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Corn is one of the most consumed cereals in the Mexican diet. In this country, there are multiple varieties that exhibit nutraceutical potential due to their content of different metabolites with biological activity, such as blue corn. Another variety that has received little study is the red pigmented corn variety Chilac from Puebla, Mexico, which is being studied for its nutraceutical potential. A differential extraction using the Soxhlet method was carried out to evaluate the phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and monomeric anthocyanins, and free radical scavenging test was performed using the DPPH reagent. A proximate analysis was also conducted to identify the main macronutrients. The results of the proximate analysis were comparable to those of other traditional corn varieties, with carbohydrates being the macronutrient present in the highest amount at 77.9%. Regarding phenolic content and the presence of anthocyanins, the best extractions were obtained using alcoholic solvents; for example, ethanol for phenols, yielding 1368.420 ± 104.094 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/kg plant. In contrast, the flavonoid content was higher in the aqueous extract, with 833.984 ± 65.218 mg QE/Kg. In the case of the DPPH assay, the best result was obtained with ethyl acetate (73.81 ± 5.31%). These findings provide a foundation for expanding the use of corn varieties with nutraceutical potential, opening the possibility of studies focused on deeper characterization. Full article

The objectives of this study were to prepare whey protein–quercetin–gellan gum conjugates using the pH-shift method and to evaluate the impacts of varying pH values and quercetin concentrations on the interaction mechanisms and functional characteristics of the complexes. Spectroscopic analyses (fluorescence, UV-vis, and FT-IR) revealed that new complexes formed under alkaline conditions. Notably, an increasing quercetin concentration led to a reduction in complex particle size and an increase in the zeta potential value, with these effects being more pronounced under alkaline conditions. The particle size was 425.7 nm, and the zeta potential value was −30.00 mV at a quercetin addition concentration of 15 umol/g protein. Additionally, the complexes formed under alkaline conditions exhibited superior foaming capacity, emulsification properties, and significantly enhanced free radical scavenging activity. The complex’s DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging rates rose by 41.57% and 57.69%, respectively. This study provides theoretical foundations and practical insights for developing protein—polyphenol systems, offering significant implications for the application of quercetin functional foods and supplements in the food science and pharmaceutical industries. Full article

Isoquercitrin, a monoglucoside form of quercetin, exhibits superior antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular protective effects in comparison to its precursor, rutin. However, its natural abundance is limited. This study aimed to increase the functional value of Diospyros lotus leaf extract through enzymatic conversion of rutin to isoquercitrin using α-l-rhamnosidase and to evaluate the changes in biological activities after conversion. A sugar-free D. lotus leaf extract was prepared and subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis with α-l-rhamnosidase under optimized conditions (pH 5.5, 55 °C, and 0.6 U/mL). Isoquercitrin production was monitored via high-performance liquid chromatography. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition assays, respectively. The enzymatic reaction resulted in complete conversion of 30 mM rutin into isoquercitrin within 180 min, increasing isoquercitrin content from 9.8 to 39.8 mM. The enzyme-converted extract exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant activity, with a 48% improvement in IC₅₀ value compared with the untreated extract. Similarly, LOX inhibition increased from 39.2% to 48.3% after enzymatic conversion. Both extracts showed higher inhibition than isoquercitrin alone, indicating synergistic effects of other phytochemicals present in the extract. This study is the first to demonstrate that α-l-rhamnosidase-mediated conversion of rutin to isoquercitrin in D. lotus leaf extract significantly improves its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The enzymatically enhanced extract shows potential as a functional food or therapeutic ingredient. Full article

The exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides SJC113 is a glucan with α-1,6 and α-3,6 branched glycosidic linkages that may promote human health. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro the antioxidant, cholesterol-binding, and prebiotic activities of this EPS and its effect on the gut microbiota. The EPS exhibited moderate antioxidant activity, showing free radical scavenging activity (10.94 ± 1.33%) and hydroxyl scavenging activity (6.29 ± 1.59%) at 1 mg/mL. Notably, it showed high cholesterol-binding activity, lowering cholesterol levels by 40% at 1 mg/mL EPS. Ln. mesenteroides SJC113 showed strong adhesion to mucin, and its EPS enhanced the adhesion of the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG. The application of this EPS stimulated the growth of several lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains in vitro, indicating its potential as a prebiotic. In addition, the use of a human gastrointestinal simulator inoculated with fecal microbiota showed that the EPS favored the growth of Bifidobacterium spp. and lactobacilli while reducing Enterobacteriaceae. These results emphasize the multifunctional nature of the EPS produced by Ln. mesenteroides SJC113 with antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, and prebiotic properties. Further research is required to investigate the specific mechanisms of action and health benefits in vivo. Full article

In this study, the ultrasonic-assisted extraction of deep eutectic solvents (UADES) for tea polysaccharides was optimized, and their physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities were analyzed. The optimal DES comprised choline chloride (CC) and ethylene glycol (EG) in a molar ratio of 1:3, with a water content of 40%. The optimized condition was an extraction temperature of 61 °C, an ultrasonic power of 480 W, and an extraction time of 60 min. The UADES extraction rate of polysaccharides (ERP) was 15.89 ± 0.13%, significantly exceeding that of hot water (HW) extraction. The polysaccharide content in the UADES-extracted tea polysaccharides (UADESTPs) was comparable to that of hot-water-extracted tea polysaccharides (HWTPs) (75.47 ± 1.35% vs. 74.08 ± 2.51%); the UADESTPs contained more uronic acid (8.35 ± 0.26%) and less protein (12.91%) than HWTP. Most of the UADESTPs (88.87%) had molecular weights (Mw) below 1.80 × 10³ Da. The UADESTPs contained trehalose, glucuronic acid, galactose, xylose, and glucose, with molar ratios of 8:16:1:10. The free radical scavenging rate and total reducing power of the UADESTPs were markedly superior to those of the HWTPs. Moreover, the UADESTPs had a better alleviating effect on H₂O₂-induced oxidative injury in HepG2 cells. This study develops an eco-friendly and efficient extraction method for tea polysaccharides, offering new insights for the development of tea polysaccharides. Full article

The holistic use of Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds is not as popular amongst rural South Africans. This study screened for the phytochemicals, antimicrobial, and antioxidant potentials as well identifying the compounds in the oils of South African Moringa seed oils using cost-effective thin layer chromatography bioautography and dot blot assays, because fewer studies have been conducted using seed samples from this country. The results obtained indicated that the best oil extract yield (24.04%) was obtained for hexane from 60.10 g of powdered seeds. The yield of the other extracts ranged from 6.2 to 9.5%. Positive test results were obtained for terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and tannins, with potentially good antioxidant properties for scavenging free radicals from 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and good antimicrobial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii (BAA 747), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 27853), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), with the best zone of inhibition of 314.2 mm² obtained for oil extracted with hexane, followed by dichloromethane, methanol, and acetone oil extracts, respectively. The best minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.032 mg/mL against P. aeruginosa was recorded for the hexane oil, compared with ciprofloxacin, which had an MIC of 0.0039 mg/mL against the same pathogen. The identification of the in-oil compounds proposed to mitigate inhibitory activity against the test microbes was carried out through GC-MS analysis matching our results with the GC-MS library. These compounds included ursane-3,16-diol, azetidin-2-one, 1-benzyl-4à-methyl, dibutyl phthalate, 4-methyl-2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)pent-1-ene, 1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 3-ethyl-4-methyl, octopamine rhodoxanthin, 29,30-dinorgammacerane-3,22-diol, 21,21-dimethy, cholan-24-oic acid, 3,7-dioxo, and benzyl alcohol. These are in addition to the stability-indicating marker compounds like oleic acid (54.9%), 9-Octadecenoic acid (z)-, methyl ester (23.3%), n-hexadecanoic acid (9.68%), among others observed over a five year period. Full article

