In-depth insight into correlations between gut microbiota and dietary fiber elucidates a dietary causal relationship with host health.

Dietary fiber exerts a wide range of biological benefits on host health, which not only provides a powerful source of nutrition for gut microbiota but also supplies key microbial metabolites that directly affect host health. This review mainly focuses on the decomposition and metabolism of dietary fiber and the essential genera Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium in dietary fiber fermentation. Dietary fiber plays an essential role in host health by impacting outcomes related to obesity, enteritis, immune health, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, the gut microbiota-independent pathway of dietary fiber affecting host health is also discussed. Personalized dietary fiber intake combined with microbiome, genetics, epigenetics, lifestyle and other factors has been highlighted for development in the future. A higher level of evidence is needed to demonstrate which microbial phenotype benefits from which kind of dietary fiber. In-depth insights into the correlation between gut microbiota and dietary fiber provide strong theoretical support for the precise application of dietary fiber, which elucidates a dietary causal relationship with host health.

C-phycocyanin alleviated cisplatin-induced oxidative stress and inflammation via gut microbiota-metabolites axis in mice.

C-phycocyanin is a natural protein extracted from Spirulina platensis. We aim to investigate the preventive effect of C-phycocyanin on cisplatin chemotherapy-induced oxidative damage and inflammation. The result showed that C-phycocyanin treatment reduced cisplatin-induced mortality and inflammation including decreased levels of serum IL6, kidney MCP1, and liver IL1ß. Furthermore, C-phycocyanin also exerted antioxidant effects on mice, including increased GSH-Px, GGT, and GSH levels in the liver and increased CAT and SOD levels in the kidney. HepG2 cells experiments showed that C-phycocyanin exhibited none of the prevention effects on cisplatin injury. Faecalibaculum showed the greatest reduction among genera after cisplatin treatment, which was related to the enrichment of Romboutsia and Lactobacillus genera. C-phycocyanin treatment reduced the populations of harmful bacteria of Enterococcus faecalis, which was positively correlated with inflammation induced by cisplatin. C-phycocyanin increased the contents of 23-nordeoxycholic acid and ß-muricholic acid. Moreover, C-phycocyanin increased amino acid-related metabolites, Nα-acetyl-arginine and trimethyl-lysine contents, and decreased fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) contents. In conclusion, C-phycocyanin inhibited inflammation via the 23-nordeoxycholic acid-Enterococcus faecalis-inflammation axis, and enhanced the antioxidant capacity of kidney via Lactobacillus-NRF2 pathway. C-phycocyanin alleviated cisplatin injury via the modulation of gut microbiota, especially Lactobacillus and Enterococcus, as well as regulation of metabolites, especially bile acid and FAHFAs, which highlight the effect of C-phycocyanin and provide a new strategy to prevent cisplatin injury.

Extraction and Purification of Inulin from Jerusalem Artichoke with Response Surface Method and Ion Exchange Resins.

Inulin is used as an important food ingredient, widely used for its fiber content. In this study the operational extraction variables to obtain higher yields of inulin from Jerusalem artichoke tubers, as well as the optimal conditions, were studied. Response surface methodology and Box-Behnken design were used for optimization of extraction steps. The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: extraction temperature 74 °C, extraction time 65 min, and ratio of liquid to solid 4 mL/g. Furthermore, series connection of ion-exchange resins were used to purify the extraction solution where the optimal resin combinations were D202 strongly alkaline anion resin, HD-8 strongly acidic cation resin, and D315 weakly alkaline resin while the decolorization rate and decreased salinity reached 99.76 and 93.68, respectively. Under these conditions, the yield of inulin was 85.4 ± 0.5%.

