Effect of a Milk-Based Fruit Beverage Enriched with Plant Sterols and/or Galactooligosaccharides in a Murine Chronic Colitis Model

Anti-inflammatory activity of plant sterols in a co-culture model of intestinal inflammation: focus on food-matrix effect

This study investigates the gut anti-inflammatory activity of a plant sterol (PS) food supplement (PS-FS), alongside PS-enriched milk-based fruit beverage and PS-enriched rye bread. A co-culture model based on a dual-chamber system with differentiated intestinal-like Caco-2 cells (apical) and RAW264.7 macrophages (basolateral) was used. The bioaccessible fractions (BF) of the samples were obtained after INFOGEST 2.0 simulated gastrointestinal digestion. The BF were added to the apical part (diluted 1/20 v/v with culture medium to avoid cytotoxicity) for 90 min, followed by stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 μg mL-1, 24 h) on the basolateral side. The pharmacological interaction between samples and budesonide (1 μM, 90 min) was evaluated. Results indicate that PS-FS significantly attenuated LPS-induced secretion of IL-8 (28%) by Caco-2 cells, and TNF-α (9%) and IL-6 (54%) by RAW264.7 macrophages, whereas PS-enriched beverage and bread did not exhibit protective effects. Additionally, PS-FS demonstrated an improvement in oxidative status in Caco-2 cells, evidenced by reduced levels of reactive oxygen species (47%), iNOS protein expression (27%), and nitrite/nitrate secretion (27%). Mechanistically, PS-FS inhibited the NF-κB-COX-2-PGE2 signaling pathway in macrophages, resulting in decreased NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation (39%), COX-2 protein expression (32%), and PGE2 production (27%). Co-treatment with budesonide and PS-FS displayed an antagonistic effect (combination index 0.38-0.63). This study demonstrates the potent intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of a PS-FS, positioning it as a promising nutraceutical product for the management of inflammatory bowel diseases. However, the food matrix of the milk-based fruit beverage and rye bread appear to interfere with the anti-inflammatory activity of PS.

Phlorizin Regulates Synovial Hyperplasia and Inflammation in Rats With Rheumatoid Arthritis by Regulating the mTOR Pathway

BACKGROUND/AIM

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease, and management of it is still a challenge. The present investigation assessed the potential preventive effect of phlorizin on rats with RA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 40 healthy Wistar rats were used for this study. Bovine type II collagen and Freund's incomplete adjuvant (1:1 and 1 mg/ml) were administered on days 1 and 8 of the protocol to induce RA in rats; treatment with phlorizin at 60 or 120 mg/kg was started after the 4th week of the protocol, and its effect on inflammation, level of inflammatory cytokines, and expression of proteins were estimated in RA rats. Moreover, an in vitro study was performed on fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs), and the effects of phlorizin on proliferation, apoptosis, and expression of the mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase pathway protein after stimulating these cells with tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were estimated.

RESULTS

The data obtained from the study indicate that phlorizin has the potential to mitigate inflammation and enhance weight management in rats with RA induced by bovine type II collagen (CII). The level of inflammatory cytokines in the serum and the expression of protein kinase B (AKT), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K), and mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (mTOR) proteins in the joint tissue were reduced in phlorizin-treated rats with RA. In this investigation, phlorizin was shown to reverse the histological abnormalities in the joint tissue of rats with RA. The in-vitro study showed that phlorizin reduced proliferation and had no apoptotic effect on TNF-α-stimulated FLSs. Expression of AKT, PI3K, and mTOR proteins was also down-regulated in phlorizin-treated TNF-α-stimulated FLSs.

CONCLUSION

Phlorizin protects against inflammation and reduces injury to synovial tissues in RA by modulating the AKT/PI3K/mTOR pathway.

Negative Association of Lignan and Phytosterol Intake with Stress Perception during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Polish Study on Young Adults

BACKGROUND

There has been an increasing global prevalence of depression and other psychiatric diseases in recent years. Perceived stress has been proven to be associated with psychiatric and somatic symptoms. Some animal and human studies have suggested that consuming foods abundant in lignans and phytosterols may be associated with lower levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. Still, the evidence is not yet strong enough to draw firm conclusions. Thus, we investigated the association between dietary intake of these phytochemicals and the level of stress experienced by adult individuals.

