Search Results (11,051)

Croton tiglium L. seeds, a component of many recipes of Thai traditional medicine (TTM), had to undergo the Thai traditional detoxification process (TDP) before being used. However, this detoxification process has never been scientifically proven for its effectiveness. Thus, this research aimed to investigate the effects of TDP on purgative effect and acute toxicity, as well as the identification of some chemical constituents in C. tiglium seeds before (CB) and after (CA) treatment. The purgative effect and acute toxicity of CB and CA powders were evaluated using Wistar rats. The amounts of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and crotonic acid in the CB and CA powders were determined using HPLC. The results showed no acute toxicity in the rats administered CB and CA powders at doses of 300–2000 mg/kg of body weight (BW). However, CB and CA caused a dose-dependent increase in the number of fecal pellets as well as an increase in the amount of wet and dry feces. Interestingly, only CB, at the dose of 100 mg/kg, caused a significant purgative effect. The TDP was also found to affect the amounts of PMA and crotonic acid. While the amount of PMA in C. tiglium seed powder decreased from 1.59 mg/g in CB to 1.26 mg/g in CA, the amount of crotonic acid decreased from 0.001 mg/g in CB to an undetectable level in CA. This investigation demonstrated that TDP not only reduced the purgative effect and toxicity of croton seeds but also the amounts of PMA and crotonic acid. Full article

Deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) are common mycotoxins in animal feeds, and their metabolites can be detected in exposed animals. Traditional methods focus on mycotoxin detection in feed, whereas biomarker-based approaches are used for evaluating individual exposure. This study aimed to develop and validate a multi-analyte method for the detection of biomarkers of ZEN, DON, and their metabolites α-zearalanol (α-ZAL), zearalanone (ZAN), deepoxy-DON (DOM-1), and 3-acetyl-DON (3-ADON) in swine using dried blood spots (DBSs) on qualitative filter paper. Analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Blank blood samples from three male pigs were fortified with 20, 40, and 60 μg/L of each analyte. Aliquots of 40 μL were spotted onto filter paper and then extracted and analyzed. Method validation included evaluating limits of detection and quantification, linearity, matrix effects, recovery, repeatability, intermediate precision, and selectivity. All analytes were detectable in DBS. Also, ZEN, ZAN, DON, and DOM-1 met all validation criteria, with recovery values of 89.10%, 79.79%, 101.50%, and 79.50%, respectively. Both α-ZAL and 3-ADON showed lower recoveries (74.66% and 58.66%). The method was successfully validated for simultaneous analysis of ZEN, ZAN, DON, and DOM-1 in swine DBS, offering a practical and minimally invasive tool for biomonitoring mycotoxin exposure. Full article

