Antioxidant Properties Research Articles

Anthocyanin-Rich Berry Extracts Affect SN-38-Induced Response: A Comparison of Non-Tumorigenic HCEC-1CT and HCT116 Colon Carcinoma Cells.

Chemotherapy with irinotecan (CPT-11), the pro-drug of the highly cytotoxic SN-38, is among the standard-of-care treatments for colorectal cancer. To counteract undesired toxic side effects on healthy tissue such as the intestinal epithelium, the use of preparations rich in polyphenols with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties such as anthocyanins has been proposed. In the present study, the question of whether non-tumorigenic human epithelium cells (HCEC-1CT) can be protected against the cytotoxic impact of SN-38 by anthocyanin-rich polyphenol extracts without compromising the desired therapeutic effect against tumor cells (HCT-116) was addressed. Hence, single and combinatory effects of anthocyanin-rich polyphenol extracts of elderberry (EB), bilberry (Bil), blackberry (BB) and black currant (BC) with the chemotherapeutic drug SN-38 were investigated. Out of the extracts, BB showed the most potent concentration-dependent cytotoxicity alone and in combination with SN-38, with even stronger effects in non-tumorigenic HCEC-1CT cells. In cytotoxic concentrations, BB decreased the level of DNA/topoisomerase I covalent complexes in HCEC-1CT cells below base level but without concomitant reduction in SN-38-induced DNA strand breaks. The herein reported data argue towards an interference of anthocyanins with successful treatment of cancer cells and a lack of protective properties in healthy cells.

Formulation of mouth rinse from natural plant\'s leaf extract and evaluation of antibacterial activity

Herbal liquid formulations are the preparation for oral health related issues like toothache, swelling, redness, bacterial or fungal infection in mouth, tooth decay, bleeding gums, weakened gums, etc. Such preparation also improves gums strength, removing bad breath and give fresh feel during good start of the day. Dentists generally use such preparations as antimicrobials before or after oral surgery to sanitize the surface of affected gums and teeth to avoid further contamination. Herbs like Tulsi, Clove, Mint, Ginger etc., are generally used either alone or in combination in herbal mouth-wash preparations which also render antibacterial activities. The other herbs like Eucalyptus and Liquorices have been reported to possess antibacterial, anti-oxidant, aromatic, anti- inflammatory and sweetening properties. In the present work, the research continues with formulation and evaluation of a herbal mouth rinse by using a combination of selected herbal extracts of Tulsi, Bael, Eucalyptus leaves and Liquorices rhizome for their antimicrobial activity against S. aureus using agar well diffusion plate technique. It was found that the formulated herbal mouth rinse or preparations gave satisfactory results in controlling the microorganism. Different physicochemical tests of prepared preparations were performed to figure out their pH, phase separation, homogeneity and scent.,

RSM and ANN-Based Optimized Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Functional Components from Olive Fruit (cv Arbequina): Assessment of Antioxidant Attributes and GC-MS Metabolites Profiling.

The current study devises an optimized ethanolic extraction for efficient recovery of high-value components from Pakistani olives (cv. Arbequina) using response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networking (ANN). Four factors such as time, temperature, solvent concentration, and solute weight (g/100 mL) were evaluated as independent variables for determining the response (% yield). The results obtained under optimum extraction conditions such as duration (25 min), temperature (45 °C), solvent concentration (65 %; ethanol: water v/v), and solute (7.50 g/100 mL) offered bioactives extract yield of 40.96 % from Arbiquina olives. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the RSM model showed significant p-values and a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9960, confirming model's reliability. The results of ANN, which employed the multilayer perceptron design, were fairly in line with the findings of the experiments. The antioxidant characteristics and GC-MS metabolite profile of the obtained extracts were examined. Arbequina olive extract (AOE) demonstrated very good antioxidant ability in terms of total phenolic, total flavonoid contents, and DPPH radical scavenging. The GC-MS analysis of AOE confirmed the presence of several bioactives, including oleic acid (36.22 %), hydroxytyrosol (3.95 %), tyrosol (3.32 %), β-sitosterol (2.10 %), squalene (1.10 %), sinapic acid (0.67 %), α-tocopherol (0.66 %), vanillic acid (0.56 %), 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (0.31 %), and quercetin (0.21 %). The suggested optimized extraction method can be employed to efficiently extract a wide variety of high-value components from olives with potential for nutraceutical applications.

