Food & Function最新文献

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ₁₀) is a mitochondrial electron carrier and antioxidant widely used in cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and metabolic disorders; however, its oral efficacy is severely limited by extremely low aqueous solubility, high crystallinity, and poor bioavailability. Although several lipid-based and nanoformulations have been explored, many suffer from limited stability, incomplete suppression of crystallinity, or modest pharmacokinetic improvement. The objective of this study was to develop a stable, scalable liposomal CoQ₁₀ formulation and to evaluate its physicochemical properties and human oral bioavailability. Metazomal CoQ₁₀ (MCQ) was developed using Metazome technology, in which CoQ₁₀ was incorporated into phospholipid bilayers reinforced with gum arabic nanospheres and converted into a dry, reconstitutable liposomal powder by spray drying. MCQ formed nanosized (∼185 nm), spherical vesicles with high encapsulation efficiency (88.6 ± 2.3%), favorable loading capacity (14.2 ± 0.8%), strong electrostatic stability (zeta potential -41.16 mV), and amorphous molecular dispersion of CoQ₁₀. The formulation retained >90% of CoQ₁₀ after 180 days at room temperature. In a randomized, open-label, crossover study in healthy volunteers, MCQ demonstrated significantly improved pharmacokinetics compared with conventional CoQ₁₀ (CCQ), including a 4.3-fold increase in AUC_0-t, a 3.6-fold increase in C_max, prolonged T_max, extended half-life, and a lower elimination rate constant (p < 0.01). The integrated Metazome-based architecture represents a key innovation by combining amorphization, nanoscale liposomal delivery, and structural stabilization, resulting in superior stability and markedly enhanced human bioavailability. MCQ therefore offers strong potential for nutraceutical and therapeutic applications requiring improved and sustained CoQ₁₀ exposure.

Caffeic acid (CA) has been found to have the potential to inhibit the growth of human colorectal cancer HT-29 cells in vitro. However, the effects of CA administration on colorectal cancer growth and immunity in vivo remain unclear. To unravel the mystery of CA administration on cancer cell growth, serum antibody titers, lymphoid lineage cells in the peripheral blood, and the M1/M2 immune balance in BALB/c nude mice subcutaneously loaded with human colorectal cancer HT-29 cells for 35 days were examined in the experiment. The experimental mice were respectively given low (6 mg CA per kg AIN-93M feed), medium (30 mg CA per kg AIN-93M feed), and high (60 mg CA per kg AIN-93M feed) doses for 35 days. The results showed that CA administration tended to decrease the cancer cell volume and serum IgG and IgM levels compared to those in the dietary control (DC) group. CA administration slightly increased the proportion of CD3⁺ T and CD49⁺ natural killer cells, but decreased CD19⁺ B cells in the peripheral blood compared to those in the DC group, causing the immune cell distribution to be closer to the vehicle control (VC) group. The HT-29 cell-bearing mice exhibited an M2-polarized immune balance based on the TNF-α (M1)/IL-10 (M2) cytokine secretion ratio by macrophages compared to that in the VC group. Notably, low-dose CA administration significantly (P < 0.05) increased the TNF-α/IL-10 cytokine secretion ratio compared to that in the DC group, evidencing that low-dose CA administration reversed the immune response toward the M1-polarized immune balance in the HT-29 cell-bearing mice. CA administration may restore the M1-polarized immune balance but decrease serum IgG and IgM levels in subjects with colorectal cancer cells.

This study utilized scanning electron microscopy (SEM), enzymatic kinetics, multispectral analysis, and molecular simulations to explore the effects of theaflavins (TFs) on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilms and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and the TF-MMP-9 interaction mechanism. The results demonstrated that TFs can disrupt the biofilms of S. mutans and reversibly and competitively inhibit MMP-9. TFs can spontaneously bind to MMP-9, with hydrogen bonds being the primary driving forces. Furthermore, fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that the fluorescence quenching mechanism of TFs on MMP-9 is static quenching, and this interaction alters the microenvironmental characteristics of tyrosine and tryptophan residues within MMP-9. Importantly, TFs induce a transformation of the secondary structure of MMP-9 into a more ordered and compact conformation. Interestingly, the inhibitory activity followed the order: theaflavin (TF1) < theaflavin-3-gallate (TF2A) ≈ theaflavin-3'-gallate (TF2B) < theaflavin-3,3'-digallate (TF3), suggesting that the number of galloyl groups positively correlates with the inhibitory effect. These findings indicate that TFs have great potential for application in preventing and slowing down the progression of dental caries.

