The CMG Helicase Bypasses DNA-Protein Cross-Links to Facilitate Their Repair.

Covalent DNA-protein cross-links (DPCs) impede replication fork progression and threaten genome integrity. Using Xenopus egg extracts, we previously showed that replication fork collision with DPCs causes their proteolysis, followed by translesion DNA synthesis. We show here that when DPC proteolysis is blocked, the replicative DNA helicase CMG (CDC45, MCM2-7, GINS), which travels on the leading strand template, bypasses an intact leading strand DPC. Single-molecule imaging reveals that GINS does not dissociate from CMG during bypass and that CMG slows dramatically after bypass, likely due to uncoupling from the stalled leading strand. The DNA helicase RTEL1 facilitates bypass, apparently by generating single-stranded DNA beyond the DPC. The absence of RTEL1 impairs DPC proteolysis, suggesting that CMG must bypass the DPC to enable proteolysis. Our results suggest a mechanism that prevents inadvertent CMG destruction by DPC proteases, and they reveal CMG's remarkable capacity to overcome obstacles on its translocation strand.

The nucleoporin Nup50 activates the Ran guanine nucleotide exchange factor RCC1 to promote NPC assembly at the end of mitosis.

During mitotic exit, thousands of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) assemble concomitant with the nuclear envelope to build a transport-competent nucleus. Here, we show that Nup50 plays a crucial role in NPC assembly independent of its well-established function in nuclear transport. RNAi-mediated downregulation in cells or immunodepletion of Nup50 protein in Xenopus egg extracts interferes with NPC assembly. We define a conserved central region of 46 residues in Nup50 that is crucial for Nup153 and MEL28/ELYS binding, and for NPC interaction. Surprisingly, neither NPC interaction nor binding of Nup50 to importin α/ß, the GTPase Ran, or chromatin is crucial for its function in the assembly process. Instead, an N-terminal fragment of Nup50 can stimulate the Ran GTPase guanine nucleotide exchange factor RCC1 and NPC assembly, indicating that Nup50 acts via the Ran system in NPC reformation at the end of mitosis. In support of this conclusion, Nup50 mutants defective in RCC1 binding and stimulation cannot replace the wild-type protein in in vitro NPC assembly assays, whereas excess RCC1 can compensate the loss of Nup50.

Distinct proteomes and allergen profiles appear across the life-cycle stages of Alternaria alternata.

BACKGROUND: Alternaria alternata is associated with allergic respiratory diseases, which can be managed with allergen extract-based diagnostics and immunotherapy. It is not known how spores and hyphae contribute to allergen content. Commercial allergen extracts are manufactured by extracting proteins without separating the different forms of the fungus. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine differences between spore and hyphae proteomes and how allergens are distributed in Aalternata. METHODS: Data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry was used to quantitatively compare the proteomes of asexual spores (nongerminating and germinating) with vegetative hyphae. RESULTS: We identified 4515 proteins in nongerminating spores, germinating spores, and hyphae; most known allergens are more abundant in nongerminating spores. On comparing significant protein fold-change differences between nongerminating spores and hyphae, we found that 174 proteins were upregulated in nongerminating spores and 80 proteins in hyphae. Among the spore proteins are ones functionally involved in cell wall synthesis, responding to cellular stress, and maintaining redox balance and homeostasis. On comparing nongerminating and germinating spores, 25 proteins were found to be upregulated in nongerminating spores and 54 in germinating spores. Among the proteins specific to germinating spores were proteases known to be virulence factors. One of the most abundant proteins in the spore proteome is sialidase, which has not been identified as an allergen but may be important in the pathogenicity of this fungus. Major allergen Alt a 1 is present at low levels in spores and hyphae and appears to be largely secreted into growth media. CONCLUSIONS: Spores and hyphae express overlapping but distinct proteomes. Most known allergens are found more abundantly in nongerminating spores.

