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Investigation of functional properties and antibacterial activity of chitosan–clay composite films with tetracycline-hydrochloride
No full textIn this study, chitosan-based nanocomposite films were prepared, and their functional properties (mass, thickness and swelling), drug release, and antibacterial activity were investigated. ..
Immunomodulatory effects of Pelargonium sidoides extract (EPs7630) in the treatment of acute rhinosinusitis
No full textIn this short narrative review, we would like to discuss the immunomodulatory effects of South African geranium (Pelargonium sidoides) root extract EPs7630 in treating acute rhinosinusitis. The plant has been used for centuries to treat respiratory tract inflammation, such as sinusitis, pharyngitis, and bronchitis. South African geranium is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, diterpenes, and proanthocyanidins, but the main constituent is a type of coumarin called’umckalin’ (6–hydroxy–5,5–dimethoxy–coumarin). The substance is standardized as an aqueous-ethanolic extract from the root of this plant under the code name EPs7630. The article presents the results of in vitro and in vivo studies of administering this herbal drug in acute viral, post-viral, and bacterial rhinosinusitis. The focus is on the immunomodulatory effects of EPs7630 during the therapy of this acute inflammation of the nasal mucosa. According to the results of some studies, EPs7630 stimulates monocyte-dependent activity and inhibits neutrophil-dependent chemokine activity. However, given the small number of studies, the level of evidence is low, implying the need for new research. Particular attention should be paid to the effect of EPs7630 on bradykinin, the mediator that triggers most inflammatory processes in acute rhinosinusitis
Chemical Analysis and Antimicrobial Potential Assessment of Wild Laurel from the National Park Skadar Lake, Montenegro
No full textIn light of the increasing demand for laurel, driven by renewed interest in natural products and traditional medicinal usage of this plant, our study aimed to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of essential oils from leaves and fruits of laurel (EOL and EOF, respectively) collected in the National Park Skadar Lake, Montenegro, as it related to their chemical composition, assessing the possibility of their usage in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Also, fatty oil from the remaining laurel fruit after EOF isolation was investigated as a possible source of bioactive compounds. The most abundant components in EOL and EOF were 1,8-cineol (35.1% and 33.3%, respectively) and α-terpinyl acetate (10.4% and 7.0%, respectively). Linalool (7.6%) was found in EOL, while α- pinene (5.8%) and β-elemene (5.7%) were present in significant amounts in EOF. Antibacterial and antifungal properties of EOL and EOF showed strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Bacillus subtilis, and potent antifungal effects against Candida albicans, opening the door for their application as antimicrobial agents. Chemical analysis of fatty oil unexpectedly revealed prominent content of sesquiterpene lactone dehydrocostunolide and phenylpropanoid derivative (E)-2-hexyl-cinnamaldehyde (21% and 5%, respectively), suggesting further investigations of this waste material as the source of valuable compounds with proven health benefits
Film-Forming Microemulsions with Essential Oils: Elucidating Relationships Between Formulation Parameters, Thermodynamic Stability, and Quality Attributes
No full textThe incorporation of essential oils into the oil phase of oil-in-water microemulsions is an emerging strategy for the development of stable water-based topical formulations. The introduction of a suitable polymer to formulate film-forming microemulsions may improve topical administration; however, the effect of formulation variables on film quality attributes has not been studied. In this study, thermodynamically stable microemulsion concentrates consisting of surfactant (Kolliphor® RH40), alone or in combination with cosurfactant Transcutol® at surfactant-to-cosurfactant mass ratio 7:3, cosolvent (propylene glycol), and synthetic oils (medium-chain triglycerides or isopropyl myristate) with tea tree, cinnamon, or thyme essential oil were formulated and diluted with hypromellose solution in a water/isopropanol mixture (1:1 w/w) to produce film-forming microemulsions. The type and concentration of synthetic and essential oils and cosurfactant influenced the dynamics of structural transformations upon dilution as well as the rheological behavior, viscosity, and pH of film-forming microemulsions. Films obtained by casting film-forming microemulsions were opalescent, smooth, flexible, and swellable in artificial sweat and water. The weight and yield of films increase with the synthetic oils present and without cosurfactant added. Optimizing the ratio of essential oil/synthetic oil, the type of synthetic oil, and the inclusion/exclusion of cosurfactant allows for achieving the targeted film attributes for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications, including wound treatment
Antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds in potato peels
No full textPotato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most widely consumed agricultural products worldwide. In
addition to their nutritional value, potatoes are a source of phytonutrients, especially phenolic
compounds, whose content depends on the variety, agronomic, and environmental factors [1]. Potatoes
are extensively used in the production of various processed potato products (e.g., chips, French fries,
and purees), which is accompanied by the generation of a large amount of potato peel as a by-product.
Therefore, in recent years, there has been a rising interest in the valorization of potato peels as a
valuable source of bioactive compounds in the food and pharmaceutical industries [2]. The primary
objective of this study was to evaluate the phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activities in the
peels of twelve potato varieties grown in Serbia. Extraction of phenolic compounds was performed using
70% ethanol and 0.9% NaCl (7:3) with ultrasound assistance. Extracts were analyzed for total
phenolics, 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate assay (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and ferric
reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP). The quantification of chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid was
performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with a diode array detector.
