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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]

A novel electrochemical sensor was developed for the detection of salivary cortisol levels. The sensor employs a combination of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that are electrodeposited onto a screen-printed electrode (SPE). The study utilised density functional theory and molecular docking techniques to determine the geometry of molecular orbitals, electrostatic potential energies, and binding energy of cortisol and the polymers. The thin film of cortisol-imprinted polymer on the SPE was created by electro-polymerizing pyrrole and thiophene-3-carboxylic acid on the electrode surface along with cortisol as the template molecule. The MIP film was characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and electrochemical techniques. The sensor exhibited a linear response in the concentration range of 0.05 nmol L−1 to 2.5 μmol L−1, with a limit of detection of 0.01 nmol L−1, as determined by differential pulse voltammetry. This method offers a simple yet efficient and sensitive approach to detecting cortisol levels in human saliva samples. [Display omitted] • A new electrochemical sensor is presented that can selectively detect salivary cortisol levels using a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). • Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were electrochemically deposited on a screen-printed electrode (SPE) as a substrate for the cortisol-imprinted polymer thin film. • The cortisol-imprinted polymer thin film was synthesized on the SPE through the electro-polymerization of pyrrole and thiophene-3-carboxylic acid. • The study used density functional theory and molecular docking techniques to compute the geometry of molecular orbitals, electrostatic potential energies, and binding energy for the interacting molecules. • The differential pulse voltammetry method showed a linear response in the concentration range of 0.05 nmol L−1 to 2.5 μmol L−1 with a limit of detection of 0.016 nmol L−1. • This simple approach is an efficient and sensitive method for detecting cortisol levels in human saliva samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread across the environment and humans are unavoidably and constantly exposed to them. As lipophilic contaminants, these substances tend to accumulate in fatty tissues as adipose tissue and exposure to these endocrine disruptors has been associated with severe health hazards including prevalence and incidence of obesity. Previous studies have shown significantly higher concentrations of PAHs in adipose tissue compared to other human samples, such as urine and plasma, which are typically used for PAHs assessment. Therefore, conducting biomonitoring studies in adipose tissue is essential, although such studies are currently limited. In this study, the concentrations of 18 PAHs were measured in subcutaneous (scAT) and visceral adipose tissue (vAT) of 188 Portuguese obese females by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The obtained results were then associated with the patient's data namely: 13 clinical, 4 social, and 42 biochemical parameters. Seventeen PAHs were present, at least, in one sample of both scAT and vAT, most of them with detection frequencies higher than 80%. Indeno [1,2,3-cd]pyrene (InP) was the only PAH never detected. Overall higher concentrations of PAHs were observed in scAT. Median concentrations of ∑PAHs were 32.2 ± 10.0 ng/g in scAT and 24.6 ± 10.0 ng/g in vAT. Thirty-six significant associations (7 with social, 18 with clinical, and 11 with biochemical parameters), including 21 Spearman's correlations were identified (12 positive and 9 negative correlations). Indicating the potential effects of PAHs on various parameters such as obesity evolution, body fat, number of adipocytes, total cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, macrominerals, uric acid, sedimentation velocity, and luteinizing hormone. This study underscores the significance of biomonitoring PAH levels in adipose tissue and their potential effects on metabolic health. Further research is essential to fully comprehend the metabolic implications of PAHs in the human body and to develop strategies for obesity prevention and treatment. [Display omitted] • 18 PAHs were measured in adipose tissue of 188 obese women. • 17 PAHs were detected and most of PAHs had detection frequencies higher than 80%. • Median concentrations of PAHs were 32.2 ng/g in scAT and 24.6 ng/g in vAT. • Overall higher concentrations of PAHs were observed in scAT. • PAHs alter metabolic processes of obese females (36 associations identified). [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]

The availability of more efficient analytical methods that answer the world's demands is a challenge and their development continues to be a difficult task. In this work the construction of an electrochemical cell, based on low-cost and accessible materials, that can be easily constructed and used for electroanalytical purposes, is described. Pencil leads were used as electrodes and a transparency sheet as the base. This cell was used as transducer for developing an amperometric biosensor for the quantification of histamine, which is the only biogenic amine regulated by law. The analysis was based on the use of diamine oxidase as biorecognition element, hexacyanoferrate(III) as electron-transfer mediator, and chronoamperometry, at +0.5 V during 100 s, to record the analytical signal. A linear relationship between histamine concentration and the analytical signal was established between 5.0 and 35 mg L−1 and a low limit of detection (1.0 mg L−1) was achieved. The analysis of different fish species (sardine and tuna) was performed, obtaining recovery values between 102% and 110%. The stability of the sensor is noteworthy: it maintained 95% of the initial analytical signal after 15 days. [Display omitted] • A simple electrochemical cell consisting of three graphite pencil leads was created. • A cheap histamine biosensor using 0.5-mm pencil leads as electrodes was developed. • The sensor showed satisfactory linear range (5–35 mg L−1) and reproducibility (<4%). • The sensor showed suitable stability (95% signal after 15 days) and selectivity. • The sensor provided good recoveries when applied to spiked fish samples. [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]