DNA Protection Activity Research Articles

Variation in Total Polyphenolic Contents, DNA Protective Potential and Antioxidant Capacity from Aqueous and Ethanol Extracts in Different Plant Parts of Hypericum perforatum L.

Abstract: Background and Purpose: Hypericum perforatum belonging to the family Hypericaceae is a reputed medicinal plant including a wide ranges of important phytochemical components. Chlorogenic acid, rutin, hyperoside, quercitrin, quercetin, pseudohypericin, hypericin and hyperforin are of the major components. Crude extract and individual compounds of H. perforatum have been reported to exert antidepressant, antibiotic, and antitumoral activities. It is worthy to note that the quantity and efficacies of the crude extracts or individual compound are not constant, which are strongly influenced by different climatic conditions, harvesting times, harvested plant organs and post-harvest practices. Hence, numerous studies on H. perforatum collected from different parts of the World are carried out for their desired quality and biological efficacy. Methods: Wild collected plant materials were dried and preserved with a voucher specimen number and were extracted using maceration at room temperature for 24 h in dark. Subsequently, extracts were screened for their phenolic and flavonoid contents, plausible antioxidant activities using two methods namely DPPH radical scavenging and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays and DNA protective activities. Results: The highlights of the study were are listed as 1) the highest total phenolic content in ethanol extracts of leaf, ii) the highest total flavonoid content in flower, iii) DPPH scavenging activity in leaf (80.51 %), flower (63.42 %) and stem (48.20 %), iv) highest ferric reduction capacity in ethanol extracts of stem were determined. Also, potent DNA protection activity was observed even at the lowest concentration value (25μg/ml) of the extracts. Conclusion: The phenolic content and strong antioxidant activities of ethanol extracts of different parts of the plant are reported. All the extracts exhibited strong DNA protective activities in response to the UV radiation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Key words: Antioxidant, DNA protective activity, Flavonoid, Hypericum perforatum L., Phenolic.

Ferrocene-based Schiff bases copper (II) complexes: Synthesis, characterization, biological and electrochemical analysis

Three ferrocene based Schiff bases copper (II) complexes i.e. bis(N-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-ferrocenylaniline)copper(II)(Cu(L1)2), bis(N-(2,3-dihydroxybenzylidene)-4-ferrocenylaniline)copper(II)(Cu(L2)2), and bis(N-(5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-ferrocenylaniline)copper(II)(Cu(L3)2), were prepared from Schiff bases N-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-ferrocenylaniline(HL1), N-(2,3-dihydroxybenzylidene)-4-ferrocenylaniline (HL2) and N-(5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-ferrocenylaniline (HL3). Schiff bases and their corresponding copper complexes were characterized by various spectroscopic, analytical and electro-analytical techniques. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of Schiff base (HL2) revealed three molecules in the asymmetric unit having same molecular conformation. The molecules are connected by intermolecular OH…O as well as intramolecular NH…O hydrogen bonds. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-bacterial, cytotoxicity, antitumor, DPPH, DNA protection and DNA-drug interaction studies. The copper complexes exhibited antibacterial activity against all tested strains. All the compounds showed significant activity in brine shrimps cytotoxicity and antitumor assays with IC50 values ranging from 2.32–69.61µg/ml. The copper complexes were found to be more active than Schiff bases with lower IC50 values. The DNA-drug interaction study through voltammetry revealed their binding nature which complemented antitumor behaviour evaluated from biological studies. Moreover, Schiff bases showed prominent antioxidant activity in DPPH assay along with DNA protection activity against hydroxyl free radicals.

