The Scientific World Journal最新文献

Curcuma xanthorrhiza, a commonly used Indonesian medicinal plant, has been widely utilized in traditional remedies, yet its antiviral potential against SARS-CoV-2 remains poorly defined. The current study was aimed at investigating the effect of C. xanthorrhiza ethanol extract on inhibiting viral entry through in silico and in vitro studies. The active compounds of C. xanthorrhiza were characterized using liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). The identified compounds were screened according to the Lipinski, Ghose, Veber, and Egan rules, and their antiviral activity was predicted using the PASS server. Molecular docking and dynamic simulations were employed to determine binding affinity and stability between the selected compounds and the SARS-CoV-2 Spike D614G protein. The virus-like particle (VLP) of SARS-CoV-2 G614D was produced in HEK-293T cells via cotransfection of plasmids encoding spike-EGFP, membrane, and envelope proteins, and its morphology was verified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The IC₅₀ value of C. xanthorrhiza extract on 16HBE14o- cells was analyzed using the WST-1 method. 16HBE14o- cells were exposed to VLP and treated with C. xanthorrhiza at 2.5, 5, 10, 40, and 125 μg/mL for 24 and 48 h. The EGFP intensity of VLP-internalized cells was assessed through fluorescent microscopy. Curcumin, curcumin II, piperine, (+)-ar-turmerone, and peruvinine showed the strongest binding affinities (-7.5 to -6.2 kcal/mol), while curcumin, curcumin II, and (+)-ar-turmerone exhibited the most stable binding interactions. TEM confirmed successful VLP formation with a mean diameter of 52.94 ± 27.32 nm, and the IC₅₀ of the extract was 125 μg/mL. Furthermore, C. xanthorrhiza extract at 2.5 μg/mL significantly reduced VLP internalization after 24 h. These findings highlight C. xanthorrhiza as a promising natural candidate for SARS-CoV-2 inhibition, supported by consistent computational and experimental evidence.

Background: Hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a significant crop worldwide, including in Ethiopia, but its yield is radically dropping owing to several biotic factors such as bacterial wilting, necessitating the development of environmentally benign plant-based natural treatments to address these challenges. Therefore, this study seeks to evaluate the biocontrol potential of selected Lamiaceae species against Ralstonia solanacearum in hot pepper cultivation.

Methods: Ethanolic leaf extracts from six plant species were prepared using the maceration technique and characterized through qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses. R. solanacearum was isolated from infected hot peppers and identified using biochemical tests. The antibacterial activity of plant crude extracts was assessed in vitro against R. solanacearum using the agar well diffusion assay. The broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC). The data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: All of the examined plants' ethanol extracts contain alkaloids, phenolics, and terpenoids. Mentha spicata had the highest total phenolic content (184.5 ± 0.5 mg GAE/g dry sample), whereas Salvia schimperi had the highest total flavonoid content (144.3 ± 0.3 mg CE/g). Plant extracts revealed a dose-dependent gradual increase in the inhibitory zone. M. spicata extract had the highest antibacterial activity (18.33 ± 0.57), followed by S. schimperi (16 ± 1) at 50 mg/mL. The zone of inhibition differed significantly among the analyzed plant extracts (p < 0.05). M. spicata had a lower MIC (6.25 mg/mL) and MBC (12.5 mg/mL).

Conclusion: The Lamiaceae family holds significant potential as a biocontrol agent against R. solanacearum, as antibacterial compounds were found in the extract. Future research should focus on validating M. spicata and S. schimperi extracts through in vivo field trials to develop sustainable, plant-based biopesticides for Ethiopian pepper farmers.

This study entailed measurement of the concentration of ²²²Rn in surface and subsurface water sources from Kajiado Municipality in Kenya. Kajiado County receives minimal rainfall and is not well covered by the municipal treated water network. The residents of the area mainly rely on subsurface water sources for their domestic consumption. Twenty-seven surface and groundwater samples were collected, and ²²²Rn concentrations were measured using a RAD7 alpha detector. It was observed that the radon activity in groundwater ranged from 0.62 to 13 mBq/L while the radon activity in surface water ranged between 0.06 and 1.53 mBq/L. The mean values obtained were 6.01 ± 1 mBq/L for the groundwater and 0.45 ± 0.11 mBq/L for the surface water. These values are within the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standard limit of 148 mBq/L and the World Health Organization (WHO) global average of 100 mBq/L. The water is generally safe for domestic consumption.

Objective: This study is aimed at evaluating and comparing the scientific reliability of three large language models (LLMs), Perplexity, iASK, and ChatGPT 4o mini, based on their responses to orthodontic-related queries.

