Journal of medicinal food最新文献

{"title":"Counteracted Severity Action of <i>Beta vulgaris</i> Juice on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats Through Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Indicator Depletion.","authors":"Ala Ayari, Saber Jedidi, Fatma Arrari, Nouha Dakhli, Hichem Sebai","doi":"10.1177/1096620X251367677","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1096620X251367677","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Beetroot has been traditionally used in folk medicine to treat various gastrointestinal disorders and is commonly consumed for its high antioxidant content. The primary objective of this study is to demonstrate, for the first time, the potential therapeutic effects of beetroot juice (BJ) in a rat model suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). In addition, the study aims to identify the bioactive compounds in beetroot responsible for these effects. UC was induced in rats through the oral administration of DSS dissolved in drinking water (5%) during the final week of a 21-day treatment with BJ (5 and 10 mL/kg body weight) and compared to a reference drug, mesalazine. Phytochemical analysis revealed that BJ is a rich source of secondary metabolites such as polyphenols, flavonoids, soluble sugars, and betalains. The pretreatment with BJ significantly and dose-dependently reduced DSS-induced colonic mucosa lesions and associated histopathological alterations. The protective effects of BJ on the colonic mucosa were closely linked to its ability to mitigate oxidative damage, inflammatory injury, and biochemical imbalances. Specifically, BJ counteracted DSS-induced lipid peroxidation and restored levels of both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants. Moreover, BJ significantly decreased the levels of inflammatory markers and cytokines in plasma and colonic mucosa, while enhancing plasma scavenging activity and maintaining the homeostasis of intracellular mediators such as hydrogen peroxide, free iron, and ionizable calcium. These findings supported the use of BJ as a complementary approach for managing UC and underscore the need for further investigation into its potential clinical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":16440,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medicinal food","volume":" ","pages":"1009-1024"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144883022","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Taurine Alleviates the Number of Nuclear Apoptotic Hepatocytes Induced by Cyclosporine A in Rat Liver.","authors":"Mona A H Yehia, Kawther M Foud, Hanan A El Sayed, Hagar M Mohamed, Ahmad M Attia","doi":"10.1177/1096620X251359940","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1096620X251359940","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a powerful immunosuppressant drug most widely used in managing organ transplantation and autoimmune diseases. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of taurine in alleviating the apoptotic hepatocytes and oxidative stress caused by CsA in rats' livers. The four experimental groups were evaluated, including (GpI) vehicle control (olive oil), (GpII) Tau (5 mg/kg/day), (GpIII) CsA (50 mg/kg/day), and (GpIV) CsA + Tau. The biochemical assay in liver functions and antioxidant enzymes was assayed, and the histopathology of hepatic tissue and immunohistochemical staining of apoptotic protein (p53) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) were determined. Induction of CsA in rats caused severe hepatotoxicity, as evidenced by the elevation of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase activities, and alkaline phosphatase concentration and decreased catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activities. The histopathological examination revealed mild to marked disorganization in the liver tissue, characterized by hepatocyte degeneration/necrosis, apoptotic hepatocytes, sinusoidal dilatation, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Whereas Tau treatment improved the liver function enzymes and increased the oxidative stress by elevating the antioxidant enzyme CAT and glutathione reductase. There is recovery of destructive liver tissue preserved hepatic trabecular architecture; dark nuclei with prominent nucleoli, hepatocytes, and mild dilated sinusoids; small area of pyknotic hepatocytes have vacuolated cytoplasm was seen, and the number of apoptotic cells detected by TUNEL and p53 protein was significantly decreased (<i>P</i> = .001). The results may contribute to the hepatoprotective role of Tau and its ability to ameliorate the oxidative stress and alleviate the apoptotic hepatocytes induced by CsA. So, Tau may have had a beneficial role in reducing tissue damage in patients exposed to CsA.