Search Results (1,227)

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

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

This review aims to highlight the rich biodiversity of plants with acaricidal properties in Africa and the potential for harnessing them for the development of eco-friendly acaricides. Terrestrial plant-derived bioactive substances hold huge potential as cost-effective and eco-friendly insecticides that can serve as a suitable alternative to chemical pesticides. Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs) constitute a serious challenge to animal and human health globally, necessitating the need for effective control measures. However, the use of chemical acaricides, the mainstay of tick control, is no longer sustainable due to the development of multiple acaricide resistance, economic constraints, and environmental and public health concerns, necessitating the exploration of phytochemical acaricides as a viable option. In Africa, the rich plant biodiversity remains largely underexplored and underutilized for TTBDs control. Our bibliographical review identified 144 plant species from 48 families across 27 African countries that have been assessed in various in vitro assays. These studies report that these plant species possess phytochemicals with acaricidal properties, causing over 50% mortality or repellency on various tick developmental stages. Plant species belonging to the Asteraceae (n = 23), Lamiaceae (n = 17) and Fabaceae (n = 11) from several African countries were reported to possess effective anti-tick properties. Bioactive substances and essential oils, such as the tannins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, camphor, camphene, 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), alpha-pinene and more were the most frequently isolated compounds, attesting to the rich biodiversity of plants possessing phytochemicals with strong prospects for use in tick control. Despite these encouraging findings, none so far has been translated or formulated into an anti-tick product for commercial use. Therefore, we advocate for robust continental and regional collaborations to coordinate the bioprospecting of anti-tick ethnobotanicals, ultimately leading to the development of cost-effective and eco-friendly natural products for tick control. Full article

Novel steroidal heterocyclic derivatives were prepared from cholesterol, stigmasterol, and diosgenin scaffolds via concise, reagent-efficient synthetic routes. Two 1,3-oxathiolan-5-one derivatives bearing cholest-5-ene (7) and stigmasta-5,22-diene (8) cores were obtained from the corresponding steroidal ketones through hydrazone formation, phenyl isothiocyanate addition, and S-selective cyclization with chloroacetic acid in refluxing toluene. An aminothiazole–diosgenin hybrid (12) was independently prepared via regioselective α-bromination of an oxidized diosgenin intermediate followed by condensation with thiourea in ethanolic sodium ethoxide. The newly synthesized target compounds were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, and elemental (CHNS) analysis. The disc-diffusion assay against S. aureus and E. coli was retained only as a preliminary qualitative screen because no positive antibiotic control or MIC determination was included. Within this limited screen, compound 12 produced measurable 8.5–9.0 mm inhibition zones against both strains, supporting their prioritization for future standardized antimicrobial testing rather than establishing comparative potency. Full article

Verbena officinalis L., a classic medicinal plant of the Verbenaceae family with wide clinical applications, contains alkaloids and steroids with potent anti-inflammatory and anti-psoriatic activities. However, its whole-plant chemical composition and pharmacological material basis have not been systematically elucidated. Here, UHPLC–Q–Exactive–Orbitrap MS combined with FBMN and SIRIUS software was applied for comprehensive component analysis. A total of 126 constituents were annotated following MSI standards: 15 were unambiguously identified as MSI Level 1 using reference standards, 80 were tentatively assigned to MSI Level 2 via literature MS/MS data and GNPS spectral matching, and the remaining 31 were annotated as MSI Level 3 by in silico prediction with SIRIUS. Among them, 74 compounds were detected in this plant for the first time, and 15 were preliminarily regarded as putative novel candidate constituents. This integrated method shows better isomer resolution than traditional GNPS workflows, greatly improving the efficiency and accuracy of chemical profiling of medicinal plants. Full article

