Superoxide Anion Scavenging Ability Research Articles

Integrated biorefinery approach for seaweed Sargassum fusiforme: A step towards green circular economy

This study aims to maximize the utilization of Sargassum fusiforme (SF), embedding the concept of a green circular economy. We developed a green extraction process using water and ultrasound assistance to extract high-value SF polysaccharides (SFPS). A 2k factorial design coupled with center points evaluated the curvature effect in the extraction process. Optimal extraction conditions were identified to be a mass-liquid ratio of 1:59 (w/v), an extraction temperature of 70 °C and time of 88 min, yielding 15.30 wt% SFPS, validated through experiments. SFPS demonstrated significant antioxidant capacity, indicated by their ferric ion reduction ability and superoxide anion scavenging ability. Post-extraction, the waste ethanol solution and SF residue were employed as feedstock for hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), aiming to produce biocrude oil. We explored various parameters affecting the yield and quality of the resultant biocrude. The optimal HTL conditions for SF residue included a temperature of 280 °C and a reaction time of 45 min. The biocrude obtained using the waste solution exhibited higher carbon content (69.83%) and higher heating value (33.42 MJ/kg) compared to freshwater, indicating enhanced energy recovery (87.65% vs. 15.39%). Also, the presence of ethanol in waste solution facilitated a decrease in fatty acid content from 48.50% to 24.50%, while simultaneously increasing ester content from 6.37% to 35.54%, presumably due to the trans-esterification of fatty acids into esters. Utilizing the waste ethanol solution as HTL processing medium also led to a much lower greenhouse gas emissions (1714.0 kg CO2-eq) compared to that of freshwater (7735.4 kg CO2-eq) as evidenced by the life cycle assessment. This study's innovative approach not only valorizes the waste streams from SFPS extraction but also adds value by generating high-quality biocrude oil, offering practical solutions for waste reduction and resource recovery, fostering sustainable development and circular economy initiatives.

Examining the Antioxidant and Superoxide Radical Scavenging Activity of Anise, (Pimpinella anisum L. Seeds), Esculetin, and 4-Methyl-Esculetin Using X-ray Diffraction, Hydrodynamic Voltammetry and DFT Methods.

Pimpinella anisum L., or anise, is a plant that, besides its nutritional value, has been used in traditional medical practices and described in many cultures in the Mediterranean region. A possible reason for anise's therapeutic value is that it contains coumarins, which are known to have many biomedical and antioxidant properties. HPLC analysis in our laboratory of the anise extract shows the presence of the coumarin esculetin. We used a hydrodynamic voltammetry rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) method to measure the superoxide scavenging abilities of anise seeds and esculetin, which has marked scavenging activity. A related coumarin, 4-methyl-esculetin, also showed strong antioxidant activity as measured by RRDE. Moreover, this study includes the X-ray crystal structure of esculetin and 4-methyl-esculetin, which reveal the H-bond and the stacking intermolecular interactions of the two coumarins. Coordinates of esculetin crystal structure were used to perform a DFT study to arrive at the mechanism of superoxide scavenging. Besides performing a H(hydroxyl) abstraction in esculetin position 6 by superoxide, the scavenging also includes the presence of a second superoxide radical in a π-π approach. Both rings of esculetin were explored for this attack, but only the pyrone ring was effective. As a result, one product of esculetin scavenging is H2O2 formation, while the second superoxide remains π-π trapped within the pyrone ring to form an esculetin-η-O2 complex. Comparison with other coumarins shows that subtle structural differences in the coumarin framework can imply marked differences in scavenging. For instance, when the catechol moiety of esculetin (position 6,7) is shifted to position 7,8 in 4-methyl-7,8-dihydroxy coumarin, that coumarin shows a superoxide dismutase action, which, beside H2O2 formation, includes the formation and elimination of a molecule of O2. This is in contrast with the products formed through esculetin superoxide scavenging, where a second added superoxide remains trapped, and forms an esculetin-η-O2 complex.

