The Potential Role of Vitamin E and the Mechanism in the Prevention and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and it is a multifactorial disease of the intestinal mucosa. Oxidative stress damage and inflammation are major risk factors for IBD. Vitamin E has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Our previous work and other investigations have shown that vitamin E has a positive effect on the prevention and treatment of IBD. In this paper, the source and structure of vitamin E and the potential mechanism of vitamin E's role in IBD were summarized, and we also analyzed the status of vitamin E deficiency in patients with IBD and the effect of vitamin E supplementation on IBD. The potential mechanisms by which vitamin E plays a role in the prevention and treatment of IBD include improvement of oxidative damage, enhancement of immunity, maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity, and suppression of inflammatory cytokines, modulating the gut microbiota and other relevant factors. The review will improve our understanding of the complex mechanism by which vitamin E inhibits IBD, and it also provides references for doctors in clinical practice and researchers in this field.

Functional Perspective of Leeks: Active Components, Health Benefits and Action Mechanisms.

Leek (Allium fistulosum L.), a common and widely used food ingredient, is a traditional medicine used in Asia to treat a variety of diseases. Leeks contain a variety of bioactive substances, including sulfur compounds, dietary fiber, steroid compounds and flavonoid compounds. Many studies have shown that these active ingredients produce the following effects: promotion of blood circulation, lowering of cholesterol, relief of fatigue, anti-inflammation, anti-bacteria, regulation of cell metabolism, anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, and the lowering of fat and blood sugar levels. In this paper, the main bioactive components and biological functions of leeks were systemically reviewed, and the action mechanisms of bioactive components were discussed. As a common food, the health benefits of leeks are not well known, and there is no systematic summary of leek investigations. In light of this, it is valuable to review the recent progress and provide reference to investigators in the field, which will promote future applications and investigations of leeks.