Growing demand for caffeine-free beverages and the valorization of fruit-processing residues has increased interest in roasted fruit seeds as coffee alternatives. This review evaluates seed composition, processing-induced transformations, antioxidant-assay responses, gastrointestinal bioaccessibility, biological evidence, sensory performance, and safety of beverages derived from date, açaí, baobab, avocado, tamarind, durian, snake fruit, papaya, ampalaya, and talisay. Fruit seeds contain diverse phenolic acids, flavonoids, procyanidins, tannins, tocopherols, phytosterols, lipids, and polysaccharides. However, their profiles vary markedly with species, cultivar, maturity, anatomical seed component (e.g., whole seed, seed coat, or kernel), and processing history. Roasting exerts bidirectional effects: it can degrade native phenolics and lipophilic antioxidants while enhancing the release of bound compounds and generating Maillard reaction products with antioxidant activity, including melanoidins. Simulated digestion and selected cell-based studies provide preliminary evidence of phytochemical release during digestion and cytoprotection, but efficacy in humans and long-term beverage safety remain insufficiently established. Future studies should quantify compounds and contaminants in standardized brews, report exposure per serving, distinguish chemical from biological endpoints, and integrate sensory acceptance with safety.
As a green aquaculture model, aquaponic systems have considerable potential for improving the aquaculture environment, but their effects on produced animals remain insufficiently understood. In this study, a Houttuynia cordata-based decoupled aquaponic system was established for Nile tilapia production. Its effects on the aquaculture water environment and physiological status of Nile tilapia were evaluated through water quality monitoring, serum biochemical analysis, hepatic antioxidant assessment, and brain stress-related gene expression. The system reduced ammonia nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, total phosphorus, permanganate index, and suspended solids, while reductions in total nitrogen and sulfide occurred only at specific time points. The system also improved hepatic function, lipid metabolism, and renal function. Notably, hepatic CAT, SOD, and GSH-Px activities increased, indicating enhanced enzymatic antioxidant defense. In brain tissue, gad2 and penk were upregulated, whereas comtb and pnmt were downregulated, suggesting altered neural regulation and stress-related responses. Overall, the Houttuynia cordata-based decoupled aquaponic system improved the aquaculture water environment and multiple aspects of Nile tilapia physiology, particularly hepatic enzymatic antioxidant defense, while modulating neural- and stress-related responses.
Psoralea glandulosa L. is a native Chilean plant, traditionally used as an antipyretic, antibacterial, and wound-healing remedy. It exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumor, and antipyretic bioactivities, attributed to its high terpenoid and flavonoid contents. Our previous investigations showed that its extracts and resin exert antioxidant activity, with high meroterpenoid Bakuchiol (BAK) content in stems, roots, leaves, and flowers. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate whether the resinous exudate, dichloromethane (DCM) extract of P. glandulosa L., and BAK activate the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling axis in human keratinocytes. Dose–response assays were conducted in human epidermal keratinocytes (HaCaT). We assessed Nrf2/HO-1 total protein levels, Nrf2 nuclear enrichment, ubiquitination, and CHX-chase by immunoblotting. We evaluated Nrf2 and downstream gene expression and transcriptional activity using RT-qPCR and Dual-Luciferase Reporter assays, respectively. Molecular docking was performed to gain insight into BAK interactions with pathway players. Resinous exudate, DCM extract, and BAK increased total Nrf2 levels. Moreover, BAK promoted Nrf2 nuclear translocation and stabilization, extending its half-life, in correlation with increased ubiquitination. Both DCM extract and BAK upregulated Nrf2 and downstream genes, strongly inducing HO-1 expression, supported by enhanced Nrf2 ARE-mediated transcriptional activity. Docking analysis predicted that BAK interacts with Keap1 at the Kelch domain, contributing to Nrf2 stabilization. These findings support the antioxidant activity of BAK through activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling axis and identify BAK as a promising candidate for further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for oxidative stress-related disorders.
Cancer remains a primary global health challenge, characterized by high metabolic plasticity and therapy resistance. A critical factor in tumor survival is the fine-tuning of redox homeostasis, governed by the NRF2 signaling pathway. This redox balance is inevitably linked to the cellular metabolic network, where NRF2 drives the pentose phosphate pathway, NADPH production, and lipid metabolism to fuel rapid proliferation and drug detoxification. Recent evidence highlights a functional link between NRF2 and specific aquaporin (AQP) isoforms, peroxiporins and aquaglyceroporins, which facilitate the transmembrane flux of hydrogen peroxide and glycerol. By regulating the movement of these molecules, AQPs can actively contribute to both metabolic reprogramming and redox signaling. This review explores the mechanisms of NRF2 and AQP co-regulation in breast, colon, and liver cancers, illustrating their combined role in driving tumor progression and malignancy. Furthermore, we evaluate the clinical potential of targeting these pathways and discuss the utility of NRF2/AQP co-expression as a predictive biomarker for therapy outcomes. Identifying these molecular signatures offers a promising avenue for patient stratification and the development of novel therapeutic strategies to overcome tumor resistance.
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of hederagenin (HD), a natural bioactive compound from the Sparganii Rhizoma–Curcumae Rhizoma herb pair, in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and to elucidate its mechanism via the MDM2–p53 axis. Methods: A rat DVT model induced by inferior vena cava stenosis and an oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD)-stimulated EA.hy926 endothelial cell model were established. Rats received HD (12.5, 25, 50 mg/kg) or heparin. Thrombus weight, coagulation, histopathology, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot were assessed. Inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, CRP) and oxidative stress markers (SOD, MDA) were measured. Platelet aggregation was induced by ADP, arachidonic acid, and thrombin. Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations were performed. Results: HD dose-dependently reduced thrombus weight, improved coagulation, and downregulated tissue factor and von Willebrand factor. HD decreased TNF-α, IL-1β, CRP, and MDA levels and restored SOD activity, demonstrating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Network pharmacology identified MDM2 as a core target. Molecular docking showed favorable HD–MDM2 binding (−8.2 kcal/mol), and 100 ns molecular dynamics confirmed complex stability. HD downregulated MDM2, upregulated p53/p-p53, and suppressed NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and acetylation in IVC tissues and OGD-stimulated cells. HD also inhibited platelet aggregation, reduced vWF release, and downregulated CD41/CD61. Conclusions: HD, a natural bioactive compound, attenuates DVT through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms by modulating the MDM2–p53 axis, concurrently suppressing endothelial inflammation, oxidative stress, and platelet activation. It is a promising dual-acting candidate for DVT therapy.
