Chemical characterization, antioxidant properties and anticancer activity of exopolysaccharides from Floccularia luteovirens. Carbohydr Polym. 2020;229:115432. [PMID: 31826528 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.115432]

A novel polysaccharide from Citrus aurantium L.: Structural properties and antitumor activities in vitro and invivo

A novel cold-water-soluble polysaccharide (CALP-1-1) was isolated and purified from Citrus aurantium L. Besides determining its in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activities, its structure was characterised. The results reveal that CALP-1-1 mainly consists of Rha, Ara, Gal, GalA, and GlcA (molar ratio, 1:14.56:19.27:2.27:1.29) with three main linkages. Its average molecular weight was 2.04 × 103 kDa. Moreover, the triple helix structure of CALP-1-1 was proved by Congo-red and circular dichroism (CD). The in vitro experimental results demonstrate that CALP-1-1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells with typical apoptotic features by inducing cell cycle arrest in the S phase. Furthermore, in vivo anti-tumor experiments suggest that CALP-1-1 could induce H22 solid tumor cells apoptosis and exhibit anti-tumor effects by protecting immune organs and intensifying the secretion of immune cells (macrophages, lymphocytes and NK cells). In conclusion, CALP-1-1 might be a promising component for cancer treatment.

Putative Regulatory Network of Anthocyanins on Exopolysaccharides of Agaricus bitorquis (Quel.) Sacc. Chaidam with Multi-Omics Technologies

The exopolysaccharides (EPSs) from Agaricus bitorquis (Quél.) Sacc. Chaidam (ABSC) have great application value due to their significant biological activities. In order to promote ABSC growth and increase EPS production, the method of adding antioxidants and its regulatory mechanism were studied. Taking the anthocyanin extract from Lycium ruthenicum Murr (ALR) as the best regulatory factor, the optimal dosage was determined to be 0.06 mg/mL, and the EPS yield was significantly increased by 65.46% (p < 0.05) compared with the control group (at the peak). Through the combined analysis of metabolomics and transcriptomics, the results showed that ALR promoted mycelial growth and enhanced EPS synthesis and release by upregulating the biosynthesis pathway of amino acids and UDP-monosaccharides, the degradation pathway of toxic and harmful substances in cells, and the desaturation metabolic pathway of fatty acids. At the same time, it was found that the various regulatory effects of ALR on EPS synthesis were related to the synergistic effects of its main active ingredients. These results not only provide a new strategy for the efficient production of EPS but also lay a solid scientific foundation for future research applications.

Exopolysaccharide-selenium composite nanoparticle: Characterization, antioxidant properties and selenium release kinetics in simulated gastrointestinal conditions

An exopolysaccharide-selenium nanoparticles (EPS-SeNPs) was successfully synthesized by conjugating with Weissella confusa EPS through the reduction of SeO32-. The EPS-SeNPs composite was comprehensively characterized. These analyses confirmed that the EPS-SeNPs composite had an amorphous nature and a uniform size distribution of around 100 nm. The OH groups in EPS interacted with SeNPs, replacing intermolecular interactions in native EPS, which resulted in the stable dispersion of SeNPs within the EPS network. Furthermore, compared to native EPS, EPS-SeNPs with varying Se/EPS ratios demonstrated enhanced radical scavenging capabilities against ABTS, DPPH, superoxide anion radical (O2-), H2O2, and hydroxyl group radicals (OH·). This suggests that the conjugation of SeNP improved the antioxidant properties of EPS. Furthermore, the investigation delved into the dynamics and mechanism of selenium liberation from EPS-SeNPs under simulated gastric (SGF) and intestinal fluids (SIF). The EPS-SeNPs experienced a decrease in particle size from 223.03 ± 1.67 nm to 98.40 ± 5.57 nm. The release kinetics of selenium in SIF followed a conventional Fickian diffusion pattern. Notably, EPS-SeNPs demonstrated significant Se release following SIF digestion while exhibiting minimal release after SGF digestion, indicating their potential use as a controlled-release selenium-enriched supplement for addressing selenium deficiency.

Bile acids as signaling molecules in inflammatory bowel disease: Implications for treatment strategies

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a globally increasing disease. Despite continuous efforts, the clinical application of treatment drugs has not achieved satisfactory success and faces limitations such as adverse drug reactions. Numerous investigations have found that the pathogenesis of IBD is connected with disturbances in bile acid circulation and metabolism. Traditional Chinese medicine targeting bile acids (BAs) has shown significant therapeutic effects and advantages in treating inflammatory bowel disease.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

IThis article reviews the role of bile acids and their receptors in IBD, as well as research progress on IBD therapeutic drugs based on bile acids. It explores bile acid metabolism and its interaction with the intestinal microbiota, summarizes clinical drugs for treating IBD including single herbal medicine, traditional herbal prescriptions, and analyzes the mechanisms of action in treating IBD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

IThe electronic databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) have been utilized to retrieve relevant literature up to January 2024, using keywords "bile acid", "bile acid receptor", "inflammatory bowel disease", "intestinal microbiota" and "targeted drugs".

RESULTS

IImbalance in bile acid levels can lead to intestinal inflammation, while IBD can disrupt the balance of microbes, result in alterations in the bile acid pool's composition and amount. This change can damage of intestinal mucosa healing ability. Bile acids are vital for keeping the gut barrier function intact, regulating gene expression, managing metabolic equilibrium, and influencing the properties and roles of the gut's microbial community. Consequently, focusing on bile acids could offer a potential treatment strategy for IBD.

