Extraction Mechanism Research Articles

Exploring the Role of Herbal Compounds in Skin Aging: ASystematic Review of Topical Approaches.

Recently, dermatology has increasingly focused on understanding skin aging and exploring novel therapeutic approaches. Despite progress in cosmetic and pharmaceutical research, a significant gap remains in comprehensively understanding the effects and mechanisms of herbal extracts on skin aging. While many studies have examined the bioactivities of herbal compounds in preclinical models, comprehensive human trials have been scarce over the past decade. This review aims to address this gap by synthesizing human trials from the past decade, focusing on the therapeutic effects of herbal extracts on skin aging. The objective is to unravel the mechanisms contributing to skin aging and assess the therapeutic potential of herbal compounds. Following the PRISMA 2020 guideline, a systematic review was performed across OvidMEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase via Ovid. A meticulous search strategy identified relevant clinical trials. The review highlights the essential role of herbal compounds in skin aging, particularly their antioxidant activity in suppressing the aging process. Analysis of 51 clinical trials offers valuable insights into their diverse effects on skin aging parameters. Herbal compounds are promising alternatives to synthetic products for treating skin aging. Their demonstrated efficacy in mitigating wrinkles, enhancing elasticity, maintaining hydration, and controlling pigmentation underscores their potential in developing antiaging therapeutics. However, further studies are needed to identify specific compounds responsible for these effects and understand their mechanisms. Future directions include conducting large-scale trials, exploring synergies with other ingredients, and optimizing delivery systems for sustainable, effective antiaging therapies.

Liquid-liquid extraction and separation of light and heavy rare earth elements from chloride solution using a mixture of tertiary amine and phosphinic acid: recycling strategies for NdFeB magnet

ABSTRACT This piece of work aims to study the extraction behavior of light and heavy rare earth elements, which are often found in permanent magnets, using a mixture of tri-octyl amine and bis-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinic acid from a chloride medium. The study showed that the extraction efficiency of Dy(III) is more than that of Nd(III) and Pr(III). Benzene proved to be an effective diluent. Increasing the pH of the aqueous phase improved the extraction percentages, with maximum extractions of 98.4% for Dy(III), 61.2% for Nd(III), and 58.3% for Pr(III) at pH 5.04 using 0.1 mol/L of each extractant. Adding sodium chloride enhanced the extraction efficiency due to the salting-out effect. The extraction mechanism has been proposed based on the slope analysis and FTIR data. From thermodynamic variables, the process was found to be exothermic. The simulated leach liquor of NdFeB magnets showed the highest separation factors of 67.7 (Dy/Pr) and 56.9 (Dy/Nd) at pH 2.05 with 0.25 mol/L extractants. The counter-current study showed that 4.15 mg/L Dy(III) was left behind in the raffinate indicating 97.4% removal of Dy(III) in two stages at unity phase ratio. Testing with actual leach liquor from hard disk magnets revealed a preference for iron extraction, which impeded REE extraction.

Television and the Origins of Visual Pattern Recognition AI in Japan: a ‘Quest for a Seeing Machine’

Abstract This article traces the genealogy of contemporary data-driven computer vision to developments at the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) in the 1960s. Specifically, it examines NHK’s Visual and Auditory Information Science Unit and its role in the invention of the world’s first deep convolutional neural network. The use of television to collect viewer behaviour data enabled modelling of eye-brain information processing, in particular mechanisms of feature extraction. This, in turn, linked Fukushima Kunihiko’s formative work on signal compression to the development of a pattern recognition machine, resulting in the creation of the world’s first convolutional neural network. Recovering this history is important for two reasons. First, it helps counter a trend of ‘digital universalism’ that covertly homogenizes local differences into a single culture of artificial intelligence in the Cold-War-era US. Second, it reveals the largely ignored role of television in the genesis of digital image technologies and AI more broadly.