Enzyme-assisted extraction, characterization, and in vitro antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from Potentilla anserina L.

Potentilla anserina (Potentilla anserina L.), also known as ginseng fruit, is a plant that can be used as both medicine and food. Potentilla anserina L. has high medical value in Chinese medicine, such as strengthening the spleen and stomach, replenishing qi and blood, and astringing hemostasis. In this study, polysaccharides of Potentilla anserina L. were extracted from the root using an enzyme-assisted extraction method. According to the principle of Box-Behnken design, response surface methodology was designed to optimize the extraction conditions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the structure and appearance of Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides. The monosaccharide composition of Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant activities were also studied. Under the optimal extraction conditions (the ratio of solid to liquid, 1:15; ratio of cellulase to pectinase, 1:2; extraction pH, 8.0; enzyme reaction temperature, 60°C), the extraction yield of Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides was 19.80 ± 0.01%, equal to the model prediction value 19.84%. The data of Fourier transform infrared spectrum, scanning electron microscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography showed that the Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharide was a kind of α-pyran polysaccharide, mainly consisting of galactose, glucose, rhamnose, and arabinose. The antioxidant results showed that Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides had a strong hydroxyl radical scavenging ability (IC50 = 0.367 mg/mL), superoxide anion scavenging ability (IC50 = 45.017 mg/mL), and a certain degree of total reducing ability. Enzyme-assisted extraction is an efficient method to extract Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides. The Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides could have potential use in functional foods as a natural antioxidant.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids Complex Regulates Inflammatory Cytokine Production through the Hyaluronic Acid Pathway.

In this study, we aimed to develop natural and/or functional materials with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We obtained extracts from natural plants through an oil and hot-water extraction process and prepared an extract composite of an effective unsaturated fatty acid complex (EUFOC). Furthermore, the antioxidant effect of the extract complex was evaluated, and the anti-inflammatory effect was explored by assessing its inhibitory effect on nitric oxide production through its HA-promoting effect. We conducted a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay to evaluate the cell viability of the EUFOC, and the results showed that EUFOC was not cytotoxic at the test concentrations. In addition, it showed no endogenous cytotoxicity in HaCaT (human keratinocyte) cells. The EUFOC showed excellent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl- and superoxide-scavenging abilities. Moreover, it exerted an inhibitory effect on NO production at concentrations that did not inhibit cell viability. The secretion of all the cytokines was increased by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment; however, this was inhibited by the EUFOC in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, hyaluronic acid content was markedly increased by the EUFOC in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the EUFOC has excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and hence, it can be used as a functional material in various fields.

Antioxidant Properties of Thymoquinone, Thymohydroquinone and Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.) Seed Oil: Scavenging of Superoxide Radical Studied Using Cyclic Voltammetry, DFT and Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction.

Black cumin seeds and seed oil have long been used in traditional foods and medicine in South Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries and are valuable flavor ingredients. An important ingredient of black cumin is the small molecule thymoquinone (TQ), which manifests low toxicity and potential therapeutic activity against a wide number of diseases including diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, the antioxidant activities of black seed oil, TQ and a related molecule found in black cumin, thymohydroquinone (THQ), were measured using a direct electrochemical method to experimentally evaluate their superoxide scavenging action. TQ and the black seed oil showed good superoxide scavenging ability, while THQ did not. Density Functional Theory (DFT) computational methods were applied to arrive at a chemical mechanism describing these results, and confirmed the experimental Rotating Ring Disk Electrode (RRDE) findings that superoxide oxidation to O2 by TQ is feasible, in contrast with THQ, which does not scavenge superoxide. Additionally, a thorough inquiry into the unusual cyclic voltammetry pattern exhibited by TQ was studied and was associated with formation of a 1:1 TQ-superoxide radical species, [TQ-O2]-•. DFT calculations reveal this radical species to be involved in the π-π mechanism describing TQ reactivity with superoxide. The crystal structures of TQ and THQ were analyzed, and the experimental data reveal the presence of stacking intermolecular interactions that can be associated with formation of the radical species, [TQ-O2]-•. All three of these methods were essential for us to arrive at a chemical mechanism that explains TQ antioxidant activity, that incorporates intermolecular features found in the crystal structure and which correlates with the measured superoxide scavenging activity.

Enhancement of the chemical stability of nanoemulsions loaded with curcumin by unsaturated mannuronate oligosaccharide

Unsaturated mannuronate oligosaccharide (MOS) is an acidic oligosaccharide prepared from alginate-derived polymannuronate by enzymatic depolymerization, followed by double bond formation between C-4 and C-5 at the nonreducing end. In this study, MOS was used as a stabilizer to fabricate O/W nanoemulsions loaded with curcumin (MOS-CUR) for the first time. The results revealed that the MOS-CUR showed small droplet sizes and narrow size distributions and was slightly more stable than normal oil-in-water (O/W) curcumin nanoemulsions (water-CUR). Additionally, MOS can improve the superoxide anion scavenging ability and iron ion reducing ability of the curcumin nanoemulsion system. Although the digestion behaviour of MOS-CUR and water-CUR was similar, the bioavailability of curcumin in MOS-CUR was significantly higher than that in water-CUR. All these results indicated that MOS could be used as a stabilizer for preparing nanoemulsions to easily encapsulate labile nutrients and to enhance the bioavailability and antioxidant capacity of these nutrients.

Phosphorylated chitosan accelerates dermal wound healing in diabetic wistar rats

Phosphorylated chitosan (PC), a water-soluble derivative of chitosan possesses several biological and chemical properties suitable for diabetic wound healing. In the present study, we report the synthesis and diabetic wound healing capabilities of PC. Elemental analysis, FT-IR, 13C-NMR and 31P-NMR techniques were employed for the chemical characterization of PC. In vitro, antioxidant properties of PC were determined in terms of Fe3+ reducing, metal chelating, lipid peroxidation and superoxide scavenging ability. The wound healing potential of PC was assessed in diabetic excisional wound rat model. PC exhibited good water solubility, and in vitro antioxidant capacity. Wound contraction was higher in PC-treated wounds (91.11%) as compared to untreated wounds (67.26%) on 14th-day post wound creation. Histopathology of PC-treated wounds revealed improved tissue morphology with higher number of fibroblasts, a thicker epithelial layer, enhanced collagen deposits and angiogenesis as compared to untreated wounds. An overall increase of 57% and 25% in hydroxylamine and hexosamine content respectively were noted as compared to untreated wounds. A significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in SOD activity and a significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease in lipid peroxides were recorded in PC-treated wounds as compared to untreated wounds. These observations demonstrated that PC can be used as an effective agent in diabetic wound healing.Graphical Illustration of phosphorylated chitosan (PC) synthesis and its wound healing potential: Chitosan was phosphorylated to impart diabetic wound healing properties. Chemical characterizations such as elemental analysis, FT-IR and NMR confirmed successful phosphorylation of chitosan. PC exhibited good in vitro antioxidant properties. To assess the diabetic wound healing potential, an excisional wound model was developed in diabetic rats. PC treatment demonstrated accelerated wound healing.

The preparation and antioxidant activities of four 2-aminoacyl-chitooligosaccharides

