Eggshell derived scaffold of hydroxyapatite-ammonium bicarbonate nano-composite: Bioactivity and cytotoxicity studies.

This work investigated the facile synthesis of porous scaffold eggshell derived hydroxylapatite (ESHAp) as a composite with ammonium bicarbonate (AMB) for potential biomaterial in tissue engineering application. The phase purity, composition, size, functional groups and morphology of the apatite were elucidated using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HTEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that hydroxylapatite (HAp) nanoparticles have round morphologies with average diameters between 20 nm and 80 nm, FT-IR analysis confirmed significant hydroxylapatite functional groups like carbonate, phosphate, and hydroxyl groups, while XRD analysis revealed a well crystalline monophasic HAp powder. The scaffold samples containing 10, 20, 25 and 30 % of AMB withstood a compressive stress up to 5, 20, 30 and 42 N/mm2 respectively which indicates that the compressive stress increased with the AMB content introduced as the pore forming agent. MTT assay performed using MG63 osteosarcoma cell lines showed that on comparing the sample of ESTHAp which contained 0 % AMB with other samples in the range of 0.01-1 mM, viability of above 85 % MG63 cells was achieved except for ESTHAp with 40 % AMB, which showed some level of toxicity. The cell adhesion studies of sintered ESTHAp porous scaffold with different weight percent of the pore forming agents using inverted microscopic images of MG 63 cells incubated with ESTHAp samples and treated with heat at 1000 °C appeared to be unstable in the media used with particle leaching observed, and no cells observed near to the samples.

Structure-Agnostic Bioactivity-Driven Combinatorial Biosynthesis Reveals New Antidiabetic and Anticancer Triterpenoids.

Although combinatorial biosynthesis can dramatically expand the chemical structures of bioactive natural products to identify molecules with improved characteristics, progress in this direction has been hampered by the difficulty in isolating and characterizing the numerous produced compounds. This challenge could be overcome with improved designs that enable the analysis of the bioactivity of the produced metabolites ahead of the time-consuming isolation procedures. Herein, we showcase a structure-agnostic bioactivity-driven combinatorial biosynthesis workflow that introduces bioactivity assessment as a selection-driving force to guide iterative combinatorial biosynthesis rounds towards enzyme combinations with increasing bioactivity. We apply this approach to produce triterpenoids with potent bioactivity against PTP1B, a promising molecular target for diabetes and cancer treatment. We demonstrate that the bioactivity-guided workflow can expedite the combinatorial process by enabling the narrowing down of more than 1000 possible combinations to only five highly potent candidates. By focusing the isolation and structural elucidation effort on only these five strains, we reveal 20 structurally diverse triterpenoids, including four new compounds and a novel triterpenoid-anthranilic acid hybrid, as potent PTP1B inhibitors. This workflow expedites hit identification by combinatorial biosynthesis and is applicable to many other types of bioactive natural products, therefore providing a strategy for accelerated drug discovery.

Genus Castanopsis: A review on phytochemistry and biological activities.

Genus Castanopsis are native to tropical and subtropical Asia, comprising about 120 species. Some species from Castanopsis have been used as folk medicines in Asia. Phytochemistry investigations of the different plant parts of Genus Castanopsis have disclosed the presences of natural products including phenolics, terpenoids, steroids, and essential oils. Phenolics exist in Castanopsis species widely, particularly, triterpene ellagitannins were found to be potential chemotaxonomic marks of this geuns. The crude extracts and chemical constituents from Castanopsis have extensive biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, antimicrobial, etc. In conclusion, the phytochemistry and biological activities of genus Castanopsis make it a promising source of natural products for drug discovery and development. This review collected the literatures published prior to 2023 on the traditional medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and bioactivties of the genus Castanopsis by searching from several scientific databases, such as Elsevier, Sci-finder, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Baidu Scholar. The main purpose of this systematic review is to provide the available information for relevant scholars to understand the progress in phytochemistry and biological activies of the genus Castanopsis and help the further development of this genus.

