Single anthocyanins effectiveness modulating inflammation markers in obesity: dosage and matrix composition analysis.

Anthocyanins (ACNs) are phytochemicals with numerous bioactivities, e.g., antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Health benefits from consuming ACN-rich foods, extracts, and supplements have been studied in clinical trials (CT). However, the individual effect of single ACNs and their correlation with doses and specific bioactivities or molecular targets have not been thoroughly analyzed. This review shows a recompilation of single anthocyanins composition and concentrations used in CT, conducted to investigate the effect of these anti-inflammatory derivatives in obese condition. Single anthocyanin doses with changes in the levels of frequently monitored markers were correlated. In addition, the analysis was complemented with reports of studies made in vitro with single ACNs. Anthocyanins' efficacy in diseases with high baseline obesity-related inflammation markers was evidenced. A poor correlation was found between most single anthocyanin doses and level changes of commonly monitored markers. Correlations between cyanidin, delphinidin, and pelargonidin derivatives and specific molecular targets were proposed. Our analysis showed that knowledge of specific compositions and anthocyanin concentrations determined in future studies would provide more information about mechanisms of action.

Nutritional, bioactive components and health properties of the milpa triad system seeds (corn, common bean and pumpkin).

The milpa system is a biocultural polyculture technique. Heritage of Mesoamerican civilizations that offers a wide variety of plants for food purposes. Corn, common beans, and pumpkins are the main crops in this agroecosystem, which are important for people's nutritional and food security. Moreover, milpa system seeds have great potential for preventing and ameliorating noncommunicable diseases, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, among others. This work reviews and analyzes the nutritional and health benefits of milpa system seeds assessed by recent preclinical and clinical trials. Milpa seeds protein quality, vitamins and minerals, and phytochemical composition are also reviewed. Evidence suggests that regular consumption of milpa seeds combination could exert complementing effect to control nutritional deficiencies. Moreover, the combination of phytochemicals and nutritional components of the milpa seed could potentialize their individual health benefits. Milpa system seeds could be considered functional foods to fight nutritional deficiencies and prevent and control noncommunicable diseases.

Peonidin-3-O-glucoside and Resveratrol Increase the Viability of Cultured Human hFOB Osteoblasts and Alter the Expression of Genes Associated with Apoptosis, Osteoblast Differentiation and Osteoclastogenesis.

High-throughput RNA-sequencing can determine the impact of nutrients and their combinations on gene transcription levels in osteocytes, and clarify the biological pathways associated with their impact on bone tissues. Previously, we reported that resveratrol (RES) and peonidin-3-O-glucoside (POG) increased osteoblastogenesis, as well as reduced osteoclastogenesis in transgenic teleost fish models. Here, we perform whole-genome transcriptomic profiling of osteoblasts treated with POG or RES to provide a comprehensive understanding of alterations in gene expression and the molecular mechanisms involved. Cultured human fetal osteoblastic hFOB 1.19 cells were treated with the test compounds, and then RNA was used to prepare RNA-seq libraries, that were sequenced using a NovaSeq 6000. Treatment with POG or RES increased osteoblast proliferation and reduced apoptosis. Transcriptomic profiling showed that of the 29,762 genes investigated, 3177 were differentially expressed (1481 upregulated, 1696 downregulated, FDR ≤ 0.05) in POG-treated osteoblasts. In the RES-treated osteoblasts, 2288 genes were differentially expressed (DGEs, 1068 upregulated, 1220 downregulated, FDR ≤ 0.05). Ingenuity® Pathway Analysis (IPA) of DGEs from RES or POG-treated osteoblasts revealed significant downregulation of the apoptosis, osteoarthritis and HIF1α canonical pathways, and a significant reduction in Rankl mRNA expression. The data suggest that RES and POG have both anabolic and anticlastogenic effects.

Mexican Native Black Bean Anthocyanin-Rich Extracts Modulate Biological Markers Associated with Inflammation.

