Quercetin (Qc) inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in a variety of cancer cells. The molecular mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated; however, interplay with some miRNAs has been reported, specifically with miR-27a, an onco-miRNA overexpressed in several malignancies. Here, we show that Qc reduces cell viability and induces apoptosis in HCT116 and HT-29 colon cancer cells, by upregulating negative modulators of proliferation pathways such as Sprouty2, PTEN and SFRP1. These are targets of miR-27a whose high expression is reduced by Qc. Moreover, miR-23a, and miR-24-2, the two other components of the unique gene cluster, and the pri-miRNA transcript are reduced, evoking a transcriptional regulation of the entire cluster by Sp1. Mechanistically, we show that Qc is rapidly internalized and localizes in the nucleus, where it likely interacts with Sp1, inducing its proteasomal degradation. Sp1 is further repressed by ZBTB10, an Sp1 competitor for DNA binding that is an miR-27a target and whose levels increase following Qc. SP1 mRNA is also reduced, supporting the regulation of its own gene transcription. Finally, Sp1 knockdown elicits the impaired transcription of the entire cluster and the upregulation of the miR-27a targets, phenocopying the effects of Qc. Through this dual mode of action, Qc counteracts the protumoral Sp1-miR-27a axis, opening the way for novel therapies based on its association as neoadjuvant with known anticancer treatments.

Here, we evaluated the effect of dietary supplementation with an Olea europaea L. extract on the animal welfare and milk quality of dairy cows. Thirty Italian Holstein–Friesian dairy cows in the mid-lactation phase (90 to 210 days) were blocked into experimental groups based on parity class (namely, primiparous (P) (n = 10), secondiparous (S) (n = 10) and pluriparous (PL) (n = 10)) and received, for 60 days, Phenofeed Dry^® at 500 mg/cow/day. Milk and blood samples were collected before the start of the treatment (T0), subsequently every 15 days (T1–T4) and at 45 days after the end of treatment (T5). In the serum, glucose and triglycerides, stress, the thyroid, lactation and sex hormones were measured; in the milk, lysozyme content as well as the fatty acid profile were assessed. In the whole animal, the enriched feed helped to maintain hormonal parameters in the physiological range while producing hypoglycemic (T4 vs. T0, for P and PL p < 0.001) and hypolipidemic effects (T4 vs. T0, for P p < 0.001 and for PL p < 0.01). At the milk level, it resulted in a reduction in total fat (T5 vs. T0, for P, S and PL p < 0.001) and in the saturated fatty acids (SFAs)/monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) ratio paralleled by an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (T5 vs. T0, for P, S and PL p < 0.001), protein content (lysozyme (T4 vs. T0, for P and PL p < 0.001)) and lactose (T5 vs. T0, for P, S and PL p < 0.001). Thus, the inclusion of natural bioactive molecules such as O. europaea L. polyphenols in the dairy cow diet may help to improve animal welfare and milk quality.

The use of olive by-products in livestock farming is a valuable resource, given their high levels of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and health-promoting properties. This preliminary study adopted an integrated approach to evaluate the influence of dietary Olea europaea L. polyphenols on animal welfare, physiological stress response, intestinal morphofunctional traits, and meat quality in Neroametà finishing pigs, a novel Casertana × Large White genetic line (Neroametà). Thirty pigs reared under extensive farming conditions were randomly allocated to two groups (n = 15): a control group fed a standard diet (C) and a treatment group (OL) supplemented with 300 mg/head/day of olive polyphenolic extract for 90 days. The study focused on the systemic correlation between host health and product quality. Meat composition, rheological properties, meat antioxidant activity, stress parameters, and fatty acid profiles of the longissimus lumborum and psoas major muscles were analyzed. Results showed that the OL diet significantly modulated the HPA axis, as evidenced by a marked reduction in plasma ACTH and cortisol levels, alongside improved antioxidant status. These physiological changes were positively associated with a trophic effect on the intestinal mucosa, characterized by increased villus height and a more favorable villus/crypt ratio. Regarding meat quality, the OL group exhibited superior oxidative stability, optimized pH decline, and an improved intramuscular fatty acid profile (increased MUFA and n-3 PUFA, reduced SFA). Despite the pilot scale of 30 animals, these findings provide a solid foundation for characterizing the Neroametà breed. In conclusion, Olea europaea L. polyphenols act as a multi-level modulator, enhancing physiological resilience and meat quality, offering a sustainable strategy for high-quality pork production in line with circular economy and One Health principles.

Ancient wheat cultivars play a crucial role in human and animal nutrition and health, serving as rich sources of bioactive compounds, essential nutrients, and functional metabolites. This study investigated Triticum turgidum subsp. durum (cv. Saragolla), an ancient wheat variety from the Campania region of Southern Italy, to comprehensively characterize its morphological, functional, and nutritional attributes in support of germplasm conservation and valorization. Standard AOAC methods, including HPLC profiling, antioxidant assays, and quantification of total polyphenols and flavonoids, were applied to characterize the grain’s composition. The results revealed a balanced distribution of proteins, lipids, dietary fibers, and carbohydrates, that defines the nutritional and functional quality of Saragolla grains. Microscopic investigation through SEM coupled with EDX analysis provided high-resolution visualization of caryopsis morphology, ultrastructure, and mineral distribution, confirming its distinct varietal characteristics. Additionally, SSR marker analysis revealed notable genetic diversity within the Saragolla germplasm, identifying loci associated with key agronomic traits, including kernel weight, grain number, and stress tolerance parameters essential for future breeding programs. Overall, this integrated assessment highlights Saragolla as a valuable heritage wheat and a strategic genetic resource for breeding durum cultivars with enhanced nutritional quality, technological performance, and resilience to environmental stress.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with Olea europaea L. extract on the animal welfare and milk quality of lactating Italian Holstein-Friesian dairy cows at different calving orders. Cows in mid lactation phase received, for 60 days, the natural olive extract Phenofeed Dry® (500 mg/cow/day) with high antioxidant power. Hormonal and metabolic parameters were determined through ELISA assays, the milk fatty acid profile through gas chromatography, chemical-nutritional and hygienic-sanitary parameters through ultrasonic analyses. The milk lysozyme content was measured through a specific ELISA assay. The administration of the enriched feed did not alter the hormonal balance. Primiparous cows were more sensitive to the treatment and showed a better general health status compared to other calving orders. The enriched feed resulted in a reduction of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and an increase of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), ensuring an adequate nutritional content and, above all, a significantly higher content of the antibacterial protein, lysozyme. Overall, our study demonstrate that the inclusion of natural bioactive molecules such as Olea europaea L. polyphenols contributes to improving the welfare status of dairy cows and ensuring high nutritional and functional quality of animal productions.