Nutrients

Background: Plant-derived bioactive compounds are increasingly investigated as modulators of cellular processes associated with healthy aging. Uncaria tomentosa is traditionally consumed as a botanical preparation, but the effects of its aqueous stem-bark extract on keratinocyte repair-related responses remain insufficiently characterized. Methods: The extract was examined using colorimetric assays, DPPH radical scavenging, and untargeted LC-HRMS/MS with molecular networking and in silico class prediction. Cell viability, membrane integrity, extracellular NDUFS7, superoxide, nitric oxide-related products, and cell-cycle distribution were assessed at 1–100 µg/mL. Scratch closure, cytomorphology, IL-1β, and TNF-α were evaluated at 1, 3, and 10 µg/mL. Results: The aqueous extract contained phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids and exhibited DPPH-scavenging activity. LC-HRMS/MS supported a diverse profile including flavonoid glycosides, caffeoylquinic acids, procyanidins, iridoids, and putative triterpenoid glycosides. The extract preserved viability and membrane integrity and did not produce marked basal redox imbalance or increased extracellular NDUFS7. It moderately redistributed cell-cycle phases without a classical arrest pattern. Scratch closure increased at 6 and 24 h. IL-1β decreased at 1 and 3 µg/mL, whereas TNF-α remained broadly stable. Conclusions: The aqueous extract enhanced keratinocyte monolayer closure and selectively modulated inflammatory and redox-metabolic responses relevant to inflammaging. Cellular senescence and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype were not directly demonstrated.

Background: Thyroid disorders and diabetes are among the most common endocrine and metabolic conditions affecting pregnant women. It is important to note that adequate serum thyroid hormone levels are essential for proper lactation. Diabetes, in turn, is associated with delayed lactogenesis, especially in cases of poor glycemic control. It should be emphasized that breastfeeding is globally recognized as the safest and most effective method of feeding infants. Human milk has a variable nutritional composition in distinct phases: colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk. Methods: The present observational cross-sectional study included 208 breastfeeding women between 3 and 12 months postpartum: 79 women with hypothyroidism, 53 women with type 2 diabetes, and 76 healthy controls. An analysis was conducted on a sample of human milk to determine its basic nutritional composition, cortisol concentration, and antioxidant status. This analysis utilized DPPH and FRAP assays, which are methods employed to assess the antioxidant capacity of a sample. The basic composition of human milk was analyzed using the MIRIS HMATM analyzer (Uppsala, Sweden). Cortisol levels were determined using an immunoenzymatic method. Results: In unadjusted analyses, milk fat content was higher in women with hypothyroidism and lower in women with type 2 diabetes compared with the control group. However, these differences were no longer statistically significant after adjustment for maternal and clinical covariates in multiple regression analyses. A lower reduction in the DPPH radical was shown in the milk of women with type 2 diabetes (13.8%) and in the milk of women with hypothyroidism (29%) compared to the control group. In the group of women with type 2 diabetes, cortisol levels positively correlated with the protein content and caloric content of milk. It was also noted that BMI in this group was significantly associated with the caloric content of human milk. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate differences in selected characteristics of human milk among the studied groups; however, their clinical relevance for infant health cannot be determined from the present study, as infant growth, body composition, and developmental outcomes were not assessed. Further prospective studies incorporating infant outcomes are needed to determine the clinical significance of these observations.

Algae are a promising source of biologically active compounds with potential significance for human health and modern food technology. Their diverse chemical composition includes, among other things, proteins and peptides, polyunsaturated fatty acids, polysaccharides, carotenoids, chlorophylls, polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive characterization of the bioactive potential of algae and to analyze their health-promoting properties and potential applications in the production of functional foods. Particular attention was paid to compounds that have been shown in studies to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive effects, as well as those that potentially support normal glucose metabolism and have anticancer properties. The importance of selected algal components in protecting cells from oxidative stress and modulating metabolic processes was also discussed. From a food technology perspective, the possibilities for using algal biomass and components isolated from it as functional additives, natural colorants, texturizers, and sources of nutrients were presented. The potential of algae as an alternative source of protein and lipids in response to the growing demand for sustainable food raw materials was also considered. At the same time, limitations related to the bioavailability of bioactive compounds, variability in chemical composition, the presence of potential contaminants, and the need to standardize methods were highlighted. An analysis of the available data indicates that algae may be a valuable raw material for the development of functional foods; however, fully realizing their potential requires further in vivo studies and clinical trials to confirm their efficacy and safety.