</p>","PeriodicalId":16440,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medicinal food","volume":" ","pages":"964-973"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144626591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Optimized Probiotic Formulation Achieves Sustained Gut Microbiota Modulation and Attenuates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice.","authors":"Hao Zhang, Yisheng Luan, Qian Gao, Bing Zhang, Weihao Hong","doi":"10.1089/jmf.2025.k.0023","DOIUrl":"10.1089/jmf.2025.k.0023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although probiotic products are widely used to promote gut health, their long-term efficacy is often constrained by poor colonization and transient microbial modulation. To address these limitations, we developed and evaluated a probiotic beverage comprising <i>Lactobacillus</i>-based strains (<i>Lactobacillus rhamnosus</i> LGD-0817, <i>L. rhamnosus</i> LDL-1708, <i>Lactobacillus casei</i> LPM-0188, <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> LEP-1208, <i>Lactobacillus delbrueckii</i> subsp. <i>bulgaricus</i> RHM-1068, <i>Lactobacillus paracasei</i> LPA-2088, <i>L. paracasei</i> BMC-2020, <i>Limosilactobacillus fermentum</i> LAF-1387, and <i>L. plantarum</i> MCA-3066) formulated to optimize inter-strain synergy, enhance colonization efficiency, and improve long-term functionality. 16S rRNA sequencing conducted one week after treatment cessation revealed a marked enrichment of <i>Lactobacillales</i> and <i>Lactobacillaceae</i>-taxonomic groups to which administered probiotic strains belong-indicating durable colonization by the introduced strains. To further assess the functional relevance of this microbial shift, a dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis model was employed. Probiotic intervention significantly improved disease outcomes, including increased colon length, reduced histopathological inflammation scores, enhanced goblet cell numbers, and lowered levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), and Interleukin (IL)-1β). Collectively, these results underscore the efficacy of this formulation in achieving sustained modulation of the gut microbiota and alleviating intestinal inflammation, and support its potential for broader applications in gut health management.</p>","PeriodicalId":16440,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medicinal food","volume":" ","pages":"1025-1032"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144289475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Eriobotrya japonica</i> Leaf Extract Ameliorates Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Regulating Inflammation.","authors":"Hyung-Gu Son, Jeong Yoon Lee, Heeju Kim, Young-Mi Cho, Yoo-Hyun Lee","doi":"10.1177/1096620X251360539","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1096620X251360539","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Eriobotrya japonica</i>, a Rosaceae family plant, is cultivated in East Asia and possesses various biological activities. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine practices. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological issue in aging men. Although its exact etiology remains unidentified, it is believed to be caused by a combination of factors such as aging, inflammation, and hormonal imbalance. This study examined the effects of <i>E. japonica</i> leaf 50% ethanol extracts (EJE) on human prostate epithelial BPH-1 cells and a BPH rat model developed <i>via</i> testosterone propionate (TP) injection. In BPH-1 cells, EJE treatment suppressed the proliferation of the cells in a dose-response relationship. In addition, mRNA expression levels of androgen receptor (AR), steroid 5 alpha-reductase type 2 (SRD5A2), and Bcl-2 were decreased, and Bax expression and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were increased by EJE treatment. In the <i>in vivo</i> experiment, castrated Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were orally administered EJE at the following doses: 50-200 mg/kg of body mass. EJE administration reduced prostate weight, prostate ratio, serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels, and serum testosterone levels. It also decreased intraprostatic DHT levels and 5<i>α</i>-reductase 2 expression. Histological analysis revealed a reduced epithelial thickness and increased lumen area in the EJE treatment group. Furthermore, the expression of AR, Bcl-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-<i>α</i>, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, IL-1<i>β,</i> and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in prostate tissues was lowered by EJE administration. In conclusion, EJE effectively alleviated benign prostatic hyperplasia, both in cells and in animal models, by regulating inflammation, suggesting it is a potential candidate as a functional ingredient for alleviating BPH.