Siraitia Grosvenorii Research Articles

Consumer Acceptance of Protein Beverage Ingredients: Less is More

An array of ingredients are added to protein beverage formulations. These ingredients may not be desirable to consumers. Our objective was to determine consumer perception of ingredients in protein beverages. An online survey was conducted with protein beverage consumers (n = 405). Maximum difference scaling and projective mapping were applied to determine the relative acceptance of ingredients based on their functional role (protein source, sweetener, stabilizer, thickener). Subsequently, 4 120-min focus groups were conducted (n = 25 consumers). Survey data were evaluated by univariate and multivariate statistics. Consumer sentiment from focus groups was compiled and grouped based on themes that emerged across multiple focus groups. Consumers placed the highest importance on the amount of protein followed by protein type in protein beverages. Plant protein, whey protein, and milk protein were most appealing, while soy protein, collagen, and casein/caseinates were less appealing (P < 0.05). Natural sweeteners (agave, monk fruit, cane sugar) were the most appealing sweeteners (P < 0.05). Fibers and starches were more appealing than gums (carrageenan, gellan gum) (P < 0.05). Stabilizers were the least desirable class of beverage ingredients, with sodium and potassium phosphates the least desirable (P < 0.05). In regard to the package of a protein beverage, consumers placed the greatest importance on recognizable ingredients and plain language (P < 0.05). Consistent with survey results, consumers in focus groups expressed skepticism and feeling overwhelmed by all of the ingredients on the label of protein beverages. Protein was their primary desire and the presence of sweeteners was acceptable, but they did not desire additional ingredients. There is an opportunity to increase the acceptance and competitiveness of dairy protein beverages by reformulating beverages to include fewer and more familiar ingredients. Functional proteins, such as those derived from dairy, may have opportunities to exclude undesirable ingredients (stabilizers, thickeners) from the label.

Mobility, Speciation and Bioavailability of Zn and Pb in Artificially Polluted Soils by Magnetic Biochars from Siraitia Grosvenorii Residues

Mobility, Speciation and Bioavailability of Zn and Pb in Artificially Polluted Soils by Magnetic Biochars from Siraitia Grosvenorii Residues

Network pharmacology and experimental verification to explore the anti-inflammatory activities of triterpenoids from Siraitia grosvenorii

Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey (SG), a Chinese medicinal plant, exhibits promising anti-inflammatory properties. Based on previous reports, aglycone and mogrosides bearing lesser glucosyl groups may contribute to the bioactivity of SG in vivo. However, research has rarely been conducted to compare their activities and analyse the structure–activity relationship. In this study, the anti-inflammatory potency of triterpenoids from SG and possible mechanisms of action based on network pharmacology were investigated. Furthermore, eighteen triterpenoids were chosen to assess their anti-inflammatory activities and structure–activity relationship in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, among which 11-oxo-mogrol performed the best. Western blotting and molecular docking identified that 11-oxo-mogrol could regulate the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of triterpenoids from SG and support their application as potential therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases.

RETRACTED: Liu et al. Antiproliferative Activity of Triterpene Glycoside Nutrient from Monk Fruit in Colorectal Cancer and Throat Cancer. Nutrients 2016, 8, 360.

The journal retracts the article, "Antiproliferative Activity of Triterpene Glycoside Nutrient from Monk Fruit in Colorectal Cancer and Throat Cancer" [...].

Siraitia grosvenorii Extract Protects Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Intestinal Inflammation in Mice via Promoting M2 Macrophage Polarization.

Siraitia grosvenorii has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-regulating effects, while macrophages play an important role in reducing inflammation. However, it is still unclear whether Siraitia grosvenorii extract (SGE) is effective in reducing inflammation by regulating macrophages. This study investigated the regulatory effect of SGE on macrophage polarization in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal inflammation model after establishing the model in vitro and in vivo. The results from the in vivo model showed that, compared with the LPS group, SGE significantly improved ileal morphology, restored the ileal mucosal barrier, and reduced intestinal and systemic inflammation by increasing CD206 and reducing iNOS proteins. In the in vitro model, compared with the LPS group, SGE significantly reduced the expression of iNOS protein and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ) while significantly increasing the protein expression of CD206 in RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, SGE can alleviate intestinal inflammation, protect the mucus barrier, and block the systemic immunosuppressive response by increasing M2 macrophages.

Unusual norcucurbitacin glycosides from the roots of Siraitia grosvenorii

Siraitia grosvenorii Swingle is one of the first approved medicine food homology species in China, and it has been used as a natural sweetener in the food industry and as a traditional medicine to relieve cough and reduce phlegm. However, many S. grosvenorii roots are discarded yearly, which results in a great waste of resources. Twelve undescribed norcucurbitacin-type triterpenoid glycosides, siraitiaosides A-L (1–12), and six known analogs (13–18) were isolated from the roots of S. grosvenorii. The structures of isolated norcucurbitacin glycosides were elucidated by comprehensive data analyses, including HRESIMS, UV, IR, NMR, ECD calculations, and X-ray crystallography analysis. Siraitiaosides A-E (1–5) featured an unusual 19,29-norcucurbitacin framework while siraitiaosides F-L (6–12) featured a rare 29-norcucurbitacin framework. Notably, compound 4 displayed moderate anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity with an IC50 of 21.0 μM, meanwhile, compounds 16 and 18 exhibited pronounced cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, CNE-1, and HeLa cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 2.1–15.2 μM. In silico studies showed that compound 4 bound closely to AChE with a binding energy of −5.04 kcal/mol, and compound 18 could tightly bind to PI3K, AKT1, ERK2, and MMP9 proteins that related to autophagy, apoptosis, migration/invasion, and growth/proliferation. In summary, the roots of Siraitia grosvenorii have potential medicinal values due to the multiple bioactive components.

Daily consumption of Siraitia grosvenorii alleviated lipid accumulation and colon barrier injury via modulation of gut microbiota in high-fat diet C57BL/6 mice

Daily consumption of <em>Siraitia grosvenorii</em> alleviated lipid accumulation and colon barrier injury via modulation of gut microbiota in high-fat diet C57BL/6 mice

Sugar or Sweetener?

Human beings have a natural craving for sweets. The intensity of this craving varies with genetic and environmental factors; however, excessive use of table sugar has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including increased risk of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. As such, the World Health Organization has called for restricting sugar consumption to less than 5% of total energy intake. For those who have a "sweet tooth," implementing these guidelines is not easy. Hence, the interest in alternative sweeteners. There are eight high-intensity sweeteners that are either approved by the Food and Drug Administration or designated as generally regarded to be safe. The safety of the currently available sweeteners has been questioned. Large cohort studies have reported a positive correlation between sweetener use with weight gain and metabolic risk. A recent meta-analysis, however, concluded that using low- or no-calorie sweetener was associated with small improvements in body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors without evidence of harm. Nevertheless, the World Health Organization advises against the use of nonsugar sweeteners. The biological effects of natural sweeteners such as steviol, monk fruit extract, tagatose, allulose, and sweet proteins (eg, brazzien, miraculin, thaumatin) are not well studied. Eating less sugar is a prudent thing to do, but for people with diabetes mellitus and those at risk of diabetes mellitus, diversifying the type of the sweetener and limiting the quantity may be reasonable.

A Study on Sensory Quality Characteristics of Madeleine Sweetened with Monk Fruit Extract Powder

A Study on Sensory Quality Characteristics of Madeleine Sweetened with Monk Fruit Extract Powder

Development of New Multi-Glycosylation Routes to Facilitate the Biosynthesis of Sweetener Mogrosides from Bitter Immature Siraitia Grosvenorii Using Engineered Escherichia coli.

Mogrosides, which have various pharmacological activities, are mainly extracted from Siraitia grosvenorii (Luo Han Guo) and are widely used as natural zero-calorie sweeteners. Unfortunately, the difficult cultivation and long maturation time of Luo Han Guo have contributed to a shortage of mogrosides. To overcome this obstacle, we developed a highly efficient biosynthetic method using engineered Escherichia coli to synthesize sweet mogrosides from bitter mogrosides. Three UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) genes with primary/branched glycosylation catalytic activity at the C3/C24 sites of mogrosides were screened and tested. Mutant M3, which could catalyze the glycosylation of nine types of mogrosides, was obtained through enhanced catalytic activity. This improvement in β-(1,6)-glycosidic bond formation was achieved through single nucleotide polymorphisms and direct evolution, guided by 3D structural analysis. A new multienzyme system combining three UGTs and UDP-glucose (UDPG) regeneration was developed to avoid the use of expensive UDPG. Finally, the content of sweet mogrosides in the immature Luo Han Guo extract increased significantly from 57% to 95%. This study not only established a new multienzyme system for the highly efficient production of sweet mogrosides from immature Luo Han Guo but also provided a guideline for the high-value utilization of rich bitter mogrosides from agricultural waste and residues.

Mogroside V and mogrol: unveiling the neuroprotective and metabolic regulatory roles of Siraitia grosvenorii in Parkinson's disease.

Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey, is an edible and traditional medicine widely used in China. Mogroside V (MGV) and mogrol (MG) are its main active ingredients, which have been found to be effective in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases recently. However, whether they can effectively treat Parkinson's disease (PD) and their underlying mechanisms have not been sufficiently explored. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective and metabolic regulatory effects of MGV and MG on PD. Using SH-SY5Y cell models and an MPTP-induced mouse model of PD, we evaluated the compounds' efficacy in mitigating MPP+-induced neurotoxicity and ameliorating motor deficits and dopaminergic neuron loss. Employing widely targeted metabolomics and bioinformatics analysis to investigate the Metabolic imbalance rectification caused by MGV and MG treatment. The vivo experimental protocol encompassed a 14-day drug administration regimen with mice randomly allocated into six groups (n = 9) receiving distinct compound dosages including a control group, a model group, MGV-H (30mg/kg/day), MGV-L (10mg/kg/day), MG-H (15mg/kg/day), and MG-L (3mg/kg/day). Our findings revealed that pre-treatment with MGV and MG significantly enhanced cell viability in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to MPP+, demonstrating a potent protective effect against neurotoxicity. In the MPTP mouse model, MGV-H, MGV-L, and MG-H significantly enhanced motor coordination as assessed by the rotarod test (p < 0.05); MGV-L and MG-H evidently inhibited dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta (p < 0.05). Furthermore, metabolomic analysis of the substantia nigra highlighted the restoration of metabolic balance, with MGV-L and MG-H impacting 160 differential metabolites and modulating key pathways disrupted in PD, including sphingolipid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. Notably, treatment with MGV-L and MG-H led to the regulation of 106 metabolites, showing a recovery trend towards normal levels, which constitutes approximately 17.5% of the identified metabolites. Key metabolites such as n-acetyl-l-glutamate, hexadecanoic acid, and 9-octadecenal were significantly altered (p < 0.05), underscoring their broad-spectrum metabolic regulatory capacity. This study underscores the potential of natural compounds in developing comprehensive treatment strategies for neurodegenerative diseases, paving the way for future clinical research to validate the therapeutic efficacy of mogrosides in PD.

Recent Advances in the Distribution, Chemical Composition, Health Benefits, and Application of the Fruit of Siraitia grosvenorii.

The fruits of Siraitia grosvenorii (S. grosvenorii) have attracted a lot of scientific interest as part of the current healthy diet. S. grosvenorii has diverse health-promoting effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, respiratory modulation, metabolic modulation, antitumor, and neuroprotective effects, as well as gastrointestinal function modulation. As a plant resource, S. grosvenorii has broad application prospects, which promotes the development of the horticultural industry. Moreover, Mogroside has attracted much attention as an important active ingredient of S. grosvenorii. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the distribution, chemical composition, health benefits, and application of S. grosvenorii, particularly Mogroside. This comprehensive exploration highlights the important therapeutic potential of S. grosvenorii, prompting further research into its applications. As value-added functional ingredients, S. grosvenorii and its constituents have significant potential for disease prevention and are widely used in the development of food and health supplements.

Mogroside V reduced the excessive endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitigated the Ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium in mice

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory condition of the colon, characterized by repeated attacks, a lack of effective treatment options, and significant physical and mental health complications for patients. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a vital intracellular organelle in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is induced when the body is exposed to adverse external stimuli. Numerous studies have shown that ERS-induced apoptosis plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of UC. Mogroside V (MV), an active ingredient of Monk fruit, has demonstrated excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of MV on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC and its potential mechanisms based on ERS. The results showed that MV exerted a protective effect against DSS-induced UC in mice as reflected by reduced DAI scores, increased colon length, reduced histological scores of the colon, and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as decreased intestinal permeability. In addition, the expression of ERS pathway including BIP, PERK, eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, as well as the apoptosis-related protein including Caspase-12, Bcl-2 and Bax, was found to be elevated in UC. However, MV treatment significantly inhibited the UC and reversed the expression of inflammation signaling pathway including ERS and ERS-induced apoptosis. Additionally, the addition of tunicamycin (Tm), an ERS activator, significantly weakened the therapeutic effect of MV on UC in mice. These findings suggest that MV may be a therapeutic agent for the treatment of DSS-induced UC by inhibiting the activation of the ERS-apoptosis pathway, and may provide a novel avenue for the treatment of UC.

