Search Results (1,050)

This study provides the first comparative analysis of the physicochemical and functional properties of oil body suspensions derived from different parts—entire fruit (EOB), peel (POB), and seed (SOB)—of Idesia polycarpa Maxim (IPM) during in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Results demonstrated that the properties of the different suspensions exhibited significant difference during digestion stages. The average particle size of all suspensions decreased, with the most significant reduction observed in POB (91.50%), which was attributable to its lower interfacial protein content and inferior stability. The absolute ζ-potential decreased in the model of gastric digestion (MGD) due to interface disruption but increased in the model of intestinal digestion (MID) following the adsorption of bile salts. Throughout the simulated digestion process, the protein hydrolysis degree, free fatty acid (FFA) release rate, reducing power, and inhibition rates against α-amylase and α-glucosidase all increased, concurrently with a decrease in DPPH radical scavenging activity. Notably, the POB suspension exhibited the highest extent of lipid digestion, with the highest cumulative FFA release rate (27.83%). In contrast, the SOB suspension showed the most significant enhancement in total reducing power (increased by 199.32% after intestinal digestion) and the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. These findings clarify that the part source is a critical factor influencing the digestive properties and functional activities of IPM oil bodies, providing a theoretical foundation for the targeted application in functional foods. Full article

Background/Objectives: Plants of the Crassulaceae family have been utilized in traditional medicine because of their medicinal properties. Crassula capitella, an ornamental succulent plant, has not yet received significant attention from physiochemists or pharmacologists. The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro phytochemical properties and biological activity of methanolic extracts obtained from the leaves (CCLE) and inflorescences (CCIE) of C. capitella. Methods: Phytochemical screening included GC/MS analysis. The in vitro investigation of biological properties includes the assessment of antibacterial activity, utilizing disk diffusion assays and measuring MIC and MBC values for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Antioxidant properties were determined through IC50 values in DPPH and ABTS assays. Cytotoxicity properties were evaluated using the MTT assay in MCF-7 and HepG2 cells, along with an analysis of apoptosis gene expression. Additionally, the antidiabetic effects were examined through α-amylase or α-glucosidase inhibition assays. Results: GC/MS analysis revealed distinct differences. CCLE contained more terpenoids such as betulinaldehyde (30.53%) followed by lupeol (19%) and betulin (4.07%), whereas CCIE was rich in fatty acids. The TPC and TFC of CCIE (88.17 mg GAE/g and 57 mg QE/g) were significantly greater than those of CCLE. Compared with CCLE, CCIE exhibited greater antibacterial properties (MIC values of 6.25 µg/mL toward S. aureus), greater antioxidant properties (IC₅₀ values in the DPPH/ABTS assay), antitumor properties (IC₅₀ values of approximately 90–96 µg/mL), and antidiabetic properties (IC₅₀ values of 87–83 µg/mL in the α-amylase/α-glucosidase assay). Both bioactive extracts induced apoptosis in cancer cells by downregulating the expression of the tumorigenesis genes bcl-2 and bcl-xL. Conclusions: The findings provided the first evidence about the evaluated the potential antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, and antidiabetic activities of C. capitella, which is attributed to its robust chemical composition and position it as a compelling candidate for further in vivo and sub-clinical applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a serious global disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. It represents a major health concern affecting millions of people worldwide. This condition can lead to severe complications significantly affecting patients’ quality of life. Due to the limitations and side effects of current therapies, the search for safer and more effective antidiabetic agents, particularly from natural sources, has gained considerable attention. This study investigates the antidiabetic potential of seaweed-derived compounds through structure-based virtual screening targeting α-glucosidase. Methods: A library of compounds derived from the Seaweed Metabolite Database was subjected to a hierarchical molecular docking protocol against α-glucosidase. Extra Precision (XP) docking was employed to identify the top-ranked ligands based on their binding affinities. Drug-likeness was assessed according to Lipinski’s Rule of Five, followed by pharmacokinetic and toxicity predictions to evaluate ADMET properties. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were performed to analyze the electronic properties and chemical reactivity of the selected compounds. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to examine the stability and dynamic behavior of the ligand–enzyme complexes. Results: Following XP docking and ADMET prediction, four promising compounds were selected: Colensolide A, Rhodomelol, Callophycin A, and 7-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-3,7-dihydro-1H-purine-2,6-dione. Molecular dynamics simulations further confirmed the structural stability and strong binding interactions of these compounds within the α-glucosidase active site. Conclusions: This investigation demonstrated the important role of seaweed-derived compounds in inhibiting α-glucosidase activity. Further experimental validation is warranted to confirm their biological activity and therapeutic potential. Full article

