Antioxidant Capability Research Articles

Cyclamen libanoticum is a Novel Bioresource for Green Silver Nanoparticles with Antibacterial and Antioxidant Capabilities

Background: It has become essential to look into alternatives that effectively stop bacterial infections due to the exponential rise in antibiotic resistance. The field of nanotechnology has made significant strides in development by surmounting obstacles that have impeded success and advancement in other fields. Nanoparticles (NPs) are the key component in the burgeoning field of nanotechnology. Objective: Cyclamen libanoticum leaf extract (CLE) was used as a reducing and capping agent, with silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution as a precursor for synthesizing silver nanoparticles (CLEAgNPs). This study aimed to generate green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and assess their antioxidant and antibacterial capacities. Methods: CLE-AgNPs were characterized utilizing UV–vis spectrometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and photoluminescence (PL). Using the radical scavenging assay 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), the antioxidant activity of CLEAgNPs was evaluated. Several assays were employed to examine the antibacterial effect of CLE-AgNPs against various gram-positive and negative bacteria. Results: Upon analysis, the synthesis revealed 17 nm face-centered cubic CLE-AgNPs (λmax= 431 nm). CLE-AgNPs manifested noticeable antioxidant activity and prominent inhibitory effects on the tested bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the CLE-AgNPs was 31.25 μg/mL for the eight bacterial species. Besides, the results revealed that CLE-AgNPs effectively suppressed the development of bacterial biofilms and could eradicate them. Conclusion: The present investigation introduced Cyclamen libanoticum as a novel bioresource into green chemistry to produce AgNPs with antibacterial and antioxidant capabilities.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticle from flower extract of Dillenia indica and its efficacy as antibacterial and antioxidant

Dillenia indica is a medicinal tree of the Dilleniaceae and its flower extract was used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticle (AgNPs). The optimal conditions for AgNPs synthesis were as such: 2 mM AgNO3, pH 4.5 and 48-h reaction time. The characteristic band of AgNPs was observed at the wavelength of 435 nm by UV–visible spectroscopic study. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis depicted the involvement of several functional groups of plant extracts in the synthesis of AgNPs. Nanoparticles were mostly spherical shaped and uniformly distributed, when observation was made by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) showed absorption peak approximately at 3 keV thus confirmed the presence of silver metal in AgNP. X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigation and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns showed the crystalline nature of the AgNPs. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis exhibited average size of the nanoparticles as 50.17 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) value of 0.298. The zeta potential of nanoparticles was observed as −24.9 mV. To assess antibacterial activity, both AgNPs alone or its combination with the antibiotic were tried against six pathogenic bacteria. The combination of AgNPs with antibiotic was maximum effective against Shigella boydii (16.07 ± 0.35) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.03 ± 0.20). AgNPs alone showed maximum inhibition for both Gram-positive bacteria: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (19.97 ± 0.20 mm) and Enterococcus faecium (19.80 ± 0.15 mm). Maximum inhibition of Enterobactor cloacae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was observed by antibiotic taken alone. Evaluation through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and DNA nicking assays demonstrated the antioxidant capabilities of the nanoparticles.

Assessing the antioxidant properties of Naringin and Rutin and investigating their oxidative DNA damage effects in breast cancer

This work examines the capacity of Naringin and Rutin to influence the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway by investigating their interactions with key DDR proteins, including PARP-1, ATM, ATR, CHK1, and WEE1. Through a combination of in silico molecular docking and in vitro evaluations, we investigated the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of these compounds on MDA-MB-231 cells, comparing them to normal human fibroblast cells (2DD) and quiescent fibroblast cells (QFC). The research found that Naringin and Rutin had strong affinities for DDR pathway proteins, indicating their capacity to specifically regulate DDR pathways in cancer cells. Both compounds exhibited preferential cytotoxicity towards cancer cells while preserving the vitality of normal 2DD fibroblast cells, as demonstrated by cytotoxicity experiments conducted at a dose of 10 µM. The comet experiments performed particularly on QFC cells provide valuable information on the genotoxic impact of Naringin and Rutin, highlighting the targeted initiation of DNA damage in cancer cells. The need to use precise cell models to appropriately evaluate toxicity and genotoxicity is emphasized by this discrepancy. In addition, ADMET and drug-likeness investigations have emphasized the pharmacological potential of these compounds; however, they have also pointed out the necessity for optimization to improve their therapeutic profiles. The antioxidant capabilities of Naringin and Rutin were assessed using DPPH and free radical scavenging assays at a concentration of 10 µM. The results confirmed that both compounds have a role in reducing oxidative stress, hence enhancing their anticancer effects. Overall, Naringin and Rutin show potential as medicines for modulating the DDR in cancer treatment. They exhibit selective toxicity towards cancer cells while sparing normal cells and possess strong antioxidant properties. This analysis enhances our understanding of the therapeutic uses of natural chemicals in cancer treatment, supporting the need for more research on their mechanisms of action and clinical effectiveness.

