Food Science and Human Wellness最新文献

{"title":"Discovery of potent and selective peroxiredoxin 2 agonist natural products and derivatives against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury","authors":"Guangyuan Zhao, Bo Wei, Fei Wang, Diya Wang, Yusen Duan, Jingjing Liu, Fei Zhao, Zhangyue Ji, Xuan Zhang, Ji Zhang, Lulu He, Cheng‐Yun Jin","doi":"10.26599/fshw.2025.9250687","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26599/fshw.2025.9250687","url":null,"abstract":"Oxidative stress and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes are critical factors in the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury. In this investigation, we explored the cardioprotective effects of higenamine (HG) and discovered its optimized derivatives. The influence of HG on MI/R injury in MI/R rats and H9c2 cells subjected to H₂O₂ injury was evaluated. Alterations in peroxidase and other antioxidant enzymes were evaluated both <em>in vitro </em>and<em> in vivo</em>. Furthermore, oxidative stress, cardiac function, LDH release, ROS levels, and infarct size were quantified. Importantly and finally, HG exhibited a significant reduction in oxidative damage induced by MI/R injury and improvements in cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Moreover, HG markedly blocked apoptosis by upregulating the level of peroxiredoxin 2 (Prx2). The protective effects of HG against hydrogen peroxide induced injury were markedly attenuated by siRNA-Prx2, and the cardioprotective effects of HG were significantly inhibited by Conoidin A-mediated inhibition of Prx2. Furthermore, we conducted cell viability assays on the structure-derived compounds of HG and discovered that compound <strong>2i</strong> exhibited the most potent cardioprotective effect. Compound <strong>2i</strong> has been demonstrated to enhance Prx2, superior to HG. Taken together, our work demonstrated that, for the first time, the optimized HG derivative <strong>2i</strong> dramatically improved cardiac function post MI/R injury by mitigating oxidative stress and cardiomyocyte apoptosis via Prx2 activation, which is stronger than that of HG. Therefore, compound 2i holds promise as a novel drug candidate for alleviating MI/R injury. Moreover, the aftermentioned findings suggested that the tetrahydroisoquinoline scaffold may hold potential as a pharmacodynamic privileged structure for interventions in ischemic heart disease.","PeriodicalId":12406,"journal":{"name":"Food Science and Human Wellness","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://file.sciopen.com/sciopen_public/1963403117711589377.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147885427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Carvone Ameliorates DSS-Induced Chronic Colitis by Regulating Inflammatory Signaling Pathways and Gut Microbiota Composition","authors":"Liya Liu, Peiyao Li, Lan Cao, Xinran Zhang, Sijia Liu, Jintuan Chen, MingDe Lin, Yinggang Qin, Youqin Chen, Xiao Ke, Aling Shen","doi":"10.26599/fshw.2025.9250684","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26599/fshw.2025.9250684","url":null,"abstract":"Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic relapsing-remitting-inflammatory disorder affecting the colonic and rectal mucosa, poses significant challenges in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study investigated the therapeutic potential of carvone, a monoterpene abundant in cilantro and spearmint essential oils. Using an integrated network pharmacology approach combined with experimental validation, we identified 62 potential therapeutic targets. Our findings suggest that carvone may treat UC by regulating key genes (ESR1, SRC, PIK3R1, TNF) and multiple pathways, including TNF-α/NF-κB signaling, inflammation response, and cell proliferation. In a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model, carvone significantly ameliorated disease progression, as evidenced by reduced disease activity index scores, preserved body weight, maintained colon length, and improved histopathological parameters. Molecular analyses demonstrated that carvone substantially downregulated key pro-inflammatory mediators, including IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, both <em>in vivo</em> and <em>in vitro</em>. Mechanistically, carvone effectively suppressed of NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, indicating its role in regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Additionally, high-throughput 16S-rDNA sequencing analysis revealed that while carvone treatment did not significantly