Interaction of starch and non-starch polysaccharides in raw potato flour and their effects on thickening stability.

The present study sought to explore the potential of raw potato flour prepared from two common potato varieties (Atlantic and Favorita) as a thickener and the underlying mechanisms of its thickening stability based on the chemical component content, chemical group, starch, pectin, cell wall integrity, and the cell wall strength of raw potato flour. The raw potato flour prepared from Favorita potato (FRPF) showed great potential as a thickener with a valley viscosity/peak viscosity of 97.24 %. Additionally, the viscosity of FRPF after heat treatment, acid treatment and shear treatment was maintained at 70.73 %, 65.99 % and 78.89 % of the original viscosity, respectively, which is better than that of ARPF (44.98 %, 47.03 % and 61.57 %, respectively). The results also revealed that high pectin content, cell wall integrity and strength contributed significantly to the thickening stability of potato meal, which was achieved by limiting the swelling and disintegration of starch. Finally, the correctness of the principle was verified using the raw potato flour prepared from four types of potatoes (Heijingang, Innovator, Qingshu No. 9, and Guinongshu No. 1). Overall, the development of thickener from raw potato flour has broadened the variety of clean label additives in the food industry.

Protective Effect of Anwulignan on Gastric Injury Induced by Indomethacin in Mice.

Anwulignan (AN) is a monomer lignan from Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wits (Schisandra sphenanthera fructus, Schisandra sphenanthera). The protective effect of AN against the indomethacin (IND)-induced gastric injury to mice and the related mechanism of action was investigated in this study. The effect of AN was mainly assessed by observing the gastric tissue morphology, gastric ulcer index (GUI), ulcer inhibition rate (UIR), gastric juice volume (GJV) and pH value. Chemical colorimetry, immunofluorescence, ELISA, and Western blot were used to detect related factors in the gastric tissue. The results showed that AN reduced the GUI, increased the UIR, inhibited the GJV, and increased the gastric pH value. AN significantly increased cyclooxygenase-1, cyclooxygenase-2, and prostaglandin E2 expression levels in the gastric tissue, activated nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), increased heme oxygenase-1 expression, enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, and decreased the malondialdehyde content. AN reduced the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κ gene binding (NF-κB) p65 and its nuclear translocation, the key protein of NF-κB signaling pathway in the gastric tissue, and the content of the pathway downstream signaling molecules, including interleukin-6, interleukin-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor-α, to play an anti-inflammatory role. AN inhibited the downstream signals B-cell lymphoma 2-associated x protein and cleaved caspase-3 in gastric tissue, and activated B-cell lymphoma 2, to play an antiapoptotic role, which were further verified by Hoechst staining. Therefore, AN has a significant protection against the gastric injury induced by IND in mice, and the mechanism may be concerned in its activation of Nrf2, inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway, and anti-apoptotic effect. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Anwulignan (AN) significantly reduced the indomethacin-induced gastric injury in mice, and its antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and antiapoptosis were considered to be involve in the effect, suggesting that AN should be a potential drug or food supplement for gastric injury induced by indomethacin.

Acid Water-ground Nano-realgar Is Superior to Crude Realgar in Promoting Apoptosis of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells.

OBJECTIVE: Realgar is a traditional mineral Chinese medicine with antitumor effects, but it has high toxicity and low efficacy in its crude form. The purpose of this study was to optimize realgar to increase its efficacy and therapeutic potential. METHODS: Crude realgar (CR) was mechanically ground to obtain nano-realgar (NR), and then nano-realgar processed products (NRPPs) were obtained using three different traditional Chinese medicine processing methods: grinding in water, acid water, and alkali water, respectively. RESULTS: By analyzing the size distribution of nanoparticles and the content of arsenic trioxide (As2O3; ATO), we found that acid water-ground NRPPs had the characteristics of high purity and low toxicity. The effects of CR, NR, and NRPPs on proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis of MCF-7 cells were detected, and the ability of NRPPs to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells was analyzed. The results showed that the average particle size of acid water-ground NRPPs was 137.7 nm, and the content of ATO was 2.83 mg/g. Acid water-ground NRPPs showed better effects on inhibiting proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis of MCF-7 cells than CR and NR. Western blot assays further confirmed that acid water-ground NRPPs upregulated the protein expression of TP53, Bax, cytochrome c, caspase-9, and caspase-3 in MCF-7 cells (P<0.05) and inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that acid water-ground NRPPs can induce apoptosis of MCF-7 cells through regulating mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, providing evidence for the clinical application of realgar.