Background: Pyoderma is a superficial bacterial infection that is considered the formation of pus-containing lesions on the skin occurring in animals. Staphylococci, including Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, that cause pyoderma in pet animals is a global health concern. The objectives of this study were to investigate antibiotic-resistant staphylococci isolated from pyoderma in dogs and cats and to analyse whole genome sequences of multidrug-resistant (MDR) staphylococci. Methods: A total of 56 pyoderma swabbing samples from 42 dogs and 14 cats located in Southern Thailand was collected to isolate staphylococci. Antibiotic susceptibility and antibiotic-resistant genes of staphylococcal isolates were investigated. Furthermore, the representative MDR isolates were investigated using whole genome sequence analysis. Results: 61 isolates were identified as staphylococci, which can be classified into 12 different species, mostly including 13 S. intermedius (13.26%), 13 S. saprophyticus (13.26%), 8 S. sciuri (8.16%), and Staphylococcus cohnii (8.16%). Remarkably, the main pyoderma-causing species that were isolated in this study were S. aureus (5.10%) and S. pseudintermedius (3.06%). Most staphylococci were resistant to penicillin G (30%), and the blaZ gene was found to be the highest prevalence of the resistance genes. Both MDR-S. aureus WU1-1 and MDR-S. pseudintermedius WU48-1 carried capsule-related genes as main virulence factor genes. Interestingly, MDR-S. pseudintermedius WU48-1 was resistant to seven antibiotic classes, which simultaneously carried blaZ, mecA, aac, dfrK, aph3, and tetM. Genes related to antibiotic efflux were the highest proportion of the mechanism found in both representatives. Remarkably, SCCmec cassette genes were found in both isolates; however, the mecA gene was found only in MDR-S. pseudintermedius WU48-1. In addition, these were mostly carried by macrolide- and tetracycline-resistance genes. Mobile gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer events frequently contain genes involved in the antibiotic target alteration mechanism. Conclusions: This study found that MDR staphylococci, especially S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius, are important in animals and owners in terms of One Health concern. The information on whole genome sequences of these MDR staphylococci, particularly antimicrobial resistance genes, mobile genetic elements, and horizontal gene transfer events, can help to understand gene transmission and be applied for antibiotic resistance surveillance in veterinary medicine.

Background and Aim: Probiotic viability remains a critical challenge during gastrointestinal (GI) transit, storage, and feed processing. Conventional encapsulation materials often fail under acidic and thermal stress. This study aimed to develop and characterize a novel, eco-friendly microencapsulation system using Ficus pumila (FP) seed extract as a natural encapsulating matrix for Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (LP) WU2502, enhancing its functional resilience and storage stability. Materials and Methods: Microcapsules containing LP and FP were formulated through ionic gelation using calcium chloride. Physicochemical properties were assessed using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR). Functional evaluations included encapsulation efficiency (EE), swelling kinetics, controlled release in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, stress tolerance (acid, bile, enzymes, thermal), and viability during 60-day storage at 4°C and 25°C. Results: The LP/FP microcapsules demonstrated high EE (80.5%) and spherical morphology (~200 μm). FTIR confirmed the presence of ionic and hydrogen bonding in the matrix. The system exhibited pH-responsive swelling and controlled release, reaching 89.17% cumulative release in intestinal fluid. Encapsulated cells showed significantly improved tolerance to acidic pH, bile salts, digestive enzymes, and heat compared to free cells (p < 0.05). After 60 days, the viability of encapsulated cells remained above 60% at both storage temperatures, while free cell viability dropped by over 85%. Conclusion: FP seed extract offers a biodegradable, plant-derived alternative for probiotic encapsulation. The developed LP/FP system effectively enhances probiotic survival under GI and thermal stress and during extended storage. These results support its application as a sustainable delivery platform for animal feed and functional food formulations. Keywords: Ficus pumila, gastrointestinal stability, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, plant-based matrix, probiotic microencapsulation, storage viability, thermal resistance.

Background/Objectives: Osteoporosis is a multifactorial skeletal disorder in which chronic inflammation, dysregulated cytokine signaling, and metabolic imbalance contribute to excessive bone resorption and impaired bone formation. Asiatic acid has demonstrated bone-protective effects, but its molecular mechanisms in osteoporosis remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the anti-osteoporotic mechanisms of asiatic acid using an integrative in silico strategy. Methods: Network pharmacology analysis was performed to identify osteoporosis-related molecular targets of asiatic acid. Molecular docking was used to predict the binding modes and affinities between asiatic acid and its target proteins. Molecular dynamics simulation was used to assess the structural stability and interaction persistence of the asiatic acid–protein complex. Results: Network pharmacology identified 135 overlapping targets between asiatic acid and osteoporosis, with IL-6, STAT3, PPARG, and NFKB1 emerging as key hubs. KEGG analysis indicated the PPAR signaling pathway as a potential mechanism underlying the anti-osteoporotic effect. Molecular docking showed strong binding energies of asiatic acid with all predicted target proteins, with the highest affinity observed for IL-6, involving key residues ASN61, LEU62, GLU172, LYS66, and ARG168. Consistently, molecular dynamics simulation confirmed stable binding of asiatic acid to IL-6, with persistent interactions with ASN61, LYS66, LEU62, LEU64, and GLN154 mediated by hydrogen bonds, water bridges, and hydrophobic interactions. Conclusions: This integrative in silico study provides mechanistic insight into the potential anti-osteoporotic actions of asiatic acid, implicating IL-6 as a plausible upstream molecular target. These results establish a robust mechanistic framework for future translational studies exploring asiatic acid as a natural therapeutic candidate for osteoporosis.

Diabetes mellitus, a condition characterized by hyperglycemia, poses significant global health concern. Despite the availability of several antidiabetic drugs, the search for new therapeutic agents with fewer side effects and better efficacy continues. Phanera strychnifolia (Craib) K. W. Jiang, S. R. Gu, & T. Y. Tu, a medicinal plant traditionally used in Southeast Asia, has gained attention for its bioactive components. Two major compounds isolated, namely, 3,5,7‐trihydroxychromone‐3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranoside and 3,5,7,3′,5′‐pentahydroxy‐flavanonol‐3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranoside, have shown promise as antihyperglycemic agents in human intestinal epithelial Caco‐2 cells. It had been demonstrating antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of its aqueous extract in both in vivo and in vitro studies with limited information regarding their antihyperglycemic effect on insulin secretion and glucose transporter expression. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the impact of P. strychnifolia extracts on blood glucose levels in diabetic rats and to investigate the expression of glucose transporter proteins (GLUT2 and GLUT4) and insulin production in relevant tissues to elucidate the mechanisms of improved glucose uptake and utilization. The antidiabetic effect of P. strychnifolia was determined by histological staining and immunocytochemical localization of insulin, GLUT2, and GLUT4 in pancreatic islets and the heart. Additionally, toxicity assessment was conducted over a 63‐day administration by observing biochemical parameters and histological changes. P. strychnifolia demonstrates nontoxic characteristics, as evidenced by the absence of mortality and clinical toxicity signs at the 400 mg/kg dose after 63 days of treatment. In diabetic rats, administration of 100 and 200 mg/kg of P. strychnifolia for 14 days significantly reduced blood glucose levels by approximately 45.65% and 41.01%, respectively, compared to the diabetic control group. Both doses effectively reduced lipid droplets in the liver, indicating decreased tissue injury. P. strychnifolia demonstrates significant antihyperglycemic activity and beneficial effects on insulin and glucose transporter protein expression in diabetic rats, with no observed toxicity. These findings suggest its potential as a therapeutic agent for diabetes management.