Excessive Free Radical Research Articles

Oxidative stress, inflammation, dysfunctional redox homeostasis and autophagy cause age-associated diseases

Aging and age-associated diseases (AADs) are growing risk factors in societies worldwide. During aging, there is an accumulation of excessive oxygen free radicals [reactive oxygen species (ROS)] and nitrogen free radicals [reactive nitrogen species (RNS)] due to dysfunctional mitochondria, dysregulated catalytic activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) phosphate [NADP(H)] oxidase (NOX), cyclooxygenases, and nitric oxide synthases (NOS) over the threshold of physiological levels, creating oxidative stress (OS). Excessive ROS and RNS oxidize, break, denature, and sometimes cause aggregations of key cellular components including DNA, proteins, and lipids. Normally, these denatured molecules and their aggregates are eliminated by autophagy (AP) and ubiquitin-proteosome system (UPS). However, these two proteostatic mechanisms are impaired as age progresses. As a result, these abnormal molecules turn into damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), recognized as non-self by immune cells, leading to systemic chronic inflammation (SCI), which together with OS are the major causes of aging and AADs. Therefore, instead of trying to prevent and cure AADs individually, the logical approach should be the restoration of redox homeostasis by the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway which can prevent the damaging effect of OS and the upregulation of AP and UPS to eliminate DAMPs, and together they attenuate SCI to lessen the effect of inflammation. The central regulators, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and Sestrins, synergistically control the restoration of the redox homeostasis by activating Nrf2, the upregulation of AP-UPS, and the inhibition of SCI. The activation of these central regulators can be achieved by exercise, caloric restriction (CR), and intakes of certain CR mimetic natural compounds. Consequently, the activations of these regulators may lead to the prevention and/or attenuation of the AADs.

Click-crosslinked in-situ hydrogel improves the therapeutic effect in wound infections through antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities

Bacterial infection, free radical accumulation and excessive inflammation are major factors leading to delayed wound healing. The rapid and effective elimination of wound bacteria and excess free radicals, and modulation of the wound immune microenvironment to accelerate infected wound healing is one of the pressing clinical issues. Common wound dressing or drugs are single-functional and risk of developing drug resistance. Therefore, multifunctional biomaterials with accelerated wound healing are urgently desired. Herein, we reported a click-crosslinked hydrogel with antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties for infected wound repair. The hydrogel gelated from maleimide-based oxidized sodium alginate and sulfhydryl carboxymethyl chitosan based on “click” chemistry and Schiff base reaction possess short gelation time, good biocompatibility, broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, appropriate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ability. Hydrogels effectively activate macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype and significantly promote the migration of repair-related cells (fibroblasts, epithelial cells and endothelial cells) and angiogenesis in vitro through paracrine mechanism. The in vivo results from a full-thickness infected wound model demonstrated that hydrogels can promote wound repair and regeneration by promoting angiogenesis and re-epithelialization through antibacterial, antioxidant and M2-type macrophage polarization. The bioactive hydrogels designed with antibacterial, antioxidant and M2 polarization promoting properties provide an efficient strategy for infected wound repair.

<em>Brassica oleracea</em> var. italica extract reducing free radicals and inflammation initiated by an exposure to cigarette smoke

Introduction: Herbal extracts are often administered to cigarette smokers to prevent excessive free radicals. These include Brassica oleracea var. Italica, known to contain high antioxidant flavonoids and selenium micronutrients. Therefore, this study aims to determine the efficacy of Brassica oleracea var extract. italica in reducing the free radicals and inflammation present in experimental animals exposed to cigarette smoke.
 Design and Methods: This research was conducted based on an experimental method using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) for 21 days. The animals used were divided into six groups (negative control, positive control, and four treatments). Particularly, the positive control and treatment groups were exposed to cigarette smoke for 2 minutes, twice a day, at 50 PPM CO levels. The treatment groups were administered the extract at different doses (0.5 ml; 0.75 ml; 1 ml; 1.25 ml), before assessing the blood level of malondialdehyde and C-Reactive Protein.
 Result: The results showed the tendency for exposure to smoke to increase the number of free radicals and stimulate inflammation responses in the body (P<0,05). In addition, a strong correlation between variables was established (p=0.000; r=0.713).
 Conclusions: Broccoli extracts (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica) administration has the potential to cause a decline in the two aspects, including free radicals and inflammation responses resulting from exposure to cigarette smoke.

