Osmophore Structure and Labellum Micromorphology in (Orchidaceae): New Interpretations of Floral Features and Implications for a Specific Sexually Deceptive Pollination Interaction.

Pollination by sexual deception specifically attracts male insects, through the floral scent and particular morphological features of the flower that serve as visual and tactile stimuli. The unique bond between the orchid and the male wasp primarily stems from a few distinctive semiochemicals that mimic the female wasp's sex pheromone, although the floral scent comprises a variety of compounds. An osmophore producing highly volatile compounds has been documented in four close relatives of and is now being also investigated in this species.

Safety of Gold Nanoparticles: From In Vitro to In Vivo Testing Array Checklist.

In recent years, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have aroused the interest of many researchers due to their unique physicochemical and optical properties. AuNPs are being explored in a variety of biomedical fields, either in diagnostics or therapy, particularly for localized thermal ablation of cancer cells after light irradiation. Besides the promising therapeutic potential of AuNPs, their safety constitutes a highly important issue for any medicine or medical device.

Dehydroroyleanone as a Building Block for a Drug Delivery Platform Based on Self-Assembled Nanoparticles: Structural Studies and Chemical Modification.

6,7-Dehydroroyleanone (DHR) is a caspase-induced cytotoxic abietane diterpene, frequently found on spp. A pharmaceutical formulation consisting of a DHR-squalene conjugate was synthesized and analyzed by different techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The facile production of the dispersion of DHR-squalene conjugate nanoparticles in phosphate buffer (pH 7.

Nanoformulation of Seaweed in Albumin Nanoparticles Targeting Cardiovascular Diseases: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation.

Natural products, especially those derived from seaweeds, are starting to be seen as effective against various diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study aimed to design a novel oral formulation of bovine albumin serum nanoparticles (BSA NPs) loaded with an extract of and to validate its beneficial health effects, particularly targeting hypercholesterolemia and CVD prevention. Small and well-defined BSA NPs loaded with extract were successfully prepared exhibiting high encapsulation efficiency.

The Role of Rosmarinic Acid on the Bioproduction of Gold Nanoparticles as Part of a Photothermal Approach for Breast Cancer Treatment.

Breast cancer is a high-burden malignancy for society, whose impact boosts a continuous search for novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Among the recent therapeutic approaches, photothermal therapy (PTT), which causes tumor cell death by hyperthermia after being irradiated with a light source, represents a high-potential strategy. Furthermore, the effectiveness of PTT can be improved by combining near infrared (NIR) irradiation with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as photothermal enhancers.

Melanin: Production from Cheese Bacteria, Chemical Characterization, and Biological Activities.

Pigments are compounds of importance to several industries, for instance, the food industry, where they can be used as additives, color intensifiers, and antioxidants. As the current trend around the world is shifting to the use of eco-friendly commodities, demand for natural dyes is increasing. Melanins are pigments that are produced by several microorganisms.

Gold-Based Nanoplataform for the Treatment of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: A Step Forward.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a very rare subtype of thyroid carcinoma and one of the most lethal malignancies. Poor prognosis is mainly associated with its undifferentiated nature, inoperability, and failing to respond to the typically used therapies for thyroid cancer. Photothermal Therapy (PTT) entails using light to increase tissues' temperature, leading to hyperthermia-mediated cell death.

A Step Forward in Breast Cancer Research: From a Natural-Like Experimental Model to a Preliminary Photothermal Approach.

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed malignancies and common causes of cancer death in women. Recent studies suggest that environmental exposures to certain chemicals, such as 7,12-Dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA), a chemical present in tobacco, may increase the risk of developing breast cancer later in life. The first-line treatments for breast cancer (surgery, chemotherapy or a combination of both) are generally invasive and frequently associated with severe side effects and high comorbidity.

Further Evidence of Possible Therapeutic Uses of L. Extracts by the Assessment of the In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Its PLGA and PCL-Based Nanoformulations.

L. is widely used in traditional medicine with different applications. However, confirmative studies are strongly required.

Effect of Food Preparations on In Vitro Bioactivities and Chemical Components of .

is a brown macroalgae used in food and generally considered safe to be consumed, according to EU Directive (EC 258/97). The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of food preparation on of different origins on what concerns its chemical constituents and final bioactivities. The aqueous extract of the seaweeds were obtained at different temperatures, similar to food preparation and then purified by SPE.

Unveiling the Mechanism of Action of 7α-acetoxy-6β-hydroxyroyleanone on an MRSA/VISA Strain: Membrane and Cell Wall Interactions.

