Since the 19th-century industrial revolution, Crohn's disease (CD), a chronic inflammatory bowel condition, has gained increasing recognition in both medical and public spheres. This review aims to critically analyze the integration of multi-omics data-encompassing genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics-with network pharmacology to uncover the complex therapeutic mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interventions for CD. By examining multi-omics profiles from CD patients treated with specific TCM formulations or their active components, network pharmacology can effectively pinpoint key biological pathways and molecular targets influenced by TCM. These pathways include, but are not limited to, the regulation of gut microbiota composition, modulation of inflammatory cytokine networks (such as TNF-α and IL-17), and the restoration of intestinal mucosal integrity. This integrated methodology not only aids in identifying active constituents but also facilitates the prediction of synergistic effects and clarifies the molecular interactions within TCM. Consequently, it establishes a solid framework for rational drug discovery and the formulation of personalized therapeutic strategies for CD. The primary focus of this review will be to explore the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of TCM for CD through the lens of network pharmacology, emphasizing its application in addressing this complex condition.

Weaning stress in piglets induces severe intestinal damage, characterized by barrier disruption, oxidative stress, inflammation, microbiota dysbiosis, impaired nutrient absorption, and mucosal immune dysregulation, leading to diarrhea, growth retardation, and economic losses in the swine industry. In the post-antibiotic era, plant polyphenols have emerged as promising novel feed additives with multi-target bioactivities. This review systematically summarizes the molecular mechanisms by which plant polyphenols protect intestinal health in weaned piglets, integrating barrier protection, oxidative stress–inflammation crosstalk, microbiota regulation, nutrient transport, and immune reconstruction into a cohesive network framework. Comparative studies demonstrate that polyphenols (e.g., grape seed proanthocyanidins, citrus flavonoids, tannic acid, ellagic acid) achieve effects comparable to or superior to antibiotics in growth performance, diarrhea control, and intestinal integrity, with unique advantages in antioxidant capacity, immune regulation, and reduced resistance risk. Despite limitations in mechanistic depth, preparation standardization, and long-term validation, plant polyphenols represent a sustainable novel feed additive strategy for enhancing intestinal health and supporting smart, antibiotic-free pig production.

Icariin (ICA), an isoprenylated flavonoid glycoside extracted from the traditional Chinese herb Epimedium, is the primary bioactive constituent of that herb. ICA has been documented to have a diverse array of bioactivities which encompass anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, anti-oxidant stress resistance, anti-aging properties, antitumor activity, anti-osteoporotic effects, and reproductive function enhancement. ICA intervenes in basic processes such as cellular stress, inflammation, metabolism and death through multiple targets and pathways, and can restore the body's balance in specific pathological states. Building on these findings, this paper describes ICA's therapeutic efficacy across diverse pathologies, such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, gastrointestinal diseases, ischemic stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases, while elucidating its underlying molecular mechanisms. This study also explores new methods of preparing ICA with the goal of both expanding its therapeutic uses and supporting its clinical translation. However, the toxicological profile and clinical evidence for ICA are still not well understood, and thus, more research is needed before ICA can be confirmed as a viable treatment.

To evaluate the nutritional value of fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) for growing pigs, ten representative FCSM samples were collected and assessed in two experiments for the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AAs) and for digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME). In Experiment 1, 11 growing pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, 25 ± 1.8 kg) fitted with a T-cannula were assigned to an 11 × 6 incomplete Latin square design, with 11 diets (one nitrogen-free diet and 10 diets containing FCSM as the sole nitrogen source) and 6 periods. All diets contained 0.30% Cr2O3 as an indigestible marker. Experiment 2 used 22 healthy crossbred barrows with an initial body weight of 45 ± 2.3 kg. A replicated 11 × 3 incomplete Latin square design was adopted, comprising 11 dietary treatments and 3 periods. The dietary treatments included a corn-soybean meal basal diet (control) and 10 FCSM-containing diets. The results demonstrated marked variation among FCSM samples in terms of chemical composition and energy content. The mean Ca/P ratio was 0.32. The average DE and ME were 11.20 MJ/kg (range 9.69-12.65 MJ/kg) and 10.68 MJ/kg (range 8.55-11.84 MJ/kg), respectively. The SID values for Lys, Met, Thr, Trp and Val were 65.90% (60.01 to 68.92%), 77.34% (74.48 to 81.78%), 68.10% (59.97 to 72.02%), 72.12% (70.25 to 73.62%), and 75.50% (68.60 to 78.65%), respectively. Stepwise regression analysis generated prediction equations for estimating DE and ME from chemical composition. These data fill a gap in energy and amino acid digestibility parameters for FCSM, provide a basis for precision diet formulation, and indicate the need to supplement limiting amino acids and optimize the Ca/P ratio.