Molecular modification of native coffee polysaccharide using subcritical water treatment: Structural characterization, antioxidant, and DNA protecting activities

Polysaccharides are an abundant resource in coffee beans and have proved to show numerous bioactivities. Despite their abundance, their activities are not always satisfactory mostly due to their structure and large molecular size. Molecular modifications of native polysaccharides can overcome this problem. In this study, we used a novel and green method to modify native coffee polysaccharides using subcritical water (SCW) treatment. The SCW treatment was used at the temperature of 180°C–220°C and pressure of 30–60bar. The molecular and structural modification of the polysaccharides was confirmed using several techniques such as FT-IR, UV spectroscopy, XRD, and TGA. The antioxidant activity of the modified polysaccharides was evaluated using several chemical and Saccharomyces cerevisiae-based high throughput assays. The modified polysaccharides showed high antioxidant activities in all tested assays. Moreover, the polysaccharides showed high DNA protection activities. Therefore, SCW could be employed as a green solvent for molecular modification of polysaccharides.

Antioxidant and antigenotoxic potential of Ramaria largentii Marr & D. E. Stuntz, a wild edible mushroom collected from Northeast Romania

Ramaria largentii Marr & D. E. Stuntz (orange coral mushroom) is a wild edible mushroom whose chemical composition and bioactivity have not been investigated. Herein, we present a study on the phenolic constituents, antioxidant and antigenotoxic effects of a hydromethanolic extract of the fruiting bodies. Total phenolic content, estimated by Folin-Ciocalteu assay, was found to be 42.33 ± 0.18 mg GAE/g. Protocatechuic and vanillic acids were detected by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS. The extract showed good free radical scavenging and reducing capacities (EC50 = 64.3 ± 0.2 and 61.54 ± 0.46 μg/mL, respectively). In normal Vero cells, the extract (100, 200 and 300 μg/mL) showed no genotoxic potential and moreover, almost completely protected DNA against H2O2-induced damage (2.09–7.91% tail DNA) (24 and 48 h pre-treatment). Taken together, the results of our study show that Ramaria largentii extract is devoid of genotoxicity and has a remarkable DNA protective activity against H2O2-induced damage.

Antioxidant, cytotoxic and DNA protective properties of Achillea eriophora DC. and Achillea biebersteinii Afan. extracts: A comparative study.

Achillea is a traditional medicinal herb which contains different phenol and flavonoid compounds that are responsible for Achillea pharmacological effects. We aimed to determine phenol and flavonoid contents, besides antioxidant activities of different extracts from Achillea eriophoraa (A. eriophora) DC. and Achillea biebersteinii (A. biebersteinii) Afan. (endemic species in Iran) and to investigate their effects on human cells. Achillea extracts, were prepared by maceration and shaking methods, from different parts (aerial parts, stem, leaves and inflorescence) of two species using methanol and ethanol as solvents. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were measured by spectrophotometry, and antioxidant activities of the extracts were determined by DPPH radical scavenging, BCB and TBARS assays. Cytotoxicity and antioxidant activities of the extracts were investigated in Human Foreskin Fibroblast (HFF3) cells using MTT, comet and H2O2 assays. Methanol extracts of A. biebersteinii prepared from leaves and inflorescence by maceration method exhibited maximum phenol (1657.58 ± 36.45 mg GAE/100 g DW) and flavonoid (264.00 ± 62.16 mg QUE/100 g DW) contents. Leaf methanol extract showed significantly higher antioxidant activity (0.0276 ± 0.003, 0.16 ± 0.016 and 13.96 ± 0.26 mg/ml for DPPH, BCB and TBARS IC50s, respectively) than those of the other extracts. Leaf extract of A. biebersteinii was not cytotoxic even at the highest examined dose (512 µg/ml) and inhibited cell toxicity induced by H2O2 (98% viability for the cells pretreated with plant extract in the presence of H2O2). Comet assay also confirmed high DNA protective activity of leaf extracts. Achillea extracts possess remarkable antioxidant activity, and could be good natural alternatives to synthetic antioxidants in pharmaceutical and food industries.

