Superoxide Dismutase Mimic Research Articles

Construction of multifunctional hydrogel containing pH-responsive gold nanozyme for bacteria-infected wound healing.

Nanozymes have become promising alternative antibacterial agents for bacteria-infected wounds. In this study, fucoidan-confined gold nanoparticles (Fuc@AuNPs) are developed by in situ reduction, and stabilized by sulfate groups of fucoidan. Fuc@AuNPs exhibit pH-responsive catalytic activity that can mimic oxidase (OXD) under acidic bacterial infection conditions and mimic superoxide dismutase (SOD) under normal physiological conditions. The OXD-like catalytic activity of Fuc@AuNPs generates active singlet oxygen (1O2), exhibiting effective antibacterial properties against both Gram-negative E. coli and Gram-positive S. aureus. Fuc@AuNPs and aldehyde grafted saponin incorporate with chitosan to form a hybrid hydrogel. This hydrogel exhibits superior mechanical, adhesive, and self-healing properties due to electrostatic complex coacervation networks and dynamic covalent Schiff base reactions. Animal experiments show that the hydrogel aids S. aureus-infected skin wound healing by reducing bacterial infection and promoting granulation tissue formation without causing excessive ROS-induced inflammation. This study presents the design of multifunctional nanozymes and bioactive hydrogels as a promising wound healing dressing for biomedical applications.

Oxidized Carbon Nanoparticles Enhance Cellular Energetics With Application to Injured Brain.

Pro-energetic effects of functionalized, oxidized carbon nanozymes (OCNs) are reported. OCNs, derived from harsh acid oxidation of single-wall carbon nanotubes or activated charcoal are previously shown to possess multiple nanozymatic activities including mimicking superoxide dismutase and catalyzing the oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) to NAD+. These actions are predicted to generate a glycolytic shift and enhance mitochondrial energetics under impaired conditions. Impaired mitochondrial energy metabolism is increasingly recognized as an important facet of traumatic brain injury (TBI) pathophysiology and decreases the efficiency of electron transport chain (ETC)-coupled adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and NAD+ regeneration. In vitro, OCNs promote a pro-aerobic shift in energy metabolism that persists through ETC inhibition and enhances glycolytic flux, glycolytic ATP production, and cellular generation of lactate, a crucial auxiliary substrate for energy metabolism. To address specific mechanisms of iron injury from hemorrhage, OCNs with the iron chelator, deferoxamine (DEF), covalently-linked were synthesized. DEF-linked OCNs induce a glycolytic shiftin-vitroandin-vivoin tissue sections from a rat model of TBI complicated by hemorrhagic contusion. OCNs further reduced hemorrhage volumes 3 days following TBI. These results suggest OCNs are promising as pleiotropic mediators of cell and tissue resilience to injury.

Electron‐Deficient Effect Modulates Catalase‐Like Activity of Iron‐Nitrogen‐Carbon Nanozymes for Inflammatory Wound Therapy

AbstractDual‐metal atom nanozymes (DANs) are frontier nanocatalysts that mimic natural enzymes to regulate the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pathological tissue. However, the construction of DANs is mostly based on trial‐and‐error strategy rather than rational design due to their ambiguous catalytic mechanism. Herein, a promising strategy to construct highly efficient FeZn‐NC DANs by “electron‐deficient effect” for ROS scavenging is proposed. Redox‐inert Zn‐N4 sites and axial N atom induce electron‐deficient Fe sites based on different electronegativity to accelerate catalase (CAT)‐like reaction. Besides, FeZn‐NC mimics superoxide dismutase (SOD) relying on the cyano‐group conjugated with the π‐system in the carbon carrier. Enhanced CAT‐like activity from Fe sites and SOD‐like activity from carbon carriers enabled FeZn‐NC more effective in mitigating cellular damage and inducing the phenotypic transformation of macrophages in acute inflammatory wounds. This work establishes more precise structure‐activity relationships for CAT and SOD mimics and provides a paradigm for the treatment of inflammation‐related diseases by catalytic therapy.

