Major Compounds Research Articles

Streptomycetes as a promising source of antimicrobial compounds: A GC-MS-based dereplication study.

Streptomycetes as a promising source of antimicrobial compounds: A GC-MS-based dereplication study.

Ultrasound triggered process optimization of Etlingera linguiformis (Roxb.) R.M.Sm. nanoemulsion: Its stability, cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity.

Ultrasound triggered process optimization of Etlingera linguiformis (Roxb.) R.M.Sm. nanoemulsion: Its stability, cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity.

Regulation of inflammation by Chaihu-Shugan-San: Targeting the IL-17/ NF-κB pathway to combat breast cancer-related depression.

Regulation of inflammation by Chaihu-Shugan-San: Targeting the IL-17/ NF-κB pathway to combat breast cancer-related depression.

Potential of Pandan Root and Teak Leaf Extracts in Managing Maternal Hyperglycemia During Pregnancy: Comparative Efficacy and Mechanistic Insights

Maternal hyperglycemia during pregnancy poses significant health risks to both mother and fetus. Although gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is mainly characterized by insulin resistance, severe hyperglycemia may also result from impaired pancreatic function. This study evaluates the therapeutic potential of pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius) root and teak (Tectona grandis) leaf extracts in managing streptozotocin (STZ)-induced maternal hyperglycemia in pregnant rats, compared to metformin. Methods: Pregnant rats were administered STZ (60 mg/kg) on gestation day 5. Treatments with metformin (300 mg/kg), pandan extract (low, medium, high doses), and teak extract (low, medium, high doses) were given from gestation day 7 to 21. The key parameters included the maternal blood glucose, insulin levels, pancreatic morphology, fetal and placental outcomes, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) phytochemical profiling. GC/MS analysis identified 2,3-butanediol and propanoic acid derivatives as major compounds in pandan, while teak contained catavic acid and methyl copalate. The high-dose pandan extract significantly reduced the maternal blood glucose (p < 0.05), improved the insulin levels and pancreatic mass index, and increased the number of live fetuses, with effects comparable to metformin. The teak extract showed milder improvements. The pandan extract demonstrated dose-dependent antidiabetic potential in this STZ-induced model. Future studies should evaluate these effects in insulin-resistance-based GDM models.

Biotechnology Production of Cell Biomass from the Endangered Kickxia elatine (L.) Dumort: Its Untargeted Metabolomic Analysis and Cytotoxic Potential Against Melanoma Cells.

Background: Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes with an increasing incidence worldwide. Plant-based products are rich in bioactive compounds, offering low toxicity and accessible alternatives for melanoma treatment. A biotechnological approach to obtaining plant-derived produce ensures continuous and high-yield production of medicinally valuable biomass. Objectives: This study aimed to induce and optimize the growth of homogenous callus cultures of Kickxia elatine (L.) Dumort., consequently established a cell suspension culture with a high biomass growth rate, analyzed the phytochemical compositions, and assessed the cytotoxic activity against melanoma cells. Methods/Results: Callus cultures were induced under controlled in vitro conditions on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 2.0 mg L-1 Dicamba and 2.0 mg L-1 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The selected callus lines exhibited a high growth index (351.71% ± 27.77) and showed a homogeneous morphology, beige colour, and had friable and watery characteristics. A combination of auxin and cytokinin was found to enhance biomass production significantly. Phytochemical investigations putatively annotated major compounds, including benzoic acid derivatives, phenolic glycosides, phenylpropanoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, and tyrosol derivatives. Methanolic extract (KE-Ex) and 40% methanolic fraction (KE-40Fr) were prepared and tested for cytotoxicity against human fibroblast (MRC-5) and melanoma (MeWo) cell lines using direct cell counting and MTT assay. The crude extract exhibited the strongest cytotoxicity effect on MeWo cells, with IC50 values of 125 ± 8 µg mL-1 after 48 h and 117 ± 7 µg mL-1 after 72 h of treatment. Conclusions: The extract demonstrated a time- and dose-dependent cytotoxic effect, making it a potential candidate for melanoma treatment.

