Potent Antioxidant Potential Research Articles

Podophyllum hexandrum ameliorates endosulfan-induced genotoxicity and mutagenicity in freshwater cyprinid fish crucian carp

Context: Medicinal plants continue to act as a repository for novel drug leads with novel mechanisms of action. Podophyllum hexandrum Royale (Berberideceae) treats diverse conditions in folk medicine.Objective: The antimutagenic potential of P. hexandrum was evaluated against endosulfan-induced clastogenicity in a piscine model by cytogenetic endpoints.Materials and methods: Podophyllum hexandrum rhizomes were subjected to successive solvent extraction. Fish were exposed to hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous extracts (15 mg/L each) of plant and endosulfan (0.05 mg/L) alone followed by their combination for antimutagenicity estimates. Chromosomal aberrations (CA) were made from kidney cells and micronuclei (MN) slides from peripheral blood erythrocytes at 48, 72 and 96 h. Antioxidant activity was analyzed by the DPPH assay. Phytochemical analyses were carried out using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques.Results: Endosulfan induced significant (p < .05) MN, authenticated by scanning electron microscopy, and CA in a time-dependent manner. However, methanol and ethyl acetate extracts revealed ameliorating effects. The column eluted methanolic fraction-2 (ME-F2) showed highest reduction profile of 83 and 84% in CA and MN, followed in its extent (73 and 72%) by ethyl acetate fraction-4 (EE-F4). ME-F2 and EE-F4 showed three and six major peaks when analyzed by GC-MS. To explore possible mechanism of action, ME-F2 showed potent antioxidant potential and strong correlation (R2 = .900) with antimutagenic activity, whereas EE-F4 seemed to act through a different mechanism.Discussion and conclusion: This study confirms the antimutagenic potential of the subject plant with the identification of some novel compounds, justifying their use in folk medicine, and their corresponding benefit to mankind.

Role of phenolics from Spondias pinnata bark in amelioration of iron overload induced hepatic damage in Swiss albino mice.

BackgroundCrude Spondias pinnata bark extract was previously assessed for its antioxidant, anticancer and iron chelating potentials. The isolated compounds gallic acid (GA) and methyl gallate (MG) were evaluated for their curative potential against iron overload-induced liver fibrosis and hepatocellular damage.MethodsIn vitro iron chelation property and in vivo ameliorating potential from iron overload induced liver toxicity of GA and MG was assessed by different biochemical assays and histopathological studies.ResultsMG and GA demonstrated excellent reducing power activities but iron chelation potential of MG is better than GA. Oral MG treatment in mice displayed excellent efficacy (better than GA) to significantly restore the levels of liver antioxidants, serum markers and cellular reactive oxygen species in a dose-dependent fashion. Apart from these, MG exceptionally prevented lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation whereas GA demonstrated better activity to reduce collagen content, thereby strengthening its position as an efficient drug against hepatic damage/fibrosis, which was further supported by histopathological studies. Alongside, MG efficiently eliminated the cause of liver damage, i.e., excess iron, by chelating free iron and reducing the ferritin-bound iron.ConclusionsThe present study confirmed the curative effect of GA and MG against iron overload hepatic damage via their potent antioxidant and iron-chelating potential.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40360-016-0077-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Assessment of antioxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial activity of two vegetable species of Amaranthus in Bangladesh.

