Gas Pollution: A Parametric Analysis Adopting Drone-based Evaluation and IOTs | Chapter 9 | Engineering Research: Perspectives on Recent Advances Vol. 12

 

In Nigeria, the Niger Delta region is faced with challenges of oil and gas exploitation. These activities increasingly affect human, aquatic life in the ocean, animals and the natural environment. Recent advancements in technology have introduced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, as a viable and innovative solution to these challenges. This study presents a novel approach for monitoring air pollution with a drone and Internet of Things (IoT) technology. The specific objectives include developing a drone-based system capable of capturing gas pollution data, integrating various sensors to monitor environmental conditions and detect air pollutants (harmful gases) and developing a communication system for real-time data collection and dissemination. The design utilises sensors for the detection of hazardous gases and an ESP8266 module for real-time data transmission and cloud-based data presentation. The system facilitates sustainable environmental studies by providing access to areas that are hard or unsafe to reach, anytime. The research locations include Iko Town and Ukpenekang communities in Eastern Obolo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data collected during drone test flights was compared with traditional air quality monitoring stations to evaluate accuracy. The results show an affordable method for measurement of air quality in real time, especially in the challenging areas that are affected by oil and gas exploration, production and refining processes, such as the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of using drones and IOT for real-time environmental monitoring aimed at equipping researchers and policy makers with data to protect human lives, public health and the environment. In the course of this study, minor limitations were observed, including restricted flight duration and short range. Future research will investigate advancements in long-range communication protocols and the application of machine learning technology.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Bassey Okon
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Nigeria.

 

Ubong Ukommi

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria.

 

Isaac Udoetor
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria.

 

Enobong Akanimo
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/erpra/v12/6960

 

Digital Eye Strain in the 21𝑠𝑡 Century: Preventive and Therapeutic Approaches | Chapter 8 | Medical Science: Updates and Prospects Vol. 5

 

Digital eye strain (DES)—often used interchangeably with computer vision syndrome (CVS)—has become a widespread occupational and lifestyle health issue as work, education, and social interaction increasingly depend on screen-enabled devices. DES is not a single disease entity but a symptom complex arising from the interaction of visual demands (sustained near work, accommodative–vergence stress), ocular-surface disruption (reduced blink rate and tear-film instability), and environmental and ergonomic factors (glare, suboptimal lighting, viewing distance and posture). Contemporary prevalence estimates indicate that a substantial proportion of digital device users experience symptoms, with higher burdens reported in populations exposed to prolonged screen time, such as information technology professionals, radiologists, and school-aged children engaged in online learning. Assessment has evolved from ad hoc symptom checklists to validated patient-reported outcome measures, improving comparability across studies and enabling outcome tracking in clinical and workplace interventions. Preventive strategies—particularly task optimisation, ergonomic redesign, and structured breaks—remain central to public health management, while therapeutic approaches focus on correcting refractive and binocular vision anomalies, restoring ocular surface homeostasis, and mitigating exacerbating exposures. Recent experimental evidence suggests that break schedules more frequent than popular heuristics may yield superior symptom relief and accommodation stability, underscoring the need to align advice with emerging data. This review synthesises current evidence on DES mechanisms, assessment, prevention, and treatment, emphasising pragmatic, clinically actionable approaches and highlighting research gaps relevant to modern digital environments. Therapeutic care should prioritise task-appropriate optical correction and targeted management of binocular or accommodative inefficiencies when visual symptoms dominate, while addressing ocular surface stability when discomfort and dryness are prominent. Future progress will depend on wider use of standardised symptom measurement, better characterisation of risk by device type and task pattern, and pragmatic trials that evaluate combined interventions in real-world environments.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Gayathri Rathinavelu
Department of Ophthalmology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

A. M. Raja
Department of Ophthalmology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Balamurugan R.
Department of Ophthalmology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Praveena Daya A.
Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

Arumuganathan
Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msup/v5/7022

 

Revised Perceptual-Cognitive-Behavioural Precision Scale (PS-PC-ASD-R) for the Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder | Book Publisher International

 

Currently, diagnostic assessment tools for individuals with ASD, even those that have been empirically validated, are based on the analysis of social and behavioural criteria. However, scientific research in the area of ASD has progressed significantly in developing hypotheses about perceptual-cognitive functioning, which involves highly specific psycho-neurological information processing. These factors, which are so important for understanding how people with ASD interact with the world, are not sufficiently operationalised for the assessment of the disorder in current assessment scales and tests, which can give rise to significant errors in the ASD diagnostic process. For this reason, a Perceptual-Cognitive-Behavioural Integration Scale (PS-PC-ASD-R) was developed for the diagnostic assessment of individuals with ASD.  It systematically integrates social and behavioural variables with factors that form part of the particular mode of perceptual-cognitive processing of individuals with ASD from the initial reception of the stimulus, source memory, the creation of neural relationships or nodes to encoding information by working memory, access to information in semantic and episodic memory, and the processes of retrieving encoded content according to the exigencies of the context. The PS-PC-ASD-R has been empirically validated through various specific quantitative experimental analyses throughout the study. The sample comprised a total of 346 participants, with and without an ASD diagnosis, corresponding to the three levels of intensity (APA, 2013), with a highly reliable level found in the Cronbach's alpha reliability analysis, which is significantly high (a = .91), which can be inferred to indicate a high degree of statistical reliability in the study. The fundamental data that shaped the ASD diagnostic process are indicated, as the direct scores from the observation dimensions (DS) are transformed into their corresponding typical-score to continue the rest of the study (ZS), which finally located each ZS for each participant within the corresponding percentile (P), concluding the ASD diagnostic process.

