Cellular Antioxidant Activity Research Articles

Antioxidant Properties of Postbiotics: An Overview on the Analysis and Evaluation Methods.

Antioxidants found naturally in foods have a significant effect on preventing several human diseases. However, the use of synthetic antioxidants in studies has raised concerns about their potential link to liver disease and cancer. The findings show that postbiotics have the potential to act as a suitable alternative to chemical antioxidants in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. Postbiotics are bioactive compounds generated by probiotic bacteria as they ferment prebiotic fibers in the gut. These compounds can also be produced from a variety of substrates, including non-prebiotic carbohydrates such as starches and sugars, as well as proteins and organic acids, all of which probiotics utilize during the fermentation process. These are known for their antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties that help improve human health. Various methodologies have been suggested to assess the antioxidant characteristics of postbiotics. While there are several techniques to evaluate the antioxidant properties of foods and their bioactive compounds, the absence of a convenient and uncomplicated method is remarkable. However, cell-based assays have become increasingly important as an intermediate method that bridges the gap between chemical experiments and in vivo research due to the limitations of in vitro and in vivo assays. This review highlights the necessity of transitioning towards more biologically relevant cell-based assays to effectively evaluate the antioxidant activity of postbiotics. These experiments are crucial for assessing the biological efficacy of dietary antioxidants. This review focuses on the latest applications of the Caco-2 cell line in the assessment of cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) and bioavailability. Understanding the impact of processing processes on the biological properties of postbiotic antioxidants can facilitate the development of new food and pharmaceutical products.

Quercetin microgels alter gut metabolome and reverse oxidative damage invitro

Colonic delivery of quercetin using encapsulation techniques is an effective approach in maximizing quercetin efficacy against oxidative-stress related diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease. We hypothesized that colon-targeted delivery of quercetin with quercetin loaded alginate-chitosan microgels (ALQ) could alter colonic microbial metabolism regulating microbial metabolites production that may exert biological effects at the cellular level. To demonstrate this, ALQ were subjected to colonic fermentation using human fecal microbiota with empty microgels (AL) as control, and fermented fecal samples were collected at 0, 8, and 24 h. Short chain fatty acid analysis using gas chromatography showed that ALQ increased productions of acetic acid, while decreased isobutyric and isovaleric acid production. Semi-targeted metabolome scanning using Orbitrap mass spectrometer showed that the overall metabolome profile was remarkably different between AL and ALQ treatments at both 8 h and 24 h of fermentation. There were 9 metabolites at 8 h, and 54 metabolites at 24 h that were significantly regulated with more than 2-fold changes between AL and ALQ treatments. The metabolites included quercetin derived metabolites, amino acids and their derivatives, nucleotide derivatives, and organic acids. ALQ significantly modulated tyrosine metabolism, amino acids metabolic pathways, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. These ALQ modulated metabolites in turn protected the Caco-2 cells from lipopolysaccharides induced injury, increased cellular antioxidant activities, and alleviated lipid oxidation induced by H2O2. Conclusively, ALQ could alter human fecal metabolome in vitro with significant shifts in key metabolites and exert antioxidant effects on cellular level, exhibiting potentials in colonic disease management.

Polyphenols from unconventional fruit by-products protect human epithelial intestinal cells from oxidative damage

Polyphenols from discards of unconventional fruits, namely guava (Psidium guajava L.), jerivá (Syagrus romanzoffiana), butiá (Butia catarinensis), and sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoids L.) have shown in vitro capacity to ameliorate risk factors associated with chronic diseases. To verify their effects in models simulating human physiology, human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells can be used to reproduce the small intestine's brush border. Therefore, differentiated Caco-2 cells were treated with phenolic extracts from guava processing discards and jerivá, butiá, and sea buckthorn seeds. Cells were assessed for cytotoxicity through the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) by fluorescence decline of treated cells mixed with a free radical. Selected extract concentrations induced Caco-2 cytotoxicity mostly in the 100–150 μg/mL range. For CAA, extracts from guava, jerivá, and butiá by-products displayed a hormetic-like behavior, showing antioxidant effect at low concentrations while becoming prooxidants at higher concentrations. In some instances, restoration of the antioxidant effect followed, possibly due to cellular adaptative mechanisms. Sea buckthorn seeds extract showed the most consistent CAA response among all samples. Hence, polyphenols from fruit by-products showed antioxidant activity in Caco-2 cells, although future research should concentrate on assessing their absorption and evaluating their effects in other cell models.

Sensitization of Multidrug Resistant Cancer Cells to Doxorubicin Using Ebselen by Disturbing Cellular Redox Status.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) poses a significant problem in cancer treatment, often causing adverse effects during chemotherapy. Ebselen (Ebs), a synthetic organoselenium compound, affects cellular redox status in cancer cells. In the study, we observed that Ebs disrupted cellular redox balance and sensitized drug-resistant cells to doxorubicin (DOX) treatment. The combination of Ebs and DOX led to increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and lipid peroxidation while decreasing the activity of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and cellular antioxidants in drug-resistant cells. Furthermore, this combination treatment demonstrated notable chemosensitizing effects by reducing cell viability and proliferation in MDR cells compared to DOX treatment alone. Additionally, the combination of Ebs and DOX induced DNA fragmentation and exhibited G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Immunofluorescent analysis revealed that the Ebs and DOX combination upregulated the expression of p53 and p21, which activated the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway. The combination treatment also enhanced the upregulation of proapoptotic markers such as Bax, Caspase-3, -9, and cytochrome C, while downregulating the expression of the antiapoptotic marker Bcl-2. Therefore, the current discoveries suggest that Ebs could be employed as a drug candidate for reversing MDR in cancer cells by regulating cellular redox homeostasis.

Overview and Trends in Electrochemical Sensors, Biosensors and Cellular Antioxidant Assays for Oxidant and Antioxidant Determination in Food

Screening and quantifying antioxidants from food samples, their antioxidant activity, as well as the assessment of food oxidation is critical, not only for ensuring food quality and safety, but also to understand and relate these parameters to the shelf life, sensory attributes, and health aspects of food products. For this purpose, several methods have been developed and used for decades, which regardless of their effectiveness, present a certain number of drawbacks mainly related to extensive sample preparation and technical complexity, time requirement, and use of hazardous chemicals. Electrochemical sensors and biosensors are gaining popularity in food analysis due to their high sensitivity, specificity, rapid response times, and potential for miniaturisation and portability. Furthermore, other modern methods using whole living cells such as the cellular antioxidant activity assay, the antioxidant power 1 assay, and the catalase-like assays, may interpret more realistic antioxidant results rather than just reporting the ability of scavenging free radicals in isolated systems with extrapolation to the reality. This paper provides an overview on the electrochemical sensors, biosensors, and cellular antioxidant assays, and reviews the latest advancements and emerging trends in these techniques for determining oxidants and antioxidants in complex food matrices. The performances of different strategies are described for each of these approaches to provide insights into which extent these methods can be exploited in the field and inspire new research to fill the identifiable current gaps.

Feasible biosynthesis of biologically active metabolites in in vitro culture of Macrotyloma uniflorum

