Search Results (34,732)

Environmental protection has become one of the key challenges of our time. This has led to an increase in pro-environmental activities in the field of cosmetics and household chemicals, where manufacturers are increasingly trying to meet the expectations of consumers who are aware of the potential risks associated with the production of cosmetics and household chemistry products. This is one of the most important challenges of today’s industry, given that some of the raw materials still commonly used, such as surfactants, may be toxic to aquatic organisms. Many companies are choosing to use natural raw materials that have satisfactory performance properties but are also environmentally friendly. In addition, modern products are also characterized by reduced consumption of water, resources, and energy in production processes. These measures reduce the carbon footprint and reduce the amount of plastic packaging required. In the present study, seven formulations of environmentally friendly car shampoo concentrates were developed, based entirely on mixtures of bio-based surfactants. The developed formulations were tested for application on the car body surface, allowing the selection of the two best products. For these selected formulations, an in-depth physicochemical analysis was carried out, including pH, density, and viscosity measurements. Comparison of the results with commercial products available on the market was also performed. Additionally, using the multiple light scattering method, the foamability and foam stability were determined for the car shampoos developed. The results obtained indicate the very high application potential of the products under study, which combine high performance and environmental concerns. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, blood–brain barrier dysfunction, oxidative stress (OS), and neuroinflammation. Current treatments provide symptomatic relief, but do not halt the disease’s progression. OS plays a crucial role in AD pathogenesis by promoting Aβ accumulation. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a key regulator of the antioxidant response, influencing genes involved in OS mitigation, mitochondrial function, and inflammation. Dysregulation of NRF2 is implicated in AD, making it a promising therapeutic target. Emerging evidence suggests that adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MD), which is particularly rich in polyphenols from extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), is associated with improved cognitive function and a reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment. Polyphenols can activate NRF2, enhancing endogenous antioxidant defenses. This study employs a computational approach to explore the potential of bioactive compounds in EVOO to modulate NRF2-related pathways in AD. We analyzed transcriptomic data from AD and EVOO-treated samples to identify NRF2-associated genes, and used chemical structure-based analysis to compare EVOO’s bioactive compounds with known NRF2 activators. Enrichment analysis was performed to identify common biological functions between NRF2-, EVOO-, and AD-related pathways. Our findings highlight important factors and biological functions that provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms through which EVOO consumption might influence cellular pathways associated with AD via modulation of the NRF2 pathway. The presented approach provides a different perspective in the discovery of compounds that may contribute to neuroprotective mechanisms in the context of AD. Full article

A comprehensive metabolic profiling of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don was performed using tandem mass spectrometry, along with an evaluation of the biological activities of its various solvent extracts. Among these, the methanolic leaf extract exhibited mild radical scavenging activity, low to moderate antimicrobial activity, and limited cytotoxicity in both the brine shrimp lethality assay and MTT assay against HeLa and A549 cell lines. High-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS) analysis led to the annotation of 34 metabolites, primarily alkaloids. These included 23 indole alkaloids, two fatty acids, two pentacyclic triterpenoids, one amino acid, four porphyrin derivatives, one glyceride, and one chlorin derivative. Notably, two metabolites—2,3-dihydroxypropyl 9,12,15-octadecatrienoate and (10S)-hydroxypheophorbide A—were identified for the first time in C. roseus. Furthermore, Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) analysis revealed 18 additional metabolites, including epoxypheophorbide A, 11,12-dehydroursolic acid lactone, and 20-isocatharanthine. These findings highlight the diverse secondary metabolite profile of C. roseus and support its potential as a source of bioactive compounds for therapeutic development. Full article

Titanium alloys such as Ti-6Al-4V are widely used in biomedical implants due to their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility, but their bioinert nature limits osseointegration and antibacterial performance. This study proposes a multifunctional surface coating system integrating a thermally oxidized TiO₂ interlayer with a hydroxyapatite (HAp) top layer synthesized via a green route using Hylocereus undatus extract. The HAp was deposited by electrophoretic deposition (EPD), enabling continuous coverage and strong adhesion to the pre-treated Ti-6Al-4V substrate. Structural, morphological, chemical, and electrical characterizations were performed using XRD, SEM, EDS, Raman spectroscopy, and impedance spectroscopy. Bioactivity was assessed through apatite formation in simulated body fluid (SBF), while antibacterial properties were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus. The results demonstrated successful formation of crystalline TiO₂ (rutile phase) and calcium-rich HAp with good surface coverage. The HAp-coated surfaces exhibited significantly enhanced bioactivity and strong antibacterial performance, likely due to the combined effects of surface roughness and the bioactive compounds present in the plant extract. This study highlights the potential of eco-friendly, bio-inspired surface engineering to improve the biological performance of titanium-based implants. Full article

