Search Results (445)

Efficient and localized singlet oxygen (SO) generation is essential for improving antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). In this study, a bis-imidazolium-based amphiphilic gelator is used, which self-assembles into a supramolecular gel in a water–ethanol medium and incorporates Rose Bengal (RB) as a photosensitizer. The gel network provides a confined environment that promotes SO formation under light irradiation. RB@Gel was characterized with respect to its morphology, degradation behavior, and swelling properties. Biopharmaceutical assessment included in vitro release, ex vivo permeation studies and Hen’s Egg Test–Chorioallantoic Membrane (HET-CAM) assay. Rheological measurements confirmed a viscoelastic profile, indicating structural stability and suitability for localized therapeutic applications. SO production within the gel was quantified using tetrasodium 9,10-anthracenediyl-bis(methylene)dimalonate (NaABMA), showing higher efficiency than that of RB in solution. The RB@Gel exhibited significant aPDT against E. coli in a direct-surface contact assay. Overall, the RB@Gel provides a stable, suitable platform capable of efficient SO generation and potent antibacterial activity, highlighting its promise for localized aPDT applications. Full article

Dendrobium moschatum neutral polysaccharide (DMP-NP) was isolated using a water extraction–ethanol precipitation method, followed by purification with DEAE-cellulose anion-exchange resin and a dextran gel column. The resulting DMP-NP1 exhibited a weight-average molecular weight of 16.23 kDa. The molar ratio of monosaccharides was as follows: glucose–mannose–galactose–fucose–rhamnose = 78.54:19.11:1.59:0.53:0.23, with a glucose-to-mannose ratio of 4.1:1. Infrared spectroscopic analysis revealed characteristic carbohydrate absorption peaks and confirmed the presence of pyranosidic linkages. NMR analysis revealed that DMP-NP1 possesses a backbone mainly formed by 1→4 glycosidic linkages, a small number of 1→6 branches, and O-acetyl substitutions at the C2 and C3 positions of mannose residues. In vitro experiments demonstrated that treatment with 0–20 μg/mL (0–1.23 μM) DMP-NP significantly enhanced the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in IPEC-J2 cells, along with upregulation of the corresponding antioxidant genes. Concurrently, DMP-NP reduced the secretion of key pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and downregulated the expression of genes associated with both antioxidant and inflammatory signaling pathways. Collectively, these findings indicate that DMP-NP not only prevents but also ameliorates LPS-induced inflammatory injury in intestinal epithelial cells, thereby providing a basis for the application of DMP-NP in intestinal inflammation mitigation. Full article

Purple waxy corn cobs (PWCCs) represent an underutilized agricultural waste rich in anthocyanins with promising cosmeceutical potential. This study investigated niosome-based encapsulation to enhance the stability and bioactivity of PWCC anthocyanin extracts. PWCC extract was macerated in 50% ethanol. The extract exhibited a high total anthocyanin content (3.02 ± 0.81 mg C3GE/L), while cyanidin-3-glucoside identified as the major anthocyanin (1.17 ± 0.02 mg/g dry weight). Furthermore, the extracts showed strong antioxidant activities as evidence by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The optimized niosome preparations synthesized by the probe sonication method exhibited better entrapment efficiency (80–85%), nanoscale particle size (185–296 nm), and stable zeta potential (−29 to −32 mV). TEM verification of the spherical morphology and FT-IR spectra confirmed the successful loading of anthocyanins. The thermal stability test exhibited negligible changes in the particle size and zeta potential. Furthermore, in vitro release profile followed the Higuchi model, indicating enhanced release kinetics. Biological assays demonstrated moderate UVB protection effects and potent anti-melanogenesis activity in B16F10 cells. Notably, formulation N5 exhibited the highest tyrosinase inhibition and melanin synthesis suppression. These findings indicate that niosome-based encapsulation represents a promising strategy for enhancing the stability, bioavailability, and biological efficacy of anthocyanin extracts, especially in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Full article

