The clinical management of rheumatoid arthritis continues to demand the development of effective and safer alternatives to traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are often limited by significant adverse effects. This research investigated the therapeutic potential of an extract derived from Artemisia herba alba using a well-established rat model of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis. Over a 15-day treatment period, animal groups received oral administrations of the plant extract at one of two doses (250 or 500 mg/kg), the standard drug indomethacin (3 mg/kg), or a saline control. The results demonstrated that the higher dose of Artemisia herba alba (500 mg/kg) produced a highly significant reduction in paw swelling, decreasing the measurement from 5.68 ± 0.06 mm to 4.65 ± 0.02 mm (p < 0.001). Furthermore, it effectively alleviated pain hypersensitivity, reversing response rates from 70 ± 6.1% to 10 ± 3.2% (p < 0.001). On a biochemical level, the treatment enhanced the body's innate antioxidant defenses while successfully reducing markers of lipid peroxidation. Most notably, in stark contrast to indomethacin, which induced clear hepatotoxicity and a pronounced oxidative stress state (MDA: 4.25 ± 0.41 µmol/L), the plant extract demonstrated a protective effect on liver and kidney function. Histological analysis of joint tissue corroborated these findings, showing markedly reduced inflammation and cellular infiltration. Collectively, these findings strongly advocate for Artemisia herba alba extract as a potent, dual-action, and notably safer natural therapeutic candidate for the treatment of inflammatory arthritic conditions.

In this study, innovative polymer-based biocomposites intended for regenerative medicine applications were developed and characterized. The materials were obtained by combining synthetic polymers with natural components such as collagen and gelatin, and further enriched with bioactive additives from the glycosaminoglycan group. The resulting composites exhibited structural and mechanical properties comparable to natural tissues, making them suitable candidates for scaffolds supporting tissue regeneration.

Comprehensive characterization was performed, including analysis of morphology and porosity, stability under conditions mimicking physiological environments, and evaluation of fundamental physicochemical parameters. The average porosity of the materials was 21 ± 2%. The biocomposites exhibited a swelling ratio of 2.8 ± 0.3 g/g after 24 hours of incubation in PBS (pH 7.4), while maintaining structural stability for at least 14 days. During incubation in phosphate-buffered saline, the pH of the medium remained stable in the range of 7.2–7.5, indicating the absence of acidic or alkaline degradation of the material.

The findings indicate that the developed polymer-based biocomposites represent a valuable alternative to conventional biomaterials currently applied in tissue engineering. They provide a promising platform for the advancement of regenerative strategies aimed at the repair and restoration of both soft and hard tissues.

This research was carried out within the SMART-MAT Functional Materials Science Club of the Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics at Cracow
University of Technology (section SmartMat) and as part of the project entitled, „ Polymer Biocomposites for Regenerative Medicine” financed by the FutureLab organization operating at Cracow University of Technology

In this study, functional hydrogels were developed using advanced 4D printing technology, enabling the design of materials capable of dynamically responding to environmental stimuli. This approach allowed the fabrication of structures with programmable changes in shape and properties triggered by external factors such as temperature and humidity.

The obtained hydrogels were subjected to comprehensive characterization, including morphological analysis, evaluation of swelling and shrinkage behavior under varying conditions, structural stability, and mechanical performance. The results demonstrated that the use of 4D printing enables precise control over the architecture of hydrogel structures and provides the ability to engineer tailored responsive functionalities. Furthermore, correlations were identified between the hydrogel composition and the kinetics of their response, offering possibilities for designing materials adapted to specific biomedical or engineering applications.

The findings confirm that the developed hydrogels hold significant potential in areas such as regenerative medicine, drug delivery systems, and material engineering, where adaptability to changing environmental conditions is crucial. This work highlights the role of 4D printing as a powerful tool for the creation of intelligent materials with dynamic and customizable properties.

