Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

Phytochemical Analysis And Safety Assessment Of Watercress Nasturtium Officinale: Antioxidant Capacity, Heavy Metal Profiling, And Toxicity Using Brine Shrimp Model, Qurrota A’Yunin, Chamini Kasun Hemachandra, Muhaimin Rifa’I, Yoga Dwi Jatmiko, Maftuch Maftuch, Rizky Fadilla Agustin Rangkuti, Cucun Herlina, Zulfa Mahdiatur Rasyida, Moh Dliyauddin

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Medicinal plants have attracted growing attention as sources of natural bioactive compounds for sustainable aquaculture and health. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, heavy metal profile, and acute toxicity of watercress (Nasturtium officinale W.T. Aiton) methanol extract using maceration, qualitative and quantitative (TPC, TFC, antioxidant DPPH) phytochemical assay, XRF, and BSLA. Phytochemical screening of plant extracts showed the existence of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, tannins, triterpenoids, and saponins, but not steroidal. The TPC and TFC were 20.6 mg GAE/g and 10.8 mg QE/g, respectively. The extract displayed significant antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 64.78 µg/mL in DPPH assay). …

Soybean Fermentation Broth Alleviates Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Mucosal Injury, Hsiao-Chi Wang, Yue-Jhu Chen, Hui-Yun Tsai, Jue-Liang Hsu, Yu-Kuo Chen

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Dietary strategies and plant-based fermented foods have attracted increasing interest for supporting gastrointestinal health, particularly under conditions of drug-induced mucosal stress. Soybean fermentation broth (SFB), a fermented soybean-derived product, may possess enhanced nutritional and functional properties through fermentation-associated generation of bioactive peptides and antioxidant metabolites. This study evaluated the gastroprotective effects of SFB in an indomethacin-induced gastric injury model in rats and investigated the underlying mechanisms. Indomethacin markedly induced gastric ulcer formation (16.61 ± 1.38 mm²), whereas SFB pretreatment significantly attenuated ulcer development in a dose-dependent manner, reducing ulcer area to 6.66 ± 0.98, 3.89 ± 0.63, and …

Garambullo (Myrtillocactus Geometrizans) Reduces Cell Viability Via Apoptosis And Inhibits Colony Formation In Ht-29 And Sw480 Colon Cancer Cell Lines., López-Alvarez Guadalupe Soledad, Gutierrez-Silerio Gloria Yareli, García-Solís Pablo, Morales-Bárcenas Rocio, Sánchez-Pérez Yesennia, Hernández-Puga Ana Gabriela, Vergara-Castañeda Haydé Azeneth

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Garambullo (Myrtillocactus geometrizans) is a Mexican fruit rich in bioactive phytochemicals. Its fermented extract (FEG), obtained after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and fermentation, was evaluated in HT-29 and SW480 colorectal cancer cells. FEG reduced cell viability (IC50: 2985 and 3200 μg/mL, respectively) and induced apoptosis and necrosis. In 3D assays, FEG inhibited colony formation, with complete suppression in HT-29 cells. Molecular docking further suggested that butyric acid identified in FEG interacts with Caspase-3 and RIPK1. These findings support the antiproliferative and pro-death effects of FEG in colorectal cancer models.

Gut Microbiota-Mediated Modulation Of Circadian Rhythms: Physiological And Molecular Impacts Of Dietary Composition And Feeding Time, Yen-Chun Koh, Chun-Che Chang, Min-Hsiung Pan

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Circadian rhythms regulate fundamental aspects of physiology and behavior. The disruption of circadian rhythms has been associated with metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and impaired immune function. Feeding behavior and gut microbiota represent two essential nodes within this regulatory network, as both are highly responsive to environmental cues such as diet composition and sleep-wake cycles. Research has shown that high-fat diets, excessive fructose, and chronic alcohol consumption perturb peripheral circadian rhythms and impair metabolic pathways, contributing to obesity and insulin resistance. Conversely, dietary interventions such as time-restricted feeding and macronutrient-specific entrainment can restore rhythmic gene expression and prevent metabolic pathologies. …

Benefits And Risks Of Consuming Cannabis Sativa L. In Food, Ewa Matyjaszczyk, Maria Śmiechowska

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Cannabis sativa L. or hemp is a cosmopolitan, multi-purpose plant and area of its cultivation has been growing in recent years. Its public perception is influenced by potential to produce narcotic substances. However, hemp seed can be a valuable source of nutrients for humans and may be of particular interest in more sustainable food consumption patterns, including vegetarian and flexitarian diets.

