Mushroom polysaccharides from Grifola frondosa (Dicks.) Gray and Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pilat ameliorated dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice by global modulation of systemic metabolism and the gut microbiota

Antiaging Effect of 2-O-β-D-Glucopyranosyl Ascorbic Acid Derived from Lycium barbarum L. Through Modulating the IIS Pathway and Gut Microbiota in Caenorhabditis elegans

2-O-β-D-Glucopyranosyl ascorbic acid (AA-2βG), a bioactive ascorbic acid derivative isolated from the fruits of Lycium barbarum L., exhibited significant antiaging effects in Caenorhabditis elegans. It significantly extended their lifespan, enhanced stress resistance, reduced lipofuscin accumulation, and improved their healthspan, while strengthening antioxidant defenses. Transcriptomic analysis identified the insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 signaling pathway as a key regulator, with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction confirming the upregulation of longevity-associated genes. Functional studies showed that the transcription factors DAF-16, HSF-1, and SIR-2.1 were essential for the lifespan-extending effects of AA-2βG, as mutations in these genes abolished lifespan extension. Moreover, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that AA-2βG modulated gut microbiota by increasing longevity-associated taxa and reducing pro-aging species, with these alterations linked to metabolic pathways. These findings suggest that AA-2βG exerts antiaging effects through the coordinated regulation of the IIS pathway and gut microbiota composition, highlighting its potential as a natural geroprotective compound.

Research progress on edible mushroom polysaccharides as a novel therapeutic strategy for inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex condition linked to the gut microbiota, host metabolism, and the immune system. Edible mushroom polysaccharides (EMPs) are gaining attention for their benefits, particularly as prebiotics that help balance gut microbial, a key factor in IBD. With their scalable production, diverse hydrophilic properties, and demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in both laboratory and animal studies, EMPs show promise for easing IBD symptoms. By supporting a healthy gut microbiome through various mechanisms, EMPs can play an important role in preventing and managing IBD, ultimately benefiting overall health and opening new treatment avenues. This review examines how EMPs affect IBD, focusing on their role in shaping gut microbiota, restoring gut barriers, regulating immune function, and influencing pathways related to colitis. It also explores their impact on the microbiota-gut-multi organ axis and overall host health, as well as the relationship between EMPs preparation, structure, and bioactivity, along with their potential applications in food and medicine. This investigation provides valuable insights into the intricate connections between the gut, immune system, and systemic inflammation system, highlighting how EMPs are key players in this complex interaction.

Role of Mushroom Polysaccharides in Modulation of GI Homeostasis and Protection of GI Barrier

Edible and medicinal mushroom polysaccharides (EMMPs) have been widely studied for their various biological activities. It has been shown that EMMPs could modulate microbiota in the large intestine and improve intestinal health. However, the role of EMMPs in protecting the gastric barrier, regulating gastric microbiota, and improving gastric health cannot be ignored. Hence, this review will elucidate the effect of EMMPs on gastric and intestinal barriers, with emphasis on the interaction of EMMPs with microbiota in maintaining overall gastrointestinal health. Additionally, this review highlights the gastroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of EMMPs against gastric mucosa injury, gastritis, gastric ulcer, and gastric cancer. Furthermore, the effects of EMMPs on intestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and intestinal infection, are also summarized. This review will also discuss the future perspective and challenges in the use of EMMPs as a dietary supplement or a nutraceutical in preventing and treating gastrointestinal diseases.

The integrated analysis of gut microbiota and metabolome revealed steroid hormone biosynthesis is a critical pathway in liver regeneration after 2/3 partial hepatectomy

Introduction: The liver is the only organ capable of full regeneration in mammals. However, the exact mechanism of gut microbiota and metabolites derived from them relating to liver regeneration has not been fully elucidated. Methods: To demonstrate how the gut-liver axis contributes to liver regeneration, using an LC-QTOF/MS-based metabolomics technique, we examine the gut microbiota-derived metabolites in the gut content of C57BL/6J mice at various points after 2/3 partial hepatectomy (PHx). Compound identification, multivariate/univariate data analysis and pathway analysis were performed subsequently. The diversity of the bacterial communities in the gastrointestinal content was measured using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Then, the integration analysis of gut microbiota and metabolome was performed. Results: After 2/3 PHx, the residual liver proliferated quickly in the first 3 days and had about 90% of its initial weight by the seventh day. The results of PLS-DA showed that a significant metabolic shift occurred at 6 h and 36 h after 2/3 PHx that was reversed at the late phase of liver regeneration. The α and β-diversity of the gut microbiota significantly changed at the early stage of liver regeneration. Specifically, Escherichia Shigella, Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, and Muribaculaceae were the bacteria that changed the most considerably during liver regeneration. Further pathway analysis found the most influenced co-metabolized pathways between the host and gut bacteria including glycolysis, the TCA cycle, arginine metabolism, glutathione metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and purine and pyrimidine metabolism. Specifically, steroid hormone biosynthesis is the most significant pathway of the host during liver regeneration. Discussion: These findings revealed that during liver regeneration, there was a broad modification of gut microbiota and systemic metabolism and they were strongly correlated. Targeting specific gut bacterial strains, especially increasing the abundance of Akkermansia and decreasing the abundance of Enterobacteriaceae, may be a promising beneficial strategy to modulate systemic metabolism such as amino acid and nucleotide metabolism and promote liver regeneration.

