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European mistletoe extract (Iscador Qu) has been studied for decades, but it has not ceased to arouse scientific interest. The purpose was to investigate the impact of Iscador Qu on the antiproliferative potential of 11 standard chemotherapeutic agents on two breast cancer cell lines: MCF-7 low-metastatic and MDA-MB-231 high-metastatic and control cell lines (MCF-10A). MTT-dye reduction assay, FACS analysis, and PI staining were utilized. The most promising combinations acting against the MDA-MB-231 cell line were observed upon the simultaneous application of Iscador Qu (80 µg/mL) and Docetaxel, with 4-fold reduction in IC50. An antagonistic effect was found under treatment with Cisplatin and Iscador Qu (1.5-fold increase in IC50). The response of the low-metastatic breast cancer cell line MCF-7 to the tested combinations was different compared to the high-metastatic one. The most pronounced cytotoxic effect was found for the combination of Oxaliplatin and Iscador Qu (20 µg/mL) (5.2-fold IC50 reduction). An antagonistic effect for MCF-7 line was also observed when combinations with Olaparib and Tamoxifen were applied. This in vitro study offers new combinations between Iscador Qu and standard chemotherapeutic agents that hold great promise in establishing breast cancer therapeutic protocols compared to traditional monotherapies.

Introduction: Cervical cancer causes major morbidity and mortality around the world. This makes prophylactic vaccines a significant tool for preventing the disease. As these vaccines become more widely available, they have the potential to drastically lower the cancer’s prevalence and burden in the future. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes toward awareness of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Materials and methods: A pilot, cross-sectional, medicosocial survey was conducted using a structured, anonymous online questionnaire, including self-assessment questions on awareness and attitudes towards HPV vaccination. Sixty-four adult female parents of female children participated in the study between June and August 2023. The design and conduct of the study was done with the personal involvement of the researchers. SPSS v. 23.0 was used to analyze the primary statistical information. The results obtained were presented graphically using MS Excel 2010. Results: We found significantly good awareness and negative attitude towards vaccination as prevention against HPV. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that respondents had a relatively good awareness of cervical cancer, the risk factors associated with the disease, and the virus that causes it. There was a correlation between socio-demographic characteristics and awareness of the study population. The respondents had a certain distrust of the vaccine. The dissatisfaction stemmed from the fact that vaccination was not a substitute for routine cervical screening, was not 100% effective, and did not provide protection against any type of papilloma virus or against pre-existing HPV infections. The low vaccination coverage in Bulgaria leads the authors to believe that our country urgently needs new strategies and approaches in the fight against cervical cancer, through continuous training of medical personnel, inclusion of immunization programs in school health care, and improved health education and awareness of HPV vaccination among adolescent girls and their parents.

Abstract Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a widespread weed plant used since ancient times as remedy and as food. Its seed oil possesses significant bioactive potential due to the high content of important phytonutrients, mainly essential fatty acids and phytosterols. Although the total fatty acid composition of oil is well documented, till now there is no data published about individual lipid classes. The information on sterols is scarce as well. Therefore, the aim of this work was to characterize in details for the first time the individual lipid classes and their fatty acid composition, sterols, as well as the oxidative stability of the oil, depending on the extraction method by either hexane, chloroform–methanol mixtures or super-critical CO2. The results revealed no significant effect of extraction method on the individual lipid classes (monoacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, free fatty acids, free sterols, triacylglycerols, sterol esters, wax esters and hydrocarbons), including the fatty acid composition of saponifiables, and quite weak effect on the oxidative stability of the oil regarding super-critical CO2 vs. organic solvents. Detailed analyses of lipid composition confirmed the potential of purslane seed oil as a cheap and highly valuable source of phytonutrients as essential fatty acids and phytosterols, for application in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

The studies of rejuvenation are important for promoting health and longevity, preventing age-related diseases, reducing economic burdens, improving quality of life and addressing the challenges posed by an aging global population. This review explores the intersection of aging, regeneration and bioelectric fields examining the emerging role of membrane potential in processes like cell proliferation, differentiation, limb regeneration and potentially aging. Manipulation of membrane potential opens a novel dimension to the rejuvenation landscape offering an alternative or complementary approach to partial reprograming method presenting exciting possibilities for therapeutic interventions targeting age-related cellular changes.

