Nature's soothing solution: Harnessing the potential of food-derived polysaccharides to control inflammation

Author(s)

Pedrosa, Lucas de Freitas ; de Vos, Paul ; Fabi, Joao Paulo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CURRENT RESEARCH IN STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY; v. 6, p. 11-pg., 2023-11-17.

Abstract

Reducing inflammation by diet is a major goal for prevention or lowering symptoms of a variety of diseases, such as auto-immune reactions and cancers. Natural polysaccharides are increasingly gaining attention due to their potential immunomodulating capacity. Structures of those molecules are highly important for their effects on the innate immune system, cytokine production and secretion, and enzymes in immune cells. Such polysaccharides include beta-glucans, pectins, fucoidans, and fructans. To better understand the potential of these immunomodulatory molecules, it is crucial to enhance dedicated research in the area. A bibliometric analysis was performed to set a starting observation point. Major pillars of inflammation, such as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), enzymatic production of inflammatory molecules, and involvement in specific pathways such as Nuclear-factor kappa-B (NF-kB), involved in cell transcription, survival, and cytokine production, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), a regulator of genetic expression, mitosis, and cell differentiation. Therefore, the outcomes from polysaccharide applications in those scenarios are discussed. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/07914-8 - FoRC - Food Research Center
• Grantee: Bernadette Dora Gombossy de Melo Franco
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 20/08063-5 - Study of the biological effects of modified passion fruit pectins using in vitro and in vivo models of Colon Carcinogenesis
• Grantee: Lucas de Freitas Pedrosa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 22/12834-2 - Effects of modified pectins on gut health: pre-clinical and clinical studies to assess cellular, transcriptional, and epigenetic effects
• Grantee: Joao Paulo Fabi
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants