Peroxide Scavenging Research Articles

Geometrical isomers of lutein and fucoxanthin: Unveiling their antioxidant potentials and skin-related biological activities

Although carotenoids are most commonly found in dietary sources as all-E-isomers, some carotenoids accumulate in the skin as Z-isomers; their roles are largely unknown. This study investigated the effects of E/Z-isomers of lutein and fucoxanthin, two xanthophyll carotenoids, on their antioxidant potential and skin-related biological activities. Evaluation of ultraviolet (UV)-blocking abilities demonstrated the superior performance of Z-isomer-rich lutein and fucoxanthin against UV-A and UV-B radiation, with Z-isomer-rich lutein exhibiting higher UV-B protection. Antioxidant assays revealed that all-E- and Z-isomer-rich lutein and fucoxanthin had potent singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities. Moreover, Z-isomer-rich lutein and fucoxanthin exhibited enhanced lipid peroxidation scavenging compared with their all-E counterparts. Both isomers of lutein and fucoxanthin exhibited potent skin-antiaging and skin-whitening effects in several in vitro assays, including anti-elastase and anti-tyrosinase activities. These findings suggest that geometric isomers may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of carotenoids in skin care applications.

Bioactivity of Grape Pomace Extract and Sodium Selenite, Key Components of the OenoGrape Advanced Complex, on Target Human Cells: Intracellular ROS Scavenging and Nrf2/ARE Induction Following In Vitro Intestinal Absorption

Oenobiol Sun Expert, a food formulation designed to enhance skin health prior to sun exposure, has been optimized by incorporating the OenoGrape Advanced Complex, which includes grape pomace extract, increased selenium content and 10% lycopene-rich tomato extract, with these constituents exhibiting high antioxidant potential. To evaluate the effects of these individual ingredients and the overall formulation at the cellular level, the AOP1 cell antioxidant efficacy assay was employed to measure the intracellular free radical scavenging activity, while the Cell Antioxidant Assay (CAA or DCFH-DA) assay was used to assess peroxidation scavenging at the plasma membrane level. The indirect antioxidant activity was examined using stably transfected cell lines containing a luciferase reporter gene controlled by the Antioxidant Response Element (ARE), which activates the endogenous antioxidant system via the Nrf2/Keap1-ARE pathway. Our results indicate that among the individual components, grape pomace extract and sodium selenite possess high and complementary antioxidant properties. Grape pomace extract was particularly effective in inhibiting free radicals (AOP1 EC50 = 6.80 μg/mL) and activating the ARE pathway (ARE EC50 = 231.1 μg/mL), whereas sodium selenite exerted its effects through potent ARE activation at sub-microgram levels (EC50 = 0.367 μg/mL). In contrast, the lycopene-rich tomato extract did not show a notable contribution to the antioxidant effects. The antiradical activity of the OenoGrape Advanced Complex, comprising these three ingredients, was very efficient and consistent with the results obtained for the individual components (AOP1 EC50 = 15.78 µg/mL and ARE EC50 of 707.7 μg/mL). Similarly, the free radical scavenging activity still persisted in the Oenobiol Sun Expert formulation (AOP1 EC50 = 36.63 µg/mL). Next, in vitro intestinal transepithelial transfer experiments were performed. The basolateral compartments of cells exposed to the ingredients were collected and assessed using the same antioxidant cell assays. The direct and indirect antioxidant activities were measured on both hepatocytes and keratinocytes, demonstrating the bioavailability and bioactivity of grape pomace extract and sodium selenite. These finding suggest that the ingredients of this food supplement contribute to enhanced cytoprotection following ingestion.