New Approaches in Traditional and Complementary Alternative Medicine Practices: Auricularia auricula and Trametes versicolor

Several mushroom species are consumed by collecting from the nature or in cultured form for their nutritional and medical characteristics. The objective of the present study is to determine antioxidant activities, DNA-protective activities, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress indices (OSI) and Fe, Mg, Zn, Cu, Na and Ca content in Auricularia auricula (L.) Underw. and Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd mushroom species. Mushroom ethanol extracts were obtained and antioxidant activities with DPPH method, TAS, TOS and OSI values with Rel Assay Diagnostics kits, and DNA protective activities using pBR322 supercoil DNA were identified. Furthermore, Fe, Mg, Zn, Cu, Na and Ca contents were determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. It was determined that antioxidant potential of mushroom ethanol extracts were low compared to the standard and they did not have DNAprotective activities. It was also observed that the mushrooms have variable element content, and have similar TAS, TOS and OSI levels. High OSI values found in both mushroom species showed that these mushroom are unhealthy. Thus, it was recommended to demonstrate caution in consumption of mushrooms collected in these regions. However, it was also considered that the mushroom samples collected from regions with adequate OSI values could be used as antioxidant.

Comparison of antioxidant activity and prevention of lymphocyte DNA damage by fruit and vegetable juices marketed in Korea

Purpose: Fruit and vegetable juices are known to be rich sources of antioxidants, which have beneficial effects on diseases caused by oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to directly compare the antioxidant activities of fruit and vegetable juices marketed in Korea. Methods: We analyzed four fruit juices, two vegetable juices, two yellow-green juices, and six mixed vegetable juices. Antioxidant activities were analyzed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test, 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS) test, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. Protective effects against DNA damage were determined using an ex vivo comet assay with human lymphocytes. Results: DPPH radical scavenging activities were in the following order: blueberry juice > mixed vegetable C juice > kale juice > mixed vegetable P juice > grape juice. ABTS radical scavenging activities were in the following order: blueberry juice > mixed vegetable C juice > grape juice > mixed vegetable P juice > kale juice. Peroxyl radical scavenging activities as assessed by ORAC assay were in the following order: blueberry juice > kale juice > mixed vegetable C juice > grape juice. Grape or blueberry juice showed strong abilities to prevent DNA damage in lymphocytes, and the difference between them was not significant according to the GSTM1/GSTT1 genotype. Conclusion: Antioxidant activities of fruit and vegetable juices and ex vivo DNA protective activity increased in the order of blueberry juice, grape juice, and kale juice, although the rankings were slightly different. Therefore, these juices rich in polyphenols and flavonoids deserve more attention for their high antioxidant capacity.

Antioxidant potential of essential oil from Lavandula angustifolia in in vitro and ex vivo cultured liver cells.

Lavender is a commonly used herb in traditional medicine in Asia and Europe. It has been reported to be an effective medical plant in treating inflammation, depression and stress, thanks to its sedative and anxiolytic action, thrombotic, and antimicrobial properties. In the present study we investigated the protective effects of essential oil from Lavandula angustifolia (LO) against hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide -induced DNA damage. Also the effects of LO on the levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants (SOD-superoxide dismutase, GPx-glutathione peroxidase, GSH-glutathione) were evaluated in in vitro (human hepatoma cell line HepG2) and in ex vivo (freshly isolated rat hepatocytes) systems. The results showed that the oxidant-induced DNA lesions were significantly reduced in both systems pre-treated with the Lavandula angustifolia. The observed DNA-protective activity could be explained by both elevation of GPx activity in cells pre-treated with LO and antioxidant activity of LO.

Chemical composition and inhibitory effects of water extract of Henna leaves on reactive oxygen species, DNA scission and proliferation of cancer cells.

