Search Results (10,017)

Pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins are crucial for plant defense against pathogen infection. However, the specific role of thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs), which comprise the PR-5 family, in plant immune responses has not been thoroughly investigated. Filipendula ulmaria is a medicinal plant with valuable pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, immunomodulatory, and anticancer activities. The structure of the TLP family and its role in the immune system of meadowsweet have not been studied so far. The goal of this study was to analyze in detail the TLP gene family in meadowsweet and explore its response to fungal infection. In the meadowsweet genome, we identified 27 putative TLP genes, examined their structure and location on chromosomes, analyzed cis-regulatory elements in the promoter regions, predicted the structure and physicochemical characteristics of the encoded proteins, and performed a phylogenetic analysis. We also studied the differential expression of TLP genes under Bipolaris sorokiniana infection. Of six differentially expressed genes, three genes were up-regulated 48 h post-infection, suggesting their involvement in defense response to the fungus. The results obtained shed light on the role of the TLP gene family in the immune system of F. ulmaria and form the foundation for the creation of disease-resistant crops in agriculture and the development of bio-based antimicrobials in medicine. Full article

The rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance has intensified the need for advanced therapeutic platforms capable of improving the efficacy, stability, and targeted delivery of antimicrobial agents. Electrospun nanofibers have emerged as highly promising materials for biomedical applications due to their large surface area, high porosity, tunable morphology, and ability to incorporate a broad range of bioactive compounds. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the design, fabrication, and biomedical applications of electrospun bioactive nanofibers functionalized with antimicrobial drugs. It presents the main nanofiber fabrication techniques, with particular emphasis on electrospinning and the influence of solution, process, and environmental parameters on fiber morphology and drug-loading efficiency. Natural, synthetic, and hybrid polymer systems commonly employed in electrospun antimicrobial nanofibers are analyzed in relation to their physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and therapeutic performance. In addition, the review highlights different drug incorporation strategies, including encapsulation, immobilization, and surface coating, as well as the mechanisms of action of antimicrobial agents. Recent advances in nanotechnology-based antimicrobial systems and their role in overcoming analytical, biopharmaceutical, and drug-delivery limitations are also examined. Furthermore, the review addresses current challenges related to scalability, reproducibility, stability, and clinical translation of electrospun nanofibers. Finally, future perspectives focusing on multifunctional, stimuli-responsive, and personalized antimicrobial nanofiber systems are discussed as promising directions for combating bacterial infections and reducing the global burden of antimicrobial resistance. Full article

The genus Tamarix L. includes several species widely used in traditional medicine for their therapeutic properties. This study aims to evaluate the bioactive potential of Tamarix gallica extracts from Western Algeria using an integrated in vitro and in silico approach. GC–MS analysis with BSTFA derivatization was performed to characterize the chemical profile of the methanolic fraction. In addition, total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents were determined in methanolic extracts of leaves and stems. The biological activities were assessed using antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, β-carotene, FRAP, O-phenanthroline, and cupric reducing assays), antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anti-Alzheimer in vitro assays. Molecular docking was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory potential of selected flavonoids against α-amylase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase. Results revealed a rich metabolite profile dominated by long-chain aliphatic alcohols (including hentriacontan-12-ol), phytosterols (β-sitosterol), fatty acids, phenolic derivatives, and sugar alcohols. The extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 1.34 ± 0.43 and 12.32 ± 0.36 μg·mL⁻¹), significant antimicrobial effects against the tested pathogens, and notable antidiabetic and anticholinesterase activities (IC₅₀ = 78.65 ± 1.43 and 98.37 ± 1.07 μg·mL⁻¹). Molecular docking analysis supported these findings, showing strong binding affinities of quercetin and rhamnetin toward the target enzymes. Overall, T. gallica exhibits promising multifunctional bioactivities with potential pharmaceutical relevance. Full article