CONCLUSION

IIBD can induce intestinal homeostasis imbalance and changes in BA pool, leading to fluctuations in levels of relevant metabolic enzymes, transporters, and nuclear receptors. Therefore, by regulating the balance of BA and key signaling molecules of bile acids, we can treat IBD. Traditional Chinese medicine has great potential and promising prospects in treating IBD. We should focus on the characteristics and advantages of Chinese medicine, promote the development and clinical application of innovative Chinese medicine, and ultimately make Chinese medicine targeting bile acids the mainstream treatment for IBD.

Influence of Drying Methods on the Morphological Features, Microstructural Properties, and Antioxidant Performance of Floccularia luteovirens: A Metabolomic Analysis

Floccularia luteovirens (F. luteovirens) has garnered increasing attention as an ingredient in both the pharmaceutical and food industries. Depending on the drying method, the accumulation of metabolites can greatly affect the quality. This research employed an untargeted metabolomics (LC-MS/MS) strategy to elucidate the similarities and differences in the morphological characteristics, microstructure, antioxidant capacity, and metabolic profiles of F. luteovirens subjected to three distinct drying methods: natural air-drying (YG), oven-drying (HG), and vacuum freeze-drying (DG). Our findings indicated that the color of F. luteovirens samples dried using the YG and HG methods was yellow-brown, exhibiting a high degree of browning, whereas the samples processed by the DG method displayed a golden-yellow hue and a desirable fullness. Regarding microstructure, the F. luteovirens samples from the YG and HG methods exhibited small and unevenly distributed pores, in contrast to the samples from the DG method, which were structurally intact and characterized by large inter-tissue pores. The antioxidant activity exhibited by F. luteovirens samples, which were processed using the DG method, was found to be significantly superior compared to the antioxidant activity of samples dried using two other methods. A correlation analysis indicated a significant link between antioxidant capacity and lipid as well as lipid-like molecules. Metabolomic analysis identified 1617 metabolites across 15 superclasses, with lipids, lipid-like molecules, organic acids and derivatives, and organic heterocyclic compounds being the predominant metabolites in F. luteovirens. Furthermore, KEGG enrichment analysis highlighted 20 pathways, indicating that the metabolism of amino acids could be significantly involved in the metabolic processes linked to the drying of F. luteovirens. This research clarifies how different drying techniques impact the metabolites or metabolic pathways of F. luteovirens, identifying the mechanisms that influence its quality and providing a reference for optimizing its processing and storage.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Activity of Floccularia luteovirens Polysaccharides and Their Protective Effect on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression and Intestinal Injury in Mice

Floccularia luteovirens polysaccharides (FLP1s) have potential biological activities. Our previous study showed that FLP1s positively regulated gut immunity and microbiota. However, it is still unclear whether FLP1s mediate gut microbiota in immunosuppressed mice. This research aims to explore the relationship between FLP1-mediated gut microbes and intestinal immunity in immunosuppressed mice through fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The results demonstrated that FLP1s exhibited prebiotic and anti-immunosuppressive effects on CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice. FFLP1 treatment (microbiota transplantation from the fecal sample) remarkably elevated the production of sIgA and secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in the intestine of CTX-treated mice, inducing activation of the MAPK pathway. Moreover, FFLP1s mitigated oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway and strengthened the intestinal barrier function by upregulating the expression level of tight junction proteins (occludin, claudin-1, MUC-2, and ZO-1). Furthermore, FFPL1s restored gut dysbiosis in CTX-treated immunosuppressed mice by increasing the abundance of Alloprevotella, Lachnospiraceae, and Bacteroides. They also modified the composition of fecal metabolites, leading to enhanced regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes, the cGMP-PKG pathway, the Rap1 signaling pathway, and ovarian steroidogenesis, as indicated by KEGG pathway analysis. These findings indicate that FLP1s could modulate the response of the intestinal immune system through regulation of the gut microbiota, thus promoting immune activation in CTX-treated immunosuppressed mice. FLP1s can serve as a natural protective agent against CTX-induced immune injury.

Polysaccharides of Floccularia luteovirens regulate intestinal immune response, and oxidative stress activity through MAPK/Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway in immunosuppressive mice

This study explores the novel immunomodulatory effects of polysaccharides from the rare Floccularia luteovirens, a fungus with significant potential yet unexplored bioactive components, traditionally used in Tibetan medicine. This study employs a wide array of analytical techniques, including HPGPC, HPLC, western blotting, ELISA, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, to comprehensively investigate FLP1's effects. The main structure of FLP1 was characterized by IF-TR and NMR spectrometry. The structural backbone of FLP1 was →3,6)-β-D-Glcp-(1 → and →2,3)-α-D-Manp-(1→. After immunosuppressed mice treated with FLP1, the findings demonstrated that FLP1 stimulated the production of secretory sIgA and secretion of cytokines (IL-4, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) in the intestine of Cy-treated mice, resulting in the activation of the MAPK pathway. Additionally, FLP1 protected oxidative stress by triggering Nrf2/Keap1 pathways and antioxidation enzymes (SOD, MDA, T-AOC, CAT, and GSH-Px). It also enhanced the intestinal barrier function by regulating the villous height ratio and expression of tight-junction protein. Furthermore, FLP1 remarkably reversed the gut microbiota dysbiosis in immunosuppressed mice by increasing the abundance of Oscilliospiraceae, and Lachnospiraceae, and altered the fecal metabolites by increasing LysoPE (0:0/18:0); 0:0/16:0; 18:1(11Z)/0:0, LysoPG (16:0/0:0), LysoPG 18:1 (2n) PE (14:0/20:1), echinenone, 2-(2-Nitroimidazol-1-yl)-N-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl) acetamide, and suberic acid which is closely related to the immunity function. These results suggested that FLP1 may regulate the intestinal immune response by modulating the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in immunosuppressed mice thereby activating the immune system.