Collagen type I (COL(I)) is a key component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and is involved in cell signaling and migration through cell receptors. Collagen degradation produces bioactive peptides (matrikines), which influence cellular processes. In this study, we investigated the biological effects of nine most abundant, naturally occurring urinary COL(I)-derived peptides on human endothelial cells at physiological concentrations, using cell migration assays, mass spectrometry-based proteomics, flow cytometry, and AlphaFold 3. While none of the peptides significantly altered endothelial migration by themselves at physiological concentrations, full-length COL(I) increased cell migration, which was inhibited by Peptide 1 (²²⁹NGDDGEAGKPGRPGERGPpGp²⁴⁹). This peptide uniquely contains the DGEA and GRPGER motifs, interacting with integrin α2β1. Flow cytometry confirmed the presence of integrin α2β1 on human endothelial cells, and AlphaFold 3 modeling predicted an interaction between Peptide 1 and integrin α2. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics investigating signaling pathways revealed that COL(I) triggered phosphorylation events linked to integrin α2β1 activation and cell migration, which were absent in COL(I) plus peptide 1-treated cells. These findings identify Peptide 1 as a biologically active COL(I)-derived peptide at a physiological concentration capable of modulating collagen-induced cell migration, and provide a foundation for further investigation into its mechanisms of action and role in urine excretion. Full article

In establishing the safety or tolerability profile of bioactive plant extracts, it is important to perform toxicity studies using appropriate, accessible, and sustainable methods. The Allium cepa model is well known and frequently used for accurate environmental risk assessments, as well as for evaluating the toxic potential of the bioactive compounds of plant extracts. The present review focuses on this in vivo cytogenetic model, highlighting its widespread utilization and advantages as a first assessment in monitoring the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of herbal extracts, avoiding the use of animals for testing. This plant-based assay allows for the detection of the possible cytotoxic and genotoxic effects induced on onion meristematic cells. The outcomes of the Allium cepa assay are comparable to other tests on various organisms, making it a reliable screening test due to its simplicity in terms of implementation, as well as its high sensitivity and reproducibility. Full article

Chrysanthemum × morifolium (Ramat) Hemsl. (Hangbaiju), which has been widely consumed as a herbal tea for over 3000 years, is renowned for its biosafety and diverse bioactivities. This study investigates the impact of polyphenol-rich Hangbaiju extracts (HE) on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice. HE contains phenolic acids and flavonoids with anti-obesity properties, such as apigenin, luteolin-7-glucoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-(6″-acetylglucoside), etc. To establish the obesity model, mice were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 8 per group) and administered with either HE or water for 42 days under high-fat or low-fat dietary conditions. Administration of low (LH) and high (HH) doses of HE both significantly suppressed body weight growth (by 16.28% and 16.24%, respectively) and adipose tissue enlargement in obese mice. HE significantly improved the serum lipid profiles, mainly manifested as decreased levels of triglycerides (28.19% in LH and 19.59% in HH) and increased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (44.34% in LH and 54.88% in HH), and further attenuated liver lipid deposition. Furthermore, HE significantly decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio 0.23-fold (LH) and 0.12-fold (HH), indicating an improvement in the microecological balance of the gut. HE administration also elevated the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Allobaculum, norank_f__Muribaculaceae), while suppressing harmful pathogenic proliferation (e.g., Dubosiella, Romboutsia). In conclusion, HE ameliorates obesity and hyperlipidemia through modulating lipid metabolism and restoring the balance of intestinal microecology, thus being promising for obesity therapy. Full article

The search for natural sources of bioactive compounds with health-promoting properties has intensified in recent years. Among these, Tannat grape pomace (TGP), a primary byproduct of winemaking, stands out for its high phenolic content, although its bioactivity may be affected during gastrointestinal digestion. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of in vitro digestion on the antioxidant (ABTS, ORAC-FL, intracellular ROS inhibition), anti-diabetic (α-glucosidase inhibition), anti-obesity (lipase inhibition), and anti-inflammatory (NO inhibition) properties of five sugar-free biscuits formulated with varying percentages of TGP and sucralose. No significant differences were observed in the bioaccessible fractions (BFs, representing the compounds potentially released in the small intestine) between control biscuits and those enriched with TGP, suggesting limited release of phenolics at this stage. Conversely, the colonic fractions (CFs, simulating the material reaching the colon) from biscuits with higher TGP content exhibited greater bioactivities. HPLC-DAD-MS analysis of the CF from the biscuit containing 20% TGP and 4% sucralose revealed a high content of procyanidin trimers, indicating the persistence of these specific phenolic compounds after in vitro digestion. These findings suggest that TGP-enriched biscuits may deliver health benefits at the colonic level and support their potential application in the formulation of functional foods. Further microbiota and in vivo studies should be assessed to confirm the latter. Full article

