Nanoencapsulation of polyphenols for protective effect against colon–rectal cancer

Nano-Engineered Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) Delivery Systems: Overcoming Bioavailability Barriers to Unlock Clinical Potential in Cancer Therapy

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a bioactive polyphenol derived from Camellia sinensis, exhibits multimodal anticancer activity through mechanisms such as apoptosis induction, metastasis suppression, and chemoresistance reversal. Despite its therapeutic promise, clinical application is constrained by rapid metabolism, poor bioavailability, and inconsistent biodistribution. Recent advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of innovative delivery systems including pH-responsive nanoparticles, lipid-polymer hybrids, and ligand-functionalized carriers that enhance EGCG stability, tumor targeting, and bioavailability by 3- to fivefold in preclinical models. These platforms also facilitate synergistic co-delivery with chemotherapeutics like doxorubicin, amplifying cytotoxicity and overcoming multidrug resistance. Mechanistically, EGCG modulates oncogenic pathways via NF-κB suppression, caspase activation, and MMP-9 downregulation, demonstrating efficacy across diverse cancer types. However, translational challenges persist, such as nanoparticle toxicity, variable tumor accumulation, and insufficient penetration in hypoxic microenvironments. Regulatory hurdles, including the lack of harmonized global standards for herbal medicinal products, further complicate clinical adoption. To bridge these gaps, future research must prioritize scalable cGMP-compliant manufacturing, rigorous preclinical toxicity profiling, and robust clinical trials to validate safety and efficacy. Addressing these issues could position nanoengineered EGCG as a paradigm-shifting therapy in precision oncology, aligning with ESCOP's mission to integrate evidence-based phytomedicines into conventional cancer care. This review underscores the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration to standardize phytopreparations, refine regulatory frameworks, and advance biomarker-driven clinical validation, ultimately unlocking the full potential of EGCG in modern therapeutics.

Liposomal Ficus carica latex and ficin effects on human colon cancer cell line

BACKGROUND

Challenges such as metabolic instability, short half-life, poor absorption, and low bioavailability are faced by natural drug candidates, particularly in complex plant-derived extracts like fig latex, which contains multiple bioactive compounds that complicate standardization and encapsulation. This research was conducted to investigate the impact of liposome encapsulation on HT-29 human colon cancer cell line, using commercially sourced ficin and latex samples from the Sari Lop and Aydin Black fig cultivars. Ficin and fig latices were encapsulated through thin-film hydration, and their characteristic properties were analyzed. The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of the prepared liposomes were also examined on the HT-29 cells.

RESULTS

The polydispersity indices and zeta potentials of liposomes were consistent with those reported in the literature, although their sizes were larger than the desired range. Encapsulation efficiency percentage (EE%) values were relatively low, ranging from 15.5% to 23.0%, indicating that a significant portion of ficin and fig latices remained unencapsulated. This lower EE% may have contributed to the observed reduction in cytotoxicity in the encapsulated formulations. Unencapsulated ficin and fig latices showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity (P < 0.05), while encapsulation significantly suppressed the toxicity, likely due to limited immediate bioavailability and controlled release. Apoptosis results, normalized to the cytotoxicity data, also showed dose-dependency (P < 0.05) especially for Aydin Black fig latex. The significant differences in apoptosis between the 35 mg L-1 of encapsulated and unencapsulated Aydin Black fig latex treatments at 24 and 48 h (P = 0.000 and P = 0.012, respectively) further suggest that liposomal encapsulation modulates both cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction, potentially reducing off-target effects while maintaining bioactivity.

CONCLUSION

It has been determined that liposomal encapsulation significantly suppresses the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of ficin and fig latices. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Microbial Metabolites-induced Epigenetic Modifications for Inhibition of Colorectal Cancer: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Globally, one of the most prevalent cancers is colorectal cancer (CRC). Chemotherapy and surgery are two common conventional CRC therapies that are frequently ineffective and have serious adverse effects. Thus, there is a need for complementary and different therapeutic approaches. The use of microbial metabolites to trigger epigenetic alterations as a way of preventing CRC is one newly emerging field of inquiry. Small chemicals called microbial metabolites, which are made by microbes and capable of altering host cell behaviour, are created. Recent research has demonstrated that these metabolites can lead to epigenetic modifications such as histone modifications, DNA methylation, and non-coding RNA regulation, which can control gene expression and affect cellular behaviour. This review highlights the current knowledge on the epigenetic modification for cancer treatment, immunomodulatory and anti-carcinogenic attributes of microbial metabolites, gut epigenetic targeting system, and the role of dietary fibre and gut microbiota in cancer treatment. It also focuses on short-chain fatty acids, especially butyrates (which are generated by microbes), and their cancer treatment perspective, challenges, and limitations, as well as state-of-the-art research on microbial metabolites-induced epigenetic changes for CRC inhibition. In conclusion, the present work highlights the potential of microbial metabolites-induced epigenetic modifications as a novel therapeutic strategy for CRC suppression and guides future research directions in this dynamic field.

Innovative lipid nanoparticles: A cutting-edge approach for potential renal cell carcinoma therapeutics

The kidney plays a crucial role in regulating homeostasis within the human body. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common form of kidney cancer, accounting for nearly 90 % of all renal malignancies. Despite the availability of various therapeutic strategies, RCC remains a challenging disease due to its resistance to conventional treatments. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising field, offering new opportunities in cancer therapeutics. It presents several advantages over traditional methods, enabling diverse biomedical applications, including drug delivery, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), approximately 100 nm in size, are derived from a range of lipids and other biochemical compounds. these particulates are designed to overcome biological barriers, allowing them to selectively accumulate at diseased target sites for effective therapeutic action. Many pharmaceutically important compounds face challenges such as poor solubility in aqueous solutions, chemical and physiological instability, or toxicity. LNP technology stands out as a promising drug delivery system for bioactive organic compounds. This article reviews the applications of LNPs in RCC treatment and explores their potential clinical translation, identifying the most viable LNPs for medical use. With ongoing advancement in LNP-based anticancer strategies, there is a growing potential to improve the management and treatment of renal cancer.

Purple Yam Polyphenol Extracts Exert Anticolitis and Anticolitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer Effects through Inactivation of NF-κB/p65 and STAT3 Signaling Pathways

Colorectal cancer is a malignancy with high incidence and mortality worldwide, and ulcerative colitis (UC) is strongly associated with colorectal cancer. Purple yam, also known as Dioscorea alata, has been reported to be rich in plant polyphenols that have possessed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor properties. However, it is not clear whether purple yam polyphenol extracts (PYPE) can improve colitis and inhibit colitis-related colorectal tumorigenesis. Therefore, we used dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and azoxymethane (AOM)/DSS-induced colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) models in mice to evaluate the preventive value and possible mechanisms of PYPE. It was found that PYPE effectively alleviated DSS-induced colitis, inhibited macrophage infiltration, and reduced the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-17A, CXCL1, and MCP-1, and the higher the concentration of PYPE, the better the inhibitory effect. In addition, PYPE dramatically prevented the development of CAC and tumor proliferation in mice. Furthermore, PYPE inactivated NF-κB and STAT3 signaling to exert anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Taken together, these findings indicate that PYPE may be used as a promising preventive strategy against UC and CAC.

