ABSTRACT The persistence of fragrance raw materials on substrates is a key parameter in fine perfumery. However, the analytical investigation of fragrance longevity remains challenging, particularly for base‐note ingredients characterized by low volatility and high substantivity. In the present study, an analytical strategy combining dynamic headspace sampling with thermal desorption unit (DHS‐TDU) and a sequential mass‐balance approach was developed to investigate the release behaviour of ambrettolide and ethylene brassylate deposited from a perfume matrix onto paper blotters. Successive DHS‐TDU extractions enabled differentiation between immediately extractable fractions, delayed recoverable fractions and strongly retained fractions. The developed methodology demonstrated that the analytical response obtained after a single extraction step does not necessarily reflect the total amount of fragrance compound initially deposited, particularly in the presence of formulation technologies designed to enhance fragrance persistence. The developed approach was subsequently applied to evaluate the effect of a fragrance longevity technology on release kinetics over time. Comparative experiments in the presence and absence of the technology revealed progressive modification of the release profiles of both compounds, with residual retention effects ranging from 8% to 12% after 8 h of evaporation. Sequential extraction experiments demonstrated enhanced substrate retention and reduced analytical accessibility of ethylene brassylate in the presence of the technology. Overall, this work provides an analytical framework for quantitatively investigating fragrance release kinetics and substantivity in fine perfumery. The proposed DHS‐TDU mass‐balance strategy offers new perspectives for the objective evaluation of fragrance long‐lasting technologies and understanding of the physicochemical mechanisms governing fragrance persistence on substrates.
ABSTRACT Moslae Herba, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine with both diaphoretic and diuretic properties, exhibits intense bitterness in its clinical decoction, which severely compromises patient compliance. As a highly representative and typical case among bitter‐tasting Chinese medicinal materials, it serves as an ideal model drug for establishing a rapid screening strategy for bitter compounds, offering significant methodological demonstration value. This study establishes a rapid strategy for the identification and screening of bitter compounds using Ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS) combined with pharmacophore modelling and molecular docking, and to apply this strategy to the screening of bitter compounds in the Moslae Herba decoction (MHD). Qualitative analysis of chemical constituents in MHD was performed using UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS combined with database searching, followed by construction of pharmacophore models based on high‐correlation bitter receptors from the BitterX database to screen potential bitter compounds. Molecular docking was subsequently employed to validate the screening results. Twenty‐one chemical constituents were identified in MHD, among which 15 potential bitter compounds—including astragalin, chrysoeriol, luteolin, and apigenin—were screened via pharmacophore modelling. Tas2r1, Tas2r14 and Tas2r39 identified 12, 14 and 5 candidate compounds, respectively. Molecular docking results were highly consistent with pharmacophore predictions, preliminarily confirming the strategy's reliability. This integrated approach enables rapid identification and screening of bitter constituents, successfully identifying 15 potential bitter compounds from MHD and providing a scientific basis for taste‐masking development and quality marker screening for Moslae Herba formulations. The strategy offers a methodological reference for efficient bitter‐compound discovery in traditional Chinese medicine and the food industry, with significant potential for broader application.
ABSTRACT Streptococcus mutans is considered to be an important cariogenic organism. Cinnamon and clove essential oil (EOs) have excellent antimicrobial activity against S. mutans , and whether the combination of these EOs can enhance antimicrobial activity against S. mutans and improve cell biocompatibility has not yet been studied. This study optimized the ratio and concentration of the mixed EOs, which are composed of Cinnamomum burmanii essential oil (CBEO), Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil (CZEO) and Syzygium aromaticum essential oil (SEO), based on an analysis of their constituent compounds and antimicrobial properties. The antimicrobial activity and underlying mechanisms of the combination EO were subsequently investigated. The antimicrobial activity of the EOs was ranked as follows: CBEO > SEO > CZEO, compared to the positive control of 1% Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX). The inhibitory effects of SEO and CBEO blended at volume ratios of 1:1, 2:3 and 1:4 were significantly superior to other blends and exhibited synergistic potentiation. The mixed EO (SEO:CBEO = 1:4) demonstrated the greatest inhibitory efficacy against biofilm formation and acid production, as well as the highest cell bio‐compatibility. The mixed EO (SEO:CBEO = 1:4), at concentrations of 1/8 MIC and above, significantly suppressed the expression of virulence factors associated with sugar metabolism ( gtfB , gtfC , gtfD ), biofilm formation ( gbpB , vicR/vicK , spaP ) and acid production ( brpA , relA ) in S. mutans . Cinnamaldehyde and eugenol are the main active constituents of the combination EOs. This study demonstrates that the mixed EOs of S. aromaticum EOand C. burmanii EO exhibit synergistic antimicrobial effects against S. mutans , presenting them as potential antimicrobial agents for the prevention of dental caries.
