Galvinoxyl Research Articles

Exploring the In Vitro and In Vivo Therapeutic Efficacy of Juniperus oxycedrus Cade Oil: Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Anti-asthmatic Effects in an Allergic Asthma Model.

This investigation aimed to explore the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects of Cade oil and its efficacy within a Wistar allergic asthma model. The antioxidant activity was assessed through various in vitro tests using chain-breaking antioxidant effects (radical scavenging and reducing abilities assays). In vivo experiments involved Wistar rats categorized into four groups: negative control group, Ovalbumin-sensitised/challenged group, Cade oil-treated group, and Ovalbumin-sensitised/challenged Cade oil-treated group. These experiments aimed to evaluate oxidative stress parameters in the lungs and erythrocytes. The results indicated that the Cade oil exhibited significant antioxidant capabilities, evidenced by its radical scavenging activity against DPPH, ABTS, and Galvinoxyl radicals, with IC50 values ranging from 21.92 to 24.44 µg/mL. Besides, the reducing abilities methods showed A0,5 value ranging from 11.51 to 30.40 µg/mL for reducing power, Cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity, and O-phenanthroline assays. Additionally, the IC50 value for β-carotene scavenging was found to be (8.2 ± 0.25 µg/ml). Analysis revealed high levels of polyphenols and flavonoids in Cade oil, indicating rich polyphenol (275.21 ± 3.14 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoid (28.23 ± 1.91 µg QE/mg) content. In vivo findings highlighted Cade oil's efficacy in reducing inflammatory cell recruitment, enhancing antioxidant status, reducing lipid peroxidation, and improving histopathological alterations within the allergic asthma model. These results demonstrated that Cade oil has a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-asthmatic properties, suggesting its potential therapeutic application in asthma treatment.

Evaluation of Decay Kinetics of Black Elderberry Antioxidants from Fruits and Flowers.

The health-promoting properties of black elderberry are related to its high content of polyphenols (natural antioxidants), which eliminate free radicals and prevent the formation of oxidative stress responsible for many diseases. The aim of this work was to determine, the anti-radical effect of Sambucus nigra infusions based on the reaction with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and galvinoxyl (Glv) radicals and to determine the function describing the disappearance curves of these radicals. The antioxidant properties of infusions obtained from the flowers and fruits of this plant were tested using the modified Brand-Williams method using DPPH and Glv radicals. Higher antioxidant activity towards both the DPPH and Glv radicals was found in flowers compared to fruits. In addition, it was found that the process of quenching radicals in the reaction with Sambucus nigra infusions proceeds in accordance with the assumptions of second-order reaction kinetics. The infusion obtained from flowers quenched radicals faster than fruit infusions. The applied second-order kinetics equation may enable estimation of antioxidants levels in natural sources of radicals.

Effect of Different Carbon Sources on Antioxidant Properties of Exopolysaccharides Produced by Scleroderma areolatum (Agaricomycetes).

Five kinds of exopolysaccharides (EPS) were obtained by fermentation of Scleroderma areolatum Ehrenb. with sucrose, glucose, maltose, lactose, and fructose as carbon sources. Antioxidant abilities of the obtained EPSs were evaluated by inhibiting AAPH, HO·, and glutathione (GS·) induced oxidation of DNA and quenching 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) cationic radical (ABTS· and galvinoxyl radicals. The effects of carbon sources on the antioxidant properties of EPSs could be examined. The results showed that five EPSs can effectively inhibit radicals induced oxidation of DNA, and the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) percentages were 44.7%-80.8%, 52.3%-77.5%, and 44.7%-73.3% in inhibiting AAPH, HO·, and GS· induced oxidation of DNA, respectively. All five EPSs could scavenge ABTS· and galvinoxyh, and exhibit superior activity in scavenging free radicals. Antioxidant abilities of EPS with fructose as carbon source were highest among five EPS.

