Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes severe neurological complications such as herpes simplex encephalitis and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Its entry is mediated by glycoproteins gD and gB, which regulate receptor binding and membrane fusion. Targeting these entry glycoproteins represents a promising therapeutic strategy to limit HSV-1 infection and its contribution to AD pathogenesis. Therefore, this study aimed to identify natural dual inhibitors of HSV-1 glycoproteins gB and gD from Ginkgo biloba using an integrated computational approach involving molecular docking, pharmacokinetic, toxicity, and bioactivity profiling, molecular dynamics simulations, and MM-GBSA binding free energy analyses to evaluate binding stability and therapeutic potential. A total of 39 phytochemicals were retrieved from IMPPAT 2.0 and PubChem databases and docked against HSV-1 glycoproteins gB and gD. Pharmacokinetics and toxicity were assessed using admetSAR 3.0, SwissADME, Deep-PK, and pKCSM. Molecular docking revealed several phytochemicals with strong binding affinities to HSV-1 glycoproteins gB and gD, compared to docosanol. Among these, β-sitosterol and ginkgolide A exhibited favorable drug-likeness, acceptable oral bioavailability, no mutagenic and hepatotoxic effects, and biologically active. Molecular dynamic simulation confirmed their greatest binding stability compared to docosanol. MM-GBSA binding free energy analysis further validated their strong and stable interactions within the active sites of HSV-1 glycoproteins gB and gD. These findings identify β-sitosterol and ginkgolide A as promising dual-target inhibitors of HSV-1 glycoproteins gB and gD in context of HSV-1-associated AD pathogenesis. However, experimental validation is required to confirm their antiviral efficacy and potential relevance to AD.

Soybean (Glycine max), a protein- and oil-rich crop, supplies approximately 80% of oil requirements globally. The crop is susceptible to a wide variety of phytopathogens, among them Colletotrichum truncatum (CT) causes pre- and post-emergence damping-off in seeds and seedlings, leading to significant yield loss in the soybean crop. Here in this study, we assess the antifungal efficacy of peppermint oil nanoemulsion (PNE) against C. truncatum and also evaluate the disease suppression potential of PNE on soybean crop through seed priming. During the evaluation of fungicidal potential, 1% treatment of PNE reduces the growth of C. truncatum by 80% under in vitro conditions. PNE treatments induce oxidative stress by ROS accumulation, as suggested by Nitro Blue Tetrazolium (NBT) staining. Consequently, this redox imbalance affects the defence mechanism, cytosolic leakage and disruption of essential cellular processes leading to cell death. During PNE stress, stress enzyme activities were suppressed, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) by 26% and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) by 63%, while oxidative stress leads to enhanced lipid peroxidation by (LPX) 22% and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), 28%. Notably, scanning electron microscopy revealed significant aberration in hyphal structure, confirming the antifungal efficacy of PNE. Moreover, GC-MS analysis of ethyl acetate extracts from treated fungal cells identified 28 compounds, including thymol, menthol, phenyl alcohol, p-menthane, phenol, 1-docosanol, and 1-octadecene, present at elevated levels, related to antifungal activity. In addition, the nurturing effect of PNE was evaluated by a seed germination assay; PNE-treated seeds showed improved seed germination compared to Pathogen alone-infected samples. These findings suggest a potential role of PNE as an eco-friendly alternative for managing C. truncatum in soybean cultivation.

A challenge in the design of biocompatible polymers involves the use of non-cytotoxic catalysts in the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactones. In this study, a family of seven mono-, di-, and tricarboxylic acids was used as organocatalysts for the ROP of ε-caprolactone (CL) and l-lactide (l-LA). The use of a long-chain aliphatic alcohol such as 1-docosanol (C22OH) has been demonstrated to accelerate the polymerization rate. For the ROP of CL, carboxylic acids with pk a values less than 4 and an increase in functional groups exhibited the highest catalytic efficiency. In contrast, the ROP of l-LA exhibited conversion that was independent of the number of carboxyl groups or pk a. Random copolymers of PCL-co-PLLA were successfully synthesized using citric acid as an organocatalyst and C22OH as an initiator. Increasing the l-LA content was observed to reduce the melting enthalpy without compromising semi-crystallinity, which is a behavior that is attributed to the docosyl terminal group.