Chitooligosaccharides (COS) with two different molecular weights are acylated with four nonpolar amino acids: glycine (Gly), alanine (Ala), valine (Val) and leucine (Leu) to obtain 2-aminoacetyl-chitooligosaccharide (2-GlyCOS), 2-aminopropionyl-chitooligosaccharide (2-AlaCOS), 2-amino-3-methylbutyryl-chitooligosaccharide (2-ValCOS), and 2-amino-4-methylpentanoyl-chitooligosaccharide (2-LeuCOS). The structure of the derivatives was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, 13C NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The antioxidant activities of the derivatives, such as hydroxyl radical (·OH) scavenging ability, superoxide anion (O2·-) scavenging ability, reducing ability, and DPPH radical scavenging ability, were investigated using various established systems. Compared with chitooligosaccharide and nonpolar amino acids, all derivatives have strong scavenging ability toward hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions, and the clearance rate was 19.05% and 67.70% separately. The reducing ability and DPPH free radical scavenging ability of the derivatives are only 0.021Abs and 32.97%. Among them, only 2-AlaLCOS has significant reducing ability, and the value can reach 0.143Abs. The above results showed that the antioxidant activity of some derivatives was higher than that of chitooligosaccharide. The water solubility of the new derivatives was also greatly improved compared to that of nonpolar amino acids. Therefore, the application of 2-aminoacyl-chitooligosaccharides (2-AACOS) in antioxidants has laid a foundation and has certain potential application value in the fields of medicine, agriculture, and animal husbandry.

The preparation and antioxidant activities of three phenyl-acylchitooligosaccharides

Chitooligosaccharides with two different molecular weights are acylated with three containing benzene carboxylic acids: salicylic acid (BHA), α-naphthylacetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) to obtain o-hydroxybenzoyl-chitooligosaccharide, α-naphthylacetyl-chitooligosaccharide, and 3-Indolebutyryl-chitooligosaccharide. The structure of the derivatives was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, 13C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. According to several amide characteristic absorption peaks between 1750 cm−1–1500 cm−1 in the FT-IR spectrum, it can be determined that the target group has been successfully grafted. And there are obvious characteristic absorption peaks of aromatic ring at 900–650 cm−1. The six chemical shifts of 98.02, 76.42, 74.83, 72.00, 60.39, 55.37 ppm in 13C NMR proved that the chitooligosaccharide did not destroy its own sugar ring structure during the reaction. The antioxidant activities of the derivatives, such as hydroxyl radical (·OH) scavenging ability, superoxide anion (O2·−) scavenging ability, reducing ability, and DPPH radical scavenging ability were investigated using various established systems. Comparing with chitooligosaccharide and containing benzene carboxylic acids, most derivatives have strong scavenging ability toward superoxide anions and DPPH radicals, and the clearance rate up to 47.44% and 80.27% separately. The reducing ability and hydroxyl free radical scavenging ability of the derivatives are only 0.032 Abs and 11.43%. The above results showed that the antioxidant activity of some derivatives was higher than that of chitooligosaccharide. The water solubility of the new derivatives was also greatly improved than that of containing benzene carboxylic acids. Therefore, the application of phenyl-acyl-chitooligosaccharide in antioxidants has laid a foundation, and has certain potential application value in the fields of medicine and agriculture and animal husbandry.

Dietary supplementation with selenomethionine enhances antioxidant capacity and selenoprotein gene expression in layer breeder roosters

This study's objective was to investigate the effects of dietary Se (in the form of selenomethionine) on the antioxidant activity and selenoprotein gene expressions in layer breeder roosters. One hundred and eighty, 36-wk-old Jingfen layer breeder roosters were randomly allocated to one of 5 dietary treatments (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, or 2 mg/kg Se) for 6 wk on a corn-soybean meal-based diet. Antioxidant parameters and selenoprotein gene expressions were assessed at the end of the experiment. The results showed that Se supplementation significantly increased the activity of T-SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and superoxide anion scavenging ability in plasma (P ≤ 0.05), and activities of T-SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, superoxide anion scavenging ability, and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability in the liver, kidney, and testis (P < 0.05). Moreover, MDA levels were significantly reduced in plasma, liver, kidney, and testis (P < 0.01), compared to the control group. Furthermore, the dietary administration of Se significantly increased TrxR2 and GPx4 mRNA levels in kidney and testis, and ID1 mRNA levels in liver and kidney. Most of the antioxidant parameters and selenoprotein-related gene expressions significantly increased, and MDA significantly decreased at dietary supplementation with 0.5 mg/kg Se. Whereas a higher dose of Se level (1 or 2 mg/kg) inhibited the activities of some of the antioxidant enzymes and selenoprotein-related gene expressions in selected tissues. In conclusion, dietary Se supplementation with 0.5 mg/kg significantly improved roosters’ antioxidant status and selenoprotein-related gene expression in liver, kidney, and testis, while higher doses led to inhibit these; dietary Se might increase reproductive performance by enhancing their antioxidant status in roosters.

