Search Results (4,256)

Most major crops in agricultural soils exhibit relatively low nutrient use efficiency for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), often necessitating supplemental nutrient inputs to achieve sustainable yields. Furthermore, the increasing use of biowastes such as compost, manure, and biosolids, which frequently have nutrient ratios that do not match crop requirements, has contributed to excessive nutrient inputs and subsequent accumulation in soils. This situation has been further exacerbated by intensive farming practices involving multiple cropping cycles per season. Overuse of nutrients causes them to accumulate in the soil, creating a legacy nutrient pool. The application of biochar as soil amendment is considered a potential strategy to control legacy nutrients dynamics. The current review inspects the possible value of biochar in modulating legacy nutrient reserves in the soil, thereby increasing the bioavailability of nutrients and improving crop yield. This review discusses the search scope and synthesis approaches for the bibliometric methodological component through rigorous screening process (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA)), focusing on journal articles published in last 20 years that specifically address legacy nutrient management. The significance of the economic and environmental effects of legacy nutrients and the insufficient knowledge of how biochar application influences nutrient dynamics in soil highlight the necessity for additional research to address current gaps. Full article

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) rank among the most economically destructive soilborne pathogens worldwide, causing annual crop losses estimated at USD 125–175 billion. Traditional management of plant parasitic nematodes has depended significantly on synthetic nematicides; however, increasing regulatory constraints, environmental pollution, and the rise of resistant nematode populations have generated an urgent need for sustainable alternatives. Humic substances (HS), comprising humic acids, fulvic acids, and humins derived primarily from leonardite and lignite, represent biologically active components of soil organic matter. Their different functional groups, like carboxylic, phenolic, and carbonyl groups, have direct nematicidal and nematostatic effects by stopping eggs from hatching, slowing down juvenile development, and lowering infectivity. They also indirectly improve soil structure, nutrient bioavailability, and the composition of the rhizosphere microbiome. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), particularly Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp., suppress PPN populations through antibiotic biosynthesis, cuticle-degrading hydrolytic enzymes, nematostatic volatile organic compounds, and elicitation of induced systemic resistance (ISR). This review methodically analyzes the individual and synergistic processes by which HS and PGPR inhibit PPNs and enhance plant growth. Humic compounds strongly promote PGPR rhizosphere colonization, augmenting microbial metabolic activity and bioinoculant stability, hence producing combinatorial suppressive effects unattainable by either input independently. The combined HS-PGPR approach is reliable and environmentally sustainable for comprehensive nematode control, requiring multidisciplinary research to achieve global sustainable agriculture. Full article

In recent times, the importance given to versatile functional nutrition has increased, escalating interest in fermented foods and their potential health benefits. Fermentation is an ancient method frequently used to develop functional and bioactive products. Fermented microalgae and their biomass are important sustainable biotechnological resources for increasing the nutritional value, healthiness, and functionality of foods and for producing high-value-added bioactive compounds. The fermentation of microalgae encompasses the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar or organic substances by a range of microorganisms, particularly lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The fermentation process can activate numerous beneficial mechanisms by enhancing the bioavailability of bioactive compounds in microalgae. Lactic acid bacteria are widely used in food fermentation due to their safety and metabolic versatility. Their ability to produce organic acids, enzymes, and bioactive metabolites makes them suitable for modifying microalgal biomass. This review aims to provide a detailed and critical evaluation of fermented microalgae, including health effects, functional enhancements, bioactivities, and industrial applications. Full article