Nutritional composition of monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii) as a candidate yogurt sweetener

Yogurt is a dairy product considered a healthy food due to its nutritional and health benefits. To add flavor to the yogurt, sucrose is added, which causes an increase in calories and makes it unsafe for diabetics. Monk fruit is the fruit of the Chinese plant Luo Han Guo (Siraitia grosvenorii). Monk fruit is known for its sweet flavor. This study aimed to determine the nutritional compounds of monk fruit. This study will focus on characterizing the biochemical composition of monk fruit with the objects of peel (T1), flesh (T2), and whole fruit (T3). Each object consists of 6 replications with parameters: water content (%), ash (%), fat (%), protein (%), carbohydrate (%), and the percentage of total sugar (%). The data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA. The Duncan test was followed when performing the multiple comparisons. The results obtained showed nonsignificant differences (P>0.05) in total sugar (%). The flesh contains the least water and ash (P<0.05) compared to the peel and whole fruit; the peel contains the lowest protein and the highest carbohydrate (P<0.05), the whole fruit contains the lowest fat; but total sugar (%) is the highest compared to the peel and flesh (P>0.05). Based on the nutritional composition of this study, it is recommended that the best part of monk fruit as a candidate natural sweetener for yogurt is the flesh. Although total sugar (%) was not significantly different from other monk fruit parts, the flesh had the highest protein (P<0.05) and the lowest fat (P<0.05), which is equivalent to low calories. The flesh of monk fruit as a low-calorie sugar alternative can be used in functional foods that have many health benefits, so it is a great candidate for yogurt sweetener.

Plant endophytic fungi exhibit diverse biotransformation pathways of mogrosides and show great potential application in siamenoside I production

Fungal endophytes, as an untapped resource of glycoside hydrolase biocatalysts, need to be further developed. Mogroside V, the primary active compound in Siraitia grosvenorii fruit, can be converted into other various bioactive mogrosides by selective hydrolysis of glucose residues at C3 and C24 positions. In present study, 20 fungal strains were randomly selected from our endophytic fungal strain library to assess their capability for mogroside V transformation. The results revealed that relatively high rate (30%) endophytic fungal strains exhibited transformative potential. Further analysis indicated that endophytic fungi could produce abundant mogrosides, and the pathways for biotransforming mogroside V showed diverse. Among the given fungal endophytes, Aspergillus sp. S125 almost completely converted mogroside V into the end-products mogroside II A and aglycone within just 2 days of fermentation; Muyocopron sp. A5 produced rich intermediate products, including siamenoside I, and the end-product mogroside II E. Subsequently, we optimized the fermentation conditions for Aspergillus sp. S125 and Muyocopron sp. A5 to evaluate the feasibility of large-scale mogroside V conversion. After optimization, Aspergillus sp. S125 converted 10 g/L of mogroside V into 4.5 g/L of mogroside II A and 3.6 g/L of aglycone after 3 days of fermentation, whereas Muyocopron sp. A5 selectively produced 4.88 g/L of siamenoside I from 7.5 g/L of mogroside V after 36 h of fermentation. This study not only identifies highly effective biocatalytic candidates for mogrosides transformation, but also strongly suggests the potential of plant endophytic fungi as valuable resources for the biocatalysis of natural compounds.

Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Chondroprotective Activities of Siraitia grosvenorii Residual Extract.

Inflammation is crucial to osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate Siraitia grosvenorii residue extract (NHGRE) obtained by extracting S. grosvenorii fruits with water as a potential food supplement for treating arthritis based on its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and chondroprotective effects and the remaining residue with 70% ethanol. We observed the analgesic activity of NHGRE based on the acetic acid-induced writhing response in mice, examined its anti-inflammatory efficacy against carrageenan-induced paw oedema in mice, and investigated its effect on inflammatory cytokine expression in interleukin (IL)-1β-induced SW1353 cells. Furthermore, we determined its effects on cartilage protection in interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-treated SW1353 cells. NHGRE at 200 mg/kg significantly reduced the acetic acid-induced writhing response and prevented oedema formation in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema model. In IL-1β-induced SW1353 cells, NHGRE at 400 µg/mL reduced the expression of inflammation mediators such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α (55.3%), IL-6 (35.4%), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (36.9%) and down-regulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 (38.6%), MMP-3 (29.3%), and MMP-13 (44.8%). Additionally, it restored degraded collagen II levels in chondrocytes. NHGRE plays a protective role in chondrocytes by regulating Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation. Overall, NHGRE may be a useful therapeutic agent for OA by controlling pain, oedema formation, and inflammation-related mechanisms.

A Flavonoid Glycoside Compound from Siraitia grosvenorii with Anti-Inflammatory and Hepatoprotective Effects In Vitro.