Osteoarthritis: Insights into Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, Therapeutic Avenues, and the Potential of Natural Extracts.

Osteoarthritis (OA) stands as a prevalent and progressively debilitating clinical condition globally, impacting joint structures and leading to their gradual deterioration through inflammatory mechanisms. While both non-modifiable and modifiable factors contribute to its onset, numerous aspects of OA pathophysiology remain elusive despite considerable research strides. Presently, diagnosis heavily relies on clinician expertise and meticulous differential diagnosis to exclude other joint-affecting conditions. Therapeutic approaches for OA predominantly focus on patient education for self-management alongside tailored exercise regimens, often complemented by various pharmacological interventions primarily targeting pain alleviation. However, pharmacological treatments typically exhibit short-term efficacy and local and/or systemic side effects, with prosthetic surgery being the ultimate resolution in severe cases. Thus, exploring the potential integration or substitution of conventional drug therapies with natural compounds and extracts emerges as a promising frontier in enhancing OA management. These alternatives offer improved safety profiles and possess the potential to target specific dysregulated pathways implicated in OA pathogenesis, thereby presenting a holistic approach to address the condition's complexities.

Plant-Derived Compounds: A Promising Tool for Dental Caries Prevention.

There is a growing shift from the use of conventional pharmaceutical oral care products to the use of herbal extracts and traditional remedies in dental caries prevention. This is attributed to the potential environmental and health implications of contemporary oral products. This comprehensive review aims at the analysis of plant-derived compounds as preventive modalities in dental caries research. It focuses on data collected from 2019 until recently, trying to emphasize current trends in this topic. The research findings suggest that several plant-derived compounds, either aqueous or ethanolic, exhibit notable antibacterial effects against Streptococcus mutans and other bacteria related to dental caries, with some extracts demonstrating an efficacy comparable to that of chlorhexidine. Furthermore, in vivo studies using plant-derived compounds incorporated in food derivatives, such as lollipops, have shown promising results by significantly reducing Streptococcus mutans in high-risk caries children. In vitro studies on plant-derived compounds have revealed bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity against S. mutans, suggesting their potential use as dental caries preventive agents. Medicinal plants, plant-derived phytochemicals, essential oils, and other food compounds have exhibited promising antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens, either by their anti-adhesion activity, the inhibition of extracellular microbial enzymes, or their direct action on microbial species and acid production. However, further research is needed to assess their antimicrobial activity and to evaluate the cytotoxicity and safety profiles of these plant-derived compounds before their widespread clinical use can be recommended.

Induction of ferroptosis in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells by squalene hydroperoxide: Possible prevention of skin ferroptosis by botanical extracts.

Ever since the proposal of ferroptosis, it has been studied as a nonapoptotic cell death caused by iron ion-dependent phospholipid (PL) peroxidation. We previously showed that treatment of human hepatoma cell line HepG2 with prepared PL hydroperoxide (PLOOH) resulted in ferroptosis. However, in human sebum, the major hydroperoxide is not PLOOH but squalene hydroperoxide (SQOOH), and to our knowledge, it is not established yet whether SQOOH induces ferroptosis in the skin. In this study, we synthesized SQOOH and treated human keratinocyte HaCaT cells with SQOOH. The results showed that SQOOH induces ferroptosis in HaCaT cells in the same way that PLOOH causes ferroptosis in HepG2 cells. Some natural antioxidants (botanical extracts) could inhibit the ferroptosis in both the cell types. Consequently, future research focus would revolve around the involvement of SQOOH-induced ferroptosis in skin pathologies as well as the prevention and treatment of skin diseases through inhibition of ferroptosis by botanical extracts.

Natural Extracts for Antibacterial Applications.