From the centuries, Lawsonia inermis L. (Henna) is utilized in traditional health care system as a medicinal and cosmetic agent. The present study was intended to assess antiradical, DNA protective and antiproliferative activity of water extract of Lawsonia inermis L. leaves (W-LI). Antioxidant activity was estimated using various in vitro assays such as DPPH, ABTS, superoxide anion radical scavenging, FRAP, deoxyribose degradation and DNA protection assay. Growth inhibitory effects of W-LI were assessed using MTT assay against different cancer cell lines viz. HeLa, MCF-7, A549, C6 and COLO-205. From the results of antioxidant assays, it was found that W-LI quenched DPPH and ABTS cation radicals with IC50 value of 352.77 µg/ml and 380.87 µg/ml respectively. It demonstrated hydroxyl radical scavenging potential of 59.75 % at highest test dose of 1000 µg/ml in deoxyribose degradation assay. The results of FRAP assay showed that W-LI also possesses significant reducing activity. Extract inhibited hydroxyl radical induced pBR322 plasmid DNA strand scission, thus conferring DNA protection. Growth inhibition of various cancer cell lines was achieved to the varying extent on treatment with W-LI. Further, it was observed that activity was quite promising against colon cancer COLO-205 cells (GI50 121.03 µg/ml). HPLC profiling of W-LI revealed the presence of different polyphenolic compounds such as ellagic acid, catechin, quercetin, kaempferol etc. which might be contributing towards antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. The present study demonstrated that polyphenols rich W-LI extract from leaves of L. inermis possesses ability to inhibit oxidative radicals and cancer cells proliferation.

Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) conditions using polynomial design for improving antioxidant phytochemicals in Berberis asiatica Roxb. ex DC. leaves

Microwave-assisted extraction condition is of great importance for increasing recovery of phytochemicals with lesser time and solvent consumption. In this regard, the advanced microwave extraction technique was applied for the first time for improving polyphenolic antioxidants in Berberis asiatica leaves using polynomial design. A combination of first and second order polynomial designs was used at different levels using Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken design and a total of 29 experiments were conducted for determination of optimal extraction condition for polyphenolics. Under optimal extraction condition [microwave power – 500W, sample to solvent ratio – 1:45 (g/ml) and methanol concentration – 60%], total phenolics (132.63mg GAE/g), total flavonoids (31.36mg QE/g), total tannins (145.17mg TAE/g), ABTS (34.46mM AAE/g), FRAP (708.07mM AAE/g) and DPPH (34.12mM AAE/g) antioxidant activities was recorded near close with predicted values. The extract also showed DNA and erythrocyte damage protective activity and reveals the presence of 12 phenolic compounds during high-performance liquid chromatography among which 4 compounds were reported first time from this species. Chlorogenic acid and catechin were found in higher concentration as compared with other phenolic compounds. The present study provides the potential of harnessing maximum antioxidant phytochemicals from the Berberis asiatica leaves using microwave-assisted extraction condition.

Oxyresveratrol: Structural Modification and Evaluation of Biological Activities.

Oxyresveratrol (2,4,3′,5′-tetrahydroxystilbene, 1), a phytoalexin present in large amounts in the heartwood of Artocarpus lacucha Buch.-Ham., has been reported to possess a wide variety of biological activities. As part of our continuing studies on the structural modification of oxyresveratrol, a library of twenty-six compounds was prepared via O-alkylation, aromatic halogenation, and electrophilic aromatic substitution. The two aromatic rings of the stilbene system of 1 can be chemically modulated by exploiting different protecting groups. Such a strategy allows for selective and exclusive modifications on either ring A or ring B. All compounds were evaluated in vitro for a panel of biological activities, including free radical scavenging activity, DNA protective properties, antiherpetic activity, inhibition of α-glucosidase and neuraminidase, and cytotoxicity against some cancer cell lines. Several derivatives were comparably active or even more potent than the parent oxyresveratrol and/or the appropriate positive controls. The partially etherified analogs 5′-hydroxy-2,3′,4-trimethoxystilbene and 3′,5′-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxystilbene demonstrated promising anti-herpetic and DNA protective activities, offering new leads for neuropreventive agent research, whereas 5′-hydroxy-2,3′,4,-triisopropoxystilbene displayed anti-α-glucosidase effects, providing a new lead molecule for anti-diabetic drug development. 3′,5′-Diacetoxy-2,4-diisopropoxystilbene showed potent and selective cytotoxicity against HeLa cancer cells, but the compound still needs further in vivo investigation to verify its anticancer potential.

