Aim This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the effects of ferulic acid (FA) on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity and amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide plaque formation in an in vitro model of Alzheimer\'s disease (AD). Background AD is a progressive neurological condition marked by disrupted cholinergic signaling, accumulation of Aβ peptide, and tau protein hyperphosphorylation. Currently, no direct anti-Alzheimer drug that effectively prevents the cognitive decline from AD has been reported. To combat this, a multi-target drug addressing several molecular aspects would be ideal for AD. Natural compounds are preferred over synthetic drugs due to their accessibility, cost-efficiency, and lower toxicity The proven association between polyphenol consumption and the prevention of AD has led to the investigation of the effect of FA, a polyphenolic compound, on acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity and Aβ peptide formation, the key targets of AD. Materials and method The free radical scavenging ability of FA was assessed by xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. Furthermore, FA was also evaluated for its inhibitory activity against AChE enzyme and amyloid beta peptide formation to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of FA. Results The results showed that FA has the potential to be an AChE inhibitor, thus helping in blocking the activity of AChE and also reducing the incidence of amyloid beta plaque formation. Furthermore, the compound also exhibited a significant antioxidant property which was demonstrated by the xanthine oxidase enzyme inhibitory effect. Conclusion From the observed results, FA has significant antioxidant and neuroprotective effects which are compared with those of their respective standards. More research is required to determine the efficacy and safety of this compound as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases like AD because the precise mechanism and degree of its AChE inhibitory effects in the brain are still elusive. A potent, selective, and effective drug is desperately needed to treat patients with AD and those at risk of developing the disease.

In this study, we examined and compared two different lipid-based nanosystems (LBNs), namely Transferosomes (TFs) and Monoolein Aqueous Dispersions (MADs), as delivery systems for the topical application of Ferulic Acid (FA), an antioxidant molecule derived from natural sources. Our results, as demonstrated through Franz-cell experiments, indicate that the LBNs produced with poloxamer 188 in their composition create a multilamellar system. This system effectively controls the release of the drug. Nonetheless, we found that the type of non-ionic surfactant can impact the drug release rate. Regarding FA diffusion from the MAD, this showed a lower diffusion rate compared with the TF. In terms of an in vivo application, patch tests revealed that all LBN formulations tested were safe when applied under occlusive conditions for 48 h. Additionally, human skin biopsies were used to determine whether FA-containing formulations could influence skin tissue morphology or provide protection against O3 exposure. Analyses suggest that treatment with TFs composed of poloxamer 188 and MAD formulations might protect against structural skin damage (as observed in hematoxylin/eosin staining) and the development of an oxidative environment (as indicated by 4-hyroxinonenal (4HNE) expression levels) induced by O3 exposure. In contrast, formulations without the active ingredient did not offer protection against the detrimental effects of O3 exposure.Inizio modulo.

Ferulic acid is a crucial bioactive component of broccoli, wheat, and rice bran and is also an essential natural product that has undergone significant research. Ferulic acid\'s precise mode of action and effect on system-level protein networks have not been thoroughly investigated. An interactome was built using the STRING database and Cytoscape tools, utilizing 788 key proteins collected from PubMed literature to identify the ferulic acid-governed regulatory action on protein interaction network (PIN). The scale-free biological network of ferulic acid-rewired PIN is highly interconnected. We discovered 15 sub-modules using the MCODE tool for sub-modulization analysis and 153 enriched signaling pathways. Further, functional enrichment of top bottleneck proteins revealed the FoxO signaling pathway involved in enhancing cellular defense against oxidative stress. The selection of the critical regulatory proteins of the ferulic acid-rewired PIN was completed by performing analyses of topological characteristics such as GO term/pathways analysis, degree, bottleneck, molecular docking, and dynamics investigations. The current research derives a precise molecular mechanism for ferulic acid\'s action on the body. This in-depth in silico model would aid in understanding how ferulic acid origins its antioxidant and scavenging properties in the human body.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Biofilm cells exhibit higher resistance than their planktonic counterparts to commonly used disinfectants in food industry. Phenolic acids are promising substitute offering less selective pressure than traditional antibiotics. This study aims to evaluate the inhibitory effects of ferulic acid (FA) and p-coumaric acid (p-CA) on Salmonella Enteritidis biofilm formation and explore the underlying inhibitory mechanisms. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of FA and p-CA were 1.0 and 0.5 mg/ml, respectively. The sub-inhibitory concentration (1/8 MIC) significantly decreased biofilm formation without growth inhibitory effects. The biomass and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of S. Enteritidis biofilm as well as the bacterial swimming and chemotaxis abilities were significantly decreased when exposed to sub-MIC concentrations of FA and p-CA. These two phenolic acids showed high affinity to proteins involved in flagella motility and repressed the S. Enteritidis biofilm formation-related gene expressions. Furthermore, these two phenolic acids maintained high antibiofilm efficiency in simulated food processing conditions. This study provided valuable information of multiple phenotypic and molecular responses of S. Enteritidis to these two phenolic acids.