Burdock Fructooligosaccharide Protects Against Diabetic Nephropathy in Mice by Regulating Nrf2 Signaling.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus, with oxidative stress playing a critical role in its development. Burdock fructooligosaccharide (BFO), a major compound in Burdock, exhibits antioxidative effects. However, its mechanisms of action and effects on diabetic nephropathy are not clear enough. This study aims to explore the mechanisms of BFO and its impact on streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal control, DN, and BFO groups. Relevant serum biochemical parameters were detected using kits. Renal injury was evaluated through fluorescence microscopy, histopathology, and transmission electron microscopy. Nrf2/HO-1 signaling was analyzed via quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. In DN mice, BFO significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, kidney index, urine protein, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, while significantly increasing high-density lipoprotein, SOD, and CAT levels. Additionally, BFO protected against streptozotocin-induced renal injury, restored podocyte function, increased both mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and Bcl-2, and decreased those of Bax. In conclusion, BFO can be used to treat streptozotocin-induced renal injury in mice and is a promising candidate for diabetic nephropathy treatment.

Chemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Piper betle and Anethum graveolens essential oils against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates.

Chemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Piper betle and Anethum graveolens essential oils against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates.

Sustainable biokerosene from lipids using efficient ozone cracking

Diesel fuels and jet fuels will dominate the future liquid fuel market. Biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel are alternatives for carbon sequestration in the transportation sector. However, biodiesel and renewable diesel are unsuitable for use during cold winter seasons or as jet fuel. Moreover, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel face challenges such as harsh operating conditions and high energy consumption. A groundbreaking production process was investigated to synthesize biokerosene using nonanoic acid, a major compound from lipid ozone cracking. Various alcohols can be used to tune the physicochemical properties of biokerosene. The synthesized biokerosene exhibited excellent low-temperature performance, characterized by cloud points ranging from −35 to −67 °C, making it suitable for winter-season diesel, kerosene, and jet fuels. In addition, the products showed several superior qualities, such as long oxidation stability for extended storage, high flash points for safe handling, and high cetane numbers. Emission analysis indicated that the presence of oxygen in the fuel molecules facilitates combustion and reduces hydrocarbon and CO emissions. Moreover, nitrogen oxide emissions, associated with a global warming potential about 300 times that of CO₂, were significantly lower than those of biodiesel and jet fuel. Preliminary techno-economic analysis showed that the production cost of biokerosene was approximately USD 0.97/kg. Preliminary life cycle assessment showed CO₂ emissions of about 20.6 g CO₂-eq/MJ, representing a 77% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions can be further reduced to about 6 g CO₂-eq/MJ with clean electricity and low-carbon alcohol. In summary, the biokerosene synthesis presented in this study offers a sustainable and economical route for producing winter-season diesel and jet fuel.

High levels of sinigrin trigger synthesis of fatty acids in Plutella xylostella (L.).

High levels of sinigrin trigger synthesis of fatty acids in Plutella xylostella (L.).

Long-term bioreactor cultivation affects dioscin content and the ratio of 25(S)- and 25(R)-protodioscin isomers in the suspension cell culture of Dioscorea deltoidea Wall.

Long-term bioreactor cultivation affects dioscin content and the ratio of 25(S)- and 25(R)-protodioscin isomers in the suspension cell culture of Dioscorea deltoidea Wall.

Phytochemical profiling, antioxidant capacity, acute toxicity, and gastroprotective potential of Angelica glauca root: A promising high-altitude medicinal herb.

Phytochemical profiling, antioxidant capacity, acute toxicity, and gastroprotective potential of Angelica glauca root: A promising high-altitude medicinal herb.

Metabolic and sensory profiling of edible seaweeds: Unraveling the biochemical basis of taste profile complexity.

Metabolic and sensory profiling of edible seaweeds: Unraveling the biochemical basis of taste profile complexity.

Targeted metabolomics for quantitative assessment of polyphenols and methylxanthines in fermented and unfermented cocoa beans from 18 genotypes of the Brazilian Amazon.

Targeted metabolomics for quantitative assessment of polyphenols and methylxanthines in fermented and unfermented cocoa beans from 18 genotypes of the Brazilian Amazon.

Comprehensive characterisation of Montpellier maple (Acer monspessulanum L.) honeydew honey by physicochemical analyses, FTIR-ATR, GC-MS, and UHPLC-DAD-QqTOF-MS: an insight into honeydew-to-honeydew honey transformation pathway and identification of chemical biomarkers.

