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Lung inflammation caused by fine particulate matter (PM), particularly PM2.5, poses a significant public health challenge, with oxidative stress and inflammation playing central roles in its pathophysiology. This study evaluates the protective effects of phytosome-encapsulated extract of purple waxy corn tassel (PPT) against PM2.5-induced lung inflammation. Male Wistar rats received PPT at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW for 21 days prior to exposure and continued to receive the same doses for 27 days during PM2.5 exposure. Significant reductions in inflammatory markers, including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-II), various interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), were observed, indicating that PPT effectively regulates the inflammatory response. Additionally, PPT improved oxidative stress markers by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), thereby restoring lung antioxidant defenses. Notably, the study revealed that PPT modulates epigenetic mechanisms, as evidenced by decreased histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and upregulation of sirtuins in lung tissue. These epigenetic modifications likely contribute to the reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress, suggesting a multifaceted protective role of PPT that involves both direct biochemical pathways and epigenetic regulation. The interplay between reduced inflammatory signaling, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and epigenetic modulation underscores PPT's potential as a therapeutic agent for managing respiratory inflammation-related diseases and its promise for the development of future functional food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung inflammation caused by fine particulate matter (PM), particularly PM2.5, poses a significant public health challenge, with oxidative stress and inflammation playing central roles in its pathophysiology. This study evaluates the protective effects of phytosome-encapsulated extract of purple waxy corn tassel (PPT) against PM2.5-induced lung inflammation. Male Wistar rats received PPT at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW for 21 days prior to exposure and continued to receive the same doses for 27 days during PM2.5 exposure. Significant reductions in inflammatory markers, including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-II), various interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), were observed, indicating that PPT effectively regulates the inflammatory response. Additionally, PPT improved oxidative stress markers by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), thereby restoring lung antioxidant defenses. Notably, the study revealed that PPT modulates epigenetic mechanisms, as evidenced by decreased histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and upregulation of sirtuins in lung tissue. These epigenetic modifications likely contribute to the reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress, suggesting a multifaceted protective role of PPT that involves both direct biochemical pathways and epigenetic regulation. The interplay between reduced inflammatory signaling, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and epigenetic modulation underscores PPT’s potential as a therapeutic agent for managing respiratory inflammation-related diseases and its promise for the development of future functional food products.

Gymnema inodorum (GI) is a leafy green vegetable found in the northern region of Thailand. A GI leaf extract has been developed as a dietary supplement for metabolic diabetic control. However, the active compounds in the GI leaf extract are relatively nonpolar. This study aimed to develop phytosome formulations of the GI extract to improve the efficiencies of their phytonutrients in terms of anti-inflammatory and anti-insulin-resistant activities in macrophages and adipocytes, respectively. Our results showed that the phytosomes assisted the GI extract's dispersion in an aqueous solution. The GI phytocompounds were assembled into a phospholipid bilayer membrane as spherical nanoparticles about 160–180 nm in diameter. The structure of the phytosomes allowed phenolic acids, flavonoids and triterpene derivatives to be embedded in the phospholipid membrane. The existence of GI phytochemicals in phytosomes significantly changed the particle's surface charge from neutral to negative within the range of −35 mV to −45 mV. The phytosome delivery system significantly exhibited the anti-inflammatory activity of the GI extract, indicated by the lower production of nitric oxide from inflamed macrophages compared to the non-encapsulated extract. However, the phospholipid component of phytosomes slightly interfered with the anti-insulin-resistant effects of the GI extract by decreasing the glucose uptake activity and increasing the lipid degradation of adipocytes. Altogether, the nano-phytosome is a potent carrier for transporting GI phytochemicals to prevent an early stage of T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gymnema inodorum (GI) is a leafy green vegetable found in the northern region of Thailand. A GI leaf extract has been developed as a dietary supplement for metabolic diabetic control. However, the active compounds in the GI leaf extract are relatively nonpolar. This study aimed to develop phytosome formulations of the GI extract to improve the efficiencies of their phytonutrients in terms of anti-inflammatory and anti-insulin-resistant activities in macrophages and adipocytes, respectively. Our results showed that the phytosomes assisted the GI extract’s dispersion in an aqueous solution. The GI phytocompounds were assembled into a phospholipid bilayer membrane as spherical nanoparticles about 160–180 nm in diameter. The structure of the phytosomes allowed phenolic acids, flavonoids and triterpene derivatives to be embedded in the phospholipid membrane. The existence of GI phytochemicals in phytosomes significantly changed the particle’s surface charge from neutral to negative within the range of −35 mV to −45 mV. The phytosome delivery system significantly exhibited the anti-inflammatory activity of the GI extract, indicated by the lower production of nitric oxide from inflamed macrophages compared to the non-encapsulated extract. However, the phospholipid component of phytosomes slightly interfered with the anti-insulin-resistant effects of the GI extract by decreasing the glucose uptake activity and increasing the lipid degradation of adipocytes. Altogether, the nano-phytosome is a potent carrier for transporting GI phytochemicals to prevent an early stage of T2DM.

Quercetin is one of the main dietary flavonols, but its beneficial properties in disease prevention may be limited due to its scarce bioavailability. For this purpose, delivery systems have been designed to enhance both stability and bioavailability of bioactive compounds. This study aimed at investigating the human microbial metabolism of quercetin derived from unformulated and phytosome-formulated quercetin through an in vitro model. Both ingredients were firstly characterized for their profile in native (poly)phenols, and then fermented with human fecal microbiota for 24 h. Quantification of microbial metabolites was performed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (uHPLC-MSn) analyses. Native quercetin, the main compound in both products, appeared less prone to microbial degradation in the phytosome-formulated version compared to the unformulated one during fecal incubation. Quercetin of both products was bioaccessible to colonic microbiota, resulting in the production of phenylpropanoic acid, phenylacetic acid and benzoic acid derivatives. The extent of the microbial metabolism of quercetin was higher in the unformulated ingredient, in a time-dependent manner. This study opened new perspectives to investigate the role of delivery systems on influencing the microbial metabolism of flavonols in the colonic environment, a pivotal step in the presumed bioactivity associated to their intake.

Quercetin is one of the main dietary flavonols, but its beneficial properties in disease prevention may be limited due to its scarce bioavailability. For this purpose, delivery systems have been designed to enhance both stability and bioavailability of bioactive compounds. This study aimed at investigating the human microbial metabolism of quercetin derived from unformulated and phytosome-formulated quercetin through an in vitro model. Both ingredients were firstly characterized for their profile in native (poly)phenols, and then fermented with human fecal microbiota for 24 h. Quantification of microbial metabolites was performed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (uHPLC-MSn) analyses. Native quercetin, the main compound in both products, appeared less prone to microbial degradation in the phytosome-formulated version compared to the unformulated one during fecal incubation. Quercetin of both products was bioaccessible to colonic microbiota, resulting in the production of phenylpropanoic acid, phenylacetic acid and benzoic acid derivatives. The extent of the microbial metabolism of quercetin was higher in the unformulated ingredient, in a time-dependent manner. This study opened new perspectives to investigate the role of delivery systems on influencing the microbial metabolism of flavonols in the colonic environment, a pivotal step in the presumed bioactivity associated to their intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]