Search Results (110)

Panax notoginseng stems and leaves are abundant agricultural residues generated during root harvest, rich in flavonoids yet remain largely underutilized as a valuable phytochemical source. This study optimized a green steaming-sodium bicarbonate aqueous extraction process via orthogonal design. Optimal conditions (steaming 1 h, 1.0% food-grade NaHCO₃, boiling extraction 2 h, 1:20 g/mL) achieved a solid yield of 13.50 ± 0.41%, significantly higher than conventional water extraction (7.98 ± 0.41%, p < 0.05), demonstrating enhanced recovery of bioactive compounds. The extract exhibited 91.95 ± 0.08% xanthine oxidase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 5.0 mg/mL) with reversible mixed-type inhibition (K_i = 4.99 mg/mL). UHPLC-MS/MS identified 3392 metabolites, predominantly flavonoids, alkaloids, and organic acids with potential XO inhibitory activity. Network pharmacology and molecular docking revealed multi-target interactions involving ADRA2A, ADA, GAA, PNP, and PTGS2 enriched in purine metabolism and AGE-RAGE signaling pathways, with quercetin 3-Gentiobioside exhibiting the strongest binding affinity and favorable ligand-target interactions (ΔG = −12.91 kcal/mol). This eco-friendly strategy employs only pure water and food-grade additives, efficiently concentrating xanthine oxidase inhibitors and offering a clean-label, sustainable approach for high-value utilization of P. notoginseng agricultural residues. These findings provide a pharmacological basis for developing functional foods targeting hyperuricemia and associated metabolic disorders. Full article

The Senegal tree (Sengalia senegal) is the primary plant source of Gum Arabic (GA), a natural secretion rich in soluble fiber and bioactive polysaccharides. It has longstanding uses in traditional medicine, nutrition, and pharmaceuticals. The present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profile, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities of GA methanolic extract (GAME), supported by molecular docking analysis of its key compounds. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis of the GAME identified many compounds, such as 9-octadecenoic acid (38.29%), methyl ester (15.52), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 3-nitro (9.8%), hexadecadienoic acid, methyl ester (8.5), and á-d-mannofuranoside, methyl (7.38). The molecular docking analysis showed that 9-octadecenoic acid had strong binding affinity with target proteins, which included xanthine oxidase (XO), lipoxygenase (LOX), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), with the highest affinity to XO (−137.03 kcal/mol) and lipoxygenase (−135.09 kcal/mol). GAME possessed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), with a zone of inhibition from 16.28 to 16.93 mm. B. subtilis was resistant to the tested extract. The extract also showed good membrane stability and potent inhibition of albumin, XO, LOX, and COX-2, with IC₅₀ values of 31.62, 13.02, 27.6, and 28.99 μg/mL, respectively. The cytotoxic assessment demonstrated moderate, dose-dependent effects on the Caco-2 (colorectal adenocarcinoma) and HeLa (cervical carcinoma) cell lines. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of GA as a natural plant source of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents. The combination of molecular docking with in vitro assays provides strong evidence supporting its application in the development of plant-based pharmaceuticals. This research suggests that GA could be a useful ingredient in the creation of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs derived from plants. Full article

Jacareubin (2), nujiangexanthone A, and α-mangostin display the highest anti-allergic effects among the active xantones through still not well-known mechanisms. This study investigates the SAR of jacareubin, its precursor xanthone V (1) and their peracetylated (1a and 2a), permethylated (1b and 2b) derivatives and their anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects. To characterize the inhibitory effect of jacareubin, 2a and 2b on the anaphylactic reaction, we first utilized in vitro models of bone marrow derived mast cells (BMMCs), determining their capacity of inhibiting the IgE/Antigen-induced degranulation, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and xanthine oxidase (XO) activation. Also, we utilized in vivo models of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and TPA-induced ear edema. In vitro tests showed that the compound 2b was more effective than jacareubin in the inhibition of BMMCs degranulation. Besides, in vivo models of PCA revealed that the fourth cyclized ring of jacareubin is the critical structural element for anti-allergic efficacy, as compound 1 was less effective. Additionally, hydroxyl groups were found to be essential for inhibiting MPO. Jacareubin was the only tested xanthone that directly inhibited XO, a result supported by molecular docking. Overall, jacareubin represents a promising multi-target scaffold that could be used for developing new treatments for inflammatory and allergic diseases. Full article

