Targeted and non-targeted metabolic characteristics of 6,7-dihydroxy-2,4- dimethoxyphenanthrene during simulated gastrointestinal digestion

• Published in: Food chemistry 2025-02, Vol.464 (Pt 1), p.141534, Article 141534
• Main Authors: Li, Qian, Liu, Fan, Liao, Sentai, Zhou, Donglai, Xing, Dongxu, Zou, Yuxiao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Caco-2 Cells; Characteristic metabolism; Chinese yam; Cyclooxygenase 2 - metabolism; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors - pharmacology; Databases, Genetic; Digestion - drug effects; Digestion - physiology; Dioscorea - chemistry; Dioscorea - metabolism; Functional Food; Gastrointestinal digestion; Gastrointestinal Tract - drug effects; Gastrointestinal Tract - metabolism; Humans; Japan; Molecular Docking Simulation; Phenanthrenes; Principal Component Analysis; Signal Transduction - drug effects; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141534

6,7-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxyphenanthrene (PC4), isolated and identified from Chinese yam, was one of the important characteristic active ingredients. The present study established simulated gastrointestinal digestion and caco-2 intestinal epithelial models to investigate the digestive and metabolic characteristics of PC4. The results indicated that PC4 was mainly digested and metabolized in the intestine, with a digestion rate of 94 %, producing active characteristic metabolites including 2,6-dimethoxy-4-phenanthrenol (MC1) and 1-methoxyphenanthrene (MC2). Molecular docking indicated that the COX-2 enzyme inhibitory activity of MC1 might be superior to that of the prototype PC4. During 24 h co-incubation of PC4 with caco-2 monolayer epithelial, the signal pathway related to lipid decomposition was up-regulated within 0–12 h, while the diabetes complications AGE-RAGE was inhibited just in 0–6 h period significantly. The research database provided scientific basis for the digestion and metabolism of PC4, and laid theoretical foundation for the scientific development of Chinese yam functional foods. [Display omitted] •PC4 was mainly digested and metabolized in intestine, with a digestion rate of 94 %.•Characteristic metabolites including MC1 and MC2 were produced.•COX-2 inhibitory activity of MC1 might be superior to that of the prototype PC4.•Metabolites affected signaling pathways related to lipid decomposition and diabetes.