Macrotyloma uniflorum, commonly called “Horse gram” is an underutilized pulse crop recognized for its great nutritional significance and a broad range of biological properties. There have been no in vitro studies for the biosynthesis of enhanced bioactive metabolites in the callus culture of M. uniflorum. In the study reported here, we have designed a feasible protocol for high-frequency callus induction and maintenance utilizing a leaf as an explant grown on MS media enriched with various concentrations of different plant growth regulators (PGRs) including α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and thidiazuron (TDZ) either alone or in combination. Among all the tested PGRs, NAA alone resulted in high-frequency callus induction (97%), and maximum biomass accumulation (Fresh weight (FW): 200 g/L: Dry weight (DW): 20.4 g/L). Moreover, hormonally optimized callus cultures exhibit maximum production of phenolic compounds (166.6 mg/L) and flavonoid compounds (351.6 mg/L). The antioxidant potential of calli extracts was also determined by utilizing various antioxidant activities. Maximum antioxidant activities ((2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)) ABTS = 497.9; TEAC μM; (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) FRAP = 823 TEAC μM; (Cellular Antioxidant Activity) CAA: 58.2%) were recorded in leaf-derived calli supplemented with different PGRs treatments. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis further revealed maximum biosynthesis of caffeic acid (1.63 mg/g DW), gallic acid (8.92 mg/g DW), kaempferol (0.71 mg/g DW), myricetin (0.39 mg/g DW), apigenin (0.64 mg/g DW) at 10 mg/L BAP and isorhamnetin (0.68 mg/g DW) at 1 mg/L TDZ + 10 mg/L NAA. The objective of this study was to explore in vitro biosynthesis of enhanced bioactive metabolites in the callus culture of M. uniflorum, leveraging a feasible protocol for high-frequency callus induction and maintenance. The results showcase the remarkable efficacy of NAA in callus induction and biomass accumulation, highlighting the hormonally optimized callus cultures as a potent source for enhanced biosynthesis of bioactive metabolites, paving the way for further applications in pharmaceutical and commercial industries.

Iron chelating, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of brazilin from Caesalpinia sappan Linn

BackgroundIron overload and inflammation are severe conditions that can lead to various chronic diseases. However, the current iron chelator drugs have their limitations. The phytochemical compounds from herbals, such as brazilin, the major active compound in Caesalpinia sappan Linn., have significant therapeutic potential in various chronic diseases. Our study was designed to examine the effect of brazilin on iron chelating properties, antioxidant activity in hepatocytes, and anti-inflammatory potential in macrophages. MethodsThis study focused on the isolation, purification, and evaluation of brazilin, the principal bioactive constituent found in C. sappan wood. Brazilin was extracted via methanol maceration followed by column chromatography purification. The purified compound was characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry (MS). The antioxidant potential of brazilin was assessed by in vitro assays, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazolin-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Furthermore, its cellular antioxidant activity was evaluated using hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (Huh-7). The iron-chelating capacity of brazilin was determined spectrophotometrically, and Job's plot method was used to elucidated the stoichiometry of the iron-brazilin complex formation. The anti-inflammatory properties of brazilin were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages (RAW 264.7). Nitric oxide (NO) inhibition was quantified using the Griess reagent, while the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), were evaluated by RT-qPCR. ResultsThe results demonstrated that brazilin exhibited potent antioxidant activity in vitro and hepatocytes in a concentration-dependent manner. It also showed anti-inflammatory activity, in which NO production was significantly reduced and IL-6 and TNF-α expression in LPS-induced macrophages were repressed. Furthermore, it can bind ferric and ferrous ions. Brazilin acts as a bidentate iron chelator that forms a complex with iron in a 2:1 ratio, and two water molecules are used as additional chelators in this complex. ConclusionsOur findings have significant implications. Brazilin can potentially alleviate the harmful effects of iron-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory disorders.

Green recovery and application of berry anthocyanins in functional gummies: Stability study, plasma and cellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity

This study investigates the comprehensive effects of extraction parameters, freeze-drying, and formulation on the chemical composition, colour properties, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation of blackberry (BB) and elderberry (EB) extracts, as well as their incorporation into gummies. Using response surface methodology, optimal extraction conditions were identified: BB extracts showed optimal results at 325 W and 7.5 min, while EB extracts were optimal at 400 W and 5 min. The EB extracts consistently exhibited higher total phenolic content, total anthocyanin content, and antioxidant capacity than the BB extracts. Over 120 min, BB extracts demonstrated superior antioxidant potential to mitigate human plasma lipid oxidation. Both extracts displayed pH-dependent colour variations and antioxidant capacities, with EB extracts showing greater stability across a broader pH range. Freeze-drying effectively preserved antioxidant capacity, with EB extracts maintaining higher values than BB extracts. In a cellular model of oxidative stress using THP-1, both extracts were non-cytotoxic and reduced intracellular ROS generation, with EB extracts also more effectively inhibiting IL-6 secretion. When incorporated into gummies, these extracts resulted in higher phenolic and anthocyanin content than commercial counterparts, with EB gummies demonstrating superior antioxidant capacity. Sensory evaluations indicated no significant differences in taste, texture, or overall acceptability among the gummy formulations, though colour preferences tended to favour commercial gummies. This study addresses a gap by providing detailed chemical, biological, and sensory assessments of BB and EB extracts in food applications.

