Introduction: The growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable approaches in nanotechnology has highlighted plant extracts as versatile and renewable resources for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel, an agro-industrial byproduct, is particularly well suited for this purpose due to its high content of bioactive compounds, such as punicalagin, ellagic acid, and flavonoids, which exhibit potent antioxidant activity. These phytochemicals not only scavenge free radicals but also play a crucial role as reducing and stabilizing agents in the green synthesis of metal nanoparticles. This study investigates the potential of pomegranate peel extract from the "Mollar de Elche" variety for the synthesis of sustainable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and emphasizes the influence of its bioactive compounds on nanoparticle properties.

Methods: Pomegranate extract was obtained from pomegranate peels. A Box–Behnken Design (BBD) programmed in Python was employed to optimize key synthesis parameters such as silver nitrate concentration, extract concentration, and temperature, while minimizing experimental trials. The optimized AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, and FESEM, and their antibacterial activity was evaluated.

Results: The optimization process revealed significant interactions between the responses, including hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity index, and zeta potential. Characterization of the AgNPs confirmed the successful reduction and capping of silver ions by pomegranate-derived compounds. Antibacterial assays revealed strong activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the AgNPs were incorporated into nanofibrous scaffolds as a proof of concept for future applications, and their antibacterial activity was partially retained post-incorporation.

Conclusion: This work highlights the versatility of pomegranate peel extract as a sustainable and multifunctional medium for nanoparticle synthesis, driven by its rich composition of antioxidant compounds. Furthermore, it demonstrates how integrating computational tools like BBD with green chemistry principles can efficiently optimize complex processes, paving the way for industrial and biomedical applications.

To counteract the oxidative stress induced by abiotic stress factors such as UV-B radiation, plants typically activate both enzymatic and non-enzymatic molecules (e.g., phenolic compounds) with antioxidant functions. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of UV-B radiation on the phenolics production and antioxidant activity of green from Thymus lotocephalus, an endangered aromatic species endemic to the Algarve (Portugal). Additionally, the methylene blue (MB) removal capacity of hydrogels loaded with the antioxidant extracts produced was tested as a potential eco-friendly strategy for dye removal from contaminated water. In vitro cultures (ICs) and micropropagated plants (MPs) of T. lotocephalus were subjected to two distinct treatments of UV-B radiation (4 hours/1 day or 4 hours/4 days). Following exposure to UV-B radiation, extracts were obtained through ultrasound-assisted extraction using a Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent, choline chloride--lactic acid (1:2). HPLC-HRMS analysis showed that UV-B significantly increased the production of the major compound (rosmarinic acid), especially in IC (+41% over the control). Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the extracts, assessed through ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC assays, was also enhanced by UV-B. Hydrogels were prepared by incorporating extracts from IC or MP. The ability of these hydrogels to adsorb MB was assessed, and the adsorption conditions were optimized using response surface methodology. Hydrogels made with UV-B-exposed MP extracts exhibited superior MB adsorption compared to controls. Antioxidant activity and MB adsorption were significantly positively correlated. This suggests that the antioxidant properties of phenolics enhance adsorption complex stability, maintaining adsorption site integrity and ensuring hydrogel's long-term stability. The findings highlight the potential of a novel eco-friendly hydrogel rich in antioxidants as effective adsorbents for MB removal. This innovation offers a sustainable approach to addressing wastewater pollution caused by synthetic dyes, contributing to environmental remediation efforts.

