Explore the vast range of titles available.

In recent years, utilization of Rhus coriaria L. (sumac) is upgrading not only in their culinary use and human nutrition, but also in the pharmaceutical industry, food industry and veterinary practices. This is driven by accumulating evidence that support the ethnobotanical use of this plant; in particular, advanced knowledge of the content of nutritional, medicinal and techno-functional bioactive ingredients. Herein, we discuss polyphenolic compounds as the main bioactive ingredients in Rhus coriaria L., which contribute mainly to the significance and utility of this spice. Most of the antioxidant potential and therapeutic roles of sumac are increasingly attributed to its constituent tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Hydroxyphenyl pyranoanthocyanins and other anthocynins are responsible for the highly desired red pigments accounting for the strong pigmentation capacity and colorant ability of sumac. Certain polyphenols and the essential oil components are responsible for the peculiar flavor and antimicrobial activity of sumac. Tannin-rich sumac extracts and isolates are known to enhance the food quality and the oxidative stability of animal products such as meat and milk. In conclusion, polyphenol-rich sumac extracts and its bioactive ingredients could be exploited towards developing novel food products which do not only address the current consumers’ interests regarding organoleptic and nutritional value of food, but also meet the growing need for ‘clean label’ as well as value addition with respect to antioxidant capacity, disease prevention, and health promotion in humans.

The practice of using nutritional knowledge to enhance the general health of the populace forms the basis of food fortification. In this study, an antioxidant-rich Curculigo pilosa is substituted (1, 3, 5 and 10%) into yam tuber flour with the aim of improving the antidiabetic and antioxidant properties of the yam tuber flour. Antioxidant property was evaluated by polyphenol contents, ascorbic acid content, reducing effects, scavenging activity and inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation. Antidiabetic activity was assessed by inhibition of α- amylase and α- glucosidase enzymes. The antioxidant property was significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced; also, the ability of the sample to inhibit the activity of α- amylase and α- glucosidase enzymes were significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced by supplementation with Curculigo pilosa. The profiling of the samples by High Performance Liquid Chromatography revealed some proven antioxidant and antidiabetic agents which were enhanced in supplemented yam flour. It can be concluded from the results obtained in this study that Curculigo pilosa powder could be a promising functional ingredient for yam flour in the management of diabetes and other oxidant-related diseases.

Solanum macrocarpon Linn. (SM) is a well eaten vegetable and prominent for treatment of diseases in folk medicine. This study evaluated the antidiabetic potentials of fractions of methanol extract of Solanum macrocarpon in streptozotocin – induced diabetic male Wistar rats.Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced in Wistar rats by single (i.p.) dose of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) and diabetic rats were administered the extract(s) once daily for four weeks. The effect was determined on body weight (BW), blood glucose concentration (BGC), oral glucose tolerance test (OGGT), heamatological indices and lipid profiles. Also, the pancreatic level of oxidative stress and histopathology were determined. Treatment with extracts significantly decreased the elevated BGC, and improved OGTT and BW of diabetic rats. Heamatological indices, lipid profiles and pancreatic level of oxidative stress were augmented to near normalcy in diabetic rats administered the extract. Histopathology slides showed improvement in structural integrity of diabetic rats upon treatment with the extracts. The findings of this study have clearly shown that Solanum macrocarpon possess antidiabetic ability and could be used in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Vernonia amygdalina, a widely consumed West African food herb, can be a boon in the discovery of safe anti-obesity agents given the extensive reports on its anti-obesity and antidiabetic potentials. The main aim of this study was to screen 78 Vernonia—Derived Phytocompounds (VDPs) against the active site regions of Human Pancreatic Lipase (HPL), Human Pancreatic Amylase and Human Glucosidase (HG) as drug targets associated with obesity in silico. Structure-based virtual screening helped to identify Luteolin 7-O-glucuronoside and Andrographidoid D2 as hit compounds with dual targeting tendency towards the HPL and HG. Analysis of the molecular dynamic simulation trajectory files of the ligand-receptor complexes as computed from the thermodynamic parameters plots showed not only increased flexibility and greater interaction potential of the active site residues of the receptor towards the VDPs as indicated by the root mean square fluctuation but also higher stability as indicated by the root mean square deviation, radius of gyration and number of hydrogen bonds. The cluster analysis further showed that the interactions with important residues were preserved in the dynamic environment. These observations were further verified from Molecular Mechanics Generalized Born Surface Area Analysis, which also showed that residual contributions to the binding free energies were mainly from catalytic residues at the active sites of the enzymes. The hit compounds also feature desirable physicochemical properties and drug-likeness. This study provides in silico evidence for the inhibitory potential of phytochemicals from Vernonia amygdalina against two target enzymes in obesity.

