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It is important to eliminate the fishy odor and improve the aroma quality of seafood. In this study, the Saccharina japonica (S. japonica) seedling, which is a new food material, was investigated for the effects of fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) through sensory evaluation, GC–MS, and odor activity value (OAV) analysis. GC–MS analysis revealed the presence of 43 volatile compounds in the unfermented S. japonica seedling, with 1-octen-3-ol, hexanal, and trans-2,4-decadienal identified as the main contributors to its fishy odor. After fermentation with S. cerevisiae, 26 volatile compounds were identified in the S. japonica seedling. Notably, the major malodorous fish compounds, including 1-octen-3-ol, hexanal and trans-2,4-decadienal, were no longer present. The results indicate that fermentation with S. cerevisiae is an effective method for removing fishy malodor compounds and enhancing the volatile components with fruity, sweet, green, and floral notes in the Saccharina japonica seedling. This process facilitates the elimination of fishy malodor and enhance the fruity, sweet, green, and floral notes of S. japonica seeding and other seaweeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological forests are an important part of terrestrial ecosystems, are an important carbon sink and play a pivotal role in the global carbon cycle. At present, the comprehensive utilization of optical and radar data has broad application prospects in forest parameter extraction and biomass estimation. In this study, tree and topographic data of 354 plots in key nature reserves of Liaoning Province were used for biomass analysis. Remote sensing parameters were extracted from Landsat 8 OLI and Sentinel-1A radar data. Based on the strong correlation factors obtained via Pearson correlation analysis, a linear model, BP neural network model and PSO neural network model were used to simulate the biomass of the study area. The advantages of the three models were compared and analyzed, and the optimal model was selected to invert the biomass of Liaoning province. The results showed that 44 factors were correlated with forest biomass (p < 0.05), and 21 factors were significantly correlated with forest biomass (p < 0.01). The comparison between the prediction results of the three models and the real results shows that the PSO-improved neural network simulation results are the best, and the coefficient of determination is 0.7657. Through analysis, it is found that there is a nonlinear relationship between actual biomass and remote sensing data. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) can effectively solve the problem of low accuracy in traditional BP neural network models while maintaining a good training speed. The improved particle swarm model has good accuracy and speed and has broad application prospects in forest biomass inversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the problems of complex equations, low accuracy, and the strict measurement point layout requirements of the existing electric field integration method, a non-contact measurement method based on the inversion voltage of the near electric field is proposed. Firstly, the field source relationship is clarified, the connection between the spatial electric field and the voltage is derived, and a near-end electric field inversion method is proposed. Secondly, a three-dimensional simulation model of an overhead line is established using COMSOL finite element software, the three-dimensional spatial potential distribution of the overhead line is obtained, and the voltage is inverted and calculated. Finally, an overhead line simulation test platform was built, and MEMS electric field sensors were used for testing and verification. The results show that the maximum error of the three-phase voltage inversion of the proximal electric field measurement is 6.8%, and the error between the voltage obtained by the experimental inversion measurement and the reference voltage is less than 7.2%. The simulation and experimental results also verify the accuracy and feasibility of the inversion voltage of the proximal electric field. The results of this paper can lay a foundation for the practical application of small and miniaturized electric field sensors, and help in the construction and development of smart grids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of black tea powder on the antioxidant activity and gel characteristics of fish balls from silver carp were investigated after freezing storage for 7 days. The results show that black tea powder with different concentrations of 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% (w/w) could significantly increase the antioxidant activity of fish balls (p < 0.05). In particular, at the concentration of 0.3%, the antioxidant activity was the strongest among these samples, where the reducing power, DPPH, ABTS and OH free radical scavenging rate were up to 0.33, 57.93%, 89.24% and 50.64%, respectively. In addition, black tea powder at the level of 0.3% significantly increased the gel strength, hardness and chewiness while greatly reducing the whiteness of the fish balls (p < 0.05). ESEM observation found that the addition of black tea powder could promote the crosslinking of proteins and reduced the pore size of the gel network structure of the fish balls. The results suggest that black tea powder could be used as a natural antioxidant and gel texture enhancer in fish balls, which we found to be much related to the phenolic compounds of black tea powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chondroitinase plays an important role in structural and functional studies of chondroitin sulfate (CS). In this study, a new member of chondroitinase B of PL6 family, namely ChSase B6, was cloned from marine bacterium Microbulbifer