This study focused on the inhibitory effects of wheat bran feruloyl oligosaccharides (FOs) on the formation of AGEs in three bovine serum albumin (BSA)-based non-enzymatic glycation models, namely BSA-fructose, BSA-methylglyoxal (MGO), and BSA-glyoxal (GO). In the BSA-fructose model, FOs at 0.25 mg/mL achieved a 62% inhibition rate of fructosamine, equivalent to approximately 78% of the activity of the positive control aminoguanidine (AG), and reduced fluorescent AGEs by over 50% on day 12. Additionally, FOs suppressed the accumulation of α-dicarbonyl compounds, key intermediates in the glycation pathway. In the BSA-MGO and BSA-GO system, the decreased fluorescence intensity of tryptophan residues indicated that FOs bound to BSA, inducing conformational changes in the protein microenvironment; this binding also inhibited protein carbonyl formation and the loss of thiol groups, thereby modulating the protein glycation process. Compared with their precursors (ferulic acid, FA; xylooligosaccharides, XOS), FOs exhibited comparable or even superior inhibitory activity against specific AGE subtypes, suggesting a synergistic effect between the feruloyl and oligosaccharide moieties. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed that FOs reduced the band intensity of 90 kDa AGEs in the glycation system, indicating the inhibition of protein-fructose cross-linking. Fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed that FOs dynamically quenched BSA with a single binding site, and thermodynamic calculations demonstrated that the binding was spontaneous (ΔG < 0), primarily driven by hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces (ΔH < 0, ΔS < 0). This study systematically investigated the anti-glycation activities of FOs and their precursors. The findings demonstrate that FOs are promising natural glycation inhibitors and provide important theoretical and experimental support for related research. Furthermore, this study establish a basis for the green and high-value utilization of agricultural by-products like wheat bran. Full article

Achillea santolina is traditionally utilized in herbal therapy; nonetheless, its xanthine oxidase inhibitory and cellular antioxidant properties are not extensively investigated. This work aimed to identify the phytochemical composition of the methanolic extract of A. santolina aerial parts via LC–MS and to assess its xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity and its modulatory effects on intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HepG2 cells. The methanolic extract underwent LC–MS analysis for phytochemical identification, and XO inhibitory activity was assessed spectrophotometrically using allopurinol as the reference medication. Intracellular ROS levels were determined using the DCFH-DA fluorescent assay following xanthine-induced oxidative stress. LC–MS profiling identified ten compounds representing 95.1% of the extract, with flavonoid glycosides (44.1%) as the predominant class. Rutin (18.6%) and luteolin-7-O-glucoside (15.2%) were the major constituents. The extract demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition of XO, with an IC₅₀ value of 29.3 ± 0.4 µg/mL, compared to 2.1 ± 0.3 µg/mL for allopurinol. In HepG2 cells, xanthine significantly increased ROS production, while pre-treatment with the extract greatly diminished ROS levels in a dose-dependent manner, reaching approximately 75% inhibition at 50 µg/mL. The results demonstrate that the methanolic extract of A. santolina exhibits significant xanthine oxidase inhibitory and antioxidant properties, possibly due to its elevated flavonoid concentration, indicating its potential utility in addressing oxidative stress-related disorders. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first report on the combined xanthine oxidase inhibitory and intracellular ROS-modulating activities of A. santolina methanolic extract. Full article

Antrodia cinnamomea is a rare medicinal and edible macrofungus, and its triterpenoids (ACT, A. cinnamomea triterpenoids) exhibit notable hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anticancer, and immunomodulatory activities. However, their poor aqueous solubility and low dispersibility in aqueous media have limited their practical applications. In this study, the conditions for ultrasonic treatment and xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS)-mediated glycation for soy protein isolate (SPI) were optimized; ACT was then encapsulated into the modified SPI carrier to prepare XOS-SPI-ACT nanoparticles. The delivery system was systematically characterized in terms of encapsulation efficiency (74.22 ± 2.15)%, drug-loading capacity (71.19 ± 4.67)%, storage stability, thermal stability, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and surface morphological features. The results showed that ACT was effectively embedded in XOS-SPI to form a stable complex with excellent thermal stability and favorable storage stability over a 28-day period. The in vitro antioxidant activities of XOS-SPI-ACT, XOS-SPI, and free ACT were comparatively evaluated. XOS-SPI-ACT exhibited significantly higher scavenging capacities against DPPH radicals, ABTS radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and superoxide anions, as well as higher FRAP values (94%, 74%, 75%, 68%, and 2 mmol/g), compared with free ACT (48%, 17%, 21%, 32%, and 1 mmol/g). Furthermore, XOS-SPI-ACT effectively inhibited lipid peroxidation in the β-carotene/linoleic acid oxidation model, with an overall antioxidant performance of 72%, markedly higher than the 20% of free ACT. This study effectively improves the aqueous solubility and dispersibility of ACT, expands their application potential, and provides a foundation for developing ACT-based natural antioxidants and functional foods. Full article

Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam., an extremophyte shrub native to the Mediterranean basin, yields underexplored fruits as a source of therapeutic agents. This study combined in vitro and in silico approaches to evaluate the antioxidant potential of Z. lotus fruits and predict their potential to inhibit xanthine oxidase (XO), a key enzyme in reactive oxygen species generation and oxidative stress-related pathologies. The ethyl acetate extract from the hydroalcoholic macerate was enriched in total phenolics (281.33 ± 1.5 μg GAE/mg) and flavonoids (127.26 ± 5.89 μg RE/mg) and displayed remarkable effects against the ABTS^•+ radical cation (IC₅₀ = 18.49 ± 1.47 μg/mL) and phenanthroline reducing power (A_0.5 = 8.38 ± 0.69 μg/mL), together with measurable xanthine oxidase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 170.4 ± 5.90 μg/mL). The compounds tentatively identified by full-scan UHPLC-QtoF-HRMS were docked against XO (PDB ID: 3NVY), with phytosphingosine (−8.5 kcal/mol) and rutin (−8.3 kcal/mol) exhibiting the strongest binding affinities, forming favorable predicted interactions with critical catalytic residues, followed by 6‴-feruloylspinosin, 3′,5′-di-C-β-glucopyranosylphloretin and hexadecasphinganine (ranging from −7.8 to −7.6 kcal/mol). Predictive structure–activity relationships were also observed. These results provide insights into the antioxidant potential of Z. lotus phytochemicals and highlight the value of this extremophile plant as sustainable resource for phytotherapy and the management of oxidative stress-related diseases. Full article

Background: Inonotus obliquus (Chaga), a medicinal and edible macrofungus abundant in bioactive polyphenols, is a potential source of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents for functional foods. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of three key polyphenols (osmundacetone [OS], protocatechuic aldehyde [PAH], protocatechuic acid [PA]) from I. obliquus and decipher their anti-inflammatory mechanisms via the MyD88/TLR4/NF-κB pathway in a gout-related model. Methods: Antioxidant activity was assessed by xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition (IC₅₀), superoxide anion (O₂⁻) scavenging, and structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis; in a monosodium urate (MSU)-induced acute gout cell model, reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) were quantified, and MyD88/TLR4/NF-κB pathway proteins were analyzed by Western blot. Results: OS showed the strongest XO inhibition (IC₅₀ = 4.91 mM), followed by PAH (IC₅₀ = 5.92 mM) and PA (IC₅₀ = 26.53 mM); OS exerted dual redox effects by scavenging O₂⁻ and suppressing XO-mediated O₂⁻ generation, with its conjugated C=C-carbonyl system and PAH’s aldehyde group enhancing XO binding. All polyphenols and I. obliquus crude extract significantly reduced ROS, NO, LDH, and cytokines (p < 0.05), increased SOD, and downregulated TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB expression. Conclusions: I. obliquus-derived polyphenols exhibit obvious antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory effects, and regulate oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory mediators, and the MyD88/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in monosodium urate-stimulated RAW 264.7 inflammatory macrophages, supporting their development as natural functional food ingredients and potential candidates for gout-related and oxidative stress-associated inflammatory cellular disorders. Full article

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic disorder that can easily lead to gout or kidney disease, and it is believed that it can be treated effectively using probiotics. This study evaluated the safety, probiotic, and functional properties of Wickerhamomyces anomalus YFJ252, isolated from pickled vegetables, including its in vitro inhibitory activity against xanthine oxidase (XO) and in vivo uric acid-lowering activity in mice, using virulence factor screening, plate counting, and colorimetric assays. Meanwhile, the potential anti-HUA mechanism was also investigated using untargeted metabolomics and whole-genome analysis. The results show that YFJ252 is non-hemolytic and does not produce DNase, gelatinase, or biogenic amine. It has potential probiotic properties: 85.83% DPPH radical scavenging, 39.94% α-amylase inhibition, 35.32% α-glucosidase inhibition, 20.73% anti-inflammatory ability, and 84.15% XO inhibition capacity. Animal experiments indicated that early intake of YFJ252 could maintain serum uric acid levels at 165.08 μmol/L (p < 0.05), lower than the HUA group (212.19 μmol/L), and significantly decrease creatinine and urea nitrogen levels (p < 0.05). The hypothetical anti-HUA potential of YFJ252 might be due to the production of antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and XO-inhibitory metabolites during growth, as well as a purine-degrading pathway that the strain inherited. This study provides a theoretical basis for using W. anomalus YFJ252 as a food ingredient with preventive effects against HUA. Full article