Benchmark Dose Approach to DNA and Liver Damage by Chlorpyrifos and Imidacloprid in Male Rats: The Protective Effect of a Clove-Oil-Based Nanoemulsion Loaded with Pomegranate Peel Extract

Pesticides are widely used around the world to increase crop production. They also have negative impacts on animals, humans, and the ecosystem. This is the first report evaluating a novel pomegranate-extract-loaded clove-oil-based nanoemulsion (PELCN) and its potential for reducing oxidative stress and DNA damage, as well as its hepatoprotective effects against imidacloprid (IM) and chlorpyrifos (CPF) toxicity in male rats. The benchmark dose (BMD) approach was also used to study the dose-response toxicity of IM and CPF. IM and CPF were administered daily for 28 days at doses of 14, 28, and 54 mg/kg body weight (bw) of IM and 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg bw of CPF via drinking water. The PELCN was administered orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw/day of pomegranate extract, 500 mg/kg bw of the clove oil nanoemulsion, and IM or CPF at high doses in the drinking water. In male rats, IM and CPF caused a reduction in body weight gain and hepatotoxic effects as evidenced by increases in the liver enzymes AST, ALT, and ALP. They caused oxidative damage in the liver of male rats as indicated by the decreased liver activity of the GST, GPX, SOD, and CAT enzymes and decreased serum TAC. IM and CPF produced a significant dose-dependent increase in DNA damage in hepatocyte cells, resulting in moderate to severe liver damage with cells that are more inflammatory and have enlarged sinusoids and compacted nuclei. IM had a higher BMD than CPF for both body and liver weight, suggesting that CPF was more dose-dependently toxic than IM. Albumin was a highly sensitive liver biomarker for IM, while total protein was a biomarker for the CPF-treated rats. GPx was an extremely sensitive biomarker of oxidative stress in the IM treatment, while CAT and GPx were highly sensitive parameters in the CPF-treated rats. Therefore, at comparable doses, CPF has a higher potential to cause liver damage and oxidative stress than IM. The hepatotoxicity of IM and CPF can be mitigated by administering a nanoemulsion containing clove oil and pomegranate extract. The nanoemulsion acts as a protector against the oxidative stress caused by these insecticides, especially at high doses. The nanoemulsion based on clove oil increases the bioavailability and stability of the pomegranate extract, which has antioxidant properties.

Flavonoids nanostructures promising therapeutic efficiencies in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is among the frequently diagnosed cancers with high mortality rates around the world. Polyphenolic compounds such as flavonoids are secondary plant metabolites which exhibit anti-cancer activities along with anti-inflammatory effects. However, due to their hydrophobicity, sensitivity to degradation and low bioavailability, therapeutic effects have shown poor therapeutic effect. Nano delivery systems such as nanoliposomes, nanomicelles, silica nanoparticles have been investigated to overcome these difficulties. This review provides a summary of the efficiency of certain flavonoids and polyphenols (apigenin, genistein, resveratrol, quercetin, silymarin, catechins, luteolin, fisetin, gallic acid, rutin, and curcumin) on colorectal cancer models. It comprehensively discusses the influence of nano-formulation of flavonoids on their biological functions, including cellular uptake rate, bioavailability, solubility, and cytotoxicity, as well as their potential for reducing colorectal cancer tumor size under in vivo situations.

Blackthorn-A Valuable Source of Phenolic Antioxidants with Potential Health Benefits

Prunus spinosa L. fruit, commonly known as blackthorn, is a rich source of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, vitamins, minerals, and organic acids, which exhibit significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Notably, flavonoids such as catechin, epicatechin, and rutin have been reported to have protective effects against diabetes, while other flavonoids, including myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol, exhibit antihypertensive activity. Solvent extraction methods are widely used for the extraction of phenolic compounds from plant sources, owing to their simplicity, efficacy, and broad applicability. Furthermore, modern extraction techniques, such as microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), have been employed to extract polyphenols from Prunus spinosa L. fruits. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the biologically active compounds found in blackthorn fruits, emphasizing their direct physiological effects on the human body. Additionally, the manuscript highlights the potential applications of blackthorn fruits in various industries, including the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and functional product sectors.

Fabrication of anthocyanin–rich W1/O/W2 emulsion gels based on pectin–GDL complexes: 3D printing performance

The stability of anthocyanin-rich W₁/O/W₂ double emulsions prepared with Nicandra physalodes (Linn.) Gaertn. Seeds pectin was investigated, including droplet sizes, ζ-potential, viscosity, color, microstructures and encapsulation efficiency. Furthermore, the gelation behavior, rheological behavior, texture behavior and three-dimensional (3D) printing effects of the W₁/O/W₂ emulsion gels induced with Glucono-delta-lactone (GDL) were studied. The L*, b*, ΔE, droplet sizes and ζ-potential of the emulsions were gradually increased, while other indicators were gradually decreased during 28 days of storage under 4 ℃. The storage stability of sample under storage at 4 ℃ was higher than 25 ℃. The G' of W₁/O/W₂ emulsion gels gradually boosted with increased GDL addition, and reached the highest after the addition of 1.6 % GDL. In creep-recovery sweep, the minimum strain of 1.68 % and the highest recovery rate of 86 % were also found for the emulsion gels with 1.6 % GDL. Accordingly, the models "KUST", hearts, flowers printed by emulsion gels after 60 min addition of 1.6 % GDL had the best printing effects. The W₁/O/W₂ emulsion gels based on pectin-GDL complexes exhibited good performance in protecting anthocyanins and suggested as a potential ink for food 3D printing.

Honey polyphenols: regulators of human microbiota and health

A comprehensive review of research over the last decade was conducted to carry out this work. The main objective of this work is to present relevant evidence of the effect of honey intake on the human intestinal microbiota and its relationship with the improvement of various chronic diseases, such as cirrhosis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and obesity, among others. Therefore, this work focuses on the health-improving honey dietary supplementation implications associated with specific changes in the human microbiota and their biochemical mechanisms to enhance the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms and the inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms. Consumption of honey polyphenols significantly improves people's health conditions, especially in patients with chronic disease. Hence, honey intake unequivocally constitutes an alternative way to enhance health and could be used to prevent some relevant chronic diseases.

