1
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Morini G. The taste for health: the role of taste receptors and their ligands in the complex food/health relationship. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1396393. [PMID: 38873558 PMCID: PMC11169839 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1396393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Taste, food, and health are terms that have since always accompanied the act of eating, but the association was simple: taste serves to classify a food as good or bad and therefore influences food choices, which determine the nutritional status and therefore health. The identification of taste receptors, particularly, the G protein-coupled receptors that mediate sweet, umami, and bitter tastes, in the gastrointestinal tract has assigned them much more relevant tasks, from nutrient sensing and hormone release to microbiota composition and immune response and finally to a rationale for the gut-brain axis. Particularly interesting are bitter taste receptors since most of the times they do not mediate macronutrients (energy). The relevant roles of bitter taste receptors in the gut indicate that they could become new drug targets and their ligands new medications or components in nutraceutical formulations. Traditional knowledge from different cultures reported that bitterness intensity was an indicator for distinguishing plants used as food from those used as medicine, and many non-cultivated plants were used to control glucose level and treat diabetes, modulate hunger, and heal gastrointestinal disorders caused by pathogens and parasites. This concept represents a means for the scientific integration of ancient wisdom with advanced medicine, constituting a possible boost for more sustainable food and functional food innovation and design.
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2
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Zimmermann C, Dähn S, Wagner AE. Effect of allyl-isothiocyanate on survival and antimicrobial peptide expression following oral bacterial infections in Drosophila melanogaster. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1404086. [PMID: 38803500 PMCID: PMC11128604 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1404086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Since infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria cause increasing problems worldwide, the identification of alternative therapies is of great importance. Plant-derived bioactives, including allyl-isothiocyanate (AITC), have received attention for their antimicrobial properties. The present study therefore investigates the impact of AITC on survival and antimicrobial peptide (AMP) levels in Drosophila melanogaster challenged with the fly pathogenic bacteria Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum and Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides. AITC, a sulfur-containing compound derived from glucosinolates, exhibits antimicrobial properties and has been suggested to modulate AMP expression. By using D. melanogaster, we demonstrate that AITC treatment resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease of survival rates among female flies, particularly in the presence of the Gram-negative bacterium Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum, whereas AITC did not affect survival in male flies. Despite the ability of isothiocyanates to induce AMP expression in cell culture, we did not detect significant changes in AMP mRNA levels in infected flies exposed to AITC. Our findings suggest sex-specific differences in response to AITC treatment and bacterial infections, underlining the complexity of host-pathogen interactions and potential limitations of AITC as a preventive or therapeutic compound at least in D. melanogaster models of bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sonja Dähn
- Institute of Nutritional Science, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Anika E. Wagner
- Institute of Nutritional Science, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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3
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Grădinaru TC, Vlad A, Gilca M. Bitter Phytochemicals as Novel Candidates for Skin Disease Treatment. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 46:299-326. [PMID: 38248322 PMCID: PMC10814078 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Skin diseases represent a global healthcare challenge due to their rising incidence and substantial socio-economic burden. While biological, immunological, and targeted therapies have brought a revolution in improving quality of life and survival rates for certain dermatological conditions, there remains a stringent demand for new remedies. Nature has long served as an inspiration for drug development. Recent studies have identified bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) in both skin cell lines and human skin. Additionally, bitter natural compounds have shown promising benefits in addressing skin aging, wound healing, inflammatory skin conditions, and even skin cancer. Thus, TAS2Rs may represent a promising target in all these processes. In this review, we summarize evidence supporting the presence of TAS2Rs in the skin and emphasize their potential as drug targets for addressing skin aging, wound healing, inflammatory skin conditions, and skin carcinogenesis. To our knowledge, this is a pioneering work in connecting information on TAS2Rs expression in skin and skin cells with the impact of bitter phytochemicals on various beneficial effects related to skin disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodora-Cristiana Grădinaru
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (T.-C.G.); (M.G.)
| | - Adelina Vlad
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marilena Gilca
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (T.-C.G.); (M.G.)
