Search Results (1,175)

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes significant disease in poultry; however, whether ferroptosis-associated responses are involved in IBV-induced cellular injury remains unclear. In this study, we examined ferroptosis-associated changes in the HD11 chicken macrophage cell line following IBV infection. IBV infection reduced cell viability, increased lactate dehydrogenase release, caused mitochondrial ultrastructural alterations, enhanced lipid peroxidation, depleted glutathione, increased intracellular ferrous iron, and altered the expression of ferroptosis-related genes. Treatment with ferrostatin-1 attenuated these changes and was accompanied by reduced viral replication. By contrast, ultraviolet-inactivated IBV did not induce comparable ferroptosis-associated changes, supporting an association between active IBV infection and these responses. Expression of the IBV nucleocapsid protein alone partially reproduced several ferroptosis-associated changes in HD11 cells. Epigallocatechin gallate reduced IBV-induced cellular injury and ferroptosis-associated changes, whereas RSL3 partly reversed its protective effect. Taken together, these results indicate that IBV infection induces ferroptosis-associated changes in chicken macrophages in association with increased lipid peroxidation, while Fer-1 treatment was accompanied by reduced viral replication. These findings support the involvement of ferroptosis-associated responses in IBV-host cell interactions. Full article

This study investigated the optimization and quality evaluation of green tea infusions prepared from three commercial green tea samples from different production origins, namely Anhui Huangshan Maofeng (AH), Shaanxi Ziyang (SX), and Yunnan Xuelong (YN), using three extraction techniques: hot-water extraction (HWE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), and cold brewing (CB). We used water-extractable content (WEC) as the sole response variable in a response surface methodology framework to optimize physical solid yield rather than chemical quality. We developed a principal component analysis (PCA) model that incorporates WEC with six essential functional constituents—epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), caffeine, and L-theanine, to thoroughly evaluate infusion quality. Untargeted metabolomics was subsequently performed on three PCA-selected representative SX samples corresponding to PCA ranks 18, 58, and 107. Our findings demonstrated that WEC was significantly influenced by the investigated extraction variables, and validation of the BBD-RSM models showed absolute relative deviations of 0.12–0.81% between the predicted and experimentally measured WEC values. Six targeted components differed significantly among the three tea samples and extraction methods. The PCA score plots showed partial separation among the sample–process combinations, with the first two principal components explaining 78.45% of the total variance. Additionally, the three SX infusion groups were clearly distinguished by orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) in conjunction with KEGG pathway mapping; KEGG pathway mapping shows that the differentially enriched metabolites are primarily annotated to flavonoid, phenolic acid, amino acid derivative, and purine-related pathways. By combining RSM-based optimization, targeted HPLC measurement, PCA scoring, and non-targeted metabolomic profiling, this study created a strong framework for chemical evaluation. This integrated framework offers a valuable reference for selecting appropriate extraction processes and ensuring consistent quality in green tea infusions. Full article

Despite advances in pharmaceutical and technological development, cancer continues to be a life-threatening illness globally. In addition to other specialized procedures, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are methods used to treat cancer. However, in recent years, natural products have either been used as food supplements or complementary medicine in the management and treatment of cancer. Natural products are the secondary metabolites present in the cells of medicinal plants, microbes, and marine organisms. Glycosides are a naturally occurring class of metabolites with exceptional therapeutic value and clinical efficacy. The structure of all glycosides is similar; it consists of two parts: a hydrophilic glycone unit made up of one or more sugar components, and a lipophilic aglycone unit. Over the past few years, the potential anti-cancer properties of several natural and synthetic glycosides have been investigated. In this review, we compile and analyze 224 naturally occurring glycosides from plant and marine sources, along with more than 40 synthetic glycosides, that exhibit anticancer properties. Reported anticancer activities span a wide potency range and involve multiple mechanisms, including apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inhibition of PI3K/AKT, MAPK, STAT3, Wnt/β-catenin, and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase signaling, as well as suppression of migration and invasion. Several compounds show potency comparable to or exceeding standard chemotherapeutics under matched assay conditions: for example, an epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate derivative inhibited MDA-MB-231 cells at an IC₅₀ of 3.27 ± 0.18 µM versus 5.20 ± 0.89 µM for capecitabine, and a synthetic N-glycosyl heterocycle (compound 479a) outperformed erlotinib against HepG-2 and HCT-116 cells (IC₅₀ = 1.64 ± 0.11 and 5.00 ± 0.51 µM vs. 2.07 ± 0.07 and 5.14 ± 0.33 µM). Other studies reported glycosides with activities comparable to or greater than reference agents such as capecitabine, tamoxifen, and erlotinib. Despite these promising findings, the evidence remains predominantly preclinical, with substantial limitations in normal-cell selectivity, standardized cytotoxicity assessment, pharmacokinetic characterization, and in vivo and clinical validation. Overall, glycosides represent promising anticancer scaffolds, but systematic optimization of potency, selectivity, stability, bioavailability, and safety is required to facilitate their translation into clinically useful therapeutics. Full article