Antioxidant Scavenging of the Superoxide Radical by Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) and Black Tea (Camellia sinensis) Plus Caffeic and Chlorogenic Acids, as Shown via DFT and Hydrodynamic Voltammetry.

We describe the antioxidant capability of scavenging the superoxide radical of several tea and yerba mate samples using rotating ring-disk electrochemistry (RRDE). We directly measured superoxide concentrations and detected their decrease upon the addition of an antioxidant to the electrochemical cell. We studied two varieties of yerba mate, two varieties of black tea from Bangladesh, a sample of Pu-erh tea from China, and two components, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid. All of these plant infusions and components showed strong antioxidant activities, virtually annihilating the available superoxide concentration. Using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we describe a mechanism of superoxide scavenging via caffeic and chlorogenic acids. Superoxide can initially interact at two sites in these acids: the H4 catechol hydrogen (a) or the acidic proton of the acid (b). For (a), caffeic acid needs an additional π-π superoxide radical, which transfers electron density to the ring and forms a HO2- anion. A second caffeic acid proton and HO2- anion forms H2O2. Chlorogenic acid acts differently, as the initial approach of superoxide to the catechol moiety (a) is enough to form the HO2- anion. After an additional acidic proton of chlorogenic acid is given to HO2-, three well-separated compounds arise: (1) a carboxylate moiety, (2) H2O2, and a (3) chlorogenic acid semiquinone. The latter can capture a second superoxide in a π-π manner, which remains trapped due to the aromatic ring, as for caffeic acid. With enough of both acids and superoxide radicals, the final products are equivalent: H2O2 plus a complex of the type [X-acid-η-O2], X = caffeic, chlorogenic. Chlorogenic acid (b) is described by the following reaction: 2 O2•- + 2 chlorogenic acid → 2 chlorogenic carboxylate + O2 + H2O2, and so, it acts as a non-enzymatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimic, as shown via the product formation of O2 plus H2O2, which is limited due to chlorogenic acid consumption. Caffeic acid (b) differs from chlorogenic acid, as there is no acidic proton capture via superoxide. In this case, approaching a second superoxide to the H4 polyphenol moiety forms a HO2- anion and, later, an H2O2 molecule upon the transfer of a second caffeic acid proton.

Biomimetic FeNi-MOF assisted intelligent theranostic hydrogels for pH identification and treatment of wounds

Wound healing poses a significant challenge because of prolonged treatment and compromised tissue regeneration caused by bacterial infections. Timely and efficient wound monitoring strategies are urgently needed to assess wound progression and healing in real time. To address this, we present an intelligent theranostic hydrogel system based on dual-site biomimetic FeNi metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) that enables intelligent wound pH monitoring and effective prevention of infection. Notably, the quasi-MOFs among the pristine bimetallic FeNi-MOFs and their derivatives demonstrate remarkable performance in mimicking superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities, along with exceptional stability. The synthesized MOF hydrogels act as wound dressings for monitoring wound status and promoting healing. By incorporating the quasi-MOF and a pH indicator (phenol red) into the hydrogel, the hybrid system allows accurate pH detection, reflecting dynamic wound conditions. Furthermore, visual changes captured by smartphones provide real-time signals for remote assessment of wound pH, facilitating precise antimicrobial therapy and on-demand pH monitoring. This multifunctional theranostic hydrogel represents a significant advancement in the development and optimization of MOF hydrogels, offering a platform for efficient wound healing and comprehensive wound assessment.

Mechanistic Interrogation on Wound Healing and Scar Removing by the Mo4/3B2-x Nanoscaffold Revealed Regulated Amino Acid and Purine Metabolism.

