Search Results (11,933)

Boron is a chemically distinctive bioelement whose electron-deficient structure enables reversible coordination with oxygen-rich functional groups such as diols and hydroxyls. This property allows boron to modulate molecular stability, conformation, and biological reactivity, giving rise to both beneficial pharmacological effects and toxicological outcomes. This review examines the dual biological role of boron through the framework of bioactive boron-containing natural products and natural compounds capable of forming reversible boron complexes. Particular attention is given to naturally occurring boron-containing antibiotics, including the polyketide macrodiolides boromycin, aplasmomycin, tartrolons, and hyaboron, where boron plays a direct structural and functional role in antimicrobial activity. These compounds demonstrate how boron coordination can influence ion transport, membrane interactions, and molecular assembly, contributing to potent antibacterial properties. Beyond intrinsically boron-containing metabolites, many natural antibiotics and toxins possess oxygen-rich architectures capable of forming transient borate complexes through vicinal 1,2-diol motifs. Examples include polyene macrolide antibiotics such as amphotericin B, fungichromin, and nystatin, as well as tetracyclines, rifamycins, and macrolides such as sorangicin A, where boron coordination may affect solubility, aggregation, ionophoric behavior, and biological selectivity. Similar chemistry is observed in marine neurotoxins and polyether toxins—including tetrodotoxin, saxitoxin derivatives, azaspiracids, pectenotoxins, ciguatoxins, and gambierones—whose hydroxyl-rich frameworks enable reversible interactions with boron species present in seawater. Such complexation may enhance aqueous stability and contribute to trophic transfer and bioaccumulation within marine ecosystems. By framing boron as a molecular “double edge,” this review integrates chemical, biological, and environmental perspectives to highlight how boron coordination can simultaneously enhance antimicrobial activity while influencing toxicity and ecological persistence. Recognizing the role of boron in shaping the activity of natural products provides new insight into antibiotic function, toxin behavior, and the broader impact of boron chemistry in biological systems. Full article

Background: Nigella sativa (black cumin) seeds are renowned for their ethnomedicinal significance and are rich in bioactive phytochemicals, which contribute to food preservation and the prevention of various diseases through their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Accordingly, this study aimed to characterize the phytochemical composition of N. sativa seed extracts, isolate thymoquinone, and assess their antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities. Methods: Nigella sativa seed extracts were prepared using solvents of increasing polarity and analyzed for phytochemical content. Metabolite profiling was performed using UHPLC/QTOF-MS. Thymoquinone, the major constituent, was isolated via thin-layer chromatography (TLC), further purified using semi-preparative reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), and evaluated in vitro for antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities. Results: Extraction yields ranged from 5.5% to 8.4% (w/w), with methanol yielding the highest phenol (6.34 ± 0.31 mg GAE/mL) and flavonoid (5.12 ± 0.26 mg QE/mL) contents. UHPLC/QTOF-MS revealed a chemically diverse profile dominated by thymoquinone (58% relative abundance), alongside p-cymene, carvacrol, longifolene, and nigellidine. Thymoquinone (Rf = 0.56) was initially isolated from the methanolic extract with a yield of 270 mg/g and further purified from preparative TLC fractions using semi-preparative RP-HPLC, affording 82 mg of >95% pure compound with a 68.3% recovery, suitable for subsequent biological assays. It inhibited Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with MICs of 62.5 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Listeria monocytogenes; 125–250 µg/mL against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium; and 500 µg/mL against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thymoquinone reduced biofilm formation (>80% at 25–50 µg/mL; MBIC₅₀ ≈ 5.4–11.6 µg/mL), exhibited antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀ = 52.3 ± 2. 1 µg/mL; ABTS IC₅₀ = 41.6 ± 1.9 µg/mL), stabilized erythrocyte membranes (IC₅₀ ≈ 14.8 µg/mL), and inhibited carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes, with stronger inhibition of α-glucosidase (~92%) than α-amylase (~84%) at 128 µg/mL. Conclusions: Thymoquinone is a major bioactive constituent of N. sativa seeds, exhibiting consistent multi-target in vitro activity. These findings highlight its functional relevance and in vivo investigations to establish therapeutic potential. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of selected agri-food by-products—apple pomace extract from Malus domestica cv. ‘Grochówka’ and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile L.) hydrolate—as functional, sustainable ingredients for cosmetic applications. The work focused on their chemical composition, biological activity, formulation performance, and in vivo effects on skin condition. Volatile compounds, phenolic acids, and triterpenoids were analyzed by GC–MS, while total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and enzyme inhibitory activity were evaluated in vitro. An oil-in-water emulsion containing the by-products was formulated and, in a 14-day split-face study, assessed for its effects on skin hydration, elasticity, inflammation, sensitivity, pore visibility, and melanin index. Biochemical analyses have shown that chamomile hydrolate is characterized by very low antioxidant activity (DPPH 5.0 ± 1.25%, FRAP 0%) and weak protease inhibition (9.70 ± 1.84%). In contrast, apple extract contained a significant amount of polyphenols (23.94 ± 0.3 mg GAE/g) and showed strong antioxidant properties (DPPH 79.4 ± 2.12%, FRAP 70.56 ± 2.23%; IC₅₀ = 21.5 ± 0.196 mg/mL), which confirms the dominant role of phenolic compounds in its biological activity. This extract also demonstrated significant protease inhibition (60.88 ± 2.35%; IC₅₀ = 15.02 ± 0.47 mg/mL), while its lipase inhibition activity was moderate (10%), which may be beneficial from a cosmetic perspective. The obtained results indicate that apple extract is a valuable raw material with multifaceted biological potential. Overall, the results demonstrate that apple pomace extract and chamomile hydrolate can be effectively valorized as bioactive cosmetic ingredients, supporting both skin health benefits and circular economy principles in sustainable cosmetic formulation. Full article

