Antonella Girgenti

Orthoherpesviridae is a large family of enveloped DNA virus. Among the most significant animal-infecting viruses are bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoAHV1), caprine alphaherpesvirus 1 (CpAHV1) and equid alphaherpesvirus 1 (EqAHV1). Research into new methods to combat herpesvirus infections is ongoing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiviral activity of three extracts of the Helleborus bocconei roots against BoAHV1, CpAHV1 and EqAHV1. The roots were air-dried, extracted with methanol (MeOH) and then partitioned between n-butanol (n-BuOH) and water. All three extracts were tested for cytotoxicity on MDBK and RK-13 cells, and for antiviral activity. Two non-cytotoxic concentrations were assessed for their anti-BoAHV1, anti-CpAHV1 and anti-EqAHV1effects. Cells were incubated with the extracts for 72 h under three experimental conditions: pretreatment before viral infection, treatment post virus infection and simultaneous viral infection and treatment with extracts. The n-BuOH extract (BE) at 0.62 µg/mL inhibited the cytopathic effects of all three viruses in the simultaneous assay. Additionally, no cytopathic effect was observed in MDBK cells infected with CpAHV1and treated with 0.31 µg/mL BE post virus infection. Therefore, the BE contains molecules or groups of molecules potentially useful for developing an alternative therapy against herpesvirus (HV) infection.

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by brain lesions that limit normal daily activities and represent a major challenge to healthcare systems worldwide, with a significant economic impact. Nanotechnology is the science of manipulating matter at the nanoscale, where materials exhibit unique properties that are significantly different from their larger counterparts. These properties can be exploited for a wide range of applications, including medicine. Among the emerging therapeutic approaches for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, nanotechnologies are gaining prominence as a promising avenue to explore. Here, we review the state of the art of biological and artificial vesicles and their biological properties in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. Indeed, nanometric structures such as extracellular vesicles and artificial vesicles represent a promising tool for the treatment of such disorders due to their size, biocompatibility, and ability to transport drugs, proteins, and genetic material across the blood–brain barrier to target specific cells and brain areas. In the future, a deeper and broader synergy between materials science, bioengineering, biology, medicine, and the discovery of new, increasingly powerful delivery systems will certainly enable a more applied use of nanotechnology in the treatment of brain disorders.

Plant-derived nanovesicles represent a novel approach in the field of plant-derived biomaterials, offering a sustainable and biocompatible option for various biomedical applications. The unique properties of these vesicles, such as their ability to encapsulate bioactive compounds, make them suitable for therapeutic, cosmetic, and nutraceutical purposes. In this study, we have, for the first time, successfully bio-fabricated vesicles derived from Opuntia ficus-indica (FicoVes) using an efficient and cost-effective method. Characterized by a size of approximately of 114 nm and a negative zeta potential of −20.9 mV, FicoVes exhibited excellent biocompatibility and hemocompatibility, showing no reduction in the viability of human and animal cells. Our results showed that FicoVes possess significant antioxidant properties as they reduced ROS generation in TBH-stimulated cells. FicoVes displayed anti-inflammatory properties by reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Il 1β, TNF α) and enhancing the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL4, IL10) following an inflammatory stimulus. Furthermore, FicoVes accelerated epithelial wound closure in L929 fibroblast monolayers in a dose-dependent manner, highlighting their potential role in tissue repair. This study establishes FicoVes as a promising candidate for nutrigenomic applications, particularly in the context of inflammation-related disorders and wound healing. Further research, including in vivo studies, is essential to validate these findings and fully explore their therapeutic potential.