Background: The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a thin film that exists within the milk emulsion, suspended on the surface of milk fat globules, and comprises a diverse array of bioactive components. Recent advancements in MFGM research have sparked a growing interest in its biological characteristics and health-related functions. Thorough exploration and utilization of MFGM as a significant bioactive constituent in milk emulsion can profoundly impact human health in a positive manner. Scope and approach: This review comprehensively examines the current progress in understanding the structure, composition, physicochemical properties, methods of separation and purification, and biological activity of MFGM. Additionally, it underscores the vast potential of MFGM in the development of additives and drug delivery systems, with a particular focus on harnessing the surface activity and stability of proteins and phospholipids present on the MFGM for the production of natural emulsifiers and drug encapsulation materials. Key findings and conclusions: MFGM harbors numerous active substances that possess diverse physiological functions, including the promotion of digestion, maintenance of the intestinal mucosal barrier, and facilitation of nerve development. Typically employed as a dietary supplement in infant formula, MFGM’s exceptional surface activity has propelled its advancement toward becoming a natural emulsifier or encapsulation material. This surface activity is primarily derived from the amphiphilicity of polar lipids and the stability exhibited by highly glycosylated proteins.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) represents a severe microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus with limited therapeutic options, many of which are accompanied by considerable adverse effects. Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) fruit, rich in vitamins, dietary fiber, and fatty acids, contains numerous bioactive compounds, including phytosterols, polysaccharides, and flavonoids that demonstrate significant potential in diabetes management. The flavonoid fraction derived from OFI fruit (OFI-F) has exhibited pronounced anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gut microbiota modulatory properties. However, the efficacy of OFI-F in ameliorating DN and its underlying mechanisms remain inadequately elucidated. This investigation examined the therapeutic potential of OFI-F in DN and explored its mechanistic pathways. Our findings demonstrate that OFI-F administration significantly attenuated renal injury and intestinal barrier dysfunction in the DN murine model. OFI-F intervention resulted in multiple beneficial outcomes in DN mice, including the mitigation of weight loss, reduction in hyperglycemia, decrease in renal coefficient index, and the attenuation of renal injury. An analysis of gut microbiota composition revealed that OFI-F administration favorably modulated the intestinal microbial community by enhancing the abundance of beneficial bacteria while concomitantly reducing populations of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, OFI-F treatment promoted the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which contributed substantially to renoprotection and inflammatory resolution. Antibiotic intervention studies further confirmed the indispensable role of gut microbiota in mediating the renoprotective effects of OFI-F. In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of OFI-F in DN management through the concurrent modulation of gut microbiota and renal function, offering a promising nutraceutical approach for alleviating renal injury in DN.