Spampinato Mariarita, Furnari Salvatore, Siracusa Laura, Malfa Giuseppe A, Distefano Alfio, La Spina Enrico, Gulisano Massimo, Furneri Pio Maria, Fuochi Virginia, Barbagallo Ignazio A
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 97, 95124 Catania, Italy.
Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, V.le A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy.
iScience. 2025 Aug 14;28(9):113345. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.113345. eCollection 2025 Sep 19.
The human gut microbiota is integral to host physiology, influencing immune responses, metabolic regulation, and digestion. Disruptions in this microbial community are linked to inflammatory and metabolic disorders. In this study, we explored the potential of pistachio leaf extract (PLE), a polyphenol-rich natural product, to support gut health. The extract, obtained from leaves harvested in Sicily, was chemically characterized and assessed for prebiotic-like, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. It promoted the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, inhibited pathogenic strains, and exhibited marked antioxidant activity. In patient-derived intestinal organoids, the extract reduced inflammation and enhanced antioxidant defenses, with no detectable cytotoxicity in human colon cells. These results suggested that PLE is a safe and multifunctional compound that may contribute to intestinal homeostasis, offering promise for its inclusion in future functional food formulations aimed at promoting gastrointestinal health.
人类肠道微生物群对宿主生理至关重要，影响免疫反应、代谢调节和消化。这种微生物群落的破坏与炎症和代谢紊乱有关。在本研究中，我们探索了富含多酚的天然产物开心果叶提取物（PLE）对肠道健康的潜在支持作用。该提取物取自西西里岛收获的叶片，进行了化学表征，并评估了其益生元样、抗菌、抗氧化和抗炎作用。它促进了有益肠道细菌的生长，抑制了致病菌株，并表现出显著的抗氧化活性。在患者来源的肠道类器官中，该提取物减轻了炎症并增强了抗氧化防御能力，在人结肠细胞中未检测到细胞毒性。这些结果表明，PLE是一种安全且多功能的化合物，可能有助于肠道稳态，有望被纳入未来旨在促进胃肠道健康的功能性食品配方中。
