Ginger is traditionally processed into two main products: ginger oleoresin and oil using solvent extraction and hydro-distillation, respectively. However, these methods have limitations, including the use of organic solvents, long extraction times, and poor selectivity. In this study, hot compressed water extraction (HCWE) was evaluated as an alternative, and its performance was compared with conventional methods in terms of yield, physical characteristics, and concentration of key bioactive compounds. The HCWE was conducted at a constant pressure of 3.5 MPa and varying temperatures between 130°C and 200°C. The resulting extracts were analyzed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to quantify 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, and 10-gingerol concentration. HCWE process at temperature of 140°C, pressure of 3.5 MPa and 30 minutes extraction time obtains higher extraction yield of 10.37 ± 0.33 % (g/g) in comparison with solvent extraction for 480 minutes at 7.57 ± 0.31 % (g/g). But it resulted in lower concentrations of 6-gingerol at 1957.22 ± 2.55 µg/g and undetectable levels of 6-shogaol. As temperature increased to 170°C, the concentration of 6-gingerol decrease to 851.95 ± 2.34 µg/g and 6-shogaol concentration increase to 1135.23 ± 1.18 µg/g demonstrating HCWE's temperature-driven selectivity. Above 170 °C, both compounds degraded significantly, and the extract quality declined. The HCWE extract resembled ginger oleoresin in texture and aroma, suggesting its suitability for similar applications. In contrast, solvent extraction produced a broader range of compounds but lacked selectivity. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the HCWE process is a rapid, organic solvent-free extraction method which not only reduces processing time by more than 80 % compared with conventional solvent extraction, but also provides temperature-driven selectivity, underscoring its potential for greener, industrial-scale applications in functional food and phytochemical production. These findings highlight the promise of HCWE as a sustainable approach for phytochemical extraction and functional food development.
Although conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has attracted attention as a potent body fat-reducing agent, its detailed molecular mechanism of action remains obscure. Here, we evaluated the effect of short-term feeding of CLA on metabolism in adipose tissue of mice fed a high-fat diet. Mice were fed a high-fat diet for 8-wk to promote the accumulation of body fat, then divided into control and 1 % CLA groups and kept for 1-wk. CLA did not affect the weight of epididymal and perirenal adipose tissues. To detect the metabolic changes that precede the body fat-reducing effect of CLA, a comprehensive metabolite analysis in adipose tissue was performed using a capillary electrophoresis quadrupole time-of-flight system. Principal component analysis clearly showed differentiation in the pattern of quantitative data for metabolites between control and CLA groups. KEGG enrichment analysis of metabolites indicated the importance of three metabolite sets. Seventeen metabolites were significantly upregulated in the CLA group compared to the control and no metabolites were downregulated. Taken together, these changes in metabolite profile induced by CLA are indicative of early onset metabolic change, potentially leading to a reduction in adipose tissue mass.
Structural colors observed in nature have attracted considerable scientific interest and inspired the development of artificial coloring materials based on periodic nanostructures. Although numerous structural color materials have been proposed, reports on all-liquid systems, which can be incorporated into devices of arbitrary shapes, remain limited. We previously demonstrated that all-liquid emulsions composed of a long-chain amidoamine derivative (C18AA) and tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB) exhibit structural coloration within two temperature regions. For the formation of such coloring emulsions, the development of a stable interfacial layer of C18AA adsorbed at the toluene-water interface is crucial. However, it remains unclear whether other amphiphilic compounds can contribute to the formation of this interfacial layer. In this study, the effects of adding different amphiphilic compounds on the coloring behavior of C18AA emulsions was investigated, and their incorporation into the interfacial layer of C18AA was explored. Stearic acid, octadecylamine, and octadecanol did not considerably affect the coloring behavior. In contrast, C18AOH, in which the terminal amine group of C18AA is replaced by a hydroxyl group, could be incorporated into the C18AA interfacial layer. This insertion increased the toluene-water interfacial area, resulting in a blue shift of the observed color. Similar incorporation effects were observed for C16AOH and C14AOH, which have shorter alkyl chains. These findings can facilitate the color and thermal response tuning of all-liquid structural color emulsions based on interfacial engineering.
