Antioxidant Characteristics Research Articles

Electro-activation for efficient lactulose production: The impact of operational parameters, electrolyte types, and environmental conditions

The electro-activation (EA) process has been employed to convert lactose into lactulose, a potent prebiotic with numerous health benefits. The study identified optimal conditions for lactulose production, including a specific current density, the use of calcium chloride as an efficient electrolyte, and the superiority of a steel cathode over a graphite cathode. The formation of intermediates other than lactulose increased as the temperature increased. The changes in pH and oxidation-reduction potential during the isomerization process were observed, highlighting their vital role in the formation of an ideal alkaline environment for lactulose production. The resultant solution produced by the EA process has significant antioxidant characteristics, likely due to the formation of Maillard Reaction Products during lactulose production. In conclusion, the EA system, with optimal operating conditions, is an energy-efficient, reagent-free, and environmentally friendly alternative for lactulose production.

Comparative Study on Cytotoxic Potency, Chemical Composition, and Antioxidant Characteristics of Clove Buds Essential Oil (Syzygium aromaticum) Originating from Indonesia, Comoros, and India

Comparative Study on Cytotoxic Potency, Chemical Composition, and Antioxidant Characteristics of Clove Buds Essential Oil (Syzygium aromaticum) Originating from Indonesia, Comoros, and India

Modulation of Antioxidant Properties in Leaves of Betel Vine (Piper betel L.) Influenced by the Fungicide Blitox

The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Block Design with three replications at the Plant Virus Research Station, BCKV, Kalyani, in Boroj. On betel vines, Blitox was sprayed at both double the recommended field dose (dRFD) and the recommended field dose (RFD) (50 WP/ha @ 15gm ai/6 lit). The vines were sprayed five more times at 15-day intervals beginning when they were 11.08.15 days old. Before every spray, leaf samples were taken and subjected to a number of criteria for analysis. Based on statistical analysis, the anti-oxidative characteristics improved most significantly when Blitox was administered at twice the recommended field dose (dRFD) (Blitox 50WP/ha @ 30gm ai/6 lit). Higher levels of free and total phenols, together with enhanced activity of enzymes such polyphenol peroxidase (PPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD), were indicators of this. Furthermore, testing for ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) revealed increased activity levels in the dRFD therapy in comparison to the RFD and control groups. Overall, these results imply that the larger Blitox dosage strengthens the antioxidant characteristics of betel vine leaves, hence enhancing their health and resistance to fungus-related infections.

Ga2Se3 nanosheets: Broad-spectrum antibacterial and antioxidant agents with low drug resistance

The efficient treatment of many infectious diseases is hindered by uncontrolled bacterial infections and inflammation induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of multifunctional therapeutic agents that possessing both antibacterial and antioxidant features. In this study, a novel antibacterial and antioxidant agent, Ga2Se3 nanosheets (NSs), were firstly prepared by the liquid-phase exfoliation method. The Ga2Se3 NSs exhibited broad-spectrum sterilization capabilities, even including multidrug-resistant strains. Noteworthily, Ga2Se3 NSs showed a remarkable 800-fold enhancement in antibacterial efficacy compared to the bulk materials, while also demonstrating low drug resistance compared to the traditional antibiotics. Their superior antibacterial performance is primarily attributed to the disruption of basic bacterial metabolism induced by gallium and selenium components, as well as the dimensional engineering of Ga2Se3 NSs. Cellular studies further confirmed the protective effects of pluronic F127 modified Ga2Se3 NSs against oxidative stress damage, preserving cellular functions through ROS scavenging. This study highlights the superior antibacterial and antioxidant properties of Ga2Se3 NSs, which offers an alternative opportunity for addressing the drug resistance issue in treatment of certain special diseases.

