Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. is a widely consumed functional food and dietary supplement in East Asia. However, whether its bioactive component, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG), can alleviate premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether TSG administration alleviates POI in association with suppression of ZBP1/PANoptosis signaling. A tripterygium glycoside-induced POI rat model was treated with TSG via intraperitoneal injection. Ovarian function was assessed via estrous cycles, hormone assays (FSH, E2, AMH), and histopathology. The formation of the ZBP1/PANoptosome and key executioners of PANoptosis were analyzed by immunofluorescence and Western blot. In triptolide-injured KGN granulosa cells, TSG's effects were measured by assessing cell viability, apoptosis, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and PANoptosis activation with or without ZBP1 overexpression. TSG significantly restored estrous cyclicity, improved hormone profiles, and preserved follicular reserve in POI rats. At the molecular level, TSG was associated with reduced ZBP1/PANoptosome formation and downstream executioners (e.g., cleaved Caspase-3, N-GSDMD, p-MLKL). In cells, TSG mitigated cellular injury. Crucially, while ZBP1 overexpression aggravated damage and amplified PANoptosis signaling, TSG co-treatment significantly reversed these effects, indicating that ZBP1/PANoptosis signaling may be associated with the protective effects of TSG against POI. In conclusion, TSG mitigates POI in association with the suppression of ZBP1/PANoptosis, thereby enhancing the mechanistic understanding of POI pathogenesis and positioning TSG as a candidate for further investigation.
Diet quality may influence maternal psychological well-being through nutrients involved in neurotransmitter synthesis and brain energy metabolism. Iron may be particularly relevant because its requirements increase during pregnancy; however, whether dietary iron adequacy modifies the association between prenatal diet quality and pregnancy-related anxiety remains unclear. This study examined the association between prenatal diet quality and pregnancy-related anxiety and whether dietary iron adequacy moderated this relationship. This cross-sectional study included 293 pregnant women in Istanbul, Türkiye (mean age: 29.60 ± 4.29 years). Prenatal diet quality was assessed using the Prenatal Diet Quality Index (PDQI), anxiety using the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Scale (PRAS), and dietary iron adequacy as the percentage of the Recommended Dietary Allowance met through dietary intake. Moderation analysis was performed using multiple linear regression adjusted for sociodemographic and obstetric covariates. The mean PRAS score was 70.44 ± 16.07 on a scale of 33-132, and the mean PDQI score was 42.76 ± 9.73 out of 80. As no established cut-off values were available, scores were not classified as high or low. PDQI and dietary iron adequacy were not independently associated with anxiety; however, their interaction was significant (B = -2.501, p = 0.007). Higher diet quality was associated with lower anxiety only among women with relatively high dietary iron adequacy. Maternal age, income, and planned pregnancy were also independently associated with anxiety (p < 0.001). The association between prenatal diet quality and pregnancy-related anxiety may vary according to dietary iron adequacy. However, as iron was the only nutrient-specific moderator assessed and biochemical iron status was not measured, the findings do not establish a unique or causal role for iron. Future longitudinal studies should evaluate multiple micronutrients using biomarker-based measures.
Oxidative stress is a characteristic of obesity dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. Copaiba oil-resin (Co-resin) is known for its antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties; however, its effects on the oxidative system of obese rodents are unknown, particularly with regard to potential sex differences. Here, we evaluated the effects of the oral Co-resin supplementation on plasma and hepatic oxidative parameters in male and female rodents with hypothalamic-induced obesity. Hypothalamic obesity was induced during the early postnatal days (PND) by monosodium glutamate (MSG; 4 g kg-1) administration, while control (CON) animals received equimolar saline solution. From 30 to 90 PND, MSG, and CON groups (both sexes) were divided into Co-resin-supplemented (0.5 mL kg-1, three times a week/8 weeks) or non-supplemented animals. Adiposity, plasma, and hepatic metabolic and oxidative markers were assessed. Hepatic tissue was used for histological analysis. Male and female MSG-obese rats presented higher adiposity and metabolic dysfunction, associated with reductions in plasma and hepatic antioxidative activities of glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, and catalase. Reduced hepatic glutathione peroxidase was also observed in MSG-obese rats of both sexes. Moreover, plasma, and hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and reactive species were increased in MSG-obese (male and female) animals. MSG-obese rats of both sexes displayed abnormal hepatic histopathology and reduced liver superoxide dismutase and catalase contents. Co-resin oral supplementation effectively restored plasma and hepatic oxidative systems in MSG-obese males and females without significantly adiposity change. However Co-resin supplementation had more positive effects on the metabolic parameters of MSG-obese females, since it restored liver structural abnormalities, plasma triglyceride levels, and insulin responsiveness.