Shiga toxin type 2 (Stx2)-producing Escherichia coli O157H7 has become a global risk to public health. The study aimed to investigate the emergence of antimicrobial resistance patterns in the clinical isolates of E. coli. The isolates revealed a pattern of strong resistance to the majority of the common antibiotics. Most E. coli isolates were susceptible to gentamicin and were classified as MDR. The Stx2 determinant was screened in E. coli O157:H7 isolates through the PCR technique, and the Stx2 was purified by cation exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The purification yielded 5.2 milligrams of pure Stx2. Nigella sativa oil's obtained by the mechanical expression of seeds at room temperature was evaluated for its antibacterial activity against 16 E. coli O157:H7 isolates at different concentrations. The oil induced inhibition zone diameter of 9.83, 16.71, and 27.48 mm at the concentration of 16, 32, and 64 μg/mL, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of N. sativa seed oil (NSSO) and gentamicin-treated biofilm-forming different isolates ranged from 64-502 and 32-256 μg/mL, respectively. Optical density (O.D.) and viable counts showed significant differences before and after the treatment with sub-MIC. The injections of Stx2 caused microangiopathy in mice, including hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal impairment. The Stx2 also caused microvascular thrombosis and other histologic damage in the kidney, spleen, and liver, as well as a significant reduction in the splenic size of the infected mice. The results showed that the variance in the values of the complete blood count, as well as histopathological alteration in the spleen, occurred in mice treated with Nigella sativa oil, which was improved compared with the control. This study is the first report on NSSO exhibiting inhibitory activity on E. coli and its Shiga toxin, which can also inhibit virulence in E. coli, thereby suggesting it as an alternative for therapy.
In terms of resonant lengths, the behavior of chemisorbed soft materials on a MHz-oscillating solid-liquid interface was investigated using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). As chemisorbed materials, we used self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed from three types of mercapto oligo(ethylene oxide) methyl ethers, each with a single molecular weight: HS(CH2CH2O)5CH3, HS(CH2CH2O)27CH3, and HS(CH2CH2O)43CH3. Systematic variation in the concentrations of sucrose solutions resulted in corresponding changes in their viscosity and density. In addition, it is well known that the Kanazawa equation can qualitatively explain the relationship between the resonant frequency shift (ΔF) of the QCM and the solution's viscosity and density. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between the ΔF of the QCM, both without and with a SAM, and the concentrations of sucrose solutions. The attempt showed that, for the ratios of SAM thicknesses to resonant lengths below 50 %, the experimental results of ΔF quantitatively corresponded to the Kanazawa equation. The experimental results suggest that the equation describing the resonant length could appropriately evaluate the experimental data. Based on those results, the applicability of the QCMs with the SAMs of HS(CH2CH2O)5CH3 and HS(CH2CH2O)27CH3 to a bubble-free nonlinear chemical oscillator led to quantitative analysis.
Optimization of polyphenol extraction from avocado seeds and systematic evaluation of the bioactivity of fractions in two different solvents. This research aimed to optimize the extract parameters of polyphenol from avocado seed and evaluate antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of crude polyphenol extract and its fraction in dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. The study utilized ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize extraction parameters that were ethanol 61.082 % concentration, an extraction temperature of 59.986 °C, and an extraction time of 3.09 hours. The crude polyphenol extract contained 42.208 mg GAE/g DW and antioxidant activity of extracts were expressed as percentage of DPPH radicals inhibition with an IC50 value of 117 μg/mL. Following the liquid-liquid fractionation of the crude extract with dichloromethane and ethyl acetate obtained ethyl acetate fraction was found to content 74.65 mg GAE/g DW and showed the highest antioxidant activity, with an IC50 value of 62.04 μg/mL. The antimicrobial tests against some pathogenic bacteria showed that both the crude and ethyl acetate extracts were effective against Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. Notably, the crude extract inhibited Aspergillus flavus at 100 mg/mL, while the ethyl acetate fraction did not exhibit inhibitory activity at the concentrations tested.
