Probiotics, known to be live microorganisms, have been shown to improve or restore the gut microbiota, which in turn has been linked to improved health. It is believed that probiotics are the modern equivalent of a panacea, with claims that they may treat or prevent different diseases both in children and adults (e.g., from colic in babies to cardiovascular disease, respiratory infection, and cancer in adults). Ever since the early 2000s, probiotic-based fermented foods have had a resurgence in popularity, mostly due to claims made regarding their health benefits. Fermented foods have been associated with the prevention of irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, gastroenteritis, and obesity, but also other conditions such as chronic diarrhea, allergies, dermatitis, and bacterial and viral infections, all of which are closely related to an unhealthy lifestyle. Recent and ongoing developments in microbiome/microbiota science have given us new research directions for probiotics. The new types, mechanisms, and applications studied so far, and those currently under study, have a great potential to change scientific understanding of probiotics’ nutritional applications and human health care. The expansion of fields related to the study of the microbiome and the involvement of probiotics in its improvement foreshadow an era of significant changes. An expanding range of candidate probiotic species is emerging that can address newly elucidated data-driven microbial niches and host targets. In the probiotic field, new variants of microbiome-modulating interventions are being developed, including prebiotics, symbiotics, postbiotics, microbial consortia, live biotherapeutic products, and genetically modified organisms, with renewed interest in polyphenols, fibers, and fermented foods to ensure human health. This manuscript aims to analyze recent, emerging, and anticipated trends in probiotics (sources, doses, mechanism of action, diseases for which probiotics are administered, side effects, and risks) and create a vision for the development of related areas of influence in the field.

Metal nanoparticles (NPs) have garnered considerable attention, due to their unique physicochemical properties, that render them promising candidates for various applications in medicine and industry. This article offers a comprehensive overview of the most recent advancements in the manufacturing, characterization, and biomedical utilization of metal NPs, with a primary focus on silver and gold NPs. Their potential as effective anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agents, drug delivery systems, and imaging agents in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of disorders is reviewed. Moreover, their translation to therapeutic settings, and the issue of their inclusion in clinical trials, are assessed in light of over 30 clinical investigations that concentrate on administering either silver or gold NPs in conditions ranging from nosocomial infections to different types of cancers. This paper aims not only to examine the biocompatibility of nanomaterials but also to emphasize potential challenges that may limit their safe integration into healthcare practices. More than 100 nanomedicines are currently on the market, which justifies ongoing study into the use of nanomaterials in medicine. Overall, the present review aims to highlight the potential of silver and gold NPs as innovative and effective therapeutics in the field of biomedicine, citing some of their most relevant current applications.

Nanoparticles (NPs) have revolutionized biomedical and pharmaceutical applications due to their unique physicochemical properties. However, their widespread use has raised concerns regarding their potential toxicity, particularly mediated by oxidative stress mechanisms. This redox imbalance, primarily driven by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays a central role in NP-induced toxicity, leading to cellular dysfunction, inflammation, apoptosis, and genotoxicity. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have emerged as a powerful in vivo model for nanotoxicology, offering advantages such as genetic similarity to humans, rapid development, and optical transparency, allowing real-time monitoring of oxidative damage. This review synthesizes current findings on NP-induced oxidative stress in zebrafish, highlighting key toxicity mechanisms and case studies involving metallic (gold, silver, copper), metal oxide (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, iron oxide), polymeric, and lipid-based NPs. The influence of NP physicochemical properties, such as size, surface charge, and functionalization, on oxidative stress responses is explored. Additionally, experimental approaches used to assess ROS generation, antioxidant enzyme activity, and oxidative damage biomarkers in zebrafish models are examined. In addition to toxicity concerns, pharmaceutical applications of antioxidant-modified NPs are evaluated, particularly their potential in drug delivery, neuroprotection, and disease therapeutics. Notably, studies show that curcumin- and quercetin-loaded nanoparticles enhance antioxidant defense and reduce neurotoxicity in zebrafish models, demonstrating their promise in neuroprotective therapies. Furthermore, cerium oxide nanoparticles, which mimic catalase and SOD enzymatic activity, have shown significant efficacy in reducing ROS and protecting against oxidative damage. Challenges in zebrafish-based nanotoxicology, the need for standardized methodologies, and future directions for optimizing NP design to minimize oxidative stress-related risks are also discussed. By integrating insights from toxicity mechanisms, case studies, and pharmaceutical strategies, this review supports the development of safer and more effective nanoparticle-based therapies while addressing the challenges of oxidative stress-related toxicity.