Ketoprofen (KET) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug frequently detected in surface waters and effluents, with the potential to impact trophic base organisms. This study evaluated the toxicity of KET, in its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) form and in four commercial formulations (KET-1, KET-2, KET-3, and KET-4), on two freshwater species: the cyanobacterium Microcystis novacekii and the microalga Chlorella vulgaris. Cell growth assays, performed under acute (4 days) and chronic (14 days) conditions, showed that the API KET was the most toxic compound, especially for M. novacekii, with a chronic EC50 of 1.35 mg/L. The commercial formulations presented distinct toxicity profiles, suggesting the influence of excipients and synergistic or antagonistic interactions. For C. vulgaris, low acute toxicity was observed, with increased chronic effects at high concentrations and possible hormetic response at low doses. Risk quotient (RQ) calculations, based on environmental concentrations of KET, indicated low risk in surface and drinking water, but high risk in untreated hospital and wastewater treatment plant effluents, especially for M. novacekii. The results show that the complete formulation, exposure time, and target species are critical factors in the ecotoxicological risk assessment of pharmaceuticals in freshwater environments. Full article

Hydroperoxides (R–OOH, organic hydroperoxides) constitute a relatively small but structurally diverse class of natural metabolites occurring in higher plants, fungi, and marine organisms. Their formation is closely associated with oxidative processes involving redox-active metal ions, particularly iron and copper, which promote reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the oxidative transformation of steroids and triterpenoids. In the present study, approximately 1500 naturally occurring steroids and triterpenoids were screened using the PASS (Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances) platform to identify compounds with potential relevance to neurodegenerative disorders. Among the analyzed compounds, only 17 hydroperoxide-containing steroids and triterpenoids exhibited notable predicted anti-dementia activity and were selected for detailed evaluation. The selected compounds displayed a broad spectrum of predicted biological activities, including antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerative, antithrombotic, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective effects. Several hydroperoxide-containing triterpenoids demonstrated particularly high predicted anti-dementia activity, with a norlupane-type hydroperoxide exhibiting the highest probability of activity (Pa = 0.972). The biological significance of these compounds may be related to the unique redox properties of the hydroperoxide functionality, which can participate in both oxidative and adaptive signaling processes. Because hydroperoxides interact with transition metal ions and reactive oxygen species, they occupy a complex position at the interface between oxidative stress, cellular defense mechanisms, and neurodegeneration. The present analysis highlights hydroperoxide-containing steroids and triterpenoids as an underexplored class of natural products with potential relevance to dementia research. However, the reported activities are based primarily on computational predictions and should be interpreted as indicators of pharmacological potential rather than experimentally validated therapeutic effects. Further investigations involving blood–brain barrier permeability assessment, biochemical studies, cellular assays, animal models, and clinical evaluation will be required to determine the true therapeutic value of these compounds in neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains a significant clinical challenge due to the ability of tumor cells to undergo intratumoral androgen synthesis, a process catalyzed by the CYP17A1 enzyme. The only CYP17A1 inhibitor available in therapy, abiraterone acetate, faces significant limitations due to its steroidal structure, which causes off-target effects and generates agonistic metabolites that paradoxically stimulate the androgen receptor (AR). This study presents the development of the D2AAK1M series, a novel class of non-steroidal potential CYP17A1 inhibitors based on a pyridine–piperidine scaffold. Through biomimetic design and molecular docking, we demonstrated that these compounds have the potential to coordinate the heme iron while achieving high shape complementarity within the catalytic pocket. In silico ADME profiling indicated superior physicochemical properties compared to abiraterone, including optimal lipophilicity, enhanced water solubility, and the potential to penetrate the blood–brain barrier for targeting CNS metastases. In vitro assay results correlated with a suggested mechanism, showing preferential cytotoxicity toward androgen-dependent LNCaP cells (AR+) while sparing AR-negative lines (DU145, PC3) and healthy human fibroblasts (BJ). Our compounds present a promising starting point for further development of non-steroidal CYP17A1 inhibitors. Full article

