Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell exosomes in breast cancer. False hope or a real solution?

Broccoli leaves, despite their rich bioactive content, are considered non-edible, thus wasted. High-pressure homogenization (HPH) is a non-thermal, water-based technique that is emerging as an alternative for processing agri-food waste. In this study, the effects of HPH (performed at 90MPa) on the physicochemical and phytochemical properties of broccoli leaves were evaluated and compared to a conventional blending method. HPH-treated samples exhibited smaller, greener particles with evident cell disruption. In the serum, broccoli leaves treated with HPH showed higher concentrations of amino acids and monosaccharides. Additionally, methanolic extracts of HPH-treated samples presented greater contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, and glucosinolates, as confirmed by metabolomic analysis. A total of 201 compounds were annotated, with 22 uniquely detected in HPH-treated samples and 16 in blended ones. HPH-treated extracts also exhibited higher antioxidant activity, more than doubling the activity at all concentration ranges studied. Altogether, these findings indicate that HPH improves the physicochemical properties, bioactive compound extraction, and antioxidant capacity of broccoli leaves.

Tribulus terrestris L. extract alleviates diabetic nephropathy through regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation: insights from in silico, in vivo and LC-MS/MS-based metabolite profiling studies.

Danhong injection alleviates sepsis-induced acute lung injury by regulating AGE/RAGE/AKT pathway.

Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) represent a heterogeneous group of tumor cells that possess the innate ability to self-renew and differentiate, which also contributes to their resistance to first-line therapies. What sets CSCs apart from others is their crucial role in the recurrence of cancer, metastasis, and varied clinical responses against anti-cancer drugs, which makes them challenging to target. In recent years, there has been growing evidence that therapies capable of eliminating CSC niches or specifically targeting their core survival mechanisms are a potential means of providing a sustainable, long-term response to therapy and increasing disease-free survival rates. Bioactive compounds from natural sources have gained immense interest for their bio-efficacy, low toxicity profiles, and wide therapeutic index (TI), especially with their broad-spectrum ability of targeting multiple pathways while having little or no systemic side effects. Bioactive compounds can target major signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, Hippo-YAP/TAZ, Hedgehog, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NF-κB) to induce apoptosis, inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), disrupt cancer stem cell niches, and other effects that suggest they resensitize to chemotherapeutic agents. Plant-derived biologics may be used as unique strategies targeting CSCs or as adjuncts reconstituted with custom conventional treatment plans, to mitigate drug resistance with mechanisms that involve targeting CSC metabolism, blocking protective autophagy, and the epigenetic landscape. The use of nanotechnology for targeted delivery of bioactive compounds is anticipated to provide better stability, bioavailability, and tumor accumulation. In this review, we outline a range of approaches using bioactive compounds for the eradication of CSCs, focusing on the mechanisms by which they work, the preclinical and clinical evidence supporting them, and their role in combination therapy approaches. This review also gives a comprehensive understanding of various other strategies and latest advancements that do not directly target the CSCs, including differentiation therapy, metabolic targeting, and immunomodulation, which, when used in conjunction with bioactive compounds, may resensitize the drug-resistant CSC population. We also discuss the therapeutic and translational potential of bioactive compounds and the future possibilities of combination, multi-targeted, CSC-based treatment strategies to eliminate tumor recurrences and improve cancer outcomes for patients.

This study investigated the effects of shortened rearing periods on meat quality and sensory attributes, aiming to identify an appropriate age range to ensure consumer satisfaction. A total of 320 Hanwoo cattle (n=80 per age group) were reared from 6months of age and slaughtered at 24, 26, 28, or 30months. They were fed mixed concentrate and roughage under a three-phase feeding program (crude protein 13-16%; total digestible nutrients 70-75%). Older groups (28-30months) exhibited significantly higher crude fat (+22%) and myofibril fragmentation index (+14%) than the younger groups (24-26months). The 30-month group demonstrated a comparable water-holding capacity to that of the 28-month group (P>0.05), while demonstrating higher values (+6%) than the younger groups (P<0.01). Age-related differences were observed in bioactive compounds. Carnosine and anserine were significantly higher in the 24-month group than the 30-month group (by 25.52 and 14.21mg/100g, respectively), whereas l-carnitine was significantly higher in the 30-month group than the other groups (58.94 vs. 50.41-53.10mg/100g). Older groups also exhibited significantly higher levels of inosine monophosphate, guanosine monophosphate, oleic acid, and volatile compounds (e.g., lactones) than the younger groups (P<0.001). In the sensory evaluation, the tenderness and juiciness scores were significantly higher in the older groups than in the 24-month group (P<0.001). Collectively, these findings suggest that slaughtering Hanwoo at 28-30months, rather than at younger ages, may contribute to improved beef quality and flavor characteristics.

Bioactive compounds and fatty acid composition in raw and cooked beef with two different ageing periods.

Hyssopus cuspidatus Boriss: Traditional uses, chemical constituents, and pharmacological effects.

Evaluation of embryotoxicity and teratogenicity of Cenostigma pyramidale (Tul.) fruit extract in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Parameria laevigata (Juss.) Moldenke healing wound via PI3K/AKT/MAPK pathway.

Ultrasound-assisted chemical dewaxing synergistically coupled with rotary microwave vacuum drying for enhanced quality and bioactive retention of Lycium barbarum L.