Background: Chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain is a major side effect of antineoplastic treatment. This study investigated the neuroprotective potential of Acmella oleracea L. extracts containing the N-alkylamide spilanthol, phenolic acids, and glycosylated flavonoids. Methods: Hydroalcoholic extracts of aerial parts (AP) and roots (R) of in vitro seedlings were quali-quantitatively characterized by HPLC-DAD-MS and by ¹H-NMR. Different concentrations (15–150 µg/mL) of AP and R were tested in SH-SY5Y cells differentiated into neurons exposed to oxaliplatin (10 µM), assessing cell viability (MTT), cytotoxicity (LDH), SOD activity, and expression of ATF-3, Ire1α, and Nf-H genes. To evaluate the impact on neuropathic pain, CD-1 mice were treated intraperitoneally with oxaliplatin (2.4 mg/kg), the effect of AP and R extracts (200–1200 mg/kg) were measured by the cold plate test. Results: AP extract was rich in phenols and alkylamides, whereas R extract showed higher phenolic levels but lower alkylamides content. Both extracts significantly reduced mortality and cytotoxicity and counteracted oxidative imbalance by enhancing SOD activity. Gene expression analysis confirmed their neuroprotective effects. In vivo, oxaliplatin induced a 50% reduction in pain threshold, while acute treatment with AP and R extracts dose-dependently alleviated neuropathic pain. Despite the lower spilanthol content in R extract, its efficacy was comparable to AP, suggesting an important role of phenolic compounds. Conclusions: Extracts from both aerial parts and roots of A. oleracea show promise in alleviating chemotherapy-induced neuropathy through mechanisms not solely related to spilanthol. Further studies to elucidate the contribution of phenolic components are desirable. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dietary supplements are sources of nutrients or other substances that added to a healthy lifestyle help to preserve human homeostasis. Since inflammation is one of the major contributors to the alteration of homeostasis, this work investigated the effects of a multi-ingredient dietary supplement on human macrophages, cells involved in the inflammatory response. Methods: THP-1 cells were differentiated into macrophage-like cells and polarized in M₁ or M₂ phenotypes. Cell migration was evaluated by Boyden chamber assay; phenotypic markers by qRT-PCR; cytokine release by ELISA and LPS/ATP-induced pyroptosis by LDH assay. The antioxidant properties of the supplement were evaluated in human and mouse fibroblasts by DCF-DA assay. After supplement treatment, cell extracts were analyzed by HPLC-PDA-MS/MS and GC-MS to evaluate the presence of the ingredients. Results: Our results showed that the dietary supplement promoted M₂ migration and polarization and significantly reduced migration of M₁. In a model of LPS-induced inflammation in M₀, it significantly reduced NF-κB activation, COX-2 expression, and cytokine release. The supplement was not a specific inhibitor of NLRP-3, but it was able to modulate LPS priming. In addition, the supplement decreased granulocyte adhesion to HUVEC and reduced the oxidative stress in fibroblasts. The analysis of cell extracts showed the presence of the following ingredients of the formulation inside the cells: CoQ10, spermidine, resveratrol, 5-hydroxytryptophan from Griffonia simplicifolia (Vahl ex DC.) Baill., bacosides from Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst, vit B₂, B₅, E acetate. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate how a combination of natural active ingredients may contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis in human cells. Full article

This study explored the functionalization of sodium caseinate (NaCas) using environmentally friendly approaches to improve the mechanical and structural properties of the derived films. NaCas functionalization was achieved through casein crosslinking using two approaches: (i) thermal treatment at an alkaline pH to induce the formation of lysinoalanine (LAL) and (ii) riboflavin-mediated photo-oxidation to induce the formation of di-tyrosine (di-Tyr). Starting from NaCas (not functionalized, control) obtained from pasteurized milk, three functionalized NaCas samples were prepared: one sample crosslinked by LAL, and two samples crosslinked by di-Tyr formed under LED light either with or without riboflavin. The amount of crosslinking was evaluated in the acid hydrolysates through HPLC methods using either fluorescence (di-Tyr) or MS (LAL) detection. Heat treatment at pH 9 induced the formation of up to 3540 µg of LAL/g casein, whereas LED light exposure in the presence of riboflavin promoted the formation of up to 500 µg of di-Tyr/g casein. The formation of crosslinks at the intermolecular level, which resulted in protein aggregation, was detected by SDS-PAGE. Films were obtained by mixing the water solutions of the four NaCas samples with glycerol as the plasticizer and casting them. The FTIR spectra revealed that the formation of crosslinks also induced changes in the secondary structure of NaCas, which were conserved in the derived films. Mechanical testing demonstrated that di-Tyr crosslinks enhanced film ductility, while LAL crosslinks increased tensile strength and stiffness. Full article