Medicinal plants represent an important source of bioactive compounds whose composition and biological activity are strongly influenced by geographical origin and extraction conditions. In this study, six medicinal plants traditionally used in south-eastern Serbia (Galium verum, Filipendula vulgaris, Lythrum salicaria, Sideritis montana, Teucrium chamaedrys, and Teucrium montanum) were investigated for their phytochemical composition and antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, and antimicrobial activities. Aqueous and 40% ethanol extracts were prepared and analyzed for total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), followed by HPLC-DAD profiling of individual polyphenolic compounds. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, and reducing power assays, antihyperglycemic activity by α-glucosidase inhibition, and antimicrobial activity by the microdilution method against selected bacterial and fungal strains. L. salicaria exhibited the highest TPC (113.56–119.09 mg GAE/g DW), while F. vulgaris showed the highest TFC (65.74–66.31 mg RE/g DW). HPLC analysis revealed notable levels of ferulic acid in L. salicaria ethanol extract (39.12 mg/g DW), as well as rutin, luteolin, and myricetin in several species. Ethanol extracts generally demonstrated stronger antioxidant activity, with L. salicaria showing the highest DPPH (378.60 µM TE/g) and reducing power (684.06 µM TE/g), while its aqueous extract exhibited the highest ABTS activity (3621.93 µM TE/g). Strong antihyperglycemic activity was observed for F. vulgaris extracts (100% α-glucosidase inhibition). Antimicrobial assays revealed higher sensitivity of Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, with F. vulgaris and L. salicaria extracts showing the strongest effects. These findings highlight the significant influence of plant species and extraction solvent on bioactivity and support the potential of selected Serbian medicinal plants as sources of multifunctional natural bioactive compounds. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) on the physicochemical properties, biological activities, and intestinal flora regulatory capacity of jackfruit polysaccharides (JPs). Under optimized UAE conditions (liquid-to-solid ratio 30 mL/g, extraction time 30 min, power 90 W), the yield of JP reached 8.70 ± 0.11%. Compared with hot-water-extracted jackfruit polysaccharides (HAE-JPs), ultrasonic-assisted extracted jackfruit polysaccharides (UAE-JPs) exhibited a lower molecular weight, a smaller particle size, and a significant 11.5-fold increase in galacturonic acid content. Structural analyses confirmed that UAE-JPs retained a triple-helix and highly branched conformation but with enhanced exposure of acidic monosaccharides. These structural modifications contributed to superior antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibition ability, demonstrated by its lower IC₅₀ values against DPPH, ABTS radicals, and α-glucosidase. Crucially, in vitro fecal fermentation revealed that UAE-JPs and HAE-JPs differentially modulated the gut microbiota. UAE-JPs preferentially promoted the proliferation of Lactobacillus (an increase of 27.04%) and Bifidobacterium, facilitating short-term acidification. In contrast, HAE-JPs enriched butyrate-producing bacteria like Clostridium (increase of 18.56%). Both polysaccharides significantly inhibited the growth of Fusobacterium (a decrease of 5.23%) related to cancer. Consequently, this study establishes UAE as a green and efficient technique capable of not only modifying the structure of JPs but also precisely tailoring their prebiotic functionality, which ultimately demonstrates the potential of UAE-JPs as a functional food ingredient with enhanced bioactivity. Full article

Plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.) is a tropical monocotyledonous, succulent plant of the Musaceae family commonly grown for food in the tropical regions of the African, Asian, and South American continents, where its parts are also sought for ethnomedicinal purposes in the treatment of burns, inflammation, and diabetes, among others. In the present preliminary exploratory study, the ethanol extract of the underutilized Musa paradisiaca peel (MPE) was evaluated for its in vitro inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, as well as its in vivo hypoglycemic activity and potential biochemical toxicity. MPE (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) was orally administered to normal experimental rats for 30 days, following which the lipid profile, antioxidant status, and serum/tissue indices of hepatic, renal, and cardiac functions were evaluated. MPE produced significant inhibition (p < 0.05) of α-amylase (37%) and α-glucosidase (46%) at 120 µg/mL in vitro. The effect was lower than that of acarbose (IC₅₀ = 44.4 ± 1.14 and 15.60 ± 0.01 µg/mL, respectively). A modest blood glucose-lowering effect of MPE was observed at the highest tested dose (400 mg/kg) following subacute oral administration. During this treatment period, no biochemical alterations of toxicological importance were caused by MPE, as the organ–body weight ratio and serum/tissue indicators of organ function/damage were not adversely altered. In conclusion, MPE demonstrated inhibitory activity against both α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which may contribute to its potential hypoglycemic effects. Additionally, the findings indicate that the peel extract is non-toxic in rats following sub-acute administration at doses up to 400 mg/kg body weight. Further studies involving diabetic models and chronic exposure will substantiate and extend these preliminary observations. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), driving interest in food-derived peptides as safer multifunctional modulators. Coconut milk is a promising source, but its anti-hyperglycaemic and anti-glycation potential remains largely unexplored. Here, proteins from coconut cream, skimmed and insoluble fractions of coconut milk were enzymatically hydrolysed, and the resulting peptides were profiled by nano-ESI-Orbitrap-LC-MS/MS. One hundred and fourteen peptides were identified and screened in silico against α-glucosidase, α-amylase, aldose reductase and the receptor for AGEs (RAGE). Two peptides, MQIFVK and ADVFNPR, showed the most favourable docking scores and physicochemical properties. However, ADVFNPR inhibited all 3 diabetic targets & RAGE. Molecular dynamics analysis showed that both peptides bind stably to the diabetic targets. Both peptides were synthesised and evaluated in vitro. ADVFNPR significantly inhibited α-glucosidase, α-amylase and aldose reductase with lower IC₅₀ values and displayed competitive inhibition kinetics. It also scavenged methylglyoxal, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and superoxide radicals at low EC₅₀ values, and showed low hemolytic activity in human erythrocytes. These findings indicate that coconut milk contains multifunctional peptides with anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-glycation and antioxidant activities that may be further developed as food-derived adjuncts for managing T2DM and glycation-related complications. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poses a critical global health burden, necessitating safer multi-target therapies. We pioneer the exploration of novel bioactive peptides from Tenebrio molitor larvae—an underexplored, sustainable, and edible insect protein—through proteomics-guided screening and bioassays. Six unique peptides (DK-7, WK-6, GR-7, FK-8, SK-6, and DK-8) demonstrated significant α-glucosidase and dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory effects, and significant glucose consumption enhancement in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. Molecular docking revealed a binding topology where peptides interacted with α-glucosidase at its active sites (Glu271, Arg643, Arg647, Arg653, Tyr733, Lys765, and Glu767) and with DPP-IV at active residues (Phe357, Tyr547, Trp629, Asp729, and Gln731) through dual hydrogen-bond networks and hydrophobic interactions, establishing a novel inhibition mechanism. We wish to propose that insect-derived biopeptides have potential value as next-generation therapeutics, simultaneously advancing sustainable drug discovery and approximating functional food bioresources to biomedicine. Full article

The rising global prevalence of obesity and metabolic disorders calls for innovative dietary strategies that can modulate key enzymatic pathways involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. This study uncovers the effects of sulforaphane (SFN)-rich broccoli-derived formulations—including liquid and lyophilised forms, as well as two commercial prototypes, Sulforaphan^® BASIC and Sulforaphan^® SMART, the latter being characterised by the inclusion of an enteric-coated myrosinase enzyme designed to enhance the in situ conversion of glucosinolates (GSL) into bioactive isothiocyanates (ITC)—on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Across the formulations, total GSL content ranged widely, with GS0 showing the highest levels. Functionally, all SFN-rich formulations significantly reduced intracellular triglyceride content, with the SMART formulation achieving the strongest reduction (11% compared with untreated controls). Across enzymatic assays, we recorded that every formulation inhibited lipoprotein lipase and α-glucosidase activities, with Sulforaphan^® BASIC and Sulforaphan^® SMART leading to moderate inhibition (40–50%). The potent effect of SMART formulation may be associated with the presence of enteric-coated myrosinase, which enhances the conversion of GSL into bioactive ITC. The gathered evidence provides further insights into the potential of bioactive compounds in cruciferous foods to modulate metabolic health, underscoring their potential role in complementary therapeutic strategies for obesity and its comorbidities. Full article

