Search

The kiwi berry (Actinidia arguta) is a new product on the market that expanding worldwide acceptance and consumption. This widespread interest has created an increasing demand to identify the nutritional and health benefits of kiwi berry. Many studies are being actively conducted to investigate the composition and health‐promoting effects of kiwi berry. In this study, the phytochemical content of free and bound fractions of eight kiwi berry varieties were systematically investigated in order to better understand the potential of this superfood crop. Nine phenolic monomers were identified and quantified by ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography‐PAD. Antioxidant activity was further determined via peroxyl radical scavenging capacity and cellular antioxidant activity assays. The free extracts had higher phytochemical contents and antioxidant activities than the corresponding bound extracts among the eight kiwi berry varieties. Bivariate Pearson's and multivariate correlation analyses showed that antioxidant activities were most related to the total phenolic, flavonoid, vitamin C, and phenolic acids contents. The results provide a theoretical basis for the selection of kiwi berry varieties and the utilization of functional foods., This study aimed to assess and summarize the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activities of eight common kiwi berry varieties in China, exploring their potential functional properties in foodstuffs. The results demonstrate the differences in phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities among different kiwi berry varieties, which will help to form useful guidance for plant breeders, food scientists, and consumers to provide a theoretical basis for the selection of kiwi berry varieties and the development and utilization of functional foods.

Mulberry leaf is a common vegetable with a variety of beneficial effects, such as hypoglycemic activity. However, the underlying mechanism of its hypoglycemic effect have not been fully revealed. In this study, two flavonoid derivatives were isolated from mulberry leaves, a new geranylated flavonoid compound (1) and its structural analogue (2). The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated using spectroscopic analysis. To study the potential hypoglycemic properties of these compounds, their regulatory effects on protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) were investigated. In comparison to oleanolic acid, compounds 1 and 2 showed significant inhibitory activities (IC50 = 4.53 ± 0.31 and 10.53 ± 1.76 μM) against PTP1B, the positive control (IC50 = 7.94 ± 0.76 μM). Molecular docking predicted the binding sites of compound 1 to PTP1B. In insulin-resistance HepG2 cell, compound 1 promoted glucose consumption in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, western blot and polymerase chain reaction analyses indicated that compound 1 might regulate glucose consumption through the PTP1B/IRS/PI3K/AKT pathway. In conclusion, geranylated flavonoids in mulberry leaves inhibite PTP1B and increase the glucose consumption in insulin-resistant cells. These findings provide an important basis for the use of mulberry leaf flavonoids as a dietary supplement to regulate glucose metabolism.

Malvidin-3-galactoside (Mv-3-gal) is the major anthocyanin monomer in blueberry anthocyanins. The compound is well-characterized by its anti-oncogenesis function in multiple organs including liver. In the current study, the mechanism driving the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) function of Mv-3-gal was further explored by focusing on apoptosis and metastases pathways. HCC cell line Huh-7 was firstly administrated with Mv-3-gal of different concentrations and the effect of Mv-3-gal on cell proliferation, apoptosis, colony formation ability, metastasis potential as well as the activity of Akt/PTEN and MAPK pathways was assessed. The results showed that Mv-3-gal inhibited the cell proliferation and colony formation ability, induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Regarding the metastasis potential, Mv-3-gal suppressed the migration and invasion potential of Huh-7 cells by regulating MMPs expression. Taken together, the findings highlighted the anti-HCC potent of Mv-3-gal, which was associated with the inhibition of Akt/PTEN, MAPK and MMP pathways.

BACKGROUND Free fractions of different blackberry varieties' extracts are high in phenolic compounds with antioxidant activities. However, the phenolic profiles and antioxidant activities against peroxyl radicals of bound fractions of different blackberry varieties' extracts have not been previously reported. In addition, what the key antioxidant phenolic compounds are in free and bound fractions of blackberry extracts remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the phenolic profiles and antioxidant activities of free and bound fractions of eight blackberry varieties' extracts and reveal the key antioxidant phenolic compounds by boosted regression trees. RESULTS Fifteen phenolics (three anthocyanins, four flavonols, three phenolic acids, two proanthocyanidins, and three ellagitannins) were identified in blackberry by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Ferulic acid, ellagic acid, procyanidin C1, kaempferol-O-hexoside, ellagitannins hex, and gallic acid were major bound phenolics. Bound fractions of eight blackberry varieties' extracts were high in phenolics and showed great antioxidant activity. Boosted regression trees analysis showed that cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and chlorogenic acid were the most significant compounds, contributing 48.4% and 15.9% respectively to the antioxidant activity of free fraction. Ferulic acid was the most significant antioxidant compound in bound fraction, with a contribution of 61.5%. Principal component analysis showed that Kiowa was the best among the eight varieties due to its phenolic profile and antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION It was concluded that blackberry varieties contained high amounts of bound phenolics, which confer health benefits through reducing oxidative stress. Ferulic acid was the key compound to explain the antioxidant activities of bound fractions. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

