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Environmental sustainability is an increasing challenge in the pharmaceutical field, leading to the search for eco-friendly active ingredients. Among natural ingredients, propolis arises as an excellent alternative, being a complex substance with pharmacological properties. This work aims to explore the potential of propolis as a new pharmaceutical ingredient for the replacement of conventional vulvovaginal antifungals. Propolis extracts were obtained by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction using different solvents (water, water/ethanol (50:50, v/v), and ethanol). Afterwards, the extracts were characterized regarding total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant/antiradical activities, radical scavenging capacity, antifungal activity against strains of Candida species, and viability effect on two female genital cell lines. The aqueous extract achieved the best TPC result as well as the highest antioxidant/antiradical activities and ability to capture reactive oxygen species. A total of 38 phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by HPLC, among which ferulic acid, phloridzin and myricetin predominated. Regarding the anti-Candida spp. activity, the aqueous and the hydroalcoholic extracts achieved the best outcomes (with MIC values ranging between 128 and 512 μg/mL). The cell viability assays confirmed that the aqueous extract presented mild selectivity, while the hydroalcoholic and alcoholic extracts showed higher toxicities. These results attest that propolis has a deep potential for vulvovaginal candidiasis management, supporting its economic valorization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral mucositis (OM), a common side effect of oncological treatment, is an oral mucosal disorder characterized by painful ulcerations and increased risk of infection. The use of natural antioxidants to suppress the redox imbalance responsible for the OM condition has emerged as an interesting approach to prevent/treat OM. This study aims to explore the chestnut (Castana sativa) shells as potential active ingredient against OM. Therefore, chestnut shells were extracted at different temperatures (110–180 °C) by Subcritical Water Extraction (SWE), aiming to recover antioxidants. The extracts were also evaluated against microorganisms present in the oral cavity as well as on human oral cell lines (TR146 and HSC3). The highest phenolic content was obtained with the extraction temperature of 110 °C, exhibiting the best antioxidant/antiradical activities and scavenging efficiencies against HOCl (IC50 = 4.47 μg/mL) and ROO• (0.73 μmol TE/mg DW). High concentrations of phenolic acids (e.g., gallic and protocatechuic acids) and flavanoids (catechin, epicatechin and rutin) characterized the phenolic profile. The antimicrobial activity against several oral microorganisms present in the oral cavity during OM, such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Escherichia, was demonstrated. Finally, the effects on HSC3 and TR146 cell lines revealed that the extract prepared at 110 °C had the lowest IC50 (1325.03 and 468.15 µg/mL, respectively). This study highlights the potential effects of chestnut shells on OM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chayote leaves are known for culinary and traditional medicine applications. This work intended to recover carotenoids and phenolic compounds from chayote leaves using the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). A Box–Behnken design was employed to investigate the impact of extraction time, temperature, and ultrasonic power on the recovery of total carotenoids, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activities. For comparative purposes, chayote leaf extracts were prepared by maceration (ME) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), using the same time and temperature conditions optimized by UAE. Extraction at 50 °C and 170 Watts for 30 min provided the optimal UAE conditions. UAE showed better extraction efficacy than ME and MAE. The HPLC analysis of the extracts showed that the xanthophyll class was the main class of carotenoids, which constituted 42–85% of the total carotenoid content, followed by β-carotene and tocopherol. Moreover, 26 compounds, classified as phenolic acids, flavonols, flavonoids and other polar compounds, were identified in the chayote leaf extracts. Flavonols accounted for 55% of the total compounds quantified (the major compound was myricetin) and phenolic acids represented around 35%, mostly represented by ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid and (+)-catechin. This study revealed the potential of UAE as an effective green extraction technique to recover bioactive compounds from chayote leaves, for food, and for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Lycium barbarum L. berries as a source of valuable bioactive compounds. • Response Surface Methodology enabled the optimization of the extraction process. • Phenolic acids, flavanols, and phenylamides were detected. • The extract proved to be safe for intestinal application at doses up to 500 ug/mL. • Different extract's compounds permeated the cell monolayer. Lycium barbarum L. berries have a remarkable chemical composition and extensive biological activities, being a valuable component of health and nutraceutical practices. Nevertheless, a deep insight on the intestinal permeation of the pro-healthy bioactive compounds is urgently needed to predict the real effects on human body. This study attempted, for the first time, to optimize the Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) of goji berries using a Response Surface Methodology approach and establish the intestinal permeation of the principal pro-healthy compounds. The optimal extraction conditions were a solid:liquid ratio of 8.75 % for 56.21 min, using an intensity of 59.05 W/m2. The optimal extract displayed a remarkable antioxidant capacity, with LC/DAD-ESI-MS analysis unveiled a diverse phytochemical profile, encompassing different compounds (e.g. glu-lycibarbarspermidine F, 2-glu-kukoamine, rutin, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid). The intestinal co-culture model demonstrated