Specific Antioxidant Research Articles

Antioxidants in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Lights and Shadows

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision impairment worldwide, primarily driven by oxidative stress and inflammation. This review examines the role of antioxidants in mitigating oxidative damage, emphasizing both their therapeutic potential and limitations in AMD management. Key findings underscore the efficacy of specific antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, and Coenzyme Q10, in slowing AMD progression. Landmark studies such as AREDS and AREDS2 have shaped current antioxidant formulations, although challenges persist, including patient variability and long-term safety concerns. Emerging therapies, such as mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants and novel compounds like saffron and resveratrol, offer promising avenues for AMD treatment. Complementary lifestyle interventions, including antioxidant-rich diets and physical activity, further support holistic management approaches. This review highlights the critical role of antioxidants in AMD therapy, advocating for personalized strategies to optimize patient outcomes.

Effect of Antioxidants on the Gut Microbiome Profile and Brain Functions: A Review of Randomized Controlled Trial Studies.

Antioxidants are widely recognized for their potential health benefits, including their impact on cognitive function and gut microbiome modulation. Understanding these effects is essential for exploring their broader clinical applications. This review aims to evaluate the effects of antioxidants on the gut microbiome and cognitive function, with a focus on findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The studies involved human participants across a range of age groups, with interventions encompassing natural antioxidant sources, such as berries, as well as specific antioxidant vitamins. An extensive search across PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases identified six relevant RCTs, each evaluated for potential bias. These studies focused on a variety of antioxidant-rich products, including both naturally derived sources and supplemental forms. Antioxidants, including vitamins C, B2, and D, along with polyphenols such as xanthohumol, fermented papaya, peanuts, and berry extracts, demonstrate the potential to support cognitive function and promote gut health through mechanisms that modulate microbiome diversity and reduce inflammation. However, observed changes in microbiome diversity were modest and inconsistent across the studies. While preliminary evidence suggests that antioxidants may benefit gut health and cognitive function, the heterogeneity of existing studies limits their immediate clinical applicability. Additionally, more robust RCTs are needed to substantiate these findings and guide future interventions.

Influence of the elicitors on the accumulation of secondary metabolites and antioxidant activities in the <em>Polyscias fruticosa </em>(L.) Harms <em>in vitro</em> roots

Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms, belonging to the Ginseng family (Araliaceae), is a valuable medicinal plant in Vietnam. Recognized in the Vietnamese Pharmacopoeia, it is esteemed for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties, making it a significant contributor to traditional medicine. This research contributes to the understanding of elicitor-induced changes in antioxidant activity, and secondary metabolite content of in vitro root extract of P. fruticosa. The results showed that the antioxidant activity of the root extract tested by DPPH radical scavenging assay with an IC50 value of 1.28 mg/mL in the baseline and the lowest IC50 value of 0.89 mg/mL in the medium treated with yeast extract (YE). The highest total phenolic and flavonoid content were displayed in jasmonic acid-treated samples at 24.31 ± 2.86 mg gallic acid/g extract and 29.25 ± 0.26 mg quercetin/g extract, respectively. The highest saponin was also produced in roots elicited by jasmonic acid, where it reached about 167.19 ± 3.29 mg aescin/g extract. Furthermore, investigation with antioxidant enzyme activities showed another superiority when using elicitors YE (64.4 ± 3,14 U/mg protein) and mannitol (Man) (65.39 ± 3.85 U/mg protein) in peroxidase (POD) activity and using jasmonic acid (8.87 ± 0.74 U/mg) in catalase (CAT) activity. Lastly, TPC and TFC exhibited a positive correlation of r = 0.53 while the TPC and DPPH scavenging activity and TFC and POD showed a remarkably negative correlation of r around -0.8. In conclusion, this study highlights the advancements in eliciting root cultures to enhance specific phytochemicals and antioxidant activity. The information provided holds significant value and will be of interest to scientists engaged in plant biotechnology, particularly in the elicitation of medicinal plant roots.

