Scavenging Activity Assay Research Articles

Biochemical profiling and antioxidant evaluation of Martynia annua and Polygonum viviparum: investigating hepatoprotective properties against abiotic stress.

The liver is the second largest organ in the body, playing a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and regulating metabolism. However, the prevalence of liver diseases has been rising steadily due to an increase in both infectious and non-infectious factors. Medicinal plants offer a remarkable opportunity to enhance our healthcare system by addressing various diseases through their ability to control oxidative stress and support metabolic processes. This revision improves readability while retaining the original meaning. In the present study, purified methanol extracts of Martynia annua and Polygonum viviparum at different concentrations were used to explore the antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential against abiotic stress on liver cells. Firstly total flavonoids and total phenolic contents of both plants were measured and then their antioxidant activities were determined through DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP assay. Moreover, bioactive compounds and in vitro hepatoprotective potential among these plants were determined through LC-MS and Liver Slice Culture assay respectively. In P. viviparum high amounts of TPC and TFC were observed with maximum antioxidant potential in terms of DPPH inhibition at 84% and high ferric-reducing ability at 240 mg/mL. The presence of different phytoconstituents like Myricetin, Gallic acid, Ferulic acid, Chlorogenic acid, Sweroside, Morroniside, Echonoside, Swertiamarin and Protocatechuic acid were confirmed in M. annua and P. viviparum in LC-MS study. The maximum hepatoprotective potential in terms of minimum cytotoxicity 6% and 9% were observed in M. annua and P. viviparum respectively. It was revealed that both plants have stunning hepatoprotective properties to prevent liver from toxicants and their related complications due to high antioxidant potential and active metabolites.

A Comparative Study of the Biological Properties of Eugenia uniflora L. Fruits and Leaves Related to the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death globally, emphasizing the need for effective preventive strategies. Plant-based foods, rich in phytochemicals, offer a promising potential in CVD prevention. This study investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive properties of two Eugenia uniflora L. varieties (orange and purple pitanga) and their leaves. Their antioxidant activity was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation scavenging activity assays, while their antihypertensive activity was evaluated through angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Their anti-inflammatory potential was determined via protein denaturation inhibition. Both fruit varieties exhibited similar bioactivities, with the purple variety showing a slightly higher activity, except in the DPPH and ABTS assays. The leaves consistently demonstrated the lowest activities across all assays. Free polyphenols, dominated by gallic acid, were quantified using µ-QuEChERS followed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC-PDA). The orange variety contained the highest concentration of gallic acid (13.1 mg/100 g DW). These findings highlight the potential of Eugenia uniflora L. extracts as natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive agents, suggesting their value in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications for promoting human health and preventing CVDs.

Chemometric tools to comprehend a recovery process for the bioactive ingredients from purple basil (Ocimum basilicum L.): Box-Behnken design-based optimization and principal component analysis.

Medicinal and aromatic plants are alternative products to synthetics because of their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects. The objective of this study is to investigate the automated solvent extraction (ASE) process parameters for the extraction of bioactive-rich substances from purple basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Process optimization in relation to total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total anthocyanin content (TAC) was performed through a chemometric approach. The ASE system was designed, modelled and optimized by 3-factor and 3-level Box-Behnken design of Response Surface method (RSM). Antioxidant activity of the samples were measured by 2 different free radical scavenging activity assays (ABTS and DPPH). By using principal component analysis (PCA) to the dataset, the impact of interactions between the parameters was also evaluated according to their antioxidant activity, TPC, TFC and TAC levels. The optimal ASE conditions (0.3 g of purple basil, 19 min of immersion time and 66 % ethanol solution) provided the highest yields of TPC (98.888 mg-GAE/g-DM), TFC (27.033 mg-CE/g-DM) and TAC (11.556 mg-C3G/g-DM), which were verified by satisfactory validation findings (the error<2 %).

Gastroprotective Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Broccoli Stems on Acute Injury in Rats: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Gastric Function and Inflammatory Responses.