Identification, Bioaccessibility, and Antioxidant Properties of Phenolic Compounds in Carob Syrup.

Carob syrup is a brown, thick syrup produced from carob pulp that can be directly consumed or used as a sweetener, which also finds applications in folk medicinal practices. In this work, the quali-quantitative phenolic profile of five different carob syrups was elucidated before and after in vitro gastro-intestinal digestion. Moreover, the anti-oxidant properties of undigested and digested carob syrups were investigated. A total of 75 phenolic compounds were identified in undigested carob syrups. The most important phenolic compound in all the samples was gallic acid, the concentration of which ranged between 54.28 and 117.73 mg/100 g. Additional compounds belonging to the classes of hydroxybenzoic acids (in particular glycosylated gallic acid derivatives), hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavonoids (especially flavonols) were also identified. During in vitro gastric digestion, gallic acid mono- and di-hexosides were diglycosylated, releasing gallic acid, which was further degraded in ellagic acid through oxidative polymerization in the intestinal phase of the digestion. Ellagic acid was the major compound detected after in vitro gastro-intestinal digestion of carob syrups. With few exceptions, the anti-oxidant properties of carob syrup were preserved even after digestion. Carob syrup can be considered an important source of phenolic compounds with demonstrated positive effects on human health.

Flavonoids for treating pulmonary fibrosis: Present status and future prospects.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease with an unknown underlying cause. There is no complete cure for IPF; however, two anti-fibrotic agents (Nintedanib and pirfenidone) are approved by the USFDA to extend the patient's life span. Therefore, alternative therapies supporting the survival of fibrotic patients have been studied in recent literature. The abundance of phenolic compounds, particularly flavonoids, has gathered attention due to their potential health benefits. Various flavonoids, like naringin, quercetin, baicalin, baicalein, puerarin, silymarin, and kaempferol, exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, which help decrease lung fibrosis. Various databases, including PubMed, EBSCO, ProQuest, and Scopus, as well as particular websites, such as the World Health Organisation and the National Institutes of Health, were used to conduct a literature search. Several mechanisms of action of flavonoids are reported with the help of in vivo and cell line studies emphasizing their ability to modulate oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrotic processes in the lungs. They are reported for the restoration of biomarkers like hydroxyproline, cytokines, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde and others associated with IPF and for modulating various pathways responsible for the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Yet, flavonoids have some drawbacks, such as poor solubility, challenging drug loading, stability issues, and scarce bioavailability. Therefore, novel formulations of flavonoids are explored, including liposomes, solid lipid microparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, nanogels, and nanocrystals, to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of flavonoids in pulmonary fibrosis. This review focuses on the role of flavonoids in mitigating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, their mode of action and novel formulations.

DA-9601 has protective effects comparable to those of proton pump inhibitor and rebamipide against nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-induced upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A nationwide study using Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database.

DA-9601 extracted from Artemisia asiatica contains a bioactive compound - eupatilin - that can protect against gastric mucosal damage through anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties and is approved for treating acute and chronic gastritis in Korea, but their ability to protect gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is unclear. We aimed to compare the protective effects of DA-9601 to those of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and rebamipide against upper and lower GI bleeding in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing long-term NSAIDs therapy using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment database. In this nationwide retrospective cohort study, we evaluated patients with RA who concurrently received NSAIDs for >3 months with DA-9601, PPI, or rebamipide between January 2015 and December 2017. The index date was the date of NSAIDs initiation, and all patients were followed up until December 2020 to detect upper and lower GI bleeding. In total, 24,258 patients with RA were eligible, and 5468 (22.5%), 4417 (18.2%), and 14,373 (59.3%) received DA-9601, PPI, or rebamipide, respectively, on the index date. During follow-up, upper and lower GI bleeding occurred in 508 (2.1%) and 402 (1.6%) patients with RA, respectively. The incidence rate of upper and lower GI bleeding was 615/100,000 and 485/100,000 person-years, respectively. Among patients with RA receiving DA-9601, PPI, or rebamipide, the frequencies of NSAIDs-induced upper GI bleeding were 0.5%, 0.4%, and 1.2%, respectively. The frequencies of NSAIDs-induced lower GI bleeding were 0.4%, 0.4%, and 0.9%, respectively. The incidence of NSAIDs-induced upper GI bleeding in patients with RA receiving DA-9601, PPI, and rebamipide was 601/100,000, 705/100,000, and 596/100,000 person-years, respectively, while the incidence of NSAIDs-induced lower GI bleeding in the same groups was 449/100,000, 608/100,000, and 465/100,000 person-years, respectively. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, no significant difference was observed in lower and upper GI bleeding hazards between patients with RA using DA-9601, PPI, and rebamipide. Our results suggest that DA-9601 may exhibit protection against NSAIDs-induced GI bleeding that is comparable to those of PPI and rebamipide in patients with RA.