Medicinal plants have been essential in traditional medicine and continue to play a significant role in modern pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, particularly for their antioxidant properties. In this study, we examined the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of extracts from the leaves of Trichosanthes lobata Roxb and Uvaria narum Wall ex Wight, and the bark of Zanthoxylum armatum DC. Both alcoholic and aqueous extracts were analyzed for their polyphenol and flavonoid content using High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) and spectrophotometric methods. The alcoholic extract of Z. armatum bark contained the highest polyphenol content (216 ± 5.1 mg/g gallic acid equivalent), followed closely by the aqueous extract of T. lobata leaves (213 ± 1.9 mg/g). Regarding flavonoid content, the aqueous leaf extract of T. lobata was the most abundant (64 ± 5.5 mg/g quercetin), while the alcoholic leaf extract of U. narum contained 42 ± 3.5 mg/g quercetin. Antioxidant activity was evaluated through DPPH and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assays. The aqueous extract of T. lobata exhibited the highest DPPH scavenging activity (89.3 ± 3.4%) at 200 µg/mL, comparable to ascorbic acid. The alcoholic leaf extract of U. narum displayed the highest NO scavenging activity (85.7 ± 3.2%). Additionally, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of T. lobata was 3.5 ± 0.2 mmol of ascorbic acid equivalents per gram, and its ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) was 456 ± 3.7 µmol Fe²⁺/g. These findings demonstrate the strong antioxidant potential of T. lobata, U. narum, and Z. armatum, highlighting the value of T. lobata leaves due to the presence of quercetin and gallic acid flavonoid as a promising source for the development of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and phytopharmaceuticals.

Pongamia pinnata, commonly known as Karanja, is among the most important species of the family fabaceae, with its diverse medicinal properties. It used to be found only in Asia, but now it can be found in India, Malaysia, Australia, Hawaii, Oceania, Florida, the Philippines, and Seychelles. All parts of the plant have been used for the treatment of several kind of ailments such as piles, skin diseases, and wounds. The leaves can also be utilized to treat diarrhea and cough. Leaf juice is used for relieving rheumatic pains and for cleaning ulcers. Therefore, the aim of present study was to assess the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant properties of various extracts (hexane, chloroform, butanol, methanol) of Pongamia pinnata leaves. The screening of the phytochemical profile showed that the chloroform extract had more phytochemicals than the other solvent extracts. These included saponins, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, and sugar. Among all the extracts, the chloroform extract showed the highest TPC and TFC values, followed by the hexane extract. All the extracts possessed 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity (phosphomolybdate assay), as well as reducing power, which was supported by the observation of a significant correlation with TPC and TFC. The presence of high TFC and TPC values in the chloroform extract of leaves suggests that they contain a large number of secondary metabolites, but more research is needed to assess the chemical markers. These findings lead us to conclude that chloroform extract has high pharmaceutical value, due to its high antioxidant activity.

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is the deadliest form of skin cancer, with a high metastatic potential and notable therapeutic resistance [1, 2]. As melanoma cellsoriginate from epidermal melanocytes, multiple development processes are shared with healthy cells [1]. Alterations in signaling pathways within pigment-producing melanocytes, as well as mutations in specific genes, may lead to impaired cell proliferation, disruption of cell cycle regulation and increased resistance to apoptosis, allowing for invasion and metastasis [3, 4]. For example, mutations in NRAS and BRAF genes lead to uncontrolled proliferation by activating MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways [2, 3]. The treatment of CM poses considerable challenges due to its complex biology and ability to develop resistance to conventional therapies [5, 6]. Current CM treatments often include surgical excision, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapies and targeted molecular therapies, with special emphasis on the latter that have been focusing on key molecules, proteins and components of various signaling pathways regulating the development and progression of CM [6, 7]. In recent years, topical treatments have become the standard care for the treatment of early-stage melanoma or melanoma in situ, offering a less invasive alternative to surgery [7, 8]. Recent research has been exploring the potential of natural compounds and their analogues in the treatment of CM. In this context, Actinidia arguta arise as an excellent candidate due to its rich composition in phenolic acids, flavonoids, vitamins and other bioactive compounds [9, 10], with outstanding antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties [11, 12]. This work aims to explore the potential benefits of bioactive compounds from A. arguta by-products against CM. By offering new insights into the use of these compounds as complementary or alternative therapies, this study seeks to encourage scientists to develop new CM therapeutic strategies that are more effective and less toxic than conventional ones, providing a glimmer of hope in the fight against CM.

Inga paterno is an underutilized legume whose seeds are a good source of protein. However, the cottony sarcotesta is the most consumed part of the plant. Given that sprouting has been shown to enhance the nutritional value of legumes, this study investigated how sprouting duration influences the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (TAC) of I. paterno seed flour.

