Flavonoids: an overview. J Nutr Sci. 2016;5:e47. [PMID: 28620474 PMCID: PMC5465813 DOI: 10.1017/jns.2016.41]

Bacterial biosynthesis of flavonoids: Overview, current biotechnology applications, challenges, and prospects

Flavonoids are secondary metabolites present in plant organs and tissues. These natural metabolites are the most prevalent and display a wide range of beneficial physiological effects, making them usually intriguing in several scientific fields. Due to their safety for use and protective attributes, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial functions, flavonoids are broadly utilized in foods, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. However, conventional methods for producing flavonoids, such as plant extraction and chemical synthesis, entailed dangerous substances, and laborious procedures, with low product yield. Recent studies have documented the ability of microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria, to synthesize adequate amounts of flavonoids. Bacterial biosynthesis of flavonoids from plant biomass is a viable and environmentally friendly technique for producing flavonoids on a larger scale and has recently received much attention. Still, only a few bacteria species, particularly Escherichia coli, have been extensively studied. The most recent developments in bacterial biosynthesis of flavonoids are reviewed and discussed in this article, including their various applications as natural food biocontrol agents. In addition, the challenges currently faced in bacterial flavonoid biosynthesis and possible solutions, including the application of modern biotechnology approaches for developing bacterial strains that could successfully produce flavonoids on an industrial scale, were elucidated.

Therapeutic potentials and targeting strategies of quercetin on cancer cells: Challenges and future prospects

BACKGROUND

Every cell in the human body is vital because it maintains equilibrium and carries out a variety of tasks, including growth and development. These activities are carried out by a set of instructions carried by many different genes and organized into DNA. It is well recognized that some lifestyle decisions, like using tobacco, alcohol, UV, or multiple sexual partners, might increase one's risk of developing cancer. The advantages of natural products for any health issue are well known, and researchers are making attempts to separate flavonoid-containing substances from plants. Various parts of plants contain a phenolic compound called flavonoid. Quercetin, which belongs to the class of compounds known as flavones with chromone skeletal structure, has anti-cancer activity.

PURPOSE

The study was aimed at investigating the therapeutic action of the flavonoid quercetin on various cancer cells.

METHODS

The phrases quercetin, anti-cancer, nanoparticles, and cell line were used to search the data using online resources such as PubMed, and Google Scholar. Several critical previous studies have been included.

RESULTS

Quercetin inhibits various dysregulated signaling pathways that cause cancer cells to undergo apoptosis to exercise its anticancer effects. Numerous signaling pathways are impacted by quercetin, such as the Hedgehog system, Akt, NF-κB pathway, downregulated mutant p53, JAK/STAT, G1 phase arrest, Wnt/β-Catenin, and MAPK. There are downsides to quercetin, like hydrophobicity, first-pass effect, instability in the gastrointestinal tract, etc., because of which it is not well-established in the pharmaceutical industry. The solution to these drawbacks in the future is using bio-nanomaterials like chitosan, PLGA, liposomes, and silk fibroin as carriers, which can enhance the target specificity of quercetin. The first section of this review covers the specifics of flavonoids and quercetin; the second section covers the anti-cancer activity of quercetin; and the third section explains the drawbacks and conjugation of quercetin with nanoparticles for drug delivery by overcoming quercetin's drawback.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this review presented details about quercetin, which is a plant derivative with a promising molecular mechanism of action. They inhibit cancer by various mechanisms with little or no side effects. It is anticipated that plant-based materials will become increasingly relevant in the treatment of cancer.

Anticancer Activity of Phytochemicals of the Papaya Plant Assessed: A Narrative Review

Cancer remains to be a pervasive disease as traditional treatments have plateaued in efficacy. Anticancer research continues to grow in an effort to find novel preventive and treatment measures for cancers. The papaya plant produces several biologically active phytochemicals, which exhibit anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-oxidative properties. This review explores studies examining these phytochemicals derived from the papaya plant as a potential chemopreventive agent and a cancer therapeutic. Further studies must be done to establish the papaya plant and its phytochemicals as an alternative to traditional cancer treatments.

Acacetin is a Promising Drug Candidate for Cardiovascular Diseases

Phytochemical flavonoids have been proven to be effective in treating various disorders, including cardiovascular diseases. Acacetin is a natural flavone with diverse pharmacological effects, uniquely including atrial-selective anti-atrial fibrillation (AF) via the inhibition of the atrial specific potassium channel currents [Formula: see text] (ultra-rapidly delayed rectifier potassium current), [Formula: see text] (acetylcholine-activated potassium current), [Formula: see text] (calcium-activated small conductance potassium current), and [Formula: see text] (transient outward potassium current). [Formula: see text] inhibition by acacetin, notably, suppresses experimental J-wave syndromes. In addition, acacetin provides extensive cardiovascular protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury, cardiomyopathies/heart failure, autoimmune myocarditis, pulmonary artery hypertension, vascular remodeling, and atherosclerosis by restoring the downregulated intracellular signaling pathway of Sirt1/AMPK/PGC-1[Formula: see text] followed by increasing Nrf2/HO-1/SOD thereby inhibiting oxidation, inflammation, and apoptosis. This review provides an integrated insight into the capabilities of acacetin as a drug candidate for treating cardiovascular diseases, especially atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathies/heart failure.

3'-8″- Biflavones: A Review of Their Structural Diversity, Natural Occurrence, Role in Plants, Extraction and Identification

Dimeric forms of flavonoids, known as biflavonoids, are much less studied compared to monomeric forms. It is estimated that nearly 600 different natural biflavonoids have been described to date, containing various subtypes that can be subdivided according to the position of their combinations and the nature of the subunits. The group in which two monomers are linked by a 3'-8″-C atom includes the first isolated biflavonoid ginkgetin, derivatives of amentoflavone, and several other compounds. 3'-8″-biflavones recently attracted much attention as potential molecules with biological activity such as antiviral and antimicrobial activity and as effective molecules for the treatment of neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases and in cancer therapies. With the growing interest in them as pharmacologically active molecules, there is also increasing interest in finding new natural sources of 3'-8″-biflavones and optimizing methods for their extraction and identification. Herein, we have summarized the available data on the structural diversity, natural occurrence, role in plants, extraction, and identification of 3'-8″-biflavones.

Exploring Lectin Bioactivity and Total Phenolic Compounds in Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward)

BACKGROUND

The consumption of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward) is recognized for its health benefits due to its high vitamin C content and bioactive secondary metabolites, such as phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties. These compounds may help prevent chronic noncommunicable diseases, currently the leading cause of death. Additionally, plants and fruits contain proteins like lectins, which contribute to plant defense and may also have health-promoting effects, including antitumor and hypoglycemic activities.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this work was to evaluate and identify the phenolic compounds in this variety of kiwifruit, as well as to investigate the lectin activity and the potential dietary benefits of this combination.

METHODS

This study quantified and identified total phenolic compounds and flavonoids in a kiwifruit extract using HPLC-DAD-MS/MS, and assessed their antioxidant activity through the DPPH method.

RESULTS

Novel lectin activity was also investigated, with polypeptide characterization and glycoprotein profiling performed. The affinity of lectins for glycans was evaluated using a hemagglutination inhibition assay. Results indicated that kiwifruit lectins bind to glycoreceptors on tumor cell membranes, with a specific affinity for sialic acid, an important glycan in tumor-associated glycomic aberrations.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the bioactive components of kiwifruit may offer multiple health benefits through a synergistic effect.

A rapid in vivo pipeline to identify small molecule inhibitors of amyloid aggregation

Amyloids are associated with over 50 human diseases and have inspired significant effort to identify small molecule remedies. Here, we present an in vivo platform that efficiently yields small molecule inhibitors of amyloid formation. We previously identified small molecules that kill the nematode C. elegans by forming membrane-piercing crystals in the pharynx cuticle, which is rich in amyloid-like material. We show here that many of these molecules are known amyloid-binders whose crystal-formation in the pharynx can be blocked by amyloid-binding dyes. We asked whether this phenomenon could be exploited to identify molecules that interfere with the ability of amyloids to seed higher-order structures. We therefore screened 2560 compounds and found 85 crystal suppressors, 47% of which inhibit amyloid formation. This hit rate far exceeds other screening methodologies. Hence, in vivo screens for suppressors of crystal formation in C. elegans can efficiently reveal small molecules with amyloid-inhibiting potential.