Background: Age-related deterioration of skin biomechanical properties is characterized by reduced elasticity, increased viscoelasticity, and the appearance of fine lines. Plant-derived bioactive compounds have attracted considerable interest as topical anti-ageing agents due to their antioxidant and skin-protective properties. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a topical formulation containing 2% (w/w) Olea europaea (Olive) Callus Culture Lysate (OLEA cream), alone or combined with 2% (w/w) Polyphenolic Complex (Propyl Gallate, Gallyl Glucoside, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside), on skin elasticity, viscoelasticity, and skin surface fine lines in healthy volunteers using non-invasive biophysical measurements. Methods: Volunteers were randomly allocated to receive Placebo cream, OLEA cream (2% w/w), or OLEA cream + Polyphenolic complex cream (2% w/w + 2% w/w). Skin biomechanical properties were assessed at baseline, Day 30, and Day 60 using a Cutometer. The R2 (overall elasticity), R6 (viscoelasticity), and SEw (skin surface fine-line) indices were evaluated. Changes over time and between treatment groups were analyzed using repeated-measures statistical models, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Both active formulations produced significant improvements in selected skin biomechanical and surface parameters compared with baseline and Placebo. Skin elasticity (R2) significantly improved after 30 days of treatment and remained improved at Day 60 in both active groups. A significant reduction in viscoelasticity (R6) was observed, particularly in the OLEA + Polyphenolic complex cream group, while percentage-change analysis demonstrated greater improvement with both active formulations than with placebo at Day 60. The skin surface fine-line index (SEw) was also significantly reduced following treatment with both active formulations compared with baseline and Placebo. No statistically significant differences were observed between OLEA cream and OLEA + Polyphenolic complex cream for any of the evaluated parameters. Conclusions: Topical application of OLEA cream (2% w/w), alone or in combination with Polyphenolic complex (2% w/w), improved selected biomechanical properties of the skin and reduced the appearance of fine lines over 60 days. The absence of significant differences between the two active formulations suggests that, under the conditions of this study, the addition of Polyphenolic complex did not provide a measurable additional benefit. Full article

Background/Objectives: Green tea-derived catechins, including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), possess diverse antimicrobial properties. This study investigated the dual antiviral and antibacterial activities of a commercially available green tea extract (cGTE) preparation and EGCG against influenza viruses and representative oral bacteria to evaluate their potential for oral and upper respiratory applications. Methods: The antiviral activities of the cGTE preparation and EGCG against influenza A virus strains H1N1 (A/Puerto Rico/8/1934) and H5N2 (mouse-adapted influenza A/aquatic bird/Korea/w81/2005) were evaluated by assessing virucidal activity, time-of-addition experiments, and inhibition of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) activities. Antibacterial activity was assessed following direct exposure of Gram-positive oral streptococci (Streptococcus mutans, S. salivarius, S. mitis, S. sanguinis, and S. sobrinus), Staphylococcus aureus, and Gram-negative Escherichia coli strains to the cGTE preparation or EGCG. Results: Both the cGTE preparation and EGCG exhibited concentration- and time-dependent virucidal activities against A/H1N1 and A/H5N2 viruses. Direct treatment of the viruses generally produced greater antiviral effects than cell pre- or post-treatment. Both treatments also inhibited HA and NA activities, suggesting that interference with viral surface-associated functions may contribute to their antiviral effects. In addition, the cGTE preparation and EGCG reduced bacterial viability following direct exposure, with EGCG showing strong direct antibacterial activity against oral Streptococcus species. Conclusions: The cGTE preparation and EGCG exhibited dual virucidal and direct antibacterial activities against influenza viruses and a range of oral bacteria. These findings support their potential as multifunctional antimicrobial agents for locally applied formulations targeting the oral and upper respiratory environments. Full article