Background and Objectives: Acute gastric injury is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder characterized by inflammation and damage to the stomach lining. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential effects of broccoli stem extract (BSE) against acute gastritis in a rat model. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant properties of BSE were evaluated through DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity assays and total polyphenol content analysis. Acute gastric injury was induced using 150 mM HCl/60% EtOH, and male SD rats (6-weeks old, n = 6/group) were administered BSE by oral gavage at concentrations of 50, 125, and 250 mg/kg. Results: The BSE 250 mg/kg group exhibited significant relief of clinical signs compared to the negative control group. In addition, the BSE 250 mg/kg group showed significant improvements in gastric tissue, including macroscopic reductions in ulcer size and improved overall gastric morphology as assessed through gross examination, as well as microscopic improvements such as reduced inflammation and the restoration of mucosal integrity observed in histopathological analysis. BSE modulated NF-κB signaling, decreased inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and increased PGE2 levels. Pyloric ligation experiments demonstrated reduced pepsin and gastric acid secretion. Improvements in gastric emptying and gastrointestinal motility were also observed in the BSE-treated group. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of BSE as an effective therapeutic agent for acute gastritis in rats, offering significant improvements in gastric damage, inflammation, and motility.

Current Perspectives in Detection of Bioactive Compounds From Costus spicatus Through GC-MS and LC-MS/MS: Antioxidant Properties and In Silico Analysis for Industrial Applications.

Members of the Costus genus are the conventional medicinal plants used in the therapeutic management of numerous ailments, especially for their antioxidant and pharmacological activities. The crude extract of Costus spicatus was profiled using high-resolution GC-MS and LC-MS/MS techniques to determine possible bioactive compounds that are vital to the antioxidant activity. A total of 52 and 63 bioactive compounds have been detected in GC-MS chromatograms using different solvents (methanol and ethanol) in C. spicatus leaf extracts, representing the presence of certain bioactive compounds. The identified bioactive compounds in both extracts which exhibit neuroprotective effects have been confirmed through various literature studies. They are cholestan-3-amine, loliolide, stigmasterol and methylprednisolone acetate, succinimide, fumaric acid, beta-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol. The aqueous extract possessed the highest antioxidant activity for DPPH scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays, whereas the alcoholic aqueous extract showed superior efficacy for hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. In this study, we performed molecular docking and found that four compounds exhibited promising binding affinities with predicted binding sites on alpha-synuclein. Notably, Androsta [17-16-b] furan-5'-imine, 4'-methylene-3-methoxy-N-cyclohexyl- showed the highest docking interaction score of -7.4, indicating a strong binding affinity. These findings, combined with the presence of bioactive components in the crude extract of C. spicatus, suggest that this plant may possess neuroprotective properties, warranting further investigation for potential industrial applications in the development of neuroprotective agents.

Secondary metabolite profile and free-radical scavenging activity of ethyl acetate extract of bidara fruit and leaves (ziziphus mauritiana)

Abstract Ziziphus Mauritiana has high economic value but is still considered a nuisance plant for most people. Not only are the fruit and some parts of the Z. Mauritiana plant rich in nutrients, but they also contain bioactive compounds that can benefit health. This study aimed to provide information on the profile of secondary metabolites and free-radical scavenging activity of Z. Mauritiana fruit and leaf extracts. The study consisted of four stages: sample powder preparation, extraction process, phytochemical screening, and free-radical scavenging activity assay by DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhdrazyl) method. The yield of ethyl acetate extract of Z. Mauritiana fruit and leaves obtained from the maceration process was 9.86 g (3.28%) and 12.92 g (4.30%), respectively. Phytochemical screening showed that ethyl acetate extract of Z. Mauritiana fruit and leaves contained flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and steroids. Both extracts showed free-radical scavenging activity in the strong category (IC50 = 50-100 ppm). The ethyl acetate extract of Z. Mauritiana leaves has better free-radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 66.09 ppm) than the fruit (IC50 = 73.39 ppm). The results showed that the fruit and leaves of Z. Mauritiana contain flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, which act as free radical scavengers and can be used as alternative food sources with potential antioxidant properties.

