Oyster shells water extract ameliorates propylthiouracil-induced goitre in rats via PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway

Abstract Oysters are recognized for flavor and health benefits, but their shells are regarded as waste, contributing to resource inefficiency. This study investigates the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of oyster shells, using a fraction partitioning approach to separate the oyster...

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Main Authors: Hongyi Zhang, Qiaoling Ma, Weichao Wang, Bin Wang, Jiawen Liu, Fu Wang, Yuan Hu, Lin Chen, Youping Liu, Qi Wang, Hongping Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:npj Science of Food
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-025-00483-y
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author Hongyi Zhang
Qiaoling Ma
Weichao Wang
Bin Wang
Jiawen Liu
Fu Wang
Yuan Hu
Lin Chen
Youping Liu
Qi Wang
Hongping Chen
author_facet Hongyi Zhang
Qiaoling Ma
Weichao Wang
Bin Wang
Jiawen Liu
Fu Wang
Yuan Hu
Lin Chen
Youping Liu
Qi Wang
Hongping Chen
author_sort Hongyi Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Oysters are recognized for flavor and health benefits, but their shells are regarded as waste, contributing to resource inefficiency. This study investigates the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of oyster shells, using a fraction partitioning approach to separate the oyster shells water extract (WE) into two fractions: WE of extra-membranous (WEE, <1000 kDa) and intra-membranous (WEI, >1000 kDa). Using UPLC-Q-Exactive MS, 231 components were identified such as organic acids, amino acids. ELISA analysis revealed that high-dose WEE significantly increased serum T3, T4, FT3, and FT4 levels while reducing TSH, and improved thyroid tissue lesions. Network pharmacology identified 291 drug-disease intersection targets enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway. Furthermore, the RT-qPCR and WB results showed that high-dose WEE protected against propylthiouracil-induced goitre by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway. This study evaluated the anti-goitre potential properties of WE and provided a theoretical basis for further development of oyster shells as a functional food source.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2396-8370
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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series npj Science of Food
spelling doaj-art-b3a9ef48b8614650bf475190dec6d6ed2025-08-20T03:47:16ZengNature Portfolionpj Science of Food2396-83702025-06-019111210.1038/s41538-025-00483-yOyster shells water extract ameliorates propylthiouracil-induced goitre in rats via PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathwayHongyi Zhang0Qiaoling Ma1Weichao Wang2Bin Wang3Jiawen Liu4Fu Wang5Yuan Hu6Lin Chen7Youping Liu8Qi Wang9Hongping Chen10State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineJiangmen Institute for Drug ControlState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineAbstract Oysters are recognized for flavor and health benefits, but their shells are regarded as waste, contributing to resource inefficiency. This study investigates the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of oyster shells, using a fraction partitioning approach to separate the oyster shells water extract (WE) into two fractions: WE of extra-membranous (WEE, <1000 kDa) and intra-membranous (WEI, >1000 kDa). Using UPLC-Q-Exactive MS, 231 components were identified such as organic acids, amino acids. ELISA analysis revealed that high-dose WEE significantly increased serum T3, T4, FT3, and FT4 levels while reducing TSH, and improved thyroid tissue lesions. Network pharmacology identified 291 drug-disease intersection targets enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway. Furthermore, the RT-qPCR and WB results showed that high-dose WEE protected against propylthiouracil-induced goitre by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway. This study evaluated the anti-goitre potential properties of WE and provided a theoretical basis for further development of oyster shells as a functional food source.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-025-00483-y
spellingShingle Hongyi Zhang
Qiaoling Ma
Weichao Wang
Bin Wang
Jiawen Liu
Fu Wang
Yuan Hu
Lin Chen
Youping Liu
Qi Wang
Hongping Chen
Oyster shells water extract ameliorates propylthiouracil-induced goitre in rats via PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway
npj Science of Food
title Oyster shells water extract ameliorates propylthiouracil-induced goitre in rats via PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway
title_full Oyster shells water extract ameliorates propylthiouracil-induced goitre in rats via PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway
title_fullStr Oyster shells water extract ameliorates propylthiouracil-induced goitre in rats via PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway
title_full_unstemmed Oyster shells water extract ameliorates propylthiouracil-induced goitre in rats via PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway
title_short Oyster shells water extract ameliorates propylthiouracil-induced goitre in rats via PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway
title_sort oyster shells water extract ameliorates propylthiouracil induced goitre in rats via pi3k akt bcl 2 pathway
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-025-00483-y
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