Mechanistic analysis of the coordination between MbEGS4 and MbEOMT in methyleugenol synthesis by Melaleuca bracteata F. Muell

Methyleugenol is widely found in essential oils from aromatic plants, attracting insects for pollination and possessing antimicrobial and antioxidant features. Methyleugenol content in the essential oil from Melaleuca bracteata leaves is 90.46 %, making it an excellent material for assessing methyleugenol’s biosynthetic pathway. Eugenol synthase (EGS) and eugenol-o-methyltransferase (EOMT) represent key genes in methyleugenol’s biosynthetic pathway but their respective functions are unclear. In this study, overexpression and virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) techniques were applied to investigate the major regulatory gene among MbEGS1, MbEGS2, MbEGS3, and MbEGS4 in the biosynthesis pathway of methyleugenol. We also aimed to examine the coordination mechanism between EGS and EOMT in methyleugenol production by M. bracteata. The data revealed MbEGS4 transcription and methyleugenol content were most significantly increased after overexpression of the MbEGS1–4 gene in M. bracteata and Fragaria vesca. Conversely, MbEGS4 transcription and methyleugenol content were most significantly reduced after MbEGS1–4 gene silencing by VIGS in M. bracteata. These results underscore a major regulatory role for the MbEGS4 gene in the biosynthetic pathway of methyleugenol in M. bracteata. Remarkably, upon overexpression and silencing of MbEOMTs, the transcription levels of MbEGSs were notably upregulated, with MbEGS4 showing the highest increase. Collectively, these findings suggested the presence of a specific transcription factor bound to the promoters of MbEGS and MbEOMT, inducing their expression for the synergistic and efficient production of methyleugenol in M. bracteata.

Protective Role of Ovothiol-A against Muscle and Kidney Injuries in Obese Rats

Background: Obesity is a serious chronic metabolic disease impairing health damaging many organs such as kidneys and muscles. Ovothiol-A (Ovo-A) has been found to keep the redox balance normal in sea urchins indicating its antioxidant characteristics. Aim: This study aims to investigate the protective effects of Ovo-A on kidneys and muscles in obese rats. objective: Investigation of the protective effect of Ovo-A on kidneys and muscles in obese rats. Methods: In-silco studies were performed on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) with Ovo-A to compute their binding affinities. Obesity was induced by high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks. Wistar rats were used in this study as 6 rats per group as control, HFD, Ovo-A (200 and 400 mg/Kg, p.o) groups. Results: Docking results have revealed that Ovo-A has affinities to bind to LDH (-8.5 kcal/mol) and CK (-17.7 kcal/mol). Ovo-A reduced the levels of uric acid, urea, creatinine, LDH, CK, malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO), while increasing the levels of glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Histopathological investigations have revealed that Ovo-A restored the renal and muscular structure. Conclusion: The current study showed that Ovo-A has a protective effect on kidneys and muscles in obese rats. Ovo-A enhances renal and muscular functions by inhibiting LDH and CK activities and improving the antioxidant system. Ovo-A is more effective in the high dose.

Investigation on the microstructure and high-temperature properties of AlN coating through oxygen addition

This study meticulously examines how oxygen incorporation alters the microstructure, mechanical, and high-temperature properties of AlN coating prepared via cathodic arc deposition. Substitution of nitrogen by oxygen in the AlN lattice leads to the formation of Al(OxN1-x)y metastable solid solutions from wurtzite Al(O)N structure to cubic AlO(N) structure, culminating in a full conversion to γ-Al2O3 with increased oxygen content. This substitutive solid solution induces solid solution strengthening and grain refinement effect, thereby escalating hardness from ∼18.5 GPa for AlN to ∼23.9 GPa for Al(O0.18N0.82)1.09. Despite an observed tendency towards enhanced thermal decomposition of oxynitride coatings upon annealing, the occurrence of α-Al2O3 oxide phase significantly preserves the mechanical integrity at elevated temperatures, outperforming pure AlN coating. Notably, the strategic alteration by minimal oxygen incorporation facilitates the formation of an Al-rich oxide layer, which exhibits superior anti-oxidative characteristics. After oxidation at 1100 °C for 10 h, the Al(O0.10N0.90)1.03 with an oxide layer of ∼1.2 μm exhibits remarkable oxidation resistance.

Evaluation of the anti-breast cancer properties of Origanum majorana aqueous extract green-mediated nanoparticles

