Search Results (46,938)

Oxidative stress is a key mechanism underlying nicotine-induced male reproductive dysfunction, yet evidence-based phytopharmacological interventions remain limited. Uncaria gambir Roxb., a catechin-rich medicinal plant from West Sumatra, Indonesia, exhibits strong antioxidant potential; however, a comprehensive multi-regional evaluation combined with in vivo androgenic assessment is lacking. This study aimed to characterize the antioxidant activity, phytochemical composition (HPLC-DAD), and antimicrobial properties of gambir extracts from three production regions (Halaban, Mungka, and Pesisir Selatan), to evaluate catechin pharmacokinetics in silico (PASS Online; SwissADME), and to assess dose-dependent effects in male Wistar rats exposed to nicotine (n = 36). The Halaban extract showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 6.99 ± 0.28 µg mL⁻¹) and catechin content (7.91 ± 0.07 mg g⁻¹). All extracts demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. PASS analysis predicted strong membrane integrity agonism (Pa = 0.950) and HMOX1 induction (Pa = 0.778), while SwissADME indicated favorable pharmacokinetic properties, including full Lipinski compliance and high gastrointestinal absorption. In the in vivo study, gambir Halaban extract at 300 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ significantly increased follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone levels compared to controls (p < 0.05), exceeding baseline values and indicating HPG axis stimulation. A non-linear (hormetic) response was observed, with reduced efficacy at higher doses. These findings highlight bioactive-rich gambir as a promising multi-target natural antioxidant for mitigating oxidative-stress-related reproductive dysfunction, warranting further mechanistic and translational studies. Full article

Postharvest spoilage of fresh fruits demands efficient bio-based packaging films. Here, chitosan/gelatin (CG) films were incorporated with β-cyclodextrin-encapsulated clove essential oil microcapsules (β-CD@CEO MCs) at varying loadings. The results suggested that CEO encapsulation occurred within β-CD cavities and hydrogen-bond binding of MCs to the CG matrix. At 0.4% MCs, the composite film showed 60.11% higher tensile strength, excellent UV shielding, lower water vapor transmission rate, and strong antioxidant activity (DPPH 89.6%, ABTS 97.1), along with 58.21% biodegradation after 16 days of soil burial. In vitro release studies revealed a pH-responsive sustained release profile of CEO from the composite films, with faster release under acidic conditions (98.5% at pH 3.5 after 72 h) compared to neutral conditions (87.2% at pH 7.0), indicating the potential for targeted release on the weakly acidic grape surface. The film also exhibited significant antimicrobial effects against Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium gladioli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. In table grape preservation, CG/MCs-0.4 film effectively delayed decay, reduced weight loss by 38.79%, maintained firmness and color, and preserved higher levels of soluble solids, titratable acidity, reducing sugars, and vitamin C compared to polyethylene packaging and untreated controls. Full article

Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua polysaccharides (PCPs) are bioactive components with antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. However, whether the polysaccharides derived from elder Polygonatum cyrtonema exhibit superior health benefits remains unclear. This study systematically compared the in vitro fermentation characteristics, gut microbiota-modulating effects, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production of PCPs extracted from three-year-old (TPP), five-year-old (FPP), and eight-year-old (EPP) plants using a human fecal fermentation model. The fermentation dynamics were evaluated by monitoring pH, OD₆₀₀, and the consumption of total and reducing sugars, while the structural degradation and compositional differences in PCPs were tracked via molecular weight distribution and monosaccharide composition analysis. The results showed that all three PCPs were degraded and utilized by gut microbiota, accompanied by decreased pH, increased OD₆₀₀, and enhanced antioxidant activities. High-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that, at the phylum level, all PCPs increased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. At the genus level, they reduced the abundance of harmful bacteria such as Sutterella and increased beneficial bacteria including Bifidobacterium and Megasphaera. Furthermore, gas chromatography (GC) analysis demonstrated that, compared with FPP, TPP and EPP significantly promoted the production of SCFAs. In summary, this study indicates that the in vitro fermentation characteristics and prebiotic properties of PCPs vary with growth years, and a comprehensive evaluation suggests that three-year-old Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua represents a promising raw material for the development of functional foods. Full article