Novel Approach in Vegetation Detection Using Multi-Scale Convolutional Neural Network

Vegetation segmentation plays a crucial role in accurately monitoring and analyzing vegetation cover, growth patterns, and changes over time, which in turn contributes to environmental studies, land management, and assessing the impact of climate change. This study explores the potential of a multi-scale convolutional neural network (MSCNN) design for object classification, specifically focusing on vegetation detection. The MSCNN is designed to integrate multi-scale feature extraction and attention mechanisms, enabling the model to capture both fine and coarse vegetation patterns effectively. Moreover, the MSCNN architecture integrates multiple convolutional layers with varying kernel sizes (3 × 3, 5 × 5, and 7 × 7), enabling the model to extract features at different scales, which is vital for identifying diverse vegetation patterns across various landscapes. Vegetation detection is demonstrated using three diverse datasets: the CamVid dataset, the FloodNet dataset, and the multispectral RIT-18 dataset. These datasets present a range of challenges, including variations in illumination, the presence of shadows, occlusion, scale differences, and cluttered backgrounds, which are common in real-world scenarios. The MSCNN architecture allows for the integration of information from multiple scales, facilitating the detection of diverse vegetation types under varying conditions. The performance of the proposed MSCNN method is rigorously evaluated and compared against state-of-the-art techniques in the field. Comprehensive experiments showcase the effectiveness of the approach, highlighting its robustness in accurately segmenting and classifying vegetation even in complex environments. The results indicate that the MSCNN design significantly outperforms traditional methods, achieving a remarkable global accuracy and boundary F1 score (BF score) of up to 98%. This superior performance underscores the MSCNN’s capability to enhance vegetation detection in imagery, making it a promising tool for applications in environmental monitoring and land use management.

A novel ternary hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent over a wide pH range for lithium recovery

Owing to the crucial role of lithium (Li) in green technology and energy storage, the global demand for Li is constantly increasing. This article provides a new strategy for recovering Li using ternary hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (HDES). The novel HDES was composed of 2-thiophenyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA), trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO), and N,N-diethyldecanamide (DDA), and exhibited high efficiency and selectivity for extracting Li from aqueous solutions. This study systematically evaluated the effect of the initial aqueous pH on the Li extraction efficiency, revealing the stable performance of HDES in the pH range 3–13. Compared to the highly alkaline environment required for Li extraction, the pH characteristics of the HDES provide a wider range of applications and a more environmentally friendly alternative. The HDES exhibited rapid extraction kinetics, achieving equilibrium within 10 min and maintaining phase stability without emulsification. The main mechanism of selective Li extraction is the electrostatic interaction between Li(I) and TTA. The interactions between Li(I) and both TOPO and DDA were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thereby improving the selectivity and extraction efficiency. The countercurrent extraction process demonstrated an impressive Li extraction rate of 98.704 % and a Li(I)/Na(I) separation factor of 10643.14 with industrial Li2CO3 mother liquor, highlighting the application potential of the ternary HDES. The excellent performance of the HDES over a wide pH range provides more opportunities for its application, and its high efficiency, selectivity, and environmental characteristics may promote Li recovery.

Dietary Influence on Growth, Physicochemical Stability, and Antimicrobial Mechanisms of Antimicrobial Peptides in Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Safe antibiotic substitutes are needed given the rise in antimicrobial resistance, environmental contamination, and stringent antibiotic regulations. Insect-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising candidates due to their antimicrobial activity, stability, and safety. This study investigates the antimicrobial mechanism of crude AMP extracts and their physicochemical characteristics in black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). The results indicated that BSFL reared on a wheat bran diet exhibited significantly improved growth performance and AMP production when compared to the other three diets. AMP extracts showed enhanced antimicrobial activity and physicochemical stability, including temperatures and metal ions except Cu+. Moreover, AMP extracts disrupted the cell membrane and inhibited the cell cycle of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), thus exhibiting antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, transcriptomic and KEGG enrichment analyses identified 509 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to the Toll and IMD signaling pathways. STRING and GeneMANIA analyses confirmed the association of these pathways with immune response and AMP secretion. qRT-PCR results showed elevated expression of immune genes (GNBP3, NFKBIA, GADD45, and Spz) in BSFL following S. aureus immunization, consistent with RNA-seq findings. These findings offer a valuable reference for using AMPs as antibiotic substitutes in animal feeds and highlight the need for further research on AMP purification and the synergistic regulation of protein synthesis and AMP production in BSFL.

