The evidence on the neuroprotective impact of Centella asiatica (C. asiatica) has been greatly documented in recent years. However, a major obstacle that remains to be overcome is the capacity of the active molecules in C. asiatica to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this study, we explored the possibilities of using a D-optimal mixture design to fabricate nanoemulsion of C. asiatica (NanoSECA) for better brain bioavailability. The parameters for optimization were the percentage of water (1080 w/v) and virgin coconut oil (VCO) (1080 w/v). Nanoemulsions were formulated using a high-pressure homogenization approach and were characterized for their physicochemical properties. The optimal VCO-based nanoemulsion (VBN: F2) conditions were found at 80 (w/v) of water and 10 (w/v) of VCO. Subsequently, viability tests were conducted on neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and macrophage (RAW 264.7) cell lines. NanoSECA was distinguished for its antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), anti-inflammatory, and parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) activities in vitro. The NanoSECA has a particle size of 127.833±8.280nm, zeta potential (ZP) of 24.9±0.011mV, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.493±4.681, percentage prediction error (PPE) of 12.02, and pH of 6.0±0.006 and is also stable under different storage conditions. Cell viability was improved in a dose-dependent manner on SH-SY5Y and RAW 264.7 cell lines. In addition, NanoSECA significantly reduced the AChE activity, suppressing the level of proinflammatory mediators and oxidative stress. Moreover, NanoSECA showed high BBB permeation with a high value of experimental permeability to cross the BBB. Thus, NanoSECA could efficiently potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) therapeutic activities through enhanced penetration of BBB. These nano-delivery systems are crucial to unlock the full potential of C. asiatica for treating numerous CNS disorders.

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) consists of high moisture content and is favoured for its juice products. The popular fruit has a tempting taste, sweet aroma and attractive flesh colour. It is enriched with phytochemicals and antioxidant properties that are beneficial to human health. Due to convenience, the majority of individuals are likely to consume watermelon juice. However, little is known about the fruit juice storage and temperatures that may affect its beneficial properties. This study investigated the effect of storage temperature at room temperature, refrigerator cold, refrigerator freeze and freeze-dried, and analyzed the juice physico-chemicals (weight loss, pH, ash, moisture, total soluble solid, browning and turbidity), phytochemicals (total phenolic, total flavonoid, lycopene and β-carotene) and antioxidant scavenging activities during 9 days of storage. The results showed that watermelon juice was affected by storage temperatures and conditions with significant changes in physico-chemical appearance and decrease in total phytochemical content, thus consequently affecting their antioxidant activities during 9 days of storage. Although fresh watermelon juice can be consumed for its high nutritional values, freeze-drying is the preferable technique to retain its benefits and to delay juice degradation.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease and the most cause of dementia in elderly adults. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an important beneficial target for AD to control cholinergic signaling deficit. Centella asiatica (CA) has proven to be rich with active ingredients for memory enhancement. In the present study, the chemical profiling of three accession extracts of CA namely SECA-K017, SECA-K018, and, SECA-K019 were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Four biomarker triterpene compounds were detected in all CA accessions. Quantitative analysis reveals that madecassoside was the highest triterpene in all the CA accessions. The biomarker compounds and the ethanolic extracts of three accessions were investigated for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity using Ellman’s spectrophotometer method. The inhibitory activity of the triterpenes and accession extracts was compared with the standard AChE inhibitor eserine. The results from the in vitro study showed that the triterpene compounds exhibited an AChE inhibitory activity with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values between 15.05 ± 0.05 and 59.13 ± 0.18 µg/mL. Asiatic acid was found to possess strong AChE inhibitory activity followed by madecassic acid. Among the CA accession extracts, SECA-K017 and SECA-K018 demonstrated a moderate AChE inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 481.5 ± 0.13 and 763.5 ± 0.16 µg/mL, respectively from the in silico docking studies, it is observed that asiatic acid and madecassic acid showed very good interactions with the active sites and fulfilled docking parameters against AChE. The present study suggested that asiatic acid and madecassic acid in the CA accessions could be responsible for the AChE inhibitory action and could be used as markers to guide further studies on CA as potential natural products for the treatment of AD.

Watermelons(Citrullus lanatus)are known to have sufficient amino acid content. In this study, watermelons grown and consumed in Malaysia were investigated for their amino acid content, L-citrulline and L-arginine, by the isocratic RP-HPLC method. Flesh and rind watermelons were juiced, and freeze-dried samples were used for separation and quantification of L-citrulline and L-arginine. Three different mobile phases, 0.7% H₃P0₄, 0.1% H₃P0₄, and 0.7% H₃P0₄ : ACN (90 : 10), were tested on two different columns using Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C₁₈and Gemini C₁₈with a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min and a detection wavelength at 195 nm. Efficient separation with reproducible resolution of L-citrulline and L-arginine was achieved using 0.1% H₃P0₄on the Gemini C₁₈column. The method was validated and good linearity of L-citrulline and L-arginine was obtained withR2= 0.9956,y=0.1664x+2.4142andR2=0.9912,y=0.4100x+3.4850, respectively. L-citrulline content showed the highest concentration in red watermelon of flesh and rind juice extract (43.81 mg/g and 45.02 mg/g), whereas L-arginine concentration was lower than L-citrulline, ranging from 3.39 to 11.14 mg/g. The isocratic RP-HPLC method with 0.1% H₃P0₄on the Gemini C₁₈column proved to be efficient for separation and quantification of L-citrulline and L-arginine in watermelons.

The present study aimed to assess the potential maternal toxicity of Ficus deltoidea var. kunstleri aqueous extract in pregnant rats, along with its impact on maternal hepatic drug metabolism and foetal skeletal development. Pregnant rats were divided into five groups and orally administered varying doses of F. deltoidea aqueous extract (0, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg body weight) from gestation day 6 to 20. Throughout the administration period, clinical observations, body weight, and food and water intake were monitored. On gestation day 21, the pregnant rats were sacrificed, and their vital organs and foetuses were collected for analysis. Gene expression related to hepatic drug metabolism was evaluated using the RT2 Profiler™ PCR array. Foetal external morphology was examined for abnormalities, and skeletal structures were stained with Alizarin Red to assess the effects of F. deltoidea aqueous extract on bone ossification during organogenesis. No maternal toxicity was observed, except for a significant increase in liver weight in the treated groups (p < 0.05). Analysis of 84 genes revealed significant changes in 15, 4, and 11 genes in the 250, 500, and 2000 mg/kg body weight groups, respectively. Notably, Gpx5 and Pkm, both phase II metabolising enzyme genes were downregulated in a dose-dependent manner. Despite some skeletal variations, the extract did not induce foetal external malformations or skeletal abnormalities. The significant increase in maternal liver weight, together with the downregulation of Gpx5 and Pkm, suggests an adaptive hepatic response to the extract rather than an adverse effect. These findings also suggest that F. deltoidea var. kunstleri aqueous extract does not cause embryo toxicity, foetal growth retardation, or developmental malformations, particularly in skeletal formation. The developmental no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was determined to be >2000 mg/kg/day via oral administration. Further research is warranted to explore the synergistic interactions of genes involved in hepatic drug metabolism in response to the extract.