Abstract To survive, cells must respond to changing environmental conditions. One way that eukaryotic cells react to harsh stimuli is by forming physiological, RNA-seeded subnuclear condensates, termed amyloid bodies (A-bodies). The molecular constituents of A-bodies induced by different stressors vary significantly, suggesting this pathway can tailor the cellular response by selectively aggregating a subset of proteins under a given condition. Here, we identify critical structural elements that regulate heat shock-specific amyloid aggregation. Our data demonstrates that manipulating structural pockets in constituent proteins can either induce or restrict their A-body targeting at elevated temperatures. We propose a model where selective aggregation within A-bodies is mediated by the thermal stability of a protein, with temperature-sensitive structural regions acting as an intrinsic form of post-translational regulation. This system would provide cells with a rapid and stress-specific response mechanism, to tightly control physiological amyloid aggregation or other cellular stress response pathways.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is predominantly an immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system (CNS) of unknown etiology with a possible genetic predisposition and effect of certain environmental factors. It is generally accepted that the disease begins with an autoimmune inflammatory reaction targeting oligodendrocytes followed by a rapid depletion of their regenerative capacity with subsequent permanent neurodegenerative changes and disability. Recent research highlights the central role of B lymphocytes and the corresponding IgG and IgM autoantibodies in newly forming MS lesions. Thus, their removal along with the modulation of certain bioactive molecules to improve neuroprotection using therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) becomes of utmost importance. Recently, it has been proposed to determine the levels and precise effects of both beneficial and harmful components in the serum of MS patients undergoing TPE to serve as markers for appropriate TPE protocols. In this review we discuss some relevant examples, focusing on the removal of pathogenic circulating factors and altering the plasma levels of nerve growth factor and sphingosine-1-phosphate by TPE. Altered plasma levels of the reviewed molecular compounds in response to TPE reflect a successful reduction of the pro-inflammatory burden at the expense of an increase in anti-inflammatory potential in the circulatory and CNS compartments.

Abstract The formation of protein aggregates is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases and systemic amyloidoses. These disorders are associated with the fibrillation of a variety of proteins/peptides, which ultimately leads to cell toxicity and tissue damage. Understanding how amyloid aggregation occurs and developing compounds that impair this process is a major challenge in the health science community. Here, we demonstrate that pathogenic proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, AL/AA amyloidosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can aggregate within stress-inducible physiological amyloid-based structures, termed amyloid bodies (A-bodies). Using a limited collection of small molecule inhibitors, we found that diclofenac could repress amyloid aggregation of the β-amyloid (1–42) in a cellular setting, despite having no effect in the classic Thioflavin T (ThT) in vitro fibrillation assay. Mapping the mechanism of the diclofenac-mediated repression indicated that dysregulation of cyclooxygenases and the prostaglandin synthesis pathway was potentially responsible for this effect. Together, this work suggests that the A-body machinery may be linked to a subset of pathological amyloidosis, and highlights the utility of this model system in the identification of new small molecules that could treat these debilitating diseases.

This study compares three healthy vegetable oils, from chia, milk thistle and pumpkin seeds, added as emulsions for partial substitution of animal fat and evaluation of the effect of quinoa flour as a potato starch substitute in the meat matrix of cooked sausages. For the purpose of evaluating the nutritional properties of the samples, the fatty acid composition, the cholesterol content and the oxidative changes in the lipid fraction were determined, and testing was performed for examination of sensory perception of the reformulated cooked sausages. Lower malondialdehyde (MDA) quantities were found in the sausages made with the addition of quinoa flour compared to the respective potato starch samples. In the reformulated meat products, the highest polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid (PUFA/SFA) ratio of 0.67 was recorded in the sample made with chia oil and quinoa flour. The same sample was given the highest overall sensory score, whereas the respective sample made with potato starch received a lower overall score, statistically indiscernible in relation to the milk thistle samples (P>0.05). The lowest sensory acceptance was reported for the samples made with pumpkin seed oil. The milk thistle oil, characterised by negligible cholesterol content and high phytosterol content, proved most interesting and capable of enrichment with unsaturated fatty acids.

