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A tyrosinase inhibitor was separated from camellia pollen with the aid of solvent fraction, macroporous adsorptive resin chromatography, and high‐speed countercurrent chromatography. The inhibitor was identified to be p‐coumaric acid ethyl ester (p‐CAEE) by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrum. Its inhibitory activity (IC50 = 4.89 μg/ml) was about 10‐fold stronger than arbutin (IC50 = 51.54 μg/ml). The p‐CAEE inhibited tyrosinase in a noncompetitive model with the KI and Km of 1.83 μg/ml and 0.52 mM, respectively. Fluorescence spectroscopy analysis showed the p‐CAEE quenched an intrinsic fluorescence tyrosinase. UV‐Vis spectroscopy analysis showed the p‐CAEE did not interact with copper ions of the enzyme. Docking simulation implied the p‐CAEE induced a conformational change in the catalytic region and thus changed binding forces of L‐tyrosine. Our findings suggest that p‐CAEE plays an important role in inhibiting tyrosinase and provides a reference for developing pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and fruit preservation products using pollen. p‐Coumaric acid ethyl ester was first found in camellia pollen. The inhibition is reversible and dose‐dependent. p‐Coumaric acid ethyl ester altered the structure of tyrosinase. p‐Coumaric acid ethyl ester and pollen had potential applications for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and fruit preservation. p‐Coumaric acid ethyl ester (p‐CAEE) can inhibit the activity of tyrosinase in a noncompetitive manner and can cause the transformation of tyrosinase.

Phenolic acids in plants is receiving more attention because of their nutritive function and essential roles in plant growth. However, the genetics of phenolic acids in barley is still unclear. In this study, two main phenolic acids, i.e. ferulic acid (FA) and p-coumaric acid (p-CA), were analyzed in the grains of a double haploid population derived from XZ153 (Tibetan wild barley) × Hua30 (cultivated cultivar) grown in three locations. A wide variation in the content of phenolic acids was observed among the DH population. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of phenolic acid content in barley grains from three locations totally identified 4 QTLs associated with p-CA content and 4 QTLs with FA content. Based on the mean phenolic acids content over the three locations, two significant QTLs (M_3261686 for p-CA and M_4184755 for FA), belonging to cytochrome P450 family (HvCYPs) were identified, with the LOD value of 5.33 and 7.01 respectively. These two QTLs could account for 14% of phenotypic variation for FA and 18% for p-CA. Collinearity analysis revealed that HvCYPPA (QTL for p-CA) has duplication events in barley genome. Furthermore, there was no synteny block found for these two genes in barley genome. The current results provide a new knowledge about genetic controlling of phenolic acids synthesis in barley grains.

Sugarcane smut, caused by Sporisorium scitamineum, is one of the most severe sugarcane diseases. A key pathogenic step is dikaryotic mycelium formation via sexual reproduction, but its regulatory mechanism is unclear. In this study, we identified a phenylacetate hydroxylase gene, SsPHACA, that is highly expressed during the sexual mating/filamentation of S. scitamineum and enriched within the phenylalanine metabolic pathway. SsPHACA deletion mutants presented significantly reduced sexual mating/filamentation and pathogenicity. Additionally, deletion of SsPHACA resulted in marked downregulation of the pheromone‐responsive transcription factor gene SsPRF1, a critical regulator of sexual mating/filamentation in S. scitamineum, as well as its downstream genes at the a‐ and b‐locus genes. Constitutive expression of SsPRF1 restored the sexual mating/filamentation of the SsPHACA deletion mutant. Metabolomic analyses revealed that SsPhacA mediates phenylalanine metabolism in S. scitamineum and modulates the accumulation of p‐coumaric acid, an intermediate in phenylalanine metabolism. Exogenous supplementation with p‐coumaric acid increased the transcriptional level of SsPRF1 and partially restored sexual mating/filamentation in SsPHACA deletion mutants. In summary, our results demonstrate that SsPhacA mediates the phenylalanine metabolic pathway to modulate p‐coumaric acid accumulation, which increases the transcriptional level of SsPRF1, thereby regulating sexual reproduction in S. scitamineum. These findings not only identify a new regulatory factor involved in the sexual mating/filamentation of S. scitamineum, but also provide a new theoretical foundation for the development of disease control strategies targeting metabolic pathways. SsPhacA regulates the phenylalanine metabolic pathway to modulate p‐coumaric acid accumulation, which increases the transcriptional level of SsPRF1, thereby regulating sexual reproduction in S. scitamineum.