This work aimed to obtain and characterize anthocyanin-rich extracts (ARE) from native black beans and evaluate their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. The initial extract was obtained by supercritical fluids (RE) and purified using Amberlite® XAD-7 resin (PE). RE and PE were fractionated using countercurrent chromatography, and four fractions were obtained (REF1 and REF2 from RE, PEF1, and PEF2 from PE). ARE and fractions were characterized, and the biological potential was evaluated. ABTS IC50 values ranged from 7.9 to 139.2 (mg C3GE/L), DPPH IC50 ranged from 9.2 to 117.2 (mg C3GE/L), and NO IC50 ranged from 0.6 to143.8 (mg C3GE/L) (p < 0.05). COX-1 IC50 ranged from 0.1 to 0.9 (mg C3GE/L), COX-2 IC50 ranged from 0.01 to 0.7 (mg C3GE/L), and iNOS IC50 ranged from 0.9 to 5.6 (mg C3GE/L) (p < 0.05). The theoretical binding energy for phenolic compounds ranged from -8.45 to -1.4 kcal/mol for COX-1, from -8.5 to -1.8 kcal/mol for COX-2, and from -7.2 to -1.6 kcal/mol for iNOS. RE and REF2 presented the highest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Countercurrent chromatography effectively isolates and purifies bioactive compounds while maintaining their biological potential. Native black beans present an attractive phytochemical profile and could be used as ingredients in nutraceuticals and functional foods.

Pharmacological Activities and Chemical Stability of Natural and Enzymatically Acylated Anthocyanins: A Comparative Review.

Anthocyanins (ANCs) are naturally occurring water-soluble pigments responsible for conferring red, blue, and purple colors to fruits, vegetables, flowers, and grains. Due to their chemical structure, they are highly susceptible to degradation by external factors, such as pH, light, temperature, and oxygen. Naturally acylated anthocyanins have proven to be more stable in response to external factors and exhibit superior biological effects as compared with their non-acylated analogues. Therefore, synthetic acylation represents a viable alternative to make the application of these compounds more suitable for use. Enzyme-mediated synthetic acylation produces derivatives that are highly similar to those obtained through the natural acylation process, with the main difference between these two pathways being the catalytic site of the enzymes involved in the synthesis; acyltransferases catalyze natural acylation, while lipases catalyze synthetic acylation. In both cases, their active sites perform the addition of carbon chains to the hydroxyl groups of anthocyanin glycosyl moieties. Currently, there is no comparative information regarding natural and enzymatically acylated anthocyanins. In this sense, the aim of this review is to compare natural and enzyme-mediated synthetic acylated anthocyanins in terms of chemical stability and pharmacological activity with a focus on inflammation and diabetes.

Common beans as a source of food ingredients: Techno-functional and biological potential.

Common beans are an inexpensive source of high-quality food ingredients. They are rich in proteins, slowly digestible starch, fiber, phenolic compounds, and other bioactive molecules that could be separated and processed to obtain value-added ingredients with techno-functional and biological potential. The use of common beans in the food industry is a promising alternative to add nutritional and functional ingredients with a low impact on overall consumer acceptance. Researchers are evaluating traditional and novel technologies to develop functionally enhanced common bean ingredients, such as flours, proteins, starch powders, and phenolic extracts that could be introduced as functional ingredient alternatives in the food industry. This review compiles recent information on processing, techno-functional properties, food applications, and the biological potential of common bean ingredients. The evidence shows that incorporating an adequate proportion of common bean ingredients into regular foods such as pasta, bread, or nutritional bars improves their fiber, protein, phenolic compounds, and glycemic index profile without considerably affecting their organoleptic properties. Additionally, common bean consumption has shown health benefits in the gut microbiome, weight control, and the reduction of the risk of developing noncommunicable diseases. However, food matrix interaction studies and comprehensive clinical trials are needed to develop common bean ingredient applications and validate the health benefits over time.

Mexican traditional medicines for women's reproductive health.

Like China, Mexico has a traditional system of medicine dating back almost 5000 years that incorporates the healing practices of pre-Columbian civilizations, including the Maya and Aztec. Mexican Traditional Medicine (MTM) women depend on MTM practices and herbal medicines for their primary healthcare needs as limited access and high costs of Western medicine is a significant problem. The aims of this work were to determine the medicinal plants more commonly used in MTM for women's reproductive health issues and assess the clinical data supporting their use. Data from multiple sources was compiled and information on plants commonly used by women in Mexico MTM for the treatment of fertility and menstruation issues, pregnancy, and menopause was analyzed. Analysis of the data show that 185 species of plants representing > 60 families were used for a wide range of reproductive health issues. Some of these plants have been used in MTM for fertility regulation in women of which 35 species were used as emmenagogues and abortifacients. Approximate 40 species were used for the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, heavy menstrual bleeding, and dysmenorrhea. In terms of pregnancy, 35 species were used for postpartum care and to facilitate breastfeeding, 16 species were used as oxytocic agents to induce labor and speed birth, and six plant species were used to prevent miscarriage. Fourteen plant species were reported to treat infertility or promote fertility, and seven species were used to treat uterine prolapse. Three plants species were reported to treat menopause and two plants were used for osteoporosis. Analysis of the clinical data for commonly used medicinal plants showed some clinical support for the use of these plants in MTM. In Mexico, women use medicinal plants for almost every aspect of reproductive health. While some plants have clinical data, most medicinal plants used in MTM have no safety or efficacy data available and could serve as the basis of future investigations.