AbstractNonhealing wounds are a common complication in patients suffering from diabetes with hyperglycemia being the most deteriorating factor for this serious pathological condition. Despite the great body of data, the molecular mechanisms by which high glucose affects cellular physiology are still poorly defined. Here we used primary human foreskin fibroblasts cultured in normo- and hyperglycemic conditions to study the mechanisms leading to altered cell contractility. Our results demonstrated that 25 mmol/L glucose effectively reduced fibroblasts ability to contract fibrin gels, and this physiological change was accompanied by a decrease in alpha-smooth muscle actin expression and the percentage of spontaneously differentiated myofibroblasts in the population of high glucose-treated fibroblasts. These changes were a result of hyperglycemia-induced attenuation of TGF-β1 signaling, involving specific suppression of TGF-β receptor type II but not type I expression. Decreased production of the receptor abolished the ability of exogenously added TGF-β1 to induce Smad2/3 phosphorylation in the presence of high glucose concentrations. Our results identify TGF-β receptor type II as hyperglycemia expression-sensitive receptor and add further aspect to the complex way in which high glucose can affect the wound healing process.

Introduction: The share of unwanted pregnancies and voluntary abortions among women from Central and Eastern Europe is still quite high, and Bulgaria is no exception to this statistic. This might be accounted for by the low frequency of use of contraceptives or their improper use. Our country is home to a variety of ethnic groups, with Roma being one of the most numerous, ranking third in population behind Bulgarians and Turks. This determines the influence of this ethnic group on the demographic indicators of the country. Aim: To study the knowledge of contraceptive use and the frequency of use of contraceptive methods and means among Roma women from the Plovdiv region and the factors influencing it. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 70 Roma women via structured, anonymous interviews in 2019. Statistical data analysis was performed using non-parametric methods, descriptive and correlation analyses. Results: The main method of preventing unwanted pregnancies for the Roma is the interrupted intercourse. The husband and his mother influence the decision to use contraception. Higher education and financial security have a positive effect on the frequency of contraceptive use. Conclusions: Reproductive behaviour among Roma is largely determined by their ethnic traditions. Characteristic features were observed, such as early marriages, early sexual intercourse, short pro- and intergenetic interval. Roma women have little knowledge of the various methods and means of preventing unwanted pregnancies. The frequency of contraceptive use is very low.

This paper investigates the possibilities of using two types of vegetable oil emulsions as animal fat substitutes in cooked emulsified sausages. The sausage samples were made with full or partial substitution of pork back fat with vegetable oil emulsions. The use of vegetable oils in meat sausage formulations as animal fat substitutes led to a reduction in the SFA/UFA ratio. The PUFA/SFA ratio was improved in the samples where the animal fat was substituted with chia oil (samples 2, 4 and 6), and this ratio most probably resulted from the emulsion quantity added. In our study, the thermal characteristics of six types of reformulated sausages and one control sample were described, as well as the thermal characteristics of the pork back fat and the two oil types. The thermal analysis was performed using the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) method. The resultant thermograms were directly related to the fatty acid profile of the cooked emulsified sausages, and the increase in the saturated fatty acids led to an increase in the share of the fats that melt at lower temperatures.