Enhancing radical scavenging using reduced graphene oxide based metal organic frameworks: A comparative study

This work reports the facile fabrication of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) based metallic (R) (copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au) and trimetallic (Tm)) nanocomposites or metal organic frameworks (MOFs) using glucose as a reducing and stabilizing agent in an eco-friendly and low-cost method. The morphology, physicochemical properties and size of different nanocomposites were determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV–Visible spectroscopy, Transmission electron Microscopy (TEM), Cyclic voltametry and Raman spectra, respectively. In comparative experimental investigations, antioxidant behavior of rGO, RNPs (metallic nanoparticles: AuNPs, CuNPs, AgNPs, TmNPs (trimetallic NPs), rGO-RNPs (rGOCuNPs, rGO-AgNPs, rGO-AuNPs, and rGO-TmNPs or Au@Ag@Cu decorated rGO) was explored for the first time. The antioxidant behavior was estimated by radical scavenging assays viz. total antioxidant, ferric power reducing and hydrogen peroxide assay. Interestingly, antioxidant properties of rGO-RNPs nanocomposite (R-Cu/Au/Ag/Tm)) were found to be arranged in the descending order of AA (ascorbic acid)>rGO-TmNPs > TmNPs >rGOCuNPs > rGO-AgNPs > rGO-AuNPs >AgNPs > CuNPs > AuNPs for total antioxidant assay. In similar way order or arrangmet was rGO-TmNPs > rGO-AgNPs > rGO-AuNPs > AuNPs > TmNPs > rGOCuNPs > AA >AgNPs > CuNPs for hydrogen peroxide scavenging method. And order of arrangment was found to be rGO-TmNPs-GO > rGOCuNPs > rGO-AgNPs > rGO-AuNPs > CuNPs > AgNPs > AuNPs> TmNPs > AA using ferric reducing power assay. These findings indicated that TmNPs decorated rGO showed the best antioxidant capabilities among rGO, RNPs and rGO-RNPs nanocomposites. Furthermore, electrochemical assessment of kinetic parameters (such as peak separation potential, peak current, diffusion coefficient, k°, Ψ, concentration of ionic species etc.) estimated using cyclic voltammetry provided insight towards favourable drift obsereved in all these parameters, that appear to be contributing towards improved conducting behavior. This behavior could also have emerged from improving the disorder in sp2/sp3 carbon of rGO and metal nanoparticles, thereby improving the stability and favorable ease in transfer of electrons between metal NPs and rGO surface. Since these metallic RNPs were found to be uniformly distributed onto rGO surface, this synergistic amalgamation of rGO and multi-metallic nanoparticles possess great potential for low cost, eco-friendly opportunities to tap various environmental and industrial applications. Further investigations to assess catalytic applications, clinical diagnostics and antimicrobial activity estimations are under way.

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Extracts from Different Parts of the Paullinia cupana Kunth Plant: Characterization and In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity.