Study on Enzyme Activity and Metabolomics during Culture of Liquid Spawn of Floccularia luteovirens

To comprehensively investigate the physiological characteristics and metabolic processes of the mycelium of Floccularia luteovirens (F. luteovirens), a wild edible fungus unique to the plateau region, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the mycelium enzyme activity and metabolites during different culture periods. The activity of seven enzymes all followed a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing. The intra- and extracellular activity peaks of three hydrolases-amylase, protease, and cellulase-all occurred on the 20th day, except for the extracellular amylase, which peaked on the 15th day. In contrast, the peak activity of laccase occurred on the 10th day. Moreover, three types of oxidoreductases in the mycelium (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC)-dehydrogenase (TTC-DH)) also exhibited significant changes in activity. CAT and SOD activity reached their maximum on the 20th day, whereas TTC-DH showed high activity on both the 10th and 20th days. Through a comprehensive assessment of the evolving trends of these physiological parameters, we determined that the optimal cultivation cycle for F. luteovirens liquid spawn is 20 days. An untargeted metabolomic analysis revealed that 3569 metabolites were detected in the F. luteovirens mycelium, including a variety of secondary metabolites and functional components, with terpenoids being particularly abundant, accounting for 148 types. By comparing three different culture stages (10 days, 20 days, and 30 days), 299, 291, and 381 metabolites, respectively, showed different accumulation patterns in the comparison groups of 10d vs. 20d, 20d vs. 30d, and 10d vs. 30d. These differential metabolites were primarily concentrated in carboxylic acids and their derivatives, fatty acyl groups, organic oxygen compounds, and lipid compounds. In addition, there were several amino acids whose abundance continued to grow during culturing. The metabolism of amino acids greatly affects mycelium growth and development. This research delineates the interplay between mycelium growth and metabolism, offering empirical support for a cultivation strategy for liquid F. luteovirens, and an exploration of its metabolites for potential applications.

Metabolomic Profiling of Floccularia luteovirens from Different Geographical Regions Proposes a Novel Perspective on Their Antioxidative Activities

Floccularia luteovirens, an endemic resource of the Tibetan Plateau, possesses significant medicinal and ecological values. However, the understanding of antioxidant capacity and metabolic profiling of F. luteovirens from diverse regions remains elusive due to limited resources. Therefore, to comprehensively comprehend the antioxidant capacity and metabolite diversity of F. luteovirens, we conducted a rounded analysis of its antioxidant capacity from three distinct regions using both untargeted and targeted metabolomics. Determination of antioxidant indices, such as ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total phenolic content (TPC), and flavonoid content (FC), revealed the robust antioxidant capacity of F. luteovirens. QL F. luteovirens (QLFL) exhibited no significant difference compared to ZD F. luteovirens (ZDFL); however, both were significantly distinct from XH F. luteovirens (XHFL) across multiple indices. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between FRAP and flavonoid content. A total of 5782 metabolites were identified and chemically classified. Metabolites of F. luteovirens varied significantly at different regions and eight key differential metabolites were screened. Phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, and cyanoamino acid metabolism were the main different regulatory pathways. Consequently, the disparities in the antioxidant activity of F. luteovirens may primarily be ascribed to the biosynthesis and metabolism of phenylalanine, while vanillic acid could potentially serve as a pivotal metabolite influencing the antioxidative capacity of F. luteovirens by targeted metabolomics. These findings enhance our understanding of the composition of F. luteovirens and provide valuable resources for its comprehensive utilization and targeted development.

Microbial exopolysaccharides: Unveiling the pharmacological aspects for therapeutic advancements

Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) have emerged as a fascinating area of research in the field of pharmacology due to their diverse and potent biological activities. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the pharmacological properties exhibited by EPSs, shedding light on their potential applications in various therapeutic areas. The review begins by introducing EPSs, exploring their various sources, significance in microbial growth and survival, and their applications across different industries. Subsequently, a thorough examination of the pharmaceutical properties of microbial EPSs unveils their antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antidepressant, antidiabetic, antiviral, antihyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. Mechanistic insights into how different EPSs exert these therapeutic effects have also been discussed in this review. The review also provides comprehensive information about the monosaccharide composition, backbone, branches, glycosidic bonds, and molecular weight of pharmacologically active EPSs from various microbial sources. Furthermore, the factors that can affect the pharmacological activities of EPSs and approaches to improve the EPSs' pharmacological activity have also been discussed. In conclusion, this review illuminates the immense pharmaceutical promise of microbial EPS as versatile bioactive compounds with wide-ranging therapeutic applications. By elucidating their structural features, biological activities, and potential applications, this review aims to catalyze further research and development efforts in leveraging the pharmaceutical potential of microbial EPS for the advancement of human health and well-being, while also contributing to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in the pharmaceutical industry.