Bacteria-induced epidemics and infectious diseases are seriously threatening the health of people around the world. In addition, antibiotic therapy has been inducing increasingly more serious bacterial resistance, which makes it urgent to develop new treatment strategies to combat bacteria, including multidrug-resistant bacteria. Natural extracts displaying antibacterial activity and good biocompatibility have attracted much attention due to greater concerns about the safety of synthetic chemicals and emerging drug resistance. These antibacterial components can be isolated and utilized as antimicrobials, as well as transformed, combined, or wrapped with other substances by using modern assistive technologies to fight bacteria synergistically. This review summarizes recent advances in natural extracts from three kinds of sources-plants, animals, and microorganisms-for antibacterial applications. This work discusses the corresponding antibacterial mechanisms and the future development of natural extracts in antibacterial fields.

The secretome from human-derived mesenchymal stem cells augments the activity of antitumor plant extracts in vitro.

Cancer is understood as a multifactorial disease that involve multiple cell types and phenotypes in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The components of the TME can interact directly or via soluble factors (cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, extracellular vesicles, etc.). Among the cells composing the TME, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear as a population with debated properties since it has been seen that they can both promote or attenuate tumor progression. For various authors, the main mechanism of interaction of MSCs is through their secretome, the set of molecules secreted into the extracellular milieu, recruiting, and influencing the behavior of other cells in inflammatory environments where they normally reside, such as wounds and tumors. Natural products have been studied as possible cancer treatments, appealing to synergisms between the molecules in their composition; thus, extracts obtained from Petiveria alliacea (Anamu-SC) and Caesalpinia spinosa (P2Et) have been produced and studied previously on different models, showing promising results. The effect of plant extracts on the MSC secretome has been poorly studied, especially in the context of the TME. Here, we studied the effect of Anamu-SC and P2Et extracts in the human adipose-derived MSC (hAMSC)-tumor cell interaction as a TME model. We also investigated the influence of the hAMSC secretome, in combination with these natural products, on tumor cell hallmarks such as viability, clonogenicity, and migration. In addition, hAMSC gene expression and protein synthesis were evaluated for some key factors in tumor progression in the presence of the extracts by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Multiplex, respectively. It was found that the presence of the hAMSC secretome did not affect the cytotoxic or clonogenicity-reducing activities of the natural extracts on cancer cells, and even this secretome can inhibit the migration of these tumor cells, in addition to the fact that the profile of molecules can be modified by natural products. Overall, our findings demonstrate that hAMSC secretome participation in TME interactions can favor the antitumor activities of natural products.

Evaluation of the antifungal effect of plant extracts on oral Candida spp. - a critical methodological analysis of the last decade.

INTRODUCTION: In 2022, the World Health Organization published a report encouraging researchers to focus on Candida spp. to strengthen the global response to fungal oral infections and antifungal resistance. In the context of innovative research, it seems pertinent to investigate the antifungal potential of natural extracts of plants and the methodology involved in the recent reports. The aim of this systematic review is to identify the current state of in vitro research on the evaluation of the ability of plant extracts to inhibit Candida spp. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A bibliographic search has been developed to on a 10-year period to identify which plant extracts have an antifungal effect on the Candida spp. found in the oral cavity. RESULTS: A total of 20 papers were reviewed and fulfilled all the selection criteria and were included in the full data analysis. DISCUSSION: Plants have been tested in a wide range of states - whole extracts, extraction of particular components such as flavonoids or polyphenols, or even using the plant to synthesize nanoparticles. Of forty-five plants tested, five of them did not show any effect against Candida spp., which weren't part of the same family. There is a wide range of plant that exhibit antifungal proprieties. CONCLUSION: Many plants have been tested in a wide range of states - whole extracts, extraction of components such as flavonoids or polyphenols, or even using the plant to synthetize nanoparticles. The combination of plants, the addition of plants to a traditional antifungal and the interference with adhesion provided by some plants seem to be promising strategies. Nonetheless, on contrary to drugs, there is a critical lack of standardization on methodologies and protocols, which makes it difficult to compare data and, consequently, to conclude, beyond doubts, about the most promising plants to fight Candida spp. oral infections.

Microalgae extracts modulates the immune response in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected human cells.

Chagas disease (CD) is caused by the hemoflagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. The control of the infection depends of the innate and acquired immune response of host. Moreover, CD plays a significant role in the immune response, and, in this context, microalgae can be an interesting alternative due to its immunomodulatory and trypanocidal effects. This study aimed to evaluate, in vitro, immunomodulatory potentials of the aqueous extracts of Chlorella vulgaris and Tetradesmus obliquus. Both microalgae extracts (ME) were obtained by sonication, and the selectivity index (SI) was determined by assays of inhibitory concentration (IC50) in T. cruzi trypomastigotes cells; as well as the cytotoxic concentrations (CC50) in human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC). The immune response was evaluated in T. cruzi-infected PBMC using the IC50 value. ME led to inhibition of T. cruzi trypomastigotes after 24 h of treatment, in which the IC50 values were 112.1 µg/ml to C. vulgaris and 15.8 µg ml-1 to T. obliquus. On the other hand, C. vulgaris did not affect the viability of PBMCs in concentrations up to 1000 µg ml-1, while T. obliquus was non-toxic to PBMCs in concentrations up to 253.44 µg ml-1. In addition, T. obliquus displayed a higher SI against T. cruzi (SI = 16.8), when compared with C. vulgaris (SI = 8.9). C. vulgaris decreased the levels of IFN, indicating a reduction of the inflammatory process; while T. obliquus displayed an interesting immunomodulatory effect, since discretely increased the levels of TNF and stimulated the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. This study confirms that ME are effective against T. cruzi trypomastigotes, and may able to control the parasitemia and preventing the progress of CD while regulating the inflammatory process.

Comparative evaluation of anti-biofilm and anti- adherence potential of plant extracts against Streptococcus mutans: A therapeutic approach for oral health.

Dental caries predominantly attributed to the cariogenic nature of Streptococcus mutans, continue to pose a substantial global challenge to oral health. In response to this challenge, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of leaf extracts (LEs) and essential oils (EOs) derived from different medicinal plants in inhibiting the growth of Streptococcus mutans biofilm. In vitro and in silico approaches were employed to identify active compounds and assess their inhibitory effects on S. mutans. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were measured to determine the anti-biofilm and anti-adherence activity against S. mutans. Biofilm viability (CFU/mL) and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) concentration were quantified. GC-MS analysis was utilized to identify active compounds in the most effective plant extracts exhibiting anti-S. mutans activity. A high-throughput screening focused on the interaction between these compounds and the target enzyme SortaseA (SrtA) using molecular docking was performed. Results indicated that Cymbopogon citratus displayed the highest efficacy in reducing S. mutans biofilm formation and adhesion activity, achieving 90 % inhibition at an MIC value of 12 µg/mL. Among the 12 bioactive compounds identified, trans-Carvyl acetate exhibited the lowest binding energy with SrtA (-6.0 Kcal/mole). Trans-Carvyl acetate also displayed favorable pharmacokinetic properties. This study provides novel insights into the anti-S. mutans properties of C. citratus and suggests its potential as a therapeutic approach for oral health. Further research is needed to explore the combined effect of plant extracts for enhanced protection against dental caries.

Expanding Chemical Frontiers: Approaches for Generating Diverse and Bioactive Natural Product-Like Compounds Libraries from Extracts.

