Search Results (493)

Terminalia catappa L. (Family: Combretaceae) is used globally to treat various diseases, including bacterial infections. Whilst the antibacterial activity of T. catappa has previously been tested against antibiotic-sensitive bacterial strains, the antimicrobial activity against methicillin and β-lactam-resistant pathogens has been relatively ignored. The antibacterial activity of T. catappa extracts, both alone and combined with selected clinical antibiotics, was evaluated in this study. The inhibition of bacterial growth by the extracts was determined using agar diffusion and broth micro-dilution assays. Combinations of the extracts and several clinical antibiotics were also examined and the ∑FICs were calculated to determine the interaction class. Synergistic combinations were further evaluated by isobologram analysis. The T. catappa leaf extracts were screened for toxicity using Artemia franciscana lethality bioassays (ALA). Orbitrap liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) profiling analysis was undertaken to identify flavonoid components of the extracts, putatively. The T. catappa methanolic extract inhibited all the tested bacterial strains. It displayed especially good inhibitory activity against E. coli (MIC = 130 µg/mL). Combining the T. catappa extracts with some conventional antibiotics potentiated the inhibitory activity of the combinations compared to the activity of individual components. LC-MS profiling analysis identified multiple flavonoid components, including rutin, quercitin, orientin, the tannin component, and ellagic acid in the extracts. All extracts were non-toxic against Artemia nauplii. The phytochemical constituents present in the T. catappa leaf extracts warrant future investigation as potential antibacterial agents. Full article

This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of recent advances in miniaturized Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) sample preparation techniques applied across food, environmental, and biological matrices. Covering developments within 2020–2025, it focuses on analytical performance, environmental impact, and alignment with principles of sustainable and green analytical chemistry. Central to this review is the significant reduction in solvent and sample volumes achieved through miniaturization, thus decreasing the reagent consumption and hazardous waste generation. The integration of eco-friendly extraction solvents and sorbent materials enhances selectivity and reduces the environmental footprint. These methods are often coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometers, enabling sensitive, multi-residue, and suspect analysis. Challenges associated with complex matrices, low analyte concentrations, and the need for robust clean-up procedures are addressed through innovative hybrid workflows and advanced materials, e.g., polymeric electrospun fibers and deep eutectic solvents. The growing adoption of greener protocols is highlighted. Moreover, it underscores their potential to improve routine analytical workflows while reducing environmental burden. Future research should focus on the development of sustainable sample preparation with improved sensitivity, broader applicability, and minimal ecological impacts. This comprehensive assessment supports the ongoing transformation of analytical chemistry towards more sustainable practices without compromising analytical reliability and efficacy. Full article

The study aimed to elucidate compositional changes in free phenolic compounds (fPHEs) during bakery processing of wheat flour supplemented with grape pomace (GP) and to assess dough rheology, bun shape and physical characteristics. Three GP variants were used—two from white cultivars (Rhine Riesling; Rhine Riesling + Muscat of Moravia) and one from a red blend (Saint Laurent and André)—at substitution levels of 5, 10, 20, and 30%. Thirty-four fPHEs were quantified by high-resolution UHPLC-MS-Orbitrap; dough rheology was assessed by Mixolab; and potential fPHE–wheat macromolecule interactions were examined via FTIR spectroscopy. Wheat flour contained only six fPHEs at low concentrations. Both white GP samples had similar profiles of 32 fPHEs, dominated by miquelianin (526–683 µg/g) and hyperoside + isoquercetin (390–476 µg/g). Red GP was highly enriched in anthocyanins (>30,000 µg/g) and generally exceeded white GP in most fPHEs. Even 5% GP substantially increased fPHE concentrations throughout processing. Several compounds (e.g., gallic acid, miquelianin) exceeded theoretical values, suggesting release from bound forms during fermentation and heating, whereas anthocyanins lost at least 30% during baking. Rheological analysis showed shorter dough development and reduced stability with increasing GP. White GP enhanced starch gelatinization (C3), gel stability (C4), and retrogradation, whereas 20% red GP markedly impaired gelatinization. GP additions ≥10% deteriorated bun shape and physical properties. FTIR confirmed spectral shifts likely due to fPHE–protein/starch interactions. In summary, incorporation of just 5% GP enhanced the nutritional profile of wheat buns. Full article

