Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) shells, typically discarded as agro-industrial by-products, represent a potentially valuable source of bioactive polyphenolic compounds with significant antioxidant properties. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the polyphenol composition and antioxidant capacity of the kernels and shells of two hazelnut varieties, ‘Rimski’ and ‘Istarski duguljasti’. High-intensity ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was applied to enhance the recovery of bioactive compounds under optimized conditions (80% ethanol, high amplitude, and 25 min treatment). The extracts were analyzed for total polyphenols, total flavonoids, total non-flavonoids, and individual phenolic compounds. Hazelnut shells exhibited significantly higher levels of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity compared to kernels. The dominant individual polyphenolic compounds identified in the shell were kaempferol, gallic acid, naringin, rutin trihydrate, quercetin-3-glucoside, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, ferulic acid, rosmarinic acid, and vanillic acid. Application of UAE notably improved extraction efficiency and overall yield compared to conventional extraction methods. The findings underscore hazelnut shells as a nutritionally and functionally valuable by-product and confirm UAE as a green, efficient extraction technique. These results provide a strong basis for developing high-value-added products for the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries, thereby supporting circular bioeconomy and sustainable chemistry principles.

Introduction Alcoholic liver disease (ALD), induced by chronic and excessive alcohol consumption, poses a significant health risk, with higher female susceptibility. This study investigated Lactobacillus plantarum fermented persimmon juice (Fj) against ALD in female C57BL/6 mice. Methods The model mice were orally treated with Fj or unfermented persimmon juice (Pj). The bioactive compound profiles of Fj and Pj were detected by HPLC-MS. The hepatoprotective effects was evaluated through assessments of hepatic lipid metabolism, Keap1/Nrf2 pathway proteins, and ferroptosis markers. Results HPLC-MS analysis confirmed Fj was enriched in bioactive compounds including elevated antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid and p-hydrobenzoic acid. Daily Fj administration (10 μg/g BW) significantly improved hepatic lipid metabolism and regulated Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway, ultimately mitigating hepatic ferroptosis. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that probiotic fermentation as a strategic approach to develop postbiotic-based functional beverages for mitigating alcohol-induced liver injury, offering translational potential against ALD progression.

Bilberry (Vacciniummyrtillus L., Ericaceae) is chiefly valued as an edible plant for its berries, widely consumed as a functional food, whereas the leaves, as agro-waste, remain an underutilized natural source of bioactives. The traditional use of V. myrtillus leaves is well documented, particularly for managing diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders. However, their potential spasmolytic activity, which could support such uses, remains unexplored. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the spasmolytic potential of V. myrtillus leaf extract on the gastrointestinal tract and to elucidate its underlying mechanism of action. The spray-dried 50% hydroethanolic extract of V. myrtillus leaves, obtained by double percolation, was analyzed using HPLC-DAD. The analysis revealed phenolic acids, with chlorogenic acid as the major compound, and flavonoids, predominantly isoquercitrin. Spasmolytic activity was tested on isolated rat ileum, and the mechanism of action was monitored using models of spontaneous contractions and acetylcholine-, histamine-, CaCl2−, Bay K8644-, L-NAME-, ODQ-, apamin-, BaCl2−, charybdotoxin-, glibenclamide-, TRAM-34-, and quinine-modified contractions. The extract’s activity on isolated ileum strips is primarily mediated via Ca2+ channels, cGMP, histamine, and NO pathways. Overall, this study affirms V. myrtillus leaves as a valuable source of phenolic compounds with potential for treating spasmodic gastrointestinal disorders.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a vital phenolic ester with extensive applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Although numerous microbial cell factories have been developed for CGA biosynthesis, the low catalytic efficiency of the key enzyme hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HQT) remains a major bottleneck for high-yield production. In this study, we developed a novel growth-coupled selection system based on HQT-mediated reduction of toxic caffeoyl-CoA accumulation, thereby relieving growth inhibition in engineered Escherichia coli. Through iterative rounds of directed evolution, we identified a high-performance HQT variant enhancing CGA production by 3.7-fold compared with the wild-type enzyme. The specific activity was improved by 1.8-fold. Structural analysis of the mutant revealed critical insights into the functional role of the crossover loop in modulating enzymatic activity, offering new perspectives for HQT rational engineering. This work provides both a mechanistic understanding and a practical framework for enhancing CGA biosynthesis by addressing key enzyme bottlenecks.

Natural compounds have experienced increasing clinical application, but their association with rapid-onset anaphylactoid reactions (ARs) present a significant challenge to their safe use. These ARs, clinically resembling Type I hypersensitivity, are non-IgE-mediated and involve direct mast cell activation, primarily through the human Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2). We computationally screened a natural compound library for MRGPRX2 activation. A human MRGPRX2-expressing cell model was established. Cell viability assays (0–80 μM) were performed to determine appropriate drug concentrations. Compared to the controls, Baohuoside I (10 μM), along with Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), Isochlorogenic Acid B, Baicalin, Andrographolide, Isorhamnetin, and Dehydroandrographolide (all at 20 μM), significantly increased intracellular calcium flux (p < 0.05) and boosted tryptase and β-hexosaminidase secretion (ELISA) (p < 0.05) in mast cells. Furthermore, the degranulation induced by these compounds was inhibited by the MRGPRX2 inhibitor Z3578 at 20 μM. Neutral red staining was employed to observe cellular morphological changes. Specific compounds capable of mediating ARs through MRGPRX2 activation on mast cells were identified. This contributes to safer and more effective drug use by elucidating the potential triggers of ARs.

Introduction Extensive research has been conducted on water- limited irrigation strategies and yield component variations in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). However, limited understanding exists regarding the nuanced responses of winter wheat canopies and gene expressions to rehydration events. Methods A field investigation was carried out throughout the winter wheat growing season from 2018 to 2020. Four distinct irrigation schedules were implemented, with water supplementation carefully synchronized with irrigation timing to match the appearance of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth leaves. Further investigation into the molecular mechanisms of winter wheat rehydration using RNA- seq and ultra- performance liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry (UPLC- MS). Results and discussion Our findings show that delayed rehydration results in reduced total water use across all treatment groups during the reproductive growth period, especially from jointing to flowering. A consistent pattern of reduction was observed in leaf area index (LAI), biomass at maturity (BAM), and plant height as rehydration was progressively delayed. The analysis found no statistically significant differences in phenotypic traits among winter wheat at the four- leaf stage before irrigation. In contrast, delaying rehydration until the fifth- leaf stage in spring had a noticeable impact on phenotypic traits. Implementing delayed rehydration at the four- leaf stage increased grain yield by 8. 31% to 51.23. 23%, mainly through three key yield components: more spikes, optimized grains per spike, and higher 1000- grain weight. Interestingly, the increase in 1000- grain weight was inversely related to total grain quantity after postponed rehydration. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses showed that postponed rehydration was associated with flavonoid biosynthesis pathways. Notably, the gene related to dihydrokaempferol- known to be involved in phenylpropanoid, flavonol, and flavone biosynthesis- showed a significant positive correlation with naringenin, chrysin, taxifolin, and prunin. Chlorogenic acid and luteolin also exhibited strong positive correlations with various agronomic traits, such as kernel number and 1000- grain weight. These results suggest the presence of a potential molecular regulator at a critical developmental stage, offering new insights into the mechanisms influencing crop yield under water- restricted irrigation conditions.

Chlorogenic acid alleviates letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in mice by modulating inflammatory mediators and antioxidant signaling pathways.

Chlorogenic acid-based combinations alleviate Streptococcus pneumoniae-induced injury in canine lung epithelium by targeting integrin-extracellular matrix interactions.

Chlorogenic acid alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced cognitive dysfunction through inhibiting CCR7-mediated neuroinflammation.

Dendropanax proteus root and its major bio-phytochemicals alleviate rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting TLR4/CLEC1B/PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathways: proteomics, metabolomics, collagen-induced arthritis rats, MH7A cells, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulation.

Structural and antibacterial mechanisms of the Lysozyme-chlorogenic acid complex against food pathogens.

Adsorbent of bacteria and inflammatory Factors: Injectable dual-network hydrogel for osteomyelitis treatment.

Integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology study on Si-miao-yong-an Decoction in regulating sphingolipid metabolism and improving vascular injury on thromboangiitis obliterans.

A ROS-activating antibacterial and antioxidant polyurethane film based on chlorogenic acid for high-efficiency grape preservation.

Antiviral activity of curcumin against Israeli acute paralysis virus in Apis mellifera: Screening and mechanistic study.

Systematic characterization of in vivo exposure and pharmacokinetic features of Tongmaijiangzhi capsule in humans using integrated HRMS and intelligent data processing.

Jieduquyuziyin prescription regulates the differentiation of Tfh cells in systemic lupus erythematosus through lysophosphatidyl ethanolamine metabolism.

Ultrasensitive electrochemical sensing of chlorogenic acid in agri-food products enabled by PdZn-embedded carbon nanocage

Functional potential of Valeriana extracts: Spectroscopic characterization, biological activities and heavy metal monitoring.

Competitive ultrafiltration: A ligand-displacement strategy for rapid discovery of high-quality neuraminidase inhibitors from natural product mixtures.