 

Finally, located each ZS total for each participant within the corresponding percentile (P), concluding the ASD' diagnostic process, concluding, mild ASD (level 1) ranges between the 50th-55th and 65th percentiles, which increases significantly to moderate intensity (level 2) between the 70th and 80th percentiles, and finally, the equivalent score for severe ASD ranges between the 85th and 100th percentiles.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Prof. Dr. Manuel Ojea Rúa
Institute for Educational Research on Autism, Located at the University of Vigo, Spain.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-7-2

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum HFY05 on Regulating NF-κ B Pathway Related Inflammatory Response and Inhibiting Thrombosis | Chapter 6 | Application of Probiotics in Exercise and Thrombosis Inhibition

 a

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases continue to threaten the lives of humans, especially those of middle-aged adults and the elderly. Thrombosis is the main cause of death due to cardiovascular diseases, which includes chronic thrombosis and results in cerebral ischemia, hypoxia, tissue softening, and necrosis. This study investigated the anti-thrombotic potential of Lactobacillus plantarum KFY05 (LP-KFY05) and its underlying mechanism via the NF-κB pathway in a murine carrageenan-induced thrombosis model. Biochemical assays, microscopic examination, qPCR, and western blotting were employed to analyse serum and tissue parameters, while faecal microbial abundance was assessed to determine changes in gut microbiota composition. Results demonstrated that LP-KFY05 significantly reduced tail blackening in thrombotic mice (n=10 per group), prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and decreased thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen (FIB) level, and prothrombin time (PT). Furthermore, LP-KFY05 treatment lowered serum and renal tissue concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). Histopathological analysis via hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that LP-KFY05 alleviated renal tissue injury and tail vein thrombosis. qPCR results indicated that LP-KFY05 downregulated mRNA expression of NF-κB p65, IL-6, TNF-α, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in renal tissues, as well as NF-κB p65, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin in tail vein vascular tissues. Western blot analysis confirmed the downregulation of NF-κB protein expression in both renal and tail vein tissues. Additionally, LP-KFY05 increased the abundances of Bacteroidetes, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium, while reducing the abundance of Firmicutes. In conclusion, LP-KFY05 effectively mitigates inflammation and inhibits thrombosis in mice, with high-dose LP-KFY05 exhibiting the most pronounced effects, comparable to those of the positive control drug dipyridamole. However, this study was conducted in a murine model, and further clinical investigations are necessary to confirm the efficacy and safety of LP-KFY05 in humans.

 

 

Author(s) Details

 

Shi Zeng
Department of Neurosurgery, People’s Hospital of Chongqing Banan District, Chongqing, China.

 

Ruokun Yi
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, China.

 

Fang Tan
Department of Public Health, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela, Philippines.

 

Peng Sun
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, China.

 

Qiang Cheng
Department of Neurosurgery, People’s Hospital of Chongqing Banan District, Chongqing, China.

 

Xin Zhao
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, China.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-9-6/CH6

Evaluating the Inhibitory Effect of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus KSFY07 on Thrombosis | Chapter 5 | Application of Probiotics in Exercise and Thrombosis Inhibition

 

Thrombosis is a great threat to human health that has attracted increasing attention. Inflammation induces thrombosis, which further exacerbates inflammatory development, thus representing a vicious cycle called a thrombotic inflammatory response. This study established a murine thrombosis model using κ-carrageenan to evaluate the inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus KSFY07 (LDSB-KSFY07) on thrombus formation and oxidative stress. Serum and liver tissue parameters, as well as intestinal microbiota composition, were assessed through biochemical assays, histopathological observation, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and faecal microbial analysis. The results demonstrated that LDSB-KSFY07 significantly alleviated tail blackening in thrombotic mice, prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and shortened thrombin time (TT), while reducing levels of fibrinogen (FIB) and prothrombin time (PT). Furthermore, LDSB-KSFY07 decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content and enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in both serum and liver tissues of thrombotic mice. Histopathological examination revealed that LDSB-KSFY07 ameliorated liver tissue injury and reduced tail vein thrombus formation. At the molecular level, LDSB-KSFY07 up-regulated the mRNA expression of copper/zinc‑SOD (Cu/Zn‑SOD), manganese‑SOD (Mn‑SOD), and GSH‑Px in liver tissues. In contrast, it down-regulated the expression of NF‑κB p65, intercellular adhesion molecule‑1 (ICAM‑1), vascular cell adhesion molecule‑1 (VCAM‑1), and E-selectin in tail vein vascular tissues. Additionally, LDSB-KSFY07 increased plasminogen activator inhibitor‑1 (PAI-1) mRNA expression and decreased tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) expression in cardiac and tail vein tissues. Faecal microbial analysis indicated that LDSB-KSFY07 modulated the gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium, while reducing the proportion of Firmicutes. In summary, LDSB-KSFY07 exhibited notable antithrombotic and antioxidant effects in this model, with higher concentrations showing efficacy comparable to that of heparin. These findings suggest its potential as a probiotic candidate for mitigating thrombosis and associated oxidative damage.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Pan Wang
Department of Traumatology, Chongqing University Central Hospital & Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing 400014, China.

