PubMed

Viruses. 2024 Nov 13;16(11):1769. doi: 10.3390/v16111769.ABSTRACTCOVID-19 can range from a mild to severe acute respiratory syndrome and also could result in multisystemic damage. Additionally, many people develop post-acute symptoms associated with immune and metabolic disturbances in response to viral infection, requiring longitudinal and multisystem studies to understand the complexity of COVID-19 pathophysiology. Here, we conducted a 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance metabolomics in saliva of symptomatic subjects presenting mild and moderate respiratory symptoms to investigate prospective changes in the metabolism induced after acute-phase SARS-CoV-2 infection. Saliva from 119 donors presenting non-COVID and COVID-19 respiratory symptoms were evaluated in the acute phase (T1) and the post-acute phase (T2). We found two clusters of metabolite fluctuation in the COVID-19 group. Cluster 1, metabolites such as glucose, (CH3)3 choline-related metabolites, 2-hydroxybutyrate, BCAA, and taurine increased in T2 relative to T1, and in cluster 2, acetate, creatine/creatinine, phenylalanine, histidine, and lysine decreased in T2 relative to T1. Metabolic fluctuations in the COVID-19 group were associated with overweight/obesity, vaccination status, higher viral load, and viral clearance of the respiratory tract. Our data unveil metabolic signatures associated with the transition to the post-acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection that may reflect tissue damage, inflammatory process, and activation of tissue repair cascade. Thus, they contribute to describing alterations in host metabolism that may be associated with prolonged symptoms of COVID-19.PMID:39599883 | DOI:10.3390/v16111769

Nutrients. 2024 Nov 20;16(22):3970. doi: 10.3390/nu16223970.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) led to gastrointestinal manifestations in up to 50% of cases, with diarrhea being common, and probiotics have been suggested as a potential treatment.AIM: This study aimed to assess changes in the microbiome and the effects of a multispecies probiotic in patients with COVID-19 in home quarantine through a fully remote telemedical approach.METHODS: Thirty patients were randomized to receive either the Ecologic AAD probiotic (Winclove Probiotics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands), on the market as OMNi-BiOTiC 10 (Allergosan, Austria), or a placebo for 30 days in a 2:1 ratio. Respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms were monitored in 2-10-day intervals via online surveys, and five stool samples were collected during the 30-day study period for microbiome and metabolomics analyses. Twenty-four healthy volunteers served as controls.RESULTS: Of the 30 patients, 26 completed this study (10 placebo, 16 probiotic). Patients reported respiratory symptoms and a diminished gastrointestinal quality of life, both of which improved significantly during the study period, irrespective of the intervention. Compared to controls, infected patients showed significant alterations in the fecal microbiome (p = 0.002), including an increase in Bacteroidetes and decreases in Christensenellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Gammaproteobacteria, along with metabolomic changes. Probiotic treatment significantly modulated the patients' microbiome beta diversity (p = 0.001) and introduced the Enterococcus faecium W54 strain. Symptoms, COVID-19-related taxa, and the fecal metabolome were not affected by the intervention.CONCLUSIONS: Patients with mild COVID-19 disease in home quarantine exhibited respiratory symptoms, a reduced gastrointestinal quality of life, and changes in the fecal microbiome and metabolome.PMID:39599756 | DOI:10.3390/nu16223970

Nutrients. 2024 Nov 19;16(22):3943. doi: 10.3390/nu16223943.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Endurance athletes require tailored nutrition strategies to optimize performance, recovery, and training adaptations. While traditional sports nutrition guidelines provide a foundational framework, individual variability in metabolic responses underscores the need for precision nutrition, informed by genetic, biological, and environmental factors. This scoping review evaluates the application of systems biology-driven sports nutrition for endurance athletes, focusing on 'omics' and wearable technologies.METHODS: A scoping review of the literature was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Research questions, search strategies, and eligibility criteria were guided by the Population-Concept-Context framework with the following inclusion criteria: original research in English, involving endurance athletes, systems biology approaches, and nutritional interventions or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).RESULTS: Fifty-two studies were included, with distance runners as the most studied cohort. Eleven studies used metagenomics, eleven CGM, ten nutrigenetics, ten metabolomics, seven multi-omics, one proteomics, one epigenomics, and one lipidomics. Over half (n = 31; 60%) were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with generally high methodological quality.CONCLUSIONS: Most studies were proof-of-concept investigations aimed at assessing biomarkers; however, the evidence linking these biomarkers to performance, recovery, and long-term health outcomes in endurance athletes remains insufficient. Future research should focus on well-powered replicated crossover RCTs, multivariate N-of-1 clinical trials, 360-degree systems-wide approaches, and the validation of genetic impacts on nutritional interventions to refine dietary guidelines.PMID:39599728 | DOI:10.3390/nu16223943