Polysaccharide from Boletus aereus ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in mice by regulating the MANF/MUC2 signaling and gut microbiota

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic inflammatory conditions characterized by disruptions in the colonic mucus barrier and gut microbiota. In this study, a novel soluble polysaccharide obtained from Boletus aereus (BAP) through water extraction was examined for its structure. The protective effects of BAP on colitis were investigated using a DSS-induced mice model. BAP was found to promote the expression of intestinal mucosal and tight junction proteins, restore the compromised mucus barrier, and suppress the activation of inflammatory signaling. Moreover, BAP reshape the gut microbiota and had a positive impact on the composition of the gut microbiota by reducing inflammation-related microbes. Additionally, BAP decreased cytokine levels through the MANF-BATF2 signaling pathway. Correlation analysis revealed that MANF was negatively correlated with the DAI and the level of cytokines. Furthermore, the depletion of gut microbiota using antibiotic partially inhabited the effect of BAP on the activation of MANF and Muc2, indicating the role of gut microbiota in its protective effect against colitis. In conclusion, BAP had an obvious activation on MANF under gut inflammation. This provides new insights into the prospective use of BAP as a functional food to enhance intestinal health.

Tapping the biosynthetic potential of marine Bacillus licheniformis LHG166, a prolific sulphated exopolysaccharide producer: structural insights, bio-prospecting its antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-biofilm potency as a novel anti-infective lead

The escalating global threat of antimicrobial resistance necessitates prospecting uncharted microbial biodiversity for novel therapeutic leads. This study mines the promising chemical richness of Bacillus licheniformis LHG166, a prolific exopolysaccharide (EPSR2-7.22 g/L). It comprised 5 different monosaccharides with 48.11% uronic acid, 17.40% sulfate groups, and 6.09% N-acetyl glucosamine residues. EPSR2 displayed potent antioxidant activity in DPPH and ABTS+, TAC and FRAP assays. Of all the fungi tested, the yeast Candida albicans displayed the highest susceptibility and antibiofilm inhibition. The fungi Aspergillus niger and Penicillium glabrum showed moderate EPSR2 susceptibility. In contrast, the fungi Mucor circinelloides and Trichoderma harzianum were resistant. Among G+ve tested bacteria, Enterococcus faecalis was the most susceptible, while Salmonella typhi was the most sensitive to G-ve pathogens. Encouragingly, EPSR2 predominantly demonstrated bactericidal effects against both bacterial classes based on MBC/MIC of either 1 or 2 superior Gentamicin. At 75% of MBC, EPSR2 displayed the highest anti-biofilm activity of 88.30% against B. subtilis, while for G-ve antibiofilm inhibition, At 75% of MBC, EPSR2 displayed the highest anti-biofilm activity of 96.63% against Escherichia coli, Even at the lowest dose of 25% MBC, EPSR2 reduced biofilm formation by 84.13% in E. coli, 61.46% in B. subtilis. The microbial metabolite EPSR2 from Bacillus licheniformis LHG166 shows promise as an eco-friendly natural antibiotic alternative for treating infections and oxidative stress.

Glucans from Armillaria luteo-virens: Structural Characterization and In Vivo Immunomodulatory Investigation under Different Administration Routes

Polysaccharides fromArmillaria luteo-virens (ALP) were investigated for structural characterization and immunomodulatory activities. Three fractions (ALP-1, ALP-2, and ALP-3) were obtained with the yield of 2.4, 3.7, and 3.0 wt %, respectively. ALP-1 was proposed as a β-(1 → 3)(1 → 6)-glucan with a triple-helix conformation; ALP-2 and ALP-3 were both identified as α-(1 → 4)(1 → 6)-glucan differing in their Mw and branching degree with a spherical conformation. The in vitro digestibility experiment and in vivo experiments using cyclophosphamide (CY)-treated mice demonstrated that intraperitoneal injection of α-glucan (1 mg·kg-1·day-1) and intragastric gavage of β-glucan (10 mg·kg-1·day-1) both effectively restored the decrease in body weight, immune organ indexes, immune cell activities, serum immune marker levels, colonic short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) levels, and Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio in immunosuppression mice. This study provides novel insights into the immunomodulatory activity of α- and β-glucans under different administration routes, thereby promoting their application in both food and pharmaceutical areas.

The Research Status and Prospects of Floccularia luteovirens: A Mycorrhizal Fungus with Edible Fruiting Bodies

Floccularia luteovirens, a rare wild edible and medicinal fungus, is endemic to the Tibetan plateau. However, attempts to artificially domesticate this species have not been successful, resulting in extremely limited utilization of this valuable resource. This paper presents the geographical distribution of F. luteovirens, along with its ecological and biological characteristics. It explores population relations, symbiotic relationships, soil microbial community relations, fruiting body occurrence conditions, nutritional metabolism, and reproductive patterns. The cultivation techniques, as well as the edible and medicinal value of this mushroom, are also reviewed. Through an overall analysis of the physiological characteristics and current research status of F. luteovirens, the paper discusses its development prospects. The aim is to provide a reference for other researchers and promote its artificial domestication, resource development, and utilization.

A Neutral Polysaccharide from Spores of Ophiocordyceps gracilis Regulates Oxidative Stress via NRF2/FNIP1 Pathway

Ophiocordyceps gracilis (O. gracilis) is a parasitic fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine and functional foods. In this study, a neutral heteropolysaccharide (GSP-1a) was isolated from spores of O. gracilis, and its structure and antioxidant capacities were investigated. GSP-1a was found to have a molecular weight of 72.8 kDa and primarily consisted of mannose (42.28%), galactose (35.7%), and glucose (22.02%). The backbone of GSP-1a was composed of various sugar residues, including →6)-α-D-Manp-(1→, →2,6)-α-D-Manp-(1→, →2,4,6)-α-D-Manp-(1→, →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, and →3,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, with some branches consisting of →6)-α-D-Manp-(1→ and α-D-Gal-(1→. In vitro, antioxidant activity assays demonstrated that GSP-1a exhibited scavenging effects on hydroxyl radical (•OH), 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical cation (ABTS•+), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•). Moreover, GSP-1a was found to alleviate H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells by reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), while enhancing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Furthermore, GSP-1a upregulated the mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes such as Ho-1, Gclm, and Nqo1, and regulated the NRF2/KEAP1 and FNIP1/FEM1B pathways. The findings elucidated the structural types of GSP-1a and provided a reliable theoretical basis for its usage as a natural antioxidant in functional foods or medicine.