METHODS

Diet was assessed using self-reported 7-day dietary records. The intakes of lignans and phytosterols were estimated using databases with their content in various food products. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was implemented to measure the level of perceived stress. A logistic regression analysis was used to test for associations.

RESULTS

The odds of elevated PSS were negatively associated with dietary intake of total phytosterols, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol, with evidence of a decreasing trend across tertiles of phytochemicals. The analysis for doubling the intake reinforced the aforementioned relationships and found protective effects against PSS for total lignans, pinoresinol, and campesterol.

CONCLUSIONS

Habitual inclusion of lignans and phytosterols in the diet may play a role in psychological health. To address the global outbreak of depression and other mental health issues triggered by stress, it is important to take a holistic approach. There is a need to develop effective strategies for prevention and treatment, among which certain dietary interventions such as consumption of products abundant in lignans and phytosterols may play a substantial role.

The Mechanism and Potential Therapeutic Effects of Cyclosporin, Cyclophilin, Probiotics and Syndecan-1 in an Animal Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) have several treatment modalities including immunoregulators, like cyclosporine A, an immunosuppressant that interacts with cytoplasmic cyclophilin A, and probiotics. Aims: This study explored and compared the possible role of syndecan-1 in the IBD pathogenic process as well as the effectiveness of cyclophilin A, cyclosporine A, and their combination in the management of IBDs in the presence of probiotics. Methodology: IBD was induced in a total of 112 mice equally divided between syndecan-1 knock-out (KO) and Balb/c wild-type mice, using 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) followed by intraperitoneal treatment with cyclosporine A, cyclophilin A, or a combination of both. In addition, a daily dose of probiotics was given in their drinking water. The animals were monitored for clinical signs and symptoms and checked for gross pathologies in the abdomen after 3 weeks. Descending and sigmoid colon biopsies were collected and fixed for routine microscopy or frozen for protein extraction and molecular testing for IL-6, CD3, CD147, and beta 1 integrins as well as pAkt expression. Results: The data showed that the induction of IBD in the syndecan-1 KO mice was more severe at the clinical, histological, and molecular levels than in the wild type. The combined CypA-CyA treatment showed no added inhibitory effect compared to single-drug treatment in both strains. Probiotics added to the combination was more effective in the wild type and, when used alone, its inhibition of IL-6 was the highest. As for the CD147 marker, there were more suppressions across the various groups in the KO mice except for the probiotics-alone group. Concerning CD3, it was significantly increased by the CypA-CyA complex, which led to more inflammation in the KO mice. Probiotics had little effect with the combination. In relation to beta 1 integrins, the CypA-CyA combination made no significant difference from CyA alone, and adding probiotics to the combination resulted in higher beta 1 integrin expression in the KO mice. As for pAkt, it was very well expressed and upregulated in both strains treated with DSS, but the effect was much larger in the KO mice. In brief, the CypA-CyA complex showed a decrease in the expression of pAkt, but there was no added effect of both drugs. Probiotics along with the complex had a similar reduction effects in both strains, with a greater effect in the wild-type mice, while probiotics alone led to a similar reduction in pAkt expressions in both strains. Conclusions: The differential effects of CyA, CypA, probiotics, and their combinations on the various inflammatory markers, as well as the histological alterations and clinical signs and symptoms, speak in favor of a clear role of syndecan-1 in reducing inflammation. However, probiotics need to be considered after more explorations into the mechanisms involved in the presence of CypA and CyA especially since pAkt is less active in their presence.

Network pharmacology-based identification of bioavailable anti-inflammatory agents from Psoralea corylifolia L. in an experimental colitis model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In traditional oriental medicine, the dried seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. (PC) have been used to treat various diseases, including gastrointestinal, urinary, orthopedic, diarrheal, ulcer, and inflammatory disorders.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Although its various biological properties are well-known, there is no information on the therapeutic effects and bioavailable components of PC against inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, we focused on the relationship between hydroethanolic extract of PC (EPC) that ameliorates colitis in mice and bioactive constituents of EPC that suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the therapeutic effects of EPC in a dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mouse model and identified the orally absorbed components of EPC using UPLC-MS/MS analysis. In addition, we evaluated and validated the mechanism of action of the bioavailable constituents of EPC using network pharmacology analysis. The effects on nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory cytokines were measured by Griess reagent and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages.