 

Fang Tan
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Jianfei Mu
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Hongjiang Chen
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Xin Zhao
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Yanan Xu

Department of Traumatology, Chongqing University Central Hospital & Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing 400014, China.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-9-6/CH5

 

Enhancing Effects of Lactobacillus brevis CQPC12 on Antibiotic-Induced Motor Dysfunction in Mice | Chapter 4 | Application of Probiotics in Exercise and Thrombosis Inhibition

 

Lactobacillus brevis is a heterofermentative gram-positive organism that can be isolated from milk, cheese, sauerkraut, sourdough, silage, and the mouth and intestinal tract of humans. Lactobacillus brevis CQPC12, a lactic acid bacterial strain with strong in vitro resistance and potential for gut colonisation. This study evaluated the neuroprotective and performance-enhancing effects of Lactobacillus brevis CQPC12 (LBCQPC12), focusing on its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in a murine model of systemic perturbation. A state of systemic dysbiosis and inflammation was induced in mice via intraperitoneal injection of a broad-spectrum antibiotic cocktail (containing neomycin, vancomycin, amphotericin B, ampicillin, and metronidazole) combined with lipopolysaccharide. Following intervention with LBCQPC12, comprehensive assessments were conducted. Functional performance was evaluated through endurance running and weight-loaded swimming tests. Histopathological analysis of brain tissue was performed using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Systemic and cerebral oxidative stress and inflammatory markers were quantified, and gene expression profiles related to neurotrophic signalling, inflammation, and vascular metabolism in the brain and skeletal muscle were analysed via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The results demonstrated that LBCQPC12 treatment significantly improved physical endurance, as indicated by prolonged running and swimming durations. It also effectively mitigated systemic and cerebral oxidative stress by elevating levels of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione (GSH), while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA). Concurrently, LBCQPC12 exerted anti-inflammatory effects, lowering serum and brain concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), while elevating the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and reducing the liver index. At the molecular level, LBCQPC12 upregulated key genes in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signalling pathway, including protein kinase B 1 (AKT1), cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), BDNF itself, and extracellular regulated protein kinases 1 (ERK1). In skeletal muscle, it enhanced the expression of metabolic and angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1), GLUT-4, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α). In conclusion, Lactobacillus brevis CQPC12 demonstrates substantial potential in counteracting antibiotic-induced central nervous system oxidative inflammation and skeletal muscle impairment, thereby preserving motor function. These findings position LBCQPC12 as a promising candidate for the development of next-generation functional probiotic formulations aimed at supporting neuromotor health.

 

 

Author(s) Details

 

Jiyou Wu
Sports Department, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China.

 

Xiaoguang Yang
College of Physical Education, Yan’an University, Yan’an 716000, Shaanxi, China.

 

Yuhua Yang

Department of Sport Management, College of Humanities and Law, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-9-6/CH4

 

Pediococcus pentosaceus YF01 Modulates Gut Microbiota and Enhances Athletic Performance | Chapter 3 | Application of Probiotics in Exercise and Thrombosis Inhibition

 

Pediococcus pentosaceus is a Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) commonly found in fermented foods and used as a probiotic. P. pentosaceus can modulate oxidative stress levels. Nevertheless, the impact of P. pentosaceus on physical performance has not been exhaustively examined. Therefore, this study employed treadmill training to simulate human exercise conditions and induce exercise-associated fatigue in mice, aiming to investigate the potential of Pediococcus pentosaceus YF01 in mitigating such fatigue through the regulation of oxidative stress, as well as its effects on exercise capacity and gut microbiota in mice. Exercise performance was assessed using an exhaustive running test, while histopathological examination of tissue sections, quantification of serum biochemical markers, and evaluation of relevant gene mRNA expression levels were conducted to elucidate underlying mechanisms.

 

Administration of YF01 significantly extended the time to exhaustion in mice. It elevated serum levels of oxidative stress-related markers, including total antioxidant capacity (T‑AOC), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH), along with glucose (GLU) and lactic acid (LA). Concurrently, YF01 reduced serum levels of liver-related enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), as well as exercise-induced metabolites lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), and creatinine (CRE). At the molecular level, YF01 upregulated the mRNA expression of MyHc I, SIRT1, and PGC in muscle tissue, and increased the expression of SOD1, SOD2, and CAT in both liver and muscle tissues. In contrast, it downregulated the mRNA expression of MyHc IIa, MyHc IIb, and MyHc IIx in muscle. Furthermore, YF01 supplementation increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacterial genera such as Lactobacillus and Lachnospiraceae in the gut microbiota of mice. In conclusion, P. pentosaceus YF01 appears to enhance exercise capacity in mice by modulating oxidative stress pathways. These findings provide novel insights for the development of strategies in sports science and the promotion of human health.

 

Author(s) Details

Xiaoguang Yang
School of Physical Education, Yan’an University, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China.

 

Yeni Wang
Ministry of Sports, Xiamen Institute of Technology, Xiamen, Fujian, China.