In vitro radical-scavenging mechanism of melatonin and its in vivo protective effect against radiation-induced lipid peroxidation

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, MLT), an evolutionarily conserved indoleamine, is known to act as an antioxidant. However, the evidence indicating the role of MLT as a powerful chain-breaking antioxidant by scavenging peroxyl radical remains controversial. The radical-scavenging rate of MLT determined in this study in methanol using galvinoxyl radical (GO•) was much lower than that of an α-tocopherol model compound. The acceleration of the GO•-scavenging reaction by MLT was observed in the presence of magnesium ion (Mg2+), a bio-related redox-inactive metal ion, suggesting that this reaction may proceed via a rate-determining electron transfer followed by proton transfer. The coordination of Mg2+ to the carbonyl oxygen in the one-electron reduced species of GO• (GO–) may stabilize the product, resulting in the acceleration of the electron-transfer process. We also demonstrated that prophylactically administrated MLT efficiently inhibited the lipid peroxide-derived protein modification, which can be detected by a sensitive marker, Nε-(hexanoyl)lysine adduct, in the plasma of X-irradiated mice. The relatively weak GO•-scavenging activity of MLT suggests that the ameliorative effect of MLT against in vivo lipid peroxidation does not result from the direct scavenging of lipid peroxyl radicals by MLT. Therefore, the observed superior protective efficiency of MLT against in vivo lipid peroxidation may partly support the earlier studies, which reported the synergistic antioxidative effect of the metabolites of MLT.

Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant, and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity of Propolis from Northeastern Algeria

Propolis is a bee resinous substance consisting mainly of phenolic compounds having nutritional and therapeutic properties and formed by the mixing of the tree and plant secretions collected by honey bees. Herein, the present study was aimed to assess the antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity of ethanolic and acetone propolis extracts from two sampling sites in Souk Ahras city (northeast Algeria). The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined by using the common antioxidant assays (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH], acide 2-2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonique) [ABTS], galvinoxyl radical [GOR], and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity [CUPRAC]), and the anticholinesterase activity was determined against acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Moreover, the total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), and condensed tannins (CTC) contents were quantified. The propolis extracts showed a potent antioxidant/inhibitory activity which almost met that of synthetic antioxidants used as standards (butylated hydroxytoluene [BHT] and butylated hydroxyanisole [BHA]). In addition, the AChE activity was highly strongly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by the propolis extracts. The propolis extracts proved their richness in bioactive molecules able to enhance various biological activities and processes.

Experimental Observation of a Peculiar Effect in Saturated Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectra Undergoing Spin Exchange. Magnetic Polariton?

We report the experimental observation of a spectral manifestation of a magnetic polariton that was theoretically predicted last year. This unprecedented manifestation is demonstrated not only for 15N-enriched peroxylamine disulfonate, a radical that adheres strictly to the assumptions of the theory, but also for a radical, 4-oxo-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-d16;1-15N-1-oxyl, that departs somewhat from the assumptions, as well as the Galvinoxyl radical that represents a severe departure. The magnetic polariton is likely to be of interest to physical chemists in other fields because of the intrinsic advantage of a finite basis set in developing theories.

Contribution to Pharmacological Valorisation of Algerian Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. Subsp. Atlanticum (Pomel) Maire; Antioxidant an d Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activities