alter overall gut microbiota diversity or community structure, it selectively normalized the abundance of pathogenic <em>Bacteroides species</em>, including<em> B. eggerthii, B. vulgatus, </em>and <em>B. clarus,</em> to levels comparable to healthy controls. These findings suggest that carvone exerts therapeutic efficacy in UC through associations with alterations in the NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway and shifts in disease-associated gut microbiota composition. However, we acknowledge the need for further causal validation studies, such as gene-deficient cell or mouse models and fecal microbiota transplantation experiments, to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying these effects. This highlights carvone’s potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for UC management.","PeriodicalId":12406,"journal":{"name":"Food Science and Human Wellness","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://file.sciopen.com/sciopen_public/1966405030581374977.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147901130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Verbascoside ameliorates liver injury by suppressing <em>Tnfrsf1a</em>-induced oxidative stress","authors":"Ruyu Shi, Congying Huang, Hongqin Yang, Siqi Li, Zengxia Liu, Chunhong Zhang, Minhui Li","doi":"10.26599/fshw.2025.9250731","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26599/fshw.2025.9250731","url":null,"abstract":"Liver injury remains a global health challenge; therefore, effective treatment strategies are required. As a phenylethanol glycoside compound, verbascoside (VB) possesses hepatoprotective activity; however, its mechanism of action is still unclear. In this research, we found that VB could improve lipid accumulation in AML12 cells induced by oleic acid. In a mouse model of liver injury induced by methionine- and choline-deficient diet (MCDD) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), VB can reduce serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and improve the morphology and structure of liver cells. In the MCDD-induced injury model, VB decreased the proportion of CD11b⁺ in the liver of mice with liver injury. In CCl₄-induced injury models, VB reduced the proportion of the F4/80⁺ cell population. Transcriptome analysis of mouse liver showed that tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-17 pathways were the main pathways via which VB exerts liver protection. Furthermore, based on the analysis results of transcriptome, the RAW264.7 cell injury model induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) verified VB could decreased the protein expression levels of <em>Tnfrsf1</em><em>a</em> and correspondingly changed the protein levels of IL-17RA, ERK and p-ERK, key downstream targets of the IL-17 pathway. Taken together, VB administrated liver protection effect in <em>Tnfrsf1</em><em>a</em> gene silencing group was more significant.&nbsp;","PeriodicalId":12406,"journal":{"name":"Food Science and Human Wellness","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://file.sciopen.com/sciopen_public/1970365793264279553.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147903816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Encapsulation of rutin in <em>Lactobacillus rhamnosus</em>-derived extracellular vesicles enhances its alleviative effects against alcohol-induced liver injury","authors":"Shengfeng Peng, Qianqian Jiao, Jin Liu, Jiawen Song, Xu Lu, David Julian McClements, Jun Luo","doi":"10.26599/fshw.2025.9250781","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26599/fshw.2025.9250781","url":null,"abstract":"Rutin is a dietary flavonoid that performs various physiological activities. However, its application is limited by low water-solubility, chemical stability, and bioaccessibility.<em> </em>In this study,<em> </em>rutin was encapsulated in <em>Lactobacillus-</em>derived extracellular vesicles (Ru-LAEVs) to improve the functionality. Initially, LAEVs were isolated, purified, and characterized. Then, Ru-LAEVs were prepared using a simple, affordable, and environmentally friendly pH-driven method. The effect of LAEVs on the solubility, stability, bioaccessibility, and therapeutic effects against alcoholic liver injury of rutin were then evaluated. Our results showed that rutin was successfully encapsulated by LAEVs. The encapsulation rate of Ru-LAEVs has reached 90%. Compared with free rutin, the UV and thermal stability of Ru-LAEVs improved by 23.6% and 12.8%, respectively, and the bioavailability was increased by 