Search Results (270)

Honeybee brood biopeptides (HBb-Bps) are a novel source of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. In this study, HBb-Bps were conjugated with honey via a Maillard reaction and their physicochemical properties, digestive stability, antioxidant capacity, and anti-obesogenic effects were evaluated. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion revealed significantly enhanced resistance after conjugation, with the residual content increasing from 46.99% for native HBb-Bps to 86.12% for the honey-conjugated forms; furthermore, antioxidant activity was largely preserved according to the DPPH and ABTS assays. In the in vivo experiments, 30 male BrlHan: WIST@Jcl (GALAS) (Wistar) rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity and orally administered honey-conjugated HBb-Bps at doses of 200, 500, or 1000 mg/kg body weight for 16 weeks. The highest dose led to significant reductions in body weight gain, the Lee index, and body mass index. The serum lipid profiles markedly improved, with decreases in the total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL levels, as well as cardiovascular risk indices. Furthermore, fecal analysis showed increased levels of short-chain fatty acids, particularly butyrate. These changes suggest enhanced gut microbial activity; however, the prebiotic effects were inferred from the SCFA profiles, as the gut microbiota composition was not directly analyzed. In conclusion, honey-conjugated HBb-Bps improve gastrointestinal stability and exhibit antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and gut-modulating effects, supporting their potential use as functional ingredients for managing diet-induced metabolic disorders. Full article

Hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, and excessive inflammatory cytokine production are risk factors for depression. The potential preventive effects of essential oils (EOs) such as cumin and fennel EOs on depression may stem from their hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. This work aimed to investigate the effects of cumin and fennel EO nanocapsules in a mouse model of depression caused by a high-fat diet (HFD) and chronic mild stress (CMS) using both in silico and in vivo studies. The cumin and fennel EOs were extracted, analyzed by GC-MS, and encapsulated in nano-form using gum Arabic and maltodextrin as wall materials. The freeze-dried nanocapsules were evaluated in HFD/CMS-treated mice. Molecular docking was used to examine the significance of the oils’ compounds in blocking the active sites of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). According to the molecular docking results, the interactions between EO components and HMG-CoA or IDO indicate that these EOs may have hypercholesterolemic and antidepressive effects. Cumin and fennel EO nanocapsules showed hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. This was demonstrated by the down-regulation of oxidants (ROS, MDA, and NO) and inflammatory markers (TLR4, TNF-α, and IL-6) in the brain, changes in lipid profile parameters, and the up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GSH). The in silico and in vivo outputs revealed the potential preventive impact of cumin and fennel EO nanocapsules against depression-like states in the mouse model through the prevention of dyslipidemia, neuroxidation, and neuroinflammation. More human studies are needed to fully understand the antidepressive effects of cumin and fennel EO nanocapsules. Full article

Due to the limited scientific exploration of Argania spinosa (L.) skeel husk, this study presents the first investigation of the metabolite profile of methanol and acetone extracts analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization and high-resolution multistage mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/HRMSMS). A total of 43 compounds, including hydroxycinnamic acid and flavonoid derivatives, saponins, and triterpenic acids, were identified, some of which have not been previously reported in this species. The total phenols (TPC) and flavonoids (TFC) content were spectrophotometrically determined. A multi-target approach was applied to investigate the antioxidant potential using 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), β-carotene bleaching, and Ferric Reducing Ability Power (FRAP) tests. Carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes and lipase inhibitory activities were also assessed. The acetone extract exhibited the highest TPC and TFC values, resulting in being the most active in β-carotene bleaching test with IC₅₀ values of 26.68 and 13.82 µg/mL, after 30 and 60 min of incubation, respectively. Moreover, it was the most active against both α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes with IC₅₀ values of 12.37 and 18.93 µg/mL, respectively. These results pointed out that this by-product is a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals potentially useful for prevention of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Full article

Based on the traditional use of Alchemilla L. species for the treatment of diabetes, the effect of the methanol extract of Alchemilla viridiflora (AVM) on enzyme activity in vitro and its impact on blood glucose levels in vivo were investigated. Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats using streptozotocin. AVM was administered to both normal and STZ-diabetic rats for 20 days at three different doses. Blood glucose levels and body weights of the treated animals were monitored throughout the experiment. After 20 days, serum insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, and high- and low-density lipoproteins were measured. In addition, a histological analysis of the pancreas was performed. The AVM demonstrated inhibitory effects on the activities of all tested enzymes. In the in vivo experiment, a statistically significant reduction in body weight was observed in the AVM-treated animals at all three doses compared with the normal control group. Notably, a dose of 200 mg/kg significantly decreased blood glucose levels on both the 10th day and 20th day (p < 0.05). However, the extract showed no statistically significant effects on the tested biochemical parameters. Overall, the results of this study suggest that AVM has potential for the treatment of hyperglycemia associated with diabetes and obesity. Full article

