This study was performed to examine the effects of medicinal plant extracts of corn silk (Stigma maydis), parsley leaf (Petroselini folium), and bearberry leaf (Uvae ursi folium) on antioxidant status of the brain of experimental animals (mice) under the physiological conditions. Biological properties of these plants are insufficiently investigated and the aim was to explore their possible antioxidant effects that can alleviate oxidative damage of the brain tissue. Corn silk extract showed positive effect on activities of antioxidant enzymes in mice brain tissue. Parsley extract induced the increase in glutathione content and decrease of lipid peroxidation. Bearberry leaf extract induced catalase activity and decrease of hydroxyl radical content, while malonyldialdehide accumulation was maintained at the control level. Results obtained in this study support the use of corn silk, parsley and bearberry leaves as natural antioxidant sources in the prevention and treatment of brain tissue damages and different diseases caused by oxidative stress.

This paper investigates the effects of simultaneous addition of sunflower (3, 6 or 9 g/100 g of sample) and dry residue of wild oregano (0.5 or 1 of sample), on the physical texture and chemical properties of corn flakes to obtain new products with altered nutritional properties. The chemometric analysis pointed at the versatile beneficial contributions of sunflower in corn flakes enriched with dry residue of wild oregano enabling the optimization of corn flakes formula. The presented data point that addition of milled sunflower in investigated corn flakes products improved nutritive properties while addition of dry residue of wild oregano improved physical characteristics of corn flakes products. Regarding quality (sample CF11, score value of 0.59) maximum scores have been obtained with the addition of 6 g/100 g of sunflower and 1 g/100 g of dry residue of wild oregano per 100 g of sample for corn flakes formulation. Production of corn flakes with addition of wild oregano residues contributed to the food waste valorisation in the food industry.

Although they have been extensively studied in many species of the genus Rosa L., garden roses’ hips have largely been overlooked. To investigate their potential use in the food industry, this study evaluated five cultivars from ‘Aurora’ collection: ‘Purple Aurora’, ‘Berry Bush Aurora’, ‘Aromatic Aurora’, ‘Butterfly Aurora’, and ‘Rugose White Aurora’. Morphological characterization, along with the assessment of the phenolic profile, vitamin C levels, and biological activities—including antioxidant and neuroprotective effects—was conducted. The fruit mass reached 5.15 g, while the mesocarp mass ranged from 3 to 4 g, resulting in a mesocarp-to-fruit ratio of over 75%. The total phenolic content ranged from 37.1 to 63.9 mg GAE/g de, while total flavonoids were present in amounts from 0.85 to 2.14 mg QE/g de. Rosehip extracts from four out of five cultivars exhibited a very high vitamin C content, reaching 2384 µg/g fw. Quinic acid and 31 phenolic compounds were found in the rosehip extract of at least one cultivar. Results indicated ‘Aurora’ rosehips have potent antioxidant properties and a moderate inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase, highlighting their potential as a source of functional food. Additional research is needed to fully leverage these benefits and establish garden rosehips as a viable alternative to synthetic antioxidants.