ABSTRACT Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a biopolymer of growing interest due to its biodegradability and potential applications in biomedical and environmental fields. In this study, spore‐forming Bacillus species were isolated from nitrogen‐ and phosphorus‐rich agricultural soils in Uşak, Turkey, and evaluated for their PHB production capacity, structural characteristics, and potential immune interactions. Eight isolates were confirmed as Gram‐positive, spore‐forming bacilli capable of utilizing sucrose and glucose as carbon sources. PHB accumulation reached up to 87.15 μg/mL in isolate Y1, indicating that these bacteria can synthesize PHB even under nutrient‐rich conditions, likely as a metabolic adaptation to excess carbon and redox imbalance. Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed characteristic ester and aliphatic bands consistent with PHB and other polyhydroxyalkanoates, with variations among isolates suggesting differences in polymer crystallinity and purity. In silico analyses predicted low binding affinities to COX‐2, TLR4, and IL‐6R, while molecular dynamics simulations indicated stabilization of protein structures upon PHB interaction. Toxicity predictions highlighted potential nephrotoxicity and blood–brain barrier penetration, but overall immunotoxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity were negligible. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Bacillus isolates from nutrient‐rich soils are efficient PHB producers with structurally distinct polymers and a promising biocompatibility profile. These results underscore the potential of these strains for sustainable bioplastic production and advanced biomaterial applications, warranting further in vitro and in vivo validation.
ABSTRACT The present work describes an eco‐compatible biotechnological process for quantitatively producing seven fragrance esters through the enzymatic acylation of the corresponding aromatic/benzylic alcohols. The impact of the modulation of some parameters, such as the amount and lipase nature, the acyl donor and the reaction time, on the efficiency of the enzymatic acylation of benzyl alcohol as the study model was checked. For the first time, two cheap and commercially available free lipases, Candida rugosa lipase and Porcine pancreatic lipases, have been used to acylate aromatic/benzylic alcohols using anhydride acids as irreversible acyl donors at neat. The optimal conditions were applied for the bioacylation of phenol, phenylmethanol, 2‐phenylethanol, and 1‐phenylethanol. The obtained results show an important impact of both nucleophile ( 1–4 ) and acyl donor (acetic anhydride or isobutyric anhydride) on the bioacylation and that in function of the used lipase. Conversion rates ranged from 48.5% to 100%. DFT calculations at B3LYP 6–311G (d, p) basis set were adopted for geometry optimization, stability and reactivity studies of all targeted compounds, including HOMO/LUMO, Δ E GAP , dipole moment, electronegativity and electrophilicity. With an energy gap of 6.2352 eV, compounds 4 , 1a , and 3b are more active than compounds 1 , 2a , and 3b (8.2235 eV). Ramachandran plots are used to examine the structural properties and stability of proteins. Furthermore, the interactions between olfactory receptors (OR1D2, OR8G1, OR1A1, OR2W1, and OR2J3) and all of the targeted compounds were investigated using molecular docking via homology modelling. These compounds' average binding energies on the five receptors varied from −4.7 to −7.5 kcal/mol. This process was mainly driven by hydrophobic interaction. The results of the molecular docking investigation suggest that OR1D2 is the best receptor for benzylic compounds. Furthermore, compared to the acetate derivatives and the parent alcohol, the isobutyrate derivatives exhibit stronger interactions with all of the investigated ORs. To validate the more stable complexes (Ligand‐OR1D2), molecular dynamic simulations were performed. The best results were recorded with complexes: 1a‐OR1D2, 2a‐OR1D2, 2b‐OR1D2 and 4b‐OR1D2.
