Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is the final stage of lung damage, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with no effective treatment. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is a key protein involved in fibrosis and regulating inflammation. Therefore, targeting components of TGF-β1 is an effective strategy for controlling PF. Artemisia rupestris L, a perennial herb of rupestris belonging to Artemisia, has been prescribed as a treatment for pulmonary inflammation. We investigated the effects and mechanisms of Artemisia rupestris L ethanol extract (EEAR) on PF induced by cigarette smoke (CS) in vitro and in vivo models. In addition, we used Biolayer Interferometry (BLI) and Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS) to screen and identify compounds that bind to TGF-β1 in EEAR. We found that EEAR inhibited PF, lung inflammation, and airway obstruction, thereby improving lung injury and blood oxygen levels in COPD. And we identified the active ingredient in EEAR that binds to TGF-β1, rupestonic acid (RA). RA inhibited the TGF-β1-Smad2/3 signaling pathway by suppressing TGF-β1 ubiquitination and changing its conformation. Furthermore, RA significantly inhibited epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and collagen deposition, thereby treating PF. Based on these findings, we propose that RA might be a promising therapeutic drug candidate for treating PF.

Dietary westernization exacerbates polyunsaturated fatty acid-mediated intestinal inflammation, though the mechanistic links between arachidonic acid (AA)-induced gut metabolic dysregulation and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4)-regulated inflammatory modulation ‌require further elucidation. Employing both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced and dietary AA-fed murine models, we revealed profound alterations in oxylipin profiles and catalytic enzyme expression, which were effectively alleviated by selenium (Se) supplementation via GPX4 upregulation. The LPS model was used to identify inflammation-associated alterations in AA metabolism, while the chronic dietary AA model was applied to further evaluate the pathological role of sustained AA metabolic activation in intestinal injury. Genetic approaches (Gpx4+/-IEC and Gpx4+/-Mye) identified intestinal epithelial cells GPX4 as the central regulator orchestrating AA metabolic flux and inflammatory cascades. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that while AA exposure alone induced moderate enterocyte reduction, concomitant IEC-Gpx4 knockdown markedly potentiated this depletion. Notably, ferrostatin-1 administration alleviated oxylipin dysregulation and inflammatory activation triggered by dietary AA treatment combined with IEC-Gpx4 knockout. IEC-macrophage co-culture experiments demonstrated that IEC-Gpx4 not only corrects AA-induced oxylipin disturbances but also suppresses chemokine/cytokine release and prevents Slamf7+ pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization. Collectively, these findings establish the Se-GPX4-oxylipin axis as a fundamental regulatory circuit in intestinal inflammation, providing mechanistically grounded therapeutic strategies for inflammatory bowel diseases.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans, primarily obtained from dietary sources, particularly protein-rich foods. Owing to its narrow margin between nutritional requirement and toxicity, as well as the strong dependence of its bioavailability on chemical speciation rather than total concentration, accurate determination of Se in processed agricultural products is critically important. Organic Se species generally exhibit higher bioavailability, greater nutritional value, and lower toxicity compared to inorganic forms, highlighting the necessity of both total Se quantification and speciation analysis. This review critically evaluates recent advances in analytical methods for total Se determination and speciation, with emphasis on sample preparation, species stability, and factors affecting accuracy. While significant progress has been made in total Se analysis, speciation remains challenging due to low analyte levels, complex food matrices, species transformation during extraction, and the lack of standardized methods and certified reference materials. Consequently, combining total and speciation data is necessary for meaningful nutritional evaluation. Future work should focus on improving extraction protocols, enhancing the sensitivity of techniques such as HPLC-ICP-MS, and developing standardized methods for routine application in the food industry.

Intramuscular fat (IMF) content and lipid classes affect beef aroma, but their interindividual variations and impacts on aroma formation remain unclear. Here, we investigated the impact of divergent IMF/neutral lipid-phospholipid profiles on lipidomes and odorant profiles via absolute quantitative lipidomics and volatilomics. Lipidomic analysis revealed significant alterations in free fatty acids (FFAs), phosphatidylcholines (PCs), phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), and triglycerides (TGs), collectively driving interindividual variations at both class and molecular levels. Moreover, unsaturated fatty acyl compositions of these lipids showed group-specific differences, with TGs, PCs, and FFAs dominated by C18:1 and C18:2 chains, while PEs were enriched in C18:2 and C20:4. Thirteen odor-active compounds were identified as critical to beef aroma, with hexanal, pentanal, 1-octen-3-ol, 1-octen-3-one, nonanal showing 74%, 27%, 54%, 38%, 34% inter-group differences in content, respectively (p < 0.05). Specific fatty acyl-containing TGs, PCs, and PEs (C18:1, C18:2, and C18:1e) were critical for odorant generation and retention.

