ID: 31287296
Title: Oolong Tea Extract and Citrus Peel Polymethoxyflavones Reduce Transformation of l-Carnitine to Trimethylamine-N-Oxide and Decrease Vascular Inflammation in l-Carnitine Feeding Mice.
Abstract: Carnitine, a dietary quaternary amine mainly from red meat, is metabolized to trimethylamine (TMA) by gut microbiota and subsequently oxidized to trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) by host hepatic enzymes, flavin monooxygenases (FMOs). The objective of this study aims to investigate the effects of flavonoids from oolong tea and citrus peels on reducing TMAO formation and protecting vascular inflammation in carnitine-feeding mice. The results showed that mice treated with 1.3% carnitine in drinking water significantly (p < 0.05) increased the plasma levels of TMAO compared to control group, whereas the plasma TMAO was remarkedly reduced by flavonoids used. Meanwhile, these dietary phenolic compounds significantly (p < 0.05) decreased hepatic FMO3 mRNA levels compared to carnitine only group. Additionally, oolong tea extract decreased mRNA levels of vascular inflammatory markers such as tissue necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin. Polymethoxyflavones significantly lowered the expression of VCAM-1 and showed a decreasing trend in TNF-α and E-selectin mRNA expression compared to the carnitine group. Genus-level analysis of the gut microbiota in the cecum showed that these dietary phenolic compounds induced an increase in the relative abundances of Bacteroides. Oolong tea extract-treated group up-regulated Lactobacillus genus, compared to the carnitine only group. Administration of polymethoxyflavones increased Akkermansia in mice.

ID: 31808762
Title: Berry polyphenols metabolism and impact on human gut microbiota and health.
Abstract: Berries are rich in phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonols and anthocyanins. These molecules are often reported as being responsible for the health effects attributed to berries. However, their poor bioavailability, mostly influenced by their complex chemical structures, raises the question of their actual direct impact on health. The products of their metabolization, however, may be the most bioactive compounds due to their ability to enter the blood circulation and reach the organs. The main site of metabolization of the complex polyphenols to smaller phenolic compounds is the gut through the action of microorganisms, and reciprocally polyphenols and their metabolites can also modulate the microbial populations. In healthy subjects, these modulations generally lead to an increase in Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Akkermansia, therefore suggesting a prebiotic-like effect of the berries or their compounds. Finally, berries have been demonstrated to alleviate symptoms of gut inflammation through the modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and have chemopreventive effects towards colon cancer through the regulation of apoptosis, cell proliferation and angiogenesis. This review recapitulates the knowledge available on the interactions between berries polyphenols, gut microbiota and gut health and identifies knowledge gaps for future research.

ID: 32242560
Title: Vinegar extract ameliorates alcohol-induced liver damage associated with the modulation of gut microbiota in mice.
Abstract: Vinegar extract is rich in phenolic compounds, which can prevent free radical-induced diseases. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of vinegar extract on gut microbiota in alcohol-treated mice and their correlation with alcohol-induced liver damage. These results showed that vinegar extract regulated the gut microbiota composition and improved intestinal homeostasis through increasing the expression levels of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1, Reg3b, and Reg3g in alcohol-treated mice. In addition, vinegar extract inhibited the alcohol-induced production of ROS and inflammatory factors. Moreover, Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, Akkermansia, and Lactobacillus showed a significant positive correlation with Reg3b, Reg3g, ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1 and a negative correlation with hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress parameters. However, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Butyricimonas, Parabacteroides, and Bilophila exhibited the opposite effect. These findings suggest that vinegar extract modulates gut microbiota and improves intestinal homeostasis, and can be used as a novel gut microbiota manipulator against alcohol-induced liver damage.

ID: 34268328
Title: Polyphenol-Mediated Gut Microbiota Modulation: Toward Prebiotics and Further.
Abstract: The genome of gut microbes encodes a collection of enzymes whose metabolic functions contribute to the bioavailability and bioactivity of unabsorbed (poly)phenols. Datasets from high throughput sequencing, metabolome measurements, and other omics have expanded the understanding of the different modes of actions by which (poly)phenols modulate the microbiome conferring health benefits to the host. Progress have been made to identify direct prebiotic effects of (poly)phenols; albeit up to date, these compounds are not recognized as prebiotics sensu stricto. Interestingly, certain probiotics strains have an enzymatic repertoire, such as tannase, α-L-rhamnosidase, and phenolic acid reductase, involved in the transformation of different (poly)phenols into bioactive phenolic metabolites. In vivo studies have demonstrated that these (poly)phenol-transforming bacteria thrive when provided with phenolic substrates. However, other taxonomically distinct gut symbionts of which a phenolic-metabolizing activity has not been demonstrated are still significantly promoted by (poly)phenols. This is the case of Akkermansia muciniphila, a so-called antiobesity bacterium, which responds positively to (poly)phenols and may be partially responsible for the health benefits formerly attributed to these molecules. We surmise that (poly)phenols broad antimicrobial action free ecological niches occupied by competing bacteria, thereby allowing the bloom of beneficial gut bacteria. This review explores the capacity of (poly)phenols to promote beneficial gut bacteria through their direct and collaborative bacterial utilization and their inhibitory action on potential pathogenic species. We propose the term duplibiotic, to describe an unabsorbed substrate modulating the gut microbiota by both antimicrobial and prebiotic modes of action. (Poly)phenol duplibiotic effect could participate in blunting metabolic disturbance and gut dysbiosis, positioning these compounds as dietary strategies with therapeutic potential.

ID: 34794235
Title: Radish sprout alleviates DSS-induced colitis via regulation of NF-kB signaling pathway and modifying gut microbiota.
Abstract: In this study, we investigated the effects of radish sprout ethanol extract (RSE) on inflammatory responses in the macrophages and a mouse model of colitis. RSE administration was found to effectively inhibit the phosphorylation of IκB and, in turn, the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages. In dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-colitis mice, RSE administration prevented body weight and colon length reduction, while decreasing inflammation and mucosal necrosis. The diversity of the fecal microbiota was significantly increased in the group treated with RSE. In addition, RSE administration decreased the relative abundance of the phylum Proteobacteria, which includes many pathogens, and increased the abundance of the genus Akkermansia. Beta diversity analyses showed that RSE administration restored the gut microbiota composition close to that of healthy mice. For the first time, we identified glycosides of sinapic acid as part of hydroxycinnamic acids in RSE with colitis-alleviating effects. Notably, 1,2-O-disinapoyl glucoside substantially decreased nitric oxide generation in LPS-stimulated macrophages.