Bio-based coatings enriched with essential oils (EOs) represent a promising alternative to synthetic preservatives to extend strawberries’ shelf-life. This study evaluated the effects of chitosan (CHT) formulations containing three selected EOs (Illicium verum, Citrus sinensis, and Citrus limon) on the volatile profile, sensory quality, and antifungal activity of strawberry fruits. Volatile emissions were characterized by Headspace Solid Phase Micro-Extraction/Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, while sensory properties were assessed using Quantitative Descriptive Analysis. Antifungal activity was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo against Botrytis cinerea. Chitosan alone slightly modified the volatile profile, while EO-enriched coatings induced marked and concentration-dependent changes, reflecting the chemical composition of the incorporated EOs. Among the tested formulations, CHT combined with 1% C. sinensis EO provided the best balance between preservation of the characteristic strawberry aroma and overall sensory acceptance. In vitro assays showed that EO volatiles, particularly from C. sinensis and I. verum, significantly inhibited fungal growth, while diffusible compounds were less effective. In vivo, EO-containing coatings reduced disease incidence and severity by approximately 50%. These findings highlight the potential of CHT–EO coatings as sustainable options for postharvest preservation, although optimization of EO type and concentration is crucial to balance sensory quality and antimicrobial efficacy. Full article

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania. Curcumin (CUR) is a polyphenol with several biological properties, including antimicrobial effects. However, its low bioavailability remains a challenge, and nanoencapsulation may represent a useful strategy to overcome this limitation. This study aimed to evaluate, in vitro, the antipromastigote activity of free CUR and the antiamastigote effect of CUR nanoparticles and their association with antimoniate, as well as to elucidate possible mechanisms of action. Free CUR directly inhibited promastigote proliferation, with an IC₅₀ of 25 µM at 24 h. CUR induced mitochondrial hyperpolarization, increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), and enhanced lipid peroxidation and the accumulation of lipid droplets in promastigotes. These alterations were associated with autophagic and apoptotic processes, morphological and ultrastructural changes, DNA fragmentation, and cell cycle arrest. Free CUR also reduced the viability of BALB/c peritoneal macrophages, and this effect was attenuated after nanoencapsulation. Free CUR, CUR nanoparticles, and their association with antimoniate (AM) reduced both the percentage of infected macrophages and the number of intracellular amastigotes at all tested concentrations, with increased NO production observed at the highest concentrations of free CUR. Altogether, our findings suggest that CUR exerts leishmanicidal activity against promastigotes by disrupting oxidative metabolism and triggering autophagic and apoptotic pathways, while amastigote elimination appears to occur through mechanisms independent of oxidative stress. Full article

Excessive application of chemical preservatives has raised increasing concerns regarding food safety and human health, prompting the search for safer natural alternatives. Lavender essential oil (LEO), a plant-derived antimicrobial agent, has been considered a promising substitute for synthetic preservatives, but its high volatility and poor water solubility limit its practical application. In this study, LEO nanoemulsions were fabricated via high-pressure homogenization using sodium caseinate (SC) and tea polyphenols (TPs) as composite emulsifiers. The preparation process was optimized using a three-factor, three-level orthogonal design, and the physicochemical properties, storage stability, and antibacterial activity were systematically investigated. The optimal preparation conditions were determined as an SC/TP mass ratio of 2:1, homogenization pressure of 70 MPa, and 7 homogenization cycles. The optimized nanoemulsion exhibited a droplet size of 130–210 nm, zeta potential of −30.89 mV, and encapsulation efficiency of 98.61%, with typical shear-thinning behavior and excellent storage stability. The percentage of free LEO remained below 7.5% within 15 days, indicating high stability, and the release behavior followed a zero-order kinetic model. The prepared nanoemulsion showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 62.5 μg/mL for both strains. This study confirms that the SC/TP composite interface can effectively stabilize LEO nanoemulsions, providing a theoretical basis for the development of natural and efficient food preservatives. Full article

