Christmas Tree Bio-Waste as a Power Source of Bioactive Materials with Anti-Proliferative Activities for Oral Care

According to the American Cancer Society, roughly 54,000 new cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancers have been detected in the United States of America in 2021, and they will cause about 10,850 deaths. The main therapies for cancer management, such as surgery and radio- and chemotherapy, have some own benefits, albeit they are often destructive for surrounding tissues; thus, deep investigations into non-surgical treatments for oral cavities are needed. Biologically active compounds (BACs) extracted from European Spruce needles were analyzed to determine the total phenolic and flavonoid content and were used as additional ingredients for oral hygiene products. An anti-proliferation investigation was carried out using extracts containing BACs with the use of several cell lines (cancer and a normal one). ESI-MS studies on BACs showed that luteolin, a natural flavonoid compound with anti-tumorigenic properties against various types of tumors, is the predominant component of the extracts. MTT, BrdU, and LIVE/DEAD studies demonstrated that BAC extracts obtained from Christmas tree needles possess anticancer properties against squamous cell carcinoma (with epithelial origins). We proved that BAC extracts contain high amounts of luteolin, which induces cytotoxicity toward cancer cells; along with their high selectivity, robustness, and nontoxicity, they are very promising materials in oral health applications.     

Cholinesterases Inhibition,Anticancer and Antioxidant Activity of Novel Benzoxazole and Naphthoxazole Analogs

Benzoxazole and naphthoxazole fused systems are found in many biologically active molecules. Novel benzoxazole and naphthoxazole analogs functionalized by the 2,4-dihydroxyphenyl moiety were designed, obtained and evaluated as a broad spectrum of biological potency compounds. Sulfinylbis[(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methanethione] or its analogs and 2-aminophenols or 1-amino-2-naphthol were used as starting reagents. 4-(Naphtho[1,2-d][1,3]oxazol-2-yl)benzene-1,3-diol was identified as the most promising compound of the nanomolar activity against AChE (IC₅₀ = 58 nM) of the mixed-type inhibition and of the moderate activity against BChE (IC₅₀ = 981 nM). The higher antiproliferative potency against a panel of human cancer cell lines for naphtho[1,2-d][1,3]oxazoles than for benzoxazoles was found. The activity of the analog with chlorine atom was in the range of 2.18–2.89 µM (IC₅₀) against all studied cells and it is similar to that of cisplatin studied comparatively. Moreover, this compound was not toxic at this concentration to human normal breast cells and keratinocytes. For some compounds it also has proved antioxidant properties at the level of IC₅₀ = 0.214 µM, for the most active compound. The lipophilicity of all compounds, expressed as log p values, is within the range recommended for potential drugs. The biological activity profile of the considered analogs and their lipophilic level justify the search for agents used in AD or in anticancer therapy in this group of compounds.     

Multielement Determination in Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Using Different Digestion Methods

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) derive from its rich nutritional composition making it interesting for medicinal uses, besides being used as spice in cooking. To complete the picture on the composition of turmeric, not only the organic compounds need to be known, but also the elemental composition covering essential and potentially toxic elements. The samples were digested in a microwave assisted digestion system using different reagent mixtures. The best digestion mixture was semi-concentrated nitric acid combined with hydrogen peroxide. After optimization of the sample preparation method, the contents of Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr, Te, Tl, V and Zn in curcuma were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), as well as by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Even if the general composition found is in line with the scarce data in literature, clear differences can be seen between the analyzed samples, considering provenience, production procedures, and harvesting year as potential influencing factors. Whereas all samples contained less As and Pb than regulated by WHO, one limit exceeding was found for Cd.     

Design and Synthesis of New α-hydroxy β-fluoro/β-trifluoromethyl and Unsaturated Phosphonates from Carbohydrate-Derived Building Blocks via Pudovik and Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons Reactions

Herein, we present the application of fluorinated carbohydrate-derived building blocks for α-hydroxy β-fluoro/β-trifluoromethyl and unsaturated phosphonates synthesis. Pudovik and Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reactions were applied to achieve this goal. The proposed pathway of the key reactions is supported by the experimental results, as well as quantum chemical calculations. The structure of the products was established by spectroscopic (1D, 2D NMR) and spectrometric (MS) techniques. Based on our data received, we claim that the progress of the Pudovik and HWE reactions is significantly influenced by the acidic protons present in the molecules as assessed by pK_a values of the reagent.     