Melatonin and Health: Insights of Melatonin Action, Biological Functions, and Associated Disorders.

Melatonin is ubiquitous molecule with wide distribution in nature and is produced by many living organisms. In human beings, pineal gland is the major site for melatonin production and to lesser extent by retina, lymphocytes, bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and thymus. Melatonin as a neurohormone is released into circulation wherein it penetrates all tissues of the body. Melatonin synthesis and secretion is supressed by light and enhanced by dark. Melatonin mostly exerts its effect through different pathways with melatonin receptor 1 (MT1) and melatonin receptor 2 (MT2) being the predominant type of receptor that are mainly expressed by many mammalian organs. Melatonin helps to regulate sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. In addition, melatonin acts as an antioxidant and scavenges excessive free radicals generated in the body by anti-excitatory and anti-inflammatory properties. A multiple array of other functions are displayed by melatonin that include oncostatic, hypnotic, immune regulation, reproduction, puberty timing, mood disorders, and transplantation. Deficiencies in the production or synthesis of melatonin have been found to be associated with onset of many disorders like breast cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Melatonin could be used as potential analgesic drug in diseases associated with pain and it has quite promising role there. In the past century, a growing interest has been developed regarding the wide use of melatonin in treating various diseases like inflammatory, gastrointestinal, cancer, mood disorders, and others. Several melatonin agonists have been synthesized and are widely used in disease treatment. In this review, an effort has been made to describe the biochemistry of melatonin along with its therapeutic potential in various diseases of humans.

Treatment of osteoarthritis by salvianolic acid derivatives.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a pervasive degenerative joint disorder. Approximately 32.5 million US adults are suffering from this disease. The joint disease is characterized by oxidative stress, synovial fluid inflammation, apoptosis in chondrocytes, cartilage degradation, bone sclerosis, and osteophyte formation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production due to oxidative stress is the primary cause of many pathological disease processes. The understanding of molecular and cellular pathways and their association with joint tissues is necessary to develop new therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of OA. Most over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat OA. Natural compounds with medicinal properties are useful and effective sources for the treatment of various diseases since ancient times. Salvianolic acid is one of the natural phenolic compounds of the plant Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anesthetic, and cytotoxic properties. There is a critical need for new drug planning to focus on the specific mechanisms of oxidative interaction in targeted TRPA1 ion channels and intracellular ion signaling, which will interact with other TRP channel subunits to regulate pathological diseases. In our experiment, we found that the rise of intracellular calcium ions in rat osteoblast cells due to excessive free radicals generated by H2O2 was suppressed by Salvianolic Acid-B. Therefore, this pilot project aims to identify Salvianolic acid analogs as lead compounds that target the TRP channel which is one of the key pathway players in producing arthritis pain and other pathogenesis.

Detoxification of Selenium Yeast on Mycotoxins and Heavy Metals: a Review.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by specific fungi. More than 400 different mycotoxins are known in the world, and the concentration of these toxins in food and feed often exceeds the acceptable limit, thus causing serious harm to animals and human body. At the same time, modern industrial agriculture will also bring a lot of environmental pollution in the development process, including the increase of heavy metal content, and often the clinical symptoms of low/medium level chronic heavy metal poisoning are not obvious, thus delaying the best treatment opportunity. However, the traditional ways of detoxification cannot completely eliminate the adverse effects of these toxins on the body, and sometimes bring some side effects, so it is essential to find a new type of safe antidote. Trace element selenium is among the essential mineral nutrient elements of human and animal bodies, which can effectively remove excessive free radicals and reactive oxygen species in the body, and has the effects of antioxidant, resisting stress, and improving body immunity. Selenium is common in nature in inorganic selenium and organic selenium. In previous studies, it was found that the use of inorganic selenium (sodium selenite) can play a certain protective role against mycotoxins and heavy metal poisoning. However, while it plays the role of antioxidant, it will also have adverse effects on the body. Therefore, it was found in the latest study that selenium yeast could not only replace the protective effect of sodium selenite on mycotoxins and heavy metal poisoning, but also improve the immunity of the body. Selenium yeast is an organic selenium source with high activity and low toxicity, which is produced by selenium relying on the cell protein structure of growing yeast. It not only has high absorption rate, but also can be stored in the body after meeting the physiological needs of the body for selenium, so as to avoid selenium deficiency again in the short term. However, few of these studies can clearly reveal the protective mechanism of yeast selenium. In this paper, the detoxification mechanism of selenium yeast on mycotoxins and heavy metal poisoning was reviewed, which provided some theoretical support for further understanding of the biological function of selenium yeast and its replacement for inorganic selenium. The conclusions suggest that selenium yeast can effectively alleviate the oxidative damage by regulating different signaling pathways, improving the activity of antioxidant enzymes, reversing the content of inflammatory factors, regulating the protein expression of apoptosis-related genes, and reducing the accumulation of mycotoxins and heavy metals in the body.

