Polyphenols, Saponins and Phytosterols in Lentils and Their Health Benefits: An Overview

Natural Saponins on Cholesterol-Related Diseases: Treatment and Mechanism

Saponins are compounds composed of lipophilic aglycones linked to hydrophilic sugars. Natural saponins are isolated from plants and some Marine organisms. As important cholesterol-lowering drugs, natural saponins have attracted wide attention for their therapeutic potential in a variety of cholesterol-related metabolic diseases. To review the effects of natural saponins on cholesterol-related metabolic diseases, and to deepen the understanding of the cholesterol-lowering mechanism of saponins. The literature related to saponins and cholesterol-lowering diseases was collected using keywords "saponins" and "cholesterol" from PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from January 2000 to May 2024. The total number of articles related to saponins and cholesterol-lowering diseases was 240 after excluding irrelevant articles. Natural saponins can regulate cholesterol to prevent and treat a variety of diseases, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, liver disease, hyperlipidemia, cancer, and obesity. Mechanistically, natural saponins regulate cholesterol synthesis and uptake through the AMPK/SREBP2/3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase pathway and PCSK9/LDLR pathway, and regulate cholesterol efflux and esterification targeting Liver X receptor/ABC pathway and ACAT family. Natural saponins have broad application prospects in regulating cholesterol metabolism, for the development of more cholesterol-lowering drugs provides a new train of thought. However, it is still necessary to further explore the molecular mechanism and expand clinical trials to provide more evidence.

The Association between Food Groups, Nutraceuticals, and Food Supplements Consumption on Vascular Health Outcomes: A Literature Review

Vascular aging, marked by alterations in the structure and function of blood vessels, including heightened arterial stiffness and impaired endothelial function, is linked to a higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular and age-associated pathological conditions. Oxidative stress and inflammation are key stimulation factors in vascular aging. Engaging in healthy dietary habits could enhance the functioning of blood vessels. The aim of this study was to conduct a literature review of the evidence regarding the relationship between food regimens, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements and vascular health. A search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection, was performed. Experimental and observational studies evaluating the association between food groups, nutraceuticals, supplements, and endothelial function and/or arterial stiffness were deemed eligible for this narrative review. Based on the current body of the included studies, food groups, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements may not demonstrate superiority over placebos in enhancing markers of vascular health. To obtain more reliable evidence on the effectiveness of interventions in vascular health, additional RCTs with larger sample sizes, extended follow-up periods, and multi-center participation are necessary. Enhancing the credibility of these RCTs requires better control of dietary variables and more precise measurement of vascular health markers.

Legume Allergens Pea, Chickpea, Lentil, Lupine and Beyond

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

In the last decade, an increasing trend towards a supposedly healthier vegan diet could be observed. However, recently, more cases of allergic reactions to plants and plant-based products such as meat-substitution products, which are often prepared with legumes, were reported. Here, we provide the current knowledge on legume allergen sources and the respective single allergens. We answer the question of which legumes beside the well-known food allergen sources peanut and soybean should be considered for diagnostic and therapeutic measures.

RECENT FINDINGS

These "non-priority" legumes, including beans, pea, lentils, chickpea, lupine, cowpea, pigeon pea, and fenugreek, are potentially new important allergen sources, causing mild-to-severe allergic reactions. Severe reactions have been described particularly for peas and lupine. An interesting aspect is the connection between anaphylactic reactions and exercise (food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis), which has only recently been highlighted for legumes such as soybean, lentils and chickpea. Most allergic reactions derive from IgE cross-reactions to homologous proteins, for example between peanut and lupine, which is of particular importance for peanut-allergic individuals ignorant to these cross-reactions. From our findings we conclude that there is a need for large-scale studies that are geographically distinctive because most studies are case reports, and geographic differences of allergic diseases towards these legumes have already been discovered for well-known "Big 9" allergen sources such as peanut and soybean. Furthermore, the review illustrates the need for a better molecular diagnostic for these emerging non-priority allergen sources to evaluate IgE cross-reactivities to known allergens and identify true allergic reactions.

