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Nowadays, there is a trend to enhance the properties of meat products by fortifying them with various plant-based extracts. The objective of the work was to fortify pork burgers with different concentrations of Prunus serotina extract (PSE) and to evaluate certain quality attributes (pH, cooking characteristics, color parameters, and sensory attributes) in both raw and cooked burgers. In addition, the content of total phenols and the antioxidant capacity were evaluated in burgers samples. The results revealed that the cooking characteristics were influenced by the addition of PSE in burgers. From the perspective of color parameters, the increase in the concentration of PSE results in a significant decrease (p

The fall army worm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a polyphagous pest which causes damage to commercially important cultivated crops such as maize, rice, sorghum, cotton and also different vegetable crops. Carboxyl esterases (CarE, EC.3.1.1.1) or esterases are enzymes in the carboxyl / cholinesterase gene family that catalyze the hydrolysis of carboxyl esters. The carboxylesterases enzyme are the detoxification enzymes in FAW. Therefore, the inhibition of carboxylesterases from FAW would help in pest management. In this scenario, Isolation, purification and inhibition studies were carried out on the midgut carboxylesterase enzyme of FAW. Through a combination of steps including centrifugation, ammonium sulfate gradient precipitation, DEAE-Cellulose ion exchange chromatography, the enzyme was purified from fifth instar larvae of FAW. The final purified carboxylesterase after ion exchange chromatography had a specific activity of 7282.22 units / mg protein, 5.6 – fold of crude homogenate, and a yield of 25%. The purity of esterase was established by PAGE and SDS-PAGE. The SDS-PAGE revealed a molecular weight of approximately 45kDa to 66kDa. Our studies on the purified midgut carboxylesterase showed complete inhibition by organophosphorous inhibitor (10-4 M). The enzyme was also inhibited by 1x concentration of Lizol (disinfectant) and by different natural extracts (1x) as well.

In order to study the interaction and antioxidant effects of the combination of natural extract and complex phosphate on the quality characteristics of yak mince during cold storage. In this study, rosemary, grape seed extract and complex phosphate were mixed at the ratio of 0.015%, 0.02% and 0.10%, and the edible quality, rheological properties, lipid oxidation and protein oxidation of yak meat were measured after the meat was refrigerated at 4 ℃ for 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 h. The results showed that with the extension of refrigeration time, the pH of yak mince treated with rosemary, grape seed extract and complex phosphate decreased significantly, and the water retention increased significantly (P

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.

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.

Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of viruses that cause diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, Zika, and Chikungunya, leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality in humans and substantial healthcare costs. The most common method for mosquito control involves the use of synthetic insecticides; however, continuous use of these substances leads to species resistance and environmental contamination. In response to these challenges, natural extracts have emerged as a promising alternative for vector control as they contain components potentially toxic to mosquitoes. The aim of this review is to present the current state of the use of natural extracts as a strategy for controlling both larval and adult Ae. aegypti. By means of information retrieval from databases, considering original articles published from 2018 to 2023, we sought information related to the plant part used for extract obtainment, extraction methods, and solvents used. A total of 676 articles were found, of which 35 met the established criteria. In these publications, 38 families, 69 genera, and 87 species of plants were identified, with a particular emphasis on the Asteraceae, Anacardiaceae, Myrtaceae, and Lamiaceae families due to their higher number of species used in research. On the other hand, the most commonly used methods for obtaining extracts included maceration with subsequent filtration, as well as Soxhlet extraction. Meanwhile, the preferred solvents for extract obtainment were ethanol and water. In conclusion, there is widespread use of plant extracts as insecticides, with extraordinary potential to control vector populations such as Ae. aegypti and, in turn, contribute to the reduction of arbovirus transmission by this mosquito.

Abstract Chemoresistance and severe toxicities represent major drawbacks of chemotherapy. Natural extracts, including the essential oils of Pistacia lentiscus (PLEO), exhibit substantial anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities where different cancers are reported to dramatically recess following targeting with PLEO. PLEO has promising antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the therapeutic properties of PLEO are restricted by limited stability, bioavailability, and targeting ability. PLEO nanoformulation can maximize their physicochemical and therapeutic properties, overcoming their shortcomings. Hence, PLEO was extracted and its chemical composition was determined by GC–MS. PLEO and 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) were electrospun into poly-ε-caprolactone nanofibers (PCL-NFs), of 290.71 nm to 680.95 nm diameter, to investigate their anticancer and potential synergistic activities against triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), human adenocarcinoma breast cancer cells (MCF-7), and human skin melanoma cell line (A375). The prepared nanofibers (NFs) showed enhanced thermal stability and remarkable physical integrity and tensile strength. Biodegradability studies showed prolonged stability over 42 days, supporting the NFs use as a localized therapy of breast tissues (postmastectomy) or melanoma. Release studies revealed sustainable release behaviors over 168 h, with higher released amounts of 5FU and PLEO at pH 5.4, indicating higher targeting abilities towards cancer tissues. NFs loaded with PLEO showed strong antioxidant properties. Finally, NFs loaded with either PLEO or 5FU depicted greater anticancer activities compared to free compounds. The highest anticancer activities were observed with NFs co-loaded with PLEO and 5FU. The developed 5FU-PLEO-PCL-NFs hold potential as a local treatment of breast cancer tissues (post-mastectomy) and melanoma to minimize their possible recurrence. Graphical Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica) is a fruit highly consumed for its flavor and nutrient content. The mango peel is rich in compounds with biological functionality, such as antioxidant activity among others. The influence of microwave-assisted extraction variables on total phenol compounds (TPC) and antioxidant activity (TEAC) of natural extracts obtained from mango peel var. Tommy and Sugar were studied using a response surface methodology (RSM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). TPC of mango peel extract var. Tommy was significantly influenced by time extraction (X1), solvent/plant ratio (X2) and concentration of ethanol (X3) and while mango peel extract var. Sugar was influenced by X2. TEAC by ABTS was significantly influenced by X3. Maximum of TPC (121.3 mg GAE / g of extract) and TEAC (1185.9 μmol Trolox/g extract) for mango peel extract var. Tommy were obtained at X1=23.9s, X2=12.6mL/gand X3=63.2%, and for mango peel extract var. Sugar, the maximum content of TPC (224.86 mg GAE/g extract) and TEAC (2117.7 μmol Trolox/g extract) were obtained at X1=40s, X2=10mL/g and X3=74.9%. The ANN model presented a higher predictive capacity than the RSM (RANN2>RRSM2,RMSEANN