Intercepting more radiation or higher use efficiency: pathways to enhancing biomass and yield in two wheat cultivars with distinct spike types under wide‐belt sowing

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn north China, wide‐belt sowing (WBS) is widely used in wheat production because it increases the yield by improving the plant distribution and reducing the competition for resources compared with conventional narrow‐drill sowing (NDS). Yield formation is also different for wheat varieties with distinct spike types. Therefore, it is important to explore the effects of WBS on the yields of wheat varieties with different spike types.RESULTSWe conducted a field experiment using Shannong20 (SN20, a multi‐spike variety) and Shannong30 (SN30, a heavy‐spike variety) for three seasons under WBS and NDS. WBS increased yields of both varieties by 9.3–11.1% than NDS. The yield increase for SN20 came from improvement in pre‐anthesis biomass, whereas the post‐anthesis biomass improved for SN30. Before anthesis, the increased biomass for SN20 by WBS was due to higher radiation interception because of the increased population size and leaf area index. After anthesis, WBS increased the biomass via improving radiation use efficiency (RUE) for SN30. WBS improved the radiation intensity in the sub‐top and middle canopy layers which was beneficial for increasing RUE. In addition, the higher maximum leaf net photosynthesis rate (Amax) also contributed to the increase in RUE for SN30. The increased Amax for SN30 was due to the increased specific leaf nitrogen and leaf antioxidant capacity.CONCLUSIONIn short, the radiation interception before anthesis was mainly responsible for the yield increase for the multi‐spike variety, whereas for the heavy‐spike variety, the yield improvement only came from the increased RUE after anthesis under WBS. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Vitamins, Coenzyme Q10, and Antioxidant Strategies to Improve Oocyte Quality in Women with Gynecological Cancers: A Comprehensive Review.

Gynecological cancers, including ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers, significantly affect both survival and reproductive health in women. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can impair ovarian function, reducing oocyte quality and fertility potential. This review aims to evaluate how vitamins and antioxidants can enhance fertility and fertility preservation outcomes for women diagnosed with gynecological cancers, particularly in the context of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Standard treatments for these cancers, including hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, radiation, and chemotherapy, often compromise ovarian function and oocyte quality. This review focuses on the potential role of these interventions in improving oocyte quality, thereby supporting successful fertility preservation and ART outcomes. A comprehensive narrative review of the current literature was conducted, examining the effects of vitamins A, C, D3, E, and Coenzyme Q10 on oocyte quality, particularly in the context of oxidative stress and inflammation induced by cancer and its treatments. The evidence suggests that certain vitamins and antioxidants may mitigate oxidative damage and enhance oocyte quality. Vitamin A supports cumulus-oocyte complex integrity, while vitamins C and E act as potent antioxidants, reducing oxidative stress in ovarian tissues. Vitamin D3 enhances ovarian reserve markers and modulates inflammatory cytokines. Coenzyme Q10 improves mitochondrial function and reduces DNA damage, increasing oocyte viability and fertilization potential. The incorporation of specific vitamins and antioxidants into fertility preservation strategies may enhance oocyte quality in women with gynecological cancers. Although the preliminary findings are promising, further research is needed to determine optimal dosages and establish standardized protocols for clinical use.

Assessment of Traditional and Commercial Rosehip Marmalade Samples: Physicochemical, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Properties in Gümüşhane Province

In this study, the specific physicochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of 20 different rosehip marmalade samples, produced using traditional and commercial methods in the Gümüşhane province and its districts, were comprehensively analyzed. To detect the chemical composition of the rosehip marmalade samples, analyses were conducted for total dry matter, pH, ash, titratable acidity (malic acid %), soluble solids, water activity, and color (L*, a*, b*). Additionally, alongside the physicochemical analyses, the contents of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose, and total sugar) were also determined. To assess the antioxidant properties, analyses for total flavonoid content, total phenolic content, DPPH (% inhibition), and ABTS (% inhibition) were performed. Furthermore, the antibacterial activities of the rosehip marmalade samples against pathogenic bacterial strains such as Proteus vulgaris ATCC 29212, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 23566, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 35150 were investigated.