This research details the synthesis of biogenic silver nanoparticles utilizing Origanum majorana as a supporting material. The leaves of the plant served as a natural reducing agent and a proficient stabilizer for the generated silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The formulated NPs were analyzed through the analysis of their physicochemical properties utilizing UV–Vis, FT-IR, and FE-SEM techniques. The investigation of the antioxidant characteristics of the Ag NPs was followed using the DPPH assay. The results revealed that the silver nanoparticles exhibited considerable antioxidant activity, as evidenced by the IC50 value. Recent findings suggest that the effectiveness of nanoparticles in treating human breast cancer can be linked to their antioxidant characteristics. An evaluation was followed on the ability of biologically synthesized Ag NPs to combat breast cancer in various cell lines. The silver nanoparticles exhibited significant anti-breast cancer properties, successfully eradicating the MCF10 cancer cell line in a manner that was influenced by both time and concentration, as assessed through the MTT assay. Ag NPs facilitate cell apoptosis, a process linked to elevated levels of pro-apoptotic markers, including Bax and cleaved caspase-8, while concurrently reducing the concentration of the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2. Furthermore, silver nanoparticles exhibit a decrease in colony formation in comparison to the respective control group. The examination of molecular pathways in cells exposed to Ag NPs revealed a significant elevation in p53 expression, coupled with a decrease in both total and phosphorylated levels of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) in the studied cell lines. This suggests that p53 and STAT3 play essential roles in the biological responses triggered by the extract in human breast cancer cells.

Phytochemistry, Nutritional, and Pharmacological Potential of Citrus Limonum

The current research aimed to provide an overview of the phytochemical configuration, nutritional value, and therapeutic uses of Citrous Limonum (lemon). Its fruit contains a variety of phytochemicals including citric acid, polyphenols, terpenes, limonene, flavonoids, vitamin C, sugar, pectin, citric acid, malic acid, flavonoids, carotenoids, terpineol, fellander, camhenium, citrain, calcium oxalates, and mucilages. Vitamin C is abundant in citrous fruits, as well as macronutrients (dietary fibre and simple sugar) and micronutrients (copper, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, vit B6 niacin thiamin, and folate). Lemon oil is composed of 70% limonene and 20% monoterpenes, along with significant amounts of aldehydes, such as citral, alcohols (linalool), and esters (coumarin). Lemon peel contains high concentrations of flavonoids, glycosides, coumarins, steroids (beta, gamma, sitosterol), dietary fibers, carbs, and volatile oils, all of which are necessary for good health and appropriate development. However, citrus fruits are low in calories, salts, and cholesterol. They find uses in herbal remedies due to their antioxidant, antifungal, anti-cholesterol, anticancer, antiulcer, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory characteristics. It is also important to mention that the excessive use of lemon may also be associated with some risks, such as the lowering of sperm count.

Association of elevated baseline bilirubin caused by preadmission statin use with cardiovascular prognosis in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention

Bilirubin is widely recognized to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. However, the relationship between bilirubin and coronary artery disease (CAD) remains controversial, particularly in individuals receiving Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). Given that statins may enhance the production of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and bilirubin, we investigated the long-term cardiovascular prognostic role of bilirubin levels elevated by statin use in patients undergoing PCI. Data of 6945 subjects undergoing PCI were enrolled in this study. We divided the patients into two groups based on serum total bilirubin (TB) levels detected prior to PCI. The high TB group consisted of patients with serum TB values > 8.4 μmmol/L, while the low TB group consisted of patients with serum TB values ≤ 8.4 μmmol/L. The median follow-up time was 836 days. Cox proportional hazards models were performed to evaluate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) associated with bilirubin levels. The association between TB levels and risk of MACE was significant [adjusted HR = 0.557, 95% CI (0.59–0.96), p = 0.020). Linear analysis was performed to determine the association between preadmission usage of statin and bilirubin level. The preadmission usage of statin independently linearly increases TB [adjusted-β = 0.371, 95% CI (0.134–0.608), p = 0.002] and direct bilirubin (DB) [adjusted-β = 0.411, 95% CI (0.300–0.522), p < 0.001). Mediation analysis demonstrated a direct protective role of preadmission statins treatment (β = − 0.024, p < 0.01), TB (β = − 0.003, p < 0.05) and DB (β = − 0.009, p < 0.05). Furthermore, it was found that TB (4.0%) and DB (12.0%) mediated the relationship between preadmission statins therapy and MACE. Bilirubin has a protective effect against MACE. In patients with normal bilirubin level undergoing elective PCI, preadmission statin use elevated bilirubin levels, which were independently associated with a lower incidence of MACE over the long-term follow-up period.