Wound rehabilitation is invariably time-consuming, scar formation further weakens therapeutic efficacy, and detailed mechanisms at the molecular level remain unclear. In this work, a Mo4/3B2-x nanoscaffold was fabricated and utilized for wound healing and scar removing in a mice model, while metabolomics was used to study the metabolic reprogramming of metabolome during therapy at the molecular level. The results showed that transition metal borides, called Mo4/3B2-x nanoscaffolds, could mimic superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase to eliminate excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the wound microenvironment. During the therapeutic process, the Mo4/3B2-x nanoscaffold could facilitate the regeneration of wounds and removal of scars by regulating the biosynthesis of collagen, fibers, and blood vessels at the pathological, imaging, and molecular levels. Subsequent metabolomics study revealed that the Mo4/3B2-x nanoscaffold effectively ameliorated metabolic disorders in both wound and scar microenvironments through regulating ROS-related pathways including the amino acid metabolic process (including glycine and serine metabolism and glutamate metabolism) and the purine metabolic process. This study is anticipated to illuminate the potential clinical application of the Mo4/3B2-x nanoscaffold as an effective therapeutic agent in traumatic diseases and provide insights into the development of analytical methodology for interrogating wound healing and scar removal-related metabolic mechanisms.

Hemin-Induced Transient Senescence Via DNA Damage Response: A Neuroprotective Mechanism Against Ferroptosis in Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) poses acute fatality and long-term neurological risks due to hemin and iron accumulation from hemoglobin breakdown. Our observation that hemin induces DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), prompting a senescence-like phenotype in neurons, necessitating deeper exploration of cellular responses. Using experimental ICH models and human ICH patient tissue, we elucidate hemin-mediated DNA damage response (DDR) inducing transient senescence and delayed expression of heme oxygenase (HO-1). HO-1 co-localizes with senescence-associated β-Galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) in ICH patient tissues, emphasizing clinical relevance of inducible HO-1 expression in senescent cells. We reveal a reversible senescence state protective against acute cell death by hemin, while repeat exposure leads to long-lasting senescence. Inhibiting early senescence expression increases cell death, supporting the protective role of senescence against hemin toxicity. Hemin-induced senescence is attenuated by a pleiotropic carbon nanoparticle that is a catalytic mimic of superoxide dismutase, but this treatment increased lipid peroxidation, consistent with ferroptosis from hemin breakdown released iron. When coupled with iron chelator deferoxamine (DEF), the nanoparticle reduces hemin-induced senescence and upregulates factors protecting against ferroptosis. Our study suggests transient senescence induced by DDR as an early potential neuroprotective mechanism in ICH, but the risk or iron-related toxicity supports a multi-pronged therapeutic approach.

Impact of the redox-active MnTnHex-2-PyP5+ and cisplatin on the metabolome of non-small cell lung cancer cells

Redox-based cancer therapeutic strategies aim to raise reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cancer cells, thus modifying their redox status, and eventually inducing cell death. Promising compounds, known as superoxide dismutase mimics (SODm), e.g. MnTnHex-2-Py5+ (MnTnHex), could increase intracellular H2O2 in cancer cells with deficient ROS removal systems and therefore enhance radio- and chemotherapy efficacy. We have previously shown that MnTnHex was cytotoxic either alone or combined with cisplatin to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. To gain a deeper understanding of the effects and safety of this compound, it is crucial to analyze the metabolic alterations that take place within the cell. Our goal was thus to study the intracellular metabolome (intracellular metabolites) of NSCLC cells (A549 and H1975) using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy-based metabolomics to evaluate the changes in cellular metabolism upon exposure to MnTnHex per se or in combination with cisplatin. 1H NMR metabolomics revealed a higher number of significantly altered metabolites in A549 cells exposed to MnTnHex alone or combined with cisplatin in comparison with non-treated cells (nine dysregulated metabolites), suggesting an impact on aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, taurine, hypotaurine, glycerophospholipid, pyruvate, arginine and proline metabolisms. Regarding H1975 cells, significant alterations in the levels of six metabolites were observed upon co-treatment with MnTnHex and cisplatin, suggesting dysregulations in aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. These findings help us to understand the impact of MnTnHex on NSCLC cells. Importantly, specific altered metabolites, such as taurine, may contribute to the chemosensitizing effects of MnTnHex.

