Search Results (2,699)

This study aimed to develop a multi-bioactive composite plant extract as an alternative to dietary antibiotics for application in animal production. Five plant materials were initially selected from 23 candidate plants via in vitro antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory screening, and formulated into three candidate extracts (C1, C2, C3) by orthogonal design, with respective dominant activities and moderate the other activities. Three feeding trials in mice demonstrated that administration of 1000 mg/kg C1 or C2 caused no adverse effects on hematological parameters or organ indexes. Supplementation with 250 mg/kg C1 or 125 mg/kg C2 significantly increased body weight gain and feed intake, reduced the feed-to-gain ratio, and modulated gut microbiota composition. In LPS-challenged mice, C1 and C2 restored jejunal villus height and crypt depth, downregulated the gene expression of TLR4, TNF-α, NF-κB, and IL-1β, and increased hepatic T-AOC activity while decreasing MDA content. Furthermore, a feeding trial in piglets demonstrated that dietary supplementation with 200 mg/kg C2 achieved growth performance comparable to that of conventional antibiotic supplementation, highlighting its potential as a substitute for feed antibiotics. In conclusion, this study has developed a new multi-bioactive composite plant extract that may serve as a promising alternative to feed antibiotics. Full article

Climate change presents a challenge for global viticulture due to rising temperatures and water stress, which accelerate grape ripening, increase sugar levels, and reduce acidity. This compromises wine quality and microbial stability, resulting in higher reliance on sulfur dioxide (SO₂). However, SO₂ can inhibit desirable fermentations, including those carried out by non-Saccharomyces yeasts, which are key biotechnological tools for climate adaptation due to their ability to modulate acidity, aroma, and ethanol. Therefore, alternative disinfection methods are needed to control wild microbiota without hindering inoculated yeasts. This review critically analyzes ozone (O₃) as a non-thermal disinfection technology for winemaking. It examines the antimicrobial mechanism of ozone, its efficacy against wine-related microorganisms, its impact on the physicochemical and aromatic parameters of grapes, and its practical viability. Ozone effectively reduces spoilage-causing microbiota, achieving inactivation of approximately 3–4 log CFU/mL for yeasts, while preserving crucial grape compounds and providing a favorable environment for novel fermentation biotechnologies. Compared to other emerging technologies and SO₂, ozone offers a balanced profile: effective disinfection, minimal residues, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with sustainable winemaking. Ozone is emerging as a promising alternative to facilitate controlled fermentations and improve wine quality among the current climatic and oenological challenges. Full article

Clostridium butyricum is a well-known Gram-positive, spore-forming, obligate anaerobic, and butyrate-producing bacterium with a few species of next-generation probiotic strains. By far, the most well-known strain is Clostridium butyricum CBM588 (also known as MIYAIRI 588). This strain has gained significant attention for its therapeutic potential across a variety of human health conditions. Preclinical studies have shown its ability to stabilize gut microbiota, enhance short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and modulate immune responses, which contribute to its therapeutic effects in conditions such as ulcerative colitis, allergies, and cancer. We examined 28 interventional clinical trials and 7 observational studies investigating the effect of Clostridium butyricum strains. These studies have supported the findings of preclinical trials and demonstrated symptom improvement and immune modulation in diverse conditions. Clostridium butyricum CBM588 has shown efficacy in managing gastrointestinal diseases, such as acute gastroenteritis and inflammatory bowel disease, and has also proven beneficial in immune modulation, as evidenced by its positive effects in allergic rhinitis and cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, CBM588 has been reported to have a favorable safety and tolerability profile in various patient populations, including children, adults, and critically ill patients. Despite these promising results, clinical studies face limitations such as small sample sizes, varied protocols, and short study durations. Future well-designed, large-scale trials are necessary to further validate the long-term safety and efficacy of Clostridium butyricum in clinical practice. Full article