Materials and methods: The three LLMs were prompted with 10 clinical orthodontic questions, and their responses were assessed independently by two evaluators using a structured scoring system (0-10). Statistical analyses, including Pearson and Spearman correlations, Cronbach's alpha, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test, were performed to determine interevaluator reliability and model performance differences.

Results: Perplexity achieved the highest mean score (7.2), followed by iASK (5.4) and ChatGPT 4o mini (5.2). High consistency between evaluators was observed (Cronbach^'s alpha = 0.947). A significant difference was noted between Perplexity and both ChatGPT 4o mini and iASK (p = 0.002). Pearson and Spearman correlations indicated strong agreement between evaluators (r = 0.982, ρ = 1.000).

Conclusion: Perplexity demonstrated superior performance in orthodontic-related queries compared to ChatGPT 4o mini and iASK. The findings highlight the importance of evaluating AI models for clinical applicability and reliability.

Mallotus paniculatus (Lam.), a member of the Euphorbiaceae Juss family, is a little tree or shrub that has long been used in folk medicine to cure ailments like fever, wound healing, and postpartum recuperation. In this study, Swiss albino mice were used to evaluate the analgesic, antipyretic, and antidiarrheal properties of the acetone extract of M. paniculatus (AMP). Standard screening techniques were used to identify the phytochemical ingredients. Three models were used to evaluate analgesic activity: the tail immersion test, formalin-induced paw licking, and acetic acid-induced writhing. Antipyretic activity was assessed using a fever model induced by brewer's yeast. At the same time, antidiarrheal effects were evaluated by castor oil-induced diarrhea, and gastrointestinal motility was studied using a charcoal meal marker. Furthermore, in silico analyses-such as molecular docking, ADME profiling, toxicity prediction, and PASS analysis-were conducted using online tools. The results indicated that AMP at a lower dose (200 mg/kg) produced significant analgesic effects across all pain models compared with the control group. In the antipyretic evaluation, AMP administered at 400 mg/kg illustrated the most pronounced reduction in body temperature after 4 h, which was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The same higher dose (400 mg/kg) also significantly reduced diarrheal episodes and slowed gastrointestinal motility in both the castor oil-induced diarrhea and charcoal meal transit tests. Molecular docking analysis further corroborated these pharmacological effects, revealing that AMP compounds exhibited strong binding affinity toward key target receptors associated with pain, inflammation, and gastrointestinal activity. Collectively, these results indicate that AMP has promising potential as a natural multitarget therapeutic agent for the treatment of pain, fever, and diarrhea.

Ludwigia adscendens subsp. diffusa, an aquatic plant with an extended tradition of use in conventional healthcare, has received growing recognition for its variety of bioactive compounds. Numerous components, notably flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, and terpenoids, have been shown through phytochemical analyses to be responsible for the plant's pharmacological effects. These compounds are known to have actions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic properties, and anticancer effects. Initial phytochemical and pharmacological screenings have indicated therapeutic potential in addressing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and microbial infections; however, the current data are still incomplete. A comprehensive chemical characterization and an extensive assessment of its pharmacological effects are essential for enhancing our comprehension of its curative properties. Whereas in vitro and in vivo findings are promising, further investigation into clinical relevance and safety profiles is necessary to confirm L. adscendens as a potential therapeutic agent.

The integration of advanced sensors and digital technologies into food packaging systems has catalyzed the emergence of Smart Packaging 4.0, transitioning the package from a passive barrier into an intelligent cyber-physical interface for real-time monitoring and traceability. This study employs a systematic bibliometric analysis to map the intellectual structure of the field using bibliographic data retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science, analyzing a refined dataset of 253 unique documents published between 2015 and 2024 that exhibit a robust annual publication growth rate of 30.31%. Co-occurrence and network clustering analyses reveal three dominant research themes: (i) physicochemical sensing (pH sensors and colorimetry) for real-time spoilage detection; (ii) active and bioactive materials (anthocyanins and chitosan) for functional food protection; and (iii) digital supply chain integration (RFID and IoT) for enhanced traceability and logistics. The technological evolution is characterized by a strategic shift from the foundations of modified atmosphere packaging in Phase I (2017-2019) and biodegradable sensor-embedded materials in Phase II (2020-2022) to the current peak of innovation in Phase III (2023-2024), which defines Smart Packaging 4.0 through the convergence of AI, blockchain, and predictive analytics for secure and autonomous food management. Despite these advancements, critical barriers to large-scale commercialization persist, notably nanomaterial safety concerns regarding the migration of ZnO and TiO₂ into food, prohibitive sensor costs, and regulatory fragmentation between the European Union's positive-list approach and the United States' exposure-based model. This study provides a strategic decision-support framework that aligns technological innovation with global sustainability mandates, offering actionable insights to guide the development of next-generation intelligent, eco-efficient food packaging ecosystems.

