Ceratophyllum demersum alleviates microplastics uptake and physiological stress responses in aquatic organisms, an overlooked ability.

It has been demonstrated that microplastics (MPs) may be inadvertently ingested by aquatic animals, causing harm to their physiological functions and potentially entering the food chain, thereby posing risks to human food safety. To achieve an environmentally friendly and efficient reduction of MPs in freshwater environments, this experiment investigates the depuration effect of C. demersum on MPs using three common aquatic animals: Macrobrachium nipponense, Corbicula fluminea, and Bellamya aeruginosa as research subjects. The amounts of MPs, digestive enzyme activity, oxidative stress index, and energy metabolism enzyme activity in the digestive and non-digestive systems of three aquatic animals were measured on exposure days 1, 3, and 7 and on depuration days 1 and 3. The results indicated that the depuration effect of C. demersum and the species interaction were significant for the whole individual. Concerning digestive tissue, C. demersum was the most effective in purifying B. aeruginosa. When subjected to short-term exposure to MPs, C. demersum displayed a superior depuration effect. Among non-digestive tissues, C. demersum exhibited the earliest purifying effect on C. fluminea. Additionally, C. demersum alleviated physiological responses caused by MPs. In conclusion, this study underscores C. demersum as a promising new method for removing MPs from aquatic organisms.

Effects of Smilax China L. extracts on Hyperuricemia chicken model via inhibiting xanthine oxidase activity.

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic disorder caused by excessive production of uric acid (UA) or impaired uric acid metabolism. Smilax China L. has a wide range of pharmacological activities such as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Its roots and rhizomes have been widely used for the treatment of HUA. However, its mechanisms for treating HUA and reducing renal impairment have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of Smilax China L. extract (SC) on UA metabolism and further explored its mechanism of action by feeding a high-calcium and high-protein diet to chickens to induce a model of HUA in chickens. SC significantly reduced serum UA levels and improved renal function in hyperuricemic chickens. Meanwhile, SC was able to inhibit the activity of xanthine oxidase (XOD) in vivo and in vitro, reducing the production of uric acid. In addition, SC was able to increase the expression of Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP) in the kidney and ileum and increase uric acid excretion. Therefore, our results suggest that SC may be a candidate for anti-hyperuricemia.

Effects of folate-chicory acid liposome on macrophage polarization and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in ulcerative colitis mouse.

BACKGROUND: Chichoric acid (CA) is a major active ingredient found in chicory and Echinacea. As a derivative of caffeic acid, it has various pharmacological effects. PURPOSE: Due to the unclear etiology and disease mechanisms, effective treatment methods for ulcerative colitis (UC) are currently lacking. The study investigated the therapeutic effects of the folate-chicory acid liposome on both LPS-induced macrophage inflammation models and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse UC models. METHODS: Folate-chicory acid liposome was prepared using the double emulsion ultrasonic method with the aim of targeting folate receptors specifically expressed on macrophages. The study investigated the therapeutic effects of the folate-chicory acid liposome on both LPS-induced macrophage inflammation models and DSS -induced mouse UC models. Furthermore, the effects of the liposomes on macrophage polarization and their underlying mechanisms in UC were explored. RESULTS: The average particle size of folate-chicory acid liposome was 120.4 ± 0.46 nm, with an encapsulation efficiency of 77.32 ± 3.19 %. The folate-chicory acid liposome could alleviate macrophage apoptosis induced by LPS, decrease the expression of inflammatory factors in macrophages, enhance the expression of anti-inflammatory factors, inhibit macrophage polarization towards the M1 phenotype, and mitigate cellular inflammation in vetro. In vivo test, folate-chicory acid liposome could attenuate clinical symptoms, increased colon length, reduced DAI scores, CMDI scores, and alleviated the severity of colonic histopathological damage in UC mice. Furthermore, it inhibited the polarization of macrophages towards the M1 phenotype in the colon and downregulated the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby ameliorating UC in mice. CONCLUSION: Folate-chicory acid liposome exhibited a uniform particle size distribution and high encapsulation efficiency. It effectively treated UC mice by inhibiting the polarization of macrophages towards the M1 phenotype in the colon and downregulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Effect of Wu Zhi San supplementation in LPS-induced intestinal inflammation and barrier damage in broilers.