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4
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Kouakou YI, Lee RJ. Interkingdom Detection of Bacterial Quorum-Sensing Molecules by Mammalian Taste Receptors. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1295. [PMID: 37317269 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Bitter and sweet taste G protein-coupled receptors (known as T2Rs and T1Rs, respectively) were originally identified in type II taste cells on the tongue, where they signal perception of bitter and sweet tastes, respectively. Over the past ~15 years, taste receptors have been identified in cells all over the body, demonstrating a more general chemosensory role beyond taste. Bitter and sweet taste receptors regulate gut epithelial function, pancreatic β cell secretion, thyroid hormone secretion, adipocyte function, and many other processes. Emerging data from a variety of tissues suggest that taste receptors are also used by mammalian cells to "eavesdrop" on bacterial communications. These receptors are activated by several quorum-sensing molecules, including acyl-homoserine lactones and quinolones from Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, competence stimulating peptides from Streptococcus mutans, and D-amino acids from Staphylococcus aureus. Taste receptors are an arm of immune surveillance similar to Toll-like receptors and other pattern recognition receptors. Because they are activated by quorum-sensing molecules, taste receptors report information about microbial population density based on the chemical composition of the extracellular environment. This review summarizes current knowledge of bacterial activation of taste receptors and identifies important questions remaining in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yobouet Ines Kouakou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Robert J Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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5
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Azlan UK, Khairul Annuar NA, Mediani A, Aizat WM, Damanhuri HA, Tong X, Yanagisawa D, Tooyama I, Wan Ngah WZ, Jantan I, Hamezah HS. An insight into the neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects and mechanisms of Moringa oleifera. Front Pharmacol 2023; 13:1035220. [PMID: 36686668 PMCID: PMC9849397 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1035220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are sporadic maladies that affect patients' lives with progressive neurological disabilities and reduced quality of life. Neuroinflammation and oxidative reaction are among the pivotal factors for neurodegenerative conditions, contributing to the progression of NDs, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS) and Huntington's disease (HD). Management of NDs is still less than optimum due to its wide range of causative factors and influences, such as lifestyle, genetic variants, and environmental aspects. The neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory activities of Moringa oleifera have been documented in numerous studies due to its richness of phytochemicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This review highlights up-to-date research findings on the anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective effects of M. oleifera, including mechanisms against NDs. The information was gathered from databases, which include Scopus, Science Direct, Ovid-MEDLINE, Springer, and Elsevier. Neuroprotective effects of M. oleifera were mainly assessed by using the crude extracts in vitro and in vivo experiments. Isolated compounds from M. oleifera such as moringin, astragalin, and isoquercitrin, and identified compounds of M. oleifera such as phenolic acids and flavonoids (chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin, (-)-epicatechin, and isoquercitrin) have been reported to have neuropharmacological activities. Therefore, these compounds may potentially contribute to the neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects. More in-depth studies using in vivo animal models of neurological-related disorders and extensive preclinical investigations, such as pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and bioavailability studies are necessary before clinical trials can be carried out to develop M. oleifera constituents into neuroprotective agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ummi Kalthum Azlan
- 1Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - Ahmed Mediani
- 1Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wan Mohd Aizat
- 1Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hanafi Ahmad Damanhuri
- 2Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Xiaohui Tong
- 3School of Life Sciences, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Daijiro Yanagisawa
- 4Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
| | - Ikuo Tooyama
- 5Medical Innovation Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
| | - Wan Zurinah Wan Ngah
- 5Medical Innovation Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
| | - Ibrahim Jantan
- 1Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hamizah Shahirah Hamezah
- 1Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia,*Correspondence: Hamizah Shahirah Hamezah,
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6