The crosstalk between the liver and the lung is complex and not yet fully understood; however, recent studies suggest that metabolic dysfunction, often originating in the liver, can influence lung injury and other lung diseases. The current study investigates the role of bile acids (BA) in mediating lung injury in a mouse model of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Ob/Ob mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks to establish a MASH model. Littermate mice were used as controls. Mice of each genotype were randomized to epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG; 200 mg/kg/day, oral gavage) or vehicle. BA levels were assessed in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung and liver tissues were obtained and evaluated for histological damage, epithelial apoptosis, and oxidative stress markers. MASH mice exhibited significant pulmonary injury, characterized by elevated pulmonary Sftpd mRNA expression (2.10 ± 0.68-fold) and sRAGE levels (986 ± 144 pg/mL), together with increased apoptosis of alveolar type I (30.0 ± 8.0%) and type II (32.4 ± 7.8%) epithelial cells, indicating impaired alveolar integrity. Pulmonary oxidative stress was evidenced by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (0.67 ± 0.11 nmol/mg tissue) and a marked reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) protein levels (6.25 ± 3.30 ng/mg tissue). Serum bile acid concentrations were significantly elevated (14.99 ± 2.80 µM; 11.9-fold increase), accompanied by a 5.6-fold increase in BALF BA concentrations. EGCG treatment reduced serum bile acid concentrations to 9.68 ± 2.18 µM and BALF bile acid levels to 0.274 ± 0.125 µM, while decreasing Sftpd expression (1.29 ± 0.25-fold), sRAGE (392 ± 234 pg/mL), alveolar epithelial apoptosis (AT-1: 15.0 ± 3.8%; AT-2: 22.1 ± 7.0%), and MDA levels (0.36 ± 0.10 nmol/mg tissue). In parallel, EGCG significantly restored pulmonary SOD protein levels (17.80 ± 5.91 ng/mg tissue). Mechanistically, EGCG restored the transcriptional expression of the pulmonary Keap1-Nrf2-HO-1 antioxidant pathway by suppressing Keap1 while increasing Nfe2l2 and Hmox1 expression, consistent with improved endogenous antioxidant defenses and redox homeostasis. In conclusion, MASH is accompanied by pulmonary injury, alveolar epithelial apoptosis and oxidative stress, occurring in parallel with systemic and alveolar bile acid accumulation. EGCG attenuated these changes and was associated with recovery of pulmonary Keap1-Nrf2-HO-1 signaling. Full article

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is increasingly recognized as a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder with multiple clinical and pathological trajectories. In a subset of patients, α-synuclein pathology may begin in the gut and subsequently spread to the brain, a pathway most relevant to the proposed body-first subtype of PD. Tea catechins, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), can influence α-synuclein aggregation, oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling, and gut microbial ecology. Because their systemic bioavailability is limited, substantial amounts reach the intestine and undergo microbiota-dependent biotransformation. This review examines whether parent catechins and their microbial metabolites could modify intestinal processes relevant to α-synuclein misfolding and seeding. Evidence indicates that catechins are converted into phenyl-γ-valerolactones and lower-molecular-weight phenolic metabolites, while microbial amyloids such as curli can promote α-synuclein aggregation in experimental models. EGCG can also remodel α-synuclein assemblies, and catechin exposure can alter microbial and inflammatory phenotypes. However, direct evidence that catechin-derived microbial metabolites inhibit curli–α-synuclein cross-seeding or reduce enteric α-synuclein seeding remains limited. By distinguishing general neuroprotection from effects on aggregation, seeding, and disease modification, this review integrates current evidence and highlights the potential relevance of microbiota-dependent catechin metabolism to gut-origin α-synuclein pathology and body-first PD. Full article

