Polysaccharides extracted from Agrocybe aegerita (AAPS) have various physiological effects. In this study, we used the naturally aging Drosophila melanogaster and D-galactose-induced aging mice as animal models to study the anti-aging effects of AAPS via the alleviation of oxidative stress and regulation of gut microbiota. Results showed that AAPS could significantly prolong lifespan and alleviate oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂ of Drosophila melanogaster. In addition, AAPS significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes in Drosophila melanogaster and mice, and reduced the content of MDA. Furthermore, AAPS reshaped the disordered intestinal flora, increased the abundance ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, and increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus. Our results demonstrated that AAPS had good antioxidant and potential anti-aging effects in vivo.

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are prebiotics with great potential to improve constipation. This study set out to investigate the usefulness of consuming FOS as a dietary supplement on bowel movement frequency, stool consistency, abundance of Bifidobacteria, gastrointestinal transit time, and gastrointestinal symptoms through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases up to 2 March 2024. Randomized controlled trials reporting the use of FOS as a supplement by participants were included. Bias risk was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool. Results were synthesized using a random-effects model or fixed-effects model, combining outcomes using odds ratios (OR), weighted mean differences (MD), or standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The meta-analysis encompassed 17 randomized controlled trials, involving a total of 713 study participants. Overall, the intake of FOS significantly increased bowel movement frequency (95% CI: 0.80, 1.50, p < 0.00001) and positively affected stool consistency, softening the stool (SMD: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.60, p = 0.76). It also reduced the effort and pain during defecation (SMD: −0.60, 95% CI: −0.85, −0.34, p = 0.12). At the same time, mild bloating was noted as an adverse event associated with FOS ingestion (OR: 10.36, 95% CI: 3.32, 33.23, p = 0.24). No reports of serious adverse events were documented. Overall, FOS may enhance bowel movement frequency, stool consistency, and overall constipation symptoms, suggesting cautious optimism regarding their use as a dietary treatment alternative. Nevertheless, further robust and definitive randomized controlled trials are required to more accurately determine the most effective dosage and duration of use. Additional research and evidence are necessary before the efficacy of FOS as a therapeutic method for treating functional constipation can be firmly established.

The objective of this study was to examine the impacts of the combing of Agrocybe aegerita polysaccharides (AAPS) with Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 (Bb-12) on antioxidant activity, anti-aging properties, and modulation of gut microbiota. The results demonstrated that the AAPS and Bb-12 complex significantly increased the average lifespan of male and female Drosophila melanogaster under natural aging conditions (p < 0.05), with an improvement of 8.42% and 9.79%, respectively. Additionally, the complex enhanced their climbing ability and increased antioxidant enzyme activity, protecting them from oxidative damage induced by H₂O₂. In D-galactose induced aging mice, the addition of AAPS and Bb-12 resulted in significantly increase in antioxidant enzyme activity, regulation of aging-related biomarker levels, changed gut microbiota diversity, restoration of microbial structure, and increased abundance of beneficial bacteria, particularly lactobacilli, in the intestines. These findings suggested that the complex of AAPS and Bb-12 had the potential to serve as a dietary supplement against organism aging and oxidative stress.