This study comprehensively evaluated how the inclusion of the inner shell and the choice of extraction method influence the antioxidant activity of Quercus Fructus (QF). Eight QF extracts were prepared with or without the inner shell using stirring (S) and ultrasonication (U) with 80% ethanol, boiled water (B) and autoclave (A) with distilled water. Among them, the ultrasonication extract with inner shell (IU) exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity, showing strong DPPH radical scavenging (228.8 mg TEAC/g), ABTS activity (162.9 mg TEAC/g), reducing power (380.9 mg TERP/g), and SOD-like activity (38.1%). HPLC-UV profiling identified quercetin-7-glucoside (Q7G) as a major detectable compound, although several polar phenolics remained unidentified. In LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells, IU significantly suppressed nitric oxide production and iNOS expression without cytotoxicity. Additionally, IU treatment markedly reduced ROS accumulation in H₂O₂-exposed zebrafish embryos. These findings suggest that including the inner shell with ultrasonication extraction synergistically enhances QF’s antioxidant efficacy, suggesting a practical strategy for maximizing the functional potential of QF in natural antioxidant development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Vinegar–egg is a traditional health-promoting beverage prepared by soaking eggs in vinegar. While both eggs and vinegar are common dietary components with well-documented nutritional and pharmacological activities, eggs treated with vinegar have been rarely studied. This study aims to identify and characterize bioactive compounds in vinegar–egg and investigate their potential wound-healing activities. Methods: The vinegar–egg extract was analyzed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and column chromatography, including HPLC purification, which led to the isolation of four phenolic compounds. Results: These compounds were identified as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (1), vanillic acid (2), methyl syringate (3), and leptosperin (4) using ESI-MS, UV, and NMR spectroscopic data. Among the isolates, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (1) and vanillic acid (2) demonstrated wound-healing properties in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells. None of the compounds, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (1), vanillic acid (2), methyl syringate (3), or leptosperin (4), exhibited cytotoxicity in PC12, AGS, MEF, or MDA-MB-231 cells. Notably, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (1) enhanced cell motility by 2.59-fold and cell invasion by 1.20-fold, while vanillic acid (2) increased cell motility by 2.69-fold and cell invasion by 1.23-fold. Western blot analysis revealed that treatment with 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (1) and vanillic acid (2) increased the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2). Furthermore, both compounds elevated the phosphorylation of p38, a key regulator in wound-healing pathways. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (1) and vanillic acid (2) accelerate wound healing through the activation of focal adhesion and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. These results highlight vinegar–egg as a promising therapeutic candidate for wound healing. Full article

This study aimed to examine the pharmacokinetic changes in tolfenamic acid administered intravenously and orally to ducks at different doses (2, 4, and 8 mg/kg). Furthermore, the binding ratio to plasma proteins was assessed utilizing the ultrafiltration method. Eighteen male Pekin ducks were randomly assigned to three dosage groups (2, 4, and 8 mg/kg), with each group undergoing a trial in two phases: intravenous (IV) and oral administration. The sample was analyzed using an approved HPLC-UV method. A non-compartmental analysis was utilized to evaluate the pharmacokinetic data. For 2 mg/kg IV injection, the area under the curve from zero to infinity (AUC_0-∞), total clearance (Cl_T), volume of distribution at steady state (V_dss), and elimination half-life (t_1/2ʎz) were 13.03 h*µg/mL, 0.15 L/h/kg, 0.30 L/kg, and 1.72 h, respectively. Following oral administration at a dose of 2 mg/kg, the AUC_0-∞, peak plasma concentration (C_max), and bioavailability were 6.32 h*µg/mL, 2.25 µg/mL, and 48.52%, respectively. The t_1/2ʎz was extended, C_max and AUC_0-∞ elevated, T_max shortened, and Cl_T decreased in a dose-dependent manner. No dose-related change was observed in V_dss and bioavailability. In ducks, tolfenamic acid’s plasma protein binding was 99.74%, unaffected by concentration. These results may contribute to the application of tolfenamic acid in ducks at different doses, but dose-related changes in therapeutic efficacy should also be demonstrated. Full article

This study investigated the influence of process parameters on the recovery of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity from pineapple peel using green extraction technologies: ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). A two-level factorial design was used to evaluate the effects of the solvent-to-solid ratio, time, temperature, ethanol concentration, and power on the yield of hydrolyzable and condensed polyphenols. The extracts were characterized using HPLC-MS, and their antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. UAE yielded the highest condensed polyphenol content (323.82 mg/g), while MAE extracts demonstrated superior antioxidant activity (FRAP: 90.40 mgEqTrolox/g). The predominant compound identified using both methods was 1-caffeoylquinic acid. The most influential variable in UAE was the solvent-to-solid ratio, whereas extraction time was the most significant variable in MAE. These findings highlight the potential of pineapple peel valorization through sustainable extraction methods, with UAE favoring phenolic yield and MAE enhancing bioactivity, thereby supporting their application in the food and nutraceutical industries. Full article