Identifying probiotics that modulate the gut–brain axis is vital for non-pharmacological Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapy. Through a staged screening from transgenic Drosophila to a D-galactose/AlCl3-induced murine model, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA4 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei F5 were prioritized for their ability to improve climbing indices and reduce Aβ deposition and AChE activity. In AD mice, LA4 and F5 significantly ameliorated cognitive deficits and anxiety-like behaviors. Mechanistically, both strains reduced hippocampal Aβ1–42 and p-Tau levels, inhibited AChE, suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β), and enhanced antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px). 16S rRNA analysis revealed restored Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios and enrichment of SCFA-producers (Muribaculaceae, Dubosiella). Metabolomics highlighted remodeled purine and arginine pathways, with strain-specific effects on primary bile acid biosynthesis/sphingolipid metabolism (LA4) and butanoate metabolism/nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism (F5). Consequently, LA4 and F5 alleviate AD pathology by restructuring microbial and metabolic profiles, thereby mitigating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. These findings confirm the potential of specific probiotics as functional food ingredients for the prevention and adjuvant treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Taurine plays important physiological roles, and accurate determination of taurine is essential for related nutritional and biological studies. Because taurine concentration in egg yolk is relatively low, sensitive analytical methods are required for its reliable quantification. The present study established a simple, derivatization-free liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for taurine determination in multiple matrices from laying hens, including egg yolk, serum, ovary, and oviductal isthmus. The method showed high sensitivity, with a limit of detection of 0.05 ng/mL and a limit of quantification of 0.17 ng/mL. Hy-Line Brown laying hens aged 58 weeks were assigned to one control group and three treatment groups receiving 500, 1000, or 2000 mg/ kg taurine in the basal diet. The baseline taurine concentration in egg yolk was 15.19 & micro;g/g. Yolk taurine content stabilized after 6 weeks of supplementation and reached 64.64 & micro;g/g in the 2000 mg/kg group at week 12. Taurine concentrations in serum, ovary, and oviductal isthmus also increased to 27.65 mg/L, 1095.52 & micro;g/g, and 1320.40 & micro;g/g, respectively. These findings indicate that this method provides a rapid and sensitive tool for taurine determination and supports further investigation of taurine deposition in eggs and reproductive tissues.

This study investigated the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) profile, esterification patterns, and characteristic volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the longissimus dorsi of pigs fed flaxseed oil (FO). The results showed that 4% FO resulted in high muscle pH45min and L⁎24h. FO treatments incrementally increased the content of C18:3n3, C18:3n6, C20:3n3, and C22:6n3. The olfactory scores decreased to 47.5 and 44 points from 62 points with incremental FO replacements. The levels of 5 aldehydes, 2 furans, 1 thiophene, and 1 pyridine were elevated in FO groups. FO mainly elevated 35 glycerolipids (GLs), 66 glycerophospholipids (GPs) and 24 sphingolipids (SLs), while reducing 2 GLs, 43 GPs and 16 SLs. Lipids of specific types containing C18:3n3 (R2 > 0.16), C20:3n3 (R2 > 0.23) and C22:6n3 (R2 > 0.41) displayed significant correlations with key VOCs in FO-treated meat. It provides new insight into the aroma features of n-3 PUFA-enriched pork from a lipid perspective.

This study comprehensively investigated the flavor characteristics of Chinese local pigeon eggs, Taihu (TH) and Shiqi (SQ), using Hy-Line Brown (HL) chicken eggs as a control. Gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry (GC-O-MS) identified hexadecanal (fabric- and wax-like) and allyl methyl sulfide (onion- and garlic-like) as key odor-active compounds characteristic of pigeon eggs. Integrated metabolomic and lipidomic analyses revealed significant correlations between these volatiles and their precursors. PE P-18:0_20:4 was identified as a potential lipid precursor, while (-)-1-methylpropyl 1-propenyl disulfide, 5 '-S-methyl-5 '-thioadenosine, and L-methionine sulfoxide were proposed as water-soluble precursors contributing to allyl methyl sulfide formation. This study provides a systematic validation of conserved flavor markers and formation pathways across different pigeon breeds, thereby strengthening the understanding of pigeon egg flavor characteristics and offering theoretical support for flavor regulation and product development of specialty pigeon eggs.