Anti-Skin Aging Potential, Antibacterial Activity, Inhibition of Single-Stranded DNA-Binding Protein, and Cytotoxic Effects of Acetone-Extracted Passiflora edulis (Tainung No. 1) Rind Extract on Oral Carcinoma Cells

The passion fruit, Passiflora edulis, recognized for its rich nutritional properties, has long been used for its varied ethnobotanical applications. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of P. edulis var. Tainung No. 1 rind extracts by examining their polyphenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), anti-skin aging activities against key enzymes such as elastase, tyrosinase, and hyaluronidase, and their ability to inhibit bacterial growth, single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB), and their cytotoxic effects on oral carcinoma cells. The acetone extract from the rind exhibited the highest levels of TPC, TFC, anti-SSB, and antibacterial activities. The antibacterial effectiveness of the acetone-extracted rind was ranked as follows: Escherichia coli > Pseudomonas aeruginosa > Staphylococcus aureus. A titration curve for SSB inhibition showed an IC50 value of 313.2 μg/mL, indicating the potency of the acetone extract in inhibiting SSB. It also significantly reduced the activity of enzymes associated with skin aging, particularly tyrosinase, with a 54.5% inhibition at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis tentatively identified several major bioactive compounds in the acetone extract, including stigmast-5-en-3-ol, vitamin E, palmitic acid, stigmasterol, linoleic acid, campesterol, and octadecanoic acid. Molecular docking studies suggested some of these compounds as potential inhibitors of tyrosinase and SSB. Furthermore, the extract demonstrated anticancer potential against Ca9-22 oral carcinoma cells by inhibiting cell survival, migration, and proliferation and inducing apoptosis. These results underscore the potential of P. edulis (Tainung No. 1) rind as a promising candidate for anti-skin aging, antibacterial, and anticancer applications, meriting further therapeutic investigation.

Identification of lentils (Lens culinaris Medik) from Eglouvi (Lefkada, Greece) based on rare earth elements profile combined with chemometrics

An analytical approach has been developed to verify the authenticity of premium lentils originating from Eglouvi, Lefkada, Greece. The method relies on the digestion of samples followed by the analysis of their rare earth elements (REEs) content. Lentils originating from Eglouvi exhibit higher content in most REEs compared to lentils from other regions as well as distinct Sc/Y and Sc/Yb concentration ratios. Principal component analysis effectively segregates "Eglouvi" lentils into a distinct cluster. Soft Independent Modelling of Class Analogy (SIMCA) successfully models "Eglouvi" lentils. Significant enhancement in model specificity was achieved upon inclusion of Sc/Y and Sc/Yb concentration ratios as additional variables. The model is capable of detecting adulteration in blends of Eglouvi lentils, with a minimum rejection threshold of 4.6% w/w for Greek lentil adulterants and 6.0% w/w for imported lentil adulterants.

Elevating the significance of legume intake: A novel strategy to counter aging-related mitochondrial dysfunction and physical decline

Mitochondrial dysfunction increasingly becomes a target for promoting healthy aging and longevity. The dysfunction of mitochondria with age ultimately leads to a decline in physical functions. Among them, biogenesis dysfunction and the imbalances in the metabolism of reactive oxygen species and mitochondria as signaling organelles in the aging process have aroused our attention. Dietary intervention in mitochondrial dysfunction and physical decline during aging processes is essential, and greater attention should be directed toward healthful legume intake. Legumes are constantly under investigation for their nutritional and bioactive properties, and their consumption may yield antiaging and mitochondria-protecting benefits. This review summarizes mitochondrial dysfunction with age, discusses the benefits of legumes on mitochondrial function, and introduces the potential role of legumes in managing aging-related physical decline. Additionally, it reveals the benefits of legume intake for the elderly and offers a viable approach to developing legume-based functional food.

