Recent advances on cyanidin-3-O-glucoside in preventing obesity-related metabolic disorders: A comprehensive review

Anthocyanins, found in various pigmented plants as secondary metabolites, represent a class of dietary polyphenols known for their bioactive properties, demonstrating health-promoting effects against several chronic diseases. Among these, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) is one of the most prevalent types of anthocyanins. Upon consumption, C3G undergoes phases I and II metabolism by oral epithelial cells, absorption in the gastric epithelium, and gut transformation (phase II & microbial metabolism), with limited amounts reaching the bloodstream. Obesity, characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, is a global health concern associated with heightened risks of disability, illness, and mortality. This comprehensive review delves into the biodegradation and absorption dynamics of C3G within the gastrointestinal tract. It meticulously examines the latest research findings, drawn from in vitro and in vivo models, presenting evidence underlining C3G's bioactivity. Notably, C3G has demonstrated significant efficacy in combating obesity, by regulating lipid metabolism, specifically decreasing lipid synthesis, increasing fatty acid oxidation, and reducing lipid accumulation. Additionally, C3G enhances energy homeostasis by boosting energy expenditure, promoting the activity of brown adipose tissue, and stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis. Furthermore, C3G shows potential in managing various prevalent obesity-related conditions. These include cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and hypertension through the suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, enhancement of endogenous antioxidant enzyme levels, and inhibition of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and by exercising its cardioprotective and vascular effects by decreasing pulmonary artery thickness and systolic pressure which enhances vascular relaxation and angiogenesis. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and insulin resistance (IR) are also managed by reducing gluconeogenesis via AMPK pathway activation, promoting autophagy, protecting pancreatic β-cells from oxidative stress and enhancing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Additionally, C3G improves insulin sensitivity by upregulating GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 expression and regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway. C3G exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and shifting macrophage polarization from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. C3G demonstrates antioxidative effects by enhancing the expression of antioxidant enzymes, reducing ROS production, and activating the Nrf2/AMPK signaling pathway. Moreover, these mechanisms also contribute to attenuating inflammatory bowel disease and regulating gut microbiota by decreasing Firmicutes and increasing Bacteroidetes abundance, restoring colon length, and reducing levels of inflammatory cytokines. The therapeutic potential of C3G extends beyond metabolic disorders; it has also been found effective in managing specific cancer types and neurodegenerative disorders. The findings of this research can provide an important reference for future investigations that seek to improve human health through the use of naturally occurring bioactive compounds.

Effects of mixed extract from two tropical plants on gut microbiome and metabolome in piglets

In this study, we performed a quantitative analysis of 12 compounds derived from Piper sarmentosum extract (PSE) and guava leaf extract (GE). In addition, we investigated the effects of mixed extract (ME) of PSE and GE (1:1) on piglets' gut microbiome and metabolome. A total of 200 piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Large Yorkshire, 21-day-old) were randomly assigned into two groups with five replicates of 20 piglets/pen having the same initial body weight. Piglets were fed a basal diet supplemented with ME at 0 (T0) or 200 mg/kg (T1) for 3 weeks. The quantitation results by ultraperformance liquid chromatography linked to triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry showed that vitexin 2-O-rhamnoside and pellitorine were the greatest abundant among six compounds detected in the PSE. In addition, quercetin, isoquercitrin and avicularin were found to be the richest of all detected compounds in the GE. Findings on experimental animals indicated that three differential metabolites, comprising L-alanine, sarcosine and dihydrofolic acid, in T1 compared with T0 groups, have exactly opposite levels trends in serum and faeces. Moreover, two metabolic pathways (i.e., urea cycle and glutamate metabolism) differed significantly in the serum and faeces of piglets between T0 and T1 (p < 0.05). At the same time, T1 had significantly higher relative abundances of Agathobacter and Alloprevotella than T0 at genus level (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that the genus Agathobacter correlated positively with carbamoyl phosphate (p < 0.01) and oxoglutaric acid (p < 0.05), and negatively with succinic acid (p < 0.01) and ornithine (p < 0.05). These four differential metabolites were also involved in the urea cycle and/or glutamate metabolism pathways. The results here indicated that the tested plant extract mixture represents a worthy feed additive with obvious antioxidative properties.

Microbial tryptophan catabolism as an actionable target via diet-microbiome interactions

In recent years, the role of microbial tryptophan (Trp) catabolism in host-microbiota crosstalk has become a major area of scientific interest. Microbiota-derived Trp catabolites positively contribute to intestinal and systemic homeostasis by acting as ligands of aryl hydrocarbon receptor and pregnane X receptor, and as signaling molecules in microbial communities. Accumulating evidence suggests that microbial Trp catabolism could be therapeutic targets in treating human diseases. A number of bacteria and metabolic pathways have been identified to be responsible for the conversion of Trp in the intestine. Interestingly, many Trp-degrading bacteria can benefit from the supplementation of specific dietary fibers and polyphenols, which in turn increase the microbial production of beneficial Trp catabolites. Thus, this review aims to highlight the emerging role of diets and food components, i.e., food matrix, fiber, and polyphenol, in modulating the microbial catabolism of Trp and discuss the opportunities for potential therapeutic interventions via specifically designed diets targeting the Trp-microbiome axis.

The Evaluation of the Phytochemical Profiles and Antioxidant and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities of Four Herbal Teas Originating from China: A Comparative Analysis of Aqueous and Ethanol Infusions

Recent research has demonstrated the positive impact of herbal tea consumption on postprandial blood glucose regulation. This study conducts a comparative analysis of aqueous and ethanol extractions on four herbal teas (Mallotus, Cyclocarya, Rubus, and Vine) to assess their phytochemical profiles and functional attributes. Phytochemical contents, antioxidant activities, α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, and chemical compositions are investigated via colorimetric analyses and UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS/MS, respectively. Results indicate that Vine, among the teas studied, exhibits the most pronounced glucose-regulating effects under both extraction methods. While ethanol extractions yield higher phytochemical content overall, the compositions vary. Conversely, aqueous extracts demonstrate unexpectedly potent antioxidant activities and comparable α-glucosidase inhibitory activities to ethanol extracts. Phytochemical contents correlate positively with antioxidant activities and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. However, antioxidant activities exhibit a weak positive correlation with α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. These findings provide evidence that aqueous extracts from herbal teas contain valuable phytochemical compositions beneficial for antioxidants and individuals with hyperglycemia, suggesting their potential as functional ingredients to enhance the nutritional value of herbal food products.

Coumarin Glycosides Reverse Enterococci-Facilitated Enteric Infections

Commensal enterococci with pathogenic potential often facilitate the growth of diverse pathogens, thereby exacerbating infections. However, there are few effective therapeutic strategies to prevent and intervene in enterococci-mediated polymicrobial infections. Here, we find that enterococci at high density drive the expansion and pathogenicity of enteric Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium (S. Tm). Subsequently, we show that the driving role of enterococci in such infections is counteracted by dietary coumarin glycosides in vivo. Enterococci, which are tolerant of iron-deficient environments, produce β-glucosidases to hydrolyze coumarin glycosides into bioactive aglycones, inhibiting S. Tm growth and ameliorating the severity of S. Tm-induced symptoms by inducing iron limitation. Overall, we demonstrate that coumarin glycosides as a common diet effectively reverse enterococci-facilitated enteric infections, providing an alternative intervention to combat polymicrobial infections.