The Viable but Non-Culturable (VBNC) State, a Poorly Explored Aspect of Beneficial Bacteria.

Many bacteria have the ability to survive in challenging environments; however, they cannot all grow on standard culture media, a phenomenon known as the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state. Bacteria commonly enter the VBNC state under nutrient-poor environments or under stressful conditions. This review explores the concept of the VBNC state, providing insights into the beneficial bacteria known to employ this strategy. The investigation covers different chemical and physical factors that can induce the latency state, cell features, and gene expression observed in cells in the VBNC state. The review also covers the significance and applications of beneficial bacteria, methods of evaluating bacterial viability, the ability of bacteria to persist in environments associated with higher organisms, and the factors that facilitate the return to the culturable state. Knowledge about beneficial bacteria capable of entering the VBNC state remains limited; however, beneficial bacteria in this state could face adverse environmental conditions and return to a culturable state when the conditions become suitable and continue to exert their beneficial effects. Likewise, this unique feature positions them as potential candidates for healthcare applications, such as the use of probiotic bacteria to enhance human health, applications in industrial microbiology for the production of prebiotics and functional foods, and in the beer and wine industry. Moreover, their use in formulations to increase crop yields and for bacterial bioremediation offers an alternative pathway to harness their beneficial attributes.

Mexican grasshopper (Sphenarium purpurascens) as source of high protein flour: Techno-functional characterization, and in silico and in vitro biological potential.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the techno-functional properties of Mexican grasshopper flour with different thermal pretreatments, as well as to assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of their protein hydrolysates. Insect flour was thermally treated at 70, 80, 90, and 121 °C. Insect flour protein solubility (184.3 - 278.5 mg/g) was higher at pH 7.0 - 11.0. Thermally processed flour at 70, 80 and 90 °C showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in water/oil holding capacity, emulsion properties and gel minimum concentration. Protein hydrolysates presented antioxidant potential for DPPH (IC50: 0.78 mg/mL), ABTS (IC50: 0.63 mg/mL) and nitric oxide (IC50: 2.21 mg/mL). Protein hydrolysates showed inhibition potential against enzymes COX-2 (IC50: 0.52 mg/mL) and iNOS (IC50: 0.51 mg/mL) in biochemical trials. Molecular docking showed that from the 37 identified peptide sequences, GPPGPAGV (-9.5 kcal/mol) and KPTVGVVTY (-10.4 kcal/mol) have the lower binding energies for COX-2 and iNOS, respectively. S. purpurascens flour and protein hydrolysates could be used as a functional ingredient.

Biological activity of extracts and hydrolysates from early- and adult-stage edible grasshopper Sphenarium purpurascens.

Edible insects have become a promising food source because they are rich in protein, fatty acids, minerals, among others. In recent years, edible insects have been proposed to be used as innovative functional ingredients in terms of biological activity. The present study aimed to determine and compare biological activities of the extracts and hydrolysates obtained from early- and adult-stage edible grasshoppers Sphenarium purpurascens to evaluate their potential as a source of bioactive compounds. Proximal analyses showed that in adult grasshoppers (AGs), the percentage of protein (48.9% ± 1.2), crude fat (13.1% ± 0.09), and chitin (15.6% ± 0.81) was significantly higher than early grasshoppers (EGs) (42.2% ± 0.55, 9.35% ± 0.08, and 10.5% ± 0.15, respectively). Total phenolic compounds, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+) free radical scavenging were analyzed and reported. Enzymatic hydrolysis increased the concentration of total phenolic compounds and higher antioxidant capacity (up to 252.78 mM trolox). Once fractionated by ultrafiltration, the fraction that presented the highest antioxidant activity against DPPH• and ABTS•+ was that with molecules ≤ 10 kDa. Furthermore, the bioaccessibility of the samples was analyzed by in vitro protein digestion using a multienzymatic method, and a recovery index (RI) was reported. Extracts and hydrolysates were analyzed by UPLC-MS, and this allowed the identification of phenolic acids and flavonoids. The results obtained in this work suggest that the grasshopper can be used as a possible source of bioactive compounds that can be used in the food or pharmaceutical industry.