ID: 36351282
Title: Structural Insights into Amelioration Effects of Quercetin and Its Glycoside Derivatives on NAFLD in Mice by Modulating the Gut Microbiota and Host Metabolism.
Abstract: The sugar moieties of natural flavonoids determine their absorption, bioavailability, and bioactivity in humans. To explore structure-dependent bioactivities of quercetin, isoquercetin, and rutin, which have the same basic skeleton linking different sugar moieties, we systemically investigated the ameliorative effects of dietary these flavonoids on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) of mice. Our results revealed that isoquercetin exhibits the strongest capability in improving NAFLD phenotypes of mice, including body and liver weight gain, glucose intolerance, and systemic inflammation in comparison with quercetin and rutin. At the molecular level, dietary isoquercetin markedly ameliorated liver dysfunction and host metabolic disorders in mice with NAFLD. At the microbial level, the three flavonoids compounds, especially isoquercetin, can effectively regulate the gut microbiota composition, such as genera Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus, which were significantly disrupted in NAFLD mice. These comparative findings offer new insights into the structure-dependent activities of natural flavonoids for NAFLD treatment.

ID: 36394293
Title: Nucleotide binding as an allosteric regulatory mechanism for Akkermansia muciniphila β-N-acetylhexosaminidase Am2136.
Abstract: β-N-acetylhexosaminidases (EC3.2.1.52), which belong to the glycosyl hydrolase family GH20, are important enzymes for oligosaccharides modification. Numerous microbial β-N-acetylhexosaminidases have been investigated for applications in biology, biomedicine and biotechnology. Akkermansia muciniphila is an anaerobic intestinal commensal bacterium which possesses specific β-N-acetylhexosaminidases for gut mucosal layer colonization and mucin degradation. In this study, we assessed the in vitro mucin glycan cleavage activity of the A. muciniphila β-N-acetylhexosaminidase Am2136 and demonstrated its ability that hydrolyzing the β-linkages joining N-acetylglucosamine to a wide variety of aglycone residues, which indicated that Am2136 may be a generalist β-N-acetylhexosaminidase. Structural and enzyme activity assay experiments allowed us to probe the essential function of the inter-domain interactions in β23-β33. Importantly, we revealed that the hydrolysis activity of Am2136 was enhanced by nucleotides. We further speculated that this activation mechanism might be associated with the conformational motions between domain III and IV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of nucleotide effector regulated β-N-acetylhexosaminidase, to reveal its novel biological functions. These findings contribute to understanding the distinct properties within the GH20 family and lay a certain foundation to develop controllable glycan hydrolyzing catalysts.Abbreviations: OD600 - optical cell densities at 600 nm; LB - Luria-Bertani; IPTG - isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside; PMSF - phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride; rmsd - root mean square deviation; GlcNAc - N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamine; GalNAc - N-acetyl-β-D-galactosamine; Gal - galactose.

ID: 37686739
Title: Fermented Stevia Improves Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms Associated with Changes in Mouse Gut Microbiota.
Abstract: We previously found that the continuous feeding of ethanol caused mice dysbiosis, in which the cecal microbiota were significantly altered, as compared with those in the non-feeding control group, especially in some bacterial genera involved in gut inflammation. In the present study, we have found that the fermented extract of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) leaves with plant-derived lactic acid bacteria (LABs), Pediococcus pentosaceus LY45, improves the trimethylamine (TMA) productivity of cecal content, which can be used as an indicator of dysbiosis. The following animal experiment also shows that the LY45-fermented stevia extract represses the typical increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, which decreased from 1106 to 210 IU/L (p < 0.05) and from 591 to 100 IU/L (p < 0.05), respectively, together with the simultaneously latent TMA productivity (from 1356 to 745 μM, p < 0.05) of cecal content in the ethanol-fed mice. The microbiota analyses have shown that the observed increased alterations in pro-inflammatory genera putative SMB53 (family Clostridiaceae) and Dorea are restored by the fermented stevia extract. Our result indicates that the preliminary bioconversion of herbal medicinal precursors by fermentation with safe microorganisms like LABs is expected to be a hopeful method of producing specific metabolites that may contribute to the reconstruction of gut microbiota.

ID: 38397562
Title: Schisandra chinensis Bee Pollen Ameliorates Colitis in Mice by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Regulating Treg/Th17 Balance.
Abstract: Colitis is a chronic disease associated with alterations in the composition of gut microbiota. Schisandra chinensis bee pollen extract (SCPE) has been proved to be rich in phenolic compounds and effective in modulating gut microbiota, but its effect on colitis and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study investigates the relationship between colitis amelioration and the gut microbiota regulation of SCPE via fecal microbial transplantation (FMT). The results showed that administration of 20.4 g/kg BW of SCPE could primely ameliorate colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice, showing as more integration of colon tissue structure and the colonic epithelial barrier, as well as lower oxidative stress and inflammation levels compared with colitis mice. Moreover, SCPE supplement restored the balance of T regulatory (Treg) cells and T helper 17 (Th17) cells. Gut microbiota analysis showed SCPE treatment could reshape the gut microbiota balance and improve the abundance of gut microbiota, especially the beneficial bacteria (Akkermansia and Lactobacillus) related to the production of short-chain fatty acids and the regulation of immunity. Most importantly, the protection of 20.4 g/kg BW of SCPE on colitis can be perfectly transmitted by fecal microbiota. Therefore, the gut microbiota-SCFAS-Treg/Th17 axis can be the main mechanism for SCPE to ameliorate colitis. This study suggests that SCPE can be a new promising functional food for prevention and treatment of colitis by reshaping gut microbiota and regulating gut immunity.

ID: 39176030
Title: Glucosinolate extract from radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seed attenuates high-fat diet-induced obesity: insights into gut microbiota and fecal metabolites.
Abstract: Radish seed is a functional food with many beneficial health effects. Glucosinolates are characteristic components in radish seed that can be transformed into bioactive isothiocyanates by gut microbiota. The present study aims to assess anti-obesity efficacy of radish seed glucosinolates (RSGs) and explored the underlying mechanisms with a focus on gut microbiota and fecal metabolome. High-fat diet-induced obese mice were supplemented with different doses of RSGs extract for 8 weeks. Changes in body weight, serum lipid, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels; and pathological changes in the liver and adipose tissue were examined. Fecal metabolome and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were used to analyze alterations in fecal metabolite abundance and the gut microbiota, respectively. Results showed that RSG extract prevented weight gain and decreased serum lipid, ALT, AST levels and lipid deposition in liver and epididymal adipocytes in obese mice. Treatment with RSG extract also increased gut microbiota diversity and altered the dominant bacteria genera in the gut microbiota, decreasing the abundance of Faecalibaculum and increasing the abundance of Allobaculum, Romboutsia, Turicibacter, and Akkermansia. Fecal metabolome results identified 570 differentially abundant metabolites, of which glucosinolate degradation products, such as sulforaphene and 7-methylsulfinylheptyl isothiocyanate, were significantly upregulated after RSG extract intervention. Furthermore, enrichment analysis of metabolic pathways showed that the anti-obesity effects of RSG extract may be mediated by alterations in bile secretion, fat digestion and absorption, and biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites. Overall, RSG extract can inhibit the development of obesity, and the obesity-alleviating effects of RSG are related to alternative regulation of the gut microbiota and glucosinolate metabolites.