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is driven by a network of inflammatory mediators released by mast cells, eosinophils and T lymphocytes. Although the AR literature has expanded markedly, a field-specific scientometric synthesis centered on inflammatory mediators over the last two decades is lacking. To systematically visualize global research on inflammatory mediators in allergic rhinitis from 2004 to 2024, identifying key contributors, collaboration patterns and emerging hotspots. Publications were extracted from Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) using the search terms 'inflammation' or 'inflammatory factors' or 'innate inflammatory response' from 2004 to 2024, confined to research articles. Following the screening process, 247 publications were excluded as they were not eligible. The remaining 4043 qualified records were extracted with their full bibliographic details and references. Using CiteSpace, VOSviewer and Scimago Graphica, we analysed current progress and emerging trends in AR research. Publications increased overall from 2004 to 2024. China and the United States led output. High-frequency terms highlighted 'cytokines', 'histamine' and 'TNF-alpha'. Emerging hotspots included 'gut microbiota' and 'food allergy'. Citation concentration analyses showed a dual-core journal structure (Allergy and The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology), a multicenter institutional pattern, and broad geographic dispersion. Bibliometric analysis revealed significant involvement of multiple inflammatory factors in allergic rhinitis pathogenesis. The study examined publication timelines, international collaborations, contributing institutions and current research trends. Future investigations will likely prioritize personalized immunotherapy and molecular mechanism exploration.
ABSTRACT Flavour esters are high‐value compounds widely used in food, beverage, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and household formulations, and their market relevance has increased alongside consumer demand for clean‐label ingredients. In this context, biotechnological routes have gained prominence as alternatives to conventional chemical synthesis, particularly because lipases can catalyse esterification and transesterification reactions under mild conditions and often perform well in low‐water media that favour ester formation over hydrolysis. Immobilization further enhances enzyme stability, recovery and reuse, increasing the industrial attractiveness of these systems. This study presents a bibliometric and content analysis of scientific publications on flavour ester synthesis using lipases, indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection between 2000 and 2024. Publications were selected and analysed using VOSviewer to identify publication trends, leading countries, authors, journals and recurring research themes. Recent experimental papers (2020–2024) showed a clear predominance of lipase immobilized in situ instead of commercial preparations (84%) and a strong preference for solvent‐free systems. The literature also indicates a growing emphasis on process intensification, catalyst stability and industrial applicability. However, despite the large number of studies focused on reaction optimization and high conversion yields, environmental and techno‐economic assessments remain scarce and highly heterogeneous. Overall, the results highlight the consolidation of immobilized lipases as key biocatalysts for sustainable flavour ester synthesis and underscore the need for more standardized economic and life‐cycle analyses to support industrial scale‐up.
ABSTRACT Determination of stability is one of the most important stages in the development of various products. In this case, stability refers to the compliance of products with fundamental quality parameters throughout the entire declared storage period. Manufacturers' activities to determine product stability are based on the regulatory requirements of the relevant regulatory documents in a specific field of activity. The study of the stability of pharmaceutical products should be based on current pharmacopoeial articles and current stability study requirements. The process of studying the stability of essential oils, which are multifunctional products, has the same goal: to determine the storage conditions and shelf life under which essential oils can be considered stable. The key differences between essential oils and food products and medicines are the absence of regulatory documentation not only governing the conduct of stability studies, but also establishing quality requirements for the vast majority of essential oils. In addition, essential oils are versatile products used in various industries: cosmetics, perfumery, agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals, etc. Based on this, it is clear that it is difficult to establish universal requirements for conducting stability studies. The complex of basic characteristics of essential oils (physical, aromatic, pharmacological properties) is determined by a mixture of individual organic substances—oil components, but studying changes in the content of a number of components does not allow us to make an unambiguous conclusion about the stability of the essential oil itself. Thus, it is clear that the main difficulty in determining the stability of essential oils lies in the need to conduct a comprehensive study and draw conclusions about the stability of essential oil as a complex multicomponent object. Also, as part of the stability study, it is necessary to determine the storage conditions under which possible changes in the component composition will not affect the unambiguous identification of the essential oil, and the content of a number of characteristic components will be within the acceptable range of criteria. It should be noted that changes in the composition of essential oils can lead not only to a loss of identity, but also directly to the formation of undesirable compounds that may have allergic and toxic properties. Thus, the issues of stability and safety are directly interrelated. Currently, the requirements for the quality of essential oils are most detailed in the texts of ISO standards dedicated to essential oils and in the texts of monographs of the European Pharmacopoeia. These standards include a list of indicators that allow for an unambiguous assessment of the quality of the essential oil in question. In addition to the quality standards described above, there are a number of other regulatory documents governing the composition of essential oils when used in cosmetics. In 1999, based on a review of the results of an assessment of the allergic effects of a number of fragrant substances, the Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non‐Food Products (SCCNFP) published two lists of allergens requiring special control if present in the composition. Currently, the IFRA has established permissible limits for the content of a number of aromatic components in perfumes and cosmetics (up to a complete ban) based on their toxicological properties. A different approach is used in the food industry. The FDA classifies essential oils as “generally recognised as safe” (GRAS), which allows them to be used without undergoing toxicological studies. When essential oils are used for pharmaceutical purposes, the key parameter of identity is their native chromatographic profile, i.e., the content of a number of characteristic components, which is not regulated by data on possible toxicological components. Due to the lack of uniform regulatory requirements for conducting stability studies of essential oils, the diversity of approaches used, and their wide application, it seems necessary to develop a comprehensive approach to studying the stability of this category of products. Purpose of this article is to develop a unified algorithm for conducting studies on the stability of essential oils based on an analysis of approaches used in modern practice. Research method: search and analysis of scientific information presented in specialised (Science Direct, Springer, etc.) and general (Google, Google Scholar, etc.) scientometric search engines. Search depth: literary sources for the period 1978–2025. The development of a new research algorithm is based on a comprehensive analysis of current scientific literature. The analytical review covers the main chemical processes occurring during the storage of essential oils, the methods of analysis used in studies of the stability of essential oils, and an overview of existing experimental designs for studying the stability of essential oils.
ABSTRACT Sleep disturbances, particularly insomnia, represent a growing global health concern with significant consequences for physical, cognitive and mental well‐being. Although conventional pharmacological sleep aids are effective in the short term, their long‐term use is often limited by adverse effects, tolerance, dependence and safety concerns, prompting increased interest in complementary and alternative approaches. Aromatherapy, especially the use of essential oils, has gained popularity as a low‐risk and accessible strategy to improve sleep quality. While numerous reviews have summarized the clinical benefits of whole essential oils, the specific chemical constituents responsible for their sleep‐promoting effects have not been comprehensively examined. This narrative review focuses on the major bioactive constituents found in essential oils and evaluates their potential roles as alternative sleep aids. We synthesize recent experimental and clinical evidence on key classes of compounds, including monoterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and related aromatic constituents, highlighting their reported effects on sleep quality, anxiety reduction and stress modulation. Proposed mechanisms of action, particularly interactions with inhibitory neurotransmitter systems and autonomic regulation, are also discussed. In addition, this review addresses practical applications, safety considerations, population‐specific recommendations and current limitations related to variability in essential oil composition and the lack of standardized clinical data. By shifting the focus from whole oils to individual constituents, this review aims to support rational product development, quality control and evidence‐based use of essential oil–derived compounds in future sleep aid formulations.
This study employed 32-channel electroencephalography (EEG) to systematically investigate the spatiotemporal patterns of brain electrical responses in healthy participants naturally exposed to four essential oil components: myrcene, limonene, bornyl acetate, beta-caryophyllene. Results showed that all four compounds induced a sedative-anxiolytic electrophysiological profile characterized by dominant alpha waves and elevated alpha/beta ratios, yet each exhibited distinct spatiotemporal features: limonene triggered rapid prefrontal activation, myrcene elicited mild and sustained whole-brain responses, bornyl acetate produced late-stage widespread high activation and beta-caryophyllene showed strong responses in the parieto-occipital regions. The findings provide objective physiological evidence for the anxiolytic effects of essential oil components and support personalized intervention strategies based on individual EEG activity.
