Beneficial Impacts of Chokeberry and Tart Cherry Based Dietary Supplements Consumption on Cellulite Reduction.

Cellulite is an aesthetically distressing skin condition occurring in 80-90% of females and manifesting as dimples and depressions, producing an uneven surface to the skin. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of combined oral consumption of two dietary supplements based on chokeberry and tart cherry juices over a period of 32 days on cellulite reduction. Twenty women aged 21-49 with a cellulite grade of 1-2 according to the Nurnberger-Muller scale were participating in the study.

CO-Based Encapsulation of Rutin-Rich Extracts from Black Elderberry Waste Using Advanced PGSS Process.

For the first time, rutin-rich extracts from black elderberry waste (BEW) were encapsulated using the particles from gas-saturated solutions (PGSS) method to improve the preservation of rutin. The extracts used in this study were obtained using five different extraction techniques under optimal conditions, as follows: conventional solid-liquid extraction (SLE) and four non-conventional techniques-ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), enhanced solvent extraction (ESE), and supercritical CO pretreatment-followed by ESE (SFE-CO + ESE). The PGSS process of the obtained extracts was performed using two amphiphilic carriers, glycerol monostearate (GlyMS) and gelucire (Gel), in a mass ratio of 1:6, in favor of the carrier.

Characterization and Potential Food Applications of Oat Flour and Husks from Differently Colored Genotypes as Novel Nutritional Sources of Bioactive Compounds.

Oats are gluten-free cereals rich in dietary fiber, -glucans, phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamin E, and phytosterols. They have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat hyperacidity, acute pancreatitis, burns, and skin inflammation. This study assessed the nutritional and phenolic profile of oat flour (OF) and ground oat husks (OHs) from white, brown, and black hulled oat genotypes, as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of their extracts.

Chokeberry Products and By-Products as the Potential Pharmaceuticals for Kidney Protection-An Experimental Study in Rats.

The study aimed to investigate the protective effects of chokeberry fruit products and by-products against cisplatin-induced acute nephrotoxicity in rats. Potential mechanisms involving oxidative stress and inflammatory responses were examined through biochemical and histopathological analyses of kidney tissue. Chokeberry waste, along with the whole fruit extract and juice, was evaluated as a potential raw material for pharmaceutical use.

Silibinin-Loaded Liposomes: The Influence of Modifications on Physicochemical Characteristics, Stability, and Bioactivity Associated with Dermal Application.

Background/objectives: The aims of the presented study were the development of four types of silibinin-loaded liposomes (multilamellar liposomes-MLVs, sonicated small unilamellar liposomes-SUVs, UV-irradiated liposomes, and lyophilized liposomes) and their physicochemical characterization and biological potential related to skin health benefits.

Methods: The characterization was performed via the determination of the encapsulation efficiency (EE), particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, conductivity, mobility, storage stability, density, surface tension, viscosity, FT-IR, and Raman spectra. In addition, cytotoxicity on the keratinocytes and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential were also determined.

Endemic Plant Rumex balcanicus: Phenolic Composition, Antioxidant Activity, Enzyme Inhibitory Potential and Molecular Docking Analysis.

Although the nutritional and health benefits of Rumex species are well known, little is known about the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of Rumex balcanicus Rech. fil. (Polygonaceae), an endemic plant of the Balkan Peninsula.

Design and Characterization of Liposomal-Based Carriers for the Encapsulation of Fruit Extract: Gastrointestinal Release Behavior.

The increasing demand for natural compounds as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants and conservans has led to the utilization of secondary plant metabolites in the food industry, as these bioactive compounds possess great antioxidative and antimicrobial properties without side effects on human health. Despite this, the sensitivity of plant-derived compounds is a restrictive factor in terms of their full potential. The current research aimed to characterize rosehip-fruit-extract-loaded liposomes (non-treated and UV-irradiated) in terms of their density, surface tension, viscosity, chemical composition (FTIR and HPLC analyses), and thermal behavior.

Development of Cyclodextrin-Based Mono and Dual Encapsulated Powders by Spray Drying for Successful Preservation of Everlasting Flower Extract.

The study aimed to develop encapsulation systems to maintain the preservation of everlasting () flower extract polyphenols. Spray-dried encapsulates were formulated using β-cyclodextrin (BCD) and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPBCD) as supramolecular hosts, and their macromolecule mixtures with the conventional carriers, maltodextrin (MD) and whey protein (WP). The obtained microparticles were comparatively assessed regarding technological, physicochemical, and phytochemical properties.