The application of blueberry anthocyanins (ANs) was limited due to their low in-process stability and bioavailability. In our study, the stability and antioxidant capacity of ANs before and after adding bovine serum albumin (BSA) were examined by simulating various processing, storage (light, sucrose, and vitamin C (Vc)), and in vitro simulated digestion parameters. For this purpose, pH-differential method, high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), peroxyl scavenging capacity assay, and cellular antioxidant assay were conducted. BSA at different concentrations, specifically at 0.15 mg/mL, inhibited the degradation of ANs and the loss of antioxidant capacity. The results suggest that BSA has a positive effect on ANs.

The current study investigated the positive effects of blueberry anthocyanin-rich extracts (BAE) on either peripheral or hippocampal antioxidant defensiveness and established the connection of the improved antioxidant status with the altered fatty acid species and gut microbiota profile. High-fat diet-induced oxidative stress in C57BL/6 mice was attenuated by BAE administration, which was reflected by strengthened antioxidant enzymes, alleviated hepatic steatosis, and improved hippocampal neuronal status. Serum lipidomics analysis indicated that the fatty acid species were altered toward the elevated unsaturated/saturated ratio, along with phospholipid species toward enriched n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid compositions. The modulated antioxidant pattern could be attributed to the increased bacteria diversity, stimulated probiotics (Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus) and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers (Roseburia, Faecalibaculum, and Parabacteroides) improved by anthocyanins and their metabolites, which improved the colon environment, characterized by promoted SCFAs, restored colonic mucosa, and reorganized microbial structure. Thus, anthocyanin-rich dietary intervention is a promising approach for the defensiveness in human oxidative damage and neurodegeneration.

Blueberry anthocyanin-rich extract (BAE) was supplemented to high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice to investigate sphingolipid metabolism modulating factors involved in the attenuated hyperinsulinemia and hyperlipidemia. A BAE-containing diet effectively controlled food intake and liver weight and significantly attenuated insulin resistance triggered by a HFD. Higher BAE (200 mg/kg of body weight) administration performed more efficiently in the improvement of hepatic steatosis and adipocyte hypertrophy, together with distinct suppressions in serum triacylglycerol and cholesterol in total and species. Serum lipid compositions revealed 200 mg/kg of BAE supplementation remarkably suppressed ceramide accumulation. Consistently, genes encoding enzymes associated with sphingomyelin conversion and ceramide de novo synthesis were modulated toward a healthy direction for restrained sphingolipid accumulation. Further, the inhibited mRNA expressions of protein phosphatase 2A and protein kinase Cζ involved in blocking Akt phosphorylation connected the controlled ceramides with the restored insulin sensitivity.

Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) is an abundant anthocyanin that exhibits antimicrobial, cardioprotective, and hepatoprotective effects. We applied C3G to silica-injured mice to investigate the efficacy of dietary C3G on lung inflammation and the underlying action mechanism as this information is currently unavailable. We found that C3G treatment significantly alleviated lung inflammation and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration into the lungs. It also reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that C3G treatment ameliorated pulmonary helper and cytotoxic T cell immune responses by decreasing cytokine levels. Regulatory T cells and IL-17A producing-regulatory T cells were also decreased by C3G treatment. Furthermore, C3G effectively suppressed SP-induced activation of the STAT1 and STAT3 signaling pathways of lung tissues. These results demonstrated that dietary C3G could alleviate SP induced lung injury in mice and support the use of C3G as functional food to modulate pulmonary immune responses to silica particles.

