Search Results (9,253)

This study optimized the extraction, purification, and structural chemical characterization of polysaccharides from fruitless wolfberry bud tea (FWP), and evaluated their antioxidant activities against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in SH-SY5Y cells. Crude FWP was obtained by ultrasonic-assisted water extraction followed by ethanol precipitation. An orthogonal experiment was conducted to optimize decolorization using D301G macroporous resin, achieving a decolorization rate of 74%, a polysaccharide retention rate of 85%, and a protein removal rate of 61%. Two main purified polysaccharide fractions, FWP-1 (52.3 kDa) and FWP-2 (9.95 kDa), were isolated by DEAE-52 and Sephadex G-150 chromatography. Structural analysis revealed that FWP-1 was a neutral heteropolysaccharide rich in glucose and galactose, while FWP-2 was an acidic polysaccharide with a high content of galacturonic acid. In H₂O₂-induced SH-SY5Y cells, both polysaccharides significantly enhanced cell viability, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) levels, reduced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, scavenged excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), and maintained mitochondrial membrane potential. FWP-2 exhibited stronger ROS-scavenging capacity than FWP-1. This study established reliable methods for the purification and characterization of FWP, and verified their potential as natural antioxidants against neuronal oxidative injury. Full article

Background: Edwardsiella piscicida is a significant intracellular pathogen of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and a major threat to U.S. aquaculture. A recently developed recombinant attenuated vaccine strain (χ16016) uses arabinose-regulated murA expression to trigger delayed cell wall lysis in vivo, ensuring biological containment while conferring strong protection against virulent challenge. Although its efficacy has been demonstrated, the host immune programs underlying protection remain incompletely defined. Methods: We used RNA sequencing to characterize tissue-specific transcriptomic responses in the intestines and kidneys of channel catfish at 7 days post-vaccination. Fish were vaccinated with χ16016 by either bath immersion or intracoelomic (IC) injection, and differentially expressed genes and enriched immune pathways were analyzed to determine how the vaccine delivery route shapes systemic and mucosal immune responses. Results: Across comparisons, 19,101 differentially expressed genes revealed pronounced route- and tissue-dependent immune remodeling. As aquaculture vaccination strategies increasingly prioritize scalability and practical deployment, understanding how the delivery route shapes immune outcomes is critical. Here, IC vaccination induced broader systemic transcriptional changes, particularly in the intestine, whereas bath immunization elicited a more focused yet coordinated mucosal response. Overall, intestinal tissue exhibited greater transcriptional responsiveness than kidney tissue, underscoring its central role in early vaccine-induced immunity. Functional enrichment analyses identified the activation of innate recognition pathways, MAPK and calcium signaling cascades, complement components, antigen processing machinery, and cell adhesion networks. Notably, bath immunization enriched the intestinal immune network for IgA production pathway, which represents an orthology-based mapping of conserved mucosal immune components, alongside the upregulation of IL-6, CXCL12–CXCR4, integrins (α4β7), MHC class II, complement C3, and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR). Given that catfish rely primarily on IgM in mucosal immunity, these findings indicate the induction of IgM-mediated mucosal defense rather than classical mammalian IgA responses. Concurrent complement and scavenger receptor signatures suggest a transition toward efficient opsonophagocytic clearance with controlled inflammation at this subacute stage. Conclusions: This study provides the first systems-level view of host transcriptomic responses to a regulated-lysis E. piscicida vaccine in channel catfish. The findings demonstrate that immersion vaccination, although transcriptionally less expansive than injection, effectively activates coordinated mucosal innate and adaptive immune programs, supporting its practical use as a scalable vaccination strategy for aquaculture. Full article