Spasmolytic, Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Activities of Spray-Dried Extracts of L. with In Silico Pharmacokinetic Analysis.

This study aimed to evaluate the spasmolytic activity of an underground parts extract of L. (Gentianaceae), assess its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and explore the impact of extract encapsulation on the aforementioned bioactivities. An extract encapsulated by spray drying with whey protein, pure extract, and pure whey protein were comparatively tested.

Spasmolytic Activity of L. Root Extracts on the Rat Ileum: Underlying Mechanisms of Action.

The roots of L. are utilized in the preparation of various beverages and herbal remedies, serving as a traditional remedy for gastrointestinal ailments. The spasmolytic activity that could substantiate the traditional use of root had not been investigated.

Multifunctional Pomegranate Peel Microparticles with Health-Promoting Effects for the Sustainable Development of Novel Nutraceuticals and Pharmaceuticals.

Recovering the bioactive components from pomegranate peel (PP) in the fruit-processing industry has attracted great attention in terms of minimizing the waste burden, as well as providing a new source of a multitude of functional compounds. The present study aimed to develop a feasible microencapsulation process of PP extract by using pectin and a pectin/2-hydroxypropyl--cyclodextrin (HP--CD) blend as coating materials. Microsized powders obtained by a spray drying technique were examined in terms of technological characteristics, exhibiting high powder yield and desirable moisture content, flowability, and cohesive properties.

Multiple liquid-liquid extraction of dissolved compounds in immortelle hydrosol with four different solvents.

Immortelle, a revered Mediterranean medicinal plant, is celebrated for its potent essential oil renowned in the cosmetic industry for its skin-enhancing properties. Yet, immortelle hydrosol, an often-overlooked byproduct, holds promise in cosmetics due to its compatibility with polar active ingredients. This study investigates the chemical composition of immortelle hydrosol by employing liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) to transfer volatile organic components into nonpolar solvents.

Microencapsulated Bilberry and Chokeberry Leaf Extracts with Potential Health Benefits.

The aim of the research was to develop microencapsulated powders of bilberry and chokeberry extracts via the spray drying technique. Two biopolymers, pectin alone and in combination with HP-β-CD, were used to preserve the antioxidant, hypoglycemic, photoprotective, and antimicrobial bioactivity of the berry leaf extracts. Moreover, the formed powders were characterized in terms of technological, chemical, and several biological properties.

Pomegranate peel, chokeberry leaves and Ironwort extract as novel natural inhibitors of amylin aggregation and cellular toxicity in pancreatic β cells.

Impeding or reducing human amylin aggregation and/or its toxicity can be key to preventing pancreatic islet amyloidosis and β-cell loss in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Here, Punica granatum (pomegranate) peel, Sideritis raeseri (ironwort) and Aronia melanocarpa (chokeberry) leaf extracts, were tested for their novel anti-aggregative and antitoxic properties in human amylin (hIAPP) treated rat pancreatic insulinoma (INS) cells. The protein aggregation (Th-T) assay revealed an inhibitory trend of all three plant extracts against amylin aggregates.

Rosehip Extract-Loaded Liposomes for Potential Skin Application: Physicochemical Properties of Non- and UV-Irradiated Liposomes.

In the present study, rosehip ( L.) extract was successfully encapsulated in phospholipid liposomes using a single-step procedure named the proliposome method. Part of the obtained liposomes was subjected to UV irradiation and non-treated (native) and UV-irradiated liposomes were further characterized in terms of encapsulation efficiency, chemical composition (HPLC analysis), antioxidant capacity, particle size, PDI, zeta potential, conductivity, mobility, and antioxidant capacity.

Two-Step Upcycling Process of Lignocellulose into Edible Bacterial Nanocellulose with Black Raspberry Extract as an Active Ingredient.

(1) Background: Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) has gained in popularity over the years due to its outstanding properties such as renewability, biocompatibility, and bioavailability, and its use as an eco-friendly material of the future for replacing petrochemical products. (2) Methods: This research refers to the utilization of lignocellulose coming from wood waste via enzymatic hydrolysis to produce biopolymer BNC with an accumulation rate of 0.09 mg/mL/day.

P2X7-Receptor Pathway Involvement in the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Medicinal Plants.