Modulation of keap-1/Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-ĸb/caspase-3 signaling pathways by dihydromyricetin ameliorates sodium valproate-induced liver injury

Nuclear factor erythroid factor 2 (Nrf2) is the key regulatory of the antioxidant response elements. Also, Nrf2 interacts with nuclear factor kappa B (NF-ĸB) to inhibit subsequent inflammatory cascade. Activation of Nrf2 signaling ameliorates drug-induced liver injury. Sodium valproate (SVP) is an anti-epilepsy drug with a hepatotoxic adverse effect that restricts its clinical use. In this study, coadministration of Dihydromyricetin (DHM), a natural flavonoid, with SVP to rats upregulated gene expression of Nrf2 and its downstream gene, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), while suppressed the Nrf2 repressor, Keap-1. Additionally, DHM led to downregulation of proinflammatory factors in liver tissues, including NF-ĸB, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). This was accompanied by a decrease in the proapoptotic protein (cleaved caspase-3) expression level. Furthermore, biochemical and histopathological studies showed that DHM treatment improved liver function and lipid profile while decreased inflammatory cell infiltration, congestion, and hepatocellular damage. According to our knowledge, prior research has not examined the protective effect of DHM on the liver injury induced by SVP. Consequently, this study provides DHM as a promising herbal medication that, when used with SVP, can prevent its induced hepatotoxicity owing to its potential anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties.

Molecular, Biochemical and Histological Assessment in Paraquat Induced Neurotoxicity: Restoring Role of Nano-curcumin in an Experimental Study

Abstract Background: Paraquat (PQ) is known to cause damage to various organs, including the brain. Although curcumin have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, it is not yet clear how they relate to PQ-induced neurotoxicity. This study’s objective was to compare the effects of curcumin and nanocurcumin on PQ-induced neurotoxicity in male rats. Methods: 36 rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. control subjects and animals poisoned with PQ that received treatment with or without curcumin and nano-curcumin for 7 days. The brain tissues were collected at the end of this period. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and total thiol groups (TTG) were assessed by using spectrophotometry. Moreover, the histopathology of brain and antioxidant gene expression were assessed by biochemical and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Results: Curcumin and nanocurcumin therapy alleviated the PQ-triggered oxidative stress in brain tissue by raising the levels of anti-oxidant biomarkers like TAC and TTG, up-regulating the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO-1, reducing the levels of oxidative stress indices like LPO, and down- regulating the expression of Keap-1 in brain tissue. Conclusions: Treatment with curcumin and nano-curcumin improves brain function in PQ toxicity and nanocurcumin was more advantageous than ordinary curcumin.

Chemical Composition, Antifungal, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antiviral and Cytotoxic Activities of Ruta chalepensis L. Fixed Oil from Saudi Arabia