Melatonin Improves H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in Sertoli Cells Through Nrf2-Keap1 Signaling Pathway.

Background: Oxidative stress in the testicles of male livestock can cause reduced fertility. Melatonin is a natural product with antioxidant effects, but its specific antioxidant mechanism is still unclear. This study used calf testicular Sertoli cells as materials to explore the mechanism by which melatonin alleviates the oxidative stress of Sertoli cells, laying a foundation for improving the fertility of bulls. Methods: The optimal treatment concentrations of H2O2 and melatonin (MLT) were screened out using a CCK8 kit and MDA kit. Then, the cells were divided into four groups for treatment: control group, H2O2 treatment group, MLT treatment group, and H2O2 and MLT co-treatment group, then the MDA, ROS, GSH, and SOD contents were detected. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis and Western blot analysis were used to detect genes and proteins related to the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway. Immunofluorescence staining was used to analyze changes in Nrf2. Results: Research results show that the MDA content of cells in the group treated with H2O2 and MLT combined was significantly lower than that in the group treated with H2O2 alone, but there was no difference from the control group. Compared with the control group, the ROS level of cells in the H2O2-treated group significantly increased, and the content of GSH and SOD significantly decreased. Compared with the H2O2-treated group, the ROS level of cells in the H2O2 and MLT co-treated group significantly decreased, and the content of GSH and SOD increased significantly, but no difference from the control group. Similarly, MTL can alleviate the changes in cellular Nrf2, Keap1, HO-1, and NQO1 expression caused by H2O2. Conclusions: Melatonin activates the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway in Sertoli cells, elevating the expression of HO-1 and NQO1, and thereby exerting its antioxidant capabilities.

Synthesis, X-ray analysis, specific electric conductivity study and antioxidant activity of novel compound based on 3-(1-phenyl-2,3-dimethylpyrazolone-5)azopentadione-2,4

A reagent 3-(1-phenyl-2,3-dimethylpyrazolone-5)azopentadione-2,4 was synthesized and isolated into crystalline form based on 4-amino-antipyrine and acetylacetone. Subsequently, 2 molecules of 3-(1-phenyl-2,3-dimethylpyrazolone-5)azopentadione-2,4 were cross-linked with ethylenediamine and a novel reagent 4-((E)-(2-((2-((1R)-2-(1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenylpyrazolidin-4-yl)-4,4,5-trimethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-1λ4,2λ4,3-triazol-1-yl)ethyl)amino)-4-oxopentan-3-yl)diazenyl)-1,5-dimethyl-2 phenylpyrazolidin-3-one.Single crystals of the resulting product were obtained and its main characteristics were studied. Using X-ray diffraction analysis, the structure of the synthesized product was studied and the parameters of the crystal cell were determined. The stability constants and specific electric conductivity of resulting complexes of R2 with Fe3+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Mn2+, Ni2+ ions were calculated.The antioxidant properties of the synthesized compounds were investigated in model reactions using the kinetic method. It was found that the synthesized compounds are effective inhibitors of hydrocarbon oxidation.

Temperature Effect of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Drying on Energy Consumption, Bioactive Composition and Vibrational Changes

Cocoa drying is the post-harvest thermal process used to condition the beans to a moisture content between 6.5 and 7% for storage and further processing. Convective drying is an energy-intensive process where time and temperature are considered critical factors for the degradation of bioactive compounds in edible products. In the present study, the energy parameters, vibrational spectroscopy, and changes in bioactive compounds of cocoa beans were studied during thin-layer hot air drying at 50 °C, 60 °C, and 70 °C. Moisture loss, specific energy consumption (SEC), energy efficiency, total phenolics (TPs), total flavonoids (TFs), and antioxidant activity (DPPH) were determined. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (ATR) was used to characterize the samples, and a multivariate analysis was applied to find interactions among the components. The obtained SEC was 18,947.30–24,469.51 kJ/kg, and the energy efficiency was 9.73–12.31%. When the temperature was 70 °C, the best values for SEC and energy efficiency were obtained. The results also showed that the convective drying generated changes in the TP levels for the three temperatures, mainly after 300 min, with maximum levels between 360 and 600 min, at 70 °C; however, it does not have a clear relationship with the TFs and the antioxidant activity. The FT-IR and the multivariate analysis revealed changes in several signals in the 1800 to 400 cm−1 range, confirming the variation in the associated signal with phenolic compounds.

