Background: Rosa rugosa cv. Plena, a cultivar of Rosa rugosa, has a history of more than 1300 years of application in both medicine and food in China. The essential oil of Rosa rugosa cv. Plena (PREO) is one of the most frequently used additives in food, cosmetics and aromatherapy. PREO exhibits some anti-inflammation, antioxidant and nerve alleviating effects. However, the mechanisms behind these effects are still unclear. Methods: The composition of PREO was determined by GC‒MS. Network pharmacology was performed to predict the possible compound-target network and analyze the possible targets against inflammation and oxidative stress. An inflammatory immune cell model was constructed by exposing RAW 264.7 cells to LPS. A series of experiments, including biochemical assays, RT‒PCR, and western blotting, were conducted to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of PREO. Results: PREO treatment significantly (p < 0.05) alleviated inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers such as NO, ROS, and MDA and preserved SOD and CAT activities. GC‒MS analysis revealed that PREO consists of 57 compounds, mainly monoterpenoids. Network pharmacology revealed that citronellol, farnesol, ethyl octanoate, geranyl acetate, and methyl eugenol were active components interacting with several inflammatory pathway proteins. By measuring the gene and protein expression of possible targets by qRT‒PCR and western blotting, PREO anti-inflammatory responses in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells might be associated with the regulation of NF-κB signaling. Molecular docking showed that PREO components can interact with different proteins involved in the NF-κB pathway. Conclusion: The integrated study of molecular analysis and network pharmacology suggested that PREO might be a potential anti-inflammatory agent to treat inflammation and oxidative stress.

Antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) pose a significant threat to the global food transformation system. The increasing prevalence of ARGs in food has elicited apprehension about public health safety. The widespread dissemination of ARGs in food products, driven by the inappropriate use of antibiotics, presents significant adversity for the safety of emerging future food sources such as edible insects. As the world faces increasing challenges related to food security, climate change, and antibiotic resistance, edible insects offer a sustainable and resilient food source. The intriguing possibility of edible insects serving as a less conducive environment for ARGs compared to livestock warrants further exploration and investigation. In this recent work, we listed ARGs from edible insects detected so far by in vitro approaches and aimed to construct a fair comparison with ARGs from livestock based on relevant genes. We also presented our argument by analyzing the factors that might be responsible for ARG abundance in livestock vs. edible insects. Livestock and edible insects have diverse gut microbiota, and their diets differ with antibiotics. Consequently, their ARG abundance may vary as well. In addition, processed edible insects have lower levels of ARGs than raw ones. We hypothesize that edible insects could potentially contain a lower abundance of ARGs and exhibit a diminished ability to disseminate ARGs relative to livestock. A regulatory framework could help intercept the increasing prevalence of ARGs. Due diligence should also be taken when marketing edible insects for consumption.

Phthalate esters (PAEs), commonly used in food packaging materials, pose a potential health risk due to their migration into food matrices. Propolis, a resinous bee product widely consumed for its health benefits, is often packaged in plastics, raising concerns about PAE contamination. However, the occurrence of PAEs within propolis has been scarcely investigated. This study quantified PAE contamination profiles in propolis ethanolic extracts (PE) and propolis capsules (PCs) from China. The GC-MS/MS analysis of 20 PAEs demonstrated high linearity, indicating the reliability of the method. The limits of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 1.3 to 26.2 µg/kg, and the limits of detection (LOD) ranged from 0.4 to 8.6 µg/kg. Matrix effects ranged between 9% and 33%. Five PAEs were detected in PE samples: dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP). Seventeen PAEs were detected in PC samples, with 15 consistently present in all samples (100% positivity). Diallyl phthalate (DAP), dipropyl phthalate (DPrP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) were not detected in any sample. The total mean concentration of the 17 detected PAEs (∑17 PAEs) in the capsules ranged from 0.87 mg/kg to 23.71 mg/kg. This study found that PE and PC had the highest DBP (0.24 mg/kg) and di-heptyl phthalate (DHP: 2.29 mg/kg) levels on average, respectively. While PC showed higher PAE levels than PE. Therefore, this study provides insight into PAE contamination of raw propolis extract and encapsulated propolis.

Pingyin rose essential oil (PREO) is extracted from fresh petals exclusively cultivated in Shandong Province. This PREO has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for decades to treat skin issues like excessive oxidative stress and inflammation. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of PREO on the inflammatory pathway in HaCaT cells produced by LPS. In vitro methods were used to ascertain the expression of inflammatory proteins, and network pharmacological analysis was employed to predict the signaling pathway. According to our findings, PREO significantly reduced LPS-induced oxidative stress, decreasing nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by 42% and 38%, respectively, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by 35%, while enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by 28% (p < 0.01). PREO treatment (0.1%, 18 h) markedly suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines, with mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 reduced by 52%, 47%, 45%, and 40%, respectively. Mechanistically, PREO inhibited the TLR4-NF-κB pathway, downregulating MyD88 and TRIF expression by 60% and 55%, and reducing NF-κB p65 and IκB-α phosphorylation by 50% and 48%. Network pharmacology and molecular docking identified Citronellol (54.37% of PREO) as the major bioactive component, exhibiting strong binding affinities with IKKβ (−5.7 kcal/moL) and MyD88 (−4.5 kcal/moL). This research, distinct from previous investigations on Rosa rugosa polyphenols, provides a novel mechanistic link between PREO’s traditional use and its observed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in keratinocytes, specifically through inhibition of the TLR4-NF-κB pathway.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a high-value-added nutraceutical antioxidant, exhibits an excellent ability to prevent cardiovascular disease. Here, a novel Cereibacter azotoformans strain, designated YS02, was isolated for its ability to produce CoQ10 and genetically characterized by whole genome sequencing (WGS). The CoQ10 biosynthesis and metabolism differences of YS02 under various culture conditions were also systematically investigated. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16 S rRNA genes, along with taxonomic verification using average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis, confirmed its classification as C. azotoformans. Enzymatic genes dxs, dxr, idi, ubiA, and ubiG were annotated in YS02, which are critical genetic hallmarks for CoQ10 biosynthesis. Under aerobic–dark cultivation, YS02 grows well, and CoQ10 production can reach 201 mg/kg. A total of 542 small-molecule metabolites were identified from YS02 in aerobic–dark and anaerobic–light cultivation via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–coupled quadrupole orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS). Additionally, 40 differential metabolites were screened through multivariate statistical analysis. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed that the biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan might be latent factors influencing CoQ10 production discrepancies within YS02 under both cultural modes. These findings represent new insights into the metabolic mechanism of YS02 and underscore its potential as an alternative strain source for industrial CoQ10 production, enriching the existing resources.