Search Results (94,914)

In the context of revitalizing the use of traditional plant species as remarkable sources of bioactive compounds, the determination of their biological effects is of utmost importance. Among Lamiaceae species, Teucrium montanum (Mountain Germander) represents understudied Mediterranean plant species; it is rich in polyphenols, which are well-studied biologically active compounds for human disease prevention and the reduction of oxidative stress, i.e., phenolic acids, phenylethanoid glycosides, and flavonoids. For that purpose, the aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, and genotoxic effects of Mountain Germander (MG) polyphenolic extract (0.025, 0.050, 0.150, and 0.500 mg extract mL⁻¹) on the hepatocellular (HepG2), tongue (CAL 27), gastric (AGS), and colorectal (Caco-2) continuous human cancer cell lines, as well as its bacteriostatic potential on representative members of human microbiota. In addition, the antioxidant potential of the MG polyphenolic extract was determined using bovine serum album and DNA plasmid as cellular model macromolecules. In vitro analysis revealed a significant cytotoxic effect of all MG extract concentrations on AGS and Caco-2 cell lines after prolonged treatment (24 h). In addition, treatment with 0.500 mg extract mL⁻¹ showed the most pronounced antioxidant effect under prolonged treatment (24 h) on CAL 27 and HepG2 cell lines. All of the applied MG extract concentrations seem to have a genoprotective effect on DNA plasmid. Furthermore, a significant inhibitory effect on E. coli was detected upon the treatment with 0.150 mg extract mL⁻¹, reducing the cell viability by 56%. Full article

Consumers are regularly exposed to well-known food contaminants (FCs), which are typically assessed for risk on an individual basis. However, there is limited knowledge about the overall levels and combinations of these compounds depending on dietary choices. The goal of this study was to estimate the real-life mixtures of FCs in different dietary models by integrating extensive data from the scientific literature concerning the reliable quantification of FCs in foods. A FAIR database detailing the occurrence of 73 FCs in 16 foods commonly consumed was built. The data were integrated into an omnivorous and a vegetarian dietary model. A weighted estimate of the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles of FCs in both dietary models revealed that the omnivorous model presented slightly higher levels of FCs than the vegetarian. At the 25th percentile, the FC levels in both dietary models fall within the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reference exposure levels for chemical hazards, except for arsenic, lead, cadmium, fumonisin B1, and OTA. At the 75th percentile, the FC levels exceed the EFSA reference levels for those FCs and additional mycotoxins. Using in vitro models, the 25th percentile can mimic real-life FC exposure, while the 75th percentile simulates a possible worst-case scenario. Full article

Abstract: This study presents an innovative investigation into the spatiotemporal dynamics of vegetation growth and its response to both individual and composite climatic factors. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), derived from SPOT satellite remote sensing data, was employed as a proxy for vegetation growth. Multiple analytical methods, including the coefficient of variation, Mann–Kendall trend analysis, and Hurst index, were applied to characterize the spatiotemporal patterns of the NDVI in Sichuan Province from 2000 to 2020. The Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) was calculated using monthly precipitation and temperature data from 45 meteorological stations to examine the influence of composite climatic factors on vegetation growth, while the time lag effects between the NDVI and various climatic variables were also explored. Our findings unveil three key insights: (1) Vegetation coverage in Sichuan Province exhibited an overall increasing trend, with the highest NDVI values in summer and the lowest in winter. Significant NDVI fluctuations were observed in spring in the western Sichuan plateau and in winter in northern, eastern, and southern Sichuan. (2) A significant upward trend in the NDVI was detected across Sichuan Province, except for Chengdu Plain, where a downward trend prevailed outside the summer season. (3) On shorter time scales, the NDVI was positively correlated with precipitation, temperature, and the SPEI, with a one-month lag. The response of the NDVI to sunlight duration showed a two-month lag, with the weakest correlation and a five-month lag in western Sichuan. This research advances our understanding of the complex interactions between vegetation dynamics and climatic factors in Sichuan Province and provides valuable insights for predicting future vegetation growth trends. Full article

Abstract: Common Juniper (Juniperus communis L.) is a gymnosperm that stands out through its fleshy, spherical female cones, often termed simply “berries”. The cone berries and various vegetative parts (leaves, twigs and even roots) are used in traditional phytotherapy, based on the beneficial effects exerted by a variety of secondary metabolites. While the volatile compounds of Juniperus communis are known for their aromatic properties and have been well-researched for their antimicrobial effects, this review shifts focus to non-volatile secondary metabolites—specifically diterpenes, lignans, and biflavonoids. These compounds are of significant biomedical interest due to their notable pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. The aim of this review is to offer an up-to-date account of chemical composition of Juniperus communis and related species, with a primary emphasis on the bioactivities of diterpenes, lignans, and biflavonoids. By examining recent preclinical and clinical data, this work assesses the therapeutic potential of these metabolites and their mechanisms of action, underscoring their value in developing new therapeutic options. Additionally, this review addresses the pharmacological efficacy and possible therapeutic applications of Juniperus communis in treating various human diseases, thus supporting its potential role in evidence-based phytotherapy. Full article

