Nanocarriers for Cannabinoid Delivery: Enhancing Therapeutic Potential.

Medical cannabis has potential therapeutic benefits in managing pain, anxiety, depression, and neurological and movement disorders. Phytocannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant are responsible for their pharmacological and therapeutic properties. However, the complexity of cannabis components, especially cannabinoids, poses a challenge to effective medicinal administration. Even with the increasing acceptance of cannabis-based medicines, achieving consistent bioavailability and targeted distribution remains difficult. Conventional administration methods are plagued by solubility and absorption problems requiring innovative solutions. After conducting a thorough review of research papers and patents, it has become evident that nanotechnology holds great promise as a solution. The comprehensive review of 36 research papers has yielded valuable insights, with 7 papers reporting enhanced bioavailability, while others have focused on improvements in release, solubility, and stability. Additionally, 19 patents have been analyzed, of which 7 specifically claim enhanced bioavailability, while the remaining patents describe various formulation methods. These patents outline effective techniques for encapsulating cannabis using nanocarriers, effectively addressing solubility and controlled release. Studies on the delivery of cannabis using nanocarriers focus on improving bioavailability, prolonging release, and targeting specific areas. This synthesis highlights the potential of nanotechnology to enhance cannabis therapies and pave the way for innovative interventions and precision medicine.

How to enhance MSCs therapeutic properties? An insight on potentiation methods.

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising tool in the field of regenerative medicine due to their unique therapeutic properties as they can differentiate into multiple cell types and exert paracrine effects. However, despite encouraging results obtained in preclinical studies, clinical trials have not achieved the same levels of efficacy. To improve the therapeutic properties of MSCs, several strategies have been explored. Therefore, in this review, the therapeutic properties of MSCs will be analyzed, and an update and overview of the most prominent approaches used to enhance their therapeutic capabilities will be provided. These approaches include using drugs, molecules, strategies based on biomaterials, and modification parameters in culture. The strategy described shows several common factors among those affected by these strategies that lead to an enhancement of the MSCs therapeutic properties such as the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and the increased expression of Heat Shock Proteins and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor. The combined effect of these elements shift MSCs towards a glycolytic state, suggesting this shift is essential for their enhancement.

Multidisciplinary advances in kombucha fermentation, health efficacy, and market evolution.

Kombucha, a fermented tea beverage, has seen a significant rise in global popularity. This increase is attributed to its reported health benefits and extensive cultural heritage. The comprehensive review examines kombucha through microbiology, biochemistry, and health sciences, highlighting its therapeutic potential and commercial viability. Central to kombucha production is the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY), which regulates a complex fermentation process, resulting in a bioactive-rich elixir. The study examines the microbial dynamics of SCOBY, emphasizing the roles of various microorganisms. It focuses the contributions of acetic acid bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and osmophilic yeasts, including genera such as Saccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, Zygosaccharomyces, Brettanomyces/Dekkera, and Pichia. These microorganisms play crucial roles in producing bioactive compounds, including organic acids, polyphenols, and vitamins. These bioactive compounds confer therapeutic properties to kombucha. These properties include antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, cancer prevention, hepatoprotective, and detoxifying effects. The review also explores the growing market for kombucha, driven by consumer demand for functional beverages and opportunities for innovative product development. It emphasizes the necessity of standardized production to ensure safety and validate health claims. Identifying research gaps, the review highlights the importance of clinical trials to verify therapeutic benefits. Ultimately, this study integrates traditional knowledge with scientific research, providing directions for future studies and commercial expansion, emphasizing the role of kombucha in health and wellness.

A Nonenzymatic Procedure to Obtain Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from the Dermis.

Human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have gained significant interest as cell-based therapeutics for organ restoration in the field of regenerative medicine. More recently, substantial attention has been directed toward cell-free therapy, achieved through the utilization of soluble factors possessing trophic and immunomodulatory properties present in the MSC secretome. This collection of soluble factors can be found either freely in the secretome or packed within its vesicular fraction, known as extracellular vesicles (EVs). MSCs can be derived from various tissue sources, each involving different extraction methods and yielding varying cell amounts. In this study, we describe a nonenzymatic procedure for a straightforward isolation of MSCs from the fetal dermis and the adult dermis. The results demonstrate the isolation of a cell population with a uniform MSC immunophenotype from the earliest passages (approximately 90% positive for the classical MSC markers CD90, CD105, and CD73, while negative for the hematopoietic markers CD34 and CD45, as well as HLA-DR). Additionally, we describe the procedures for cell expansion, banking, and secretome collection.

