Evaluation of the Phytochemistry–Therapeutic Activity Relationship for Grape Seeds Oil

Seeds’ abundant biologically active compounds make them a suitable primary platform for the production of natural extracts, innovative foods, medicines, and cosmetics. High levels of industrial and agricultural residues and byproducts are generated during the processing of grapes, although some parts can also be repurposed. This paper examines the phytochemical composition, manufacturing processes, and health-improving attributes of many varieties of grape oil derived using various extraction methods. Since the results are influenced by a range of factors, they are expressed differently among studies, and the researchers employ a variety of measuring units, making it difficult to convey the results. The primary topics covered in most papers are grape seed oil’s lipophilic fatty acids, tocopherols, and phytosterols. In addition, new methods for extracting grape seed oil should therefore be designed; these methods must be affordable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly in order to increase the oil’s quality by extracting bioactive components and thereby increasing its biological activity in order to become part of the overall management of multiple diseases

Expatiating the impact of anthropogenic aspects and climatic factors on long-term soil monitoring and management

International audienceThis article is an extensive collection of scientific literature related to the impact of fertilizers on soil microbial andenzymatic activity. Due to the significance of technology in quantitative and qualitative evaluation of agriculturalproduction, this is a basic problem for the present and future of mankind, where the scientific data being of utmostimportance related to the topic. The comparison, including pedo-enzymological evaluation of minerals along withorganic fertilization, highlights significant differences between mineral and organic fertilizers, confirming the superiority of complex mineral-organic fertilization. Enzymatic indicators that describe and define the soil quality resultedfrom enzymatic activities value and provide valuable information regarding the soil fertility status. Moreover, soilenzyme responds to soil management as well as to environmental pollutants. Changes of environmental conditionsand pollutants like heavy metals and other toxic substances result in a shift in the biological activity of the soil.These changes can destabilize the soil system and cause a decrease in the nutrient pools. To ensure the improvementof fertilization techniques, the properties of nanoparticles are exploited that can efficiently release nutrients to plantcells. Numerous researches were performed in order to follow the long-term effects of incorporating nanofertilizersinto the soil, obtaining an exhaustive overview of this new technology over the development of sustainableagriculture

Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Potential of Essential Oils in Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications

Since the earliest times, essential oils (EOs) have been utilized for medicinal and traditional purposes. However, in recent decades, an increasing interest has developed due to the need to rediscover herbal remedies and adjuvant therapies for the management of various diseases, particularly chronic ones. The present narrative review examines the potential for EOs to exert hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects in diabetes mellitus, analyzing the main publications having evaluated plant species with potentially beneficial effects through their phytocompounds in diabetes mellitus and its complications. Numerous species have shown promising characteristics that can be used in diabetes management. The hypoglycemic effects of these EOs are attributed to their capacity to stimulate glucose uptake, suppress glucose production, and increase insulin sensitivity. Moreover, EOs can alleviate the oxidative stress by manifesting their antioxidant effects via a variety of mechanisms, including the scavenging of free radicals, the regulation of antioxidant enzymes, and the decreasing of lipid peroxidation, due to their diverse chemical composition. These findings demonstrate the possible benefits of EOs as adjuvant therapeutic agents in the management of diabetes and its complications. The use of EOs in the treatment of diabetes shows good potential for the development of natural and effective strategies to enhance the health outcomes of people with this chronic condition, but additional experimental endorsements are required

Orchard management under the effects of climate change: implications for apple, plum, and almond growing

International audienceThe authors analyzed certain species and varieties of fruit tree in which applied crop technology is used and also undergoes the effects of climate change. The aim is to extend productive crop varieties, resistant to disease and pests, in order to obtain superior yields. The research was conducted in orchards located in northwestern Romania (on 8.59 ha), intensively cultivated with apple, plum, and almond species. The blooming period of the species and fruit production was studied in 2009, the first year of the farm’s commercial production, and then compared to figures from 2016 to see the changes that occurred. Climatic conditions were studied throughout the period of existence of the farm (2002–2016). To determine the influence of the climatic factor on the blooming and production periods, respectively, every year is considered having pre-blooming, blooming, and ripening periods. It was found that climate change influences the annual biological cycle of the trees: the vegetative rest period of the trees shortens, the tree vegetation begins earlier in the spring, and the blooming period is advanced by as much as 10 days compared to normal cultivated varieties. All these factors have direct repercussions on the quantity of production