Background: The traditional pharmacopoeia is full of potential resources for molecules with therapeutic effects involving the inhibition of enzymes linked to some diseases. Objective: This work aimed to test in vitro neuroprotective activity against Alzheimer's disease (AD) combined with the antioxidant effect of root extracts obtained by water, water/methanol, and ethyl acetate of the endemic Arctium minus. subsp. Atlanticum, a native of Algeria. Methods: The different extracts of the root of the studied plant were obtained by decoction or maceration. The inhibitory effect of acetyl/butyrylcholinesterase (AChE/BChE) was achieved by a colorimetric method. Similarly, the antioxidant activity was measured based on several mechanisms: 1, 1- diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and galvinoxyl (GOR) radicals free scavenging assays, β-carotene bleaching inhibition activity, and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC). Results: In the various tests carried out, the ethyl acetate extract (EAE) possessed the most powerful antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities compared to the other samples. The IC50 and A0.5 values of DPPH, GOR, β-carotene, CUPRAC, anti-AChE, and anti-BChE assays were 69.45±5.49, 28.87±0.18, 121.58±16.76, 37.41±1.59, 265±21, and 240±6.3 μg / mL, respectively. Likewise, a correlation could be deduced between the type of extract and the potent antioxidant/anticholinesterase potential. Conclusion: This work examines for the first time the anticholinesterase potential combined with the antioxidant effect of Algerian Arctium minus. subsp. atlanticum. This association between the two effects could be effective in the fight against AD, and therefore, the use of this natural resource may be possible in combating this aspect of neurodegeneration.

Bioactive Phenolic Compounds from Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.): Extraction, Chemical Characterization, Fractionation and Cellular Antioxidant Activity.

Lingonberries contain high contents of bioactive compounds such as chlorogenic acids and anthocyanins. In addition to radical scavenging and antioxidant activities, these compounds can protect cells from DNA damage. For this reason, lingonberries might be well suited for nutraceuticals or natural biomedicines. To assess these applications, the present study characterized and identified the most effective extract, only consisting of anthocyanins, copigments or a mixture of both, obtained from a lingonberry juice concentrate. An extract was generated by using a XAD-7 column followed by fractionation into anthocyanins and copigments using adsorptive membrane chromatography. After identification of main polyphenols by HPLC–photodiode array–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry, free radical scavenging activity was analyzed by electron spin resonance spectroscopy using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and galvinoxyl radicals. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetry analyses and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay were applied. Finally, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) reducing effects of the lingonberry extract and its fractions were evaluated in HepG2 cells. While the combination of anthocyanins and copigments possessed the highest antioxidant activities, all samples (XAD-7 extract, anthocyanin and copigment fraction) protected cells from oxidative stress. Thus, synergistic effects between phenolic compounds may be responsible for the high antioxidant potential of lingonberries, enabling their use as nutraceuticals.

Effect of Magnesium Ion on the Radical-Scavenging Rate of Pterostilbene in an Aprotic Medium: Mechanistic Insight into the Antioxidative Reaction of Pterostilbene.

Pterostilbene (PTS), a methylated analog of resveratrol (RSV), has recently attracted much attention due to its enhanced bioavailability compared to RSV. However, little is known about the radical-scavenging mechanism of PTS. In this study, we investigated the effect of Mg(ClO4)2 on the scavenging reaction of galvinoxyl radical (GO•) by PTS in acetonitrile (MeCN). GO• was used as a model for reactive oxygen radicals. The second-order rate constant (kH) for the GO•-scavenging reaction by PTS was more than threefold larger than that by RSV, although thermodynamic parameters, such as the relative O–H bond dissociation energies of the phenolic OH groups, ionization potentials, and HOMO energies calculated by the density functional theory are about the same between PTS and RSV. The oxidation peak potential of PTS determined by the cyclic voltammetry in MeCN (0.10 M Bu4NClO4) was also virtually the same as that of RSV. On the other hand, no effect of Mg (ClO4)2 on the kH values was observed for PTS, in contrast to the case for RSV. A kinetic isotope effect of 3.4 was observed when PTS was replaced by a deuterated PTS. These results suggest that a one-step hydrogen-atom transfer from PTS to GO• may be the rate-determining step in MeCN.

Phenolic profile, antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties of phenolic-rich fractions from the aerial parts of Mentha pulegium L.