Curcuminoids (Cmn) are polyphenolic compounds from Curcuma longa that exhibit significant pharmacological activities but suffer from poor bioavailability due to low solubility and rapid metabolism. We have developed a novel formulation of Cmn entrapped within citrus fibers with the intent to improve its bioavailability. The physiological properties of citrus fibers improve aqueous dispersion and apparent solubilization of Cmn while protecting it from physiological degradation. Single-dose oral pharmacokinetics in Wistar rats revealed that citrus fiber-entrapped Cmn (CurcXR) exhibited a 57.52-fold increase in bioavailability compared to 95% standard Cmn. The maximum plasma concentration (C_max) of 0.95 μg/mL at 4 h, and an area under the curve (AUC_0−t) of 8.84 μg/mL·h was observed for CurcXR. These findings highlight that citrus fiber-based formulations are a simple, safe, and effective strategy to enhance the bioavailability of Cmn in nutraceuticals. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) co-contamination in construction and demolition waste landfill soils presents a significant challenge to ecosystem health, necessitating effective remediation strategies. This study investigated a synergistic approach combining a composite amendment (compost, superphosphate, desulfurized gypsum) with seven plant species to elucidate the interactions driving metal immobilization and phytoextraction. The amendment significantly altered soil properties: it reduced total Cd while increasing its bioavailability, and enhanced soil fertility (e.g., elevated organic matter and total nitrogen). Plant responses varied: Solanum americanum Mill. and Tagetes patula L. exhibited high Cd phytoextraction capacity, whereas Lolium perenne L. sequestered Cd/Pb primarily in roots. The bacterial community shifted from an oligotrophic, stress-tolerant state (e.g., Sphingomonas-dominated) in contaminated soil to a copiotrophic, functionally active state (e.g., Streptomyces-enriched) in amended soil. Community structure was strongly correlated with available Cd, pH, and nutrient levels. Key microbial biomarkers were specifically enriched in different plant rhizospheres. In contrast, the fungal community exhibited minimal responsiveness. These findings demonstrate that remediation efficiency is governed by an integrated “amendment–plant–microbe” framework: amendments regulate metal bioavailability, plants execute extraction or stabilization, and the restructured microbiome supports nutrient cycling and plant health. This integrated remediation strategy directly supports the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, especially on environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes and land degradation neutrality. This mechanistic understanding underscores the necessity of combined biological and chemical strategies for sustainable remediation of co-contaminated soils, ultimately enabling ecological reclamation and safe recycling of such urban marginal lands into productive uses. Full article

Ocular diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma and cataracts are major causes of visual impairment all over the world and are closely linked to oxidative stress, inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. This narrative review critically summarizes the available evidence on how various natural bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, omega-3 fatty acids and botanical extracts, can affect important molecular pathways associated with ocular degeneration. Their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and neuroprotective properties are given particular emphasis, especially regarding the Nrf2, NF-κB and VEGF signaling pathways. This review is different from past reviews that simply discuss the potential of bioactives in the general nutritional context; rather, it unfolds the disease-specific mechanisms and compound-specific molecular actions and gives special attention to recent advances in nano-delivery systems and precision nutrition strategies to increase the bioavailability and therapeutic targeting of these nutrients in the eyes. Moreover, it offers a framework for a comparison of evidence between preclinical and clinical studies, as well as identifying current translational gaps, including limited bioavailability and a lack of long-term clinical trials, and suggesting future directions such as genotype-guided nutrition and microbiome-informed interventions. In general, this review provides a mechanistic and translational overview of how dietary bioactive compounds relate to eye health and offers the perspective of their possible use in prevention and complementary treatment for vision-related diseases. Full article

Influenza A virus (IAV) remains a major global health threat despite available vaccines and antiviral agents, while current therapies are limited by drug resistance and safety concerns. Curcuminoids exhibit antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities but are constrained by poor water solubility and low bioavailability. To address these limitations, we investigated the antiviral and immunomodulatory properties of a water-solubilized curcuminoid nanoparticle formulation (C–S/M) in both in vitro and in vivo models of IAV infection. To evaluate the potential antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects of C–S/M, we performed a cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction assay in triplicate at 0.001 MOI and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) targeting viral NS1 transcripts in MDCK cells. C–S/M suppressed viral NS1 vRNA levels in MDCK cells at lower curcuminoid-equivalent concentrations than native curcuminoids and attenuated IAV-induced TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 production. Furthermore, in vivo antiviral efficacy was evaluated in female C57BL/6 mice intranasally infected with IAV and treated orally with C–S/M. Survival, lung viral loads, pulmonary cytokine levels, and splenic immune cell phenotypes were analyzed. In IAV-infected mice, oral administration of C–S/M modestly improved survival and significantly reduced lung viral burden and pulmonary proinflammatory cytokine levels. In addition, in vivo C–S/M treatment was associated with recovery of virus-suppressed T-cell immune responses, including increased Th1 and activated CD8⁺ T cells, reduced regulatory T-cell expansion, and restoration of multifunctional CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. These findings suggest that C–S/M exerts antiviral and immunomodulatory effects in experimental IAV infection and may serve as a potential adjunctive candidate for further investigation against influenza-associated inflammation. Full article

Affective disorders, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder (BD), represent a global mental health burden with complex, multifactorial etiopathogenesis. Increasing evidence implicates neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and dysregulation of neurotrophic and neurotransmitter systems as central mechanisms driving these conditions. Flavonoids, a structurally diverse class of plant-derived polyphenolic compounds abundantly found in fruits, vegetables, tea, and other dietary sources, have emerged as promising modulators of these pathophysiological pathways. This narrative review synthesizes current preclinical and clinical evidence on the role of flavonoids and related natural compounds in modulating neuroinflammation and affective disorders. We describe the major flavonoid subclasses—flavones, flavonols, isoflavones, anthocyanins, flavanones, and flavan-3-ols—and analyze their mechanisms of action, including inhibition of the NF-κB/NLRP3 axis, reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines, attenuation of oxidative stress via Nrf2 pathway activation, modulation of monoaminergic and GABAergic neurotransmission, promotion of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)-mediated neuroplasticity, and regulation of the microbiota–gut–brain axis. Preclinical studies consistently demonstrate anxiolytic and antidepressant effects for compounds such as quercetin, luteolin, apigenin, and chrysin; however, clinical evidence remains limited and methodologically heterogeneous. Future research should prioritize bioavailability-enhanced formulations, standardized clinical trials, and biomarker-guided stratification to fully establish the therapeutic potential of flavonoids in affective disorders. Full article

This study investigates the oxidative degradation of polystyrene (PS) through a synergistic framework integrating UV-C-accelerated aging with Reactive Molecular Dynamics (ReaxFF) simulations. To bridge the gap between experimental and computational timescales, shock compression was employed in the simulations as an accelerator of degradation reactions. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy revealed the emergence of carbonyl (1717 cm⁻¹) and peroxyester (1760 cm⁻¹) bands, alongside dominant ether-type oxygen bridges (1260, 1209 cm⁻¹). These experimental data, particularly the depletion of native aromatic bands (1492, 1451 cm⁻¹), provide direct empirical validation of the ring-ring cross-linking and radical-mediated oxidation pathways predicted by the ReaxFF model. The results demonstrate that theory-guided diagnostics offer a robust mechanism for understanding the atomic-level restructuring of the polymer matrix. Significantly, the formation of hydrophilic oxygenated groups increases the bioavailability and environmental hazard potential of fragmented PS microplastics, providing critical insights into their long-term ecological fate. Full article

