Natural deep eutectic ready to use extract of astilbin: Super high in vitro bioaccessibility, α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition kinetics

The inhibitory effect of Astragalus flavone extract on hyperuricemia and its underlying molecular mechanism by targeting JNK/AP-1/NLRP3/IL-1β signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic disease disturbing human health caused by the overproduction or underexcretion of uric acid (UA). Astragalus is the root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, has notable regulatory effect on chronic nephritis, proteinuria and spontaneous sweating, suggesting it could be a potential anti-HUA agent. However, limited research has been conducted on its anti-HUA effect and mechanism.

METHODS

The present study performed untargeted and plasma metabolomics of Astragalus extract to identify the main constituents that can be absorbed and exert effect in mice, and further investigated the underlying mechanism by enzyme activity assay, Western Blotting and molecular docking.

RESULTS

The results showed that Astragalus flavone extract inhibited UA synthesis by binding to XOD to hinder substrate binding and inhibiting xanthine oxidase (XOD) protein expression, inhibited JNK/AP-1/NLRP3/IL-1β signaling pathway to alleviate prolonged HUA-induced inflammation and abnormal UA metabolism, and protected the kidney by reducing serum renal function index and improving renal tissue atrophy, fibrosis and tubular dilatation both in vitro and in vivo. Besides, glycitein and isoformononet were identified as the main flavones in Astragalus extract absorbed into the bloodstream of mice, isoformononetin was found to inhibit UA synthesis by direct binding to XOD, and glycitein was found to interact with c-Jun to facilitate UA excretion and inhibit inflammation.

CONCLUSION

This paper represents the pioneering investigation that firstly identifying two flavonoids of Astragalus extract that can be absorbed to fight against HUA, and elucidating their diverse molecular mechanism by targeting JNK/AP-1/NLRP3/IL-1β signaling pathway, UA metabolism and kidney protection.

Collagen peptides alleviate hyperglycemia in mice by modulating insulin resistance, glucose metabolism and gut microbiota

In vitro studies have demonstrated that collagen peptides (CP) inhibit the activity of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV. However, the relationship between the AMPK-mediated insulin signaling pathway and gut microbiota modulation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) remains underexplored. Current research investigated the hypoglycemic mechanisms associated with CP intervention in a T2DM mouse model induced by a high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ). The findings revealed that administering CP (400 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks significantly eased symptoms such as polydipsia, polyphagia, weight loss, and organ damage in diabetic mice. Following CP intervention, diabetic mice exhibited notable reductions in blood glucose and lipid levels, as well as decreased abundance ratios of Firmicutes and Bacteroides, whereas increased short-chain fatty acid concentration in the gut microbiota and the serum GLP-1 level, accompanied by a substantial decrease in the serum insulin resistance index. Furthermore, in the livers of mice post-CP intervention, there was an upregulation of IRS1, the increase of p-AMPK/AMPK and p-GSK3β/GSK3β (P < 0.01), coupled with downregulation of PEPCK and FoxO1 expression (P < 0.05), thereby facilitating glycogen synthesis, regulation of insulin sensitivity, and inhibition of glucose production. These results provide foundational insights into the potential of collagen peptide intervention in managing and preventing T2DM.

Phytochemicals from fractioned dark tea water extract enhance the digestive enzyme inhibition, antioxidant capacities and glucose-lipid balance

Dark tea has long been recognized for its health-promoting benefits, attributed to its complex phytochemical composition. However, the specific bioactive compounds responsible for these beneficial effects remain inadequately characterized. This study aimed to explore the impact of dark tea water extract (DTE) on digestive enzyme activity, antioxidant capacity, and glucose-lipid balance. DTE was fractioned into four fractions using gel separation, followed by analysis with high-performance liquid chromatography and quasi-targeted metabolomics. The 30 % ethanol elution (EEA) and 50 % ethanol elution (EEB) fractions showed stronger antioxidant and enzyme inhibition effects compared to the whole DTE. The EEA fraction was rich in 5 catechins and 26 additional phytochemicals, while the EEB fraction contained high levels of caffeine, ECG, and 29 other phytochemicals. Notably, significant correlations were observed between quercetin-3,4'-O-di-β-glucopyranoside and 3-(2-Naphthyl)-L-alanine with digestive enzyme inhibition. Cellular studies revealed the ability of EEA and EEB to reduce lipid accumulation, improve glycolipid metabolism, and alleviate oxidative stress by increasing SOD, CAT, and GSH levels while decreasing MDA and ROS in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, 34 flavonoids, 2 alkaloids, 2 terpenes, 2 alcohols and polyols, 2 phenylpropanoids and polyketides, 1 organoheterocyclic compound were directly linked to the antioxidant activity and the modulation of glucose and lipid levels. These findings offer valuable insights into the phytochemical profiles of dark tea and its potential health benefits.