Effective chitosan-antioxidant treatments for extending cassava shelf-life evaluated using silver nanosensor

Cassava is a highly resilient and versatile root crop that plays a crucial role in food security across many tropical regions. However, its short postharvest shelf-life results in significant losses, highlighting the need for effective strategies to extend its longevity. This study introduces a novel approach to monitoring and mitigating cassava deterioration by utilizing silver nanoparticle sensors to track hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production, a key indicator of oxidative stress. Four economically viable cassava root cultivars were evaluated for their tolerance to postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD) and quality retention after treatment with various chitosan-antioxidant formulations. The results indicated that the chitosan-quercetin formulation (CS-Q) was the most effective, achieving the lowest average H₂O₂ reduction of 67.7 % compared to untreated samples, followed by chitosan-beta-carotene (CS-BC) at 62.4 %, chitosan-ascorbic acid (CS-AA) at 38.3 %, and chitosan (CS) at 34.8 %. These reductions in H₂O₂ suggest that chitosan-antioxidant treatments can effectively delay PPD and extend cassava's shelf life for up to six months, depending on the cultivar, seasonal factors, and specific antioxidant composition. The successful implementation of this innovation offers a promising solution to delay PPD and enhance the efficiency of the cassava supply chain. Furthermore, this study contributes to the advancement of electrochemical techniques for assessing PPD and demonstrates the potential of chitosan-based materials in improving the postharvest preservation of cassava and potentially other crops.

Phytochemical Associes of Fungal Endophytes in Nigeria Riverine Mangrove Ecosystem

The interaction between endophytic fungi and phytochemicals in the dominant mangroves (Rhizophora mangle, Lacugularia racemosa, and Avicennia africana) of the Iko River Estuary in Nigeria was investigated. Standard analytical procedures were employed to measure antioxidant levels, while endophytic fungi were isolated, morphologically characterized, and identified using culture-dependent methods. The study identified various bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, saponins, tannins/phenols, flavonoids, deoxy-sugars, cardiac glycosides, and steroids, with their concentrations varying depending on the mangrove species and plant parts. Alkaloids were present in all mangrove samples, with particularly high concentrations in the leaves of white (5%) and red (4.2%) mangroves. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to analyze the interaction between the endophytic fungi and phytochemicals, revealing a distinct affinity of certain fungal species for specific antioxidants in the mangroves. Fungal species such as Phoma sp., Rhizopus arrhizus, Aspergillus niger, and others exhibited a negative relationship with tannins, flavonoids, deoxysugars, and cardiac glycosides, but a positive affinity for saponins, alkaloids, and steroids. Conversely, Candida pseudotropicalis, Fusarium oxysporum, P. italicum, and others showed a positive affinity for tannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, and deoxysugars, but a negative affinity for alkaloids, saponins, and steroids. Notably, Absidia sp. was the only frequently isolated species with a strong correlation (r value ≥75 at a 95% confidence limit) with deoxy-sugars, while Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus, and Absidia sp. demonstrated significant relationships with alkaloids, saponins, and steroids. These phytochemicals, which serve as precursors to antioxidants with promising biotechnological applications, likely play a crucial role in determining the association of endophytic fungi with deltaic mangroves in Nigeria.

