The increasing incidence of diabetes and antimicrobial resistance highlights the urgent need for plant-based therapeutics with multifunctional health benefits. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition and biological activities of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) seed extracts obtained via Soxhlet extraction (SL) and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UL) using methanol as the extraction solvent. The UL extract showed higher yield and greater total phenolic (107.92 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (104.89 mg QE/g) contents compared with SL. UHPLC-DAD analysis identified p-coumaric acid (5.60 mg/g) and chlorogenic acid (4.27 mg/g) as the dominant constituents in UL. The UL extract exhibited superior antioxidant activity DPPH• (IC50: 17.51 µg/mL), although lower than the reference standards ascorbic acid (IC50: 12.74 µg/mL) and BHT (IC50: 10.74 µg/mL). It also demonstrated notable enzyme inhibition against α-amylase (IC50: 12.54 µg/mL), comparable but slightly weaker than the standard acarbose (IC50: 10.73 µg/mL), and α-glucosidase (IC50: 49.21 µg/mL), relative to acarbose (IC50: 43.14 µg/mL). In contrast, the SL extract exhibited stronger antimicrobial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 1.0 mg/mL). Molecular docking analysis identified rutin (-9.4 kcal/mol) as the most potent α-amylase inhibitor, supported by favorable ADMET properties and predicted high gastrointestinal absorption. These findings suggest that lotus seed extracts, particularly those obtained via ultrasonic extraction, represent promising candidates for functional food development and phytopharmaceutical applications in oxidative stress and diabetes management.

Pancreatic panniculitis is a rare cutaneous manifestation affecting patients with pancreatic disease. This eruption is associated with acute pancreatitis, pancreatic malignancies, pancreatic pseudocysts, post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis, and pancreatic trauma. Increased efflux of pancreatic enzymes from the diseased pancreas appears to cause extra-abdominal fat necrosis and may manifest in the skin. We report a 59-year-old woman with cutaneous pancreatic panniculitis presenting after ERCP with elevated amylase levels but no symptoms of pancreatitis.

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is implicated in various metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Its role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP), particularly in gut-pancreas crosstalk and the underlying molecular mechanisms, remains poorly understood. This study integrates clinical epidemiology (UK Biobank cohort and the Third Xiangya Hospital cohort), (L-arginine-induced AP mouse models), and multi-omics analyses (RNA sequencing, fecal metabolomics, and gut microbiome profiling) to elucidate the role and mechanistic pathways of uric acid in the onset and severity of AP. Key molecular targets and regulatory relationships identified were further validated via in vitro cellular experiments using pancreatic acinar cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages. In the UK Biobank cohort, over a median follow-up period of 13.69 years, participants in the highest uric acid quartile exhibited a significantly increased risk of developing AP compared to the lowest quartile (hazard ratio [HR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.43). In the Third Xiangya Hospital cohort, AP patients with elevated serum uric acid levels exhibited more severe symptoms. The combination of uric acid and calcium demonstrated superior predictive capability for AP severity (AUC 0.9504). In the preclinical models, HUA aggravated AP progression, as demonstrated by increased pancreatic histopathological damage, elevated serum amylase levels, multi-organ dysfunction, and higher mortality. Mechanistically, HUA exacerbated AP in mice via cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1)-mediated retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, which enhanced macrophage-derived IL-1β and IL-6 production. Metabolomics revealed that the gut-derived flavonoid maesopsin exerted a protective anti-inflammatory effect in the context of HUA-augmented AP. Additionally, Limosilactobacillus genus, particularly Limosilactobacillus reuteri D, was enriched in the HUA + AP group and strongly associated with maesopsin levels. Uric acid exacerbates AP progression via CNR1 driven inflammatory signaling and modulates gut microbiota composition and metabolism. Serum uric acid, especially when combined with calcium, may be integrated into routine clinical assessment for AP risk stratification and severity prediction, while CNR1 and gut microbiota-related targets provided potential directions for the developing adjunctive therapies for HUA-associated AP.

Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), a representative short-chain perfluoroalkyl substance, is increasingly detected in soils, yet its ecological impacts on the soil-earthworm system remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of 28-d PFBS exposure (0.1, 1, 10 mg/kg) on earthworm (Eisenia fetida) gut health (tissue damage, digestive function, microbiota) and soil environment (microbial community and enzyme activities). Results showed that PFBS caused intestinal epithelial cell atrophy, tissue congestion, and content retention. PFBS exposure significantly increased total protease activity while suppressing cellulase and α-amylase, along with fluctuations in multiple antioxidant enzymes, collectively revealing concurrent digestive dysfunction and oxidative stress in the earthworm gut (p < 0.05). PFBS reduced gut microbial diversity and network complexity, shifted the dominant phylum from Bacillota to Pseudomonadota, and suppressed functions related to nitrogen transformation and xylanolysis. Digestive enzymes were associated with major microbial abundances, while oxidative stress enzymes responded independently of microbial community shifts. Soil microbial diversity and network remained relatively stable, with only urease and catalase significantly altered at the highest concentration (p < 0.05). Collectively, PFBS affects the gut primarily through host-mediated disruption of the intestinal micro-environment, whereas its direct toxicity to soil is buffered. This study provides essential data for understanding the ecological risks of short-chain PFASs.