Delineating Molecular Regulatory of Flavonoids Indicated by Transcriptomic and Metabolomics Analysis during Flower Development in Chrysanthemum morifolium 'Boju'

Flavonoids are pharmacologically active compounds in flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium 'Boju' (C. morifolium); however, the molecular regulatory network governing flower development remains largely elusive. Flower samples were collected at four stages, namely budding (BD), bud breaking (BB), early blooming (EB), and full blooming (FB), for omics analysis. We revealed distinct transcriptional regulation patterns at these four stages of the flower from the perspective of differentially expressed unigenes (DEGs). There are 152 DEGs shared among the three comparative groups (BD vs. BB, BB vs EB, EB vs FB), wherein the expression of 44 DEGs (including AtADT6, MDL3, and ROMT) continues to be upregulated, and 85 DEGs (including CYP81E, TPS-Cin-1, and TPS-Cin-2) showed persistent downregulation with flower development. Flavonoid-targeted metabolomics identified 118 differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs) in the FB group compared to the BD stage; the top three upregulated and downregulated metabolites are Cyanidin-3-O-(6″-O-malonyl)glucoside-5-O-glucoside, Luteolin-7-O-(6″-caffeoyl)rhamnoside, Kaempferol-3-O-(6″-p-coumaroyl)glucoside and Chrysoeriol-6,8-di-C-glucoside-7-O-glucoside, Kaempferol, Kaempferol-3,7-O-dirhamnoside, respectively. These DAMs were predominantly enriched in "flavonoid biosynthesis", "isoflavonoid biosynthesis", and "flavone and flavonol biosynthesis" pathways. AtADT6, MDL3, ROMT, CYP81E, TPS-Cin-1, and TPS-Cin-2 were correlated with kaempferol. Our findings provide a new idea for interfering with flavonoid production, especially kaempferol, in flowers.

The Association between Food Groups, Nutraceuticals, and Food Supplements Consumption on Vascular Health Outcomes: A Literature Review

Vascular aging, marked by alterations in the structure and function of blood vessels, including heightened arterial stiffness and impaired endothelial function, is linked to a higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular and age-associated pathological conditions. Oxidative stress and inflammation are key stimulation factors in vascular aging. Engaging in healthy dietary habits could enhance the functioning of blood vessels. The aim of this study was to conduct a literature review of the evidence regarding the relationship between food regimens, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements and vascular health. A search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection, was performed. Experimental and observational studies evaluating the association between food groups, nutraceuticals, supplements, and endothelial function and/or arterial stiffness were deemed eligible for this narrative review. Based on the current body of the included studies, food groups, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements may not demonstrate superiority over placebos in enhancing markers of vascular health. To obtain more reliable evidence on the effectiveness of interventions in vascular health, additional RCTs with larger sample sizes, extended follow-up periods, and multi-center participation are necessary. Enhancing the credibility of these RCTs requires better control of dietary variables and more precise measurement of vascular health markers.

Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Effects of Anthocyanins in In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Anthocyanins, a class of flavonoid compounds responsible for the vibrant colors of many fruits and vegetables, have received considerable attention in recent years due to their potential health benefits. This review, focusing on evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies, provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the health-promoting properties of anthocyanins. The chemical structure and diversity of anthocyanins, their bioavailability, and their mechanisms of action at the cellular and molecular level are examined. Research on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects of anthocyanins is critically reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on the role of anthocyanins in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. This review also discusses the challenges of translating in vitro findings to in vivo and highlights the importance of considering dose, bioavailability, and metabolism when assessing the therapeutic potential of anthocyanins. This review concludes with the identification of gaps in current research and suggestions for future directions for anthocyanin studies, including the need for more long-term clinical trials and investigations into potential synergistic effects with other phytochemicals. This comprehensive analysis highlights the promising role of anthocyanins in promoting human health and provides valuable insights for researchers, health professionals, and the nutraceutical industry. This study provides new insights, as it comprehensively investigates the dual anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of anthocyanins in both in vitro and in vivo models. By uncovering the biological properties of anthocyanins from a variety of natural sources, this research not only expands our knowledge of the action of these compounds at the cellular level, but also enhances their clinical relevance through in vivo validation. Furthermore, the innovative use of anthocyanins may lead to important advances in their therapeutic application in the future.

Valorization of Grape Pomace: A Review of Phenolic Composition, Bioactivity, and Therapeutic Potential

Vitis vinifera L., commonly known as grapes, is one of the most widely cultivated crops worldwide, with over 80% used for wine production. However, the winemaking process generates substantial residues, including grape pomace (GP), wine lees, and wastewater, which can pose significant environmental and economic challenges. Among these, GP stands out not only as a waste product but also as a rich source of polyphenols-bioactive compounds with recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recent advancements have expanded the application of GP-derived extracts, particularly in the health and food industries, due to their potent bioactive properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the valorization of GP, focusing on its phenolic composition and therapeutic potential. It evokes innovative, environmentally friendly extraction techniques and integrated methods for the chemical analysis of these valuable compounds. Additionally, the health benefits of GP polyphenols are explored, with recent experimental findings examining their metabolism and highlighting the key role of gut microbiota in these processes. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the biological activity of GP extracts and underscore their growing significance as a high-added-value product. By illustrating how winemaking by-products can be transformed into natural therapeutic agents, this review emphasizes the importance of sustainable development and eco-friendly waste management practices, significantly contributing to the advancement of a circular economy.

A novel framework for uncovering the coordinative spectrum-effect correlation of the effective components of Yangyin Tongnao Granules on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ischemic stroke is currently a major public health hazard.Yangyin Tongnao Granules (YYTN), a traditional Chinese medicinal prescription, exerts potential therapeutic effects on subsequent cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) after ischemic stroke. However, further studies are required to comprehend the underlying mechanism of YYTN for treating CIRI and the associated spectrum-effect mechanisms.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the coordinated correlation between the fingerprint and the pharmacodynamic indexes of the effective components (total flavonoids, total saponins, total alkaloids, and total phenolic acids) in YYTN for treating CIRI in rats.

METHODS

The fingerprints of five specific components (ligustrazine, puerarin, ferulic acid, calycosin, and formononetin) of YYTN in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were established using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and their peak areas were quantified in plasma samples. The pharmacodynamic indexes of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), cytochrome c (Cyt-C), and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) were integrated using the Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method to create a comprehensive evaluation index. Spectrum-effect correlation was analyzed by performing gray relation analysis (GRA), correlation analysis (CA), and partial least squares regression (PLSR). The Borda method was then applied to integrate the obtained results.

RESULTS

In MCAO rats, the effective components of YYTN reduced TNF-α and Cyt-C and increased T-SOD, which indicates their anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antioxidant effects. Spectrum-effect CA revealed certain associations between the chromatographic peaks of the five main components and the comprehensive pharmacodynamic evaluation index. Of these components, formononetin displayed the highest correlation, whereas ferulic acid exhibited the lowest correlation. All components showed a positive correlation. Using the Borda method, the components were ranked as follows based on correlation: formononetin > calycosin > ligustrazine > puerarin > ferulic acid.

CONCLUSIONS

The effective components of YYTN exhibited synergistic effects in the treatment of MCAO rats, which could potentially be attributed to their multitarget and multipathway mechanisms. The Borda method-based spectrum-effect correlation analysis provides a coordinated approach to investigate the relationship between fingerprint and pharmacodynamics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Deciphering the Potentials of Cardamom in Cancer Prevention and Therapy: From Kitchen to Clinic

Cardamom (cardamum) is a spice produced from the seeds of several Elettaria and Amomum plants of the Zingiberaceae family. Cardamom has been demonstrated to offer numerous benefits, including its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and other metabolic (anti-diabetic) properties, and its potential to reduce cancer risk. Recently, researchers have extracted and tested multiple phytochemicals from cardamom to assess their potential effectiveness against various types of human malignancy. These studies have indicated that cardamom can help overcome drug resistance to standard chemotherapy and protect against chemotherapy-induced toxicity due to its scavenging properties. Furthermore, chemical compounds in cardamom, including limonene, cymene, pinene, linalool, borneol, cardamonin, indole-3-carbinol, and diindolylmethane, primarily target the programmed cell death lignin-1 gene, which is more prevalent in cancer cells than in healthy cells. This review provides the medicinal properties and pharmacological uses of cardamom, its cellular effects, and potential therapeutic uses in cancer prevention and treatment, as well as its use in reducing drug resistance and improving the overall health of cancer patients. Based on previous preclinical studies, cardamom shows significant potential as an anti-cancer agent, but further exploration for clinical use is warranted due to its diverse mechanisms of action.

Isobavachalcone enhances sensitivity of colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: In vitro and in vivo proof-of-concept studies

OBJECTIVE

Antibiotic resistance poses a considerable worldwide concern, particularly in clinical environments where drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) present a major challenge. The objective of this research was to investigate the mechanisms by which isobavachalcone (IBC) restores the sensitivity of K. pneumoniae to colistin in vitro and to validate the synergistic therapeutic effect in vivo.