A review on the cultivation, bioactive compounds, health-promoting factors and clinical trials of medicinal mushrooms Taiwanofungus camphoratus, Inonotus obliquus and Tropicoporus linteus.

Medicinal mushrooms, such as Taiwanofungus camphoratus, Inonotus obliquus, and Tropicoporus linteus, have been used in traditional medicine for therapeutic purposes and promotion of overall health in China and many East Asian countries for centuries. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated the large amounts of bioactive constituents (such as polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and phenolic compounds) available in these medicinal mushrooms and their potential therapeutic properties. Due to the rising demand for the health-promoting medicinal mushrooms, various cultivation methods have been explored to combat over-harvesting of the fungi. Evidence of the robust pharmacological properties, including their anticancer, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and antiviral activities, have been provided in various studies, where the health-benefiting properties of the medicinal fungi have been further proven through numerous clinical trials. In this review, the cultivation methods, available bioactive constituents, therapeutic properties, and potential uses of T. camphoratus, I. obliquus and T. linteus are explored.

Proteomic analysis and functional validation reveal distinct therapeutic capabilities related to priming of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells with IFN-γ and hypoxia: potential implications for their clinical use.

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous population of multipotent cells that can be obtained from various tissues, such as dental pulp, adipose tissue, bone marrow and placenta. MSCs have gained importance in the field of regenerative medicine because of their promising role in cell therapy and their regulatory abilities in tissue repair and regeneration. However, a better characterization of these cells and their products is necessary to further potentiate their clinical application. In this study, we used unbiased high-resolution mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis to investigate the impact of distinct priming strategies, such as hypoxia and IFN-γ treatment, on the composition and therapeutic functionality of the secretome produced by MSCs derived from the amniotic membrane of the human placenta (hAMSCs). Our investigation revealed that both types of priming improved the therapeutic efficacy of hAMSCs, and these improvements were related to the secretion of functional factors present in the conditioned medium (CM) and exosomes (EXOs), which play crucial roles in mediating the paracrine effects of MSCs. In particular, hypoxia was able to induce a pro-angiogenic, innate immune response-activating, and tissue-regenerative hAMSC phenotype, as highlighted by the elevated production of regulatory factors such as VEGFA, PDGFRB, ANGPTL4, ENG, GRO-γ, IL8, and GRO-α. IFN-γ priming, instead, led to an immunosuppressive profile in hAMSCs, as indicated by increased levels of TGFB1, ANXA1, THBS1, HOMER2, GRN, TOLLIP and MCP-1. Functional assays validated the increased angiogenic properties of hypoxic hAMSCs and the enhanced immunosuppressive activity of IFN-γ-treated hAMSCs. This study extends beyond the direct priming effects on hAMSCs, demonstrating that hypoxia and IFN-γ can influence the functional characteristics of hAMSC-derived secretomes, which, in turn, orchestrate the production of functional factors by peripheral blood cells. This research provides valuable insights into the optimization of MSC-based therapies by systematically assessing and comparing the priming type-specific functional features of hAMSCs. These findings highlight new strategies for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs, particularly in the context of multifactorial diseases, paving the way for the use of hAMSC-derived products in clinical practice.

Therapeutic properties of Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom): A review.

Inonotus obliquus, also known as Chaga, is a medicinal mushroom that has been used for therapeutic purposes since the sixteenth century. Collections of folk medicine record the application of Chaga for the treatment of diseases such as gastrointestinal cancer, diabetes, bacterial infection, and liver diseases. Modern research provides scientific evidence of the therapeutic properties of I. obliquus extracts, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, hepatoprotective, renoprotective, anti-fatigue, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. Various bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, triterpenoids, polyphenols, and lignin metabolites have been found to be responsible for the health-benefiting properties of I. obliquus. Furthermore, some studies have elucidated the underlying mechanisms of the mushroom's medicinal effects, revealing the compounds' interactions with enzymes or proteins of important pathways. Thus, this review aims to explore available information on the therapeutic potentials of Inonotus obliquus for the development of an effective naturally sourced treatment option.

