Walnut septa, traditionally discarded as waste in walnut processing because they primarily serve a structural function in the walnut fruit, have recently gained attention for their potential abundance of phenolic compounds, suggesting their overlooked value. This study aimed to optimise extraction parameters to maximise the extraction yield of bioactive compounds and explore regional variations in antioxidant activity and chemical composition of Juglans regia L. septa. The experimental variables included extraction methods (maceration, dynamic maceration, ultrasound processing, and reflux extraction), temperature, solvent type (methanol, acetone, and ethanol), and the percentage of water in the solvent. The optimal conditions were determined based on the total phenolic content—reflux extraction using 60% ethanol as a solvent for a duration of 60 min. Samples from 12 different regions in Lithuania, Armenia, and Ukraine were analysed for their phenolic and proanthocyanidin content and antioxidant activity using the CUPRAC method. The total phenolic content ranged from 131.55 to 530.92 mg of gallic acid equivalents per g of dry weight of plant material (mg GAE/g dw), while the proanthocyanidin content varied from 1.14 to 7.65 mg of (–)-epicatechin equivalents per g dry weight of plant material (mg EE/g dw). Among all the regions studied, the Šiauliai sample demonstrated the highest concentrations of phenolic compounds, proanthocyanidins, and antioxidant activity, with statistically significant differences compared to the other samples (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that walnut septa are a valuable source of phenolic compounds and antioxidants, with significant potential for developing natural nutraceuticals and antioxidant products.

Background/Objectives. Chronic inflammatory skin disorders, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, require safe and effective topical treatments. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a novel anti-inflammatory emulsion enriched with menthol, capsaicin, amino acids (glycine, arginine, histidine), and boswellic acid. Methods. Three formulations were prepared: a control (E1), a partial (E2), and a comprehensive formulation (E3). Physicochemical analyses included texture profiling, rheological behavior, pH stability, moisture content, and particle size distribution. Results. E3 demonstrated superior colloidal stability, optimal pH (5.75–6.25), and homogenous droplet size (<1 µm), indicating favorable dermal delivery potential. Ex vivo permeation studies revealed effective skin penetration of menthol and amino acids, with boswellic acid remaining primarily in the epidermis, suggesting localized action. Under oxidative stress conditions, E3 significantly improved fibroblast viability, indicating synergistic cytoprotective effects of combined active ingredients. While individual compounds showed limited or dose-dependent efficacy, their combination restored cell viability to near-control levels. Conclusions. These findings support the potential of this multi-component emulsion as a promising candidate for the topical management of inflammatory skin conditions.

The increasing demand for natural functional products for soothing the upper respiratory tract has stimulated interest in plant-based bioactive formulations with antioxidant and cytoprotective properties. This study aimed to develop and characterise an edible gel containing elderflower extract and to evaluate its physicochemical properties and biological activity in an in vitro inflammatory model. The extract was characterised in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (FRAP, ABTS, DPPH), and compound composition using chromatographic analysis. The gel formulation was assessed for texture parameters and pH. Biological activity was evaluated using HBEC-3 cells exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 µg/mL) for 24 h, followed by treatment with the extract in free or gel-incorporated form at different concentrations. The elderflower extract exhibited high TPC and strong antioxidant activity, with chlorogenic acid, rutin, and quercetin derivatives identified as major phenolic compounds. The formulated gel showed suitable firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, and a mildly acidic pH. LPS exposure reduced cell viability by approximately 48%, whereas treatment with the extract significantly increased viability in a concentration-dependent manner. At the highest tested concentration (50 mg/mL), the gel increased cell viability by 36% compared to LPS alone and markedly reduced necrotic cell death. These results indicate that the formulated edible elderflower extract gel combines favourable physicochemical properties with concentration-dependent cytoprotective effects, supporting its potential application for upper respiratory tract soothing.

Background/Objectives: Juglans regia L. septa are a rich source of phenolic compounds with potential skin-related biological activity. This study evaluated the cytoprotective activity of a lyophilised J. regia septum extract and developed extract-containing polymeric gels suitable for topical application and semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing. Methods: The extract was characterised by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC-PDA) and evaluated in H₂O₂-exposed human fibroblasts. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-, and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)-based gels were prepared, and the selected formulation was processed into films by solvent casting and SSE 3D printing. The films were evaluated for thickness, moisture content, mechanical properties, and probe–film adhesiveness. Results: Ellagic acid was the predominant quantified phenolic compound (36.453 µg/mL). The free extract protected fibroblasts against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage, with the greatest preservation of viable cells at 75 and 100 µg/mL. Increasing extract loading increased total quantified phenolic content in the gels from 10.95 to 27.98 µg/mL. The selected formulation was successfully processed into multilayer films. 3D-printed films showed numerically lower burst strength and breaking force per unit width than solvent-cast films, although pairwise differences were not significant. Hydration increased probe–film adhesiveness, while film moisture content decreased during 3 months of storage. Conclusions: These findings support the feasibility of incorporating cytoprotective J. regia extract into printable polymeric gels for topical film development.