Effects of Inulin Propionate Ester on Obesity-Related Metabolic Syndrome and Intestinal Microbial Homeostasis in Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) plays an important role in improving obesity and related metabolic syndrome induced by high-fat diet. We used the prepared inulin propionate ester (IPE) as a system for the targeted release of propionate to the colon to elucidate the role of IPE in regulating obesity and metabolic syndrome, and intestinal microbial homeostasis, in diet-induced obese mice. With this strategy, IPE significantly increased the SCFA contents in the colon and resulted in significant body weight reduction, insulin resistance amelioration, and gastrointestinal hormone (glucagon-like peptide and peptide YY) secretion (P < 0.05). The IPE intervention reduced liver fatty accumulation, which improved obesity-related fatty liver disease (P < 0.05). IPE supplementation increased the richness and diversity of the microbial community and altered bacterial population at both the phylum and family level. Intestinal microbial results showed that the relative abundance of Desulfovibrionaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae, which promote the production of inflammatory factors, was reduced. Our results demonstrate that IPE can be used as an effective strategy for delivering propionate to obese mice colon, which can ameliorate obesity and associated metabolic syndrome and modify intestinal microbial homeostasis.

VAOS, a novel vanadyl complexes of alginate saccharides, inducing apoptosis via activation of AKT-dependent ROS production in NSCLC.

Previous studies have confirmed that protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) can promote tumour progression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Vanadyl alginate oligosaccharides (VAOS) is a new coordination compounds that possesses a good PTP1B inhibitory activity. However, the potent anticancer efficacy of VAOS in human NSCLC requires further study. In this study, VAOS exhibited effective inhibitory effects in NSCLC both in cultured cells and in a xenograft mouse model. VAOS was further identified to induce NSCLC cell apoptosis through activating protein kinase B (AKT) to elevate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by increasing in oxygen consumption and impairing the ROS-scavenging system. Neither silencing of PTP1B by siRNA nor transient overexpression of PTP1B had an effect on the AKT phosphorylation triggered by VAOS, indicating that PTP1B inhibition was not involved in VAOS-induced apoptosis. Through phosphorus colorimetric assay, we demonstrated that VAOS notably inhibited phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) dephosphorylation activity, another member of the protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases)-upstream factor of AKT. Interestingly, PTEN knockdown sensitized cells to VAOS, whereas ectopic expression of PTEN markedly rescued VAOS-mediated lethality. In vivo, VAOS treatment markedly reduced PTEN activity and tumour cell burden with low systemic toxicity. Thus, our data not only provided a new therapeutic drug candidate for NSCLC, but presented new understanding into the pharmacological research of VAOS.

Purification of quercetin-3-O-sophoroside and isoquercitrin from Poacynum hendersonii leaves using macroporous resins followed by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography.

In China, Poacynum hendersonii is frequently used as a substitute for Apoacynum venetum L (Luobuma), which is a famous traditional Chinese medicine. Quercetin-3-O-sophoroside and isoquercitrin are two major flavonoids in Poacynum hendersonii leaves. In this work, a suitable method was established for the large-scale preparation of quercetin-3-O-sophoroside (QOS) and isoquercitrin (ISO) from Poacynum hendersonii leaves using macroporous resin combined with Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The adsorption/desorption capacities and desorption ratios of six macroporous resins were evaluated using static experiments. The HPD-300 resin had the best adsorption performance because it had the largest surface area, and was selected for further study. Compared with pseudo-first-order and intraparticle diffusion kinetics models, the pseudo-second-order model could better fit the adsorption kinetics of both QOS and ISO on the HPD-300 resin. In addition, the adsorption isotherms of the two compounds on the HPD-300 resin were fitted well to the Langmuir model. Under optimal conditions, the purities of QOS and ISO in the product were increased from 2.16% and 1.26% to 21.34% and 10.70% with recovery yields of 82.1% and 77.3%, respectively. Subsequently, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography was employed for improving the purities of the two compounds. After separation by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, the purities of QOS and ISO achieved 93.5% and 95.6%, respectively.

Novel vanadyl complexes of alginate saccharides: synthesis, characterization, and biological activities.

