Posters

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is a major environmental factor that accelerates skin aging by inducing stress responses. Recent findings suggest that aldosterone synthase plays a key role in mediating UVB-induced skin stress, implicating it as a target for antiaging therapies. In this study, we identified 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), an insect-derived steroidal prohormone, as a novel inhibitor of UVB-induced photoaging. While 20E has demonstrated anti-stress and anti-collagenase properties in vitro, its in vivo effects remained unclear. Using a hairless mouse model, we showed that topical application of 20E significantly reduced UVB-induced skin damage, inhibited aldosterone synthase, and lowered circulating corticosterone levels, thereby preserving dermal collagen content. Furthermore, co-treatment with osilodrostat, a known aldosterone synthase inhibitor, blocked the antiaging effects of 20E, confirming that 20E acts via aldosterone synthase modulation. These findings suggest that 20E mitigates UVB-induced photoaging through a stress-axis–related mechanism, and it represents a promising natural compound for skin aging prevention.

Ngoc Linh ginseng (Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv.) is a well-known endemic medicinal plant with substantial economic value and significant potential for applications in both traditional and modern medicine. Plant, cell tissue and organ culture techniques have been proposed as promising alternatives for mass propagation and controlled production of bioactive compounds under standardized conditions. This study successfully established multiple processes to induce and rapidly propagate adventitious roots of Ngoc Linh ginseng for biomass and ginsenoside production. Adventitious roots were induced from five explant sources of natuaral plants: root, rhizome, leaf, petiole, and callus. Among these, adventitious roots derived from root explants achieved the highest proliferation rates, with a 100% root induction rate, an average of 36.7 roots per explant, and an average root length of 22.6 mm. The cutting method, which retains both the root tip and bottom part, showed superiority in root proliferation, resulting in 17.4 roots per explant and an average length of 38.1 mm. Furthermore, adventitious roots cultured in SH medium exhibited the most favorable propagation outcomes compared to those in MS and modified media, with a 100% root induction rate, 33.42 roots per explant, and an average root length of 21.92 mm. Additionally, the saponin content was analyzed to evaluate the quality of the root biomass. These findings provide a solid foundation for the large-scale commercial production of Ngoc Linh ginseng adventitious roots, supporting the development of a valuable resource for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, functional food, and related industries.

The current work sought to identify phytochemicals and to assess the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of different organic extracts and isolated compounds derived from Ocimum sanctum Linn, a medicinal herb widely utilized in traditional Bangladeshi medicine. The antibacterial effect was investigated in vitro using the agar diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination methods against the tested bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli. The extracts displayed potent antibacterial activity against most of the bacteria tested with the inhibition zones of 7- 21 mm and MIC values of 32 to 256 µg/ml. Two complimentary techniques were used to assess antioxidant activity: the total phenolic content measurement and the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The maximum total phenolic concentration was found in the ethanol extract (122.53 ± 2.6 mg GAE/g dry weight), which was followed by the chloroform extract (85.10 ± 1.9 mg GAE/g dw) and hexane extract (36.73 ± 0.8 mg GAE/g dw). When compared to the common antioxidant ascorbic acid, the ethanol leaf extract exhibited the best radical scavenging activity in the DPPH assay (IC₅₀ = 10.35 µg/ml) than other extracts. Further, the bioassay-guided fraction of chloroform extract afforded eugenol and p-methoxycinnamic acid ethyl ester, whose structures were identified by spectral data (¹H-NMR, ¹3C-NMR, IR and UV) analyses. The compounds also showed strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties. According to this study, Ocimum sanctum Linn is a promising natural source of bioactive compounds that could be used as safer substitutes for antibacterial and antioxidant agents in the food, pharmaceutical, and other industries.

The current work sought to screen bioactive phytochemicals and therapeutic activity from the fruits of Diospyros peregrina (Gaertn.), a well-known ethnomedicinal plant, and the fruits of this plant have been used in traditional Bangladeshi medicine. GC-MS analysis was performed to determine the phytochemicals of the essential oil extracted by hydro-distillation. The study found that 40 compounds made up 89.09% of the total oil, with the main constituents being methyl ester of oleic acid with linolenic acid (22.20%), palmitic acid methyl ester (10.12%), stearic acid methyl ester (8.71%), phytol (5.01%), and β-cubebene (4.15%). Disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration methods were used to determine antibacterial potential of the phytochemicals. Further, DPPH, superoxide, and nitric oxide radical scavenging tests were used for antioxidant screening. The essential oil showed a maximum inhibition zone of 20.2 ± 1.1 mm against Staphylococcus aureus MEBTN2 and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 62.5 μl/mL for both E. coli MEBTN6 and Staphylococcus aureus MEBTN2, and MIC of ethyl acetate extract 62.5 μg/mL for Bacillus subtilis RKP-2. Significant superoxide and nitric oxide radical scavenging was noted with IC 50 values of 25.33, 47.13, 75.25, and 87.13 μg/mL, separately, whereas the essential oil and ethyl acetate extracts demonstrated robust DPPH scavenging (IC 50 values of 17.21 and 25.53 μg/mL). According to this study, D. peregrine is a promising natural source of bioactive compounds that could be used as safer substitutes for antibacterial and antioxidant agents in the food, pharmaceutical, and other industries.

