including the URL of the record and the reason for the withdrawal request. Highlights for Preparation of alginate microgels in a simple one step process via the Leeds Jet Homogenizer by Pravinata et al. Calcium alginate microgel particles down to size 100 nm have been produced Their formation depends on rapid & highly turbulent mixing of separate alginate and Ca 2+ Oppositely charged protein present during formation acts as a dispersant & reduces particle size *Highlights (for review)

Excessive lipid accumulation is a serious condition. Therefore, we aimed at developing safe strategies using natural hypolipidemic products. Lingzhi is an edible fungus and potential lipid suppression stimulant. To use Lingzhi as a functional hyperlipidemic ingredient, response surface methodology (RSM) was conducted to optimize the time (X1) and enzyme usage (X2) for the hydrolysate preparation with the highest degree of hydrolysis (DH) and % yield. We encapsulated the hydrolysates using nanoscale liposomes and used proteomics to study how these nano-liposomal hydrolysates could affect lipid accumulation in adipocyte cells. RSM analysis revealed X1 at 8.63 h and X2 at 0.93% provided the highest values of DH and % yields were 33.99% and 5.70%. The hydrolysates were loaded into liposome particles that were monodispersed. The loaded nano-liposomal particles did not significantly affect cell survival rates. The triglyceride (TG) breakdown in adipocytes showed a higher TG increase compared to the control. Lipid staining level upon the liposome treatment was lower than that of the control. Proteomics revealed 3425 proteins affected by the liposome treatment, the main proteins being TSSK5, SMU1, GRM7, and KLC4, associated with various biological functions besides lipolysis. The nano-liposomal Linzghi hydrolysate might serve as novel functional ingredients in the treatment and prevention of obesity

Grammatophyllum speciosum is the largest orchid species and a well-known traditional medicinal plant. Due to skin aging, natural products that inhibit this process can attract the attention of consumers and scientists because radical-scavenging activity, collagenase inhibition, and inflammatory suppression are valuable in dermatological applications. This study investigated the phytochemicals in G. speciosum leaves extracts that have cosmeceutical potentials, including radical-scavenging, anticollagenase, and anti-inflammatory abilities. G. speciosum leaves were extracted using water-based extraction methods. High-resolution mass spectrometry was used to identify the phytochemicals in the extracts. Fibroblast and keratinocyte cell cytotoxicity was determined. Antioxidant abilities were measured using DPPH and ABTS assays. The effect of the extracts on nitric oxide (NO) in macrophage cells was investigated. ELISA of the collagenase enzyme was determined. A total of 721 annotated metabolites were identified in the extracts. Vitexin and orientin were the most abundant metabolites. Cell viability was >80% in both cell lines when the extract concentration was <1 mg/mL. The IC50 values for DPPH and ABTS were 56 and 117 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the extracts revealed that NO and collagenase activity were suppressed by 42% and 23%, respectively. The extracts can suppress ROS, inflammatory, and collagenase activities without causing fibroblast and keratinocyte cell death. Thus, this study provides information on metabolites in G. speciosum leaves, which is promising as cosmeceuticals or pharmaceuticals with anti-inflammatory and anti-collagenase activities.

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) can damage skin cells and cause skin cancer. Applying sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB is recommended before going outside. An ideal sunscreen should not come off, penetrate the bloodstream, or cause health risks, while also remaining effective at blocking UV rays. Herein, we focused on sunscreen applications based on polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles, an artificial melanin material. Various sizes of nanoparticles were fabricated using a spontaneous oxidation reaction with the dopamine monomer to sodium hydroxide (DA/NaOH) molar ratios of 1:0.2 to 1:1. The monodisperse and spherical PDA nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 59.5 to 659.1 nm showed monotonic broadband UV−vis absorption. PDA2 (molar ratio of DA/ NaOH 1:0.8) presented the highest UVB absorption (290−320 nm) and a sun protection factor boosted by approximately 50% compared to that of the original base formulation. When the particle size was larger than 150 nm, the results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and confocal spectroscopy showed that the surface functionality of the synthesized PDA nanoparticles that was dominated with hydroxyl groups induced their adherence to the stratum corneum after 24 h of incubation. The nanoparticles were biocompatible with human keratinocytes (HaCaT), that is, direct interactions between the PDA particles and HaCaT cells did not cause any cell damage. Results from in vitro photoprotection ability suggested that PDA nanoparticles could protect the cells from UVA irradiation in terms of membrane protection, reactive oxygen species reduction, and cell viability recovery. Interestingly, the results obtained from the bacterial reverse mutation and in vitro skin irritation tests indicated that the nanoparticles did not induce mutagenicity or irritate skin cells. Our findings provide a promising approach for the synthesis of PDA nanoparticles as a safe sunscreen component.

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Obesity is a global health concern. Physical activities and eating nutrient-rich functional foods can prevent obesity. In this study, nano-liposomal encapsulated bioactive peptides (BPs) were developed to reduce cellular lipids. The peptide sequence NH2-PCGVPMLTVAEQAQ-CO2H was chemically synthesized. The limited membrane permeability of the BPs was improved by encapsulating the BPs with a nano-liposomal carrier, which was produced by thin-layer formation. The nano-liposomal BPs had a diameter of ~157 nm and were monodispersed in solution. The encapsulation capacity was 61.2 ± 3.2%. The nano-liposomal BPs had no significant cytotoxicity on the tested cells, keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and adipocytes. The in vitro hypolipidemic activity significantly promoted the breakdown of triglycerides (TGs). Lipid droplet staining was correlated with TG content. Proteomics analysis identified 2418 differentially expressed proteins. The nano-liposomal BPs affected various biochemical pathways beyond lipolysis. The nano-liposomal BP treatment decreased the fatty acid synthase expression by 17.41 ± 1.17%. HDOCK revealed that the BPs inhibited fatty acid synthase (FAS) at the thioesterase domain. The HDOCK score of the BPs was lower than that of orlistat, a known obesity drug, indicating stronger binding. Proteomics and molecular docking analyses confirmed that the nano-liposomal BPs were suitable for use in functional foods to prevent obesity.

Ganoderma lucidum or Lingzhi is a fungus species widely known as a traditional medicine. Exploring the beneficial peptides by hydrolysis using pepsin and trypsin has been extensively performed to identify new bioactive natural products. A multifunctional peptide that expresses potential scavenging activity and tyrosinase inhibition is valuable in therapeutic and cosmetic applications. This study aimed to identify and investigate the effects of a novel multifunctional peptide from Lingzhi on the melanogenic enzymes in melanoma cells by a targeted-proteomics approach. The multifunctional peptide was de novo sequenced by LC-MS/MS to be NH2-PVRSSNCA-CO2H (octapeptide). This sequence was chemically synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). The antioxidant ability of the synthesized octapeptide was measured by the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The results showed that the peptide exhibited an antioxidant activity equal to 0.121 ± 0.01 mg equivalent to ascorbic acid, 0.173 ± 0.03 mg equivalent to gallic acid, and 2.21 ± 0.23 mM equivalent to FeSO4, respectively, which is comparable to these well-known antioxidants. The proteomics approach identified a total of 5804 proteins and several pathways involved in the effects of the octapeptide in melanoma cells. Targeted proteomics revealed three specific proteins associated with pigmentation including Rab29, Dct, and Tyrp1. The Rab29 and Dct were upregulated whereas Tyrp1 was downregulated in the octapeptide treatment group. These findings could be used in the understanding of the molecular functions of the multifunctional octapeptide on melanogenic enzymes, supporting its potential as a therapeutic and cosmetic ingredient.

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