Free Radical Scavenging Research Articles

Extraction, characterization and antioxidative potentials of UV-screening compound, mycosporine-like amino acids from epilithic cyanobacterium Lyngbya sp. HKAR - 15.

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are a unique class of UV-screening bioactive molecules with potent antioxidants and photoprotective properties, synthesized by various species of cyanobacteria in different habitats. The cyanobacterial biofilms play a crucial driver in the development of ecological communities. The current study examined the existence of the photoprotective MAAs in a novel epilithic cyanobacterium Lyngbya sp. strain HKAR-15 isolated from cyanobacterial biofilms on the rock surface. The isolated MAAs were identified, purified and characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography), ESI-MS (Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). The compounds were recognized as palythine (retention time (RT): 2.7min; UV λmax: 320nm; m/z: 245.02) and porphyra-334 (RT: 3.6min; UV λmax: 334nm; m/z: 347.1). FTIR spectroscopy analyses also revealed the presence of functional groups of both compounds. NMR spectroscopy analyses confirmed the presence of both palythine and porphyra-334. The UV-induced production of both MAAs was visualized under ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in contrast to the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). The MAAs (palythine and porphyra-334) had a significant dose-dependent free radical scavenging capacity. The findings show that MAAs perform a dynamic role in the survival and photoprotection of cyanobacteria in hostile environments under high solar UV irradiances. These photoprotective compounds may have various biotechnological applications as well as role in the development of natural sunscreens.

Screening and inclusion of luteolin for β-cyclodextrin: molecular simulations and experiments

In this study, we first established a guest small molecule screening mechanism by molecular simulation, and then screened lignans from 10 polyphenolic compounds to identify the most suitable guest molecule for encapsulation with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). Subsequently, the subject-guest interactions and encapsulation mechanisms of lignans with β-CD, 2-hydroxypropyl-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and 2,6-dimethyl-cyclodextrin (DM-β-CD) were investigated using a combination of molecular simulation and experimental methods, respectively. Molecular simulations were performed to calculate the microstructural parameters, including solubility parameters, binding energies, and mean square displacements. The simulation results demonstrated that DM-β-CD exhibited the strongest interaction with luteolin and formed the most stable inclusion complex. The inclusion complexes of luteolin with the three cyclodextrins were prepared by freeze-drying method, and the formation of the inclusion complexes was demonstrated using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV). Phase solubility studies confirmed the formation of 1:1 stoichiometric inclusion complexes of lignans with cyclodextrins. Furthermore, 2,2-diphenyl-1-pyridine hydrazine (DPPH) free radical scavenging experiments demonstrated that the inclusion complexes exhibited enhanced antioxidant capacity. In light of these findings, it can be concluded that among the three cyclodextrins, DM-β-CD was optimally encapsulated with luteolin.

Flavonol-Ruthenium Complexes as Antioxidant and Anticancer Agents.

Flavonol-metal complexes can enhance the biological activity of flavonols. Inspired by the potential of ruthenium-based drugs in pharmaceutical applications, seven flavonol-Ru (II) complexes were synthesized to evaluate their biological activities. Among these compounds, compounds 8, 11, and 12 showed potent antioxidant activities. Compound 12 exhibited superior anti-inflammatory activity to natural quercetin, which served as a positive control. This study is the first to report the free radical scavenging abilities and antioxidant activity of flavonol-Ru (II) complexes. Furthermore, compound 12 demonstrated comparable efficacy to 5-FU against human non-small-cell lung cancer cells (A549). These results strongly support the potential of flavonol-Ru (II) agents.