A Multi-Scale Approach to Early Fire Detection in Smart Homes

In recent years, advancements in smart home technologies have underscored the need for the development of early fire and smoke detection systems to enhance safety and security. Traditional fire detection methods relying on thermal or smoke sensors exhibit limitations in terms of response time and environmental adaptability. To address these issues, this paper introduces the multi-scale information transformer–DETR (MITI-DETR) model, which incorporates multi-scale feature extraction and transformer-based attention mechanisms, tailored specifically for fire detection in smart homes. MITI-DETR achieves a precision of 99.00%, a recall of 99.50%, and a mean average precision (mAP) of 99.00% on a custom dataset designed to reflect diverse lighting and spatial conditions in smart homes. Extensive experiments demonstrate that MITI-DETR outperforms state-of-the-art models in terms of these metrics, especially under challenging environmental conditions. This work provides a robust solution for early fire detection in smart homes, combining high accuracy with real-time deployment feasibility.

Combined ANFIS and numerical methods to reveal the mass transfer mechanism of ultrasound-enhanced extraction of proteins from millet

Millet protein, as a promising plant-based protein substitute source, is an excellent basis for essential amino acids compared to commonly consumed staple grains. Compared with the traditional extraction process, ultrasound has been used to enhance the extraction efficiency of various plant-based proteins. To reveal the mechanism of ultrasound-enhanced extraction of proteins, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) algorithm and numerical simulation based on Fick’s law were applied to illustrate the mass transfer behavior of millet proteins under different ultrasonic conditions including solid–liquid ratios (S/L ratios), pH and acoustic energy density levels (AED). The results showed that AED dominated the changes in effective diffusion coefficient (De), showing a positive correlation relationship (p < 0.05). Specifically, when the AED was 47.07 W/cm2, the De value increased by 95 % compared to that of 23.47 W/cm2. Meanwhile, the ANFIS model successfully predicted protein yields across all investigated parameters, achieving a coefficient of determination (R2) greater than 0.97. This model also elucidated the interactions among four critical factors, among which pH and S/L ratios were the main factors affecting protein yield. Concerning the ultrasonic cavitation bubble dynamics, the bubble collapse efficiency enhanced with an increase in AED, and therefore high AED ultrasound can significantly enhance the cavitation effect. Additionally, the results of the yields and physical properties of millet protein also indicated that in contrast with the traditional extraction methods, the ultrasound impactfully improved extraction yield (by 165 %), and combined with pH condition, it decreased the protein particle size (from 813.55 nm to 299.30 nm) without altering the molecular weight distribution. This study offers a novel perspective on the mechanism underlying ultrasound-enhanced protein extraction, drawing upon principles of ultrasonics and extraction processes. The insights gained can serve as a foundation for the food industry to upscale the extraction process, potentially enhancing efficiency and yield.

Unraveling the molecular mechanism of aqueous extract of Sargentodoxa cuneata against ulcerative colitis from serum metabolomics and bioinformatics perspectives

Unraveling the molecular mechanism of aqueous extract of Sargentodoxa cuneata against ulcerative colitis from serum metabolomics and bioinformatics perspectives

Sesquiterpene-enriched Extract of Chinese Agarwood (Aquilaria sinensis) Alleviates Bile Reflux Gastritis through Suppression of Gastric Mucosal Cell Apoptosis via the Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceChinese agarwood (Aquilaria sinensis) has been a traditional treatment for digestive disorders in South and East Asia. While sesquiterpenes are recognized as the key active constituents of Chinese agarwood, the efficacy and mechanism of the sesquiterpene-enriched extract of Chinese agarwood (PEE) on bile reflux gastritis (BRG) remain unclear. Aim of the studyTo explore the protective impact of PEE against BRG and unveil its underlying mechanism in suppressing apoptosis of gastric mucosal cells. Materials and methodsA taurocholic acid (TCA)-induced BRG mouse model was used to assess PEE's protective effects on gastric mucosa histopathology. Transcriptomic analysis was conducted to identify the key signaling pathways affected by PEE. The impact of PEE on apoptosis modulation and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in GES-1 cells was examined. Additionally, the influence of PEE on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in BRG mouse gastric mucosa was evaluated. ResultsPEE substantially improved gastric tissue damage and inflammation in BRG mice. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that PEE modulates genes linked to apoptosis and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In TCA-induced GES-1 cell, PEE enhanced cell viability and mitigated apoptosis via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, a process potentially mediated by IWP-2, an antagonist of this pathway. Similar regulatory effects were noted in the gastric mucosa of BRG mice. ConclusionOur research suggests that PEE exerts a protective effect on the gastric tissue through modulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway to combat apoptosis, which highlights the potential of PEE as a natural remedy for BRG and warrants further investigation into its therapeutic benefits.