Catalytic upgrading of pyrolysis oils is an important step for producing replacement hydrocarbon-rich liquid biofuels from biomass and can help to advance pyrolysis technology. Catalysts play a pivotal role in influencing the selectivity of chemical reactions leading to the formation of main compounds in the final upgraded liquid products. The present work involved a systematic study of solvent-free catalytic reactions of cyclohexanone in the presence of hydrogen gas at 160 °C for 3 h in a batch reactor. Cyclohexanone can be produced from biomass through the selective hydrogenation of lignin-derived phenolics. Three types of catalysts comprising undoped NbOPO₄, 10 wt% NiO/NbOPO₄, and 30 wt% NiO/NbOPO₄ were studied. Undoped NbOPO₄ promoted both aldol condensation and the dehydration of cyclohexanol, producing fused ring aromatic hydrocarbons and hard char. With 30 wt% NiO/NbOPO₄, extensive competitive hydrogenation of cyclohexanone to cyclohexanol was observed, along with the formation of C₆ cyclic hydrocarbons. When compared to NbOPO₄ and 30 wt% NiO/NbOPO₄, the use of 10 wt% NiO/NbOPO₄ produced superior selectivity towards bi-cycloalkanones (i.e., C₁₂) at cyclohexanone conversion of 66.8 ± 1.82%. Overall, the 10 wt% NiO/NbOPO₄ catalyst exhibited the best performance towards the production of precursor compounds that can be further hydrodeoxygenated into energy-dense aviation fuel hydrocarbons. Hence, the presence and loading of NiO was able to tune the activity and selectivity of NbOPO₄, thereby influencing the final products obtained from the same cyclohexanone feedstock. This study underscores the potential of lignin-derived pyrolysis oils as important renewable feedstocks for producing replacement hydrocarbon solvents or feedstocks and high-density sustainable liquid hydrocarbon fuels via sequential and selective catalytic upgrading. Full article

This study investigated the effect of an apple pectin coating enriched with gamma-decalactone (GDL) on the physicochemical and microbiological quality of strawberries over 9 days of refrigerated storage. Strawberries were coated with pectin solutions containing a plasticizer and emulsifier, with or without GDL, and compared to uncoated controls. The coatings were evaluated for their effects on fruit mass loss, pH, extract content (°Brix), firmness, color parameters (L*, a*, b*, C*, h*, ΔE), and microbial spoilage. The pectin coating limited changes in extract, pH, and color and slowed firmness loss. Notably, GDL-enriched coatings significantly reduced spoilage (14.29% after 9 days vs. 57.14% in the control) despite accelerating pulp softening. Extract content increased the most in the GDL group (from 9.92 to 12.00 °Brix), while mass loss reached up to 22.8%. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) confirmed coating type as a major factor differentiating sample quality over time. These findings demonstrate the potential of bioactive pectin-based coatings to enhance fruit preservation and support the development of active packaging strategies. Further studies should optimize coating composition and control the release kinetics of functional compounds. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) disproportionately affects young male agricultural workers who are otherwise healthy. There is a scarcity of biomarkers for early detection of this type of kidney disease. We hypothesized that small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) released into urine may provide novel biomarkers. Methods: We obtained two urine samples at the start and the end of a workday in the fields from a limited set of workers with and without kidney impairment. Isolated sEVs were characterized for size, surface marker expression, and purity and, subsequently, their lipid composition was determined by mass spectrometry. Results: The number of particles per ml of urine normalized to osmolality and the size variance were larger in workers with possible CKDu than in control workers. Surface markers CD9, CD63, and CD81 are characteristic of sEVs and a second set of surface markers suggested the kidney as the origin. Differential expression of CD25 and CD45 suggested early inflammation in CKDu workers. Of the twenty-one lipids differentially expressed, several were bioactive, suggesting that they may have essential functions. Remarkably, fourteen of the lipids showed intermediate expression values in sEVs from healthy individuals with acute creatinine increases after a day of work. Conclusions: We identified twenty-one possible lipid biomarkers in sEVs isolated from urine that may be able to distinguish agricultural workers with early onset of CKDu. Differentially expressed surface proteins in these sEVs suggested early-stage inflammation. This pilot study was limited in the number of workers evaluated, but the approach should be further evaluated in a larger population. Full article

