Search Results (422)

This study investigates the phytochemical and pharmacological profiles of Crinum asiaticum L. var. anomalum Baker from Vietnam. Phytochemical screening identified diverse secondary metabolites, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of the n-hexane fractions revealed 19 major compounds. While all extracts showed moderate antioxidant activity, the chloroform fraction exhibited superior antidiabetic potential via α-amylase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 83.13 ± 6.67 µg/mL). Furthermore, at non-cytotoxic concentrations (3.13 to 50 µg/mL), this fraction effectively rescued mouse β-TC6 insulinoma cells from thapsigargin. In anti-inflammatory assays, the n-hexane fraction significantly suppressed nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages (IC₅₀ = 53.12 ± 1.63 µg/mL). Notably, the extracts displayed remarkable selective anticancer activity, particularly the chloroform fraction against HeLa cervical and HepG2/Huh-7 hepatoma cell lines. In silico ADMET and Lipinski’s Rule of Five analyses confirmed that the key bioactive constituents possess favorable pharmacokinetic profiles and drug-likeness. These findings demonstrate C. asiaticum L. var. anomalum Baker as a promising natural source for developing multitarget therapeutic agents against inflammation, diabetes, and cancer. Full article

Aronia melanocarpa is a rich source of anthocyanins with well-documented antioxidant and antidiabetic potential; however, their application is limited by low stability. In this study, extraction conditions were optimized using response surface methodology, with the highest total polyphenol content obtained at an ethanol concentration of 36.9% (v/v), an extraction temperature of 34.1 °C, and a solvent-to-solid ratio of 54.5 mL/g. The extract exhibited antioxidant activity and inhibited α-amylase in vitro, with an IC₅₀ value of 3.18 ± 0.27 mg/mL, compared with 6.76 ± 0.21 mg/mL for acarbose under the same assay conditions. Molecular modeling suggested that cyanidin derivatives may play a major role in the observed α-amylase inhibitory activity. The optimized extract was subsequently incorporated into yeast-derived β-glucan systems at different ratios to improve anthocyanin stability and formulation performance. Incorporation of β-glucan significantly modified dissolution behavior and reduced anthocyanin degradation in a ratio-dependent manner. The highest stabilization effect was observed for the aronia: β-glucan 1:2 system, in which the degradation rate decreased approximately 4.7-fold. Full article

Phytochemical studies performed on the aerial parts of Teucrium davaeanum Coss. resulted in the isolation of an iridoid diglycoside, teucardoside; two phenylethanoid triglycosides, poliumoside and 3-O-methyl-poliumoside; a flavon C-diglycoside, vicenin-2 (apigenin-6,8-di-C-glycoside); and a newly described bisdesmosidic oleanane-type triterpene saponin, davaeanoside. Structure elucidations of all isolated metabolites are based on extensive spectroscopic analysis and chemical derivatizations. The extract and isolated compounds (1–5) were tested for α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. IC50 values were measured for all extracts and compounds and compared against acarbose. Results revealed weak or moderate α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity at the tested concentrations of the isolated compounds, especially compound 5. However, these findings do not exclude antidiabetic activity mediated by other mechanisms such as modulation of insulin signaling, enhancement of glucose uptake, or antioxidant effects. Further studies are warranted to explore these potential pathways. In addition, the essential oils of T. davaeanum and T. zanonii were obtained by hydrodistillation and simultaneously analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS. The major compounds of T. davaeanum essential oil were germacrene D (31.4%) and bicyclogermacrene (15.9%); the main compounds of T. zanonii were β-pinene (19.5%), α-muurolene (13.4%), oxo-7,8-dihydro-β-ionol (9.2%), and α-pinene (6.9%). Full article