This study investigated into the phenolic profile and biological properties of Mentha pulegium L. based on the antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were spectrophotometrically quantified. The phenolic profile was analyzed by RP-HPLC-PDA. Galvinoxyl radical (GOR), 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing activity, cupric reducing and β-carotene bleaching methods were performed to evaluate antioxidant potential. Enzyme inhibitory activity was tested towards alpha-glucosidase, alpha-amylase, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. The results indicated that ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the strongest antioxidant potential with its higher phenolic and flavonoid contents. This fraction also exerted the highest alpha-glucosidase (IC50 of 61.85 ± 1.69 μg/mL), alpha-amylase (IC50 of 16.37 ± 0.11 μg/mL), AChE (IC50 of 3.13 ± 0.05 μg/mL) and BChE (IC50 of 12.97 ± 0.20 μg/mL) inhibitory activities, its activity was higher than that of acarbose and galantamine used as standard drugs. Gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, naringenin and quercetin were identified in this fraction. Hence, these findings suggest that M. pulegium is a promising source of bioactive compounds, which could be helpful in the management of oxidative stress associated diseases including diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.

In vitro assessment of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and antimicrobial activities of Centaurea tougourensis Boiss. & Reut.

Context: More than 500 Centaurea species compose the Asteraceae family, and most of the recent studies made on the species of this genus proved their pharmacological potential, especially to treat chronic illnesses. Aims: To evaluate for the first time the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and anti-microbial properties of the n-butanol (n-BuOH) and ethyl acetate (EA) extracts of the aerial part of Centaurea tougourensis. Methods: The antioxidant activity was determined by ABTS, galvinoxyl radical, phenanthroline, and reducing power assays, while the anti-inflammatory effects were assessed by heat-induced hemolysis and egg albumin denaturation assays. The neuroprotective activity was assessed against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and the anti-microbial activity by the agar disk diffusion method. Results: Both extracts possess a great antioxidant capacity, but it was considered higher in the n-BuOH extract with respective IC50 values of 8.04 ± 0.21 μg/mL in ABTS assay and 4.25 ± 0.6 μg/mL in GOR assay, while the A0.50 values were 4.46 ± 0.55 μg/mL in phenanthroline assay and 11.16 ± 0.64 μg/mL in reducing power assay. The n-BuOH extract also showed a remarkable anti-inflammatory activity with an EC50 of 120.81 ± 0.2 μg/mL in egg albumin denaturation assay and 154.15 ± 0.14 μg/mL in heat-induced hemolysis assay. The neuroprotective activity of the n-BuOH extract was very strong in both AChE and BChE inhibitory assays with respective IC50 values of 9.8 ± 0.62 μg/mL and 173.53 ± 0.04 μg/mL. EA extract was more active on microbial strains. Conclusions: These encouraging results showed once again the pharmacological potential of Centaurea species.

Attaching a Dipeptide to Fullerene as an Antioxidant Hybrid against DNA Oxidation.

Emerging evidence has revealed that oxidative damages of DNA correlate with the pathogenesis of some diseases, and numerous investigations have also suggested that supplementation of antioxidants is beneficial for keeping health by rectifying in vivo redox status. Here, we construct antioxidative dipeptides with the Ugi four-component reaction (comprising p-aminobenzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, or vanillin, a series of antioxidative carboxylic acids and isocyanides as reagents) and then attempt to attach the dipeptides to [60]fullerene by the Bingel reaction. However, this endeavor does not lead to the amelioration of the radical-scavenging property because abilities of fullerenyl dipeptides to trap 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and galvinoxyl radicals are still dependent upon the phenolic hydroxyl group in the dipeptide scaffold rather than upon the fullerenyl group. Alternatively, when the obtained fullerenyl dipeptides are evaluated in a peroxyl radical-induced oxidation of DNA, it is found that introducing a fullerene moiety into dipeptide enables antioxidative effect to be enhanced 20-30% because the fullerene moiety facilitates the corresponding dipeptide to intercalate with DNA strands, and thus, to increase the antioxidative efficacy. Our results suggest that connecting an antioxidative skeleton with the hydrophobic fullerene moiety might lead to a series of novel antioxidant hybrids applied for the inhibition of DNA oxidation.

