Hydroxyl Radical Inhibition Research Articles

The effect of Different Selenium Levels on Production Performance and Biochemical Parameters of Broilers

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for animal and human. Supplementation of Se usually in livestock diet has been proved as effective element. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of adding different levels of selenium yeast on growth performance, slaughter performance, immune trait, oxidation resistance, meat quality and selenium content in tissue of broilers to comprehensively evaluate the effect of selenium. A total of 540 day-old Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were selected and feeded with the diets of treatments supplemented with 0.0, 0.3, 0.5, l.0 and 2.0 mg/kg organic selenium respectively. The trial period was 42 days and divided into two periods. Our results showed that effect of different levels of selenium on growth performance, slaughter performance, the immune status, drip loss and flesh had not significant difference (P>0.05). The activities of serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), the abilities to inhibit hydroxyl radical (OH•), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and the content of GSH were significantly increased along with selenium level (P<0.05), whereas the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly decreased with organic selenium level (P<0.05). Our results demonstrated that organic selenium had no obvious effect on production performance of broilers, but significantly influenced the broiler oxidation resistance.

Investigation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of leaves of Dalbergia paniculata (Roxb)

ObjectiveTo investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of orally administered methanolic leaf extract of Dalbergia paniculata (D. paniculata) in Carrageenan induced inflammation in rats. MethodsIn vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated for superoxide radical, Hydroxyl radical and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Three doses 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of D. paniculata were tested for anti-inflammatory activity in Carrageenan induced rat paw edema model and paw thickness was measured every one hour up to 6 h. ResultsThe methanolic leaf extract of D. paniculata produced dose dependent inhibition of Superoxide radical, Hydroxyl radical and DPPH radicals. In Carrageenan induced inflammation model, all three doses produced significant percentage inhibition of rat paw edema and 800 mg/kg dose produced maximum percent inhibition of rat paw edema (47.83%) at 3h compared to control group. ConclusionsIn the present study we found that methanolic leaf extract of D. paniculata showed good in vitro antioxidant activity and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in rats.

Antioxidant activity of polyphenolic extracts of Ichnocarpus frutescens

In the present study antioxidant activities by (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical inhibition, hemolysis by hydrogen peroxide assay, reducing power and total antioxidant activities of polyphenolic extract of Ichnocarpus frutescens leaves were investigated. The flavonoids and total polyphenolic contents of the extract were also determined using standard methods. Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of flavonoids, polyphenols, anthocyanins and simple phenolic acids. The results of antioxidant activities of polyphenol extract obtained by different in vitro methods were varied depending on the method used. Nevertheless, polyphenol extract showed significant inhibitory activities in all in vitro reactive oxygen species scavenging, might be attributed due to the high level of polyphenolic compound. Also, these various antioxidant activities were compared to α-tocopherol and l-ascorbic acid as reference antioxidant compounds. These findings provide evidence that the polyphenolic extract of I. frutescens is a natural source of antioxidant against oxidative damage.

Synthesis, Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of a Novel Organogermanium Sesquioxide with Resveratrol

