Vilkickytė, Gabrielė

This study investigates the phytochemical profile, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and 3D-printing application of Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum extract. The extract revealed a diverse range of phenolic compounds, with rosmarinic acid as the predominant compound (47.76%). The extract showed moderate to high lipoxygenase inhibition (IC50 = 32.0 µg/mL), suggesting its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent. It also exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with hydrogen peroxide scavenging (SC50 = 99.2 µg/mL) and hydroxyl radical scavenging (IC50 = 64.12 µg/mL) capabilities. In cellular studies, high concentrations (50 µg/mL and 100 µg/mL) significantly decreased intracellular ROS production in Caco-2 cells (reductions exceeding 53% and 64%, respectively). Moreover, the extract suppressed NO production in LPS-stimulated J774A.1 macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner. The study also explores the incorporation of the extract into 3D-printed gummies. The gels exhibited a shear-thinning behavior, which was essential for successful extrusion-based 3D printing. The incorporation of Origanum extract significantly influenced the mechanical strength and compaction properties of the 3D-printed gummies before breaking (1.6-fold increase) allowing for a better mouth feeling. PXRD and FTIR analyses confirmed the amorphous nature of the 3D-printed gummies and the interaction between active ingredients and excipients utilized for printing. These findings demonstrated the potential for semisolid extrusion 3D printing at room temperature to transform a culinary herb (Origanum vulgare spp. hirtum) into a healthcare product with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Evergreen Ericaceae species – rich source of phytochemical compounds
• Bioactive components are eligible for the production of functional food and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: Coniferous swamp forests are interesting ecosystems that host unique plant species with significant medicinal potential contributing to ecological, health and pharmaceutical discoveries. Their combination of wetland and forest environments supports a rich variety of plant species, many of which are not found in other habitats. This study investigates the phytochemical richness of Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Rhododendron tomentosum, and Vaccinium oxycoccus, focusing on their phenolic and triterpenic profiles to highlight their medicinal potential. These Ericaceae species, characteristic of coniferous swamp forests, are known for their diverse ethnopharmacological properties, which can be targeted to various health and wellness products. Validated UPLC/HPLC-PDA methods and spectrophotometric assays were employed to obtain a comprehensive phytochemical and antioxidant profile of tested selected plant materials. Evergreen Ericaceae plants play a crucial role in forest ecosystems by providing year-round foliage, supporting wildlife, and contributing to the forest floor. They grow in nutrient-poor soil and possess exceptional phenolic and triterpenic profiles with notable antioxidant properties. The study highlights the importance of conserving and understanding the phytochemical variations in Ericaceae species, revealing chemophenetic characteristics. Furthermore, the phenolic and triterpenic profiles of selected Ericaceae plants contribute to their medicinal value, which has a great potential to produce pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, nutraceutical and wellness products.

Achillea millefolium L., commonly known as yarrow, is a versatile and widely distributed plant species with a rich history of ethnopharmacological significance. This study aimed to evaluate the comparative differences of A. millefolium inflorescence morphotypes. The phytochemical profile of white and pink inflorescence morphotypes was characterised by a complex of thirty-four phenolic and triterpene compounds. The species has distinct morphotypes of white and pink inflorescence. Phenolic and triterpenic profiles were determined, and individual compounds were quantified in inflorescence, leaf, and stem samples of two morphotypes tested. The antioxidant activity of plant extracts was evaluated by free radical scavenging (ABTS) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Caffeoylquinic acids predominated in all parts of the plant tested. Chlorogenic acid and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid were the principal compounds in the phenolic profile. Betulin, betulinic acid, and α-amyrin were the prevailing triterpenic components in the triterpenic profiles of Achillea millefolium morphotypes. The predominant flavonoids in inflorescences were flavones, while in leaves, flavonols were the organ-specific compounds. The quantitative differences were observed between plant parts of morphotypes. Leaves consistently displayed the highest amounts of identified compounds and have been testified as the main source of antioxidant activity. Overall, white inflorescences accumulated a higher total amount of compounds compared to pink ones. The observed differences between morphotypes derived from the same population reflect the differences in specialised metabolites and their chemotypes. This study addresses gaps in knowledge, particularly in phenolic and triterpenic profiling of coloured inflorescence morphotypes, enhancing our understanding of chemotypes and morphotypes within the species.