ABSTRACT Metabolic diseases are a group of disorders characterized by disruptions in metabolic homeostasis, posing a growing global health burden. Emerging evidence highlights the gut microbiota as a central regulator of host metabolism, where dysbiosis contributes to chronic inflammation, impaired energy balance, and metabolic dysfunction. In this context, bioactive peptides (BPs), derived from dietary proteins, have attracted increasing attention due to their multifaceted biological activities and regulatory potential. This review systematically summarizes the current evidence on how BPs modulate gut microbiota composition, metabolic function, and microbe–host interactions. Mechanistically, BPs can reshape microbial communities, regulate the production of key metabolites such as short‐chain fatty acids, and improve intestinal barrier integrity and immune homeostasis. Through these coordinated effects, BPs influence multiple metabolic pathways involved in obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Importantly, this review highlights BPs as promising microbiota‐targeted modulators and outlines their underlying mechanisms as potential therapeutic targets and tentative intervention strategies for metabolic diseases. Collectively, these findings provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the role of BPs in the gut microbiota–metabolism axis and support their future application in precision nutrition and metabolic disease management.

Bioinspired materials (BMs) have emerged as a pivotal research focus in drug delivery, demonstrating significant potential for oral targeted delivery systems (OTDS) in recent years. By mimicking the structural features or functional mechanisms of biological systems, these materials significantly enhance delivery efficiency and optimize drug activity, offering a novel paradigm for the rational design of OTDS. Despite significant progress, existing evaluations primarily focus on single-disease applications or specific material types, leaving a systematic summary of the transition from structural design to functional manifestation in BMs notably lacking. Meanwhile, the advantages and limitations of different preparation methods and their influence on delivery performance remain underexplored. To address these gaps, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of the design strategies and functional mechanisms of BMs in OTDS, emphasizing two key dimensions: Structural emulation and biological emulation. Additionally, it critically evaluates the advantages and limitations of various preparation methods. By synthesizing experimental evidence from diverse disease models, with a focus on colitis and cancer as representative examples, this review systematically elucidates the pivotal role of BMs in improving oral drug targeting efficiency. Moreover, it proposes strategic approaches to optimize delivery systems and discusses critical challenges and future directions in the field. This work aims to facilitate the transition toward the rational design and clinical implementation of next-generation OTDS.

Osteoporosis, a prevalent metabolic bone disorder, poses a growing global health challenge. Plant-derived polysaccharides, especially those from edible and medicinal botanicals, have attracted considerable interest as dietary bioactive compounds with multitarget regulatory functions and favorable safety profiles. However, a comprehensive understanding linking their botanical sources, mechanisms of action, and structure-activity relationships (SARs) is still lacking. This review synthesizes recent advances in osteoprotective polysaccharides from agricultural and medicinal plants, focusing on their source diversity, molecular mechanisms (including the gut-bone axis), and structural determinants of bioactivity. We further discuss challenges and strategies for their application as functional food components or nutraceuticals. By proposing a novel "Resource-Mechanism-Structure-Translation" framework, this work aims to bridge existing knowledge gaps and provide a roadmap for the development of plant-based polysaccharide ingredients aimed at skeletal health support.

Salvianolic acid B (Sal B), a polyphenolic constituent of Danshen. It has demonstrated therapeutic potential in cardiovascular diseases by targeting a spectrum of pathological processes. This review comprehensively summarizes the pharmacological effects, research progress and molecular mechanisms of Sal B cardiovascular protection, focusing on six aspects: antioxidant effect, anti-inflammatory activity, endothelial protective function, antifibrotic properties, inhibition of platelet aggregation and cardiomyocyte protection. This review also highlights advances over the past five years. It not only covers the discovery of new targets and new pathways (such as THBS1, Piezo1, p300); Innovative strategies to overcome its pharmacokinetic deficiencies were also discussed, including the development of advanced drug delivery systems such as responsive microspheres, dissolving microneedles, and biomimetic nanoparticles. This article aims to provide valuable reference for subsequent research by integrating these latest research results, and offers novel insights that can advancing the treatment development of Sal B for cardiovascular diseases.

