The mechanism exploration of different colored rice for immunomodulation based on UPLC-Q-TOF, network pharmacology, and cell experiments.

Rice has a long history as a staple food consumed by half of the world's population. Compared with white rice (WR), colored rice (CR) has more nutritional value because it contains rich active ingredients. In this study, the potential mechanism of CR (red rice (RR), green rice (GR), black rice (BR), and purple rice (PR)) for immunomodulation was explored by UPLC-Q-TOF, network pharmacology, and cell experiment. kuromanin, kaempferol-3-O-arabinoside, keracyanin, guajavarin, and hispidulin in CR were the critical components for improving immunity. These ingredients are mainly found in BR. Cell experiments supported that kuromanin plays a role in maintaining immune homeostasis. In the normal environment, it promotes cell proliferation and improves DNA repair; In an inflammatory environment, it binds to AKT1 and reduces the release of inflammatory factors through the MAPK and NFKB signaling pathways. The study provides a guideline for humans to utilize the precise nutrition of CR.

Widely Targeted Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology Reveal the Nutritional Potential of Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) Leaves and Flowers.

Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) is a unique oilseed tree in China with high edible and medicinal value. However, the application potential of yellowhorn has not been adequately explored. In this study, widely targeted metabolomics (HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS) and network pharmacology were applied to investigate the nutritional potential of yellowhorn leaves and flowers. The widely targeted metabolomics results suggested that the yellowhorn leaf contains 948 non-volatile metabolites and 638 volatile metabolites, while the yellowhorn flower contains 976 and 636, respectively. A non-volatile metabolite analysis revealed that yellowhorn leaves and flowers contain a variety of functional components beneficial to the human body, such as terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, lignans and coumarins, phenolic acids, amino acids, and nucleotides. An analysis of volatile metabolites indicated that the combined action of various volatile compounds, such as 2-furanmethanol, ß-icon, and 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, provides the special flavor of yellowhorn leaves and flowers. A network pharmacology analysis showed that various components in the flowers and leaves of yellowhorn have a wide range of biological activities. This study deepens our understanding of the non-volatile and volatile metabolites in yellowhorn and provides a theoretical basis and data support for the whole resource application of yellowhorn.

Catechin/ß-cyclodextrin complex modulates physicochemical properties of pre-gelatinized starch-based orally disintegrating films.

The study aimed to develop pre-gelatinized starch-based orally disintegrating films (ODFs) containing catechin/ß-cyclodextrin (CAT/ß-CD) complex and to evaluate the influence of the complex on the physicochemical properties of the ODFs. SEM images showed that a compacter and more homogeneous ODFs were formed due to interactions between starch matrix and CAT/ß-CD. FTIR spectra demonstrated that the interactions between starches or starch and CAT/ß-CD were enhanced by hydrogen bonds. Thermal stability of ODFs was improved by incorporating CAT/ß-CD, its peak decomposition temperature was enhanced from 310.74 to 321.83 °C. Tensile strength was increased from 11.597 ± 0.153 to 22.172 ± 0.752 MPa, while elongation at break decreased by from 11.233% ± 1.079% to 3.633% ± 0.058%. The prepared ODFs have an acceptable in vitro disintegration time, which were between 9.03 ± 0.79 s and 42.23 ± 1.76 s. Antimicrobial test showed that ODFs incorporating CAT/ß-CD inhibited the growth of S. aureus and S. mutans successfully. The limited release of CAT molecules from the ODFs was also found. In addition, the ODFs have excellent antioxidant capacity. Its antioxidant activity remained at around 70% after 28 days of storage. The study indicated that the combination of ODFs and ß-CD complex have a high potential for the delivery of natural active ingredients.

High-Amylose Corn Starch/Konjac Glucomannan Composite Film: Reinforced by Incorporating ß-Cyclodextrin.

Glycerol-plasticized high-amylose corn starch/konjac glucomannan (HCS/KGM) composite films incorporated with various concentrations of ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) were prepared and investigated for structural, mechanical, and physical properties. The results of X-ray diffraction, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, and scanning electron microscopy indicated that ß-CD excluded from the polymer chains and aggregated to form crystals during film formation, which drove HCS to interact with KGM more compactly. The thickness and transparency of the films increased after ß-CD was incorporated. More associations of HCS/KGM enhanced the mechanical properties and reduced the moisture content of the films. The water vapor permeability of the HCS/KGM composite film was also improved significantly with the incorporation of ß-CD. The enhanced association between biopolymers in the presence of ß-CD will advance the development of a degradable active composite packaging film.