19%. Ru-LAEVs tend to accumulate in the livers of mice without cytotoxic. Compared with the alcohol-treated group, mice in the Ru-LAEVs-treated group had lower liver index, liver damage and inflammation levels. Specifically, reduced serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, and TG were observed. The hepatic levels of F4/80, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and MDA were reduced, while hepatic levels of IL-10, SOD, and GSH were increased. And its alleviative effects against alcoholic liver injury were significantly improved by encapsulation. This may be due to the ability of the Ru-LAEVs to regulate the intestinal flora of alcohol-fed mice and the relative protein levels of Nrf-2, HO-1, and CYP2E1 in the liver. The results of this study may be used to create probiotic-derived EVs for the encapsulation, protection, and delivery of biologically active substances, which could be applied in novel functional foods and beverages.","PeriodicalId":12406,"journal":{"name":"Food Science and Human Wellness","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://file.sciopen.com/sciopen_public/1972177253246177282.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147877992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<em>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</em> lipoteichoic acid as a key surface molecule in immune enhancement and pathogen defense","authors":"Zhendong Cai, Yingqi Guo, Sha Wang, Hangzhen Lan, Guowei Zhong, Tao Zhang, Xiaoqun Zeng, Zhen Wu, Daodong Pan, Qianqian Liu","doi":"10.26599/fshw.2025.9250669","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26599/fshw.2025.9250669","url":null,"abstract":"Lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a bacterial cell surface macromolecule, plays a key role in probiotic–host interactions by engaging host pattern recognition receptors in the gastrointestinal mucosa. This study investigates the potential of <em>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</em> LTA in combating intestinal pathogens and supporting gut health. We demonstrate that <em>L. plantarum</em> LTA, acting as a biosurfactant, significantly inhibits biofilm formation by various intestinal pathogens, including <em>Escherichia coli</em>, <em>Salmonella typhimurium</em>, <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>, and<em> Listeria monocytogenes</em>. This is achieved by disrupting biofilm structures, reducing extracellular polymer secretion, and downregulating biofilm-related gene expression. Additionally, LTA effectively prevents pathogen adhesion to Caco-2 cells and reduces <em>Escherichia coli</em>-induced apoptosis. LTA also modulates macrophage inflammation by regulating cytokine secretion and decreasing NO and ROS production through the TLR4-MAPK-NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms by which <em>L. plantarum</em> LTA supports gut health and highlight its potential applications in preventing intestinal pathogen colonization and enhancing immune modulation.","PeriodicalId":12406,"journal":{"name":"Food Science and Human Wellness","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://file.sciopen.com/sciopen_public/1962800643858497537.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147879555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Oral administration properties and physiological functions evaluation of extracellular vesicles derived from colostrum and mature milk","authors":"Yameng Zhang, Rui Zhang, Chenyu Gao, Sitong Zhang, Wenyou Situ, Shan Yin, Zhuoqun Wang, Yufang Su, Nasi Ai, Huaxi Yi, Lingjun Tong","doi":"10.26599/fshw.2025.9250663","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26599/fshw.2025.9250663","url":null,"abstract":"Milk extracellular vesicles (mEVs) derived from colostrum (C-mEVs) and mature milk (M-mEVs) have been proposed as oral drug delivery platforms and potential nanomedicines. However, their differences in oral administration properties and physiological functions have not yet been documented. Here, we comprehensively evaluated the biological properties and physiological functions of C-mEVs and M-mEVs, emphasizing their storage stability, gastrointestinal tolerability, and functional differences revealed through small RNA sequencing. Our findings showed that both C-mEVs and M-mEVs exhibit excellent stability at 4℃ and -80℃ over one month. Furthermore, C-mEVs, characterized by their smaller size, demonstrated greater tolerance to harsh digestive environments compared to M-mEVs. For physiological functions, both C-mEVs and M-mEVs suppressed inflammation, protected epithelial barrier integrity, and mitigated oxidative stress damage. Notably, M-mEVs displayed enhanced anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. Taken together, M-mEVs hold potential as nanotherapeutic agents for immunoinflammatory diseases, while C-mEVs may serve as a promising oral drug delivery platform.","PeriodicalId":12406,"journal":{"name":"Food Science and Human Wellness","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://file.sciopen.com/sciopen_public/1966381276304248833.