 

Yuhua Yang
Department of Social Sports Management, College of Humanities and Law, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-9-6/CH3

Antifatigue and Antioxidant Effects of Lactobacillus fermentum HFY03 from Yak Yoghurt in a Mouse Model of Exercise-Induced Exhaustion |Chapter 2 | Application of Probiotics in Exercise and Thrombosis Inhibition

 

Yak yoghurt, a traditional, naturally fermented dairy product, is primarily produced in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It harbours a rich diversity of microorganisms, including Lactobacillus fermentum (LF) HFY03, a lactic acid bacterium isolated from this source. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effects of LF-HFY03 on anti-fatigue and antioxidant capacities in a mouse model of exercise-induced exhaustion. Mice were administered varying doses of LF-HFY03 via oral gavage for a duration of four weeks, with vitamin C serving as the positive control. This design allowed for the evaluation of the relationship between LF-HFY03 supplementation and the enhancement of antioxidant and anti-fatigue parameters in exhausted mice. The results demonstrated that both LF-HFY03 and vitamin C significantly prolonged the forced running time to exhaustion in mice. Notably, the high-dose LF-HFY03 group exhibited an effect more than threefold greater than that of the control group. A positive correlation was observed between the concentration of LF-HFY03 and the extension of exhaustion time. Furthermore, LF-HFY03 administration effectively reduced serum levels of urea nitrogen and lactic acid, while increasing concentrations of free fatty acids and hepatic glycogen. The activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were gradually decreased in response to LF-HFY03 supplementation. In terms of oxidative stress markers, LF-HFY03 dose-dependently reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and elevated the activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). At the molecular level, LF-HFY03 upregulated the mRNA expression of CAT, copper/zinc-SOD (Cu/Zn-SOD), and manganese-SOD (Mn-SOD) in mouse liver tissue. Concurrently, in skeletal muscle, it enhanced the expression of the alanine/serine/cysteine/threonine transporter 1 (ASCT1) protein and the mRNAs of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), while downregulating the expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), syncytin-1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In conclusion, these findings indicate that LF-HFY03 possesses significant anti-fatigue and antioxidant properties, highlighting its considerable potential for development and application as a probiotic-based nutritional supplement aimed at alleviating physical fatigue.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Junxiao Zhang
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and School of Teacher Development, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Ling Chen
Department of Pharmacy, Xindu District People’s Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, 610500 Sichuan, China.

 

Lingyan Zhang
School of Continuing Education, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Qiuping Chen
Department of Education, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela 838, Philippines.

 

Fang Tan
Department of Public Health, Our Lady of Fatima University, 838 Valenzuela, Philippines.

 

Xin Zhao
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and School of Teacher Development, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-9-6/CH2

Modulation of Fatigue and Oxidative Stress by Lactobacillus plantarum CQPC02 in a Murine Model of Exercise-Induced Exhaustion | Chapter 1 | Application of Probiotics in Exercise and Thrombosis Inhibition

 

Sichuan pickle, a traditional Chinese fermented food, harbours a diverse microbial community. Microorganisms represent a promising source for the development of novel and potent therapeutic agents against human diseases. Herein, we investigated the anti-fatigue and antioxidant effects of Lactobacillus plantarum CQPC02 (LP-CQPC02), a strain isolated from Sichuan pickle, in a mouse model of exercise-induced exhaustion. ICR mice were orally administered LP-CQPC02 for four weeks. A fatigue model was established using a forced swim test. Subsequently, hepatic glycogen, skeletal muscle glycogen, lactic acid (LA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and free fatty acid (FFA) levels were measured via physicochemical methods. Serum levels of creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined using commercial assay kits. Histopathological alterations in liver tissue were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and mRNA expression changes in the liver and skeletal muscle were analysed via quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The results demonstrated that both vitamin C (positive control) and LP-CQPC02 significantly prolonged the exhaustive swimming time of mice, with a positive correlation observed between the LP-CQPC02 dose and the exhaustion time. LP-CQPC02 administration increased liver glycogen, muscle glycogen, and FFA levels in a dose-dependent manner, while concurrently reducing LA and BUN concentrations. Serum activities of CK, AST, and ALT were gradually decreased with increasing doses of LP-CQPC02. Furthermore, LP-CQPC02 treatment elevated SOD and CAT activities and reduced MDA content dose-dependently. At the molecular level, LP-CQPC02 upregulated the mRNA expression of copper/zinc-SOD (Cu/Zn-SOD), manganese-SOD (Mn-SOD), and CAT in the liver tissue of exhausted mice. In skeletal muscle, LP-CQPC02 enhanced the expression of the alanine/serine/cysteine/threonine transporter 1 (ASCT1) and suppressed the expression of syncytin-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).

 

In summary, LP-CQPC02 exhibits pronounced anti-fatigue and antioxidant activities, suggesting its potential as a microbial-derived therapeutic agent. The novelty of this work lies in the first systematic demonstration that a specific Lactobacillus plantarum strain from traditional Sichuan pickle alleviates exercise-induced fatigue through multi-pathway synergism. The innovation extends beyond exploring the therapeutic value of traditional food-borne microbes to elucidating the comprehensive molecular mechanisms underlying their effects in vivo. These mechanisms encompass the regulation of energy metabolism (e.g., enhancing glycogen storage), mitigation of oxidative stress (e.g., boosting antioxidant enzyme activities and reducing lipid peroxidation), and modulation of key genes related to antioxidant defence and inflammation in hepatic and muscular tissues (e.g., Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, CAT, ASCT1, iNOS, TNF-α). The implications of this research are twofold. Firstly, it provides robust experimental evidence supporting the development of LP-CQPC02 as a novel probiotic-based anti-fatigue agent, facilitating the translational application of functional foods or microecological therapeutics. Secondly, it identifies promising directions for future research, including the clarification of its active components, precise molecular targets, and potential gut microbiota-mediated mechanisms, as well as the exploration of its clinical applicability for chronic fatigue and related metabolic disorders.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Ruokun Yi
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, China.

