Search Results (1,048)

Salt stress is a major agricultural issue. A promising modern agriculture method is the foliar treatment of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). This approach has shown promise in boosting challenged tomato yields, fruit quality, and leaf extract antibacterial activity against pathogens. A greenhouse experiment was conducted. The previously synthesized and characterized ZnONPs were used to alleviate the harmful effects of NaCl stress. Tomato fruit weight from different treatments was determined, and the gas–liquid chromatography device was used to observe the changes in fatty acid production. The antimicrobial activities of the aqueous and diethyl ether extracts from tomato leaves were determined against six bacterial and six fungal strains. The plants that were salinity-stressed and sprayed with 0.075 and 0.15 g/L ZnONPs showed a better improvement compared to the salinity-stressed plants. Also, the sprayed plants that were not stressed at all showed promising results compared to the control and the other different treatments. Through the process of molecular docking, it was shown that caffeic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, sinapic acid, and apigenin-7-glucoside are essential chemicals that possess antibacterial and antifungal effects against the DNA Gyrase inhibitor and the sterol 14-alpha demethylase (CYP51) enzyme, respectively. It is concluded that salt stress can negatively affect the growth, quality, and variant plant features. However, the foliar application of ZnONPs is able to overcome those adverse effects in the stressed plants, and enhance the non-stressed as well. Full article

Background: Beauveria bassiana infection of silkworm forms Bombyx Batryticatus (BB). It is a medicinal material with significant pharmacological potential. While artificial diet feeding improves the production efficiency of BB, it might alter host metabolism, consequently affecting its bioactive components and efficacy. To address this, we conducted a metabolomics analysis of BB reared under different feeding conditions; Methods: UPLC-MS/MS was employed to conduct metabolomic analysis of BB under three rearing conditions: all instars mulberry leaf feeding (MF), all instars artificial diet feeding (AF), and mixed feeding (AMF). The sample collection time was selected as the time when silkworms died after infection (D0), and the fifth day after death (D5), which is the time when fungus produces biologically active secondary metabolites to reach a stable state; Results: Compared to MF, AF did not significantly alter the levels of the index component induced by B. bassiana infection—beauvericin. Moreover, the overall metabolic profile differences between the two groups decreased at the later stage (D5). Specifically, the average Pearson correlation between these groups was 0.659 ± 0.102, and the first two principal components of PCA explained 49.6% of the total variance. This suggests a reduction in the differences in their pharmacological active components. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that AF promoted the accumulation of certain flavonoids (e.g., apigenin, luteolin), but, overall, the biosynthesis of flavone and flavonol is suppressed. Additionally, several metabolites, including N,N′-diferuloylputrescine, N-methyl-4-aminobutyric acid, and 3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetic acid, were identified to be significantly positively correlated with artificial diet supplementation; Conclusions: This study reveals metabolic differences in BB under different rearing methods at the metabolomic level, providing a scientific basis for evaluating the quality of this medicinal material. Full article

Background: Lavandula (Lamiaceae) includes numerous species, cultivars, and hybrids widely cultivated for both their ornamental traits and for functional uses in perfumery, nutrition, medicinal, and cosmetic applications. Objectives: This study characterized the phytochemical profiles of three species (Lavandula stoechas L., Lavandula latifolia Medik., and Lavandula angustifolia Mill.), two cultivars (L. stoechas ‘Alba’ L. and L. angustifolia ‘Krajova’ Mill.), and the interspecific hybrid Lavandula × intermedia ‘Alba’ Emeric ex Loisel. Methods: All grown species and cultivars were maintained under uniform environmental and harvested simultaneously, to provide a comparative assessment of their terpene and polyphenol profiles and content, as well as their associated antioxidant activity. Results: HPLC-DAD/QTOF-MS analysis revealed differences in flavonoid and hydroxycinnamic acid content among species and cultivars. The main compounds identified were glycosylated derivatives of coumaric, caffeic, and ferulic acids, along with luteolin and apigenin derivatives. L. latifolia Medik. exhibited the highest hydroxycinnamic acid content (5.306 ± 1.265 mg/g FW), whereas L. stoechas ‘Alba’ L. showed the highest flavonoid concentration (2.537 ± 0.192 mg/g FW). GC-MS analysis indicated that hydrocarbon and oxygenated monoterpenes were the predominant terpene classes, with the highest levels recorded in L. stoechas L. (1922.09 ± 144.12 ng/g FW oxygenated; 945.89 ± 159.26 ng/g FW hydrocarbon monoterpenes). Antioxidant activity, assessed via DPPH and FRAP assays, was significantly correlated with flavonoid content across species, cultivars, and the hybrid. Conclusions: Intraspecific and interspecific variability within the Lavandula genus influences antioxidant activity and determines its suitability for different applications. Full article

The mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN), commonly found in contaminated food and feed, poses a significant threat to human and animal health, particularly to reproductive function. Mitigating its toxicity represents a critical research priority in food safety. Apigenin (AP) is a naturally occurring dietary flavonoid with phytoestrogenic properties and exhibits diverse pharmacological activities. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of AP against ZEN-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in Swine Testis (ST) cells and elucidated its underlying mechanisms. The identity of ST cells was verified via RT-PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis. ST cells were treated with 40 μM ZEN and 1 μM and 0.1 μM AP for 24 h. Cell viability was detected via CCK8 and EdU assays, cytotoxicity was evaluated via LDH assay, cell cycle and apoptosis levels were analyzed via flow cytometry, and the mechanism by which AP alleviated the damage caused by ZEN to ST cells was preliminarily revealed using RNA-Seq technology. Further, the expression levels of related genes and proteins were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Our results show that 1 μM or 0.1 μM AP effectively attenuated the cytotoxicity induced by 40 μM ZEN in ST cells, as evidenced by restored cell viability, reduced the LDH level, normalized cell cycle progression, reduced apoptotic rates, and enhanced antioxidant capacity. RNA-Seq analysis was coupled with molecular validation and used to elucidate the mechanisms underlying AP-mediated protection against ZEN-induced cellular injury. It is shown that ZEN suppressed the expression of LRP5, a pivotal gene in the Wnt signaling pathway, along with its downstream effector c-Myc. Conversely, treatment with 1 μM or 0.1 μM AP upregulated the expression of LRP5, iASPP, and TRAF2 at both transcriptional and translational levels. Importantly, the protective effects of AP were abrogated with IWR-1-endo, a specific Wnt pathway inhibitor, confirming pathway dependency. Collectively, our findings show that AP alleviates ZEN-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in ST cells through the upregulation of LRP5 and subsequent activation of the Wnt signaling pathway. This study provides molecular evidence supporting the potential clinical application of AP as a preventive agent against ZEN-induced reproductive toxicity. Full article

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) plays a crucial role in the differentiation and maturation of preadipocytes. PPARγ promotes adipogenesis by inducing the expression of fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4). Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is involved in non-shivering thermogenesis and adipocyte browning. The present study aimed to examine the effects of luteolin and apigenin on the gene expression levels and protein concentrations of PPARγ and FABP4, which are involved in adipogenesis, and their effect on UCP1, a thermogenic protein, in the 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell line. Luteolin and apigenin were prepared at concentrations of 10, 20, and 40 µM and applied to 3T3-L1 preadipocytes during differentiation and maturation. Gene expression levels were measured by real-time PCR, and protein concentrations were measured by ELISA. It was found that the doses used did not cause cytotoxicity in the cells. Luteolin treatment during differentiation and maturation resulted in a decrease in PPARγ and FABP4 gene expression, although the protein concentrations remained unchanged. Additionally, while luteolin treatment did not significantly alter UCP1 gene expression or protein levels during differentiation, it led to a decrease in UCP1 protein concentration during maturation. Apigenin treatment also tended to decrease PPARγ and FABP4 gene expression compared to the control, although no statistical difference was observed. These results suggest that luteolin and apigenin may have regulatory effects on adipogenesis by modulating PPARγ, FABP4, and UCP1 gene expression. Full article

