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Phytolacca americana fruits exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This study aims to investigate the phenolic profile of hydroethanolic extracts from both fresh (PEC) and dried (PEU) fruits of P. americana using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and to evaluate their impact on anxiety-like behavior, memory, oxidative stress, and cholinergic status in zebrafish (Danio rerio, T & uuml;bingen strain) treated with scopolamine (SCO, 100 mu M). Acute administration of PEC and PEU (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/L) was conducted for one hour per day. In silico analyses were performed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the phenolic compounds discerned in the two extracts, using platforms such as SwissAdme, Molinspiration, ProToX-III, AdmetLab 3.0, PKCSM, and PASS. Anxiety-like behavior and memory performance were assessed through specific behavioral assays, including the novel tank test (NTT), light/dark test (LD), novel approach test (NAT), Y-maze, and novel object recognition (NOR). Subsequently, the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and the extent of oxidative stress in the zebrafish brain were investigated. Our findings suggest that both PEC and PEU possess anxiolytic effects, alleviating SCO-induced anxiety and enhancing cognitive performance in amnesic zebrafish. Furthermore, these extracts demonstrated the ability to mitigate cholinergic deficits by inhibiting AChE activity and supporting antioxidant defense mechanisms through increased activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduced lipid and protein peroxidation. These results highlight the potential use of P. americana fruit extracts in managing anxiety and cognitive impairments related to dementia conditions.

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The extraction of bio-compounds from medicinal plants provides opportunities for using the plant extract for health benefits. Rosa canina L. is considered a natural superfood, and the valorization of its active compounds requires an extraction technique that ensures a suitable extraction yield while preserving the compounds' activity. In our study, infrared laser irradiation (IRLIR) technology was used for the first time in the bioactive compound's extraction from Rosa canina L. Different solvents (water-ethanol, hexane-ethanol) and different extraction times were tested to obtain a high extraction yield. Chromatographic and spectrophotometry methods were used to monitor the profile of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant activity of the extracts. The results obtained for IRLIR were compared with those obtained by accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), an advanced extraction method. The IRLIR technology proved to be a more reliable analytical tool for the extraction of (+)-catechin, gallic acid, and lutein. In addition, a richer extract formula was obtained by IRLIR extraction with respect to ASE, with the IRLIR process ensuring a short extraction time, low volume of the extraction solvent, low energy consumption, and a less expensive device.

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The purpose of this study was to extract the lipophilic fraction from one of the largest source of waste in the industrial sector, namely, the tomato residue from processing the fruit. In order to make this process more environmentally sustainable, this study used a green extraction protocol employing natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) combined with a less energy-consuming technology, the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method, to simultaneously recover carotenoids and tocopherol from dried powder tomato waste. Two NADESs, one hydrophilic and one hydrophobic, were prepared and compared to support high extraction efficiency and increase the stability of the extracted compounds. The optimal extraction parameters were identified as choline chloride:1,3-butanediol (1:5)-based NADES, a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:20 (w/v), time of extraction 12 min, temperature 65 degrees C, radiation frequency 37 Hz, and an ultrasound power level of 70%. The extraction process was intensified and resulted in extracts rich in lycopene (215.13 +/- 4.31 mu g/g DW), beta-carotene (206.95 +/- 3.27 mu g/g DW), and tocopherol (130.86 +/- 8.97 mu g/g DW) content, with the highest antioxidant capacity 93.84 +/- 0.18 mM Trolox equivalent. Incorporating NADESs for the extraction of bioactive compounds offers numerous benefits, such as improved sustainability, enhanced extraction efficiency, better protection of sensitive compounds, and reduced environmental impact. These advantages make NADESs a promising alternative to traditional organic solvents, especially in industries that require natural, green, and efficient extraction processes for valuable bioactive molecules.

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Background: Phytocarriers are advanced drug delivery systems that use biocompatible and biodegradable materials to enhance the efficacy, stability, and bioavailability of natural products. The sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) berry extract is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E, and anthocyanins, which contribute to its wide-ranging health benefits. In this study, we assessed the morphology, intracellular delivery, and anti-inflammatory effect of sodium cholate (NaC) and sodium deoxycholate (NaDC)-based phytocarriers loaded with ethanolic extract from sea buckthorn berries (sea buckthorn carrier nanostructures, further defined as phytocarriers). Methods: Negative and electron cryo-microscopy were used to analyze hollow and loaded nanocarriers. The cyto-compatibility of nanocarriers was assessed by endpoint (LDH and MTS) and real-time cell assays, on both human fibroblasts (HS27) and human normal monocytes (SC). The anti-inflammatory effect of hollow and loaded nanocarriers was tested by multiplexing. Results: The negative and electron cryo-microscopy analyses showed that NaC-based phytocarriers were spherical, whilst NaDC-based phytocarriers were predominantly polymorphic. Moreover, the NaDC-based phytocarriers frequently formed large lipid networks or plaques. Although 24 h cytotoxicity testing showed both types of nanocarriers are biocompatible with human fibroblasts and monocytes, based on a long-term real-time assay, NaDC delayed fibroblast proliferation. NaC sea buckthorn phytocarriers did not impair fibroblast proliferation in the long term and they were uptaken by cells, as shown by hyperspectral microscopy. NaC nanocarriers and NaC sea buckthorn phytocarriers induced an anti-inflammatory effect, lowering IL-8 cytokine production in normal human monocytes as soon as 4 h of treatment lapsed. Conclusions: NaC-derived phytocarriers loaded with sea buckthorn alcoholic extract are a cell-compatible delivery system with anti-inflammatory properties.