Study on Salicylanilide Analogue for Antioxidant Activity and Melanosis Prevention in Chinese White Shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis)

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of salicylanilide analogue NBHE for shrimp preservation. The antioxidant activity of 4-Nitro-benzoic acid 3-(2-hydroxy-benzoylamino)-propyl ester (NBHE) was evaluated using the superoxide anion scavenging ability assay. The results showed that NBHE possessed a higher inhibitory effect than that of salicylic acid but weaker than that of kojic acid and ascorbic acid. The IC50 value for ascorbic acid, kojic acid, salicylic acid, and NBHE was calculated to be 9.88 ± 1.98 μg/mL, 63.10 ± 1.13 μg/mL, 328.94 ± 25.01 μg/mL, and 80.94 ± 4.20 μg/mL, respectively. The copper chelating activity of 80.04 ± 3.00% and 85.39 ± 2.97% was observed in the presence of 30 μg/mL and 35 μg/mL of NBHE, respectively. Fifty μM concentration of NBHE had no considerable cytotoxic effect in HaCaT cells. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of shrimp myofibrillar proteins (MP) showed that NBHE could effectively inhibit myofibrillar protein degradation and displayed obvious preservative effect.

Nutritional metabolism evaluation and image segmentation of the chicken muscle and internal organs for automatic evisceration.

The chicken is rich in various proteins, fatty acids, polysaccharides, trace elements, and other human essential nutrients that contribute to its high nutritional value. In this study, the expression levels of nutrition-related genes (acetyl-CoA acyltransferase, ACAA) of native chicken breeds were investigated. The level of GgalACAA1-2 transcripts expression in the liver of chicken was significantly higher than that of muscle and heart. Moreover, three protein extracts were isolated from the muscle, heart, and liver tissues from the chicken, and their nutritional function was evaluated in the present study. These protein extracts had excellent DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacities and exhibited significant superoxide anion scavenging ability. Moreover, the protein extracts of muscle tissue showed an important mouse splenocyte proliferation activity and could be used as an immunomodulator of natural origin. In addition, this report presented an automatic visual inspection of chicken viscera using the active contour algorithms and the image processing method for eviscerating by the parallel robot. The recognition and positioning rate of chicken viscera obtained by the proposed method could reach 96.45%. These methods provided basic data for automated poultry slaughter and segmentation, avoiding unnecessary health risks by a pathogenic microorganism, such as avian influenza, Newcastle disease virus, and coronavirus. Moreover, the internal organs of the chicken could be fully harvested by the image segmentation of automatic evisceration, which also facilitated the processing value of these internal organs as by-products of poultry.

Impacts of Mn, Fe, and Oxidative Stressors on MnSOD Activation by AtMTM1 and AtMTM2 in Arabidopsis.

It has been reported that the mitochondrial carrier family proteins of AtMTM1 and AtMTM2 are necessary for manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activation in Arabidopsis, and are responsive to methyl viologen (MV)-induced oxidative stress. In this study, we showed that MnSOD activity was enhanced specifically by Mn treatments. By using AtMnSOD-overexpressing and AtMnSOD-knockdown mutant plants treated with the widely used oxidative stressors including MV, NaCl, H2O2, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BH), we revealed that Arabidopsis MnSOD was crucial for root-growth control and superoxide scavenging ability. In addition, it has been reported that E. coli MnSOD activity is inhibited by Fe and that MTM1-mutated yeast cells exhibit elevated Fe content and decreased MnSOD activity, which can be restored by the Fe2+-specific chelator, bathophenanthroline disulfonate (BPS). However, we showed that BPS inhibited MnSOD activity in AtMTM1 and AtMTM2 single- and double-mutant protoplasts, implying that altered Fe homeostasis affected MnSOD activation through AtMTM1 and AtMTM2. Notably, we used inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) analysis to reveal an abnormal Fe/Mn ratio in the roots and shoots of AtMTM1 and AtMTM2 mutants under MV stress, indicating the importance of AtMTM1 in roots and AtMTM2 in shoots for maintaining Fe/Mn balance.

