Cold plasma (CP) was used as a non-thermal strategy to improve the solubility and foaming properties of mulberry leaf protein (MLP). MLP was treated for different times and evaluated for solubility, foaming capacity, foam stability, and structural changes. A 120 s CP treatment gave the best results, increasing solubility, foaming capacity, and foam stability by 3.50-fold, 3.27-fold, and 4.14-fold, respectively. CP cleaved disulfide (SS) bonds, increased exposed sulfhydryl groups, and raised surface hydrophobicity. It also reduced particle size and altered secondary structure, with lower α-helix and β-sheet contents and higher random coil. These changes partially unfolded MLP, enhancing molecular flexibility, water interaction, and interfacial adsorption, which strengthened foam formation and stability. Overall, CP effectively tailors the interfacial functionality of plant proteins and offers a promising route to valorize MLP for foam-based and aerated food products.

Silk fibroin (SF), a biopolymer derived from Bombyx mori, offers excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability and mechanical tunability, making it ideal for applications such as food structure formation, controlled release and active ingredient encapsulation. However, native SF hydrogels exhibit slow gelation under physiological conditions, limiting practical use. Cold plasma (CP) treatment effectively enhanced the surface hydrophobicity and charge density of SF by inducing partial protein unfolding and promoting aggregation through oxidative cross-linking. This led to a conformational shift from α-helix to β-sheet, strengthening intermolecular interactions. Compared with SF, CSF-8 (treated with CP for 8 min) formed a more compact and stronger three-dimensional structure. This enhancement significantly improved its water retention capacity and gel strength. The water retention capacity increased by 25.3%. The compressive stress at 50% strain rose from 15.2 kPa to 39.2 kPa. The gel hardness increased from 12.5 N to 34 N. The gelation time of CSF-8 was reduced by 81.2%, indicating that prolonged exposure promoted faster hydrogel formation. This study highlights CP as a green, tailoring SF structure and gelation via non-chemical strategies provides promising avenues for hydrogel design in functional foods, including structure building, controlled release and active ingredient encapsulation.

Oral administration of probiotics holds great promise for regulating gut microbiota and maintaining intestinal homeostasis. However, its practical effectiveness can be limited due to the digestive tract's harsh environment. Natural polysaccharide-based hydrogel microsphere systems are increasingly used for probiotic protection and oral delivery; the conventional materials used in these systems exhibit defects such as poor structural strength and instability in gelation, causing premature probiotic release. Here, we created hydrogel microspheres with gut-adaptive structures (GG/GN-TA HMs) using gellan gum (GG) as the backbone and β-glucan-tannic acid (GN-TA) as the antioxidative, adhesive, and gut-targeting prebiotic donor, involving structural enhancement via TA-Ca2+ metal-phenol networks during cross-linking. The structurally optimized microspheres exhibited excellent structural integrity at low pH conditions while disassembling in the gut environment to release probiotics. Such advantages of GG/GN-TA HMs enabled the survival of probiotics in harsh environments and subsequent promotion of probiotic colonization in the colon. In colitis mice, EcN@GG/GN-TA exhibited superior therapeutic effects compared to those of other groups. GG/GN-TA HMs promoted probiotic-prebiotic synergy, which resulted in significant alleviation of gut inflammation, gut barrier repair, and gut microbiota remodeling. Given its simple preparation and efficacy, the GG/GN-TA HMs system has great potential for the protection and targeted delivery of probiotics.

Obesity is increasingly linked to high-fat, fiber-deficient dietary patterns that disturb the intestinal microenvironment and gut microbiota. Here, we tested whether pectin molecular weight determines efficacy by comparing high-molecular-weight apple pectin (HAP) with low-molecular-weight pectin (LAP) in a fiber-free, high-fat-diet (FF-HFD) mouse model. In young C57BL/6J mice, HAP more strongly improved body weight gain, glucose homeostasis, and lipid abnormalities than LAP, accompanied by enhanced barrier markers, reduced systemic inflammation, lower brain LPS, and partial normalization of fecal microbiota and fermentation outputs. Segment-resolved profiling further showed that HAP partially restored proximal-distal luminal microbiota patterns disrupted by FF-HFD. In an aged cohort, HAP also alleviated obesity-associated hepatic steatosis and behavioral deficits. These findings highlight molecular weight as a practical lever to optimize pectin-based interventions under fiber-deficient, high-fat feeding.