The impact of antioxidant diets, nutraceuticals and physical activity interventions in the prevention of cardiometabolic diseases: An overview

Hippocrates - Father of Medicine (ca 460-370 BC) - endorsed the cuative effects of foods; he said: "Leave your drugs in the chemist's pot if you can heal the patient with food". This review focuses on the management of cardio-metabolic diseases (CMDs) with nutraceuticals and antioxidant diets such as Allium sativum, turmeric, soybean, peptides, phytosterols, resveratrol, polyphenolic substances etc. CMDs are a cluster of conditions linked to altered fat and carbohydrate metabolism as well as macroand micro-vascular problems. CMDs cause severe pathophysiological and metabolic alterations in the body, resulting in the occurrence of chronic diseases like atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and stroke, neurodegenerative ailments, fatty liver, kidney malfunction, hypercholesterolaemia, hyperlipidaemia, insulin resi-tance and some cancers, consequently imposing a very high economic burden on the healthcare costs. Currently used pharmacotherapies are not only expensive but also are associated with undesirable adverse events. Thus, there is an urgent need for affordable, cost-effective and alternative safe therapies for the prevention and management of CMDs. Holistic approaches targeted for health promotion and prevention of CMDs include the intake of antioxidant-rich diets, anti-inflammation wholesome foods and moderate physical activity (about 30 min/day). Such strategies will not only prevent obesity-related CMDs, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), coronary heart disease and stroke, but also will improve the quality of patient's life and consequently reduce healthcare burdens. Nutraceuticals and probiotics exhibit anti-inflammation, anti-aging, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects, thereby reducing the adverse health risks associated with CMDs. Antioxidants protect cell membranes and DNA from excessive free radicals, which contribute to CMD related diseases. Physical exercise along with dietary interventions helps to mitigate oxidative stress, improve blood triglyceride levels, increase HDL-cholesterol and reduce LDLcholesterol and reverse the biological markers associated with CMDs. Many studies have provided robust scientific evidence and demonstrated links between dietary interventions, nutraceuticals, probiotics, wholesome foods and physical activity for the prevention of CMDs. The major limitations in promoting nonpharmacological therapies for health and well-being benefits are a lack of public awareness and a paucity of clinical nutrition instruction for medical students on the merits of complementary methods for the prevention and management of CMDs. The goals of this review are to provide up-to-date knowledge about selected nutraceuticals, wholesome foods and physical activity in the prevention of CMDs and the underlying mechanisms associated with each intervention, which will ultimately improve patient's quality of life and assist in reducing healthcare costs globally.

Effect of trimetazidine against ovarian ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat model: A new pathway: JAK2/STAT3.

Ovarian ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is an extremely complex pathological problem that begins with oxygen deprivation, progresses to excessive free radical production, and intensifies inflammation. The JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway is a multipurpose signaling transcript channel that plays a role in several biological functions. Trimetazidine (TMZ) is a cellular anti-ischemic agent. This study aims to investigate the effects of TMZ on ovarian I/R injury in rats. sixty four rats were divided into 8 groups at random: healthy(group1); healthy+TMZ20(group2); ischemia (I) (group 3); I+TMZ10(group4); I+ TMZ20(group5); I/R(group6); I/R+TMZ10(group7); I/R+TMZ20(group8). Vascular clamps were placed just beneath the ovaries and over the uterine horns for 3 hr to induce ischemia. The clamps were removed for the reperfusion groups, and the rats were reperfused with care to ensure that the blood flowed into the ovaries, subjecting them to reperfusion for 3 hr. TMZ was administered orally by gavage 6 and 1 hr before operations. At the end of the experiment, ovarian tissues were removed for biochemical, molecular, and histopathological investigation. TMZ administration ameliorated ischemia/reperfusion-induced disturbances in GSH and MDA levels. TMZ treatment inhibited I/R-induced JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway activation in ovarian tissues. TMZ administration also improved the increase in the mRNA expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-κB caused by ischemia/reperfusion injury. Moreover, TMZ treatment improved histopathologic injury in ovarian tissues caused by ischemia/reperfusion. TMZ treatment protected rats against ovarian ischemia/reperfusion injury by alleviating oxidative stress and inflammatory cascades. These findings may provide a mechanistic basis for using TMZ to treat ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Effect of Storage of Yellow Pigment from Halophilic Bacillus clausii J1G-0%B on Antioxidant Activity

