Adnan Ayna

In this study, a chitosan-based colloidal delivery systems (CDs) was developed as a natural delivery system for phenolic compounds from propolis extracts obtained via accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and evaluated for improving the functional properties of walnut sausages. ASE propolis extract was incorporated into a chitosan (C)-based colloidal delivery system formulated with varying concentrations of diacetyl tartaric acid ester of mono- and diglycerides (DATEM) and lecithin (L). The formulation containing 2.5% chitosan, 12% DATEM and propolis, with a particle size of 265.9 nm and a ζ-potential of +40.8 mV, was selected for further characterization and food applications. The phenolic encapsulation of CDs depended on the structural characteristics of individual phenolic compounds, with chrysin (70.51%), vanillin (65.12%), and benzoic acid (51.26%) exhibiting the highest encapsulation; CD-treated walnut sausages decreased the lipid oxidation and improved the storage stability of the walnut sausages during storage. These findings indicate that the chitosan-based colloidal delivery system is a promising carrier for improving the encapsulation of propolis phenolics in walnut sausages.

BACKGROUND: In the current study, the biological activity fingerprint of Dorycnium pentaphyllum subsp. haussknechtii was investigated by an interdisciplinary approach through analysis of its phytochemical content, antioxidant capacity, enzyme inhibitory potential and molecular docking. RESULTS: The analysis of the phytochemical content by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was characterized by the presence of flavan‐3‐ols, such as epicatechin, epigallocatechin, and catechin, as well as quercetin‐derived flavonoids such as isoquercitrin. Analysis of the antioxidant capacity by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid), ferric reducing antioxidant power, Fe ³⁺ –Fe ²⁺ reducing and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity methods indicated the strong antioxidant capacity of the plant extract. In addition, the plant extract was able to modulate biological enzyme activity effectively, with IC ₅₀ values of 111.78 μg mL ⁻¹ for acetylcholinesterase, 22.07 μg mL ⁻¹ for butyrylcholinesterase, 1.39 μg mL ⁻¹ for α‐glucosidase, 7.34 μg mL ⁻¹ for carbonic anhydrase I, and 17.41 μg mL ⁻¹ for carbonic anhydrase II. To have a better understanding of the molecular mechanism for the plant extract's properties, the major phenolic compounds present in the plant extract were investigated for molecular docking with their respective enzymes. As such, the results revealed a strong binding affinity and conformational stability, with strong hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions. CONCLUSION: Generally, the properties revealed by the plant extract indicate that the phenolic content, strong antioxidant properties, and enzyme inhibition activity of D. pentaphyllum subsp. haussknechtii have shown great potential for being a useful natural source for therapeutic lead compounds. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Apilarnil, a relatively understudied bee‐derived product from drone larvae, has recently gained attention due to its diverse chemical content and biological activities. Imatinib, a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor widely used in cancer treatment, is recognized for its effectiveness but is also associated with off‐target toxicities including disturbances in redox homeostasis. While previous studies have mainly focused on the roles of the key antioxidant enzymes glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione‐S transferase (GST) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR1) in tumor resistance mechanisms, their inhibition in non‐cancerous cells may contribute systemic toxicity. This study investigated whether co‐administration of apilarnil could alleviate the inhibitory effects of imatinib on these enzymes in vivo . The secondary metabolite profile of apilarnil was characterized using liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (LC‐HRMS) revealing a richness in phenolic compounds, notably isorhamnetin, phenolidzin, ascorbic acid, liquiritigenin, leucoside, 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid and caffeic acid. Enzyme activity assays showed that imatinib significantly suppressed the activities of G6PD, 6PGD, GR, GST and TrxR1 compared to the control group. However, co‐treatment with apilarnil particularly at a dose of 400 mg/kg, markedly restored activities of these enzymes. Furthermore, molecular docking analysis was performed to assess the binding affinities and interaction profiles of imatinib with target enzymes, confirming its potent inhibitory potential and revealing distinct but comparable binding interactions. These findings suggest that apilarnil may exert a protective effect against imatinib‐induced toxicity by modulating disruptions in metabolic enzyme activities.