Dietary fiber and polyphenols from whole grains: effects on the gut and health improvements

Cereals are the main source of energy in the human diet. Compared to refined grains, whole grains retain more beneficial components, including dietary fiber, polyphenols, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Dietary fiber and bound polyphenols (biounavailable) in cereals are important active substances that can be metabolized by the gut microorganisms and affect the intestinal environment. There is a close relationship between the gut microbiota structures and various disease phenotypes, although the consistency of this link is affected by many factors, and the specific mechanisms are still unclear. Remodeling unfavorable microbiota is widely recognized as an important way to target the gut and improve diseases. This paper mainly reviews the interaction between the gut microbiota and cereal-derived dietary fiber and polyphenols, and also summarizes the changes to the gut microbiota and possible molecular mechanisms of related glycolipid metabolism. The exploration of single active ingredients in cereals and their synergistic health mechanisms will contribute to a better understanding of the health benefits of whole grains. It will further help promote healthier whole grain foods by cultivating new varieties with more potential and optimizing processing methods.

Can essential fatty acids (EFAs) prevent and ameliorate post-COVID-19 long haul manifestations?

It is hypothesized that COVID-19, post-COVID and post-mRNA COVID-19 (and other related) vaccine manifestations including "long haul syndrome" are due to deficiency of essential fatty acids (EFAs) and dysregulation of their metabolism. This proposal is based on the observation that EFAs and their metabolites can modulate the swift immunostimulatory response of SARS-CoV-2 and similar enveloped viruses, suppress inappropriate cytokine release, possess cytoprotective action, modulate serotonin and bradykinin production and other neurotransmitters, inhibit NF-kB activation, regulate cGAS-STING pathway, modulate gut microbiota, inhibit platelet activation, regulate macrophage and leukocyte function, enhance wound healing and facilitate tissue regeneration and restore homeostasis. This implies that administration of EFAs could be of benefit in the prevention and management of COVID-19 and its associated complications.

Exploring the bioaccessibility and intestinal absorption of major classes of pure phenolic compounds using in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion

The bioaccessibility and bioavailability of phenolic compounds (PC) influence directly their role in disease prevention/control. Studies have evaluated this ability through complex plant and food matrices, which may reflect more a synergistic effect of the matrix than the ability of the PCs, hindering their individual exploitation in nutraceutical or pharmaceutical applications. In the present study ten pure PCs representing major classes were evaluated for their bioaccessibility and intestinal absorption in an in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGD). This is the first study concerning the bioaccessibility evaluation of pure phloretin, phloroglucinol, naringin, naringenin and daidzein, while no in vitro SGD has been performed before for the other compounds considered here. PCs were analyzed through ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection and tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-MSn). Most of the compounds remained present along the gastrointestinal tract, and the bioaccessibility was in general higher than 50%, except for quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate, and ellagic acid. All compounds were highly absorbed in the intestine, with phloretin showing the lowest percentage at about 82%. The study findings provide new knowledge on the bioaccessibility and intestinal absorption of different PCs classes.

Light influences the effect of exogenous ethylene on the phenolic composition of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes

The gaseous phytohormone ethylene (ETH) plays a key role in plant growth and development, and is a major regulator of phenolic biosynthesis. Light has long been known to influence phytohormone signaling transduction. However, whether light influences the effect of ETH on the phenolic composition of grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) is an open question. Here, the accumulation and composition of anthocyanins and non-anthocyanin phenolics were analyzed in Cabernet Sauvignon grapes under four treatments: light exposure with and without ETH treatment, and box-shading with and without ETH treatment. Both light and ETH promoted ripening, decreased the color index (L*, C*, and h*), and accelerated the color change from green to red and purplish red. Sunlight-exposed grapes had the highest contents of most anthocyanins, flavonols, flavan-3-ols, and hydroxybenzoic acids. In addition, light exposure increased the ratios of 3'5'-substituted/3'-substituted anthocyanins and flavonols, but decreased the ratios of methoxylated/non-methoxylated and acylated/non-acylated anthocyanins and flavan-3-ols. Notably, the effects of ETH were influenced by light exposure. Specifically, ETH treatment promoted anthocyanin and non-anthocyanin biosynthesis in light-exposed grapes, and their increasing multiples were remarkably higher under light-exposed conditions. Furthermore, ETH treatment decreased the ratios of methoxylated/non-methoxylated, 3'5'-substituted/3'-substituted, and acylated/non-acylated anthocyanins and flavan-3-ols in light-exposed grapes, each of which was increased by ETH treatment in shaded grapes. Fifteen differential phenolic components were identified through partial least-squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Among them, cyanidin-3-O-(cis-6-O-coumaryl)-glucoside, petunidin-3-O-(6-O-acetyl)-glucoside, petunidin-3-O-(trans-6-O-coumaryl)-glucoside, petunidin-3-O-glucoside, myricetin-3-O-galactoside, kaempferol-3-O-galactoside, and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside were the main differential components between ETH treatments under different light conditions. This study contributes to the understanding of the impact of ethylene treatment under dark and light conditions on phenolic synthesis in grape berries.

Effects of Peanuts and Pistachios on Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Syndrome: A Review

There is growing evidence that the gut microbiota is associated with various aspects of human health, including immune system regulation, vitamin synthesis, short-chain fatty acid production, etc. Peanuts and pistachios are foods rich in protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, polyphenols, and other dietary components that have been shown to benefit the gut microbiota. Therefore, this review aims to describe the effects of consuming peanuts and pistachios on the gut microbiota and the potential role of these microbiota in human health. This review suggests that the consumption of peanuts or pistachios can demonstrate the potential to exert a beneficial effect on the gut microbiota by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that produce, for example, short-chain fatty acids that are beneficial for human health. In the case of peanuts, in particular, the possible modulation of the microbiota is associated with an improvement in the risk factors of metabolic syndrome and the inflammatory process triggered by a high-fat diet.