BackgroundAmaranthus (Amaranthaceae) has previously been reported to possess different bioactive phytochemicals including phenols, tannins and flavonoids. The current study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-proliferative and antimicrobial activity of stem and seed extracts of Amaranthus lividus (AL) and Amaranthus hybridus (AH), respectively.MethodsAntioxidant activity of methanol extract was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Determination of lectin activity of Amaranthus extract was carried out using hemagglutination assay on mouse blood. A total of thirty six Swiss albino mice containing Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells were treated with AL and AH extract at 25, 50 and 100 μg/ml/day/mouse for six days. Growth inhibitory activity was determined by haemocytometer counting of EAC cells using trypan blue dye and DAPI (4΄,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining was used to assess apoptotic cells. Gene amplification study was conducted to observe the expression pattern of p53, Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 mRNA using PCR (polymer chain reaction) technique. In vitro susceptibility of five pathogenic bacteria including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus was detected using disk diffusion assay.ResultsThe radical scavenging assay indicated that AH and AL possesses potent antioxidant potential, exhibiting IC50 value of 28 ± 1.5 and 93 ± 3.23 μg/ml, respectively. Hemagglutination assay revealed that AH and AL agglutinated mice blood at 1.565 and 3.125 μg/wall, respectively. Administration of AH and AL extract led to 45 and 43 % growth inhibition of EAC cells, respectively at 100 μg/ml with marked features of apoptosis including cell shrinkage, condensation of cytoplasm and aggregation of apoptotic bodies etc. Up-regulation of p53, Bax and caspase-3 and down-regulation of Bcl-2 mRNA in Amaranthus treated mice indicated mitochondria mediated apoptosis of EAC cells in comparison with control. None of the bacterial species showed susceptibility to the extract of both the Amaranthus species.ConclusionOur current findings suggest that both of the Amaranthus species have strong antioxidant, lectin and anti-proliferative activity on EAC cells. The current anticancer potential was observed due mainly to the mitochondria mediated apoptosis of EAC cells.

Epigallocatechin Gallate Inhibits Mouse Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation to Adipogenic Lineage

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a major component of green tea polyphenols having a potent anti-oxidant potential. Besides inhibiting the growth of many cancer cell types and inducing proliferation and differentiation in keratinocytes, it has been shown to promote reduction of body fat. The fact that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have ability to self-renew and differentiate into the cells of mesodermal lineages, such as fat and bone, it is, thus, possible that EGCG may directly be involved in affecting fat metabolism through its effect on mesenchymal stem cells. Hence, with this aim, the present study was designed to determine the effect of EGCG on mouse mesenchymal stem cells, C3H10T1/2 cells differentiation into adipocytes. To understand this process, the cells were incubated with varying concentrations of EGCG (1 μM, 5 μM, 10 μM, 50 μM) in the presence and /or absence of adipogenic medium for 9 days. The results demonstrated that, EGCG inhibited the cells proliferation, migration and also prevented their differentiation to adipogenic lineage. These effects were analyzed through the inhibition of wound healing activity, reduction in Oil red O stained cells, together with decrease in the expression of Adipisin gene following EGCG treatment. These observations thus demonstrated anti-adipogenic effect of EGCG with a possibility of its role in the therapeutic intervention of obesity.

Comparative Study of Phytochemicals, Antioxidative Potential &amp; Activity of Enzymatic Antioxidants of Eclipta alba and Plumbago zeylanica by in vitro Assays

Background: The Plumbago zeylanica (family: Plumbaginaceae) is a widely accepted ethnomedicine around the world including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Early in vitro researches of Plumbago zeylanica were focused on antioxidant activity in root only a few were concerned with stem. Similarly in Eclipta alba antioxidant activity of whole plant is explored. Objective: The present study highlights the comparative antioxidant potential and enzymatic contents of both plants along with recent updates on phytochemical contents. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant potential of the plants was established by DPPH free radical scavenging assay, Nitric oxide (NO) free radical scavenging activity, Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging activity, Catalase activity along with determination of Total Phenolic Contents in the plant extracts. Results: The results revealed that Eclipta alba has notable activity than Plumbago zeylanica in quenching of DPPH while Plumbago zeylanica shows comparatively better activity in nitric oxide scavenging, super oxide scavenging and Catalase activity. The Eclipta at 10 μg/ml showed maximum scavenging of DPPH (16.60 %), nitric oxide (66.21%), super oxide (4.76%) and Catalase activity 31.9 at 1 mg/g fresh weight against the Plumbago zeylanica which showed maximum scavenging of DPPH 13.24%, Polyherbal extract 11.78%, nitricoxide (69.45%), super oxide (5.12%) and catalase activity 23.7 at 1 mg/g fresh weight respectively at the same concentration. The phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of considerable amount of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenolic compounds and glycosides which might be responsible for the antioxidative potential of the selected plants. Conclusion: The results of this study strongly indicate that the Plumbago zeylanica has comparatively more potent antioxidant potential than Eclipta alba. Moreover, the study reveals that polyherbal extract for the very first time for this combination have shown a strong antioxidant activity which is directly correlated with suppression of free radical induced diseases i.e. cancer. These findings encourage studying these plants and their polyherb al extracts further as a potential agents against cancer.

