Search Results (979)

This study investigated the phytochemical composition and biological activity of Cymbopogon citratus microshoot cultures and evaluated their suitability for incorporation into a cosmetic formulation. Microshoot cultures were established on Murashige and Skoog media supplemented with plant growth regulators and served as a reproducible source of biomass. Methanolic and ethanolic extracts were analyzed for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Chemical composition was characterized using LC-MS/MS analysis, which revealed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids, with p-coumaric, caffeic, and ferulic acids being among the most abundant detected constituents. In biological assays, the extracts inhibited murine tyrosinase in a concentration-dependent manner and exhibited antimicrobial activity against selected oral and skin-associated microorganisms, including Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, as well as showing fungistatic and fungicidal effects against Candida albicans. Cytotoxicity analysis performed on HaCaT keratinocytes confirmed biocompatibility within the tested concentration range. To assess formulation suitability, the microshoot extract was incorporated into an oil-in-water (O/W) cream, which maintained stable pH, viscosity, and physical properties while preserving the antioxidant activity of the extract. Overall, these findings indicate that C. citratus microshoot cultures represent a reproducible source of bioactive metabolites with potential application in cosmetic formulations. Full article

Background: Rhodopseudomonas palustris is a metabolically versatile bacterium with significant biotechnological potential, including the ability to catabolize lignin and its heterogeneous breakdown products. Understanding the molecular determinants of growth on lignin-derived compounds is essential for advancing lignin valorization strategies under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Methods: R. palustris was cultivated on multiple lignin breakdown products (LBPs), including p-coumaryl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol, sinapyl alcohol, p-coumarate, sodium ferulate, and kraft lignin. Condition-specific transcriptomics and proteomics datasets were generated and used as input features to train machine-learning models, with experimentally measured growth rates as the prediction target. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), Random Forest (RF), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) models were evaluated and compared. Permutation feature importance analysis was applied to identify genes and proteins most influential for growth. Results: Among the tested models, ANNs achieved the highest predictive performance, with accuracies of 94% for transcriptomics-based models and 96% for proteomics-based models. Feature importance analysis identified the top twenty growth-associated genes and proteins for each omics layer. Integrating transcriptomic and proteomic results revealed eight key transport proteins that consistently influenced growth across LBP conditions. Re-training ANN models using only these eight transport proteins maintained high predictive accuracy, achieving 86% for proteomics and 76% for transcriptomics. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of ANN-based models for predicting growth-associated genes and proteins in R. palustris. The identification of a small set of key transport proteins provides mechanistic insight into lignin catabolism and highlights promising targets for metabolic engineering aimed at improving lignin utilization. Full article

Sasa quelpaertensis, a multipurpose bamboo plant endemic to Jeju Island in South Korea, is used by the population in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-gastritis, and diuretic activities. Studies have shown the potential of S. quelpaertensis against various diseases; its effects include anticancer, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antidepressant, immunomodulating, and hepatoprotective effects. Several bioactive phytochemicals, including p-coumaric acid, tricin, naringenin, and vanillic acid, have been identified in S. quelpaertensis, further emphasizing its pharmacological potential. Molecular studies have identified crucial pharmacological targets of S. quelpaertensis, such as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. The major challenges are that most pharmacological activities have been observed only in the preclinical stage, and that a compilation of its phytochemicals and pharmacological activities is missing from the literature. The studies with incomplete extract characterization or standardization limit the comparability across studies. Identification of active phytochemicals for specific activities and large-scale clinical trials for the majority of pharmacological effects are suggested. This review not only compiles the phytochemicals and pharmacological properties of S. quelpaertensis but also highlights current gaps and proposes solutions for its development as a therapeutic agent and/or supplement against major diseases. Full article

Tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) is a binuclear copper enzyme responsible for the rate-limiting steps of melanogenesis, catalyzing the hydroxylation of L-tyrosine and oxidation of L-DOPA into o-quinones that polymerize melanin. Beyond its physiological role in pigmentation, tyrosinase is also implicated in food browning and oxidative stress–related disorders, making it a key target in cosmetic, food, and biomedical industries. This systematic review, conducted following PRISMA guidelines, aimed to identify and analyze microbial metabolites with tyrosinase inhibitory potential as sustainable alternatives to conventional inhibitors such as hydroquinone and kojic acid. Literature searches in Scopus and Web of Science (March 2025) yielded 156 records; after screening and applying inclusion criteria, 11 studies were retained for analysis. The inhibitors identified include indole derivatives, phenolic acids, peptides, and triterpenoids, mainly produced by fungi (e.g., Ganoderma lucidum, Trichoderma sp.), actinobacteria (Streptomyces, Massilia), and microalgae (Spirulina, Synechococcus). Reported IC₅₀ values ranged from micromolar to milli-molar levels, with methyl lucidenate F (32.23 µM) and p-coumaric acid (52.71 mM). Mechanisms involved competitive and non-competitive inhibition, as well as gene-level regulation. However, methodological heterogeneity, the predominance of mushroom tyrosinase assays, and limited human enzyme validation constrain translational relevance. Computational modeling, site-directed mutagenesis, and molecular dynamics are proposed to overcome these limitations. Overall, microbial metabolites exhibit promising efficacy, stability, and biocompatibility, positioning them as emerging preclinical candidates for the development of safer and more sustainable tyrosinase inhibitors. Full article

This study addresses the ongoing challenge of accurately classifying beers by fermentation type and product category, an issue of growing importance for quality control, authenticity assessment, and product differentiation in the brewing sector. We applied a multiblock chemometric framework that integrates phenolic profiling obtained via GC–MS, antioxidant and antiradical activity derived from in vitro assays, and complementary colorimetric and physicochemical measurements. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed clear compositional structuring within the dataset, with p-coumaric, gallic, syringic, and malic acids emerging as major contributors to variance. Supervised machine-learning classification demonstrated robust performance, achieving approximately 93% accuracy in discriminating top- from bottom-fermented beers, supported by a well-balanced confusion matrix (25 classified and 2 misclassified samples per group). When applied to ale–lager categorization, the model retained strong predictive ability, reaching 90% accuracy, largely driven by the C* chroma value and the concentrations of tyrosol, acetic acid, homovanillic acid, and syringic acid. The integration of multiple analytical blocks significantly enhanced class separation and minimized ambiguity between beer categories. Overall, these findings underscore the value of multi-block chemometrics as a powerful strategy for beer characterization, supporting brewers, researchers, and regulatory bodies in developing more reliable quality-assurance frameworks. Full article

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, the etiological agent of COVID-19, has resulted in widespread global infection and millions of deaths. Viral entry is initiated by the interaction between the viral spike (S) protein and the host cell receptor ACE2, followed by TMPRSS2-mediated proteolytic activation that facilitates membrane fusion. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L., MC), a traditional medicinal and edible plant widely used in tropical Asia, possesses notable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, and hypoglycemic properties. In this study, the ethanol extract of bitter melon (EMC) markedly downregulated ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in both in vitro and in vivo models without inducing cytotoxicity. Furthermore, phytochemicals isolated from EMC—including p-coumaric acid, rutin, and quercetin—exhibited comparable inhibitory effects. These results indicate that EMC and its bioactive constituents may interfere with SARS-CoV-2 entry by modulating the ACE2/TMPRSS2 axis, highlighting their potential as natural adjuncts for COVID-19 prevention or management. Full article

Bee bread contains numerous bioactive compounds, including phenolic compounds, which have been associated with antioxidant properties. In this study, we determined the phenolic composition of Polish bee bread collected over three consecutive years using HPLC-DAD. We also measured total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity, expressed as DPPH radical scavenging activity. The highest concentrations were observed for p-coumaric, trans-ferulic, and caffeic acids, as well as for two flavonoids—rutin and hesperidin. The contents of individual phenolic compounds varied across the years of sample collection, with the exception of p-coumaric and vanillic acids. Despite year-to-year differences in TPC, no significant correlation with antioxidant activity (>90% in all samples) was observed, indicating a substantial contribution of non-phenolic compounds to antioxidant capacity. Principal Component Analysis revealed that almost all samples clustered into three groups according to their year of collection. We conclude that the year-to-year variation in phenolic compound content in bee bread is likely attributable to differences in available pollen sources. Our findings expand the current knowledge of the nutritional value of bee bread produced in Poland and strengthen the premises for its use as a functional food. Full article

Silkie (SK) chickens, valued for dark meat, serve as a model to study melanin deposition in muscle. Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics of SK vs. Arbor Acres (AA) broiler pectoralis were used to identify key molecular drivers of meat color. All birds were cage-raised under standardized temperature and light conditions with free access to feed and water. Pectoralis muscle samples were collected from 24-day-old healthy SK and AA chickens (n = 6). Transcriptome profiling identified 488 differentially expressed genes in SK chickens, with seven conserved melanogenesis genes (TYRP1, MLANA, TYR, MLPH, EDNRB2, PMEL, GPNMB) consistently upregulated across dark-pectoralis breeds, and melanogenesis and WNT pathways were activated. Co-expression network analysis highlighted SOX10 as a key hub regulator. Metabolomics quantified 129 differentially abundant metabolites. A critical finding was the significant depletion of L-tyrosine and its derivatives in SK muscle, despite upregulated melanogenesis genes. It indicates intense metabolic flux toward pigment synthesis. Integrated analyses converged on tyrosine metabolism and redox pathways: oxidized glutathione and p-coumaric acid correlated negatively with pigment deposition, while ADP-ribose and pyridoxal correlated positively. Additionally, novel inhibitors PNMT and HIBADH may modulate melanin deposition. These findings reveal a trade-off between pigment deposition and redox balance, providing molecular markers for poultry melanin-related trait improvement. Full article

Amaryllidaceae alkaloids are of notable pharmacological relevance. For instance, galanthamine is used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, while other alkaloids (lycorine, crinine, etc.) derived from Amaryllidaceae plants are also of great interest because they exhibit antitumour, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, analgesic and cytotoxic properties. Phenolic acids comprise a group of natural bioactive substances that have commercial value in the cosmetic, food and medicinal industries due to their antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective potential. In the present study, the effect of temperature (15, 20, 25 and 30 °C) on Amaryllidaceae alkaloid and phenolic acid biosynthesis in Leucojum aestivum in vitro plant cultures was investigated. The highest diversity of alkaloids (i.e., galanthamine, crinan-3-ol, demethylmaritidine, crinine, 11-hydroxyvitattine, lycorine, epiisohaemanthamine, chlidanthine) was noted in plants cultured at 30 °C. By contrast, ismine and tazettine were only present in plants cultured at 15 °C. Temperatures of 20 °C and 30 °C were found to stimulate galanthamine accumulation. The highest lycorine content was noted in plants grown at temperatures of 15 and 30 °C, and it was negatively correlated with the expression of the gene that encodes the cytochrome P450 96T (CYP96T) enzyme which catalyses a key step in the biosynthesis of different types of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. This observation may reflect temperature-induced shifts in metabolic flux among different branches of Amaryllidaceae alkaloid biosynthesis. The observed stimulating effect of a 15 °C temperature on the chlorogenic, caffeic, p-coumaric, sinapic, ferulic and isoferulic acid content was in line with the highest expression of a gene that encodes the tyrosine decarboxylase (TYDC) enzyme, which is involved in plant stress response mechanisms. At 30 °C, however, the highest content of the caffeic, vanillic, p-coumaric and isoferulic acids was noted. Full article

Salt stress is a major agricultural issue. A promising modern agriculture method is the foliar treatment of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). This approach has shown promise in boosting challenged tomato yields, fruit quality, and leaf extract antibacterial activity against pathogens. A greenhouse experiment was conducted. The previously synthesized and characterized ZnONPs were used to alleviate the harmful effects of NaCl stress. Tomato fruit weight from different treatments was determined, and the gas–liquid chromatography device was used to observe the changes in fatty acid production. The antimicrobial activities of the aqueous and diethyl ether extracts from tomato leaves were determined against six bacterial and six fungal strains. The plants that were salinity-stressed and sprayed with 0.075 and 0.15 g/L ZnONPs showed a better improvement compared to the salinity-stressed plants. Also, the sprayed plants that were not stressed at all showed promising results compared to the control and the other different treatments. Through the process of molecular docking, it was shown that caffeic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, sinapic acid, and apigenin-7-glucoside are essential chemicals that possess antibacterial and antifungal effects against the DNA Gyrase inhibitor and the sterol 14-alpha demethylase (CYP51) enzyme, respectively. It is concluded that salt stress can negatively affect the growth, quality, and variant plant features. However, the foliar application of ZnONPs is able to overcome those adverse effects in the stressed plants, and enhance the non-stressed as well. Full article

Five Salsola species have been studied as sources of bioactive compounds using a comprehensive, untargeted metabolomic and bioactivity assessment. Plant material was extracted using ethyl acetate (EA), water, and methanol (MeOH). S. ruthenica exhibited the highest total phenolic content (46.04 mg GAE/g, MeOH extract) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH: 47.21 mg TE/g; ABTS: 97.40 mg TE/g; CUPRAC: 141.38 mg TE/g; FRAP: 80.30 mg TE/g). Extracts of S. stenoptera and S. ruthenica showed potent cholinesterase inhibition, while S. crassa was notably active against tyrosinase. A total of 265 metabolites were annotated, revealing strong solvent- and species-specific differences in phenolic composition, as confirmed by AMOPLS analysis. Flavanols, anthocyanins, and lignans emerged as the major chemotaxonomic markers, based on PCA, contributing the most to the total variance. Strong correlations were observed between TPC and CUPRAC (r = 0.93) and between flavanols and DPPH (r = 0.70), suggesting functional relevance of these compounds in redox activity, confirming the importance of different classes of phenolic constituents. VIP markers also revealed species- and solvent-specific enrichments of metabolites. Regularized canonical correlation analysis (rCCA) further linked specific metabolites, namely Quercetin 3-O-glucosyl-xyloside and 6″-O-Acetylgenistin, the flavanone sakuranetin, the lignans Secoisolariciresinol, Anhydro-secoisolariciresinol, and Medioresinol, and p-Coumaric acid ethyl ester, with antioxidant functions. These findings underscore the pharmacological potential of Salsola species and highlight the importance of valorizing metabolic diversity in the search for new sources of health-promoting natural compounds. Furthermore, the work shows the need for a tailored solvent selection in bioactivity-guided phytochemical research. Full article

The oxidation of chlorophenolic compounds is essential for converting these persistent and toxic pollutants into less harmful products, thereby reducing their environmental and health impacts. In this study, a p-coumaric acid ester derivative was employed as the starting material to synthesize the corresponding phthalonitrile precursor (EnCA-CN), followed by the preparation of non-peripherally substituted Co(II) and Cu(II) phthalocyanine complexes (EnCA-Copc and EnCA-CuPc). These complexes were subsequently characterized using a range of spectroscopic techniques and designed to engage in π–π interactions with graphitic carbon nitride to form efficient photocatalytic materials. The structures of the two effective catalysts were characterized by FT-IR, SEM, and XRD analyses, after which their photocatalytic performance and recyclability in the degradation of 2-chlorophenol, 2,3-dichlorophenol, and 2,3,6-trimethylphenol were evaluated. The optimum catalyst loading for the MPc/g-C₃N₄ composites was determined to be 0.5 g/L, yielding the highest photocatalytic efficiency. The EnCA-CoPc/g-C₃N₄ catalyst achieved 90.8% product selectivity and 82.6% conversion in the oxidation of 2-chlorophenol, whereas the EnCA-CuPc/g-C₃N₄ catalyst exhibited approximately 80.0% pollutant removal. The degradation efficiencies followed the order 2-CP > 2,3-DCP > 2,3,6-TCP, with benzoquinone derivatives identified as the major oxidation products. In recyclability tests, both catalysts retained more than 50% of their activity after five cycles; EnCA-CoPc/g-C₃N₄ maintained 68% conversion in the 5th cycle, while EnCA-CuPc/g-C₃N₄ retained 60% conversion in the 4th cycle. Full article

Background: The association between oxidative stress and inflammation in obesity motivates investigation of the effects of d-limonene, gallic acid, ellagic acid, p-coumaric acid, and their mixture, which are major compounds of Callistemon citrinus, on oxidative stress and inflammation in the brains of rats fed a high-fat-sucrose diet. This study aimed to identify the specific bioactive compounds in C. citrinus leaf extract responsible for its neuroprotective effects against diet-induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight groups (n = 6). Group 1 (control) received a standard diet, while group 2 received a high-fat, high-sucrose diet (HFSD). Groups 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 were also fed HFSD supplemented with C. citrinus extract, its main compounds, and a mixture of these compounds administered once daily via oral cannula for 23 weeks. The antioxidant and pro-inflammatory enzymes, along with oxidative biomarkers, were evaluated in the brains of the rats. Results:C. citrinus leaf extract and its four main components, both separately and together, modulated the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and paraoxonase-1. They also affected levels of reduced glutathione while decreasing the amounts of advanced oxidative protein products, malondialdehyde, and 4-hydroxynonenal. Additionally, they decreased the activities of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2), 5-lipoxygenase, xanthine oxidase, and myeloperoxidase in the brains of rats, despite a high-fat-sucrose diet. Conclusions: These results show that the main compounds in C. citrinus leaf extract are essential for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which help protect against oxidative stress in the brains of rats on a high-calorie diet. Full article

In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential of utilizing red grape pomace as a source of polyphenolic compounds in the growing, fragmented winemaking sector in Poland. For polyphenol extraction, we compared two methods: conventional extraction using water and alcohol solutions, and the supercritical CO₂ technique with ethanol as a cosolvent. The conventional method yielded at least 30% more polyphenols compared to the advanced SC-CO₂ technique. Experimentally chosen conditions, including a solvent composition of ethanol–water (1:1; v/v) containing 3% HCl, a liquid-to-solid ratio of 25:1 mL/g, and 2 min of ultrasound pretreatment and conventional extraction at a temperature of 30 °C over 4.5 h, enabled an extraction efficiency of 101 mg of total polyphenols per 1 g of raw material used, with an antioxidant capacity equivalent to 600 µmol of Trolox. According to HPLC analyses, the main components of the investigated biomass were epicatechin, anthocyanins and p-coumaric acid. The extract was encapsulated in liposomes, revealing no negative effect on their stability or aggregation under the conditions tested (21 days). The study suggests that conventional water–ethanol extraction can be a relatively safe and effective method for managing winemaking residuals, increasing the competitiveness of small producers through the production of high-value antioxidant additives. Full article

Background: Drug-induced cardiotoxicity is a primary concern in clinical practice, especially in the context of oxidative stress induced by anti-cancer, antiviral, and antidiabetic drugs. Several strategies are devised to limit cardiotoxicity, which are supportive and provide symptomatic relief. This highlights the need to develop cardioprotective agents that circumvent the oxidative stress. Bassia indica is a cardiotonic plant with antioxidant properties traditionally used in Africa, South Asia, and China. We investigated its cardioprotective effects against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC). Methods: B. indica extract (BiE) was analyzed by GC-MS and HPLC. Several antioxidant assays, including DPPH, FRAP, CUPRAC, NO, and H₂O₂ scavenging, were performed. In vivo attenuation of DIC was assessed in a rat model. Results: BiE contained several bioactive flavonoids, including 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, ferulic acid, gallic acid, kaempferol, and coumaric acid. Antioxidant assays demonstrated potent free-radical scavenging and antioxidant activity of BiE, providing mechanistic evidence for its in vivo amelioration of DIC. BiE treatment reduced myocardial oxidative stress by increasing endogenous antioxidant levels (p < 0.01), including SOD, CAT, and GSH. It upregulated Nrf2 and lowered Keap1 levels. This was also reflected in the restoration of cardiac tissue architecture and modulation of inflammatory markers, including IL-1β and TNF-α (p < 0.01). Cardiac tissue biomarkers were also improved. Conclusions: These findings conclude that BiE exerts cardiac protection by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation through modulation of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway and decreasing the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α. Full article