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Skin aging is a normal process that might be accelerated or delayed by altering the balance between antioxidants and free radicals due to increase in the exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) into skin cells via UV radiation. Antioxidants can neutralize the harmful effects of ROS, and secondary plant metabolites might help protect against UV radiation. In this study, punicalagin was extracted from pomegranate, and concentrations of total polyphenolics and flavonoids were determined, and antioxidant activities were measured. Punicalagin was loaded onto niosomes, and its morphology and release were studied. An in vitro study was performed on human fibroblast cell line HFB4 cells with aging induced by H O and UV radiation. Cell cycle arrest was studied, and different genes ( , and ) involved in the skin aging process were selected to measure punicalagin's effect. Punicalagin succeeded in reducing the growth arrest of HFB4 cells, activated production of the and genes, maintained collagen level, and lowered . Punicalagin increased human concentration in skin cells. Punicalagin is promising as a natural antioxidant to protect human skin from aging.

Mohamad EA, Aly AA, Khalaf AA, et al. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2021;15:3151-3162. The Editor and Publisher of Drug Design, Development and Therapy wish to retract the published article. Concerns were raised regarding the integrity of the HPLC chromatograms presented in Figure 1, where the values of the peaks did not appear to correspond with the values shown along the x-axis. The authors did respond to our queries and explained that their laboratory does not have access to an HPLC device and the HPLC experiments were performed by a third-party. They further explained that errors had been made during calculations of the retention times, but they were unable to explain how this occurred. In addition, discrepancies remained in the retention times of the corrected HPLC chromatograms the authors provided, and there was a lack of adequate data associated with these experiments. The Editor determined that the explanation for the calculation errors and availability of original data were both insufficient and had concerns over the reliability of the reported findings. The Editor requested for the article to be retracted and the authors were notified of this. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as \"Retracted\".

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) that progress to end stage renal failure is a serious health problem. Autophagy is involved in DN pathogenesis. Finding renal prognostic biomarkers can help in the future renal status prevision. Therefore, the aim of current study was to evaluate and correlate circulating levels of autophagy regulator protein Unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK-1) with the widely expressed receptor in mammalian kidney; epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR); and the key functional podocyte protein podocin (PDCN). Serum levels were assessed by ELISA in 72 type 2 diabetic patients classified according to their urinary albumin/creatinine ratio; 19 normoalbuminuric, 37 microalbuminuric and 16 macroalbuminuric patients; age and sex matched with 18 healthy controls. Microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria patients exhibited decreased ULK-1, EGFR and PDCN levels. Only EGFR showed lower levels in normoalbuminuria compared with controls. ULK-1 and EGFR were significantly higher in normoalbuminuria compared with microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria patients. ULK-1, EGFR and PDCN were correlated with each other and with some metabolic parameters. ULK-1 with EGFR can predict early impairment in DN while PDCN can highlight progressive DN risk EGFR and PDCN may interact synergistically with ULK-1 in autophagy dysregulation as a pathogenic mechanism of DN induction and progression.

This paper has been retracted. Mohamad EA, Aly AA, Khalaf AA, et al. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2021;15:3151-3162. The Editor and Publisher of Drug Design, Development and Therapy wish to retract the published article. Concerns were raised regarding the integrity of the HPLC chromatograms presented in Figure 1, where the values of the peaks did not appear to correspond with the values shown along the x-axis. The authors did respond to our queries and explained that their laboratory does not have access to an HPLC device and the HPLC experiments were performed by a third-party. They further explained that errors had been made during calculations of the retention times, but they were unable to explain how this occurred. In addition, discrepancies remained in the retention times of the corrected HPLC chromatograms the authors provided, and there was a lack of adequate data associated with these experiments. The Editor determined that the explanation for the calculation errors and availability of original data were both insufficient and had concerns over the reliability of the reported findings. The Editor requested for the article to be retracted and the authors were notified of this. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as \"Retracted\".