Sustainable production of C50 carotenoid bacterioruberin from methane using soil-enriched microbial consortia

Bacterioruberin is widely used in medicine, food, and cosmetics owing to its prominent characteristics of antioxidants and bioactivities. Bioconversion of methane into bacterioruberin is a promising way to address biomanufacturing substrate costs and greenhouse gas emissions but has not been achieved yet. Herein, this study aimed to upcycle methane to bacterioruberin by microbial consortia. The microbial consortia consist of Methylomonas and Methylophilus capable of synthesizing carotenoids from methane was firstly enriched from paddy soil. Through this microbial community, methane was successfully converted into C50 bacterioruberin for the first time. The bioconversion process was then optimized by the response surface methodology. Finally, the methane-derived bacterioruberin reached a record yield of 280.88 ± 2.94 μg/g dry cell weight. This study presents a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach for producing long-chain carotenoids from methane, offering a significant advancement in the direct conversion of greenhouse gases into value-added products.

Assessment of rheological, qualitative and antioxidant characteristics of enriched peanut butter with date paste through shelf-life stability

Over the years, concentrated efforts have been directed toward the improvement of desirable characteristics and attributes in peanut butter. This study examined the effect of rheological, antioxidant and qualitative characteristics of optimum peanut butter (including date paste and lecitin) during shelf-life. The results showed that the presence of date paste along with lecithin in optimum peanut butter improved the overall characteristics of peanut butter, including the physicochemical, microbial, mechanical, and sensory properties, compared to the control. Moreover, shelf-life had the most effect on reducing the emulsion stability, cohesiveness, antioxidant properties, and overall acceptance. In addition, the flow behavior of the emulsions was examined through the Herschel-Bulkley model using the parameters of determination coefficient, R2, flow behavior index, n, and consistency coefficient, K (Pa.sn). The presence of date paste in enriched peanut butter results in the creation of a colloidal structure among the peanut particles. This structure traps the oil, preventing it from leaving the peanut paste texture during shelf-life.

Antimicrobial Compounds from Food Waste in Cosmetics

The cosmetics industry has experienced rapid growth, driven by consumer demand for products in line with modern lifestyles and technological advances, with greater awareness of the impacts on health and the ecosystem. This review explores the potential use of antibacterial compounds derived from food waste as sustainable alternatives to synthetic preservatives in cosmetic products. Waste obtained from food, including fruit peels, seeds, and plant remnants, is rich in natural bioactives, including polyphenolic compounds and essential oils that exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and soothing features. The integration of these natural ingredients not only improves the shelf-life and safety of cosmetics but also promotes environmentally friendly practices. We discuss the sources and antimicrobial efficacy of these compounds, along with recent technological innovations. This sustainable approach responds to consumer preferences for natural ingredients, reduces food waste, and supports environmental sustainability, ultimately increasing the value and attractiveness of cosmetic products.

New Emerging Aspect of Herbal Extracts for the Treatment of Osteoporosis: Overview.

As the global population ages, osteoporosis is becoming a more common silent disease. Osteoporosis is characterized by decreased bone quality and strength, which increases the risk of fragility fractures in the elderly. According to estimates, 50% of women eventually suffer from an osteoporotic fracture. Due to increasing disability, more frequent hospital hospitalizations, and most critically, fragility fractures have been linked to a reduced quality of life. Osteoporotic fractures have been linked to an increased mortality risk; and must be considered in awareness as a serious health concern. There are anti-osteoporotic medications available that improve bone quality. Considering the availability of various treatment options, still there are a lot of underserved needs in the treatment of fractures and osteoporosis. For example, the application of natural products and herbal resources for fracture healing, because of the androgen-like and antioxidant characteristics of the plants, they can play a crucial for accelerating the repair of bone fractures. In this article, we'll discuss the herbal remedies that are essential for treating osteoporosis (bone disease).

Eco-friendly oriented synthesis of CeO2 NPs corroborated over silica gel: Synthesis, description of distinctive features and the study of its antioxidant and anti-human colorectal cancer action

