DNA Protection Activity Research Articles

Locking the nontemplate DNA to control transcription.

Universally conserved NusG/Spt5 factors reduce RNA polymerase pausing and arrest. In a widely accepted model, these proteins bridge the RNA polymerase clamp and lobe domains across the DNA channel, inhibiting the clamp opening to promote pause-free RNA synthesis. However, recent structures of paused transcription elongation complexes show that the clamp does not open and suggest alternative mechanisms of antipausing. Among these mechanisms, direct contacts of NusG/Spt5 proteins with the nontemplate DNA in the transcription bubble have been proposed to prevent unproductive DNA conformations and thus inhibit arrest. We used Escherichia coli RfaH, whose interactions with DNA are best characterized, to test this idea. We report that RfaH stabilizes the upstream edge of the transcription bubble, favoring forward translocation, and protects the upstream duplex DNA from exonuclease cleavage. Modeling suggests that RfaH loops the nontemplate DNA around its surface and restricts the upstream DNA duplex mobility. Strikingly, we show that RfaH-induced DNA protection and antipausing activity can be mimicked by shortening the nontemplate strand in elongation complexes assembled on synthetic scaffolds. We propose that remodeling of the nontemplate DNA controls recruitment of regulatory factors and R-loop formation during transcription elongation across all life.

Analysis of bioactive components in Ghost chili (Capsicum chinense) for antioxidant, genotoxic, and apoptotic effects in mice

Apart from using traditionally in culinary preparations, chili peppers are also important constituents of herbal medicines. Although the bioactive components are studied mostly in the fruits of Capsicum annuum, no such study reports till date is available for Ghost chili (C. chinense) from North East India. Therefore, the aim of this study was to carry out an analysis of the bioactive constituents in the naturally occurring hottest chili Ghost chili (C. chinense), and evaluate its antioxidant, pro/anti-genotoxic, and apoptotic effects in in vitro and in vivo models. Three different antioxidant assays showed that lower doses of Ghost chili extract showed higher DNA protective and antioxidant activities. Furthermore, the administration for 7 alternate days into 6 week old Swiss albino mice showed that the lower doses (50 and 100 mg/kg bw) reduced DMBA induced genotoxicity beside significantly enhancing the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes, while higher dose (200 mg/kg bw) induced genotoxic effect in bone marrow cells. The administration of higher dose (200 mg/kg bw) also induced apoptosis and upregulation of Bax (pro) and downregulation of Bcl-2 (anti) apoptotic genes. Dose dependent increase of apoptosis was also observed in Hep G2 and Hep 3B liver cancer cell lines. Our findings in the present study suggest that low doses of C. chinense can exert cancer chemopreventive effects. The induction of apoptosis in both cancer cell lines and mouse bone marrow cells, and up-regulation of proapoptotic genes suggests that the higher dose of C. chinense can be used for targeted cancer therapy.

Polyphenols From Cutch Tree ( Acacia catechu Willd.): Normalize In Vitro Oxidative Stress and Exerts Antiproliferative Activity

ABSTRACT Oxidative stress, being the main cause of most of the human diseases, has always been the highlight of research worldwide. This stress can be overcome by administration of natural polyphenols. The Acacia catechu Willd. has many refrences available in Ayurveda as important disease curative plant. Its leaves are investigated for ameliorating oxidative stress in present work. Leaves of A. catechu were extracted with 80% methanol to get methanol extract (AME). It was assessed for antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, ferric ion reducing, superoxide scavenging and peroxyl radical scavenging assays. DNA protective activity was also investigated using plasmid nicking assay. Further, antiproliferative activity was determined using MTT assay in various human cancer cell lines. The quantification of polyphenols was done by UHPLC analysis. Results confirmed that polyphenols of A. catechu were successful in normalizing oxidative stress. AME was found to be most effective in scavenging ABTS radicals while least effective in scavenging ferric ions. UHPLC analysis showed abundance of ellagic acid, rutin and quercetin in AME. Further, AME showed maximum antiproliferative activity against Hep G2 cancer cells. It is concluded that the polyphenols from A. catechu effectively remediates oxidative stress and hence can be used in curing numerous dreadful diseases.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of collagen peptides from milkfish (Chanos chanos) scales.