Honey bee pollen (HBP) is a nutritionally rich natural product containing phenolics and antioxidants; however, its rigid outer wall limits the bioavailability of these bioactive compounds. Therefore advanced extraction and delivery systems are required to enhance stability and functional performance for food applications. This study aimed to encapsulate a supercritical fluid extract (SFE) of honey bee pollen within chitosan-stabilized Pickering emulsions in order to improve encapsulation efficiency and antioxidant activity. Honey bee pollen obtained from Bingöl, Türkiye, was extracted with supercritical CO₂. Pickering emulsions were prepared via ultrasound-assisted emulsification in the presence of chitosan as a stabilizer, with SFE-HBP at 5%, 10%, and 15% (w/v). The prepared emulsions were characterized for their microstructure, particle size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency. Total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activities were assessed using the Folin–Ciocalteu and CUPRAC assays, respectively. All formulations yielded stable, uniformly distributed Pickering emulsions with spherical droplets and no visible phase separation. Indeed, encapsulation efficiency increased with increasing SFE-HBP concentration, from 73.96% to 87.06%. The particle size ranges (7.22–12.44 µm) and zeta potential values (+21.73 to +28.24 mV) indicate good colloidal stability. For both TPC and CUPRAC antioxidant activities, a concentration-dependent increase was observed, with the highest values in the 15% SFE-HBP-containing emulsions. Collectively, these findings indicate that a chitosan-based Pickering emulsion is an effective delivery system for SFE-derived bioactive compounds from honey bee pollen. The method provides enhanced encapsulation efficiency, antioxidant capacity, and physicochemical stability, hence exhibiting great potential for functional food and nutraceutical applications.

Chemical composition of propolis varies depending on geographical and environmental factors. This study presents a comprehensive characterization of propolis collected from four Northern Iraqi regions: Erbil, Mosul, Duhok, and Sulaymaniyah. The chemical content was examined through LC–MS/MS, ICP–MS, and GC–MS. Extracts were also evaluated for their antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and antimicrobial activities. LC–MS/MS profiling revealed notable regional and solvent‐dependent variations in phenolic and flavonoid content, with ethanol extracts, particularly from Mosul and Sulaymaniyah, being richer in galangin, chrysin, and naringenin. GC–MS analysis identified several fatty acids and phenolic esters, with Duhok propolis containing high palmitic acid. ICP–MS analysis indicated variation in macroelements and trace elements, showing abundant calcium, magnesium, and iron. Ethanol extracts exhibited superior antioxidant activity in both DPPH radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacity, with Sulaymaniyah and Duhok extracts being the most active. Antimicrobial assays indicated inhibition against Salmonella typhimurium , Escherichia coli , Listeria monocytogenes , Bacillus subtilis , and Candida albicans , with Erbil and Sulaymaniyah extracts showing the strongest inhibition. Notably, Sulaymaniyah ethanol extract demonstrated the highest glutathione S ‐transferase (GST) inhibition activity (IC ₅₀ = 5.52 μg/mL), correlating with its elevated flavonoid content. Overall, Northern Iraqi propolis displays chemical diversity and potent bioactivities, highlighting its promise for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications.

DNA is continuously exposed to endogenous and exogenous factors that induce oxidative modifications leading to mutations and genomic instability. Oxidative DNA damage plays a dual role, contributing to physiological signaling at low levels while promoting mutagenesis, carcinogenesis and degenerative diseases when unpaired. Among various lesions, an oxidized base, such as 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), is one of the major biomarkers of oxidative stress and genomic damage. Cells have evolved sophisticated repair processes, including base excision repair (BER), nucleotide excision repair (NER), and mismatch repair (MMR), to maintain genomic integrity. Dysregulation or polymorphism of these repair genes has been linked with cancer, neurologic, and cardiovascular disorders. This review discusses an overview of what is presently known concerning oxidative DNA damage and repair mechanisms, particularly emphasizing their molecular players, signaling routes, and human disease implications. It further refers to the latest advances in CRISPR-based technologies and multi-omics approaches that are redefining our understanding of DNA damage response (DDR) networks and creating new frontiers for therapeutic interventions.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have garnered great attention due to their biocompatibility and environmental safety. However, no prior study has focused on the synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of AgNPs prepared with Bingol propolis (PrAgNPs). PrAgNPs were synthesized using a green chemistry approach and characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD analysis confirmed the presence of predominantly cubic crystals, and TEM analysis revealed an average particle size of 14.45 ± 3.44 nm. Zeta potential measurements indicated a negative surface charge of - 24.6 mV, suggesting good colloidal stability. LC-MS analysis identified acacetin and etoposide as key phenolic compounds in the ethanol extract of propolis (EEP). The antioxidant activity of PrAgNPs was assessed by DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays, showing significantly higher activity compared to EEP. The cytotoxicity and anticancer potential were evaluated in the PC-3 prostate cancer cell line using the WST-1 assay and Western blot analysis. PrAgNPs effectively inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis as evidenced by elevated levels of cytochrome c and pro-caspase-3 proteins. This study demonstrated that PrAgNPs, synthesized by an environmentally friendly route, possess potent antioxidant and anti-cancer activities. These findings highlight the promising therapeutic potential of PrAgNPs for future applications in cancer treatment.

