Search Results (881)

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a neglected tropical infection with limited therapeutic options and significant drug-related toxicity. Endophytic fungi are emerging as sustainable sources of bioactive metabolites with potential antiparasitic activity. In this study, endophytic fungi isolated from the medicinal plant Lippia alba were screened for trypanocidal activity. Crude extracts from seven isolates were tested against epimastigote and amastigote forms of T. cruzi, together with cytotoxicity assays in J774A.1 murine macrophages. The crude extract of Montagnula sp. exhibited the strongest trypanocidal activity (IC₅₀ = 22.1 ± 0.5 μg/mL for epimastigotes and 29.2 ± 3.0 μg/mL for amastigotes), comparable to benznidazole, with low toxicity (CC₅₀ > 600 μg/mL) and a high selectivity index (>26). Morphological and mitochondrial analyses demonstrated preservation of host-cell integrity and mitochondrial function, in contrast to the reference drug. UHPLC-ESI-HRMS profiling identified phenolic and terpenoid compounds, including caffeic acid, ferulic acid, naringenin, apigenin, and ursolic acid, which may underlie the observed biological activity. To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of trypanocidal activity in an endophytic Montagnula species and highlights endophytic fungi as promising platforms for the discovery of novel anti-T. cruzi agents. Full article

This study evaluates the influence of seasonal harvesting conditions on biomass productivity, oil yield, and biodiesel-related FAME composition of native microalgae—predominantly Chlorella sp., with minor populations of Scenedesmus and Ankistrodesmus—cultivated in an open raceway pond integrated into a pig-slurry biogas plant in Soria, Spain. Processing biomass harvested across four seasons showed that oven drying at 45 °C yields stable seasonal biomass concentrations around 7.80–8.80 g/L, while extended outdoor air-drying during spring and summer reduces yields to 2.86 and 4.33 g/L due to the absence of active growth conditions. Lipids extracted via the Soxhlet method using a dichloromethane: methanol mixture (9:1 v/v) exhibited a wide range of 2.5–18.9 g oil per 100 g dry biomass. Marked seasonal variations were observed: winter samples demonstrated an outstanding lipid accumulation capability, yielding the highest oil production (18.9 g/100 g biomass and 1.47 g/L) and a crude ester content reaching 60.75% FAMEs, which reached a maximum of 93.3 wt.% after purification via column chromatography. Conversely, spring, summer, and autumn samples suffered from limited lipid accumulation, with dry-basis oil yields remaining below 4.2 g/100 g biomass. Extensive characterization confirmed that the residual biomass has limited application as a solid fuel because of its low higher heating values (<10 MJ/kg⁻¹) and exceptionally high ash contents, which climbed from 15.98–60.02% to 41.14–51.91% after extraction. Full article

Medicinal plants are a rich source of biologically active compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, ellagitannins and other secondary metabolites. However, the contribution of specific groups of phenolic compounds to antiproliferative activity remains insufficiently clarified. This study extends our previous crude-extract screening by evaluating whether C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE) fractions with different phenolic profiles are associated with different antiproliferative responses. In parallel, extraction strategies were compared to assess method-dependent changes in phenolic recovery and antioxidant capacity, and an additional single-species vegetation-stage analysis of Chamaenerion angustifolium L. Holub was performed to evaluate harvest-stage effects. Phytochemical characterisation was performed using spectrophotometric assays and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses. Among the tested extraction methods, 75% (v/v) methanol in water was the most effective conventional solvent, and ultrasound-assisted extraction yielded the highest overall TPC (total phenolic content), TFC (total flavonoid content), and RSA (radical scavenging activity) values. Vegetation stage analysis of C. angustifolium L. Holub revealed significant variation in phenolic content and antioxidant activity, with the highest levels observed at the beginning of the flowering. Antiproliferative activity was assessed against five cancer cell lines (4T1, A549, Caki-1, HCT116 and MCF7), while HEK-293 cells were used as an immortalised non-cancerous reference model for general cytotoxicity evaluation. Linear mixed-model analysis confirmed a significant incubation-time effect in all tested cancer cell lines, with IC₅₀ values generally decreasing after prolonged exposure. Statistically significant F2-F3 differences were plant-dependent. The 30% (v/v) methanol in water fraction (F2), enriched in oenothein B in C. angustifolium L., showed stronger antiproliferative activity, whereas the 60% (v/v) methanol in water fraction (F3) showed stronger activity in Quercus robur L., Juglans nigra L., Juglans regia L., and Solidago canadensis L. These findings indicate that antiproliferative activity was associated with the qualitative and quantitative composition of the selected phenolic-rich SPE fractions rather than with a single universal fraction effect. All tested fractions exhibited lower cytotoxicity toward HEK-293 cells under the applied conditions; however, claims of selectivity should be confirmed using additional normal or primary cell models. Overall, the findings clarify the role of extraction strategy, harvest stage and targeted fractionation in linking phenolic composition with biological activity. Full article