Impact of ultrasonication on the contents, profiles and biofunctional properties of free and bound phenolics from white desert truffle (Tirmania nivea) and its protein fractions

The molecular and biofunctional properties of protein and phenolic fractions in edible truffles remain largely unknown. This study examined the effect of ultrasonication on the contents, profiles, and bioactive properties of free and bound phenolics (FP and BP) from desert truffle (Tirmania nivea) and its protein fractions. Protein fractions from the Osborne extraction scheme were biochemically and structurally characterized. The albumin fraction showed the highest abundance (16.8%) and yield (35.8%). Total phenolic contents were the highest in non-sonicated samples (3.5-34.1 mg/g), particularly in the albumin fraction and in whole truffle. FP extracted at 30 °C (FP-30 °C) accounted for the largest proportion of total phenolics in all protein fractions, whereas BP-30 °C and FP-60 °C were predominant in non-sonicated and sonicated truffle, respectively. The highest antioxidant activity was obtained with FP-30 °C extracts from non-sonicated albumins, globulins and truffle (91.9, 72.7 and 30.0%), followed by BP-30 °C from non-sonicated albumins (25.4%) and FP-60 °C from sonicated glutelins-1 (24.2%). High inhibition of α-amylase was evidenced in several extracts, including FP-30 °C from non-sonicated glutelins-1 (99.2%) and FP-30 °C from sonicated globulins (72.4%). Several extracts also displayed high inhibition of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), including FP-60 °C from non-sonicated glutelins-1 (65.1%) and sonicated glutelins-1 (71.1%) and globulins (64.7%). Most extracts were rich in epicatechin, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid and catechin. Correlations between phenolic content, antioxidant activity, anti-α-amylase and anti-ACE activities were influenced by sonication. Sonication reduced the particle size of the proteins and modified their structural characteristics. These findings demonstrate that white desert truffle proteins co-occur with bioactive phenolics whose functionalities can be tailored by protein fractionation and sonication.

Encapsulation of quercetin into zein-ethyl cellulose coaxial nanofibers: Preparation, characterization and its anticancer activity

In order to efficiently improve the colon-targeted delivery of quercetin, the hydrophobic core-shell nanofibers were fabricated to encapsulate quercetin using ethyl cellulose as the shell and zein as the core by coaxial electrospinning. The encapsulation efficiency of coaxial nanofibers reached >97 %. FTIR and XRD results revealed the interactions between quercetin and wall materials and quercetin was encapsulated in an amorphous state. The thermal stability and surface hydrophobicity of coaxial nanofibers were improved compared to the uniaxial zein fibers. After in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, the quercetin release from core-shell nanofibers was <12.38 %, while the corresponding value for zein fibers was 36.24 %. DPPH and FRAP assays showed that there was no significant difference in the antioxidant activity of quercetin before and after encapsulation. Furthermore, the encapsulated quercetin exhibited similar anti-proliferative activity against HCT-116 cells compared to the free form. The results suggest these coaxial nanofibers have potential applications in functional foods.

Exploring the Influence of Gut Microbiome on Energy Metabolism in Humans

The gut microbiome has a profound influence on host physiology, including energy metabolism, which is the process by which energy from nutrients is transformed into other forms of energy to be used by the body. However, mechanistic evidence for how the microbiome influences energy metabolism is derived from animal models. In this narrative review, we included human studies investigating the relationship between gut microbiome and energy metabolism -i.e., energy expenditure in humans and energy harvest by the gut microbiome. Studies have found no consistent gut microbiome patterns associated with energy metabolism, and most interventions were not effective in modulating the gut microbiome to influence energy metabolism. To date, cause-and-effect relationships and mechanistic evidence on the impact of the gut microbiome on energy expenditure have not been established in humans. Future longitudinal observational studies and randomized controlled trials utilizing robust methodologies and advanced statistical analysis are needed. Such knowledge would potentially inform the design of therapeutic avenues and specific dietary recommendations to improve energy metabolism through gut microbiome modulation.

Antioxidant evaluation and computational prediction of prospective drug-like compounds from polyphenolic-rich extract of Hibiscus cannabinus L. seed as antidiabetic and neuroprotective targets: assessment through in vitro and in silico studies

BACKGROUND

Reports have implicated diabetes mellitus (DM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) as some of the global persistent health challenges with no lasting solutions, despite of significant inputs of modern-day pharmaceutical firms. This study therefore, aimed to appraise the in vitro antioxidant potential, enzymes inhibitory activities, and as well carry out in silico study on bioactive compounds from polyphenolic-rich extract of Hibiscus cannabinus seed (PEHc).

METHODS

In vitro antioxidant assays were performed on PEHc using standard methods while the identification of phytoconstituents was carried out with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For the in silico molecular docking using Schrodinger's Grid-based ligand docking with energetics software, seven target proteins were retrieved from the database ( https://www.rcsb.org/ ).

RESULTS

HPLC technique identified twelve chemical compounds in PEHc, while antioxidant quantification revealed higher total phenolic contents (243.5 ± 0.71 mg GAE/g) than total flavonoid contents (54.06 ± 0.09 mg QE/g) with a significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of ABTS (IC₅₀ = 218.30 ± 0.87 µg/ml) and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals (IC₅₀ = 227.79 ± 0.74 µg/ml). In a similar manner, the extract demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) inhibitory activity against α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 256.88 ± 6.15 µg/ml) and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 183.19 ± 0.23 µg/ml) as well as acetylcholinesterase (IC₅₀ = 262.95 ± 1.47 µg/ml) and butyrylcholinesterase (IC₅₀ = 189.97 ± 0.82 µg/ml), respectively. Furthermore, In silico study showed that hibiscetin (a lead) revealed a very strong binding affinity energies for DPP-4, (PDB ID: 1RWQ) and α-amylase (PDB ID: 1SMD), gamma-tocopherol ( for peptide-1 receptor; PDB ID: 3C59, AChE; PDB ID: 4EY7 and BChE; PDB ID: 7B04), cianidanol for α-glucosidase; PDB ID: 7KBJ and kaempferol for Poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP-1); PDB ID: 6BHV, respectively. More so, ADMET scores revealed drug-like potentials of the lead compounds identified in PEHc.

CONCLUSION

As a result, the findings of this study point to potential drug-able compounds in PEHc that could be useful for the management of DM and AD.

New Insights of Biological Functions of Natural Polyphenols in Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases

The intestine is critically crucial for nutrient absorption and host defense against exogenous stimuli. Inflammation-related intestinal diseases, including enteritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and colorectal cancer (CRC), are heavy burdens for human beings due to their high incidence and devastating clinical symptoms. Current studies have confirmed that inflammatory responses, along with oxidative stress and dysbiosis as critical pathogenesis, are involved in most intestinal diseases. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites derived from plants, which possess convincible anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as regulation of intestinal microbiome, indicating the potential applications in enterocolitis and CRC. Actually, accumulating studies based on the biological functions of polyphenols have been performed to investigate the functional roles and underlying mechanisms over the last few decades. Based on the mounting evidence of literature, the objective of this review is to outline the current research progress regarding the category, biological functions, and metabolism of polyphenols within the intestine, as well as applications for the prevention and treatment of intestinal diseases, which might provide ever-expanding new insights for the utilization of natural polyphenols.