This research was carried out within the SMART-MAT Functional Materials Science Club of the Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics at Cracow University of Technology (section SmartMat) and as part of the project entitled, „Functional hydrogels obtained by using 4D printing” financed by the FutureLab organization operating at Cracow University of Technology.

Plant-derived antioxidants play a critical role in protecting against skin ageing-related oxidative damage, yet their therapeutic use is limited by instability, low absorption, reduced bioavailability, and restricted skin penetration. Nanocarriers such as coaxial electrospun nanofibers provide a promising delivery system, enhancing stability and penetration while enabling synergistic effects. In this study, we investigated a novel approach combining liposomal vitamin C, a widely used antioxidant, with Physalis extract enriched in secondary metabolites obtained through tissue culture techniques.

Physalis stem cell cultures were successfully established and treated with elicitors to boost metabolite production, where jasmonic acid (JA) proved the most effective compared to salicylic acid (SA). Liposomal vitamin C was formulated by thin-film hydration and characterized using electron microscopy, revealing nanosized vesicles with an average diameter of 250 nm, a zeta potential of –3.0 ± 0.5 mV, and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.23 ± 0.02, confirming good stability and homogeneity. Both components were incorporated into coaxial electrospun nanofibers, which exhibited uniform morphology, smooth surface, and nanoscale dimensions as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy.

In vivo testing on a mouse dorsal skin model showed that the nanofiber patch significantly enhanced antioxidant defense. Elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) levels, alongside reduced malondialdehyde (MDA), indicated strong protection against lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress.

Collectively, these findings highlight that JA-elicited Physalismetabolites, when co-delivered with liposomal vitamin C in a coaxial nanofiber patch, represent a novel and effective therapeutic strategy for improving antioxidant efficacy and preventing oxidative stress-induced skin damage.

Background

Cancer is a major global health concern, with 24,485 new cases and 10,518 deaths in Saudi Arabia in 2020. Fungi produce bioactive compounds with anticancer and antimicrobial potential. This study investigates fungal metabolites from Saudi soil to identify novel therapeutic agents, addressing gaps found in our previous systematic review.

Methods

Seventeen fungal strains were isolated from soil samples collected at five locations in Riyadh and Hail. Samples were plated on Potato Dextrose Agar, incubated to obtain pure cultures, and extracted using a yeast malt extract medium. The cytotoxic effects of the extracts were assessed via an MTT assay against MDA-MB-231 (breast cancer) and HCT-116 (colorectal cancer) cell lines. Additionally, antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Candida spp., and Escherichia coli at concentrations ranging from 0.3 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL.

Results

The fungal extracts exhibited notable cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells, with IC50 values ranging from 28.55 to 83.35 μg/mL. Additionally, six extracts tested against HCT-116 cells demonstrated potent activity, with IC50 values between 22.25 and 71.63 μg/mL. In antimicrobial testing, initial results showed no significant activity against MRSA, Candida spp., or E. coli, which may be due to the low concentrations used. Further testing at higher concentrations is planned to explore potential antimicrobial effects.

Conclusion

This study highlights Saudi soil fungi as a promising source of anticancer agents. Although antimicrobial activity was insignificant at low concentrations, further testing is needed. Exploring regional biodiversity may lead to new drug discoveries, and future research will focus on identifying active compounds and their mechanisms of action.

Introduction
Metastases remain a leading cause of cancer-related death, often due to chemotherapy resistance linked to dysregulation of signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt. AKT1 is a key driver of tumorigenesis, proliferation, and survival, making it an attractive therapeutic target. Natural compounds from plants are being explored as safe and effective agents in cancer therapy.

Methods
A total of 392 phytochemicals from Artemisia annua were screened for AKT1 inhibition. Molecular docking was carried out using InstaDock, and top hits were evaluated through ADMET profiling, PASS analysis, and 500 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Binding stability was further analyzed with Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Free Energy Landscape (FEL) mapping, and RMSD/RMSF analyses.

