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Keywords = natural metabolites

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18 pages, 3212 KiB  
Article
Supplementation with Live and Heat-Treated Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NB23 Enhances Endurance and Attenuates Exercise-Induced Fatigue in Mice
by Mon-Chien Lee, Ting-Yin Cheng, Ping-Jui Lin, Ting-Chun Lin, Chia-Hsuan Chou, Chao-Yuan Chen and Chi-Chang Huang
Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2568; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152568 - 7 Aug 2025
Abstract
Background: Exercise-induced fatigue arises primarily from energy substrate depletion and the accumulation of metabolites such as lactate and ammonia, which impair performance and delay recovery. Emerging evidence implicates gut microbiota modulation—particularly via probiotics—as a means to optimize host energy metabolism and accelerate [...] Read more.
Background: Exercise-induced fatigue arises primarily from energy substrate depletion and the accumulation of metabolites such as lactate and ammonia, which impair performance and delay recovery. Emerging evidence implicates gut microbiota modulation—particularly via probiotics—as a means to optimize host energy metabolism and accelerate clearance of fatigue-associated by-products. Objective: This study aimed to determine whether live or heat-inactivated Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NB23 can enhance exercise endurance and attenuate fatigue biomarkers in a murine model. Methods: Forty male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were randomized into four groups (n = 10 each) receiving daily gavage for six weeks with vehicle, heat-killed NB23 (3 × 1010 cells/mouse/day), low-dose live NB23 (1 × 1010 CFU/mouse/day), or high-dose live NB23 (3 × 1010 CFU/mouse/day). Forelimb grip strength and weight-loaded swim-to-exhaustion tests assessed performance. Blood was collected post-exercise to measure serum lactate, ammonia, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatine kinase (CK). Liver and muscle glycogen content was also quantified, and safety was confirmed by clinical-chemistry panels and histological examination. Results: NB23 treatment produced dose-dependent improvements in grip strength (p < 0.01) and swim endurance (p < 0.001). All NB23 groups exhibited significant reductions in post-exercise lactate (p < 0.0001), ammonia (p < 0.001), BUN (p < 0.001), and CK (p < 0.0001). Hepatic and muscle glycogen stores rose by 41–59% and 65–142%, respectively (p < 0.001). No changes in food or water intake, serum clinical-chemistry parameters, or tissue histology were observed. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that both live and heat-treated L. paracasei NB23 may contribute to improved endurance performance, increased energy reserves, and faster clearance of fatigue-related metabolites in our experimental model. However, these results should be interpreted cautiously given the exploratory nature and limitations of our study. Full article
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25 pages, 1677 KiB  
Review
Sustainable, Targeted, and Cost-Effective Laccase-Based Bioremediation Technologies for Antibiotic Residues in the Ecosystem: A Comprehensive Review
by Rinat Ezra, Gulamnabi Vanti and Segula Masaphy
Biomolecules 2025, 15(8), 1138; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15081138 - 7 Aug 2025
Abstract
Widespread antibiotic residues are accumulating in the environment, potentially causing adverse effects for humans, animals, and the ecosystem, including an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, resulting in worldwide concern. There are various commonly used physical, chemical, and biological treatments for the degradation of antibiotics. [...] Read more.
