Search Results (12,537)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation in which excessive cell death and the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) such as high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) amplify mucosal injury. Although necrosis—particularly regulated forms including necroptosis and ferroptosis—has emerged as a contributor to IBD pathogenesis, the therapeutic potential of targeting necrotic cell death remains incompletely explored. We investigated whether MIT-001 (previously known as NecroX-7), a mitochondria-targeted reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger with anti-necrotic activity, ameliorates intestinal inflammation in an acute dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model. In vitro, MIT-001 reduced hydrogen peroxide-induced necrotic cell death in IEC-18 intestinal epithelial cells and was associated with a qualitative reduction in the 55-kDa cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) fragment (a marker of necrosis), with no apparent change in the apoptosis-related 89-kDa fragment. In vivo, oral administration of MIT-001 to C57BL/6 mice with DSS-induced colitis was associated with preservation of colon length, reduced histological injury, and a marked decrease in HMGB1-positive cells in colonic tissue. Among pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β expression was significantly reduced, while IL-12, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and TNF-α showed non-significant downward trends. These findings indicate that MIT-001 ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in association with reduced HMGB1 and IL-1β expression, supporting further investigation of mitochondria-targeted anti-necrotic strategies as a potential adjunctive approach in IBD. Full article

Soybean residue, a major by-product of soy milk and tofu processing, is a large-yield and nutrient-rich substrate, but it is currently experiencing low utilization rates. In this study, a prodigiosin-producing strain, Serratia marcescens BD2025, was isolated from naturally fermented soybean residue. Subsequently, prodigiosin was produced by solid-state fermentation of soybean residue, and the fermentation conditions were further optimized by a Box–Behnken (BBD) model involving the soybean residue-to-water ratio, inoculum size, and temperature. Under the optimized conditions of a soybean residue-to-water ratio of 1:4.28, an inoculum size of 5.2%, and cultivation at 27.5 °C for 48 h, the prodigiosin yield reached 19.05 mg/g. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that the major pigment peak had a retention time comparable to that of a prodigiosin standard, with an estimated purity of 96% based on peak area normalization. The results show that prodigiosin remains relatively stable at below 40 °C, in acidic conditions, and in darkness. The extracted prodigiosin inhibited both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with stronger activity against S. aureus. The scavenging ability of DPPH radical was dose-dependent, with the scavenging activity of 93.13% at 5 mg/mL. These findings indicate that soybean residue can serve as a solid-state fermentation substrate for prodigiosin production and provide a basis for the value-added utilization of soybean-processing residues. Full article

In traditional Chinese medicine, Symplocos chinensis (Lour.) Druce is a well-known herbal remedy prescribed to treat malaria, snakebites, and thermal injuries (burns and scalds). The objective of this study was to characterize the volatile profile of S. chinensis essential oil (EO) and evaluate its therapeutic potential through antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and β-lactamase inhibitory assays. The major components of S. chinensis EO included squalene (12.08%), octanol (7.01%), edulan III (6.81%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (6.81%), geranylacetone (4.80%), β-longipinene (4.60%), 2-methyl-1-octene (2.55%), (E, E)-2,4-decadienal (2.15%), and linalool (2.00%). Antioxidant evaluation revealed that the S. chinensis EO possessed relatively moderate radical scavenging properties, achieving 39.6% inhibition of DPPH radicals at 10 mg/mL, while its activity against ABTS radicals yielded an IC₅₀ of 6.85 ± 1.97 mg/mL. Its reducing power, as determined by the FRAP assay, was further quantified at 175.50 ± 23.25 µmol/g. Furthermore, the EO exhibited inhibitory activities against AChE (IC₅₀ = 149.40 ± 16.92 μg/mL) and β-lactamase (IC₅₀ = 30.20 ± 0.84 μg/mL). These results demonstrate that S. chinensis EO exhibits antioxidant, AChE-inhibitory, and β-lactamase-inhibitory activities in vitro, warranting further comprehensive, systematic studies to evaluate its biological properties and potential applications. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding white mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruit to extruded corn snacks on their polyphenol profile, antioxidant properties, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity and the preservation of phenolic compounds in an in vitro digestion model. Mixtures of corn grits with 0, 10, 15 and 20% dried mulberry fruit were extruded at temperatures of 100, 120 and 140 °C, and then the total polyphenol content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ for DPPH) were determined. For selected samples (0%, 140—3E; 15% mulberry, 140—9E; mulberry—13E), further antioxidant tests (FRAP, CUPRAC, Fe²⁺ chelation) were performed, the phenolic compound profile (UHPLC) and AChE inhibition were assessed, and a two-step in vitro digestion was conducted. The addition of mulberry significantly increased TPC- and free-radical-scavenging capacity compared to the control sample, with snacks containing 15% mulberry extruded at 140 °C showing approximately a 3.5-fold higher TPC than the control, while dried mulberry fruit itself exhibited about a five-fold higher TPC than this enriched snack. Among the snacks, the most favorable DPPH-radical-scavenging effect was obtained for the variant with 20% mulberry at 120 °C (IC₅₀ = 0.176 mg/mL), whereas the mulberry fruit extract reached an IC₅₀ of 0.0926 mg/mL. In a two-step in vitro digestion model, the mulberry-enriched snack with 15% fruit retained 69.3% of its initial TPC after the gastric phase and 33.3% after the intestinal phase, compared with 55.0% and 20.0%, respectively, for the control snack, confirming a partial but meaningful preservation of phenolic compounds under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. UHPLC analysis confirmed that mulberry and the enriched snacks are a rich source of chlorogenic acids and their isomers, as well as quercetin and kaempferol glycosides, which largely survived the two-step in vitro digestion, despite an observed decrease in TPC after the gastric stage and a further reduction after the intestinal stage. At the same time, mulberry extract and mulberry-enriched snacks exhibited high antioxidant activity in all tests conducted and in vitro AChE inhibitory activity, suggesting that Morus alba L. fruit has the potential to be used as a natural functional ingredient in the production of gluten-free snacks with antioxidant and potentially neuroprotective properties. Full article

