Characterization and antibacterial behavior of an edible konjac glucomannan/soluble black tea powder hybrid film with ultraviolet absorption.

In this study, a KGM/SBTP film was prepared by a blending method using KGM and a soluble black tea film (SBTP) as substrates, and its hygroscopicity, thermal properties, light barrier properties, microstructure, and bacteriostatic properties were evaluated. The results confirmed that compared with the control group, with the increase in the SBTP content, the transmittance of the film in the ultraviolet region significantly reduced, and the water barrier property and thermal stability were improved. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results indicated that the tea polyphenols interacted with the film substrate. SEM also showed that the structure of the KGM/SBTP films was smooth and flat, and all samples showed no fracture. In addition, the KGM/SBTP mixed membrane had obvious concentration-dependent antibacterial activity. When the concentration of SBTP was 0.9%, the inhibition zones against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were 12.30 ± 0.20 mm and 12.05 ± 0.47 mm, respectively.

Andrographolide: A Herbal-Chemosynthetic Approach for Enhancing Immunity, Combating Viral Infections, and Its Implication on Human Health.

Plants consistently synthesize and accumulate medically valuable secondary metabolites which can be isolated and clinically tested under in vitro conditions. An advancement with such important phytochemical production has been recognized and utilized as herbal drugs. Bioactive andrographolide (AGL; C20H30O5) isolated from Andrographis paniculate (AP) (Kalmegh) is a diterpenoid lactones having multifunctional medicinal properties including anti-manic, anti-inflammatory, liver, and lung protective. AGL is known for its immunostimulant activity against a variety of microbial infections thereby, regulating classical and alternative macrophage activation, Ag-specific antibody production during immune disorder therapy. In vitro studies with AGL found it to be effective against multiple tumors, neuronal disorders, diabetes, pneumonia, fibrosis, and other diverse therapeutic misadventures. Generally, virus-based diseases like ZIKA, influenza A virus subtype (H1NI), Ebola (EBOV), Dengue (DENV), and coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemics have greatly increased scientific interest and demands to develop more effective and economical immunomodulating drugs with minimal side effects. Trials and in vitro pharmacological studies with AGL and medicinally beneficial herbs might contribute to benefit the human population without using chemical-based synthetic drugs. In this review, we have discussed the possible role of AGL as a promising herbal-chemo remedy during human diseases, viral infections and as an immunity booster.

Post-mortem quality changes of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) during chilled storage from two culture systems.

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 common carp (OCC) raised by patented culture systems have higher level of n-3 fatty acids and n-3/n-6 ratio than normal common carps (NCCs) from traditional culture system. Whether the patented farming system and modified fatty acid profile will influence OCC storage stability is unclear. This study aimed to expose the differences of post-mortem quality changes between NCC and OCC. RESULTS: NCC and OCC have similar rigor mortis patterns, only a higher level of lactic acid was observed in NCC after 96 h. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) related compounds had no major differences, but slightly higher inosine monophosphate in OCC was found at 36 h. The K-value, Ki-value and Hx-index demonstrated high cohesiveness (Pearsons two-tailed, r = 0.968-0.984, P < 0.05) during storage, with statistically comparable (P > 0.05) temporal progress of change in NCC and OCC. The indices were lower in OCC than in NCC. Attenuation of myosin heavy chain in OCC was not as distinct as in NCC, coincided with its higher salt-soluble protein level at 144 h. Before 96 h, thiobarbituric acid value (TBA), total viable count (TVC), cooking loss (CL), drip loss (DL), and hardness in NCC and OCC were similar. However, at 144 h, higher TBA, TVC, CL and DL while lower hardness in NCC than in OCC were observed. Principle component analysis showed good separation of NCC and OCC in biplot at 0 and 144 h. CONCLUSION: Patented culture system has a slightly positive influence on post-mortem quality of common carp. It can be used for producing OCC without compromising storage stability. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of prebiotic dietary fibers and probiotics on human health: With special focus on recent advancement in their encapsulated formulations.

BACKGROUND: Dietary fibers (DFs) are known as potential formulations in human health due to their beneficial effects in control of life-threatening chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus, obesity and cancer. In recent decades scientists around the globe have shown tremendous interest to evaluate the interplay between DFs and gastrointestinal (GIT) microbiota. Evidences from various epidemiological and clinical trials have revealed that DFs modulate formation and metabolic activities of the microbial communities residing in the human GIT which in turn play significant roles in maintaining health and well-being. Furthermore, interestingly, a rapidly growing literature indicates success of DFs being prebiotics in immunomodulation, namely the stimulation of innate, cellular and humoral immune response, which could also be linked with their significant roles in modulation of the probiotics (live beneficial microorganisms). SCOPE AND APPROACH: The main focus of the current review is to expressively highlight the importance of DFs being prebiotics in human health in association with their influence on gut microbiota. Now in order to significantly achieve the promising health benefits from these prebiotics, it is aimed to develop novel formulations to enhance and scale up their efficacy. Therefore, finally, herein unlike previously published articles, we highlighted different kinds of prebiotic and probiotic formulations which are being regarded as hot research topics among the scientific community now a days. CONCLUSION: The information in this article will specifically provide a platform for the development of novel functional foods the demands for which has risen drastically in recent years.