This study examined the relationship between flavonoid content and the antiviral effects of plant extracts against the dengue virus (DENV). Fourteen extracts from medicinal plants cultivated in Colombia, which were prepared by ultrasonic-assisted solvent extraction (UAE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) were included. UHPLC/ESI-Q-Orbitrap-MS analysis identified forty-six flavonoids. Antiviral effect on viral adsorption was evaluated using the DENV-CPE-based assay. UAE extracts of Scutellaria coccinea, Scutellaria incarnata, and Lippia alba contained higher amounts of flavonoid glycosides (from 97.0% to 87.9%) than aglycones, and showed antiviral effect (IC₅₀: 3.0 to 65 µg/mL; SI: 0.4 to 71). In contrast, UAE and SFE extracts from Lippia origanoides had higher content of flavonoid aglycones (41.7% to 93.4%) than glycosides (0.0 to 58.3%) and showed no antiviral effect. Cluster and one-way ANOVA analyses revealed a positive correlation between increased levels of flavone glycosides in the extract and a strong antiviral effect. Docking analyses (AutoDock Vina) revealed that the flavonoid glycosides exhibited a higher binding affinity for the target proteins (E, Gas6-Axl, clathrin, and dynamin) than the aglycones did. This study establishes a scientific basis for using extracts rich in flavonoid glycosides, particularly flavones, as starting points for developing plant-based therapies to treat dengue. Full article

Coconut milk is a widely consumed plant-based milk alternative, valued for its creamy texture and functional properties. This study systematically evaluated the fatty acid and phenolic profiles of coconut meat and water at tender and mature stages to inform coconut milk production. Fatty acid analysis revealed that mature coconut meat (MCM) contained 299.7 g/kg total fatty acids, predominantly lauric acid (C12:0, 142.97 g/kg, 48%), myristic acid (C14:0, 57.39 g/kg, 19%), and palmitic acid (C16:0, 29.79 g/kg, 10%), whereas tender coconut meat (TCM) contained 90.87 g/kg total fatty acids. Tender coconut water (TCW) exhibited the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and DPPH radical scavenging activity. UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS identified 1065 phytochemicals, including 96 phenolics, with multivariate analyses showing distinct profiles between tissues and developmental stages. Notably, tender samples contained higher levels of bioactive phenolics, such as catechin, epicatechin, and astilbin. Collectively, these results demonstrate that tissue type and developmental stage jointly shape the nutritional and functional attributes of coconuts. Mature coconut meat provides lipid-rich nutrition for coconut milk, while tender coconut water offers antioxidant-rich bioactivity. Integrating these raw materials can enhance the nutritional and functional properties of coconut milk, enhancing its role as a versatile plant-based alternative for functional food and beverages. Full article

The complexity of the milk matrix, driven by its lipid-rich composition, complicates pesticide residue analysis. This study developed a simplified and robust analytical procedure for the quantification of 250 pesticides in cow’s milk. Sample preparation involved acidified ethyl acetate extraction followed by centrifugation at 0 °C. A subsequent clean-up step was performed using micro solid-phase extraction (μSPE) in a 96-well format with the enhanced matrix removal-lipid (EMR-lipid) sorbent. Final extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-Q-Orbitrap-MS). Method validation demonstrated satisfactory linearity within the 5–100 µg/L range, recoveries between 70.6% and 119.8%, and precision, expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD), was acceptable for both intraday (1.8–19.2%) and interday (1.6–18.5%) conditions. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was set at 10 µg/kg for all compounds. The method was applied to 23 commercial cow’s milk samples, and no pesticide residues were detected above the current European Union (EU) maximum residue limits (MRLs). Full article