Background and purpose: The osteogenic differentiation of MSCs plays a key role in bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, making it essential to explore natural compounds that may enhance this process. This aim this study was to investigate the osteogenic potential of both aqueous and alcoholic extracts derived from the root of Rubia tinctorum on rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). Materials and methods: Aqueous and alcoholic extracts were prepared from the root of Rubia tinctorum. Rat BM-MSCs were isolated and cultured and their osteogenic differentiation was assessed in the presence of varying concentrations of the extracts using alizarin red staining and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Cytotoxic effect of root extract of Rubia tinctorum was evaluated using MTT assay. Results: The MTT assay demonstrated that the root extract of Rubia tinctorum was cytotoxic at 1000 µg/ml. Additionally, the alizarin red assay showed that the most significant color intensity at 1 and 10 µg/ml concentrations on the 14th day. In terms of bone differentiation induction which measured via the alkaline phosphatase test, both the aqueous and alcoholic extracts at 1 and 10 µg/ml concentrations led to substantial increases (14.9- and 14.57-fold for the aqueous extract and approximately 7.37- and 7-fold for the alcoholic extract, respectively) in alkaline phosphatase activity compared to the negative control. Conclusion: This study sheds light on the osteogenic effects of Rubia tinctorum root extracts, emphasizing their potential as natural agents in promoting bone regeneration and tissue engineering applications. Further investigations into the underlying molecular mechanisms and in vivo studies are warranted to comprehensively evaluate the feasibility of utilizing these extracts for therapeutic bone regeneration purposes

Disease’s severity, mortality rates, and common failures to achieve clinical improvement during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic exposed the emergency need for new antiviral therapeutics with higher efficacy and fewer adverse effects. This study explores the potential to encapsulate multi-component plant extracts in liposomes as optimized delivery systems and to verify if they exert inhibitory effects against human seasonal betacoronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) in vitro. The selection of Sambucus nigra, Potentilla reptans, Allium sativum, Aesculus hippocastanum, and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. plant extracts was based on their established pharmacological and antiviral properties. The physicochemical characterization of extract-loaded liposomes was conducted by DLS and electrokinetics. Encapsulated amounts of the extract were evaluated based on the total flavonoid content (TFC) and total polyphenol content (TPC) by colorimetric methods. The BALB 3T3 neutral red uptake (NRU) phototoxicity/cytotoxicity assay was used to estimate compounds’ safety. Photo irritation factors (PIFs) of the liposomes containing extracts were A. hippocastanum extract showed 16 times higher inhibitory properties reaching a selectivity index (SI) of 58.96. Virucidal and virus-adsorption effects were investigated using the endpoint dilution method and ∆lgs comparison with infected and untreated controls. The results confirmed that nanoparticles do not directly affect the viral surface or cell membrane, but only serve as carriers of the active substances and the observed protection is due solely to the intracellular action of the extracts.

Vegetable oils and extracts have been used from ancient times for skin care. The aim of this study was to design and evaluate the physicochemical, organoleptic, and microbiological characteristics and the instrumental efficacy in vivo of a cosmetic formula named “ASC Cream”, containing sangre de grado resin extract (Croton lechleri) and vegetable oils obtained from moriche palm (Mauritia flexuosa L.), goldenberry (Physalis peruviana), super sacha peanut (Plukenetia huayllabambana sp. nov.), and sacha peanut (Plukenetia volubilis L.). Instrumental efficacy, skin hydration and skin pH were tested in vivo in 24 healthy female volunteers between 40 and 65 years old, using non-invasive skin bioengineering equipment from Courage + Khazaka Electronics, both in the short term (30 min, 1 h and 3 h) and long term (14 and 28 days). The main findings were increased immediate hydration (132.4%) and long-term hydration (143.6%), showing a statistically significant average improvement (p < 0.05) without altering the skin pH. In conclusion, a balanced combination of the extract and oils significantly increases hydration levels while maintaining skin pH.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of lid scrubbing using a gel combining different natural extracts on ocular signs and symptoms of dry eye patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 19 dry eye patients (51.1±16.0y). Non-invasive tear break-up time, tear meniscus height, meibomian gland loss, lipid layer thickness, conjunctival redness, corneal staining, ocular surface disease index (OSDI), and ocular pain intensity were measured before (baseline), 1wk, and 2mo after lid scrubbing with a gel containing different natural extracts (okra extract, aloe vera leaf juice, hydrolysed soy protein, caffeine, citrus unshiu peel extract, and raspberry seed oil). RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, there was a statistically significant improvement in both first (P=0.048) and average (P=0.026) non-invasive tear break-up time 2mo after treatment, as well as in corneal staining (P=0.043, 0.012), OSDI (P

Over the years, science and technology have enabled improvement in various sectors of society through the development of products, services, and applications. Despite the tremendous scientific development, it is necessary to understand and pay attention to the environmental, social, and clinical consequences generated by developing a new product and service. Bionanotechnology emerges as a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary science capable of presenting strategies based on sustainability and biocompatibility with living beings. Therefore, it seeks to solve, with plurality, the emerging problems through manipulating matter at atomic and molecular scales and its application in biological systems. One of the bionanotechnological alternatives that this review will address is the use of nanoparticles synthesized from natural extracts with various applications that can solve emerging problems on the planet, such as the excessive use of agrochemicals, resistant pathogenic microorganisms, the misuse of natural resources and improper disposal of plastics. This review aims to present bionanotechnology as a strategy for sustainable development in emerging problems in health, agriculture, and maintaining biodiversity and population problems.

Chlorella vulgaris (C.V) is known for its high protein and nutrient contents and has been touted as a potential functional ingredient in food products. For this study, beef burgers were formulated with varying levels of Chlorella vulgaris fortification (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% by weight). The nutritional composition, including proximate analysis and mineral content, was determined for each treatment group. The quality characteristics evaluated included thiobarbituric acid (TBA), total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN), pH, and total acidity. The study included extracting the active substances from Chlorella vulgaris using three solvents, 50% ethanol, 95% ethanol, and water, to evaluate the effect on the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The results showed that the water extract had the highest total phenolic content (183.5 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram) and the highest flavonoid content (54 mg quercetin per gram). The aqueous extract had the highest content of total antioxidants, followed by the 95% ethanol and 50% ethanol extracts. Meanwhile, the 50% ethanol extract showed the best antimicrobial activity, while the aqueous extract had less of an effect on Gram-positive bacteria and no effect on E. coli. For the burger treatments, at the end of the storage period, it was observed that the microbial load of the treatments decreased compared to the control, and there was a high stability in the total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN) values for the treatments compared to the control, reaching a value of 22.4 at month 5, which is well above the acceptable limit, indicating spoilage. The pH values were higher for all of the treatments, with a lower total acidity for all of the treatments compared to the control. In conclusion, utilizing Chlorella vulgaris algae as a natural preservative to extend the freshness of burgers is a sustainable and innovative approach to food preservation. By harnessing the power of this green superfood, we not only enhance the shelf life of our food products but also contribute to a healthier and more environmentally friendly food industry.

The synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles for diverse applications is an active research area that involves physical and chemical methods, which typically are expensive, involve hazardous chemical reagents, use complex equipment and synthesis conditions, and consume large amounts of time and energy. Thus, green synthesis methods have emerged as eco-friendly and easy alternatives for inorganic nanoparticle synthesis, particularly the use of plant-based extracts from fruit juice, leaves, seeds, peel, stem, barks, and roots, which act as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals and circular economy principles. Therefore, diverse inorganic nanoparticles have been synthesized using plant-based extracts, including gold, silver, titanium dioxide, zinc, copper, platinum, zirconium, iron, selenium, magnesium, nickel, sulfur, cobalt, palladium, and indium nanoparticles, which exhibit different biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, dye degradation, cytotoxic, analgesic, sedative, wound-healing, skin protection, sensor development, and plant-growth-promoting effects. Therefore, this review summarizes the advantages and limitations of plant-based extracts as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents for inorganic nanoparticle green synthesis.

This study investigates the chemical composition, nutritional, and biological properties of extracts obtained from A. melanocarpa berries using different extraction methods and solvents. Hydrodistillation and supercritical fluid extraction with CO2 allowed us to isolate fruit essential oil (HDEX) and fixed oil (SFEEX), respectively. A phenol-enriched extract was obtained using a mild ultrasound-assisted maceration with methanol (UAMM). The HDEX most abundant component, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), was italicene epoxide (17.2%), followed by hexadecanoic acid (12.4%), khusinol (10.5%), limonene (9.7%), dodecanoic acid (9.7%), and (E)-anethole (6.1%). Linoleic (348.9 mg/g of extract, 70.5%), oleic (88.9 mg/g, 17.9%), and palmitic (40.8 mg/g, 8.2%) acids, followed by α-linolenic and stearic acids, were the main fatty acids in SFEEX determined using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector and an evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-DAD/ELSD). HPLC-DAD analyses of SFEEX identified β-carotene as the main carotenoid (1.7 mg/g), while HPLC with fluorescence detection (FLU) evidenced α-tocopherol (1.2 mg/g) as the most abundant tocopherol isoform in SFEEX. Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-MS (LC-ESI-MS) analysis of UAMM showed the presence of quercetin-sulfate (15.6%, major component), malvidin 3-O-(6-O-p-coumaroyl) glucoside-4-vinylphenol adduct (pigment B) (9.3%), di-caffeoyl coumaroyl spermidine (7.6%), methyl-epigallocatechin (5.68%), and phloretin (4.1%), while flavonoids (70.5%) and phenolic acids (23.9%) emerged as the most abundant polyphenol classes. UAMM exerted a complete inhibition of the cholesterol oxidative degradation at 140 °C from 75 μg of extract, showing 50% protection at 30.6 μg (IA50). Furthermore, UAMM significantly reduced viability (31–48%) in A375 melanoma cells in the range of 500–2000 μg/mL after 96 h of incubation (MTT assay), with a low toxic effect in normal HaCaT keratinocytes. The results of this research extend the knowledge of the nutritional and biological properties of A. melanocarpa berries, providing useful information on specific extracts for potential food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications.

Ethosomes are novel lipid‐based vesicular systems that demonstrate unique improvements in drug delivery with respect to other nanoparticles, especially for transdermal applications. Their high ethanol content strongly improves flexibility and deformability, which allows squeezing through the intercellular spaces without any drug leakage. The ethanol, moreover, contributes to increase the fluidity of the lipids of the cell membranes in dermal layers, allowing an in‐depth penetration of the nanostructures. Moreover, the high ethanol content of ethosomes allows the promotion of the encapsulation of either hydrophilic or lipophilic active agents, a feature particularly useful when it deals with natural extracts, a family of compounds characterized by a huge chemical variability. As a further advantage, being natural extracts often obtained in ethanol‐based solutions, their incorporation in ethosomes makes not necessarily expensive and time‐consuming procedures finalized at solvent removal. Following the initial exploitation of ethosomes, research focuses on the development of variants such as invasomes and transethosomes, which show improved drug encapsulation and delivery capacity. This review provides the state‐of‐the‐art on ethosomal research, with special attention on the encapsulation and delivery of natural extracts and their transdermal delivery.

Abstract Chronic low-grade inflammation has been identified as a major contributor in the development of atherosclerosis. Nuclear Factor-κappa B (NF-κB) is a critical transcription factors family of the inflammatory pathway. As a major catalytic subunit of the IKK complex, IκB kinase β (IKKβ) drives canonical activation of NF-κB and is implicated in the link between inflammation and atherosclerosis, making it a promising therapeutic target. Various natural product derivatives, extracts, and synthetic, show anti-atherogenic potential by inhibiting IKKβ-mediated inflammation. This review focuses on the latest knowledge and current research landscape surrounding anti-atherosclerotic drugs that inhibit IKKβ. There will be more opportunities to fully understand the complex functions of IKKβ in atherogenesis and develop new effective therapies in the future.

The work deals with the application of natural functional ingredients as possible substitute for synthetic additives in gluten-free baguettes with potential extension of their shelf life. It is focused on the use of natural extracts such as rosemary (1% addition) and grape seeds (1-2% addition), while the baguettes were packed in the modified atmosphere in order to prolong their shelf life. They were tested after baking and after one week of storage (in the plastic bag and in the modified atmosphere package) for texturometric and sensory properties, water activity and pH. Natural extracts showed highly significant (P≤0.01) positive effect on the texture of the products. In all samples, the firmness of the baguettes decreased compared to the control sample, and the modified atmosphere softened the products compared to the plastic bag (P≤0.01). In the package with the modified atmosphere, we observed the decrease in the pH of the products, which can be evaluated positively. At the sensory evaluation, the sample with the addition of rosemary extract achieved the best results, compared to the control sample as statistically significant (P≤0.01).