Many hydrophilic food coating materials with antioxidant and antibacterial activities often exhibit weak adhesion to waxy hydrophobic surfaces of fruits and vegetables, which seriously limits the application of food coating in food preservation.Inspired by the adhesion strategy of mussels, dopamine hydrochloride (DA) was grafted onto pectin, enhancing the adhesion of pectin to hydrophobic surface through its catechol structure. The coating prepared by grafting DA onto the surface of low methoxyl pectin (LMP) had excellent surface adhesion, mechanical properties, wettability, and antibacterial properties. Using bananas as model fruits, the results showed that LMP-DA coating effectively reduced the weight loss rate of fruits, maintained the firmness and soluble solids, and extended the shelf life of fruits. These findings suggest that covalent grafting of DA enhanced the adhesion of pectin food coatings to the hydrophobic surfaces, showing significant potential for applications in fruit and vegetable preservation.

Liver fibrosis is a chronic progressive disease sustained by a self-reinforcing fibrotic microenvironment, characterized by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), persistent inflammatory signaling, and continuous activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In this study, phospholipids and glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) were first assembled into liposomes, which were subsequently hybridized with porcine endothelial cell (PIEC) derived cell membranes to form HPEs (G). Further surface functionalization with cRGDyk yielded the oral bio-hybrid nanocarrier HPEs (GC). The HPEs (GC) tolerated gastrointestinal digestion, prolonged small-intestinal residence, and enhanced transepithelial transport, thereby improving the hepatic delivery of cyclopamine (Cyc). After reaching the fibrotic liver, cRGDyk promoted the interaction of HPEs (GC) with activated HSCs (aHSCs) expressing high levels of integrin αvβ3. The delivered Cyc suppressed Hedgehog signaling, attenuated HSCs activation and the profibrotic phenotype, while GA alleviated oxidative stress by restoring Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant signaling. Collectively, these effects disrupt the Hedgehog–ROS positive feedback loop, reprogram aHSCs, and provide a practical strategy for targeted antifibrotic therapy.

As an emerging protein source, edible insects are gradually gaining consumer acceptance. The protein content of Tenebrio molitor is about 58% with a balanced amino acid profile, but its poor solubility and limited water-oil interfacial properties restrict its use in the food industry. In this study, Cold Plasma (CP), an emerging non-thermal physical modification method for proteins, was employed to modify Tenebrio molitor Protein (TMP). Controlled CP treatment, especially for an intermediate duration of 5 min (CTMP-5), resulted in the maximum free sulfhydryl content and a significant increase in carbonyl groups. This oxidation level promoted the gradual transition of α-helix and β-sheet structures into random coils, increased surface hydrophobicity, and rearranged the secondary and tertiary structures of TMP, thereby markedly improving its functional properties. Oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by CP-treated TMP for 5 min (CTMP-5) showed the most stable emulsion structure and provided effective protection for curcumin, increasing its bioaccessibility from 58.26% to 65.57%. Overall, CP treatment for 5 min was identified as the optimal condition for improving the emulsifying performance of TMP and enhancing the bioaccessibility of encapsulated curcumin. This study offers meaningful insights into the use of CP treatment for modifying TMP.

