Jesus Garcia Zorrilla

The specialized metabolite profile of Rubus ulmifolius Schott leaves collected in Algeria was investigated, and their biological activities were evaluated using complementary in vitro and in silico approaches. Leaf extracts were obtained by maceration followed by n ‐hexane and dichloromethane fractionation, as well as by Soxhlet extraction using n ‐hexane. Quantitative analyses of polyphenols, flavonoids, and flavonols showed that phytochemical contents varied according to the solvent polarity and extraction method, a pattern further confirmed by GC‐MS analysis of the chemical profiles. In vitro antioxidant assays indicate that HE‐M ( n ‐hexane fraction after maceration) exhibited the strongest activity, particularly in ABTS ⁺ (IC ₅₀ = 12.76 ± 0.26 µg/mL) and phenanthroline ( A _0.5 = 19.33 ± 0.95 µg/mL) assays, reflecting higher radical scavenging and metal‐chelating capacities. Antimicrobial assays revealed that all extracts exhibited moderate to notable antibacterial and antifungal effects against certain strains, whereas DM‐M (dichloromethane fraction) displayed particularly strong activity against most tested strains. Molecular docking against bacterial DNA gyrase‐A (GyrA) showed that glycerol monostearate, phytol, and methyl caffeate demonstrated favorable binding energies and interactions, providing a plausible molecular explanation for the observed antibacterial activity. Overall, these findings suggest that specialized metabolites produced by R. ulmifolius possess significant antioxidant and antibacterial potential, highlighting their promise as natural bioactive agents.

Diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and oxidative stress, which underscores the need for new multitarget bioactive scaffolds from natural sources. Herein, the antioxidant and antidiabetic metabolites from rhizomes of Astilbe rivularis Buch. Ham. were investigated. Three main constituents (bergenin, and the diastereomeric O ‐glycosides phyllantenocoside and phyllanthurinolactone) were isolated and identified using chromatographic, spectroscopic, spectrometric, and optical methods. The subsequent hydrolysis of the diastereomers furnished the aglycones phyllantenolide and menisdaurilide. Bioassays showed broad activity across DPPH scavenging, HOCl quenching, myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibition, and α‐amylase/α‐glucosidase inhibition, with menisdaurilide being most consistent (HOCl quenching: EC ₅₀ 69.25 ng mL ^{− 1} ; MPO inhibition: IC ₅₀ 0.74 µg mL ^{− 1} ; α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibition: IC ₅₀ 0.64 and 0.68 mg mL ^{− 1} ). The improved activity of menisdaurilide was correlated with its stereochemistry and functional‐group orientation, as relevant bioactivity differences were obtained for its diastereomer, phyllantenolide. Molecular docking indicated favorable binding of menisdaurilide to human MPO and maltase‐glucoamylase, and dynamic studies further confirmed stability and compactness of the protein‐ligand complexes. This study supports A. rivularis rhizomes as a valuable source of potential bioactive metabolites, specially menisdaurilide, considered as a stereochemically optimized lead drug for oxidative‐stress‐mediated complications, meriting mechanistic, pharmacokinetic, and safety/efficacy evaluation in further research.

This study evaluated carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) flour as a functional ingredient for improving the nutritional and sensory properties of wheat-based biscuits. Mature carob pods collected from eastern Algeria were processed into fine flour and characterized for physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and volatile and phenolic profiles. GC–MS analysis revealed a complex volatile profile dominated by organic acids, aldehydes such as furfural and benzaldehyde, and Maillard-derived compounds, including 2-acetylpyrrole and furfuryl alcohol, associated with caramel and cocoa-like aromas. LC-MS profiling identified several flavonoids and phenolic acid derivatives, including quercetin-, myricetin-, and kaempferol-glycosides, as well as gallic acid glucoside, confirming the high antioxidant potential of carob flour. Biscuits were formulated by substituting wheat flour with 30% and 60% carob flour. Sensory evaluation revealed significant increases in color intensity, caramel odor, sweetness, and chocolate-like flavor (p ≤ 0.05), with the 30% substitution achieving the highest overall acceptability. These sensory attributes were associated with the volatile and phenolic profiles, particularly the presence of Maillard-derived furans and flavonoid compounds. These findings demonstrate that carob flour can enhance the sensory characteristics and contribute to the functional potential of biscuits, supporting its use as a natural cocoa substitute and source of bioactive compounds in bakery products.

