Membrane-Active Peptides and Their Potential Biomedical Application

Membrane-active peptides (MAPs) possess unique properties that make them valuable tools for studying membrane structure and function and promising candidates for therapeutic applications. This review paper provides an overview of the fundamental aspects of MAPs, focusing on their membrane interaction mechanisms and potential applications. MAPs exhibit various structural features, including amphipathic structures and specific amino acid residues, enabling selective interaction with multiple membranes. Their mechanisms of action involve disrupting lipid bilayers through different pathways, depending on peptide properties and membrane composition. The therapeutic potential of MAPs is significant. They have demonstrated antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi, making them promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics. MAPs can selectively target cancer cells and induce apoptosis, opening new avenues in cancer therapeutics. Additionally, MAPs serve as drug delivery vectors, facilitating the transport of therapeutic cargoes across cell membranes. They represent a fascinating class of biomolecules with significant potential in basic research and clinical applications. Understanding their mechanisms of action and designing peptides with enhanced selectivity and efficacy will further expand their utility in diverse fields. Exploring MAPs holds promise for developing novel therapeutic strategies against infections, cancer, and drug delivery challenges

Influence of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) on Photosynthetic Parameters and Secondary Metabolites of Plants from <i>Fabaceae</i> Family

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are commonly used painkillers, anti-inflammatory agents, and fever reducers. They arrive in the environment from municipal wastewater and/or agriculture waste, affecting growing plants. In our study, the impact of NSAIDs, namely, diclofenac, indomethacin, naproxen, and paracetamol, on four plant species from the Fabaceae family (Cicer arietinum, Pisum sativum, Lens culinaris, and Vicia faba) was tested. The assimilation rate and stomatal conductance decreased for all plants treated with NSAIDs. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in the leaves of plants under stress declined by more than 15% compared with the control plants, while the flavonoids and total phenols decreased to a lesser extent. In contrast, the plants treated with NSAIDs emit terpenes and green leaf were volatile, at a level of some nmol m−2 s−1, which could influence the atmospheric reaction and ozone formation

Influence of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) on Photosynthetic Parameters and Secondary Metabolites of Plants from Fabaceae Family

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are commonly used painkillers, anti-inflammatory agents, and fever reducers. They arrive in the environment from municipal wastewater and/or agriculture waste, affecting growing plants. In our study, the impact of NSAIDs, namely, diclofenac, indomethacin, naproxen, and paracetamol, on four plant species from the Fabaceae family (Cicer arietinum, Pisum sativum, Lens culinaris, and Vicia faba) was tested. The assimilation rate and stomatal conductance decreased for all plants treated with NSAIDs. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in the leaves of plants under stress declined by more than 15% compared with the control plants, while the flavonoids and total phenols decreased to a lesser extent. In contrast, the plants treated with NSAIDs emit terpenes and green leaf were volatile, at a level of some nmol m&minus;2 s&minus;1, which could influence the atmospheric reaction and ozone formation

Silver Nanoparticles Mediated by Natural Extracts Recovered from Wastes and By-Products

Introduction: Current environmental problems demand an eco-friendlier approach to the chemical synthesis of metal nanoparticles (NPs) [...

Chemical and Biochemical Characterization of Essential Oils and Their Corresponding Hydrolats from Six Species of the <i>Lamiaceae</i> Family

Many plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family are rich in essential oils (EOs) which are intensively used for aromatherapy, food and beverage flavoring, alternative medicine, cosmetics, and perfumery. Aerial parts of Thymus vulgaris L., Thymus pannonicus All., Lavandula angustifolia L., Lavandula x intermedia, Origanum vulgare L., and Origanum vulgare var. aureum L. were subjected to hydrodistillation, and both resulting fractions were analyzed. The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content of six essential oils and their corresponding hydrolats (HDs) through GC-MS and spectrophotometric analyses. Overall, 161 compounds were identified, some found exclusively in essential oils and others in hydrolats, making them individual products with specific end purposes. The total phenolic content was the highest for the Thymus vulgaris L. EOs (3022 ± mg GAE L−1), because of its high phenolic oxygenated monoterpenes content (thymol and carvacrol) and the smallest for the Lavandula angustifolia L. EOs (258.31 ± 44.29 mg GAE L−1), while hydrolats varied from 183.85 ± 0.22 mg GAE L−1 for Thymus vulgaris L. HD and 7.73 mg GAE L−1 for Thymus pannonicus All. HD. Significant antioxidant effects determined through DPPH• and ABTS•+ assays were also observed in samples with higher hydrophilic compounds. The highest antioxidant activity was determined for Thymus vulgaris L. EO and its corresponding HD. Although EOs are the principal traded economic product, HDs represent a valuable by-product that could still present intense antiseptic activities, similar to their corresponding EOs (thyme and oregano), or have multiple aromatherapy, cosmetics, and household applications (lavender and lavandin)

Chemical and Biochemical Characterization of Essential Oils and Their Corresponding Hydrolats from Six Species of the Lamiaceae Family

