Exploring the antioxidant potential of endophytic fungi: a review on methods for extraction and quantification of total antioxidant capacity (TAC)

Endophytic fungi have emerged as a significant source of natural products with remarkable bioactivities. Recent research has identified numerous antioxidant molecules among the secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi. These organisms, whether unicellular or micro-multicellular, offer the potential for genetic manipulation to enhance the production of these valuable antioxidant compounds, which hold promise for promoting health, vitality, and various biotechnological applications. In this study, we provide a critical review of methods for extracting, purifying, characterizing, and estimating the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of endophytic fungi metabolites. While many endophytes produce metabolites similar to those found in plants with established symbiotic associations, we also highlight the existence of novel metabolites with potential scientific interest. Additionally, we discuss how advancements in nanotechnology have opened new avenues for exploring nanoformulations of endophytic metabolites in future studies, offering opportunities for diverse biological and industrial applications

Marine-Derived Bioactive Proteins and Peptides:A Review of Current Knowledge on Anticancer Potentials, Clinical Trials, and Future Prospects

The rise in cancer cases has prompted searching for novel and alternative sources of natural bioactive compounds with antitumor potential. Nearly three-quarters of our planet is covered by the ocean, the habitat of numerous prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and sustainable alternative nutrient sources. The marine ecosystem is a rich reservoir of proteins and novel bioactive peptides with diverse biochemical and therapeutic potentials, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities. Marine peptides are valuable due to their high stability, bioactivity, and low immunogenicity. This review focused on tracking the recent progress in studying marine-derived peptides for potential cancer treatment. We have highlighted that some of these peptides have progressed to clinical trials in the last 2 decades, while many candidates were discontinued due to failure to exhibit therapeutic-relevant activities. Due to the results from old clinical trials, interest in marine sources for antitumor peptides has dwindled in recent years. We presented other possible limitations in this field and proposed attractive future research prospects. In conclusion, we emphasize the need for increased scientific attention to explore marine organisms’ untapped nutraceutical and bioactive natural products, particularly in uncovering their potential anticancer properties

Recent advances in biotechnological valorization of agro-food wastes (AFW): Optimizing integrated approaches for sustainable biorefinery and circular bioeconomy

Achieving renewable clean energy to meet increasing global demand and counter overreliance on depleting unsustainable sources has recently drawn significant research interest. Similarly, to attain the sustainable development goals (SDGs) “zero hunger” agenda, massive agricultural/food productions are embarked on, leading to increased agro-food waste (AFW) generation with enormous handling costs to evade its contribution to environmental pollution. The advent of biorefineries has fostered a healthy balance for tackling challenges from AFW and unsustainable energy – thereby promoting circular bioeconomy (CBE). Integrating several emerging microbial/enzymatic bioconversion processes has facilitated the overall increase in process efficiency. This review, therefore, provides extensive information on the ecological and environmental impacts of AFW, as well as its biorefinery processes for a circular bioeconomy and environmental sustainability. We also critically reviewed advances in integrated bioconversion processes and microbial/enzymatic engineering for AFW valorization. Finally, limitations and prospects for real-life application of these recent approaches were suggested

Volatile organic compounds: A proinflammatory activator in autoimmune diseases

The etiopathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including pulmonary disease, atherosclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, has been linked to human exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOC) present in the environment. Chronic inflammation due to immune breakdown and malfunctioning of the immune system has been projected to play a major role in the initiation and progression of autoimmune disorders. Macrophages, major phagocytes involved in the regulation of chronic inflammation, are a major target of VOC. Excessive and prolonged activation of immune cells (T and B lymphocytes) and overexpression of the master pro-inflammatory constituents [cytokine and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, together with other mediators (interleukin-6, interleukin-1, and interferon-gamma)] have been shown to play a central role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune inflammatory responses. The function and efficiency of the immune system resulting in immunostimulation and immunosuppression are a result of exogenous and endogenous factors. An autoimmune disorder is a by-product of the overproduction of these inflammatory mediators. Additionally, an excess of these toxicants helps in promoting autoimmunity through alterations in DNA methylation in CD4 T cells. The purpose of this review is to shed light on the possible role of VOC exposure in the onset and progression of autoimmune diseases

Advances in drug delivery systems, challenges and future directions

Advances in molecular pharmacology and an improved understanding of the mechanism of most diseases have created the need to specifically target the cells involved in the initiation and progression of diseases. This is especially true for most life-threatening diseases requiring therapeutic agents which have numerous side effects, thus requiring accurate tissue targeting to minimize systemic exposure. Recent drug delivery systems (DDS) are formulated using advanced technology to accelerate systemic drug delivery to the specific target site, maximizing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing off-target accumulation in the body. As a result, they play an important role in disease management and treatment. Recent DDS offer greater advantages when compared to conventional drug delivery systems due to their enhanced performance, automation, precision, and efficacy. They are made of nanomaterials or miniaturized devices with multifunctional components that are biocompatible, biodegradable, and have high viscoelasticity with an extended circulating half-life. This review, therefore, provides a comprehensive insight into the history and technological advancement of drug delivery systems. It updates the most recent drug delivery systems, their therapeutic applications, challenges associated with their use, and future directions for improved performance and use