Oxidative stress is a state of excess free radicals in the body, which results in increased oxidation processes in the body’s cells and causes damage. In previous studies, one way to neutralize this situation was found, namely with halophilic bacteria. Halophilic bacteria can live at a salt content of 2% to 30%. These bacteria can produce various kinds of pigments for self-defense from extreme environments, which function as immunomodulatory compounds and have antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of the yellow pigment halophilic bacteria Bacillus clausii J1G-0%B using the DPPH method showed that the effect of light and air on antioxidant activity was 17.88% inhibition in the crude extract and 14.24% inhibition at 1600 ppm. Antioxidant activity decreased by 17.13% under the influence of air, 1.89% under the influence of light, and 28.58% under the influence of air and light. FTIR analysis under the influence of air experienced a decrease in the peak of the CO carbonyl group of 1739.29 cm-1 and an increase in the alkane C-H group of 1369.52 cm-1, while under the influence of light and open conditions, the carbonyl CO group experienced an increase of 1739.50 cm-1 and 1739.46 cm-1 and the increase in alkane C-H groups 1371.41 cm-1 and 1369.53 cm- 1.

A Scoping Review on the Effects of Carotenoids and Flavonoids on Skin Damage Due to Ultraviolet Radiation.

Skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays in the sun causes premature ageing and may predispose to skin cancers. UV radiation generates excessive free radical species, resulting in oxidative stress, which is responsible for cellular and DNA damage. There is growing evidence that phytonutrients such as flavonoids and carotenoids may impede oxidative stress and prevent photodamage. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to explore the effects of certain phytonutrients in preventing skin photodamage. We searched the electronic Medline (Ovid) and Pubmed databases for relevant studies published between 2002 and 2022. The main inclusion criteria were articles written in English, and studies reporting the effects of phytonutrient-containing plants of interest on the skin or skin cells exposed to UV radiation. We focused on tea, blueberries, lemon, carrot, tomato, and grapes, which are rich in flavonoids and/or carotenoids. Out of 434 articles retrieved, 40 were identified as potentially relevant. Based on our inclusion criteria, nine articles were included in the review. The review comprises three combined in vitro and animal studies, four human studies, one in vitro research, and one mixed in vitro and human study. All the studies reported positive effects of flavonoids and carotenoid-containing plant extract on UV-induced skin damage. This evidence-based review highlights the potential use of flavonoids and carotenoids found in plants in preventing the deleterious effects of UV radiation on the skin. These compounds may have a role in clinical and aesthetic applications for the prevention and treatment of sunburn and photoaging, and may potentially be used against UV-related skin cancers.

Cerium oxide-based nanozyme suppresses kidney calcium oxalate crystal depositions via reversing hyperoxaluria-induced oxidative stress damage

Oxidative stress damage to renal epithelial cells is the main pathological factor of calcium oxalate calculi formation. The development of medicine that could alleviate oxidative damage has become the key to the prevention and treatment of urolithiasis. Herein, porous nanorods CeO2 nanoparticles (CNPs) were selected from CeO2 with different morphologies as an antioxidant reagent to suppress kidney calcium oxalate crystal depositions with excellent oxidation resistance due to its larger specific surface area. The reversible transformation from Ce3+ to Ce4+ could catalyze the decomposition of excess free radicals and act as a biological antioxidant enzyme basing on its strong ability to scavenge free radicals. The protection capability of CNPS against oxalate-induced damage and the effect of CNPS on calcium oxalate crystallization were studied. CNPS could effectively reduce reactive oxygen species production, restore mitochondrial membrane potential polarity, recover cell cycle progression, reduce cell death, and inhibit the formation of calcium oxalate crystals on the cell surface in vitro. The results of high-throughput sequencing of mRNA showed that CNPs could protect renal epithelial cells from oxidative stress damage caused by high oxalate by suppressing the expression gene of cell surface adhesion proteins. In addition, CNPS can significantly reduce the pathological damage of renal tubules and inhibit the deposition of calcium oxalate crystals in rat kidneys while having no significant side effect on other organs and physiological indicators in vivo. Our results provide a new strategy for CNPS as a potential for clinical prevention of crystalline kidney injury and crystal deposition.

