Protective Effect of Kaempferol on LPS-Induced Inflammation and Barrier Dysfunction in a Coculture Model of Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Intestinal Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Unraveling the pathogenesis and prevention strategies of acute high-altitude illness through gut microecology

High-altitude environments, characterized by hypobaric and hypoxic conditions, induce acute hypoxia, resulting in decreased blood oxygen saturation. This hypoxic stress perturbs gut microecological homeostasis, significantly contributing to the pathogenesis of acute mountain sickness. Consequently, elucidating the mechanisms by which high altitude affects gut homeostasis is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Polyphenols-rich Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) alleviates ulcerative colitis through restiring the intestinal barrier, gut microbiota and metabolites

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recurrent intestinal disease caused by a complex of factors, and there are serious adverse effects and tolerance problems associated with the current long-term use of therapeutic drugs. The development of natural food sources and multi-targeted drugs for the treatment of UC is imminent. Portulaca oleracea L. (PO), as a vegetable, has been shown in studies to have an anti-UC effects. However, the relationship between the abundant active ingredients contained in Portulaca oleracea L. and the improvement of intestinal barrier, gut microbiota and metabolites is unclear. In the present study, Portulaca oleracea L. which was found to be rich in phenolic acid-based active ingredients, were effective in alleviating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced body weight loss, disease activity index (DAI) score and colon length in mice. It also decreased C-reactive protein (CRP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) responses, reduced the permeation of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and evans blue (EB), and improved histopathological scores. Meanwhile, in vitro and in vivo validation revealed the protective effects of purslane on the intestinal barrier indicators ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin-1, and inhibited the expression of inflammation-associated iNOS and NLRP3 proteins through the NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, purslane increased the diversity of the intestinal flora, enhancing the proportion of the genera Butyricoccus, Dorea and Bifidobacterium and decreasing the percentage of Bacteroides, Turicibacter and Parabacteroides. Serum metabolomics analysis showed that the imbalance of 39 metabolites was significantly reversed after PO deployment. Enrichment analysis showed that Pentose phosphate pathway and Pyruvate metabolism pathway were the key pathways of PO against UC. Overall, purslane effectively improved the intestinal barrier disruption and intestinal inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, and adjusted the disorder of gut microbiota and metabolites to exert anti-UC effects.

UHPLC-Q/Orbitrap HRMS combined with spectrum-effect relationship and network pharmacology to discovery the gastrointestinal motility-promoting material basis in Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The prevalence of gastrointestinal motility disorders (GMD) is increasing and is characterized by long-term recurrence. Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus (CSF), as a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) known in "regulating qi and harmonizing the stomach", has therapeutic effects on GMD. However, the material basis of its efficacy is not clear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to evaluate the gastrointestinal motility-promoting activity of CSF extracts and to screen their active ingredients and to perform a preliminary validation.

METHODS

The chemical composition spectrum of different extracts of CSF were established by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q/Orbitrap HRMS). The gastrointestinal motility-promoting activities of CSF were investigated by determining the intestinal propulsion rate, gastric emptying rate, acetylcholinesterase activity, and motilin content in L-arginine-induced GMD mice. Spectrum-effect relationship and network pharmacology analysis were used for the screening of potential active ingredients. A zebrafish gastrointestinal motility model traced with Nile Red was established to validate the active ingredients. Molecular docking prediction was used to explore the mechanism of action of the active ingredient. Finally, Western blotting and TUNEL staining were performed to validate the molecular docking predictions.

RESULTS

In total, 42 shared components were identified. The main active fraction of CSF to promote gastrointestinal motility was 70% ethanol elution fraction. Eleven potential active ingredients were screened by grey correlation analysis, orthogonal partial least squares analysis, and "active ingredient-target" network. Six compounds were confirmed as the pharmacodynamic substances of CSF by zebrafish gastrointestinal motility model, namely, quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, diosmetin, hesperetin, and 5,7,3'-trihydroxy-6,4',5'-trimethoxyflavone. Molecular docking predictions and Western blotting assays indicated that CSF may act on AKT and MMP9 targets to exert gastrointestinal motility-promoting activity.

CONCLUSION

This study provided a foundation for elucidating the gastrointestinal motility-promoting activity of CSF and its material basis by integrating spectrum-effect relationship and network pharmacology. It also provided a theoretical basis for quality control of CSF and a new idea for the discovery and validation of pharmacodynamic substances in TCM.

The protective effect of Argan oil and its main constituents against xenobiotics-induced toxicities

BACKGROUND

Argan oil (AO) is a vegetable oil extracted from the fruits of Argania spinosa L. tree, belonging to the Sapotaceae family, primarily found in Morocco. Research studies have demonstrated that AO exhibits diverse pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, antihypercholesterolemic, antiatherogenic, and immunomodulatory effects. These effects are attributed to its main constituents, including oleic acid, linoleic acid, γ-tocopherol, α-tocopherol, and ferulic acid.

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to present the protective role of AO and its main constituents against xenobiotics-induced toxicities.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Based on results from various in vitro and in vivo investigations published in the main scientific databases, the beneficial action of AO against xenobiotics-induced toxicities was analyzed.

RESULTS

AO and its main constituents have reduced neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, pneumotoxicity, thyroid toxicity, hematotoxicity, immunotoxicity, genotoxicity, and colon toxicity induced by different natural and chemical xenobiotics. Different mechanisms of action are involved in these effects, including enhancement of antioxidant defense, reduction of oxidative stress, modulation of inflammation, stimulation of fatty acid oxidation, suppression of apoptosis, regulation of miRNAs expression, elevation of acetylcholinesterase activity, activation of Krebs cycle enzymes, and restoration of mitochondrial function.

CONCLUSION

The study shows clearly the beneficial effect of Argan oil against xenobiotics-induced toxicities was analyzed. However, clinical trials are necessary to verify the protective effects of this oil in human intoxications caused by both natural and chemical xenobiotics.

A systematic review of preclinical studies targeted toward the management of co-existing functional gastrointestinal disorders, stress, and gut dysbiosis

Modern dietary habits and stressed lifestyle have escalated the tendency to develop functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) through alteration in the gut-brain-microbiome axis. Clinical practices use symptomatic treatments, neglect root causes, and prolong distress in patients. The past decade has seen the evolution of various interventions to attenuate FGIDs. But clinical translation of such studies is very rare mostly due to lack of awareness. The aim of this review is to meticulously integrate different studies and bridge this knowledge gap. Literature between 2013 and 2023 was retrieved from PubMed, ProQuest, and Web of Science. The data was extracted based on the PRISMA guidelines and using the SYRCLE's risk of bias and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tools, quality assessment was performed. The review has highlighted molecular insights into the coexistence of FGIDs, stress, and gut dysbiosis. Furthermore, novel interventions focusing on diet, probiotics, herbal formulations, and phytoconstituents were explored which mostly had a multitargeted approach for the management of the diseases. Scientific literature implied positive interactions between the interventions and the gut microbiome by increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria and reducing stress-related hormones. Moreover, the interventions reduced intestinal inflammation and regulated the expression of epithelial tight junction proteins in different in vivo models. This systematic review delves deep into the preclinical interventions to manage coexisting FGIDs, stress, and gut dysbiosis. However, in most of the discussed studies, long-term risks and toxicity profile of the interventions are lacking. So, it is necessary to highlight them for improved clinical outcomes.

