Enzymes Glutathione Reductase Research Articles

Selenium ameliorates oxidized phospholipid-mediated testicular dysfunction and epididymal sperm abnormalities following Bisphenol A exposure in adult Wistar rats.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting compound extensively utilized in the production of polycarbonate polymers and epoxy resins that, upon exposure, pose a significant threat to male reproductive health because of its estrogenic properties. Accumulating evidence suggests that BPA exposure disrupts the normal process of spermatogenesis, alters testicular morphology and function, and interferes with testicular steroidogenesis and hormonal signaling. However, the precise mechanism by which BPA affects testicular function remains unclear. In this study, we explored the mechanism underlying BPA-induced testicular abnormalities and evaluated the protective effects of Selenium (Se). Thirty-two adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups, and BPA was administered at 50mg/kg body weight, with or without Se supplementation, for 30 days. Se supplementation (2.5mg/kg body weight) was initiated 1 week before BPA administration. BPA administration resulted in alterations in testicular architecture, characterized by basement membrane disintegration in the seminiferous tubules, reduced spermatogenic cell counts, and increased interstitial tubule noncellular space. Furthermore, BPA exposure increased the levels of oxidized phospholipids, lipid peroxides, and hydroxyl radicals and decreased the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. In addition, BPA significantly reduced the activities of 3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, interfering with testicular steroidogenesis. In rats, coadministration of Se and BPA reduced the levels of oxidized phospholipids and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, leading to improved testicular function and epididymal sperm parameters, suggesting that Se plays a critical role in alleviating endocrine disruptor-induced testicular dysfunctions in rats.

Effect of dietary fenugreek seeds on the antioxidant status of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.)

AbstractThe goal of this work was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with fenugreek seeds on the oxidative status of gilthead seabream. Fish were fed four different diets for 8 weeks: three groups of fish were fed diets containing 1%, 5% or 10% (w/w) fenugreek seeds, while the control group was fed a diet without fenugreek. At the end of the experiment, the expression gene of the main antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase) was measured in the fish liver. Supplementation with fenugreek seeds at 10% significantly increased the growth of fish while different effects on gene expression were detected. An increase in H2O2 and OH⋅ scavenging ability and oxidative stability was observed in fish fed fenugreek-supplemented diets. In the present study, an 8-week supplementation of the diet of gilthead seabream specimens with fenugreek seeds resulted in an improvement of fish growth and antioxidant status (ROS scavenging, catalase and oil oxidative stability). These results afford a new perspective on the use of spices with medicinal properties as a supplement in fish feed in order to improve their growth and antioxidant status.

Physiological and Microstructure Analysis Reveals the Mechanism by Which Formic Acid Delays Postharvest Physiological Deterioration of Cassava.

Formic acid is reported to act as a food preservative and feed additive, but its effects on controlling postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD) development in cassava are unclear. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of different concentrations of formic acid in attenuating PPD occurrence in fresh-cut cassava. The results showed that the concentration of 0.1% (v/v) formic acid could significantly delay the occurrence of PPD, and that the higher the concentration of formic acid supplied, the later the occurrence of PPD symptoms. The physiological and biochemical analysis of 0.5%-formic-acid-treated cassava slices revealed that formic acid decreased the degradation of starch, inhibited the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and water-soluble pectin in cassava slices with PPD development, and increased the activities of the antioxidant enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR). A microscopic observation showed that the formic acid treatment inhibited the enlargement of the intercellular space during the cassava PPD process, which suggests that the formation of an intercellular layer of the cell wall was inhibited by formic acid. This study thus revealed the mechanism used by formic acid to extend the cassava shelf life; however, a detailed evaluation of the possible side effects on, for example, the cyanide content will be needed to categorically ensure the safety of this method.

Structure-Based Discovery of Phytocompounds from Azadirachta indica as Potential Inhibitors of Thioredoxin Glutathione Reductase in Schistosoma mansoni.

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease caused by Schistosoma species such as S. haematobium, S. mansoni, and S. japonicum, poses a significant global health burden. The thioredoxin glutathione reductase (TGR) enzyme, crucial for maintaining the parasite's redox balance and preventing oxidative stress, has been identified as a promising target for anti-schistosomal drug development. This study aims to identify potential TGR inhibitors from Azadirachta indica phytochemicals using molecular modeling approaches. We screened 60 compounds derived from A. indica bark and leaves through molecular docking to assess their binding affinity, followed by the evaluation of binding-free energies for the most promising candidates. Drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties were assessed, and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to explore the conformational stability of the protein-ligand complexes. Our findings revealed that several A. indica compounds exhibited significantly lower docking scores (up to -9.669 kcal/mol) compared to the standard drug praziquantel (-4.349 kcal/mol). Notably, Isorhamnetin, Isomargolonone, Nimbaflavone, Quercetin, and Nimbionol demonstrated strong interactions with TGR, although Isorhamnetin showed potential mutagenicity. Further binding free energy calculations and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of Isomargolonone, Nimbionol, and Quercetin as potential TGR inhibitors. In conclusion, these findings suggest that Isomargolonone, Nimbionol, and Quercetin warrant further experimental validation as promising candidates for anti-schistosomal therapy.

Electrochemical sensor for glutathione reductase based on screen-printed electrodes coated with 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid-modified carbon nanotubes.

The preparation of a hybrid nanomaterial is reportedby covalently attaching 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid groups to the surface of oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes using 1,6-diaminohexane as cross-linking agent. This nanomaterial, modified with the redox mediator, was used as transduction element to construct an amperometric sensor for the efficient indirect determination of glutathione reductase at a low working potential of - 0.05V, through the oxidation of unconsumed nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) in the enzymatic reaction. The sensor exhibited an excellent linear response in the range 1.6 to 174 µU/µL, with high reproducibility and selectivity. The developed device was successfully validated in real samples, accurately determining the active enzyme in diluted human serum, making it a promising alternative for the determination of glutathione reductase and other related NADPH-dependent enzymes with relevance in clinical analysis.

The role and possible mechanism of the ferroptosis-related SLC7A11/GSH/GPX4 pathway in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

BackgroundMyocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) is an unavoidable risk event for acute myocardial infarction, with ferroptosis showing close involvement. We investigated the mechanism of MI/RI inducing myocardial injury by inhibiting the ferroptosis-related SLC7A11/glutathione (GSH)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway and activating mitophagy.MethodsA rat MI/RI model was established, with myocardial infarction area and injury assessed by TTC and H&E staining. Rat cardiomyocytes H9C2 were cultured in vitro, followed by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) modeling and the ferroptosis inhibitor lipoxstatin-1 (Lip-1) treatment, or 3-Methyladenine or rapamycin treatment and overexpression plasmid (oe-SLC7A11) transfection during modeling. Cell viability and death were evaluated by CCK-8 and LDH assays. Mitochondrial morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by fluorescence dye JC-1. Levels of inflammatory factors, reactive oxygen species (ROS), Fe2+, malondialdehyde, lipid peroxidation, GPX4 enzyme activity, glutathione reductase, GSH and glutathione disulfide, and SLC7A11, GPX4, LC3II/I and p62 proteins were determined by ELISA kit, related indicator detection kits and Western blot.ResultsThe ferroptosis-related SLC7A11/GSH/GPX4 pathway was repressed in MI/RI rat myocardial tissues, inducing myocardial injury. H/R affected GSH synthesis and inhibited GPX4 enzyme activity by down-regulating SLC7A11, thus promoting ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes, which was averted by Lip-1. SLC7A11 overexpression improved H/R-induced cardiomyocyte ferroptosis via the GSH/GPX4 pathway. H/R activated mitophagy in cardiomyocytes. Mitophagy inhibition reversed H/R-induced cellular ferroptosis. Mitophagy activation partially averted SLC7A11 overexpression-improved H/R-induced cardiomyocyte ferroptosis. H/R suppressed the ferroptosis-related SLC7A11/GSH/GPX4 pathway by inducing mitophagy, leading to cardiomyocyte injury.ConclusionsIncreased ROS under H/R conditions triggered cardiomyocyte injury by inducing mitophagy to suppress the ferroptosis-related SLC7A11/GSH/GPX4 signaling pathway activation.

Astaxanthin improves lipotoxicity, lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in kidney of sucrose-rich diet-fed rats

Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is a cluster of metabolic risk factors, characterized by abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, among others. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the astaxanthin (AXT) effects extracted from freshwater crab (Dilocarcinus pagei) at the Paraná Basin on lipotoxicity, lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in the kidney of rats fed with a sucrose-rich diet (SRD). We hypothesized that daily administration of AXT prevents kidney damage by reducing lipotoxicity, lipid peroxidation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and by improving antioxidant enzyme defenses and crosstalk between NrF2 and NF-ĸB transcription factors. Male Wistar rats were fed a reference diet (RD), RD+AXT, SRD and SRD+AXT [AXT daily oral dose: (10 mg/kg body weight)] for 90 days. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, biochemical assays in serum and urine were evaluated. Renal cortex samples were taken for histological analysis, determination of triglyceride content, ROS, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) enzyme activities and glutathione content (GSH). 4-HNE, NrF2, and NF-ĸB p65 expression were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. We demonstrated that daily oral supplementation of AXT to animals fed a SRD reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, histological renal damage, lipid accumulation, ROS and lipid peroxidation, and increased CAT and GPx activities. NrF2 protein expression in renal cortex was increased, whilst NF-ĸB p65 was reduced. AXT extracted from freshwater crabs (Dilocarcinus pagei) may be promising nutritional strategy for the prevention of renal alterations present in this model.

Hesperidin attenuates radiation-induced ovarian failure in rats: Emphasis on TLR-4/NF-ĸB signaling pathway

Young women suffering from premature ovarian failure after radiotherapy carry a huge burden in the field of cancer therapy including reproductive loss, emotional stress, and physical troubles that reduce their long-term quality of life. Hesperidin (HSP) exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. HSP enhanced in vitro follicular maturation and preserved in vivo ovarian stockpile. In this research, the role of HSP in radiation-induced POF in rats was investigated besides ascertaining its underlying mechanisms. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were arbitrarily allocated into four groups: control-group, ϒ-irradiated-group (3.2 Gy once on the 7th day), HSP-group (100 mg/kg, orally for 10 days), and HSP/ϒ-irradiated-group (ϒ-radiation was applied one hour after HSP). At the end of experiment, the whole ovaries were collected for histological and biochemical analyses. Administration of HSP preserved the ovarian histoarchitecture and follicular stock, retained ovarian weight, and conserved serum estradiol and AMH levels following radiation exposure. HSP ameliorated the ovarian oxidative damage mediated by radiation through augmenting the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and catalase antioxidant enzymes. HSP exhibited remarkable anti-inflammatory activity by downregulating the expression of ovarian TLR-4, NF-ĸB, and TNF-α. Moreover, HSP suppressed the apoptotic machinery triggered by radiation by reducing p53 and Bax while increasing Bcl-2 mRNA expressions alongside diminishing caspase-3 expression. Additionally, HSP regulated estrous cycle disorder of irradiated rats and improved their reproductive capacity reflected by enhancing pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, HSP represents an appealing candidate as an adjunct remedy for female cancer patients during radiotherapy protocols owing to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and hormone-regulatory effects.

Dose rate dependent genotoxic and metabolic effects predict onset of impaired development and mortality in Atlantic salmon (S. salar) embryos exposed to chronic gamma radiation

