In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of ozonated polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Ozonated fatty acid ethyl esters were prepared by bubbling ozone gas into the sample solution, leading to the formation of ozonide structures. Upon treatment with RAW264 cells, ozonated fatty acid ethyl esters reduced the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in a dose-dependent manner, with ozonated ethyl ester of α-linolenic acid (zLnEE) showing the strongest reduction among all samples. The mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), interleukin (IL) 1β and IL6, induced by the stimulation of LPS, were suppressed, while the oxidative stress response gene of hemeoxidase-1 (HO-1) was upregulated by zLnEE treatment. In the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) reporter gene assay, NF-κB activation stimulated by TNF-α was inhibited by the addition of zLnEE. These results indicate that ozonated PUFAs have anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, the observed upregulation of the HO-1 mRNA levels suggests that the ozonide structure of zLnEE activates the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) - Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) pathway, thereby inducing its anti-inflammatory properties. However, the potential cytotoxic degradation products of ozonated PUFAs may be harmful to humans and further studies are needed to confirm the safety of ozonated oils.

This study aims to determine the optimal harvest period of olives by distinguishing the olive oils with different fruit maturity indices (MIs). Gas chromatography ion-mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) technology was employed to qualitatively and differently analyze the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of olive oil extracted from eight MIs of ‘Koroneiki’ olive fruits, harvested in Longnan City, Gansu Province, China. The results showed that 40 signal peaks were isolated in the eight olive oils with different MIs, and 33 VOCs were identified. These include alcohols (7 kinds), esters (7 kinds), aldehydes (6 kinds), ketones (5 kinds), acids (2 kinds), olefins (2 kinds), and other compounds (4). A total of 20 differential markers for key flavors, with variable importance in the projection (VIP) > 1, were screened out by orthogonal partial least squares - discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The results showed that the olive oil samples of the 7th maturity index (QJ7), QJ8, and QJ5, QJ6 have significant differences from the other four olive oils. This suggests that olive oils with different maturity indices can be effectively distinguished.

The surface chemical properties and phase behaviors of the three acid-base 2:1 complexes were systematically studied. It was composed of tertiary amine as the main chain and three dicarboxylic acids as the spacer and functioned as a gemini-type surfactant. N-methyl-N-(2,3-dioxypropyl)hexadecylamine (C16amine) was used as the main chain, and octanoic acid (C8), decanoic acid (C10), and dodecanoic acid (C12) were combined to form complexes. In dilute solutions, the surface tension and luminescence behaviors of solubilized pyrene were consistent across all three complexes, indicating similar micellar characteristics at lower concentrations. However, the concentrated complexes clearly showed different behaviors. In the case of complexes composed of C16amine and C8 or C16amine and C10, as the concentration increased, hexagonal, bicontinuous, and lamellar phases were observed. For the complex composed of C16amine and C12, the hexagonal phase was not observed. This deviation in phase behavior is assumed to arise from the folding structure of the alkyl chain in the dicarboxylic acid. The folding structure may influence the packing structure of the liquid crystal phases, thereby altering the phase formation.

Oxidative stress-induced renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis or dysfunction promotes the progression of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. Neng-Jing-Huo (NJH), an essential oil mixture of Gaultheria procumbens, Zingiber officinale, Bulnesia sarmientoi, Artemisia vulgaris, and Styrax benzoin, exhibits antioxidant potential. However, its specific action mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of NJH against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress injury using NRK-52E renal tubular epithelial cells and assess the underlying mechanisms. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species level, mitochondrial membrane potential, apoptosis, and aging were evaluated via MTT assay, DCFH2-DA, JC-1, TUNEL, and red beta-D-galactopyranoside staining, respectively. Additionally, mRNA and protein expression levels were analyzed via semi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Notably, NJH alleviated H₂O₂-induced DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibited reactive oxygen species accumulation by activating the AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, NJH inhibited oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by upregulating the Bcl-2 levels and downregulating the Bax levels, thereby preventing the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity was significantly increased by H₂O₂; however, this effect was dose-dependently attenuated by NJH. The findings highlight NJH as a potential candidate for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress injury-associated kidney disorders.

The importance of hemp seeds (Cannabis sativa L.) as a nutrient-rich resource in agricultural studies is often underestimated by cannabis farmers, who tend instead to treat them as byproducts. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional composition of Beldiya, a distinct ecotype of hemp seed from the northern regions of Morocco. The proximal composition, mineral content, total phenolic content, tocopherol content, fatty acid profile and lipid health indices of the seeds were assessed. The results revealed that the ‘Beldiya’ ecotype (Be-ecot) contained 94.08% dry matter, 32.81% oil, 24.84% protein, 27.54% fiber and 4.29% ash. It is rich in total phenolic content (201.88 mg GAE/100 g) and total flavonoid content (69.77 mg QE/100 g). The predominant tocopherol in its oil is γ-tocopherol (409.72 mg/kg), with δ-tocopherol (21.91 mg/kg) and α-tocopherol (18.89 mg/kg), contributing to a total tocopherol content of 450.82 mg/kg. The main fatty acids in the oil are linoleic acid (51.02%), oleic acid (18.05%), linolenic acid (16.46%) and palmitic acid (7.68%). The ratio of n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is 3:1, which corresponds to the recommended dietary balance for these essential fatty acids. These results highlight the nutritional benefits and balanced composition of hemp seeds, highlighting their potential as valuable edible food sources for promoting a healthy lifestyle.

We examined the effects of dietary supplementation with 5% maltobionic acid (MA), an indigestible disaccharide, on hepatic lipid metabolism in rats fed a high-fat diet for 30 days. Supplementation with MA lowered hepatic and serum triacylglycerol (TAG) levels and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance and elevated serum gastric hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) level. MA supplementation remarkably decreased the hepatic expression of fatty acid synthesis-related genes/proteins and slightly increased the hepatic expression of β-oxidation-related genes. These results suggest that MA reduces hepatic TAG levels, probably via the suppression of fatty acid synthesis, accompanied by decreased hyperinsulinemia and increased GLP-1.

Recent studies have revealed that the biological activity of astaxanthin differs among E/Z-isomers. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the distribution of astaxanthin isomers in the body to comprehensively elucidate their role. However, owing to the technical complexity of astaxanthin isomer analysis, detailed information regarding the precise distribution of isomers in the body remains limited. In this study, food-grade astaxanthin esters derived from Haematococcus lacustris (total Z-isomer ratio of astaxanthin = 34.5%) were administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats, and their plasma response and tissue distribution were investigated. Astaxanthin isomers were analyzed using normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, which can accurately measure the isomers. The maximum plasma concentration (C_max) and area under the curve from time 0 to 24 h (AUC_{0–24 h}) values of total astaxanthin isomers were determined to be 20.4 ± 4.6 ng/mL (T_max: 8.3 ± 2.3 h) and 261.8 ± 16.4 ng·h/mL, respectively. The total Z-isomer ratio of astaxanthin in the plasma increased over time and reached approximately 55% at 24 h post-administration. Astaxanthin accumulated in the liver, kidneys, lungs, and testes exhibited a high total Z-isomer ratio (> 44.0%). In plasma and tissues, the predominant astaxanthin Z-isomer was the 13Z-isomer, and minor quantities of 9Z-, 15Z-, and two unidentified astaxanthin Z-isomers (potentially multi-Z-isomers) were observed. The composition of astaxanthin isomers in the plasma and tissues differed substantially from that of the diet. These findings suggest that astaxanthin Z-isomers, particularly the 13Z-isomer, possess higher absorbability than the all-E-isomer, or that a mechanism regulates astaxanthin isomer composition in the rat body.