Natural plant oils are commonly used in skincare products for their emollient properties. Plum seed oil is a promising cosmetic ingredient since it represents a sustainable material derived from fruit processing waste, recognized in the CosIng Database for its skin-conditioning function. The aim of this study was to incorporate plum seed oil into a topical emulgel and assess its biophysical effects on the skin. An in vivo study on healthy volunteers evaluated the safety (irritation potential) and long-term efficacy (impact on biophysical skin parameters during 28-day application) of emulgel containing 6% (w/w) plum seed oil as a natural emollient and active ingredient. Results showed that plum seed oil exhibited no irritation potential during a 24-hour safety assessment since transepidermal water loss (TEWL) decreased (p <0.05), and erythema index didn’t change significantly. Results of 28-day efficacy study suggested, potential anti-irritant effects after long-term usage. In addition, pH, skin integrity and skin color were preserved during the study, while skin hydration was increased. To our knowledge, this is the first study to employ non-invasive biophysical methods to assess the influence of plum seed oil in cosmetic formulations. These findings point plum seed oil’s potential as a natural, sustainable, safe and effective raw material for cosmetics.

This study focuses on evaluating the antioxidant activity of pomegranate (lat. Punica granatum L.) peel extracts obtained through various extraction methods, including ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), Soxhlet extraction, and maceration, using methanol and 96% ethanol as solvents. These techniques were chosen for their differing effects on the preservation of thermosensitive phytochemicals. Antioxidant potential was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, with absorbance measured at 517 nm using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The results demonstrated that the efficiency of antioxidant activity largely depended on the extraction method and solvent used. A lower IC50 value indicates higher antioxidant activity, as it reflects a greater efficiency in neutralizing free radicals at a lower concentration. Extracts obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction exhibited the highest radical scavenging capacity with an IC50 value of 19.049 μg/mL, while those obtained by Soxhlet extraction with ethanol showed comparatively weaker activity with an IC50 value of 34.210 μg/mL, likely due to the thermal degradation of sensitive bioactive compounds. The maceration method, although mild and solvent-efficient, yielded moderate antioxidant activity, highlighting the balance between extraction intensity and preservation of functional constituents. The study emphasizes the importance of optimizing extraction conditions to maximize the recovery of bioactive compounds from plant materials. Given the phytochemical richness and biological potential of pomegranate peel, the findings support its application as a natural source of antioxidants in the development of dermocosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations aimed at combating oxidative stress and disorders related to hyperpigmentation and skin aging.

This research investigates the efficiency of two methods for extracting bioactive compounds from fig leaves (Ficus carica) using different solvents. Dried fig leaves were used as  extraction material. The focus is on Soxhlet extraction and Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) methods. Also, two different solvents, methanol and ethanol, were used for extractions. Given that the enzyme ficin is one of the significant bioactive compounds in fig leaf latex, the aim was to explore and determine which method and solvent gives a higher extraction yield and better preservation of thermolabile components such as this enzyme. The results show that Soxhlet extraction provides a higher total extract yield and requires a longer extraction time. In this study, the highest yields of 12.3% were obtained using the methanol solvent using the Soxhlet method compared to ultrasonic extraction which showed a lower yield of 6.4%. In contrast to that, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) yields a higher-quality extract in a shorter extraction time. However, due to the high temperatures required for Soxhlet extraction, denaturation of ficin occurs, which leads to the formation of a dry extract without the presence of this enzyme. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method does not require high temperatures, which enables the preservation of ficin and the formation of a mucilaginous extract due to the presence of enzymes. Due to the temperature sensitivity of bioactive compounds, the choice of extraction method significantly affects the stability and quality of the final extract.

In this study, polyphenolic compounds from pomegranate peel (Punica granatum) were extracted using different extraction methods. Three techniques were applied for polyphenol extraction: Soxhlet extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and maceration. These methods varied in the time required for extraction and the yield of dry extract. For Soxhlet and ultrasound-assisted extraction, two solvents were used: methanol and ethanol. While maceration is simple and cost-effective, it was found to be the least efficient method for extraction. The removal of ethanol and methanol from the extracts was successfully achieved through evaporation, ensuring the purity of the extracts.The results obtained showed that Soxhlet extraction with methanol gave the highest yield of 33.5% compared to the ethanol solvent with 30.45%.Ultrasound-assisted extraction also yielded significant results, but the difference in yield was more pronounced depending on the solvent used. The goal of this study was to determine and present the efficiency of each extraction method. Further research will focus on assessing the antioxidant capacity of the extracted polyphenolic compounds.

Origanum compactum, Melaleuca alternifolia, and Cinnamomum camphora essential oils are recognized for their therapeutic potential, including their selective cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines. Our research focused on examining the cytotoxic effects of these essential oils on three human carcinoma cell lines: lung carcinoma (H460), cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa), and colorectal carcinoma (HCT116). The MTT-based cell viability assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity of essential oils. The results demonstrated that all three essential oils exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxic potential, with varying levels of growth inhibition across the cell lines. Notably, the highest sensitivity was observed in H460 cells, and the lowest sensitivity was found in HCT116 cells. Origanum compactum demonstrated the strongest cytotoxicity across all cell lines (GI50 73 - 154 nL/mL), making it the most promising candidate for further investigation, particularly for lung and cervical cancer treatment.