Honeysuckle berries (Lonicera caerulea) represent a valuable source of bioactive compounds, primarily flavonoids, and iridoids. This study compared the chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of resin-purified extracts from ripe, unripe, and unripe lactofermented honeysuckle berries. Polyphenols and iridoids were identified using UPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS/MS and quantified using HPLC-PDA. A total of 6 anthocyanins, 7 phenolic acids, 9 flavan-3-ols, 8 iridoids, 8 flavonols, 3 flavones, and 1 flavanonol were identified in the extracts. The extract from ripe fruits was characterized by a high cyanidin glycoside content (273.59 mg/g) and high iridoid content (138.30 mg/g). The amount of individual iridoids varied among the extracts, with the highest level of loganic acid detected in the unripe fruit extract (39.42 mg/g) and the highest level of sweroside in the ripe fruit extract (55.59 mg/g). Phenolic acid content was approximately twofold higher in extracts from unripe and fermented fruits compared with ripe fruit extracts, suggesting a decrease during ripening, while fermentation did not significantly affect phenolic acid content. Among flavonols, quercetin and isorhamnetin derivatives were identified, with quercetin 3-O-rutinoside being the predominant compound in all extracts. The ripe fruit extract exhibited the strongest radical scavenging activity (in ABTS and DPPH assays), ferric ion-reducing power (FRAP), and α-amylase inhibition, while all extracts exhibited comparable α-glucosidase inhibition. These findings indicate that L. caerulea extracts, especially from ripe fruits, are a rich source of biologically active compounds with potential relevance for managing oxidative stress and hyperglycemia. Full article

Thyme (Thymus callieri Borbás ex Velen) and summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) are aromatic plants from the Lamiaceae family widely used in traditional medicine and the food industry. This study provides a comparative analysis of the phytochemical profiles and biological potential of the essential oils (EOs) of these two plant species from Bulgaria. The chemical composition was determined using GC-MS analysis. Biological evaluation included determination of antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), antimicrobial activity (MIC assay), ex vivo anti-inflammatory effects (IL-1β expression in rat stomach smooth muscle preparations), and in vitro antihemolytic activity. GC-MS analysis identified 16 compounds in T. callieri EO, dominated by p-cymene (46.42%) and thymol (35.80%). In contrast, 17 compounds were identified in S. hortensis EO, with carvacrol (58.81%) and γ-terpinene (22.46%) as major constituents. Both EOs exhibited concentration-dependent antioxidant activity, with S. hortensis showing higher radical scavenging potential. In antimicrobial tests, both oils demonstrated broad-spectrum efficacy with MIC values ranging from 0.313 to 2.5 mg/mL. Ex vivo experiments revealed that T. callieri EO significantly increased IL-1β expression, suggesting immune activation, while S. hortensis EO showed a lower effect, indicating higher anti-inflammatory potential. Furthermore, S. hortensis EO demonstrated superior erythrocyte membrane stabilization (antihemolytic activity) compared to T. callieri EO and the reference anti-inflammatory drug Aspirin. In conclusion, the findings highlighted the distinct biological potential of both Bulgarian EOs, suggesting their diverse applicability as natural bioactive agents in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Full article

We evaluated the antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities of a bacteriocin purified from a recently identified marine Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) NAN6399 strain, a lactic acid bacterium recovered from Mediterranean coastal waters near Alexandria, Egypt, and identified by combined API 50 CHL phenotypic profiling and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Bacteriocin purification was achieved by sequential ammonium sulfate precipitation and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The purified bioactive fraction had an approximate molecular weight of 20 kDa by SDS-PAGE and a 106-amino-acid N-terminal sequence that, upon BLAST alignment, returned 98.1% overall identity to the Lactococcin 972 family bacteriocin AAK06118.1 from L. lactis IL1403, with divergence confined exclusively to the terminal two C-terminal residues. This sequence is structurally and functionally distinct from canonical Lcn972 (L. lactis IPLA 972): the two peptides share an identical 25-residue signal peptide but diverge entirely in their mature bioactive domains, which exhibit only 9.1% sequence identity. Canonical Lcn972 operates through Lipid II-mediated septum disruption and inhibits only Lactococcus species; the NAN6399 peptide, correctly designated as a novel member of the Lcn972-like peptide family, demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy against multiple indicator organisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis), producing inhibition zones of up to 30 mm and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values as low as 1.25 μg/mL against S. aureus. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, with the purified preparation achieving 73.14 ± 0.34% inhibition. Collectively, these data establish L. lactis NAN6399 as the producer of a bifunctional Lcn972-family bacteriocin with both antimicrobial and antioxidant potential, provide the first experimental characterization of the antimicrobial activity of this Lcn972-family branch, and highlight marine LAB as a productive reservoir for novel bioactive peptide discovery. Full article