The genus Tamarix L. includes several species widely used in traditional medicine for their therapeutic properties. This study aims to evaluate the bioactive potential of Tamarix gallica extracts from Western Algeria using an integrated in vitro and in silico approach. GC–MS analysis with BSTFA derivatization was performed to characterize the chemical profile of the methanolic fraction. In addition, total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents were determined in methanolic extracts of leaves and stems. The biological activities were assessed using antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, β-carotene, FRAP, O-phenanthroline, and cupric reducing assays), antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anti-Alzheimer in vitro assays. Molecular docking was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory potential of selected flavonoids against α-amylase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase. Results revealed a rich metabolite profile dominated by long-chain aliphatic alcohols (including hentriacontan-12-ol), phytosterols (β-sitosterol), fatty acids, phenolic derivatives, and sugar alcohols. The extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 1.34 ± 0.43 and 12.32 ± 0.36 μg·mL⁻¹), significant antimicrobial effects against the tested pathogens, and notable antidiabetic and anticholinesterase activities (IC₅₀ = 78.65 ± 1.43 and 98.37 ± 1.07 μg·mL⁻¹). Molecular docking analysis supported these findings, showing strong binding affinities of quercetin and rhamnetin toward the target enzymes. Overall, T. gallica exhibits promising multifunctional bioactivities with potential pharmaceutical relevance. Full article

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a life-threatening inflammatory disorder characterized by high mortality and limited therapeutic options. Alginate oligosaccharide (AOS), a marine-derived bioactive polysaccharide, exhibits prebiotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are effective against various inflammatory diseases. In this study, a mouse model of SAP was established by intraperitoneal injection of cerulein (100 μg/kg) and lipopolysaccharide (5 mg/kg), and the mice were pretreated with AOS (200 mg/kg) by gavage for 4 consecutive weeks to explore the potential protective efficacy and underlying mechanisms. The results shown that AOS attenuated the severity of SAP, as evidenced by reduced serum amylase and lipase levels, as well as alleviated histopathological injury in both pancreatic and ileal tissues. AOS suppressed the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in serum, pancreas, and ileum at protein or mRNA levels. Moreover, AOS effectively diminished pancreatic and ileal inflammatory infiltration and oxidative stress in SAP mice, accompanied by inhibited the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway and activated the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant axis. Furthermore, AOS restored intestinal barrier integrity, as manifested by upregulated expression of tight junction proteins (claudin-1, occludin, ZO-1), reduced serum diamine oxidase, and decreased bacterial translocation from the gut to the pancreas. It was revealed by 16S rRNA sequencing that AOS ameliorated SAP-induced gut dysbiosis by restoring microbial diversity, normalizing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, enriching beneficial genera (Lactobacillus, Blautia), and enhancing cecal short-chain fatty acid (acetic, propionic, butyric acid) production. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that AOS exerts comprehensive protective effects against SAP through suppression of inflammatory signaling and oxidative stress, as well as restoring gut homeostasis. These results suggest that AOS may serve as a promising prebiotic-based nutritional strategy for the management of SAP. Full article

Compounds from olive (Olea europaea L.) and pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) have many beneficial effects on human health. This review paper considers the inhibitory potential, under in vitro conditions, of bioactive components of olive and pomegranate on different enzyme systems. Research shows that olive polyphenols (oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, luteolin, and oleocanthal), as well as pomegranate polyphenols (punicalagin, urolithin A, ellagic acid), inhibit cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes, which are associated with inflammatory processes. They also show an inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and β-secretase, which opens up the possibility of a strong neuroprotective effect. Olive and pomegranate polyphenols also have an inhibitory effect on enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, such as amylase and glucosidase, and can help fight diabetes and regulate human metabolism. In addition, polyphenols and extracts of both plants showed an inhibitory effect on cytochrome P450 enzymes, which metabolize most drugs. These data open up the possibility of interactions with certain groups of drugs. The current evidence supports the view that olive and pomegranate polyphenols act as biologically versatile compounds with considerable pharmaceutical and nutraceutical potential. Future investigations integrating enzymology, metabolomics, molecular docking, and clinical validation will be essential for translating these promising in vitro findings into evidence-based therapeutic applications. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health burden characterized by insulin resistance, progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, and chronic metabolic dysregulation. Marine seaweeds have emerged as a valuable source of bioactive natural products, particularly polyphenols and polysaccharides, with promising potential for diabetes management. This review focuses on three major contributions: first, the structural diversity of seaweed-derived polyphenols and polysaccharides; second, their multi-target mechanisms of glucose regulation; and third, the structure–activity relationships governing their bioactivities. Current evidence shows that these compounds may help manage type 2 diabetes in several ways, including inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, attenuation of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, enhancement of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, regulation of lipid metabolism, and modulation of gut microbiota. Key structural determinants such as degree of polymerization, hydroxyl group density, sulfation level, molecular weight, and chemical modifications are discussed in relation to their functional properties. By linking chemical structure with biological function, these findings highlight marine seaweeds as a rich reservoir of multi-target therapeutic candidates for T2DM management and provide a scientific basis for their development as functional food ingredients or lead compounds for novel diabetes management drugs. Full article