Coleus strobilifer, the dried rhizome and root of Coleus strobilifer (Roxb.) A.J. Paton, is widely used for dampness-detoxification and detumescence in Chinese folklore. This study marks the first comprehensive investigation into the chemical composition of the whole herb of C. strobilifer, leading to the isolation and identification of two new abietane diterpenes, 10R-carnosuain (1) and 10R-coleon U-3-one (2), along with 34 known compounds (3–36) isolated from C. strobilifer for the first time. Their structures were unambiguously elucidated by analyses of NMR, HRESIMS, IR, CD, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, and comparison with the literature. All the isolated compounds were screened for their xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity. Among them, apigenin (8), luteolin (9), and esculetin (29) showed moderate XO inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 0.034 ± 0.004, 0.067 ± 0.005, and 0.284 ± 0.01 mM, respectively. Full article

Gelasia tomentosa (L.) Zaika, Sukhor. & N.Kilian which is known formerly as Scorzonera tomentosa L., a wild edible plant species in Turkey, is traditionally used against rheumatism and for wound healing. In this study, we explore its anti-inflammatory compounds, evaluating effectiveness through human red blood cell stabilization and in silico models, alongside physico-chemical and pharmacokinetic profiles. In vitro activity-guided fractionation allowed the isolation of sixteen compounds from the aerial parts of G. tomentosa, which were identified as hyperoside (1), isoquercetin (2), quercetin 3-O-β-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-galactopyranoside (3), quercetin 3-O-β-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-glucopyranoside (4), 7-methoxyapigenin-6-C-β-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-glucopyranoside (5), apigenin-6-C-β-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-glucopyranoside (6), dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl-alcohol-4-O-β-glucopyranoside (7), cichoriin (8), 7-O-methylisoorientin (9), isoorientin (10), swertisin (11), 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid methyl ester (12), 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid methyl ester (13), staphylinioside E (14), 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (15), and 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (16). Compound 16 displayed the highest potential anti-inflammatory activity (IC₅₀ = 0.55 ± 0.00 mg/mL). However, the fraction with compounds displayed stronger biological activity than the isolated ones. In silico findings supported the anti-inflammatory potential, enhancing TP53 expression and cell membrane protection. Cichoriin (8) and staphylinioside E (14) are in accordance with Lipinski’s, Pfizer’s, GSK’s, and Golden Triangle rules, indicating a favorable ADME profile as a drug candidate. Further studies are needed to test this potential in specific inflammation models. Full article

This research focuses on the additional valorization of olive leaves, a by-product of regular olive pruning, by increasing their secondary metabolite content through the combined application of biochar and a phenolic extract from olive leaves. A suspension of biochar, obtained by the pyrolysis of grapevine pruning residues, was prepared by mixing it in demineralized water (1.5 g; 5 L; 24 h). The phenolic extract was obtained by extracting lyophilized and ground olive leaves in demineralized water (50 g; 5 L; 24 h), while the combined preparation was obtained in an analogous manner (1.5 g biochar; 50 g olive leaf powder; 5 L water; 24 h). Treatments were applied at the beginning of July, 50 days after anthesis (May 16th) and included the following: (i) control treatment (demineralized water), (ii) biochar solution, (iii) phenolic extract solution, and (iv) a combined aqueous preparation of biochar and phenolic extract, all with the addition of a wetting agent. Trees of the olive cultivars Leccino and Istarska bjelica were sprayed with the corresponding preparation until runoff. Olive leaves were sampled three weeks after treatment (July 26th) and, after washing and drying, and were prepared for LC-MSMS analysis. Both biochar-based treatments induced the most potent effects, although responses differed between cultivars. In particular, apigenin derivatives, hydroxytyrosol, luteolin-7-rutinoside, and the secoiridoid oleacein showed apparent differences between biochar treatments and the control. Overall, higher concentrations of the sum of detected secoiridoids were observed in the leaf samples of ‘Istarska bjelica’ under BCH and BCH+PH treatments, whereas no such differences were found for ‘Leccino’ cultivar. Further research is needed to clarify the cultivar-dependent response of secondary metabolism in these olive cultivars and the mechanisms by which biochar foliar application modulates metabolite profiles. Full article

Olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars often exhibit genotype-specific responses to micronutrient management. In this study, we investigated the metabolic leaf fingerprinting of three cultivars ‘Rošinjola’, ‘Leccino’, and ‘Istarska bjelica’ at two sampling periods (SP-I = 64 days after treatment (DAT) and SP-II = 118 DAT), following boron foliar fertilisation (+B = 41.62 mM B; −B = 0 mM B) applied 50 days after anthesis. To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide such a detailed evaluation of boron-induced shifts in phenolic metabolism in olive leaves. At harvest (SP-II), all three cultivars showed higher concentrations of total identified phenolic compounds in +B plants compared with the −B controls. Notably, the concentration of verbascoside at harvest was higher in +B plants of ‘Istarska bjelica’ and ‘Leccino’, but not in ‘Rošinjola’. Oleuropein content increased in +B plants at harvest to a level higher than 4870 mg/100 g DW, irrespective of cultivar. Conversely, apigenin-7-glucoside declined from SP-I to SP-II in ‘Leccino’ regardless of treatment, whereas in ‘Istarska bjelica’, this decrease occurred only in control plants, with boron preventing the seasonal decline. These findings confirm the prolonged effect of boron foliar fertilisation on phenolic metabolism in olive leaves and highlight cultivar-specific differences in metabolic responses. Further research is needed to clarify how these metabolic shifts relate to primary plant metabolism and how they influence olive oil quality traits among cultivars grown under Croatian conditions. Full article

Background: Artichoke, a medicinal plant with various therapeutic uses, is widely cultivated in many of the world’s geographical areas. The aim of this study was to establish the antimicrobial profile by means of comparative evaluation of the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant, anti-lipid peroxidation, and antimicrobial activities of the basal and cauline leaves, as well as the following by-products: stems, bracts, and inflorescences, from Cynara scolymus L. cultivated in the Republic of Moldova. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative characterization of the main phenolic compounds from ethanolic extracts was carried out by the HPLC-UV-MS method. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH˙, ABTS˙⁺, FRAP, and NO˙ scavenging methods. The lipid-lowering effect was established with a malonic dialdehyde complex and thiobarbituric acid. Antimicrobial properties were screened using the diffusion method. Results: The HPLC UV-MS analysis highlighted that the green aerial parts of C. scolymus are characterized by the presence of five phenolic acids (kaempferol, gentisic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and caffeic) and four flavonoid heterosides and aglycones (isoquercitrin, quercitrin, luteolin, and apigenin). Correlation between total polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.01). The extracts of C. scolymus’s aerial parts exhibited significant antibacterial and antifungal activities (p < 0.05) against all tested microorganisms, while no inhibitory effect for inflorescences was observed. Conclusions: Artichoke leaves and by-products may be considered important and promising sources of bioactive compounds for herbal medicinal products, functional foods, and nutraceuticals, due to their antimicrobial properties. This study makes an original contribution to the specialized literature by the detailed characterization of the antimicrobial profile of the extracts obtained from artichoke cultivated in the Republic of Moldova, a species introduced for the first time on the territory of this country. The obtained results highlight the medicinal potential and economic value of the Moldovan artichoke, with particular emphasis on its by-products: stems, bracts, and inflorescences, which less explored so far, as sources of bioactive compounds. Our analyses indicate that the leaves and by-products of the plant represent promising resources for the development of phytopharmaceutical preparations, functional foods, and nutraceuticals, offering new directions for the integral and sustainable valorization of this species acclimatized in Moldova. Full article