Antioxidant Activity from the Leaves of Different Citrus (Citrus species) under Sub-tropical Conditions of Punjab

The lab experiment was conducted during 2019-2021 to assess the antioxidant activity from the leaves of different citrus (Citrus species) in the laboratories of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU). The leaves of different citrus species were procured from the orchard of Department of Agriculture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib world University, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. The antioxidant activity of leaves of different citrus species (lime, lemon, pummelo, mandarin, grapefruit and sweet orange) were measured using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. For anti-oxidant properties studies, about 35 leaves/species were collected from the orchard of citrus. They were cleaned with running water, freed of dust and then shadow dried in the shade and then transferred to a hot air oven for 24 hours at 40. Until a stable weight. Drying leaves will be formed into fine powder by using grinder method. After it, the powder was closed in a tight container and stored in a cool and dry place. The results of lab analysis revealed that the antioxidant activity of leaves extract of citrus species in both assays viz. DPPH scavenging activity and FRAP assay showed that the highest activity was displayed by grapefruit with an IC₅₀ = 2.492 mg/ml and EC₅₀=0.835 mg/ml whereas, the least activity was revealed by sweet orange species with an IC₅₀= 4.113 mg/ml and EC₅₀ = 2.240 mg/ml. Thus, this knowledge could be utilized subsequently by food ingredients industries for various applications and innovation, specifically related to flavour compounds.

Effects of Lactic Acid Bacterial Fermentation on the Biochemical Properties and Antimicrobial Activity of Hemp Seeds

Recently, there has been an increase in the application of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for seed fermentation because of the improved functional, technological, and nutritional properties of the fermented seeds. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of selected LAB on the biochemical and antimicrobial features of fermented hemp seeds and their water-, salt-, and ethanol-soluble protein fractions. The results showed that hemp seed medium was suitable for Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Levilactobacillus brevis, and Lactobacillus acidophilus multiplication (with a LAB count &gt; 109 colony-forming units/g). The biochemical and antimicrobial properties of the fermented hemp seeds strictly depended on the LAB strain used for fermentation. The hemp seeds fermented with L. brevis, which was previously isolated from rye sourdough, presented the highest total phenolic content and phytase, amylase, protease, and antioxidant activities. The hemp seeds fermented with L. acidophilus showed the broadest spectrum of antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens. The ethanol-soluble protein fractions from the fermented hemp seeds inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus cereus, while the ethanol-soluble protein fraction from unfermented hemp seeds did not have an antimicrobial effect. The results of ABTS·+ radical scavenging and antimicrobial activity assays by agar well diffusion method confirmed that the tested LAB strains for hemp seed fermentation influenced the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of protein fractions.

New Insights of Response Surface Methodology Approach in Optimizing Total Phenolic Content of &lt;i&gt;Zanthoxylum acanthopodium&lt;/i&gt; DC. Fruit Extracted Using Microwave-Assisted Extraction and the Impact to Antioxidant Activity

Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC., a unique spice plant from North Sumatra, is rich in beneficial secondary metabolites, particularly phenolic compounds. This study utilized the microwave-assisted extraction method to enhance the extraction of these bioactive compounds. The goal was to determine the optimal extraction conditions, including solvent concentration (X1), microwave power (X2), and extraction time (X3) to maximize the total phenolic content (TPC) of Z. acanthopodium fruit. A Box-Behnken design, part of response surface methodology, was used with three factors at three levels: X1 (50%, 75%, and 100% ethanol in water), X2 (180, 300, and 450 W), and X3 (3, 8.5, and 14 min). The phenolic compounds in the optimized extract were identified using LC-HRMS, and its antioxidant activity was measured using radical scavenging activity assays. The statistical analysis indicated a significant quadratic model (p-value &lt; 0.05), with a high R2 of 86.25%. Optimal conditions for maximum TPC (159.637 ± 5.72 mg GAE/g) were achieved with 50% ethanol, 450 W, and 8.5 min, outperforming conventional extraction methods. Compared to the non-optimized extract, the optimized extract also exhibited strong antioxidant activity, particularly in DPPH radical inhibition. This method successfully optimized TPC in Z. acanthopodium fruit, enhancing its antioxidant properties.