Ellagic acid as a potent anticancer drug: A comprehensive review on in vitro, in vivo, in silico, and drug delivery studies

Ellagic acid as a polyphenol or micronutrient, which can be naturally found in different vegetables and fruits, has gained considerable attention for cancer therapy due to considerable biological activities and different molecular targets. Ellagic acid with low hydrolysis and lipophilic and hydrophobic nature is not able to be absorbed in circulation. So, accumulation inside the intestinal epithelial cells or metabolization to other urolithins leads to the limitation of direct evaluation of EA effects in clinical studies. This review focuses on the studies which supported anticancer activity of pure or fruit-extracted ellagic acid through in vitro, in vivo, in silico, and drug delivery methods. The results demonstrate ellagic acid modulates the expression of various genes incorporated in the cancer-related process of apoptosis and proliferation, inflammation related-gens, and oxidative-related genes. Moreover, the ellagic acid formulation in carriers composed of lipid, silica, chitosan, iron- bovine serum albumin nanoparticles obviously enhanced the stable release and confident delivery with minimum loss. Also, in silico analysis proved that ellagic acid was able to be placed at a position of cocrystal ADP, in the deep cavity of the protein target, and tightly interact with binding pocket residues leading to suppression of substrate availability of protein and its activation inhibition.

Evidence for Anticancer Effects of Chinese Medicine Monomers on Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly occurring cancers worldwide. Although clinical reports have indicated the anticancer effects of Chinese herbal medicine, the multiple underlying molecular and biochemical mechanisms of action remain to be fully characterized. Chinese medicine (CM) monomers, which are the active components of CM, serve as the material basis of the functional mechanisms of CM. The aim of this review is to summarize the current experimental evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies for the effects of CM monomers in colorectal cancer prevention and treatment, providing some useful references for future research.

Renal cell carcinoma management: A step to nano-chemoprevention

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most common kidney cancers, responsible for nearly 90 % of all renal malignancies. Despite the availability of many treatment strategies, RCC still remains to be an incurable disease due to its resistivity towards conventional therapies. Nanotechnology is an emerging field of science that offers newer possibilities in therapeutics including cancer medicine, specifically by targeted delivery of anticancer drugs. Several phytochemicals are known for their anti-cancer properties and have been regarded as chemopreventive agents. However, the hydrophobic nature of many phytochemicals decreases its bioavailability and distribution, thus showing limited therapeutic effect. Application of nanotechnology to enhance chemoprevention is an effective strategy to increase the bioavailability of phytochemicals and thereby its therapeutic efficacy. The present review focuses on the utility of nanotechnology in RCC treatment and chemopreventive agents of RCC. We have also visualized the future prospects of nanomolecules in the prevention and cure of RCC.

Microemulsions and Nanoemulsions in Skin Drug Delivery

Microemulsions and nanoemulsions are lipid-based pharmaceutical systems with a high potential to increase the permeation of drugs through the skin. Although being isotropic dispersions of two nonmiscible liquids (oil and water), significant differences are encountered between microemulsions and nanoemulsions. Microemulsions are thermodynamically stable o/w emulsions of mean droplet size approximately 100–400 nm, whereas nanoemulsions are thermodynamically unstable o/w emulsions of mean droplet size approximately 1 to 100 nm. Their inner oil phase allows the solubilization of lipophilic drugs, achieving high encapsulation rates, which are instrumental for drug delivery. In this review, the importance of these systems, the key differences regarding their composition and production processes are discussed. While most of the micro/nanoemulsions on the market are held by the cosmetic industry to enhance the activity of drugs used in skincare products, the development of novel pharmaceutical formulations designed for the topical, dermal and transdermal administration of therapeutic drugs is being considered. The delivery of poorly water-soluble molecules through the skin has shown some advantages over the oral route, since drugs escape from first-pass metabolism; particularly for the treatment of cutaneous diseases, topical delivery should be the preferential route in order to reduce the number of drugs used and potential side-effects, while directing the drugs to the site of action. Thus, nanoemulsions and microemulsions represent versatile options for the delivery of drugs through lipophilic barriers, and many synthetic and natural compounds have been formulated using these delivery systems, aiming to improve stability, delivery and bioactivity. Detailed information is provided concerning the most relevant recent scientific publications reporting the potential of these delivery systems to increase the skin permeability of drugs with anti-inflammatory, sun-protection, anticarcinogenic and/or wound-healing activities. The main marketed skincare products using emulsion-based systems are also presented and discussed.

Squalene Loaded Nanoparticles Effectively Protect Hepatic AML12 Cell Lines against Oxidative and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in a TXNDC5-Dependent Way

Virgin olive oil, the main source of fat in the Mediterranean diet, contains a substantial amount of squalene which possesses natural antioxidant properties. Due to its highly hydrophobic nature, its bioavailability is reduced. In order to increase its delivery and potentiate its actions, squalene has been loaded into PLGA nanoparticles (NPs). The characterization of the resulting nanoparticles was assessed by electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential and high-performance liquid chromatography. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and cell viability assays were carried out in AML12 (alpha mouse liver cell line) and a TXNDC5-deficient AML12 cell line (KO), which was generated by CRISPR/cas9 technology. According to the results, squalene was successfully encapsulated in PLGA NPs, and had rapid and efficient cellular uptake at 30 µM squalene concentration. Squalene reduced ROS in AML12, whereas ROS levels increased in KO cells and improved cell viability in both when subjected to oxidative stress by significant induction of Gpx4. Squalene enhanced cell viability in ER-induced stress by decreasing Ern1 or Eif2ak3 expressions. In conclusion, TXNDC5 shows a crucial role in regulating ER-induced stress through different signaling pathways, and squalene protects mouse hepatocytes from oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stresses by several molecular mechanisms depending on TXNDC5.

Lipid Nanocarriers for Hyperproliferative Skin Diseases

Simple Summary

Different drugs, including antiproliferative and corticosteroids in general, are recommended for the treatment of hyperproliferative skin diseases (HSD). The effectiveness of many of these drugs is limited due to their low solubility in water and low penetration in the skin. The loading of these drugs in lipid nanocarriers, such as lipid nanoparticles and liposomes, has been considered as a successful solution to improve the drug bioavailability through the skin, to control their release kinetics and thus reduce the risk of potential side effects. In this work, we discuss the use of lipid nanocarriers loading drugs against HSD.

Abstract

Hyperproliferative skin diseases (HSD) are a group of diseases that include cancers, pre-cancerous lesions and diseases of unknown etiology that present different skin manifestations in terms of the degree and distribution of the injuries. Anti-proliferative agents used to treat these diseases are so diverse, including 5-aminolevulinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, methotrexate, paclitaxel, podophyllotoxin, realgar, and corticosteroids in general. These drugs usually have low aqueous solubility, which consequently decreases skin permeation. Thus, their incorporation in lipid nanocarriers has been proposed with the main objective to increase the effectiveness of topical treatment and reduce side effects. This manuscript aims to describe the advantages of using lipid nanoparticles and liposomes that can be used to load diversity of chemically different drugs for the treatment of HSD.

