Search Results (2,099)

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) coupled with ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) were evaluated as an extraction technique for phenolic compounds from Crataegus monogyna leaves and flowers. Nine well-known hydrophilic NADESs were investigated as green extraction media, and their extractability was assessed in terms of major individual compounds, total flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins, as well as antioxidant activity. Water and ethanol–water solutions (70% and 50%, v/v) were used as reference solvents. An HPLC method was developed and partially validated for the quantitative determination of key individual components, including chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, vitexin, vitexin-2″-O-rhamnoside, and vitexin 2″-O-(4‴-O-acetyl)-rhamnoside. The subsequent chemometric analysis of the datasets revealed that the NADES systems choline chloride:urea:water (1:1:6) and choline chloride:glucose:water (5:2:25) exhibited pronounced extraction performance for all investigated metabolites, while preserving high antioxidant activity of the extracts. Pearson correlation coefficients and corresponding p-values demonstrated strong and statistically significant relationships among the majority of the investigated parameters: solvents’ physicochemical properties, the yield of phenolic compounds, and the antioxidant activity of the hawthorn extracts. The results highlight the potential of choline chloride based NADESs containing urea or glucose as alternative solvents for the green production of hawthorn-derived ingredients for functional foods, nutraceuticals, and herbal preparations, thereby contributing to the development of scalable, application-oriented extraction technologies. Full article

Fat deposition in laying hens involves lipid synthesis, transport, storage, and allocation across multiple tissues, yet the metabolic links between abdominal fat (AF) and egg yolk (EY) lipid deposition remain unclear. Here, we integrated whole-genome resequencing data with untargeted metabolomic profiles from the liver, duodenum, ileum, cecum, and serum of 248 purebred Rhode Island Red hens at 100 weeks of age. We estimated metabolite-explained variance (me²) for 22 fat deposition-related traits, evaluated metabolite heritability, and combined Spearman correlation analysis with bidirectional generalized summary-data-based Mendelian randomization (GSMR) to identify shared metabolites and pathways associated with AF and EY traits. The me² showed clear tissue specificity, with the liver, serum, and duodenum showing significant explanatory signals for 77.3% (17/22), 72.7% (16/22), and 68.2% (15/22) of fat-related traits. Liver-, AF-, and body weight-related traits showed stronger metabolomic explanatory signals, with significant proportions of 71.4–100.0%, 28.6–100.0%, and 100.0% across tissues, respectively, whereas EY-related traits showed more restricted and tissue-specific associations (0–33.3%). Correlation analysis identified liver-enriched AF–EY shared metabolites (e.g., NADPH, cholesteryl sulfate, N6,N6,N6-trimethyllysine), most of which showed opposite association patterns between AF- and EY-related traits. Bidirectional GSMR prioritized 20 candidate metabolites with opposite putative effects on AF and EY traits, including CDP-choline, phosphorylcholine, and allantoin. Pathway integration highlighted fructose/mannose metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, ABC transporters, folate/one-carbon metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and energy metabolism as core components of the AF–EY shared network. These findings reveal tissue-specific and shared metabolic bases of fat deposition and identify candidate metabolic signatures associated with lipid partitioning between abdominal fat and egg yolk in laying hens. Full article

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) constitutes a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The present study examined the cardioprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of the folate-producing strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) P133, isolated from traditional fermented pickled vegetables, in a murine model of HHcy induced by a methionine-choline-deficient diet. The findings revealed that administration of P133 significantly reduced serum homocysteine concentrations and improved cardiac function, as evidenced by decreased serum cardiac enzymes (AST, LDH, Ctnt, Ctni), mitigated myocardial histopathological damage, and lowered oxidative stress levels (e.g., decreased MDA). Mechanistically, P133 appears to provide dual protective effects: firstly, it functions as an intrinsic source of folate, thereby mitigating disturbances in one-carbon metabolism; secondly, it influences the composition of the gut microbiota, significantly enhancing the prevalence of beneficial taxa such as Muribaculaceae, and modifies the serum metabolomic profile by increasing favorable metabolites like indoleacetic acid, which correlate strongly with attenuated cardiac injury. These synergistic effects are associated with attenuated cardiac injury. Therefore, L. plantarum P133 emerges as a promising probiotic candidate for the prevention and treatment of cardiac damage related to HHcy via a multifaceted intervention approach. Full article