Baicalin Attenuates Oxidative Stress in a Tissue-Engineered Liver Model of NAFLD by Scavenging Reactive Oxygen Species.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Baicalin has been shown to exert protective effects in various liver diseases. The mechanism of baicalin’s antioxidative effect in NAFLD is currently unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of baicalin on oxidative stress in a new tissue-engineered liver model of NAFLD. The 3D model of NAFLD was induced by a fat-supplemented medium (fatty acids, FFA group) for 8 days and baicalin was administered on the 5th day. CCK-8 assay showed that baicalin at concentrations below 100 μM had no obvious cytotoxicity. Baicalin inhibited apoptosis and lactate dehydrogenase release in the FFA group. Baicalin reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde induced by FFA, and increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione amounts. However, it did not upregulate nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 compared with the FFA group. Mitochondrial morphology was partially restored after baicalin treatment, and ATP5A expression and mitochondrial membrane potential were increased. The superoxide anion scavenging ability of baicalin was enhanced in a dose-dependent manner. In summary, baicalin reduces oxidative stress and protects the mitochondria to inhibit apoptosis in the 3D NAFLD model via its own antioxidant activity.

Copper(II) species with 1‐(o‐tolyl)biguanide: Structural characterization, ROS scavenging, antibacterial activity, biocompatibility and in silico studies

The species cis‐[Cu(tbg)2](ClO4)2 (CuTP) (tbg: 1‐(o‐tolyl)biguanide) was designed as a novel antimicrobial and biocompatible agent. The single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction revealed a mononuclear species with a very interesting structure consisting of two tautomeric forms of tbg arranged in a cis‐configuration. A complex hydrogen bond network with perchlorate anions involved in different interactions leads to a supramolecular structure. The EPR data indicated the formation of a stable cis‐trans mixture in dimethylsulfoxide. Moreover, the EPR experiments evidenced no activity against the superoxide radical (O2·−) but scavenging ability of the hydroxyl radical (HO·). This complex exhibited excellent antibacterial properties against planktonic and biofilm embedded gram‐negative (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae) and gram‐positive (Bacillus subtilis, Lysteria monocytogenes) bacteria. The best efficiency was noticed against E. cloacae and L. monocytogenes with minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal biofilm eradication for a concentration value of 1.95 μg/ml. One of the possible mechanisms of antimicrobial activity is represented by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The complex was not cytotoxic on L929 fibroblasts. The in silico analysis confirmed the drug‐likeness and safety profile of the tested compound and its potential for developing novel antimicrobial and therapeutic tools, targeting other clinical conditions besides infectious diseases.

Antioxidant effect of ascorbic acid against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and P-glycoprotein expression in rats

Cisplatin (CDDP) is a highly potent anticancer drug that is widely used in the treatment of several cancers. CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity (CIN) is one of the most significant adverse effects, and oxidative stress is thought to be one of the mechanisms underlying CIN. Although there are some studies available on the variability in transporter expression in the kidney after a single CDDP dose, none have reported the change in renal transporter expression after multiple CDDP dose administrations. P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a transporter, is reported to be induced by oxidative stress. Ascorbic acid is a vitamin with antioxidant potential and therefore, may regulate the expression of P-gp transporter and affect CIN. In the present study, our aim was to assess the variability in expression of several renal transporters after multiple CDDP dose administrations and the antioxidant effect of ascorbic acid against transporter expression and CIN. Multiple doses of CDDP affected markers of kidney injury and antioxidants in the kidneys. Also, the expression of P-gp, breast cancer resistance protein, and multidrug resistance-associated protein 4 was upregulated by CDDP. Using a normal kidney cell line, we demonstrated that ascorbic acid attenuated CDDP-induced cytotoxicity due to its high superoxide scavenging ability. CDDP and ascorbic acid were injected into rats once a week for three weeks, and it was observed that co-administration of ascorbic acid attenuated CIN and regulated antioxidant marker. In addition, ascorbic acid reduced P-gp expression, which was upregulated by CDDP. In conclusion, ascorbic acid may attenuate CIN and reverse P-gp-mediated changes in drug pharmacokinetics.