Depressive disorder influence on the quality of life of the patient with degenerative pathology

In chronic rheumatic diseases, we frequently follow the physical dimension of the disease and less the mental and social dimension of it. In the recent years, there has been a great interest in measuring the quality of life reflecting together all these three dimensions. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the perception of pain, quality of life of the patients with depression respectively without depression, using assessment tests recognized and accredited in Romania. We conducted an observational study on a group of 20 patients (n=20). The subjects were randomized of the patients hospitalized at ,,Avram Iancu’’ Clinical Hospital, Oradea, over a period of 2 weeks(in January-February 2016).All the cases were staged according to current criteria approved in Romania. Data collection was prospective and was made directly by examining the patients. Assessment methods are standardized in order to limit as much as possible the influence of systematic error. Initial evaluation and monitoring the patients consisted of physical examination, muscular and articular consultations, assessment of the pain, and depression and quality. We observe higher incidence of depression among women, 70% in the studied group. We assessed the pain expressed by the patients objectively on the VAS pain scale. The mean values of pain were as follows: group I- initially3.8, at the end of treatment1.4; the second group - initially 6.2 and finally 4. The initial average values of the pain were lower in the group without depression and also the treatment response and mean values in group I were significantly superior to of the second group. From the analysis of the data obtained we observe that the average quality of life of the patients from group I is 1.81 and increases after treatment with a percentage of 41.4%.The average value of HAQ score in the group of patients with depressive disorder is 2.03, decreasing to 1.37 after treatment. That means an improvement of 32.17%. The number of women that addresses for recovery treatment is higher. We observe a higher incidence of depression among women, 70% in the study group. The average value of the pain of the patients from group I is lower both initially and at the end of the study than the average pain of the patients from group II, result otherwise expected because the perception of pain is higher at patients with depression and treatment response it is more modest. In the case of first group, the mean value of the pain decreases by 63.15%, while for the second group the decrease is 30.64%. From the analysis of the obtained data we observe that the average quality of life of the patients from group I is 1.81 and increased after treatment with a percentage of 41.4%. The average value of the HAQ score in the group of patients with depressive disorder is 2.03, this dropped to 1.37 after treatment. That means an improvement of 32.17%. KEYWORDS: chronic rheumatic diseases, quality of life, depressive disorder

The Effects of Oregano Oil on Fungal Infections Associated with Metabolic Syndrome

International audienceThis study aims to compare the evolution of mycosis associated with metabolic syndrome under allopathic treatment compared to phytotherapy using oregano essential oil. The study was conducted over a period of 6 months, on a total of 72 patients diagnosed with fungal infections associated with metabolic syndrome. The patients were divided into 3 groups, depending on the administered treatment: group 1: 24 patients who received allopathic treatment; group 2: 24 patients who received oregano oil treatment; group 3: control, which did not undergo any antifungal treatment. All three groups were subjected to specific diet therapy for mycosis. The patients were initially evaluated at 10 days after the begining of the treatment (to track mycotic disease evolution in the acute phase), at 60 days (to evaluate the recurrence of mycoses) and at 180 days to track recurrent disease. Most infections were acute (77.78%), the chronic ones representing only 5.56% of cases. There were also 12 cases with recurrent infections (16.67%), out of which 6 cases (8.33%) had previously shown resistance to Nystatin. In the 72 cases there was a sensitivity of 100.00% for oregano oil and Ketaconazolum, insignificantly higher than for Myconazolum (97.22%, p=0.157), but significantly higher than for Clotrimazolum and Nystatinum (94.44%, p=0.0437), Variconazole and Fluconazole (88.89%, p=0.0038) and Itraconazole (86.11%, p=0.0011). The results of this study showed an increased efficiency of oregano oil on the symptomatic and paraclinical improvement of mycotic infections in the study, both on short term and on long term, which was completed with high tolerability

Withaferin A—A Promising Phytochemical Compound with Multiple Results in Dermatological Diseases