Icariin (ICA), a prenylated flavonoid glycoside from Epimedium (Yin Yang Huo), exhibits multi-organ pharmacological effects and has emerged as a promising candidate for osteoporosis therapy and bone tissue regeneration because of its capacity to modulate diverse osteogenic, anti-inflammatory, and angiogenic signaling pathways. Preclinical studies in osteoporotic models suggest that ICA improves trabecular microarchitecture and increases bone mineral density. Mechanistically, ICA modulates bone remodeling bidirectionally: it promotes osteoblast differentiation and extracellular matrix mineralization via activation of pro-osteogenic pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/Akt signaling, while simultaneously inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption by suppressing RANKL-mediated NF-κB activation, thus reestablishing remodeling equilibrium. Despite these benefits, clinical advancement is hindered by the suboptimal oral bioavailability of ICA, stemming from poor intestinal absorption and extensive first-pass metabolism. To address this, innovative delivery systems have been engineered to enhance localized bioavailability and sustain therapeutic efficacy, such as hydrogel depots, nanoparticle formulations, and 3D-printed scaffolds enabling precise, controlled release. In bone tissue engineering applications, ICA-incorporated biomaterials—either standalone or in combination with osteogenic factors or exosomes—foster a regenerative niche by mitigating inflammation and oxidative stress, while synergistically promoting osteogenesis and angiogenesis, thereby expediting bone defect healing and osseointegration. Overall, these mechanistic elucidations and delivery advancements underscore ICA’s potential as a translational candidate for osteoporosis treatment and bone regenerative therapies. This review aims to critically and systematically synthesize current evidence on ICA-mediated bone repair and regeneration, with a particular emphasis on the molecular regulation of osteogenic signaling, the restoration of bone-remodeling homeostasis, and delivery-system-enabled strategies that may facilitate translational application. Full article

Goat blood, a major slaughterhouse by-product, was systematically valorized into dual-function bioactive peptides through an optimized four-step process. Four blood preparations—whole blood (HB), anticoagulant-treated blood (HBS), red blood corpuscles (BC), and plasma (PM)—were subjected to heat pretreatment (90 °C, 15 min) and enzymatic hydrolysis. Neutrase hydrolysis of heat-pretreated whole blood at 8% substrate concentration for 4 h (HBN-8) yielded optimal protein recovery (44.38%) with dual ACE (88.24%) and DPP-IV (81.13%) inhibition. Ultrafiltration enriched bioactive peptides in the ≤3 kDa fraction (DPP-IV: 87.8%; ACE: 65.5%). LC-MS/MS de novo sequencing identified 14 novel peptide sequences (4–9 amino acids), with the most potent SEC fraction showing IC₅₀ values of 0.89 and 0.45 mg Leu eq./mL for DPP-IV and ACE inhibition, respectively. Critically, simulated gastrointestinal digestion enhanced rather than diminished bioactivity, with ACE inhibition increasing progressively to 60.91% at the intestinal phase, supported by predicted generation of bioactive fragments from parent sequences. Caco-2 assays confirmed peptide safety (100–1000 µg/mL) and demonstrated 10.47% transepithelial transport with retained dual inhibitory activities. This study establishes goat blood as a sustainable source of orally bioavailable, GI-stable peptides for the development of functional foods targeting hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Full article

The absence of robust and effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease remains a major challenge in modern medicine. As one of the leading causes of death, its increasing prevalence and complex chronic pathogenesis impose a substantial societal and healthcare burden, intensifying the need for effective therapeutic strategies. Current treatments remain limited, with minimal impact on cognitive decline in symptomatic patients. Curcumin, the bioactive ingredient in turmeric, has taken precedence over other natural products due to its potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Numerous publications have extensively reported on the therapeutic effect of curcumin in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. However, no curcumin formulation has demonstrated consistent clinical efficacy against Alzheimer’s or other neurodegenerative diseases to date. Over the years, many critics have argued that curcumin’s undesirable chemical properties, mainly low bioavailability and rapid metabolism, pose significant barriers to its therapeutic use to target the brain. Considerable funding and research effort on emerging technologies such as nanoparticles and intranasal delivery continue to drive curcumin preclinical and clinical trials, prompting reflection on the rationale for continued investment. This narrative review critically dissects this disconnect, arguing that many purported benefits remain insufficiently substantiated, and identifying important opportunities where future research may hold promise for an effective treatment. Full article

