Different particle sizes of Momordica charantia leaf powder modify the rheological and textural properties of corn starch-based 3D food printing ink.

The study determined the effect of incorporating Momordica charantia leaf powder (MCLP) into corn-starch 3D food-printing ink as a functional ingredient. The effects of the particle size (75, 131, and 200 µm) and quantity of MCLP on 3D printing performance, structural, textural, and rheological properties of corn starch gel were evaluated with different concentrations (5, 10, and 15 % (w/w)) of corn starch. The viscoelastic properties of food inks were determined considering their behavior during extrusion and self-recovery after printing. Scanning electron microscope was used to characterize the microstructure. Based on the results, a high starch content (15 %) with 5 % MCLP was more favorable for 3D food printing. In addition, 3D printing performance, textural and rheological properties of formulated ink was mainly governed by the particle size of MCLP. The food ink with a 5 % mass fraction of 200 µm MCLP had the highest printing precision and the best masticatory properties.

Combined effect of heating temperature and content of pectin on the textural properties, rheology, and 3D printability of potato starch gel.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is one of the emerging techniques which fabricates customized foods with desired sensory characteristics. Rheological properties of 3D printing materials are vitally important in printability which govern the flowability and structural stability. Due to its unique gel-forming characteristics, potato starch has been extensively used in myriad food applications, such as 3D printing. However, little attention has been paid to the combined effect of heating temperature and pectin addition on the properties of potato starch gels. Thus, this study investigated the impact of different pectin contents (1, 1.5, and 2 %) on printability and the rheological and textural properties of potato starch gels heated at different temperatures (70, 80, and 90 °C). The gel heating temperature governs pectin-driven modifications in potato starch gels. Pectin addition increased the 3D printability, viscosity, storage modulus, hardness, gumminess, and springiness of starch gel at higher temperatures (80 °C and 90 °C). In contrast, at lower temperatures (70 °C), pectin addition decreased printability, viscosity, storage modulus, hardness, gumminess, and springiness. Therefore, the gel heating temperature influences the impact of pectin on printability, rheology, and textural properties. Accordingly, the combined effects of pectin and heating temperature should be considered in pectin-based 3D food-printing ink formulations.

Use of a Silkworm (Bombyx mori) Larvae By-Product for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis: Inhibition of NF-κB Nuclear Translocation and MAPK Signaling.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a long-lasting inflammatory skin disease that contributes to the global health burden and impacts 10-20% of the world's population. In this study, we determined the anti-AD effect of a by-product of silkworm (Bombyx mori) larval powder, strain Yeonnokjam (SLPY), as a sustainable, natural source for the development of therapeutic agents for AD. HaCaT cells were used to assess the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of SLPY, and a 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced mouse model was used to study the in vivo anti-AD effects. SLPY treatment downregulated the expression of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL1ß, IL-8, and Cox-2 in stimulated HaCaT cells. Similarly, the topical application of SLPY in DNCB-treated mice downregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines and proteins while ameliorating the clinical features of AD. Further, SLPY treatment inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κb p65, thereby supporting the efficacy of SLPY in the treatment of AD.

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge Ameliorates Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia through Regulation of Oxidative Stress via Nrf-2/ HO-1 Activation.

Oxidative stress is a key factor in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that leads to inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge extract (HLT-101) on BPH through the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation. A testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH rat model was orally administered HLT-101 (20, 40, or 80 mg/kg), and its effects on oxidative stress- and inflammation-related gene expression were examined. Further, HLT-101 was assessed for its effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathways in BPH-1 cells. HLT-101 decreased testosterone-induced excessive free radical production and inflammatory factor activation. Moreover, HLT-101 treatment significantly decreased the intracellular ROS level in the TNF-α and IFN-γ treated BPH-1 cells through the activation of Nrf-2. In addition, HLT-101 treatment inhibited the NF-κB pathway and androgen receptor (AR) signaling, which is highly linked to the pathogenesis of BPH. Therefore, HLT-101 has the potential to be an effective treatment reagent for BPH because of its ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress via Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling.