Background: the chemical composition of green tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) consists of phenolic compounds (30% dry weight in leaves), 3 – 4% of alkaloids known as methylxanthines such as caffeine, theobromine and theophylline, proteins (15-20% dry weight in leaves), and carbohydrates (5-7% dry weight in leaves). The main component of green tea is phenolic compounds, which are presented by flavonols, flavandiols, flavonone, and phenolic acids. Due to the wide variety of phenolic compounds, green tea possesses different pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-bacterial, antitumor, and anxiolytic activity. Many scientific researches have found that green tea catechins possess a significant antioxidant activity [1]. Aim: To determine the qualitative and quantitative composition of C. sinensis extract. Methods: For extraction, dried and powdered C. sinensis leaves were used. After ultrasoundassisted extraction (the sample/solvent ratio was 1:10), the obtained extract was lyophilized using a Freeze Dryer (Telstar LuoQuest, Spain). Dry C. sinensis extract has been analysed using HPLC-PDA (Waters e2695 Alliance system, Walters, Milford, MA, USA) system (in samples 1.1 mg/ml with the solvent - water). Results: HPLC-PDA analysis has shown that dry C. sinensis extract (1:10) contains (mg/g dry weight): 19,5962 ± 0,61 SD mg/g gallic acid, 217,5384 ± 5,65 SD mg/g epigallocatechin (EGC), 292,7654 ± 7,92 SD mg/g epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), 111,3464 ± 2,89 SD mg/g epicatechin gallate (ECG) and 431,9150 ± 9,51 SD mg/g caffeine. Conclusion: The obtained dry extract of C. sinensis was distinguished by the phytochemical marker caffeine, which accounted for 40,247% of the total identified compounds.

The invention is related to the methods for obtaining compositions of extracellular vesicles and particles for providing an anticancer activity which consists of recognising and eliminating cancerous cells. The compositions are obtained by the set of methods that include immune cell stimulation by Toll-like receptor agonist, microenvironment stiffness and adhesion peptides, extracellular vesicle and particle collection, decreasing size of large extracellular vesicles for applicability adaptation and loading of an anticancer agent for delivery to cancer cells.

The invention is related to the methods for obtaining compositions of extracellular vesicles and particles for providing an anticancer activity which consists of recognising and eliminating cancerous cells. The compositions are obtained by the set of methods that include immune cell stimulation by Toll-like receptor agonist, microenvironment stiffness and adhesion peptides, extracellular vesicle and particle collection, decreasing size of large extracellular vesicles for applicability adaptation and loading of an anticancer agent for delivery to cancer cells.

Achillea millefolium, commonly known as yarrow, is a versatile and widely distributed plant species known for its therapeutic and pharmacological potential. Two prominent morphotypes, distinguished by their distinct pink and white inflorescences in Lithuanian natural habitats, were selected for an in-depth phytoprofiling study. This investigation aimed to characterize and compare the phenolic and triterpenic profiles of these morphotypes in different plant parts (inflorescences, leaves, and stems) through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Our findings revealed that the caffeoylquinic acid complex predominated in the phenolic profiles of both pink and white morphotypes of Achillea millefolium. However, significant variations in the concentrations of phenolic compounds were observed between the morphotypes and plant parts. These variations highlight the plant’s dynamic and adaptive nature in response to its local environment. Furthermore, the triterpenic profile analysis revealed several biologically active compounds, with the predominance of betulinic acid derivatives in all plant parts tested. These triterpenic compounds exhibited variability in their concentrations within the tested samples, with potential implications for the medicinal properties of Achillea millefolium. This study provides valuable insights into the phytochemical diversity of Achillea millefolium morphotypes in Lithuanian natural habitats, elucidating perspectives for further investigations into this versatile plant’s ecological, medicinal, and pharmaceutical potential. It highlights the importance of conserving and understanding the phytochemical variations in Achillea millefolium, revealing dynamic chemophenetic interplay.