Gelatin-chitosan interactions in edible films and coatings doped with plant extracts for biopreservation of fresh tuna fish products: A review.

The preservation of tuna fish products, which are extremely perishable seafood items, is a substantial challenge due to their instantaneous spoilage caused by microbial development and oxidative degradation. The current review explores the potential of employing chitosan-gelatin-based edible films and coatings, which are enriched with plant extracts, as a sustainable method to prolong the shelf life of tuna fish products. The article provides a comprehensive overview of the physicochemical properties of chitosan and gelatin, emphasizing the molecular interactions that underpin the formation and functionality of these biopolymer-based films and coatings. The synergistic effects of combining chitosan and gelatin are explored, particularly in terms of improving the mechanical strength, barrier properties, and bioactivity of the films. Furthermore, the application of botanical extracts, which include high levels of antioxidants and antibacterial compounds, is being investigated in terms of their capacity to augment the protective characteristics of the films. The study also emphasizes current advancements in utilizing these composite films and coatings for tuna fish products, with a specific focus on their effectiveness in preventing microbiological spoilage, decreasing lipid oxidation, and maintaining sensory qualities throughout storage. Moreover, the current investigation explores the molecular interactions associated with chitosan-gelatin packaging systems enriched with plant extracts, offering valuable insights for improving the design of edible films and coatings and suggesting future research directions to enhance their effectiveness in seafood preservation. Ultimately, the review underscores the potential of chitosan-gelatin-based films and coatings as a promising, eco-friendly alternative to conventional packaging methods, contributing to the sustainability of the seafood industry.

Alkaline electrolyzed water-assisted ultrasonic extraction of lutein from daylily (Hemerocallis spp.): Structural preservation and activity evaluation.

During lutein extraction, isomerization from all-trans to cis form reduced stability and antioxidant capacity. Alkaline electrolyzed water (AEW), with its reduced-state and small molecular clusters, effectively extracted bioactive substances and inhibited oxidation. Thus, an AEW-assisted ultrasonic extraction method was used to extract lutein from daylily. Compared to ultrasonic extraction alone, AEW treatment increased the lutein yield by 60 %. Structural analysis confirmed the preservation of all-trans lutein by AEW. Assess AEW extraction's impact on lutein's bioactivity by examining its protection against blue light cell damage. The results showed that that lutein extracted using AEW exhibited enhanced antioxidant capacity, significantly boosting the viability of ARPE-19 cells and the activity of intracellular antioxidant enzymes, thereby mitigating oxidative stress damage to the retina caused by blue light exposure. This study provided an effective method for efficiently extracting bioactive substances and preventing the impact of the extraction process on their structure and function.

Evaluation of physicochemical characteristics, bioactivity, flavor profile and key metabolites in the fermentation of goji juice by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus.

This study aimed to investigate the changes in physicochemical properties, bioactivities and metabolites of fermented goji juice (FGJ) by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus at different fermentation stages. The results showed that Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus fermentation significantly decreased the content of soluble protein, total phenolic, total flavonoid and total sugar. Meanwhile, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability and the inhibition rate of xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity were remarkably enhanced by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus fermentation. Flavor profiles analysis indicated that FGJ produced novel volatile compounds such as 4-methylpentanol and 2-butanol, which provide its distinct aroma. The non-targeted metabolomics analysis showed that the differential metabolites in the FGJ28 vs. FGJ0 group were mainly included 1,7-bis (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) heptan-3-yl acetate, isoplumbagin, triacetylresveratrol, sulochrin, indole-3-acetaldehyde, etc., which might have an effect on the promotion of the bioactivity of goji juice. These findings will contribute to understanding the biotransformation effect of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus fermentation on goji juice.

Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic drug products approved by the FDA in 2023: Synthesis and biological activity.