This study compares two titrimetric methods for quantifying acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in aspirin tablets stored under different environmental conditions. ASA stability can be influenced by factors such as temperature, humidity, and light exposure. The two titrimetric methods used are acid-base titration with hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Aspirin tablets were stored for 30 days under controlled conditions simulating varying environmental factors, and both methods were evaluated for accuracy, precision, and reliability. The results show a strong  correlation between the two methods, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.937 and a high Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), indicating consistency and reliability. However, the paired t-test revealed a statistically significant difference (r = 0.937, p = 0.001) between the  methods, suggesting small but meaningful discrepancies in their results. The Bland-Altman   analysis demonstrated that Method I consistently provided higher values than Method II, while the linear regression analysis indicated that Method II slightly underestimates values compared to Method I. Overall, both methods were found to be highly reliable and interchangeable within certain limits, but the small systematic differences between them should be considered when interpreting results. This study provides valuable insights into the performance of titrimetric   methods for ASA quantification, contributing to the optimization of pharmaceutical analysis techniques.

Plant oils have attracted interest for centuries as natural remedies in treatment of various diseases. The Inula verbascifolia (Willd.) Hausskn.isgrowing wild plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Aromatic natural oils are one of the most significant sources of natural organic components. The natural vegetable oil of the selected plant (Inula verb.) was obtained by the hydrodistillation method. A comparison was made between the fragrant vegetable oil from the aerial parts of the plant in the flowering period (summer) and after the flowering period (autumn). In this study, chemical compounds were tested, comparing the content and composition of natural oils from the plant Inula verbascifolia. The aerial parts of the plant contained a fragrant and yellow essential oil. The identified 125 constituents accounted for 86.87% and 88.38% of the oil. The dominant compounds of both EOs were tridecanal, (3Z)- hexenyl benzoate, α-murolol, hexadecanoic acid, linalool and undecanal. Since essential aromatic oils possess a number of antimicrobial properties, an analysis of antimicrobial activity was also performed in this work. The antimicrobial activity of a mixture of EOs was determined on selected ATCC strains of microorganisms. Results of antimicrobial activity indicated that all used the microorganisms were sensitive to the EO. No data about antimicrobial activity of Inula verbascifolia has been published yet.

This study evaluated the stability of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in commercial Aspirin Protect 100 mg tablets under eight different storage conditions, including varying exposure to moisture, light, and temperature, with a focus on tablets stored in dosette boxes. Acid-base titration methods were used to assess ASA degradation and stability. Elevated moisture had the greatest impact on ASA stability, significantly reducing recovery factors to 85.38% and 81.10% under high humidity, while temperature influenced ASA stability, with notable deviations from control values at temperatures above 25°C (13.26% and 7.16% for two methods). Although storage at 18–25°C yielded acceptable results, reduced temperatures (<8°C) provided better stability. Direct sunlight exposure caused further degradation, reducing recovery values to as low as 82.5% and increasing deviations from control (-10.82% to -16.77%). Hydrolysis, exacerbated by environmental factors, was identified as the primary degradation pathway, leading to the formation of salicylic acid and acetic acid. Samples stored in under recommended conditions had the best stability, with recovery factors meeting pharmacopoeia standards (101.08% and 99.16% of labelled content). These findings underscore the importance of proper storage practices for ASA tablets to maintain their quality, safety, and therapeutic efficacy. While repackaging tablets into dosette boxes may improve compliance, it can compromise stability, highlighting the need for stricter storage guidelines to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common complication after cardiac surgery, increasing morbidity, ICU stay, dialysis need, hospitalization length, and costs. Despite prophylactic strategies, POAF incidence remains high, especially in moderate and high risk patients. Objective: To assess the effect of amiodarone on POAF incidence and onset timing in moderate and high risk patients. Methods: This prospective observational study included 454 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Risk stratification of patients was based on the McSPI AFRisk Index, compared with the POAF Score and CHA2DS2-VASc Score. Moderate and high risk patients received amiodarone in combination with beta blockers (Amiodarone group), while low risk patients received beta blockers only. The primary outcome was POAF incidence, analyzed via Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. Secondary analysis compared POAF rates between groups using the χ2 test. Results: POAF occurred in 5.95% of the Amiodarone group versus 9.25% in the beta blocker group (overall incidence: 15.2%). The relative risk reduction was 27% (RR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.105-0.689, p = 0.006). POAF incidence was significantly lower in the Amiodarone group (p = 0.008, χ2 test). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed delayed POAF onset in the Amiodarone group (median: 48h vs. 33h, p = 0.0007). Cox regression confirmed a 73% lower risk of early POAF (HR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.105-0.689, p = 0.006). Conclusion: Amiodarone combined with beta blockers reduces POAF incidence and delays its onset after CABG. Keywords: POAF, CABG, amiodarone, risk stratification. Keywords: Body Dysmorphia, PCOS patients, prevalence.