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Context: Cordyceps militaris and Isaria tenuipes (Cordycipitaceae) are high-value fungi that are used for health-promoting food supplements. Since laboratory cultivation has begun for these fungi, increased output has been achieved., Objective: This study compared the chemical profiles, antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, and skin extracellular matrix degradation inhibition between mycelium and fruiting body of C. militaris and I. tenuipes ., Materials and Methods: The antioxidative potential of 10% v/v aqueous infused extract from each fungus was separately investigated using 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant ability, and ferric thiocyanate methods. The inhibition against MMP-1, elastase, and hyaluronidase were determined to reveal their anti-wrinkle potential. Anti-tyrosinase activities were determined., Results: C. militaris and I. tenuipes extracts were found to contain a wide range of bioactive compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, and adenosine. A correlation was discovered between the chemical compositions and their biological activities. The extract from I. tenuipes fruiting body (IF) was highlighted as an extraordinary elastase inhibitor (IC 50 = 0.006 ± 0.004 mg/mL), hyaluronidase inhibitor (IC 50 : 30.3 ± 3.2 mg/mL), and antioxidant via radical scavenging (ABTS IC 50 : 0.22 ± 0.02 mg/mL; DPPH IC 50 : 0.05 ± 0.02 mg/mL), thereby reducing ability (EC 1 : 95.3 ± 4.8 mM FeSO 4 /g extract) and lipid peroxidation prevention (IC 50 : 0.40 ± 0.11 mg/mL). IF had a three-times higher EC 1 value than ascorbic acid and significantly higher elastase inhibition than epigallocatechin gallate., Discussion and Conclusions: IF is proposed as a powerful natural extract with antioxidant and anti-wrinkle properties; therefore, it is suggested for further use in pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and nutraceutical industries.

Bioconvection due to microorganisms is important area of research, considerably importance for environment and sustainable fuel cell technologies. Buongiorno nanofluid model for Cattaneo-Christov heat and mass flux theory taken into account the Oldroyd-B nanofluid and gyrotactic microorganisms in a rotating system with the effects of Hall current, and Darcy porous medium is scrutinized. The constitutive equations of the problem are transformed into nondimensional equations with the help of similarity transformations. Homotopy analysis method is used to obtain the solution. Graphs and table support the comprehesive representation of the achieved results. Radial velocity is reduced with the increasing values of relaxation time, retardation time and magnetic field parameters while heat transfer is augmented with thermal relaxation time parameter. The nanoparticles concentration is reduced with the increasing values of Schmidt number and the gyrotactic microorganisms concentration is enhanced with the increasing values of Peclet number. A nice agreement is obtained while comparing the present results numerically with the published results. The proposed mathematical model is used in biochemical engineering, meteorology, power and transportation production, optoelectronic and sensing microfabrication., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and reveal the selective inhibitory activity of Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd. essential oil (AGO) on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) compared to butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The chemical composition of AGO was investigated by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Ellman's method was used to determine the inhibitory activities against AChE and BChE. Microemulsion systems with desirable anticholinesterase effects were developed. Methyl cinnamate and 1,8-cineole were reported as the major component of AGO. The IC 50 values of A. galanga oil against AChE and BChE were 24.6 ± 9.6 and 825.4 ± 340.1 µg/mL, respectively. The superior selectivity of AGO on AChE (34.8 ± 8.9) compared to galantamine hydrobromide (6.4 ± 1.5) suggested AGO to be an effective ingredient with fewer side effects for Alzheimer's treatment. Interestingly, the microemulsion of AGO possessed significantly higher anticholinesterase activity than that of native oil alone. Therefore, microemulsion of AGO is a promising alternative approach for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

This study aimed to revealed anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of fermented Ocimum sanctum Linn. (FE). The fermentation process with Lactobacillus plantarum was compared with the solvent extraction methods. Antimicrobial activity against the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Propionibacterium acnes, Candida albicans, and Malassezia furfur was investigated via broth dilution method. High performance thin layer chromatography was used to determine eugenol content. The anti-inflammation was investigated by means of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) expression inhibition by Western blot analysis. FE yielded the highest amount (11.93 % w/w), the highest eugenol content (39.3±12.6 % w/w), and the highest antimicrobial activities comparing to the extracts obtained from the solvent extractions. The fungal inhibition against M. furfur 656 was equivalent to that of ketoconazole. Furthermore, the bacterial inhibition on S. aureus and S. epidermidis was compared to that of Penicillin G at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.125 mg/mL and 0.25 mg/mL, respectively. Interestingly, FE had lower MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration against P. acnes than Penicillin G and also possessed comparable anti-inflammatory activity to indomethacin with the NF-κB suppression of 42.7±4.6 %. Therefore, FE are potentially natural anti-inflammation and antimicrobial agents for topical applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries., (© 2021 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