To determine the effect of Korean medicine treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) this study reviewed both single ingredients and bioactive compounds in the treatment of ANFH in a rat model. Literature was retrieved from PubMed and Google Scholar using the keywords “femur head necrosis,” “natural extract,” and “rat.” The data from studies analyzed included: rats’ characteristics, development methods of ANFH, natural extracts administration, observation methods, and outcome indicators. Two independent researchers screened all articles retrieved and 26 studies were chosen. The most used rat species was the Sprague Dawley rat (76.9%). To induce ANFH, steroid injections (46.2%), and oral gavage (53.8%) were typically used. Studies focused mainly on factors affecting bone formation (65.3%), and apoptosis (53.8%). Research on ANFH focused on using traditional natural substances mentioned in classical literature to confirm its effectiveness against anti-inflammation, osteogenesis, and cell death. ANFH has a diverse etiology, therefore research models such as genetic analysis of human-derived samples from ANFH patients may shed more light on the condition. Moreover, research into herbal medicines and pharmacoacupuncture treatment of ANFH should precede.

The thermal comfort of finished fabric is directly influenced to its capacity of thermo regulation of human skin and allows the perspiration of the human body. A study on effect of Musa acuminata SAP on the thermal comfort performance of the cotton finished fabric has been analyzed. It was evident that the fabric finished with a lower concentration of Musa acuminata SAP and lower temperature at least processing time has improved result in air permeability, water vapor permeability and thermal conductivity of the finished fabrics. It was also observed that the fabric finished with a higher concentration of Musa acuminata SAP and higher temperature at the highest processing time has better performance in the thermal resistance of the fabric.

Zebrafish can be used as a phenotype-based fast-screening platform for the discovery of skin-whitening products by observing the formation of melanin in vivo through a dissecting microscope. In this study, we first evaluated commercial whitening ingredients to confirm the potency of the zebrafish model. The zebrafish screening system verified that verbascoside and 5 other commonly used commercial skin-whitening compounds– including sodium ascorbate, azelaic acid, transamin, kojic acid, and PTU- significantly reduce melanin content in a dose-dependent manner. We subsequently conducted preliminary screening of 123 natural sources to identify those with whitening property. Through a two-step screening process, anti-melanogenesis effects of 4 and 9 candidates at low and high concentration were verified respectively. The toxicity, mortality, and malformation of zebrafish embryo were also evaluated. We further investigated the components of C. manghas L. and found 6 major compounds, one of which was manghaslin, a compound known for its melanin-suppressing effect on zebrafish without cytotoxicity. With these properties, manghaslin is a promising candidate as a skin lightening agent or a treatment for melanoma.

The prevalence of obesity increases alarmingly every year mostly due to external factors such as high-fat and high-refined sugar intake associated with a sedentary lifestyle. It triggers metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, hyperlipemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of a combined intervention with caloric restriction, nutraceutical intake, and a mixed training protocol on oxidative stress, inflammation, and gut dysbiosis derived from the development of obesity in a C57BL6/J mouse experimental model of diet-induced obesity (4.6 Kcal/g diet, 45% Kcal as fat, and 20% fructose in the drinking fluid). The nutraceutical was formulated with ethanolic extracts of Argania spinosa pulp (10%) and Camelina sativa seeds (10%) and with protein hydrolysates from Psoralea corylifolia seeds (40%) and Spirodela polyrhiza whole plants (40%). The combination of nutraceutical and exercise decreased the animals’ body weights and inflammatory markers (TNFα, IL-6, and resistin) in plasma, while increasing gene expression of cat, sod2, gsta2, and nqo1 in the liver. Obese animals showed lower β-diversity of microbiota and a higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio vs. normocaloric controls that were reversed by all interventions implemented. Dietary inclusion of a nutraceutical with high antioxidant potential combined with an exercise protocol can be beneficial for bodyweight control and improvement of metabolic status in patients undergoing obesity treatment.

Neonatal calf diarrhoea (NCD) poses a significant health challenge in cattle herds, resulting in considerable economic losses and antimicrobial use. In response to the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance, viable alternatives are imperative, aligning with European policies. This study evaluated the in-milk supplementation of the chestnut and quebracho tannin extract in preweaning calves on performance, diarrhoea occurrence, Cryptosporidium spp. shedding, protein digestibility, and intestinal health. Twenty newborn calves were divided, after colostrum administration, into two experimental groups for 30 days as follows: the control (CTRL) was fed with whole milk and solid feed, and tannins (TAN) were fed whole milk supplemented with 6/g day of tannin extract and solid feed. Faecal samples were collected on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 30 for the evaluation of Cryptosporidium oocyst shedding and protein digestibility. Faecal consistency was evaluated during the sampling using the faecal score scale (0–3 scale, considering diarrhoea > 1). The results showed a significant reduction in diarrhoea frequency in the TAN compared to the CTRL group (p < 0.05) over 30 days of the trial. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was generally low (12%), considering all analysed samples. Protein digestibility revealed comparable values for the TAN and CTRL groups, suggesting that tannins did not negatively affect milk protein availability. In conclusion, the in-milk supplementation of 6/g day of the chestnut and quebracho tannin extract could be considered a valuable functional feed additive to decrease NCD occurrence, thus supporting animal health and decreasing antibiotic use in livestock.

Seaweeds have been explored as a natural resource of compounds of interest due to their bioactivities. Although many studies report the interest and the application of seaweeds in various areas, from food or human health to the economy, these data mostly focus on raw extracts and not on specific compounds, such as seaweed pigments. Fungal infections of the skin, nails, and hair caused by dermatophytes are the most common fungal infections worldwide. These pathologies require long periods of topical and/or systemic treatment associated with adverse effects and increased antifungal resistance. So, this study had two objectives: the first was to isolate and characterize the pigments of the seaweeds Calliblepharis jubata and Fucus vesiculosus; the second was to assess their antifungal activity. The extraction of pigments was performed using a method of extraction by exhaustion, and the purification was achieved via column chromatography. Three techniques were used to characterize the pigments: thin-layer chromatography (TLC), UV–visible spectrophotometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The antifungal activity against the three most common dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Microsporum canis, was evaluated using a microdilution methodology, following the EUCAST international standards. It was possible to observe that the extracts obtained from the seaweed C. jubata, corresponding to the purified pigment phycobiliprotein, and the crude extract (an enriched extract) showed antifungal activity against the three fungal agents of human skin infection.