Current insights into epigenetics, noncoding RNA interactome and clinical pharmacokinetics of dietary polyphenols in cancer chemoprevention

Several studies have reported the health-beneficial effects of dietary phytochemicals, namely polyphenols, to prevent various diseases, including cancer. Polyphenols, like (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from green tea, curcumin from turmeric, and ellagic acid from pomegranate are known to act by modulating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and apoptotic signal transduction pathways in the tumor milieu. The evolving literature underscores the role of epigenetic regulation of genes associated with cancer by these polyphenols, primarily via non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNA) and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). However, there is little clarity on the exact role(s) played by these ncRNAs and their interactions with other ncRNAs, or with their protein targets, in response to modulation by these dietary polyphenols. Here, we review ncRNA interactions and functional networks of the complex ncRNA interactome with their targets in preclinical studies along with the role of epigenetics as well as key aspects of pharmacokinetics and phytochemistry of dietary polyphenols. We also summarize the current state of clinical trials with these dietary polyphenols. Taken together, this synthetic review provides insights into the molecular aspects underlying the anticancer chemopreventive effects of dietary polyphenols as well as summarizes data on novel biomarkers modulated by these polyphenols for preventive or therapeutic purposes in various types of cancer.

Urolithins: The Gut Based Polyphenol Metabolites of Ellagitannins in Cancer Prevention, a Review

Cancer as a disease continues to ravage the world population without regard to sex, age, and race. Due to the growing number of cases worldwide, cancer exerts a significant negative impact on global health and the economy. Interestingly, chemotherapy has been used over the years as a therapeutic intervention against cancer. However, high cost, resistance, and toxic by-effects to treatment have overshadowed some of its benefits. In recent times, efforts have been ongoing in searching for anticancer therapeutics of plant origin, focusing on polyphenols. Urolithins are secondary polyphenol metabolites derived from the gut microbial action on ellagitannins and ellagic acid-rich foods such as pomegranate, berries, and nuts. Urolithins are emerging as a new class of anticancer compounds that can mediate their cancer-preventive activities through cell cycle arrest, aromatase inhibition, induction of apoptosis, tumor suppression, promotion of autophagy, and senescence, transcriptional regulation of oncogenes, and growth factor receptors. In this review, we discussed the growing shreds of evidence supporting these secondary phenolic metabolites' anticancer properties. Furthermore, we have pointed out some of the future directions needed to establish urolithins as anticancer agents.

Microbial Transformation of Flavonoids in Cultures of Mucor hiemalis

Flavonoids are plant secondary metabolites that are well known for their health-promoting properties as nutraceuticals in diets. Bioavailability and biological activities of flavonoids vary among the individual subclasses with different patterns of substitution, inclusive of glycosylation, to their basic structures. Many flavonoids exist as glycosides in plants. This study investigated the possibility of glycosylation of flavonoids through biotransformation using filamentous fungi as whole-cell biocatalysts. Microbial transformations of ten flavonoids (four flavones, four flavonols, a flavanone, and an aurone) were performed in cultures of Mucor hiemalis KCTC 26779. As a result, a flavonoid glycoside was obtained which has not been described previously. The chemical structure of this product was elucidated as 6,2′-dimethoxyflavonol-3- O-β-d-glucopyranoside by analyzing 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional-nuclear magnetic resonance spectral and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectral data. This compound could be useful for further biological and bioavailability studies, as well as expanding the library of flavonoid derivatives.

Prevention by Dietary Polyphenols (Resveratrol, Quercetin, Apigenin) Against 7-Ketocholesterol-Induced Oxiapoptophagy in Neuronal N2a Cells: Potential Interest for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative and Age-Related Diseases

The Mediterranean diet is associated with health benefits due to bioactive compounds such as polyphenols. The biological activities of three polyphenols (quercetin (QCT), resveratrol (RSV), apigenin (API)) were evaluated in mouse neuronal N2a cells in the presence of 7-ketocholesterol (7KC), a major cholesterol oxidation product increased in patients with age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. In N2a cells, 7KC (50 µM; 48 h) induces cytotoxic effects characterized by an induction of cell death. When associated with RSV, QCT and API (3.125; 6.25 µM), 7KC-induced toxicity was reduced. The ability of QCT, RSV and API to prevent 7KC-induced oxidative stress was characterized by a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in whole cells and at the mitochondrial level; by an attenuation of the increase in the level and activity of catalase; by attenuating the decrease in the expression, level and activity of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1); by normalizing the expression, level and activity of superoxide dismutases 1 and 2 (SOD1, SOD2); and by reducing the decrease in the expression of nuclear erythroid 2-like factor 2 (Nrf2) which regulates antioxidant genes. QCT, RSV and API also prevented mitochondrial dysfunction in 7KC-treated cells by counteracting the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΨΔm) and attenuating the decreased gene expression and/or protein level of AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) implicated in mitochondrial biogenesis. At the peroxisomal level, QCT, RSV and API prevented the impact of 7KC by counteracting the decrease in ATP binding cassette subfamily D member (ABCD)3 (a peroxisomal mass marker) at the protein and mRNA levels, as well as the decreased expresssion of genes associated with peroxisomal biogenesis (Pex13, Pex14) and peroxisomal β-oxidation (Abcd1, Acox1, Mfp2, Thiolase A). The 7KC-induced decrease in ABCD1 and multifunctional enzyme type 2 (MFP2), two proteins involved in peroxisomal β-oxidation, was also attenuated by RSV, QCT and API. 7KC-induced cell death, which has characteristics of apoptosis (cells with fragmented and/or condensed nuclei; cleaved caspase-3; Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) fragmentation) and autophagy (cells with monodansyl cadaverine positive vacuoles; activation of microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3–I (LC3-I) to LC3-II, was also strongly attenuated by RSV, QCT and API. Thus, in N2a cells, 7KC induces a mode of cell death by oxiapoptophagy, including criteria of OXIdative stress, APOPTOsis and autoPHAGY, associated with mitochondrial and peroxisomal dysfunction, which is counteracted by RSV, QCT, and API reinforcing the interest for these polyphenols in prevention of diseases associated with increased 7KC levels.

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles as Carriers of Natural Phenolic Compounds

Phenolic compounds are one of the most widespread classes of compounds in nature, with several beneficial biological effects being associated with their anti-oxidant and anti-carcinogenic activities. Their application in the prevention or treatment of numerous chronic diseases have been studied, but a major drawback is still the low bioavailability of these compounds, as well as their instability towards pH, temperature, and light in some cases. Nanotechnology has emerged as an alternative to overcome these limitations, and the use of lipidic encapsulation systems is a promising technique to achieve an efficient drug delivery, protecting molecules from external factors and improving their bioavailability. In this review, solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers are highlighted as an important tool for the improvement of the bioavailability and stability of natural phenolic compounds, including their preparation methods and functionalization approaches and the discussion of several applications for putative use in cosmetic and pharmacologic products.