In vitro studies on the pharmacological potential, anti-tumor, antimicrobial, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of marine-derived Bacillus velezensis AG6 exopolysaccharide

In the current study, Bacillus velezensis AG6 was isolated from sediment samples in the Red Sea, identified by traditional microbiological techniques and phylogenetic 16S rRNA sequences. Among eight isolates screened for exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, the R6 isolate was the highest producer with a significant fraction of EPS (EPSF6, 5.79 g L-1). The EPSF6 molecule was found to have a molecular weight (Mw) of 2.7 × 104 g mol-1 and a number average (Mn) of 2.6 × 104 g mol-1 when it was analyzed using GPC. The FTIR spectrum indicated no sulfate but uronic acid (43.8%). According to HPLC, the EPSF6 fraction's monosaccharides were xylose, galactose, and galacturonic acid in a molar ratio of 2.0 : 0.5 : 2.0. DPPH, H2O2, and ABTS tests assessed EPSF6's antioxidant capabilities at 100, 300, 500, 1000, and 1500 μg mL-1 for 15, 60, 45, and 60 minutes. The overall antioxidant activities were dose- and time-dependently increased, and improved by increasing concentrations from 100 to 1500 μg mL-1 after 60 minutes and found to be 91.34 ± 1.1%, 80.20 ± 1.4% and 75.28 ± 1.1% respectively. Next, EPSF6 displayed considerable inhibitory activity toward the proliferation of six cancerous cell lines. Anti-inflammatory tests were performed using lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2). An MTP turbidity assay method was applied to show the ability of EPSF6 to inhibit Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and antibiofilm formation. Together, this study sheds light on the potential pharmacological applications of a secondary metabolite produced by marine Bacillus velezensis AG6. Its expected impact on human health will increase as more research and studies are conducted globally.

Microbial exopolysaccharide: Sources, stress conditions, properties and application in food and environment: A comprehensive review

Microbial glucan or exopolysaccharides (EPS) have caught an eye of researchers from decades. The unique characteristics of EPS make it suitable for various food and environmental applications. This review overviews the different types of exopolysaccharides, sources, stress conditions, properties, characterization techniques and applications in food and environment. The yield and production condition of EPS is a major factor affecting the cost and its applications. Stress conditions are very important as it stimulates the microorganism for enhanced EPS production and affects its properties. As far as application is concerned specific properties of EPS such as, hydrophilicity, less oil uptake behavior, film forming ability, adsorption potential have applications in both food and environment sector. Novel and improved method of production, feed stock and right choice of microorganisms with stress conditions are critical for desired functionality and yield of the EPS.

Structural characterization of a new high molecular weight polysaccharide from jujube fruit

From Ziziphus Jujuba cv. Muzao fruit, a new polysaccharide (PZMP3-1) with high molecular weight was isolated. Constructional characterization revealed that PZMP3-1 comprized 2.56 rhamnose, 7.70 arabinoses, 3.73 galactose, and 6.73 galactose, and it has a 241 kDa average molecular weight. The principal structural components of PZMP3-1 were 1,2,4 and 1,4-linked GalpA, 1,4-linked Galp, 1,3 and 1,5-linked Araf, and 1-linked Rhap based on methylation and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) analyses. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) structural analysis of PZMP3-1 revealed a tangled and branching pattern. Overall, these structural results suggested that PZMP3-1 could have unique bioactivities and be widely used in nutritional supplements.

Structural Characterization, Rheological Properties and Protection of Oxidative Damage of an Exopolysaccharide from Leuconostoc citreum 1.2461 Fermented in Soybean Whey

Soybean whey is a kind of agricultural by-product enriched with nutritional value but with low utilization. The extracellular polysaccharides secreted by lactic acid bacteria during the fermentation possess a variety of structural characteristics and beneficial properties. In this study, an exopolysaccharide (EPS) was isolated from Leuconostoc citreum 1.2461 after fermentation in optimized soybean whey-enriched 10% sucrose at 37 °C for 24 h. The water-soluble EPS-1 was obtained by DEAE-52 anion exchange chromatography, and the structural characterization of EPS-1 was investigated. The EPS-1 was homogeneous with an average molecular weight of 4.712 × 106 Da and consisted mainly of glucose. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum and flourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum indicated that the EPS-1 contained →3)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ and →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ residues. The rheological properties of EPS-1 under the conditions of changing shear rate, concentration, temperature and coexisting ions showed its pseudoplastic fluid behaviors. In addition, the EPS-1 exhibited certain scavenging activity on the ABTS radical and chelating activity on metal ions at relatively high concentrations. Furthermore, EPS-1 with a certain concentration was confirmed to have significant protective effects on yeast cell injury induced by hydrogen peroxide. This study reported the structural characteristics of exopolysaccharide from Lc. citreum 1.2461 and provides a basis for its potential application in the field of functional foods.