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The leaves of Persea americana are widely used for ethno-medicinal purposes worldwide. This study assessed the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform and petroleum ether leaves extracts of P. americana. Extracts displayed variable antimicrobial activities that were microorganism-specific. The methanolic extract displayed the most potent antimicrobial activities with the largest zones of inhibition (0-1.8 mm) in the agar diffusion assay and with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the broth dilution assay against a panel of microorganisms that included Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited the most potent antioxidant potential with the lowest EC50 of 4.15x10-30 g/ml for the peroxide radical scavenging activities. The data supports the ethnomedicinal use of the leaves of P. americana for the management of infections and for other symptoms whose etiology may be linked to oxidative stress. Key words: Persea americana, antioxidant, antimicrobial, phytochemical screening, minimum inhibitory concentration.

Coenzyme Q10 and fish oil synergistically alleviate aluminum chloride-induced suppression of testicular steroidogenesis and antioxidant defense

Aluminum (Al) is an environmental xenobiotic that stimulates free radical generation and hence reproductive toxicity. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) effectively counteracts free radical-induced tissue damage. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids present in fish oil (FO) exert beneficial effects on reproduction in male animals. This study therefore investigated the effects of both agents on testicular dysfunction induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl3). Fifty male rats were gavaged with either 1% gum acacia (control group) or AlCl3 (34 mg/kg/day) for ten weeks. Concurrently, AlCl3-treated rats received no treatment, CoQ10 (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.), and/or FO (400 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for ten weeks. AlCl3 caused a significant decrease in serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), as well as testicular weight, antioxidant enzyme gene expression and activities, reduced glutathione, zinc, adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) contents, and number of Leydig cells, along with down-regulation of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), 17β-HSD, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), and cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) gene expression. However, testicular Al, malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) levels were markedly increased. Treatment with CoQ10 and FO, alone or in combined form led to an improvement in the aforementioned biomarkers. Overall, individual or combined treatment with CoQ10 and FO could ameliorate the toxic effects of AlCl3 on testicular tissues by mechanisms related to their potent antioxidant potential and stimulatory effects on steroidogenic enzymes transcription. CoQ10 seems to be better than FO regarding oxidative and nitrosative stress, Zn deficiency, and Al overload. However, FO showed more pronounced effect than CoQ10 on hormones, steroidogenic markers, and cAMP. A cocktail of both demonstrated greater protective effects on testicular tissues than monotherapy.

Antioxidant potential of indigenous cyanobacterial strains in relation with their phenolic and flavonoid contents

Antioxidant activities of eight indigenous cyanobacterial strains belonging to the genera Oscillatoria, Chroococcidiopsis, Leptolyngbya, Calothrix, Nostoc and Phormidium were studied in relation with their phenolic and flavonoid contents, ranging 3.9–12.6 mg GAE g−1 and 1.7–3.44 mg RE g−1. The highest activities were shown by Leptolyngbya sp. SI-SM (EC50 = 63.45 and 67.49 μg mL−1) and Calothrix sp. SI-SV (EC50 = 65.79 and 69.38 μg mL−1) calculated with ABTS and DPPH assays. Significant negative correlations were seen between total phenolic and flavonoid contents and the antioxidant activities in terms of EC50 values. Furthermore, HPLC detected 15 phenolic compounds with total concentrations ranging from 277.3 to 829.7 μg g−1. The prevalent compounds in most of the strains were rutin, tannic acid, orcinol, phloroglucinol and protocatechuic acid. Cyanobacterial strains showed high potential as a good source of phenolic compounds with potent antioxidative potential which could be beneficial for food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

