Food Science & Nutrition最新文献

Dihydroquercetin (DHQ) is a plant-derived flavonoid with well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic mechanisms of DHQ in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) by integrating network pharmacology with in vivo and in vitro experiments. Network pharmacology analysis identified potential DHQ targets associated with MASLD, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. A high-fat diet-induced murine MASLD model and a free fatty acid-induced HepG2 cell steatosis model were employed to evaluate the effects of DHQ. Biochemical assays, ELISA, Oil Red O staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting were used to assess lipid metabolism, inflammatory responses, and HIF-1 signaling. Thirty-seven overlapping targets between DHQ and MASLD were identified, with protein–protein interaction analysis highlighting key hub proteins and enrichment analyses implicating the HIF-1 signaling pathway. In vivo, DHQ significantly reduced body and liver weight, improved serum lipid profiles and liver enzyme levels, and alleviated hepatic histopathological damage. Mechanistically, DHQ activated the LKB1–AMPK axis, inhibited ACC, reduced IL-1β and TNF-α production, and attenuated aberrant HIF-1α/VEGF signaling. Consistently, DHQ decreased lipid accumulation and inflammatory cytokine expression in steatotic HepG2 cells, while CoCl₂-induced HIF-1α stabilization partially reversed these protective effects. Collectively, these findings suggest that DHQ ameliorates lipid metabolic disorders and inflammation in MASLD by modulating the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway, supporting its potential as a therapeutic candidate.

This study investigated the effects of three modification strategies—ultrafine grinding (UGCF), extrusion puffing (ECF), and lactic acid bacteria fermentation (LFCF)—on whole-grain corn flour and their combined application in European-style bread. A composite premixed flour system was optimized through single-factor experiments and an L9 orthogonal design. The optimal formulation consisted of 2.5% ECF, a 5:5 UGCF:LFCF ratio, 7.5% vital wheat gluten, and 45% wheat flour. The resulting corn-based European-style bread exhibited a starch content of 66.75% and a dietary fiber content of 9.68%, qualifying it as a high-fiber product. Antioxidant activity was markedly enhanced, with DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging rates reaching 139.65% and 52.35%, respectively. In vitro digestion analysis showed starch hydrolysis degree of approximately 48% after 180 min, accompanied by increased resistant starch content and a calculated glycemic index of 67.45, classifying the product as a medium-GI food, suggesting an optimal consumption period within 3 days. Overall, the composite modification strategy enabled the development of corn-based European-style bread with improved nutritional attributes, enhanced antioxidant activity, and moderated starch digestibility.

In this study, the morphological properties, antioxidant activities, and phytochemical content of Spiranthes spiralis L. seed methanol extracts were characterized and analyzed in silico. Microscopic analysis revealed a fusiform seed shape characterized by prominent basal cells with thick, slanted ridges and polygonal testa structures. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) identified distinct absorption bands corresponding to O–H, –CH₂–, C=O, and other functional groups, indicating the presence of phenolic compounds, proteins, and polysaccharides. The total phenolic content was measured at 24.65 ± 1.43 mg GAE/g dry weight, while flavonoid and tannin contents were determined to be 43.98 ± 3.10 mg QE/g dry weight and 2.13 ± 0.13 mg GAE/g dry weight, respectively. Antioxidant activity, assessed via DPPH radical scavenging, yielded an IC₅₀ value of 0.21 mg/mL, indicating a strong antioxidant potential associated with the phenolic content. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis revealed 20 bioactive compounds, with 2,2-dimethoxybutane and hydrazinecarbothioamide among the major constituents. Molecular docking indicated high binding affinities to the GPR52 receptor, with 4,4,6,6-tetramethyl-1,3-dioxane displaying the lowest binding energy (−6.3 kcal/mol). Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) predictions revealed mixed toxicity profiles, as hydroxyacetic acid, hydrazide, and hydrazinecarbothioamide were flagged for potential mutagenicity. Further computational analysis, including Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) and non-covalent interaction (NCI) and reduced density gradient (RDG) mapping, supported the presence of well-defined electrostatic regions and weak interaction zones. Additionally, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and global reactivity descriptors suggested that hydrazinecarbothioamide exhibits high electrophilicity and reactivity. At the same time, 2,2-dimethoxybutane was found to be more chemically stable and less reactive. Overall, the findings emphasize the phytochemical richness and bioactive potential of S. spiralis seeds, offering promising perspectives for future pharmacological and biotechnological applications.