Nutrients. 2024 Nov 17;16(22):3921. doi: 10.3390/nu16223921.ABSTRACTHuman milk (HM) is a complex biofluid rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds essential for infant health. Recent advances in omics technologies-such as proteomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics-have shed light on the influence of HM on bone development and health. This review discusses the impact of various HM components, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and hormones, on bone metabolism and skeletal growth. Proteins like casein and whey promote calcium absorption and osteoblast differentiation, supporting bone mineralization. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contribute to bone health by modulating inflammatory pathways and regulating osteoclast activity. Additionally, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) act as prebiotics, improving gut health and calcium bioavailability while influencing bone mineralization. Hormones present in HM, such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), leptin, and adiponectin, have been linked to infant growth, body composition, and bone density. Research has shown that higher IGF-1 levels in breast milk are associated with increased weight gain, while leptin and adiponectin influence fat mass and bone metabolism. Emerging studies have also highlighted the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating key processes like adipogenesis and bone homeostasis. Furthermore, microbiome-focused techniques reveal HM's role in establishing a balanced infant gut microbiota, indirectly influencing bone development by enhancing nutrient absorption. Although current findings are promising, comprehensive longitudinal studies integrating omics approaches are needed to fully understand the intricate relationships among maternal diet, HM composition, and infant bone health. Bridging these gaps could offer novel dietary strategies to optimize skeletal health during infancy, advancing early-life nutrition science.PMID:39599707 | DOI:10.3390/nu16223921

Nutrients. 2024 Nov 11;16(22):3851. doi: 10.3390/nu16223851.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the predominant cause of mortality, with aging being a significant risk factor. Nucleotides (NTs), essential for numerous biological functions, are particularly vital under conditions like aging, starvation, and nutrient deficiency. Although the antiaging benefits of exogenous NTs have been recognized in various systems, their cardiac-specific effects are not well understood. This study, therefore, investigated the impact of exogenous NTs on cardiac aging and delved into the potential mechanisms.METHODS: Senescence-accelerated mouse prone-8 (SAMP8) mice were utilized, randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group (Control), a low-dose NTs group (NTs_L), and a high-dose NTs group (NTs_H). Meanwhile, senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1 (SAMR1) mice were set up as the SAMR1 group. Following a 9-month intervention, cardiac tissues were subjected to analysis.RESULTS: The results showed that NTs improved the morphological structure of the cardiac tissue, enhanced the antioxidant capacity, and mitigated inflammation. Metabolomics analysis revealed that the high-dose NT intervention improved cardiac tissue energy metabolism, potentially through activating the AMPK pathway, enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis, and increased TFAM protein expression.CONCLUSIONS: Together, these results indicate that exogenous NTs exert beneficial effects on the cardiac tissues of SAMP8 mice, potentially mitigating the cardiac aging process.PMID:39599637 | DOI:10.3390/nu16223851