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used globally for their pain-relieving and fever-reducing properties. However, excessive intake of NSAIDs can have harmful effects on multiple body systems, including the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, and nervous systems. The anti-inflammatory activity of 34 derivatives of 1-aryl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline was investigated in vivo. A relationship between the activity of the compounds and the nature of their substituents, as well as their positional and mutual arrangement in the C ring (1-Ar-), was established. In silico modeling of these 1-aryl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives’ interaction with the COX-2 (PDB ID: 1PXX) active site revealed that the nitro-derivatives exhibited the highest stability owing to their superior capacity for electrostatic and hydrogen bond formation compared to brominated compounds. These data on the effects of the substituents –NH₂, –OH, and –OCH₃ in ring C (1-Ar-) of 1-aryl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines on anti-inflammatory activity promote the search for new, highly effective derivatives within this series. Full article

Pharmaceutical and microbial pollution in urban rivers is an emerging concern, particularly in developing regions with limited wastewater treatment capacity, posing risks to human health and ecosystems. This study evaluated the risk profiles of selected pharmaceutical compounds and bacterial indicators in the Sand River, South Africa, and computed their ecological risks, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and human health risk assessment. Surface water samples were collected from three sites during the wet season and analyzed for target antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with a photodiode array (PDA) detector, while total coliforms (TCs) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were enumerated using the Colilert system. Ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, and erythromycin were the most abundant pharmaceuticals, with maximum concentrations of 2.50 µg/L, 2.76 µg/L, and 2.53 µg/L, respectively. TC and E. coli levels exceeded regulatory thresholds, indicating severe microbial contamination. Risk quotient analysis identified ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and trimethoprim as high-risk compounds for potential resistance selection (RQ ≥ 1), while ciprofloxacin and erythromycin posed significant ecological risks to fish. Although non-carcinogenic health risk assessment remained below concern (HI < 1), children showed higher exposure levels. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved pharmaceutical waste management and wastewater treatment infrastructure. Full article

Background: The genus Satureja L. (savory) includes approximately 200 aromatic herb and shrub species distributed worldwide. These plants are widely used in traditional and modern medicine, culinary practices, and agriculture. This review summarises knowledge on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of Satureja species published between March 2014 and 2025. Methods: Peer-reviewed literature was searched on Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Scopus, and SciFinder using the keywords “Satureja” and “savory.” A total of 171 relevant articles were analyzed, focusing on ethnomedicinal use, chemical constituents, and pharmacological effects. Results: Recent ethnobotanical studies documented the use of local medicinal plants, including Satureja, in several European regions. Phytochemical research identified major groups of compounds such as essential oils, flavonoids, phenolic acids, jasmonates, di- and triterpenes, and steroids. Essential oils are the most studied and show high variability among species due to environmental and genetic factors. Pharmacological research largely highlights antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antitumor activities, as well as protective effects against chemotherapy-induced side effects. Additional studies report neurological benefits, including prevention of opioid analgesic tolerance, antiepileptic activity, and memory-enhancing effects. Satureja species have been the subject of various innovative developments aimed at preserving food quality, improving coating materials in the food industry, and developing new environmentally friendly biopesticides. Conclusions: Future research should prioritize the study of individual bioactive compounds, their mechanisms of action, and structure–activity relationships. Advances in nanoformulations and modern extraction technologies offer promising directions to support the medicinal and food-industry applications of Satureja-derived products. Full article

Environmental toxicants may affect the height of children and adolescents. However, studies on the toxicological effects based on extensive internal exposure omics are still lacking. This study aimed to identify key toxicants associated with height and assess the mediating role of sex steroid hormones. To this end 1660 participants aged 6–19 years from subsample A in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included. Exposome was characterized by 58 toxicants within 12 families. After assessment by the exposome-wide association analysis and mixture models, we identified 17 toxicants inversely associated with height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ), predominantly metals and volatile organic compound (VOC) metabolites. Tin exhibited the strongest inverse association (β = −0.261), followed by lead (β = −0.230). The primary contributors to reduced height included tin, lead, the VOC metabolite 2-ATCA, ethylene oxide, and nitrate. Notably, males and younger children were the more susceptible subgroups. Furthermore, mediation analysis revealed that sex steroid hormones, particularly total testosterone and estradiol, mediated 8% to 37% of the associations. These findings suggest that endocrine-related pathways may link toxicant exposure to impaired linear growth, highlighting the necessity of reducing exposure during childhood. Full article