Phyllanthus emblica L. polysaccharides ameliorate colitis via microbiota modulation and dual inhibition of the RAGE/NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways in rats

Pharmacological treatments for colitis have limited efficacy and side effects. Plant polysaccharides improve colitis by modulating the gut microbiota. However, the specific benefits of Phyllanthus emblica L. polysaccharides (PEPs) in colitis remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the physical characteristics and health advantages of PEP in rats subjected to 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) treatment. The results showed that PEP (1.226 × 103 kDa) was an α-acidic pyran heteropolysaccharide rich in galactose and galacturonic acid. Prefeeding rats with PEP significantly decreased the levels of NO, MDA, proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α), apoptosis, and the activities of mucinase and β-glucuronidase. These changes were accompanied by increases in the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, GPx) in colitis rats. Mechanistically, PEP suppressed the abundance of inflammatory-related bacteria (Bacteroides, Intestinimonas, and Parabacteroides) while promoting the growth of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria (Romboutsia, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and Lactobacillus), along with an increase in SCFA secretion. SCFAs may engage with the GPR43 receptor and inhibit downstream HDAC3, consequently downregulating the activation of the RAGE/NF-κB and MAPK pathways. In conclusion, PEP demonstrated preventive effects through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and microbiota modulation properties, thereby ameliorating TNBS-induced colitis in rats.

Anthocyanin Extracted from Purple Sweet Potato Alleviates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice by Suppressing Pyroptosis and Altering Intestinal Flora Structure

The objective of this study was to examine the impact and underlying mechanisms of pelargonidin-3-galactoside (Pg3gal) produced from purple sweet potatoes on colonic inflammation induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in a murine model of ulcerative colitis (UC). C57BL/6J mice were categorized into four groups (n = 6 per group): DSS+Pg3gal, control, control+Pg3gal, and DSS. Colitis was induced by providing free access to 3% DSS for 10 days. The DSS+Pg3gal model mice received DSS concurrently with intragastric Pg3gal (25 mg/kg). The health of the mice was carefully monitored on a regular basis, and scores for the Disease Activity Index (DAI) were documented. A histological assessment was conducted using hematoxylin and eosin staining to evaluate the extent of mucosal injury present. The expression levels of IL-6, NLRP3, ASC, cleaved-Caspase-1, TNF-α, N-GSDMS, and cleaved-IL-1β proteins were evaluated by Western blot analysis. The process of 16S rRNA sequencing was carried out to examine the composition and relative abundance of gut microbiotas within the intestines of the mice. The DAI results revealed that Pg3gal significantly attenuated the DSS-induced UC in mice. In addition, it successfully alleviated the decline in colon size, improved the condition of colonic tissue, and significantly inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, in the colon tissues. Additionally, Pg3gal modulated the DSS-induced imbalanced gut microbiota, as evidenced by decreased Proteobacteria and Deferribacteres and simultaneous elevation in Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Verrucomicrobia. In summary, Pg3gal alleviated DSS-induced UC by inhibiting pyroptosis in intestinal epithelial cells and enhancing the structural integrity of the gut microbiota.

Aqueous extract of Sargentodoxa cuneata alleviates ulcerative colitis and its associated liver injuries in mice through the modulation of intestinal flora and related metabolites

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a refractory disease worldwide. Liver injury can be found clinically with UC, and now, it is found that gut dysbiosis is an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of UC. Sargentodoxa cuneata has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine and is commonly used clinically for the treatment of UC. The main objective of this study was to investigate the intrinsic mechanisms of Sargentodoxa cuneata in the treatment of UC and its associated liver injuries from the perspective of intestinal flora and related metabolites.

Methods

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify the components in the aqueous extract of Sargentodoxa cuneata (AESc). Mice with UC induced by dextran sulfate sodium were used to study the effects of AESc on UC and its associated liver injuries. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analysis were performed on intestinal contents, and correlation analysis of intestinal flora with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and organic acids was performed.

Results

A total of 114 compounds were identified in AESc. AESc improved disease activity index scores, liver index, and colon length in mice with UC and had a good protective effect on intestine and liver injuries. Moreover, the administration of AESc regulated gut microbiota dysbiosis and the levels of a few SCFAs and organic acids in mice with UC. In addition, the correlation analysis results showed that the Megamonas and Bifidobacterium were the key intestinal flora related to the levels of differential SCFAs and organic acids in mice with UC after AESc intervention.

Conclusion

AESc has a good protective effect on UC and UC related liver injuries. Modulation of the intestinal flora and its metabolites (SCFAs and a few organic acids) is an important pathway for AESc in the treatment of UC and also provides a rationale for the clinical use of Sargentodoxa cuneata in the treatment of UC.

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench Polysaccharide Alleviates DSS-Induced Colitis in Rats by Restoring Th17/Treg Balance and Regulating Intestinal Flora

Echinacea purpurea is popularly used as a food supplement or nutritional supplement for its immune regulatory function against various threats. As one of its promising components, Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench polysaccharide (EPP) has a wide range of biological activities. To evaluate the effect of EPP as a dietary supplement on ulcerative colitis (UC), this study used sodium dextran sulfate (DSS) to induce a UC model, extracted EPP using the ethanol subsiding method, and then supplemented with EPP by gavage for 7 days. Then, we evaluated the efficacy of EPP on DSS rats in terms of immunity, anti-inflammation, and intestinal flora. The result showed that EPP could alleviate colonic shortening and intestinal injury in rats with DSS-induced colitis, decrease the disease activity index (DAI) score, downregulate serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, and contribute to the restoration of the balance between the T helper cells 17 (Th17) and the regulatory T cells (Treg) in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs). Meanwhile, EPP could downregulate the expression of Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in colon tissue. In addition, the results of 16SrRNA sequencing showed that EPP also had a regulatory effect on intestinal flora of UC rats. These results indicate that EPP might achieve a beneficial effect on UC rats as a dietary supplement through restoring Th17/Treg balance, inhibiting the TLR4 signaling pathway and regulating intestinal flora, suggesting its possible application as a potential functional food ingredient alleviating UC.