Vernonia kotschyana roots: therapeutic potential via antioxidant activity

Polyphenol co-pigments enhanced the antioxidant capacity and color stability of blue honeysuckle juice during storage

The study aimed to assess the impact of incorporating five co-pigments (gallic acid, quercetin, rutin, catechin, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) on the color stability of blue honeysuckle juice (BHJ). Additionally, it sought to determine the influence of varying proportions of anthocyanins in an accelerated test (light at 40 °C for 24 d). Results indicated that the addition of polyphenol co-pigments effectively mitigated the thermal degradation of anthocyanins, enhancing color saturation and antioxidant capacity of BHJ. Notably, quercetin, rutin, catechin, and EGCG exhibited superior efficacy compared to gallic acid. FTIR analysis revealed non-covalent complex formation between co-pigments and anthocyanins, including hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces, thereby shielding them from degradation. HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS2 identified 15 anthocyanins and 39 non-anthocyanin polyphenols. Addition of co-pigments effectively curbed anthocyanin degradation, thus stabilizing juice system. Consequently, judicious incorporation of co-pigments holds promise as a technology for enhancing the color quality and stability of BHJ during processing.

Fermented Jussara: Evaluation of Nanostructure Formation, Bioaccessibility, and Antioxidant Activity

Among the species of plants present in the Atlantic Forest, the jussara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) stands out for the contents of bioactive compounds present in its composition. Fermentation processes can be essential in converting bioproducts and bioactive compounds, improving their biological properties. In addition, the improvement of procedures for the maintenance of the features of bioactive compounds has been a research focus in recent years, and the nanotechnology features that can potentially solve this issue have been highlighted among the most reviewed paths. The present work focused on tailoring nanostructures applying polyethylene oxide, assembling fermented jussara pulp nanofibers, and assessing their characteristics. The results revealed the formation of fermented jussara nanofibers with a diameter of 101.2 ± 26.2 nm. Also, the obtained results allow us to state that it is possible to maintain or even increase the antioxidant activity of anthocyanins and their metabolites after fermentation processes.

Clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical features of brain metastases originating in colorectal cancer: a series of 27 consecutive cases

Introduction: Brain metastases (BMs) originating in colorectal cancer (CRC) have a significant importance for patients’ survival. Because in literature there are only isolated case reports and only few series published on this issue, we aimed to assess the incidence of BMs from CRC, to identify patient’s characteristics and BMs clinical, histopathological (HP) and immunohistochemical (IHC) features, and to compare the data we obtained with those from literature. Patients, Materials and Methods: We present a retrospective study of 27 histologically confirmed cases of BMs from CRC among all 1040 patients who received metastasectomy in the Department of Neurosurgery, Prof. Dr. Nicolae Oblu Emergency Clinical Hospital, Iaşi, Romania, in an eight-year period (January 2011 to December 2018). Patients’ characteristics (gender, age), primary tumor location, time from primary tumor surgery to BMs surgery and BMs features (number, location and HP characteristics) were investigated. Histochemical [Alcian Blue (AB) and Periodic Acid–Schiff (PAS)] staining and IHC stainings for cytokeratin (CK) 7, CK20, caudal-type homeobox 2 (CDX2) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/neu were performed on all available BMs specimens. Results: There were 27 consecutive patients with BMs from CRC, corresponding to 2.59% of all patients with BMs during the eight-year period we have studied, most of them being diagnosed and treated in 2016. Male:female ratio was 1.45. The mean age for all patients at diagnosis of the BMs was 62.25 years (range: 40–79 years). The origin of the primary cancer was mainly the colon (62.96% of all cases). Of all 27 patients, only two (7.4%) presented neurological symptoms without a diagnosis of CRC. BMs were identified in a period ranging from six months to 70 months after the initial diagnosis. The average time between diagnosis of the primary tumor and of the BMs was 25.92 months. At the moment of the diagnosis of BMs, 17 (62.96%) patients also had other systemic metastases. Most of the cases (55.55%) were situated in the supratentorial compartment. IHC stainings were negative for CK7 and positive for CK20 and CDX2 in all BMs from colonic adenocarcinomas (ADCs), a profile consistent with a non-neuronal and gastric origin. AB and PAS stainings revealed pools of extracellular mucin, especially in cases of mucinous ADC. Ki67 labeling index ranged between 90% and 100%. IHC staining with anti-HER2/neu antibody showed in 25 (96.15%) cases a strong and diffuse aberrant nuclear staining. Conclusions: BMs originating in CRC represent a rare pathology and have particular clinical and IHC features that could vary from one series to another series. In a few cases, BMs may be diagnosed in the absence of a known CRC diagnosis and in these situations, the correct diagnosis is of interest. However, a panel of antibodies can help in establishing a correct diagnosis. Our study was among the first to analyze the HER2/neu expression pattern in BMs from CRC and we found a strong aberrant nuclear expression of this molecular marker on IHC investigation. Related to the data published so far in the literature, it is possible that HER2/neu aberrant expression in the tumor nuclei of the BMs from our series may express the metastatic tumor cell phenotype that was previously subjected to cytostatics and radiation therapies. As such, we suggest that HER2/neu aberrant expression in BMs originating in CRC could represent a proof for the worst prognosis of these patients.