Dietary antioxidant capacity and sarcopenia: A study from US population

ObjectivesTo explore how dietary antioxidant capacity (DAC) affects sarcopenia in American adults and further evaluate the impact of meal timing and antioxidant-rich foods. MethodsThis analysis used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2018. The main exposure variables were DAC (Total, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast & Lunch, Breakfast & Dinner and Lunch & Dinner), and specific antioxidant components (vitamins A, vitamins E, selenium, total carotenoids, zinc, and selenium). The outcome was sarcopenia and its components. Associations were evaluated using weighted generalized linear models and restricted cubic spline regression (RCS). Models were adjusted for demographic, lifestyle, and health factors. ResultsAmong 9,436 NHANES participants, representing 111.5 million noninstitutionalized US residents (mean age, 38.9 ± 11.5 years; 50.9% female; 34.33% non-Hispanic white; 21.26% non-Hispanic black; and 20.01% Mexican American). There was a negative correlation between Total DAC and sarcopenia. According to meal time, eating more antioxidant foods at lunch time could reduce the risk of sarcopenia. According to the classification of food, it was further found that DAC in oils had a protective effect on sarcopenia. Increased intake of vitamins A, E, and selenium was associated with a lower sarcopenia risk. Subgroup analysis additionally observed a significant interaction between drinking status and DAC. ConclusionsA higher DAC diet may protect against sarcopenia, especially through the intake of vitamins A, E, selenium, and oils during lunch. This increased DAC is also linked to improved handgrip strength, a critical factor in sarcopenia. However, further research is required to validate these associations and explore additional influencing factors.

At-Line LC-QTOF-ESI-MS/MS Fractionation of Impatiens balsamina Linn. Coupled With a Simple DPPH for Rapid Identification and Guided Isolation of Antioxidant.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ultraviolet (UV) light are significant factors to impair skin disorders. Impatiens balsamina Linn. (IB), a traditional Chinese and Thai herbal medicine, has long been used to treat skin and nail diseases, potentially due to its radical-scavenging properties. However, specific antioxidant compounds in IB have not been well defined. This work aims to rapidly identify, target, and isolate antioxidant biomarkers in IB using at-line LC-ESI-QTOF-(MS/MS) coupled with a simple DPPH assay and comprehensively investigate the antioxidant activities of IB extract and isolated biomarker. Following liquid chromatography (LC), the eluent of IB extract was split into two streams (9:1 ratio). The majority was fractionated for DPPH assay in 96-well plates, whereas 10% underwent chemical identification using ESI-QTOF-MS. Antioxidants in IB were identified, targeted, and promptly isolated through transfer from analytical LC to preparative HPLC. IB and the isolated biomarkers were evaluated for antioxidant effects using various antiradical assays and in suppressing ROS induced by UV in skin cells, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts. Thirty-one chemical constituents were identified, with four tentatively identified as potent antioxidants. Kaempferol emerged as a potential antioxidant biomarker in IB, exhibiting superior antioxidant activity in various invitro assays compared with positive controls. Both IB extract and kaempferol effectively reduced UVB-induced ROS in skin cells. This study represents the first comprehensive identification of antioxidants and chemical constituents in IB, pinpointing kaempferol as a key antioxidant biomarker. Its rapid identification using at-line techniques holds promise for advancing bioactive compound discovery in herbal medicine.

Fish Oil Alginate Microspheres Produced via Wave-Based Drop-on-Demand Jetting Electrospray: Improving Stability and Palatability

Despite the proven health benefits of fish oil to the human body, the unpleasant aftertaste and short shelf-life limit the public acceptability as supplementation. Microencapsulation of the fish oil into microspheres is an approach to overcome these limitations. This study aims to prepare controllable-size fish oil alginate microspheres using pulsed electrospray technique for enhancing fish oil stability and palatability. Fish oil alginate microspheres were prepared and optimized by bipolar wave-based drop on demand jetting electrospray. The microspheres were characterized in terms of particle size, aspect ratio, encapsulation efficiency (EE), loading capacity (LC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and drug release. The stability of the fish oil microspheres was assessed based on specific characteristics and antioxidant activity over a period of 6 months. The anticancer effectiveness of encapsulated and unencapsulated fish oil was evaluated using HCT116 and 3T3 cell lines. Additionally, a human panel palatability test was conducted to evaluate the taste masking ability of fish oil microspheres. The optimal formulation exhibited an average particle size of 344.75 ± 10.84 μm, aspect ratio of 1.03 ± 0.02, EE of 98.98 ± 0.72%, and LC of 22.60 ± 0.62%. The FTIR analysis revealed that the chemical properties of the fish oil were preserved after microencapsulation and remained stable after 6 months of storage. The fish oil microspheres showed a superior anticancer effect compared to the free ones. In addition, the panellists of the palatability test of the fish oil microspheres showed an excellent taste masking ability. Hence, this study formulated fish oil microspheres with enhanced stability, efficacy, and palatability, suggesting their potential utility as dietary supplements to fulfil the daily recommended intake of fish oil.