ID: 39362323
Title: Phytochemical constituents from root barks of Eleutherococcus henryi Oliv. and their anti-neuroinflammatory effect.
Abstract: The cortex of Eleutherococcus henryi (EH, Araliaceae), also known as "Wu-Jia-Pi", is known for its effects such as dispelling wind and dampness, calming the mind and enhancing intelligence, removing heat and toxin, strengthening muscles and bones, and nourishing the liver and kidneys. Throughout Chinese history and tradition, it has been used for conditions like amnesia, mental fatigue, arthritis, hepatitis, and rheumatism. However, research evaluating its neuroprotective effects and pharmacological properties remains scarce. The goal is to explore the anti-neuroinflammatory properties of EH in vitro and to discover precisely the bioactive natural products within the medicinal plant that are relevant to its traditional usage. Utilizing chromatographic techniques, a phytochemical exploration was conducted. The phytochemical structures of the natural products were then elucidated through an analysis involving comprehensive spectra and a comparison with relevant data from published studies. Network pharmacology combined with molecular dynamics simulations (MDs) and docking were applied to forecast potential anti-neuroinflammatory targets of active compounds. In vitro, the anti-neuroinflammatory efficacy was evaluated via the suppression of inflammatory mediators activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in BV2 microglia. The methanol extract of E.henryi (EHME) restrained the NO release in LPS-activated BV2 microglia, demonstrating anti-neuroinflammatory activity. Subsequently, chemical composition analysis revealed the separation and elucidation of 31 secondary metabolites, comprising 7 new compounds (1-7) and 1 new natural product (8). Based on LPS-induced BV2 cell in vitro activity tests, compounds 4-17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 26, 29 and 31 were found to exhibit potential anti-neuroinflammatory activity, with compound 6 showing the highest efficacy. Furthermore, employing network pharmacology in conjunction with both molecular docking and MDs, potential anti-neuroinflammatory targets of compound 6 were predicted to include TLR4, Src, MAPK, and NF-κB. Finally, validation through in vitro experiments confirmed that the anti-neuroinflammatory mechanism of compound 6 is associated with the TLR4/Src/MAPK p38/NF-κB p65 signaling pathways. The study affirmed the traditional efficacy of E. henryi and unveiled novel lignans as potent agents against neuroinflammation.

ID: 39709319
Title: Exploring the Prebiotic Potential of Fermented Astragalus Polysaccharides on Gut Microbiota Regulation In Vitro.
Abstract: Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) are known for their prebiotic properties, and fermentation by probiotics is a promising strategy to enhance the prebiotic activity of polysaccharides. In this study, Lactobacillus rhamnosus was used to ferment APS, and response surface methodology was applied to optimize the fermentation parameters. The optimal conditions were determined as follows: 10.28% APS addition, 5.83% inoculum, 35.6 h of fermentation time, and a temperature of 34.6 °C. Additionally, the effects of Fermented Astragalus polysaccharides (FAPS) on human gut microbiota were investigated through in vitro anaerobic incubation. Fecal samples were obtained from 6 healthy volunteers, which were then individually incubated with FAPS. Results demonstrated that FAPS significantly regulated microbial composition and diversity, increasing the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria such as Lactobacillus, E. faecalis, and Brautobacterium, while inhibiting harmful species such as Shigella, Romboutsia, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1. Furthermore, FAPS enhanced the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are increasingly recognized to play a role in intestinal homeostasis. These findings suggested that FAPS offers several advantages in terms of increasing beneficial metabolites and regulating gut microbial composition. This study provides valuable insights for expanding the use of plant-derived polysaccharides in the food industry and for developing functional dietary supplements.

ID: 40218908
Title: Atractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract Fermented with a Plant-Derived Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (Lactobacillus paracasei) IJH-SONE68 Improves the Wheat Gliadin-Induced Food Allergic Reaction in Mice.
Abstract: Background/Objectives: Medicinal herbs produce valuable substances with therapeutic potential. The chemical structures of those substances are often converted by gut microbiota. Our previous studies showed that several kinds of bioactive molecules are newly generated in fermented medicinal herbal extract with plant-derived lactic acid bacteria (LABs). Methods: The fermented extract of Atractylodes Japonica Rhizoma (AJR), which is designated as "Byakujutsu" in Japan, with a plant-derived LAB strain IJH-SONE68 was prepared and whether the fermented extract could help reduce symptoms of food allergies, especially wheat intolerance, was confirmed using animal model. Results: It has been found that the fermented extract significantly ameliorates the anaphylaxis score (from 3.0 to 1.0, p = 0.003) of gliadin-induced allergic model mice (specific-pathogen-free, BALB/cJ) accompanied with the modulation of serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) (from 778 to 518 ng/mL, p = 0.006), interferon (IFN)-γ (from 6.6 to 9.5 pg/mL, p < 0.001), and interleukin (IL)-4 (from 32.0 to 9.1 pg/mL, p < 0.001) levels. Conclusions: The fermented AJR extract may modulate the Th1/Th2 cell balance to alleviate the symptoms of gliadin-induced anaphylaxis in mice. The present study supports the view that the fermentation of medicinal herbal extract prepared using LABs may be a useful procedure for producing therapeutic potential compounds to maintain health.