Medicinal plants used in European folk medicine attached to Lamiales, Gentianales or Asterales orders are used to treat inflammatory disorders. Many targets have been identified but to date, implication of purinergic receptor P2X7 activation has not yet been investigated. We managed to evaluate the protective effect on P2X7 activation by plant extracts used as anti-inflammatory in European folk medicine by the YO-PRO-1 uptake dye in vitro bioassay.

Leaves micromorphology, chemical profile, and bioactivity of in vitro-propagated Nepeta cyrenaica (Lamiaceae).

Introduction: The endemic species Nepeta cyrenaica Quézel & Zaffran, native to northeastern Libya, is valued as an important honey-bearing plant.

Objectives: This study was aimed to examine the micromorphology, phytochemistry, and bioactivity of in vitro-propagated N. cyrenaica for the first time.

Pomegranate Peel Extract Attenuates Isoprenaline-Induced Takotsubo-like Myocardial Injury in Rats.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute heart failure syndrome characterised by catecholamine-induced oxidative tissue damage. , a fruit-bearing tree, is known to have high polyphenolic content and has been proven to be a potent antioxidant. This study aimed to investigate the effects of pomegranate peel extract (PoPEx) pre-treatment on isoprenaline-induced takotsubo-like myocardial injury in rats.

Microencapsulates of Blue Maize Polyphenolics as a Promising Ingredient in the Food and Pharmaceutical Industry: Characterization, Antioxidant Properties, and In Vitro-Simulated Digestion.

An anthocyanin-rich blue maize waste product was used for anthocyanin extraction. To preserve bioactive phenolic compounds, a spray-drying technique was employed using conventional wall material maltodextrin (MD), with novel one, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPBCD). The obtained spray-dried maize extract (SME) and microencapsulates were analyzed based on physicochemical powder properties, chemical analysis, antioxidant activity, and digestibility.

Liposomal Bilayer as a Carrier of L. Seed Oil: Physicochemical Characterization, Stability, and Biological Potential.

L. seeds are rich in bioactive components that can add value to the various formulations. The focus of the study was the development of liposomes for oil to protect its sensitive compounds and prolong their shelf-life.

Immunomodulatory Activity of Punicalagin, Punicalin, and Ellagic Acid Differs from the Effect of Pomegranate Peel Extract.

Background: Our recent study has shown that pomegranate peel extract (PEx) showed significant immunomodulatory activity, which might be caused by ellagitannins. The aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that ellagitannin components act synergistically in the modulation of cytokine production.

Methods: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and treated with different concentrations of PEx or punicalagin (PG), punicalin (PN), and ellagic acid (EA), alone or with their combinations.

Ultrasound-Assisted Water Extraction of Gentiopicroside, Isogentisin, and Polyphenols from Willow Gentian "Dust" Supported by Hydroxypropyl--Cyclodextrin as Cage Molecules.

The residue after sieving ("dust") from the willow gentian underground parts is an unexploited herbal tea by-product, although it contains valuable bioactive compounds. Cyclodextrins as efficient green co-solvents, cage molecules, and multifunctional excipients could improve the extraction and contribute to the added value of the resulting extracts. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal conditions for the extraction of gentiopicroside, isogentisin, and total phenolics (TPC) from willow gentian "dust" using ultrasound-assisted water extraction coupled with hydroxypropyl--cyclodextrin (HPCD).

The Application of Ultrasonic Waves and Microwaves to Improve Antihyperglycaemic and Antimicrobial Activities of Extracts.

Having scarce information about ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave assisted extraction (MAE) of white horehound ( L.), the idea has emerged to determine the optimal process parameters for the maximization of polyphenols and to compare the efficiency of these green extraction technologies. The optimal UAE parameters are temperature of 73.

Natural deep eutectic solvents combined with cyclodextrins: A novel strategy for chokeberry anthocyanins extraction.

Innovative eco-friendly methods based on natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDES) coupled with ultrasound-assisted extraction were employed for chokeberry anthocyanins extractions. Nine different NaDES composed of choline chloride as a hydrogen bond acceptor and organic acids (lactic, citric, malic), sugars (glucose, fructose), polyols (glycerol, 1,2-propanediol, sorbitol), and an amide (urea) as hydrogen bond donors were screened. Malic acid-containing NaDES was selected for optimization extraction conditions (time, temperature, water in NaDES) by response surface methodology.