Hylocereus undatus (Haworth) Britton and Rose is a popular and extensively used medicinal herb, especially in Asia, which encompasses several medicinal phytochemicals that possess curative properties. This study explored its antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antidiarrheal properties by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC–MS)‐based identification of bioactive compounds along with an in silico study. Leaf extract of H. undatus was prepared using n ‐hexane. In vitro antioxidant activities were evaluated using spectrophotometric methods. In vivo antidiabetic activity was determined by oral glucose tolerance test, and antidiarrheal activity was assessed via castor oil–induced diarrhea in mice. The bioactive compounds were identified via GC–MS. An in silico study was done by a computer‐aided model using the α‐amylase protein. The phytochemical screening exhibited a wide variety of plant metabolites. The total phenolic, total flavonoid, total tannin, and total antioxidant capacity were estimated as 29.73 ± 0.33 mg of GAE/g, 69.3 ± 6.61 mg of QE/g, 14.35 ± 0.221 mg of GAE/g, and 115.58 ± 1.43 mg of AAE/g, respectively. The OGTT test of the extract at 500 mg/kg produced a noteworthy ( p < 0.01) reduction in BGL at 30 min (14.6%), 60 min (26.4%), 90 min (40.9%), and 120 min (49.4%) post‐treatment compared to the control group. In the castor oil–induced diarrhea model, nHE (500 mg/kg, 39.58%) significantly ( p < 0.01) delayed diarrhea onset and reduced total feces. The extent of these activities resembled that of standard loperamide (5 mg/kg, 58.33%). GC–MS identified 72 compounds, including β‐amyrone, lupeol, campesterol, stigmasterol, and vitamin E. In silico study also validated the potentialities of constituents of H. undatus . This is the first integrated study combining in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches to elucidate the pharmacological potential of H. undatus leaves, highlighting the extract as a promising source of therapeutic candidates. Further mechanistic studies are warranted.

Background Obesity is a global health problem that requires a safe and efficient approach. The objective of the research was to study how to manage obesity with functional food and dietary advice. Female obese subjects were given a daily amount of functional food for 2 months along with dietary advice. The functional food consisted of a mixture of powdered orange pectin, carrot, eggplant, oat, wheat bran, green tea, green coffee bean, Nigella sativa seeds, flax seed, roasted lemon, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and chili pepper. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed before and after dietary intervention. Bioactive components in the functional food were analyzed. Results Results showed obese subjects to demonstrate dyslipidemia and elevated insulin resistance, plasma malondialdehyde, glucose, and interleukin‐6, together with reduced liver and kidney function compared to normal controls. Intervention with functional food with dietary advice produced significant improvement in the determined biochemical parameters except for triglycerides, high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, nitric oxide, and alanine transaminase, which only showed insignificant improvements. The functional food also demonstrated a significant reduction in body mass index and waist/hip ratio. Analysis of the functional food showed high phenolic and flavonoid contents and phytosterols with an ω‐3/ω‐6 ratio of 1/10. Dietary fibers were calculated to be 30.94%. Conclusion The intervention with functional food together with dietary advice has antiobesity effect with potential reduction of comorbidities associated with obesity, which might be due to the presence of phenolic compounds, phytosterols, ω‐3 fatty acids, and dietary fibers.

Fruit wine production is a promising strategy for enhancing the value of tropical fruits in Vietnam. This study developed a fermented beverage from red‐fleshed dragon fruit ( Hylocereus costaricensis ) and cashew apple ( Anacardium occidentale ), investigating the effects of hydrolysis and fermentation conditions on product quality. The juice blend was enzymatically hydrolyzed with pectinase under varying pH, temperature, time, and enzyme levels. Optimal hydrolysis was achieved at pH 4.5, 50°C, 150 min, and 0.2 g/L enzyme, resulting in the highest juice clarity. Fermentation was carried out using Saccharomyces cerevisiae across different dilution ratios and yeast concentrations. The best results were observed at a 1 : 1 dilution and 1 g/L yeast dose, producing 12.54% ethanol. The final product showed high antioxidant capacity and polyphenol content while meeting safety standards. These findings demonstrate the potential of dragon fruit–cashew apple wine as a functional and economically viable product.