Flavonoids are a diverse group of phytochemicals derived from chalcone, which is synthesized from malonyl CoA and p-coumaroyl CoA. They include flavonols, flavones, flavanols, flavanones, flavanonols, and flavanolignans. Flavonoids are well known for their potent antioxidant properties, which have been linked to lifespan extension in various organisms. Studies have demonstrated that flavonoids can prolong lifespan in species ranging from Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to mice. For instance, several flavonols, such as laricitrin and syringetin, have been shown to significantly extend the lifespan of C. elegans. Additionally, certain flavonols, including fisetin and quercetin, have been reported to enhance lifespan even in mice. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying flavonoid-induced lifespan extension remain unclear. Moreover, not all flavonols exert lifespan-extending effects. For example, kaempferol and tamarixetin were found to reduce the lifespan of C. elegans. In comparison, flavones have been less extensively studied in this context. Only a few flavones, such as nobiletin, acacetin, and baicalein, have been shown to promote lifespan extension in C. elegans. In this study, we investigated the effects of two flavones, chrysin and apigenin, on C. elegans lifespan. Chrysin is a flavone primarily found in passionflower (Passiflora caerulea), honey, and propolis. It is known for its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been explored for its potential roles in cancer prevention, mood regulation, and hormone balance. Apigenin, another flavone, is commonly present in parsley, celery, chamomile, and oranges. It has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, with particular interest in its neuroprotective properties and potential cognitive benefits. Our findings indicate that chrysin extends the mean lifespan of C. elegans by 11.0 ± 1.5%, while apigenin extends it by 12.6 ± 2.7%. Additionally, our literature survey revealed that flavonoids with three modifications, such as hydroxyl or methoxy groups on the phenyl group (ring B), are associated with significantly greater lifespan extension compared to those with only one or two modifications. This observation may provide insight into the potential molecular mechanisms through which flavonoids promote longevity. Further genetic and biochemical studies are needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying these effects. As more data is gathered, it will help distinguish which of the thousands of structurally similar flavonoids contribute to lifespan extension and which do not. In the long run, this knowledge will deepen our understanding of the biological processes that regulate lifespan.

The cosmetic industry faces a critical need to balance commercial innovation with scientific validation, especially regarding the safety and efficacy of raw materials. Plant-derived materials (PDMs) offer a promising alternative to animal-derived ingredients in cosmetics, particularly due to their safety and compliance with vegan and ethical standards. Unlike compounds such as polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), which is derived from the testis or seminal fluid of Salmonidae species and raises concerns regarding its origin, sustainability, and consumer acceptability, PDMs provide a cleaner, ethically preferable profile. In this study, we evaluated 50 PDM candidates using in vitro cell viability, wound healing, and immuno cytochemistry assays, along with primary skin irritation tests in human participants. None of the samples showed harmful effects. Notably, sample Nos. 38 and 42 demonstrated significant wound-healing capacity and upregulated filaggrin expression without causing notable irritation in clinical testing. These findings support the biological activity and safety of specific PDMs as functional cosmetic ingredients. This study presents scientifically validated evidence for plant-based alternatives to animal-derived materials and offers a new milestone in the shift toward sustainable and ethical cosmetic development. By bridging the gap between consumer demand and scientific rigor, this study provides a robust platform for future innovations in vegan cosmetics.

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is mainly derived from salmon sperm and is widely used in the biomedical and cosmetic fields. It consists of small DNA fragments that bind to the adenosine A 2A receptor, promoting tissue regeneration. However, since Salmon PDRN (SP) is animal-derived, concerns about sustainability, ethical sourcing, and production processes make it necessary to explore plant-based alternatives. In this context, PDRN, which is fragmented from genomic DNA from plants, could be a promising option. This study investigated whether plant-derived PDRN (GP) extracted from Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GyPen), a plant known for its bioactive compounds, could serve as a vegan alternative to SP. GP was extracted using a plant-based method and tested on skin cells. The study aimed to determine whether GP enhances the skin barrier similarly to SP. In vitro assays showed that GP significantly improved keratinocyte viability and exhibited antioxidant and wound healing effects comparable to SP. Additionally, GP treatment significantly upregulated key skin barrier proteins, including FLG and IVL, while modulating CLDN1 expression. These results suggest that GP not only supports skin regeneration but may also help strengthen the skin against external stressors. Transcriptomic and qRT-PCR analyses further confirmed significant regulation of skin barrier-related genes. These findings indicate that GP could be a promising plant-based alternative to SP for improving skin health.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for the majority of all diagnosed lung cancer cases, remains a major therapeutic challenge in oncology, largely due to the frequent emergence of drug resistance following standard treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In this study, we investigated the potential of ACF-01, a novel isoflavone derivative, to enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of osimertinib, a third-generation TKI, in NSCLC. ACF-01 exhibited notable anti-cancer activity by inducing apoptotic cell death and inhibiting cell proliferation in NSCLC cells. Notably, the combination of ACF-01 with osimertinib synergistically downregulated hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), a central transcription factor involved in tumor angiogenesis and glycolytic metabolism. This combinatorial effect led to a marked reduction in the expression of angiogenesis- and glycolysis-related markers, resulting in significant tumor growth suppression in xenograft mouse models. These findings suggest that ACF-01 enhances the therapeutic efficacy of osimertinib by modulating hypoxia-associated oncogenic pathways—hallmark features of solid tumors—and highlight its potential as a promising adjuvant agent for the treatment of EGFR-mutant NSCLC.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common solid tumors and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite the availability of first-line therapies such as sorafenib, their limited efficacy and frequent development of resistance underscore the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies. Odd-chain fatty acids (OCFAs), present in trace amounts in dairy products and fish, have been reported to confer various health benefits. Among these, heptadecanoic acid—a representative OCFA—has demonstrated anticancer potential in several malignancies; however, its effects on HCC have not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer effects of heptadecanoic acid in HCC cell lines. Treatment with heptadecanoic acid significantly reduced cell viability with low IC₅₀ values and induced apoptosis, as evidenced by an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and activation of caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways. Furthermore, wound healing and invasion assays showed that heptadecanoic acid markedly suppressed the migratory and invasive capabilities of HCC cells. Mechanistically, it inhibited nuclear translocation of β-catenin and attenuated the effects of lithium chloride (LiCl), a known activator of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Additionally, heptadecanoic acid decreased the proportion of CD133⁺/CD44⁺ cell populations, markers associated with cancer stem-like cells in HCC, indicating reduced stemness characteristics. These findings suggest that heptadecanoic acid inhibits proliferative, metastatic, and stemness-related features of HCC cells through suppression of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, supporting its potential as a natural compound for the development of novel therapeutic strategies in liver cancer.

