Probiotics are among those products, the use of which is increasing, and they are available primarily as food/dietary supplements, as well as in the form of medicines. This study aims to assess the attitudes and practices of health professionals and students of health sciences, give a short overview of the probiotics currently on the market, and conduct a screening of five food supplements and one drug with respect to antibiotic resistance. Nearly half of the respondents in our survey state that probiotics have no side effects, while only 6.3% believe that the use of probiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance. In addition, more than 40% of the participants throw unused probiotics into municipal waste. The market analysis results indicate that probiotic products on the Serbian market have highly variable CFU counts, while the declared health claims cover numerous beneficial health effects, and they are sometimes even registered as medicines. Lactobacilli are frequently present in probiotic supplements, and are sold in pharmacies and online. The experimental results showed that antibiotic resistance is present in different types of lactobacilli in probiotic products. The risk of using probiotics, regardless of their beneficial health effects, should be taken into account in the future. An update to the regulations governing probiotics, including a stipulation for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) testing, should be established, and guidelines for their proper use and disposal put into place.

Resveratrol is a well-studied plant-derived molecule in cancer biology, with a plethora of documented in vitro effects. However, its low bioavailability and toxicity risk hamper its wider use. In this study, vine shoots after pruning were used as a source of resveratrol (RSV). The activity of subcritical water extract (SWE) and dry extract (DE) is examined on three cell lines: HeLa, MCF-7 and MRC-5. The cytotoxic effect is assessed by the MTT test and EB/AO staining, levels of apoptosis are determined by Annexin V assay, autophagia by ULK-1 expression using Western blot and NF-kB activation by p65 ELISA. Our results show that both resveratrol-rich extracts (DE, SWE) have a preferential cytotoxic effect on malignant cell lines (HeLa, MCF-7), and low cytotoxicity on non-malignant cells in culture (MRC-5). Further experiments indicate that the investigated malignant cells undergo different cell death pathways. MCF-7 cells died preferentially by apoptosis, while the HeLa cells died most likely by necrosis (possibly ferroptosis). Protective autophagia is diminished upon treatment with DE in both HeLa and MCF-7 cells, while SWE does not influence the level of autophagia. The extracts are effective even at low concentrations (below IC₅₀) in the activation of NF-kB (p65 translocation).

The study aimed to develop encapsulation systems to maintain the preservation of everlasting (Helichrysum plicatum) flower extract polyphenols. Spray-dried encapsulates were formulated using β-cyclodextrin (BCD) and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPBCD) as supramolecular hosts, and their macromolecule mixtures with the conventional carriers, maltodextrin (MD) and whey protein (WP). The obtained microparticles were comparatively assessed regarding technological, physicochemical, and phytochemical properties. The highest yields were achieved by combining cyclodextrins with whey protein (73.96% for WP+BCD and 75.50% for WP+HPBCD compared to 62.48% of pure extract). The extract–carrier interactions and thermal stability were evaluated by FTIR and DSC analysis, suggesting successful entrapment within the carriers. Carriers reduced the particle diameter (3.99 to 4.86 μm compared to 6.49 μm of pure extract), classifying all encapsulates as microsystems. Carrier blends made the particle size distribution uniform, while SEM analysis revealed the production of more spherical and less aggregated particles. The HPBCD provided the highest encapsulation efficiency, with the highest content of detected aglycones and slightly lower values of their glycosylated forms. An analysis of the dual macromolecule encapsulation systems revealed the highest bioactive preservation potential for SHE+MD+BCD and SHE+WP+HPBCD. Overall, macromolecule combinations of cyclodextrins and conventional biopolymers in the spray-drying process can enhance the functional properties of H. plicatum extract.

Medicine shortages in Serbia have evidently been present for several decades, but literature data are scarce. The aim of our study was to get an insight on the present situation in Serbia, review the EU actions when managing shortages, and discern a set of potential measures. A short survey was conducted among 500 pharmacists in public pharmacies, in 23 cities in Serbia. The survey questions addressed frequency of drug shortages, professional actions in the event of shortages, main consequences to patients and pharmacies, putative causes, and pivotal measures for the prevention/mitigation of drug shortages under current conditions. Moreover, a Panel of Experts was organized, whose suggestions and opinions were used to analyze the present situation and to form a set of potential solutions and effective measures to mitigate shortages of medicines. In-depth analysis of current Serbian legislation was conducted, with emphasis on specific steps to be made within the actual legal framework. Examples of good practice in the EU, applicable to a country such as Serbia, were examined. Our research showed that although Serbia is, in some aspects, behind EU countries regarding the approaches to overcome medicine shortages, progress can be made within short period of time, by specific well-targeted actions. Both patients and pharmacists would benefit from it.

Oxygen is crucial for life, but its reactive species, like free radicals, can damage health and accelerate aging. Antioxidants from natural and synthetic sources mitigate these effects. Kanjiža Spa’s mineral-rich thermal water is renowned for its therapeutic benefits and potential in eco-friendly pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Hence, the utilization of mineral water in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications when exposed to artificially generated free radicals under simulated solar irradiation and different experimental conditions (pH values and mineral concentrations in the thermal water) was researched. Three different dermocosmetic products designed with raw minerals and water from Kanjiža Spa were tested. Our findings confirmed the protective effect of mineral water, as evidenced by the higher stability of vitamin C in thermal water. The degradation of vitamin C was significantly reduced in the presence of mineral water, with the least degradation occurring at pH = 7, which closely matches human skin pH. These results were further validated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ABTS tests. Overall, the obtained results underscore the therapeutic and commercial potential of Kanjiža Spa’s mineral water, suggesting that it could be a valuable ingredient in next-generation skincare and pharmaceutical products.