Article
Chemistry, Applied
Tomas Guerrero, Fernanda Vazquez-Ortega, Irene Lagunes, Erik Ortiz-Blanco, Gabriela Sosa-Ortiz, Ricardo Tovar-Miranda, Manuel E. Medina, Angel Trigos
Summary: Hydroxycoumarins exhibit potential photosensitizing activity by promoting singlet oxygen generation and their hardness can affect the reaction. The experimental results are supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, confirming the pro-oxidant potential of hydroxycoumarins as photosensitizers.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qing Li, Yunhui Yang, Yijian Li, Yingqi Mi, Xuanxuan Ma, Aili Jiang, Zhanyong Guo
Summary: Natural polysaccharides were chemically modified to obtain derivatives with enhanced biological activity. These derivatives exhibited improved antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial properties compared to the raw polysaccharides. The synthesized compounds also showed no cytotoxicity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yan Zhang, Haitao Li, Lianlian Song, Jianfei Xue, Xinyan Wang, Shuang Song, Shuang Wang
Summary: In this study, Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide-1 (GLP-1) was found to significantly improve cognitive impairment in d-galactose rats by regulating inflammation levels and metabolic disorders in the brain-liver axis. This suggests that Ganoderma lucidum could be developed as an effective food or health care product to prevent and delay cognitive impairment and improve quality of life.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marko R. Antonijevic, Edina H. Avdovic, Dusica M. Simijonovic, Ziko B. Milanovic, Ana D. Amic, Zoran S. Markovic
Summary: This paper investigated the antioxidative properties and radical scavenging abilities of five different coumarin derivatives. The results showed that these compounds have good antioxidative potential and radical scavenging abilities, and they meet the criteria of drug-likeness tests. In addition, three additional mechanisms of radical scavenging activity were discovered.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Kaidi Cui, Ya He, Mengke Wang, Min Li, Chaofan Jiang, Meizi Wang, Leiming He, Fulong Zhang, Lin Zhou
Summary: Butylidenephthalide, identified in Ligusticum chuanxiong essential oil (LCEO), showed the best antifungal activity against S. rolfsii. It exhibited strong inhibition against the mycelial growth, sclerotia production, and germination of S. rolfsii. The in vivo efficacy of butylidenephthalide in controlling peanut stem rot was similar to that of the reference fungicide polyoxin, indicating its potential as an alternative antifungal agent.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Shiwei Huang, Jiamei Chen, Wan Li, Shanghong Song, Xiaoxue Li, Han Yu, Fei Long, Rong Chen, Xiaoming Bao, Kelvin Chan, Guanghua Lu
Summary: This study compares the volatile compositions of Chuanxiong, Japanese Chuanxiong, Fuxiong, and Jinxiong herbs, and finds that while their morphology and aroma are similar, the types and contents of the main volatile compounds are different. Therefore, it is important to clearly differentiate these herbs in medical use.
Article
Plant Sciences
Xue-Ping Wei, Xiao-Yi Zhang, Yu-Qing Dong, Ji-Long Cheng, Yun-Jun Bai, Jiu-Shi Liu, Yao-Dong Qi, Ben-Gang Zhang, Hai-Tao Liu
Summary: This study analyzed the complete chloroplast genome sequences of three Ligusticum species and identified two highly variable regions that could be used as DNA barcodes for species identification. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the relationship between Conioselinum vaginatum and Ligusticum species. The findings of this study provide valuable information for the identification of Gaoben-related medicinal materials and future phylogenetic studies of Apiaceae.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Shaodan Chen, Xiaoying Guan, Tianqiao Yong, Xiong Gao, Chun Xiao, Yizhen Xie, Diling Chen, Huiping Hu, Qingping Wu
Summary: In this study, Ganoderma lucidum crude polysaccharide (GLP) was found to have a protective effect on liver damage caused by restraint stress in mice by improving oxidative status. Two polysaccharides, including a neutral beta-glucan (GLPB2) and an acidic beta-glucan (GLPC2), were purified from GLP. GLPC2 exhibited a stronger hepatoprotective effect compared to GLPB2. The findings provide a theoretical basis for the potential application of G. lucidum polysaccharides as hepatoprotective agents in the food and pharmaceutical industry.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ning-Ning Du, Ming Bai, Xin Zhang, Le Zhou, Xiao-Xiao Huang, Shao-Jiang Song
Summary: Nine coumarins, including a pair of new enantiomers and seven known compounds, were isolated from Sarcandra glabra. Compound 3 demonstrated significant AchE inhibitory activity.
CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Rodrigo de Souza Miranda, Barbara da Silva Mascarenhas de Jesus, Sandra Regina da Silva Luiz, Cristina Borges Viana, Camila Rodrigues Adao Malafaia, Fabiana de Souza Figueiredo, Tatiane dos Santos Conceicao Carvalho, Matheus Lopes Silva, Vinicius Silva Londero, Thais Alves da Costa-Silva, Joao Henrique Ghilardi Lago, Roberto Carlos Campos Martins
Summary: This review provides an overview of the anti-inflammatory effects of various triterpenes and their presumed mechanisms of action, based on articles published in the last 15 years. The findings suggest that triterpenes could be valuable natural products with potential pharmaceutical applications.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Victor Alvarez Valverde, Gerardo Rodriguez Rodriguez, Silvia Argueello Vargas
Summary: Vector-borne diseases, such as those transmitted by Aedes aegypti, pose a constant threat to tropical regions. Synthetic chemicals used for control can persist in ecosystems and drive resistance genes in vectors. Natural products have emerged as an environmentally friendly alternative. This study explores the larvicidal potential of Ipomoea cairica extracts and identifies coumarins as major compounds, but not directly responsible for larvicidal activity. The active fraction F.DCM showed a synergistic effect. This study is an important contribution to recognizing a natural and easy-to-cultivate vector control source.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruben M. de Boer, Dovydas Vaitkus, Kasper Enemark-Rasmussen, Soren Maschmann, David Teze, Ditte H. Welner
Summary: In this study, a large high performance liquid chromatography screening method was developed to discriminate the regioselectivity of various UGTs on different substrates. A nuclear magnetic resonance-based procedure was also developed to directly identify the site of glycosylation. Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to investigate the molecular basis for the regioselectivity. The results showed that most UGTs can accommodate different substrate configurations and the nucleophilicity of hydroxyl groups is a strong predictor for regioselectivity.
Article
Infectious Diseases
John Awungnjia Asong, Ebenezer Kwabena Frimpong, Hlabana Alfred Seepe, Lebogang Katata-Seru, Stephen Oluwaseun Amoo, Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu
Summary: This study focused on the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (CTAgNP) using Cullen tomentosum (Thunb.) J.W. Grimes acetone extract and evaluated the antibacterial activity of the plant extract and biogenic nanoparticles against two Gram-positive bacteria strains. The results showed that the plant extract and CTAgNP exhibited moderate antibacterial effects. The CTAgNP was found to have a face-centered cubic structure and a protective shell layer composed of organic compounds from the plant extract.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sonia Lopez, Ignacio Gracia, Rodrigo Plaza-Pedroche, Juan Francisco Rodriguez, Jose Manuel Perez-Ortiz, Julian Rodriguez-Lopez, Maria Jesus Ramos
Summary: Molecular hybridization is a strategy to combine pharmacophores into a single molecule, resulting in enhanced activity and affinity. In this study, novel hybrids combining anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil with antioxidant coumarin derivatives were synthesized. These hybrids exhibited good antioxidant properties and the ability to form stable nanoparticles in aqueous media. They showed superior cytotoxicity against human pancreatic cancer cells compared to free 5-fluorouracil.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Muthipeedika Nibin Joy, Mallikarjuna R. Guda, Grigory V. Zyryanov
Summary: Screening of previously synthesized 4-methyl-7-substituted coumarin derivatives revealed potential anti-inflammatory and anti-tubercular activities. Compounds 3o, 5f, 6c, and 7d exhibited the highest anti-inflammatory effects, while compounds 3k-n, 5b-d, 6d-f, 6k, 7a, and 7f showed potent anti-tubercular activity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luigi Menghini, Claudio Ferrante, Simone Carradori, Marianna D'Antonio, Giustino Orlando, Francesco Cairone, Stefania Cesa, Antonello Filippi, Caterina Fraschetti, Gokhan Zengin, Gunes Ak, Massimo Tacchini, Kashif Iqbal