Bioprospection of rattlesnake venom peptide fractions with anti-adipose and anti-insulin resistance activity in vitro

Animal venoms are natural products that have served as a source of novel molecules that have inspired novel drugs for several diseases, including for metabolic diseases such as type-2 diabetes and obesity. From venoms, toxins such as exendin-4 (Heloderma suspectum) and crotamine (Crotalus durissus terrificus) have demonstrated their potential as treatments for obesity. Moreover, other toxins such as Phospholipases A2 and Disintegrins have shown their potential to modulate insulin secretion in vitro. This suggests an unexplored diversity of venom peptides with a potential anti-obesogenic in Mexican rattlesnake venoms. For that reason, this study explored the in vitro effect of Crotalus venom peptide-rich fractions on models for insulin resistance, adipocyte lipid accumulation, antioxidant activity, and inflammation process through nitric oxide production inhibition. Our results demonstrated that the peptide-rich fractions of C. aquilus, C. ravus, and C. scutulatus scutulatus were capable of reverting insulin resistance, enhancing glucose consumption to normal control; C. culminatus, C. molossus oaxacus, and C. polystictus diminished the lipid accumulation on adipocytes by 20%; C. aquilus, C. ravus, and C. s. salvini had the most significant cellular antioxidant activity, having nearly 80% of ROS inhibition. C. aquilus, C. pyrrhus, and C. s. salvini inhibited nitric oxide production by about 85%. We demonstrated the potential of these peptides from Crotalus venoms to develop novel drugs to treat type-2 diabetes and obesity. Moreover, we described for the first time that Crotalus venom peptide fractions have antioxidant and inflammatory properties in vitro models.

Alleviating Effect of Lipid Phytochemicals in Seed Oil (Brassica napus L.) on Oxidative Stress Injury Induced by H2O2 in HepG2 Cells via Keap1/Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway.

α-tocopherol (α-T), β-sitosterol (β-S), canolol (CA), and sinapic acid (SA) are the four main endogenous lipid phytochemicals (LP) found in Brassica napus L. seed oil, which possess the bioactivity to prevent the risk of several chronic diseases via antioxidant-associated mechanisms. Discovering the enhancer effects or synergies between LP is valuable for resisting oxidative stress and improving health benefits. The objectives of this study were to identify a potentially efficacious LP combination by central composite design (CCD) and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) and to investigate its protective effect and potential mechanisms against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells. Our results indicated that the optimal concentration of LP combination was α-T 10 μM, β-S 20 μM, SA 125 μM, and CA 125 μM, respectively, and its CAA value at the optimal condition was 10.782 μmol QE/100 g. At this concentration, LP combination exerted a greater amelioration effect on H2O2-induced HepG2 cell injury than either antioxidant (tea polyphenols or magnolol) alone. LP combination could reduce the cell apoptosis rate induced by H2O2, lowered to 10.06%, and could alleviate the degree of oxidative damage to cells (ROS↓), lipids (MDA↓), proteins (PC↓), and DNA (8-OHdG↓). Additionally, LP combination enhanced the antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GPX, and HO-1), as well as the T-AOC, and increased the GSH level in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, LP combination markedly upregulated the expression of Nrf2 and its associated antioxidant proteins. It also increased the expression levels of Nrf2 downstream antioxidant target gene (HO-1, SOD-1, MnSOD, CAT, GPX-1, and GPX-4) and downregulated the mRNA expression levels of Keap1. The oxidative-stress-induced formation of the Keap1/Nrf2 complex in the cytoplasm was significantly blocked by LP treatment. These results indicate that LP combination protected HepG2 cells from oxidative stress through a mechanism involving the activation of the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathways.