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition associated with metabolic disturbances, systemic inflammation, and the accumulation of gut-derived uremic toxins. Increasing evidence highlights the role of gut microbiota dysbiosis in the progression of CKD through the gut–kidney axis. Consequently, microbiome-targeted nutritional strategies, including probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, have emerged as promising complementary approaches to modulate intestinal microbial composition and metabolic functions. This review summarizes and critically evaluates the current clinical evidence regarding the use of these interventions in CKD patients. Clinical studies indicate that supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotic formulations may promote beneficial shifts in the composition of the gut microbiota, enhance saccharolytic fermentation, and increase the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These changes have been associated with reduced circulating levels of gut-derived uremic toxins such as indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate, as well as with the attenuation of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. However, available trials remain heterogeneous in terms of study design, probiotic strains, prebiotic substrates, dosing regimens, and patient populations, and are frequently limited by small sample sizes and short intervention durations. As a result, evidence for improvements in renal function and long-term clinical outcomes remains inconclusive. While synbiotics may offer theoretical advantages by combining microbial supplementation with targeted substrates that support microbial growth and metabolic activity, current evidence does not consistently demonstrate superior clinical efficacy. Overall, these interventions often improve surrogate biomarkers, but their effects on renal function and hard clinical outcomes remain uncertain. Larger, longer-duration multicenter randomized controlled trials with standardized formulations are needed to establish their clinical utility and to better elucidate microbiota–host interactions in CKD. Advancing this field may support the development of personalized microbiome-based therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating the gut–kidney axis and ultimately improving clinical outcomes in CKD patients. Full article

Background/Objectives: The preschool period is critical for neurodevelopment, yet evidence investigating fortified formula’s effect and potential microbiota–gut–brain axis mechanisms in this age group is limited. To evaluate fortified formula milk’s effect on neurodevelopment and explore potential microbiota–gut–brain axis mechanisms in preschool children. Methods: In this 9-month cluster-randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, 120 healthy children aged 3–6 years from four kindergarten classes were stratified by grade and randomly allocated (1:1) to receive either multi-nutrient fortified formula (intervention, n = 60) or standard control milk (n = 60). Neurocognitive function was assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV). Safety was evaluated through anthropometry and blood biochemistry. Gut microbiota (16S rRNA sequencing) and fecal metabolomes (untargeted LC-MS) were analyzed at baseline and 9 months. Results: The intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed no significant difference in Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (adjusted mean difference: 1.05 points; 95% CI: −1.42, 3.52; p = 0.400). However, the intervention group significantly improved the Processing Speed Index (adjusted mean difference: 5.91 points; 95% CI: 1.88, 9.93; p = 0.004), increased gut microbial alpha diversity (Shannon index) and Bifidobacterium abundance. Metabolomic analysis revealed elevated fecal 2-hydroxybutyric acid (2-HB), a marker of propanoate metabolism. Increases in both Bifidobacterium and 2-HB levels showed a positive association with PSI improvement (both p < 0.05). All children maintained normal growth and safety parameters. Conclusions: Fortified formula milk improved processing speed in preschoolers, a benefit associated with gut ecosystem modulation characterized by Bifidobacterium enrichment and upregulated microbial propanoate metabolism. These results offer preliminary evidence for the role of the microbiota–gut–brain axis in nutritional cognitive programming during early childhood. (Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2400084211). Full article

Background/Objectives: Ulcerative colitis (UC) involves inflammatory response, oxidative stress, changes in metabolites, and the gut microbiota. Jingangteng capsule (JGTC) has been utilized clinically for the treatment of inflammatory diseases for many years. However, the efficacy of JGTC in ameliorating UC remains unclear, and the underlying mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. This study aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of JGTC on UC. Methods: The chemical compositions of JGTC were examined using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-fight mass spectrometry. The anti-UC effect of JGTC was evaluated by assessing the disease activity index (DAI), colon length, intestinal barrier recovery, and inflammatory factors in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model. Mechanisms were investigated through fecal 16S rDNA sequencing, metabolomics analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting, and network pharmacology analysis. Results: JGTC significantly reduced the DAI scores in UC mice, increased their body weight and colon length (p < 0.001), repairing damaged intestinal tissue. It decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and LPS (p < 0.01, p < 0.001), alleviating intestinal inflammation. It also raised the expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1, Claudin-1, and Occludin (p < 0.05, p < 0.001), thereby enhancing intestinal barrier function. Fecal metabolomic analysis revealed that the favorable alterations in amino acid and lipid metabolites were more pronounced. Heat maps showed strong correlations between pharmacological indicators and gut microbiota, as well as between the main differential metabolites and gut microbial communities. UPLC-QTOF-MS detection yielded 33 components of JGTC, and network pharmacology analysis based on these components predicted pathways of action of JGTC in UC. Functional pathways closely associated with significantly differential metabolites and metabolic pathways were also investigated. The PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway was one of them, which is consistent with the conclusions drawn from network pharmacology. JGTC significantly modulated key factors in this pathway, inhibiting the expression of PI3K, Akt, PDK1, and mTOR, while augmenting the expression of PTEN (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001). It also mitigated the levels of related oxidative stress factors MDA, MPO, and D-LA, and raised SOD levels (p < 0.01, p < 0.001). Conclusions: JGTC improved the excessive inflammatory response in UC by regulating intestinal flora and metabolic disorders, affecting the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway, restoring intestinal tissue damage and intestinal barrier, and inhibiting inflammatory and oxidative stress factors. Full article