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can be developed using safe and environmentally friendly routes, can replace potentially toxic chemical methods, and can increase the scale of production. This study aimed to synthesize AgNPs from aqueous extracts of guarana (Paullinia cupana) leaves and flowers, collected in different seasons of the year, as a source of active biomolecules capable of reducing silver ions (Ag+) and promoting the stabilization of colloidal silver (Ag0). The plant aqueous extracts were characterized regarding their metabolic composition by liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS), phenolic compound content, and antioxidant potential against free radicals. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV/Vis spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). The results demonstrated that the chemical characterization indicated the presence of secondary metabolites of many classes of compounds in the studied aqueous extracts studied, but alkaloids and flavonoids were predominant, which are widely recognized for their antioxidant capabilities. It was possible to notice subtle changes in the properties of the nanostructures depending on parameters such as seasonality and the part of the plant used, with the AgNPs showing surface plasmon resonance bands between 410 and 420 nm using the leaf extract and between 440 and 460 nm when prepared using the flower extract. Overall, the average hydrodynamic diameters of the AgNPs were similar among the samples (61.98 to 101.6 nm). Polydispersity index remained in the range of 0.2 to 0.4, indicating that colloidal stability did not change with storage time. Zeta potential was above -30 mV after one month of analysis, which is adequate for biological applications. TEM images showed AgNPs with diameters between 40.72 to 48.85 nm and particles of different morphologies. EDX indicated silver content by weight between 24.06 and 28.81%. The synthesized AgNPs exhibited antimicrobial efficacy against various pathogenic microorganisms of clinical and environmental interest, with MIC values between 2.12 and 21.25 µg/mL, which is close to those described for MBC values. Therefore, our results revealed the potential use of a native species of plant from Brazilian biodiversity combined with nanotechnology to produce antimicrobial agents.

Characterization of Probiotic Potential Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Chinese Cabbage Brassica rapa subsp. Pekinensis

ABSTRACT This study aimed to isolate and evaluate the probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis) that is typically used in Kimchi, a Korean fermented product. Lactococcus lactis VLC.1 and VLC.2, and Lactococcus garvieae VLC.3 were identified and further assessed for their probiotic properties. These strains exhibited biological activity such as antioxidant capabilities, antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, hydrophobicity, and co-aggregation. These findings suggest their potential as probiotics to alleviate oxidative stress and maintain gastrointestinal flora balance. Significantly, the cell-free supernatants derived from LAB isolates exhibited synergistic antimicrobial activity with effectiveness against Escherichia coli, providing novel strategies to address antibiotic resistance challenges. The LAB isolates showed no antibiotic resistance and lacked hemolytic activity, underscoring their safety and efficacy as probiotics. In summary, our findings contribute valuable insights into the biological and safety properties of LAB strains isolated from Chinese cabbage, highlighting their functional benefits.

Sausage Quality during Storage under the Partial Substitution of Meat with Fermented Oyster Mushrooms.

The increasing global demand for meat production, driven by a rapidly expanding population and changing dietary preferences has prompted the search for protein-rich, sustainable, and healthier meat alternatives. In this context, edible mushrooms are viewed as advantageous substitutes for meat, offering a viable solution. This study aimed to investigate the effects of partially replacing (25% and 50%) pork meat in sausage samples with fermented oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus), which were subjected to various pretreatments. Six different pretreatments were applied to fresh oyster mushrooms as follows: blanching in water, steaming, oven-cooking, microwave treatment, high hydrostatic pressure treatment, and ultraviolet light treatment. The effects of mushroom replacement on the moisture, pH, lipid oxidation, color, and textural properties of sausages during the 4-week refrigerated storage period were evaluated. The results revealed that replacing pork meat with fermented oyster mushrooms resulted in an increase in moisture content and b* values and a decrease in pH, L*, a*, and shear force values, proportional to the mushroom percentage. The lipid oxidation findings suggest that the antioxidant capabilities of fermented oyster mushrooms were influenced by the pretreatment methods applied to the mushrooms, exhibiting varying levels of effectiveness.

تحضير وتقييم بوليمرات رخيصة كمضادات للبكتريا ،الاكسدة ومثبطات تاكل لسبيكة من نوع N80 في تركيز 0.1N من حامض الفسفوريك

في هذا العمل ، تم تحضير بولي بوتادين (PBD) من نفايات الاطارات . وطعم البولي بوتادين المهلجن باستخدام أحادي وثنائي وثلاثي إيثانول امين ، ودرس التطعيم عن طريق حيود الأشعة السينية والمسح المجهري الإلكتروني. وتشير الخواص الحرارية (TGA, DSC) إلى أن المركبات المحضرة تمتلك ثابتًا حرارياً حتى 202 درجة مئوية. باستخدام تقنيات الاستقطاب الديناميكي الفعال ، تم قياس تأثيرات الامتزاز والتآكل للبوليمرات الثلاثة المطعمة على فولاذ N80 في.0.1N H3PO4 في اربع درجات حرارية مختلفة : 25 و 35 و 45 و 55 درجة مئوية. وقد اظهرت البوليمرات المحضرة كفاءة تثبيط ممتازة عند درجات الحرارة المختلفة. يعتبر pBut-g-mono ethanol amine هو الأكثر فعالية كمثبط للتآكل في جميع درجات الحرارة المختبرة. كما ان سلوك الامتزاز للبوليمرات الثلاث تخضع لمخطط لانجموير ، وقيم الطاقة الحرة المتحصلة توضح ان الامتزاز الذي يحدث على سطح N80هو من النوع المختلط كما تشير منحنيات تافل إلى أن البوليمرات المختبرة تعمل كمثبطات أنوديك وكاثودية مختلطة. من ناحية أخرى ،وجد أن جميع البوليمرات المحورة أظهرت خصائص متميزة كمضادة للأكسدة وللبكتيريا.