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced skin photoaging impacts both appearance and skin health, potentially leading to disorders and cancer. Unlike traditional sunscreens, natural antioxidants can target photoaging at its source. Among these, cathelicidins have attracted considerable research interest due to their multifunctional properties. This study examines the gecko-derived cathelicidin-modified peptide G3CY-10, utilizing a microemulsion gel delivery system to address the challenges related to the transdermal absorption of macromolecular peptides, and systematically assesses its anti-photoaging effects and underlying mechanisms. The results demonstrate that the G3CY-10 microemulsion, formulated with a lecithin–ethanol–butyl acetate system (km = 1:1), exhibits notable stability, and the gelation significantly enhances the transdermal delivery efficiency of G3CY-10. The anti-photoaging efficacy of the G3CY-10 microemulsion gel is substantiated by its capacity to mitigate UV-induced skin photoaging in murine models. This is evidenced by a decrease in epidermal thickness, suppression of sebaceous gland proliferation, and restoration of collagen fiber density. Masson staining further corroborates a significant reduction in collagen degradation. Mechanistic analyses suggest that G3CY-10 primarily confers protection by inhibiting UV-induced collagen degradation and reversing the depletion of superoxide dismutase. This study provides a theoretical foundation and technical support for the clinical translation of natural peptides and the development of innovative anti-photoaging products. Full article

Edible coatings enriched with antioxidants offer a promising approach to prolong the shelf life of oxidation-sensitive foods such as nuts. Nonetheless, not all formulations provide the expected protection, and understanding why is equally important. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of an Arabic gum/gelatin/ascorbyl palmitate (GAR/GEL/AP) coating on the quality of hazelnut kernels during storage at 23 °C and ~40% relative humidity. The coating was applied by dipping hazelnuts in a 20% ethanolic solution containing GAR/GEL 75/25 blend (10% w/w), glycerol (1% w/w), Tween 80 (0.25% w/w), and AP (2% w/w), followed by drying. Control (uncoated) and coated hazelnuts were stored in plastic containers and evaluated at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks for weight loss, moisture content, hardness, color, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH*) scavenging activity, acid and peroxide values, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level. Coated hazelnuts showed higher initial moisture content (8.17%), stabilizing at 4.80% after one week, compared to 3.35% in uncoated samples. This increased moisture led to greater storage-related weight loss. The coating darkened the nuts and reduced their yellow hue. It had no significant effect on hardness, peroxide value, or TBARS index, but notably enhanced the antiradical potential. After 16 weeks, coated nuts had an acid value ~10 mg KOH/g lower than the control. In conclusion, the coating improved antioxidant capacity and reduced hydrolytic, but not oxidative, rancidity in hazelnuts. Therefore, further optimization of the coating formulation or application method is necessary to more effectively improve the shelf life of hazelnuts. Full article

Background: Skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus represent a major public health concern, and plant extracts, such as those from Cochlospermum regium, have emerged as promising therapeutic alternatives. Methods: This study developed carbopol-based gel formulations containing ethanolic leaf extracts of C. regium (CRG 0.5% and 1%) and evaluated their physicochemical stability, antibacterial activity against S. aureus and a methicillin-resistant wound isolate, antioxidant potential, and biocompatibility. Results: Both CRG 0.5% and 1% were physically stable and maintained antibacterial activity for up to 90 days at 8 °C, while at 25 °C only CRG 1% retained activity throughout the evaluation period. In ex vivo pig skin assays, CRG 1% reduced methicillin-resistant S. aureus contamination by 99%, outperforming the conventional topical antibacterial agent (neomycin + bacitracin), which achieved 66% inhibition. The extract also exhibited high antioxidant activity without mutagenic or hemolytic effects. Although phenolic and flavonoid contents decreased over time, CRG 1% preserved adequate levels for therapeutic application. Conclusions: These findings indicate that CRG 1% has potential as a stable, safe, and effective alternative for the treatment of topical infections, particularly those caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Full article

