Journal of Food Biochemistry最新文献

Purpose: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal condition characterized by poor control of pulmonary hemodynamics and vascular development. Zang Siwei Qingfei mixture (ZSQM) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula used for the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases. However, the underlying mechanism of ZSQM for treating PAH remains unclear.

Methods: A PAH rat model was established after monocrotaline (MCT) injection, and pulmonary hemodynamic features and pathological changes were evaluated. The candidate targets of ZSQM against PAH were discovered using network pharmacology. Then, molecular docking was used to validate the discovered key targets. Moreover, serum metabolomics was used to identify differential metabolites. The metabolomics and network pharmacology integrated network was constructed.

Results: ZSQM alleviated MCT-induced pulmonary vascular injury and vascular remodeling. We found ZSQM core component chrysin and six hub genes according to network pharmacology, including CYP2C19, CASP8, PTK2, VEGFA, FLT4, and TNNI3. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities between key targets and chrysin. Meanwhile, western blotting results validated significant changes in the expression of these key targets. Subsequently, we confirmed that chrysin existed in the ZSQM by HPLC–MS. In addition, a total of 19 metabolites with potential significance were identified to be implicated in the therapeutic mechanisms of ZSQM. The further integrated analysis indicated an interconnection between these key targets, their related core metabolites (12(S)HETE, ascorbate, succinate, vitamin C, and L-arginine), and metabolic pathways.

Conclusion: The study, employing metabolomics and network pharmacology, has concluded that ZSQM has the potential to enhance the treatment of PAH by targeting multiple pathways and molecular targets. This finding suggests that ZSQM could serve as a promising alternative therapy for PAH.

In neurodegenerative diseases, the activation of microglia and the ensuing neuroinflammation are pivotal in regulating disease progression. Attenuating inflammation induced by microglial cells is considered a key strategy for slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. γ-glutamylcysteine (γ-GC) has exhibited significant antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects; nevertheless, its potential role in modulating neuroinflammatory responses remains incompletely explored. The current investigation aimed to establish a neuroinflammation model by stimulating BV2 microglia cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and to explore the protective effect of γ-GC on neuroinflammation in BV2 microglia cells. The results demonstrated that γ-GC significantly attenuated LPS-induced oxidative damage in BV2 cells, reduced the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), inhibited the cytoplasmic translocation of high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), and effectively mitigated the LPS-induced inflammatory response in BV2 cells. We further investigated the regulatory mechanism of γ-GC on LPS-induced BV2 neuroinflammation and found that γ-GC significantly enhances autophagy in BV2 cells, resulting in a marked reduction in mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) phosphorylation levels and an increase in AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation levels. The use of autophagy inhibitors 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and AMPK inhibitors further corroborates the proposition that γ-GC promotes autophagy in BV2 cells while suppressing the LPS-induced inflammatory response of BV2 microglia through the activation of the AMPK-mTOR pathway. The findings indicate that γ-GC exerts a substantial inhibitory impact on neuroinflammation, making it a promising candidate for the development of therapeutic strategies against neuroinflammatory disorders and related conditions.

Due to rising health concerns, consumers are increasingly inclined toward reduced-fat products, which have driven the need for nutritious alternatives through modifications in recipes and production processes. Despite the growing popularity of coconut-based products, there is limited research on baked coconut chips, particularly regarding the effects of baking temperatures and product thicknesses. This study addresses this gap by developing baked coconut chips samples (BCSs) as a healthier alternative to traditional fried chips. Baking experiments were conducted at temperatures of 140°C, 160°C, and 180°C, with 160°C identified as optimal for balancing processing time and product quality. The study also compared baked coconut chips with those that were dried and then baked (dried baked coconut chips samples [DBCS]). Among the trials, the 0.5-mm-thick coconut chips baked at 160°C exhibited favorable sensory attributes and notable biochemical properties, including 3.13% moisture content, 1.13% ash, 40.49% fat, and significant antioxidant activity.

