A pectin/chitosan matrix-loaded curcumin film (PCCF) with a deep eutectic solvent (DES) as the solvent and plasticizer was prepared in this study. Different quantities of curcumin (identified as PCCF-0, PCCF-1, PCCF-2. PCCF-3) were loaded on the pectin/chitosan film in order to evaluate their effects on the film properties. Results showed that curcumin could interact with the pectin/chitosan matrix and form a complex three-dimensional network structure. PCCF could promote the thickness, tensile strength, thermal properties, antioxidant and antiseptic capacities, but deteriorate the light transmission and elongation at the same time. The addition of curcumin would change the color of the film, without significantly affecting the moisture content. The tensile strength of PCCF-3 reached the maximum value of 3.75 MPa, while the elongation decreased to 10%. Meanwhile, the water-resistance properties of PCCF-3 were significantly promoted by 8.6% compared with that of PCCF-0. Furthermore, PCCF showed remarkable sustained antioxidant activities in a dose-dependent manner. PCCF-3 could inhibit DPPH and ABTS free radicals by 58.66% and 29.07%, respectively. It also showed antiseptic capacity on fresh pork during storage. Therefore, curcumin addition could improve the barrier, mechanical, antioxidant and antiseptic properties of the polysaccharide-based film and PCCF has the potential to be used as a new kind of food packaging material in the food industry.

The main purpose of this study was to analyze the structural properties and anti-inflammatory activity of the purified fractions derived from UV/H₂O₂-degraded polysaccharides from Sargassum fusiforme. Results indicated that twofractions with different monosaccharide compositions and morphological characteristics, PT-0.25 (yield 39.5%) and PT-0.5 (yield 23.9%), were obtained. The average molecular weights of PT-0.25 and PT-0.5 were 14.52 kDa and 22.89 kDa, respectively. In addition, PT-0.5 exhibited better anti-inflammatory activity with a clear dose dependence. The mechanism was associated with the inhibition of LPS-activated Toll-like receptor 4-mediated inflammatory pathways in RAW264.7 cells. The results showed that PT-0.5 was a complex polysaccharide mainly composed of 4-Fucp, t-Manp, 6-Galp, t-Fucp, and 3,4-GlcAp. These results would provide theoretical support for studying the structural properties and biological activities of UV/H₂O₂-degraded polysaccharides.

Pinctada martensii is a marine resource with potential for bioactive peptide development, but its anti-photoaging properties remain underexplored. In this study, Pinctada martensii meat hydrolysates (PME) were prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis, and their anti-photoaging effects were evaluated in an in vivo ultraviolet-B (UVB)-irradiated nude mouse model. The results showed that PME markedly ameliorated UVB-induced skin damage. UVB increased epidermal thickness from 21.60 μm in the Control to 47.50 μm in the Model, and PME reduced epidermal thickness to 22.46 μm. Dermal collagen content decreased from 64.58% in the Control to 26.22% in the Model and was restored to 52.75% by PME. UVB upregulated matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1), MMP-3 and MMP-9 by approximately 2.20-, 1.93- and 3.09-fold relative to the Control, and PME suppressed these matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by approximately 61%, 65% and 52%, respectively. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) expression increased to 1.41-fold in the Model and was reduced to about 1.05-fold after PME treatment, suggesting inhibition of collagen degradation-related pathways. Untargeted serum metabolomics identified 205 differential metabolites between the Model and the Control, and PME shifted metabolite profiles toward those of the Control. Total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) decreased from 868.69 μmol/g in the Control to 301.34 μmol/g in the Model and increased to approximately 562 μmol/g after PME treatment, accompanied by modulation of the gut microbiota including recovery of Lachnospiraceae members, indicating involvement of the gut–skin axis. These findings support the potential of Pinctada martensii meat as a source for developing novel functional foods targeting skin photoaging.

Background/Aim: Homochlorcyclizine dihydrochloride, a clinically approved antihistamine for allergic conditions, has not been previously explored for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. This study aimed to investigate homochlorcyclizine dihydrochloride’s anti-HCC activity and underlying mechanisms, focusing on its effects on proliferation, migration, cancer stem cell (CSC) characteristics, and key cell cycle regulators. Materials and Methods: The antiproliferative and anti-migratory effects of homochlorcyclizine dihydrochloride were evaluated using in vitro assays, including CCK-8 and wound healing assays, and in vivo xenograft mouse models. CSC properties were examined through sphere formation and limiting dilution xenograft assays. RNA-seq analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by KEGG pathway enrichment. Cell cycle progression was analyzed by flow cytometry, and CDC20/CDK1 expression was quantified via qRT-PCR and western blot. Clinical relevance was evaluated using TCGA-LIHC data. Results: Homochlorcyclizine dihydrochloride significantly inhibited HCC cell proliferation and migration in vitro, and suppressed HCC tumor growth in xenograft mouse models. Homochlorcyclizine dihydrochloride also reduced sphere-forming efficiency and tumor-initiating potential, indicating inhibition of CSC characteristics. RNA-seq revealed 915 DEGs in homochlorcyclizine dihydrochloride-treated Huh7 cells, with significant down-regulation of cell cycle pathway genes, including CDC20 and CDK1. HCD down-regulated CDC20 and CDK1 protein expression, impairing cell cycle progression. In the TCGA-LIHC cohort, elevated CDC20 and CDK1 expression in HCC correlated with reduced survival and advanced clinical stage, underscoring their prognostic relevance. Conclusion: Homochlorcyclizine dihydrochloride exerts potent anti-HCC activity by suppressing proliferation, migration, and CSC characteristics, likely mediated by down-regulation of CDC20 and CDK1. Its established safety profile positions homochlorcyclizine dihydrochloride as a compelling candidate for repurposing as a novel HCC therapy, warranting further clinical exploration.