Centaurea pungens Pomel as a potential nutraceutical source: Polyphenol-rich profile, antioxidant capacity, and inhibition of digestive α-amylase

Determination of Catechin Content and Antioxidant Activity of Brewed and Ethanolic Extracts of Cacao Beans (

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) as a Sustainable Source of Bioactive Compounds: Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, Extraction Technologies, and Industrial Applications

Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) is a nutritionally valuable fruit renowned for its rich phytochemical composition and broad spectrum of biological activities. Owing to its significant therapeutic potential, pomegranate has attracted considerable attention in the food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries. This review comprehensively summarizes the phytochemical profile, bioactive constituents, and health-promoting properties of different fruit components, including the arils, seeds, and peel. Pomegranate is particularly rich in polyphenolic compounds such as ellagitannins (punicalagin and punicic acid), ellagic acid, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and other phenolic metabolites that contribute substantially to its pharmacological activities. The arils constitute a valuable source of natural sugars, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, exhibiting potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and prebiotic effects. Pomegranate seeds contain bioactive lipids, especially punicic acid, which have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties. The peel, which represents a major agro-industrial by-product, is exceptionally rich in phenolic compounds and displays remarkable antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and chemopreventive activities. Recent advances in extraction technologies, encapsulation approaches, and nano formulation strategies have significantly improved the stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy of pomegranate-derived bioactive compounds, thereby expanding their potential industrial and biomedical applications. Furthermore, valorising pomegranate processing by-products offers a sustainable approach for developing high-value functional ingredients and reducing environmental waste. Overall, pomegranate and its by-products represent promising natural resources for developing functional foods, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and novel therapeutic formulations. Future research should focus on optimizing extraction processes, elucidating molecular mechanisms of action, enhancing clinical translation, and exploring innovative applications of pomegranate-derived bioactives in health and disease management.

Unveiling the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Astragalus tephrosoides methanol extract: Phytochemical screening, GC-MS profiling, computational and experimental approaches.

BACKGROUND Plant-derived bioactive compounds have significant pharmaceutical applications. OBJECTIVES This study focused on the methanol extract of Astragalus tephrosoides (A. tephrosoides) to evaluate its phytochemical composition, biological activities and in-silico properties. METHOD Phytochemical screening, GC-MS profiling, antioxidant (DPPH), antimicrobial and phytotoxic assays were performed. Molecular docking against bacterial proteins (DNA gyrase, lanosterol-14-α-demethylase, PBP2A and chitin synthase) and density functional theory (DFT) analyses were conducted for the bioactive compounds identified by GC-MS. RESULTS Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, saponins, phenolics, volatile oils and coumarins in the extract. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 17 bioactive compounds. The extract exhibited notable antioxidant activity (IC50 = 0.66 mg/mL), comparable to that of ascorbic acid (IC50 = 0.58 mg/mL). Antibacterial effects were observed with net absorbance values of 0.860 (E. coli, P. aeruginosa), 0.770 (B. subtilis), 0.656 (S. aureus) and 0.550 (S. typhi) and MICs of 1.0-0.12 µg/mL. The extract exhibited antifungal activity comparable to that of miconazole and moderate phytotoxicity (66.6%) at 1000 μg/mL. Docking revealed moderate binding affinities, while DFT analysis revealed significant HOMO/LUMO gaps, indicating their thermodynamic stability. CONCLUSION A. tephrosoides contains bioactive compounds with promising antioxidant, antimicrobial and moderate phytotoxic activities, as supported by computational studies.