To understand the stability and gastrointestinal digestion characteristics of the natural walnut oil bodies (OBs) emulsion, walnut OBs were extracted from fresh walnuts and dispersed in aqueous phase to form O/W natural emulsions. The results showed that the natural walnut OBs emulsion droplets were uniformly dispersed in the aqueous phase as spherical particles, with triglycerides in the core and proteins surrounding them. SDS-PAGE indicated that the molecular weight of these proteins was below 55 kDa. The natural walnut OBs emulsion exhibited unstable at pH 4.0 and 6.0. Within the salt ion concentration range of 0-500 mM, the natural walnut OBs emulsion exhibited stable. Within the heat treatment temperature range of 0-85°C, the natural walnut OBs emulsion presented stable, but the droplets of the natural walnut OBs emulsion showed obvious aggregation at 95°C and became unstable. During the 0-120 min gastric digestion process, the droplets of the natural walnut OBs emulsion showed obvious aggregation and oil-water phases separation, and the particle size significantly increased with the extension of digestion time. During the 0-120 min small intestinal digestion stage, as the digestion time increased, the droplet size and the number of droplets decreased, while the release of free fatty acids continuously increased. This study lays a foundation for the application of walnut OBs in the food industry and the delivery of liposoluble bioactive substances.
The Langmuir monolayer properties of betaine-based surfactant octadecyl hydroxypropyl sulfobetaine (HSB18), as well as the effects of sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration, pH, and ion valence in the subphase on its monolayer properties were investigated. The results indicated that HSB18 formed stable Langmuir monolayer. With the increase of the surface pressure, the Langmuir monolayer underwent the transition from gaseous to liquid expanding transition and liquid expanding state. The Langmuir monolayer of HSB18 exhibited the greatest expansion when the NaCl concentration was 0.8 M, while at 0.6 M NaCl, it demonstrated the strongest adaptability to external conditions, along with optimal resistance to deformation and compressibility. With the increase of pH, the lift-off area, limiting area and collapse area increased first and then decreased, while the collapse pressure decreased first and then gradually stabilized. With the increase of the valence of metal ions, the monolayer expanded gradually, and both the limiting area and collapse pressure increased obviously. The lift-off area of the HSB18 monolayer in the CaCl2 system was the smallest, only was 120 Å2, indicating stronger intermolecular attractive forces and the most closely packed molecular arrangement. Therefore, HSB18 molecules possess the ability to form stable and adjustable Langmuir monolayers, and properties can be optimized via adjusting environmental factors, which provides important insights for the construction of Langmuir monolayers in practical applications.
This study investigated the interfacial adsorption behavior and emulsification performance of polyglycerol ester emulsifiers with varying hydrophilic group chain lengths in a mineral oil system containing three hydrophilic polyol solvents (glycerol, 1,3-butanediol, and 1,2-propylene glycol) by measuring dynamic interfacial tension and fitting the kinetic adsorption model. The results demonstrated that as the length of the hydrophilic groups increased, the interfacial critical micelle concentration (CMCIFT) decreased, while the critical interfacial tension (γCMC) increased, leading to a larger particle size (D) of the emulsion. Furthermore, the study examined the impact of hydrophilic polyol solvents on the arrangement of emulsifier molecules at the interface and their emulsification performance. It was found that different levels of initial interfacial tension (γ0) had a more pronounced effect on the particle size and uniformity of the emulsion. When γ0 was low (< 20 mN/m), the interaction between the emulsifier and the hydrophilic medium became more significant, resulting in greater variability in the emulsion. This research provided new insights into the interfacial behavior of polyglycerol ester emulsifiers in polyol-oil systems and offered theoretical guidance for the development of more efficient P/O emulsions.