Schisantherin A (SinA), one of the most abundant active ingredients of Schisandra chinensis, was reported to protect and benefit the liver, however, its effect on alcohol-induced liver injury (ALI) was still not clear. In the present study, an ALI mice model was induced by feeding mice an alcohol-containing liquid diet for four weeks. Then, 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg SinA was administered to mice every day by gavage for the last two weeks. Histopathological analysis showed that alcohol-induced liver lipid vacuoles were reduced by SinA. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST, 61.90 ± 14.65 vs. 93.65 ± 20.50, 50.46 ± 13.21 vs. 93.65 ± 20.50) and alanine transaminase (ALT, 41.29 ± 9.20 vs. 64.04 ± 18.13, 36.52 ± 7.71 vs. 64.04 ± 18.13) in the serum of ALI mice were significantly reduced by 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg SinA when compared with control mice. Alcohol-induced oxidative stress and the inflammatory response in the liver were suppressed by SinA in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, treatment with SinA decreased alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity and increased acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity in ALI mice. Alcohol-induced upregulation of CYP2E1 and CYP1A2 in the liver was inhibited by SinA. Further, SinA suppressed activation of the NF-kB pathway in ALI mice. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that SinA is able to protect against ALI, and this may be, at least in part, caused by regulation of alcohol metabolism and the NF-kB pathway. Our data suggest a therapeutic potential of SinA in the treatment of ALI.

A mangiferin aglycon derivative J99745 has been identified as a potent xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibitor by previous in vitro study. This study aimed to evaluate the hypouricemic effects of J99745 in experimental hyperuricemia mice, and explore the underlying mechanisms. Mice were orally administered 600 mg/kg xanthine once daily for 7 days and intraperitoneally injected 250 mg/kg oxonic acid on the 7th day to induce hyperuricemia. Meanwhile, J99745 (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg), allopurinol (20 mg/kg) or benzbromarone (20 mg/kg) were orally administered to mice for 7 days. On the 7th day, uric acid and creatinine in serum and urine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), malondialdehyde (MDA) content and XOD activities in serum and liver were determined. Morphological changes in kidney were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Hepatic XOD, renal urate transporter 1 (URAT1), glucose transporter type 9 (GLUT9), organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) and ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) were detected by Western blot and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results showed that J99745 at doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg significantly reduced serum urate, and enhanced fractional excretion of uric acid (FEUA). H&E staining confirmed that J99745 provided greater nephroprotective effects than allopurinol and benzbromarone. Moreover, serum and hepatic XOD activities and renal URAT1 expression declined in J99745-treated hyperuricemia mice. In consistence with the ability to inhibit XOD, J99745 lowered serum MDA content in hyperuricemia mice. Our results suggest that J99745 exerts urate-lowering effect by inhibiting XOD activity and URAT1 expression, thus representing a promising candidate as an anti-hyperuricemia agent., Graphical abstract Mangiferin aglycon derivative J99745 possessed potent xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibition in vitro. In hyperuricemic mice, J99745 reduced serum urate and MDA content, enhanced fractional excretion of uric acid, and attenuated kidney damage. J99745 might represent a promising antihyperuricemia agent by inhibiting XOD activity and urate transporter 1 expression.fx1

In this study, we tested the in vitro efficacy of a graphene oxide-chitooligosaccharide (GO-COS) complex developed to protect blueberry anthocyanins (An) from degradation by various physicochemical factors and the digestive process. We prepared a GO-COS complex to adsorb An and protect them from the destructive effects of their ambient environment. The complex protected the An under various temperature, pH, light, oxidant, and reductant conditions. We evaluated An content and composition in a simulated digestive system using the pH differential method and the high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The GO-COS carrier stabilized An in the intestine and protected their peroxyl radical-scavenging capacity. Additionally, we observed a dose-response relationship between An content and cellular antioxidant activity, and simultaneous improvement of An bioavailability when the An were encapsulated in the complex. The complex inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation at the tested dose range. This study provides valuable information for stability of An-rich products.

