Search Results (343)

In response to the European Union’s revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, which mandates enhanced monitoring and advanced treatment of micropollutants, this study was conducted. It took place within the Coastal Landscape Park (CLP), a Natura 2000 protected area in northern Poland. The focus was on the municipal wastewater treatment plant in Jastrzębia Góra, located in a region exposed to seasonal tourist pressure and discharging effluent into the Czarna Wda River. A total of 90 wastewater samples were collected during five monitoring campaigns (July, September 2021; February, May, July 2022) and analysed for 13 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionisation (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The monitoring included both untreated (UTWW) and treated wastewater (TWW) to assess the PPCP removal efficiency and persistence. The highest concentrations in the treated wastewater were observed for metoprolol (up to 472.9 ng/L), diclofenac (up to 3030 ng/L), trimethoprim (up to 603.6 ng/L) and carbamazepine (up to 2221 ng/L). A risk quotient (RQ) analysis identified diclofenac and LI-CBZ as priority substances for monitoring. Multivariate analyses (PCA, HCA) revealed co-occurrence patterns and seasonal trends. The results underline the need for advanced treatment solutions and targeted monitoring, especially in sensitive coastal catchments with variable micropollutant presence. Full article

In recent years, most of the populations of the world have been using herbal materials for their strong antimicrobial properties and major health benefits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the phenolic profile, as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, of a dietary supplement composed of extracts from hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) calyces and lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) leaves (Metabolaid^®, Patent P201731147) mixed at a weight ratio of 35:65 (w/w), respectively. The bioactive components of the methanolic extract were analyzed by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using spectrophotometric methods, while the antimicrobial activity was assessed through the microdilution method against selected Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The total phenols content resulted in being 256.10 ± 2.26 mg GAE/g f.w., the flavonoid content was 48.90 ± 2.95 mg CE/g f.w., flavonols were 60.17 ± 7.68 mg QE/g f.w., and anthocyanins were 3.78 ± 0.17 mg C3GE/g f.w. The FRAP value, observed in the natural mix additive, was 1.25 ± 0.03 mg Fe²⁺/g f.w., while the ORAC showed the value of 1893.77 ± 30.39 µmol TE/g f.w. and the DPPH was 23.33 ± 4.12 µg/mL. We found eight phenolic acids, seven flavonols, five anthocyanins, and nine other phenolic compounds. The extract showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.5 mg/mL against E. coli, E. aerogenes, and E. faecalis and of 25 mg/mL against S. enterica ser. Typhimurium and S. aureus and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 25 mg/mL against E. coli, E. aerogenes, and E. faecalis and of 50 mg/mL against S. enterica ser. Typhimurium and S. aureus. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that Metabolaid^® is a rich source of bioactive compounds and provides beneficial effects against oxidative stress and pathogenic bacteria, supporting its nutraceutical potential. Full article

Burnout syndrome is characterized mainly by three criteria (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment), and further exacerbated by night shift work, with profound implications for individual and societal well-being. The Maslach Burnout Inventory survey applied to 97 medical care professionals (with day and night work) revealed different scores for these criteria. Blood metabolic profiles were obtained by UHPLC-QTOF-ESI⁺-MS untargeted metabolomics and multivariate statistics using the Metaboanalyst 6.0 platform. The Partial Least Squares Discrimination scores and VIP values, Random Forest graphs, and Heatmaps, based on 99 identified metabolites, were complemented with Biomarker Analysis (AUC ranking) and Pathway Analysis of metabolic networks. The data obtained reflected the biochemical implications of night shift work and correlated with each criterion’s burnout scores. Four main metabolic pathways with important consequences in burnout were affected, namely lipid metabolism, especially steroid hormone synthesis and cortisol, the energetic mitochondrial metabolism involving acylated carnitines, fatty acids, and phospholipids as well polar metabolites’ metabolism, e.g., catecholamines (noradrenaline, acetyl serotonin), and some amino acids (tryptophan, tyrosine, aspartate, arginine, valine, lysine). These metabolic profiles suggest potential strategies for managing burnout levels in healthcare professionals, based on validated criteria, including night shift work management. Full article