An aromatic plant is called Ruta chalepensis L. known locally as “Fidjel,” grows in rocky, arid places. Its pharmacological activities are pleiotropic. The goal of the present investigation was to use GCMS and HPLC analysis to identify the chemical constituents of oil extracted from Ruta chalepensis L. and assess its antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer properties. Linoleic acid was the most predominant acid found in Ruta chalepensis L. oil, then oleic acid, palmitic acid, and linolenic acid. 13.64 μg/mL of tocopherol (α-, β-, and γ-tocopherol) was identified. The primary phytosterols are β-sitosterol and campesterol. At 200 μL/mL of Ruta chalepensis L. oil, phenolic components rated 84.4 GAE/mL and had 94.0% antioxidant activity. Zone inhibition efficacy of Ruta chalepensis L. oil against microbial strains, particularly E. coli with a diameter of 42.3 mm, was demonstrated. MBC (30 μL/mL and 40 μL/mL) are the bactericidal action against E. coli and S. aureus, while MIC bacteriostatic (30 μL/mL) was also demonstrated. However, Ruta chalepensis L. oil was ineffective against Saccharomyces cervisia and fungal strains. Weak inhibitory impact of Ruta chalepensis L. oil was observed against the PC-3 (prostate cancer) cell line. Nonetheless, it had a significant inhibitory impact on the A2780 (ovarian cancer) cell line. At 100 μg/mL of oil, Ruta chalepensis L. oil showed a low antiviral impact (7.93±2.03%) against the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Oil from Ruta chalepensis L. is a promising option for the medical management of non- transmissible illnesses, since it is wealthy in antioxidants and bioactive substances.

Anthriscus sylvestris: An overview on Bioactive Compounds and Anticancer Mechanisms from a Traditional Medicinal Plant to Modern Investigation.

Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm. Gen. is a biennial or perennial herb commonly found in China. It has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various ailments such as cough, gastric disorders, spleen deficiency, and limb weakness. Recently, its potential as an anticancer agent has gained considerable attention and has been the subject of extensive research focusing on extract efficacy, identification of active compounds, and proposed molecular mechanisms. Nevertheless, further high-quality research is still required to fully evaluate its potential as an anticancer drug. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the anticancer properties exhibited by the active components found in Anthriscus sylvestris. We conducted a comprehensive search, collation, and analysis of published articles on anticancer activity and active compounds of A. sylvestris using various databases that include, but are not limited to, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct and Google Scholar. The primary chemical composition of A. sylvestris consists of phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, steroids, fatty acids, and organic acids, showcasing an array of pharmacological activities like anticancer, antioxidant, anti-aging, and immunoregulatory properties. Thus, this review highlights the active compounds isolated from A. sylvestris extracts, which provide potential leads for the development of novel anticancer drugs and a better understanding of the plant's pharmacological effects, particularly its anticancer mechanism of action.

Quercetin alleviates inflammation induced by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in MARC-145 cells through the regulation of arachidonic acid and glutamine metabolism.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection causes severe inflammatory response, respiratory disease and sow reproductive failure. Quercetin is among the widely occurring polypheno found abundantly in nature. Quercetin has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-viral properties. This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of quercetin on PRRSV-induced inflammation in MARC-145 cells. Observing the cytopathic effect and measurements of inflammatory markers in MARC-145 cells collectively demonstrate that quercetin elicits a curative effect on PRRSV-induced inflammation. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was further used for a non-targeted metabolic analysis of the role of quercetin in the metabolic regulation of PRRSV inflammation in MARC-145 cells. It was shown that quercetin attenuated PRRSV-induced cytopathy in MARC-145 cells. Quercetin treatment inhibited PRRSV replication in MARC-145 cells in a dose-dependent manner. We also found that quercetin inhibited PRRSV-induced mRNA expression and secretion levels of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin 1β and interleukin 6. Metabolomics analysis revealed that quercetin ameliorated PRRSV-induced inflammation. Pathway analysis results revealed that PRRSV-induced pathways including arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid, glycerophospholipid and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism were suppressed by quercetin. Moreover, we confirmed that quercetin inhibited the activation of NF-κB/p65 pathway, probably by attenuating PLA2, ALOX and COX mRNA expression. These results provide a crucial insight into the molecular mechanism of quercetin in alleviating PRRSV-induced inflammation.