Aizoon africanum (L.) Klak (Synonym Galenia africana L.) is traditionally used for a variety of medicinal purposes; however, it has been reported to cause liver damage and severe ascites, particularly in sheep and Angora goats in the arid regions of the Western Cape. This study explores its cytotoxic properties to identify potential cytotoxic compound(s) in the plant. The methanolic extract of A. africanum was re-investigated and subjected to various chromatographic techniques, including preparative HPLC, resulting in the isolation of eight compounds (1–8). Structural elucidation was primarily based on NMR data. Among the isolated compounds, four were flavanones, one was a flavonone, and three were chalcones. Notably, compound 8 was identified as a new chalcone, while compounds 2 and 3 were reported for the first time from this plant. The toxicity of these isolated compounds was evaluated against the HepG2 and SH-SY5Y cancer cell lines using the MTT assay. We further investigated markers of cell death using spectrophotometric and luminometric methods. Among the isolated compounds, 7 and 8 exhibited cytotoxic activities within the range of 3.0–20.0 µg/mL. Notably, the compounds demonstrated greater cytotoxicity towards liver-derived HepG2 cells compared to the neuronal SH-SY5Y cell line. Compound 7 (2′,4′-dihydroxychalcone) was identified as inducing apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway without causing overt necrosis. The findings indicate that the phytochemicals derived from A. africanum exhibit differential cytotoxic effects based on cell type, suggesting potential for developing novel anticancer agents, particularly compound 7. Additionally, the identification of compound 8 provides insight into the liver toxicity of this plant observed in sheep in South Africa. Full article

The plant-based oil industry contributes significantly to food waste/by-products in the form of underutilized biomass, including oil pomace, cake/meal, seeds, peels, wastewater, etc. These waste/by-products contain a significant quantity of nutritious and bioactive compounds (phenolics, lignans, flavonoids, dietary fiber, proteins, and essential minerals) with proven health-promoting effects. The utilization of them as natural, cost-effective, and food-grade functional ingredients in novel food formulations holds considerable potential. This review highlights the potential of waste/by-products generated during plant-based oil processing as a promising source of bioactive compounds and covers systematic research, including recent studies focusing on innovative extraction and processing techniques. It also sheds light on their promising potential for valorization as food ingredients, with a focus on specific examples of food fortification. Furthermore, the potential for value creation in the food industry is emphasized, taking into account associated challenges and limitations, as well as future perspectives. Overall, the current information suggests that the valorization of plant-based oil industry waste and by-products for use in the food industry could substantially reduce malnutrition and poverty, generate favorable health outcomes, mitigate environmental concerns, and enhance economic profit in a sustainable way by developing health-promoting, environmentally sustainable food systems. Full article

Fistulina hepatica (Schaeff.) With. and Clitocybe nuda (Bull.) H.E. Bigelow & A.H. Sm. are wild edible mushrooms with nutritional and functional potential that remain insufficiently characterized. This study provides the first comparative assessment of their nutritional profiles, phenolic composition, and antioxidant activity, using specimens collected from Montesinho Natural Park (Portugal). Proximate composition, organic and phenolic acids, free sugars, and fatty acids were analyzed by chromatographic methods, and antioxidant capacity was assessed through OxHLIA and TBARS assays. F. hepatica showed higher carbohydrates (9.3 ± 0.2 g/100 g fw) and estimated energy values (43 ± 1 kcal/100 g fw), increased phenolic acids content (2.7 ± 0.1 mg/g extract), and the exclusive presence of p-coumaric and cinnamic acids, along with OxHLIA activity (IC₅₀ = 126 ± 5 µg/mL at Δt = 60 min). C. nuda displayed higher protein (2.5 ± 0.1 g/100 g dw) and quinic acid contents (4.13 ± 0.02 mg/g extract), a PUFA-rich profile, and greater TBARS inhibition (EC₅₀ = 303 ± 17 µg/mL). These findings highlight distinct and complementary bioactive traits, supporting their valorization as natural functional ingredients. Their compositional features offer promising applications in sustainable food systems and nutraceutical development, encouraging further investigations into safety, bioaccessibility, and formulation strategies. Notably, F. hepatica is best consumed at a young developmental stage, as its sensory properties tend to decline with maturity. Full article

Toona sinensis (“Heiyouchun”) is a traditional Chinese woody vegetable, the leaves of which can also be processed into tea, known for its distinctive flavor and diverse bioactivities. However, the effects of leaf maturity and processing methods on its phytochemical composition and functional properties remain unclear. In this study, metabolomic analysis revealed 35 significantly different metabolites between tender and mature leaves, with higher concentrations of flavonoids, flavonoid glycosides, limonoids, and amino acids in tender leaves. Additionally, comparative analysis revealed that black tea fermentation preserves bioactive compounds more effectively than hot-air drying, particularly in tender leaves. In vitro activity assays showed that toon leaf tea extracts exhibited significant antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects, with black tea fermented tender leaves displaying the most potent bioactivity. Correlation analysis further confirmed a strong positive relationship between flavonoid/polyphenol content and bioactivity. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for optimizing processing techniques to enhance the functional properties of toon leaf tea. Full article