Exogenous alpha-lipoic acid treatments reduce the oxidative damage caused by drought stress in two grapevine rootstocks.

Drought represents the predominant and most critical abiotic stress challenge within the domain of viticulture, necessitating the identification and application of efficacious strategies to ameliorate its deleterious effects. In the contemporary realm of abiotic stress management, the deployment of α-lipoic acid (α-Lipo), known for its antioxidant capabilities, as an exogenous treatment has been investigated for mitigating various abiotic stresses in numerous plant species, yet a detailed exploration of its efficacy in alleviating drought stress in grapevines remains to be conclusively determined. This study aimed to elucidate the adaptive mechanisms against drought stress by examining the effects of different α-Lipo concentrations (0, 1, 25 and 50 μM) applied on the foliar under well-irrigated and drought conditions on American grapevine rootstocks '1103 P' (drought tolerant) and '3309 C' (drought sensitive). Our findings revealed that the efficacy of α-Lipo varied significantly depending on rootstock type and irrigation status. 1103 P rootstock treated with 1 μM α-Lipo under well-irrigated conditions showed greater positive effects on growth traits, photosynthetic and osmotic parameters. In contrast, in rootstock 3309 C under the same conditions, the highest effects were obtained at 25 and 50 μM α-Lipo concentrations. Under drought stress conditions, 50 μM α-Lipo treatment improved physiological parameters (chlorophyll content, proportional water coverage and stomatal conductance), proline content and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT and APX), while reducing electrolyte leakage and MDA levels in both rootstocks, showing a strong potential to increase oxidative stress tolerance and sustain plant growth. Heatmap visualization analysis confirmed the data obtained from Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and revealed that 1103 P treated with 50 μM α-Lipo under drought stress conditions exhibited superior physiological performance compared to 3309 C under the same conditions. This indicates the importance of potential rootstock differences in stress adaptation or α-Lipo uptake efficiency. These findings suggest that α-Lipo holds promise as an eco-friendly, natural bio-stimulant for use in arid environments, contributing to the advancement of sustainable agricultural practices in the foreseeable future.

Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of antioxidant, antimicrobial and drug likeness properties of indole containing 1,3,4-oxadiazoles

We have synthesized fourteen new 1,3,4-oxadiazole hybrid compounds (68a-68n) that contain indole. The characterization of fourteen new indolo-3,4-oxadiazoles derivatives (68a-68n) was performed using techniques such as Proton Nucelar Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR) and Liquid Chromatography – Mass spectrometry (LC-MS). All indolo-3,4-oxadiazoles derivatives (68a–68n) were examined for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties in in-vitro conditions. The scavenging activity was measured in order to assess their antioxidant capabilities. Among 14 compounds, 68a, 68i and 68n showed better scavenging activity. The antibacterial activity of all indolo-3,4-oxadiazoles derivatives (68a–68n) was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia. All of the compounds (68a-n) exhibited moderate to significant activity. The indolo-3,4-oxadiazoles derivatives 68b, 68e, 68h and 68j shown more effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa. The drug-likeness property of all indolo-3,4-oxadiazoles derivatives (68a–68n) was tested following Lipinski’s policies. The compounds (68a–68n) are all in accordance with Lipinski’s policies and proved to have enhanced oral bioavailability.

Non-lactic acid bacteria probiotics isolated from intestine or various circumstances.