Soil salinity severely limits rice growth, necessitating effective and safe mitigation strategies. Here, a chitosan-encapsulated melatonin carbon dots-copper nanocomposite (MT-CDs@Cs-Cu) was developed to enhance rice salt tolerance via a trilevel "scavenging-regulation-repair" mechanism. The nanocomposite effectively scavenges reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, activates antioxidant enzymes, and reduces oxidative damage. It suppresses ABA accumulation while upregulating aquaporin genes, improving stomatal conductance and water transport. Under salt stress, MT-CDs@Cs-Cu increases the germination rate, fresh weight, and chlorophyll content, while reducing Na+ accumulation and elevating the K+/Na+ ratio. Furthermore, it reconstructs the rhizosphere microbiome, enriching beneficial taxa such as Sphingomonas and Actinobacteria, and reverses salt-induced metabolic disturbances. This integrated strategy provides an effective framework for developing nanoagricultural technologies to mitigate soil salinization and enhance sustainable crop production.

Livestock wastewater contains high concentrations of organic contaminants, heavy metals, and antibiotic residues. If it is inadequately treated, its discharge can lead to water eutrophication, ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, and the spread of antibiotic resistance genes, posing a significant threat to global public health. Therefore, the development of efficient wastewater treatment technologies holds substantial environmental and societal significance. Due to its exceptional adsorption capacity and stability, modified biochar (MBC) has been widely applied in constructed wetlands (CWs), substantially enhancing pollutant removal efficiency. However, comprehensive reviews on the synergistic application of MBC and CWs for livestock wastewater treatment remain limited. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the preparation methods of MBC and its current applications in CWs. It discusses the effects of various modification techniques on the removal of key pollutants in livestock wastewater and examines the regulatory impact of MBC on wetland substrates, microbial communities, and plant growth. Finally, the review outlines the prospects and challenges associated with the combined application of MBC and CWs, offering valuable insights for optimizing and scaling up its use in livestock wastewater treatment.

Efficient removal of phosphorus from pig farm wastewater is of vital importance for preventing water body eutrophication. However, this process still faces significant challenges. To address this issue, this study utilized a metal-modification strategy and successfully prepared an efficient lanthanum-modified biochar material (0.1LaB-700 degrees C), which demonstrated a phosphate adsorption capacity of 9.88 mg/g and a removal rate of 98.8 %. A combination of structural characterization and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations was employed to systematically investigate the interaction mechanisms between 0.1LaB-700 degrees C and different phosphorus species (including PO43-, HPO42-, and H2PO4-), revealing the critical roles of surface precipitation and ligand exchange in phosphorus removal. To bridge the gap between laboratory success and practical application, the present work further constructed a synergistic treatment system by coupling 0.1LaB-700 degrees C with Pseudomonas sp. G16. The integrated system exhibited remarkable efficacy in real swine wastewater treatment, with total phosphorus (TP) and phosphate removal rates reaching 74.22 % and 77.30 %, respectively, representing substantial improvements of 49.88 % and 57.91 % over the control group. More importantly, this synergistic strategy not only enhanced nutrient removal efficiency but also promoted the formation of a more stable and mature microbial community structure. In summary, the innovative integration of modified biochar with microbial enhancement technology presents a viable approach and technical support for the treatment of complex wastewater systems.