Camel milk is valued for its distinctive nutritional profile and potential therapeutic benefits, yet its rapid spoilage due to high microbial susceptibility limits its commercial potential. Conventional thermal pasteurization ensures microbial safety but compromises heat‐sensitive nutrients and bioactive compounds. This study investigates electromagnetic (EM) field (850 mT, 3 min) and microwave (MW, 250 W, 30 s) treatments as nonthermal preservation strategies, with thermally pasteurized camel milk (TCM) as a benchmark. The treatments were evaluated for microbial inhibition, nutrient retention, protein integrity, vitamin and bioactive protein preservation, lipid oxidation, and sensory quality. EM processing achieved substantial microbial reduction while maintaining superior retention of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and immune‐active proteins compared with MW and TCM. Structural analyses confirmed minimal protein denaturation and oxidative damage under EM treatment. MW treatment provided significant microbial inactivation but induced greater nutrient loss. Sensory evaluation favored EM‐treated milk for taste and acceptability. Both EM and MW extended refrigerated shelf life, meeting microbial safety thresholds. These findings establish EM treatment as a promising, scalable nonthermal preservation technology that enhances microbial safety without compromising the nutritional and functional quality of camel milk, supporting its potential in functional dairy markets.

This study provides evidence of the fungistatic capacity of an active edible film containing quercetin and orange essential oil (OEO), demonstrating favorable mechanical properties and stability for postharvest applications. Phytopathogenic fungi are a major cause of postharvest losses and waste. Certain bioactive compounds, such as quercetin (a key component of the natural chemical defense system of plants) and OEO, are known for their fungicidal properties. OEO contains a high concentration of terpene molecules that share chemical similarities with quercetin, potentially enhancing its bioavailability and toxicity. Active edible films offer a promising means of delivering bioactive compounds to help reduce the spread of fungal infections in food. Therefore, this study sought to develop an active edible film incorporating quercetin and OEO to inhibit the spore germination and growth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides . Three edible films were formulated: PQN1 (0.075 mg/mL quercetin, 20 mg/mL OEO), PQN2 (0.030 mg/mL quercetin, 5 mg/mL OEO), and a control (PC) without active compounds. PQN1 exhibited the highest fungistatic activity, inhibiting C. gloeosporioides growth by 32.3 ± 0.8%. PQN1 also showed greater stability than PC, as indicated by zeta potential values (−63.3 ± 6.2 mV vs. −5.224 ± 5.4 mV, respectively). The elongation percentage and water vapor permeability (WVP) increased in films containing the active compounds, while tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and solubility decreased in the presence of OEO. No significant difference in thickness was observed. Overall, the PQN1 edible film shows potential for preventing C. gloeosporioides contamination in fruits and vegetables.

The açaí palm ( Euterpe oleracea Mart.) is valued for its pulp, yet 85% of the fruit—the seed—is discarded, raising environmental concerns. In Northern Brazil, roasted seeds are consumed as a coffee‐like beverage, but the impact of roasting on their composition remains unclear. This study evaluated how roasting affects the physicochemical, bioactive, and volatile profiles of açaí seeds, using multivariate analysis to relate processing conditions with bioactive retention and aroma development. Açaí seeds obtained from Afuá, Pará, Brazil, were dried and roasted in a rotary roaster under a central composite rotational design (165°C–235°C; 8–22 min). Roasted seeds were then ground for analysis. Proximate composition, physicochemical properties, minerals, phenolics, antioxidant capacity, inulin content, and volatile profile were evaluated. Roasting effects were modeled by ANOVA and response surface methodology, while principal components analysis assessed volatile distribution. Raw açaí seeds showed a fibrous and porous structure with high fiber (84.25 g/100 g), phenolics (37.07 mg GAE/g), inulin (16.05 g/100 g), and notable minerals content, particularly potassium. During roasting, soluble solids were peaked at mild conditions (175°C/10–20 min), while higher temperatures reduced moisture, pH, phenolics, antioxidant capacity, and inulin, highlighting temperature as the main factor, while color change was intensified with both time and temperature. Optimal phenolic retention was predicted at 174°C/16 min, and the volatile analysis revealed shifts from oxygenated compounds (aldehydes and terpenes) under mild roasting to Maillard‐derived products (furans, pyrazines, and phenolics) at higher intensities. PCA explained 77.1% of variance, clearly separating light roasts with fresh notes from darker roasts with caramelized and nutty attributes. Roasting allows for the modulation of their profile, as milder conditions preserve prebiotics and antioxidants, while higher temperatures develop desirable roasted aromas. This enables the tailoring of ingredients for food applications, adding value to this by‐product.

