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Introduction: This study aimed to establish a fermentation system based on Lactobacillus casei (LC) and Arctium lappa L. root (AR) to investigate its effects. The objectives included comparing metabolite profiles pre- and post-fermentation using untargeted metabolomics and evaluating the impact of LC-AR in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic mice. Methods: Untargeted metabolomics was used to analyze differences in metabolites before and after fermentation. In vitro antioxidant activity, liver injury, lipid levels, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and cholesterol-related mRNA expression were assessed. 16S rRNA sequencing was conducted to evaluate changes in gut microbiota composition. Results: LC-AR exhibited stronger antioxidant activity and higher metabolite levels than AR. It also improved liver injury as well as better regulation of lipid levels, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and cholesterol-related mRNA. 16S rRNA analysis revealed that LC-AR decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, which correlated negatively with triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Discussion: These findings suggest that LC-AR may serve as a promising functional food and drug raw material for improving hyperlipidemia, particularly through its beneficial effects on gut microbiota and lipid regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionThis study aimed to establish a fermentation system based on Lactobacillus casei (LC) and Arctium lappa L. root (AR) to investigate its effects. The objectives included comparing metabolite profiles pre- and post-fermentation using untargeted metabolomics and evaluating the impact of LC-AR in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic mice.MethodsUntargeted metabolomics was used to analyze differences in metabolites before and after fermentation. In vitro antioxidant activity, liver injury, lipid levels, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and cholesterol-related mRNA expression were assessed. 16S rRNA sequencing was conducted to evaluate changes in gut microbiota composition.ResultsLC-AR exhibited stronger antioxidant activity and higher metabolite levels than AR. It also improved liver injury as well as better regulation of lipid levels, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and cholesterol-related mRNA. 16S rRNA analysis revealed that LC-AR decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, which correlated negatively with triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.DiscussionThese findings suggest that LC-AR may serve as a promising functional food and drug raw material for improving hyperlipidemia, particularly through its beneficial effects on gut microbiota and lipid regulation.

Previous researches reported that burdock (Arctium lappa L.) root had lipid-lowering effects. The potential mechanisms needed to be further clarified. In this study, the effects and mechanisms of polyphenols (ALP) and polysaccharides (ALS) of burdock on hyperlipidemia rats were explored. The results revealed that ALP and ALS significantly inhibited the development of hyperlipidemia and reduced lipid levels in serum and liver. Meanwhile, ALP significantly decreased the activity of intestinal esterase enzyme. ALP and ALS significantly improved the imbalance of the microbiota by increasing the diversity of the intestinal microbiota and the abundance of the microbiota that produced short-chain fatty acids, and thus increased the content of acetic acid in short-chain fatty acids in the feces of hyperlipidemic rats. These results revealed that burdock played a lipid lowering effects by regulating intestinal dysbiosis due to hyperlipidemia, and ALP and ALS were the bioactive components of these effects.

[Display omitted] • The lipid lowering effects of enriched polyphenols and polysaccharides from Arctium lappa L. was evaluated. • The enriched polyphenols from Arctium lappa L. inhibited the activity of intestinal esterase enzyme in vivo. • Both the enriched polyphenols and polysaccharides from Arctium lappa L. improved microbiota dysbiosis via an increase in gut microbiota diversity and an abundance of the microbiota that produced short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). • The hyperlipidaemia induced by high-fat diet for five weeks could not recovery spontaneously by normal diet for three weeks only. Previous researches reported that burdock (Arctium lappa L.) root had lipid-lowering effects. The potential mechanisms needed to be further clarified. In this study, the effects and mechanisms of polyphenols (ALP) and polysaccharides (ALS) of burdock on hyperlipidemia rats were explored. The results revealed that ALP and ALS significantly inhibited the development of hyperlipidemia and reduced lipid levels in serum and liver. Meanwhile, ALP significantly decreased the activity of intestinal esterase enzyme. ALP and ALS significantly improved the imbalance of the microbiota by increasing the diversity of the intestinal microbiota and the abundance of the microbiota that produced short-chain fatty acids, and thus increased the content of acetic acid in short-chain fatty acids in the feces of hyperlipidemic rats. These results revealed that burdock played a lipid lowering effects by regulating intestinal dysbiosis due to hyperlipidemia, and ALP and ALS were the bioactive components of these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New, improved therapies to reduce blood glucose are required for treating diabetes mellitus (DM). Here, we investigated the use of a new nanomaterial candidate for DM treatment, carbon nanoparticles (CNPs). CNPs were prepared by carbonization using a polysaccharide from Arctium lappa L. root as the carbon source. The chemical structure and morphology of the CNPs were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. CNPs were spherical, 10-20 nm in size, consisting of C, H, O, and N, and featuring various functional groups, including C=O, C=C, C−O, and C−N. In vitro, the as-prepared CNPs could inhibit α-glucosidase with an IC50 value of 0.5677 mg/mL, which is close to that of the reference drug acarbose. Moreover, in vivo hypoglycemic assays revealed that the CNPs significantly reduced fasting blood-glucose levels in mice with diabetes induced by high-fat diet and streptozocin, lowering blood glucose after intragastric administration for 42 days. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of CNPs exhibiting α-glucosidase inhibition and a hypoglycemic effect in diabetic mice. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of CNPs for diabetes.

New, improved therapies to reduce blood glucose are required for treating diabetes mellitus (DM). Here, we investigated the use of a new nanomaterial candidate for DM treatment, carbon nanoparticles (CNPs). CNPs were prepared by carbonization using a polysaccharide from Arctium lappa L. root as the carbon source. The chemical structure and morphology of the CNPs were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. CNPs were spherical, 10-20 nm in size, consisting of C, H, O, and N, and featuring various functional groups, including C=O, C=C, C–O, and C–N. In vitro, the as-prepared CNPs could inhibit α-glucosidase with an IC50 value of 0.5677 mg/mL, which is close to that of the reference drug acarbose. Moreover, in vivo hypoglycemic assays revealed that the CNPs significantly reduced fasting blood-glucose levels in mice with diabetes induced by high-fat diet and streptozocin, lowering blood glucose after intragastric administration for 42 days. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of CNPs exhibiting α-glucosidase inhibition and a hypoglycemic effect in diabetic mice. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of CNPs for diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]