Taraxacum mirabile Wagenitz, one of the endemic riches of Anatolia, is a species that has remained largely unexplored regarding its enzyme inhibition profile despite its pharmacological potential. The effects of T. mirabile aerial and root extracts, obtained at different polarities, were scrutinized in this study against two important enzymes: lactoperoxidase (LPO), which plays a vital role in the innate immune system, and xanthine oxidase (XO), which is prominently associated with hyperuricemia and oxidative stress. The aerial and root portions of the plant were extracted into fractions of varying polarities using petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and butanol. LPO was isolated from buffalo milk (881.6-fold purification, 22.5% yield, and 1249.9 EU/mg specific activity) via affinity chromatography and used in in vitro inhibition assays alongside commercial bovine XO enzyme. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction of the aerial part of the plant exhibited the strongest LPO inhibition (IC₅₀: 15.60 ± 0.77 µg/mL) among the fractions. The petroleum ether fraction of both the aerial part (IC₅₀: 11.17 ± 0.94 µg/mL) and the root part (IC₅₀: 11.61 ± 0.59 µg/mL) had the highest inhibitory effect for the XO enzyme. These distinct inhibition profiles allow for significant insights into how plant extracts with varying polarities modulate XO and LPO enzymes. In conclusion, the significant inhibitory activity of T. mirabile extracts toward LPO and XO enzymes highlights their potential as a natural source for developing effective enzyme inhibitors, which could be useful for therapeutic applications. Full article

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced aberrant oncogenic signalling has been proposed to mediate the progression and development of pleural mesothelioma (PM). In this study, we demonstrate how ROS promote oncogenic signalling, especially in the context of cell migration and immune evasion via YB-1 phosphorylation in mesothelial and PM cell models. Xanthine (X)- and xanthine oxidase (XO)-generated ROS exposure led to increased migration and a more elongated cell shape in mesothelial and PM cells in live-cell videomicroscopy analyses. These effects were associated with the enhanced phosphorylation of ERK, AKT, and YB-1 and the elevated gene expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2, which were analysed with immunoblotting and quantitative real-time RT-PCR, respectively. The pharmacological inhibition of AKT (ipatasertib), MEK (trametinib), and RSK (BI-D1870) resulted in the reversal of ROS-induced effects, with the strongest effects observed upon the inhibition of YB-1 phosphorylation by BI-D1870. The results suggest that ROS exposure has a strong impact on cell migration and immune evasion not only in PM cells but also in mesothelial cells, from which PM arises. Interfering with ROS-responsive kinase pathways, particularly YB-1 phosphorylation, could counteract pro-migratory and immune-evasive effects in PM. Full article

Spinel-based glass-ceramics face challenges such as a narrow crystallization window for the target phase and the difficulty in suppressing the competitive Li_xAl_xSi_1−xO₂ crystals. This study proposes a method to regulate the phase formation in ZnO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ glass by precisely controlling the heat treatment temperature. The microstructural evolution was analyzed by DSC, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, and XPS. The results indicate that the heat treatment at a nucleation temperature of 780 °C for 2 h and a crystallization temperature of 880 °C for 2 h effectively inhibits the precipitation of the Li_xAl_xSi_1−xO₂ secondary phase, yielding a glass-ceramic with nano-sized MgAl₂O₄, ZnAl₂O₄ spinel as the primary crystalline phase. The obtained glass-ceramic exhibits excellent mechanical properties, including a Vickers hardness of 922.6 HV, a flexural strength of 384 MPa, and an elastic modulus of 113 GPa, while maintaining a high visible light transmittance of 84.3%. This work provides a clear processing window and theoretical basis for fabricating high-performance, highly transparent spinel-based glass-ceramics through tailored heat treatment. Full article