Comprehensive characterisation of Montpellier maple (Acer monspessulanum L.) honeydew honey by physicochemical analyses, FTIR-ATR, GC-MS, and UHPLC-DAD-QqTOF-MS: an insight into honeydew-to-honeydew honey transformation pathway and identification of chemical biomarkers.

GC/MS analysis, in vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of the n-hexane extract of Gmelina philippensis CHAM and in silico molecular docking of its major bioactive compounds

GC/MS analysis, in vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of the n-hexane extract of Gmelina philippensis CHAM and in silico molecular docking of its major bioactive compounds

Integrated Foliar Spraying Effectively Reduces Wheat Yield Losses Caused by Hot–Dry–Windy Events: Insights from High-Yield and Stable-Yield Winter Wheat Regions in China

Integrated foliar spraying has been proposed as an effective measure to mitigate the increasingly severe impacts of hot–dry–windy (HDW) events on winter wheat yield under ongoing climate change, and its physiological effectiveness has been mechanistically validated. However, there are still few quantitative assessments of the application of this technology at the regional scale. First, hourly meteorological data from the ERA5-Land reanalysis (1981–2020) were matched to the centroids of 599 counties within China’s major winter wheat-producing regions, allowing precise alignment with county-level yield data. Subsequently, spatial and temporal trends of sub-daily HDW events were analyzed. These HDW events were classified according to daily duration into three categories: short-duration (HDWsd1, 1 h d−1), moderate-duration (HDWsd2, 2–3 h d−1), and prolonged-duration (HDWsd3, 4–8 h d−1). Finally, a difference-in-differences (DiD) approach combined with panel matching methods was employed to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of integrated foliar spraying technology—comprising plant growth regulators, essential nutrients, fungicides, and insecticides—on wheat yield improvements under varying irrigation conditions. The results indicate that HDW is a major compound event threatening high-yield and stable-yield regions within the main winter wheat production areas of China, and in the study area, the annual average number of HDW days ranges from 3 to 13 days, increasing by 1–4 days dec−1. While HDW events continue to intensify, the integrated foliar spraying technology effectively mitigates yield losses due to HDW stress. Specifically, yield increases of up to 18–20% were observed in counties with sufficient irrigation infrastructure since the large-scale implementation began in 2012, particularly in regions exposed to more than 2 days of HDW stresses annually. However, the effectiveness of integrated foliar spraying was notably compromised in areas lacking adequate irrigation infrastructure, highlighting the necessity of reliable irrigation conditions. In these poorly irrigated areas, yield improvements remained limited and inconsistent, typically fluctuating around negligible levels. These findings underscore that robust irrigation infrastructure is pivotal to unlock the yield benefits of integrated foliar spraying technology, while also highlighting its transformative potential in advancing climate-smart agriculture globally—particularly in regions grappling with intensifying compound stress events driven by climate change, where this innovation could foster resilient and adaptive food systems to counter escalating environmental extremes.

Spirilloxanthin from Verbesina encelioides Flower Extract has Neuroprotective Benefits in Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impaired Rats that Resemble Alzheimer's Disease.

Neuronal degeneration is a widespread complication associated with ageing, with Alzheimer's disease (AD) being one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders. AD is marked by limited treatment options and significant side effects, prompting growing interest in natural compounds for their therapeutic potential. This study evaluates the neuroprotective effects of spirilloxanthin, a major bioactive compound identified in the flower extract of Verbesina encelioides (VFE), against scopolamine-induced neurobehavioral impairments in a rat model of AD. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis confirmed spirilloxanthin as a key constituent of the extract. The administration of purified VFE to rats exhibiting AD-like symptoms significantly improved learning and memory. Biochemical analyses further revealed enhanced cognitive performance and a notable reduction in free radical production, indicating mitigation of oxidative stress. Complementary in silico molecular docking studies were performed to examine the interactions between spirilloxanthin and gingkolide A with acetylcholinesterase, shedding light on their potential mechanisms of action. In summary, the study demonstrates that VFE improves cognitive function and counteracts scopolamine-induced deficits, highlighting V. encelioides as a promising natural therapeutic candidate for neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

