Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ekaterina D. Obluchinskaya, Olga N. Pozharitskaya, Alexander N. Shikov
Summary: This study compared the anti-inflammatory effects of fucoidans from different brown seaweeds and determined their relationship with composition. The results showed that fucoidans exhibited radical scavenging, antioxidant, inhibition of protein denaturation, and cell membrane stabilization effects. Fucoidans could be a promising agent for the treatment of inflammatory-related diseases.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Diana Lopes, Felisa Rey, Miguel C. Leal, Ana I. Lillebo, Ricardo Calado, Maria Rosario Domingues
Summary: Complex lipids from seaweeds have important phytochemical properties, but their full potential is yet to be fully explored. Current research is mainly based on empirical knowledge, showing the potential application value of seaweed lipids in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Cundong Xie, Zu Jia Lee, Shujun Ye, Colin J. J. Barrow, Frank R. R. Dunshea, Hafiz A. R. Suleria
Summary: Recent studies have shown that marine macroalgae (seaweeds) are excellent sources of bioactive polymers and metabolites with various chemical and biological values. Polysaccharides derived from seaweeds possess a wide range of bioactivities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, immune-enhancing, and anti-inflammatory activities. These bioactivities are mainly attributed to the complex polymeric structural features and chemical compositions of seaweed polysaccharides, which are highly influenced by the extraction methods. This study comprehensively reviews the current and prospective applications of seaweeds and their polysaccharides, as well as the structure-bioactivity relationship of seaweed-derived polysaccharides.
FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jing-Hui Ruan, Jun Li, Guliqire Adili, Guang-Ying Sun, Munire Abuduaini, Rahima Abdulla, Maitinuer Maiwulanjiang, Haji Akber Aisa
Summary: A study found that compounds extracted from pomegranate peels have potential biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities. These findings provide further information on the utilization of pomegranate peels.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Marta Guedes, Sara F. Vieira, Rui L. Reis, Helena Ferreira, Nuno M. Neves
Summary: The study utilized sardine roe as a lipidic source to develop liposomes, showing potential as therapeutically active delivery devices with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. These fishroesomes were non-toxic to certain cells, making them unique bioactive drug carriers for treating inflammatory diseases.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Muhammad Dawood Shah, Balu Alagar Venmathi Maran, Sitti Raehanah Muhamad Shaleh, Wahidatul Husna Zuldin, Charles Gnanaraj, Yoong Soon Yong
Summary: This review highlights the therapeutic potential of North Bornean seaweeds and their nutraceutical profiling. The seaweeds have demonstrated various potentials including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, cardiovascular, neuroprotective, renal protective, and hepatic protective potentials. Further studies are recommended to understand their bioactivity, mechanisms of action, and potential for commercialization.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Uraipan Saetan, Panwira Nontasak, Kunwadee Palasin, Hirun Saelim, Monwadee Wonglapsuwan, Jaruwan Mayakun, Supattra Pongparadon, Wilaiwan Chotigeat
Summary: Fucoidan extracted from Sargassum plagiophyllum and Sargassum polycystum in southern Thailand showed antioxidant properties, inhibited TNF-alpha production, and had inhibitory effects on breast cancer cells. Further research is needed to explore the potential health benefits of these fucoidans.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Minhao Li, Qian Bai, Jiajing Zhou, Thaiza Serrano Pinheiro de Souza, Hafiz Ansar Rasul Suleria
Summary: This study assessed changes in phenolic compounds during in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation of different Vigna beans. Adzuki bean showed higher total phenolic content and antioxidant activities, indicating potential benefits for gut health.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sadaf Laraib, Saiqa Sharif, Yamin Bibi, Sobia Nisa, Rukhsanda Aziz, Abdul Qayyum
Summary: The study evaluated the cytotoxic, antitumor, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of the methanolic and chloroform extracts of Myrsine africana fruit and leaf, finding that the methanol extracts performed better in all activities. Fruits showed higher cytotoxicity and tumor inhibition than leaves, while both extracts exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activity. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of beneficial compounds such as flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, steroids, and saponins in both extracts. Overall, the fruit extracts showed superior pharmacological properties and further studies are being conducted to identify and characterize the chemical compounds present.