This study aimed to develop and evaluate new hybrid strains of Pleurotus cystidiosus with enhanced functional and physiological characteristics. Hybridization between the parental strains KMCC01257 and KMCC05164 yielded four promising hybrid lines (PA-054, PA-104, PA-122, and PA-132), which were selected based on superior mycelial growth and yield performance. Morphological traits and productivity were evaluated across three developmental stages: primordium formation (C1), fruiting body development (C2), and maturation (C3). As cultivation progressed, the number of fruiting bodies decreased, whereas total yield per cultivation bag increased, indicating that late-stage management plays a critical role in maximizing productivity. Chemical analyses revealed that water extracts contained higher levels of polysaccharides, ergothioneine, and total phenolics than EtOAc extracts. Among the tested strains, PA-132 exhibited the highest phenolic content and strongest antioxidant activity, while PA-104 showed greater polysaccharide and ergothioneine accumulation than the parental strains. Antioxidant activity increased over developmental stages and was consistently higher in water extracts, whereas α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was detected primarily in EtOAc extracts with minimal variation among strains or stages. Overall, the results demonstrate that hybridization effectively enhanced the biosynthesis of bioactive metabolites and the functional properties of P. cystidiosus. The selected hybrid strains, particularly PA-132 and PA-054, represent promising candidates for the development of high-value functional mushroom cultivars and nutraceutical applications. Full article

Natural products derived from plants have been extensively developed as alternative medicines due to their relatively minimal side effects. Here we present the purification and characteristics of parasitic acid, a novel trinorditerpene from Dysoxylum parasiticum leaf extract, and investigate various bioactivities. The structure of this compound was elucidated using extensive spectroscopic techniques, including 1D and 2D NMR, and high-resolution mass spectrometry, which revealed a unique trinorditerpene skeleton featuring a 3-carboxyfuran moiety. The purified trinorditerpene exhibited cytotoxicity against MCF-7 (IC₅₀ 29.0 ± 0.8 μg/mL), antioxidant effects in the DPPH radical scavenging assay (IC₅₀ 10.91 ± 0.04 μg/mL), and inhibition of α-glucosidase enzyme (IC₅₀ 36 ± 1 μg/mL). Docking studies were also undertaken to explore the binding activities. This is the first report of a trinorditerpene-type diterpene from D. parasiticum with this unique combination of biological activities. Full article

This study assessed the effect of adding a cranberry polyphenol preparation in powder and microcapsule form to cookies on their physicochemical properties, polyphenol composition, health-promoting activity, and biocompatibility with normal human colonocytes. Cranberry powder was obtained by purifying the polyphenolic compounds, while microcapsules were obtained by encapsulating the powder in a mixture of sodium alginate and soy protein isolate. Cookies were prepared with 0.5, 1, 3 and 5% microcapsules, and 0.04, 0.08, 0.23 and 0.38% powder. The study showed that physicochemical parameters such as moisture, spreadability index, baking loss, hardness, and color significantly depended on the type and amount of the additive. Higher total polyphenol content was observed for cookies with powder (13.22 mg/100 g; P_0.38), analyzed by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). The addition of microencapsulated powder increased the degree of anthocyanin preservation by 57.9% (primarily cyanidin 3-O-glucoside). The highest antioxidant activity, measured by cation radical scavenging activity (ABTS), copper ion reduction (CUPRAC), superoxide radical (O₂⁻) and hydroxyl radical (OH˙) scavenging capacity tests, was observed for cookies with a 0.38% addition of polyphenol powder. These cookies also demonstrated the highest antidiabetic activity (α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition of 40.23 and 15.79%, respectively). All tested cookies also demonstrated high biocompatibility with human colonocytes. These findings contribute to the development of innovative functional bakery products with stable anthocyanin forms. Full article