Hive Products: Composition, Pharmacological Properties, and Therapeutic Applications.

Beekeeping provides products with nutraceutical and pharmaceutical characteristics. These products are characterized by abundance of bioactive compounds. For different reasons, honey, royal jelly, propolis, venom, and pollen are beneficial to humans and animals and could be used as therapeutics. The pharmacological action of these products is related to many of their constituents. The main bioactive components of honey include oligosaccharides, methylglyoxal, royal jelly proteins (MRJPs), and phenolics compounds. Royal jelly contains jelleins, royalisin peptides, MRJPs, and derivatives of hydroxy-decenoic acid, particularly 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), which possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuromodulatory, metabolic syndrome-preventing, and anti-aging properties. Propolis has a plethora of activities that are referable to compounds such as caffeic acid phenethyl ester. Peptides found in bee venom include phospholipase A2, apamin, and melittin. In addition to being vitamin-rich, bee pollen also includes unsaturated fatty acids, sterols, and phenolics compounds that express antiatherosclerotic, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the constituents of hive products are particular and different. All of these constituents have been investigated for their properties in numerous research studies. This review aims to provide a thorough screening of the bioactive chemicals found in honeybee products and their beneficial biological effects. The manuscript may provide impetus to the branch of unconventional medicine that goes by the name of apitherapy.

Polyploidy Promotes Hypertranscription, Apoptosis Resistance, and Ciliogenesis in Cancer Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells of Various Origins: Comparative Transcriptome In Silico Study.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) attract an increasing amount of attention due to their unique therapeutic properties. Yet, MSC can undergo undesirable genetic and epigenetic changes during their propagation in vitro. In this study, we investigated whether polyploidy can compromise MSC oncological safety and therapeutic properties. For this purpose, we compared the impact of polyploidy on the transcriptome of cancer cells and MSC of various origins (bone marrow, placenta, and heart). First, we identified genes that are consistently ploidy-induced or ploidy-repressed through all comparisons. Then, we selected the master regulators using the protein interaction enrichment analysis (PIEA). The obtained ploidy-related gene signatures were verified using the data gained from polyploid and diploid populations of early cardiomyocytes (CARD) originating from iPSC. The multistep bioinformatic analysis applied to the cancer cells, MSC, and CARD indicated that polyploidy plays a pivotal role in driving the cell into hypertranscription. It was evident from the upregulation of gene modules implicated in housekeeping functions, stemness, unicellularity, DNA repair, and chromatin opening by means of histone acetylation operating via DNA damage associated with the NUA4/TIP60 complex. These features were complemented by the activation of the pathways implicated in centrosome maintenance and ciliogenesis and by the impairment of the pathways related to apoptosis, the circadian clock, and immunity. Overall, our findings suggest that, although polyploidy does not induce oncologic transformation of MSC, it might compromise their therapeutic properties because of global epigenetic changes and alterations in fundamental biological processes. The obtained results can contribute to the development and implementation of approaches enhancing the therapeutic properties of MSC by removing polyploid cells from the cell population.

Potential Therapeutic Properties of Olea europaea Leaves from Selected Cultivars Based on Their Mineral and Organic Profiles.

Olive leaves are consumed as an extract or as a whole herbal powder with several potential therapeutic benefits attributed to polyphenols, tocopherol's isomers, and flavonoids, among others. This study assessed the potential variance in the functional features presented by olive leaves from three different Portuguese cultivars-Cobrançosa, Madural, and Verdeal-randomly mix-cultivated in the geographical area of Vale de Salgueiros. Inorganic analysis determined their mineral profiles while an organic analysis measured their total phenolic and flavonoid content, and scanned their phenolic and tocopherol and fatty acid composition. The extracts' biological activity was tested by determining their antimicrobial and antioxidant power as well as their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, MAO-A/B, and angiotensin-I-converting enzyme. The inorganic profiles showed them to be an inexpensive source able to address different mineral deficiencies. All cultivars appear to have potential for use as possible antioxidants and future alternative antibiotics against some multidrug-resistant microorganisms, with caution regarding the arsenic content in the Verdeal cultivar. Madural's extract displayed properties to be considered a natural multitarget treatment for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, depression, and cardiometabolic and dual activity for blood pressure modulation. This work indicates that randomly cultivating different cultivars significantly modifies the leaves' composition while keeping their multifaceted therapeutic value.