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Comparative analyses of the antioxidant and membrane stabilizing activities of ethanolic extracts of leaf and root of Cyphospenna adenocaulis (Steud) were investigated with a view to further investigate the biological activities of the plant. Both the leaf and root of C. adenocaulis were extracted with 70% ethanol to yield the ethanolic leaf extract (ELE) and ethanolic root extract (ERE) respectively. Phytochemical analyses of the ELE and ERE revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins and cardiac glycosides while alkaloids were present in the ERE. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the ELE was estimated as 108.0 ± 0.27 mg/g TAE (tannic acid equivalent) and 33.4± 0.32 mg/g QE (Quercetin equivalent) while the ERE contained 182.6 ±0.38 mg/g TAE and 103± 0.43 mg/g QE, respectively. The antioxidant activities of ELE and ERE were investigated using various in vitro assay systems. Both extract exhibited dose-dependent DPPH radical scavenging activity, appreciable reducing power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in bovine liver homogenate. ELE and ERE were able to protect red blood cell (RBC) membrane against hypotonic and heat induced lyses in a concentration dependent manner. The modes of action were monophasic at various concentrations assayed and were comparable to the standard non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used as positive control. The extracts (ELE and ERE) of C. adenocaulis possess appreciable and potent antioxidant and membrane stabilization potentials, however, the ERE displayed a stronger antioxidant and membrane stabilizing activities. Key words: Flavonoids, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lipid peroxidation, membrane stabilization.

A comparative in vitro antioxidant potential profile of extracts from different parts of Fagonia cretica.

To evaluate antioxidant and radical scavenging activities of organic extracts from fruit, roots and aerial parts of Fagonia cretica. Shed dried and powdered plant parts were initially extracted in methanol and subsequently partitioned in n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and 1-butanol successively. Antioxidant and radical scavenging potential of the methanol extracts and the fractions of each part were evaluated using total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation radicals scavenging, reducing power (potassium ferricyanide-trichloroacetic acid system), ferric ion reducing antioxidant potential, lipid peroxidation inhibition activity (linoleic acid system) and total antioxidant activity (phosphomolybdate) assays. TPC and TFC values for methanol extracts and various fractions ranged from 0.23-4.30 mg/L gallic acid equivalents and from 30-545 mg/L rutin equivalents, respectively. Overall, methanol extracts and all the fractions of root and aerial parts showed higher TPC and TFC values. Methanol extracts and aqueous fractions of root and aerial parts and the n-butanol fraction of root showed lower EC50 values for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging than the other plant extracts. The 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging, total antioxidant potential and ferric ion reducing antioxidant potential values confirmed the presence of potent antioxidant principles in the methanol extract of roots. In general, all the extracts/fractions and especially those of root showed high antioxidant and radical scavenging activities. The crude methanol extract of root can be explored further for in vivo studies. This study revealed the potent antioxidant potential of Fagonia cretica and its prospective efficacy against various reactive oxygen species-mediated diseases.

Cytoprotective Effect of Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction and α-Tocopherol Vitamin E Isoforms Against Glutamate-Induced Cell Death in Neuronal Cells.

Glutamate is the major mediator of excitatory signals in the mammalian central nervous system. Extreme amounts of glutamate in the extracellular spaces can lead to numerous neurodegenerative diseases. We aimed to clarify the potential of the following vitamin E isomers, tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) and α-tocopherol (α-TCP), as potent neuroprotective agents against glutamate-induced injury in neuronal SK-N-SH cells. Cells were treated before and after glutamate injury (pre- and post-treatment, respectively) with 100-300 ng/ml TRF/α-TCP. Exposure to 120 mM glutamate significantly reduced cell viability to 76% and 79% in the pre- and post-treatment studies, respectively; however, pre- and post-treatment with TRF/α-TCP attenuated the cytotoxic effect of glutamate. Compared to the positive control (glutamate-injured cells not treated with TRF/α-TCP), pre-treatment with 100, 200, and 300 ng/ml TRF significantly improved cell viability following glutamate injury to 95.2%, 95.0%, and 95.6%, respectively (p<0.05).The isomers not only conferred neuroprotection by enhancing mitochondrial activity and depleting free radical production, but also increased cell viability and recovery upon glutamate insult. Our results suggest that vitamin E has potent antioxidant potential for protecting against glutamate injury and recovering glutamate-injured neuronal cells. Our findings also indicate that both TRF and α-TCP could play key roles as anti-apoptotic agents with neuroprotective properties.

