Development of Thyme-Infused Polydimethylsiloxane Composites for Enhanced Antibacterial Wound Dressings.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is widely used in biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility and flexibility but faces challenges due to its hydrophobicity and limited mechanical strength. This study explores the incorporation of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) into PDMS to enhance its properties for wound dressing applications. PDMS composites containing 2.5 wt.% and 5 wt.% of thyme were prepared and evaluated for physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological properties. Scanning electron microscopy, contact angle measurements, absorption tests, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, hardness, tensile testing, antibacterial activity, and cell viability assays were conducted. Thyme integration improved mechanical properties with increased absorption and preserved hydrophobicity. FTIR and DSC analyses indicated minimally altered crystallinity and chemical interactions. Hardness decreased with higher thyme content due to terpene-induced polymerization inhibition. Tensile testing showed reduced stress at break but increased elongation, suitable for wound dressings. Enhanced antibacterial activity was observed, with composites meeting bacteriostatic standards. Cell viability exceeded 70%, with optimal results at 2.5 wt.% thyme, attributed to cytokine-inducing compounds. Thyme-incorporated PDMS composites exhibit improved antibacterial and mechanical properties, demonstrating the potential for advanced wound dressings.

Phytochemical Profiling, Antioxidant Activity, and Protective Effect against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress of Carlina vulgaris Extract.

Carlina vulgaris is a little-understood plant with unexplored biological potential, and the papers regarding its chemical composition are scarce. In our study, for the first time, the phytochemical profile of the plant, focusing on polar metabolites, was established using modern chromatographic techniques including LC-HRMS-QTOF-CAD, UHPLC-PDA-MS. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the species is a rich source of polyphenolic components, with the most abundant being chlorogenic acid and C-glycosides of luteolin, including carlinoside, orientin, isoorientin, and C-glycosides of apigenin, schaftoside, isoschaftoside, and vitexin. Furthermore, we assessed the impact of the polyphenolic-rich fraction of C. vulgaris extracts on human skin fibroblasts using the MTT and NR assays. It was found that the extract was non-toxic and exhibited potent antioxidant activity in the cells subjected to induced oxidative stress. Additionally, it effectively protected the cells against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity. Our study contributes to the general trend of searching for new phytotherapeutics with potential applications in pharmacy and medicine. The results indicate that further exploration of C. vulgaris species is worthwhile, as they can serve as valuable plant material for cosmetic use.

An In Vitro Anticancer, Antioxidant, and Phytochemical Study on Water Extract of Kalanchoe daigremontiana Raym.-Hamet and H. Perrier.

Kalanchoe species are succulents with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties, as well as cytotoxic activity. One of the most popular species cultivated in Europe is Kalanchoe daigremontiana Raym.-Hamet and H. Perrier. In our study, we analyzed the phytochemical composition of K. daigremontiana water extract using UHPLC-QTOF-MS and estimated the cytotoxic activity of the extract on human ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, flow cytometry, luminometric, and fluorescent microscopy techniques. The expression levels of 92 genes associated with cell death were estimated via real-time PCR. The antioxidant activity was assessed via flow cytometry on human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line. The DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical and FRAP (ferric-reducing antioxidant power) assays were also applied. We identified twenty bufadienolide compounds in the water extract and quantified eleven. Bersaldegenin-1,3,5-orthoacetate and bryophyllin A were present in the highest amounts (757.4 ± 18.7 and 573.5 ± 27.2 ng/mg dry weight, respectively). The extract showed significant antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity, induced depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, and significantly arrested cell cycle in the S and G2/M phases of SKOV-3 cells. Caspases-3, 7, 8, and 9 were not activated during the treatment, which indicated non-apoptotic cell death triggered by the extract. Additionally, the extract increased the level of oxidative stress in the cancer cell line. In keratinocytes treated with menadione, the extract moderately reduced the level of oxidative stress. This antioxidant activity was confirmed by the DPPH and FRAP assays, where the obtained IC50 values were 1750 ± 140 and 1271.82 ± 53.25 µg/mL, respectively. The real-time PCR analysis revealed that the extract may induce cell death via TNF receptor (tumor necrosis factor receptor) superfamily members 6 and 10.

Dehydrated at Different Conditions and Powdered Leek as a Concentrate of Biologically Active Substances: Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Compound Profile.