Exploring causal associations of antioxidants from supplements and diet with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in European populations: a Mendelian randomization analysis.

Antioxidants from both supplements and diet have been suggested to potentially reduce oxidative stress in individuals with ADHD. However, there is a lack of studies utilizing the Mendelian randomization (MR) method to explore the relationship between dietary and supplemental antioxidants with ADHD. This study employed two-sample mendelian randomization. Various specific antioxidant dietary supplements (such as coffee, green tea, herbal tea, standard tea, and red wine intake per week), along with diet-derived circulating antioxidants including Vitamin C (ascorbate), Vitamin E (α-tocopherol), Vitamin E (γ-tocopherol), carotene, Vitamin A (retinol), zinc, and selenium (N = 2,603-428,860), were linked to independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Data on ADHD was gathered from six sources, comprising 246,888 participants. The primary analytical method utilized was inverse variance weighting (IVW), with sensitivity analysis conducted to assess the robustness of the main findings. In different diagnostic periods for ADHD, we found that only green tea intake among the antioxidants was significantly associated with a reduced risk of ADHD in males (OR: 0.977, CI: 0.963-0.990, p < 0.001, FDR = 0.065), with no evidence of pleiotropy or heterogeneity observed in the results. Additionally, a nominal causal association was found between green tea intake and childhood ADHD (OR: 0.989, 95% CI: 0.979-0.998, p = 0.023, FDR = 0.843). No causal relationships were detected between the intake of other antioxidant-rich diets and ADHD. Our study found a significant inverse association between green tea intake and male ADHD, suggesting that higher green tea consumption may reduce ADHD risk in males. Further research is needed to explore optimal doses and underlying mechanisms.

Low-calorie d-allulose as a sucrose alternative modulates the physicochemical properties and volatile profile of sponge cake.

d-Allulose, a C-3 epimer of d-fructose, is a rare sugar with ∼70% of the sweetness of sucrose but a caloric content of only 0.4kcal/g. Due to its low-calorie nature, d-allulose has garnered increasing interest in the food industry. This study was the first attempt to explore the effect of d-allulose as a sucrose replacer on the properties of sponge cake, a widely consumed high-sugar product. Substituting sucrose with d-allulose generated negligible impact on the batter system, while pronounced differences in physicochemical properties of cakes were detected, including specific volume, texture, microstructure, color, and antioxidant activity. In addition, sponge cake containing d-allulose displayed a distinctive aroma volatile profile, with more furans and pyrazines generation. Furthermore, correlations of physicochemical properties across all formulations were depicted, and the potential mechanism behind the property alterations modulated by d-allulose was revealed from the perspectives of starch gelatinization and browning reactions. Overall, this study provides insights into the application potential of d-allulose as a sucrose substitute in bakery product. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study elucidates the effect of d-allulose as a low-calorie sugar substitute on sponge cakes. This finding is valuable for the food industry, providing insights into a healthier alternative to traditional sugar in baked goods.

Isolation and Characterization of Antioxidant Peptides from Dairy Cow (Bos taurus) Placenta and Their Antioxidant Activities.