Polysaccharide-based hydrogels represent promising platforms for the development of bioactive wound dressings due to their biocompatibility, bioadhesive properties, and ability to maintain a moist environment at the wound interface. In this study, polymeric films were developed from natural polysaccharides incorporating olive mill wastewater (OMW) as a natural antibacterial agent. Chitosan (medium molecular weight), sodium alginate, sodium hyaluronate, and xanthan gum were selected to prepare hydrogel formulations either as single polymers or binary mixtures. Hydrogels were prepared by aqueous dispersion under magnetic stirring and subsequently converted into films using a solvent casting method. The resulting films were characterized in terms of rheological behavior, pH, morphology, thickness and water content. The obtained hydrogel films showed good casting ability, producing smooth and homogeneous matrices with adequate deformability and skin adhesion. Furthermore, they demonstrated a suitable capacity to absorb and retain water, mimicking the management of wound exudate. OMW was incorporated into the hydrogel formulations as a source of phenolic compounds with well-known antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The presence of these bioactive compounds provides the films with potential antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against clinically relevant multidrug-resistant staphylococcal strains. These findings suggest that OMW-loaded polysaccharide hydrogels represent a promising and sustainable strategy for the development of antibacterial films for wound healing applications. Full article

Driven by advances in multifunctional materials design, silver halides—both natural (AgCl, AgBr, AgI, and mixed phases such as embolite) and synthetic—have emerged as versatile functional materials characterized by tunable crystallography, phase stability, and compositional variability. This study investigates global research trends, interdisciplinary development, and emerging application areas of silver halides through a bibliometric analysis of 23,841 publications indexed in the Web of Science (1975–2025). CDPI, TELM, VOSviewer, and Excel were employed to evaluate publication growth, disciplinary integration, and thematic evolution. Research output increased markedly after 2005, reaching approximately 700–1000 publications annually during 2020–2025. China (18.3%) and the United States (17.5%) were the leading contributors, while the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Russian Academy of Sciences, and CNRS showed the highest scientific impact. Materials Science Multidisciplinary (CDPI = 0.72), Chemistry Multidisciplinary (0.70), and Physical Chemistry (0.67) exhibited the strongest interdisciplinary integration, whereas Nanoscience and Nanotechnology demonstrated the fastest growth. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified six major research domains focused on functional materials engineering, including environmental remediation, catalysis, crystal growth, antibacterial materials, interfacial processes, and electroanalytical systems. Recent studies increasingly emphasize structure–property relationships and synthetic control of crystal size, morphology, and surface characteristics to enhance performance in photocatalysis, sensing, antimicrobial coatings, and advanced optical applications. Overall, the results highlight the growing importance of silver halides as strategic functional materials and provide a quantitative framework for future research and technological development. A limitation of this study is its exclusive reliance on the Web of Science database, which may underrepresent relevant publications indexed elsewhere. Full article

Ninhydrins represent a promising chemical space for the search for new biologically active molecules with antimicrobial, antiprotease, and antitumor properties. In the present work, new ninhydrin derivatives were synthesized, and for the first time, a systematic in silico study of ninhydrins as multitarget ligands for five pharmacologically significant targets (HER1/HER4, HER2/HER3, Trk-B, PPAR-α, and LTβR) was conducted, whose amplification or overexpression plays a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of certain aggressive cancer types. Among the studied ninhydrin derivatives, compound 1 (2,2-dihydroxy-5,6-dimethoxy-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione) stands out as the most potentially active molecule. It exhibits high affinity for HER1/HER4, Trk-B, and PPAR-α, opening up potential applications in oncology (HER family and Trk-B inhibition during BDNF overexpression), neurodegenerative diseases (Trk-B modulation), and metabolic disorders (PPAR-α activation). Compound 4 (2,2-Dihydroxy-5-trifluoromethylindane-1,3-dione) is a leader in LTβR binding and also holds promise for immuno-oncology and anti-inflammatory strategies. Full article