Malaria continues to pose a significant global health burden, driving the search for novel antimalarial agents to address emerging drug resistance. This study evaluated the antiplasmodial potential of Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. (Rhamnaceae) roots through an integrated phytochemical and pharmacological approach. The ethanol extract, along with its derived fractions, demonstrated potent in vitro activity against the chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 (Pf3D7), with the ethyl acetate-soluble (IC₅₀ = 11.35 µg/mL) and alkaloid-rich (IC₅₀ = 4.75 µg/mL) fractions showing particularly strong inhibition. UHPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS-based molecular networking enabled the identification of thirty-two secondary metabolites (1–32), comprising twenty-five cyclopeptide alkaloids (CPAs), five of which had not yet been described (11, 20, 22, 23, 25), and seven known triterpenoids. Bioactivity-guided isolation yielded thirteen purified compounds (5, 6, 14, 26–30, 32–36), with betulinic acid (30; IC₅₀ = 19.0 µM) and zizyberenalic acid (32; IC₅₀ = 20.45 µM) exhibiting the most potent antiplasmodial effects. Computational ADMET analysis identified mauritine F (4), hemisine A (10), and nummularine R (21) as particularly promising lead compounds, demonstrating favourable pharmacokinetic properties, low toxicity profiles, and predicted activity against both family A G protein-coupled receptors and evolutionarily distinct Plasmodium protein kinases. Quantitative analysis revealed exceptionally high concentrations of key bioactive constituents, notably zizyberenalic acid (24.3 mg/g) in the root extracts. These findings provide robust scientific validation for the traditional use of Z. mauritiana in malaria treatment while identifying specific cyclopeptide alkaloids and triterpenoids as valuable scaffolds for antimalarial drug development. The study highlights the effectiveness of combining advanced metabolomics, bioassay-guided fractionation, and computational pharmacology in natural product-based drug discovery against resistant malaria strains. Full article

Cichorium intybus L. (common chicory) is a medicinal plant valued for health-promoting effects. Although analgesic properties are known for chicory sesquiterpenes, the effects of extracts need yet to be explored. This study aimed to evaluate for the first time the analgesic effect (against nociceptive pain) of the root extract from C. intybus var. foliosum. The target evaluation was preceded by toxicity tests in vivo and phytochemical standardization of root extracts prepared with different extraction methods—pectinase-assisted, pressure-assisted, and a combination of both—to choose the most effective one. The phytochemical profiling involved UHPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS and UHPLC-PDA analyses. The toxicity and the analgesic effects were tested in mice following the OECD 423 guideline and the hot-plate test, respectively. The highest recovery of bioactive compounds was achieved for the pressure-assisted extract: 642.5 mg sesquiterpene lactones, 187.1 mg phenolic acids, and 47.3 g inulin/100 g of dry matter. The extract showed no toxic effects at the oral dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight, including no histopathologic changes, in mice within two weeks (GHS Category 5/Uncategorized). The maximum analgesic effect (MAE) of the extract at 600 mg/kg was 6.75% for rearing and 13.7% for jumping, with the impact on the nocifensive reactions not differing significantly from those of paracetamol at 60 mg/kg. Despite the relatively low effects at 600 mg/kg, the verified safety and abundance of active compounds encourage further studies on the extract and its active fractions as potential approaches to complementary pain therapy, with special concern for their mechanisms of action. Full article

Softwood bark and twigs represent by-products of forest supply chains rich in extractable bioactive compounds. This study aimed at evaluating the bioactive molecules of hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) based extracts of bark and twigs from different conifer plants and exploring their antioxidant capacity. Samples of Picea abies twigs (RAR) and bark (CAR) and Abies alba twigs (SFT) underwent extraction using a pilot-scale Venturi reactor HC device. The freeze-dried extracts were characterized for the antioxidant capacity, through both in vitro and ex vivo assays, the antimicrobial activity, and the content of phenolics and free amino acids by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS. HC-based aqueous extracts were obtained quickly and with low energy consumption. We found 10 phenolic acids, nine flavonols, three flavan-3-ols, five flavanones, three procyanidins, two stilbenoids, and 10 other phenolic compounds. Moreover, eight essential and seven dispensable amino acids were found. The principal component analysis showed clear discrimination among the three extracts. The CAR extract showed antimicrobial activity. The SFT extract showed the higher anthocyanins content and antioxidant activity, both through in vitro and ex vivo methods. These preliminary results confirm that by-products of Picea abies and Abies alba are rich in bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities, suggesting potential applications in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields. Full article