Age-related cataract (ARC) remains the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Sagittaria sagittifolia polysaccharide (SSP) extract, a key component of Sagittaria sagittifolia L., exhibits anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects with potential applications in ARC. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of SSP in ARC and the underlying mechanisms. In sodium selenite-induced cataracts in rats and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced human lens epithelial B3 (HLEB3) cells, SSP significantly improved lens opacity and pathological changes and alleviated apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related injury indicators (by inhibiting the intracellular Ca2+ and protein expression of Bcl-2-associated X, cleaved caspase-3, binding immunoglobulin heavy chain protein, protein kinase RNA-like kinase, inositol-requiring enzyme 1α, activating transcription factor 6, C/EBP homology protein, c-Jun N terminal kinase, caspase-12, and calpain-2). In addition, SSP increased the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1, sarco/endoplasmic reticulum-type calcium transport ATPase 2, and B-cell lymphoma-2. After applying Nrf2 knockdown technology by transferring short interfering RNA in HLEB3 cells, SSP demonstrated its protective role by activating Nrf2 and inhibiting ERS-mediated apoptosis. These findings indicate that SSP may protect against ARC by regulating Nrf2/ERS-mediated apoptosis, providing potential evidence for its use in preventing or delaying ARC.

Valproic acid (VPA), a commonly used treatment for epilepsy and psychiatric disorders, is associated with neurodevelopmental toxicity and an elevated risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study investigates the protective effects of rosiglitazone (RGZ), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonist, against VPA-induced neurotoxicity in zebrafish larvae. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to VPA (50, 75, 100 μM) from 0.5-h postfertilization (hpf) to 120 hpf, with or without RGZ cotreatment. VPA exposure significantly reduced locomotor activity, evidenced by decreased swimming distance and velocity, and disrupted neurotransmitter homeostasis, with elevated norepinephrine and L-glutamic acid levels. Transcriptomic analysis and qRT-PCR revealed that VPA downregulated PPAR pathway genes (ppara, pparg, pck1, and fabp1), while RGZ cotreatment partially restored locomotor activity, normalized neurotransmitter levels, and rescued PPAR pathway gene expression. These findings demonstrate that RGZ mitigates VPA-induced neurotoxicity by activating PPAR signaling, restoring metabolic balance, and improving motor function, suggesting PPAR agonists as potential therapeutic agents for VPA-induced neurotoxicity and ASD-related deficits.

Sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) are highly valued for their exceptional flavor and nutritional content; however, they are extremely susceptible to postharvest decay and quality deterioration, resulting in a limited shelf-life. This study presents the first comprehensive investigation into the combined use of thyme essential oil (TEO) emulsion and hydrocooling (HC) in enhancing the postharvest preservation of sweet cherries. At the end of the shelf-life period, the decay rate and stalk browning index of sweet cherries treated with the HC + TEO combination were 12.78 % and 50.16 %, respectively, significantly lower than those of the HC treatment, which were 40.70 % and 60.01 % (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the combined use of HC + TEO maintained higher fruit firmness, and enhanced the activity of defense-related enzymes, as well as the levels of anthocyanins, soluble solids content (TSS), and titratable acidity (TA). Microbiome analysis revealed that HC + TEO treatment effectively modulated the diversity, composition, and structure of fungal communities on the fruit surface, notably decreasing the relative abundance of dominant pathogenic fungi such as Alternaria, Botrytis, and Cladosporium, thereby mitigating the incidence of postharvest diseases. Microscopic analyses further demonstrated that the HC + TEO treatment preserved the integrity of the filamentous wax layer and stomatal microstructure on the fruit epidermis while suppressing the degradation of pulp tissues. Finally, cherries subjected to the combined HC and TEO treatment maintained good commercial value for up to 12 days of shelf-life, whereas those in the HC-alone and control groups exhibited severe mildew. These results highlight the superior efficacy of the HC and TEO emulsion combination compared to individual treatments, offering a promising strategy for controlling postharvest decay and extending the shelf-life of sweet cherries.