Antioxidants have attracted considerable attention in the field of medicinal chemistry, because the aging and degenerative diseases are related to the oxidation of biological components induced by free radicals. Some serious diseases, such as aging, cancer, and atherosclerosis, have been confirmed to correlate with oxidative stress. An important therapy strategy was supplementations of antioxidants. Polyphenolic compounds are widely distributed in plants and known as strong antioxidants. Metal ions such as copper(II), iron(II) exert wide biological activity. Synergistic effects of polyphenolic compounds with metal ions have recently received great attentions. Numerous studies showed that the additional biological activity can be obtained when polyphenolic compounds complexes with some metal ions. Germanium (Ge) is a trace element found in several organic substances and its compounds are known to have a broad range of biological activities including antioxidant, anticancer effects. Besides, germanium compounds are low toxicity, especially organogermaniums. So, many researches focus on searching for effective and low-toxic drugs from these compounds. Among the many organogermaniums known, bis-(carboxyethyl germanium) sesquioxide (Ge132) has been well-studied. Resveratrol (RSV), which is abundant in grape skin, peanuts, and red wine, has been reported to have strong antioxidant activity. Many studies showed synergistic effects between polyphenolic compounds and Ge, such as ascorbic acid, caffeic acid and quercetin. These two facts prompted us to check whether there is a synergistic effect between RSV and Ge. Herein, a new organogermanium sesquioxide with RSV has been synthesized without destroying its active groups phenolic hydroxyl groups (Scheme 1), and characterized by UV-vis, FT-IR, MS, H-NMR and elemental analysis. The synthesized compound was reddish brown powder and stable at room temperature. It was soluble in methanol, ethanol, acetone, DMF and DMSO, and insoluble in water, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. The solubility of RSV-Ge in methanol and ethanol was improved compared with RSV. The antioxidant activity of the ligand RSV and RSV-Ge against DPPH radical and hydroxyl radical were investigated. Polyphenolic compounds are strong hydroxyl-antioxidants and free radical scavengers. The phenolic hydroxyl groups play an important role in scavenging radicals, because they can react with free radicals and transfer labile H atoms to radicals. The radical scavenging ability is closely related to the number of hydroxyl groups available. RSV is a strong antioxidant, and its three phenolic hydroxyl groups are available radical scavengers. Germanium, which is known to possess numerous biological activities, was introduced into the molecule structure of RSV without destroying its active groups. It is hopeful to improve antioxidant activity of RSV. The antioxidant activity of RSV-Ge was tested by hydroxyl radical scavenging assay and DPPH radical scavenging assay, the RSV and Ge-132 served as positive control. The Fenton reaction was selected as the hydroxyl radical source to measure the antioxidant capacity in a manner similar to the in vivo generation of the hydroxyl radical. The hydroxyl radical scavenging effects are shown in Figure 1. The average scavenging ratios increase with increasing concentration of RSV and RSV-Ge in the range of 1-20 μg/mL. It is found that RSV-Ge improves the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Its EC50 (the amount of antioxidant needed to decrease the radical concentration by 50%) is reduced from 3.66 to 2.66 μg/mL. However, Ge-132 shows no hydroxyl radical inhibition, and even accelerates oxidation of hydroxyl radical. The stable radical DPPH is widely used to “evaluate” the antioxidant properties of phenols. The antioxidant activity of RSV, RSV-Ge, and Ge-132 against DPPH radical Reagents and Conditions: (a) Ref. 11. (b) Refluxing, 80 oC, 24 h

IN VITRO AND IN VIVO EFFICIENCY OF EUPHORBIA ANTIQUORUM AS ANTIOXIDANT AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE AGAINST CCL4 – HEPATIC HAZARDS IN RATS.

The aqueous extract of the aerial parts of Euphorbia antiquorum (EA) Linn was evaluated for its in vitro antioxidant efficiency as well as in vivo hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity to validate its use in traditional therapeutic medications. The activity of different doses of EA extract ( at 20 ug ,40 ug, 60 ug, 80 ug and 100 ug/ml) exerted in vitro significant antioxidant activity as it caused reducing power, hydroxyl and superoxide anion radical scavenging activities and inhibition properties. The in vivo study was performed on 50 male and female albino rats from the animal house of National Organization for Drug Control and Research (NODCAR) weighing 150 - 250 grams. Normal animals were employed simultaneously with experimental groups. Rats were divided equally into five groups (G1 ) rats received saline as a normal for 4 weeks , (G 2) rats received orally CCl4 and were served as intoxicated control for 4 weeks,(G3) rats received both CCl4 and silymarin as a reference agent for 4 weeks ,(G4) rats received both CCl4 and EA (125 mg/kg b.w) for 4 weeks and (G5) received both CCl4 and EA (250 mg/kg b.w) for 4 weeks. It may be pointed out in the current study that antioxidant efficacy was reinforced by a significant hepatoprotection of EA (at 125 mg and 250 mg/kg b.w) displayed by decreasing the serum levels of alanine Transferase ( ALT), aspartate transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) , as well as bilirubin (total, conjugated and unconjugated) ,cholesterol, triglycerides (T.G), Total proteins (T.P), albumin ( Alb) and carbonyl protein (PC) after treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), the two extracts also significantly increased lipid peroxidation (malondialdhyde MAD) levels of tissue in a dose dependant manner and increased superoxide anion radical (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxide (GPX), glutathione transferase (GST) levels. The antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of the two test extracts where assessed in vivo and in vitro where either of the two test extracts or silymarin exhibited marked hepatoprotection against the toxic dose of CCL4. The results obtained pointed out that EA could be a potential source of natural antioxidant and hepatoprotection.