Eleutherococcus senticosus (ES) has been used in traditional medicine for immune-boosting, stress-reducing, and endurance-enhancing properties. In this study, the chemical composition and biological activity of polar and non-polar fractions obtained from 75% methanol E. senticosus roots extract were evaluated. Spectrophotometric methods were used to assess the antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, O₂^•−) and anti-enzymatic (hyaluronidase, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, α-amylase, and tyrosinase) activities. Metabolic profiling was carried out using HPLC-DAD and UHPLC-DAD/ESI-TOF-MS. The ethyl acetate fraction (EtOAc) showed the highest antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ values of 82.73 ± 0.065 µg/mL (DPPH) and 9.92 ± 0.17 µg/mL (ABTS). The EtOAc fraction also exhibited strong anti-enzymatic effects against hyaluronidase and α-amylase (125.24 ± 12.29 and 97.34 ± 9.18 µg/mL, resp.). In turn, the hexane fraction exhibited the most potent anti-AChE activity with IC₅₀ equal 245.72 ± 11.82 µg/mL. The HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of caffeic acid derivatives. These results suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction may have therapeutic relevance in inflammation- and metabolic-related diseases. We perceive the potential of this fraction as a rich source of compounds with an anti-inflammatory activity; however, more advanced research in in vivo model is required. Full article

Due to their antioxidant and other beneficial properties, polyphenol-rich plants are important functional foods. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the content of two polyphenols—ellagic acid and quercetin—in fruits of wild medicinal plants of Polish origin, as potential sources of these compounds. The research material was chosen considering both the popularity of the fruits and their recognized medicinal and pharmaceutical properties. All selected fruits—barberry (Berberis vulgaris), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), elderberry (Sambucus nigra), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), rowanberry (Sorbus aucuparia), and sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides syn. Elaeagnus rhamnoides)—are known for therapeutic use in Polish folk medicine. Extracts were analyzed for ellagic acid and quercetin content using UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Quantitative results revealed that barberries, blackthorn, and sea-buckthorn contained the highest amounts of ellagic acid, up to 3.29 ± 0.24, 3.50 ± 0.16, and 4.80 ± 0.18 μg/g dw, respectively, while lingonberry provided up to 196.20 ± 3.10 μg/g dw of quercetin, making it a valuable dietary source of this flavonoid. The study confirms that Polish wild medicinal plants are valuable reservoirs of key polyphenols relevant to human health and support their potential inclusion in dietary strategies for disease prevention. Full article

Berberis mikuna Job. (common name “mikuna”) and Berberis burruyacuensis O.R. Dantur, S. Radice, E. Giordani and Papini (common name “sacha mikuna”) are endemic native plant species from northwestern Argentina. The aim of this work was to evaluate, for the first time, the potential of the pulp, seed, and peel powders from B. mikuna and B. burruyacuensis fruits as functional food ingredients, with the purpose of adding value to these native resources and promoting their sustainable use. All powders exhibited nutritional value due to their protein, lipid, fiber, and ash content, especially the seed powder. Phenolic compounds (including xanthone, phenolic esters, coumarins, flavonoids, tannins, and anthocyanins), alkaloids, amino acids, lipids, and vitamins, totaling 33 compounds, were identified in the pulp, seed, and peel of both Berberis fruits through UHPLC-PDA-ESI-QT-MS/MS. High anthocyanin content was observed in the pulp and peel, mainly in B. mikuna (195.55 ± 7.75 and 283.49 ± 6.55 g C3GE/100 g of powder, respectively), while tannins were abundant in the seeds (3.64 ± 0.11 and 6.09 ± 0.06 mg PB2/100 g of powder for B. mikuna and B. burruyacuensis, respectively). The powders exhibited antioxidant activity (ABTS^•+; H₂O₂) and the capacity to inhibit enzymes related to metabolic syndrome, such as α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and lipase. These findings suggest the potential of B. mikuna and B. burruyacuensis fruit powders as functional food ingredients, dietary supplements, or natural functional colorants for foods and beverages. Full article