Atriplex hortensis var. 'rubra' extracts and purified amaranthin-type pigments reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells

The use of direct injection ion mobility mass spectrometry (DI-IM-MS) to detect and identify betacyanin pigments in A. hortensis ‘rubra’ extracts was explored for the first time, with results compared to conventional LC-MS/MS analysis. The anti-inflammatory activities of leaf and seed extracts, alongside purified amaranthin and celosianin pigments, were investigated using a model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine macrophages. Extracts and purified pigments significantly inhibited the production of prostaglandin E2 and NO by up to 90% and 70%, respectively, and reduced the expression of Il6, Il1b, Nos2, and Cox2. Leaf and seed extracts also decreased secretion of Il6 and Il1b cytokines and reduced protein levels of Nos2 and Cox2. Furthermore, extracts and purified pigments demonstrated potent dose-dependent radical scavenging activity in a cellular antioxidant activity assay (CAA) without any cytotoxic effects. Our research highlights the promising biological potential of edible, climate-resilient A. hortensis ‘rubra’ as a valuable source of bioactive compounds.

Design of a liposome casein hydrogel as an efficient front-end homeostatic anthocyanin loading system

Proteins have been studied and applied to improve the stability of anthocyanins (ACNs), but the changes in the pH microenvironment during the preparation of steady-state systems are often ignored, and more attention is given to the stability of the system after preparation. In this study, we propose the “anthocyanin front-end homeostasis strategy”, which involves designing a system can protect anthocyanins under acidic conditions so that more anthocyanin prototypes can be loaded inside the protein. Anthocyanins are encapsulated in liposomes (Lip) at pH 3.0 and combined with casein methacrylate (CSMA) to form Anthocyanin-loaded liposomes/CSMA hydrogel (Lip@ACNs/CSMA), with good physical properties and good blood compatibility. The system increased the hydrogen peroxide scavenging capacity by 1.16 mg Vc equiv./mg ACNs and the cellular antioxidant activity by 17.55 μM quercetin/100 mg ACNs, the photo and thermal storage stability increased by 36.50 % and 30.71 %, the digestive rate increased by 17.50 %, and the biological availability increased by 0.0049 mg/mL. This study designed a liposome casein hydrogel as an efficient front-end homeostatic anthocyanin loading system and provided a new approach for improving the stability of anthocyanins.

Characterization and molecular docking of tetrapeptides with cellular antioxidant and ACE inhibitory properties from cricket (Acheta domesticus) protein hydrolysate

Wide-ranging bioactivities of enzymatically digested insect protein to produce peptides have been targeted for functional food development. In this study, fractionated peptides obtained from cricket (Acheta domesticus) protein hydrolysate by alcalase digestion were identified and evaluated for their bioactivities. Peptide fractions F44, F45, and F46, isolated through size exclusion chromatography, demonstrated strong cytoprotective effects on SH-SY5Y and HepG2 cells exposed to H2O2. This was evidenced by a 2-fold decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in the cells and a 3-fold upregulation of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes. The F45 peptide fractions also showed chemical antioxidant activities ranging from approximately 290 to 393 mg trolox/g peptide, measured by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Furthermore, F45 demonstrated the highest angiotensin-converting enzyme I (ACE) inhibitory activity, 57.93 %. F45 induced higher levels of Nrf2, SOD1, SOD2, CAT, GSR, and GPx4 gene expression in SH-SY5Y and HepG2 cells compared to cells treated with H2O2 and no peptides (p < 0.05). Cells treated with H2O2 and F45 exhibited significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activity, including SOD, CAT, GSR, and GPx (p < 0.05). The F45B fraction from F45 was sequenced to obtain FVEG and FYDQ tetrapeptides. Molecular docking analysis revealed their high binding affinity to cellular antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSR, GPx1, and GPx4), an antioxidant-related protein (Keap1), and ACE. These results suggest that the novel tetrapeptides from Acheta domesticus demonstrate important biological activities, establishing them as significant cellular antioxidant activities and a potential source of antihypertensive peptides.

