Effect Of Ferulic Acid Research Articles

Effects of Ferulic Acid on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Oxidative Stress and Gut Microbiota Imbalance in Linwu Ducks.

Oxidative stress is a major factor that limits the development of the poultry industry. Ferulic acid (FA) has an antioxidant effect in birds, but the mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, we stimulated oxidative stress in 28-day-old female Linwu ducks by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and fed them a diet supplemented with FA for 28 days. Results showed that FA alleviated LPS-induced growth performance regression, oxidative stress, and microbiota imbalance in ducks. An integrated metagenomics and metabolomics analysis revealed that s_Blautia_obeum, s_Faecalibacterium_prausnitzii, s_gemmiger_formicilis, and s_Ruminococcaceae_bacterium could be the biomarkers in the antioxidant effect of FA, which interacted with dihydro-3-coumaric acid, L-phenylalanine, and 13(S)-HODE, and regulated the phenylalanine metabolism and PPAR signaling pathway. This study revealed the mechanism of the antioxidant effect of FA, which provided evidence of applying FA as a new antioxidant in commercial duck production.

Effects of Ferulic Acid on Respiratory Metabolism, Oxidative Lesions, and Apoptotic Parameters in Gills and Red Blood Cells of Carp (Cyprinus carpio Var. Jian) Response to Copper.

In sustainable aquaculture systems, copper sulfate (CuSO4) is widely applied as a disinfectant to control parasitic infections and algal growth. However, aquatic organisms may suffer from exposure to excessive concentrations of Cu. Elevated Cu concentrations could activate damage to the respiratory functions of aquatic animals. Thus, this study explored the effects exerted by ferulic acid (FA) on respiratory metabolism, oxidation-related lesions, and the apoptosis parameters of the gills and red blood cells in copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O)-treated carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian). When the 30-day feeding experiment was completed, the carp were exposed to 12.5 μM of Cu for 4 days. The results indicated that the Cu decreased the oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion rates in the carp, reduced the metabolic- and antioxidant-related enzyme activities and glutathione levels in the carp, and enhanced the caspase activities and reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels in the gills of the carp. Moreover, in addition to the changes in the above parameters, the Cu decreased the cell numbers and hemoglobin concentrations and increased the phosphatidylserine exposure and cytochrome c levels in the red blood cells of the carp. These results demonstrate that Cu is capable of decreasing respiratory metabolism and increasing oxidation-related lesions and apoptosis inside the gills and red blood cells of the fish. However, dietary FA quenched the Cu-induced apoptosis and oxidative lesions by reversing the same biomarker indicators, thereby suppressing the Cu-induced decrease in respiratory metabolism. Thus, FA can be used as a suppressor of Cu stress in fish.

Inhibition of fluorescent advanced glycation end-products by ferulic acid and chlorogenic acid: A fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking study

The effects of ferulic acid (FA) and chlorogenic acid (CGA) on fluorescent advanced glycation end-products (fAGEs) were investigated through the Maillard reaction. Model systems were incubated with different concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 μg/mL) of FA or CGA at 55 °C for 12 h, and fluorescence intensity of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) was measured. After adding 160 μg/mL FA and CGA, the fluorescence intensity of AGEs was suppressed by 15.988% ± 0.556% and 16.544% ± 0.275%, respectively (P < 0.05). Compared with control group, free amino groups levels were the highest in model systems containing 160 μg/mL FA (0.096 ± 0.011 mg l-leucine equivalent/mL) and CGA (0.130 ± 0.000 mg l-leucine equivalent/mL) (P < 0.05). Carbonyls content decreased in a dose-dependent fashion with increasing concentrations of FA and CGA (P < 0.05). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) results demonstrated that FA and CGA could impede the generation of bovine serum albumin (BSA)-glucose cross-linking substances. Spectroscopy results indicated that the binding constant of BSA-CGA was higher than that of BSA-FA. Meanwhile, molecular docking results suggested that the binding affinity of CGA to BSA was greater than to FA. These results suggested that CGA had a stronger inhibitory effect on the fluorescence intensity of AGEs. Therefore, FA and CGA may be potent natural antioxidants in mitigating the accumulation of AGEs during food thermal processing.