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147896593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification and inhibition mechanisms of novel ACE inhibitory peptides from <em>Tenebrio Molitor</em> protein based on peptidomics combined with AI tools","authors":"Xu Zou, Mengyao Liu, Fei Pan, H.-Z. Chen, Changhao Liu, Xiaoming Fang, Xiangxin Li, Wenli Tian, Feng Zhou","doi":"10.26599/fshw.2025.9250609","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26599/fshw.2025.9250609","url":null,"abstract":"To fully utilize <em>Tenebrio molitor </em>(TM) at a high value, <em>Tenebrio molitor</em> protein (TMP) hydrolysates were obtained from the novel insect food resource TM after extracting its proteins for compound protease hydrolysis. <em>In vitro</em> simulated digestion was conducted to increase the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory ability of TMP. Based on the experimental data, peptidomics identification of TMP hydrolysates was performed using UHPLC-ESIHRMS/MS. Four novel ACE-inhibitory peptides (ACEIPs) were obtained using AI tools and <em>in vitro</em> activity validation, namely YPGLQ, PGLPQ, MFGPQ and NLGPR, with IC₅₀ values of 0.8560 ± 0.0090 mmol/L, 1.0300 ± 0.0356 mmol/L, 0.8558 ± 0.0204 mmol/L, and 0.4709 ± 0.0391 mmol/L, respectively. The inhibition patterns of ACEIPs were analyzed by inhibition kinetics as competitive, uncompetitive, mixed, and non-competitive inhibition patterns. The result of CD spectra revealed that the original structure of ACE has been loosened by ACEIPs. The bindings of ACEIPs to ACE were spontaneous, and they had fluorescence quenching effects on ACE. Molecular docking and MD simulation indicated hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic forces, and electrostatic forces are the main forces between them and ACE. In this study, we tried to extract ACEIPs from TMP using a three-stage enzymatic digestion process, elucidated their inhibition mechanism, and demonstrated their biosafety using AI tools, which provided a new strategy for the preparation of ACEIPs and guided the expansion of TMP application.","PeriodicalId":12406,"journal":{"name":"Food Science and Human Wellness","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://file.sciopen.com/sciopen_public/1966376646698602498.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147877682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Immunoregulatory peptides from <i>Ganoderma sinense</i> : characterization, isolation, molecular docking and molecular mechanism","authors":"Qian Yang, Nanwen Zhang, Huihong Zhang, Xiaolin Huang, Xixi Cai, Ying Wu, Jie Zhou, Xiaole Chen, Shaoyun Wang","doi":"10.26599/fshw.2025.9250707","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26599/fshw.2025.9250707","url":null,"abstract":"<em>Ganoderma sinense</em> is a traditional and protein-rich edible plant with outstanding immunoregulatory activity. However, the mechanism through which <em>G. sinense</em> protein hydrolysates and peptides exert their immunomodulatory effects is unclear. The objective of this study was to prepare and isolate immunologically active peptides from <em>G. sinense</em> protein hydrolysates (GSP) and to investigate their impact on the activation of macrophages. <em>G. sinense</em> peptides with low molecular weights ( &lt; 1 kDa, 87.78%) markedly promoted RAW264.7 cell proliferation; increased their phagocytic capacity, nitric oxide (NO), TNF-<em>α</em>, IL-10, and IL-6 secretion and ROS production; and upregulated <em>Tlr2</em> mRNA expression. In addition, GSP promoted NF-<em>κ</em>B activation and translocation through the upregulation of p65 and p-p65 protein expression. Virtual molecular screening technology revealed that compared with other peptides, the SFAGNIPVNR, YGDAFIR and TVSYLPAPQR peptides derived from GSP showed stronger binding affinities. Interaction site map analysis indicated that the SFAGNIPVNR and YGDAFIR peptides formed stable hydrogen bonds with TLR2. Together, these results suggested that <em>G. sinense</em> peptides can serve