Structural characterization and therapeutic effect of Alhagi honey oligosaccharide on liver fibrosis in mice.

Alhagi honey is derived from the secretory granules of Alhagi pseudoalhagi Desv., a leguminous plant commonly known as camelthorn. Modern medical research has demonstrated that the extract of Alhagi honey possesses regulatory properties for the gastrointestinal tract and immune system, as well as exerts anti-tumor, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and hepatoprotective effects. The aim of this study was to isolate and purify oligosaccharide monomers (referred to as Mel) from camelthorn and elucidate their structural characteristics. Subsequently, the impact of Mel on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in mice was investigated. The analysis identified the isolated oligosaccharide monomer (α-D-Glcp-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-Fruf-(2 â†’ 1)-α-D-Glcp), with the molecular formula C18H32O16. In a mouse model of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, Mel demonstrated significant therapeutic effects by attenuating the development of fibrosis. Moreover, it enhanced anti-oxidant enzyme activity (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) in liver tissues, thereby reducing oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species). Mel also improved serum albumin levels, lowered liver enzyme activities (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase), and decreased inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6). Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and western blotting analyses confirmed the ability of Mel to downregulate hepatic stellate cell-specific markers (collagen type I alpha 1 chain, alpha-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor-beta 1. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis revealed the influence of Mel on metabolic pathways related to glutathione, niacin, pyrimidine, butyric acid, and amino acids. In conclusion, the results of our study highlight the promising potential of Mel, derived from Alhagi honey, as a viable candidate drug for treating liver fibrosis. This discovery offers a potentially advantageous option for individuals seeking natural and effective means to promote liver health.

Diversity and Phosphate Solubilizing Characteristics of Cultivable Organophosphorus-Mineralizing Bacteria in the Sediments of Sancha Lake.

The organophosphate-mineralizing bacteria (OPB) convert environmental organic phosphorus (P) into soluble P that can be directly absorbed and utilized by organisms. OPB is an important group of microorganisms in lake sediments. The P decomposed and released from the sediments by OPB is an important P-source in eutrophic water bodies. In this study, the egg-yolk organophosphate medium was used to isolate and screen OPB strains from the sediments of Sancha Lake. Furthermore, the obtained OPB strains were classified based on their 16S rDNA sequence. Both the solid and liquid lecithin hydrolyzing experiments were conducted to investigate the P-solubilizing characteristics of the obtained OPB strains. Microcosm experimentsiwere performed to study the P-release ability of OPB strains from sediments. A total of 39 OPB strains were isolated from the sediments of Sancha Lake. They belonged to three phyla, five families, and five genera, and contained two potentially new species. Bacillus and Pseudomonas were the dominant genera. On the solid lecithin plate, 35 of the 39 OPB strains produced visible phosphate halos, and 24 strains showed a high ratio of P halo diameter (HD)/colony diameter (CD). In the liquid lecithin medium, all 39 OPB strains demonstrated P-solubilizing ability, but with significant differences. The Pseudomonas strain demonstrated the strongest P-solubilizing ability, at 70.91 mg·L-1. There was no significant correlation between the amount of released phosphorus by OPB strains and pH. The P-solubilizing characteristics of OPB were affected by the interaction of dissolved inorganic phosphate and alkaline phosphatase. In the microcosm experiments, the added OPB strains significantly promoted the decomposition and release of organic phosphorus (OP) in the sediments. OPB in the sediments of Sancha Lake is rich in diversity and had a strong ability to release OP in the sediments.