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Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Hemp ( L.) has been used for millennia as a rich source of food and fibers, whereas hemp flowers have only recently gained an increased market interest due to the...
Hemp ( L.) has been used for millennia as a rich source of food and fibers, whereas hemp flowers have only recently gained an increased market interest due to the presence of cannabinoids and volatile terpenes. Currently, the hemp flower processing industry predominantly focuses on either cannabinoid or terpene extraction. In an attempt to maximize the valorization of hemp flowers, the current study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial properties of several extracts obtained from post-distillation by-products (e.g., spent material, residual distillation water) in comparison to the essential oil and total extract obtained from unprocessed hemp flowers. A terpene analysis of the essential oil revealed 14 monoterpenes and 35 sesquiterpenes. The cannabinoid profiling of extracts showed seven acidic precursors and 14 neutral derivatives, with cannabidiol (CBD) reaching the highest concentration (up to 16 wt.%) in the spent material extract. The antimicrobial assessment of hemp EO, cannabinoid-containing extracts, and single compounds (i.e., CBD, cannabigerol, cannabinol, and cannabichromene) against a panel of 20 microbial strains demonstrated significant inhibitory activities against Gram-positive bacteria, , and species. In conclusion, this work suggests promising opportunities to use cannabinoid-rich materials from hemp flower processing in functional foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals with antimicrobial properties.
PubMed: 38927152
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13060485 -
Drug Design, Development and Therapy 2024Catalpol, as a natural medicine small-molecule drug, has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pharmacological effects.
OBJECTIVE
Catalpol, as a natural medicine small-molecule drug, has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pharmacological effects.
METHODS
The effect of catalpol on oxidative damage of mouse epidermal fibroblast L929 model and its mechanism were investigated by using hydrogen peroxide model, CCK8 method, flow cytometry, and Western blot.
RESULTS
The effect of catalpol on Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway was further studied to improve oxidative stress in cell models. The results showed that catalpol had no cytotoxicity to L929 cells, and inhibited the apoptosis of L929 cells after oxidative damage in a concentration-dependent manner, thus playing a role in cell protection. The oxidative damage of cells was inhibited by up-regulating the expression of the signature protein of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and inhibiting the interstitial formation of cells.
CONCLUSION
This study is a preliminary study on the protective function of catalpol against oxidation and apoptosis in dermal fibroblasts, which can provide a theoretical basis and drug guidance for promoting skin wound healing in the later stage.
Topics: Iridoid Glucosides; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Fibroblasts; Oxidative Stress; Animals; Mice; Signal Transduction; Heme Oxygenase-1; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Apoptosis; Cells, Cultured; Hydrogen Peroxide; Antioxidants; Skin; Structure-Activity Relationship; Cell Line; Membrane Proteins
PubMed: 38915869
DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S467569 -
BMC Plant Biology Jun 2024Monoterpenes are among the most important volatile aromatic compounds contributing to the flavor and aroma of grapes and wine. However, the molecular basis of...
BACKGROUND
Monoterpenes are among the most important volatile aromatic compounds contributing to the flavor and aroma of grapes and wine. However, the molecular basis of monoterpene biosynthesis has not yet been fully elucidated.
RESULTS
In our study, transcriptomics and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to mine candidate genes and transcription factors involved in monoterpene biosynthesis between high-monoterpene and zero-monoterpene table grape cultivars. We found that monoterpene biosynthesis was positively correlated by the expression of five genes encoding 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (VvDXSs), one encoding 4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate reductase (VvHDR), three hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthases (VvHMGSs) and one mevalonate kinase (VvMVK), whereas the expression of one isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (VvIDI) and one 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (VvHMGR) negatively correlated monoterpene biosynthesis. Of these genes, VvIDI was selected to validate its function in monoterpene accumulation through a transient overexpression experiment, and was shown to inhibit the biosynthesis of grape linalool and α-terpineol. Meanwhile, we found that a 64-amino acid extension sequence at the N-terminus can guide the VvIDI protein to target the chloroplast.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study should help to guide future functional analysis of key genes as well as mining the potential regulatory mechanism of monoterpene biosynthesis in grapes and grape products.
