic acid metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, and the phenylalanine metabolism pathway played a role in improving obesity in those treated with SRP. The study results suggest that SRP significantly alleviated obesity via gut-microbiota-related metabolic pathways, and SRP could be used for the prevention and treatment of obesity.

Rutin alleviates colon lesions and regulates gut microbiota in diabetic mice

Diabetes is a common metabolic disorder that has become a major health problem worldwide. In this study, we investigated the role of rutin in attenuating diabetes and preventing diabetes-related colon lesions in mice potentially through regulation of gut microbiota. The rutin from tartary buckwheat as analyzed by HPLC was administered intragastrically to diabetic mice, and then the biochemical parameters, overall community structure and composition of gut microbiota in diabetic mice were assayed. The results showed that rutin lowered serum glucose and improved serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride concentrations, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and serum insulin in diabetic mice. Notably, rutin obviously alleviated colon lesions in diabetic mice. Moreover, rutin also significantly regulated gut microbiota dysbiosis and enriched beneficial microbiota, such as Akkermansia (p < 0.05). Rutin selectively increased short-chain fatty acid producing bacteria, such as Alistipes (p < 0.05) and Roseburia (p < 0.05), and decreased the abundance of diabetes-related gut microbiota, such as Escherichia (p < 0.05) and Mucispirillum (p < 0.05). Our data suggested that rutin exerted an antidiabetic effect and alleviated colon lesions in diabetic mice possibly by regulating gut microbiota dysbiosis, which might be a potential mechanism through which rutin alleviates diabetes-related symptoms.

The Hypolipidemic Characteristics of a Methanol Extract of Fermented Green Tea and Spore of Eurotium cristatum SXHBTBU1934 in Golden Hamsters

Fuzhuan brick tea (FBT), a distinctive Chinese dark tea with the predominant fungus of Eurotium cristatum, offered significant health benefits to Chinese people. In the current study, the in vivo bioactivities of E. cristatum (SXHBTBU1934) fermented green tea and spores of E. cristatum fermented on wheat were investigated, respectively. The methanol extract of fermented green tea and spore of E. cristatum both showed potent lipid-lowering activity in the blood of a high-fat diet induced hyperlipidemia model in golden hamsters and significantly reduced the accumulation of fat granules in the liver. These results indicated that the key active components were produced by E. cristatum. Chemical investigations suggested similar components in the two extracts and led to the identification of a new alkaloid, namely variecolorin P (1), along with four known structurally related compounds, (-)-neoechinulin A (2), neoechinulin D (3), variecolorin G (4), and echinulin (5). The structure of the new alkaloid was elucidated by HRESIMS, 1H, 13C, and 2D NMR analysis. The lipid-lowering activity of these compounds was evaluated using an oleic acid-induced HepG2 cell line model. Compound 1 significantly reduced the lipid accumulation in the HepG2 cell line with an IC50 value of 0.127 μM.

Lemon fermented products prevent obesity in high-fat diet-fed rats by modulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota

Citrus limon (lemon) possesses immunoregulatory, antioxidant, and lipid-lowering effects. Our previous study showed that lemon fermented products (LFP) which were lemon fermented with Lactobacillus OPC1 had the ability to avert obesity. However, the LFP effects on the pathway of lipid metabolism by gut microbiota were still unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the LFP effects on liver lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in a rat model of obesity caused by a high-calorie diet. LFP effectively reduced the total triglyceride (49.7%) and total cholesterol (53.3%) contents of the liver. Additionally, the mRNA levels of genes related to triglyceride metabolism (SREBP-1c, PPARγ, and ACC), cholesterol metabolism (HMG-CoA reductase, ACAT, and LCAT), and lipid β-oxidation (PPARα, and CPT-1) were regulated by LFP. Furthermore, LFP reduced the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and enhanced the ratio of Firmicutes Clostridia. Overall, these findings suggested that LFP might use as a potential dietary supplement for preventing obesity by modulating the lipid metabolism and improving the gut microbiota.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of four major compounds after oral administration of Mori Cortex total flavonoid extract in normal and diabetic rats