Our preliminary study identified dairy cow placenta extract (CPE) as a mixture of peptides with potent antioxidant activity both in vivo and in vitro. However, the specific antioxidant peptides (AOPs) responsible for this activity were not yet identified. In the current study, we employed virtual screening and chromatography techniques to isolate two peptides, ANNGKQWAEVF (CP1) and QPGLPGPAG (CP2), from CPE. These peptides were found to be less stable under extreme conditions such as high temperature, strong acid, strong alkali, and simulated digestive conditions. Nevertheless, under normal physiological conditions, both CP1 and CP2 exhibited significant antioxidant properties, including free-radical scavenging, metal chelating, and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. They also up-regulated the activities of intracellular antioxidant enzymes in response to hydrogen-peroxide-induced oxidative stress, resulting in reduced MDA levels, a decreased expression of the Keap1 gene and protein, and increased levels of the Nrf2 and HO-1 genes and proteins. Furthermore, CP1 demonstrated superior antioxidant activity compared to CP2. These findings suggest that CP1 and CP2 hold potential for mitigating oxidative stress in vitro and highlight the efficacy of virtual screening as a method for isolating AOPs within CPE.

Determination of Antioxidant activities of locally produce rice in Northern and Western part of Nigeria, using Kebbi rice and Igbemo rice as case study

This research provides the antioxidant activities of locally produced rice in the Northern and Western regions of Nigeria, with a focus on Kebbi rice and Igbemo rice. The study utilizes the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of these rice varieties. In which the sample was extracted using solvent extraction method after which the antioxidant (AO) activity of the rice samples as ferric-reducing power, is determined using a modified FRAP (ferric reducing/antioxidant power) assay Sodium phosphate, buffer solution, pipettes, test tubes, centrifugal machine, TCA, KFC and reagent such as Fe(iii) solution were used to analyse the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of the sample. Also, Methanolic solution, and spectrophotometer to measure absorbance at 516nm is used to determine the free radical scavenging ability of the extract against DPPH (1, 1- diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl). Results reveal that Kebbi rice exhibits higher FRAP values compared to Igbemo rice, indicating superior antioxidant activity in the FRAP assay. Conversely, Igbemo rice demonstrates higher DPPH values than Kebbi rice, suggesting greater antioxidant potency in the DPPH assay. These findings underscore the variability in antioxidant properties among different rice varieties and highlight the importance of considering multiple assays for a comprehensive assessment of antioxidant activity. Understanding the antioxidant profiles of indigenous rice varieties like Kebbi and Igbemo rice is crucial for promoting their consumption and enhancing food security in Nigeria. Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific antioxidant compounds responsible for the observed differences and explore their potential health benefits.

Evaluation of the efficacy of rice bran and sesame oil for producing nutritionally-superior quality functional tofu

Paneer prepared from edible-quality de-oiled soy flour is known as tofu. Functional tofu was augmented with specific antioxidants such as oryzanol and lignan obtained from rice bran oil (RBO) and sesame oil (SO), respectively. All the fortified and control tofu were evaluated for physicochemical (proximate composition, oxidative stability, antioxidant activity, penetration, and color property), microbiological, and sensory properties. The total viable count and yeast and mold counts increased slowly in the samples stored at 4 °C in the refrigerator for 9 days. Fortified tofu showed higher oxidative stability and antioxidant activity than the control tofu during storage conditions. Additionally, tartaric acid-coagulated tofu retained its quality attributes, especially taste and overall acceptability, during refrigerated storage. Functional tofu aided in an innovative technological technique for making functional non-dairy products with boosted healthy constituents.

Antioxidant therapy for hypertension; a mini-review on the recent findings

Oxidative stress is a key mechanism underlying hypertension. Therefore, antioxidant therapy is an attractive concept for hypertension. Antioxidant therapy has been shown to have a significant impact on blood pressure reduction in various studies. The duration of treatment before observing results can vary depending on the specific antioxidant used, the dosage, and the individual’s health status. Antioxidant therapy by reducing oxidative stress and improving endothelial function reduces the high blood pressure. Antioxidants may achieve their antihypertensive effects by reducing the formation of advanced glycation end products and aldehydes that impair vascular function and improving insulin resistance and endothelial function and also by normalizing calcium channels and peripheral vascular resistance.