Pseudopodospermum szowitzii (DC.) Kuth. a member of the Asteraceae family, grows naturally in the Irano-Turanian phytogeographical area, including Anatolia. In Anatolia, P. szowitsii, known as “goftigoda,” has edible young leaves and roots and is used in folk medicine for antidiabetic and analgesic properties. Nine compounds, including chlorogenic acid and derivatives from the ethyl acetate layer as well as 2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl-1-O-β-glucopyranoside, 2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl-1-O-β-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-glucopyranoside, esculetin 6-O-β-glucopyranoside, and esculetin 6-O-β-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-glucopyranoside from the water part of the methanolic extract, were isolated as known compounds. Notably, all esculetin derivatives have been isolated from the Pseudopodospermum for the first time, and among them, three compounds, esculetin 6-O-β-xylosyl-(1→6)-β-glucopyranoside, esculetin 6-O-β-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-glucopyranoside, and esculetin 6-O-β-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-glucopyranoside, were isolated as new esculetin heterosides that have not yet been isolated from any natural sources. The antioxidant activities of the total extract, phases, fractions, and compounds of P. szowitsii were also tested by evaluating their radical-scavenging capacities against DPPH and ABTS radicals. The ethyl acetate phase and the isolated compounds displayed significant antioxidant activity. The most active compound was caffeic acid, with IC₅₀ values of 2.7 µg/mL and 3.4 µg/mL against DPPH and ABTS radicals, respectively, followed by dicaffeoylquinic acid derivatives and their methyl esters. On the other hand, none of the coumarin derivatives exhibited significant radical-scavenging activity. Full article

In this study, five solvent fractions from Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. fruit were extracted and investigated for their antioxidant profiles. Results showed that the petroleum ether fraction (PEF) and n-butanol fraction (NBF) exhibited prominent free radical scavenging capacities in DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical assays. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified citral as the dominant bioactive component in both active fractions. Further mechanism analysis demonstrated that citral exerted potent antioxidant effects via dual pathways: direct free radical scavenging and transition metal ion chelation. These findings not only elucidate the material basis and molecular mechanism underlying the antioxidant activity of L. cubeba but also provide a scientific rationale for the high-value utilization of citral-rich fractions in functional foods, cosmetics, and healthcare products. Full article

Lavandula angustifolia essential oil (LEO) was obtained by hydrodistillation of air-dried flowers collected in the Mostar region (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Its chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, revealing a camphor content of 16.96%, substantially higher than the maximum value specified in the European Pharmacopoeia. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using quantitative suspension tests according to EN 1276 and EN 1650 under simulated “dirty” conditions with organic load (bovine albumin, 3 g/L) and a 5 min contact time. High-concentration LEO (80% w/v) exhibited strong bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 10536 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, and yeasticidal activity against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (>5 log₁₀ CFU/mL reduction for bacteria, >4 log₁₀ CFU/mL reduction for yeast), but was ineffective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442 and Enterococcus hirae ATCC 10541. Lower concentrations (1.0% and 0.1% w/v) showed no bactericidal and yeasticidal activity, highlighting LEO’s efficacy limits. Antioxidant activity, assessed by DPPH radical scavenging, was dose- and time-dependent. Molecular docking provided insight into the interaction of major constituents with selected microbial and antioxidant-related targets. These findings highlight both the potential and limitations of LEO as a renewable bio-based resource for sustainable disinfectant formulations while emphasizing the importance of chemical composition and regulatory compliance. Full article

Sea fennel is a halophyte plant recognised as a valuable source of phenolics with good antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. In this study, accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) was optimised to improve the recovery of phenolic compounds from sea fennel, particularly hydroxycinnamic acids, which are known to be dominant. The effect of the applied extraction temperature (20–120 °C) and used solvent (20–80% hydroethanolic mixtures) on total phenolic content (TPC) was systematically evaluated. Individual phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial properties were measured in the top four samples. TPC was determined spectrophotometrically, while individual compounds were analysed by chromatography. Antioxidant (reducing and free-radical scavenging) activity was assessed using three assays, while the minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations were determined using the microdilution method against five bacterial strains. Both temperature and solvent composition significantly influenced phenolic extraction efficiency. The highest TPC and concentrations of chlorogenic acid and its derivatives were obtained at 60 °C using 60–80% ethanol (664 and 673 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of dry extract), while higher temperatures generally resulted in reduced phenolic yield. Extracts obtained under optimal ASE conditions exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity and moderate antimicrobial effects, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria, which demonstrates that accelerated solvent extraction represents an efficient approach for obtaining sea fennel extracts rich in valuable bioactives with potential use in different industries. Full article