Production and Characterization of a Novel Low-Sugar Beverage from Red Jujube Fruits and Bamboo Shoots Fermented with Selected Lactiplantibacillus plantarum.

Red jujube fruits and bamboo shoots are rich in many nutrients and have the advantage of high yield in China. However, the storage of fresh fruits is difficult, and there are no fermented products using both as raw materials. In order to develop the two raw materials into novel products and improve their nutritional value, this study reports the production and characterization of a beverage via fermentation of red jujube fruits and bamboo shoots with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. L. plantarum TUST-232 was selected as the starter from several different strains by comparing pH value and the number of viable cells, which reached 8.91 log CFU/mL in the beverage fermented for 14 h at 37 °C with 0.3% inoculation. After fermentation, the beverage showed improvement in the contents of several nutrients and antioxidant indices, with a decrease of 44.10% in sucrose content, along with increases of 11.09%, 12.30%, and 59.80% in total phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity, and superoxide anion scavenging ability, respectively. These results indicate that L. plantarum fermentation of red jujube fruits and bamboo shoots could be an effective way to develop a new beverage with high nutritional value, high antioxidant capacity, and high dietary fiber content. This research provided experimental support for the development of new fermentation products with the functions of improving health and body functions.

Effects and mechanism of copper oxide nanozymes on wound healing of full-thickness skin defects in diabetic mice

Effects and mechanism of copper oxide nanozymes on wound healing of full-thickness skin defects in diabetic mice

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Prussian blue nanozyme promotes full-thickness skin wound healing

Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and unresolved inflammations are the major causes of impaired wound healing as they overwhelm the cellular antioxidant system and impede the healing process. In this study, we examined the application of Prussian blue (PB) nanozyme as a novel material for cutaneous wound healing through the alleviation of excessive ROS and inflammation modulation. The PB nanoparticles not only exhibited hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) degradation activity but also showed strong superoxide scavenging ability. PB nanozyme mitigated the intracellular ROS at a high oxidative stress environment, resulting in a pronounced cytoprotective effect. Moreover, PB nanozyme also displayed significant anti-inflammatory activity, as evident from the suppression of inflammatory mediators in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced macrophage cells. Encouraged by the in vitro results, we evaluated the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of PB nanozyme in a full-thickness cutaneous wound model combined with LPS treatment to mimic bacterial infection. The beneficial effects of topically applied PB nanozyme on wound healing and tissue regeneration were evident compared to the control. The periodical administration of a low amount (50 μg × 4) of PB nanoparticles exhibited faster wound closure as well as collagen deposition, maturation, and organization. Moreover, the PB treatment effectively induced the differentiation of keratinocytes, enhanced the neovascularization, and reduced macrophage burden in the entire wound site. Thus, PB nanozyme not only accelerated the healing process in an infection-mimicking cutaneous wound model but also exhibited tissue regeneration characteristics owing to the synergistic effect of ROS-scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities.

Enhancement of antioxidant effect of pitaya by lactic acid bacteria fermentation

Pitaya has received a great deal of consumer interest for its large amount of micronutritions. This study investigated the changes of total phenols and total flavonoids of fermented pitaya, as well as the antioxidant abilities. The results showed that fermentation could significantly increase the counts of water-soluble phenols and flavonoids. After being fermented for 24h, the DPPH free radical, hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion scavenging ability raised significantly. Reducing power of fermented pitaya also increased remarkably. Thus, fermentation could increase the antioxidant ability of pitaya, and could be a potential process for pitaya products.