(1) Background: Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by the accumulation of an altered prion protein, which usually leads to death within one year after clinical onset. CJD patients usually present with rapid cognitive impairment associated with declines in cerebellar, motor, visual, behavioral, and swallowing functions. Moreover, CJD patients lose their ability to eat and take medications orally very early on in treatment; nevertheless, there are no specific nutritional guidelines for this disease shared worldwide. (2) Methods: This review aims to describe the nutritional outcomes of CJD patients in Western countries to compare them with those described in East Asian countries and then aims to explore the most recent trends in the nutritional management of CJD patients, including some dietary compounds that present neuroprotective effects. (3) Results: In Japan’s, Taiwan’s, and China’s healthcare systems, CJD patients receive intensive life-sustaining treatment that prolongs their survival (i.e., artificial feeding); conversely, in Western countries, intensive life-sustaining treatments like tube feeding are not commonly provided to CJD patients. (4) Conclusions: It is difficult to pinpoint the reasons for these discrepancies around CJD palliative care supply, but it is clear that specific nutritional guidelines may directly improve the nutritional management of CJD patients and thus allow their families and caregivers to ensure the best end-of-life care for these patients. Full article

The treatment of cancer represents one of the most significant challenges currently facing modern medicine. The search for new drugs that are effective in the treatment of patients is an ongoing endeavor. It is frequently the case that the molecular target of anticancer drugs is a DNA molecule. The therapeutic effect of a drug is achieved by influencing the structure of a macromolecule or by inhibiting its function. Among the synthetic substances with potential anticancer effects, particular attention should be paid to phthalic acid imide derivatives. Three phthalimide derivatives are employed in the treatment of multiple myeloma: thalidomide, pomalidomide, and lenalidomide. Nevertheless, the search for new derivatives with a diverse range of biological activities is ongoing. In light of the above, the subject of our investigation is four non-toxic phthalic acid imide derivatives. The objective was to analyze the interaction of these compounds with DNA. The use of spectroscopic and in silico methods has enabled us to demonstrate that all of the tested analogs can act as ligands for deoxyribonucleic acid, forming non-covalent bonds with it. All four compounds tested interact with the ctDNA molecule, binding in its minor groove. The most stable complex is formed here between deoxyribonucleic acid and the C derivative, in which the -CF₃ group is attached to the benzene ring. What is interesting and important, the described mechanism of action is analogous to that observed between ctDNA and thalidomide, pomalidomide, and lenalidomide. Full article

Spirulina (Limnospira platensis) is a microalga recognised for its rich nutritional composition and diverse bioactive compounds, making it a valuable functional food, feed, and therapeutic agent. This review examines spirulina’s chemical composition, including its high levels of protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, such as the phycocyanin pigment, polysaccharides, and carotenoids, in food, feed, and medicine. These compounds exhibit various biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic and lipid-lowering effects. Spirulina’s potential to mitigate oxidative stress, enhance immune function, and inhibit tumour growth positions it as a promising candidate for preventing chronic diseases. Additionally, spirulina is gaining interest in the animal feed sector as a promotor of growth performance, improving immune responses and increasing resistance to diseases in livestock, poultry, and aquaculture. Despite its well-documented health benefits, future research is needed to optimize production/cultivation methods, improve its bioavailability, and validate its efficacy (dose–effect relationship) and safety through clinical trials and large-scale human trials. This review underscores the potential of spirulina to address global health and nutrition challenges, supporting its continued application in food, feed, and medicine. Full article

Eucalyptus essential oil is widely valued for its therapeutic properties and extensive commercial applications, with its chemical composition significantly influenced by species variety, geographical origin, and environmental conditions. This study aims to develop a reliable method for identifying the geographical origin and variety of eucalyptus oil samples through the application of advanced analytical techniques combined with chemometric methods. Essential oils from Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus camaldulensis were analyzed using Gas Chromatography–Flame Ionization Detection (GC–FID) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. Chemometric analyses, including Orthogonal Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (O2PLS-DA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), were utilized to classify the oils based on their volatile compound profiles. Notably, O2PLS-DA was applied directly to the raw FTIR data without additional spectral processing, showcasing its robustness in handling unprocessed data. For geographical origin determination, the GC–FID model achieved a Correct Classification Rate (CCR) of 100%, with 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity for both calibration and validation sets. FTIR spectroscopy achieved a CCR of 100%, specificity of 100%, and sensitivity of 100% for the calibration set, while the validation set yielded a CCR of 95.83%, specificity of 99.02%, and sensitivity of 94.44%. In contrast, the analysis based on species variety demonstrated 100% accuracy across all metrics CCR, specificity, and sensitivity—for both calibration and validation using both techniques. These findings underscore the effectiveness of volatile and infrared spectroscopy profiling for quality control and authentication, providing robust tools for ensuring the consistency and reliability of eucalyptus essential oils in various industrial and therapeutic applications. Full article