Intestinal inflammation and barrier damage can inhibit the absorption and transportation of nutrients in the small intestine, and lead to various chronic diseases. Wu Zhi San (WZS) is a traditional Chinese formula composed of Schisandrae, Anemarrhenae, Lonicerae, and Glycyrrhizae that was made to cure intestinal inflammation and barrier damage in broilers. To evaluate the protective effect of WZS on intestinal inflammation and barrier damage of broilers under lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stress, a total of 200 one-day-old broilers were randomly divided into five groups, namely, the CON group, LPS group, and three WZS groups (WZS-H, WZS-M, and WZS-L). The groups were designed for stress phase I (days 15, 17, 19, and 21) and stress phase II (days 29, 31, 33, and 35). The protective effect of WZS on the intestinal tract was evaluated by measuring the levels of serum myeloperoxidase (MPO), diamine oxidase (DAO), super oxide dismutase (SOD), and serum D-lactate (D-LA) and the expression of inflammatory factors in jejunum. The results showed that the diet supplemented with WZS could significantly reduce serum MPO, DAO, and D-LA levels and jejunal CD in broilers (p < 0.05), increase serum SOD levels and jejunal VH (p < 0.05), significantly downregulate the expression of NF-κB, TLR4, MyD88, and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10), and upregulate Claudin-1, Occludin-1, and ZO-1 in broiler jejunum mucosa (p < 0.05). On the other hand, WZS could significantly reduce the protein expression of NF-κB (p65) in broiler jejunum (p < 0.05). These results indicate that supplementing WZS in the diet can reduce intestinal inflammation and alleviate intestinal barrier damage, and by inhibiting the NF-κB/TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway, supplementation with WZS intervenes in LPS-induced stress injury in broilers.

The mixture of Radix isatidis, Forsythiae, and Gypsum alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced fever in broilers by inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

To determine whether the antipyretic effect of the mixture of Radix isatidis, Forsythiae, and Gypsum (RIFG) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced fever broilers and its related mechanisms. A total of 315 24-day-old yellow-plumed broilers were randomly divided into 7 groups, except for the control group, other groups were injected with LPS. Two hours later, RIFG were given drinking water to relieve fever, and it was evaluated by the expression of genes and proteins of the maximum body temperature rise (∆T), body temperature response index (TRI), serum and hypothalamic pyrogenic heat factor. RIFG could reduce the body temperature of broilers with fever (P < 0.01). It inhibited the expressions of IL-6 and PGE2 (P < 0.01), down-regulated mRNA expression levels of TNF-ɑ and COX-2 (P < 0.01), and promoted the generation of antipyretic factor AVP mRNA (P < 0.01). In addition, the expression level of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 protein can be down-regulated, and LPS + RM group has the best down-regulated effect. RIFG had a good antipyretic effect on reducing LPS-induced fever of broilers by inhibiting the activation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and thermogenic factors.

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench Polysaccharide Alleviates DSS-Induced Colitis in Rats by Restoring Th17/Treg Balance and Regulating Intestinal Flora.

Echinacea purpurea is popularly used as a food supplement or nutritional supplement for its immune regulatory function against various threats. As one of its promising components, Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench polysaccharide (EPP) has a wide range of biological activities. To evaluate the effect of EPP as a dietary supplement on ulcerative colitis (UC), this study used sodium dextran sulfate (DSS) to induce a UC model, extracted EPP using the ethanol subsiding method, and then supplemented with EPP by gavage for 7 days. Then, we evaluated the efficacy of EPP on DSS rats in terms of immunity, anti-inflammation, and intestinal flora. The result showed that EPP could alleviate colonic shortening and intestinal injury in rats with DSS-induced colitis, decrease the disease activity index (DAI) score, downregulate serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, and contribute to the restoration of the balance between the T helper cells 17 (Th17) and the regulatory T cells (Treg) in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs). Meanwhile, EPP could downregulate the expression of Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in colon tissue. In addition, the results of 16SrRNA sequencing showed that EPP also had a regulatory effect on intestinal flora of UC rats. These results indicate that EPP might achieve a beneficial effect on UC rats as a dietary supplement through restoring Th17/Treg balance, inhibiting the TLR4 signaling pathway and regulating intestinal flora, suggesting its possible application as a potential functional food ingredient alleviating UC.