Quercus infectoria Olivier (Fagaceae) nutgall, a traditional Asian medicine, is renowned for its efficacy in treating wounds and skin disorders. Although the gall extract has shown promising results in accelerating wound healing in diabetic animal models, its mechanisms, particularly the effects on redox balance, remain poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of Q. infectoria gall ethanolic extract (QIG) on wound healing in fibroblasts, with a specific emphasis on its modulation of oxidative stress. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-treated L929 cells were used as an in vitro model of oxidation-damaged fibroblasts. QIG exhibited potent antioxidant activity with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay values of 305.43 ± 7.48, 508.94 ± 15.12, and 442.08 ± 9.41 µM Trolox equivalents (TE)/µg, respectively. Elevated H₂O₂ levels significantly reduced L929 cell viability, with a 50% lethal concentration of 1.03 mM. QIG mitigated H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner, showing protective effects in pre-, post-, and co-treatment scenarios. QIG significantly reduced H₂O₂-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species production and inflammation-related gene expression (p < 0.05). Additionally, at 25 µg/mL, QIG remarkably improved wound closure in H₂O₂-treated L929 cells by approximately 9.4 times compared with the H₂O₂ treatment alone (p < 0.05). These findings suggest QIG has potential therapeutic applications in wound healing, mediated through the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

Quercus infectoria galls (QIG), traditionally used in Asian and Middle Eastern medicine, have shown lipid-lowering activity by reducing cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. However, their role in regulating adipocyte lipid metabolism remains unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity potential of QIG extract by investigating its regulatory effects on adipogenesis and lipolysis. The regulatory effects of QIG extract on lipid metabolism were investigated using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The phytochemical profile of the extract was characterized by LC-QTOF-MS, revealing abundant phenolic constituents, including gallic acid, ellagic acid, and various hydrolyzable tannins. Functional assays demonstrated that the extract markedly suppressed lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner, achieving a maximum inhibition of 94.52 ± 2.29% without cytotoxicity. Mechanistically, QIG extract induced G1/S cell cycle arrest, suppressed mitotic clonal expansion, and downregulated key adipogenic transcription factors, adipocyte marker genes, as well as lipogenesis-related genes. In mature adipocytes, the extract significantly promoted lipolysis, increasing glycerol release up to 175.55 ± 5.26% of control levels (p < 0.05). In addition, QIG extract-treated adipocytes exhibited reduced intracellular lipid accumulation and smaller lipid droplets, highlighting its capacity to counteract both adipocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy. Collectively, these findings provide novel mechanistic evidence that QIG extract exerts dual anti-obesity effects by inhibiting adipogenesis and enhancing lipolysis, supporting its potential development as a natural therapeutic candidate for obesity prevention and metabolic disorder management.

Food waste from fish processing contributes significantly to environmental pollution, and fish skin is often discarded despite being a rich collagen source. This study evaluated the efficacy and consumer satisfaction of a ready-to-drink collagen supplement made from hydrolyzed collagen derived from seabass skin. The compositional analysis of this study revealed α-amino groups, hydroxyproline, and amino acids essential for skin elasticity, hydration, and tissue repair. A 30-day clinical trial was conducted in 36 Thai volunteers who were aged between 20 to 70 years, and their skin condition was assessed using a facial skin analyzer and a moisture analyzer on days 0, 15, and 30. Participants also completed self-perception and sensory satisfaction questionnaires. The results showed improved skin moisture, reduced pore size, and smoother skin texture. Participants reported high satisfaction, especially regarding increased moisture and skin smoothness. Sensory score evaluation showed favorable scores for color and taste; however, odor was the least preferred attribute with the lowest score. Notably, no adverse effects were reported throughout this study. The findings suggest that fish skin-derived collagen supplements can enhance skin appearance while offering a sustainable approach that converts fish by-products into functional skincare solutions aligned with global sustainability goals.