BACKGROUND: Taohong Siwu Decoction (THSWD) is based on the \"First Recipe of Gynecology.\" It is widely used in various blood stasis and deficiency syndromes, mainly in gynecological blood stasis, irregular menstruation, and dysmenorrhea. THSWD has great demand in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), gynecology, orthopedics, and internal medicine. According to classical records, three medicinal materials, namely Rehmanniae radix, Angelica sinensis, and Carthamus tinctorius, used in THSWD need to be \"washed with yellow rice wine.\" In the study of TCM prescriptions, the processing methods of medicinal materials not only needed to follow traditional records but also should consider modern technical conditions. Many medicinal materials in the repertoire of classical prescriptions involve yellow rice wine processing. Determining the processing method for medicinal materials is a key and difficult problem in the research and development of classical prescriptions.
OBJECTIVE: With THSWD as the representative, this study analyzed differences between no processing method, the modern processing method of \"stir-frying the materials with yellow rice wine,\" and the traditional processing method of \"washing with yellow rice wine.\" We focused on three aspects: composition, efficacy, and endogenous metabolism. This study aimed to provide a reference for research on the processing methods of medicinal materials used in classical prescriptions.
METHODS: UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS was used to quickly identify and classify the main chemical compounds of THSWD. A model of primary dysmenorrhea (PD) was established using estradiol benzoate combined with oxytocin. The latent period and writhing time; the levels of serum PGF2α, PGE2, ET-1, and β-EP; and the pathological sections of the uterus were observed to determine their pharmacodynamic differences. GC-TOF/MS was used to analyze the differences in serum metabolites in rats.
RESULTS: A total of 54 active compounds were identified, and the results showed that catalpol and rehmapicroside disappeared following yellow rice wine processing. Compared with materials processed by the traditional method, the relative contents of 15 components, such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and digitalis C, increased in materials processed by the modern method. However, the relative contents of 16 components, such as hydroxysafflor yellow A, verbascoside, and ferulic acid, decreased in the modern processing method. The modern and classic processing methods acted on PD through different metabolic pathways. THSWD obtained by classical processing methods mainly treated PD through anti-inflammatory and estrogen metabolism pathways, whereas THSWD obtained by modern processing methods mainly treated PD through anti-inflammatory metabolic pathways.
CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed the differences in different yellow rice wine processing methods in terms of chemical composition of the THSWD obtained, as well as the mechanisms of action for the treatment of PD. This study provides a reference for the clinical application of THSWD and development of classical prescription preparations.

The growing interest in the cosmetic industry in using compounds of natural and sustainable origin that are safe for humans is encouraging the development of processes that can satisfy these needs. Chlorogenic acid (CHA), caffeic acid (CAF) and ferulic acid (FA) are three compounds widely used within the cosmetic industry due to their functionalities as antioxidants, collagen modifiers or even as radiation protectors. In this work, two advanced separation techniques with supercritical CO2 are used to obtain these three compounds from Calendula officinalis, and these are then evaluated using a computational skin permeability model. This model is encompassed by the COSMO-RS model, the calculations of which make it possible to study the behaviour of the compounds in the epidermis. The results show that both CAF and FA are retained in the stratum corneum, while CHA manages to penetrate to the stratum spinosum. These compounds were concentrated by antisolvent fractionation with super-critical CO2 using a Response Surface Methodology to study the effect of pressure and CO2 flow rate. CHA, CAF and FA were completely retained in the precipitation vessel, with concentrations between 40% and 70% greater than in the original extract. The conditions predicted that the optimal overall yield and enrichment achieved would be 153 bar and 42 g/min.