Modulating the anti-inflammatory and barrier protective effects on intestinal epithelial cells utilizing an aqueous Aspalathus linearis extract in vitro

BackgroundRooibos is a natural herbal plant containing numerous unique polyphenols which have been associated with certain health benefits. Several of these bioactive constituents have been linked to promoting gut health through its beneficial actions such as anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic characteristics. PurposeThe study aims to compare the anti-inflammatory and barrier protective effects of an unfermented and fermented rooibos aqueous extract on intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC-J2). MethodsAqueous extracts of unfermented and fermented rooibos were prepared, and chemical and antioxidant analysis were performed of each extract. Intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) were pre-treated with either unfermented or fermented aqueous rooibos extracts (0.1 and 0.05 mg/ml) then exposed to 10 µg/ml of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cell viability, protein and gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines were investigated to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of both extracts. Barrier integrity of IPEC-J2 was investigated by measuring the Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and quantifying tight junction gene expression. ResultsBoth the unfermented and fermented rooibos extracts have significant anti-inflammatory properties by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Interestingly for certain genes (IL-8, IL-6, IL-1B and CCL20) the fermented extracts, specifically at 0.1 mg/ml, exhibited greater effectiveness by decreasing the expression after LPS-induced inflammation whilst for another gene (TNF-α) the unfermented extract at both concentrations was more efficient in decreasing expression and ultimately protecting the IPEC-J2 cells from inflammation. When evaluating the barrier integrity, 0.1 mg/ml of the unfermented rooibos extract showed the most significant barrier protective effects through upregulation of tight junction proteins, ZO-1, Occludin as well as Claudin-4. ConclusionHigher concentration of the fermented rooibos extract prevented the inflammatory response significantly whilst the higher concentration of the unfermented rooibos extract enhanced tight junction expression and protected barrier integrity in LPS-induced inflamed intestinal cells. This is attributed to the differences in the polyphenol content of each extract and demonstrating the unique activity mechanisms of different rooibos extracts to reduce onset of early inflammation.

Exploring the Efficiency of Caprylic Acid and Quaternary Ammonium Salt-Based Deep Eutectic Solvents for Separation of CO2 and H2S from Gas Mixtures Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations and COSMO-RS

In the present study, quaternary ammonium salts (QAS) and caprylic acid based deep eutectic solvents (DES) were employed for the separation of CO2 and H2S from natural gas (NG). To understand the extraction mechanisms of H2S from NG, we utilized MD simulations to understand intermolecular interactions between the gases and the eutectic solvents. Our detailed analysis for better understanding of QAS absorption capability in H2S extractions included combined distribution functions (CDFs), which encompass radial distribution functions (RDFs), angular distribution functions (ADFs), hydrogen-bonding networks, density profiles, spatial distribution functions (SDFs), and the non-bond energies between H2S and the DES components, all measured at 310 K. Additionally, we calculated the solubility of H2S and CO2 gases as well as the solubility selectivity and diffusivity selectivity parameters to evaluate the performance of the QAS-based DES in sweetening processes of NG. The results represent that eutectic solvents based on quaternary ammonium chloride are effective for H2S adsorption and show selectivity for H2S in gas mixtures. Furthermore, the COSMO-RS model was used to predict the solubility of various gases (H2S/CO2) in the QAS-based DES, providing further insights into their effectiveness.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Biotransformed Platycodon grandiflorum Root Extracts Containing 3-O-β-D-Glucopyranosyl Platycosides in LPS-Stimulated Alveolar Macrophages, NR8383 Cells.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe inflammatory condition characterized by excessive immune responses and oxidative stress, leading to significant tissue damage. Given the need for novel therapeutic agents, this study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanisms of biotransformed Platycodon grandiflorum root extracts (BT-PGR), which were enzymatically processed using rapidsase PL Classic from Aspergillus niger. The goal was to assess the potential of BT-PGR as a natural treatment for ALI. BT-PGR effectively inhibited the production of NO, iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α induced by LPS in NR8383 cells. BT-PGR inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38, JNK and p65 in LPS-stimulated NR8383 cells. In addition, BT-PGR suppressed LPS-mediated activation of NFκB luciferase activity. BT-PGR increased the levels of HO-1 and the inhibition of HO-1 by ZnPP attenuated BT-PGR-mediated inhibition of NO production. In addition, the inhibition of PI3K by LY294002 blocked the BT-PGR-mediated increase of HO-1 level. BT-PGR increased nuclear Nrf2 level and the knockdown of Nrf2 by siRNA inhibited BT-PGR-mediated increase of HO-1 level. In addition, inhibition of PI3K by LY294002 suppressed the increase of nuclear Nrf2 level. Based on these results, it can be inferred that BT-PGR exhibits anti-inflammatory activity in rat alveolar macrophages, suggesting its potential as a natural candidate for the improvement of ALI.