This article profiles 13 newly approved nitrogen-containing heterocyclic drugs by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2023. These drugs target a variety of therapeutic areas including proteinuria in patients with IgA nephropathy, migraine in adults, Rett syndrome, PI3Kδ syndrome, vasomotor symptoms, alopecia areata, acute myeloid leukemia, postpartum depression, myelofibrosis, and various cancer and tumor types. The molecular structures of these approved drugs feature common aromatic heterocyclic compounds such as pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, isoxazole, pyridine, and pyrimidine, as well as aliphatic heterocyclic compounds like caprolactam, piperazine, and piperidine. Some compounds also contain multiple heteroatoms like 1,2,4-thiadiazole and 1,2,4-triazole. The article provides a comprehensive overview of the bioactivity spectrum, medicinal chemistry discovery, and synthetic methods for each compound.

Using hardystonite as a biomaterial in biomedical and bone tissue engineering applications.

Widespread adoption for substitutes of artificial bone grafts based on proper bioceramics has been generated in recent years. Among them, calcium-silicate-based bioceramics, which possess osteoconductive properties and can directly attach to biological organs, have attracted substantial attention for broad ranges of applications in bone tissue engineering. Approaches exist for a novel strategy to promote the drawbacks of bioceramics such as the incorporation of Zn2+, Mg2+, and Zr4+ ions into calcium-silicate networks, and the improvement of their physical, mechanical, and biological properties. Recently, hardystonite (Ca2ZnSi2O7) bioceramics, as one of the most proper calcium-silicate-based bioceramics, has presented excellent biocompatibility, bioactivity, and interaction. Due to its physical, mechanical, and biological behaviors and ability to be shaped utilizing a variety of fabrication techniques, hardystonite possesses the potential to be applied in biomedical and tissue engineering, mainly bone tissue engineering. A notable potential exists for the newly developed bioceramics to help therapies supply clinical outputs. The promising review paper has been presented by considering major aims to summarize and discuss the most applicable studies carried out for its physical, mechanical, and biological behaviors.

Terpestacin and its derivatives: bioactivities and syntheses.

Terpestacin (1), fusaproliferin (2), and their derivatives are a class of sesterterpenes featured by a trans-fused 5/15-membered ring skeleton. There are 45 natural products (1, 2, 4-27, 65-83) isolated from various wild fungi (Fusarium sp., Bipolaris sorokiniana, Arthrinium sp., etc.) or from genetic mutants via biosynthetic gene clusters mining, and 37 derivatives (28-64) produced by semi-synthetic modifications. These compounds show a diverse range of important bioactivities such as antivirus, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, phytotoxic, anti-flammatory, and brine shrimp lethal activities. To date, two racemic and five enantioselective chemical total syntheses of 1 (including 2 and their isomers) have been developed. Over the past decade, a number of biosynthetic gene clusters or their mutants, along with their encoding enzymes responsible for producing sesterterpenes such as terpestacin and its derivatives, have also been identified. This review covers the literature from the year 1993, when 1 was firstly discovered, to May 2024, focusing on the bioactivities and syntheses of 1 and its derivatives or isomers.

Effects of microplastic interaction with persistent organic pollutants on the activity of the aryl hydrocarbon and estrogen receptors.

Environmental microplastics (MPs) are complex mixtures of plastic polymers and sorbed chemical pollutants with high degrees of heterogeneity, particularly in terms of particle size, morphology and degree of weathering. Currently, limitations exist in sampling sufficient amounts of environmental particles for laboratory studies to assess toxicity endpoints with statistical rigor and to examine chemical pollutant interactions. This study seeks to bridge this gap by investigating environmental plastic particle mimetics and pollutant-polymer interactions by mixing polymer particles with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) at set concentrations over time. Solutions containing combinations of polymers including polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyamide (PA) and POPs including 2,3,7,8 -Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), bisphenol A (BPA), and atrazine, were stirred for up to 19 weeks and monitored using assays to test for aryl hydrocarbon (AhR) and estrogen receptor (ER) activity which are cell signaling pathways impacted by environmental pollutants. TCDD induced AhR activity decreased over time in the presence of PS in a surface area dependent manner. BPA and atrazine also exhibited AhR antagonist activity in the presence of TCDD. The addition of BPA slowed the loss of activity but atrazine did not, suggesting that polymer chemistry impacts interactions with POPs. We also observed potential differences in TCDD sorption with different plastic polymers and that higher concentrations of PS particles may inhibit BPA-induced estrogen receptor activation. These results emphasize the need for additional understanding of how POPs and polymer chemistry impact their interaction and toxicity.

From cornfield to catalyst support: Eco-friendly synthesis of Cu/CuO nanoparticles, immobilization on the waste corn husk fibers, photocatalytic exploration and bioactivity evaluation.

This study presents an innovative approach to eco-friendly synthesis and utilization of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) for photocatalytic applications, employing waste corn husk fibers as sustainable catalyst support. The synthesis of CuNPs was achieved through a green synthesis method utilizing myrtle extract. Subsequently, the remarkable photocatalytic activity of the CuNPs explored (76% removal efficiency of Crystal Violet), showcased their potential in environmental remediation applications. Furthermore, the immobilization of CuNPs onto waste corn husk fibers was investigated, aiming to develop a novel composite material with enhanced catalytic performance. A distinctive approach was introduced by immobilizing CuNPs onto fibers derived from corn husks, and waste biomass material, leading to a significant enhancement in photocatalytic efficiency, surpassing 95.1%. Furthermore, bioactivity evaluation studies revealed the significant antioxidant, antidiabetic, DNA fragmentation, cell viability, antibiofilm and antimicrobial properties of CuNPs. The antioxidant ability was determined at 100 mg/L as 87.12%. The most powerful antimicrobial activity of CuNP was found as a MIC value of 8 mg/L against E. faecalis. The cell viability inhibition of CuNP was 90.05% at 20 mg/L. CuNP exhibited biofilm inhibition activity at different concentrations. The antibiofilm ability was investigated against Staphylococcus aureus compared to Pseudomonas aureginosa. While the DNA cleavage activity of CuNP observed double-strand breaks at 50 and 100 mg, complete fragmentation occurred at 200 mg concentrations. The bioactivity of the synthesized CuNPs shed light on their potential biomedical applications. The synthesized CuNPs are characterized using various analytical techniques to elucidate their structural and morphological properties. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis provided insights into the chemical composition and surface properties of the synthesized materials. EDS analysis confirmed their successful integration into waste corn husk fibers. Overall, this interdisciplinary study highlights the potential of CuNPs immobilized on waste corn husk fibers for addressing environmental pollution, advancing sustainable technologies and paving the way for the development of efficient catalysts with diverse functionalities.

Synthesis of chitosan/Fe2O3/CuO-nanocomposite and their role as inhibitor for some biological disorders in vitro with molecular docking interactions studies.

The hybrid material between the functional elements particularly with the polymer compounds as a nanocomposites are attractive in numerous fields. In the current work, chitosan/Fe2O3/CuO-nanocomposite has been successfully synthesized in situ via a coprecipitation method and characterized by several apparatuses. The X-ray diffraction cleared that chitosan/Fe2O3/CuO-nanocomposite was crystalline. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) showed that the size of chitosan/Fe2O3/CuO-nanocomposite was of 17-85 nm. Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Geotrichum candidum were inhibited employing the chitosan/Fe2O3/CuO-nanocomposite with inhibition areas of 25 ± 0.1 and 30 ± 0.1, and 23 ± 0.2 mm, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of chitosan/Fe2O3/CuO-nanocomposite was 15.62, 31.25, and 62.5 µg/mL for C. tropicalis, C. albicans, and G. candidum, respectively. Biofilm formation of C. albicans, C. tropicalis and G. candidum was inhibited at level of 95.31, 96.65, and 93.63 %, respectively at 75 % MIC of chitosan/Fe2O3/CuO-nanocomposite. The exposed C. tropicalis to chitosan/Fe2O3/CuO-nanocomposite showed severe damag of cytoplasm membrane with cell wall rupture. Chitosan/Fe2O3/CuO-nanocomposite reflected anticancer potential against human skin cancer (A-431) cells with IC50 of 77.79 ± 1.37 µg/mL. Moreover, wound heals was induced by chitosan/Fe2O3/CuO-nanocomposite with closure level 92.76 %. Molecular docking studies suggested strong binding of C. tropicalis (PDB ID: 8BH8) and A-431 (PDB ID: 5JJX) proteins with CuO nanoparticles and FeO nanoparticles.