Widespread antibiotic residues are accumulating in the environment, potentially causing adverse effects for humans, animals, and the ecosystem, including an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, resulting in worldwide concern. There are various commonly used physical, chemical, and biological treatments for the degradation of antibiotics. However, the elimination of toxic end products generated by physicochemical methods and the need for industrial applications pose significant challenges. Hence, environmentally sustainable, green, and readily available approaches for the transformation and degradation of these antibiotic compounds are being sought. Herein, we review the impact of sustainable fungal laccase-based bioremediation strategies. Fungal laccase enzyme is considered one of the most active enzymes for biotransformation and biodegradation of antibiotic residue in vitro. For industrial applications, the low laccase yields in natural and genetically modified hosts may constitute a bottleneck. Methods to screen for high-laccase-producing sources, optimizing cultivation conditions, and identifying key genes and metabolites involved in extracellular laccase activity are reviewed. These include advanced transcriptomics, proteomics, and metagenomics technologies, as well as diverse laccase-immobilization technologies with different inert carrier/support materials improving enzyme performance whilst shifting from experimental assays to in situ monitoring of residual toxicity. Still, more basic and applied research on laccase-mediated bioremediation of pharmaceuticals, especially antibiotics that are recalcitrant and prevalent, is needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Laccases and Laccase-Based Bioproducts)
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17 pages, 2046 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Natural Products as Inhibitors of Shikimate Dehydrogenase from Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Kinetic and Molecular Dynamics Simulations, and Biological Activity Studies
by Noé Fabián Corral-Rodríguez, Valeria Itzel Moreno-Contreras, Erick Sierra-Campos, Mónica Valdez-Solana, Jorge Cisneros-Martínez, Alfredo Téllez-Valencia and Claudia Avitia-Domínguez
Biomolecules 2025, 15(8), 1137; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15081137 - 6 Aug 2025
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is considered to be one of the most complex health obstacles of our time. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represents a global health challenge due to its broad treatment resistance capacity, resulting in high mortality rates. The shikimate pathway (SP) is responsible [...] Read more.
Antibiotic resistance is considered to be one of the most complex health obstacles of our time. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represents a global health challenge due to its broad treatment resistance capacity, resulting in high mortality rates. The shikimate pathway (SP) is responsible for the biosynthesis of chorismate from glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway intermediates. This pathway plays a crucial role in producing aromatic amino acids, folates, ubiquinone, and other secondary metabolites in bacteria. Notably, SP is absent in humans, which makes it a specific and potential therapeutic target to explore for discovering new antibiotics against MRSA. The present study characterized in vitro and in silico natural products as inhibitors of the shikimate dehydrogenase from methicillin-resistant S. aureus (SaSDH). The results showed that, from the set of compounds studied, phloridzin, rutin, and caffeic acid were the most potent inhibitors of SaSDH, with IC50 values of 140, 160, and 240 µM, respectively. Furthermore, phloridzin showed a mixed-type inhibition mechanism, whilst rutin and caffeic acid showed non-competitive mechanisms. The structural characterization of the SaSDH–inhibitor complex indicated that these compounds interacted with amino acids from the catalytic site and formed stable complexes. In biological activity studies against MRSA, caffeic acid showed an MIC of 2.2 mg/mL. Taken together, these data encourage using these compounds as a starting point for developing new antibiotics based on natural products against MRSA. Full article
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16 pages, 1541 KiB  
Article
A Ubiquitous Volatile in Noctuid Larval Frass Attracts a Parasitoid Species
by Chaowei Wang, Xingzhou Liu, Sylvestre T. O. Kelehoun, Kai Dong, Yueying Wang, Maozhu Yin, Jinbu Li, Yu Gao and Hao Xu
Biology 2025, 14(8), 1007; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14081007 - 6 Aug 2025
Abstract
Natural enemies commonly probe larval bodies and frass with their antennae for prey hunting. However, the attractants to natural enemies emitted directly from hosts and host-associated tissues remained largely unknown. Here, we used two generalist noctuid species, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Spodoptera frugiperda [...] Read more.