ID: 40431358
Title: Beneficial Effects of Traditional Fermented Soybean Sauce (Kanjang) on Memory Function, Body Water, and Glucose Metabolism: Roles of Gut Microbiota and Neuroinflammation.
Abstract: Background: Traditional fermented soybean foods, acting as potential synbiotics, may help mitigate cognitive impairment associated with amnesia. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of four kanjang (Korean fermented soy sauce) varieties and their underlying mechanisms. Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 70) were divided into seven groups: normal control, scopolamine control, positive control (1 mg/kg bw/day of donepezil), and four scopolamine-treated groups receiving different kanjang varieties (0.5% in high-fat diet). Based on their Bacillus content, the kanjang samples were categorized as traditionally made kanjang (TMK) with high Bacillus (SS-HB), TMK with medium Bacillus (SS-MB), TMK with low Bacillus (SS-LB), and factory-made kanjang (SS-FM). Results: Scopolamine administration disrupted energy, glucose, and water metabolism and impaired memory function (p < 0.05). All kanjang treatments improved insulin sensitivity, reduced inflammation, enhanced glucose tolerance, and decreased visceral fat. SS-MB, SS-HB, and SS-FM increased skeletal muscle mass. They maintained body water homeostasis by suppressing the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Kanjang treatments improved memory function, with SS-FM showing the least significant effects. The treatments reduced neuronal cell death in the hippocampal CA1 region, decreased acetylcholinesterase activity, and increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA expression. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that kanjang treatments increased Lactobacillaceae and decreased Lachnospiraceae, with SS-HB and SS-LB specifically elevating Ligilactobacillus. Metagenomic analysis demonstrated enhanced glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways and enhanced butanoate metabolism while reducing lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis and pro-inflammatory signaling. SS-MB and SS-LB increased intestinal goblet cell counts and the serum butyrate concentration. Conclusions: These findings suggest that kanjang consumption, particularly SS-HB and SS-LB varieties, can ameliorate memory impairment in this murine model through multiple mechanisms: metabolic improvements, enhanced neurotrophic signaling, gut microbiota modulation, and reduced neuroinflammation via gut-brain axis activation. Human clinical trials are warranted to determine if these promising neuroprotective effects translate to clinical applications.

ID: 40573190
Title: Prebiotic-like Effects of Proanthocyanidin-Rich Aronia Extract Supplementation on Gut Microbiota Composition and Function in the Twin-M-SHIME® Model.
Abstract: Background: Phenolic compounds, particularly anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins (PACs), are poorly absorbed in the upper digestive tract and reach the colon largely intact, where they may influence gut microbiota (GM) composition and, in turn, impact host health. We hypothesized that a PAC-rich aronia extract would beneficially modulate the GM, promote the growth of health-associated bacteria, and enhance short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production across different colon sections, with partial reversion effects after supplementation ends. Methods: The Twin-M-SHIME® system was used to simulate the digestion and colonic fermentation in two donors with contrasting microbiota profiles. The experimental design included four phases: stabilization (14 days), control (7 days), treatment with 500 mg/day PAC-rich aronia extract (21 days), and wash-out (10 days). SCFA production was monitored, and changes in microbiome composition were assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: PAC-rich aronia extract significantly modulated SCFA levels, increasing butyrate and reducing acetate, with some inter-donor variability. SCFA concentrations tended to return to baseline after the wash-out (WO) period. Metagenomic analysis revealed a decrease in Collinsella, Sutterella, Selenomonas, and Parabacteroides-genera linked to low-fiber diets and gut inflammation-while promoting Proteobacteria (e.g., Escherichia-Shigella, Klebsiella) and butyrate-associated Firmicutes such as Lactiplantibacillus. Although some microbial shifts partially reverted during the wash-out (e.g., Akkermansia, Bacteroides, and Bifidobacterium), other changes persisted. Conclusions: These findings suggest that PAC-rich aronia extract beneficially modulates GM and SCFA production, but continuous intake may be necessary to maintain these effects over time.

ID: 40802223
Title: Postbiotics as a Therapeutic Tool in Depression: Exploring into Molecular Pathways and Neuroprotective Effects.
Abstract: Depression, a debilitating mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness and anhedonia, affects millions worldwide, yet available therapies remain suboptimal and often cause undesirable side effects. Emerging evidence highlights the crucial role of gut microbiota in regulating mental health through the gut-brain axis, paving the way for novel therapeutic strategies. As per preclinical and clinical studies, there is a causal relationship between gut dysbiosis and depression via modulation of brain activity through the gut-brain axis (GBA), and the key to targeting microbes is key to treating depression. Postbiotics-bioactive compounds derived after fermentation have been shown to provide several health benefits, particularly in terms of neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and restoration of neuroplasticity associated with depression. This review explores the neuroprotective mechanisms by which postbiotics alleviate depression, including the modulation of neurotransmitter synthesis, suppression of neuroinflammation, mitigation of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, and restoration of neuroplasticity. Furthermore, postbiotics hold potential as adjuvant therapy alongside conventional antidepressants, enhancing treatment efficacy and minimizing side effects. Despite promising initial findings, challenges such as standardized formulation, clinical dose optimization, and regulatory framework development must be addressed. Large-scale clinical trials are imperative to validate their therapeutic potential and facilitate integration into mainstream depression management. As research advances, postbiotics may redefine mental health treatment, emerging as a revolutionary microbiome-based approach for long-term patient care.

ID: 40860878
Title: Cistanche tubulosa glycosides ameliorate cognitive decline in APP/PS1 mice via modulation of gut microbiota and fatty acid metabolism: insights from multi-omics and experimental validation.
Abstract: The dried succulent stem of C. tubulosa (Schenk) Wight has long been used as herbal medicine in China and other regions of Asia for its tonifying properties. This study aimed to elucidate the pharmacological mechanisms of the total glycosides from Cistanche tubulosa (GCT) in ameliorating cognitive decline, with a focus on gut microbiota remodeling and metabolic regulation. Six-month-old APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice received oral GCT at three doses or donepezil for 60 days. Cognitive function was assessed by the Morris water maze. Aβ burden and inflammatory factors were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Metabolomic profiles of mice serum and brain were profiled by a targeted metabolomics approach that enabled simultaneous quantitation of 306 metabolites. The effect of GCT on pure-cultured bacterial strain was assessed via growth curve analysis in vitro. GCT treatment significantly improved spatial memory and reduced the protein levels of Aβ and proinflammatory factors in APP/PS1 mice. Multi-omics analyses revealed that GCT rapidly enriched beneficial taxa like Akkermansia and suppresses Firmicutes since the seventh day of intervention, leading to increased neuroprotective short-chain fatty acids (e.g., β-hydroxybutyrate) and decreased pro-inflammatory long-chain fatty acids in both serum and brain. Crucially, in-vitro experiments demonstrated that GCT directly promoted the proliferation of Akkermansia muciniphila, a key probiotic implicated in AD amelioration. This work uncovers a novel "gut microbiota-fatty acid metabolism-neuroinflammation" axis as the primary mechanism underlying GCT's anti-AD effects. These findings highlight GCT's therapeutic potential and offer new mechanistic insights into how low-bioavailability phytochemicals exert systemic benefits via the gut-brain axis.