Degreased Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly) meal has been widely used as a substitute for traditional protein sources, including fish and soybean meals, in livestock and aquaculture especially for prawn Litopenaeus vannamei and Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense) is a commercially significant shrimp species prevalent in freshwater lakes and river systems across China. We explored the potential of replacing fish meal with degreased H. illucens meal in the diet of M. nipponense by assessing how different substitution ratios and the freshness of the meal influenced river prawn growth. The results showed that a 20% substitution ratio significantly increased the specific growth rate and condition factor of M. nipponense (p < 0.05), while the feed conversion ratio was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Based on the dose-response model, the specific growth rate reaches its peak when the substitution ratio is 24.25%. At this 20% ratio, there was a significant increase in the crude protein and lipid content in M. nipponense muscle. Moreover, the concentrations of several essential amino acids, along with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, were notably elevated compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In the 20% substitution group, the activities of superoxide dismutase, trypsin, and lipase in the hepatopancreas, as well as acid phosphatase and lysozyme in the hemolymph, were significantly increased relative to the control group (p < 0.05). The research also assessed the impact of using moderately decomposed (T1: TVB-N 65 mg/100 g) and highly decomposed (T2: TVB-N 80 mg/100 g) degreased H. illucens meal as a 20% replacement for fish meal, in comparison to fresh degreased H. illucens meal (TVB-N 50 mg/100 g). In the T1 group, both the specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio were considerably lower than those observed in the control group (p < 0.05). In both the moderately (T1) and highly (T2) decomposed treatment groups, the crude lipid content in M. nipponense muscle was significantly reduced, while the crude ash content was notably higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the T1 and T2 groups exhibited significantly decreased levels of certain essential amino acids, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and mineral elements in the muscle (p < 0.05). In these groups, the activities of alanine aminotransferase in the hepatopancreas and hemolymph, as well as the malondialdehyde content in the hepatopancreas, were significantly elevated compared to the control group (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the activities of hepatopancreatic trypsin and lipase in the T2 treatment were significantly reduced compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we recommend the use of fresh degreased H. illucens meal at a substitution level of 20%-25% (with the model-derived peak near 24.25%) in M. nipponense diets.
Environmental concerns necessitate the exploration of novel biodegradable alternatives in chewing gum formulations. This study focused on developing a biodegradable chewing gum based on a plasticized poly(lactic acid)/Pistacia atlantica gum blend, aiming for desirable physical and mechanical properties. In this study, the effects of the proportions of four components, elastomeric biodegradable blend, xylitol, glycerin, and calcium carbonate, on textural and sensory characteristics of chewing gum were evaluated using a 28-run, four-component D-optimal mixture design with constrained formulation ranges. The optimized composition was also characterized and compared with two commercial samples using textural, thermal, morphological, and biodegradability analyses, and quantitative descriptive analysis for sensory evaluation. According to the findings, the biodegradable elastomer blend and xylitol generally enhanced the preference for all sensory attributes, while glycerin reduced the hardness, chewiness, and cohesiveness of the chewing gums. The optimal composition was determined to be 39.40% plasticized poly(lactic acid)/Saqqez gum blend, 30.59% xylitol, 20.00% glycerin, and 10.00% calcium carbonate. Texture analysis revealed that the optimal chewing gum exhibited high cohesiveness, springiness, and chewiness. The optimal sample showed higher melting temperatures, attributed to its lower moisture content compared to the commercial variants. Quantitative descriptive analysis indicated that the intensity of hardness, moistness, and sandiness were relatively similar in both optimal and Saqqez commercial chewing gum, placing them in the same group based on the significance level. Overall, the results suggest that this novel biodegradable chewing gum holds significant promise for developing highly beneficial products in the food industry, with potential for both environmental sustainability and health benefits.