Background: Persistent intraradicular infection and biofilm survival remain major challenges in endodontic treatment, particularly because residual microorganisms may remain within dentinal tubules despite chemomechanical preparation. The antimicrobial efficacy of sealers may be insufficient against resistant bacteria. This study evaluated the effect of incorporating red and black iron oxide nanoparticles into BioRoot RCS on its antimicrobial activity and cytocompatibility. Methods: BioRoot RCS was modified with red or black iron oxide nanoparticles at 0.5 wt% and 2.0 wt%, generating 5 groups: unmodified sealer, 0.5% red, 2.0% red, 0.5% black, and 2.0% black. Surface morphology was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, while elemental composition was determined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum was assessed using a direct contact test, antibiofilm activity by colony-forming unit reduction on infected dentin discs, and cytocompatibility using human gingival fibroblasts and the AlamarBlue assay. Results: Iron was detected in the modified formulations, and elemental mapping showed homogenous distribution of calcium and iron. The 2.0% formulations showed significantly higher antibacterial and antibiofilm effects than the corresponding 0.5% groups (p < 0.05), with 2.0% black showing the lowest bacterial counts. Cytocompatibility differed at 1 and 3 days but not at 7 days, and all groups remained close to the control level with no significant difference (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, experimental modification of BioRoot RCS with iron oxide nanoparticles, particularly at 2.0 wt%, improved the antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy of BioRoot RCS while maintaining acceptable cytocompatibility. However, physicochemical and handling properties must be evaluated before the clinical relevance of this modification can be determined. Full article

Wound infections due to antibiotic resistance pose a global public health problem. Phage therapy is a promising approach to address this issue. To improve localization, phage stability, delivery, and antibacterial performance, we propose polymer mix gel microbeads encapsulated with phages as a model for the delivery of phiKZ bacteriophage to combat Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Phages were loaded into the alginate pre-gel under magnetic stirring, with further cross-linking by chitosan and/or Ca²⁺ ions. The obtained gel microbeads were characterized using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, and their cytotoxicity and antimicrobial properties were evaluated. This study demonstrated the efficient loading of high-titer phage lysate, achieving up to 99% encapsulation efficiency for alginate–chitosan microbeads. The key characteristics of the microbeads include stable physicochemical properties, slow but continuous phage release over 48 h in physiological saline, and low cytotoxicity. The phage-loaded microbeads demonstrated strong in vitro antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa PAO1, resulting in mean reductions of 6.9 log₁₀ and 4.8 log₁₀ CFU/mL for alginate and alginate–chitosan formulations, respectively. This corresponded to a decrease in bacterial concentration from approximately 1.1 × 10¹¹ CFU/mL in untreated controls to 1.1 × 10⁵ CFU/mL and 7.7 × 10⁶ CFU/mL for alginate and alginate–chitosan formulations after 3 h of incubation. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance and biofilm-associated contamination continue to pose critical challenges in food safety and biomedical applications, necessitating the development of advanced antimicrobial materials with enhanced efficacy, safety, and functional adaptability. Antimicrobial nanomaterials offer versatile solutions due to their tunable physicochemical properties, surface engineering capabilities, and controlled release behaviors, enabling improved antimicrobial and antibiofilm performance across diverse systems. This review highlights the main advancements in AI-assisted design of antimicrobial nanomaterials, demonstrating how data-driven approaches are increasingly used to predict antimicrobial activity, optimize synthesis parameters, model nanotoxicity, integrate multimodal datasets, and improve interpretability through explainable AI frameworks. Key findings indicate that machine learning-guided strategies and autonomous experimental platforms significantly accelerate material optimization while reducing reliance on traditional trial-and-error methods. The review further summarizes the performance and mechanisms of major antimicrobial nanomaterial systems, including metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, metal–organic frameworks, polymeric nanocarriers, nanoemulsions, and hybrid nanostructures, with emphasis on their translational applications in food preservation, antimicrobial coatings, wound healing, implant protection, and drug delivery. Despite these advances, challenges remain in data quality, model generalizability, toxicity prediction, reproducibility, and regulatory translation. AI-enabled and data-driven frameworks provide a powerful pathway for accelerating the rational design and practical implementation of next-generation antimicrobial nanomaterials. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tuberculosis remains a major public health challenge due to the persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. In this study, Pep-H, an HNP-1-derived antimicrobial peptide with the sequence RRYGTCIYQGRLWAF-NH₂, was used as a compact scaffold to examine how single-residue substitutions at the Cys position affected its biological and functional profile. Methods: A focused single-position substitution panel was generated by replacing Cys with Trp, Ala, Arg, or Met while preserving peptide length and sequence context, and the analogs were computationally prioritized according to their predicted antitubercular potential and contrasting side-chain properties. The peptides were synthesized, purified, characterized by HPLC and mass spectrometry, and evaluated for activity against Mtb H37Rv, cytotoxicity, hemolysis, ethidium bromide accumulation, and DPPH radical scavenging. Results: Pep-H retained the most favorable profile, showing the highest antimycobacterial potency, low hemolysis, favorable selectivity indices, enhanced ethidium bromide accumulation, and the strongest antioxidant response. All Cys substitutions reduced antimycobacterial activity, indicating that none of the tested residues reproduced the integrated biological profile of Pep-H. Conclusions: The contrasting outcomes of the Arg- and Met-containing analogs suggest that increased cationicity or sulfur retention alone was insufficient, while supporting a multifactorial contribution of Cys side-chain chemistry and the local GTCIY environment. Full article