ABSTRACT Olfaction, often undervalued in social neuroscience, is a fundamental channel for prosocial communication. This review synthesizes evidence from both human and animal studies that the olfactory system—encompassing the main, accessory, and trigeminal pathways—detects conspecific chemosignals to promote and regulate a variety of prosocial behaviours. We outline how social odours underpin critical contexts including mother‐infant bonding, kin recognition, emotional contagion, empathy, and mate selection. The neuroanatomical architecture of olfaction provides a direct interface with the “social brain”: olfactory information flows from the olfactory bulb to limbic hubs like the amygdala and hippocampus for rapid emotional appraisal and social memory, and converges in the orbitofrontal cortex for the integration of sensory cues with affective value and social decision‐making. We argue that olfaction acts not as an auxiliary sense, but as a core integrative system in which chemosensory signalling is essential for forming, maintaining, and navigating social bonds. Elucidating this olfactory‐social brain axis opens translational avenues for understanding neuropsychiatric conditions characterized by social dysfunctions.
ABSTRACT The dopamine D3 receptor (D3R), a D2‐like family member, is distinguished by its predominant expression within mesolimbic circuitry, including the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex, and its supraphysiological affinity for dopamine, enabling tonic regulation of reward, emotion, and cognition. Beyond canonical Gi/o‐mediated cAMP inhibition, D3R engages diverse signalling cascades (ERK/MAPK, Akt/mTOR, β‐arrestin, CaMKIIα) that orchestrate synaptic plasticity, neuroinflammation, and gene expression in a cell‐type‐ and region‐specific manner. This unique pharmacological and anatomical profile positions D3R as a critical nexus in neuropsychiatric pathophysiology. Critically, emerging clinical evidence suggests that D3R dysregulation, including the D3R Ser9Gly (rs6280) polymorphism, may contribute to individual differences in schizophrenia symptom domains, bipolar disorder mood cycling, treatment‐resistant anxiety, and methylphenidate response variability in ADHD. Unlike pan‐dopaminergic agents, highly selective D3R modulation offers unprecedented therapeutic precision: antagonists ameliorate positive symptoms and cognitive deficits without extrapyramidal side effects, while partial agonists like cariprazine stabilize mood and mitigate anhedonia. These findings collectively underscore D3R as a transformative biomarker and druggable target for next‐generation precision therapeutics in psychiatry.
ABSTRACT Single‐use food packaging materials contribute to major solid waste pollution in the environment and become a major concern for researchers. To deal with this problem, the conventional fossil‐fuel‐based polymers are now being replaced with renewable carbon resources to suggest green materials for the food packaging industry. In this regard, a biopolymer is a natural polymer synthesised from microbes or plants and has the quality of being renewable, sustainable and widely available. Biopolymer structural characteristics are fitted for tailoring their properties to meet the conditions for food packaging. Essential oils (EO) are purely natural, sustainable and harmless alternatives to synthetic antioxidant and antimicrobial agents for adoption in biopolymer‐inferred food packaging materials. The inclusion of EOs within the polymeric matrix works on their physicochemical properties. EOs in food packaging materials not only control their shelf life but also the barriers, tensile and optical characteristics of the biopolymer. So, the integration of essential oils with biopolymer matrices is a recent approach in the food packaging industry that opens the door towards a greener environment.
ABSTRACT Sweet aroma, a core sensory attribute of traditional fermented foods, critically modulates flavour profiles, consumer preference, acceptance, and market competitiveness. Unlike gustatory sweetness, it is olfactorily perceived and driven by aroma compounds biogenically derived from thermal decomposition, Maillard reaction, and cross‐modal sensory interactions. These aroma‐active compounds originate from fermentation‐associated biochemical networks involving microbial metabolism and enzymatic activity, exhibiting mutual regulation, abiotic factors, and exerting key effects. Despite its significance, the mechanisms underlying sweet aroma formation remain underexplored. Current research primarily concentrates on isolated factors, with insufficient integration of multi‐factor synergistic regulatory mechanisms. Meanwhile, existing aroma‐enhancing technologies exhibit limited efficiency, and emerging approaches remain unsystematic. This review explores sweet aroma compositions, sensory mechanisms, influencing factors, and advanced analysis methods. It provides insights for developing sustainable, innovative fermentation strategies to produce high‐quality, health‐promoting products meeting demands including clean labels and sugar reduction.
