Stabilization of Black Locust Flower Extract via Encapsulation Using Alginate and Alginate-Chitosan Microparticles.

Black locust flower extract contains various polyphenols and their glucosides contribute to the potential health benefits. After intake of these bioactive compounds and passage through the gastrointestinal tract, their degradation can occur and lead to a loss of biological activity. To overcome this problem, the bioactive compounds should be protected from environmental conditions. This study aimed to encapsulate the black flower extract in the microparticles based on biodegradable polysaccharides, alginate, and chitosan. In the extract, the total antioxidant content was found to be 3.18 ± 0.01 g gallic acid equivalent per 100 g of dry weight. Also, the presence of lipids (16), phenolics (27), organic acids (4), L-aspartic acid derivative, questinol, gibberellic acid, sterol, and saponins (2) was confirmed using the UHPLC-ESI-MS analysis. In vitro assays showed that the extract has weak anti-α-glucosidase activity and moderate antioxidant and cytotoxic activity against the HeLa cell line. The extrusion method with secondary air flow enabled the preparation of microparticles (about 270 µm) encapsulated with extract. An encapsulation efficiency of over 92% was achieved in the alginate and alginate-chitosan microparticles. The swelling study confirmed a lower permeability of alginate-chitosan microparticles compared with alginate microparticles. For both types of microparticles, the release profile of antioxidants in the simulated gastrointestinal fluids at 37 °C followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. A lower diffusion coefficient than 0.5 indicated the simple Fick diffusion of antioxidants. The alginate-chitosan microparticles enabled a more sustained release of antioxidants from extract compared to the alginate microparticles. The obtained results indicated an improvement in the antioxidant activity of bioactive compounds from the extract and their protection from degradation in the simulated gastric conditions via encapsulation in the polymer matrixes. Alginate-chitosan showed slightly slower cumulative antioxidant release from microparticles and better antioxidant activity of the extract compared to the alginate system. According to these results, alginate-chitosan microparticles are more suitable for further application in the encapsulation of black locust flower extract. Also, the proposed polymer matrix as a drug delivery system is safe for human use due to its biodegradability and non-toxicity.

Chemical Profile and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Rosa canina L. Dried Fruit Commercially Available in Serbia.

The aim of this work was to give as much information as possible on Rosa canina dried fruit that is commercially available in Serbia. In order to provide the chemical composition, the UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS method was employed for both polar and non-polar extracts of samples obtained with a solvent mixture consisting of hexane, acetone, and ethanol in a volume ratio of 2:1:1, respectively, and 0.05% (w/v) butylated hydroxytoluene. In addition, the total content levels of lycopene, ß-carotene, total polyphenols, and flavonoids were determined by means of UV-vis spectrophotometry. The antioxidant activity was tested by applying four different methods: ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, and CUPRAC. Overall, nine compounds were identified. The results of chemical composition analysis were used as the basis for the interpretation of the calculated results for the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The obtained results for R. canina dried fruit extract are as follows: ß-carotene-7.25 [mg/100 g fruit weight]; lycopene-2.34 (mg/100 g FW); total polyphenol content (TPC)-2980 [mg GAE/kg FW]; total flavonoid content (TFC)-1454 [mg CE/kg FW]; antioxidant activity-ABTS 12.3 [µmol/100 g FW], DPPH 6.84, FRAP 52.04, and CUPRAC 15,425; and antimicrobial activity-Staphylococcus aureus MIC/MMC 4/0 [mg∙mL-1], Enterococcus faecalis 4/0, Bacillus cereus 4/0, Escherichia coli 4/0, Salmonella enteritidis 4/4, Enteroabacter aerogenes 4/0, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2/0, and Candida albicans 2/0.

Ten-year single-center experience with treatment of primary diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) by cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

PURPOSE: This single-center study evaluated cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM). METHODS: Prospectively collected data from a single institution data registry was retrospectively investigated. Eighty-four patients with primary malignant peritoneal mesothelioma underwent CRS and HIPEC with cisplatin and doxorubicin either for 60 min or 90 min of duration from 2011 to 2021. The primary endpoint was overall survival. The secondary endpoint was the evaluation of prognostic factors for overall survival. The tertiary endpoint was to assess the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on survival. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 5.0 years (95%-CI 4.6-5.5). The median age was 59.2 years (IQR: 47-66). Eighty-two patients (97.6%) had epithelioid tumors. The median peritoneal cancer index was 18.0 (IQR: 13-27). Sixty-six patients (78.6%) had complete or near-complete cytoreduction (CCR 0 or CCR 1). Seventy patients (83.3%) received HIPEC for 60 min and 14 patients (16.7%) received it for 90 min. Twenty-two patients (26.2%) had grade 3 to 4 complications. Acute kidney injury (AKI) stage I-III occurred in 30 (35.7%) patients. Three patients (3.6%) died perioperatively. The overall median survival was 38.4 months (95%-CI 23.6-54.3), and the 5-year survival rate was 42%. Survival was independently associated with age, female gender, and thrombocytosis. Preoperative chemotherapy did not emerge as an adverse prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: In well-selected patients with DMPM, prolonged survival is achievable with CRS and HIPEC in specialized centers.