This study aimed to analyze the antioxidant activity, phenolic acid profile, color changes, and chemical composition of dried and powdered leek (Allium porrum). Leek was divided into white shaft (WH) and green shaft (GR) and subjected to drying by different methods-convection drying, vacuum drying, and freeze-drying (FD)-at a temperature of 60 °C. A sample freeze-dried at a temperature of 20 °C was used as control. Analyses of the dried leek samples revealed that GR contained a higher amount of ash, protein, fat, fiber, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, and exhibited higher antioxidant capacity compared to WH. The dominant phenolic acid in WH was p-cumaric acid followed by synapic and protocatechuic acids. GR had a several-fold higher content of phenolic acids than WH, with ferulic acid being dominant (about 85% of the total phenolic content). It was also observed that a higher drying temperature resulted in the degradation of phenolic compounds and reduced the antioxidant properties of leek shafts. Most importantly, FD under a temperature of 60 °C caused a similar degree of degradation of biologically active compounds as air drying. An increase in drying temperature was associated with a slight decrease in the lightness of GR, whereas in the case of WH no significant change in this parameter was observed.

Antioxidant and hemostatic properties of preparations from Asteraceae family and their chemical composition - Comparative studies.

Asteraceae, known as sunflower family, is one of the largest flowering plants family around the world. Sunflower family contains numerous phytochemical compounds. The aim of this study was to describe phytochemical characteristics and investigate the effect of four sunflower vegetable preparations (extracts): chicory leaves (Cichorium intybus), green lettuce leaves (Lactuca sativa), red lettuce leaves (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) and sunchoke roots (Helianthus tuberosus) on different biomarkers of oxidative stress in human plasma in in vitro model. The antioxidant potential was also tested using the DPPH method. The phytochemical composition of the tested preparations was determined by UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS. All the tested extracts demonstrated antioxidant activity in human plasma. We have observed chicory's and sunchoke's extracts had strongest antioxidant properties in the used models with human plasma. None of the tested vegetables changed ORAC and TAC in vitro. The obtained results suggest that sunflower vegetables might help to prevent oxidative stress related with cardiovascular diseases.

Phytochemical Screening, Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Biomass from Lychnis flos-cuculi L. In Vitro Cultures and Intact Plants.

Lychnis flos-cuculi L., a species with potential medicinal value, contains flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenoid saponins and ecdysteroids. In this study, the antioxidant activity of plant material of L. flos-cuculi obtained from in vitro cultures compared to that of intact plants from the natural site has been evaluated for the first time. Phytochemical screening of the in-vitro-derived material by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) confirmed the presence of the aforementioned metabolite classes. The aqueous methanolic extracts from in-vitro-derived plant material and the organs of intact plants were analyzed using spectrophotometric methods to quantify total phenolics, phenolic acids and flavonoids, and determine the preliminary antioxidant activity by ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and DPPH radical scavenging activity assays. The results showed that the inflorescence (Ns-F), and flowering herb of both plants gathered from natural habitat (Ns-H) and in-vitro-derived plants from the experimental plot (ExV-H) are the materials richest in polyphenols (195.4, 113.47, 112.1 mg GAE g-1 d.w., respectively), and demonstrate the highest antioxidant activity (20.14, 11.24, and 11.46 mg AAE g-1 d.w.). The extract from callus exhibited the lowest polyphenol content and antioxidant potential. The contents of total phenolics, flavonoids and phenolic acids correlate with the results of the antioxidant capacity of L. flos-cuculi extracts.

Flavonoid Preparations from Taraxacum officinale L. Fruits-A Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Hemostasis Studies.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale L.) roots, leaves, and flowers have a long history of use in traditional medicine. Compared to the above organs, dandelion fruits are the least known and used. Hence, the present paper was aimed at the phytochemical analysis of T. officinale fruit extract and estimating its antiradical, antiplatelet, and antioxidant properties related to hemostasis. Methanolic extract of fruits (E1), enriched with polyphenols (188 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g), was successfully separated into cinnamic acids (E2; 448 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (E3; 377 mg GAE/g) extracts. Flavonoid extract was further divided into four fractions characterized by individual content: A (luteolin fraction; 880 mg GAE/g), B (philonotisflavone fraction; 516 mg GAE/g), C (flavonolignans fraction; 384 mg GAE/g), and D (flavone aglycones fraction; 632 mg GAE/g). High DPPH radical scavenging activity was evaluated for fractions A and B (A > B > Trolox), medium for extracts (Trolox > E3 > E2 > E1), and low for fractions C and D. No simple correlation between polyphenol content and antiradical activity was observed, indicating a significant influence of qualitative factor, including higher anti-oxidative effect of flavonoids with B-ring catechol system compared to hydroxycinnamic acids. No cytotoxic effect on platelets was observed for any dandelion preparation tested. In experiments on plasma and platelets, using several different parameters (lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, oxidation of thiols, and platelet adhesion), the highest antioxidant and antiplatelet potential was demonstrated by three fruit preparations-hydroxycinnamic acids extract (E2), flavonoid extract (E3), and luteolin fraction (A). The results of this paper provide new information on dandelion metabolites, as well as their biological potential and possible use concerning cardiovascular diseases.