A pilot study of a novel brain penetrant Mn(III) porphyrin-based SOD mimic on middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice

Introduction: Oxidative stress exacerbates acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Manganese Porphyrin (MnP)-based superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimics have shown therapeutic benefits for AIS. However, earlier MnP versions faced limited blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration and hypotension. A novel SOD mimic MnP-05 is designed to overcome the limitations of previous generation structural analogs. Our study aimed to assess whether MnP-05 improves transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) outcomes in mice. Methods: Male and female C57BL/6J mice aged 12-14 weeks were used and data collection was aggregated. Initially, a safety study was conducted using uninjured mice to establish safe dosage levels independent of hypotension. Subsequently, pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis assessed BBB penetration of MnP-05. Finally, effcacy studies of MnP-05 were assessed following a 60-minute tMCAO. Intravenous administration of 1 mg/kg of MnP-05 occurred 10 minutes after recanalization, followed by intraperitoneal implantation of an osmotic pump delivering 5 mg/kg/day of MnP-05 for 72 hours after tMCAO. The concentration of MnP-05 was evaluated in ischemic core and contralateral normal brain by LC-MS/MS. The neurological symptoms were assessed by Garcia score and neurological deficit score (NDS) and compared at 72 hours between the control and MnP-05 groups in the effcacy study. Results: The safety study revealed that doses of 10mg/kg or less were considered safe, not causing hypotension (Fig.1). In the PK study, MnP-05 demonstrated preferential distribution to ischemic lesions compared to contralateral side (p = 0.03, Fig.2). In the effcacy study, MnP-05 group demonstrated improved neurological symptoms at 72 hours in Garcia score (p = 0.02), NDS (p = 0.006), and probability of survival (p = 0.03)(Fig.3). Conclusions: We established the safety dose of MnP-05 in tMCAO mice. It penetrates in ischemic lesions through BBB. Our findings suggest that MnP-05 is a promising therapeutic agent for AIS. None. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Oxygen-Vacancy-Rich Monolayer BiO2- X Nanosheets for Bacterial Sepsis Management via Dual Physically Antibacterial and Chemically Anti-inflammatory Functions.

Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Effective treatment of bacterial sepsis remains challenging due to the rapid progression of infection and the systemic inflammatory response. In this study, monolayer BiO2- X nanosheets (BiO2- X NSs) with oxygen-rich vacancies through sonication-assisted liquid-phase exfoliation are successfully synthesized. Herein, the BiO2- X NSs exhibit a novel nanozyme-enabled intervention strategy for the management of bacterial sepsis, based on its pH dependent dual antibacterial and anti-inflammatory functions. BiO2- X NSs exhibit effective antibacterial by utilizing oxidase (OXD)-like activity. Additionally, BiO2- X NSs can scavenge multiple reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitigate systemic hyperinflammation by mimicking superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). These dual capabilities of BiO2- X NSs allow them to address bacterial infection, proinflammatory cytokines secretion and ROS burst collaboratively, effectively reversing the progression of bacterial sepsis. In vivo experiments have demonstrated that BiO2- X NSs significantly reduce bacterial burden, attenuate systemic hyperinflammation, and rapidly rescued organ damage. Importantly, no obvious adverse effects are observed at the administered dose of BiO2- X NSs. This study presents a novel defect engineering strategy for the rational design of high-performance nanozymes and development of new nanomedicines for managing bacterial sepsis.

Effect of Diacetylcurcumin Manganese Complex on Rotenone-Induced Oxidative Stress, Mitochondria Dysfunction, and Inflammation in the SH-SY5Y Parkinson's Disease Cell Model.

