Unlocking the Antiadipogenic Potential of Carotenoids From Galdieria phlegrea.

Oxidative stress, a sedentary and inactive lifestyle, or a high-fat diet are among the main causes responsible for the alteration of skin topography, a complex multifactorial disorder of the deeper layers of the skin, mainly caused by an impairment of lipid production, degradation, and storage. Natural bioactive compounds can improve skin health and appearance as well as reassure consumers' about the safety of the molecules used in cosmetics. Carotenoids from microalgae are receiving attention because of their potent antioxidant activity.

Pentadecanoic Acid-Releasing PDMS: Towards a New Material to Prevent Biofilm Formation.

Microbial biofilm formation on medical devices paves the way for device-associated infections. is one of the most common strains involved in such infections as it is able to colonize numerous devices, such as intravenous catheters, prosthetic joints, and heart valves. We previously reported the antibiofilm activity against of pentadecanoic acid (PDA) deposited by drop-casting on the silicon-based polymer poly(dimethyl)siloxane (PDMS).

Microalgae Flocculation: Assessment of Extraction Yields and Biological Activity.

Downstream costs represent one of the main obstacles to enabling microalgae to become widespread. The development of an economical, easily scaled-up strategy could reduce the overall process costs. Here, different flocculants were tested on different microalgae strains and a cyanobacterium.

Elicitor-mediated simultaneous accumulation of phloridzin and ursolic acid in Annurca apple peel-derived calli.

Background: Apple peel is rich in natural molecules, many exhibiting a significant bioactivity. In this study, our objective was to establish a novel callus line derived from the apple peel of the Italian local variety Annurca, known to accumulate high levels of dihydrochalcones and terpenes. In this regard, we tested the impact of one elicitor, yeast extract, on the expression of genes encoding key enzymes involved in phloridzin and ursolic acid biosynthesis, leading to the accumulation of these antioxidant compounds.

Unveiling the potential of Pseudococcomyxa simplex: a stepwise extraction for cosmetic applications.

Microalgae are gaining attention as they are considered green fabrics able to synthesize many bioactive metabolites, with unique biological activities. However, their use at an industrial scale is still a challenge because of the high costs related to upstream and downstream processes. Here, a biorefinery approach was proposed, starting from the biomass of the green microalga Pseudococcomyxa simplex for the extraction of two classes of molecules with a potential use in the cosmetic industry.

Profiling of (mill.) fuss phytoconstituents and assessment of their biocompatibility, antioxidant, anti-aging, wound healing, and antibacterial activities.

, known as parsley, is a fragrant herb that possesses a rich heritage of utilization in traditional medicinal practices. In this study, we annotated the phytocontents of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of and investigated their antioxidant, cytoprotective, antiaging, wound healing, and antibacterial activities. LC-MS/MS analysis of both extracts revealed the presence of 47 compounds belonging to diverse groups including organic acids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids.

Chemical profiling and dermatological and anti-aging properties of L. (Alston): evidence from molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and experiments.

The phytoconstituents of the aqueous extract from L. (Alston) leaves were defined using HPLC-PDA-MS/MS and the antioxidant, anti-aging, antibacterial, and anti-biofilm activities of the extract were and investigated. The antioxidant activities were performed using DPPH and FRAP assays as well as H-DCFDA assay in HaCaT cells in which oxidative stress was induced by UVA radiation.

Steric hindrance and charge influence on the cytotoxic activity and protein binding properties of diruthenium complexes.

Paddlewheel diruthenium complexes are being used as metal-based drugs. It has been proposed that their charge and steric properties determine their selectivity towards proteins. Here, we explore these parameters using the first water-soluble diruthenium complex bearing two formamidinate ligands, [RuCl(DPhF)(OCCH)], and two derivatives, [RuCl(DPhF)(OCCH)] and K[Ru(DPhF)(CO)] (DPhF = N,N'-diphenylformamidinate), with one formamidinate.

The hydrophilic extract from a new tomato genotype (named DHO) kills cancer cell lines through the modulation of the DNA damage response induced by Campthotecin treatment.

Introduction: DNA double-strand breaks are the most toxic lesions repaired through the non-homologous and joining (NHEJ) or the homologous recombination (HR), which is dependent on the generation of single-strand tails, by the DNA end resection mechanism. The resolution of the HR intermediates leads to error-free repair (Gene Conversion) or the mutagenic pathways (Single Strand Annealing and Alternative End-Joining); the regulation of processes leading to the resolution of the HR intermediates is not fully understood.

Methods: Here, we used a hydrophilic extract of a new tomato genotype (named DHO) in order to modulate the Camptothecin (CPT) DNA damage response.

An Alternative Exploitation of sp. PCC6803: A Cascade Approach for the Recovery of High Added-Value Products.

Microalgal biomass represents a very interesting biological feedstock to be converted into several high-value products in a biorefinery approach. In this study, the cyanobacterium sp. PCC6803 was used to obtain different classes of molecules: proteins, carotenoids and lipids by using a cascade approach.

Shedding Light on the Hidden Benefit of Culture.

Microalgae can represent a reliable source of natural compounds with different activities. Here, we evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of sulfated exopolysaccharides (s-EPSs) and phycoerythrin (PE), two molecules naturally produced by the red marine microalga (CCALA415). and cell-based assays were performed to assess the biological activities of these compounds.