Effects of cypermethrin on morphological, physiological and biochemical attributes of Cicer arietinum (Fabales: Fabaceae)

Cypermethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid, is a widely employed pesticide in large-scale commercial agriculture and domestic settings to control pests and boost crop yields. Despite its effectiveness in controlling pests, concerns persist about the potential ecological and human health impacts associated with its use. In the present study, the impact of cypermethrin on different parameters, including growth indices, pollen morphology and pollen fertility, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging, lipid peroxidation (MDA concentration), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities, was investigated in Cicer arietinum L. The results showed that plants exhibited decreasing trends in plant height, number of branches, pods, and seeds per plant as cypermethrin concentrations increased. These changes resulted in significant reductions in the overall yield of the plants. The percentage of wrinkled pollen significantly increased with higher concentrations of cypermethrin and longer exposure durations. Exposure to cypermethrin showed significant variations in pollen fertility of C. arietinum at different concentrations and time intervals in comparison to control, which had a baseline pollen fertility of 79.12% ± 4.59. Chlorophyll and carotenoid content of C. arietinum were considerably affected by cypermethrin, indicative of potential disturbances in essential photosynthetic processes crucial for plant health. Further, with increasing concentrations of cypermethrin ranging from 100 mg/L to 500 mg/L, noticeable effects were observed on H2O2− scavenging, MDA concentration, SOD and CAT activities of C. arietinum in dose-dependent manner. Further, it was found that the duration of exposure and concentration of cypermethrin played a crucial role in exacerbating these detrimental effects. The findings of the present study raise concerns regarding the harmful effects of agricultural pesticides like cypermethrin and highlight the need for more research on the nutritional value of products derived from plants and seeds exposed to these agents.

Towards the Development of Novel, Point-of-Care Assays for Monitoring Different Forms of Antioxidant Activity: The RoXstaTM System

(1) Background: This study set out to develop a series of simple, novel, rapid methods for assessing different forms of antioxidant activity. (2) Methods: An ABTS platform was used to engineer: (i) an electrochemical post-activation assay to assess free radical scavenging activity; (ii) an electrochemical pre-activation strategy to assesses the suppression of free radical formation; (iii) a horseradish peroxidase-mediated oxidation system to monitor hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and (iv) a cumene peroxide-hematin system to determine the ability of samples to scavenge the mixture of organic peroxides and peroxyl and alkoxyl radicals generated in the presence of these reagents. Each assay was assessed against a panel of candidate antioxidant compounds to determine their relative activities and specificities. In addition, human semen samples were analyzed to determine how the results of these antioxidant assays correlated with semen quality. (3) Results: All 4 assays revealed dose-dependent antioxidant activity on the part of vitamin C, N-acetyl cysteine, hypotaurine, BSA, melatonin, glutathione, resveratrol and epigallocatechin gallate. The other compounds tested either completely lacked antioxidant activity or were only active in one of the assays. Using unfractionated human semen as an exemplar of biological fluids rich in antioxidants, the outputs from the individual assays were found to reflect different aspects of semen quality. When the data from all 4 assays were combined, accurate predictions were generated reflecting the importance of oxidative stress in defining semen quality as reflected by sperm count, seminal lipid aldehyde content, sperm DNA damage and free radical generation by the sperm mitochondria. (4) Conclusions: The methodologies described in this paper constitute the basis for rapid, point-of-care assessments of oxidative stress.

Hepatoprotective effects of ethanolic extract of Corallocarpus epigaeus roots on nitrobenzene-induced liver injury in Wistar rats

ABSTRACT This study examined the potential of Corallocarpus epigaeus ethanolic root extract to combat free radicals using DPPH, FRAP, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide scavenging assays. Rats were initially exposed to a single oral dose of nitrobenzene (50 mg kg−1 body weight), followed by a 15-d oral regimen of the ethanolic root extract of C. epigaeus at 200 mg kg−1 body weight. The assessment of serum liver marker enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP), lipid peroxidation levels, antioxidant enzyme activities, and histopathological examinations of liver tissues were carried out. The C. epigaeus ethanolic root extract demonstrated antioxidant properties and contained flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids, lycopene, and phenolic compounds. In Nitrobenzene-induced rats, elevated serum markers and increased liver lipid peroxidation were observed that were normalized by the extract. It also increased antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Histopathological analysis confirmed the hepatoprotective effects of the extract.