West Mexico Berries Modulate α-Amylase, α-Glucosidase and Pancreatic Lipase Using In Vitro and In Silico Approaches.

The objective was to evaluate the antioxidant and biological potential of eight freeze-dried berry varieties of southern Jalisco using in silico and in vitro approaches. Fourteen tentative phenolic compounds were identified in berries by ESI-QToF, including anthocyanins, phenolic acids, flavanols and flavonols. In silico assays of phytochemicals in the berry inhibiting enzymes related to obesity and diabetes showed predicted binding energy interactions (ranging from -5.4 to -9.3 kcal/mol). Among the cultivars, antioxidant potential for DPPH IC50 ranged from 1.27 to 3.40 mg/mL, ABTS IC50 from 2.26 to 7.32 mg/mL and nitric oxide (NO) inhibition IC50 from 4.26 to 11.07 mg/mL. The potential to inhibit α-amylase IC50 ranged from 4.02 to 7.66 mg/mL, α-glucosidase IC50 from 0.27 to 4.09 mg/mL, lipase IC50 from 1.30 to 4.82 mg/mL and DPP-IV IC50 from 1.36 to 3.31 mg/mL. Blackberry cultivars from the southern Jalisco region showed outstanding biological potential compared to other evaluated berries and could be used in the formulation of functional foods in the prevention of noncommunicable diseases.

Common Bean Baked Snack Consumption Reduces Apolipoprotein B-100 Levels: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Snack alternatives based on common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) have been developed to promote pulse consumption. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, sensory acceptance and the effect of common bean baked snack (CBBS) consumption on blood lipid levels in participants with overweight and altered blood lipid levels. A sensory evaluation by 80 untrained judges was carried out using a hedonic scale. A randomized crossover 2 × 2 trial was performed, where 20 participants with overweight and one blood lipid alteration consumed 32 g of CBBS or did not consume it (control) for four weeks. Blood samples were taken to quantify the triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, ApoB-100, glucose and insulin. Furthermore, anthropometric, dietary and physical activity parameters were recorded. The overall acceptance of CBBS was similar compared to popcorn (p > 0.05). The consumption of CBBS reduced the apolipoprotein B-100 levels (p = 0.008). This reduction could be associated with the additional dietary fiber consumption during the CBBS period (p = 0.04). Although it did not improve any other blood lipid or glucose parameters (p > 0.05), it did not affect them either, which means that the CBBS could be consumed without compromising cardiovascular health.

Technological Applications of Natural Colorants in Food Systems: A Review.

Natural colorants have emerged as an alternative to their synthetic counterparts due to an existing health concern of these later. Moreover, natural-food colorants are a renewable option providing health benefits and interesting technological and sensory attributes to the food systems containing them. Several sources of natural colorants have been explored aiming to deliver the required wide color range demanded by consumers. This review aimed to compare and discuss the technological applications of the main natural-food colorants into food system in the last six years, giving additional information about their extraction process. Although natural colorants are promising choices to replace synthetic ones, optimization of processing conditions, research on new sources, and new formulations to ensure stability are required to equate their properties to their synthetic counterparts.

Food-derived bioactive compounds with anti-aging potential for nutricosmetic and cosmeceutical products.

Besides providing essential nutrients for humans, food contains bioactive compounds that exert diverse biological activities such as anti-microbial, anti-cancerogenic, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. The cosmetic industry is interested in natural bioactive compounds for their use in nutricosmetic and cosmeceutical products. These products aimed to reduce skin aging, inflammation or provide photoprotection against UV radiation. As a result, nutricosmetics and cosmeceuticals are becoming innovative self-care products in the beauty market. These products contain phytochemicals as active compounds obtained from fruits, vegetables, legumes, medicinal herbs and plants with anti-aging potential. This review summarizes the information within the last 5 years related to bioactive compounds present in fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices commonly used for human consumption. Their antioxidant and biological potential for modulating molecular markers involved in the aging process, as well as their mechanism of action. Diverse natural foods and their byproducts could be used as a source of bioactive compounds for developing cosmeceutical and nutricosmetic products.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of peptides released from germinated amaranth during in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion.

Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) is an ancestral nutritional grain and good source of bioactive compounds as peptides. In this study, the effect of in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGD) of germinated amaranth on the release of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory peptides was evaluated. The germinated amaranth peptides generated during SGD were released after 90 min of incubation with pancreatin and fractioned to F1 (>10 kDa), F2 (3-10 kDa), and F3 (<3 kDa). Among germinated amaranth peptides fractions tested, F2 had the highest antioxidant activity, while F1 and F2 exhibited a high anti-inflammatory response caused by lipopolysaccharide-induced in RAW 264.7 macrophages. A total of 11 peptides sequences were identified in the fractions evaluated, and they exhibit potential biological activity against non-communicable diseases. The findings from this study showed first time report on bioactive peptides, especially anti-inflammatory, from germinated amaranth released by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion.

Identification and Comparison of Peptides from Chickpea Protein Hydrolysates Using Either Bromelain or Gastrointestinal Enzymes and Their Relationship with Markers of Type 2 Diabetes and Bitterness.

The chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important pulses worldwide. The objective was to identify, compare and evaluate peptides from chickpea hydrolysates produced by two enzymatic treatments. The antidiabetic potential and bitterness of the peptides and induction of bitter receptors were identified in silico. Proteins were isolated from the Kabuli variety. Peptides were produced from the proteins using a simulated digestive system (pepsin/pancreatin, 1:50 Enzyme/Protein, E/P), and these peptides were compared with those produced via bromelain hydrolysis (1:50 E/P). The protein profiles, sequences and characteristics of the peptides were evaluated. The biochemical inhibition and molecular docking of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), α-amylase and α-glucosidase were also studied. The molecular docking identified peptides from enzymatic hydrolysis as inhibitors of DPP-IV. The high hydrophobicity of the peptides indicated the potential for bitterness. There was no correlation between peptide length and DPP-IV binding. Peptides sequenced from the pepsin/pancreatin hydrolysates, PHPATSGGGL and YVDGSGTPLT, had greater affinity for the DPP-IV catalytic site than the peptides from the bromelain hydrolysates. These results are in agreement with their biochemical inhibition, when considering the inhibition of sitagliptin (54.3 µg/mL) as a standard. The bitter receptors hTAS2R38, hTAS2R5, hTAS2R7 and hTAS2R14 were stimulated by most sequences, which could be beneficial in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Chickpea hydrolysates could be utilized as functional ingredients to be included in the diet for the prevention of diabetes.

Combinations of Legume Protein Hydrolysates Synergistically Inhibit Biological Markers Associated with Adipogenesis.

The objective was to investigate the anti-adipogenesis potential of selected legume protein hydrolysates (LPH) and combinations using biochemical assays and in silico predictions. Black bean, green pea, chickpea, lentil and fava bean protein isolates were hydrolyzed using alcalase (A) or pepsin/pancreatin (PP). The degree of hydrolysis ranged from 15.5% to 35.5% for A-LPH and PP-LPH, respectively. Antioxidant capacities ranged for ABTS•+ IC50 from 0.3 to 0.9 Trolox equivalents (TE) mg/mL, DPPH• IC50 from 0.7 to 13.5 TE mg/mL and nitric oxide (NO) inhibition IC50 from 0.3 to 1.3 mg/mL. LPH from PP-green pea, A-green pea and A-black bean inhibited pancreatic lipase (PL) (IC50 = 0.9 mg/mL, 2.2 mg/mL and 1.2 mg/mL, respectively) (p < 0.05). For HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR) inhibition, the LPH from A-chickpea (0.15 mg/mL), PP-lentil (1.2 mg/mL), A-green pea (1.4 mg/mL) and PP-green pea (1.5 mg/mL) were potent inhibitors. Combinations of PP-green pea + A-black bean (IC50 = 0.4 mg/mL), A-green pea + PP-green pea (IC50 = 0.9 mg/mL) and A-black bean + A-green pea (IC50 = 0.6 mg/mL) presented synergistic effects to inhibit PL. A-chickpea + PP-lentil (IC50 = 0.8 mg/mL) and PP-lentil + A-green pea (IC50 = 1.3 mg/mL) interacted additively to inhibit HMGR and synergistically in the combination of A-chickpea + PP-black bean (IC50 = 1.3 mg/mL) to block HMGR. Peptides FEDGLV and PYGVPVGVR inhibited PL and HMGR in silico, showing predicted binding energy interactions of -7.6 and -8.8 kcal/mol, respectively. Combinations of LPH from different legume protein sources could increase synergistically their anti-adipogenic potential.

Bioactive proteins and phytochemicals from legumes: Mechanisms of action preventing obesity and type-2 diabetes.

