This study explores the neuropharmacological potential of various molecular and amino acid components derived from Syzygium aromaticum (clove), an aromatic spice with a long history of culinary and medicinal use. Key bioactive compounds such as eugenol, α-humulene, β-caryophyllene, gallic acid, quercetin, and luteolin demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties by scavenging free radicals, modulating calcium channels, and reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Moreover, gallic acid and asiatic acid may exhibit protective effects, including neuronal apoptosis inhibition, while other useful properties of clove phytocompounds include NF-κB pathway inhibition, membrane stabilization, and suppression of pro-inflammatory pathways, possibly in neurons or other relevant cell types, further contributing to neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement. Amino acid analysis revealed essential and non-essential amino acids such as aspartic acid, serine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, and arginine in various clove parts (buds, fruits, branches, and leaves). These amino acids play crucial roles in neurotransmitter synthesis, immune modulation, antioxidant defense, and metabolic regulation. Collectively, these bioactive molecules and amino acids contribute to clove’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neurotrophic, and neurotransmitter-modulating effects, highlighting its potential as a preventive and therapeutic candidate for neurodegenerative disorders. While preliminary preclinical studies support these neuroprotective properties, further research, including clinical trials, is needed to validate the efficacy and safety of clove-based interventions in neuroprotection.

In recent years, fungal infections have emerged as a significant health concern across veterinary species, especially in livestock such as cattle, where fungal diseases can result in considerable economic losses, as well as in humans. In particular, Aspergillus species, notably Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus versicolor, are opportunistic pathogens that pose a threat to both animals and humans. This study focuses on the synthesis and antifungal evaluation of novel 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc)-protected 1,2,4-triazolyl-α-amino acids and their dipeptides, designed to combat fungal pathogens. More in detail, we evaluated their antifungal activity against various species, including Aspergillus versicolor (ATCC 12134) and Aspergillus flavus (ATCC 10567). The results indicated that dipeptide 7a exhibited promising antifungal activity against Aspergillus versicolor with an IC50 value of 169.94 µM, demonstrating greater potency than fluconazole, a standard treatment for fungal infections, which showed an IC50 of 254.01 µM. Notably, dipeptide 7a showed slightly enhanced antifungal efficacy compared to fluconazole also in Aspergillus flavus (IC50 176.69 µM vs. 184.64 µM), suggesting that this dipeptide might be more potent even against this strain. Remarkably, 3a and 7a are also more potent than fluconazole against A. candidus 10711. On the other hand, the protected amino acid 3a demonstrated consistent inhibition across all tested Aspergillus strains, but with an IC50 value of 267.86 µM for Aspergillus flavus, it was less potent than fluconazole (IC50 184.64 µM), still showing some potential as a good antifungal molecule. Overall, our findings indicate that the synthesized 1,2,4-triazolyl derivatives 3a and 7a hold significant promise as potential antifungal agents in treating Aspergillus-induced diseases in cattle, as well as for broader applications in human health. Our mechanistic studies based on molecular docking revealed that compounds 3a and 7a bind to the same region of the sterol 14-α demethylase as fluconazole. Given the rising concerns about antifungal resistance, these amino acid derivatives, with their unique bioactive structures, could serve as a novel class of therapeutic agents. Further research into their in vivo efficacy and safety profiles is warranted to fully realize their potential as antifungal drugs in clinical and agricultural settings.

The selection of appropriate solvents is crucial for determining both the composition and quantity of secondary metabolites extracted from medicinal plants. This study investigates the influence of solvent polarity on the extraction yield and phytochemical profile of Heracleum persicum fruits. Various solvents were tested as extragents, including polar (methanol, ethanol, acetone, acetonitrile), non-polar (hexane), and binary mixtures (ethanol/hexane, ethanol/water). Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) were employed to analyze the extracts. Hexane, the least effective solvent, extracted only one compound, which can be isolated in pure form. Methanol, the most efficient solvent for quantitative extraction, yielded 7 out of 12 extracted compounds. However, ethanol extracted the highest number of compounds, with a total of 16. Additionally, a new criterion for assessing solvent extraction power is proposed, based on the sum of peak areas in the chromatograms, providing an objective measure of solvent effectiveness.

A new family of Cu(II) and Ni(II) salen complexes was synthesized and fully characterized through various physicochemical methods. Their catalytic activity was evaluated in the phase transfer C_α-alkylation reaction of the Schiff bases of D,L-alanine ester and benzaldehyde derivatives. It was found that the introduction of a chlorine atom into the ortho- and para-positions of the phenyl ring of the substrate resulted in an increase in both the chemical yield and the asymmetric induction (ee 66–98%). The highest enantiomeric excess was achieved in the case of a Cu(II) salen complex based on (S,S)-cyclohexanediamine and salicylaldehyde at −20 °C. The occurrence of a bulky substituent in the ligand present in the complexes led to a drastic decrease in ee and chemical yield. For instance, the introduction of bulky substituents at positions 3 and 5 of the phenyl ring of the catalyst resulted in a complete loss of the stereoselectivity control in the alkylation reaction.

Intracellular parasitic infections continue to pose significant public health and veterinary challenges globally, driven by their ability to evade immune responses, persist within host cells, and spread through complex transmission pathways. Caused by a diverse array of protozoan, helminthic, and arthropod-borne parasites, these infections, such as toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis, and tick-borne diseases, remain prevalent across many regions, often exacerbated by environmental, socio-economic, and ecological factors. This review explores the current knowledge on intracellular parasitic diseases, outlining parasite classification, immune evasion mechanisms, diagnostic difficulties, and control strategies. Special attention is given to recent advancements in vaccine development, with a focus on experimental and licensed vaccines targeting intracellular pathogens. Additionally, the review highlights the importance of a ‘One Health’ approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health efforts to address the multifaceted nature of parasitic transmission and control. Within this global context, Armenia serves as a case study, offering insight into how local ecological conditions, vector distribution, public health capacity, and social determinants shape the national burden of these infections. Challenges in Armenia, such as limited access to advanced diagnostics, underreporting, and the need for robust surveillance systems, underscore broader regional needs for investment in research, infrastructure, and cross-sectoral collaboration.

The present study investigated the anion composition of drinking water from various cities and villages in Armenia, including spring water and tap water samples. The simultaneous separation was achieved for fluoride, chloride, bromide, nitrite, nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate anions with the correlation coefficients >0.998. Validation of the method was carried out in accordance with the requirements of guidelines in terms of selectivity, specificity, system suitability, linearity, accuracy, precision, lower limits of detection and quantitation, robustness, and stability. The method was suitable for routine drinking water quality assessment in line with the national or World Health Organization (WHO) regulations. The validated method was further used to analyze drinking water samples from different regions of Armenia. The observed concentrations for the anions in drinking water complied with the WHO limits for drinking water with some exceptions. The test method can be submitted to quality control laboratories as a convenient and practical tool for routine analysis and monitoring studies.