Probiotics have been studied for their potential to treat chronic diseases. This study examined the use of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus BST.L-601 as an anti-diabetic symbiotic with sweet potato for fermentation. The medium supplemented with sweet potato showed increased productivity and enhanced storability. The anti-diabetic effect of fermented BST.L-601 was evaluated using the C2C12 myotube and a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-induced db/db (Lepr^db/Lepr^db) mouse model. Treatment with heat-killed BST.L-601 increased glucose uptake by 125% and α-glucosidase inhibition in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxicity for myotubes. 8 weeks of oral administration of BST.L-601 led to anti-diabetic activities in various biomarkers in the mouse model, including lowered fasting blood glucose by 88% and elevated mRNA expression of glucose metabolism-related factors IRS-1 (510%) and GLUT4 (181%) from skeletal muscle. Moreover, the improvement of induced T2DM in mice was supported by blood serum analysis. Immunohistochemistry showed increased insulin and decreased glucagon secreted from β and α cells in the pancreas islet. Microbiota analysis demonstrated elevated microbiome diversity in mice treated with BST.L-601. Furthermore, the safety and probiotic properties of the strain were confirmed. These results suggest that BST.L-601 fermented with sweet potato could be a functional symbiotic used to improve diabetes, particularly T2DM. Full article

The development of plant-based synbiotic beverages is gaining increasing attention as consumers seek sustainable, functional alternatives to dairy products. This preliminary study investigated the fortification of tibicos (water kefir) with lemon catnip (Nepeta cataria var. citriodora) hydrolate, an aromatic distillation byproduct rich in bioactive terpenoids. After 72 h-fermentation of tibicos, physicochemical, microbiological, health-promoting and sensory parameters were evaluated. Both control and fortified beverages exhibited typical fermentation kinetics, including a decrease in pH, reduction of soluble solids, and accumulation of organic acids. Lactic acid bacteria count remained stable, while yeast proliferation was slightly reduced in the hydrolate-fortified sample, consistent with the known yeast-sensitive nature of certain hydrolate-derived terpenoids. Importantly, hydrolate fortification significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity (DPPH: +34%; ABTS: +39%; RP: +38%). Enzyme-inhibitory activities also increased significantly in the hydrolate-fortified samples (α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase inhibition rates increased by 9% and 11%, respectively). ACE inhibition similarly increased from 32% to 44%, indicating an enhanced antihypertensive potential. HMG-CoA reductase inhibition increased from 31% to 42%, showing improved hypolipidemic activity. Sensory evaluation indicated improved sensory acceptability, imparting citrus–floral notes that balanced the acidic profile of tibicos. These findings highlight the potential of valorizing lemon catnip hydrolate as a functional fortifier in non-dairy synbiotic beverages. Full article

Daqu, a representative solid-state fermentation product, produces saccharifying enzymes to degrade sorghum starch into fermentable sugars for ethanol synthesis. Spatial heterogeneity in Daqu drives community assembly. However, its regulatory role in enzyme-driven saccharification remains unclear. By integrating metagenomics and PacBio full-length sequencing, this study investigated how microenvironmental gradients across distinct Daqu layers (QP (surface layer), HQ (middle layer), QX (center layer)) shape saccharifying microbiota and activity. Saccharifying activity exhibited a declining surface-to-center gradient (e.g., QP: 870.9 ± 21.2 U/mL > HQ: 631.2 ± 16.4 U/mL > QX: 296.5 ± 16.1 U/mL on day 30, p < 0.05), paralleled by divergence in microenvironments. Metagenomics identified α-amylase and α-glucosidase as key saccharifying enzymes, primarily encoded by fungi; their abundance was inhibited by heat and humidity, yet promoted by acidity. Enzymatic validation confirmed higher saccharifying activity in QP and HQ core microbes (e.g., Lichtheimia ramosa: 43.16 ± 1.97 U/mL) than in QX (e.g., Paecilomyces variotii: 14.27 ± 1.25 U/mL). Network analysis revealed Lactobacillaceae are closely linked with saccharifying communities. This study establishes microenvironmental gradients as critical regulators of spatial saccharification in Daqu, informing strategies to optimize microbial consortia for baijiu production. Full article