Tao Liu

The therapeutic landscape for neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, remains challenging due to their complex, multifactorial pathogenesis and the limited efficacy of conventional therapies that primarily offer symptomatic relief. The emergence of nanozymes, nanomaterials with intrinsic enzyme-mimicking activities, presents a promising opportunity for multi-targeted intervention. This review comprehensively explores the rational design and therapeutic mechanisms of nanozymes in combating core pathological features of NDs, such as oxidative stress, protein aggregation, and neuroinflammation. We critically assess their remarkable ability to cross the blood–brain barrier and execute synergistic functions, including reactive oxygen species scavenging, misfolded protein degradation, and modulation of microglial activation. Furthermore, we provide a detailed analysis of the application and efficacy of nanozymes across major NDs, alongside a discussion on pharmacokinetics, biosafety, and prevailing challenges. By delineating the structure-enzyme-mimicking activity relationships and cellular-level mechanisms, this review aims to establish a foundational framework for the future development of nanozyme-based neuroprotective strategies, supporting ongoing efforts toward disease-modifying interventions for NDs.

Many plant and fungal extracts (PFEs) show anti‐fatigue properties through various pathways, but synergistic formulas and mechanisms are unclear. We screened six PFEs using a sodium sulfite (Na ₂ SO ₃ )‐induced exercise fatigue zebrafish model and developed a synergistic anti‐fatigue formula based on the combination index (CI) method. Red ginseng (RG), Lycium ruthenicum (LR) and Ganoderma lucidum (GL) extracts were selected as formulation materials based on their potential synergistic possibilities. The formula demonstrated a strong synergistic effect on recovery rate with a CI of 0.04 when RG, LR, and GL were mixed at concentrations of 3.6, 4.0, and 14 μg/mL, respectively. Ginsenosides Re, LR anthocyanins and GL polysaccharides are the main anti‐fatigue components. The contents of ATP and SOD were increased by 39.1% and 53.9%, while lactic acid and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were decreased by 31.3% and 15.6%. Zebrafish swimming ability was restored by 97.6% relative to the control group, demonstrating a fatigue recovery effect comparable to that of Red Bull. The formula exerts anti‐fatigue effects by regulating muscle contraction, energy metabolism and oxidative stress at the relative rRNA expression. These findings highlight the promising potential of rationally designed PFEs combinations for functional food.

Background: Anaemia of chronic disease (ACD) is the second most common type of anaemia and lacks an effective treatment. Patients with anaemia are reported to have altered gut microbial profiles, which may affect erythropoiesis. Here, we investigated the gut microbial features of patients with ACD and determined whether regulating gut microbiota using washed microbiota transplantation (WMT) was effective in treating ACD.Methods: We compared the gut microbiota profile of patients with ACD and healthy controls, evaluated the efficacy of WMT on haematological parameters in the patients, and analysed the alterations in gut microbiota after WMT treatment.Results: Patients with ACD had lower gut microbial richness, and differences in microbial composition and function, relative to healthy controls. Additionally, the relative abundances of two butyrate‐producing genera Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group and Butyricicoccus, were positively correlated with the haemoglobin (HGB) level and lower in patients with ACD than controls. WMT significantly increased HGB levels in patients with ACD. After the first, second and third WMT rounds, normal HGB levels were restored in 27.02%, 27.78% and 36.37% (all p < .05) of patients with ACD, respectively. Moreover, WMT significantly increased the abundance of butyrate‐producing genera and downregulated gut microbial functions that were upregulated in patients with ACD.Conclusions: Patients with ACD exhibited differences in gut microbial composition and function relative to healthy controls. WMT is an effective treatment for ACD that reshapes gut microbial composition, restores butyrate‐producing bacteria and regulates the functions of gut microbiota.

Background Medium-chain monoglycerides (MG) are a group of 1-monoglycerides of medium-chain fatty acids with strong antibacterial activity, which may influence the gut microbiota in the diet of broilers. The present study evaluated the effects of mixed MG on the community and function of gut microbiota in broilers. A total of 528 newly hatched male yellow feathered broiler chicks were weighed and randomly assigned into four groups, including a basal diet (CON), a basal diet containing 300 mg kg⁻¹ MG (MG300), 450 mg kg⁻¹ MG (MG450), or 600 mg kg⁻¹ MG (MG600). Results The cecal acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid and total short-chain fatty acid of broilers in the MG-containing groups were notably increased compared with CON group. Dietary MG selectively increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae, Bacteroides and an unclassified genus of Lachnospiraceae family, but decreased the proportion of an unclassified genus of Barnesiellaceae and a norank genus of Flavobacteriaceae family in the cecum of broilers. Functional prediction revealed that MG supplementation enriched the microbial gene abundance of amino acid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism, while depleted the gene abundance of fat metabolism and energy metabolism. Moreover, the modulation of gut microbiota by MG supplementation was closely correlated with the alteration of muscle amino acids. Conclusion Dietary MG altered the gut microbiota community structure and metabolites, and modulated the gene abundance of microbial metabolism pathways in the cecum of broilers, which may further influence the growth performance, nutrient utilization and meat quality of the host.