Natural enemies commonly probe larval bodies and frass with their antennae for prey hunting. However, the attractants to natural enemies emitted directly from hosts and host-associated tissues remained largely unknown. Here, we used two generalist noctuid species, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith), along with the larval endoparasitoid Microplitis mediator (Haliday) to address the question. Extracts of larval frass of both the noctuid species were strongly attractive to M. mediator females when hosts were fed either maize, cotton, soybean leaves, or an artificial diet without leaf tissues. By using a combination of electrophysiological measurements and behavioral tests, we found that the attractiveness of frass mainly relied on a volatile compound ethyl palmitate. The compound was likely to be a by-product of host digestion involving gut bacteria because an antibiotic supplement in diets reduced the production of the compound in frass and led to the decreased attractiveness of frass to the parasitoids. In contrast, extracts of the larval bodies of both the noctuid species appeared to be less attractive to the parasitoids than their respective fecal extracts, independently of types of food supplied to the larvae. Altogether, larval frass of the two noctuid species was likely to be more important than their bodies in attracting the endoparasitoid species, and the main attractant of frass was probably one of the common metabolites of digestion involving gut microbes, and its emission is likely to be independent of host plant species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Biology, Ecology, and Management of Plant Pests)
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17 pages, 1396 KiB  
Article
Dose-Dependent Effect of the Polyamine Spermine on Wheat Seed Germination, Mycelium Growth of Fusarium Seed-Borne Pathogens, and In Vivo Fusarium Root and Crown Rot Development
by Tsvetina Nikolova, Dessislava Todorova, Tzenko Vatchev, Zornitsa Stoyanova, Valya Lyubenova, Yordanka Taseva, Ivo Yanashkov and Iskren Sergiev
Agriculture 2025, 15(15), 1695; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15151695 - 6 Aug 2025
Abstract
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a crucial global food crop. The intensive crop farming, monoculture cultivation, and impact of climate change affect the susceptibility of wheat cultivars to biotic stresses, mainly caused by soil fungal pathogens, especially those belonging to the genus [...] Read more.
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a crucial global food crop. The intensive crop farming, monoculture cultivation, and impact of climate change affect the susceptibility of wheat cultivars to biotic stresses, mainly caused by soil fungal pathogens, especially those belonging to the genus Fusarium. This situation threatens yield and grain quality through root and crown rot. While conventional chemical fungicides face resistance issues and environmental concerns, biological alternatives like seed priming with natural metabolites are gaining attention. Polyamines, including putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, are attractive priming agents influencing plant development and abiotic stress responses. Spermine in particular shows potential for in vitro antifungal activity against Fusarium. Optimising spermine concentration for seed priming is crucial to maximising protection against Fusarium infection while ensuring robust plant growth. In this research, we explored the potential of the polyamine spermine as a seed treatment to enhance wheat resilience, aiming to identify a sustainable alternative to synthetic fungicides. Our findings revealed that a six-hour seed soak in spermine solutions ranging from 0.5 to 5 mM did not delay germination or seedling growth. In fact, the 5 mM concentration significantly stimulated root weight and length. In complementary in vitro assays, we evaluated the antifungal activity of spermine (0.5–5 mM) against three Fusarium species. The results demonstrated complete inhibition of Fusarium culmorum growth at 5 mM spermine. A less significant effect on Fusarium graminearum and little to no impact on Fusarium oxysporum were found. The performed analysis revealed that the spermine had a fungistatic effect against the pathogen, retarding the mycelium growth of F. culmorum inoculated on the seed surface. A pot experiment with Bulgarian soft wheat cv. Sadovo-1 was carried out to estimate the effect of seed priming with spermine against infection with isolates of pathogenic fungus F. culmorum on plant growth and disease severity. Our results demonstrated that spermine resulted in a reduced distribution of F. culmorum and improved plant performance, as evidenced by the higher fresh weight and height of plants pre-treated with spermine. This research describes the efficacy of spermine seed priming as a novel strategy for managing Fusarium root and crown rot in wheat. Full article
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19 pages, 895 KiB  
Article
A Phytochemical and Biological Characterization of Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus Cultivar “Carciofo di Procida”, a Traditional Italian Agri-Food Product (PAT) of the Campania Region
by Giuseppina Tommonaro, Giulia De Simone, Carmine Iodice, Marco Allarà and Adele Cutignano
Molecules 2025, 30(15), 3285; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153285 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
The artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus) is an endemic perennial plant of the Mediterranean area commonly consumed as food. It is known since ancient times for its beneficial properties for human health, among which its antioxidant activity due to polyphenolics [...] Read more.
The artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus) is an endemic perennial plant of the Mediterranean area commonly consumed as food. It is known since ancient times for its beneficial properties for human health, among which its antioxidant activity due to polyphenolics stands out. In the frame of our ongoing studies aiming to highlight the biodiversity and the chemodiversity of natural resources, we investigated the phenolic and saponin content of the cultivar “Carciofo di Procida” collected at Procida, an island of the Gulf of Naples (Italy). Along with the edible part of the immature flower, we included in our analyses the stem and the external bracts, generally discarded for food consuming or industrial preparations. The LCMS quali-quantitative profiling of polyphenols (including anthocyanins) and cynarasaponins of this cultivar is reported for the first time. In addition to antioxidant properties, we observed a significant cytotoxic activity due to extracts from external bracts against human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell lines with 43% of cell viability, after 24 h from the treatment (50 μg/mL), and less potent but appreciable effects also against human colorectal adenocarcinoma CaCo-2 cells. This suggests that the different metabolite composition may be responsible for the bioactivity of extracts obtained from specific parts of artichoke and foresees a possible exploitation of the discarded material as a source of beneficial compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction and Analysis of Natural Products in Food—3rd Edition)
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17 pages, 1416 KiB  
Article
Humic Substances Promote the Activity of Enzymes Related to Plant Resistance
by Rakiely M. Silva, Fábio L. Olivares, Lázaro E. P. Peres, Etelvino H. Novotny and Luciano P. Canellas
Agriculture 2025, 15(15), 1688; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15151688 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
The extensive use of pesticides has significant implications for public health and the environment. Breeding crop plants is the most effective and environmentally friendly approach to improve the plants’ resistance. However, it is time-consuming and costly, and it is sometimes difficult to achieve [...] Read more.
The extensive use of pesticides has significant implications for public health and the environment. Breeding crop plants is the most effective and environmentally friendly approach to improve the plants’ resistance. However, it is time-consuming and costly, and it is sometimes difficult to achieve satisfactory results. Plants induce defense responses to natural elicitors by interpreting multiple genes that encode proteins, including enzymes, secondary metabolites, and pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins. These responses characterize systemic acquired resistance. Humic substances trigger positive local and systemic physiological responses through a complex network of hormone-like signaling pathways and can be used to induce biotic and abiotic stress resistance. This study aimed to assess the effect of humic substances on the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POX), and β-1,3-glucanase (GLU) used as a resistance marker in various plant species, including orange, coffee, sugarcane, soybeans, maize, and tomato. Seedlings were treated with a dilute aqueous suspension of humic substances (4 mM C L−1) as a foliar spray or left untreated (control). Leaf tissues were collected for enzyme assessment two days later. Humic substances significantly promoted the systemic acquired resistance marker activities compared to the control in all independent assays. Overall, all enzymes studied in this work, PAL, GLUC, and POX, showed an increase in activity by 133%, 181%, and 149%, respectively. Among the crops studied, citrus and coffee achieved the highest activity increase in all enzymes, except for POX in coffee, which showed a decrease of 29% compared to the control. GLUC exhibited the highest response to HS treatment, the enzyme most prominently involved in increasing enzymatic activity in all crops. Plants can improve their resistance to pathogens through the exogenous application of HSs as this promotes the activity of enzymes related to plant resistance. Finally, we consider the potential use of humic substances as a natural chemical priming agent to boost plant resistance in agriculture Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocontrol Agents for Plant Pest Management)
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14 pages, 1181 KiB  
Article
Effects of Ultrafine Bubble Water on Gut Microbiota Composition and Health Markers in Rats
by John Nicholas Jackowetz, Carly S. Hanson, Minto Michael, Kiriako Tsoukalas, Cassandra Villanueva and Peter A. Kozak
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1193; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151193 - 5 Aug 2025
Viewed by 33
Abstract
Ultrafine bubbles (UFBs) represent an emerging technology with unique physicochemical properties. This study investigated the effects of air-filled UFBs infused in drinking water on gut microbiota composition and the associated health markers in Sprague Dawley rats over a 12-week period. Using a two-phase [...] Read more.
Ultrafine bubbles (UFBs) represent an emerging technology with unique physicochemical properties. This study investigated the effects of air-filled UFBs infused in drinking water on gut microbiota composition and the associated health markers in Sprague Dawley rats over a 12-week period. Using a two-phase design, UFB concentration was increased from 1.7 × 106 to 6.5 × 109 UFBs/mL at week 7 to assess dose-dependent effects. Administration of UFBs in drinking water induced significant shifts in gut microbiome populations, characterized by increased Bacteroidetes (+122% weeks 8–12) and decreased Firmicutes (−43% weeks 8–12) compared to controls. These microbial shifts coincided with enhanced short-chain fatty acid production (butyrate +56.0%, p ≤ 0.001; valerate +63.1%, p ≤ 0.01) and reduced inflammatory markers (TNF-α −84.0%, p ≤ 0.05; IL-1β −41.0%, p ≤ 0.05; IL-10 −69.8%, p ≤ 0.05). UFB effects demonstrated systematic concentration-dependent threshold responses, with 85.7% of parameters exhibiting directional reversals between low (1.7 × 106 UFBs/mL) and high (6.5 × 109 UFBs/mL) concentration phases rather than linear dose–response relationships. The systematic nature of these threshold effects, with 71.4% of parameters achieving statistical significance (p ≤ 0.05), indicates concentration-dependent biological mechanisms rather than random effects on gut biology. Despite current metagenomic techniques identifying only 25% of the total gut microbiome, the observed changes in characterized species and metabolites demonstrate UFB technology’s therapeutic potential for conditions requiring microbiome modulation, providing new insights into UFB influence on complex biological systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanobubbles and Nanodroplets: Current State-of-the-Art)
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21 pages, 4907 KiB  
Article
Integrated Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis Reveals the Molecular Mechanisms Involved in the Adaptations of Mandarin Fish (Siniperca chuatsi) to Compound Feed
by Yunyun Yan, Yuan Zhang, Junjian Dong, Fubao Wang, Hetong Zhang, Fengying Gao, Xing Ye, Chengbin Wu and Chengfei Sun
Fishes 2025, 10(8), 379; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10080379 - 4 Aug 2025
Viewed by 121
Abstract
Siniperca chuatsi is an important high-quality freshwater aquaculture species in China. In nature, it feeds exclusively on live food. In this study, domesticated juvenile S. chuatsi were divided into three groups and fed live food (group L), compound feed (group C), or [...] Read more.
Siniperca chuatsi is an important high-quality freshwater aquaculture species in China. In nature, it feeds exclusively on live food. In this study, domesticated juvenile S. chuatsi were divided into three groups and fed live food (group L), compound feed (group C), or a mixed diet (group M) for three months to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying adaptation to compound feed. Histopathological examination revealed that compound feed consumption induced looser liver cell arrangement, hepatocyte morphological irregularities, and vacuolization. A total of 1033 and 1428 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and 187 and 184 differential metabolites (DMs), were identified in the C vs. L and C vs. M groups, respectively. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the significantly and commonly enriched metabolic pathways shared by both comparison groups were predominantly involved in amino acid, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolisms. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated that the significantly and commonly enriched metabolic pathways shared by both comparison groups were the arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and PPAR signalling pathways. Integrated omics analysis showed that the PPAR signalling pathway was the only significantly co-enriched pathway across both omics datasets. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of compound feed adaptation and provides theoretical support for selecting feed traits in S. chuatsi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Genetics and Biotechnology)
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23 pages, 2353 KiB  
Article
Seaweeds of the Israeli Mediterranean Sea: Nutritional and Biotechnological Potential Through Seasonal and Species Variation
by Doron Yehoshua Ashkenazi, Félix L. Figueroa, Julia Vega, Shoshana Ben-Valid, Guy Paz, Eitan Salomon, Avigdor Abelson and Álvaro Israel
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(8), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23080320 - 4 Aug 2025
Viewed by 283
Abstract
Macroalgae (seaweeds) produce unique bioactive metabolites that have enabled their survival for millions of years, offering significant potential for human benefits. In the Israeli Mediterranean Sea, no comprehensive systematic surveys of seaweeds have been published since the 1990s, and their chemical composition remains [...] Read more.
