Tuber indicum polysaccharide relieves fatigue by regulating gut microbiota in mice Publication date: December 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 63 Author(s): Lei Zhong, Ning Ma, Huihua Zheng, Gaoxing Ma, Liyan Zhao, Qiuhui Hu Abstract Excessive exercise-induced fatigue has become a serious health issue and can cause gut dysbiosis. Tuber indicum (T. indicum) polysaccharide can act as prebiotics to regulate gut microbiota and this effect may play an important role in relieving fatigue. Therefore, T. indicum polysaccharide was prepared and mainly consisted of glucose linked with β-glycosidic bonds. Based on a mouse model of exhaustive swimming-induced fatigue, such polysaccharide decreased blood lactic acid content and increased ATPase activity of fatigue mice, which was accompanied by improved short chain fatty acids concentration and gut integrity. Additionally, T. indicum polysaccharide ameliorated gut dysbiosis by decreasing the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and increasing Bacteroides in fatigue mice. Spearman's correlation analysis suggested that T. indicum polysaccharide-modulated microbiota was significantly correlated with its anti-fatigue effect. These findings suggested the potential of T. indicum polysaccharide as prebiotics, to protect mice against excessive exercise-induced fatigue by regulating gut microbiota. Graphical abstract

Prebiotic role of softwood hemicellulose in healthy mice model Publication date: Available online 1 December 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods Author(s): Vivien Deloule, Claire Boisset, Dalil Hannani, Antonia Suau, Audrey Le Gouellec, Jadwiga Chroboczek, Cyrille Botté, Yoshiki Yamario-Botté, Christine Chirat, Bertrand Toussaint Abstract We have analyzed the prebiotic effect of softwood hemicelluloses on specific bacterial species in vitro and on microbiota diversity and metabolism in healthy mice in vivo. The ethanol-precipitated glycans from the softwood hemicellulose autohydrolysate were able to stimulate in vitro the growth of Bifidobacterium adolescentis, but to a much lesser extent than that of adherent-invasive E. coli. B. adolescentis was the best producer of SCFA. When mice were fed with the ethanol precipitate fraction, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes increased while that of Proteobacteria diminished, suggesting change towards a less obesogenic microbiome. Following treatment, lipid analysis showed a decrease in cholesterol, bile acids and free fatty acids, indicating a potential cardioprotection role. Furthermore, analysis of fermentation metabolites revealed an increase in metabolites important for immune health and well-being. Our results highlight the value of hemicelluloses as a potential source of prebiotics supporting both a healthy digestive tract and immune system. Graphical abstract

Improving the anti-inflammatory activity of 5-aminosalicylic acid by combination with cyanidin-3-glucoside: An in vitro study Publication date: December 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 63 Author(s): Sónia R. Pereira, Leonor M. Almeida, Teresa C.P. Dinis Abstract This study investigated the anti-inflammatory action of cyanidin-3-glucoside (Cy3glc), an anthocyanin widely spread in diet, in comparison and in association with 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), an anti-inflammatory reference drug for ulcerative colitis. The efficacy, action mechanism and interaction between Cy3glc and 5-ASA were assessed in vitro, in an LPS-activated macrophage cell line. Our data showed a higher effectiveness of Cy3glc in counteracting inflammatory mediators as compared to 5-ASA at the same concentration. In addition, the mixture afforded a better protection than Cy3glc and a much better than 5-ASA, showing a synergistic effect in terms of reducing NO and ROS cellular production. Although neither Cy3glc nor the mixture counteracted LPS-induced NF-κB activation, the mixture strongly inhibited AP-1 translocation to the nucleus and prevented p38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylation suggesting that, the co-administration of a biologically active food ingredient and a medicine could be a potential strategy to increase the medicine therapeutic effect. Graphical abstract Cyanidin-3-glucoside potentiates the anti-inflammatory effect of 5-aminosalicylic acid in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells.