Curcumin: Biological Activities and Modern Pharmaceutical Forms.

Curcumin (1,7-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione) is a natural lipophilic polyphenol that exhibits significant pharmacological effects in vitro and in vivo through various mechanisms of action. Numerous studies have identified and characterised the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and clinical properties of curcumin. Curcumin has an anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antinociceptive, antiparasitic, antimalarial effect, and it is used as a wound-healing agent. However, poor curcumin absorption in the small intestine, fast metabolism, and fast systemic elimination cause poor bioavailability of curcumin in human beings. In order to overcome these problems, a number of curcumin formulations have been developed. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of recent research in biological and pharmaceutical aspects of curcumin, methods of sample preparation for its isolation (Soxhlet extraction, ultrasound extraction, pressurised fluid extraction, microwave extraction, enzyme-assisted aided extraction), analytical methods (FTIR, NIR, FT-Raman, UV-VIS, NMR, XRD, DSC, TLC, HPLC, HPTLC, LC-MS, UPLC/Q-TOF-MS) for identification and quantification of curcumin in different matrices, and different techniques for developing formulations. The optimal sample preparation and use of an appropriate analytical method will significantly improve the evaluation of formulations and the biological activity of curcumin.

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction and Encapsulation of Antioxidants from Orange Peels in Alginate-Chitosan Microparticles.

The recovery of bioactive compounds from waste and modification of their properties by encapsulation are the main challenges today. In this study, the ultrasound-assisted extraction of antioxidants from orange peels was optimized using a central composite design. Ethanol (50%, v/v) was the solvent of choice for their extraction. The obtained total antioxidant contents were fitted using the second-order polynomial equation. The optimal conditions were the extraction time of 30 min, temperature of 60 °C, and the liquid-to-solid ratio of 15 mL/g. After that, the optimal extract was encapsulated in alginate-chitosan beads to modify the release of antioxidants under gastrointestinal tract conditions. The average size of beads was 252 µm, while the encapsulation efficiency was 89.2%. The results of the FTIR analysis indicated that there are no interactions between compounds of the extract and alginate-chitosan. In vitro release studies showed an initial rapid and then slow release of antioxidants. This release followed the simple Fickian diffusion. The encapsulation of orange peel extract provided improvement in the delivery of antioxidants after gastrointestinal digestion. The obtained encapsulated beads can be applied as the natural active ingredient of food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Carotenoids from Orange Peel Using Olive Oil and Its Encapsulation in Ca-Alginate Beads.

The paper was aimed at developing an ultrasound-assisted extraction of carotenoids from orange peel using olive oil as a solvent. A central composite design was used to define the optimal conditions for their extraction. Under the optimal conditions (extraction time of 35 min, extraction temperature of 42 ℃, and a liquid-to-solid ratio of 15 mL/g), the experimental and predicted values of carotenoid content were 1.85 and 1.83 mg/100 g dry weight, respectively. The agreement of these values indicated the adequacy of the proposed regression model. The extraction temperature only had a negative influence on carotenoid content. The impact of extraction parameters on the carotenoid content was decreased according to the following order: extraction time, liquid-to-solid ratio, and extraction temperature. Ca-alginate beads were prepared using the extrusion process to increase the stability and protect the antioxidant activity of olive oil enriched with carotenoids. The encapsulation efficiency and particle mean diameter were 89.5% and 0.78 mm, respectively. The presence of oil extract in Ca-alginate beads was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The antioxidant activity of the oil enriched with carotenoids before and after encapsulation in the alginate beads was determined according to the DPPH assay.

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of polyphenols from wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.).

Conventional extraction techniques require high consumption of available resources and thus are ineffective and expensive, especially at an industrial scale. The aim of the study was to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction of polyphenols from fresh wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.). The effects of different extraction techniques and solvents were investigated on the yield of extractive substances and antioxidant activity. The ultrasound-assisted extraction technique and ethanol gave the highest yield of extractive substances so that they were used in the optimization studies. The central composite design was employed to find the optimal levels of ethanol concentration, extraction temperature, and extraction time. The total phenolic content was varied in the range of 10.50-15.50 grams of gallic acid equivalents per 100 g of dry weight of plant material (g GAE 100 g-1 dw). The optimal conditions for ultrasound-assisted extraction were: (1) 56% (v/v) ethanol, (2) temperature of 59 °C, and (3) extraction time of 28 min. The results of ANOVA indicated that the highest impact had the extraction temperature on the total phenolic content. The toxic solvents were not used in the developed extraction procedure. The consumption of energy and raw plant material is estimated to be lower by at least 10% compared to conventional techniques.

Physico-Chemical Properties and Oxidative Stability of Fixed Oil from Plum Seeds (Prunus domestica Linn.).