Analysis of chemical composition and evaluation of antigenotoxic, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of essential oil of Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam

ObjectiveTo analyse the chemical composition of essential oil isolated from the leaves of Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. and to test its bioactive properties. MethodsGas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis and antigenotoxicity, cytotoxicity and antioxidant studies of isolated oil. ResultsGC-MS analysis of oil revealed the presence of 42 compounds. The major compound in the oil was β-phellandrene (21.35%). DNA protecting activity of oil was considerably significant against H2O2 induced genotoxicity in human lymphocytes. Concentration of oil needed to protect 50% of DNA was calculated as 100 μg/mL. Cytotoxicity of oil against breast (MCF-7) and colorectal (HT-29) cancer cells were observed with the IC50 value of (7.80±0.03) μg/mL and (100.00±0.16) μg/mL respectively. Considerable DPPH free radical, hydroxyl radical scavenging, iron chelation and inhibition of lipid peroxidation activities of oil were also studied. ConclusionsThe results of the present study clearly indicate oil could be a promising candidate for food and drug preparation.

Pathology of spleen in chickens fed on a diet deficient in methionine

The purpose of this 42-day study was to investigate the effects of methionine deficiency on spleen by determining the relative weight, morphological changes of spleen, cell cycle and apoptosis of splenocytes, and oxidative markers of serum and spleen. One hundred and twenty one-day-old avian broilers were randomly divided into two groups and fed on a control diet (starter diet, methionine 0.50%; grower diet, methionine 0.40%) and methionine deficient diet (starter diet, methionine 0.26%; grower diet, methionine 0.28%) for 6 weeks. The relative weight of spleen was lighter in methionine deficiency than control group. Histopathologically, lymphopenia and congestion were observed. Ultrastructurally, there were more apoptosis lymphocytes in spleen and the mitochondria of lymphocytes were swelled in methionine deficiency. By flow cytometry, the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle of the spleen was much higher (P < 0.01), and the S, G2+M phases and proliferating index were lower (P < 0.01) in methionine deficiency than in control group. And the percentage of apoptotic cells in the spleen was significantly increased in methionine deficiency (P < 0.01).The superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and abilities to inhibit hydroxyl radicals were greatly decreased while the malondialdehyde contents were markedly increased in methionine deficiency. It was concluded that methionine deficiency could restraine the development of the spleen by cell cycle arrest and increased apoptosis, cause splenic lesions and reduce splenic antioxidant function. The splenic function should be finally impaired and then the immune function could be impacted in chickens.