The Epigenetic Link between Polyphenols, Aging and Age-Related Diseases

Aging is a complex process mainly categorized by a decline in tissue, cells and organ function and an increased risk of mortality. Recent studies have provided evidence that suggests a strong association between epigenetic mechanisms throughout an organism’s lifespan and age-related disease progression. Epigenetics is considered an evolving field and regulates the genetic code at several levels. Among these are DNA changes, which include modifications to DNA methylation state, histone changes, which include modifications of methylation, acetylation, ubiquitination and phosphorylation of histones, and non-coding RNA changes. As a result, these epigenetic modifications are vital targets for potential therapeutic interventions against age-related deterioration and disease progression. Dietary polyphenols play a key role in modulating these modifications thereby delaying aging and extending longevity. In this review, we summarize recent advancements linking epigenetics, polyphenols and aging as well as critical findings related to the various dietary polyphenols in different fruits and vegetables. In addition, we cover studies that relate polyphenols and their epigenetic effects to various aging-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer.

The Protective Effect of Polyphenols for Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers that threaten people in many countries. It is a multi-factorial chronic disease caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but it is mainly related to lifestyle factors, including diet. Plentiful plant foods and beverages are abundant in polyphenols with antioxidant, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. These compounds participate in host nutrition and disease pathology regulation in different ways. Polyphenolic compounds have been used to prevent and inhibit the development and prognosis of cancer, and examples include green tea polyphenol (-)epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), curcumin, and resveratrol. Of course, there are more known and unknown polyphenol compounds that need to be further explored for their anticancer properties. This article focuses on the fact that polyphenols affect the progression of CRC by controlling intestinal inflammation, epigenetics, and the intestinal microbe in the aspects of prevention, treatment, and prognosis.

Antioxidative Action of Ellagic Acid-A Kinetic DFT Study

Although one can find numerous studies devoted to the investigation of antioxidative activity of ellagic acid (EA) in the scientific literature, the mechanisms of its action have not yet been fully clarified. Therefore, further kinetic studies are needed to understand its antioxidative capacity completely. This work aims to reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for the antioxidative action of EA. For this purpose, its reactions with HO^• and CCl₃OO^• radicals were simulated at physiological conditions using the quantum mechanics-based test for overall free-radical scavenging activity. The density functional theory in combination with the conductor-like polarizable continuum solvation model was utilized. With HO^• radical EA conforms to the hydrogen atom transfer and radical adduct formation mechanisms, whereas sequential proton loss electron transfer mechanism is responsible for scavenging of CCl₃OO^• radical. In addition, compared to trolox, EA was found more reactive toward HO^•, but less reactive toward CCl₃OO^•. The calculated rate constants for the reactions of EA with both free radicals are in a very good agreement with the corresponding experimental values.

Properties, Extraction Methods, and Delivery Systems for Curcumin as a Natural Source of Beneficial Health Effects

This review discusses the impact of curcumin-an aromatic phytoextract from the turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome-as an effective therapeutic agent. Despite all of the beneficial health properties ensured by curcumin application, its pharmacological efficacy is compromised in vivo due to poor aqueous solubility, high metabolism, and rapid excretion that may result in poor systemic bioavailability. To overcome these problems, novel nanosystems have been proposed to enhance its bioavailability and bioactivity by reducing the particle size, the modification of surfaces, and the encapsulation efficiency of curcumin with different nanocarriers. The solutions based on nanotechnology can improve the perspective for medical patients with serious illnesses. In this review, we discuss commonly used curcumin-loaded bio-based nanoparticles that should be implemented for overcoming the innate constraints of this natural ingredient. Furthermore, the associated challenges regarding the potential applications in combination therapies are discussed as well.

In Vitro Characterization, Modelling, and Antioxidant Properties of Polyphenon-60 from Green Tea in Eudragit S100-2 Chitosan Microspheres

Eudragit S100-coated chitosan microspheres (S100Ch) are proposed as a new oral delivery system for green tea polyphenon-60 (PP60). PP60 is a mixture of polyphenolic compounds, known for its active role in decreasing oxidative stress and metabolic risk factors involved in diabetes and in other chronic diseases. Chitosan-PP60 microspheres prepared by an emulsion cross-linking method were coated with Eudragit S100 to ensure the release of PP60 in the terminal ileum. Different core–coat ratios of Eudragit and chitosan were tested. Optimized chitosan microspheres were obtained with a chitosan:PP60 ratio of 8:1 (Ch-PP60_8:1), rotation speed of 1500 rpm, and surfactant concentration of 1.0% (m/v) achieving a mean size of 7.16 µm. Their coating with the enteric polymer (S100Ch-PP60) increased the mean size significantly (51.4 µm). The in vitro modified-release of PP60 from S100Ch-PP60 was confirmed in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Mathematical fitting models were used to characterize the release mechanism showing that both Ch-PP60_8:1 and S100Ch-PP60 fitted the Korsmeyers–Peppas model. The antioxidant activity of PP60 was kept in glutaraldehyde-crosslinked chitosan microspheres before and after their coating, showing an IC₅₀ of 212.3 µg/mL and 154.4 µg/mL, respectively. The potential of chitosan microspheres for the delivery of catechins was illustrated, with limited risk of cytotoxicity as shown in Caco-2 cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The beneficial effects of green tea and its derivatives in the management of metabolic disorders can be exploited using mucoadhesive chitosan microspheres coated with enteric polymers for colonic delivery.

Ellagic Acid Containing Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Topical Application: A Preliminary Study

Ellagic acid (EA) is a potent antioxidant substance of natural origin characterized by poor biopharmaceutical properties and low solubility in water that limit its use. The aim of the present study was to develop lipid-based nanoparticle formulations able to encapsulate EA for dermal delivery. The EA-loaded nanoparticles were prepared using two different lipid compositions, namely tristearin/tricaprylin (NLC-EA1) and tristearin/labrasol (NLC-EA2). The influence of formulations on size, entrapment efficiency, and stability of EA-loaded nanoparticles was investigated. Cryo-TEM and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analyses showed that no morphological differences are evident among all the types of loaded and unloaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The macroscopic aspect of both NLC-EA1 and NLC-EA2 did not change with time. No difference in size was appreciable between empty and drug-containing NLC, thus the nanoparticle diameter was not affected by the presence of EA and in general no variations of the diameters occurred during this time. The entrapment efficiency of both EA-loaded nanoparticles was almost quantitative. In addition, NLC-EA1 maintained EA stability for almost two months, while NLC-EA2 up to 40 days. FRAP (Ferric reducing ability of plasma) assay showed an antioxidant activity around 60% for both the loaded NLC, as compared to the solution. Although both types of NLC are characterized by some toxicity on HaCaT cells, NLC-EA1 are less cytotoxic than NLC-EA2. Taken together these results demonstrated that the inclusion of EA within NLC could improve the water solubility, allowing for a reduction of the dosage. Moreover, both types of NLC-EA maintained a high antioxidant effect and low toxicity.