Oxygenated volatile organic compounds are key precursors of secondary photochemical pollutants. To enhance their removal, NaY–zeolite was modified with nano-sized metals (Fe, Ti, Si, or Ce) using impregnation and sol–gel methods. Dynamic adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the adsorption of ethanol, acetaldehyde, and ethyl acetate under various condition modifications, including of the impregnation concentration, treatment time, and calcination temperature. The structural and surface properties of the modified zeolites were characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherm, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analyses. The results indicated that the metal-loaded zeolites exhibited significantly higher adsorption capacities than the unmodified NaY–zeolite. Among them, silicon-modified zeolite showed the best performance, with its adsorption capacities for ethanol, acetaldehyde, and ethyl acetate increasing from 32.4, 72.4, and 123.0 mg·g⁻¹ to 49.82, 88.94, and 207.02 mg·g⁻¹, corresponding to improvements of 37%, 23%, and 70%. The optimal modification conditions involved the use of silicon as the modifier with a 7% impregnation concentration, a 12 h impregnation time, and calcination at 350 °C; the zeolite modified under these conditions was characterized by a good adsorption capacity and low preparation cost. This study suggests newly designed adsorber materials suitable for highly efficient treatment of oxygenated volatile organic compounds. Full article

Background/Objectives: The present work deals with the sol–gel synthesis of hybrid materials based on a silica–polyvinylpyrrolidone (Si-PVP) system. Methods: The nanohybrids have been prepared using an acidic catalyst at ambient temperature. Ibuprofen (IBP) was used as a model substance in the obtained model drug systems, while tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was used as a silica precursor. Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and IBP were introduced into the reaction mixture as solutions in ethanol using two different approaches: (i) a direct introduction of a drug solution into the reaction mixture during sol–gel synthesis, and (ii) a solvent deposition technique. Results: XRD data provide evidence that IBP entrapped in the silica–PVP network is in an amorphous state. By SEM it was revealed that in the adsorbate, the IBP particles possess an average particle size of about 20 μm. Based on the obtained IR and UV-Vis spectral results, the existence of hydrogen bonding of IBF with silica and PVP could be suggested. Solid-state NMR analysis allowed the identification of the presence of both crystalline-like and amorphous phases in the hybrid material prepared by the sol–gel method, while it was demonstrated that in the adsorbate, the rigid crystalline dimeric structure of the drug has been preserved. Conclusions: The overall analysis of the structural characteristics of the two materials indicated that in the hybrid material obtained by the sol–gel method, the interactions between the amorphous drug, PVP, and the silica matrix are more pronounced as compared to the adsorbate. An improvement of the drug’s aqueous solubility as well of in vitro drug release profile (up to 8 h) was achieved, demonstrating the potential of the developed drug–silica–organic polymer nanohybrid as a promising drug delivery system. Full article

Waste materials have emerged as attractive low-cost feedstocks for adsorbent development in environmental remediation and materials engineering. Organic wastes are particularly rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin, which provide reactive oxygenated groups such as hydroxyls and carboxyls. While inorganic wastes offer stability, lower water retention makes them promising candidates. This study explores the functionalization of waste-derived organic and inorganic matrices using two amine-based agents: 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) and polyethylenimine (PEI). The materials were categorized as organic (orange peel, corn cob) or inorganic (silica gel, eggshell) and subjected to a pretreatment process involving drying, grinding, and sieving; inorganic substrates additionally underwent acid activation with citric acid. Surface modification was carried out in ethanolic (APTMS) or aqueous (PEI) media. To assess their suitability and processability as particulate sorbents, drying kinetics, physicochemical properties (FTIR, ζ-potential, pH, conductivity, Boehm titration), and flow characteristics (Carr and Hausner indices) were evaluated. The findings enable a comparative analysis of the functionalization efficiency and elucidate the relationship between substrate type (organic vs. inorganic) and its performance as a modified adsorbent. This approach advances the development of novel sorbent matrices for greenhouse gas mitigation while reinforcing circular economy principles through the valorization of low-cost, readily available waste materials. Full article