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of hemp essential oils from different cultivars in mice infected with Leishmania tropica, showing promising effects in tissue wound healing. The components in hemp essential oils displayed affinities towards various receptors and enzymes, suggesting potential pharmacological applications for infective diseases.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Federica Cavion, Marco Pelin, Cristina Ponti, Roberto Della Loggia, Aurelia Tubaro, Silvio Sosa
Summary: Palytoxin has toxic effects on Artemia franciscana, a commonly used model organism, suggesting potential negative impacts on its population.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saida Sissi, Silvia Di Giacomo, Claudio Ferrante, Paola Angelini, Alberto Macone, Anna Maria Giusti, Chiara Toniolo, Annabella Vitalone, Aghraz Abdellah, Mustapha Larhsini, Luigi Menghini, Mohammed Markouk, Gabriela Mazzanti, Antonella Di Sotto
Summary: In this study, the phytochemical composition and bioactivities of A. maroccanus and A. radiatus were investigated, revealing their high content of polyphenols and flavonoids. These plants demonstrated antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antiglycative, and antibacterial activities. The results provide scientific evidence for the ethnopharmacological use of these plants and suggest their potential as natural sources for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical developments.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Francesco Cairone, Stefania Garzoli, Luigi Menghini, Giovanna Simonetti, Maria Antonietta Casadei, Laura Di Muzio, Stefania Cesa
Summary: Kiwi fruit samples can be used to obtain fibers, polyphenols, and carotenoids through extraction. The extracted compounds were analyzed and evaluated, showing that they are value-added products. Hypotheses were also made about the nature and recycle of the obtained residues.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniela Lanari, Claudia Zadra, Francesca Negro, Rima Njem, Maria Carla Marcotullio
Summary: Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) were used as co-solvents to improve the yield and reduce the content of toxic phenylpropenoids in nutmeg essential oil. The addition of NADES improved the extraction efficiency and composition of the essential oil. The best results were achieved using ultrasound-assisted pretreatment with ChCl-CA NADES followed by traditional hydrodistillation.
Review
Engineering, Marine
Michela Carlin, Marco Pelin, Cristina Ponti, Silvio Sosa, Aurelia Tubaro
Summary: Palytoxin and its analogues are marine polyethers that can cause adverse effects on humans. Various detection methods have been developed, including structural immunoassays and functional cell-based assays, which are sensitive and cost-effective. These methods play an important role in the rapid screening of Palytoxin.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Virology
Federica Dell'Annunziata, Carmine Sellitto, Gianluigi Franci, Maria Carla Marcotullio, Anna Piovan, Roberta Della Marca, Veronica Folliero, Massimiliano Galdiero, Amelia Filippelli, Valeria Conti, Domenico Vittorio Delfino
Summary: The extract of Ficus rubiginosa leaves showed antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus-1 and Human coronavirus-229E, but not against Poliovirus-1. It may act by disrupting the viral lipid membrane or directly blocking the enriched proteins on the viral surface.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Jan Tebben, Christian Zurhelle, Aurelia Tubaro, Ingunn A. Samdal, Bernd Krock, Jane Kilcoyne, Silvio Sosa, Vera L. Trainer, Jonathan R. Deeds, Urban Tillmann
Summary: To date, only AZA-59, a putative shellfish toxin produced by Azadinium poporum, has been found in isolates from the Pacific Northwest coast of the USA. Anecdotal reports of illnesses resembling diarrhetic shellfish poisoning without DSP toxin or Vibrio contamination prompted the search for other potential toxins, such as AZAs, in water and shellfish from the region. This study assesses the toxic potency of AZA-59 and provides guidelines for its monitoring in edible shellfish in case of increasing toxin levels.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Silvio Sosa, Marco Pelin, Cristina Ponti, Michela Carlin, Aurelia Tubaro
Summary: The co-occurrence of palytoxin and okadaic acid in seafood raises concerns for additive effects on consumers. A study on mice showed that exposure to palytoxin alone or in combination with okadaic acid resulted in lethal effects and various symptoms, including scratching, abdominal swelling, muscle spasms, and paralysis. The study suggests the need for risk assessment of these toxins as seafood contaminants.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eulogio J. Llorent-Martinez, Antonio Ruiz-Medina, Gokhan Zengin, Gunes Ak, Sharmeen Jugreet, Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally, Gizem Emre, Giustino Orlando, Maria Loreta Libero, Nilofar, Alessandra Acquaviva, Simonetta Cristina Di Simone, Luigi Menghini, Claudio Ferrante, Luigi Brunetti, Lucia Recinella, Sheila Leone, Mohamad Ali Shariati, Abdullahi Ibrahim Uba, Annalisa Chiavaroli