ID: 40914308
Title: The renoprotective anti-hyperuricemia effect of Cornus officinalis extract in hyperuricemia rats based on network pharmacology and multiple omics.
Abstract: Corus officinalis Siebold & Zucc belongs to the genus Cornus in the Cornaceae family, and was first recorded in the "Shennong Herbal Classic", now has been included in "according to the tradition of both food and Chinese herbal medicines", consist of kidney and liver tonifying, antioxidant substances including cycloid glycosides, flavonoids, polyphenols, organic acids, etc. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was aimed at discovering the mechanism underlying the anti-hyperemia effect of Cor in rats, particularly its protective effect against liver and kidney dysfunction caused by HUA. In this study, the effect of Cor extract against HUA was verified in rats, subsequently, network pharmacology combined with non-targeted metabolomic were performed to investigate its composition characteristics, and further multi-omics studies and molecular validation were performed to reveal molecular mechanism both in vivo and in vitro. The results demonstrated that cornuside, hydroxygenkwanin and tetrahydroalstonine were the main bioactive compounds in Cor extract, which protected intestinal metabolism disorder by increasing relative abundances of Bacteroides, Lactobacillus Roseburia and Akkermansia, alleviated liver oxidative damage by activation of the Nrf2/HO-1(NQO1) antioxidant pathway, and reduced liver UA synthesis by inhibiting the expression of UA synthesis protein XOD in rat model. In addition, tetrahydroalstonine alleviated inflammation via inhibiting PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway, with cornuside and hydroxygenkwanin enhanced renal tubule UA transport capacity by regulating the translations of XDH and HRP genes, all of which protected HUA-rat kidney from inflammatory infiltration damage, and reduced serum urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CRE) and UA levels. These findings indicates that Cor can alleviate HUA by enhancing liver-renal-intestine UA metabolism, inhibiting inflammatory responses of liver-renal-intestine as well as providing hepatorenal protection.

ID: 41113276
Title: HPLC/UV analysis of mulberry vinegar and its protective role in LPS-induced cognitive impairment via regulating NF-κB signaling pathway and amyloidogenesis in mice.
Abstract: The present study investigated the protective effect of mulberry vinegar (MV) on inflammatory responses and cognitive deficit induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice models. The mice were administered MV and given intraperitoneal injection of LPS. In behavioral tests, MV ameliorated memory deficit and cognitive dysfunction. In the LPS-injected mouse brains, the generation of malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and pro-inflammatory cytokines was inhibited by the administration of MV. These preventive roles of MV were attributed to inactivation of NF-κB signaling pathway with downregulation of iNOS and COX-2. Moreover, MV modulated the amyloidogenic pathway by inhibiting amyloid precursor protein, beta-site APP cleaving enzyme-1, presenilin 1, and presenilin 2 and enhancing Aβ degradation-related proteins expression. The major phenolic compounds in MV were protocatechuic acid (0.13 mg/mL), rutin (0.13 mg/mL), and chlorogenic acid (0.05 mg/mL), which were increased by fermentation, confirmed by HPLC/UV analysis. Therefore, MV could ameliorate cognitive deficits through regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and amyloidogenesis.

ID: 41285309
Title: Tripterygium wilfordii multi-glycoside alleviates ankylosing spondylitis via gut microbiota modulation and metabolite reprogramming.
Abstract: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder characterized by severe inflammation in the axial skeleton. Tripterygium wilfordii multi-glycoside (GTW) is widely used in clinical practice for AS and related immune diseases, yet its precise mechanism of action remains unclear. Explore the therapeutic effects of GTW on AS and its potential mechanisms, with a focus on its impact on the gut microbiota and associated metabolites. An AS mouse model was established via intraperitoneal injection of proteoglycan and Freund's complete adjuvant. The therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of GTW were explored through phenotypic analysis, 16S rRNA sequencing, and metabolomic profiling. GTW significantly reduced arthritis index, gait score, paw thickness, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in AS mice. Additionally, it modulated mRNA and protein expression related to osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation while restoring intestinal barrier integrity. Notably, GTW reversed the AS-induced depletion of Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia. Correlation analysis between gut microbiota, fecal metabolites, and AS-related phenotypes suggested that GTW-enriched bacteria were positively associated with beneficial metabolites, including 3-methylxanthine, 5'-methylthioadenosine, cinnamic acid, kaempferol, and palmitoyl glucuronide. Both of those gut bacteria and metabolites were strongly negatively correlated with AS severity markers (IL-6, IL-17, IL-23, Th17 cell percentage, arthritis index, gait score, paw thickness, and Rankl expression) and positively associated with protective factors (Zo-1, Occludin, Claudin-1, Ocn, and Alp gene expression). This study implies that GTW treatment is associated with amelioration of AS-related symptoms in mice, suggesting a potential role of the gut microbiota-metabolite axis in GTW-associated AS improvement, though causal relationships require further validation.

ID: 41379032
Title: In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of oenothein B from Eucalyptus leaves and its amelioration mechanism on colitis in mice by regulating fecal microbiota and metabolism.
Abstract: Nonvolatile extracts from Eucalyptus leaves possess diverse bioactivities; however, their anti-inflammatory potential and key active components remain insufficiently characterized. In this study, we demonstrated that antioxidant polyphenols extracted from Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla (EPEGU) using low-temperature continuous phase transformation extraction (LCPTE) exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the secretion of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Furthermore, oenothein B (OEB), isolated from EPEGU, markedly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and their corresponding mRNA expression in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. In vivo, OEB administration alleviated ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms in mice, evidenced by attenuation of body weight loss, prevention of colon shortening, reduction of pro-inflammatory mediator secretion, and improvement in spleen weight, disease activity index (DAI), histopathological damage, and oxidative stress markers. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that OEB mitigated dysbiosis by increasing the abundance of beneficial taxa such as Firmicutes, Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, and Ruminococcus, while reducing potentially pathogenic genera including Proteobacteria, Bacteroides, and Escherichia-Shigella. These microbial shifts were associated with alterations in colonic metabolites, primarily involving arachidonic acid and bile acid metabolism. Collectively, these findings indicate that OEB is a promising natural anti-inflammatory agent and potential adjuvant for the prevention and management of inflammatory bowel diseases.

ID: 41517203
Title: Comparative Study on the In Vitro Fermentation Characteristics of Three Plant-Derived Polysaccharides with Different Structural Compositions.
Abstract: This study aimed to elucidate the structure-activity relationship between the structural characteristics of three plant-derived polysaccharides, Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), citrus pectin (CP) and peach gum polysaccharide (PGP), and their prebiotic functionalities. Structural analysis indicated that LBP exhibited a medium molecular weight and was rich in galactose and rhamnose, which contributed to its high uronic acid content, strong antioxidant activity, and sustained fermentation profile with enhanced butyrate production. In contrast, CP, with its low molecular weight and neutral linear glucan backbone, was rapidly utilized by gut microbiota, leading to accelerated propionate accumulation. Meanwhile, PGP, characterized by an ultra-high molecular weight and a highly branched arabinogalactan configuration, acted as a specific substrate that promoted mid- to late-stage fermentation and significantly increased butyrate yield, highlighting its prebiotic property driven by structural complexity. The functional differences among these polysaccharides were determined by their monosaccharide composition, molecular weight distribution, and chain conformation. These findings provide a scientific basis for the targeted development of plant-derived prebiotics aimed at specific metabolic functions.