Storage of a great amount of plum kernel waste becomes a challenge for food industry. In this work, the plum seed was used as a source of fixed oil that can be an ingredient of commercial products. Soxhlet extraction was carried out using the different solvents, such as n-hexane, n-heptane, ethyl acetate, acetone, or chloroform:methanol mixture (2:1 v/v). The highest yield of oil (about 30%) was obtained using n-heptane and n-hexane, while the lowest yield was obtained using ethyl acetate. The analysis of physico-chemical parameters indicated that all samples of plum seed oil have an exceptional quality. Schaal oven test indicated that the fixed oil of plum seed exhibited satisfactory oxidative stability at moderate storage temperatures (up to 65 °C). The composition of phenolic compounds in the oil samples was determined using HPLC method. The most abundant compound of seven identified and quantified phenolic compounds was vanillic acid. The highest content of ß-carotene (1.67 mg 100 g-1 fixed oil) spectrophotometrically determined was in the oil extracted with n-hexane. The lowest content of ß-carotene (1.26 mg 100 g-1 fixed oil) was determined in the oil extracted with a mixture of chloroform:methanol (2:1 v/v). This oil had the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 value of 4.35 mg mL-1) compared to other oil samples. The antioxidant activity was probably caused by the presence of phenolic compounds. The investigated physico-chemical properties demonstrated that the plum seed oil has a potential for application in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industry.

Drug design strategies with metal-hydroxyquinoline complexes.

Introduction: 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives and their complexes with transition metals are the subject of many studies due to their anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, and antidiabetic activities.Areas covered: Within this article, the authors review the synthesis and current applications of metal-8-hydroxyquinoline complexes in drug design with a critical overview of the latest advancements in the field.Expert opinion: Metal-8-hydroxyquinoline complexes are especially interesting because of their simple synthesis procedures and possible applications in modern medicine. The complexation between transition metal ions and 8-hydroxyquinoline or its derivatives is achieved via their O and N atoms. The main problem with their application is lipophilicity. This particular property has an impact on their solubility, biological activity, transport through the cell membrane, construction of the complex with a receptor, and development of drugs. Furthermore, in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and brain cancers, the passage of the complexes through the blood-brain barrier can only be ensured through novel drug design.

Analysis of the Skin Basocellular Carcinoma (BCC) Among the Smokers in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

AIM: The aim of this article is to determine the possible correlation between the smoking habit and the incidence of basocellular skin cancer (BCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The prospective study, which lasted from June 2012 to June 2018, included subjects diagnosed with basocellular skin cancer (BCC). Respondents were divided into 3 groups. The first, group A (21 respondents), are respondents who smoke 20-35 cigarettes a day. The second, group B (19 respondents), consists of respondents who smoke 35-50 cigarettes a day. The third, group C (91 respondents), consist of non-smokers. Observed parameters are sex, age, current and previous smoking habits, including duration (total smoking year) and intensity (average number of cigarettes smoked per day), age at the start of smoking, and prolonged exposure to the sun. RESULTS: No statistically significant relationship was found between smoking and BCC frequency. It was shown that with BCC of the skin was more affected those who did not smoke. There is no clear relationship between the duration of smoking and/or the amount of smoking and the development of BCC, and it follows that this relationship is not likely to be causative. A suggestive, but not significant, evidence of relationship between smoking and skin cancer is found at this time. CONCLUSION: Since it is a conglomerate of possible etiological factors, further research is needed to definitively clarify the effect of tobacco consumption on the development of BCC by monitoring a larger number of respondents over a longer period of time in large prospective studies. In any case, a possible association with skin cancer is a reason to avoid smoking.

VARIATIONS IN TIMING OF ELECTIVE ORCHIDOPEXY.

INTRODUCTION: Undescended testis or cryptorchidism is detected in 3% of full-term male newborns, and inup to 33% of preemies. As the testicular descent may sometimes resolve spontaneously during first months of life, cryptorchidism is found in 1% of boys one year old. According to Consensus of Nordic experts in. pediatric urology regarding cryptorchidism the optimal period for surgery is 12-18 months of age. The goal of this study was to identify the age of patients with congenital undescended testis at the time of surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study included all the cases of cryptorchid patients who had undergone orchidopexy in the period from 2007 to 2014. The patients'. age and the place of residence were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 637 patients (722 orchidopexies) underwent the elective operative treatment of undescended testis during the observed period. The analysis revealed that only 144 (22.60%) of cryptorchid infants were operated on within their first 18 months of life. In the group of 359 patients from* the urban environment, 101 (28.13%) were operated under the age of 18 months. Among the 278 patients from the rural enviornment, 43 (15.46%) were 18 months and younger at the time of surgery. CONCLUSION: The timing of surgical treatment of undescended testis in the study period was far from the recommended optimal time. It is evidently necessary to plan and provide additional information for pediatricians and parents about the current view on cryptorchidism and consequences of the late treatment.