I. paterno seeds were sprouted at 23°C with 78% RH for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 days. The sprouted seeds were ground into flour. Then, each flour was mixed with methanol solution (20:80), stirred at 25°C for 24 hours, and centrifuged to obtain the supernatant. TPC and TAC were determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu method and DPPH• or ABTS•+ radical scavenging assays, respectively. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's test were used to analyze the data (p ≤ 0.05).

TPC exhibited a range of 5.54 to 12.09 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry matter (dm), with a significant increase after 4, 6, 8, and 10 days of sprouting. DPPH-based TAC values ranged from 4.28 ± 0.11 to 9.87 ± 0.14 μM Trolox equivalents (TE) per gram of dm, while ABTS-based TAC values ranged from 17.41 ± 0.51 to 26.40 ± 0.50 μM TE per gram of dm. Significant increases in DPPH-based TAC were observed after the 4^th day and at all subsequent sprouting times, while ABTS-based TAC significantly increased after the 2^nd and 8^th days of sprouting. The observed changes may be attributed to the breakdown of phenolic compounds bound to plant cell walls, as well as to the activation of metabolic pathways that modify antioxidant metabolites.

This study demonstrates that sprouting I. paterno seeds for 4 days enhances the nutritional value of the resulting flour. However, further investigation is necessary to evaluate other potential nutritional modifications fully.

Plant-based substances have been used in traditional medicine systems around the world. Plant materials with high contents of polyphenol and flavonoid compounds possess many biological and pharmacological properties. Many formulations based on polyphenols have been prepared in specific ratios and used for multiple purposes. The aim of the present study is to assess the level of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of individual extracts of mint (Mentha spicata) and honey and their combination. The total phenolic content (TPC) and the total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined spectrophotometrically. The antioxidant activity was assessed using different in vitro assays, including DPPH, ABTS, reducing power, and iron-chelation tests. According to the results, mint extracts exhibited the highest TPC (35.47 ± 0.08 mg GAE/g and 15.5 ± 0.06 mg GAE/g) and the highest TFC (32.03 ± 0.47 QE/g and 27.49 ± 0.32mg QE/g) compared to honey samples (0.35 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g and 0.32 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g for TPC and 0.23 ± 0.00 QE/g and 0.12 ± 0.01 QE/g for TFC). Both individual mint and honey extracts exhibited antioxidant activity. When combined, the honey--mint extracts demonstrated enhanced antioxidant activity compared to the individual extracts. The synergistic effect was particularly evident in the reducing power, DPPH, and ABTS assays. Meanwhile, honey--mint extracts showed low iron-chelating activity. This study provides scientific evidence supporting the traditional use of mint and honey together. The combined extract of mint and honey exhibited superior antioxidant activity compared to individual extracts, indicating that this combination may offer additional health benefits. Further research is needed to explore the potential applications of honey--mint mixtures as functional food additives or nutraceuticals.

This study focuses on an in silico comparative and descriptive analysis of the phytochemical compounds in Rubus fruticosus (blackberry) using the computational tool SwissADME, with an emphasis on their potential applicability to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). SwissADME enables the prediction of comprehensive pharmacokinetic profiles, including gastrointestinal absorption (HIA), blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability via the BOILED-Egg model, and drug likeness. Moreover, this study evaluates the probability of these compounds being actively effluxed by P-gp (PGP+), which is crucial for assessing their bioavailability and potential therapeutic effectiveness in the central nervous system. The interaction of phytochemicals with P-gp can significantly influence their ability to penetrate the BBB, with higher efflux probabilities indicating reduced central nervous system accessibility. Additionally, similarities and differences between these compounds are highlighted to assess their therapeutic potential.

Using SwissTargetPrediction and SwissDock, this study further evaluates the interaction of these phytochemicals with crucial enzymes and molecular targets involved in neurodegeneration, such as β-secretase and acetylcholinesterase (implicated in amyloid plaque formation and cholinergic signaling); kinases like GSK3β, CDK5, and ERK2 (involved in tau protein hyperphosphorylation and neurodegeneration); β-amyloid protein; and microtubule-associated protein tau (amyloid plaques and NFTs—critical in AD pathology).

