Journal of Food Biochemistry最新文献

Investigating the different chemical species of soluble iron in food digests provides more relevant information on the nutritional potential of an iron-rich food. The objective of this study was to assess the bioaccessibility and speciation of iron from various aqueous extracts of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves. Aqueous extracts were prepared from fresh and dried Moringa leaves using infusion and decoction methods. Spectrophotometric assays were performed to quantify inhibitors and enhancers of iron absorption in the extracts, bioaccessible iron, and its different chemical species. The highest contents of inhibitors (239.43 mg/L for polyphenols and 2.92 mg/L for phytates) and enhancers of iron absorption (1.58 mmol/L for carotenoids and 488.00 mg/L for ascorbic acid) were found in the 5-minute decoction extract of fresh leaves, and the lowest in all infusion extracts (27.34 mg/L for polyphenols, 0.50 mg/L for phytates, 0.15 mmol/L for carotenoids, and 86.00 mg/L for ascorbic acid). The percentages of bioaccessible iron were higher for decoction extracts (42.57–52.70%) compared to infusion extracts (33.89–36.44%). Ferrous iron was the dominant inorganic species of bioaccessible iron and was more concentrated in the digests of decoction extracts (1.32–4.85 mg/L). The highest content of organic iron (5.33 mg/L) was found in the digest of the 8-minute decoction extract of dried leaves. Drinking decoction extracts of fresh and dried Moringa leaves could be recommended to alleviate iron deficiency in vulnerable groups of the population living in areas where this plant can grow.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a rapidly progressing malignancy with a poor prognosis. Quercetin is a flavonoid compound with various biological benefits that can be extracted from Chinese herbs or daily foods. Quercetin has anticancer properties in various types of cancers. However, its therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms in PDAC have not been investigated extensively. Here, we confirmed the therapeutic effect of quercetin in PDAC using a mouse model. Based on high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and bioinformatic analysis, we propose that quercetin is involved in stromal infiltration of PDAC. Quercetin attenuates the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) via tumor-stromal interaction. Meanwhile, we have identified two quercetin-related prognostic models for patients with PDAC. Finally, we proposed a downstream target of quercetin, the ITGB4 gene, which could be a potential therapeutic target for PDAC.

The influence of origin on tea quality has been understudied. Little research has compared metabolites during tea processing from different origins. This study aims to address this gap by using nontargeted metabolomics to examine the differential metabolites present in Yingde black tea from various origins at different processing stages. Nontargeted metabolomics was employed to compare the differential metabolites present in fresh tea leaves, withered leaves, rolled leaves, fermented leaves, and processed tea from various origins. The study revealed significant differences in the metabolites present at each processing stage. Despite using identical processing techniques, the quality of finished teas from different regions was found to vary through sensory evaluation. The study found that taste differences between regions were primarily influenced by flavonoids and amino acids. The relative taste activity value (RTAV) approach was used to identify key contributors to taste differences and regulation. The quality of fresh tea leaves was found to be the main determinant of the taste of black tea from various regions. To reduce these differences, the same processing techniques were employed. These findings enhance our understanding of quality variations in dried tea from different origins and contribute to the theoretical foundation of tea processing.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a prevalent reproductive endocrine disorder, frequently coincides with insulin resistance, lipid dysregulation, and cellular apoptosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Dried Zingiber officinale (DZO), renowned for its antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, in the context of PCOS. To this end, we induced a PCOS mouse model through the administration of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and a high-fat diet (HFD), followed by DZO treatment to assess its effects on ovarian pathology, insulin resistance, and hormonal imbalances. The anti-apoptotic effect of DZO on PCOS ovarian granulosa cells was confirmed through network pharmacological analysis, TUNEL staining, FITC-PI staining, and protein blotting. Notably, DZO treatment significantly alleviated ovarian pathological changes in PCOS mice and normalized hormone levels, including testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratios. Furthermore, our findings confirmed the anti-apoptotic effect of DZO on PCOS ovarian granulosa cells. Mechanistically, DZO primarily exerted its therapeutic effects in PCOS by inhibiting apoptosis induced by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In conclusion, our study demonstrates the promising therapeutic role of DZO in the management of obese PCOS patients, particularly in reversing ROS-mediated apoptosis in ovarian granulosa cells.