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using L. Aerial Part and Root Extracts: Bioactivity, Biocompatibility, and Catalytic Potential.

The aim of this research was the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SPA- and SPR-AgNPs) using the aqueous extracts of the aerial (SPA) and the root (SPR) parts of the plant L., their characterization, reaction condition optimization, and evaluation of their biological and catalytic activity. UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy with EDS analysis (SEM/EDS), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis were utilized to characterize the nanoparticles, while Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to detect some functional groups of compounds present in the plant extracts and nanoparticles.

Impact of Hydrophobic Chains in Five-Coordinate Glucoconjugate Pt(II) Anticancer Agents.

This study describes new platinum(II) cationic five-coordinate complexes () of the formula [PtR(NHC)(dmphen)(ethene)]CFSO (dmphen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline), containing in their axial positions an alkyl group R (methyl or octyl) and an imidazole-based NHC-carbene ligand with a substituent R' of variable length (methyl or octyl) on one nitrogen atom. The Pt-carbene bond is stable both in DMSO and in aqueous solvents. In DMSO, a gradual substitution of dmphen and ethene is observed, with the formation of a square planar solvated species.

The Apparent Organ-Specificity of Amyloidogenic ApoA-I Variants Is Linked to Tissue-Specific Extracellular Matrix Components.

Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) amyloidosis is a rare protein misfolding disease where fibrils of the N-terminal domain of the protein accumulate in several organs, leading to their failure. Although ApoA-I amyloidosis is systemic, the different amyloidogenic variants show a preferential tissue accumulation that appears to correlate with the location of the mutation in the protein sequence and with the local extracellular microenvironment. However, the factors leading to cell/tissues damage, as well as the mechanisms behind the observed organ specificity are mostly unknown.

Evaluation of Auranofin Loading within Ferritin Nanocages.

Auranofin (AF), a gold(I) compound that is currently used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and is in clinical trials for its promising anticancer activity, was encapsulated within the human H-chain and the horse spleen ferritin nanocages using the alkaline disassembly/reassembly protocol. The aim of the work was to highlight possible differences in their drug loading capacity and efficacy. The drug-loaded ferritins were characterized via UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy to assess AF encapsulation and to define the exact amount of gold atoms trapped in the Ft cavity.

Chestnut Wood Mud as a Source of Ellagic Acid for Dermo-Cosmetic Applications.

Ellagic acid (EA) has long been recognized as a very active antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agent. However, its low bioavailability has often hampered its applications in health-related fields. Here, we report a phospholipid vesicle-based controlled release system for EA, involving the exploitation of chestnut wood mud (CWM), an industrial by-product from chestnut tannin production, as a largely available and low-cost source of this compound.

Halo complexes of gold(I) containing glycoconjugate carbene ligands: synthesis, characterization, cytotoxicity and interaction with proteins and DNA model systems.

New neutral carbene complexes of gold(I) [Au(Im-Me)X] (X = Cl, Au1; X = Br, Au2; X = I, Au3) have been synthesized and fully characterized by different techniques, including NMR and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The carbene ligand Im-Me is decorated with a glucoside fragment a triazole linker, obtainable through a click chemistry reaction. The compounds retain the Au-NHC fragment in aqueous solvents, and an equilibrium between the neutral halo- and the cationic di-carbene form [Au(Im-Me)] is observed, whose extent follows the trend Au1 < Au2 < Au3.

Non-covalent small molecule partnership for redox-active films: Beyond polydopamine technology.

Hypothesis: The possibility to use hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) to impart film forming ability to natural polymers including eumelanins and plant polyphenols endowed with biological activity and functional properties has been recently explored with the aim to broaden the potential of polydopamine (PDA)-based films overcoming their inherent limitations. 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid, its methyl ester (MeDHICA) and eumelanins thereof were shown to exhibit potent reducing activity.

Experiments: MeDHICA and HMDA were reacted in aqueous buffer, pH 9.

Application potential of biogenically synthesized silver nanoparticles using L. extracts as pharmaceuticals and catalysts for organic pollutant degradation.

This study was designed to evaluate the optimal conditions for the eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using L. (Lythraceae) aqueous extracts and their potential application and safe use. AgNPs synthesized using aerial parts (LSA-AgNPs) and root extract (LSR-AgNPs) were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD).

Protein-Based Delivery Systems for Anticancer Metallodrugs: Structure and Biological Activity of the Oxaliplatin/β-Lactoglobulin Adduct.

β-lactoglobulin is the major component of whey. Here, the adduct formed upon the reaction of the protein with oxaliplatin (OXA) has been prepared, structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry, and evaluated as a cytotoxic agent. The data demonstrate that OXA rapidly binds β-lactoglobulin via coordination with a Met7 side chain upon release of the oxalate ligand.

Thermo resistant antioxidants from photoautotrophic microorganisms: screening and characterization.

The demand for natural antioxidants to be used in food industry is increasing, as synthetic antioxidants are toxic and have high production costs. Specifically, food processing and preservation require antioxidants resistant to thermal sterilization processes. In this study, twenty-five strains among microalgae and cyanobacteria were screened as antioxidants producers.