The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is recognized for its nutritional quality, health-promoting properties, and richness in bioactive compounds, yet studies analyzing complete traditional recipes considering both extractable and non-extractable fractions are limited. This study characterized the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and phenolic profile of 56 traditional MD recipes from eight countries, grouped into European Mediterranean (France, Italy, and Spain), African Mediterranean (Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco), and non-Mediterranean European (Luxembourg and Germany) regions. Samples were freeze-dried and subjected to aqueous-organic extraction followed by acid hydrolysis. TAC was measured using TEAC, ORAC, and total phenolics (Folin–Ciocalteu, reflecting reducing capacity), while phenolic profiles were analyzed by HPLC-DAD. Relationships between phenolics and TAC were evaluated using linear and mixed-effects models, accounting for country-level heterogeneity. Mediterranean recipes showed higher TAC and greater phenolic diversity than non-Mediterranean recipes, with a predominance of phenolic acids, secoiridoids, and flavonoids, reflecting characteristic olive oil use. In all regions, the non-extractable fraction contributed >80% to TAC, highlighting underestimation by conventional methods and its dominant contribution to dietary antioxidant intake. TEAC was positively associated with extractable phenolics, whereas ORAC reflected country-specific culinary features independently of total phenolic content. These findings underscore the significant bioactive potential of traditional MD recipes, which can be considered functional foods, and the importance of comprehensive evaluations of both extractable and non-extractable fractions for nutritional research and dietary interventions. Full article

Skin aging is driven by intrinsic factors, such as the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and extrinsic factors, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which accelerate oxidative stress and extracellular matrix degradation. Strategies to mitigate skin aging often focus on antioxidant and anticollagenase activities. Several studies have shown that Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel is an underutilized by-product rich in ellagitannins, which can be hydrolyzed into ellagic acid, a compound with well-documented bioactivity. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of microbial fermentation using Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the physicochemical properties and bioactivity of pomegranate peel juice. Non-fermented juice (NFJ), L. plantarum-fermented juice (LFJ), and S. cerevisiae-fermented juice (SFJ) were used for comparative evaluation. The results showed that fermentation (LFJ and SFJ) led to decreased pH and sugar content, along with significant increases in ellagic acid concentration, antioxidant activity, and collagenase inhibition compared to NFJ. After 168 h, ellagic acid levels increased to 329.87 µg/mL in LFJ and 341.41 µg/mL in SFJ, compared to 263.86 µg/mL in NFJ. Antioxidant activity also increased to 73.82%, 83.25%, and 82.70% for NFJ, LFJ, and SFJ, respectively. Meanwhile, collagenase inhibition was 67.43%, 71.81%, and 73.66% for NFJ, LFJ, and SFJ, respectively. These results provide scientific evidence that microbial fermentation enhances the bioactivity of pomegranate peel juice, showing its potential as a sustainable source of natural ingredients for future cosmetic applications. Further studies on formulation, stability, and safety are needed to translate the results into practical skincare products. Full article

Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua (PCH) is traditionally recognized as both an edible and medicinal food source. Its rhizomes contain numerous bioactive compounds, notably polysaccharides and flavonoids, which serve as key constituents in functional food development. However, the cultivation of PCH is often hindered by allelopathic effects, which diminish its quality and restrict its industrial application. To mitigate these allelopathic influences, three types of biochars derived from maize straw (MB), rice husk (RB), and tea stem (TB) were applied at concentrations of 0%, 2%, and 4%. Initially, the physicochemical properties of these biochars were characterized, followed by an evaluation of their impact on (1) the synthesis of quality-related components, secondary metabolites, and allelochemicals within PCH rhizomes and (2) the fundamental physicochemical properties and bacterial community structure of the PCH rhizosphere soil. The findings indicated that the application of 4% RB significantly enhanced the content of total polysaccharides by 48.5%, total flavonoids by 30.2%, total saponins by 28.6%, and total polyphenols by 18.3%, while concurrently reducing protein (PRO) and free amino acid (FAA) concentrations in the rhizomes. Non-targeted metabolomic analyses revealed that biochar amendments (1) upregulated metabolites involved in the citrate cycle and galactose metabolism pathways, thereby facilitating energy supply and precursors for polysaccharide biosynthesis; (2) downregulated metabolites involved in the arginine biosynthesis pathway, which is unfavorable for protein and amino acid synthesis; (3) decreased the abundance of six identified allelochemicals, including 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan and andrographolide, with the most pronounced effect observed in the 4% TB treatment (T2); (4) improved soil physicochemical parameters such as pH, soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), and available potassium (AK); and (5) altered the rhizosphere bacterial community by enriching beneficial phyla, notably Myxococcota and Gemmatimonadota. These modifications in soil properties and bacterial community composition were closely associated with enhanced rhizome quality and a reduction in allelochemical accumulation. Collectively, the results of this study elucidate the potential mechanisms linking biochar application to allelopathy mitigation, optimization of soil microbial communities, and improvement of PCH rhizome quality. This research provides a theoretical basis for the production of high-quality PCH while concurrently minimizing allelochemical accumulation in its rhizomes. Full article

Kombucha is a beverage obtained through the fermentation of tea leaves by a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast called SCOBY. This beverage is popularly known for the potential health benefits associated with its consumption, which is the main reason for its commercial expansion over the last century. These potential benefits are linked to the presence of a wide variety of bioactive compounds, notably phenolic compounds and organic acids. This composition varies significantly depending on the fermentation conditions, which in turn modifies the beverage’s bioactive properties (i.e., antioxidant capacity or antimicrobial properties, among others). For this reason, the most recent advances in kombucha production are geared towards achieving standardized production, including strategies for enhancing bioactive content and fortification with functional ingredients. All these advances should satisfy quality control and regulatory compliance. However, despite the growing scientific and commercial interest in kombucha, current knowledge remains fragmented across different disciplines, highlighting the need for an updated and integrative overview of its composition, bioactivity, production variables, and safety aspects. In this review, nutritional, microbiological, and technological perspectives are integrated to provide an updated framework for understanding kombucha as a functional beverage, while also outlining key directions for future research and industrial application. Full article

Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E.H.Wilson. bark is famous as a traditional herbal medicine used in prescriptions for treating gastrointestinal discomfort, respiratory and inflammatory disorders. Magnolol, one of its principal bioactive constituents, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. However, its therapeutic mechanisms in allergic rhinitis (AR) remain to be elucidated. In this study, the anti-allergic effects and molecular mechanisms of M. officinalis bark aqueous extract (MOAE) and magnolol were investigated using an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR mouse model. Nasal symptoms, histopathological alterations, and serum inflammatory mediators, including histamine and immunoglobulins (IgE, IgG1, IgG2a), were evaluated to assess efficacy. Both MOAE and magnolol significantly alleviated nasal rubbing and sneezing, reduced eosinophil infiltration and mucus hypersecretion, and improved tissue morphology in nasal and lung sections. Moreover, treatment markedly decreased serum levels of histamine and OVA-specific antibodies. Integrative network pharmacology, RNA sequencing, and molecular docking analyses revealed 33 co-regulated target genes mainly involved in the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, suggesting that modulation of these pathways underlies the observed anti-inflammatory effects. These findings demonstrate that MOAE and magnolol exert protective effects against AR through the regulation of key inflammatory signaling cascades. This study provides modern pharmacological evidence supporting the traditional use of M.officinalis bark and highlights its potential as a natural therapeutic candidate for AR. Full article

