Search Results (1,144)

Background/Objectives: Cyclotides are plant-derived macrocyclic peptides distinguished by their head-to-tail cyclized backbone and cystine knot motif, which confer remarkable stability against thermal, enzymatic, and chemical degradation. These features, combined with a compact and rigid structure, position cyclotides as promising scaffolds for future antibacterial agents in response to the escalating threat of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens and the stagnation of conventional antibiotic discovery pipelines. This review summarizes the structural features, antibacterial mechanisms, bioengineering strategies, and translational potential of cyclotides against MDR infections. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted using recent original research articles and reviews on cyclotide structure, antibacterial activity, bioengineering, computational modeling, and pharmaceutical applications. Results: Cyclotides exhibit potent antimicrobial activity, primarily through membrane disruption mediated by amphipathic surfaces and affinity for anionic bacterial membranes. Some variants also demonstrate anti-virulence and antibiofilm properties, broadening their therapeutic relevance for difficult-to-treat infections. Bioengineering approaches, including epitope grafting and rational design, have improved selectivity and potency while reducing cytotoxicity. Advances in computational modeling, molecular dynamics, and artificial intelligence have accelerated the prediction and optimization of antimicrobial activity, toxicity, and pharmacokinetic properties. Conclusions: Innovations in synthesis, including recombinant expression and enzymatic ligation, are helping overcome translational barriers related to cost and scalability. Although challenges remain in oral bioavailability and systemic delivery, strategies such as lipidation and scaffold modification support the development of cyclotide-based therapeutics as adaptable platforms for peptide drug discovery. Full article

Background/Objectives: Burn injuries represent a global public health concern, accounting for approximately 265,000 deaths annually and often leading to severe infections. With the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, innovative therapeutic strategies such as nanoparticle-based topical formulations have gained attention. This study proposed the development of a hydrogel for burn treatment containing biogenic silver nanoparticles (BioAgNPs), hyaluronic acid (HA), and allantoin (AL). Methods: BioAgNPs were previously characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and incorporated into a hydrogel containing HA and AL, which was physicochemically characterized by pH, spreadability, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Antibacterial activity was evaluated by broth microdilution, agar diffusion, and time–kill assays against standard and MDR bacterial strains. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay in L929 cells, and wound-healing potential was investigated through an in vitro scratch assay to evaluate cell migration and proliferation. Results: BioAgNPs exhibited antibacterial activity against reference strains and MDR isolates, determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC). HA and AL were non-toxic, while BioAgNPs demonstrated low cytotoxic activity. Although HA and AL did not exhibit antibacterial properties, they promoted cell migration and proliferation. The formulation exhibited physicochemical and pharmaceutical stability, showing suitable properties for topical use, and presented significant antimicrobial action, with bacterial elimination occurring within 2 h of contact, except for S. aureus. Conclusions: Thus, the hydrogel presents a promising alternative for the topical treatment of infected burns, with potential application in combating multidrug-resistant bacteria, being able to eliminate MDR Acinetobacter baumannii. Full article

Camptothecin-class compounds are anticancer active ingredients extracted from the Chinese unique medicinal plant, Camptotheca acuminata. They have been widely applied in the treatment of various cancers due to their high efficacy and broad-spectrum anti-cancer properties. This article summarizes the latest research progress over the past decade on various types of nanocarriers for camptothecin drugs. We discuss the nanodrug delivery systems for camptothecin compounds in four perspectives: passive targeting nanoparticles, active targeting nanoparticles, tumor microenvironment-responsive nanoparticles and exogenous stimulus-responsive nanoparticles. We also elaborate on the advantages of delivery nanoparticles, in vivo release characteristics and antitumor therapeutic effects. The purpose of this article is to provide a theoretical basis and innovative perspectives for the clinical application of the camptothecin drugs and the development of new pharmaceuticals. Full article