Milkfish (Chanos chanos), which is resistant to water quality changes is the fourth largest aquaculture commodity. Abandoned wastes of fish scale and bones aggravate environmental pollution. In this study, the effect of collagen peptides isolated from milkfish scales (MSCP) by pepsin-soluble collagen method on cell viability was investigated. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and DNA-protective activities of MSCP were also evaluated. Results revealed that more than 95% of viable cells were retained in human keratinocytes after addition of 100mg/mL MSCP. Measurement of DPPH· and ABTS· + radical scavenging activities and cellular reactive oxygen species revealed the high antioxidant activities of MSCP. MSCP demonstrated anti-inflammatory activities by reducing lipoxygenase activity and nitric oxide (NO·) radicals. Moreover, DNA electrophoresis assay indicated that MSCP treatment can directly protect against cyclobutane di-pyrimidine production and DNA single-strand breaks, which are harmful effects of UV radiation and H2O2. Given its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and DNA-protective activities, MSCP has potential applications in cosmeceuticals and supplementary health food.

Anticancer, antimicrobial, and DNA protection analysis of novel 2,4-dihydroxyquinoline dyes

A new series of 2,4-dihydroxyquinoline derived disazo dyes has been synthesized by the reaction of 5-amino-4-phenylazo-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole derivatives with 2,4-dihydroxyquinoline. The structures of the obtained dyes were identified by various spectrophotometric methods such as FT-IR, 1H-NMR, and elemental analysis. The synthesized compounds were also examined for different biological activities, including DNA protection, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. Compound 3b was found most effective on Gram-positive bacteria. A DNA protection assay was applied to all compounds, and it was found that compounds 3h and 3j had a high capacity for binding to DNA. Besides, compounds 3h and 3j showed cytotoxicity against HeLa and PC3 cancer cell lines. These compounds could potentially be used as drugs or drug additives based on their effects on bacterial and cancer cell lines.

Honeybee (Apis cerana) vitellogenin acts as an antimicrobial and antioxidant agent in the body and venom

Honeybee (Apis mellifera) egg-yolk protein vitellogenin (Vg) plays roles in immunity, antioxidation, and life span beyond reproduction, but it also acts as an allergen Api m 12 in venom. Here we established antimicrobial and antioxidant roles of honeybee Vg in the body and venom. Using the cDNA encoding Vg identified from Asiatic honeybee (A. cerana) workers, recombinant A. cerana Vg (AcVg) protein of approximately 180 kDa was produced in baculovirus-infected insect cells. In A. cerana worker bees, AcVg was expressed in the fat body and venom gland and was present in the secreted venom. AcVg induced structural damage in microbial cell walls via binding to microbial surfaces and exhibited antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. AcVg protected mammalian and insect cells against oxidative damage through direct shielding of cell membranes. Interestingly, AcVg exhibited DNA protection activity against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, the transcript level of AcVg was upregulated in the fat body, but not in the venom gland, of worker bees with antimicrobial peptides and antioxidant enzymes in response to microbial infection and oxidative stress. Our data indicate that AcVg is involved in innate immunity upon infection and in a defense system against ROS, supporting a crucial role of honeybee Vg as an antimicrobial and antioxidant agent in the body and venom.

DNA protection, antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibition activities of polyphenol-enriched fraction of Berberis integerrima Bunge fruits.

Objective(s):The aim of this study was to prepare fraction and determine the biological activities of the polyphenol-enriched fraction of Berberis integerrima Bunge fruits.Materials and Methods:In this assay fraction was extracted by column chromatography, using Amberlite column as the stationary phase. Phenol and flavonoids in the extract and fraction were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). DNA protection ability, antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibition capacities of this fraction were also examined.Results:Phenol and flavonoid content measurement and HPLC analyses of this fraction confirmed that phenol and flavonoids were increased in fraction in comparison to extract (before using Amberlite column). In antioxidant measurement assay, the trolox equivalent values were 1.05± 0.04 and 0.8±0.11 in oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and the EC50 values for cellular antioxidant activity were 55.51±0.21 and 95.67±0.13 µg/ml for quercetin and the fraction, respectively. The xanthine oxidase inhibition percentages were 97.6±0.003 and 90.2 6±0.003 in 100 µg/ml concentration of fraction and vitamin C respectively. Comet assay analysis showed that this fraction protects human lymphocytes against H2O2-induced DNA damages at 12.5 to 100 µg/ml concentrations.Conclusion:This study suggests that Amberlite column as the stationary phase help to improve phenolic compound in separating fractions. The results showed that B. integerrima fruits are rich in phenolic compounds and they are potent antioxidants with protective effects on oxidative damages. They might be used as functional ingredients in food and supplements.