Comparative Metabolite Profiling of Three Savannic Species of Banisteriopsis (Malpighiaceae) via UPLC-MS/MS and Chemometric Tools

Banisteriopsis (Malpighiaceae) is an important genus of neotropical savannas with related biological and medicinal activities but under-explored metabolomic profiles. We present a chemometric analysis for discriminating secondary metabolites of three species of Banisteriopsis (B. laevifolia, B. malifolia, and B. stellaris) leaves. Initially, each species was separately extracted with ethanol:water (4 : 1, v/v) and analysed by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The chromatographic profiles were subjected to Global Natural Product Social (GNPS) and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA). Eighty-nine compounds (cosine≥0.90) were annotated, including flavonoids, phenolics, and acids. The chemometric analysis (VIP Score) showed each species' relative concentration of the more relevant compounds. In addition, four compounds that discriminate the metabolomic profiles of B. laevifolia, B. malifolia, and B. stellaris were identified by PLS-DA.

A hybrid RSM-BPNN-GA approach for optimizing ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvents extraction conditions for Mesona chinensis benth. and investigation of the extraction mechanism

Mesona chinensis Benth (MCB) is the source of the most commonly consumed herbal beverage in Southeast Asia and China and is thus an economically important agricultural plant. Therefore, optimal extraction and production procedures have significant commercial value. Currently, in terms of green chemistry, researchers are investigating the use of greener solvents and innovative extraction techniques to increase extract yields. This study represents the first investigation of the optimal conditions for ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvent (DES) extraction from MCB. The major factors influencing ultrasound-assisted DESs were optimized using the response surface methodcentral-genetic algorithm-back propagation neural networks. This model demonstrated superior predictability and accuracy compared to the RSM model. Various types of DESs were used for the extraction of MCB constituents, with choline chloride-ethylene glycol resulting in the highest yield. The optimal conditions for maximal extraction were the use of choline chloride-ethylene glycol (1:4) as the solvent with a 40% water content, an extraction duration of 60 min at 60°C, and maintaining a leaf-to-solvent ratio of 20 mL/g. Noticeable enhancements in Van der Waals forces and more robust interactions between DESs and the target chemicals were observed relative to those seen with ethanol (70%, v/v) or water. This investigation not only introduced an environmentally friendly approach for highly efficient extraction from MCB but also identified the mechanisms underlying the improved extraction efficacy. These findings have the potential to contribute to the broader utilization of MCB and provide valuable insights into the extraction mechanisms utilizing deep eutectic solvents. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This work describes an efficient and green ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvent (DES) method for Mesona chinensis Benth (MCB) extraction. Molecular dynamics was used to examine the intermolecular interactions between the solvent and the extracted compounds. It is anticipated that green and environmentally friendly solvents, such as DESs, will be used in further research on foods and their bioactive components. With the development of the herbal tea industry, new products made of MCB are becoming increasingly popular, thus gradually making it a research hotspot.

Exploring the Blood Glucose-Lowering Potential of the Umami Peptides LADW and EEAEGT Derived from Tuna Skeletal Myosin: Perspectives from α-Glucosidase Inhibition and Starch Interaction

This study aimed to explore the potential of umami peptides for lowering blood glucose. Molecular docking results showed that the peptides LADW and EEAEGT bound to the active amino acid residues of α-glucosidase via hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals forces, a finding supported by an independent gradient model (IGM). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations demonstrated that the peptides LADW and EEAEGT can decelerate the outward expansion of α-glucosidase and reduce amino acid fluctuations at the active site. In vitro findings indicated that the peptides LADW and EEAEGT showed potent inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase, with IC50 values of 4.40 ± 0.04 and 6.46 ± 0.22 mM, respectively. Furthermore, MD simulation and morphological observation results also revealed that LADW and EEAEGT alter starch structure and form weak interactions with starch through intermolecular hydrogen bonding, leading to the inhibition of starch hydrolysis. Peptides inhibit the ability of starch to produce reducing sugars after simulated gastrointestinal digestion, providing additional evidence of the inhibition of starch hydrolysis by the added peptides. Taken together, these findings suggest that consuming the umami peptides LADW and EEAEGT may alleviate postprandial blood glucose elevations via inhibiting α-glucosidase and starch hydrolysis.