The realms of natural products and synthetic compounds exhibit distinct chemical spaces that not only differ but also complement each other. While the convergence of these two domains has been explored through semisynthesis and conventional pharmacomodulation endeavours applied to natural frameworks, a recent and innovative approach has emerged that involves the combinatorial generation of libraries of 'natural product-like compounds' (NPLCs) through the direct synthetic derivatization of natural extracts. This has led to the production of numerous NPLCs that incorporate structural elements from both their natural (multiple saturated rings, oxygen content, chiral centres) and synthetic (aromatic rings, nitrogen and halogen content, drug-like properties) precursors. Through careful selection of extracts and reagents, specific bioactivities have been achieved, and this strategy has been deployed in various ways, showing great promise without reaching its full potential to date. This review seeks to provide an overview of reported examples involving the chemical engineering of extracts, showcasing a spectrum of natural product alterations spanning from simple substitutions to complete scaffold remodelling. It also includes an analysis of the accomplishments, perspectives and technical challenges within this field.

The Evolution of Science and Regulation of Dietary Supplements: Past, Present, and Future.

Dietary supplement use in the United States is widespread and increasing, especially among certain population groups, such as older Americans. The science surrounding dietary supplements has evolved substantially over the last few decades since their formal regulation in 1994. Much has been learned about the mechanisms of action of many dietary supplement ingredients, but the evidence on their health effects is still building. As is true of much nutrition research, there are many studies that point to health effects, but not all are at the level of scientific evidence (e.g., randomized controlled interventions), rigor, or quality needed for definitive statements of efficacy regarding clinical endpoints. New technologies and approaches are being applied to the science of dietary supplements, including nutrigenomics and microbiome analysis, data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning - all of which can elevate the science behind dietary supplements. Products can contain an array of bioactive compounds derived from foods as well as from medicinal plants, which creates enormous challenges in data collection and management. Clinical applications, particularly those aimed at providing personalized nutrition options for patients, have become more sophisticated as dietary supplements are incorporated increasingly into clinical practice and self-care. The goals of this paper are to provide historical context for the regulation and science of dietary supplements, identify research resources, and suggest some future directions for science in this field.

Detection of isoflavones and phytoestrogen-rich plant extracts binding to estrogen receptor ß using a yeast-based fluorescent assay.

Alchemilla vulgaris L., Trifolium pratense L. and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. are important remedies in traditional medicine, known for many usages, including treating gynecological diseases. Despite folkloric use of the plant materials, there is a lack of scientific data to support their therapeutic application. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the relative binding affinities (RBAs) of plant-derived phytoestrogens for estrogen receptor ß (ERß) using fluorescent biosensor in yeast and to apply this assay for the assessment of the potential of plant materials towards ERs and treatment of estrogen-related disorders. Ligand-binding domain of ERß fused with yellow fluorescent protein (ERß LBD-YFP) was expressed in S. cerevisiae and fluorescence was detected by fluorimetry and fluorescence microscopy. Structural basis for experimental results was explored by molecular docking. Yeast-based fluorescent assay was successfully optimized and applied for identification of natural phenolic compounds and phytoestrogen-rich plant extracts that interact with ERß-LBD, making this biosensor a valuable tool for screening estrogenic potential of a variety of plant extracts. This assay can be used for preliminary testing of plant-derived or fungal extracts, but also other sources of environmental substances with ER-modulating activity in order to assess their possible effects on the female reproductive system.

Transcriptome and proteome analysis reveals the anti-cancer properties of Hypnea musciformis marine macroalga extract in liver and intestinal cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Marine seaweeds are considered as a rich source of health-promoting compounds by the food and pharmaceutical industry. Hypnea musciformis is a marine red macroalga (seaweed) that is widely distributed throughout the world, including the Mediterranean Sea. It is known to contain various bioactive compounds, including sulfated polysaccharides, flavonoids, and phlorotannins. Recent studies have investigated the potential anticancer effects of extracts from H. musciformis demonstrating their cytotoxic effects on various cancer cell lines. The anticancer effects of these extracts are thought to be due to the presence of bioactive compounds, particularly sulfated polysaccharides, which have been shown to have anticancer and immunomodulatory effects. However, further studies are needed to fully understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie their anticancer effects and to determine their potential as therapeutic agents for cancer treatment. METHODS: H. musciformis was collected from the Aegean Sea (Greece) and used for extract preparation. Transcriptome and proteome analysis was performed in liver and colon cancer human cell lines following treatment with H. musciformis seaweed extracts to characterize its anticancer effect in detail at the molecular level and to link transcriptome and proteome responses to the observed phenotypes in cancer cells. RESULTS: We have identified that treatment with the seaweed extract triggers a p53-mediated response at the transcriptional and protein level in liver cancer cells, in contrast to colon cancer cells in which the effects are more associated with metabolic changes. Furthermore, we show that in treated HepG2 liver cancer cells, p53 interacts with the chromatin of several target genes and facilitates their upregulation possibly through the recruitment of the p300 co-activator. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the available evidence suggests that extracts from H. musciformis have the potential to serve as a source of anticancer agents in liver cancer cells mainly through activation of a p53-mediated anti-tumor response that is linked to inhibition of cellular proliferation and induction of cell death.