IN VITRO EFFECTIVENESS OF A COMMERCIAL PINE ESSENTIAL OIL ON FOOD BACTERIA AND PHYTOPATHOGENIC FUNGI

Pathogenic microorganisms in foods are harmful to human health and generate important economic losses. This investigation identified the main compounds in a pine essential oil (PEO), and its antimicrobial effect was evaluated in four food bacteria species and two phytopathogenic fungal species. Twenty major compounds were found in the PEO: α-terpinolene (47.1 %), eucalyptol (22 %), p-menthane (16.7 %), and p-cymene (8.43 %). The greatest antibacterial action was found on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with an inhibition halo measuring 2.3 and 2 cm, respectively, at a minimum inhibiting concentration of 90 %. Using the inverted box or well technique, the PEO had an effect on Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Rhizopus stolonifer at all concentrations evaluated, with inhibition values ranging from 40 to 60 %. For R. stolonifer, the 45 % PEO concentration inhibited germination completely.

Chemical profiling and anticancer activity of Alnus incana dichloromethane fraction on HeLa cells via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

BackgroundCervical cancer remains a global health challenge with persistently high incidence and mortality rates despite advancements in conventional treatments. The therapeutic potential of natural products has gained attention, particularly for their selective cytotoxicity and ability to modulate cancer pathways. Alnus incana (L.) Moench, a species-rich in bioactive compounds, shows potential as an anticancer agent; however, the cytotoxic effects of its leaves dichloromethane (DCM) extract remain underexplored. This study investigates the DCM fraction’s cytotoxicity on various cancer cell lines, with a primary focus on HeLa cells.MethodsThe cytotoxic effects of the A. incana DCM fraction were evaluated in a dose-dependent manner using the MTT assay on several cancer cell lines, with particular emphasis on HeLa cells. Flow cytometry was used to assess cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, while RT-qPCR quantified changes in the expression of apoptotic markers (Bax, Bcl-2, and p53). Chemical composition analysis was conducted using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/flame ionization detection (GC-MS/FID) to identify the major bioactive compounds within the fraction.ResultsThe DCM fraction exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity in HeLa cells, with an IC50 value of 135.6 µg/mL and a selectivity index (SI) of 2.72 relative to normal cells. Flow cytometry analysis revealed G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, significantly hindering progression through the S and G2/M phases. Moreover, there was a significant increase in both early and late apoptotic cell populations, correlating with the upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and p53) and the downregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2. The chemical analysis identified 22 compounds in the unsaponifiable fraction, chiefly terpenoids such as phytol (65.74%). The saponifiable fraction presented a balanced composition of saturated (48.69%) and unsaturated (51.29%) fatty acids, with palmitic acid, linolenic acid, and linoleic acid as the predominant compounds.ConclusionWhile the DCM fraction’s relatively high IC50 value may limit its utility as a standalone treatment, its ability to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis demonstrates its promise as a co-therapeutic agent with conventional anticancer drugs. Further research is essential to elucidate its precise mechanisms of action and to evaluate its efficacy in combination therapies, potentially advancing its role in cervical cancer treatment.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Artemisia schmidtiana Maxim. Essential Oil.

Artemisia schmidtiana Maxim., a plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, is renowned for its extensive ethnomedicinal applications and distinctive aromatic qualities. This study evaluated the chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), α-glucosidase, and β-lactamase of its essential oil (EO). The major constituents of the EO were identified as germacrene D (16.29%), falcarinol (11.02%), β-caryophyllene (9.43%), α-zingiberene (7.93%), phytol (6.06%), and α-humulene (4.04%). The EO demonstrated radical scavenging activity against DPPH (44.9% at 5 mg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 0.72 ± 0.02 mg/mL) radicals, with a FRAP antioxidant capacity of 126.61 ± 0.59 μmol·g-1. Additionally, the EO exhibited modest AChE inhibition (16.7% at 250 μg/mL) and significant inhibition of α-glucosidase and β-lactamase, with IC50 values of 178.80 ± 17.02 μg/mL and 40.06 ± 8.22 μg/mL, respectively. Molecular docking revealed favorable interactions between the major EO compounds and the tested enzymes, providing a theoretical foundation for future drug development. These findings suggest that A. schmidtiana EO holds potential for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries, warranting further investigation.