Black Adzuki Bean ( Vigna angularis ) Attenuates High-Fat Diet-Induced Colon Inflammation in Mice

Black beans (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) included in a multi-grain rice reduce total cholesterol and enhance antioxidant capacity in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

This study investigated the effects of black bean (BB) supplementation on the growth performance, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant capacity of high-fat diet-induced obese mice. The results demonstrated that although the inclusion of BBs led to increased body weight, total energy intake, and feed efficiency ratio, it did not significantly alter the overall body composition, including adiposity. Notably, BB consumption reduced total cholesterol levels, suggesting its potential to manage dyslipidemia and reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, BBs significantly enhanced in the total antioxidant capacity, as indicated by the notable increase in both the total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity. These findings provide significant insights into the promising health benefits of BBs in the context of metabolic syndrome and related health complications.

The Potential of the Adzuki Bean (Vigna angularis) and Its Bioactive Compounds in Managing Type 2 Diabetes and Glucose Metabolism: A Narrative Review

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a common noncommunicable disease. In the United States alone, 37 million Americans had diabetes in 2017. The adzuki bean (Vigna angularis), a legume, has been reported to possess antidiabetic benefits. However, the extent and specific mechanisms through which adzuki bean consumption may contribute to T2D prevention and management remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of this narrative review is to analyze current evidence supporting the utilization of adzuki beans in the diet as a strategy for preventing and managing T2D. Animal studies have demonstrated a positive impact of adzuki beans on managing T2D. However, supporting data from humans are limited. Conversely, the potential of adzuki bean consumption in preventing T2D via modulating two T2D risk factors (obesity and dyslipidemia) also lacks conclusive evidence. Animal studies have suggested an inconsistent and even contradictory relationship between adzuki bean consumption and the management of obesity and dyslipidemia, in which both positive and negative relationships are reported. In sum, based on the existing scientific literature, this review found that the effects of adzuki bean consumption on preventing and managing T2D in humans remain undetermined. Consequently, human randomized controlled trials are needed to elucidate the potential benefits of the adzuki bean and its bioactive components in the prevention and management of T2D.

Nutritional Composition, Efficacy, and Processing of Vigna angularis (Adzuki Bean) for the Human Diet: An Overview

Adzuki beans are grown in several countries around the world and are widely popular in Asia, where they are often prepared in various food forms. Adzuki beans are rich in starch, and their proteins contain a balanced variety of amino acids with high lysine content, making up for the lack of protein content of cereals in the daily diet. Therefore, the research on adzuki beans and the development of their products have broad prospects for development. The starch, protein, fat, polysaccharide, and polyphenol contents and compositions of adzuki beans vary greatly among different varieties. The processing characteristic components of adzuki beans, such as starch, isolated protein, and heated flavor, are reported with a view to further promote the processing and development of adzuki bean foods. In addition to favorable edibility, the human health benefits of adzuki beans include antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Furtherly, adzuki beans and extracts have positive effects on the prevention and treatment of diseases, including diabetes, diabetes-induced kidney disease or kidney damage, obesity, and high-fat-induced cognitive decline. This also makes a case for the dual use of adzuki beans for food and medicine and contributes to the promotion of adzuki beans as a healthy, edible legume.

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Colon Cancer Activities of Mung Bean Grown in Burkina Faso

Widely used in traditional medicine in Asia and recently introduced in Burkina Faso under the name Beng-tigré, mung bean is a legume consumed throughout the world and more so in India. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the mung bean grown and consumed in Burkina Faso and to study its biological properties such as anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity of the natural and sprouted seeds. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was tested on Artemia salina larvae, and the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vitro by albumin denaturation method using diclofenac as reference molecule. The anticancer activity of hydro-ethanol extracts was evaluated on rats made cancerous with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) using 5-fluorouracil as reference molecule. The results showed that the highest yield of the plant extraction was observed with the hydro-ethanol solvent, both for the natural form of mung bean (MBN) and for its sprouted form (MBG). The cytotoxicity test showed no toxicity of the extracts toward shrimp larvae. The ethanolic extract of germinated mung bean seeds gave the highest anti-inflammatory activity at 95.13 ± 0.22% inhibition with significant difference (p < 0.05) between the extracts. Cancer induction with DMH was inhibited by both MBN and MBG extracts. The test of preventive effects of the extracts showed the best activity with significant difference in biochemical results. These results confirm that the mung bean grown in Burkina Faso, as a nontoxic legume, is a functional food that can be integrated into the population's dietary habits for a double interest. Moreover, they open perspectives for the research of active principles of plant origin with anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.