Chemical profile, antioxidant and photoprotective activities of essential oil and crude extracts of Algerian Thymus serpyllum

Thymus serpyllum is an aromatic and medicinal plant widely used in Algerian folk medicine. It was collected from Mascara region North West of Algeria and studied in the aim to provide more knowledge about chemical composition, antioxidant and photo-protective activities of essential oil, ethanolic and infusion extracts. The chemical analysis of investigated T. serpyllum EO was performed for the first time in this research work. It was carried out by GC/MS for identifying 25 components where the dominated compounds were Carvacrol (66%) and γ–Terpinene (11.5%). The phenolic profile of ethanolic and aqueous infusion extracts was performed using HPLC chromatography and the data showed the Benzoic acid and Rosmarinc acid were found as major compounds. Extracts showed an excellent source of total phenols and flavonoids. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH, Galvinoxyl radical (GOR), CUPRAC, reducing power and O-phenanthroline approaches. All extracts showed a significant antioxidant capacity with different mechanisms. However, ethanol and infusion extracts showed stronger capacity than EO. Moreover, the photoprotective activity of T. serpyllum extracts was explored for the first time in our study. Extracts exhibited high values of sun protective factors (SFP) with 38.34±2.29 and 38.82±2.23 for ethanol and infusion extract respectively. Results of our study may encourage the pharmacologic, food and cosmetic sectors to use the wild thyme as natural and healthy source of active compounds.

Photoprotective, antioxidant, anticholinesterase activities and phenolic contents of different Algerian Mentha pulegium extracts

In this study, extracts of chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water were prepared from leaves of Mentha pulegium L. To assess their potential application as a source of bioactive compounds, the different extracts have been studied for their polyphenol content and for certain biological properties that might confer. Total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) contents were estimated using colorimetric methods. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), [2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] (ABTS), galvinoxyl radical (GOR), Cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), reducing power, β-carotene bleaching, and O-phenanthroline assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the extracts. The inhibitory capacities of the extracts against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), as well as their photoprotective effect, were determined. The highest TPCs and TFCs were recorded in the extract of n-butanol (451.22 ± 1.54 μg GAE/mg of extract and 268.88 ± 2.65 μg QE/mg of extract, respectively), which had the highest antioxidant activity followed by ethyl acetate and water extracts. Most of the extracts studied were found to be inactive against AChE and BChE and only the chloroform extract showed a moderate inhibitory effect with percentages of inhibition of 13.16 ± 1.64 and 24.34 ± 1.12%, respectively at 200 μg/mL. High values of sun protection factor (SPF) were recorded with the extracts ranging from 33.86 ± 0.25 to 36.31 ± 0.40 corresponding respectively to the chloroform and aqueous extracts. The results of this work have shown that the phenolic extracts of Mentha pulegium can constitute a good choice for their application as antioxidant and photoprotective phytoconstituents.

Antiproliferative and antibacterial activity of extracts of Ganoderma strains grown in vitro.

In this bioprospecting study the biological activities of extracts of the in vitro culture of Ganoderma Mexican strains were evaluated. The extracts were tested by the Sulforhodamine B staining method for antiproliferative activity and the plate microdilution method for antibacterial activity. Extracts that proved bioactive in these two activities, the antioxidant activity (Galvinoxyl, ABTS, and DPPH) and total phenolic contents (Folin-Ciocalteu) were additionally determined, as well as acute toxicity (Artemia franciscana). In the antiproliferative activity Ganoderma curtisii strain (GH-16-015) obtained a remarkable value of GI50 ≤ 50µg/mL against tumor lines: A549, HBL-100, HeLa, and T-47D. G. curtisii strains (GH-16-012 and GH-16-015) showed MIC values = 500µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus. G. curtisii strain (GH-16-012) almost reduced by 50% the radical Galvinoxyl. Finally, G. curtisii strain (GH-16-023) presented the lowest level of toxicity with a LC50 of 490.881µg/mL against A. franciscana. These results support the potential medicinal effects of Mexican strains of G. curtisii.