Anthocyanins (ACNs) have attracted considerable research attention because of their excellent biological activities, but their low stability and bioavailability limit their applications. The objective of this study was to prepare nanocomplexes by the self-assembly of casein (CA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to encapsulate and stabilize ACNs. Three types of nanocomplexes (Complex Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ) were formed, with some differences in particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and encapsulation efficiency (EE) due to the different adding sequences of the raw materials. Complex III (CA-CMC-ACNs) had the smallest size (209.9 nm) and PDI (0.327), while Complex II (CMC-ACNs-CA) had the highest EE (44.23%). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the ACNs-loaded nanocomplexes had a coarser spherical structure than the empty nanocomplexes. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed that ACNs-loaded nanocomplexes were formed by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding. The nanocomplexes, particularly Complex II, effectively attenuated the degradation of ACNs under light, thermal, or ascorbic acid treatment. Complex II also showed the highest ACNs retention rate, bioaccessibility, and antioxidant capacity after simulated digestion. These results emphasized that the addition of raw materials in different sequences is an important factor influencing the particle size and EE of nanocomplexes, which in turn affected their protection of ACNs. This study provided great potential for the applicable value in the development of stabilizing anthocyanins.

The interaction of proteins with anthocyanins (ACNs) gives rise to significant improvements in their functional properties. To explore the interactions between whey protein isolate (WPI)/bovine serum albumin (BSA) and blueberry ACNs, light (5000 Lux, 7 days), heat (85 °C, 2 h), sucrose (0.25 mg/mL), and vitamin C (0.15 mg/mL) were used to accelerate the degradation of ACNs. Through the observation of color changes and variations in the free radical scavenging rates, WPI and BSA were found to protect the ACNs to varying degrees. Moreover, WPI/BSA exhibited increased solubilities, foaming and emulsifying properties, and changed thermal stabilities and protein structures, in addition to decreased surface hydrophobicities and zeta potentials. Furthermore, the addition of WPI/BSA increased the number of ACN monomers in a simulated digestion system, as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Therefore, by studying the interactions between proteins and ACNs, we can provide a strategy and theoretical basis for determining the steady-state of ACNs in blueberry products.

The nuclear receptor retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma-t (RORγt) is a transcription factor regulating Th17 cell differentiation and proliferation from naive CD4+ T cells. Since Th17 cells have demonstrated the antitumor efficacy by eliciting remarkable activation of CD8+ T cells, RORγt agonists could be applied as potential small molecule therapeutics for cancer immunotherapy. Based on the previously reported RORγt agonist 1 and its resolved co-crystal structure, a series of new tertiary amines were designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated, yielding optimal moieties with improved chemical properties and biological responses. The combination of these optimal moieties resulted in identification of novel RORγt agonists such as 8b with further elevated RORγt agonism responses at a target-based level as well as in cell-based assays, which provided some structural knowledge for further optimization of RORγt agonists as small molecule therapeutics for cancer immunotherapy.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) causes oxidative stress and hepatocyte apoptosis through its epoxidized metabolite AFBO, which is catalyzed by CYP450 enzymes. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic acid commonly found in plants and is known for its antioxidant capacity. However, the role of FA in AFB1-induced liver injury is still elusive. In this study, rats were exposed to AFB1 and simultaneously treated with FA for 30 days. The results showed that I) FA alleviated the histopathological changes induced by AFB1, inhibited the elevation of serological indexes induced by AFB1, and reduced the production of AFBO in liver. II) AFB1-induced increase in CYP450 expression was significantly reduced by FA. The molecular docking results of FA and CYP2A6 showed high fitness score and interaction. III) FA obviously inhibited the production of MDA, and significantly activated the Nrf2/GST pathway and antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GST). IV) AFB1-induced hepatocyte apoptosis, the high expression of p53, bax, cyt-c, caspase-9, caspase-3, and the low expression of bcl-2 were all restored by FA. It has been suggested from these results that FA proved effective against AFB1-induced liver damage in rats via inhibiting CYP450 enzyme, promoting antioxidant pathway Nrf2/GST, activating antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GST), and regulating the mitochondrial pathway.