In red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.), ellagitannins constitute the predominant class of polyphenols, accounting for 53-76% of the total polyphenolic content, and their health-promoting potential is becoming increasingly evident. This review systematically delineates the chemical structures of ellagitannins, extraction and analytical techniques, in vivo metabolic pathways, and their multiple biological activities. It aims to provide the food science and nutrition community with an authoritative reference on ellagitannins in red raspberry and to guide their development and application as core ingredients for next-generation functional foods and nutraceuticals.

The oral mucosa is the first site of contact with food allergens, yet the influence of food matrices and oral processing on allergen release remains poorly understood. This study investigated the roles of bread matrix and mastication behaviors in the oral bio-accessibility of wheat allergens. Volunteers consumed breads with distinct structural profiles (baked, steamed, baguette; with/without shortening) under video monitoring. Results showed that the bread matrix did not alter the types of released proteins but significantly modulated their IgE-reactivity. The addition of shortening enhanced IgE-binding capacity, suggesting a lipid-mediated modulation of allergen release is likely through emulsion formation. Oral processing parameters correlated strongly with bolus properties and allergen immunoreactivity, highlighting that individual mastication behaviors personalize the exposure dose. High-molecular-weight (MW) and low-MW glutenin, serpin, GAPDH, and α-amylase inhibitors were identified as the primary bio-accessible wheat allergens released in the oral phase. This study provides a new perspective on the initial exposure pathway of wheat allergens from the novel lens of allergen-matrix interactions.

Lycium ruthenicum Murr. (LRM) is rich in spermidine derivatives (SPDs) that exhibit diverse bioactivities. This study systematically characterized the structural profiles and anti-aging mechanisms of LRM-derived caffeoyl-SPDs using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS, semi-preparative HPLC purification, and Caenorhabditis elegans models. LRM extracts, predominantly containing non-glycosylated caffeoyl-SPDs and anthocyanins, significantly delayed aging in worms by reducing lipofuscin accumulation, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities. These effects were validated using a caffeoyl-SPD-enriched fraction purified by semi-preparative HPLC and the standard compound N1, N10-dicaffeoyl spermidine, confirming that caffeoyl-SPDs are key anti-aging and antioxidant constituents. Network pharmacology predicted six key pathways, with qRT-PCR validating insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway modulation through daf-2 downregulation and daf-16 upregulation. Further genetic experiments in daf-2 and daf-16 mutants revealed a dual mechanism: a DAF-16-independent capacity to lower ROS, coupled with a strict DAF-16 dependence for inducing antioxidant enzymes. This work establishes LRM-derived caffeoyl-SPDs as promising anti-aging agents and provides mechanistic insights into how caffeoylation confers enhanced bioactivity to the spermidine scaffold.

Resistant starch (RS) stabilizes postprandial blood glucose levels through multiple mechanisms and offers distinct advantages in preventing and managing metabolic diseases such as diabetes. This study introduces a novel plant exosome-starch composite system, combining Tartary buckwheat starch (TBS) and ginger exosomes (GELNs), referred to as the TBS-GELNs composite resistant starch (GTBS). Multi-scale physicochemical analysis revealed the molecular interaction mechanisms: composite formation significantly altered the microstructure of gelatinized starch. GELNs interacted with TBS through hydrogen bonds, enhancing starch crystallinity and short-range ordering, thus reducing its digestibility. The metabolic effects of GTBS on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice were further examined. The results indicated that GTBS markedly decreased fasting blood glucose and lipid levels, alleviated some organ damage, and improved gut microbiota composition by enhancing the structure and abundance of beneficial bacterial populations. This study provides novel insights and a theoretical basis for the regulation of postprandial blood glucose via composite starch-based biomolecules, offering promising strategies for developing staple food products that integrate nutritional value with biological activity.