A novel ruthenium(II) complex, [RuCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)(bph-κN)] (1), was synthesized and structurally characterized using FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations supported the proposed geometry and allowed for comparative analysis of experimental and theoretical spectroscopic data. The interaction of complex 1 with human serum albumin (HSA) and calf thymus DNA was investigated through fluorescence quenching experiments, revealing spontaneous binding driven primarily by hydrophobic interactions. The thermodynamic parameters indicated mixed quenching mechanisms in both protein and DNA systems. Ethidium bromide displacement assays and molecular docking simulations confirmed DNA intercalation as the dominant binding mode, with a Gibbs free binding energy of −34.1 kJ mol⁻¹. Antioxidant activity, assessed by EPR spectroscopy, demonstrated effective scavenging of hydroxyl and ascorbyl radicals. In vitro cytotoxicity assays against A375, MDA-MB-231, MIA PaCa-2, and SW480 cancer cell lines revealed selective activity, with pancreatic and colorectal cells showing the highest sensitivity. QTAIM analysis provided insight into metal–ligand bonding characteristics and intramolecular stabilization. These findings highlight the potential of 1 as a promising candidate for further development as an anticancer agent, particularly against multidrug-resistant tumors. Full article

Globins are a class of globular proteins that function in the transportation or storage of oxygen. They are critical for cellular metabolism. Notable examples include hemoglobin, which is found in red blood cells, and myoglobin, which is present in muscle cells. Approximately two decades ago, a third globin, designated as neuroglobin, was identified, expressed predominantly in neuronal cells. This was followed two years later by the fourth, cytoglobin, found in cells of the fibroblast lineage, as well as in neuronal cell populations of the central and nervous systems. Both neuroglobin and cytoglobin have been found in the sensory and endocrine systems, albeit inconsistently, and it is thought that they are engaged in functions such as oxygen transport and storage, scavenging of free radicals, NO metabolism, peroxidase activity, and signaling functions. Neuroglobin is also expressed in astrocytes under challenging conditions. Common neuroscience methods were utilized to study the distribution and regulation of globin tissues and of single brain cells. Despite considerable overlap in the findings of various studies, some results deviate significantly from other studies. The potential causes of these discrepancies may include variations in detection methods, animal age and sex, time of day and year, and differing cell culture conditions. This review will explore factors that may influence functional aspects of globins and their detection in the mammalian brain. Full article

We intend to prepare pumpkin puree based on the health benefits of both the flesh of pumpkins (Cucurbita maxima) and the peel of bananas (Musa spp.). However, before we begin we would like to optimize the conditions by using thermosonication, rather than conventional pasteurization, and a quantity of banana peel powder. Therefore, this study aimed to use response surface methodology (RSM) to find the best temperature and time settings for the ultrasonication process of functional pumpkin puree (FPP) with banana peel powder (BPP) to increase the amount of total phenolics and DPPH scavenging activity while also making the quality of the puree better. To enhance the FPP production process, quality attributes (responses), including total phenolic content (TPC), 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging activity, pH, acidity, and color change (ΔE) were assessed. The model demonstrated validity (R² = 0.97–0.988) and was highly significant (p < 0.0001). The experimental values of the responses supported the validity of the utilized RSM model, which closely matched the expected values at the ideal processing conditions of process temperature (40 °C), ultrasonic process duration (8.23 min), and BPP (2 g/100 g). Under these conditions, the generated FPP had quality attributes of 205.79 mg GAE/100 mL, 83.01%, 5.78, 0.32 g/100 g, and 3.81 for responses, respectively. Full article