In this study, we systematically elucidated the sleep-promoting mechanisms of Cyperus rotundus essential oil (CRO) utilising a comprehensive multidimensional approach encompassing network pharmacology, animal models, and human electroencephalography (EEG). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified key volatile constituents, notably cyperene and thujopsene. Subsequent network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses revealed 76 intersecting targets between CRO and insomnia, pinpointing ESR1, GSK3B, and MMP9 as core therapeutic proteins mediating the sedative effects. These computational predictions were robustly validated in vivo using a *p*-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA)-induced insomnia mouse model. Behavioural assessments demonstrated that CRO inhalation significantly reduced sleep latency, prolonged sleep duration, and ameliorated anxiety-like behaviours. Mechanistically, CRO successfully reversed central hyper-arousal by suppressing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity, restoring neurotransmitter homeostasis (upregulating GABA and 5-HT, downregulating GLU and DA), mitigating oxidative stress, and attenuating neuroinflammation. Furthermore, histological and immunohistochemical evaluations confirmed that CRO protected hippocampal neuronal architecture and significantly upregulated 5-HT1A and GABAA receptor expression, thereby validating the predicted receptor signalling pathways. Translating these findings to human subjects, EEG spectral and topographic analyses demonstrated that CRO olfactory stimulation effectively enhanced low-frequency delta and theta wave energies, successfully inducing a profound state of cortical relaxation. Collectively, these multidimensional in vivo and clinical findings strongly corroborate the in silico predictions, highlighting CRO as a highly promising, multi-target natural therapeutic agent for the management of insomnia.
Jin'an crispy peach is a famous geographical indication product widely grown in Lu'an City. In this study, four representative cultivars, including 'Chunxue', 'Nanguohong', 'Chunmi', and 'Huangjinmi', were selected to analyse their volatile compounds, and the headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) method was employed. Fifty-eight volatile compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), with 31, 24, 24, and 16 compounds detected in 'Nanguohong', 'Chunxue', 'Chunmi' and 'Huangjinmi', respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed strong correlations among five major compounds (E)-2-hexenal, benzaldehyde, nonadienol, heptanoic acid and nonanoic acid in different cultivars. Odour activity value (OAV) analysis showed that 2-trans-4-trans-decadienal and beta-damascenone exhibited the highest OAVs and together contributed to the primary flavour of the "Nanguohong" cultivar. In the "Chunxue" cultivar, (E)-2-nonenal and 2,4-nonadien-1-al contributed to its grassy and green vegetable-like aromas. In the "Chunmi" and "Huangjinmi" cultivars, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol and phenylethyl alcohol were the predominant odour-active compounds and imparted a sweet aroma to the peaches. This research not only enhances our understanding of the flavour characteristics of Jin'an crispy peach but also lays a foundation for its further development and utilisation.
Peppermint flavour is extensively utilised in food products not only for its pleasant taste profile but also for its cooling and refreshing properties. The olfactory pathway, recognised as a crucial route for flavour perception. However, there are currently few studies on the refreshing effect and mechanism of peppermint flavour through the olfactory pathway. To address this issue, we established a mental fatigue model using a long-term mixed N-back task and evaluated the mental fatigue alleviation effect of peppermint flavour and its possible mechanisms by combining the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), electroencephalogram (EEG), and molecular docking (MD). The results show that 50% peppermint essential oil (PEO) can significantly alleviate mental fatigue, as evidenced by a reduction in the KSS score from 8 to 4 points, and higher accuracy rates in the 2-Back and 3-Back tasks compared to the fatigue state. EEG analysis indicated that PEO alleviated mental fatigue-related EEG patterns, with a decrease in alpha band power and an increase in beta band power (p < 0.05). Moreover, menthol (the main compound in PEO) could achieve similar effects. The results of MD further revealed that menthol has a high affinity for olfactory receptors (such as OR1A1) and refreshing-related target proteins (ADORA2A, SIRT1, TRPM8), suggesting that it may exert a refreshing effect through multiple pathways. This study provides a scientific basis for developing functional peppermint-flavoured foods, enriching theories of functional flavour-regulated cognition.
