Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial, and Enzyme Inhibitory Properties of Elaeagnus angustifolia L

Research on natural antioxidants derived from plants has surged due to their potential health benefits. In the current study, the chemical composition, enzyme inhibitory activity, and antimicrobial effects of the Elaeagnus angustifolia L. plant, including leaves, flowers, and flower stalk (FS) extracts, were analyzed. A total of 28 compounds were identified across the different plant parts, with 24 in flowers (F), 9 in FSs, and 14 in leaves (L). The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated using the disk diffusion method against two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined as 3.13-12.50 mg/mL. The measured zone diameters were also in the range of 5-8 mm. The results indicated that the methanol extracts exhibited significant antimicrobial properties. Additionally, the extracts demonstrated strong inhibition of cholinesterases (acetylcholinesterase [AChE]: 11.14 ± 0.11-18.11 ± 0.12 µg/mL; butyrylcholinesterase [BChE]: 32.54 ± 0.55-44.61 ± 0.17 µg/mL) and moderate inhibition against α-glycosidase and tyrosinase enzymes. Moreover, the molecular docking interaction of trans-ferulic, shikimic, and vanillic acids, the most abundant phenolic compounds in the extracts, with AChE, BChE, α-glycosidase, and tyrosinase, was assessed using AutoDock Vina software. E. angustifolia L. possesses a high phenolic content and exhibits significant antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory capabilities, which may contribute to its extensive utilization in food and traditional medicine.

Photosynthetic efficiency, growth and secondary metabolism of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) in different controlled-environment production systems

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and high-pressure sodium lamps (HPS) are among the most commonly used light sources for plant cultivation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two controlled-environment production systems differing in light sources on growth, photosynthetic activity, and secondary metabolism of common buckwheat. We hypothesized that LED light with the majority of red and blue waves would increase physiological and biochemical parameters compared to sunlight supplemented with HPS lamps. The experiment was performed in a phytotronic chamber (LEDs) and in a greenhouse (solar radiation supplemented with HPS lamps as a control). The effects were analyzed at the flowering phase with biometric measurements, leaf chlorophyll index, the kinetics of chlorophyll a fluorescence, content of soluble carbohydrates and phenolics in the leaves. Applied LED light decreased the biomass but stimulated the production of phenolics compared to control plants. In control plants, a positive correlation between flavonoid content and energy dissipation from photosystem II (DI_o/CS_m) was found, while in plants under LEDs total pool of phenolic content correlated with this parameter and the quantum yield of electron transport (φ Ro and ψ Ro) was lower than that of the control, probably affecting buckwheat biomass.

Natural and Synthetic Derivatives of Hydroxycinnamic Acid Modulating the Pathological Transformation of Amyloidogenic Proteins

This review presents the main properties of hydroxycinnamic acid (HCA) derivatives and their potential application as agents for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. It is partially focused on the successful use of these compounds as inhibitors of amyloidogenic transformation of proteins. Firstly, the prerequisites for the emergence of interest in HCA derivatives, including natural compounds, are described. A separate section is devoted to synthesis and properties of HCA derivatives. Then, the results of molecular modeling of HCA derivatives with prion protein as well as with α-synuclein fibrils are summarized, followed by detailed analysis of the experiments on the effect of natural and synthetic HCA derivatives, as well as structurally similar phenylacetic and benzoic acid derivatives, on the pathological transformation of prion protein and α-synuclein. The ability of HCA derivatives to prevent amyloid transformation of some amyloidogenic proteins, and their presence not only in food products but also as natural metabolites in human blood and tissues, makes them promising for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases of amyloid nature.