Light-Induced Antioxidant Phenolic Changes among the Sprouts of Lentil Cultivar

Lentil is a leguminous crop with a high content of health-beneficial polyphenols. Lentil sprouts are popularly consumed in fresh vegetable markets, although their phytochemical qualities are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the accumulation of phenolics in lentil sprouts in response to photosynthetic and stress light qualities, including fluorescent light (FL), red LED (RL), blue LED (BL), ultraviolet A (UV-A), and ultraviolet B (UV-B). Three lentil cultivars, Lentil Green (LG), French Green (FG), and Lentil Red (LR), were used to evaluate sprouts grown under each light condition. The adequate light intensities for enhancing the antioxidant activity of lentil sprouts were found to be 11 W/m2 under photosynthetic lights (FL, RL, BL), and 1 W/m2 under stress lights (UV-A, UV-B). Subsequently, HPLC-ESI/Q-TOF MS analysis was conducted for the quantitative analysis of the individual phenolics that were accumulated in response to light quality. Four main phenolic compounds were identified: ferulic acid, tricetin, luteolin, and kaempferol. Notably, tricetin accumulation was significantly enhanced under BL across all three lentil cultivars examined. Furthermore, the study revealed that the other phenolic compounds were highly dependent on FL, BL, or UV-B exposure, exhibiting cultivar-specific variations. Additionally, the antioxidant activities of lentil extracts indicated that BL was most effective for LG and FG cultivars, whereas FL was most effective for enhancing antioxidant activity of LR cultivars as the sprouts grew.

Network pharmacology combined with an animal model to reveal the material basis and mechanism of Amomum villosum in alleviating constipation in mice

Constipation is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder, with its prevalence showing an annual upward trend. There are many factors involved in the occurrence of constipation, such as abnormal smooth muscle contraction and disorders of gastrointestinal hormone secretion. Amomum villosum (A. villosum) has been proven to be effective in improving digestive system diseases, but there is no report on improving constipation. Therefore, we used network pharmacology prediction combined with animal experiments to explore the key active components of A. villosum and their pharmacological mechanisms. The results of network pharmacological prediction showed that β-sitosterol was the key laxative compound of A. villosum, which may play a laxative role by activating the adrenoceptor alpha 1 A-myosin light chain (ADRA1A-MLC) pathway. Further animal experiments showed that β-sitosterol could significantly shorten the time to first black stool; increase faecal weight, faecal number, and faecal water content; and promote gastrointestinal motility. β-sitosterol may promote intestinal motility by upregulating the expression of ADRA1A and myosin light chain 9 (Myl9) mRNA and protein in the colon, thereby activating the ADRA1A-MLC signalling pathway. In addition, it is possible to improve constipation symptoms by regulating serum neurotransmitters and gastrointestinal motility-related factors, such as the serum content of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and the mRNA expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 4 (5-HT4), stem cell factor (SCF), stem cell factor receptor (c-Kit) and smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase (smMLCK) in the colon. These results lay a foundation for the application of A. villosum and β-sitosterol in constipation.

More than a meat- or synthetic nitrogen fertiliser-substitute: a review of legume phytochemicals as drivers of 'One Health' via their influence on the functional diversity of soil- and gut-microbes

Legumes are essential to healthy agroecosystems, with a rich phytochemical content that impacts overall human and animal well-being and environmental sustainability. While these phytochemicals can have both positive and negative effects, legumes have traditionally been bred to produce genotypes with lower levels of certain plant phytochemicals, specifically those commonly termed as 'antifeedants' including phenolic compounds, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, and raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs). However, when incorporated into a balanced diet, such legume phytochemicals can offer health benefits for both humans and animals. They can positively influence the human gut microbiome by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, contributing to gut health, and demonstrating anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Beyond their nutritional value, legume phytochemicals also play a vital role in soil health. The phytochemical containing residues from their shoots and roots usually remain in-field to positively affect soil nutrient status and microbiome diversity, so enhancing soil functions and benefiting performance and yield of following crops. This review explores the role of legume phytochemicals from a 'one health' perspective, examining their on soil- and gut-microbial ecology, bridging the gap between human nutrition and agroecological science.

Systematic Metabolic Profiling of Mice with Sleep-Deprivation

Adequate sleep is essential for the biological maintenance of physical energy. Lack of sleep can affect thinking, lead to emotional anxiety, reduce immunity, and interfere with endocrine and metabolic processes, leading to disease. Previous studies have focused on long-term sleep deprivation and the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. However, systematic metabolomics analyses of blood, heart, liver, spleen, kidney, brown adipose tissue, and fecal granules have not been performed. This study aims to systematically assess the metabolic changes in the target organs caused by sleep deprivation in vivo, to search for differential metabolites and the involved metabolic pathways, to further understand the impact of sleep deprivation on health, and to provide strong evidence for the need for early intervention.