When olfactory sensitivity is heightened, sulfur-related odors can make steamed rice smell unpleasant. This study investigated whether shiso (Perilla frutescens var. crispa) can enhance the pleasantness of sulfur-odor-enhanced rice. A sulfur-odor-enhanced rice model was created by adding raw onion to steamed white rice. Odor intensity was quantified using odor index equivalents, whereas odor quality was assessed using odor similarity patterns. Subjective pleasantness and emotional responses were evaluated in 41 healthy Japanese women using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The addition of shiso increased perceived pleasantness compared to the unpleasant odor condition (median VAS score: 6.1 vs. 4.1, p = 0.029). No changes were observed in odor similarity patterns, whereas odor index equivalents showed a slight decreasing trend; however, these results were interpreted descriptively due to the limited number of measurements. Exposure to the sulfur odor-enhanced rice model reduced positive affect and increased negative affect; however, no significant changes were observed in the shiso-containing model. The addition of shiso increased perceived pleasantness of steamed rice with enhanced sulfur-related odors, whereas emotional responses did not change significantly, suggesting that subjective pleasantness and affective responses do not always change in parallel. These findings may inform approaches to improving the pre-consumption sensory experience of staple foods. Because this pilot study included only healthy Japanese women, the findings cannot be generalized to other populations, including pregnant women and patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Seaweeds are important marine resources that contain a great variety of beneficial compounds, including protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, fibers, and bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and carotenoids. Nutritional, functional, and industrial properties of these marine algae make them highly applicable to culinary, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and cosmetic sectors. Seaweeds are perishable as their quality gets highly influenced under certain conditions, such as high moisture content, enzymatic activity, and microbial presence. Parameters such as water activity, lipid indices, total volatile base nitrogen, microbial load, pathogen detection, pH, and sensory properties are used to determine the loss of quality and product stability over time, helping in the determination of the shelf life of seaweed during the post-harvest storage period. To extend the shelf life, several preservation methods have been explored. Traditional methods include sun drying, oven drying, salting, and fermentation, which provide easier and lower-cost conditions, but sometimes cause a compromise in quality. Modern techniques like high-pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, modified atmosphere packaging, and irradiation appear as solutions with lower loss of quality, higher nutrient retention, microbial safety, and sensory attributes. This review critically evaluates post-harvest deterioration mechanisms, quality assessment parameters, traditional and advanced preservation techniques, their impact on shelf life and product quality, and current consumer perceptions to promote sustainable utilization of seaweeds in response to rising global demand.
Microalgae are excellent bioaccumulators of selenium (Se) and iron (Fe), making them ideal for use in the fortification of food and feed supplements. This study aimed to investigate the effects of varying concentrations of Se and Fe on the growth of Chlorella vulgaris and its capacity to accumulate these microminerals. The optimal concentration of each micronutrient was determined by evaluating growth parameters and metal accumulation, and the effects of these metals on various bioactive compounds were then analyzed. The highest specific growth rate and final biomass productivity were found in 50 mg L-1 Fe. The maximum accumulation of Se and Fe in C. vulgaris cells reached 81.54 ± 0.46 mg kg-1 DW at 45 mg L-1 Se and 26798.51 ± 1.49 mg kg-1 DW at 150 mg L-1 Fe, respectively. Chlorophyll a content increased in C. vulgaris treated with 15 mg L-1 Se and 50 mg L-1 Fe. In contrast, the contents of β-carotene and lycopene were not significantly affected by Se and Fe treatments. Total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity significantly increased in 15 mg L-1 Se and 50 mg L-1 Fe. The fatty acid profile indicated that unsaturated fatty acids, particularly linoleic, alpha-linolenic, and palmitoleic acid, were the dominant components identified under Se and Fe treatments. This study suggested that C. vulgaris enriched with optimal levels of Se and Fe can be regarded as a promising candidate for the development of functional foods and nutritional purposes, due to its rich bioactive compounds.