Abstract Motivation Beta vulgaris (beet) is extensively reported for its antihypertensive activity. However, the mechanismunderpinning its antihypertensive activity is not well understood. In this study, we evaluated the in silico interactionsof 70 compounds derived from beta vulgaris against the active sites of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and alpha-adrenergic receptor (AR). Results Structure-based virtual screening against angiotensin-converting enzyme revealed that, Cochliophilin A (−9.0 Kcal/mol), Miraxanthin (−8.3 Kcal/mol), and quercimeritrin (−9.7 Kcal/mol) had lower docking scores than the reference lisinopril (−7.9 Kcal/mol). These compounds exhibited dual binding tendency as they also ranked top compounds upon screening against adrenergic receptor. The thermodynamic parameters computed from the resulting trajectories obtained from the 100 ns full atomistic molecular dynamics simulation revealed structural stability and conformational flexibility of the ligand–receptor complexes as indicated by the RMSD, RMSF, RoG, SASA, and H-bond calculations. The molecular mechanics with generalized Born and surface area solvation binding energy calculations revealed that the proteins exhibit considerable binding energy with the phytochemicals in a dynamic environment. Furthermore, the hit compounds possess good physicochemical properties and drug-likeness. Overall, cochliophilin and quercimeritrin are promising dual-target directed flavonoids from Beta vulgaris; and are suggested for further experimental and preclinical evaluation. Availability and implementation All data was provided in the manuscript.

Abstract Motivation Investigating novel drug–target interactions is crucial for expanding the chemical space of emerging therapeutic targets in human diseases. Herein, we explored the interactions of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B with selected terpenoids from African antidiabetic plants. Results Using molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, molecular mechanics with generalized Born and surface area solvation-free energy, and density functional theory analyses, the study revealed dipeptidyl peptidase-4 as a promising target. Cucurbitacin B, 6-oxoisoiguesterin, and 20-epi-isoiguesterinol were identified as potential dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors with strong binding affinities. These triterpenoids interacted with key catalytic and hydrophobic pockets of dipeptidyl peptidase-4, demonstrating structural stability and flexibility under dynamic conditions, as indicated by dynamics simulation parameters. The free energy analysis further supported the binding affinities in dynamic environments. Quantum mechanical calculations revealed favorable highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy profiles, indicating the suitability of the hits as proton donors and acceptors, which likely enhance their molecular interactions with the targets. Moreover, the terpenoids showed desirable drug-like properties, suggesting their potential as safe and effective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. These findings may pave the way for the development of novel antidiabetic agents and nutraceuticals based on these promising in silico hits. Availability and implementation Not applicable.

The bioregulators indole acetic acid (IAA), indole butyric acid (IBA), and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) were investigated for their effects on seedling growth and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicon). Seeds of tomato genotypes NHLy11, NHLy12, NHLy13, NHLy15 and NHLy16 were subjected to presowing treatments in 25-, 50-, 75-, 100-, 125-, and 150-mg/l concentrations of each of the bioregulators and control replicated three times in a completely randomized design. Results revealed that IAA and IBA significantly retard (P < 0.05) the growth of radicles and hypocotyls of all test genotypes relative to controls, especially at the high concentrations of 125- and 150-mg/l solutions of the bioregulators. NAA treatments enhanced seedling growth moderately at concentrations up to 100 mg/l. At 125- and 150-mg/l concentrations, the seedlings showed reduced radicle and hypocotyl lengths compared with those of controls. All treated genotypes had higher average fruit weight and mean fruit yield than controls at the 100-mg/l concentration of the bioregulators. IAA had the highest yield of 25,900 kg fw ha⁻¹ in the NHLy12 genotype, whereas the lowest yield of 3,760 kg fw ha⁻¹ was obtained in the IBA-treated NHLy16 genotype. This study showed that presowing seed treatments with IAA, IBA, and NAA were effective in enhancing seedling growth and yield in tomato, especially at the 100-mg/l concentration.