This study aimed to investigate antioxidant, anti-aging, and irritation properties of Thai edible insect extracts, including Bombyx mori, Omphisa fuscidentalis, Euconocephalus sp., Patanga succincta, Acheta domesticus, and Lethocerus indicus. Insects were extracted by 2 different methods, including maceration using ethanol or hexane and digestion using DI water. Then the extracts were determined for protein content using bicinchoninic acid assay and antioxidant activities using 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and ferric thiocyanate assays. Anti-aging activities were investigated by determination of collagenase and elastase inhibitory activities using spectrophotometric assay. Maceration by hexane yielded the highest extract content, whereas aqueous extract from digestion possessed the significantly highest protein content and biological activities (p < 0.05). Interestingly, aqueous extracts of A. domesticus possessed the significantly highest biological activities (p < 0.05) with Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity value of 8.8 ± 0.1 mmol Trolox/mg, DPPH · inhibition of 19.5 ± 3.8%, equivalent concentration of 12.1 ± 0.7 µM FeSO 4 /mg, lipid peroxidation inhibition of 31.3 ± 2.4%, collagenase inhibition of 60.8 ± 2.1%, elastase inhibition of 17.0 ± 0.1%, and no irritation effect on chorioallantoic membrane and volunteers. Therefore, aqueous extract of A. domesticus would be suggested for further topical product development., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

This study is the first to compare the chemical compositions and biological activities of a conventional dried Dimocarpus longan with a novel black D. longan that underwent a thermal ageing process. Pericarp, aril, and seed of both D. longan were macerated in 95% v/v ethanol. Their chemical compositions were investigated using a Folin-Ciocalteu assay, aluminum chloride assay, and high-performance liquid chromatography. Antioxidant activities were evaluated in terms of radical scavenging and iron (III) reduction capacity. An enzyme inhibition assay was used to evaluate the hyaluronidase inhibition. Inflammatory cytokine secretion was evaluated with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After being exposed to a heating and ageing procedure, gallic acid and ellagic acid content were increased tenfold, while the corilagin content was doubled. Black D. longan seed extract was the most potent anti-hyaluronidase and antioxidant with the strongest free radical scavenging and reduction power, while black D. longan aril extract resulted in the highest inhibition of inflammatory cytokine secretion. Black D. longan contained more biologically active compounds and possessed more potent biological activities than conventional dried D. longan. Therefore, thermal ageing treatment is suggested for producing black D. longan, for which seed extract is suggested as a cosmeceutical active ingredient and aril extract for anti-inflammation., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

The aim of this research was to investigate and compare the antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory activities of 16 herbal extracts for topical application in cosmetic/cosmeceutical products. Herbal plant materials were extracted by infusion in boiled water for 15 min. The total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of each extract were investigated by the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Antioxidant activities were investigated using 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and a ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. Anti-tyrosinase and anti-aging activities were investigated using an in vitro enzymatic-spectrophotometric method. Anti-inflammatory activities were investigated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The findings show that the Stevia rebaudiana extract has the most significant levels of both phenols and flavonoids (p<0.05). The S. rebaudiana, Rosa damascene, and Phyllanthus emblica extracts possessed the most significant antioxidant activities (p<0.05) and a promising whitening effect with moderate anti-tyrosinase activities. Furthermore, the Echinacea purpurea extract possessed the most significant anti-collagenase (78.5±0.0 %), anti-elastase (69.0±1.4 %), and anti-hyaluronidase activity (64.2±0.3 %). The Morus alba extract possessed the most significant anti-inflammatory activity since it could inhibit the secretion of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (p<0.05). Therefore, these herbal extracts have promising skin benefits and have potential for use as active ingredients in cosmetic/cosmeceutical products., (© 2021 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

This study aimed to investigate the nutricosmetic effect of Asparagus officinalis extracts. The tip and spear of A. officinalis were successively extracted with 95% ethanol. The rutin, phenolic, and flavonoid contents of A. officinalis extracts were investigated. The antioxidant activities were determined by 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and a ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), elastase, and hyaluronidase inhibition were determined by in vitro enzyme reaction assay. The cytotoxicity was analyzed on peripheral blood mononuclear cellss. Findings revealed that drying temperature and drying duration had significant effects on the chemical composition and biological activity of A. officinalis extract. A. officinalis tips dried at 50 °C for 24 h contained the (significantly) highest flavonoid and rutin content. The most potent extract was from A. officinalis spears since it possessed the (significantly) highest MMP-1, elastase, and hyaluronidase inhibition rates of 83.4 ± 1.5%, 70.4 ± 4.1%, and 75.2 ± 1.0%, respectively. Interestingly, at the same concentration, the A. officinalis spear extract was more potent in MMP-1 inhibition than oleanolic acid and epigallocatechin gallate, the well-known natural MMP-1 inhibitors. The results show that A. officinalis extract is an attractive source of natural anti-skin-wrinkle ingredients.