Investigation of Antioxidant Mechanisms of Novel Peptides Derived from Asian Swamp Eel Hydrolysate in Chemical Systems and AAPH-Induced Human Erythrocytes.

Sixteen novel antioxidant peptides from Asian swamp eel (ASE) were identified in previous studies. However, their chemical and cellular antioxidant mechanisms remain unclear. Molecular docking of these peptides with ABTS and DPPH radicals revealed the critical role of hydrogen bonding and Pi-Pi stacking hydrophobic interactions between hydrophobic amino acid residues and free radicals. Residues, such as tryptophan, proline, leucine, and valine, played significant roles in these interactions. All these peptides exhibited notable erythrocyte morphoprotective effects in a model of AAPH-induced oxidative damage of human erythrocytes. Erythrocyte hemolysis was reduced primarily through the modulation of both non-enzymatic (GSH/GSSG) and enzymatic antioxidant systems (SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px) by these peptides. A decrease in levels of MDA, LDH release, and hemoglobin oxidation was observed. Among the peptides, VLYPW demonstrated superior chemical and cellular antioxidant activities, which may be attributed to its higher levels of tyrosine and tryptophan, as well as to its increased hydrophobic amino acid content.

Digested galactoglucomannan mitigates oxidative stress in human cells, restores gut bacterial diversity, and provides chemopreventive protection against colon cancer in rats

Galactoglucomannan (GGM) is the predominant hemicellulose in coniferous trees, such as Norway spruce, and has been used as a multipurpose emulsifier in the food industry. In vitro digestion with a cellular antioxidant activity assay was performed to determine the bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds, and the behaviour of GGM on in vivo experimental assay against induced colon cancer. The results showed that digestion decreased the bioaccessibility and antioxidant capacity of phenolic compounds. Cellular analysis did not support these findings once an antioxidant effect was observed in human cell lines. GGM attenuated the initiation and progression of colon cancer, by reducing the foci of aberrant crypts in rats, and modified the intestinal bacterial microbiota (disrupting the balance between Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla). Thus, GGM provided chemopreventive protection against the development of colon cancer and acted as an intracellular antioxidant agent.

Garlic peel extract as an antioxidant inhibits triple‐negative breast tumor growth and angiogenesis by inhibiting cyclooxygenase‐2 expression

AbstractGarlic peels are frequently disposed of as agro‐waste; their bioactivity and physiological activity for health benefits and disease protection are neglected. This study aims to examine the potential inhibitory effects of garlic peel extract as an antioxidant on 4 T1 triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) tumors in mice. The bioactive constituents of garlic peel were identified through HPLC‐MS/MS analysis, while the antioxidant properties of garlic peel extract were assessed using peroxyl radical scavenging capacity (PSC) and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assays. Subsequently, the inhibitory effects of garlic peel extract on 4T1 tumor growth were evaluated using a 4T1 model. The results showed that 433 polyphenol compounds were found in garlic peel extract; among them, flavonoids and phenolic acid are the primary polyphenols with natural antioxidant activity, and both high and low concentrations of the extract exhibited tumor‐suppressive effects. Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the expression levels of COX‐2, CD31, VEGFA, MMP2, and MMP9 in tumor tissues in order to investigate the antioxidant properties of garlic peel extract, specifically its ability to suppress COX‐2 expression. The findings of this study offer a foundation for the advancement of garlic peel‐based functional products and contribute to the identification of potential anti‐cancer agents and therapeutic targets.