Vaccine performance in livestock and poultry often varies under field conditions. Conventional explanations, such as handling errors, cold-chain failures, or antigen mismatch do not fully account for inconsistent immunogenicity and durability. Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiome acts as an upstream regulator of vaccine responses through microbial structural signals and metabolites that shape antigen presentation, B-cell metabolism, and inflammatory tone. Early life microbiome disruption can impair antibody responses to multiple vaccines, highlighting a plausible causal role for dysbiosis in suboptimal vaccine efficacy. Microbiota-derived metabolites, particularly short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), can influence B-cell differentiation and antibody production through metabolic and epigenetic pathways. However, these effects are dose- and context-dependent, highlighting the need for controlled translation rather than generalized assumptions that higher SCFA levels are beneficial. This review synthesizes microbiome–immunometabolism pathways relevant to vaccine responses in food animals and assesses practical nutritional and microbiome-targeted strategies, such as amino acids, trace minerals, organic acids, phytogenics, and postbiotics, that may modulate these pathways to improve outcomes. We also propose field-deployable biomarker panels that combine immune readouts with inflammation- and microbiome-linked metabolite proxies to stratify likely responders, monitor intervention effects, and improve trial comparability. Finally, we outline translational study designs that connect microbiome shifts to protective immune endpoints and performance outcomes, enabling evidence-based integration of microbiome-informed strategies into vaccination programs for poultry, with broader conceptual relevance to other food animals. Full article

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder with a high incidence of anxiety and depression. However, the underlying mechanisms of these symptoms remain to be fully elucidated. This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of a 20% ethanolic extract of Petasites japonicus leaves (EPJ) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and depression-like behaviors. The physiological compounds identified in the EPJ were citric acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, fukinolic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucose-6″-acetate, 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, kaempferol-3-O-(6″-acetyl)-β-glucopyranoside, and pedunculoside. EPJ significantly alleviated DSS-induced colitis, as evidenced by improvements in body weight loss (87.41% vs. 76.02% in the DSS group), colon length (5.75 vs. 4.34 cm), intestinal permeability (52.80 vs. 163.01 μg/mL), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (0.24 vs. 0.67 U/mg) (p < 0.05). Histological analysis further confirmed recovery of goblet cells and attenuation of muscle layer thickening. EPJ also reversed DSS-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis and contributed to the restoration of microbial homeostasis. Behavioral assessments showed that EPJ effectively ameliorated depression-like behaviors. EPJ improved antioxidant systems in colon and brain tissues by modulating malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. EPJ further upregulated tight junction protein expression and suppressed TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory pathway activation in both colon and brain tissues. Moreover, EPJ modulated serum stress-related hormones, normalized hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, regulated the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway, and modulated tryptophan–kynurenine metabolism. Collectively, these findings suggest that EPJ exerts protective effects against DSS-induced colitis and depression-like behaviors. Full article

Background: Hyperuricemia (HUA) is associated with excessive uric acid (UA) production, impaired renal excretion, and gut microbial dysbiosis. This study aims to systematically evaluate the alleviating effects of exopolysaccharide (EPS04) derived from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WLPL04 on HUA. Methods: The study employed both in vitro HK-2 cells and in vivo animal studies in HUA mice. Key methods included assessing xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in vitro and measuring serum UA levels, renal function parameters, XOD activity, and gene expression in vivo. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyze gut microbiota composition. Results: EPS04 reduced UA production in HK-2 cells by inhibiting XOD activity and downregulating its gene expression while also decreasing XOD-derived ROS. EPS04 significantly lowered serum UA levels and attenuated renal injury in HUA mice. Hepatic XOD expression and activity were downregulated, reducing UA production, while UA excretion was enhanced through upregulation of renal ABCG2 expression. Furthermore, EPS04 increased gut microbiota α-diversity, restored the Bacteroidota/Firmicutes ratio, and enriched beneficial taxa, including Akkermansia and Dubosiella. Conclusions: EPS04 alleviates HUA through inhibition of XOD activity, upregulation of renal ABCG2 expression, and modulation of gut microbiota, suggesting its potential as a nutraceutical biopolymer for dietary management of HUA and related metabolic disorders. Full article

