Background: Phyllanthus emblica and its active constituents appear to enhance cardiovascular function, according to research on cardiovascular-related problems. Thus, this paper's objectives are to examine the cardiovascular effects of consuming Phyllanthus emblica and its functional constituents, to investigate possible mechanisms of action, and to offer safety data for individualized nutritional interventions and the use of functional foods derived from Phyllanthus emblica in middle-aged and elderly patients with cardiovascular disease and possible pathogenicity. Methods: The terms "Phyllanthus emblica" and "cardiovascular disease" were searched in Pubmeb, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, and a meta-analysis of the evidence supporting links between the two was carried out. The search was conducted from its inception to 31 December 2024. Included were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that looked into Phyllanthus emblica or its active ingredients consumption. Online databases were used to check for genes linked to cardiovascular disease. The possible mechanisms for Phyllanthus emblica ameliorating cardiovascular disease were investigated using Mendelian randomization, genomic enrichment analysis, machine learning, and molecular docking. Results: A total of 725 articles were retrieved and 6 articles were finally included in this study, all of which were randomized controlled trials with a total of 397 subjects. The results of meta-analysis showed that there was a statistical difference between the experimental group and the control group in terms of lipid-related indicators [TG:OR=0.69,95%CI=(-0.00,1.38), P < 0.05;TC:OR=0.69,95%CI=(0.23,1.14), P < 0.05; LDL:OR=0.93,95%CI=(0.23,1.63), P < 0.05;HDL:OR=-0.80,95%CI=(-1.59,-0.02), P < 0.05; VLDL:OR=0.39,95%CI=(-0.01,0.78), P < 0.05] as well as other cardiovascular-related indicators[NO:OR=-2.31,95%CI=(-3.86,-0.95), P < 0.05; GSH:OR=-2.20,95%CI=(-4.15,-0.26), P < 0.05; MDA:OR=1.25,95%CI=(-0.03,2.53), P < 0.05;hsCRP:OR=1.36,95%CI=(0.12,2.60), P < 0.05].Seven key effector genes associated with cardiovascular disease were identified based on network pharmacology and machine learning algorithms: AKT1, ABCB1, FYN, IGF1R, NR3C1, PIK3CA, and SYK. Mendelian randomization was also validated to find a causal relationship between AKT1, FYN, IGF1R, and SYK and cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: Phyllanthus emblica and its functional constituents have significant effects on cardiovascular disease, and the mechanisms may involve the involvement of AKT1, ABCB1, FYN, IGF1R, NR3C1, PIK3CA and SYK, as well as the regulation of metabolic and immune-related pathways.
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Open Access
Review Article
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This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the importance of protein intake among older adults. With the global aging trend accelerating, adequate protein consumption is increasingly recognized as crucial for addressing the decline in muscle mass and function associated with aging. Research has shown that older adults require a higher protein intake (1.0−1.3 g/(kg∙day)) to maintain muscle health, although the optimal recommendation remains a topic of ongoing investigation. The review highlights that the protein needs of older adults are often unmet by the recommended dietary allowance (RDA), potentially leading to health issues such as sarcopenia, weakened immune function, and delayed wound healing. Additionally, it examines various factors influencing protein intake in older adults, including socioeconomic status, education level, geographic location, and individual health conditions. The review also explores dietary patterns and protein sources, including both animal-based and plant-based proteins, and their effects on muscle protein synthesis (MPS). Finally, it underscores the critical role of sufficient protein intake in preserving the health, functionality, and quality of life of older adults, emphasizing the need for public health initiatives to address inadequate protein consumption in this population.
Open Access
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The inhibitory effect of forsythin on the proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration and invasion of malignantly transformed esophageal epithelial cells and esophageal cancer Eca-109 cells was explored, and the underlying mechanism was analyzed.
Malignantly transformed esophageal epithelial cells and Eca-109 cells were treated with 10 and 100 μmol/L forsythin for 24 h. Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Cell migration and invasion were detected by Transwell method. The expression levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (PKB, also known as AKT), phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (p-PI3K), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-PKB, also knoun as p-AKT), p21, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) in cells were detected by Western blotting.
The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of forsythin for malignantly transformed esophageal epithelial cells and Eca-109 cells were 308.4 and 322.0 μmol/L, respectively. Forsythin at 10 and 100 μmol/L could significantly inhibit the proliferation of the two cell lines (P < 0.05), but was nontoxic to normal esophageal epithelial cells. Forsythin at 10 and 100 μmol/L could alter cell cycle, promote cell apoptosis, significantly inhibit cell migration and invasion (P < 0.05), and reduce the expression levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT, Bcl-2 and MMP9 proteins (P < 0.05). Forsythin at 100 μmol/L could significantly increase the expression level of p21 protein in both cell lines (P < 0.05).
Forsythin can significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of esophageal epithelial malignant transformed cells and Eca-109 cells, and the mechanism may be related to the inactivation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.
Open Access
Issue
To study the preventive effects of Fructus Phyllanthiin (FP) alone and combined with tea polyphenols (FP-TP) or L-carnitine (FP-LC) on high-fat diet-induced obesity in rats.
The experimental, model control and positive control groups were fed a high-fat diet while the negative control group was fed a normal diet. Meanwhile, the experimental group was gavaged with FP, FP-TP or FP-LC for seven weeks. At the end of the gavage period, body mass, perirenal fat mass and peritesticular fat mass were measured, and four items of blood lipid tests in serum and liver lipid levels were detected. The levels of serum leptin, resistin and lipocalin were measured, and the activities of related enzymes and total protein levels in the liver and mRNA expression in adipose tissues were measured to observe the effects of FP and its combination with TP or LC on obesity alleviation and protection against liver injury in experimentally obese rats.
The body mass and body fat content of the rats in the model control group increased significantly when compared with the negative control group (P < 0.001). The rats in the FP and FP-LC intervention groups showed significant decreases in body mass, and perirenal fat and peritesticular fat contents and indexes. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the serum and liver decreased significantly, and the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased significantly. Moreover, serum leptin and resistin levels significantly dropped, and lipocalin levels increased; the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver decreased, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased; the mRNA expression of adenosine 5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α-2 was significantly up-regulated in adipose tissues. On the other hand, FP-TP intervention had no significant anti-obesity effect.
FP can prevent high-fat diet-induced obesity in rats, being more effective when used alone than when combined with TP or LC.
Open Access
Research Article
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Forsythia suspensa, belonging to the deciduous shrubs of the Luteaceae family, a traditional Chinese medicine, has effects of alleviating swelling, clearing heat, detoxification and promoting blood circulation. The leaves of F. suspensa contain multiple chemical components and have a long history of use in folk medicines and health foods. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of forsythin extract from F. suspensa leaves on intestinal microbiota and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content in rats with obesity induced by a high-fat diet. Forsythin extract in F. suspensa leaves increased the abundance of the intestinal microbiota, ameliorated intestinal microbiota disorders and inhibited the increase in total SCFA content in the intestinal tract in rats with obesity induced by a high-fat diet. These results suggested that forsythin extract in F. suspensa leaves may slow the development of obesity induced by a high-fat diet; thus, its active components and efficacy are worthy of further study.
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