This research, while making every endeavor to elaborate measures in supporting little ceria NPs, intends to keep their proper action, competence and capacity, at a greater stability of SiO2 assistance. In this process, we synthesized the ceria NPs instinctive in SiO2 utilizing a green procedure, where the external functional groups of SiO2 gel could be modified with Pistacia natural covering the aqueous extract used as the reducing/stabilizing factor to shape and arrange more moderate ceria NPs (CeO2 NPs-SiO2). We obtained these features of the newly made CeO2 NPs-SiO2 by employing such advanced analytic techniques as TEM, FE-SEM, EDS-elemental mapping and FT-IR analysis. These results show the well-dispersed spherical shapes of ceria nanoparticles with average sizes varying from 20 to 30 nm over the surface of silica gel in average. To realize the natural entailment, we utilized these substances in anticancer research projects to fight against colon cancer cell lines (HT-29 and Caco-2) using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) procedure. This was also carried out in a way similar to the approach adopted in the natural assessment of antioxidant features by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) approach. This material displayed its effective anticancer characteristics relied on the DPPH check's, notably IC50 value. We usually explored that the proportion of cancerous cell lines' cell livability reduced in the ceria nanoparticles-Silica NP in a dosage-based way. The MTT test generated the related IC50 figures on the two cell lines, being 264 μg/mL and 218 μg/mL in order. The transmission density rate was specified at 545 nm, demonstrating toxicity on usual cell line up to 2000 μg/mL, proving to be rather negligible.

Analysis of Metabolic Profiles and Antioxidant Activity of Chinese Cordyceps, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, and Paecilomyces hepiali Based on Untargeted Metabolomics.

Chinese cordyceps (GL) is a traditional medicinal fungus, with Ophiocordyceps sinensis (O. sinensis, BL) and Paecilomyces hepiali (P. hepiali, JSB) being fungi isolated from wild Chinese cordyceps. These three species share similar chemical composition and pharmacological effects. Existing studies have primarily compared the metabolites of Chinese cordyceps and O. sinensis, overlooking the assessment of antioxidant capacity in Chinese cordyceps, P. hepiali, and O. sinensis. In this study, LC-MS/MS was employed to analyze metabolites in GL, JSB, and BL. Utilizing principal component analysis (PCA), supervised orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), it was observed that the majority of differential metabolites (DMs) primarily accumulated in organic acids and derivatives, lipids and lipid-like molecules, and organoheterocyclic compounds. Antioxidant activity analysis indicated that GL exhibited the higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging ability (DPPH•, scavenging rate is 81.87 ± 0.97%), hydroxyl free radical scavenging capacity (•OH, scavenging rate is 98.10 ± 0.60%), and superoxide anion radical scavenging capacity (O2•-, scavenging rate is 69.74 ± 4.36%), while JSB demonstrated the higher FRAP total antioxidant capacity of 8.26 μmol Trolox/g (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between DMs (fatty acyls and amino acids) and DPPH•, FRAP, •OH, and O2•- (p < 0.05). Additionally, glycerophospholipid DMs were found to be positively correlated with FRAP (p < 0.05). Through KEGG pathway analysis, it was determined that the accumulation of DMs in pathways such as cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis has a higher impact on influencing the antioxidant activity of the samples. These results shed light on the antioxidant capacity and metabolic characteristics of Chinese cordyceps and its substitutes and offer valuable insights into how different DMs impact the strength of antioxidant activity, aiding in the advancement and application of Chinese cordyceps and its substitutes.

Assessing the Antibacterial Effectiveness against MDR Strains and the Antioxidant Characteristics of Ficus auriculata

For millennia, people have successfully treated a wide range of illnesses, including bacterial infections, with different plant parts or extracts. “MDR strain” typically refers to a “multi-drug resistant strain” of a bacteria. In the context of infectious diseases, a multi-drug resistant strain refers to a strain of the pathogen that has acquired resistance to multiple drugs that are commonly used to treat infections caused by that specific pathogen. MDR strains can present significant challenges in healthcare settings as they limit the effectiveness of standard treatments and may require more aggressive or specialized approaches to manage the infection. The discdiffusion method was used in this investigation to test the antimicrobial properties of Petroleum ether, acetone, ethanol, methanol, and aqueous extracts of Ficus auriculata leaves against four bacterial strains namely Salmonella enteric serovar typhi, Salmonella enteric ser Paratyphi (MDR strain) Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. The findings showed that all of the investigated organisms (zone of inhibition of 0.5 ± 0.15 &amp; 18 ± 1.7 mm) were significantly inhibited by the petroleum ether, ethanol, and methanol extracts, with the exception of Salmonella typhi (an 18 mm inhibitory zone). The restricted area (≤5) indicated moderate activity in the aqueous extracts. It’s crucial to remember that antimicrobial activity analysis of plant extracts is just one step in the process of identifying potential natural antimicrobial agents. Further studies, including the identification and isolation of specific bioactive compounds, toxicology assessments, and clinical trials, are required before any plant extract can be considered for use as a drug development.