Tsa1 is the dominant peroxide scavenger and a source of H2O2-dependent GSSG production in yeast

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an important biological molecule, functioning both as a second messenger in cell signaling and, especially at higher concentrations, as a cause of cell damage. Cells harbor multiple enzymes that have peroxide reducing activity in vitro. However, the contribution of each of these enzymes towards peroxide scavenging in vivo is less clear. Therefore, to directly investigate in vivo peroxide scavenging, we used the genetically encoded peroxide sensors, roGFP2-Tsa2ΔCR and HyPer7, to systematically screen the peroxide scavenging capacity of baker’s yeast thiol and heme peroxidase mutants. We show that the 2-Cys peroxiredoxin Tsa1 alone is responsible for almost all exogenous H2O2 and tert-butyl hydroperoxide scavenging. Furthermore, Tsa1 can become an important source of H2O2-dependent cytosolic glutathione disulfide production. The two catalases and cytochrome c peroxidase only produce observable scavenging defects at higher H2O2 concentrations when these three heme peroxidases are deleted in combination. We also analyzed the reduction of Tsa1 in vitro, revealing that the enzyme is efficiently reduced by thioredoxin-1 with a rate constant of 2.8×106 M–1s–1 but not by glutaredoxin-2. Tsa1 reduction by reduced glutathione occurs nonenzymatically with a rate constant of 2.9 M–1s–1. Hence, the observed Tsa1-dependent glutathione disulfide production in yeast probably requires the oxidation of thioredoxins. Our findings clarify the importance of the various thiol and heme peroxidases for peroxide removal and suggest that most thiol peroxidases have alternative or specialized functions in specific subcellular compartments.

Functional characterization of peroxiredoxin 5 from yellowtail clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii): immunological expression assessment, antioxidant activities, heavy metal detoxification, and nitrosative stress mitigation

Peroxiredoxin 5 (Prdx5) is the last recognized member of Prdx family. It is a unique, atypical, 2-Cys antioxidant enzyme, protecting cells from death caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, the Prdx5 ortholog of Amphiprion clarkii (AcPrdx5) was identified and characterized to explore its specific structural features and functional properties. The open reading frame of AcPrdx5 is 573 bp long and encodes 190 amino acids containing a mitochondrial targeting sequence, thioredoxin domain, and two conserved cysteine residues responsible for antioxidant function. The predicted molecular weight and theoretical isoelectric point of AcPrdx5 are 20.3 kDa and 9.01, respectively. AcPrdx5 sequences were found to be highly conserved across the other orthologs from various organisms and it distinctively clustered within the fish Prdx5 subclade of the phylogenetic tree. The expression of AcPrdx5 was ubiquitously detected among twelve tested tissues, with the highest level in the brain. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of AcPrdx5 in the blood and head-kidney tissues were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated following polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and Vibrio harveyi immune challenge. A concentration-dependent antioxidant potential of recombinant AcPrdx5 was observed in insulin disulfide bond reduction, heavy metal detoxification, free radical and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging assays. Additionally, AcPrdx5 overexpression in fathead minnow (FHM) cells upregulated the antioxidant-associated gene (Rrm1, MAPK, SOD2, and PRDX1) expression after H2O2 treatment, and promoted cell viability upon arsenic (As) exposure. In macrophages, AcPrdx5 overexpression effectively suppressed substantial nitric oxide production under lipopolysaccharide treatment. Collectively, our results suggest that AcPrdx5 may play roles in both antioxidant defense system and innate immune response against pathogenic invasions in A. clarkii.

Histone demethylase JMJ713 interaction with JMJ708 modulating H3K36me2, enhances rice heat tolerance through promoting hydrogen peroxide scavenging