In recent years, utilization of Rhus coriaria L. (sumac) is upgrading not only in their culinary use and human nutrition, but also in the pharmaceutical industry, food industry and veterinary practices. This is driven by accumulating evidence that support the ethnobotanical use of this plant; in particular, advanced knowledge of the content of nutritional, medicinal and techno-functional bioactive ingredients. Herein, we discuss polyphenolic compounds as the main bioactive ingredients in Rhus coriaria L., which contribute mainly to the significance and utility of this spice. Most of the antioxidant potential and therapeutic roles of sumac are increasingly attributed to its constituent tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Hydroxyphenyl pyranoanthocyanins and other anthocynins are responsible for the highly desired red pigments accounting for the strong pigmentation capacity and colorant ability of sumac. Certain polyphenols and the essential oil components are responsible for the peculiar flavor and antimicrobial activity of sumac. Tannin-rich sumac extracts and isolates are known to enhance the food quality and the oxidative stability of animal products such as meat and milk. In conclusion, polyphenol-rich sumac extracts and its bioactive ingredients could be exploited towards developing novel food products which do not only address the current consumers’ interests regarding organoleptic and nutritional value of food, but also meet the growing need for ‘clean label’ as well as value addition with respect to antioxidant capacity, disease prevention, and health promotion in humans.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) is one of the most popular and extensively consumed vegetable crops worldwide. Their highly perishable nature poses great limitation to their marketability over long distances. We have earlier demonstrated that the 100 mg·L -1 concentration of the bioregulators Indoleacetic acid (IAA), indole butyric acid (IBA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) is suitable for tomato growth under field conditions. We have also reported the effects of these bioregulators on tomato fruit yield and postharvest quality. In this study, the shelf - life and associated physiological changes of fruits of five bioregulator - treated tomato genotypes in practical conditions of storage time and temperature were investigated. Seeds of the tomato genotypes namely NHLy 11, NHLy 12, NHLy 13, NHLy 15 and NHLy 16 were subjected to treatments with 100 mg·L -1 concentrations of the bioregulators IAA, IBA, NAA and distilled water (control) before planting. The fruits were harvested at the orange - red ripe stage. Sensory and visual fruit changes were determined and deterioration level measured during storage trials for up to ten days in order to evaluate their quality. The results revealed that the bioregulator - treated tomato genotypes generally exhibited better storage features than those of controls, with the NAA - treated NHLy 12 genotype having the highest storability index of 6.00 after ten days of storage. The present findings show that treating tomatoes with bioregulators, especially the ones used in this work improves their storage at ambient conditions. Pomidor (Solanum lycopersicon) jest jednym z najbardziej popularnych warzyw spożywanych na dużą skalę na całym świecie. Owoce pomidora szybko ulegają zepsuciu, co stanowi bardzo duże ograniczenie ich atrakcyjności rynkowej po długim okresie transportu. Wykazaliśmy wcześniej, że stężenie 100 mg·L -1 bioregulatorów: IAA - kwas indolilooctowy, IBA - kwas indolilomasłowy, oraz NAA - kwas naftylooctowy, jest odpowiednie dla uprawy pomidora w warunkach polowych. Opisaliśmy również wpływ tych bioregulatorów na plon owoców pomidora i jakość pozbiorczą. W niniejszej pracy badano trwałość przechowalniczą i związane z tym zmiany fizjologiczne owoców pięciu genotypów pomidora traktowanych bioregulatorami w praktycznych warunkach. Nasiona genotypów NHLy 11, NHLy 12, NHLy 13, NHLy 15 i NHLy 16 poddano traktowaniu bioregulatorami IAA, IBA, NAA w stężeniu 100 mg·L -1 oraz wodą destylowaną (kontrola) przed wysiewem. Owoce zbierano w pomarańczowo-czerwonej fazie dojrzałości. Określano zmiany sensoryczne i wizualne oraz mierzono poziom zepsucia i ich jakość podczas 10 dni przechowywania. Otrzymane wyniki wykazały, że genotypy pomidora traktowane bioregulatorami odznaczały się lepszą trwałością przechowalniczą niż genotypy kontrolne (nietraktowane), przy czym genotyp NHLy 12 traktowany bioregulatorem NAA miał najwyższy wskaźnik trwałości przechowalniczej (6,00) po 10 dniach składowania. Uzyskane obecnie dane pokazują, że traktowanie pomidorów bioregulatorami, szczególnie tymi wykorzystanymi w niniejszych badaniach, poprawia ich trwałość przechowalniczą w warunkach otoczenia.

Due to the high costs of traditional concrete materials in Nigeria, such as river sand, there is an increasing demand to explore alternative materials like laterite for fine aggregates. Although laterite is abundant in Nigeria, its full potential in the construction industry remains untapped. Previous studies have shown that partially replacing river sand with laterite produces concrete with competitive strength properties. This research aims to validate and extend these findings, evaluating the impact of different aggregate sizes (12 mm, 20 mm, and 40 mm) on the strength of concrete with 10% and 25% laterite replacements for fine aggregate. Results revealed that as the laterite percentage increased, compressive, flexural, and split tensile strengths decreased. While 0% and 10% laterite replacements met the required strength, the mix with 25% laterite fell short. Increasing maximum coarse aggregate size led to higher strengths, with 40 mm sizes exhibiting the highest, and 12 mm the lowest. Compressive strengths ranged from 22.1 to 37.6 N/mm 2 , flexural strengths from 4.07 to 5.99 N/mm 2 and split-tensile strengths from 2.93 to 4.30 N/mm 2 . This research highlights the need for meticulous mix design adjustments when using laterite, balancing workability with strength objectives. The developed regression models offer a valuable tool for predicting concrete properties based on mix parameters, providing insights for optimizing laterized concrete designs across diverse construction applications and supporting sustainable building practices.