The present study thoroughly assessed the wound healing efficacy of fractions derived from Rosmarinus officinalis through phytochemical profiling, antioxidant assays, and in vitro scratch wound models, along with network pharmacology to identify target genes. HPLC/MS analysis identified rosmarinic acid as the predominant phenolic compound, alongside diterpenoids (carnosic acid, carnosol) and flavonoids (cirsimaritin, diosmetin). The total extract exhibited the highest total phenolic content (106.56 µg gallic acid eq/mg), while the ethyl acetate fraction (ROE) contained the highest flavonoids (43.7 µg rutin eq/mg). Antioxidant assays revealed fraction-dependent efficacy: the n -butanol fraction (RON) showed superior (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) FRAP activity (637.727 µM TE/mg), whereas ROE demonstrated potent radical scavenging (DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) IC₅₀: 22.81 µg/ mL; ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) IC₅₀: 33.6 µg/ mL). In vitro scratch assays on human skin fibroblasts (HSF) highlighted ROE and RON as the most effective fractions, reducing wound widths to 0.42 ± 0.04 mm and 0.41 ± 0.005 mm, respectively, within 24 h at 10 µ g/mL. These fractions also suppressed LPS(Lipopolysaccharide)-induced nitric oxide production in macrophages by > 70%, underscoring anti-inflammatory synergies. Furthermore, utilising network pharmacology, we identified ten hub target genes associated with wound healing, including IL6 and 1B (Interleukin‑6, -1B), TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) and FN1(Fibronectin 1). The findings establish that solvent polarity critically influences bioactive compound recovery, with semi-polar fractions (ROE, RON) optimally balancing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and fibroblast-migratory properties for wound healing applications. As a conclusion, R. officinalis is a great natural candidate for valuable bioactive components with promising anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and antioxidant properties. Further phytochemical studies should be performed to isolate the responsible compounds and investigate their mechanism of action.

Gastric ulcer disease remains one of the common medical burdens affecting millions worldwide due to its prevalent risk factors with the chronic usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at the top, reportedly through the stimulation of oxidative stress and triggering of inflammatory and apoptotic cascades in the gastric mucosa. Astaxanthin, a dietary keto-carotenoid derived from marine organisms is gaining a wide interest as a nutraceutical for its pronounced antioxidant properties. Here, we aim to examine the potential modulatory role of astaxanthin on indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration in experimental mice. Twenty-four Swiss albino mice were randomly distributed into four groups: a control group, an indomethacin group, and two groups pre-treated with either omeprazole or astaxanthin. The gastric tissues were assessed using gross morphology, ulcer scoring, gastric juice acidity, as well as reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Histopathological examination and immunostaining for nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and caspase-3 levels were also employed. Indomethacin group tended to show a higher number of mucosal ulcerations relative to control and pre-treated groups. The indomethacin group also showed significantly lower GSH levels and higher MDA levels relative to control. Immunostaining of gastric tissue sections showed a higher reactivity to NF-κB and caspase-3 in indomethacin group. Astaxanthin pre-treatment significantly elevated gastric juice pH, normalized GSH levels, and lowered the indomethacin-induced elevations in MDA, NF-κB, and caspase-3 levels. These results indicate that astaxanthin exhibits a comparable protective effect to omeprazole, against indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration. This anti-ulcerogenic effect could be mediated through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic modulatory activities. Graphical Abstract

Background The emergence of different viral infections calls for the development of new, effective, and safe antiviral drugs. Glycyrrhiza glabra is a well-known herbal remedy possessing antiviral properties. Objective The objective of our research was to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed combination of the probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus and G. glabra root extract against two viral models, namely the DNA virus Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and the RNA virus Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV), with regards to their antiviral properties. Methodology To examine the antiviral impacts of various treatments, we employed the MTT assay and real-time PCR methodology. Results The findings of our study indicate that the co-administration of L. acidophilus and G. glabra resulted in a significant improvement in the survival rate of Vero cells, while also leading to a reduction in the titers of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) and Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) in comparison to cells that were not treated. Additionally, an investigation was conducted on glycyrrhizin, the primary constituent of G. glabra extract, utilizing molecular docking techniques. The results indicated that glycyrrhizin exhibited a greater binding energy score for HSV-1 polymerase (− 22.45 kcal/mol) and VSV nucleocapsid (− 19.77 kcal/mol) in comparison to the cocrystallized ligand (− 13.31 and − 11.44 kcal/mol, respectively). Conclusions The combination of L. acidophilus and G. glabra extract can be used to develop a new, natural antiviral agent that is safe and effective.