Phytochemical Profiling and Pharmacological Evaluation of Methanolic Leaf Extract of C. digyna for Cytotoxic, Anti‐inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiarthritic, and Analgesic Activities

ABSTRACTCaesalpinia digyna (Family: Fabaceae) is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for various medicinal purposes, including as a treatment for wounds, leprosy, skin diseases, fever, diabetes, etc. Although the root and stem of this plant have a significant medicinal value, there was little research on the leaves of this plant. This study aimed to investigate the qualitative phytochemical profile and evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiarthritic activities, as well as the in vivo anti‐inflammatory and analgesic activities, of C. digyna leaf extract. The methanolic extract of C. digyna leaves was prepared using an ultrasonic‐assisted extraction process. In vitro and in vivo anti‐inflammatory activities were evaluated using the hypotonicity‐induced hemolysis and carrageenan‐induced paw edema methods, respectively. Additionally, the extract was assessed for in vitro DPPH (1, 1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging, antiarthritic (protein denaturation), and in vivo analgesic (acetic acid‐induced writhing and tail immersion) activities. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay (BSLB) showed moderate cytotoxic activity (LC50 = 2.25 μg/mL) compared with the standard vincristine sulfate (LC50 = 1.61 μg/mL). In vitro, anti‐inflammatory activity exhibited 85.13% (IC50 value = 2.51 μg/mL) inhibition of Human Red Blood Cell (HRBC) membrane lysis at a concentration of 2000 μg/mL whereas in vivo anti‐inflammatory study exerted its maximum effect (p < 0.05) at 400 mg/kg bw dose. This extract also showed significant antioxidant (IC50 = 0.218 μg/mL), antiarthritic (83.61% inhibition) activity, and moderate analgesic effect (p < 0.05) in both methods. These research findings indicated that C. digyna leaves extract has potent antioxidant, analgesic, and anti‐inflammatory effects which can be used as a supplementary medication for inflammatory pain‐relieving factors. In future, finding the mechanism involved in these effects could have significant impact on clinical science.

Antioxidative and Cytoprotective Effects of Rosa Roxburghii and Metabolite Changes in Oxidative Stress-Induced HepG2 Cells Following Rosa Roxburghii Intervention

Rosa Roxburghii (RR), a traditional Chinese medicinal fruit, is rich in bioactive substances that make it a potential natural antioxidant resource. This research aimed to study the antioxidant properties of RR by in vitro experiments and through intracellular assessment in H2O2-induced HepG2 cells. A non-targeted metabolic analysis was conducted to indicate changes in intracellular and extracellular metabolites. Differential metabolites and metabolic pathways were explored using PCA, PLS-DA, and KEGG pathway analysis. The results showed that RR rich in bioactive substances exhibited a significant antioxidative property in vitro and intracellularly. This property may be achieved by scavenging free radicals, increasing the activity of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the levels of bicinchoninic acid (BCA) while reducing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. This study identified 13 differential metabolites intracellularly and 7 extracellularly, among which the key differential metabolites included D-glucopyranose, D-mannose, fructose, citric acid, malic acid, cholesterol, and cholestenone. These key metabolites primarily regulated glucose-related metabolism, the citrate cycle, and the primary bile acid biosynthesis pathway in H2O2-induced HepG2 cells. These findings provide potential application evidence of RR in the development of natural resources for functional foods.

Comparative analysis of antioxidant and antibacterial activities of leaf and zest essential oils from "Citrus limon”

This work is part of the study of the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of Algerian aromatic and medicinal plants. We conducted a study on a plant widely used by the local population, Citrus limon, an aromatic plant from the Ghardaïa region. Essential oils were extracted from Citrus limon (zest and leaves) using hydrodistillation, yielding 1.12% for the zest and 0.71% for the leaves. The essential oils were analyzed using GC/MS, identifying 35 constituents in the leaf oils, with 19.41% L-Limonene and 15.02% Nerol acetate, and 25 constituents in the zest oils, with 45.62% L-Limonene, 9.40 Beta-Pinene and 8.3% 3-Carene as major compounds. The antioxidant activity of the essential oils was evaluated using three methods. The first method was the DPPH free radical scavenging test, where the zest showed an IC50 of 135.678 mg/mL, higher than that of the leaf essential oil (IC50 of 34.238 mg/mL). The second method, potassium ferricyanide reduction (FRAP), showed that the essential oils of the leaves had an antioxidant activity of EC50 = 63.3773 mg/mL, and the zest showed EC50 = 200.875 mg/mL. The third method, ammonium phosphomolybdate, based on molybdate reduction (TAC), gave antioxidant activities for the leaves and zest, respectively, of EC50 = 1.5722 mg/mL and EC50 = 1.9604 mg/mL. The antibacterial activity was tested against six reference bacterial strains, with Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most sensitive to both essential oils, showing inhibition zones of 48 mm for the leaf oil and 40 mm for the zest oil. According to the obtained results, the essential oils appear to exhibit excellent antioxidant and antibacterial activity.

Impact of Reductive Stress on Human Infertility: Underlying Mechanisms and Perspectives

Antioxidants have a well-established effect on general health and are essential in preventing oxidative damage to cells by scavenging free radicals. Free radicals are thought to be neutralized by these substances, which include polyphenols, β-carotene, and vitamins C and E, reducing cellular damage. On the other hand, recent data indicates that consuming excessive amounts of antioxidants may have side effects. Apoptosis and cell signaling are two beneficial physiological processes that are affected by excessive supplementation. Other negative effects include paradoxical enhancement of oxidative stress and unbalanced cellular redox potential. Overdosing on particular antioxidants has been associated with increased medication interactions, cancer progression, and fatality risks. Additionally, the complex impacts they may have on fertility might be both useful and adverse, depending on the quantity and duration of usage. This review delves into the dual role of antioxidants and emphasizes the importance of employing antioxidants in moderation. Antioxidant overconsumption may disrupt the oxidative balance necessary for normal sperm and oocyte function, which is one of the potential negative effects of antioxidants on fertility in both males and females that are also investigated. Although modest usage of antioxidants is generally safe and useful, high levels of antioxidants can upset hormonal balance, impair sperm motility, and negatively impact the outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The findings emphasize the need to use antioxidant supplements in a balanced way, the importance of further research to optimize their use in fertility treatments, and the importance of supporting reproductive health to avoid adverse effects.

Antioxidant activities of developed natural smoothies and their effects on blood glucose levels and expression of pro-inflammatory genes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Fruits and vegetables are laden with antioxidants and have been used to quench reactive oxygen species. The combination of two or more fruits and vegetables to produce smoothies is expected to yield a synergistic effect that could further improve functionality. This study investigated the antioxidative and blood glucose-lowering potentials of smoothies made from selected fruits and vegetables as well as their effect on the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Standard procedures were used for the in vitro antioxidant determination while pancreas tissue was excised for molecular study. The inclusion of beetroot increased the total phenolic contents by 30-50% while the flavonoid content was increased by more than 3-fold. Similarly, smoothies with beetroot and bitter gourd exhibited stronger free radical scavenging abilities as shown by DPPH (1, 1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid), Nitric oxide (NO) scavenging ability, metal chelation (Fe2+) and ferric reducing antioxidant properties (FRAP) compared to the sample devoid of the duo. The blood glucose levels of the rats fed the smoothie were significantly lowered with a similar trend in the animals that were administered metformin. The smoothies significantly (p<0.05) reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content thus reducing lipid peroxidation in the animals. The endogenous antioxidant enzymes; catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the pancreas were all significantly (p<0.05) increased when the animals were fed smoothies. The expression of pro-inflammatory genes, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, was down-regulated in the animals fed with smoothies. The findings showed that the smoothies made from the combination have the potential for managing type-2 diabetes mellitus.Graphical

Synergistic Action of Rutin-Coated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Targeting Biofilm Formation Receptors of Dental Pathogens and Modulating Apoptosis Genes for Enhanced Oral Anticancer Activity.

Oral diseases are often associated with bacterial and fungal pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans. This research explored a novel approach to addressing these pathogens by synthesizing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) coated with rutin (RT), a plant-derived compound. The synthesized ZnO-RT NPs were comprehensively characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, SEM, and EDAX techniques to confirm their structural composition. The antioxidant potential was assessed through free radical scavenging assays. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of ZnO-RT NPs was evaluated using a zone of inhibition assay against oral pathogens. Molecular docking studies with the Autodock tool were performed to elucidate the interactions between RT and the receptors of oral pathogens. The findings demonstrated that ZnO-RT NPs exhibited robust free radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, they showed significant antimicrobial activity with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 40 μg/mL against oral pathogens. ZnO-RT NPs also displayed dose-dependent anticancer effects on human oral cancer cells at concentrations of 10, 20, 40, and 80 μg/mL. Mechanistic insights into the anticancer activity on KB cells revealed the upregulation of apoptotic genes. This study underscores the promising potential of ZnO-RT NPs for dental applications due to their strong antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties. These nanoparticles offer a hopeful prospect for addressing oral pathogen challenges and enhancing overall oral health.

Histidine-derived carbon dots for redox modulation and gut microbiota regulation in inflammatory bowel disease therapy

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammation of the colon that is becoming increasingly prevalent. As a result, there is a growing demand for safe, effective, and non-addictive drugs. Herein, we are inspired by using carbon dots-based nanomedicines to regulate redox balance and alleviate inflammatory diseases. Specifically, histidine-derived carbon dots (His-CDs) with antioxidant and multi-enzyme (superoxide dismutase, catalase) activities are synthesized, which not only improve intestinal redox balance, but also demonstrate promising potential in modulating gut microbiota for the treatment of IBD. To understand that underlying activities mechanisms of His-CDs, their precursors, structures, and band gaps are carefully analyzed. Our investigations show that His-CDs effectively reduce oxidative damage to cells and nematodes by scavenging free radicals. Furthermore, we confirm the anti-IBD effects of His-CDs at both cellular and mouse levels. Importantly, our research reveal that His-CDs restore intestinal homeostasis in colitis by regulating the gut microbiota. We further validate this finding through fecal microbiota transplantation, which demonstrate an increase in the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract following the administration of His-CDs. This investigation not only expands the knowledge of nanozymes, but also offers a promising nanomedicine approach for IBD therapy.

Synthesis, Molecular Docking, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Indole-triazole Conjugates.

Indole-triazole conjugates have emerged as promising candidates for new drug development. Their distinctive structural characteristics, coupled with a wide array of biological activities, render them a captivating and promising field of research for the creation of novel pharmaceutical agents. This study aimed to synthesize indole-triazole conjugates to investigate the influence of various substituents on the functional characteristics of indole-triazole hybrids. It also aimed to study the binding modes of new hybrids with the DNA Gyrase using molecular docking studies. A new set of indole-triazole hybrids was synthesized and characterized using various physicochemical and spectral analyses. All hybrids underwent in-silico pharmacokinetic prediction studies. The antimicrobial efficacy of the hybrids was assessed using tube dilution and agar diffusion methods. Additionally, the in-vitro antioxidant activity of synthesized compounds was determined using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical scavenging assay. Furthermore, in silico molecular docking studies were performed to enhance our comprehension of how the synthesized compounds interact at the molecular level with DNA gyrase. Pharmacokinetic predictions of synthesized hybrids indicated favourable pharmacokinetic profiles, and none of the compounds violated the Lipinski rule of five. Notably, compound 6, featuring a cyclohexanol substituent, demonstrated superior antimicrobial and antioxidant activity (EC50 value = 14.23 μmol). Molecular docking studies further supported the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial findings, revealing that all compounds adeptly fit into the binding pocket of DNA Gyrase and engaged in interactions with crucial amino acid residues. In summary, our research underscores the efficacy of molecular hybridization in shaping the physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and biological characteristics of novel indole-triazole derivatives.

Evaluation of the Free Radical Scavenging Activities and Antibacterial Activities of the Extracts of Lindernia ruellioides (Colsmann) Pennell

Evaluation of the Free Radical Scavenging Activities and Antibacterial Activities of the Extracts of Lindernia ruellioides (Colsmann) Pennell

G-C3N4 coupled with GO accelerates carrier separation via high conductivity for photocatalytic MB degradation

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is widely utilized in photocatalysis due to its responsiveness to visible light, low cost, and non-toxicity. However, its efficiency is limited by factors such as the rapid recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, slow electron transfer rates, and a limited number of active surface sites. In this study, g-C3N4 was synthesized through thermal polymerization, and varying amounts of graphene oxide (GO) were incorporated via physical blending to fabricate composite photocatalysts. The results indicated that the incorporation of GO not only increased the specific surface area and modified the pore size distribution of g-C3N4 but also affected the heptazine ring structure through chemical bonding, thereby enhancing the density of active sites. Photocatalytic degradation experiments with methylene blue (MB) indicated that g-C3N4 containing 2% GO exhibited photocatalytic activity 2.84 times greater than that of pristine g-C3N4. Kinetic simulations indicated that the Kapp value for the 2% GO-g-C3N4 composite was 0.00469min-1, which is 4.34 times higher than that of pure g-C3N4 (0.00108min-1). Furthermore, this composite maintained high photocatalytic activity after four cycles of reuse. An analysis of the photocatalytic degradation mechanism revealed that the incorporation of GO effectively promoted the separation and transfer of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, enhanced photocurrent density, and improved carrier separation efficiency. Electron spin resonance (ESR) and free radical scavenging experiments confirmed that the primary active species involved in the degradation of MB by the composite photocatalyst were ·O2- and h+. This study presents a novel approach for enhancing the photocatalytic performance of g-C3N4 by modifying its electronic structure and surface properties.

Daphnetin Protects Schwann Cells Against High-Glucose-Induced Oxidative Injury by Modulating the Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2/Glutamate–Cysteine Ligase Catalytic Subunit Signaling Pathway

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), a common complication of diabetes mellitus, is primarily characterized by damage to Schwann cells caused by oxidative stress under hyperglycemic conditions. Recently, we demonstrated the ability of coumarin-rich Ficus formosana Maxim. to alleviate DPN in ovariectomized diabetic mice. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we established an in vitro DPN model using RSC96 Schwann cells exposed to high glucose levels. Daphnetin, a natural coumarin found abundantly in Ficus formosana Maxim., was co-incubated with Schwann cells in a high-glucose medium to investigate its protective effects against DPN. The free radical scavenging capacity of daphnetin was evaluated, along with assessments of cell viability, apoptosis, H2O2 levels, and the expression of proteins by the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/glutamate–cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) pathway in RSC96 Schwann cells. The results showed that daphnetin was non-toxic within the tested concentration range of 6.25 μM to 50 μM in RSC96 Schwann cells. Moreover, daphnetin significantly improved cell viability, exhibited strong antioxidant activity, reduced H2O2 levels, and regulated the Nrf2/GCLC pathway protein expressions in RSC96 cells cultured in high-glucose medium. Additionally, daphnetin influenced apoptosis-related proteins by decreasing the expression levels of Bax and Caspase 3, while increasing the Bcl-2 expression level in high-glucose-treated RSC96 cells. These findings suggest that daphnetin may alleviate oxidative stress induced by high glucose levels through activation of the Nrf2/GCLC pathway and inhibition of Schwann cell apoptosis, underscoring its potential as a therapeutic agent for DPN.

Antioxidant: Antimycobacterial and Antibiofilm Activities of Acetone Extract and Subfraction Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd. Against Mycobacterium smegmatis