The replacement of fishmeal with plant protein is a key strategy for sustainable aquaculture, but reduced feed intake and digestive efficiency remain major constraints. This study evaluated the effects of dietary dimethyl-β-propiothetin (DMPT) supplementation on feed intake, digestive function, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microbiota in narrow-clawed crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus) fed an all-plant protein diet. Three isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated: a plant protein diet (PPD), an animal protein diet (APD), and a PPD supplemented with 0.5% DMPT. After a 4-week feeding trial, results showed that PPD significantly reduced feed intake and digestive enzyme activities compared to APD, whereas DMPT supplementation restored feed intake to a level comparable to APD, maintained growth-related parameters at intermediate levels, and significantly enhanced α-amylase (AMS), lipase (LPS), and trypsin (TPS) activities. Additionally, DMPT markedly improved hepatopancreatic antioxidant capacity, as indicated by increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, without affecting muscle composition or intestinal morphology. Microbiota analysis revealed that DMPT altered community structure, increased Bacillota abundance, and promoted microbial network stability. Overall, DMPT supplementation effectively mitigates the limitations of plant protein diets and supports the replacement of animal protein in crayfish aquafeeds. Full article

Diet plays a critical role in shaping the composition of gut microbiota in insects. Samia ricini, an economically important Lepidoptera insect, is a polyphagous herbivore that offers a useful model for studying dietary effects on the animal gut microbiome. Here, we fed S. ricini larvae with different food plants, Ricinus communis, Ailanthus altissima, and Manihot esculenta leaves to investigate how host plant species influence growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, and the gut microbial community. Our results showed that the Ricinus group exhibited better growth performance. Regarding digestive enzymes, the midgut lipase activity was significantly higher in the Ricinus group than in the Ailanthus group, while no significant differences were observed in α-amylase, cellulase, or trypsin activities among the three groups. Compared to the Manihot group, the Ricinus group showed increased bacterial richness, while the Ailanthus group showed increased bacterial diversity. β-diversity analysis further revealed distinct microbial community structures among all three dietary groups. Specifically, Acinetobacter, Mammaliicoccus, Roseateles, Methylobacterium, Agrobacterium, Faecalibacterium, and Segatella were the dominant bacterial genera. Functional prediction revealed that gut microbes enriched in the Ricinus group were associated with terpenoid/polyketide metabolism, xenobiotics biodegradation, and glycan biosynthesis, whereas those involved in carbohydrate metabolism and biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites were higher in the Manihot group. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that Methylobacterium, Methylorubrum, and Agrobacterium were significantly positively correlated with larval weight, while Staphylococcus and Cyanothece_PCC-7424 exhibited negative correlations. Collectively, these findings suggest a potential association between different plant-derived diets, gut microbiota composition, and host growth performance, highlighting the pivotal role of diet in shaping insect gut microbial communities. Full article