The Earth is currently undergoing rapid warming cause of the accumulation in greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere and the consequent rise in global temperatures. High temperatures can bring the effects on rice development and growth (Oryza sativa) and thereby decrease rice yield. In this study, we have identified that both JMJ713 and JMJ708 possess distinct histone demethylase activities. Specifically, JMJ713 modulates the levels of H3K36me2 while JMJ708 alters H3K9me3. Additionally, we have observed an interaction between JMJ713 and JMJ708, which collectively modify the level of H3K36me2. Furthermore, our findings demonstrate that JMJ713 plays an essential role to heat stress responses in rice. The overexpression of JMJ713 enhances heat tolerance in rice, whereas JMJ713 RNA interference rice lines exhibit increased sensitivity to heat. Further investigations revealed that overexpression of JMJ713 activated catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities by mitigating excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by heat stress. Interestingly, the setting rates of JMJ713 RNA interference lines decreased in comparing to wild-type, indicating that JMJ713 might play a crucial role in the rice seed development stage as well. Collectively, Overall, this study not only highlights JMJ713 is involved in heat stress responses but also provides insights into the conserved Fe(Ⅱ) and α-ketoglutarate (KG) binding residues are crucial for the demethylase activity of JMJ713, as well as JMJ713 interacts with JMJ708 to jointly regulate the levels of H3K36me2.

Evidence for endogenous hydrogen peroxide production by E. coli fatty acyl-CoA dehydrogenase.

Aerobic organisms continuously generate internal superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, which can damage enzymes and impair growth. To avoid this problem cells maintain high levels of superoxide dismutases, catalases, and peroxidases. Surprisingly, we do not know the primary sources of these reactive oxygen species (ROS) in living cells. However, in vitro studies have shown that flavoenzymes can inadvertently transfer electrons to oxygen. Therefore, it seems plausible that substantial ROS may be generated when large metabolic fluxes flow through flavoproteins. Such a situation may arise during the catabolism of fatty acids. Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (FadE) is a flavoprotein involved in each turn of the beta-oxidation cycle. In the present study the catabolism of dodecanoic acid specifically impaired the growth of strains that lack enzymes to scavenge hydrogen peroxide. The defect was absent from fadE mutants. Direct measurements confirmed that the beta-oxidation pathway amplified the rate of intracellular hydrogen peroxide formation. Scavenging-proficient cells did not display the FadE-dependent growth defect. Those cells also did not induce the peroxide stress response during dodecanoate catabolism, indicating that the basal defenses are sufficient to cope with moderately elevated peroxide formation. In vitro work still is needed to test whether the ROS evolve specifically from the FadE flavin site and to determine whether superoxide as well as peroxide is released. At present such experiments are challenging because the natural redox partner of FadE has not been identified. This study supports the hypothesis that the degree of internal ROS production can depend upon the type of active metabolism inside cells.

Co-Delivery of Renal Clearable Cerium Complex and Synergistic Antioxidant Iron Complex for Treating Sepsis.

The mononuclear phagocytic system clears the circulating inorganic nanomaterials from the bloodstream, which raises concerns about the chronic toxicity of the accumulated metal species. A better understanding of the behavior of each metal after systemic injection is thus required for clinical translations. This study investigates the significance of the metal-ligand interaction on the accumulation of cerium and demonstrates that only the form in which cerium is coordinated to a multidentate chelator with a strong binding affinity does not accumulate in major organs. Specifically, cerium complexed with diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) forms renally excretable nanoparticles in vivo to circumvent the leaching of cerium ions, whereas weakly coordinated cerium-based nanomaterials produce insoluble precipitates upon encountering physiological phosphate anions. Ceria-based renally clearable nanoparticles (CRNs) derived from cerium-DTPA are utilized as the antioxidant pair with iron-DTPA, in which their combination leverages the Fenton reaction to synergistically scavenge hydrogen peroxide. This reduces the gene expression of pro-inflammatory factors in the macrophages activated with lipopolysaccharide as well as improves the survival rate of septic mice by alleviating the systemic inflammatory response and its downstream tissue injury in the liver, spleen, and kidneys. This study demonstrates that CRNs combined with iron-DTPA can be utilized as nonaccumulative nanomedicines for treating systemic inflammation, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional ceria nanoparticle-based treatments.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using an Andrographis paniculata leaf extract: Characterization and multifunctional biological activities