Dietary Vanadium Induces Decrease in Antioxidant Enzyme Activities and Oxidative Stress in the Spleens of Broilers

The purpose of this 42-day study was to evaluate the risk of oxidative stress in the spleens induced by dietary vanadium through determining changes in antioxidant enzymes and oxidation products. A total of 420 one-day-old avian broilers were divided into six groups. There were 70 broilers in each group. The broilers were fed on a cornsoybean basal diet as a control diet (vanadium 0.073 mg/kg) or the same diet amended to contain 5 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 45 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg vanadium supplied as ammonium metavanadate (NH4VO3). When compared with those of the control group, the splenic and serum vanadium contents were increased in the 15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 45 mg/ kg and 60 mg/kg groups. Also, the splenic and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were greatly depressed in the 45 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg groups; the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and the ability to inhibit hydroxyl radical were markedly depressed in the 30 mg/kg, 45 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg groups; the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly increased in the 30 mg/kg, 45 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg groups. At the same time, the splenic glutathione (GSH) content was significantly decreased in the 30 mg/kg, 45 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg groups, and the serum GSH content was significantly decreased in the 15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 45 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg groups. Also, the splenic and serum glutathione (oxidized form, GSSG) content was significantly higher in the 30 mg/kg, 45 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg groups than that in the control group. These results indicated that dietary vanadium in the range of 30~60 mg/kg caused substantial oxidative stress in the spleen, which then affected the antioxidant function; this may be possible pathway leading to spleen injure. At the same time, it was found that dietary vanadium in the range of 5-15 mg/kg was relatively safe for the spleens of young broilers.

Phytochemical Screening and ln-vitro Antioxidant Profiling of Solvent Fractions of Canna edulis Ker Gawler

Introduction: Canna edulis Ker Gawler, grown in the sub Himalayan region containing starchy rhizome are used by the tribal people as food and herbal medicine. Methods: Investigations were done to find out 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, total flavonols and total proanthocyanidin contents, nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of different solvent fractions of aquous extract of C. edulis rhizome. Among the cellular molecules, lipids containing unsaturated fatty acids with more than one double bond are particularly susceptible to action of free radicals. The resulting reaction, known as lipid peroxidation and anti lipid peroxidation activity has been performed using goat liver homogenate. Results: Six out of 29 fractions showed DPPH free radical inhibition above 75% and were used for further phytochemical screening. Diethyl ether : ethyl acetate (1:3) fraction showed the maximum inhibition percent. Highest amount of total flavonol and total proanthocyanidins were recorded in diethyl ether : ethyl acetate (1:3) fraction. Maximum NO scavenging activity and hydroxyl radical inhibition activity were observed in bioactive diethyl ether : ethyl acetate (1:1) fraction. Inhibition of lipid peroxides was maximum in ethyl acetate fraction. Data from thin layer chromatography (TLC) revealed the presence of phenolic compounds in all fractions, whereas flavonoid glycoside compounds were restricted in ethyl acetate and diethyl ether : ethyl acetate (1:3). Conclusions: Thus it can be concluded that the antiradical scavenging activity of Canna rhizome may be due to the presence of polyphenolic compouns like phenols, flavonoids, proanthocynidins etc.

Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acids on lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity in laying hens

To examine the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) on lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity in laying hens, Hy-Line Brown layers (n = 384, 52 weeks old) were randomly allocated to one of four dietary treatments. Each treatment had six replicates of 16 hens each. All birds were assigned to acorn-soybean meal-based diet containing a mixture of CLA at 0%, 1%, 2% or 4% for six weeks. With increasing dietary CLA, egg weight and feed intake decreased, and yolk colour was darkened. Feed efficiency was improved at 1% and 2% dietary CLA. Serum triglyceride concentration was significantly reduced by CLA in a dose dependent manner. A linear decrease in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were observed after CLA supplementation. With increasing dietary CLA, the deposition of two major isomers of CLA (c9, t11; t10, c12) in yolk lipids increased linearly, the proportion of saturated fatty acids increased and monounsaturated fatty acids decreased significantly. The proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids was highest at 1% CLA. Compared to the control, CLA supplementation significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, inhibited hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anion production, and decreased the malonaldehyde concentrations in both serum and liver. The results demonstrated that dietary CLA meliorated serum lipid profiles and enhanced the antioxidant capacity of laying hens.