</p>","PeriodicalId":16440,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medicinal food","volume":" ","pages":"1069-1078"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144667773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antibacterial Activity of Hibiscus Acid Alone and Combined with Chloramphenicol in CD-1 Mice Infected with Multidrug-Resistant Enterohemorrhagic <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Salmonella</i> Typhimurium.","authors":"Lizbeth Anahí Portillo-Torres, José Mercado-Monroy, Aurea Bernardino-Nicanor, Carlos Alberto Gómez-Aldapa, Leopoldo González-Cruz, Esmeralda Rangel-Vargas, Javier Castro-Rosas","doi":"10.1177/1096620X251384555","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1096620X251384555","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The antibacterial effect of chloramphenicol, hibiscus acid, and a mixture of hibiscus acid and chloramphenicol against antibiotic-resistant enterohemorrhagic <i>Escherichia coli</i> (EHEC) and <i>Salmonella</i> Typhimurium (ST) was determined in Caesarean-Derived (CD)-1 mice. Hibiscus acid was isolated from <i>Hibiscus sabdariffa</i> calyces. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of chloramphenicol (CH), hibiscus acid (HA), and mixtures of HA/CH were determined for EHEC and ST. 11 groups of six mice each were formed. Four groups were inoculated orally with 4 log₁₀ Colony forming units (CFU) of ST, four groups were inoculated with 4 log₁₀ CFU of EHEC, and the remaining three groups were not inoculated. Six hours post inoculation, the mice in some groups received, via the oral route, solutions of hibiscus acid (7 mg/mL), chloramphenicol (82 µg/mL), a mixture of HA/CH (5.7 mg/mL HA and 4 µg/mL CH), or isotonic saline solution. The MIC and MBC values were between 7 and 5 mg/mL for hibiscus acid, between 17.6 and 82 µg/mL for chloramphenicol, and between 4.2 mg/mL/0.3 µg/mL and 5.7 mg/mL/0.4 µg/mL (concentration of hibiscus acid/concentration of chloramphenicol) or HA/CH. EHEC and ST were not detected in the feces of mice that were administered hibiscus acid alone or in mixture with chloramphenicol. By contrast, pathogens were isolated from the feces of untreated mice and those treated with chloramphenicol alone throughout the study.</p>","PeriodicalId":16440,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medicinal food","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Curcumin Inhibits Bisphenol A-Induced Fat Mass Gain by Enhancing White Adipose Tissue Browning via Modulating Gut Microbiota-Dependent Bile Acid Metabolism in CD-1 Mice.","authors":"Xiaobing Chen, Jun Zou, Zhuo Cao, Ting Hong, Hongmin Zhang, Jie Yang, Haiyan Mai, Xin Li, Dan Feng","doi":"10.1177/1096620X251383432","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1096620X251383432","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic exposure to low-dose bisphenol A (BPA) has emerged as a pressing worldwide public health concern. Our previous work demonstrated that low-dose BPA exposure caused gut microbiota dysbiosis and liver fat accumulation. Curcumin is a polyphenol extracted from the rhizome of turmeric and has an inhibitory effect on liver fat accumulation and obesity. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of curcumin against BPA-induced fat mass gain and obesity and gut microbiota-dependent bile acid (BA) metabolic mechanism. Male CD-1 mice were fed a diet containing a low dose of BPA (50 µg/kg/day) with or without 0.1% w/w curcumin for 24 weeks. Curcumin supplementation markedly decreased the fat mass of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) and the ratio of iWAT weight to body weight in BPA-exposed mice. Curcumin-treated mice exhibited decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and increased relative abundance of <i>Bacteroides</i>, <i>Parabacteroides,</i> and <i>Akkermansia</i>, which are related to BA metabolism. Moreover, serum levels of lithocholic acid, the most potent activator of Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), and TGR5 expression in iWAT were significantly increased following curcumin intervention. Activation of TGR5 elevated cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels, subsequently up-regulating the expression of iodothyronine deiodinase 2 and fibroblast growth factor 21. These changes increased the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), ultimately leading to enhanced iWAT browning and reduced fat mass in iWAT. These results indicated that curcumin suppressed BPA-induced fat mass gain by enhancing iWAT browning by activating gut microbiota-BA-TGR5/UCP1 pathways, supporting its potential as a nutritional therapy for BPA-induced obesity. [Figure: see text].