Green synergistic non-thermal processing of Xinhui Chenpi: targeted fraction screening and mechanistic elucidation of antioxidant enhancement in Caenorhabditis elegans.

BACKGROUND

Xinhui Chenpi (CP) is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids with excellent bioactivity, but its high-value biomass utilization is restricted. Green non-thermal processing can effectively maintain the structural integrity of bioactive small molecules, which is promising for the efficient valorization of CP resources. However, targeted preparation of high-activity CP fractions and their in vivo antioxidant mechanisms, as well as potential targets against alcoholic fatty liver (AFL), remain poorly clarified.

RESULTS

A high-activity CP fraction (CPSU-H) was selectively prepared via pulsed electric field-ultrasonic synergistic extraction, ethanol polarity grading fractionation and HPD100 macroporous resin adsorption purification. CPSU-H significantly reduced malondialdehyde content to 0.32 ± 0.07 nmol mg protein-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans, and increased total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities to 80.35 ± 2.15, 148.73 ± 9.05 and 9.74 ± 0.52 U mg protein-1, respectively, showing strong in vivo antioxidant enhancement under non-stressed conditions. CPSU-H was dominated by neohesperidin and narirutin; nucleocytoplasmic transport pathway, longevity regulating pathway and nucleotide metabolism pathway were speculated to serve as the core signaling and metabolic pathways for its antioxidant enhancement. In addition, it could exert potential intervention effect on AFL through targeting proteins PTGS2, TNF, SRC, MMP9 and EGFR.

CONCLUSION

This study realizes the directional green preparation of CPSU-H and clarifies its antioxidant mechanism under non-stressed conditions and AFL-related target proteins. The findings support the potential development of CPSU-H as natural antioxidants and functional food components, and provide a theoretical basis for high-value utilization of CP biomass and extended application of synergistic non-thermal processing technologies. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.