Choline-based ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as promising candidates for application in multifaceted avenues, including electrochemistry, biomaterials, and environmental remediation technologies. However, their regulatory effects on the growth of agricultural plants have rarely been discussed. In this study, 14 choline–fatty acid ILs ([Chl][FA] ILs) containing different FA anions were synthesized, and their effects on the maize growth were investigated. Hydroponic experiments revealed that low concentrations (20 mg/L) of dicarboxylic acid-based [Chl][FA] ILs (e.g., choline pentane diacid [Chl][Pent]) significantly promoted maize root and shoot biomass, whereas higher concentrations inhibited it. Specifically, [Chl][Pent] enhanced chlorophyll content without altering Fv/F₀, upregulated nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS) activities, and stimulated the expression of key nitrogen metabolism (NR and GS) and photosynthetic (Rubisco) genes. Pathway analyses of differentially expressed genes indicated that [Chl][Pent] was associated with the upregulation of nitrogen and glycerophospholipid metabolism. [Chl][Pent] increased the average grain yield by 6.88% over two years compared to CK. Field application of [Chl][Pent] increased grain yield and protein accumulation relative to both control and choline chloride treatments. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of dicarboxylic acid-based [Chl][FA] ionic liquids as eco-friendly biostimulants for enhancing crop growth, yield, and quality. Full article

As a natural compound with various biological activities, tangeretin (TAN) has numerous potential advantages in food and medical fields. However, its poor aqueous solubility and bioavailability limit its effective application. In this paper, the mixed monolayer characteristics of different mass fractions of TAN with stearic acid (SA) and dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC) were investigated. The optimal film-forming composition was obtained by analyzing the molecular area, monolayer compressibility, shrinkage and expansion, and other thermodynamic parameters. The results indicated that there was mutual repulsion between SA and TAN molecules, and the stability of the monolayer was poor. However, TAN/DPPC mixed monolayers exhibited favorable interactions and mutual attraction between the two components. When ω_TAN was 0.2, the minimum excess surface pressure of the TAN/DPPC system was −17.16 mN/m, and the minimum excess Helmholtz free energy was −3413.62 J/mol. At this composition, the intermolecular attraction between DPPC and TAN was strongest, and the mixed monolayer displayed strong deformation resistance and high stability. Full article

Habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq. var. Jaguar) leaves are an underutilized by-product with potential as a source of polyphenols. This study evaluated UAE/NADES extraction as a tunable strategy to modulate selective polyphenol recovery rather than only maximizing total yield. A 2 × 3 × 2 factorial design was used to assess the hydrogen-bond acceptor (HBA) in fructose-based NADES, choline chloride (ChCl) or malic acid (MAc), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) time (10, 20, and 30 min), and leaf drying method: freeze-drying (FzD) or oven-drying (OvD). Total phenolic content (TPC, Folin–Ciocalteu), antioxidant capacity (Ax, DPPH assay), and individual polyphenols by UPLC-DAD were determined. The highest TPC was obtained with ChCl from FzD leaves after 10 min of UAE (36.18 ± 0.70 mg GAE/g dry leaf). Maximum Ax was observed in OvD leaves after 30 min and was similar between HBAs (ChCl: 86.43 ± 0.65%; MAc: 86.95 ± 0.18%). UPLC-DAD confirmed compound-dependent selectivity, with catechin favored in MAc-FzD at 20 min (51.14 ± 1.07 mg/g dry leaf), chlorogenic acid in MAc-OvD at 10 min (16.05 ± 0.09 mg/g dry leaf), and quercetin + luteolin in MAc-FzD at 10 min (5.37 ± 0.05 mg/g dry leaf). This selective behavior may be associated with HBA-dependent solvent–solute affinity, polarity, hydrogen-bonding interactions, UAE-driven mass transfer, and drying-induced matrix changes. It is important to note that TPC, antioxidant capacity, and individual polyphenols showed a decoupled response, indicating that the overall spectrophotometric parameters did not necessarily reflect the polyphenol profile. Overall, the results show that UAE/NADES conditions can be directed toward target polyphenol profiles, supporting the valorization of C. chinense leaves as a source of tailored polyphenol extracts for future food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or nutraceutical applications. Full article