Analysis of phytochemical constituents, antibacterial, antioxidant, photoprotective activities and cytotoxic effect of leaves extracts and fractions of Aloe vera

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate the Aloe vera phytochemical compounds using HPLC–mass spectrometry and to evaluate their antibacterial, antioxidant, photoprotective and cytotoxic activities. The acetone extract, methanol extract and its four fractions: chloroform, ethyl acetate, n- butanol, aqueous were subjected to evaluate their antibacterial activity by Aromatogram method against S.aureus, B. cereus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, A. baumanii. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determinated by the medium agar incorporation method. Then, the antioxidant properties of all extracts and fractions were evaluated by using Hydroxyl radical scavenging, Galvinoxyl radical scavenging and Phenanthroline assays. The photoprotective activity was measured by determination in vitro of sun protection factor. The cytotoxicity of extracts and fractions was tested by Brine shrimp lethality method. The yields of methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, aqueous, acetone extracts are respectively 20.56% ± 0.38, 3.4% ± 0.11, 1.58% ± 0.12, 14.16% ± 0.11, 13.56% ± 0.78, 0.68% ± 0.50. By LC-MS analysis, 8 bioactive phytochemical compounds were identified. The antibacterial activity showed that the n-butanol fraction, acetone and methanol extracts had an effect against all the bacteria. The MIC value ranged from 1.25 to 10 mg/mL. The chloroform fraction exhibited highest antioxidant activity in (OH•2) scavenging assay (IC50 value: 79.53 ± 0.66 μg/mL) and in GOR scavenging assay (IC50 value: 80.18 ± 1.21 μg/mL), the acetone extract exhibited highest antioxidant activity in phenanthroline assay (A0.50 value: 46.75 ± 0.35 μg/mL). Furthermore, the all extracts and fractions showed high photoprotective activity. The acetone, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions have displayed significant effect against the brine shrimp larvae.

Phenolic contents and in vitro antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, and anti-inflammatory effects of leaves and roots extracts of the halophyte Limonium delicatulum

Limonium delicatulum is a halophyte growing in extreme conditions and therefore constituted a possible source of bioactive compounds. In the present study, total phenolic, flavonoids, and condensed tannins were quantified. DPPH, ABTS, Galvinoxyl radical (GOR), CUPRAC, reducing power, O-phenanthroline, silver nanoparticle, and β-carotene bleaching assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. The inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity and denaturation of BSA were also investigated. The results showed that extraction solvent, as well as plant organ, significantly influenced the contents of phenolic compounds. Methanolic roots extract contained the highest phenolic content with a value of 772.52 ± 5.12 µg GAE/mg consisting mainly of condensed tannins (678.87 ± 0.11 µg EC/mg of extract), while methanolic leaves extract recorded the highest content of flavonoids (212.77 ± 1.19 µg QE/mg extract). Methanolic extracts with high phenolic contents exerted the strongest antioxidant activity compared to the aqueous extracts. Moreover, methanolic roots extract exhibited high tyrosinase inhibition ability with an IC50 of 9.87 ± 0.15 µg/ml better than that of methanolic leaves extract and kojic acid (24.77 ± 0.5 and 25.23 ± 0.21 µg/ml, respectively), The studied extracts also inhibited the denaturation of BSA in dose-dependent manner. Methanol extracts presented higher inhibition percentages than aqueous extracts and similar to that obtained with diclofenac sodium. L. delicatulum can be considered as a promising source of therapeutic bioactive compounds.

Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Content of Extracts of Wild Algerian Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes).