Effect of Ferulic acid and Chitosan on cell suspension cultures of Decalepis hamiltonii Wight &amp; Arn.

Effect of Ferulic acid and Chitosan on cell suspension cultures of Decalepis hamiltonii Wight &amp; Arn.

Effect of ferulic acid and p‐coumaric acid on lowering uric acid through network pharmacology and in vitro studies

AbstractThe occurrence of hyperuricemia is increasing yearly. Based on network pharmacology, this study predicted the molecular targets and signaling pathways of ferulic acid and p‐coumaric acid for improving hyperuricemia. The results were verified through in vitro cell experiments. After enrichment analysis of 11 core targets of ferulic acid and p‐coumaric acid to improve hyperuricemia, the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway was considered as the most significant signaling pathway. In the hyperuricemia cell model, ferulic acid and p‐coumaric acid significantly increased cell viability and decreased the cell uric acid (UA) content. Ferulic acid and p‐coumaric acid significantly regulated the expression of UA transport‐related proteins, namely urate organic anion transporter 1, glucose transporter 9, and adenosine triphosphate‐binding transporter protein G2. Ferulic acid and p‐coumaric acid also downregulated the phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt, which inhibited the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. This study confirmed that ferulic acid and p‐coumaric acid could regulate UA‐related proteins through the PI3K/Akt pathway and promote UA excretion to alleviate hyperuricemia. The results of this research provided a theoretical basis for further research and development of UA‐lowering products.

The Effects of Ferulic Acid, Tryptophan, and L-Glutamine on the Cryopreservation of Mouse Spermatozoa.

In this study, the effects of ferulic acid (0.1, 1, ve 10 mM), tryptophan (5, 25, ve 50 mM), and L-glutamine (10, 50, ve 100 mM) at different doses added to 18% raffinose + 3% skimmed milk powder sperm extender on the freezing of mouse spermatozoa in liquid nitrogen were investigated. The combination of 18% raffinose + 3% skimmed milk powder without additives was used as the control group. Frozen spermatozoa were thawed in a 37°C water bath for 30 seconds. After freeze-thawing, motility, dead spermatozoa ratio, plasma membrane integrity, abnormal acrosome ratio, motility endurance (for 4 hours), and cell apoptosis tests were performed in Human Tubal Fluid (HTF). Compared with the control group after freezing and thawing, the highest motility and plasma membrane integrity were obtained in the 10 mM L-glutamine group with 56.6% ± 2.11% and 77.8% ± 0.87%, respectively (p < 0.05). In addition, when compared to the control group, the lowest rate of dead spermatozoa and abnormal acrosome was found in the 10 mM L-glutamine group as 26.0% ± 1.46% and 6.3% ± 1.09%, respectively (p < 0.05). The highest motility values for spermatozoa endurance were determined in the 10 and 50 mM L-glutamine groups up to the 4th hour compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In the evaluation of apoptosis in semen samples, there was no significant difference between the control, 0.1 mM ferulic acid, and 10 mM L-glutamine groups (p > 0.05). As a result, it was determined that the addition of 10 mM L-glutamine to the spermatozoa extender increased the motility, viable spermatozoa, functional membrane integrity, intact acrosome ratios, or motility endurance after freeze-thawing and could be used successfully in the freezing extender of mouse spermatozoa.

Effects of ferulic acid on the growth performance, physiological and biochemical functions, and hepato-intestinal health of blunt snout bream, Megalobrama amblycephala