Diclofenac (DCL) is a broadly prescribed non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) for pain management and has been linked to nephrotoxicity despite its therapeutic benefits. This study provides new insights into the palliative impacts of chrysin (CH) against DCL‐induced kidney damage by modulating oxidative injury, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis. The rats were divided into five groups: the control group (Group 1), CH‐only group (50 mg/kg, Group 2), DCL‐only group (50 mg/kg, Group 3), DCL + CH (25 mg/kg, Group 4), and DCL + CH (50 mg/kg, Group 5). DCL injection led to significant renal damage marked by elevated serum urea, creatinine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration, and decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase). The mRNA expression levels of Ho‐1 and Nrf2 were also suppressed. Additionally, DCL treatment triggered apoptosis as evidenced by increased expression of Bax and caspase‐3 alongside decreased Bcl‐2 expression. Furthermore, DCL induced ER stress was confirmed by upregulation of Perk , Ire1 , Atf‐6 , and Grp78 transcription levels. Also, it was demonstrated that DCL treatment upregulated Mmp2 and Mmp9 levels. Treatment with CH significantly mitigated these adverse effects suggesting that CH effectively protects DCL‐induced kidney toxicity by targeting multiple pathways. In summary, this study highlights the importance of CH as a promising therapeutic agent for alleviating kidney damage associated with DCL toxicity.

Chemotherapy drugs such as carboplatin are commonly used to treat various cancers, including testicular, lung, and ovarian cancer. Although carboplatin primarily targets cancer cells, it can also damage healthy cells, including neurons, leading to potential adverse effects. Notably, some side effects of carboplatin therapy are associated with nerve cells and the nervous system. The aim of our study was to investigate the potential protective effects of chrysin (Chr) against carboplatin-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. In this study, the ameliorative effects of Chr on carboplatin-induced cellular toxicity were evaluated through cell viability assays, lipid peroxidation (LPO) analysis to assess antioxidant capacity, TUNEL assay, immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, and western blotting to examine anti-apoptotic activities. The results indicated that Chr mitigates carboplatin toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells by reducing LPO levels and the expression of cytochrome c (Cyt c) and Bax, while increasing the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. The study also demonstrated that carboplatin caused apoptosis by causing DNA strand breaks while Chr treatment alleviated these effects. These findings suggest that the use of antioxidants, particularly Chr, may diminish the apoptotic effects of carboplatin in SH-SY5Y cells and could provide insights into potential therapeutic strategies for mitigating cell damage caused by carboplatin.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been shown to have high conductivity, chemical stability, catalytic and antibacterial activities, as well as cytotoxicity on various cancer cells. Many biological resources, including plants, fungi, and bacteria have been utilised for the synthesis of silver, gold and other nanoparticles. The aim of this study was to synthesise environmentally friendly and cost-effective AgNPs from apricot kernel and investigate their antimicrobial activities and cytotoxicity. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-vis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and FTIR. UV–vis spectra revealed the surface plasmon resonance peak at 420 nm confirming the formation of apricot kernel silver nanoparticles. FTIR spectra further demonstrated the involvement of biological compounds in synthesis of AgNPs. Synthesized AgNPs was also found to inhibit the growth of gram negative and gram positive bacteria such as Enterobacter aerogenes ccm 2531, Bacillus subtilis IM 622, Staphylococcus Aureus 6538 p., Staphylococcus Aureus ATCC 29213 and Listeria monocytogenes NCTL 5348 on solid nutrient medium. Importantly, AgNPs were also found to decrease the cell viability of SHSY5Y cell lines in vitro suggesting it could be used as a controlling agent of human neuroblastoma cancer. Based on the findings, it could be concluded that environmentally friendly synthesized AgNPs shows multifunctional properties and could be used against cancer and other infectious diseases.