Chronic pain and inflammation are global health concerns often managed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are associated with adverse effects. Medicinal plants provide a promising alternative due to their rich phytochemistry and reduced toxicity. Desmostachya bipinnata, a traditionally used medicinal grass, was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potential. The ethanolic extract of D. bipinnata roots (EEDBR) was assessed through in vitro (bovine serum albumin denaturation assay), in vivo (carrageenan-induced paw edema, acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin, hot plate and tail immersion tests), and in silico (molecular docking, and network pharmacology) approaches. Histopathological analysis of inflamed tissue was also conducted. EEDBR significantly inhibited protein denaturation and reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema in a dose-dependent manner. Analgesic assays demonstrated notable central and peripheral antinociceptive effects, with efficacy comparable to diclofenac sodium. Histological evaluation confirmed reduced edema and inflammatory cell infiltration. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified 27 phytocompounds, with 12Z-octadecadienoic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid and oleic acid as major constituents. In silico docking revealed strong interactions of these compounds with cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), COX-2, and inflammatory pathway targets. Network pharmacology highlighted hub genes including IL6, PTGS2, PPARG, CASP3 and MAPK3 as key modulators. D. bipinnata ethanolic root extract exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, supporting its traditional use in pain management. Its phytochemicals may serve as potential leads for safer anti-inflammatory drug development. Further clinical validation is warranted.
Aromatherapy is widely concerned for its positive emotional impacts, and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP), a classic traditional Chinese medicinal-edible homologous substance, stands out for its unique natural aroma. To systematically validate the emotional relieving effects of short-term CRP aroma inhalation and explore its neural underpinnings, this study recruited 30 participants and adopted a multi-method approach integrating sensory evaluation, electroencephalogram (EEG), and solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). Brief Profile of Mood States (POMS) scale results confirmed CRP aroma significantly reduced subjective tension and fatigue, while enhancing vigour (p < 0.05). EEG data showed elevated alpha band power (p < 0.05), a well-recognized neurophysiological marker of brain relaxation. Source localization identified activated brain regions, including the bilateral superior frontal gyri, which are involved in emotional regulation, reward processing, and interoception. SPME-GC-MS combined with relative odour activity value (ROAV) analysis identified nine key aroma components (ROAV > 1), with D-limonene as the core, plus anxiolytic and sedative substances such as 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol. In conclusion, these findings confirm that the aroma of CRP can effectively alleviate negative emotions, promote an emotional relieving and energetic emotional state, providing a scientific basis for the application of CRP in aromatherapy and emotional regulation.
Hydrogels based on natural polymers have been extensively investigated as carrier systems for antimicrobial actives, due to their biocompatibility and rheological properties for topical applications. In this context, the present study aimed to develop and evaluate hydrogels based on guar gum and xanthan gum, incorporating the essential oil of Cymbopogon flexuosus, for use in natural roll-on deodorants. The formulations were prepared using potassium alum as a mineral antimicrobial agent and the essential oil as a functional component, with bactericidal and aromatic properties. The rheological behaviour of the hydrogel bases and the final formulations was evaluated through flow curves, stress ramps and temperature-variation at constant shear-rate tests, with the results compared to those of a commercial roll-on deodorant. Microbiological assays were conducted using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and disk diffusion methods against Staphylococcus aureus (CMRP3251), Corynebacterium sp. (ATCC23769), Micrococcus luteus (ATCC4698) and Escherichia coli (ATCC25922). Both formulations exhibited pseudoplastic behaviour after the incorporation of the active ingredients and demonstrated effective antimicrobial activity. The xanthan gum-based hydrogels exhibited a yield stress of approximately 0.8 Pa and a viscosity exceeding 500 Pa & centerdot;s at low shear rates, indicating greater retention capacity and stability at rest. In contrast, the guar gum-based systems did not show yield stress and exhibited lower initial viscosity. The results indicate that hydrogels containing xanthan gum perform improved for roll-on applications, offering better flow control, stability and potential for use in natural deodorant formulations.