Bioactive Flavonoids in Protecting Against Endothelial Dysfunction and Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a common cardiovascular disease closely associated with factors such as hyperlipidaemia and chronic inflammation. Among them, endothelial dysfunction serves as a major predisposing factor. Vascular endothelial dysfunction is manifested by impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation, enhanced oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, leukocyte adhesion and hyperpermeability, endothelial senescence, and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). Flavonoids are known for their antioxidant activity, eliminating oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby preventing the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, reducing platelet aggregation, alleviating ischemic damage, and improving vascular function. Flavonoids have also been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity and to protect the cardiovascular system. This review focuses on the protective effects of these naturally-occuring bioactive flavonoids against the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis through their effects on endothelial cells including, but not limited to, their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and lipid-lowering properties. However, more clinical evidences are still needed to determine the exact role and optimal dosage of these compounds in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Kaempferol modulates Wnt/ β-catenin pathway to alleviate preeclampsia- induced changes and protect renal and ovarian histomorphology

Preeclampsia (PE) is a form of hypertension that manifests in the later stages of pregnancy. Since Kaempferol (Ka) has remedial potential hence this research was conducted to examine its therapeutic effect on Preeclampsia rats by regulating Wingless-related integration site/β-catenin (Wnt/B-catenin) pathway. To achieve this, thirty-two SD female rats were randomly allocated into four groups: control, preeclampsia (PE, LPS, 1 mg/kg), preeclampsia with kaempferol (PE + Ka), and preeclampsia with Dickkopf - 1 (DKK-1) and kaempferol (PE + DKK-1 + Ka). Rats in the PE + Ka and PE + DKK-1 + Ka groups received intraperitoneal injections at 50 mg/kg/d of kaempferol, whereas the PE + DKK-1 + Ka group was administered with 60 µg/kg/d of recombinant rat DKK-1 protein, an inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Our findings revealed that systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the PE + Ka group was significantly reduced in comparison to PE group (P < 0.05). The urine albumin levels in the PE + Ka group decreased noticeably (P < 0.05), whereas serum concentrations of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the PE + Ka group were reduced (P < 0.05) in comparison to PE group. Although PE + Ka group exhibited elevated levels of superoxide dismutases (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT) in placental tissue relative to the PE group, whilst levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) considerably decreased (P < 0.05). Comparatively mRNA levels of Wnt1 and β-catenin in the PE + Ka group were elevated, whereas mRNA level of DKK-1 was diminished (P < 0.05). Administration of DKK-1 counteracted kaempferol effects on these parameters in Preeclampsia rats (P < 0.05). Devastatingly, ovarian and kidney histomorphology in the PE group exhibited significant degenerative alterations, whereas kaempferol groups demonstrated normal histomorphology in comparison to the PE group. Conclusively, Kaempferol can significantly lower systolic blood pressure and urine albumin in PE female rats while mitigating excessive oxidative stress. The therapeutic efficacy of kaempferol on Preeclampsia may be mediatated via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Design strategies of polysaccharide, protein and lipid-based nano-delivery systems in improving the bioavailability of polyphenols and regulating gut homeostasis

Polyphenols are plant secondary metabolites that have attracted much attention due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gut homeostasis promoting effects. However, food matrix interaction, poor solubility, and strong digestion and metabolism of polyphenols cause barriers to their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, which further reduces bioavailability and limits polyphenols' application in the food industry. Nano-delivery systems composed of biocompatible macromolecules (polysaccharides, proteins and lipids) are an effective way to improve the bioavailability of polyphenols. Therefore, this review introduces the construction of biopolymer-based nano-delivery systems and their application in polyphenols, with emphasis on improving the solubility, stability, sustained release and intestinal targeting of polyphenols. In addition, there are possible positive effects of polyphenol-loaded nano-delivery systems on modulating gut microbiota and gut homeostasis, with particular emphasis on modulating intestinal inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and gut-brain axis. It is worth noting that the safety of bio-based nano-delivery systems still need to be further studied. In summary, the application of the bio-based nano-delivery system to deliver polyphenols provides insights for improving the bioavailability of polyphenols and for the treatment of potential diseases in the future.

Fractional extraction phenolics from C. oleifera seed kernels exhibited anti-inflammatory effect via PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway under Caco-2/RAW264.7 co-culture cell model

Camellia oleifera Abel (C. oleifera) is a multifunctional oilseed, which is rich in many biological active substances with health-promoting properties, especially polyphenols. Previous research revealed that camellia oil phenolics exhibited anti-inflammatory effect, which originated from seed. Thus, we aimed to explore the components of camellia seed phenolics and its potential mechanism of anti-inflammation. Initially, fractional extraction was processed to prepare the phenolics from camellia seed kernels, and we compare four different fractions of phenolics under the LPS-induced Caco-2/RAW264.7 coculturing model. Results showed that free phenolics (FP) had best effect on alleviating pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α) compared to esterified-bound phenolics (EP), glycosylated-bound phenolics (GP) and insoluble-bound phenolics (IP). Furthermore, FP reduced inflammation by suppressing the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway and effectively inhibited LPS-induced intestinal permeability increase, tight junction related proteins loss (ZO-1, claudin-1). Same results obtained, as the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity of high-dose FP treated group was high than model group. Finally, molecular docking was used for evaluating the anti-inflammatory effect for phenolic monomer. KGRG (kaempferol -3-O-(2-O-glucopyranosyl-6-O-rhamnopyranosyl)-glucopyranoside), KXR (kaempferol 3-O-(2''-xylopyranosyl)-rutinoside) and leucoside (kaempferol 3-O-sambubioside) show lower binding energy docking with NF-κB, PI3K and Akt protein, indicating better interactions, which might be effective constituents against inflammation. Subsequently, five major polyphenols were obtained to validate the docking results, especially, indicating the best anti-inflammatory activities of KGRG. Overall, this research sheds insights on the therapy of phenolics from C. oleifera seed towards LPS-induced intestinal inflammation model in vitro and its related mechanism.

Combination of Youhua Kuijie Prescription and sulfasalazine can alleviate experimental colitis via IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway

Introduction

Youhua Kuijie prescription (YHKJ) is a hospital preparation that is composed of nine kinds of herbs. Sulfasalazine (SASP) is widely used as a first-line clinical treatment for UC. Traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine have their own advantages in the treatment of UC, and the mechanism of YHKJ combined with SASP in the treatment of UC needs to be investigated.

Methods

In this study, the therapeutic mechanism of YHKJ combined with SASP in the treatment of UC was predicted by network pharmacology and molecular docking. The chemical components and related targets of YHKJ were obtained from the TCMSP database. The chemical structure of SASP was obtained from the PubChem server, and related targets of SASP molecules were identified using the PharmMapper database. UC-related targets were obtained from the DisGeNET, GeneCards, OMIM, TTD, DrugBank and PharmGkb databases.

Results

In total, 197 shared targets were identified by constructing a Venn diagram. PPI network data obtained from the STRING database were imported into Cytoscape to visualize the "drug-disease" target network, and STAT3 was selected as the core target by topological analysis. Gene Ontology revealed the biological functions of target genes, and KEGG analysis revealed that the core target STAT3 was differentially expressed in Th17 cells and the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Thus, the core target STAT3 was subjected to molecular docking with the top 10 components, including nine YHKJ components (quercetin, luteolin, ursolic acid, daidzein, kaempferol, wogonin, myricetin, formononetin, indirubin) and SASP (C18H14N4O5S). The molecular docking results showed that STAT3 had favorable binding with the nine YHKJ components and SASP; STAT3 had the strongest binding with ursolic acid (-10.26 kcal/mol), followed by SASP (-8.54 kcal/mol). Qualitative analysis of the chemical constituents of YHKJ by HPLC revealed that sitosterol, ursolic acid, myricetin, daidzein, quercetin, kaempferol and formononetin were the main components. Additional experiments verified that YHKJ combined with SASP inhibited activation of the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway and alleviated inflammation in UC model rats.