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This study investigated the in vitro chelating ability, antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of 70% ethanolic extract of thorn apple (Datura stramonium). The ethanolic root extract of the plant displayed potent chelating ability (70%) at the lowest concentration (2%) investigated. The chelating ability of the extract showed concentration dependency. There were significant decreases in vitro chelating ability of the root extract from 2 to 10% concentrations (P&lt;0.05). The root extract also demonstrated exhibited concentration dependent increases in antioxidant activity, which were non-significant from 2 to 6% concentrations (P&gt;0.05) and significant from 8 to 10% (P&lt;0.05). The ethanolic root extract displayed maximum activity [106.20&plusmn;0.84% standard deviation (SD)] at the highest concentration (10%). The preliminary phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract of D. stramonium revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannin and alkaloid, but saponin was absent. The aqueous root extract of the plant also exhibited potent antioxidant potential (71.00%) at 2% concentration. The antioxidant activity of the aqueous root extract of the plant closely approximated the antioxidant activity of the ethanolic root extract of the plant (71.00 and 71.40%, at different concentrations, 2 and 5%, respectively). The aqueous root extract of the plant showed good in vitro nitric oxide radical scavenging activity (67.80%). The absolute and 70% acetone root extracts of the plant were dull nitric oxide scavengers (33.38 and 26.00%, respectively). The total flavonoid and phenolic contents of ethanolic root extract of D. stramonium showed non-significant increases as the concentration increased (P&gt;0.05). The ethanolic root extract failed chelate ion at the highest concentration (10%) (-20.0% activity). Key words: Phytotoxicology, clinical toxicology, iron-overload, clinical medicine, natural product.

Angiotensin II-Derived Reactive Oxygen Species Promote Angiogenesis in Human Late Endothelial Progenitor Cells Through Heme Oxygenase-1 via ERK1/2 and AKT/PI3K Pathways

Angiotensin II (Ang II), the main component of renin-angiotensin system, could mediate pathogenic angiogenesis in cardiovascular disorders. Late endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) possess potent self-renewal and angiogenic potency superior to early EPCs, but few study focused on the cross-talk between Ang II and late EPCs. We observed that Ang II could increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) and promote capillary formation in late EPCs. Ang II-derived ROS could also upregulate heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, and treating late EPCs with HO-1 small interfering RNA or heme oxygenase inhibitor (HO inhibitor) could inhibit Ang II-induced tube formation and increase ROS level and apoptosis rate. In addition, PD98059 and LY294002 pretreatment attenuated Ang II-induced HO-1 expression. Accordingly, Ang II-derived ROS could promote angiogenesis in late EPCs by inducing HO-1 expression via ERK1/2 and AKT/PI3K pathways, and we believe HO-1 might be a promising intervention target in EPCs due to its potent proangiogenic, antioxidant, and antiapoptosis potentials.