Resveratrol (Resv) is considered to exert a beneficial impact due to its radical scavenger, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties through several mechanisms that could include its interaction with the cell plasma membrane. To address this issue, we investigated the influence of Resv on membrane lipid order and organization in large unilamellar vesicles composed of different lipids and ratios. The studied lipid membrane models were composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC) species (either palmitoyl-docosahexaenoyl phosphatidylcholine (PDPC) or palmitoyl-oleoyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC)), sphingomyelin (SM) and cholesterol (Chol). This study found that the addition of Resv resulted in complex membrane reorganization depending on the degree of fatty acid unsaturation at the sn-2 position, and the Lipid/Resv and SM/Chol ratios. Resv rigidified POPC-containing membranes and increased liquid-ordered (Lo) domain formation in 40/40/20 POPC/SM/Chol mixtures as this increase was lower at a 33/33/34 ratio. In contrast, Resv interacted with PDPC/SM/Chol mixtures in a bimodal manner by fluidizing/rigidifying the membranes in a dose-dependent way. Lo domain formation upon Resv addition occurred via the following bimodal mode of action: Lo domain size increased at low Resv concentrations; then, Lo domain size decreased at higher ones. To account for the variable effect of Resv, we suggest that it may act as a “spacer” at low doses, with a transition to a more “filler” position in the lipid bulk. We hypothesize that one of the roles of Resv is to tune the lipid order and organization of cell plasma membranes, which is closely linked to important cell functions such as membrane sorting and trafficking.

The present study examined the physicochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of three medicinal plants: thyme (Thymus callieri Borbás ex Velen), cotton thistle (Onopordum acanthium L.), and hawthorn fruit (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.) from the Western Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria. The first stage determined the physicochemical characteristics (moisture, ash, carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamin C) of the three herbs. The second stage investigated four types of extracts (aqueous, oil, methanolic, and ethanolic) of each herb and evaluated their total phenolic content, the presence of phenolic compounds (flavonoids and phenolic acids), their antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial properties. Thyme was characterised by the highest ash, protein, and vitamin C content (6.62%, 11.30%, and 571 mg/100 g, respectively). Hawthorn fruit showed the highest moisture and carbohydrate content (8.50% and 4.20%, respectively). The 70% ethanolic extracts of the three herbs exhibited the highest levels of phenolic compounds and, consequently, pronounced antioxidant activity, compared to the other three types of extracts. The aqueous, oil, methanolic, and ethanolic thyme extracts demonstrated the highest total phenolic content—TPC (27.20 mg GAE/g, 8.20 mg GAE/g, 31.70 mg GAE/g, and 310.00 mg GAE/g, respectively), compared to the extracts of the other two plants. These results were consistent with the highest antioxidant activity of the thyme extracts determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, and the hydroxyl radical averting capacity (HORAC) assay (except for the oil extract examined using the DPPH method). The results from the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that the flavonoid quercetin-3-ß-glucoside had the highest concentration in thyme (374.5 mg/100 g), while myricetin dominated in the cotton thistle (152.3 mg/100 g). The phenolic acid content analysis showed prevalence of rosmaric acid in the thyme (995 mg/100 g), whereas chlorogenic acid was detected in the highest concentration in the cotton thistle and hawthorn fruit (324 mg/100 g and 27.7 mg/100 g, respectively). The aqueous, methanolic, and ethanolic extracts showed moderate to high antibacterial potential but limited antifungal activity. None of the oil extracts inhibited the test microorganisms used in the study.

Argan oil is most frequently sold as pure oil, which can be directly applied topically due to its cosmetological proprieties or ingested in order to provide several health benefits. It's also commonly mixed into a number of cosmetic products like shampoos, soaps and conditioners. In this study we aimed to improve the argan oil extraction yield and quality parameters by comparing the effects of different extraction technologies. Argan kernel oils were extracted using four methods: mechanical cold press, Soxhlet extraction with n-hexane, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and enzyme assisted extraction with three different enzyme solutions cellulase (cellulast), pectinase (Pectinex) and a mixture of carbohydrase enzymes (Viscozyme®). The quality parameters was evaluated by determining the acid, peroxide and iodine values as well as the extinction coefficients K232 and K270 as measures of conjugated dienes and trienes, respectively. The results showed that the highest yield (66.37% ± 3.3%) was obtained by enzyme assisted extraction using the carbohydrases enzymes mixture (Viscozyme®), followed by Soxhlet extraction (59.5% ± 3.1%) and pectinase extraction (52.03% ± 3.55%). All argan oils samples obtained by the different methods showed a good oxidation stability, with acid, peroxide and iodine values lower than 0.8 mg/g, 15 meq/kg and 110 g/100 g according to the official argan oil norm, respectively. The results of argan oils quality parameters demonstrated that the enzyme extracted argan oils showed low oxidation, with the following quality parameters: acid values (0.4–0.6 mg/g), iodine values (95–100 g/100 g), dienes (K232