Eco-friendly waste management of mackerel wastewater and enhancement of its reutilization value

To reutilize mackerel wastewater (MWW) generated from mackerel processing plants, aerobic biodegradation of MWW was conducted in a 3-l reactor by using mixed microbes. During the first 24 h, biodegradation occurred actively, and the dissolved oxygen level, pH, and oxidation–reduction potential decreased with an increase in cell number. Then, the fishy smell started to disappear. The 42-h culture supernatant displayed high antioxidant activities, as indicated by the following results: 88.7% 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, 99.7% 2, 2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity, 96% hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and 0.35 reducing power at A700. The high antioxidant activities were attributed to specific amino acids, and this was confirmed using two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. Moreover, the culture supernatants displayed antimicrobial and DNA protective activities and weak antifungal activity, enhancing the reutilization value of MWW. The remaining culture broth after MWW biodegradation was found to be phytotoxin-free, and it could be used as a biofertilizer on the basis of hydroponic culture of red bean and barley. Overall, advanced waste management of MWW was demonstrated.

Instant biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Lawsonia inermis leaf extract: Innate catalytic, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities

New and innovative strategies are of potential interest for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which are used in huge range of consumer products. The present work is focused on bio-fabrication of AgNPs in single step employing Lawsonia inermis and evaluation of their antimicrobial, antioxidant and catalytic properties. The prepared AgNPs are highly stable and monitored through UV–Vis spectrophotometer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns proved the crystalline nature of AgNPs with face-centered cubic (fcc) geometry. Morphological images confirm the uniform distribution of spherical nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) result expounds the functional groups of a leaf extract responsible for the bio-reduction of silver ions and their interaction between them. The synthesized AgNPs show potent catalytic activity in the degradation of anthropogenic pollutant (4-nitrophenol) by excess of NaBH4. The biosynthesized AgNPs seem to exhibit effective antibacterial, antifungal properties and further more possess potent antioxidant and DNA protective activities. At last, the current study illustrated the potential use of L. inermis as a novel source for AgNPs synthesis and their pronounced applicability in biomedical field.

Development of kefir-based probiotic beverages with DNA protection and antioxidant activities using soybean hydrolyzed extract, colostrum and honey

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of different functional substrates (soybean hydrolyzed extract, colostrum and honey) to design novel probiotic beverages using kefir grains as starter culture. The fermentations were carried out at 30 °C for 24 h and physical-chemical composition and functional aspects were determined. It was found that fermentation processes with kefir grains increased the functional quality of all substrates evaluated. Honey-based kefir beverage had higher antioxidant activity and its microbial composition was assessed using molecular approaches (Rep-PCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing). High levels of lactic acid bacteria and yeast populations (over 106 CFU/mL) were found in the product and were mainly composed of potential probiotic strains of Lactobacillus statsumensis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Bacillus megaterium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lachancea fermentati. In addition, the honey-based kefir beverage showed protection effect on DNA damage and had a high sensory quality compared to traditional kefir beverage. The results demonstrated that honey could be an ideal alternative substrate for the production of functional cultured beverage, especially for vegans and lactose intolerant consumers.

The Plant Natural Products: Their Antioxidants, Free Radical Scavengers, DNA Protection and Antimicrobial Activities

The plant natural products are chemical compounds or substances produced by plants and have different activities or functions. These products exhibited several important biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-allergic, antiinflammatory, antioxidant and free radical scavenging due to their rich content of compounds as polyphenols. The highly reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during the metabolism can cause oxidative damage for biomolecules as RNA and DNA, resulting in cell cellular damage and death. It was shown that the antioxidant activities found in plant natural products could provide protective effects via inhibiting DNA oxidative damage. This review highlights some of important roles of the plant natural products as antioxidants and as antimicrobials.