Salvia officinalis is an aromatic plant of Mediterranean origin traditionally used to treat inflammatory, cardiovascular, endocrine, and digestive diseases. In this work, the ability of the Salvia officinalis extract in the treatment of gastric ulcers was evaluated, and an innovative administration system was proposed to increase the therapeutic effect of this plant. Salvia officinalis ethanolic extract was prepared and analyzed by HPLC/UV-DAD and encapsulated in a matrix based on gelatin and pectin using an emulsion–coacervation process. The prepared microcapsules were analyzed by laser particle size, optical microscopy, in vitro dissolution kinetics, and ex vivo bioadhesion. In order to determine the action mechanism of Salvia officinalis extract, in the treatment of gastric ulcer, the in vivo anti-ulcerogenic activity in rats, using the ulcer model induced by ethanol; the in vivo anti-Helicobacter pylori activity; and in vitro inhibitory activity of H⁺/K⁺-ATPase were carried out. These three biological activities were evaluated for ethanolic extract and microcapsules to determine the effect of formulation on biological activities. Ethanolic extract of Salvia officinalis was mainly composed of polyphenols (chlorogenic acid 7.43%, rutin 21.74%, rosmarinic acid 5.88%, and quercitrin 14.39%). Microencapsulation of this extract allowed us to obtain microcapsules of 104.2 ± 7.5 µm in diameter, an encapsulation rate of 96.57 ± 3.05%, and adequate bioadhesion. The kinetics of in vitro dissolution of the extract increase significantly after its microencapsulation. Percentages of ulcer inhibition for 100 mg/kg of extract increase from 71.71 ± 2.43% to 89.67 ± 2.54% after microencapsulation. In vitro H⁺/K⁺-ATPase-inhibiting activity resulted in an IC50 of 86.08 ± 8.69 µM/h/mg protein for free extract and 57.43 ± 5.78 µM/h/mg protein for encapsulated extract. Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity showed a similar Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 50 µg/mL for the extract and microcapsules. Salvia officinalis ethanolic extract has a significant efficacy for the treatment of gastric ulcer; its mechanism of action is based on its gastroprotective effect, anti-Helicobacter pylori, and H⁺/K⁺-ATPase inhibitor. Moreover, the microencapsulation of this extract increases its gastroprotective and H⁺/K⁺-ATPase-inhibiting activities significantly. Full article

Phospholipids (PLs) are a group of biomolecules found in the milk fat globule membranes (MFGMs). Recently, MFGM phospholipids have attracted increasing amounts of attention due to their unique composition, stability, and potential health benefits, including protective effects against Alzheimer’s disease, hypercholesterolemia, and certain types of cancer. Although buffalo milk is the second most commonly produced milk and has high nutritional value, few studies have focused on the properties of buffalo MFGM. This study investigates the PLs composition of buffalo milk and related dairy by-products (whey and buttermilk). Milk and whey were collected from two dairy farms (A—small and B—big) to produce mozzarella buffalo cheese (high-pasteurization milk for GDO production and low for local); while buttermilk was obtained from a butter-making farm. Phospholipids were purified by a solid-phase extraction method and then identified by high-performance liquid chromatography with an evaporative light-scattering detector (HPLC/ELSD). Five classes of phospholipids [phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylserine (PS), and sphingomyelin (SM)] were identified. The thermal process of milk did not significantly affect the PLs milk. However, local whey showed a higher concentration of total PLs than GDO, which was mainly represented by PE followed by PC content. Farm A exhibited higher PL content than B, particularly with a greater concentration of SM. Buttermilk showed the lowest PLs content. These findings offer valuable insights for the dairy industry and related applications, contributing to the valorization of buffalo dairy products. Full article