RESULTS

The results indicate that the combined administration of colistin and IBC exhibits a potent antibacterial effect both in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro concurrent administration of colistin and IBC resulted in increased membrane permeability, compromised cell integrity, diminished membrane fluidity, and disrupted membrane homeostasis. Additionally, this combination reduced biofilm production, inhibited the synthesis of the autoinducer factor, altered membrane potential, and affected levels of reactive oxygen species and adenosine triphosphate synthesis, ultimately leading to bacterial death. In vivo experiments on Galleria mellonella and mice demonstrated that the co-administration of colistin and IBC increased the survival rate and significantly reduced pathological damage compared to colistin alone.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that IBC effectively restores the sensitivity of colistin by inducing physical disruption of bacterial membranes and oxidative stress. The combination therapy of colistin and IBC presents a viable and safe strategy to combat drug-resistant K. pneumoniae-associated infections.

Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial potential of Alpinia galanga (L.) rhizome

Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd. (A. galanga) is extremely significant and is utilized extensively in traditional medicine throughout many nations. This study aimed to determine the chemical composition of A. galanga rhizome extract (AgRE) and to evaluate its antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial activities. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of AgRE were determined. The antioxidant activity, cytotoxic capability, and antibacterial of were assessed, as well as anti-apoptotic genes. Molecular docking (MD) was used to assess the binding affinity of the most enriched constituents in AgRE toward the active sites of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and p53 tumor suppressor protein (TP53). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis demonstrated that AgRE is a rich source of turmerone. AgRE had moderate 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging properties, with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 79.34 ± 1.78 and 88.94 ± 2.28 μg/ml, respectively. AgRE preferentially reduced the viability of a subset of malignant MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines, with IC50 of 125.35 ± 4.28 and 182.49 ± 3.19 μg/ml, respectively. AgRE exhibited considerable antimicrobial activity against all bacterial strains, with MIC values ranging from 7.81 ± 1.53 to 62.5 ± 3.28 μg/ml. The MD results revealed that ethyl-4-(2-methylpropyl)-benzene had the greatest binding energy with NADPH oxidase, with a Glide score of -6848 kcal/mol, followed by 2-methoxy-phenol (-5111 kcal/mol). Taken together, we report the interesting antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties of AgRE, which warrant further investigation. AgRE is a promising natural resource that could be used to combat complicated diseases such as cancer and bacterial infections.

Flavone and 3-hydroxyflavone supplementation in cryopreservation medium protects canine sperm against apoptosis and lipid peroxidation

Cryopreservation is a pivotal technique in safeguarding genetic material across diverse species, despite its inherent challenges linked to induced spermatozoa damage, notably apoptosis and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Given the insufficient antioxidant defense of spermatozoa against LPO, there is a rising interest in integrating additional additives into extenders to ameliorate mammalian semen quality. Among these additives, flavonoids have garnered considerable attention due to their potent antioxidative properties. Hence, our study aimed to assess the efficacy of flavone (FL) and 3-hydroxyflavone (3-OH = ) supplementation in the cryopreservation medium to protect canine sperm against the damaging impacts of freezing and ensure the preservation of their reproductive potential. Semen was collected from five Beagle stud dogs and then pooled. Then, the sample was divided into 7 groups, each treated with 1) 0 mM, 2) 0.1 mM FL, 3) 0.2 mM FL, 4) 0.4 mM FL, 5) 0.1 mM 3-OH = , 6) 0.2 mM 3-OH = , 7) 0.4 mM 3-OH = . Semen samples were subjected to cryopreservation in French straws and glycerol as a cryoprotectant. In the frozen thawed semen, sperm motility parameters by CASA system and sperm membrane integrity, acrosome status, mitochondrial activity, DNA fragmentation, early apoptosis with capacitation, and LPO were assessed using flow cytometry just after thawing (0 h) and 4 h post thaw. Results reveal significant increase in the proportion of live spermatozoa with undamaged acrosomes in the FL 0.1 and 3-OH = 0.2 groups at 0 h post thaw. At this time point, 3-OH = 0.1 significantly reduced the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) compared to the FL 0.1 and 0.2 groups. However, after the next 4 h, 3-OH = 0.4 exhibited the lowest (P < 0.05) DFI compared to FL 0.2 and 3-OH = 0.1. Additionally, 3-OH = 0.4 showed the highest (P < 0.05) proportion of non apoptotic and non capacitated spermatozoa compared to FL 0.1 0 h post-thaw. Simultaneously, the same group demonstrated significant reduction in apoptotic and capacitated sperm cells, at 0 h and 4 h post-thaw. Moreover, 3-OH = at 0.1 (0 h and 4 h) and 0.2 mM (4 h) significantly enhances the proportion of live sperm without LPO post thaw. Whitin the FL groups, only 0.4 FL significantly increased the percentage of live sperm without LPO. No significant effect of the tested substances was observed on sperm motility, cell membrane integrity, or mitochondrial activity. These findings highlight the promising role of flavone and 3-hydroxyflavone in enhancing sperm resilience during cryopreservation, suggesting their protective function against acrosome damages, capacitation, apoptosis and lipid peroxidation.

Synthesis and Antiproliferative Effect of 3,4,5-Trimethoxylated Chalcones on Colorectal and Prostatic Cancer Cells

In the context of designing innovative anticancer agents, the synthesis of a series of chalcones bearing a 3,4,5-trimethoxylated A ring and a variety of B rings, including phenols and original heterocycles such as chromones, was conducted. For this end, Claisen-Schmidt condensation was performed in basic or acidic conditions between the common starting material 3,4,5-trimethoxyacetophenone and appropriate aldehydes; this allowed the recovery of fifteen chalcones in moderate-good yields. The synthesized compounds were screened for their antiproliferative activity against colorectal and prostatic cancer cells, using a colorimetric MTT assay. Among the new chromonyl series, chalcone 13 demonstrates an interesting antiproliferative effect, with IC50 values in the range of 2.6-5.1 µM at 48 h. Then, our study evidenced that indolyl chalcone 10 exhibits excellent activity towards the selected cell lines (with IC50 less than 50 nM). This compound has already been described and has been shown to be a potent anticancer agent against other cancer cell lines. Our investigations highlighted apoptosis induction, through several pro-apoptotic markers, of these two heterocyclic chalcones. Considering phenolic chalcones, compounds 2 and 8 were found to be the most active against cell proliferation, exerting their effect by inducing the depolymerization of cell microtubules. The most promising compounds in this series will be selected for application in a strategy of vectorization by either active or passive targeting.

CD44/PD-L1-mediated networks in drug resistance and immune evasion of breast cancer stem cells: Promising targets of natural compounds

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) significantly interfere with immunotherapy, leading to challenges such as low response rates and acquired resistance. PD-L1 expression is associated with the CSC population's overexpression of CD44. Mounting evidence suggests that the breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) marker CD44 and the immune checkpoint PD-L1 contribute to treatment failure through their networks. Natural compounds can overcome therapy resistance in breast cancer by targeting mechanisms underlying resistance in BCSCs. This review provides an updated insight into the CD44 and PD-L1 networks of BCSCs in mediating metastasis and immune evasion. The review critically examines existing literature, providing a comprehensive understanding of the topic and emphasizing the impact of natural flavones on the signaling pathways of BCSCs. Additionally, the review discusses the potential of natural compounds in targeting CD44 and PD-L1 in breast cancer (BC). Natural compounds consistently show potential in targeting regulatory mechanisms of BCSCs, inducing loss of stemness, and promoting differentiation. They offer a promising approach for developing alternative therapeutic strategies to manage breast cancer.

Flavonoid compounds and their synergistic effects: Promising approaches for the prevention and treatment of psoriasis with emphasis on keratinocytes - A systematic and mechanistic review

Psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune skin disorder, causes rapid and excessive skin cell growth due to immune system dysfunction. Numerous studies have shown that flavonoids have anti-psoriatic effects by modulating various molecular mechanisms involved in inflammation, cytokine production, keratinocyte proliferation, and more. This study reviewed experimental data reported in scientific literature and used network analysis to identify the potential biological roles of flavonoids' targets in treating psoriasis. 947 records from Web of Sciences, ScienceDirect database, Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane library were reviewed without limitations until June 26, 2023. 66 articles were included in the systematic review. The ten genes with the highest scores, including interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12A, IL-1β, IL-6, Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Janus kinase 2 (JAK 2), Jun N-terminal kinase (JUN), Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (SRC), Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA), and Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), were identified as the hub genes. KEGG pathway analysis identified connections related to inflammation and autoimmune responses, which are key characteristics of psoriasis. IL-6, STAT3, and JUN's presence in both hub and enrichment genes suggests their important role in flavonoid's effect on psoriasis. This comprehensive study highlights how flavonoids can target biological processes in psoriasis, especially when combined for enhanced effectiveness.

Comparative metabolites profiling of different solvent extracts of Asparagus species cladodes using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and molecular networking

INTRODUCTION

Asparagus species are naturally distributed worldwide and are known for their pharmacological properties that offer cures for various ailments. However, the metabolic choreography of these Asparagus species is not well characterized, and the compounds contributing to their bioactivities remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to profile and compare the metabolomes of three Asparagus species cladodes using different solvent extractions.