Summary: The study demonstrated the antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and anti-inflammatory effects of methanolic and infusion extracts from two plant species. The extracts showed potential binding affinities with enzymes, particularly cholinesterases, and were effective in attenuating LPS-induced inflammation in isolated colon cells.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Andrea Mazzatenta, Serena Fiorito, Roberto Guadagnini, Salvatore Genovese, Alberto Valentini, Federica Bonadiman, Sofia Guadagnini, Francesco Epifano, Adriano Mollica
Summary: Chemical communication, conveyed by pheromones, is little studied in mammals due to the difficulty of identifying the molecules. This study collected wild bear pheromones from all production sites and analyzed the entire raw extract to profile individual, species, and sex characteristics. It is a step forward in understanding the complexity of chemical communication in a solitary endangered species.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Samir Scandar, Claudia Zadra, Maria Carla Marcotullio
Summary: Coriander is widely used for its medicinal and biological properties. Its essential oil and extracts are interesting sources of bioactive compounds and are used as spices in culinary practice. This study focuses on coriander extracts rich in polyphenols and their potential as protective agents against inflammation-related diseases. The literature review investigates the bioactivities of coriander polyphenols using keywords such as coriander, polyphenols, extraction, and biological activity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco Cairone, Caterina Fraschetti, Luigi Menghini, Gokhan Zengin, Antonello Filippi, Maria Antonietta Casadei, Stefania Cesa
Summary: Based on analysis and color analysis, it was found that the harvest year, freezing, homogenization, and thermic treatments have an impact on the bioactive components of sour cherries. The main polyphenolic components are anthocyanin compounds, primarily cyanidin-3-glucosyl-rutinoside, and immediate post-harvest freezing is the best way to preserve the bioactive content, color expression, and anti-radical activity.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Lucia Recinella, Maria Loreta Libero, Valentina Citi, Annalisa Chiavaroli, Alma Martelli, Roberta Foligni, Cinzia Mannozzi, Alessandra Acquaviva, Simonetta Di Simone, Vincenzo Calderone, Giustino Orlando, Claudio Ferrante, Serena Veschi, Anna Piro, Luigi Menghini, Luigi Brunetti, Sheila Leone
Summary: Multiple studies have shown that aged black garlic has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cardioprotective effects. This study investigated the protective effects of aged black garlic extract (ABGE) alone or in combination with multivitamins on mouse hearts exposed to E. coli lipopolysaccharide. The study also examined the hydrogen sulfide releasing properties and membrane hyperpolarization effect of the formulation composed of ABGE and multivitamins using human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). The results showed that ABGE, vitamins D and C, and the formulation suppressed the expression of inflammatory genes on mouse hearts and the formulation increased intracellular hydrogen sulfide formation, suggesting its potential use in cardiovascular disease.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annalisa Chiavaroli, Simonetta Cristina Di Simone, Alessandra Acquaviva, Maria Loreta Libero, Claudia Campana, Lucia Recinella, Sheila Leone, Luigi Brunetti, Giustino Orlando, Nilofar, Irene Vitale, Stefania Cesa, Gokhan Zengin, Luigi Menghini, Claudio Ferrante
Summary: This study analyzed the phenolic composition of pollen extract and investigated its cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects in prostate and ovary cancer cells as well as in isolated specimens. The extract showed no significant cytotoxicity but demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of pro-inflammatory gene expression and prevention of LPS-induced upregulation of antioxidant gene expression. The findings suggest that the extract may have potential in managing clinical symptoms related to prostatitis and pelvic inflammatory disease.
