1
|
Jo SH, Jo KA, Park SY, Kim JY. Unveiling Immunomodulatory Effects of Euglena gracilis in Immunosuppressed Mice: Transcriptome and Pathway Analysis. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 34:880-890. [PMID: 38379288 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2401.01006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
The immunomodulatory effects of Euglena gracilis (Euglena) and its bioactive component, β-1,3-glucan (paramylon), have been clarified through various studies. However, the detailed mechanisms of the immune regulation remain to be elucidated. This study was designed not only to investigate the immunomodulatory effects but also to determine the genetic mechanisms of Euglena and β-glucan in cyclophosphamide (CCP)-induced immunosuppressed mice. The animals were orally administered saline, Euglena (800 mg/kg B.W.) or β-glucan (400 mg/kg B.W.) for 19 days, and CCP (80 mg/kg B.W.) was subsequently administered to induce immunosuppression in the mice. The mice exhibited significant decreases in body weight, organ weight, and the spleen index. However, there were significant improvements in the spleen weight and the spleen index in CCP-induced mice after the oral administration of Euglena and β-glucan. Transcriptome analysis of the splenocytes revealed immune-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) regulated in the Euglena- and β-glucantreated groups. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses indicated that pathways related with interleukin (IL)-17 and cAMP play significant roles in regulating T cells, B cells, and inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, Ptgs2, a major inflammatory factor, was exclusively expressed in the Euglena-treated group, suggesting that Euglena's beneficial components, such as carotenoids, could regulate these genes by influencing immune lymphocytes and inflammatory cytokines in CCP-induced mice. This study validated the immunomodulatory effects of Euglena and highlighted its underlying mechanisms, suggesting a positive contribution to the determination of phenotypes associated with immune-related diseases and the research and development of immunotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seon Ha Jo
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Ah Jo
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Yeon Park
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yeon Kim
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nano Bio Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Isegawa Y. Activation of Immune and Antiviral Effects by Euglena Extracts: A Review. Foods 2023; 12:4438. [PMID: 38137241 PMCID: PMC10743201 DOI: 10.3390/foods12244438] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza is an acute respiratory illness caused by influenza virus infection, which is managed using vaccines and antiviral drugs. Recently, the antiviral effects of plants and foods have gained attention. Euglena is a motile unicellular alga and eukaryotic photosynthetic microorganism. It has secondary chloroplasts and is a mixotroph able to feed by photosynthesis or phagocytosis. This review summarizes the influenza treatment effects of Euglena from the perspective of a functional food that is attracting attention. While it has been reported that Euglena contributes to suppressing blood sugar levels and ameliorates symptoms caused by stress by acting on the autonomic nervous system, the immunostimulatory and antiviral activities of Euglena have also been reported. In this review, I focused on the immunostimulation of antiviral activity via the intestinal environment and the suppression of viral replication in infected cells. The functions of specific components of Euglena, which also serves as the source of a wide range of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and β-1,3-glucan (paramylon), are also reviewed. Euglena has animal and plant properties and natural compounds with a wide range of functions, providing crucial information for improved antiviral strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Isegawa
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Osaka Metropolitan University, Sakai, Osaka 599-8531, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Morimoto R, Isegawa Y. Anti-Influenza Virus Activity of Citrullus lanatus var. citroides as a Functional Food: A Review. Foods 2023; 12:3866. [PMID: 37893759 PMCID: PMC10606521 DOI: 10.3390/foods12203866] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza is an acute respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus, in response to which vaccines and antiviral drugs are administered. In recent years, the antiviral effects of plants and foods have garnered attention. This review is the first to summarize the therapeutic properties of wild watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) against influenza from a phytochemical viewpoint. Wild watermelon is a wild plant with significant potential as a therapeutic candidate in antiviral strategies, when focused on its multiple anti-influenza functionalities. Wild watermelon juice inhibits viral growth, entry, and replication. Hence, we highlight the possibility of utilizing wild watermelon for the prevention and treatment of influenza with stronger antiviral activity. Phytochemicals and phytoestrogen (polyphenol, flavonoids, and prenylated compounds) in wild watermelon juice contribute to this activity and inhibit various stages of viral replication, depending on the molecular structure. Wild plants and foods closely related to the original species contain many natural compounds such as phytochemicals, and exhibit various viral growth inhibitory effects. These natural products provide useful information for future antiviral strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Morimoto
- Department of Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Human Life Science, Shikoku University, Tokushima 771-1192, Japan;
| | - Yuji Isegawa
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Osaka Metropolitan University, Sakai, Osaka 599-8531, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Anti-influenza A virus activity of flavonoids in vitro: a structure-activity relationship. J Nat Med 2023; 77:219-227. [PMID: 36357821 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-022-01660-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Secondary plant metabolites from food extracts, namely daidzein, quercetin, and luteolin, exhibit anti-influenza virus effects, with IC50 values of 143.6, 274.8, and 8.0 μM, respectively. The activities of these metabolites differ depending on the functional groups. Therefore, in this study, we focused on members of the flavonoid group, and investigated the anti-influenza viral effects of different flavonoid classes (flavone, isoflavone, flavonol, flavanone, and flavan-3-ol) in vitro. The IC50 values were 4.9-82.8 μM, 143.6 μM, 62.9-477.8 μM, 290.4-881.1 μM, and 22.9-6717.2 μM, respectively, confirming their activity. The modifying group factors (number, position, type) in the flavonoid skeleton may be significantly related to the anti-influenza virus activity. Moreover, time-of-addition assay revealed that the mechanism of inhibition varied for the different classes; for example, flavonoids that inhibit virus adsorption or the early stage of viral growth. Interestingly, all the examined flavonoids inhibited the late stages of viral growth, suggesting that flavonoids mainly inhibit the late events in viral growth before the release of viral particles. Additionally, apigenin might be effective against oseltamivir-resistant strains. Our results may be important in the development of anti-influenza virus therapeutic strategies in the future.