A Novel Polysaccharide from AuriculariaAuricula Alleviates Thrombosis Induced by Carrageenan in Mice

The increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases has created an urgent need for safe and effective antithrombotic agents. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the structural characteristics and antithrombotic activity of a novel polysaccharide isolated from Auriculariaauricula fruiting bodies. The purified polysaccharide AAP-b2 (12.02 kDa) was composed of mannose, glucuronic acid, glucose and xylose, with a molar ratio of 89.25:30.50:4.25:1.00. Methylation and NMR analyses showed that AAP-b2 primarily consisted of →2,3)-Manp-(1→, →3)-Manp-(1→, →4)-GlcAp-(1→ and Manp-(1→. A thrombus mouse model induced by carrageenan was used in this research to evaluate its antithrombotic effect. AAP-b2 significantly inhibited platelet aggregation, reduced the black tail length and prolonged the coagulation time, including activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT), exerting a good inhibitory effect on thrombosis in mice. The antithrombotic activity of AAP-b2 was found to be related to the inhibition of platelet activation by regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthases (eNOs), endothelin-1 (ET-1), prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2), along with the enhancement of anticoagulant activity by affecting antithrombin III (AT-III) and protein C (PC) pathways.

Biopolymer from Water Kefir as a Potential Clean-Label Ingredient for Health Applications: Evaluation of New Properties

The present work aimed to characterize the exopolysaccharide obtained from water kefir grains (EPSwk), a symbiotic association of probiotic microorganisms. New findings of the technological, mechanical, and biological properties of the sample were studied. The EPSwk polymer presented an Mw of 6.35 × 105 Da. The biopolymer also showed microcrystalline structure and characteristic thermal stability with maximum thermal degradation at 250 °C. The analysis of the monosaccharides of the EPSwk by gas chromatography demonstrated that the material is composed of glucose units (98 mol%). Additionally, EPSwk exhibited excellent emulsifying properties, film-forming ability, a low photodegradation rate (3.8%), and good mucoadhesive properties (adhesion Fmax of 1.065 N). EPSwk presented cytocompatibility and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The results of this study expand the potential application of the exopolysaccharide from water kefir as a potential clean-label raw material for pharmaceutical, biomedical, and cosmetic applications.

Physicochemical and Anti-UVB-Induced Skin Inflammatory Properties of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Subsp. paracasei SS-01 Strain Exopolysaccharide

The exopolysaccharide secreted by Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei SS-01 strain (LP-EPS) is isolated and purified from yogurt. It is a polysaccharide with a branched and multi-stranded structure, which exists in a smooth rod-like or cloud-like state, and possesses a good thermal stability and a molecular weight of 49.68 kDa (±4.436%). LP-EPS shows a high antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory and anti-sensitizing activity during in vitro experimental studies, with half clearance (IC50) rates of 0.449, 1.314, and 2.369 mg/mL for the ABTS, DPPH, and OH radicals, respectively, and a half inhibition rate (IC50) of hyaluronidase of 1.53 mg/mL. A cell-based assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and quantitative real-time fluorescence PCR (qRT-PCR) show that LP-EPS effectively treats or ameliorates the skin inflammatory responses triggered by UVB irradiation, as evidenced by a highly significant decrease in the secretion of inflammatory factors by human skin keratinocytes (HaCaT), and a highly significant downregulation of the mRNA expression of MAPK/AP-1 pathway cytokines.

Improved Foods Using Enzymes from Basidiomycetes

Within the kingdom of fungi, the division Basidiomycota represents more than 30,000 species, some with huge genomes indicating great metabolic potential. The fruiting bodies of many basidiomycetes are appreciated as food (“mushrooms”). Solid-state and submerged cultivation processes have been established for many species. Specifically, xylophilic fungi secrete numerous enzymes but also form smaller metabolites along unique pathways; both groups of compounds may be of interest to the food processing industry. To stimulate further research and not aim at comprehensiveness in the broad field, this review describes some recent progress in fermentation processes and the knowledge of fungal genetics. Processes with potential for food applications based on lipases, esterases, glycosidases, peptidases and oxidoreductases are presented. The formation and degradation of colourants, the degradation of harmful food components, the formation of food ingredients and particularly of volatile and non-volatile flavours serve as examples. In summary, edible basidiomycetes are foods—and catalysts—for food applications and rich donors of genes to construct heterologous cell factories for fermentation processes. Options arise to support the worldwide trend toward greener, more eco-friendly and sustainable processes.

Fucose-containing bacterial exopolysaccharides: Sources, biological activities, and food applications

Bacterial exopolysaccharides are high molecular weight polysaccharides that are secreted by a wide range of bacteria, with diverse structures and easy preparation. Fucose, fucose-containing oligosaccharides (FCOs), and fucose-containing polysaccharides (FCPs) have important applications in the food and medicine fields, including applications in products for removing Helicobacter pylori and infant formula powder. Fucose-containing bacterial exopolysaccharide (FcEPS) is a prospective source of fucose, FCOs, and FCPs. This review systematically summarizes the common sources and applications of FCPs and FCOs and the bacterial strains capable of producing FcEPS reported in recent years. The repeated-unit structures, synthesis pathways, and factors affecting the production of FcEPS are reviewed, as well as the degradation methods of FcEPS for preparing FCOs. Finally, the bioactivities of FcEPS, including anti-oxidant, prebiotic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-microbial activities, are discussed and may serve as a reference strategy for further applications of FcEPS in the functional food and medicine industries.