Candida infections pose a significant health threat, and conventional antifungal drugs like nystatin are limited due to poor solubility, skin permeability, and frequent dosage requirements. Nystatin effectively targets Candida species by disrupting cell membranes, but formulation issues hinder clinical use. Lipid-based vesicular carriers, or novasomes, provide controlled, prolonged drug release and enhanced skin penetration. This study focuses on developing nystatin-loaded novasomal gels as an advanced drug delivery system to enhance therapeutic efficacy, bioavailability, and patient compliance. The formulation was prepared using a modified ethanol injection technique, combining stearic acid, oleic acid, Span 60, cholesterol, and Carbopol to produce a stable transdermal gel. Comprehensive in vitro characterization using FTIR, SEM, XRD, and thermal analysis confirmed the chemical compatibility, morphological uniformity, and physical stability of the nystatin-loaded novasomal gel. Entrapment efficiency differed significantly among the formulations (p < 0.05), with F7 achieving the highest value (80%). All formulations maintained pH levels within the skin-friendly range of 5.5 to 7.0. Viscosity measurements, ranging from 3900 ± 110 to 4510 ± 105 cP, confirmed their appropriate consistency for dermal use. Rheological analysis showed a dominant elastic response, as indicated by storage modulus values consistently higher than the loss modulus. Particle size ranged from 4143 to 9570 nm, while PDI values remained below 0.3, reflecting uniform particle distribution. Zeta potential values were strongly negative, supporting physical stability. XRD studies indicated reduced crystallinity of nystatin within the formulations, while FTIR confirmed drug-excipient compatibility. SEM images showed spherical particles within the micrometer range. In vitro release studies demonstrated sustained drug release over 12 h, with F6 releasing the highest amount. The novasomal gel formulations-maintained stability for 30 days, with no notable alterations in pH, viscosity, or entrapment efficiency. Antifungal evaluation showed a larger inhibition zone (23 ± 2 mm) compared with the plain drug solution (15 ± 1.6 mm), while the MIC value was reduced (4.57 µg/mL), indicating greater potency. Skin irritation assessment in rats revealed only minor, temporary erythema, and the calculated Primary Irritation Index (0.22) confirmed a non-irritant profile. These findings suggest that the developed novasomal gel offers a promising approach for enhancing the treatment of fungal infections by enabling prolonged drug release, minimizing dosing frequency, and improving patient compliance. Full article

The purpose of this study was to design a Pt/TiO₂–ZrO₂ catalytic-based treatment system to remove ethanol and oxygen (O₂) from a gaseous feed stream. The ultimate target application was the conversion of ethanol and O₂ to carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) from a feed stream of CO₂ in a commercial beer brewing operation. Bench-scale reactions were performed at 250 °C and 300 °C, representing two temperatures under practical consideration for a full-scale catalytic reactor. The target gaseous feed stream would be expected to have a relatively low (near-stoichiometric) concentration of O₂, so the effect of O₂ concentration was also studied. On the bench scale, ethanol was completely converted to CO₂ under low flow rate conditions, and the reactions proceeded through volatile and non-volatile reaction intermediates. Results from the bench-scale tests were used to make predictions for designing a pilot-scale catalytic reactor under conditions of high and low O₂ concentration. A pilot-scale reactor was constructed and installed in a commercial brewing facility, and results from testing the pilot-scale reactor are also presented. The pilot-scale system reduced the feed stream ethanol concentrations by 99.9% while concomitantly reducing the O₂ concentrations over the course of a six-day demonstration period without generating unacceptable levels of byproducts. Full article

Vervain (Verbena officinalis L., Verbenaceae family) is a perennial plant which grows widely in Europe. It is rich in iridoids, phenolic acids, phenylpropanoid glycosides, flavonoids and terpenoids. Verbena has traditionally been used in folk medicine to calm the nervous system, but there is a lack of scientific data about it. The aim of this study was to explore and characterise the chemical profile and neurotropic effects of V. officinalis dry extracts and their amino acid-based preparations. We determined a total of eight main phenolic compounds and 17 amino acids in the V. officinalis dry extracts. To evaluate the neurotropic effects of the verbena extracts, the following behavioural pharmacology tests were used: Open Field Test, Elevated Plus Maze, Black-and-White Box Test and Tail Suspension Test. The dry aqueous–ethanolic extract (extractant 70% ethanol) demonstrated strong anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, while its dry modified extracts with valine and arginine consistently exhibited pronounced sedative activity across all studies. For example, the Tail Suspension Test demonstrated that the total immobility time in animals receiving the dry aqueous–ethanolic extract was the lowest, being 1.22-fold (p < 0.05) lower than in control animals and 2.25-fold (p < 0.05) lower than in the animals treated with the reference drug preparation (“Sedaphyton”). A novel aqueous-based gel formulation feasible for semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing was designed. This printing gel enables the fabrication of new oral dosage forms for V. officinalis dry extracts. The effects of pharmaceutical preparations on the human central nervous system require clinical studies. Full article