Macroalgae (seaweeds) produce unique bioactive metabolites that have enabled their survival for millions of years, offering significant potential for human benefits. In the Israeli Mediterranean Sea, no comprehensive systematic surveys of seaweeds have been published since the 1990s, and their chemical composition remains largely unexplored. This study presents an extensive survey of intertidal seaweed communities along the shallow Israeli coastline, documenting their spatial, temporal, and biochemical diversity. Of the 320 specimens collected, 55 seaweed species were identified: 29 red (Rhodophyta), 14 brown (Phaeophyceae), and 12 green (Chlorophyta). A significant shift in species abundance was documented, with a single dominant annual bloom occurring during spring, unlike previously reported biannual blooms. Chemical analysis of the dominant species revealed significant seasonal variations in compound levels, with higher protein content in winter and increased antioxidant capacity during spring. Phenolic and natural sunscreen compounds (mycosporine-like amino acids, MAAs) showed no general seasonal trend. These findings highlight the optimal environmental conditions for seaweed growth and underscore their potential for aquaculture and biotechnology. We hypothesize that the ecologically unique conditions of the Israeli Mediterranean Sea may foster resilient seaweed species enriched with distinctive chemical properties, suitable for nutritional, health, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical applications, particularly as climate-adaptive bioresources. Full article
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22 pages, 1641 KiB  
Article
Site-Specific Trafficking of Lipid and Polar Metabolites in Adipose and Muscle Tissue Reveals the Impact of Bariatric Surgery-Induced Weight Loss: A 6-Month Follow-Up Study
by Aidan Joblin-Mills, Zhanxuan E. Wu, Garth J. S. Cooper, Ivana R. Sequeira-Bisson, Jennifer L. Miles-Chan, Anne-Thea McGill, Sally D. Poppitt and Karl Fraser
Metabolites 2025, 15(8), 525; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15080525 - 2 Aug 2025
Viewed by 277
Abstract
Background: The causation of type 2 diabetes remains under debate, but evidence supports both abdominal lipid and ectopic lipid overspill into tissues including muscle as key. How these depots differentially alter cardiometabolic profile and change during body weight and fat loss is not [...] Read more.
Background: The causation of type 2 diabetes remains under debate, but evidence supports both abdominal lipid and ectopic lipid overspill into tissues including muscle as key. How these depots differentially alter cardiometabolic profile and change during body weight and fat loss is not known. Methods: Women with obesity scheduled to undergo bariatric surgery were assessed at baseline (BL, n = 28) and at 6-month follow-up (6m_FU, n = 26) after weight loss. Fasting plasma (Pla), subcutaneous thigh adipose (STA), subcutaneous abdominal adipose, (SAA), and thigh vastus lateralis muscle (VLM) samples were collected at BL through surgery and at 6m_FU using needle biopsy. An untargeted liquid chromatography mass spectrometry metabolomics platform was used. Pla and tissue-specific lipid and polar metabolite profiles were modelled as changes from BL and 6m_FU. Results: There was significant body weight (−24.5 kg) loss at 6m_FU (p < 0.05). BL vs. 6m_FU tissue metabolomics profiles showed the largest difference in lipid profiles in SAA tissue in response to surgery. Conversely, polar metabolites were more susceptible to change in STA and VLM. In Pla samples, both lipid and polar metabolite profiles showed significant differences between timepoints. Jaccard–Tanimoto coefficient t-tests identified a sub-group of gut microbiome and dietary-derived omega-3-fatty-acid-containing lipid species and core energy metabolism and adipose catabolism-associated polar metabolites that are trafficked between sample types in response to bariatric surgery. Conclusions: In this first report on channelling of lipids and polar metabolites to alternative tissues in bariatric-induced weight loss, adaptive shuttling of small molecules was identified, further promoting adipose processing and highlighting the dynamic and coordinated nature of post-surgical metabolic regulation. Full article
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24 pages, 1244 KiB  
Article
HPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS-Based Metabolite Profiling and Bioactivity Assessment of Catharanthus roseus
by Soniya Joshi, Chen Huo, Rabin Budhathoki, Anita Gurung, Salyan Bhattarai, Khaga Raj Sharma, Ki Hyun Kim and Niranjan Parajuli
Plants 2025, 14(15), 2395; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14152395 - 2 Aug 2025
Viewed by 976
Abstract
A comprehensive metabolic profiling of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don was performed using tandem mass spectrometry, along with an evaluation of the biological activities of its various solvent extracts. Among these, the methanolic leaf extract exhibited mild radical scavenging activity, low to moderate [...] Read more.
A comprehensive metabolic profiling of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don was performed using tandem mass spectrometry, along with an evaluation of the biological activities of its various solvent extracts. Among these, the methanolic leaf extract exhibited mild radical scavenging activity, low to moderate antimicrobial activity, and limited cytotoxicity in both the brine shrimp lethality assay and MTT assay against HeLa and A549 cell lines. High-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS) analysis led to the annotation of 34 metabolites, primarily alkaloids. These included 23 indole alkaloids, two fatty acids, two pentacyclic triterpenoids, one amino acid, four porphyrin derivatives, one glyceride, and one chlorin derivative. Notably, two metabolites—2,3-dihydroxypropyl 9,12,15-octadecatrienoate and (10S)-hydroxypheophorbide A—were identified for the first time in C. roseus. Furthermore, Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) analysis revealed 18 additional metabolites, including epoxypheophorbide A, 11,12-dehydroursolic acid lactone, and 20-isocatharanthine. These findings highlight the diverse secondary metabolite profile of C. roseus and support its potential as a source of bioactive compounds for therapeutic development. Full article
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48 pages, 3314 KiB  
Review
Applied Microbiology for Sustainable Agricultural Development
by Barbara Sawicka, Piotr Barbaś, Viola Vambol, Dominika Skiba, Piotr Pszczółkowski, Parwiz Niazi and Bernadetta Bienia
Appl. Microbiol. 2025, 5(3), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmicrobiol5030078 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 114
Abstract
Background: Developments in biology, genetics, soil science, plant breeding, engineering, and agricultural microbiology are driving advances in soil microbiology and microbial biotechnology. Material and methods: The literature for this review was collected by searching leading scientific databases such as Embase, Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and [...] Read more.
Background: Developments in biology, genetics, soil science, plant breeding, engineering, and agricultural microbiology are driving advances in soil microbiology and microbial biotechnology. Material and methods: The literature for this review was collected by searching leading scientific databases such as Embase, Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Results: Recent advances in soil microbiology and biotechnology are discussed, emphasizing the role of microorganisms in sustainable agriculture. It has been shown that soil and plant microbiomes significantly contribute to improving soil fertility and plant and soil health. Microbes promote plant growth through various mechanisms, including potassium, phosphorus, and zinc solubilization, biological nitrogen fixation, production of ammonia, HCN, siderophores, and other secondary metabolites with antagonistic effects. The diversity of microbiomes related to crops, plant protection, and the environment is analyzed, as well as their role in improving food quality, especially under stress conditions. Particular attention was paid to the diversity of microbiomes and their mechanisms supporting plant growth and soil fertility. Conclusions: The key role of soil microorganisms in sustainable agriculture was highlighted. They can support the production of natural substances used as plant protection products, as well as biopesticides, bioregulators, or biofertilizers. Microbial biotechnology also offers potential in the production of sustainable chemicals, such as biofuels or biodegradable plastics (PHA) from plant sugars, and in the production of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, hormones, or enzymes. Full article
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23 pages, 4589 KiB  
Review
The Novel Achievements in Oncological Metabolic Radio-Therapy: Isotope Technologies, Targeted Theranostics, Translational Oncology Research
by Elena V. Uspenskaya, Ainaz Safdari, Denis V. Antonov, Iuliia A. Valko, Ilaha V. Kazimova, Aleksey A. Timofeev and Roman A. Zubarev
Med. Sci. 2025, 13(3), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci13030107 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 217
Abstract