ARABIAN JOURNAL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Biswajita Pradhan, Srimanta Patra, Chhandashree Behera, Rabindra Nayak, Bimal Prasad Jit, Andrea Ragusa, Mrutyunjay Jena
Summary: The study demonstrated that Enteromorpha intestinalis extracts have significant antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects, with ethanol extraction showing the best results.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Darya Meshalkina, Elena Tsvetkova, Anastasia Orlova, Renata Islamova, Maria Grashina, Daria Gorbach, Vladimir Babakov, Antonio Francioso, Claudia Birkemeyer, Luciana Mosca, Elena Tarakhovskaya, Andrej Frolov
Summary: Phaeophyceae, or brown algae, play a significant role in cold and temperate seas as they are rich in biologically active natural products, particularly phlorotannins. These phlorotannins are complex polyphenols with diverse structures, known for their strong antioxidant properties and broad range of biological activities. While the biological activities of extractable intracellular phlorotannins have been well-studied, the properties of cell wall-bound polyphenol fraction are still largely unknown. In this study, the antioxidant, cytotoxic, neuroprotective, and antibacterial properties of the cell wall-bound phlorotannin fractions from two representatives of the order Fucales, Fucus vesiculosus and Pelvetia canaliculata, were investigated. The cell wall-bound phlorotannins exhibited softer antioxidant activity, stronger antibacterial properties, and lower cytotoxicity compared to the intracellular fraction. However, both sub-cellular phlorotannin fractions of F. vesiculosus and P. canaliculata showed similar neuroprotective effects. Therefore, due to their lower cytotoxicity, cell wall-bound phlorotannins hold promise as antioxidants and neuroprotectors.
Article
Fisheries
Seyed Hadi Seyedalhosseini, Amir Parviz Salati, Mansour Torfi Mozanzadeh, Christopher C. Parrish, Ali Shahriari
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of adding Gracilaria spp. and Sargassum spp. to diets on growth performance and resistance to hypoxia stress in Asian seabass. The results showed that the dietary seaweed mixture significantly improved growth performance and reduced stress hormone cortisol levels in fish. This suggests that adding an appropriate amount of Gracilaria and Sargassum to the diet can enhance the growth performance and stress resistance of Asian seabass.
AQUACULTURE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Marta Guedes, Sara F. Vieira, Rui L. Reis, Helena Ferreira, Nuno M. Neves
Summary: This study investigated fish roe extracts from different species and found that sardine roe aqueous extracts had the highest antioxidant activity. The combination of these extracts with lipidic extracts produced large unilamellar liposomes with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, providing a promising natural option for treating inflammatory diseases.
INNOVATIVE FOOD SCIENCE & EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Djenisa H. A. Rocha, Diana C. G. A. Pinto, Artur M. S. Silva
Summary: Inflammation is the organism's response to injury and a major cause of death worldwide. Chronic inflammatory diseases pose the greatest threat to human health, and seaweeds offer potential as a source of anti-inflammatory compounds for drug development.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yoshimasa Sugiura, Hirotaka Katsuzaki, Kunio Imai, Hideomi Amano
Summary: The increasing number of allergy sufferers demands improved treatments. Studies have found anti-allergic properties in phenolic compounds from terrestrial plants, as well as in phlorotannins from brown algae. Research has focused on the anti-allergic effects of phlorotannins from Eisenia nipponica and related compounds.