Cooked Adzuki Bean Reduces High-Fat Diet-Induced Body Weight Gain, Ameliorates Inflammation, and Modulates Intestinal Homeostasis in Mice

Adzuki bean is widely consumed in East Asia. Although the positive effects of its biologically active ingredients on obesity have been confirmed, the role of whole cooked adzuki bean in preventing obesity and the relationship between the effects and gut microbiota remain unclear. Mice were fed either a low-fat diet (LFD) or high-fat diet (HFD) with or without 15% cooked adzuki bean for 12 weeks. Cooked adzuki bean significantly inhibited weight gain and hepatic steatosis, reduced high levels of serum triacylglycerol (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alleviated systemic inflammation and metabolic endotoxemia in mice fed a HFD. Importantly, cooked adzuki bean regulated gut microbiota composition, decreased the abundance of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-producing bacteria (Desulfovibrionaceae,Helicobacter,and Bilophila), and HFD-dependent taxa (Deferribacteraceae, Ruminiclostridium_9, Ruminiclostridium, Mucispirillum, Oscillibacter, Enterorhabdus, Tyzzerella, Anaerotruncus, Intestinimonas, unclassified_f_Ruminococcaceae, Ruminiclostridium_5, and Ruminococcaceae), and enriched Muribaculaceae, norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Anaeroplasma, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and Lachnospiraceae to alleviate inflammation and metabolic disorders induced by HFD. These findings provide new evidence for understanding the anti-obesity effect of cooked adzuki bean.

Adzuki bean (Vigna angularis): Chemical compositions, physicochemical properties, health benefits, and food applications

Adzuki bean (Vigna angularis), also called red bean, is a legume of Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family. This crop is native to East Asia and is also commercially available in other parts of the world. It is becoming a research focus owing to its distinct nutritional properties (e.g., abundant in polyphenols). The diverse health benefits and multiple utilization of this pulse are associated with its unique composition. However, there is a paucity of reviews focusing on the nutritional properties and potent applications of adzuki beans. This review summarizes the chemical compositions, physicochemical properties, health benefits, processing, and applications of adzuki beans. Suggestions on how to better utilize the adzuki bean are also provided to facilitate its development as a functional grain. Adzuki bean and its components can be further developed into value-added and nutritionally enhanced products.

Inclusion of limited amounts of extruded legumes plus cereal mixes in normocaloric or obesogenic diets for rats: effects on intestinal microbiota composition

BACKGROUND

Differences in the composition of the intestinal microbiota and energetic metabolism between lean and obese populations have been described. Legume consumption has been reported to modulate intestinal microbiota composition. However, to the best of our knowledge, no information can be found in the literature on the effects of consumption of diets containing extruded legume plus cereal mixes on the intestinal microbiota composition of rats. Our purpose was to evaluate the effects on lipids profile (see the accompanying paper) and intestinal microbiota composition (current paper) of incorporating this new food ingredient in normocaloric and obesogenic diets.

RESULTS

Intestinal and fecal qPCR-based microbial composition of rats fed the extruded legumes plus cereal mixes differed (P < 0.05) from controls. Obesogenic diets did not affect bacterial counts. However, the inclusion of the extruded mixes reduced (P < 0.05) log₁₀ counts in some bacterial groups and increased (P < 0.05) counts of Lactobacilli, while others remained unaffected. PCoA at the genus level grouped together Lactobacillus reuteri, Akkermansia miciniphila and species from Parabacteroides, Prevotella, Rikenellaceae, and Lactobacillus with extruded legume plus cereal diets. Feeding on extruded legumes plus cereal mixes was associated with increased mRNA expression of the cytokines IL6 and TNF-α and decreased expression of TLR4.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that the inclusion in the feed of limited amounts of extruded legumes plus cereal mix, providing a diet that is closer to a normal human one, did modulate the intestinal microbiota composition. Taken together, these results point to the protective, health-promoting properties of extruded legume plus cereal mixes.