Influence of phenological stage on chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl. essential oils

The influence of phenological stages (vegetative and full flowering stages) on chemical composition and antioxidant activity of essential oils of Salvia lavandulifolia were investigated. GC analysis of the essential oil samples pointed to a quantitative variability of components; terpene hydrocarbons derivatives predominate at the vegetative stage whereas oxygenated derivatives are the main components in essential oil samples from plants at the full flowering stage. Moreover, ORAC assay, used for measuring the peroxyl-radical scavenging capacity, revealed that the essential oil samples from plants collected at the full flowering stage possessed the most potent antioxidant potential. Furthermore, this study assessed whether the investigated essential oil samples protect the human astrocytoma cell line from H2O2-induced oxidative stress. This paper reports that pretreatments with essential oils from both phenological stages exerted a cytoprotective effect by increasing cell viability, recovering changes in cell morphology and in GSSG/GSSG+GSH ratio, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and caspase-3 activation and inducing antioxidant enzymes expression and activity. Essential oils samples from full flowering state versus flowering stage at the concentration of 50μg/mL were the most effective in conferring protection. On the basis of these results, S. lavandulifolia essential oils as antioxidants are of interest for its use for industry and human health purposes.

Preclinical valuation of anti-hyperglycemic and antioxidant action of Nirmali (Strychnos potatorum) seeds in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic Wistar rats: A histopathological investigation

This study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of Strychnos potatorum seeds in streptozotocin-nicotinamide–induced diabetes in experimental animals. Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) was induced in overnight fasted rats by an intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) and, after a 15-minute interval, 120 mg/kg of nicotinamide. S. potatorum extract 200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg body weight was administered orally to the rats once daily for 21 days. The blood glucose level was assessed by a glucometer. The serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and total lipid were determined by using diagnostic kits. Measurement of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione–S-transferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were determined to ascertain the antioxidant activity. A significant reduction in the blood glucose level was observed in diabetic animals treated with the different doses of the extract, compared to untreated diabetic rats. The treatment with the extract significantly increased the levels of GSH, GPx, GST, CAT, and SOD in the drug-treated group to levels comparable to the levels in the diabetic control group. The result of this study thus shows that 50% of the ethanolic extract at different doses possesses significant antidiabetic activity and potent antioxidant potential in diabetic conditions.

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The antioxidant activity of the flavonoid fraction of the seed extract of Monodora myristica (Gaertn) Dunel was evaluated. The M. myristica seed was extracted with aqueous ethanol (70%) to produce the crude extract. Phytochemical analysis of M. myristica ethanolic extract revealed the presence of secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides and tanins. Fractionation of the crude extract by solvent-solvent extraction using n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate and butanol yielded the EtOAC fraction which tested positive for flavonoid as the flavonoid fraction (FF). The FF exhibited potent and appreciable anti-oxidant potentials with maximum DPPH-radical scavenging activity (41.20 ± 0.12 %), hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (46.34 ± 0.24%). It also exhibited a significant p E‚ 0.05 reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ (64.64 ± 0.11%). It exhibited a dose dependent protective effect against free radical induced haemolysis of red blood cells with maximum protection of 37.00 ± 0.13 and 46.23 ± 0.41% inhibition of lipid peroxidation and free radical generation in liver homogenate. The result suggests that flavonoid fraction of M. myristica seed possessed significant antioxidant properties. Key words: Monodora myristica, haemolysis, 1,1-dipheny-2-pycryl hydrazine (DPPH), flavonoid fraction

Coriandrum sativum L. seed extract mitigates lipotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells and prevents atherogenic changes in rats.

This study was designed to assess the efficacy of Coriandrum sativum L. (CS) in preventing in vitro low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation mediated macrophage modification. Further, an in vivo study was also conducted to confirm upon the efficacy of CS seed extract in alleviating pathophysiological alterations of high cholesterol diet induced atherosclerosis in rats. Copper mediated cell free oxidation of LDL accounted for elevated indices of malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid hydroperoxide (LHP)and protein carbonyl (PC) and a progressive increment in conjugate diene (CD) levels whereas, reverse set of changes were recorded in presence of CS extract. Cell mediated LDL oxidation (using RAW 264.7 cells) accounted for lowered MDA production and oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) mediated cell death in presence of CS extract and the same was attributed to its potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging potentials. High cholesterol fed atherogenic rats showed elevated lipid indices, evidences of LDL oxidation, plaque formation in thoracic aorta. The same was further validated with immunostaining of cell adhesion molecules and hematoxylin and eosin (HXE) staining. However, co-supplementation of CS to atherogenic rats recorded significant lowering of the above mentioned parameters further strengthening the claim that CS extract is instrumental in preventing onset and progression of atherosclerosis.