The paper presents benefits and risks of hemp seeds in case of their consumption in food. Low cannabinoids varieties are considered only. The biological activity of cannabinoids and related effects are considered out of scope of the study.

Nutritional …

Solvent-Dependent Cytotoxicity Of Peperomia Pellucida Leaf Extracts Against Mcf-7 Breast Cancer Cells, Ade Arsianti, Rafael Erlangga Bagas Pratama, Steven Gill, Diyah Kristanty

Indonesian Journal of Medical Chemistry and Bioinformatics

Background: Breast cancer remains a major global health burden. Particularly in Indonesia, limitations of conventional chemotherapy, such as severe side effect, toxicity, and high cost, indicating the necessitate the development of alternative therapeutic agents. Peperomia pellucida, a medicinal plant rich in bioactive phytochemicals, has shown promising anticancer potential; however, its cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the influence of solvent polarity remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of P. pellucida leaf extracts which are prepared using different polarity of solvents (ethanol, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane).

Method: Dried leaf powder of P. pellucida was …

Elucidation Of Micro/Nanoplastic Signature Of Human And Murine Lung Tissue Utilizing Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, Aerlin D. Decker

Pharmaceutical Sciences ETDs

Micro-and Nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous biological pollutants that have been identified throughout a variety of biological samples. MNPs have been detected in several human tissues, such as the brain, kidneys, and liver. Lung tissue remains understudied for MNP accumulation despite the large surface area and clear path for exposure. Using Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), human lung tissue was evaluated for 12 different polymers, enabling quantification of total plastic per gram of tissue to be identified. Further analysis was performed with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to investigate heavy metal accumulation in human lung samples and determine whether a …

Toxic Relationships: Characterization Of A Putative Virally Encoded Toxin In The Thermophilic Archaeal Fusellovirus Ssv1, Jonathan C. Abshier, Patrizia L. Alpapara, Guasåli Tomokane, Kenneth M. Stedman

Center for Life in Extreme Environments Publications

Mechanisms for the maintenance of chronic viruses are poorly understood, particularly for archaeal viruses. Here, we identify the product of Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus 1 (SSV1) ORF a291 as a putative virally encoded toxin required for growth inhibition but dispensable for viral replication and virion production. Viruses lacking ORF a291 replicated their genomes and formed morphologically normal spindle-shaped particles, yet failed to inhibit the growth of uninfected Saccharolobus solfataricus. Substitution of residues at a predicted N-terminal signal peptide cleavage site abolished growth suppression without affecting replication, suggesting that secretion is essential for toxin function. Despite primary sequence divergence among fusellovirus …

Optimization Of Gemifloxacin Immediate-Release Tablets Using Quality By Design, Jong Woo Kim, Hyun Bon Kang, Yeun Hee Kim, Kang Min Kim

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

The objective of this study is to determine the design space (DS) for a dissolution-enhanced gemifloxacin immediate-release (IR) tablet incorporating hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD) for improved solubility, utilizing a quality by design (QbD) approach. Based on the preliminary studies, hardness, friability, disintegration time, assay, content uniformity, and dissolution rate were identified as the critical quality attributes (CQAs) for optimization. Through the initial risk assessment, crospovidone, main compression force, and the amount of granulating fluid were identified as factors influencing the CQAs, and a 2³ + 3 full factorial design of experiments (DoE) was conducted for optimization. According to the analysis of variance …

Pharmacological Potential Of Pomelo (Citrus Maxima) Peel: A Bibliometric Review Of Global Research Trends And Future Directions, Indah Zunita Sari, Alma Nur Azizah, Fitriana Nur Hanifah, David Fernando, Agung Endro Nugroho, Abdul Rohman

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Pomelo (Citrus maxima) is a widely cultivated tropical fruit with global production reaching approximately 8.55 million tons in 2023. This large-scale production generates a substantial amount of peel waste despite the fact that pomelo peel contains secondary metabolites with promising pharmacological potential. This study aimed to evaluate global research trends related to the pharmacological potential of pomelo peel using a bibliometric and review-based approach, as well as to identify future research directions. Data were collected from the Scopus database and filtered for English-language scientific articles, reviews, and conference proceedings. The analysis was performed using the Biblioshiny and VOSviewer …

