Xanthophyll-Rich Extract of Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin as New Photoprotective Cosmeceutical Agent: Safety and Efficacy Assessment on In Vitro Reconstructed Human Epidermis Model.

The nutritional and health properties of algae make them perfect functional ingredients for nutraceutical and cosmeceutical applications. In this study, the Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin (Phaeodactylaceae), a pleiomorphic diatom commonly found in marine ecosystems, was investigated. The in vitro culture conditions used favoured the fusiform morphotype, characterized by a high accumulation of neutral lipids, as detected by fluorescence microscopy after BODIPY staining. These data were confirmed by HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS/MS analyses carried out on the ethanolic extract (PTE), which showed a high content of xanthophylls (98.99%), and in particular of fucoxanthin (Fx, 6.67 g/100 g PTE). The antioxidant activity (ORAC, FRAP, TEAC and ß-carotene bleaching) and photostability of PTE and Fx against UVA and UVB rays were firstly evaluated by in vitro cell-free assays. After this, phototoxicity and photoprotective studies were carried out on in vitro reconstructed human epidermidis models. Results demonstrated that PTE (0.1% Fx) and 0.1% Fx, both photostable, significantly (p < 0.05) reduce oxidative and inflammatory stress markers (ROS, NO and IL-1α), as well as cytotoxicity and sunburn cells induced by UVA and UVB doses simulating the solar radiation, with an excellent safety profile. However, PTE proved to be more effective than Fx, suggesting its effective and safe use in broad-spectrum sunscreens.

Phytochemical Characterization of Olea europea Leaf Extracts and Assessment of Their Anti-Microbial and Anti-HSV-1 Activity.

Owing to the richness of bioactive compounds, Olea europea leaf extracts exhibit a range of health effects. The present research evaluated the antibacterial and antiviral effect of leaf extracts obtained from Olea europea L. var. sativa (OESA) and Olea europea var. sylvestris (OESY) from Tunisia. LC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis allowed the identification of different compounds that contributed to the observed biological properties. Both OESA and OESY were active against Gram-positive bacteria (MIC values between 7.81 and 15.61 µg/mL and between 15.61 and 31.25 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 for OESY and OESA, respectively). The antiviral activity against the herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) was assessed on Vero cells. The results of cell viability indicated that Olea europea leaf extracts were not toxic to cultured Vero cells. The half maximal cytotoxic concentration (CC50) values for OESA and OESY were 0.2 mg/mL and 0.82 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, both a plaque reduction assay and viral entry assay were used to demonstrate the antiviral activity. In conclusion, Olea europea leaf extracts demonstrated a bacteriostatic effect, as well as remarkable antiviral activity, which could provide an alternative treatment against resistant strains.

Mentha pulegium L.: A Plant Underestimated for Its Toxicity to Be Recovered from the Perspective of the Circular Economy.

The aim of the study was to investigate the micromorphology of Mentha pulegium leaves and flowers harvested in three different Sicilian (Italy) areas with peculiar pedo-climatic conditions, and to characterize the phytochemical profile, the phytotoxic activity, and the eco-compatibility of their essential oils (EOs) for potential use as safe bioherbicides. Light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) highlighted that M. pulegium indumentum consists of non-glandular and glandular trichomes of different types. Peltate trichomes of plants from the different sites showed few significant differences in dimension and abundance, but they were characterized by a surprisingly high number of secretory cells both in leaves and flowers. Phytochemical analyses showed that oxygenated monoterpenes were the most abundant class in all the EOs investigated (92.2-97.7%), but two different chemotypes, pulegone/isomenthone and piperitone/isomenthone, were found. The complex of morphological and phytochemical data indicates that soil salinity strongly affects the expression of the toxic metabolite pulegone, rather than the EO yield. Phytotoxicity tests showed a moderate activity of EOs against the selected species as confirmed by α-amylase assay. Moreover, the low toxicity on brine shrimp provided a rationale for the possible use of investigated EOs as eco-friendly herbicides.

Phytochemical Profile, Safety Assessment and Wound Healing Activity of Artemisia absinthium L.

The aim of study was to validate, by in vitro and in vivo studies, the traditional use for wound-healing activity of Artemisia absinthium L. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry (RP-LC-DAD-ESI-MS) analysis allowed to identify eleven polyphenols with chlorogenic acid as the most abundant compound (3.75 g/100 g of dry extract). After that, antibacterial activity as well as acute dermal and oral toxicity were assessed in animal models. In order to investigate the wound-healing activity of A. absinthium methanol extract, two ointments were formulated (MEO 5% and 10%). The ointment with the highest concentration of plant extract (10%) showed a statistically significant effect on the rats wound contraction, similar to that exerted by the reference drug Cicatryl-Bio. Moreover, A. absinthium methanol extract showed the best antibacterial activity against the Gram-negative Escherichia coli ATCC 10536 (MIC 1.25-2.5 mg/mL) and the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 (0.31-0.625 mg/mL). The absence of oral and topical toxicity of the treated animals allowed to establish the safety of the ointments. Overall, data collected in the present study support and validate the use of A. absinthium as a wound healing agent in the Algerian traditional medicine.

Characterization and Phytotoxicity Assessment of Essential Oils from Plant Byproducts.

The present work describes the chemical characterization and the phytotoxicity assessment of essential oils (EOs) obtained from spent materials or pruning waste of four plant species: Zingiber officinale Roscoe used in the juicing industry, Pistacia vera L. var. Bronte used in the food industry, discarded material of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L. var. Futura 75), and pruning waste from Cupressus sempervirens L. The phytochemical profile of the EOs was evaluated by gas chromatographic flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and GC-MS analyses, which highlighted the presence of several compounds with a wide range of biological activities. Among them, application possibilities in agriculture were evaluated by studying the phytotoxic activity in vitro against germination and initial radical growth of several seeds such as Raphanus sativus L., Lepidium sativum L., Lactuca sativa L., Solanum lycopersicum L., Lolium multiflorum Lam., and Portulaca oleracea L.

Levels of benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]anthracene in smoked "Provola" cheese from Calabria (Italy).

Levels of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and benzo[a]anthracene (BaA) in "Provola" cheese samples from Calabria, smoked naturally and using commercial smoke-flavouring, have been determined. A comparative study of BaP and BaA concentrations was carried out on rind, exterior zone, core and slice of these samples. Quantitative determination of BaP and BaA was ascertained by HPLC using fluorescence detection. Levels of BaP and BaA were found in all smoked "Provola" cheese samples, but higher in cheese smoked with natural methods (0.46-1.13 µg kg⁻¹ for BaP and 1.38-9.29 µg kg⁻¹ for BaA) compared to samples smoked using commercial flavouring (0.085-0.32 µg kg⁻¹ for BaP and 1.20-2.98 µg kg⁻¹ for BaA). The smoking process contributes to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contamination; however, for improved food safety, the use of commercial buffered smoke is preferable to traditional smoking procedures.