Vanadium compounds present many physiological functions. However, vanadium(IV) and (V) salts are difficult for gastrointestinal absorption and have strong side effects. Therefore organic oxovanadium compounds gain more attention. Vanadyl alginate polysaccharides (VAPS) and vanadyl alginate oligosaccharides (VAOS) were obtained from aqueous solutions of VOSO4 at pH 12. They were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The antioxidant activity of oxovanadium(IV) complexes was investigated in hydroxyl and DPPH radical scavenging systems in vitro. The results reveal that activities of VAPS and VAOS in the two systems were stronger than those of alginate polysaccharides (APS) and alginate oligosaccharides (AOS), respectively. In addition, VAPS and VAOS promoted significantly the antiproliferation of ligands of human hepatoma cell line BEL-7402. Oxovanadium(IV) complexes were potent inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) with IC50 values in the range of 6.4-18.7µg/mL, indicated in biochemical assays. In addition, Vanadyl-alginate had no significant side effects on proliferation and viability of HL-7702 hepatic cells. In the future, they can be added to medicines and ease the growing threat that cancer and diabetes mellitus cause to human health.

Preliminary enrichment and separation of chlorogenic acid from Helianthus tuberosus L. leaves extract by macroporous resins.

In the present study, a simple and efficient method for the preparative separation of 3-CQA from the extract of Helianthus tuberosus leaves with macroporous resins was studied. ADS-21 showed much higher adsorption capacity and better adsorption/desorption properties for 3-CQA among the tested resins. The adsorption of 3-CQA on ADS-21 resin at 25°C was fitted best to the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Dynamic adsorption/desorption experiments were carried out in a glass column packed with ADS-21 to optimise the separation process of 3-CQA from H. tuberosus leaves extract. After one treatment with ADS-21, the content of 3-CQA in the product was increased 5.42-fold, from 12.0% to 65.2%, with a recovery yield of 89.4%. The results demonstrated that the method was suitable for large-scale separation and manufacture of 3-CQA from H. tuberosus leaves.

Hypoglycemic Properties of Oxovanadium (IV) Coordination Compounds with Carboxymethyl-Carrageenan and Carboxymethyl-Chitosan in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice.

In order to avoid low absorption, incorporation, and undesirable side effects of inorganic oxovanadium compounds, the antidiabetic activities of organic oxovanadium (IV) compounds in alloxan-induced diabetic mice were investigated. Vanadyl carboxymethyl carrageenan (VOCCA) and vanadyl carboxymethyl chitosan (VOCCH) were synthesized and administrated through intragastric administration in different doses for 20 days in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Glibenclamide was administrated as the positive control. Our results showed that low-dose group, middle-dose group, and high-dose group of VOCCA and VOCCH could significantly reduce the levels of blood glucose (P < 0.05) compared with untreated group, but not in normal mice. Besides, high-dose groups of VOCCA and VOCCH exhibited more significant hypoglycemic activities (P < 0.01). After treated with VOCCH, the oral glucose tolerance of high-dose group of VOCCH was improved compared with model control group (P < 0.05).

Synthesis of beta-(1-->6)-branched beta-(1-->3) glucohexaose and its analogues containing an alpha-(1-->3) linked bond with antitumor activity.

A beta-(1-->6)-branched beta-(1-->3)-glucohexaose, present in many biologically active polysaccharides from traditionally herbal medicines such as Ganoderma lucidum, Schizophyllum commune and Lentinus edodes, was synthesized as its lauryl glycoside 32, and its analogues 18, 20 and 33 containing an alpha-(1-->3) linked bond were synthesized. It is interesting to find that coupling of a 3,6-branched acylated trisaccharide trichloroacetimidate donor 9 with 3,6-branched acceptors 13 and 16 with 3'-OH gave the alpha-(1--> 3)-linked hexasaccharides 17 and 19, respectively, in spite of the presence of C-2 ester capable of neighboring group participation. However, coupling of 9 with 4-methoxyphenyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-beta-D-glucopyranoside (27) selectively gave beta-(1-->3)-linked tetrasaccharide 28. Simple chemical transformation of the tetrasaccharide 28 gave acylated tetrasaccharide trichloroacetimidate 29. Coupling of 29 with lauryl (1-->6)-linked disaccharide 26 with 3-OH gave beta-(1-->3)-linked hexasaccharide 30 as the major product. Bioassay showed that in combination with the chemotherapeutic agent cyclophospamide (CPA), the hexaose 18 at a dose of 0.5-1mg/kg substantially increased the inhibition of S(180) for CPA, but decreased the toxicity caused by CPA. Some of these oligosaccharides also inhibited U(14) noumenal tumor in mice effectively.