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Perilla frutescens (L.), renowned for its medicinal properties such as lowering blood uric acid, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-allergy effects, contains a variety of beneficial compounds including phenolics, flavonoids, and essential oils. Among these, rosmarinic acid stands out for its remarkable ability to reduce blood uric acid levels. The study has introduced an innovative approach to extract and quantify rosmarinic acid from Perilla leaves, employing a straightforward extraction method with quick analysis. The optimized extraction method involves using ultrasound for 10 minutes with 70% ethanol. For chromatographic analysis, a Phenomenex Luna C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 μm) was utilized with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in a ratio of 27:73 (v/v), flowing at 1.2 mL/min for 7 minutes. This methodology underwent thorough validation following the Association Of Of ficial Analytical Collaboration guidelines, demonstrating a limit of quantification of 0.1 μg/mL. Furthermore, it exhibits excellent linearity within the concentration range of 10-100 μg/mL, supported by a high correlation coefficient of 0.9988. The procedure is applied to quantitatively determine the rosmarinic acid contents inPerilla leaves across 17 provinces in Vietnam, revealing Ho Chi Minh City to have the most abundant concentration of this compound. Research on the growth stages of Perilla frutescens has revealed that the flowering stage exhibits the highest levels of rosmarinic acid. These findings are pivotal for evaluating the quality of raw materials and optimizing the use of Perilla frutescens as a medicinal herb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blumea balsamifera L. essential oil (EO) has been known for its diverse antimicrobial activities. This study aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of Blumea balsamifera EO against two strains of pathogenic bacteria (Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae) through in vitro and in silico methods. The phytochemical screening of the EO and other physicochemical properties (DFT, ADMET, and drug-likeness) were determined using standard protocols. In vitro results show that the EO possesses promising antibacterial properties with inhibition zone diameters (IZDs) of 10 ± 2 and 18 ± 2 mm, respectively, for S. pyogenes and S. pneumoniae; MICs 2.50 and 1.25 μL.mL-1; MBC/MIC ratios 1 and 2. GC-MS characterization of the EO identified 17 constituents (1-17). The binding affinity of the compounds against the target proteins are in the following order: 16-P0C0C7 (-9.4 kcal.mol-1) > 4-P0C0C7 (-9.3 kcal.mol-1) > 15-P0C0C7 ≈ 17-P0C0C7 (-9.2 kcal.mol-1); 3-Q8DQF8 (-9.0 kcal.mol-1) > 4-Q8DQF8 (-8.9 kcal.mol-1) > 15-Q8DQF8 (-8.7 kcal.mol-1); 16-6LU7 (-9.0 kcal.mol-1) ≈ 17-6LU7 (-9.1 kcal.mol-1). The phytochemicals potentiality derived from quantum calculation were 3 (3.40 Debye), 15 (2.47 Debye), and 5 (2.03 Debye). The suitability for physicochemical and pharmacokinetic applications was assessed via reference to Lipinski's rule of five and Pires' interpretations, respectively. The analysis shows that (+)-2-Bornanone (3; 58.00 %) was the primary bioactive component responsible for the observable antibacterial activities given by its predominant content and favorable predictions. Compound 3 could further be investigated for its antibacterial activity by isolating and characterizing its pure form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterized the spatial distribution of drug-susceptible (DS) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) cases in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, a major metropolis in southeastern Asia, and explored demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with local TB burden. Hot spots of DS and MDR TB incidence were observed in the central parts of Ho Chi Minh City, and substantial heterogeneity was observed across wards. Positive spatial autocorrelation was observed for both DS TB and MDR TB. Ward-level TB incidence was associated with HIV prevalence and the male proportion of the population. No ward-level demographic and socioeconomic indicators were associated with MDR TB case count relative to total TB case count. Our findings might inform spatially targeted TB control strategies and provide insights for generating hypotheses about the nature of the relationship between DS and MDR TB in Ho Chi Minh City and the wider southeastern region of Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cashew apples are a source of by-products in the cashew industry. In the present work, a juice product made from cashew apples was produced through vacuum concentration (VC). During VC, a temperature range of 60 to 90°C, and a pressure range of 500 to 650 mmHg were investigated. Total ascorbic acid (TAA), total tannin content (TTC), and total polyphenol content (TPC) after VC were also evaluated. The variation in VC time was observed when the temperature was investigated. The sensory value of the products after mixing citric acid and sugar was evaluated. The results showed that the nutritional parameters were affected by temperature and pressure. TAA and TPC reached their maximum value at 80°C. The TTC was strongly hydrolysed with increasing VC temperature. Furthermore, negative correlation between vacuum pressure and nutrition was observed. Cashew apple juice after VC diluted with water (1:5), and mixed with sugar (20 g/L) and citric acid (0.2 g/L) was preferred by consumers. TAA, TPC, and TTC were monitored for 42-day storage under two temperature conditions of 35 and 45°C. The shelf life of the product reached 117 d. These results set the platform for the development of beverage products from cashew apple by-products, thereby improving the economy of the cashew industry in Vietnam and the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]