Bringing a new drug to market is a complex, costly, and lengthy process, averaging $2.6 billion and about ten years of research and development. It involves multiple stages, from target discovery to post-approval monitoring, and relies heavily on innovation driven by collaboration among pharmaceutical sciences, biology, biochemistry, engineering, and artificial intelligence. Drug discovery can be divided into four main stages: target selection and validation; compound screening and optimization; preclinical studies; and clinical trials. First, researchers identify and validate a biological target associated with a disease using genomic, proteomic, and bioinformatic approaches. Next, potential compounds (“hits”) are identified through methods such as high-throughput and virtual screening, followed by iterative chemical optimization and functional testing. Promising candidates undergo preclinical in vivo studies to assess pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicity. Clinical development proceeds in three phases: Phase I evaluates safety in healthy volunteers; Phase II assesses efficacy in patients; and Phase III confirms efficacy and safety in larger populations. After successful trials, regulatory agencies review the data for approval. While small molecules have long dominated due to their stability and oral bioavailability, biologics—such as monoclonal antibodies and mRNA-based therapies—have grown rapidly, highlighted by COVID-19 vaccine development and increasing FDA approvals. Full article

The sources of natural lycopene are diverse, and lycopene from different sources may have differences in functional characteristics and bioavailability. In this study, lycopene was extracted from tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, red guavas, carrots, and watermelons by ultrasonic-assisted extraction, and the structures were characterized. The differences in their in vitro and in vivo antioxidant capacities and anti-inflammatory capacity in vivo were compared. The results showed that under the extraction conditions of this experiment (sample: ethyl acetate: 1:5 m/v, 40 °C, 600 W, 40 kHz, 30 min), lycopene (primarily all-trans structure) from different sources could be effectively extracted from the above five raw materials. The concentration of lycopene extracted from the four samples except tomatoes (14.03 ± 1.08 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW)) was about 30 mg/100 g FW. The analysis of the in vitro antioxidant capacity of lycopene from five different sources showed that the 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging rates and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) concentration of the red guava lycopene-rich sample were significantly higher than those of the other four sources of lycopene. Based on the in vitro performance of lycopene from five sources, further in vivo experiments (using only the tomato and red guava groups) also found that compared with lycopene from tomatoes, lycopene-rich extract from red guavas could significantly increase the antioxidant enzyme activities and total antioxidant capacity in the serum, liver and gastrocnemius muscle (GAS) of mice; reduce the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration; and also increase the expression of antioxidant-related genes (GPx, CAT, SOD1, etc.) in the liver and GAS of mice by regulating the Nrf-2/keap1 signaling pathway. In addition, mice in the guava-derived lycopene-rich group had lower serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In summary, these results indicated that the lycopene-rich extract derived from red guava demonstrated higher antioxidant activity both in vitro and in vivo as well as enhanced anti-inflammatory capabilities within the body, providing an important reference for its application in the food industry and functional foods. Full article

Fungal infections represent an escalating global health challenge due to their increasing incidence, the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens, and the limited development of new antifungal agents. Therapeutic efficacy is compromised by mutations in drug targets, overexpression of efflux pumps, alterations in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway, biofilm-associated tolerance, and extensive genomic plasticity. The growing prevalence of antifungal resistance and the limited availability of effective therapeutic options highlight the urgent need to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and accelerate research into innovative therapeutic strategies. In this review, we discuss the potential of lipid-based drug delivery systems (LDDSs) as a versatile strategy to optimize antifungal administration and overcome resistance mechanisms. Liposomes (LPs), solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) offer high biocompatibility, efficient encapsulation of hydrophobic compounds, structural stability, and controlled drug release. Their nanoscale properties facilitate penetration into biofilms, promote intracellular uptake, and reduce the impact of efflux-mediated drug extrusion, thereby improving cellular penetration and circumventing resistance pathways. In addition, LDDSs increase bioavailability, reduce toxicity, and promote drug accumulation within poorly accessible tissue compartments. Overall, LDDSs represent a promising approach to expand the therapeutic arsenal against both superficial and invasive fungal infections, particularly those caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. Full article