Discussion

Our results showed that seven chemical components in YHKJ cooperate with SASP to interfere with activation of the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway, thus playing a role in the treatment of UC.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) polyphenols and inflammatory bowel diseases: Major phytochemicals, functional properties, and health effects

Major polyphenols in Rosmarinus officinalis L. primarily consist of phenolic acids, phenolic diterpenes, and flavonoids, all of which have pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory and antibacterial characteristics. Numerous in vitro and animal studies have found that rosemary polyphenols have the potential to decrease the severity of intestinal inflammation. The beneficial effects of rosemary polyphenols were associated with anti-inflammatory properties, including improved gut barrier (increased mucus secretion and tight junction), increased antioxidant enzymes, inhibiting inflammatory pathways and cytokines (downregulation of NF-κB, NLRP3 inflammasomes, STAT3 and activation of Nrf2), and modulating gut microbiota community (increased core probiotics and SCFA-producing bacteria, and decreased potential pathogens) and metabolism (changes in SCFA and bile acid metabolites). This paper provides a better understanding of the anti-inflammatory properties of rosemary polyphenols and suggests that rosemary polyphenols might be employed as strong anti-inflammatory agents to prevent intestinal inflammation and lower the risk of inflammatory bowel disease and related diseases.

Dragon's blood attenuates LPS-induced intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction via upregulation of FAK-DOCK180-Rac1-WAVE2-Arp3 and downregulation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways

Inflammation-induced intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) dysfunction is one of the important reasons for the occurrence and development of intestinal inflammatory-related diseases, including ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Dragon's blood (DB) is a traditional Chinese medicine and has been clinically used to treat UC. However, the protective mechanism of DB on intestinal inflammatory-related diseases has still not been elucidated. The present study aimed to explore the protection mechanism of DB on IEB dysfunction in rat ileum and human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2)/human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) coculture system induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). DB could ameliorate rat ileum mucosa morphological injury, reduce the accumulation of lipid-peroxidation products and increase the expression of junction proteins. DB also alleviated LPS-induced Caco-2 cells barrier integrity destruction in Caco-2/ HUVECs coculture system, leading to increased trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER), reduced cell permeability, and upregulation of expressions of F-actin and junction proteins. DB contributed to the assembly of actin cytoskeleton by upregulating the FAK-DOCK180-Rac1-WAVE2-Arp3 pathway and contributed to the formation of intercellular junctions by downregulating TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB pathway, thus reversing LPS-induced IEB dysfunction. These novel findings illustrated the potential protective mechanism of DB on intestinal inflammatory-related diseases and might be useful for further clinical application of DB.

Chronic oral LPS administration does not increase inflammation or induce metabolic dysregulation in mice fed a western-style diet

Introduction

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) present in the intestine are suggested to enter the bloodstream after consumption of high-fat diets and cause systemic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation through a process named "metabolic endotoxemia." This study aimed to determine the role of orally administered LPS to mice in the early stage of chronic low-grade inflammation induced by diet.

Methods

We supplemented the drinking water with E. coli derived LPS to mice fed either high-fat Western-style diet (WSD) or standard chow (SC) for 7 weeks (n = 16-17). Body weight was recorded weekly. Systemic inflammatory status was assessed by in vivo imaging of NF-κB activity at different time points, and glucose dysregulation was assessed by insulin sensitivity test and glucose tolerance test near the end of the study. Systemic LPS exposure was estimated indirectly via quantification of LPS-binding protein (LBP) and antibodies against LPS in plasma, and directly using an LPS-sensitive cell reporter assay.

Results and discussion

Our results demonstrate that weight development and glucose regulation are not affected by LPS. We observed a transient LPS dependent upregulation of NF-κB activity in the liver region in both diet groups, a response that disappeared within the first week of LPS administration and remained low during the rest of the study. However, WSD fed mice had overall a higher NF-κB activity compared to SC fed mice at all time points independent of LPS administration. Our findings indicate that orally administered LPS has limited to no impact on systemic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation in mice fed a high-fat western diet and we question the capability of intestinally derived LPS to initiate systemic inflammation through a healthy and uncompromised intestine, even when exposed to a high-fat diet.

Intestinal barrier permeability: the influence of gut microbiota, nutrition, and exercise

The intestinal wall is a selectively permeable barrier between the content of the intestinal lumen and the internal environment of the body. Disturbances of intestinal wall permeability can potentially lead to unwanted activation of the enteric immune system due to excessive contact with gut microbiota and its components, and the development of endotoxemia, when the level of bacterial lipopolysaccharides increases in the blood, causing chronic low-intensity inflammation. In this review, the following aspects are covered: the structure of the intestinal wall barrier; the influence of the gut microbiota on the permeability of the intestinal wall via the regulation of functioning of tight junction proteins, synthesis/degradation of mucus and antioxidant effects; the molecular mechanisms of activation of the pro-inflammatory response caused by bacterial invasion through the TLR4-induced TIRAP/MyD88 and TRAM/TRIF signaling cascades; the influence of nutrition on intestinal permeability, and the influence of exercise with an emphasis on exercise-induced heat stress and hypoxia. Overall, this review provides some insight into how to prevent excessive intestinal barrier permeability and the associated inflammatory processes involved in many if not most pathologies. Some diets and physical exercise are supposed to be non-pharmacological approaches to maintain the integrity of intestinal barrier function and provide its efficient operation. However, at an early age, the increased intestinal permeability has a hormetic effect and contributes to the development of the immune system.

Bound polyphenols in insoluble dietary fiber of navel orange peel modulate LPS-induced intestinal-like co-culture inflammation through CSF2-mediated NF-κB/JAK-STAT pathway

Our laboratory previously extracted bound polyphenols (BPP) in insoluble dietary fiber from navel orange peel (NOP-IDF), and the aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity and potential molecular mechanisms of BPP by establishing an LPS-induced intestinal-like Caco-2/RAW264.7 co-culture inflammation model. The results demonstrated that BPP reduced the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), as well as the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide (NO), and reactive oxidative species (ROS) during the inflammatory damage process. Furthermore, BPP alleviated the lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced intestinal barrier damage by attenuating the decrease in trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER), diamine oxidase (DAO) activity, and intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) activity, as well as the downregulation of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1 protein expression levels. RNA-seq results on RAW264.7 cells in the co-culture model showed that the NF-κB and JAK-STAT pathways belonged to the most significantly affected signaling pathways in the KEGG analysis, and western blot confirmed that they are essential for the role of BPP in intestinal inflammation. Additionally, overexpression of the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF2) gene triggered abnormal activation of the NF-κB and JAK-STAT pathways and high-level expression of inflammatory factors, while BPP effectively improved this phenomenon. The above results suggested that BPP could inhibit intestinal inflammatory injury and protect intestinal barrier integrity through CSF2-mediated NF-κB and JAK-STAT pathways.

Current Knowledge on the Preparation and Benefits of Cruciferous Vegetables as Relates to In Vitro, In Vivo, and Clinical Models of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic condition with a significant economic and social burden. The disease is complex and challenging to treat because it involves several pathologies, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, dysbiosis, and intestinal damage. The search for an effective treatment has identified cruciferous vegetables and their phytochemicals as potential management options for inflammatory bowel disease because they contain prebiotics, probiotics, and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant metabolites essential for a healthy gut. This critical narrative style review provides a robust insight into the pharmacological effects and benefits of crucifers and their documented bioactive compounds in in vitro and in vivo models, as well as clinical inflammatory bowel disease. The review highlights the significant impact of crucifer preparation and the presence of glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, flavonoids, and polyphenolic compounds, which are essential for the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative benefits of cruciferous vegetables, as well as their ability to promote the healthy microbial community and maintain the intestinal barrier. This review may serve as a viable nutritional guide for future research on methods and features essential to developing experiments, preventions, and treatments for inflammatory bowel disease. There is limited clinical information and future research may utilize current innovative tools, such as metabolomics, for adequate knowledge and effective translation into clinical therapy.

Human in vitro blood barrier models: architectures and applications

Blood barriers serve as key points of transport for essential molecules as well as lines of defense to protect against toxins. In vitro modeling of these barriers is common practice in the study of their physiology and related diseases. This review describes a common method of using an adaptable, low cost, semipermeable, suspended membrane to experimentally model three blood barriers in the human body: the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the gut-blood barrier (GBB), and the air-blood barrier (ABB). The GBB and ABB both protect from the outside environment, while the BBB protects the central nervous system from potential neurotoxic agents in the blood. These barriers share several commonalities, including the formation of tight junctions, polarized cellular monolayers, and circulatory system contact. Cell architectures used to mimic barrier anatomy as well as applications to study function, dysfunction, and response provide an overview of the versatility enabled by these cultural systems.