Sphingolipids, first discovered in 1874 by Johann Thudicum, are among the eight recognized classes of lipids and are present in essentially all plants, animals, and fungi, as well as some viruses and prokaryotes. In mammals, sphingolipids are enriched in the central nervous system (CNS), where they play vital roles in tissue development; membrane structure; cell adhesion and recognition; and, importantly, signaling. A subset of sphingolipids including ceramide, glucosylceramide, and sphingosine has been shown to have bioactive properties, but two sphingolipids in particular (ceramide-1-phosphate and sphingosine-1-phosphate) have been shown to exert their effects at least in part due to the activation of cell surface-expressed G protein-coupled receptors. In the CNS, sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling has specifically emerged as a productive therapeutic target for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease, with the first small molecule targeting sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors approved roughly 15 years ago for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. As more specific activators and inhibitors of these receptors have been developed and entered the clinical trial pipeline, now is an appropriate time to examine the current state of our knowledge of the role that these receptors play in the CNS and highlight the current landscape of available modulators targeting these pathways. Full article

The physicochemical properties and volatile composition of fruits are critical determinants of fruit quality and processing performance. This study evaluated major green plum cultivars from Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces by analyzing fruit morphology, nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, and volatile profiles. Multivariate statistical analyses, including orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis (CA), were applied to comprehensively assess cultivar-dependent quality differences. EH exhibited the highest total acid and glucose contents, whereas MD showed superior soluble solids, total sugars, solid–acid ratio, and several organic acids and sugars. Yunnan cultivars generally showed higher flavonoid contents and stronger antioxidant activities than Sichuan cultivars. Citric acid was the predominant organic acid. A total of 97 volatile compounds were identified. Ten volatile compounds were detected in all eight varieties, including butyl acetate, hexyl acetate, and butyl butyrate. EH and MD released the higher volatile, and PCA-based comprehensive evaluation ranked the cultivars as follows: EH, MD, EY, YZ, PX, EZ, DY and DN. Therefore, EH and MD exhibited superior overall quality in physicochemical properties and volatile composition. These findings provide a theoretical basis for evaluating green plum quality and their rational utilization in production and processing. Full article

Background: Polysaccharide-based dynamic hydrogels are promising for wound management due to their biocompatibility, injectability, and tunable biofunctionality. The integration of therapeutic gasotransmitter donors offers a strategy to modulate the wound microenvironment. Objectives: This study aimed to develop an injectable, self-healing carbohydrate hydrogel capable of sustained hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) release for burn wound therapy, and to evaluate its physicochemical properties, in vivo efficacy, and mechanism of action. Methods: A dynamic hydrogel (ACMOD) was fabricated via Schiff-base crosslinking between oxidized dextran (OD) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), incorporating the H₂S donor 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (ADT-OH). Rheological and recovery tests characterized its mechanical and self-healing properties. Efficacy and mechanisms were assessed in a rat full-thickness burn model, analyzing wound closure, histology, oxidative stress, macrophage polarization, angiogenesis, and collagen deposition. Results: ACMOD exhibited shear-thinning, rapid self-healing, and strong tissue adherence. Sustained H₂S release from ACMOD significantly accelerated wound closure and improved tissue regeneration compared to controls. Mechanistically, H₂S attenuated oxidative stress, promoted a pro-regenerative M2 macrophage phenotype, enhanced angiogenesis via VEGF upregulation, and fostered organized collagen deposition and extracellular matrix remodeling. Conclusions: This work demonstrates a versatile, carbohydrate-based dynamic hydrogel platform that synergizes polymer network dynamics with bioactive H₂S delivery to effectively promote burn wound healing. The findings underscore the potential of polysaccharide hydrogels with integrated gasotransmitter release for regenerative therapy and biomaterials applications. Full article

Textile materials represent a versatile class of engineering substrates widely used in apparel, domestic products, and medical protective systems. Despite their extensive application, large-scale textile production has seen limited integration of fundamentally new functionalization strategies. In recent years, however, advances in materials science have enabled the development of textiles with tailored electrical, adaptive, and biological functionalities. This review summarizes recent progress in the functionalization of textile materials with a focus on approaches relevant to engineering and industrial implementation. Particular attention is given to conductive textiles designed for operation under extreme environmental conditions, including low-temperature climates. Methods for integrating electrically conductive elements into fibrous structures are discussed, highlighting their potential for sensing, thermal regulation, and energy-related applications such as powering portable electronic devices. Inkjet printing is presented as a scalable technique for high-resolution deposition of conductive patterns while preserving the mechanical integrity and aesthetic properties of textile substrates. In addition, adaptive and stimuli-responsive textile systems are reviewed, including materials capable of responding to thermal, optical, or chemical stimuli, with applications in camouflage, wearable systems, and multifunctional surfaces. The review further addresses the development of bioactive textiles, emphasizing antibacterial functionalization using organic and inorganic agents to mitigate the spread of pathogenic microorganisms. The relevance of such materials has been underscored by recent global viral outbreaks. Overall, this work aims to provide a materials science perspective on emerging textile functionalization strategies and to facilitate the transition of these technologies from laboratory-scale research to practical engineering applications. Full article