High-intensity exercise improves aerobic and anaerobic performance, neuromuscular function, and sport-specific readiness but may also induce glycogen depletion, exercise-induced muscle damage, muscle soreness, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and temporary reductions in subsequent performance. Recovery nutrition is therefore essential to restore physiological readiness. This review aimed to synthesize current evidence on nutritional strategies for recovery following high-intensity exercise, ranging from foundational macronutrients to functional foods and bioactive compounds. A structured narrative review was conducted using peer-reviewed literature retrieved from PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Priority was given to position stands, consensus statements, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and human intervention studies published in English between 2011 and May 2026. Eligible studies involved athletes or physically active adults and examined biochemical, perceptual, or functional recovery outcomes after high-intensity, repeated-sprint, resistance, eccentric, or muscle-damaging exercise. Carbohydrate and protein remain the most consistently supported nutritional strategies for recovery. Carbohydrate facilitates glycogen resynthesis, particularly when recovery time is limited, whereas high-quality protein supports muscle protein synthesis and tissue repair. Functional foods and bioactive compounds may provide additional benefits as adjunct recovery strategies, although the available evidence varies considerably across exercise models, participant characteristics, supplementation protocols, and recovery outcomes. Among the functional foods reviewed, tart cherry currently has the strongest supporting evidence for selected recovery outcomes. Curcumin, omega-3 fatty acids, and beetroot have shown promising context-dependent benefits, whereas evidence for pomegranate, cocoa flavanols, and green tea remains more variable and is generally stronger for oxidative-stress modulation than for consistent improvements in functional recovery. Chronic high-dose vitamin C and E supplementation may impair training adaptations. Based on the synthesized evidence, we propose a hierarchical and periodized conceptual framework for recovery nutrition following high-intensity exercise, in which carbohydrate and protein adequacy remain the primary priorities. Within this framework, functional foods and bioactive compounds may serve as context-dependent adjuncts, and their application should be individualized according to recovery demands, competition schedule, adaptation goals, and the current strength and consistency of the available evidence.
Meat and its derivatives are susceptible to lipid and protein oxidation during processing and storage, negatively affecting product quality and stability. Oxidative processes can reduce nutritional value, flavor, texture, and shelf life. In this study, the effects of essential oils of two aromatic herbs [Echinophora platyloba DC. and basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)] and their nanoencapsulation form (synthesized utilizing essential oils in conjunction with chitosan) on the physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant properties, microbial stability, and shelf life of burgers during storage at refrigeration temperatures were investigated. The particle sizes chitosan (without essential oil), chitosan nanocapsules with basil and E. platyloba essential oils were 500, 70.15, and 60.4 nm, respectively. The zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency of chitosan nanocapsules incorporating basil and E. platyloba essential oils were 63.61 and 65.18 mv, and 88.7% and 88.9%, respectively. The polydispersity index (PDI) values for chitosan nanocapsules, chitosan nanocapsules incorporating basil and E. platyloba essential oils were 0.711, 0.291, and 0.283, respectively. PDI of chitosan nanocapsules incorporating essential oils were lower than 0.5, indicating the uniform size distribution and thus the success of the nanoparticle production process. The chitosan nanocapsules with basil and E. platyloba essential oils could significantly enhance total phenolic content and antioxidant properties; however, pH, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values, color changes, total microbial counts, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, as well as mold, yeast, and psychrotrophic bacterial populations meaningfully decreased. The chitosan nanocapsules with basil and E. platyloba essential oils (1:1) had an effect on reducing the microbial count by 76%, 78%, and 69% at 4, 8, and 12 days of storage period, respectively, compared to the control. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) indicated that the nanoencapsulation of essential oils with chitosan could improve antioxidant stability, limit microbial growth, and maintain the physicochemical characteristics of burgers during storage. In conclusion, the incorporation of the E. platyloba and O. basilicum essential oils within nanocapsule structures offers a feasible approach for the development of novel, functional, and nutritionally advantageous products. This approach may also enhance shelf life, attributable to the inherent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the essential oils. Further studies are necessary for sensory evaluation of burgers, isolation of secondary metabolites, as well as toxic effects of nanoencapsulated bioactive compound formulations.