 

Min Feng
Department of Obstetrics, Eastern Hospital, Sichuan Provincial Medical Sciences Academy and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Chengdu, China.

 

Qiuping Chen
Department of Education, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela, Philippines, 4 Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Cha University, Seongnam, South Korea.

 

Xingyao Long
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, China.

 

Kun-Young Park
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, China.

 

Xin Zhao
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, China.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-9-6/CH1

 

Hepatoprotective Effects of Lotus Leaf Flavonoids in CCl₄-Induced Liver Injury in Mice | Chapter 9 | Molecular Mechanisms and Signaling Pathways of the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Functional Foods

 

Modern medical studies have revealed that the main active components of lotus leaves are flavonoids and alkaloids. The flavonoids in lotus leaves have been reported to reduce the blood lipid level, to have anti-allergy, anti-cancer, anti-ageing, bacteriostatic, and anti-oxidation functions, and to be helpful in treating cardiovascular diseases. This study examined the protective effects of lotus leaf flavonoids (LLF) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury in mice. A Kunming mouse model of hepatic injury was established via intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄. The mice were orally administered LLF, after which serum biochemical markers and hepatic mRNA expression levels were analysed. Compared with the model group, LLF treatment significantly lowered the liver index and reduced serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC). Histopathological evaluation further demonstrated that LLF effectively attenuated morphological disruption and hepatocellular necrosis in liver tissues exposed to CCl₄. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis revealed that LLF significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes, including copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), and catalase (CAT), while down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, LLF exhibits notable hepatoprotective activity against CCl₄-induced liver injury and holds promise for further development as a natural therapeutic agent. Lotus and its leaves have certain biological activities, in particular, some studies showed that they had good antioxidant activity, and their antioxidant activity also played a protective role in cells, especially in liver cells and the liver. This study also showed that the polyphenols contained in lotus leaves had a good intervention in alcoholic liver injury.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Tongji Liu
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and College of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Fang Tan
Department of Public Health, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela 838, Philippines.

 

Xingyao Long
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Yanni Pan
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Jianfei Mu
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Xianrong Zhou
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Runkun Yi
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Xin Zhao
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-0-3/CH9

Protective Effects of Lactobacillus fermentum CQPC08 against 4-Nitroquinoline-1-Oxide–Induced Tongue Cancer in Mice | Chapter 8 | Molecular Mechanisms and Signaling Pathways of the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Functional Foods

 

Tongue cancer is a malignant tumour originating in the anterior part of the tongue and is one of the most common malignant tumours in the oral and maxillofacial region. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been of great importance in preserving vegetables, since the fermentation process results in lactic acid production, leading to a decrease in pH, which makes the environment unsuitable for the growth of microorganisms and pathogens that cause spoilage. This study investigated the in vivo chemopreventive efficacy and mechanistic actions of Lactobacillus fermentum CQPC08 (LF-CQPC08), a novel strain isolated from traditional Sichuan pickled vegetables, against experimental tongue cancer. A mouse model of tongue carcinogenesis was established using the carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO), with the commercial strain Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus serving as a comparative positive control. Biochemical analyses of serum and tissue samples revealed that LF-CQPC08 administration significantly mitigated the tumour-associated decline in systemic immunity. This was evidenced by the attenuation of reduced splenic and thymic indices, enhanced macrophage phagocytic function, and elevated serum levels of immunomodulatory factors, including granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-12, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Furthermore, LF-CQPC08 treatment ameliorated oxidative stress in tongue tissues, as indicated by increased activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), coupled with a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. At the molecular level, quantitative PCR analysis demonstrated that LF-CQPC08 upregulated the mRNA expression of cytoprotective and pro-apoptotic genes—nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-π), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). Conversely, it downregulated the expression of tumour-associated genes p53, p63, p73, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), and the anti-apoptotic genes B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL). Collectively, these findings suggest that LF-CQPC08 attenuates 4-NQO–associated pathological and molecular changes in a mouse model, potentially via immunomodulatory, redox, and apoptosis-related pathways. Further studies (including validation of tumour endpoints and human studies) are required to assess translational relevance.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Bihui Liu
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and College of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Jing Zhang
Environment and Quality Inspection College, Chongqing Chemical Industry Vocational College, Chongqing 401228, China.

 

Ruokun Yi
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Xianrong Zhou
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.

 

Xingyao Long
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Cha University, Gyeongghi-do, Seongnam 13488, Korea.

 

Yanni Pan
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Cha University, Gyeongghi-do, Seongnam 13488, Korea.