The advancement of modern lifestyles has precipitated excessive consumption of energy-dense foods, driving the escalating global burden of lipid metabolism dysregulation-related pathologies—including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and cardiovascular disorders—which collectively pose a formidable challenge to global public health systems. The almond hull, as a by-product of almond processing, is rich in polyphenolic compounds with demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering potential, though its precise hypo-lipidemic mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, polyphenols were extracted from almond hulls using 50% ethanol with ultrasound-assisted extraction, followed by preliminary purification via solvent partitioning. The ethyl acetate fraction was analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to investigate the interactions between key bioactive constituents (e.g., quercetin, baicalein, and kaempferol) and targets in lipid metabolism-related pathways. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations further evaluated the stability of the lowest-energy complexes. Results revealed that the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited potent pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity (IC50 = 204.2 µg/mL). At 0.1 mg/mL after 24 h treatment, it significantly reduced free fatty acids (FFAs)-induced intracellular triglyceride accumulation (p < 0.01) and enhanced cellular antioxidant capacity. Network pharmacology and in vitro studies suggest almond hull extract modulates PI3K-AKT signaling and improves insulin resistance, demonstrating lipid-lowering effects. These findings support its potential in functional foods and pharmaceuticals, though further in vivo validation and mechanistic investigations are required. Full article

Background/Objectives: Previous studies have shown that unformulated extracts of Passiflora ligularis leaves exhibit promising antidiabetic activity. This research aimed to demonstrate that formulating the extract into a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (PLE-SEDDS) enhanced its antidiabetic activity in a high-fat-diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model. Methods: Blood glucose levels (BGLs) of diabetic mice were monitored during 21 days of oral administration of P. ligularis extract (PLE) and PLE-SEDDS. Control groups included metformin (positive control), vehicle, and SEDDS vehicle (negative controls). The animals underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lipid peroxidation quantified by malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in the kidney, liver, and pancreas, complemented with histopathological analysis. Additionally, plasma lipid profile parameters were evaluated. Results: The PLE-SEDDS formulation demonstrated superior efficacy compared to the PLE extract in improving antidiabetic outcomes. Animals treated with PLE-SEDDS exhibited a minimal increase in blood glucose levels (11.5%) during the OGTT, compared to 27.4% with PLE and over 77% in the vehicle groups. PLE-SEDDS also showed greater enhancement of SOD and CAT activity, along with a more pronounced reduction in MDA levels, indicating stronger protection against oxidative stress. Histological analysis revealed significant preservation of pancreatic islets, and lipid profile analysis showed greater reductions in triglycerides, cholesterol, and LDL-C, alongside increased HDL-C levels. Conclusions: Altogether, these findings suggest that PLE-SEDDS exhibits superior antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant effects compared to the unformulated extract, making this novel formulation a promising option for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus. Full article

The expanding field of nutraceuticals and functional food science is increasingly turning to marine-derived bioactive compounds, particularly saponins, for their diverse pharmacological properties. These so-called thalassochemicals display distinctive structural features—such as sulfated glycosidic moieties and amphiphilic backbones—that underpin potent antitumor, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. In contrast to their terrestrial analogs, marine saponins remain underexplored, and their complexity poses analytical and functional challenges. This review provides a critical and integrative synthesis of recent advances in the structural elucidation, biological function, and technological application of marine saponins. Special emphasis is placed on the unresolved limitations in their isolation, characterization, and structural validation, including coelution of isomers, adduct formation in MS spectra, and lack of orthogonal techniques such as NMR or FTIR. We illustrate these limitations through original MS/MS data and propose experimental workflows to improve compound purity and identification fidelity. In addition to discussing known structure–activity relationships (SARs) and mechanisms of action, we extend the scope by integrating recent developments in computational modeling, including machine learning, molecular descriptors, and quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models. These tools offer new avenues for predicting saponin bioactivity, despite current limitations in available high-quality datasets. Furthermore, we include a classification and comparison of steroidal and triterpenoid saponins from marine versus terrestrial sources, complemented by detailed chemical schematics. We also address the impact of processing techniques, delivery systems, and bioavailability enhancements using encapsulation and nanocarriers. Finally, this review contextualizes these findings within the regulatory and sustainability frameworks that shape the future of saponin commercialization. By bridging analytical chemistry, computational biology, and food technology, this work establishes a roadmap for the targeted development of marine saponins as next-generation nutraceuticals and functional food ingredients. Full article