This study aimed to investigate antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of borage (Echium amoenum L.) and hollyhock (Althaea rosea var. Nigra) extracts. The extracts were obtained through soaking and ultrasound- assisted methods using water or methanol as a solvent. The total phenols and flavonoid, anthocyanin content, free radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and antibacterial capacity of the extracts were determined. Phenolic acids were identified using the HPLC chromatogram. It was found that the ultrasound-assisted extraction was more efficient compared to the soaking method. The results showed that in the TPC, anthocyanins, and the FRAP tests, the highest amount was related to the samples extracted using the ultrasound- assisted method with water as solvent. The highest amount of TFC was obtained through a soaking method using methanol as the solvent. Anti- radical activity of the samples indicated that using water as a solvent in the optimum method resulted in a higher antioxidant activity. Furthermore, bacterial alpha amylase inhibition test signified that the inhibitory effect was boosted by increasing the extract concentration. The HPLC analysis of the borage and hollyhock extracts revealed that gallic acid and Syringic acid were the most prominent phenolic compounds. Generally, the results showed a good antibacterial property against Staphylococcus aureus for borage and hollyhock extracts. The results give us valuable insight into the potential therapeutic and medicinal applications of borage and hollyhock as a natural preservative to improve immunity.

Diffusion-ordered nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (DOSY) is a molecular transport method in analytical chemistry, based on experimental recording of the molecules’ translational mobility at thermodinamic equilibrium in a solution. The translational mobility is characterised quantitatively by a self-diffusion coefficient. The aim of the study was to summarise the main trends in application of DOSY for the analysis of natural and modified natural polysaccharides used in pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical biotechnology. The review shows that this method is an effective instrument for monitoring fractionation during isolation of polysaccharides from a natural mixture, for estimating their average molecular weight and molecular weight distribution, and for studying the formation of supramolecular systems based on polysaccharides. The paper describes main issues of the precise measurement of polysaccharide macromolecules self-diffusion coefficients and provides the correction factors to compensate for errors caused by fluctuations in temperature and viscosity of solutions. The observed scatter of self-diffusion coefficients of narrowly dispersed polymer macromolecules nuclei is explained using the polyphase concept. The paper illustrates ways of describing translational mobility of a polyphase polymer macromolecule as a whole. The authors summarise values of the gradient pulse sequence parameters used in quantitative measurements of self-diffusion coefficients of linear, low-branched, and branched polysaccharides.

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Artemisia ordosica crude polysaccharide (AOCP) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant and immunity capacity, rumen fermentation parameters, and the microbiota of cashmere goats. A total of 12 cashmere goats (2 years old) with similar weight (38.03 ± 2.42 kg of BW ± SD) were randomly divided into two dietary treatments with six replicates. The treatments were as follows: (1) control (CON, basal diet); and (2) AOCP treatment (AOCP, basal diet with 0.3% AOCP). Pre-feeding was conducted for 7 days, followed by an experimental period of 21 days. The results showed that the ADG; feed/gain (F/G); and the digestibility of DM, CP, and ADF of cashmere goats in the AOCP group were greater than in the CON group (p < 0.05). Still, there was no significant effect on the digestibility of EE, NDF, Ca, and P (p > 0.05). Compared to the CON group, AOCP increased BCP, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, isovalerate, and TVFA concentrations (p < 0.05), but it reduced the protozoa numbers of acetate and A/P (p < 0.05). The serum CAT, GSH-Px, T-SOD, 1L-6, and NO levels were higher in AOCP than in the CON group (p < 0.05). The addition of AOCP increased the Sobs and Ace estimators (p < 0.05) and reduced the Simpson estimator in the ruminal fluid compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the AOCP group increased the colonization of beneficial bacteria by positively influencing GSH-Px and IL-6 (norank_f__F082, unclassified_p__Firmicutes), as well as bacteria negatively associated with F/G (norank_f__norank_o__Bacteroidales, unclassified_p__Firmicutes, and norank_f__F082). It decreased the colonization of potential pathogenic bacteria (Aeromonas and Escherichia-Shigella) (p < 0.05) compared to the CON group. In conclusion, 0.3% AOCP improves the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant status, immune function, rumen fermentation, and microflora of cashmere goats.

The Cox and Merz rules are empirical correlations between the apparent viscosity of polymers with the effect of shear rate and the complex dynamic viscosity with the effect of frequency. In this study, the rheological properties of mayonnaise-type emulsions enriched with Averrhoa carambola extracts were investigated using small-amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) and steady shear flow. The results showed that the shear-thinning behavior of the samples was non-Newtonian with yield stress and had time-dependent characteristics, as evidenced by curves from non-oscillatory measurements. It was observed that the experimental data on the complex and apparent viscosity of the samples obeyed the Cox–Merz rule.

Inflammasomes, composed of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptors (NLRs), are immune-functional protein multimers that are closely linked to the host defense mechanism. When NLRs sense pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), they assemble into inflammasomes. Inflammasomes can activate various inflammatory signaling pathways, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, and produce a large number of proinflammatory cytokines, which are closely associated with multiple cancers. They can also accelerate the occurrence and development of cancer by providing suitable tumor microenvironments, promoting tumor cell proliferation, and inhibiting tumor cell apoptosis. Therefore, the exploitation of novel targeted drugs against various inflammasomes and proinflammatory cytokines is a new idea for the treatment of cancer. In recent years, more than 50 natural extracts and synthetic small molecule targeted drugs have been reported to be in the research stage or have been applied to the clinic. Herein, we will overview the mechanisms of inflammasomes in common cancers and discuss the therapeutic prospects of natural extracts and synthetic targeted agents.

The increase in critical bone diseases and defects in the world's population increases the need for bone substitutes to restore form and function. Organic and inorganic scaffolds with antibacterial properties could provide advantages for bone regeneration. In this study, we obtained scaffolds of polycaprolactone (PCL) charged with calcium phosphates nanoparticles and impregnated with extracts of Colombian plants as an alternative for potential bone regeneration. Calcium phosphate nanoparticles were obtained via auto-combustion synthesis. The nanoparticles were incorporated into the PCL with a chemical dissolution-disperse process. The composite obtained was used to produce a filament to print Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) based scaffolds. Such geometry facilitates cellular growth thanks to its interconnected porosity. The scaffolds were impregnated with extracts of Justicia cf colorifera (Acanthaceae), and Billia rosea (Sapindaceae) due to their ancestral medical applications. A physical and biological characterization was conducted. The process to print scaffolds with an enhanced geometry to facilitate the flux of biological fluids was successful. The scaffolds loaded with B. rosea showed strong antibacterial behavior, suggesting the presence of reported terpenoids with antibacterial properties. The approach used in this study evidenced promising prospects for bone defect repair.