Mangosteen Pericarp Extract Supplementation Boosts Antioxidant Status via Rebuilding Gut Microbiota to Attenuate Motor Deficit in 6-OHDA-Induced Parkinson's Disease.

Oxidative stress and gut dysbiosis have been known to precede Parkinson's disease (PD). An antioxidant-rich product, mangosteen pericarp (MP), has the ability to counterbalance excessive free radicals and the imbalanced gut microbiota composition, suggesting the MP's capacity to delay PD progression. In this study, we explored the effects of two doses of MP extract in a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced PD rat model. We revealed that the 8-week supplementation of a low dose (LMP) and a high dose of the MP extract (HMP) improved motor function, as observed in decreased contralateral rotation, improved time spent on rod, and higher dopamine binding transporter (DAT) in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). The MP extract, especially the HMP, also increased antioxidant-related gene expressions, restored muscle mitochondrial function, and remodeled fecal microbiota composition, which were followed by reduced reactive oxygen species levels in brain and inflammation in plasma. Importantly, bacterial genera Sutterella, Rothia, and Aggregatibacter, which were negatively correlated with antioxidant gene expressions, decreased in the HMP group. It is imperative to note that in addition to directly acting as an antioxidant to reduce excessive free radicals, MP extract might also increase antioxidant state by rebuilding gut microbiota, thereby enhanced anti-inflammatory capacity and restored mitochondrial function to attenuate motor deficit in 6-OHDA-induced PD-like condition. All in all, MP extract is a potential candidate for auxiliary therapy for PD.

Lyophilized amniotic membrane for corneal ulcer and post operative cross‐linking

AbstractPatients with progressive keratoconus, especially in the early part of life, may benefit from crosslinking to accelerate the polymerization of corneal collagen, thus increasing the biomechanical strength of the cornea. The reference crosslinking protocol, recognized as the most effective in stabilizing the disease, corresponds to a classic crosslinking protocol with de‐epithelialization (epi off). This technique is pro‐inflammatory in patients who often have associated allergic keratoconjunctivitis. It is also painful postoperatively despite the systematic application of a dressing lens since it requires corneal de‐epithelialisation. The allergic background can lead to delays in healing with postoperative infections. Amniotic membranes have already been used in post refractive surgery. Their application in post‐crosslinking protocol epi off, directly on the patient's cornea without suture under a therapeutic contact lens, would reduce the intensity of pain after the procedure, complications such as infectious keratitis, sterile infiltrates, superficial or deep haze, aseptic corneal necrosis (thinning and fibrosis, perforation described), endothelial damage due to probable excessive free radical toxicity (reversible corneal decompensation or requiring a corneal graft), delayed epithelial healing (association of dry syndrome or blepharitis) and viral reactivation (Herpes Simplex virus or HSV). The amniotic membrane by its anti‐angiogenic, healing, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐infectious properties seems to have a decrease in post‐operative pain and an acceleration of corneal epithelial healing as in superficial corneal ulcers.

Evaluation of Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activity in Medicinal Herbs

Abstract: As the presence of excess free radicals in body can cause damage to the system and may lead to several diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Cancer, Atherosclerosis and many more. Free radicals should be neutralized or eliminated out of the body. Apart from the antioxidants present in biological system natural antioxidants available from the diet help in the removal of free radicals from the body. Therefore, the antioxidants present in fruits, vegetables and medicinal herbs can be used to scavenge free radicals and treat the disorders due to oxidative stress. Five different medicinal herbs were collected locally to quantitate phytochemicals, antioxidant activity and inhibition of lipid, protein and sugar oxidation. Among the different samples, highest Phenolics, flavonoid and antioxidant activity was seen in aqueous extract of Ocimum basilicum. This study demonstrates that it can be used in nutraceuticals and can be a potential source of natural antioxidants to combat the free radical mediated diseases.