The narrow-clawed crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus), a non-native species accidentally introduced into China’s Irtysh River Basin, has formed a wild population with aquaculture potential, but its natural diet and protein utilization remain poorly understood. This study investigated its feeding ecology and digestive responses to protein sources to support ecological assessment and feed formulation. Intestinal contents and muscle samples from wild crayfish were analyzed using eDNA metabarcoding and fatty acid signature analysis. In vitro digestibility of 10 protein ingredients was evaluated with crude digestive enzyme extracts, and a 4-week trial compared an all-plant-protein diet (PPD) with an all-animal-protein diet (APD). eDNA indicated an omnivorous diet dominated by planktonic taxa, especially Rotifera, and fatty acid biomarkers suggested contributions from diatoms, dinoflagellates, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthic organisms. Soybean meal and soy protein concentrate showed high dry matter digestibility, whereas fishmeal and krill meal had high crude protein digestibility and amino acid release. Compared with PPD, APD increased feed intake, apparent nutrient digestibility, hemolymph nutritional indicators, villus height, and intestinal trypsin and lipase activities; however, intestinal integrity was preserved in both groups, and most intestinal antioxidant indices did not differ significantly. These findings indicate that animal proteins enhance nutrient utilization in P. leptodactylus, while selected plant proteins may serve as partial alternatives. Full article

The replacement of fishmeal with plant-based ingredients in aquafeeds, while economically and environmentally advantageous, can impair lipid metabolism and liver function in fish due to the lack of specific bioactive compounds such as bile acids (BAs). BAs are amphipathic steroid molecules that facilitate lipid digestion and act as signaling hormones, yet their optimal inclusion levels in conventional, balanced diets for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) remain undefined. This study evaluated the effects of dietary BA inclusion on growth performance, feed efficiency, body composition, and serum biochemical parameters of juvenile Nile tilapia (GIFT strain, initial weight 18.04 ± 3.67 g) and estimated the optimal inclusion level. Six isoproteic (320 g kg⁻¹) and isoenergetic (3300 kcal kg⁻¹) plant-based diets were formulated with increasing BAs levels (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 600 mg kg⁻¹) and fed to quadruplicate groups for 45 days. Only the Linear Response Plateau (LRP) model converged for weight gain data, estimating the optimal BA level at 479.70 mg kg⁻¹, with a plateau weight gain of 76.60 g. Inclusion of the 50–600 mg kg⁻¹ BAs significantly improved specific growth rate (up to 4.53%), crude protein retention efficiency (up to 81.11%), and whole-body crude protein content (up to 50.52%) compared to the control (p < 0.05). Fish fed 200 mg kg⁻¹ BAs exhibited the highest protein retention and lowest ether extract deposition, indicating a protein sparing effect. Serum lipase activity increased proportionally with BAs levels, while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were reduced at 400 mg kg⁻¹ BAs, reflecting improved liver health. No mortality was recorded. In conclusion, dietary BAs inclusion enhances growth, protein utilization, and hepatic function in juvenile Nile tilapia fed plant-based diets. The recommended optimal level is 479.70 mg kg⁻¹ (dry matter basis), although significant benefits already occur from 50 mg kg⁻¹. These findings support the strategic use of BAs to improve the sustainability and efficiency of tilapia production. Full article