BACKGROUND:Millet and highland barley, as low glycemic index (GI) grains, are considered promising ingredients for the development of new plant-based milks. In this study, a millet-highland barley compound milk (MHM) was created by boiling the grains after baking. The product achieved the highest sensory and e-tongue ratings when the millet-to-barley ratio was 1:4. RESULTS:During storage, MHM showed increasing acidity and colony count, accompanied by an increase in particle size and a decrease in centrifugal sedimentation rate. The flavor of MHM changed significantly with the increase in microbial activity, as evidenced by a shift from an initial sweet and fresh aroma to a rancid and sour odor. A database of volatile compounds and their correlation heat map with storage time was established by gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). CONCLUSIONS:This study provides a theoretical basis and robust data to support the development of personalized, precision-nutrition plant milk beverages and flavor prediction. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

This study characterized flaxseed gum (FG) and its fractions, neutral (NFG) and acidic (AFG), elucidating their structure-activity relationships in hyperuricemia (HUA) mitigation. Monosaccharide, methylation, and NMR analyses identified NFG as a highly branched (1 → 4)-β-D-xylan, with its O-2/O-3 positions substituted with α-L-arabinofuranosyl, α-d-glucopyranosyl, and α-D-galactopyranosyl residues, while AFG exhibited a rhamnogalacturonan-I architecture comprising a repeating →2)-α-L-Rhap-(1 → 4)-α-D-GalpA-(1→ core. In HUA mice, oral administration of FG significantly decreased serum urate levels, alleviating renal tubular dilation, glomerular atrophy, and systemic inflammation (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α). Mechanistically, both fractions shared inhibitory effects on urate reabsorption by downregulating renal URAT1 and GLUT9 transcription. However, their specific regulatory pathways diverged: NFG effectively suppressed hepatic xanthine oxidase activity and upregulated renal OAT1 expression, whereas AFG facilitated urate elimination by specifically enhancing ABCG2 expression in both renal and colonic tissues. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that NFG enriched Bacteroidetes and Actinomycetota while AFG restored Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios and promoted Roseburia. Their complementary interaction within the total FG fraction uniquely enriched the beneficial genus Akkermansia and enhanced colonic short-chain fatty acid production, particularly butyrate and propionate. Overall, FG and its fractions mitigate HUA via gut-kidney axis modulation, establishing these flaxseed polysaccharides as high-efficiency natural dietary supplements for multi-targeted urate management.

Oxidative stress drives the progression of liver disease from hepatitis to fibrosis, underscoring the need for dietary strategies to protect liver health. 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a natural bioactive compound from Glycyrrhiza glabra, exhibits hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated the protective effects of dietary GA against D-galactose-induced hepatic injury in weaned piglets and explored its impact on hepatic function and gut-liver metabolism. The results showed that GA supplementation markedly reduced liver damage and fibrosis, as evidenced by histological improvements (H&E and Masson's staining), reduced hepatic AST activity, lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), and decreased hydroxyproline content (P < 0.05). GA also modulated hepatic lipid metabolism by limiting stress-induced lipogenesis and activating PPARα, while concurrently suppressing TGF-β/SMAD3-mediated fibrotic signaling (P < 0.05). Multi-omics profiling revealed that GA restored bile acid homeostasis in the liver, serum, ileum, and colon, including normalization of conjugated and secondary bile acids, alleviating cholestasis and reinforcing gut-liver metabolic interactions (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that dietary GA can protect against oxidative stress-induced liver injury and fibrosis, potentially offering a dietary intervention strategy to maintain liver health and promote gut-liver metabolic balance.