Background: Cognitive difficulties are common after SARS-CoV-2 infection, yet their neurobiological underpinnings remain uncertain. Cognitive symptoms in post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) are often characterised by attentional and executive dysfunction, although the relationship between subjective symptoms and objective neurobiological changes remains uncertain. Methods: Adults previously hospitalised with COVID-19 who reported persistent cognitive symptoms underwent neuropsychological testing and 3 T MRI. The protocol included high-resolution volumetric imaging, diffusion-based tractography, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of frontal white matter. Data were compared with age- and sex-matched controls from a pre-COVID-19 cohort and against pooled normative MRS datasets. Analyses adjusted for intracranial volume, sex, and time since infection, with false-discovery-rate correction. This study was exploratory and hypothesis-generating in design. Results: Thirty participants were recruited; twenty-nine completed MRI acquisition. Participants (mean age 58 years; 62% female; approximately two years post-infection) demonstrated selective impairments in attention, working memory, and verbal fluency. No widespread volumetric or white-matter differences were identified, although reduced posterior hypothalamic volume and altered occipito-parietal connectivity were observed. MRS demonstrated reduced N-acetylaspartate and elevated choline, myo-inositol, and glutamate-glutamine ratios relative to normative reference ranges. No significant associations were observed between imaging measures and cognitive or symptoms outcomes after correction. Conclusions: PCC is characterised by circumscribed cognitive changes and subtle neural differences, but these objective changes do not closely align with subjective symptom severity. This mismatch shares phenotypic features with functional cognitive disorder and suggests that post-COVID-19 “brain fog” is not driven by structural or neurochemical changes alone. Instead, it potentially reflects a combination of mild neurobiological effects and functional cognitive processes. Together, these findings highlight the importance of considering both brain-based and functional contributors to persistent cognitive complaints after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Full article

Background/Objectives: Aged garlic extract (AGE), produced by aging raw garlic in an aqueous ethanol solution for over 10 months, exhibits multiple pharmacological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, because AGE has a complex composition and many constituents remain insufficiently characterized, the chemical basis underlying its broad activities is not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate these previously overlooked compounds in AGE to better understand its chemical complexity. Methods: AGE was fractionated using bioactivity assays to select target fractions for detailed chemical analysis. Metabolomics profiling was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Compounds were tentatively identified through database matching, fragmentation pattern analysis, and comparison with authentic standards. Results: Thirteen compounds not previously reported in AGE were tentatively identified. Citric acid was present at high levels. Citrulline and galacturonic acid were detected in AGE but not in raw garlic, suggesting that they are formed during the aging process. Trigonelline was detected and tentatively identified in the AGE sample used in this study. The remaining compounds included choline, 5-oxoproline, malic acid, gluconic acid, adenine, succinic acid, mucic acid, pipecolinic acid, and caffeic acid. These compounds may contribute to the diverse biological activities of AGE. Conclusions: These findings expand the chemical characterization of AGE and provide a foundation for understanding its broad pharmacological activities. They may also support future studies on functional food development and the health benefits of AGE. Full article

Background/Objectives: Statins are currently one of the most commonly used cholesterol-lowering drugs. In recent years, in addition to their well-known effects on the cardiovascular system, statins have been shown to exert beneficial effects in the progression of various neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Methods: In this study, the effects of lovastatin on the function of α7-nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptors expressed in rat hippocampus and Xenopus oocytes were investigated. Results: In whole-cell patch clamp studies in hippocampal neurons, 21-day chronic (20 mg/kg), but not acute (20 min), lovastatin treatment caused significant potentiation of choline (a selective agonist for α7 nACh receptors)-induced currents and choline-induced increases in GABA_A receptor-mediated currents. Further studies in Xenopus oocytes expressing human α7-nACh receptors indicated that 72 h pretreatment with lovastatin caused a significant increase in α7-nACh receptor function with an EC₅₀ value of 296 nM. Other statins, such as simvastatin and pravastatin, also potentiated α7-nACh receptors. Potentiation by lovastatin treatment was associated with a significant decrease in oocyte cholesterol content and was diminished by Go6983, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), suggesting that both decreased cholesterol levels and activation of PKC are involved in statin potentiation of α7-nACh receptors. Conclusions: In conclusion, our findings indicate that chronic lovastatin treatment potentiates the function of α7-nACh receptors in hippocampal neurons and in Xenopus oocytes expressing human α7-nACh receptors and provides important insights that could guide future efforts to design novel drugs targeting α7-nACh receptors. Full article