Exploring the Impact of Cyanidin-3-Glucoside on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Investigating New Mechanisms for Emerging Interventions

Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), the most widely distributed anthocyanin (ACN) in edible fruits, has been proposed for several bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective, antimicrobial, anti-viral, anti-thrombotic and epigenetic actions. However, habitual intake of ACNs and C3G may vary widely among populations, regions, and seasons, among individuals with different education and financial status. The main point of C3G absorption occurs in the small and large bowel. Therefore, it has been supposed that the treating properties of C3G might affect inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). IBDs develop through complex inflammatory pathways and sometimes may be resistant to conventional treatment strategies. C3G presents antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and antimicrobial effects useful for IBD management. In particular, different studies have demonstrated that C3G inhibits NF-κB pathway activation. In addition, C3G activates the Nrf2 pathway. On the other hand, it modulates the expression of antioxidant enzymes and cytoprotective proteins, such as NAD(P)H, superoxide dismutase, heme-oxygenase (HO-1), thioredoxin, quinone reductase-oxide 1 (NQO1), catalase, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase. Interferon I and II pathways are downregulated by C3G inhibiting interferon-mediating inflammatory cascades. Moreover, C3G reduces reactive species and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as C reactive protein, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-5, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12p70, and IL-17A in UC and CD patients. Finally, C3G modulates gut microbiota by inducing an increase in beneficial gut bacteria and increasing microbial abundances, thus mitigating dysbiosis. Thus, C3G presents activities that may have potential therapeutic and protective actions against IBD. Still, in the future, clinical trials should be designed to investigate the bioavailability of C3G in IBD patients and the proper therapeutic doses through different sources, aiming to the standardization of the exact clinical outcome and efficacy of C3G.

Antioxidant properties and cytotoxic effects of selected edible plants in Southeast Asia for further use as phytogenic antioxidant additives

Excessive free radicals in human and animal bodies can cause oxidative stress (OS) which damages cells and tissues. Plant materials with high antioxidant potential would resolve the OS problem. Thus, this study proposed to investigate the total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC), antioxidant capacities and cytotoxicity in 17 edible plant materials from herbs, fruits, vegetables and plant by-products available in Southeast Asia for future use in the food or feed industry. Among 17 plant materials, Syzygium aromaticum (clove), Camellia sinensi (green tea pomace) from the beverage industry and Persicaria odorata (Vietnamese coriander) showed a prominent amount of TPC and TFC. These three plants and their combination (1:1:1 ratio, v:v:v) also possessed a remarkable antioxidant function in terms of DPPH, ABTS and FRAP, as well as showing a strong ROS inhibition through HepG2 cells. The cytotoxicity test of the crude extract of clove, green tea pomace and Vietnamese coriander, or their combination can be used between 0.032 and 0.255, 0.011 to 0.088, 0.022 to 0.178 and 0.021 to 0.346 mg/mL, respectively, without impeding cell viability. A combined mixture of clove, green tea pomace and Vietnamese coriander revealed the synergistic properties of antioxidants and cell safety. This indicates that there is a potential use of various antioxidant bioactive compounds in plant materials tested for use as phytogenic antioxidant additives.

Resistant starch utilization by Bifidobacterium, the beneficial human gut bacteria

Resistant starch (RS) reaches the large intestine largely intact, where it is fermented by the gut microbiota, resulting in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that have beneficial effects on the human body. Bifidobacteria are a major species widely used in the probiotic field, and are increased in the gut by RS, indicating their importance in RS metabolism in the intestine. Bifidobacteria have a genetic advantage in starch metabolism as they possess a significant number of starch-degrading enzymes and extraordinary three RS-degrading enzymes, allowing them to utilize RS. However, to date, only three species of RS-degrading bifidobacteria have been reported as single isolates B. adolescentis, B. choerinum, and B. pseudolongum. In this review, we describe recent studies on RS utilization by Bifidobacterium, based on their biochemical characteristics and genetic findings. This review provides a crucial understanding of how bifidobacteria survive in specific niches with abundant RS such as the human gut.

The Interaction between Flavonoids and Intestinal Microbes: A Review

In recent years, research on the interaction between flavonoids and intestinal microbes have prompted a rash of food science, nutriology and biomedicine, complying with future research trends. The gut microbiota plays an essential role in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and human health, but once the intestinal flora dysregulation occurs, it may contribute to various diseases. Flavonoids have shown a variety of physiological activities, and are metabolized or biotransformed by gut microbiota, thereby producing new metabolites that promote human health by modulating the composition and structure of intestinal flora. Herein, this review demonstrates the key notion of flavonoids as well as intestinal microbiota and dysbiosis, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding about how flavonoids regulate the diseases by gut microbiota. Emphasis is placed on the microbiota-flavonoid bidirectional interaction that affects the metabolic fate of flavonoids and their metabolites, thereby influencing their metabolic mechanism, biotransformation, bioavailability and bioactivity. Potentially by focusing on the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota as well as their metabolites such as bile acids, we discuss the influence mechanism of flavonoids on intestinal microbiota by protecting the intestinal barrier function and immune system. Additionally, the microbiota-flavonoid bidirectional interaction plays a crucial role in regulating various diseases. We explain the underlying regulation mechanism of several typical diseases including gastrointestinal diseases, obesity, diabetes and cancer, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and guideline for the promotion of gastrointestinal health as well as the treatment of diseases.

Effects of dietary restriction on genome stability are sex and feeding regimen dependent

Preserving genome stability is essential to prevent aging and cancer. Dietary restriction (DR) is the most reproducible non-pharmacological way to improve health and extend lifespan in various species. Whether DR helps to preserve genome stability and whether this effect is altered by experimental variables remain unclear. Moreover, DR research relies heavily on experimental animals, making the development of reliable in vitro mimetics of great interest. Therefore, we tested the effects of sex and feeding regimen (time-restricted eating, alternate day fasting and calorie restriction) on genome stability in CF-1 mice and whether these effects can be recapitulated by cell culture paradigms. Here, we show that calorie restriction significantly decreases the spontaneous micronuclei (MN), a biomarker of genome instability, in bone marrow cells of females instead of males. Alternate day fasting significantly decreases cisplatin-induced MN in females instead of males. Unexpectedly, daily time-restricted eating significantly exacerbates cisplatin-induced MN in males but not in females. Additionally, we design several culture paradigms that are able to faithfully recapitulate the key effects of these DR regimens on genome stability. In particular, 30% reduction of serum, a mimetic of calorie restriction, exhibits a strong ability to decrease spontaneous and cisplatin-induced MN in immortalized human umbilical vein endothelial cells. We conclude that the effects of different DR regimens on genome stability are not universal and females from each diet regimen sustain a more stable genome than males. Our results provide novel insight into the understanding of how DR influences genome stability in a sex and regimen dependent way, and suggest that our in vitro DR mimetics could be adopted to study the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Implication of the Mediterranean diet on the human epigenome

Epigenetics, defined as "hereditary changes in gene expression that occur without any change in the DNA sequence", consists of various epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs. The epigenome, which has a dynamic structure in response to intracellular and extracellular stimuli, has a key role in the control of gene activity, since it is located at the intersection of cellular information encoded in the genome and molecular/chemical information of extracellular origin. The focus shift of studies to epigenetic reprogramming has led to the formation and progressive importance of a concept called "nutriepigenetics", whose aim is to prevent diseases by intervening on nutrition style. Among the diet types adopted in the world, the renowned Mediterranean Diet (MD), being rich in unsaturated fatty acids and containing high levels of whole grain foods and large quantities of fruits, vegetables, and legumes, has shown numerous advantages in excluding chronic diseases. Additionally, the fact that this diet is rich in polyphenols with high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties has an undeniable effect in turning some cellular pathways against the disease. It is also apparent that the effects of polyphenols on the epigenome cause changes in mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation/deacetylation, which have a regulatory effect on gene regulation. This review presents the effects of long-term consumption of nutrients from the MD on the epigenome and discusses the benefits of this diet in the treatment and even prevention of chronic diseases.

