Curcumin (Cur), the primary curcuminoid found in Curcuma longa L., has garnered significant attention for its potential anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. However, its hydrophobic nature significantly limits its bioavailability. Additionally, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) possess immunomodulatory properties, making them useful for treating inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. This study aims to verify the efficacy of poly(ε-caprolactone) nanocapsules (NCs) in improving Cur’s bioavailability, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory activities. The Cur-loaded nanocapsules (Cur-NCs) were characterized for their physicochemical properties (particle size, polydispersity index, Zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency) and stability over time. A digestion test simulated the behavior of Cur-NCs in the gastrointestinal tract. Micellar phase analyses evaluated the Cur-NCs’ bioaccessibility. The antibacterial activity of free Cur, NCs, and Cur-NCs against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains was determined using the microdilution method. ADSC viability, treated with Cur-NCs and Cur-NCs in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide, was analyzed using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Additionally, ADSC survival was assessed through the Muse apoptotic assay. The expression of both pro-inflammatory (interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β) cytokines on ADSCs was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results demonstrated high stability post-gastric digestion of Cur-NCs and elevated bioaccessibility of Cur post-intestinal digestion. Moreover, Cur-NCs exhibited antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli without affecting Lactobacillus growth. No significant changes in the viability and survival of ADSCs were observed under the experimental conditions. Finally, Cur-NCs modulated the expression of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in ADSCs exposed to inflammatory stimuli. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of Cur-NCs to enhance Cur’s bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy, particularly in cell-based treatments for inflammatory diseases and intestinal dysbiosis.

Oral health is essential for both overall health and quality of life. The mouth is a window into the body’s health, and nutrition can strongly impact the state of general and oral health. A healthy diet involves the synergistic effect of various nutraceutical agents, potentially capable of conferring protective actions against some inflammatory and chronic-degenerative disorders. Nutraceuticals, mostly present in plant-derived products, present multiple potential clinical, preventive, and therapeutic benefits. Accordingly, preclinical and epidemiological studies suggested a protective role for these compounds, but their real preventive and therapeutic effects in humans still await confirmation. Available evidence suggests that plant extracts are more effective than individual constituents because they contain different phytochemicals with multiple pharmacological targets and additive/synergistic effects, maximizing the benefits for oral health. Moreover, nutritional recommendations for oral health should be personalized and aligned with valid suggestions for overall health. This review is aimed to: introduce the basic concepts of nutraceuticals, including their main food sources; examine the logic that supports their relationship with oral health, and summarize and critically discuss clinical trials testing the utility of nutraceuticals in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases.

The ongoing demand for reliable, cost-effective, and scalable diagnostic solutions during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has highlighted the need for innovative production platforms. Here, we present a plant-based molecular farming (PMF) strategy for the production of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein fused with Fc (RBDw-Fc). The RBDw-Fc antigen was transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana plant, achieving high yields and purity. Antigen-antibody binding assays were used to assess its functionality. The purified antigen was used to develop a rapid diagnostic blot assay to screen both pre and post vaccinated and pre and post infected plasma EDTA samples with high sensitivity and specificity. Our results demonstrate that the RBDw-Fc-based assay is effective for SARS-CoV-2 detection, and offers significant advantages in terms of production speed, scalability, and cost-efficiency compared to traditional systems, such as cell-culture-based production. This kind of diagnostic test deliver accurate results in just few minutes, enhancing its applicability in clinical and resource-limited settings. This study highlights the versatility of PMF as a platform for producing high-quality reagents, with potential applications beyond SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics. The RBDw-Fc antigen-based method offers a model for the development of rapid, economical, and adaptable screening tools for emerging infectious diseases and future pandemics.

The ongoing demand for reliable, cost-effective, and scalable diagnostic solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the need for innovative production platforms. In this study, we present a plant-based molecular farming (PMF) strategy for the production of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein fused with an Fc region (RBDw-Fc). The RBDw-Fc antigen was transiently expressed in the Nicotiana benthamiana plant, achieving high yields and purity. Its functionality was assessed through antigen–antibody binding assays. The purified antigen was subsequently employed in the development of a rapid diagnostic blot assay capable of screening plasma EDTA samples from pre- and post-vaccinated as well as pre- and post-infected individuals, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity. Our results show that the RBDw-Fc-based assay is effective for SARS-CoV-2 detection and offers considerable advantages in terms of production speed, scalability, and cost efficiency compared to traditional systems, such as cell-culture-based production. The assay delivers accurate results in just a few minutes, making it particularly suitable for clinical and resource-limited settings. This study highlights the versatility of PMF as a platform for producing high-quality reagents, with promising applications beyond SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics. The RBDw-Fc antigen-based method provides a model for the rapid, economical, and flexible development of screening tools for emerging infectious diseases and future pandemics.

The availability of biobanked tissues represents an important resource for translational research; however, functional investigations are generally limited to freshly collected samples. To address this limitation, we developed an innovative strategy to restore functional properties of frozen biopsies by microtransplanting patient-derived membrane proteins into Xenopus laevis oocytes. This study aimed to recover and characterize the physiological properties of human colon cancer cell membranes and to investigate the role of neurotransmitter-related signaling and ion currents in cancer. Membrane incorporation was assessed by immunohistochemical detection of tumor-specific markers, including carcinoembryonic antigen, together with confocal microscopy and ultrastructural analyses. Functional viability was evaluated using two-electrode voltage clamp recordings to assess endogenous calcium-activated chloride currents and responses to selected neurotransmitters. The successful incorporation of colon cancer membranes was confirmed by specific immunoreactivity and ultrastructural features consistent with cancer cell architecture. Although no functional responses to the tested neurotransmitters were detected, oocytes microinjected with cancer membranes showed a marked reduction or complete suppression in endogenous calcium-activated chloride currents. These findings demonstrate that membrane microtransplantation into Xenopus oocytes is a reliable translational approach to functionally investigate cancer cell membranes from frozen biopsies, and suggest that altered chloride channel activity may represent a baseline for new studies to investigate new potential therapeutic targets for colon cancer.