White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) remains a major factor limiting the sustainable development of crustacean aquaculture, creating an urgent need to develop comprehensive antiviral strategies with multiple protective functions. Natural bioactive compounds with antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activities hold great potential for application; however, their poor stability and low bioavailability limit their practical use. In this study, self-assembled nanosystem (CE SA) composed of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and curcumin (Cur) was constructed based on noncovalent interactions, and its protective effects against WSSV-infected Procambarus clarkii were systematically evaluated. The results indicate that CE SA exhibits good stability, sustained-release properties, and biosafety. Compared with Cur, EGCG, and their physical mixture (CE), CE SA significantly improved the survival rate of infected shrimp and reduced viral copy numbers as well as the expression levels of key viral genes such as IE1, DNApol, and VP28. At the same time, CE SA significantly promoted the expression of relevant genes such as Dorsal, Relish, SOD, and CAT, increased SOD and CAT enzyme activities and hematopoietic cell viability, and effectively alleviated damage to the hepatopancreas and intestinal tissues. Furthermore, metabolomic analysis indicated that CE SA regulates key metabolic processes such as amino acid metabolism, inflammation-related metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, and redox homeostasis, further elucidating its potential mechanism for enhancing the host’s antiviral capacity. In summary, by enhancing the stability and utilization efficiency of natural bioactive components, CE SA achieves superior anti-WSSV efficacy compared to individual components. Its protective effects are closely related to the inhibition of viral replication, enhancement of the immune response, improvement of antioxidant defenses, and regulation of host metabolic homeostasis. This study provides a promising, self-assembling nanostructure strategy for the green prevention and control of viral diseases in aquatic animals. Full article

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have emerged as a promising nanoplatform for oncological intervention, yet their clinical translation is severely hampered by systemic toxicities associated with high effective doses, while the underlying mechanisms governing their interactions with cancer cell pro-survival cascades remain poorly defined. In this study, we synthesized and fully characterized green tea polyphenol (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)-derived silver nanoparticles (EAgNPs), in which EGCG acts as the reducing and capping agent. EAgNPs were confirmed to be highly dispersed, stable metallic silver particles with a primary size range of 4–7.6 nm. Subsequent mechanistic investigations performed on Tca8113 human tongue cancer cells revealed distinct dose-dependent anticancer action modes of EAgNPs: the 100 μM lethal dose effectively triggered robust apoptosis via potently suppressing the activity of key antioxidant selenoenzymes, including thioredoxin reductase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and multiple drug resistance proteins. Notably, even under this lethal treatment condition, Tca8113 cells still initiated theNrf2-associated antioxidant response characterized by 2-fold glutathione elevation and 25-fold heme oxygenase-1 upregulation. The 30 μM low-dose EAgNPs, however, failed to produce salient cytotoxicity, as they moderately inhibited GPx activity while comprehensively activating the integrated cancer cell defense network, including glutathione accumulation, Nrf2-associated antioxidant protein induction, and upregulation of a full panel of drug resistance proteins. Interestingly, the combination of 30 μM EAgNPs with the glutathione synthesis inhibitor L-buthionine-sulfoximine further enhanced selenoenzyme GPx inhibition and completely abrogated all above-mentioned inducible anti-apoptotic responses, resulting in multi-target disruption of the cytoprotective system and strongly enhanced apoptosis induction. Our findings demonstrate that this combinatorial strategy effectively lowers the therapeutic dose threshold of EAgNPs by disabling cancer cell adaptive resistance, providing a low-toxicity, translationally feasible approach for localized oral cancer treatment. Full article