To investigate the impact of dietary inclusion of ferulic acid (FA) on growth performance, physiological and biochemical functions and hepato-intestinal health, three iso-nitrogenous and iso-lipidic diets supplemented with 0 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg FA were fed to Megalobrama amblycephala (9.75 ± 0.04 g) for 8 weeks. The growth performance, physiological and biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity and the expression of genes were assessed on 4th and 8th week. The results indicated that 100 mg/kg FA inclusion significantly enhanced the weight gain rate (on week 4 and 8), feed intake (on 4th week), protein efficiency ratio (on week 8) and condition factor (on week 4) (P < 0.05). In plasma biochemical index, dietary FA significantly reduced the contents of alanine aminotransferase, glucose and lactate dehydrogenase on 8th week (P < 0.05). In the antioxidant capacity, dietary FA decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in hepatopancreas and intestine (P < 0.05), while increased the activities of total superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase (P < 0.05), and the best effects were observed at 100 mg/kg FA inclusion on 8th week. On 8th week, the supplementation of 100 mg/kg FA down-regulated the expression levels of inflammation-related genes (interleukin-6, interleukin-1β (hepatopancreas only), nuclear factor-κB), pro-apoptotic gene caspase-8 and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes (X-box-binding protein 1 S, protein kinase R-like ER kinase, inositol requiring enzyme 1, C/EBP homologous protein, immunoglobulin binding protein (hepatopancreas only), activated transcription factor 6α, activated transcription factor 4) (P < 0.05), while the anti-apoptotic gene B lymphoblastoma-2 was significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05). In conclusion, FA enhanced the growth performance, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, reduced apoptosis level, and maintained the hepato-intestinal endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis. The FA inclusion was suggested at 100 mg/kg.

Regulating the physicochemical, structural characteristics and digestibility of potato starch by complexing with different phenolic acids

The effects of ferulic acid (FA), protocatechuic acid (PA), and gallic acid (GA) on the physicochemical characteristics, structural properties, and in vitro digestion of gelatinized potato starch (PS) were investigated. Rapid viscosity analysis revealed that the gelatinized viscosity parameters of PS decreased after complexing with different phenolic acids. Dynamic rheology results showed that phenolic acids could reduce the values of G′ and G″ of PS-phenolic acid complexes, demonstrating that the addition of phenolic acids weakened the viscoelasticity of starch gel. Fourier-transform infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction results elucidated that phenolic acids primarily reduced the degree of short-range ordered structure of starch through non-covalent interactions. The decrease in thermal stability and the more porous microstructure of the complexes confirmed that phenolic acids could interfere with the gel structure of the starch. The addition of different phenolic acids decreased the rapidly digestible starch (RDS) content and increased the resistant starch (RS) content, with GA exhibiting the best inhibitory capacity on starch in vitro digestibility, which might be associated with the number of hydroxy groups in phenolic acids. These results revealed that phenolic acids could affect the physicochemical characteristics of PS and regulate its digestion and might be a potential choice for producing slow digestibility starch foods.

Effects of ferulic acid on the polymerization behavior of gluten protein and its components

The effects of ferulic acid (FA) at different concentrations on the aggregation behaviors of gluten and its components (gliadin and glutenin) were determined in this study. Results showed that the free sulfhydryl content of glutenin and gluten significantly reduced while the mean particle size of gluten increased following FA supplementation (0.5%). Moreover, β-sheet content of gluten increased by 20.40% compared with the control group when 0.5% FA was added. Contrarily, higher concentrations (1.0 and 1.5%) of FA significantly reduced tyrosine (TYR) bimodal ratio of glutenin. Furthermore, the concentrations increased the polarity of tryptophan (TRP) residues microenvironment, which promoted the formation of a disordered gluten structure. Additionally, SDS-PAGE showed that 0.5% FA supplementation promoted the formation of high molecular weight gluten by cross-linking and aggregation of low molecular weight gluten components. Using atomic force microscopy, it was confirmed that at 0.5% FA promoted the cross-linking aggregation of gluten molecules. Further, the microscopy analysis showed that higher doses of FA contributed to an uneven distribution of gluten aggregates and a disordered and loose structure of gluten network, which was not favorable for the formation of continuous and stable dough.

Effect of Ferulic Acid on Semen Quality of Goat Bucks during Liquid Storage at 17 °C.

This study investigated the effect of different concentrations of ferulic acid (FA) on the quality of goat semen preserved at 17 °C. First, semen was collected from three black-headed goat bucks using an artificial vagina. Then, the mixed semen was diluted with basal dilutions containing different concentrations of FA (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μmol/L) and stored at 17 °C. Sperm total motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were measured during semen storage. The results showed that sperm total motility, plasma membrane integrity, and acrosome integrity were significantly improved in the 50 μmol/L FA group compared with the control group (0 μmol/L) on days 1-5, and the level of T-AOC significantly increased, while the contents of ROS and MDA significantly reduced. Meanwhile, the goats' conception rate showed that supplementing semen with 50 μmol/L FA preserved at 17 °C for 3 days had no significant effect on fertility. Taken together, our findings suggest that adding 50 μmol/L FA in dilution at 17 °C can improve goat bucks' semen quality.

