Efficacy of nanoencapsulated Moringa oleifera L. seeds and Ocimum tenuiflorum L. leaves extracts incorporated in functional soft cheese on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Nanoencapsulation of Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) Extract in Nanoliposomes: Effects on Physicochemical, Antioxidant, and Sensory Properties of Functional Processed Cheese

In this study, thin-layer hydration combined with high-shear homogenization and sonication was used for asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) extract loaded nanoliposomes (AENL) preparation. Then its characteristics, including encapsulation efficiency, particle size, zeta potential, and particle shape, were investigated. In the next step, asparagus extract (AE) (in both free and nanoliposome form) was added to processed cheese (PC) formulation at levels of 0 (control), 2%, 10%, and 20% w/w. Cheese samples were kept at 4°C for 60 days, and their pH, acidity, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity were analyzed. The obtained results showed that the AE-loaded nanoliposomes had relatively high encapsulation efficiency (68%). The zeta potential of the asparagus extract loaded nanoliposomes solution was -2.09 mV. Regarding the particle size based on the number, most of the particles were below 100 nm, and the average particle size and multiple dispersion index were 151.7 ± 2.11 nm and 0.535 ± 0.019 nm, respectively. Photographs obtained by TEM showed nano-sized spherical bilayer liposomes without aggregation. Cheese samples containing AE and AENL had higher pH and lower acidity than the control sample (p < 0.05). TPC and antioxidant activity of PC samples decreased during 2 months of storage, although this decrease was significantly lower for cheese samples containing encapsulated extract than for other samples (p < 0.05). AENL did not have an adverse effect on the sensory properties of fortified cheese. In general, it can be said that AENL, especially at a concentration of 10%, can be successfully used to produce functional cheese.

Production of secondary metabolites in callus cultures of Scutellaria baicalensis L. and assessment of their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant efficacy in ulcerative colitis rats

Baikal skullcap or Chinese (Scutellaria baicalensis L.) is an interesting plant with promising medicinal properties; however, traditional cultivation methods are time-consuming, and yield variations can be significant; callus culture is considered one of the solutions to overcome these limitations because the callus culture provides an effective, alternative for the consistent production of secondary metabolites. For callus production of S. baicalensis L., the in vitro germinating seedlings were cultured on MS medium containing 1.0 mg/L 6-benzyladenine (BAP) and 1.0 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Three culture lines were established, and the best growth index represented in fresh and dry weight was obtained from line No. 1. S. baicalensis L. callus extract was performed on the best callus line in the stationary phase for in vitro assays. The chemical analysis, antioxidant tests, proline, flavonoids, phenolics, and macronutrient content were assessed. Therefore, this paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of secondary metabolites in S. baicalensis L. callus and to study its biological effect on recurrent ulcerative colitis (UC). Conventional treatment of UC has focused on suppressing immunological responses instead of addressing which are (UC) underlying causes. Recurrent UC is caused by oxidative stress and inflammation that lead to chronic inflammation of the inner lining of the colon and rectum. According to the findings, secondary metabolites in S. baicalensis L. callus cultures increased antioxidant activity. This improvement in oxidative activity was positively correlated with the potential to reduce UC in vivo.

The impacts of thermal stress on dairy cattle physiology, metabolism, health, and performance: a comprehensive review

Climate change is becoming a global issue, with important implications for dairy cow performance and well-being. It is distinguished by a gradual rise in universal temperature and the risk of extreme weather occurrences. Studies have shown that heat stress (HS) impacts many biological processes that can have significant economic issues. Due to their elevated metabolic rate, cows are mostly liable to HS, which negatively affects immune function, particularly cell-mediated immune response, and subsequent reduced production performance and inferior immunity, which leads to elevated susceptibility to disease, increased incidence of intramammary infections, and an elevated somatic cell count, as well as calf mortality, particularly during the summer season. Furthermore, dry cows subjected to HS had reduced immunoglobulin levels after vaccination, although this impact fades with cooling after parturition. On the other hand, cows subjected to HS while dry demonstrate carryover impacts on the innate arm of the immunity in early lactation, resulting in losses. Heat mitigation technologies are cost-effective and necessary for sustaining milk production and the dairy farm’s profitability. Furthermore, a check of present HS mitigation measures is required to understand better and identify acceptable abatement plans for future stress management.