sp. ALW1 and subjected to enzymatic and structural characterization. The recombinant ChSase B6 showed optimum activity at 40 °C and pH 8.0, with enzyme kinetic parameters of Km and Vmax against chondroitin sulfate B (CSB) to be 7.85 µg/mL and 1.21 U/mg, respectively. ChSase B6 demonstrated thermostability under 60 °C for 2 h with about 50% residual activity and good pH stability under 4.0–10.0 for 1 h with above 60% residual activity. In addition, ChSase B6 displayed excellent stability against the surfactants including Tween-20, Tween-80, Trion X-100, and CTAB. The degradation products of ChSase B6-treated CSB exhibited improved antioxidant ability as a hydroxyl radical scavenger. Structural analysis and site-directed mutagenesis suggested that the conserved residues Lys248 and Arg269 were important for the activity of ChSase B6. Characterization, structure, and molecular dynamics simulation of ChSase B6 provided a guide for further tailoring for its industrial application for chondroitin sulfate bioresource development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer´s disease is a global neurodegenerative health concern. To prevent the disease, the simultaneous inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and oxidative stress is an efficient approach. In this study, the inhibition effect of all-trans astaxanthin mainly from marine organisms on acetylcholinesterase and oxidative stress was evaluated by a chemical-based method in vitro and cell assay model. The results show that all-trans astaxanthin was a reversible competitive inhibitor and exhibited a strong inhibition effect with half inhibitory concentration (IC50 value) of 8.64 μmol/L. Furthermore, all-trans astaxanthin inhibited oxidative stress through reducing malondialdehyde content and increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase as well as catalase. All-trans astaxanthin could induce the changes of the secondary structure to reduce acetylcholinesterase activity. Molecular-docking analysis reveals that all-trans astaxanthin prevented substrate from binding to acetylcholinesterase by occupying the space of the active pocket to cause the inhibition. Our finding suggests that all-trans astaxanthin might be a nutraceutical supplement for Alzheimer´s disease prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pomelo fruitlets have the potential for extracting cellulose. This study aimed to investigate characterization and functionality of cellulose extracted from pomelo fruitlets by different extraction methods. Cellulose extracted by acidic-alkaline hydrogen peroxide hydrolysis (CAA), alkaline hydrogen peroxide hydrolysis (CA), and ultrasonic assisted alkaline hydrogen peroxide hydrolysis (CUA) were prepared from pomelo fruitlets. The results showed that cellulose CUA had higher yield and purity with higher crystallinity and smaller particle size than those of CAA or CA (p < 0.05). Specifically, the yield of CUA was 82.75% higher than that of CAA, and purity was increased by 26.42%. Additionally, water- and oil-holding capacities of CUA were superior to those of CAA or CA, increasing by 13–23% and 10–18%, respectively. The improvement of water- and oil-holding capacities were highly related to its smaller particle size with increased surface area. The results suggested that ultrasonic assisted alkaline hydrogen peroxide hydrolysis is a promising and efficient method to prepare high-purity cellulose from pomelo fruitlets, and this cellulose is expected to be a food stabilizer and pharmaceutical additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Japanese traditional medicine maobushisaishinto (MBST) has been prescribed for treating upper respiratory tract infections, such as a common cold. However, its mode of action is poorly understood, especially concerning the MBST constituent Asiasari Radix (AR). In this study, we focused on AR, with an objective of clarifying its bioavailable active ingredients and role within MBST by performing pharmacokinetic and pharmacological studies. Firstly, we performed qualitative non-targeted analysis utilizing high-resolution mass spectrometry to explore the bioavailable ingredients of AR as well as quantitative targeted analysis to reveal plasma concentrations following oral administration of MBST in rats. Secondly, we performed in vitro pharmacological study of bioavailable AR ingredients in addition to other ingredients of MBST to confirm any agonistic activities against transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. As a result, methyl kakuol and other compounds derived from AR were detected in the rat plasma and showed agonistic activity against TRPA1. This study suggests that methyl kakuol as well as other compounds have the potential to be an active ingredient in AR and thus presumably would contribute in part to the effects exerted by MBST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) is a key pathogen involved in the development and progression of acne inflammation. The numerous bioactive properties of wild bitter melon (WBM) leaf extract and their medicinal applications have been recognized for many years. In this study, we examined the suppressive effect of a methanolic extract (ME) of WBM leaf and fractionated components thereof on live C. acnes-induced in vitro and in vivo inflammation. Following methanol extraction of WBM leaves, we confirmed anti-inflammatory properties of ME in C. acnes-treated human THP-1 monocyte and mouse ear edema models. Using a bioassay-monitored isolation approach and a combination of liquid–liquid extraction and column chromatography, the ME was then separated into n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water-soluble fractions. The hexane fraction exerted the most potent anti-inflammatory effect, suppressing C. acnes-induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) production by 36%. The ethanol-soluble