Nanopharmaceutics: Part I-Clinical Trials Legislation and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) of Nanotherapeutics in the EU

The latest advances in pharmaceutical technology are leading to the development of cutting edged approaches to produce what is now known as the “Holy Grail” of medicine—nanopharmaceutics. Over the latest decade, the pharmaceutical industry has made important contributions to the scale up of these new products. To ensure their quality, efficacy, and safety for human use, clinical trials are mandatory. Yet, regulation regarding nanopharmaceuticals is still limited with a set of guidelines being recently released with respect to compliance with quality and safety. For the coming years, updates on regulatory issues about nanopharmaceuticals and their use in clinical settings are expected. The use of nanopharmaceuticals in clinical trials depends on the approval of the production methods and assurance of the quality of the final product by implementation and verification of the good manufacturing practices (GMP). This review addresses the available legislation on nanopharmaceuticals within the European Union (EU), the GMP that should be followed for their production, and the current challenges encountered in clinical trials of these new formulations. The singular properties of nanopharmaceuticals over their bulk counterparts are associated with their size, matrix composition, and surface properties. To understand their relevance, four main clinical trial guidelines, namely, for intravenous iron-based nanopharmaceuticals, liposomal-based nanopharmaceuticals, block copolymer micelle-based nanopharmaceuticals, and related to surface coating requirements, are described here.

Sucupira Oil-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLC): Lipid Screening, Factorial Design, Release Profile, and Cytotoxicity

Essential oils are odorant liquid oily products consisting of a complex mixture of volatile compounds obtained from a plant raw material. They have been increasingly proven to act as potential natural agents in the treatment of several human conditions, including diabetes mellitus (DM). DM is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia closely related to carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism disturbances. In order to explore novel approaches for the management of DM our group proposes the encapsulation of sucupira essential oil, obtained from the fruits of the Brazilian plants of the genus Pterodon, in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), a second generation of lipid nanoparticles which act as new controlled drug delivery system (DDS). Encapsulation was performed by hot high-pressure homogenization (HPH) technique and the samples were then analyzed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) for mean average size and polydispersity index (PI) and by electrophoretic light scattering (ELS) for zeta potential (ZP), immediately after production and after 24 h of storage at 4 °C. An optimal sucupira-loaded NLC was found to consist of 0.5% (m/V) sucupira oil, 4.5% (m/V) of Kollivax^® GMS II and 1.425% (m/V) of TPGS (formulation no. 6) characterized by a mean particle size ranging from 148.1 ± 0.9815 nm (0 h) to 159.3 ± 9.539 nm (at 24 h), a PI from 0.274 ± 0.029 (0 h) to 0.305 ± 0.028 (24 h) and a ZP from −0.00236 ± 0.147 mV (at 0 h) to 0.125 ± 0.162 (at 24 h). The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity were 99.98% and 9.6%, respectively. The optimized formulation followed a modified release profile fitting the first order kinetics, over a period of 8 h. In vitro cytotoxicity studies were performed against Caco-2 cell lines, for which the cell viability above 90% confirmed the non-cytotoxic profile of both blank and sucupira oil-loaded NLC.

Identification of functional compounds in baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) nuts: Nutritional value, volatile and phenolic composition, antioxidant activity and antiproliferative effect

This work aimed to contribute to the nutritional and functional characterization of roasted baru nuts, a seed widely consumed and produced in Brazil. Baru nut was characterized in terms of its nutritional value and volatile composition (SPME-GC-MS analysis). The ultrasound assisted extraction was used to extract free and bound phenolic compounds that were identified by LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS method. Bioactivity assays were carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activity (ORAC and HOSC assay) and anticancer effect (inhibition of HT29 cell growth and targeting of cancer stemness) of baru nut extracts and phenolic compounds. Results showed that baru is a good source of protein and monounsaturated fatty acids, specifically oleic acid (47.20 g/100 g). The predominant volatile compounds are hexanal (71.18%) and 2,5-dimethyl-pyrazine (9.43%). The main phenolic compounds identified were gallic acid and its derivatives, such as gallic acid esters and gallotannins. Among all, gallic acid and methyl gallate seemed to be the main compounds responsible for the high antioxidant activity. The antiproliferative effect evaluated of baru extracts in HT29 cell line showed ability to impair cell growth in both monolayer and spheroid cultures and to reduce ALDH+ population. These results supply new information about the functional compounds presents in baru nut, which are important sources of natural antioxidants and antiproliferative compounds.

Oral nanoparticles based on gellan gum/pectin for colon-targeted delivery of resveratrol

Nanoparticles based on gellan gum/pectin blends were designed for colon-targeted release of resveratrol (RES). Their impact on drug release rates and permeability were evaluated using Caco-2 cell model and mucus secreting triple co-culture model. Polymeric nanoparticles (PNP) were successfully prepared by nebulization/ionotropic gelation, achieving high drug loading (>80%). PNP were spherical with a low positive charge density (+5mV) and exhibited diameters of around 330 nm. Developed PNP were able to promote effective modulation of drug release rates, so that only 3% of RES was released in acidic media over 2 h, and, in pH 6.8, the drug was released in a sustained manner, reaching 85% in 30 h. The permeability of RES-loaded PNP in the Caco-2 model was 0.15%, while in the triple co-culture model, in the presence of mucus, it reached 5.5%. The everted gut sac experiment corroborated the low permeability of RES-loaded PNP in the presence or absence of mucus and highlighted their high ability to interact with the intestinal tissue. Results indicate that the novel PNP developed in this work are safe and promising carriers for controlled delivery of RES at the colon.

Dextran-Curcumin Nanoparticles as a Methotrexate Delivery Vehicle: A Step Forward in Breast Cancer Combination Therapy

With the aim to effectively deliver methotrexate (MTX) to breast cancer cells, we designed a nanocarrier system (DC) derived from the self-assembly of a dextran-curcumin conjugate prepared via enzyme chemistry with immobilized laccase acting as a solid biocatalyst. Nanoparticles consisted of homogeneously dispersed nanospheres with a mean diameter of 290 nm, as characterized by combined transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering investigations. DC was able to control the MTX release overtime (t_1/2 value of 310 min), with cell internalization studies proving its presence inside MCF-7 cytoplasm. Finally, improved MTX efficacy was obtained in viability assays, and attributed to the synergy of curcumin moieties and loaded MTX as underlined by a combination index (CI) < 1.