The widespread application of biogas projects generates substantial amounts of waste fermentation residue. Further treatment of fermentation residues facilitates resource utilization, ensures safe disposal, and is anticipated to enhance the economic returns of biogas projects. Herein, catalytic liquefaction of pig manure fermentation residue to produce biocrude oil was investigated using various alkaline catalysts at 340 ℃ with ethanol as the solvent. Biocrude oils were analyzed by elemental analysis, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), thermogravimetric analysis, and kinetic analysis. The maximum biocrude oil yield (45.24 wt%) was obtained with the KOH catalyst. Additionally, the biocrude oil produced by the catalysis of CaO exhibited the maximum higher heating value at 44.18 MJ/kg. GC-MS results showed that KOH and K2CO3 considerably increased the content of phenols and hydrocarbons in the biocrude while reducing nitrogenous compounds. All alkaline catalysts effectively reduced the activation energy of biocrude oil compared to biocrude oil without catalyst. The maximum reduction in activation energy (18.73 %) was achieved with the addition of Na2CO3. More importantly, adding CaO not only increased the yield and higher heating value of biocrude oil but also reduced nitrogenous compounds and activation energy, improving the overall yield and quality. Overall, this work provides an effective and promising method to convert pig manure fermentation residue into green high-quality biocrude oil, simultaneously providing an economical and environmentally friendly waste management strategy for the fermentation industry.

This research involved the screening and combination of Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter radioresistens, and Klebsiella michiganensis to create a novel compound bacterial agent known as SSF-1. The efficacy of SSF-1 in treating real pig farm wastewater was assessed, focusing on its impact on nitrogen transformation, the structure of bacterial communities, and functional genes. SSF-1 demonstrated stable ammonia nitrogen conversion under both weakly acidic and weakly alkaline conditions, exhibiting superior environmental adaptability compared to individual strains. Under optimal conditions, the ammonia nitrogen conversion rate in simulated wastewater reached 98.4 ± 0.2 %. Furthermore, SSF-1 was found to synergistically treat wastewater with functional bacteria in the sludge. Metagenomic analysis revealed that SSF-1 enhanced nitrogen transformation and the reduction of nitrate/nitrite by upregulating key nitrogen metabolism genes. This discovery expands the application potential of compound bacterial agent in actual environments and contributes to the sustainable utilization of water resources.

Soil heavy metal pollution presents substantial risks to food security and human health. This study focused on the efficiency of plant growth-promoting fungus-Beauveria bassiana FE14 and Miscanthus floridulus on the synergistic remediation of soil Cd contamination. Results revealed that B. bassiana FE14 significantly enhanced the growth of M. floridulus, substantially decreased Cd content in soil by 79.39 %, and modified enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase) to alleviate Cd-induced oxidative stress in plants, determined by the physical and chemical indicators and enzyme activities of soil and plant. Based on microbiome analysis, this study also found significant changes in the composition, structure, and molecular ecological network of endophytic bacterial communities in roots, but this study had little effect on the bacterial and fungal communities in rhizosphere soil. In addition, the key genera (including Sphingomonas, unclassified_Comamonadaceae, Massilia, Bradyrhizobium, and Paraglomus) and key genes/enzymes (including cadC, zinc transporter, zinc and cadmium transporter, exoZ/Y/Z, catalase-peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, nitrite reductase, acid phosphatase, etc.) were involved in promoting plant growth and alleviating Cd stress. These findings revealed the potential of B. bassiana FE14 and M. floridulus working in synergy to enhance the phytoremediation efficiency of Cd-contaminated soils, thus presenting a promising approach for integrated plant-microbe remediation strategies.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is the primary causative agent of diarrheal disease and, in some cases, mortality in infants and children. The objective of this study was to ascertain the potential anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal properties of egg-derived bioactive tripeptides (IQW and IRW) in the context of ETEC-induced diarrhea. The findings indicated that the IQW and IRW exerted a modulatory effect on ETEC-induced weight loss and intestinal immune dysfunction. The administration of IQW and IRW directly ameliorated ETEC-induced intestinal morphological damage, restored goblet cell counts and intestinal permeability, and enhanced the mechanical and chemical barrier function of the intestinal mucosa. It is noteworthy that IQW and IRW have the capacity to impede the NF-kappa B/MAPK signaling pathway, a process that may be associated with beta-arrestin2, a pivotal protein within the CaSR response system. Furthermore, IQW and IRW have been demonstrated to play a regulatory role in metabolic pathways and metabolites, including those of tryptophan, arginine, and phenylalanine, and their respective metabolites. These findings demonstrated the effect of egg-derived bioactive peptides on ETEC diseases and present a framework for the prospective prevention and therapeutics of related diseases.