In this study, the effects of transglutaminase (TGase) and glucose oxidase (GOD) on the quality of black bean dough, the starch hydrolysis kinetics and the stability of frozen storage of black bean noodles were investigated. The results of black bean dough research showed that TGase and GOD improved the structural order and thermal stability of black bean protein, especially the thermal stability increased from 105.07 J·g-1 to 874.70 J·g-1. The results of black bean noodles showed that TGase and GOD inhibited the catalysis of amylase by forming a protein-starch complex, the predicted glycemic index (pGI) decreased from 88.09 to 66.85. During frozen storage, this stable protein structure prevented the deterioration of noodle quality caused by water migration and starch recrystallization, reduced noodles' cooking loss and deterioration of texture properties. This study provides data support for the development of black bean products with high quality, controlled glucose release and freezing stability.

In broiler production, the inefficient utilization of dietary protein limits growth performance and wastes resources. Inspired by the high feed conversion efficiency of ostriches, which may host beneficial digestive microbes, this study investigated whether fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from ostriches could confer advantageous traits to broilers, and further sought to isolate and evaluate potential probiotic. In an initial FMT trial involving 54 one-day-old broilers, the FMT group exhibited significantly higher average daily gain (ADG) at 7 and 14 days of age compared to the Ctrl group (P < 0.05). From the fecal samples of ostrich donors, a bacterial strain, Bacillus safensis O-6 (O-6), was isolated and identified as a high producer of both protease and cellulase. In a subsequent feeding trial with 72 one-day-old broilers, supplementation with O-6 (4.74 × 10⁷ CFU/mL/day in drinking water) increased the ADG by 7.16% by day 35 (P <0.01). The treatment also significantly enhanced the activities of protease, amylase, and lipase in the small intestine (P < 0.05), elevated serum immunoglobulins A and M (IgA and IgM) (P < 0.01), and improved immune organ indices (Spleen index and Bursa of Fabricius index, P < 0.05). Furthermore, O-6 supplementation significantly enhanced the alpha and beta diversity of the cecal microbiota (P < 0.05). This was accompanied by an enrichment of beneficial bacterial taxa, including Rikenellaceae and Alistipes, alongside a substantial reduction in cecal protein content by 28.23%, indicating improved protein digestibility. These results demonstrate that O-6 is a promising probiotic that enhances broiler growth by improving digestive enzyme activity, immune function, and gut microbiota structure. This study demonstrates that beneficial traits of ostriches can be transferred to broiler chickens through their gut microbiota (probiotics), offering a new avenue for the exploration of avian-derived probiotics.

Fraxinus xanthoxyloides Wall. ex DC (Family-Oleaceae) is a tiny tree found in arid highlands, often referred to as "Afghan ash". This study aimed to explore F. xanthoxyloides bark extract as a potential anti-diabetic agent by conducting GC-MS analysis along with in vitro and in vivo studies. F. xanthoxyloides bark methanol extract (FXBM) was fractionated with n-hexane (FXBH), followed by chloroform (FXBC), ethyl acetate (FXBE), and residual aqueous fraction (FXBA). GC-MS and HPLC-MS analysis of the total extract were performed. The inhibitory activities against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and DPP4 were assessed for the extract and its fractions. The in vivo study included five groups: control group, diabetic control, groups pretreated with alloxan (150 mg/kg) + glibenclamide (5 mg/kg), group pretreated with alloxan (150 mg/kg) + FXBH (200 mg/kg), and group pretreated with alloxan (150 mg/kg) + FXBH (400 mg/kg). Further, a histopathological investigation was conducted. GC-MS analysis of FXBM revealed the presence of 17 compounds predominated by esters (17.9%), polyols (16.35%), and O-glycosides (12.24%). Among all extract/fractions, FXBH showed maximum α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and DPP4 inhibition when compared to acarbose and berberine, respectively. It also achieved the highest glucose uptake among all extract/fractions when compared with metformin. HPLC-DAD analysis showed the presence of gallic acid (3.29 µg/mg), catechin (4.23 µg/mg), caffeic acid (6.05 µg/mg), ferulic acid (2.99 µg/mg), and quercetin (6.4 µg/mg). FXBH-treated rats showed a significant increase in body weight and reduced blood glucose levels (p < 0.05) from days 1-30. The biochemical parameters like triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, cholesterol, lipase, amylase, C-reactive protein, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, HbA1c, and urea were decreased, while high-density lipoprotein was elevated, compared to diabetic control. Histopathological studies demonstrated restoration of pancreatic β-cells. In conclusion, F. xanthoxyloides bark extract exhibited potential antidiabetic effects; meanwhile, further studies are recommended to characterize the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and synergistic effects with standard drugs.