METHODS

An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and molecular networking approach was used to study the effects of different solvents (ethyl acetate, methanol, and chloroform) with varying polarity on metabolites extraction and identification of bioactive compounds from three Asparagus species cladodes (Asparagus falcatus, Asparagus plumosus, and Asparagus densiflorus 'Meyersii').

RESULTS

Multivariate statistical analyses (mainly principal component analysis) revealed a significant separation between the three solvents and the three species, indicating notable metabolic differences. A total of 118 metabolites were identified in the three species extracted with the different solvents, with methanolic and chloroform extracts containing more metabolites compared with ethyl acetate extracts. These metabolites were identified as belonging to the flavonoids, cinnamic acids, organooxygen compounds, steroids, fatty acids, benzenes, and glycerophospholipids compound classes. Furthermore, these compounds classes were differentially distributed among the three species, indicating chemical/chemotaxis differences between the compared species. Chloroform and methanol are recommended as the optimal solvents to obtain a high content of phytochemical compounds from Asparagus species cladodes.

Morin hydrate mitigates calcium oxalate urolithiasis by inhibiting oxalate synthesis and modulating crystal formation

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolithiasis is a prevalent urinary disorder with significant clinical impact. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Morin Hydrate (MH), a natural bioflavonoid, in preventing CaOx stone formation. Molecular docking studies revealed that MH binds strongly to glycolate oxidase (GO), suggesting its inhibitory effect on oxalate synthesis. In vitro assays demonstrated that MH effectively inhibits CaOx crystal nucleation, aggregation, and growth, altering crystal morphology to less stable forms. Diuretic activity studies in Wistar rats showed that MH substantially increased urine volume and ion excretion, indicating its moderate diuretic effect. In vivo experiments further supported these findings, with MH treatment improving urinary and serum markers, reducing oxidative stress, and protecting renal tissue, as evidenced by histopathological analysis. Notably, MH administration significantly decreased GO and lactate dehydrogenase activities in urolithiatic rats, indicating a reduction in oxalate production. These results suggest that MH is a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of CaOx urolithiasis, with the potential for clinical application in reducing the risk and recurrence of kidney stones.

Foliar Exposure of Deuterium Stable Isotope-Labeled Nanoplastics to Lettuce: Quantitative Determination of Foliar Uptake, Transport, and Trophic Transfer in a Terrestrial Food Chain

Nanoplastics (NPs) are widely detected in the atmosphere and are likely to be deposited on plant leaves. However, our understanding of their foliar uptake, translocation, and trophic transfer profiles is limited due to a lack of quantitative analytical tools to effectively probe mechanisms of action. Here, using synthesized deuterium (2H) stable isotope-labeled polystyrene nanoplastics (2H-PSNPs), the foliar accumulation and translocation of NPs in lettuce and the dynamics of NP transfer along a lettuce-snail terrestrial food chain were investigated. Raman imaging and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that foliar-applied NPs aggregated on the leaf surface, entered the mesophyll tissue via the stomatal pathway, and eventually translocated to root tissues. Quantitative analysis showed that increasing levels of foliar exposure to 2H-PSNPs (0.1, 1, and 5 mg/L in spray solutions, equivalent to receiving 0.15, 1.5, and 7.5 μg/d of NPs per plant) enhanced NP accumulation in leaves, with concentrations ranging from 0.73 to 15.6 μg/g (dw), but only limited translocation (<5%) to roots. After feeding on 5 mg/L 2H-PSNP-contaminated lettuce leaves for 14 days, snails accumulated NPs at 0.33 to 10.7 μg/kg (dw), with an overall kinetic trophic transfer factor of 0.45, demonstrating trophic dilution in this food chain. The reduced ingestion rate of 3.18 mg/g/day in exposed snails compared to 6.43 mg/g/day can be attributed to the accumulation of 2H-PSNPs and elevated levels of chemical defense metabolites in the lettuce leaves, which decreased the palatability for snails and disrupted their digestive function. This study provides critical quantitative information on the characteristics of airborne NP bioaccumulation and the associated risks to terrestrial food chains.

In Vitro Studies of Genistein Lipophilic Derivatives as Potential UV Radiation Protectors

The major environmental factor responsible for skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) radiation, present in sunlight. UV radiation is directly linked to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which accumulate in exposed cells and cause serious damage. The antioxidant systems present in cells cannot always sufficiently neutralize the ROS. Therefore, supplementation with exogenous antioxidants has been proposed. The antioxidant properties of some isoflavones, such as genistein, have already been well-proven. Genistein has limited bioavailability. However, its derivatives, with increased lipophilicity, could facilitate its transfer into cells, where they can expose its antioxidative potential. This study aims to investigate three genistein derivatives, with greater lipophilicity than the native compound, regarding their cytotoxicity, antioxidative properties, and effect on the cell cycle in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) and a melanoma cancer cell line (Me45). Results showed that lipophilic modification of the genistein molecule changes the biological response of NHDF and Me45 cell lines to UV-C radiation, but the lipophilicity cannot be directly linked with the activity of the compounds. A comparison of the effects of the genistein derivatives on healthy and cancerous cells suggests that their mode of action strongly depends on the type of cell involved.

Metabolomic Profiling of Guadua Species and Its Correlation with Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities

Bamboo plants are widely used in Asian traditional medicine for various health issues and exhibit therapeutic potential. Guadua species are renowned bamboos for their high phenolic compound content, including flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, and possess noteworthy biological properties. Despite this, there is a notable scarcity of research on the chemical and biological aspects of Latin American bamboo leaf extracts (BLEs), especially concerning the Guadua genus. This study aimed to employ a metabolomics approach to integrate the phytochemical and activity profiles of BLEs to identify potential bioactive markers. We determined the metabolic fingerprints of 30 BLEs through HPTLC, HPLC-DAD, UHPLC-QTOF-MS, and 1H-NMR analyses and screened for antioxidant and cytotoxic activities using ABTS, DPPH, and MTT methods. Ultimately, correlation analyses were performed by using chemometric methods and molecular networking. Our findings present a comprehensive chemical characterization, encompassing 40 flavonoids and 9 cinnamic acid derivatives. Notably, most of these compounds have been reported for the first time within the genus, signifying novel discoveries. Additionally, certain compounds identified in other species of the subfamily Bambusoideae provide valuable comparative insights. These compounds demonstrated a significant correlation with antioxidant potential, with values exceeding 100 and 30 μmol of TE/g of extract for ABTS and DPPH, respectively, in the samples. Extracts from G. incana and G. angustifolia exhibited potent cytotoxic effects with IC50 values of 1.23 and 4.73 μg/mL against HCT-116 colon cancer cells, respectively. Notably, glycosylated flavones showed a strong correlation with cytotoxicity. These new findings significantly contribute to our understanding of the chemical composition and biological properties of these often overlooked bamboo species, providing them with important added value and alternative use.

Comprehensive identification of polyphenolic metabolites in aspen knotwood by combination of 2D NMR and HPLC-HRMS

INTRODUCTION

European aspen (Populus tremula L.) knotwood contains large amounts of polyphenolic metabolites, mainly flavonoids, and can be considered as a promising industrial-scale source of valuable bioactive compounds. Valorization of knotwood extractives requires detailed information on their chemical composition and a relevant analytical methodology.

OBJECTIVE

This study proposes combined analytical strategy for non-targeted screening and identification of polyphenolic plant metabolites and is aimed at comprehensive characterization of knotwood extractives.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Aspen knotwood acetone extract with determined antioxidant activity was an object of the study. Two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy with Structure Elucidator expert system was used for preliminary search of major components and specific structures. Liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS) with data-dependent MS/MS spectra acquisition was used as a complementary technique providing molecular-level characterization and identification of the detected metabolites.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight phenolic metabolites were found and identified. Among them, flavonoids, aromadendrin and naringenin, as well as their glycosylated derivatives (mainly O-glucosides) and methyl ethers, dominated. Taxifolin and its 7-O-glucoside were detected as minor components. Other detected compounds are represented by p-coumaric acid and its rutinoside and small amounts of glycosylated ferulic acid. Nineteen of the detected compounds were discovered in aspen knotwood for the first time. The results were confirmed by preparative isolation of individual compounds and NMR studies.

CONCLUSION

The proposed analytical strategy based on 2D NMR and HPLC-HRMS can be considered a powerful tool in the analysis of plant extractives and allowed for the identification and semi-quantification of a large number of polyphenols in aspen knotwood.