Molecular insights and therapeutic implications of nanoengineered dietary polyphenols for targeting lung carcinoma: part I

Lung cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, and non-small-cell lung cancer accounts for most lung cancer cases. Nanotechnology-based drug-delivery systems have exhibited immense potential in lung cancer therapy due to their fascinating physicochemical characteristics, in vivo stability, bioavailability, prolonged and targeted delivery, gastrointestinal absorption and therapeutic efficiency of their numerous chemotherapeutic agents. However, traditional chemotherapeutics have systemic toxicity issues; therefore, dietary polyphenols might potentially replace them in lung cancer treatment. Polyphenol-based targeted nanotherapeutics have demonstrated interaction with a multitude of protein targets and cellular signaling pathways that affect major cellular processes. This review summarizes the various molecular mechanisms and targeted therapeutic potentials of nanoengineered dietary polyphenols in the effective management of lung cancer.

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Phenolic Compounds Obtained from Red Wine in Experimental Model of Colitis in Mice

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder represented by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Currently, there is no cure and pharmacological treatment aims to induce and maintain remission on patients. Because the therapy reveals a relatively high toxicity, during a long-term utilization, it is essential to investigate new pharmacological approaches. Polyphenols, commonly present on red wine, have shown health-beneficial effects related to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition of NF-kB activation, COX-2 and iNOS induction. In this sense, it would be interesting to study their effects in an IBD context. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effects of an aqueous extract of phenolic compounds in a 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced model of colitis. Method: Experimental colitis was induced in mice through an intrarectal administration of TNBS and then the mice were treated with an aqueous extract of phenolic compounds intraperitoneally for four days. Results and Discussion: The extract demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect, reducing TNF-α levels in the colon, and had a beneficial effect on the extraintestinal manifestations related to IBD, without any significant side effects. The extract of phenolic compounds demonstrated to be a valuable object of study for the management of IBD in the future.

Rethinking healthy eating in light of the gut microbiome

Given the worldwide epidemic of diet-related chronic diseases, evidence-based dietary recommendations are fundamentally important for health promotion. Despite the importance of the human gut microbiota for the physiological effects of diet and chronic disease etiology, national dietary guidelines around the world are just beginning to capitalize on scientific breakthroughs in the microbiome field. In this review, we discuss contemporary nutritional recommendations from a microbiome science perspective, focusing on mechanistic evidence that established host-microbe interactions as mediators of the physiological effects of diet. We apply this knowledge to inform discussions of nutrition controversies, advance innovative dietary strategies, and propose an experimental framework that integrates the microbiome into nutrition research. The congruence of key paradigms in the nutrition and microbiome disciplines validates current recommendations in dietary guidelines, and the systematic incorporation of microbiome science into nutrition research has the potential to further improve and innovate healthy eating.

Effects of Poncirin, a Citrus Flavonoid and Its Aglycone, Isosakuranetin, on the Gut Microbial Diversity and Metabolomics in Mice

Poncirin (PC) and its aglycone, isosakuranetin (IR), occur naturally in citrus fruits. This study aimed to explore the pathways behind the different health benefits of PC and IR by evaluating the effect of these two bioactive flavonoids on the gut microbial diversity and metabolomics of mice. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the alteration of gut microbiota in mice after PC and IR intervention. The metabolic impact of PC and IR in mice were studied using a metabolomics approach based on LC-MS analysis. Results showed that, after 7 days intervention, PC and IR multiplied the abundance of Parabacteroides in mice’s intestinal tracts by 1.2 and 1.0 times, respectively. PC increased the abundance of Bacteroides by 2.4 times. IR reduced the Allobaculum abundance by 1.0 time and increased Alloprevotella abundance by 1.5 times. When mice were given PC, their fecal acetic acid level increased by 1.8 times, while their isobutyric and isovaleric acid content increased by 1.2 and 1.3 times, respectively. Supplementation with IR had no significant effect on the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the feces of mice. The potential urine biomarkers of mice in the PC group were involved in the digestion and absorption of protein and carbohydrate, as well as the metabolism of amino acids, such as glycine, serine, threonine, tryptophan, D-arginine, D-ornithine, etc. IR mainly affected the amino acid metabolic pathways in mice, including taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, glutathione metabolism, histidine metabolism, D-glutamate metabolism, etc. This study provided valuable clues for future research on the health promoting mechanisms of PC and IR.

Determination of Phenolic Compounds in Blue Corn Flour (Zea mays L.) Produced and/or Metabolized by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in a Fermentation Process

Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites produced by plants, and their study has been increased in recent years due to their ability to improve human health. The aim of this work was the determination of phenolic compounds presents in blue corn flour before and after a fermentation process, where different proportions were used of blue corn (Zea mays L.) flour and Czapek Dox culture medium (90 mL of culture medium with 10 g of blue corn flour, 80 mL of culture medium with 20 g of blue corn flour and 70 mL of culture medium with 30 g of blue corn flour) and were fermented at 3 different times (20, 25 and 30 days) with the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides fungus. A determination of the phenolic compounds was carried out with five standard solutions, which were cyanidin 3-glucoside (CYA), pelargonidin 3-glucoside (PEL), chlorogenic acid (CLA), quercetin (QRC) and cinnamic acid (CA). The obtained results showed the presence of CA and PEL. The most abundant phenolic compound in the fermented samples was CLA over the naturally occurring compounds in blue corn, which are CYA and PEL. QRC was the phenolic compound with the lowest concentration in blue corn flour samples fermented with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.

Probiotics and plant extracts: a promising synergy and delivery systems

There is a current interest in healthy diets and supplements, indicating the relevance of novel delivery systems for plant extracts rich in bioactive compounds and probiotics. This simultaneous delivery system can be prospective for health. In this sense, investigating foods rich in bioactive compounds or supplemented by them for incorporating probiotics and some approaches to improve probiotic survivability, such as the choice of resistant probiotic strains or microencapsulation, is valuable. This review addresses a brief discussion about the role of phenolic compounds, chlorophyll and carotenoids from plants and probiotics in gut health, indicating the benefits of this association. Also, an overview of delivery systems used in recent studies is shown, considering their advantages for incorporation in food matrices. Delivery systems containing compounds recovered from plants can reduce probiotic oxidative stress, improving survivability. However, investigating the beneficial concentration of some bioactive compounds from plant extracts is relevant due to their antimicrobial potential. In addition, further clinical trials and toxicological studies of plant extracts are pertinent to ensure safety. Thus, the recovery of extracts from plants emerges as an alternative to providing multiple compounds with antioxidant potential, increasing the preservation of probiotics and allowing the fortification or enrichment of food matrices.

Molecular Responses of Lactobacilli to Plant Phenolic Compounds: A Comparative Review of the Mechanisms Involved

Lactobacilli are well-studied bacteria that can undergo oxidative selective pressures by plant phenolic compounds (PPCs) in plants, during some food fermentations or in the gastrointestinal tract of animals via dietary inputs. Lactobacilli are known to be more tolerant to PPCs than other bacterial groups and, therefore, must have mechanisms to cope with the effects of these metabolites. In this review, we intend to present what is currently known about the basics beyond the responses of Lactobacillus spp. to individual PPCs. We review the molecular mechanisms that are engaged in the PPC-modulated responses studied to date in these bacteria that have been mainly characterized by system-based strategies, and we discuss their differences and similarities. A wide variety of mechanisms are induced to increase the oxidative stress response highlighting the antimicrobial nature of PPCs. However other uncovered mechanisms that are involved in the response to these compounds are reviewed, including the capacity of PPCs to modulate the expression of molecular functions used by lactobacilli to adapt to host environments. This shows that these phytochemicals can act as more than just antimicrobial agents in the dual interaction with lactobacilli.

Beneficial Role of Fruits, Their Juices, and Freeze-Dried Powders on Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Related Dysbiosis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of complex chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract. It is linked to a number of genetic and environmental factors able to perturb the immune-microbiome axis. Diet is the most investigated variable both for its role in the etiology of IBD and for its beneficial potential in the treatment of the symptoms. Dietary products may influence intestinal inflammation through different mechanisms of action, such as the modulation of inflammatory mediators, the alteration of gene expression, changes in gut permeability, and modifications in enteric flora composition. A consisting number of studies deal with the link between nutrition and microbial community, and particular attention is paid to plant-based foods. The effects of the dietary intake of different fruits have been investigated so far. This review aims to present the most recent studies concerning the beneficial potential of fruit consumption on human gut microbiota. Investigated plant species are described, and obtained results are presented and discussed in order to provide an overview of both in vitro and in vivo effects of fruits, their juices, and freeze-dried powders.

The Potential Role of Phytonutrients Flavonoids Influencing Gut Microbiota in the Prophylaxis and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), characterized by the chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, is comprised of two idiopathic chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases. As the incidence of IBD increases, so does the need for safe and effective treatments. Trillions of microorganisms are colonized in the mammalian intestine, coevolve with the host in a symbiotic relationship. Gut microbiota has been reported to be involved in the pathophysiology of IBD. In this regard, phytonutrients flavonoids have received increasing attention for their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this review, we address recent advances in the interactions among flavonoids, gut microbiota, and IBD. Moreover, their possible potential mechanisms of action in IBD have been discussed. We conclude that there is a complex interaction between flavonoids and gut microbiota. It is expected that flavonoids can change or reshape the gut microbiota to provide important considerations for developing treatments for IBD.

High-coverage metabolomics uncovers microbiota-driven biochemical landscape of interorgan transport and gut-brain communication in mice

The mammalian gut harbors a complex and dynamic microbial ecosystem: the microbiota. While emerging studies support that microbiota regulates brain function with a few molecular cues suggested, the overall biochemical landscape of the “microbiota-gut-brain axis” remains largely unclear. Here we use high-coverage metabolomics to comparatively profile feces, blood sera, and cerebral cortical brain tissues of germ-free C57BL/6 mice and their age-matched conventionally raised counterparts. Results revealed for all three matrices metabolomic signatures owing to microbiota, yielding hundreds of identified metabolites including 533 altered for feces, 231 for sera, and 58 for brain with numerous significantly enriched pathways involving aromatic amino acids and neurotransmitters. Multicompartmental comparative analyses single out microbiota-derived metabolites potentially implicated in interorgan transport and the gut-brain axis, as exemplified by indoxyl sulfate and trimethylamine-N-oxide. Gender-specific characteristics of these landscapes are discussed. Our findings may be valuable for future research probing microbial influences on host metabolism and gut-brain communication.

The gut microbiota harbours neuroactive potential with links to neurological disorders. Here, the authors apply global metabolomics with an integrated annotation strategy to comparatively profile fecal, blood serum and cerebral cortical brain tissues of eight-week-old germ-free mice vs. age-matched specific-pathogen-free mice, providing a snapshot of the metabolome status linked to the gut-brain axis.

Synergistic anti-oxidative and antimicrobial effects of oat phenolic compounds and ascorbate palmitoyl on fish balls during cold storage

This study investigated the effect of antioxidants on lipid stability of mackerel (Scomber japonicus) fish balls. Oat phenolic acid compounds (OPC) and ascorbate palmitoyl (AP) were used to prolong the shelf life of steamed mackerel fish balls. Fish balls were stored at 4°C for 21 days, and the total bacterial count, hardness, whiteness, water holding capacity (WHC), pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value were monitored regularly. The results indicated that OPC+AP composite as a biological preservative could significantly inhibit the increase of the total bacterial count. Meanwhile, OPC and AP could maintain better hardness, whiteness, and WHC of fish balls during refrigerated storage. Furthermore, OPC and AP slowed down the increase of TVB-N and TBARS values. The results showed that OPC+AP had a synergistic effect on the storage time and could prolong the shelf life within the storage time. Adding OPC and AP was a promising strategy to improve the quality and shelf life of fish balls. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The research provided a new application of OPC and AP for improving fish balls quality and shelf life during cold storage (4°C). OPC is a natural plant secondary metabolite from oat which exhibits excellent anti-oxidation. The research showed that OPC and AP combined with synergistic effect as biological preservatives can effectively inhibit the total bacterial count and reduce TBARS and TVB-N value of fish balls during the shelf life and maintain the hardness, which improved the quality and shelf life of fish balls.

In Vitro Bioaccessibility and Antioxidant Activity of Polyphenolic Compounds from Spent Coffee Grounds-Enriched Cookies

Spent coffee ground (SCG) is a significant by-product generated by the coffee industry. It is considered a great source of bioactive molecules well-recognized for exerting biological properties. This study aimed to implement SCG in a baked foods, such as cookies (SCGc), to increase their bioactive potential. A comprehensive study of the polyphenolic fraction of the SCG and SCGc using a high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis was performed. Moreover, the polyphenol bioaccessibility and change in antioxidant activity during simulated gastrointestinal digestion (GiD) were assessed. Data showed that SCGc provided 780 mg of melanoidins, 16.2 mg of chlorogenic acid (CGA), 6.5 mg of caffeine, and 0.08 mg of phenolic acids per 100 g of sample. Moreover, the 5-caffeoylquinic acid was the most relevant CGA found in SCG (116.4 mg/100 g) and SCGc (8.2 mg/100 g) samples. The antioxidant activity evaluated through three spectrophotometric tests, and the total phenolic compounds of SCGc samples exhibited significantly higher values than the control samples. Furthermore, during simulated GiD, the highest bioaccessibility of SCGc polyphenols was observed after the colonic stage, suggesting their potential advantages for human health. Therefore, SCG with high content in bioactive molecules could represent an innovative ingredient intended to fortify baked food formulations.

In vitro antioxidant study of polyphenol from red seaweeds dichotomously branched gracilaria Gracilaria edulis and robust sea moss Hypnea valentiae

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Screen the polyphenol compound from red seaweed Gracilaria edulis and Hypnea valentiae.

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Purification the polyphenol compound.

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Detect the antimicrobial activity of polyphenol compound.

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Evaluate the antioxidant activity of polyphenol compound.

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Analyze the FT-IR and GC MS of polyphenol compound.

In recent years, seaweeds drew the intense attention of the researchers owing their biological properties with their multi assorted applications to the humans. Red seaweeds are well-known for their biological activities due to enrichment of phenolic residues. The present investigation deals with the portrayal of biological behavior of red algae Gracilaria edulis and Hypnea valentiae. Polyphenol was extracted using methanol in a soxhlet extractor for 6 h. The crude polyphenol compound was partially purified in DEAE cellulose52 column. The total phenolic content present in the polyphenol compound was G. edulis (75.49 ± 0.12 %) and H. valentiae (70.08 ± 0.34 %). The phytochemicals present in the two seaweeds were flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenolics, alkaloids and steroids. The antimicrobial activity of polyphenol compounds was assessed against seven human pathogens, five plant pathogens and three fungal pathogens. The free radical scavenging activity of polyphenol compound was assayed such as total antioxidant capacity, reducing power, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl-scavenging assay, superoxide anion radical scavenging and nitric oxide. Polyphenol compound was analyzed by FT-IR and GC–MS.

Antioxidant and Signal-Modulating Effects of Brown Seaweed-Derived Compounds against Oxidative Stress-Associated Pathology

The biological and therapeutic properties of seaweeds have already been well known. Several studies showed that among the various natural marine sources of antioxidants, seaweeds have become a potential source of antioxidants because of their bioactive compounds. Most of the metabolic diseases are caused by oxidative stress. It is very well known that antioxidants have a pivotal role in the treatment of those diseases. Recent researches have revealed the potential activity of seaweeds as complementary medicine, which have therapeutic properties for health and disease management. Among the seaweeds, brown seaweeds (Phaeophyta) and their derived bioactive substances showed excellent antioxidant properties than other seaweeds. This review focuses on brown seaweeds and their derived major bioactive compounds such as sulfated polysaccharide, polyphenol, carotenoid, and sterol antioxidant effects and molecular mechanisms in the case of the oxidative stress-originated disease. Antioxidants have a potential role in the modification of stress-induced signaling pathways along with the activation of the oxidative defensive pathways. This review would help to provide the basis for further studies to researchers on the potential antioxidant role in the field of medical health care and future drug development.

Lactic Acid Bacteria Diversity and Characterization of Probiotic Candidates in Fermented Meats

Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms which confer health benefits to the host when administered in adequate amounts. Many lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains have been classified as probiotics and fermented foods are an excellent source of such LAB. In this study, novel probiotic candidates from two fermented meats (pancetta and prosciutto) were isolated and characterized. LAB populations present in pancetta and prosciutto were evaluated and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum was found to be the dominant species. The antagonistic ability of selected isolates against LAB and non-LAB strains was investigated, in particular, the ability to produce anti-microbial compounds including organic acids and bacteriocins. Probiotic characteristics including antibiotic susceptibility, hydrophobicity and autoaggregation capacity; and ability to withstand simulated gastric juice, bile salt, phenol and NaCl were assessed. Among the characterized strains, L. plantarum 41G isolated from prosciutto was identified as the most robust probiotic candidate compared. Results from this study demonstrate that artisanal fermented meat is a rich source of novel strains with probiotic potential.

Diet-Derived Antioxidants and Their Role in Inflammation, Obesity and Gut Microbiota Modulation

It is generally accepted that gut microbiota, inflammation and obesity are linked to the development of cardiovascular diseases and other chronic/non-communicable pathological conditions, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and ageing-related disorders. In this scenario, oxidative stress plays a pivotal role. Evidence suggests that the global dietary patterns may represent a tool in counteracting oxidative stress, thus preventing the onset of diseases related to oxidative stress. More specifically, dietary patterns based on the regular consumption of fruits and vegetables (i.e., Mediterranean diet) have been licensed by various national nutritional guidelines in many countries for their health-promoting effects. Such patterns, indeed, result in being rich in specific components, such as fiber, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, whose beneficial effects on human health have been widely reported. This suggests a potential nutraceutical power of specific dietary components. In this manuscript, we summarize the most relevant evidence reporting the impact of dietary antioxidants on gut microbiota composition, inflammation and obesity, and we underline that antioxidants are implicated in a complex interplay between gut microbiota, inflammation and obesity, thus suggesting their possible role in the development and modulation of chronic diseases related to oxidative stress and in the maintenance of wellness. Do all roads lead to Rome?

Impact of High-Pressure Processed Onion on Colonic Metabolism Using a Dynamic Gastrointestinal Digestion Simulator

Onions are the main dietary source of flavonols that have been associated with important health-promoting properties. Onion treated by high-pressure processing (HPP-treated onion) was subjected to a dynamic gastrointestinal digestion and colon fermentation simulator (DGID-CF) to study the effect on the gut microbiota metabolism in the three colon regions (ascending—AC, transverse—TC, and descending—DC) by means of chronic feeding with 27 g/day for 14 days. HPP-treated onion presented a high content of the flavonols quercetin-3,4’-diglucoside and quercetin-4’-glucoside, and a large percentage of them reached the AC without change. TC and DC progressively increased the total phenolic metabolites 2.5 times respective to day 2, mainly 3-hydroxyphenylacetic, 4-hydroxyphenylacetic, 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acids. In addition, the chronic feeding increased the beneficial colon bacteria Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. and the production of total SCFAs (acetic, propionic, and butyric acids) 9 times (AC), 2.2 times (TC), and 4.4 times (DC) respective to day 1. A multivariate analysis (principal component analysis, PCA) showed a clear separation between the three colon regions based on their phenolic composition (precursors and metabolites). These results showed that HPP-treated onion modulated the human gut microbiota’s metabolism and the DGID-CF is a good system to study these changes.

Plasma and Fecal Metabolite Profiles in Autism Spectrum Disorder

BACKGROUND

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with hallmark behavioral manifestations including impaired social communication and restricted repetitive behavior. In addition, many affected individuals display metabolic imbalances, immune dysregulation, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and altered gut microbiome compositions.

METHODS

We sought to better understand nonbehavioral features of ASD by determining molecular signatures in peripheral tissues through mass spectrometry methods (ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) with broad panels of identified metabolites. Herein, we compared the global metabolome of 231 plasma and 97 fecal samples from a large cohort of children with ASD and typically developing control children.

RESULTS

Differences in amino acid, lipid, and xenobiotic metabolism distinguished ASD and typically developing samples. Our results implicated oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, hormone level elevations, lipid profile changes, and altered levels of phenolic microbial metabolites. We also revealed correlations between specific metabolite profiles and clinical behavior scores. Furthermore, a summary of metabolites modestly associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction in ASD is provided, and a pilot study of metabolites that can be transferred via fecal microbial transplant into mice is identified.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support a connection between metabolism, gastrointestinal physiology, and complex behavioral traits and may advance discovery and development of molecular biomarkers for ASD.

The Impact of Microbiota on the Pathogenesis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and the Possible Benefits of Polyphenols. An Overview

The relationship between gut microbiota and neurodegenerative diseases is becoming clearer. Among said diseases amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) stands out due to its severity and, as with other chronic pathologies that cause neurodegeneration, gut microbiota could play a fundamental role in its pathogenesis. Therefore, polyphenols could be a therapeutic alternative due to their anti-inflammatory action and probiotic effect. Thus, the objective of our narrative review was to identify those bacteria that could have connection with the mentioned disease (ALS) and to analyze the benefits produced by administering polyphenols. Therefore, an extensive search was carried out selecting the most relevant articles published between 2005 and 2020 on the PubMed and EBSCO database on research carried out on cell, animal and human models of the disease. Thereby, after selecting, analyzing and debating the main articles on this topic, the bacteria related to the pathogenesis of ALS have been identified, among which we can positively highlight the presence mainly of Akkermansia muciniphila, but also Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp. or Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens. Nevertheless, the presence of Escherichia coli or Ruminococcus torques stand out negatively for the disease. In addition, most of these bacteria are associated with molecular changes also linked to the pathogenesis of ALS. However, once the main polyphenols related to improvements in any of these three ALS models were assessed, many of them show positive results that could improve the prognosis of the disease. Nonetheless, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), curcumin and resveratrol are the polyphenols considered to show the most promising results as a therapeutic alternative for ALS through changes in microbiota.

Phytochemicals of Conocarpus spp. as a Natural and Safe Source of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidants

Optimization of the extraction conditions of polyphenolic compounds for different parts of the Damas species, Conocarpus lancifolius and Conocarpus erectus, grown under UAE conditions was studied. The combination of ethanol concentration (50, 75, and 100%), temperature (45, 55, and 65 °C) and time (1, 2, and 3 h) was used by applying the Response Surface Methodology. The data showed that the extracts (n = 90) contained phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins, and were free of alkaloids. Changing the extraction conditions had a significant effect on the detection of phytosterols, saponins, and glycosides and on the solubility of vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, sinapic acid, t-ferulic acid, rutin hydrate, protocatechuic acid, quercetin, and flavone. The data reveal that the roots and leaves of C. erectus and the leaves and fruits of C.lancifolius are the most important plant parts from which to extract these compounds. This study draws attention to the unordinary use of Conocarpus spp. as a source of natural food additive.

Anemonia sulcata and Its Symbiont Symbiodinium as a Source of Anti-Tumor and Anti-Oxoxidant Compounds for Colon Cancer Therapy: A Preliminary in Vitro Study

Simple Summary

Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequent types of cancer in the population. Recently, invertebrate marine animals have been investigated for the presence of natural products which can damage tumor cells, prevent their spread to other tissues or avoid cancer develop. We analyzed the anemone Anemonia sulcata with and without the presence of its microalgal symbiont (Symbiodinium) as a source of bioactive molecules for the colorectal cancer therapy and prevention. Colon cancer tumor cells were exposed to Anemone extracts observing a remarkable cell death and a great antioxidant capacity. These preliminary results support that Anemonia sulcata could be a source of bioactive compounds against colorectal cancer and that the absence of its symbiont may enhance these properties. Further studies will be necessary to define the bioactive compounds of Anemonia sulcata and their mechanisms of action.

Abstract

Recently, invertebrate marine species have been investigated for the presence of natural products with antitumor activity. We analyzed the invertebrate Anemonia sulcata with (W) and without (W/O) the presence of its microalgal symbiont Symbiodinium as a source of bioactive compounds that may be applied in the therapy and/or prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC). Animals were mechanically homogenized and subjected to ethanolic extraction. The proximate composition and fatty acid profile were determined. In addition, an in vitro digestion was performed to study the potentially dialyzable fraction. The antioxidant and antitumor activity of the samples and the digestion products were analyzed in CRC cells in vitro. Our results show a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acid in the anemone and a great antioxidant capacity, which demonstrated the ability to prevent cell death and a high antitumor activity of the crude homogenates against CRC cells and multicellular tumor spheroids, especially W/O symbiont. These preliminary results support that Anemonia sulcata could be a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antitumor potential against CRC and that the absence of its symbiont may enhance these properties. Further studies will be necessary to define the bioactive compounds of Anemonia sulcata and their mechanisms of action.

Applications of endophytic microbes in agriculture, biotechnology, medicine, and beyond

Endophytes are emerging as integral components of plant microbiomes. Some of them play pivotal roles in plant development and plant responses to pathogens and abiotic stresses, whereas others produce useful and/or interesting secondary metabolites. The appreciation of their abilities to affect plant phenotypes and produce useful compounds via genetic and molecular interactions has paved the way for these abilities to be exploited for health and welfare of plants, humans and ecosystems. Here we comprehensively review current and potential applications of endophytes in the agricultural, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors. In addition, we briefly discuss the research objectives that should be focused upon in the coming years in order for endophytes and their metabolites to be fully harnessed for potential use in diverse areas.

The effect of fermented Huyou juice on intestinal microbiota in a high-fat diet-induced obesity mouse model

This study mainly discussed the effect of fermented Huyou juice (FHJ) on modulating the intestinal microbiota of human, and anti-obesity mechanisms. Through the way of metagenomics, the effect of FHJ on gut flora has been summarized with a mice model of obesity induced by human flora-associated (HFA) high-fat diet. The results showed that the FHJ ameliorated the gut dysbiosis caused by obesity. When receiving FHJ treatment, a dramatic decrease in Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes occurred. What's more, having experienced 8 weeks of FHJ intervention, KEGG pathways of two-component system, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, and biosynthesis of amino acids made the most differentially expressed genes more abundant, the unigene numbers are 16781,480, and 1,221, respectively. Our results may be of great significance to the use of FHJ which serves as a functional fermented beverage product with the underlying effect of treating the obesity induced by high-fat diet. The FHJ helps to improve the host health by regulating the intestinal flora and affecting some metabolic pathways. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The fermentation of Huyou juice is one of the important ways to develop and utilize fruit resources. It is a common way of fruit and vegetable juice fermentation with mixed strains. After fermentation, the juice produces a large number of bioactive peptides, and sugar, toxic substances, and antinutritional material will be reduced, the nutritional value of the fruits and vegetables were improved. At the same time, the fermented juice industry could develop various functional health products, which is conducive to the transformation, upgrading, and sustainable development of Changshan Huyou.