that glu-lycibarbarspermidine F (isomer 2) (73.70 %), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (52.66 %), and isorhamnetin-3- O -rutinoside (49.31 %) traversed the intestinal cell layer, exerting beneficial health-promoting effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Chestnut shells extract valorized as a promising nutraceutical ingredient. • Total phenolics improved during in-vitro digestion. • Hydroxybenzoic, phenylpropanoic, and phenylacetic acids identified upon digestion. • Proven bioactivity on α-amylase, acetylcholinesterase, and antioxidant enzymes. • Multivariate analysis predicted the role of phenolics in extract bioactivity. Chestnut (Castanea sativa) shells (CS) are an undervalued antioxidant-rich by-product. This study explores the impact of in-vitro digestion on the bioaccessibility, bioactivity, and metabolic profile of CS extract prepared by Supercritical Fluid Extraction, aiming its valorization for nutraceutical applications. The results demonstrated significantly (p < 0.05) lower phenolic concentrations retained after digestion (38.57 µg gallic acid equivalents/mg dry weight (DW)), reaching 30% of bioaccessibility. The CS extract showed antioxidant/antiradical, hypoglycemic, and neuroprotective properties after in-vitro digestion, along with upmodulating effects on antioxidant enzymes activities and protection against lipid peroxidation. The metabolic profile screened by LC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS proved the biotransformation of complex phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins present in the undigested extract (45.78 µg/mg DW of total phenolic concentration) into hydroxybenzoic, phenylpropanoic, and phenylacetic acids upon digestion (35.54 µg/mg DW). These findings sustain the valorization of CS extract as a promising nutraceutical ingredient, delivering polyphenols with proven bioactivity even after in-vitro digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Chestnut shells extracted by SFE valorized as a potential nutraceutical ingredient. • Neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic effects proved. • Untargeted metabolic profile revealed 60 % lipids and 30 % phenolics in permeates. • Ellagic acid and caffeic acid metabolites quantified after intestinal permeation. • Enrichment analysis identified 29 metabolic pathways. The health benefits of chestnut (Castanea sativa) shells (CSs) have been ascribed to phytochemicals, mainly phenolic compounds. Nevertheless, an exhaustive assessment of their intestinal absorption is vital considering a possible nutraceutical application. This study evaluated the bioactivity of CSs extract prepared by Supercritical Fluid Extraction and untargeted metabolomic profile upon in-vitro intestinal permeation across a Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-culture model. The results demonstrated the neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic properties of CSs extract by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, α-amylase, and lipase activities. The untargeted metabolic profiling by LC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS unveiled almost 60 % of lipids and 30 % of phenolic compounds, with 29 metabolic pathways indicated by enrichment analysis. Among phenolics, mostly phenolic acids, flavonoids, and coumarins permeated the intestinal barrier with most metabolites arising from phase I reactions (reduction, hydrolysis, and hydrogenation) and a minor fraction from phase II reactions (methylation). The permeation rates enhanced in the following order: ellagic acid < o -coumaric acid < p -coumaric acid < ferulaldehyde ≤ hydroxyferulic acid ≤ dihydroferulic acid < ferulic acid < trans -caffeic acid < trans -cinnamic acid < dihydrocaffeic acid, with better outcomes for 1000 µg/mL of extract concentration and after 4 h of permeation. Taken together, these findings sustained a considerable in-vitro intestinal absorption of phenolic compounds from CSs extract, enabling them to reach target sites and exert their biological effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Optimization of UAE with single-factor experiments and response surface methodology • Optimal extract obtained with 50% water, 50% amplitude in 17.5 min • Identification of polyphenols by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS • Optimal extract exhibited stronger antimicrobial and anticancer activities Actinidia arguta fruit (also known as kiwiberry) has a remarkable phytochemical profile, being reported as a promising preventive agent/treatment for chronic diseases and a desirable source of bioactive molecules for pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Despite these promising indications, investigating the full potential of A. arguta fruit remains an unmet need for health applications. This work aims to determine the optimal extraction conditions of antioxidant/antiradical compounds from A. arguta fruit (commonly known as kiwiberry), using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The effects of probe amplitude (30%-70%), sonication time (5-30 min) and water:ethanol solvent ratio (0%-100%) were assessed. The optimal extraction conditions were achieved using 50% of water, during 17.5 min and using an amplitude of 50%. A total of 22 compounds, including 6 flavonoids and 4 phenolic acids, were identified in the optimal extract through HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS, which exhibited outstanding antioxidant and antiradical activities (TPC = 18.705 mg GAE/g dw; FRAP = 186.876 µmol FSE/g dw; ABTS = 16.334 mg AAE/g dw; O 2 ·− IC 50 = 829.384 µg/mL; HOCl IC 50 = 16.895 µg/mL; ROO· = 0.18 µg TE/mg dw). Moreover, it displayed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 32 mg/mL) and Pseudomonas gingivalis (MIC = 64 mg/mL) and reduced the growth rate of Escherichia coli. In-vitro assays demonstrated that the optimal extract successfully decreased the viability of two human carcinoma cell lines, namely TR146 and HSC-3, at 500 µg/mL and above 500 µg/mL, respectively. The present study showed that A. arguta fruit is a rich source of compounds with potential to be used for pro-healthy purposes. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]