This study reports the development of a highly sensitive and cost-effective voltammetric sensor based on a carbon aerogel/TiO2-NiO@PANi modified electrode for the detection of diazinon, an endocrine-disrupting organophosphate pesticide. Carbon aerogel (CA) was synthesized from palm shell waste and served as a high-surface-area conductive scaffold, while TiO2-NiO nanoparticles acted as the electroactive catalytic sites, and polyaniline (PANi) provided additional electron conduction pathways. The resulting composite was characterized by XRD, SEM, and EDX analyses, confirming homogeneous dispersion of TiO2-NiO nanoparticles and the successful incorporation of PANi. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies revealed that CA/TiO2-NiO@PANi exhibited enhanced redox peak currents and reduced peak-to-peak separation (ΔEp), indicating improved electron transfer kinetics compared to unmodified CA and CA/TiO2-NiO electrodes. The developed sensor demonstrated a linear electrochemical response to diazinon concentrations in the range of 0.1-1.0 ppm, with a regression equation of Ipa = 164.66[DZN] - 34.937 (R2 = 0.997) and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.0182 ppm. These findings suggest that the CA/TiO2-NiO@PANi electrode offers a promising platform for rapid, reproducible, and highly sensitive non-enzymatic detection of diazinon, providing an environmentally friendly approach for monitoring pesticide contamination in agricultural and environmental samples.
Thermostable lipases from thermophilic bacteria are highly valued for their exceptional stability and wide-ranging industrial applications. The present study aimed to maximize thermostable lipase production from thermophilic Bacillus thuringiensis via solid-state fermentation (SSF) and to evaluate its potential for bioscouring of cotton fabric. The bacterial isolate was identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and cultivated using agro-industrial residues as substrates. Various process parameters, including incubation temperature and time, substrate type and concentration, inoculum form and volume, pH, carbon and nitrogen sources, oil additives, and metal ions, were optimized using a one-factor-at-a-time approach. Optimization resulted in a ~2.3-fold increase in lipase activity, with a maximum activity of 18.91 ± 0.44 U mL-1 achieved under optimal conditions of 70 °C, 24 h incubation, 25 g sesame meal substrate, 1 mL spore inoculum, phosphate buffer (pH 8.0), 0.1 % maltose, 0.1 % sunflower oil, 0.2 % ammonium nitrate, and 0.2 % KCl. The crude enzyme was further applied for the bioscouring of desized cotton fabric as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional alkaline scouring. Lipase treatment significantly enhanced fabric hydrophilicity, yielding 85 ± 1.5 % water absorbency and a controlled weight loss of 6.2 ± 0.3 %, indicating efficient removal of hydrophobic impurities. Maximum bioscouring efficiency was achieved at an enzyme concentration of 15 U mL-1, a 4 h incubation, and 50 °C.These findings demonstrate the strong bioscouring potential of the thermostable B. thuringiensis lipase and highlight its industrial relevance for sustainable and environmentally friendly textile processing. The optimized production strategy provides a promising platform for the large-scale application of thermostable microbial lipases in green biotechnological processes.