Screening deep eutectic solvents as green solvents for efficient extraction of carbazole from model crude anthracene oil

Carbazole is a high value-added component of crude anthracene. Highly efficient and sustainable extraction solvents are extremely significant for carbazole separation. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs), as a new class of green solvents, have gained extensive attention from researchers in the field of separation. However, a large number of DESs are generated due to the enormous combinations of hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs) and hydrogen bond donors (HBDs), which makes it challenging to identify the most suitable DES for specific separation process. Therefore, a reliable and effective method for DESs screening was highly desirable. In this work, a DESs screening method was proposed for the separation of carbazole. Initially, the COSMO-RS model was employed to calculate thermodynamic properties at infinite dilution. Subsequently, the liquid–liquid phase equilibrium behavior of prescreened DESs was further predicted by COSMO-RS to eliminate those that were miscible with toluene. Finally, the practical extraction performance of the top DES candidates was evaluated through experimental investigation. The results well validated the reliability of the screening method, identifying tetraethylammonium chloride/propionic acid (1:2) as the most promising DES for carbazole separation. Furthermore, the extraction mechanism was explored using FT-IR analysis and quantum chemical calculations.

Appraising the corrosion inhibitory efficacy and adsorption mechanism of leaf extract of Datura discolor on low-carbon steel in low pH media via gravimetric experiments and AFM analysis

BackgroundThe study investigated the inhibitory action of Datura discolor leaf extract against the corrosion of low-carbon steel in 0.5 M solutions of three acids. The purpose was to ascertain the effect of extract concentration, immersion time and temperature variation on corrosion inhibitory efficiency, and to relate to existing reports which show that organic molecules in most plant extracts inhibit corrosion. Extraction of the leaves was done by maceration using methanol, and solvent was removed by evaporation to dryness. Classical gravimetric (mass loss) experiments were used, and experimental data were fitted to adsorption isotherm models to ascertain the best approximation. Surface examination of the low-carbon steel substrates was carried out using the atomic force microscope.ResultsInhibitory protective efficiency of extract was found to appreciate with increasing Datura discolor leaf extract concentration at a fixed temperature, with values ranging 77.6–88.8%, 91.35–98.08% and 19.64–44.64% in H2SO4, HCl and HNO3 solutions respectively at 27 °C. Elevation of temperature was found to depreciate the inhibitor efficiency at constant inhibitor concentration. Best isotherm model fitting was obtained with Langmuir model both at 27 °C and 60 °C and in all the hostile media, while Temkin model gave good approximation only at 60 °C and in H2SO4 and HCl solutions only. The negative values of free energy of adsorption (ΔGads0)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$(\\Delta G_{{{\ ext{ads}}}}^{0} )$$\\end{document} suggested that the adsorptive interaction of the inhibitor with the substrate surface was very spontaneous. Values of ΔGads0\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\Delta G_{{{\ ext{ads}}}}^{0}$$\\end{document} were all consistent, fluctuating between − 16.35 and − 17.63 kJ mol−1 in both H2SO4 and HCl solutions, and between − 9.76 and − 10.25 kJ mol−1 in HNO3 solution, and this suggests that adsorption of the inhibitor molecules occurred via physisorption. Values of the activation energy of the corrosion reaction (Eact)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$(E_{{{\ ext{act}}}} )$$\\end{document} are all < 40 kJ mol−1, suggesting that the inhibition occurred by a physical adsorption mechanism.ConclusionsThe study concludes that Datura discolor crude leaf extract suppressed the corrosion reactions, and the inhibition was found to arise from the physisorptive interaction of the organic molecules with the substrate/solution interface, forming a stabilize inhibitor film on the substrate surface as revealed by the atomic force micrographs.