Effect of vegetable oils with different fatty acid composition on high-fat diet-induced obesity and colon inflammation

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Different fatty acids exert different health benefits. This study investigated the potential protective effects of perilla, olive, and safflower oils on high-fat diet-induced obesity and colon inflammation.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Five-week old, C57BL/6J mice were assigned to 5 groups: low-fat diet (LFD), high-fat diet (HFD) and high-fat diet supplemented with-perilla oil (HPO), olive oil (HOO), and safflower oil (HSO). After 16 weeks of the experimental period, the mice were sacrificed, and blood and tissues were collected. The serum was analyzed for obesity- and inflammation-related biomarkers. Gene expression of the biomarkers in the liver, adipose tissue, and colon tissue was analyzed. Micro-computed tomography (CT) analysis was performed one week before sacrifice.

RESULTS

Treatment with all the three oils significantly improved obesity-induced increases in body weight, liver weight, and epididymal fat weight as well as serum triglyceride and leptin levels. Treatment with perilla oil (PO) and safflower oil (SO) increased adiponectin levels. The micro-CT analysis revealed that PO and SO reduced abdominal fat volume considerably. The mRNA expression of lipogenic genes was reduced in all the three oil-supplemented groups and PO upregulated lipid oxidation in the liver. Supplementation of oils improved macroscopic score, increased colon length, and decreased serum endotoxin and proinflammatory cytokine levels in the colon. The abundance of Bifidobacteria was increased and that of Enterobacteriaceae was reduced in the PO-supplemented group. All three oils reduced proinflammatory cytokine levels, as indicated by the mRNA expression. In addition, PO increased the expression of tight junction proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our data indicate that the three oils exert similar anti-obesity effects. Interestingly, compared with olive oil and SO, PO provides better protection against high-fat diet-induced colon inflammation, suggesting that PO consumption helps manage inflammation-related diseases and provides omega-3 fatty acids needed by the body.

Administration of Exogenous Melatonin Improves the Diurnal Rhythms of the Gut Microbiota in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

The gut microbiota is strongly shaped by a high-fat diet, and obese humans and animals are characterized by low gut microbial diversity and impaired gut microbiota compositions. Comprehensive data on mammalian gut metagenomes shows gut microbiota exhibit circadian rhythms, which is disturbed by a high-fat diet. On the other hand, melatonin is a natural and ubiquitous molecule showing multiple mechanisms of regulating the circadian clock and lipid metabolism, while the role of melatonin in the regulation of the diurnal patterns of gut microbial structure and function in obese animals is not yet known. This study delineates an intricate picture of melatonin-gut microbiota circadian rhythms and may provide insight for obesity intervention.

Melatonin, a circadian hormone, has been reported to improve host lipid metabolism by reprogramming the gut microbiota, which also exhibits rhythmicity in a light/dark cycle. However, the effect of the administration of exogenous melatonin on the diurnal variation in the gut microbiota in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) is unclear. Here, we further confirmed the antiobesogenic effect of melatonin on mice fed an HFD for 2 weeks. Samples were collected every 4 h within a 24-h period, and diurnal rhythms of clock gene expression (Clock, Cry1, Cry2, Per1, and Per2) and serum lipid indexes varied with diurnal time. Notably, Clock and triglycerides (TG) showed a marked rhythm in the control in melatonin-treated mice but not in the HFD-fed mice. The rhythmicity of these parameters was similar between the control and melatonin-treated HFD-fed mice compared with that in the HFD group, indicating an improvement caused by melatonin in the diurnal clock of host metabolism in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that most microbes exhibited daily rhythmicity, and the trends were different for different groups and at different time points. We also identified several specific microbes that correlated with the circadian clock genes and serum lipid indexes, which might indicate the potential mechanism of action of melatonin in HFD-fed mice. In addition, effects of melatonin exposure during daytime or nighttime were compared, but a nonsignificant difference was noticed in response to HFD-induced lipid dysmetabolism. Interestingly, the responses of microbiota-transplanted mice to HFD feeding also varied at different transplantation times (8:00 and 16:00) and with different microbiota donors. In summary, the daily oscillations in the expression of circadian clock genes, serum lipid indexes, and the gut microbiota appeared to be driven by short-term feeding of an HFD, while administration of exogenous melatonin improved the composition and diurnal rhythmicity of some specific gut microbiota in HFD-fed mice.