Association of dietary intake of polyphenols, lignans, and phytosterols with immune-stimulating microbiota and COVID-19 risk in a group of Polish men and women

Objectives

Devastating consequences of COVID-19 disease enhanced the role of promoting prevention-focused practices. Among targeted efforts, diet is regarded as one of the potential factors which can affect immune function and optimal nutrition is postulated as the method of augmentation of people's viral resistance. As epidemiological evidence is scarce, the present study aimed to explore the association between dietary intake of total polyphenols, lignans and plant sterols and the abundance of immunomodulatory gut microbiota such as Enterococcus spp. and Escherichia coli and the risk of developing COVID-19 disease.

Methods

Demographic data, dietary habits, physical activity as well as the composition of body and gut microbiota were analyzed in a sample of 95 young healthy individuals. Dietary polyphenol, lignan and plant sterol intakes have been retrieved based on the amount of food consumed by the participants, the phytochemical content was assessed in laboratory analysis and using available databases.

Results

For all investigated polyphenols and phytosterols, except campesterol, every unit increase in the tertile of intake category was associated with a decrease in the odds of contracting COVID-19. The risk reduction ranged from several dozen percent to 70 %, depending on the individual plant-based chemical, and after controlling for basic covariates it was statistically significant for secoisolariciresinol (OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.11-0.61), total phytosterols (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.22-0.95) and for stigmasterols (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.14-0.72). We found an inverse association between increased β-sitosterol intake and phytosterols in total and the occurrence of Escherichia coli in stool samples outside reference values, with 72% (OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08-0.86) and 66% (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.10-1.08) reduced odds of abnormal level of bacteria for the highest compared with the lowest tertile of phytochemical consumption. Additionally, there was a trend of more frequent presence of Enterococcus spp. at relevant level in people with a higher intake of lariciresinol.

Conclusion

The beneficial effects of polyphenols and phytosterols should be emphasized and these plant-based compounds should be regarded in the context of their utility as antiviral agents preventing influenza-type infections.

The Inhibitory Effects and Cytotoxic Activities of the Stem Extract of Nepenthes miranda against Single-Stranded DNA-Binding Protein and Oral Carcinoma Cells

The carnivorous pitcher plants of the genus Nepenthes exhibit many ethnobotanical uses, including treatments of stomachache and fever. In this study, we prepared different extracts from the pitcher, stem, and leaf extracts of Nepenthes miranda obtained using 100% methanol and analyzed their inhibitory effects on recombinant single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) from Klebsiella pneumoniae (KpSSB). SSB is essential for DNA replication and cell survival and thus an attractive target for potential antipathogen chemotherapy. Different extracts prepared from Sinningia bullata, a tuberous member of the flowering plant family Gesneriaceae, were also used to investigate anti-KpSSB properties. Among these extracts, the stem extract of N. miranda exhibited the highest anti-KpSSB activity with an IC₅₀ value of 15.0 ± 1.8 μg/mL. The cytotoxic effects of the stem extract of N. miranda on the survival and apoptosis of the cancer cell lines Ca9-22 gingival carcinoma, CAL27 oral adenosquamous carcinoma, PC-9 pulmonary adenocarcinoma, B16F10 melanoma, and 4T1 mammary carcinoma cells were also demonstrated and compared. Based on collective data, the cytotoxic activities of the stem extract at a concentration of 20 μg/mL followed the order Ca9-22 > CAL27 > PC9 > 4T1 > B16F10 cells. The stem extract of N. miranda at a concentration of 40 μg/mL completely inhibited Ca9-22 cell migration and proliferation. In addition, incubation with this extract at a concentration of 20 μg/mL boosted the distribution of the G2 phase from 7.9% to 29.2% in the Ca9-22 cells; in other words, the stem extract might suppress Ca9-22 cell proliferation by inducing G2 cell cycle arrest. Through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the 16 most abundant compounds in the stem extract of N. miranda were tentatively identified. The 10 most abundant compounds in the stem extract of N. miranda were used for docking analysis, and their docking scores were compared. The binding capacity of these compounds was in the order sitosterol > hexadecanoic acid > oleic acid > plumbagin > 2-ethyl-3-methylnaphtho[2,3-b]thiophene-4,9-dione > methyl α-d-galactopyranoside > 3-methoxycatechol > catechol > pyrogallol > hydroxyhydroquinone; thus, sitosterol might exhibit the greatest inhibitory capacity against KpSSB among the selected compounds. Overall, these results may indicate the pharmacological potential of N. miranda for further therapeutic applications.