The increasing awareness of the relationship between diet and health has driven a growing demand for functional foods enriched with bioactive compounds. These compounds, including polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamins, minerals, peptides, and unsaturated fatty acids, provide countless health benefits beyond basic nutrition, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. However, their direct use in food matrices is often limited due to challenges related to instability, poor solubility, and insufficient bioavailability. The past decade has witnessed extensive exploration of plant-based delivery systems as effective carriers for bioactive compounds due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, and sustainable sourcing. Despite the enormous efforts and booming growth of scientific publications, our understanding of the precise release mechanisms of plant-based delivery systems within complex food matrices is limited. This review presents a unified and comprehensive description of plant-based delivery systems, dissecting their structural composition, formation mechanisms, and functional characteristics. We also explore how different plant-based carrier modalities, such as micro- and nanoparticles, emulsions, hydrogels, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), and vesicular systems, can be engineered to enhance the stability, solubility, and targeted release of bioactive substances. Additionally, this review comparatively examines the mechanisms underpinning controlled release, including diffusion, swelling, enzymatic degradation, and stimuli-responsive triggers. Lastly, we highlight key hurdles that hampered the practical implementation of plant-based delivery systems and propose some future directions to overcome them. The mechanistic insight of this paper is envisioned to enhance the health benefits of bioactive compounds and support sustainability in the food and healthcare industries.

Effects of lighting technologies on the physiology of a marine diatom, Cocconeis scutellum var. parva (Bacillariophyceae): 2. production of antioxidants and other bioactive compounds.

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic microorganisms poses a significant challenge to global public health. Previously effective treatments against common pathogens such as Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) are becoming progressively less effective. These organisms are responsible for a wide spectrum of diseases, ranging from minor infections to severe systemic illnesses. As resistance to conventional antibiotics continues to rise, the need for novel antimicrobial agents has become increasingly urgent. Natural products have long served as a rich source of antimicrobial substances, and among them, fungi are well recognised for their ability to produce a diverse array of bioactive metabolites with potential therapeutic applications. Aim: The aim of the current study was to isolate and identify bioactive metabolite-producing Aspergillus flavus (A.flavus) strains from soil samples and to evaluate their antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates of E.coli and S.aureus. Materials and Methods: The present in-vitro experimental study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India, from January to December 2023. The current study involved the isolation of A.flavus from soil samples collected from dump yards and the isolation of E.coli and S.aureus from clinical specimens. The total sample size was 50, comprising 25 E.coli and 25 S.aureus isolates obtained from various clinical samples, including urine, pus, sputum, blood, ear swabs, wound swabs, tracheal aspirates, and tissue samples. Soil samples were collected from four different dump yard sites surrounding the SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre. Only A.flavus was isolated from soil samples using the spot method, while E.coli and S.aureus isolated from clinical samples were included in the study. Other fungal and bacterial isolates were excluded. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using the perpendicular cross-streaking method and the agar well diffusion method. Bioactive compounds were extracted through fermentation, followed by separation using Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC). Compound identification was performed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, and all data were expressed as mean±standard deviation. Results: The isolated A.flavus strains demonstrated antimicrobial activity against both E.coli and S.aureus. TLC analysis revealed four distinct bioactive compounds with Rf values of 0.70, 0.80, 0.87, and 0.89. GC-MS analysis identified a total of 23 volatile compounds. The antimicrobial activity produced Zones Of Inhibition (ZOI) ranging from 23 to 18 mm against E.coli and from 16 to 24 mm against S.aureus. Conclusion: The bioactive compounds extracted from A.flavus exhibited significant antibacterial activity, particularly against the Gram-positive organism S.aureus. These findings highlight the potential of A.flavus as a promising source of novel antimicrobial agents, especially in the context of increasing antibiotic resistance. Further studies are warranted to optimise the production and purification of these compounds and to explore their potential clinical applications.

Response surface methodology based Box-Behnken Design for statistical optimization of Curcuma caesia mediated copper oxide nanoparticles synthesis.

Gastrointestinal endoparasitic diseases, particularly those caused by some strongyles, represent one of the main health challenges in equine production. The prolonged use of synthetic anthelmintics has led to the development of resistance, which has prompted the search for more sustainable therapeutic alternatives. However, plant extracts rich in secondary metabolites are emerging as a promising option. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anthelmintic activity of aqueous extracts and bioactive compounds (total phenols and saponins) from Azadirachta indica and Cnidoscolus angustidens against L3 larvae of strongyles in horses. Three extracts were prepared: the first one from A. indica, the second one from C. angustidens, and the third one as a 1:1 (v/v) mixture thereof. These were characterized phytochemically by spectrophotometry and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Anthelmintic activity was evaluated by a larval inhibition assay in ELISA plates, using two doses (1200 and 1800 µL). A. indica had the highest concentration of total phenols and saponins, while C. angustidens stood out for its tannin content and total phenols. The highest larval inhibition was recorded with the total phenols of C. angustidens, the saponins of A. indica, and crude extracts of both species. In contrast, the mixture of extracts showed a significant reduction in anthelmintic activity, evidencing a possible antagonistic interaction between their metabolites. A potential anthelmintic activity of A. indica and C. angustidens aqueous extracts, as natural sources of anthelmintic compounds, was detected against L3 larvae of strongyles in equines.

Targeting the Nrf2/HO-1 aixs: A therapeutic strategy against regulated cell death in Alzheimer's disease.

Safflower washing medicine alleviating acute soft tissue injury via PI3K/Akt pathway.

Synergistic mechanisms of ultrasound and slightly acidic electrolyzed water in peanut germination revealed by multi-omics analysis.

Integrated high-content bioactivity profiling for rapid annotation of neuroprotective constituents in Curcumae Radix.