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a critical role in ovarian aging and the associated decline in female fertility. Nicotinamide riboside (NR), a vitamin B3 derivative and dietary NAD + precursor, has shown antiaging potential, yet its molecular mechanisms in ovarian function are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of NR on oocyte maturation, mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial distribution in aged mice. Using network pharmacology and protein–protein interaction analyses, we identified 54 potential NR‐related targets involved in ovarian aging, with CASP3, PTGS2, PARP1, REN, and ACE highlighted as central hub genes. Molecular docking and 100‐nanosecond molecular dynamics simulations confirmed stable and energetically favorable binding between NR and these targets, particularly PTGS2 and ACE, suggesting strong regulatory potential. To further place these targets in a physiological context, we reanalyzed publicly available human ovarian single‐cell RNA sequencing data and observed age‐associated remodeling of ACE, REN, PTGS2, and PARP1 expression across granulosa, theca/stromal, and endothelial cell populations, supporting their relevance within the ovarian microenvironment. NR treatment significantly enhanced the maturation rate and mitochondrial function of aged oocytes, indicating its ability to restore mitochondrial health and modulate key aging‐related pathways. These findings provide mechanistic insights into NR’s protective role in reproductive aging and support its potential as a nutritional intervention to promote female reproductive longevity.

Royal jelly (RJ), a nutrient‐rich substance secreted by honeybees, contains bioactive compounds whose composition is shaped by environmental factors such as geography and season. This study examined how regional and seasonal variations affect the concentration of major royal jelly protein 1 (MRJP1) and RJ’s biological activity in five areas of Fujairah, UAE, during spring and fall. MRJP1 was quantified using ELISA, while antibacterial activity was assessed against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using microbroth dilution. Anticancer potential was tested on MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells via MTT assay. Spring‐harvested RJ, especially from Ohala, had higher MRJP1 levels and stronger activity against E. coli. In contrast, fall RJ from Al Farfar was more effective against S. aureus , surpassing colistin in some instances. Anticancer activity remained steady across seasons. The study highlights that RJ’s bioactivity and MRJP1 levels vary with environmental factors, supporting MRJP1 as a potential associative biomarker for RJ quality.

Chronic hyperglycemia is one of the main causes of diabetes mellitus, a common metabolic disorder. α ‐Amylase inhibition, a key enzyme in carbohydrate digestion, is an appealing strategy for the regulation of postprandial blood glucose levels. The current research explored the α ‐amylase inhibitory activity of Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) leaf extracts by phytochemical analysis, GC–MS, in vitro enzyme assays, and in silico molecular modeling, including ADME, toxicity predictions, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Among four solvent extracts, the ethyl acetate (EA) extract had the highest total phenolic (131.26 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (244.78 mg CE/g) contents and exhibited 70.51% α ‐amylase inhibition at 400 μg/mL, approaching the activity of acarbose (82.72%). GC–MS analysis of the EA extract identified several bioactive constituents, with 3,7,11,15‐tetramethyl‐2‐hexadecen‐1‐ol and 2‐hexadecen‐1‐ol acetate exhibiting good docking scores (−5.9 and −5.7 kcal/mol, respectively). Among them, 1‐cyclohexanol, 2‐(2‐ethylbutyl)‐ showed the best drug‐likeness with good oral bioavailability (0.794) and zero predicted toxicity. MD simulations (100 ns) confirmed the stability of ligand–enzyme complexes with minimal RMSD fluctuations and stable hydrogen bonding. The findings suggest that P. dulce EA extract and phytocompounds are potential natural α ‐amylase inhibitors and putative antidiabetic drugs, meriting further in vivo validation.

Browning and green loss are two typical characteristics of quality deterioration in fresh‐cut asparagus lettuce ( Lactuca sativa var. angustata). In the present study, the mechanism underlying the delay in quality deterioration of fresh‐cut asparagus lettuce by the solution was elucidated through transcriptomic analysis. Fresh‐cut asparagus lettuce was immersed in a solution containing 0.67% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC‐Na), 0.85% L‐cysteine (L‐Cys), 0.38% ascorbic acid (AsA), and the distilled water (control) for 10 min, respectively. Both treated and control samples were stored in the dark at 4°C with 80%–90% relative humidity for eight days. The results showed that treatment with the solution retarded the cut surface browning and green color loss and extended the shelf life of fresh‐cut asparagus lettuce. In comparison to a control group, the treatment effectively attenuated the upregulation of the LsACO3 and LsACS1 genes; it downregulated the expression of the phospholipase‐related genes LsNPC6 , LsPLC2 , and At2g42690 . Conversely, there was substantial upregulation of gene expression related to L. sativa calmodulin‐like proteins and L. sativa calcium‐dependent protein kinases, along with activation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and significant upregulation of genes associated with the L. sativa jasmonic acid biosynthesis pathway involved in the defense response. In conclusion, our findings indicated that treatment with the solution effectively delays the deterioration of fresh‐cut asparagus lettuce during storage by inhibiting endogenous ethylene synthesis, mitigating reactive oxygen damage, and enhancing disease resistance, thereby providing superior preservation of its color and texture. The results provide an alternative method for delaying color deterioration of fresh‐cut produce.