The total phenolic content ranged from 2.17±0.23 mg GAE/ g d.w. to 4.04±0.18 mg GAE/g d.w. The
chlorogenic acid content varied in the range of 189.03 - 1081. μg/g d.w., while caffeic acid content was
in the range of 29.25 - 76.64 μg/g d.w. The average DPPH and FRAP activities of potato peel extracts
were 25.63±1.89 μM TE/g d.w. and 10.09±0.74 μM TE/g d.w., respectively. Despite observed
variations among varieties, our data support findings that potato peel extracts could be used as a
sustainable source of natural antioxidants.3rd European Symposium on Phytochemicals in Medicine and Food (3-EuSPMF), 1- 4 July 2025, Belgrade, Serbi
Phytochemical Characterisation of Sorbus Species: Unveiling Flavonoid Profiles Related to Ploidy and Hybrid Origin
No full textThe genetic, morphological and taxonomic diversity of the genus Sorbus is due to homoploid and polyploid hybridisation, autopolyploidy and apomixis, which also influence the production and diversity of secondary metabolites, especially flavonoids. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships and variations of flavonoids in terms of hybrid origin and ploidy level between the parental species and their hybrid derivatives. The sampling design included leaf material of the following Sorbus accessions from ten natural localities: parental taxa (di-, tri- and tetraploids of S. aria; diploid S. torminalis and S. aucuparia) and their di-, tri- and tetraploid hybrid derivatives from crosses of S. aria × S. torminalis (subg. Tormaria) as well as the tetraploid S. austriaca and S. bosniaca, which originate from crosses of S. aria × S. aucuparia (subg. Soraria). We analysed the flavonoid profiles from the leaf fractions by LC-MS. A total of 23 flavonoids were identified, including apigenin and luteolin derivatives, which distinguish the hybrid groups from each other. This profiling highlights the distinctiveness of the Tormaria and Soraria accessions and emphasises the potential of the subg. Tormaria for further research on bioactive compounds in biological studies
Voltametric Analysis of Ergosterol Isolated from Wild-Growing and Cultivated Edible Mushrooms from Serbia and Korea
No full textThanks to several components with health-promoting properties, mushrooms are recognized as a practical functional food and a valuable source of nutrients for the food industry. Ergosterol, the major sterol in edible mushrooms and a precursor of vitamin D2 with proven pharmacological activity and nutritional value, has become a very important topic in chemical and medical research. The main objectives of this study were to determine the ergosterol content in different species of Serbian wild mushrooms and in commercial mushrooms from Korean and Serbian grocery stores using square-wave voltammetry, to compare the concentrations in different parts of white button mushrooms, and to determine a possible relationship between Zn, Cu and Fe and ergosterol contents. The ergosterol contents varied between 0.01 and 7.04 mg/g (dry mass) of the mushrooms and were generally higher in cultivated mushrooms than in wild mushrooms. In addition, the ergosterol concentration was higher in the stems than in the caps of the mushrooms examined. Iron, Zn and Cu contents varied between the mushroom species at 8.5–479.9, 13.1–149.7 and 1.62–93.03 mg/kg, respectively, and principal component analysis (PCA) extracted two factors explaining 79.14% of the total variance, suggesting a direct relationship between iron and ergosterol content. This is the first comprehensive study to analyze and evaluate ergosterol concentrations in edible mushrooms from Korea and Serbia
Targeting Melanogenesis with Postbiotics: An Integrated Zebrafish-Based Assessment of Lactobacillus salivarius BGHO-1 and Lactobacillus paracasei BGSJ2-8
No full textSkin hyperpigmentation disorders represent a major dermatological challenge, and safe
alternatives to conventional depigmenting agents remain scarce. Probiotics and their post-
biotic derivatives have emerged as promising natural candidates; however, only a few
bacterial strains have been investigated for melanogenesis-inhibitory activity, and their
true potential remains largely unexplored. Here, we report for the first time the biosafety
profile and anti-melanogenic activity of Lactobacillus salivarius BGHO-1 and Lactobacillus
paracasei BGSJ2-8, and assess their possible use in the treatment of skin hyperpigmenta-
tion. Two complementary zebrafish-based approaches were employed: (i) image-assisted
analysis of pigmentation patterns, melanocyte morphology, and melanocytotoxicity, and
(ii) quantitative melanin analysis, enabling integrated safety and efficacy evaluation. We
investigated both native and heat-inactivated preparations, including whole cultures, cell-
free supernatants, isolated cells, and separated cell walls/membranes and cytoplasmic
fractions. While several fractions demonstrated the ability to inhibit melanogenesis, the cell
wall/membrane fraction was the most potent, reducing melanin content by 64% compared
to untreated embryos, while causing no systemic side effects and preserving melanocyte
structure. Furthermore, this fraction did not elicit inflammatory responses or neutrope-
nia, underscoring its favorable safety profile at anti-melanogenic doses. Collectively, this