Topics: Vitis; Monoterpenes; Carbon-Carbon Double Bond Isomerases; Transcriptome; Plant Proteins; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Odorants; Hemiterpenes
PubMed: 38914931
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05306-y -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Pyrethroid bednets treated with the synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO) offer the possibility of improved vector control in mosquito populations with metabolic...
LLIN Evaluation in Uganda Project (LLINEUP)-effects of a vector control trial on Plasmodium infection prevalence and genotypic markers of insecticide resistance in Anopheles vectors from 48 districts of Uganda.
Pyrethroid bednets treated with the synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO) offer the possibility of improved vector control in mosquito populations with metabolic resistance. In 2017-2019, we conducted a large-scale, cluster-randomised trial (LLINEUP) to evaluate long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) treated with a pyrethroid insecticide plus PBO (PBO LLINs), as compared to conventional, pyrethroid-only LLINs across 104 health sub-districts (HSDs) in Uganda. In LLINEUP, and similar trials in Tanzania, PBO LLINs were found to provide greater protection against malaria than conventional LLINs, reducing parasitaemia and vector density. In the LLINEUP trial, we conducted cross-sectional household entomological surveys at baseline and then every 6 months for two years, which we use here to investigate longitudinal changes in mosquito infection rate and genetic markers of resistance. Overall, 5395 female Anopheles mosquitoes were collected from 5046 households. The proportion of mosquitoes infected (PCR-positive) with Plasmodium falciparum did not change significantly over time, while infection with non-falciparum malaria decreased in An. gambiae s.s., but not An. funestus. The frequency of genetic markers associated with pyrethroid resistance increased significantly over time, but the rate of change was not different between the two LLIN types. The knock-down resistance (kdr) mutation Vgsc-995S declined over time as Vgsc-995F, the alternative resistance mutation at this codon, increased. Vgsc-995F appears to be spreading into Uganda. Distribution of LLINs in Uganda was previously found to be associated with reductions in parasite prevalence and vector density, but here we show that the proportion of infective mosquitoes remained stable across both PBO and non-PBO LLINs, suggesting that the potential for transmission persisted. The increased frequency of markers of pyrethroid resistance indicates that LLIN distribution favoured the evolution of resistance within local vectors and highlights the potential benefits of resistance management strategies.Trial registration: This study is registered with ISRCTN, ISRCTN17516395. Registered 14 February 2017, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17516395 .
Topics: Animals; Anopheles; Insecticide Resistance; Uganda; Mosquito Vectors; Insecticide-Treated Bednets; Mosquito Control; Humans; Pyrethrins; Insecticides; Malaria; Female; Plasmodium falciparum; Prevalence; Genetic Markers; Cross-Sectional Studies; Malaria, Falciparum; Piperonyl Butoxide; Genotype
PubMed: 38914669
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65050-z -
Iranian Journal of Basic Medical... 2024Hyperglycemia, a prevalent metabolic condition observed in diabetes, leads to oxidative damage, inflammatory responses, and other consequences. Natural compounds...
OBJECTIVES
Hyperglycemia, a prevalent metabolic condition observed in diabetes, leads to oxidative damage, inflammatory responses, and other consequences. Natural compounds alleviate the adverse impacts of diabetes. We aimed to explore the effects of alpha-pinene (AP) as a monoterpene on oxidative damage and inflammation caused by high glucose (HG) in the human hepatocellular liver carcinoma (HepG2) cell line.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The HepG2 cells were subjected to non or HG concentration (50 mM) and treated with or without AP (8, 16, and 32 μg/ml) for 48 hr. The effect of treatments on cellular viability, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and activity of anti-oxidant enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), was determined. The gene expression levels of nuclear factor-κβ (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) were estimated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
RESULTS
HG exposure significantly increased cell death, MDA formation, and depletion of GSH content and GPx, CAT, and SOD activity (<0.05). We have also seen a significant induction in NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, and DPP-4 gene expression in hepatocytes under HG conditions (<0.05). Interestingly, co-treatment with AP in a dose-dependent manner improved cell death and altered levels of MDA and GSH, and activity of GPx and CAT (<0.05). AP could also modulate the gene expression of NF-κB and inflammatory biomarkers dose-dependently (<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggested the protective effect of AP on hepatocytes under HG conditions through attenuating oxidative stress markers and suppression of inflammatory pathways.