Modulation of Multidrug Resistance Transporters by Food Components and Dietary Supplements: Implications for Cancer Therapy Efficacy and Safety

The aim of this review is to explore how diet and dietary supplements influence the activity of key multidrug resistance (MDR) transporters-MRP2, BCRP, and P-gp. These transporters play a crucial role in drug efflux from cancer cells and significantly affect chemotherapy outcomes. This review focuses on how dietary phytochemicals, such as catechins and quercetin, impact the expression and function of these transporters. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments were examined to assess changes in drug bioavailability and intracellular drug accumulation. The findings show that certain dietary components-such as catechins, flavonoids, resveratrol, curcumin, terpenoids, sterols, and alkaloids-can either inhibit or induce MDR transporter activity, thus influencing the effectiveness of chemotherapy. These results highlight the importance of understanding diet-drug interactions in cancer therapy to improve treatment outcomes and reduce side effects. In conclusion, dietary modifications and supplements should be carefully considered in cancer treatment plans to optimize therapeutic efficacy.

Polyphenols in bee products and prevention of cell senescence

Sustaining the continuity of cells and their homeostasis throughout the lifespan is compulsory for the survival of an organism. Cellular senescence is one of mechanisms involved in cell homeostasis and survival, and plays both important and detrimental roles in the maintenance of malfunctioned and normal cells. However, when exposed to various insults (genetic, metabolic and environmental), the cells undergo oxidative stress which may induce premature senescence, or so-called stress-induced premature senescence. Many age-related diseases are associated with premature senescence. Hence, there is growing interest in the intake of natural sources such as dietary food, which has protective functions on human health and diseases as well as on premature senescence. There are many natural food sources which have beneficial effects on delaying cell senescence, of which bee products are one of them. Bee products (honey, propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen, bee bread, venom and wax) are rich in polyphenols, a compound that exerts powerful antioxidant actions against oxidative stress and is able to delay premature senescence that is linked to ageing. This review describes the factors triggering senescence, the biomarkers involved and the prevention of senescence by the polyphenols present in bee products. Thus, it is hoped that this will provide new insights into the clinical management of age-related diseases.

Intraspecific variation in leaf (poly)phenolic content of a southern hemisphere beech (Nothofagus antarctica) growing under different environmental conditions

Nothofagus antarctica (G.Forst.) Oerst. (Ñire) leaves are a valuable source of (poly)phenolic compounds and represent a high-value non-timber product from Patagonian forests. However, information on the variability of their chemical profile is limited or non-existent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the (poly)phenolic variability in Ñire leaf infusions. To this end, different tree populations growing under different temperature regimes and soil characteristics were considered. Interestingly, a cup of Ñire leaf infusion could be considered as a rich source of quercetin. Significant differences in the (poly)phenolic content, especially in flavonoid conjugates and cinnamic acids, were found among the populations studied. These results suggest metabolic variability among the forests studied, which could be related to the species response to its growing conditions, and also provide some clues about the performance of N. antarctica under future climate scenarios. The N. antarctica forests growing in environments with lower frequency of cold and heat stress and high soil fertility showed better infusion quality. This study showed how a South American beech interacts with its local environment at the level of secondary metabolism. In addition, the information obtained is useful for defining forest management strategies in the Patagonian region.

Advancements in Plant-Based Therapeutics for Hepatic Fibrosis: Molecular Mechanisms and Nanoparticulate Drug Delivery Systems

Chronic liver injuries often lead to hepatic fibrosis, a condition characterized by excessive extracellular matrix accumulation and abnormal connective tissue hyperplasia. Without effective treatment, hepatic fibrosis can progress to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Current treatments, including liver transplantation, are limited by donor shortages and high costs. As such, there is an urgent need for effective therapeutic strategies. This review focuses on the potential of plant-based therapeutics, particularly polyphenols, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, in treating hepatic fibrosis. These compounds have demonstrated anti-fibrotic activities through various signaling pathways, including TGF-β/Smad, AMPK/mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin, NF-κB, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and hedgehog pathways. Additionally, this review highlights the advancements in nanoparticulate drug delivery systems that enhance the pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy of these bioactive compounds. Methodologically, this review synthesizes findings from recent studies, providing a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms and benefits of these plant-based treatments. The integration of novel drug delivery systems with plant-based therapeutics holds significant promise for developing effective treatments for hepatic fibrosis.

Anogeissus Latifolia: A Comprehensive Review from Ethanobotanical Insights to Future Pharmacological Frontiers

Anogeissus latifolia, commonly known as Axlewood, Indian Gum Tree, or Gum Ghatti, belongs to the Combretaceae family and is native to India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. It thrives in most tropical and subtropical regions of India. Different parts of the plant contain various proteins, carbohydrates, sugars (arabinose, galactose, mannose, xylose, rhamnose, and glucuronic acid), minerals (magnesium and calcium salts of ghattic acid), and a wide range of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, sterols, saponins, tannins, coumarins, quinine, and ellagic acid. Studies have indicated the potential of Anogeissus latifolia in managing various health conditions, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-parasitic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, wound healing, and hypolipidemic effects. However, like many medicinal plants, Anogeissus latifolia demonstrates a dose-dependent toxicity profile, particularly when administered intraperitoneally. Research efforts have been directed towards elucidating its safety profile, and findings suggest that it can be considered safe when administered within prescribed dosages. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review encompassing the ethnobotanical significance, morphological characteristics, phytochemistry, pharmacological actions, and toxicological aspects of Anogeissus latifolia. Additionally, it explores future research perspectives in the field of Anogeissus latifolia pharmacology and therapeutics.

Depression and Diet Quality, US Adolescents and Young Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2015-March 2020

BACKGROUND

Depression is a common mental health disorder.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to explore the association between diet quality, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index 2020 (HEI-2020), and depression symptoms among US adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 29 years.

DESIGN

The study design was a cross-sectional secondary data analysis.

PARTICIPANTS

Data from the first 24-hour dietary recall for adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 29 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2015 to March 2020 (n = 4750) were analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Depression was defined as a score ≥10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire, reflecting moderate or severe symptoms in the previous 2 weeks.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED

HEI-2020 total (range, 0-100) and component scores were calculated for those with and without depression. Predicted HEI-2020 scores were estimated from linear regression models, adjusting for age, gender, race and Hispanic origin, family income, and seeing a mental health professional in the past year. Statistical analyses accounted for the complex sample design.

RESULTS

The prevalence of depression among adolescents and young adults was 7.8% (95% CI 6.3% to 9.5%). Total HEI-2020 score was 45.9 (95% CI 45.0 to 46.7) out of 100 on a given day during 2015 to March 2020. Among young people with depression, total HEI-2020 score was lower than among those without depression (41.7 vs 46.2; P < .001). After adjustment for covariates, the difference was attenuated, but remained significant. In adjusted analyses, HEI-2020 component scores were lower for those with depression compared with those without depression for the adequacy components: total fruits (1.4 vs 1.7; P = .03), whole fruits (1.2 vs 1.7; P < .01), total vegetables (2.1 vs 2.6; P < .01), greens and beans (0.8 vs 1.2; P < .01), and total protein foods (3.6 vs 4.0; P = .02) out of a maximum score of 5. There were no statistically significant differences observed for whole grains, dairy, seafood and plant proteins, fatty acids, saturated fats, refined grains, sodium, or added sugars.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall diet quality is low among young people. Diet quality, especially consumption of fruits, vegetables, and protein foods was lower among young people with depression compared with those without depression.

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.): from staple to superfood-a comprehensive review on nutritional, bioactive, industrial, and climate resilience potential

MAIN CONCLUSION

This review discusses the Finger millet's rich nutritional profile, bioactive potential, and industrial applications, combined with its climate resilience, which make it a promising crop for enhancing food security and promoting sustainable agriculture. This review also highlights its significant potential to address malnutrition and mitigate climate change impacts. The emergence of Finger millet from "poor man's staple food" to "a nutrient rich cereal" has encouraged the need to explore this crop at a wider scale. It is a highly significant crop due to its rich nutritional and bioactive profile, diverse biological activities, and promising industrial applications, along with the high climate resilience. This comprehensive review evaluates its nutritional composition by comparing favorably with other cereals and millets and emphasizing its potential to address malnutrition and enhance food security. Furthermore, it explores the phytochemical/bioactive potential and strategies to enhance their bioavailability followed biological activities of Finger millet by highlighting its various health-promoting properties. The review also discusses industrial potential of finger millet including its role in nutraceutical and functional food production, as well as bioenergy generation. In addition, role of Finger millet as a climate-resilient crop; specifically, the available genetic resources and identification of genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with major stress tolerance traits have also been discussed. By providing a comprehensive synthesis of existing knowledge, this study offers valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders engaged in efforts to promote sustainable agriculture, enhance food and nutrition security, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

A systematic review on the morphology structure, propagation characteristics, resistance physiology and exploitation and utilization of Nitraria tangutorum Bobrov