Tuberculosis is a worldwide prevalent and recurring disease that contributes significantly to high mortality rates. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, anti-mycobacterial, and antibiofilm activities of Artemisia afra acetone crude extract. Methodology: The crude acetone extract was fractionated using column chromatography and characterized by liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy (LC-MS). A 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay was used to assess the antioxidant activity. The antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis was screened using bioautography, broth microdilution, and growth curve assays. Molecular docking was used to predict the possible mechanisms of action of the LC-MS-identified ligands. Crystal violet was used to screen for anti-cell adherence and biofilm inhibition activities. Results: The crude extract scavenged 77% of the free radical at 16 μg/mL. The subfraction had a lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (0.078 mg/mL) compared to the crude extract (0.313–0.833 mg/mL). The subfraction had a concentration-dependent inhibition effect (&gt;50%) on mycobacterial cell adherence and early biofilms. However, the mature biofilms were resistant. Two propanoate compounds, [(2S)-3-[6-acetyl-4,6-dihydroxy-3-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]tetrahydropyran-2-yl]-2-hydroxy-propyl] (2R)-2-amino-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)propanoate and 3-(6-aminopurin-9-yl)propyl 3-(2,4-dioxo-1,3-diazaspiro[4.5]decan-3-yl) propanoate, had binding energies of −5.4 kcal/mol and −6.3 kcal/mol, respectively, against the RNA polymerase binding protein. Conclusions: The results show that A. afra acetone crude extract has antioxidant and antimycobacterial activities that can be improved by fractionation.

Plantago boissieri : Phytochemical Assessment, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatoryand Wound Healing Potential.

Plantago is a large genus under family Plantaginaceae. Plantago species were noted for potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities. The current research investigated the potential bioactivities as the metabolic content of Plantagoboisserei extract. Results highlighted the rich content of phenolics (450.93 ± 7.4 mg GAE/g extract) and flavonoids (144.2 ± 3.6 mg RE/g extract). HPLC analysis enabled the detection of 17 phenolic constituents among which ellagic acid was found in highest concentration followed by rutin. P. boisserei exhibited a potent antioxidant activity evidenced by the IC50 values in ABTS and H2O2 assays (10.95 and 10.87 µg/mL, respectively) as well as in TAC assay (67.94 mg AAE/g). The anti-microbial activities revealed a moderate activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus vulgaris. In vitro anti-inflammatory potential indicated a characteristic inhibition against COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes with IC50 62.8 and 14.23 µg/mL, respectively, compared to ibuprofen (IC50 8.07 and 6.58, respectively). Additionally, P. boisserei extract achieved a potent wound healing activity using in vivo rat model, this might be attributed to its high content of flavonoids together with other polyphenolic compounds that have a great free radical scavenging potential. P. boisserei is a promising candidate for more extensive phytochemical and biological exploration.

Asymmetric Janus Nanofibrous Agar-Based Wound Dressing Infused with Enhanced Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties.

In the present study, we have developed an agar-based asymmetric Janus nanofibrous wound dressing comprising a support and an electrospun layer with antibacterial and antioxidant properties, respectively, to facilitate healing effectively. The support layer containing agar and silver nitrate was fabricated by using solvent casting for sustained release, combating the dose-dependent cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles, where nanoparticles were synthesized using a one-pot reduction method. The electrospun layer, fabricated with a mixture of agar and polycaprolactone infused with gallic acid, was electrospun over the support layer to impart antioxidant properties. Characterizations using UV-vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy validated the synthesis of nanoparticles in 10-20 nm diameter and the asymmetric Janus dressing. The developed Janus nanofibrous structure exhibited 98% porosity, excellent fluid-handling properties, a moisture permeability of 1200 g/m2/day, and a water absorption of ∼250%. Moreover, the time-kill assay confirmed potent bacteriostatic effect against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and sustained release of silver nanoparticles followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. With over 90% free radical scavenging efficacy, 37% degradation in 7 days, and less than 2% hemolysis, the dressings demonstrated exceptional antioxidant, biodegradable, and hemocompatible properties. The biocompatibility assessment further confirmed its cytocompatible efficacy, with more than 79% wound closure in the wound scratch assay. Most importantly, in vivo studies demonstrated the efficacy of the developed Janus dressing, promoting over 97% healing within 12 days of injury with higher epithelial formation. Overall, the in vitro and in vivo assessment of the developed Janus dressing confirmed its potential to function as a versatile and effective material for wound care applications.