Release of radionuclides to the environment from either nuclear weapon and fuel cycles or from naturally occurring radionuclides (NORM) may cause long term contamination of aquatic ecosystems and chronic exposure of living organisms to ionizing radiation, which in turn could lead to adverse effects compromising the sustainability of populations. To address the effects of chronic ionizing radiation on the development of fish, Atlantic salmon embryos were exposed from fertilization until hatching (88 days, 550 day-degree) to dose rates from 1 to 30 mGy·h−1 gamma radiation (60Co). The lowest adopted dose rate was similar to the highest doses measured in some water bodies right after the Chernobyl accident (1 mGy·h−1), however, well above current environmentally realistic scenarios (20 μGy·h−1), or the threshold assumed for significant effects on fish population (40 μGy·h−1). Dose dependent effects were observed on survival, hatching, morbidity, DNA damage, antioxidant defenses, and metabolic status. Histopathological analysis showed dose rate dependent impairment of eye and brain tissues development and establishment of epidermal mucus cell layers accompanied by increased DNA damage at doses ≥1.3 Gy (dose rates ≥1 mGy·h−1).At ≥32.8 Gy (dose rates ≥20 mGy·h−1) deformities and developmental growth defects resulted in respective 46 and 95 % pre-hatch mortality. The 10 mGy·h−1 exposure (≥ 12 Gy total dose) caused significantly increased DNA damage, impaired eye development, and both premature and delayed hatching, while no deformities or effect on survival were observed. We observed a dose rate dependent reduction from dose rate ≥ 20 mGy·h−1 (≥ 27 Gy total dose) on antioxidant SOD, catalase and glutathione reductase enzyme activities. The reduction of antioxidant enzyme activities was in line with observed developmental delay and disturbance to time of hatching. Metabolomic profiles showed a clear shift at dose rates ≥10 mGy·h−1 (≥ 12 Gy total dose) in pathways related to oxidative stress, detoxification, DNA damage and repair. Due to gamma radiation exposure, a switch of central metabolism from glycolysis, citric acid cycle and lactate production towards pentose phosphate pathway indicated a rewiring mechanism for increased production of reductive equivalents to maintain redox homeostasis at the expense of energy output and thus embryonic development.

Evaluation of memory drought stress effects on storage compounds seedlings of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and in-silico analysis of glutathione reductase

In breeding programs, stress memory in plants can develop drought stress tolerance. Memory stress, as an approach, can keep stress data by activating tolerance mechanisms. This research was conducted to evaluate some physiologically effective mechanisms in inducing memory drought stress in the seeds that were exposed to water stress three times in four treatments including rainfed, 33%, 66%, and 100% of field capacity (FC). After the production of the seeds, the third-generation seeds were placed under different irrigation treatments, seed and seedling traits, starch to carbohydrate ratio in seed, protein concentration and glutathione reductase were investigatied in a factorial format based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that percentage of changes from the lowest to the highest value for traits including seed vigor, seed endosperm weight, seed coat weight, accelerated aging, cold test, seedling biomass and seedling length were 25, 37, 65, 65, 55, 77, 55, 65 and 79, respectively and germination uniformity was 3.9 times higher than the lowest amount. According to the deterioration percentage, seed vigor and the percentage of seed germination in cold test data, it can be reported that seed production by 100% FC was not appropriate for rainfed plots. However, considering the the appropriate results in the percentage of germination for a cold test, germination uniformity percentage, and the lowest accelerated aging seeds, seed production under the rainfed conditions with 33% FC watering can be recommended. In-silico analysis was coducted on Glutathione reductase (GR) enzymes in Gossypium hirsutum. It is clear that GR has a Redox-active site and NADPH binding, and it interacts with Glutathione S transferase (GST). So, memory drought stress through inducing physiological drought tolerance mechanisms such as starch-to-carbohydrate ratio and GR can determine the suitable pattern for seed production for rainfed and low rainfall regions in a breeding program. Our study thus illustrated that seed reprduction under 33% FC equipped cotton with the tolerance against under draught stress from the seedling stage. This process is done through activating glutathione reductase and balancing the ratio of starch to carbohydrates concentration.