Probiotics are live microorganisms beneficial to host health, predominantly comprising lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Lactobacillus. Additional non-LAB probiotics, termed intestinal isolates, encompass next-generation strains like Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Christensenella minuta, Anaerobutyricum soehngenii, Oxalobacter formigenes, etc. and alongside externally sourced Bacillus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Clostridium butyricum, and Propionibacterium. Intestinal-derived probiotics represent strictly anaerobic strains with challenging culturing requirements, contrasting with the aerobic nature of Bacillus probiotics and the ease of culturing S. cerevisiae. These strains exhibit diverse health-promoting properties, encompassing antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, and vitamin production capabilities, albeit contingent upon strain specificity. This review delineates the characteristics, culturing conditions, and health advantages associated with non-LAB probiotics.

The interplay of exercise and polyphenols in cancer treatment: A focus on oxidative stress and antioxidant mechanisms.

Exercise has been demonstrated to induce an elevated production of free radicals, leading to the onset of oxidative stress. Numerous studies highlight the positive impacts of aerobic exercise, primarily attributed to the increase in overall antioxidant capacity. The evidence suggests that engaging in aerobic exercise contributes to a reduction in the likelihood of advanced cancer and mortality. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the generation of free radicals and the collective antioxidant defense system, encompassing both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants. Typically, oxidative stress triggers the formation of reactive oxygen or nitrogen species, instigating or advancing various issues in cancers and other diseases. The pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance serves as a direct measure of this imbalance in oxidative stress. Polyphenols contain a variety of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, flavanols, and phenolic acids, conferring antioxidant properties. Previous research highlights the potential of polyphenols as antioxidants, with documented effects on reducing cancer risk by influencing processes such as proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. This is primarily attributed to their recognized antioxidant capabilities. Considering the extensive array of signaling pathways associated with exercise and polyphenols, this overview will specifically focus on oxidative stress, the antioxidant efficacy of polyphenols and exercise, and their intricate interplay in cancer treatment.

Enhancing the nutritional value and antioxidant properties of foxtail millet by solid‐state fermentation with edible fungi

AbstractFoxtail millet is typically dehulled before consumption or processing. However, foxtail millet bran also contains abundant phenolic compounds and other nutrients. Edible fungi have rich extracellular enzyme systems; are environmentally friendly and safe for consumption; and have been shown to effectively degrade lignin and cellulose. This study aimed to screen edible fungi that can effectively ferment undehusked foxtail millet, improving its nutritional value and antioxidant properties through solid‐state fermentation (SSF). The results demonstrated that fermentation utilizing Pleurotus geesteranus exhibited significant improvements in both the phenolic compound content and antioxidant properties of foxtail millet, with the optimal fermentation period determined to be 30 days. The physical and functional properties of fermented undehusked foxtail millet (FFM) flour were effectively improved, increasing crude protein, vitamin C, and crude polysaccharide contents by 11.46%, 27.78%, and 54.17%, respectively. In vitro scavenging activities of FFM were 73.19%, 93.86%, and 63.75% for 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS·+), and superoxide anion radicals (O2−), respectively. The total antioxidant capability (T‐AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of FFM were 1.01 mM Trolox equivalents (TE)/g and 89.05 U/g, respectively. Additionally, T‐AOC, SOD, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activities increased, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased in the heart, liver, and kidneys of mice treated with FFM flour, indicating enhanced antioxidant capacity. Therefore, fermentation with edible fungi is suitable for improving the nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of foxtail millet.

Effect of Drying Methods on the Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Leaf of Agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis Lam.)

This study is a preliminary analysis of the effect of various drying techniques on the phenolic components and antioxidant capability for developing protocols to produce herbal products from Aquilaria malaccensis. Aquilaria leaf samples (ALS) were subjected to different drying methods such as air-dry (AD), oven-dry (OD), sun-dry (SD), drying with food dehydrator (DD), and a combination of air-dry and use of dehydrator (CAD). After drying and grinding, samples were infused with hot water. Different parameters such as water extract, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities were evaluated. Results revealed that there was no significant difference in the water extract of ALS among different methods. High TPC concentrations were recorded at SD, OD, and DD. The highest TFC concentration was observed in CAD and was significantly different among the drying treatments. Further, using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, the dehydrated-ALS possessed the highest antioxidant capacity of 524.33 ± 0.04 μmol TEAC/g among the treated samples. Meanwhile, based on the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assay, the highest antioxidant activity among the treatments was sundried-ALS with a value of 391.70 ± 0.037 μmol TEAC/g sample. Based on these findings, the drying methods – particularly utilizing a dehydrator, sun- drying, or a combination of air-drying and using a dehydrator – all preserve the phenolics and antioxidant properties of A. malaccensis. Overall, the drying process significantly influenced the chemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of A. malaccensis tea.

