Metallic and phenolic compounds significantly impact the stability, flavor, and clarity of brandy, with implications for precipitation formation and human health. This study evaluated the effects of non-mineral pure-fiber paperboard (PF) and paperboard containing mineral filter (MF) on metallic elements and phenolic substances in ice wine pomace brandy aged in oak chips. The contents of 22 metallic elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Phenolic compounds were profiled by UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS and quantified by UPLC. Results demonstrated that temperature critically influenced metallic precipitation in MF, with Ca, Fe, Mg, Zn, and K increasing significantly at higher temperatures. Filtration markedly reduced polyphenol content, however, PF minimized phenolic loss compared to MF. A comparative analysis revealed that PF was superior to MF in reducing metallic introduction and preserving phenolic content. Thus, PF filtration at low temperatures (e.g., 0 °C) effectively clarifies and stabilizes ice wine pomace brandy while preserving phenolic compounds.

Acne is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disease. The overuse of antibiotics in current clinical treatment tends to induce drug resistance and skin irritation, highlighting the great significance of developing safe and effective natural anti-acne agents. Lonicera japonica Thunb. is rich in polyphenols with prominent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, and has been widely used in the treatment of skin diseases. In this study, polyphenols from Lonicera japonica Thunb. were extracted by ultrasonic-assisted extraction and purified by macroporous resin, and their antioxidant activities were evaluated in vitro, including DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion scavenging assays. Combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking, the anti-acne active components, targets and pathways were screened. The results showed that polyphenols from Lonicera japonica Thunb. exhibited significant antioxidant capacity. A total of 7 core polyphenol components and 121 intersecting targets associated with acne were obtained, among which IL-6 and AKT1 were identified as key targets. These components mainly functioned through TNF, IL-17, MAPK and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. Moreover, luteolin, kaempferol and quercetin could stably bind to core targets. This study revealed the multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway mechanism of polyphenols from Lonicera japonica Thunb. against acne, providing a theoretical basis for their development as natural anti-acne drugs.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with limited therapeutic options. Clerodendranthus spicatus, a traditional medicinal plant, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties, yet its bioactive compounds and mechanisms in UC remain unclear. Five polymethoxylated flavonoids (compounds 1-5) were isolated from Clerodendranthus spicatus, with three reported for the first time of this plant. An integrative approach combining network pharmacology, transcriptomics (GSE243625, GSE66407, GSE206171), weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), machine learning (LASSO and SVM-RFE), gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and molecular docking was employed to elucidate therapeutic mechanisms. Network pharmacology revealed that the five compounds converged on the IL-17 and TNF-α signaling pathways. Machine learning identified five core inflammation-related genes (NPTX2, SIGLEC12, SPINK4, SOX12, ZNF575), which were validated across independent cohorts (combined AUC > 0.81). GSEA confirmed that all five genes were embedded in cytokine/JAK-STAT, TLR/NF-κB, and TNF signaling networks. Molecular docking demonstrated favorable binding affinities (−8.0 to −4.8 kcal/mol) between the flavonoids and core targets. The five Clerodendranthus spicatus flavonoids exert anti-UC effects through dual mechanisms: modulating IL-17 and TNF-α pathways at the systems level and targeting core inflammatory genes at the molecular level, providing a scientific basis for developing natural product-derived UC therapeutics.

Polyphenols are key components in wine that contribute to its color, mouthfeel, antioxidant properties, and health benefits. Traditionally, the extraction and bioconversion of polyphenols depend on alcoholic fermentation mediated by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This review summarizes recent study on non-Saccharomyces yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, and their synergistic interactions that significantly modulate the composition, stability, and bioactivity of polyphenols. These microorganisms regulate the extraction, transformation, and stabilization of polyphenols through enzymatic reactions and interspecific interactions. Modern winemaking techniques, such as sequential inoculation, co-fermentation, and microbial immobilization, allow targeted control over the composition and concentration of polyphenols in wine. Potential future research should systematically elucidate polyphenol-microbe interaction mechanisms. In addition, functional microbial strains will be developed to enhance wine quality and health-promoting attributes. Progress in these areas will further promote the winemaking industry toward precision and functionalization.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a globally prevalent disease with a continuously increasing incidence rate. Galloylated procyanidins (GPCs) are promising polyphenols for UC treatment. In this study, the protective effects of B2-3′-O-gallate (B2- 3′-G), a typical GPC derived from grape seeds, were explored for the first time using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model. Treatment with B2-3′-G obviously mitigated body weight loss and reduced the Disease Activity Index (DAI). DSS-triggered splenomegaly and colonic shortening were also relieved after B2-3′-G administration. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining results indicated that B2-3′-G preserved the integrity of colonic mucosa, restored crypt morphology and inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration. Alcian Blue/Periodic Acid-Schiff (AB-PAS) staining further showed that B2-3′-G treatment increased the number of goblet cells, enhanced mucus secretion, and improved the continuity and thickness of the intestinal mucus layer. Collectively, these results confirm that B2-3′-G alleviates DSS-induced colitis by reducing intestinal inflammation and restoring colonic barrier function.