Biomarkers of oxidative stress, biochemical changes, and the activity of lysosomal enzymes in the livers of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) vaccinated against yersiniosis before a Yersinia ruckeri challenge

Abstract Introduction This study aimed to evaluate biomarkers of oxidative stress (2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, aldehyde and ketone derivatives of oxidatively modified proteins and total antioxidant capacity), the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase), that of lysosomal enzymes (alanyl aminopeptidase, leucyl aminopeptidase, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase and acid phosphatase) and changes in biochemical parameters (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, de Ritis ratio, lactate dehydrogenase activity, lactate and pyruvate levels and their ratio) in the liver tissue of fish that were vaccinated against enteric redmouth disease and challenged with its causative agent, the bacterium Yersinia ruckeri. Material and Methods The vaccine was administered orally to trout, some of which were challenged with Y. ruckeri 61 days later. For comparison, unvaccinated and unchallenged trout and unvaccinated and challenged trout were also evaluated. Results In the unvaccinated fish, infection with Y. ruckeri disrupted the pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance, led to a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and oxidative modification of proteins, decreased total antioxidant capacity and significantly increased the activity of lysosomal enzymes. In vaccinated fish, the Y. ruckeri challenge increased the activity of glutathione-related enzymes and decreased lipid peroxidation, anaerobic metabolism and the activity of lysosomal enzymes in fish livers relative to the unvaccinated and challenged group. In contrast, these parameters increased after the Y. ruckeri challenge in unvaccinated trout relative to those in the untreated group. Conclusion Vaccination exerted a protective effect during the Y. ruckeri challenge and had no adverse effect on fish livers.

Transcriptional Profiling and Key Enzyme Activity of Epichloë sinensis Isolated from Festuca sinensis in Response to Na2SeO3

Fungal endophytes exhibit symbiotic relationships with their host plants and convert inorganic selenium to organoselenium and Se0. In order to elucidate how Epichloë sinensis from Festuca sinensis adapts to different concentrations of sodium selenate, the dynamic changes of mycelial enzyme activities and metabolic changes at the transcriptional level were documented over a period of 36 h. The activity of enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, cysteine synthetase, and methionine synthesis) in mycelia increased in the presence of increased Se concentrations during the cultivation period. The strain with selenium enrichment showed differential changes in gene expression compared to the strain without selenium enrichment, with more changes observed at higher Se concentrations over time. Notably, genes related to ribosomes or ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes showed significant expression differences among certain groups, with up-regulation of genes involved in oxidoreductase activity, superoxide dismutase, and siderophore biosynthetic processes, and down-regulation of genes involved in steroid biosynthesis. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the transcriptional response of Epichloë sinensis to selenium.

Absence of mitochondrial CX9C-CX10C protein Cox12 generates oxidative and nitrosative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Implication on cellular redox homeostasis

Mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS) harbors a series of small, evolutionarily conserved redox-active cysteine-rich proteins. These proteins are essential for the functioning of cytochrome c oxidase, but their role in maintaining cellular redox processes is unknown. Here, we find out that in the absence of two such cysteine-rich Cx9C-Cx10C proteins, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 12 (Cox12) or cytochrome c oxidase assembly factor 6 (Coa6), Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells become sensitive under the oxidative and nitrosative stress. Interestingly, knockout of COX12 generates a significant amount of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) as evidenced by FACS analysis. Moreover, cellular redox status, redox-active enzymes glutathione reductase, catalase, S-nitroso glutathione reductase, and protein nitration were significantly affected in Cox12 null cells. Further, we found that an overexpression of COX12 partially protects mitochondrial respiratory subunit Sdh2 under oxidative and nitrosative stress. Taken together, we provide proof of evidence that cysteine-rich proteins in the IMS dynamically control the cellular redox milieu and actively prevent reactive nitrogen and oxygen species generation.

Cold shock treatment alleviates pitting in sweet cherry fruit by enhancing antioxidant enzymes activity and regulating membrane lipid metabolism.