In this study, we present initial data for the potential anti-cancer effects of standardized Bulgarian Petasites hybridus root extract against breast cancer cells. The results showed that Butterbur extract (BE) caused a dose-dependent selective reduction in viability with concomitant increase of apoptosis in human breast cancer cells after 72 h treatment. We found the highest cytotoxicity of BE to MDA-MB-231 cells (IC50 – 520 μg/mL), followed by the MCF-7 cancer cell line (IC50 – 865 μg/mL). At the same time, the extract exhibited very low cytotoxicity to the non-tumorigenic L929 cell line (two-fold higher inhibitory concentration – 1252 μg/mL). As a result of our experiments we made the conclusion that Butterbur root extract shows selective high cytotoxicity and nucleus alterations in cancer cells comparing to non-cancerous cells.

The polyphenol quercetin is associated with numerous beneficial health effects in various pathologies such as oxidative stress, neurodegenerative disorders, inflammation, neoplastic processes, age-related diseases, and so on. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of quercetin and its implication in the pharmaceutical practice require additional clarification. In this study we analyzed the biochemical mechanisms of quercetin effect on membrane lipids of fibroblasts cultured as three-dimensional (3D) cultures, which resemble living tissues more adequately compared to cellular monolayers. Quercetin treatment of 3D fibroblasts induced alterations of the plasma membrane phospholipid and fatty acid composition as well as in the phospholipid metabolizing enzymes sphingomyelinase and phospholipase A2. The level of sphingomyelin (SM), which acts as endogenous membrane antioxidant, was elevated due to quercetin action. Incubation of 3D fibroblasts with quercetin induced augmentation in the saturated fatty acids and reduction of all polyunsaturated fatty acids in the membrane phospholipid molecules of the plasma membranes, indicating an additional increase of the resistance to oxidative damage. Quercetin treatment reduced cholesterol susceptibility to oxidation, a phenomenon which is probably related to the observed increase in the level of SM. In addition, Western blot analysis showed augmented phosphorylation of Akt and expression of Bcl-2 in quercetin-treated cell, indicating that apoptosis was suppressed by quercetin. In conclusion, the reported results contribute to a better understanding of the beneficial effects of quercetin on the structure and functions of plasma membranes of 3D cell cultures, which are a more adequate model of living tissues.

This study aims to assess the effect of powdered apple pomace on the technological characteristics of batter, and on the physicochemical and sensory quality characteristics of sponge cake. Apple pomace powder (10%, 25%, and 50 %) was introduced into the sponge cake formulation, where it replaced an equivalent amount of wheat flour. Assessment of the viscous properties of the composite flour has shown that the peak viscosity ranged from 330.00 to 731.00 Brabender units (BU) and its value decreased with an increase in the mass fraction of apple pomace powder. The gelatinisation temperature for the mixtures ranged 60.50–61.7°C and slightly decreased after adding by-products of apple processing. It has been found that the specific gravity of sponge cake batter increases when pomace powder is used (from 0.72±0.02c to 0.78±0.03d), which is due to the increase in the dietary fibre. The findings have shown that the volume of the cake samples containing apple pomace was smaller than that of the control sample (245.00±6.22 cm3), and the cake with 50% of apple pomace powder had the smallest volume (215.00±7.32cm3). The highest porosity was observed in the control cake sample (66.34±1.72%), while in the cake with 25 % of apple pomace powder, this parameter was 65.15±1.07%. The water absorption capacity of the control (312.60±3.15%) is the lowest compared with that of the cakes with apple pomace powder. Adding apple pomace resulted in a more intense brownish colour of the cakes and in the pleasant fresh apple taste. The semi-finished sponge cakes with 25% and 50% of apple pomace were characterised by an attractive brown colour, small-sized, properly distributed pores in the crumb, and high sensory characteristics. It can be concluded that powdered apple pomace can be successfully used as a functional and nutritionally valuable substitute for wheat flour, without a significant deterioration in the technological quality of products.