Antibiotic resistance and biofilm-associated infections are major global health concerns, requiring sustainable antimicrobial alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial, antifungal, and antibiofilm potential of biosurfactants produced by Bacillus strains (H1, H2, and H5) isolated from the fat of Catla catla, a freshwater fish from the Sutlej River, Pakistan. The biosurfactants were extracted, purified, and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. Quantitative analysis revealed that strain H5 produced the highest levels of surfactin (107.5 ± 0.3 mg L-1) and iturin A (60.5 ± 0.5 mg L-1). The biosurfactants exhibited strong antibacterial activity, producing inhibition zones of up to 28.3 ± 0.3 mm against Bacillus licheniformis and 24.3 ± 0.3 mm against Escherichia coli. Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations against Staphylococcus aureus were 6.6 ± 0.6 µg mL-1 and 11.8 ± 0.4 µg mL-1, respectively. Antifungal tests showed up to 34.6 ± 0.3 mm inhibition zones against Fusarium moniliforme. Antibiofilm assays demonstrated that the extracellular biosurfactant from strain H2 achieved the highest inhibition (82.7 ± 0.3 %) at 50 µg mL-1. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the isolates as Bacillus subtilis (PV789583), Bacillus thuringiensis (PV789584), and Bacillus cereus (PV789585). These findings indicate that biosurfactants derived from Catla catla fat as a substrate represent a cost-effective and eco-friendly source of potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm compounds with promising biotechnological and therapeutic applications.
Currently, the treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) typically involves the use of 5-nitroimidazoles (such as metronidazole and tinidazole). However, an increasing failure in treatment is observed due to resistance developed to these drugs. For this reason, alternative drugs have been investigated, especially by using natural products. In our study, the anti-T. vaginalis activity of the Origanum majorana essential oil (OMEO), which is a Cyprus endemic plant, and its synergistic effect with metronidazole were investigated. The essential oil was extracted through hydrodistillation of the dried flowering tops of the plant. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were performed using the Agilent 5975 GC-MSD system. L929 mouse fibroblast cell line was used to determine cytotoxic activity. Two clinical strains and one metronidazole-resistant T. vaginalis standard strain were used. LC50, and MLC (minimum lethal concentration) values of OMEO and metronidazole were determined by the broth microdilution method in vitro in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The combination of OMEO with metronidazole was investigated against all strains by the checkerboard method. The major compounds in the OMEO content were determined as cis-sabinene hydrate (29.1%) and terpinen-4-ol (19.6%). In cytotoxic analyses, it was observed that the cell viability remained stable at low doses. OMEO is effective against all three T. vaginalis strains. There is a significant difference between the IC50 averages at the 24th and 48th hours (333.03 µg/mL and 226.43 µg/mL, respectively) in aerobic conditions (p=0.003). In addition, there is a statistically significant relationship between the results of the 24th and 48th hours (348.77 µg/mL and 238.80 µg/mL, respectively) in the anaerobic conditions (p=<0.0001). In general, OMEO has been shown to have a synergistic effect with metronidazole. In conclusion, we believe that OMEO is a potential natural agent that can be particularly used in the treatment of protozoan infections, including T. vaginalis.
Four optically active dodecen-4-olides (1a-d) with carbon-carbon double bonds at different positions and their cyclopropanated derivatives (2a-d) were synthesized, and the odour characteristics of the racemic and optically active compounds were evaluated. Compounds 1a-d and 2a-d exhibited typical lactone-like nuances, characterized by strong top notes and oily middle notes. The position of the carbon-carbon double bond had a significant effect on the odour profile. All 1a-d compounds exhibited different odour characteristics: 1a showed fruity notes, 1b and 1c exhibited green and fruity notes, and 1d exhibited green and floral notes. Cyclopropanation substantially altered these characteristics. As a result, the odour characteristics of compounds 2, where the carbon-carbon double bonds were converted to cyclopropane rings, differed significantly from those of compounds 1. Conversion of the double bond in 1a to a cyclopropane ring changed the fruity note to green note, while cyclopropanation of 1b changed the green note to fruity. The antimicrobial activities of 1 and 2 against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were also investigated. Only compound (S)-1b exhibited antimicrobial activity against S. aureus.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) with high clinical heterogeneity and poor prognosis. Therapeutic drugs that can effectively improve the survival rate of DLBCL patients are lacking. Houttuynia cordata Thunb. is a well-known Asian medicinal and edible plant with anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. This study investigated the potential therapeutic benefits of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Essential Oil (HEO) on DLBCL. We found that HEO inhibited the proliferation of SUDHL-4 cells, induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in a time and concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, intraperitoneal administration of HEO (70, 150, and 230 mg/kg) dose-dependently inhibited tumor growth of DLBCL in an athymic nude mouse xenograft model, while no significant changes in body weight were observed, indicating no obvious toxicity. Network pharmacology analysis indicated that HEO mainly regulated protein phosphorylation and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Phospho-specific protein microarray results also showed that HEO regulated the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Further investigation confirmed that HEO significantly inhibited the protein expression of p-PI3K and p-Akt. In addition, HEO decreased the protein expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and increased the protein expression of Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) and caspase-3. Compound-target docking results displayed that bornyl acetate (the main components of HEO), caryophyllene oxide and terpineol had strong binding interactions with the active sites of PI3K and Akt, indicating they contribute to the therapeutic effect. These results demonstrated that HEO exerts anti-tumor effects in DLBCL via suppressing PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, indicating HEO may be a potential inhibitor of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway for the treatment of DLBCL.