This research delves into the environmentally friendly production of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using Andrographis paniculata leaf extract (Ap-CuNPs) and their thorough assessment for possible biological purposes. CuNPs were synthesised through a microwave-assisted method using Andrographis paniculata leaf extract. Characterization techniques included ultraviolet spectroscopy (UVVis), FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, EDAX, XRD, particle size analysis, and zeta potential measurement. Biological activities were assessed through antioxidant (DPPH and H2O2 assays), anti-inflammatory (BSA and egg albumin denaturation assays), antimicrobial, cytotoxic (brine shrimp lethality and MTT assays), and wound healing (scratch assay) tests. Characterization confirmed the formation of Ap-CuNPs with a plasmon resonance peak at 550 nm, the presence of phytochemical capping agents, and high crystallinity. The average particle size was 69.1 nm, with a zeta potential of −12.1 mV. Ap-CuNPs exhibited significant antioxidant activity, with 88.62 % inhibition in the DPPH assay, in the H2O2 assay, which assesses the capacity to scavenge hydrogen peroxide, the Ap-CuNPs achieved 86.3 % inhibition at the same concentration. and anti-inflammatory activity, with 80 % inhibition in the BSA assay. Antimicrobial tests revealed strong activity against gram-negative bacteria in the 22 mm inhibition zone for Pseudomonas sp., for S. aureus, the inhibition zones were 9 mm. Cytotoxicity assessments revealed minimal effects at low concentrations, with 200 μg/ml identified as the optimal dose for wound healing. In vitro wound scratch assays demonstrated enhanced fibroblast migration and wound closure at this concentration.

Evaluating the Root Extract of Reynoutria ciliinervis (Nakai) Moldenke: An Analysis of Active Constituents, Antioxidant Potential, and Investigation of Hepatoprotective Effects in Rats

Reynoutria ciliinervis (Nakai) Moldenke (R. ciliinervis) root, a traditional Chinese medicine, was found to exhibit remarkable pharmacological properties through a series of comprehensive investigations. Our study commenced with a qualitative phytochemical analysis that identified 12 bioactive compounds within the plant. Subsequently, utilizing ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, the methanol extract emerged as the optimal solvent extract, which was abundant in diverse classes of compounds such as carbohydrates, phenolics, steroids, alkaloids, phenolic acids, and tannins. In vitro antioxidant assays underscored the exceptional free radical scavenging, metal ion chelation, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, singlet oxygen quenching, and β-carotene bleaching capabilities of the methanol extract, significantly outperforming other solvent extracts. Further ultra high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–quadrupole time of flight–mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of 45 compounds, predominantly anthraquinones and phenolics, in the methanol extract. The extract demonstrated robust stability under various conditions, including high temperatures, varying pH levels, and simulated gastrointestinal digestion as well as efficacy in inhibiting the oxidation in edible oils. Acute toxicity tests in mice confirmed the safety of the methanol extract and provided a valuable dosage reference for future studies. Importantly, high-dose methanol extract exhibited a significant pre-protective effect against D-galactosamine-induced liver injury in rats, as evidenced by reduced alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, malondialdehyde levels, and elevated catalase and albumin levels. These findings suggest a potential role for the methanol extract of R. ciliinervis root in treating oxidative stress-related disorders, highlighting the plant’s immense medicinal potential. Our research offers a thorough evaluation of the bioactive components, antioxidant properties, stability, and liver-protecting effects of the methanol extract, setting the stage for deeper investigation and potential clinical applications.

Bioactive Compounds Investigation and Antioxidant Activities in Extracts and Fractions of Tamarindus Indica (Aradib) From Sudan

Tamarindus indica is commonly used interest in Sudan for edible plant and medicinal use. This study aimed to determine bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activities in extracts and fractions of Tamarindus indica pulp grown in Sudan. The powdered plant was extracted with ethanol, ethyl acetate, and acetone using an ultrasonic technique. The residue of the ethanol extract was fractionated using successive solvents. The extracts and fractions were determined for their phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins contents, and analyzed bioactive compounds by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometer, and also evaluate their antioxidant activities using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl, reducing power and hydrogen peroxide scavenging methods. The results show that the total phenolics, total flavonoids, and total tannins levels were significantly higher in the ethyl acetate fraction than in other extracts and fractions. GC-MS analyses of extracts and fractions showed a variety of bioactive compounds such as Hexadecanoic acid, Stigmasterol, Maltol, Sitosterol, Vitamin E, Allose, Tartaric acid, and Vaccenic acid. All the extracts and fractions exhibited good antioxidant activities. The extracts and fractions of Tamarindus indica pulp are sources of natural antioxidants and other bioactive compounds, which are beneficial effects on human health and the possibility of application in the pharmaceutical industry.