Oncidium hybridum is one of the important cut-flowers in the world. However, the lack of aroma in its cut-flower varieties greatly limits the sustainable development of the Oncidium hybridum cut-flowers industry. This paper is an integral investigation of the diel pattern and influencing factors of the aroma release of Oncidium Twinkle ‘Red Fantasy’. GC-MS analysis revealed that the release of 3-Carene peaked at 10:00, while Butyl tiglate and Prenyl senecioate did so at 14:00, with a diel rhythm. By analyzing the correlation network between aroma component synthesis and differentially expressed genes, 15 key structural genes were detected and regulated by multiple circadian rhythm-related transcription factors. Cluster-17371.18_TPS, Cluster-65495.1_TPS, Cluster-46699.0_TPS, Cluster-60935.10_DXS, Cluster-47205.4_IDI, and Cluster-65313.7_LOX were key genes in the terpenoid and fatty acid derivative biosynthetic pathway, which were co-expressed with aroma release. Constant light/dark treatments revealed that the diurnal release of 3-Carene may be influenced by light and the circadian clock, and Butyl tiglate and Prenyl senecioate may be mainly determined by endogenous circadian clock. Under constant light treatment, the TPS, DXS, IDI, and LOX genes seem to lose their regulatory role in the release of aroma compounds from Oncidium Twinkle ‘Red Fantasy’. Under constant dark treatment, the TPS genes were consistent with the release pattern of 3-Carene, which may be a key factor in regulating the diel rhythm of 3-Carene biosynthesis. These results laid a theoretical foundation for the study of floral transcriptional regulation and genetic engineering technology breeding of Oncidium hybridum. Full article

This study aimed to explore the health impacts, mechanisms of toxicity, and key gene biomarkers of a mixture of the most prominent perfluoroalkyl/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through in silico ADMET and toxicogenomic analysis. The following databases and tools were used: AdmetSAR (2.0), ADMETlab (2.0), Comparative Toxicogenomic Database, ToppGene Suite portal, Metascape (3.5), GeneMANIA server, and CytoHubba and CytoNCA Cytoscape (3.10.3) plug-ins. ADMET analysis showed that PFAS compounds pose risks of organ-specific toxicity, prolonged retention, and metabolic disruptions. Forty mutual genes were identified for all the tested PFAS. The mutual gene set was linked to disruption of lipid metabolism, particularly through nuclear receptors. The most important gene clusters identified were nuclear receptor signaling and PPAR signaling pathways, with kidney and liver diseases, diabetes, and obesity as the most significant related diseases. Phenotype data showed that PFAS compounds impact cell death, growth, inflammation, steroid biosynthesis, and thyroid hormone metabolism. Gene network analysis revealed that 52% of the 40 mutual genes showed co-expression, with co-localization as the next major interaction (18.23%). Eight key genes were extracted from the network: EHHADH, APOA2, MBL2, SULT2A1, FABP1, PPARA, PCK2, and PLIN2. These results highlight the need for further research to fully understand the health risks of PFAS mixtures. Full article

Inonotus obliquus (Chaga) is a medicinal mushroom with several pharmacological properties that is used as a tea in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, Chaga water extract was digested in vitro to mimic the natural processing and absorption of its biocomponents when it is consumed as functional beverage, and its anticancer activities were evaluated in breast cancer (BC) cell lines, representing HER2-positive and triple-negative subtypes. After chemical characterization by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HR-QTOF) analysis, the effect of Chaga biocomponents on cell viability and cell cycle progression was assessed by MTT assay, FACS analysis, and Western blot. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) activity was measured by an enzymatic assay. Four highly bioactive triterpenoids (inotodiol, trametenolic acid, 3-hydroxy-lanosta-8,24-dien-21-al, and betulin) were identified as the main components, able to decrease BC cell viability and block the cell cycle in G0/G1 by inducing the downregulation of cyclin D1, CDK4, cyclin E, and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein. DHFR was identified as their crucial target. Moreover, bioactive Chaga components exerted a synergistic action with cisplatin and with trastuzumab in SK-BR-3 cells by inhibiting both HER2 and HER1 activation and displayed an immunomodulatory effect. Thus, Inonotus obliquus represents a source of triterpenoids that are effective against aggressive BC subtypes and display properties of targeted drugs. Full article

