Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) are widely recognized for their use in brewing, but they also possess significant pharmacological properties due to their rich bioactive compounds, with many varieties exhibiting diverse characteristics. This study investigates the chemical composition and biological activities of extracts from six hop varieties, focusing on quantifying xanthohumol and lupulone using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Total Phenolic Content (TPC) analysis. The hop varieties demonstrated significant variability in bioactive compound concentrations, with Aurora showing the highest xanthohumol (0.665 mg/g) and Zwiegniowski the highest lupulone (9.228 mg/g). TPC analysis revealed Aurora also had the highest phenolic content (22.47 mg GAE/g). Antioxidant activities were evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, and FRAP assays, with Aurora and Oregon Fuggle displaying the most potent capacities. Aurora, in particular, showed the highest activity across multiple assays, including significant acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and tyrosinase inhibition, with IC₅₀ values of 24.39 mg/mL, 20.38 mg/mL, and 9.37 mg/mL, respectively. The chelating activity was also assessed, with Apolon demonstrating the strongest metal ion binding capacity (IC₅₀ = 1.04 mg/mL). Additionally, Aurora exhibited the most effective hyaluronidase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 10.27 mg/mL), highlighting its potential for anti-inflammatory applications. The results underscore the influence of genetic and environmental factors on the bioactive compound profiles of hop varieties and their biological activity offering promising avenues for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. However, further studies are needed to fully understand the potential interactions between hop cones components.

Polyphenols have attracted considerable scientific interest over recent years due to their broad spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidant, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties. However, their practical application is often limited by unfavorable physicochemical characteristics, particularly low aqueous solubility. Consequently, amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) have been extensively investigated as a formulation strategy to overcome these limitations. This article represents the first part of a two-part review and presents the current state of the art in amorphous solid dispersions of polyphenols. The available literature is systematically summarized with respect to the investigated polyphenolic compounds, the employed carriers (with particular emphasis on polymeric systems), the preparation methods, and the solid-state characterization techniques used to confirm amorphization. Both single-component systems and binary combinations of polyphenols reported in the literature are considered. The collected data are presented in tabular form and complemented by a heat map illustrating the frequency of reported polyphenol–carrier combinations. The aim of this review is to organize the available knowledge, identify the most extensively studied systems, and highlight research areas that remain underexplored. A detailed discussion of the pharmaceutical benefits and mechanistic aspects of polyphenols in ASD systems will be provided in Part II.

This study delves into the transformative effects of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) cannabis extracts and prebiotic substances (dextran, inulin, trehalose) on gut bacteria, coupled with a focus on neuroprotection. Extracts derived from the Białobrzeska variety of Cannabis sativa, utilising supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), resulted in notable cannabinoid concentrations (cannabidiol (CBD): 6.675 ± 0.166; tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): 0.180 ± 0.006; cannabigerol (CBG): 0.434 ± 0.014; cannabichromene (CBC): 0.490 ± 0.017; cannabinol (CBN): 1.696 ± 0.047 mg/gD). The assessment encompassed antioxidant activity via four in vitro assays and neuroprotective effects against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The extract boasting the highest cannabinoid content exhibited remarkable antioxidant potential and significant inhibitory activity against both enzymes. Further investigation into prebiotic deliveries revealed their proficiency in fostering the growth of beneficial gut bacteria while maintaining antioxidant and neuroprotective functionalities. This study sheds light on the active compounds present in the Białobrzeska variety, showcasing their therapeutic potential within prebiotic systems. Notably, the antioxidant, neuroprotective, and prebiotic properties observed underscore the promising therapeutic applications of these extracts. The results offer valuable insights for potential interventions in antioxidant, neuroprotective, and prebiotic domains. In addition, subsequent analyses of cannabinoid concentrations post-cultivation revealed nuanced changes, emphasising the need for further exploration into the dynamic interactions between cannabinoids and the gut microbiota.

Background: Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant, classified as a carotenoid. Numerous studies confirm its beneficial effects in both the prevention and treatment of various diseases. However, its therapeutic application is significantly limited due to its poor water solubility and low bioavailability from natural sources. Developing a formulation with improved therapeutic characteristics could enhance the effectiveness of lycopene, making it more suitable for medical and nutritional use. The objective of this work was to apply hot-melt extrusion to produce extrudates containing an acetone-based lycopene extract combined with selected polymers, aiming to enhance its dissolution properties. Methods: Lycopene-rich extracts were prepared using ultrasound-assisted extraction with acetone. The obtained extract was processed via hot-melt extrusion together with PVP VA64 and Soluplus. The resulting extrudates were characterized using attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Dissolution behavior was assessed using a paddle apparatus, and collected samples were quantified by HPLC. Antioxidant capacity was determined via DPPH radical-scavenging analysis. Results: The polymers PVP VA64 and Soluplus improve lycopene’s dissolution in acidic environments while showing its antioxidant potential. Conclusions: The formulation combining lycopene obtained through hot-melt extrusion with PVP VA64 and Soluplus polymers will enable its wider and more effective application.

Mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases and are valued for their health-promoting properties. This long-standing use has sparked growing scientific interest in mushrooms as a source of bioactive compounds. While mushrooms contain a wide range of biologically active substances, including terpenoids, alkaloids, and glycoproteins, this review focuses specifically on polysaccharides derived from mushroom and their potential anti-aging effects at the cellular level. The evidence presented here summarizes current knowledge based on both in vitro and in vivo studies. Additionally, this review highlights the emerging potential of mushroom-derived polysaccharides as natural carriers in advanced drug delivery systems. Although several studies have investigated the use of fungal polysaccharides in combination with therapeutic agents—such as bovine serum albumin, resveratrol, paclitaxel, and quercetin—the potential of combining fungal polysaccharides with senotherapeutics remains unexplored. To fully realize the potential of mushroom-derived polysaccharides in promoting everyday health, combating cellular aging and obtaining synergistic anti-ageing effect via using mushroom polysaccharides as carriers for senolytics, further research is needed.

The stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) is a well-known species with promising applications in the food, feed, pharmaceutical, textile, and cosmetic industries. Despite its great potential, there are very few reports on its micropropagation. This study aimed to develop an in vitro protocol for plantlet production, assess genomic integrity in regenerants, and evaluate major bioactive compound content using chromatographic methods. Two in vitro protocols were developed using shoot tips and nodal segments. The highest multiplication rate (2.0–2.4 shoots per explant) was recorded for nodal segments taken from in vitro-grown plants on media supplemented with 6-benzyloaminopurin (BAP; 3.0–5.0 mg/L) and thidiazuron (TDZ; 0.25–1.0 mg/L). The responses of the juvenile explants (shoot tips and nodal segments) were compared. Shoot tips were almost twice as effective as nodal segments in shoot induction (2.63 vs. 1.77) on the medium with TDZ. The genetic stability of U. dioica micropropagated plants during long-term culture was evaluated using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers for the first time. There were no somaclonal variations among plants derived from shoot-tip culture. Additionally, the effect of cytokinins on the genetic stability of microshoots was tested. Microshoots formed on the medium with BAP exhibited lower polymorphism (14.6%) than those formed on the medium with TDZ (26.9%). Phytochemical analyses revealed scopoletin in the roots and chlorogenic and caffeoylmalic acids in the leaves of plants grown in vitro for the first time. These results may be useful for future research and applications in the breeding and biotechnology of U. dioica.