Nutrients. 2024 Nov 8;16(22):3840. doi: 10.3390/nu16223840.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: The gut-lung axis could be a potential therapeutic target for improving post-acute COVID-19 symptoms, and probiotics have been proposed as possible modulators.AIM: We conducted a pilot study to understand alterations in the gut-lung axis and to explore the effects of a probiotic in post-acute COVID-19 disease.METHODS: We included patients after severe COVID-19 disease (sCOV, n = 21) in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to test the effect of a probiotic (Pro-Vi 5, Institute Allergosan, Graz, Austria) in a six-month intervention and used patients after mild disease (mCOV, n = 10) as controls, to compare the intestinal microbiome, metabolome, and patient-reported outcomes and biomarkers along the gut-lung axis at baseline and throughout probiotic intervention.RESULTS: Compared to mCOV patients, sCOV patients showed lower microbial richness, which was significantly improved by probiotic intervention. A reorganization of Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae taxa was observed in sCOV patients but remained unaffected by the intervention. Serum metabolome showed a dysregulation of lipoproteins in accordance with higher BMI and comorbidities in sCOV patients. HDL and LDL fractions/components were temporarily decreased in the probiotic group. Stool metabolome was altered at baseline in sCOV patients and an increase in L-DOPA after 3 months and butyrate after 6 months of intervention could be observed. Probiotics partially improved reduced quality of life and modulated altered immune responses in sCOV patients. Increased intestinal permeability at baseline remained unaffected.CONCLUSION: The study provides evidence of long-term alterations of the gut-lung axis after severe COVID-19 infection and suggests that probiotics can modulate the biomarkers of the gut-lung axis.PMID:39599626 | DOI:10.3390/nu16223840

Nutrients. 2024 Nov 8;16(22):3837. doi: 10.3390/nu16223837.ABSTRACTOBJECTIVES: Long-term Western diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can lead to liver cirrhosis and NASH-associated hepatocellular carcinoma, which are end-stage liver diseases. Meanwhile, NASH is associated with mental burden and worsens as the disease progresses. Atractylodes Macrocephala Koidz (AMK) is one of the main ingredients of Shenling Baizhu San, and the effect of Polysaccharide from AMK ameliorates (PAMK), as an important medicinal ingredient of AMK, on NASH and associated anxiety/depression-like behaviors is still unclear.METHODS: This study investigated the protective effect of PAMK on NASH and associated anxiety/depression-like behaviors through a Western diet-induced NASH mice model.RESULTS: showed that PAMK decreased the concentrations of liver TC, TG, and serum AST and ALT, improving glucose tolerance, and reducing liver steatosis and fibrosis. Moreover, the expression of liver IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-18 and MCP-1 could be reduced by PAMK significantly. Additionally, PAMK decreased anxiety/depression-like behaviors and expression of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and MCP-1 in the hippocampus. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that PAMK diminished the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and abundance of Faecalibaculum_rodentium, and increased the abundance of Muribaculaceae. This might be related to gene abundance of Pentose, the glucuronate interconversions pathway and carbohydrate enzymes (GH1, GH4). Serum metabolomics suggested that PC (18:5e/2:0), PC (16:2e/2:0), Lysopc 20:4, PC (16:0/2:0), and LPC 19:0 upregulated significantly after PAMK intervention, together with the enrichment of carbon metabolism and Citrate cycle pathways specially.CONCLUSIONS: PAMK as a potential prebiotic ameliorated NASH and associated anxiety/depression-like behaviors in mice, probably by regulating Faecalibaculum_rodentium, carbohydrate enzymes and lipid metabolites.PMID:39599623 | DOI:10.3390/nu16223837

Pathogens. 2024 Oct 22;13(11):922. doi: 10.3390/pathogens13110922.ABSTRACTLiver fluke infections are acknowledged as diseases with global prevalence and significant implications for both veterinary and public health. The large American liver fluke, Fascioloides magna, is a significant non-native parasite introduced to Europe, threatening the survival of local wildlife populations. The aim of this study was to analyze differences in the serum proteome and metabolome between F. magna-infected and control red deer. Serum samples from red deer were collected immediately following regular hunting operations, including 10 samples with confirmed F. magna infection and 10 samples from healthy red deer. A proteomics analysis of the serum samples was performed using a tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative approach, and a metabolomics analysis of the serum was performed using an untargeted mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach. A knowledge-driven approach was applied to integrate omics data. Our findings demonstrated that infection with liver fluke was associated with changes in amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, inflammatory host response, and related biochemical pathways. This study offers a comprehensive overview of the serum proteome and metabolome in response to F. magna infection in red deer, unveiling new potential targets for future research. The identification of proteins, metabolites, and related biological pathways enhances our understanding of host-parasite interactions and may improve current tools for more effective liver fluke control.PMID:39599475 | DOI:10.3390/pathogens13110922

Plants (Basel). 2024 Nov 15;13(22):3209. doi: 10.3390/plants13223209.ABSTRACTPhosphorus is crucial for plant growth and development, but excess fertilizer not absorbed by plants often binds with metal ions like iron and manganese, forming insoluble compounds that contribute to soil environmental pollution. This study investigates the impact of Burkholderia sp., a phosphate-solubilizing bacterium utilized as a biofertilizer, on the fertility of T. grandis soil, alongside the associated shifts in soil metabolites and their relationship with microbial communities after inoculation. The soil microbial community structures and metabolite profiles were analyzed via amplicon sequencing and high-resolution untargeted metabolomics. The inoculation of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria led to a significant (p < 0.05) enhancement in total phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen concentrations in the soil, with a marked increase in available phosphorus in bulk soil (p < 0.05). Moreover, the microbial community structure exhibited significant shifts, particularly in the abundance of bacterial phyla such as Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Proteobacteria, and the fungal phylum Ascomycota. Metabolomic analysis revealed distinct metabolites, including fatty acids, hormones, amino acids, and drug-related compounds. Key microbial taxa such as Chloroflexi, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Mucoromycota, and Ascomycota indirectly contributed to soil phosphorus metabolism by influencing these differential metabolites. In conclusion, the application of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria offers an innovative approach to improving soil quality in T. grandis, promoting phosphorus utilization efficiency, and enhancing soil ecosystem health by optimizing microbial communities and metabolite compositions.PMID:39599416 | DOI:10.3390/plants13223209

Plants (Basel). 2024 Nov 12;13(22):3171. doi: 10.3390/plants13223171.ABSTRACTThe early-ripening peach industry has undergone rapid development in the Panxi region of the Sichuan Basin in recent years. However, after the introduction of some new peach varieties to the high-altitude peach-producing areas in Panxi, the titratable acid content in peach fruit has significantly increased. This study compared the fruit quality indicators of early-ripening peach varieties cultivated in Xide County (a high-altitude peach-producing area) and Longquanyi District (a low-altitude peach-producing area) in Sichuan Province and analyzed the differences in organic acid metabolism by combining primary metabolomic and transcriptomic approaches. The results showed that the 'Zhongtaohongyu' fruit from the high-altitude peach-producing area had a much higher accumulation of malic acid and, accordingly, a significantly higher organic acid content than the other samples. The lower annual average temperature and stronger ultraviolet radiation in high-altitude peach-producing areas may lead to the increased expression of genes (PpNAD-ME1, PpNADP-ME3, and PpPEPC1) in the organic acid synthesis pathway and the decreased expression of genes (PpACO2, PpNAD-MDH2/3/4/5, and PpPEPCK2) in the organic acid degradation pathway in peach fruit, ultimately resulting in the accumulation of more organic acids. Among them, the downregulation of the key genes PpNAD-MDH3/4/5 involved in malic acid metabolism may be the main reason for the higher malic acid accumulation in peach fruit from high-altitude peach-producing areas. Overall, this study elucidates the mechanism by which environmental factors enhance the accumulation of organic acids in peach fruit from high-altitude peach-producing areas from a multi-omics perspective, as well as providing a theoretical basis for screening key genes involved in organic acid metabolism in peach fruit.PMID:39599380 | DOI:10.3390/plants13223171

Plants (Basel). 2024 Nov 9;13(22):3149. doi: 10.3390/plants13223149.ABSTRACTHyperaccumulators within the Noccaea genus possess many promising genetic and metabolic adaptations that could be potentially exploited to support phytoremediation efforts and/or crop improvement and biofortification. Although hyperaccumulation is very common in this genus, individual species display specific traits as they can accumulate different elements (e.g., zinc, cadmium, and/or nickel). Moreover, there appears to be some populational variability with natural selection increasing the metal tolerance in metallicolous populations. Therefore, employing robust methods, such as integrated analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome, is crucial for uncovering pivotal candidate genes and pathways orchestrating the response to metal stress in Noccaea hyperaccumulators. Our study highlights several species-specific traits linked to the detoxification of metals and metal-induced oxidative stress in hyperaccumulating N. praecox when compared to a closely related model species, N. caerulescens, when grown in the field. Transcriptome analysis revealed distinct differences between the three studied natural Noccaea populations. Notably, we observed several pathways frequently connected to metal stress, i.e., glutathione metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis, which were enriched. These differences were observed despite the relative evolutionary closeness of studied species, which emphasizes the importance of further expanding our knowledge on hyperaccumulators if we want to exploit their mechanisms for phytoremediation efforts or food quality improvements.PMID:39599358 | DOI:10.3390/plants13223149

