Food & Function最新文献

{"title":"The eating rate of bread predicted from its sensory texture and physical properties†","authors":"Lise A. J. Heuven, Matthijs Dekker, Stefano Renzetti and Dieuwerke P. Bolhuis","doi":"10.1039/D4FO04297B","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4FO04297B","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Eating rate (ER) can moderate energy intake and ER can be modified by the texture and physical properties of food. However, the magnitude of the effects is not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate how bread texture and physical properties determine ER. In a randomised crossover study, 36 healthy participants (age: 25 ± 6 years, BMI: 22 ± 2 kg m<small>⁻²</small>) consumed nine different bread types. Video coding was used to characterise oral processing behaviour. Sensory texture was evaluated on visual analogue scales. Physical properties were measured using texture profile analysis, puncture tests, geometrical and water-related measures. Two models were developed using response surface methodology (RSM) that predict the ER based on sensory and physical properties. The results showed from slow to fast ER: bread slices &lt; hard buns &lt; soft buns. The slowest bread type (wholemeal bread slice) was consumed 40% slower than the fastest bread type (soft white bun) (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), explained by smaller bite sizes and more chews. For the sensory texture, ER was positively correlated with crumb adhesiveness and negatively correlated with crumb dryness. For the physical properties, ER was positively correlated with height and volume, and negatively with crumb cohesiveness and crust hardness. The models based on physical properties (<em>R</em><small>²</small> = 0.91) and sensory texture (<em>R</em><small>²</small> = 0.89) were both able to estimate ER, but the model based on physical properties performed slightly better. The insights from the relationships from the sensory and physical measures can both be used to modify the texture of breads, to effectively decrease ER and eventually help to prevent overconsumption.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 24","pages":" 12244-12255"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2024/fo/d4fo04297b?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142764707","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":"Protein digestibility and techno-functional performance of milk-alternative prototypes based on combinations of lentil and cereal protein†","authors":"Theresa Boeck, Laura Nyhan, Emanuele Zannini and Elke K. Arendt","doi":"10.1039/D4FO04103H","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4FO04103H","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Lentil protein isolate was combined with proteins from oat, rice, brewer's spent grain (BSGP) and wheat to achieve plant-based milk alternatives (PBMA) with improved protein quality and functionality. Due to the complementary amino acid (AA) profile of pulse protein which is high in lysine, and cereal protein which is high in sulphur amino acids, their combination at an optimised ratio resulted in a protein blend with a significantly improved indispensable amino acid score (IAAS) compared to the single ingredients. All protein combinations with lentil except for wheat resulted in a full IAAS for adults. The <em>in vitro</em> protein digestibility was assessed using the static INFOGEST digestion model to calculate the proxy <em>in vitro</em> DIAAS (PIVDIAAS) of the emulsions. Techno-functional properties such as particle size, rheological behaviour and physical stability were investigated. The PIVDIAAS of the combined protein emulsions was found to be 0.72, 0.78, 0.83, 0.98 for lentil + wheat, lentil + oat, lentil + BSGP and lentil + rice emulsions, respectively, compared to 0.48, 0.25, 0.5, 0.67 and 0.81 determined for the emulsions based on lentil, wheat, oat, BSGP and rice alone, respectively. The emulsions based on the combination of lentil and cereal protein also showed improved physical stability regarding sedimentation and creaming, and a higher whiteness index of the emulsions. It could be shown that the combination of lentil and cereal protein is a promising strategy to achieve PBMAs with improved protein quality and techno-functionality.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 24","pages":" 12228-12243"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142737828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: Human milk oligosaccharides and milk fat globule membrane reduce allergic reactions in mice through the modulation of gut microbiota and metabolic functions","authors":"Xinzhang Chen, Shengjun Yang, Zhengtao Guo, Bailiang Li, Zhongjiang Wang and Lianzhou Jiang","doi":"10.1039/D4FO90117G","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4FO90117G","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Correction for ‘Human milk oligosaccharides and milk fat globule membrane reduce allergic reactions in mice through the modulation of gut microbiota and metabolic functions’ by Xinzhang Chen <em>et al.</em>, <em>Food Funct.</em>, 2024, <strong>15</strong>, 11252–11265, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO03851G.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 24","pages":" 12258-12258"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2024/fo/d4fo90117g?