In this work, the leave extracts of Aloe vera, piper betel and neem leaf were prepared and coated on bamboo fiber based material for wound dressing applications. The fabrics coated with different compositions of the natural extract were enhanced with rhEGF (REGEN-D™ 150). The FTIR confirms the presence of alcoholic and phenolic group which were responsible for antibacterial activity. The SEM morphology of the developed dressing material was porous nature and more suitable for the process of curing wound. In antimicrobial tests, the zone of incubation of E. coli and S. aureus ranges from 18 mm and 22. In vivo study using albino rats induced with diabetes reveals that the wound healing rate is increased in the range of 25% to 54% compared to a negative-control group. Overall, the natural extracts coated dressing material has considerable potential and well suited for clinical application that was evidenced through antimicrobial and in vivo study results. Therefore, natural extracts coated on bamboo-based dressing materials are claimed to have helpful nature for wound healing and the current study will be one of the platforms for natural extracts coated material-based medical textile applications.

Buddleja globosa Hope (BG) extracts are traditionally used to treat skin and gastric ulcers due to their healing properties. Non-aqueous solvents such as ethanol and DMSO are usually used to extract naturally occurring compounds. However, the cytotoxicity of these solvents and the low water solubility of the extracted compounds can hinder their biomedical applications. To overcome the limited solubility of the BG extracts, we aimed to enhance the solubility by processing a standardized hydroalcoholic extract (BG-126) through spray drying (SD), with and without two solubility enhancers. Spray-dried BG (BG-SD) extracts and spray-dried BG extracts plus polyvinylpyrrolidone (BG-SD PVP) and Soluplus® (BG-SD SP) were developed starting from BG-126 (containing 53% ethanol). These four formulations were characterized by total phenolic content, water solubility at 25°C and 37°C, and antimicrobial properties against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All the SD formulations presented a solubility that allowed them to reach maximum concentrations of 1,024 μg/ml catechin for BG-SD and 2,048 μg/ml catechin for BG-SD PVP and BG-SD SP for antimicrobial testing. BG-SD showed the highest antimicrobial potency with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 512 μg/ml catechin, followed by BG-126 with a MIC of 1,024 μg/ml catechin and SP. BG-126 was also shown to inhibit biofilm formation, as well as the excipients PVP and SP. The spray-dried BG (BG-SD) extract represents a promising natural active component with enhanced antimicrobial properties against P. aeruginosa for further research and the development of novel phytopharmaceuticals.

Colon cancer is the third most frequent neoplasm and the second most lethal worldwide. Despite progress in its treatment, new therapies are still needed to improve the prognosis of this type of tumor and, in this context, the use of plant compounds with anti-tumor properties has been increasing in recent years. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the potential benefits of encapsulation of compounds derived from plant extracts in nanoparticles and their cytotoxic effect under in vitro conditions. Once the search strategy was defined based on the selected MESH terms, 147 publications published since 2012 were identified from three different databases (PubMed, SCOPUS and WOS). After eliminating duplicates and applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 17 studies were finally included. The results showed that the use of natural extracts encapsulated in nanoparticles offered significant cytotoxic activity against colon neoplastic cells by increasing the therapeutic effect of free plant extracts through their encapsulation and without producing toxicity on healthy cells. In addition, most studies (14) involved metal-derived nanoparticles (zinc, iron and gold). Despite the possible efficacy of these nanodrugs, more in vivo studies are needed to elucidate their potential future therapeutic application and their biocompatibility.

Muscle fatigue is a common symptom induced by exercise. A reversible loss of muscle force is observed with variable rates of recovery depending on the causes or underlying mechanisms. It can not only affect locomotion muscles, but can also affect the heart, in particular after intense prolonged exercise such as marathons and ultra-triathlons. The goal of our study was to explore the effect of four different natural extracts with recognized antioxidant properties on the contractile function of skeletal (locomotion) and cardiac muscles after a prolonged exhausting exercise. Male Wistar rats performed a bout of exhausting exercise on a treadmill for about 2.5 h and were compared to sedentary animals. Some rats received oral treatment of a natural extract (rosemary, buckwheat, Powergrape®, or rapeseed) or the placebo 24 h and 1 h before exercise. Experiments were performed 30 min after the race and after 7 days of recovery. All natural extracts had protective effects both in cardiac and skeletal muscles. The extent of protection was different depending on muscle type and the duration post-exercise (just after and after one-week recovery), including antiarrhythmic effect and anti-diastolic dysfunction for the heart, and faster recovery of contractility for the skeletal muscles. Moreover, the muscular protective effect varied between natural extracts. Our study shows that an acute antioxidant supplementation can protect against acute abnormal endogenous ROS toxicity, induced here by prolonged exhausting exercise.

Two field experiments were conducted in 2019 and 2020 seasons at Desert Research Center, Mataria, Cairo, Egypt, and its experimental farm at Ras Sudr Experimental Station in South Sinai, in cooperation with the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture Benha University, to study the effect of biogas slurry fertilizer and natural extracts on biomass, chemical constituents, and quality of Stevia rebaudiana L. plant. Results showed that biogas fertilizer along with the different natural extracts exerted a significant influence on yield, chemical constituents, stevioside and rebaudioside A., of stevia. The highest values in most of the parameters i.e. shoot fresh and dry weights biomass, leaves fresh and dry weights biomass, N, P, K and pigments in the first cut by recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (T1) combining with garlic as drench addition, Yucca extract as a foliar spray or Azolla extract as drench addition (M4, M5 or M2,respectively). On the other hand, the second cut took the same line as the first cut but with 50% NPK + 5000 kg h-1 (T3) as either garlic extract or Azolla extract as drench addition (T3×M4 or T3×M2) as registered the highest values of parameters mention before in most cases. As for the highest values of stevioside and total stevioside content were recorded by 50% NPK + 3000 kg h-1 combining with Azolla aqueous extract as drench addition (T4×M2). Rebaudioside A., registered by combination of the recommended dose of biogas fertilizer and yucca aqueous extract as a foliar spray (T2×M5). Conclusively, the use of half (50%) of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer with its equivalent of the recommended nitrogen dose and replaced with biogas fertilizer, in addition to the use of both extracts of Azolla and garlic as a drench addition, led to reducing nitrate accumulation as a problem of the use of chemical fertilizers on the human health and economic damages.