Mushrooms can be employed as functional foods or medicines for the prevention and treatment of several chronic diseases, since they are rich sources of bioactive metabolites. Nonetheless, the therapeutic value of Algerian mushrooms remains largely unexplored. To date, there are no published studies concerning the different medicinal properties of endemic Ganoderma lucidum in Algeria. This study aimed to compare the antioxidant potential of an endemic specimen collected in the Lake Tonga Forest of El Kala National Park in Northeast Algeria with findings from other countries. To this end, phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using three solvents of increasing polarity (chloroform, ethyl acetate, and butanol). The mushroom specimen was identified as G. lucidum based on strong molecular evidence using internal transcribed spacer, large subunit, and small subunit sequences. Our study showed that ethyl acetate extract contained higher total phenolic content (171.1 ± 1.06 μg gallic acid equivalents/mg and 102.5 ± 0.69 μg pyrocatechol equivalents/mg extract) and total flavonoid content (25.48 ± 0.13 μg quercetin equivalents/mg and 40.45 ± 0.83 μg rutin equivalents/mg extract) than the other mushroom extracts (chloroform and butanolic). The ethyl acetate extract also showed good antioxidant activity in DPPH (28.51 ± 0.24 μg/mL), ABTS·+ (10.06 ± 0.13 μg/mL), galvinoxyl radical (15.46 ± 0.48 μg/mL), reducing power (22.74 ± 0.30 μg/mL), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (21.36 ± 0.04 μg/mL), and phenanthroline (12.87 ± 0.26 μg/mL) assays. These results suggest that G. lucidum could be used as a source of strong natural antioxidants for the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Effect of hydroxyl on antioxidant properties of 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one to scavenge free radicals.

It is well known that 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (DDMP) is usually formed in the Maillard reaction and it contributes to the antioxidant properties of Maillard reaction intermediates. A series of hydroxyl group protected DDMP derivatives were synthesized to further understand the source of antioxidant activity. Antioxidant abilities of the DDMP derivatives were evaluated by scavenging the 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) cationic radical (ABTS˙+), 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), and galvinoxyl radical, respectively. It was found that the introduction of protecting groups to the free hydroxyl groups of DDMP decreases their reducing abilities. In particular, the hydroxyl group at the olefin position exhibited a remarkable impact on the antioxidant activity of DDMP, indicating that the unstable enol structure in the DDMP moiety is the key factor for its antioxidant activity.

Chain-breaking/Preventive Antioxidant, Urate-lowering, and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Pure Curcumin

Background: Several researches have shown that therapeutic compounds or phytochemicals from natural sources are important in the food as it is valuable in pharmaceutical industries due to their fewer side effects and potent against various diseases. Curcumin, a major polyphenol derived from turmeric spice, which used in many foods, has a wide range of biological activities, with quite a safety. Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, urate-lowering, and antiinflammatory effects of pure curcumin. Methods: The antioxidant activity was evaluated for chain-breaking antioxidant effect (radicalscavenging and reducing abilities assays) and for preventive antioxidant effect with metal chelating assay, the urate-lowering was assayed on aspectrophotometer by measuring the inhibition of uric acid production by xanthine oxidase (XO) enzyme, and the anti-inflammatory effect was estimated using in vitro albumin denaturation inhibition. Results: Curcumin showed a significant and good chain-breaking antioxidant effect, both in free radical- scavenging assays (Galvinoxyl radical, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical), and in reducing abilities methods (reducing power, Cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity and O-phenanthroline assays). In preventive antioxidant effect, assessed with the metal chelating assay, curcumin showed significant effect but with high concentration compared with standard. In the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system, curcumin significantly inhibited uric acid production (IC50=0.71 ± 0.06 mg/mL). Regarding antiinflammatory activity, curcumin showed significant inhibition of albumin denaturation with an IC50 value of 1181.69 ± 1.11μg/mL. Conclusion: These results indicated that curcumin showed promising antioxidant, anti-gout and antiinflammatory properties and might be used as potential, natural drugs against oxidative and inflammation- related diseases.