Assessing bioactivity of environmental water samples filtered using nanomembrane technology and mammalian cell lines.

This project reports on the use of a novel nanomembrane filtering technology to isolate and analyze the bioactivity of microplastic (MP)-containing debris from Lake Ontario water samples. Environmental MPs are a complex mixture of polymers and sorbed chemicals that are persistent and can exhibit a wide range of toxic effects. Since human exposure to MPs is unavoidable, it is necessary to characterize their bioactivity to assess potential health risks. This work seeks to quantify MP presence in the nearshore waters of Lake Ontario and begin to characterize the bioactivity of the filtrate containing MPs. We utilized silicon nitride (SiN) nanomembrane technology to isolate debris sized between 8 and 20 µm from lake water samples collected at various times and locations. MPs were identified with Nile red staining. Cell-based assays were conducted directly on the filtered debris to test for cell viability, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activity, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels as a measure of proinflammatory response. All samples contained MPs. None of the isolated debris impacted cell viability. However, AhR activity and IL-6 levels varied over time. Additionally, no associations were observed between the amount of plastic and bioactivity. Observed differences in activity are likely due to variations in the physiochemical properties of debris between samples. Our results highlight the need for increased sampling to fully characterize the bioactivity of MPs in human cells and to elucidate the role that sample physiochemical and spatiotemporal properties play in this activity.

Unveiling novel insights: geraniol's enhanced anti-candida efficacy and mechanistic innovations against multidrug-resistant candida strains.

OBJECTIVES: This study addressed the need for new treatments for severe Candida infections, especially resistant strains. It evaluated the antifungal potential of geraniol alone and with fluconazole against various Candida spp., including resistant strains, and investigated geraniol's mechanism of action using flow cytometry. METHODS: The research assessed the inhibitory effects of geraniol on the growth of various Candida species at concentrations ranging from 110 to 883 µg/ml. The study also explored the potential synergistic effects when geraniol was combined with fluconazole. The mechanism of action was investigated through flow cytometry, with a particular emphasis on key enzymes associated with plasma membrane synthesis, membrane permeability changes, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction, and genotoxicity. RESULTS: Geraniol demonstrated significant antifungal activity against different Candida species, inhibiting growth at concentrations within the range of 110 to 883 µg/ml. The mechanism of action appeared to be multifactorial. Geraniol was associated with the inhibition of crucial enzymes involved in plasma membrane synthesis, increased membrane permeability, induction of mitochondrial membrane depolarization, elevated ROS levels, and the presence of genotoxicity. These effects collectively contributed to cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Geraniol, alone and in combination with fluconazole, shows promise as a potential therapeutic option for Candida spp. INFECTIONS: Its diverse mechanism of action, impacting crucial cellular processes, highlights its potential as an effective antifungal agent. Further research into geraniol's therapeutic applications may aid in developing innovative strategies to address Candida infections, especially those resistant to current therapies.

Unveiling Drimenol: A Phytochemical with Multifaceted Bioactivities.

