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Type 2 diabetes (T2D), characterized by insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, requires continuous advancements in management strategies, particularly in controlling postprandial hyperglycemia to prevent complications. Current antidiabetics, which have α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, have side effects, prompting the search for better alternatives. In addition, diabetes patients are particularly vulnerable to yeast infections because an unusual sugar concentration promotes the growth of Candida spp. in areas like the mouth and genitalia. Asphodelus microcarpus contains bioactive flavonoids with potential enzyme inhibitory properties. This study investigates α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities and antioxidant and antimycotic capacity of ethanolic extracts from different parts of A. microcarpus. Results show that extracts significantly inhibit α-glucosidase, with the IC50 value being up to 25 times higher than for acarbose, while exerting low α-amylase activity. The extracts also demonstrated strong antioxidant properties and low cytotoxicity. The presence of phenolic compounds is likely responsible for the observed biological activities. Molecular docking analysis of 11 selected compounds identified emodin and luteolin as significant inhibitors of α-glucosidase. Additionally, the extracts demonstrated significant antibiofilm action against an MDR strain of Candida albicans. These findings suggest that A. microcarpus is a promising source of natural compounds for T2D management.

Abstract Importance and Objective Xanthine oxidase (XO) plays a key role in purine metabolism, catalyzing the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine, and xanthine to uric acid (UA) with the production of superoxide anions. The accumulation of UA has been shown to initiate the inflammatory process through NLRP3 inflammasome, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to inflammation-related tissue damage in different organs. This study aimed to investigate the role of XO in the pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and the anti-inflammatory potential of XO inhibition. Design XO expression and activity were assessed in the mucosa of moderately-to-severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) patients. The functional role of XO, the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines were investigated in ex vivo intestinal organ cultures in the presence or absence of XO inhibitors. Results In silico and in vitro analysis showed that XO mRNA and protein expression were upregulated in the UC and CD intestinal mucosa compared to controls. XO overexpression in the inflamed mucosa was associated with increased enzymatic activity, accumulation of UA and functionally linked to NLRP3-dependent IL1beta and IL18 expression. Accordingly, XO inhibitors, Allopurinol and Febuxostat, prevented NLRP3 activation, reduced Caspase1 activity and IL1beta and IL18 expression in ex vivo organ cultures of inflamed intestinal mucosa from both UC and CD patients. Conclusions and Relevance Overexpression of XO in IBD might contribute to inflammation by promoting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and proinflammatory cytokine production. Lay Summary Xanthine Oxidase is overexpressed in inflamed mucosa of IBD patients, promoting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and proinflammatory cytokine release. Ex vivo inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase by febuxostat or allopurinol suppressed inflammation representing a potential therapeutic approach for inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: At global level, the vulnerability of aquifers is deteriorating at an alarming rate due to environmental pollution and intensive human activities. In this context, Local Health Authority ASL Lecce has launched the M.I.N.O.Re. (Not Compulsory Water Monitoring Activities at Regional level) project, in order to assess the vulnerability of the aquifer in Salento area (Puglia Region) by performing several non-compulsory analyses on groundwater samples. This first paper describes the quali-quantitative approach adopted under the M.I.N.O.Re. project for the assessment of environmental pressures suffered by groundwater and determines the number of wells to be monitored in specific sampling areas on the basis of the local potential contamination and vulnerability of the aquifer. Methods: We created a map of the entire Lecce province, interpolating it with a grid that led to the subdivision of the study area in 32 quadrangular blocks measuring 10 km × 10 km. Based on current hydrogeological knowledge and institutional data, we used GIS techniques to represent on these 32 blocks the 12 different layers corresponding to the main anthropic or environmental type of pressures potentially impacting on the aquifer. To each kind of pressure, a score from 0 to 1 was attributed on the basis of the potential impact on groundwater. A total score was assigned to each of the 32 blocks. A higher number of wells was selected to be monitored in those blocks presenting higher risk scores for possible groundwater contamination due to anthropic/environmental pressures. Results: The range of total scores varied from 2.4 to 42.5. On the basis of total scores, the 10 km × 10 km blocks were divided into four classes of environmental pressure (1st class: from 0,1 to 10,00; 2nd class: from 10,01 to 20,00; 3rd class: from 20,1 to 30,00; 4th class: from 30,01 to 42,50). There were 11 areas in the 1st class, 9 areas in the 2nd class, 8 areas in the 3rd class and 4 areas in the 4th class. We assigned 1 monitoring well in 1st class areas, 2 monitoring wells in 2nd class areas, 3 monitoring wells in 3rd class areas and 4 monitoring wells in 4th class areas. Conclusion: The methodology developed under the M.I.N.O.Re. project could represent a useful model to be used in other areas to assess the environmental pressures suffered by aquifers and the quality of the groundwater.