Chemical Constituents and Molecular Mechanism of the Yellow Phenotype of Yellow Mushroom (Floccularia luteovirens)

(1) Background: Yellow mushroom (Floccularia luteovirens) is a natural resource that is highly nutritional, has a high economic value, and is found in Northwest China. Despite its value, the chemical and molecular mechanisms of yellow phenotype formation are still unclear. (2) Methods: This study uses the combined analysis of transcriptome and metabolome to explain the molecular mechanism of the formation of yellow mushroom. Subcellular localization and transgene overexpression techniques were used to verify the function of the candidate gene. (3) Results: 112 compounds had a higher expression in yellow mushroom; riboflavin was the ninth most-expressed compound. HPLC showed that a key target peak at 23.128 min under visible light at 444 nm was Vb2. All proteins exhibited the closest relationship with Agaricus bisporus var. bisporus H97. One riboflavin transporter, CL911.Contig3_All (FlMCH5), was highly expressed in yellow mushrooms with a different value (log₂ fold change) of −12.98, whereas it was not detected in white mushrooms. FlMCH5 was homologous to the riboflavin transporter MCH5 or MFS transporter in other strains, and the FlMCH5-GFP fusion protein was mainly located in the cell membrane. Overexpression of FlMCH5 in tobacco increased the content of riboflavin in three transgenic plants to 26 μg/g, 26.52 μg/g, and 36.94 μg/g, respectively. (4) Conclusions: In this study, it is clear that riboflavin is the main coloring compound of yellow mushrooms, and FlMCH5 is the key transport regulatory gene that produces the yellow phenotype.

Purification, structural characterization and neuroprotective effect of a neutral polysaccharide from Sparassis crispa

In the present study, a purified polysaccharide (named SCP-1, Mw 1.368 × 10⁴ Da) was isolated from Sparassis crispa, and its biological activity was evaluated in an oxidative stress model caused by H₂O₂ in hippocampal neuronal HT22 cells. SCP-1 was a heteropolysaccharide mainly comprising glucose, galactose, fucose, and mannose in a molar ratio of 52.10: 31.10: 15.04: 1.76. The main backbone of SCP-1 was predominantly composed of (1→6)-α-_D-Galp, (1→6)-β-_D-Glcp, (1→3)-β-_D-Glcp, (1→2,6)-α-_D-Galp and (1→3,6)-β-_D-Glcp. The branches, substituted at the O-2 of Gal and O-3 of Glc, contained (1→6)-2-OMe-α-_D-Galp, (1→4)-β-_D-Glcp, (1→3)-β-_D-Glcp, and terminated by T-α-_L-Fucp and T-β-_D-Glcp. Besides, SCP-1 could effectively protect the HT22 cells against H₂O₂-induced oxidative injury via decreasing the intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, modulating antioxidant enzymes, and reducing cell apoptosis. The findings suggested that SCP-1 holds a potential to be a natural antioxidant or as a neuroprotective agent.

A polysaccharide from Lycium barbarum L.: Structure and protective effects against oxidative stress and high-glucose-induced apoptosis in ARPE-19 cells

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) are beneficial for vision; however, relevant research has mainly focused on entire crude polysaccharides, with the basis and exact structure of the polysaccharide rarely explored. In this study, LICP009-3F-2a, a novel polysaccharide from Lycium barbarum L., was separated and then purified using anion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. Structural characteristics were investigated using chemical and spectroscopic methods, which revealed that LICP009-3F-2a has an Mw of 13720 Da and is an acidic heteropolysaccharide composed of rhamnose (39.1%), arabinose (7.4%), galactose (22.5%), glucose (8.3%), galacturonic acid (13.7%), and glucuronic acid (4.0%). Linkage and NMR data revealed that LICP009-3F-2a has the following backbone: →2)-α-L-Rha-(1→2,4)-α-L-Rha- (1→4)-α-D-GalAp-(1→3,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→3,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, with three main branches, including: α-L-Araf-(1→5)-α-L-Araf-(1→6)-β-D-Glcp-(1→2,4)-α-L-Rha-(1→, β-D-Glcp-(1→4)-β-D-Glcp-(1→3,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, and β-D-Galp-(1→3)-β-D-Galp-(1→3,6) -β-D-Galp-(1→. Differential scanning colorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis showed that LICP009-3F-2a is thermally stable, while X-ray diffractometry showed that LICP009-3F-2a has a semi-crystalline structure. In addition, LICP009-3F-2a protects ARPE-19 cells from H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage by regulating the expression of antioxidant SOD1 and CAT enzymes and down-regulating MMP2 expression. Moreover, LICP009-3F-2a promotes the proliferation of ARPE-19 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, and protects ARPE-19 cells from hyperglycemia by inhibiting apoptosis.

Armillaria luteo-virens Sacc Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium Induced Colitis through Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Microbiota-Related Bile Acids

Armillaria luteo-virens Sacc (ALS) is a rare wild Chinese medicinal and edible basidiomycete. However, its protective effect on intestinal functions and the underlying mechanism is still unknown. This work explored the improvement of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis by ALS. ALS supplementation markedly improved colitis symptoms, gut barrier integrity, and goblet loss in DSS-treated mice. In addition, ALS inhibited colonic inflammation through the inhibition/activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases/NF-κB signaling pathway. The 16S rRNA gene-based microbiota analysis revealed that ALS altered the gut microbiota composition, decreasing the richness of Enterobacteriaceae and increasing the abundance of Lactobacillaceae. The bile-acid-targeted metabolomic analysis showed that ALS recovered the microbial bile acid metabolism in the gut, enabling the activation of the farnesoid X receptor signaling by these acids, thus maintaining the intestinal homeostasis. Importantly, broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment reduced the efficacy of ALS-induced protection from colitis. Overall, our findings suggest that ALS may represent a novel approach in the nutritional intervention to prevent colitis.