Identification of differentially expressed genes associated with ferroptosis in Crohn's disease

Ferroptosis-related genes may play a critical regulatory role in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). The purpose of the present study was to identify genes expressed in CD that are associated with ferroptosis, and to provide guidance in the diagnosis and therapy of CD. CD mRNA expression data were initially gathered from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. GSE75214 and GSE102133 datasets were selected as the major targets and were analyzed for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Subsequently, R software was used to analyze the common genes among the DEGs between CD and ferroptosis-related genes. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome pathway analysis were conducted to identify related pathways and functions. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was performed to identify target genes. The DSigDB website was used to predict potential target drugs for hub genes. Reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-q) PCR was employed to detect the expression of these ferroptosis-related genes in clinical samples obtained from healthy controls and patients with CD. According to the two GEO datasets, 13 ferroptosis DEGs (11 upregulated genes and two downregulated genes) were identified in CD with thresholds of P<0.05 and |log2 fold change|>1, and were selected for further analysis. PPI analysis indicated the mutual effects among these genes and filtered out five hub genes. The top 10 potential targeted drugs were selected. The qPCR results showed that the expression levels of three genes, namely, IL-6, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and dual oxidase 2 (DUOX2), were different between CD samples and healthy samples. This result was consistent with the results obtained from the bioinformatics analysis. In conclusion, bioinformatics analysis identified a total of 13 ferroptosis-associated genes in CD. Further verification by qPCR showed that IL-6, PTGS2 and DUOX2 may affect the process of CD by regulating ferroptosis. These findings might provide new biomarkers, diagnostic and therapeutic markers for CD.

Fermentation enhances the amelioration effect of bee pollen on Caco-2 monolayer epithelial barrier dysfunction based on NF-κB-mediated MLCK-MLC signaling pathway

Intestinal barrier integrity is essential for normal nutrient digestion and absorption and disease resistance. This study aims to investigate how fermentation affects the ameliorative effect of bee pollen on the intestinal barrier dysfunction stimulated by interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor (IFN-γ/TNF-α) cytokines. The results indicated that fermentation enhances the alleviating effect of bee pollen on intestinal barrier dysfunction (including elevated trans epithelial electrical resistance and decreased paracellular permeability). In addition, fermented bee pollen (FBP) significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the secretion levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-1β and expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein in intestinal barrier cells. Furthermore, fermentation improved the ability of bee pollen to up-regulate the expression of tight junction proteins including zonula occludens (ZO)-1, occluding, and claudin-1. Notably, FBP showed stronger ability to inhibit the expression of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) mediated myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and myosin light chain (MLC) signaling pathway associated with phosphorylated proteins. Overall, our results indicated that fermentation enhances the protective effect of bee pollen on the intestinal barrier, and FBP has promising potential to be used as a novel functional food to protect the intestinal barrier.

Inflammation affects the pharmacokinetics of risperidone: Does the dose need to be adjusted during the acute-phase reaction?

BACKGROUND

Several studies have indicated that the plasma concentration of risperidone increases 3-5-fold during the acute-phase reaction (APR) of inflammation or infection. Psychiatric symptoms are present or deteriorate when the dose is lowered; thus, the complex effects of inflammation on the pharmacokinetics of risperidone need to be examined.

METHODS

We established a APR model in rabbits induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and studied the effect of APR on pharmacokinetics, distribution and disposition of risperidone in vivo and in vitro.

RESULTS

Following intramuscular administration, the plasma exposures for risperidone and its active metabolite (9-hydroxyrisperidone) were increased approximately 6-fold on day 2 of inflammation. The exposure values did not change between day 2 and 5 of inflammation, nor did the metabolite-to-parent ratio before and during inflammation. Following oral administration, the increase of risperidone exposure was twice as high as that following intramuscular administration during APR. However, the concentration of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone in brain tissue was similar between the inflammatory and control groups. Moreover, the plasma protein binding (PPB) of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone associated with inflammation were all increased to >99 %. In addition, risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone were not substrates of the key transporters, OATP1B3, OCT2, OAT3, MATE-1, or MATE-2 K. The expression of progesterone X receptor and P-glycoprotein was inhibited by LPS.

CONCLUSION

During APR, reduced expression of P-glycoprotein and increased PPB were responsible for increased exposure in plasma, while maintaining stable concentrations in the brain, and risperidone does not need to be dose-adjusted so as to achieve psychopharmacological outcomes.

Pharmacological benefits of Acacia against metabolic diseases: intestinal-level bioactivities and favorable modulation of gut microbiota

CONTEXT

Obesity-associated chronic metabolic disease is a leading contributor to mortality globally. Plants belonging to the genera Acacia are routinely used for the treatment of diverse metabolic diseases under different ethnomedicinal practices around the globe.

OBJECTIVE

The current review centres around the pharmacological evidence of intestinal-level mechanisms for metabolic health benefits by Acacia spp.

RESULTS

Acacia spp. increase the proportions of gut commensals (Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus) and reduces the population of opportunistic pathobionts (Escherichia coli and Clostridium). Acacia gum that is rich in fibre, can also be a source of prebiotics to improve gut health. The intestinal-level anti-inflammatory activities of Acacia are likely to contribute to improvements in gut barrier function that would prevent gut-to-systemic endotoxin translocation and limit "low-grade" inflammation associated with metabolic diseases.

CONCLUSION

This comprehensive review for the first time has emphasised the intestinal-level benefits of Acacia spp. which could be instrumental in limiting the burden of metabolic disease.

Wheat peptides inhibit the activation of MAPK and NF-κB inflammatory pathways and maintain epithelial barrier integrity in NSAID-induced intestinal epithelial injury

The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has negative effects on the gastrointestinal tract, but the proton pump inhibitors currently in use only protect against gastrointestinal disease and may even make NSAID-induced enteropathy worse. Therefore, new approaches to treating enteropathy are required. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of wheat peptides (WPs) against NSAID-induced intestinal damage in mice and their mechanism. Here, an in vivo mouse model was built to investigate the protective and reparative effects of different concentrations of WPs on NSAID-induced intestinal injury. WPs ameliorated NSAID-induced weight loss and small intestinal tissue damage in mice. WP treatment inhibited NSAID-induced injury leading to increased levels of oxidative stress and expression levels of inflammatory factors. WPs protected and repaired the integrity and permeability injury of the intestinal tight junction induced by NSAIDs. An in vitro Caco-2 cell model was built with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). WP pretreatment inhibited LPS-induced changes in the Caco-2 cell permeability and elevated the levels of oxidative stress. WPs inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways and reduced the expression of inflammatory factors. In addition, WPs increased tight junction protein expression, which contributed to improved intestinal epithelial dysfunction. Our results suggest that WPs can ameliorate NSAID-induced impairment of intestinal barrier functional integrity by improving intestinal oxidative stress levels and reducing inflammatory factor expression through inhibition of NF-κB p65 and MAPK signaling pathway activation. WPs can therefore be used as potential dietary supplements to reduce NSAID-induced injury of the intestine.

Downregulation of Gadd45β alleviates osteoarthritis by repressing lipopolysaccharide-induced fibroblast-like synoviocyte inflammation, proliferation and migration

OBJECTIVE

Gadd45β have a regulatory role in cellular inflammation, proliferation and migration. However, the role of Gadd45β in synovial inflammation in osteoarthritis (OA) remains to be explored. This study aimed to ascertain whether Gadd45β is involved in OA synovial inflammation.