Genistein (GEN) exhibits concentration- and cell-type-dependent biological activities; however, the mechanisms underlying its cytotoxicity remain incompletely understood. This study investigated whether oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to GEN-induced apoptosis in TM4 mouse Sertoli cells and ELT3 rat leiomyoma cells. Cells were exposed to GEN (30 or 100 µM) for 48 h. Cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and apoptosis were assessed by measuring cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase release, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde, glutathione reductase activity, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), intracellular ATP, apoptosis-related gene expression, and caspase-3/-9 activities. The involvement of oxidative stress was examined using N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). GEN reduced cell viability, antioxidant capacity, ΔΨm, and ATP content while increasing membrane damage, ROS accumulation, and lipid peroxidation in both cell lines. These changes were accompanied by upregulation of Bax, Tp53, caspase-3, and caspase-9; downregulation of Bcl-2; and increased caspase-3/-9 activities. NAC pretreatment attenuated these alterations, supporting ROS as an upstream mediator. Notably, TM4 cells were approximately 4.4-fold more sensitive to GEN than ELT3 cells at 48 h. Collectively, the findings support a ROS-dependent mitochondrial apoptotic response under elevated in vitro GEN exposure but do not establish selective antitumor cytotoxicity or direct physiological relevance. Full article

Potatoes with colored flesh are increasingly processed in the food industry. However, establishing appropriate production parameters is challenging because anthocyanins and other polyphenols present in potatoes undergo structural transformations during processing. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of five organic acids applied during the production of dehydrated potato grits on the content, profile, and stability of phenolic compounds in the final products manufactured from tubers of the red-fleshed potato cultivar Lily Rose (LR) and the purple-fleshed cultivar Double Fun (DF). The effects were assessed by analyzing the profiles, antioxidant activity, and content of the phenolic compounds in the final products. Phenolic compounds were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while antioxidant activity was evaluated using the FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS assays. Only malic acid improved anthocyanin retention in LR potato products, while tartaric and malic acids had the greatest effect on the content of the analyzed compounds in DF potato products. Citric acid showed only a moderate stabilizing effect on anthocyanin content. Grits produced with malic and tartaric acids contained 20–67% more phenolic acids than the control and showed higher antioxidant activity. Lactic acid had an adverse effect, particularly in LR dehydrated potato grits. Depending on the potato cultivar, the effectiveness of organic acids in stabilizing anthocyanins varied. Therefore, the processing conditions for colored potatoes should be optimized for the specific cultivar. Full article

Background: Drought tolerance in wheat is a complex trait controlled by multiple regulatory networks, among which calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) act as important components linking stress perception with downstream cellular responses. However, the functional contribution of individual CDPK members to drought adaptation in wheat remains largely unclear. This study aimed to identify and functionally characterize drought-responsive CDPK genes associated with differential drought responses in wheat. Methods: Two wheat lines derived from the same breeding background exhibiting contrasting drought adaption, 23B1 and 23B39, were subjected to PEG6000-induced osmotic stress. Growth traits, osmotic adjustment-related metabolites, membrane damage indicators, and antioxidant enzyme activity were evaluated. Transcriptomic analysis was performed at early drought-response stages, followed by differential expression analysis, functional enrichment, CDPK family screening, and qRT-PCR validation. The role of TaCDPK22-5A was further investigated using barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV)-mediated virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). Results: The drought-responsive line 23B1 maintained stronger growth, accumulated higher levels of proline and soluble sugars, exhibited enhanced peroxidase activity, and showed reduced membrane lipid peroxidation compared with 23B39. Transcriptome analysis revealed extensive transcriptional reprogramming under drought stress, with differentially expressed genes mainly associated with metabolic adjustment, transport regulation, secondary metabolism, and stress-responsive pathways. Among the identified CDPK members, TaCDPK22-5A showed a strong drought-responsive expression pattern in the line exhibiting stronger drought tolerance (23B1). Virus-induced gene silencing of TaCDPK22-5A significantly impaired drought tolerance, resulting in reduced growth, biomass accumulation, and chlorophyll retention under drought conditions. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that TaCDPK22-5A contributes positively to drought adaptation in wheat and highlight CDPK-mediated calcium signaling as an important regulatory component of drought responses. The identified gene provides a potential target for improving drought resilience in wheat breeding. Full article

