Chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of durian shells in ASEAN countries: A review

Comparative Study of Machine Learning-Based QSAR Modeling of Anti-inflammatory Compounds from Durian Extraction

Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis, an in silico methodology, offers enhanced efficiency and cost effectiveness in investigating anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, a comprehensive comparative analysis employing four machine learning algorithms (random forest (RF), gradient boosting regression (GBR), support vector regression (SVR), and artificial neural networks (ANNs)) was conducted to elucidate the activities of naturally derived compounds from durian extraction. The analysis was grounded in the exploration of structural attributes encompassing steric and electrostatic properties. Notably, the nonlinear SVR model, utilizing five key features, exhibited superior performance compared to the other models. It demonstrated exceptional predictive accuracy for both the training and external test datasets, yielding R2 values of 0.907 and 0.812, respectively; in addition, their RMSE resulted in 0.123 and 0.097, respectively. The study outcomes underscore the significance of specific structural factors (denoted as shadow ratio, dipole z, methyl, ellipsoidal volume, and methoxy) in determining anti-inflammatory efficacy. Thus, the findings highlight the potential of molecular simulations and machine learning as alternative avenues for the rational design of novel anti-inflammatory agents.

Glucuronic acid metabolites of phenolic acids target AKT-PH domain to improve glucose metabolism

Objective

Phenolic acids widely exist in the human diet and exert beneficial effects such as improving glucose metabolism. It is not clear whether phenolic acids or their metabolites play a major role in vivo. In this study, caffeic acid (CA) and ferulic acid (FA), the two most ingested phenolic acids, and their glucuronic acid metabolites, caffeic-4'-O-glucuronide (CA4G) and ferulic-4'-O-glucuronide (FA4G), were investigated.

Methods

Three insulin resistance models in vitro were established by using TNF-α, insulin and palmitic acid (PA) in HepG2 cells, respectively. We compared the effects of FA, FA4G, CA and CA4G on glucose metabolism in these models by measuring the glucose consumption levels. The potential targets and related pathways were predicted by network pharmacology. Fluorescence quenching measurement was used to analyze the binding between the compounds and the predicted target. To investigate the binding mode, molecular docking was performed. Then, we performed membrane recruitment assays of the AKT pleckstrin homology (PH) domain with the help of the PH-GFP plasmid. AKT enzymatic activity was determined to compare the effects between the metabolites with their parent compounds. Finally, the downstream signaling pathway of AKT was investigated by Western blot analysis.

Results

The results showed that CA4G and FA4G were more potent than their parent compounds in increasing glucose consumption. AKT was predicted to be the key target of CA4G and FA4G by network pharmacology analysis. The fluorescence quenching test confirmed the more potent binding to AKT of the two metabolites compared to their parent compounds. The molecular docking results indicated that the carbonyl group in the glucuronic acid structure of CA4G and FA4G might bind to the PH domain of AKT at the key Arg-25 site. CA4G and FA4G inhibited the translocation of the AKT PH domain to the membrane, while increasing the activity of AKT. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the metabolites could increase the phosphorylation of AKT and downstream glycogen synthase kinase 3β in the AKT signaling pathway to increase glucose consumption.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our results suggested that the metabolites of phenolic acids, which contain glucuronic acid, are the key active substances and that they activate AKT by targeting the PH domain, thus improving glucose metabolism.

Fruit Peel Powder as Natural Antioxidant and Reinforcing Bio-Filler in Natural Rubber Latex Gloves: Cases of Mangosteen, Pomelo and Durian

