A review on advancements in the application of starch-based nanomaterials in biomedicine: Precision drug delivery and cancer therapy

The burgeoning field of starch-based nanomaterials in biomedical applications has perceived notable progressions, with a particular emphasis on their pivotal role in precision drug delivery and the inhibition of tumor growth. The complicated challenges in current biomedical research require innovative approaches for improved therapeutic outcomes, prompting an exploration into the possible of starch-based nanomaterials. The conceptualization of this review emerged from recognizing the need for a comprehensive examination of the structural attributes, versatile properties, and mechanisms underlying the efficiency of starch-based nanomaterials in inhibiting tumor growth and enabling targeted drug delivery. This review delineates the substantial growth in utilizing starch-based nanomaterials, elucidating their small size, high surface-volume ratio, and biocompatibility, predominantly emphasizing their possible to actively recognize cancer cells, deliver anticancer drugs, and combat tumors efficiently. The investigation of these nanomaterials encompasses to improving biocompatibility and targeting specific tissues, thereby contributing to the evolving landscape of precision medicine. The review accomplishes by highlighting the auspicious strategies and modern developments in the field, envisioning a future where starch-based nanomaterials play a transformative role in molecular nanomaterials, evolving biomedical sciences. The translation of these advancements into clinical applications holds the potential to revolutionize targeted drug delivery and expand therapeutic outcomes in the realm of precision medicine.

New strategies of neurodegenerative disease treatment with extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive loss of neurons and intricate interactions between different cell types within the affected regions. Reliable biomarkers that can accurately reflect disease activity, diagnose, and monitor the progression of neurodegenerative diseases are crucial for the development of effective therapies. However, identifying suitable biomarkers has been challenging due to the heterogeneous nature of these diseases, affecting specific subsets of neurons in different brain regions. One promising approach for promoting brain regeneration and recovery involves the transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs have demonstrated the ability to modulate the immune system, promote neurite outgrowth, stimulate angiogenesis, and repair damaged tissues, partially through the release of their extracellular vesicles (EVs). MSC-derived EVs retain some of the therapeutic characteristics of their parent MSCs, including their ability to regulate neurite outgrowth, promote angiogenesis, and facilitate tissue repair. This review aims to explore the potential of MSC-derived EVs as an emerging therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting their role in modulating disease progression and promoting neuronal recovery. By elucidating the mechanisms by which MSC-derived EVs exert their therapeutic effects, we can advance our understanding and leverage their potential for the development of novel treatment approaches in the field of neurodegenerative diseases.

Insight into the Recent Application of Chemometrics in Quality Analysis and Characterization of Bee Honey during Processing and Storage

The application of chemometrics, a widely used science in food studies (and not only food studies) has begun to increase in importance with chemometrics being a very powerful tool in analyzing large numbers of results. In the case of honey, chemometrics is usually used for assessing honey authenticity and quality control, combined with well-established analytical methods. Research related to investigation of the quality changes in honey due to modifications after processing and storage is rare, with a visibly increasing tendency in the last decade (and concentrated on investigating novel methods to preserve the honey quality, such as ultrasound or high-pressure treatment). This review presents the evolution in the last few years in using chemometrics in analyzing honey quality during processing and storage. The advantages of using chemometrics in assessing honey quality during storage and processing are presented, together with the main characteristics of some well-known chemometric methods. Chemometrics prove to be a successful tool to differentiate honey samples based on changes of characteristics during storage and processing.

Green Design of Novel Starch-Based Packaging Materials Sustaining Human and Environmental Health

A critical overview of current approaches to the development of starch-containing packaging, integrating the principles of green chemistry (GC), green technology (GT) and green nanotechnology (GN) with those of green packaging (GP) to produce materials important for both us and the planet is given. First, as a relationship between GP and GC, the benefits of natural bioactive compounds are analyzed and the state-of-the-art is updated in terms of the starch packaging incorporating green chemicals that normally help us to maintain health, are environmentally friendly and are obtained via GC. Newer approaches are identified, such as the incorporation of vitamins or minerals into films and coatings. Second, the relationship between GP and GT is assessed by analyzing the influence on starch films of green physical treatments such as UV, electron beam or gamma irradiation, and plasma; emerging research areas are proposed, such as the use of cold atmospheric plasma for the production of films. Thirdly, the approaches on how GN can be used successfully to improve the mechanical properties and bioactivity of packaging are summarized; current trends are identified, such as a green synthesis of bionanocomposites containing phytosynthesized metal nanoparticles. Last but not least, bioinspiration ideas for the design of the future green packaging containing starch are presented.

Comparative analysis and antimicrobial action of some essential oils from plants

In this research, essential oils (EOs) were extracted through steaming from aerial parts of three plants: basil (Ocinum basilicum L.), peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) and oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) form Sibiu County, Romania. The GC-MS analysis indicated that eugenol and apiol were the major compounds in the basil EO. Timol, ɣ-terpinene, and p-cymene were the major compounds in the volatile oil extracted from oregano and menthol and methone the main components in the peppermint EO. In the first 48 h of analysis, basil EO inhibition action was the highest against Salmonella anatum (48%), followed by Aspergillus niger (26%), Bacillus cereus (21%) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (15%); this action was maintained for 120 h for all samples. In the first 48 h, the peppermint EO showed the highest inhibition rate (50%) on B. cereus, followed by A. niger (45%), S. cerevisiae (20%) and no action against Salmonella; this action varied after 72h and 120 h by slightly increasing in case of B. cereus, strongly decreasing in case of A. niger and remaining constant in case of S. cerevisiae. Oregano EO showed a very small antimicrobial action, only on S. anatum (12%) and this action was maintained for 120 h.

Phytochemical analysis and antioxidant assay of Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm)

Melissa officinalis L. called in popular language lemon balm is a medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The plant contains a variety of bioactive compounds among which volatile oils, flavonoids and phenolic acids. These are responsible for a lot of beneficial effects in disease relief. Lemon balm has antioxidant, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, anxiolytic, spasmolytic and other effects. Important for its antioxidant activity are flavonoids and phenolic acids which are well known for their ability to scavenge the free radicals. Due to this effect, lemon balm protects against the development of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dermatological disorders. In this study we extracted and determined the content of the volatile oil and flavonoids from Melissa officinalis L. and we investigated the antioxidant activity of an extract obtained from dried aerial parts of lemon balm. The results showed that the volatile oil content was low (0.17 mL/100 g vegetal material). The total flavonoid content was 0.965 g rutoside/100 g of vegetal product and the antioxidant activity was 90.40 %. From this study, we concluded that Melissa officinalis L. is a potential source of antioxidant compounds with a lot of other benefits for human health.