Quantification of Trans-Resveratrol-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles by a Validated Reverse-Phase HPLC Photodiode Array

A new method based on reverse-phase HPLC combined with photodiode array (PDA) was developed to quantify the release of trans-resveratrol (tRES) from solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN). The mobile phase was composed of 75:0:25 (V/V) water/methanol/acetonitrile at 0–3.5 min, 32.5:30.0:37.5 (V/V) water/methanol/acetonitrile at 3.6–5.8 min, and 75:0:25 (V/V) water/methanol/acetonitrile at 5.9–10 min. The flow rate was set at 1.0 mL/min, and tRES was detected at the wavelength of 306.6 nm. A concentration range of 1–100 µg/mL was used to obtain the linear calibration curve. SLN were produced by ultrasound technique to load 0.1% (wt/wt) of tRES, and the in vitro release of the drug was run in modified Franz diffusion cells. The mean recovery of tRES was found to be 96.84 ± 0.32%. The intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation were less than 5%. The proposed method was applied to in vitro permeability studies, and the Weibull model was found to be the one that best fits the tRES release, which is characterized by a simultaneous lipid chain relaxation and erosion during drug release.

Flavonoid-Enriched Plant-Extract-Loaded Emulsion: A Novel Phytocosmetic Sunscreen Formulation with Antioxidant Properties

The aim of this study was to develop a phytocosmetic sunscreen emulsion with antioxidant effect, containing a blend of flavonoid-enriched plant extracts. In vitro sun protection factor, antioxidant activity, skin irritation, photostability, cutaneous permeation, and retention of flavonoids were evaluated. Thermodynamically stable emulsions were obtained and tested for sensorial analysis after loading the blend of extracts. The selected emulsion was stable when stored at low temperatures (5 °C), for which after 120 days the concentration of quercetin and rutin were above their limit of quantification, i.e., 2.8 ± 0.39 μg/mL and 30.39 ± 0.39 μg/mL, respectively. Spreadability, low rupture strength and adhesiveness were shown to be similar to a conventional topical product. Higher brittleness, pseudo-plastic, and viscoelastic behaviors were also recorded for the developed phytocosmetic sunscreen. The product presented a critical wavelength of 387.0 nm and ultraviolet rays A and B (UVA/UVB) rate of 0.78, confirming that the developed formulation shows capacity for UVA/UVB protection, protecting skin against damages caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Rutin was shown to permeate the skin barrier and was also quantified in the stratum corneum (3.27 ± 1.92 μg/mL) by tape stripping and retention test (114.68 ± 8.70 μg/mL). The developed flavonoid-enriched phytocosmetic was shown to be non-irritant to skin by an in vitro assay. Our results confirm the antioxidant activity, sun protection, and physical properties of the developed phytocosmetic for topical application.

Comparison of antiproliferative effect of epigallocatechin gallate when loaded into cationic solid lipid nanoparticles against different cell lines

Several therapeutic properties have been attributed to epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a phytopharmaceutical polyphenol with antioxidant and antiproliferative activity. EGCG is, however, very prone to oxidation in aqueous solutions which changes its bioactive properties. Its loading in nanoparticles has been proposed to reduce its degradation while increasing its in vivo efficacy. The aim of this study was to compare the antiproliferative effect of EGCG before and after its loading in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), against five different cell lines (Caco-2, HepG2, MCF-7, SV-80 and Y-79). EGCG produced concentration- and time-dependent antiproliferative effect, with efficacy dependent on the cell line. The order of potency was: MCF-7>SV-80>HepG2>Y-79>Caco-2, for 24 h exposure (MCF-7 IC₅₀=58.60 ± 3.29 µg/mL; Caco-2 IC₅₀>500.00 µg/mL). To the best of our knowledge this is the first study reporting EGCG antiproliferative effect in SV-80 and Y-79 cells. DDAB-SLN physicochemical properties (size ∼134 nm; PI∼0.179; ZP ∼+28mV) were only slightly modified with EGCG loading (EGCG-DDAB-SLN: ∼144 nm; PI∼0.160; ZP ∼+26mV). EGCG loading in SLN, only slightly increases the EGCG antiproliferative effect in MCF-7 and SV-80 cells. SLN exhibited intrinsic toxicity, attributed to the surfactant used in its production. From the obtained results, the biocompatibility of blank SLN must be also considered when testing the efficacy of loaded phytopharmaceutics.

Dietary flavonoids: Nano delivery and nanoparticles for cancer therapy

Application of nanotechnologies to cancer therapy might increase solubility and/or bioavailability of bioactive compounds of natural or synthetic origin and offers other potential benefits in cancer therapy, including selective targeting. In the present review we aim to evaluate in vivo studies on the anticancer activity of nanoparticles (NPs) obtained from food-derived flavonoids. From a systematic search a total of 60 studies were identified. Most of the studies involved the flavanol epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate and the flavonol quercetin, in both delivery and co-delivery (with anti-cancer drugs) systems. Moreover, some studies investigated the effects of other flavonoids, such as anthocyanins aglycones anthocyanidins, flavanones, flavones and isoflavonoids. NPs inhibited tumor growth in both xenograft and chemical-induced animal models of cancerogenesis. Encapsulation improved bioavailability and/or reduced toxicity of both flavonoids and/or co-delivered drugs, such as doxorubicin, docetaxel, paclitaxel, honokiol and vincristine. Moreover, flavonoids have been successfully applied in molecular targeted nanosystems. Selectivity for cancer cells involves pH- and/or reactive oxygen species-mediated mechanisms. Furthermore, flavonoids are good candidates as drug delivery for anticancer drugs in green synthesis systems. In conclusion, although human studies are needed, NPs obtained from food-derived flavonoids have promising anticancer effects in vivo.

In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Oleanolic/Ursolic Acids-Loaded in PLGA Nanoparticles in Different Cell Lines

Oleanolic (OA) and ursolic (UA) acids are recognized triterpenoids with anti-cancer properties, showing cell-specific activity that can be enhanced when loaded into polymeric nanoparticles. The cytotoxic activity of OA and UA was assessed by Alamar Blue assay in three different cell lines, i.e., HepG2 (Human hepatoma cell line), Caco-2 (Human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line) and Y-79 (Human retinoblastoma cell line). The natural and synthetic mixtures of these compounds were tested as free and loaded in polymeric nanoparticles in a concentration range from 2 to 32 µmol/L. The highest tested concentrations of the free triterpene mixtures produced statistically significant cell viability reduction in HepG2 and Caco-2 cells, compared to the control (untreated cells). When loaded in the developed PLGA nanoparticles, no differences were recorded for the tested concentrations in the same cell lines. However, in the Y-79 cell line, a decrease on cell viability was observed when testing the lowest concentration of both free triterpene mixtures, and after their loading into PLGA nanoparticles.