The effect of ferulic acid on 2-methoxyethanol-induced spermatotoxicity, hematotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in rats

AbstractFerulic acid (FA), also known as hydroxycinnamic acid, is a sweet-smelling and natural antioxidant present in the cell walls of plants and bran of cereals, making it a common dietary component. FA possesses diverse medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-arrhythmic, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-thrombotic, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-cardiovascular, neuroprotective, anti-apoptotic, antifibrotic, anti-platelet, anti-aging, anti-melanogenesis, angiogenesis promoting, and skin damage reducing effects. Judging by these outstanding credentials of FA, this study investigated the hepatoprotective, spermato-protective, and hemato-protective effects of FA against 2MEETH-induced spermatotoxicity, hematotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity in rats. After oral administration of 2MEETH for 30 days, the number of abnormal and dead spermatozoa, as well as serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), were significantly increased. In contrast, the number of normal and live spermatozoa, sperm motility and concentration, serum total cholesterol level, red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), and white blood cell (WBC) counts were significantly decreased compared to the control group. FA treatments did not have any effect on all the sperm and hematological parameters checked, but significantly lowered the serum levels of AST, ALT, and ADH activity compared to rats administered with only 2MEETH. Based on the results, it is concluded that FA may not possess spermato- and hemato-protective effects against 2MEETH-induced spermatotoxicity and hematotoxicity but may possess a hepatoprotective effect in rats.

Effect of Ferulic Acid and Its Derivatives on Cold-Pressed Flaxseed Oil Oxidative Stability and Bioactive Compounds Retention during Oxidation

Ferulic acid (FA) is a naturally occurring phenolic antioxidant that is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries due to its low toxicity. Its derivatives also find numerous industrial applications and may have even higher biological activity than ferulic acid. In this study, the effect of the addition of FA and its derivatives-including vanillic acid (VA), dihydroferulic acid (DHFA), and 4-vinylguaiacol (4-VG)-on the oxidative stability of cold-pressed flaxseed oil and the degradation of bioactive compounds during oxidation was investigated. The results showed that FA and its derivatives affected the oxidative stability of flaxseed oil, but their antioxidant activity depended on the concentration (25-200 mg/100 g oil) and temperature of treatment (60-110 °C). Based on Rancimat test results, flaxseed oil oxidative stability predicted at 20 °C increased linearly with ferulic acid concentration, while its derivatives effectively prolonged the induction time at lower concentrations (50-100 mg/100 g oil). The addition of phenolic antioxidants (80 mg/100 g) generally showed a protective effect against polyunsaturated fatty acids (DHFA and 4-VG), sterols (4-VG), tocols (DHFA), squalene, and carotenoids (FA). The exception was VA, which increased the degradation of most bioactive compounds. It is believed that adding properly composed mixtures of FA and its derivatives (DHFA and 4-VG) can extend the shelf life of flaxseed oil and provide nutritional benefits.

