Intestinal Barrier Protective Study of Jujube Peel Polyphenols/Zein Complexes by a Combined Caco‑2 Cell and Caenorhabditis elegans Model: A Perspective of Proteomics

Jujube
peels have been recognized as a promising resource of several
bioactive ingredients. The main composition of jujube peel polyphenols
(JPP) has been identified as rutin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinosid, and salicylic acid. The JPP/zein complexes, whose bioavailability
reached 69.73% ± 5.06% in vitro, have been formed
successfully. The Caco-2 cell and Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) models have been combined
to detect the intestinal barrier protective effect of JPP and its
complexes. Results showed that JPP/zein complexes contain better protection
capability than JPP in both models. In the Caco-2 cell model, the
complex relieved intestinal barrier damage by regulating the tight
junction proteins. Moreover, the lysosome pathway has been activated,
further regulating immune responses and lipid transportation, improving
the barrier function of C. elegans after
incubation with JPP/zein complexes according to the proteomics study.
This work provides new insights into intestinal barrier protection
with bioactive compounds.