The global transition from petrochemical to sustainable bio-based plastics has been strongly supported by electrospinning (ES), a versatile nanotechnology enabling the fabrication of ultrathin fibers with multifunctional properties. The solution ES process alongside the uniform fibers, a characteristic “beads-on-string” morphology, consisting of alternating cylindrical and spindle-like segments, is frequently observed. Once considered undesirable, these structures are now recognized as functional fibrous architectures with enhanced properties. This work explores the valorization of beaded fibers through combined experimental characterization and modeling, aiming to evaluate the impact of beading on drug diffusion and delivery performance. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) was selected as the model biopolyester and dipyridamole (DPD) as the model drug. Ultrathin fibers were fabricated using the laboratory electrospinning device, EFV-1 (ICP, Moscow, Russia). The distance between the capillary nozzle and the anodic collector was set to 180 mm, with the capillary tip radius equal to 0.35 mm, and applied voltage between the electrodes was kept constant at 18 kV. Drug release profiles were obtained by simulating DPD diffusion in ellipsoidal (beads) and cylindrical fiber domains. Ultrathin fibers were fabricated by solution electrospinning under environmental conditions (at ambient temperature, 50% relative humidity). Morphology was analyzed via SEM, thermal properties via DSC, and structure via FTIR spectroscopy at different temperatures, including the melting point (~170 °C). Drug release kinetics were monitored using a UV-Vis spectroscopy. The impact of DPD diffusion within the ellipsoidal and cylindrical constituents of polymer filaments was considered to modulate release profiles for the development of innovative pharmaceutical platforms. Diffusion controlled drug release was computationally modeled using a specially designed simulation program, in good agreement with experimental data. The results demonstrate that morphological parameters significantly affect diffusion and release kinetics. The controlled exploitation of bead-on-string architectures may enable the design of electrospun materials with tunable absorption of pollutant filtration, mechanical performance, and flexibility in drug release profiles, for sustainable biopolymers like PHB. Full article

The intensifying global challenges of environmental degradation, escalating energy demands, and unsustainable waste accumulation necessitate the exploration of alternative, high-value biomass resources. Algal biomass has emerged as a uniquely versatile and sustainable candidate, offering transformative potential across a broad range of industrial and environmental sectors. This review comprehensively evaluates the recent advancements and multidisciplinary applications of algae, with a strong emphasis on their distinctive chemical composition, bioactive compounds, and environmental adaptability. The novelty of this review lies in its integrative scope, which spans from algae cultivation, production, and trade to cutting-edge extraction technologies for bioactive constituents. Furthermore, the review presents a detailed exploration of algae’s functionality as a feedstock for biofuels, pharmaceuticals, sustainable agriculture, bioplastics, green chemistry, and water treatment, positioning it as a cornerstone in the development of the blue economy. By critically analyzing both conventional and innovative applications, this work contributes to a deeper understanding of algae’s strategic role in shaping a sustainable and resilient bioeconomy. Full article

Over the past few decades, there has been a notable increase in the incorporation of sprouted oats into the human diet, driven by their perceived health benefits from enhanced nutritional qualities and bioactive contents. This review finds that sprouting consistently improves protein digestibility, phenolic content and GABA levels, while reducing anti-nutrients such as phytate—though the extent of enhancement is highly dependent on cultivar and germination conditions. These nutritional modifications contribute to potential health-promoting effects, including anti-inflammatory and chemopreventative properties, thereby opening opportunities in the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. However, a critical gap remains in limited human clinical trials validating these health benefits, and the influence of light spectra on the oat nutritional profile remains unexplored. A critical understanding of these germination-induced changes is essential for optimizing processing parameters and developing innovative products to meet evolving consumer demands for novel, health-focused food products. Full article