Biofouling inhibition by Staphylococcus aureus extracts and their potential use for paints.

For the control of biofouling, some paints based on compounds that are toxic to marine organisms have been used. There is an intensive search for biodegradable solutions that are friendly to non-target organisms. Bacteria have been shown to be a source of compounds with antifouling potential. In this work, the antifouling activity of a strain of Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated. Extracts activity against biofilm-forming bacteria and the toxicity against Artemia franciscana were evaluated. The extracts were incorporated in a hard gel and a paint matrix, and they were exposed to the sea. In both the laboratory and field, we found that the compounds produced by S. aureus have antifouling activity. The non-toxicity of the tested extracts against Artemia franciscana nauplii suggests that the extracts obtained from S. aureus could have a low ecological impact over non-target organisms. Significant differences were found in the percentage of organisms cover in hard gels with extracts and control. After 90 days, important differences were also observed between the percentage of organisms cover of the paints that contained extracts and the control. Dichloromethane extract is the most effective for the inhibition or delay of the settlement of organisms For this reason, they could be used in matrices with different applications, such as in the shipping industry, aquaculture, or any other in which biofouling is a cause of inconvenience.

Plant-mediated synthesis of Mn3O4nanoparticles: challenges and applications.

This review focuses on the green synthesis methods, challenges, and applications of manganese oxide (Mn3O4) nanoparticles investigated in the past five years. Mn3O4nanoparticles offer some unique properties that are attributed in part to the presence of mixed oxidation states of manganese (i.e. +2 and +3) in the particle, which can be utilized in a wide range of redox-sensitive applications, such as in developing supercapacitive energy storage materials. In addition, the green synthesis of Mn3O4nanoparticles through plant extracts has potential uses in sustainable nanotechnology. Various plant extract-mediated synthesis techniques for Mn3O4nanoparticles have been investigated and presented. By comparing the size and structure of the synthesized Mn3O4nanoparticles, we have observed a consistent pattern of obtaining spherical particles with a size ranging from 16 to 50 nm. The morphology of the generated Mn3O4nanoparticles can be influenced by the annealing temperature and the composition of the plant extract used during the nanoparticle synthesis. Additionally, numerous applications for the greenly produced Mn3O4nanoparticles have been demonstrated. Mn3O4nanoparticles derived from plant extracts have been found to possess antimicrobial properties, supercapacitive and electrochemical capabilities, and excellent pollutant degradation efficiency. However, the magnetic properties of these nanoparticles synthesized by plant extracts are yet to be explored for potential biomedical applications. Finally, challenges to existing synthetic methods and future perspectives on the potential applications of these green synthesized Mn3O4nanoparticles are highlighted.

Supersulfide prevents cigarette smoke extract-induced mitochondria hyperfission and cardiomyocyte early senescence by inhibiting Drp1-filamin complex formation.