Inflammation is a pivotal factor in the development and advancement of conditions like NAFLD and asthma. Diet can affect several phases of inflammation and significantly influence multiple inflammatory disorders. Siraitia grosvenorii, a traditional Chinese edible and medicinal plant, is considered beneficial to health. Flavonoids can suppress inflammatory cytokines, which play a crucial role in regulating inflammation. In the present experiments, kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnoside-7-O-β-D-xylosyl(1→2)-O-α-L-rhamnoside (SGPF) is a flavonoid glycoside that was first isolated from S. grosvenorii. A series of experimental investigations were carried out to investigate whether the flavonoid component has anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects in this plant. The researchers showed that SGPF has a stronger modulation of protein expression in LPS-induced macrophages (MH-S) and OA-induced HepG2 cells. The drug was dose-dependent on cells, and in the TLR4/NF-κB/MyD88 pathway and Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, SGPF regulated all protein expression. SGPF has a clear anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective function in inflammatory conditions.

A comprehensive review of Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey: chemical composition, pharmacology, toxicology, status of resources development, and applications.

Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey (S. grosvenorii), a perennial indigenous liana from the Cucurbitaceae family, has historically played a significant role in southern China's traditional remedies for various ailments. Its dual classification by the Chinese Ministry of Health for both medicinal and food utility underscores its has the potential of versatile applications. Recent research has shed light on the chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and toxicity of S. grosvenorii. Its active ingredients include triterpenoids, flavonoids, amino acids, volatile oils, polysaccharides, minerals, vitamins, and other microconstituents. Apart from being a natural sweetener, S. grosvenorii has been found to have numerous pharmacological effects, including alleviating cough and phlegm, preventing dental caries, exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects, anti-aging and anti-oxidative, hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, anti-depression, anti-fatigue, anti-schizophrenic, anti-Parkinson, anti-fibrotic, and anti-tumor activities. Despite its versatile potential, there is still a lack of systematic research on S. grosvenorii to date. This paper aims to address this gap by providing an overview of the main active components, pharmacological efficacy, toxicity, current status of development and application, development dilemmas, and strategies for intensive exploitation and utilization of S. grosvenorii. This paper aims to serve as a guide for researchers and practitioners committed to exploiting the biological resources of S. grosvenorii and further exploring its interdisciplinary potential.

Abundance and diversity of fungal endophytes isolated from monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii) grown in a Canadian research greenhouse.

Monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii) is an herbaceous perennial vine of the Cucurbitaceae family cultivated commercially mainly in southern China. There is very little information available about the fungal endophytes in monk fruit. In this study, monk fruit plants were grown from seeds in a research greenhouse at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in British Columbia, Canada to explore the abundance and diversity of their fungal endophytes. Fungal endophytes were isolated from seeds, seedlings, mature monk fruit plants, and fruits, and cultured on potato dextrose agar and water agar media. Isolates were identified by microscopic examination and BLAST comparison of ITS sequences to published sequences in GenBank. At least 150 species of fungal endophytes representing 60 genera and 20 orders were recovered from monk fruit tissues. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) was carried out to explore the similarity of fungal communities among roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds based on fungal orders. Our study showed that monk fruit plants are a rich source of fungal endophytes with the greatest abundance and diversity in leaves. This work has deepened our understanding of the intricate interactions between plants and fungi that sustain ecosystems and underpin plant health and resilience.

Development of robust in vitro propagation protocol and cyto-genetic fidelity assessment of Siraitia grosvenorii (monk fruit)

Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey of the family Cucurbitaceae is a unique and precious plant of medicinal and economic importance in the international market. Due to the huge market potential and to narrow down the gap between demand and supply, an efficient in vitro propagation system using nodal explants was established. Shoot nodal segments were cultured in medium supplemented with different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kinetin (Kn 1.0–7.5 µM). A two-stage culture is recommended for micropropagation of S. grosvenorii. The highest shoot multiplication was observed in BAP-supplemented medium (5.0 µM), whereas rooting was observed in half-strength MS medium supplemented with 8.75 µM of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Fully developed plantlets were acclimatized with 100 % survival in sterilized sand. These hardened 15-day-old plants were successfully established under shade net conditions in fields. In vitro raised plants were found genetically stable using molecular markers, including RAPD and ISSR. The 2C nuclear DNA content using flow cytometry was observed to be 0.73–0.76 pg. Hence, the protocol developed for in vitro propagation of S. grosvenorii is cost-effective and can be efficiently used for the industrial production of this natural sweetener and pharmaceutically important plants.