Protective effect of Korean diet food groups on lymphocyte DNA damage and contribution of each food group to total dietary antioxidant capacity (TDAC)

Purpose: This study was performed to compare total phenolic contents, in vitro antioxidant capacity, and reduction effect of Korean food groups on ex vivo DNA damage in human cells and analyze correlations between each indicator. Methods: Vegetable foods in the Korean diet based the results of the KNHANES V-2 (2011) were classified into 10 food groups: cereals, fruits, vegetables, nuts, kimchi, seaweeds, potatoes, mushrooms, legumes, and oils. Eighty-four foods constituted more than 1% of the total intake in each food group and finally designated as vegetable foods in the Korean diet. Total phenolic content of each food group was measured. Further, in vitro antioxidant capacity was measured based on DPPH radical scavenging assay, TEAC assay, and ORAC ROOㆍ assay. Ex vivo DNA damage in human lymphocytes was assessed using comet assay. Results: Total phenolic contents of food groups of the Korean diet increased in the order of mushrooms, fruits, vegetables, seaweeds, and kimchi. Meanwhile, antioxidant rankings of food groups as mean values from the three in vitro test methods increased in the order of mushrooms, seaweeds, vegetables, kimchi, and fruits. Protection against ex vivo DNA damage in human lymphocytes was highest in mushrooms, followed by vegetables, fruits, seaweeds, and kimchi. The rankings of the food groups for total phenolic content, in vitro DAC, and ex vivo DNA protection activity were similar, and correlations between each indicator were significantly high. Conclusion: Mushrooms, fruits, vegetables, and seaweeds among the tested food groups in the Korean diet showed high total phenolic contents, in vitro antioxidant capacities, and protection against DNA damage. Correlations between each indicator in terms of total phenolic content, in vitro antioxidant capacity, and ex vivo DNA protection between each food group were found to be particularly high.

DNA Damage Inhibition Properties of Sundarban Honey and its Phenolic Composition

Abstract: Sundarban honey is one of the most renowned and popular types of honey from Bangladesh. This study was undertaken to investigate the antioxidant and DNA damage inhibition potentials of Sundarban honey. The estimated polyphenol, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, reducing sugar and protein contents in the investigated honey were found to be 593.96 ± 13.71 mg GAEs/kg, 50.00 ± 0.00 mg CEs/kg, 117.04 ± 1.05 mg/kg, 60.58 ± 3.23 g/100 g and 6.43 ± 0.12 mg/g, respectively. Some phenolics including gallic acid, pyrogallol, vanillic acid and trans-Cinnamic acid, as well as three flavonoids, naringin, rutin and quercetin, were identified and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography. Sundarban honey was found to possess protective activity against hydrogen peroxide and UV irradiation-induced damage to pBR322. The DNA protection activity of honey corresponded to its antioxidant potential and exhibited dose-dependent effects. Practical Application: Sundarban honey, a wild multifloral honey produced by Apis dorsata bees is one of the most renowned types of honey from Bangladesh and confers protection against oxidative stress-induced liver and kidney damage. This honey can a be very good source of natural antioxidant which particularly contains some phenolic compounds including gallic, vanillic and trans-Cinnamic acids as well as three flavonoids (naringin, rutin and quercetin). Sundarban honey can protect against oxidative DNA damage and consecutive illness.

DNA Protective Activity of Peels of Some Vegetables Wastes

The present study was conducted by using kitchen wastes like peels of different vegetables e.g. cucumber, potato, carrot, chickpea, cauliflower and pea, to evaluate the phytochemical constituents, DNA protection ability and free radicals scavenging activity. Phytochemicals tests showed the presence of carbohydrates, amino acids, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins and steroids in all samples while phlobatannins, anthraquonines and saponins were absent. The DNA protection of samples was checked by DNA protection assay using plasmid pBR322. Cauliflower and cucumber showed best protection at each dilution. DPPH free radicals scavenging assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of peel extract of vegetables. Carrot showed the highest antioxidant activity of about (84%) at 10 mg/ml, followed by pea and chickpea with 75% and 79% respectively. It is therefore concluded that peels of cauliflower and cucumber in terms of DNA protection activity, and carrot, pea and chick pea in terms of DPPH free radicals scavenging assay can be helpful and all these peels which are wasted can be utilized for medicinal and other purposes.