 

Xin Zhao
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-0-3/CH8

Hepatoprotective Effects of Liubao Tea Polyphenols against CCl₄-Induced Liver Injury in Mice via Antioxidant Activity | Chapter 7 | Molecular Mechanisms and Signaling Pathways of the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Functional Foods

Active oxygen free radicals cause oxidative stress, which is a common pathophysiological mechanism of liver diseases. Tea polyphenols can sequester lipid peroxidation free radicals during the peroxidation process, lower polyphenolic free-radical content, and interrupt free-radical oxidation chain reactions, thereby effectively removing free radicals. This study investigated the protective effect of Liubao tea polyphenols (PLT) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury in mice. Mice were pretreated with PLT prior to the administration of CCl₄ (10 mL/kg) to induce hepatic damage. Subsequently, liver and serum biochemical parameters, along with the expression levels of relevant messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and proteins in liver tissue, were assessed. The results demonstrated that PLT administration significantly ameliorated liver injury, as indicated by reduced liver indices and improved histological architecture. Specifically, PLT downregulated serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglycerides (TGs), and malondialdehyde (MDA), while elevating the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Furthermore, PLT decreased the serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-12, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Histopathological examination revealed that PLT attenuated CCl₄-induced central venous alterations and hepatocellular damage. At the molecular level, quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses confirmed that PLT upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of antioxidant enzymes—Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, catalase (CAT), and GSH-Px—as well as the NF-κB inhibitor IκB-α in liver tissues. Conversely, PLT downregulated the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Additionally, PLT increased the protein levels of phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) and cytochrome P450 reductase in injured livers. PLT comprises several bioactive compounds, such as gallic acid, catechin, caffeine, epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), gallocatechin gallate (GCG), and epicatechin gallate (ECG), which may contribute to its broad biological activities. In conclusion, PLT exerts a preventive effect against CCl₄-induced liver injury, comparable to that of silymarin, likely through the modulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. In this study, toxic carbon tetrachloride was used to simulate chemical-induced liver injury, and the observed effects remained at the laboratory level. In order to better prove this study’s argument, future research on the human body is expected. The role of PLT in liver injury needs to be further studied, which will be conducive to more obvious discoveries of the link between its active components and their mechanisms. At the same time, in view of the mechanism of PLT, it is necessary to verify the mechanism more accurately for the differences across PLT components in the future.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Yanni Pan
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, College of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Cha University, Gyeongghi-do 487-010, South Korea.

 

Xingyao Long
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and College of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Ruokun Yi
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Xin Zhao
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-0-3/CH7

Process Optimisation of Antioxidant Shuidouchi and Its Protective Effects against DSS-Induced Colitis in Mice | Chapter 6 | Molecular Mechanisms and Signaling Pathways of the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Functional Foods

 

Intestinal health plays an important role in maintaining a high quality of life. Digestive absorption, metabolism, and mucosal immunity can decline with age, and the number of probiotics in the digestive system can rapidly decrease. Shuidouchi, a traditional Chinese fermented soybean product, involves multistep production processes that have not yet been standardised. By optimising fermentation parameters and enhancing the content of bioactive components, it can be developed into high-quality products with improved health-beneficial properties. In this study, single-factor experiments were conducted to establish different processing conditions, aiming to identify those yielding the highest levels of active ingredients and the strongest in vitro antioxidant activity. Additionally, the preventive effect of Shuidouchi against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‑induced colitis in mice was investigated. The results demonstrated that the optimal process conditions consisted of 12 h of soaking, fermentation in a glass container at 35 °C for 48 h. Shuidouchi produced under these conditions exhibited the highest concentration of soybean isoflavones and displayed superior antioxidant capacity compared to other fermentation conditions. The extract prepared from Shuidouchi obtained via the optimised process (soaked in twice the volume of water for 12 h, placed in a glass container, and fermented at 35 °C for 48 h) prevented colitis-associated shortening of the colon and increased the colon weight‑to‑length ratio in mice.

 

Furthermore, Shuidouchi extract significantly reduced the disease activity index and decreased serum levels of endothelin (ET), substance P (SP), and interleukin‑10 (IL‑10), while elevating levels of somatostatin (SS), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and interleukin‑2 (IL‑2) in colitic mice. It also increased colon tissue levels of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), whereas it reduced myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Gene expression analysis in colon tissues revealed that Shuidouchi extract upregulated the mRNA expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), c‑Kit, and stem cell factor (SCF). Moreover, Shuidouchi treatment downregulated the protein expression of interleukin‑6 (IL‑6), IL-12, and tumour necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α) in mice with colitis. In conclusion, the optimised Shuidouchi processing method effectively alleviates experimental colitis, an effect closely associated with its elevated soybean isoflavone content. The results of this study can confirm the effect of Shuidouchi on colitis only to a certain extent. Therefore, it is necessary to further verify the effect of Shuidouchi on the human body. At the same time, the mechanism of Shuidouchi in the human body also requires comprehensive and in-depth experiments. As basic research, this study has played a specific theoretical role.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Jing Zhang
Environment and Quality Inspection College, Chongqing Chemical Industry Vocational College, Chongqing 401228, China and Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Qin Li
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 400047, China.

 

Yang Wei
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Xingyao Long
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Cha University, Seongnam 13488, Gyeongghi-do, Korea.

 

Jianfei Mu
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.

 

Yanni Pan
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Cha University, Seongnam 13488, Gyeongghi-do, Korea.

 

Xin Zhao
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-0-3/CH6

Protective Mechanism of Lactobacillus plantarum KFY02 Preventing CCl₄-Induced Liver Injury by Transforming Geniposide into Genipin to Boost Antioxidant Defence | Chapter 5 | Molecular Mechanisms and Signaling Pathways of the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Functional Foods

 

Lactobacillus plantarum belongs to the genus Lactobacillus and is a lactic acid bacterium commonly found in the fermented products of milk, meat, and many vegetables. It can pass through the stomach and colonise the intestine to play a beneficial role. L. plantarum has a wide range of applications in various diseases, but there are few reports on its role in liver injury and as an antioxidant. This study investigated the mechanism by which Lactobacillus plantarum KFY02 (KFY02) alleviates CCl₄-induced liver injury in mice, focusing on its role in enhancing systemic antioxidant capacity through the bioconversion of geniposide to genipin. Experimental results confirmed that KFY02 partially converts geniposide into genipin in vitro. In the mouse model of liver injury, both KFY02 and geniposide significantly reduced the liver index and decreased serum levels of AST, ALT, TG, MDA, and the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, while up-regulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px. At the molecular level, KFY02 and geniposide up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of Mn-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and IκB-α, and down-regulated the expression of COX-2, iNOS, and NF-κB in liver tissues. In summary, L. plantarum KFY02 mitigates CCl₄-induced hepatic damage by potentiating the body's antioxidant defences, an effect mediated through the microbial conversion of geniposide to its more active form, genipin.