ID: 41653907
Title: Preventive effects of GABA-producing postbiotics derived from Levilactobacillus brevis against chronic sleep deprivation-induced gut-brain axis dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and behavioral impairments in mice.
Abstract: Chronic sleep deprivation (CSD) is increasingly recognized as a contributor to gut dysbiosis, systemic inflammation, and neurobehavioral impairments via the gut-brain axis. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-producing postbiotics, derived from microbial fermentation, offer potential in mitigating such dysfunctions. This study investigates the effects of GABA-producing postbiotics produced by Levilactobacillus brevis on CSD-induced gut and brain disturbances in mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 30 days of sleep fragmentation and treated with low (250 mg/kg) or high (500 mg/kg) doses of postbiotics. Behavioral tests revealed that GABA-producing postbiotics significantly alleviated anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Postbiotic treatment restored intestinal tight junction protein expression (ZO-1, Claudin-1), increased glutathione peroxidase activity, and reduced serum lipopolysaccharide and TNF-α levels, indicating improved intestinal barrier function and attenuated systemic inflammation. Postbiotic treatment promote the growth of beneficial genera such as Ruminococcus and Akkermansia, while also elevating fecal propanoic acid concentrations. In the brain, postbiotics upregulated blood-brain barrier (BBB) associated genes and reduced neuroinflammatory gene expression. Correlation analysis highlighted microbial signatures linked to short-chain fatty acids, intestinal tight junction proteins, serum LPS and TNF-α levels, as well as hypothalamic inflammatory, BBB gene expressions and anxiety. These findings suggest that GABA-producing postbiotics ameliorate CSD-induced gut-brain axis disruption by modulating the microbiota, restoring barrier functions, and suppressing systemic and neuroinflammation. This study supports the potential application of GABA-producing postbiotics as a dietary strategy to mitigate sleep loss-related physiological and behavioral impairments.

ID: 41678917
Title: Plant-derived bioactive compounds modulate the gut microbiota in Alzheimer's disease: Metabolite signaling, neuroimmune circuits, and systems-level regulation.
Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasingly recognized as a multisystem disorder shaped not only by central neurodegeneration but also by peripheral metabolic and immune dysregulation. Growing evidence highlights the gut microbiota and its metabolites as key modulators of amyloid accumulation, tau phosphorylation, neuroinflammation, and microglial dysfunction. This review aims to synthesize current advances on how plant-derived bioactive compounds modulate AD pathophysiology through microbiota-dependent metabolic and neuroimmune mechanisms, and to establish a systems-level framework linking botanical interventions to gut microbiota remodeling and metabolite signaling. A comprehensive literature survey was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, covering publications from 2010 to 2026. Studies investigating gut microbiota, microbial metabolites, and plant-derived bioactive compounds in AD-related metabolic, immune, and neurodegenerative pathways were systematically reviewed and integrated. Plant-derived bioactive compounds, including phytochemicals, polysaccharides, and multi-herb formulations, interact extensively with the gut microbiota, undergoing microbial biotransformation to yield more active metabolites while simultaneously reshaping microbial community structure and metabolite profiles. These bidirectional interactions position the microbiota as a central mediator of plant-derived therapeutic activity. We summarize current evidence on how plant-derived compounds influence AD pathophysiology through microbiota-dependent metabolic and neuroimmune pathways. Major microbial metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), bile acids (BAs), and indole derivatives, are discussed, together with their regulatory roles in signaling networks such as nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt), cAMP response element-binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (CREB/BDNF), and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2)-associated microglial states. We further summarize evidence for synergistic strategies combining plant bioactives with probiotics and highlight advances in microbial biotransformation, precision metabolite modulation, and engineered microbial systems. Finally, future directions integrating multi-omics, personalized microbiota-guided interventions, and synthetic biology are outlined to support the development of targeted, mechanism-based therapies. By framing AD through a gut microbiota-centered perspective, this review provides a unified mechanistic foundation for the development of next-generation interventions based on plant-derived compounds and microbiota regulation.

ID: 41693952
Title: Polyphenol metabolites in fermented foods: biotransformation, bioavailability, and functional roles.
Abstract: Polyphenols, plant-derived bioactive compounds, are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, benefiting plant-based foods. Fermentation, driven by microbial enzymes like glycosidases, esterases, and decarboxylases, alters the chemical structure of polyphenols, enhancing their bioavailability and bioactivity. This review explores the transformation of polyphenols, particularly flavonoids and phenolic acids, during fermentation, resulting in bioactive metabolites with increased solubility, stability, and antioxidant activity, improving gastrointestinal absorption. Additionally, fermented polyphenol metabolites modulate gut microbiota by promoting beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, while inhibiting pathogens. These changes support gut health, reduce inflammation, and provide systemic benefits, including enhanced metabolic, immune, and neurocognitive functions. Despite progress, knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding microbial pathways and the health outcomes linked to these metabolites. Future research should focus on mapping microbial biotransformation pathways of polyphenols and their impact on health outcomes. Additionally, well-controlled human intervention studies using multi-omics approaches are necessary to validate the systemic benefits of fermented polyphenol metabolites.

ID: 41752066
Title: Reduced Neuroinflammation and Pain with a Functional Sourdough Bread Enriched with Legumes and Ancient Cereals in a Mouse Model of LPS-Induced Inflammation.
Abstract: Nutritional strategies based on sourdough fermented breads with wholemeal ancient grains and legumes are emerging as promising modulators of (neuro)immune processes. This study investigated whether prolonged consumption of a sourdough bread enriched with a mixture of ancient cereals and legumes, commercially available in Italy (Primus® bread, P®B), modulates neuroimmune systemic responses to repeated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge in mice. For this study, male C57BL/6J mice were fed for 14 days with either a standard diet (SD) or P®B. Animals then received intraperitoneal LPS (3 mg/kg/day for 3 days) or vehicle. Body weight and food intake were monitored throughout. Pain-like behaviours were assessed by von Frey, plantar and tail flick tests, and plasma cytokine (32-plex panel), splenocyte and peritoneal macrophage cytokine expression, and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in sciatic nerves, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and the spinal cord were analyzed by Reverse Transcription-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). P®B prevented LPS-induced body weight loss and reduced splenomegaly. Unlike SD mice, which exhibited widespread plasmatic cytokine upregulation, P®B-fed mice displayed only limited increases Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-12p40 and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)α. Ex vivo cultures of splenocytes and macrophages confirmed attenuated cytokine overexpression. LPS-induced hypersensitivity to mechanical, thermal and nociceptive stimuli was significantly reduced in P®B mice. Molecular analyses revealed that the P®B diet blunted the pro-inflammatory cytokine expression present after LPS challenge in the sciatic nerves and DRG, with partial attenuation in the spinal cord. Our findings highlight the great potential of functional foods as affordable dietary strategies to mitigate systemic immune and neuroimmune dysregulation.