Plants (Basel). 2024 Nov 8;13(22):3142. doi: 10.3390/plants13223142.ABSTRACTArsenate (AsV) is absorbed and accumulated by plants, which can affect their physiological activities, disrupt gene expression, alter metabolite content, and influence growth. Despite the potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) to mitigate the adverse effects of arsenic stress in plants, the underlying mechanisms of ZnONPs-mediated detoxification of AsV, as well as the specific metabolites and metabolic pathways involved, remain largely unexplored. In this study, we demonstrated root metabolomic profiling of soybean germinating seedlings subjected to 25 μmol L-1 arsenate (Na2HAsO4) and ZnONPs at concentrations of 25 μmol L-1 (ZnO25) and 50 μmol L-1 (ZnO50). The objective of this study was to examine the effects on soybean root metabolomics under AsV toxicity. Metabolomic analysis indicated that 453, 501, and 460 metabolites were significantly regulated in response to AsV, ZnO25, and ZnO50 treatments, respectively, compared to the control. Pathway analysis of the differentially regulated metabolites (DRMs) revealed that the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, glutathione metabolism, proline and aldarate metabolism, and arginine and proline metabolism were the most statistically enriched pathways in ZnONPs-supplemented plants. These findings suggest that ZnONPs enhance the tolerance response to AsV. Collectively, our results support the hypothesis that ZnONPs fertilization could be a potential strategy for improving soybean crop resilience under AsV stress.PMID:39599351 | DOI:10.3390/plants13223142

Plants (Basel). 2024 Nov 7;13(22):3137. doi: 10.3390/plants13223137.ABSTRACTThe application of nanotechnology in agriculture has increased rapidly. However, the fate and effects of various nanoparticles on the soil, plants, and humans are not fully understood. Reports indicate that nanoparticles exhibit positive and negative impacts on biota due to their size, surface property, concentration within the system, and species or cell type under test. In plants, nanoparticles are translocated either by apoplast or symplast pathway or both. Also, it is not clear whether the nanoparticles entering the plant system remain as nanoparticles or are biotransformed into ionic forms or other organic compounds. Controversial results on the toxicity effects of nanomaterials on the plant system are available. In general, the nanomaterial toxicity was exerted by producing reactive oxygen species, leading to damage or denaturation of various biomolecules. The intensity of cyto- and geno-toxicity depends on the physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles. Based on the literature survey, it is observed that the effects of nanoparticles on the growth, photosynthesis, and primary and secondary metabolism of plants are both positive and negative; the response of these processes to the nanoparticle was associated with the type of nanoparticle, the concentration within the tissue, crop species, and stage of growth. Future studies should focus on addressing the key knowledge gaps in understanding the responses of plants to nanoparticles at all levels through global transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome assays and evaluating nanoparticles under field conditions at realistic exposure concentrations to determine the level of entry of nanoparticles into the food chain and assess the impact of nanoparticles on the ecosystem.PMID:39599346 | DOI:10.3390/plants13223137