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Dragoș D, Petran M, Gradinaru TC, Gilca M. Phytochemicals and Inflammation: Is Bitter Better? PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:plants11212991. [PMID: 36365444 PMCID: PMC9654259 DOI: 10.3390/plants11212991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The taste of a herb influences its use in traditional medicine. A molecular basis for the taste-based patterns ruling the distribution of herbal (ethno) pharmacological activities may not be excluded. This study investigated the potential correlations between the anti-inflammatory activity (AIA) and the phytocompound taste and/or its chemical class. The study relies on information gathered by an extensive literature (articles, books, databases) search and made public as PlantMolecularTasteDB. Out of a total of 1527 phytotastants with reliably documented taste and structure available in PlantMolecularTasteDB, 592 (for each of which at least 40 hits were found on PubMed searches) were included in the statistical analysis. A list of 1836 putative molecular targets of these phytotastants was afterwards generated with SwissTargetPrediction tool. These targets were systematically evaluated for their potential role in inflammation using an international databases search. The correlations between phytochemical taste and AIA, between chemical class and AIA, and between the taste and the number of inflammation related targets were statistically analyzed. Phytochemical taste may be a better predictor of AIA than the chemical class. Bitter phytocompounds have a higher probability of exerting AIA when compared with otherwise phytotastants. Moreover, bitter phytotastants act upon more inflammation related targets than non-bitter tasting compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorin Dragoș
- Department of Medical Semiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- 1st Internal Medicine Clinic, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Madalina Petran
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Teodora-Cristiana Gradinaru
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marilena Gilca
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
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7
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Wooding SP, Ramirez VA. Global population genetics and diversity in the TAS2R bitter taste receptor family. Front Genet 2022; 13:952299. [PMID: 36303543 PMCID: PMC9592824 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.952299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) are noted for their role in perception, and mounting evidence suggests that they mediate responses to compounds entering airways, gut, and other tissues. The importance of these roles suggests that TAS2Rs have been under pressure from natural selection. To determine the extent of variation in TAS2Rs on a global scale and its implications for human evolution and behavior, we analyzed patterns of diversity in the complete 25 gene repertoire of human TAS2Rs in ∼2,500 subjects representing worldwide populations. Across the TAS2R family as a whole, we observed 721 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including 494 nonsynonymous SNPs along with 40 indels and gained and lost start and stop codons. In addition, computational predictions identified 169 variants particularly likely to affect receptor function, making them candidate sources of phenotypic variation. Diversity levels ranged widely among loci, with the number of segregating sites ranging from 17 to 41 with a mean of 32 among genes and per nucleotide heterozygosity (π) ranging from 0.02% to 0.36% with a mean of 0.12%. FST ranged from 0.01 to 0.26 with a mean of 0.13, pointing to modest differentiation among populations. Comparisons of observed π and FST values with their genome wide distributions revealed that most fell between the 5th and 95th percentiles and were thus consistent with expectations. Further, tests for natural selection using Tajima’s D statistic revealed only two loci departing from expectations given D’s genome wide distribution. These patterns are consistent with an overall relaxation of selective pressure on TAS2Rs in the course of recent human evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen P. Wooding
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Stephen P. Wooding,
| | - Vicente A. Ramirez
- Department of Public Health, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, United States
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8
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Behrens M, Lang T. Extra-Oral Taste Receptors-Function, Disease, and Perspectives. Front Nutr 2022; 9:881177. [PMID: 35445064 PMCID: PMC9014832 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.881177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Taste perception is crucial for the critical evaluation of food constituents in human and other vertebrates. The five basic taste qualities salty, sour, sweet, umami (in humans mainly the taste of L-glutamic acid) and bitter provide important information on the energy content, the concentration of electrolytes and the presence of potentially harmful components in food items. Detection of the various taste stimuli is facilitated by specialized receptor proteins that are expressed in taste buds distributed on