Introduction: Cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive compound derived from Cannabis sativa, has shown potential to influence cellular processes that are important for dental tissue repair. The aim of this scoping review was to map in vitro studies evaluating the influence of CBD on the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) in order to contribute to a better understanding of its therapeutic potential.

Methods: The review followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework, supported by the JBI Manual and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The protocol was registered on OSF (osf.io/zfhca/). Comprehensive searches were conducted from January to June 2025 in PubMed, EMBASE, BVS, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and SciELO. Only studies published in English were included.

Results: Thirty articles were identified, and three in vitro studies met the eligibility criteria. At low concentrations (0.1-5 μM), CBD improved hDPSC viability, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. CBD also activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and wingless-related integration site/beta-catenin signaling (WNT/β-catenin) pathways and increased the expression of odontogenic markers such as Sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), Runt-related transcription Factor 2 (RUNX2), and osteocalcin.

Conclusion: CBD shows promise as a bioactive molecule in regenerative endodontics, supporting mineralization, regulating inflammatory mediators, and promoting critical cellular activities in hDPSCs. Nevertheless, the available evidence is limited and further preclinical and clinical studies are essential to develop therapeutic protocols and assess long-term safety. These preliminary findings indicate CBD as a novel candidate for regenerative strategies in endodontics.

Celastrus paniculatus (CP) is a traditional medicinal plant widely used in Ayurveda and Southeast Asian medicine for enhancing memory and treating cognitive dysfunction. Although CP has been reported to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, its direct impact on activity-dependent synaptic plasticity remains insufficiently characterized. This study is aimed at investigating the effects of CP seed extract on memory performance and synaptic plasticity in a rat model, with a particular focus on AMPA receptor modulation and associated synaptic proteins. Five-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups: control, CP (80 mg/kg), donepezil (1.5 mg/kg), scopolamine (1 mg/kg), and scopolamine followed by CP. Treatments were administered daily for 14 days. Spatial memory performance was assessed using the Morris water maze. Following behavioral testing, hippocampal tissue was collected for immunohistochemical analysis of Arc protein and Western blotting of pSer831-GluA1, Arc, and PSD-95. CP-treated rats exhibited significantly reduced escape latency and increased time in the target quadrant, with outcomes comparable to those of donepezil-treated rats. In scopolamine-pretreated rats, CP administration reversed memory deficits by enhancing platform crossings and reducing escape latency. Molecular analysis revealed that CP significantly upregulated hippocampal expression of pSer831-GluA1, Arc, and PSD-95, indicating enhanced AMPA receptor trafficking and synaptic integrity. CP seed extract enhances spatial memory and synaptic plasticity by modulating critical molecular components of the glutamatergic synapse. These findings suggest that CP may support memory performance in both baseline conditions and in animals with scopolamine-induced deficits.

Objectives: This study is aimed at evaluating the prevalence of etiologies of excessive gingival display (EGD) in Egyptian females including gingival enlargement (GE), altered passive eruption (APE), incisor over-eruption (IO), protrusion (P), vertical maxillary excess (VME), short upper lip (SUL), and hyperactive upper lip (HUL) and to identify clinical diagnostic patterns.

Methods: A total of 160 participants showing EGD > 2 mm were recruited. Clinical photos, videos, and measurements of facial proportions, upper lip length, upper lip mobility, incisor display upon rest, clinical crown dimensions, occlusal plane discrepancies, probing depth, transgingival probing, and keratinized gingiva were recorded and analyzed.

Results: Mean age was (27.62 ± 6.21) years. Overall prevalence of EGD 13.3% among them 55.8% EGD caused by single etiology, 44.3% EGD caused by multiple etiologies. 29.4% APE, 16.3% SUL + APE, 10% VME + APE, 8.8% VME, 6.3% HUL, 5% Incisor over-eruption, 3.8% GE, 3.8% SUL + GE, 3.1% VME + HUL, 2.5% SUL, 2.5% APE + HUL, 1.3% VME + GE, and 1.3% $\begin{array}{c}\text{VME}+\text{SUL}+\text{APE}\end{array}$ ….

Conclusions: APE both alone and combined with another etiology is the most prevalent cause of EGD and the most common diagnostic pattern is APE + SUL among Egyptian females. Single-factor and multifactorial EGD showed no significant difference in prevalence (p = 0.115), suggesting a similar likelihood of occurrence.

Clinical relevance: This study aimed to provide the clinician with a step-by-step guide for EGD comprehensive diagnosis, highlight the differences in prevalent etiologies between different populations and identify diagnostic patterns.