The aim of the present study was compare two natural bio adsorbent materials with different commercial adsorbents, such as Granular Activated Carbon (CAG) and Zeolite, for the elimination of pesticides in extracts of interest. Two natural bio adsorbents were developed from rice husk and almond skin. Artichoke and lemon extracts were obtained from artichoke by-product and citrus by-product respectively. The trend is supported by the potential of these food wastes, which could be used for the production of valued products. In fact, peels, seeds, stems, or vegetable pulps are considered raw materials to obtain bioactive ingredients with multiple applications, mainly for the production of food ingredients, cosmetics, or nutraceuticals. Furthermore, bioactive compounds of vegetable wastes have demonstrated antioxidant and antimicrobial actions. The results obtained show the effectiveness of the different adsorbents in the adsorption of pesticides that artichoke and lemon extracts contain. Adsorbents from almond and rice by-product were effective, reducing in case of almond skin adsorbent by half the concentration of Metalaxyl and reducing a large amount of Azoxystrobin and Difenoconazole. Rice bio-adsorbent was less effective than the other adsorbates even though it was more effective than zeolite. The use of agri-food waste allows solving not only an environmental problem of pollution of high importance, but also a problem of management of large amounts of waste generated in the agri-food industry contributing to the promotion of circular economy. Two adsorbents have been developed from almond and rice by-products which are effective for the elimination of different toxic compounds through adsorption processes such as pesticides.

Currently, growing interest exists in the development of packaging materials of natural origin for food applications. This study, conducted the extraction of pigments from natural sources (anthocyanin and betanin) from the exocarp of the black eggplant (Solanum melongena) and the mesocarp of beet (Beta vulgaris), which were incorporated in a film-forming solution based on sodium alginate and starch, as an indicator of films with natural pigment extract (FNE). In consequence, the objective of this work was to assess the effect caused by incorporating extracts of natural origin on the mechanical, optical, and structural properties of sodium alginate/yucca starch films. The films were elaborated with different concentrations of each pigment extracted (2% and 5%) and compared with a control film (CF). The films were exposed to a series of synthetic amines and the changes were observed in the UV-vis absorption spectra. In addition, the effect was evaluated when adding extracts from natural pigments into a polymer matrix, evaluating the mechanical, structural, and optical properties. The results showed that incorporation of natural extracts (NE) influenced on the mechanical properties, but did not influence on film thickness and water vapor permeability (WVP). X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated increased film crystallinity when incorporating the natural extracts. The microstructure Fourier transform infrared analyses of the films showed that the extracts were compatible with the polymer matrix. Films with eggplant extract (FEE) had higher antioxidant activity against the 1,1–Diphenyl–2–picryl–hydrazyl (DPPH) radical and were more sensitive to the exposure of gaseous amines in comparison with films with beet extract (FBE). Hence, the results obtained show that the films developed with natural compounds are a visual method that could report and monitor the state of the foods.

Prions are unconventional infectious agents that cause lethal transmissible neurodegenerative diseases in human and animals. Prions can be distinguished from other known pathogens by their lack of nucleic acids. The most essential process for prion propagation is conversion from normal cellular prion protein on the cell membrane to insoluble, limited protease digestion-resistant, pathogenic scrapie prion protein. For dozens of years, many pharmacological tools and interventions targeting different stages of disease progression have been developed and evaluated, and a few have been entered clinical trials. However, no approved prophylactic or therapeutic drugs for prion diseases are available. In this review, we summarize the current concepts in prion research and discuss advances in the research and development of drugs for the prevention and treatment of prion disease.

This study examined five species of the Lamiaceae family, Origanum vulgare L., Origanum dictamnus L., Origanum majorana L., Mentha spicata L. and Lavandula angustifolia L., and one species of the Hypericaceae family, Hypericum perforatum L., for their potential to enhance health and wellbeing or to prevent diseases. An analysis of secondary metabolites was performed by mass spectrometry and HPLC coupled with diode array detection to determine the phenolic compounds included in the plant extracts. The samples were evaluated for their total phenolic content, antioxidant potential, ability to prevent DNA scission caused by peroxyl radicals and antimicrobial activity against pathogens (MIC). All the samples, except Lavandula angustifolia L., had a high DPPH radical scavenging activity and showed significant antibacterial activity. Origanum majorana L. demonstrated the lowest IC50 value (10.31 μg·mL−1). Extracts of medicinal herbs had a remarkably high phenolic content varying between 428 and 1512.74 μg GAE/mg of dry extract, with Origanum vulgare L. having the largest amount of polyphenols. Moreover, the plant extracts exhibited a high level of resistance against DNA damage, with Origanum majorana L. showing the greatest level of protection with 98.05% inhibition. According to the results of this study, these plants from the Greek flora provide beneficial effects for health as natural antioxidants. A baseline can be established through the analysis of the findings of this survey for future research on the same plant species.

The efficiency of natural olive pomace extracts for enhancing the quality of fresh-cut apples was compared with commercial ascorbic acid and two different packaging films (biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) and oriented polypropylene (OPP)) were tested. The composition of atmosphere inside the packages, the physicochemical parameters (firmness, weight loss and color), the microbial load, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of fresh-cut apples were evaluated throughout 12 days of storage at 4 °C. After 12 days of refrigerated storage, a significant decrease in O2 was promoted in PLA films, and the weight loss of the whole packaging was higher in PLA films (5.4%) than in OPP films (0.2%). Natural olive pomace extracts reduced the load of mesophilic bacteria (3.4 ± 0.1 log CFU/g and 2.4 ± 0.1 log CFU/g for OPP and PLA films, respectively) and filamentous fungi (3.3 ± 0.1 log CFU/g and 2.44 ± 0.05 log CFU/g for OPP and PLA films, respectively) growth in fresh-cut apples after five days of storage at 4 °C, and no detection of coliforms was verified throughout the 12 days of storage. In general, the olive pomace extract preserved or improved the total phenolic index and antioxidant potential of the fruit, without significant changes in their firmness. Moreover, this extract seemed to be more effective when combined with the biodegradable PLA film packaging. This work can contribute to the availability of effective natural food additives, the sustainability of the olive oil industries and the reduction of environmental impact. It can also be useful in meeting the food industries requirements to develop new functional food products.