Exploring the antinociceptive potential of homoeriodictyol in nociception models

Context: Homoeriodictyol is a flavonoid with known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties found in various plants. However, its potential analgesic effects have not been explored. Aims: To investigate the pain-relieving properties of homoeriodictyol using different mouse models of nociception. Methods: Various doses of homoeriodictyol (50, 100, 150, and 200 µg/kg) were administered to mice and evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing test, the hot plate test, and the formalin-induced paw licking assay. These effects were compared with those of mice treated with acetylsalicylic acid or morphine, both with and without naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist. Additionally, capsaicin- and glutamate-induced paw-licking tests were conducted to assess the involvement of the vanilloid and glutamatergic systems, respectively. Results: Homoeriodictyol demonstrated a significant and dose-dependent reduction in nociceptive behavior in the acetic acid-induced writhing test, achieving a 52.4% inhibition at a dose of 200 µg/kg. It also substantially increased the latency period in response to the hot plate test (65.8% at 200 µg/kg) and significantly suppressed both the neurogenic and inflammatory phases in the formalin-induced paw-licking test. Notably, the effects of homoeriodictyol in the hot plate test and formalin-induced paw-licking test were significantly reversed by naloxone. Furthermore, homoeriodictyol effectively reduced neurogenic nociception induced by intraplantar injections of glutamate and capsaicin (57.8% and 76.9%, respectively, at a dose of 200 µg/kg). Conclusions: This study concludes that homoeriodictyol exhibits antinociceptive activity in mice, acting through both central and peripheral pathways.

Detailed Analysis of the Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-oxidant, and Neuroprotective Effects of the Potent Phytochemical Bacoside A

Abstract: Bacoside A is a vital bioactive component of the Indian medicinal herb Bacopa monnieri, which ranks second among the most significant medicinal plants. Bacoside A was discovered to have more pharmacological activity than bacoside B. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat mental problems and memory loss. It also possesses antioxidant, antidepressant, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, ant-cancerous, vasodilator and other pharmacological properties. The main objective of this review is to highlight the importance of Bacoside A in the treatment of various diseases. Several sources were used to acquire the material, including review articles published in various publications, such as PubMed, Scopus, Bentham Science, Elsevier, Springer Nature, Wiley, and Research Gate, which were used to compile the data for the article following a thorough analysis of the various research findings connected that had keywords, such as Bacoside A, Ayurvedic medicine, Brahmi, jujubogenin. Bacoside-A, derived from the Bacopa monniera plant, is a traditional medicine said to have therapeutic qualities. Various studies have found that bacoside- A has considerable therapeutic benefits. All of the evidence suggests that Bacoside-A has multiple therapeutic properties in regulating the various biological processes as well as paving the path for the treatment of various disorders in modern medicine. The current review focused on the pharmacological action of bacoside A. The results of the pharmacological investigations indicated that Bacoside A had a wide range of pharmacological effects, including those on the central nervous system (memory improvement), antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiparkinsonian, anticancer, and more.

The Use of Nanocarriers to Enhance the Anti-neuroinflammatory Potential of Dietary Flavonoids in Animal Models of Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) have become a common and growing cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, especially in older adults. The natural flavonoids found in fruits and vegetables have been shown to have therapeutic effects against many diseases, including NDs; however, in general, flavonoids have limited bioavailability to the target cells. One promising strategy to increase bioavailability is to entrap them in nanocarriers. This article aims to review the potential role of nanocarriers in enhancing the antineuroinflammatory efficacy of flavonoids in experimentally induced ND. A literature search was conducted in the scientific databases using the keywords "neurodegenerative", "anti-neuroinflammatory", "dietary flavonoids," "nanoparticles", and "therapeutic mechanisms". A total of 289 articles were initially identified, of which 45 articles reported on flavonoids. After completion of the selection process, five articles that met the criteria of the review were selected for analysis. Preclinical studies identified in this review showed that nanoencapsulated flavonoids attenuated cognitive impairment and seizure, improved behavioral patterns, and reduced levels of astrocytes. Importantly, they exhibited strong antioxidant properties, increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes and reducing oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers. Moreover, nanocarrier-complexed flavonoids decreased the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), by inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and nod-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome activation (NLRP3). They also had remarkable effects on important ND-related neurotransmitters, improved cognitive function via cholinergic neurotransmission, and increased prefrontal cortical and hippocampal norepinephrine (NE) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Nanoencapsulated flavonoids should, therefore, be considered a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of NDs.

Ebselen: A Review on its Synthesis, Derivatives, Anticancer Efficacy and Utility in Combating SARS-COV-2.