Vicia villosa Roth is an excellent green manure crop and offers promising applications in green agricultural production and bioactive substance exploitation. In this study, crude polysaccharides (VVP) were prepared from V. villosa using water extraction and alcohol precipitation. Single-factor experiments combined with Box–Behnken response surface methodology were employed to optimize the decolorization process of VVP with AB-8 macroporous resin. The optimal conditions were determined as follows: a resin-to-sample ratio of 1:140 (m/m), decolorization temperature of 78 °C, and a decolorization time of 300 min. Under these conditions, the decolorization rate reached 67.36% and the polysaccharide retention rate was 61.85%, with a relative error of only 2.1% between the model-predicted and experimental values. In vitro antioxidant assays showed that VVP possessed strong antioxidant activity. At a concentration of 2 mg/mL, the DPPH radical scavenging rate of VVP was 91.9%, and the ABTS+ radical scavenging rate reached 96% at 8 mg/mL. Moreover, VVP promoted crop growth and markedly alleviated the inhibition of salt stress on root development. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating that V. villosa crude polysaccharide extract simultaneously possesses strong antioxidant activity, salt-stress alleviation capacity, and plant growth-promoting effects, highlighting their potential as natural antioxidants and agricultural biostimulants. Full article

Background/Objective: Accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) senile plaques in the human brain is a major hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which manifests as progressive decline in memory and cognitive functions and currently lacks effective disease-modifying therapies. Emerging evidence demonstrates that polyphenol-rich plant foods are potential complementary therapies for AD. Methods: In this study, we investigated crude polyphenol extracts (CPEs) and purified polyphenol extracts (PPEs) from three sorghum genotypes for their ability to inhibit Aβ₄₂-induced toxicity in MC-65 cells. Thioflavin T fluorescence, cell viability, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress assays, and Western blotting, along with RNA sequencing and computational analyses, were used to characterise both functional and transcriptomic responses of the cells to polyphenol treatments. Results: CPEs and PPEs inhibited Aβ₄₂ aggregation by 67–76% and significantly reduced Aβ oligomer species. The extracts increased cell viability against Aβ-induced toxicity by more than 70%, decreased intracellular oxidative stress, and enhanced mitochondrial activity by over 80%. Transcriptomic profiling revealed differential modulation of genes associated with ferroptosis and MAPK/NF- κB signalling pathways, indicating regulation of inflammatory and oxidative-stress responses are mechanisms underlying the observed neuroprotection. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that polyphenol extracts from black and red sorghum genotypes exert strong multitarget neuroprotection against Aβ₄₂ toxicity in MC-65 cells. These findings support further evaluation of sorghum-derived polyphenols as complementary therapeutic candidates for AD, with in vivo studies required to establish efficacy and translational potential. Full article

To exploit medicinal and edible plant resources, this study investigated the extraction, structural characterization, and in vitro digestion of Elaeagnus angustifolia polysaccharide (EAP). Despite the nutritional value of this polysaccharide, its digestive properties remain unclear. Ultrasound-assisted extraction was optimized via response surface methodology. Crude EAP was purified by AB-8 macroporous resin purification and decolorization, followed by deproteinization and dialysis. The purified product (91.07% total sugar; 2.37% protein) was characterized by ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and its digestion profile was assessed using a three-stage in vitro model (INFOGEST 2.0). Under optimal conditions, the crude polysaccharide yield (based on ethanol-precipitated solid; 87.83% total sugar) reached 2.44 ± 0.01%. EAP was identified as a pyranose-type polysaccharide, with glucose, mannose, and galactose as the predominant monosaccharides (relative molar proportions, 0.470:0.199:0.081, normalized to the total detected monosaccharides), with a weight-average molecular weight of 1.739 × 10⁵ g·mol⁻¹. In vitro digestion revealed negligible digestibility in the oral phase (0%), and low digestibility in the gastric (0.55%) and intestinal (2.76%) phases, with a cumulative digestibility of 3.30%. This marked resistance to gastrointestinal digestion indicates EAP is a partially digestible polysaccharide with potential prebiotic properties. The demonstrated resistance to gastrointestinal breakdown provides a theoretical basis for the high-value utilization of EAP in functional foods as a potential fermentable substrate for gut microbiota modulation. Full article