Nitraria tangutorum Bobrov., belonging to the family Nitrariaceae, is a drought-tolerant and salt-loving plant and has drawn attention for its good economic and ecological value. As one of the main group species and dominant species in China's desert and semi-desert regions, N. tangutorum possesses superior tolerance to drought, high temperature, cold, barren, high salinity and alkalinity and wind and sand. Its root system is well developed, with many branches and a strong germination capacity. Once buried in sandy soil, N. tangutorum can quickly produce a large number of adventitious roots, forming new plants and continuously expanding the shrubs, forming fixed and semi-fixed shrub sand dunes. Sand dune shrubs can trap and fix a large amounts of quicksand, prevent desert expansion and erosion, and play an important role in maintaining regional ecosystem balance and improving ecological environmental quality. In addition, the phytochemical screening studies report that N. tangutorum contains an abundance of various compounds including flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic acids and polysaccharides. These compounds confer a range of beneficial bioactivities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-fatigue, liver protection, neuroprotection, cardiovascular protection, lowering blood lipid, regulating blood sugar level and immunoregulation. The fruits of N. tangutorum also contain vitamin C, amino acids, minerals and microelements. It has been traditionally used as a nutritional food source and in folk medicine to treat diseases of the spleen and stomach, abnormal menstruation, indigestion, and hyperlipidemia. N. tangutorum, as a wild plant with medicinal and edible homology, possesses remarkable economic and medicinal values. This detailed, comprehensive review gathers and presents all the information related to the morphological structure, propagation characteristics, resistance physiology and exploitation and utilization of N. tangutorum, providing a theoretical basis for the researchers to conduct future in-depth research on N. tangutorum.

Physicochemical, nutritional properties, and antioxidant potential of 'limilla' fruit (Rhus aromatica var. schmidelioides (Schltdl.) Engl.)

Rhus aromatica inhabits humid oak and oakpine forests in the State of Michoacán (Mexico). The fruit of R. aromatica is edible and is traditionally used in the preparation of soft drinks, ice pops, ice creams and 'atole'. The objective of the present investigation was to carry out a physical and chemical characterization and analysis of the antioxidant capacity of fruit. For the physical characterization, the equatorial and longitudinal diameter, weight and percentage of pulp were determined. In the chemical characterization, a proximal analysis was carried out, quantification of polyphenols and flavonoids was performed, and the antioxidant capacity was determined. The results showed that the fruit had a longitudinal diameter of 6.58 ± 1.02 mm, an equatorial diameter of 7.17 ± 0.66, a weight of 55.22 ± 5.47 mg, and a 40 % pulp proportion. The chemical characterization analysis indicated 8.7 % moisture, 30.6 % lipids, 8.7 % proteins, 29.4 % total sugars, 3.8 % ashes and 18.7 % crude fibre, 3.1 °Brix, pH 3.1, 1.92 % acidity total and a caloric intake of 4.27 kcal/g. The polyphenol content was higher in 60 % ethanol extracts with 88.6 ± 50.89 mg EAG/g; for flavonoids from extracts with 100 % acetone, it was 26.52 ± 0.65 mg EQ/g, and the total carotenoid content was 46.37 mg/100 g. The total antioxidant activity was higher in extracts with 80 % acetone, with 87.17 % inhibition of the DPPH radical and 90 % inhibition of ABTS without showing a significant difference with the different solvents used. The lowest IC50 values were presented in 100 % ethanol and 60 % methanol extracts for the DPPH radical and for the ABTS radical were the 80 % ethanol and 60 % methanol extracts. The lipid, protein, carotenoid, and polyphenol contents and antioxidant capacity of the fruit of R. aromatica were as high as those of other fruits consumed in the human diet.

Effects of different postharvest drying processes on flavonoid content and enzymatic activity of Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott flowers for industrial and medicinal use

Traditionally, fresh S. japonicum flowers (SJF) and S. japonicum flowers buds (SJFB) are dried prior to further processing and use. Here, we investigated the ways in which drying techniques, including sun drying (SD), steam drying (STD), microwave drying (MD), hot air drying (HAD, 40 °C, 60 °C, 80 °C, 100 °C), and freeze drying (FD), alter the flavonoid composition of freshly-harvested SJF and SJFB. The flavonoid content of dried samples was determined by Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detector (UPLC-DAD). Overall, different drying techniques had significantly different effects on the RU content, ranging from 10.63 % (HAD-80 °C) to 34.13 % (HAD-100 °C) in SJF and from 18.91 % (HAD-100 °C) to 29.16 % (HAD-40 °C) and 30.53 % (SD) in SJFB. To clarify the mechanism by which drying affects the RU content of S. japonicum flowers, we studied the activity of a rutin-hydrolyzing enzyme (RHE) isolated from SJF and SJFB using multiple separation and assay methods. According to the Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) results, the apparent molecular weight of the purified RHE was approximately 38 kDa. According to UPLC-DAD, RHE catalyzes the production of quercetin (QU) from rutin (RU), but not from other flavonoid glycosides. Drying fresh SJF and SJFB at low and high temperatures can inhibit RHE activity and prevent RU hydrolysis. Therefore, subjecting freshly-harvest SJF to HAD-100 °C, and freshly-harvest SJFB to SD or HAD-40 °C, can greatly increase the RU content. In particular, HAD is viable for large-scale application due to its simplicity and industrial feasibility.

Exploring the underlying pharmacological, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of phytochemicals against wounds: a molecular insight

BACKGROUND

Numerous cellular, humoral, and molecular processes are involved in the intricate process of wound healing.

PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Numerous bioactive substances, such as ß-sitosterol, tannic acid, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, quercetin, ellagic acid, and pyrogallol, along with their pharmacokinetics and bioavailability, have been reviewed. These phytochemicals work together to promote angiogenesis, granulation, collagen synthesis, oxidative balance, extracellular matrix (ECM) formation, cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, and re-epithelialization during wound healing.

FINDINGS AND NOVELTY

To improve wound contraction, this review delves into how the application of each bioactive molecule mediates with the inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling phases of wound healing to speed up the process. This review also reveals the underlying mechanisms of the phytochemicals against different stages of wound healing along with the differentiation of the in vitro evidence from the in vivo evidence There is growing interest in phytochemicals, or plant-derived compounds, due their potential health benefits. This calls for more scientific analysis and mechanistic research. The various pathways that these phytochemicals control/modulate to improve skin regeneration and wound healing are also briefly reviewed. The current review also elaborates the immunomodulatory modes of action of different phytochemicals during wound repair.

Greener healing: sustainable nanotechnology for advanced wound care

Wound healing involves a carefully regulated sequence of events, encompassing pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory stages, tissue regeneration, and remodeling. However, in individuals with diabetes, this process gets disrupted due to dysregulation caused by elevated glucose levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the bloodstream. Consequently, the pro-inflammatory stage is prolonged, while the anti-inflammatory phase is delayed, leading to impaired tissue regeneration and remodeling with extended healing time. Furthermore, the increased glucose levels in open wounds create an environment conducive to microbial growth and tissue sepsis, which can escalate to the point of limb amputation. Managing diabetic wounds requires meticulous care and monitoring due to the lack of widely available preventative and therapeutic measures. Existing clinical interventions have limitations, such as slow recovery rates, high costs, and inefficient drug delivery methods. Therefore, exploring alternative avenues to develop effective wound-healing treatments is essential. Nature offers a vast array of resources in the form of secondary metabolites, notably polyphenols, known for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, glucose-regulating, and cell growth-promoting properties. Additionally, nanoparticles synthesized through environmentally friendly methods hold promise for wound healing applications in diabetic and non-diabetic conditions. This review provides a comprehensive discussion and summary of the potential wound-healing abilities of specific natural polyphenols and their nanoparticles. It explores the mechanisms of action underlying their efficacy and presents effective formulations for promoting wound-healing activity.

A Multipurpose Metallophore and Its Copper Complexes with Diverse Catalytic Antioxidant Properties to Deal with Metal and Oxidative Stress Disorders: A Combined Experimental, Theoretical, and In Vitro Study

We report the discovery that the molecule 1-(pyridin-2-ylmethylamino)propan-2-ol (HL) can reduce oxidative stress in neuronal C6 glioma cells exposed to reactive oxygen species (O2-•, H2O2, and •OH) and metal (Cu+) stress conditions. Furthermore, its association with Cu2+ generates [Cu(HL)Cl2] (1) and [Cu(HL)2](ClO4)2 (2) complexes that also exhibit antioxidant properties. Potentiometric titration data show that HL can coordinate to Cu2+ in 1:1 and 1:2 Cu2+:ligand ratios, which was confirmed by monocrystal X-ray studies. The subsequent ultraviolet-visible, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and electron paramagnetic resonance experiments show that they can decompose a variety of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Kinetic studies revealed that 1 and 2 mimic the superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Complex 1 promotes the fastest decomposition of H2O2 (kobs = 2.32 × 107 M-1 s-1), efficiently dismutases the superoxide anion (kcat = 3.08 × 107 M-1 s-1), and scavenges the hydroxyl radical (RSA50 = 25.7 × 10-6 M). Density functional theory calculations support the formation of dinuclear Cu-peroxide and mononuclear Cu-superoxide species in the reactions of [Cu(HL)Cl2] with H2O2 and O2•-, respectively. Furthermore, both 1 and 2 also reduce the oxidative stress of neuronal glioma C6 cells exposed to different ROS, including O2•- and •OH.