Coix seed is a medicinal and nutritional resource, but its protective effects against acute lung injury (ALI) remain unclear. This study investigated the efficacy, active components, and mechanisms of Coix seed extract (CSE) against ALI, focusing on the NLRP3 signaling pathway. The therapeutic efficacy of CSE was evaluated in a murine model of ALI. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry identified 32 components in CSE, which were then analyzed via network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations for target prediction and drug-likeness evaluation. In vivo effects on NLRP3 pathway proteins were also examined. CSE decreased serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β, pulmonary levels of IL-1β and IL-18, indicating systemic and local inflammatory suppression. Furthermore, CSE downregulated the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD-N in lung tissues, suggesting inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome-driven pyroptosis. Network analysis screened 35 core targets and 4 NLRP3-related key targets involved in pathways regulating inflammation, proliferation, and oxidative stress. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations further corroborated the "component-target-disease" interactions within this network. Drug-likeness evaluation identified 12 promising compounds, including syringaldehyde, tangeretin, and eriodictyol. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that CSE alleviates ALI by suppressing both inflammation and pyroptosis through multiple pathways, with NLRP3 as a central mechanistic hub. The identification of bioactive compounds with favorable pharmacokinetic properties provides a chemical basis for quality control and supports potential application of CSE as a functional food ingredient in the management of pulmonary inflammatory conditions.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine-metabolic disorder characterized by profound disturbances in energy metabolism, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying glycolytic dysfunction remain incompletely understood. Given the essential role of glycolysis in ovarian function and endocrine homeostasis, this study aimed to systematically characterize glycolysis-associated molecular alterations in PCOS and identify key metabolic regulators involved in disease pathogenesis. Transcriptomic datasets GSE34526 and GSE6798 were integrated to identify glycolysis-related differentially expressed genes (GRDEGs). Functional enrichment, immune infiltration, and regulatory network analyzes were performed to characterize the biological features associated with glycolytic dysregulation. Machine learning algorithms, including support vector machine, random forest, logistic regression, and LASSO regression, were applied to prioritize key glycolysis-associated regulators for downstream biological characterization. The functional role of GPT2 was further examined in KGN granulosa cells under PCOS-like conditions. Twelve GRDEGs were consistently dysregulated in PCOS and were predominantly enriched in glycolytic metabolism, ATP generation, and transcriptional regulatory processes. Integrative machine learning analyzes prioritized four key glycolysis-related genes (AMPD3, C5AR1, MLXIPL, and PDLIM7) associated with glycolytic remodeling in PCOS. Immune infiltration analyzes further revealed coordinated metabolic and immune remodeling, while regulatory network analyzes highlighted extensive interactions between hub genes and miRNA-, transcription factor-, and RNA-binding protein-mediated regulatory networks. Functional experiments demonstrated that GPT2 knockdown impaired glycolytic activity, reduced ATP production and aromatase activity, disrupted steroid hormone homeostasis, and exacerbated metabolic dysfunction in granulosa cells, whereas pharmacological activation of glycolysis partially reversed these alterations. Our findings provide a comprehensive characterization of glycolytic dysregulation in PCOS and identify GPT2 as a potential metabolic regulator linking altered energy metabolism to ovarian dysfunction. These findings provide a molecular framework for future studies investigating metabolism- and nutrition-based intervention strategies in PCOS.
In clinic, once the ovulated oocytes cannot be fertilized timely, they begin to undergo post-ovulatory aging, which impacts the embryo development and offspring health. Until now, there are no better methods to delay post-ovulatory oocyte aging. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant bioactive component of tea polyphenols that are beneficial for alleviating the deleterious influence of environmental factors on oocyte quality. In the present study, we examined the role of EGCG in delaying oocyte aging after ovulation in vitro. Ovulated oocytes were treated with EGCG at different concentrations, and the fragmentation rate, induced by aging, was significantly reduced by EGCG at 50 μM in vitro. To further elucidate the influence of EGCG on the quality of post-ovulatory aged oocytes, we examined the spindle morphology of aged oocytes. The results showed that EGCG significantly decreased the abnormal rate of spindle morphology in post-ovulatory aged oocytes. The high level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial dysfunction in post-ovulatory aged oocytes were also improved by EGCG, which might be a reason for the reduced apoptosis. The reduced sperm binding capacity of aged oocytes was increased by the addition of EGCG. These suggest that EGCG can improve the quality of post-ovulatory aged oocytes.
Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) are pseudocereals that stand out due to their high nutrient density and functional component content. Their richness in protein, dietary fiber, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive phytochemicals makes them important dietary components with potential roles in metabolic processes and inflammation-related mechanisms. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chia and quinoa seeds, included at 5%, 10%, and 20% in isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets, on serum adipokines (omentin, visfatin, resistin, chemerin), insulin, anthropometric measurements, and body mass index (BMI) in healthy, normal weight male Wistar rats, relative to a control diet. Seventy male Wistar albino rats were divided into seven groups: control diet, 5%, 10%, and 20% chia seed diets (LD-CD, MD-CD, HD-CD) and 5%, 10%, and 20% quinoa seed diets (LD-QD, MD-QD, HD-QD). After 6 weeks, serum adipokine and insulin levels were measured. Weekly body weight, body length, abdominal circumference, and chest circumference were recorded, and BMI values were calculated. Chia and quinoa supplementation altered serum adipokine and insulin levels, with the observed responses varying according to the supplementation level. High-dose (20%) supplementation decreased serum chemerin, resistin, and insulin levels while increasing omentin levels compared with controls. Moderate (10%) and high (20%) supplementation altered serum visfatin levels. Chia and quinoa supplemented diets reduced BMI compared with controls. The HD-CD group also showed lower body weight gain and abdominal circumference. Including chia and quinoa seeds as dietary alternatives may positively affect serum adipokine levels and anthropometric parameters.