Antioxidant activity and identification by HPLC-DAD-MS of 3-deoxyanthocyanins in the husks of Sorghum caudatum (L.) Moench grains from Burkina Faso

As indicated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the resurgence of chronic diseases is projected to account for 70 % of deaths and 56 % of illnesses globally by 2030. In response, authorities are allocating resources towards prevention through the use of substances with natural or synthetic antioxidant properties. However, the safety of synthetic antioxidants is constrained by the limited number of molecules they can be derived from and the necessity for intricate and costly testing to substantiate their safety. In light of this, the scientific community has set itself the objective of identifying new potential sources of natural antioxidants with the more effective capacity in prevetion of these chronic diseases. Anthocyanins, particularly 3-deoxyanthocyanins are cited as one antioxidant molecules with preventive efficacy. The objective of this study is to contribute to the discovery of new sources of 3-deoxyanthocyanins. In order to achieve this objective, a concentrated extract of 3-deoxyanthocyanins was first prepared by maceration of the husks of Sorghum caudatum grains in acidified ethanol, followed by precipitation in acidified distilled water.The Folin-Ciocalteu and differential pH methods were then employed to determine the total phenolic compound content and the total 3-deoxyanthocyanin content of the extract, respectively. The antioxidant potential of the extract was evaluated by determining its free radical scavenging activity using the ABTS method, its reducing power of ferric ions using the FRAP method, and the percentage of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging. Using physico-chemical and physical methods (PC, HPLC, UV–vis and MS), the 3-deoxyanthocyanins present in the extract from the husks of Sorghum caudatum grains were identified. The results of these analyses demonstrated that the total phenolic compound content was 237.73 ± 2.12 mg GAE/g extract, while the 3-deoxyanthocyanin content was 99.33 ± 4.16 mg EApi/g extract and 110.05 ± 4.33 mg ELt/g extract. The extract demonstrated notable antioxidant activity, with an CI50 of 62.59 µg/mL as determined by the ABTS method, a content of 77.35 ± 0.17 mg TE /g extract as quantified by the FRAP method, and an H2O2 scavenging percentage of approximately 72.29 %. The extract was found to contain five distinct compounds, namely luteolinidin, 7-O-methylluteolinidin, 5-O-methylluteolinidin, apigeninidin and 7-O-methylapigeninidin. The grain husks of Sorghum caudatum represent a novel source of 3-deoxyanthocyanins. Consequently, they offer a promising avenue for the extraction of natural antioxidants, natural colouring agents and nutraceuticals for the food industry, thereby enhancing the economic value of agricultural waste and augmenting the profitability of Sorghum cultivation.

Berberine attenuates neuronal ferroptosis via the AMPK–NRF2–HO-1-signaling pathway in spinal cord-injured rats

Ferroptosis, characterized by iron-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxides, plays an important role in spinal cord injury (SCI). Berberine (BBR), as a lipid peroxide scavenger, has been widely used in treating other diseases; however, its role in ferroptosis has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, here, to test our hypothesis that BBR can reduce the severity of SCI and promote motor function recovery by inhibiting neuronal ferroptosis, we evaluated the changes in ferroptosis-related indicators after BBR administration by establishing a cellular ferroptosis model and an SCI contusion model. We found that BBR administration significantly reduces lipid peroxidation damage, maintains normal mitochondrial function, reduces excessive accumulation of iron ions, enhances antioxidant capacity, and activates the ferroptosis defense system in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, BBR alleviates neuronal ferroptosis by inducing adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and up-regulating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression to promote glutathione production. BBR administration also significantly improves motor function recovery in SCI rats. Meanwhile, applying the AMPK inhibitor Compound C blocks the neuroprotective and all other effects of BBR. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that BBR can attenuate neuronal ferroptosis after SCI by activating the AMPK–NRF2–HO-1 pathway.