Bioactive Bismuth Compounds: Is Their Toxicity a Barrier to Therapeutic Use?

Bismuth compounds are considered relatively non-toxic, with their low solubility in aqueous solutions (e.g., biological fluids) being the major contributing factor to this property. Bismuth derivatives are widely used for the treatment of peptic ulcers, functional dyspepsia, and chronic gastritis. Moreover, the properties of bismuth compounds have also been extensively explored in two main fields of action: antimicrobial and anticancer. Despite the clinical interest of bismuth-based drugs, several side effects have also been reported. In fact, excessive acute ingestion of bismuth, or abuse for an extended period of time, can lead to toxicity. However, evidence has demonstrated that the discontinuation of these compounds usually reverses their toxic effects. Notwithstanding, the continuously growing use of bismuth products suggests that it is indeed part of our environment and our daily lives, which urges a more in-depth review and investigation into its possible undesired activities. Therefore, this review aims to update the pharmaco-toxicological properties of bismuth compounds. A special focus will be given to in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies exploring their toxicity.

Use of priming strategies to advance the clinical application of mesenchymal stromal/stem cell-based therapy.

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) have garnered significant attention in the field of regenerative medicine due to their remarkable therapeutic potential. MSCs play a pivotal role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and possess diverse functions in tissue repair and recovery in various organs. These cells are characterized by easy accessibility, few ethical concerns, and adaptability to in vitro cultures, making them a valuable resource for cell therapy in several clinical conditions. Over the years, it has been shown that the true therapeutic power of MSCs lies not in cell engraftment and replacement but in their ability to produce critical paracrine factors, including cytokines, growth factors, and exosomes (EXOs), which modulate the tissue microenvironment and facilitate repair and regeneration processes. Consequently, MSC-derived products, such as conditioned media and EXOs, are now being extensively evaluated for their potential medical applications, offering advantages over the long-term use of whole MSCs. However, the efficacy of MSC-based treatments varies in clinical trials due to both intrinsic differences resulting from the choice of diverse cell sources and non-standardized production methods. To address these concerns and to enhance MSC therapeutic potential, researchers have explored many priming strategies, including exposure to inflammatory molecules, hypoxic conditions, and three-dimensional culture techniques. These approaches have optimized MSC secretion of functional factors, empowering them with enhanced immunomodulatory, angiogenic, and regenerative properties tailored to specific medical conditions. In fact, various priming strategies show promise in the treatment of numerous diseases, from immune-related disorders to acute injuries and cancer. Currently, in order to exploit the full therapeutic potential of MSC therapy, the most important challenge is to optimize the modulation of MSCs to obtain adapted cell therapy for specific clinical disorders. In other words, to unlock the complete potential of MSCs in regenerative medicine, it is crucial to identify the most suitable tissue source and develop in vitro manipulation protocols specific to the type of disease being treated.

A Short Appraisal of Biomimetic Hydrogels to Improve Penetration of Poorly Permeable Drugs.

Effective drug delivery to target sites is critical for achieving desired therapeutic outcomes. However, the poor permeability of certain drugs poses significant challenges in achieving adequate drug concentrations at the desired locations. Biomimetic hydrogels have emerged as a promising approach to enhance the penetration of poorly permeable drugs. These hydrogels, designed to mimic natural biological systems, offer unique properties and functionalities that enable improved drug permeation. In this review, we provide a comprehensive appraisal of the role of biomimetic hydrogels in enhancing drug penetration. We discuss the design principles, properties, and mechanisms by which these hydrogels facilitate drug permeation. Specifically, we explore the applications and benefits of biomimetic hydrogels in controlled drug release, mimicking extracellular matrix microenvironments, promoting cell-mimetic interactions, and enabling targeted drug delivery. Through an examination of key studies and advancements, we highlight the potential of biomimetic hydrogels in enhancing drug penetration and their implications for therapeutic interventions. This review contributes to a deeper understanding of biomimetic hydrogels as a promising strategy for overcoming drug penetration challenges and advancing drug delivery systems, ultimately leading to improved therapeutic efficacy.

Floral Visitation, Phytochemical and Biological Activities of Bioproducts from Tetragonisca angustula (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini): A Review.