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major catechin in green tea, possesses antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. We hypothesized that dietary EGCG supplementation before oxidative challenge would attenuate Diquat-induced redox disturbance and help maintain intestinal epithelial integrity and immune-related homeostasis in weaned pigs. To test this hypothesis, 32 weaned piglets were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangements involving dietary EGCG supplementation (0 or 50 mg/kg) and saline or Diquat challenge (10 mg/kg body weight). Dietary EGCG increased serum superoxide dismutase activity and immunoglobulin A, G, and M concentrations and decreased serum IL-1β, whereas Diquat decreased superoxide dismutase activity and immunoglobulin concentrations and increased TNF-α (p < 0.05). A significant EGCG × Diquat interaction was detected for serum total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.020), which was increased by EGCG in Diquat-challenged pigs (Sidak-adjusted p = 0.001). Significant interactions were also observed for duodenal and jejunal ZO-1 immunoreactivity, jejunal sIgA immunoreactivity, and jejunal epithelial apoptosis (p < 0.05). Under Diquat challenge, EGCG increased ZO-1 and sIgA immunoreactivity and reduced TUNEL-positive staining (adjusted p < 0.05). Intestinal gene-expression responses were segment dependent: EGCG was associated with increased IL-10 and FOXP3 expression and with reduced expression of IL-17, IL-22, RORγT, STAT3, caspase-3, caspase-9, and BAX in several intestinal segments, particularly in Diquat-challenged pigs. Collectively, the observed findings indicate associations between dietary EGCG supplementation and systemic antioxidant and immune indices, epithelial barrier-related characteristics, immune-cell phenotypes, and mucosal transcriptional responses. Given the number of outcomes examined and the absence of a global multiplicity adjustment, these findings should be interpreted as exploratory and do not establish a specific protective mechanism. Full article

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common, disabling joint disease characterized by complex inflammatory, oxidative, and catabolic cascades that culminate in progressive cartilage degradation, subchondral bone remodeling, and synovitis. Standard pharmacological treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide symptomatic relief of pain but do not prevent the progression of the disease and are often associated with serious gastrointestinal, renal and cardiovascular side effects following long-term use. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, luteolin and genistein are naturally occurring polyphenols which have been identified as promising disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs). Mechanistically, these phytochemicals suppress key pro-inflammatory signaling pathways (NF-κB, MAPK), downregulate matrix-degrading enzymes (MMP-13, ADAMTS-5), mitigate reactive oxygen species (ROS), and attenuate chondrocyte apoptosis and senescence. Polyphenols have been shown in pre-clinical and clinical trials to reduce joint pain and preserve cartilage integrity. They also have a synergistic effect with conventional drugs, resulting in lower doses and reduced toxicity. However, their clinical translation has been hampered by poor oral bioavailability, rapid Phase II metabolism, and short intra-articular retention. Advanced drug-delivery systems, such as nanoparticles, liposomes, and sustained-release hydrogels, are essential to overcome these pharmacokinetic bottlenecks and realize their full therapeutic potential in OA management. Full article

In this study, fresh leaves of the same Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze cv. Qilan cultivar grown at similar elevations but contrasting latitudes in Wuyishan, Fujian (the 2L-FQ cultivation site), and Baisha, Hainan (the 2L-HQ cultivation site), were systematically compared using environmental characterization, enzyme activity assays, gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC–IMS), and untargeted metabolomics. Black teas produced from the two groups of fresh leaves under identical standardized processing conditions were further evaluated using electronic nose and electronic tongue analyses. Correspondingly, 2L-HQ leaves were longer and wider than 2L-FQ leaves, with higher moisture content and water activity. The lower L*, b*, and chroma values of 2L-HQ, together with a ΔE*ab of 6.54, indicated a darker leaf appearance, which was accompanied by higher chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations. Compared with 2L-FQ, 2L-HQ contained 11.8% more tea polyphenols, 26.4% more soluble polysaccharides, 11.4% more caffeine, and 10.6% more free amino acids. The non-gallated catechins catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, and gallocatechin were significantly enriched in 2L-HQ. DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP antioxidant capacities were also 6.1%, 4.9%, and 2.2% higher in 2L-HQ, respectively. Lipoxygenase, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase activities increased by 137.0%, 98.0%, and 93.8%, respectively, whereas β-glucosidase activity remained unchanged. GC–IMS resolved 61 volatile compounds, of which 46 differed significantly between the two origins. 2L-FQ was enriched in several aromatic aldehydes, β-phenyl ethanol, and fruity esters, whereas 2L-HQ contained higher levels of selected alcohols, unsaturated aldehydes, furanic compounds, and lipid-derived esters. Untargeted metabolomics retained 4359 metabolic features, of which 4356 were shared by both groups. After multiple-testing correction, 793 differential metabolic features were identified using VIP > 1, FDR-adjusted p < 0.05, and |log₂FC| > 1, including 420 features with higher abundance and 373 features with lower abundance in 2L-HQ relative to 2L-FQ. These differential features were mainly associated with carbohydrate, amino acid, flavonoid-related, lipid, and cofactor metabolism. Overall, regional cultivation was associated with coordinated differences in leaf morphology, hydration, pigmentation, taste-related composition, antioxidant capacity, oxidative-enzyme potential, volatile fingerprints, and metabolic allocation, providing a data foundation for region-adapted processing of Qilan tea leaves. Full article

