Cast Extruded Films Based on Polyhydroxyalkanoate/Poly(lactic acid) Blend with Herbal Extracts Hybridized with Zinc Oxide.

The aim of the presented work was to functionalize a blend based on polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA): poly(hydroxybutyrate (PHB) with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and a mixture of three selected herb extracts, namely, Hypericum L., Urtica L. and Chelidonium L., (E), zinc oxide (ZnO) and a combined system (EZnO), produced via extrusion. Before processing with bioresin, the natural modifiers were characterized using thermal analysis, FTIR and antimicrobial tests. The results revealed interactions between the extracts and the filler, leading to higher thermal stability in EZnO than when using E alone. Moreover, the mixture of extracts exhibited antimicrobial properties toward both Gram-negative (S. aureus) as well as Gram-positive bacteria (E. coli). Modified regranulates were transformed into films by cast extrusion. The influence of the additives on thermal (DSC, TGA and OIT), mechanical, barrier (WVTR and OTR), morphological (FTIR) and optical properties was investigated. The EZnO additive had the highest impact on the mechanical, barrier (OTR and WVTR) and optical properties of the bioresin. The microbial test results revealed that PHA-EZnO exhibited higher activity than PHA-ZnO and PHA-E and also reduced the number of S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans cells. The findings confirmed the synergistic effect between the additive components. Modified polyester films did not eliminate the phi6 bacteriophage particles completely, but they did decrease their number, confirming moderate antiviral effectiveness.

Innovative Analogs of Unpasteurized Kombucha Beverages: Comparative Analysis of Mint/Nettle Kombuchas, Considering Their Health-Promoting Effect, Polyphenolic Compounds and Chemical Composition.

Increasing demand for functional beverages is attracting consumers' attention and driving research to expand our knowledge of fermentation using symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) and demonstrate the health effects of consuming kombucha. The objective of this study was to develop innovative recipes for unpasteurized mint/nettle kombucha analogs, and to compare the products obtained under varying conditions in terms of chemical composition, bioactive polyphenols and health-promoting activity. Four variants of kombucha beverages (K1-K4), differing in the addition of sucrose and fermentation temperature, were formulated. The fermentation process provided data indicating the increase of antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and anticholinergic properties, while a decrease in antioxidant capacity was observed. The content of polyphenolics was the highest on the seventh day of fermentation. A higher fermentation temperature and a larger amount of sucrose accelerated the fermentation process, which may be crucial for shortening the production time of kombucha drinks.

Research progress on medicinal plant of Urtica L / 中草药

Medicinal plants of Urtica L. have 13 species, three subspecies in China, with wind-damp-dispelling and blood-activating analgesic effects, and used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), skin diseases, digestive system, respiratory system, pediatric, and gynecological diseases. At present, more than 200 compounds were isolated from this genus, including flavonoids, alkaloids, lignans, coumarins, terpenes, steroids, organic acids, and volatile oils. Its extracts have pharmacological actions of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia, antibacterial, anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and so on. However, it is still lack of the therapeutic material basis and mechanism research. In recent years, the medicinal value of this genus has been widely concerned by scholars at domestic and foreign, European has developed various drugs for the treatment of RA and BPH from this genus appeared on the market. Therefore, it is necessary to study and develop Urtica L. medicinal plants of our country, especially for the unreported characteristic Tibetan medicinal materials of U. tibetica and U. hyperborean with abundant resources, which should be in-depth systematic study. In this paper, the medicinal situation, chemical composition, and pharmacological action of the medicinal plants of Urtica L. were reviewed and analyzed by referring to the relevant herbal works and domestic and foreign research literatures, which can provide the scientific basis for further research and clinical application of this genus.

An Overview on the Progress of Chemical Constituents and Bioactivities of Plants in Urticaceae during 2000-2010 / 中草药·英文版

Utticaceae includes about 1300 species in 47 genera which largely spread in wet tropical regions,and 341 species in 25 genera are in China.Some species are used in Chinese folk medicine.So far,studies on chemistry and pharmacology of Urticaceous plants are mainly focused on nettle of Urtica L.In this review,the chemical researches on 35 new compounds and related pharmacological effects of the plants in Urticaceae reported during2000-2010 are described.The 35 new compounds belong to the classes of lignan,secolignan,norlignan,flavonoid,alkaloid,sesquiterpenoid,triterpenoid,sterol,and sphingolipid.The main bioactivities include cytotoxic,antitumor,antimicrobial,antifungal,anti-BPH,anti-HIV,antidiabetic,hypolipidemic,5α-reductase inhibitory,hair regrowth promotion,and anti-oxidative activities.