Plant By-Products As A Valuble Source Of Natural Antiglycemic Compounds: Economic Aspects And Alternative Raw Material Sources, Tatjana Đorđević, Jelena Vujetić, Isidora Dickov, Diandra Pintać Šarac

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Plant by-products, often considered as waste in various agricultural and food processing industries, have emerged as a valuable source of natural antidiabetic or antihyperglycemic compounds. These compounds, derived from plant materials that would otherwise be discarded, have the potential to mitigate the global burden of diabetes and offer sustainable solutions for glycemic control. Prominent groups of natural antidiabetic compounds found in plant by-products are polyphenols, as well as bioactive proteins and peptides. In addition, agro-industrial residues such as wheat bran, oat husks, and fruit peels are excellent sources of carbohydrates that can be incorporated into functional foods to help manage …

Emerging Antifungal Strategies Against Candida Albicans Using Metal–Organic Frameworks And Novel Therapeutics: Opportunities And Challenges, Amanpreet Singh, Sandeep Kumar, Sehrabpreet Singh, Jeewanjot Singh

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen responsible for infections ranging from superficial mucosal disease to life-threatening systemic candidiasis, particularly in immunocompromised hosts. Its pathogenicity is enhanced by morphological plasticity, biofilm formation, and immune evasion, contributing to antifungal resistance. Limitations of existing antifungals have driven interest in emerging therapeutics. This review highlights strategies including metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), host-directed therapies (HDTs), CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, and phytochemicals. MOFs offer high drug-loading capacity, controlled release, and enhanced penetration into biofilms, showing promise against drug-resistant strains. Selected phytochemicals demonstrate inhibitory effects on virulence traits such as hyphal formation and enzyme secretion. CRISPR-Cas9 …

An Optical Fiber Caffeine Sensor Using A Molecularly Imprinted Polymethacrylic Acid Membrane Coated On Optical Fiber Surface As A Transducer, Josiah W. Miller, Jason D. Mccaslin, Shiquan Tao

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Caffeine is a neurotransmitter, important to human health. This compound exists in many food products, has been added to soft drinks, pharmaceutical drugs. For many applications, a field deployable technique for quick detecting caffeine is attractive. In this paper, we report a selective optical fiber caffeine sensor using a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) membrane as a transducer. The membrane extracts/concentrate caffeine from sample solutions significantly improved sensor’s sensitivity with a 95 times sensitivity improvement. The sensor achieved a detection limit of 0.20 µg/mL. This sensor was used to directly analyze caffeine in soft drink products without interference from sample matrix.

Progress And Prospective Of New Pollutants Study, Ruan Ting, Chunyang Liao, Yawei Wang, Maoyong Song, Yaqi Cai, Guibin Jiang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The governance of new pollutants has been becoming a critical strategic demand for the high-quality development of China. The policy will be further advanced during the coming National 15th Five-Year Plan period. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain in aspects such as list of controlled chemicals, standard development, measurement methods, alternative approaches, and remediation techniques. Existing experience in addressing traditional pollutants remains insufficient to adequately address the concealed and complex ecological and/or health risks associated with new pollutants. Thus, a strengthening of basic research is the optimal approach to tackling these challenges and avoiding detours. To better identify the critical scientific challenges …

Measuring And Mapping Spatial Distributions Of Soil Lead Concentrations Along Chicago Parkways: West Ridge And Near South Side, Alyssa M. Kain

DePaul Discoveries

Lead is a heavy metal that can be found in every part of our planet. Human activities like the extraction of fossil fuels and degradation of construction materials can release lead into the environment, where it travels and accumulates in places like our soil or water. Despite efforts to lower the use of lead-based materials within the last fifty years, lead contamination remains as a threat to public health and safety. Elevated blood lead levels are known to cause a variety of health issues particularly for young children and pregnant women. This study aims to measure, map, and analyze the …

Fish Tissue Digestion And Microplastic Polymer Identification Protocol Using Open-Source Ftir Database, Shawn L. Kissinger, Vick-Ariel Privert, Jason Bystriansky, Kyle A. Grice