Ebselen is a selenoorganic chiral compound with antioxidant properties comparable to glutathione peroxidase. It is also known as 2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one. In studies examining its numerous pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, and anti- Alzheimer's, ebselen has demonstrated promising results. This review's primary objective was to emphasize the numerous synthesis pathways of ebselen and their efficacy in fighting cancer. The data were collected from multiple sources, including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Publons. The starting reagents for the synthesis of ebselen are 2-aminobenzoic acid and N-phenyl benzamide. It was discovered that ebselen has the ability to initiate apoptosis in malignant cells and prevent the formation of new cancer cells by scavenging free radicals. In addition, ebselen increases tumor cell susceptibility to apoptosis by inhibiting TNF-α mediated NF-kB activation. Ebselen can inhibit both doxorubicin and daunorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Allopurinol and ebselen administered orally can be used to suppress renal ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Due to excessive administration, diclofenac can induce malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract, which ebselen can effectively suppress. Recent research has demonstrated ebselen to inhibit viral function by binding to cysteinecontaining catalytic domains of various viral proteases. It was discovered that ebselen could inhibit the catalytic dyad function of Mpro by forming an irreversible covalent bond between Se and Cys145, thereby altering protease function and inhibiting SARS-CoV-2. Ebselen may also inhibit the activation of endosomal NADPH oxidase of vascular endothelial cells, which is believed to be required for thrombotic complications in COVID-19. In this review, we have included various studies conducted on the anticancer effect of ebselen as well as its inhibition of SARS-CoV-2.

Quercetin Ameliorates Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles-induced Impaired Testicular Functions by Regulating Inflammation, Oxidative, and Hormonal Status

Objective: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have various applications, but concerns about their potential adverse effects on human health, particularly the male reproductive system, have led to toxicity. This study investigates the effects of quercetin, a natural compound with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, on ZnO NP-induced testicular toxicity in male Swiss mice. Method: In this study, 25 male mice were randomly allocated into 5 groups, each consisting of 5 mice (n=5). The groups were labelled as Control, Corn Oil, Quercetin, ZnO NPs, and ZnO NPs + Quercetin. The dosages administered were 100mg/kg for ZnO NPs and 20mg/kg for quercetin, relative to the weight of the animals. The treatments were conducted for 7 days following a two-week acclimatization period. Results: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were found to increase testicular TNF-α, indicating inflammation at the testes which may have resulted in a significant decrease in testosterone. Malondialdehyde (MDA), an oxidative stress marker was also found to be increased at the level of the testes, in the ZnO NPs group when compared to the control group. Treatment with quercetin, however, was able to reduce the levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers at the testes, and restore testosterone to control levels, demonstrating its potential ameliorative effects on testicular toxicity via anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Conclusion: The findings from this study indicated that Quercetin is a potential therapeutic agent against inflammation and oxidative stress in ZnO NPs-induced testicular toxicity.

Quercetin attenuated ropivacaine-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells through upregulating Pim1 and enhancing autophagy

BackgroundRopivacaine (Rop) is a local anesthetic that is widely used but is also potentially harmful. Quercetin (Quer) is a flavonoid component found in many plants and traditional Chinese medicines. It possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and neuroprotective properties as a pharmaceutical. In Rop-induced neurotoxicity, the functions and molecular basis of Quer remain unclear. MethodsCell viability and proliferation were assessed using CCK-8 and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assays, respectively. Apoptosis and autophagy were defined by both morphological criteria and markers such as caspase3 cleavage and monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining were evaluated. The target proteins were then predicted using molecular docking and validated at the cellular and protein levels. ResultsQuer was shown to significantly reduce Rop-induced viability inhibition and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, Quer reduced Rop-induced cytotoxicity by stimulating autophagy in SH-SY5Y cells by targeting the Pim1 protein, which was accomplished via the AMPK/mTOR pathway. ConclusionQuer relieved Rop-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells through upregulating Pim1 and enhancing autophagy, indicating that Quer may have potential therapeutic applications in the treatment of Rop-induced neurotoxicities.