Plants (Basel). 2024 Nov 7;13(22):3133. doi: 10.3390/plants13223133.ABSTRACTCoastal wetlands face threats from climate change-induced flooding and biological invasions. Plants respond to these stressors through changes in their phytochemical metabolome, but it is unclear whether stressors affecting one tissue compartment (e.g., leaves) create vulnerabilities in others (e.g., roots) or elicit similar responses across tissues. Additionally, responses to multiple simultaneous stressors remain poorly understood due to the focus on individual metabolites in past studies. This study aims to elucidate how the phytochemical metabolome of three Phragmites australis (Cav.) lineages, common in the Mississippi River Delta, responds to flooding and infestation by the non-native scale insect Nipponaclerda biwakoensis (Kuwana). Among these lineages, one is non-native and poses a threat to North American wetlands. Results indicate that metabolomic responses are highly specific, varying with lineage, tissue type, stressor type, and the presence of multiple stressors. Notably, the non-native lineage displayed high chemical evenness, while the other two showed stressor-dependent responses. The 10 most informative features identified by a machine learning model showed less than 1% overlap with known metabolites linked to water and herbivory stress, underscoring gaps in our understanding of plant responses to environmental stressors. Our metabolomic approach offers a valuable tool for identifying candidate plant genotypes for wetland restoration.PMID:39599342 | DOI:10.3390/plants13223133

Plants (Basel). 2024 Nov 5;13(22):3119. doi: 10.3390/plants13223119.ABSTRACTThe duration of light exposure is a crucial environmental factor that regulates various physiological processes in plants, with optimal timing differing between species and varieties. To assess the effect of photoperiods on the growth and metabolites of a specific truss tomato cultivar, three photoperiods (12 h, 16 h, and 20 h) were tested in a plant factory. Growth parameters, including plant height, stem diameter, fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots, photosynthetic characteristics, mineral content, and metabolome profiles, were analyzed under these conditions. The results indicated that prolonged light exposure enhanced plant growth, with the highest photosynthesis and chlorophyll content observed under a 20 h photoperiod. However, no significant correlation was observed between the photoperiod and the mineral element content, particularly for macro minerals. Metabolome analysis revealed that different photoperiods influenced the accumulation of metabolites, particularly in the lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and membrane transport pathways. Long periods of light would enhance photosynthesis and metabolism, improving the rapid growth of tomato seedlings. Overall, this study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the responses of truss tomato cultivars to varying photoperiods in plant factories and proposes an optimizable method for accelerating the progress of tomato seedling cultivation.PMID:39599328 | DOI:10.3390/plants13223119

Molecules. 2024 Nov 20;29(22):5465. doi: 10.3390/molecules29225465.ABSTRACTMexico is considered one of the countries with the greatest diversity of the Salvia genus. A significant percentage of its species are known for their use in traditional medicine, highlighting their use as an analgesic. The objective of this work was to determine the chemical composition of the methanolic extracts of S. cinnabarina, S. lavanduloides and S. longispicata through untargeted metabolomics, as well as the in vivo evaluation of the antinociceptive effect and acute oral toxicity. The chemical profiling was performed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI+/--MS-QTOF) system and tentative identifications were performed using a compendium of information on compounds previously isolated from Mexican species of the genus. Pharmacological evaluation was carried out using the formalin test and OECD guidelines. The analysis of the spectrometric features of the mass/charge ratios of the three salvias shows that a low percentage of similarity is shared between them. Likewise, the putative identification allowed the annotation of 46 compounds, mainly of diterpene and phenolic nature, with only four compounds shared between the three species. Additionally, the extracts of the three salvias produced a significant antinociceptive effect at a dose of 300 mg/kg administered orally and did not present an acute oral toxicity effect at the maximum dose tested, indicating a parameter of LD50 > 2000 mg/kg. The exploration of the chemical profile of the three salvias by untargeted metabolomics shows that, despite being species with antinociceptive potential, they have different chemical profiles and therefore different active metabolites.PMID:39598854 | DOI:10.3390/molecules29225465

Molecules. 2024 Nov 15;29(22):5395. doi: 10.3390/molecules29225395.ABSTRACTSweet potatoes are rich in amino acids, organic acids, and lipids, offering exceptional nutritional value. To accurately select varieties with higher nutritional value, we employed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to analyze the metabolic profiles of three types of sweet potatoes (white sweet potato flesh, BS; orange sweet potato flesh, CS; and purple sweet potato flesh, ZS). When comparing CS vs. BS, ZS vs. BS, and ZS vs. CS, we found differences in 527 types of amino acids and their derivatives, 556 kinds of organic acids, and 39 types of lipids. After excluding the derivatives, we found 6 amino acids essential for humans across the three sweet potatoes, with 1 amino acid, 11 organic acids, and 2 lipids being detected for the first time. CS had a higher content of essential amino acids, while ZS had a lower content. Succinic acid served as a characteristic metabolite for ZS, helping to distinguish it from the other two varieties. These findings provide a theoretical basis for assessing the nutritional value of sweet potatoes and setting breeding targets while facilitating the selection of optimal varieties for food processing, medicine, and plant breeding.PMID:39598785 | DOI:10.3390/molecules29225395