DePaul Discoveries

Microplastic (MP) contamination in aquatic ecosystems poses significant concerns for environmental and public health, as seafood represents a critical food source worldwide. Despite increasing evidence of MP presence in marine organisms, efficient and accessible detection methods remain essential for characterizing contamination patterns and informing regulatory frameworks. This study extracted MPs from brain, gill, intestine, liver, and muscle tissues of gilt-head bream (Sparus aurata) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), two commercially important species from the Gulf of Cádiz, Spain, using a NaOH–HNO₃ chemical digestion protocol. Isolated particles were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, with …

Clearing The Air: Tracking Spatial And Temporal Pm2.5 Variability Along A Biking Transect In Chicago, Beau R. Rass

DePaul Discoveries

Fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) poses significant risks to human health and disproportionately affects marginalized communities in urban environments (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021; Tessum et al., 2021). Using low-cost mobile sensors, this study explored spatiotemporal PM₂.₅ concentration patterns along a north–south transect of Halsted Street in Chicago. A 2B Technologies Portable Aerosol Monitor (PAM) mounted on a bicycle was used to continuously record PM₂.₅ concentrations with associated GPS coordinates at approximately two-second intervals during 16 sampling events between 08-12-2025 and 10-05-2025. PM₂.₅ concentrations did not differ significantly among the South Side, West Loop, and North Side regions, contrary to the …

Advanced Hybrid-Green Ultrasound–Infrared–Microwave Trifolium Repens Essential Oil Isolation With Multi-Target Ethnomedicine Bioactivity Against Neuropathy, Inflammation And Multidrug-Resistant Infection, Sara Al Ayoubi, Ibrahim Abdelwahab, Maha Aboul-Ela, Abdalla El- Lakany, Karim Raafat

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Trifolium repens (white clover) is rich in bioactive volatiles with therapeutic potential. This study developed an advanced hybrid ultrasound–infrared–microwave hydro-distillation (UIMHD) method for efficient essential oil (EO) isolation and investigated its active sesquiterpene, pseudoionone, for multi-mechanistic neuroprotection in diabetic neuropathy (DN). The optimized UIMHD system synergistically combined ultrasound cavitation, infrared heating, and microwave hydro-distillation, enhancing yield and reducing time versus conventional extraction. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) profiling identified pseudoionone as the dominant constituent. Pharmacological evaluations were performed in alloxan-induced diabetic mice to assess antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anticonvulsant activities. Cytokine modulation (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10), oxidative stress markers (CAT, GSH, TBARS), …

Can Semaglutide Influence Tumor Biomarkers? Insight From A Clinical Case, Alice Schianchi, Fabio Mauri, Christian Polli

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in literature, regarding an increase in tumoral biomarkers during a treatment with Semaglutide. A 61-year-old patient was referred to our gynecological consultation due to suspected adnexal cysts following an MRI performed for a functional defecation disorder. The patient was on Semaglutide treatment. Gynecological examination and transvaginal ultrasound were normal, with no evidence of adnexal cysts. Tumor biomarker testing revealed a significant increase in CA 19-9 and a mild elevation in CA-125. In an asymptomatic patient, these findings raised suspicion of a possible neoplastic origin involving the pancreas or biliary tract. However, …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of I-Fiber Pearl On Reducing Body Fat Accumulation In Obese Females: A Randomized, Double-Blind, And Placebo-Controlled Trial, Hung-Hsuan Kuo, Chia-Chun Chen, Ching-Chang Cho, Chun-Tse Tsai, Shiuan-Chih Chen, Chin-Lin Hsu

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Obesity is a growing public health challenge worldwide, strongly linked to metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Inulin, a soluble, fermentable fiber derived mainly from Jerusalem artichoke and chicory, has been reported to improve weight management and metabolic health. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effects of inulin-enriched tapioca pearls (I-fiber pearl) on body composition and lipid parameters in obese women. Methods: Fifty women (BMI ≥ 27 or waist > 80 cm; age 20–50 years) were randomized to receive either I-fiber pearl or placebo (2 packs/day, 100 g/pack) for 12 weeks. Anthropometric indices, body composition, and blood biochemistry …

Spatial Distribution: Effect Of Oxygen Availability On Gut Microbiota Adhesion And Colonization, Ruixue Ding, Xiaotong Sun, Yinan Wang, Binbin Tu, Yue Liang, Qi Lin, Fuqiang Zhao