METHODS

The rat model was induced by sodium iodoacetate and the cellular model was constructed with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs). siRNA was applied to interfere with the expression of intracellular Gadd45β. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were used to detect the expression of Gadd45β mRNA and protein. The inflammation, proliferation, and migration of OA-FLSs were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell scratch assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay, etc. The effect of downregulation of Gadd45β on the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway was investigated.

RESULTS

Expression of Gadd45β in OA rat synovial tissues and OA-FLSs was increased, and LPS treatment promoted cell proliferation and enhanced cell migration. Gadd45β interference inhibited the inflammation, proliferation and migration of cells induced by LPS. LPS promoted P65 expression in the nucleus and activated the NF-κB signaling pathway, whereas si-Gadd45β reversed this situation.

CONCLUSIONS

si-Gadd45β inhibited the inflammatory response, proliferation and migration of FLSs, and activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which could delay the progression of OA. Hence, it may become a potential therapeutic target for OA.

Isoquercitrin alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage in mice by regulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and intestinal flora

Intestinal mucosal barrier damage is closely associated with the development of several intestinal inflammatory diseases. Isoquercitrin (IQ) is a natural flavonoid compound derived from plants, which exhibits high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity with minimal side effects in humans. Therefore, it shows great potential for preventing and treating intestinal mucosal barrier damage. This study aims to investigate the ameliorative effect and mechanism of IQ on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage in mice. The mice were treated with IQ for 7 days and then injected with LPS to induce intestinal mucosal barrier damage. The results revealed that IQ treatment alleviated LPS-induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage in mice, which can be evidenced by the improvements in intestinal morphology and the promotion of expression in intestinal tight junctions (ZO-1, Claudin-1, and Occludin), as well as MUC2 mucin. IQ also attenuated intestinal inflammatory responses by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and reducing the expression and plasma levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Furthermore, IQ significantly increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, including Dubosiella, Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibaculum rodentium, while suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria such as Mucispirillum schaedleri in the intestinal flora of mice. Consequently, IQ can alleviate the LPS-induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage in mice by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and modulating the intestinal flora.

Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation Explore the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Herb Pair for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to elucidate the multitarget mechanism of the Mori Ramulus - Taxilli Herba (MT) herb pair in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

The targets of the herb pair and RA were predicted from databases and screened through cross-analysis. The core targets were obtained using protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed. Finally, animal experiments were conducted to validate the anti-RA effect and mechanism of this herb pair.

RESULTS

This approach successfully identified 9 active compounds of MT that interacted with 6 core targets (AKT1, TNF, IL6, TP53, VEGFA, and IL1β). Pathway and functional enrichment analyses revealed that MT had significant effects on the TNF and IL-17 signaling pathways. The consistency of interactions between active components and targets in these pathways was confirmed through molecular docking. Moreover, the potential therapeutic effect of MT was verified in vivo, demonstrating its ability to effectively relieve inflammation by regulating these targeted genes and pathways.

CONCLUSION

The present work suggests that the therapeutic effect of MT herb pair on RA may be attributed to its ability to regulate the TNF signaling pathway and IL-17 signaling pathway.

Game of microbes: the battle within - gut microbiota and multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to the pathobiology of the disease. While human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes have emerged as the strongest genetic factor, consensus on environmental risk factors are lacking. Recently, trillions of microbes residing in our gut (microbiome) have emerged as a potential environmental factor linked with the pathobiology of MS as PwMS show gut microbial dysbiosis (altered gut microbiome). Thus, there has been a strong emphasis on understanding the factors (host and environmental) regulating the composition of the gut microbiota and the mechanism(s) through which gut microbes contribute to MS disease, especially through immune system modulation. A better understanding of these interactions will help harness the enormous potential of the gut microbiota as a therapeutic approach to treating MS.

Gut dysbiosis-related thrombosis in inflammatory bowel disease: Potential disease mechanisms and emerging therapeutic strategies

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of developing venous thromboembolic events, which have a considerable impact on morbidity and mortality. Chronic inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of thrombotic events in patients with IBD. However, many unresolved questions remain, particularly regarding the mechanisms that determine the persistent inflammatory state independent of disease activity. This review explored the role of gut microbiota dysbiosis and intestinal barrier dysfunction, which are considered distinctive features of IBD, in determining pro-thrombotic tendencies. Gut-derived endotoxemia due to the translocation of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from the intestine to the bloodstream and the bacterial metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) are the most important molecules involved in gut dysbiosis-related thrombosis. The pathogenic prothrombotic pathways linked to LPS and TMAO have been discussed. Finally, we present emerging therapeutic approaches that can help reduce LPS-mediated endotoxemia and TMAO, such as restoring intestinal eubiosis, normalizing intestinal barrier function, and counterbalancing the effects of LPS and TMAO.

Alterations of gut microbiota biodiversity and relative abundance in women with PCOS: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have implicated that the gut microbiota is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, a comprehensive data-based summary shown that the effects of the PCOS on the gut microbiota is minimal. We aim to assess the alterations of gut microbiota in women with PCOS.

METHODS

An electronic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library and Ovid was conducted for eligible studies published from inception to 28 March 2023, without any language or regional restrictions. We used Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) to complete the assessment of the risk of bias and Stata 15.1 software to performed meta-analysis.

RESULTS

There were 19 human observational studies in total with 617 women with PCOS and 439 healthy individuals were identified. Compared to the control group, the Chao index (WMD -28.88, 95% CI -45.78 to -11.98, I2 = 100%), Shannon index (WMD -0.11, 95% CI -0.18 to 0.00, I2 = 92.2%); and observed operational taxonomic units (OTUs) counts (WMD - 23.48, 95% CI -34.44 to -12. 53, I2 = 99.6%) were significantly lower in women with PCOS. The relative abundance of Bacteroidaceae was significantly higher (WMD 0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.22, I2 = 9.2%), however there were no statistical differences in Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Alcaligenaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, Clostridiaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Prevotellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Veillonellaceae, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Blautia, Dialister, Escherichia-Shigella, Faecalibacterium, Lachnoclostridium, Lachnospira, Megamonas, Phascolarctobacterium, Prevotella, Roseburia, and Subdoligranulum.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated the alpha diversity of gut microbiota and the relative abundance of Bacteroidaceae in women with PCOS are altered. The results indicates that dysbiosis may be a potential pathogenetic factor in PCOS and provided reliable information to investigate the role of gut microbiota in the development and progression of PCOS.

Natural Products: A Dependable Source of Therapeutic Alternatives for Inflammatory Bowel Disease through Regulation of Tight Junctions

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract and mucosal layer and lead to intestinal damage and intestinal dysfunction. IBD is an inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract that significantly impacts public health development. Monoclonal antibodies and other synthetic medications are currently used to treat IBD, but they are suspected of producing serious side effects and causing a number of other problems with long-term use. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that organic macromolecules from plants and animals have an alleviating effect on IBD-related problems, and many of them are also capable of altering enzymatic function, reducing oxidative stress, and inhibiting the production of cytokines and release of proinflammatory transcriptional factors. Thus, in this paper, the natural products with potential anti-IBD activities and their mechanism of action were reviewed, with a focus on the protective effects of natural products on intestinal barrier integrity and the regulation of tight junction protein expression and remodeling. In conclusion, the insights provided in the present review will be useful for further exploration and development of natural products for the treatment of IBD.

A Critical Review of Kaempferol in Intestinal Health and Diseases

Kaempferol, a secondary metabolite found in plants, is a naturally occurring flavonoid displaying significant potential in various biological activities. The chemical structure of kaempferol is distinguished by the presence of phenyl rings and four hydroxyl substituents, which make it an exceptional radical scavenger. Most recently, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated the significance of kaempferol in the regulation of intestinal function and the mitigation of intestinal inflammation. The focus of the review will primarily be on its impact in terms of antioxidant properties, inflammation, maintenance of intestinal barrier function, and its potential in the treatment of colorectal cancer and obesity. Future research endeavors should additionally give priority to investigating the specific dosage and duration of kaempferol administration for different pathological conditions, while simultaneously conducting deeper investigations into the comprehensible mechanisms of action related to the regulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). This review intends to present novel evidence supporting the utilization of kaempferol in the regulation of gut health and the management of associated diseases.

