Modulation of Pro-inflammatory and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines in the Fat by an Aloe Gel-based Formula, QDMC, Is Correlated with Altered Gut Microbiota

Role of anthraquinones in combating insulin resistance

Insulin resistance presents a formidable public health challenge that is intricately linked to the onset and progression of various chronic ailments, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cancer. Effectively addressing insulin resistance is paramount in preventing and managing these metabolic disorders. Natural herbal remedies show promise in combating insulin resistance, with anthraquinone extracts garnering attention for their role in enhancing insulin sensitivity and treating diabetes. Anthraquinones are believed to ameliorate insulin resistance through diverse pathways, encompassing activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, restoration of insulin signal transduction, attenuation of inflammatory pathways, and modulation of gut microbiota. This comprehensive review aims to consolidate the potential anthraquinone compounds that exert beneficial effects on insulin resistance, elucidating the underlying mechanisms responsible for their therapeutic impact. The evidence discussed in this review points toward the potential utilization of anthraquinones as a promising therapeutic strategy to combat insulin resistance and its associated metabolic diseases.

Alteration of Gut Microbes in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Model and Finasteride Treatment Model

Gut microbes are closely associated with disease onset and improvement. However, the effects of gut microbes on the occurrence, prevention, and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are still unclear. We investigated the alteration of gut microbiota with implications for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of BPH and identified correlations among various indicators, including hormone indicators, apoptosis markers in BPH, and finasteride treatment models. BPH induction altered the abundance of Lactobacillus, Flavonifractor, Acetatifactor, Oscillibacter, Pseudoflavonifractor, Intestinimonas, and Butyricimonas genera, which are related to BPH indicators. Among these, the altered abundance of Lactobacillus and Acetatifactor was associated with the promotion and inhibition of prostate apoptosis, respectively. Finasteride treatment altered the abundance of Barnesiella, Acetatifactor, Butyricimonas, Desulfovibrio, Anaerobacterium, and Robinsoniella genera, which are related to BPH indicators. Among these, altered abundances of Desulfovibrio and Acetatifactor were associated with the promotion and inhibition of prostate apoptosis, respectively. In addition, the abundances of Lactobacillus and Acetatifactor were normalized after finasteride treatment. In conclusion, the association between apoptosis and altered abundances of Lactobacillus and Acetatifactor, among other gut microbes, suggests their potential utility in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of BPH.

Lactobacillus mucosae exerted different antiviral effects on respiratory syncytial virus infection in mice

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a constant threat to the health of young children, and this is mainly attributed to the lack of effective prevention strategies. This study aimed to determine whether Lactobacillus (L.) mucosae, a potential probiotic, could protect against respiratory viral infection in a mouse model. Naive 3–4-week-old BALB/c mice were orally administered with three L. mucosae strains (2.5 × 10⁸ CFU/mouse) 7 days before RSV infection (10⁵ TCID₅₀/mouse). Results showed that all three strains inhibited RSV replication and reduced the proportions of inflammatory cells, including granulocytes and monocytes in the blood. The L. mucosae M104R01L3 treatment maintained stable weight in mice and increased interferon (IFN)-β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels. The L. mucosae DCC1HL5 treatment increased interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10 levels. Moreover, the M104R01L3 and DCC1HL5 strains increased the proportions of Akkermansia, Alistipes, and Anaeroplasma which contributed to the advantageous modulation of the gut microbiota. Besides, L. mucosae affected the gut levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are important for the antiviral response. L. mucosae 1,025 increased acetate, propionate, and butyrate levels, whereas L. mucosae M104R01L3 increased the level of acetate in the gut. L. mucosae M104R01L3 may protect against viral infection by upregulating the IFN-β levels in the lungs and its antiviral effect may be related to the increase of acetate levels in the gut. In conclusion, the three L. mucosae strains exerted antiviral effects against RSV infection by differentially regulating immune responses and intestinal micro-ecological balance. This study can provide a reference for studying the mechanisms underlying the antiviral effects of L. mucosae.