The area of functional drink is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, be it that it is made from plant-based or non-dairy milk. Sea buckthorn syrup is a source of functional ingredients, with a large spectrum of healthy compounds. The study aimed to investigate the suitability of sea buckthorn syrup as a substrate for Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei (L. casei^® 431) and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis (Bb-12^®) development and fermentation in vegetal soy drink and to evaluate the fermented product (at 30 and 37 °C) in terms of bacterial viability, pH, tithable acidity during fermentation and storage period, water holding capacity, antioxidant capacity, total phenolic contents, sensory analysis and in vitro bio-accessibility. During fermentation, a bacterial concentration around of 10⁹–10¹⁰ CFU·mL⁻¹ was found in the soy drink with sea buckthorn syrup and L. casei^® 431 and Bb-12^®. Antioxidant capacity significantly improved after the fermentation of the soy drinks. On the other hand, through the digestibility of the drinks, the bacterial viability significantly decreased for L. casei^® 431 and increased for Bb-12^®. Further investigation is required on the concentration of sea buckthorn syrup and probiotic encapsulation methods to comprehend the components responsible for the efficient delivery of bacteria across the gastrointestinal tract.

The sterile stems belonging to the Equisetum species are often used in traditional medicine of various nations, including Romanians. They are highly efficient in treating urinary tract infections, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory tract infections, and medical skin conditions due to their content of polyphenolic derivatives that have been isolated. In this regard, this study aimed to provide the chemical composition of the extracts obtained from the Equisetum species (E. pratense, E. sylvaticum, E. telmateia) and to investigate the biological action in vitro and in vivo. For the chemical characterization of the analyzed Equisetum species extracts, studies were performed by using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC-DAD). In vitro evaluation of the antioxidant activity of the plant extracts obtained from these species of Equisetum genus was determined. The neuroprotective activity of these three ethanolic extracts from the Equisetum species using zebrafish tests was determined in vivo. All obtained results were statistically significant. The results indicate that E. sylvaticum extract has a significant antioxidant activity; whereas, E. pratense extract had anxiolytic and antidepressant effects significantly higher than the other two extracts used. All these determinations indicate promising results for the antioxidant in vitro tests and neuroprotective activity of in vivo tests, particularly mediated by their active principles.

Background: The skin represents the first barrier of defense, and its integrity is crucial for overall health. Skin wounds present a considerable risk seeing how their progression is rapid and sometimes they are caused by comorbidities like diabetes and venous diseases. Nutraceutical combinations like the ones between polyphenols and metal ions present considerable applications thanks to their increased bioavailability and their ability to modulate intrinsic molecular pathways. Methods: The research findings presented in this paper are based on a systematic review of the current literature with an emphasis on nanotechnology and regenerative medicine strategies that incorporate polyphenols and metallic nanoparticles (NPs). The key studies which described the action mechanisms, efficacy, and safety of these hybrid formulations were reviewed. Results: Nanocomposites of polyphenol and metal promote healing by activating signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2, which in turn improve fibroblast migration and proliferation. Nanoparticles of silver and copper have antibacterial, angiogenesis-promoting, inflammation-modulating capabilities. With their ability to induce apoptosis and restrict cell growth, these composites have the potential to cure skin malignancies in addition to facilitating wound healing. Conclusions: Nanocomposites of polyphenols and metals provide hope for the treatment of cancer and chronic wounds. Their antimicrobial capabilities, capacity to modulate inflammatory responses, and enhancement of fibroblast activity all point to their medicinal potential. Furthermore, these composites have the ability to decrease inflammation associated with tumors while simultaneously inducing cell death in cancer cells. Clarifying their mechanisms, guaranteeing stability, and enhancing effective delivery techniques for clinical usage should be the focus of future studies.