Tryptophan metabolism exerts a pivotal influence on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involving intestinal microbiota. Tryptophan (Trp) undergoes several metabolic processes that result in the formation of several bioactive compounds, such as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), kynurenine (KYN), and indole analogs, and these metabolites have significant roles in maintaining intestinal health and modulating immune function. The components and ability of the intestinal microbiota affect the metabolic balance of tryptophan, and dysbiosis may lead to disorders of tryptophan metabolism, which may exacerbate the condition of IBD. In this paper, we went over how the intestinal microbiota and tryptophan metabolism interact and the mechanism of tryptophan metabolism and its products in IBD, explored the regulatory roles of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathway, immune cells, and immune factors in this regard, and proposed a strategy for the treatment of IBD based on tryptophan metabolism. We also mentioned that tryptophan metabolites exhibit distinct functions between Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), and vary across different stages of the disease. Looking forward to the future, in-depth study of the interaction between tryptophan metabolism and intestinal microbiota can give new ideas to the clinical management of IBD.

This study investigated anaerobically digested swine wastewater (ADSW) as a nutrient source for Chlorella vulgaris FACHB-8 cultivation under mixotrophic conditions with carbon supplementation. The microalgal strain was grown in ADSW supplemented with six carbon sources, followed by concentration optimization. Under optimized conditions (20 g/L glucose), FACHB-8 demonstrated a high biomass productivity (271.31 mg/L/day) and a specific growth rate of 0.42 per day. The system achieved an 88.70% total nitrogen removal and an 82.93% total phosphorus removal. The biomass contained 45.59% lipids, 29.72% proteins, and 13.05% carbohydrates, with fatty acid methyl esters showing balanced proportions of saturated (50.77%) and unsaturated fatty acids (49.23%). These findings highlight the potential of glucose-based mixotrophic cultivation for simultaneous wastewater treatment, renewable biomass production, and value-added lipid production. This work proposes a scalable swine wastewater treatment system that synergizes bioremediation and renewable energy production via carbon-enhanced microalgae cultivation, offering a dual-functional strategy for sustainable livestock wastewater reuse.

The occurrence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is relevant to impaired intestinal mucosal barrier and disordered gut microbiota, subsequently leading to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and elevated levels of inflammatory factors. Traditional therapies focus on inhibiting inflammation, but the vast majority involve non-targeted systemic administration, whose long-term use may result in potential side effects. Oral microbial therapy has exhibited great application prospects currently in IBD treatment; however, its progress has been slowed by issues with deficient bioavailability, poor targeting of colitis, and low therapeutic efficacy. Consequently, it is exceedingly desirable to develop a strategy by which probiotics can be endowed with additional anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as enhanced targeting of the inflamed intestine. Herein, we present an innovative therapeutic strategy for encapsulating probiotic Bacillus coagulans spores with rosmarinic acid (RA) and silk fibroin (SF). Probiotics in spore morphology possessed strong gastrointestinal environmental resistance; RA alleviated oxidative damage by scavenging ROS and inhibited inflammatory responses; SF assisted probiotics release and colonize in the inflamed intestine. We demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of probiotic composite materials in a colitis mouse model, which significantly alleviated a series of colitis symptoms, inhibited inflammatory cytokine storms, restored the balance of the gut microbiota, and downregulated inflammation-related signaling pathways. We are optimistic that the utilization of therapeutic nanocoating to modify probiotics will open up novel avenues for future microbial therapy targeting IBD.

Polysaccharides, as macromolecular carbohydrates present in various medicine and food homology, have gained growing recognition for their potential in combating obesity through multiple mechanisms. Their natural origin and favorable safety profile have made polysaccharides from medicine and food homology (PMFH) an area of significant research interest, particularly in the context of developing effective, safe, and sustainable interventions for obesity management. This review summarized the classification and biological properties of PMFH and then elucidated the pathological characteristics of obesity. We primarily focused on the effects of PMFHs on obesity, with particular attention to the potential mechanisms mediated through the gut-liver axis. These mechanisms encompassed the improvement of fat metabolism imbalances, manager of appetite and energy balance, adjustment of intestinal microbial imbalances, and alleviation of oxidative stress and inflammation. The findings provided critical theoretical insights and data to support the development of anti-obesity dietary and pharmaceutical products. In brief, this review outlined future research directions regarding the potential mechanisms underlying the anti-obesity effects of PMFH, particularly those involving the gut-liver axis.