Water kefir is a non-dairy fermented beverage that has received increasing scientific attention due to its complex microbial composition and its suitability for individuals with dietary restrictions. This review critically examines the current body of scientific evidence addressing the functional properties and potential health-related effects of water kefir. A systematic literature search was conducted using the PubMed and Scopus databases, focusing on studies published over the past decade. Experimental evidence derived from in vitro assays and in vivo studies in animal models suggests that water kefir and its derived components may exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, detoxifying, and gut microbiota-modulating activities. Several studies have also reported probiotic-related characteristics among microorganisms isolated from water kefir, as well as beneficial effects in experimental models of chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, colitis, and liver injury. Reported microbiota-associated effects include increased bacterial diversity, enrichment of beneficial genera such as Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp., and reductions in potentially pathogenic taxa including Escherichia spp. and Shigella spp. Nevertheless, the available evidence is largely preclinical, and substantial variability in microbial composition, fermentation conditions, and experimental design limits direct comparison across studies. Well-designed human clinical trials are therefore required to validate these findings, establish efficacy and safety, and clarify the relevance of water kefir as a functional fermented food in human health. Full article

This study aimed to explore the efficacy of oral supplementation with 11 probiotic strains, combined in the strain mix Probatech™ (Centro Sperimentale del Latte S.r.l Strada Provinciale per Merlino, 326839 Zelo Buon Persico (LO), Italy) and delivered through the food supplement PROBAFLOR and how it plays a positive role in maintaining normal intestinal function, providing benefits in healthy adult subjects. A 16-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted starting with 60 participants. Participants were randomly assigned to either the probiotic or placebo group. Participants were asked to provide one faecal sample at the beginning of the study, another one after 12 weeks of supplementation and the final one after 16 weeks. Amplicon 16S rRNA gene sequencing and GC-MS Short-Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) profiling were performed on the faecal samples. Participants filled out questionnaires to assess their gastrointestinal health and psychological well-being. The overall mean GIQLI scores increased in both groups over time. The increases were significant within both groups but not between groups. Following the administration of PROBAFLOR, Shannon and Simpson diversity indices showed a significant increase at day 90 (week 12) (p < 0.05), demonstrating that the intervention effectively enhanced gut microbiota diversity. A shift in the intestinal microbiota towards SCFA-producing families and genera was observed. Moreover, the change in total and single SCFAs was significantly different between probiotic and placebo groups at the end of the supplementation period. Once-daily consumption of the PROBAFLOR probiotics formula regulated gut microbiota balance by modulating SCFA production. It may be beneficial for gut health, improving defecation habits and satisfaction, normalizing stool frequency, and promoting bacterial metabolism. Full article

Background/Objectives: Immunosuppression is a serious side effect of chemotherapeutic agents such as cyclophosphamide (CTX) and significantly increases the risk of infection in patients. Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura) bezoar (PB), a traditional medicine derived from the Hystrix brachyura species of porcupine, is renowned for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its immunomodulatory potential has not been adequately investigated. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the protective effects of PB against CTX-induced immunosuppression and the underlying mechanisms in a rat model. Methods: An immunosuppression model was established in rats through the injection of CTX. The effects of PB on immune function were evaluated through the measurement of serum immunoglobulin (IgA and IgG) and pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6 and TNF-α) levels, as well as through a histopathological examination of immune organs. The mechanisms were further elucidated by analysing changes in serum metabolites and gut microbiota composition using integrated metabolomics and 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: Treatment with PB significantly alleviated CTX-induced immunosuppression, as demonstrated by elevated serum levels of IgA and IgG and reduced concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α. PB also improved the architecture of spleen and thymus tissues. Metabolomic analysis revealed that PB regulated glycerophospholipid metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis, thereby reducing pro-inflammatory metabolites such as prostaglandin F2α. Furthermore, PB modulated the gut microbiota, increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Bacteroidota and Lachnospiraceae) and decreasing that of harmful bacteria (e.g., Romboutsia and Clostridium sensu stricto). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that PB can effectively counteract CTX-induced immunosuppression in rats. This immunomodulatory effect is linked to changes in the gut microbiota and the regulation of specific metabolic pathways. These findings provide a scientific basis for the potential use of PB as an immunoadjuvant therapy, offering new insights into the mechanisms of traditional medicines. Full article