Uniaxial and Coaxial Electrospinning for Tailoring Jussara Pulp Nanofibers

Jussara pulp (Euterpe edulis Mart.) is rich in bioactive compounds known to be protective mediators against several diseases. In this context, nevertheless, anthocyanins, the most abundant natural pigment in jussara, are sensitive to temperature, pH, oxygen, and light conditions, leading to instability during food storage or digestion, and, thus jeopardizing the antioxidant proprieties retained by these flavonoids and limiting industrial application of the pulp. The production of nanostructures, from synthetic and natural polymers, containing natural matrices rich in bioactive compounds, has been widely studied, providing satisfactory results in the conservation and maintenance of the stability of these compounds. The current work aimed to compare uniaxial and coaxial electrospinning operation modes to produce core-shell jussara pulp nanofibers (NFs). Additionally, the parameters employed in the electrospinning processes were optimize using response surface methodology in an attempt to solve stability issues for the bioactive compounds. The best experimental conditions provided NFs with diameters ranging between 110.0 ± 47 and 121.1 ± 54 nm. Moreover, the coaxial setup improved jussara pulp NF formation, while further allowing greater integrity of NFs structures.

Co-pigmentation of anthocyanins extracted from sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) with some organic acids: Color intensity, thermal stability, and thermodynamic parameters

The co-pigmentation reactions involving anthocyanins of sour cherry (Prunus cerasusL.) were investigated with tannic, caffeic, 4-hydroxybenzoic, gallic, and malic acids at pH 3.5. The influence of the co-pigments with different concentrations (120, 240, 480, and 960 mg/L), and temperatures (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 ℃), on the co-pigmentation effects, stoichiometric ratio (n), the equilibrium constant (K) and thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS°) were determined.The strongest immediate co-pigmentation reactions were observed at 960 mg/L, being significantly highest using tannic acid; also,the greatest bathochromic and hyperchromic effects were reasonable for itsn,K, and ΔG° values of 0.64, 56.55, and -10.00 kJ/mol, respectively. Furthermore, tannic and caffeic acids, with the highest negative values ofΔH°(-11.74 kJ/mol) andΔS°(-8.08 J/K.mol) led to the most excellent stability at 100 ℃.The presence of anthocyanins in the sour cherry extract was confirmed with the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy technique.

Strongly Luminescent Composites Based on Carbon Dots Embedded in a Nanoporous Silicate Glass

Luminescent composites based on entirely non-toxic, environmentally friendly compounds are in high demand for a variety of applications in photonics and optoelectronics. Carbon dots are a recently developed kind of luminescent nanomaterial that is eco-friendly, biocompatible, easy-to-obtain, and inexpensive, with a stable and widely tunable emission. Herein, we introduce luminescent composites based on carbon dots of different chemical compositions and with different functional groups at the surface which were embedded in a nanoporous silicate glass. The structure and optical properties of these composites were comprehensively examined using electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared transmission, UV-Vis absorption, and steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence. It is shown that the silicate matrix efficiently preserved, and even enhanced the emission of different kinds of carbon dots tested. The photoluminescence quantum yield of the fabricated nanocomposite materials reached 35–40%, which is comparable to or even exceeds the values for carbon dots in solution.