study identifies specific postbiotics as effective and safe modulators of melanogenesis
and highlights their translational potential in developing novel approaches for treating
skin hyperpigmentation
Development and Evaluation of 3D-Printed Losartan Potassium Tablets Using Semi-Solid Extrusion: The Effect of Geometry, Drug Loading and Superdisintegrant
No full textBackground/Objectives: Semi-solid extrusion (SSE) three-dimensional (3D) printing offers a versatile approach for fabricating personalized oral dosage forms. This study aimed to develop and optimize losartan potassium tablets produced via SSE 3D printing, focusing on the effects of polymer composition, tablet geometry, drug loading, and superdisintegrant concentration on printability and performance characteristics. Methods: Formulations containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) 4500 at various concentrations were evaluated for suitability in an ethanol–water (9:1 v/v) solvent system. The optimized formulation (5% w/w HPMC 4500) was used to print tablets with varying shapes, drug loadings (5–15% w/w; approximately 50–150 mg losartan potassium per tablet), and croscarmellose sodium concentrations (0–3% w/w). Printed tablets were characterized for dimensional accuracy, mass uniformity, disintegration time, and drug release behavior. Drug release kinetics were modeled to elucidate the release mechanism. Results: All SSE-printed tablets exhibited excellent dimensional precision (SD 0.96), indicating diffusion-controlled release. Conclusions: SSE 3D printing demonstrated robustness and flexibility in producing losartan potassium tablets with consistent quality, tunable release properties, and strong potential for personalized pharmaceutical manufacturing
Impact of anaemia on infliximab concentrations and treatment outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease patients
No full textDo 50% pacijenata sa in�lamatornom bolešću creva (IBC) ima ekstraintestinalne manifestacije, pri
čemu je anemija jedna od najčešćih (prevalencija 6-74%) [1]. Anemija u IBC je prethodno povezana sa
lošijim ishodima i smanjenim kvalitetom života [2]. Ovo istraživanje ispitivalo je povezanost anemije i
koncentracije in�liksimaba (IFX), kao i njenu korelaciju sa kliničkom i biohemijskom remisijom.
Demografske karakteristike, biohemijski i klinički podaci su prikupljeni retrospektivno za svakog
pacijenta u dve vremenske tačke: prilikom merenja koncentracije IFX tokom i u odsustvu anemičnog
stanja. Pošto je test normalnosti pokazao da podaci nisu normalno distribuirani, neparametarski testovi
su primenjeni u IBM SPPS v29 (Wilcoxon - kontinuirane varijable; McNemar - kategoričke varijable).
Podaci su podeljeni u dva podskupa na osnovu pola zbog različitih nivoa hemoglobina za postavljanje
dijagnoze anemije kod muškaraca i žena.
Baza podataka sastojala se iz 52 pacijenta (40,38% muškaraca, 46,15% Kronova bolest, medijana
starosti 39 (18-65) godina). Blago, ali značajno, niže medijane koncentracije IFX primećene su kada je
anemija bila prisutna kod muškaraca (5,91 naspram 11,48 mg/L) i žena (3,26 naspram 10,2 mg/L). Svi
markeri inflamacije su bili značajno viši kada su pacijenti bili anemični, sa značajnim povećanjem broja
leukocita samo kod muškaraca (p=0,011). Takođe, muški pacijenti su pokazali značajno (p<0,02) bolje
ishode lečenja kada anemija nije bila prisutna, dok kod žena nije primećena značajna razlika u ishodima.
Nešto niže koncentracije IFX ukazuju da klirens može biti povećan usled anemije. Rezultati vezani
za ishode lečenja su oprečni, te je neophodno da se dalja analiza sprovede na većoj populaciji pacijenata.Up to 50% of patients with in�lammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience extraintestinal
manifestations, with anaemia being one of the most common (6-74% prevalence) [1]. Anaemia in IBD
has previously been associated with poorer outcomes and reduced quality of life [2]. This research
explored the relationship between anaemia and in�liximab (IFX) concentrations, and its correlation with
clinical and biochemical remission.
Demographic characteristics, biochemical and clinical data were retrospectively collected for each
patient at two time points: when IFX concentrations were measured during and in the absence of anaemia. Since
the normality test indicated data were not normally distributed, non-parametric tests were implemented in
IBM SPPS v29 (Wilcoxon – continuous variables; McNemar – categorical variables). Data were divided into two
subsets by sex due to different HGB thresholds for diagnosing anaemia in men and women.
The dataset included 52 patients (40.38% male, 46.15% Crohn’s disease, median age 39 (18-65)
years). Slightly, but signi�icantly, lower median IFX concentrations were observed when anaemia was
present in males (5.91 vs 11.48 mg/L) and females (3.26 vs 10.2 mg/L). Each marker of in�lammation
was signi�icantly higher when patients were anaemic, with a signi�icant increase in leukocyte count only
in males (p=0.011). Also, male patients showed signi�icantly (p<0.02) better treatment outcomes when
anaemia was absent, whereas, in females, no signi�icant difference in outcomes was observed.
Slightly lower IFX concentrations suggest that clearance may be increased in anaemia. Findings
related to treatment outcomes were inconclusive, indicating the need for further analysis in a larger
patient population