Characterization and anti-tumor activity of exopolysaccharide produced by Lactobacillus kefiri isolated from Chinese kefir grains Publication date: December 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 63 Author(s): Muhammad Shahid Riaz Rajoka, Hafiza Mahreen Mehwish, Huiyan Fang, Arshad Ahmed Padhiar, Xierong Zeng, Mohsin Khurshid, Zhendan He, Liqing Zhao Abstract The exopolysaccharide (EPS) from Lactobacilli play a vital part in their probiotic action; on the other hand, up to date, there is little data exist about the effect of EPS on cancer. The aim of the current study is the EPS isolation produced by Lactobacillus kefiri MSR101 (MSR101 EPS) and examination of structural characteristics as well as their capability to prevent the colon cancer (HT-29) cells growth. For the first time, the structure of EPS from Lactobacillus kefiri MSR101 is identified, which is heteropolysaccharide with a repeating unit containing glucose and galactose. The FT-IR and NMR analysis of MSR101 EPS indicates the occurrence of carboxyl, hydroxyl groups, respectively. The XRD results indicated that the MSR101 EPS has partial crystalline nature. SEM and AFM micrographs revealed an extremely spongy structure which suggests that the MSR101 EPS has plasticized film features. Furthermore, the in-vitro anticancer activity results suggested that the newly isolated MSR101 EPS (400 µg/ml) had satisfactory anticancer action on HT-29 cancerous cells (44.1%) and up-regulate the expression of Cyto-c, BAX, BAD, caspase3, caspase8, and caspase9. In general, the present results suggested that the exopolysaccharide from Lactobacillus kefiri MSR101 not only used in the functional food product but also considered as a topical medication due to their effectiveness against colon cancer. Graphical abstract

Chemopreventive effect of dietary inclusion with Crassocephalum rubens (Juss ex Jacq) leaf on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in Wistar rats Publication date: December 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 63 Author(s): Solomon Oguche Alhassan, Sunday Ene-Ojo Atawodi Abstract Chemoprevention leverages the ability of natural products to interfere with disease onset and progression. In this study, the preventive effect of dietary inclusion with Crassocephalum rubens at 0, 2.5, 5 and 10% levels on colorectal carcinogenesis initiated by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) instillations in male Wistar rats was explored following 12 weeks of treatment. Results showed that dietary inclusion with C. rubens particularly at the 10% level significantly lowered lipid peroxidation, systemic inflammation, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), colon epithelial damage and aberrant expression of the mismatch repair protein MLH-1. The activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase were elevated in C. rubens fed subjects compared with MNU-only treatment controls. These observations correlated at p < 0.05 with polyphenols and flavonoids contents of the plant, suggesting that consumption of C. rubens could be effective in preventing the onset and progression of chemically induced colon carcinogenesis. Graphical abstract

Oral administration of Lactobacillus delbrueckii during the suckling period improves intestinal integrity after weaning in piglets Publication date: December 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 63 Author(s): Yinghui Li, Shuling Hou, Jiashun Chen, Wei Peng, Wei Wen, Fengming Chen, Xingguo Huang Abstract This study was conducted to explore the effect of administrated Lactobacillus delbrueckii (LAB) during the suckling period on future intestinal integrity of the host, using a piglet model. Probiotic LAB increased final body weight, concentrations of immunoglobulin G and anti-inflammatory cytokines, but reduced diarrhea incidence by over 50% during any phase of experimental period. The intestinal villus height of the LAB-treated piglets were greater than that in the control piglets. Along with lower activity of serum diamine oxidase in the LAB piglets, there was a concurrent increase in mRNA expression of intestinal tight junctions proteins. We conclude that LAB, given to suckling piglets, stimulates immune response and improves intestinal morphology and barrier function, thereby mitigating diarrhea and promoting growth, importantly, these beneficial effects could be maintained up to 4 weeks after weaning. A proper utilization of LAB to neonates would be beneficial to future intestinal health. Graphical abstract

Polysaccharide from tuberous roots of Ophiopogon japonicus regulates gut microbiota and its metabolites during alleviation of high-fat diet-induced type-2 diabetes in mice Publication date: December 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 63 Author(s): Huai-You Wang, Lin-Xiu Guo, Wei-Hui Hu, Zhi-Tian Peng, Cheng Wang, Zhi-Cong Chen, Etta Y.L. Liu, Tina T.X. Dong, Tie-Jie Wang, Karl W.K. Tsim Abstract Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong in Chinese), the tuberous roots of Ophiopogon japonicus having polysaccharide as the main active ingredient, is a traditional Chinese herb and popularly used as functional food additive in China. Here, a homogeneous polysaccharide fraction (OJP-W1) was isolated and characterized from Ophiopogonis Radix collected from Sichuan (Chuan-Maidong). The therapeutic effects of OJP-W1 in diabetes symptoms, gut microbiota and metabolism of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced type-2 diabetes mice were investigated. Results showed that OJP-W1 significantly ameliorated HFD-induced insulin resistance and glucose tolerance. Meanwhile, OJP-W1 regulated the gut microbiota dysbiosis in HFD-fed mice, as indicated by increasing Actinobacteria and Bifidobacterium, decreasing Proteobacteria and type-2 diabetes-enriched taxa (e.g. Desulfovibrionaceae, Dorea and Ruminococcaceae). In addition, OJP-W1 could improve the metabolic disorder of SCFAs in HFD-fed mice. This study indicated that OJP-W1 might serve as a novel functional food in preventing diabetes-associated gut microbiota dysbiosis and SCFA metabolic disorder. Graphical abstract

