Prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer‐related deaths, has driven research into drug delivery systems to overcome the limitations of conventional chemotherapy. Curcumin, a phenolic phytochemical from Curcuma longa , shows antioxidant, anti‐mutagenic, anti‐proliferative, anti‐inflammatory, and anticancer properties. However, its low solubility and bioavailability limit its use, leading to the development of encapsulated formulations to enhance its efficacy. Carrier‐based curcumin formulations have emerged as a promising perspective for cancer treatment. Here, we aimed to assess the in vitro anticancer activity of soy lecithin‐encapsulated curcumin ( _SLC CUR) and the safety and efficacy of its intracellular uptake against prostate cancer. To this end, the intracellular uptake and cytotoxic activity of _SLC CUR versus free curcumin ( _F CUR) were analyzed in androgen‐sensitive 22Rv1 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells along with normal prostate epithelial cells PNT1A. Cellular uptake of _SLC CUR was 15‐fold higher than _F CUR, showing a greater dose‐dependent cytotoxic effect on 22Rv1 and LNCaP cells, while only a cytostatic effect was observed for PNT1A cells. In a nude mice 22Rv1 xenograft model, administration of _SLC CUR resulted in a tenfold greater reduction in tumor size compared to _F CUR, suggesting that the anticancer activity of curcumin is significantly improved when encapsulated in soy lecithin‐based carriers.

Pichia yeasts are capable of forming biofilms during vinegar production and causing spoilage in various beverages. In addition, there exists a significant likelihood of encountering yeast contamination which can prevent vinegar production. The present study investigates the detection and characterization of the Pichia manshurica (P. manshurica) biofilm on traditionally produced homemade apple vinegar. The unique characteristics of vinegar were analyzed with a focus on the constituent, known as the “mother of vinegar”, whose composition is comprised of cellulosic biofilm and acetic acid bacteria, including Gluconobacter oxydans (G. oxydans) Briefly, P. manshurica was isolated from apple vinegar and characterized in terms of the effect of biofilm formation on the surface of the cellulosic film on vinegar production. Microbial identification of vinegar with/without contamination by P. manshurica was analyzed through MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS), and biofilm was characterized by FT-IR, SEM, and crystal violet staining. Accordingly, MS spectrum of isolates was identified as G. oxydans and P. manshurica with a ratio of 2.01 and 1.94, respectively. The FTIR analysis indicated that the peaks within the range of 900–1150 cm–1 revealed a high content of polysaccharide in P. manchuria-contaminated biofilm, which is attributed to the stretching vibration of C-C and C-O bonds. The spectral region from 2921.51 to 2853.71 cm–1 exhibited the characteristic of lipids in bacterial cell walls and membranes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of bacterial biofilms revealed a three-dimensional network composed of ultrafine fibers with a ribbon-like shape; however, the condensed reticulated structure was observed in contaminated biofilms. The presence of two microbial populations was detected regarding the morphological analysis. Crystal violet staining of contaminated-cellulosic biofilms visualized bacterial and yeast colonization. Concisely, this study emphasizes that the proliferation of Pichia during apple fermentation has the potential to adversely affect the quality of the homemade vinegar, due to its distinct biofilm characteristics.

Advanced wound dressings should actively promote tissue repair while preventing microbial infection and excessive inflammation. In this study, multifunctional electrospun nanofibers composed of poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan/gelatin were developed by incorporating green-synthesized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), Acacia gum, and Hypericum perforatum extract (HPE). Biological activity and safety were evaluated using disk-diffusion antimicrobial testing, MTT cell viability assays, nitric oxide measurement in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, an L929 fibroblast scratch assay, and Ames and comet assays. The optimized nanofibers exhibited a uniform morphology with an average fiber diameter of approximately 400 nm and high encapsulation efficiencies (86–96%). MSN incorporation significantly prolonged hypericin release, producing a biphasic release profile with approximately 1.4-fold slower release than nanofibers without MSNs, while increasing Young’s modulus from 2.1 to 2.5 MPa. The hybrid nanofibers demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and Candida albicans, achieving approximately 70% of the efficacy of standard antimicrobial agents. In lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, the optimized formulation reduced nitric oxide production by approximately 51%, comparable to indomethacin and L-NAME. Although fibroblast migration was not significantly enhanced, the nanofibers exhibited acceptable cytocompatibility and showed no mutagenic or genotoxic effects in Ames and comet assays. These findings demonstrate that green-synthesized MSN-enhanced herbal nanofibers represent a safe and promising platform for sustained drug delivery and advanced wound-healing applications.