Background: Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa (Bunge) Hu ex H. F. Chow. (ZS) is a valuable plant with diverse economic applications, as all its organs contain bioactive secondary metabolites. The seeds, known as Suanzaoren in traditional Chinese medicine, are utilized as both a medicinal and edible resource, while the fruit pulp and leaves serve as significant raw materials in the food industry. Increasing market demand for Suanzaoren has led to expanded cultivation, though current production practices emphasize seed utilization, resulting in the underutilization of pulp and leaf tissues. In agricultural systems, developing elite varieties is an effective strategy for enhancing crop yield and quality. Breeding initiatives should establish specific objectives aligned with particular end uses, such as seed, pulp, or leaf production. Germplasm serves as the foundational material for breeding programs, so its selection must correspond to intended applications. Evaluating existing germplasm resources based on chemical composition profiles will provide a basis for developing improved ZS varieties. Objective: This study aimed to systematically compare the characteristic chemical composition in the seeds, pulp, and leaves of ZS. By quantifying key chemical components—such as flavonoid glycosides and saponins in seeds, organic acids and phenolic compounds in pulp, and flavonol glycosides and phenolic acids in leaves—we evaluated the quality of ZS germplasm resources. The resulting compositional profiles provide a concrete basis for selecting and breeding elite cultivars tailored to specific end uses, including seed, pulp, or leaf production. Methods: Chemical characterization was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS). Quantitative analysis of chemical composition was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection (HPLC-ELSD). Multivariate statistical analyses—including principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and entropy-weighted technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (entropy-weighted TOPSIS)(EWT)—were employed for comprehensive data evaluation. Results: A comprehensive phytochemical analysis of Ziziphi spinosae (ZS) was conducted, identifying 144 distinct compounds across the seeds, pulp, and leaves. Of these, 114 were found in the seeds, 84 in the leaves, and 79 in the pulp. The seeds were particularly rich in flavonoid glycosides, such as spinosin and 6‴-feruloylspinosin, as well as saponins like jujuboside A and B. The pulp was dominated by organic acids, including citric acid, and phenolic compounds, while the leaves were abundant in flavonol glycosides, including rutin, and phenolic acids such as isochlorogenic acid B. Based on the chemical composition profiles, the ZS germplasms were evaluated for specific applications. ZS24, ZS22, and ZS3 were identified as the most suitable for seed production, ZS3, ZS6, and ZS9 for pulp utilization, and ZS20, ZS3, and ZS18 for leaf-based applications. With respect to the integrated utilization of multiple plant parts (roots, stems, and leaves), ZS6, ZS3, and ZS24 demonstrated the highest potential. Conclusions: The identification of superior germplasm resources provides strategic direction for the breeding of elite ZS cultivars. These findings will enable the comprehensive utilization of ZS plant resources and support the high-quality development of related industries. Full article

The widespread presence of pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs) in aquatic environments raises significant environmental and public health concerns, particularly through their accumulation in marine biota and potential transfer to humans via seafood. In aquaculture, fish feed is essential for production but may also act as a pathway for contaminants in the marine environment. This study aimed to develop and validate an analytical method for the extraction and quantification of 14 antibiotics and ethoxyquin antioxidant in fish tissue and feed. Two QuEChERS-based extraction protocols were compared: the AOAC 2007.01 method (Method A) using Z-Sep⁺ as clean-up, and the original QuEChERS method (Method B) employing Enhanced Matrix Removal (EMR)-lipid. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization in positive and negative mode was applied for identification and quantification. Validation included assessment of recovery, linearity, precision, limits of detection and quantification, uncertainty, matrix effects, and process efficiency. Both methods showed good linearity (R² > 0.9899) and precision (<19.7%). Method B achieved superior recoveries for most analytes in both fish tissue (70–110%) and feed (69–119%), with lower uncertainties (<18.4%) compared to Method A. Overall, the original QuEChERS method demonstrated better analytical performance, supporting its application as a green, robust tool for monitoring emerging contaminants in aquaculture products. Full article

The chemical composition of the ethanol extract of Acanthopanax senticosus fruit (ASFEE) was systematically characterized using UPLC-MS/MS (Q Exactive Orbitrap), leading to the identification of 45 compounds. Through integrated network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses, the binding affinities between key bioactive constituents—such as eleutheroside E (EE) and quercetin—and core therapeutic targets were predicted and validated. A total of 125 overlapping targets were identified between ASFEE and acute kidney injury (AKI), with significant enrichment observed in critical signaling pathways, including NF-κB, IL-17, and PI3K-Akt. To evaluate the protective effects of ASFEE, both in vitro (HK-2 cells) and in vivo (murine) models of cisplatin (DDP)-induced AKI were employed. Parameters assessed included cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, kidney function, histopathological alterations, and levels of inflammatory cytokines. ASFEE treatment markedly enhanced HK-2 cell viability and reduced cellular apoptosis and ROS generation. In the murine model, DDP administration resulted in significantly elevated serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Both low- and high-dose ASFEE treatments significantly attenuated these increases, improved overall kidney function, and alleviated kidney tubular damage. Furthermore, ASFEE reduced serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Multi-omics integration analysis enabled the identification of differentially expressed genes and metabolites. ASFEE was found to reverse 4689 DDP-induced gene expression changes and 323 metabolic disturbances, with the uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)-mediated ascorbic acid metabolism pathway emerging as the central regulatory axis. Key candidate genes and proteins were further validated via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. DDP significantly upregulated the expression of inflammatory markers and associated signaling molecules in kidney tissues, while concurrently downregulating UGT family genes and the UGT1A1 protein involved in uronic acid metabolism. Notably, ASFEE treatment effectively counteracted these alterations, confirming its role in enhancing UGT1A1-mediated metabolic processes and suppressing the NF-κB/PI3K-Akt/IL-17 signaling cascade. These mechanisms contribute to improved antioxidant capacity, mitigation of inflammatory responses, and restoration of metabolic homeostasis, thereby conferring protection against DDP-induced AKI. ASFEE exerts a protective effect on AKI caused by DDP by enhancing antioxidant capacity, inhibiting inflammation and restoring metabolic homeostasis, providing an experimental basis for its subsequent development and application. Full article