Ocimum gratissimum L. subsp., commonly known as African basil, is a native African medicinal plant that has been used for generations to address various health issues. These include colds, flu, diabetes, diarrhoea, pain and swelling, psychological disorders, malaria, inflammation, and infections caused by fungi and bacteria. In addition, African basil is abundant in vitamins and minerals and is mostly used to add flavour to dishes and soups in West African households. Studies have identified multiple bioactive compounds in this plant, such as alkaloids, polyphenols, triterpenes, steroids, fatty acids, esters, alcohols, essential oils, ketones, and aldehydes. Key bioactive constituents, essential oils like thymol and eugenol, are responsible for the pharmacological effects of Ocimum gratissimum. The diverse bioactive compounds give the plant a wide range of therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, cognitive-enhancing, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anticancer, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, and organoleptic effects. Notable mechanisms of action include the PI3K/Akt, NRF-2, and NF-κB signalling pathways, free radical scavenging, and modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. This review paper aimed to compile recent studies on the phytochemistry, medicinal uses, therapeutic activities, and molecular mechanisms of action of Ocimum gratissimum. Further studies are needed to better understand the effects of Ocimum gratissimum at the pathological and molecular levels. Full article

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and excessive oxidative stress, which collectively contribute to a progressive tissue damage and organ dysfunction. Although conventional immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory therapies remain the main therapeutic approach, their clinical efficacy is often limited by poor pharmacokinetic properties, low tissue selectivity, systemic toxicity, and adverse effects following long-term administration. In this context, antioxidant-based nanoformulations have emerged as promising multi-target therapeutic strategies for the modulation of oxidative and inflammatory pathways involved in autoimmune disorders. This review focuses on polymeric and non-polymeric nanoformulations designed to improve the solubility, stability, bioavailability, controlled release, and targeted delivery of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents for autoimmune disease treatment. Recent advances in nanocarrier systems applications, including nanogels, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polymethacrylate, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, hydroxyapatite (HAP), lipid-based and ROS-responsive nanosystems, are discussed. The therapeutic potential of nanoencapsulated steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antioxidant compounds, enzymes, inorganic elements, and nucleic acid-binding systems is evaluated through preclinical and limited clinical evidence. Many of these reported nanoformulations exhibit enhanced therapeutic efficacy, improved tissue targeting, reduced systemic toxicity, and the ability to simultaneously modulate oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling pathways. Despite the encouraging findings, important challenges remain regarding clinical translation, long-term safety, reproducibility, and large-scale production. In overall, antioxidant nanoformulations represent a promising and evolving platform for the development of more effective and targeted therapies against autoimmune diseases. Full article

The increasing presence of pharmaceutical compounds in aquatic environments poses a significant challenge for wastewater treatment systems worldwide. Among these emerging contaminants, bicyclic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are particularly concerning due to their high consumption, partial metabolism, and long-lasting persistence in wastewater. This review was prepared critically based on popular databases such as PubMed and the Google Scholar website, and using the modern Nested Knowledge platform. The bibliometric analysis was performed using the VosViewer program with the keywords co-occurrence method. The review aims to systematically compile and synthesize current knowledge on the impact of bicyclic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on biological wastewater treatment systems, with particular emphasis on activated sludge. It discusses how these compounds influence microbial community composition, metabolic activity, sludge structure, and overall treatment performance. Furthermore, the distribution of these contaminants in the environment and their degradation efficiency were analyzed. By integrating evidence from both laboratory and industrial studies, this article provides a comprehensive perspective on the environmental risks posed by bicyclic NSAIDs. Our findings also underscore the urgent need for systematic monitoring and adaptive management to mitigate the ecological impact of these widely used pharmaceuticals in the future. Full article