the tongue and the oral cavity. Whereas, salty and sour receptors represent ion channels, the receptors for sweet, umami and bitter belong to the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. In particular, the G protein-coupled taste receptors have been located in a growing number of tissues outside the oral cavity, where they mediate important processes. This article will provide a brief introduction into the human taste perception, the corresponding receptive molecules and their signal transduction. Then, we will focus on taste receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, which participate in a variety of processes including the regulation of metabolic functions, hunger/satiety regulation as well as in digestion and pathogen defense reactions. These important non-gustatory functions suggest that complex selective forces have contributed to shape taste receptors during evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maik Behrens
- Leibniz Institute of Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Tatjana Lang
- Leibniz Institute of Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
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9
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Lang T, Frank O, Lang R, Hofmann T, Behrens M. Activation Spectra of Human Bitter Taste Receptors Stimulated with Cyclolinopeptides Corresponding to Fresh and Aged Linseed Oil. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:4382-4390. [PMID: 35364812 PMCID: PMC9011397 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c00976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Linseed oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, and its increased consumption could aid in health-promoting nutrition. However, rapid oxidation of linseed oil and concomitant development of bitterness impair consumers' acceptance. Previous research revealed that cyclolinopeptides, a group of cyclic peptides inherent to linseed oil, dominantly contribute to the observed bitterness. In the present study, fresh and stored linseed oil and flaxseed were analyzed for the presence of cyclolinopeptides using preparative high-performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry- and nuclear magnetic resonance-based identification and quantification. The purified compounds were tested for the activation of all 25 human bitter taste receptors of which only two responded exclusively to methionine-oxidized cyclolinopeptides. Of those, the methionine sulfoxide-containing cyclolinopeptide-4 elicited responses at relevant concentrations. We conclude that this compound is the main determinant of linseed oil's bitterness and propose strategies to reduce the development of bitterness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Lang
- Leibniz
Institute for Food Systems Biology, Technical
University of Munich, Lise-Meitner-Str. 34, 85354 Freising, Germany
- Chair
of Food Chemistry and Molecular Sensory Science, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Oliver Frank
- Chair
of Food Chemistry and Molecular Sensory Science, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Roman Lang
- Leibniz
Institute for Food Systems Biology, Technical
University of Munich, Lise-Meitner-Str. 34, 85354 Freising, Germany
- Chair
of Food Chemistry and Molecular Sensory Science, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Thomas Hofmann
- Chair
of Food Chemistry and Molecular Sensory Science, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Maik Behrens
- Leibniz
Institute for Food Systems Biology, Technical
University of Munich, Lise-Meitner-Str. 34, 85354 Freising, Germany
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10
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Zhao A, Jeffery EH, Miller MJ. Is Bitterness Only a Taste? The Expanding Area of Health Benefits of Brassica Vegetables and Potential for Bitter Taste Receptors to Support Health Benefits. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14071434. [PMID: 35406047 PMCID: PMC9002472 DOI: 10.3390/nu14071434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The list of known health benefits from inclusion of brassica vegetables in the diet is long and growing. Once limited to cancer prevention, a role for brassica in prevention of oxidative stress and anti-inflammation has aided in our understanding that brassica provide far broader benefits. These include prevention and treatment of chronic diseases of aging such as diabetes, neurological deterioration, and heart disease. Although animal and cell culture studies are consistent, clinical studies often show too great a variation to confirm these benefits in humans. In this review, we discuss causes of variation in clinical studies, focusing on the impact of the wide variation across humans in commensal bacterial composition, which potentially result in variations in microbial metabolism of glucosinolates. In addition, as research into host-microbiome interactions develops, a role for bitter-tasting receptors, termed T2Rs, in the gastrointestinal tract and their role in entero-endocrine hormone regulation is developing. Here, we summarize the growing literature on mechanisms of health benefits by brassica-derived isothiocyanates and the potential for extra-oral T2Rs as a novel mechanism that may in part describe the variability in response to brassica among free-living humans, not seen in research animal and cell culture studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Zhao