The social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum is a versatile biological model widely used in drug discovery and studying cellular stress responses. However, its application for cytotoxicity evaluation of natural products, particularly algal-derived compounds, remains underutilized. In this study, we developed a high-throughput developmental assay in D. discoideum to analyze the cytotoxicity of acetone and methanol extracts from the Peruvian seaweed Glossophora kunthii. Our results showed that the acetone extract caused a transient delay in the social development of the amoeba. In contrast, the methanol extract exhibited no significant effects, even at high extract concentrations. UHPLC/Orbitrap/ESI/MS/MS analysis tentatively identified ten major compounds, including pachydictyol A and dictyotriol A diacetate. The presence of diterpenes, such as dictyotadiol and pachydictyol A, previously reported to exhibit moderate cytotoxic activity, likely explains the developmental delay observed with the acetone extract. This study highlights the utility of D. discoideum as a scalable cytotoxicity screening platform within algal pharmacognosy, facilitating the early identification of non-toxic marine natural products suitable for further biomedical and biotechnological development. Full article

Kaempferitrin (KAE) is a natural flavonol dirhamnopyranoside with various pharmacological activities, isolated from the antithrombotic fraction of Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. This study aimed to investigate the antithrombotic activity and “effective forms” of KAE. The results showed that KAE significantly prolonged rabbit plasma recalcification time in vitro. In the FeCl₃-induced rat arterial thrombosis model, KAE demonstrated antithrombotic effects by inhibiting coagulation, platelet aggregation, and fibrinolysis, with a lesser risk of bleeding compared to aspirin. KAE was orally administered to rats, and a total of 192 metabolites were characterized. These included 25 phase I metabolites, 8 hydroxylated and methylated metabolites, 57 sulfated metabolites, 74 glucuronidated metabolites, 26 sulfated and glucuronidated metabolites, and 2 glycosylated metabolites. Twenty-eight compounds were considered the in vivo “effective forms” of KAE for their antithrombotic activity. Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations collectively predict that these “effective forms” may exert antithrombotic effects by suppressing the SRC/PI3K/AKT pathway. This study provides a foundation for a better understanding of the in vivo “effective forms” and mechanisms underlying KAE’s antithrombotic activity, which is essential for understanding of “hexue” traditional efficacy of C. orbiculatus. Full article

Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (ZSS), a medicinal and edible homologous herbal drug, is commercially available in both raw and fried (FZSS) forms and has been widely used to improve sleep quality. This study aimed to elucidate the differences in chemical composition between the two specifications. A comprehensive metabolomics approach utilizing ¹H NMR, GC–MS, and UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS identified a total of 66 potential biomarkers. The results demonstrated that after frying, the content of fatty acids decreased significantly, while the levels of most primary metabolites (e.g., sugars, amino acids) and secondary metabolites (e.g., alkaloids, flavonoids) increased markedly. Targeted quantification of 14 key components validated these trends: the contents of five fatty acids decreased (p < 0.001), whereas the levels of five secondary metabolites (coclaurine, magnoflorine, spinosin, 6‴-feruloylspinosin, and jujuboside A) increased. In contrast, the content of jujuboside B decreased significantly. This study systematically reveals the profound impact of frying on the chemical composition of ZSS, providing a scientific basis for its quality control and processing optimization. Full article