The Small Molecule Fractions of Floccularia luteovirens Induce Apoptosis of NSCLC Cells through Activating Caspase-3 Activity

Floccularia luteovirens is a rare wild edible and medicinal fungus endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In this study, the hollow fiber membranes with molecular weights of 50 kDa, 6 kDa and 3 kDa were used to extract different fractions of F. luteovirens, which were named as #1, #2 and #3. Then the antitumor activity of these fractions on NSCLC cell lines, PC9 and NCI-H460, were investigated by using MTT assay, flow cytometry analysis and Western blot assay. The results indicated that the #2 and #3 fractions showed obviously inhibitory activities on PC9 and NCI-H460 tumor cells and proved that these small molecule fractions induced apoptosis of NSCLC cells by activating caspase-3. Finally, a total of 15 components, including six amino acids, two nucleosides, two glycosides, two terpenoids, one phenylpropanoid, one ester and one alkaloid, were identified in #2 and #3 fractions. This is the first evidence that the small molecule components of F. luteovirens were able to inhibit lung cancer by inducing apoptosis in a caspase-3 manner. The present study indicated the benefits of F. luteovirens in lung cancer treatment, which might be a potential resource of functional food and drugs.

Purification, Physicochemical Properties, and Antioxidant Activities of Two Low-Molecular-Weight Polysaccharides from Ganoderma leucocontextum Fruiting Bodies

Two low-molecular-weight polysaccharides (GLP-1 and GLP-2) were purified from Ganoderma leucocontextum fruiting bodies, and their physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities were investigated and compared in this study. The results showed that GLP-1 and GLP-2 were mainly composed of mannose, glucose, galactose, xylose, and arabinose, with weight-average molecular weights of 6.31 and 14.07 kDa, respectively. Additionally, GLP-1 and GLP-2 had a similar chain conformation, crystal structure, and molecular surface morphology. Moreover, GLP-1 exhibited stronger antioxidant activities than GLP-2 in five different assays: 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion radical, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC). The main linkage types of GLP-1 were found to be →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →4)-β-D-Glcp-(1→, →3)-β-D-Glcp-(1→, →6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, and Glcp-(1→ by methylation analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In addition, GLP-1 could protect NIH3T3 cells against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP)-induced oxidative damage by increasing catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, elevating the glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio, and decreasing the malondialdehyde (MDA) level. These findings indicated that GLP-1 could be explored as a potential antioxidant agent for application in functional foods.

Effects of GSM 1800 band radiation on composition, structure and bioactivity of exopolysaccharides produced by yoghurt starter cultures

In this study, the effects of GSM 1800 band radiation on composition, structure and bioactivity of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) produced by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus were determined. For this, GSM 1800 band radiation was applied to both cultures and characteristics of EPSs extracted from the control groups (K) and the radiation stressed groups (R) were determined. An alteration in the chemical composition of the EPSs was observed and EPS production levels and molecular weights of the EPSs increased following the GSM 1800 band radiation application. Alterations in the functional groups, thermal and morphological characteristics of EPSs following the GSM 1800 band radiation application were confirmed by FTIR, TGA and SEM analysis, respectively. Importantly no alterations in the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the EPSs were observed following the radiation application. These results suggested the effects of the GSM radiation on final characteristics of EPSs from yogurt starter cultures.

Treatment repurposing for inflammatory bowel disease using literature-related discovery and innovation

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) incidence has been increasing steadily, most dramatically in the Western developed countries. Treatment often includes lifelong immunosuppressive therapy and surgery. There is a critical need to reduce the burden of IBD and to discover medical therapies with better efficacy and fewer potential side-effects. Repurposing of treatments originally studied in other diseases with similar pathogenesis is less costly and time intensive than de novo drug discovery. This study used a treatment repurposing methodology, the literature-related discovery and innovation (LRDI) text mining system, to identify potential treatments (developed for non-IBD diseases) with sufficient promise for extrapolation to treatment of IBD. By searching for desirable patterns of twenty key biomarkers relevant to IBD (e.g., inflammation, reactive oxygen species, autophagy, barrier function), the LRDI-based query retrieved approximately 9500 records from Medline. The most recent 350 records were further analyzed for proof-of-concept. Approximately 18% (64/350) met the criteria for discovery (not previously studied in IBD human or animal models) and relevance for application to IBD treatment. Many of the treatments were compounds derived from herbal remedies, and the majority of treatments were being studied in cancer, diabetes, and central nervous system disease, such as depression and dementia. As further validation of the search strategy, the query identified ten treatments that have just recently begun testing in IBD models in the last three years. Literature-related discovery and innovation text mining contains a unique search strategy with tremendous potential to identify treatments for repurposing. A more comprehensive query with additional key biomarkers would have retrieved many thousands more records, further increasing the yield of IBD treatment repurposing discovery.

Acetylated Polysaccharides From Pleurotus geesteranus Alleviate Lung Injury Via Regulating NF-κB Signal Pathway

The present work investigated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lung protection effects of acetylated Pleurotus geesteranus polysaccharides (AcPPS) on acute lung injury (ALI) mice. The acetylation of AcPPS was successfully shown by the peaks of 1737 cm⁻¹ and 1249 cm⁻¹ by FTIR. The animal experiments demonstrated that lung damage can be induced by zymosan. However, the supplementation of AcPPS had potential effects on reducing lung index, remitting inflammatory symptoms (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), inhibiting NF-κB signal pathway based on up-regulating the level of IκBα and down-regulating p-IκBα level by Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay, preventing oxidative stress (ROS, SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, T-AOC, and MDA), reducing lipid accumulation (TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, and VLDL-C), and alleviating lung functions by histopathologic observation. These results demonstrated that AcPPS might be suitable for natural food for prevention or remission in ALI.