The valorization of food industry by-products is a promising strategy for developing natural additives to increase food quality. This study examined the efficiency of tomato processing industry waste (TPIW), which is a significant agro-industrial by-product, in enhancing the oxidative stability of three common edible vegetable seed oils (i.e., sunflower, soybean, and corn oils) under accelerated storage conditions. A custom response surface methodology (RSM) approach was employed to design and optimize the experiments, also using butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a potent synthetic antioxidant (i.e., oil type, TPIW and/or BHT enrichment). Oils were incubated under controlled conditions at 60 °C for 28 d (Schall oven test), wherein both darkness and light exposure were employed. Untreated (control), TPIW-enriched, and BHT-fortified (positive control) oils were examined in this study. The oxidative stability and shelf-life of oils was thoroughly evaluated using standard oxidative indices for both primary and secondary oxidation by-products, antioxidant capacity (DPPH radical scavenging activity), total carotenoid content, chromatic coordinates (CIE 1976 L*a*b*), and Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy to monitor structural changes. The results revealed that enrichment with TPIW significantly (p < 0.05) reduced both primary and secondary oxidation products compared to untreated oils, approaching the protective efficiency of BHT in some assays. Specifically, it was observed that the combination of soybean oil enriched with both BHT and TPIW was the most preferable to enhance oxidation stability. Results from FT-IR supported these findings; slower formation of oxidative derivatives was revealed. Light exposure did not show a significant impact on the oxidation process regardless of the oil sample when compared to the temperature parameter. The results of this study confirm that TPIW could assist shelf-life prolongation of edible vegetable oils and promote a circular economy strategy by valorizing food by-products as a viable alternative to synthetic antioxidants. Full article

Although tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) is an economically important tobamovirus, the physiological and molecular events occurring during the asymptomatic phase of infection remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the early responses of Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun to ToMV infection using an integrated physiological, biochemical, photosynthetic, and molecular approach. Viral accumulation was quantified via RT-PCR. Oxidative stress markers, antioxidant systems, photosynthetic performance, and gene expression were analyzed at 7 days post inoculation (DPI), before visible symptoms developed. Although infected plants remained symptomless, ToMV was detected in 80% of inoculated plants. Early infection induced oxidative stress, evidenced by increased malondialdehyde content, reduced free amino acid levels, and enhanced activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase. Total glutathione, phenolic compounds, and phenylpropanoids remained unchanged, whereas flavonoid content decreased significantly. ToMV infection also impaired the photosynthetic apparatus, resulting in reduced chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, decreased electron transport efficiency, and increased energy dissipation within photosystem II. Gene expression analysis revealed significant upregulation of defense- and stress-related genes (WRKY1, HSP70, GR, and DHAR), as well as chloroplast-associated genes (psaA and rbcL). Correlation analyses demonstrated coordinated relationships among viral accumulation, oxidative stress, antioxidant responses, and photosynthetic performance. These findings provide new insights into the asymptomatic phase of ToMV infection and identify potential early markers of host responses to viral infection. Full article

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder strongly associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired proteostasis. Mutations in TARDBP, encoding TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), contribute to disease pathogenesis through cytoplasmic mislocalization and aggregation. Among these, the ALS-linked TDP-43^G376D mutation has been previously associated with oxidative stress, mitochondrial fragmentation, and impaired oxidative phosphorylation. Here, we investigated the impact of TDP-43^G376D on Mitochondrial Quality Control (MQC) pathways using patient-derived dermal fibroblasts carrying the mutation at early and advanced disease stages, complemented by HEK293T and Neuro2a cellular models expressing mutant TDP-43. We show that TDP-43^G376D impairs mitophagic flux, as evidenced by reduced delivery of damaged mitochondria to lysosomes. This was accompanied by pronounced disruption of mitochondrial cristae architecture and accumulation of mitochondrial DNA damage, indicating compromised mitochondrial genome integrity. Furthermore, TDP-43^G376D induces sustained activation of the mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response (UPR^mt), consistent with persistent mitochondrial stress, while selectively impairing the sirtuin-dependent antioxidant branch. In parallel, activation of the Endoplasmic Reticulum UPR (UPR^ER) was observed, indicating a coordinated engagement of cellular stress pathways. Collectively, our findings identify coordinated alterations in multiple MQC pathways associated with TDP-43^G376D rather than isolated mitochondrial defects, supporting further investigation of these pathways in larger and disease-relevant ALS models. Full article