Drimenol, a phytochemical with a distinct odor is found in edible aromatic plants, such as Polygonum minus (known as kesum in Malaysia) and Drimys winteri. Recently, drimenol has received increasing attention owing to its diverse biological activities. This review offers the first extensive overview of drimenol, covering its sources, bioactivities, and derivatives. Notably, drimenol possesses a wide spectrum of biological activities, including antifungal, antibacterial, anti-insect, antiparasitic, cytotoxic, anticancer, and antioxidant effects. Moreover, some mechanisms of its activities, such as its antifungal effects against human mycoses and anticancer activities, have been investigated. However, there are still several crucial issues in the research on drimenol, such as the lack of experimental understanding of its pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and toxicity. By synthesizing current research findings, this review aims to present a holistic understanding of drimenol, paving the way for future studies and its potential utilization in diverse fields.

Fabrication and Characterization of Polycaprolactone-Baghdadite Nanofibers by Electrospinning Method for Tissue Engineering Applications.

This work investigates the essential constituents, production methods, and properties of polycaprolactone (PCL) and Baghdadite fibrous scaffolds. In this research, electrospinning was used to produce fiber ropes. In this study, the Baghdadite powder was synthesized using the sol-gel method and incorporated into PCL's polymeric matrix in formic acid and acetic acid solvents. The present work examined PCL-Baghdadite fibrous scaffolds at 1%, 3%, and 5 wt% for morphology, fiber diameter size, hydrophilicity, porosity, mechanical properties, degradability, and bioactivity. The introduction of Baghdadite nanopowder into pure PCL scaffolds reduced fiber diameter. The wetting angle decreased when Baghdadite nanopowder was added to fibrous scaffolds. Pure PCL reduced the wetting angle from 93.20° to 70.53°. Fibrous PCL scaffolds with Baghdadite nanopowder have better mechanical characteristics. The tensile strength of pure PCL fibers was determined at 2.08 ± 0.2 MPa, which was enhanced by up to 3 wt% by adding Baghdadite nanopowder. Fiber elasticity increased with tensile strength. Baghdadite at a 5% weight percentage reduced failure strain percentage. Fibers with more Baghdadite nanopowder biodegrade faster. Adding Baghdadite ceramic nanoparticles resulted in increased bioactivity and caused scaffolds to generate hydroxyapatite. The results show that Baghdadite PCL-3 wt% fibers have promising shape, diameter, and mechanical qualities. After 24 h, L-929 fibroblast cell viability was greater in the scaffold with 3% Baghdadite weight compared to the pure PCL. PCL-3 wt% Baghdadite fibers generated hydroxyapatite on the surface and degraded well. Based on the above findings, PCL fibers having 3 wt% of Baghdadite are the best sample for tissue engineering applications that heal flaws.

Study on the Bioactivity, Toxicity, Stereoselective Fate, and Risk Assessment of Chiral Fungicide Isopyrazam in Five Kinds of Fruits and Vegetables.

Isopyrazam (IPZ) is a new chiral fungicide. For bioactivity, there was a 3.37-1578 times difference among the four stereoisomers. For Alternaria alternata and Phoma multirostrata, cis-(1S,4R,9S)-IPZ had the greatest activity. Using cis-IPZ might improve the efficacy and reduce the dosage of the racemate by 54.7-72.2% for A. alternata and P. multirostrata. To zebrafish, trans-IPZ showed the highest acute toxicity (LC50, 0.096 mg/L). The degradation half-lives of IPZ stereoisomers in the five crops ranged from 3.50 to 15.2 days. Cis-IPZ was preferentially degraded in grape, pear, and celery. The residual concentrations of IPZ in grape and celery were still higher than the maximum residue limit, and the acute and chronic dietary intake risks of IPZ in celery were unacceptable (RQa: 146-250%, HQ: 117-200%), which were worthy of further researching. Based on the research results, it is safer and more reasonable to use IPZ in the form of a racemate with a high ratio of cis-IPZ.

Bioactivity and application potential of O/W emulsions derived from carboxylic acid-based NADES-extracted total saponins from Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua.