Electrospinning was used to create fibrous polylactide (PLA) materials loaded with Portulaca oleracea (P. oleracea) plant extract obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide. Morphological, physico-chemical, mechanical, and biological characteristics of the fibers were studied. According to the SEM results, the diameters of smooth and defect-free fibers fabricated by a one-pot electrospinning method were at micron scale. All the obtained materials possess good mechanical properties. Additionally, it was found that the composite fibers exhibited considerable antioxidant activity. The antimicrobial activity of the fibrous materials against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was determined as well. In vitro studies showed that the electrospun biomaterials had no cytotoxic effects and that the combination of PLA and the P. oleracea extract in the fiber structure promoted cell survival and proliferation of normal mouse fibroblasts. The obtained results reveal that microfibrous mats containing the polyester—PLA and the plant extract—P. oleracea can be suitable for applications in wound healing.

Gamma irradiation has been applied as an efficient and inexpensive method for the sterilization of nuts for years. However, along with the benefits of such treatment, negative effects are possible because of the formation of reactive oxygen species with a toxic effect on important biologically active substances. Because of the scarce and contradictory information in the literature about gamma-irradiated almonds, the aim of our work was the examination of the lipid changes, antioxidant activity, and oxidative stability of almonds treated by 10 and 25 kGy gamma rays, as well as changes in intensity of the EPR spectra as an indicator for the stability of radiation-induced free radicals. The results revealed no significant differences in the EPR spectra of almonds treated at 10 and 25 kGy doses, neither in their intensity nor in kinetic behaviour. The EPR signals decayed exponentially over 250 days, with a decreasing of central line by 90%, with satellite lines by about 73%. No significant changes in the fat content, fatty acids composition, and acid value of irradiated almonds were observed. However, the amount of (alpha)tocopherols decreased from 292 to 175 mg/kg, whereas the conjugated dienes and trienes increased, K232 from 1.3 to 3 and K268 from 0.04 to 0.15, respectively, with the increasing of irradiation dose. The same was observed for total polyphenols in defatted almonds (1374 to 1520 mg/100 g), where in vitro antioxidant activity determined by ORAC and HORAC methods increased from 100 to 156 µmol TE/g and from 61 to 86 µmol GAE/g, respectively. The oxidative stability of oil decreased from 6 to 4 h at 120 °C and from 24.6 to 18.6 h at 100 °C (measured by Rancimat equipment). The kinetic parameters characterizing the oxidative stability of oil from 10 kGy irradiated almonds were studied before and after addition of different concentrations of ascorbyl palmitate as a synergist of tocopherols. Its effectiveness was concentration-dependent, and 0.75 mM ensured the same induction period as that of non-irradiated nut oil. Further enrichment with alpha-tocopherol in equimolar ratio with palmitate did not improve the oil stability. In conclusion, gamma irradiation is an appropriate method for the treatment of almonds without significant changes in fat content and fatty acids composition. The decreasing of oxidative stability after higher irradiation could be prevented by the addition of ascorbyl palmitate.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an efficient extracorporeal blood purification technique to remove circulating autoantibodies and other pathogenic substances. Its mechanism of action in immune-mediated neurological disorders includes immediate intravascular reduction of autoantibody concentration, pulsed induction of antibody redistribution, and subsequent immunomodulatory changes. Conventional TPE with 1 to 1.5 total plasma volume (TPV) exchange is a well-established treatment in Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder, Myasthenia Gravis and Multiple Sclerosis. There is insufficient evidence for the efficacy of so-called low volume plasma exchange (LVPE) (