Therapeutic Potential of Plant-Derived Compounds and Plant Extracts in Rheumatoid Arthritis-Comprehensive Review.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a persistent autoimmune disorder that is characterized by joint inflammation, discomfort, and impairment. Despite the existence of several therapeutic approaches, their effectiveness is often restricted and may be linked to unfavorable side effects. Consequently, there has been growing interest in investigating naturally derived compounds as plausible therapeutic agents for RA disease. The objective of this review is to summarize the existing preclinical and clinical evidence regarding the efficacy of naturally extracted compounds and plant extracts in the treatment of RA, focusing on their anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and immunomodulatory properties. Some of the problems with using natural chemicals are the uneven quality of commercially available preparations and the poor bioavailability of these compounds. Future investigations should focus on improving the formulations, conducting thorough clinical trials, and exploring different techniques to fully utilize the intrinsic potential of naturally derived chemicals in treating RA.

A sustainable rapeseed oil-based bio-additive designed for hard asphalt binders: Performance, environmental, and economic assessment

The inherent properties of hard asphalt binder give it both mechanical and economic benefits, rendering it a naturally advantageous material for preventing permanent deformation at higher temperatures. However, its poor resistance to thermal and fatigue cracking limits its application in the paving industry. This study aimed to improve the low-temperature and fatigue performance of hard asphalt binders by using the newly developed vegetable oil-based sub-epoxidized rapeseed oil (SERO). Two SEROs with epoxidation degree of 49.1% and 98.1% were synthesized through an oxidation reaction, respectively. Subsequently, the microstructural characteristics of SEROs were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance tests. The anti-oxidative aging properties of SERO modified hard asphalt binders were investigated through the utilization of mass loss and aging index. Additionally, the comprehensive rheological properties of SERO modified hard asphalt binders were explored via dynamic shear rheometer and bending beam rheometer tests. Furthermore, the modification mechanism of SERO on hard asphalt binders was confirmed through the quantitative analysis using the FTIR test. The findings suggested the improvement in anti-volatilization and anti-oxidative aging performance of bio-modified hard asphalt binders, which was positively related to the epoxidation degree of SERO. A notable softening effect of SERO on the hard asphalt binders was observed, which enhanced their resistance to thermal and fatigue cracking at lower and intermediate temperatures. The epoxy groups within SERO engaged in ring-opening reactions, forming a new oxygen bridge bond by combining with the unsaturated double bond presented in the asphalt. Consequently, this process resulted in the formation of cross-linked structures within bio-modified hard asphalt binders, thereby enhancing the elasticity. Notably, this phenomenon was most conspicuous in the SERO-H modified 50# binder. Finally, the environmental and economic assessment of SERO modified hard asphalt binders were conducted by the techno-economic method and the emission factors technique. The data revealed that the production of one ton of SERO modified hard asphalt binders could reduce the production costs by about 30%, energy consumption and CO2 emissions by around 20% in contrast to styrene–butadiene–styrene block copolymer modified asphalt binders. Hence, the substantial economic and environmental advantages make SERO an attractive bio-renewable additive for sustainable pavements.

The Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles for Printed Electronic Materials Using Liquid Phase Reduction Method.

This text discusses the synthesis of copper nanoparticles via a liquid phase reduction method, using ascorbic acid as a reducing agent and CuSO4·5H2O as the copper source. The synthesized copper nanoparticles are small in size, uniformly distributed, are mostly between 100-200 nm with clear boundaries between particles, and exhibit excellent dispersibility, making them suitable for metal conductive inks. 1. The copper nanoparticles are analyzed for good antioxidation properties, because their surface is coated with PVP and ascorbic acid. This organic layer somewhat isolates the particle surface from contact with air, preventing oxidation, and accounts for about 9% of the total weight. 2. When the prepared copper nanoparticles are spread on a polyimide substrate and sintered at 250 °C for 120 min, the resistivity can be as low as 23.5 μΩ·cm, and at 350 °C for 30 min, the resistivity is only three times that of bulk copper. 3. The prepared conductive ink, printed on a polyimide substrate using a direct writing tool, shows good flexibility before and after sintering. After sintering at 300 °C for 30 min and connecting the pattern to a circuit with a diode lamp, the diode lamp is successfully lit. 4. This method produces copper nanoparticles with small size, good dispersion, and antioxidation capabilities, and the conductive ink prepared from them demonstrates good conductivity after sintering.