NATURAL PRODUCT COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Joana R. M. Ferreira, Mariana Alves, Barbara Sousa, Sandra I. Vieira, Artur M. S. Silva, Samuel Guieu, Angela Cunha, Raquel Nunes da Silva
Summary: Fluorescence imaging is widely used to study living organisms, but it is challenging to visualize fungi using this method due to their cell wall acting as a diffusion barrier and limited availability of synthetic organic dyes. To address this, a family of curcumin-based boron diketonate complexes was synthesized, allowing for visualization of fungi in different colors without noticeable toxicity. These probes readily entered cells and precisely localized in sub-cellular organelles.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Marcelo D. Catarino, Rita Silva-Reis, Amina Chouh, Sonia Silva, Susana S. Braga, Artur M. S. Silva, Susana M. Cardoso
Summary: This article provides an overview of Sargassum seaweeds, one of the largest and most diverse genus of brown seaweeds, comprising around 400 taxonomically accepted species. Many species of this genus have long been used in human culture for food, feed, and folk medicine. Besides their high nutritional value, these seaweeds are also rich in natural antioxidant compounds, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, meroterpenoids, and phytosterols. These compounds have important applications in various fields, including agriculture, food, and health, and can be used for product preservation, cosmetics, and crop production improvement.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Rotchana Klaram, Tida Dethoup, Fatima P. Machado, Luis Gales, Decha Kumla, Salar Hafez Ghoran, Emilia Sousa, Sharad Mistry, Artur M. S. Silva, Anake Kijjoa
Summary: Five undescribed pentaketide derivatives and a p-hydroxyphenyl-2-pyridone derivative were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of a marine sponge-derived fungus, and their structures were determined using NMR and mass spectral analyses. The growth inhibitory activity of these compounds against various plant pathogenic fungi was also evaluated.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Rita Caetano, Rafaela Dias Oliveira, Sonia Pires Celeiro, Ana Sofia Freitas, Susana M. Cardoso, M. Sameiro T. Goncalves, Fatima Baltazar, Cristina Almeida-Aguiar
Summary: Melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, has a high mortality rate due to rapid metastasis and resistance to conventional therapies. Propolis, a natural product produced by bees, has been found to have anticancer effects. A study on a Portuguese propolis called Geres propolis showed that its ethanol extract and fractions can decrease melanoma cell viability, with the fraction G18.EE-n-BuOH showing the highest potential as a melanoma pharmacological therapy. Further analysis identified phenolic compounds in the G18.EE-n-BuOH fraction that are characteristic of Geres propolis and have been linked to antitumor effectiveness. These findings suggest that propolis compounds could be utilized as new drugs in traditional medicine.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Rita Ferro, Nuno Viduedo, A. Sofia Santos, Artur M. S. Silva, Beatriz Royo, M. Manuel B. Marques
Summary: A bimetallic synthesis method for 2-arylindoles from alcohols and anilines is presented, involving the dehydrogenation or oxidation of secondary alcohols using Ni or Mn catalysts, followed by conversion of the formed ketone into an imine intermediate and subsequent Pd-catalyzed oxidative cyclization to obtain the desired 2-arylindole. The intermediates generated were not isolated, allowing for the preparation of a series of 2-arylindoles. The compatibility of catalysts was explored, and the optimized protocol enables the integration of Earth-abundant metals and palladium complexes, enhancing the sustainability of N-heterocycle synthesis.