Cisplatin, a commonly used chemotherapy drug, inevitably causes damage to the liver and kidneys while exerting its anti-tumor effects. Carboxymethylated Poria cocos polysaccharides (CMP) have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and organ-protective properties, and also exhibit significant anti-tumor activity. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of CMP on cisplatin-induced hepatorenal damage in mice. The results showed that CMP treatment significantly mitigated abnormalities in hepatorenal function indicators and tissue damage induced by cisplatin. Furthermore, CMP significantly suppressed the increase in levels of inflammatory factors in peripheral and hepatorenal tissues, as well as the infiltration of immune cells induced by cisplatin. Additionally, CMP significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of hepatorenal tissues and inhibited oxidative damage caused by cisplatin. In vitro, CMP have also been shown to protect renal tubular epithelial cells and hepatocytes from cisplatin-induced damage. Mechanistically, our studies indicated that CMP activate Nrf2 through a phosphorylation pathway that is independent of Keap1 and reliant on PLC-PKC signaling. In conclusion, our findings suggest that CMP has the potential to serve as an adjunctive agent in cisplatin chemotherapy to protect the kidneys and liver from damage.
Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. extract, as a natural bioactive compound, possesses a wide range of health benefits; however, its inherent instability limits practical applications. To overcome this limitation, nanoparticle-based delivery systems, particularly chitosan-gum arabic nanoparticles, were employed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of varying concentrations of chitosan (3-9 mg/mL), Z. clinopodioides L. extract (3-9 mg/mL), and gum arabic (0.5-1.5 mg/mL), on the physicochemical characteristics of chitosan-gum arabic nanoparticles containing the extract, using a two-step emulsion-ionic gelation approach. Key parameters, including particle size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency, were assessed by examining both individual and interactive effects. The process was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) with a Box-Behnken design. The FTIR and XRD analyses were conducted to characterize the nanoparticles. Nanoparticle sizes ranged from 13.90 to 1722.75 nm, while the zeta potentials ranged from 1.63 to 46.67 mV, and the encapsulation efficiencies ranged from 20.51% to 63.66%. Notably, increasing the extract concentration reduced the encapsulation efficiency, while increasing particle size and zeta potential. Higher chitosan concentrations increased nanoparticle zeta potential. In contrast, increasing gum arabic concentration enhanced the encapsulation efficiency. The results demonstrated significant interaction effects among the formulation parameters across all measured responses. Optimal concentrations of chitosan, extract, and gum arabic were determined to be 9, 4.90, and 1.5 mg/mL, respectively, yielding a particle size of 50 nm, a zeta potential of 5.86 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency of 60.63%. The FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed proper encapsulation of the extract. These findings highlight the critical effects of studied parameters on practical characteristics of chitosan-gum arabic nanoparticles loaded with Z. clinopodioides L. extract.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory bowel disease globally, driven mainly by immune dysregulation and gut microbiota dysbiosis. This study focused on Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BF_15, an infant-derived strain with potential to alleviate UC. Four experimental groups were established, including the control group, DSS group, BF_15 group, and LGG group. Probiotics were administrated at a dosage of 1 × 109 CFU/mL and 0.1 mL/10 g body weight (BW) for 21 days. The therapeutic effects and mechanisms of BF_15 against UC were explored based on physiological indicators, gut microbiota, and tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics. The results showed that BF_15 intervention significantly reduced the disease activity index (DAI) from 3.00 ± 0.50 to 1.16 ± 0.36 (p < 0.05) and mitigated UC-related symptoms including body weight loss and colon shortening, with colon length restored from 4.43 ± 0.32 cm to 5.41 ± 0.26 cm (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, BF_15 downregulated the levels of pro-inflammatory factors such as interleukin IL-6 and IL-17A, and upregulated the levels of IL-10 (from 565.92 ± 79.40 pg/mL to 656.84 ± 66.01 pg/mL) and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA, from 9.75 ± 1.29 μg/mL to 12.79 ± 1.77 μg/mL) (p < 0.05), with a therapeutic effect comparable to that of LGG. Further, gut microbiota analysis demonstrated that BF_15 restored the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (from 28.02% to 30.85%) and regulated gut microbiota homeostasis. Finally, TMT-based proteomic analysis indicated that BF_15 regulated 528 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and exhibited a superior regulatory effect on the antigen presentation and processing (APC) pathway compared with LGG. The above findings provide potential novel therapeutic targets and probiotic strain resources for the treatment of UC.
