Antibacterial activity of the soy isoflavone genistein

Pistacia vera L. as natural source against antimicrobial and antiviral resistance

Increased global research is focused on the development of novel therapeutics to combat antimicrobial and antiviral resistance. Pistachio nuts represent a good source of protein, fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals (carotenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids and anthocyanins). The phytochemicals found in pistachios are structurally diverse compounds with antimicrobial and antiviral potential, demonstrated as individual compounds, extracts and complexed into nanoparticles. Synergistic effects have also been reported in combination with existing drugs. Here we report an overview of the antimicrobial and antiviral potential of pistachio nuts: studies show that Gram-positive bacterial strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus, are the most susceptible amongst bacteria, whereas antiviral effect has been reported against herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). Amongst the known pistachio compounds, zeaxanthin has been shown to affect both HSV-1 attachment penetration of human cells and viral DNA synthesis. These data suggest that pistachio extracts and derivatives could be used for the topical treatment of S. aureus skin infections and ocular herpes infections.

Indole Alkaloid Production by the Halo Blight Bacterium Treated with the Phytoalexin Genistein

When Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. phaseolicola, the bacterium that causes halo blight, induces hypersensitive immunity in common bean leaves, salicylic acid and phytoalexins accumulate at the site of infection. Both salicylic acid and the phytoalexin resveratrol exert antibiotic activities and toxicities in vitro, adversely disrupting the P. savastanoi pv. phaseolicola proteome and metabolism and stalling replication and motility. These efficacious properties likely contribute to the cessation of bacterial spread in beans. Genistein is an isoflavonoid phytoalexin that also accumulates during bean immunity, so we tested its antibiotic potential in vitro. Quantitative proteomics revealed that genistein did not induce proteomic changes in P. savastanoi pv. phaseolicola in the same way that salicylic acid or resveratrol did. Rather, a dioxygenase that could function to metabolize genistein was among the most highly induced enzymes. Indeed, high-throughput metabolomics provided direct evidence for genistein catabolism. Metabolomics also revealed that genistein induced the bacterium to produce indole compounds, several of which had structural similarity to auxin. Additional mass spectrometry analyses proved that the bacterium produced an isomer of the auxin indole-3-acetic acid but not indole-3-acetic acid proper. These results reveal that P. savastanoi pv. phaseolicola can tolerate bean genistein and that the bacterium likely responds to bean-produced genistein during infection, using it as a signal to increase pathogenicity, possibly by altering host cell physiology or metabolism through the production of potential auxin mimics.

'Computational studies on coumestrol-ArlR interaction to target ArlRS signaling cascade involved in MRSA virulence'

Two component signaling system ArlRS (Autolysis-related locus) regulates adhesion, biofilm formation and virulence in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It consists of a histidine kinase ArlS and response regulator ArlR. ArlR is composed of a N-terminal receiver domain and DNA-binding effector domain at C-terminal. ArlR receiver domain dimerizes upon signal recognition and activates DNA binding by effector domain and subsequent virulence expression. In silico simulation and structural data suggest that coumestrol, a phytochemical found in Pueraria montana, forges a strong intermolecular interaction with residues involved in dimer formation and destabilizes ArlR dimerization, an essential conformational switch required for downstream effector domain to bind to virulent loci. Structural and energy profiles of simulated ArlR-coumestrol complexes suggest lower affinity between ArlR monomers due to structural rigidity at the dimer interface hindering the conformational rearrangements relevant for dimer formation. These analyses could be an attractive strategy to develop therapeutics and potent leads molecules response regulators of two component systems in which are involved in MRSA virulence as well as other drug-resistant pathogens.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

An isoflavone catabolism gene cluster underlying interkingdom interactions in the soybean rhizosphere

Plant roots secrete various metabolites, including plant specialized metabolites, into the rhizosphere, and shape the rhizosphere microbiome, which is crucial for the plant health and growth. Isoflavones are major plant specialized metabolites found in legume plants, and are involved in interactions with soil microorganisms as initiation signals in rhizobial symbiosis and as modulators of the legume root microbiota. However, it remains largely unknown the molecular basis underlying the isoflavone-mediated interkingdom interactions in the legume rhizosphere. Here, we isolated Variovorax sp. strain V35, a member of the Comamonadaceae that harbors isoflavone-degrading activity, from soybean roots and discovered a gene cluster responsible for isoflavone degradation named ifc. The characterization of ifc mutants and heterologously expressed Ifc enzymes revealed that isoflavones undergo oxidative catabolism, which is different from the reductive metabolic pathways observed in gut microbiota. We further demonstrated that the ifc genes are frequently found in bacterial strains isolated from legume plants, including mutualistic rhizobia, and contribute to the detoxification of the antibacterial activity of isoflavones. Taken together, our findings reveal an isoflavone catabolism gene cluster in the soybean root microbiota, providing molecular insights into isoflavone-mediated legume-microbiota interactions.

A Comprehensive Review of Genistein's Effects in Preclinical Models of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is associated with persistent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infections and is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Current treatment options; surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, are often associated with severe side effects including possible infertility. Novel treatment options are required to help combat this disease and reduce side effects. Many plant-derived chemicals, including paclitaxel and docetaxel, are already in use as treatments for various cancers. Genistein is a polyphenolic isoflavone found in foods including soybeans and legumes, and studies have shown that it has various biological effects and anti-cancer properties. This review aims to summarize the existing studies examining the effects of genistein on cervical cancer. All relevant in vitro and in vivo studies are summarized, and the key findings are highlighted in the associated tables. Based on the available in vitro/cell culture studies reported here, genistein inhibits cervical cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. Use of genistein in combination with radiation or chemotherapy agents resulted in enhanced response indicating radio- and chemo-sensitization properties. More animal studies are required to examine the effectiveness of genistein in vivo. Such studies will form the basis for future human studies exploring the potential of genistein to be used in the treatment of cervical cancer.