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142724302","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":"Substituting animal protein with black soymilk reduces advanced glycation end product level and improves gut microbiota composition in obese prediabetic individuals: a randomized crossover intervention trial†","authors":"Yu-Ho Chang, Pei-Ni Lee, Cheng-Hsu Chen, Hsin-Yi Yang, Chi-Hao Wu, Jia-Yau Doong and Wan-Ju Yeh","doi":"10.1039/D4FO04717F","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4FO04717F","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Prediabetes (PreDM) and obesity increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Individuals with these conditions often consume diets higher in animal protein than in plant protein, which are associated with elevated levels of dietary advanced glycation end products (dAGEs). Increased dAGE intake has been linked to blood glucose abnormalities, oxidative stress, and dysbiosis of the microbiota, all of which exacerbate metabolic disorders. Black soybeans, as a plant-based protein source, contain substantially lower levels of dAGEs compared with pork. This study aimed to investigate the effects of substituting animal protein with black soybeans on advanced glycation end product (AGE) levels, oxidative stress, and the gut microbiota in individuals with both PreDM and obesity. This study was a randomized crossover intervention trial conducted over 16 weeks. We recruited men and women aged 20–64 years with both prediabetes and obesity. This study had four periods: 0–4 weeks for the run-in period, 4–8 weeks and 12–16 weeks for the pork or black soymilk intervention period, and 8–12 weeks for the wash-out period. During the intervention period, the participants consumed pork or black soymilk with similar protein content as their dietary protein source. The participants maintained 3 day dietary records, and we measured anthropometric items and collected blood and fecal samples for analysis. The results showed that partially substituting pork with black soymilk as a dietary protein source for 4 weeks significantly reduced dAGE intake. The black soymilk group also exhibited significantly lower blood AGE fluorescence intensity, oxidative stress, and levels of glycative stress markers. Furthermore, black soymilk consumption significantly increased the relative abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing genera compared with pork consumption. In conclusion, partially substituting dietary pork with black soymilk may reduce serum AGE levels, reduce oxidative and glycation stress, and increase the abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing microbiota in individuals with both PreDM and obesity. Registration number of Clinical Trial: NCT05290519 (ClinicalTrials.gov).</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 1","pages":" 195-206"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142798640","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"RNA-seq analysis and in vivo experiments identified the protective effect of kaempferol on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the PPARG/TNC signaling pathway to reduce ECM deposition†","authors":"Xinxin Zhang, Yizi Xie, Yan Cai, Huiting Huang, Huiqiu Liang, Gang Liao, Yong Jiang, Xiaoyun Peng, Shaofeng Zhan and Xiufang Huang","doi":"10.1039/D4FO01474J","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4FO01474J","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic age-related lung disease with a high mortality rate. Kaempferol (KMP), an active ingredient in common plants and foods with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties, has been shown to be effective against fibrotic diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the treatment of IPF with KMP remain unclear. Therefore, IPF mice were established by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin (BLM) to explore the efficacy and underlying mechanism of KMP in the treatment of IPF. We found that KMP improved the body weight changes of BLM-induced IPF mice, alleviated inflammatory infiltration and collagen deposition, and decreased the expression levels of hydroxyproline, <em>α-SMA</em>, <em>Col3a1</em>, <em>Mmp2</em>, <em>Timp1</em>, <em>Vim</em>, <em>Fn</em>, <em>TNF-α</em>, <em>TGF-β</em><small>_<em>1</em></small>, <em>IL-6</em> and <em>IL-8</em>, while up-regulating the expression <em>E-cadherin</em> in lung tissues. The transcriptomic results showed that KMP may exert therapeutic effects against IPF by regulating the PPARG/TNC signaling pathway to reduce extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Interestingly, ROC curve analysis suggested that TNC and PPARG had good diagnostic performance for IPF, and TF prediction revealed that PPARG is an important upstream gene regulating TNC, and the IF experiment confirmed the co-localization of TNC and PPARG. Molecular docking showed that KMP bound well to PPARG and TNC, and IF results revealed that KMP significantly reduced the interaction between PPARG and TNC. Furthermore, RT-PCR, WB, IHC and IF experiments confirmed that KMP elevated the expression of PPARG and inhibited the expression of TNC, thus inhibiting the ECM–receptor interaction pathway and ultimately serving as a therapeutic treatment for IPF mice. These findings revealed that KMP reduced inflammatory infiltration and collagen deposition in the lungs of IPF mice and that the PPARG/TNC signaling pathway may be an important mechanism for the treatment of IPF with KMP, which provides a new perspective for the development of therapeutic approaches for IPF.