The environmental performance of chitosan production is evaluated through a rigorous computational comparison between traditional thermochemical deacetylation and innovative green synthesis pathways utilizing Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES). Implementation of the Waste Reduction (WAR) algorithm facilitates the quantification of the Potential Environmental Impact (PEI) across eight toxicological and ecotoxicological categories, providing a systematic benchmark for process sustainability. While the conventional route, characterized by the intensive consumption of HCl and NaOH, generates a substantial environmental burden of 1.37 × 10⁷ PEI/ton, the optimized green architecture leveraging a choline chloride:ethylene glycol (ChCl:EG) system achieves a radical reduction to 2.25 × 10⁴ PEI/ton. This 99.8% decrease in PEI is primarily driven by the mitigation of Human Toxicity Potential (HTP) and Acidification Potential (AP) through the substitution of corrosive mineral acids and volatile organics with biodegradable, low-vapor-pressure alternatives. These findings substantiate the integration of DES-mediated biorefineries as a high-efficiency strategy for the valorization of marine waste into high-purity biopolymers, aligning with the requirements for industrial process intensification and circular bioeconomy standards. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adequate choline intake is critical across the peripartum period for optimal maternal-offspring health. Maternal depressive symptoms are associated with poor dietary quality, but the relationship between postpartum depression and choline intake in lactating mothers of preterm infants, a period of heightened intake requirements, has not been previously explored. Methods: Lactating mothers of hospitalized preterm infants (born ≤36 weeks gestational age) completed depression screening with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and a dietary choline intake survey. Mann–Whitney U tests compared maternal choline intake based on EPDS screen status (low-risk or at-risk for depression). Multivariable linear regression assessed the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms and choline intake. Results: EPDS screens were at-risk in 18 (42%) of the 43 participants. Median choline intake across the cohort was <50% of recommended dietary intake (median [IQR] 221 [147, 308] mg), with lower intake in mothers with at-risk EPDS screens compared to low-risk screens (median [IQR] score: 156 [105, 218] mg vs. 298 [196, 357] mg, p < 0.01). In multivariable linear regression, EPDS score was negatively associated with maternal choline intake (β [95% CI] = −0.13 [−0.26, −0.01], p = 0.03). Conclusions: Dietary choline intake is low among lactating mothers of preterm infants, particularly those with postpartum depressive symptoms. Full article

Black garlic peels (BGPs) are a largely underutilized by-product despite representing an untapped source of bioactive compounds. This study presents a sustainable upcycling protocol for black garlic peels, evaluating natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDES) to develop multifunctional extracts for green cosmetics. Following the screening of four eutectic mixtures, the choline chloride–lactic acid (ChCl:LA) system demonstrated the highest extraction efficiency. The optimized extract yielded a remarkable total phenolic content (5216.61 µg GAE/mL) and strong antioxidant capacity, confirmed by DPPH and FRAP assays, associated with recovering both free and bound phenolic fractions. Subsequent HPLC profiling characterized the extract, and the comparative analysis explicitly demonstrated that antimicrobial activity is entirely driven by and identical to the pure eutectic solvent vehicle rather than the extracted garlic biomass, with broad-spectrum efficacy against C. albicans, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus. To evaluate its cosmeceutical potential, the extract was incorporated into emulsions (5%, 10%, 15% w/w) with inorganic or organic UV filters. Although the direct Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and the UVA Protection Factor (UVA-PF) did not show enhancing results, a photochemiluminescence (PCL) analysis revealed a synergistic behaviour with organic filters, successfully boosting the formulation’s biological antioxidant shield. This pioneering work highlights BGP’s upcycling potential, proposing NaDES extracts as highly promising multifunctional, antioxidant, and antimicrobial ingredients for next-generation cosmeceuticals. Full article