Synergistic effect in the co-extraction of Ginseng and Schisandra protein

IntroductionGinseng and Schisandra are traditional Chinese plants that have been used in culinary practices and are renowned for their immune-boosting properties. In Chinese medicine, Ginseng and Schisandra are frequently used together as a clinical pair to mutually enhance their effect, producing a synergistic effect when consumed in combination. However, the underlying mechanism of their synergistic effect remains uncertain. Therefore, this study investigates the synergistic effect of Ginseng-Schisandra in terms of macromolecular proteins.MethodsWe used a dual-protein research methodology combined with co-extraction techniques to obtain the co-extracted protein of ginseng and Schisandra. We then compared the physicochemical and functional properties and antioxidant activities of co-extracted protein (COP), simple mixed protein (SMP), Ginseng protein (PGP), and Schisandra protein (SCP).ResultsGenerally, PGP and SCP are considered as functional food with antioxidant activity. COP are composite proteins with a shared internal structure that are combined by Ginseng and Schisandra proteins, while SMP are simple mixtures of PGP and SCP. Free radical scavenging experiments indicated that COP exhibited the highest scavenging ability for hydroxyl radicals (98.89%), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals (85.95%), and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS+) radicals (42.69%). In vitro, COP significantly reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), while increasing intracellular levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in HepG2 cells.DiscussionThe comparative results of the macromolecular proteins reveal that COP contributes to the synergistic effect of Ginseng-Schisandra and indicate the advantages of co-extraction in protein production, suggesting the potential application of COP in the food industry.

Evaluation of cosmetic efficacy of lychee seed fermentation liquid

BackgroundLychee seeds were fermented by three kinds of bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum, Saccharomyces cerevillus and ganoderma lucidum mycelium), and two effective strains were selected by two indexes of activity content and antioxidant, so as to further verify whether lychee seeds have waste multiplication effect and can protect cells damaged by oxidation from anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and safety.ResultsThe contents of polyphenols, flavonoids and proteins in the solution fermented by Ganoderma lucidum mycelium did not increase, thus affecting the antioxidant capacity of the solution was far less than that of the water extract. The active content of the other two fermentation solutions was higher than that of the water extract, and the ability of scavenging free radicals of the two solutions increased with the increase of the volume fraction. At the cellular level, the two fermentation solutions showed repair effects on UVA-induced damaged cells. The contents of type I collagen (COL-1), total antioxidant capacity and ELN were increased, the contents of reactive oxygen species and MDA were decreased, and the expressions of inflammatory factors IL-6, TNF-a, iNOS and COX-2 were decreased in HaCaT cells. From the gene level, the mRNA contents of IL-6, TNF-a, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Bax and Bcl were significantly decreased. The test of chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (HTET CAM) showed that there was no bleeding and litchi seed fermentation liquid was not irritating.ConclusionsTherefore, two kinds of litchi seed fermentation can be used as natural plant raw materials for cosmetics, and have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging functions on skin, and also have good human safety.Graphical

Evaluation of Total Flavonoids, Total Phenolics Content and in Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Extract of Platycerium bifurcatum Leaf: A Potential Antihypertensive Medicinal Plant

Plant bioactive compounds possess the potential to function as antioxidants, which makes interest in the use of ethnomedicine for treatment or prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress to be growing. This study evaluated the flavonoid contents, total phenolics and in vitro antioxidant activity of Platycerium bifurcatum leaf extract. The free radical scavenging activity was determined using diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide assay, and the reducing power by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the total antioxidant capacity assays. The total phenolics content of the extract was 4.7 ± 0.56 mg GAE/g extract and flavonoid contents of the extract was 46.73 ± 2.03 mg QE/g extract. The extarct exhibited a dose dependent nitric oxide and DPPH free radical scavenging capacity, which showed a strong correlation between the antioxidant activity and the flavonoid contents and total phenolics. The appreciable amount of flavonoid contents, total phenolics and its strong antioxidant properties suggested that Platycerium bifurcatum is a promising source of novel lead antioxidants and could be utilized in the treatment of oxidative stress mediated cardiovascular disease like hypertensive and obesity