With increasing interest in natural therapeutic strategies for skin aging, plant-derived compounds have gained attention for their potential to protect against oxidative stress and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects of flavonoids isolated from Cercidiphyllum japonicum using a tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-stimulated normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) model. The aerial parts of C. japonicum were extracted and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), leading to the identification of four major compounds: maltol, chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, and quercitrin. Each compound was evaluated for its antioxidant and anti-aging activities in TNF-α-stimulated NHDFs. Among them, ellagic acid exhibited the most potent biological activity and was selected for further mechanistic analysis. Ellagic acid significantly suppressed intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) secretion (both p < 0.001), while markedly increasing type I procollagen production (p < 0.01). Mechanistic studies demonstrated that ellagic acid inhibited TNF-α-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), downregulated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and upregulated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a key antioxidant enzyme. Additionally, ellagic acid attenuated the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), indicating its broad modulatory effects on oxidative and inflammatory pathways. Collectively, these findings suggest that ellagic acid is a promising plant-derived bioactive compound with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, offering potential as a therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of skin aging. Full article

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is a major oilseed crop rich in phytosterols and tocopherols, compounds associated with functional and nutritional properties of vegetable oils. This study aimed to apply, for the first time, Independent Component Analysis (ICA) to discriminate the composition of phytosterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol) and tocopherols (α, β, γ, δ) in 20 soybean genotypes—14 non-transgenic and six transgenic—cultivated in two major producing regions of Paraná state, Brazil (Londrina and Ponta Grossa). Lipophilic compounds were extracted from soybean seeds, quantified via gas chromatography and HPLC, and statistically analyzed using ICA with the JADE algorithm. The extracted independent components successfully differentiated soybean varieties based on phytochemical profiles. Notably, transgenic cultivars from Ponta Grossa exhibited higher levels of total tocopherols, including α- and β-tocopherol, while conventional cultivars from both regions showed elevated phytosterol content, particularly campesterol and stigmasterol. ICA proved to be a powerful unsupervised method for visualizing patterns in complex compositional data. These findings highlight the significant influence of genotype and growing region on the nutraceutical potential of soybean, and support the use of multivariate analysis as a strategic tool for cultivar selection aimed at enhancing functional quality in food applications. Full article

Despite the significant advancements in treatment and prevention, the fight against cancer is ongoing worldwide. This study evaluated the pharmacological properties and anticancer activity of Afzelia quanzensis bark, traditionally used by the indigenous communities of KwaZulu Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa to treat cancer and related illnesses. Phytochemical screening, high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses were carried out using established protocols. The antioxidant activity was assessed via the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity and nitric oxide radicals. The anticancer activity was evaluated using the MTT assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide). Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, and phlobatannins. The HPLC-DAD analysis detected seven distinctive peaks in the aqueous extract and three distinctive peaks in the methanolic extract. The FTIR spectra of the aqueous extract displayed characteristic peaks corresponding to O-H, C=O, C=C, and =C–H functional groups. Among the tested extracts, the methanol extract exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, followed by the ethanolic extract, in both DPPH and nitric oxide. The methanol extract showed a higher cell proliferation inhibition against the DU-145 cancer cell line with the percentage of inhibition of 37.8%, followed by the aqueous extract with 36.3%. In contrast, limited activity was observed against PC-3, SK-UT-1, and AGS cell lines. The results demonstrated notable dose-dependent antioxidant and antiproliferative activities supporting the ethnomedicinal use of Afzelia quanzensis bark in cancer management. These findings warrant further investigation into its bioactive constituents and mechanisms of action. Full article

This study evaluated biomass accumulation and phenolic compound production in seven Hypericum species (H. androsaemum, H. calycinum, H. hirsutum, H. kalmianum, H. olympicum, H. perforatum, and H. triquetrifolium) cultivated in vitro under varying growth regulator treatments and culture periods. Shoots were grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with benzyladenine (BA) or meta-topoline (mT) and analyzed after 40 and 60 days. MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/L BA was the most effective condition for promoting biomass across all species, with shoot fresh weight increasing significantly at 60 days, particularly in H. olympicum, H. perforatum, and H. triquetrifolium. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS) identified 13 phenolic compounds, including flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids, anthocyanins, phloroglucinols, and naphthodianthrones. Phenolic profiles were species-specific and influenced by culture period. H. kalmianum accumulated the highest total phenolic content (37.6 mg/g DW), while H. olympicum was the top producer of hypericin and pseudohypericin. These results highlight the crucial role of culture conditions in regulating both biomass and phytochemical production and provide a promising approach for producing bioactive metabolites in Hypericum species through in vitro systems. Full article