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 24","pages":" 12193-12209"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142714861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling the neuroprotective impact of virgin olive oil ingestion via the microbiota–gut–brain axis","authors":"Luna Barrera-Chamorro, Africa Fernandez-Prior, Carmen M. Claro-Cala, Jose L. del Rio-Vazquez, Fernando Rivero-Pino and Sergio Montserrat-de la Paz","doi":"10.1039/D4FO04560B","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4FO04560B","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The gut–brain axis, a complex system of two-way communication between both organs, plays a key role in overall health. This comprehensive review explores the possible neuromodulatory effects upon consumption of virgin olive oil (VOO) <em>via</em> changes in the gut microbiota. The components found in VOO, such as polyphenols and monounsaturated fatty acids, and their function in influencing the composition of the gut microbiota, focusing on those known to possess neuroactive characteristics, based on a thorough analysis of the literature were investigated. Studies suggest that these compounds, such as hydroxytyrosol and ferulic acid, may protect against neuronal death and inhibit amyloid-β plaques (Aβ) formation. Furthermore, preclinical and clinical research indicates that VOO may promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as <em>Lactobacillus</em> and <em>Bifidobacterium</em>, and increase the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These changes could be related to improved cognitive function, mood regulation, and neuroprotection. However, limitations of these studies (short duration of studies, the variability in VOO composition and the lack of standardized methodologies) need to be overcome. Furthermore, the limited number of human trials and incomplete understanding of the gut–brain axis make it difficult to establish causality and clinical application of the findings. For this reason, future research should focus on long-term clinical trials with larger cohorts, standardised characterisation of VOO and on exploring the synergistic effects with other dietary components. Furthermore, mechanistic studies should aim to uncover the molecular pathways involved in the gut–brain axis to develop specific dietary interventions for neurological and neurodegenerative disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 1","pages":" 24-39"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142793994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Milk fat globule membranes ameliorate diet-induced obesity in mice by modulating glucolipid metabolism, body inflammation, and oxidative stress†","authors":"Haowen Ji, Xiaojun Zhu, Jiaxin Qiu, Shouwen Zhang, Jiajun Li, Lu Liu, Xiaodong Li and Muhammad Muneeb","doi":"10.1039/D4FO04072D","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4FO04072D","url":null,"abstract":"<p >This study aimed to explore the lipid-lowering effect and the mechanism of action of the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) in obese mice. All findings indicated that MFGM supplementation impeded weight gain in mice with obesity. qPCR and western blot analysis further revealed that MFGM could reduce lipid deposition and improve lipid metabolism by downregulating the expression levels of Fas, Scd1, PPARγ, and Srebp-1c and increasing the expression levels of Mcad, Cpt-1c, and PPAR-α. MFGM also reduced glucose metabolism disorders by downregulating the expression levels of Pepck and G6pase and upregulating the expression levels of PK and GK. MFGM can reduce the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, thus reducing inflammation in the body. In addition, MFGM also increased the expression of the Nrf2 gene, strengthening the antioxidant enzymes’ (GSH, CAT, and SOD) vitality, which strengthened the body's defenses against oxidative stress. In summary, our experiment demonstrated that the MFGM has the potential to treat obesity by controlling the metabolism of fat and glucose, thereby reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, which provides a theoretical foundation for the development of products related to the treatment of obesity.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 24","pages":" 11903-11917"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142708566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mulberry (Fructus mori) extract alleviates hyperuricemia by regulating urate transporters and modulating the gut microbiota†","authors":"Beicheng Fang, Lu Lu, Minjie Zhao, Xiaohu Luo, Fuhuai Jia, Fengqin Feng and Jing Wang","doi":"10.1039/D4FO03481C","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4FO03481C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Mulberry (<em>Fructus mori</em>) is a traditional Chinese fruit that has beneficial effects due to its numerous biological activities. This study aimed to investigate the anti-hyperuricemic activity and underlying mechanism of laboratory-prepared mulberry water extract in mice with hyperuricemia (HUA). Additionally, the effect of mulberry extract (ME) on the microbiota was investigated. The results demonstrated that ME reduced the levels of HUA-related biochemical indices [uric acid (UA), creatinine (Cr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)] and pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1β) in the serum of HUA model mice. ME suppressed xanthine oxidase (XOD) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity while modulating the expression of the urate transporters ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) and recombinant urate transporter 1 (URAT1) in the kidney. Furthermore, high-dose ME modulated the microbiota, including <em>Ligilactobacillus</em>, <em>Prevotellaceae</em>, <em>Bacteroides</em> and <em>Desulfovibrio</em>. Overall, these results demonstrate the efficacy of ME in alleviating HUA by inhibiting XOD and ADA activity, as well as modulating transport proteins to decrease urate synthesis. Additionally, ME regulates the microbiota associated with host UA metabolism. These findings confirm the UA-lowering effects of ME, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for HUA.