The anti-obesity and gut microbiota modulating effects of taxifolin in C57BL/6J mice fed with a high-fat diet.

BACKGROUND: Taxifolin is a natural dihydroflavonol found in many plants and health products. In the present study, its anti-obesity and gut microbiota modulating effects were studied. C57BL/6J mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) supplemented with taxifolin (0, 0.5 and 1 mg mL-1 , respectively) in drinking water for 15 weeks. RESULTS: Taxifolin supplementation showed no influence on food and water intake. However, it decreased body weight gain, inhibited fat accumulation, and decreased total cholesterol and triacylglycerol level in mice liver. Taxifolin enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in mice liver, which in turn protected the liver from lipid peroxidation damage. It also improved insulin resistance in obese mice. Metagenomic analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA demonstrated that HFD decreased gut microbiota diversity and caused dysbiosis. However, taxifolin improved the gut microbiota diversity and decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. In particular, it inhibited Proteobacteria from blooming, this being a signature of dysbiosis in gut microbiota. CONCLUSION: Taxifolin ameliorated the symptoms of obesity, hepatic steatosis, lipid peroxidation, insulin resistance, and gut microbiota dysbiosis in HFD fed C57BL/6J mice. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Advances on Bioactive Polysaccharides from Medicinal Plants.

In recent decades, the polysaccharides from the medicinal plants have attracted a lot of attention due to their significant bioactivities, such as anti-tumor activity, antioxidant activity, anticoagulant activity, antidiabetic activity, radioprotection effect, anti-viral activity, hypolipidemic and immunomodulatory activities, which make them suitable for medicinal applications. Previous studies have also shown that medicinal plant polysaccharides are non-toxic and show no side effects. Based on these encouraging observations, most researches have been focusing on the isolation and identification of polysaccharides, as well as their bioactivities. A large number of bioactive polysaccharides with different structural features and biological effects from medicinal plants have been purified and characterized. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the most recent developments in physiochemical, structural features and biological activities of bioactive polysaccharides from a number of important medicinal plants, such as polysaccharides from Astragalus membranaceus, Dendrobium plants, Bupleurum, Cactus fruits, Acanthopanax senticosus, Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, Aloe barbadensis Miller, and Dimocarpus longan Lour. Moreover, the paper has also been focused on the applications of bioactive polysaccharides for medicinal applications. Recent studies have provided evidence that polysaccharides from medicinal plants can play a vital role in bioactivities. The contents and data will serve as a useful reference material for further investigation, production, and application of these polysaccharides in functional foods and therapeutic agents.

Predictors of successful air enema reduction of intussusception in infants younger than 4 months.

OBJECTIVES: Intussusception is rare in infants younger than 4 months, and the use of air enema for reduction of intussusception has been limited. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the predictors of successful reduction of intussusception using air enema in infants younger than 4 months. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of 97 intussusception patients of younger than 4 months between January 2008 and December 2012. Demographic data, clinical presentation, and outcomes of air enemas were collected and analyzed. We used univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses for significant predictors of successful reduction of intussusception using air enemas. RESULTS: Of the 97 infants younger than 4 months (median age 97.6 days, age range 41-119 days), 63 (65%) were boys and 34 (35%) were girls. The duration of symptoms ranged from 5 to 53 hours, with a median of 16.3 hours. The clinical features included paroxysmal crying (75%), vomiting (68%), bloody stools (61%), and palpable abdominal masses (32%). The duration of symptoms, bloody stools, and the shape of the intussusceptum were found to be significantly predictive of the outcome of air enema reduction of intussusception. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of successful reduction of intussusception using air enemas in infants younger than 4 months is low. Factors such as the duration of symptoms, bloody stools, and the shape of the intussusceptum are predictive of the outcome of air enema reduction of intussusception.

Metabolism, tissue distribution and excretion of taxifolin in rat.