Purification and Identification of Antioxidant Peptides from Rice Fermentation of Lactobacillus plantarum and Their Protective Effects on UVA-Induced Oxidative Stress in Skin.

Oxidative stress is an important factor on both aging and disease. Among foods endowed with beneficial healthy properties, rice is a very useful material, not only because it has a good amino acid ratio and produces antioxidant peptides through microbial fermentation, but also for its inexpensive availability. In this study, rice was treated with Lactobacillus plantarum, and the resulting mixture of small peptides with less than 11 amino acids (RFP) was extracted and purified from the fermentation broth. Subsequently, the antioxidant activity of RFP was assessed using the chemical model, cell biology, and animal model methods. RFP enhanced the expression of the antioxidant enzyme genes downstream of the KEAP1-NRF2/ARE pathway by promoting nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) nuclear translocation while simultaneously removing lipid oxidation products and excess free radicals. These results suggest that RFP is a potential substance for resisting aging and disease caused by oxidative stress.

Alpha-lipoic acid in ovarian vitrification solution for in vitro culture or autotransplantation as future strategies for the restoration of ovarian function in sheep

Vitrification is a promising method for ovarian cortex preservation, however, oxidative stress resulting from excessive free radical production can cause irreversible damage to the ovary and ovarian follicles. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of 100 µM and 150 µM concentrations of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in the vitrification solution of sheep ovaries, after in vitro culture (IVC - 7 days) or autotransplantation (TRP - 15 days). For this, after IVC and TRP, the ovary was evaluated for follicular morphology and development; stromal cell density and proliferation; presence of mature and new vessels; tissue fibrosis, as well as, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malonaldehyde (MDA), and nitrite in the culture medium after IVC. The results showed that ALA 100 µM or 150 µM maintained the morphology of primordial follicles and promoted follicular development after IVC. Although stromal cell density was not altered after IVC of the ovary vitrified with ALA 100 µM, a reduction was observed after TRP. The proliferation of these cells was also reduced after IVC or after TRP. The data also showed that after TRP, revascularization increased in the ovary vitrified with ALA 150 µM, but high levels of ROS and signs of fibrosis were observed. In conclusion, ALA is an excellent antioxidant agent that can be added to the vitrification solution to alleviate some of the negative effects observed after in vitro culture or autotransplantation of ovine ovarian tissue.

Protective Effect of Natural Antioxidants on Reducing Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity.

The clinical application of cisplatin is limited by its adverse events, of which nephrotoxicity is the most commonly observed. In a cisplatin-induced pathological response, oxidative stress is one of the upstream reactions which inflicts different degrees of damages to the intracellular material components. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are also one of the early signaling molecules that subsequently undergo a series of pathological reactions, such as apoptosis and necrosis. This review summarizes the mechanism of intracellular ROS generation induced by cisplatin, mainly from the consumption of endogenous antioxidants, destruction of antioxidant enzymes, induction of mitochondrial crosstalk between the endoplasmic reticulum by ROS and Ca2+, and destruction of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system in the endoplasmic reticulum, all of which result in excessive accumulation of intracellular ROS and oxidative stress. In addition, studies demonstrated that natural antioxidants can protect against the cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, by reducing or even eliminating excess free radicals and also affecting other nonredox pathways. Therefore, this review on the one hand provides theoretical support for the research and clinical application of natural antioxidants and on the other hand provides a new entry point for the detailed mechanism of cisplatin nephrotoxicity, which may lay a solid foundation for the future clinical use of cisplatin.