Evaluation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of Euphorbia heyneana Spreng

Objective To assess the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the alcoholic extract of Euphorbia heyneana ( E. heyneana) in carrageenan induced inflammation in rats. Methods In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated for superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Three doses 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg were tested for anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced rat paw oedema model and paw thickness was measured every one hour up to 6 hours. Results The alcoholic extract of E. heyneana produced dose dependent inhibition of superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical and DPPH radicals. In carrageenan induced inflammation model, all three doses produced significant percentage inhibition of rat paw oedema and 800 mg/kg dose produced maximum percent inhibition of rat paw oedema (47.06%) among the three doses compared to control group. Conclusions It can be concluded that alcoholic extract of E. heyneana shows good in vitro antioxidant and in-vivo anti-inflammatory activities in rats.

Bioactivities and Antiradical Properties of Millet Grains and Hulls

Antioxidant activities of phenolic extracts of kodo and pearl millet whole grains, dehulled grains, and hulls were examined by monitoring inhibition of radical-induced DNA scission, human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and phospholipid liposome oxidation. Total phenolic content (TPC), hydroxyl and peroxyl radical inhibition, and antiproliferative activities against HT-29 cells were also determined. Major hydroxycinnamic acids in dehulled grains and hulls were identified and quantified using HPLC. Phenolic extract of kodo millet exhibited higher inhibition activities against oxidation of LDL cholesterol and liposome than that of pearl millet. All phenolic extracts exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of DNA scission. The TPC of hulls of kodo and pearl millets were 3 times higher than those of their corresponding whole grains. At the end of 96 h of incubation, kodo millet extracts inhibited cell proliferation in the range of 75-100%. Antioxidant activities of phenolic extracts were in the order hull > whole grain > dehulled grain. Dehulling reduced the antioxidant potential of whole millet grains. Ferulic and p-coumaric acids were the major hydroxycinnamic acids, and their contents ranged from 17.8 to 1685 μg/g defatted meal and from 3.5 to 680 μg/g defatted meal, respectively. Dehulled grains, as well as the hull fraction, may serve as potential sources of nutraceutical and functional food ingredients in health promotion.

Dietary Vanadium Induces Oxidative Stress in the Intestine of Broilers

The purpose of this study was to examine oxidative stress induced by dietary vanadium in the mucosa of different parts of intestine including duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and cecal tonsil. A total of 420 1-day-old avian broilers were divided into six groups and fed on a corn-soybean basal diet as control diet or the same basal diet supplemented with 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 mg/kg vanadium as ammonium metavanadate. During the experimental period of 42 days, oxidative stress parameters were determined for both control and experimental groups. The results showed that malondialdehyde content was significantly higher (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) in 30, 45, and 60 mg/kg groups than in control group. In contrast, the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, and ability to inhibit hydroxyl radical, and glutathione hormone content were significantly decreased (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) mainly in 45 and 60 mg/kg groups in comparison with those of control group. However, the abovementioned oxidative stress parameters were not significantly changed (p > 0.05) in 5 and 15 mg/kg groups. It was concluded that dietary vanadium in excess of 30 mg/kg could cause obvious oxidative stress in the intestinal mucosa, which could impact the antioxidant function of intestinal tract in broilers.

Antioxidative Activity Evaluation of CoQ10-Nanostructured Lipid Carrier

The CoQ10-NLC aqueous dispersion has been produced and its antioxidative properties have been explored. Several employed methods such as scavenging effect on DPPH radical and inhibition of hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion generation exhibited CoQ10-NLC aqueous dispersion potent antioxidative property. Antioxidative activity analysis demonstrated that CoQ10- NLC aqueous dispersion formulation expressed antioxidative property.

