Search Results (130)

Natural Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a highly valued medicinal fungus known for its antitumor, immunomodulatory, and antiviral properties. Due to extensive overharvesting in Asia, cultivated alternatives have become increasingly important. This study aimed to evaluate the biological activity and chemical composition of extracts obtained from cultivated Ophiocordyceps sinensis grown using different rice substrates. Methanolic extracts were prepared from solid-state cultivated Ophiocordyceps sinensis grown on Oryza sativa var. indica and Oryza sativa var. japonica. Antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH assay, while proteolytic activity was evaluated with the azocasein substrate. Chemical characterization of major compounds was performed using ¹D and ²D NMR spectroscopy, together with IR spectroscopy. UV/Vis spectrophotometry was employed to confirm the formation of silver nanoparticles in AgNO₃ solution. Antimicrobial activity was tested against bacterial strains, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. All prepared methanolic extracts exhibited measurable antioxidant and proteolytic activities. The dominant identified compounds were Z-oleic acid, linoleic acid, and D-mannitol. Selected extracts successfully induced the formation of silver nanoparticles. The highest antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli was observed for sample 1OS, reaching a mean % RIZD value of 129.32 ± 0.58%. Full article

A chickpea-based milk beverage containing both plant and animal proteins represents an excellent substrate for the production of biologically active peptides through fermentation. Fermentation by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) increases its nutritional value compared to the unfermented beverage while improving the digestibility and bioavailability of essential nutrients via proteolytic enzyme activity. This study investigated the production of bioactive peptides in fermented chickpea water extract using ten bacterial strains isolated from plant and animal sources. The proteolytic activity of each strain was quantified using the trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) method, and the presence of proteolytic genes was confirmed via agarose gel electrophoresis. Peptides released during fermentation were identified through two-dimensional electrophoresis, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and tandem mass spectrometry. To predict the potential biological activities of the studied peptide sequences, a series of in silico analyses were performed using specialized bioinformatics tools. The identified peptides were predicted to exhibit antioxidant, antihypertensive, anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antituberculosis, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities. Based on the results, L. fermentum SB-2 and L. sakei SD-8, were selected as promising candidates for bioactive peptide production in a chickpea water extract-based milk beverage and were subsequently applied in the beverage prototype. Full article

The increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease has created a substantial and urgent need for brain-healthy functional foods. The processing of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) generates considerable amounts of head waste, which is rich in bioactive compounds, including lipids and peptides, holding great promise for the development of nutraceuticals to support human brain health. However, traditional extraction methods are time-consuming and inefficient in fully utilizing these compounds. This study aimed to explore the functional properties of these shrimp head-derived ingredients using “one-step” three-phase partitioning (TPP) followed by successive proteolysis. The extracted polar lipid (PL-SH), protein (P-SH) and proteolytic peptidic product (Pep-SH) from shrimp heads were screened for their antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti-neuroinflammatory activities. Antioxidant activities were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS⁺), and hydroxyl free radical scavenging assays, all of which revealed strong antioxidant potential for all three products. Neuroprotective activities were assessed using HT-22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells challenged with Aβ₂₅₋₃₅, and anti-neuroinflammatory activities were evaluated using BV-2 microglial cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results suggested that both PL-SH and Pep-SH exerted protective effects against Aβ₂₅₋₃₅-induced cell damage under the tested conditions, and PL-SH also reduced nitric oxide (NO) production induced by LPS, indicating potential anti-neuroinflammatory activity. However, further studies with additional biomarkers (e.g., ROS, apoptosis markers, and cytokines) are required to confirm these effects. The lipid composition of PL-SH was further characterized by thin-layer chromatography and LC-MS/MS-based lipidomics, revealing various classes of phospholipids. Furthermore, analysis of the molecular weight distribution and sequences of peptides in Pep-SH revealed peptide sizes ranging from 70 to 1700 Da and a high degree of homology to known antioxidant and neuroprotective peptide sequences. These findings suggest that lipids and peptides from Pacific white shrimp heads possess valuable functional properties, supporting their potential use in the development of functional foods for neuroprotection and anti-neuroinflammation. Full article