Gluten-free cakes formulated solely with rice flour frequently exhibit limited volume, weak internal structures, and rapid quality deterioration. This study investigated the effects of replacing rice flour with 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12% goji berry powder (GBP) in gluten-free cupcakes. Physical properties, texture profile, crumb porosity, crust and crumb color, flour pasting behavior, and antioxidant properties were evaluated. Moderate GBP addition improved cupcake quality, with the 6% treatment showing the greatest height (45.17 mm) and specific volume (3.64 cm³/g), the lowest hardness (327.50 g), the highest springiness (9.25 mm), and the largest average pore area (0.42 mm²). In contrast, higher substitution levels (9–12%) increased moisture and reduced baking loss but caused a decline in specific volume and a marked increase in hardness. GBP progressively darkened the product, especially the crumb, while significantly enhancing total phenolic content and DPPH radical-scavenging activity from 55.46 to 67.36 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g and from 4.85 to 15.08 mg ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE)/100 g, respectively. Monotonic decreases in peak, trough, final, and setback viscosities were observed, indicating reduced starch swelling and retrogradation tendencies as the GBP level increased. GBP at 6% showed the most balanced overall performance, while 12% maximized the antioxidant response at the expense of structural quality. Full article

We developed an ethogram of Conepatus chinga (South American hog-nosed skunk, chingue) from the continuous monitoring of a captive individual, with environmental enrichment, at a wildlife rehabilitation center in the O’Higgins Region, Chile. Using video camera traps, 17 days (408 h) of its activity were recorded, allowing us to identify daily activity patterns and times of exploration, locomotion, feeding, shelter use, and other relevant behaviors. The individual displayed a constant nocturnal activity pattern, starting around 9:00 P.M. and finishing at 5:00 A.M. The most frequent behaviors were walking and sniffing, evidencing active exploration guided by smell. No hunting/scavenging attempts were observed under these husbandry conditions. The primary refuge used was a small tunnel (approximately 30 cm deep) excavated under a wooden pallet covered with tree branches, which is consistent with refuges reported in wildlife. No visible defecation, urination, or musk release was recorded in the camera-trap footage. Given the limited observation coverage, we cannot determine whether these behaviors did not occur or occurred outside the recorded field of view. This study provides behavioral information and a descriptive baseline for this individual, including a pilot ethogram useful for research and captive management. Full article

Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers are widely recognized as versatile nanocarriers due to their tunable architecture and ability to associate with bioactive molecules. In this study, generation 3 PAMAM dendrimers functionalized with triphenylphosphonium (TPP) were employed to investigate the association of structurally related phenolic compounds—caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and cinnamic acid—through either covalent conjugation or non-covalent encapsulation. Physicochemical characterization by NMR, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential measurements revealed the formation of supramolecular aggregates rather than isolated dendrimer units, with hydrodynamic diameters ranging from 127 to 260 nm and positive surface charge across all formulations. Encapsulation efficiencies determined by HPLC reached 93.8% for caffeic acid, 78.9% for p-coumaric acid, and 71% for cinnamic acid, indicating differential association behavior. Molecular dynamics simulations over 1 μs supported these findings, showing stronger and more stable interactions for polar antioxidants, particularly caffeic acid, driven by hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, while cinnamic acid displayed preferential binding in more hydrophobic dendrimer regions. Radical scavenging assays (DPPH• and ABTS•+) demonstrated that all formulations retained antioxidant capacity, although dendrimer association modulated scavenging kinetics. In cellular assays under oxidative stress, free caffeic acid exhibited the strongest immediate reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species, whereas dendrimer-associated systems showed reduced but significant activity, consistent with decreased solvent accessibility and slower release predicted by simulations. Overall, these results highlight a trade-off between molecular retention and immediate biological efficacy, demonstrating that the mode of association governs antioxidant accessibility and performance. This combined experimental and computational approach provides a mechanistic framework for the rational design of dendrimer-based delivery systems aimed at balancing stability and functional activity. Full article

Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and ALD-related mortality are associated with hemolysis, increased erythrophagocytosis, and disturbed iron homeostasis. While macrophage-mediated erythrophagocytosis is well established, we investigated the contribution of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) to handling oxidatively damaged or ethanol-primed red blood cells (RBCs) in ALD. Live-cell imaging demonstrated that damaged RBCs were rapidly taken up by SK-HEP1 cells, an endothelial cell line with LSEC-like characteristics, and RBC uptake was associated with induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and activation of its upstream regulator Nrf2. siRNA-mediated knockdown of the scavenger receptor Stabilin-1 attenuated RBC-induced HO-1 expression, supporting a role for Stabilin-1 in efferocytic signaling. Exposure of RBCs to ethanol concentrations as low as 25 mM induced phosphatidylserine externalization and rendered erythrocytes efferocytosis-competent. Lysed RBCs and free hemin elicited comparable oxidative stress responses. In murine models of hemolysis and chronic ethanol feeding, hemoglobin-derived signals were detected within sinusoidal structures showing a diffuse CD206-positive distribution pattern consistent with the sinusoidal scavenger compartment. Similar signals were observed in sinusoidal endothelial regions in human heavy drinkers with clinical signs of hemolysis. Together, these data suggest that LSECs may represent an additional component of RBC clearance in ALD, alongside macrophages and hepatocytes, with implications for hepatic iron handling. Full article

Phenolic acids and flavonoids remain attractive redox-active scaffolds in medicinal chemistry, where they are widely used for early-stage prioritization and intrinsic reactivity ranking. However, direct comparisons under harmonized conditions remain scarce, limiting structure-based assessment. Here, a structurally diverse panel of hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonoids, a flavanone, and synthetic comparators was profiled using Folin–Ciocalteu response, ABTS radical cation scavenging, DPPH radical scavenging, and reducing power assays. The data reveal pronounced assay dependence alongside clear structure–activity trends. Gallic acid showed the strongest DPPH scavenging (half-maximal inhibitory concentration, IC₅₀ = 4.45 µmol/L) and reducing power (17.26 µmol TE/mg), while quercetin was consistently active across all four endpoints. Eriocitrin (IC₅₀ = 2.47 µmol/L) and rutin (IC₅₀ = 2.66 µmol/L) were particularly effective in the ABTS assay, showing that glycosylation does not abolish cation-radical scavenging. Lipinski’s Rule of Five and Veber oral-bioavailability criteria place these findings within a drug-likeness context. The results also highlight the limitations of the Folin–Ciocalteu assay as a standalone measure of total phenolic content, since its response depends strongly on hydroxylation density. Rather than asserting therapeutic efficacy, this work provides a harmonized comparative dataset identifying phenolic substructures with the strongest and most consistent redox activity, together with the structural drivers underlying these patterns. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lipid oxidation is a major factor limiting the shelf life and nutritional quality of edible vegetable oils. Enhancing the oxidative stability of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) through natural antioxidants is of increasing interest to both industry and consumers. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of five plant-derived essential oils (orange, lemon, black pepper, oregano, and rosemary) incorporated at three concentrations (0.5, 1, and 2% w/w) on the oxidative stability, antioxidant capacity, and bioactive compound retention of EVOO. Methods: All fortified EVOO samples were stored at 60 °C for 28 days to simulate accelerated oxidation. A positive control containing 200 ppm of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) was included for comparison. Oxidative stability was assessed through peroxide value, TBARS, p-anisidine value, and conjugated dienes/trienes. Tocopherols, carotenoids, and chlorophylls were quantified, while radical scavenging activity was determined using Trolox-equivalent assays. Correlation analyses were performed to explore relationships between essential oil composition and antioxidant performance. Results: Among the tested essential oils, oregano at 2% demonstrated the strongest protective effect, reducing both primary and secondary oxidation products and yielding a Totox value (34.26) close to that of the BHT-enriched control (29.86) after 28 days. Regarding long-term radical scavenging capacity, rosemary at 1% concentration provided the closest activity to BHT (402.89 vs. 536.64 μM Trolox equivalents). Both oregano and rosemary enhanced the preservation of α-tocopherol, likely due to the activity of key constituents such as carvacrol and 1,8-cineole. Conclusions: The incorporation of selected essential oils, particularly oregano and rosemary, can effectively enhance the oxidative stability and antioxidant capacity of EVOO, supporting their potential use as natural alternatives to synthetic antioxidants. Full article