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
| | - Elizabeth H. Jeffery
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
| | - Michael J. Miller
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Correspondence:
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11
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Wooding SP, Ramirez VA, Behrens M. Bitter taste receptors: Genes, evolution and health. Evol Med Public Health 2022; 9:431-447. [PMID: 35154779 PMCID: PMC8830313 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eoab031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bitter taste perception plays vital roles in animal behavior and fitness. By signaling the presence of toxins in foods, particularly noxious defense compounds found in plants, it enables animals to avoid exposure. In vertebrates, bitter perception is initiated by TAS2Rs, a family of G protein-coupled receptors expressed on the surface of taste buds. There, oriented toward the interior of the mouth, they monitor the contents of foods, drinks and other substances as they are ingested. When bitter compounds are encountered, TAS2Rs respond by triggering neural pathways leading to sensation. The importance of this role placed TAS2Rs under selective pressures in the course of their evolution, leaving signatures in patterns of gene gain and loss, sequence polymorphism, and population structure consistent with vertebrates' diverse feeding ecologies. The protective value of bitter taste is reduced in modern humans because contemporary food supplies are safe and abundant. However, this is not always the case. Some crops, particularly in the developing world, retain surprisingly high toxicity and bitterness remains an important measure of safety. Bitter perception also shapes health through its influence on preference driven behaviors such as diet choice, alcohol intake and tobacco use. Further, allelic variation in TAS2Rs is extensive, leading to individual differences in taste sensitivity that drive these behaviors, shaping susceptibility to disease. Thus, bitter taste perception occupies a critical intersection between ancient evolutionary processes and modern human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen P Wooding
- Department of Anthropology and Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Vicente A Ramirez
- Department of Public Health, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Maik Behrens
- Maik Behrens, Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
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12
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Kamal RM, Abdull Razis AF, Mohd Sukri NS, Perimal EK, Ahmad H, Patrick R, Djedaini-Pilard F, Mazzon E, Rigaud S. Beneficial Health Effects of Glucosinolates-Derived Isothiocyanates on Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27030624. [PMID: 35163897 PMCID: PMC8838317 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are illnesses that affect the nervous system and heart, all of which are vital to the human body. To maintain health of the human body, vegetable diets serve as a preventive approach and particularly Brassica vegetables have been associated with lower risks of chronic diseases, especially NDDs and CVDs. Interestingly, glucosinolates (GLs) and isothiocyanates (ITCs) are phytochemicals that are mostly found in the Cruciferae family and they have been largely documented as antioxidants contributing to both cardio- and neuroprotective effects. The hydrolytic breakdown of GLs into ITCs such as sulforaphane (SFN), phenylethyl ITC (PEITC), moringin (MG), erucin (ER), and allyl ITC (AITC) has been recognized to exert significant effects with regards to cardio- and neuroprotection. From past in vivo and/or in vitro studies, those phytochemicals have displayed the ability to mitigate the adverse effects of reactive oxidation species (ROS), inflammation, and apoptosis, which are the primary causes of CVDs and NDDs. This review focuses on the protective effects of those GL-derived ITCs, featuring their beneficial effects and the mechanisms behind those effects in CVDs and NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramla Muhammad Kamal
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University Dutse, Dutse 720101, Jigawa State, Nigeria
| | - Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
- Correspondence:
| | - Nurul Syafuhah Mohd Sukri
- Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Batu Pahat 86400, Johor, Malaysia;
| | - Enoch Kumar Perimal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Hafandi Ahmad
- Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Rollin Patrick
- Université d’Orléans et CNRS, ICOA, UMR 7311, BP 6759, CEDEX 02, F-45067 Orléans, France;
| | - Florence Djedaini-Pilard
- LG2A UMR 7378, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 33 rue Saint Leu—UFR des Sciences, F-80000 Amiens, France; (F.D.-P.); (S.R.)
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- Laboratorio di Neurologia Sperimentale, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo", 98124 Messina, Italy;
| | - Sébastien Rigaud
- LG2A UMR 7378, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 33 rue Saint Leu—UFR des Sciences, F-80000 Amiens, France; (F.D.-P.); (S.R.)