BACKGROUND: 2‐Amino‐3 H ‐phenoxazin‐3‐one (synonym: questiomycin A; abbreviated as APO or Phx‐3) is a naturally occurring phenoxazinone‐type allelochemical with recognized potential as drug scaffold, but its value against parasitic weeds remains unexplored. Dodders, represented by species like Cuscuta campestris , are destructive parasitic plants that compromise crop productivity and quality, as well as damage to ornamental plants. Control options are limited and often rely on herbicides with sustainability and selectivity constraints. RESULTS: Inspired by allelopathy as a source of eco‐compatible herbicide models, APO and a set of phenoxazinones obtained via one‐step oxidative cyclocondensation of aminophenols (6–91% yields) were evaluated on C. campestris germination and early seedling development at 100–400 μM. APO, synthesized in 70% yield from 2‐aminophenol, showed the most consistent and specific inhibitory activity on both germination and seedling growth. In addition, APO induced marked necrotic effects, which were further enhanced by its nitro‐derivative, causing around 90% necrosis across the tested concentration range. Some additional derivatives displayed moderate necrosis levels, enabling preliminary structure–activity relationship insights within the phenoxazinone scaffold, suggesting a trend in favor of lower‐cLog P structures that share similar topological polar surface area values. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first evidence supporting phenoxazinones, particularly the allelochemical APO, as leads for parasitic weed and dodder management. Their synthetic accessibility at multigram scale from aminophenols, including by‐products and contaminants from industrial wastewaters like 2‐aminophenol, strengthens a real applicability from a circular‐chemistry perspective for development of active agents based on natural products in integrated control strategies for a more sustainable pest management. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam., an extremophyte shrub native to the Mediterranean basin, yields underexplored fruits as a source of therapeutic agents. This study combined in vitro and in silico approaches to evaluate the antioxidant potential of Z. lotus fruits and predict their potential to inhibit xanthine oxidase (XO), a key enzyme in reactive oxygen species generation and oxidative stress-related pathologies. The ethyl acetate extract from the hydroalcoholic macerate was enriched in total phenolics (281.33 ± 1.5 μg GAE/mg) and flavonoids (127.26 ± 5.89 μg RE/mg) and displayed remarkable effects against the ABTS^•+ radical cation (IC₅₀ = 18.49 ± 1.47 μg/mL) and phenanthroline reducing power (A_0.5 = 8.38 ± 0.69 μg/mL), together with measurable xanthine oxidase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 170.4 ± 5.90 μg/mL). The compounds tentatively identified by full-scan UHPLC-QtoF-HRMS were docked against XO (PDB ID: 3NVY), with phytosphingosine (−8.5 kcal/mol) and rutin (−8.3 kcal/mol) exhibiting the strongest binding affinities, forming favorable predicted interactions with critical catalytic residues, followed by 6‴-feruloylspinosin, 3′,5′-di-C-β-glucopyranosylphloretin and hexadecasphinganine (ranging from −7.8 to −7.6 kcal/mol). Predictive structure–activity relationships were also observed. These results provide insights into the antioxidant potential of Z. lotus phytochemicals and highlight the value of this extremophile plant as sustainable resource for phytotherapy and the management of oxidative stress-related diseases.

Non-strigolactone compounds regulate parasitic plant germination, growth, and host recognition, often acting synergistically with root signals. They also affect chemotropism and haustorium formation, revealing a complex chemical network.

The dual benefit of wastewater and microalgal biomass is a major advantage of high-rate algal ponds, enabling the environmental valorization of these byproducts. This research explored the effect of treated wastewater on the agri-food species Hordeum vulgare (L.) and its associated weed, Emex spinosa (L.) Campd., along with the effects of algal biomass (primarily composed of Closterium, Chlorella, and Scenedesmus spp.) and Diplotaxis harra leaf powder. Initial pot trials applied microalgae and D. harra at 2, 4, and 6 g·kg⁻¹ soil, also confirming that the treated wastewater met reuse standards and did not affect plant growth. The combined treatment at 4 g·kg⁻¹ led to the highest H. vulgare increases in fresh weight (162.71%), root length (73.75%), and shoot length (72.87%), while reducing E. spinosa shoot and root lengths by 30.79% and 52.18%, and fresh weight by 68.24%. Subsequent field experiments using 1.26 t ha⁻¹ of 0.5-cm-applied D. harra and microalgae powders enhanced H. vulgare growth, while reducing the growth of E. spinosa. The reduction in E. spinosa growth was associated with increased electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde content. These results support the integration of high-rate algal ponds into agriculture, promoting water reuse and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and herbicides in barley production.