Effect of Instant Controlled Pressure Drop (DIC) on Polyphenols, Flavonoids and Antioxidant Capacity of Green Lentils (Lens culinaris)

Instant controlled pressure drop (DIC) is one of the emerging technologies in food processing; it can be used for drying, freezing and the extraction of bioactive molecules without damaging their properties. Legumes, such as lentils, are one of the most consumed foods in the world; however, they are mainly cooked by boiling, which causes the loss of antioxidant compounds. This work evaluated the effect of 13 different DIC treatments (with pressure ranges of 0.1-0.7 MPa and times of 30-240 s) on the content of polyphenols (Folin-Ciocalteu and High Performance Liquid Chromatography HPLC) and flavonoids (2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate) as well as the antioxidant activity (DPPH and TEAC) of green lentils. The DIC 11 treatment (0.1 MPa, 135 s) obtained the best release of polyphenols, which in turn are related to antioxidant capacity. The abiotic stress generated by DIC could lead to the breakdown of the cell wall structure, which favors the availability of antioxidant compounds. Finally, the most efficient conditions for DIC to promote the release of phenolic compounds and maintain antioxidant capacity were found under low pressures (<0.1 MPa) and short times (<160 s).

The elucidation of structure-activity and structure-permeation relationships for the cutaneous delivery of phytosterols to attenuate psoriasiform inflammation

Phytosterols have been reported to exert anti-inflammatory activity. This study aimed to investigate the capacity of campesterol, β-sitosterol, and stigmasterol on the mitigation of psoriasiform inflammation. We also tried to establish structure-activity and structure-permeation relationships for these plant sterols. To support this study, we first approached the in silico data of the physicochemical properties and the molecular docking of phytosterols with stratum corneum (SC) lipids. The anti-inflammatory activity of the phytosterols was explored in the activated keratinocytes and macrophages. Using the activated keratinocyte model, a significant inhibition of IL-6 and CXCL8 overexpression by phytosterols was detected. A comparable inhibition level was found for the three phytosterols tested. The macrophage-based study showed that the anti-IL-6 and anti-CXCL8 activities of campesterol were greater than those of the other compounds, which indicated that a phytosterol structure without a double bond on C₂₂ and with methyl moiety on C₂₄ was more effective. The conditioned medium of phytosterol-treated macrophages decreased STAT3 phosphorylation in the keratinocytes, suggesting the inhibition of keratinocyte hyperproliferation. β-sitosterol was the penetrant with the highest pig skin absorption (0.33 nmol/mg), followed by campesterol (0.21 nmol/mg) and stigmasterol (0.16 nmol/mg). The therapeutic index (TI) is a parameter measured by multiplying the cytokine/chemokine suppression percentage with skin absorption for anticipating the anti-inflammatory activity after topical delivery. β-sitosterol is a potential candidate for treating psoriatic inflammation due to having the greatest TI value. In this study, β-sitosterol attenuated epidermal hyperplasia and immune cell infiltration in the psoriasis-like mouse model. The psoriasiform epidermis thickness could be reduced from 92.4 to 63.8 μm by the topical use of β-sitosterol, with a downregulation of IL-6, TNF-α, and CXCL1. The skin tolerance study manifested that the reference drug betamethasone but not β-sitosterol could generate barrier dysfunction. β-sitosterol possessed anti-inflammatory activity and facile skin transport, showing the potential for development as an anti-psoriatic agent.