Xylem sap is increasingly recognized as a dynamic biological matrix reflecting whole-plant physiological status, but its biochemical variation under field conditions remains insufficiently characterized. We investigated oxidative stress markers, osmolytes, antioxidant enzymes, and redox-related enzymes in xylem sap from three focal tree individuals representing Fraxinus excelsior, Populus nigra, and Pinus sylvestris. Sap was collected by passive stem tapping using a custom-built apparatus, and biochemical patterns were evaluated using multivariate statistical and machine-learning approaches. The three focal trees showed distinct biochemical profiles within the present dataset. The focal P. nigra individual was associated with relatively higher antioxidant enzyme activities, whereas the focal F. excelsior and P. sylvestris individuals were more closely associated with oxidative-damage and metabolic-adjustment traits. Precipitation and wind direction were retained as the main meteorological variables associated with biochemical variation, with wind direction interpreted as an atmospheric correlate rather than a direct physiological driver. Exploratory machine-learning analyses highlighted catalase and selected meteorological variables as influential predictors. Overall, the findings support the potential of xylem sap for integrative ecophysiological monitoring while emphasizing the exploratory nature of patterns derived from repeated measurements of three focal trees. Full article

Dietary polyphenols are plant-derived secondary metabolites recognized as highly bioactive molecules. One of their most significant biological properties is their antioxidant potential. In the present study, the antioxidant capacities of commonly consumed dietary polyphenolic compounds were comparatively evaluated. Antioxidant activities were assessed using sing ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. Twenty-three polyphenol standards were classified into two primary groups, phenolic acids and flavonoids, each further divided into their respective subclasses, and their antioxidant capacities were examined in relation to structural features. Among the phenolic acids, gallic acid (11.29 ± 0.05 µmol Trolox equivalents/mg), protocatechuic acid (6.69 ± 0.04), syringic acid (5.76 ± 0.03), caffeic acid (4.76 ± 0.02), and ellagic acid (4.65 ± 0.07) exhibited the highest FRAP activities. Among the flavonoids, quercetin (5.98 ± 0.03), epicatechin (2.69 ± 0.02), and resveratrol (2.59 ± 0.01) were the most potent antioxidants. Compounds such as chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), rutin, and luteolin displayed moderate antioxidant activity, whereas p-hydroxybenzoic acid, pinocembrin, chrysin, daidzein, hesperetin, t-cinnamic acid, and myricetin showed markedly low activity. These results indicate that antioxidant capacity of polyphenols is strongly influenced by both the number and the positions of hydroxyl groups on their aromatic rings, highlighting the critical role of structural features in determining their redox potential. Full article

Plants grown in arid environments can produce distinct secondary metabolite profiles as adaptive stress responses. This study evaluated the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antibiofilm activities of essential oils (EOs) from two Ocimum species cultivated in Qatar: Ocimum basilicum L. (OB-S, sweet basil) and Ocimum africanum Lour. (OA-L, lemon basil). GC-MS analysis revealed distinct chemotypes: OB-S was linalool-rich (31.53% linalool and 12.91% eucalyptol), while OA-L was citral-dominant (78.34% geranial/neral). OB-S exhibited superior biological activity, showing a lower minimum inhibitory concentration against Listeria monocytogenes (MIC = 5 mg/mL) than OA-L (MIC = 10 mg/mL). Consistent with its higher total phenolic content (999.06 ± 8.30 vs. 37.77 ± 3.25 µg GAE/g EO), OB-S demonstrated significantly greater antioxidant capacity (DPPH EC₅₀ of 162.69 ± 0.78 vs. 939.38 ± 0.68 µg/mL). Further evaluation of OB-S EO and its major constituents (linalool, eugenol, estragole, eucalyptol) against L. monocytogenes biofilms revealed that while the whole EO reduced biofilm viability at 2MIC, isolated phytocompounds were more potent. Eugenol achieved the greatest reduction (reaching up to 5 log CFU/cm²), suggesting that it may be a major contributor to OB-S EO’s antibiofilm activity. These findings highlight the distinct chemotypic and bioactive profiles of these Ocimum species cultivated under arid conditions while also demonstrating eugenol’s potential for food-safety applications as a natural food preservative. Full article