Comparative Analysis of Eugenol-Loaded Ag-Co and Unloaded Ag-Co Bimetallic Nanoparticles Against Escherichia coli.

Recent developments in nanotechnology have revealed the significance of bimetallic nanoparticles for various applications. This study reveals the facile green synthesis of Ag-Co bimetallic nanoparticles using eugenol. A comparative analysis of Eugenol-loaded Ag-Co and unloaded Ag-Co bimetallic nanoparticle (BNPs) was done to investigate their antibacterial and antioxidant activity using flow cytometry.The biosynthesized Eugenol-loaded and unloaded BNPs were evaluated for antibacterial activity againstEscherichia coli. The antioxidant activity was analyzed by using a DPPH scavenging activity assay and flow cytometry. UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis of synthesized eugenol-loaded and unloaded BNPs showed absorbance at 257nm and 240nm, respectively. FTIR analysis showed the peak range in the 500-4000cm-1 corresponds to different functional groups. Zeta potential confirms the formation of stable and uniformly synthesized BNPs. EDX and SEM analysis confirm the elemental compositions and the size of the BNPs, respectively. Flow cytometric analysis revealed the live-dead parameters ofEscherichia coli, when exposed to different concentrations of Eugenol-loaded Ag-Co (Eu@Ag-Co) and Unloaded Ag-Co BNPs. In addition, comparative MIC and MBC values of eugenol-loaded and unloaded BNPs were obtained forEscherichia coli. The Antioxidant activity revealed the comparative higher significant DPPH scavenging activity of Eu@Ag-Co.Moreover, the flow cytometric analysis confirmed the higher antibacterial efficacy of Eu@Ag-Co over unloaded Ag-Co BNPs by showing ahigher percentage of dead cells.The study determined the enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant activity of nanoparticles by Eugenol loading and advocated it to be a better therapeutic approach. This study encourages the use of biosynthesized loaded-phytochemicals BNPs over unloaded BNPs.

Enhanced physicochemical properties of isoflavone derivatives through enzymatic encapsulation using cyclodextrin glucanotransferase

To establish the encapsulation parameters applicable to isoflavones, inclusion complexes (cycloamylose-genistein (CA-GNT), CA-daidzein (CA-DDZ), CA-equol (CA-EQ)) were synthesized for three varieties of plant-derived isoflavones via the cyclization catalysis of cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase; EC 2.4.1.19). Subsequently, an analysis of their physicochemical properties and functional characteristics was performed to ascertain their retained intrinsic activity within the encapsulated milieu. These encapsulation complexes were purified via preparative high-performance liquid chromatography and confirmed through MALDI TOF mass spectrometry for molecular weight analysis. The water solubility of CA-GNT, CA-DDZ, and CA-EQ increased approximately 15,000, 89,000, and 90 times, respectively, compared to the original compounds. Furthermore, in a 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical scavenging activity assay, the CA-GNT, CA-DDZ, CA-EQ encapsulated complexes exhibited 6.4-, 6.9-, and 4.2-fold higher levels of scavenging activity compared to the original material in aqueous solution, respectively. The mRNA level of estrogen receptor α increased with increasing treatment concentration of the encapsulated complexes in MC3T3 cells, which was similar to the effect of the original compounds. CA-EQ remained stable under external conditions of varying pH and high temperature, and a decrease in nitric oxide (NO) production was observed as the treatment concentration increased in RAW 264.7 cells.

Chemical Constituents, Antioxidant, and Enzyme Inhibitory Potentials Supported by In-Silico Studies of the n-Hexane Extract and Essential Oil of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco Leaves.