The number of cases of failure in the treatment of infections associated with resistant bacteria is on the rise, due to the decreasing efficacy of current antibiotics. Notably, 7α-Acetoxy-6β-hydroxyroyleanone (AHR), a diterpene isolated from different species, showed antibacterial activity, namely against Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains. The high antibacterial activity and low cytotoxicity render this natural compound an interesting alternative against resistant bacteria.

How Can Biomolecules Improve Mucoadhesion of Oral Insulin? A Comprehensive Insight using , , and Models.

Currently, insulin can only be administered through the subcutaneous route. Due to the flaws associated with this route, it is of interest to orally deliver this drug. However, insulin delivered orally has several barriers to overcome as it is degraded by the stomach's low pH, enzymatic content, and poor absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

A Novel Hybrid Nanosystem Integrating Cytotoxic and Magnetic Properties as a Tool to Potentiate Melanoma Therapy.

Cancer is a major health concern and the prognosis is often poor. Significant advances in nanotechnology are now driving a revolution in cancer detection and treatment. The goal of this study was to develop a novel hybrid nanosystem for melanoma treatment, integrating therapeutic and magnetic targeting modalities.

Development and Mechanistic Insight into the Enhanced Cytotoxic Potential of Parvifloron D Albumin Nanoparticles in EGFR-Overexpressing Pancreatic Cancer Cells.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers, with an extremely poor prognosis. The development of more effective therapies is thus imperative. Natural origin compounds isolated from genus, such as parvifloron D (PvD), have cytotoxic and antiproliferative activity against human tumour cells.

Combination of hyaluronic acid and PLGA particles as hybrid systems for viscosupplementation in osteoarthritis.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is commonly used through intra-articular administration for viscosupplementation in osteoarthritis and other disorders. HA is generally supplied as an injection commonly reported as painful, with strong limitations after treatment. In this study, an alternative delivery system was constructed based on HA hydrogel and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) particles with oleic acid.

Development of Parvifloron D-loaded Smart Nanoparticles to Target Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is the eighth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. For this reason, the development of more effective therapies is a major concern for the scientific community. Accordingly, plants belonging to genus and their isolated compounds, such as Parvifloron D, were found to have cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities.

Bioactivities of decoctions from Plectranthus species related to their traditional use on the treatment of digestive problems and alcohol intoxication.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Decoctions of Plectranthus species are traditionally ingested after large meals for treatment of food digestion and alcohol abuse.

Aim Of The Study: This study aims at associating the digestion-related ethno-uses of Plectranthus species decoctions to molecular mechanism that might explain them: easing digestion (AChE inhibition) and treating hangover (ADH inhibition) MATERIAL AND METHODS: Decoctions from Plectranthus species were analysed for their alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) inhibition and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, related with alcohol metabolism and intestinal motility, respectively. Identification of the active components was carried out by LC-MS/MS and the docking studies were performed with AChE and the bioactive molecules detected.

Serum Albumin Modulates the Bioactivity of Rosmarinic Acid.

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a phenolic compound with biological activity. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether this compound kept its biological activity in the presence of proteins. For this purpose, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as a model protein, and the capacity of the RA to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and affect antioxidant activity was evaluated in the absence and presence of BSA.

Design and evaluation of novel topical formulation with olive oil as natural functional active.

Currently, the innovative skin research is focused on the development of novel topical formulations loaded with natural functional actives. The health benefits of olive oil are unsurpassed and many others are revealed as research studies allow the understanding of its unlimited properties. Olive oil has a protective toning effect on skin, but it is not transported effectively into its layers.

Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinaster, Pinus pinea and Pinus sylvestris Essential Oils Chemotypes and Monoterpene Hydrocarbon Enantiomers, before and after Inoculation with the Pinewood Nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.

Pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is the causal agent of pine wilt disease, a serious threat to global forest populations of conifers, especially Pinus spp. A time-course study of the essential oils (EOs) of 2-year-old Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinaster, Pinus pinea and Pinus sylvestris following inoculation with the PWN was performed. The constitutive and nematode inoculation induced EOs components were analyzed at both the wounding or inoculation areas and at the whole plant level.

Bioproduction of gold nanoparticles for photothermal therapy.

Background: Photothermal response of plasmonic nanomaterials can be utilized for a number of therapeutic applications such as the ablation of solid tumors.

Methods & Results: Gold nanoparticles were prepared using different methods. After optimization, we applied an aqueous plant extract as the reducing and capping agent of gold and maximized the near-infrared absorption (650-900 nm).