The copolymerization of biologically active N-(carboxyphenyl)maleimides with styrene was systematically investigated to elucidate the effect of positional isomerism (ortho-, meta-, and para-) on monomer reactivity and copolymer properties. Reactivity ratios (r₁, r₂) were determined using the Fineman–Ross method, and Q–e parameters were evaluated within the Alfrey–Price framework, revealing distinct electronic effects governing copolymerization behavior. Increasing the maleimide fraction in the feed resulted in decreased copolymer yield, intrinsic viscosity, molecular weight, and glass transition temperature, while all copolymers remained styrene-rich, indicating preferential styrene propagation. Comprehensive structural characterization (NMR, FTIR, and UV–Vis) confirmed successful incorporation of both monomer units. Rheological analysis demonstrated a clear viscosity trend (ortho > meta > para), highlighting the influence of substituent position on chain interactions and macromolecular architecture. Thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) showed good thermal stability up to 250–300 °C. Notably, the copolymers exhibited significant antibacterial and antifungal activity, with maximum inhibition observed against Candida albicans. This study establishes a direct correlation between substituent position and structure–property relationships, providing new insights for the rational design of functional styrenic copolymers with potential applications in antimicrobial and biomedical materials. Full article

Allicin, the most critical bioactive compound of garlic (Allium sativum L.), is of significant industrial importance when extracted at high purity while preserving its structural integrity. In this study, the combined use of supercritical-CO₂ (SC-CO₂) extraction and molecular distillation (MD) techniques was investigated to obtain garlic extracts with high allicin content from Gaziantep (Araban) garlic. The SC-CO₂ extraction process was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) within a range of 150–300 bar pressure, 50–80% co-solvent concentration and 0.5–3.0 mL/min solvent flow rate. The obtained extracts were characterized by LC-ESI-DAD-MS/MS, and their biological activities were evaluated using a comprehensive in vitro digestion model. Allicin in vitro digestion was performed using models simulating gastrointestinal conditions of young adults (<65 years) and older adults (>65 years), and its bioactive properties were comparatively evaluated. In the antimicrobial analysis, for SC-CO₂, a strong activity was demonstrated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in the oral phase of the in vitro digestion model, with inhibition zones of 36.33 mm and 26.50 mm in young samples and 34.67 mm and 25.83 mm in older samples, respectively. Owing to the immediate nucleophilic attack triggered by the subsequent alkaline pH shift and pancreatic enzymatic stress, free allicin underwent total structural degradation, falling below detectable limits within the intestinal chyme. In terms of purification performance, allicin content increased from 45.77% after SC-CO₂ extraction to 67.10% after molecular distillation. Crucially, due to the immediate nucleophilic attack driven by the subsequent alkaline pH shift and pancreatic enzymatic stress, free allicin underwent complete structural degradation and was rendered strictly undetectable within the intestinal chyme. This approach provides a sustainable and environmentally friendly purification strategy that effectively limits the thermal degradation of allicin. The results present a practical framework for the scalable production of allicin-rich nutraceutical intermediates and functional food ingredients. Full article