Introduction: Mori Cortex has been used in traditional Chinese Medicine as an antidiabetic agent. The aim of this study was to establish a UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of morin, morusin, umbelliferone and mulberroside A in rat plasma and investigate the pharmacokinetics differences between normal and diabetic rats following oral administration of Mori Cortex total flavonoid extract. Methods: Samples were pre-treated by protein precipitation and genkwanin was used as internal standard. Chromatographic separation was performed using a Hypersil GOLD C₁₈ column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 3 μm). The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water (containing 0.1% formic acid) in gradient mode at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. The transitions of m/z 300.9→107.1, m/z 419.3→297.1, m/z 160.9→77.0, m/z 567.1→243.2 and m/z 283.1→268.2 were selected for morin, morusin, umbelliferone, mulberroside A and internal standard, respectively. Results: The intra- and inter-day precision for analytes were less than 12.5% and the accuracy ranged from -8.1% to 3.5%. The extraction recovery was >88.5% and no obvious matrix effect was observed. The AUC _(0-t) and C _max of morin were 501.3 ± 115.5 ng/mL*h and 127.8 ± 56.0 ng/mL in normal rats and 717.3 ± 117.4 ng/ml*h and 218.6 ± 33.5 ng/ml in diabetic rats. Meanwhile, the AUC _(0-t) and C _max of morusin were 116.4 ± 38.2 ng/ml*h and 16.8 ± 10.1 ng/mL in normal rats and 325.0 ± 87.6 ng/mL*h and 39.2 ± 5.9 ng/ml in diabetic rats. For umbelliferone and mulberroside A, the AUC _(0-t) and C _max also increased significantly in diabetic rats (p < 0.05). Discussion: The validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study in normal and diabetic rats.

Lentinus squarrosulus Mont. Mushroom: Molecular Identification, In vitro Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Obesity, and Cytotoxicity Assessment

Objectives

Mushrooms are fungi with nutritional and health benefits. Lentinus squarrosulus Mont., an edible fungus, has traditional usage and relevance in local therapy for managing metabolic diseases. In that view, this study aimed to evaluate the in vitro anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and cytotoxic potential of the chloroform/methanol extract (CME) and aqueous extract (AE) of the mushroom.

Materials and Methods

L. squarrosulus was identified using molecular biology tools. The CME and AE were obtained sequentially and, then, subjected to α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase inhibitory enzyme assays as well as total phenolic content (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC) estimations. The cytotoxic potential of extract fractions of L. squarrosulus was assessed using the brine shrimp lethality assay.

Results

The molecular identification of the mushroom displayed that the internal transcribed spacer sequence was an equivalent match to that of L. squarrosulus with a high percentage similarity, and thus assigned a unique accession number (KT120043.1). The CME of L. squarrosulus had higher TPC, TFC, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than AE. Furthermore, AE of the mushroom showed a higher lipase inhibitory potential with an IC₅₀ value of 22.28 ± 0.65 μg/mL than the CME, while that of the reference, i.e. orlistat was 2.28 ± 0.34 μg/mL. However, these extracts exhibited very low or no α-amylase inhibitory and cytotoxic activity at the tested concentrations.

Conclusion

This study reveals that CME of L. squarrosulus, rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, possesses considerable α-glucosidase and lipase inhibitory activities.

Eurotium cristatum reduces obesity by alleviating gut microbiota dysbiosis and modulating lipid and energy metabolism

BACKGROUND

Fuzhuan brick tea (FBT) has been shown to prevent obesity, but little is known about the effect of Eurotium cristatum, a critical fungus from FBT. This study examined the effects of live E. cristatum on lipid metabolism and gut microbiota composition in high-fat (HF) diet-induced obese mice.

RESULTS

Male HF diet-fed mice were treated with E. cristatum for 12 weeks. The results showed that E. cristatum administration caused strong inhibition against HF-induced body weight gain, dyslipidemia and liver oxidative stress damage. Additionally, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in phylum level and six types of bacterial including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) producing bacteria in genus level were found to be significantly changed in E. cristatum treated mice as compared to HF fed mice. As expected, E. cristatum could increase total SCFAs levels in feces. Interestingly, E. cristatum markedly increased the proportion of Akkermansia to resist obesity. Functional prediction analysis indicated that E. cristatum changed lipid and energy metabolism. Furthermore, E. cristatum ingestion can modulate hepatic acetyl-coa carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), sterol-regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) and adipose uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) expression.