</p>","PeriodicalId":16440,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medicinal food","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of Blood Parameters Between Omnivores and Lacto-Ovo Vegetarians Post-COVID-19: A Pilot Study Done in a Country City in the South of Brazil.","authors":"Bruno Santana Quinto, Marco Antonio Bertolassi, Paulo Henrique Março","doi":"10.1177/1096620X251377315","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1096620X251377315","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Among the most significant comorbidities associated with the progression of COVID-19 to more severe stages, studies have reported a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, often resulting in complications that require hospitalization and intensive care. As obesity can, in many cases, be linked to lifestyle, dietary habits may influence physiological parameters, particularly in the period following viral infections such as COVID-19. This pilot study aimed to compare the blood parameters of individuals with different dietary patterns (omnivores and lacto-ovo vegetarians) after COVID-19 infection using principal component analysis (PCA). All participants were residents of the same city (Campo Mourão, Paraná State, Brazil) and were infected during a similar time period (January 2022 ± 2 months). Blood analysis data were collected from 20 volunteers, all evaluated at the same clinical analysis laboratory. The parameters assessed included leukocytes, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocytes, platelets, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, glucose, ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin C, and calcium. PCA results indicated distinct differences in blood profiles between most lacto-ovo vegetarians and omnivores. Lacto-ovo vegetarians were associated with higher levels of HDL cholesterol, ferritin, glucose, platelets, and hematocrit, while omnivores showed higher levels of LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and hemoglobin. Among the parameters evaluated, only vitamin D showed a statistically significant difference between the groups (<i>P</i> < .05). These preliminary findings suggest that dietary patterns may influence certain blood parameters in the post-COVID-19 recovery period. Further research with a larger sample size is needed to confirm these associations and to better understand the potential role of diet in postinfection metabolic responses.</p>","PeriodicalId":16440,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medicinal food","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145186151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Whole Montmorency Tart Cherry Smoothie Improves Disease Activity Index in Rat Model of DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis by Downregulating the Janus Kinase 1 and Interleukin-17A.","authors":"Johana Coronel, Marco Toc, Justin Guice, Anne Raggio, Michael J Keenan, Frank Greenway, Diana Coulon, Jack N Losso","doi":"10.1177/1096620X251383878","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1096620X251383878","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Montmorency tart cherries (TC; <i>Prunus cerasus</i>) are a good source of anti-inflammatory flavonoids. The aim of this research was to evaluate the protective effect of TC against ulcerative colitis (UC) in a rat model. The anthocyanin profile and content of TC were analyzed by UHPLC-PDA-MS. Rats were randomly assigned to one of eight groups (<i>n</i> = 6 in each group). UC was induced by adding 4% dextran sulfate solution (DSS) to the drinking water for 5 days. For the prevention, intervention, or treatment group, TC was administered orally in one or two servings (155 or 310 g of cherries/70 kg body weight/day) for 2 weeks prior to DSS administration, during the DSS administration, or after the DSS administration. Cytokines were determined by multiplex bead assay. Cyanidin-3-glucosyl-rutinoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside were the major anthocyanins in TC extracts. TC at one or two servings reduced leukocyte infiltration in the colon. TC, as a prevention, intervention, or treatment, significantly reduced the secretion of myeloperoxidase, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12/p40, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) and increased the secretion of anti-inflammatory IL-10 and JAK3. IL-1β was not significantly reduced by TC. Whole TC improved intestinal barrier function/disease activity index in UC by inhibiting IL-17A, IL-6, IL-12/p40, JAK1, and TNF-α and increasing IL-10 and JAK3 in UC rat models. TC was not inflammatory in control rats. TC has clinical potential for the treatment of UC.