Comparative Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Haemostatic Studies of Preparations from Selected Vegetables from Cucurbitaceae Family.

The aim of this study was to provide detailed insight into the chemical composition and activity of five cucurbit vegetable preparations (pumpkin, zucchini, cucumber, white and yellow pattypan squash), each containing various phytochemical compounds with potential use against oxidative stress induced by the hydroxyl radical donors in human plasma in vitro. We studied the antiradical capacity of vegetable preparations using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method. As oxidative stress may induce changes in hemostasis, our aim included the determination of their effect on three selected hemostatic parameters of plasma, which are three coagulation times: PT (prothrombin time), APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) and TT (thrombin time). However, none of used vegetable preparations changed APTT, PT or TT compared to the control. The phytochemical composition of the tested preparations was determined by UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS. In our in vitro experiments, while all five tested preparations had antioxidant potential, the preparation from yellow pattypan squash showed the strongest potential. All cucurbit vegetable preparations inhibited lipid peroxidation. Only zucchini did not have an effect on protein carbonylation and only yellow pattypan squash inhibited thiol oxidation. The antioxidant activity of cucurbits appears to have triggered significant interest in multiple applications, including CVDs (cardiovascular diseases) associated with oxidative stress, which can be treated by supplementation based on these vegetables.

Biological activities of leaf extracts from selected Kalanchoe species and their relationship with bufadienolides content.

CONTEXT: Kalanchoe species (Crassulaceae) are widely used in traditional medicine as remedies in infectious diseases and cancer treatment. OBJECTIVE: Cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of Kalanchoe daigremontiana Raym.-Hamet & H. Perrier, K. pinnata (Lam.) Pers., and K. blossfeldiana Poelln. extracts were determined. The relationship between biological activities and the extracts bufadienolides content was also investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh leaves of Kalanchoe species were macerated with 95% ethanol or water. The quantitative analysis of bufadienolides in the extracts was carried out with mass spectrometry. Cytotoxicity tests were performed on human cancer cell lines - HeLa, SKOV-3, MCF-7, and A375 by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and Real-Time Cell Analysis system. The microbiological study was done using a few bacteria strains (ß-hemolytic Streptococcus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus hirae, Escherichia coli) and Candida albicans. RESULTS: The K. blossfeldiana ethanol extract and K. daigremontiana water extract exhibited the most potent cytotoxic activity (IC50 < 19 µg/mL for HeLa and SKOV-3 cells). The strongest antibacterial effects showed ethanol extract of K. blossfeldiana and K. pinnata (MIC values were 8.45, 8.45, 0.25 and <33.75 µg/mL for S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and E. hirae, respectively). The highest total amount of bufadienolides was in K. daigremontiana ethanol extract. In contrast, K. blossfeldiana ethanol extract did not show the presence of these compounds. CONCLUSIONS: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana ethanol extract is a potential candidate for cancer and bacterial infection treatment. Additionally, the biological effects of Kalanchoe extracts are not dependent on the presence and amount of bufadienolides in the plant extracts.

Antigenotoxic, Anti-photogenotoxic, and Antioxidant Properties of Polyscias filicifolia Shoots Cultivated In Vitro.

Traditional medicinal plants are an important source of active compounds with potential antimutagenic activity. Polyscias filicifolia Bailey (Araliaceae) is a South Asian traditional herb used as an adaptogenic and cardiac drug. Extracts of P. filicifolia contain a wide range of biologically active compounds like phenolic acids and triterpenoid saponins. In the present study. antigenotoxic potential of three naturally occurring phenolic acids and extracts of P. filicifolia growing in vitro with the addition of elicitors was evaluated against direct (4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4NQO) and mitomycin C (MMC)) and indirect mutagens (2-aminoanthracene (2AA)). The evaluation was made using a bacterial umu-test. Moreover, the ability to prevent photogenotoxicity induced by chlorpromazine (CPZ) under UVA irradiation was measured. The phytochemical profiling of examined extracts revealed the presence of numerous compounds with the prevelance of chlorogenic, caffeic, and ferulic acid derivatives; however, saponin fractions were also determined. The antioxidant potential of extracts strictly correlated with their composition. The tested extracts exhibited high antigenotoxic activity if the assay was performed with 2AA and metabolic activation. Moreover, the extracts slightly decreased the MMC-induced genotoxicity. However, an increase of the genotoxic effect was observed in the assay performed with 4NQO. In addition, photo-antigenotoxic activity was observed. In our study, phenolic acids exhibited lower activity than the extracts.