The high environmental importance of invasive goldenrod has prompted research to find potential benefits that can be derived from these species. This study aimed to identify differences in root phenolic profiles among five Solidago species, thus providing valuable information on their potential applications and the botanical origin of the raw material. The roots of native S. virgaurea L., two alien species S. gigantea Aiton and S. canadensis L. and their hybrids S. ×niederederi Khek and S. ×snarskisii Gudž. & Žaln. were sampled from mixed-species stands in Lithuania. A complex of twelve phenolic acids and their derivatives was identified and quantified in methanol-water root extracts using the HPLC-PDA and LC/MS systems. The radical-scavenging capacities of the extracts were assessed by ABTS. The chemical content of the roots of S. virgaurea, S. gigantea and S. ×niederederi were statistically similar, while the roots of S. canadensis and S. ×snarskisii contained lower amounts of compounds than the other species. The PCA score-plot models of the phenolic profiles only partially confirmed the identification of S. ×niederederi and S. ×snarskisii as crosses between native and alien species. The findings from the phenolic profiles and the observed radical-scavenging activity of root extracts of Solidago species provide valuable insights into their potential applications in various fields.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a malignant brain tumor with a poor prognosis. The standard treatment with temozolomide (TMZ) is ineffective and new therapies are of great need. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are stable and have the ability to cross biological barriers. Also, cancer cells can recognize and internalize EVs from immune cells more selectively. All these properties make EVs potential drug carriers. This work aimed to evaluate the efficiency of immune cell- derived EVs with TMZ and doxorubicin (DOX) on GBM 3D model.Hydrogel- encapsulated GBM spheroids were created using a human HROG36 cell line. The hypoxic regions in the spheroids were determined by confocal microscopy. EVs were isolated from human microglia HMC3 and monocyte U937- conditioned media by polymer precipitation and characterized by total protein (Bradford assay), size (dynamic light scattering), CD9 and CD81 markers (ELISA). The medicines were loaded into the EVs by electroporation, and the loading efficiency was assessed by HPLC and fluorescence (for DOX). The metabolic activity of spheroid cells was evaluated by PrestoBlue assay, and migration – by light microscopy.We demonstrate that the loading efficiency of the drug into microglial EVs was higher compared to monocytic EVs. Additionally, better loading efficiency was determined for TMZ compared to DOX. EVs from both immune cell lines significantly reduced metabolic activity and invasiveness of GBM cells cultured in spheroids. Interestingly, native EVs also possessed an intense GBM- suppressing activity.The results indicate EVs from immune cells can be further explored both as therapeutics and anticancer drug delivery vehicles for GBM treatment.

Disertacijos darbo tikslas – ištirti bruknių veislių ir laukinių populiacijų žaliavų bioaktyvių junginių kokybinių ir kiekinių rodiklių įvairavimą lapų ir vaisių ekstraktuose bei įvertinti paruoštų sausųjų ekstraktų ir išskirtų frakcijų biologinį poveikį. Mokslo daktaro disertacija parengta dešimties mokslo straipsnių rinkinio pagrindu ir suskirstyta į penkias pagrindines dalis apimančias visus išsikeltus darbo uždavinius: 1) analitinių metodikų vystymas ir validacija; 2) vidinių ir išorinių (fenologinių ir geografinių) veiksnių įtakos tyrimai laukinių bruknių žaliavų fitocheminiam profiliui; 3) skirtingų bruknių veislių ir vidurūšinių taksonų palyginamieji fitocheminiai tyrimai; 4) fenolinių junginių frakcijų išskyrimas, fitocheminis apibūdinimas ir jų priešvėžinio, antioksidantinio, uždegimą slopinančio, antimikrobinio bei žaizdų gijimą skatinančio poveikio įvertinimas; 5) triterpeninių junginių frakcijų išskyrimas, fitocheminis apibūdinimas ir priešvėžinio aktyvumo įvertinimas. Šis išsamus daugiadisciplinis tyrimas suteikia naujų įžvalgų apie laukinių ir kultivuojamų bruknių žaliavų fitochemines savybes, papildo mokslines žinias etnofarmakologiniu aspektu, leidžia identifikuoti biologinio aktyvumo žymenis, atsakingus už tradicinį bruknių žaliavų panaudojimą medicinoje ir atskleidžia, jog bruknių vaisiai ir lapai gali būti panaudojami kaip bioaktyvių junginių, pritaikomų naujų chemoterapinių strategijų vystyme, išskyrimo šaltiniu.