Crystal structures of rhamnosyltransferase UGT89C1 from Arabidopsis thaliana reveal the molecular basis of sugar donor specificity for UDP-β-l-rhamnose and rhamnosylation mechanism

Glycosylation is a key modification for most molecules including plant natural products, for example, flavonoids and isoflavonoids, and can enhance the bioactivity and bioavailability of the natural products. The crystal structure of plant rhamnosyltransferase UGT89C1 from Arabidopsis thaliana was determined, and the structures of UGT89C1 in complexes with UDP-β-l-rhamnose and acceptor quercetin revealed the detailed interactions between the enzyme and its substrates. Structural and mutational analysis indicated that Asp356, His357, Pro147 and Ile148 are key residues for sugar donor recognition and specificity for UDP-β-l-rhamnose. The mutant H357Q exhibited activity with both UDP-β-l-rhamnose and UDP-glucose. Structural comparison and mutagenesis confirmed that His21 is a key residue as the catalytic base and the only catalytic residue involved in catalysis independently as UGT89C1 lacks the other catalytic Asp that is highly conserved in other reported UGTs and forms a hydrogen bond with the catalytic base His. Ser124 is located in the corresponding position of the catalytic Asp in other UGTs and is not able to form a hydrogen bond with His21. Mutagenesis further showed that Ser124 may not be important in its catalysis, suggesting that His21 and acceptor may form an acceptor-His dyad and UGT89C1 utilizes a catalytic dyad in catalysis instead of catalytic triad. The information of structure and mutagenesis provides structural insights into rhamnosyltransferase substrate specificity and rhamnosylation mechanism.

Hop Compounds: Extraction Techniques, Chemical Analyses, Antioxidative, Antimicrobial, and Anticarcinogenic Effects

Hop plants comprise a variety of natural compounds greatly differing in their structure and properties. A wide range of methods have been developed for their isolation and chemical analysis, as well as for determining their antioxidative, antimicrobial, and antigenotoxic potentials. This contribution provides an overview of extraction and fractionation techniques of the most important hop compounds known for their health-promoting features. Although hops remain the principal ingredient for providing the taste, stability, and antimicrobial protection of beer, they have found applications in the pharmaceutical and other food industries as well. This review focuses on numerous health-promoting effects of hops raging from antioxidative, sedative, and anti-inflammatory potentials, over anticarcinogenic features to estrogenic activity. Therefore, hops should be exploited for the prevention and even healing of several prevalent diseases like cardiovascular disorders and various cancer types. New ideas for future studies on hops are finally presented: computational investigations of chemical reactivities of hop compounds, nanoencapsulation, and synergistic effects leading to a higher bioavailability of biologically active substances as well as the application of waste hop biomass from breweries for the production of high-added-value products in accordance with the biorefinery concept.

Interaction between rice bran albumin and epigallocatechin gallate and their physicochemical analysis

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is sensitive to heat thus its application in food industry is limited. In this work, rice bran albumin protein (RAP) was used as a carrier for EGCG. RAP-EGCG complexes (RAPE) were prepared with the binding number n of 0.0505:1 (EGCG: RAP, w/w) and binding constant K of (0.74 ± 0.002) × 10⁴ M^-1, which suggests that hydrogen bond/van der Waals forces played important roles in such binding. FTIR analysis demonstrated that EGCG could induce the secondary structure changes of RAP above the ratio of 1.92:1 (EGCG:RAP, w/w). Dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscope results showed that EGCG could trigger RAP association. Furthermore, the EGCG stability in RAPE was significantly improved than that of free EGCG in 10-60 °C. The antioxidant ability of EGCG in RAPE was partially retained. These findings prove that RAP is a potential carrier for polyphenols and is beneficial for mechanism investigation between protein and polyphenols.

Dietary phytochemicals in colorectal cancer prevention and treatment: A focus on the molecular mechanisms involved

Worldwide, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major cancer type and leading cause of death. Unfortunately, current medical treatments are not sufficient due to lack of effective therapy, adverse side effects, chemoresistance and disease recurrence. In recent decades, epidemiologic observations have highlighted the association between the ingestion of several phytochemical-enriched foods and nutrients and the lower risk of CRC. According to preclinical studies, dietary phytochemicals exert chemopreventive effects on CRC by regulating different markers and signaling pathways; additionally, the gut microbiota plays a role as vital effector in CRC onset and progression, therefore, any dietary alterations in it may affect CRC occurrence. A high number of studies have displayed a key role of growth factors and their signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of CRC. Indeed, the efficiency of dietary phytochemicals to modulate carcinogenic processes through the alteration of different molecular targets, such as Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK (p38, JNK and Erk1/2), EGFR/Kras/Braf, TGF-β/Smad2/3, STAT1-STAT3, NF-кB, Nrf2 and cyclin-CDK complexes, has been proven, whereby many of these targets also represent the backbone of modern drug discovery programs. Furthermore, epigenetic analysis showed modified or reversed aberrant epigenetic changes exerted by dietary phytochemicals that led to possible CRC prevention or treatment. Therefore, our aim is to discuss the effects of some common dietary phytochemicals that might be useful in CRC as preventive or therapeutic agents. This review will provide new guidance for research, in order to identify the most studied phytochemicals, their occurrence in foods and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of dietary phytochemicals for the prevention or treatment of CRC by targeting several genes and signaling pathways, as well as epigenetic modifications. In addition, the results obtained by recent investigations aimed at improving the production of these phytochemicals in genetically modified plants have been reported. Overall, clinical data on phytochemicals against CRC are still not sufficient and therefore the preventive impacts of dietary phytochemicals on CRC development deserve further research so as to provide additional insights for human prospective studies.

Lipid nanocarriers for the loading of polyphenols - A comprehensive review

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites found in all vascular plants and constitute a large group of at least 10,000 unique compounds. Particular attention is currently being paid to polyphenols attributed to their beneficial effects in the protection and prevention of several diseases. While their use in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries is largely documented, several environmental conditions (e.g. light, temperature or oxygen) may affect the physicochemical stability of polyphenols, compromising their bioactivity in vivo. To overcome these limitations, the loading of polyphenols into nanoparticles has been proposed aiming at both increasing their bioavailability and reducing eventual side effects. Lipid nanoparticles offer several advantages, namely their biodegradability and low toxicity, with the additional capacity to modify the release profile of loaded drugs. This paper is a review of the recent advances of lipid nanocarriers commonly used for the encapsulation of polyphenols, highlighting their added value to increase bioavailability and bioactivity of this group of compounds as well as their application in several diseases.