Tetragonisca angustula (Latreille, 1811) is an indigenous neotropical stingless bee, popularly known as "Jataí", with a wide distribution in the Brazilian territory. T. angustula produces other derivatives such as propolis, geopropolis, fermented (saburá pollen), cerumen and resins, which are important in folk medicine. In this review, the objective was to gather research on the main plant species visited by T. angustula, as well as studies that verified the chemical composition and biological properties of T. angustula bioproducts. The bibliographic review was performed by searching the Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and PubMed databases for publications from 2003 to February 2023. We found 78 studies that analyzed the interactions between T. angustula and floral species, with species from the botanical families Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Malvaceae, Bignoniaceae, Solanaceae, Myrtaceae and Lamiaceae being the most reported as the main food sources for this species. The presence of compounds belonging to the class of flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids and alkaloids has been identified by studying the chemical composition of honey, propolis, geopropolis and fermented pollen (saburá) in 21 studies. The data collected in the literature emphasize that these T. angustula products have remarkable biological properties, especially their antibacterial and antioxidant activities.

3D Culture and Interferon-γ Priming Modulates Characteristics of Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells by Modifying the Expression of Both Intracellular and Exosomal microRNAs.

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a therapeutic tool in regenerative medicine. Recent studies have shown that exosome (EXO)-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in mediating MSC functions. Additionally, intracellular miRNAs have been found to regulate MSC therapeutic capacities. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying miRNA-mediated MSC effects are not fully understood. We used 3D culture and IFN-γ to prime/enhance the MSC therapeutic effects in terms of functional miRNAs. After priming, our analysis revealed stable variations in intracellular miRNA among the MSC biological replicates. Conversely, a significant variability of miRNA was observed among EXOs released from biological replicates of the priming treatment. For each priming, we observed distinct miRNA expression profiles between the MSCs and their EXOs. Moreover, in both types of priming, gene ontology (GO) analysis of deregulated miRNAs highlighted their involvement in tissue repair/regeneration pathways. In particular, the 3D culture enhanced angiogenic properties in both MSCs and EXOs, while IFN-γ treatment enriched miRNAs associated with immunomodulatory pathways. These findings suggest that 3D culture and IFN-γ treatment are promising strategies for enhancing the therapeutic potential of MSCs by modulating miRNA expression. Additionally, the identified miRNAs may contribute to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the miRNA-mediated therapeutic effects of MSCs.

A Comprehensive Insight into Mamaki (Pipturus albidus): Its Ethnomedicinal Heritage, Human Health Research, and Phytochemical Properties.

In Hawaii, the plants P. albidus, P. forbesii, P. kauaiensis, and P. ruber are collectively known as mamaki in ethnomedicine, where P. albidus predominates. Farmed mamaki is becoming increasingly popular in Hawaii and the United States. Mamaki teas (such as bottled Shaka tea) are the dominant product. Historically, mamaki has been utilized for its medicinal properties, promoting well-being and good health through consuming tea made from its leaves, ingesting its fruit, and incorporating it into ointments. Mamaki holds cultural significance among Native Hawaiians and is widely used in ethnic medicine, having been incorporated into traditional practices for centuries. However, the scientific mechanisms behind its effects remain unclear. This review consolidates current knowledge of mamaki, shedding light on its potential therapeutic properties, physical properties, nutritional and mineral composition, and active phytochemicals. We also highlight recent research advances in mamaki's antibacterial, anti-viral, chemopreventive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Additionally, we discuss future prospects in this field.

A Systematic Review on the Therapeutic Effects of Ayahuasca.

Traditional therapies, resorting to the use of plants, have acquired a great demand over the years, both for economic reasons and the preference for natural treatments. Some studies suggest that ayahuasca may have beneficial properties in treating some physical and psychological imbalances. Thus, we carried out a systematic review of studies published up to December 2022, where these themes were addressed. The search was carried out in the PubMed database, and only studies written in English and published in peer-reviewed journals were included. Thus, 228 publications were identified, of which 66 were included in the present study. The reviewed studies suggest that ayahuasca may have beneficial effects on various physical and psychological conditions, namely in the treatment of depression, anxiety and various diseases of the neurobiological system, as well as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, demonstrating its therapeutic potential. The number of studies that address this issue has also been growing, demonstrating interest in the search for alternative treatments. However, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review where all the findings of therapeutic effects associated with the consumption of ayahuasca are reviewed.