The metabolism, tissue distribution and excretion of taxifolin in rat after oral administration of taxifolin encapsulated zein-caseinate Nanoparticles (TZP) were studied. The isomerization of taxifolin in rat small intestine and colon was found. Besides isomers, 16 metabolites of taxifolin were identified in rat feces, plasma and urine by UPLC-QTOF-MS. In colon, taxifolin underwent the metabolism of hydration, dehydration and ring-fission through the gut microflora. The main metabolites of taxifolin found in plasma and urine were its sulfated, glucuronidated, and/or methylated products. The dynamic variation of taxifolin and its metabolites in tissues and urine were quantified by UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS. Taxifolin and its metabolites could be quickly absorbed and distributed in the tissues, and relatively low concentrations were found in the heart and brain. The feces excretion of taxifolin was determined by HPLC. The total excretion during 24 h was 2.83 ± 0.80% to its given does, and the maximum excretion was found during 8-10 h post administration. Compared with feces, the excretion of taxifolin and its metabolites in urine was much faster, and the total excretion was 1.96 ± 0.23% during 12 h.

Dihydromyricetin Improves Cognitive Impairments in d-Galactose-Induced Aging Mice through Regulating Oxidative Stress and Inhibition of Acetylcholinesterase.

SCOPE: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with phenomena of cognitive impairments. Oxidative stress and cholinergic system dysfunction are two widely studied pathogenesis of AD. Dihydromyricetin (DMY) is a natural dihydroflavonol with many bioactivities. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the effects of DMY on cognitive impairment in d-galactose (d-gal) induced aging mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mice are intraperitoneally injected with d-gal for 16 weeks, and DMY is supplemented in drinking water. The results show that DMY significantly improves d-gal-induced cognitive impairments in novel object recognition and Y-maze studies. H&E and TUNEL staining show that DMY could improve histopathological changes and cell apoptosis in mice brain. DMY effectively induces the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, and reduces malondialdehyde level in mice brain and liver. Furthermore, DMY reduces cholinergic injury by inhibiting the activity of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in mice brain. In vitro studies show that DMY is a non-competitive inhibitor of AChE with IC50 value of 161.2 µg mL-1 . CONCLUSION: DMY alleviates the cognitive impairments in d-gal-induced aging mice partly through regulating oxidative stress and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase.

Processing, digestion property and structure characterization of slowly digestible gorgon nut starch.

Slowly digestible gorgon nut starch (GN-SDS) was prepared by heating-cooling treatment (HCT), meanwhile its morphological and structural features were characterized in detail by SEM, DSC, XRD and IR detection. The optimized parameters of GN-SDS processing were as following: starch milk (20%) was heated at 100 °C for 20 min, and then cooled under 4 °C for 24 h. Under the optimized parameters, the SDS content increased from 20.49 to 61.74%. GN-SDS showed typical SDS characteristics in in vivo digestion with a low postprandial blood glucose. SEM images suggested that GN-S particles changed from uniform regular polyhedron with smooth surface to irregular gravel-like particles with coarse surface and obvious layered structure inside after HCT. The results of SEM, DSC, XRD and IR determination indicated that HCT changed the granule morphology, interior structure, gelatinization temperature and crystal type (A to B-type) of GN-S, and therefore made it hard to be digested accordingly. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-021-01007-6.

Structural characterization and antioxidant activity of an acetylated Cyclocarya paliurus polysaccharide (Ac-CPP0.1).

The aim of this study was to investigate the primary structure of an acetylated Cyclocarya paliurus polysaccharide (Ac-CPP0.1) and its protective effect on H2O2-treated dendritic cells. The backbone of Ac-CPP0.1 was →3)-ß-D-Galp-(1→, with some branches α-L-Araf-(1→ residues at O-6 and O-5, ß-D-Galp-(1→ and 3,5,6)-ß-D-Galf-(1 residues at O-4 and acetyl groups were substituted at the O-2 and O-6 positions of 3)-ß-D-Galp-(1 residues. The CPP0.1 and Ac-CPP0.1 significantly increased the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase on H2O2-treated dendritic cells. Meanwhile, both CPP0.1 and Ac-CPP0.1 up-regulated the expression of Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor 2) and down-regulated the Keap1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1), but Ac-CPP0.1 had a better effect on antioxidant capacity. These results indicated that potential application of Ac-CPP0.1 as an antioxidant agent.

Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of high-fat emulsion-induced hyperlipidemia mice intervened by a polysaccharide from Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal) Iljinskaja.