Phenolic compounds as antioxidants and chemopreventive drugs from Streptomyces cellulosae strain TES17 isolated from rhizosphere of Camellia sinensis

BackgroundOxidative stress in an intracellular environment created by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species results in oxidative damage to biomolecules which ultimately become a hallmark for severe diseases like cancer, aging, diabetes, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.MethodsVarious in vitro assays were employed to assess the antioxidant potential of strain, DNA protective activity was demonstrated using DNA nicking assay and cytotoxicity of the extract was evaluated using MTT assay. Further identification of the compounds was done using UPLC analysis.ResultsThe extract of Streptomyces cellulosae strain TES17 demonstrated significant antioxidant activity with percentage inhibition of 78.47 ± 0.23, 91.08 ± 0.98 and 82.08 ± 0.93 for DPPH, ABTS and superoxide radical assays at 5 mg/mL, respectively. Total antioxidant and reducing power were found to be 76.93 ± 0.76 and 231.96 ± 0.51 mg AAE/100 mg of dry extract, respectively. Moreover, the extract was shown to inhibit lipid peroxidation upto 67.18 ± 1.9% at 5 mg/mL. TPC and TFC measured in the extract was 55 mg GAE/100 mg and 11.17 ± 4.05 mg rutin/100 mg, respectively. The protective nature of the TES17 extract to oxidative stress induced damaged DNA was shown by percentage of supercoiled DNA i.e. Form I was increased from 26.38 to 38.20% at concentrations ranging from 2 μg to 10 μg. TES17 extract also showed the cytotoxic activity against lung cancer cell line with 74.7 ± 1.33% inhibition whereas, limited toxicity was observed against normal cell line with percentage viability of 87.71 ± 6.66 at same concentration (30 μg/mL) tested. The antioxidant capacity of extract was well correlated with its TPC and TFC and this in turn was in keeping with the UPLC analysis which also revealed the presence of phenolic compounds that were responsible for the antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of S. cellulosae strain TES17.ConclusionsThe present study describes that S. cellulosae strain TES17 isolated from the rhizosphere of Camellia sinensis (tea) plant; produces potent compounds with antioxidant activity, further might be developed into therapeutic drugs to combat oxidative stress.

Study on determination of bioactive potentials of certain lichens

Lichens are symbiotic associations that are formed by fungi and algae or cyanobacteria. The number of lichen species investigated pharmaceutically is still very low at present. The present study aims to determine the antioxidant activities, antibacterial activities, DNA protective activities, and oxidative stress status of Bryoria fuscescens (Gyeln.) Brodo & D. Hawksw., Parmelina tiliacea (Hoffm.) Hale, and Umbilicaria decussata (Vill.) Zahlbr. Lichens were extracted with ethanol in the Soxhlet device. The DPPH method was used to determine antioxidant activities. DNA protective activity was determined using pBR322 supercoil DNA. Antibacterial activity was determined with dilution test on 5 different species of bacteria (Enterocossus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus). Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were defined with Rel Assay Diagnostics kits. It was observed that DPPH free radical scavenging activities in lichen ethanol extracts increased with increasing concentration. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in B. fuscescens and the lowest activity was determined in U. decussata. It was also determined that the ethanol extracts of all lichen samples had DNA-protective activity. The highest antibacterial activity was detected in B. fuscescens, while the lowest activity was detected in U. decussata. It was determined that B. fuscescens had the highest oxidative stress index and U. decussata had the lowest value. It appears that the ethanol extracts of the lichen samples utilized in the study could be used as an alternative and complementary resource in medical treatment.

Amifostine Protects Mouse Liver Against Radiation-induced Autophagy Blockage.

Amifostine is the only selective normal tissue cytoprotector, approved for the protection against platinum toxicities and radiotherapy-induced xerostomia. Free radical scavenger and DNA repair activities have been attributed to the drug. We investigated the effect of amifostine on autophagy, lysosomal biogenesis and lipophagy of normal mouse liver exposed to clinically relevant doses of radiation. The study provides evidence that ionizing radiation blocks autophagy activity and lysosomal biogenesis in normal mouse liver. Amifostine, protects the liver autophagic machinery and induces lysosomal biogenesis. By suppressing autophagy, ionizing radiation induces lipid droplet accumulation, while pre-treatment with amifostine protects lipophagy and up-regulates the TIP47 protein and mRNA levels, showing a maintenance of lipid metabolism in the liver cells. It is concluded that amifostine, aside to DNA protection activity, exerts its cytoprotective function by preventing radiation-induced blockage of autophagy, lysosomal biogenesis and lipophagy.

Antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of endophytic fungi isolated from medicinal plant Tragia involucrata L.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to test the antioxidant and cytotoxic and DNA protection activities of ethyl acetate extracts of endophytic fungi isolated from Tragia involucrata Linn. (Euphorbiaceae). Materials and Methods: The 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging, reducing power, and total antioxidant assay were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Cytotoxic activity of endophytic fungal extracts against MCF-7 and MOLT-4 cell lines was carried out using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide method. Results: We have successfully isolated four endophytic fungi from T. involucrata, namely Penicillium citrinum CGJ-C1 (GenBank accession No. KT780618), P. citrinum CGJ-C2 (GenBank accession No. KP739821), Cladosporium sp. CGJ-D1 (GenBank accession No. KP739822), and Cryptendoxyla hypophloia CGJ-D2 (GenBank accession No. KT780619). The ethyl acetate extract of P. citrinum CGJ-C2 showed the highest antioxidant as well as cytotoxic activity among the four fungal extracts taken for the study. All the extracts showed moderate DNA protection activity. Conclusions: Further studies on the isolation and purification of the lead molecule will help in designing the novel therapy for different ailments associated with free radical generation. Abbreviations used: MCF-7: Breast Cancer Cell Line; MOLT-4: Human leukemia cell line; DPPH: 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; MTT:3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide; DMSO: Dimethyl sulfoxide; H2O2: Hydrogen peroxide; NCI: National Cancer Institute.

Genotoxicity inhibition by Syzygium cumini (L.) seed fraction and rutin: understanding the underlying mechanism of DNA protection.

Considering the ethnopharmacological importance of Syzygium cumini's seed and the lack of information on the antimutagenic and DNA-protecting mechanisms, a fraction-based study was conducted. Four different (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and aqueous) fractions were obtained from the sequential extraction of the methanolic extract of the seed. The most active antioxidant fraction (ethyl acetate) contained significant amount of phenolics and flavonoids. LC-qTOF-MS analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction revealed the presence of rutin, myricetin, naringin, cuscohygrin, and epoxycarryophyllone as constituent phytocompounds. The ethyl acetate fraction (100 μg ml-1) and a selected compound (rutin, 40 μg ml-1) showed remarkable decrease in the revertants frequency range from 74-77% and 66-84%, respectively, against both the mutagens (sodium azide (NaN3) and methyl methane sulfonate (MMS)) in the Salmonella typhimurium tester strains. All the statistical analyses were at a significance level of 0.05 between the different treatment groups. Moreover, the underlying mechanism of antimutagenicity using different treatment regime for rutin was explored. MMS-mediated DNA fragmentation and oxidation in lymphocytes were also shown to be decreased significantly when treated with the ethyl acetate fraction and rutin. Oxidative damage to pBR322 plasmid DNA was also reduced when incubated with different concentration of the ethyl acetate fraction and rutin. Biophysical (UV, fluorescence, ITC, etc.) and computational methods were employed to obtain a closer look at the DNA-rutin interaction. The data obtained clearly revealed that the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited promising antimutagenic and DNA-protective activity and its flavonoid constituents, including rutin, contribute significantly to the observed activity.

DNA protection activity of a hydroethanol extract and six polyphenol monomers from Morus alba L. (mulberry) twig

ABSTRACTMorus alba L. (mulberry) is one of the most important medicine and food crops in China and other developing countries in Asia due to its large biomass (twigs) and useful by-products. Additionally, its twigs are an excellent green resource for bioactive compounds that are resistant to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and that can whiten skin and scavenge free radicals, and are of potential interest to the cosmetics and health food industries. In this study, we evaluated the ability of Morus alba L. twig hydroethanol extract and isolated compounds to protect DNA against UV damage. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed that a hydroethanol extract and six different polyphenol monomers (oxyresveratrol, resveratrol, mulberroside A, rutin, quercetin, and morin) present in the extract protected pUC19 plasmid DNA from UV damage. The optimal concentrations of polyphenols and Morus alba L. twig extract for DNA protection were 0.500 mg/mL and 1.00 mg/mL, respectively. These compounds may have potential as skin-care products to prevent UV-induced damage to the skin. Additionally, activity contribution degree assessment revealed other Morus alba L. substances possessing significant DNA protection activity that are worthy of further investigation.