Caffeine and chlorogenic acid are among the most extensively investigated bioactive compounds in coffee, tea, and other plant-derived products due to their noteworthy physical, nutritional, and industrial relevance. Caffeine is primarily acknowledged for its central nervous system stimulant activity, whereas chlorogenic acid, a phenolic ester, contributes antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic health benefits. This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines in order to systematically compile and summarize the extraction and analytical conditions reported for caffeine and CGAs in different matrices and to provide a structured comparison among the reported studies. All studies focusing on the extraction and/or quantification of caffeine and chlorogenic acids in several matrices were considered eligible. Three independent electronic searches were performed using PubMed, Science.gov, and BASE to identify relevant articles. Extraction of data was conducted independently by four authors based on consistent selection and extraction criteria. One hundred and twenty-five studies were identified. The results were summarized in tables including several parameters. Conventional extraction techniques, including aqueous and organic solvent-based methods, have formed the foundation for separating caffeine and chlorogenic acids. However, rising interest in green and sustainable technologies has shifted attention towards advanced approaches such as ultrasound-assisted extraction and microwave-assisted extraction. These methods not only enhance extraction yields and reduce processing times but also align with environmental and safety concerns in the modern food and pharmaceutical industries. For quantification, high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with ultraviolet or mass spectrometric detection remains the benchmark, offering precision and reproducibility in different matrices. This review sheds light on recent advances and ongoing research in the extraction and quantification of caffeine and chlorogenic acid in different types of matrices. Continued innovation in green extraction technologies and robust quantification methods is essential for supporting scientific research applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Water scarcity is driving the development of strategies for treating municipal wastewater (MW) to enable its safe reuse. Nonetheless, MW contains contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), such as pharmaceuticals and antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria, which require innovative treatment technologies. In this context, Corbicula fluminea, an invasive freshwater clam, presents a high biofiltration capacity, and its environmental impact could be mitigated by assigning it a beneficial role in wastewater treatment. Methods: The ability of C. fluminea to remove chemical and biological CECs from real MW secondary-treated effluents was assessed. The effects of real wastewater on the clams’ microbiome and on colony-forming unit (CFU) counts in their soft tissues were also assessed. Results: Under real conditions, the clams achieved over 73% removal for 3 chemical CECs after 24 h, with an average removal of approximately 39%. The clams showed recovery of both CFU counts and microbial community composition, dominated by opportunistic and stress-tolerant groups in the presence of pharmaceuticals. The removal of multidrug-resistant bacteria was evaluated; despite real wastewater reducing clearance rates, the clams significantly reduced these bacteria within 24 h. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that C. fluminea can serve as an effective polishing treatment, improving effluent quality, supporting control of this invasive species. Full article

Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) has transformed from a traditional probiotic into a versatile microbial cell factory through innovations in genomic tools and metabolic engineering. This review summarizes recent progress in utilizing EcN for biochemical synthesis. First, the development of genetic editing tools is systematically discussed, highlighting how these methods serve as the foundation for metabolic rewiring. Second, we examine EcN bioproduction capabilities, including its application as in situ Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBPs) for targeted disease interventions and its use in the ex vivo biosynthesis of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Third, optimization strategies for fermentation processes, focusing on diverse carbon source assimilation and industrial scale-up parameters, demonstrate the potential of this strain for commercial production. Through these advancements, EcN emerges as a practical platform for next-generation biomanufacturing and precision medicine. Full article

Coffee is among the most widely consumed beverages globally being cultivated in nearly 80 countries. Its processing generates large quantities of by-products, including mucilage, pulp/husks, silverskin, parchment, and spent coffee grounds. Although traditionally treated as waste, these residues are increasingly recognized as valuable resources rich in bioactive compounds exhibiting antioxidant, antimicrobial, and health-promoting properties. This review explores the antimicrobial potential of coffee by-products, with particular emphasis on their chemical composition and mechanisms of action. Compounds such as caffeine, chlorogenic acids, polyphenols, and melanoidins have demonstrated inhibitory effects against a broad spectrum of bacteria, including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Many of these compounds, which originate from plant’s defensive system or result from Maillard reactions, are known to disrupt microbial membranes, inhibit DNA repair, and interfere with pathogen metabolism. However, the available literature on their antimicrobial effectiveness remains limited. In the context of the rising worldwide concern over antimicrobial resistance, coffee by-products represent a sustainable and promising source of novel antimicrobial agents. Their valorization may support advances in food preservation, pharmaceutical innovation, and waste management practices, contributing to the implementation of a circular economy framework in the coffee industry while promoting environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Full article