Oudemansiella raphanipes ethanolic extract (ORE) was prepared via ultrasonication-assisted ethanolic extraction and enriched through silica gel and macroporous adsorption resin chromatography to afford a non-/weakly polar fraction (ORE-S) and a polar fraction (ORE-N), respectively. This study aimed to (1) quantify major bioactive components (e.g., polyphenols, alkaloids, and terpenes) in ORE-S and ORE-N, (2) assess their antioxidant activities, (3) correlate compositional differences with antioxidant function, and (4) identify key antioxidant compounds along with their potential mechanisms of action. By integrating widely targeted metabolomics with network pharmacology, we not only elucidated how enrichment methods influence the antioxidant properties of ORE but also demonstrated the potential of ORE-N as a valuable source of bioactive compounds and natural antioxidants. Full article

Lignin used in this work was isolated from sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum) wood through a hybrid pulping process using soda/ethanol as pulping liquor and denoted soda-oxyethylated lignin (SOL). SOL was mixed with a polyethylene glycol (PEG)–glycerol mixture (80/20 v/v) as liquefying solvent with 98% wt. sulfur acid as catalyst, and the mixture was taken to boil at 140 °C for 2, 2.5, and 3 h. Three bio-polyols LBP1, LBP2, and LBP3 were obtained, and each of them exhibited a high proportion of -OH groups. Lignin-based polyurethane foams (LBPUFs) were prepared using the bio-polyols obtained with a toluene diisocyanate (TDI) prepolymer by the one-shot method. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹³C NMR) were used characterize lignin in order to determine viscosity, yield, and composition and to characterize their structure. The PEG-400–glycerol mixture was found to react with the lignin bio-polyols’ phenolic -OHs. The bio-polyols’ viscosity was found to increase as the liquefaction temperature increased, while simultaneously their molecular weights decreased. All the NCO groups were eliminated from the samples, which had high thermal stability as the liquefaction temperature increased, leading to a decrease in cell size, density, and crystallinity and an improvement in mechanical performance. Based on these properties, especially the presence of some aromatic rings in the bio-polyols, the foams produced can be useful in automotive applications and for floor carpets. Full article

Rheum tataricum L.fil., known for its high tolerance to drought, salinity, and nutritional deficiency, is the least studied species of wild rhubarb. Extract of roots and rhizomes of R. tataricum has been traditionally used for the treatment of different diseases such as liver, kidney, womb, and bladder diseases and also relapsing fever. An ethanol extract of the roots of R. tataricum was prepared and further successively fractionated by extraction with tert-butyl methyl ether (TBME) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc). The obtained extract fractions were subjected to a series of chromatographic separations on silica gel for the isolation of its individual compounds. A total of 12 individual compounds, 2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside of R-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanol (rhododendrin) 1, gallic acid 2, 2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside of S-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanol (epi-rhododendrin) 3, their aglycones (-)-(2R)-rhododendrol 4 and (+)-(2S)-rhododendrol 5, gallotannin β-glucogallin 6, chlorogenic acids (3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid 7 and 5-O-caffeoyl-3-O-(p-coumaroyl) quinic acid 8), 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanon (raspberry ketone) 9 and three stilbenes (rhaponticin 10, desoxyrhaponticin 11 and resveratroloside 12), were isolated and characterized. The structure of desoxyrhaponticin 11 was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. The results of in vitro biological assays (the MTT test) showed that ethanol extract Rheum tataricum was non-toxic against the normal epithelial VERO cells. The isolated compounds 1, 4, 11 and 12 exhibited cytotoxicity against a cervical cancer cell line (CaSki), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) and glioblastoma cell line (SNB-19) at low micromolar concentrations. Polyhydroxystilbenes 11 and 12 showed the best potency against adenocarcinoma cells (GI₅₀ = 7–8 μM). The inhibition activity towards cancer cells was comparable to those of the standard drug doxorubicin. The available from R. tataricum secondary metabolites may serve as new leads for the discovery of anticancer drugs. Full article