as important ingredients in nutraceuticals or functional foods.","PeriodicalId":12406,"journal":{"name":"Food Science and Human Wellness","volume":"15 3","pages":"9250707-9250707"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147879712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects and Mechanisms of a Prototype Gouqi-Derived Nanovesicles-Enriched Beverage for Conflicting Cellular Senescence","authors":"Xiaolei Zhou, Jiaxue Gao, Shiyin Xu, Huanhuan Zhou, Zixuan Zhang, Mingmeng Tang, Yuxiao Liao, Peng Zhao, Andreas K. Nüssler, Rui Zhang, Shaojun Shi, Liegang Liu, Wei Yang","doi":"10.26599/fshw.2025.9250642","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26599/fshw.2025.9250642","url":null,"abstract":"Goji berries (<em>Lycium barbarum L.</em>), a traditional Chinese herbal remedy, have long been used as both medicine and food due to their numerous health benefits. Today, the most popular form of goji consumption is commercial beverages, particularly goji not-from-concentrate juice (goji NFC juice). However, the bioactive substances in goji berries are often lost during production, transportation, and storage, limiting the juice's potential health benefits. In this study, we introduce gouqi-derived nanovesicles (GqDNVs) into goji NFC juice to enhance its health effects. These GqDNVs, which help prevent senescence in skeletal muscles, are added to create a composite beverage that we have named “QiNeng.” Our targeted metabolomic profiling and small RNA sequencing analyses reveal that both QiNeng and goji NFC juice contain amino acids, miRNAs, and other bioactive substances. Notably, functional miRNAs, amino acids, and lipids were detected in C2C12 muscle cells after co-culturing with QiNeng and goji NFC juice. Compared to goji NFC juice alone, QiNeng not only retains similar antioxidant properties but also shows greater efficacy in inhibiting the expression of senescence markers, preventing myotube atrophy, promoting mitochondrial function, and improving energy-related metabolism. QiNeng enhances energy metabolism, supports cell growth, and inhibits muscle cell senescence, making up for the deficiencies of standard goji NFC juice.","PeriodicalId":12406,"journal":{"name":"Food Science and Human Wellness","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147891202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Atractylodes macrocephala water extract exerts a protective effect against high fat and high sugar diet-induced NAFLD by inhibiting the TRAF1/ASK1/JNK pathway","authors":"Kejian Wei, Binhui Pan, Jing Liu, Wenlong Zhang, Jie Su, Hengpu Zhou, Zimo Dong, Chen Suhong, Jingjing Yu, Guiyuan Lv","doi":"10.26599/fshw.2025.9250527","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26599/fshw.2025.9250527","url":null,"abstract":"Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a global health issue, making early prevention and treatment are crucial. Atractylodes macrocephala, as a functional food, holds potential in improving liver metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Atractylodes macrocephala water extract (AMW) has a preventive effect on NAFLD induced by high-fat, high-sugar (HSHF) diet. Initially, the components of AMW were analyzed, revealing the high content of polysaccharides and lactones as its main constituents. Mice were then subjected to HSHF diet and administered AMW for 12 weeks to observe its effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, hepatic lipid accumulation, oxidative damage, inflammatory injury, and apoptosis. The results indicated that AMW significantly improved glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in mice, reduced hepatic lipid accumulation, oxidative damage, and inflammatory injury. Specifically, AMW notably decreased the release of TNF-α, thereby inhibiting the activation of the hepatic TRAF1/ASK1/JNK pathway, which alleviated the progression of inflammatory responses. Additionally, JNK phosphorylation was reduced, inhibiting the activation of downstream factor AKT, which in turn led to decreased expression of apoptosis-related factors such as Bax, Cyt C, and Cleaved Caspase-3, while increasing Bcl-2 expression. These findings suggest that AMW may protect against HSHF-induced NAFLD by reducing hepatic oxidative damage, inhibiting inflammation, and preventing apoptosis, potentially through inhibition of the TRAF1/ASK1/JNK pathway.","PeriodicalId":12406,"journal":{"name":"Food Science and Human Wellness","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147918750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}