Sideroxylon cinereum, an endemic Mauritian fruit, was investigated through comprehensive chemical analyses of solvent extracts from its pulp and seed. Dried fruit materials were subjected to maceration using water and organic solvents including methanol, ethanol, propanol, and acetone to obtain extracts of varying polarity. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds, with pulp extracts generally richer in phytochemicals than seed extracts. UV-Vis and FTIR analyses confirmed key organic constituents, including sulfoxides in seeds. HPLC quantification showed notable citric acid content in the pulp (15.63 mg/g dry weight). Antioxidant assays indicated that organic solvent extracts of the pulp had superior free radical scavenging activity, while the seed’s aqueous extract exhibited the highest ferric reducing power. GC–MS profiling identified a diverse bioactive profile rich in terpenes, notably lanosterol acetate (>45% in both pulp and seeds). It is important to note that these findings are based on solvent extracts, which may differ from the phytochemical composition of the whole fruit as typically consumed. Among the extracts, aqueous fractions are likely the most relevant to dietary intake. Overall, the extracts of Sideroxylon cinereum pulp and seed show potential as sources of bioactive compounds for functional product development. Full article

This study aimed to ferment protein-rich amaranth flour with different strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and to analyse the fermented dough’s functional properties. The fermented dough analysis was conducted using titrimetric, spectrophotometric, and chromatographic methods. The antioxidant activity of the fermented doughs was evaluated using the DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) methods, finding ABTS radical scavenging values ranging from 26.00 ± 1.05% to 58.92 ± 6.05%, while the DPPH values ranged from 21.29 ± 0.83% to 28.24 ± 5.48%. By RP-HPLC (Reversed Phase-High Performance Liquid Chromatography) characterisation, several phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified and quantified. Among these compounds, epigallocatechin was the most abundant, with the highest concentration recorded at 7789.88 ± 17.0 ng/µL in the control sample. This was followed by a 6942.47 ± 5.632 ng/µL concentration in the dough fermented with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus MIUG BL38 strain and 4983.16 ± 7.29 ng/µL in the dough fermented with Lactiplantibacillus pentosus MIUG BL24 strain. These two LAB strains (Lc. rhamnosus MIUG BL38 and Lp. pentosus MIUG BL24), with probiotic properties previously demonstrated, were selected based on their acidification potential, antioxidant activity, and bioactivity for future optimisation studies. Lactic acid fermentation significantly enhances bioactive characteristics of the amaranth flour, enabling the design of diverse gluten-free products with increased functional properties based on the attributes induced by the prebiotic, probiotic and postbiotic contents (tribiotics). Full article

Infertility is a significant global health concern, and incorporating antioxidants into sperm preparation media is one strategy to enhance sperm quality and decrease infertility rates. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical compounds of red cotton stamen extracts and their effects as antioxidants in improving the quality of bull frozen semen. Among the extracts, RCU contained the highest levels of total phenolics, total tannins, and total monomeric anthocyanins along with the strongest ABTS free radical scavenging activity and protein denaturation inhibition. Exposing sperm to FeSO₄-induced oxidative stress resulted in significantly reduced motility, viability, and normal morphology. However, treatment with RCD, RCU, and RCM improved these parameters. Additionally, the FeSO₄-induced group showed elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) compared to the normal control, whereas all red cotton stamen extracts effectively reduced these levels. In conclusion, red cotton stamen extracts, rich in phenolic bioactive compounds, demonstrated strong free radical scavenging capacity and improved sperm motility, viability, and morphology by neutralizing free radicals and enhancing antioxidant defenses. These findings suggest that the red cotton stamen extracts, particularly RCD and RCU, offer benefits for sperm preservation. Full article