Papaver nudicaule L. is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Asian ethnomedicine, yet its phytochemical composition and biological activity remain insufficiently explored. This study bridges phytochemistry and neuroactive potential. It includes metabolite profiling with bioactivity-guided fractionation, performed to evaluate its potential as a source of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. The methanolic extract of the aerial parts was analysed using HPLC–ESI–QTOF-MS/MS, which enabled the tentative identification of 34 compounds, predominantly isoquinoline alkaloids and flavonoid derivatives. The extract was subsequently fractionated by centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) using an optimised biphasic solvent system, yielding fractions enriched in alkaloid constituents. The obtained fractions were evaluated for AChE inhibitory activity, revealing significantly higher activity than that of the crude extract. The most active fractions exhibited marked inhibition based on the comparison with the reference compound berberine, indicating effective enrichment of bioactive metabolites. Further analysis demonstrated that the activity of the most potent fraction was associated with the presence of amurensinine, which was purified by preparative HPLC and subsequently identified by NMR and LC-MS. The Papaver nudicaule extract showed no significant cytotoxicity toward SH-SY5Y neuronal cells up to 200 µg/mL, whereas the amurensinine-containing fraction reduced cell viability only at higher concentrations (≥100 µg/mL). Notably, when expressed in the micromolar range, this effect corresponds to relatively weak cytotoxicity, suggesting a potential safety margin at lower, biologically relevant concentrations. These findings demonstrate that P. nudicaule possesses a highly diverse alkaloid profile and represents a promising natural source of compounds with potential relevance for the development of agents targeting neurodegenerative disorders. Full article

Enteric methane (CH₄) emissions from ruminants are a significant contributor to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and represent an increasing concern in African livestock systems. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of tannin-rich plants as a dietary strategy for mitigating enteric CH₄ emissions in African ruminant production systems. The review followed PRISMA guidelines and included peer-reviewed original studies published between 2015 and 2025 that investigated tannin-rich plant interventions in cattle, sheep, or goats within African production systems. Eligible studies comprised both in vivo feeding trials and in vitro rumen fermentation experiments. Studies were included if they reported enteric CH₄ or greenhouse gas-related outcomes, while reviews, modeling studies, non-ruminant studies, and studies without CH₄-related outcomes were excluded. A total of eight eligible studies were identified, all conducted in South Africa despite the Africa-wide scope of the review. Overall, tannin-rich plant interventions showed potential to reduce CH₄ emissions, although the magnitude and consistency of responses varied depending on tannin type, source, inclusion level, form of administration, and dietary context. Purified and encapsulated tannin extracts generally produced more consistent CH₄ reductions than crude or whole-plant sources. Responses also differed between controlled total mixed ration systems and forage-based feeding systems. However, the small number of studies and their strong geographic concentration limit broader generalization across the continent. In conclusion, tannin-rich plants show promise as a natural CH₄ mitigation strategy in ruminants, but more regionally distributed and methodologically robust studies are needed across Africa to strengthen the evidence base. Full article

Monieziosis presents a considerable challenge to livestock farming, mainly due to the parasite’s resistance to common anthelmintics, prompting the need for alternative control strategies. This study examined the in vitro effect of two enzymatic sources (plant and fungal) on the structural integrity of Moniezia expansa eggs, aiming to find new environmental management solutions. The plant enzyme papain was tested at various concentrations and time points, while the fungal enzyme was produced through solid-state fermentation using Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001), resulting in an active crude enzymatic extract (ACEE). Papain at 10% w/v showed nonlinear degradation (R² = 0.998), achieving 95% egg reduction after 48 h. The fungal extract ACEE (71.2 U mL⁻¹) caused a 60% reduction after 72 h. Morphological studies indicated significant eggshell damage following both treatments. A compatibility assay showed an antagonistic interaction, with enzyme activity decreasing by 83.83% within 48 h, likely due to cross-proteolysis. Although each agent is effective individually, combining them is not feasible. This is the first study documenting the activity of ACEE and papain against M. expansa eggs, and it recommends using them separately or sequentially for effective parasite control. Full article

Vitex madiensis Oliv. (Lamiaceae) is a species growing in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. In several African countries, the different organs of this plant, leaves, fruits, stem bark and roots are used in folk medicine for the treatment of headaches, toothaches, aches and pains. In this study, we investigated the phytochemical profile of Vitex madiensis leaf extracts using LC-MS. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of crude extracts, fractions, and pure molecules was evaluated using reactive oxygen species (ROSs) production assays and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition assays. A bio-guided fractionation was carried out to identify the most active fractions and resulted in the isolation of four phytoecdysteroids from the n-butanol fraction: 20-hydroxyecdysone, ajugasterone C, vitexirone, and pterosterone. 20-hydroxyecdysone showed very good anti-inflammatory properties with a significant reduction of more than 70% of COX-2 expression in induced LPS-stimulated human blood leukocytes compared to the control. This study confirmed the therapeutic potential of phytoecdysteroids. Full article