The Fabaceae family of plants include a variety of seeds with multiple shapes, sizes, and colors; with a great diversity of bioactive compounds found in legume seeds. Legumes are an excellent source of protein, peptides and phytochemicals which are present in significant amounts. These bioactive compounds have been reported to reduce the risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCD), such as obesity and type-2 diabetes. In this narrative review, we discuss the biological potential of bioactive compounds found in legumes and the health benefits associated with their consumption as an alternative approach in the management of NCD. Current extraction methods, characteristics of the bioactive compounds, and different in vitro and in vivo studies evaluating the bioactivity of legume bioactives are reviewed and discussed.

Reduction of colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis by a black lentil water extract through inhibition of inflammatory and immunomodulatory cytokines.

The objective was to compare the impact of black lentil (BL) water and delphinidin 3-O-(2-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-α-l-arabinopyranoside) (D3G)-rich lentil extracts on tumor development, inflammation and immune response in an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) model. C57BL/6 mice were randomly separated into four groups: healthy control (n = 6), AOM/DSS control (n = 14), AOM/DSS + BL (600 mg/kg body wt, n = 12) and AOM/DSS + D3G (41 mg/kg body wt, equivalent to D3G concentration in BL, n = 12). Mice were given treatments for 11 weeks using a voluntary jelly administration. AOM/DSS + BL presented a lower (P < 0.05) disease activity index, throughout and at the end (2.4) compared with AOM/DSS (6.3). AOM/DSS + BL mice had an average of 7.8 neoplasms versus 12.8 for the AOM/DSS (P < 0.05). Proinflammatory cytokines were downregulated in the colon mucosa: interleukin (IL)-1ß (-77.5%, -70.7%) and IL-6 (-44.4%, -44.9%) by AOM/DSS + BL and AOM/DSS + D3G, respectively, compared with AOM/DSS. IL-6 protein expression was decreased by BL in plasma (-72.6%) and gene expression in colon polyps (fold change: -4.0) compared with AOM/DSS. AOM/DSS + D3G non-polyp tissue gene expression clustered with the healthy control tissue with only four genes modified (secreted phosphoprotein 1 and CXC motif chemokine ligands 2, 5 and 10). AOM/DSS + BL downregulated programmed death-ligand 1 protein expression in colon tissue (-54.7%) and gene expression by 2.8-fold compared with the AOM/DSS control. In fecal samples, gallic and protocatechuic acids and epicatechin were found, and concentration of most amino acids was lower and unsaturated fatty acids were higher for AOM/DSS + BL and AOM/DSS + D3G. BL and D3G-rich extracts showed anti-inflammatory and proimmune response effects while BL additionally prevented growth of neoplasia.

Maize extract rich in ferulic acid and anthocyanins prevents high-fat-induced obesity in mice by modulating SIRT1, AMPK and IL-6 associated metabolic and inflammatory pathways.

The aim was to compare the antiobesity efficacy of different concentrations of a phenolic-rich water extract from purple maize pericarp (PPE) in a murine model of obesity for 12 weeks. Forty C57BL/6 mice (n=10/group) were randomized: standard diet (SD), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD+200 mg PPE/kg (200 PPE) and HFD+500 mg PPE/kg (500 PPE). PPE contained mainly ferulic acid, anthocyanins and other phenolics (total phenolics: 448.5 µg/mg dry weight, DW). Body weight (-27.9%), blood glucose (-26.5%) and blood triglycerides (-22.1%) were most attenuated (P<.05) in 500 PPE group compared to HFD group. Also, 500 PPE group had reduced (P<.05) plasma levels of TNF-α, MCP-1, resistin and leptin compared to HFD group. Fatty liver disease scores were highest for HFD (8.4), followed by 200 PPE (6.1), 500 PPE (2.7) and SD (0.4) groups. Relative adipose tissue was lower (P<.05) in 200 PPE (7.6%), 500 PPE (8.0%) and SD (0.8%) compared to HFD (12.1%) group. In 500 PPE group, compared to HFD group, important genes were modulated related to adipogenesis (Mmp3, fold-change [FC]=7.4), inflammation (Nfkb1, FC=-1.8) and glucose metabolism (Slc2a4, FC=23.6) in adipose tissue. In liver, 500 PPE group showed modulation of genes related to gluconeogenesis (Pck1, FC=-2.9), lipogenesis (Fasn, FC=-2.4) and ß-oxidation (Cpt1b, FC=3.1). Maize rich in ferulic acid and anthocyanins prevented obesity through the modulation of TLR and AMPK signaling pathways reducing adipogenesis and adipose inflammation, and promoting energy expenditure.