Background/Objectives. This manuscript presents an overview of advances in oncological radiotherapy as an effective treatment method for cancerous tumors, focusing on mechanisms of action within metabolite–antimetabolite systems. The urgency of this topic is underscored by the fact that cancer remains one of the [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives. This manuscript presents an overview of advances in oncological radiotherapy as an effective treatment method for cancerous tumors, focusing on mechanisms of action within metabolite–antimetabolite systems. The urgency of this topic is underscored by the fact that cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide: as of 2022, approximately 20 million new cases were diagnosed globally, accounting for about 0.25% of the total population. Given prognostic models predicting a steady increase in cancer incidence to 35 million cases by 2050, there is an urgent need for the latest developments in physics, chemistry, molecular biology, pharmacy, and strict adherence to oncological vigilance. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate the relationship between the nature and mechanisms of past diagnostic and therapeutic oncology approaches, their current improvements, and future prospects. Particular emphasis is placed on isotope technologies in the production of therapeutic nuclides, focusing on the mechanisms of formation of simple and complex theranostic compounds and their classification according to target specificity. Methods. The methodology involved searching, selecting, and analyzing information from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, as well as from available official online sources over the past 20 years. The search was structured around the structure–mechanism–effect relationship of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The manuscript, including graphic materials, was prepared using a narrative synthesis method. Results. The results present a sequential analysis of materials related to isotope technology, particularly nucleus stability and instability. An explanation of theranostic principles enabled a detailed description of the action mechanisms of radiopharmaceuticals on various receptors within the metabolite–antimetabolite system using specific drug models. Attention is also given to radioactive nanotheranostics, exemplified by the mechanisms of action of radioactive nanoparticles such as Tc-99m, AuNPs, wwAgNPs, FeNPs, and others. Conclusions. Radiotheranostics, which combines the diagnostic properties of unstable nuclei with therapeutic effects, serves as an effective adjunctive and/or independent method for treating cancer patients. Despite the emergence of resistance to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, existing nuclide resources provide protection against subsequent tumor metastasis. However, given the unfavorable cancer incidence prognosis over the next 25 years, the development of “preventive” drugs is recommended. Progress in this area will be facilitated by modern medical knowledge and a deeper understanding of ligand–receptor interactions to trigger apoptosis in rapidly proliferating cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Section Cancer and Cancer-Related Diseases)
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18 pages, 3360 KiB  
Article
Hydrogen Sulfide Has a Minor Impact on Human Gut Microbiota Across Age Groups
by Linshu Liu, Johanna M. S. Lemons, Jenni Firrman, Karley K. Mahalak, Venkateswari J. Chetty, Adrienne B. Narrowe, Stephanie Higgins, Ahmed M. Moustafa, Aurélien Baudot, Stef Deyaert and Pieter Van den Abbeele
Sci 2025, 7(3), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci7030102 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 128
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can be produced from the metabolism of foods containing sulfur in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). At low doses, H2S regulates the gut microbial community and supports GIT health, but depending on dose, age, and individual health [...] Read more.
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can be produced from the metabolism of foods containing sulfur in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). At low doses, H2S regulates the gut microbial community and supports GIT health, but depending on dose, age, and individual health conditions, it may also contribute to inflammatory responses and gut barrier dysfunction. Controlling H2S production in the GIT is important for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. However, research on this subject is limited due to the gaseous nature of the chemical and the difficulty of accessing the GIT in situ. In the present ex vivo experiment, we used a single-dose sodium sulfide preparation (SSP) as a H2S precursor to test the effect of H2S on the human gut microbiome across different age groups, including breastfed infants, toddlers, adults, and older adults. Metagenomic sequencing and metabolite measurements revealed that the development of the gut microbial community and the production of short-chain fatty-acids (SCFAs) were age-dependent; that the infant and the older adult groups were more sensitive to SSP exposure; that exogeneous SSP suppressed SCFA production across all age groups, except for butyrate in the older adult group, suggesting that H2S selectively favors specific gut microbial processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biology Research and Life Sciences)
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