</p>","PeriodicalId":16440,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medicinal food","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145191890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ginseng Berry Concentrate Alleviates Fatigue in Humans: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial.","authors":"Hyun-Jin Nam, Sung-Hee Park, Areum Kim, Su Hwan Kim, Jae Hong Park, Hyun Woo Jeong, Jong Hee Sohn, Kyung-Lim Joa","doi":"10.1177/1096620X251378323","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1096620X251378323","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ginseng berry concentrate (GBC) is known to effectively reduce fatigue; however, its effects on fatigue in humans remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antifatigue effects of GBC in participants who experienced fatigue in their daily lives. Eighty-eight participants aged 30-64 years with checklist individual strength (CIS) scores above 76 were randomly assigned to receive either four capsules of GBC (1000 mg; <i>n</i> = 44) or placebo (<i>n</i> = 44) daily for 8 weeks. GBC treatment alleviated fatigue symptoms in participants experiencing daily fatigue, as indicated by improvements in numeric rating scale (NRS) and CIS-physical activity scores, which were associated with lower resting lactic acid levels, a known fatigue indicator. Furthermore, in a subgroup analysis excluding 14 participants taking musculoskeletal drugs, GBC treatment alleviated fatigue as evidenced by lower total scores for fatigue questionnaires, including CIS, fatigue severity scale, and NRS, as well as by lower resting lactic acid levels. Collectively, these results demonstrate the safety and efficacy of GBC for ameliorating fatigue symptoms in individuals with fatigue.</p>","PeriodicalId":16440,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medicinal food","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145191955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Wild Cordyceps Polysaccharides Alleviate Atherosclerosis by Attenuating Macrophage Cholesterol Accumulation Through the PPARγ-LXRα-ABCA1/ABCG1 Pathway.","authors":"Sijing Liu, Caixia Yang, Xiaotong Zhou, Xingmao Yang, Xinle Li, Yang Li, Jing Bai, Jingyan Yang","doi":"10.1177/1096620X251380195","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1096620X251380195","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cordyceps has been clinically used to treat atherosclerosis (AS) since the 1980s. However, the active components responsible for its effects and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the anti-AS effects and mechanisms of action of wild Cordyceps polysaccharides (WCP). The molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and structural characteristics of WCP were analyzed. Furthermore, the anti-AS effects of WCP were evaluated using apolipoprotein E knockout (<i>Apoe</i>^-/-) mice fed high-fat diets. The mechanisms underlying WCP's anti-atherosclerotic activity were elucidated in <i>Apoe</i>^-/- mice and oxidized low-density lipoprotein-loaded RAW264.7 macrophages. We found that WCP is composed of galactose, glucose, and mannose, with a molar ratio of 1:1.1:1.2. The average molecular weights of WCP are 1486 and 26 kDa. WCP significantly attenuated the progression of AS, as evidenced by reduced plaque formation in the aortic root valve area. Notably, WCP reduced cholesterol accumulation in macrophages by upregulating the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter protein 1 (ABCA1) and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 1 (ABCG1), both <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i>. Importantly, we identified peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) as a critical target of WCP in macrophages, as confirmed by siRNA knockdown experiments. The ability of WCP to enhance the expression of cholesterol efflux-related genes in macrophages was markedly diminished upon suppression of PPARγ expression. In conclusion, our findings suggest that WCP mitigates the development of AS by activating the PPARγ-liver X receptor alpha (LXRα)-ABCA1/ABCG1 pathway, thereby reducing cholesterol accumulation in macrophages. This study provides new insights into how Cordyceps polysaccharide exerts anti-atherosclerotic effects and highlights its potential as a therapeutic agent for AS.</p>","PeriodicalId":16440,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medicinal food","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145113428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}