Different priming strategies improve distinct therapeutic capabilities of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells: Potential implications for their clinical use.

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) have shown significant therapeutic potential, and have therefore been extensively investigated in preclinical studies of regenerative medicine. However, while MSCs have been shown to be safe as a cellular treatment, they have usually been therapeutically ineffective in human diseases. In fact, in many clinical trials it has been shown that MSCs have moderate or poor efficacy. This inefficacy appears to be ascribable primarily to the heterogeneity of MSCs. Recently, specific priming strategies have been used to improve the therapeutic properties of MSCs. In this review, we explore the literature on the principal priming approaches used to enhance the preclinical inefficacy of MSCs. We found that different priming strategies have been used to direct the therapeutic effects of MSCs toward specific pathological processes. Particularly, while hypoxic priming can be used primarily for the treatment of acute diseases, inflammatory cytokines can be used mainly to prime MSCs in order to treat chronic immune-related disorders. The shift in approach from regeneration to inflammation implies, in MSCs, a shift in the production of functional factors that stimulate regenerative or anti-inflammatory pathways. The opportunity to fine-tune the therapeutic properties of MSCs through different priming strategies could conceivably pave the way for optimizing their therapeutic potential.

Optimal Hydrothermal Treatment of Sesame Seeds to Retain Most of the Nutrients.

Sesame oil is an important source of nutrients. Thus, there is a need to develop new technologies, which preserve the integrity of these substances in processed oil. The aim of the study was to outline the optimal hydrothermal treatment of sesame seeds, which would enable preserving its therapeutic properties. White sesame seeds were used as raw materials. They were treated with infrared radiation (900 watts per 1 m2), followed by hydrothermal treatment. Infrared treatment decreased the seed moisture content of 10-16% by 1.5-2.0 times. A range of important compounds was preserved after treatment, such as fatty acids (ranging from 5 to 45%, depending on the type of compound). The following fatty acids were found in the oil composition: linoleic (40-43%), palmitic (7%), stearic (5%), and oleic (43-45%). In addition, vitamin E was found (130 mg per 100 g). The oil can be stored for long periods as it contains trace amounts of water and dissolved oxygen.

Microbiological analysis, antimicrobial activity, heavy-metals content and physico-chemical properties of Fijian mud pool samples.

The hot springs are home to a rich bacterial diversity which could be the source of enzymes, antibiotics and many other commercially important products. Most of the hot springs present in Fiji are unexplored and their analysis of microbial diversity could be of great interest in facilitating various industrial, agricultural and medicinal applications. This study is an attempt to evaluate the heavy metal concentration and to analyze the comprehensive bacterial diversity of two Fijian thermal mud pools, namely Sabeto and Tifajek. The two hot springs have a pH of 7.28 to 7.19 and a temperature of 32.2 to 38.8 °C, respectively. Mean metal concentrations of the studied mud samples ranged from 4.758 to 6.870 mg/kg and followed a decreasing sequence as Fe > Mn > Zn > Na > Ni > Cd > Ca > Cr > Cu. Levels of Fe, Na, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cd, Ca, Cr, Cu in the mud pool samples were within World Health Organisation (WHO) limits, while Cd was above regulatory limits. The heavy metals analysis results showed that both mud pools had high values for Cd, above the WHO limit of 3 mg/kg. In addition, 8 strains of actinomycetes were successfully identified for the first time in the Sabeto mud pool, where most of them showed antibacterial activity. The genetic identification of most isolates was determined in BLASTn analyses of their 16S rRNA sequences. Isolates were identified as that of Streptomyces, Nocardia and Rhodococcus genus. Further, AntiSMASH results of the closest relatives of cultured actinobacteria have shown to produce antibiotics, natural pesticides and other compounds of various usage. This study also found no fecal coliforms and supports existing knowledge and practice of using Fijian thermal mud pools for their therapeutic properties. Overall, the presented work indicated that the studied mud pools have therapeutic properties, harboring wealth of bacteria with antibiotic profiles and were risk free from health-related issues of heavy metals and disease-causing pathogens. It provides great insight into the studied mud pools which serves as a baseline from which further heavy metal monitoring or mitigation programs and microbial researches can be conducted.