While the pathological impact of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the aetiology of human infertility has received much attention, this review explores the counterproposal that these highly reactive metabolites play a positive role in mediating reproductive success. The physiological importance of ROS in biological systems can be distilled into three main categories of influence: (1) ROS can oxidize thiols to generate either the corresponding sulfenic acid or disulfide bridges. This oxidizing capacity is critical for several reproductive processes, including the cross linking of sperm chromatin during epididymal maturation, formation of the mitochondrial sheath, and the activation of proteolytic zymogens involved in such processes as ovulation, menstruation, implantation, and parturition. Thiol oxidation is also involved in the suppression of phosphatase activity and the resulting promotion of phosphorylation-dependent signal transduction pathways, which are involved in virtually every aspect of reproduction from sperm capacitation to parturition; (2) The destructive properties of ROS are also biologically significant in the defence against genital tract infections and in mediating such processes as autophagy, apoptosis, and ferroptosis, which are fundamental to the reproductive process; (3) Finally, ROS are involved in controlling the redox status of transition metals (particularly iron and copper) in the active site of many enzymes that are of fundamental importance to reproduction. Given the biological importance of ROS to procreation, we should use antioxidants with care in managing both male and female infertility and avoid the induction of reductive stress. Full article

This study evaluated the impact of lactic acid fermentation on microbiological and nutritional quality, bioactive compound profile, and bioactive properties of mashed navy beans (MNB). Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) viability and microbiological quality of fermented mashed navy beans (FMNBs) were maintained for up to 28 days at 4 °C. Fermentation improved protein quality while reducing trypsin inhibitor activity. Additionally, fermentation enhanced the extractability of phenolic compounds, especially of bound forms. Proteolytic activity during fermentation generated low-molecular-weight peptides enriched in hydrophobic residues. Although antioxidant capacity remained comparable between samples, fermented samples exhibited higher angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory (ACE-I) activity (IC₅₀ ACE-I = 0.635 ± 0.043 and 0.413 ± 0.002 mg solids mL⁻¹ for MNBs and FMNBs, respectively). Simulated gastrointestinal digestion enhanced both antioxidant (ABTS•+) and antihypertensive potential. ECA-I inhibition was higher in the fermented sample dialysates (D), with IC₅₀ values of 0.160 ± 0.005 and 0.117 ± 0.003 mg solids mL⁻¹ for MNB-D and FMNB-D, respectively, due to the increased dialyzability of phenolic compounds and the presence of hydrophobic low-molecular-weight peptides in FMNB-D. Furthermore, FMNB-D exhibited competitive ACE-I inhibition. These findings demonstrate that lactic fermentation is an effective strategy to enhance the nutritional and health-promoting properties of legume-based foods. Full article

A bacterial strain M4 exhibiting high nattokinase (NK) activity and favorable antibacterial properties was isolated from fermented soybean paste in Northeast China. Based on morphological observation, physiological and biochemical characterization, 16S rDNA sequence analysis, and whole-genome sequencing, the strain was identified as Bacillus velezensis. Its probiotic potential and safety were systematically evaluated using a combination of in vitro assays and genome mining. Genomic analysis revealed that M4 possessed a complete genome consisting of a single circular chromosome of 4,473,838 bp with a GC content of 46.94%, encoding 4516 predicted proteins. Functional domain annotation identified four proteins (XLQ58132.1, XLQ58158.1, XLQ59409.1, and XLQ59873.1) containing both the Peptidase inhibitor I9 and Peptidase S8 domains, confirming the presence of the typical molecular signature of NK. Furthermore, the genome harbored 132 genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes, 37 biosynthetic gene clusters, and 142 genes encoding proteolytic enzymes. Comparative genomic analysis revealed a close phylogenetic relationship with other B. velezensis strains and identified 98 strain-specific genes. Safety assessment demonstrated that M4 exhibited no hemolytic activity, was susceptible to eight commonly tested antibiotics, and lacked genes encoding high-risk virulence factors. Probiotic characterization indicated that M4 exhibited certain levels of gastrointestinal tolerance, acid resistance, bile salt resistance, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial properties. In conclusion, B. velezensis M4 shows potential for development as a functional strain. Full article