Water-soluble blue microbial pigments with antioxidant activity remain rare, and their host-level protective mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we identified the genetic basis of blue pigment biosynthesis in the glacier-derived strain Arthrobacter antioxidans QL17. Heavy-ion mutagenesis yielded a hyperpigmented mutant (M157) and a pigment-deficient mutant (M186), and pigment yield was positively associated with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) tolerance. Genome mining identified MWM45_RS16760 as the sole core biosynthetic gene in a candidate nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)-like cluster. The encoded protein displayed an adenylation–peptidyl carrier protein–thioesterase (A-PCP-TE) architecture with a predicted L-glutamine-specific A domain, and its transcript abundance paralleled pigment production across the three strains. Phylogenetic analysis placed MWM45_RS16760 in a distinct actinomycete-associated indigoidine-like lineage separated from the characterized BpsA and IndC branches. Heterologous expression in Escherichia coli reconstructed a blue-pigment-producing phenotype, increased H₂O₂ tolerance, and was accompanied by enhanced extracellular DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activities in the culture supernatant. Comparative transcriptomics further revealed coordinated activation of oxidative-stress and proteostasis responses alongside repression of tryptophan biosynthesis and flagellar assembly. These findings identify MWM45_RS16760 as a candidate indigoidine-like NRPS associated with blue pigment biosynthesis and oxidative-stress resistance, with heterologous expression linked to enhanced radical scavenging and coordinated transcriptional reprogramming, expanding the phylogenetic and functional diversity of indigoidine-like systems. Full article

Chronic ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation drives cutaneous photoaging—clinically manifesting as erythema, edema, scaling, deep wrinkling, loss of elasticity, and barrier disruption—through mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) overproduction and quality-control failure. Here we identify α-ketoglutarate (AKG; also known as 2-oxoglutarate), a TCA-cycle intermediate and essential co-substrate for α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases (α-KGDDs), as a metabolic corrector of mitochondrial redox homeostasis in UVB-induced photoaging. In a 10-week chronic UVB SKH1 hairless mouse model, microneedle-assisted transdermal delivery of AKG dose-dependently attenuated macroscopic erythema, scaling, and erosive lesions, restored skin barrier function and dermal elasticity, preserved epidermal–dermal architecture, and protected collagen and elastic fiber integrity, with efficacy comparable to all-trans retinoic acid. Mechanistically, AKG reactivated α-KGDD/prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) catalytic function and promoted proteasomal clearance of aberrantly stabilized HIF-1α under normoxia; this was accompanied by restored AMPK Thr172 phosphorylation downstream of constitutive LKB1 and recovery of PGC-1α-driven mitochondrial biogenesis. AKG preferentially attenuated mitochondrial superoxide over total cellular ROS through a co-substrate-mediated mechanism distinct from direct radical scavenging, and its protective effects were largely abrogated by DMOG (an α-KGDD inhibitor) or compound C (an AMPK inhibitor). These findings position AKG, delivered via microneedle-assisted topical application, as a candidate metabolite-based intervention targeting the α-KGDD/HIF-1α/AMPK axis for photoaging. Full article