Vitex rotundifolia is a medicinal plant rich in terpenoids and flavonoids, whereas the liverwort Ptychanthus striatus represents an underexplored bryophyte source of specialized metabolites. In this study, a bioassay-guided phytochemical investigation of Vietnamese V. rotundifolia leaves and P. striatus was conducted to identify natural inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro). The crude methanol extracts and selected fractions showed inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, thereby guiding subsequent chromatographic separation. Thirteen compounds, including diterpenoids, lupane-type triterpenoids, and flavonoids, were isolated from V. rotundifolia, while ten terpenoid, phenolic, bibenzyl, and bisbibenzyl-type metabolites were obtained from P. striatus. Most isolated compounds are reported from these species for the first time, and compound P8 from P. striatus is described as a new natural product. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. Among them, chrysoplenol D was the most potent inhibitor, with an IC₅₀ value of 0.08 ± 0.01 µM, followed by selected phenolic/bibenzyl-type metabolites from P. striatus and other flavonoid derivatives from V. rotundifolia. Most diterpenoids showed weak or negligible inhibition. Molecular docking studies supported the experimental results by showing that representative active compounds could bind within the catalytic pocket of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and interact with key residues, including His41, Gly143, and Cys145. These findings expand the phytochemical knowledge of Vietnamese V. rotundifolia and P. striatus and highlight chrysoplenol D and related flavonoid or bibenzyl-type natural products as promising scaffolds for further development of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors. Full article

Mucormycosis is a devastating invasive fungal infection primarily caused by Mucor and Rhizopus species, presenting significant clinical challenges due to limited therapeutic options and emerging drug resistance in opportunistic yeasts such as Candida albicans. This study explores foliar endophytic fungi from Thai medicinal plants as potential reservoirs for novel bioactive metabolites targeting both fungal growth and virulence factors. We report the first isolation of Fusarium proliferatum as an endophyte from Lantana camara L. foliage (voucher number 01562), with its identity confirmed through morphological characterization and sequencing of the fungal ITS4/ITS5 regions. Antifungal susceptibility testing showed potent activity against a panel of environmental Mucorales, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.3 to 1 mg/L. In dual-culture assays, F. proliferatum demonstrated significant mycelial inhibition rates of 93.30% to 93.67% against Mucor spp. and 88.67% to 93.67% against Rhizopus spp. Furthermore, the crude extract exhibited a potent anti-virulence effect by suppressing the C. albicans yeast-to-hyphal transition, achieving up to 68% germination inhibition in resistant strains. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis identified 51 secondary metabolites, including the cyclic peptide beauvericin and various polyketides and indole derivatives. These findings suggest that F. proliferatum utilizes metabolic mimicry and adaptive synergy with its host plant to produce a diverse chemical arsenal. This study positions foliar endophytes of L. camara as promising candidates for the development of dual-action therapeutics to combat invasive and resistant mycoses. Full article

Insects, such as the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) and the armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta), and nematodes, including the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) and the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), are major agricultural pests. Essential oils (EOs) from aromatic plants are promising botanical pesticides due to their bioactivity. This study evaluated the in vitro effects of EOs from Origanum vulgare, Thymus vulgaris, Ocimum gratissimum, Mentha pulegium, and Cinnamomum cassia, and their main compounds (carvacrol, thymol, eugenol, pulegone, and trans-cinnamaldehyde, respectively), on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and α- and β-glucosidases using crude enzyme extracts. All EOs inhibited AChE, with no significant effects on glucosidases. M. pulegium EO showed the strongest inhibition in C. capitata (IC₅₀ = 0.022 mg/mL) and B. xylophilus (IC₅₀ = 0.1209 mg/mL), while C. cassia EO was most effective against M. unipuncta (IC₅₀ = 0.0020 mg/mL) and M. incognita (IC₅₀ = 0.0197 mg/mL). In silico analysis revealed selective inhibition of insect AChE by EO-derived compounds, with insignificant effects on electric eel AChE, supporting species-specific interactions. These findings highlight EOs as selective, neurotargeting, and sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Full article