RESULTS

In experimental colitis, EPC improved body weight loss, colon length shortening, and disease activity index. Moreover, EPC reduced the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and histopathological damage to the colon. Network pharmacological analysis identified 13 phytochemicals that were bioavailable following oral administration of EPC, as well as their potential anti-inflammatory effects. 11 identified EPC constituents markedly reduced the overproduction of NO, tumor necrosis factor-α, and/or interleukin-6 in macrophages induced by LPS. The LPS-induced expression of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells reporter gene was reduced by the 4 EPC constituents.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the protective activity of EPC against colitis is a result of the additive effects of each constituent on the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, it suggests that 11 bioavailable phytochemicals of EPC could aid in the management of intestinal inflammation, and also provides useful insights into the clinical application of PC for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

The critical role of the phytosterols in modulating tumor microenvironment via multiple signaling: A comprehensive molecular approach

Cancer is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and its cases are rapidly increasing every year. Several factors contribute to the development of tumorigenesis. including radiation, dietary lifestyle, smoking, environmental, and genetic factors. The cell cycle is regulated by a variety of molecular signaling proteins. However, when the proteins involved in the cell cycle regulation are altered, cellular growth and proliferation are significantly affected. Natural products provide an important source of new drug development for a variety of ailments. including cancer. Phytosterols (PSs) are an important class of natural compounds reported for numerous pharmacological activities, including cancer. Various PSs, such as ergosterol, stigmasterol, sitosterol, withaferin A, etc., have been reported for their anti-cancer activities against a variety of cancer by modulating the tumor microenvironment via molecular signaling pathways discussed within the article. These signaling pathways are associated with the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, growth factors, chemokines, and pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes. These mediators and their upstream signaling are very active within the variety of tumors and by modulating these signalings, thus PS exhibits promising anti-cancer activities. However, further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy as well the safety of the phytosterols.

Green Tea Extract Containing Piper retrofractum Fruit Ameliorates DSS-Induced Colitis via Modulating MicroRNA-21 Expression and NF-κB Activity

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of green tea extract containing Piper retrofractum fruit (GTP) on dextran-sulfate-sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, the regulatory mechanisms of microRNA (miR)-21, and the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. Different doses of GTP (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) were administered orally once daily for 14 days, followed by GTP with 3% DSS for 7 days. Compared with the DSS-treated control, GTP administration alleviated clinical symptoms, including the disease activity index (DAI), colon shortening, and the degree of histological damage. Moreover, GTP suppressed miR-21 expression and NF-κB activity in colon tissue of DSS-induced colitis mice. The mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), were downregulated by GTP. Colonic nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were also lowered by GTP. Taken together, our results revealed that GTP inhibits DSS-induced colonic inflammation by suppressing miR-21 expression and NF-κB activity, suggesting that it may be used as a potential functional material for improving colitis.

Cardiometabolic health benefits of dairy-milk polar lipids

Low-quality dietary patterns impair cardiometabolic health by increasing the risk of obesity-related disorders. Cardiometabolic risk relative to dairy-food consumption continues to be a controversial topic, due to recommendations that endorse low-fat and nonfat dairy foods over full-fat varieties despite accumulated evidence that does not strongly support these recommendations. Controlled human studies and mechanistic preclinical investigations support that full-fat dairy foods decrease cardiometabolic risk by promoting gut health, reducing inflammation, and managing dyslipidemia. These gut- and systemic-level cardiometabolic benefits are attributed, at least in part, to milk polar lipids (MPLs) derived from the phospholipid- and sphingolipid-rich milk fat globule membrane that is of higher abundance in full-fat dairy milk. The controversy surrounding full-fat dairy food consumption is discussed in this review relative to cardiometabolic health and MPL bioactivities that alleviate dyslipidemia, shift gut microbiota composition, and reduce inflammation. This summary, therefore, is expected to advance the understanding of full-fat dairy foods through their MPLs and the need for translational research to establish evidence-based dietary recommendations.