Formulation and Stability Assessment of Bakery Snacks Enriched with Encapsulated Phenolic Compounds from Lemnian Tomatoes and Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata)

In recent years, the health-promoting properties of plant-derived compounds have garnered increasing scientific interest. Notably, tomatoes and pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata), renowned for their abundant phytochemicals and associated biological activities, have become focal points of research. This study investigated the extraction of phenolic compounds from tomatoes and pumpkins cultivated on Lemnos, an Aegean Island, aiming to enhance the nutritional profiles of food products. We established an extraction protocol for total phenolics and evaluated the antioxidant capacity using response surface methodology. Utilizing a central composite design, we optimized the extraction parameters, with time and ethanol concentration identified as critical factors (p < 0.05). The optimized extracts demonstrated substantial phenolic content (9.47 ± 0.08 and 4.52 ± 0.05 mg GAE/g for tomatoes and pumpkins, respectively) and antioxidant capabilities as determined by DPPH (7.65 ± 0.08 and 5.78 ± 0.05 μmol TE/g, respectively), ABTS (9.27 ± 0.02 and 3.95 ± 0.04 μmol TE/g, respectively), FRAP (5.25 ± 0.09 and 2.99 ± 0.03 μmol TE/g, respectively), and CUPRAC assays (2.3 ± 0.04 and 1.25 ± 0.03 μmol TE/g, respectively). Following extraction, the phenolic compounds were encapsulated using maltodextrin and subsequently freeze-dried, yielding high encapsulation efficiency. In alignment with a comprehensive strategy aimed at fostering functional snacks that enhance local economic and public health outcomes, vegetables sourced from local farms were employed to develop a savory cereal bar enriched with tomato extract and a sweet cookie infused with pumpkin extract.

The Effectiveness of Vitamin E Soft Capsules as an Antioxidant

Antioxidants inhibit the oxidation of other molecules and play an important role in maintaining a healthy body. Antioxidants are found in fruits, vegetables, all parts of plants, and are present in the body as enzymes or products of metabolism. Vitamin E refers to a large number of natural or synthetic compounds, with alpha-tocopherol being the most active and widely distributed form in nature. Alpha-tocopherol is the most active antioxidant form of vitamin E and serves as the primary lipophilic antioxidant in plasma, membranes, and tissues. The most important function of vitamin E is its antioxidant capability, counteracting free radical attacks that can damage cells and cause various degenerative diseases. Additionally, antioxidants help reduce the effects of photoaging on the skin, potentiate anti-aging and anti-inflammatory activity, increase the rate of wound healing, and help maintain healthy eyes and the immune system. One form of vitamin E dosage form is a soft capsule which has several advantages, including the ease of filling the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) in liquid form, higher production capacity and formulation uniformity compared to gelatin tablets or hard capsules. Soft capsule preparations also have rapid API release, which can result in achieving therapeutic blood levels more quickly and achieving greater bioavailability. This study aims to evaluate soft capsule dosage forms in enhancing the effectiveness of vitamin E as an antioxidant. The research utilizes review articles sourced from national and international journals, as well as scientific journals. The results show that vitamin E supplementation in soft capsules can increase its effectiveness as an antioxidant.

Ameliorative Effect of Justicia carnea Methanol Leaf Extract against Nephrotoxicity in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

This study investigated the antioxidant capabilities of methanol extract from Justicia carnea leaves in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats, emphasizing its nephroprotective potential. Thirty-six (36) Wistar albino rats were randomized into six (6) groups (n=6/group). Group 1 served as the normal control, while groups 2-6 were induced with diabetes using 50 mg/kg of STZ intraperitoneally. Group 2 remained untreated, group 3 received 50 mg/kg body weight of Metformin, and groups 4, 5, and 6 were administered 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg body weight of the methanol Justicia carnea extract, respectively. Parameters assessed included fasting blood glucose (FBG), body weight changes, acute toxicity, and oxidative stress markers. Acute toxicity testing indicated no deaths at 5000 mg/kg of the extract. The extract significantly lowered FBG levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats (p < 0.05). The control group exhibited the highest weight gain compared to the treated groups (p < 0.05). Treatment with the extract notably increased catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels, while decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (p < 0.05) compared to diabetic controls. Overall, the methanol extract of Justicia carnea ameliorated oxidative stress in the kidneys of diabetic Wistar rats, suggesting its potential to mitigate nephrotoxicity associated with type I diabetes-induced kidney damage. These findings underscore its therapeutic promise in combating oxidative stress-related complications of diabetes.