The assessment of the signs of photoaging in mexametric (melanin and erythema index), corneometric (hydration level), and cutometric (elasticity) examination after the treatment with ascorbic acid and ferulic acid. This study was conducted in a group of 20 women aged 39-61 (mean age 54), with Fitzpatrick skin types II and III. The study included a series of 8 treatments performed once a week. Two layers of peeling, based on 14% ferulic acid (left half of the face) and 12% L-ascorbic acid serum (right half of the face) were applied. To determine skin parameters: moisture, elasticity, melanin level, and erythema intensity, the Multi Probe Adapter Systems (Courage + Khazaka electronic GmbH, Köln, Germany) were used. Additionally, before and after the series of treatments, photographs were taken with the standardized photographic system Fotomedicus (Elfo®). The results of mexametric measurement for melanin level and erythema intensity were statistically significant (P < 0.0001) for both acids. Slightly greater lightening of the skin was demonstrated for ascorbic acid. The results of corneometric measurement of hydration level for ferulic acid and ascorbic acid were both statistically significant (P < 0.0001). First beneficial changes in improved elasticity could be observed as early as after 8 weeks but the increase in flexibility grew with time (after 12 weeks). These changes affected both acids and all measurement points. The changes in parameters were highly statistically significant (P < 0.0001). Based on the conducted research, it is not possible to state which of the tested acids is more effective in reducing the symptoms of photoaging. Both acids (ascorbic and ferulic), which have a high antioxidant potential, affect the measurable parameters of the skin: pigmentation (melanin index), erythema (erythema index), skin hydration, and elasticity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Ferulic acid (FA) is used in skin formulations for protection against the damaging actions of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by UVA radiation. Possible underlying protective mechanisms are not fully elucidated. By considering the kinetics of proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) and radical-radical coupling (RRC) mechanisms, it appears that direct scavenging could be operative, providing that a high local concentration of FA is present at the place of •OH generation. The resulting FA phenoxyl radical, after the scavenging of a second •OH and keto-enol tautomerization of the intermediate, produces 5-hydroxyferulic acid (5OHFA). Inhibition of the lipoxygenase (LOX) enzyme, one of the enzymes that catalyse free radical production, by FA and 5OHFA were analysed. Results of molecular docking calculations indicate favourable binding interactions of FA and 5OHFA with the LOX active site. The exergonicity of chelation reactions of the catalytic Fe2+ ion with FA and 5OHFA indicate the potency of these chelators to prevent the formation of •OH radicals via Fenton-like reactions. The inhibition of the prooxidant LOX enzyme could be more relevant mechanism of skin protection against UVA induced oxidative stress than iron chelation and assumed direct scavenging of ROS.

Corticosteroids as budesonide can be effective in reducing topic inflammation processes in different organs. Therapeutic use of budesonide in respiratory diseases, like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and allergic rhinitis is well known. However, the pulmonary distribution of budesonide is not well understood, mainly due to the difficulties in tracing the molecule in lung samples without the addition of a label. In this paper, we present a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging protocol that can be used to visualize the pulmonary distribution of budesonide administered to a surfactant-depleted adult rabbit. Considering that budesonide is not easily ionized by MALDI, we developed an on-tissue derivatization method with Girard\'s reagent P followed by ferulic acid deposition as MALDI matrix. Interestingly, this sample preparation protocol results as a very effective strategy to raise the sensitivity towards not only budesonide but also other corticosteroids, allowing us to track its distribution and quantify the drug inside lung samples.

We conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled prospective trial examining a supplement containing ferulic acid and Angelica archangelica extract (Feru-guard ®) for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In the intention-to-treat population, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were significantly better at 24 weeks (p = 0.041) in the active group. In the per protocol population, MMSE was significantly better in the active group at 24 weeks (p = 0.008), and mixed effect models for repeated measures (MMRM) showed significant difference (p = 0.016). ADAS-Jcog was significantly better at 24 (p = 0.035) and 48 weeks (p = 0.015) in the active group, and MMRM was significant (p = 0.031). Thus, Feru-guard ® may be useful for MCI.