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infections, caused primarily by HSV-1 and HSV-2, are among the most prevalent viral diseases worldwide, with recurrent manifestations that significantly affect quality of life. Therapeutic strategies include both topical and systemic interventions, each with distinct goals. This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2005-2025) identified studies evaluating topical or systemic treatments for HSV. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials and observational studies reporting validated clinical outcomes. Topical treatments, including acyclovir cream, docosanol, and newer formulations, primarily reduce lesion duration and alleviate local symptoms when applied early. These interventions have limited systemic absorption and generally do not influence recurrence frequency. Novel delivery methods and combination strategies, such as acyclovir-hydrocortisone formulations or photodynamic therapy, may enhance local efficacy and symptom control. Systemic Therapies: Systemic antivirals, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, target both lesion resolution and recurrence prevention. Evidence from randomized trials supports their use for episodic and suppressive therapy, including short-course, high-dose regimens that improve adherence while controlling symptoms. Systemic therapy is particularly indicated for recurrent, disseminated, or high-risk infections. Topical and systemic therapies serve complementary roles in HSV management. Topical agents are useful for localized or initial episodes, while systemic therapy addresses broader clinical objectives, including recurrence reduction. Future research should focus on mechanism-based therapies, novel delivery systems, and standardized outcome measures to guide personalized treatment strategies. Emerging therapies targeting viral latency, immune modulation, and gene-editing technologies hold promise for long-term suppression and personalized management of HSV infections.

The ability of water to freeze into ice crystals in mixed-phase clouds affects physical properties, including particle size, precipitation rates, and radiative properties. The presence of an insoluble particle at the surface of water droplets can promote ice nucleation at temperatures higher than that of pure water, even in the absence of a collision. However, contact freezing remains an underexplored mode of ice nucleation. Here, we present a study of atmospherically relevant organic acids and their role as effective ice-nucleating particles (INP) in contact mode using a Raman-microscope-equipped environmental chamber. We determined contact freezing temperatures induced by solid crystals of docosanol, adipic acid, cis-pinonic acid, fumaric acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, palmitic acid, phthalic acid, sebacic acid, stearic acid, terephthalic acid, and vanillic acid. All solids except fumaric acid promoted contact freezing of water droplets at significantly higher temperatures than pure water in the chamber (-15.0 to -18.5 °C vs -21.3 °C). Physical and chemical properties were identified which correlate with greater effectiveness of INPs in the contact mode, including crystal lattice mismatch with ice, carbon number, and insolubility in water. We suggest that the presence of these organic solids in atmospheric aerosols may promote atmospheric ice nucleation at warm temperatures.

Organic phase change slurries (PCS) exhibit significant supercooling in small particles, which diminishes their advantages over sensible heat storage systems by reducing energy efficiency and reliability. While the mechanisms of supercooling in alkanes have been extensively studied, investigations of emulsions containing fatty alcohols are limited. This study examines the impact of nucleating agents on reducing supercooling in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions of 1-docosanol, a fatty alcohol used as a phase change material (PCM). Emulsions with platykurtic particle size distributions were produced using rotor-stator emulsification. Various material combinations were explored to identify nucleation promoters compatible with 1-docosanol. Thermal analysis revealed that long-chain polymers effectively mitigate supercooling, particularly during rotator phase transitions, as confirmed by crystal structure analysis. On average, supercooling was reduced by 9 K; however, seed deactivation observed over multiple thermal cycles led to a gradual return of supercooling. Similar to alkanes, particle size influences the nucleation rate, surfactants affect the availability of heterogeneous nucleation sites, and nucleating agents can decrease the nucleation barrier. The findings indicate that high structural similarity between emulsion components is beneficial for minimizing supercooling in PCS, enhancing their potential for thermal energy storage applications.