Blood myeloid cells differentiate to lung resident cells and respond to pathogen stimuli in a 3D human tissue-engineered lung model

Introduction: Respiratory infections remain a leading global health concern. Models that recapitulate the cellular complexity of the lower airway of humans will provide important information about how the immune response reflects the interactions between diverse cell types during infection. We developed a 3D human tissue-engineered lung model (3D-HTLM) composed of primary human pulmonary epithelial and endothelial cells with added blood myeloid cells that allows assessment of the innate immune response to respiratory infection. Methods: The 3D-HTLM consists of small airway epithelial cells grown at air-liquid interface layered on fibroblasts within a collagen matrix atop a permeable membrane with pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells layered underneath. After the epithelial and endothelial layers had reached confluency, an enriched blood monocyte population, containing mostly CD14+ monocytes (Mo) with minor subsets of CD1c+ classical dendritic cells (cDC2s), monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DCs), and CD16+ non-classical monocytes, was added to the endothelial side of the model. Results: Immunofluorescence imaging showed the myeloid cells migrate through and reside within each layer of the model. The myeloid cell subsets adapted to the lung environment in the 3D-HTLM, with increased proportions of the recovered cells expressing lung tissue resident markers CD206, CD169, and CD163 compared with blood myeloid cells, including a population with features of alveolar macrophages. Myeloid subsets recovered from the 3D-HTLM displayed increased expression of HLA-DR and the co-stimulatory markers CD86, CD40, and PDL1. Upon stimulation of the 3D-HTLM with the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the CD31+ endothelial cells increased expression of ICAM-1 and the production of IL-10 and TNFα was dependent on the presence of myeloid cells. Challenge with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) led to increased expression of macrophage activation and antiviral pathway genes by cells in the 3D-HTLM. Discussion: The 3D-HTLM provides a lower airway environment that promotes differentiation of blood myeloid cells into lung tissue resident cells and enables the study of respiratory infection in a physiological cellular context.

Regulatory Roles of Flavonoids in Caspase-11 Non-Canonical Inflammasome-Mediated Inflammatory Responses and Diseases

Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes that activate inflammatory responses by inducing pyroptosis and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Along with many previous studies on inflammatory responses and diseases induced by canonical inflammasomes, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated that non-canonical inflammasomes, such as mouse caspase-11 and human caspase-4 inflammasomes, are emerging key players in inflammatory responses and various diseases. Flavonoids are natural bioactive compounds found in plants, fruits, vegetables, and teas and have pharmacological properties in a wide range of human diseases. Many studies have successfully demonstrated that flavonoids play an anti-inflammatory role and ameliorate many inflammatory diseases by inhibiting canonical inflammasomes. Others have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory roles of flavonoids in inflammatory responses and various diseases, with a new mechanism by which flavonoids inhibit non-canonical inflammasomes. This review discusses recent studies that have investigated the anti-inflammatory roles and pharmacological properties of flavonoids in inflammatory responses and diseases induced by non-canonical inflammasomes and further provides insight into developing flavonoid-based therapeutics as potential nutraceuticals against human inflammatory diseases.

New Insights of Biological Functions of Natural Polyphenols in Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases

The intestine is critically crucial for nutrient absorption and host defense against exogenous stimuli. Inflammation-related intestinal diseases, including enteritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and colorectal cancer (CRC), are heavy burdens for human beings due to their high incidence and devastating clinical symptoms. Current studies have confirmed that inflammatory responses, along with oxidative stress and dysbiosis as critical pathogenesis, are involved in most intestinal diseases. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites derived from plants, which possess convincible anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as regulation of intestinal microbiome, indicating the potential applications in enterocolitis and CRC. Actually, accumulating studies based on the biological functions of polyphenols have been performed to investigate the functional roles and underlying mechanisms over the last few decades. Based on the mounting evidence of literature, the objective of this review is to outline the current research progress regarding the category, biological functions, and metabolism of polyphenols within the intestine, as well as applications for the prevention and treatment of intestinal diseases, which might provide ever-expanding new insights for the utilization of natural polyphenols.

Mesenchymal stromal cell-derived membrane particles: A novel cell-free therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis, are chronic and idiopathic inflammations of the gastrointestinal tract. A disruption of the epithelial barrier and an imbalance between Th1 and Th2 subsets are associated with the onset and progression of these diseases. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are a promising therapy for IBD. However, cell-tracking studies have shown that intravenously infused MSC localize to the lungs and present short-term survival. To reduce practical complexities arising from living cells, we generated membrane particles (MP) from MSC membranes, which possess some of the immunomodulatory properties of MSC. This study investigated the effect of MSC-derived MP and conditioned media (CM) as cell-free therapies in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model. Acute colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by oral administration of 2% DSS in drinking water ad libitum from days 0 to 7. Mice were treated with MP, CM, or living MSC on days 2 and 5. Our findings revealed that MP, CM, and living MSC ameliorated DSS-induced colitis by reducing colonic inflammation, the loss of colonic goblet cells, and intestinal mucosa permeability, preventing apoptosis of damaged colonic cells and balancing Th1 and Th2 activity. Therefore, MSC-derived MP have high therapeutic potential for treating IBD, overcoming the deficiencies of living MSC therapy, and opening novel frontiers in inflammatory diseases medicine.

Research progress on the utilization technology of broccoli stalk, leaf resources, and the mechanism of action of its bioactive substances

Broccoli is a nutritious vegetable. It is high in protein, minerals, and vitamins. Also, it possesses antioxidant activities and is beneficial to the human body. Due to its active effect, broccoli is widely accepted by people in daily life. However, in terms of current utilization, only its florets are consumed as vegetables, while more than half of its stalks and leaves are not utilized. The stalks and leaves contain not only nutrients but also bioactive substances with physiologically regulating properties. Therefore research into the action and mechanism of its bioactive substances as well as its development and utilization technology will make contributions to the further promotion of its resource development and utilization. As a theoretical foundation for the resource utilization of broccoli stalks and leaves, this report will review the distribution and consumption of broccoli germplasm resources, the mechanism of action of bioactive substances, and innovative methods for their exploitation.

Quercetin Reprograms Immunometabolism of Macrophages via the SIRT1/PGC-1α Signaling Pathway to Ameliorate Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Oxidative Damage

The redox system is closely related to changes in cellular metabolism. Regulating immune cell metabolism and preventing abnormal activation by adding antioxidants may become an effective treatment for oxidative stress and inflammation-related diseases. Quercetin is a naturally sourced flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, whether quercetin can inhibit LPS-induced oxidative stress in inflammatory macrophages by affecting immunometabolism has been rarely reported. Therefore, the present study combined cell biology and molecular biology methods to investigate the antioxidant effect and mechanism of quercetin in LPS-induced inflammatory macrophages at the RNA and protein levels. Firstly, quercetin was found to attenuate the effect of LPS on macrophage proliferation and reduce LPS-induced cell proliferation and pseudopodia formation by inhibiting cell differentiation, as measured by cell activity and proliferation. Subsequently, through the detection of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory factors and antioxidant enzyme activity, it was found that quercetin can improve the antioxidant enzyme activity of inflammatory macrophages and inhibit their ROS production and overexpression of inflammatory factors. In addition, the results of mitochondrial morphology and mitochondrial function assays showed that quercetin could upregulate the mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP production and ATP synthase content decrease induced by LPS, and reverse the mitochondrial morphology damage to a certain extent. Finally, Western blotting analysis demonstrated that quercetin significantly upregulated the protein expressions of SIRT1 and PGC-1α, that were inhibited by LPS. And the inhibitory effects of quercetin on LPS-induced ROS production in macrophages and the protective effects on mitochondrial morphology and membrane potential were significantly decreased by the addition of SIRT1 inhibitors. These results suggested that quercetin reprograms the mitochondria metabolism of macrophages through the SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway, thereby exerting its effect of alleviating LPS-induced oxidative stress damage.