Effects of Yulin Tong Bu formula on modulating gut microbiota and fecal metabolite interactions in mice with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovarian dysfunction and polycystic ovarian morphology. Gut microbiota dysbiosis and metabolite are associated with PCOS clinical parameters. Yulin Tong Bu formula (YLTB), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been recently indicated to be capable of ameliorating polycystic ovary symptoms and correcting abnormal glucose metabolism. However, the therapeutic mechanism of YLTB on PCOS has not been fully elucidated. A pseudo sterile mouse model was established during this four-day acclimatization phase by giving the animals an antibiotic cocktail to remove the gut microbiota. Here, the therapeutic effects of YLTB on PCOS were investigated using dehydroepiandrosterone plus high-fat diet-induced PCOS mice model. Female prepuberal mice were randomly divided into three groups; namely, the control group, PCOS group and YLTB (38.68 g·kg-1·day-1) group. To test whether this effect is associated with the gut microbiota, we performed 16S rRNA sequencing studies to analyze the fecal microbiota of mice. The relationships among metabolites, gut microbiota, and PCOS phenotypes were further explored by using Spearman correlation analysis. Then, the effect of metabolite ferulic acid was then validated in PCOS mice. Our results showed that YLTB treatment ameliorated PCOS features (ovarian dysfunction, delayed glucose clearance, decreased insulin sensitivity, deregulation of glucolipid metabolism and hormones, etc.) and significantly attenuated PCOS gut microbiota dysbiosis. Spearman correlation analysis showed that metabolites such as ferulic acid and folic acid are negatively correlated with PCOS clinical parameters. The effect of ferulic acid was similar to that of YLTB. In addition, the bacterial species such as Bacteroides dorei and Bacteroides fragilis were found to be positively related to PCOS clinical parameters, using the association study analysis. These results suggest that YLTB treatment systematically regulates the interaction between the gut microbiota and the associated metabolites to ameliorate PCOS, providing a solid theoretical basis for further validation of YLTB effect on human PCOS trials.

Ferulic acid improves glucose homeostasis by modulation of key diabetogenic activities and restoration of pancreatic architecture in diabetic rats.

There are increasing concerns on the rising cases of diabetes mellitus with type 2 diabetes (T2D) being of major interest as well as the cost of its treatment. Plant phenolic compounds are natural and potent antioxidants that have been widely reported for their antidiabetic activities properties, one of which is ferulic acid. The effect of ferulic acid (FA) on major diabetogenic activities and pancreatic architecture linked to T2D was investigated in T2D rats. T2D was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats using the fructose-streptozotocin model. Diabetic rats were treated with FA at 150 or 300 mg/kg bodyweight (bw). Normal control consisted of rats administered with food and water, while diabetic control consisted of untreated diabetic rats. Metformin was used as the standard drug. The rats were humanely sacrificed after 5weeks of treatment. Their blood, liver, and pancreas were collected for analysis. Total glycogen content and carbohydrate metabolic enzymes activities were analyzed in the liver, while the pancreas and serum from blood were analyzed for oxidative stress biomarkers, purinergic and cholinergic enzyme activities, and amylase and lipase activities. The pancreatic tissue was further subjected to microscopic and histological examinations. FA caused a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in blood glucose level, with concomitant increase in serum insulin level. Treatment with FA also led to elevated levels of GSH, HDL-c, SOD, and catalase activities, while concomitantly suppressing malondialdehyde, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-c, NO, ALT, AST, creatinine, urea, and uric acid levels, acetylcholinesterase, ATPase, ENTPDase, 5'-nucleotidase, lipase, glycogen phosphorylase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and fructose-1,6-biphosphatase activities. Histology analysis revealed an intact pancreatic morphology in FA-treated diabetic rats. While transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed an intact pancreatic ultrastructure and increased number of insulin granules in β-cells. Taken together, these results portray that the antidiabetic potentials of ferulic acid involves modulation of major diabetogenic activities and maintenance of the pancreatic ultrastructure architecture.

Ferulic Acid Treatment Maintains the Quality of Fresh-Cut Taro (Colocasia esculenta) During Cold Storage.