CONCLUSION

Conclusively, these findings suggest that E. cristatum can prevent the HF-induced lipid accumulation and other complications by modulating gut microbiota, lipid and energy metabolism. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Resveratrol Inhibits Insulin-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Migration by Activating SIRT1

Abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are essential for the development of hypertension. Insulin has been identified to promote VSMC proliferation and migration; resveratrol has been shown to have protective effects against cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of resveratrol on insulin-induced VSMC proliferation and migration and its potential mechanism. VSMC proliferation was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), cell counting method, and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay. Cell migration was detected by wound healing assay and transwell method. Expression of silent information regulator of transcription 1 (SIRT1) and phosphorylation levels of signaling molecules, such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt), in VSMCs were detected by Western blotting. Resveratrol (25-150 μM) was found to inhibit insulin-induced VSMC proliferation. Pretreatment with 100 μM resveratrol reduced insulin (100 nM)-mediated VSMC migration. LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, inhibited the stimulatory effect of insulin (100 nM) on the proliferation of VSMCs. Treatment with resveratrol also decreased insulin-induced stimulatory effect on PI3K and Akt phosphorylation levels. Moreover, resveratrol treatment increased SIRT1 protein expression in VSMCs. A SIRT1 inhibitor, EX527, reversed the inhibitory effect of resveratrol on insulin-induced VSMC proliferation and migration and activation of PI3K and Akt phosphorylation levels. In conclusion, our study revealed that treatment with resveratrol inhibited insulin-mediated VSMC proliferation and migration, possibly by activating SIRT1 and downregulating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Structural and functional dysbiosis of gut microbiota in Tibetan subjects with coronary heart disease

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in coronary heart disease (CHD). However, only a few studies focusing on the relationship between gut microbiota and CHD in ethnic populations are available. Here, we employed shotgun sequencing of the gut metagenome to analyze the taxonomic composition and functional annotation of the gut microbiota of 14 CHD patients, 13 patients with non-stenosis coronary heart disease (NCHD), and 18 healthy controls (HT) in Tibetan subjects. We found that the α-diversity of the gut microbiota was not significantly different among the three groups., whereas β-diversity was significantly altered in the CHD group compared with HT. Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria species effectively distinguished patients with CHD from the control group. Most of the enriched species belonged to Proteobacteria. The pathways that contributed the most to the differences between groups were amino acid metabolism-related pathways, especially lysine biosynthesis. The enzymes of the lysine biosynthesis pathway, including K01714 and K00821, were significantly decreased in the CHD group. Our findings increase the understanding of the association between CHD pathogenesis and gut microbiota in the Tibetan population, thus paving the way for the development of improved diagnostic methods and treatments for Tibetan patients with CHD.

Preventive Effects of Different Black and Dark Teas on Obesity and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Modulate Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet Fed Mice

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a leading public health challenge and is closely associated with metabolic syndromes, such as obesity. Intestinal microbiota dysbiosis could play a vital role in the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD. Tea is the second most popular health drink in the world behind water, and exhibits many health-promoting effects. In this study, the protective effects of different black and dark teas on NAFLD induced by long-term high-fat diet (HFD) exposure and their regulation of gut microbiota were evaluated and explored. The results indicated that supplementation with different black and dark tea extracts could significantly suppress the energy intake, alleviate abnormal accumulation of visceral fat, and prevent obesity, hepatic abnormal lipid deposition and liver steatosis in HFD-fed mice at varying degrees. In addition, Dianhong tea and Liupao tea interventions could significantly decrease the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, and selenium-enriched black tea and selenium-enriched dark rea supplementation could remarkably reduce the relative abundance of Actinobacteria compared to the model group. Moreover, these teas could partly shift the relative abundances of Allobaculum, Roseburia and Dubosiella. Taken together, black teas and dark teas could prevent HFD-induced features of obesity and NAFLD, which might partly be due to the modulation of gut microbiota.