Medulla Tetrapanacis water extract ameliorates mastitis by suppressing bacterial internalization and inflammation via MAPKs signaling in vitro and in vivo

AbstractMedulla Tetrapanacis (MT) is a commonly used herbal ingredient in soup to promote lactation and management of mastitis among lactating mothers worldwide, particularly in Asian countries. However, scientific evidence to support its usage in the management of mastitis is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of MT water extract and its underlying mechanisms in Staphylococcus aureus (SA)–induced mastitis in human mammary epithelial cells (HuMEC) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–induced mastitis in lactating Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. The anti‐inflammatory and antibacterial effects of MT water extract were examined in SA‐infected HuMEC by ELISA and plate counting, respectively. The effects of MT water extract on blood‐milk barrier and the underlying mechanism of action of the MT water extract were also investigated by transendothelial electrical resistance assay and western blot. The effects and mechanisms of MT water extract on alleviating mastitis on SD rats were evaluated using LPS‐induced mastitis rat model. Our results showed that MT water extract could suppress SA‐induced mastitis by reducing SA internalization and growth, protecting blood‐milk barrier integrity, and attenuating release of cytokines (interleukin 6 [IL‐6] and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha [TNF‐α]) in HuEMC. Furthermore, the antibacterial effect might be related to the increase of antimicrobial peptides transcription, and the anti‐inflammatory effect is at least partly mediated by inactivation of p38 and JNK signaling pathways. Finally, our in vivo results showed that MT water extract ameliorated LPS‐induced mastitis in SD rats via suppressing inflammatory cytokine release (TNF‐α, IL‐6, and interleukin‐1 beta), myeloperoxidase, and alleviating pathohistological damage by downregulation of JNK signaling pathway.

Apple Polyphenol Extracts Attenuated Depressive-Like Behaviors of High-Sucrose Diet Feeding Mice by Farnesoid X Receptor-Mediated Modulation of Bile Acid Circulation within the Liver-Gut-Brain Axis.

Although the association between high-sugar diets and depression has been verified, few studies have explored the antidepressant mechanisms of apple polyphenol extracts (APE). Therefore, fifty-four C57BL/6 male mice aged 5 weeks were randomly assigned into five groups: the control group with the standard diet (CON), the constant high-sucrose diet group (HSD), the "2 + 5" alternate diet group (A-HSD), and the 500 mg/(kg·bw) APE treatment for the HSD group (APE) and the A-HSD group (A-APE), respectively. The data of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function and behavioral experiments confirmed the success in the establishment of depression-like mouse models in both HSD and A-HSD groups, which were significantly alleviated after APE treatment. Meanwhile, APE reduced serum levels of corticosterone and adrenocorticotrophic hormone, alleviated histopathological damage of the liver, colon, and brain, respectively, elevated the protein expressions of Occludin, ZO-1, and MUC-2, and decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio and Dubosiella abundance with the increased microbiota of Tannerellaceae_unclassified, Muribaculum, and Lachnospiraceae_unclassified. Moreover, APE treatment reduced Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) protein levels along with the increased expressions of CYP7A1 and TGR5, lowered the contents of serum and fecal total bile acids, and modulated fecal BA compositions, particularly glycocholic acid (GCA) and isolithocholic acid (ILCA). Thus, both the constant and alternate high-sucrose diets successfully induced depression-like behaviors in mice, and APE might be a potential nutraceutical to attenuate high-sucrose diet-induced depression by regulating BAs circulation within the liver-gut-brain axis mediated by FXR.

Melissa officinalis Regulates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced BV2 Microglial Activation via MAPK and Nrf2 Signaling.