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a major root crop or vegetable in the world, and the corm is a good source of many nutrients including starch, vitamins, and minerals. Taro corms are processed into various forms before consumption, which makes them perishable, reduces the shelf life, and increases postharvest losses. The surface browning of fresh-cut taros is one of the major factors that limits storage life and affects consumer acceptance. In this study, the effects of ferulic acid (FA) as an effective agent in the prevention of quality deterioration were investigated. Fresh-cut taros were immersed in distilled water and different concentrations of FA (1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 mM) solutions for 30 min, air-dried at 25°C for 30 min, and then stored at 5°C for 12 days to investigate the effects of FA on browning. Among the FA concentrations tested, 10 mM resulted in significantly higher L* values, lower a* and b*, and browning index values. FA treatment (10 mM) also induced de novo biosynthesis of two volatile compounds, including non-anal and octanoic acid ethyl ester in fresh-cut taros following extended cold storage. The results suggest that FA treatment maintains the quality of fresh-cut taros under cold conditions. FA treatment enhanced PAL activity and gene expression but reduced total phenolic content and the expression of six C4H, 4CL, and CHS genes, suggesting that FA treatment reduced phenolic biosynthesis. FA treatment reduced PPO activity and gene expression and decreased soluble quinone content, suggesting that FA treatment suppressed the phenolic oxidation. FA treatment enhanced the activity and gene expression of CAT and POD, reduced those of LOX, and decreased MDA and H2O2 levels, suggesting that FA treatment activated the antioxidant defense system and thereby reduced oxidative damage. These findings demonstrated that FA treatment could serve as an effective approach to retard the browning of fresh-cut taros and provided a basis for the feasible application of FA in the preservation of fresh-cut foods.

Effects of ferulic acid on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal development of piglets with intrauterine growth retardation.

Neonates with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) are prone to suffer from delayed postnatal growth and development during the early stages of life. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic compound that is abundantly present in fruits and vegetables and has various health benefits. Hence, we explored whether FA supplementation could favorably affect the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal development of piglets with IUGR. In total, eight normal-birth-weight (NBW) piglets and 16 piglets with IUGR (age, 7 d) were assigned to be fed either basic formula milk (NBW and IUGR groups, respectively) or basic formula milk supplemented with 100 mg/kg FA (IUGR + FA group) for 21 d. At necropsy, the serum and intestinal tissues were collected. FA supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the feed conversion ratio and serum total superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in piglets with IUGR. Moreover, FA supplementation elevated (P < 0.05) the duodenal lactase and maltase activities, jejunal villus height and jejunal maltase activity but reduced (P < 0.05) the duodenal crypt depth and duodenal and jejunal cell apoptosis, cleaved cysteinyl aspartic acid protease-3 (caspase-3) content and cleaved caspase-9 content in piglets with IUGR. In summary, FA supplementation could elevate antioxidant capacity and facilitate intestinal development, thus resulting in increased feed efficiency in piglets with IUGR.

Effects of Ferulic Acid on Regulating the Neurovascular Unit

Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic phytochemical with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pharmacological effects. In recent years, the neuroprotective effects of FA have been studied extensively. Many researchers have attempted to use FA to prevent and treat neurological diseases and have made some progress. This paper mainly collated the study of the protective effect of FA on stroke and summarized the protective effect of FA on ischemic stroke and the potential protective effects of FA on neurovascular units.

Effect of Ferulic Acid on Cholesterol Synthesis, Serum Lipids and Hepatotoxicity in Atherogenic Rats

Effect of Ferulic Acid on Cholesterol Synthesis, Serum Lipids and Hepatotoxicity in Atherogenic Rats

Dimethoate-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in rat blood cells: preventive effects of ferulic acid

Dimethoate-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in rat blood cells: preventive effects of ferulic acid

Effects of ferulic acid on muscle development and intestinal microbiota of zebrafish.

Ferulic acid (FA) is one of a common ingredients in Chinese herbal medicine. FA has the interesting property of promoting growth and improving meat quality in livestock, but the mechanism is not understood. This study evaluated both safety and mechanism of efficacy in zebrafish model. At 15μg/mL or above, FA led to pericardial oedema and delayed growth in zebrafish embryos. Dietary FA promoted growth and feed assimilation in male adult zebrafish. Genes related to myogenic development (myod1, myog and myf5) were significantly upregulated by FA and muscle fibre width in skeletal muscle was increased. At 20µg/g, FA significantly increased number of goblet cells in zebrafish intestinal tissue, and gut microbiota composition also changed. Based on 16s rRNA gene sequences, 20μg/g FA decreased Firmicutes and increased Bacteroides. 20μg/g FA also stimulated the expression of PPAR-α, a gene associated with fat metabolism, and decreased the expression of PPAR-β and PPAR-γ. These gene expression changes were beneficial to fatty acid synthesis and metabolism and decreased fat deposition. Our overall results indicated that FA can be a safe growth promotor in fish particularly in skeletal muscles.