Background: d-Limonene (LIM) is a food-derived monoterpenoid phytocompound predominantly found in citrus peels, endowed with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been reported to inhibit xanthine oxidase (XO) activity in vitro. This study investigated the dose-sparing efficacy of this dietary bioactive compound in combination with low-dose allopurinol (ALP) using a dual rat model combining potassium oxonate (PO)-induced hyperuricemia and monosodium urate (MSU)-triggered gouty arthritis, thereby capturing both metabolic and inflammatory dimensions of gout. Methods: Female Wistar rats were PO-primed and MSU-challenged, then treated with LIM (50 mg/kg), ALP (5 or 10 mg/kg), or LIM + ALP. Outcomes included paw thickness, dysfunction and inflammation indices, serum uric acid, urea, creatinine, AST/ALT, cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6), oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, catalase, GSH), and NLRP3 immunoreactivity, supported by radiographic and histopathological analyses. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test. Results: LIM improved clinical and biochemical outcomes versus monotherapies. However, LIM + low-dose ALP exhibited the greatest overall efficacy. On Day 30, paw thickness was significantly lower with LIM + ALP than with LIM alone (3.25 ± 0.31 vs. 3.98 ± 0.72 mm; p < 0.001). Serum uric acid and hepatic transaminases declined most with the combination (p < 0.0001 vs. LIM), accompanied by improved renal indices (p < 0.001). Pro-inflammatory cytokines were markedly reduced, NLRP3 immunostaining was minimal, and oxidative balance shifted toward homeostasis (↓ MDA; ↑ SOD, catalase, GSH). Radiographic and histological evaluations corroborated attenuation of joint inflammation and tissue damage. Conclusions: In the PO + MSU gout model, co-administration of the food-derived compound LIM with low-dose ALP achieved additive, dose-sparing benefits across metabolic, inflammatory, and histological endpoints. While in vivo XO activity was not directly assessed, the findings are consistent with XO-pathway modulation, NLRP3–IL-1β suppression, and redox restoration. These results highlight the potential of dietary bioactives such as d-Limonene to complement standard urate-lowering therapy, warranting further pharmacokinetic and safety validation. Full article

DNA damage resulting from oxidative stress plays a major role in cancer formation. Despite DNA damage, the inability of cells to enter apoptosis due to irregularities in apoptotic protein levels and the induction of their proliferation as a result of the increase in polyamine levels causes the development and progression of cancer. The anticancer effects of Rhus coriaria L. extracts on lung cancer, colon cancer and fibroblast cell lines were determined by MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide). Total antioxidant status (TAS) was analyzed with a commercial kit. The expression levels of genes related to apoptosis and the polyamine pathway in lung and colon cancer cell lines were analyzed by a Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) device. Rhus coriaria L. extracts were found to have anticancer effects selectively on A549 and HT-29 cancer lines. It has also been shown that Rhus coriaria L. extracts have strong antioxidant capacity and can inhibit the Xanthine Oxidase (XO) enzyme in a dose-dependent manner. Afterwards, the interactions of the molecules in extracts of Rhus coriaria L. against various proteins such as colon cancer protein (PDB ID: 3DTC and 4UYA) lung cancer protein (PDB ID: 4ZXT and 5ZMA) were examined, and their activities were compared. MM/GBSA methods of the molecule with the best docking score are calculated as binding free energy. Full article

This study aimed to compare the phenolic profiles and bioactive properties of powdered aqueous (AVOE) and methanolic (MVOE) Viburnum opulus L. fruit extracts and compare the effect of increasing concentrations of these extracts on the physicochemical, sensory, and bioactive properties of wheat waffles. The polyphenol content and bioactivity of the extracts and waffles were assessed based on their water–ethanol and phosphate-buffered saline extracts, as well as on samples after in vitro digestion. MVOE and MVOE-enriched waffles showed superior, statistically significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity compared to AVOE and AVOE-enriched waffles. Functional analyses revealed that the enrichment level affected water absorption, texture, and sensory perception, with reduced acceptability at high aqueous extract levels. Overall, methanolic extract enrichment provided the best balance between functionality and bioactivity, and waffles enriched with the highest amount of MVOE were characterized by having the highest potentially bioavailable polyphenol fraction (17.47 ± 1.01 mg GAE/gDW) as well as the strongest ability to inhibit LOX and XO activity (EC₅₀ = 8.55 ± 0.16 and 9.25 ± 0.01 mgDW/mL, respectively) with simultaneous high consumer acceptability. These results confirm the applicability of VO extracts in food formulations and potential health benefits, offering a basis for future clinical studies on VO-enriched functional foods. Full article