Secondary Metabolite Profiling, Anti-Inflammatory and Hepatoprotective Activity of Neptunia triquetra (Vahl) Benth

The present study aimed to analyze the phytoconstituents of Neptunia triquetra (Vahl) Benth. Anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities of ethanol (EE), chloroform (CE) and dichloromethane (DCME) of stem extracts were evaluated using in vivo experimental models. The extracts were analyzed for phytoconstituents using GC-HRMS. Anti-inflammatory activity of CE, EE and DCME was accessed using carrageenan-induced paw oedema, cotton pellet-induced granuloma and the carrageenan-induced air-pouch model in Wistar albino rats. The hepatotoxicity-induced animal models were investigated for the biochemical markers in serum (AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, total lipids and total protein) and liver (total protein, total lipids, GSH and wet liver weight). In the in vivo study, animals were divided into different groups (six in each group) for accessing the anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity, respectively. GC-HRMS analysis revealed the presence of 102 compounds, among which 24 were active secondary metabolites. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of stem extracts was found in the order: indomethacin > chloroform extract (CE) > dichloromethane extract (DCME) > ethanolic extract (EE), and hepatoprotective activity of stem extracts in the order: CE > silymarin > EE > DCME. The results indicate that N. triquetra stem has a higher hepatoprotective effect than silymarin, however the anti-inflammatory response was in accordance with or lower than indomethacin.

Selenium-enriched Bifidobacterium longum DD98 attenuates irinotecan-induced intestinal and hepatic toxicity in vitro and in vivo

Irinotecan (CPT-11) is a camptothecin chemotherapy drug largely used in treating cancers. However, its strong adverse effects, such as gastrointestinal and hepatic toxicities, tend to reduce the patients' life qualities and to limit the clinical use of CPT-11. The protective roles of selenium (Se) and probiotics against CPT-11-induced toxicity have been widely reported. However, the application of Se-enriched probiotics in the adjuvant therapy of CPT-11 has not been well explored. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the in-vitro and in-vivo effects of Se-enriched Bifidobacterium longum DD98 (Se-B. longum DD98) as a chemotherapy preventive agent on alleviating intestinal and hepatic toxicities induced by CPT-11 chemotherapy. The results showed that Se-B. longum DD98 positively regulated the aberrant cell viability and oxidative stress induced by CPT-11 both in human normal liver (L-02) and rat small intestinal epithelial (IEC-6) cell lines. In vivo experiment revealed that Se-B. longum DD98 significantly attenuated intestinal and hepatic toxicities by ameliorating symptoms such as body weight loss and diarrhea, and by improving the biochemical indicators of hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress. Furthermore, we discovered that the protective effects of Se-B. longum DD98 based largely upon decreasing the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 and enhancing the expression of tight-junction proteins occludin and ZO-1, as well as restoring the composition and diversity of gut microbiota. Results suggested that Se-B. longum DD98 effectively protected livers and intestines against the CPT-11-induced damages, and therefore, could be considered as a promising adjuvant therapeutic agent with CPT-11 for the cancer treatment.

Extracts of Waste from Poplar Wood Processing Alleviate Experimental Dextran Sulfate-Induced Colitis by Ameliorating Oxidative Stress, Inhibiting the Th1/Th17 Response and Inducing Apoptosis in Inflammatory Lymphocytes

As a fast-growing tree, poplar is widely planted and typically used for wood processing in China. During poplar wood processing, a large amount of poplar sawdust (PS) and poplar leaves (PL) are produced and abandoned. To make full use of poplar resources and clarify the use of poplar as a feed additive, the active ingredients in PS and PL were extracted and isolated, and the anti-inflammatory effects of the extracts on mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis were investigated. In vitro anti-inflammatory experiments showed that the ethyl acetate extract of PS and PL (PSE and PLE, respectively) could significantly inhibit the proliferation of concanavalin A (Con A)-activated lymphocytes. Salicortin, tremulacin and salireposide were identified in both PSE and PLE. Oral administration of PSE and PLE rescued DSS-induced colonic shortening, repaired tissue damage, and decreased the disease activity index (DAI). The antioxidant capacity, including the increased activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD and catalase (CAT) and decreased activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), in the colons of mice with colitis was enhanced through the activation of ERK after treatment with PSE and PLE. The ratio of Th1 to Th17 cells, which can lead to inflammation in the spleen, was significantly decreased by the administration of PSE and PLE, while the phosphorylation of related transcription factors (p65, STAT1, and STAT3) was inhibited. Furthermore, PSE and PLE could induce apoptosis in Con A-activated lymphocytes, which may be associated with the increase in p-TBK1, as the molecular docking results also indicated that salireposide in PSE and PLE could interact with the TBK1 protein. Overall, our study provides a promising feed additive for improving intestinal inflammation in animals and a method for the full utilization of poplar resources.