Background/Objectives: Maternal intake of methyl-group donors (MGD) during pregnancy may influence fetal development, yet its role in in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies remains poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate maternal intake of MGDs during late pregnancy and its association with neonatal outcomes in IVF versus spontaneously (S) conceived pregnancies. Methods: We assessed third-trimester, daily maternal intake of MGD (folate, betaine, choline, methionine, and folic acid) using a validated food-frequency questionnaire, and maternal supplement intake using a structured questionnaire. Methyl-donor nutrient score (MDNS) was calculated based on deciles of MGD intake. Serum folic acid and vitamin B12 concentrations were measured using standardized immunochemical assay. Predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Anthropometric data were measured from singleton newborns (weight, length, head- and waist circumference, body composition) and mothers (height, weight, body composition) after delivery. Statistical analysis was conducted using R (4.1.2v). Results: 265 mother–child pairs were included in the study (IVF n = 83). Daily dietary intake of MGDs was similar between groups, but IVF mothers reported significantly higher daily folic acid (668.7 ± 1050.9 vs. 418.8 ± 419.2 µg, p = 0.0034) and vitamin B12 (11.07 ± 31.58 vs. 7.95 ± 29.00 µg, p = 0.0078) supplementation. Serum analyses were available in a subgroup (n = 131, IVF n = 61) of mothers, showing higher postpartum folate (IVF: 10.96 ± 5.54 vs. S: 8.29 ± 4.72 µg/L, p = 0.0064) and vitamin B12 (IVF: 288.22 ± 113.82 vs. S: 233.70 ± 78.23 ng/L, p = 0.0053). Maternal daily dietary choline intakes were significantly below recommendations (IVF: 251.9 ± 98.5 mg, S: 243.8 ± 106.8 mg). Among 151 singleton neonates (IVF n = 57), anthropometric parameters did not differ between IVF and spontaneously conceived groups and were not associated with MDNS tertiles. Conclusions: Maternal MGD intake during third trimester of pregnancy was not associated with neonatal anthropometric outcomes in singleton pregnancies. Consistently low dietary choline intake highlights a potential nutritional gap warranting improved dietary guidance and supplementation strategies. Full article

Efficient pretreatment is essential for improving the conversion of lignocellulose into fermentable sugars and bioethanol. In this study, choline chloride–monoethanolamine (ChCl-MEA)-based solvent systems containing H₂O₂, NaHCO₃, Na₂S, or ethylene glycol were prepared and applied for the pretreatment of Dendrocalamus brandisii. Among the tested systems, ChCl-MEA-Na₂S showed the best overall pretreatment performance, achieving 92.8 ± 2.3% delignification and 86.1 ± 1.7% cellulose retention. It also effectively disrupted lignin–carbohydrate associations, reduced lignin shielding and generated a more accessible cellulose-rich substrate for bioconversion. In the following separation enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation, 92.2 ± 2.2% cellulose in substrate was converted to glucose, and 17.49 ± 0.7 g/L ethanol was obtained via the fermentation of enzymatic hydrolysate. Taking the bioconversion of substrate into consideration, the ChCl-MEA-H₂O₂ and ChCl-MEA-Na₂S were recovered for full component utilization. Especially, the carbon dots produced from the degradation compounds in ChCl-MEA-H₂O₂ DESs had favorable antioxidation and antibacterial performance due to the oxygen-containing group caused by oxidation of H₂O₂. Full article

Background: Subthreshold depression is a prevalent condition among the elderly and often remains untreated due to the limited efficacy and poor tolerability of standard antidepressants. Choline alfoscerate, a cholinergic precursor, is indicated for the treatment of a condition, pseudodepression in the elderly, that is currently clinically classified as subthreshold depression in older adults. Also, choline alfoscerate has shown neuroprotective and antidepressant-like effects. Objective: This pilot study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of choline alfoscerate in elderly patients with subthreshold depressive symptoms, using contemporary diagnostic criteria and standardized outcome measures. Methods: Seventeen patients aged ≥65 years were enrolled in an open-label, single-arm study and received 1200 mg/day of choline alfoscerate for 8 weeks. Clinical and neuropsychological assessments were performed at baseline, after 4 weeks, and at the study’s end. Results: A statistically significant improvement was observed in depressive symptoms, as reflected by reductions in HAMD-17 (p < 0.001) and GDS-15 scores (p < 0.05), as well as in overall clinical severity assessed by the Clinical Global Impression–Severity scale (CGI-S, p < 0.05). No significant changes were noted in cognitive performance (MOCA) or apathy (AES-I). The treatment was well tolerated. Conclusions: Choline alfoscerate may represent a potentially safe and promising therapeutic option for subthreshold depression in older adults. However, given the exploratory nature of this open-label pilot study, these findings should be considered preliminary and hypothesis-generating and require confirmation in randomized controlled trials. Full article