fraction (ESF), which was separated from the n-hexane fraction, significantly inhibited C. acnes-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-mediated cellular IL-8 production. Similarly, the ESF protected against C. acnes-stimulated mouse ear swelling, as measured by ear thickness (20%) and biopsy weight (23%). Twenty-four compounds in the ESF were identified using gas chromatograph–mass spectrum (GC/MS) analysis. Using co-cultures of C. acnes and THP-1 cells, β-ionone, a compound of the ESF, reduced the production of IL-1β and IL-8 up to 40% and 18%, respectively. β-ionone also reduced epidermal microabscess, neutrophilic infiltration and IL-1β expression in mouse ear. We also found evidence of the presence of anti-inflammatory substances in an unfractionated phenolic extract of WBM leaf, and demonstrated that the ESF is a potential anti-inflammatory agent for modulating in vitro and in vivo C. acnes-induced inflammatory responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aroma of an instant white tea (IWT) was extracted through simultaneous distillation–extraction (SDE) and analyzed by sensory evaluation, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O), aroma reconstruction, omission test and synergistic interaction analysis. Sensory evaluation showed the IWT was dominated with floral and sweet notes. The SDE extract had the aroma similar to the IWT. The main volatile components in the SDE extract were benzyl alcohol, linalool, hotrienol, geraniol, α-terpineol, coumarin, camphene, benzeneacetaldehyde, 2-hexanone, cis-jasmin lactone and phenylethyl alcohol. GC-MS-O and aroma reconstruction experiments showed 16 aroma-active compounds. Linalool, trans-β-damascenone and camphene were the major contributors to floral, sweet and green notes based on flavor dilution analysis and omission test. Linalool and trans-β-damascenone had synergistic effect to promote floral and sweet notes. Camphene and trans-β-damascenone had synergistic effect to reduce green and sweet notes. The study helps to understand the aroma of IWT and antagonism interactions among aroma-active volatiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (thumb.) Makino is a functional herbal tea commonly used in Asian countries and regions to reduce blood lipid levels. G. pentaphyllum saponin is the main component, but there are still a large number of components with lipid-lowering activity that have not been found. In this study, 10 novel dammarane-type saponins, (1–10) and a known one (11) were isolated from G. pentaphyllum. Ten new compounds were identified and named as yunnangypenosides A-J (1–10), and another known one (11) was also obtained. Their chemical structures were determined by MS, NMR spectroscopic analyses. Moreover, the cytotoxicities on human HepG-2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells of these isolates were evaluated, and the results showed that compounds 1–11 had no obvious cytotoxicity. Finally, all these compounds were evaluated for their lipid-lowering effect by means of the oil red O staining method. Ten compounds could significantly reduce lipid levels except of 2, especially 8 exhibite the strongest hypolipidemia activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. To fight the disease, natural products, including mulberry, with antioxidant activities and inhibitory activities against key enzymes (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and beta-secretase 1 (BACE-1)) are of interest. However, even in the same cultivars, mulberry trees grown in different populated locations might possess disparate amounts of phytochemical profiles, leading to dissimilar health properties, which cause problems when comparing different cultivars of mulberry. Therefore, this study aimed to comparatively investigate the phytochemicals, antioxidant activities, and inhibitory activities against AChE, BChE, and BACE-1, of twenty-seven Morus spp. cultivated in the same planting area in Thailand. The results suggested that Morus fruit samples were rich in phenolics, especially cyanidin, kuromanin, and keracyanin. Besides, the aqueous Morus fruit extracts exhibited antioxidant activities, both in single electron transfer (SET) and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanisms, while strong inhibitory activities against AD key enzymes were observed. Interestingly, among the twenty-seven Morus spp., Morus sp. code SKSM 810191 with high phytochemicals, antioxidant activities and in vitro anti-AD properties is a promising cultivar for further developed as a potential mulberry resource with health benefits against AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is one of the most common metabolic diseases resulting in metabolic syndrome. In this study, we investigated the antiobesity effect of Gentiana lutea L. (GL) extract on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and a high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced mouse model. For the induction of preadipocytes into adipocytes, 3T3-L1 cells were induced by treatment with 0.5 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, 1 mM dexamethasone, and 1 μg/mL insulin. Adipogenesis was assessed based on the messenger ribonucleic acid expression of adipogenic-inducing genes (adiponectin (Adipoq), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (Cebpa), and glucose transporter type 4 (Slc2a4)) and lipid accumulation in the differentiated adipocytes was visualized by Oil Red O staining. In vivo, obese mice were induced with HFD and coadministered with 100 or 200 mg/kg/day of GL extract for 12 weeks. GL extract treatment inhibited adipocyte differentiation by downregulating the expression of adipogenic-related genes in 3T3-L1 cells. In the obese mouse model, GL extract prevented HFD-induced weight gain, fatty hepatocyte deposition, and adipocyte size by decreasing the secretion of leptin and