SYNTHESIS-STUTTGART
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Carlos F. R. A. C. Lima, Marco A. L. Lima, J. Ricardo M. Pinto, M. Gabriela T. C. Ribeiro, Artur M. S. Silva, Luis M. N. B. F. Santos
Summary: A systematic synthetic study was conducted to explain the common trend of selectivity towards multi-coupling over mono-coupling in Suzuki-Miyaura reactions. This preference was observed under various reaction conditions, including different halobenzenes, substituents on the boronic acid, and changes in catalyst and temperature. Additionally, it was found that the reaction selectivity increased for more reactive systems and more diluted media. The results provide experimental evidence that the formation of totally substituted coupling product is kinetically favored by the proximity of the regenerated catalyst and the newly formed coupling intermediate.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ana Teresa Rufino, Mariana Lucas, Artur M. S. Silva, Daniela Ribeiro, Eduarda Fernandes
Summary: The study found that 2-SC can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting the NF-kappa B pathway. However, one of the 2-SC also has the ability to suppress the NF-kappa B pathway, further reducing the expression of inflammatory factors. These results suggest that 2-SC may be potential drugs for new therapeutic strategies for rheumatoid arthritis.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Carlos F. M. Silva, Teresa Leao, Filipa Dias, Ana M. Tomas, Diana C. G. A. Pinto, Eduardo F. T. Oliveira, Ana Oliveira, Pedro A. Fernandes, Artur M. S. Silva
Summary: Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease mainly affecting people in developing countries, with approximately 350 million people at risk. The lack of vaccines and chemotherapy has led to an increase in the incidence of the disease. A computational study focusing on a specific enzyme of the parasite has identified potential inhibitors, indicating the promise of using these compounds for developing novel antileishmanial drugs.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Rita Silva-Reis, Ana I. I. Faustino-Rocha, Jessica Silva, Abigael Valada, Tiago Azevedo, Lara Anjos, Lio Goncalves, Maria de Lurdes Pinto, Rita Ferreira, Artur M. S. Silva, Susana M. M. Cardoso, Paula A. A. Oliveira
Summary: This study assessed a humane endpoint scoring system to detect animal suffering in a rat model of type 2 diabetes. Results showed that weight loss, polyuria, polyphagia, abnormal posture, abdominal distension, and abnormal stool appearance were the most effective parameters to evaluate humane endpoints in this rat model. This study is important for defining humane endpoints in a rat model of type 2 diabetes.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sonia N. Pedro, Ana T. P. C. Gomes, Carla Vilela, Carla Vitorino, Rosa Fernandes, Adelaide Almeida, Maria Helena Amaral, Mara G. Freire, Armando J. D. Silvestre, Carmen S. R. Freire
Summary: A new type of microemulsion based on deep eutectic solvent (DES) has been developed to improve the efficacy of antibiotics in ocular infections. By using betaine-based DES aqueous solutions, the water solubility of the antibiotic chloramphenicol can be increased up to 140-fold. These DES solutions are applied as water phases in stable water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) microemulsions, achieving sustained-release and higher permeation through the cornea. Compared to commercialized eye drops, these microemulsions show higher antimicrobial activity and faster action against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.
ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vera L. M. Silva, Artur M. S. Silva
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Sara M. Tome, Raquel G. Soengas, Artur M. S. Silva
Summary: The potential of the Heck reaction for the C-glycosylation of phenolic compounds was investigated, and an efficient and general methodology was developed. This methodology was successfully applied to the synthesis of previously unreported C-glycosylated compounds with potential biological relevance.
SYNTHESIS-STUTTGART
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rim Ben Mansour, Hanen Wasli, Soumaya Bourgou, Saber Khamessi, Riadh Ksouri, Wided Megdiche-Ksouri, Susana M. Cardoso
Summary: This study investigated the anti-cancer, anti-tyrosinase, and antioxidant activities of essential oils derived from berries and leaves of wild-grown Juniperus phoenicea in northern Tunisia. The results demonstrated that these essential oils have significant potential in combating cancer, inhibiting tyrosinase activity, and providing antioxidant effects. Additionally, the study revealed the ability of the oils to inhibit melanin synthesis.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Sara R. D. Gamelas, Maria Bartolomeu, Thierry J. Gomes, Maria A. F. Faustino, Joao P. C. Tome, Augusto C. Tome, Adelaide Almeida, Ana T. P. C. Gomes, Leandro M. O. Lourenco
Summary: Viruses, especially RNA viruses, have a high mutation rate which leads to their resistance to traditional antivirals. Photodynamic treatment is a potential method that does not promote the development of resistance. In this study, new cationic ZnPcs were synthesized and successfully used for the photodynamic inactivation of a RNA-virus model.
