The present study assessed the safety and immunostimulatory potential of phytase-producing Limosilactobacillus fermentum MS005 at doses of 7, 9 and 11 log CFU/mouse/d in male Swiss albino mice (n = 5) during a 28-day subacute toxicity study. To further delineate immunostimulatory responses, an additional group of mice received 9 log CFU/mouse/d (n = 5). MS005 administration did not induce significant alteration in body weight, organ weight, hematobiochemical end-points, or hepatic antioxidant levels, confirming its safety profile. Notably, MS005 reduced the liver lipid peroxidation by 1.6-fold and preserved the epithelial barrier integrity post-pathogenic E. coli challenge, as indicated by elevated expression of Zo-1, Claudin-4 and Muc-2, key biomarkers of intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. Immunomodulatory assessment revealed a significant increase in splenic lymphocyte proliferation (2.3-fold), NK cell activity (1.59-fold), and macrophage phagocytosis (1.3-fold), alongside an insignificant increase in IL-10 expression at a dose of 9 log CFU/mouse/d. Histopathological analysis showed normal architecture of liver, spleen, ileum and colon in MS005-treated mice, with increased villi length and density along with lymphocyte infiltration within Peyer’s patches in the 9 log CFU/mouse/d group relative to the control mice. Overall, the findings highlight the safety and immunostimulatory efficacy of Lmb. fermentum MS005, supporting its potential use as a functional probiotic for improving the gut barrier function, host immunity and iron bioavailability.
The present study investigates the bioavailability and gene regulatory effects of hydrolyzed plant protein blends compared to hydrolyzed whey protein in Caco-2 intestinal cells, aiming to evaluate their potential in managing hypercholesterolemia. Two plant protein isolate blends derived from chickpea, sesame, peanut, and mung bean in different ratios were enzymatically digested and assessed for protein content, solubility, cytotoxicity, amino acid transport, and gene expression. Hydrolyzed whey protein isolate (WPI) showed the higher total protein and essential amino acid (EAA) bioavailability, while hydrolyzed PlPIs demonstrated higher soluble protein content and superior non-essential amino acid (NEAA) absorption. All protein hydrolysates promoted Caco-2 cell proliferation without cytotoxic effects. Gene expression analysis revealed that both WPI and plant blends hydrolysates upregulated peptide transporter PepT1 and downregulated cholesterol metabolism gene SREBF2, indicating cholesterol-lowering potential via modulation of intestinal transport and lipid metabolic pathways. While WPI showed superior EAA delivery, PlPI-blends exhibited unique NEAA profiles, with PlPI-blend 2 particularly rich in glutamic acid, arginine, and aspartic acid, the amino acids linked to cardiovascular health and metabolic regulation. These findings highlight the promise of plant protein blends, particularly PlPI-blend 2, as functional food ingredients for promoting intestinal health and regulating cholesterol metabolism.
This study is the first attempt to develop a green method for anthocyanin extraction from black wheat bran and flour. For the same, 137 different solvents, conventional shaking, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, combined extraction methods, solvent volumes, and milling of samples were optimized. Overall. ball milled (15 min) sample (1 g), conventional shaking method, acidic water (1 Green extraction method was developed for anthocyanin present in black wheat bran and flour. Acidic water (1
In the present work, ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesised in a simple and scalable way by the co-precipitation method. The structural and morphological properties of fabricated nanoparticles were analysed using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) revealed a pure hexagonal wurtzite phase of ZnO NPs. Surface hydroxyl groups, moderate colloidal stability, and mostly spherical nanoparticles with an average particle size of approximately 16 nm were evidenced by FTIR, zeta potential, and HRTEM analysis, respectively. ZnO NPs demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, due to reactive oxygen species generation, Zn2? ion release, and nanoparticle–membrane interactions. The synthesized ZnO NPs will be used in the future to expand antibacterial testing to Gram-negative bacteria, explore green synthesis methods, and tailor nanoparticle properties for biomedical and multifunctional applications based on prior findings.
Background: The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a critical regulator of feeding behaviour, energy homeostasis, and metabolic function, and its dysregulation has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity. Increased endocannabinoid tone has been associated with obesity, while pharmacological inhibition of cannabinoid receptor signaling produces anti-obesity effects. However, the metabolic consequences of sustained elevation of endogenous cannabinoids within central regulatory circuits, particularly the hypothalamus, remain poorly characterized. The present study investigated the effects of chronic hypothalamic infusion of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), the principal endogenous ligand of cannabinoid receptors, on metabolic, hormonal, inflammatory, and tissue-specific alterations under normal- and high-fat dietary conditions. Methods: Chronic intra-hypothalamic 2-AG was infused using Alzet mini-osmotic pumps in normal chow and high-fat fed animals for 30 days. Food intake, dietary preference, body weight, and other biochemical parameters including gut hormones, glucose homeostasis, etc. were estimated at regular intervals. At the end, the hypothalamus, liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue were collected for gene expression and immunohistochemical analysis. Results: Collectively, these findings demonstrate that chronic elevation of hypothalamic 2-AG is sufficient to promote obesity and metabolic dysfunction and both the cannabinoid receptors contribute differently in the development of obese phenotype. The study identifies sustained central 2-AG signaling as a potential mechanistic link between hypothalamic endocannabinoid dysregulation and peripheral metabolic remodeling, providing new evidence for the role of central endocannabinoid signaling in the development and progression of obesity and associated metabolic disorders. Conclusion: The hypothalamus is a major site at which endocannabinoid signaling influences energy homeostasis. Experimental studies have demonstrated that hypothalamic 2-AG levels are altered by fasting, feeding and dietary composition, supporting a role in the control of energy intake.