IMPORTANCE The gut microbiota is strongly shaped by a high-fat diet, and obese humans and animals are characterized by low gut microbial diversity and impaired gut microbiota compositions. Comprehensive data on mammalian gut metagenomes shows gut microbiota exhibit circadian rhythms, which is disturbed by a high-fat diet. On the other hand, melatonin is a natural and ubiquitous molecule showing multiple mechanisms of regulating the circadian clock and lipid metabolism, while the role of melatonin in the regulation of the diurnal patterns of gut microbial structure and function in obese animals is not yet known. This study delineates an intricate picture of melatonin-gut microbiota circadian rhythms and may provide insight for obesity intervention.

Chemical characterization of balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorum) sprout extracts and their regulation of inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells

The balloon flower (BF) is a potent natural source of phytochemical compounds and is associated with our health. The sprouting process is accompanied by significant changes in phytochemical compounds in comparison with their original plants. Even though many studies are conducted with BF, there are not yet reports of BF sprouts. In the present study, we determined the chemical composition and biological activity of BF sprouts that had been cultivated for 50 days. Kaempferol-3-O-galactoside and 1-O-caffeoylquinic acid were identified as major components of whole BF sprouts. The leaves/stems of the sprouts had higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents and lower IC50 values in DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging assays than whole sprouts or roots. The roots of the sprouts had the highest polygalacin D content (1.44 mg/g). We also determined the effects of different parts of BF sprouts on RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. When these cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), their nitrite and pro-inflammatory cytokine production increased. BF sprouts suppressed the LPS-induced production of nitrite, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 in a concentration-dependent manner without causing any cytotoxic effects. Nitrite and pro-inflammatory cytokine production were significantly inhibited by the roots and leaves/stems, respectively. The inhibitory effects of BF sprouts on LPS-stimulated inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were associated with suppressed NF-κB activation. These findings suggest that BF sprouts could be a valuable source of bioactive compounds and exert anti-inflammatory effects due to their polygalacin D, deapi-platycodin D3, and polyphenol content.

Pelargonidin 3-glucoside-enriched strawberry attenuates symptoms of DSS-induced inflammatory bowel disease and diet-induced metabolic syndrome in rats

PURPOSE

To determine whether the anthocyanin, pelargonidin 3-glucoside (P3G), attenuates symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and metabolic syndrome in rats.

METHODS

We tested P3G-enriched strawberry in two models of chronic inflammation in rats, chronic IBD induced by 0.5% dextran sodium sulphate in the drinking water for 12 weeks (D) and metabolic syndrome induced by a high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet (H) for 16 weeks. P3G-enriched strawberry was added to the diet for the final 6 weeks in IBD rats (DP) or 8 weeks in H rats (HP) to provide a dose of 8 mg P3G/kg/day.

RESULTS

D rats had marked diarrhoea, bloody stools, erosion of mucosal epithelium, crypt atrophy, loss of villi and goblet cells, and inflammatory cell infiltration. These symptoms were reversed by P3G with healthy stools and mucosal lining of ileum and colon including increased villi, crypts and goblet cells and reduced inflammation. H rats developed hypertension, dyslipidaemia, central obesity, increased ventricular stiffness, cardiac and liver inflammation, and steatosis. P3G treatment in H rats improved systolic blood pressure, ventricular stiffness, and cardiac and liver structure, and reduced abdominal fat, abdominal circumference and body weight gain.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that dietary P3G decreased inflammation to decrease the symptoms of IBD, and to improve cardiovascular, liver and metabolic functions in metabolic syndrome.

Isolation and Characterization of Antihyperglycemic Compounds from Vigna angularis Extracts

Functional foods that inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity are effective for regulating the blood glucose level and preventing hyperglycemia. Extracts of adzuki beans (ABs, Vigna angularis), widely eaten in East Asia, can inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity. In this study, we identified and evaluated the components in an AB water extract (ABWE) after boiling, which is an essential process for cooking ABs. The ABWE before boiling inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity and the boiled ABWE showed slightly stronger inhibitory effects. High-performance liquid chromatography, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses identified (+)-catechin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (C7G), (+)-epicatechin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (E7G), and (+)-catechin as the bioactive components in boiled ABWE. Interestingly, the quantity of E7G significantly increased after boiling (from 0% to 17.1 ± 1.3%). E7G showed stronger inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase than C7G; the IC₅₀ values for α-amylase were 0.74 ± 0.04 mg/mL (C7G) and 0.40 ± 0.09 mg/mL (E7G), and for α-glucosidase the IC₅₀ values were 0.085 ± 0.032 mg/mL (C7G) and 0.051 ± 0.007 mg/mL (E7G). Our findings suggest that C7G and E7G are the main active components in ABWE as they inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase and their inhibitory effect is not lost after boiling. These results support the effectiveness of boiled ABs in the promotion of health. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: We identified (+)-catechin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (C7G), (+)-epicatechin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (E7G), and (+)-catechin in adzuki bean extracts and commercially available boiled adzuki bean products. Interestingly, the E7G content was increased by boiling, and this compound showed strong inhibitory activity toward α-amylase and α-glucosidase. These results support the consumption of boiled adzuki beans to prevent acute rises in blood glucose level.

