Search Results (3,697)

To elucidate differences in fresh-leaf quality associated with cultivar and leaf tenderness at harvest, this study investigated three tea samples: Hainan Dayezhong with one bud and one leaf (1L-HN), Hainan Dayezhong with one bud and two leaves (2L-HN), and Yunnan Dayezhong with one bud and one leaf (1L-YN). Basic physicochemical indices, non-targeted metabolomics, and sensory evaluation were integrated for comprehensive analysis. The results showed that 1L-HN exhibited excellent sensory quality and contained abundant polyphenols and amino acids, thereby providing a material basis for its balanced taste profile. Metabolites such as L-tryptophan, 13(S)-HPOT, and linoleic acid were closely associated with the characteristic floral and fruity flavor of Hainan Dayezhong. Metabolomic analysis further indicated that flavonoid biosynthesis and glycerophospholipid metabolism were the major pathways contributing to the observed metabolic differences. This study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the mechanisms underlying flavor formation in different varieties of black tea. Full article

Lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer account for over 41% of global cancer incidence and 39% of mortality, yet durable control of advanced disease remains limited. Plant secondary metabolites are promising multitarget leads, but their polypharmacological mechanisms cannot be captured by single-target approaches, and the evidence across these four cancers has not been synthesised within a unified framework. This review provides an integrated comparative analysis of network-pharmacology studies of plant-derived anticancer compounds across the four cancers, cataloguing phytochemical profiles, identifying shared and cancer-specific targets, quantifying the concordance between computational predictions and experimental validation, and appraising the translational gap. A systematic search of biomedical databases (2016–2026) identified 101 peer-reviewed studies (40 breast, 33 colorectal, 24 lung, and 14 prostate) combining network pharmacology with experimental validation. AKT1, EGFR, TP53, STAT3, MAPK1/3, CASP3, and HSP90AA1 recurred as cross-cancer hub genes, with the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways most frequently implicated. Cancer-specific signatures comprised the androgen receptor in prostate, the oestrogen receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 in breast, β-catenin/Wnt in colorectal, and the epidermal growth factor receptor/RAS axis with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition effectors in lung cancer. Flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and polyphenols predominated. The persistent validation gap remains the principal barrier to translation. Full article