ID: 41921509
Title: Frontiers in Gut Health: The Emerging Role of Berries in Microbiota Modulation and Gastrointestinal Diseases.
Abstract: Berries are rich in bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, dietary fiber, and micronutrients, that have been linked to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and microbiota-modulating effects. This review examines how berry intake relates to gut health, which is considered here across 4 domains: (1) gut microbiota composition and function, (2) intestinal barrier integrity, (3) immune/inflammatory pathways, and (4) clinical symptoms/biomarkers, with relevance to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Berries have demonstrated microbiota-modulating effects across in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. Populations of specific taxa, such as Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia, and Roseburia, increase in the gut after berry intake, alongside enhanced production of short-chain fatty acids. Importantly, the dual role of polyphenols as both microbial substrates and modulators-termed the "duplibiotic effect"-represents a novel conceptual advance. These microbial shifts are associated with improved gut barrier function and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Results of clinical studies with patients with IBD suggest anthocyanin-rich berries may support remission by enhancing microbial diversity and decreasing intestinal inflammation. In IBS, berries low in fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols, like blueberries, have shown symptom relief through anti-inflammatory and microbiota-modulating effects. Berries may also exert chemopreventive actions in GI cancers by influencing Wnt signaling, COX-2 expression, and DNA methylation. Although in vitro, in vivo, and early-phase clinical studies provide encouraging evidence, larger berry-specific human trials are required to confirm these effects and clarify mechanisms for personalized interventions.

ID: 42121529
Title: Theabrownin from Dark Tea Attenuates Age-Related Cognitive Decline in Naturally Aged Mice by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Metabolites.
Abstract: Dietary factors play an important role in cognitive health during aging. Dark tea has shown potential cognitive benefits, but its key bioactive component and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In a naturally aged C57BL/6J mouse model, instant dark tea (IDT) samples with different fermentation degrees were evaluated together with behavioral outcomes using composition-effect relationship analysis. This analysis identified theabrownin (TB) as the component most strongly associated with improved cognitive performance. Compared with aged controls, TB increased Y-maze spontaneous alternation from 51.91% to 71.59% and reduced escape latency on day 5 of the Morris water maze from 44.84 s to 26.59 s. In contrast, the corresponding TB-depleted fraction produced no comparable cognitive improvement. TB also alleviated hippocampal injury and neuroinflammation. Antibiotic treatment abolished the cognitive benefits of TB, whereas fecal microbiota transplantation partially restored them. Multi-omics analyses suggested that TB treatment was associated with gut microbiota remodeling and increased serum acetate and 3-hydroxybutyrate; both metabolites partially recapitulated these benefits. Together, these findings show that TB attenuates age-related cognitive decline in naturally aged mice and suggest that modulation of gut microbiota and metabolites may contribute to this effect, supporting its potential as a functional food ingredient for healthy brain aging.

ID: 42179525
Title: Lactic Acid Bacteria-Mediated Fermentation Drives Metabolic Remodeling of Centella Asiatica (L.) Urb. toward Acidic Triterpenoids with Neuroinflammation-Related Bioactivity.
Abstract: Centella asiatica Urb. is a medicinal plant rich in triterpenoid constituents with a reported neurobiological relevance. Its major metabolites are glycosylated triterpenoids, such as asiaticoside and madecassoside, whereas the corresponding acidic triterpenoids, including asiatic acid and madecassic acid, are typically present at low abundance. Given the increasing interest in how metabolic forms of natural products influence biological activity, this study investigated whether lactic acid bacteria (LAB)-mediated fermentation could induce metabolic remodeling of C. asiatica through microbial biotransformation. LAB fermentation markedly altered the secondary metabolite profile, which was characterized by a reduction in phenolic compounds and glycosylated triterpenoids and a pronounced enrichment of acidic triterpenoids. This compositional shift was accompanied by changes in bioactivity, including a decreased antioxidant capacity but enhanced anti-inflammatory effects in macrophage cells. Fermented C. asiatica significantly suppressed the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) and modulated amyloid-β and tau protein aggregation behavior in vitro. Furthermore, in an Alzheimer's disease transgenic mouse model, fermented extracts were associated with reduced amyloid plaque deposition, as assessed by Thioflavin S staining. Collectively, these results demonstrate that LAB-mediated fermentation drives functional metabolic remodeling of C. asiatica by altering the triterpenoid composition and bioactivity profiles. This work highlights microbial biotransformation as a versatile strategy for modulating the biological attributes of plant-derived natural products and for exploring relationships between chemical form and bioactivity in complex biological systems.

ID: 42192549
Title: Electroacupuncture prevents CUMS induced depressive-like behaviors by inhibiting microglia-mediated synaptic pruning induced by gut dysbiosis.
Abstract: Electroacupuncture (EA) has been widely used for depression treatment. Microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis plays a vital role in regulating emotional behaviors. However, the potential role of MGB axis in EA-mediated protective effects remains unclear. The protective effects of EA in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) induced mice were evaluated, and the gut microbiota and metabolic profiles were analyzed. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was utilized to explore the role of MGB axis in the protective effects of EA. Analyses related to synaptic pruning mediated by microglia were conducted to explore the molecular mechanisms. In this study, EA treatment prevented depressive-like behaviors in CUMS mice. Mechanistically, EA ameliorated CUMS-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis and inflammation, and partially restored gut microbial metabolism, particularly affecting the abundance of Alistipes and taurine metabolism. Furthermore, EA significantly reduced systemic and hippocampal inflammation. It also attenuated aberrant synaptic pruning in the hippocampus. Moreover, FMT from CUMS mice induced depressive-like behaviors, gut inflammation and microglia-mediated aberrant synaptic pruning, whereas FMT from EA-treated donors exerted protective effects against these impairments. Collectively, our findings suggest that EA prevented CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors and support the involvement of the MGB axis in its protective effects.