Improvement of fucoxanthin oral efficacy via vehicles based on gum Arabic, gelatin and alginate hydrogel: Delivery system for oral efficacy enhancement of functional food ingredients Publication date: December 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 63 Author(s): Yang Li, Xiaoyu Dou, Jianhui Pang, Mengqi Liang, Chao Feng, Ming Kong, Ya Liu, Xiaojie Cheng, Ying Wang, Xiguang Chen Abstract The improvement of the stability of fucoxanthin in gastrointestinal tract is an important approach to enhance its edible efficacy. In this study, we designed complex carriers, which were composed by gum Arabic/gelatin microcapsules and alginate hydrogel beads (GA/GE/Alg-Beads), as gastric acid resistant vehicles for oral delivery of fucoxanthin. Various parameters of the obtained fucoxanthin loaded GA/GE/Alg-Beads (FX:GA/GE/Alg-Beads) were characterized. In vitro release rate assay showed that more than 90% of the encapsulated fucoxanthin was released in simulated intestine fluid (SIF), indicated the beads could protect fucoxanthin while incubated in simulated gastric fluid (SGF). In vivo oral efficacy assay exhibited that FX:GA/GE/Alg-Beads could more effectively lower the blood lipid and oxidative stress level of experimental mice than free fucoxanthin. These results demonstrated the beads are favorable oral delivery systems for fucoxanthin and other biologically active substances which are unstable in gastric acid. Graphical abstract

Mulberry leaf aqueous extract ameliorates blood glucose and enhances energy expenditure in obese C57BL/6J mice Publication date: December 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 63 Author(s): Xiaoyun He, Haoyu Li, Ruxin Gao, Chuanhai Zhang, Fei Liang, Yao Sheng, Shujuan Zheng, Jia Xu, Wentao Xu, Kunlun Huang Abstract Mulberry leaf garners much attention from researchers because of its hypoglycemic effect. This study’s objective was to determine the impact of mulberry leaf aqueous extract (MLAE) on decreasing blood glucose and promoting energy expenditure in obese C57BL/6J mice (induced by a high-fat diet). The mice were fed with high fat diet and treated with MLAE for 12 weeks. The results showed that MLAE significantly ameliorated the hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in mice that were induced by their high-fat diet. The improved blood glucose metabolism accompanied by elevated energy expenditure was found. Abundant flavonoids, polyphenols, and alkaloids in MLAE may have contributed to the above results. Also, MLAE restored gut microbiota imbalance in obese mice and was beneficial to their liver and kidney functioning. Together, these results suggest MLAE may be a potent ingredient in dietetics and can serve as a safe hypoglycemic ingredient in health product development. Graphical abstract

Chemopreventive effect of the polysaccharides from Grifola frondosa in colitis-associated colorectal cancer by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin/GSK-3β signaling pathway in C57BL/6 mice Publication date: December 2019 Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 63 Author(s): Meng Meng, Mingzhu Guo, Pei Wang, Ran Han, Jiaping Zhou, Chunling Wang Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the preventive effect of water-soluble polysaccharides in the maitake mushrooms (Grifola frondosa) fruiting body (GFP) on colon cancer in high-fat (HF) mice and WIDR cells. In vivo, the administration of GFP decreased colon myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and disease activity index (DAI) compared with HF group (P < 0.05), and GFP was significantly inhibited the nitric oxide (NO) while increased of L-Glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The expression of COX-2、IL-6、TNF-α was decreased in GFP -treated group, and the expression of lnterleukin-10(IL-10) and lnterleukin-4(IL-4) was increased. In addition, GFP can regulate the Wnt/β-catenin/GSK-3β signaling pathway to achieve the inhibitory effect on the survival of colon cancer. And CPS-II had high selectivity to tumor cells in vitro. The results revealed that CPS-II can inhibit colon cancer growth in vitro and in vivo, and may be a novel therapeutic agent for the disease. Graphical abstract