Diacetylcurcumin manganese complex (DiAc-Cp-Mn) is a diacetylcurcumin (DiAc-Cp) derivative synthesized with Mn (II) to mimic superoxide dismutase (SOD). It exhibited superior reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging efficacy, particularly for the superoxide radical. The present study investigated the ROS scavenging activity, neuroprotective effects, and underlying mechanism of action of DiAc-Cp-Mn in a cellular model of Parkinson's disease. This study utilized rotenone-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells to assess the activities of DiAc-Cp-Mn by measuring cell viability, intracellular ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), SOD, and catalase (CAT) activities. The mRNA expression of the nuclear factor erythroid 2 p45-related factor (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and Interleukin 1β (IL-1β), which are oxidative and inflammatory genes, were also evaluated to clarify the molecular mechanism. The results of the in vitro assays showed that DiAc-Cp-Mn exhibited greater scavenging activity against superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals compared to DiAc-Cp. In cell-based assays, DiAc-Cp-Mn demonstrated greater neuroprotective effects against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity when compared to its parent compound, DiAc-Cp. DiAc-Cp-Mn maintained MMP levels, reduced intracellular ROS levels, and increased the activities of SOD and CAT by activating the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway. In addition, DiAc-Cp-Mn exerted its anti-inflammatory impact by down-regulating the mRNA expression of iNOS and IL-1β that provoked neuro-inflammation. The current study indicates that DiAc-Cp-Mn protects against rotenone-induced neuronal damage by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Computational Analysis of the Superoxide Dismutase Mimicry Exhibited by a Zinc(II) Complex with a Redox-Active Organic Ligand.

Previously, we found that a Zn(II) complex with the redox-active ligand N-(2,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-N,N',N'-tris(2-pyridinylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (H2qp1) was able to act as a functional mimic of superoxide dismutase, despite its lack of a redox-active transition metal. As the complex catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide to form O2 and H2O2, the quinol in the ligand is believed to cycle between three oxidation states: quinol, quinoxyl radical, and para-quinone. Although the metal is not the redox partner, it nonetheless is essential to the reactivity since the free ligand by itself is inactive as a catalyst. In the present work, we primarily use calculations to probe the mechanism. The calculations support the inner-sphere decomposition of superoxide, suggest that the quinol/quinoxyl radical couple accounts for most of the catalysis, and elucidate the many roles that proton transfer between the zinc complexes and buffer has in the reactivity. Acid/base reactions involving the nonmetal-coordinating hydroxyl group on the quinol are predicted to be key to lowering the energy of the intermediates. We prepared a Zn(II) complex with N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N',N'-tris(2-pyridinylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (Hpp1) that lacks this functional group and found that it could not catalyze the dismutation of superoxide; this confirms the importance of the second, distal hydroxyl group of the quinol.

Abstract TP290: A Pilot Study of a Novel Brain Penetrant Mn(III) Porphyrin-Based Sod Mimic on Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Female and Male Mice

Introduction: Oxidative stress exacerbates acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Manganese Porphyrin (MnP)-based superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimics have shown therapeutic benefits for AIS. However, earlier MnP versions faced limited blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration and hypotension. A novel SOD mimic MnP-05 is designed to overcome the limitations of previous generation structural analogs. Our study aimed to assess whether MnP-05 improves transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) outcomes in mice. Methods: Male and female C57BL/6J mice aged 12-14 weeks were used. Initially, a safety study was conducted using uninjured mice to establish safe dosage levels independent of hypotension. Subsequently, pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis assessed BBB penetration of MnP-05. Finally, efficacy studies of MnP-05 were assessed following a 45-minute tMCAO. Intravenous administration of 0.5mg/kg of MnP-05 occurred 5 minutes before recanalization, followed by intraperitoneal implantation of an osmotic pump delivering 2.5mg/kg/day of MnP-05 for 72 hours after tMCAO. The concentration of MnP-05 was evaluated in ischemic core and contralateral normal brain by LC-MS/MS. The neurological symptoms were assessed at 72 hours. Results: The safety study revealed that doses of 10mg/kg or less were considered safe (Fig.1). In the PK study, MnP-05 demonstrated preferential distribution to ischemic lesions. In the efficacy study, MnP-05 group demonstrated improved neurological outcomes, although statistical significance was not achieved (Fig.2). Conclusions: We established the safety of MnP-05 in tMCAO mice. Our findings suggest that MnP-05 is a promising therapeutic agent for AIS.