Results
Penduletin (docking score −9.4 kcal/mol) and Chrysosplenol D (−9.1 kcal/mol) showed strong binding within the ATP-binding region, forming key interactions with LEU156, GLY157, LYS158, VAL164, and ASP274. MD simulations confirmed complex stability, with average RMSD values of 0.63 nm for AKT1–Penduletin and 0.58 nm for AKT1–Chrysosplenol D, compared to 0.69 nm for apo AKT1. RMSF analysis revealed moderate flexibility of the AKT1 loop region (residues 110–140), which was slightly increased upon ligand binding (0.30 nm for Penduletin and 0.28 nm for Chrysosplenol D), suggesting stable but flexible interactions around the active site. Both compounds met drug-likeness criteria, showed favorable pharmacokinetics, and demonstrated antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and antineoplastic potential in PASS analysis. FEL analysis indicated energetically stable binding states, supporting their inhibitory activity.

Conclusion
Penduletin and Chrysosplenol D demonstrated strong binding affinity and stable interactions with AKT1. These findings highlight Artemisia annua phytochemicals as promising leads for developing novel cancer therapies.

Vesicles are supramolecular structures formed by self-assembled bilayers of surfactants in aqueous solution. These structures are used as carriers for biologically active molecules delivery, as they can enhance the solubility and bioavailability, and increase cellular uptake of certain drugs. In this study, we evaluated the incorporation of a full-spectrum ethanolic extract of chemotype III Cannabis sativa (EECs), containing acid cannabidiol as the main cannabinoid (18%) over tetrahydrocannabinol (1%). Cannabis extracts are known for proven therapeutic and antioxidant properties, although the low water solubility limits its use in aqueous formulations.

Large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) made from soy lecithin were used as encapsulation systems for the extract. LUVs and EECs-loaded LUVs (EECs-LUVs) were prepared by the extrusion method mixing soy lecithin with different concentrations of EECs (10, 20, 30, 50 µL/mL) in ethanol. Vesicles formation was confirmed by dynamic light scattering, and incorporation of extract components was evidenced by fluorescence spectroscopy.

Photoprotective effect of the encapsulated extract was evaluated using eosin as a model dye. Eosin solutions in the presence and absence of LUVs and EECs-LUVs were irradiated with UV light (254 nm) for 1 to 9 minutes, and eosin degradation was monitored using UV-visible spectroscopy. Results showed a 50–75% reduction in eosin photodegradation in the presence of EECs-LUVs compared to eosin in water or with LUVs.

Also, a preliminary cytotoxicity assessment was carried out by evaluating the hemolytic effect. No significant differences in hemolysis were observed between cells incubated with EECs-LUVs and the control group, up to the highest concentration tested (0.5 mg/mL).

These findings demonstrate that EECs-LUVs are biocompatible and represent a potential carrier for cannabis extract. Moreover, they confirm the photoprotective effect of the encapsulated extract, suggesting applications in the development of new formulations that enhance stability under UV radiation and preserve other sensitive compounds within the matrix.

Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), remains a major global health concern, further complicated by multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains that reduce the effectiveness of conventional therapies. ClpC1, a protease regulatory ATPase essential for Mtb survival, has emerged as a promising therapeutic target. Natural products such as cyclomarin A and ecumicin inhibit ClpC1 effectively, but their complex structures and poor pharmacokinetics restrict clinical application. Calophyllum inophyllum, a tropical plant with documented antimicrobial activity, may serve as a source of novel ClpC1 inhibitors.

Methods

In this study, 52 phytoconstituents from C. inophyllum were screened using in silico approaches including molecular docking, ADMET profiling, PAINS filtering, and biological activity prediction.