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in host digestion and immune regulation; however, most existing research relies on fecal sampling, leaving uncertainty regarding whether fecal microbiota can accurately reflect the symbiotic microbial components at distinct gut sites. To address this gap, this study employed 16S rRNA gene sequencing to systematically analyze the microbial composition of three spatial compartments in the rat colon: luminal contents, mucus layer, and epithelial tissue. The results revealed notable differences in microbial communities across the three compartments. The luminal contents, which were closely associated with the fecal microbiota, exhibited high microbial abundance, encompassing gram-positive bacteria, …

Novel Oral Delivery System Using Modified Inulin For Enhanced Liver Cancer Therapy, Sung-Ling Tang, Yu-Ju Lai, Wei-Cheng Lin, Meng-Yi Bai, Yu-Chi Wang

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although advanced oral anticancer drugs, such as sorafenib and lenvatinib, are available for treating HCC, their effectiveness is limited by significant side effects and the requirement for optimal liver function, restricting their broader use. Furthermore, these drugs cannot be used in combination, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes. This study introduces a novel therapeutic approach by repurposing two existing drugs, niclosamide and disulfiram, as a combination therapy to treat HCC. Despite their known anticancer properties, these drugs face challenges such as high lipophilicity and a significant first-pass effect, resulting in …

Effect Of Cosmetic Whitening Ingredients’ Lipophilicity On Melanocyte Cytotoxicity: A Systematic Review, Lord Sam B. Liston, Zach Uriel Cabije, Enrico John Belleza, Catherine Ortega, Mark Niño Melgo, Vanbeth Camson, Sabrina Dahlizar, Pajaree Sakdiset, Gea Abigail Ecoy, Gerard Lee See, Florencio Jr. Arce

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Tyrosinase is an enzyme involved in the early stages of melanin synthesis. Melanin, which gives skin its pigment, is the most targeted molecule in the development of skin-whitening cosmetic products. Consequential risks of chemically induced skin diseases are associated with the usage of skin-whitening products that contain tyrosinase-inhibiting compounds. Currently, products containing tyrosinase inhibitors on the market lack collective analysis of their toxicity on melanocytes. Moreover, national regulatory agencies (e.g., FDA) place the burden of ensuring the safety of whitening products on manufacturers, risking bias and selective reporting. In fact, the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive does not include more than half …

The Protective Potential Of Intestinal Bifidobacterium-Derived Extracellular Vesicles With Unique Lipid Composition Against Blue Light-Induced Damage In Retinal Cells, Wei-Hsuan Hsu, Pin-Hsuan Su, Hao-Yuan Chien, Tzu-Ming Pan, Bao-Hong Lee

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Bifidobacterium longum is a probiotic that resides in the intestine, and extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by microorganisms have garnered attention in recent years for their role in regulating host health. This study found that triacylglycerol, cholesteryl esters, and free fatty acid (18:0 and 16:0) are primarily composed of lipids in B. longum-derived EVs by lipidomics assay. Such lipid composition facilitates the entry of EVs into ARPE-19 cells and protects the cells from oxidative death induced by blue light exposure. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that treatment with B. longum-derived EVs can regulate phosphoinositide 3-kinase and mTOR, thereby enhancing the survival …

Systematic Verification Of Saliva-Based Biosignatures For Oral Cancer Via Targeted Metabolomics, Ya-Ju Hsieh, Yu Chang, Chi Yang, Nai Hsuan Teng, Jau-Song Yu, Kai-Ping Chang, Wen-Chen Chen, Lichieh Julie Chu, Yi-Ting Chen

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a major global health challenge, and early detection is essential for improving patient outcomes. To identify reliable salivary biomarkers, we performed a targeted metabolomics study using ¹³C₂/¹²C₂-dansylation, integrating candidate metabolites from published OSCC metabolomics datasets and systematically verifying them through LC-MRM-MS. A panel of 26 metabolites was quantified in saliva samples from 299 subjects, including healthy controls (n = 98), oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD I, n = 50; OPMD II, n = 53), and OSCC patients (n = 98). Among these, cadaverine, N-acetylcadaverine, choline, glycine, and …