Postresuscitation syndrome: Potential role of hydroxyl radical-induced endothelial cell damage*

After out of hospital cardiac arrest, it has been reported that endothelium dysfunction may occur during the postresuscitation syndrome. However, the consequences of the reperfusion phase on endothelial reactive oxygen species production and redox homeostasis have not been explored in out of hospital cardiac arrest patients. Prospective, observational study. Medical intensive care unit in a university hospital. Twenty successfully resuscitated out of hospital cardiac arrest patients, seven septic shock patients, and ten healthy volunteers. Plasma was collected from patients at admission and 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hrs after cardiac arrest. We studied the production of reactive oxygen species and cell survival during plasma perfusion using perfused endothelial cells (human umbilical vein endothelial cells) as a model. Cell antioxidant response was studied by measuring superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activities and reduced and oxidized glutathione levels. Mitochondrial respiratory chain activity was assessed by measuring complex I, II, III, and IV activities and anaerobic glycolysis by measuring glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. Using perfused endothelial cells as a model, we demonstrate that plasma from out of hospital cardiac arrest patients induced on naive human umbilical vein endothelial cells a significant and massive cell death compared to plasma from septic shock patients and healthy volunteers. An increase of reactive oxygen species production with a decrease in antioxidant defenses (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activities, reduced and oxidized glutathione levels) was observed. The metabolic consequence of plasma exposure showed that mitochondrial respiratory chain activity was significantly impaired and anaerobic glycolysis was significantly increased. Inhibiting hydroxyl radical production significantly decreased cell death, suggesting that plasma from out of hospital cardiac arrest induced significant cell death by triggering the Fenton reaction. Plasma from out of hospital cardiac arrest induces major endothelial toxicity with an acute pro-oxidant state in the cells and impairment of mitochondrial respiratory chain activity. This toxicity could be due to hydroxyl radical production by activation of the Fenton reaction.

Extraction of brown pigment from Rosa laevigata and its antioxidant activities

Context: Rosa laevigata Michx. (Rosaceae), widespread in China, contains many valuable nutrients and has long been used as food and medicine in Chinese folklore. Nowadays, due to its favorable property of coloring, the brown pigment of R. laevigata has an attractive potential as an available additive in food.Objective: The aims of this study were to optimize the extraction process of brown pigment from R. laevigata and investigate its antioxidant activities on the basis of its abilities to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, hydroxyl radical and superoxide radical.Materials and methods: Extraction conditions of brown pigment from R. laevigata were investigated through an orthogonal design of L9 (3)4 assay. Ethanol concentration, extraction temperature, time, and ratio of material to solvent were the main factors affecting the extraction rate. Subsequently, the antioxidant activity of brown pigment was assessed using DPPH method, while hydroxyl radicals and superoxide free radicals were respectively determined by the Fenton-RhB (Rhodamine B) system and using the pyrogallol-luminol system.Results: The optimum extraction conditions were determined: temperature 70°C, ethanol concentration was 60%, extraction time 2 h and ratio of material to solvent was 1:6. Brown pigment showed a good radical scavenging activity, and exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibition of hydroxyl radical and superoxide free radical at low concentrations. When the concentration of brown pigment was 1 mg/mL, the scavenging percentage of hydroxyl radical reached 67.33%.Discussion and conclusion: The brown pigment of R. laevigata could potentially be used as a promising natural antioxidant in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Exploration of a novel hydroxyl radical scavenger from Sargassum myriocystum

Sargassum myriocystum was selected to evaluate for reactive oxygen radical scavenging capacities and antioxidant activities using commonly accepted assays. After shade drying, marine seaweeds were powdered and extracts were prepared by cold and Soxhlet methods using various organic solvents. Crude powder materials were used for determination of bio-chemical constituents like protein, carbohydrate and phenolic contents. It was found that phenolic contents constituted 22 mg gallic acid equivalents/ gm of dry plant materials. Methanol/chloroform extracts of Soxhlet showed highest reducing power, total antioxidant and hydroxyl scavenging activity. 80 to 120% inhibition of hydroxyl radical quenching activity was observed and demonstrated by all Soxhlet derived extracts, except petroleum ether. Hence, from the results we conclude presence of novel compound(s) in the crude extract of (methanol: chloroform) S. myriocystum is responsible for its hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Key words: Brown seaweeds, Sargassum myriocystum, antioxidant, hydroxyl radical.