The characteristics of the variety from which the wine is made, the geographical area of production, the year of production, and the technology of winemaking are the parameters with the most influence on the total content of polyphenols, the polyphenolic profile, and the antioxidant activity of wine. For this reason, a polyphenolic screen can help establish the authenticity of wines. For this study, 50 samples of white and red wine from different wine areas were collected. For these samples, a qualitative and quantitative analysis was carried out on the polyphenolic profile. The polyphenolic profiles of the studied wines were determined using UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS (mass spectrometry with tandem ionization with high-performance liquid chromatography). Among the non-flavonoid acids, gallic acids, p-coumarnic, and syringic acids in red wines showed higher concentrations in all samples, while resveratrol was present in concentrations from 0.605 to 12.38 mg/L in red wines, and white wines ranged from 0.07 to 0.35 mg/L. For flavonoids, -catechin (0.187 m/L–130.98 mg/L in red wines and 0.04–4.45 mg/L) and (-)-epi-catechin showed the highest concentrations, reaching up to 29.78 mg/L in red wines. Full article

Burnout syndrome, which significantly impacts both individual and societal quality of life, is primarily characterized by three key criteria: depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and low personal accomplishment, all linked to work-related stress. Purpose: Comparative evaluation of urine metabolite patterns that may discriminate the burnout levels and the effects of night shifts on healthcare professionals. The Maslach Burnout Inventory survey was administered to 64 physicians and nurses working day and night shifts, with scores for each criterion recorded. Methods: Urine samples were collected, and metabolomic patterns were analyzed using UHPLC-QTOF-ESI+-MS technology. This analysis employed both untargeted and semi-targeted metabolomics, coupled with multivariate and ANOVA statistics, utilizing the online Metaboanalyst 6.0 platform. Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLSDA) was performed, along with VIP values, Random Forest graphs, and heatmaps based on 79 identified metabolites. These were further complemented by biomarker analysis (AUC ranking) and pathway analysis of metabolic networks. Results: The findings highlighted the biochemical effects of night shifts and their correlation with burnout scores from each dimension. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the involvement of three major metabolic pathways in diagnosing burnout: lipid metabolism, particularly related to steroid hormones (cortisol, cortisone, and androsterone metabolites); energetic metabolism, involving long-chain acylated carnitines as transporters of free fatty acids, which play a role in burnout control; and a third pathway affecting catecholamine metabolism (neurotransmitters derived from tyrosine, such as dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline), as well as tryptophan metabolism (serotonin and melatonin metabolites) and amino acid metabolism (including aspartate, arginine, and valine). Full article

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) is a rare and valuable plant utilized for medicinal and culinary purposes, with its geographic origin and cultivation significantly affecting its quality and efficacy. However, the metabolic differences between cultivated and wild American ginseng are not well understood. An accurate and reliable method for tracing the origin and evaluating the quality of American ginseng is therefore urgently required. This study introduces a UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS-based comparative metabolomics and machine learning strategy for the rapid identification of wild and cultivated American ginseng. Both principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed distinct metabolic phenotypes between wild and cultivated American ginseng. Furthermore, the integration of univariate and multivariate statistical analyses identified eight differential metabolites in the ESI⁺ mode and three in the ESI^- mode, including seven ginsenosides. A potential ginsenosides marker panel was used to construct five machine learning models to assist in diagnosing the metabolic phenotypes of American ginseng. The Random Forest model, based on the eight differential metabolites in the ESI⁺ mode, achieved a 100% classification rate in both test and validation sets for distinguishing between wild and cultivated American ginseng. This study highlights the feasibility and application of our artificial intelligence-driven comparative metabolomics strategy for cultivar identification and geographic tracing of American ginseng, offering new insights into the molecular basis of metabolic variation in cultivated American ginseng. Full article