Weight Control Registry Using Korean Medicine: A Protocol for a Prospective Registry Study

Lifestyle and physical characteristics affect body weight, and understanding these factors improves the precision of weight loss treatment. Many obese patients in Korea are receiving Korean medicine (KM) treatment, including herbal medicine and acupuncture, for weight loss. However, the real-world data (RWD) are insufficient in terms of being longitudinal and diverse. Weight Control Registry using KM is a prospective registry study that enrolls patients receiving KM treatment for weight loss and collects RWD from multiple clinics. The patients who are eligible for this study are aged 19-65 years, receive KM weight loss treatment, understand the study objectives, and consent voluntarily. Clinical data of patient characteristics and KM treatment patterns will be regularly collected until 2026. The longitudinal accumulation of various RWD will establish a high-quality study database for KM weight loss treatment. With this study, we expect to contribute to understanding the current trend of weight loss treatment with KM and solve further questions regarding this treatment.

Functional Complementation of Anti-Adipogenic Phytonutrients for Obesity Prevention and Management

Obesity is an established risk factor for metabolic disease. This study explores the functional complementation of anti-adipogenic phytonutrients for obesity prevention and management. Nine phytonutrients were selected based on their ability to affect the expression of one or more selected adipogenic biomarker proteins. The phytonutrients include berberine, luteolin, resveratrol, fisetin, quercetin, fucoidan, epigallocatechin gallate, hesperidin, and curcumin. The selected adipogenic biomarker proteins include PPARɣ, SREBP1c, FASN, PLIN1, FABP4, and β-catenin. Individually, phytonutrients had variable effects on the expression level of selected adipogenic biomarker proteins. Collectively, the functional complementation of nine phytonutrients suppressed de novo fatty acid biosynthesis via the negative regulation of PPARɣ, FASN, PLIN1, and FABP4 expression; activated glycolysis via the positive regulation of SREBP1c expression; and preserved cell–cell adhesion via the inhibition of β-catenin degradation. In primary human subcutaneous preadipocytes, the composition of nine phytonutrients had more potent and longer lasting anti-adipogenic effects compared to individual phytonutrients. In a diet-induced obesity murine model, the composition of nine phytonutrients improved glucose tolerance and reduced weight gain, liver steatosis, visceral adiposity, circulating triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The functional complementation of anti-adipogenic phytonutrients provides an effective approach toward engineering novel therapeutics for the prevention and management of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Yeast mannoproteins are expected to be a novel potential functional food for attenuation of obesity and modulation of gut microbiota

The yeast mannoproteins (MPs), a major component of yeast cell walls with large exploration potentiality, have been attracting increasing attention due to their beneficial effects. However, the information about the anti-obesogenic activity of MPs is still limited. Thus, the effects of MPs on the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and dysbiosis of gut microbiota were investigated in this work. The results showed that MPs could significantly attenuate the HFD-induced higher body weight, fat accumulation, liver steatosis, and damage. Simultaneously, the inflammation in HFD-induced mice was also ameliorated by MPs. The pyrosequencing analysis showed that intervention by MPs could lead to an obvious change in the structure of gut microbiota. Furthermore, the prevention of obesity by MPs is highly linked to the promotion of Parabacteroides distasonis (increased from 0.39 ± 0.12% to 2.10 ± 0.20%) and inhibition of Lactobacillus (decreased from 19.99 ± 3.94% to 2.68 ± 0.77%). Moreover, the increased level of acetate (increased from 3.28 ± 0.22 mmol/g to 7.84 ± 0.96 mmol/g) and activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPRs) by MPs may also contribute to the prevention of obesity. Thus, our preliminary findings revealed that MPs from yeast could be explored as potential prebiotics to modulate the gut microbiota and prevent HFD-induced obesity.

Asparagus cochinchinensis alleviates disturbances of lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in high-fat diet-induced obesity mice

Asparagus cochinchinensis is a valuable traditional Chinese medicine that has anti-inflammatory ability and effectively regulates the dysbiosis within the body. Obesity is usually characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation with aberrant gut microbiota. However, the role of Asparagus cochinchinensis against obesity remains unknown. Therefore, a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model with or without aqueous extract from Asparagus cochinchinensis root (ACE) treatment was established herein to determine whether ACE alleviated obesity and its involved mechanisms. Our results showed that ACE administration significantly decreased the weight gain and relieved dyslipidemia induced by HFD Treatment of ACE also improved glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in obese animal model, and remarkably decreased inflammation and lipogenesis in the liver and adipose. Moreover, administration of ACE significantly reshaped the gut microbiota of obese mice. These findings together suggest that ACE has beneficial effect against HFD-induced obesity and will provide valuable insights for the therapeutic potential of ACE against obesity and may aid in strategy-making for weight loss.

Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide promotes adipose thermogenesis and decreases obesity by shaping the gut microbiota

This study was designed to investigate the underlying mechanism of Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide (ASKP) against obesity. Here, our results showed that ASKP considerably reduced body weight gain and metabolic disorders in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that ASKP relieved the gut microbiota disorder caused by HFD and promoted the proliferation of probiotics such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Blautia. Interestingly, the fecal levels of succinate, a microbial metabolite associated with adipose thermogenesis, were dramatically elevated by ASKP treatment in obese mice. Accordingly, ASKP promoted thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and browning of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) of mice fed with a HFD, as revealed by the elevated expression of thermogenic marker genes (UCP1, CIDEA and PGC1α) in BAT and iWAT. Importantly, antibiotic treatment significantly decreased the ASKP-elevated fecal levels of succinate and further abolished the adipose thermogenesis effects of ASKP. Taken together, our results show that ASKP prevents obesity through iWAT browning and BAT activation, a mechanism that is dependent on the gut microbiota metabolism.

A Composition of Phytonutrients for Glycemic and Weight Management

Maintaining healthy body weight is an important component of any effective diabetes management plan. However, glycemic management using insulin generally leads to weight gain. In addition, weight loss medications prescribed for diabetes management are often associated with adverse side effects, which limit their long-term usage. Alternatively, nutrition intervention provides a safe, readily accessible, and inexpensive option for diabetes management. This study describes a composition of phytonutrients comprising berberine, cinnamaldehyde, and curcumin for glycemic and weight management. Functional complementarity between berberine, cinnamaldehyde, and curcumin provides an effective means to improve insulin sensitivity without increasing adiposity. In primary human omental preadipocytes, cinnamaldehyde and curcumin additively enhance insulin-stimulated activation of Akt2 and glucose uptake, whereas berberine inhibits de novo fatty acid biosynthesis and fat cell differentiation. In a diet-induced obesity murine model, a dietary supplement with berberine, cinnamaldehyde, and curcumin prevents weight gain, improves glucose tolerance, and reduces HbA1c, blood lipids, visceral adiposity, and liver steatosis. Collectively, the composition of phytonutrients comprising berberine, cinnamaldehyde, and curcumin protects against obesity and pre-diabetic conditions in a diet-induced obesity murine model. Safety and efficacy assessment of nutrition intervention using combined berberine, cinnamaldehyde, and curcumin for glycemic and weight management in future clinical trials are warranted.

Therapeutic potential of non-starch polysaccharides on type 2 diabetes: from hypoglycemic mechanism to clinical trials

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) have been reported to exert therapeutic potential on managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Various mechanisms have been proposed; however, several studies have not considered the correlations between the anti-T2DM activity of NSPs and their molecular structure. Moreover, the current understanding of the role of NSPs in T2DM treatment is mainly based on in vitro and in vivo data, and more human clinical trials are required to verify the actual efficacy in treating T2DM. The related anti-T2DM mechanisms of NSPs, including regulating insulin action, promoting glucose metabolism and regulating postprandial blood glucose level, anti-inflammatory and regulating gut microbiota (GM), are reviewed. The structure-function relationships are summarized, and the relationships between NSPs structure and anti-T2DM activity from clinical trials are highlighted. The development of anti-T2DM medication or dietary supplements of NSPs could be promoted with an in-depth understanding of the multiple regulatory effects in the treatment/intervention of T2DM.

