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Phenolic-Rich Lentil Extracts Regulate Cytokine Production, Metabolic Pathways and Barrier Function in Intestinal
Rafaela Geraldo1, Manuela Machado1, Eduardo Costa1
1Universidade Católica Portuguesa, CBQF- Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina- Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Rua Diogo Botelho 1327, Porto, Portugal.
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
|August 7, 2026
Summary
Phenolic-rich lentils, particularly variety L01, show significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These lentils can positively influence gut health and metabolic regulation, supporting their use as functional foods.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Phenolic compounds in lentils possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties.
- Limited comparative studies exist on lentil varieties and their effects on intestinal cells.
- Lentils are a rich source of bioactive phenolic compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the nutritional composition, phenolic profile, antioxidant activity, and α-glucosidase inhibition of four lentil varieties in raw and cooked forms.
- To assess the effects of the most bioactive lentil (L01) on Caco-2 cells under basal and inflammatory conditions.
- To investigate the potential of lentils as functional food ingredients for gut and metabolic health.
Main Methods:
- Nutritional analysis, phenolic profiling (HPLC), antioxidant assays (DPPH, ORAC), and α-glucosidase inhibition assays were performed on four lentil varieties (raw and cooked).
- The most potent variety (L01) was selected for in vitro studies using Caco-2 cells stimulated with IL-1β.
- Gene expression (RT-qPCR) and cytokine secretion (ELISA) were analyzed in treated Caco-2 cells.
Main Results:
- Lentil variety L01 exhibited the highest phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and α-glucosidase inhibition.
- Cooking altered nutritional composition and phenolic profiles, increasing catechins but decreasing procyanidin oligomers in L01.
- L01 extracts reduced inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-8) and increased metabolic/barrier-related genes (PPAR-γ, SIRT1, OCLN, CDH1) in Caco-2 cells, with raw extracts showing stronger effects on HO-1 induction.
Conclusions:
- Significant compositional and bioactive differences exist among lentil varieties, independent of tegument color.
- Phenolic-rich lentils, especially L01, demonstrate potential for modulating gut inflammation and improving metabolic health.
- Further research into phenolic-rich lentils supports their development as functional food ingredients for targeted health benefits.
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