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a highly prevalent metabolic disorder and a major public health concern. Pioglitazone, a widely used antidiabetic agent, exhibits limited therapeutic efficiency due to poor water solubility and suboptimal pharmacokinetic properties. Similarly, curcumin (Cur), a natural polyphenol with pleiotropic biological activities, is hindered by low oral bioavailability. In this study, chitosan-based nanocarriers were developed for the delivery of pioglitazone (CS-Pio NPs), curcumin (CS-Cur NPs), and their co-encapsulation (CS-Pio-Cur NPs), aiming to enhance their biological performance and therapeutic efficacy. The co-loaded nanosystem (CS-Pio-Cur NPs) demonstrated significantly enhanced antioxidant activity, as evidenced by DPPH (71.29 ± 0.09%), ABTS (86.08 ± 0.04%), and hydroxyl radical scavenging (87.08 ± 0.06%) assays, along with a strong reducing capacity (IC₅₀ = 25.39 ± 0.23 μg/mL). In a diabetic rat model, CS-Pio-Cur NPs significantly reduced blood glucose level and HbA1c (6.60 ± 0.83%), while also improving liver and kidney function parameters and lipid profile. These findings suggest that co-delivery of Pio and Cur via CS-based nanocarriers provides a combined therapeutic effect by simultaneously targeting hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and associated metabolic dysfunctions. This nanosystem represents a promising approach for improving the management of DM and its complications. Full article

Satureja nepeta essential oil (EO) is gaining prominence for its multifaceted pharmacological and biotechnological potential. This study aimed to characterize its volatile profile and evaluate its functional capacity as an antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiproliferative agent. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) profiling was conducted to identify the volatile constituents of the EO. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, TAC, and FRAP assays. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens using disk diffusion and MIC determination. In silico molecular docking against bacterial DNA gyrase B was performed to explore potential mechanisms of action. Antiproliferative activity was assessed on the P3X63Ag8.653 myeloma cell line. Chemical profiling identified nine major constituents, dominated by pulegone (68.63%), menthol (6.64%), and cis-pulegol (2.04%). The EO demonstrated significant free radical-scavenging activity, particularly in the TAC assay (EC₅₀ = 3.747 ± 0.577 µg/mL). Antimicrobial evaluations revealed robust inhibitory effects, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica exhibiting the highest susceptibility. In silico modeling corroborated these findings, identifying menthol as the lead ligand (ΔG = −6.09 kcal/mol), suggesting a synergistic mechanism of action. Notably, the EO displayed potent antiproliferative activity (LC₅₀ = 14.060 ± 1.364 µg/mL), falling well within the high-cytotoxicity threshold. Collectively, these findings underscore the pharmacological significance of S. nepeta EO as a potent reservoir of bioactive monoterpenes with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties, meriting further in vivo validation and mechanistic exploration toward its development as a therapeutic or nutraceutical candidate. Full article

High-frequency ultrasound-assisted activation of peracetic acid (PAA) was investigated as a tunable advanced oxidation process for the removal of organic pollutants from water. Sunset Yellow FCF (SSY), a representative anionic azo dye, was used as a probe contaminant in a 425 kHz sonoreactor to clarify the roles of PAA speciation, acoustic cavitation, dissolved gases, oxidant dose, acoustic power, and initial pH. UV spectroscopic analysis showed that PAA exhibits pH-dependent far-UV absorbance associated with acid-base speciation and peroxide equilibria, while ultrasonication promoted simultaneous PAA activation and H₂O₂ accumulation. Compared with PAA alone and ultrasound alone, the combined US/PAA process markedly enhanced SSY decolorization. Under natural conditions, 5 mg/L SSY and 5 mM PAA were completely decolorized within 210 min, with an initial rate of 0.116 mg/L·min, compared with 0.078 and 0.0086 mg/L·min for ultrasound and PAA alone, respectively. The corresponding synergy ratio and synergy index were 1.5 and 1.34. The process exhibited tunable reaction-pathway control, with two favorable pH windows: a strongly acidic region, where interfacial HO^•-driven sonochemistry and PAA stability are favored, and a mildly alkaline region, where PAA deprotonation promotes peracetate-driven acyl/peroxyl radical-chain propagation. Oxygen saturation improved performance, whereas CO₂ suppressed cavitation-driven activation. Increasing PAA concentration and acoustic power enhanced removal up to practical limits, beyond which radical scavenging and diminishing sonochemical returns became evident. Beyond demonstrating enhanced decolorization, this study distinguishes US/PAA from previously reported UV/PAA, transition-metal/PAA, and ultrasound-only systems by showing how 425 kHz cavitation converts PAA into a tunable hybrid HO^•/acyl–peroxyl radical network. The main contribution is a mechanistic operating map that links PAA speciation, sonochemical peroxide accumulation, dissolved gas chemistry, acoustic power, oxidant dose, and pH to pollutant-removal performance, thereby defining practical windows for sono-activated PAA treatment of anionic dyes and related recalcitrant contaminants. Full article