Saliva is an important biological matrix that allows the investigation of various welfare parameters; in ruminants, it is abundant and can be easily collected without requiring professional veterinary intervention. The aim of the investigation was to provide additional information on both digestive and antioxidant enzymes of sheep farmed in good welfare conditions, assessed with the Animal welfare indicators (AWIN) protocol. Small surgical forceps holding a Salivette^® device (Sarstedt, Nümbrecht, Germany) were gently inserted into the sheep’s mouths without any force. The sheep chewed the swabs independently for a few seconds, allowing saliva collection. Seventeen enzymes from the saliva of 15 sheep were analyzed: antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione S transferase), proteolytic enzymes (trypsin, chymotrypsin, N-aminopeptidases, carboxypeptidase A and B), carbohydrases (glucose oxidase, amylase, cellulase, lignin peroxidase, chitinase and α-glycosidase), and esterases (alkaline and acidic phosphatases, lipase and esterase). Esterase activity showed the highest value (12.95 ± 1.25 U/mg of proteins), whereas lignin peroxidase activity showed the lowest (2.23 ± 0.37 µU/mg of proteins). The activity of all enzymes was observed except for glutathione S transferase and α-glycosidase. Among the enzymes, lipase activity has already been identified as a biomarker of stress in sheep saliva. This investigation may represent a basis for further investigations into the diet and adaptive responses of sheep to different environmental conditions. Furthermore, samples collected using the Salivette^® device can be easily obtained without requiring specialized staff and without causing any stress to the animals. Further investigations into the origin of individual enzymes using a proteomic approach are desirable. Full article

Drought and elevated temperature are major abiotic stresses that limit potato growth and productivity; however, their combined effects on biomass and oxidative damage to proteins remain poorly understood. We investigated individual and interactive effects of drought and elevated temperature on growth traits, yield, protein carbonylation, 20S proteasome activity, and the leaf proteome. Results show that while an elevated temperature alone did not significantly impair vegetative biomass or yield, it markedly intensified the negative impacts of drought during simultaneous exposure. Drought and combined stress substantially reduced stem and leaf mass, as well as assimilation area. Biochemically, drought induced protein carbonylation and stimulated 20S proteasome activity. Interestingly, elevated temperature reduced carbonylation and proteasome activity, yet its presence in combined stress exacerbated oxidative damage compared to drought. Proteomic analysis revealed stress-specific carbonylation of molecular chaperones, antioxidant enzymes, and proteins involved in photosynthesis, glycolysis, and energy metabolism. These results suggest that while potato plants exhibit resilience to moderately elevated temperature, the synergistic effect of heat and drought triggers a more severe oxidative challenge. This requires enhanced proteolytic and antioxidant mechanisms to maintain growth and productivity under complex stress conditions. Full article

Skeletal muscle atrophy emerges from intertwined neuromuscular and metabolic failures, in which neuromuscular junction destabilization, excitation contraction coupling defects, and mitochondrial dysfunction collectively intensify calcium dysregulation and drive the accumulation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), reinforcing proteolytic and catabolic signaling programs. To integrate recent evidence on the neuromuscular redox interface and highlight therapeutic strategies that target these interdependent drivers of atrophy. RONS-mediated activation of NF-κB and FOXO pathways accelerates ubiquitin proteasome and autophagy lysosome degradation, leading to motor unit loss. Stem cell therapies (satellite cells, MSCs, and iPSC progenitors) seek to restore regenerative potential but face hurdles in engraftment and reinnervation. Gene-based interventions, including antioxidant gene delivery, Nrf2 activation, RNA modulators, and CRISPR editing, offer new avenues but remain limited by safety and delivery barriers. Bioengineering platforms such as hydrogels, decellularized scaffolds, and extracellular vesicles provide architectural, trophic, and immunomodulatory support. Translational progress requires rigorous safety pipelines, mechanistic biomarkers of motor unit recovery, and modular combination regimens that integrate cells, genes, scaffolds, and rehabilitative input. By aligning neuromuscular biology with redox control, emerging strategies hold promise to rebuild innervated, fatigue-resistant muscle across acquired and genetic atrophy syndromes. Full article