Obesity-Induced TNFα and IL-6 Signaling: The Missing Link between Obesity and Inflammation-Driven Liver and Colorectal Cancers

Obesity promotes the development of numerous cancers, such as liver and colorectal cancers, which is at least partly due to obesity-induced, chronic, low-grade inflammation. In particular, the recruitment and activation of immune cell subsets in the white adipose tissue systemically increase proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These proinflammatory cytokines not only impair insulin action in metabolic tissues, but also favor cancer development. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on how obesity affects inflammatory TNFα and IL-6 signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal cancers.

Melatonin reprogramming of gut microbiota improves lipid dysmetabolism in high-fat diet-fed mice

Melatonin has been shown to improve lipid metabolism and gut microbiota communities in animals and humans; however, it remains to know whether melatonin prevents obesity through gut microbiota. Here, we found that high-fat diet promoted the lipid accumulation and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in mice, while oral melatonin supplementation alleviated the lipid accumulation and reversed gut microbiota dysbiosis, including the diversity of intestinal microbiota, relative abundances of Bacteroides and Alistipes, and functional profiling of microbial communities, such as energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism. Interestingly, melatonin failed to alleviate the high-fat-induced lipid accumulation in antibiotic-treated mice; however, microbiota transplantation from melatonin-treated mice alleviated high-fat diet-induced lipid metabolic disorders. Notably, short-chain fatty acids were decreased in high-fat diet-fed mice, while melatonin treatment improved the production of acetic acid. Correlation analysis found a marked correlation between production of acetic acid and relative abundances of Bacteroides and Alistipes. Importantly, sodium acetate treatment also alleviated high-fat diet-induced lipid metabolic disorders. Taken together, our results suggest that melatonin improves lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-fed mice, and the potential mechanisms may be associated with reprogramming gut microbiota, especially, Bacteroides and Alistipes-mediated acetic acid production. Future studies are needed for patients with metabolic syndrome to fully understand melatonin's effects on body weight and lipid profiles and the potential mechanism of gut microbiota.

An update on dietary consideration in inflammatory bowel disease: anthocyanins and more

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disorder. A wealth of data pointed out that various aspects of chronic inflammation may be affected by several specific dietary factors. This paper calls attention to anthocyanins enriched plant food and anthocyanin dietary supplements, whose role in the management of IBD and its associated oncogenesis deems crucial. Area covered: We updated the most relevant dietary anthocyanins with potential anti-colitis and preventive effect on inflammatory associated colorectal cancer based on the recent animal and human researches along with revealing the major cellular and molecular mechanisms of action. Mounting evidence reported that anthocyanins enriched plant foods perform their protective role on IBD and inflammatory-induced colorectal cancer via different cellular transduction signaling pathways, including inflammatory transcription factors, SAPK/JNK and p38 MAPK cascade, JAK/STAT signaling, NF-kB/pERK/MAPK, Wnt signaling pathway, Nrf2 cytoprotective pathway as well as AMPK pathway and autophagy. Expert commentary: Combination of anthocyanins enriched dietary supplements with existing medications can provide new therapeutic options for IBD patients. Further, well-designed randomized control trials (RCTs) are essential to evaluate the role of anthocyanins enriched medicinal foods as well as isolated anthocyanin components as promising preventive and therapeutic dietary agents for IBD and its associated oncogenesis.

Preventive mechanism of bioactive dietary foods on obesity-related inflammation and diseases

This review focuses on the molecular biological mechanism of obesity-induced inflammation and the reciprocal interactions between the major molecular mechanisms and a range of dietary bioactive compounds.