Neuroinflammation and microglial activation play critical roles in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Modulating microglial activation may help prevent the progression of these disorders. This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of Melissa officinalis ethanol extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial activation in BV2 cells. Cell viability and nitric oxide (NO) production were assessed using MTT assay and Griess reagent, while inflammatory cytokine levels were measured by qPCR. Key inflammatory pathways, including MAPK, TLR4, and antioxidant biomarkers, were analyzed through western blot and immunofluorescence. Rosmarinic acid content in M. officinalis was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results demonstrated that M. officinalis ethanol extract significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO production and reduced inflammatory cytokine expression. Additionally, it downregulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), TLR4, NF-κB, and MAPK signaling pathways (p38, JNK, ERK), while increasing the expression of antioxidant markers, including Nrf2, HO-1, catalase, and SOD2. In conclusion, M. officinalis ethanol extract exerts neuroprotective effects by modulating inflammation and enhancing antioxidant defenses, suggesting its potential in the prevention and treatment of inflammation-related neurodegenerative diseases.

In Vitro Inhibitory Mechanism of Polyphenol Extracts from Multi-Frequency Power Ultrasound-Pretreated Rose Flower Against α-Glucosidase.

This paper explored the in vitro inhibitory mechanism of polyphenol-rich rose extracts (REs) from an edible rose flower against α-glucosidase using multispectral and molecular docking techniques. Results showed that REs had an inhibitory effect on α-Glu activity (IC50 of 1.96 μg/mL); specifically, the samples pretreated by tri-frequency ultrasound (20/40/60 kHz) exhibited a significantly (p < 0.05) stronger inhibitory effect on α-Glu activity with an IC50 of 1.33 μg/mL. The Lineweaver-Burk assay indicated that REs were mixed-type inhibitors and could statically quench the endogenous fluorescence of α-Glu. REs increased the chance of polypeptide chain misfolding by altering the microenvironment around tryptophan and tyrosine residues and disrupting the natural conformation of the enzyme. Molecular docking results showed that polyhydroxy phenolics had a high fit to the active site of α-Glu, so REs with high polymerization and numerous phenolic hydroxyl groups had a stronger inhibitory effect. Therefore, this study provides new insights into polyphenol-rich REs as potential α-glucosidase inhibitors.

Investigating the Phytochemistry and Underlying Glycemic Control Mechanisms of Litchi chinensis Sonn. (Litchi) Peel Ethyl Acetate Extract in a Fructose/Streptozotocin Diabetic Model of Rats.

The glycemic control potential and flavonoid profile of litchi have been documented for its hydroalcoholic extracts, while there is scarce information regarding its ethyl acetate extract. This study investigated the flavonoid profile, as well as the ameliorative potential and possible underlying mechanisms of litchi peel ethyl acetate extract on type 2 diabetes-related pathologies in a fructose/streptozotocin (STZ) model of diabetic rats. Sprague Dawley rats were induced with diabetes by administering 10% fructose for 2 weeks and a single i.p. injection of low-dose (40 mg/kg bw) STZ. Thereafter, the animals were orally administered with a low-dose (150 mg/kg bw) and high-dose (300 mg/kg bw) of the peel extract (LDPE and HDPE, respectively) and metformin (200 mg/kg bw). Compared to untreated diabetic rats (AUC = 1004 mg.h/dL), the HDPE significantly (p < 0.05) improved glucose tolerance (AUC = 847 mg.h/dL), which was statistically comparable (p ˃ 0.05) to the effect of metformin (AUC = 903 mg.h/dL). Serum insulin and pancreatic histology data showed that the STZ-induced pancreatic damage and insulin depletion was improved by the HDPE, which could be linked to the observed ameliorative effect of the extract on pancreatic lipid peroxidation and SOD and catalase activity. The extract further improved liver and muscle glycogen storage, as well as muscle hexokinase activity and Akt phosphorylation, suggesting that the extract exerts glycemic control by enhancing glycogen storage and modulating insulin-mediated signaling of glucose uptake and utilization. LC-MS data and documented reports suggest that flavonoids, such as epicatechin, cinnamtannin B2, procyanidin B5, and proanthocyanidin A2, are the possible influencing compounds. The ethyl acetate extract of litchi peel could be a source of bioactive flavonoids that can potentiate glycemic control in diabetes and mitigate oxidative stress-related pathologies.