Natural bioactive peptides have emerged as pivotal candidates in modern science due to their multifaceted biological activities and versatile applications across biomedicine, biotechnology, and nutraceuticals. These molecules exhibit a broad pharmacological spectrum including antimicrobial, antiplatelet, antioxidant, antihypertensive, and antitumor properties, positioning them as potent therapeutic agents and essential functional food constituents. Compared to synthetic alternatives, their inherent structural diversity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability offer a superior safety profile by minimizing systemic toxicity and adverse effects. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the primary natural reservoirs of these peptides, which encompass terrestrial flora and fauna as well as marine organisms and microorganisms, while elucidating their complex mechanisms of action and structure–function relationships. Furthermore, we evaluate contemporary methodologies for peptide identification and optimization, such as high-throughput proteomics, computational modeling, and strategic chemical modifications aimed at enhancing metabolic stability and bioavailability. Although bottlenecks in extraction, scalable production, and proteolytic susceptibility persist, recent breakthroughs in recombinant technology and rational design are facilitating their industrial translation. Finally, we discuss future perspectives focused on the synergy between artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and sustainable circular economy strategies to maximize the therapeutic accessibility and functional efficacy of natural peptides. Full article

Non-toxic Jatropha curcas cake is a by-product rich in protein that can be used in the food industry. Proteolytic kinetics were used to identify and quantify its antioxidant, antidiabetic, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory, and hypocholesterolemic capacities. J. curcas cake was subjected to two systems of solid-state fermentation (SSF) hydrolysis by Pleurotus ostreatus (FPO) or Ganoderma lucidum (FGL), recording every 6 d until 24 d had passed. The maximum proteolytic capacity in FPO was reached on day 6 of the study, whereas FGL was achieved at 12 d. The FPO and FGL electrophoresis gels revealed the presence of 28 bands corresponding to peptides with molecular weights of less than 10 kDa in both systems analyzed. The highest FRAP values were obtained at 12 d for FPO and at the start of SSF for FGL. The highest antidiabetic capacity of FPO was obtained at 18 d and that of FGL at 24 d. The best antihypertensive activity obtained for FPO and FGL was observed at 6 d. FPO’s highest hypocholesterolemic activity was observed at the start of the SSF, while FGL’s was obtained at 24 d, which is the first report of the hypocholesterolemic activity of J. curcas. It should be noted that fermentation with G. lucidum outperformed fermentation with P. ostreatus, confirming its greater multi-bioactivity. The authors consider this method easy, practical, and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for obtaining bioactive peptides. Full article

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, the etiological agent of COVID-19, has resulted in widespread global infection and millions of deaths. Viral entry is initiated by the interaction between the viral spike (S) protein and the host cell receptor ACE2, followed by TMPRSS2-mediated proteolytic activation that facilitates membrane fusion. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L., MC), a traditional medicinal and edible plant widely used in tropical Asia, possesses notable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, and hypoglycemic properties. In this study, the ethanol extract of bitter melon (EMC) markedly downregulated ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in both in vitro and in vivo models without inducing cytotoxicity. Furthermore, phytochemicals isolated from EMC—including p-coumaric acid, rutin, and quercetin—exhibited comparable inhibitory effects. These results indicate that EMC and its bioactive constituents may interfere with SARS-CoV-2 entry by modulating the ACE2/TMPRSS2 axis, highlighting their potential as natural adjuncts for COVID-19 prevention or management. Full article

Extreme weather events, particularly marine heatwaves (MHWs), increasingly threaten aquaculture systems worldwide by impairing animal physiology and economical sustainability. This showcases the need to develop nutritional approaches that enhance animal performance under sub-optimal conditions. This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with the brown macroalga Laminaria digitata (whole dried powder or extract) on the antioxidant status, digestive activity, and lipid metabolism of juvenile Sparus aurata exposed to a simulated MHW. Fish were fed four diets (control, 0.3% extract, and 0.3% or 1.5% powder) for 30 days before being exposed to a category III Mediterranean MHW. Under optimal temperature, macroalgae supplementation reduced oxidative status (lower catalase activity). The powder-feeds decreased lipid peroxidation, while the extract-feed elicited the opposite. All supplemented diets reduced proteolytic activity, and the extract-feed also decreased amylase activity. The MHW impaired gastrointestinal antioxidant defenses and liver lipid metabolism, decreasing catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities, as well as ΣPUFA n-6, 16:1 n-7, and 18:2 n-6 levels. The 0.3% powder-feed mitigated MHW-induced reductions in antioxidant activity, while both 0.3%-diets prevented thermal stress-related alterations on fatty acid profile. Overall, L. digitata powder at 0.3% was most effective at enhancing thermal stress resilience, supporting its value as a functional aquafeed ingredient. Full article

The study aimed to evaluate bottom sediments as a promising source of probiotic bacteria for aquaculture applications. Bacillus strains were selected as the most suitable bacterial species for application in the food industry. Initially, seven Bacillus spp. strains were isolated from the intestinal contents of healthy sterlet specimens; however, none of them demonstrated high potential probiotic properties. Subsequently, bottom sediments were considered as a source of probiotic strains. In the bottom sediments, bacilli exist in a vegetative form and constitute an integral part of the microbial community. A total of 120 Bacillus spp. strains were isolated and comprehensively analyzed. Proteolytic and amylolytic activities were detected at moderate levels in almost all isolated strains. Most isolates exhibited low or negligible antioxidant, DNA-protective, and antimicrobial activities; however, a small group of strains showed high values of these properties. Principal component and cluster analyses indicated the co-existence of three life strategies of bacilli in bottom sediments. These findings highlight the high probiotic potential of bacilli from bottom sediments and support their suitability as novel probiotics for enhancing the health and productivity of aquatic organisms in aquaculture. Full article

Redox unbalance, a molecular trait common to neurodegenerative conditions and para-physiological processes like aging, is a critical factor in disease development and in exacerbating progression. The mechanism by which redox imbalance perturbs cellular homeostasis is strongly linked to the activity and function of the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS). The UPS, along with autophagy, is the primary intracellular proteolytic system, regulating targeted proteolysis and removing damaged proteins. Consequently, the UPS serves also as the first line of defense for cellular recovery following exposure to redox stressors. Paradoxically, the composition and function of the UPS can also be negatively targeted by redox unbalance through a vicious cycle. The alterations in redox balance and UPS biological mechanisms are involved in the etiopathogenesis of chronic eye disorders. These disorders encompass a diverse repertoire of pathologies affecting the retinal layers (e.g., age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy) and the optic nerve (e.g., glaucoma). Nowadays, the comprehension of the interplay between proteostasis and oxidative redox status remains pivotal for identifying new therapeutic approaches. Encouragingly, a number of anti-oxidant compounds have been reported to modulate proteasome activity against redox insults in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, these compounds provide cytoprotective roles in both in vitro and animal models of eye diseases. Therefore, this review highlights recent research on the interplay of the UPS with oxidative stress in physio-pathological conditions, focusing on the onset and progression of ocular diseases, thereby providing new insights into UPS-oxidative stress interaction. Full article