Ensuring food safety and consumer health are crucial elements of sustainable food safety management, requiring the use of substances that inhibit the growth of undesirable microorganisms at various stages of production. The negative impact of many of these on human health and the environment has led to increased interest in alternative solutions, such as plant extracts. The aim of this study was to determine the biological activity of extracts obtained from Nigella sativa seeds using various methods, including Soxhlet and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using hexane and methanol and supercritical CO₂ extraction (SFE) assisted with methanol. The content of polyphenolic compounds, their composition, and biological activity depended on the extraction method and solvent type. All extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Priestia megaterium, and Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella Enteritidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli), yeasts (Candida albicans and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa), and filamentous fungi (Alternaria brassicicola, Pythium sp., Fusarium culmorum, and F. graminearum). The MIC values were in the range of <0.125 to 2 mg/mL for bacteria and 1 to 8 mg/mL for fungi, depending on the extract. Microscopic observations performed using optical and fluorescence microscopy showed changes in the viability and morphology of the fungal cells. TPC values ranged from 9.877 mg/g in hexane extract obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction to 39.064 mg/g in extract obtained by Soxhlet method with methanol. No negative effects of the extracts on wheat seed germination were observed. Analysis of the composition of polyphenolic compounds revealed the presence of vanillic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid, protocatechuic acid, and p-coumaric, catechin, and epicatechin acids in all extracts. The extracts obtained with methanol, both by the Soxhlet method and by ultrasound-assisted extraction, also contained gallic acid, myricetin, luteolin, apigenin, and sinapic acid. In all extracts, thymoquinone ranged from 8.344 mg/g to 63.125 mg/g of extract, which was detected with the highest concentration in hexane extracts. Full article

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopaminergic neuron degeneration in the substantia nigra and striatum. Current treatments are largely palliative and frequently associated with adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of an aqueous extract of Bacopa procumbens (B. procumbens) and the NAPEL formulation—composed of five neuroactive compounds (Naringenin, Apigenin, Paeoniflorin, (−)-Epicatechin, and Lupeol)—in a murine model of MPTP-induced parkinsonism. Behavioral, histological, and molecular parameters were examined to elucidate underlying mechanisms of neuroprotection. Male mice received MPTP to induce parkinsonism, followed by oral administration of B. procumbens extract or NAPEL. Motor function was assessed through open-field-related parameters. Substantia nigra neuronal morphology was analyzed histologically. Molecular analyses focused on the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway, HSF1, HIF-1α, antioxidant enzymes, and lipid peroxidation. Additionally, in silico analyses (GeneMANIA, STRING) were performed to explore regulatory networks associated with Nrf2, HSF1, and HIF-1α. The aqueous extract significantly improved motor performance, increased rearing events, enhanced central exploration, and increased total distance traveled. It preserved neuronal number and soma diameter in the substantia nigra. Molecularly, the extract activated the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE axis and induced HSF1 and HIF-1α, accompanied by increased SOD-1, CAT, and GSR expression and reduced lipid peroxidation. NAPEL also produced behavioral and histological improvements but did not activate Nrf2, HSF1, or HIF-1α nor notably elevate antioxidant enzymes, except for CAT in the striatum. In silico analyses identified Nrf2, HSF1, and HIF-1α as central nodes integrating oxidative stress, proteostasis, hypoxia, inflammation, and apoptotic responses. These findings support the neuroprotective potential of both B. procumbens aqueous extract and the NAPEL formulation, highlighting their value as promising therapeutic candidates for Parkinson’s disease. Full article