ID: 42290160
Title: Fermentation-Induced Phenolic Remodeling of Aronia melanocarpa Alleviates Obesity-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction Associated With Coordinated Modulation of the AMPK/NF-κB/BDNF Axis and BBB Integrity.
Abstract: Obesity-induced cognitive decline involves chronic inflammation and neuronal dysfunction. This study investigated the mechanistic associations of probiotic-fermented Aronia melanocarpa extract (LAB-A) on metabolic and cognitive dysfunction in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Fermentation doubled total polyphenol content and increased aglycones like quercetin and eriodictyol. LAB-A attenuated microglial neuroinflammation by inhibiting NF-κB translocation (94.4% reduction, p < 0.05) and protected neurons from apoptosis by reducing the BAX/BCL-2 ratio (89.3%, p < 0.05). In HFD-fed mice, LAB-A significantly reduced weight gain and improved lipid/hepatic profiles (p < 0.05). Behaviorally, LAB-A significantly ameliorated cognitive deficits, improving recognition and spatial memory (p < 0.05). At the molecular level, LAB-A suppressed hippocampal NF-κB, restored AMPKα phosphorylation, and markedly upregulated BDNF (∼11.0-fold, p < 0.05). These changes were accompanied by reinforced blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, as evidenced by a 3.1-fold increase in Occludin (p < 0.05). Fermentation enhances the bioactivity of Aronia by increasing aglycone-type phenolics. LAB-A effectively mitigates obesity-related metabolic and cognitive dysfunction, associated with coordinated modulation of the AMPKα/NF-κB/BDNF axis and reinforcement of BBB integrity, highlighting its potential as a functional food ingredient for obesity-associated neuroprotection.

ID: 42354205
Title: Fermented Dendrobium officinale Ameliorates Sleep Deprivation-Induced Depressive-like Behaviors by Attenuating Neuroinflammation and Restoring 5-HT Synthesis via the Gut-Brain Axis.
Abstract: Chronic sleep deprivation (SD) disrupts gut-brain axis (GBA) homeostasis and is closely associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis, neuroinflammation, and depression-like behaviors. This study investigated whether fermentation enhances the antidepressant-like effects of Dendrobium officinale by comparing fermented Dendrobium officinale (FDO) with unfermented Dendrobium officinale (DO) in a chronic SD mouse model. FDO significantly ameliorated anxiety and depressive-like behaviors in SD mice. It reshaped gut microbial structures, enriched beneficial bacteria taxa such as Dubosiella, [Eubacterium]_coprostanoligenes_group, and Allobaculum, and increased SCFA levels. FDO also enhanced colonic ZO-1 and Occludin expression and reduced serum levels of LPS and the pro-inflammatory cytokines. At the central nervous system level, FDO inhibited the activation of hippocampal microglia and astrocytes; alleviated neuroinflammation; restored hippocampal TPH2, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and 5-HIAA levels; and modulated the 5-HT1A/5-HT2A receptor balance. In addition, FDO upregulated BDNF, PSD-95, and SYN expression and reduced corticosterone (CORT) levels. Compared with DO, FDO showed more pronounced regulatory effects. Correlation analysis suggested that 5-HT may link gut microbial metabolites, inflammation, and synaptic plasticity. In summary, these findings support FDO as a potential GBA-targeted functional food for SD-related depressive-like behaviors.

ID: 42424676
Title: Dark tea-derived exosome-like nanovesicles suppress hepatocellular carcinoma via inhibiting Akt pathway and modulating immune profiles.
Abstract: Accumulating evidence indicates the microbial fermentation enhanced the health benefits and potential anti-tumor effect of dark tea. However, low bioavailability and unclarified therapeutic mechanisms impeded its deeply application. Plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles offered a promising option for improving bioavailability and targeted delivery capability. To obtain dark tea-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (DTELNs) and clarify their material basis, investigate the therapeutic effects on hepatocyte carcinoma (HCC) and potential mechanisms. DTELNs were isolated by tangential flow filtration, TEM, NTA, nucleic acid & protein analysis system and LC-MS/MS were used to characterize their morphological characteristics and chemical composition. Orthotopic HCC model mice were established and employed for DTELNs' oral administration. Living imaging, H&E staining and biochemical assays were used to evaluate therapeutic effects. Untargeted metabolomic, 16S rRNA sequencing and cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF) were used to investigate the alteration of endogenous substances and immune features. Potential targets were explored by network pharmacology, protein-protein interaction, and verified by western blot. Finally, HCC patient-derived organoids were generated to evaluate the clinical applicability of DTELNs. DTELNs exhibited typical exosomal features, major components including flavonoids, phenolic acids, lipids, amino acids and their derivatives, and miRNAs. DTELNs markedly suppressed tumor proliferation, modulated gut microbial diversity, normalized liver-gut axis physiological homeostasis and enhanced immune responses. DTELNs distinctly downregulated the expressions of p-Akt, NF-κB, Bcl-2, cyclin D1, upregulated the expressions of p-p53, PTEN, Bax, cleaved-caspase 3 and p21. DTELNs also exhibited potent inhibitory effect on HCC organoids. DTELNs demonstrated potent therapeutic efficacy against HCC. The mechanisms mainly involved directly modulating Akt-related signalling pathways, rebalancing gut microbiota and related metabolites, and further boosting anti-tumor immune responses.

ID: 42530981
Title: Dietary plant polysaccharides as modulators of brain aging: mechanistic links to inflammaging, the gut brain axis and amyloid tau pathology.
Abstract: Objectives: This review critically evaluates chemically characterized plant-derived polysaccharides (PS) as dietary modulators of brain aging, focusing on their structural features, gut-brain mechanisms and effects on neuroinflammation, amyloid pathology and tau-related pathways.Methods: Molecular, in vitro, preclinical and early human studies were critically examined. Evidence was assessed in relation to PS molecular weight, branching, charge, monosaccharide composition, purity, fermentability, dosage and associated non-carbohydrate constituents. Particular attention was given to gut microbiota modulation, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, barrier integrity, immune signaling, microglial activation and neurodegenerative biomarkers.Results: Fermentable plant PS altered gut microbial composition and increased acetate, propionate and butyrate production in experimental models. These SCFAs may influence brain aging through FFAR2/FFAR3 signaling and histone deacetylase inhibition, thereby improving intestinal barrier function, regulating peripheral inflammation and modifying microglial responses. Direct anti-amyloid effects were supported mainly by in vitro studies, whereas evidence for tau modulation remained indirect and predominantly preclinical. Animal studies provided the strongest causal support, particularly through microbiota-transfer, antibiotic-depletion and receptor-pathway experiments. Human evidence was limited to associative studies and small fiber or prebiotic trials. Reported PS molecular masses ranged from about 10 kDa to more than 1,000 kDa, with preclinical doses of 50-500 mg/kg and human intakes of 5-15 g/day.Discussion: Plant PS are promising dietary modulators of brain aging but not established neurotherapeutics. Translation requires standardized fractions, control of co-extracted phenolics and proteins, dose-response studies and biomarker-rich clinical trials incorporating stool and plasma SCFAs, inflammatory markers, neurofilament light, phosphorylated tau, cognitive outcomes and neuroimaging measures.