Molecules. 2024 Nov 13;29(22):5333. doi: 10.3390/molecules29225333.ABSTRACTTo investigate the soil-specific metabolites of Codonopsis pilosula under different stubble management practices, this study analyzed differentially abundant metabolites in the rhizosphere soils of rotational (DS) and continuous (LS) cropping systems via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based metabolomic approaches. The results revealed that 66 metabolites, including amino acids and their derivatives, nucleic acids, alcohols, organic acids, amines, fatty acids, purines, and sugars, were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the DS and LS groups. Under continuous cropping, the levels of amines, fatty acids, organic acids, and sugars in the rhizosphere soil were significantly greater (p < 0.05) than those under rotational cropping, whereas the levels of amino acids and their derivatives, nucleic acids, and purines and pyrimidines were significantly lower (p < 0.05). KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that these differentially abundant metabolites were enriched in metabolic pathways such as amino acid metabolism (e.g., alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism), carbon metabolism, the cAMP signaling pathway, ABC transporter proteins, phenylalanine metabolism, and the biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites. These metabolic pathways were involved in osmoregulation, energy supply, and resilience in plants. In conclusion, inter-root soil metabolites in rotational and continuous cropping of Codonopsis pilosula were able to influence soil physicochemical properties and microbial populations by participating in various biological processes.PMID:39598722 | DOI:10.3390/molecules29225333

Molecules. 2024 Nov 8;29(22):5288. doi: 10.3390/molecules29225288.ABSTRACTAcute liver injury (ALI) is a significant global public health issue that can rapidly develop into acute liver failure, seriously endangering the safety of patients. Eugenol has various pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and neuroprotective properties. Through pathological section observation, eugenol can alleviate the degree of liver damage caused by thioacetamide. Based on metabolomics, a total of 87 metabolites were found to have differences in content between the control group and the thioacetamide group. Compared with the control group, the contents of 42 metabolites had increased and 45 metabolites had decreased in the thioacetamide group. These differential expressed metabolites mainly indicate inflammatory damage, oxidative damage, and abnormal energy metabolism. There were 269 metabolites with differences in content between the eugenol intervention group and the thioacetamide group. Compared with the thioacetamide group, there were 101 metabolites with increased content and 168 metabolites with decreased content in the eugenol intervention group. These differential expressed metabolites suggest that eugenol intervention can correct inflammation damage, oxidative damage, and energy metabolism abnormalities caused by TAA. This study found through pathological section observation and metabolomics that eugenol has a protective effect on acute liver injury caused by thioacetamide, and the protective mechanism may be related to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of eugenol.PMID:39598677 | DOI:10.3390/molecules29225288

Molecules. 2024 Nov 5;29(22):5236. doi: 10.3390/molecules29225236.ABSTRACTIn this study, for the first time, the volatile fraction from two domesticated Capsicum annuum accessions ("Paprika" and "Baklouti") collected in Tunisia was investigated by two complementary analytical techniques, such as Solid-Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) and Proton Transfer Reaction-Time-of-Flight-Mass Spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS). The obtained results highlighted the presence of a high number of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), including monoterpene and sesquiterpene compounds with α-curcumene, I-zingiberene, β-bisabolene and β-sesquiphellandrene as the major components. In addition, GC/MS was used to investigate the non-volatile chemical composition of the dried powders and their extracts, which were found to be rich in sulfur compounds, fatty acids and sugars. Eleven bacterial strains were chosen to assess the antimicrobial effectiveness of the extracts. The results showed that the extracts exhibited strain-dependent behavior, and the type strains displayed a greater susceptibility to the treatments, if compared to the wild strains, and, in particular, showed the best antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus.PMID:39598625 | DOI:10.3390/molecules29225236