Korea, being surrounded by the Sea, provides a rich habitat for marine sponges, which have been a prolific source of bioactive natural products. Although a diverse array of structurally novel natural products has been isolated from Korean marine sponges, their biosynthetic origins remain largely unknown. To explore the biosynthetic potential of Korean marine sponges, we conducted metagenomic analyses of sponges inhabiting the East Sea of Korea. This analysis revealed a symbiotic association of Candidatus Entotheonella bacteria with Halichondria sponges. Here, we report a new chemically rich Entotheonella variant, which we named Ca. Entotheonella halido. Remarkably, this symbiont makes up 69% of the microbial community in the sponge Halichondira dokdoensis. Genome-resolved metagenomics enabled us to obtain a high-quality Ca. E. halido genome, which represents the largest (12 Mb) and highest-quality among previously reported Entotheonella genomes. We also identified the biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) of the known sponge-derived Halicylindramides from the Ca. E. halido genome, enabling us to determine their biosynthetic origin. This new symbiotic association expands the host diversity and biosynthetic potential of metabolically talented bacterial genus Ca. Entotheonella symbionts.

We examined the biological effects of white ginseng extracts obtained through three extraction techniques: ultra-high pressure (UHP), fermented UHP (UHPF), and 1,3-butylene glycol (POL). All extracts demonstrated minimal cytotoxicity below 100 μg/mL. In UV-damaged skin fibroblasts, UHP and POL extracts showed strong antioxidant properties, achieving ~93% restoration of SOD-like activity at 100 μg/mL. UHPF extract displayed the strongest immunostimulatory effect, doubling IL-2 production in T cells. All extracts effectively reduced inflammation across multiple cell types by suppressing TNF-α in allergen-exposed keratinocytes, decreasing IL-8 in macrophage-induced inflammation, and regulating IL-8 in intestinal cells. These results indicate that extraction methods significantly influence the biological properties of white ginseng, highlighting its potential for developing immune-modulating, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory products.

Melanoma is highly aggressive with limited treatment options in advanced stages. This study evaluated the anticancer effects of Korean mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum) water extract and its purified lectin (VCA) on B16BL6 and B16F10 mouse melanoma cell lines. Cell viability, apoptosis, caspase activation, and cell cycle changes were analyzed. Statistical methods including correlation analysis, PCA, and hierarchical clustering were used to identify response patterns. The water extract showed IC50 values of 372.3 μg/mL (B16BL6) and 202.5 μg/mL (B16F10), while VCA was significantly more potent with IC50 values of 0.20 μg/mL for both cell lines. VCA induced substantial apoptosis (up to 59.4%) and caspase activation (up to 88.4%). The water extract moderately affected cell cycle distribution, while VCA reduced G2/M phase in B16F10 cells. Strong negative correlations were found between cell viability and caspase activity (r = -0.84 to -0.88). Korean mistletoe extract and particularly its lectin component demonstrate potent anticancer activity against melanoma cells primarily through caspase-mediated apoptosis, supporting their potential as natural therapeutic agents for melanoma treatment.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a significant health challenge with poor prognosis. This study investigated the anticancer mechanisms of Viscum album var. coloratum agglutinin (VCA), a lectin from Korean mistletoe, in YD38 oral cancer cells. YD38 cells were treated with varying VCA concentrations. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay, while apoptosis and cell cycle changes were analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blotting assessed apoptotic protein expression. Statistical analyses included effect size calculations and correlation studies. VCA showed dose-dependent toxicity against YD38 cells. Flow cytometry revealed marked apoptosis at 100 and 1000 ng/mL VCA (Cohen's d = 15.15 and 30.24), with significant cell cycle disruption. Western blotting confirmed caspase-3 and PARP cleavage, indicating caspase-mediated apoptosis. Strong correlations (r > 0.95) between cellular responses suggested coordinated mechanisms. VCA demonstrates robust anticancer activity against oral cancer cells through apoptosis induction and cell cycle disruption, highlighting its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for OSCC treatment.