Cytochrome P450 1B1: role in health and disease and effect of nutrition on its expression.

This review summarizes the available literature stating CYP1B1 to provide the readers with a comprehensive understanding of its role in different diseases, as well as the importance of nutrition in their control in terms of the influence of different nutrients on its expression. CYP1B1, a member of the cytochrome P450 enzyme family is expressed in different human tissues and is known to contribute to different life alarming pathologies. Particularly, till now much attention has been paid to its involvement in the development of primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and cancer. However, recently there are some reports highlighting CYP1B1 as a potential regulator in energy homeostasis and adipogenesis thus promoting obesity and hypertension as well. Therefore, seeking out effective strategies to modulate the expression of CYP1B1 is a challenging task. In this context, nutrients based strategies will be the best choice as they are mostly harmless and are easily available in one's diet. In conclusion, this article will be helpful in providing a base for further research that is needed to identify the role of CYP1B1 in progression of different diseases, hypertension and obesity in particular, and then to present the effectiveness, mechanisms, and biologic plausibility of nutrients against its expression.

Bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of curcumin after encapsulated by nano and Pickering emulsion based on chitosan-tripolyphosphate nanoparticles.

In the current study the influence of different lipid-based formulations (Pickering and nanoemulsions) and their droplet size on curcumin encapsulation and bioaccessibility, as well as on its anti-oxidant activity was investigated. Oil-in-water Pickering emulsion stabilized by chitosan-tripolyphosphate (CS-TPP) nanoparticles and nanoemulsions containing an organic phase (Span80:Tween80), were prepared with either medium chain triglyceride (MCT) or corn oil as long chain triglyceride (LCT). An in vitro gastrointestinal (GIT) model consisting of mouth, gastric and intestinal phases was used to characterize the rate and extent of lipid phase digestion of the ingested samples. A centrifugation method determined fraction of curcumin released into mixed micelles after digestion (bioaccessibility). These findings showed that after subjecting to simulated GIT model, all the emulsion systems experienced a progressive increase in mean particle size, due to droplet flocculation and coalescence after digestion. Electrical charge (ζ) of particles was observed to become highly negative as they passed through GIT due to accumulation of anionic bile salts, phospholipids and free fatty acids at their interfaces. The rate and extent of lipid digestion and bioaccessibility of curcumin increased with decreasing mean droplet diameter (NMCT>NCO>PMCT>PCO). Finally, we showed that as compared to free curcumin, the encapsulated curcumin showed higher radical scavenging activity (RSA), which confirmed the protective effect of the emulsion systems on the antioxidant activity of curcumin.

Quantum dots loaded nanogels for low cytotoxicity, pH-sensitive fluorescence, cell imaging and drug delivery.

Nanogels (NGs) with drug tracking and delivery possess promising usage in clinical treatment. In this study, an available, low toxic and facile approach was developed to synthesize CdTe quantum dots loaded nanogels (QDs-NGs). The QDs-NGs retained the intrinsic pH sensitivity of the QDs with regard to the fluorescence intensity. The QDs-NGs were easily internalized by the cells as fluorescence probes, and acted as carriers for delivering methotrexate (MTX). The cellular uptake indicated that the QDs-NGs can protect QDs from decomposition in cytoplasm and retain the native fluorescence intensity. MTT assay demonstrated that the QDs-NGs greatly decreased the cytotoxicity of the QDs. The MTX loaded QDs-NGs exhibited slow release property in PBS buffer. Moreover, the MTX loaded QDs-NGs distinctly enhanced the availability of drug. The QDs-NGs are potential nanocarriers for the cell imaging and drug delivery.

Green-step assembly of low density lipoprotein/sodium carboxymethyl cellulose nanogels for facile loading and pH-dependent release of doxorubicin.

In this study, a simple and green approach was developed to produce a novel nanogel via self-assembly of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), to efficiently deliver doxorubicin (DOX) to cancer cells. Under optimal conditions, the stable nanogels were of spherical shape with an average diameter of about 90 nm, PDI<0.3 and a zeta potential -35 mV. Furthermore, the cationic anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX) was effectively encapsulated into LDL/CMC nanogels with an exceptionally high encapsulation efficiency of ∼ 98%. The release of DOX from DOX-LDL/CMC nanogels was pH-dependent, and DOX was released at a quicker rate at pH 6.2 than at pH 7.4. Importantly, the DOX-LDL/CMC nanogels were shown to effectively kill cancer cells in vitro. The IC50 of the DOX-LDL/CMC nanogels in HeLa and HepG2 cells was approximately 2.45 and 1.72 times higher than that of free DOX. The slightly reduced antitumor efficacy was primarily due to the less cellular uptake of the DOX-LDL/CMC nanogels, which was confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and flow cytometry analysis. The high DOX payload and pH-dependent drug release rendered LDL/CMC nanogels as an efficient carrier for doxorubicin and possibly be used for other cationic drugs in different biomedical applications.