Collapse
|
5
|
Upreti D, Ishiguro S, Phillips M, Nakashima A, Suzuki K, Comer J, Tamura M. Euglena gracilis Extract Protects From Tobacco Smoke Carcinogen-Induced Lung Cancer by Altering Gut Microbiota Metabolome. Integr Cancer Ther 2023; 22:15347354231195323. [PMID: 37646331 PMCID: PMC10469252 DOI: 10.1177/15347354231195323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracts from Euglena gracilis have been shown to prevent cancer growth in mouse models. However, the molecular mechanism of this anti-cancer activity has not been determined nor has the effect of Euglena extracts on tobacco smoke carcinogen-induced carcinogenesis. Here, we investigate the hypothesis that this anti-cancer activity is a result of changes in the intestinal microbiota induced by oral administration of the extract. We found that a Euglena gracilis water extract prevents lung tumorigenesis induced by a tobacco smoke-specific carcinogen (NNK) in mice treated either 2 weeks before or 10 weeks after NNK injection. Both of these treatment regimens are associated with significant increases in 27 microbiota metabolites found in the mouse feces, including large increases in triethanolamine, salicylate, desaminotyrosine, N-acetylserine, glycolate, and aspartate. Increases in the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) including acetate, propionate and butyrate are also observed. We also detected a significant attenuation of lung carcinoma cell growth through the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis caused by low levels of SCFAs. This study provides strong evidence of anti-cancer activity in Euglena gracilis extracts against tobacco smoke carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis and demonstrates that this activity is linked to increased production of specific gut microbiota metabolites and the resultant induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of lung carcinoma cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deepa Upreti
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Susumu Ishiguro
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Morgan Phillips
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | | | | | - Jeffrey Comer
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Masaaki Tamura
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yu Z, Hong Y, Xie K, Fan Q. Research Progresses on the Physiological and Pharmacological Benefits of Microalgae-Derived Biomolecules. Foods 2022; 11:2806. [PMID: 36140934 PMCID: PMC9498144 DOI: 10.3390/foods11182806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae are a kind of photoautotrophic microorganism, which are small, fast in their growth rate, and widely distributed in seawater and freshwater. They have strong adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and contain various nutrients. Many scholars have suggested that microalgae can be considered as a new food source, which should be developed extensively. More importantly, in addition to containing nutrients, microalgae are able to produce a great number of active compounds such as long-chain unsaturated fatty acids, pigments, alkaloids, astaxanthin, fucoidan, etc. Many of these compounds have been proven to possess very important physiological functions such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-tumor functions, regulation of the metabolism, etc. This article aimed to review the physiological functions and benefits of the main microalgae-derived bioactive molecules with their physiological effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Yu
- Functional Food Research Center, Sino German Joint Research Institute, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Yan Hong
- Pharmacological Research Laboratory, Jiangxi Institution for Drug Control, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Kun Xie
- Medical College, Nanchang Institution of Technology, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Qingsheng Fan
- Functional Food Research Center, Sino German Joint Research Institute, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Morishita Y, Nakagawa N. Influence of Nutrients on Kidney Diseases. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14061234. [PMID: 35334891 PMCID: PMC8949408 DOI: 10.3390/nu14061234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Morishita
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Integrated Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, 1-847, Amanuma, Omiya-ku, Saitama 330-8503, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Naoki Nakagawa
- Division of Cardiology, Nephrology, Pulmonology and Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1 Midorigaoka Higashi, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan;