In recent years, the applications of melatonin (MT) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) have both been proven to improve the post-harvest preservation of horticultural products. However, the specific regulatory mechanism between them in cut flower preservation remains unclear. Here, we conducted research on the combined effect of MT and H₂S during the senescence of cut roses ‘Corolla’, as well as the relationship between endogenous H₂S production and MT. We found that the cut roses treated with MT + H₂S exhibited the longest vase life, the largest flower diameter, and the highest increase of fresh weight compared with those under MT or H₂S treatment alone. We have found that both MT and H₂S can inhibit the contents of the ethylene precursor ACC and the key enzymes ACS and ACO involved in ethylene synthesis in cut roses. Further investigation revealed that the application of hypotaurine (HT), a specific chemical scavenger of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), compromised the preservation of cut roses. In the combined treatment with HT and melatonin (MT), elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), along with reduced antioxidant enzyme activities and downregulated expression of associated genes, were observed. However, the combined treatment still demonstrated a superior preservative effect relative to the HT treatment alone. Conversely, MT treatment individually enhanced endogenous H₂S production and upregulated the transcript levels of the H₂S biosynthesis genes RhLCD and RhDCD in petal tissues. These results substantiate that MT extends the postharvest longevity of cut roses by stimulating H₂S synthesis, thus counteracting oxidative damage. Full article

ZnO nanopowders were synthesized via a solvent-mediated green route using Mitragyna speciosa Korth. leaf extract as reducing and stabilizing agents. Deionized water and methanol were employed to tailor the phytochemical composition of the extracts. The influence of extract concentration (5–20 mL) and solvent polarity on structural, morphological, and functional properties was systematically investigated. Structural analyses confirmed the formation of Zn-O bonds and a phase-pure hexagonal wurtzite ZnO without secondary phases. Surface morphology revealed solvent-dependent morphological evolution toward spherical shapes and reduced aggregation in the methanol-derived system. For antibacterial activity, green ZnO nanopowders demonstrated enhanced biocidal effects against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, comparable to that of commercial ZnO nanoparticles. Enhanced piezo-photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B was achieved under combined light and ultrasonic irradiation, with superior performance observed for methanol-derived ZnO. This enhancement is attributed to the synergistic interplay of solvent-induced defect states, reduced particle size, and piezoelectric field-driven charge separation. Scavenger analysis confirmed that superoxide radicals (${·\mathrm{O}}_2^{-}$) dominate the degradation pathway by green-synthesized ZnO nanopowders prepared from different solvent extracts. Thus, a correlation between solvent-mediated phytochemical environments and piezo-photocatalytic activity provides new insights for the design of sustainable, high-performance ZnO-based catalysts. Full article

Kefir is a probiotic beverage produced by symbiotic bacteria and yeasts. Polysaccharide-rich extracts from yellow and black soybeans (S and B) were obtained and subsequently fermented to produce S-F and B-F. The fermented extracts were further subjected to oxidative degradation using ascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide to generate S-FD and B-FD. Physicochemical analyses revealed distinct differences in composition, phenolic profiles, and molecular weight among S-F, S-FD, B-F, and B-FD. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra indicated that oxidative degradation altered specific functional group intensities without disrupting the fundamental polysaccharide framework. Fermentation enhanced angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, and subsequent oxidative degradation further improved this effect. Both fermented and degraded extracts exhibited antioxidant activities, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging capacity, ferrous-ion chelating ability, and reducing power, with degraded samples showing greater activity. The effects of the extracts on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were evaluated in vitro. No cytotoxicity was observed at concentrations up to 400 μg/mL. Treatment at 200 μg/mL increased cell viability and reduced apoptosis in rotenone (ROT)-treated cells. Multivariate analysis further indicated that oxidative degradation enhanced antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activities but may reduce the protective effects observed in SH-SY5Y cells. Overall, soybean-derived kefir polysaccharide-rich extracts show potential as functional ingredients for applications related to blood pressure regulation and antioxidant activity, while their protective effects in neuronal cell models warrant further investigation. Full article