Quercetin (QE), a flavonol-type polyphenol, and oat β-glucan (OβG), a soluble dietary fiber, are natural active ingredients with the potential to reduce the risk of diabetes. OβG slows starch digestion by modifying chyme viscosity, while QE inhibits digestive enzyme activity. This study aimed to explore the formation mechanism and structural characteristics of QE-OβG complexes, as well as their functional properties in terms of viscosity and amylase inhibitory activities. It was found that QE and OβG formed stable non-covalent complexes via hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. At a mass ratio of 0.6, the binding capacity was relatively high with a moderate aggregation degree, representing a balanced interaction state. Changes in turbidity and particle size indicated that different environmental factors (pH, temperature, ionic strength) exert differential effects on the aggregation behavior of the complex. In addition, the complex exhibited a unique fibrous-block morphology, enhanced thermal stability, improved starch system viscoelasticity, and stronger mixed-type reversible α-amylase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 2.629 mg/mL). This study clarifies the interaction mechanism between QE and OβG, provides a reliable theoretical basis for the development of novel hypoglycemic foods, and offers new insights into multi-component regulation strategies for slow-digestion food design. Full article

This study investigated the effect of pre-cooking level of germinated highland barley pulp on the staling properties and digestibility of pre-packaged barbecued pork buns during refrigerated storage (0–9 days). The addition of barley pulp significantly delayed quality deterioration, resulting in a decreased specific volume (up to 20%) and an increased hardness (up to 71.76%) across all samples. Furthermore, it effectively inhibited the rise in starch short-range order, as evidenced by a decreased FTIR ratio of 1047/1022 cm⁻¹, and retarded the conformational transition between protein α-helix and β-sheet structures. When the gelatinization degree increased to 91.22%, rapidly digestible starch (RDS) decreased significantly while resistant starch (RS) increased. The sauce infiltration layer exhibited a higher maximum RS (23.23%) than the inner crumb (16.52%). The Glycemic Index (GI) was significantly reduced, with the lowest values observed in the BJ60 group (53.22 for the sauce infiltration layer and 60.37 for the inner crumb). α-Amylase inhibition was also enhanced with increasing gelatinization degrees. Significant correlations were found between starch structural parameters and digestibility. These results demonstrate that incorporating germinated highland barley pulp is a feasible strategy to simultaneously improve the shelf-life and nutritional quality of steamed buns. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health challenge that has intensified interest in multi-target nutraceuticals with potential adjunctive benefits. Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi/Reishi) is a medicinal mushroom traditionally used in East Asia and is increasingly investigated for its role in glycemic regulation and metabolic disturbances. This review critically synthesizes current evidence on its hypoglycemic effects, focusing on bioactive compounds, molecular mechanisms, and translational limitations. Unlike broader reviews on Ganoderma bioactivity and health-related benefits, this review specifically evaluates the alignment between taxonomic authentication, chemical standardization, preclinical mechanisms, and human clinical evidence in the context of glycemic regulation. This narrative review was based on a targeted literature search conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus for studies published up to October 2025, supplemented by Google Scholar. The included studies comprised in vitro experiments, in vivo animal models, and human clinical trials evaluating glycemic and metabolic outcomes of Ganoderma preparations. In vitro and animal studies indicate that polysaccharides, including β-(1→3)/(1→6)-glucans and proteoglycans such as FYGL, may improve insulin sensitivity via AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) and PI3K/Akt pathways, promote GLUT4 (glucose transporter type 4) translocation, suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis, protect pancreatic β-cells, and modulate gut microbiota. In enzyme assays and preclinical models, lanostane-type triterpenoids act primarily by inhibiting α-glucosidase and α-amylase, thereby potentially reducing postprandial glucose excursions. Despite consistent preclinical evidence, clinical findings remain heterogeneous, with the largest randomized controlled trial reporting no significant glycemic benefit. Overall, Ganoderma lucidum shows strong mechanistic plausibility but insufficient clinical evidence for antidiabetic efficacy. Future research should prioritize species authentication, chemical standardization, and adequately powered clinical trials. Full article