This paper systematically reviews losartan, a hypertension pharmaceutical compound that is one of many newly identified emerging contaminants in water. Worldwide use of pharmaceuticals continues to grow, and losartan has been identified as a contaminant that frequently accumulates in aquatic systems as a result of this global increase in use. The paper presents systematic reviews on the environmental occurrence, physicochemical characteristics, analytical methods of detection, and remediation techniques associated with losartan contamination. Losartan is often detected at levels of ng L⁻¹–µg L⁻¹ in wastewater systems, surface water and marine ecosystems, very effectively demonstrating the inadequacies of existing conventional wastewater treatment facilities, which are typically capable of removing only 20–70% of the contamination, with this variability largely attributed to differences in hydraulic/solids retention times, operational conditions, influent organic load, and the limited microbial acclimatization to recalcitrant pharmaceutical compounds. Emerging remediation technologies demonstrate the potential for removal efficiencies of >90% include hybrid systems, advanced electrochemical processes, new improved adsorption systems, and novel material for adsorption. However, there are still considerable barriers to progress, including excessive energy use, high operating costs, and perhaps most concerning, potentially toxic transition products generated by partial degradation. Furthermore, the literature review identified key literature gaps: lack of specific regulations, absence of full-scale studies, and inconsistencies in by-product toxicity assessments. The conclusion of this review is that to achieve worldwide water security and sustainability of aquatic resources, effective mitigation of the environmental risks associated with losartan requires combined approaches comprising innovative technologies, comprehensive ecotoxicological investigations, and improved collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and industry. Full article

A Fixed-dose combination (FDC) therapy of ezetimibe (EZT) and atorvastatin (ATV) is increasingly prescribed for high-risk hyperlipidemic patients with cardiovascular disease. However, the pharmaceutical production of FDC EZT/ATV tablets often results in poor ATV dissolution under acidic conditions, failing to meet regulatory requirements. This study aimed to improve ATV dissolution in acidic media through nanosuspension (NS) technology and microenvironmental pH modification. The experimental stages included preparation and characterization of ATV-NS, optimization of FDC EZT/ATV-nanocrystal tablets with pH modifiers, and evaluation of dissolution similarity (f₂) against the innovator product Atozet^®. ATV-NS was prepared via sonication and high-pressure homogenization using different stabilizers. Poloxamer 188-stabilized ATV-NS demonstrated optimal stability (particle size: 466.6 ± 8.9 nm; polydispersity index: 0.12 ± 0.10; zeta potential: −44.20 ± 0.06 mV) and significantly enhanced solubility (p < 0.05) compared with pure ATV. FDC EZT/ATV-nanocrystal tablets incorporating pH modifiers achieved f₂ values for ATV of 52.36, 51.31, and 51.09 in NaCl/HCl pH 1.2, acetate buffer pH 4.5, and phosphate buffer pH 6.8, respectively. In contrast, EZT exhibited f₂ values of 18.18, 16.72, and 14.66 (acceptable range: 50–100). Although complete profile similarity was not obtained for EZT, ATV dissolution in acidic media improved significantly (p < 0.05), supporting the feasibility of developing a bioequivalent generic FDC EZT/ATV tablet. Full article

The pharmaceutical development of cannabis-based medicinal products is challenged by significant variability in the quality, composition, and standardization of plant-derived active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). In Ukraine, despite recent legislative liberalization, a substantial shortage of standardized raw materials continues to limit the development of innovative dosage forms. This study analyses international practices among API manufacturers to identify technological parameters necessary to overcome domestic market barriers and support the implementation of advanced drug delivery systems. Content analysis was conducted on regulatory documentation, professional literature, and manufacturers’ technical specifications. Candidate evaluation followed predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study assessed compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements, extraction and purification technologies, the extent of analytical characterization, and batch-to-batch reproducibility. Purposive sampling enabled a comparative analysis of various technological approaches. Marked heterogeneity was observed in API standardization and analytical control indicators among manufacturers. Possession of a GMP certificate was found necessary but may be insufficient to ensure the pharmaceutical equivalence of materials. Differences in extraction methods and purification levels may affect stability profiles, pharmaceutical development strategies, and risk management related to final product quality. The findings demonstrate that manufacturer selection is a critical decision point in pharmaceutical development, with substantiated supplier choice directly influencing dosage form development and regulatory compliance. 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

In recent years, the search for sustainable, bio-based alternatives to synthetic chemicals has intensified, positioning plant essential oils (EOs) at the forefront of applied phytochemical research. The following collection of ten articles from different geographical regions, published in Plants as part of the Special Issue “Plant Essential Oil with Biological Activity: 3rd Edition,” covers various aspects of recent scientific research on plant EOs, ranging from chemotaxonomy to green biocides, with particular emphasis on chemical composition and functional properties. Further attention is given to specific predominant single constituents and their bio-selectivity, modes of action, and innovative applications in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, particularly against major diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s. Full article