The Cellular and Organismal Effects of Nitroxides and Nitroxide-Containing Nanoparticles.

Nitroxides are stable free radicals that have antioxidant properties. They react with many types of radicals, including alkyl and peroxyl radicals. They act as mimics of superoxide dismutase and stimulate the catalase activity of hemoproteins. In some situations, they may exhibit pro-oxidant activity, mainly due to the formation of oxoammonium cations as products of their oxidation. In this review, the cellular effects of nitroxides and their effects in animal experiments and clinical trials are discussed, including the beneficial effects in various pathological situations involving oxidative stress, protective effects against UV and ionizing radiation, and prolongation of the life span of cancer-prone mice. Nitroxides were used as active components of various types of nanoparticles. The application of these nanoparticles in cellular and animal experiments is also discussed.

Tempol a superoxide dismutase mimic reduces cardiac muscle cell death through the control of oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetes

ABSTRACT Diabetes mellitus (DM) a metabolic disorder resulting in myocardial injury and diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) in association with oxidative stress induction. This study was therefore, investigated the potential protective effect of Tempol (TPL) on oxidative cardiac damage in experimental diabetic rats. Rats were assigned to three equal groups: group (NC); normal control rats received citrate buffer injections. Group (DC): diabetic control rats received a single i.p. STZ injection (60 mg/kg body weight), and Group (D/TPL) diabetic rats treated with TPL (10 mg/kg b.w; by i.p. injection) for four weeks. Our results showed a significant increment in plasma creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, cholesterol, triglycerides, Nitric oxide (NO), and lipid peroxidation (LPO), In addition, GSH content and antioxidant enzyme activity were significantly deceased in DC group compared to normal control. While TPL treatment significantly ameliorated the observed biochemical abnormalities. Further, TPL reduced number of dead myocardial cells in diabetic-treated rats and, remarkably improved the histopathological alterations of the aorta. The results proved the protective effect of tempol on STZ-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy by reducing myocardial cell death through reducing oxidative stress and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

Isolation and Quantification of Palmatine from Fibraurea tinctoria Lour: In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and In Silico Antidiabetic Activity Evaluation.

This study aimed to isolate and characterize palmatine from Fibraurea tinctoria Lour stems, quantify its content, and determine its antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. Palmatine was isolated from the methanol extract of Fibraurea tinctoria Lour stems by silica gel column chromatography. Structural elucidation of the isolated compounds was performed using spectral data analysis and comparison with the literature. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantitatively determine palmatine in the crude methanol extract and fractions. The DPPH and non-enzymatic SOD mimic methods were used to assess the antioxidant activity of the methanol extract, fractions, and isolated compounds. The antidiabetic activity was evaluated in silico by the molecular docking method of alpha-glucosidase and DPP-IV enzymes. Palmatine was used as a test ligand and was compared with berberine and its native ligand or standard compounds. The isolated compound was identified as palmatine. Quantification of palmatine compound by HPLC showed that palmatine was found in the extract and all fractions. In the in vitro antioxidant activity test using the DPPH method, fraction 4 showed the highest activity, with an IC50 value of 91 ppm. In contrast, using the non-enzymatic SOD mimic method, the methanol extract, fraction 5, and isolated compound (palmatine) exhibited very strong antioxidant activity, with IC50 values of 18, 20, and 28 ppm, respectively. The in silico antidiabetic activity of palmatine is thought to have the potential to inhibit these two enzymes. These results showed that Fibraurea tinctoria Lour stems have potential as an antioxidant and antidiabetic agent. Further research on phytochemical and pharmacological is required to validate the use of this plant species for the treatment of various diseases, especially diabetes mellitus.