Chronic wounds pose a major clinical challenge, as persistent infection, excessive inflammation, and oxidative stress significantly impede tissue repair. Developing multifunctional biomaterials capable of addressing these factors is essential for effective wound management. In this study, alginate-Quercus infectoria gall (QIG) hydrogel films were fabricated via internal gelation using calcium carbonate and glucono-δ-lactone to achieve uniform crosslinking. The optimized formulation exhibited adequate wound-fluid uptake (716.18 ± 25.05%), a balanced water vapor transmission rate (1,304.08 ± 80.67 g/m²/day), and high optical transparency (79.94 ± 3.48% transmittance), allowing visual monitoring of the wound bed without dressing removal. The hydrogel film demonstrated excellent encapsulation of QIG extract, achieving a high encapsulation efficiency (> 99%), and displayed a biphasic release profile, with approximately 62.57 ± 6.06% of the extract released within 24 h. Biological evaluations revealed that the films exhibited strong antioxidant activity and significant anti-inflammatory effects, evidenced by a 50.08 ± 3.19% reduction in nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Moreover, the alginate–QIG hydrogel film demonstrated potent antibacterial efficacy, achieving up to 99.99% inhibition of bacterial growth after 24 h of treatment. Collectively, these findings indicate that alginate–QIG hydrogel films combine desirable physicochemical and biological characteristics, highlighting their potential as naturally derived multifunctional dressings for effective wound management.

Non-absorbable sutures provide a site for bacterial attachment and increase the risk of surgical site infections. An alternative prevention of infections requires plant-extract coatings on sutures. The objectives of this study were to develop P. betle leaf extract-coated non-absorbable sutures and to investigate their activities on staphylococci. P. betle leaves were extracted and analyzed for the phytochemicals. P. betle extract was coated on sutures, including polyester and polypropylene. The stability of hydroxychavicol on coated sutures was evaluated. Four treatments were designed, including (1) uncoated, (2) antibiotic/extract-free-coated, (3) extract-coated, and (4) gentamicin-coated sutures. Each treatment was tested for antibacterial, antibiofilm, and anti-adhesion activities on Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. In addition, the cytotoxicity of extract-coated sutures was tested. Analysis of the extract identified hydroxychavicol (40.07%) as the primary phytochemical. Stability tests indicated higher hydroxychavicol on Day 1 of extract-coated polyester compared to polypropylene, and the levels decreased on the subsequent days (p < 0.05). Antibacterial activity of extract-coated polyester showed antibacterial effects during the experiment period (5.16 ± 2.35 mm), while polypropylene showed no effectiveness. Additionally, biofilm inhibition was found to be 36.63 ± 27.08% and 37.34 ± 26.98% in tested staphylococci for extract-coated polyester and polypropylene, respectively. Anti-adhesion showed that the extract-coated sutures had a higher ability to decrease tested bacteria attachment (56.25–60.42% living cell reduction). The cytotoxicity study revealed that extract-coated sutures of ≤1.5 mg/1.5 cm had a 99% survival rate. The findings indicate that the coated sutures showed antibacterial, antibiofilm, and anti-adhesion effects against staphylococci causing canine skin infections and might lead to alternative surgical use in veterinary medicine.

Durian (Durio zibethinus L.) is a high-value tropical fruit crop of major economic importance in Southeast Asia, where its productivity is severely constrained by root and stem rot caused by Phytophthora palmivora. Sustainable disease management strategies that reduce dependence on synthetic fungicides are therefore urgently required. In this study, curcumin and its hydrogenated derivative, tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), derived from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), were evaluated for their potential to suppress P. palmivora infection in durian. The anti-oomycete activities of curcumin and THC against P. palmivora were evaluated both in vitro and in planta. Poison food assays demonstrated that curcumin and THC at 250 mg/L inhibited mycelial growth by 62.89% and 82.23%, with ED50 values of 119.21 mg/L and 63.56 mg/L, respectively. Microscopic observations indicated pronounced morphological abnormalities in treated mycelia, characterized by severe surface deformation, plasma membrane rupture, cytoplasmic disorganization and extensive loss of organelle integrity, suggesting impairment of membrane stability and cellular homeostasis. Zoospore germination was strongly suppressed by curcumin and THC, with inhibition rates of 85.89% and 52.97%, respectively, suggesting interference with a critical infective stage of the pathogen. Furthermore, detached-leaf assays confirmed the in planta efficacy of both compounds, with lesion development reduced by approximately 60.8% and 72.3% following treatment with curcumin and THC, respectively. Collectively, these results elucidate the cellular and physiological mechanisms underlying the anti-oomycete activity of curcumin and THC and highlight THC as a promising natural active compound for the sustainable management of durian root and stem rot caused by P. palmivora.