Phaseolus vulgaris L. is one of the most important legumes for human consumption due to its contents of proteins, antioxidants, minerals, and bioactive compounds. In the last decade, there has been a growing research interest in increasing yields while reducing or replacing the use of chemical fertilizers. This has led to a focus on plant growth-promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) as biofertilizers in sustainable agricultural practices. The aim of this study was to determine the growth-promoting activity of a culture broth of the Gram-negative soil bacteria Rhizobium sp. (F7), which is conserved in the Collection of Beneficial Bacteria at the Institute of Fundamental Research in Tropical Agriculture (INIFAT), and to identify the main secondary metabolites present in the ethyl acetate crude extract using high-resolution liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The growth-promoting activity of the culture broth on Phaseolus vulgaris L. seeds was evaluated. The ethyl acetate extract was obtained by liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate from the culture broth, and UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS was used to identify secondary metabolites. The results indicated that the culture broth of Rhizobium sp. exhibited an in vitro growth-stimulating effect. Furthermore, ten secondary metabolites were identified in the ethyl acetate extract (p-coumaric acid, indole-3-lactic acid, naringenin, and siderophores B and C, among others). These findings highlight the bioactive metabolites produced by Rhizobium sp., a bacterial strain of the INIFAT collection, which have a positive effect as growth promoters in plants. They reveal the potential of Rhizobium sp. as a promising candidate for inclusion in agricultural management practices. Full article

Anemone baicalensis, a plant abundant in Northeast China, has garnered attention for its potential medicinal properties. While its aerial parts (ABAP) have demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, the rhizome (ABR) remains less explored, particularly in comparison to the well-documented Anemones raddeanae Rhizoma, a valuable traditional Chinese medicine. This study investigates the chemical composition and bioactivity of ABR, comparing it with ABAP and evaluating its potential as a substitute for Anemones raddeanae Rhizoma. Phytochemical analyses, including qualitative and quantitative assessments, were conducted on ABR extracts using various solvents. Antioxidant activity was evaluated through multiple assays, and stability studies were performed on methanol and 80% ethanol extracts. UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS was employed to identify chemical constituents. Acute toxicity and hepatoprotective effects were assessed in vivo using a rat model. The results revealed that ABR and ABAP share nearly half of their chemical components, with ABR containing a higher diversity of triterpenoid saponins. The 80% ethanol extract of ABR exhibited the highest extraction yield, rich in phenolics and triterpenoids, and demonstrated superior antioxidant activity and stability. In vivo studies showed that ABR significantly reduced liver injury markers (ALT, AST, $\gamma$-GT, and MDA), enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity (CAT), and increased albumin concentration, comparable to the effects of Anemones raddeanae Rhizoma. Acute toxicity tests indicated low toxicity, supporting its safety for medicinal use. ABR shows significant potential as a substitute for Anemones raddeanae Rhizoma, particularly due to its rich triterpenoid content and hepatoprotective effects. While ABAP outperforms ABR in terms of antioxidant activity, ABR’s unique chemical profile and liver-protective capabilities highlight its value in drug development. This study provides a scientific foundation for the further exploration of ABR as a sustainable alternative in traditional medicine. Full article

Anthocyanins constitute the primary pigment components in hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) peel, yet their specific composition and concentration profiles remain poorly characterized. This study employed ultra-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS)-based metabolomics to systematically compare anthocyanin profiles between red-peel (CPR) and yellow-peel (CPY) hawthorn cultivars. Our analysis identified 26 anthocyanin metabolites in CPR and 24 in CPY, with cyanidin-3-O-galactoside and cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside being the predominant compounds in both. Multivariate analysis revealed seven significantly differential metabolites, including cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside, pelargonidin-3-O-galactoside, pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside, pelargonidin-3-O-arabinoside, and peonidin-3-O-galactoside. Notably, all the differential metabolites exhibited reductions in CPY compared to CPR. Chromatic analysis demonstrated that CPR possessed highly significantly lower hue angle values (h_ab) than CPY (47.7093 ± 4.1706, 83.6427 ± 1.4604, p < 0.01), showing strong negative correlations with key anthocyanins. These findings enhance the scientific understanding of anthocyanin biosynthesis in hawthorn peel and provide a certain reference for the development and utilization of anthocyanins in hawthorn peel. Full article