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This paper aimed to investigate the bioactive compounds in the dry powder residue of honeysuckle cultivars after extracting the juice. Based on the analyses performed on the total content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins, carotenoids and vitamin C, the results indicated that dried Lonicera caerulea residue represented a rich source of phenolic compounds (8041.36 mg GAE 100 g(-1)), of which about 80% were tannins (6432.10 mg GAE 100 g(-1)). The flavonoid content varied around 2436.95 mg CE 100 g(-1). Vitamin C (185 mg 100 g(-1)), lycopene and beta-carotene (over 2.5 and 2.8 mg 100 g(-1), respectively) were also quantified. Among the phenolic acids, chlorogenic acid predominated (316 mg 100 g(-1)), followed by cryptochlorogenic acid (135 mg 100 g(-1)) and neochlorogenic acid (32 mg 100 g(-1)). Flavonoids were mainly represented by catechin (2594 mg 100 g(-1)) and anthocyanins (1442 mg 100 g(-1)). Similar amounts of epicatechin and rutin were measured (156 mg 100 g(-1) and 148 mg 100 g(-1)), while the isoquercetin concentration was below 15 mg 100 g(-1). In conclusion, the high level of phytocompounds and the diverse composition of dry Lonicera caerulea residue support its high nutraceutical value and high health-promoting potential.

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Rhus typhina, an invasive plant species, contains valuable compounds that can be utilized in various fields. The main aim of this paper was to find the optimal conditions for extracting high amounts of bioactive compounds from R. typhina fruits using ultrasound-assisted and bead-beating techniques under different parameters (solvent concentration, solvent/solid ratio, extraction time, bead size, and material). A Box-Behnken design was applied for ultrasound-assisted extraction. The following process parameters were found to be optimal: 20/1 solvent/solid ratio (v/w), 61.51% aqueous ethanol, 10 min extraction time, with a composite desirability of 0.7719. The HPLC profile indicates that p-coumaric acid was the most abundant phenolic compound found in the BBE extract. The BBE extract was subjected to in vitro biological tests. The results indicate a high antimicrobial activity on Streptococcus pyogenes (20 mm inhibition zone) and Salmonella enterica (12 mm inhibition zone). A hemolysis rate of 19.85% was found at an extract concentration of 1000 mu g/mL on sheep erythrocytes. We report for the first time the protective role of the extract on cell viability of human gingival fibroblasts, but also a weak antiproliferative effect on the HepG2 human liver cancer cell line. Overall, we conclude that R. typhina fruits are rich in bioactive compounds that can be recovered using proper extraction conditions. Further research is required to understand and valorize their biological potential.

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This study evaluated natural extracts from plant biomass for UV protection and oxidative stress reduction. Conducted in Bucharest, Romania, it focused on medicinal mushrooms and pomegranate bark. The biotechnological process involved a two-phase extraction: hot water processing of Ganoderma lucidum, Hericium erinaceus, Inonotus obliquus, and Tremella mushrooms, followed by ethanol extraction with pomegranate bark and green tea. The spectrophotometric analysis identified phenolics and flavonoids. The ethanol extract showed higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity, particularly in DPPH radical scavenging. UVB exposure tests demonstrated its protective effect, comparable to vitamin B3, delaying oxidative stress onset by 30 min. This research underscores the potential of using natural biomass extracts in skincare, promoting environmental sustainability and economic viability by converting agricultural waste into valuable bioactive compounds.

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A chloroform bulk liquid membrane and Aliquat 336 ionic liquid as a carrier (ligand) were used to remove aspartame (ASP) from an aqueous solution. Experiments were performed in a tube-in-tube setup, under mechanical stirring of inner tube (200 rpm), for 7 h. The inner tube contained a stripping phase (an aqueous solution of HCl) and the outer tube the liquid membrane at the bottom and a feed phase (an aqueous solution of ASP and NaOH) at the top. Maximum extraction, stripping, and recovery efficiencies of ASP of 97.0 %, 75.4 %, and 73.1 % were obtained under the following working conditions: initial concentrations of ASP and NaOH in the feed phase of 10(-4) mol/L and 10(-2) mol/L, respectively, initial concentration of Aliquat 336 ligand in the chloroform membrane of 10(-2) mol/L, and initial concentration of HCl in the stripping phase of 10(-2) mol/L. A characteristic kinetic model of consecutive irreversible first-order reactions was used to predict ASP concentrations in the phases of the membrane system under optimal conditions. The extraction and stripping rate constants (k(1) = 2.48 x 10-4 s(-1) and k(2) = 0.574 x 10-4 s(-1)), i.e., the model parameters determined from experimental data, suggested that the chemical reaction occurring at the interface between the membrane and stripping phase was the rate-limiting step in the mass transfer of ASP.

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The main strategy of this study was to combine the traditional perspective of using medicinal extracts with polymeric scaffolds manufactured by an engineering approach to fabricate a potential dressing product with antimicrobial properties. Thus, chitosan-based membranes containing S. officinalis and H. perforatum extracts were developed and their suitability as novel dressing materials was investigated. The morphology of the chitosan-based films was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the chemical structure characterization was performed via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The addition of the plant extracts increased the sorption capacity of the studied fluids, mainly at the membrane with S. officinalis extract. The membranes with 4% chitosan embedded with both plant extracts maintained their integrity after being immersed for 14 days in incubation media, especially in PBS. The antibacterial activities were determined by the modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method for Gram-positive (S. aureus ATCC 25923, MRSA ATCC 43300) and Gram-negative (E. coli ATCC 25922, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853) microorganisms. The antibacterial property was enhanced by incorporating the plant extracts into chitosan films. The outcome of the study reveals that the obtained chitosan-based membranes are promising candidates to be used as a wound dressing due to their good physico-chemical and antimicrobial properties.

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