Skeletal muscle atrophy is a prevalent complication in chronic kidney disease (CKD), and its pathogenesis is closely related to inflammation and oxidative stress. P‐Coumaric acid (PCA) is a phenolic acid with anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant pharmacological actions. This research aims to investigate the effect of PCA on CKD‐induced muscle atrophy and its underlying mechanism. In our study, in vivo and in vitro models were established by using 5/6 nephrectomized rats and LPS‐induced C2C12 myoblasts. The experimental results showed that PCA ameliorated kidney injury in CKD rats and increased skeletal muscle weight and the cross‐sectional area of muscle fibres. In both CKD rats and LPS‐induced C2C12 myoblasts, PCA also exhibited anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects, reduced the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Network pharmacology studies have identified 165 common targets between PCA and skeletal muscle atrophy. Furthermore, the experimental results also demonstrated that PCA decreased the expression of TLR4, MyD88, NF‐κB p65, MurF1 and MAFbx at both the protein and mRNA levels. Additionally, in vitro experiments showed that the use of TLR4 agonists could reverse the muscle‐protective effect of PCA. In summary, this study illustrated that PCA ameliorated skeletal muscle atrophy in CKD rats by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF‐κB pathway.

In present study, the acute and sub-acute toxicities of Dihydro- p -coumaric acid isolated from the leaves of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray was studied for safety issues in mammals . For acute toxicity tests, isolated compound was administered orally in both male and female BALB/c mice at the doses of 200, 800, and 1,600 mg/kg body weight for 7 days. In sub-acute toxicity study 50 and 500 mg/kg bw of the compound was orally administered for 14 days. Toxicity induced behavioural changes, haematological parameters, biochemical markers and histopathological sections were studied after Dihydro- p -coumaric acid administration. The vital organs like heart, kidney, uterus and testis revealed no adverse effects at doses of upto 1,600 mg/kg bw and 500 mg/kg bw. Slight hepatotoxicity was however demonstrated by ALT and AST assay but histopathological section did not concur as much. The study demonstrated insignificant difference in the percentage of feed intake, water intake, weight gain, haematological parameters and histopathological changes, with no toxicity signs and mortality. Dihydro- p -coumaric acid can be regarded as safe in both acute and sub-acute toxicity assay in both sexes. This indicates Dihydro- p -coumaric acid as a viable alternative to synthetic pesticides.

The use of innate products for the fast and efficient promotion of healing process has been one of the biomedical sector’s main bets for lesion treatment modernization process. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize bacterial cellulose-based (BC) wound dressings incorporated with green and red propolis extract (2 to 4%) and the active compounds p-coumaric acid and biochanin A (8 to 16 mg). The characterization of the nine developed samples (one control and eight active wound dressings) evidenced that the mechanics, physics, morphological, and barrier properties depended not only on the type of active principle incorporated onto the cellulosic matrix, but also on its concentration. Of note were the results found for transparency (28.59–110.62T600 mm−1), thickness (0.023–0.046 mm), swelling index (48.93–405.55%), water vapor permeability rate (7.86–38.11 g m2 day−1), elongation (99.13–262.39%), and antioxidant capacity (21.23–86.76 μg mL−1). The wound dressing based on BC and red propolis was the only one that presented antimicrobial activity. The permeation and retention test revealed that the wound dressing containing propolis extract presented the most corneal stratum when compared with viable skin. Overall, the developed wound dressing showed potential to be used for treatment against different types of dermal lesions, according to its determined proprieties.