Aging in laying hens leads to progressive declines in production performance and egg quality, primarily due to deteriorating ovarian function and bone health. Genistein, a natural isoflavone with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, shows potential as a dietary intervention to alleviate age-related physiological decline. This study evaluated the effects of dietary genistein supplementation on ovarian and skeletal health in aging laying hens. A total of 180 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (60 weeks old) were randomly assigned to either a control group (CON) receiving a basal diet or a genistein group (GEN) supplemented with 20 mg/kg genistein for 15 weeks. Genistein significantly increased HDEP during 66-76 weeks of age, increased HHEP during 66-76 weeks of age, and improved eggshell quality at both 69 and 76 weeks (P < 0.05). At 76 weeks of age, ovarian histology revealed reduced inflammatory infiltration, increased follicle numbers, and decreased follicular atresia by genistein supplementation. Antioxidant enzyme activities of SOD and CAT were elevated, whereas MDA levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) were markedly reduced in the GEN group (P < 0.05). The gene set enrichment analysis (GESA) showed enrichment of pathways related to steroid hormone biosynthesis, MAPK, and TGF-β signaling. Serum levels of LH, FSH, E2, and PROG were increased, whereas ALP and TRAP activities were decreased in the GEN group (P < 0.05). GEN enhanced bone breaking strength, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone mineral content (BMC). Furthermore, GEN upregulated the expression of estrogen receptors (ERα, ERβ), osteogenic markers (RUNX2, ALP, OCN), and the OPG/RANKL ratio (P < 0.05). Collectively, these findings demonstrate that GEN promotes ovarian and skeletal functions, thereby improving laying performance and potentially extending the productive lifespan of aging hens.

Amylose-fatty acid (FA) inclusion complexes slow enzymatic digestion in starch-based foods, with their antidigestion properties attributed to complex formation. This study investigated the dimensional matching between amylose molecules of three different degrees of polymerization (DP) and three fatty acids with varying carbon chain lengths, stearic acid (SA), myristic acid (MA), and palmitic acid (PA), for inclusion complex formation. Reaction observations and crystal measurements revealed that DP20 did not form V-type inclusion complexes, regardless of the FA type. However, DP100 and DP200 formed inclusion complexes with all three fatty acids. HPAEC analysis indicated that the critical DP required for complex formation was 16 for MA, 18 for PA, and 19 for SA. DP100 amylose formed inclusion complexes containing one FA per chain, whereas DP200 accommodated two FAs per chain, with minimum DPs required at this stage being 26 (MA), 28 (PA), and 30 (SA). Solid-state 13C CP/MAS NMR results showed a downfield chemical shift in C1 and C4, along with an independent C3 signal, indicating the presence of interhelical cavities. The aggregation of these cavities led to the formation of various sub-V-type structures. Combinations of MA, PA, and SA with DP100 and DP200 produced two V6 crystal types: V6I (intrahelical cavities) with amylose-MA and V6II (interhelical cavities) with amylose-SA. DP100-PA formed V6II, while DP200-PA formed V6I. The combination of lower DP and longer FA chain length resulted in larger interhelical cavities, characterized by increased d-spacing, higher unit cell volume, and reduced crystallinity. This study advances the understanding of amylose-fatty acid inclusion complex formation.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element with multiple biological functions, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, growth-regulating, and immunomodulatory functions. Dysregulation of the arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism-ferroptosis-inflammation axis is associated with the progression of intestinal inflammatory diseases, suggesting that its nutritional regulation holds potential for health management. This study explored how selenomethionine (Se-Met), a bioactive dietary form of Se, regulates this axis to promote gut health using a murine model of AA-induced colitis. C57BL/6J mice were pre-fed a diet with Se-Met (0.2 or 1.0 mg/kg) for 6 weeks, followed by intragastric administration of AA (30 mg/day) for 4 weeks. The results showed that excessive AA intake induced colitis, characterized by intestinal inflammation and barrier dysfunction. Se-Met supplementation alleviated colitis symptoms, improved intestinal barrier function, and inhibited inflammation. Mechanistically, Se-Met enhanced antioxidant defenses by upregulating selenoprotein expression, modulated AA metabolism to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory oxylipins, and inhibited the ferroptosis signaling pathway. Transcriptomics analysis revealed systemic regulatory effects of Se-Met on pathways related to inflammation and lipid metabolism, whereas 16S rRNA sequencing showed that Se-Met remodeled the gut microbiota. These findings highlight that Se-Met alleviates colitis through multi-targeted regulation of the AA metabolism-ferroptosis-inflammation axis, thereby providing experimental support for dietary Se supplementation in gut health protection and informing nutritional strategies for managing inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND:Normobaric acute hypoxia models are widely applied to assess tolerance to acute hypoxic stress. Highland barley is a cereal crop originating from and traditionally cultivated in high-altitude regions; however, the dose-response relationship underlying its effects on hypoxia tolerance remains unclear. METHODS:Male ICR mice were randomly allocated to five groups (n = 8 per group) and fed an AIN-93M basal diet or experimental diets supplemented with 20%, 40%, 60%, or 80% highland barley for 13 weeks. Hypoxia survival time was evaluated using a normobaric asphyxial hypoxia model, in which oxygen is progressively depleted in a sealed chamber by continuous respiration with carbon dioxide absorbed by soda lime. Hematological parameters, indices of oxidative stress and energy metabolism, and gut microbiota composition were also assessed. RESULTS:Compared with the control group, dietary supplementation with 20% highland barley was associated with a longer hypoxia survival time (mean difference: 9.49 min; 95% CI: -2.05 to 21.02), whereas the 80% group exhibited the shortest survival time (approximately 40.6 min). In the 20% group, red blood cell count and hemoglobin concentration increased by 41.6% and 42.1%, respectively. ATP content and superoxide dismutase activity in brain tissue increased by 33.2% and 28.4%, respectively, with similar trends observed in heart tissue. In addition, gut microbiota α-diversity was increased in the 20% highland barley group, and distinct separation of microbial community structures was observed among groups receiving different supplementation levels. CONCLUSIONS:Overall, the data suggest that moderate dietary supplementation with highland barley (20%) is associated with a favorable physiological and microbiota profile under normobaric asphyxial hypoxic challenge, suggesting the presence of a potentially effective intake range for highland barley-based nutritional intervention.