In order to comprehend the regulatory mechanisms that result in the alleviation of sweet cherry pitting disorder through cold shock (0 °C ice-water mixture for 10 min), an investigation was conducted into the impacts of cold shock treatment (CST) on membrane lipid metabolism, antioxidant enzyme activity, as well as pitting of cold-stored sweet cherry fruit. CST significantly inhibited the increase in pitting incidence, pitting index, and decay incidence. The CST treatment provided greater titratable acidity, firmness as well as total content of soluble solids. The use of CST prevented the build-up of superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and reduced permeability of cell membranes. When in contrast to control group, the CST also raised the expression levels along with activity of the antioxidant enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Furthermore, CST reduced the amount of fruit cell membrane peroxidation, suppressed the activity of phospholipase and lipoxygenase, postponed the rise in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and decrease in unsaturated fatty acids (USFAs), ultimately keeping a high ratio of USFAs to SFAs. CST can alleviating pitting disorder in sweet cherry fruit via preventing peroxidation of membrane lipid and elevating the antioxidant enzymes activity. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Activity of antioxidant defense system in fenoxycarb treated mango leaf webber Orthaga exvinacea Hampson (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The toxicity of the synthetic insecticide fenoxycarb, an insect growth inhibitor, was assayed against the sixth instar larvae of Orthaga exvinacea. This lepidopteran pest is considered as major annoyance of mango cultivation throughout India which could significantly reduce the crop yield. The lethality of this insecticide with different concentrations against the organism was examined. The effect of this insecticide on the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), peroxidase (POD) and glutathione reductase (GR) was estimated. The results revealed that the insecticide exerted excellent larvicidal activity against the target organism with an LD50 value of 30.339 ppm. The observations revealed that there was a consistent cutback in the activity of all of the antioxidant defense enzymes in response to the sublethal doses of the insecticide. The fenoxycarb treatment also resulted in lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the larvae. With reference to O. exvinacea, this study may provide information about the biological and physiological effects of fenoxycarb on pest species.

Phyto-pharmacological and computational profiling of Bombax ceiba Linn. Leaves revealed pharmacological properties against oxidation, hyperglycemia, pain, and diarrhea

The present study aimed to conduct phytochemical and pharmacological profiling of methanolic crude extract of leaves of Bombax ceiba Linn. via experimental and computational approaches. Six secondary metabolites were isolated chromatographically, and the structures were elucidated by extensive analyses of high-resolution 1H and 13C NMR data. The separated compounds were characterized as β-sitosterol (1), β-amyrin (2), β-amyrin acetate (3), β-amyrin palmitate (4), β-amyrone (5), and isoscopoletin (6). DPPH free radical scavenging assay, tail-tipping method, writhing assay, and castor oil-induced diarrheal mice methods, respectively, were used to assess the antioxidant, hypoglycemic, analgesic, and anti-diarrheal activities of the leaf extract of B. ceiba plant species. The study observed significant reductions (p < 0.05) in the level of blood glucose at 30, 60, 120, and 180 min following the administration of the crude extracts (200 mg/kg body weight (bw) and 400 mg/kg bw). These reductions occurred in a time-dependent manner. Additionally, both doses of the investigated extracts exhibited significant (p < 0.05) central and peripheral analgesic effects compared to morphine (2 mg/kg bw) and diclofenac sodium (50 mg/kg bw), respectively. Furthermore, the 400 mg/kg bw extract demonstrated anti-diarrheal activity, reducing 54.17 % of diarrheal episodes in mice compared to loperamide with 70.83 % inhibition. The computational investigations yielded results consistent with existing in vivo findings. The results obtained from molecular docking showed that the isolated compounds had a better or comparable binding affinity to the active binding sites of the glutathione reductase enzyme, mu-opioid receptor, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), glucose transporter 3 (GLUT 3), and kappa opioid receptor. These findings may indicate that the compounds isolated from the B. ceiba plant species have antioxidant, analgesic, hypoglycemic, and anti-diarrheal, properties. Consequently, it was inferred that the plant B. ceiba might be beneficial in dealing with oxidation, diarrhea, hyperglycemia, and pain. Nonetheless, further investigations are necessary to perform thorough phytochemical profiling and elucidate the exact mechanistic ways of the crude extract and the isolated phytoconstituents.