This study examined how the inoculation sequence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) and Wickerhamomyces anomalus (Wa), along with Dendrobium nobile Lindl. (D. nobile) addition, affects rice wine quality. Sequential inoculation with D. nobile yielded the highest levels of polysaccharides, alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenols. While simultaneous inoculation raised alcohol proportion, sequential inoculation increased ester content. D. nobile reduced total flavor concentration but enhanced its diversity. Metabolic analysis indicated that both factors alter metabolites mainly via amino acid and sugar pathways. Thus, sequential Sc-Wa inoculation with D. nobile is an effective strategy for modulating wine composition, providing a reference for improving fermented rice wine quality.
The appearance of the "oxidation band" in the fluorescence spectrum of anthocyanins is an indicator of oxidative deterioration of anthocyanins and can be a useful preliminary index of food freshness. Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) fruit, rich in anthocyanins, can be subject to drying or lyophilization for domestic or industrial applications. The study was aimed at determining whether the measurement of fluorescence of dried chokeberry extracts can provide information on the extent of anthocyanin oxidation during prolonged drying at 60°C, and if fluorescence of fruit extracts can monitor anthocyanin oxidation during storage of the lyophilizates at various temperatures under air exposure. The increase in the fluorescence intensity of the extracts of chokeberry fruits or their lyophilizates at the "oxidation band" was a regular function of the time of fruit drying and the time of lyophilizate storage at 22°C and 37°C, confirming the usefulness of this parameter for estimation of oxidative changes in dried fruits and their lyophilizates. However, fluorescence of whole fruits, pulverized fruits and pulverized lyophilizate did not show a regular increase as a function of the time of fruit drying and lyophilizate storage, apparently due mainly to the effects of light scattering. The results point to the necessity of controlling the drying process of chokeberry fruits and storing their lyophilizates at ambient or higher temperatures with air access to avoid anthocyanin oxidation.
Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) is widely promoted in sub-Saharan Africa, including Senegal, for its contribution to vitamin A deficiency mitigation. However, its potential to improve mineral nutrition remains limited by low iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations and their restricted bioavailability, which may contribute to persistent micronutrient deficiencies affecting 42% of children under 5 years and 37% of women of reproductive age in Senegal. In this context, organic waste products (OWPs) and microbial inocula (MIs) represent promising agroecological alternatives to conventional fertilizers for enhancing the nutritional quality of OFSP while valorizing locally available resources. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of various OWPs and MIs on tuber yield and Fe/Zn concentrations in OFSP within an agroecological production system. Field experiments were conducted across two contrasting seasons: a rainy season (June 2021-November 2021), followed by a dry season (December 2021-May 2022). The OFSP variety used was "Apomudem". Two types of MIs were tested: local beneficial microorganisms (BMs), a bacterial-fungal consortium derived from fermented forest litter, and mycorrhizal fungi (MF; Glomus mosseae). A factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with four replications was employed. Results revealed several combinations that significantly improved both yield and micronutrient content. The treatment combining poultry litter (PL) with BMs yielded 21 t ha-1 of tubers-a 2.6-fold increase compared to the unfertilized control-and doubled Zn concentration to 20 mg kg-1 DM. Additionally, the combination of PL, BMs, and MF increased Fe concentration to 44 mg kg-1 DM, a 1.7-fold increase. These effects varied with OWP and inoculum type, confirming that their interactions strongly influenced nutrient enrichment. Overall, combining OWPs with microbial inocula provides an effective agroecological approach for enriching crops with essential micronutrients and opens promising avenues for improving staple crop productivity and nutritional quality by effectively valorizing locally available resources, supporting agroecological transition, and food security.