 

Author(s) Details

Yanni Pan
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, PR China and Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Cha University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea.

 

Hong Wang
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, PR China.

 

Fang Tan
Department of Public Health, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela 838, Philippines.

 

Ruokun Yi
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, PR China.

 

Wenfeng Li
School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yangtze Normal University, Chongqing 408100, PR China.

 

Xingyao Long

Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, PR China.

 

Jianfei Mu
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, PR China.

 

Xin Zhao
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, PR China.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-0-3/CH5

Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum ZS62 in a Mouse Model of Colitis | Chapter 4 | Molecular Mechanisms and Signaling Pathways of the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Functional Foods

 

Lactobacillus plantarum belongs to the genus Lactobacillus, which is the largest genus of lactic acid bacteria. Previous research revealed that L. plantarum  ZS62 has a protective effect on the stomach, and the stomach and intestine are often considered to be two inseparable organs that ensure the normal function of the gut. In this study, a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mouse model was established to investigate the preventive effect of Lactobacillus plantarum ZS62 against IBD, with a focus on its modulatory roles in oxidative stress and immune responses. The alleviative effect of this strain on IBD was evaluated by assessing colon length, histopathological alterations, serum antioxidant capacity, inflammatory cytokine levels, as well as mRNA and protein expression of relevant genes in colon tissues. The results demonstrated that L. plantarum ZS62 significantly alleviated colon shortening and reduced histological damage in IBD mice. It downregulated serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-12, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and decreased the relative mRNA and protein expression of IL-1β, IL-12, TNF-α, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) in colon tissues. Conversely, L. plantarum ZS62 upregulated serum levels of catalase (CAT), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and IL-10, and enhanced the expression of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), CAT, IL-10, and inhibitor of κB-α (IκB-α) at both transcriptional and protein levels in the colon. In summary, Lactobacillus plantarum ZS62 exerted a notable preventive effect against DSS-induced IBD by modulating oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways, highlighting its potential as a probiotic candidate for intestinal health management.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Yanni Pan
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Cha University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea.

 

Yujing Ning
Anorectal Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, People’s Hospital of Chongqing Banan District, Chongqing 401320, China.

 

Jing Hu
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Zhiying Wang
School of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040 Heilongjiang, China.

 

Xiufeng Chen
Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400044, China.

 

Xin Zhao
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-0-3/CH4

Protective Effects of Shoumei (Camellia sinensis) Polyphenols against Hepatic Injury via Antioxidant Mechanisms | Chapter 3 | Molecular Mechanisms and Signaling Pathways of the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Functional Foods

 

Tea is globally the second most consumed beverage after water, and its pharmacological properties are extensively documented. It has potent neuroprotective, free radical scavenging, antioxidative, antioncogenic, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, antiviral, and chemopreventive properties. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of polyphenols extracted from Shoumei, a slightly fermented white tea (Camellia sinensis). HPLC analysis identified gallic acid, catechin, hyperoside, and sulfuretin as the main phenolic constituents. In an in vitro model, Shoumei polyphenols (SPs) attenuated H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in human normal hepatic L-02 cells. In an in vivo model of CCl₄-induced liver injury in mice, SPs effectively reduced the liver index and ameliorated histopathological damage. Biochemical analyses demonstrated that SPs significantly decreased serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-12 (IL-12), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Conversely, SPs increased serum levels of albumin (ALB), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). At the molecular level, qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses revealed that SPs up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), manganese-SOD (Mn-SOD), copper/zinc-SOD (Cu/Zn-SOD), CAT, and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B alpha (IκB-α), while down-regulating the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NF-κB p65. The preventive effect of SPs against CCl₄-induced liver injury was comparable to that of silymarin. These results indicate that the identified polyphenols, primarily through their antioxidant capacity, mediate significant hepatoprotection, suggesting Shoumei polyphenols are high-quality natural agents for liver protection.

 

Author(s) Details

Ruokun Yi
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Yuxuan Wei
Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 Gansu, China.

 

Fang Tan
Department of Public Health, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela 838, Philippines.

 

Jianfei Mu
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

Xingyao Long
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Cha University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea.

 

Yanni Pan
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Cha University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea.

 

Weiwei Liu
School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.

 

Xin Zhao
Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China.