Platycladus orientalis leaves are widely used in traditional medicine to treat different ailments. In the present study, the volatile constituents were obtained by n-hexane extraction and hydrodistillation. Comprehensive metabolomic profiling was performed using GC-MS analysis. Furthermore, in vitro antioxidant potential and enzyme-inhibitory activity were assessed and supported by in silico profiling. Results revealed the predominance of monoterpene hydrocarbons in the hydrodistilled volatile oil (42.30%) followed by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (32.10%); with cedrol as the main component. Diterpenoids (49.70%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (13.43%) were the major components of the n-hexane extract; with vulgarol A, a diterpene alcohol, as the major constituent. The volatile oil demonstrated significantly higher antioxidant potential across all assays, including ABTS and DDPH scavenging activity, CUPRAC, and FRAP assays. However, the n-hexane extract demonstrated broad inhibitory effects against butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase enzymes, supported by molecular docking study and predictive ADME profiling. Therefore, it may be concluded that the n-hexane extract is a viable option for treating dysregulated enzyme conditions. In addition, the potential use of volatile oil in the pharmaceutical industries and management of oxidative stress can be inferred. These results warrant further studies to validate the therapeutic potential of the volatile oil and the n-hexane extract.

Wound Healing, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidant Activities, and Chemical Composition of Korean Propolis from Different Sources.

Propolis, such as is used as bio-cosmetics and in functional materials, is increasing because of its antioxidant medicinal benefits. However, its pharmacological and chemical composition is highly variable, relative to its geography and botanical origins. Comparative studies on three propolis samples collected from different regions in Korea have been essential for linking its provenance, chemical composition, and biological activity, thereby ensuring the efficient utilization of its beneficial properties. Here, we report the chemical composition and biological activities such as the antioxidant, wound healing, and anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanolic extract of Korean propolis collected from two regions. We compared the chemical constituents of three 70% ethanol-extracted (EE) samples, including the Andong, Gongju field (GF), and Gongju mountain (GM)-sourced propolis using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major and common components of these EE Korean propolis were flavonoids such as pinocembrin (12.0-17.7%), chrysin (5.2-6.8%), and apigenin (5.30-5.84%). The antioxidant property using a 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity assay of EEP showed substantial differences among samples with the highest from Andong. The sample 10% GM levigated in simple ointment was found to be the most active in wound healing activity based on the excision, incision, and dead space wound models. The potential of propolis for wound healing is mainly due to its evidenced properties, such as its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and angiogenesis promoter effects, which need further study. The anti-inflammatory activity and NO production inhibitory effect were highest in GM samples. However, GM and GF samples demonstrated similar inhibitory effects on the expression of inflammatory mediators such as iNOS, IL-1β, and IL-6. The presence of a higher concentration of flavonoids in Korean EE propolis might be responsible for their promising wound healing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

Beyond Thymol and Carvacrol: Characterizing the Phenolic Profiles and Antioxidant Capacity of Portuguese Oregano and Thyme for Food Applications

Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) and thyme (Thymus mastichina L.) are popular aromatic plants used in the culinary sphere and are known for their antioxidant capacity. This study investigates the variability in the antioxidant capacity and phenolic profiles, focusing on flavonoids and phenolic acids, of oregano and thyme accessions from the Portuguese Bank of Plant Germplasm. The antioxidant capacity was assessed by measurements using the ferric-ion-reducing antioxidant power and DPPH radical scavenging activity assays, Total Phenolic Content, and individual phenolic compounds. Oregano extracts presented the highest total phenolic content (~2152 mg GAE/g DW), while thyme extracts showed the highest ferric-reducing antioxidant powers. However, both aromatic plants (~0.58 mmol TE/g DW) presented similar DPPH radical scavenging capacities. Rosmarinic acid was the major phenolic compound in methanolic extracts from oregano and thyme, but higher amounts were found in thyme (23.11 to 40.45 mg/g DW). The accessions of oregano and thyme showed statistical differences in the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. This study provides valuable insights into the phenolic profile of Portuguese oregano and thyme, which could constitute potential sources of natural antioxidants and bioactive compounds, to be used by the food industry as natural food additives.

Synthesis, Anticholinesterase and Antioxidant Activity of Thiosemicarbazone Derivatives

In this research, we report the synthesis and evaluation of novel thiosemicarbazones as anti-Alzheimer’s agents. The structural clarification of the newly synthesized compounds was carried out by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and MS analyses. According to the in vitro cholinesterase inhibition assay, compounds showed more inhibitory potential against AChE than BuChE. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the synthesized compounds was measured via two different methods. According to ferrous ion-chelating assay compound 2b demonstrated 5.26% activity when compared to BHT (2.57%). DPPH radical scavenging activity assay revealed that compound 2b showed the most potent antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 43.91 ± 0.021μM. Among the synthesized compounds, compound 2b was found as the most potent antioxidant agent.