Sodium butyrate (SB) is gaining attention as a dietary supplement in aquaculture because of its potential benefits for fish health and growth. This research was conducted to assess the impacts of SB concentrations on the growth, antioxidant status, digestive enzyme activities, gut morphology, hepatic enzyme activities and survival against Aeromonas hydrophila in rohu (Labeo rohita). For this purpose, SB was supplemented at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg in the basal diet (30.16% crude protein). Thirty acclimatized fingerlings (15.15 ± 0.03 g) were distributed in each of 15 glass aquaria and fed till fish appeared satiated for 60 days in triplicate. The results showed that SB at concentrations up to 1.0 g/kg improved (p < 0.05) growth and feed efficiency; however, higher levels reduced growth and feed efficiency. The activities of protease, lipase and amylase improved (p < 0.05) in the 1.0 g/kg SB group and higher levels reduced activities. The intestinal histomorphometric measurements increased (p < 0.05) up to 1 g/kg SB level and then decreased with higher levels. The fish fed a 1.0 g/kg SB-containing diet presented the highest increase in villus length, width, surface area, and crypt depth. Hepatic enzyme activities decreased up to the 1 g/kg SB level and activities increased with further supplementation. Moreover, improved (p < 0.05) activities of antioxidant enzymes were observed in fish fed with 1.0 g/kg SB diets and higher levels reduced these activities. However, optimal sodium butyrate level for L. rohita was estimated to be 0.68 g/kg (R2 = 0.67). The findings revealed that dietary SB supplemented at 1.0 g/kg enhanced growth, digestive enzyme activities, gut morphology, health status and survival against A. hydrophila challenge in L. rohita.

Magnolia sieboldii K. Koch is prized for its ornamental, medicinal, and economic value, yet its seeds exhibit morphophysiological dormancy, leading to difficult and unpredictable germination. This study investigates the mechanism of dormancy release in M. sieboldii seeds by exogenous gibberellic acid (GA3). Germination tests confirmed that GA3 treatment effectively broke seed dormancy, achieving over 80% germination, whereas seeds imbibed in distilled water (DW) did not. Physiological analysis revealed that GA3 imbibition maintained a low ABA/GA ratio and significantly altered carbohydrate metabolism, characterized by a sharp decrease in starch and an increase in sucrose at 24 h after imbibition (HAI). RNA-seq analysis identified numerous differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to GA3 across different imbibition times. GO enrichment analysis indicated that GA3 rapidly activated pathways related to signal transduction and amylase activity. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) further identified key gene modules strongly correlated with hormonal (ABA, GA3) and metabolic (starch, sucrose, glucose) traits. Hub genes within these modules, such as MsrB2, DOF5.4, and WAKs, were implicated in dormancy release. Functional characterization of a candidate gene, MsDOG1, demonstrated its role in repressing germination, as its overexpression in Arabidopsis enhanced dormancy, an effect that was alleviated by low-temperature imbibition. Our findings that exogenous GA3 promotes dormancy release in M. sieboldii seeds by remodeling the hormonal and metabolic landscape and gene expression networks thus provide a valuable resource for understanding the molecular mechanisms of morphophysiological dormancy.

This study evaluated the probiotic potential of Marichromatium gracile DH-1 for improving the performance of juvenile Hippocampus abdominalis in aquaculture. A 40-day trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of the marine photosynthetic bacterium M. gracile DH-1 on early juvenile seahorses (H. abdominalis), using four treatments with three replicate tanks per treatment (n = 3) and an initial stocking density of 200 individuals per tank. Juveniles were exposed to M. gracile DH-1 at 25, 50, and 100 ppm (corresponding to 2.5 × 102, 5.0 × 102, and 1.0 × 103 CFU/mL, respectively) in the rearing water. Compared with the control, water-borne M. gracile DH-1 supplementation significantly improved growth performance, including body length, body weight gain, specific growth rate, and condition factor. The highest survival rate was recorded in the 100 ppm (1.0 × 103 CFU/mL) group (12.0%) versus 1.33% in the control group. M. gracile DH-1 also enhanced digestive enzyme activities, particularly α-amylase and total protease, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities, including catalase and glutathione peroxidase. In addition, supplementation improved intestinal microbial composition by increasing beneficial taxa and reducing potentially harmful bacteria. Water quality was also improved, as indicated by reduced ammonia nitrogen and nitrite, together with increased dissolved oxygen. These results suggest that M. gracile DH-1 is a promising probiotic candidate for juvenile seahorse culture by enhancing growth performance, antioxidant defense, intestinal microbial balance, and water quality.