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hanada A, Morimoto R, Horio Y, Shichiri M, Nakashima A, Ogawa T, Suzuki K, Sumitani H, Ogata T, Isegawa Y. Influenza virus entry and replication inhibited by 8-prenylnaringenin from Citrullus lanatus var. citroides (wild watermelon). Food Sci Nutr 2022; 10:926-935. [PMID: 35282012 PMCID: PMC8907720 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.2725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated the anti-influenza activity of Citrullus lanatus var. citroides (wild watermelon, WWM); however, the active ingredient was unknown. Here, we performed metabolomic analysis to evaluate the ingredients of WWM associated with antiviral activity. Many low-molecular weight compounds were identified, with flavonoids accounting for 35% of all the compounds in WWM juice. Prenylated flavonoids accounted for 30% of the flavonoids. Among the measurable components of phytoestrogens in WWM juice, 8-prenylnaringenin showed the highest antiviral activity. We synthesized 8-prenylnaringenin and used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to quantitate the active ingredient in WWM. The antiviral activities of 8-prenylnaringenin were observed against H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A subtypes and influenza B viruses. Moreover, 8-prenylnaringenin was found to inhibit virus adsorption and late-stage virus replication, suggesting that the mechanisms of action of 8-prenylnaringenin may differ from those of amantadine and oseltamivir. We confirmed that 8-prenylnaringenin strongly inhibited the viral entry of all the influenza virus strains that were examined, including those resistant to the anti-influenza drugs oseltamivir and amantadine. This result indicates that 8-prenylnaringenin may activate the host cell's defense mechanisms, rather than directly acting on the influenza virus. Since 8-prenylnaringenin did not inhibit late-stage virus replication of oseltamivir-resistant strains, 8-prenylnaringenin may interact directly with viral neuraminidase. These results are the first report on the anti-influenza virus activity of 8-prenylnaringenin. Our results highlight the potential of WWM and phytoestrogens to develop effective prophylactic and therapeutic approaches to the influenza virus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akari Hanada
- Department of Food Sciences and NutritionMukogawa Women’s UniversityNishinomiyaJapan
| | - Ryosuke Morimoto
- Department of Food Sciences and NutritionMukogawa Women’s UniversityNishinomiyaJapan
- Present address:
Faculty of Human Life ScienceShikoku UniversityTokushimaJapan
| | - Yuka Horio
- Department of Food Sciences and NutritionMukogawa Women’s UniversityNishinomiyaJapan
| | - Mototada Shichiri
- Biomedical Research InstituteNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)IkedaJapan
| | | | | | | | | | - Tokutaro Ogata
- Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesHokuriku UniversityKanazawaJapan
| | - Yuji Isegawa
- Department of Food Sciences and NutritionMukogawa Women’s UniversityNishinomiyaJapan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Upreti D, Ishiguro S, Robben N, Nakashima A, Suzuki K, Comer J, Tamura M. Oral Administration of Water Extract from Euglena gracilis Alters the Intestinal Microbiota and Prevents Lung Carcinoma Growth in Mice. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14030678. [PMID: 35277036 PMCID: PMC8839094 DOI: 10.3390/nu14030678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The antitumor effects of a partially purified water extract from Euglena gracilis (EWE) and EWE treated by boiling (bEWE) were evaluated using orthotopic lung cancer syngeneic mouse models with Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells. Daily oral administration of either EWE or bEWE started three weeks prior to the inoculation of LLC cells significantly attenuated tumor growth as compared to the phosphate buffered saline (PBS) control, and the attenuation was further enhanced by bEWE. The intestinal microbiota compositions in both extract-treated groups were more diverse than that in the PBS group. Particularly, a decrease in the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and significant increases in Akkermansia and Muribaculum were observed in two types of EWE-treated groups. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) using bEWE-treated mouse feces attenuated tumor growth to an extent equivalent to bEWE treatment, while tumor growth attenuation by bEWE was abolished by treatment with an antibiotic cocktail. These studies strongly suggest that daily oral administration of partially purified water extracts from Euglena gracilis attenuates lung carcinoma growth via the alteration of the intestinal microbiota.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deepa Upreti
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; (D.U.); (S.I.); (N.R.); (J.C.)
| | - Susumu Ishiguro
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; (D.U.); (S.I.); (N.R.); (J.C.)
| | - Nicole Robben
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; (D.U.); (S.I.); (N.R.); (J.C.)
| | - Ayaka Nakashima
- Euglena Co., Ltd., Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0014, Japan; (A.N.); (K.S.)
| | - Kengo Suzuki
- Euglena Co., Ltd., Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0014, Japan; (A.N.); (K.S.)
| | - Jeffrey Comer
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; (D.U.); (S.I.); (N.R.); (J.C.)
| | - Masaaki Tamura
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; (D.U.); (S.I.); (N.R.); (J.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(785)-532-4825; Fax: +1-(785)-532-4557
| |
Collapse
|