Severe asthma is a heterogeneous condition often resistant to conventional corticosteroid therapy, necessitating the identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This study investigates immunological, transcriptional, and proteomic biomarkers in severe asthma patients from the Brazilian ProAR cohort. Cytokines were measured using a multiplex technology and the differential sputum cell count was performed by cytospin preparations. Sputum transcriptomics was performed by RNA-seq using Ion S5 next-generation sequencing platform. The proteomic study of sputum was performed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using Q Exactive Orbitrap technology. Compared to mild-to-moderate asthma (MMA) and treatment-controlled severe asthma (SAC), the treatment-resistant severe asthma (SAR) group exhibited increased sputum neutrophilia, eosinophilia, and elevated IL-6 and TNF levels, correlating with impaired lung function. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed a Th2-independent molecular signature characterized by downregulation of the Hippo signaling pathway and upregulation of JAK–STAT inflammatory cascades. Distinctive microRNA profiles suggest regulatory involvement in inflammatory and proliferative processes. These findings align with prior studies, reinforcing the presence of an IL-6- and TNF-high severe asthma phenotype across diverse populations. Our results highlight key inflammatory pathways that may underlie corticosteroid resistance, offering potential targets for personalized therapeutic interventions in severe asthma. Full article

Cancer metabolomics has become a powerful way of understanding tumor biology, identifying biomarkers and metabolites, and helping precision oncology. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), among many other analytical platforms, has gained popularity over the past two and a half decades due to its unique ability of directly analyzing metabolites in tissue with spatial resolution. This review will study 2000–2025 MALDI-based strategies for cancer metabolite detection, spanning from early proof-of-concept protein profiling to the development of high-resolution MALDI-MS imaging (MALDI-MSI), which is capable of mapping thousands of metabolites at near single-cell resolution. Its applications include the differentiation of tumor versus normal tissue, discovery of stage and subtype specific biomarkers, mapping of metabolic heterogeneity, and the visualization of drug metabolism in situ. Breakthrough technological milestones, such as the advanced matrices, on-tissue derivatization, MALDI-2 post-ionization, and the integration with Orbitrap or Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) platforms, have significantly improved the overall sensitivity, metabolite coverage, and spatial fidelity. Clinically, MALDI-MS has shown its purpose in breast, prostate, colorectal, lung, and liver cancers by providing metabolic fingerprints that are linked to tumor microenvironments, hypoxia, and therapeutic response. However, challenges such as the inclusion of matrix interface with low-mass metabolites, limited quantitation, ion suppression, and the lack of standardized procedures do not yet allow for the transition from translation to routine diagnostics. Even with these hurdles, the future of MALDI-MS in oncology remains in a good position with major advancements in multimodal imaging, machine learning-based data integration, portable sampling devices, and clinical validation studies that are pushing the field towards precision treatment. Full article

Background: Steamed Panax notoginseng saponins (SPNSs) can alleviate cyclophosphamide-induced anemia. However, the hepatointestinal effects of SPNSs and their role in ameliorating cyclophosphamide-induced anemia remain unexplored. Objective: To elucidate the hepatointestinal effects of SPNSs and their role in ameliorating cyclophosphamide-induced anemia. Methods: Blood samples were collected and analyzed on days 7 and 14. Liver tissues and small intestinal villi structures were observed via HE staining. Liver and colon content metabolites were detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Liver proteins were analyzed by using an Orbitrap Astral mass spectrometer. Colon content microbiota composition was assessed via metagenomics. Signaling pathway protein expression was analyzed via Western blotting (WB). Results: SPNSs significantly increased the red blood cell (RBC) count and hemoglobin (HGB) level by day 14 and alleviated hepatointestinal damage. Hepatic metabolomics revealed: the most abundant metabolites were fatty acids and stachyose on day 7 and amino acid and arachidonic acid derivatives on day 14. KEGG analysis implicated cAMP signaling. Proteomics revealed upregulated immune-related proteins and enhanced PI3K pathway activity (WB-validated). Colon content metabolomics showed increased daidzein, 3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl) propanoic acid, γ-CEHC, and adenosine in SPNS groups on day 14. Metagenomics indicated differential abundances of Heminiphilus faecis, Phocaeicola sartorii, and s-bacterium_J10.2018 on day 14. Multiomics integration demonstrated significant correlations between hepatic metabolites, hematopoietic proteins, colon content metabolites, and probiotic bacteria. Conclusions: SPNS alleviates cyclophosphamide-induced hepato-intestinal injury in anemic mice by modulating the gut microbiota and enhancing hepato-intestinal immune defense. Additionally, SPNSs ameliorate anemia in cyclophosphamide-treated mice by activating the cAMP/PI3K/AKT pathway, promoting hepatocyte proliferation, and increasing hematopoietic protein expression. Full article