Alterations in Hepatocellular, Reproductive, and Oxidative Stress Parameters in Female Albino Rats Exposed to Crude Oil

Aim: To study the effect of exposure to crude oil on the liver, ovary, and some oxidative stress parameters in albino rats.
 Study Design: A total of 50 female albino rats were used in the experiment. The rats were grouped into three: The control group which consisted of 10 rats, the low dose group which consisted of 20 rats, and the high dose group also consisted of 20 rats. The low dosage group was orally administered 1.5 mL crude oil mixed with 300 grams of rat feeds (0.005 mL/g) and the high dosage group was orally administered 3.0 mL crude oil mixed with 300 grams of rat feeds (0.01mL/g), while the control group was fed with normal rat feeds. The treated feeds were given once a day for 35 days.
 Place of Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
 Methodology: On the 36th day, the rats were sacrificed and then 5mL of blood from each rat was collected by cardiac puncture into labeled lithium heparin bottles for liver enzymes assay, hormonal assay, and oxidative stress parameters assay, while the livers and ovaries were harvested and fixed in 10% formal saline before tissue processing and histological examinations using H&E staining technique. The collected blood specimens were spun; the plasma was extracted and analyzed in the laboratory for Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), follicle Stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), Prolactin, Malondialdyde (MDA), and Superoxide dismutase (SOD). Statistical analysis was performed using Graphpad prism version 8.02.
 Results: Significantly higher plasma levels of AST, ALT, and MDA in the treated groups, except for ALP which was only significantly higher in the high-dose group. FSH, LH, Prolactin, and SOD indicated significantly lower levels in the crude oil-treated rats. The histological examinations showed marked distortion in the architecture of the livers and ovaries of the treated groups, also, there was a reduction in ovarian cellularity and massive degenerated tissues.
 Conclusion: It is shown that exposure to crude oil contaminants orally could have a significant effect on the plasma level of hepatocellular enzymes, reproductive hormones, and oxidative stress parameters which in turn could lead to hepatocellular dysfunction, infertility, or impaired reproduction in mammals and cellular injuries caused by excess free radicals as signaled by plasma level of oxidative stress parameters.

Dermatocosmetic Emulsions Based on Resveratrol, Ferulic Acid and Saffron (Crocus sativus) Extract to Combat Skin Oxidative Stress-Trigger Factor of Some Potential Malignant Effects: Stability Studies and Rheological Properties.

The increasing incidence of skin diseases, against the background of increased pollution, urbanism, poor habits in lifestyle, work, rest, diet and general medication, led to the development of products with a protective effect. These new types of dermatocosmetic preparations ensure maximum benefits with minimal formulation. Antioxidants are, nowadays, ingredients that stand out with a proven role in skin protection from oxidative stress and its effects. Thus, research has shown that light-textured formulas, quickly absorbed into the skin, with optimum hydration and protection against excessive free radicals, uphold the skin integrity and appearance. This article aims to evaluate essential criteria for a newly marketed product: stability, rheological properties and microbiological characteristics of oil-in-water emulsions based on a mixture of 3% resveratrol 0.5% ferulic acid and 1mL alcoholic extract of Saffron. The tests led to the conclusion that O / W dermatocosmetic emulsions, based on 3% resveratrol and 0.5% ferulic acid, or also 1mL alcoholic extract of Saffron, show resistance to microbiological contamination, good rheological properties (viscoelastic behavior, structural stability, acceptable shearing behavior) that reveal satisfactory texture and high physical stability during storage. These results encourage the transition to dermatological testing as the final stage in considering a new commercial product.

Berry as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal therapy: A clinical trial.

Periodontal disease, a persistent inflammatory condition affecting the tissues around the teeth, is brought on by an imbalance between dental biofilm and the host's reaction, with the potential for tooth loss. Periodontal disease has been linked to an excess of free radicals induced by oxidative stress or antioxidant deficiency. There is a notable oxidative process early in the course of periodontal disease, especially in periodontitis. The objective of the study is to assess if berry supplements can be used as a supplement to nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Forty individuals with chronic periodontitis in total were divided into two groups for this study. Group A received scaling and root planing (SRP), whereas Group B received SRP plus berry supplements. At baseline and on the 28th day, both groups had their probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) assessed. After then, the data from both time periods were compared. The SPSS software was used to examine the data (Version 23.0). Using an unpaired t-test, the mean PPD and CAL values were compared between the groups. The mean PPD in Group A decreased on day 28 from 4.18 ± 0.12 to 3.06 ± 0.02 while in Group B reduced from 4.21 ± 0.13 to 2.05 ± 0.08. The CAL in Group A improved from 5.05 ± 0.09 to 3.04 ± 0.11 and in Group B from 4.52 ± 0.17 to 2.02 ± 0.08. There was evidence of a statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of mean pocket depth and clinical attachment degree (P < 0.05). Therefore, berries may be an effective treatment for chronic periodontitis when used in conjunction with SRP.