Chemistry & Biodiversity最新文献

The Red Sea, a biologically rich marine ecosystem, is a promising source of novel bioactive compounds with significant therapeutic potential. This review analyzes a decade of research on the isolation, characterization, and biological activities of compounds obtained from sponges, corals, microalgae, seaweeds, marine fish, and microorganisms. These bioactive molecules, including alkaloids, glycosides, terpenes, and peptides, exhibit antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Various extraction techniques, ranging from traditional solvent extraction to advanced methods such as supercritical fluid and ultrasound-assisted extraction, aid in their isolation. Meanwhile, chromatographic purification and bioassay-guided fractionation enhance their identification. However, challenges such as limited availability, complex extraction processes, and regulatory constraints hinder the clinical translation of these technologies. Addressing these barriers requires innovative extraction strategies, advanced characterization techniques, and interdisciplinary approaches that integrate marine biology with emerging technologies, such as deep learning. Future research should focus on exploring molecular interactions within coral reef ecosystems, unraveling marine bacterial diversity, and implementing conservation strategies to protect the Red Sea's unique biodiversity while accelerating drug discovery.

One of the most crucial approaches to treating some aggressive diseases, like cancer, is to either discover new medications or to refine and adapt those that already exist. Among these approaches is the drug delivery system, which could help reduce drug doses and side effects. In the existing endeavor, cisplatin (CIS) was loaded on polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene oxide nanofiber (PVA-PEO-CIS) by the electrospinning method. The fabricated nanofiber was characterized, and its anticancer impact against cervical cancer cells (HeLa) was measured. Also, its antibacterial effect was studied. The obtained findings indicated that (PVA-PEO-CIS) nanofiber inhibits HeLa growth with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 19.82 µg/mL compared to free CIS (IC₅₀ = 26.31 µg/mL). Importantly, the nanofiber was less toxic to normal WI-38 cells compared to free CIS. The improvement of the anticancer action of CIS was consistent with CIS release studies that indicated about 50% of CIS was released from nanofibers within 8 h. Further, PVA-PEO-CIS nanofiber showed potent bactericidal impact against different bacterial strains, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. For several biological applications, including tumor therapy and antibacterial research, PVA-PEO-CIS may be a potential medication candidate.

Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco is an evergreen conifer widely used in folk medicine. However, few studies have explored the volatile composition of its fruits. The present study aimed to perform a comparative gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) profiling of the fruit essential oil and n-hexane extract, with assessment of the antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory potentials. In silico molecular docking and predictive absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) profiling of the main identified components were adopted to support the obtained results. Results revealed that the hydrodistilled oil was dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons (91.70%), with α-pinene (55.83%) as the main component. The n-hexane extract was dominated by diterpenoids (24.65%) and monoterpene hydrocarbons (25.46%), with 10-nonacosanol being the major component (18.95%). Both samples showed antioxidant properties. The hydrodistilled oil exhibited higher performance, indicated by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity assays. The n-hexane extract exhibited higher cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and metal chelating ability (MCA) activities. Both samples showed inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase enzymes. α-Amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes were only inhibited by the n-hexane extract, indicating its blood glucose management effect. The molecular docking and predictive ADME analyses supported the obtained results. These findings revealed that the extraction method markedly influenced the chemical composition and biological activity, highlighting the potential for treating dysregulated-enzyme conditions in addition to the health-promoting application of the essential oil in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Tetrahydroserpentine (ThS), an indole alkaloid and α₁‑adrenergic receptor blocker, is used for treating hypertension, a condition often linked with diabetic pathophysiology. However, its toxicological profile and safety under hyperglycemic conditions remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the antioxidant activity, subacute toxicity, and effect of ThS under hyperglycemic conditions using in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches. In vitro toxicity analysis demonstrated that ThS exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity in both cancerous and noncancerous cells at ≥ 25 µM. It showed moderate antioxidant activity by reducing H₂O₂-induced ROS, although its antioxidant effect declined with time. In silico network pharmacology predicted 110 targets involved in metabolic, inflammatory, and proliferative pathways. In vivo subacute toxicity studies in mice showed that oral doses ≥ 5.0 mg/kg/day led to liver and kidney damage, as evidenced by altered hematological, biochemical, and histological parameters. A lower dose (2.5 mg/kg/day) was identified as non-toxic and used in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic mice. At this dose, ThS did not improve hyperglycemia-induced liver and kidney damage and, notably, worsened serum SGOT and urea levels. These findings highlight that while ThS possesses limited antioxidant capacity, it can be toxic at higher doses and harmful under hyperglycemic conditions. Further studies are required to ensure its safe therapeutic use in hyperglycemic conditions.

The preparation of metal or metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) using the green method is rapid, low-cost, and eco-friendly. In this study, nickel oxide NPs (NiO NPs) were synthesized using Foeniculum vulgare seed extract. The green-synthesized NiO NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. SEM and TEM images revealed spherical and sheet-like morphologies. The NiO NPs exhibited notable antioxidant, antimicrobial, and molecular interaction properties. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH⁺ and ABTS⁺ assays, showing IC₅₀ values of 12.68 ± 0.56 and 11.82 ± 0.84 µg/mL, respectively, compared to standard antioxidants ascorbic acid (8.94 ± 2.2 µg/mL) and gallic acid (1.2 ± 0.67 µg/mL). Antibacterial assays against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli revealed concentration-dependent inhibition, with maximum zones of inhibition at 80 µg/mL, measuring 7.86 mm for E. coli and 7.21 mm for S. aureus. Antifungal activity showed dose-dependent inhibition of Aspergillus niger (6.00–7.96 mm) but minimal effect on Fusarium sp. (6.00–6.03 mm), compared to ketoconazole controls (9.36 and 9.21 mm, respectively). Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities of NiO NPs with P. aeruginosa (−9.9 kcal/mol) and A. niger endoglucanase (−8.5 kcal/mol), comparable to streptomycin (−11.1 kcal/mol) and ketoconazole (−10.0 kcal/mol). These findings highlight the promising antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of NiO NPs for biomedical applications.

Ornithogalum yesilyurtense Yıld. & Kılıç is a newly described endemic geophyte from Türkiye. This study offers the first comprehensive phytochemical and pharmacological profile of the plant. Methanol extracts taken from the aerial and bulb parts were assessed for antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. LC–MS/MS and GC–MS were used to further examine the phenolic and fatty acid contents. The aerial parts showed higher total phenolic content (TPC: 0.194 mg GAE/g), and antioxidant activity (more ferric reducing power [FRAP]: 0.784 µM Fe²⁺/g, and a lower DPPH IC₅₀: 1.645 µg/mL) than that of the bulbs (TPC: 0.148 mg GAE/g; FRAP: 0.285 µM Fe²⁺/g; DPPH IC₅₀: 2.17 µg/mL). Palmitic, linolenic, and γ-linolenic acids predominated in the aerial parts, while cis-linoleic and palmitic acids were dominant in bulbs. Resveratrol, hydroxycinnamic acid, and vanillic acid were the main phenolics in aerial parts, whereas ellagic, hydroxycinnamic, and gallic acids were abundant in bulbs. Both exhibited notable antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal activities. Overall, O. yesilyurtense represents a promising new source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in pharmaceutical and functional food formulations.

Monacha obstructa, a widespread land snail in Egypt, causes severe damage to various agricultural crops. The extensive use of conventional chemical pesticides has led to resistance development, reducing their effectiveness in pest management. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel and rational molluscicidal agents. In this study, new pyrazolopyridine-derived heterocycles (compounds 2–7) were synthesized and evaluated for their molluscicidal activity against M. obstructa in comparison with several reference insecticides. The molecular structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed using FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and mass spectrometry analyses. Following seven consecutive days of exposure, deltamethrin, methomyl, tolfenpyrad, and the 2-pyrazoline derivatives 3, 4, and 7 exhibited significant toxicity, whereas compounds 2, 5, and 6 displayed moderate effects. These findings suggest that the synthesized compounds are promising candidates for developing new molluscicides. Furthermore, their antibacterial and antifungal activities were assessed, revealing that compounds 3, 4, and 6 could serve as potential precursors for the development of antimicrobial agents.