As the world is facing rapid increases in agricultural wastes that greatly affect global health, the environment, and economies, this work aims to alleviate such issues by introducing simple uses of waste fruit peel powder (FPP) derived from mangosteen (MPP), pomelo (PPP), or durian (DPP), as dual natural antioxidants and reinforcing bio-fillers in natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves. A thorough investigation was undertaken of the relevant characteristics for both FPP (morphological, functional groups, particle sizes, and thermals stability) and NRL gloves (morphological, functional groups, density, color, thermal stability, and mechanical properties-both before and after thermal/25 kGy gamma aging). The results indicated that the initial addition (2-4 parts per hundred parts of rubber by weight; phr) of FPP to NRL composites generally enhanced the strength and elongation at the break of the specimens, with the levels of the improvement varying depending on the type and content of FPPs. In addition to the reinforcing effects, the FPP also offered natural antioxidant properties, evidenced by higher values of aging coefficients for all FPP/NRL gloves under either thermal or 25 kGy gamma aging than those of pristine NRL. Furthermore, by comparing the tensile strength and elongation at break of the developed FPP/NRL gloves with the requirements for medical examination latex gloves according to ASTM D3578-05, the recommended FPP contents for actual glove production were 2-4 phr for MPP, 4 phr for PPP, and 2 phr for DPP. Consequently, based on the overall outcomes, the FPPs of interest showed promising potential for utilization as simultaneous natural antioxidants and reinforcing bio-fillers in NRL gloves, which would not only enhance the strength and ability of the gloves to resist oxidative degradation from heat and gamma irradiation but also increase their economical value as well as reducing the amounts of the investigated wastes.

Experimental Design, Equilibrium Modeling and Kinetic Studies on the Adsorption of Methylene Blue by Adsorbent: Activated Carbon from Durian Shell Waste

For the first time, activated carbon from a durian shell (ACDS) activated by H₂SO₄ was successfully synthesized in the present study. The fabricated ACDS has a porous surface with a specific surface area of 348.0017 m²·g^-1, average capillary volume of 0.153518 cm³·g^-1, the average pore diameter of 4.3800 nm; ash level of 55.63%; humidity of 4.74%; density of 0.83 g·cm^-3; an iodine index of 634 mg·g^-1; and an isoelectric point of 6.03. Several factors affecting Methylene Blue (MB) adsorption capacity of ACDS activated carbon was investigated by the static adsorption method, revealing that the adsorption equilibrium was achieved after 90 min. The best adsorbent pH for MB is 7 and the mass/volume ratio is equal to 2.5 g·L^-1. The MB adsorption process of ACDS activated carbon follows the Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, and Elovich isotherm adsorption model, which has determined the maximum adsorption capacity for MB of ACDS as q_max = 57.47 mg·g^-1. The MB adsorption process of ACDS follows the of pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetic equation. The Weber and Morris Internal Diffusion Model, the Hameed and Daud External Diffusion Model of liquids have been studied to see if the surface phase plays any role in the adsorption process. The results of thermodynamic calculation of the adsorption process show that the adsorption process is dominated by chemical adsorption and endothermic. The obtained results provide an insight for potential applications of ACDS in the treatment of water contaminated by dyes.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) pulp, seed and peel flour

The unripe pulp, inner peel and seed of durian were used in this study. These are generally not considered edible and must be disposed of as waste. However, they are good sources of bioactive compounds. Flour extracts from the unripe pulp, inner peel, and seed of two durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) varieties, namely, Monthong and Chanee, were analyzed chemically to determine their total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory capacities. Chanee pulp (CPu) contained a higher TPC (5285.37 ± 517.65 mg GAE/g) than Monthong pulp (MPu), Monthong peel (MP), Monthong seed (MS), Chanee peel (CP) and Chanee seed (CS) (p = 0.0027, 0.0042, 0.0229, 0.0069 and 0.36), respectively. The antioxidant activity of each durian extract was determined against ABTS, nitric oxide, superoxide, hydroxyl, and metal ions. The results indicated that the pulp, inner peel and seed of these durian varieties had antioxidant capacities. Murine Raw 264.7 macrophages were used to determine the cytotoxicity of the flour extracts. The extract of CS flour had the lowest cytotoxicity followed by MP, CPu, CP, MPu and MS (p = 0.5926, 0.44, 0.3191, 0.1471 and 0.0014), respectively. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested by anti-nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated cells by co-treating the Raw 264.7 cells with each durian flour extract and LPS. The extract of MP flour had the lowest IC50 against NO production, indicating the highest anti-NO production activity followed by CS, CPu, MPu, CP and MS (p = 0.7473, 0.0104, < 0.0001, 0.0002 and < 0.0001, respectively). The information obtained in this study is useful for researchers to explore more durian varieties in Southeast Asia to find bioactive compounds that might be novel nutraceuticals for antioxidant, anti-inflammation and therapeutic functional food.