Combined metabolomics and bioactivity assays kernelby-productsof two native Chinese cherry species: The sources of bioactive nutraceutical compounds

Cherry kernels are a by-product of cherries that are usually discarded, leading to waste and pollution. In this study, the chemical composition of 21 batches of cherry kernels from two different cherry species was analyzed using untargeted metabolomics. The in vitro antioxidant activity, cellular antioxidant activity, and antiproliferative activity of these kernel extracts were also determined, and a correlation analysis was conducted between differential compounds and biological activity. A total of 49 differential compounds were screened. The kernels of Prunus tomentosa were found to have significantly higher total phenol, total flavonoid content, and biological activity than those of Prunus pseudocerasus (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that flavonoids had the greatest contribution to biological activity. The study suggests that both species of cherry kernel, particularly Prunus tomentosa, could be a potential source of bioactive compounds that could be used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.

Combating Parkinson's disease with plant-derived polyphenols: Targeting oxidative stress and neuroinflammation

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder predominantly affecting the elderly, characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation plays a central role in the pathogenesis of PD and other neurodegenerative diseases. An imbalance between cellular antioxidant activity and ROS production leads to oxidative stress, contributing to disease progression. Dopamine metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation in dopaminergic neurons have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Consequently, there is a pressing need for therapeutic interventions capable of scavenging ROS. Current pharmacological approaches, such as L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (levodopa or L-DOPA) and other drugs, provide symptomatic relief but are limited by severe side effects. Researchers worldwide have been exploring alternative compounds with less toxicity to address the multifaceted challenges associated with Parkinson's disease. In recent years, plant-derived polyphenolic compounds have gained significant attention as potential therapeutic agents. These compounds exhibit neuroprotective effects by targeting pathophysiological responses, including oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, in Parkinson's disease. The objective of this review is to summarize the current understanding of the neuroprotective effects of various polyphenols in Parkinson's disease, focusing on their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and to discuss their potential as therapeutic candidates. This review highlights the progress made in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of action of these polyphenols, identifying potential therapeutic targets, and optimizing their delivery and bioavailability. Well-designed clinical trials are necessary to establish the efficacy and safety of polyphenol-based interventions in the management of Parkinson's disease.

Fabrication, characterization, and bioactivity of self-assembled carrier-free colloidal dispersions from Citrus × Limon ‘Rosso’ essential oil and tea polyphenols

Carrier-free nanodelivery systems are fully self-assembled from active ingredients through interactions, offering the advantages of green, safe, and large-scale manufacturing. To improve the dispersion of Citrus × limon ‘Rosso’ peel essential oil (CEO) in water and boost the biological activity of CEO and tea polyphenols (TP), self-assembled CEO-TP colloidal dispersions (CEO-TP Colloids) were fabricated through sonication without surfactants or carriers. The optimal CEO and TP concentrations in the CEO-TP Colloids were determined to be 10.0 and 20.0 mg/mL by particle size and stability analyzer, respectively. The CEO self-assembled with TP to form spherical nanoparticles through hydrophobic and hydrogen-bonding interactions, whereas the CEO in CEO-TP Colloids weakened TP intramolecular aggregation. Meanwhile, the CEO-TP Colloids showed synergistic effects with better antibacterial, cellular antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities than single components. This study opens up the possibility of carrier-free co-delivery of hydrophobic and hydrophilic active components developed into food-grade formulations with multiple bioactivities.

Effect of 3D printing and traditional molding on phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in steamed bread

The production process of fermented black wheat steamed bread is closely related to the overall quality and nutritional content. In this study, we investigated the accuracy, product texture profile and antioxidant activity of fermented black wheat steamed bread samples produced by piston and spiral three-dimensional (3D) printers. The steaming process generally increased the total phenolic content and flavonoid content of the samples. The spiral 3D printer obtained samples with higher accuracy, total phenolic content up to 1960.43 Mg GAE/kg, and higher cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) content. The samples printed by the piston 3D printer showed higher total flavonoid content (575.75 Mg QE/kg), 2, 2′-azobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) values and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) values. This study shows that antioxidant-rich health foods can be prepared using 3D printed black wheat flour. The choice of 3D printing method affects the overall quality and nutritional content of the final product.