Inhibitory effects of Inula britannica extract fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum KCCM 11613P on coagulase activity and growth of Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin-resistant strains

Fermentation of Inula britannica using Lactobacillus plantarum SY12 increases of epigallocatechin gallate and attenuates toxicity

This study aimed to increase epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) levels and attenuate the toxicity in Inulabritannica by fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum SY12. The optimal medium was composed of 10 g of I. britannica, 4 g of xylose, 5 g of soytone, and 5 g of beef extract. The predicted value of EGCG was 237.327 μg/mL. To investigate damage in HepG2 cell lines by I. britannica extracts (IE) or fermented I. britannica extracts (FIE), cell viability, mitochondria membrane potential, the expression of apoptosis and autophagy genes, and chemical composition were measured. FIE increased cell viability, regulation of the gene expression (decreased p53, p62, p-ERK 1/2, and p-p38; increased CDK2 and CDK4) compared with IE. These results were explained by an increase in 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid and a decrease in 1-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 1-O-acetylbritannilactone, and ergolide in FIE. In conclusion, these results indicated that fermentation can mitigate the toxicity in I. britannica.

Development and Characterization of Inula britannica Extract-Loaded Liposomes: Potential as Anti-Inflammatory Functional Food Ingredients

We investigated the potential of Inula britannica extract encapsulated in liposomes as a functional food ingredient with enhanced bioavailability and stability. Inula britannica, known for its anti-inflammatory properties and various health benefits, was encapsulated using a liposome mass production manufacturing method, and the physical properties of liposomes were evaluated. The liposomes exhibited improved anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages, suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 and downregulating the expression of iNOS and COX-2 transcription factors. Additionally, we observed reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, and modulation of the NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. These findings suggest that Inula britannica extract encapsulated in liposomes could serve as a valuable functional food ingredient for managing and preventing inflammation-related disorders, making it a promising candidate for incorporation into various functional food products. The enhanced absorption and stability provided by liposomal encapsulation can enable better utilization of the extract's beneficial properties, promoting overall health and well-being.

Fermentative effects by probiotic Lactobacillus brevis B7 on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of hydroponic ginseng

Soil-cultivation presents environmental limitations and requires considerable labor, space, and water supply. Alternatively, hydroponically-cultured ginseng (HG) was improved its productivity, availability, and functionality. Improvement of bio-functionality by probiotic fermentation also has been studied. Therefore, in this study, HG was fermented using probiotics to enhance antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Soil-cultivated ginseng (SG), 1 and 2-year HG (HG1, HG2) were extracted using 70% ethanol and fermented by Lactobacillus brevis B7. After fermentation, the phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant and NO scavenging activities were increased, and HG showed higher bioactivities than SG. Particularly, fermented HG2 showed the highest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and significantly decreased the level of inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, fermented HG2 also effectively inhibited NF-κB signaling pathway. These results suggested that fermented HG significantly enhanced functionality compared to SG and non-fermented HG. This suggests that fermented HG is a potentially useful ingredient for developing health-functional foods or pharmaceutical materials.

Antibacterial Mode of Eucommia ulmoides Male Flower Extract Against Staphylococcus aureus and Its Application as a Natural Preservative in Cooked Beef

The research was conducted to elucidate the antibacterial performance and mode of action of Eucommia ulmoides male flower extract (EUMFE) against Staphylococcus aureus and its application as a natural preservative in cooked beef. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by determining the diameter of inhibition zone (DIZ), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericide concentration (MBC). The changes in membrane potential, contents of bacterial DNA and protein, integrity and permeability of the cell membrane, and cell morphology were analyzed to reveal the possible mode of action. The effect of EUMFE on the counts of S. aureus, pH, color, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of the cooked beef stored at 4°C for 9 days were studied. The results showed that the DIZ, MIC, and MBC of EUMFE against S. aureus were 12.58 ± 0.23 mm, 40 mg/mL, and 80 mg/mL, respectively. The mode of action of EUMFE against S. aureus included hyperpolarization of cell membrane, decrease in bacterial DNA and protein contents, destruction of cell membrane integrity, increase in cell membrane permeability, and damage of cell morphology. After treatments with EUMFE, the growth of S. aureus and lipid oxidation in cooked beef were significantly inhibited (P < 0.05). The pH and TVB-N values of cooked beef treated with EUMFE were significantly reduced as compared to control group (P < 0.05). The color of cooked beef samples containing EUMFE showed decreased L* and b* values, and increased a* and ΔE* values. Therefore, our findings showed that EUMFE had a good antibacterial effect on S. aureus, and provided a theoretical basis for the application of EUMFE as a natural preservative in the preservation of cooked beef.

Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Effect of ε-Polylysine against Salmonella Enteritidis, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli in Tryptic Soy Broth and Chicken Juice

ε-Polylysine (ε-PL) is a safe food additive that is used in the food industry globally. This study evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of antibacterial peptides (ε-PL) against food poisoning pathogens detected in chicken (Salmonella Enteritidis, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli). The results showed that minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged between 0.031-1.0 mg/mL, although most bacterial groups (75%) showed MICs of 1.0 mg/mL. The reduction in the cell viability of pathogens due to ε-PL depended on the time and concentration, and 1/2 × MIC of ε-PL killed 99.99% of pathogens after 10 h of incubation. To confirm biofilm inhibition and degradation effects, crystal violet assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were used. The biofilm formation rates of four bacterial groups (Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, and multi-species bacteria) were 10.36%, 9.10%, 17.44%, and 21.37% at 1/2 × MIC of ε-PL, respectively. Additionally, when observed under a CLSM, ε-PL was found to induce biofilm destruction and bacterial cytotoxicity. These results demonstrated that ε-PL has the potential to be used as an antibiotic and antibiofilm material for chicken meat processing.

Chrysanthemum indicum suppresses adipogenesis by inhibiting mitotic clonal expansion in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Herbs have been of interest to treat diseases, including obesity, owing to their various bioactive constituents that exhibit therapeutic and prophylactic properties. The present study examined the anti-adipogenic effects and mechanisms of Chrysanthemum indicum aqueous extract (CAE) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. CAE comprises 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, caffeic acid, and apigenin, which were corresponded with previous reports. CAE inhibited the accumulation of lipid droplets and significantly alleviated the expression of lipogenesis- and adipogenesis-associated biomarkers. Treatment with CAE inhibited the mitotic clonal expansion (MCE), corroborated by cell cycle arrest at the G₀ /G₁ phase, and mitigated the expression of cell cycle progression-associated proteins and in addition to phosphorylation of MCE-promoting transcription factors. Moreover, CAE downregulated the activation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling pathways. In summary, CAE facilitates adipogenic inhibition during the early phase of differentiation, especially MCE, and its phenolic compounds can contribute to its anti-obesogenic properties. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Chrysanthemum indicum has been mainly used as traditional herbal tea and drinks. Chrysanthemum indicum aqueous extract (CAE) inhibits adipogenesis by suppressing mitotic clonal expansion during the early phase of differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. 1,3-Dicaffeoylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, caffeic acid, and apigenin were detected in CAE. Based on these findings, CAE can be used as nutraceutical agents for prevention and treatment of obesity.

Potent synergistic combination of rosuvastatin and levofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus: in vitro and in vivo study

AIMS

The present study aims to evaluate the capability of rosuvastatin to synergize with levofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Rosuvastatin inhibited the growth of S. aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration of 16 μg ml^-1 . Additionally, it showed a bactericidal effect at 4x minimum inhibition concentration. Using a checkerboard method, a synergistic effect was recorded when rosuvastatin was combined with levofloxacin showing against S. aureus isolate 28 (S 28). Furthermore, this combination was also able to display a significant reduction in biofilm formation (92·8%) and suppress the production of coagulase and β-haemolysin, and virulence factors of S. aureus isolate 28. An animal model for wound infection was used to assess the therapeutic effect of the test combination, in vivo. It was found that the test combination reduced the bacterial burden in the infected wounds by 91·3%. Pathological and histological analyses have revealed a decline in cell infiltration in the excisional wound skin tissue after treatment with rosuvastatin and levofloxacin combination.

CONCLUSIONS

Rosuvastatin combined with levofloxacin can be considered as a promising solution to combat S. aureus antibiotic resistance phenomenon.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study unveils the potential effect of rosuvastatin when used in combination with levofloxacin can be used as a topical antibacterial agent to treat S. aureus skin infections.

Inula britannica Inhibits Adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes via Modulation of Mitotic Clonal Expansion Involving ERK 1/2 and Akt Signaling Pathways

The flower of Inula britannica contains various phenolic compounds with prophylactic properties. This study aimed to determine the anti-adipogenic effect of an I. britannica flower aqueous extract (IAE) and its underlying mechanisms in the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and to identify the phenolic compounds in the extract. Treatment with IAE inhibited the adipogenesis by showing a dose-dependent suppressed intracellular lipid accumulation and mitigated expression levels of lipogenesis- and adipogenesis-associated biomarkers including transcription factors. IAE exerted an anti-adipogenic effect through the modulation of the early phases of adipogenesis including mitotic clonal expansion (MCE). Treatment with IAE inhibited MCE by arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase and suppressing the activation of MCE-related transcription factors. Furthermore, IAE inhibited adipogenesis by regulating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and Akt signaling pathways. Protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, and 6-methoxyluteolin, which are reported to exhibit anti-adipogenic properties, were detected in IAE. Therefore, modulation of early phases of adipogenesis, especially MCE, is a key mechanism underlying the anti-adipogenic activity of IAE. In summary, the anti-obesity effects of IAE can be attributed to its phenolic compounds, and hence, IAE can be used for the development of anti-obesity products.

Antimicrobial effects of three herbs (Brassica juncea, Forsythia suspensa, and Inula britannica) on membrane permeability and apoptosis in Salmonella

AIMS

This study aimed synergistic effects of three herbs in Salmonella via increased membrane permeability and apoptosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using high-performance liquid chromatography, four types of phenylethyl glycosides and a lignan were detected in the herb mixture (Brassica juncea, Forsythia suspensa, and Inula britannica). During treatment with the herb mixture (1×, 2×, or 4× the MIC), viable cells decreased to 1·87 log CFU per ml (Salmonella Gallinarum) and 2·33 log CFU per ml (Salmonella Enteritidis) after 12 h of incubation according to inhibition of tricarboxylic acid cycle (P < 0·01). In addition, N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine uptake increased from 229·00 to 249·67 AU in S. Gallinarum and from 232·00 to 250·67 AU in S. Enteritidis (P < 0·05), whereas membrane potential decreased from 8855·00 to 3763·25 AU and from 8703·67 to 4300·38 AU, respectively. Apoptotic Salmonella cells were observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry. Transmission electron microscopy observations with negative staining showed protein leakage from damaged Salmonella.

CONCLUSIONS

These results showed the synergistic effect of the three herbs against avian pathogenic Salmonella induced by membrane damage and apoptosis.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Salmonella causes enormous economic losses in the poultry industry. These results indicated that potency of natural antimicrobial agents due to apoptosis in Salmonella.

Inula britannica fermented with probiotic Weissella cibaria D30 exhibited anti-inflammatory effect and increased viability in RAW 264.7 cells

The objective of this study was to increase the bioavailability of Inula britannica (IB) through fermentation with probiotic Weissella cibaria D30, and to evaluate the chemical composition, viability, and anti-inflammatory effect of fermented I. britannica (FIB). IB was fermented with W. cibaria D30 at 37 °C for 24 h. FIB increased total phenolic content and decreased total flavonoid content of IB. 1-O-acetylbritannilactone and ergolide production, which are associated with the viability, increased from 1.38 to 4.13 μg/mg, and decreased from 5.24 to 0.94 μg/mg, in the control and FIB, respectively. In addition, the cell viability of RAW264.7 cells increased when pretreated with 400 μg/mL FIB. FIB inhibited the production of nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines by inhibiting NF-κB and MAPKs pathways. Therefore, FIB with W. cibaria D30 reduced the toxicity and increased the anti-inflammatory properties. These results indicate that FIB is a potential beneficial bioactive agent for functional foods.