Evaluation of the proximate composition and antioxidant capacity of some seaweeds from the Konkan coast of India

Minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients that promote health can be found in abundance in seaweeds. In this study, we evaluated the proximate composition and antioxidant capacity of some seaweeds from Konkan coast of India. There were notable differences in the proximate compositions between the species. The highest protein content was found in Pyropia vietnamensis (~49 mg. g−1 dw), whereas the highest carbohydrate (~83 mg. g−1 dw), lipids (56 mg. g−1 dw) and vitamins were found in Stoechospermum marginatum. Total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity were estimated from a Methanolic extracts. The antioxidant capacity of the seaweeds was evaluated using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, ABTS (2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and hydrogen peroxide free radical scavenging activity assay. Folin-Ciocalteu method was used to quantify total phenolic content (TPC), and Ulva fasciata had the highest TPC (24.30 ± 3 mg GAE. g−1 dry weight). In U. fasciata, the antioxidant activity was ~62 %, with an IC50 value of 0.057 ± 0.01 mM. Acanthophora spicifera was found to have a strong reducing power, with an IC50 value 0.012 ± 0.002 mM. H2O2 scavenging activity (~79 %) with an IC50 value of 0.006 ± 0.001 mM and 67 % ABTS radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 0.005) was highest in S. marginatum. Analysis showed that TPC exhibited strong positive correlation with both the ferric reducing antioxidant potential and DPPH antioxidant activity. These results showed that these seaweeds have significant antioxidant capacity and rich nutritional properties, which suggest they could be useful sources of functional ingredients for dietary supplements and other food products.

Extraction Optimization of Quercus cerris L. Wood Chips: A Comparative Study between Full Factorial Design (FFD) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN).

From a circular bio-economy perspective, biomass valorization requires the implementation of increasingly efficient extraction techniques to ensure the environmental and economic sustainability of biorefining processes. This research focuses on optimizing the specialized metabolite extraction of Turkey oak chips from Quercus cerris L. by applying a 3 levels Full Factorial Design (FFD). The goal is to obtain an extract with the highest antioxidant activity [evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays] and specialized metabolites content [measured as total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), condensed tannin content (CTC), and hydrolysable tannins content (THC)]. With this objective, three different variables were investigated and compared: temperature (20 °C, 50 °C, 80 °C), solvents EtOH/H2O (0%, 20%, 40%), and time (3 h, 6 h, 24 h), resulting in 27 different extracts. Following the FFD analysis, the optimal extractive conditions were determined to be 80 °C, 40% EtOH/H2O, and 19.8 h. Finally, the prediction ability of FFD was compared with that of artificial neural network (ANN) for DPPH scavenging activity, FRAP, and TPC data based on the coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE). The results indicated that ANN predictions were more precise than FFD ones; however, both methods were useful in optimizing the extraction process as they returned comparable optimized extraction parameters.

Phytotherapeutic Hierarchical PCL-Based Scaffolds as a Multifunctional Wound Dressing: Combining 3D Printing and Electrospinning.

This study focuses on developing hybrid scaffolds incorporating phytotherapeutic agents via a combination of three-dimensional (3D) printing and electrospinning to enhance mechanical properties and provide antibacterial activity, in order to address the limitations of traditional antibiotics. In this regard, 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) struts are first fabricated using fused deposition modeling (FDM). Then, alkaline surface treatment is applied to improve the adhesion of electrospun nanofibers. Finally, peppermint oil (PEP) or clove oil (CLV)-incorporated PCL-gelatin (GEL) electrospun nanofibers are collected on top of the 3D-printed PCL scaffolds by electrospinning. Incorporating PEP or CLV into PCL-GEL electrospun nanofibers enhances the scaffold's layer detachment and adhesion force. In addition, the DPPH free radical scavenging activity assay indicates that incorporating PEP or CLV improves the antioxidant properties of the scaffolds. Further, antibacterial activity results reveal that PEP or CLV incorporated scaffolds exhibit inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria. Moreover, anti-inflammatory assays show that scaffolds reduce the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) released from Raw 264.7 macrophage-like cells. On the other hand, the phytotherapeutic hierarchical scaffolds have no toxic effect on normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cells, and PEP or CLV enhance cell attachment and proliferation. Overall, incorporating natural phytotherapeutic agents into hierarchical scaffolds shows promise for advancing wound healing applications.