Extrusion cooking is an innovative, advanced processing technology widely used in the food and feed industries. With growing concerns over the health attributes of food, the effects of extrusion cooking on the functional characteristics of natural medicinal and edible plants (NMEPs) have attracted increasing attention from researchers. This review, based on recent literature on extrusion cooking, systematically summarizes its impact on the physical properties; functional components, such as total polyphenols, total flavonoids, total polysaccharides, and total saponins; and pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and anti-inflammatory effects, of NMEPs. The aim is to provide a scientific basis for the application of extrusion cooking technology in the advanced processing of these resources. Full article

Fruits and vegetables represent important dietary sources of soluble dietary fiber (SDF), a functionally essential component that contributes substantially to human health maintenance. The molecular structure of SDFs in fruits and vegetables is influenced by food processing techniques, which can contribute to improving the physiological activities of SDFs and promoting health benefits. This article presents a systematic review of the effects of common processing methods mainly involving drying, heating, powdering, fermentation, etc., on the structural and nutritional properties of SDFs, particularly focused on structural changes in molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and functional groups, as well as nutritional functions including obesity prevention, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties, etc. Processing-induced structure variations in SDFs inevitably change their fermentability and gelling ability, promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and the production of short-chain fatty acids, enhance immunity, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. This highlights the prebiotic efficacy and metabolic disease intervention potential of processing methods to moderate SDFs by altering their structure. This paper comparatively summarizes the effects of physical, physicochemical, and biological processing technologies on the common structural and nutritional properties of SDFs, aiming to provide theoretical guidance for the application of SDFs in the food industry. This paper not only provides a theoretical basis for the precise application of SDFs in functional foods but also reveals the potential mechanisms involved in regulating the structure of SDFs through processing technology to achieve nutritional intervention in metabolic diseases, which is an important guiding value for the development of food ingredients with specific health effects. Full article

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) poses considerable toxicological risks due to its association with an increased likelihood of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and is characterized by hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and obesity. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of flavonoid-rich lotus seedpod extract (LSE) in alleviating MetS and MASLD-related hepatic disturbances. In vivo, mice subjected to a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) injection were supplemented with LSE or simvastatin for 6 weeks. Obesity indicators included body weight and epididymal fat, while insulin resistance was measured by fasting serum glucose, serum insulin, homeostasis model assessment–insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), and oral glucose tolerance (OGTT). Also, the levels of serum lipid profiles and blood pressure were evaluated. Adipokines, proinflammatory cytokines, liver fat droplets, and peri-portal fibrosis were analyzed to clarify the mechanism of MetS. LSE significantly reduced the HFD/STZ-induced MetS markers better than simvastatin, as demonstrated by hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. In vitro, LSE improved oleic acid (OA)-triggered phenotypes of MASLD in hepatocyte HepG2 cells by reducing lipid accumulation and enhancing cell viability. This effect might be mediated through proteins involved in lipogenesis that are downregulated by adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In addition, LSE reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and glycogen levels, as demonstrated by enhancing insulin signaling involving reducing insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) Ser307 phosphorylation and increasing glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) and protein kinase B (PKB) expression. These benefits were dependent on AMPK activation, as confirmed by the AMPK inhibitor compound C. These results indicate that LSE exhibits protective effects against MetS-caused toxicological disturbances in hepatic carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, potentially contributing to its efficacy in preventing MASLD or MetS. Full article

Platycladus orientalis, an evergreen tree belonging to the Cupressaceae family, has been traditionally used to treat various ailments, including fever, cough, diarrhea, diuresis, cold symptoms, and gastrointestinal disorders in folk medicine. As part of our ongoing investigation aimed at discovering bioactive natural products and elucidating their mechanisms of action from various natural sources, we investigated a methanol (MeOH) extract of P. orientalis leaves. This investigation led to the isolation and identification of a labdane-type diterpene, lambertianic acid (LA), via column chromatography and HPLC purification. The structure of LA was elucidated using LC/MS and NMR spectroscopic analyses, including HR-ESIMS, while its absolute configuration was confirmed through electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Recent studies have reported that labdane-type diterpenes exhibit diverse pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and hypolipidemic effects. Notably, LA has been shown to modulate adipocyte metabolism via AMPK signaling; however, its role in skeletal muscle atrophy remains unexplored. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of LA on dexamethasone (Dex)-induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 myotubes. Treatment with LA at concentrations of 25 µM and 50 µM significantly rescued myotube diameter and reduced the expression of atrophy-related proteins, including MuRF-1 and atrogin-1/MAFbx, without compromising cell viability at these moderate concentrations. These findings suggest that LA derived from P. orientalis exerts protective effects against skeletal muscle atrophy, highlighting its potential as a promising natural therapeutic candidate for muscle-wasting disorders. Full article