Salinity is a major environmental factor that adversely affects plant growth and production. Cuticular wax protects plants against external environmental stress. The relationship between cuticular wax biosynthesis and salt tolerance remains unclear in Salicornia europaea. This study examined the cuticle thickness, wax load, morphology, composition, and the expression of cuticular wax biosynthesis gene identification and expression. The results showed that 600 mM NaCl treatment enhanced the cuticle thickness and total wax load; crystal wax structures were also observed after NaCl treatment. The cuticular wax was mainly composed of fatty acids, alcohols, alkenes, and esters. The alcohol class accounted for the largest proportion, with docosanol (C25H54OSi) being the main specific alcohol compound, followed by fatty acids and alkanes. After a sequence database search, six fatty acyl-CoA reductases (FARs), sixteen wax synthase/diacylglycerol acyltransferases (WS/DGATs), three fatty alcohol oxidases (FAOs), five eceriferums (CERs), and eight mid-chain alkanes (MAHs) were identified as the putative wax biosynthesis enzymes. Their expression analysis revealed a differential response to 100 and 600 mM NaCl treatment and reached the highest level at 12 h or 48 h. The genes that were evidently upregulated with higher fold changes under salinity, such as SeFAR1, SeFAR2, and SeFAR3 are implied to synthesize primary alcohols, and SeWSs convert the primary alcohols to wax esters; SeCER1 and SeCER3 are also supposed to catalyze the conversion of aldehydes to alkanes while SeMAH7 catalyze alkanes to secondary alcohols in S. europaea in response to NaCl treatment. This study demonstrated that both the decarbonylation and acyl-reduction wax biosynthesis pathways may not be independent from each other.

Addressing the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis requires a multifaceted innovative approach to mitigate impacts on public health, healthcare and economic systems. In the complex evolution of AMR, biofilms and the acquisition of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) play a pivotal role. Aeromonas is a major AMR player that often forms biofilm, harbors ARGs and is frequently detected in wastewater. Existing wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) do not have the capacity to totally eliminate antimicrobial-resistant bacteria favoring the evolution of ARGs in wastewater. Besides facilitating the emergence of AMR, biofilms contribute significantly to biofouling process within the activated sludge of WWTP bioreactors. This paper presents the inhibition of biofilm formation, the expression of biofilm-linked genes and ARGs by phytochemicals andrographolide, docosanol, lanosterol, quercetin, rutin and thymohydroquinone. Aeromonas species were isolated and purified from activated sludge samples. The ARGs were detected in the isolated Aeromonas species through PCR. Aeromonas biofilms were quantified following the application of biocompounds through the microtiter plate assay. qPCR analyses of related genes were done for confirmation. Findings showed that the natural compounds inhibited the formation of biofilms and reduced the expression of genes linked to biofilm production as well as ARGs in wastewater Aeromonas. This indicates the efficacy of these compounds in targeting and controlling both ARGs and biofilm formation, highlighting their potential as innovative solutions for combating antimicrobial resistance and biofouling.

An eco-friendly method for the determination of sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame-K) and preservatives (benzoic acid, sorbic acid, methylparaben, ethylparaben) in functional beverages and flavoured waters using thin film microextraction (TFME) and high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (HPLC-UV) was proposed. A series of fourteen green and renewable solidified natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) were prepared and tested as 'eutectosorbents' in TFME for the first time. In the proposed method, the NADES containing acetylcholine chloride and 1-docosanol at a 1:3 molar ratio was finally chosen to coat a support. Four factors, i.e., the mass of the NADES, pH of the samples, extraction time, and desorption time, were tested in the central composite design to select the optimal TFME conditions. Limits of detection were equal to 0.022 µg mL[-1] for aspartame, 0.020 µg mL[-1] for acesulfame-K, 0.018 µg mL[-1] for benzoic acid, 0.026 µg mL[-1] for sorbic acid, 0.013 µg mL[-1] for methylparaben, and 0.011 µg mL[-1] for ethylparaben. Satisfactory extraction recoveries between 82% and 96% were achieved with RSDs lower than 6.1% (intra-day) and 7.4% (inter-day). The proposed 'eutectosorbent' presented good stability that enabled effective extractions for 16 cycles with recovery of at least 77%. The proposed NADES-TFME/HPLC-UV method is highly sensitive and selective. However, the use of a solid NADES as a sorbent, synthesized without by-products, without the need for purification, and with good stability on a support with the possibility of reusability increases the ecological benefit of this method. The greenness aspect of the method was evaluated using the Complex modified Green Analytical Procedure Index protocol and is equal to 84/100.

Organohydrogels (OHGs) are intriguing materials due to their unique composition of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains. This antagonistic nature endows the OHGs with several remarkable properties, making them highly versatile for various applications. We present here a simple and inexpensive approach to fabricate silk fibroin (SF)-based OHGs with multistage switching mechanics and viscoelasticity. The continuous hydrophilic phase of the OHG precursor consists of an aqueous SF solution, while the hydrophobic droplet phase consists of a crystallizable n-octadecyl acrylate (C18A) monomer and several long-chain saturated hydrocarbons (HCs) with various chain lengths between 14 and 32 carbon atoms, namely, n-tetradecane, n-octadecane, n-docosane, n-dotriacontane, and 1-docosanol. After the addition of a C18A/HC mixture containing Irgacure photoinitiator into the continuous aqueous SF phase under stirring, a stable oil-in-water emulsion was obtained, which was then photopolymerized at 23 ± 2 °C to obtain nonswelling OHGs with multiple-shape-memory behavior. By changing the chain length and mass proportion of HCs, a series of OHGs with tunable transition temperatures could be obtained, meeting various applications. OHGs containing dimer, trimer, and quadruple combinations of in situ-formed poly(C18A) and HC microinclusions exhibit effective triple- or quintuple-shape memory whose shape-recovery temperatures could be adjusted over a wide range, e.g., between 7 and 70 °C.

This review article describes the current knowledge about the use of antiviral chemotherapeutics in avian species, such as farm poultry and companion birds. Specific therapeutics are described in alphabetical order including classic antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, abacavir, adefovir, amantadine, didanosine, entecavir, ganciclovir, interferon, lamivudine, penciclovir, famciclovir, oseltamivir, ribavirin, and zidovudine, repurposed drugs, such as ivermectin and nitazoxanide, which were originally used as antiparasitic drugs, and some others substances showing antiviral activity, such as ampligen, azo derivates, docosanol, fluoroarabinosylpyrimidine nucleosides, and novel peptides. Most of them have only been used for research purposes and are not widely used in clinical practice because of a lack of essential pharmacokinetic and safety data. Suggested future research directions are also highlighted.

Cuticular waxes of plants impart tolerance to many forms of environmental stress and help shed dangerous human pathogens on edible plant parts. Although the chemical composition of waxes on a wide variety of important crops has been described, a detailed wax compositional analysis has yet to be reported for lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), one of the most widely consumed vegetables. We present herein the leaf wax content and composition of 12 genetically diverse lettuce cultivars sampled across five time points during their vegetative growth phase in the field. Mean total leaf wax amounts across all cultivars varied little over 28 days of vegetative growth, except for a notable decrease in total waxes following a major precipitation event, presumably due to wax degradation from wind and rain. All lettuce cultivars were found to contain a unique wax composition highly enriched in 22- and 24-carbon length 1-alcohols (docosanol and tetracosanol, respectively). In our report, the dominance of these shorter chain length 1-alcohols as wax constituents represents a relatively rare phenotype in plants. The ecological significance of these dominant and relatively short 1-alcohols is still unknown. Although waxes have been a target for improvement of various crops, no such work has been reported for lettuce. This study lays the groundwork for future research that aims to integrate cuticular wax characteristics of field grown plants into the larger context of lettuce breeding and cultivar development.