Antioxidant Properties of Various Yacon Leaf Water Extracts and Physicochemical Profile of Decoction During Refrigerated Storage

Background: Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.) H.Rob.) leaves show promising antioxidant properties, and have traditionally been used for diabetes management in Baturraden, Banyumas, Central Java, Indonesia. This study evaluated the effects of traditional extraction methods and crude drug-to-solvent ratios on the content and activity of antioxidants and physicochemical properties of yacon leaf water extracts during storage. Methods: Crude drugs were extracted by infusion, short-time decoction, and longer-time decoction at ratios of 1:10, 1:20, and 1:100 (w/v). Antioxidant content was analyzed using standard total flavonoid content (TFC) and total phenolic content (TPC). The antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Yacon leaf water extracts at a ratio of 1:20 (w/v) were stored in tightly closed bottles at 4±2°C for 26 days. The organoleptic characteristics, color, pH, TFC, TPC, and DPPH scavenging activity were evaluated on days 0,1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 26. Results: The different methods and crude drug-to-water ratios generated different antioxidant activities and contents of the yacon extracts. Yacon leaf decoction for 15 min in a ratio of 1:20 (w/v) produced extract with the best scavenging activity (450.27±5.48 mM Trolox equivalent (TE)/100 g dry weight (DW)), TFC (6.43±0.18 mg Quercetin equivalent (QE)/g DW), and TPC (3.91±0.04 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g DW). The yacon leaf decoction started to undergo aroma and PH changes on days 3 and 6, respectively. On day 12, the TFC, TPC, and DPPH SA of yacon leaf decoction remained 93.93±3.70, 96.52±1.81, and 89.99±0.91% of the freshly prepared extract, respectively. Conclusion: Our results suggest that extraction using the decoction method for 15 min at a water-to-crude drug ratio of 1:20 (w/v) generated an extract with the best antioxidant profile, which chemically started to change on day 12 during refrigerated storage.

1,3-Naphthoxazine derivatives: Synthesis, in silico pharmacokinetic studies, antioxidant and photoprotective properties

Investigation into the interactions between photoprotective agents and skin can offer a precise understanding of their biological behaviors in vitro and in vivo, providing crucial insights for generating new substances. For this purpose, we designed and synthesized a series of naphthoxazine derivatives and examined their photoprotective properties. 1,3-naphthoxazine derivatives were synthesized through the multi-component reaction of 2-naphthol, arylamines and aromatic aldehydes in the presence of copper(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate (Cu(OTf)2) and (±)-Camphor-10-sulfonic acid ((±)-CSA) catalyst system under sonication. The potential of these synthesized 1,3-naphthoxazine derivatives as antioxidants and viable organic structural-based sunscreen ingredients has been investigated. Sun protection factor (SPF) assay results showed that especially compounds 4i, 4c, 4k, 4d, 4r, and 4h had remarkably high activity (23.65, 23.57, 23.04, 21.94, 20.80, and 20.26, respectively at 900 µg/mL concentration). Additionally, antioxidant activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated and compounds 4h, 4e, 4b, and 4j exhibited the highest activities in DPPH scavenging activity assay (86.46 %, 82.83 %, 80.78 %, and 80.65 % respectively at 400 µg/mL concentration). The synthesized compounds exhibit promising characteristics for effective UV radiation absorption, suggesting their suitability for inclusion in sunscreen formulations. Cytotoxic activity of compound 4k against normal human fibroblast cell line (MRC-5) was determined by CVDK-8 method. The results revealed that the compound provided remarkable viability (87.55 %) of MRC-5 cells at concentration of 100 µM. The study explores their efficacy in providing broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, degradation and photostability, ADMET profile, and other pharmacokinetic properties.