The aim of this work was to assess the natural microbiota of packed fresh-cut apples during refrigerated storage. Two different films were tested for the package, a biodegradable (PLA) film and a conventional and commercial one (OPP). Two antioxidant additives were applied, a natural olive pomace extract and the commercial ascorbic acid used by the industries. The results revealed lower bacteria counts in samples with olive pomace extract and PLA films than in those with ascorbic acid and OPP films after 5 and 12 days of storage. These findings suggest that the use of such natural extracts as additives in fruits could delay the growth of mesophilic bacteria. The characterization and identification of the bacterial isolates from fresh-cut apple samples showed that the most prevalent species were Citrobacter freundii, Staphylococcus warneri, Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, Alcalinogenes faecalis, Corynebacterium jeikeium, Micrococcus spp., Pantoea aglomerans and Bacillus spp. Furthermore, an increase in the microbial diversity during the storage time at refrigerated temperatures was observed, except for the sample treated with olive pomace extract and packaged in OPP film. The highest microbial diversity was found for samples with ascorbic acid as an additive. This could indicate a negative effect of ascorbic acid on the microbial inhibition of apple slices. The natural olive pomace extract demonstrated potential as an antimicrobial additive for fresh-cut apples.

Cancer is a major health problem with significant morbidity and mortality. In addition, plants are a source of metabolites with diverse biological properties, including antitumor potential. In this study, we investigated the in vitro murine lymphoma L5178Y-R cell growth inhibition, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) toxicity and proliferation, and antioxidant, hemolytic, and anti-hemolytic activities of methanol extracts from 15 plants of traditional use in Mexico. Justicia spicigera caused the highest tumor cell growth inhibition with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 29.10 µg/mL and a selectivity index >34.36 compared with those of PBMC, whereas Mimosa tenuiflora showed the highest lymphoproliferative activity from 200 µg/mL compared with that induced by concanavalin A. In addition, M. tenuiflora showed an antioxidant effect (IC50 = 2.86 µg/mL) higher than that of ascorbic acid. Regarding the hemolytic and anti-hemolytic activity, all extracts presented significant anti-hemolytic activity. The extract of J. spicigera is emerging as a possible source of effective antineoplastic compounds.

The aim of this work is synthesis of AgNPs from cold and hot extracts of Eucalyptus leaves. After that, microwave irradiation has used to improve properties of these nanoparticles which applied to degrade methylene blue (MB) dye. The change in color of the mixture was from yellow to ruby-brown and to dark brown for the synthesized AgNPs from the cold extract (CAgNPs) and the hot extract (H-AgNPs) of Eucalyptus leaves respectively. The biosynthesized H-AgNPs showed the highest absorbance at the beak of 440 nm compared as 430 nm for C-AgNPs. HM-AgNPs exhibited the smallest average of diameter reached 57.94 nm and the best degradation reached 71.34% compared with H-AgNPs (39.27%) after 24 h. The improved HMAgNP using microwave irradiation was efficient in facilitating the degradation processes of the Azo-dye. This paper will lead to candidate suitable, cheap, eco-friendly and greener AgNPs for rapid degradation of damaging textile dyes.

New technologies and materials required for developing antibacterial textiles have become a subject of inter¬est to the researchers in recent years. This study focuses on the investigation of the biopolymeric antibacterial agents, such as neem, aloe vera, tulsi and grapeseed oil, in the trichloroacetic acid-methylene chloride (TCAMC) solvent used for the pretreatment of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polyester fabrics. Different PET structures, such as 100% polyester, polyester/viscose, polyester/cotton and 100% texturised, are treated with four different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) of biopolymeric antibacterial finishes. The antibacterial activity of the treated samples is tested against both the Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) bacteria. Taguchi mixed orthogonal array Design L16 (4^3 2^2) is chosen for an experimental plan to determine the optimum conditions. Among all the fabric samples, the 100% polyester fabric treated with 20% grapeseed oil registers the highest antibacterial activity of 86%, and 73% against S. aureus and E. coli respec¬tively. However, the antibacterial effect is reduced to 37%, and 34% respectively after 10 machine launderings.

The objective of the study was; to determine the antimicrobial activity of extracts of Baccharis latifolia (Bl) against Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria of food origin; as well as evaluate the antioxidant activity of these extracts. Extracts of leaves, root, stem and Bl flowers were used. After the analysis of antimicrobial activity against Listeria and Salmonella. After analysis showed that leaf and flower extracts were more effective, while against E. coli, flower and stem extracts. In antioxidant activity, the Bl flower extract at 60 mg/mL had a greater effect with 47.25%. In conclusion, Bl extracts, proved to be a natural alternative to partially inhibit pathogen development

Objective: To review treatment methods using natural extracts applied in rat models of periodontitis to establish a direction for the design of future experiments. Methods: An electronic search of PubMed was carried out using the keywords “periodontitis,” “natural”, “extracts”, “herb∗”, “plants” and “rats.” Articles were screened against inclusion and exclusion criteria by two independent researchers. Data describing the characteristics of rats, method of periodontitis inducement, extract administration, and outcome measures were extracted and analyzed by more than two authors manually. Results: Of the 864 articles identified, 33 studies were included. The use of Sprague–Dawley rats (51.2%) and male rats (90.9%) was preferred. The most common experimental methods were ligature placement (72.7%) and oral administration (66.7%). Alveolar bone loss was evaluated mainly by photography (51.5%) and micro-computed tomography (39.4%). Factors related to bone remodeling and inflammatory processes, such as interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB, and osteoprotegerin, were also measured. Conclusion: Many diverse experimental periodontitis models have been used. However, few articles observed bone formation, immune responses, antibacterial effects, and toxicity. Future studies to assess natural extracts for the treatment of periodontitis should be robust and well-designed.

Bacterial drug resistance poses a global challenge to established antibacterial prevention and treatment schemes. Recent approaches focus on raising algal extracts' efficacy by fusing them to other antibacterial agents employing nanotechnology. Here, we successfully biosynthesized AgNPs using Galaxaura rugosa crude methanol extract (AgNPCR) and raw powder aqueous (AgNPAQ) solution. The resultant AgNPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The AgNPs were spherical and ranged between 60 to 114.4 nm. The presence of the hydroxyl group and alkenes propped AgNPs biosynthesis. We investigated AgNPs antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against eighteen medically important bacteria, including multidrug-resistant bacteria. The sensitive and resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus were the most affected strains. The biofilm of MDR strains was mostly disturbed, indicating the reduced bacterial fitness in resistant strains. These results may aid antibacterial agents' development by investing in natural resources available abundantly in our environment.