Journal of Food Biochemistry最新文献

Nickel exposure is known to induce oxidative stress and inflammation and disrupt critical metabolic pathways, leading to hepatic dysfunction and impaired glucose regulation. This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical effects of nickel-induced metabolic impairments in an animal model, using a variety of techniques, including ELISA and instrumental analysis, with a specific focus on the expression of key genes involved in insulin regulation and glucose homeostasis. The experiment included four groups: Control, Nickel-exposed, Nickel-exposed with standard treatment (ascorbic acid, AA), and Nickel-exposed with resveratrol (RSV). Serum nickel levels, measured via ICP-MS, showed a significant increase in the exposed group, with a mean value of 125.74 ± 6.20 ppb. The analysis of various metabolic biomarkers demonstrated that nickel exposure resulted in hyperglycemia, elevated HOMA-IR, HbA1c, and DPP-4, increased level of inflammatory cytokines, altered lipid profiles, and impaired liver and kidney function. Nickel exposure triggered inflammation, disrupted carbohydrate metabolism, induced oxidative stress, and altered the expression of genes related to hepatic inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and glucose and lipid metabolism. These changes culminated in mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired glucose metabolism, and insulin resistance, as evidenced by reduced expression of GLUT-2 and GCK—genes critical for glucose uptake and insulin secretion. Elevated serum levels of amino acids, such as glutamate and valine, further indicated disruptions in amino acid metabolism and oxidative stress. Therapeutic interventions with AA and RSV demonstrated significant protective effects: Both compounds mitigated oxidative stress, reduced inflammatory cytokines, and restored normal expression levels of GCK and GLUT-2, improving glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Additionally, AA and RSV alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction, suppressing the overexpression of UCP2, a protein linked to impaired energy metabolism. Serum amino acid levels were also normalized, highlighting their role in reestablishing metabolic balance. In conclusion, this study highlights the therapeutic potential of AA and RSV in mitigating nickel-induced hepatic and metabolic disturbances. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing oxidative stress and inflammation in metabolic disorders and position RSV as promising candidate for restoring metabolic homeostasis. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms underlying their protective effects.

Mango powders were supplemented with probiotics and then subjected to heat pump drying. The study evaluated the physicochemical, biochemical, and probiotic properties of the resulting mango powders. Through the effects of thickening additives type (sodium alginate and Arabic gum), concentration and drying temperature have been shown to have a direct effect on the objective functions of interest. The results showed that the foam stability increased approximately 2.14 times (MPD-S), the solubility of powders tended to be similar to 67.65 ± 0.40%, while microbial density decreased and remained within the allowable limit of 6.9 × 10⁶ CFU/mL (MPD-G). Through heat pump drying, these values were drastically reduced. The mango powders were mixed for a second time to improve the organoleptic values and showed commercial viability with a score greater than 11.2.

Diabetes mellitus is a significant global health concern, especially in Iran. Currently, numerous oral antihyperglycemic agents and insulin are prescribed to manage diabetes. Historically, in Middle Eastern countries, medicinal herbals were used to manage diabetes in patients. Furthermore, the adverse effects of some diabetes management drugs provide an eager potential for researchers to find novel alternative treatments that reduce the side effects and also increase their efficacy. In addition, the rich history of Iranian traditional medicine reveals the vital role of traditional herbals and their compounds in treating and mitigating diabetes mellitus and its associated complications. Several studies conducted to investigate the hypoglycemic properties related to these plant species. In this narrative review, we aimed at a comprehensive study of Iranian plant species with antidiabetic properties through experimental evidence. Our review illustrated that the traditional herbal active ingredients are not well-defined, limiting their standardization. Current efforts focus on identifying these components to improve their therapeutic efficacy.

Objective: This study investigated the antifatigue effects of deer-hide gelatin (DHG) and its mechanism in mice through a weight-loaded swimming experiment.

Methods: The subjects were assigned to the blank group (BC), positive group (PC), model group (MC), and high, medium, and low doses of DHG groups (HP, MP, and LP). After 4 weeks of treatment, the subjects were sacrificed to detect fatigue-related biochemical indicators and the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2/Keap1 and AMPK/PGC1α pathways. The morphological changes of skeletal muscle were detected. High-throughput sequencing technology was used to detect the changes in the relative abundance of intestinal flora and the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in tired subjects.

Results: Compared with MC, DHG could prolong the exhaustion time of weight-loaded swimming mice; reduce the CK, BUN, lactic acid, MDA, 5-HT, and GABA levels; and increase the LDH, SOD, CAT, Glycogen, MG, BG, ACH, and Glu levels. Moreover, DHG increased the protein and mRNA expression of Nrf2, HO-1, AMPK, PGC1α, and P-AMPK and reduced the protein and mRNA expression of Keap1. The 16S rDNA sequencing analysis also showed that DHG regulated the abundance of intestinal microbiota and the content of SCFAs and increased the growth of beneficial bacteria.