Background: A mathematical model of blood flow is a way to study the blood flow behavior. In this research work, a mathematical model of non-Newtonian blood flow through different stenosis, namely bell shape and cosine shape, is considered. The physiologically important flow quantities of blood flow behavior to describe the blood flow phenomena are obtained such as resistance to flow, skin friction and blood flow rate., Methods: Mathematical methods are used to analyze a mathematical model of blood flow through stenosed artery. The resistance to flow, skin friction and blood flow rate were obtained to describe the blood flow in stenosis. The resistance to flow is a relation between pressure and blood flow rate while the skin friction is the friction at the artery membrane. Resutls: The blood flow in cosine geometry exhibits higher resistance to flow and flow rate than in the bell geometry, while the blood flow in bell geometry gives a higher skin friction than in cosine geometry. Not only the effect of stenotic geometry was studied but also the effect of stenosis depth and stenosis height on the flow quantities Moreover, the power law index was adjusted to explore the non-Newtonian behavior. When blood exhibits Newtonian behavior, the resistance to flow and skin friction decrease but the blood flow rate increases., Conclusion: The stenosed artery geometry, the stenosis length, stenosis depth and the power law index (non-Newtonian behavior) are important factors affecting the blood flow through the stenosed artery. This work provides some potential aspects to further study the causes and development of cardiovascular diseases., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Photophysical properties for excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction of N-salicylidene-o-aminophenol (SA) Schiff base were comprehensively studied based on experimental methods combined with theoretical calculations. The results revealed that the SA was mainly presented in enol form in acidic solutions while it was predominantly existed in keto form in basic solutions. From UV-vis absorption and fluorescence emission studies, it showed that the ESIPT could effectively take place in non-polar and aprotic polar solvents. By using the CAM-B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory, it was found that the intramolecular proton transfer could preferably occur through six-membered ring transition rather than through five-membered ring transition. The dynamics of the ESIPT reactions of enol and keto tautomers were studied using TD-CAM-B3LYP with 6-311G(d,p) basis set. The potential energy curves for the intramolecular proton transfer in the ground (GSIPT) and excited state (ESIPT) exhibited that the GSIPT could occur through a low activation barrier, whereas in the case of ESIPT, the process could arise via low energy barrier., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The flow of blood in narrow arteries with bell-shaped mild stenosis is investigated that treats blood as non-Newtonian fluid by using the K-L model. When skin friction and resistance of blood flow are normalized with respect to non-Newtonian blood in normal artery, the results present the effect of stenosis length. When skin friction and resistance of blood flow are normalized with respect to Newtonian blood in stenosis artery, the results present the effect of non-Newtonian blood. The effect of stenosis length and effect of non-Newtonian fluid on skin friction are consistent with the Casson model in which the skin friction increases with the increase of either stenosis length or the yield stress but the skin friction decreases with the increase of plasma viscosity coefficient. The effect of stenosis length and effect of non-Newtonian fluid on resistance of blood flow are contradictory. The resistance of blood flow (when normalized by non-Newtonian blood in normal artery) increases when either the plasma viscosity coefficient or the yield stress increases, but it decreases with the increase of stenosis length. The resistance of blood flow (when normalized by Newtonian blood in stenosis artery) decreases when either the plasma viscosity coefficient or the yield stress increases, but it decreases with the increase of stenosis length.

We presented an application of the Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) to study the dynamics of Min proteins oscillations in Escherichia coli. The oscillations involve MinC, MinD and MinE proteins, which are required for proper placement of the division septum in the middle of a bacterial cell. Here, the LBM is applied to a set of the deterministic reaction diffusion equations which describes the dynamics of the Min proteins. This determines the midcell division plane at the cellular level. We specifically use the LBM to study the dynamic pole-to-pole oscillations of the Min proteins in two dimensions. We observed that Min proteins' pattern formation depends on the cell's shape. The LBM numerical results are in good agreement with previous findings, using other methods and agree qualitatively well with experimental results. Our results indicate that the LBM can be an alternative computational tool for simulating the dynamics of these Min protein systems and possibly for the study of complex biological systems which are described by reaction-diffusion equations. Moreover, these findings suggest that LBM could also be useful for the investigation of possible evolutionary connection between the cell's shape and cell division of E. coli. The results show that the oscillatory pattern of Min protein is the most consistent with experimental results when the dimension of the cell is 1 x 2. This suggests that as the cell's shape is close to being a square, the oscillatory pattern no longer places the cell division of E. coli at the proper location. These findings may have a significant implication on why, by natural selection, E. coli is maintained in a rod shape or bacillus form.