Results

Friedelin and Canophyllal showed strong binding affinity (−7.8 and −7.7 kcal/mol) toward ClpC1, superior to the control inhibitor HEPES (−3.7 kcal/mol), forming stable interactions with key residues. ADMET evaluation indicated favorable pharmacokinetics, high gastrointestinal absorption, and no toxicity alerts. Molecular dynamics simulations up to 500 ns confirmed stability, with both compounds exhibiting lower RMSD and RMSF values than free ClpC1. Principal component and free energy landscape analyses validate their stability.

Conclusion

Outcomes of the study highlighted Friedelin and Canophyllal as promising scaffolds for developing ClpC1-targeting anti-TB agents, meriting further experimental validation.

Introduction:
Tuberculosis remains a global health challenge, and natural products are being explored as alternative sources for novel therapeutics. Citrus fruit peels, often discarded as waste, are rich in bioactive compounds with potential antimicrobial effects.

Methods:
Preliminary phytochemical screening of the peel extract was performed using standard qualitative tests. Total phenolic content was quantified by the Folin–Ciocalteu method, while total flavonoid content was estimated using the aluminium chloride colorimetric assay. Anti-tubercular activity was evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain using Microplate Alamar Blue Assay (MABA)], with results expressed as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).

Results:
The extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, terpenoids, and saponins. Quantitative analysis revealed that the ethyl acetate extract had the highest levels of total phenolic content (7.66 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram) and total flavonoid content (10.76 mg rutin equivalents per gram), suggesting strong antioxidant potential. For anti-tubercular testing, the Microplate Alamar Blue Assay (MABA) was employed—a reliable, colorimetric method for evaluating inhibition of M. tuberculosis. Both extracts exhibited promising activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 25 μg/ml, indicating potential anti-TB action.

Conclusion:
Citrus jambhiri fruit peel extract is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids and displays promising anti-tubercular activity. These findings highlight its potential as a natural source of lead molecules for anti-tubercular drug discovery. Further isolation and mechanistic studies are recommended.

Introduction:

Apoptosis and autophagy are essential for epithelial homeostasis and defense against stress in the colon, with the Bcl-2/Beclin-1 axis acting as a regulatory switch. Dietary bioactives, particularly grape-derived polyphenols and fibers, can modulate these pathways. Grape Antioxidant Dietary Fiber (GADF), derived from red grape pomace (Vitis vinifera, var. Cencibel), combines insoluble fiber with polyphenols, mainly high molecular weight proanthocyanidins. This study evaluated GADF’s effect on apoptosis and autophagy regulation in the proximal colon of healthy rats.

Methods:

Male Wistar rats were fed either a control diet or a GADF diet (5% w/w replacing cellulose in an isoenergetic diet) for four weeks. Following euthanasia, apoptosis and autophagy were evaluated in proximal colonic mucosa by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and caspase activity assays.

Results:

GADF reduced intrinsic apoptosis, as shown by lower TUNELlabelling index (−56.1%, p<0.0001) and decreased caspase-9 and caspase-3 activities (−56.5% and −64.5%, respectively, p<0.0001). Caspase-8 was unaffected indicating no effect on the extrinsic pathway. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio decreased (−22.2%, p<0.001), supporting mitochondrial stability. Concurrently, autophagy was activated with Beclin-1 (+70.2%) and LC3B (+35.3%) upregulated (for both, p<0.001), while p62/SQSTM1 decreased (−44.2%, p<0.01). Beclin-1 and LC3B correlated inversely with apoptosis markers, whereas p62/SQSTM1 showed positive correlation.

Conclusions:

GADF modulates the apoptosis-autophagy balance in the healthy colon through regulation of the Bcl-2/Beclin-1 axis, which suggests enhanced autophagic activity and promotes cellular survival. GADF emerges as a promising dietary component to support gut barrier integrity while offering a sustainable option for functional food innovation.

Spanish patents registered under the numbers 2259258 and 2130092

Funded by Universidad Complutense de Madrid, project PR12/24-31551.

Acknowledgment to Alvinesa Natural Ingredients S.L. for their research support.