From Traditional Spice to Functional Ingredient: Phenolic Profile and Bioactive Properties of Sicilian Rhus coriaria L. Fruit

ABSTRACT Dietary strategies focused on reducing sodium intake and increasing plant‐based foods rich in bioactive compounds are increasingly recognized for preventing metabolic disorders. In this context, herbs and spices are valuable functional ingredients with sensory and health‐promoting properties. Rhus coriaria L. (sumac), a traditional Mediterranean spice appreciated for its sour taste and rich phenolic profile, remains only partially characterized biologically. This study investigated the phenolic composition and biological activities of the aqueous extract of Sicilian sumac using chemical, enzymatic, and cell‐based assays. HPLC‐PDA/ESI‐MS analysis revealed a profile dominated by gallic acid derivatives, with gallic acid (46.45 mg/g dried extract) and galloyl malic acid (7.16 mg/g) as the major constituents, alongside minor amounts of protocatechuic acid and the flavonol glycosides myricetin and quercetin rhamnoside. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS assays, while antidiabetic potential was assessed through α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibition compared with acarbose (IC50 = 2.2 mg/mL and 0.04 mg/mL, respectively). Antiglycation activity was assessed using the BSA–methylglyoxal model, and cytoprotective effects were evaluated in H2O2‐stimulated HepG2 cells. The extract exhibited antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, antiglycation, and ROS‐reducing activities, supporting further investigation as a functional ingredient, while emphasizing that in vivo studies are required to confirm its biological efficacy.

GC-MS Based Phytochemical Profiling and Antioxidant-Nutraceutical Relevance of Kappaphycus alvarezii

Marine red algae are recognized as significant sources of bioactive compounds with potent antioxidantand nutraceutical attributes. This study thoroughly examined ethanolic and methanolic extracts ofKappaphycus alvarezii by a dual analytical methodology: comprehensive antioxidant assay profiling(DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, ORAC) and GC–MS chemical characterization. Antioxidant assays exhibitedconsiderable radical scavenging and reducing properties, particularly in ethanolic extracts (DPPH IC₅₀:43 μg/mL; ABTS IC₅₀: 46 and methanolic extracts FRAP: 774 μM TEAC/g; ORAC: 722 μmol TE/g),indicating strong activity through both SET and HAT mechanisms. The GC-MS investigation showed29 distinct peaks, which were made up of phenolic antioxidants, aliphatic hydrocarbons, alkenes, fattyacids, and minor esters. 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol (13.02%, RT 14.04 min) was an important antioxidantmarker, and a significant hydrocarbon peak (18.37%) changed the overall profile a lot. The extract'sbioactivity is greatly enhanced by the addition of Artonin L monomethyl ether, a methoxylatedpolyphenolic flavonoid. The chemical makeup and functional antioxidant evidence reveal thatKappaphycus alvarezii is a great source of natural antioxidants and functional bio actives from the sea.It could be used in functional foods, dietary supplements, and medicines.

Phytochemical Profiling and Antioxidant Potential of Cordia sinensis Lam. Extract: Integration of Phenolic-Flavonoid Quantification, In Vitro Assays, and In Silico GPx Modulation

Background: Cordia sinensis Lam. is traditionally employed in the management of oxidative stress and inflammation-associated conditions; however, systematic biochemical and mechanistic evaluation of its stem remains limited. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity of C. sinensis stem extracts and investigate their interaction with human Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) using molecular docking. Methods: Ethanolic and aqueous stem extracts were prepared and quantitatively analysed for Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride tests, which were used to determine Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC). The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated, and molecular docking studies were performed against human glutathione peroxidase (GPx; PDB ID: 2P31) using AutoDock Vina v1.2.0. Results: The aqueous extract showed significantly higher TPC (36.20 ± 0.85 mg GAE/g) and TFC (158.79 ± 1.57 mg CE/g) than the ethanolic extract. Conversely, the ethanolic extract demonstrated superior antioxidant activity, with IC50 values of 6.94 ± 1.41 μg/mL (DPPH) and 7.47 ± 1.08 μg/mL (ABTS), comparable to quercetin. Docking analysis revealed stable binding interactions of major phenolic and flavonoid constituents. For instance, rutin exhibited a docking score of −7.7 kcal/ mol against GPx. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that C. sinensis stems possess substantial antioxidant potential driven by solvent-dependent phytochemical profiles. Major Findings: The ethanolic extract of C. sinensis demonstrated antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 6.94 ± 1.41 μg/mL (DPPH) and 7.47 ± 1.08 μg/mL (ABTS). Among the evaluated phytoconstituents, rutin exhibited a docking score of −7.7 kcal/mol against GPx