In this study, polysaccharides from Pleione yunnanensis (Orchidaceae, abbreviated as P. yunnanensis) were obtained by five methods: hot water extraction, microwave extraction, cold water extraction, enzymatic extraction, and ultrasonic extraction. Their structural characteristics, antioxidant properties, and hypolipidemic activities were explored. The results showed that the five polysaccharides all exhibited typical infrared spectral characteristics of polysaccharides. Their monosaccharide compositions were basically the same, all consisting of glucose and mannose, but their surface morphologies differed significantly. The polysaccharide extracted by the enzymatic method had the lowest molecular weight but showed good antioxidant properties. The polysaccharides extracted by ultrasonic and cold water methods showed great potential for hypolipidemic effects. Different extraction methods had impacts on the physicochemical properties, biological activities, and microstructures of P. yunnanensis polysaccharides. In practical applications, it is necessary to select appropriate extraction methods according to different requirements. The results of this study provide a reference basis for the precise development and utilization of P. yunnanensis polysaccharides. Full article

Stigmasterol is a plant-derived phytosterol that has attracted considerable attention because of its diverse biological activities and potential therapeutic applications. In this review, the chemical properties, biosynthesis, and biological effects of stigmasterol are exhaustively summarized. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, neuroprotective, and hypolipidemic activities of stigmasterol have been discussed. Findings from various in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed its potential in treating various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, neurological disorders, and inflammatory conditions. The mechanisms underlying these effects are also discussed, particularly emphasizing the regulation of key signaling pathways and molecular targets, to further clarify the therapeutic role of stigmasterol. This review would provide a reference for further exploring the utility of stigmasterol as a therapeutic agent, thereby contributing to the improvement of human health. Full article

In this study, figs were dried by hot air drying (HD), vacuum freeze-drying (FD), vacuum drying (VD) and far-infrared drying (FID). Four fig polysaccharides (FPs) were extracted from different dried figs, and the corresponding names were FPH, FPF, FPV and FPFI. The effects of different drying methods on the structural properties, rheological properties and biological activities of FPs were compared. The result shows that the extraction rate of polysaccharides after FD (2.49%) treatment was 58.60%, 50% and 28.35% higher than that of HD (1.57%), VD (1.66%) and FID (1.94%), respectively. Drying methods result in varying molar ratios of monosaccharides. FPFI has more stable gel properties. HD, VD and FID caused damage to the surface structure of the polysaccharides. FPF exhibited the highest uronic acid content (25.56%), along with relatively low apparent viscosity and molecular weight (1.45 × 10⁵ Da), which contributed to its superior antioxidant and lipid-lowering activities. Therefore, FD is a drying method to obtain fig polysaccharide with high antioxidant and hypolipidemic activity. The results provided a scientific basis for the drying process of fig polysaccharide and a reference for the development of potential hypolipidemic products of fig polysaccharide. Full article

Background/Objectives: Argania spinosa L. Skeels is a Moroccan endemic plant widely used by the local population as folk medicine. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Argan fruit pulp on lipid metabolism disorders and liver steatosis in hypercaloric diet-fed mice. Methods: Animals were treated with the Argan fruit pulp extract and its fractions for 12 weeks at 100 and 200 mg Kg⁻¹ BW daily. The analysis was conducted on lipid levels in plasma, liver, feces, and bile as well as on glycemia. The liver glutathione, malondialdehyde, and antioxidant enzyme activities were assessed. The hepatic steatosis was evaluated by measuring transaminases and alkaline phosphatase activities and examining histological sections. The polyphenol profiles were determined using HPLC-DAD. Possible underlying mechanisms in the hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective activities were predicted by molecular docking. Results: The crude extract and its aqueous fraction (rich in protocatechuic and gallic acids) significantly restored plasma lipids and glucose levels. Indeed, total cholesterol level (TCHO) was decreased in the liver but increased in bile and feces. The treatment also reduced body weight and liver and adipose tissue mass and prevented liver steatosis. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited no effect on lipid metabolism but significantly prevented liver oxidative stress. The crude extract and its fractions appear to be nontoxic (LD50 > 5000 mg Kg⁻¹) in mice. The phenolic acids demonstrated strong binding affinity to key targets involved in regulating lipid homeostasis, including ABCA-1, LXR, CYP7A1, HMH-CoA reductase, and PCSK-9. However, the identified flavonoids exhibited high affinities to targets involved in oxidative stress defense (SOD, CAT, and CYP2E1). Conclusions: The Argan fruit pulp, particularly its polyphenols, could be a promising natural approach for preventing cardio-metabolic diseases by improving lipid metabolism and reducing liver oxidative stress. Full article