Development and Characterization of Electrospun Nanostructures Using Polyethylene Oxide: Potential Means for Incorporation of Bioactive Compounds

The development of processes for stabilization of the properties of bioactive compounds has been studied in recent years, and the use of nanotechnology is among the most discussed routes. The present work addressed the assembly of nanostructures using polyethylene oxide (PEO), the production of core-shell nanofibers (NFs) with bioactive compounds, and the evaluation of their microscopic and physical characteristics. Aqueous solutions of PEO were electrospun by varying different process and solution parameters (PEO and NaCl concentrations, feeding rate, the tip-to-collector distance (TCD), and applied voltage) in order to optimize production of nanostructures. The best condition obtained was evaluated to form core-shell NFs composed by jussara pulp as a source of anthocyanins. To assess the production of NFs with PEO and jussara pulp, feed solutions were prepared in acetate buffer (pH 4.5) with 6% PEO and 10% lyophilized jussara pulp, at a feeding rate of 150 μL·h−1 and TCD of 15 cm using an applied voltage of 10 kV to form core-shell NFs. The results revealed the formation of core-shell NFs with a diameter of 126.5 ± 50.0 nm. The outcomes achieved represent a crucial step in the application of anthocyanins in food systems as pigments, establishing a basis for further research on the incorporation of nanomaterials into foodstuff.

6-O-(3″, 4″-di-O-trans-cinnamoyl)-α-l-rhamnopyranosylcatalpol and verbascoside: Cytotoxicity, cell cycle kinetics, apoptosis, and ROS production evaluation in tumor cells

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact that 6-O-(3″, 4″-di-O-trans-cinnamoyl)-α- l-rhamnopyranosylcatalpol (Dicinn) and verbascoside (Verb), two compounds simultaneously reported in Verbascum ovalifolium, have on tumor cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle kinetics, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. At 100 µg/mL and 48 hours incubation time, Dicinn and Verb produced good cytotoxic effects in A549, HT-29, and MCF-7 cells. Dicinn induced cell-cycle arrest at the G₀ /G₁ phase and apoptosis, whereas Verb increased the population of subG₁ cells and cell apoptosis rates. Furthermore, the two compounds exhibited time-dependent ROS generating effects in tumor cells (1-24 hours). Importantly, no cytotoxic effects were induced in nontumor MCF-10A cells by the two compounds up to 100 µg/mL. Overall, the effects exhibited by Verb in tumor cells were more potent, which can be correlated with its structural features, such as the presence of phenolic hydroxyl groups.

Unravelling the potential of seaweeds from the Black Sea coast of Romania as bioactive compounds sources. Part I: Cystoseira barbata (Stackhouse) C. Agardh

The Romanian coastlines of the Black Sea have abundant seaweed resources, but little effort has been done to investigate their biological potential. The aim of the present study was to assess the in vitro antioxidant and anti-proliferative effects of Cystoseira barbata (Stackhouse) C. Agardh (Sargassaceae), a brown alga inhabiting the Black Sea coast of Romania. The 70% acetone, methanol and water extracts of C. barbata were evaluated for their total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and anti-proliferative potential against human tumor cell lines (pulmonary A549, colon HT-29, mammary MCF-7) and the non-tumor mammary epithelial MCF-10A cell line. C. barbata 70% acetone extract (CBAE) displayed the highest antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. The mechanism of CBAE anti-proliferative activity involved initially increased intracellular ROS accumulation, followed by increased DNA content in the subG1 phase and DNA fragmentation leading to excessive apoptosis. Thus, our study provides a theoretical basis for the use of CBAE as a tumor preventive agent. Furthermore, UHPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS analysis of CBAE tentatively identified 18 phlorotannins as fucophlorethol and eckol derivatives, containing three up to seven phloroglucinol units. In conclusion, C. barbata represents a valuable source for the development of macroalgal-based products with putative use as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.

Mechanisms underlying the acute toxicity of fullerene to Daphnia magna: Energy acquisition restriction and oxidative stress

The toxicity of fullerene (C₆₀) to Daphnia magna has been a subject with increasing concerns. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. In the present study, we evaluated various aspects of the toxicological impacts of C₆₀ on daphnia. After a 72-h exposure, the 50% effective concentration of C₆₀ was 14.9 mg/L for immobilization, and 16.3 mg/L for mortality. Daphnia exhibited a quick uptake of C₆₀ with a body burden value of 413 μg/g in wet weight in the 1 mg/L C₆₀ treatment group. Transmission electron microscopy observations revealed that C₆₀ had mainly accumulated in the guts of organisms. The feeding rate, gut ultra-structural alterations, and digestive enzyme activities of daphnia in response to C₆₀ treatment were evaluated. The results revealed a significant reduction in the digestion and filtration rates, as well as gut impairment and inhibition of digestive enzymes (cellulose, amylase, trypsin, and β-galactosidase) activity of C₆₀ exposed daphnia. In addition, the changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in daphnia under C₆₀ exposures were also discovered. These results, for the first time, provide systematic evidence that C₆₀ caused a restriction in energy acquisition and increased oxidative damage in daphnia, which might be related to the bioaccumulation of C₆₀ and finally led to the immobility and mortality.