Key bioactive compounds from Rubus fruticosus—noted for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects—are compared against established AD treatments, including galantamine and rivastigmine.

This comparative analysis underscores the potential of Rubus fruticosus phytochemicals as viable candidates for developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, with the potential to enhance cognitive function and delay or slow disease progression in conditions like AD. By integrating computational methods into our analysis, this research seeks to facilitate the discovery and development of new drugs from natural sources, like Rubus fruticosus, while emphasizing the necessity of experimental validation to confirm bioinformatic predictions.

Recent studies have highlighted that waste from the food industries is often rich in bioactive compounds that can be recovered and used again in a different market, therefore always contributing to the food economy [1]. This study aimed to investigate the bioactive compounds and radical scavenging effect of extracts from exhausted matrices of oil extraction from Cannabis sativa, Juglans regia, Prunus dulcis, Coriandrum sativum, Triticum aestivum, Nigella sativa, Avena sativa, Glycine max, Pimpinella anisum, and Pinus pinea. For this purpose, exhausted matrices were extracted using n-hexane and ethanol as solvents. The extracts were analysed by GC-MS analysis, while TPC was analyzed using the Folin–Ciocalteau method [2]. The radical scavenging activity was assessed using the DPPH and ABTS tests [2]. Additionally, samples were investigated for their ability for protection from lipid peroxidation [2]. Walnut’s n-hexane extract exhibited the highest linoleic acid content (87.13%) . Anise extract by-products resulted in the richest TPC (35.8 mg GAE/ g extract). With regard to antioxidant activity, the almond by-product ethanolic extract exhibited the highest ABTS+· radical scavenging activity (IC50 of 2.6 ug/mL) whereas anise showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging potential (IC50 of 27.2 ug/mL) as well as the most promising protection from lipid peroxidation (IC50 of 14.1 ug/mL). Our results confirm that these by-products are still rich in active biological compounds. Therefore, these residues may be of interest to the food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries in the continuous search for innovative products for healthy and nutritional applications for the extension of the shelf life of food products.

[1] da Silva, A.; Neuza, J Bioactive compounds of the lipid fractions of agro-industrial waste. Food Res. Int., 2014, 66, 493-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2014.10.025. [2] Loizzo MR, Pugliese A, Bonesi M, Tenuta MC, Menichini F, Xiao J, Tundis R. Edible Flowers: A Rich Source of Phytochemicals with Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Properties. J Agric Food Chem. 2016, 64. 2467-74. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5b03092.

Due to being correlated with metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, and cancer, obesity is a global health issue that predisposes to morbidity and mortality. Obesity can be defined as an excessive amount of fat accretion in the body. According to current research, visceral adipose tissue performs a critical function as an active endocrine organ due to its function in releasing adipokines that facilitate complex physiological events. These adipokines exacerbate both low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress (OS), two key constituents of obesity-related comorbidities. This review summarizes the most recent data on the relationship between inflammation, OS, and diseases linked to obesity, focusing on how OS overexpression causes cellular damage by weakening antioxidant mechanisms. To understand the mechanisms by which OS is related to comorbidities, we assess a wide range of models, including animal models, biochemical analysis, and clinical research. The most important discoveries are that heightened OS exacerbates inflammation and cellular damage by increasing the formation of ROS and weakening antioxidant defenses. Increased lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage in adipose tissue associated with insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction have been identified through data from research conducted on KKAy mice, a model of diabetes obesity. Adipokines, like adiponectin, have been shown to have protective functions against inflammation and OS. Thereby, some of these candidates may become promising therapeutic targets. Understanding the mechanism of these systems is a must for developing such therapies to decrease OS, redress antioxidant imbalance, and reprogram inflammatory pathways. Such tactics may further augment clinical outcomes and reduce the occurrence of obesity-associated diseases in global populations.