This study explores the metabolite diversity and potential medicinal value of three Paphiopedilum species—P. dianthum, P. micranthum, and P. barbigerum—using widely targeted metabolomics via HPLC-MS/MS in conjunction with in vitro antioxidant assays. A total of 2201 metabolites were detected across the three species, with flavonoids emerging as the dominant class (480 compounds, accounting for 21.8% of total metabolites). Comparative metabolomic analysis showed that flavonoid levels varied most prominently among the species. Notably, the metabolic profile of P. barbigerum (PB) diverged substantially from those of P. dianthum (PD) and P. micranthum (PM), which shared a higher degree of similarity with each other. Quantitative evaluation of antioxidant-associated metabolites revealed that PB exhibited the greatest enrichment in compounds with antioxidant potential, particularly flavonoids and phenolic acids, followed by PM and PD. These results were corroborated by antioxidant assays, in which PB demonstrated the highest free radical scavenging activity, with PM and PD displaying progressively lower effects. Differences in flavonoid content likely underpin these variations in antioxidant capacity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that differentially expressed metabolites were primarily involved in flavonoid-associated biosynthetic routes, notably flavonoid biosynthesis (ko00941) and isoflavonoid biosynthesis (ko00943), with ko00941 being the most enriched. Within this pathway, PB showed eight significantly upregulated flavonoid metabolites, while PM and PD had seven and five, respectively. The observed differences may stem from species-specific expression of key biosynthetic enzymes such as flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase (F3′H) in PM and flavonoid 3′,5′-hydroxylase (F3′5′H) in PB, which influence both flavonoid composition and antioxidant potential. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of a Hand and Foot Soaking Formulary composed of ten medicinal plants, with curcumin as a major bioactive marker, to provide scientific validation for its traditional use. Methods: The formulation was evaluated for total phenolic and flavonoid contents, with curcumin quantified using HPLC. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in RAW264.7 cells using the MTT assay. Anti-inflammatory activity was determined by measuring nitric oxide (NO), PGE₂, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages using ELISA. Results: The Hand and Foot Soaking Formulary exhibited promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, consistent with its traditional use. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds, with measurable levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, and significant curcumin content. Antioxidant activity was demonstrated through free radical scavenging and ferric-reducing assays, while cytotoxicity testing in RAW264.7 macrophages indicated low toxicity (IC₅₀ = 48.61 ± 3.80 µg/mL). The formulary significantly reduced LPS-induced nitric oxide, PGE₂, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 production. These effects were comparable to turmeric extract and curcumin, though curcumin displayed higher potency. Conclusions: The Hand and Foot Soaking Formulary demonstrates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro, supporting its traditional use. Its polyherbal composition may offer synergistic effects and holds promise as a safe, natural topical remedy. Full article

In the present research, metal–organic framework-5 (MOF-5) was synthesized and loaded with zerumbone (ZER@MOF-5), followed by the evaluation of its anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, DNA-binding, and free radical scavenging potentials. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The in vitro anticancer activity of ZER@MOF-5 was studied in a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) using the CCK-8 assay. The interaction of ZER@MOF-5 with pBR322 plasmid DNA was assessed by gel electrophoresis. The antimicrobial effect of ZER@MOF-5 was examined in gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains and yeast strains using the microdilution method. The free radical scavenging activity was assessed using the DPPH assay. Cytotoxicity assay revealed a notable enhancement in the anticancer activity of zerumbone upon its encapsulation into MOF-5. The IC₅₀ value for ZER@MOF-5 was found to be 57.33 µg/mL, which was lower than that of free zerumbone (IC₅₀: 89.58 µg/mL). The results of the DNA-binding experiment indicate that ZER@MOF-5 can bind to target DNA and cause a conformational change in DNA. The results of the antibacterial activity experiment showed that the antibacterial ability of ZER@MOF-5 was limited compared to free zerumbone. The results of the DPPH assay demonstrated that the antioxidant activity of free zerumbone was higher than that of ZER@MOF-5. MOFs encapsulate compounds within their porous crystalline structure, which leads to prolonged circulation time compared to single ligands. Although the unique structure of MOFs may limit their antibacterial and antioxidant activity in the short term, it may increase therapeutic efficacy in the long term. However, to fully understand the long-term antibacterial and antioxidant effects of the ZER@MOF-5, further comprehensive in vitro and in vivo experiments are necessary. This finding indicates that the MOF-5 could potentially be an impressive carrier for the oral administration of zerumbone. Full article