Synthesis, Characterization and Assessment of Antioxidant and Melanogenic Inhibitory Properties of Edaravone Derivatives.

A series of edaravone derivatives and the corresponding Cu(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic and analytical techniques such as IR, UV, NMR and elemental analysis. Antioxidant activities of all compounds were examined using free radical scavenging methods such as hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity (HPSA), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2-2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) assays. All of the tested compounds exhibited good antioxidant activity. Further, the frontier orbital energy levels, as well as various chemical properties, were determined using the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The MEP maps of all of the derivatives were plotted to identify the nucleophilic and electrophilic reactive sites. Further, binding energies of all of the organic compounds with the protein tyrosinase was investigated to determine their potential anti-melanogenic applications. The selected ligand, L6 was subjected to molecular dynamics simulation analysis to determine the stability of the ligand-protein complex. The MD simulation was performed (150 ns) to estimate the stability of the tyrosinase-L6 complex. Other key parameters, such as, RMSD, RMSF, Rg, hydrogen bonds, SASA and MMPBSA were also analyzed to understand the interaction of L6 with the tyrosinase protein.

N-Acetylcysteine Mitigates Oxidative Stress Induced by Transplanting Lettuce Seedlings into a DFT Hydroponic System

Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between the production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can impede plant growth under various environmental stresses. While waterlogging is a well-known inducer of oxidative stress, the effects of oxidative stress on plant roots grown using the deep flow technique (DFT) hydroponic system remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) enhances the growth of lettuce seedlings transplanted into a DFT system. NAC application significantly improved both shoot and root growth, with the most pronounced effects observed at a concentration of 0.3 mM. Moreover, NAC mitigated the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in roots following transplantation. It also reduced a temporary increase in lipid peroxidation and total phenolic content in both roots and shoots. These results suggest that NAC functions as an antioxidant, alleviating oxidative stress by scavenging hydrogen peroxide in the roots. Importantly, NAC’s protective effects may extend to other hydroponically grown crops, offering broader potential for reducing oxidative stress across various cultivation systems.

Microfluidics assisted green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles from the aqueous leaf extract of Ipomoea quamoclit L. with its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity

IntroductionGreen nanosynthesis of medicinal plants are useful for the development of antibiotic agents. In this work, we have explored the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of green synthesised copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) from tropical medicinal plant Ipomoea quamoclit L. MethodsWith the aid of microfluidic technology, a low-cost, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) lab-on-chip micromixer for green nanosynthesis of CuO nanoparticle using Ipomoea quamoclit is presented. The UV–Vis characteristics, Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR) spectrum, antimicrobial and antioxidant response using DPPH and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were reported. The antimicrobial efficacy of the synthesised CuO-NPs is tested against two-gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, two gram negative bacteria, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and two fungi species Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger. ResultsUV–Vis spectrum for the synthesised CuO-NPs showed the absorbance at 670 nm, scanning electron microscope (SEM) image analysis and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis confirmed the presence of spherical shaped nanoparticle sized between 65 and 94.5 nm. The presence of bioactive functional groups of N-H, C-H and C=0 stretching was identified using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The maximum mean zone of inhibition obtained was 10.45±0.25 mm for fungi A. niger. The antioxidant activity using DPPH scavenging assay and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay showed the IC50 value 33.94 μg/ml and 42.54 μg/ml respectively. ConclusionsThe obtained results reveal the potential of CuO-NPs synthesised from I. quamoclit L. as a remarkable medicinal entity for wound healing, respiratory infection, fungal infection and urinary tract infection along with the improved antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.