Hesperetin (HST) exhibits antioxidant activity and helps prevent cataract formation when administered orally. However, low bioavailability limits its efficacy. However, formulating HST as an ophthalmic preparation may improve its delivery to ocular tissues, making it a more effective option for cataract prevention. In the present study, we prepared HST nanosuspensions (HST-NPs) and used a sodium selenite-induced cataract model to evaluate their anti-cataract efficacy. HST-NPs (1 % HST) were prepared using bead milling treatment and various additives (mannitol, parabens, methylcellulose, 2-hydroxypropyl-Β-cyclodextrin), and quantification of HST in samples was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography. HST in both suspensions HST-NPs (with bead milling) and HST-MPs (without bead milling) was in the crystalline state, and the mean particle size of HST-NPs was 174 nm. Moreover, the transcorneal penetration of HST-NPs was higher than that of HST-MPs. HST levels in lenses treated with HST-MPs were below the limit of detection, whereas HST was detectable in HST-NP-treated rats at both 30 and 120 min post-instillation. In addition, instillation of HST suspensions prevented lens opacification in rats with selenite-induced cataracts; HST-NPs significantly inhibited lens opacification compared with HST-MPs. In conclusion, we successfully designed HST-NPs with high corneal penetration and effective delivery into the lens and demonstrated that instillation of HST-NPs significantly prevented lens opacification in a selenite-induced cataract model compared with HST-MPs. These findings may contribute to future advances in the prevention of cataract development.
Shark liver oil (SLO) is commercially promoted as an immunity booster to fight off infections, heal wounds, and for its beneficial effects in cancer treatment. Despite the growing body of research on SLO, scattered data and reported outcomes in understanding its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms exist across study designs and populations, and the experimental design variances complicate data interpretation for meaningful translation into clinical applications. This scoping review aims to address this by comprehensively charting human and animal models to identify patterns of immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of SLO and its bioactive components, thus highlighting areas requiring further investigation. A scoping search through Cochrane, PubMed®, MEDLINE® via Ovid and Scopus using keywords such as "shark liver oil", "immunomodulation", "anti-inflammatory", similar keywords and their combinations was performed. Quantitative and qualitative measurements of immune or inflammatory responses were recorded and mapped. A total of 16 articles met the inclusion criteria, including human studies and in vivo animal models with various baseline health conditions. SLO has a broad yet selective immunomodulatory effect that shows an adaptive response depending on context, such as inflammatory conditions, cancer, or infection. The inconsistencies in results highlighted the biological complexity and the context-dependent role of SLO in the immune system. Despite this, alkylglycerols (AKG) emerge as a key bioactive component, with some studies suggesting potential dose-dependent effects and exploring the structure-activity relationship of different AKG forms in modulating the immune response. Overall, the current evidence is promising but preliminary, with methodological differences in the literature that highlight a clear need for rigorous, standardized clinical trials.