Tartary Buckwheat Flavonoids Improve Colon Lesions and Modulate Gut Microbiota Composition in Diabetic Mice

Tartary buckwheat flavonoids (TBFs) exhibit diverse biological activities, with antioxidant, antidiabetes, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering properties. In this study, we investigated the role of TBFs in attenuating glucose and lipid disturbances in diabetic mice and hence preventing the occurrence of diabetes-related colon lesions in mice by regulating the gut microbiota. The results showed that TBFs (1) reversed blood glucose levels and body weight changes; (2) improved levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and fasting insulin; and (3) significantly reduced diabetes-related colon lesions in diabetic mice. In addition, TBFs also affected the diabetes-related imbalance of the gut microbiota and enriched beneficial microbiota, including Akkermansia and Prevotella. The TBF also selectively increased short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, including Roseburia and Odoribacter, and decreased the abundance of the diabetes-related gut microbiota, including Escherichia, Mucispirillum, and Bilophila. The correlation analysis indicated that TBFs improved metabolic parameters related to key communities of the gut microbiota. Our data suggested that TBFs alleviated glucose and lipid disturbances and improved colon lesions in diabetic mice, possibly by regulating the community composition of the gut microbiota. This regulation of the gut microbiota composition may explain the observed effects of TBFs to alleviate diabetes-related symptoms.

Cinnamaldehyde and Curcumin Prime Akt2 for Insulin-Stimulated Activation

In this study, the effects of cinnamaldehyde and curcumin on Akt2, a serine/threonine protein kinase central to the insulin signaling pathway, were examined in preadipocytes. Cinnamaldehyde or curcumin treatment increased Akt2 phosphorylation at multiple sites including T450 and Y475, but had no effect on Akt2 phosphorylation at S474, which is critical for Akt2 activation. Surprisingly, insulin treatment with cinnamaldehyde or curcumin increased p-Akt2 (S474) by 3.5-fold versus insulin treatment alone. Furthermore, combined cinnamaldehyde, curcumin, and insulin treatment increased p-Akt2 (S474) by 7-fold versus insulin treatment alone. Interestingly, cinnamaldehyde and curcumin inhibited both serine/threonine phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). Akt2 activation is a multistep process that requires phosphorylation at T450 for proper folding and maturation, and phosphorylation of both Y475 and S474 for stabilization of the catalytic domain. It is plausible that by inhibiting PP2A and PTP1B, cinnamaldehyde and curcumin increase phosphorylation at T450 and Y475, and prime Akt2 for insulin-stimulated phosphorylation at S474. Notably, the combination of a PP2A inhibitor, okadaic acid, and a PTP1B inhibitor increased p-Akt2 (S474), even in the absence of insulin. Future combinations of PP2A and PTP1B inhibitors provide a rational platform to engineer new therapeutics for insulin resistance syndrome.

Intestinal Flora Mediates Antiobesity Effect of Rutin in High-Fat-Diet Mice

SCOPE

Intestinal flora plays a critical role in the development of . Rutin is a natural flavonoid with potential prebiotic effects on regulating the intestinal flora composition that is beneficial for host health. Therefore, this study hypothesizes that rutin supplementation has beneficial effects on high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity and metabolic disorder through the modulation of intestinal flora in mice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The obesity-alleviating property of rutin using 6-week-old C57BL/6J male mice fed on HFD with or without rutin supplementation for 16 weeks is investigated. Rutin supplementation effectively reduces body-weight gain, insulin resistance, and acted favorably on the intestinal barrier, thereby reducing endotoxemia and systemic inflammation. Sequencing of 16S rRNA genes from fecal samples indicate that rutin exerted modulatory effects on HFD-induced intestinal flora disorders (e.g., rutin decreased Firmicutes abundance and increased Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia abundance). Antibiotic treatment and fecal microbiota transplantation further demonstrate that the salutary effects of rutin on obesity control are strongly dependent on the intestinal flora.

CONCLUSION

Rutin can be considered as a prebiotic agent for improving intestinal flora disorders and obesity-associated metabolic perturbations in obese individuals.

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.

Effect of Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) on Drying Kinetics and Quality Characteristics of Shiitake Mushroom

The effect of an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) drying system on the drying kinetics, microstructure and nutritional composition of shiitake mushrooms was studied. Shiitake mushroom slices were dried at 0, 18, 22, 26, 30 and 34 kV. The results showed that the drying rate, effective moisture diffusion coefficient and shrinkage of the EHD treatment group were significantly higher than those of the control group. The 34 kV treatment group had the highest drying rate (0.24 g W/g DM × h) and the highest effective moisture diffusion coefficient (1.45 × 10−6 m2/s), which were 6.75 and 7.41 times higher than those of the control group, respectively. The control group had the highest rehydration ratio (7.72) and showed unsatisfactory color performance. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that compared with the control group, the surface of samples dried by EHD exhibited different degrees of encrustation, and the area of encrustation increased with increasing voltage. After analysis by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, it was found that the samples of both the EHD-treated and control groups had similar absorption peak positions, but the intensity of the absorption peak of the EHD-dried samples was greater. Compared with the control group, the shiitake mushroom slices dried by EHD had a higher protein content and polysaccharide content. The polysaccharide content in 22 kV treatment group was the highest (4.67 g/100 g), and the protein content in 26 kV and 34 kV treatment groups was the highest (17.0 g/100 g). This study provides an experimental and theoretical basis for an in-depth study of the drying kinetics of shiitake mushrooms and provides theoretical guidance and clues for the wider application of EHD drying technology.