Withaferin A (WFA) was identified as the most active phytocompound of the plant Withania somnifera (WS) and as having multiple therapeutic/ameliorating properties (anticancer, antiangiogenic, anti-invasive, anti-inflammatory, proapoptotic, etc.) in case of various diseases. In drug chemistry, WFA in silico approaches have identified favorite biological targets, stimulating and accelerating research to evaluate its pharmacological activity—numerous anticancer effects manifested in various organs (breast, pancreas, skin, colon, etc.), antivirals, anti-infective, etc., which are not yet sufficiently explored. This paper is a synthesis of the most relevant specialized papers in the field that are focused on the use of WFA in dermatological diseases, describing its mechanism of action while providing, at the same time, details about the results of its testing in in vitro/in vivo studies

Bioactive Potential of Elderberry (<i>Sambucus nigra</i> L.): Antioxidant, Antimicrobial Activity, Bioaccessibility and Prebiotic Potential

Due to its abundance of physiologically active ingredients, one of the oldest medicinal herbs, elderberry (EB) Sambucus nigra L., is beneficial for both therapeutic and dietary purposes. This study determined the bioaccessibility of the phenolic compounds and the prebiotic potential of the polyphenols from freeze-dried EB powder (FDEBP), along with the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of this extract. The most significant phenolic compounds in black EB are represented by anthocyanins (41.8%), predominating cyanidin-sambubiosides and cyanidin-glucosides (90.1% of the identified anthocyanins). The FRAP assay obtained the highest antioxidant activity value (185 ± 0.18 μmol Fe2+/g DW). The most sensitive to the antimicrobial activity of the extract was proven to be Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.95 mg/mL. To determine the prebiotic potential of the polyphenols, the cell growth of five probiotic strains (Lactobacillus plantarum, L. casei, L. rhamnosus, L. fermentum and Saccharomyces boulardii) was tested. The influence on cell growth was positive for all five probiotic strains used. Overall, the most significant increase (p L. casei with a growth index (GI) of 152.44%, very closely followed by GI at 0.5% and 1% concentrations. The stability of the total phenolic compounds through simulated gastronitestinal digestion was increased (93%), and the bioaccessibility was also elevated (75%)

Micropulse Laser Therapy as an Integral Part of Eye Disease Management

Ocular diseases can significantly impact vision and quality of life through pathophysiological alterations to the structure of the eye. The management of these conditions often involves a combination of pharmaceutical interventions, surgical procedures, and laser therapy. Laser technology has revolutionized many medical fields, including ophthalmology, offering precise and targeted treatment options that solve some of the unmet needs of other therapeutic strategies. Conventional laser techniques, while effective, can generate excessive thermal energy, leading to collateral tissue damage and potential side effects. Compared to conventional laser techniques, micropulse laser therapy delivers laser energy in a pulsed manner, minimizing collateral damage while effectively treating target tissues. The present paper highlights the advantages of micropulse laser therapy over conventional laser treatments, presents the implications of applying these strategies to some of the most prevalent ocular diseases, and highlights several types and mechanisms of micropulse lasers. Although micropulse laser therapy shows great potential in the management of ocular diseases, further research is needed to optimize treatment protocols, evaluate long-term efficacy, and explore its role in combination therapies

Plants-based medicine implication in the evolution of chronic liver diseases

Hepatic disorders are considered major health problems, due to their high incidence, increased risk of chronicling or death and the costs involved in therapies. A large number of patients with chronic liver diseases use herbal medicines and dietary supplements in parallel with allopathic treatment. The current review provides a thorough analysis of the studies conducted on the most important species of medicinal plants used in this disease, bioactive compounds and on the activity of herbal medicines in the evolution of chronic liver diseases. However, a negative aspect is that there is frequently a lack of comprehensive data on the progression of the illness and the living standards of patients who are affected when evaluating the effects of these phytocomponents on the evolution of chronic liver disease, the patients' health, and their quality of life. It is essential to take this impairment into account when evaluating the long-term effects of herbal treatments on the health of individuals who suffer from liver illness. Bioactive phytocomponents may be a suitable source for the development of novel medications due to the correlation between traditional uses and medical advances. Additional high-quality preclinical examinations utilizing cutting-edge approaches are needed to assess safety and effectiveness and to detect, categorize, and standardize the active substances and their formulations for the most suitable therapeutic management of liver illnesses