Network pharmacology offers a systems-level framework for prioritising potential multi-target actions of phytochemicals, but predicted network convergence alone does not establish pharmacologically relevant polypharmacology. This structured narrative review evaluates curcumin, berberine, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and resveratrol as representative case studies, drawing on substantial mechanistic, pharmacokinetic, and translational literature. Evidence is appraised across computational prediction, biochemical interaction, cellular pathway modulation, target engagement or functional validation, in vivo pharmacology, and human evidence, with an emphasis on exposure compatibility. Across the four compounds, overlapping effects on inflammatory, metabolic, stress-response, and growth-regulatory pathways are supported predominantly by cellular and pathway-level studies. In contrast, direct target engagement, causal contribution, and clinically achievable exposure are less consistently demonstrated. Human pharmacokinetic and tissue-exposure studies show that systemic parent-compound concentrations may differ markedly from those used in mechanistic experiments, although local exposure and metabolites can modify this relationship. Clinical studies support selected pharmacodynamic or metabolic effects but do not establish that therapeutic benefit results from the simultaneous engagement of the broad, predicted target networks. Emerging computational, experimental, and delivery approaches can strengthen hypothesis prioritisation but do not replace mechanistic validation. We propose an exposure-aware, evidence-tiered framework in which clinically meaningful phytochemical polypharmacology requires convergence of achievable exposure, target engagement, causal pharmacodynamics, and clinical outcomes. Full article

This study aimed to optimize pigment production from Monascus purpureus TISTR3090 using Khao Klong broken rice (brown rice) as a solid substrate and to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-aging activities of the resulting pigment extracts. Solid-state fermentation showed a progressive increase in red pigment production, reaching a maximum on day 8 (OD₆₈₀ = 0.10). The water extract (WAE) exhibited a higher total phenolic content (148.86 mg GAE/g) than the ethanol extract (ETE) and demonstrated stronger antioxidant activities, including DPPH radical inhibition (74.66%) and ABTS scavenging activity (65.53%). In addition, WAE showed superior anti-aging potential, with greater inhibition of tyrosinase (75.29%) and collagenase (32.88%) compared to ETE. The MP extract exhibited the presence of R-NH₂ functional groups, identified by FTIR, indicating the primary criterion for fungal red pigment. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 25 bioactive compounds, mainly fatty acid methyl esters and aromatic derivatives, which may contribute to the observed bioactivities. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) further confirmed higher levels of gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, epigallocatechin gallate, and oroxylin A in WAE. Thus, Monascus pigments derived from broken brown rice-based fermentation represent a promising natural colorant and functional bioingredient with potential applications in nutraceutical and cosmeceutical industries, warranting further studies on formulation, stability, and in vivo validation. Full article

This study integrated metagenomic and untargeted metabolomics analysis to characterize differences in kombucha communities and metabolites between black tea–sucrose and theaflavin–sucrose systems. Theaflavins selectively enriched yeasts, particularly Meyerozyma and Lodderomyces, and increased the annotated abundance of carbohydrate-metabolism genes, glycoside hydrolases, and glycosyltransferases. Based on these community-level findings, the newly isolated Meyerozyma sp. C3 was employed to establish a simplified single-strain fermentation model to investigate the biotransformation potential of the enriched yeast taxon. The strain exhibited stable growth and sustained acidification throughout fermentation, with a theaflavin conversion rate of 39.5% after 7 days. Metabolomic analysis revealed substantial changes in oligosaccharides (e.g., maltotriose, raffinose), flavonoids/flavanes (e.g., epigallocatechin gallate, (+)-gallocatechin, (-)-epigallocatechin, and catechin derivatives), and organic acids (e.g., citric and isocitric acid), while volatile profiling identified 2-phenylethanol and 4-ethylphenol as newly dominant aroma compounds after fermentation. These results indicate that a yeast-driven route for theaflavin transformation and flavor formation, supporting targeted strain mining and functional fermented-tea development. Full article