Antimicrobial Properties of Bacillus Probiotics as Animal Growth Promoters

Antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) suppress the growth of infectious pathogens. These pathogens negatively impact agricultural production worldwide and often cause health problems if left untreated. Here, we evaluate six Bacillus strains (BPR-11, BPR-12, BPR-13, BPR-14, BPR-16 and BPR-17), which are known for their ability to survive harsh environmental conditions, as AGP replacements in animal feed. Four of these Bacillus strains (BPR-11, BPR-14, BPR-16 and BPR-17) showed antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic strains Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at 25 μg/mL, with BPR-16 and BPR-17 also able to inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica at 100 μg/mL. Further chemical investigation of BPR-17 led to the identification of eight metabolites, namely C16, C15, C14 and C13 surfactin C (1-4), maculosin (5), maculosine 2 (6), genistein (7) and daidzein (8). Purified compounds (1-4) were able to inhibit all the tested pathogens with MIC values ranging from 6.25 to 50 μg/mL. Maculosin (5) and maculosine 2 (6) inhibited C. perfringens, E. coli and S. aureus with an MIC of 25 μg/mL while genistein (7) and daidzein (8) showed no activity. An animal trial involving feeding BPR-11, BPR-16 and BPR-17 to a laboratory poultry model led to an increase in animal growth, and a decrease in feed conversion ratio and mortality. The presence of surfactin C analogues (3-4) in the gut following feeding with probiotics was confirmed using an LC-MS analysis. The investigation of these Bacillus probiotics, their metabolites, their impacts on animal performance indicators and their presence in the gastrointestinal system illustrates that these probiotics are effective alternatives to AGPs.

Multifaceted Pharmacological Potentials of Curcumin, Genistein, and Tanshinone IIA through Proteomic Approaches: An In-Depth Review

Phytochemicals possess various intriguing pharmacological properties against diverse pathological conditions. Extensive studies are on-going to understand the structural/functional properties of phytochemicals as well as the molecular mechanisms of their therapeutic function against various disease conditions. Phytochemicals such as curcumin (Cur), genistein (Gen), and tanshinone-IIA (Tan IIA) have multifaceted therapeutic potentials and various efforts are in progress to understand the molecular dynamics of their function with different tools and technologies. Cur is an active lipophilic polyphenol with pleiotropic function, and it has been shown to possess various intriguing properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anticancer, and anti-genotoxic properties besides others beneficial properties. Similarly, Gen (an isoflavone) exhibits a wide range of vital functions including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic activities etc. In addition, Tan IIA, a lipophilic compound, possesses antioxidant, anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer activities, and so on. Over the last few decades, the field of proteomics has garnered great momentum mainly attributed to the recent advancement in mass spectrometry (MS) techniques. It is envisaged that the proteomics technology has considerably contributed to the biomedical research endeavors lately. Interestingly, they have also been explored as a reliable approach to understand the molecular intricacies related to phytochemical-based therapeutic interventions. The present review provides an overview of the proteomics studies performed to unravel the underlying molecular intricacies of various phytochemicals such as Cur, Gen, and Tan IIA. This in-depth study will help the researchers in better understanding of the pharmacological potential of the phytochemicals at the proteomics level. Certainly, this review will be highly instrumental in catalyzing the translational shift from phytochemical-based biomedical research to clinical practice in the near future.

Crosstalk between xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibiting and cancer chemotherapeutic properties of comestible flavonoids- a comprehensive update

Gout is an inflammatory disease caused by metabolic disorder or genetic inheritance. People throughout the world are strongly dependent on ethnomedicine for the treatment of gout and some receive satisfactory curative treatment. The natural remedies as well as established drugs derived from natural sources or synthetically made exert their action by mechanisms that are closely associated with anticancer treatment mechanisms regarding inhibition of xanthine oxidase, feedback inhibition of de novo purine synthesis, depolymerization and disappearance of microtubule, inhibition of NF-ĸB activation, induction of TRAIL, promotion of apoptosis, and caspase activation and proteasome inhibition. Some anti-gout and anticancer novel compounds interact with same receptors for their action, e.g., colchicine and colchicine analogues. Dietary flavonoids, i.e., chrysin, kaempferol, quercetin, fisetin, pelargonidin, apigenin, luteolin, myricetin, isorhamnetin, phloretinetc etc. have comparable IC₅₀ values with established anti-gout drug and effective against both cancer and gout. Moreover, a noticeable number of newer anticancer compounds have already been isolated from plants that have been using by local traditional healers and herbal practitioners to treat gout. Therefore, the anti-gout plants might have greater potentiality to become selective candidates for screening of newer anticancer leads.

Salicylic Acid and Phytoalexin Induction by a Bacterium that Causes Halo Blight in Beans

Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. phaseolicola is a bacterium that causes halo blight in beans. Different varieties of beans have hypersensitive resistance to specific races of P. savastanoi pv. phaseolicola. During hypersensitive resistance, also known as effector-triggered immunity (ETI), beans produce hormones that signal molecular processes to produce phytoalexins that are presumed to be antibiotic to bacteria. To shed light on hormone and phytoalexin production during immunity, we inoculated beans with virulent and avirulent races of P. savastanoi pv. phaseolicola. We then used mass spectrometry to measure the accumulation of salicylic acid (SA), the primary hormone that controls immunity in plants, and other hormones including jasmonate, methyljasmonate, indole-3-acetic acid, abscisic acid, cytokinin, gibberellic acid, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid. SA, but no other examined hormone, consistently increased at sites of infection to greater levels in resistant beans compared with susceptible beans at 4 days after inoculation. We then monitored 10 candidate bean phytoalexins. Daidzein, genistein, kievitone, phaseollin, phaseollidin, coumestrol, and resveratrol substantially increased alongside SA in resistant beans but not in susceptible beans. In vitro culture assays revealed that SA, daidzein, genistein, coumestrol, and resveratrol inhibited P. savastanoi pv. phaseolicola race 5 culture growth. These results demonstrate that these phytoalexins may be regulated by SA and work with SA during ETI to restrict bacterial replication. This is the first report of antibiotic activity for daidzein, genistein, and resveratrol to P. savastanoi pv. phaseolicola. These results improve our understanding of the mechanistic output of ETI toward this bacterial pathogen of beans.

Fermentation Quality and Microbial Community of Corn Stover or Rice Straw Silage Mixed with Soybean Curd Residue

The objective of this study was to investigate the fermentation quality and microbial community of corn stover (CS) or rice straw (RS) silage mixed with soybean curd residue (SCR). In this study, SCR and CS or RS were mixed at ratios of 75:25, 70:30, and 65:35, respectively, and measured for nutrient content, fermentation indices, and bacterial diversity after 30 days of ensiling. The results showed an increase in lactic acid (LA) concentration (p < 0.01) and crude protein (CP) content (p < 0.0001), a decrease in pH value (p < 0.01), the content of NDF (p < 0.01) and ADF (p < 0.01), and ammonia nitrogen (AN) concentration (p < 0.01) as the proportion of SCR in raw materials (CS or RS) increased. The addition of SCR to silage led to a decrease in bacterial diversity and contributed to an increased relative abundance of beneficial microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus, and a corresponding decrease in the relative abundance of undesirable microorganisms, such as Clostridium and Enterobacter. Collectively, the mixed silage of soybean curd residue with corn stover or rice straw preserved more nutrients and helped improve fermentation quality.