In vitro antioxidant activity, QSAR, in silico toxicity prediction, molecular docking studies, and molecular dynamics of a series of N-ferrocenylmethylanilines as potent antioxidant agents

The superoxide anion radical scavenging activities of a series of twenty-eight ferrocenylmethylaniline derivatives were measured in an in vitro study followed by in silico studies which included quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR), toxicity prediction, molecular docking studies, and molecular dynamics simulations. Multilinear regression analysis was employed to establish a quantitative correlation between the scavenging activity of superoxide anion radicals and various structural properties. The QSAR model obtained underwent validation, demonstrating statistical significance with a squared fitting correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.934, an adjusted squared correlation coefficient (R2 adj) value of 0.849, and a cross-validation coefficient (Q2) value of 0.873. Additionally, the calculated Fisher ratio (F) value of 36.525 indicates the model's strong predictability. Toxicity perdition studies demonstrated that among the five most potent compounds, FMA27 and FMA12 were predicted to be non-toxic. The molecular Docking study revealed that compound FMA23 exhibited the least activity against the glutathione reductase enzyme, with the highest inhibitory concentration recorded at 4.16 × 10–6 M and the lowest docking scores observed at −7.34 kcal.mol-1. Interactions between the compound and the amino acid residues of glutathione reductase were primarily hydrophobic and π-cation in nature. Analysis of root mean square deviation (RMSD), radius of gyration (Rg), and root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), from molecular dynamics study, revealed stable fluctuations in protein backbone conformations, consistent compactness of the complex, and minimal fluctuations in most protein residues, respectively.

Seed Treatment with Cold Plasma and Electromagnetic Field: Changes in Antioxidant Capacity of Seedlings in Different Picea abies (L.) H. Karst Half-Sib Families.

In the context of climate change, methods to improve the resistance of coniferous trees to biotic and abiotic stress are in great demand. The common plant response to exposure to vastly different stressors is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) followed by activation of the defensive antioxidant system. We aimed to evaluate whether seed treatment with physical stressors can activate the activity of antioxidant enzymes and radical scavenging activity in young Picea abies (L.) H. Karst seedlings. For this, we applied seed treatment with cold plasma (CP) and electromagnetic field (EMF) and compared the response in ten different half-sib families of Norway spruce. The impact of the treatments with CP (1 min-CP1; 2 min-CP2) and EMF (2 min) on one-year-old and two-year-old P. abies seedlings was determined by the emergence rate, parameters of growth, and spectrophotometric assessment of antioxidant capacity (enzyme activity; DPPH and ABTS scavenging) in needles. The results indicated that the impact of seed treatment is strongly dependent on the genetic family. In the 577 half-sib family, the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POX), and glutathione reductase (GR) increased after EMF-treatment in one-year-old seedlings, while similar effects in 477 half-sib family were induced by CP2 treatment. In two-year-old seedlings, CP1-treatment increased CAT, APX, POX, GR, SOD, DPPH, and ABTS activity in the 457 half-sib family. However, no significant impact of the treatment with CP1 was determined in one-year-old seedlings in this family. The application of novel technologies and the consideration of the combinatory impact of genetic and physical factors could have the potential to improve the accumulation of compounds that play an essential role in the defense mechanisms of P. abies. Nevertheless, for different resistance and responses to stressors of plants, their genetic properties play an essential role. A comprehensive analysis of interactions among the stress factors (CP and EMF), genetic properties, and changes induced in the antioxidant system can be of importance both for the practical application of seed treatment in forestry and for understanding fundamental adaptation mechanisms in conifers.

The role of metals in hypothiocyanite resistance in Escherichia coli.

Hypothiocyanite (HOSCN) is an antimicrobial oxidant produced by the innate immune system. The molecular mechanisms by which host-associated bacteria defend themselves against HOSCN have only recently begun to be understood. The results in this paper are significant because they show that the low molecular weight thiol glutathione and enzyme glutathione reductase are critical components of the Escherichia coli HOSCN response, working by a mechanism distinct from that of the HOSCN-specific defenses provided by the RclA, RclB, and RclC proteins and that metal ions (including nickel, copper, and zinc) may impact the ability of bacteria to resist HOSCN by inhibiting specific defensive enzymes (e.g., glutathione reductase or RclA).

Examining the Inhibitory Impact of Pyrimidine and Certain Derivatives on the Enzyme Glutathione Reductase

Examining the Inhibitory Impact of Pyrimidine and Certain Derivatives on the Enzyme Glutathione Reductase