Smoking is one of the most serious risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Although cigarette mainstream and sidestream smoke are significant contributors to increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Here, we report that exposure of rat neonatal cardiomyocytes to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) induces mitochondrial hyperfission-mediated myocardial senescence. CSE leads to mitochondrial fission and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production through the complex formation between mitochondrial fission factor Drp1 and actin-binding protein, filamin A. Pharmacological perturbation of interaction between Drp1 and filamin A by cilnidipine and gene knockdown of Drp1 or filamin A inhibited CSE-induced mitochondrial hyperfission and ROS production as well as myocardial senescence. We previously reported that Drp1 activity is controlled by supersulfide-induced Cys644 polysulfidation. The redox-sensitive Cys644 was critical for CSE-mediated interaction with filamin A. The administration of supersulfide donor, Na2S3 also improved mitochondrial hyperfission-mediated myocardial senescence induced by CSE. Our results suggest the important role of Drp1-filamin A complex formation on cigarette smoke-mediated cardiac risk and the contribution of supersulfide to mitochondrial fission-associated myocardial senescence.

Effects of Artemisia absinthium on broiler chicken coccidiosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Coccidiosis is a recurring disease in broiler flocks that causes significant economic losses. This study aims to evaluate the effect of Artemisia absinthium on coccidiosis in broilers through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The article selection process included a search from the year 2000 to February 2021, with no restrictions on country or geographical region. Our objective was met by only six studies, which underwent systematic review. The meta-analysis was conducted using the metafor package in R via RStudio (version 1.1.383; RStudio, Inc.). The systematic review indicates that in vivo studies have shown the effectiveness of various plant extracts (essential oil and methanolic extract) when administered in food or drinking water on the considered parameters (oocyst shedding, bloody diarrhoea, mortality rate, weight gain, conversion index, lesion score). Furthermore, in vitro studies demonstrated a positive impact on oocyst count, LC50 (lethal concentration), sporulation rate (%), and sporulation inhibition rate (%). The meta-analysis of the four studies included in this analysis revealed that the inclusion of A. absinthium extract resulted in a significant reduction in oocyst shedding (SMD = -1.64, 95% CI: -2.72 to -0.55; P < 0.0001). However, the effectiveness of A. absinthium extract was not as significant as that of antibiotics (SMD = 0.57, 95% CI: -0.19 to 0.95; P = 0.0032). Various forms of administration and extracts of A. absinthium have demonstrated antiparasitic activity against Eimeria spp, making them suitable as natural anticoccidial agents.

In situ growth of dual-responsive polymer as coating for open tubular capillary electrochromatographic separation of epimedins.

Recently, open tubular capillary electrochromatography (OT-CEC) has captured considerable interest; its efficient separation capability hinges on the interactions between analytes and polymer coatings. However, in situ growth of stimuli-responsive polymers as coatings has been rarely studied and is crucial for expanding the OT-CEC technique and its application. Herein, following poly(styrene-maleicanhydride) (PSM) chemically bonded onto the inner surface of the capillary, a dual pH/temperature stimuli-responsive block copolymer, P(SMN-COOH), was prepared by in situ polymerizing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) carboxylic acid terminated [P(N-COOH)] in PSM. An OT-CEC protocol was first explored using the coated capillary for epimedins separation. As a proof of concept, the developed OT-CEC system facilitated hydrogen bonding and tuning the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions between the test analytes and the P(SMN-COOH) coating by varying buffer pH and environmental temperature. Four epimedins with similar chemical structures were baseline separated under 40 °C at pH 10.0, exhibiting dramatical improvement in separation efficiency in comparison to its performance under 25 °C at pH 4.0. In addition, the coated capillary showed good repeatability and reusability with relative standard deviations for migration time and peak area between 0.7 and 1.7% and between 2.9 and 4.6%, respectively, and no significant changes after six runs. This work introduces a paradigm for efficient OT-CEC separation of herbal medicines through adjusting the interactions between analytes and smart polymer coatings, addressing polymer coating design and OT-CEC challenges.