Vitiligo is a multifactorial depigmentation disorder involving complex interactions among oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, inflammatory signaling, and programmed cell death pathways, which act as a central driver of melanocyte dysfunction and loss, interacting with immune-mediated cytotoxicity and intrinsic cellular susceptibility. Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) disrupt mitochondrial integrity, impair redox homeostasis, suppress microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF)-dependent melanogenesis, and induce melanocyte apoptosis. Concomitant dysfunction of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) axis further exacerbates oxidative injury by limiting endogenous antioxidant capacity. Current therapeutic approaches, including corticosteroids, phototherapy, and targeted immunomodulators, achieve partial repigmentation but do not adequately resolve melanocyte-intrinsic redox imbalance. This structured narrative review comprehensively integrates mechanistic and translational evidence to define phytocompounds as redox-active, multi-target modulators in vitiligo. Plant-derived polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and related metabolites are shown to attenuate ROS accumulation, preserve mitochondrial function, activate NRF2-dependent antioxidant signaling, and restore MITF-mediated expression of tyrosinase and associated melanogenic enzymes. Furthermore, coordinated modulation of MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and JAK/STAT pathways highlights their capacity to regulate immune–oxidative crosstalk and promote melanocyte survival. Despite promising preclinical and emerging clinical evidence of repigmentation efficacy, translational progress remains limited by poor phytochemical standardization, insufficient transcriptional and proteomic validation, suboptimal stability and dermal bioavailability, and a lack of rigorously designed clinical trials. Collectively, this review provides a mechanistic framework linking redox dysregulation to melanocyte failure and positions phytocompounds as rational candidates for adjunctive or stand-alone antioxidant-based therapies, while defining critical priorities for clinical translation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive breast cancer subtypes and remains associated with limited therapeutic options and high systemic toxicity from conventional chemotherapy. Ipomoea pes-caprae is a coastal medicinal plant traditionally consumed in Mexico for inflammatory and renal disorders and contains bioactive metabolites with reported antioxidant and pharmacological properties. However, its antitumoral activity and systemic safety profile remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize the phytochemical composition, antioxidant capacity, antitumoral activity, and toxicity of a traditionally prepared aqueous infusion of I. pes-caprae leaves (IPCAE). Methods: IPCAE was characterized using phytochemical screening and complementary instrumental analyses. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH assay. A randomized preclinical study was performed in mice bearing MDA-MB-231 xenografts treated with IPCAE, cisplatin, or saline control. Results: The infusion showed measurable antioxidant activity (72.25 ± 1.25% DPPH inhibition at 1 mg/mL) and a total polyphenol content of 7.29 µg/mg gallic acid equivalents. Phytochemical screening revealed abundant flavonoids and reducing sugars, with moderate saponin content. In vivo, IPCAE produced only a transient and non-significant trend toward slower tumor progression compared with control (p = 0.214) and cisplatin (p = 0.377). However, marked systemic toxicity was observed, including severe thoracic dermal lesions in 40% of animals and 70% mortality by day 15. Survival was significantly reduced compared with control and cisplatin groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Although IPCAE exhibited antioxidant activity, no statistically significant antitumoral effect was observed under the evaluated conditions. Furthermore, repeated oral administration resulted in marked systemic toxicity, characterized by visible dermal lesions, clinical deterioration, and increased mortality. Therefore, the present findings do not support the use of the evaluated crude preparation as an anticancer intervention. Future studies should focus on detailed toxicological characterization, bioassay-guided fractionation, dose optimization, and identification of the individual metabolites responsible for the observed biological effects. The antioxidant activity demonstrated in this study should be interpreted independently from antitumoral activity, as no causal relationship between these findings was established. Full article

Background/Objectives: Burn injuries in children represent a significant clinical challenge, as current standard-of-care agents such as silver sulfadiazine (SSD) present limitations, including delayed re-epithelialization. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Castanea sativa (sweet chestnut) flower extract—rich in polyphenols and flavonoids with documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties but previously uncharacterized in burn wound healing—applied topically on second-degree burn wounds in a juvenile rat model, comparing its efficacy to SSD and their combination. Methods: Forty five-week-old female Wistar albino juvenile rats were randomly allocated into five groups (n = 8): burn control (Group C), SSD monotherapy (Group BS), vaseline vehicle/sham (Group Sham), 5% chestnut flower extract (Group BCs), and SSD combined with extract (Group BSCs). All topical treatments were applied once daily for 14 days. Healing outcomes were assessed by macroscopic wound closure analysis, systemic organ stress markers (ALT, AST, BUN), oxidative stress indices (MDA, SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH), inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10), and histopathological/immunohistochemical analyses (Ki-67, VEGF). Results: All active treatment groups demonstrated significant reductions in organ damage markers, oxidative stress burden, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, alongside enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, compared to Group C (p < 0.001). Extract-treated groups exhibited more pronounced suppression of oxidative and inflammatory parameters than SSD monotherapy. The combination group (BSCs) achieved optimal wound healing outcomes, including near-complete re-epithelialization, superior collagen organization, and prominent angiogenesis, corroborated by the highest Ki-67 proliferation index and VEGF expression scores (p < 0.001). Conclusions:C. sativa flower extract significantly accelerates burn wound healing via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. When combined with SSD, a synergistic effect is observed that overcomes the re-epithelialization delays associated with SSD monotherapy. These findings support C. sativa flower extract as a promising candidate for further preclinical and clinical investigation in pediatric burn management, supporting the ethnopharmacological relevance of this plant in traditional wound care practices; further safety and efficacy validation is required before clinical translation. Full article

