Green tea polyphenols have numerous functions including antioxidation and modulation of various cellular proteins and are thus beneficial against metabolic diseases including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, and their comorbidities. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant polyphenol in green tea and is attributed to antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities, and the likelihood of targeting multiple metabolic pathways. It has been shown to exhibit anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-arteriosclerotic, and weight-reducing effects in humans. Worldwide, the incidences of metabolic diseases have been escalating across all age groups in modern society. Therefore, EGCG is being increasingly investigated to address the problems. This review presents the current updates on the effects of EGCG on metabolic diseases, and highlights evidence related to its safety. Collectively, this review brings more evidence for therapeutic application and further studies on EGCG and its derivatives to alleviate metabolic diseases and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases.

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L. or Elaeagnus rhamnoides L.) is a plant that has long been used as a Chinese herbal medicine. This species is known to contain numerous bioactive components, including polyphenols, fatty acids, vitamins, and phytosterols, which may be responsible for its medicinal value. In experiments both in vitro and in vivo (ranging from cell lines to animal models and human patients), sea buckthorn has shown positive effects on symptoms of metabolic syndrome; evidence suggests that sea buckthorn treatment can decrease blood lipid content, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels, and regulate key metabolites. This article reviews the main bioactive compounds present in sea buckthorn and discusses their efficacy in treating metabolic syndrome. Specifically, we highlight bioactive compounds isolated from distinct sea buckthorn tissues; their effects on abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia; and their potential mechanisms of action in clinical applications. This review provides key insight into the benefits of sea buckthorn, promoting future research of this species and expansion of sea buckthorn-based therapies for metabolic syndrome.

The impact of host–microbiome interactions on cognitive health and disease has received increasing attention. Microbial-derived metabolites produced in the gut are one of crucial mechanisms of the gut–brain axis interaction, showing attractive perspectives. Urolithins (Uros) are gut microbial-derived metabolites of ellagitannins and ellagic acid, whose biotransformation varies considerably between individuals and decreases greatly with age. Recently, accumulating evidence has suggested that Uros may have specific advantages in preventing brain aging including favorable blood–brain barrier permeability, selective brain distribution, and increasingly supporting data from preclinical and clinical studies. However, the usability of Uros in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases remains elusive. In this review, we aim to present the comprehensive achievements of Uros in age-related brain dysfunctions and neurodegenerative diseases and discuss their prospects and knowledge gaps as functional food, drugs, or biomarkers against brain aging.

Organic anion transporter 3 (OAT3) is predominantly expressed in the kidney and plays a vital role in drug clearance. Consequently, co-ingestion of two OAT3 substrates may alter the pharmacokinetics of the substrate. This review summarizes drug–drug interactions (DDIs) and herbal–drug interactions (HDIs) mediated by OAT3, and inhibitors of OAT3 in natural active compounds in the past decade. This provides a valuable reference for the combined use of substrate drugs/herbs for OAT3 in clinical practice in the future and for the screening of OAT3 inhibitors to avoid harmful interactions.

Broomcorn millet Huangjiu brewing is usually divided into primary fermentation and post-fermentation. Microbial succession is the major factor influencing the development of the typical Huangjiu flavor. Here, we report the changes in flavor substances and microbial community during the primary fermentation of broomcorn millet Huangjiu. Results indicated that a total of 161 volatile flavor compounds were measured during primary fermentation, and estragole was detected for the first time in broomcorn millet Huangjiu. A total of 82 bacteria genera were identified. Pediococcus, Pantoea, and Weissella were the dominant genera. Saccharomyces and Rhizopus were dominant among the 30 fungal genera. Correlation analysis showed that 102 microorganisms were involved in major flavor substance production during primary fermentation, Lactobacillus, Photobacterium, Hyphodontia, Aquicella, Erysipelothrix, Idiomarina, Paraphaeosphaeria, and Sulfuritalea were most associated with flavoring substances. Four bacteria, Lactobacillus (R1), Photobacterium (R2), Idiomarina (R3), and Pediococcus (R4), were isolated and identified from wheat Qu, which were added to wine Qu to prepare four kinds of fortified Qu (QR1, QR2, QR3, QR4). QR1 and QR2 fermentation can enhance the quality of Huangjiu. This work reveals the correlation between microorganisms and volatile flavor compounds and is beneficial for regulating the micro-ecosystem and flavor of the broomcorn millet Huangjiu.

Hyperuricemia, a common metabolic disorder characterized by elevated serum uric acid (UA) levels, can lead to severe complications such as gout and renal impairment. Conventional therapies, while effective, are frequently accompanied by significant adverse effects, underscoring the urgent need for safer therapeutic alternatives. Recent evidence identifies the intestine as a novel, pivotal regulator of UA homeostasis, presenting a promising therapeutic axis. This review delineates the intestinal mechanisms governing UA regulation and evaluates the therapeutic potential of natural active substances that target these pathways. We conducted a comprehensive review of recent preclinical studies focusing on intestinal mechanisms involved in UA metabolism, including the roles of gut microbiota, urate transport proteins, intestinal barrier function, and inflammation. Studies evaluating natural active substances—such as polyphenols, polysaccharides, peptides, and plant extracts—were systematically analyzed for their effects on gut-mediated UA regulation. Natural active substances have been shown to effectively alleviate hyperuricemia by modulating gut microbiota, enhancing UA intestinal excretion, reinforcing intestinal barrier function, and suppressing inflammatory pathways. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the multi-target efficacy of natural active substances within the intestines, offering a promising therapeutic strategy that warrants further investigation into nutrition-based intestinal interventions and novel pharmacological treatments for hyperuricemia.