Introduction: Weeds are a major threat to crop productivity, competing for essential resources and often developing resistance to herbicides, which underscores the need for novel, sustainable control strategies. The valorization of agricultural and forestry underutilized byproducts, such as plant needles, presents a promising opportunity for developing eco‐friendly bioherbicides based on allelopathy. Objectives: This study investigates the phytotoxicity of Pinus pinea needle extracts and metabolites to evaluate their potential for controlling dicotyledonous weeds. Material and Methods: The chemical characterization of extracts and isolated compounds was performed via GC–MS, NMR, and optical methods while phytotoxicity bioassays were carried out using the herbicides Pacifica Plus (Bayer CropScience) and pendimethalin, the active ingredient in Stone Aqua (Tokyo Chemical Industry), as positive controls. Results: The dichloromethane extract exhibited the highest phytotoxicity, significantly inhibiting Portulaca oleracea and Plantago lanceolata weeds. GC–MS analysis revealed an array of aromatic compounds of interest for phytochemical research, and through bio‐guided purification, five lignans and the diterpenic acid (+)‐isocupressic acid were isolated. (+)‐Isocupressic acid showed the strongest phytotoxicity on P. oleracea , particularly on root growth (−83% ± 4% at 1000 μM), which could be correlated with structural moieties in its structure (fused‐ring scaffold with an exocyclic double bond, an exocyclic chain containing a double bond or hydroxyl group, and a carboxylic acid group), a number of H‐bond donors ≤ 2, and higher lipophilicity (Clog p = 5.11). Some lignans displayed mild inhibitory or stimulatory effects on P. lanceolata . Conclusion: P. pinea needle extracts and metabolites have demonstrated potential as natural bioherbicides for weed management. Further research is prompted to explore large‐scale applicability, environmental safety through ecotoxicological studies, and optimized formulations to enhance their practical use in sustainable agriculture.

(4Z,8Z)-Matricaria lactone (MAT) and (4Z)-lachnophyllum lactone (LAC) are natural acetylenic furanones with bioherbicidal potential. This study evaluates their possibilities and ecotoxicological impact on aquatic (Aliivibrio fischeri, Raphidocelis subcapitata, and Daphnia magna) and terrestrial (Caenorhabditis elegans, Lepidum sativum) model organisms. MAT exhibited rapid degradation, with 90% decomposition within 24 h and over 98% by day 16, while LAC was more stable, degrading by only 8.5% in 24 h and 67% by day 16. Despite its rapid breakdown, MAT exhibited higher acute toxicity to A. fischeri (EC₁₀ = 0.063 mg L⁻¹; EC₅₀ = 0.642 mg L⁻¹) compared to LAC (EC₁₀ = 0.524 mg L⁻¹; EC₅₀ = 8.078 mg L⁻¹). Toxicity patterns in R. subcapitata differed, with MAT promoting slightly higher growth compared to the control, suggesting hormetic effects (EC₁₀ = 3.417 mg L⁻¹; EC₅₀ = 4.520 mg L⁻¹), while LAC inhibited growth concentration (EC₁₀ = 0.304 mg L⁻¹; EC₅₀ = 9.880 mg L⁻¹). Both compounds immobilized D. magna, with LAC showing greater delayed toxicity (EC₅₀ = 1.728 mg L⁻¹ vs. MAT EC₅₀ = 2.239 mg L⁻¹). Furthermore, for L. sativum, there were no effects on the germination, but effects were observed in the lengths of the shoots (LAC EC₅₀ = 85.89 mg L⁻¹ vs. MAT EC₅₀ = 82.30 mg L⁻¹). In contrast, C. elegans showed no mortality, suggesting lower terrestrial toxicity. These findings suggest that MAT and LAC may pose risks to aquatic ecosystems through runoff or leaching, necessitating further studies on their degradation products, soil microbiota, and non-target terrestrial organisms. Comparative analyses with conventional herbicides highlight MAT and LAC as selective, lower-impact alternatives. Future research should focus on their effects on terrestrial organisms, the ecological safety of degradation products, and large-scale bioassays to ensure their sustainability in agriculture.