Manganese(III) complexes with a tetradentate thiosemicarbazone. Structural characterization, electrochemistry, antioxidant capability, molecular docking and dynamics simulation on the potential inhibitory activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 2

Two manganese(III) complexes with the general formula [MnIII(L)X] (where L is a tetradentate thiosemicarbazone; X = Cl (Mn1) or N3 (Mn2 is new) were synthesized and verified the expected structures by experimental and theoretical methods. Electrochemical behavior of the manganese complexes were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). TEAC and DPPH values were determined and compared with those of ascorbic acid (AA). Further, the correlation between the antioxidant data and redox potentials was discussed. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed after calculating the binding affinities to cyclin-dependent kinase 2 for Mn1, Mn2, and AA to clarify some information about their thermodynamic and dynamic properties and to validate the molecular docking results. The calculations gave the binding affinities that are −6.0, −8.6 and −9.4 kcal/mol for AA, Mn1 and Mn2, respectively. The experimental and theoretical results revealed that complex Mn2 having azide ion has a better antioxidant performance and also the highest docking score with the protein. The study demonstrated that such manganese complexes are suitable candidates to drug development against diseases caused by oxidative stress.

Dietary supplementation of Sida rhombifolia enhances the plasma antioxidation and modulates gut microbiota in Anyi tile-like grey chickens.

Sida rhombifolia (S. rhombifolia) is a widely used herbal plant for humans because of its antioxidant and antibacterial effects, but its potential use as a feed additive for livestock has not been investigated. Twenty 350 days-old Anyi tile-like grey chickens were randomly divided into a control group (fed basal diet) and a treatment group (fed basal diet + 3% of S. rhombifolia), and these chickens were feed for 31 days. Dietary S. rhombifolia remarkably enhanced plasma antioxidants, including the significantly increased total antioxidant capability (p < 0.01), catalase (p = 0.04), and superoxide dismutase (p < 0.01) in the treatment group. Furthermore, dietary S. rhombifolia also modulated chicken cecal microbiota, including an increased microbial diversity (Shannon, p = 0.03; Chao1, p = 0.03) in the treatment group. Regarding taxonomic analysis, 34 microbial taxa showed significant differences between the two groups. Meanwhile, the dominant phylum Actinobacteriota (p = 0.04), and dominant genera Desulfovibrio (p = 0.04) and Olsenella (p = 0.02) were significantly increased after treatment, whereas the pathogenic genus Escherichia-Shigella (p = 0.04) was significantly decreased after feeding S. rhombifolia. The results indicating that S. rhombifolia has potential for use as a natural plant feed additive for chickens.

Exploring the Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical Profiles of Aqueous Extracts of Kalanchoe.

The use of plants for medicinal purposes has a long history, however it is desirable a continuous evaluation seeking for complementary scientific evidences for their safe application. Species within the Kalanchoe genus are often referred to as "miracle leaf" due to their remarkable healing properties. Traditionally, these plants have been used to treat infections, inflammation, and cancer. Despite their widespread use, the identification of their active components remains incomplete. This study aimed to differentiate K. crenata (KC), K. marmorata (KM), and K. pinnata (KP) by conducting detailed histochemical and phytochemical analyses, and to assess their antioxidant capabilities. The investigation revealed significant differences between the species, highlighting the variability in phenolic (PC) and flavonoid contents (FC) and their distinct antioxidant effects. The KM demonstrated the greatest results (PC: 59.26±1.53 mgEqGA/g; FC: 12.63±0.91 mgEqCQ/g; DPPH⋅ (IC50): 110.66 ug/mL; ABTS⋅+ (IC50): 26.81 ug/mL; ORAC: 9.65±0.75 mmolTE) when compared to KC and KP. These findings underscore a new reference for research within the Kalanchoe genus.