Skin scarring, including hypertrophic scars and keloids, often results from dysregulated collagen deposition during wound healing. Tropocollagen (TC), the soluble triple-helical precursor of collagen fibers, serves as the fundamental structural unit of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and plays a pivotal role in tissue repair. This review summarizes current knowledge on collagen and TC in wound healing, scar management, and regenerative dermatology. TC self-assembles into fibrils, providing structural support, while interacting with fibroblasts and growth factors such as transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to regulate ECM remodeling, angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration. Various collagen preparations, including hydrolyzed collagen, gelatin, and native fibrillar forms, differ in molecular structure, bioavailability, and therapeutic applications. Emerging strategies, including collagen- and TC-based hydrogels, nanomaterial composites, and smart wound dressings, enhance stability, targeted delivery, and clinical efficacy. Despite promising preclinical and early clinical data, standardized preparations and robust randomized trials are needed to validate TC’s therapeutic potential and optimize its application in scar prevention and wound repair.

Orchids of the genus Paphiopedilum, also called slippers, are among the most valued representatives of the Orchidaceae family due to their aesthetic qualities. Due to overexploitation, deforestation, and illegal trade in these plants, especially in the vegetative phase, Paphiopedilum requires special protection. This genus is listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Their precise identification is of great importance for the preservation of genetic resources and biodiversity of the orchid family (Orchidaceae). Therefore, the main objective of the study was to investigate the usefulness of the DNA barcoding technique for the identification of endangered orchids of the genus Paphiopedilum and to determine the effectiveness of five loci: matK, rbcL, ITS2, atpF-atpH and trnH-psbA as potential molecular markers for species of this genus. Among single locus barcodes, matK was the most effective at identifying species (64%). Furthermore, matK, ITS2, matK + rbcL, and matK + trnH-psbA barcodes can be successfully used as a complementary tool to identify Paphiopedilum orchids while supporting morphological data provided by taxonomists.

A range of hybrid molecules incorporating the ciminalum moiety in the thiazolidinone ring demonstrate significant anticancer and antimicrobial properties. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the properties and mechanism of action of two 4-thiazolidinone-based derivatives, i.e., 3-{5-[(Z,2Z)-2-chloro-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-propenylidene]-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl}propanoic acid (Les-45) and 5-[2-chloro-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-propenylidene]-2-(3-hydroxyphenylamino)thiazol-4(5H)-one (Les-247). In our study, we analyzed the impact of Les-45 and Les-247 on metabolic activity, caspase-3 activity, and the expression of genes and proteins related to inflammatory and antioxidant defenses and cytoskeleton rearrangement in healthy human fibroblasts (BJ) and a human lung carcinoma cell line (A549). The cells were exposed to increasing concentrations (1 nM to 100 μM) of the studied compounds for 24 h and 48 h. A decrease in the metabolic activity in the BJ and A549 cell lines was induced by both compounds at a concentration range from 10 to 100 µM. Both compounds decreased the mRNA expression of NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) and β-actin in the BJ cells. Interestingly, a significant decrease in the level of NF-κB gene and protein expression was detected in the BJ cell line, suggesting a direct impact of the studied compounds on the inhibition of inflammation. However, more studies are needed due to the ability of Les-45 and Les-247 to interfere with the tubulin/actin cytoskeleton, i.e., a critical system existing in eukaryotic cells.

Background: The proper functioning of the nervous system determines the homeostasis of the entire body. There are many known approaches designed to positively stimulate the functions of the central nervous system by applying various plants and fungal extracts, but their course of action is poorly understood. Hericium erinaceus and Ganoderma lucidum are examples of fungi with medicinal properties and with a positive health-promoting effect. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of H. erinaceus or G. lucidum M-CFS with their active metabolites alone and/or in co-treatment with CAY10464 [antagonist of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)] on the metabolic parameters, cell cycle, and selected protein expression. Methods: The study was based on the use of the resazurin reduction assay, flow cytometry analyses, and Western blotting in the mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line (HT-22) in vitro. Results: The obtained results proved no cytotoxicity of the tested metabolites towards the HT-22 cells in the concentration range of 2.5% − 10% of culture medium. The cells treated with the tested compounds were characterized by an increase in the protein expression of SQSTM/p62, PCNA, c-SRC, SOD1, AhR, Beclin 1, and ERK1/2. Moreover, a significant role of AhR in the mechanism of action of the tested metabolites was observed at the protein expression level. Conclusion: The observed increase in the proliferation-related markers in the HT-22 cells proves the beneficial protective potential of these M-CFSs. Given the findings, we speculate their positive impact on the cognitive functions in the central nervous system. Clinical trial registration date: Not applicable. Clinical trial number: Not applicable. Graphical

Background/Objectives: While morphological similarity and incomplete specimens pose a challenge to the precise identification of Coelogyne orchids, accurate species and genus assignment is essential for conservation and CITES enforcement. This study evaluated the efficacy of five DNA barcode regions—rbcL, matK, trnH-psbA, atpF-atpH, and ITS2—and their combinations for species- and genus-level discrimination within the genus Coelogyne, aiming to develop a rapid and simple diagnostic tool for use by customs officers and trade inspectors. This is the first comprehensive comparative analysis of these five barcode regions specifically within Coelogyne, a genus underrepresented in molecular identification studies, and the first to propose multi-locus combinations for potential practical use. This study identified DNA barcode regions with high resolution and reliability, providing a solid basis for practical identification kits. Such tools will enhance CITES enforcement by enabling rapid detection of Coelogyne species in trade, directly supporting their conservation and contributing to the reduction in illegal orchid trade. Methods: Using a CTAB protocol, genomic DNA was extracted from leaf samples belonging to 19 Coelogyne species. Sanger sequencing was performed after PCR amplification using published primer sets for every barcode region. Sequences were modified in BioEdit, and BLASTn (accessed 15 June 2025) was used to compare them to GenBank (NCBI Nucleotide). Amplification efficiency was calculated per locus. Species and genus identification success rates were determined by the congruence of top BLAST hits with morphologically pre-identified taxa. Multi-barcode combinations (matK + rbcL, ITS2 + matK, matK + trnH-psbA, rbcL + trnH-psbA, and matK + rbcL + trnH-psbA) were also assessed. Results: With rbcL, atpF-atpH, and ITS2 yielding ≤11%, the highest single-locus species identification rates were for trnH-psbA (21%) and matK (16%). Among single-locus barcodes, matK showed the highest performance, with 84% genus assignment. ITS2 reached 27%, but genus-level resolution remained limited for the rbcL, trnH-psbA and atpF-atpH barcodes. Multi-barcode approaches maintained species resolution: matK + rbcL + trnH-psbA, matK + rbcL, and matK + trnH-psbA correctly identified 16% of species and achieved 74–79% genus assignment. Conclusions: No single locus achieves robust species discrimination in Coelogyne, but trnH-psbA, matK and atpF-atpH provide the best single-marker performance. Using the matK locus alone, in combination with either trnH-psbA or rbcL, or all three together ensures consistent genus-level identification and significantly improves taxonomic resolution. This study introduces a novel multi-locus barcode strategy tailored to Coelogyne, offering a practical solution for identification and enforcement. While promising, this approach represents a potential application that requires further validation before routine implementation.