The aim of the present research is to investigate the effect of ohmic-assisted extraction (OAE) parameters on the Falcaria vulgaris extract (FVE) properties. Various parameters, including ethanol-to-water ratio (0%–100%), voltage gradient (10–30 V/cm), temperature (30°C–60°C), and extraction time (10–30 min), were applied as independent factors. Physicochemical process, antimicrobial properties, and energy analysis were accomplished to achieve OAE optimization. Results indicated that extraction yield (EY) and energy consumption (EC) significantly increased with increasing the voltage gradient and extraction time (p < 0.05). Also, EY significantly increased with increasing of process temperature and the ethanol concentration in the solvent (p < 0.05). The findings demonstrated that as the voltage gradient, process duration, temperature, and ethanol concentration in the solvent were increased, there was a significant initial increase followed by a decrease in both the total phenolic content (TPC) and the DPPH radical scavenging activity of FVE (p < 0.05). The optimization results indicated that the extraction process with an ethanol-to-water ratio of 65.5%, voltage gradient of 20.3 V/cm, temperature of 56.6°C, and extraction time of 22.1 min results in maximum extract TPC, DPPH, and EY, and minimum extraction EC. The OAE method showed greater EY and less EC and CO₂ production compared to the hydrodistillation (HD) method. In general, OAE caused improved antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the FVE.

Asthma is a common disease that affects millions of people but has no cure. Resveratrol (Res) has been confirmed to be effective against asthma; however, in vivo experiments had shown that Res administration by either oral or intraperitoneal injection had low absorption, leading to a bad efficacy. Aerosol therapy is widely used in asthma treatment, which can achieve effective concentrations locally. The efficacy of atomized Res for asthma has not been evaluated yet. Therefore, this article aimed to evaluate the effects of Res aerosol inhalation on asthma and explore the mechanisms involved. Ovalbumin (OVA) was used to construct an asthma mouse model. Different concentrations of Res solution were atomized with an ultrasonic nebulizer, and the asthmatic mice were treated. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate the degree of airway inflammation and airway remodeling in the mice. Serum from each group of mice was collected for IgE and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) detection. Real-time quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting were used to detect the expression levels of the target genes and proteins. Compared with the asthma group, the airway inflammation scores were significantly decreased in the low- or high-dose Res group. The airway remodeling parameters of the WAm/Pbm, WAmuc/Pbm, and WAi/Pbm ratios were significantly reduced. The expression of serum IgE, IL-5 mRNA, and p-STAT6 protein was significantly decreased, and serum T-AOC was increased in the Res group. Consistently, Res treatment significantly inhibited p-STAT6 expression induced by recombinant human IL-13 in 16HBE cells. Results suggest that Res nebulization therapy can improve airway inflammation, airway remodeling, airway allergy, and antioxidant capacity in asthmatic mice, which may be mediated by a STAT6-related pathway.

The novel bioactive polysaccharide, Sacha inchi shell polysaccharide-3 (SISP-3), was isolated from the Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) shell using anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. This neutral polysaccharide fraction, characterized by a triple-helix structure and a molecular weight of 17,684 Da, was successfully isolated. The composition analysis of SISP-3 revealed the presence of Rha, Ara, Gal, Glc, and Fru in molar ratios of 7.2%:41.7%:40.3%:4.1%:6.7%. The dominant glycosidic linkage in SISP-3 was identified as ⟶4)-Galp-(1⟶, accompanied by a complex branching pattern. The results from RAW264.7 cell experiments showed that SISP-3 significantly enhanced cell viability, phagocytosis, and NO production. Additionally, it significantly stimulated the production of cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, in RAW264.7 cells. These findings suggest that SISP-3 serves as an immune active agent with immunomodulatory properties, indicating its potential as a natural immunomodulatory agent for various applications.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major cause of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) relapse, therapeutic failure, and a poor prognosis. However, Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM) is a mushroom that might have anticancer and other medicinal properties. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of combining the acidic RNA protein complex FA-2-b-β extracted from AbM with imatinib (IM) on MDR in the K562/ADR leukemia cell line in vitro and in xenograft mouse models. The combination of FA-2-b-β and IM significantly inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in K562/ADR cells compared with either alone. Western blotting (WB) revealed that the combination significantly reduced p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR protein expression. The combination also inhibited tumor growth in mice with K562/ADR xenografts. These findings suggested that FA-2-b-β enhances the effects of IM on K562/ADR cell proliferation and apoptosis, potentially by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and downregulating P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression.