The Hippo pathway has attracted scientific interest as a target for anti-inflammation and anti-cancer therapy. Our objective was to elucidate and compare the potential anti-inflammatory mechanism of digested whole flour (DWF), total protein extract (TPE), lunasin-free total protein extract (LFP), and enriched lunasin protein extract (ELPE) from wild-type soybean (Glycine soja) on the Hippo pathway, using a human monocytic cell (THP-1) as a model. ELPE (56% to 73% purity) showed increased lunasin concentrations (52-87 mg g^-1 of defatted flour, DF) compared to TPE (16-33 mg g^-1, DF). TPE significantly decreased IL-6, MCP-1, and TNF-α production (96%, 76%, and 52%). G. soja inhibited IL-6 production (74%-98%) more effectively compared to MCP-1 (6%-99%). ELPE and TPE significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased the expression of dephosphorylated YAP1 and increased phosphorylated YAP1 (p ≤ 0.05). ELPE significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) cytoplasmic YAP1 retention. G. soja proteins and peptides inhibited inflammation by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and MCP-1, phosphorylating YAP1 and LATS1/2, and increasing YAP1 cytoplasmic retention, thus activating the Hippo pathway. The results suggest that soybean proteins and peptides inhibited inflammation through the Hippo pathway, offering novel developments of functional food ingredients or supplements for a healthier diet.

Black tea is commonly used for tea beverage production and has been shown to be an effective natural ingredient to prevent experimentally induced colitis. However, there is limited evidence to show whether black teas of different origins demonstrate similar anti-inflammatory capacity in mice with colitis. In this study, mice were administered daily black tea extracts of lapsang, keemun or dianhong for 1 week prior to receiving 4% dextran sulfate sodium for inducing colitis. Both the lapsang and keemun extracts exhibited better anti-inflammatory effects than dianhong extract, as evidenced by the former two tea extracts enhancing intestinal barrier functions (up-regulation of MUC2 and ZO-1 and increased population of goblet cells) and decreasing colonic and serum pro-inflammatory cytokines. We deduced that gallocatechin (GC) might be a key contributor to the anti-colitis effects of black tea, potentially through synergistic interactions with other components at an optimal ratio to enhance the anti-inflammatory efficacy. Fecal microbiome analysis showed that the gut microbiome was differentially modulated by the lapsang and keemun extracts. Their anti-colitic effects were dependent on the gut microbiome, as shown by the loss of such protection in DSS mice treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics (ABX) for significant microbiome alterations. Mechanistically, colonic transcriptomic analysis showed the differential impacts of lapsang and keemun extracts on colitis via modulating the gene expressions of the glutamatergic synapse and IL-17 pathway, respectively. Further qPCR and immunohistochemistry assays verified the aforementioned pathway modulation. Together, our study provides a roadmap for understanding the effects of different black tea types on colitis and for providing potential directions for the nutritional modulation of colitis.

The digestive fermentation characteristics of κ-carrageenan with different molecular weights and its acetylated derivatives were investigated by analyzing the variation patterns of the intestinal flora and metabolites. The results showed that κ-carrageenan with different molecular weights and its acetylated derivatives were not digested in the oral-gastric-small intestinal digestion process but could be fermented by the colonic flora and were mainly degraded in the ascending colon stage. The lower molecular weight κ-carrageenan was more likely to increase the abundance of Proteobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae and decreased colonic acetic acid production at the transverse-descending colon, which could be reversed by the acetylation modification of κ-carrageenan. Meanwhile, the acetylation modification of κ-carrageenan increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and greatly increased the content of acetic acid. Moreover, the increased acetic acid from acetylated κ-carrageenan fermentation was produced by the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, with the up-regulated expression of acetyl-coenzyme A, acetate kinase, and formate dehydrogenase. The results indicated that acetylation modification can ameliorate the potential intestinal dysbiosis caused by κ-carrageenan, especially low-molecular-weight κ-carrageenan, by increasing the beneficial gut microbiota e.g., Lactobacillus and acetic acid metabolism, which can provide precise molecular evidence for the functional optimization of κ-carrageenan and its application in intestinal health.