This study focuses on evaluating new methods for the green extraction of saponin compounds from Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua (PCH). This study utilized a combination of carboxylic acid-based natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) and various extraction techniques including conventional heat reflux-, ultrasound-, and microwave-assisted extraction. The primary objectives were to assess total saponin yield, antioxidant capacity, and enzyme inhibition efficiency. Additionally, the solvents and extracts were evaluated for their antibacterial activity. Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions of NADES extracts were also characterized and analyzed for stability. Results indicated that three NADES systems were effective in extracting saponins, with choline chloride and lactic acid (ChCl-LA) system being the most efficient. The ChCl:LA extract exhibited antimicrobial and antioxidant activities superior to conventional organic solvent extracts. Additionally, it demonstrated maximum inhibitory activity (IC50 values: 0.98 ± 0.03 and 1.46 ± 0.07 mg/mL, respectively) against α-glucosidase and α-amylase. The NADES extract as an aqueous phase significantly improved the stationarity of the O/W emulsion. Collectively, the study highlights the antimicrobial and technological advantages of NADES as a potential solvent for extracting saponin compounds from PCH.

Fermentation of Pyropia spp. seaweed: a comprehensive review on processing conditions, biological activities and potential applications in the food industry.

Pyropia spp. seaweeds are delicious and nutritious red algae widely consumed for a long history. However, due to the non-digestibility of cell wall components by the human intestinal tract, the bioaccessibility of the intracellular bioactive compounds is low. The current industrial processing of Pyropia spp. food by drying and roasting cannot break down the cell wall; however, studies indicate that fermentation of Pyropia spp. by food-derived microorganisms is an efficient processing method to solve this problem. This paper reviews research on the fermentation of Pyropia spp., including the manufacturing process, alterations in chemical composition, flavor properties, bioactivities, and mechanisms. Furthermore, the limitations and opportunities for developing Pyropia spp. fermentation food are explored. Studies demonstrated that key metabolites of fermented Pyropia spp. were degraded polysaccharides, released phenolic compounds and flavonoids, and formed amino acids, which possessed bioactivities such as antioxidant, anti-glycation, anti-diabetic, lipid metabolism regulation beneficial to human health. The increased bioactivities implied the promoted bioaccessibility of intracellular components. Notably, fermentation positively contributed to the safety of Pyropia spp. food. In conclusion, benefits in nutrition, flavor, bioactivity, and safety suggest that fermentation technology has a promising future for application in Pyropia spp. food industry.

Bioactivity-guided isolation of potential antidiarrheal constituents from Euphorbia hirta L. and molecular docking evaluation.

Background: Euphorbia hirta L., a member of the Euphorbiaceae family, is extensively used as a folk medicine across various regions. In China, its decoction is traditionally consumed to alleviate diarrhea. This study aimed to evaluate the antidiarrheal activities of Euphorbia hirta and to identify its bioactive constituents through a bioactivity-guided isolation technique. Methods: Oral administration of E. hirta extract to mice was conducted to assess its effects on diarrhea. The anti-diarrheal effects were investigated in an aqueous extract and in three fractions of varying polarities derived from the aqueous extract, as well as in different eluates from D-101 macroporous resin, and in the compounds quercitrin and isoquercitrin, using mouse models with castor oil-induced diarrhea. Results: The aqueous extract demonstrated significant anti-diarrheal activities in a dose-dependent manner in the castor oil-induced diarrheal model. Notably, the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction showed prominent effects. Through bioactivity-guided isolation, two major compounds, isoquercitrin and quercitrin from the active fraction were found to possess antidiarrheal effects. Molecular docking studies revealed that the affinity energy of isoquercitrin and quercitrin were -8.5 and -8.2 kcal mol-1, respectively, which were comparable to the reference drug loperamide, with an affinity energy of -9.1 kcal mol-1. Conclusion: This research provides evidence supporting the development of E. hirta as a therapeutic agent for diarrhea, with isoquercitrin and quercitrin emerging as two key constituents that are likely responsible for its antidiarrheal activity. These findings validate the traditional use of E. hirta and highlight its potential as a natural treatment for diarrhea.