Impaired depolarizing-to-hyperpolarizing (D/H) switch of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is reported during brain development in rodent valproate-model of autism spectrum disorder (VPA-ASD). We hypothesize that this impairment triggers NADPH oxidases (NOXs)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. Here, we followed the impact of prenatal exposure to VPA on the synaptic protein expression of potassium chloride cotransporter 2 (KCC2), sodium potassium chloride cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) and, in brains of male and female Wistar rats during infantile (P15), juvenile (P30) and adult (P60) stages. We also assessed alterations in synaptic NOX isoforms 2 and 4 (NOX2 and NOX4) activities and expressions in developing rat brains. Our findings revealed a significant reduction in KCC2 expression and a concomitant increase in NOX activity and NOX4 expression in synaptosomes of VPA-exposed rats, particularly at P15 and P30. Prenatal exposure to shikonin, (10 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal (i.p.) into pregnant dam, daily from G12.5 until birth), ameliorated these effects by reducing synaptic protein expression of NOX4, generally quenched synaptic NOX activity and enhanced synaptic protein expression of KCC2. Indeed, shikonin reversed VPA-induced sociability deficits in ASD rats. These results suggest that targeting the NOX-ROS pathway may be a potential therapeutic strategy for ASD.

In this work, the adsorption processes of methyl green (MG-dye) and neutral red (NR-dye) onto phosphorylated waste tissue (P@WT) composite was studied using both equilibrium batch experiments and dynamic flow conditions. Waste tissue (WT) is considered a zero-value, cellulose-rich material, which helps reduce both the cost of the prepared adsorbent and the overall cost of the adsorption process. WT was collected, cut into small pieces, and phosphorylated using urea and sodium phosphate to prepare a low-cost and easily synthesized P@WT composite adsorbent material suitable for practical applications. The prepared materials (WT and P@WT) were characterized using SEM, FTIR, and TGA and investigated as ecofriendly adsorbents to adsorb MG-dye NR-dye from aqueous solutions. The investigated adsorption processes were carried out as a function of different factors, such as adsorbent dose, initial dye concentrations, pH, contact time, Ionic strength, and temperature. The experimental results revealed that the sorption processes obeyed the Langmuir isothermal and pseudo-second-order models. The experimental results were promising at the optimum conditions, wherein the maximum adsorption capacities for batch system process were 445.5, 493.65 mgg − 1 for MG-dye and NR-dye; and were 4.54.5, 478.4 mgg − 1 for MG-dye and NR-dye for dynamic system process, respectively. Moreover, the adsorbent present suitable kinetics where the equilibrium quickly (3.0 h. for both dyes). The prepared P@WT composite demonstrated high adsorption efficiency and excellent performance in both batch and dynamic systems. Its reusability and effectiveness in binary adsorption further highlight its promising potential. Therefore, this eco-friendly and effective adsorbent can be utilized in wastewater treatment as a potential novel, eco-friendly, low-cost, and effective.

Background This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the intraoral scanners and 3D confocal laser microscopy in the early detection of dental erosion. Methods Enamel samples ( n  = 36) with a thickness of 1 mm and dimensions of 3 × 4 mm were attached to the labial surfaces of sound -extracted anterior teeth. The specimens were scanned using an intraoral scanner (Carestream 3700) and a 3D confocal microscope (Keyence VK-X100) at baseline. After protection of the reference area, the erosive wear was created using 1% citric acid (ph.: 2.7) with continuous agitation and followed with brushing for 2 min. At time points (1, 3 and 6 h), follow-up scans were made and superimposed with the baseline scans to measure the erosion using the tools of the software of the intraoral scanner, each specimen was also measured under the 3D confocal laser microscope, where the height difference between the eroded and reference halves was analyzed. The values obtained from the intraoral scanner and the 3D confocal laser microscope were statistically analyzed. Results Both methods could detect tissue loss after each acid immersion session, except for the intraoral scanner after the first hour of immersion; the loss values varied between both methods. The correlation was statistically significant at 6 h and a regression equation was obtained. Conclusion An intraoral scanner was able to detect early dental erosion on flat enamel samples after 3 and 6 h of erosive acid challenge and the measurements obtained could be correlated to those obtained by the 3D confocal laser microscopy using the statistical equation.