Conclusions: DHG exhibited antifatigue effects on mice by activating Nrf2/Keap1 and AMPK/PGC1α pathways, reducing oxidative stress damage, and enhancing mitochondrial energy supply. The study’s findings confirmed the considerable antioxidant and antifatigue activities of DHG, providing a preliminary foundation and practical theory for the further development of DHG as a nutritional supplement.

The aim of this study is to investigate efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality drying technologies for Rosa roxburghii Tratt. Five drying methods—hot air drying (HAD), microwave drying (MD), vacuum drying (VD), microwave vacuum drying (MVD), and freeze vacuum drying (FVD), were employed to dry Rosa roxburghii Tratt. The study focused on evaluating drying characteristics, colors, texture and structure, and microstructure, as well as the content of active ingredients and antioxidant activity of Rosa roxburghii Tratt. The results of drying kinetics indicated that the Wang and Singh model was the most suitable for FVD, while the Page model was optimal for the other four drying methods. Rosa roxburghii Tratt subjected to HAD exhibited the highest energy consumption per unit but the lowest ΔE and the highest TFC. The microstructure of Rosa roxburghii Tratt under different drying methods was analyzed. Rosa roxburghii Tratt dried using MD experienced serious cell rupture, resulting in a large loss of active ingredients and the worst antioxidant ability, but it had the fastest drying rate. On the other hand, Rosa roxburghii Tratt dried under VD had the microstructure with the least pore space, leading to slower drying speed and the highest total polyphenol content. Rosa roxburghii Tratt dried using MVD had the least hardness and chewiness, with slightly better ΔE and active ingredient content compared to MD. FVD Rosa roxburghii Tratt took the longest time to dry, with the greatest ΔE difference, hardness, and chewiness, but it had the highest Vitamin C content and the most powerful antioxidant ability. Principal component analysis (PCA)–entropy weighting method was used to provide comprehensive scores for the different drying methods, with FVD, HAD, VD, MVD, and MD were 0.8107, 0.7037, 0.4499, 0.2746, and 0.0586 respectively. Through comprehensive analysis, we demonstrated that the quality of Rosa roxburghii Tratt obtained via FVD and HAD is satisfactory. Additionally, HAD is characterized by its economic efficiency and convenience, providing valuable insights for the industrial production of Rosa roxburghii Tratt drying.

The formation and accumulation of foam cells within the arterial wall is the main early event of atherosclerosis. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the most abundant cells in human atherosclerotic lesions and are suggested to contribute to atheroma foam cells. γ-glutamylcysteine (γ-GC), as an immediate precursor of glutathione, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, the effects of γ-GC on the formation of atherosclerotic plaques are not yet clarified. Here, we display the effects of γ-GC against ox-LDL-induced formation of foamy VSMCs. Our results showed that γ-GC apparently reduced the total intracellular cholesterol content in mouse and rat VSMCs. The oil red O and fluorescent BODIPY staining indicated that γ-GC inhibited the formation of foam cell. Mechanistically, γ-GC reduced the expression of macrophage scavenger receptor 1 (Msr1) in VSMCs to attenuate cholesterol uptake by the cells. Further RNA-seq analysis, and immunofluorescence as well as immunoblotting measurements showed that thioredoxin-1 (Txn1) was important for γ-GC to reduce Msr1 expression in VSMCs and lipid uptake by the cells. Overall, our research indicated that γ-GC increases Txn1 expression, which causes scavenger receptor A reduction and lipid uptake inhibition in ox-LDL-stimulated VSMCs. Our study revealed that γ-GC has potential for the prevention of atherosclerosis.

A multidisciplinary endocrinopathy affecting women in their reproductive years, polycystic ovarian syndrome, causes insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, cardiovascular issues, obesity, and menstrual difficulties. Cuminum cyminum (cumin seed) is a famous spice traditionally used for various ailments such as indigestion, headache, diarrhea, obesity, and gynecological disorders. This study explored the pharmacological potential of aqueous ethanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum (AECC) in letrozole-induced PCOS animals, which were also obese. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid (HB acid), caffeic acid, vanillic acid, kaempferol, sinapic acid, ferulic acid, salicylic acid, coumarin, quercetin, benzoic acid, rutin, and p-coumaric acid. Thirty adult female rats were divided into six groups (5 animals in each group). PCOS was induced by using letrozole (1 mg/kg). The groups were normal control, diseased control, standard (metformin, 20 mg/kg), and AECC (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg). Vaginal smear cytology was used to confirm the PCOS. The animals were euthanized after 12 weeks, and blood was drawn for hormonal and biochemical study. We used isoflurane 5% for euthanasia in a closed chamber. The ovaries were removed for histopathology. Ovarian histopathology showed abnormalities with cystic follicles in PCOS female rats. It also produced hyperinsulinemia, LH surge, lower FSH, perturbed LH/FSH ratio, and higher levels of testosterone and weight gain. Moreover, it also produced oxidative stress with ROS (reactive oxygen species) production. Meanwhile, AECC treatment converted cystic follicles into primary, secondary, and differentiating follicles with healthy granulosa cells and corpus luteum with significant (p < 0.001) weight loss. AECC significantly (p < 0.001) reduced serum insulin levels and normalized LH/FSH ratio, with improved FSH levels and control of LH surge. AECC also reduced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation with significant (p < 0.001) improvement of antioxidant markers. It has been concluded that AEEC can alleviate PCOS symptoms by improving insulin resistance, reducing weight, addressing hyperandrogenism, regulating the LH/FSH ratio, and overcoming oxidative stress and ROS production.

Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus are pathogens associated with CAUTIs. Understanding their significance is crucial for effective prevention and treatment. In this study, the Delphinium semibarbatum flavonoid-rich fraction (DSF) was analyzed, and its antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antiswarming properties against these two bacterial species were evaluated. In the phytochemical analysis, four flavonoids, including kaempferol, 4′-O-methyl quercetin, quercetin, and kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (K3G), were isolated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC₅₀) of DSF on P. mirabilis and S. aureus was 1000 μg/mL. Similarly, kaempferol, K3G, and 4′-O-methyl quercetin exhibited inhibitory effects of 20%, 13%, and 12%, respectively, at a concentration of 1000 μg/mL compared to the P. mirabilis control. However, the MIC₅₀ of kaempferol and 4′-O-methyl quercetin for S. aureus were 125 μg/mL and 62.25 μg/mL, respectively. K3G exhibited an inhibitory effect of 37% at a concentration of 1000 μg/mL. DSF reduced biofilm at 1 mg/mL by 78% and 74% for P. mirabilis and S. aureus, respectively. Quercetin was the most effective in inhibiting P. mirabilis biofilm formation, with a 96% inhibition rate, followed by kaempferol and K3G, with 67% and 29%, respectively, at the same concentration. The best bioactive compound against biofilm inhibition of S. aureus was quercetin at 250 μg/mL, exhibiting 90% inhibition, followed by K3G, 4′-O-methyl quercetin, and kaempferol with 81%, 45%, and 33%, respectively, at a concentration of 125 μg/mL. In the swarming inhibition assay, DSF showed 78% inhibition at concentrations of 5 μg/mL. Similarly, all bioactive compounds showed 45% antiswarming activity at this concentration. The docking results of the isolated flavonoids on two target proteins, SarA and MrpH, showed that the presence of the methoxy group in the structure of 4′-O-methyl quercetin reduced its interaction with these two proteins. In the ADMET prediction, isolated flavonoids showed good predicted properties suitable for treating these two microbial species in urinary infection diseases.

Flavonoids have long been used as food additives due to their antioxidant properties. To discover bioactive natural flavonoids, the antioxidant capabilities of a range of natural flavonoids were investigated in RAW 264.7 cells and Caenorhabditis elegans induced by H₂O₂. Chemical antioxidant activity of a range of flavonoids was performed by DPPH and ABTS⁺ radicals scavenging assays. Then, the cellular antioxidant activity assays were employed to detect the antioxidant mechanisms by flow cytometry and qRT-PCR analyses. The underlying antioxidant mechanisms were explored by western blotting, small interfering RNA (siRNA), molecular docking, and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA). Next, the antioxidant potential of active compounds was verified in H₂O₂-induced Caenorhabditis elegans. Our studies showed herbacetin exhibited the most pronounced DPPH and ABTS ⁺ radicals scavenging capacity among all the tested flavonoids. And herbacetin also showed improved antioxidant activity against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in RAW 264.7 cells compared to quercetin and Trolox. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis indicated that hydroxyl groups at the 7′ and 8′ positions on the A-ring of herbacetin played a crucial role in inhibiting H₂O₂-induced cellular oxidative stress. Interestingly, herbacetin’s activation of HO-1 was closely associated with its binding to Keap1. Notably, in vivo assays demonstrated that herbacetin protected Caenorhabditis elegans from H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress. This study screens and elucidates the excellent antioxidant capacity of herbacetin both in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that herbacetin holds promise as a natural agent for antioxidant therapy.

Objective: To investigate the anti-inflammatory and bacteriostatic effects of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) intake on Wistar rats with periodontitis.

Methods: The periodontitis model of rats was established by silk ligature and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) solution smearing. The rats were divided into normal control group, model group, and HRW group. The rats in normal control group were given normal feeding without any intervention, while periodontitis was induced in the rats of model group and HRW group, and the rats were given HRW intake and normal saline, respectively, during the whole procedure of the experiments. The antibacterial effect and clinical symptoms (plaque index and gingival sulcus bleeding index (SBI)) were then observed, and peripheral blood (PB), gingival sulcus fluid, and jaw samples were collected to evaluate the changes of inflammatory factors and the curative effect.

Results: In the rats of model group, alveolar bone resorption was obvious, which indicated that the rats with periodontitis were successfully constructed, and HRW intake mitigated it. Pg colony number of the rats fed with HRW was significantly lower than that of the model rats. The contents of proinflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in PB serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of rats in model group were significantly increased, and HRW intake reversed these and promoted the level of anti-inflammatory factor interleukin-10 (IL-10).

Conclusion: HRW can effectively inhibit the growth of periodontal pathogens and reduce inflammation and may be used to prevent or ameliorate periodontitis.