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of flavonoid and phenolics extracted from Sepia pharaonis ink (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)

BACKGROUND

Several studies have been reported previously on the bioactivities of different extracts of marine molluscs. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of S. pharaonis ink as a highly populated species in the Red Sea. We extracted the flavonoids from the ink and analyzed their composition. Then we evaluated systematically the cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties of this extract. A pharmacokinetic study was also conducted using SwissADME to assess the potential of the identified flavonoids and phenolic compounds from the ink extract to be orally active drug candidates.

RESULTS

Cytotoxic activity was evaluated against 5 cell lines (MCF7, Hep G2, A549, and Caco2) at different concentrations (0.4 µg/mL, 1.6 µg/mL, 6.3 µg/mL, 25 µg/mL, 100 µg/mL). The viability of examined cells was reduced by the extract in a concentration-dependent manner. The highest cytotoxic effect of the extract was recorded against A549 and Hep G2 cancer cell lines cells with IC50 = 2.873 and 7.1 µg/mL respectively. The mechanistic analysis by flow cytometry of this extract on cell cycle progression and apoptosis induction indicated that the extract arrests the cell cycle at the S phase in Hep G2 and MCF7, while in A549 cell arrest was recorded at G1 phase. However, it causes G1 and S phase arrest in Caco2 cancer cell line. Our data showed that the extract has significant antimicrobial activity against all tested human microbial pathogens. However, the best inhibitory effect was observed against Candida albicans ATCC 10,221 with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.95 µg/mL. Pharmacokinetic analysis using SwissADME showed that most flavonoids and phenolics compounds have high drug similarity as they satisfy Lipinski's criteria and have WLOGP values below 5.88 and TPSA below 131.6 Å2.

CONCLUSION

S. pharaonis ink ethanolic extract showed a promising cytotoxic potency against various cell lines and a remarkable antimicrobial action against different pathogenic microbial strains. S. pharaonis ink is a novel source of important flavonoids that could be used in the future in different applications as a naturally safe and feasible alternative of synthetic drugs.

Dietary Flavonoids: Mitigating Air Pollution's Cardiovascular Risks

Air pollution significantly impacts cardiovascular health, yet pollution reduction strategies in cardiovascular disease prevention remain limited. Dietary flavonoids show promise in protecting cardiovascular health, but their potential to mitigate air-pollution-induced risks is unexplored. This study investigates this research gap. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, literature from 2014-2024 was searched across MedLine/PubMed, ScienceDirect, and MDPI databases. Of 463 identified studies, 53 were eligible for analysis based on PICO criteria. Findings revealed significant impacts of air pollution on cardiovascular health, including increased disease risks and mortality. Flavonoid intake demonstrated protective effects against these risks. Flavonoid mechanisms include improved endothelial function, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, blood pressure regulation, antiplatelet effects, cardioprotection, and enhanced lipid and glucose metabolism. Higher flavonoid intake was consistently associated with reduced cardiovascular risks. While reducing pollution remains crucial, promoting flavonoid-rich diets is a promising complementary strategy. Public health initiatives should raise awareness about these benefits. Further research on direct interactions between flavonoid intake and air pollution exposure is needed. Current evidence supports integrating dietary interventions into broader strategies to reduce air pollution's cardiovascular impacts.

A review on phytochemicals as combating weapon for multidrug resistance in cancer

One can recognize multidrug resistance (MDR) and residue as a biggest difficulty in cancer specialist. Chemotherapy-resistant cancer may be successfully treated by combining MDR-reversing phytochemicals with anticancer drugs. Though, clinical application of phytochemicals either alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy is still in its early stages or requires more research to determine their safety and efficacy. In this review we highlighted topics related to MDR in cancer, including an introduction to subject, mechanism of action of efflux pump, specific proteins involved in drug resistance, altered drug targets, increased drug metabolism, and potential role of phytochemicals in overcoming drug resistance.

In Vitro Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities, Pharmacokinetics, and In Silico Molecular Docking Study of Phytochemicals from the Roots of Ziziphus spina-christi

Ziziphus spina-christi (Rhamnaceae family) is a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat dandruff, wounds, hair loss, diarrhea, mastitis, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal complications. To support this, the present work aims to study the in vitro antibacterial and antioxidant activities of compound isolates from the roots of Ziziphus spina-christi along with their in silico computational analyses. Compounds were isolated on silica gel column chromatography and an agar disc diffusion and DPPH radical scavenging assays were employed to study the antibacterial and antioxidant activities, respectively. The ADME and toxicity properties of the compounds were evaluated using SwissADME and ProTox-II online Web tools, respectively. Conversely, the in silico molecular docking studies were attained via a Biovia Discovery Studio Visualizer 2021 in combination with the AutoDock Vina software. The silica gel chromatographic separation of the combined CH2Cl2 : CH3OH (1 : 1) and CH3OH root extracts afforded trimethyl trilinolein (1), stearic acid (2), 13-hydroxyoctadeca-9, 11-dienoic acid (3), β-sitosteryl-3β-glucopyranoside-6'-O-palmitate (4), and stigmasterol (5). Notably, the in vitro antibacterial study revealed the extract and β-sitosteryl-3β-glucopyranoside-6'-O-palmitate (4) with the highest inhibitory activities (15.25 ± 0.35 and 14.25 ± 0.35 mm, respectively) against E. coli compared to ciprofloxacin (21.00 ± 0.35 mm) at 2 mg/mL. The CH2Cl2 : CH3OH (1 : 1) extract (IC50 : 1.51 µg/mL) and β-sitosteryl-3β-glucopyranoside-6'-O-palmitate (4) (IC50 : 5.41 µg/mL) also exhibited auspicious DPPH scavenging activities, followed by stigmasterol (5) (IC50 : 6.88 µg/mL) compared to the ascorbic acid standard (IC50 : 0.46 µg/mL). The molecular docking analyses unveiled the highest binding affinity by β-sitosteryl-3β-glucopyranoside-6'-O-palmitate (4) (-8.0 kcal/mol) against P. aeruginosa PqsA relative to the ciprofloxacin standard (-8.2 kcal/mol). Furthermore, the organ toxicity predictions showed that all the compounds exhibit no hepatotoxicity and cytotoxicity effects and stigmasterol (5) affords drug-likeness protocols. Overall, the combined experimental and computational investigations of this study support the traditional uses of Ziziphus spina-christi for antibacterial and natural antioxidant applications.

Machine Learned Classification of Ligand Intrinsic Activities at Human μ-Opioid Receptor

Opioids are small-molecule agonists of μ-opioid receptor (μOR), while reversal agents such as naloxone are antagonists of μOR. Here, we developed machine learning (ML) models to classify the intrinsic activities of ligands at the human μOR based on the SMILES strings and two-dimensional molecular descriptors. We first manually curated a database of 983 small molecules with measured Emax values at the human μOR. Analysis of the chemical space allowed identification of dominant scaffolds and structurally similar agonists and antagonists. Decision tree models and directed message passing neural networks (MPNNs) were then trained to classify agonistic and antagonistic ligands. The hold-out test AUCs (areas under the receiver operator curves) of the extra-tree (ET) and MPNN models are 91.5 ± 3.9% and 91.8 ± 4.4%, respectively. To overcome the challenge of a small data set, a student-teacher learning method called tritraining with disagreement was tested using an unlabeled data set comprised of 15,816 ligands of human, mouse, and rat μOR, κOR, and δOR. We found that the tritraining scheme was able to increase the hold-out AUC of MPNN models to as high as 95.7%. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of developing ML models to accurately predict the intrinsic activities of μOR ligands, even with limited data. We envisage potential applications of these models in evaluating uncharacterized substances for public safety risks and discovering new therapeutic agents to counteract opioid overdoses.

Computational-Based Polyphenol Therapy for Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer: Naringin Coamorphous Systems for Solubility and Bioavailability Enhancement

In this research, we utilized molecular simulations to create co-amorphous materials (CAMs) of ceritinib (CRT) with the objective of improving its solubility and bioavailability. We identified naringin (NRG) as a suitable co-former for CRT CAMs based on binding energy and intermolecular interactions through computational modeling. We used the solvent evaporation method to produce CAMs of CRT and NRG, expecting to enhance both solubility and bioavailability simultaneously. The solid-state characterization using techniques like differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy affirmed the formation of a single amorphous phase and the presence of intermolecular interactions between CRT and NRG in the CAMs. These materials remained physically stable for up to six months under dry conditions at 40 °C. Moreover, the CAMs demonstrated significant improvements in the solubility and dissolution of CRT (specifically in the ratio CRT:NRG 1:2). This, in turn, led to an increase in cytotoxicity, apoptotic cells, and G0/G1 phase inhibition in A549 cells compared to CRT alone. Furthermore, CRT permeability is also improved twofold, as estimated by the everted gut sac method. The enhanced solubility of CAMs also positively affected the pharmacokinetic parameters. When compared to the physical mixture, the CAMs of CRT:NRG 2:1 exhibited a 2.1-fold increase in CRT exposure (AUC0-t) and a 2.4-fold increase in plasma concentration (Cmax).