The ethyl acetate extract of Tricholaena teneriffae L. roots exhibited significant α-amylase inhibitory activity. Phytochemical analysis of this extract led to the isolation of seven natural products: five 12H-benzo[a]xanthen-12-one derivatives (1-5) and two 7H-benzo[de]anthracen-7-one derivatives (6-7). Among them, compounds 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 are reported here for the first time as new natural derivatives. Structural elucidation was performed via 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, allowing for a precise determination of the substitution patterns of both the benzo[a]xanthen-12-one and benzo[de]anthracen-7-one frameworks. Among them, compounds 6 (IC50 = 0.308 ± 0.015 μM) and 4 (IC50 = 0.480 ± 0.024 μM) showed the most potent inhibitory effects. Molecular docking studies revealed that the presence of both hydroxyl and methoxy groups, as in compound 6, enhances inhibition through strong hydrogen bonding and π-type interactions, while methoxy substitution on ring C, as in compound 4, increases binding affinity via interactions with Glu233 and Asp197. The photophysical properties of seven isolated dyes were examined in dichloromethane by UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. Hydroxyl and methoxy substituents enhanced electron donation, leading to red-shifted absorption and emission compared to the unsubstituted analogue 2. The strongest red shift was observed for the dimethoxylated dye 3, while the hydroxylated dye 6 exhibited higher intensities than its methoxy analogue 7. These results highlight the importance of specific position and nature of substituents in modulating α-amylase inhibition and photophysical behavior in root-derived metabolites.

In our previous study, CBM20 domain truncation in raw starch-degrading amylase AmyM shifted its substrate preference from amylose to amylopectin double-helical regions, markedly enhancing hydrolysis of corn starch granules. Here, normal corn starch was progressively hydrolyzed by AmyM and its CBM20-truncated variant AmyM-TR2 to matched degrees of hydrolysis (DH 15%, 25%, and 45%). AmyM caused apparent amylose content to decrease from 39.8% to 35.8% in M-15 and then increase to 41.1%, whereas AmyM-TR2 induced the opposite trend, reaching a maximum of 44.0% in T-25. AmyM broadly hydrolyzed amylopectin B1 chains and reduced rapidly digestible starch from 56.4% to 45.1-46.8%, facilitating chain rearrangement and partial recovery of ordered structure. In contrast, AmyM-TR2 preferentially cleaved long A and short B1 chains associated with double helices, decreasing slowly digestible starch to 19.3% in T-25 and causing sustained structural disruption. These distinct action modes led to divergent gelatinization and retrogradation behaviors. Nevertheless, corn starch granule modification by both enzymes followed a two-stage progressive modification pattern, in which the dominant regulation shifted from early surface compositional remodeling to later co-regulation by molecular composition and internal structural order, providing insight into the coupled evolution of composition, structure, and functionality in enzyme-modified granular starch.

Nowadays, the great pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis attracts wide interest as a model organism in multiple biological disciplines, including the studies of host-parasite relations, as being the first or second intermediate host for various trematodes. However, digestion physiology of this gastropod under normal conditions and when infected with flatworms remains obscure. So we have concentrated on the protease and amylase activities in the digestive gland of L.stagnalis naturally infected with Plagiorchiidae trematodes. The study revealed a significant increase in the total weight but not in the shell height of infected specimens. Regardless of infection, the proteolytic activity in the digestive gland was manifested over a wide pH range of 1.0-12.0 and associated primarily with metal-dependent proteases. Trematode infection had no effect on the pepsin-like, trypsin and chymotrypsin activities, but significantly reduced the total activity of alkaline proteases. Also, the cercarial extracts significantly inhibited the total proteolytic activity of digestive gland samples. In both groups of snails, the activity of α-amylase manifested itself at all pHs assayed, with optimum zone from 4.0 to 6.0-7.0. Within the pH range of 4.0-9.0, amylolytic activity was significantly lower in the infected than in naïve snails and decreased with further increase in pH, regardless of infection status. The established physiological characteristics of infected molluscs can be considered as a manifestation of mutual adaptation in the studied host-parasite system.