Ergothioneine as a Natural Antioxidant Against Oxidative Stress-Related Diseases

L-Ergothioneine (EGT) is a natural antioxidant derived from microorganisms, especially in edible mushrooms. EGT is found to be highly accumulated in tissues that are susceptible to oxidative damage, and it has attracted extensive attention due to its powerful antioxidant activity and the tight relationships of this natural product with various oxidative stress-related diseases. Herein, we 1) introduce the biological source and in vivo distribution of EGT; 2) review the currently available evidence concerning the relationships of EGT with diabetes, ischemia-reperfusion injury-related diseases like cardiovascular diseases and liver diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and other diseases pathogenically associated with oxidative stress; 3) summarize the potential action mechanisms of EGT against these diseases; 4) discuss the advantages of EGT over other antioxidants; and 5) also propose several future research perspectives for EGT. These may help to promote the future application of this attractive natural antioxidant.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of polysaccharide isolated from Sphacelotheca sorghi in diet-streptozotocin-induced T2D mice

Edible fungus has attracted great interest with many health benefits, and polysaccharides from them have shown great potentials. In this study, polysaccharides were extracted from Sphacelotheca sorghi (Link) Clint. Monosaccharide composition of S. sorghi polysaccharides (SSP) was detected by high-performance anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC) and mainly consists of glucose (70.5%), galactose (15.6%), mannose (7.2%), arabinose (5.8%), and rhamnose (0.9%). Type 2 diabetes (T2D) was induced by a high-fat, high-sugar diet-fed (HFSD) diet with streptozotocin (STZ) injection in mice, and hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic regulations of SSP were evaluated. After oral treatment of high dose of SSP (200 mg/kg/day), the fasting blood glucose (FBG) was reduced by 39.3%, the insulin resistance of T2D mice was relieved, the lipids metabolism disorder caused by diabetes was improved, and the levels of liver glycogen was increased by 34.1%, compared with the model control. Histopathological examination showed that SSP relieved liver damage. Furthermore, SSP regulated glucose and lipid metabolism by activating phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway. Overall, SPP is promising to be used as a functional food for the improvement of metabolic disorders. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: For enhancing the utilization rate and economic value of an edible fungi Sphacelotheca sorghi (Link) Clint., the total polysaccharides were isolated and used to investigate the effect of fungi in terms of balancing the levels of blood glucose and lipids. The S. sorghi polysaccharide treatment resolved the symptoms and insulin resistance in mice with diabetes, signifying its potential application in producing different functional foods for preventing or controlling diabetes.

Mushrooms on the plate: Trends towards NAFLD treatment, health improvement and sustainable diets

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a most important cause of liver disease. Similar to other non-communicable diseases (NCD), such as obesity and type II diabetes mellitus, NAFLD can strongly affected by diet. Diet-related NCD and malnutrition are rising in all regions being a major cause of the global health, economic and environmental burdens. Mushrooms, important dietary components since the hunter-gathering communities, have increasingly gained momentum in biomedical research and therapeutics due to their interplay in metabolism traits. We emphasize here the beneficial effects of mushroom-enriched diets on the homeostasis of lipid and sugar metabolism, including their modulation, but also interfering with insulin metabolism, gut microbiota, inflammation, oxidative stress and autophagy. In this review, we describe the cellular and molecular mechanisms at the gut-liver axis and the liver-white adipose tissue (WAT) axis, that plausibly cause such positive modulation, and discuss the potential of mushroom-enriched diets to prevent or ameliorate NAFLD and related NCD, also within the shift needed towards healthy sustainable diets.