Bee pollen is a natural product with multifunctional properties, containing abundant bioactive compounds, especially phenolic acids and flavonoids, which are largely responsible for its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. In this study, the bioactive composition, antioxidant capacity, encapsulation efficiency, antimicrobial activity, and gastrointestinal stability of bee pollen extract (PE) were investigated. The pollen extract exhibited high total phenolic (2817 mg GAE/100 g) and flavonoid contents (5255 mg QE/100 g), along with strong antioxidant activity (DPPH: 4305 mg TE/100 g; CUPRAC: 3685 mg TE/100 g). To improve the stability and bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds, PE was encapsulated using β-cyclodextrin (BCD) at different weight ratios. Among the formulations, the PE:BCD ratio of 1:2 showed the highest encapsulation efficiency (64%) and favorable physicochemical properties, including higher particle size and more negative zeta potential values, indicating good colloidal stability. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated for PE, BCD-only, and the selected PE-loaded formulation (1:2, w:w). Encapsulation led to a modest reduction in antimicrobial activity compared to free PE (6.25–50 mg/mL); however, the encapsulated formulation still exhibited considerable antibacterial effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains (25–50 mg/mL). Furthermore, in vitro gastrointestinal digestion indicated that BCD encapsulation substantially enhanced the bioaccessibility of total phenolics (81%) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH: 48%; CUPRAC: 76%), particularly during the intestinal stage. Phenolic profiling showed that chlorogenic acid and quercetin derivatives remained relatively stable throughout digestion. Overall, encapsulation with BCD effectively safeguarded pollen phenolics, improved their gastrointestinal stability, and increased bioaccessibility, highlighting the potential of encapsulated bee pollen as a functional food ingredient or nutraceutical. Full article

This study investigated the characteristics and bioactive properties of olive oils obtained from regional Nizip Yaglik (NY) and Kilis Yaglik (KY) olive varieties, encapsulated using maltodextrin (MD) and whey protein isolate (WPI) as wall materials. Olive oils were first emulsified with different WPI–MD ratios (1:1, 1:4, 1:10) and subsequently freeze-dried to produce microcapsule powders. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted, including physicochemical properties (encapsulation efficiency, moisture content, water activity, bulk density, flowability, wettability, particle size, and color), FTIR spectral profiles, morphological features, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity. The results demonstrated that combining WPI with MD yielded high encapsulation efficiency and favorable reconstitution characteristics, effectively protecting sensitive bioactive constituents from oxidative degradation during processing and storage. Increasing the proportion of MD in the wall matrix improved emulsion stability and microencapsulation yield, while also slightly enhancing powder brightness. FTIR analyses confirmed that the fundamental chemical structure of olive oil was preserved across all formulations. The freeze-dried microcapsules displayed superior stability relative to non-encapsulated oils, retaining higher levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. Among the formulations, elevated MD ratios enhanced powder flowability, whereas WPI played a crucial role in emulsification performance and capsule surface integrity. Overall, these findings underscore the effectiveness of MD–WPI blends as promising wall materials for the freeze-drying encapsulation of regional olive oils, offering a viable strategy to preserve their distinctive qualities and bioactive potential for functional food applications. Full article

The global demand for sustainable and effective food preservation techniques has spurred significant interest in biodegradable packaging materials, with chitosan films emerging as a promising solution for extending the shelf life of highly perishable seafood products such as shrimp. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the development, characterization, and functional enhancement of chitosan-based films for shrimp. Chitosan, derived from chitin, has inherent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and biodegradable properties, making it an ideal candidate for eco-friendly packaging. The key physicochemical and functional properties of chitosan films, including their mechanical strength, barrier performance, and structural characteristics, are discussed. Functional enhancements, such as the incorporation of natural bioactive compounds (e.g., essential oils and plant extracts) and nanofillers, have been shown to significantly improve the antimicrobial efficacy, oxygen and water vapor barrier properties, and mechanical stability of films. A critical aspect of this progress is the synergistic effect achieved by combining chitosan with other antimicrobials, which broadens the spectrum of activity against various bacterial strains and enhances overall preservation efficacy. Recent studies have demonstrated that functionalized chitosan coatings effectively inhibit microbial growth, retard lipid oxidation, and maintain sensory and nutritional quality during refrigerated storage of shrimp. In addition, this review evaluates current limitations related to large-scale production, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory approval for commercial applications. Overall, chitosan-based preservation systems represent a promising approach for sustainable seafood packaging. Future research may focus on industrial scalability, multifunctional film design, and integration with smart/active packaging technologies. Full article