insulin. In conclusion, GL extract shows antiobesity effects in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that this extract can be beneficial in the prevention of obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites that are found ubiquitously in plants, fruits, and vegetables. Many studies have shown that regular consumption of these compounds could have a positive effect on our health. The aim of this study was to compare the phytochemical contents of the water extracts from three different plants used as folk remedies in Turkey: Aesculus hippocastanum, Olea europaea, and Hypericum perforatum. A liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) analysis was performed to explore the phenolic profiles. The biological activities of these extracts were also evaluated in terms of their antioxidant activities (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl DPPH, 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid ABTS, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay FRAP, cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity CUPRAC, β-carotene, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelating) and enzyme inhibitory properties (against acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase). The aqueous extract of H. perforatum showed the highest levels of total phenolic, flavonoid, and saponin contents. Protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, verbascoside, hesperidin, hyperoside, apigenin 7-hexosides, and quercetin were the most common compounds found in this species. The results confirm that A. hippocastanum, O. europaea, and H. perforatum represent a potential source of natural-derived molecules with positive properties that could be used as valid starting point for new food supplements, and drugs in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary intake of potato starch could induce a dramatic increase in blood glucose and is positively associated with chronic metabolic diseases (type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc.). Grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) are known to decrease starch digestion by inhibiting digestive enzymes or changing the physicochemical properties of starch. In the present study, GSP were complexed with potato starch to prepare polyphenol–starch complexes. The physiochemical properties and digestibility of complexes were investigated by in vitro digestion model, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, rapid visco analyzer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as well as texture profile analysis. Results indicated that the peak viscosity, breakdown, trough, and setback of the complexes disappeared, replaced by a special continuous increase in paste viscosity. The complexes showed a lower final viscosity and higher thermal stability with the increasing binding amount of GSP. GSP decreased the hardness of the complexes' gel significantly. FT-IR indicated that GSP might interact with potato starch through noncovalent forces. Additionally, the complexes also showed a higher content of slowly digestible starch and resistant starch than that of the native starch. Thus, we inferred that the addition of GSP could modify the digestibility of potato starch and be an optional way to modify the starch with lower digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astaxanthin from different sources possesses different biological activities and optical isomers. The ingredients of astaxanthin mixtures from different sources on the market have often been mislabeled. Therefore, it is important to determine the sources of astaxanthin and their respective concentrations in a mixture. To solve this problem, a quantitative analysis model was established and further verified. The results showed that the deviation between the calculated concentration and the actual concentration ranged from 0 to 7 µg/mL, and the recovery rate was between 88.90% and 103.56%. This indicates that the quantitative analysis model of astaxanthin was feasible and reliable. This study not only has important applications in the astaxanthin mixture component determination but may also shed light on the quantitative analysis of other sample mixtures with stereoisomers from different sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unpleasant stale note is a negative factor hindering the consumption of instant ripened Pu-erh tea products. This study focused on investigating volatile chemicals in instant ripened Pu-erh tea that could mask the stale note via sensory evaluation, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) analyses. GC-MS and GC-O analyses showed that linalool, linalool oxides, trans-β-ionone, benzeneacetaldehyde, and methoxybenzenes were the major aroma contributors to the simultaneous distillation and extraction (SDE) extract of instant ripened Pu-erh tea. Sensory evaluation showed that the SDE extract had a strong stale note, which was due to methoxybenzenes. By investigating suppressive interaction among flavour components, the stale note from methoxybenzenes was shown to have reciprocal masking interactions with sweet, floral, and green notes. Moreover, the validation experiment showed that the addition of 40 μg/mL of trans-β-ionone in the instant ripened Pu-erh tea completely masked the stale note and improved the overall aromatic acceptance. These results elucidate the volatile chemicals that could mask the stale note of instant ripened Pu-erh tea products, which might help to develop high quality products made from instant ripened Pu-erh tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus fruits are mainly consumed as fresh fruit and processed juice products. They serve as nutritional and a tasty diet in our daily life. However, the formidable bitterness and delayed bitterness significantly impact the citrus industry attributable to the two major