Effects on Antibacterial and DNA Protection of Organic Dyestuff Extracts Obtained from Hazelnut Nuthusk

Hazelnut is of great important in agricultural export of our country. It has an annual export of one and a half billion dollars. Every new product that will increase the value of the nut is very important. In recent years, natural dye materials used especially in textile materials are important and those of plant origin are preferred. For this purpose, we have made a natural dye extracts from hazelnut nuthusk after collected, dried and grinded of samples. Some biological activities have been carried out showing the suitability for industrial use of the dye extracts obtained from hazelnut nuthusk. Within the scope of our study, the effect of extracts obtained from the hazelnut nuthusk of the Düzce region was evaluated on anti-bacterial and DNA protection. From the extracts obtained, antibacterial activity tests were analyzed by disk diffusion method using 3 different standard bacterial strains as S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa . pBR322 plasmid DNA and UV-C method was used for DNA protective activity. Four different extracts of dyestuff has showed antibacterial activities to S. Aureus and two different of them P. aeruginosa but none of the samples antibacterial properties to E. coli bacterial strains. It has been determined that the all of dyestuffs extracts obtained from the hazelnut nuthusk have potential for protection against the effects of UV-C and H 2 O 2 on DNA.

Insights into the multifunctional role of natural killer enhancing factor-A (NKEF-A/Prx1) in big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis): DNA protection, insulin reduction, H2O2 scavenging, and immune modulation activity

Natural killer enhancing factor A (NKEF-A), also known as peroxiredoxin 1 (Prx1), is a well-known antioxidant involved in innate immunity. Although NKEF-A/Prx1 has been studied in different fish species, the present study broadens the knowledge of NKEF-A gene in terms of molecular structure, function, and immune responses in fish species. Hippocampus abdominalis NKEF-A (HaNKEF-A) cDNA encoded a putative protein of 198 amino acids containing a thioredoxin_2 domain, VCP motifs, and three conserved cysteine residues including peroxidatic and resolving cysteines. Amino acid sequence comparison and phylogenetic breakdown showed the higher sequence identity and closer evolutionary position of HaNKEF-A to those of other fish counterparts. A recombinant protein of HaNKEF-A was shown to i) protect supercoiled DNA against mixed catalyzed oxidation, ii) reduce insulin disulfide bonds, and iii) scavenge extracellular H2O2. Results of in vitro assays demonstrated the concentration dependent antioxidant function of recombinant HaNKEF-A. In addition, qPCR assessments revealed that the HaNKEF-A transcripts were constitutively expressed in fourteen tissues with the highest expression in liver. As an innate immune response, HaNKEF-A transcripts were up-regulated in liver post injection of LPS, Edwardsiella tarda, Streptococcus iniae, and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid. Thus, HaNKEF-A can safeguards big-belly seahorse from oxidative damage and pathogenic infections. This study provides insight into the functions of NKEF-A/Prx1 in fish species.

발아녹미와 노루궁뎅이 버섯 균사체를 이용한 생물전환 약용 신소재의 항산화 활성 및 NO 생성 억제 효능

Background: Hericium erinaceus is considered a functional food and potential medicinal source. The present study was conducted to examine the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of carried out with water and ethanol extracts of Hericium erinaceus grown on germinated green rice (HEGR-W and HEGR-E, respectively) and the water and ethanol extracts of germinated green rice (GR-W and GR-E, respectively) as potential medicinal resources or antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.Methods and Results: The total phenolic and flavonoid contents, DPPH, and ABTS activity, reducing power, DNA protective activity, cell viability, and NO production were investigated. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were highest in HEGR-E (66.53 ± 2.40 ㎎·GAE/100 g and 82.12 ± 7.10 ㎎·CE/100 g respectively). HEGR-E exhibited high DPPH (44.70 ± 1.28%) and, ABTS (44.70 ± 1.28%) activity and reducing power (0.219). HEGR and GR extracts showed protective activity against DNA damage. The cytotoxicity of HEGR and GR in RAW264.7 cells and LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells was low. HEGR-E and GR-W exhibited anti-inflammatory effects through a 28% inhibition of NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells.Conclusions: These results suggested that the extracts of Hericium erinaceus grown on germinated green rice could be a potential medicinal material with natural antioxidant and NO inhibitory properties.

Marine Sponge Natural Products with Anticancer Potential: An Updated Review.