BACKGROUND:For centuries, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer has been widely employed in traditional medicine, and its primary therapeutic constituents are a class of compounds known as ginsenosides. In particular, protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type ginsenosides exhibit potent anticancer properties, largely mediated through epigenetic mechanisms. PURPOSE:This review systematically examines the anticancer effects of PPD-type ginsenosides, with particular emphasis on their epigenetic mechanisms. To contextualize the structural diversity underlying their pharmacological activities, biotechnological production and transformation strategies are briefly outlined. The review then highlights advances in epigenetics-related pathways and concludes with a prospective outlook on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) for drug discovery, structure-activity prediction, and therapeutic optimization in ginsenoside research. METHODS:A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Literature searches were performed across major academic databases (Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, and PubMed) to identify studies investigating the epigenetic anticancer mechanisms of PPD-type ginsenosides. RESULTS:PPD-type ginsenosides exert significant anticancer activity primarily through epigenetic regulation. Biotechnological advances support improved ginsenoside production and bioavailability, while AI remains an exploratory tool with potential future roles in compound screening and therapeutic optimization. CONCLUSIONS:The epigenetic targeting capabilities of PPD-type ginsenosides represent a promising avenue for cancer therapy. While current evidence supports their potential in precision oncology, further interdisciplinary efforts are essential to translate these mechanisms into clinically viable treatments.

The development of simple and efficient novel adsorption technologies has made them highly attractive. However, the biosafety of adsorbents for human body and environment has gradually raised concerns, limiting their practical application scenarios. In this study, dragon fruit peel pectin (DFP) and gellan gum (GG) were used to construct environmentally friendly and highly biosafe dual network cross-linking cryogel (GG/DFP) as efficient adsorbent for Pb2+. Through texture, rheology and swelling experiments, it was demonstrated that the double crosslinking network structure formed by GG and DFP greatly enhanced the strength of cryogel. The crosslinking networks and porous structures were demonstrated by SEM and BET. Moreover, GG/DFP had a favorable Pb2+ adsorption capacity under different conditions, and the maximum adsorption amount was up to 93.56 mg/g. Adsorption kinetics results indicated that the pseudo-second-order model provided a better fit to the data. Adsorption equilibrium analysis was consistent with the Langmuir and Sips models. XPS analysis confirmed that it possessed multiple adsorption pathways such as physical adsorption, chelating, coordination, and ionexchange. This work provides a promising alternative for the efficient and environmentally friendly removal of Pb2+ from water resources and human gastrointestinal tract, as well as new insights for the high-value utilization of dragon fruit peel waste.

Background:The incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer are exceptionally high. Many patients are diagnosed with early stage lung cancer but experience rapid recurrence post-surgery. Many research studies have shown that the unfavorable prognosis of patients may be associated with micro-metastasis in the lymph nodes. Our research aimed to develop a nomogram to predict the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods:Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data were analyzed to identify 11 cell clusters. Patterns of incoming and outgoing signals were identified across the entire cell population. A weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to uncover critical genes in LUAD. The intersecting marker genes were used to construct the prognostic model. Results:scRNA-seq data were analyzed to identify 19 cell clusters. We identified 3,464 marker genes from the scRNA-seq dataset, 1,994 differentially expressed genes from the bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) dataset, and 1,863 genes associated with a key module identified by the WGCNA. After performing the intersection, univariate Cox, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analyses, a prognostic model was established based on the expression levels of 13 signature genes. Subsequent functional experiments confirmed the role of selected regulated genes. Conclusions:Through the integration of scRNA-seq data and bulk RNA-seq data, we developed an innovative model to predict the prognosis of patients. The risk score was found to be a significant independent predictor and clinical-pathological features of LUAD.

Functional ingredient bioaccessibility is limited by instability and low solubility, thus, edible macromolecules are used to enhance delivery. This study presents a safe, sustainable method to prepare dual-network emulsion gel (CSEG). The gel is formed via Ca2+-induced crosslinking of sodium alginate (SA) and coffee cherry-derived polysaccharide (CCP) to enhance bioavailability. CCP and SA form a stable bimolecular network through hydrogen bonds and calcium ion coordination, improving gel stability. The effects of CCP/SA ratios on CSEG properties and curcumin delivery are also investigated. At the optimal CCP: SA mass ratio of 3:2, the system shows superior crosslinking, forming a strong gel that resists gastric shear while maintaining viscoelasticity. The curcumin-loaded CSEG demonstrates excellent pH stability, preserving curcumin in gastric fluid even in highly acidic conditions. In vitro digestion studies reveal that CSEG boosts curcumin bioavailability from 29.62 % to 63.94 %. This work reveals emulsion gel structure-function links, guiding bioactive carrier design.

Although current probiotics encapsulation strategies greatly improve survival in the gastrointestinal tract, they still face challenges adapting to its complex and dynamic physicochemical environment. Accordingly, this study draws on "cocktail therapy" to develop a multi-component protection oral delivery system. The core consists of carboxymethyl gellan gum (CMGG)/pectin (CP) microspheres loaded with Bifidobacterium (Bif), sequentially coated with pectin and sodium alginate (SA) using chitosan (CS) as an adhesive, followed by a mineralized calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) outer layer. In this system, the CaCO₃ layer neutralizes gastric acid and offers physical protection, while the pH-responsive SA layer degrades in the intestine to release the core. The inner CP and CS layer enhances structural stability and enables colon-targeted release; in the core, CP and CMGG form a composite gel network that acts as a prebiotic, supporting bacterial growth and enabling a self-sustaining system. Carboxymethylation of CMGG improves mucosal adhesion and inflammation targeting, facilitating Bif colonization in the colon. In summary, this multi-component protection delivery system significantly enhances probiotic stability and targeted colonization during the delivery process through a combination of physical barriers, chemical responsiveness, and nutritional support. Further investigations revealed that Bif@CMPS@CaCO₃ was effective in restoring gut microbiota balance and thereby enhancing intestinal health.

The size, morphology, and polymorphism of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are key determinants of pharmaceutical formulation performance. These properties are a focus of recent studies on supramolecular gels for drug crystallization. Unlike conventional gels composed solely of biological macromolecules, a supramolecular gel system (TA-FeIII-GG) was constructed using gellan gum (GG) as the base framework and incorporating a TA-FeIII coordination complex, enhancing the intermolecular interactions within the gel network. The crystallization of two model APIs, carbamazepine (CBZ) and vinpocetine (VIN), was investigated to evaluate the effect of spatial confinement on crystal morphology. Compared to GG alone, the TA-FeIII-GG gel exhibited a denser network structure and higher mechanical strength. Consequently, the APIs crystals formed within this system displayed markedly altered morphologies, appearing as well-defined polyhedral block-shaped structures. As a result, CBZ crystals formed in the TA-FeIII-GG gel exhibited a significantly slower release rate, with a complete release time approximately 1.8-fold longer than needle-like crystals. However, needle-like crystals are more easily obtained under conventional crystallization conditions, whereas block-like CBZ crystals are more advantageous in oral pharmaceutical applications. Therefore, this method proposes a new approach for controlling the morphology of API crystals, which can be used in sustained-release formulations.

The pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy DR is highly complex, and in recent years, increasing attention has been directed toward the role of the gut in its development. Evidence suggests that intestinal barrier dysfunction is a frequent pathological feature in both DR patients and animal models, facilitating the translocation of gut microbiota and their metabolites into the systemic circulation. On one hand, these translocated microbial components and metabolites activate intestinal immune cells, promoting the migration of gut-derived immune cells to the retina or choroid, thereby contributing to retinal neuroinflammation. On the other hand, they may compromise the integrity of the blood-retina barrier, disrupting the retinal microenvironment. This review explores the influence of the gut on DR pathogenesis through several key mechanisms: alterations in gut microbiota and their metabolites, impairment of intestinal barrier integrity, dysregulated gut immune responses, translocation routes of gut-derived components (including immune cells, microbes, and metabolites) to the retina, and the resulting retinal pathology and microglial-mediated neuroinflammation. By elucidating the pathological mechanisms underlying the gut-retina axis, we aim to identify critical molecular and cellular targets involved in DR progression and to provide new insights for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Diabetic cataract (DC), a primary ocular complication of diabetes mellitus, remains a leading cause of global blindness. The bioactive polysaccharide Sagittaria sagittifolia polysaccharide (SSP) exhibits remarkable antioxidant and anti-apoptotic efficacy in age-related cataract models, yet its DC therapeutic potential is unexplored. This study investigated SSP's protective effects against high glucose (HG)-induced damage across three experimental models, focusing on nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidant in apoptosis and ferroptosis regulation. In ex vivo rat lenses, SSP pretreatment (1 mg/mL, 24 h) significantly attenuated HG-induced (25 mM, 48 h) lens opacification. In human lens epithelial B3 (HLEB3) cells, SSP pretreatment (1 mg/mL, 24 h) markedly improved cell viability and proliferation under HG conditions (150 mM, 72 h). Mechanistically, SSP significantly decreased oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls, reactive oxygen species) while restoring mitochondrial function and enhancing antioxidant capacity (glutathione levels, catalase activity). SSP activated the Nrf2 pathway, regulating key antioxidant proteins (NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1, heme oxygenase-1, thioredoxin (Trx), Trx2 and glutaredoxin 1 to mitigate HG-induced oxidative damage. SSP exerted anti-apoptotic effects by upregulating B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) while suppressing Bcl-2-associated X and cleaved caspase-3 expression. SSP modulated ferroptosis by increasing Ferritin, system Xc-, and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) while reducing Fe2+ and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) levels. In STZ-induced diabetic mice, SSP treatment ameliorated lens epithelial cells (LECs) morphological damage and reduced protein expression of caspase-3 and ACSL4, whereas increased protein expression of GPX4 and ferritin. Crucially, upon Nrf2 knockdown in HLEB3 cells via short interfering RNA, SSP confirmed its protective role by activating Nrf2 to inhibite apoptosis and ferroptosis. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that SSP protects LECs against HG-induced damage through Nrf2-mediated coordination of antioxidant defense, anti-apoptotic, and anti-ferroptotic mechanisms, highlighting its therapeutic potential for DC.

With the development of the food industry and the increasing variety of emerging foods, the foaming properties of proteins have gained attention in the production of blowing agents. As a novel source of protein supplementation, insect protein has recently garnered widespread interest for its applications in food. However, Tenebrio Molitor Protein (TMP) has not been utilized in the production of aerated foods due to its inherently poor water-air interfacial properties. To improve the foaming properties of TMP, a combined modification treatment involving extreme pH-shifting and high-intensity ultrasound (HIUS) was applied. The results showed that under highly alkaline conditions, TMP is more susceptible to the effects of HIUS. Under these conditions, protein molecules unfold, and the cavitation effect of ultrasound disrupts numerous non-covalent bonds, leading to the dissociation of a significant number of soluble aggregates. This reduces the particle size of the protein, exposes hydrophobic groups, enhances surface hydrophobicity, and increases the free sulfhydryl content. Additionally, the secondary and tertiary structures of TMP were altered by the modification treatment: the content of alpha-helices increased, while the contents of beta-turns and beta-sheets decreased. These structural changes enhanced proteins' interfacial properties at the water-air interface, enabling the modified protein (UTMP-12) to achieve excellent foaming properties. This study provides a new approach for the application of TMP in aerated food products.

The oxidative damage induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) plays a pivotal role in the development of atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of quercetin, a plant-derived flavonoid, against ox-LDL-induced damage in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by mitigating oxidative stress. Our findings demonstrate that quercetin substantially enhances cell viability by attenuating oxidative stress induced by ox-LDL (the cell viability increased from 48 % to 89 %). Notably, this process is intricately regulated by the MALAT1/miR-494–3p/PTEN axis. In HUVECs exposed to ox-LDL, interventions such as knocking down MALAT1 or overexpressing miR-494–3p result in increased cell viability and reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), akin to the protective effect observed with quercetin pretreatment. Through further exploration using molecular biological technique, MALAT1 was confirmed to interact with miR-494–3p and serve as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA). These results, for the first time, underscore the involvement of the MALAT1/miR-494–3p/PTEN axis in quercetin's protective action against ox-LDL-induced oxidative stress. Our research provides compelling evidence supporting quercetin as a potential candidate for anti-atherosclerotic therapy. Furthermore, it offers fresh insights into the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and potential strategies for intervention in this condition.