This study explores the effect of ultrasonic treatment followed by fermentation on the in vitro protein digestibility, protein solubility, functional properties, antioxidant activity, total carotenoid content, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in millet grains. Ultrasonic treatment was applied at different temperatures (20, 40, and 60 °C). The findings indicated significant improvements in phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity in terms of the results of the DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assays of millet grains after ultrasonic treatment alone or combined with fermentation. Moreover, the carotenoid and GABA contents were found to be significantly higher in the ultrasonic-treated grains. The protein solubility functional properties of the millet grains were also improved after the ultrasonic treatment alone or coupled with the fermentation process. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the combined ultrasonic treatment and fermentation of the millet grains could enhance their antioxidant activity, functional characteristics, and vital compounds. Furthermore, the partial least squares (PLS) validation model emphasised that the ultrasonic treatment of millet at 40 °C, followed by fermentation, is the most optimal treatment among the other treatments. Hence, the conclusions highlight the potential of combined ultrasonic (40 °C) and fermentation treatments to improve grains’ nutritional value and functional properties, making millet more suitable for use in health-promoting food products. Full article

Macrophage polarization critically contributes to a multitude of human pathologies. Hence, modulating macrophage polarization is a promising approach with enormous therapeutic potential. Macrophages are characterized by a remarkable functional and phenotypic plasticity, with pro-inflammatory (M1) and anti-inflammatory (M2) states at the extremes of a multidimensional polarization spectrum. Cell morphology is a major indicator for macrophage activation, describing M1(-like) (rounded) and M2(-like) (elongated) states by different cell shapes. Here, we introduced cell painting of macrophages to better reflect their multifaceted plasticity and associated phenotypes beyond the rigid dichotomous M1/M2 classification. Using high-content imaging, we established deep learning- and feature-based cell painting image analysis tools to elucidate cellular fingerprints that inform about subtle phenotypes of human blood monocyte-derived and iPSC-derived macrophages that are characterized as screening surrogate. Moreover, we show that cell painting feature profiling is suitable for identifying inter-donor variance to describe the relevance of the morphology feature ‘cell roundness’ and dissect distinct macrophage polarization signatures after stimulation with known biological or small-molecule modulators of macrophage (re-)polarization. Our novel established AI-fueled cell painting analysis tools provide a resource for high-content-based drug screening and candidate profiling, which set the stage for identifying novel modulators for macrophage (re-)polarization in health and disease. Full article

This study investigated the phytochemical profile and evaluated the antimicrobial and insecticidal properties of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn. essential oil (EC-EO) from Algeria, using in vitro and in silico approaches. The yield of EC-EO was 0.27%, with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealing spathulenol (58.24%), cryptone (17.22%), and o-cymene (15.53%) as the major compounds. EC-EO exhibited notable antibacterial activity, particularly against Salmonella typhimurium (14 ± 1.00 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (14.5 ± 0.50 mm). It also showed effective antifungal activity against Penicillium sp. (11.5 ± 0.49 mm), Candida albicans (11.2 ± 0.29 mm), and Aspergillus fumigatus (9.8 ± 0.27 mm). Insecticidal assays against Tribolium castaneum were conducted using contact toxicity, fumigation toxicity, and repellent activity methods. The median lethal concentration (LC50) for contact toxicity was 0.011 μL/insect after 72 h, while the fumigation test had an LC50 of 122.29 μL/L air. Repellent activity tests showed percentage repellency (PR) values exceeding 80% after 6 h. The molecular geometry and electronic properties of the main compounds were studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In addition, the interaction mode and binding affinity of these molecules with three key enzymes involved in antimicrobial activity, DNA gyrase, dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS), were explored by molecular docking. Full article

Different supramolecular motifs are formed by the crystallisation of amino-substituted derivatives of quinoxaline, pyrimidine and pyridazine. These were made from the corresponding mono- or dichlorinated heterocycles by a nucleophilic displacement reaction. The pyridine-type nitrogen atoms activate the chlorine atoms because they can stabilise a negative charge, which forms when the amine attacks the ring. One amino group can be attached under mild conditions in hot ethanol or acetonitrile, but the first then deactivates the ring so the second requires more forceful conditions using a pressure vessel at 150 °C. Butylamine is frequently used because it reduces the polarity of the product, making it easier to purify and isolate. The extended structure of the quinoxaline derivatives 16–18 show a common ‘pincer’ hydrogen-bond motif, with a quinoxaline nitrogen atom accepting two N–H···N hydrogen bonds, giving a spiral or helical axis. The chain symmetries are 4₁, 2₁ and 3₁, respectively, depending on the substituents. A stereoview of each is shown. The pyrimidine derivatives 19, 12, 20, 14 and 21 form hydrogen-bonded tapes and compound 20 forms inversion dimers. Full article