Almond processing byproducts are rich in bioactive polyphenols but severely underutilized due to inefficient conventional extraction methods. This study presents the first systematic optimization of an integrated ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction and AB-8 macroporous resin purification process for almond hull polyphenols, addressing the limitations of low yield, high impurity content, and bioactivity loss in traditional approaches. Extraction parameters were optimized via single-factor experiments combined with Box–Behnken response surface methodology, while purification conditions were refined through static and dynamic adsorption–desorption tests. Structural characterization and antioxidant evaluation were performed using Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays. Under optimal conditions, the polyphenol yield reached 23.67 mg/g. After purification, polyphenol purity increased 5.88-fold, flavonoid purity improved 4.62-fold, and DPPH/FRAP antioxidant activities were enhanced 5.0-fold and 6.5-fold, respectively. Purified polyphenols retained intact phenolic structures and exhibited a loose porous microstructure. This green process provides a technical basis for high-value utilization of almond hulls. Limitations include lack of polyphenol monomer identification, in vivo efficacy validation and industrial economic feasibility assessment. Full article

In the search for natural compounds with skin-relevant biological activity, the leaves from three species of the Geraniaceae family (Geranium phaeum, Geranium sanguineum, and Geranium macrorrhizum) were investigated. The study combined phytochemical characterisation with a broad evaluation of biological activity. The bioactivity of the tested extracts was assessed using antioxidant assays (DPPH, ABTS, and CUPRAC), metal-chelating tests, and inhibition assays of hyaluronidase, elastase, and tyrosinase. In addition, antimicrobial activity was evaluated against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and Candida spp., while cytocompatibility was assessed using HaCaT keratinocytes and HFF-1 fibroblasts. To support the interpretation of the observed biological effects, qualitative phytochemical profiling of the extracts was performed by LC–MS; selected compounds were quantified by HPLC; and total polyphenol and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC) were determined. Overall, the extracts exhibited notable antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme-inhibitory activities, while maintaining good cytocompatibility at lower concentrations. Among the tested species, G. sanguineum and G. macrorrhizum showed the most pronounced overall activity, likely associated with their high polyphenol content. These results indicate that selected Geraniaceae species represent promising sources of bioactive compounds with combined antioxidant, antimicrobial, and skin-compatible properties, supporting their further investigation in skin-relevant in vitro and formulation-oriented studies. Full article

Neuroinflammation plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of several associated brain diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS)), and traumatic brain injury (TBI). In these diseases, persistent microglial and astrocyte aggregates, elevated proinflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress drive neuronal injury and cognitive disability. Rho GTPases, in particular the Rho family members Ras homolog family member A (RhoA), Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1), and cell division control protein 42 homolog (CDC42), regulate neuroinflammation, cytoskeletal dynamics, immune responses, and the maintenance of BBB integrity. These proteins are involved in many neuropathological diseases due to dysregulation, making them interesting therapeutic targets. Bioactives used in herbal care have attracted interest for their ability to influence neuroinflammation and even their anti-neurodegenerative activity. Studies show that flavonoids, alkaloids, polyphenols, and other botanical compounds alter Rho GTPase activity, which, in turn, leads to decreased inflammation. This review critically summarizes current evidence regarding phytochemical regulation of Rho GTPase signaling in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), with particular emphasis on the underlying molecular mechanisms, context-dependent signaling responses, and current translational challenges. Furthermore, existing knowledge gaps and future research priorities are discussed to facilitate the development of mechanism-based therapeutic strategies targeting Rho GTPases. Full article