Soil salinization, driven by rapid climate change, poses a serious threat to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production worldwide. The studies on the effect of sodium chloride stress on wheat have detailed reports, while the effects of Na₂SO₄, NaHCO₃, and Na₂CO₃ stresses remain to be investigated. Here, we investigated the differential growth and physiological responses of wheat seedlings to equimolar concentrations of NaCl, Na₂SO₄, NaHCO₃, and Na₂CO₃. Alkaline salts (NaHCO₃ and Na₂CO₃) induced significantly more severe growth inhibition, chlorophyll degradation, and oxidative damage compared to neutral salts (NaCl and Na₂SO₄). This was evidenced by heightened lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and membrane injury, particularly under Na₂CO₃ stress. The antioxidant defenses were precisely tailored, which alkaline stress strongly activated ascorbate while neutral salts preferentially enhanced catalase activity. Osmotic adjustment was also stress-specific, with alkaline conditions triggering extreme proline accumulation up to 7.5-fold in roots. Ion homeostasis was profoundly disrupted under alkaline stress, marked by excessive Na⁺ uptake, severe K⁺ depletion, and significant reductions in nitrogen and phosphorus. Notably, gene expression analysis revealed stress-specific regulation of key genes involved in ion transport (e.g., SOS1) and antioxidant defense. Our findings revealed distinct stress-specific regulatory mechanisms in wheat, with alkaline causing more severe oxidative stress and membrane damage than salt. In addition, we examined the tissue expression and evolution of SOD genes, which showed the expansion and duplication of the SOD gene family in terrestrial plants. Our study unveils the divergent physiological pathways activated by different salts, providing novel insights into wheat stress adaptation and a theoretical basis for breeding salt-tolerant cultivars.

The ketogenic diet (KD) has been suggested as a useful lifestyle intervention for metabolic syndrome; however, its long-term metabolic effects remain debated. This study evaluated the biochemical impact of supplementing KD-fed rats with a diluted aqueous extract of Bitter Melon (BM) on the regulation of hepatic gluconeogenesis. Thirty-two male rats were divided into four groups: G1 (Control), G2 (KD), G3 (BM extract, 1.5 g/kg body weight), and G4 (KD + BM extract, 1.5 g/kg body weight). Serum and liver samples were analyzed for biochemical parameters. KD reduced glucose, insulin, triglycerides (TG), Free Fatty Acids (FFA), glycogen, pyruvate carboxylase, and PEPCK, while elevating cholesterol (+34%), lactate, and ketone bodies (p < 0.05). BM supplementation partially restored glucose (+15%), insulin, TG, FFA, glycogen, and enzyme activity, while lowering cholesterol (−14%), lactate (−16%), and ketone bodies (−27%) (p < 0.05). Histological analysis confirmed improved liver architecture in BM-treated groups. BM aqueous extract counteracts KD-induced metabolic disturbances, improving glucose and lipid homeostasis and supporting its role as a safe adjunct to KD for long-term metabolic management.

Indigo naturalis-processed Ophiopogon japonicus (IN-OJ) is a common processing method in the Menghe medical school to enhance its heat-clearing and detoxifying effects. However, its impact on the structure and bioactivity of the main active component—polysaccharides—remains unclear. In this study, polysaccharides were extracted from both raw and IN-processed O. japonicus using hot reflux and ultrasound-assisted methods. Their structural features were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Monosaccharide composition, molecular weight, and microscopic morphology were systematically analyzed. Antioxidant activities were evaluated in vitro through DPPH, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays, using Vitamin C (Vc) as a positive control. The results indicated that IN processing significantly increased the polysaccharide and uronic acid contents. Molecular weight profiles revealed an additional high-molecular-weight fraction in the processed samples (U-IP: 520,049 kDa; W-IP: 356,167 kDa). Monosaccharide analysis showed notable increases in arabinose and fucose. Microscopic observations indicated a transition from a loose, honeycomb-like structure to a denser, aggregated morphology, while FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the introduction of additional carboxyl groups. Furthermore, antioxidant assays demonstrated that IN processing significantly enhanced scavenging activities against DPPH and superoxide anion radicals, with W-IP exhibiting the strongest DPPH radical scavenging capacity (IC₅₀ = 3.19 mg/mL). However, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity decreased post-processing, likely due to steric hindrance within the aggregated structures. The positive control Vc exhibited markedly superior scavenging activity across all assays. These findings suggest that IN processing enhances specific antioxidant capacities of OJ polysaccharides through structural modification, with reflux extraction yielding the most active fractions, thus providing a scientific basis for optimizing this traditional method in functional food applications.