 

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-0-3/CH3

Bioactivity of Mineral-Enriched Organic Carrots: Anticancer Effects in HT-29 Cells and Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Mice Splenocytes | Chapter 2 | Molecular Mechanisms and Signaling Pathways of the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Functional Foods

 

Carrot (Daucus carota) is a globally important root vegetable with diverse biological activities. Currently, organic cultivation places a greater focus on ecosystem health by using natural organic fertilisers and organic pesticides, such as animal and plant-based fertilisers and natural insecticides, reducing reliance on chemical substances, promoting soil health and ecological balance, and providing healthier and environmentally friendly agricultural products.  However, research on the anti-inflammatory properties of carrots, especially comparing traditionally cultivated and organically grown varieties, remains limited. Therefore, this study examined the anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties of carrots cultivated using Natural Dream Cultivation (NC), an organic farming method enhanced with mineral supplementation. The inhibitory effect of NC carrot extracts on HT-29 human colon cancer cells was assessed via MTT assay, while qPCR was used to evaluate mRNA expression of cell cycle- and apoptosis-related genes. Nitric oxide (NO) concentration was measured using the Griess method. In LPS-induced mouse splenocytes, levels of inflammatory cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and natural killer (NK) cell activity was evaluated via LDH release assay. Results showed that NC significantly suppressed cancer cell proliferation. It up-regulated the expression of cell cycle arrest genes (p53, p21) and pro-apoptotic genes (Bim, Bad, Bax, Bak, caspase-9, caspase-3), while down-regulating anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL). Furthermore, NC treatment inhibited NO production and reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-12) in LPS-stimulated splenocytes. NC also promoted NK cell activation. By elucidating the inhibitory effects on cancer cells and modulation of inflammatory responses, this study reveals potential mechanisms behind the anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities of carrots. The innovative mineral-enhanced organic cultivation method presented here offers new possibilities for developing carrots as a functional food candidate supported by in vitro and ex vivo bioactivity relevant to cancer- and inflammation-associated pathways. These findings may inform the future design of dietary research hypotheses and preclinical studies, pending validation in animal models and clinical settings.

 

Author(s) Details

Yanni Pan
Collaborative Innovation Center for Child Nutrition and Health Development, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea.

 

Yeon-Jun Lee
Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea.

 

Sin-Il Sin
Agriculture Research Center for Carbon Neutral and Healing, Gurye 57607, Republic of Korea.

 

Seung-Hwan Park
Agriculture Research Center for Carbon Neutral and Healing, Gurye 57607, Republic of Korea.

 

Kun-Young Park

Collaborative Innovation Center for Child Nutrition and Health Development, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, China and Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-0-3/CH2

 

Inhibitory Effects of Differentially Cultivated Carrots on AOM/DSS-Induced Colorectal Cancer Via Modulation of Inflammation, Apoptosis, and Gut Microbiota | Chapter 1 | Molecular Mechanisms and Signaling Pathways of the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Functional Foods

 

Background: Carrot (Daucus carota) is a widely consumed vegetable rich in dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds. Carrots contain fibre and bioactive phytochemicals that have been associated with anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities in preclinical settings. Beta-carotene, a prominent carotenoid in carrots, has been reported to modulate immune-related pathways in experimental models; however, the extent to which these observations translate to reduced colorectal cancer risk in humans remains to be determined.

 

Objective: This study investigated whether cultivation methods influence the bioactivity of carrot extracts in an azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS)-induced murine model of colitis-associated colon tumorigenesis, with emphasis on apoptosis-related markers, inflammatory responses, and gut microbiota alterations.

 

Methods: Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice (~20 g) were maintained under SPF conditions (12-h light/dark cycle; 23 ± 2 °C; 50 ± 5% humidity). After one week of acclimatisation with ad libitum food and water, mice were randomly allocated to six groups (n = 10/group). The normal and AOM/DSS control groups received saline, whereas the Conventional Fertiliser Carrot (CFC), Seawater Fertiliser Carrot (SFC), Trace Element Fertiliser Carrot (TFC), and Deep-sea Water Mineral fertiliser carrot (NFC) groups received the respective carrot extracts (50 mg/mL). Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were quantified and analysed using GraphPad Prism 9.4.1.

 

Results: Among the cultivation conditions tested, carrots produced with deep-sea water mineral fertiliser (NFC) were associated with increased expression of apoptosis-related genes and proteins in colon tissue, including p53, p21, Bim, Bad, Bax, Bak, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3. NFC treatment was also associated with lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, NF-κB, and iNOS) measured across serum, spleen cells, and liver tissues. Gut microbiota profiling indicated a compositional shift in carrot-treated mice relative to controls, including increased relative abundance of taxa previously linked to anti-inflammatory or anti-tumour-associated profiles (e.g., Lachnospiraceae and Mucispirillum schaedleri).

 

Conclusion: In this AOM/DSS mouse model, carrot extracts—particularly those derived from carrots cultivated with deep-sea water mineral fertiliser—were associated with reduced tumour-related endpoints alongside coordinated changes in apoptotic and inflammatory markers and gut microbiota composition. These findings support further investigation into cultivation-dependent differences in carrot bioactivity and encourage additional studies to clarify mechanisms and assess translational relevance in humans.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Yanni Pan
Collaborative Innovation Center for Child Nutrition and Health Development, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, China.

 

Yeon-Jun Lee
Department of Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.

 

Jin Hyeop Kim
Department of Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.

 

Min Ji Song
Department of Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.

 

KyuBum Kwack

Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.

 

Seung-Hwan Park
Organic Anti-Cancer Agriculture Institute, iCOOP Natural Dream Company, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea.

 

Sin-Il Sin
Organic Anti-Cancer Agriculture Institute, iCOOP Natural Dream Company, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea.

 

Ji Hyung Chung
Department of Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.

 

Kun-Young Park
Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-998509-0-3/CH1