Bee pollination enhances the yield and fruit quality of loquats (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.). However, the systemic effects of pollination on fruit metabolomics, particularly the metabolic differences among various cultivars following pollination, remain unclear. This study examined the metabolome of Baihua loquats following pollination by Apis cerana and compared it to that of unpollinated fruits. A total of 1964 metabolites were identified, including 334 differentially expressed metabolites. After analyzing ripe fruits of the white-fleshed loquat (Baihua, BH) and red-fleshed loquat (Dahongpao, DHP) following pollination, a total of 635 differentially expressed compounds were identified, with flavonoids, phenolic acids, and amino acids being the most abundant among the differentially expressed metabolites. This study further elucidated the biosynthetic pathways of phenylpropanoids, which account for the differences in the accumulation of BH and DHP in loquat following pollination. Consequently, these findings enhance our understanding of the overall metabolome of pollinated loquats, deepen our knowledge of polyphenolic metabolism in different loquat varieties, and provide new insights into the flavor differences between white-fleshed and red-fleshed loquats. Full article

Açaí is considered a super fruit for its high concentration of flavonoid polyphenols, predominantly anthocyanins. The nutraceutical effect of açaí as an anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic agent has been reported. This study aimed to investigate whether açaí protects paternal contribution against accelerated aging using the D-galactose model. Wistar rats (n = 24) were treated by voluntary consumption with vehicle paste (C) or a mixture with 200 mg/kg of D-galactose (DG) or 300 mg/kg of lyophilized açaí (A); D-galactose and açaí (DGA) were given separately. Fathers (F0) and offspring (F1) underwent Doppler ultrasound (aorta and kidney) and spermatic and immune cell analyses. In the F0 generation, the DG group showed altered epididymis weight, sperm quality, aortic diameter, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, systolic velocity and renal resistivity index. Açaí positively modulated sperm, neutrophil and vascular alterations in F0. The male F1 of the DG group showed lower body mass, as well as a greater number of abnormal spermatozoa and leukocyte DNA breaks; however, the DGA group had a significant increase in body mass and the NRL was positively correlated with leukocyte DNA breaks. Our data indicate that age acceleration, induced by D-galactose for 30 days, causes innate physiological dysfunction and compromises sperm contribution, which was positively modulated by açaí. The preconception use of lyophilized açaí also has some positive impact on intergenerational health, but the topic still deserves further investigation. Full article

Background: Artemisia absinthium (A. absinthium) is a perennial plant valued for its antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, exhibiting broader therapeutic potential. Given the need to deliver low doses of A. absinthium extract, mesoporous silica nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention as promising nanocarriers due to their distinctive physical and chemical properties. Methods: Physicochemical characterization of the materials was performed and biological assays were conducted to investigate the ROS, antibacterial and antioxidant activity of A. absinthium extract encapsulated within cerium- and calcium-doped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MNSiCaCe) against both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Results: FTIR, SEM, and BET analysis confirmed successful synthesis of the MNSiCaCe. Phytochemical profiling of Artemisia absinthium extract using HPLC revealed the presence of artemisinin and a rich composition of phenolic and flavonoid constituents, with a total phenolic content of 182 ± 3.6 mg GAE/100 g dry plant material and a total flavonoid content of 42.5 ± 0.6 mg QE/100 g. Quantitative drug loading profiling demonstrated that while plain MNSi nanocarriers achieved a loading capacity of 16.96%, the MNSiCaCe enhanced this threshold to 43.11%. The in vitro controlled-release kinetics exhibited a highly prolonged and slow-release profile of the MNSiCaCe. The materials demonstrated excellent hemocompatibility and high mitochondrial activity with human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs). Elevated ROS generation was observed under conditions where antibacterial activity was most pronounced. While the artemisinin-doped nanoparticles showed notable antibacterial effects, the complete Artemisia absinthium-loaded nanoparticles achieved a significantly greater reduction in bacterial viability probably due to the synergistic interaction between artemisinin and the extract’s rich polyphenol profile. Conclusions: These findings highlight MNSiCaCe as a promising and safe nanocarrier system for drug delivery, with strong antibacterial potential, offering valuable applications in antibacterial therapies. Full article