Tenebrio molitor Larva Trypsin Hydrolysate Ameliorates Atopic Dermatitis in C57BL/6 Mice by Targeting the TLR-Mediated MyD88-Dependent MAPK Signaling Pathway.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a widely researched chronic inflammatory skin disease with a complex etiology. The increased prevalence of AD necessitates exploration of natural sources as potential therapeutic agents with limited side effects. In the current study, a 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD mouse model was used to examine the anti-AD effects of Tenebrio molitor trypsin hydrolysate (TMTH) and its underlying molecular mechanism. DNCB-treated mice were treated with TMTH (1 and 10 mg/kg), and prednisolone (3 mg/kg) was used as the positive control. Serum and skin tissue samples were collected for subsequent analyses. The expression levels of proteins linked to the myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88)-dependent mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and serum IgE levels were estimated via Western blotting technique and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), respectively. Inflammatory cell infiltration and thickening of the dorsal skin were measured using toluidine blue and hematoxylin and eosin staining, respectively. Oral administration of TMTH significantly reduced mast cell infiltration and dermal and epidermal thickness. Moreover, TMTH treatment reduced serum IgE levels. Western blotting confirmed that TMTH treatment suppressed the MyD88-dependent MAPK signaling pathway. Therefore, TMTH substantially inhibited AD-like skin lesion formation via immunomodulation, showing considerable potential for AD treatment.

Heat-Killed Enterococcus faecalis EF-2001 Attenuate Lipid Accumulation in Diet-Induced Obese (DIO) Mice by Activating AMPK Signaling in Liver.

To explore the inhibitory mechanism of heat-killed Enterococcus faecalis, EF-2001 on hepatic lipid deposition, a diet-induced obese (DIO) animal model was established by high-fat diet (HFD). The DIO C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups: the normal group without HFD (ND, n = 8), obesity group (HFD, n = 8), experimental group (HFD + EF-2001, 200 mg/kg, n = 8), and positive control group (HFD + Orlistat, 60 mg/kg, n = 8). After 4 weeks, liver and adipose tissue were fixed in 10% paraformaldehyde, followed by embedding in paraffin for tissue sectioning. The differences in body mass, body fat ratio, fatty cell area, and lipid profiling of the liver (TC, LDL, and HDL) were also determined. Moreover, Western blot was performed to analyze the expression of lipid accumulation-related proteins, including AMPK, PPARγ, SREBP-1, ACC, and FAS. Compared with the HFD group, the HFD + EF-2001 group exhibited decreased fat mass, liver index, adipocyte area, TC, and LDL, and an increased level of HDL. The results of liver hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and oil red O staining showed that the mice in each intervention group were improved on hepatic lipid accumulation, and the mice in the HFD + EF-2001 group were the most similar to those in the normal group when compared with the HFD group. From the Western blot results, we proved that EF-2001 activated the AMPK signaling pathway. EF-2001 significantly upregulated the expressions of p-AMPK and p-ACC and downregulated PPARγ, SREBP-1, and FAS in murine liver. Taken together, these results suggest that EF-2001 decrease lipid accumulation in the DIO model mice through the AMPK pathway and ameliorate liver damage by HFD.

Inhibitory effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urban on enlarged prostate through androgen receptor and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban (C. asiatica) is a traditional herbal medicine that has been used for wound healing and anti-inflammation since ancient times. Various biological effects of C. asiatica ethanolic extract (CAE) were previously reported. However, in our previous study, C. asiatica aqueous extract (CAA) exhibited higher inhibitory activity on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) than CAE. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CAA on BPH, and elucidate the inhibitory mechanism through in vitro and in vivo experiments as well as metabolite analysis of CAA. A BPH rat model was induced by daily subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate (TP, 3 mg kg-1) dissolved in corn oil for 4 weeks after castration. The experimental group, the CAA treatment group, was orally administered CAA (100 mg kg-1) for 4 weeks while inducing prostatic hyperplasia. Saw palmetto extract (Saw, 100 mg kg-1) and Finasteride (Fi, 1 mg kg-1) were used as positive controls and were administered orally for 4 weeks. CAA significantly inhibited androgen receptor signaling related factors overexpressed by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) treatment in prostate cell lines. Afterwards, the testosterone-induced BPH model was used to verify the alleviation efficacy of CAA in prostatic hyperplasia. Prostate size and the thickness of the prostate tissue epithelium were significantly decreased in the group treated with CAA compared to those in the BPH group. The results of protein expression in the prostate tissue confirmed that CAA inhibited androgen receptor signaling in BPH and decreased the expression of growth factors. Moreover, CAA suppressed the expression of the PI3K/Akt pathway and cell proliferation-related factors compared to the BPH group. Taken together, these results indicate that CAA improves the inhibitory efficacy of BPH by inhibiting the androgen receptor and PI3K/Akt pathways, suggesting that CAA may be a promising candidate for biopharmaceutical formulations of BPH.