Genome-wide DNA methylation was used to study the lipid-lowering effect of Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal) Iljinskaja polysaccharide (CPP). The objective of this study was to investigate the hypolipidemic effects and the potential underlying mechanisms of action of CPP-2 in high-fat emulsion (HFE)-induced mice. The results showed that CPP-2 reduced the level of genome-wide DNA methylation in the liver of HFE-induced mice, which had a lipid-lowering effect by regulating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling-, fatty acid metabolism-, fatty acid biosynthesis- and adipocytokine signaling pathways. A series of lipid metabolism genes were screened out by conjoint analysis of the Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Hereafter, fatty acid synthase (FAS) and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor α (PPARα) as target genes were selected to validate the accuracy of the results. The findings demonstrated that CPP-2 might be effective in lowering the lipid content, thereby protecting against HFE-induced hyperlipidemia.

Pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity of Bambusa multiplex cv. Fernleaf leaf extract in vitro and in vivo.

Bambusa multiplex cv Fernleaf (B. multiplex) is a species of bamboo. In the present study, B. multiplex leaf extract was prepared through the resin absorption/desorption procedure and analyzed by HPLC. C-Glycosyl flavonoids are the main constituents of B. multiplex extract, and the content of isoorientin and vitexin was 51.8 and 23.1 mg g-1, respectively. Besides, the extract exhibited inhibitory activities on pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 0.91 and 1.16 mg mL-1, respectively. The extract could bind to pancreatic lipase and showed mixed-type inhibition. An in vivo study showed that pre-administration of B. multiplex extract significantly reduced the fat absorption in rats and increased fat excretion through feces. The change in the C-glycosyl flavonoid content in feces was the same as that in the triglyceride content. The inhibitory activity of B. multiplex leaf extract on pancreatic lipase was confirmed both in vitro and in vivo.

In vivo and in vitro comparison of three astilbin encapsulated zein nanoparticles with different outer shells.

Three shell materials, lecithin (ZNP-L), chitosan (ZNP-CH) and sodium caseinate (ZNP-SC), were used to prepare core-shell zein nanoparticles. Astilbin was encapsulated as a model flavonoid to compare the influence of the shell materials on zein nanoparticles both in vitro and in vivo. The particle size was moderately increased by lecithin and sodium caseinate, but notably increased by chitosan. All the shell materials provided good redispersibility for the nanoparticles and significantly improved the colloidal stability. Chitosan and sodium caseinate significantly delayed and decreased the feces excretion of astilbin in rats, while lecithin exhibited a very weak effect. The results may be attributed to the difference in mucoadhesive properties between the shell materials. As a consequence, the bioavailability values of astilbin in rats were 18.2, 9.3 and 1.89 times increased through ZNP-CH, ZNP-SC and ZNP-L compared with that of free astilbin, respectively.

Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil from Herba Moslae.

BACKGROUND: Herba Moslae is a well-known edible and medicinal plant in China, and the essential oil, which is assumed to contain the active components, was isolated by steam distillation method. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity and the antioxidant activity of the essential oil from Herba Moslae. RESULTS: The essential oil from Herba Moslae exhibited antimicrobial activity against all of the tested bacteria and fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for bacteria ranged from 118 to 472 microg mL(-1), and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were from 236 to 944 microg mL(-1). The oil showed pronounced antibacterial and antifungal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus oryzae, but weak inhibition to Escherichia coli. The antioxidant activity of the essential oil from Herba Moslae was evaluated by using DPPH radical scavenging assay, beta-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching assay and metal chelating activity assay. In addition, the amount of total phenolic content in the oil (386 +/- 1 microg kg(-1)) was determined. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the essential oil from Herba Moslae could be potentially used as a new potential source of natural antimicrobial, antioxidants and antiputrefactive in food industry.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activities of Polysaccharides from Yingshan Cloud Mist Tea.

The study was designed to investigate the chemical composition and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Yingshan Cloud Mist Tea. The chemical composition of green tea polysaccharides (GTPS) was analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric (TGA), gas chromatograph (GC), and high-performance gel-permeation chromatography (HPGPC). Then, the antioxidant activities in vitro of GTPS, effects of GTPS on body weight, and the antioxidant activities in chickens were studied. The results showed that GTPS were composed of rhamnose (Rha), arabinose (Ara), xylose (Xyl), mannose (Man), glucose (Glu), and galactose (Gal) in a molar ratio of 11.4 : 26.1 : 1.9 : 3.0 : 30.7 : 26.8 and the average molecular weight was 9.69 × 104 Da. Furthermore, GTPS exhibited obvious capacity of scavenging DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, and superoxide radical and enhanced the ferric-reducing power in vitro. Last, GTPS significantly increased the body weight of chickens, enhanced the T-AOC, SOD, and GSH-Px level, and decreased the content of MDA in chickens. The results indicated that GTPS might be a kind of natural antioxidant, which had the potential application in feed industry.

Physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Gynura procumbens leaves by fractional precipitation.

Four new polysaccharides (GPP-20, GPP-40, GPP-60 and GPP-80) were fractionated from Gynura procumbens leaves by 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% (v/v) ethanol, successively. Their physicochemical properties including the contents of neutral sugar, uronic acid and protein, as well as the monosaccharide composition were determined. In addition, the antioxidant activities of them were investigated via the reducing power assay and scavenging capacities of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals and hydroxyl free radicals, respectively. The results indicated that apart from neutral sugar, they all contained uronic acids and proteins in their structures, which were further proved by the UV-vis and FT-IR spectra. Monosaccharide composition analysis implied that they all belonged to heteropolysaccharides consisted of arabinose, galactose, glucose, xylose and galacturonic acid with different types and ratios. What's more, GPP-20, GPP-40 and GPP-80 always exhibited better antioxidant activities than GPP-60 among these three antioxidant assays in vitro.

Structure and biological activities of a pectic polysaccharide from Mosla chinensis Maxim. cv. Jiangxiangru.

A water-soluble pectic polysaccharide (MP-A40) was isolated and purified from Mosla chinensis Maxim. cv. Jiangxiangru for the first time, with a molecular weight of 32,600Da. MP-A40 was comprised of 68.63% galacturonic acid and 13.05% neutral sugar. In addition, arabinose, galactose, rhamnose, mannose and glucose composed the neutral sugar in a relative ratio of 4.94, 3.07, 2.13, 1.62 and 1.29% of the dry weight of MP-A40, respectively. Structural characterization of MP-A40 was investigated by methylation analysis and 1D/2D NMR spectroscopy. From the results, the structure of MP-A40 was revealed as follows: 1,4-linked α-d-GalpA and 1,4-linked α-d-GalpA6Me interspersed with rare t-Araf (0.60%), t-Rhap (1.67%) and t-GalpA (10.15%). Esterification assay showed that about 32% of the carboxylic groups in GalA residues existed as methyl ester. In addition, MP-A40 could inhibit the growth of human leukemic cell line K562 and stimulate nitric oxide production from RAW 264.7 macrophages both in dose-dependent manners.

Chemical composition and antioxidant activities in immumosuppressed mice of polysaccharides isolated from Mosla chinensis Maxim cv. jiangxiangru.

Polysaccharide MP was isolated from Mosla chinensis Maxim cv. jiangxiangru. It was composed of rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucose and galactose in a molar ratio of 5.364:12.260:3.448:12.260:32.567:30.651, with 11.00%±0.24% uronic acid and 9.046%±0.04% protein. Its antioxidant activity on the cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice was investigated. The spleen and the thymus indices were investigated, and the biochemical parameters were evaluated in three organs (liver, heart and kidney). MP was able to overcome the cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression and can significantly raise the T-AOC, CAT, SOD and GSH-PX level. It also raised the spleen and thymus indices and decreased the MDA level in mice. MP could play an important role during the prevention process of oxidative damage in immunological system.

Ganoderma atrum polysaccharide improves age-related oxidative stress and immune impairment in mice.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether oxidative stress and immune dysfunction could be attenuated by Ganoderma atrum polysaccharide (PSG-1) in d-galactose (d-gal)-induced aging mice, and provide evidence for its effects. The results showed that PSG-1 significantly decreased lipid peroxidation in liver, brain, and spleen, but concomitantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase compared with the d-gal group. Elevation of glutathione contents and attenuation of glutathione disulfide contents were also found in PSG-1-treated animals. Furthermore, the results showed that PSG-1 treatment increased basal lymphocyte proliferation as well as T cell and B cell proliferation and enhanced interleukin-2 production. Taken together, the results suggested that PSG-1 had potential as a novel agent to promote health and improve aging-associated pathologies, at least in part, via modification of the redox system and improvement of immune function.