Background: Momordica balsamina L. is widely used in traditional medicine for the management of diabetes in South Africa and globally. This study evaluated the in vitro antidiabetic and cytotoxic effects of M. balsamina leaf extracts and identified bioactive compounds potentially responsible for its activity. Methods: Leaves were sequentially extracted using solvents of increasing polarity. Phytochemical composition was determined using standard colorimetric assays, while gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was employed for compound identification. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using dot blot, DPPH radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and ferric reducing power assays. Antidiabetic potential was assessed using α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and β-glucosidase inhibitory assays, with acarbose as the reference drug. Cytotoxicity was determined by using the MTT assay on Vero and HEK-293 cell lines. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, glycosides, and steroids. GC–MS analysis identified compounds associated with antidiabetic activity, including vanillin, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, oleic acid, phytol, and hexadecenoic acid. All extracts exhibited antioxidant activity, with the ethyl acetate extract showing the strongest effect. Enzyme inhibition was concentration dependent. The dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts showed stronger α-amylase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 0.149 and 0.146 mg/mL) than acarbose (0.209 mg/mL). For α-glucosidase, acarbose showed the highest activity, while extracts displayed moderate inhibition. In β-glucosidase assays, both extracts were more active than acarbose. Both extracts were non-cytotoxic up to 500 µg/mL. Conclusions: These findings support the traditional use of M. balsamina and highlight its potential as a safe source of antidiabetic agents, warranting further investigation. Full article

Table olives, particularly traditionally fermented cracked-style green olives, rely on natural microbial activity without chemical debittering, with fungi playing key roles; in contrast, arbutus berry fermentation remains less characterized in terms of microbial functionality. This study investigated the enzymatic and antibacterial potential of fungal isolates from both systems. A total of 84 isolates belonging to Aureobasidium, Candida, Cryptococcus, Saccharomyces, Pichia, Issatchenkia, Torulaspora, and Sporobolomyces were screened for hydrolytic enzymes (pectinases, amylases, cellulases, xylanases, lipases, proteases, tannases, and β-glucosidases) using selective media, and for antibacterial activity against major foodborne pathogens. Isolates from arbutus fermentation showed no relevant enzymatic or antibacterial ability. In contrast, several isolates from olive fermentation exhibited significant functional traits. Aureobasidium pullulans demonstrated broad enzymatic capacity, producing amylases, esterases, and tannases, along with lipid hydrolysis, but also expressed cellulase, pectinase, and protease abilities. Cryptococcus spp. displayed interesting profiles, with low cellulolytic and pectinolytic capacity and higher phenolase, esterase, and lipase capacities. Antibacterial activity was observed exclusively against Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes, mainly among Candida membranifaciens, Cryptococcus spp., and A. pullulans. Overall, table olive fermentation isolates showed promising biotechnological potential for food preservation and quality enhancement, whereas arbutus isolates appeared to have limited functional relevance. Full article

Ginger possesses both significant edible and medicinal value. Sprouting of ginger is a critical phase that influences the yield and quality of the crop. While silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are known to promote the growth of ginger, their impact on sprouting remains unclear. The results show that sprouting 100 mg L⁻¹ SiNPs (SiNP100) significantly improved ginger sprouting rate and respiratory intensity while reducing weight loss. It also elevated fructose, sucrose, and glucose contents, as well as sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SS), neutral invertase (NI), acid invertase (AI) activities, indicating that SiNP100 is associated with enhanced sprouting by modulating sugar metabolism. Concurrently, starch content decreased and α- and β-amylase activities increased. Hormonal profiling showed that SiNP100 increased auxin (IAA), trans-zeatin (TZR), isoamylalkenyladenin (IP), and gibberellic acid (GA₃) levels, while decreasing abscisic acid (ABA), further supporting its role in promoting sprouting. RNA-seq and RT-qPCR validated that SiNP100 significantly enriched the plant hormone signal transduction and starch and sucrose metabolism pathways, upregulating genes related to sugar transport and metabolism (ZoSweet7, ZoSSIVa, ZoSPS1, and ZoSUS5). Field trials over two consecutive years confirmed that SiNP100 application improved ginger growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant capacity, and ultimately yield and quality. This study demonstrated the potential of SiNPs to improve seed sprouting and promote ginger growth under field conditions. Full article