After fermentation with Weissella confusa, purple sweet potato anthocyanins were degraded into phenolic acids, resulting in higher antioxidant activity. Fermented purple sweet potato anthocyanins can extend the lifespan of nematodes via IIS and dietary restriction pathways.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and nonspecific inflammatory disease of the colon and rectum, and its etiology remains obscure. Cherry polyphenols showed potential health-promoting effects. However, both the protective effect and mechanism of cherry polyphenols on UC are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of the free polyphenol extract of cherry in alleviating UC and its possible mechanism of action. Our study revealed that the free polyphenol extract of cherry management significantly alleviated UC symptoms, such as weight loss, colon shortening, the thickening of colonic mucous layer, etc. The free polyphenol extract of cherry treatment also introduced a significant reduction in levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nitric oxide (NO), while causing a significant elevation in levels of catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This indicated that such positive effects were performed through reducing oxidative damage or in a cytokine-specific manner. The immunofluorescence analysis of ZO-1 and occludin proteins declared that the free polyphenol extract of cherry had the potential to prompt intestinal barrier function. The reduced expression levels of β-catenin, c-myc, cyclin D1 and GSK-3β suggested that the cherry extract performed its positive effect on UC by suppressing the Wnt/β-ctenin pathway. This finding may pave the way into further understanding the mechanism of cherry polyphenols ameliorating ulcerative colitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract which affects millions of individuals worldwide. Despite advancements in treatment options, there is increasing interest in exploring natural interventions with minimal side effects. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, and radishes, contain bioactive compounds known as glucosinolates (GLSs), which have shown promising effects in alleviating IBD symptoms. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the physiological functions and mechanisms of cruciferous GLSs and their metabolites in the context of IBD. Reviewed studies demonstrated that GLSs attenuated all aspects of IBD, including regulating the intestinal microbiota composition, exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, restoring intestinal barrier function, and regulating epigenetic mechanisms. In addition, a few interventions with GLS supplementation in clinical studies were also discussed. However, there are still several challenges and remaining knowledge gaps, including variations in animals’ experimental outcomes, the bioavailability of certain compounds, and few clinical trials to validate their effectiveness in human subjects. Addressing these issues will contribute to a better understanding of the therapeutic potential of cruciferous GLSs and their metabolites in the management of IBD.

Kumquat polyphenols, known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, have been less studied for their potential to delay aging and enhance cognitive memory. This research involved extracting and analyzing free and bound phenols from oil-skinned kumquat (Fortunella japonica Swingle) for their antioxidant and anti-aging effects. Whole fruit free phenols (WFP) at low dose (WFP-L, 50 mg per kg per day) and high dose (WFP-H, 200 mg per kg per day) were administered to D-galactose-induced senescence model mice over six weeks, examining their impact on cognitive memory function and intestinal flora. Peel free phenols and seed-bound phenols displayed the strongest activities, with key compounds like quinic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid identified. WFP significantly reduced oxidative stress in aging mice, enhanced antioxidant capacity, lowered inflammatory markers and acetylcholinesterase activity in the hippocampus, and increased acetylcholine levels. By modulating the p53/SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway, WFP effectively delayed aging and cognitive decline. Furthermore, WFP improved intestinal microbial communities, regulating flora imbalances and enhancing the intestinal barrier by boosting beneficial bacteria and reducing harmful strains like Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella. These findings highlight kumquat polyphenols’ therapeutic potential against age-related cognitive impairment.

The aim of this study was to investigate the promotion of linoleic acid (OLA)-induced myofibrillar protein (MP) oxidation by boiling treatment. The effect of the boiling treatment on grass carp MP oxidation induced by OLA was investigated. The total sulfhydryl content, fluorescence intensity, and amino acid content were reduced with the increasing OLA concentration after the boiling treatment, while the boiled oxidized MP’s carbonyl content (4.76 ± 0.14 nmol/mg) was 2.14 times higher than that of the native MP (2.22 ± 0.02 nmol/mg) at an OLA concentration of 10 mM. Additionally, the secondary structure of MP became more disordered, shifting from an α-helix to random coils and β-turns. When the concentration of OLA was higher than 5 mM, both the surface hydrophobicity and water holding capacity (WHC) decreased with the increasing OLA concentration. Furthermore, the boiling treatment led to a reduction in immobile water and an increase in free water content in the MP gel. These findings establish a theoretical basis for regulating MP oxidation to improve fish quality during boiling.