Biodegradable Polymeric Nanoparticles Loaded with Flavonoids: A Promising Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of disorders that cause chronic non-specific inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, primarily affecting the ileum and colon. The incidence of IBD has risen sharply in recent years. Despite continuous research efforts over the past decades, the aetiology of IBD is still not fully understood and only a limited number of drugs are available for its treatment. Flavonoids, a ubiquitous class of natural chemicals found in plants, have been widely used in the prevention and treatment of IBD. However, their therapeutic efficacy is unsatisfactory due to poor solubility, instability, rapid metabolism, and rapid systemic elimination. With the development of nanomedicine, nanocarriers can efficiently encapsulate various flavonoids and subsequently form nanoparticles (NPs), which greatly improves the stability and bioavailability of flavonoids. Recently, progress has also been made in the methodology of biodegradable polymers that can be used to fabricate NPs. As a result, NPs can significantly enhance the preventive or therapeutic effects of flavonoids on IBD. In this review, we aim to evaluate the therapeutic effect of flavonoid NPs on IBD. Furthermore, we discuss possible challenges and future perspectives.

Heterogenous morphogenesis of Caco-2 cells reveals that flow induces three-dimensional growth and maturation at high initial seeding cell densities

Here, we introduce a customized hanging insert fitting a six-well plate to culture Caco-2 cells on hydrogel membranes under flow conditions. The cells are cultured in the apical channel-like chamber, which provides about 1.3 dyn/cm² shear, while the basolateral chamber is mixed when the device is rocked. The device was tested by investigating the functional impact of the initial seeding density in combination with flow applied at confluency. The low seeding density cultures grew in two dimensional (2D) irrespective of the flow. Flow and higher seeding density resulted in a mixture of three dimensional (3D) structures and 2D layers. Static culture and high cell seeding density resulted in 2D layers. The flow increased the height and ZO-1 expression of cells in 2D layers, which correlated with an improved barrier function. Cultures with 3D structures had higher ZO-1 expression than 2D cultures, but this did not correlate with an increased barrier function. 2D monolayers in static and dynamic cultures had similar morphology and heterogeneity in the expression of Mucin-2 and Villin, while the 3D structures had generally higher expression of these markers. The result shows that the cell density and flow determine 3D growth and that the highest barrier function was obtained with low-density cultures and flow.

Barley β-glucan inhibits digestion of soybean oil in vitro and lipid-lowering effects of digested products in cell co-culture model

The effect of barley β-glucan on soybean oil digestion characteristics before and after fermentation was studied in an in vitro-simulated gastrointestinal digestion model. The addition of barley β-glucan made the system more unstable, the particle size increased significantly, and confocal laser imaging showed that it was easier to form agglomerates. The addition of barley β-glucan increased the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in digestion products, and reduced digestibility of soybean oil. In a co-culture model of Caco-2/HT29 and HepG2 cells, the effects of digestive products of soybean oil and barley β-glucan before and after fermentation on lipid metabolism in HepG2 cells were investigated. The results showed that adding only soybean oil digestion products significantly increased triglycerides (TG) content and lipid accumulation in basolateral HepG2 cells. When fermented barley β-glucan was added, lipid deposition was significantly decreased, and the lipid-lowering activity was better than that of unfermented barley β-glucan.

Gas-Mediated Intestinal Microbiome Regulation Prompts the Methanol Extract of Schizonepetae Spica to Relieve Colitis

Intestinal dysbiosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of colitis (UC). Schizonepetae Herba can achieve anti-inflammatory effects as a medicine and food homologous vegetable. Luteolin, eriodictyol, fisetin, and kaempferol are the main anti-inflammatory active compounds obtained through mass spectrometry from the methanol extract of Schizonepetae Spica (JJSM). JJSM intervention resulted in attenuated weight loss, high disease-activity-index score, colon length shortening and colonic pathological damage in DSS-induced colitis mice. Interestingly, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) was inhibited remarkably, which is helpful to elucidate the relationship between active substance and intestinal flora. Furthermore, JJSM administration improved intestinal flora with down-regulating the abundance of harmful bacteria such as Clostridiales and Desulfovibrio and up-regulating the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Muribaculaceae and Ligolactobacillus and enhanced the production of SCFAs. It is worth noticing that Desulfovibrio is related to the production of intestinal gas H₂S. The elevated levels of Desulfovibrio and H₂S will hasten the onset of colitis, which is a crucial risk factor for colitis. The results displayed that JJSM could considerably ameliorate colitis by rebuilding H₂S-related intestinal flora, which provides a new therapeutic strategy for Schizonepetae Spica to be utilized as a functional food and considered as an emerging candidate for intestinal inflammation.

Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder Alleviates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats via Inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathway to Repair the Intestinal Epithelial Barrier, and Modulating Intestinal Microbiota

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic non-specific inflammatory disease of the intestine, which is prone to recurrence and difficult to cure. Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang powder (YFBP), as a classic Chinese herbal formula, is commonly used in the clinical treatment of UC. However, its potential mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which YFBP exerts a therapeutic effect against UC. Firstly, we used network pharmacology to screen the active ingredients and potential targets of YFBP and constructed a "drug-ingredient-target" network. Based on bioinformatics, we searched for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with UC and obtained common targets. The core targets of YFBP in the treatment of UC were identified using a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and molecular docking techniques were used to evaluate the binding energies of the core targets and corresponding ingredients. Enrichment analysis by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) revealed that YFBP exerted therapeutic effects by regulating multiple inflammatory pathways including TLR4, NF-κB, and TNF. Secondly, an experimental study was carried out in vivo for verification. Our results demonstrated that YFBP could effectively improve the symptoms and intestinal pathological of UC rats. Further study showed that YFBP could significantly downregulate the expressions of TLR4 and p-NF-κB p65 in UC rats, inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, reduce the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α, and then upregulate the expressions of tight junction proteins in intestinal epithelial cells. In addition, YFBP could improve the intestinal microbial community. In conclusion, our study revealed that YFBP had a good therapeutic effect on UC, and its mechanism might be related to the inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway to repair intestinal epithelial barrier and the modulation of intestinal microbiota.

Ginseng Sprouts Attenuate Mortality and Systemic Inflammation by Modulating TLR4/NF-κB Signaling in an LPS-Induced Mouse Model of Sepsis

Sepsis leads to multi-organ failure due to aggressive systemic inflammation, which is one of the main causes of death clinically. This study aimed to evaluate whether ginseng sprout extracts (GSE) can rescue sepsis and explore its underlying mechanisms. C57BL/6J male mice (n = 15/group) were pre-administered with GSE (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, p.o) for 5 days, and a single injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 30 mg/kg, i.p) was administered to construct a sepsis model. Additionally, RAW264.7 cells were treated with LPS with/without GSE/its main components (Rd and Re) to explain the mechanisms corresponding to the animal-derived effects. LPS injection led to the death of all mice within 38 h, while GSE pretreatment delayed the time to death. GSE pretreatment also notably ameliorated LPS-induced systemic inflammation such as histological destruction in both the lung and liver, along with reductions in inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, in both tissues and serum. Additionally, GSE markedly diminished the drastic secretion of nitric oxide (NO) by suppressing the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) in both tissues. Similar changes in TNF-α, IL-1β, NO, iNOS, and COX2 were observed in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, and protein expression data and nuclear translocation assays suggested GSE could modulate LPS-binding protein (LBP), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and NF-κB. Ginsenoside Rd could be a major active component in GSE that produces the anti-sepsis effects. Our data support that ginseng sprouts could be used as an herbal resource to reduce the risk of sepsis. The corresponding mechanisms may involve TLR4/NF-κB signaling and a potentially active component.