This research evaluated three Zizyphus jujuba (jujube) extracts prepared with butylene glycol (JB), ethanol (JE), and water (JW) for their biological activities. Antioxidant potential was measured by SOD-like activity, while skin-whitening effects were determined through tyrosinase inhibition and melanin reduction in B16F10 cells. Immune modulation was assessed by cytokine (IL-8, TNF-α, IL-2) and IgE levels in multiple cell lines. JB demonstrated superior performance across all parameters: highest antioxidant activity, strongest melanin inhibition, and most effective anti-inflammatory action through cytokine suppression. Additionally, JB enhanced IL-2 production while reducing IgE secretion. JE and JW showed intermediate effects, with JE particularly effective in reducing IL-8 in intestinal cells and JW displaying immune-enhancing properties at elevated doses. These findings indicate jujube extracts, especially JB, offer promising multifunctional benefits for cosmetic and nutraceutical applications.

Water extracts from various parts (root, fruit, leaf, stem) of Acanthopanax divaricatus var. albeofructus (ADA) were evaluated for cosmetic applications. Root and stem extracts demonstrated superior antioxidant activity through SOD-like effects in UV-damaged skin fibroblasts. Fruit and leaf extracts showed the strongest skin-brightening potential, effectively reducing melanin production and tyrosinase activity in B16F10 melanoma cells. Anti-aging properties were evident as root, fruit, and leaf extracts suppressed UV-induced MMP-1 expression, while stem extract showed dose-dependent dual effects. Hyaluronidase inhibition was most pronounced in fruit and stem extracts. These findings indicate ADA extracts, especially from fruits and leaves, offer multiple skin benefits including antioxidant protection, anti-aging, and whitening effects, supporting their development as multifunctional cosmetic ingredients.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is highly aggressive with few therapeutic options. This study evaluated the combined effects of Korean mistletoe lectin (VCA) and cisplatin on MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells in both conventional and spheroid cultures. In 2D models, the combination synergistically reduced cell growth, triggered apoptosis, and induced G2/M arrest while inhibiting migration and invasion. Molecular analysis revealed altered expression of key genes: increased pro-apoptotic Bax, decreased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, reduced metastatic markers (MMP-2/9), and EMT modulation (increased E-cadherin, decreased N-cadherin). Three-dimensional spheroids confirmed these effects but showed different drug sensitivities, highlighting the value of physiologically relevant models. The combination also suppressed angiogenic factors VEGF-A and HIF-1α. These findings demonstrate that VCA-cisplatin combination therapy offers promising therapeutic potential for TNBC and emphasize the importance of using both 2D and 3D models in drug development.

Lycium chinense is a medicinal plant of the Solanaceae family and is well known for producing diverse bioactive phenolic compounds. Enhancing the biosynthesis of these metabolites through in vitro culture systems offers a scalable and sustainable platform for producing high-value bioactive metabolites. In this study, L. chinense cell suspension cultures were established and treated with a single elicitor under optimized growth conditions to investigate elicitor-induced metabolic responses. Metabolite profiling was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), enabling comparative analysis between control and elicited samples. The results revealed a significant increase in the accumulation of phenolamides in response to elicitor treatment. These compounds are known for their antioxidant, anti-aging, and collagen synthesis-promoting activities. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the elicitation effectively stimulates the biosynthesis of bioactive phenolamides in L. chinense cell suspension cultures. This strategy highlights the potential of plant cell cultures as a platform for metabolite farming to enhance the production of functional phenolamide compounds.

Lavandula angustifolia is well known for its valuable bioactive compounds, yet there is limited research on the physiological, and skin-protective activities of its cell suspension culture extracts. In this study, we established an efficient method to enhance rosmarinic acid (RA) production using methyl jasmonate (MJ) elicitation. MJ treatment markedly activated the expression of structural genes involved in RA biosynthesis, resulting in a significant increase in RA accumulation. The resulting MJ-treated cell culture extract (LC-MJ) exhibited strong antioxidant properties, inhibited melanin synthesis, and promoted procollagen synthesis in vitro. LC-MJ extract also improved fibroblast viability and reduced early apoptosis under UVB-induced oxidative stress. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage models, LC-MJ extract suppressed secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) through inhibition of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of LC-MJ extract as a promising multifunctional agent for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications, particularly in skin protection, anti-aging, and inflammation-related conditions.

Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, a well-known medicinal plant of the Rubiaceae family [1], produces a diverse array of secondary metabolites. Among them, geniposide, an iridoid glycoside, exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities, including hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects [2]. Despite its pharmacological significance, limited studies have explored strategies to enhance geniposide production in G. jasminoides cell cultures. In this study, we investigated the stimulation of geniposide biosynthesis in G. jasminoides cell cultures through elicitor treatments. Of the four elicitors tested, E2 produced the highest geniposide yield (4.67 mg/L), a 1.5-fold increase over the untreated control (3.13 mg/L). Further optimization of E2 concentration and treatment duration revealed that geniposide production peaked at 9.1 mg/L, achieving a threefold increase relative to the control, when cells were treated with 100 μM E2 for 18 days. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that E2 treatment led to a significant upregulation of GjDXS and GjGPPS, both of which are key genes in the geniposide biosynthetic pathway. Additionally, in vitro bioactivity assays confirmed that G. jasminoides cell extracts exhibited potent anti-wrinkle and whitening effects. These findings suggest that elicitor-based strategies, such as E2 treatment, offer an effective approach for enhancing geniposide production in G. jasminoides cell cultures, thereby expanding their utility in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Rutin is a bioactive flavonoid with strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vascular-protective properties, widely utilized in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical formulations. Among natural sources, Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) contains exceptionally high levels of rutin; however, conventional extraction methods remain inefficient, resource-intensive, and difficult to scale. To overcome these limitations, we established a plant stem cell culture system utilizing cambium-derived cells from Tartary buckwheat for the sustainable and large-scale production of rutin. High-rutin-yielding tissues were identified through LC-MS/MS analysis and used as explants for callus induction on Murashige and Skoog (MS) solid medium supplemented with optimized concentrations of auxins and cytokinins. Putative stem cells were screened via catalase activity assays using hydrogen peroxide and further validated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). To promote high-yield production in vitro, MS liquid medium strength and plant hormone levels were systematically optimized. This platform offers a promising alternative for the biomanufacturing of high-value flavonoids through controlled plant cell culture techniques.

Microalgae are a primary producer of various lipids and fatty acids, with high potential for applications in biofuel production, health-functional materials, cosmetics, and polymer industries. In this study, Chlamydomonas sp. was cultivated under high concentrations of free ammonia (FA) at approximately 63.5 mg/L (based on the IC₅₀). We evaluated the effects of acetate supplementation on physiological and metabolic responses, as well as lipid composition, under ammonia stress. Under high-ammonia conditions, both the acetate-supplemented (N.A.A.) and non-acetate control (N.A.) groups showed rapid acidification, whereas the piggery wastewater (P.W.W.) group maintained a stable pH. Based on Fv/Fm and dry cell weight (DCW) measurements, N.A.A. group exhibited a pattern suggesting little or no stress, while the P.W.W. group appeared to undergo stress followed by recovery. In contrast, the acetate-free N.A. control group showed a sharp decline in Fv/Fm to below 0.2 and a rapid decrease in DCW by day 4. Preliminary FAME analysis from previous experiments under identical conditions revealed that, even at the same FA concentration, cultures grown in P.W.W. showed more than a 15% increase in oleic acid (C18:1) proportion, with shifts in saturated/unsaturated fatty acid profiles favorable to biodiesel quality. In the present study, higher lipid accumulation was also observed in the P.W.W. and N.A.A. groups, supporting the potential for biodiesel production even under high-ammonia stress. Future work will include FAME analysis of the current samples to determine whether the fatty acid profile changes observed in P.W.W. are also present in the N.A.A. group. In addition, transcriptomic analysis will be conducted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which acetate supplementation mitigates ammonia stress and alters fatty acid biosynthesis pathways. This study provides a strategic foundation for integrating high-ammonia wastewater valorization with the production of high-value natural products from microalgae.

Microplastic pollution has emerged as a pressing concern for aquatic ecosystems, yet its specific impacts on freshwater organisms remain insufficiently characterized. In this study, we examined the effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) with distinct, environmentally relevant morphologies on the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna, a sentinel species for aquatic health assessment. The experimental framework evaluated acute and sublethal endpoints, including mortality, reproductive output, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and transcriptional changes in ROS-associated genes. To further elucidate potential suborganismal effects, we performed 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of the gut microbiome. Sequencing results revealed pronounced shifts in microbial community structure, with significant alterations in relative abundance, alpha diversity, and beta diversity indices. Functional inference suggested that these microbial shifts may affect host physiology and stress resilience through modulation of key metabolic pathways. Complementary PICRUSt and differential gene expression (DEG) analyses identified specific biological processes and pathways perturbed by PS-MP exposure. Collectively, our findings highlight the morphology-dependent ecological risks of microplastics and provide novel insights into how microplastic-induced microbiome alterations could influence freshwater zooplankton health, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of microplastic pollution impacts in freshwater ecosystems.

The cement industry, while central to modern infrastructure since the Industrial Revolution, is a major source of air pollutants and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To address these environmental impacts, diverse physical, chemical, and biological strategies have been proposed, among which microalgae offer a highly productive biological platform for converting light and CO₂ into biomass. In this study, four microalgal strains—Chlamydomonas sp. (CH), Chlorella sorokiniana (CS), Chlorella vulgaris (CV), and Desmodesmus multivariabilis (DM)—were cultivated in a photobioreactor (PBR) specifically designed to prolong CO₂ retention time. Carbon capture performance was evaluated by mass-balance analysis between the supplied CO₂ and the algal biomass produced. At the end of the cultivation process, biomass concentrations reached 2.53 g/L (DM), 2.40 g/L (CH), 1.85 g/L (CV), and 1.36 g/L (CS). CO₂ reduction efficiencies, based on the supplied gas volume, were 69% (CH), 53% (CV), 52% (CS), and 46% (DM). Specific CO₂ reduction per unit biomass was highest for CS (0.0075 g/g), followed by CV (0.0056 g/g), CH (0.00056 g/g), and DM (0.00036 g/g), indicating that C. sorokiniana achieved the most efficient CO₂-to-biomass conversion. Based on the individual CO₂ consumption rates, a mixed-culture approach using tailored ratios of the four strains was developed as an advanced carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) strategy for flue gas mitigation in the cement industry.

Structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) often stalls at the molecular-docking step, where the computational cost scales poorly with the size of modern chemical libraries. We introduce a deep-learning regression model that learns binding-energy patterns from AutoDock Vina and reproduces docking-level accuracy at a fraction of the runtime. Each ligand is represented by a concatenated 2D feature vector comprising a 2048‑bit Morgan fingerprint (radius = 2), 167-bit MACCS keys, and 200 RDKit physicochemical descriptors. A multilayer perceptron regularized with batch normalization, dropout, and L2 weight decay is tuned via three-fold cross-validation. Delivered as an RDKit–scikit-learn–TensorFlow/Keras workflow, the model can be rapidly retrained or deployed on new targets with minimal overhead. In a case study on the estrogen receptor α, it operated as a lightweight pre-filter that reduced the number of compounds forwarded to docking while retaining the original hit rate, and cross-target experiments confirmed robust performance without retraining. This approach provides an effective plug-in for SBVS pipelines, markedly improving speed and cost efficiency at the pre-docking stage.

Sophora flavescens Aiton is a traditional medicinal root renowned for its antioxidant effects, yet time-resolved kinetic information remains scarce. In this study, a 70 % ethanol extract was characterized by UPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS and evaluated for both steady-state antioxidant potency and rapid-mix kinetics in the DPPH• assay. Chromatographic separation on an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (0.1 % formic acid/H₂O–acetonitrile gradient) yielded PDA and total-ion chromatograms. Six major constituents—maackiain, formononetin, xanthohumol, kurarinone, lupenone, and kuraidin—were annotated from mass spectra acquired in positive and negative modes. The crude extract (yield 21.3 % w/w, dry-root basis) contained 25.4 mg gallic-acid equivalents (GAE) per gram of dry root. Steady-state DPPH• measurements gave an EC₅₀ of 674 µg mL⁻¹, indicating moderate potency relative to gallic acid (EC₅₀ = 2.62 µg mL⁻¹). To capture the early events of radical quenching, absorbance at 517 nm was recorded every 0.5 s for 20 s after rapid mixing. Log–log plots of initial rate (v₀) versus reactant concentration afforded reaction orders of α = 1.05 ± 0.16 for DPPH• and β = 0.691 ± 0.067 for the extract. The corresponding rate constant (k₂) was 2.07 mM⁻ᵝ s⁻¹—approximately 19-fold higher than that of gallic acid (0.109 mM⁻ᵝ s⁻¹). These findings demonstrate that, although less potent at equilibrium, the S. flavescens extract exhibits markedly faster initial radical scavenging kinetics, a property of potential significance in biological systems undergoing acute oxidative stress.

Chinese cabbage, in addition to being a source of dietary fiber, contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols. Among these, flavonoids-one of the major classes of polyphenols-are present at nutritionally and functionally relevant levels. The structural diversity of flavonoids underlies a broad spectrum of biological functions. In this study, we sought to modify the flavonoid profile of Chinese cabbage to enhance its functional properties or confer new ones. Based on molecular and biochemical characterization of flavonoid biosynthetic genes, we identified three candidates-BrFH, BrFLS1, and BrDFR-responsible for flavonoid biosynthesis in Chinese cabbage. To disrupt these genes, we employed CRISPR/Cas9 technology on existing commercial inbred lines with green or purple phenotypes as parental backgrounds, enabling the rapid and efficient development of transgene-free, homozygous gene-edited Chinese cabbages. Consequently, we obtained flavanone-enriched BrFH-KO, dihydroflavonol-enriched or anthocyanin-enhanced BrFLS1-KO, and flavonol-enhanced BrDFR-KO lines. The successful targeted disruption of these genes in Chinese cabbage yielded germplasm with distinct metabolic phenotypes and desirable agricultural traits, serving as promising resources for breeding.

Distichochlamys genus, belonging to the ginger family, are endemic plants in Vietnam. There are four species, including D. orlowii, D. citrea, D. rubrostriata and D. benenica which have been discovered recently. In this study, essential oils, extracts and seveveral compounds were isolated from the rhizomes of D. citrea and D. benenica. Different bioactivities were screened in silico, in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that the essential oils from D. citrea and D. benenica contained main constituents of 1,8-cineole, (E)-citral and (Z)-citral which effectively inhibited the nitric oxide release of lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage with IC 50 values of 27.13±2.43 and 37.44±3.02 µg/mL. They also formed strong bonds with cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2, whose free energies roughly ranged from –54.78 to –84.08 kcal/mol. From hexane extracts, three substances were identified: trans-o-coumaric acid, trans-cinnamic acid, and borneol. Of these, trans-o-coumaric acid possessed the most anti-inflammatory property. Additionally, those gingers shown encouraging anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory properties. These results suggest that D. citrea and D. benenica could be effective medicinal sources used to treat a variety of illnesses.