Apple maturation involves profound metabolic reconfiguration, yet systematic trade-offs among bioactive, primary, and volatile metabolites remain unclear, particularly under highland cultivation. We examined nine apple cultivars spanning early-, mid-, and late-maturing groups grown under identical high-altitude conditions (1950 m). Early-maturing cultivars exhibited superior antioxidant activity, with Huashuo (HS) achieving the highest ABTS•⁺ radical scavenging (1268.5 μg Trolox/g) and flavonoid (18.9 mg/g) levels. Conversely, late cultivars accumulated significantly more starch (31.5 mg/g in HFS) and total soluble sugars (121.5 mg/g in Ruixue), whereas sucrose peaked in the early Jinyu (94.4 mg/g). PCA and OPLS-DA models robustly separated maturity groups (predictive variance 65.4%). Late-maturing cultivars exhibited reduced volatile abundance, with 338 compounds downregulated versus only 32 upregulated (VIP > 1, p < 0.05). Compounds with high predicted aroma impact (rOAV ≥ 1), including 2,6-nonadienal (Log₂FC = −3.21) and isobutyl isovalerate (−3.55), were severely depleted, while butanoic acid propyl ester (5.01) increased. Flavor mapping suggested a marked loss of “green” and “fruity” notes in late cultivars. Overall, highland-grown apples exhibit a fundamental metabolic trade-off favoring starch accumulation, a trait commonly associated with storability in late-maturing cultivars. These findings suggest candidate volatile biomarkers for breeding programs that warrant further validation and highlight the potential need for postharvest metabolic interventions to preserve the natural aroma of late-maturing apples. Full article

This study analyzed the changes in physiological and biochemical indexes of seedlings from different Illicium verum Hook.f. (I. verum) cultivars under drought stress to comprehensively compare their drought resistance and lay a foundation for the screening and artificial cultivation of stress-resistant I. verum cultivars. The effects of drought stress on Relative Water Content (RWC), Malondialdehyde (MDA), osmotic adjustment substances, and antioxidant enzymes of seedlings of different I. verum cultivars were determined by indoor hydroponic method and PEG-6000 simulated drought stress experiment. RWC showed a downward trend, and the smallest change was Dongrong. The change trend of MDA content was increased and then decreased, and the greatest change was Heiye. Differences exist in the changes of osmotic adjustment substances in seedlings of different I. verum cultivars in response to drought stress. The contents of osmoregulatory substances all showed an upward trend. The Proline (Pro) content and soluble sugar (Ss) content in Luoma changed the most, and the soluble protein (Sp) content changed the most in Dongrong. Seedlings of different I. verum cultivars differ in antioxidant enzyme activities in response to drought stress. With the extension of drought stress time, the activities of Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme, Peroxidase (POD) enzyme, and Catalase (CAT) enzyme increased first and then decreased. The activities of SOD enzyme, POD enzyme, and CAT enzyme changed the most in Luoma, Dongrong, and Chenping. The drought resistance of the five I. verum cultivars was Dongrong > Muwang > Luoma > Heiye > Chenping. Different drought-resistant cultivars should be selected according to local conditions in the cultivation process. Full article

Heightened consumer awareness of health benefits has propelled nutritionally enhanced cereal products to the forefront of food industry innovation. The present work focused on manufacturing polyphenol-enriched biscuits by incorporating grape seed extract (GSE). The study evaluated different formulations of wheat flour with GSE at addition ratios of 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1% (w/w). Within the 0.2–0.6% GSE range, significant improvements were observed in dough properties and biscuit quality. Specifically, the dough development time and degree of softening decreased, while the dough stability time, peak viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus increased. The fortified biscuits had a darker color, lower baking loss rate, and increased spread factor, springiness, and cohesiveness. In addition, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of the fortified biscuits increased significantly (p < 0.05), and the antioxidant activity of the biscuits was also enhanced. Sensory evaluation results indicated that biscuits with 0.6% GSE addition achieved the highest overall acceptability score (8.7 ± 0.4 on a 9-point hedonic scale), indicating good consumer acceptance. These findings identify 0.6% GSE as an appropriate fortification level for improving biscuit quality while enhancing polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity, providing a practical basis for the development of polyphenol-enriched bakery products. Full article