Methanol extract of black garlic protects against hyperuricemia by xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity in-vitro

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) has been used as a medicative food for a long time. However, some individuals are averse to raw garlic owing to its pungent taste and aroma. As a result, a variety of garlic formulations have been created to minimize these characteristics without reducing their functions. Extensive in vitro and in vivo research has shown that black garlic has several benefits, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-allergic, cardioprotective, and hepatoprotective characteristics. However, it remains unclear which compounds are active ingredients in the extract and the contributions of the main identified compounds to the extract's XO inhibitory activity are unknown. This study aims to look into the potent XO inhibitors found in black garlic methanol extract. The research methodology is experimental, involving the inhibition of xanthine oxidase activity, specifically measuring the amount of uric acid formed during the reaction catalyzed by xanthine oxidase. This is accomplished in vitro via enzymatic reactions and spectrophotometric measurements. The Maillard reaction is responsible for the production of black color in garlic, and it is influenced by heating temperature, humidity, and fermentation time. Starting on the 17th day of the fermentation process, the brownish intensity of the garlic samples heated at 70 ° C and 90% humidity changed to brown. The optimum concentration is 0.3 units/mL at an optimum temperature of 30oC and an optimum pH of 8.0 at a substratum concentration of 0.30 mM at a wavelength of 284 nm. The activity of the xanthine oxidase enzyme was inhibited by allopurinol at various concentrations, with allopurinol having the highest percentage inhibition value of 78.74 percent at a concentration of 10 ppm. The present study showed that meanwhile, the highest inhibition occurred on the 29th day of fermentation, with a percentage value of 68.01 percent, and decreased the next day

Astilbin Induces Apoptosis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma through p53 Reactivation and Mdm-2 Inhibition.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a frequently occurring malignancy in the head and neck region. The most commonly mutated gene in OSCC is the tumor suppressor gene p53 (TP53), linked to lower survival and treatment resistance in OSCC patients. Astilbin is a flavonoid amongst several herbal treatments with a variety of pharmacological actions mainly including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer characteristics. This study evaluated the effects of astilbin on proliferation of OSCC cell lines SCC90 and SCC4 (bearing a p53 mutation) in relevance to p53 and Mdm-2 pathways. Astilbin inhibited the proliferation of SCC4 and SCC90 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The IC50 values for both the cell lines were about 75 μM for astilbin. A p53 activator (RITA) was used to determine the effects of astilbin on p53 activity, and the results demonstrated synergistic reduction in cell growth. However, when combined with pifithrin-α (a p53 inhibitor), astilbin demonstrated a strong inhibition of its response. Astilbin reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential in SCC4 cells, which is a sign of apoptotic activity. Astilbin decreased the amounts of Mdm-2 (negative regulator of p53) and increased the expression of the p53 gene and protein. In a p53-dependent manner, astilbin suppressed the ability of SCC4 cells to form colonies and heal wounds. This was followed by the induction of mitochondrial intrinsic apoptosis via the activation of caspases 9 and 3, cleavage of PARP, and the suppression of pro-apoptotic Bid. Astilbin-induced p53-mediated apoptosis in OSCC cells as herbal medicinal ingredients.

Comparison of nutritional, antioxidant, physicochemical, and rheological characteristics of whole and sprouted wheat flour

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple food used to prepare various ready-to-eat items. Germination increases the nutritional content of grains while decreasing the anti-nutrient content. The current study investigated the effects of sprouting on the nutritional, antioxidant, physicochemical, and rheological properties of wheat flour.Sprouting of whole wheat flour was performed, and comparisons were made for nutritional composition, gluten content, soluble dietary fibers, total phenolic and antioxidant activity, anti-nutrients, and rheological properties of whole wheat flour and sprouted wheat flour.Sprouting improved the nutritional composition of wheat flour. Results revealed significant improvements in ash, proteins, dietary fibers, insoluble fibers, and protein digestibility. The study indicated a positive correlation of sprouting time with phenolics and antioxidant activities of processed wheat flours. Sprouting reduced tannin and phytates contents and anticipated elevation in water absorption, dough stability, dough development time, the mixing time and sedimentation time. However, a significant decrease in the falling number of germinated wheat flours was observed, along with an improved color profile of the treated flours.This study suggests 72 h sprouting as a viable approach to improve the nutrient digestibility, nutritional profile, and antioxidant potential of wheat, thus depicting processed flour with improved functional attributes.