The 150-year-old mountain ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is likely to accumulate unique metabolites during its long growth process. Adventitious roots induced through in vitro culture are expected to reflect these characteristics, containing a greater diversity and higher content of functional metabolites than cultivated ginseng, and possess the potential for plant regeneration through cell fate conversion utilizing plant cell totipotency. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the metabolic differences among 150-year-old mountain ginseng, its in vitro–induced adventitious roots, and the control group of 6-year-old cultivated ginseng, and to optimize the timing of lateral root primordia (LRP) formation in the adventitious roots to establish a foundation for future plant regeneration systems. For metabolite profiling, 6-year-old cultivated ginseng (Pg), 150-year-old mountain ginseng (150y-Mg), and its induced adventitious roots (150y-Mg-AR) were used. The metabolites of each sample were compared and analyzed using HPLC and HPLC–MS. To optimize LRP formation in the adventitious roots, a total of 18 treatment combinations of sucrose (3, 5%), IBA (0, 2.5, 5 mg/L), NAA (0, 0.5, 1 mg/L), and salicylic acid (0, 30 μM) were applied, and the LRP induction rate and number of lateral roots were evaluated to determine the optimal medium. Subsequently, the LRP formation timing was confirmed at two-day intervals using a clearing method, and the expression of related genes-PgPLT3, PgPLT7, PgLBD18, PgLBD49, PgWOX5, PgWOX11, and PgSCR-was analyzed via RT-qPCR. Metabolite profiling revealed that in the comparison between Pg and 150y-Mg, a total of 74 metabolites were identified, of which 39 were common, 9 were detected only in Pg, and 26 only in 150y-Mg. In the comparison between Pg and 150y-Mg-AR, 72 metabolites were identified, with 19 in common, 19 unique to Pg, and 34 unique to 150y-Mg-AR. These results suggest that the 150-year-old mountain ginseng and its induced adventitious roots contain a greater variety of unique metabolites compared with cultivated ginseng. The optimal medium for maximizing LRP formation in adventitious roots was identified as 3% sucrose + 2.5 mg/L IBA + 1 mg/L NAA + 0 μM SA. Gene expression analysis for LRP formation timing revealed that PgPLT3 decreased during the culture period, PgLBD18 and PgLBD49 increased during the early stages as LRP initiation factors, and PgPLT7, PgWOX11, and PgLBD18 showed a gradual increase. Integrating these results with clearing observations, the LRP formation timing was determined to be day 8 of culture. This study demonstrated that the 150-year-old mountain ginseng and its adventitious roots possess unique metabolites with higher content and diversity compared with 6-year-old cultivated ginseng, and that LRP formation can be maximized through optimal culture conditions, thereby confirming the potential for plant regeneration. These findings provide a foundation for the sustainable regeneration of rare mountain ginseng plants and the stable, large-scale production of high-value metabolites using adventitious roots from 150-year-old mountain ginseng.

Maintaining plant callus in vitro over long periods requires frequent subculturing, which increases the risk of somaclonal variation. In vitro preservation offers a promising alternative by enabling long-term storage, thereby reducing labor intensity and potential genetic instability. This study aimed to identify key factors influencing callus viability during storage and to optimize pre-treatment protocols to enhance antioxidant capacity and thereby improve cell viability. Calli from five plant species-Ligusticum officinale, Centella asiatica, Panax ginseng, Sageretia theezans, and Camellia japonica-were stored for up to 120 days, during which their viability was assessed. In addition, antioxidant capacity, including ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total phenolic content (TPC), and total sugar content, were analyzed to determine factors influencing callus viability. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize three pre-treatment factors-sucrose (3–9%), methyl jasmonate (MeJA, 0–200 µM), and citric acid (CTR, 0–20 mg/L). Species with higher antioxidant capacity (L. officinale, P. ginseng, C. japonica) maintained greater viability than the other species (C. asiatica, S. theezans) during storage. The high-antioxidant species P. ginseng and C. japonica maintained viability up to 120 and 90 days, respectively, whereas the low-antioxidant species C. asiatica and S. theezans exhibited a sharp decline in viability after 30 days. Among the antioxidant capacity parameters, FRAP and TPC in particular showed strong positive correlations with cell viability. RSM identified optimal conditions for maximizing FRAP and TPC (3% sucrose, 135 µM MeJA, 20 mg/L CTR) and for maximizing sugar content (9% sucrose, 200 µM MeJA, 0 mg/L CTR). Overall, calli with higher antioxidant capacity showed greater viability and regrowth than those with lower capacity. Calli pre-treated for one week under FRAP/TPC-optimized conditions and stored at 15±1°C maintained higher viability and regrowth rates during long-term storage in most species compared to other conditions. These findings demonstrate that antioxidant capacity is a key factor in callus viability during long-term in vitro preservation. RSM-optimized pre-treatment for enhancing FRAP and TPC improved both viability and regrowth rates. This approach provides an efficient method for the long-term preservation of high-value plants and can be applied to a wide range of species for germplasm conservation. 

Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. is a globally distributed species that has been traditionally used in culinary and medicinal purposes, and is recognized for its content of glucosinolates, phytochemicals with anticancer and antioxidant activities. While validated analytical methods for glucosinolate quantification in other Brassicaceae plants are well established, such methods for C. bursa-pastoris remain scarce. In this study, UHPLC–ESI–TOF–MS was used to qualitatively identify glucoarabin and glucocamelinin as representative glucosinolates in C. bursa-pastoris. For quantitative analysis, a UHPLC–PDA method was validated by evaluating specificity, accuracy, precision, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ). The evaluation of specificity demonstrated that the chromatographic peak of glucosinolates in CB displayed high resolution and matched the standard solution in terms of retention time. The recovery test for accuracy ranged from 94.89% to 95.77% for glucoarabin, and from 91.89% to 92.76% for glucocamelinin. The relative standard deviation values of repeatability and reproducibility for measuring the precision were 1.89% and 2.33% for glucoarabin, and 1.54% and 2.36% for glucocamelinin, respectively. The method exhibited high linearity, with a correlation coefficient (r 2 ≥ 0.999). The LOD and LOQ values were 0.32 μg/mL and 0.98 μg/mL for glucoarabin, 0.45 μg/mL and 1.35 μg/mL for glucocamelinin. All the parameters were within the guidelines of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea, thus confirming the validity of the method. This validated method serves as a valuable tool for the standardization of glucosinolates, providing a reliable basis for quality control and supporting the utilization of C. bursa-pastoris extract as a functional metabolite.