In this study, a high-purity sophoroselipid-copper (SL-Cu) complex was synthesized using an improved method employing copper (II) acetate. Fourier transform infrared analysis of the purified SL-Cu complex revealed a distinctive absorption peak near 1,600 cm⁻¹. The bactericidal activity of the SL-Cu complex, at a copper (II) ion concentration of 1,000 µM and after incubation at 20°C for 30 min, exhibited a reduction greater than 4 log units against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In contrast, its bactericidal activity against Enterococcus faecalis was comparatively lower, with a reduction of 0.90 log units. Furthermore, the SL-Cu complex demonstrated a statistically higher antibacterial efficacy against E. coli and S. aureus than CuSO4 at the same copper (II) ion concentration. The bactericidal effect of the SL-Cu complex against E. coli was enhanced with increasing treatment temperatures between 15 and 40°C, consistently surpassing that of CuSO4 across all tested temperatures. The inhibitory effects of bovine serum albumin, sodium chloride, EDTA-2Na, and 2,2 bipyridyl on the SL-Cu complex were restricted compared to those on CuSO4, and in some experiments, these chemicals even enhanced its activity. These characteristics render the SL-Cu complex a promising antibacterial reagent. Flow cytometry analyses using fluorescent dyes suggested that the SL-Cu complex disrupted bacterial cell membranes and induced the generation of reactive oxygen species.
Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological condition that is often worsened by hot and humid climates, such as those in Indonesia. These conditions promote the growth of Propionibacterium acnes, a bacterium involved in acne pathogenesis. Long-term use of topical antibiotics may lead to resistance, highlighting the need for natural alternatives. This study aimed to formulate and optimize a nanoemulsion of basil leaf extract (Ocimum basilicum L.) and evaluate its antibacterial activity against P. acnes. The nanoemulsion was prepared by spontaneous emulsification using Tween 80 as the surfactant and PEG 400 as the co-surfactant. Optimization was performed using the Box-Behnken Design with Design Expert 13 software, considering pH and transmittance as responses. The optimal formulation contained Tween 80 (41.09 %) and PEG 400 (23.35 %), resulting in a nanoemulsion with a particle size of 13.80 ± 0.36 nm, PDI 0.18 ± 0.04, and zeta potential -20.00 ± 0.80 mV. The formulation showed good physical stability and caused no irritation in animal skin tests. Antibacterial testing showed an inhibition zone diameter of 12.30 ± 0.28 mm, indicating weak activity. These findings suggest that basil leaf extract nanoemulsion has potential as a natural topical alternative for acne treatment.
Xylocarpus mekongensis Pierre (Meliaceae), locally known as "Poshur" is a mangrove plant traditionally used in South and Southeast Asia for the management of diabetes and related disorders. This study comprehensively evaluated the phytochemical composition, safety, antidiabetic efficacy, enzymatic inhibition, and in-silico molecular docking analysis of its ethanolic bark extract. HPLC-DAD profiling identified six major phenolic compounds - catechin hydrate, catechol, (-) epicatechin, syringic acid, trans-ferulic acid, and trans-cinnamic acid. Acute and subacute toxicity assessments in Swiss albino mice (following OECD guidelines) confirmed its safety up to 3000 mg/kg without any physiological or behavioral alterations. In the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the extract significantly reduced blood glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner. In streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, daily oral administration of the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) markedly reduced fasting blood glucose, restored body weight, and normalized hepatic, renal, and lipid biomarkers comparable to glibenclamide. Moreover. the extract also demonstrated potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.420 mg/mL), indicating delayed intestinal glucose absorption. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities of these compounds-particularly catechin hydrate and (-) epicatechin demonstrated strong binding affinities with key diabetic targets, including sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4), glucokinase, and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), suggesting multi-targeted modulation of insulin secretion, sensitivity, and glucose utilization. These findings provide the first comprehensive mechanistic validation of the traditional use of X. mekongensis and highlight its polyphenolic constituents as promising natural leads for developing multi-target antidiabetic therapeutics.