Previous studies showed that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) share a common pathogenic mechanism. However, research on links between immune cells, plasma metabolites, inflammatory factors, and gut microbiota and these diseases remains limited. This study aimed to probe causal relationships between these factors and IBS/GAD using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Among factors associated with IBS, 25 gut microbial taxa, 103 plasma metabolites, 7 inflammatory factors, and 42 immune cell characteristics had causal relationships with IBS. Among factors associated with GAD, 35 gut microbial taxa, 72 plasma metabolites, 6 inflammatory factors, and 43 immune cell characteristics had causal links to GAD. IBS was appointed as a risk factor for GAD [odds ratio (OR) = 1.328; p < 0.001]. Mediation analysis showed that IBS acted as a mediator, modulating the effects of 1 immune cell, 1 gut microbiota, and 2 plasma metabolites on GAD. IBS attenuated the protective effects of “Bilophila” on GAD onset (13.30%). This study respectively revealed the potential causal roles of multiple factors in IBS and GAD, as well as the causal relationship between IBS and GAD. Additionally, the mediating role of IBS was unveiled, delivering fresh perspectives on the pathogenesis of IBS and GAD.

Trigonelline, a coffee-derived alkaloid with antioxidant and mitochondrial effects, has been proposed as a candidate modulator of aging, but its specific role in ovarian aging remains unclear. In this study, we applied an integrated in silico strategy combining network pharmacology, protein–protein interaction analyses, molecular docking, 100-ns molecular dynamics simulations, and single-cell transcriptomic data to identify potential trigonelline targets relevant to ovarian aging. Among 57 predicted targets, five (MMP9, JAK2, PARP1, HDAC1, and CYP3A4) emerged as core candidates spanning extracellular matrix remodeling, genome and epigenome maintenance, and endocrine/xenobiotic metabolism. Structural and molecular dynamics simulations combined with single-cell expression patterns converged on PARP1 and MMP9 as the most plausible central mediators of trigonelline's putative age-modulating effects in the ovary, with JAK2 and HDAC1 as intermediate candidates and CYP3A4 as a likely systemic mediator. These exploratory findings provide a conceptual framework that links coffee-derived trigonelline to molecular pathways of ovarian aging and highlight specific targets and pathways for experimental validation in future nutrition and reproductive-aging studies.

Apios americana is an underutilized legume rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and micronutrients, yet research on its potential as a gel-based food and its retrogradation behavior remains limited. This study aimed to compare the physicochemical and sensory properties of gels prepared from whole Apios and Apios starch, and to investigate the effect of oil addition on retrogradation inhibition in whole Apios gel. Texture profile analysis, syneresis rate measurement, sensory evaluation, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were conducted to analyze gel characteristics and structural changes. Whole Apios gel showed significantly lower syneresis and superior texture acceptability compared with starch gel, receiving the highest overall liking score. Increasing oil content (0%–6%) decreased hardness, improved elasticity, and effectively reduced syneresis. DSC results indicated the lowest enthalpy value at 4% oil addition, demonstrating optimal retrogradation inhibition. FTIR analysis confirmed reduced hydrogen bonding and recrystallization, supporting the stabilizing mechanism of oil incorporation. These findings highlight the functional potential of whole Apios gel as a retrogradation-resistant gel product and suggest practical applications for value-added product development utilizing underused crops in the food industry.