In the light of the emerging bacterial resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics, the search for new antibacterial therapeutics and drug combinations is one of the most challenging topics nowadays. In the present study, we investigated for the first time the antibacterial and biofilm inhibitory effects of the third generation anticancer alkylphosphocholine (APC) erufosine against pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus strains in comparison to the prototype of this pharmacological class of drugs, miltefosine. We also searched for synergistic antibacterial combinations between both APCs and curcumin incorporated in copolymeric micelles based on Pluronic® P123 or a mixture of Pluronic® P123 and Pluronic® F127 (P123/F127). The obtained quantitative redox-activity experimental data and drug–drug interactions were evaluated by using mathematical models in the MAPLE software. Similar to miltefosine, erufosine showed a moderate bacteriostatic effect in clinically relevant concentrations (50 ÷ 60 µmol/L) and inhibited the redox activity of the treated bacteria up to 90% at minimal inhibitory concentrations. The effect of both APCs towards methicillin resistant staphylococci was enhanced by combinations with P123/F127 micellar CRM at a ratio of 1:1. Erufosine showed a stronger median biofilm inhibition at lower concentrations (MBIC50 = 1.87 µmol/L) than miltefosine (MBIC50 = 6.0 µmol/L) and curcumin (MBIC50 = 24.84 µmol/L) as demonstrated by quantification of biofilm-bound bacteria. In conclusion, the estimated antibacterial activity of erufosine widens the spectrum of its useful pharmacological effects, which is important for its clinical development. The established synergistic and additive drug combinations could be beneficial for the application of both APCs in cancer therapy, since numerous malignancies are accompanied by bacterial infections.

The phenyl glycoside myconoside, extracted from Balkan endemic Haberlea rhodopensis, has a positive effect on human health, but the exact molecular mechanism of its action is still unknown. The cell membrane and its associated junctional complex are the first targets of exogenous compound action. We aimed to study the effect of myconoside on membrane organization and cytoskeleton components involved in the maintenance of cell polarity in the MDCKII cell line. By fluorescent spectroscopy and microscopy, we found that at low concentrations, myconoside increases the cell viability by enhancing membrane lipid order and adherent junctions. The opposite effect is observed in high myconoside doses. We hypothesized that the cell morphological and physicochemical changes of the analyzed cell compartments are directly related to cell viability and cell apical-basal polarity. Our finding contributes to a better understanding of the beneficial application of phytochemical myconoside in pharmacology and medicine.

Gamma irradiation is efficiently applied to many foods, but nevertheless there is a distinct lack of information about the changes of macro- and micronutrients (e.g., carbohydrates, lipids, organic acids, and phenolics) in dried rose hip (RH) fruits. Therefore, in this study, for the first time, the effect of gamma irradiation (10 and 25 kGy) on RH constituents is investigated. Different analytical techniques (GC-FID, HPLC-UV, HPSEC-RID, IR-FT, and SEM) are employed to examine this effect. The irradiation treatment (10 kGy) increased the glucose content by 30% and released cellobiose from RH fruits, thus revealing cellulose destruction. The extractability of total uronic acids increased from 51% (control) to 70.5% (25 kGy-irradiated), resulting in a higher pectin yield (10.8% < 12.8% < 13.4%) and molecular heterogeneity. Moreover, de-esterification was not a major effect of the irradiation-induced degradation of pectin. The sample exposure to the highest dose did not change the content of total carotenoids, β-carotene, and (un)saturated fatty acids, but it affected the tocopherols levels. Gamma rays had a negligible effect on the phenolic constituents and did not affect ORAC and HORAC antioxidant activity. In conclusion, it can be compromised that the exposition of dried RH is safe and can be successfully applied to decontaminate fruits without affecting their nutritional value and biological activity.

Spirulina platensis is a cyanobacterium (blue-green algae) that grows in alkaline waters. In food industry, Spirulina’s phycocyanin is used as a natural colorant and stabilizer. The influence of three different concentrations of Spirulina platensis (0.5%, 1% and 1.5%) on physicochemical, textural, antioxidant and sensory parameters of ice cream was studied. It was found that with increasing spirulina concentration, the overrun increases from 30.6% (IC–0) to 48.3% (IC–3). The analysis of texture profile (hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, gumminess) of samples showed a statistically significant difference (p