Gem-associated protein 4 (GEMIN4) gene is a key regulator for the miRNA biogenesis processes. Recent studies have demonstrated that some single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GEMIN4 gene are associated with the risk of cancer, but the results are still controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to analyze the association between three major SNPs (rs2740348, rs7813, and rs3744741) in the GEMIN4 gene and the risk of cancer. Relevant articles were searched in Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Chinese Wan Fang, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to quantitatively estimate the association. Publication bias and sensitivity analyses were undertaken to evaluate the stability of the results. Overall, the pooled results showed that rs2740348 involving 3,604 cases and 3,770 controls was significantly associated with increased cancer risk (GG vs GC/CC: OR =1.16, 95% CI =1.05-1.29, P=0.004) and rs7813 involving 4,729 cases and 4,562 controls was also related to increased cancer risk (TT vs TC/CC: OR =1.12, 95% CI =1.03-1.22, P=0.009). However, there was no significant association between rs3744741 and cancer risk under overall genetic models. In conclusion, our study has demonstrated that rs2740348 and rs7813 are associated with increased risk of cancer, and they may be new biomarkers for predicting cancer risk.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer, and treatment options for HCC are limited. In addition, the discovery of new natural compounds with anti-hepatocarcinoma activity is attracting increasing attention. For this reason, phytochemical investigation of Croton crassifolius led to the isolation of 17 diterpenoids, including three new clerodane diterpenoids, named crassifolius A-C (1-3), along with 14 known ones (4-17). Their structures were established by 1D, 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, detailed calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra and the assistance of quantum chemical predictions (QCP) of 13C NMR chemical shifts. The cytotoxicities of all these compounds against human liver cancer lines (HepG2 and Hep3B) were determined. Among them, compound 1 exhibited good cytotoxicity with IC50 value of 17.91μM against human liver tumor cells Hep3B. Following further studies of the anti-tumor mechanism of compound 1-induced cell growth inhibition, we found that compound 1 caused apoptotic cell death in Hep3B cells by detecting morphologic changes and Western blotting analysis.

Most of the previous in vitro digestion treatments were conducted directly to whole grains without extraction of free phenolics, thus the bioaccessible phenolics contained both free phenolics that survived the digestion and digested phenolics released by digestion. However, the profiles of digested phenolics released by digestion remain unknown. This study was designed to investigate the phytochemical contents, peroxyl radical scavenging capacities (PSCs), and cellular antioxidant activities (CAAs) of free, digested, and bound fractions of whole grains. Total phenolic contents of whole grains were highest in digested fraction, followed by free and bound fractions. The predominant phenolics were 12 phenolic acids and one flavonoid, which mostly existed in bound forms, then in digested and free forms. The digested phenolics bound to proteins were in conjugated form. The bound fractions had the highest PSCs, followed by free and digested fractions. CAAs were highest in bound fractions, followed by digested and free fractions.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common diseases in the elderly population, and its incidence has rapidly increased with the prolongation of life expectancy. Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, and damage to vascular function plays an initial role in its pathogenesis. This review presents the latest knowledge on the mechanisms of vascular injury caused by hyperhomocysteinemia, including oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, protein N-homocysteinization, and epigenetic modification, and discusses the therapeutic targets of natural polyphenols. Studies have shown that natural polyphenols in plants can reduce homocysteine levels and regulate DNA methylation by acting on oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related signaling pathways, thus improving hyperhomocysteinemia-induced vascular injury. Natural polyphenols obtained via daily diet are safer and have more practical significance in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases than traditional drugs.

Thermal processing (TP) and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) are two important puree processing methods. In this study, the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and β-glucosidase activities, chromatic values, peroxide radical scavenging capacities (PSCs), cellular antioxidant activities (CAAs), and anthocyanin profiles were evaluated in blueberry puree following TP and HHP treatments. Nine anthocyanins were identified and cyanidin glycosides were the most abundant compounds in the blueberry puree sample. Petunidin-3-O-arabinoside, malvidin-3-O-galactoside, and malvidin-3-O-glucoside concentrations increased at temperatures of 70–90 °C (TP) and a pressure of 300 MPa (HHP). The highest total anthocyanin concentration (503.5 μg/mL) and PSC (13.45 µg VCE/mL) were observed following the TP (90 °C) treatment. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between the anthocyanin content and PSC (R2 = 0.655, P

The processing stability and antioxidant capacity of blueberry anthocyanins (ANs) in the presence of whey protein isolate (WPI) were examined. WPI was found to enhance both the stability and antioxidant activity of ANs during processing and simulated in vitro digestion, especially at a concentration of 0.15 mg·mL−1. Fluorescence and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy showed that ANs were primarily stabilized by hydrophobic forces between WPI and malvidin-3-O-galactoside (M3G), the major anthocyanin monomer. Circular dichroism and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that the structure of WPI changed and the microenvironments of certain amino acid residues were modulated by non-covalent binding to M3G; furthermore, fewer α-helices and more β-sheets were formed. Molecular docking studies revealed that WPI, especially immunoglobulin (IgG), contributed the most to ANs stability via hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic forces according to molecular docking scores (−141.30 kcal/mol). These results provided an important fundamental basis for improving the stabilities of ANs in milk systems.