Despite the huge investment into research and the significant effort and advances made in the search for new anticancer drugs in recent decades, cancer cure and treatment continue to be a formidable challenge. Many sources, including plants, animals, and minerals, have been explored in the oncological field because of the possibility of identifying novel molecular therapeutics. Marine sponges are a prolific source of secondary metabolites, a number of which showed intriguing tumor chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties. Recently, Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs derived from marine sponges have been shown to reduce metastatic breast cancer, malignant lymphoma, and Hodgkin’s disease. The chemopreventive and potential anticancer activity of marine sponge-derived compounds could be explained by multiple cellular and molecular mechanisms, including DNA protection, cell-cycle modulation, apoptosis, and anti-inflammatory activities as well as their ability to chemosensitize cancer cells to traditional antiblastic chemotherapy. The present article aims to depict the multiple mechanisms involved in the chemopreventive and therapeutic effects of marine sponges and critically explore the limitations and challenges associated with the development of marine sponge-based anticancer strategy.

Enhancement and characterization of natural pigments produced by Monascus spp. using Saccharina japonica as fermentation substrate

The study aimed to maximize the production of natural pigments from Monascus spp. using Saccharina japonica as a solid state fermentation substrate at optimized physical and nutritional conditions. The yield of yellow, orange, and red pigments of Monascus purpureus were 83.01, 80.07, and 79.87 AU gdfs −1 and Monascus kaoliang were 83.23, 77.22, and 75.09 AU gdfs −1, respectively, when providing external 0.8% glucose and 0.4% peptone at incubation temperature 30 °C for 20 days. Medium inoculum size of 3 mL and moisture content of 50% for M. purpureus and 60% for M. kaoliang showed the highest pigment production. Scanning electron microscopy showed better mycelial growth of M. purpureus than M. kaoliang on S. japonica. Monascus spp. fermented seaweed was highly bioactive showing DNA protection and antioxidant activity because of increasing phenolic and flavonoid contents during fermentation period. The highest reducing sugar content was found at 15 days and glucanase enzyme activity was found at 20 days of fermentation for both of the species. The pigments were separated by thin layer of chromatography and the R f values were obtained 0.91 and 0.84 for yellow and orange pigments and two spots of 0.69 and 0.41 for red pigments. At different physicochemical stress, red pigment of M. purpureus showed more stability than that of M. kaoliang. So, it can be concluded that S. japonica was a very suitable substrate at optimum conditions for Monascus spp. natural pigment production.

Comparative Evaluation of Oxidative Stress Modulating and DNA Protective Activities of Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts of Acacia catechu.

Background: Plant-derived bioactive compounds are becoming immensely important as potential drugs. Different solvents are being used for extraction of these phytochemicals. Evaluation of biological activities of aqueous plant extracts is important as water soluble compounds would be more beneficial with respect to certification, safety and commercial issues. Oxidative stress is involved in development of many diseases; therefore, antioxidants are now being looked upon as convincing therapeutics against such diseases. Natural antioxidants are in high demand because of their lesser side effects. This study aims to compare the antioxidant activity of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Acacia catechu—a traditional medicinal plant. Methods: The activity was examined using different in vitro systems including radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation and inhibition of •OH radical induced DNA damage using standard protocols. Results: Both aqueous and methanolic extracts of Acacia catechu show significant activities with no differences in the efficacies of water and methanol soluble bioactive compounds. Conclusions: Present study revealed that aqueous extract of A. catechu has equal potential to be used as antioxidants as compared to methanolic extract. This can contribute to increased demand of physiologically compatible bioactive compounds of natural origin.

A Multidirectional Perspective for Novel Functional Products: In vitro Pharmacological Activities and In silico Studies on Ononis natrix subsp. hispanica.

The genus Ononis has important value as traditional drugs and foods. In the present work, we aimed to assess the chemical profiles and biological effects of Ononis natrix subsp. hispanica extracts (ethyl acetate, methanol, and water). For chemical profile, total and individual phenolic components were detected. For biological effects, antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelating assays), enzyme inhibitory (against cholinesterase, tyrosinase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase), antimicrobial, DNA protection and cytotoxic abilities were tested. The predominant phenolics were apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin in the tested extracts. Generally, the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were noted as the most active in the antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory assays. Water extract with different concentrations indicated high level of DNA protection activity. Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts showed antibacterial effect against to Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains. The cytotoxic effects of O. natrix subsp. hispanica extracts on the survival of HeLa and PC3 cells were determined by MTT cell viability assay. Water and methanol extracts caused initiation of apoptosis for PC3 cell line. Furthermore, molecular docking was performed to better understand interactions between dominant phenolic compounds and selected enzymes. Our results clearly indicate that O. natrix subsp. hispanica could be considered a potential candidate for designing novel pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals.