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The current study aimed to identify the chemical constituents and bioactivities of the crude ethanolic extract (CEE) and its fractions (ethyl acetate (EAF), hexane (HEF), and aqueous (AEF)) from leaves of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) grown in Vietnam. A total of 31 compounds which belong to alkanes, hydrocarbons, iodine, terpenoids, phenolics, and flavonoids were determined by a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis, with bis(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate being the most prevailing compound. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents were obtained in the EAF, followed by HEF, CEE, and AQF. All samples showed promising in vitro antibacterial activity, enzyme inhibition, and anticancer activity. Among the samples tested, the EAF exhibited the highest enzyme inhibition activity against α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase (IC50 values of 51.24 μg/mL and 99.29 μg/mL, respectively), cytotoxicity activity against HeLa cells (IC50 value of 79.49 μg/mL), and antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli with MIC values of 5 mg/mL and 2.5 mg/mL, respectively. These findings suggest that the leaves of A. occidentale cultivated in Vietnam are a promising source of bioactive components and that EAF is a promising bioactive material warranting further pharmaceutical investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to develop a tissue engineering scaffold by incorporation of Bombyx mori silk fiber (BMSF) and agar. This promised the improvement in enhancing their advantageous properties as well as limiting their defects without occurring chemical reactions or crosslink formation. The morphology and chemical structure of scaffolds were observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra. The SEM results show that scaffolds containing BMSF have microporous structures, which are suitable for cell adhesion. Agar scaffolds, by contrast, had much more flat morphology. FT-IR spectra confirm that no modifications to BMSF happened in scaffolds, which indicates that there was no chemical reaction or crosslink formation between silk and agar in this process. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of scaffolds was performed in the mouse’s subcutaneous part of the dorsal region for 15 days, followed by Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining. H&E staining results demonstrate that scaffolds had good biocompatibility and there was no sign of the body rejection in all of samples. The results from animal study show that SA scaffolds have the most stable structure for cell adhesion compared with those single materials.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is a potential source of rosmarinic acid (RA). This study aimed to develop a novel aqueous enzymatic approach for extracting RA from rosemary leaves and evaluate the antioxidant activity of the RA‐rich extract. The ability of several enzymes to release RA from plant tissues was investigated. Among the examined enzymes, cellulase A exhibited the highest extraction efficiency. Subsequently, aqueous cellulase A‐assisted extraction was optimized. The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: an extraction time of 4.63 hr, a water‐to‐sample ratio of 28.69 ml/g, an enzyme concentration of 2.56%, and a temperature of 36.6°C, with the maximum RA content of 13.97 mg/g. The RA‐rich extract exhibited potent antioxidant activity against the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical with an IC50 value of 532.01 μg/ml. Aqueous cellulase‐assisted extraction is a green approach for RA extraction from rosemary leaves. Furthermore, the rosemary leaf extract is a promising antioxidant agent for future use. Practical applications: RA is a potent antioxidant and is widely applied in the food and pharmaceutical industries. This study developed a new method involving the use of enzyme for ecofriendly extracting RA from rosemary leaves. The results indicated that the RA‐rich extract is a potential antioxidant agent for future nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications and the aqueous cellulase‐assisted extraction is a practical and green process for RA extraction from rosemary leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the previous studies in last three decades report evidence of interactions between the different phytochemicals and the proteins involved in signal transduction pathways using in silico, in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo analyses. However, extrapolation of these findings for clinical purposes has not been that fruitful. The efficacy of the phytochemicals in vivo studies is limited by parameters such as solubility, metabolic degradation, excretion, etc. Various approaches have now been devised to circumvent these limitations. Recently, chemical modification of the phytochemicals are demonstrated to reduce some of the limitations and improve their efficacy. Similar to traditional medicines several combinatorial phytochemical formulations have shown to be more efficient. Further, phytochemicals have been reported to be even more efficient in the form of nanoparticles. However, systematic evaluation of their efficacy, mode of action in pathway modulation, usage and associated challenges is required to be done. The present review begins with basic understanding of how signaling cascades regulate cellular response and the consequences of their dysregulation further summarizing the developments and problems associated with the dietary phytochemicals and also discuss recent approaches in strengthening these compounds in pharmacological applications. Only context relevant studies have been reviewed. Considering the limitations and scope of the article, authors do not claim inclusion of all the early and recent studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]