This study aimed to explore the effects of Galega orientalis Lam. Flavonoids Extract (GOLFE) on broiler’s meat and the gut microbiota while predicting the plant's mechanism of action through network pharmacology analysis. GOLFE was first analyzed using UHPLC-Q Exactive HRMS to identify the bioactive compounds responsible for its potential effects. Subsequently, a total of three hundred and sixty, one-day-old Cobb broiler chicks, divided into four groups, including a negative control CON fed a basal diet, two treatment groups with 200 mg and 400 mg GOLFE, and a positive control CT with 100 mg Chlortetracycline, were used for a 42-day trial. The results revealed that GOLFE increased the breast meat weight, redness (a*), catalase level, and superoxide dismutase activity, while reducing the malondialdehyde content (P < 0.05). The extract also altered the gut microbiota content by reducing the level of Clostridia UCG-014 and increasing the presence of butyrate-producing bacteria, notably Butyricicoccus and Flavonifractor, in the gut microbiota (P < 0.05). Furthermore, through a network pharmacology analysis, the identified bioactive components, namely, Quercetin 3-O-rutinoside-(1-2)-O-rhamnoside, Clitorin, Rutin, Isoquercitrin, Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, Narcissin, and Quercitrin, helped predict that GOLFE could enhance the meat antioxidant capacity by modulating broiler’s gut microbiota, possibly through the MAPK signaling pathway. These findings potentially position GOLFE as a sustainable additive for broiler feed.

Lablab purpureus(L.)Sweet(L.purpureus)has been reported to alleviate diarrhea,although the precise mechanism remains unclear.This study identified the primary active components of L.purpureus utilizing ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS).A rhubarb-induced diarrhea model in rats was utilized to assess the therapeutic efficacy of L.purpureus.Alterations in gut microbiota and fecal metabolism were analyzed via 16S rDNA analysis and targeted metabolomics.Flora elimination and fecal transplantation techniques were employed to deepen understanding of the role of intestinal flora in L.purpureus treatment.The study findings indicated that the main constituents of L.purpureus included trigonelline,piperidinic acid,and L-(-)-malic acid,among others.L.purpureus treatment significantly alleviated all diarrhea symptoms in rats,encompassing reduced fecal water content,weight loss,shortened colon length,diminished histological damage,and decreased inflammatory factors.Furthermore,L.purpureus significantly enhanced the expression of tight junction markers and restored the dysregulated intestinal flora in diarrheic rats by increasing Prevotella and reducing Lactobacillus.Additionally,the production of propionic acid and other short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)increased in diarrheic rats treated with L.purpureus,suggesting a substantial alteration in the intestinal environment.Crucially,the protective efficacy of L.purpureus diminishes in the absence of gut flora.Subsequent fecal transplantation tests demonstrated that feces from the L.purpureus-treated group alleviated rhubarb-induced diarrhea,emphasizing the pivotal role of gut microbiota in the antidiarrheal efficacy of L.purpureus.In conclusion,our findings elucidate the underlying mechanisms of L.purpureus' antidiarrheal action and its beneficial impact on intestinal microflora.Moreover,these results provide compelling evidence supporting the therapeutic use of L.purpureus for the treatment of diarrhea and its associated complications.