Seaweed belongs to marine biota and contains nutrients and secondary metabolites beneficial for health. This study aimed to determine the antidiabetic activity of extracts and fractions of green seaweed Halimeda tuna. The H. tuna sample was extracted with the maceration method using methanol and then partitioned using ethyl acetate and water to obtain ethyl acetate and water fractions. The methanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction, and water fraction of H. tuna were tested for their inhibitory activity against α-amilase and α-glucosidase. The methanol extract and the fractions with the highest inhibitory activity were phytochemically tested and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction (IC50 = 0.88 ± 0.20 mg/mL) inhibited α-amylase relatively similar to acarbose (IC50 = 0.76 ± 0.04 mg/mL). The methanol extract (IC50 = 0.05 ± 0.01 mg/mL) and the ethyl acetate fraction (IC50 = 0.01 ± 0.00 mg/mL) demonstrated stronger inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase than acarbose (IC50 = 0.27 ± 0.13 mg/mL). Phytochemical testing showed that the methanol extract and the ethyl acetate fraction contained secondary metabolites: alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, and phenol hydroquinone. The compounds in methanol extract predicted to have inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase were Docosanol, Neophytadiene, Stigmasta-7,22-dien-3-ol,acetate,(3.beta.,5.alpha.,22E), Octadecanoic acid,2-oxo-,methyl ester, and phytol, while those in the ethyl acetate fraction were n-Nonadecane, Phytol, Butyl ester, 14-.Beta.-H-pregna, Octadecenoic acid, and Oleic acid.

Petroleum hydrocarbon is a critical ecological issue with impact on ecosystems through bioaccumulation. It poses significant risks to human health. Due to the extent of alkane hydrocarbon pollution in some environments, biosurfactants are considered as a new multifunctional technology for the efficient removal of petroleum-based contaminants. To this end, Yamuna river sediments were collected at different sites in the vicinity of Mathura oil refinery, UP (India). They were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for heavy metals and organic pollutants. Heptadecane, nonadecane, oleic acid ester and phthalic acid were detected. In total 107 bacteria were isolated from the sediments and screened for biosurfactant production. The most efficient biosurfactant producing strain was tested for its capability to degrade hexadecane efficiently at different time intervals (0 h, 7 d, 14 d and 21 d). FT-IR analysis defined the biosurfactant as lipopeptide. 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified the bacterium as Priestia megaterium. The strain lacks resistance to common antibiotics thus making it an important candidate for remediation. The microbial consortia present in the sediments were also investigated for their capability to degrade C16, C17 and C18 alkane hydrocarbons. By using gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry the metabolites were identified as 1-docosanol, dodecanoic acid, 7-hexadecenal, (Z)-, hexadecanoic acid, docosanoic acid, 1-hexacosanal, 9-octadecenoic acid, 3-octanone, Z,Z-6,28-heptatriactontadien-2-one, heptacosyl pentafluoropropionate, 1,30-triacontanediol and decyl octadecyl ester. Oxidative stress in Vigna radiata L. roots was observed by using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy. A strong reduction in seed germination and radicle and plumule length was observed when Vigna radiata L. was treated with different concentrations of sediment extracts, possibly due to the toxic effects of the pollutants in the river sediments. Thus, this study is significant since it considers the toxicological effects of hydrocarbons and to degrade them in an environmentally friendly manner.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) requires lifelong daily therapy. However, suboptimal adherence to the existing daily therapy has led to the need for ultralong-acting antivirals. A lipophilic and hydrophobic ProTide was made by replacing the alanyl isopropyl ester present in tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) with a docosyl phenyl alanyl ester, now referred to as M1TFV. NM1TFV and nanoformulated TAF (NTAF) nanocrystals were formulated by high-pressure homogenization. A single intramuscular injection of NM1TFV, but not NTAF, delivered at a dose of TFV equivalents (168 milligrams per kilogram) demonstrated monthslong antiviral activities in both HBV-transgenic and human hepatocyte transplanted TK-NOG mice. The suppression of HBV DNA in blood was maintained for 3 months. Laboratory experiments on HBV-transfected HepG2.2.15 cells affirmed the animal results and the critical role of docosanol in the sustained NM1TFV antiviral responses. These results provide clear "proof of concept" toward an emerging therapeutic paradigm for the treatment and prevention of HBV infection.