Synthesis, Molecular Docking Studies and Biological Evaluation of N-(α-Benzamido Cinnamoyl) Piperonal Hydrazones

Background: Nowadays, inflammation is recognized as the underlying cause of a number of diseases, but NSAIDs are the first drug of choice, having several side effects. Additionally, excessive cellular oxidative stress is often considered a major contributor to pathophysiological conditions, the development of cancer, and other diseases. Antimicrobial resistance is a global concern, hence, there is a critical need for the development of novel therapeutic agents to fight the emergence and increasing prevalence of resistant pathogens. This creates an initiation to introduce new molecules which act as efficient therapeutic agents with diminished side effects. Objective: As a part of our search for newer agents with enhanced activity profiles, it was planned to synthesize novel 2- (benzamido)-N-((benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-4-yl)methylene)-3-(substituted phenyl) acrylohydrazides and to investigate them for antiinflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial activities. Furthermore, in silico studies were performed for title compounds to predict molecular properties, bioavailability, drug-likeness, and bioactivity scores, molecular docking studies were also performed against biological targets. Methods: The title compounds 1-14 were synthesized by nucleophilic addition of piperonal in ethanol, few drops of acetic acid to the intermediate 2-(benzamido)-3-(aryl)acrylohydrazides. The title compounds were tested for their antiinflammatory activity by in vivo carrageenan-induced rat paw edema method, in vitro COX-2 inhibition assay; in vitro cytotoxic activity evaluation by MTT assay; antioxidant activity by Lipid peroxidation, DPPH assay, Nitric Oxide scavenging assay and Hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay; and antimicrobial activity by cup plate method. Physicochemical properties and bioactive scores of title compounds were evaluated by in silico studies. Molecular docking studies were carried out for the title compounds against COX-2 (PDB: 5F19) and EGFR (PDB:1XKK). Results: Among the series, 4-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy derivative (5) displayed good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities; Vanillinyl derivative (4) displayed good cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity when compared to that of the respective standards. Compounds 5 &amp; 4 also exhibited good docking scores with COX-2 and EGFR, respectively. All title compounds obeyed Lipinski’s rule of five and also exhibited acceptable molecular properties, drug-likeness properties, and moderate to good bioactivity scores in in silico studies. Conclusion: The study suggested that the title compounds showed notable pharmacological properties, could emerge as lead compounds, and be further explored as promising therapeutic agents.

Identification of the organic peroxide scavenging system of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and its regulation by OxyR.

Oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is inevitable for all aerobic microorganisms as ROS are the byproducts of aerobic respiration. For gut pathogens, ROS are an integrated part of colonization resistance which protects the host against bacteria invasion. Alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AhpR) and organic hydroperoxide resistance (Ohr) proteins are considered as the main enzymes responsible for the degradation of organic peroxides (OPs) in most bacteria. To elucidate how enteric pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis YPIII deals with oxidative stress induced by OPs, we performed transcriptomic analysis and identified the OP scavenging system, which is composed of glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), thiol peroxidase (Tpx), and AhpR. Gpx serves as the main scavenger of OPs, and Tpx assists in the degradation of OPs. Transcriptional factor OxyR regulates Gpx expression, suggesting that OxyR is the regulator mediating the cellular response to OPs. Although AhpR has little influence on OP degradation, its deletion would greatly impair the scavenging ability of OPs in the absence of gpx or tpx. In addition, we found that catalase KatG and KatE are responsive to OPs but do not participate in the removal of OPs.IMPORTANCEIn bacteria, oxidative stress caused by ROS is a continuously occurring cellular response and requires multiple genes to participate in this process. The elimination of OPs is mainly dependent on AhpR and Ohr protein. Here, we carried out transcriptomic analysis to search for enzymes responsible for the removal of organic peroxides in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. We found that Gpx was the primary OP scavenger in bacteria, which was positively regulated by the oxidative stress regulator OxyR. The OP scavenging system in Y. pseudotuberculosis was composedof Gpx, Tpx, and AhpR. OxyR is the critical global regulator mediating gene expression involved in OPs and H2O2 stress. These findings suggest that Y. pseudotuberculosis has a unique defense system in response to oxidative stress.