Phthalate Exposure And Lipid Disruption In Taiwanese Children: Insights From Serum Lipidomic Approach, Tzu-Hsin Yen, Wei-Chen Tseng, Sheng-Han Lee, Zhi-Yi Du, Wan-Yu Lin, Mei-Huei Chen, Ching-Chun Lin, Ching-Chun Lin, Hui-Ju Wen, Hao-Jan Liang, Yue-Leon Guo, Pau-Chung Chen, Ching-Yu Lin

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that raise particular concern for children, who generally experience higher exposure levels and are more susceptible to environmental pollutants. To understand potential molecular mechanisms, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 256 Taiwanese children aged 8–10 years from two population-based cohorts: the Taiwan Birth Panel Study and the Taiwan Early-Life Cohort. Serum phosphocholine-containing lipids were profiled by liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry and associated with urinary levels of 12 phthalate metabolites. Multiple linear regression models, adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic factors, revealed that mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), an oxidative metabolite of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), …

Applications Of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy In Pediatric Clinical Metabolomics: From Research To Future Perspectives, Chieh-Ni Kuo, Meng-Han Chiang, Hsien-Ju Lee, Yu-Ying Yu, Eric Yi-Liang Shen, Chih-Yung Chiu

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Metabolomics studies small-molecule metabolites to provide insights into health and disease, supporting early diagnosis and personalized medicine. Advances in mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) have expanded its use in metabolic, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. In pediatrics, high-resolution NMR metabolomics has been instrumental in identifying age-related metabolic changes during early childhood and their associations with growth, nutrition, and disease risk. However, a comprehensive review of its clinical applications and future potential remains limited. This review highlights how utilizing specific NMR pulse sequences, such as CPMG and NOESY, allows for precise and non-destructive metabolic profiling of diverse biofluids, supported by …

The Evolution Of Desi-Msi: A Comprehensive Look At Preprocessing And Quantification Strategies For Metabolomics, Cheng-Hung Yang, Hung-Yao Ho, Chen-Yu Chang, Mei-Ling Cheng

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has become an indispensable tool in metabolomics for visualizing the spatial distribution of biomolecules within tissues. Due to its direct, ambient analysis capability, desorption electrospray ionization (DESI-MSI) has evolved from a rapid screening tool into a precise and reliable quantitative platform. We delve into its technical principles and particularly review the criticality of sample preprocessing, highlighting the paradigm shift from a "no-preprocessing" approach to one of "optimized preprocessing." The paper details how factors like sample preservation, choice of embedding agents, washing, drying, and on-tissue chemical derivatization all impact data quality. We also discuss how the addition …

Advanced Technologies Of Single-Cell Metabolomics Unveiling Cellular Metabolic Heterogeneity For Biological And Biomedical Research, Shang-Che Kuo, Ting-Wei Tsao, I-Fan Wang, Ying-Lan Chen

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Metabolomics provides direct insights into cellular physiology, yet it faces greater analytical challenges compared to genomics and transcriptomics due to the chemical diversity, instability, and environmental sensitivity of metabolites. Conventional bulk metabolomics averages signals across cell populations, thereby masking cellular heterogeneity critical for understanding disease mechanisms. Recent breakthroughs in single-cell metabolomics (SCM), driven by advances in mass spectrometry, microfluidics, isotope tracing, and spatial omics, have enabled the detection of metabolic diversity at unprecedented resolution. SCM has uncovered cell-type-specific biomarkers, revealed metabolic reprogramming in cancer and immunity and revealed disease progression. These studies highlight SCM’s transformative potential in biomarker discovery, clinical …

Metabolomics Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfas) Exposure: Advances In Lc-Ms Technology And Applications, Yu-Meng Wang, Pei-Chen Lin, Yu-Da Zheng, Pin-Shiuan Wu, Kuo-Tai Hua, Sung-Fang Chen

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals known for their high stability and bioaccumulation potential, leading to their widespread presence in the environment and human tissues. Exposure to PFAS has been associated with significant health concerns, including neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and metabolic disturbances. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) based metabolomics has emerged as a powerful and central tool for PFAS research, enabling the comprehensive analysis of metabolic changes induced by exposure. This review provides a critical summary of the applications of LC-MS metabolomics in both clinical studies and various experimental models, including in vivo models (mice) and in …