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 24","pages":" 12169-12179"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142714860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ferulic acid and protocatechuic acid alleviate atherosclerosis by promoting UCP1 expression to inhibit the NLRP3-IL-1β signaling pathway†","authors":"Kexin Hong, Jiting Wang, Xiping Kang, Huimin Xue, Yunxiao Gao, Heming Liang, Weidong Huang, Jicheng Zhan and Yilin You","doi":"10.1039/D4FO02955K","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4FO02955K","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Dietary phenolic acids can combat metabolic diseases like obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver by enhancing adipose tissue's thermogenic function. Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), a key thermogenic protein, is linked to atherosclerosis (AS) development. Whether dietary phenolic acids inhibit AS by boosting thermogenic function remains unknown. This study aims to identify phenolic acids that can enhance the thermogenic capacity of fat and investigate their roles and mechanisms in alleviating AS. Here, we utilized C3H10T1/2 cells and UCP1–luciferase gene knock-in mice to screen dietary phenolic acids, namely ferulic acid and protocatechuic acid, which could enhance the thermogenic capacity of the organism. Treating ApoE<small>^−/−</small> mice with these phenolic acids reduced aortic plaques and suppressed pro-inflammatory gene expression (<em>il-1β</em>, <em>il-6</em>, <em>tnf-α</em>), while simultaneously promoting thermogenic functionality in interscapular brown adipose tissue and perivascular adipose tissue. Furthermore, applying conditioned media from brown adipose cells whose thermogenic capacity was activated by the phenolic acids to foam cells substantially inhibited the NLRP3-IL-1β inflammatory pathway and suppressed foam cell formation. These studies reveal that ferulic acid and protocatechuic acid can inhibit AS, at least in part, by upregulating UCP1 in adipose tissue, thereby suppressing the NLRP3-IL-1β inflammatory pathway and inhibiting foam cell formation in AS plaques. This validates the potential therapeutic function of phenolic acid compounds selected using UCP1 as a target for treating AS. Our work provides a theoretical basis for the precise utilization of food resources rich in phenolic acid compounds.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 1","pages":" 40-53"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142708504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deciphering the potential of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf as an anti-obesity agent: phytochemical profiling, in vivo evaluations and molecular docking studies†","authors":"Omnia Aly, Reham Hassan Mekky, Florbela Pereira, Yasser M. Diab, Mohamed A. Tammam and Amr El-Demerdash","doi":"10.1039/D4FO04602A","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4FO04602A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Based on its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, <em>Cymbopogon citratus</em> (DC) Stapf is commonly used in traditional and modern medicine to cure different diseases. The present study investigates the potential of <em>C. citratus</em> organic extract as an anti-obesity drug in a HCHFD (high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet) model for obese rats. Its negative hypolipidemic effect has been confirmed through biochemical and histological methods. Fifty male albino rats were randomly divided into five groups (10 rats each) Group I (Control group), Group II (HCHFD group), Group III (<em>C. citratus</em> group), Group IV (HCHFD + <em>C. citratus</em> group) and Group V (HCHFD + Orlistat group). Serum glucose levels and lipid profiles were quantified using a spectrophotometer. Insulin, apelin, and adiponectin parameters were measured using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) kits, while real-time PCR following extraction and purification was used for apelin, apelin receptor genes (APJ), and adiponectin gene expression evaluation. Besides, <em>C. citratus</em> methanolic extract was subjected to untargeted metabolic profiling <em>via</em> RP-HPLC-QTOF-MS and MS/MS, disclosing the presence of 52 secondary metabolites where they mainly belonged to phenolic compounds <em>viz.</em>, flavones and hydroxycinnamic acids, among other metabolites with predominance of derivatives of luteolin and <em>O</em>-coumaroyl-<em>O</em>-feruloylglycerol. Our findings were further strengthened by computational-based virtual screening protocols that included molecular docking (MDock) and Structure–Activity Relationships (SARs). The MDock studies revealed that the three main flavone-containing metabolites, each with a luteolin <em>C</em>6-glycosylation core featuring two sugar units (<strong>16</strong>, <strong>25</strong>, and <strong>31</strong>), outperformed the positive control (<strong>8EH</strong>, a triazole derivative) known to bind to the APJ protein. These metabolites exhibited exceptional binding affinities, with estimated free binding energy (Δ<em>G</em><small>_B</small>) values of −9 kcal mol<small>⁻¹</small> or lower, likely due to potential hydrogen bond interactions with the Arg168 residue of the APJ protein. Additionally, the pharmacokinetic, physicochemical, and toxicity profiles of the 11 major metabolites from <em>C. citratus</em> leaf extract were assessed, revealing a profile like that of the positive control in the three selected flavone metabolites. Based on the acquired data, it can be concluded that <em>C. citratus</em> shows strong potential as a hypolipidemic agent and could play a significant role in managing obesity and mitigating its associated complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 24","pages":" 12146-12168"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2024/fo/d4fo04602a?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142708498","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}