Cold-Active Enzymes and Their Potential Industrial Applications—A Review

More than 70% of our planet is covered by extremely cold environments, nourishing a broad diversity of microbial life. Temperature is the most significant parameter that plays a key role in the distribution of microorganisms on our planet. Psychrophilic microorganisms are the most prominent inhabitants of the cold ecosystems, and they possess potential cold-active enzymes with diverse uses in the research and commercial sectors. Psychrophiles are modified to nurture, replicate, and retain their active metabolic activities in low temperatures. Their enzymes possess characteristics of maximal activity at low to adequate temperatures; this feature makes them more appealing and attractive in biotechnology. The high enzymatic activity of psychrozymes at low temperatures implies an important feature for energy saving. These enzymes have proven more advantageous than their mesophilic and thermophilic counterparts. Therefore, it is very important to explore the efficiency and utility of different psychrozymes in food processing, pharmaceuticals, brewing, bioremediation, and molecular biology. In this review, we focused on the properties of cold-active enzymes and their diverse uses in different industries and research areas. This review will provide insight into the areas and characteristics to be improved in cold-active enzymes so that potential and desired enzymes can be made available for commercial purposes.     

The Inhibition of α-Glucosidase, α-Amylase and Protein Glycation by Phenolic Extracts of Cotoneaster bullatus,Cotoneaster zabelii,and Cotoneaster integerrimus Leaves and Fruits: Focus on Anti-Hyperglycemic Activity and Kinetic Parameters

Cotoneaster species have gained significant importance in traditional Asian medicine for their ability to prevent and treat hyperglycemia and diabetes. Therefore, in this study, some aspects of the beneficial health effects of hydromethanolic extracts of C. bullatus, C. zabelii, and C. integerrimus leaves and fruits were evaluated, including their influence on α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and nonenzymatic protein glycation. The activity was investigated in relation to the polyphenolic profile of the extracts determined by UV-spectrophotometric and HPLC-PDA-fingerprint methods. It was revealed that all leaf and fruit extracts are a promising source of biological components (caffeic acid pseudodepsides, proanthocyanidins, and flavonols), and the leaf extracts of C. bullatus and C. zabelii contain the highest levels of polyphenols (316.3 and 337.6 mg/g in total, respectively). The leaf extracts were also the most effective inhibitors of digestive enzymes and nonenzymatic protein glycation. IC₅₀ values of 8.6, 41.8, and 32.6 µg/mL were obtained for the most active leaf extract of C. bullatus (MBL) in the α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and glycation inhibition tests, respectively. In the kinetic study, MBL was displayed as a mixed-type inhibitor of both enzymes. The correlations between the polyphenol profiles and activity parameters (|r| > 0.72, p < 0.05) indicate a significant contribution of proanthocyanidins to the tested activity. These results support the traditional use of Cotoneaster leaves and fruits in diabetes and suggest their hydrophilic extracts be promising in functional applications.     

Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) as a Convenient Tool to Assess the Potential of Low Molecular Fraction Derived from Medicinal Fungus Cerrena unicolor in Action on L929 and CT-26 Cell Lines

The increase in the incidence of cancer has contributed to the search for new therapeutic methods. In recent years, the use of preparations of natural origin from medical fungi has increased. One such active substance is the extracellular, low molecular active fraction obtained from the medicinal fungus Cerrena unicolor. This study aimed to monitor the pharmacokinetics of different concentrations of substances isolated from the medicinal fungus Cerrena unicolor (ex-LMS) using the ECIS technique. In the study, mouse L929 fibroblasts and colon cancer CT26 cell lines were treated with different concentrations of the active fractions obtained from Cerrena unicolor: C1 = 2.285 (μg/mL); C2 = 22.85 (μg/mL); and C3 = 228.5 (μg/mL). This study demonstrated that the tested preparation from Cerrena unicolor had no considerable effect on the resistance, capacitance, and impedance of L929 fibroblast cells, which was an indicator of no significant effect on its physiological processes. At the same time, those parameters exhibited a decrease in colon cancer cell viability. Following our previous and current studies on Cerrena unicolor, ex-LMS extracts can be safely used in anticancer therapy or chemoprevention with no significant harmful effects on normal cells.     

Cycloalkyl Groups as Building Blocks of Artificial Carbohydrate Receptors: Studies with Macrocycles Bearing Flexible Side-Arms

The cyclopentyl group was expected to act as a building block for artificial carbohydrate receptors and to participate in van der Waals contacts with the carbohydrate substrate in a similar way as observed for the pyrrolidine ring of proline in the crystal structures of protein-carbohydrate complexes. Systematic binding studies with a series of 1,3,5-trisubstituted 2,4,6-triethylbenzenes bearing various cycloalkyl groups as recognition units provided indications of the involvement of these groups in the complexation process and showed the influence of the ring size on the receptor efficiency. Representatives of compounds that exhibit a macrocyclic backbone and flexible side arms were now chosen as further model systems to investigate whether the previously observed effects represent a general trend. Binding studies with these macrocycles towards β-D-glucopyranoside, an all-equatorial substituted carbohydrate substrate, included ¹H NMR spectroscopic titrations and microcalorimetric investigations. The performed studies confirmed the previously observed tendency and showed that the compound bearing cyclohexyl groups displays the best binding properties.