The Interaction between Flavonoids and Intestinal Microbes: A Review

In recent years, research on the interaction between flavonoids and intestinal microbes have prompted a rash of food science, nutriology and biomedicine, complying with future research trends. The gut microbiota plays an essential role in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and human health, but once the intestinal flora dysregulation occurs, it may contribute to various diseases. Flavonoids have shown a variety of physiological activities, and are metabolized or biotransformed by gut microbiota, thereby producing new metabolites that promote human health by modulating the composition and structure of intestinal flora. Herein, this review demonstrates the key notion of flavonoids as well as intestinal microbiota and dysbiosis, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding about how flavonoids regulate the diseases by gut microbiota. Emphasis is placed on the microbiota-flavonoid bidirectional interaction that affects the metabolic fate of flavonoids and their metabolites, thereby influencing their metabolic mechanism, biotransformation, bioavailability and bioactivity. Potentially by focusing on the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota as well as their metabolites such as bile acids, we discuss the influence mechanism of flavonoids on intestinal microbiota by protecting the intestinal barrier function and immune system. Additionally, the microbiota-flavonoid bidirectional interaction plays a crucial role in regulating various diseases. We explain the underlying regulation mechanism of several typical diseases including gastrointestinal diseases, obesity, diabetes and cancer, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and guideline for the promotion of gastrointestinal health as well as the treatment of diseases.

Potential implications of polyphenolic compounds in neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are common chronic diseases related to progressive damage to the nervous system. Current neurodegenerative diseases present difficulties and despite extensive research efforts to develop new disease-modifying therapies, there is still no effective treatment for halting the neurodegenerative process. Polyphenols are biologically active organic compounds abundantly found in various plants. It has been reported that plant-derived dietary polyphenols may improve some disease states and promote health. Emerging pieces of evidence indicate that polyphenols are associated with neurodegenerative diseases. This review aims to overview the potential neuroprotective roles of polyphenols in most common neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and ischemic stroke.

A comprehensive and mechanistic review on protective effects of kaempferol against natural and chemical toxins: Role of NF-κB inhibition and Nrf2 activation

Different toxins, including chemicals and natural, can be entered from various routes and influence human health. Herbal medicines and their active components can attenuate the toxicity of agents via multiple mechanisms. For example, kaempferol, as a flavonoid, can be found in fruits and vegetables, and has an essential role in improving disorders such as cardiovascular disorders, neurological diseases, cancer, pain, and inflammation situations. The beneficial effects of kaempferol may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress, attenuation of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nuclear factor ĸB (NF-ĸB) as well as the modulation of apoptosis and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. This flavonoid boasts a wide spectrum of toxin targeting effects in tissue fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress thus shows promising protective effects against natural and chemical toxin induced hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, lung, and intestinal in the in vitro and in vivo setting. The most remarkable aspect of kaempferol is that it does not focus its efforts on just one organ or one molecular pathway. Although its significance as a treatment option remains questionable and requires more clinical studies, it seems to be a low-risk therapeutic option. It is crucial to emphasize that kaempferol's poor bioavailability is a significant barrier to its use as a therapeutic option. Nanotechnology can be a promising way to overcome this challenge, reviving optimism in using kaempferol as a viable treatment agent against toxin-induced disorders.

Fructus ligustri lucidi suppresses inflammation and restores the microbiome profile in murine colitis models

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is pathologically characterized by an inappropriate immune response to the gut commensal microbes accompanied by persistent epithelial barrier dysfunction, and its progression increases the susceptibility to colitis-associated cancer (CAC), as well as other complications. Fructus ligustri lucidi (FLL) has a long historical application in traditional Chinese medicine due to its various pharmacological effects, including antioxidation and anti-inflammation. The present study aimed to explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms of FLL in treating colitis.

METHODS

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with ultraviolet (UV) was performed to validate the quality of FLL; Network pharmacology analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database predicted the therapeutic value of FLL against UC and CAC; 2% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) was administered to mice to establish murine models of experimental colitis, and FLL was given for the next 14 days at different concentrations; 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics were performed on fecal samples to delineate the alteration in microbiome profile; Western blotting, flow cytometry, and immunocytochemistry experiments were conducted to confirm the predicted cellular mechanisms.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology analysis and WGCNA predicted that the targets of the FLL were associated with the progression of UC and the survival of patients with colorectal cancer by regulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-17 signaling pathways, immune cell functions, responses to bacterial and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cell proliferation. In vivo experiments corroborated that the high dose of FLL significantly attenuated the progression of experimental colitis by reversing the weight loss and bloody stool, reconstructing the integrity of colorectal epithelium, and suppressing the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, FLL treatment reduced the transition of macrophages (Mφs) to the proinflammatory phenotype and promoted Mφs-regulated wound healing, and suppressed the production of ROS in intestinal organoids (IOs) and crypts. 16S rRNA and untargeted metabolomics showed that the administration of FLL inhibited DSS-caused colonization of the potentially pathogenic gut microorganisms and reversed DSS-influenced metabolic profile.

CONCLUSION

FLL is a potent anti-colitis drug by suppressing inflammation and rescuing dysbiosis.

Acute Endotoxemia-Induced Respiratory and Intestinal Dysbiosis

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a severe condition characterized by systemic inflammation, which may lead to multiple organ failure, shock and death. SIRS is common in burn patients, pancreatitis and sepsis. SIRS is often accompanied by intestinal dysbiosis. However, the mechanism, role and details of microbiome alterations during the early phase of acute SIRS are not completely understood. The current study aimed to characterize the dynamic alterations of both the intestinal and respiratory microbiome at two timepoints during the early phase of acute SIRS (4 and 8 h after LPS) and link these to the host response in a mouse model of a LPS-induced lethal SIRS. Acute SIRS had no effect on the microbiome in the large intestine but induced a rapid dysbiosis in the small intestine, which resembled the microbiome alterations commonly observed in SIRS patients. Later in the disease progression, a dysbiosis of the respiratory microbiome was observed, which was associated with the MMP9 expression in the lungs. Although similar bacteria were increased in both the lung and the small intestine, no evidence for a gut-lung translocation was observed. Gut dysbiosis is commonly observed in diseases involving inflammation in the gut. However, whether the inflammatory response associated with SIRS and sepsis can directly cause gut dysbiosis was still unclear. In the current study we provide evidence that a LPS-induced SIRS can directly cause dysbiosis of the small intestinal and respiratory microbiome.

Hedysarum multijugum Maxim treats ulcerative colitis through the PI3K-AKT and TNF signaling pathway according to network pharmacology and molecular docking

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that prevails mainly in western countries. Due to the unknown etiology of UC, the purpose of treatments has predominantly comprised symptomatic and pain relief. With extensive research focusing on the pathogenesis of UC, various novel treatments have emerged, although their efficiency has remained unsatisfactory. Hedysarum multijugum Maxim (HMM), a crucial constituent of traditional Chinese medicine, has a broad application in many diseases and has been found beneficial for UC patients.

METHODS

In this study, network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses were applied to explore the potential mechanism of HMM treating UC. Active ingredients of HMM and target genes were acquired from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). UC-related genes were obtained from three disease databases. Common genes were selected from these two gene sets, and a compound-genes network was drawn by Cytoscape. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses were performed to identify the essential pathways and proteins in UC.

RESULTS

A total of 121 genes were found related to UC and targeted by HMM. The GO and KEGG analyses showed that these genes were associated with inflammation and immune signaling pathways and inflammation-related biological processes (BP) such as the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways. Four active ingredients (quercetin, kaempferol, formononetin, and isorhamnetin) and five genes (RELA, MAPK14, MAPK1, JUN, AKT1) were reserved after screening. Molecular docking further showed that the receptor had a high binding affinity with HMM active ingredients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that HMM treats UC through four active ingredients (quercetin, kaempferol, formononetin, and isorhamnetin) targeting five hub genes (RELA, MAPK14, MAPK1, JUN, AKT1) by regulating the PI3K-AKT1 and TNF signaling pathways.