Antioxidants of Fruit Extracts as Antimicrobial Agents against Pathogenic Bacteria

Fruit is an essential part of the human diet and is of great interest because of its richness in phytochemicals. Various fruit extracts from citrus, berries and pomegranates have been shown to possess a broad spectrum of medicinal properties. Fruit phytochemicals are of considerable interest because of their antioxidant properties involving different mechanisms of action, which can act against different pathogenic bacteria. The antioxidant capacity of fruit phytochemicals involves different kinds of reactions, such as radical scavenging and chelation or complexation of metal ions. The interaction between fruit phytochemicals and bacteria has different repercussions: it disrupts the cell envelope, disturbs cell–cell communication and gene regulation, and suppresses metabolic and enzymatic activities. Consequently, fruit phytochemicals can directly inhibit bacterial growth or act indirectly by modulating the expression of virulence factors, both of which reduce microbial pathogenicity. The aim of this review was to report our current knowledge on various fruit extracts and their major bioactive compounds, and determine the effectiveness of organic acids, terpenes, polyphenols, and other types of phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties as a source of antimicrobial agents.

Genistein, a Potential Phytochemical against Breast Cancer Treatment-Insight into the Molecular Mechanisms

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignancies in women. Although widespread successful synthetic drugs are available, natural compounds can also be considered as significant anticancer agents for treating BC. Some natural compounds have similar effects as synthetic drugs with fewer side effects on normal cells. Therefore, we aimed to unravel and analyze several molecular mechanisms of genistein (GNT) against BC. GNT is a type of dietary phytoestrogen included in the flavonoid group with a similar structure to estrogen that might provide a strong alternative and complementary medicine to existing chemotherapeutic drugs. Previous research reported that GNT could target the estrogen receptor (ER) human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) and several signaling molecules against multiple BC cell lines and sensitize cancer cell lines to this compound when used at an optimal inhibitory concentration. More specifically, GNT mediates the anticancer mechanism through apoptosis induction, arresting the cell cycle, inhibiting angiogenesis and metastasis, mammosphere formation, and targeting and suppressing tumor growth factors. Furthermore, it acts via upregulating tumor suppressor genes and downregulating oncogenes in vitro and animal model studies. In addition, this phytochemical synergistically reverses the resistance mechanism of standard chemotherapeutic drugs, increasing their efficacy against BC. Overall, in this review, we discuss several molecular interactions of GNT with numerous cellular targets in the BC model and show its anticancer activities alone and synergistically. We conclude that GNT can have favorable therapeutic advantages when standard drugs are not available in the pharma markets.

Natural Biocidal Compounds of Plant Origin as Biodegradable Materials Modifiers

The article presents a literature review of the plant origin natural compounds with biocidal properties. These compounds could be used as modifiers of biodegradable materials. Modification of polymer material is one of the basic steps in its manufacturing process. Biodegradable materials play a key role in the current development of materials engineering. Natural modifiers are non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and renewable. The substances contained in natural modifiers exhibit biocidal properties against bacteria and/or fungi. The article discusses polyphenols, selected phenols, naphthoquinones, triterpenoids, and phytoncides that are natural antibiotics. Due to the increasing demand for biodegradable materials and the protection of the natural environment against the negative effects of toxic substances, it is crucial to replace synthetic modifiers with plant ones. This work mentions industries where materials containing natural modifying additives could find potential applications. Moreover, the probable examples of the final products are presented. Additionally, the article points out the current world's pandemic state and the use of materials with biocidal properties considering the epidemiological conditions.

Genistein Inhibits the Pathogenesis of Aeromonas hydrophila by Disrupting Quorum Sensing Mediated Biofilm Formation and Aerolysin Production

Aeromonas hydrophila is an opportunistic pathogen that is responsible for a variety of infectious diseases both in human and animals, particularly aquatic animals. Moreover, the pathogen has become a foodborne pathogen by transmitting from seafood to human. The abuse of antibiotics in aquaculture results in the emergence of antibiotic resistance and treatment failure. Therefore, novel approaches are urgently needed for managing resistant A. hydrophila associated infections. Aerolysin, an essential virulence factor of pathogenic A. hydrophila strain, has been identified as target developing novel drugs against pathogenesis of A. hydrophila. In the present study, genistein, without anti-A. hydrophila activity, was identified that could decrease the production of aerolysin and biofilm formation at a dose-dependent manner. Transcription of aerolysin encoding gene aerA and quorum sensing related genes ahyI and ahyR was significantly down-regulated when co-cultured with genistein. Cell viability studies demonstrated that genistein could significantly improve aerolysin mediated A549 cell injury. Furthermore, genistein could provide a remarkable protection to channel catfish infected with A. hydrophila. These findings indicate that targeting quorum sensing and virulence can be a useful approach developing drugs against A. hydrophila infections in aquaculture. Moreover, genistein can be chosen as a promising candidate in developing drugs against A. hydrophila.

Effects of isoflavone derivatives on the production of inflammatory cytokines by synovial cells

The present study investigated the effects of isoflavone derivatives (daidzein, genistein and glycitein) on the production of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) by IL-1β-stimulated synovial cells. Synovial MH7A cells were stimulated with IL-1β in the absence or presence of isoflavone derivatives, and IL-6 and IL-8 production was measured by ELISA. The results of the present study indicated that daidzein significantly inhibited the production of IL-6, but not IL-8. Conversely, neither genistein nor glycitein exerted any inhibitory effects on the production of IL-6 or IL-8 by IL-1β-stimulated synovial cells. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the daidzein-mediated inhibition of IL-6 production, the present study examined the effects of daidzein on the phosphorylation (activation) of NF-κB p65, ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. Daidzein significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and ERK1/2, but not p38 MAPK in IL-1β-stimulated MH7A cells. The present study revealed that among the isoflavone derivatives examined (daidzein, genistein and glycitein), daidzein inhibited the production of IL-6, but not IL-8, by IL-1β-stimulated synovial MH7A cells via the suppression of NF-κB p65 and ERK1/2 activation. Collectively, these results suggested that daidzein may have potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of arthritic disorders through its anti-inflammatory effects via the inhibition of IL-6 production.