Compositional studies and antioxidant potential of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. pods and seeds

Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. is an important medicinal tree found in Pakistan. The present study evaluates the composition and antioxidant potential of various parts of the A. lebbeck plant. Compositional studies indicated carbohydrates as major components while saponin was found as a major antinutrient in both pods and seeds. Potassium was found in the highest amount and copper in the lowest. The amino acid profile indicated that arginine and lysine are present in excessive amounts in seeds while glutamic acid and aspartic acid are present in the highest concentrations in pods. While the linoleic acid was detected as the major fatty acid in pod and seed oil, \alpha-tocopherol was determined as the major tocopherol component in oil. In vitro antioxidant assays such as ferric reducing antioxidant power, total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter, and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity showed that the examined extracts have potent antioxidant potential.

Chemopreventive Efficacy of Naringenin-Loaded Nanoparticles in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene Induced Experimental Oral Carcinogenesis

Nanochemoprevention has been introduced recently as a novel approach for improving phytochemicals bioavailability and anti-tumor effect. The present study is designed to evaluate the chemopreventive efficacy of prepared naringenin-loaded nanoparticles (NARNPs) relative to efficacy of free naringenin (NAR) against 7,12-dimethyl benz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced oral carcinogenesis by evaluating the status of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants and immunoexpression patterns of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and p53 proteins. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) investigations have confirmed a narrow size distribution of the prepared nanoparticles (40-90nm) with ~88% encapsulation efficiency. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was developed in the buccal pouch of golden Syrian hamsters by painting with 0.5% DMBA in liquid paraffin three times a week for 14weeks. DMBA painted animals revealed the morphological changes, hyperplasia, dysplasia and well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Moreover, the status of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants and immunoexpression of PCNA and p53 were significantly altered during DMBA-induced oral carcinogenesis. Oral administration of NARNPs (50mg NAR/kg body weight/day) to DMBA-treated animals completely prevented the tumor formation as compared to the free NAR and significantly reduced the degree of histological lesions, in addition to restoration of the status of biochemical and molecular markers during oral carcinogenesis. In addition, NARNPs have more potent anti-lipid peroxidative, antiproliferative effect and antioxidant potentials compared to free NAR in DMBA-induced oral carcinogenesis. In conclusion, the present study suggests that NARNPs could be a potentially useful drug carrier system for targeted delivery of naringenin for cancer chemoprevention.

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The potential role of methanolic extract of&nbsp;Rhus coriaria&nbsp;L. on hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and lipid peroxidation (LPO) was studied in type 2 diabetic rats. Type 2 diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 100 mg/kg) to 2 days old rat pups.&nbsp;R. coriaria&nbsp;(200 and 400 mg/kg) was administered orally once a day for 5 weeks after the animals were confirmed diabetic (that is, 90 days after STZ injection). A group of citrate control rats were also maintained which has received citrate buffer on the 2nd&nbsp;day of their birth. Administration of&nbsp;R. coriaria&nbsp;extract showed a significant (P&nbsp;&lt; 0.001) decrease in blood glucose and tissue MDA levels as compared to type 2 diabetic control rats. The levels of total cholesterol (TCh), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low density lipoproteins cholesterol VLDL-C were also significantly (P&nbsp;&lt; 0.001) decreased by&nbsp;R. coriaria&nbsp;treatment when compared with type 2 diabetic control rats. In contrast the high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly (P&nbsp;&lt; 0.001) increased after treatment with&nbsp;R. coriaria&nbsp;extract when compared with type 2 diabetic control rats. These results revealed that&nbsp;R. coriaria&nbsp;possesses significant antihyperglycemic and antidyslipidemic activity along with potent antioxidant potential in type 2 diabetic mellitus. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Antidyslipidemic, antihyperglycemic,&nbsp;diabetes mellitus,&nbsp;Rhus coriaria, streptozotocin.