Preventive and Prebiotic Effect of α-Galacto-Oligosaccharide against Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis and Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Mice

β-Galacto-oligosaccharide (β-GOS) showed great potential in ulcerative colitis (UC) adjuvant therapy. Herein, the preventive and prebiotic effect of enzymatic-synthesized α-linked galacto-oligosaccharide (α-GOS) was investigated in dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis and gut microbiota dysbiosis mice. Compared with β-GOS, the α-GOS supplement was more effective in improving preventive efficacy, promoting colonic epithelial barrier integrity, and alleviating inflammation cytokines. Moreover, the activation of the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family member NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammation was significantly inhibited by both α-GOS and β-GOS. Gut microbiota analysis showed that α-GOS treatment reshaped the dysfunctional gut microbiota. The subsequent Spearman's correlation coefficient analysis indicated that these gut microbiota changes were significantly correlated with the inflammatory parameters. These results suggested that the enzymatic-synthesized α-GOS is a promising therapeutic agent in UC prevention and adjuvant treatment by maintaining intestinal homeostasis.

Phytosterols: From Preclinical Evidence to Potential Clinical Applications

Phytosterols (PSs) are plant-originated steroids. Over 250 PSs have been isolated, and each plant species contains a characteristic phytosterol composition. A wide number of studies have reported remarkable pharmacological effects of PSs, acting as chemopreventive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiatherosclerotic agents. However, PS bioavailability is a key issue, as it can be influenced by several factors (type, source, processing, preparation, delivery method, food matrix, dose, time of administration into the body, and genetic factors), and the existence of a close relationship between their chemical structures (e.g., saturation degree and side-chain length) and low absorption rates has been stated. In this sense, the present review intends to provide in-depth data on PS therapeutic potential for human health, also emphasizing their preclinical effects and bioavailability-related issues.

Development of Food Chemistry, Natural Products, and Nutrition Research: Targeting New Frontiers

The Special Issue entitled: "Development of Food Chemistry, Natural Products, and Nutrition Research" is focused on the recent development of food chemistry research, including natural products' sources and nutrition research, with the objectives of triggering interest towards new perspectives related to foods and opening a novel horizon for research in the food area. The published papers collected in this Special Issue are studies that refer to different aspects of food, ranging from food chemistry and analytical aspects, to composition, natural products, and nutrition, all examined from different perspectives and points of view. Overall, this Special Issue gives a current picture of the main topics of interest in the research and proposes studies and analyses that may prompt and address the efforts of research in the food area to find novel foods and novel applications and stimulate an environmentally-friendly approach for the re-use of the by-products of the agro-food area. This notwithstanding, the main challenge is currently addressed to achieve a full comprehension of the mechanisms of action of food components, the nutrients, outlining their high potential impact as preventive and/or therapeutic tools, not only as a source of macro- and/or micro-nutrients, which are necessary for all the metabolic and body functions.

Sangiovese cv Pomace Seeds Extract-Fortified Kefir Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Activity in an In Vitro Model of Intestinal Epithelium Using Caco-2 Cells

Inflammatory bowel disease and food allergies are a growing topic in the field of nutrition science. Polyphenols, which are the most important secondary metabolites of plants, demonstrated to modulate the expression and/or production of numerous proteins, but also to regulate the intestinal ecosystem. In this context, our aim was the investigation of protective effects against the gastrointestinal mucosa of fortified milk kefir obtained by adding seeds extract from Sangiovese cv. Pomace. Methods: An ultrasound-assisted method was used to obtain the extracts. All the extracts were assayed for the antioxidant activity. The best extract was used as an additive of fermented milk kefir to obtain a fortified final product. Kefir samples were analyzed by NMR spectroscopy. The efficiency of the barrier functions was evaluated by measuring trans-epithelial electric resistance (TEER) using a voltmeter. Results: the enriched kefir (Ksgn) possesses higher antioxidant performances compared to the unfortified sample (Kwht). Kwht and Ksgn did not alter Caco-2 TEER in basal condition.