DNA-protection and antioxidant properties of fermentates from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B-1895 and Bacillus subtilis KATMIRA1933.

DNA protective and antioxidant activity of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B-1895 and Bacillus subtilis KATMIRA1933 were evaluated by Escherichia coli-based Lux biosensors. Two biosensor strains of E. coli, MG1655 (pColD-lux) and MG1655 (pSoxS-lux), which react on DNA damage and superoxide-anion radical activity, were used. SOS-response and Sox-response were stimulated by addition of dioxidine (2,3-Quinoxalinedimethanol,1,4-dioxide) and paraquat (N,N'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium dichloride) respectively. Preparations of both Bacillus fermentates demonstrated DNA protective and antioxidant (superoxide scavenging) activity (up to 60·19%). The strain К1933 is, in general, characterized by higher DNA protective activity (28·85%), with parameters of antioxidant activity of both bacilli strains being statistically not significantly different. Sporogenous potential probiotic micro-organisms with antioxidant and DNA protective activities can become an effective tool for compensation of various negative oxidative stress processes in humans. In humans, oxidative stress is a cause or an important component of many serious diseases, as well as being one of the age influencing factors. Environmental stresses lead to the increase in levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidative DNA damage is a side effect of nonspecific inflammation. These human health challenging factors trigger the search for health-promoting bacteria capable of production of antioxidants and DNA-protectors. In this study, two Bacillus strains of interest were shown to produce noticeable DNA protective and antioxidant activities.

In vitro and in vivo assessment of the genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity of the Filipendula hexapetala and Filipendula ulmaria methanol extracts

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe two species of Filipendula genus, Filipendula hexapetala Gilib. and Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim are a traditional herbal medicine widely used to treat haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, fever, rheumatism and arthritic pain, kidney problems, to stop bleeding, and the common cold, as well as food supplements. However, no scientific study has been performed to validate genotoxic and/or antigenotoxic potentials of these two Filipendula species. Aim of the studyThe aim of the present study was to examine the genotoxic and possible in vitro and in vivo DNA protection potential of methanol extracts of F. hexapetala and F. ulmaria. Materials and methodsThe genotoxicity of different concentrations of F. hexapetala and F. ulmaria methanol extracts from roots and aerial parts (20, 40 and 80mg/ml), mixed with standard food for Drosophila, was evaluated in vivo in the anterior midgut of Drosophila melanogaster using a modified alkaline comet assay. The protective effects of the highest dose of extracts were observed in somatic cells of third-instar larvae against ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS)-induced genotoxicity. Also, DNA protection activity of methanol extracts from F. hexapetala and F. ulmaria (100, 200, and 400μg/ml) against hydroxyl radical-induced DNA damage was determined under in vitro conditions. ResultsThe results showed that methanol extracts from the root and aerial part of F. hexapetala at a concentration of 20mg/ml indicated the absence of genotoxicity. Also, there were no statistically significant differences in total scores between any of the groups treated with F. ulmaria root extract and the negative control group, while F. ulmaria aerial part extract possess weak genotoxic effects depending on the concentrations. The percentage reduction in DNA damage was more evident in the group of larvae simultaneously treated with EMS and the highest dose of F. hexapetala root or aerial part extracts and F. ulmaria root extract (91.02, 80.21, and 87.5%, respectively) and less expressive in the group simultaneously treated with F. ulmaria aerial part extract (54.7%). F. hexapetala root and aerial part extracts and F. ulmaria root extract possess strong capabilities to protect DNA from being damaged by hydroxyl radicals. ConclusionsIt can be concluded that F. hexapetala root and aerial part extracts and F. ulmaria root extract demonstrated the absence of genotoxic activity. The extracts appeared to have antigenotoxic effect, reducing the levels of DNA damage induced by EMS by more than 80%. Also, F. hexapetala root and aerial part extracts and F. ulmaria root extracts could effectively protect against hydroxyl radical-induced DNA damage.