Plant-derived bioactive compounds produced by Streptomyces variabilis LCP18 associated with Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers as potential target to combat human pathogenic bacteria and human cancer cell lines

To date, endophytic actinomycetes have been well-documented as great producers of novel antibiotics and important pharmaceutical leads. The present study aimed to evaluate potent bioactivities of metabolites synthesized by the strain LCP18 residing in the Vietnamese medicinal plant Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers towards human pathogenic bacteria and human cancer cell lines. Endophytic actinomycete strain LCP18 showed considerable inhibition against seven bacterial pathogens and three human tumor cell lines and was identified as species Streptomyces variabilis. Strain S. variabilis LCP18 was phenotypically resistant to fosfomycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, dalacin, cefoxitin, rifampicin, and fusidic acid and harbored the two antibiotic biosynthetic genes such as PKS-II and NRPS. Further purification and structural elucidation of metabolites from the LCP18 extract revealed five plant-derived bioactive compounds including isopcrunetin, genistein, daidzein, syringic acid, and daucosterol. Among those, isoprunetin, genistein, and daidzein exhibited antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14,028 and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35,984 with the MIC values ranging from 16 to 128 µg/ml. These plant-derived compounds also exhibited cytotoxic effects against human lung cancer cell line A549 with IC50 values of less than 46 μM. These findings indicated that endophytic S. variabilis LCP18 can be an alternative producer of plant-derived compounds which significantly show potential applications in combating bacterial infections and inhibition against lung cancer cell lines.

In Vitro Antibacterial Effect of the Methanolic Extract of the Korean Soybean Fermented Product Doenjang against Staphylococcus aureus

Simple Summary

The emergence of bacterial antibiotic resistance is a negative phenomenon occurring worldwide in both animals and humans. The EU banned the use of antibiotic growth promoters in animal production, as their administration to livestock is assumed to substantially contribute to the spread of bacterial resistance. Therefore, alternatives to antibiotic substances are needed to maintain the quality and quantity of animal products. Certain plant materials, such as fermented soybean products, can serve as a source of substances with potential to decrease the growth of resistant bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus. Fermented soybean products, including doenjang, are known to contain natural phytoestrogens called isoflavones, which are especially interesting due to their antimicrobial activity; these products can also be utilized in animal feed. Thus, the antibacterial activity of the methanolic extract of the Korean soybean fermented product doenjang was evaluated using standardized microbiological methods against nine strains of resistant and sensitive S. aureus, including those occurring in animals. The extract has been shown to be active at a concentration range of 2048–4096 µg/mL against all tested S. aureus strains and can therefore serve as a promising alternative to antibiotics in animal feed after additional testing in the laboratory and on living animals.

Abstract

Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry showed soyasaponin I and the isoflavones daidzein, genistein, and glycitein to be the main components of the methanolic extract of the Korean soybean fermented product doenjang, which is known to be a rich source of naturally occurring bioactive substances, at average contents of 515.40, 236.30, 131.23, and 29.00 ng/mg, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extract of doenjang against nine Staphylococcusaureus strains was determined in vitro by the broth microdilution method to investigate its potential to serve as an alternative antibacterial compound. The results suggest that the extract is an effective antistaphylococcal agent at concentrations of 2048–4096 µg/mL. Moreover, the tested extract also showed the ability to inhibit the growth of both methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant animal and clinical S. aureus isolates. The growth kinetics of the chosen strains of S. aureus at the minimum inhibitory concentration of the methanolic extract of doenjang support the idea that the tested extract acts as an antibacterial compound. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the antistaphylococcal action of the methanolic extract of doenjang thus, additional studies including in vivo testing are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

The biological effects of radiation-induced liver damage and its natural protective medicine

The biological damage caused by the environmental factors such as radiation and its control methods are one of the frontiers of life science research that has received widespread attention. Ionizing radiation can directly interact with target molecules (such as DNA, proteins and lipids) or decomposed by radiation from water, leading to changes in oxidative events and biological activities in cells. Liver is a radiation-sensitive organ, and its radiosensitivity is second only to bone marrow, lymph, gastrointestinal tissue, gonads, embryos and kidneys. In addition, as a key organ of mammals, liver performs a series of functions, including the production of bile, the metabolism of nutrients, the elimination of waste, the storage of glycogen, and the synthesis of proteins. Therefore, liver is prone to various pathophysiological changes. In this review, the effects of radiation on liver injury, its pathogenesis, bystander effect and the natural traditional Chinese medicine to protect the radiation induced liver damage are discussed.

Edible Materials in Tissue Regeneration

Edible materials have attracted increasing attention because of their excellent properties including availability, biocompatibility, biological activity, and biodegradability. Natural polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and proteins are widely used in tissue regeneration. To better characterize their healing effect, this review article describes the applications of edible materials in tissue regeneration including wound healing and bone tissue regeneration. As an introduction to the topic, their sources and main bioactive properties are discussed. Then, the mechanism by which they facilitate wound healing based on their hemostasis, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties is systematically investigated. Moreover, a more comprehensive discussion is presented on the approaches by which edible materials can be used as scaffolds or agents for the provision of the components of natural bones for regulating the level of osteogenesis-related cytokines to enhance bone repair. Finally, the prospects of edible materials for tissue regeneration are discussed.

Poly(chitosan-ester-ether-urethane) Hydrogels as Highly Controlled Genistein Release Systems

Polymeric hydrogels play an increasingly important role in medicine, pharmacy and cosmetology. They appear to be one of the most promising groups of biomaterials due to their favorable physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. The objective of the presented study was to synthesize new poly(chitosan-ester-ether-urethane) hydrogels and to study the kinetic release of genistein (GEN) from these biomaterials. In view of the above, six non-toxic hydrogels were synthesized via the Ring-Opening Polymerization (ROP) and polyaddition processes. The poly(ester-ether) components of the hydrogels have been produced in the presence of the enzyme as a biocatalyst. In some cases, the in vitro release rate of GEN from the obtained hydrogels was characterized by near-zero-order kinetics, without “burst release” and with non-Fickian transport. It is important to note that developed hydrogels have been shown to possess the desired safety profile due to lack of cytotoxicity to skin cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts). Taking into account the non-toxicity of hydrogels and the relatively highly controlled release profile of GEN, these results may provide fresh insight into polymeric hydrogels as an effective dermatological and/or cosmetological tool.

Genistein Prevents Hypoxia-Induced Cognitive Dysfunctions by Ameliorating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in the Hippocampus

Genistein (GE), a plant-derived isoflavone, is a polyphenolic non-steroidal compound. Studies showed that GE possesses anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic activities. However, the neuroprotective role of GE in amnesia has not been studied. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-amnesic potential of GE in a mice model of hypoxia-induced amnesia and to understand the underlying mechanism. Mice were exposed to hypoxia (10% O2) and administered vehicle or GE (10, 20, 30 mg/kg) orally for 28 days. Thereafter, Morris water maze (MWM), novel object recognition (NOR), and passive avoidance task (PAT) were performed to evaluate cognitive behavior. Next, we performed biochemical tests and gene expression analysis to uncover the mechanism underlying GE mode of action. Our results showed that GE-treatment ameliorated hypoxia-induced cognitive dysfunctions in mice. Further, GE-treatment suppressed the oxidative stress in the hippocampus of amnesic mice as evidenced by reduced lipid peroxidation, reduced nitrite and ROS levels, and increased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and increased total antioxidant capacity. GE treatment reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL1β, IL6, and MCP-1 and increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10 in the hippocampus of amnesic mice. Finally, GE treatment enhanced the expression of neuroprotective genes including BDNF, CREB, CBP, and IGF1 in the hippocampus of amnesic mice. Altogether, our results showed that GE treatment prevents hypoxia-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice by reducing oxidative stress and suppressing neuroinflammation while increasing the expression of neuroprotective genes in the hippocampus.

Potential therapeutic applications of phytoconstituents as immunomodulators: Pre-clinical and clinical evidences

Autoimmune and infectious diseases are the major public health issues and have gained great attention in the last few years for the search of new agents with therapeutic benefits on the host immune functions. In recent years, natural products (NPs) have been studied broadly for their multi-targeted activities under pathological conditions. Interestingly, several attempts have been made to outline the immunomodulatory properties of NPs. Research on in-vitro and in-vivo models have shown the immunomodulatory activity of NPs, is due to their antiinflammatory property, induction of phagocytosis and immune cells stimulation activity. Moreover, studies on humans have suggested that phytomedicines reduce inflammation and could provide appropriate benefits either in single form or complex combinations with other agents preventing disease progression, subsequently enhancing the efficacy of treatment to combat multiple malignancies. However, the exact mechanism of immunomodulation is far from clear, warranting more detailed investigations on their effectiveness. Nevertheless, the reduction of inflammatory cascades is considered as a prime protective mechanism in a number of inflammation regulated autoimmune diseases. Altogether, this review will discuss the biological activities of plant-derived secondary metabolites, such as polyphenols, alkaloids, saponins, polysaccharides and so forth, against various diseases and their potential use as an immunomodulatory agent under pathological conditions.

Genistein attenuated gastric inflammation and apoptosis in Helicobacter pylori-induced gastropathy in rats

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a major cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer diseases and cancer. Genistein (4′,5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone), a tyrosine-specific-protein kinase inhibitor, has been shown to exert an anti-inflammatory property. The aim of this study was to examine the treatment effects of genistein and its mechanisms in rats with H. pylori infection.

Methods

Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (6 rats per group): (1) control group (Con); (2) H. pylori infected group (HP): the rats were inoculated with H. pylori (10⁸⁻ 10¹⁰ CFU/mL; 1 mL/rat.) for 3 consecutive days; and (3) HP + genistein group (HP + Gen): the rats were inoculated with H. pylori as above. Then, they were gavaged with genistein (16 mg/kg BW) for 14 days. Gastric tissue was used for the determination of nuclear factor (NF)-κB expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC), degree of apoptosis by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferasemediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) reaction, and histopathology. Serum samples were used to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1).

Results

Rats in the HP group had significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, NF-κB expression and apoptotic cells when compared with the Con group, and these markers significantly decreased in HP + Gen group when compared with the HP group. The histopathology of HP group showed moderate gastric inflammation and many HP colonization. Gastric pathology in HP + Gen group demonstrated the attenuation of inflammatory cell infiltration and H. pylori colonization.

Conclusion

Genistein exerted its gastroprotective effects through the reduction of pro-inflammatory mediators, nuclear receptor NF-κB expression and gastric mucosal apoptosis in rats with H. pylori-induced gastropathy.

Nitric oxide-inducing Genistein elicits apoptosis-like death via an intense SOS response in Escherichia coli

Increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant untreatable infections has prompted researchers to trial alternative treatments such as a substitute for traditional antibiotics. This study endeavored to elucidate the antibacterial mechanism(s) of this isoflavone, via analysis of relationship between genistein and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, this investigation analyzed whether genistein generates nitric oxide (NO) in E. coli as NO contributes to cell death. RecA, an essential protein for the bacterial SOS response, was detected through western blot, and the activated caspases decreased without RecA. The results showed that the NO induced by genistein affected the bacterial DNA. Under conditions of acute DNA damage, an SOS response called apoptosis-like death occurred, affecting DNA repair. These results suggested that RecA was bacterial caspase-like protein. In addition, NO was toxic to the bacterial cells and induced dysfunction of the plasma membrane. Thus, membrane depolarization and phosphatidylserine exposure were observed similarly to eukaryotic apoptosis. In conclusion, the combined results demonstrated that the antibacterial mode of action(s) of genistein was a NO-induced apoptosis-like death, and the role of RecA suggested that it contributed to the SOS response of NO defense. KEY POINTS: • Genistein generates nitric oxide in E. coli. • Genistein exhibits intense SOS response in E. coli. • Genistein-induced NO causes apoptosis-like death in E. coli.

Polyhalogenation of Isoflavonoids by the Termite-Associated Actinomadura sp. RB99

Based on high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HR-MS²) and global natural products social molecular networking (GNPS), we found that plant-derived daidzein and genistein derivatives are polyhalogenated by termite-associated Actinomadura species RB99. MS-guided purification from extracts of bacteria grown under optimized conditions led to the isolation of eight polychlorinated isoflavones, including six unreported derivatives, and seven novel polybrominated derivatives, two of which showed antimicrobial activity.

Attenuation of Acinetobacter baumannii virulence by inhibition of polyphosphate kinase 1 with repurposed drugs

Acinetobacter baumannii is clinically one of the most significant pathogens, especially in intensive care settings, because of its multidrug-resistance (MDR). Repurposing of high-affinity drugs is a faster and more plausible approach for combating the emergence of MDR and to tackle bacterial infections. This study was aimed to evaluate the approved drugs potentially inhibiting A. baumannii PPK1 (AbPPK1) mediated synthesis of polyphosphates (polyP). Based on virtual screening, molecular dynamic simulation, and CD spectroscopy for thermal stability, two stable ligands, etoposide and genistein, were found with promising contours for further investigation. Following in vitro inhibition of AbPPK1, the efficacy of selected drugs was further tested against virulence traits of A. baumannii. These drugs significantly reduced the biofilm formation, surface motility in A. baumannii and led to decreased survival under desiccation. In addition to inhibition of PPK1, both drugs increased the expression of polyP degrading enzyme, exopolyphosphatase (PPX), that might be responsible for the decrease in the total cellular polyP. Since polyP modulates the virulence factors in bacteria, destabilization of the polyP pool by these drugs seems particularly striking for their therapeutic applications against A. baumannii.

An anti-inflammatory isoflavone from soybean inoculated with a marine fungus Aspergillus terreus C23-3

A new isoflavone derivative compound 1 (psoralenone) was isolated from soybean inoculated with a marine fungus Aspergillus terreus C23-3, together with seven known compounds including isoflavones 2-6, butyrolactone I (7) and blumenol A (8). Their structures were elucidated by MS, NMR, and ECD. Psoralenone displayed moderate in vitro anti-inflammatory activity in the LPS-induced RAW264.7 cell model. Compound 2 (genistein) showed moderate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity whereas compounds 2, 5 (biochanin A), 6 (psoralenol), and 7 exhibited potent larvicidal activity against brine shrimp. Compounds 3 (daidzein), 4 (4'-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyisoflavone), and 5-7 showed broad-spectrum anti-microbial activity, and compound 7 also showed moderate 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity.

Plant Secondary Metabolites in the Battle of Drugs and Drug-Resistant Bacteria: New Heroes or Worse Clones of Antibiotics?

Infectious diseases that are caused by bacteria are an important cause of mortality and morbidity in all regions of the world. Bacterial drug resistance has grown in the last decades, but the rate of discovery of new antibiotics has steadily decreased. Therefore, the search for new effective antibacterial agents has become a top priority. The plant kingdom seems to be a deep well for searching for novel antimicrobial agents. This is due to the many attractive features of plants: they are readily available and cheap, extracts or compounds from plant sources often demonstrate high-level activity against pathogens, and they rarely have severe side effects. The huge variety of plant-derived compounds provides very diverse chemical structures that may supply both the novel mechanisms of antimicrobial action and provide us with new targets within the bacterial cell. In addition, the rapid development of modern biotechnologies opens up the way for obtaining bioactive compounds in environmentally friendly and low-toxic conditions. In this short review, we ask the question: do antibacterial agents derived from plants have a chance to become a panacea against infectious diseases in the "post-antibiotics era".

Alfalfa Nanofibers for Dermal Wound Healing

Engineering bioscaffolds for improved cutaneous tissue regeneration remains a healthcare challenge because of the increasing number of patients suffering from acute and chronic wounds. To help address this problem, we propose to utilize alfalfa, an ancient medicinal plant that contains antibacterial/oxygenating chlorophylls and bioactive phytoestrogens, as a building block for regenerative wound dressings. Alfalfa carries genistein, which is a major phytoestrogen known to accelerate skin repair. The scaffolds presented herein were built from composite alfalfa and polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers with hydrophilic surface and mechanical stiffness that recapitulate the physiological microenvironments of skin. This composite scaffold was engineered to have aligned nanofibrous architecture to accelerate directional cell migration. As a result, alfalfa-based composite nanofibers were found to enhance the cellular proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes in vitro. Finally, these nanofibers exhibited reproducible regenerative functionality by promoting re-epithelialization and granulation tissue formation in both mouse and human skin, without requiring additional proteins, growth factors, or cells. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of alfalfa-based nanofibers as a regenerative platform toward accelerating cutaneous tissue repair.

Quinoa Secondary Metabolites and Their Biological Activities or Functions

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) was known as the "golden grain" by the native Andean people in South America, and has been a source of valuable food over thousands of years. It can produce a variety of secondary metabolites with broad spectra of bioactivities. At least 193 secondary metabolites from quinoa have been identified in the past 40 years. They mainly include phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, and nitrogen-containing compounds. These metabolites exhibit many physiological functions, such as insecticidal, molluscicidal and antimicrobial activities, as well as various kinds of biological activities such as antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. This review focuses on our knowledge of the structures, biological activities and functions of quinoa secondary metabolites. Biosynthesis, development and utilization of the secondary metabolites especially from quinoa bran were prospected.

Discovery of natural products with metal-binding properties as promising antibacterial agents

INTRODUCTION

More than 50% of the clinically established antibiotics are either genuine natural products or derivatives thereof, featuring a mode of action decisively depending on their metal affinity and suitability as metal complex ligands. As their structural diversity and harvest from renewable sources is well-nigh inexhaustible, any future quest for affordable new antibiotics will have to concentrate on natural drugs with obvious metal ligating properties. Areas covered: The authors provide an overview of the promising developments in the field of antibiotic natural products with metal-binding properties with a specific focus on metal binders such as polyphenols, quinones, 3-acyltetramic and -tetronic acids. Works published by the authors are discussed in this manuscript as well as articles derived from PubMed and Scifinder. Expert opinion: Natural products with metal-binding properties possess a great potential for the development of drugs against various bacteria. There are many derivatives with great potential against multidrug-resistant bacteria as well. Synthetic approaches to structurally complex and/or rare natural products have added significantly to the cracking of synthetic problems. Thus, this field of scientific research appears attractive both to chemists and to clinicians.

Synthesis of novel genistein amino acid derivatives and investigation on their interactions with bovine serum albumin by spectroscopy and molecular docking

Genistein amino acid derivatives 4a-4d were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, Hela, MGC-803 and HCT-116 cell lines by MTT assays in vitro. The results revealed that compounds 4a-4d showed better activity than the parent compound genistein. Particularly, compound 4b displayed the most significant anticancer activity against MGC-803 with an IC50 value of 12.08 μM. In addition, the mechanisms of interaction between genistein, compounds 4a-4d and BSA were investigated via multi-spectroscopic techniques such as ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), and molecular docking under physiological conditions. The results suggested that endogenous fluorescence of BSA could be quenched by genistein and compounds 4a-4dvia forming BSA-compound complex, which meant a static quenching mechanism was involved. The negative values of enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) indicated that interactions between BSA and the ligands were spontaneous, and hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions were involved in the BSA-compound complexion formation. The UV, synchronous and 3D fluorescence results revealed that the micro-environment of tryptophan and conformation of BSA were changed after binding to ligands. CD analysis demonstrated the variation in the secondary structure and that the α-helix content of BSA decreased. Eventually, molecular docking was executed to forecast the binding forces and binding sites between BSA and compounds 4a-4d.

The Usefulness of Non-Toxic Plant Metabolites in the Control of Bacterial Proliferation

The effect of generally recognised as safe (GRAS) plant metabolites in regulating the growth of human pathogenic and probiotic bacteria and in the formation of biofilm was investigated. Thymol, carvacrol and eugenol showed the strongest antibacterial action against both pathogenic and probiotic microorganisms, at a subinhibitory concentration (SIC) of ≤50 μg ml^-1. Genistein, hydroquinone, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and resveratrol also showed antibacterial effects but at a wide concentration range (SIC = 50-1000 μg ml^-1). Catechin, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid and cranberry extracts were the most biologically compatible molecules (SIC ≥ 1000 μg ml^-1). Regarding the effect on biofilm, it was observed that thymol, carvacrol and eugenol showed antibiofilm activity against all potential pathogenic bacteria tested whilst specifically enhancing probiotic aggregation. Catechin, genistein and cranberry extracts did not inhibit the pathogenic aggregation but they stimulated probiotic biofilm formation, whilst gallic acid, protocateuchic acid, hydroquinone, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and resveratrol did not show opposite effect on biofilm formation between pathogenic and probiotic microorganisms. These results indicate that an appropriate combination of GRAS plant metabolites, which have traditionally been used as dietary constituents due to their health-promoting characteristics, can also be extremely useful in the regulation of bacterial proliferation in the intestinal microbiota. Hence, it is suggested to apply these natural GRAS molecules as dietary supplements in the food industry in order to promote probiotic viability and to prevent or reduce colonisation or proliferation of intestinal pathogens.

Phenolic Compounds as Nutraceuticals or Functional Food Ingredients

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, the functional foods represent one the most promising, interesting and innovative areas in the food industry. Various components are being added to foods in order to render them functional.

METHODS

One example of these components are plant naturally occurring phenolic compounds, which are associated with a high antioxidant capacity and thus with benefits in relation to human health.

RESULTS

However, despite the huge number of scientific studies and patents on this topic and their natural presence in foods, namely in the ones from plant origin, there are still few marketable products enriched with these compounds. The commercialization of this type of functional products needs to go through various regulations, proving that they are safe and present the ascribed health benefits, conquering the target audience. In this review the growing interest of industry and consumers' appetence for functional foods and nutraceuticals is highlighted, focusing especially on phenolic compounds.

CONCLUSION

Although several published works show the multitude of bioactive properties of these compounds, ensuring their use as bioactive ingredients in food, they present inherent stability issues needing to be solved. However, considerable research is presently ongoing to overcome this problem, making viable the development of new products to be launched in the market.

Soy Protein/Cellulose Nanofiber Scaffolds Mimicking Skin Extracellular Matrix for Enhanced Wound Healing

Historically, soy protein and extracts have been used extensively in foods due to their high protein and mineral content. More recently, soy protein has received attention for a variety of its potential health benefits, including enhanced skin regeneration. It has been reported that soy protein possesses bioactive molecules similar to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and estrogen. In wound healing, oral and topical soy has been heralded as a safe and cost-effective alternative to animal protein and endogenous estrogen. However, engineering soy protein-based fibrous dressings, while recapitulating ECM microenvironment and maintaining a moist environment, remains a challenge. Here, the development of an entirely plant-based nanofibrous dressing comprised of cellulose acetate (CA) and soy protein hydrolysate (SPH) using rotary jet spinning is described. The spun nanofibers successfully mimic physicochemical properties of the native skin ECM and exhibit a high water retaining capability. In vitro, CA/SPH nanofibers promote fibroblast proliferation, migration, infiltration, and integrin β1 expression. In vivo, CA/SPH scaffolds accelerate re-epithelialization and epidermal thinning as well as reduce scar formation and collagen anisotropy in a similar fashion to other fibrous scaffolds, but without the use of animal proteins or synthetic polymers. These results affirm the potential of CA/SPH nanofibers as a novel wound dressing.

QTLs underlying the genetic interrelationship between efficient compatibility of Bradyrhizobium strains with soybean and genistein secretion by soybean roots

Soybean plants establish symbiotic relationships with soil rhizobia which form nodules on the plant roots. Nodule formation starts when the plant roots exudate isoflavonoids that induce nod gene expression of a specific Bradyrhizobium. We examined the specific indigenous rhizobia that form nodules with the soybean cultivars Peking and Tamahomare in different soils. PCR-RFLP analysis targeted to the 16S-23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the bacterial type of each root nodule showed that Bradyrhizobium japonicum (USDA110-type) and Bradyrhizobium elkanii (USDA94-type) had high compatibility with the Tamahomare and Peking cultivars, respectively. We grew 93 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) of soybean seeds derived from the cross between Peking and Tamahomare in three different field soils and identified the indigenous rhizobia nodulating each line using the same PCR-RFLP analysis. QTL analysis identified one QTL region in chromosome-18 with a highly significant additive effect that controls compatibility with both B. japonicum USDA110 and B. elkanii USDA94. We also measured the amount of daidzein and genistein secretion from roots of the 93 RILs by HPLC analysis. QTL analysis showed one QTL region in chromosome-18 controlling genistein secretion from roots and coinciding with that regulating compatibility of specific indigenous rhizobia with soybean. The amount of genistein may be a major regulatory factor in soybean-rhizobium compatibility.

Soy, Soy Foods and Their Role in Vegetarian Diets

Soy is a basic food ingredient of traditional Asian cuisine used for thousands of years. In Western countries, soybeans have been introduced about a hundred years ago and recently they are mainly used for surrogate foods production. Soy and soy foods are common nutritional solutions for vegetarians, due to their high protein content and versatility in the production of meat analogues and milk substitutes. However, there are some doubts about the potential effects on health, such as the effectiveness on cardiovascular risk reduction or, conversely, on the possible disruption of thyroid function and sexual hormones. The soy components that have stimulated the most research interest are isoflavones, which are polyphenols with estrogenic properties highly contained in soybeans. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of soy and soy foods, focusing on their nutrient content, including phytoestrogens and other bioactive substances that are noteworthy for vegetarians, the largest soy consumers in the Western countries. The safety of use will also be discussed, given the growing trend in adoption of vegetarian styles and the new soy-based foods availability.

Profiling polyphenol composition by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn and the antibacterial activity of infusion preparations obtained from four medicinal plants

Infusions ofT. pallescens,P. verticillataandL. guyonianumare a source of bioactive compounds.

Assessment of the phenolic profile, antimicrobial activity and oxidative stability of transgenic Perilla frutescens L.overexpressing tocopherol methyltransferase (γ-tmt) gene

This study evaluated the effects of enhanced concentrations of α-tocopherol and phenolic compounds on the resistance and stability of Perilla oil in transgenic Perilla frutescens plants against various tested pathogenic bacteria by over-expressing the γ-tmt gene. The concentration of phenolic compounds in the non-transgenic samples was 9313.198 ± 18.887 μg g^-1 dry weight (DW), whereas the total concentration of the transgenic samples ranged from 9118.015 ± 18.822 to 10527.612 ± 20.411 μg g^-1 DW. The largest increases in phenolic compounds in the transgenic plants in comparison with the control plants were observed in gallic acid, pyrogallol, 5-sulfosalicylic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, vanillin, syringic acid, naringenin, salicylic acid, quercetin, o-coumaric acid, kaempferol, and hesperetin. o-coumaric and benzoic acid acid were the most abundant phenolic acids found in the transgenic plants. Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella typhimurium) were the most susceptible microorganism against transgenic ethyl acetate extracts with lower measurement of minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) (0.25 ± 0.03 mg/ml) at an extract concentration of 2 mg/ml in dried plant material. The same extracts were more effective against gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis) when compared to control plants with MICs values of 0.52 ± 0.02 mg/ml. The suplementation of 20 μg of α-tocopherol (1000 ppm) in combination with ethyl acetate extracts enhanced the antimicrobial activity against S. typhimurium and B. subtilis, compared to the non-transgenic plants. The acid value of transgenic Perilla oil improved by 91.2% and 35.54% relative to the non-transgenic control oil and commercial Perilla oil, respectively. The low acid value suggests that the oil will be less susceptible to lipase action, and more economically viable and thus, may also improve the oil quality for industrial purposes. In addition, extracts obtained from transgenic plants could be a potential source of antimicrobial agents for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Enhancing quality characteristics of salami sausages formulated with whole buckwheat flour during storage

This study was performed to investigate the quality characteristics of salami sausages added with different levels of whole buckwheat flour (BWF) during storage. Samples included the control (Con), addition of 1% BWF (T1), 3% BWF (T2), and 5% BWF (T3). Water activity (a_w) and pH decreased with increased level of BWF. Salami sausage samples containing 5% BWF demonstrated significantly lower 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values than the control. Changes in TBA values between day 0 and 21 for T2 and T3 were less than that for control. Total plate count (TPC) of all groups significantly decreased, whereas lactic acid bacteria significantly increased after 21 days. TPC of samples added with BWF was significantly lower during storage. Inclusion of BWF seemed to be an effective means of retarding lipid oxidation and enhancing storability of salami sausages.

Soy and Gut Microbiota: Interaction and Implication for Human Health

Soy (Glycine max) is a major commodity in the United States, and soy foods are gaining popularity due to their reported health-promoting effects. In the past two decades, soy and soy bioactive components have been studied for their health-promoting/disease-preventing activities and potential mechanisms of action. Recent studies have identified gut microbiota as an important component in the human body ecosystem and possibly a critical modulator of human health. Soy foods' interaction with the gut microbiota may critically influence many aspects of human development, physiology, immunity, and nutrition at different stages of life. This review summarizes current knowledge on the effects of soy foods and soy components on gut microbiota population and composition. It was found, although results vary in different studies, in general, both animal and human studies have shown that consumption of soy foods can increase the levels of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli and alter the ratio between Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. These changes in microbiota are consistent with reported reductions in pathogenic bacteria populations in the gut, thereby lowering the risk of diseases and leading to beneficial effects on human health.

Phytochemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Pterospartum tridentatum and Mentha pulegium against Staphylococcus aureus Isolates

Pterospartum tridentatum and Mentha pulegium are largely used in Portuguese folk medicine to treat several human disorders and inflammatory processes but without any consistent evidence for those beneficial pointed properties. Thus, the aim of the current work is to evaluate its benefits and phytochemicals related to those beneficial properties. A distinct polyphenol profile between P. tridentatum and M. pulegium was found. Taxifolin, myricetin, ginestin, ginestein, and ginestein derivatives, biochanin A-glucoside, and biochanin A were identified in P. tridentatum, whilst in M. pulegium the luteolin-7-rutinoside, diosmin, and apigenin and respective derivatives were most representative polyphenols. These variations had implications in the antiradical and antibacterial activity and the P. tridentatum exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus MSSA, which was mainly dose-dependent. This antibacterial activity seems to be related to high content of flavonols, flavones, and isoflavones, which can act synergistically with each other against this type of bacteria. Our results showed consistent evidence that Pterospartum tridentatum and Mentha pulegium are an important reservoir of phytochemicals with antiradical activity and antibacterial capacity and thus they might be used in a preventive way or in a combined pharmaceutical and antibiotic therapy against pathogenic bacteria.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of natural phenolic extract from defatted soybean flour by-product for stone fruit postharvest application

BACKGROUND

Fresh fruit is highly perishable during storage and transport, so there has been growing interest in finding safe and natural antimicrobial compounds as a control tool. Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites naturally present in vegetable material and have been associated with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant capacity and potential antimicrobial effect of phenolic extract obtained from defatted soybean flour against selected pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms responsible of fruit decay.

RESULTS

Analysis of phenolic composition by HPLC-MS showed the presence of a wide range of compounds, with isoflavones and phenolic acids the main polyphenols identified. Furthermore, the phenolic extract had important antioxidant activity by two different assays. Related to antimicrobial activity, in vitro experiments demonstrated that phenolic extract displayed a high activity against the main foodborne pathogens, while a moderate inhibition was found against five spoilage yeasts and Monilia laxa and a scarce effect for Penicillium glabrum, Cladosporium uredinicola and Botrytis cinerea. Interestingly these compounds considerably inhibited the mycelial growth of Monilia laxa, in both in vitro and in vivo experiments.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study revealed that defatted soybean flour is an important source of phenolic compounds with remarkable antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, suggesting the possibility of using them as natural additives in postharvest treatments to extend the shelf life of fruit.

Tea and soybean extracts in combination with milk fermentation inhibit growth and enterocyte adherence of selected foodborne pathogens

This study examined the antibacterial and anti-adhesive properties of pure plant extracts (PPEs) of green tea (GT), black tea (BT) and soybean individually or in combination with milk. Fermented phenolic enriched-milk (fPEM) was prepared by combining PPEs with milk and fermented with lactic acid bacteria. Antimicrobial activity of extracts was evaluated by broth-dilution and agar diffusion assay. Anti-adhesive property of extracts was evaluated in Caco-2 cell model. Results from antibacterial tests showed that PPEs exhibited a dose-dependent growth inhibitory effect. Tea extracts were more effective in inhibiting Gram-positive bacteria while soybean extract exhibited similar effects against all pathogens tested. For fPEM, although total phenolic contents decreased compared with those in PPEs, growth inhibitory effect of fPEM containing tea extracts was greatly enhanced. All extracts showed significant inhibition against pathogen adhesion to Caco-2 cells. In particular, adhesion inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes was >89% when fPEM extracts were applied.

Polyurethane Microstructures-a Good or Bad in vitro Partner for the Isoflavone Genistein?

In recent years polyurethane microstructures (PM) have gained increasing attention in the pharmaceutical field due to the importance of their practical application. Since finding that such a formulation with genistein could improve its applications, we have conducted a preliminary study regarding the in vitro antiproliferative (MCF7, MDA-MB-231 and T47D) and antimicrobial ( Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enteritidis (D), Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, and Candida albicans) activity in order to test whether polyurethane micro structuresre present a good option for further modulation of genistein's bioavailability. It was concluded that the polyurethane micro structures are a bad in vitro partner for the isoflavone genistein.