Extracts derived from various mushroom species have been documented to possess notable antimicrobial properties. However, the current corpus of knowledge pertaining to the precise evaluation of their structural characteristics is currently inadequate. In this study, a comprehensive analysis was undertaken to ascertain the antimicrobial attributes and effectiveness of phenolic compounds, such as ferulic acid, o-coumaric acid, p-coumaric acid, rutin, quercetin, gallic p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and protocatechuic acid, identified from P. ostreatus. These compounds were examined for potential antiproliferative properties against multidrug-resistant gonococcal clinical isolates. The results of this study revealed that p-hydroxybenzoic acid, o-coumaric acid, and chysin exhibited no antibacterial activity (MIC > 50 µg/ml) against any of the target N. gonorrhoeae isolates in the range of tested concentrations (0.1–50 µg/ml). A notable reduction in the growth activity of the target organisms was observed when subjected to cultivation in the presence of flavonoid compounds. The statistical significance of the parameter estimate for quercetin was observed at intercept (ISID 59), with a p value less than 0.0001 and a Chi-square value of 44.84. The combination of ferulic acid with either protocatechuic acid or p-coumaric acid showed a trend towards reduced antimicrobial efficacy against most target isolates. However, our findings highlight its remarkable promise, as quercetin exhibited both independent and cooperative effectiveness.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease and threatens the health of the aged population worldwide. In the present study, we investigated cognitive improvement by aloe emodin in aluminum-induced AD rats. We orally administered aluminum chloride (150 mg/kg) to Sprague–Dawley rats for 8 weeks to induce AD. In the 5th to the 8th week, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with AE (5, 10, and 15 mg/kg). Behavioral, histopathological, and biochemical assessments were performed. The results showed that AE alleviated cognitive impairment in aluminum-induced AD rats and inhibited aluminum-induced hippocampal neuronal damage. Furthermore, aloe emodin relieved the aluminum burden in the brain of aluminum-induced AD rats, attenuated the aluminum-induced increase in Aβ₄₂ level and acetylcholinesterase activity, and reduced the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-1α, and interleukin-1β. These effects suggest that the mechanism by which AE alleviates AD-related cognitive impairment is by removal of excess aluminum, decreasing Aβ₄₂ deposition, regulating the cholinergic system, and reducing neuroinflammation.

With its historical roots, Iranian traditional medicine has played a significant role in addressing liver-related disorders and providing alternative approaches to synthetic drugs. Liver-related disorders, such as hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, pose significant health challenges worldwide. From traditional practices and indigenous knowledge, Iranian traditional medicine offers a holistic approach to liver health. It emphasizes the importance of lifestyle modifications, including dietary adjustment, physical activity, and stress reduction, to support liver function and restore balance within the body. This review collects from different databases, mainly Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and SID. It focused on medicinal plants that are recommended in Iranian traditional medicine and scientifically proved to have liver protection properties as well as summarized our 10 years of experience in this field. This comprehensive article is an effort to study the integration of traditional knowledge with modern evidence-based practices that can contribute to a comprehensive understanding of Iranian medicine’s potential in managing liver-related disorders. Iranian traditional medicine incorporates many natural remedies derived from medicinal plants, minerals, and animal products. These remedies are often used in the form of herbal preparations, decoctions, and dietary supplements. Specific plants include Zataria multiflora, Satureja spp., Heracleum persicum, Carum carvi, Ferula spp., Hypericum scabrum, and Archillae spp. They are known for their hepatoprotective properties and are commonly employed in the management of liver disorders in Iranian traditional medicine. This traditional treatment provides a unique perspective by offering natural approaches to liver health. Traditional remedies aim to minimize potential side effects associated with synthetic drugs while addressing the root causes of liver disorders.