Blautia sp. MRG-PMF1 is a prominent gut bacterium involved in the metabolism of polymethoxyflavones and other dietary natural products bearing aryl methyl ether groups. The broad substrate specificity and capacity to process bulky compounds make its cobalamin-dependent O-demethylase system a promising candidate for biocatalytic applications, including lignin valorization. This multicomponent enzyme system comprises a substrate-binding methyltransferase I, a cobalamin-requiring corrinoid protein, a tetrahydrofolate-dependent methyltransferase II, and a Co(II)-reducing activating enzyme. Through monitoring bacterial growth and enzymatic activity in the presence of various O-methylated natural products, such as nobiletin, capsaicin, and melatonin, we observed induction of the O-demethylase system in Blautia sp. MRG-PMF1. Our findings suggest that methyltransferase I is the component selectively induced by different substrates, highlighting its potential role in substrate recognition and specificity.

Quercetin is a natural flavonoid with anti-inflammatory properties but limited bioavailability. To enhance its efficacy, a folic acid-conjugated chitosan-coated nanoemulsion containing quercetin (QNE-FCS) was developed. QNE-FCS inhibited nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophages with an IC50 of 12.27 μg/mL, demonstrating higher activity compared with diclofenac sodium. Flow cytometry further confirmed rapid uptake of QNE-FCS in ocular cells, with cellular uptake reaching 95.9% in HLE cells and 80.6% in HCE-T cells after 30 minutes. These results suggest QNE-FCS as a promising delivery system with enhanced anti-inflammatory activity for the treatment of ocular inflammation.

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. (Brahmi) is a traditional Ayurvedic herb renowned for its cognitive-enhancing properties. However, the metabolic mechanisms underlying its effects, particularly under stress conditions, remain insufficiently explored. This study investigated the impact of Brahmi extract on fecal metabolomic profiles in rats subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three group: control, CUMS, and CUMS treated with Brahmi extract. After 14 days of oral administration, fecal samples were analyzed using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS followed by multivariate statistical modeling. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS) revealed distinct metabolic shifts associated with stress and Brahmi treatment. Key metabolites, including isoleucine, indole-3-carboxaldehyde, and isovalerylglutamic acid, were identified as discriminant features and linked to pathways involving branched-chain amino acid metabolism and pantothenate/CoA biosynthesis. Notably, the identified metabolites are closely linked to gut–brain axis communication, stress resilience, and cognitive function. Our findings indicate that Brahmi extract mitigates stress-related metabolic disturbances, which may contribute to its cognitive-enhancing potential through modulation of gut–brain metabolic pathways.

Pseudomonas genus is commonly found in diverse environments, including soil and water. Also, the genus has been extensively investigated due to its industrial applicability, such as production of antimicrobial secondary metabolites. In this study, we aimed to employ laccase-producing Pseudomonas sp. strain C15 to produce antimicrobial secondary metabolites such as pyocyanin and fluorescein, and eight of nutrient media. Produced secondary metabolites were analyzed using LC-MS/MS based on both absolute and relative quantification strategies to compare the yields from the different media (LB, NB, TSB, YPD, MB, BHI, King's B, and R2A). Fluorescein highly produced from NB media, while pyocyanin was maximally produced in LB media, with peak area values of 23,135 and 52,297,572, respectively. This study highlights the potential of Pseudomonas sp. strain C15 for the production of antimicrobial agents. 

The treatment of synthetic dye wastewater demands efficient and eco-friendly strategies due to its recalcitrance and toxicity, such as biological treatment. Laccase is a multicopper oxidase that could degrade environmental pollutants, including synthetic dyes, by employing oxygen as the final electron acceptor and producing only water. In this study, laccase-producing bacteria were isolated from plastisphere, and the decolorization potential was evaluated. Samples were collected from agricultural waste plastics in Taebaek, Gangwon State of South Korea and enriched using guaiacol. Laccase activity was measured using the culture supernatant with 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (2,6-DMP) as a substrate. Whole genome sequencing was conducted to identify the isolate based on average nucleotide identity (ANI) and to obtain laccase gene sequences. Decolorization potential was primarily tested on agar mediums containing selected dyes, followed by quantitative analysis using resting cell assays. Among the isolates, strain MSK1 showed extracellular laccase activity (2.93 U/mL) against 2,6-DMP after 24 hours. ANI analysis revealed 99.06% similarity to Pseudomonas palmensis type strain BBB001. Pseudomonas palmensis strain MSK1 decolorized 0.137 mM of four dyes on agar plate test. In resting cell assay, Pseudomonas palmensis strain MSK1 achieved 21%, 57%, 90% and 91% decolorization of 0.05 mM aniline blue, 0.137 mM methyl blue, 0.01 mM malachite green, and 0.137 mM methyl red. Taken together, these results suggest that the laccase-producing bacterium Pseudomonas palmensis strain MSK1 exhibits broad substrate specificity toward various synthetic dyes, highlighting its potential for biotechnological applications.