Maize is one of the most interesting dietary sources of hydroxycinnamic acids, widely known for their beneficial health effects, namely antioxidant properties. This work aims to identify hydroxycinnamic acids and their derivatives in broa, a Portuguese traditional ethnic maize bread, and corresponding maize flours. Soluble and insoluble phenolic fractions of diverse maize flours and corresponding broas were prepared and analysed by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS (high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and tandem mass spectrometry). Besides free hydroxycinnamic acids, mainly ferulic and p-coumaric acids, several structural isomers and stereoisomers of insoluble ferulic acid dehydrodimers (n = 18) and trimers (n = 11), were also identified. Hydroxycinnamic acid amides consisting of coumaroyl and feruloyl conjugates (n = 22) were present in both soluble and insoluble fractions of maize flours and breads, in different isomeric forms. A new compound was putatively identified as bis-N,N′-diferuloyl putrescine. Additionally, more complex and insoluble hydroxycinnamic acid amides, derived from ferulic acid dehydrodimers (n = 47) and trimers (n = 18), were also putatively identified for the first time, suggesting that hydroxycinnamic acid amides are also linked to maize cell walls. Since hydroxycinnamic derivatives were not only identified in maize flours, but also in broas, they can contribute to the antioxidant properties and beneficial health effects of maize-based foods.

• UV‐B radiation currently represents c. 1.5% of incoming solar radiation. However, significant changes are known to have occurred in the amount of incoming radiation both on recent and on geological timescales. Until now it has not been possible to reconstruct a detailed measure of UV‐B radiation beyond c. 150 yr ago. • Here, we studied the suitability of fossil Pinus spp. pollen to record variations in UV‐B flux through time. In view of the large size of the grain and its long fossil history, we hypothesized that this grain could provide a good proxy for recording past variations in UV‐B flux. • Two key objectives were addressed: to determine whether there was, similar to other studied species, a clear relationship between UV‐B‐absorbing compounds in the sporopollenin of extant pollen and the magnitude of UV‐B radiation to which it had been exposed; and to determine whether these compounds could be extracted from a small enough sample size of fossil pollen to make reconstruction of a continuous record through time a realistic prospect. • Preliminary results indicate the excellent potential of this species for providing a quantitative record of UV‐B through time. Using this technique, we present the first record of UV‐B flux during the last 9500 yr from a site near Bergen, Norway.

Para-coumaric acid (p-CA) is a phenolic compound that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties which make it potential for cancer treatment. However, its effectiveness has been limited by poor solubility, rapid metabolism, and poor absorptivity. Nonthermal biocompatible pressure plasma (NBP) has gained attention as a cancer treatment due to its ability to generate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), inducing oxidative stress that damages cancer cells. This study aimed to investigate the combined effect of NBP and p-CA on the induction of ferroptosis in lung adenocarcinoma via the GPX4, xCT, and NRF2 pathways. H460 and A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells as well as normal lung cells (MRC5) were treated with p-CA, NBP, and their combination. Cell movement, intracellular RONS levels, and lipid peroxidation, along with apoptosis and ferroptosis-related gene expression, were evaluated by co-treatment. Co-treatment also significantly elevated NO2−, NO3−, and H2O2 levels and reduced cancer cell (H460, A549) viability (26, 31%) without affecting normal cells MRC5 (7%). Elevated MDA levels and changed expression of ferroptotic proteins indicated mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage, which resulted in the induction of ferroptosis. These findings reveal a novel ferroptosis mechanism, emphasizing co-treatment for delivering bioavailable natural anticancer drugs.

Aegilops spp. is the closest genus to wheat ( Triticum spp.), which makes Aegilops great candidates to exhibit precursors of wheat features. Aegilops cylindrica Host displays excellent salt tolerance. In the current study, biochemical and phytochemical compounds in the leaves of two wheat cultivars, one hyper-salt tolerant Ae. cylindrica genotype and their amphidiploids (derived from “Chinese Spring” × Ae. cilindrica and “Roshan” × Ae. cylindrica ), grown under control and saline field conditions, were assessed. These compounds included total protein content, proline content, electrolyte leakage, total flavonoid content, total phenolic content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and reducing power. In addition, phenolic components were also identified using HPLC analysis. Chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and gallic acid were the most abundant phenolic acids. Luteolin, apigenin, and rutin were the most abundant flavonoids in the leaves. Salt stress significantly increased all biochemical variables, with the exceptions of reducing power and p-coumaric acid. Interestingly, amphidiploid genotypes exhibited intermediate levels of most of the detected phenolic compounds between the two parental species. As demonstrated by bivariate correlations luteolin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and apigenin could predict inhibition percentage by DPPH assay, suggesting a possible role in the cellular defense against oxidative stress in wheat. The amphidiploids and their wild parent performed significantly better than wheat cultivars on phenolic constituents, flavonoids, and maintaining redox homeostasis under salt stress conditions.