As the predominant native pollinator across Asia, Apis cerana is essential for the maintenance of biodiversity and agricultural productivity. The gut microbiota of honeybees plays a central role in host nutrition, detoxification, and immune function. p-Coumaric acid, a widespread phenolic acid enriched in pollen and nectar, has been reported to promote honeybee health by prolonging lifespan and increasing the expression of detoxification-related genes, hence improving tolerance to pesticides. Its influence on gut microbial communities, however, remains insufficiently characterized in A. cerana. This study evaluated the effects of dietary p-coumaric acid on survival, sucrose solution consumption, and gut microbiome composition in A. cerana workers using absolute quantification sequencing. Bees were provided sucrose solutions containing p-coumaric acid at concentrations of 41.0, 82.0, and 164.0 mg/L for durations of 5 and 10 days. The results indicated no effect on survival but revealed time-dependent changes in sucrose solution consumption. p-Coumaric acid exposure altered the abundance of non-core bacterial taxa, including Bombella and Apilactobacillus, whereas the core gut microbiota (Lactobacillus, Gilliamella, Snodgrassella, Apibacter, and Bifidobacterium) remained stable. These results suggest that p-coumaric acid modulates sucrose solution consumption and selectively influences non-core gut bacteria without disrupting survival or core microbiota stability, underscoring its role in regulating host–microbe interactions in honeybees. Full article

Background: Orange peels (OP) are rich in flavonoids, pectin, essential oils, and carotenoids that can be upcycled into functional ingredients. These bioactive compounds (BCs) have been increasingly associated with beneficial effects on gastrointestinal (GI) and cardiometabolic health. This scoping review aimed to systematically map available evidence and synthesize reported GI and cardiometabolic health outcomes of upcycled OP ingredients. Methods: Conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines, the literature search was performed in the Scopus database and ClinicalTrials.gov for studies published between 2014–2025 using a predefined Boolean search query. After screening, 84 studies and 14 completed clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. Results: The mapped evidence spans mechanistic (in vitro), preclinical, and clinical studies. Preclinical studies report that flavonoids, pectin, and essential oils modulate gut microbiota composition, enhance intestinal barrier integrity, and improve glycemic, lipid, and inflammatory parameters through mechanisms involving short-chain fatty acid production, antioxidant activity, and modulation of key inflammatory pathways. Clinical studies, predominantly investigating hesperidin-rich and fiber-rich extracts, report improvements in postprandial glycemic response, lipid profiles, blood pressure, and selected microbiota-related markers. Conclusions: Upcycled OP ingredients show promising biological activities relevant to cardiometabolic health and gut modulation, particularly in mechanistic and preclinical models. However, the evidence base remains largely dominated by in vitro and animal studies, with limited and heterogeneous clinical data. Key gaps include the underrepresentation of pectin and carotenoids in human trials and the absence of standardized, long-term intervention studies. Future research should prioritize well-designed clinical trials and investigate potential synergistic interactions among OP-derived bioactive fractions to support their translational application. Full article

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a hallmark of metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metabolic syndrome, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and cardiovascular diseases. It arises from impaired insulin signaling in muscle, liver, and adipose tissue, driven by ectopic lipid accumulation, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes IR mechanisms and the evidence on specific dietary patterns. A structured search of PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase (up to January 2026) prioritized RCTs, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical guidelines. Results: IR assessment relies on the hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamp as gold standard, with HOMA-IR and QUICKI as validated clinical surrogates. The Mediterranean diet is the most evidence-supported strategy, with consistent HOMA-IR reductions, a 31% decrease in T2DM incidence (PREDIMED-Plus), and demonstrated efficacy across T2DM, MASLD, and PCOS. Low-GI and DASH diets improve postprandial insulin dynamics and are particularly effective in PCOS. Low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets produce the largest short-term reductions in fasting glucose and insulin secretion, though long-term sustainability requires further study. Plant-based diets and intermittent fasting improve IR primarily via weight loss and gut microbiota modulation. Most studies rely on surrogate IR indices and are short-term (≤26 weeks). Conclusions: Dietary pattern selection should be individualized according to metabolic phenotype, comorbidities, and adherence potential. Larger, longer, head-to-head trials measuring hard clinical outcomes are needed. Full article