Bioactive Flavonoids: A Comprehensive Review on Pharmacokinetics and Analytical Aspects

Flavonoids are a diversified group of natural substances which were discovered to provide a variety of health benefits in human beings. Vegetables, fruits, wine and tea are the primary flavonoid dietary sources for humans and as the flavonoids are so closely connected to human dietary items and health, it is vital to explore the structural-activity connection. The arrangement, replacement of functional groups, and total number of hydroxyl groups around flavonoid's nucleus structure affect their biological activity, metabolism, and bioavailability. Various flavonoids have been proven to have hepatoprotective properties, that help in the prevention of coronary heart disease. Similarly, these flavonoids also possess anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. Flavonoids have been found to have a functional and structural link with their enzyme inhibitory action, that appears to have antiviral effect through acting as antioxidants, damaging cell membranes, blocking enzymes, activating mechanisms of host self-defense, and limiting virus penetration and attaching to cells. Identification, characterization, isolation, and biological role of flavonoids, as well as their uses on health advantages, are all major topics in research and development currently. This review represents a summary of various sources of flavonoids, class, subclass, their chemical structures, biological activities, the pharmacokinetics of flavonoids and various analytical, bioanalytical and electrochemical methods for determination of flavonoids from different matrices.

Identification of potential sclerostin inhibiting flavonoids from Oroxylum indicum: an insilico approach

Flavonoids are secondary metabolites that are widely found in various medicinal plants. They are known for their medicinal benefits and have been extensively used in healthcare industries and in the management of age-related diseases. This paper focuses on flavonoids from Oroxylum indicum, a significant medicinal tree in the practice of traditional Indian medicine. O. indicum has been utilized in a variety of polyherbal formulations for the management of musculoskeletal disorders, however the mechanism of action of its bioactive flavonoids remains unknown. The present study aimed to identify the flavonoids of O. indicum with the potential to target sclerostin, an antagonist of canonical Wnt signaling pathway for the treatment of bone-related disorders. Molecular docking, coarse-grained and molecular dynamics simulations were performed to screen the major flavonoids and investigate their interaction with sclerostin. Flavonoids with highest binding affinity and interacting with at least one of the amino acids of the PNAIG motif residues were selected from docking studies and subjected to further drug likeness and ADMET screening. Further screening from coarse-grained and molecular dynamic simulations results showed that baicalein, compared to other screened flavonoids, stably binds with the important residues of the LRP6 binding site of sclerostin, resulting in pronounced structural changes in the protein. These findings suggest that baicalein from O. indicum can potentially inhibit sclerostin and can elicit skeletal protective effects, providing an insight for further in vitro and in vivo studies.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Attenuation of Quorum Sensing Mediated Virulence Factors and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa PAO1 by Substituted Chalcones and Flavonols

Flavonoids epitomize structural scaffolds in many biologically active synthetic and natural compounds. They showcase a diverse spectrum of biological activities including anticancer, antidiabetic, antituberculosis, antimalarial, and antibiofilm activities. The antibiofilm activity of a series of new chalcones and flavonols against clinically significant Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 strain was studied. Antivirulence activities were screened by analysing the effect of compounds on the production of virulence factors like pyocyanin, LasA protease, cell surface hydrophobicity, and rhamnolipid. The best ligands towards the quorum sensing proteins LasR, RhlR, and PqsR were recognised using a molecular docking study. The gene expression in P. aeruginosa after treatment with test compounds was evaluated on quorum sensing genes including rhlA, lasB, and pqsE. The antibiofilm potential of chalcones and flavonols was confirmed by the efficient reduction in the production of virulence factors and downregulation of gene expression.

Four glycosyltransferase genes are responsible for synthesis and accumulation of different flavonol glycosides in apple tissues

Flavonols are widely synthesized throughout the plant kingdom, playing essential roles in plant physiology and providing unique health benefits for humans. Their glycosylation plays significant role in improving their stability and solubility, thus their accumulation and function. However, the genes encoding the enzymes catalyze this glycosylation remain largely unknown in apple. This study utilized a combination of methods to identify genes encoding such enzymes. Initially, candidate genes were selected based on their potential to encode UDP-dependent glycosyltransferases (UGTs) and their expression patterns in response to light induction. Subsequently, through testing the in vitro enzyme activity of the proteins produced in Escherichia coli cells, four candidates were confirmed to encode a flavonol 3-O-galactosyltransferase (UGT78T6), flavonol 3-O-glucosyltransferase (UGT78S1), flavonol 3-O-xylosyltransferase/arabinosyltransferase (UGT78T5), and flavonol 3-O-rhamnosyltransferase (UGT76AE22), respectively. Further validation of these genes' functions was conducted by modulating their expression levels in stably transformed apple plants. As anticipated, a positive correlation was observed between the expression levels of these genes and the content of specific flavonol glycosides corresponding to each gene. Moreover, overexpression of a flavonol synthase gene, MdFLS, resulted in increased flavonol glycoside content in apple roots and leaves. These findings provide valuable insights for breeding programs aimed at enriching apple flesh with flavonols and for identifying flavonol 3-O-glycosyltransferases of other plant species.

Vaccarin alleviates septic cardiomyopathy by potentiating NLRP3 palmitoylation and inactivation

BACKGROUND

Sepsis often leads to significant morbidity and mortality due to severe myocardial injury. As is known, the activation of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome crucially contributes to septic cardiomyopathy (SCM) by facilitating the secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. The removal of palmitoyl groups from NLRP3 is a crucial step in the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Thus, the potential inhibitors that regulate the palmitoylation and inactivation of NLRP3 may significantly diminish sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction.

PURPOSE

The present study sought to explore the effects of the prospective flavonoid compounds targeting NLRP3 on SCM and to elucidate the associated underlying mechanisms.

STUDY DESIGN

The palmitoylation and activation of NLRP3 were detected in H9c2 cells and C57BL/6 J mice.

METHODS/RESULTS

Echocardiography, histological staining, western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation, qPCR, ELISA and network pharmacology were used to assess the impact of vaccarin (VAC) on SCM in mice subjected to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. From the collection of 74 compounds, we identified that VAC had the strongest capability to suppress NLRP3 luciferase report gene activity in cardiomyocytes, and the anti-inflammatory characteristics of VAC were further ascertained by the network pharmacology. Exposure of LPS triggered apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial disorder in cardiomyocytes. The detrimental alterations were significantly reversed upon VAC treatment in both septic mice and H9c2 cells exposed to LPS. In vivo experiments demonstrated that VAC treatment alleviated septic myocardial injury, indicated by enhanced cardiac function parameters, preserved cardiac structure, and reduced inflammation/oxidative response. Mechanistically, VAC induced NLRP3 palmitoylation to inactivate NLRP3 inflammasome by acting on zDHHC12. In support, the NLRP3 agonist ATP and the acylation inhibitor 2-bromopalmitate (2-BP) prevented the effects of VAC.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that VAC holds promise in protecting against SCM by mitigating cardiac oxidative stress and inflammation via priming NLRP3 palmitoylation and inactivation. These results lay the solid basis for further assessment of the therapeutic potential of VAC against SCM.

Design, synthesis, molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulation, and MMGBSA analysis of 7-O-substituted 5-hydroxy flavone derivatives

A series of chrysin derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their antibacterial activity against four different bacterial strains. We have synthesized new propyl-substituted and butyl-substituted chrysin-piperazine derivatives, which show marvellous inhibition against E. coli and S. aureus. The free hydroxyl group at the C-5 position of chrysin improved therapeutic efficacy in vivo and was a beneficial formulation for chemotherapy. All synthesized compounds were confirmed by various spectroscopic techniques such as IR, NMR, HPLC, and mass spectrometry. The compounds exhibited moderate to good inhibition, and their structure-activity relationship (SAR) has also been illustrated. Among the synthesised compounds, compounds 4 and 10 were the most active against S. pyogenes and E. coli, with 12.5 g/mL MICs; additionally, compound 12 exhibits significant activity on both the S. aureus and E. coli stains. Based on the promising activity profile and docking score of compound 12, it was selected for 100 ns MD simulation and post-dynamic binding free energy analysis within the active sites of S. aureus TyrRS (PDB ID: 1JIJ) and E. coli DNA GyrB (PDB ID: 6YD9) to investigate the stability of molecular contacts and to establish how the newly synthesized inhibitors fit together in the most stable conformations.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.