Propolis is a sticky substance produced by bees because of the reaction of beeswax, pollen, and bee enzymes. Particularly, their biological activity and chemical content attract attention. Thus, in this study, the total amount of phenolic and flavonoid substances, Fe³⁺-Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺ (cupric ions reducing activity [CUPRAC]), and Fe³⁺-TPTZ (ferric ions reducing antioxidant power [FRAP]) reducing, and DPPH^• and ABTS^•+ scavenging assays in vitro antioxidant properties of propolis samples obtained from four different provinces of Türkiye were determined. In addition, the chemical content of propolis samples was quantitatively determined by LC–MS/MS, and the antiglaucoma property was revealed by hCAII enzyme inhibition. Propolis samples from Ordu presented the highest amounts of total phenolic and flavonoid content (492.3 ± 5.8 and 96.1 ± 2.1, respectively) and also highest antioxidant activity (DPPH^• and ABTS^•+ IC₅₀ [μg/mL]: 8.884 ± 0.84 and 4.589 ± 0.80, respectively; Fe⁺³, CUPRAC, and FRAP: 1.051 ± 0.012, 1.021 ± 0.008, and 0.957 ± 0.007 μg/mL, respectively). hCAII enzyme inhibition was highest in Muş propolis (IC₅₀ [μg/mL]: 8.6) as determined. By LC–MS/MS, 53 different components were screened and 35 bioactive components were determined. According to the results, propolis was found to be a raw material because it contains high concentrations of acacetin, chrysin, caffeic acid, and quinic acid (123.824, 24.759, 47.779, and 16.32 mg analyte/g extract, respectively).

Ocimum gratissimum (OG) Linn is a member of the Lamiaceae family and is widely distributed in the coastal and savannah areas of tropical countries such as Brazil, Nigeria, India, and Mexico. In this report, the impact of acute and 28-day repeated oral polyphenol-rich extract of Ocimum gratissimum (PREOG) treatment was investigated in adult male Wistar rats using Lorke and stipulated OECD (420 and 407) guidelines with little modifications. In the acute test, (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 mg/kg) PREOG was orally administered using gavage at a single dose, and for 14 days, the animals were scrutinized for any signs of toxicity. In the 28-day oral PREOG test, the animals were allotted (50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) PREOG daily over a period of 28 days; Control Group A received only distilled water, while Group B received corn oil. At the end of these studies, semen, blood, and tissues were collected for semen, hormonal, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological analyses. No death and obvious signs of toxicity were recorded in both the acute and 28-day oral PREOG treatment, and PREOG was well tolerated even at 5000 mg/kg. Body weight gain, histopathology (liver, testes, and kidney), and hematological and biochemical parameters were unperturbed by the acute and 28-day oral PREOG treatment. Semen quality and hormonal and antioxidant capacity of the liver, testes, and kidney were also not impaired by the 28-day oral PREOG treatment. These studies demonstrated tolerability of PREOG by adult male rats and the 28-day oral PREOG treatment did not impair the reproductive and antioxidant capacity in adult male rats.

Chlorella, a single-celled green algae rich in proteins, holds promise as a source of bioactive peptides. This research aimed to isolate an antioxidant peptide from Chlorella, examining its stability through digestion. Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), we identified optimal hydrolysis conditions for Chlorella Protein Hydrolysate (CPH): 55°C, pH 8.75, and an enzyme-to-substrate ratio of 2.15%. These conditions led to CPH with notable radical scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (53.19 ± 0.99%), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) (76.86 ± 0.28%), hydroxyl radical (53.39 ± 1.74%), and Fe²⁺ chelating rates of 22.56 ± 2.97%. Subsequently, peptides under 3 kDa isolated by ultrafication proved particularly stable and antioxidative after in vitro digestion. In addition, further purify to obtain component C1 with DPPH radical scavenging ability of 59.62 ± 1.29% and an Fe²⁺ chelating ability of 49.78 ± 1.55%. Subsequent LC-MS/MS identification and virtual screening led to the discovery of a stable and antioxidative peptide, Ser-Gly-His-His-Lys-Pro-Leu (SGHHKPL). The study provides the theoretical basis for the development and utilization of chlorella.