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Bayer S, Mayer AI, Borgonovo G, Morini G, Di Pizio A, Bassoli A. Chemoinformatics View on Bitter Taste Receptor Agonists in Food. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2021; 69:13916-13924. [PMID: 34762411 PMCID: PMC8630789 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c05057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Food compounds with a bitter taste have a role in human health, both for their capability to influence food choice and preferences and for their possible systemic effect due to the modulation of extra-oral bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs). Investigating the interaction of bitter food compounds with TAS2Rs is a key step to unravel their complex effects on health and to pave the way to rationally design new additives for food formulation or drugs. Here, we propose a collection of food bitter compounds, for which in vitro activity data against TAS2Rs are available. The patterns of TAS2R subtype-specific agonists were analyzed using scaffold decomposition and chemical space analysis, providing a detailed characterization of the associations between food bitter tastants and TAS2Rs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Bayer
- Leibniz
Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of
Munich, Lise-Meitner Str. 34, D-85354 Freising, Germany
- Faculty
of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ariane Isabell Mayer
- Department
of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences-DeFENS, University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20147 Milano, Italy
| | - Gigliola Borgonovo
- Department
of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences-DeFENS, University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20147 Milano, Italy
| | - Gabriella Morini
- University
of Gastronomic Sciences, piazza Vittorio Emanuele 9, 12042 Pollenzo, (Bra, CN), Italy
| | - Antonella Di Pizio
- Leibniz
Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of
Munich, Lise-Meitner Str. 34, D-85354 Freising, Germany
- . Phone: +49(0)8161716516
| | - Angela Bassoli
- Department
of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences-DeFENS, University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20147 Milano, Italy
- . Phone: +39(0)250316815
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Asif M, Kala C, Gilani SJ, Imam SS, Taleuzzaman M, Naaz F, Rahat I, Khan NA. Protective Effects Of Isothiocyanates Against Alzheimer's Disease. CURRENT TRADITIONAL MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.2174/2215083807666211109121345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background:
The extensive search for a novel therapeutic agent against Alzheimer's Disease (AD) in medical and pharmaceutical research still continues. Despite a lot being explored about its therapeutics, there is still much more to learn in order to achieve promising therapeutic agents against ADAlzheimer's. Phytochemicals, especially secondary metabolites, are the major focus of the investigators for AD treatment.
Objective:
To describe major therapeutics targets of AD and the role of isothiocyanates (ITCs) in modulating these targets.
Methods:
Scientific databases, including Elsevier, Science Direct, Pub med, were explored. The explored literature was mainly journal publications on pathogenesis and targets of AD, and the effect of various ITCs in the modulation of these targets.
Results:
The major targets of AD include the Nrf-2/ARE signaling pathway, MAPKs pathway, GSK-3 signaling, and Ubiquitin-Protease system. ITCs, such as Sulforaphane, Allyl isothiocyanates, Moringin, 6-(methylsulfinyl) hexyl ITC, Phenethyl isothiocyanates, and Erucin, were reported to exert a protective effect against AD via modulating one of the several above mentioned targets.
Conclusion:
This article gives a detailed description of the therapeutic targets of AD and sheds light that phytochemicals, such as ITCs, can exert a protective effect against AD by targeting those pathways. However, properly designed research and clinical trials are required to include ITCs as a mainstream agent against AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Asif
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Lachoo Memorial College of Science and Technology, Sector-A, Shastri Nagar, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Chandra Kala
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Maulana Azad University, Village Bujhawar, Tehsil Luni, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342802, India
| | - Sadaf Jamal Gilani
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, Preparatory year, Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syed Sarim Imam
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamad Taleuzzaman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Maulana Azad University, Village Bujhawar, Tehsil Luni, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342802, India
| | - Farha Naaz
- Nanochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Iqra Rahat
- Glocal School of Pharmacy, Glocal University, Mirzapur pole, Saharanpur, U.P, 242121, India
| | - Najam Ali Khan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IFTM University, Delhi Road, NH-24, Lodhipur Rajput, Moradabad, U.P., 244102, India
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