bitter compounds naringin and limonin. The extremely sour and acidic also negatively affects the sensory quality of citrus products. Citrus breeding programs have developed different strategies to improve citrus quality and a wealth of studies have aimed to uncover the genetic and biochemical basis of citrus flavor. In this minireview, we outline the major genes characterized to be involved in pathways shaping the sweet, bitter, or sour taste in citrus, and discuss briefly about the possible approaches to modify citrus taste by genetic engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of Rhodiola sachalinensis Boriss extract irradiated with 50 kGy gamma rays (HKC) on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was investigated. Seven-week-old male SD rats received a subcutaneous injection of 20 mg/kg of testosterone propionate (TP) to induce BPH. Then, the testosterone only group received testosterone, the testosterone + finasteride group received testosterone and finasteride (5 mg/kg), the testosterone + HKC group received testosterone and HKC extract (500 mg/kg). Prostate weight and the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in serum or prostate tissue were determined. The mRNA expressions of 5-alpha reductase (AR) in prostate tissue were also measured. Compared to the control group, prostate weight was significantly improved in the TP group and decreased in the HKC and finasteride-treated groups. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of 5-AR in the prostate was significantly reduced in the HKC and finasteride-treated groups. Similarly, the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and cytokeratin, which are associated with prostatic enlargement in the HKC and finasteride groups, were much lower than in the TP group. HKC treatment showed similar efficacy to finasteride treatment on rats with testosterone-induced BPH. HKC may be explored as a potential new drug for BPH treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myricetin (Myr) is a phytochemical with many functional properties. However, its hydrophobicity, low bioavailability, and stability limit its application. In this study, octadecanoate oat β-glucan (OGE) was synthesized and gained recognition as a self-assembled micelle forming a polymer with a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 59.4 μg/mL. The Myr-loaded OGE micelle was then prepared and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra. The water solubility of Myr was greatly enhanced by forming the Myr/OGE inclusion complex. Consequently, compared to free Myr, the retention of Myr in Myr-loaded OGE micelle was effectively increased during the intestinal digestion phase, and its antioxidant activity was also improved. Overall, our findings demonstrated the potential applications of OGE polymer for the development of prospective micelle in health food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical fields because they can aid in the delivery of hydrophobic functional compounds like Myr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clausena lansium Lour. Skeels (Rutaceae) is widely distributed in South China and has historically been used as a traditional medicine in local healthcare systems. Although the characteristic components (carbazole alkaloids and coumarins) of C. lansium have been found to possess a wide variety of biological activities, little attention has been paid toward the other components of this plant. In the current study, phytochemical analysis of isolates from a water-soluble stem and leaf extract of C. lansium led to the identification of 12 compounds, including five aromatic glycosides, four sesquiterpene glycosides, two dihydrofuranocoumarin glycosides, and one adenosine. All compounds were isolated for the first time from the genus Clausena, including a new aromatic glycoside (1), a new dihydrofuranocoumarin glycoside (6), and two new sesquiterpene glycosides (8 and 9). The phytochemical structures of the isolates were elucidated using spectroscopic analyses including NMR and MS. The existence of these compounds demonstrates the taxonomic significance of C. lansium in the genus Clausena and suggests that some glycosides from this plant probably play a role in the anticancer activity of C. lansium to some extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nobiletin (NOB) is a polymethoxylated flavonoid isolated from citrus fruit peel that has been shown to possess anti-tumor, antithrombotic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic activities. The main purpose of this study was to explore the potential of using NOB to induce apoptosis in human bladder cancer cells and study the underlying mechanism. Using an MTT assay, agarose gel electrophoresis, a wound-healing assay, flow cytometry, and western blot analysis, this study investigated the signaling pathways involved in NOB-induced apoptosis in BFTC human bladder cancer cells. Our results showed that NOB at concentrations of 60, 80, and 100 μM inhibited cell growth by 42%, 62%, and 80%, respectively. Cells treated with 60 μM NOB demonstrated increased DNA fragmentation, and flow cytometry analysis confirmed that the treatment caused late apoptotic cell death. Western blot analysis showed that mitochondrial dysfunction occurred in NOB-treated BFTC cells, leading to cytochrome C release into cytosol, activation of pro-apoptotic proteins (caspase-3, caspase-9, Bad, and Bax), and inhibition of anti-apoptotic proteins (Mcl-1, Bcl-xl, and Bcl-2). NOB-induced apoptosis was also mediated by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress via the PERK/elF2α/ATF4/CHOP pathway, and downregulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Our results suggested that the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of NOB on bladder cancer cells are associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]