Many plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family are rich in essential oils (EOs) which are intensively used for aromatherapy, food and beverage flavoring, alternative medicine, cosmetics, and perfumery. Aerial parts of Thymus vulgaris L., Thymus pannonicus All., Lavandula angustifolia L., Lavandula x intermedia, Origanum vulgare L., and Origanum vulgare var. aureum L. were subjected to hydrodistillation, and both resulting fractions were analyzed. The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content of six essential oils and their corresponding hydrolats (HDs) through GC-MS and spectrophotometric analyses. Overall, 161 compounds were identified, some found exclusively in essential oils and others in hydrolats, making them individual products with specific end purposes. The total phenolic content was the highest for the Thymus vulgaris L. EOs (3022 ± mg GAE L−1), because of its high phenolic oxygenated monoterpenes content (thymol and carvacrol) and the smallest for the Lavandula angustifolia L. EOs (258.31 ± 44.29 mg GAE L−1), while hydrolats varied from 183.85 ± 0.22 mg GAE L−1 for Thymus vulgaris L. HD and 7.73 mg GAE L−1 for Thymus pannonicus All. HD. Significant antioxidant effects determined through DPPH• and ABTS•+ assays were also observed in samples with higher hydrophilic compounds. The highest antioxidant activity was determined for Thymus vulgaris L. EO and its corresponding HD. Although EOs are the principal traded economic product, HDs represent a valuable by-product that could still present intense antiseptic activities, similar to their corresponding EOs (thyme and oregano), or have multiple aromatherapy, cosmetics, and household applications (lavender and lavandin)

The influence of high-temperature heating on composition and thermo-oxidative stability of the oil extracted from Arabica coffee beans.

The aim of the present study was to establish the influence of high-temperature heating on the composition and thermal behavior of coffee oils obtained from Arabica green and roasted coffee beans, respectively. Morphological studies performed using scanning electron microscopy revealed the oil bodies uniformly distributed within the cells in both types of coffee beans analyzed. The obtained oils have a fatty acid composition rich in linoleic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid and linolenic acid. The total content of saturated fatty acids of investigated oils was 49.38 and 46.55%, the others being unsaturated fatty acids. The thermal behavior and thermo-oxidative stability of coffee oils extracted from green coffee beans and roasted coffee beans, the coffee oil high-temperature heated up to 200 °C, were investigated using simultaneous thermal analysis TG/DTG/DTA, in an oxidizing atmosphere. The data obtained for the analyzed samples depend mainly on the nature and compositions of fatty acids, and to a lesser extent on the roasting process of the coffee beans and the high-temperature heating process of the extracted oil. The chromatographic and TG/DTG/DTA data suggest that Arabica coffee oil has great potential for use in technological processes which require high-temperature heating (e.g. food industry or pastries)

Variability of Air Pollutants in the Indoor Air of a General Store

This research investigates different facets of indoor air quality and the corresponding health symptoms within a retail environment. Formaldehyde, classified as a Group B carcinogenic substance, was found within safe limits indoors, primarily originating from surface coatings, flooring products, textiles, and furniture. Monoterpenes, lactic acid, and particulate matter levels were also assessed, with varying indoor–outdoor ratios. Notably, we identified a relatively low concentration of PM2.5, possibly influenced by enhanced cleaning practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Symptom assessment revealed that many young workers experienced work-related symptoms, notably fatigue, nose-, throat-, and skin-related issues, aligning with previous findings. Although we could not conclusively link these symptoms to sick building syndrome (SBS) or formaldehyde exposure, it underscores the importance of further investigation. Notably, we observed no gender-based differences in symptom prevalence, but this study’s limited size requires caution in generalization. This study contributes to understanding indoor air quality and associated symptoms in an economically significant sector, emphasizing the need for continued research, especially considering the potential impact on workforce health in the broader context

The Influence of Elevated CO₂ on Volatile Emissions, Photosynthetic Characteristics, and Pigment Content in <i>Brassicaceae</i> Plants Species and Varieties

Climate change will determine a sharp increase in carbon dioxide in the following years. To study the influence of elevated carbon dioxide on plants, we grew 13 different species and varieties from the Brassicaceae family at three carbon dioxide concentrations: 400, 800, and 1200 ppmv. The photosynthetic parameters (assimilation rate and stomatal conductance to water vapor) increase for all species. The emission of monoterpenes increases for plants grown at elevated carbon dioxide while the total polyphenols and flavonoids content decrease. The chlorophyll content is affected only for some species (such as Lipidium sativum), while the β-carotene concentrations in the leaves were not affected by carbon dioxide

Plant-Based Beverages from Germinated and Ungerminated Seeds, as a Source of Probiotics, and Bioactive Compounds with Health Benefits—Part 1: Legumes

Consumption of plant-based milk replacers has increased in recent years due to health benefits, benefits attributed mainly to the content of phenolic compounds, fatty acids, or bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity. In this context, we proposed to obtain two types of less studied plant-based beverages, namely lupine and chickpea beverages, as well as the possibility of getting these beverages using germinated seeds and even obtaining probiotic drinks through fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum 299v. To evaluate the quality of the obtained products, we determined their content of proteins, fatty acids, organic acids, volatile compounds, and phenolic compounds. We evaluated the antioxidant activity of the obtained herbal drinks, and a load of probiotic microorganisms present after the fermentation process. Both lupine and chickpeas are legumes with high protein content and a range of health benefits. Fermentation with L. plantarum introduces probiotic properties and enhances the nutritional profile of these beverages. Plant-based beverages inoculated with L. plantarum can offer a convenient way to incorporate probiotics into plant-based diets, providing consumers with the benefits of both plant-based nutrition and probiotic supplementation