Flavonoids are organic compounds of plant origin from the group of polyphenols. They are known mainly for their antioxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial properties. It is worth noting, however, that scientists are constantly discovering new applications for these compounds. One of the most well-known flavonoids is apigenin. Starting with its strong antioxidant properties, apigenin is also important in oncology, allergology, cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, diabetology, microbiology and virology. Apigenin was and will be a valuable direction of research. The purpose of this article is to provide information on the use of one of the most promising flavonoids, apigenin. This article will present in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as clinical studies, using apigenin as a treatment adjunct or medicinal substance. The conclusions from these studies indicate that apigenin has the potential to become an important link in the development of innovative, safer and more effective nature-based therapies. Full article

In the present study, extracts from the fragrant agrimony (Agrimonia procera Wallr.) herb and the pseudo-fruits of rose (Rosa rugosa) were incorporated into a 50% sucrose solution used for the osmotic dehydration of Champion apples (Malus domestica Borkh.). This approach enabled the investigation of the migration of fragrant agrimony and rose polyphenols—both total polyphenols and their main representatives—during the dehydration process of apples, which are among the most popular fruits due to their health-promoting and nutritional properties. The total polyphenol content was determined using spectrophotometric methods, while the major individual compounds were quantified by UHPLC-DAD-MS. At a polyphenol content of 4 g/L in the solution, a more intensive water migration (water loss of about 3 g/g DM) from the fruit tissue was achieved for both extracts compared to the pure sucrose solution. However, no relationship between the polyphenol level in the hypertonic solution and the migration of sucrose into the apple tissue was observed. With regard to polyphenolic compounds, the level of polyphenols in apples dehydrated in the presence of extracts, compared to those dehydrated in pure sucrose solution, increased with the extract dose. The maximum value—approximately 825 mg/100 g DM of total polyphenols—was obtained at an extract concentration of 6 g/L, derived from both fragrant agrimony herb and rose pseudo-fruit. In the apples dehydrated using the extracts, the presence of phenolic compounds not found in fresh apples, characteristic of the applied extracts, such as ellagitannins, ellagic acid, flavonols including quercetin and kaempferol glycosides, as well as flavones, including derivatives of apigenin and luteolin, was observed. These findings indicate that the use of fragrant agrimony and rose extracts in osmotic dehydration may serve as an effective strategy for enhancing the polyphenolic profile and functional value of dehydrated apple products. Full article

Intestinal health is critical for nutrient absorption and disease resistance in cultured fish. Yet, the effects of dietary Eucalyptus-derived biochar on the gut of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) remain largely unexplored. This study evaluated whether supplementing diets with Eucalyptus biochar c profiles. In a 56-day feeding trial, M. salmoides were offered a standard diet containing either 0% (control) or graded levels of biochar. Juvenile fish (initial body weight 13.34 g) were randomly distributed into six groups with three replicates each (30 fish per replicate). Six extruded diets were formulated with 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, or 40.0 g kg⁻¹ of biochar, designated G0 through G5. Biochar had no significant effects on villus length, muscle layer thickness, villus width, or the activities of trypsin, amylase, and lipase, though goblet cell number was significantly higher in G5. mRNA expression of Claudin-3 and IL-10 was significantly upregulated in G1–G4, while IL-1β was significantly downregulated in G4 and G5, and TNF-α expression was reduced in G2 and G3. 16S rDNA sequencing showed increasing trends in the relative abundance of Firmicutes (43% to 49.17%) and Lactococcus (0% to 1.10%) in G3, accompanied by decreases in Proteobacteria and Klebsiella. Metabolomic analysis indicated significant upregulation of taurochenodeoxycholic acid-7-sulfate, apigenin, genistein, baicalein, taurocholic acid-3-sulfate, taurochenodeoxycholic acid-3-sulfate, and arginylmethionine in G3, whereas etoxazole and soyasaponin were significantly reduced. Dietary inclusion of 10 g kg⁻¹ Eucalyptus biochar improved intestinal health in largemouth bass by shaping the gut microbiota, promoting isoflavone biosynthesis and bile acid and amino acid metabolism, inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, and reinforcing the intestinal barrier. Full article