PubMed: 38911237
DOI: 10.22038/IJBMS.2024.74546.16191 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024Urban trees are often not considered in air-quality models although they can significantly impact the concentrations of pollutants. Gas and particles can deposit on leaf...
Urban trees are often not considered in air-quality models although they can significantly impact the concentrations of pollutants. Gas and particles can deposit on leaf surfaces, lowering their concentrations, but the tree crown aerodynamic effect is antagonist, limiting the dispersion of pollutants in streets. Furthermore, trees emit Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) that react with other compounds to form ozone and secondary organic aerosols. This study aims to quantify the impacts of these three tree effects (dry deposition, aerodynamic effect and BVOC emissions) on air quality from the regional to the street scale over Paris city. Each tree effect is added in the model chain CHIMERE/MUNICH/SSH-aerosol. The tree location and characteristics are determined using the Paris tree inventory, combined with allometric equations. The air-quality simulations are performed over June and July 2022. The results show that the aerodynamic tree effect increases the concentrations of gas and particles emitted in streets, such as NOx (+4.6 % on average in streets with trees and up to +37 % for NO). This effect increases with the tree Leaf Area Index and it is more important in streets with high traffic, suggesting to limit the planting of trees with large crowns on high-traffic streets. The effect of dry deposition of gas and particles on leaves is very limited, reducing the concentrations of O concentrations by -0.6 % on average and at most -2.5 %. Tree biogenic emissions largely increase the isoprene and monoterpene concentrations, bringing the simulated concentrations closer to observations. Over the two-week sensitivity analysis, biogenic emissions induce an increase of O, organic particles and PM street concentrations by respectively +1.1, +2.4 and + 0.5 % on average over all streets. This concentration increase may reach locally +3.5, +12.3 and + 2.9 % respectively for O, organic particles and PM, suggesting to prefer the plantation of low-emitting VOC species in cities.
PubMed: 38909817
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174116 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Frequent and variant infections are caused by the virtue of opportunistic fungi pathogens. Candidiasis, aspergillosis, and mucormycosis are pathogenic microorganisms...
Frequent and variant infections are caused by the virtue of opportunistic fungi pathogens. Candidiasis, aspergillosis, and mucormycosis are pathogenic microorganisms that give rise to vast fungal diseases that alternate between moderate to fatal in severity. The use of fluconazole as an antifungal drug was limited due to the acquired resistance in some types of Candida and other fungal species. This study aims to consolidate fluconazole's biological effectiveness against several pathogenic fungi. Six active monoterpenes (MTs) of carvacrol, linalool, geraniol, α-terpinene, citronellal, and nerolidol were selected and encapsulated in nanostructure lipid carrier (NLC) with (NLC-Flu-MTs) and/without (NLC-MTs) fluconazole in one nanoformulation to determine if they will act synergistically or not? The synthesized nanoformulation NLC-Flu-MTs and NLC-MTs exhibited very good particle size of 144.5 nm and 138.6 nm for size and zeta potential values of (- 23.5 mV) and (- 20.3 mV), respectively. Transmission electron microscope investigation confirmed that the synthesized NLCs have regular and spherical shape. The abundance and concentration of the six released monoterpenes were determined, as a novel approach, using GC-MS with very good results and validity. In-vitro antifungal screening was done before and after nano co-delivery against seven pathogenic, and aggressive fungi of Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Geotrichum Candidum, Candidaalbicans, Aspergillus Niger, and mucor circinelloides. Inhibition Zone diameter (IZD) and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were measured. Nanoformulations NLC-Flu-MTs and NLC-MTs manifested potential and unique biological susceptibility against all the tested microorganisms with reduced (MIC) values, especially against Candida Tropicalis (MIC = 0.97 µg/ml) which represents 16-fold of the value shown by NLC-MTs (MIC = 15.6 µg/ml) and 64-fold of fluconazole free before nanoformulation (MIC = 62.5 µg/ml). The efficiency of nanomaterials, particularly NLC-Flu-MTs, has become evident in the diminishing value of MIC which affirmed the synergism between fluconazole and the other six monoterpenes.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Fluconazole; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Monoterpenes; Nanostructures; Lipids; Drug Synergism; Drug Carriers; Particle Size; Candida
PubMed: 38909063
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63149-x -
Evidence that the cold- and menthol-sensing functions of the human TRPM8 channel evolved separately.Science Advances Jun 2024Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is a temperature- and menthol-sensitive ion channel that contributes to diverse physiological roles, including cold...
Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is a temperature- and menthol-sensitive ion channel that contributes to diverse physiological roles, including cold sensing and pain perception. Clinical trials targeting TRPM8 have faced repeated setbacks predominantly due to the knowledge gap in unraveling the molecular underpinnings governing polymodal activation. A better understanding of the molecular foundations between the TRPM8 activation modes may aid the development of mode-specific, thermal-neutral therapies. Ancestral sequence reconstruction was used to explore the origins of TRPM8 activation modes. By resurrecting key TRPM8 nodes along the human evolutionary trajectory, we gained valuable insights into the trafficking, stability, and function of these ancestral forms. Notably, this approach unveiled the differential emergence of cold and menthol sensitivity over evolutionary time, providing a fresh perspective on complex polymodal behavior. These studies provide a paradigm for understanding polymodal behavior in TRPM8 and other proteins with the potential to enhance our understanding of sensory receptor biology and pave the way for innovative therapeutic interventions.
Topics: TRPM Cation Channels; Humans; Menthol; Cold Temperature; Evolution, Molecular; Phylogeny; Thermosensing
PubMed: 38905339
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm9228 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024L. possesses abundant germplasm resources and holds significant value in terms of ornamental, edible, and medicinal aspects. However, the quality characteristics vary...
L. possesses abundant germplasm resources and holds significant value in terms of ornamental, edible, and medicinal aspects. However, the quality characteristics vary significantly depending on different varieties. Selection of a high-quality variety with a characteristic aroma can increase the economic value of flowers. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is an effective decision-making method for comparing and evaluating multiple characteristic dimensions. By applying AHP, the aromatic character of 60 varieties of flowers were analyzed and evaluated in the present study. Headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) was employed to identify volatile components in flowers. Thirteen volatile components were found to contribute to the aroma of flowers, which helps in assessing their potential applications in essential oil, aromatherapy, and medical treatment. These components include 2-phenylethanol, geraniol, linalool, nonanal, decanal, (E)--ocimene, α-farnesene, indole, nerolidol, 3-furanmethanol, 3-carene, benzaldehyde and benzenemethanol. The varieties with better aromatic potential can be selected from a large amount of data using an AHP model. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of the aroma components in flowers, offers guidance for breeding, and enhances the economic value of flowers.
Topics: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Volatile Organic Compounds; Solid Phase Microextraction; Flowers; Odorants; Acyclic Monoterpenes; Oils, Volatile; Sesquiterpenes; Phenylethyl Alcohol; Alkenes; Indoles
PubMed: 38893586
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112712 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Volatile oil serves as a traditional antipyretic component of Bupleuri Radix. var. (Wolff) Shan et Y. Li belongs to the genus and is distinguished for its high level...
Volatile oil serves as a traditional antipyretic component of Bupleuri Radix. var. (Wolff) Shan et Y. Li belongs to the genus and is distinguished for its high level of saikosaponins and volatile oils; nonetheless, prevailing evidence remains inconclusive regarding its viability as an alternative resource of other official species. This study aims to systematically compare the volatile oil components of both dried and fresh roots of var. and the four legally available species across their chemical, molecular, bionics, and anatomical structures. A total of 962 compounds were determined via GC-MS from the dried roots; var. showed the greatest differences from other species in terms of hydrocarbons, esters, and ketones, which was consistent with the results of fresh roots and the e-nose analysis. A large number of DEGs were identified from the key enzyme family of the monoterpene synthesis pathway in var. via transcriptome analysis. The microscopic observation results, using different staining methods, further showed the distinctive high proportion of phloem in var. , the structure which produces volatile oils. Together, these pieces of evidence hold substantial significance in guiding the judicious development and utilization of genus resources.
Topics: Oils, Volatile; Bupleurum; Plant Roots; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 38893436
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112561