Protection of immunocompromised mice from fungal infection with a thymus growth-stimulatory component from Selaginella involvens, a fern

Context: Recent studies have shown that the water extract of Selaginella involvens (Sw.) Spring, a wild fern, exhibits thymus growth-stimulatory activity in adult mice (reversal of involution of thymus) and remarkable anti-lipid peroxidation activity. Follow-up studies were carried out in the present study.Materials and Methods: Activity-guided isolation of the active component (AC) was carried out. The effect of AC on immune function was studied using fungal (Aspergillus fumigatus) challenge in cortisone-treated mice. The in vitro antifungal activity of AC was assayed using disc diffusion assay. In vitro and in vivo effect of AC on DNA synthesis in thymus was studied using 3H-thymidine incorporation. In in vitro anti-lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical scavenging and inhibition of superoxide production were assayed.Results: The active principle/component (AC) was isolated in a chromatographically pure form from the water extract of S. involvens. AC showed positive reaction to glycosides. AC possessed both thymus growth-stimulatory and antioxidant properties. It protected cortisone-treated mice from A. fumigatus challenge. It did not exhibit in vitro antifungal activity. Increased 3H-thymidine incorporation was observed in the reticuloepithelium of thymus obtained from AC-treated mice. However, in vitro AC treatment to thymus for 5 h did not result in an increase in 3H-thymidine incorporation.Discussion and conclusion: AC (named as Selagin), from S. involvens, could reverse involution of thymus to a large extent, exhibit remarkable antioxidant activity, and protect immunocompromised mice from fungal infection. Therefore, it is very promising for the development of a drug to ameliorate old age-related health problems and prolong lifespan.

Antiproliferative potential and DNA scission inhibitory activity of phenolics from whole millet grains

Phenolic extracts from seven millet varieties (kodo, finger (Ravi), finger (local) proso, foxtail, little and pearl) were evaluated for their total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ferrous ion chelating activity and singlet oxygen scavenging capacity. Furthermore, the potency of millet phenolic extracts in the inhibition of peroxyl and hydroxyl radical induced supercoiled DNA scission, as well as xanthine oxidase and their antiprolifeative activities against HT-29 cells were studied. In addition, lipid peroxidation inhibition of extracts was examined in a liposome system. The TPC and TFC ranged from 146 to 1156 μmol ferulic acid equivalents and 25 to 1203 μmol catechin equivalents per gram crude extract, respectively. All varieties employed in this study exhibited a notable inhibition of lipid peroxidation in liposomes, singlet oxygen quenching and DNA scission inhibition to varying degrees. At the end of day 4 millet extracts inhibited cell proliferation in the range of 28–100%. Thus, the present study demonstrates that millet phenolics may be effective in the prevention of cancer initiation and progression in vitro. Millet grains may therefore serve as a nutraceutical and functional food ingredient in health promotion and disease risk reduction.

Antitumor Activities of an Anthraquinone Fraction Isolated From In Vitro Cultures of Ophiorrhiza rugosa var decumbens

The biological effects of the anthraquinone fraction (AQf) isolated from in vitro cultures of Ophiorrhiza rugosa Wall. var decumbens (Rubiaceae) were evaluated. AQf showed differential activity on reactive oxygen species; it mediated the generation of superoxide radical and inhibited hydroxyl radical and lipid peroxidation. No considerable nitric oxide scavenging activity was observed for AQf. The AQf induced 50% cytotoxicity in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma and Dalton's lymphoma ascites at concentrations of 130 and 60 µg/mL, respectively. It effectively reduced the inflammation induced by carrageenan in mice. An AQf concentration of 200 mg/kg body weight reduced solid tumor progression in mice. It also prolonged the life span of ascites tumor-bearing mice compared with control mice.