Objectives. To investigate the effects of ginseng soluble dietary fiber (GSDF) on the spermatogenic potential in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Method. C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD for 60 days, and GSDF was administered by gastric gavage. The mice were divided into control, HFD, GSDF (high, medium, and low), and positive (metformin and MH) groups. During this period, changes in body weight were recorded. Various organ indices were measured 24 h after the last dose. Sperm quality in the vas deferens and epididymis tail was determined using fully automated analyzers. Serum levels of the three lipids, cytokines, and hormones were detected by ELISA. Pathological changes in the testicular tissue and epididymal fat were observed by H&E and immunofluorescence staining of the testicular tissue for superoxide dismutase (SOD) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). Changes in the levels of MAPK pathway proteins in the testicular cells were detected by western blotting. Result. GSDF intervention significantly reduced the body weight, renal index, and white fat in obese mice, while increasing the testicular organ index. GSDF intervention significantly reduced serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in mice compared to the HFD group, thereby improving hyperlipidemia. Simultaneously, the serum cytokine IL-4 level was increased, IL-6 level was significantly reduced, testosterone (T) hormone level was significantly increased, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were significantly reduced in the GSDF-treated mice. The viability, survival rate, and density of spermatozoa in the treated groups significantly improved. Testicular interstitial cell vacuolization and collagen fibrosis improved, spermatogonia were aligned, and epididymal fat cell hypertrophy and vacuolization were suppressed. In the GSDF treatment group, SOD levels increased significantly, whereas 4-HNE levels decreased, with the most evident effect observed in the medium-dose group. GSDF ameliorated metabolic disorders in obese mice by regulating the p-JNK/p-p38MAPK pathway. Conclusion. GSDF ameliorated spermatogenic potential in obese mice by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway. Thus, GSDF may be an effective lipid-lowering agent for improving the reproductive potential of obese mice.

Goji, a renowned traditional Chinese medicine and food source, is characterized by a long fruiting period. This study was conducted to investigate the variations in nutritional quality of goji berries across different harvest stages by utilizing widely targeted metabolome and transcriptome. The results showed that goji berries of the first harvest stage had advantages in terms of size and metabolic levels, and there was little difference in sugars and organic acids levels. Within significantly enriched phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways, chlorogenic acid, and its positional isomers (neochlorogenic acid and cryptochlorogenic acid) increased significantly along with P-coumaroyl quinic acid as the harvest stages progressed, while the other bioactive DEMs including scopoletin, scopolin, naringenin, and pruning exhibited a decreasing trend. The key DEGs encoding PAL, HCT, 4CL, C4H, TOGT1, and C12RT1 were suggested to regulate the variations of these DEMs. Furthermore, six oxidative metabolites enriched in alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid metabolism pathways all peaked at the second harvest stage. Climate or plant weakening is suggested as potential factors influencing the metabolic and transcriptomic changes in goji berries. This study provides a fresh perspective on understanding the accumulation of metabolites and their molecular mechanisms in goji at different harvest stages in the Qaidam Basin and can be used to guide goji production and processing.

In this study, the Anoectochilus roxburghii (A. roxburghii) was studied for its chemical composition and biological activities. The first aim of this work was to isolate and purify compounds from A. roxburghii using Sephadex LH-20 and HPLC. The identification of seven compounds was achieved, with 5,4′-dihydroxy-3,3′,7-trimethoxy-flavone and 5-hydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-5-pentylfuran-2(5H)-one being isolated from A. roxburghii for the first time. The second aim was to describe its inhibition on the metabolism-related enzyme activities in vitro. Further, 3,5-dihydroxy-7,3′,4′-trimethoxyflavone and 5-hydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-5-pentylfuran-2(5H)-one showed inhibitory activity on xanthine oxidase, while isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (IC₅₀ = 87.45 μg/mL) may be potential inhibitors of α-amylase. Molecular docking analysis revealed that isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside exhibited the highest binding affinity towards PL. In addition to scientifically expanding the compound library of A. roxburghii, the discovery is also a vital reference for finding new insights in the field of medication research, especially as natural metabolism-related enzyme inhibitors.