Momordica charantia L. is a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds, including steroidal glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics, triterpenoids, saponins, and polysaccharides, which exhibit antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and anticancer activities. This review summarizes its nutritional and phytochemical composition, green extraction technologies, molecular mechanisms, and industrial applications based on literature from Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and other scientific databases. Ultrasound-assisted extraction is an efficient and eco-friendly method that provides higher recovery of bioactive compounds from M. charantia and improved bioavailability compared with enzyme-assisted, microwave-assisted, and conventional methods. The phytochemicals of M. charantia regulate oxidative stress, inflammation, lipid peroxidation, and glucose homeostasis. Studies show that its antidiabetic effects involve improved insulin sensitivity, enhanced glucose uptake, and inhibition of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes. These compounds also exhibit antioxidant activity through free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects via inhibition of the NF-κB and MAPK pathways. M. charantia further demonstrates anticancer activity by inducing apoptosis, causing cell-cycle arrest, and downregulating proliferation pathways in several cancer cell lines, including MCF-7, HCT-116, HepG2, A549, and PANC-1. Beyond medicinal uses, it is applied in the food industry as a functional ingredient in products such as yogurt, cookies, pickles, bread, juice, oil, and beverages. Overall, M. charantia shows strong potential for therapeutic applications, including functional foods and pharmaceutical formulations targeting diabetes, inflammation, liver diseases, and cancer; however, further studies are needed to confirm its clinical efficacy. Full article

A series of N’-(4-nitrobenzylidene)propanehydrazides and corresponding bishydrazones, as well as N-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)propanamides and corresponding bis(propanamides), were synthesised. Antioxidant properties were assessed using reducing power, FRAP, DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging, and NBT inhibition assays. Among the tested compounds, phenylaminopropanamide 17 demonstrated the highest activity, showing 1.70-fold higher reducing power and 6.71-fold higher DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to melatonin. Phenylaminopropanehydrazide 9 exhibited the highest activity in the FRAP assay (1.48 times higher than melatonin), while ethoxyphenyl-based bis(propanamide) 24 showed the greatest NBT inhibition (1.58-fold relative to melatonin). Four compounds exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Full article

Harmalol is a β-carboline alkaloid exhibiting promising antioxidant properties; however, a comprehensive understanding of its radical scavenging mechanisms in aqueous media across a wide pH range remains limited. In this study, the antioxidant activity of harmalol toward hydroperoxyl radicals was investigated theoretically at the M06-2X/6-311+G(d,p)/PCM(water) level by combining thermodynamic and kinetic analyses over the pH range 2–13. The calculations revealed that the antioxidant behavior of harmalol strongly depends on its protonation state, tautomeric form, and the surrounding pH. Under physiological conditions, the monocationic form predominates, with a smaller contribution from the neutral/zwitterionic I and II species, and radical scavenging proceeds predominantly via proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET)-type hydrogen-transfer reactions involving the monocationic, neutral and zwitterionic I forms as well as radical adduct formation (RAF) mechanism involving zwitterion I. Analysis of SOMO distributions, spin densities, and atomic charges confirmed that the hydrogen transfer reactions for monocationic, neutral and zwitterionic I forms do not follow a classical hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanism. The zwitterion I and neutral forms of harmalol exhibited significantly higher apparent rate constants for the PCET reaction than the monocationic species. Under alkaline conditions, the monoanionic forms exhibit the most favorable thermodynamic parameters toward radical scavenging via formal hydrogen transfer mechanism. Relaxed potential energy surface scans suggest that hydrogen transfer from both monoanionic forms may proceed through a barrierless pathway, while radical adduct formation can also contribute to the antioxidant activity under strongly basic conditions. In addition, monoanion II efficiently participates in single-electron transfer (SET) reactions characterized by very high apparent rate constants. Overall, the results demonstrate that the antioxidant efficiency of harmalol increases with increasing pH and provide detailed insight into the pH-dependent radical scavenging mechanisms of β-carboline derivatives in aqueous environments. Full article