Due to the high metabolic demands associated with egg production, bone health in laying hens is particularly compromised during the late laying period. Epimedium extract has been shown to regulate bone metabolism and modulate gut microbiota composition in several animal models; however, its effects in laying hens have not yet been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary Epimedium extract supplementation on production performance, egg quality, bone characteristics, and cecal microbiota in aged laying hens. A total of 270 60-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens (initial body weight: 2.01 ± 0.14 kg) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments, with six replicates of 15 hens each. The EME200 group increased egg production during 62-76 weeks of age, showing a significant linear effect (P < 0.05), and improved eggshell thickness and ultrastructure at 69 weeks of age (P < 0.05). Additionally, Epimedium supplementation decreased serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels and increased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity (P < 0.05), while reducing bone turnover markers, including osteopontin (OPN), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), and bone Gla protein (BGP) (P < 0.05). At 76 weeks of age, bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were higher in hens fed EME than in the CON group (P < 0.05). Consistent with these results, trabecular bone volume (Tb.BV), the ratio of trabecular bone volume to total femoral volume (Tb.BV/TV), and trabecular bone mineral content (Tb.BMC) were also increased in the EME groups (P < 0.05). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed enrichment of focal adhesion, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, Wnt signaling, and extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction pathways. Moreover, Epimedium modulated the cecal microbiota composition without affecting overall microbial diversity. LEfSe analysis identified enrichment of Shuttleworthia and Bacteroides, which were positively correlated with multiple bone metabolism-related genes. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Epimedium improves skeletal health in late-laying hens, potentially through the regulation of bone metabolism-related signaling pathways and the selective modulation of the cecal microbiota.

Gut microbial β-glucuronidase (GUS) plays a pivotal role at the microbiota—host interface by hydrolyzing glucuronide conjugates, thereby influencing xenobiotic metabolism, enterohepatic circulation, and systemic homeostasis. Dysregulated GUS activity has been increasingly linked to adverse health outcomes, including drug-induced toxicity, inflammation, and cancer. However, current literature often overlooks the enzyme’s dual role in maintaining physiological balance and promoting disease progression, as well as the multidimensional ways in which natural products interact with GUS. This work reviews recent advances in GUS research, emphasizing its structural diversity, functional complexity, and regulatory impact on host health. It also highlights the potential of natural products as precision modulators of GUS activity, capable of direct enzyme inhibition or indirect modulation through reshaping the gut microbiota. These mechanisms collectively influence drug efficacy, toxicity, and the systemic availability of endogenous metabolites. By integrating structural, pharmacological, and microbiological perspectives, this work provides a theoretical foundation for the development of microbiota-targeted therapies centered on GUS. Such approaches may support the rational design of natural product-derived inhibitors and promote their application in disease models, ultimately advancing personalized therapeutic strategies.

Food proteins play important roles in determining the nutritional quality and functional properties of food systems. However, many native proteins exhibit limited solubility, digestibility, and bioactivity, restricting their industrial applications and nutritional utilization. Although numerous studies have investigated the effects of thermal and non-thermal processing on protein modification, current understanding remains fragmented, and systematic comparisons of the underlying structure-function relationships across different processing technologies are still limited. This review provides a comparative and mechanistic perspective on how thermal treatments (e.g., traditional heating methods, ohmic heating, microwave and radio frequency) and non-thermal technologies (e.g., high hydrostatic processing, cold plasma, pulsed electric fields, ultrasound and irradiation) regulate the structural evolution and functional properties of food proteins. Particular emphasis is placed on the relationships between processing-induced changes in secondary and tertiary structures and the consequent alterations in protein solubility, digestibility, and bioactivity, thereby providing insights for the rational design of protein modification strategies.