The sustainable valorization of spontaneous flora biomass for the recovery of high value-added phytochemicals represents a key opportunity within the circular bioeconomy, yet it remains constrained by the environmental limitations of conventional extraction solvents and the lack of data-driven optimization frameworks. In this study, Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) composed of betaine and 1,3-propanediol were designed and applied as bio-based extraction media for the recovery of bioactive metabolites from Artemisia annua L. spontaneous biomass in the context of green extraction and sustainable resource utilization. Two liquid–solid extraction techniques, namely vortex-assisted extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction, were evaluated. The influence of key process parameters, including the eutectic component molar ratio, water content, solid-to-liquid (S/L) ratio, extraction temperature, and extraction time, was systematically investigated. Results demonstrated that extraction efficiency was strongly dependent on both solvent composition and process conditions, with distinct optimum parameters for different phytochemical classes. Maximum total polyphenol content (52.08 mg GAE/mL) was achieved via ultrasound-assisted extraction at 20 °C for 15 min, using a 1:3 NADES ratio with 40% water dilution and S/L = 1:5, while the highest flavonoid yield (17.34 mg QE/mL) was obtained by vortex-assisted extraction for 45 min using a 1:6 NADES ratio under the same dilution and S/L conditions. To identify extraction conditions associated with improved process efficiency, a hybrid modeling approach combining deep neural networks with the Success-History-based Adaptive Differential Evolution (SHADE) algorithm was employed, enabling high-accuracy prediction of extraction performance across a broad parameter space. The proposed framework demonstrates the feasibility of integrating green solvent design with machine learning-driven process modeling for the efficient valorization of underutilized plant biomass, contributing to the development of resource-efficient, sustainable extraction protocols, consistent with principles of process intensification and resource-efficient extraction strategies. Full article

Anhua Qianliang tea, a traditionally crafted dark tea, is highly prized for its unique sensory properties that develop and improve during long-term aging. To elucidate the material basis driving the quality transformation of Anhua Qianliang tea during prolonged storage, samples aged for 2 to 25 years were investigated using physicochemical analysis, untargeted metabolomics, and sensory evaluation. Prolonged storage reduced total polyphenols, free amino acids, and most catechins, whereas alkaloids remained relatively stable. Phenylpropanoids and polyketides, organic acids and derivatives, and lipids and lipid-like molecules were the main metabolite classes contributing to storage-stage discrimination, accompanied by extensive remodeling of flavonoid, phenylpropanoid, amino acid-related, and central carbon metabolism. Sensory evolution was closely associated with coordinated changes in catechins, polyphenols, phenolic acids, amino acid-related compounds, and storage-responsive metabolites. These insights significantly deepen the understanding of dark tea maturation and offer new perspectives for scientific evaluation and industrial standardization. Full article

Hydrodynamic cavitation is assessed as a conditional process-intensification platform for the sustainable recovery and transformation of bioactive and functional fractions from agri-food residues, food-processing by-products, and plant-derived matrices. The analysis focuses on fractions enriched in polyphenols, flavonoids, pectins, carotenoids, proteins, pigments, essential oils, and other value-added compounds with potential relevance for food, nutraceutical, formulation-oriented, and related high-value applications. Rather than being considered an inherently green or universally superior technology, hydrodynamic cavitation is evaluated according to the specific process functions it can provide, including matrix disruption, mass-transfer enhancement, solvent-use reduction, recovery of pectin-associated fractions, protein extraction, macromolecular restructuring, dispersion, and process integration. Quantitative and scale-relevant indicators are considered where available, including recovery yield, target-compound content, solvent use, operating conditions, treated volume, energy input, fraction quality, and reporting limits. Comparison with ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, pulsed electric fields, subcritical water extraction, natural deep eutectic solvents, and enzyme-assisted extraction indicates that its advantage is most defensible when hydrodynamic effects address a clearly identified matrix or process limitation. The available evidence supports substantial potential for wet matrices, plant by-products, aqueous suspensions, and liquid food systems. However, critical gaps remain in energy reporting, selectivity, recovered-fraction stability, scale-up, downstream processing, and application-oriented validation. Recovered fractions should therefore be regarded as candidate ingredients or functional intermediates, rather than as direct evidence of efficacy in final products. Full article