Chokeberry pomace contains abundant polymeric proanthocyanidins with low antioxidant activity and bioaccessibility. In this study, polymeric proanthocyanidins from chokeberry pomace were converted into anthocyanidins with higher antioxidant activity. Optimal conversion conditions were determined by full factorial design. The composition of anthocyanidin was analyzed by TOF-MS and UPLC. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the conversion products was evaluated by PSC and CAA assays. The results showed that the yield of anthocyanidins was 11.59 mg/g when the pomace was treated with 95% ethanol concentration, 50:1 liquid-solid ratio, 4% hydrochloric acid and 0.2 mg/mL ammonium ferric citrate concentration at 80 °C for 30 min. The newly generated anthocyanidins were identified as cyanidin, which accounting for 51.3% of the total anthocyanidins. The antioxidant activity values of PSC and CAA increased 2.81 and 4.77 folds respectively. The proposed method provides a new strategy for preparation of antioxidants from naturally abundant polymeric ones.

This study investigates the effects of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on blueberry anthocyanins and their interaction. Findings showed that BSA could protect blueberry anthocyanins against degradation and retain their antioxidant activity at an ideal concentration of 0.15 mg/mL under three deteriorating treatments: illumination, vitamin C + illumination, and sucrose + illumination. The fluorescence and UV absorption spectra showed that malvidin-3-o-galactoside (M3G), the major monomer in blueberry anthocyanins, led to a static quenching of BSA and the binding site of M3G to BSA was approximately one. Further, the interaction was a spontaneous process with electrostatic interactions being the main force. CD spectra and synchronous fluorescence spectra presented alterations in the secondary structure and microenvironment of Trp and Tyr residues of BSA, respectively, upon interaction with M3G. Finally, molecular docking analysis showed that M3G mainly bound the II and III domains of BSA by hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interaction. In conclusion, our study highlights the protective effects of BSA on the stability and anti-oxidant activity of blueberry anthocyanins and their interaction analysis.

Scope This study investigates the modulatory effects of Lonicera caerulea L. polyphenols (LCPs) on the intestinal environment and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury via the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/NQO1 and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in a rat model of oxidative stress damage (OSD). Methods and results To examine the prebiotic properties of LCP, a model of high-fat-diet-induced OSD is established using Sprague Dawley rats. In the colon, treatment with LCP for 8 weeks ameliorates enhanced intestinal permeability (glucagon-like peptide-2 content and occludin protein increase, whereas claudin-2 protein decreases), intestinal inflammation (levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κB p65), decrease), and intestinal OSD (through regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 pathway). Moreover, LCP alleviates LPS-induced liver injury by suppressing the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Additionally, Bacilli, Lactobacillales, Lactobacillaceae, Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Rothia, and Blautia are found to be the key intestinal microbial taxa related to intestinal OSD and LPS-induced liver injury in rats. Conclusion LCP treatment potentially modulates the intestinal environment and alleviates liver injury by suppressing oxidative-stress-related pathways and altering the composition of the intestinal microbiota.

Helicobacter pylori (HP) contributes to the development of gastrointestinal disorders. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) is a major anthocyanin in human diets. In the current study, the effects and associated mechanism of C3G on HP lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced symptoms on human gastric epithelial cell (HGEC) cells were explored. The cells were exposed to LPS and C3G, and cellular viability, apoptotic rate, inflammation level, and toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway activity were measured. C3G suppressed the abnormal DNA synthesis and induced apoptosis in LPS-treated HGEC cells. C3G also reduced inflammation in LPS-treated HGEC cells. Although C3G exposure reduced the expressions of TLR2 and TLR4, it had no influence on TLR5. C3G deactivated TLR-mediated NF-κB signaling. The effects of C3G were stronger than anthocyanin extract but weaker than curcumin. The protective effects of C3G against HP LPS-induced injuries in gastric epithelial cells were associated with the deactivation of TLR2- and TLR4-mediated NF-κB signaling.