Mitochondrial-targeting and NIR-responsive Mn3O4@PDA@Pd-SS31 nanozymes reduce oxidative stress and reverse mitochondrial dysfunction to alleviate osteoarthritis

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) play a crucial role in the process of osteoarthritis (OA), which may be a promising target for therapy of OA. In this study, novel mitochondrial-targeting and SOD-mimic Mn3O4@PDA@Pd-SS31 nanozymes with near-infrared (NIR) responsiveness and synergistic cascade to scavenge mROS were designed for the therapy of OA. Results showed that the nanozymes accelerated the release of Pd and Mn3O4 under NIR irradiation, exhibiting enhanced activities of SOD and CAT mimic enzymes with reversed mitochondrial dysfunction and promoted mitophagy to effectively scavenge mROS from chondrocytes, modulate the microenvironment of oxidative stress, and eventually inhibit the inflammatory response. Nanozymes were excreted in vivo through intestinal metabolic pathway and had good biocompatibility, effectively reducing the inflammatory response and relieving articular cartilage degeneration in OA joints, with a reduction of 93.7 % and 93.8 % in OARSCI scores for 4 and 8 weeks respectively. Thus, this study demonstrated that the mitochondria targeting and NIR responsive Mn3O4@PDA@Pd-SS31 nanozymes could efficiently scavenge mROS, repair damaged mitochondrial function and promote cartilage regeneration, which are promising for the treatment of OA in clinical applications.

Flexible enzyme-like platform based on a 1-D CeVO4/2-D rGO-MCC heterostructure as sensor for the detection of intracellular superoxide anions

The production of excessive superoxide anions (O2•－) in living cells will induce oxidative stress, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and further activating pathogenic factors. Therefore, real-time monitoring of O2•－concentration in vivo is of great significance for disease diagnosis, clinical diagnosis and treatment. Herein, as a nanozyme that can functionally mimic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, 1 dimensional (1-D) cerium vanadate (CeVO4) nanorods were assembled on 2-D nanosheets of reduced graphene oxide-microcrystalline cellulose (rGO-MCC) composite by a simple hydrothermal method to resemble a novel ternary composite material. The intercalated growth of 1-D CeVO4 nanorods between the 2-D rGO-MCC nanosheets effectively minimized the agglomeration of rGO and facilitated the ion/electron transport. The ternary composite has SOD-like catalytic capability, excellent electrical conductivity, large surface area and plentiful active sites. These properties endowed the constructed sensor with a wider linear range (4.3 nM-28.495 μM and 28.495–71.994 μM), high sensitivity (1.047 μA·μM−1·cm−2 and 0.536 μA·μM−1·cm−2), low detection limit (1.28 nM) and fast response time (3.14 s) for the detection of superoxide anion. Particularly, the ternary composite exhibits extraordinary flexibility and stability, making it an ideal flexible sensing platform for dynamic monitoring O2•－ in living Hela cells. This work proves that the flexible sensing platform has bright application prospects in the measurement of electrophysiological signals derived from mitochondrial oxidative stress-related diseases.

Effect of Metal Environment and Immobilization on the Catalytic Activity of a Cu Superoxide Dismutase Mimic

The Cu(II)/Cu(I) conversion involves variation in the coordination number and geometry around the metal center. Therefore, the flexibility/rigidity of the ligand plays a critical role in the design of copper superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimics. A 1,3-Bis[(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)(propargyl)amino]propane (pypapn), a flexible ligand with an N4-donor set, was used to prepare [Cu(pypapn)(ClO4)2], a trans-Cu(II) complex whose structure was determined by the X-ray diffraction. In DMF or water, perchlorate anions are exchanged with solvent molecules, affording [Cu(pypan)(solv)2]2+ that catalyzes O2•− dismutation with a second-order rate constant kMcF = 1.26 × 107 M−1 s−1, at pH 7.8. This high activity results from a combination of ligand flexibility, total charge, and labile binding sites, which places [Cu(pypapn)(solv)2]2+ above other mononuclear Cu(II) complexes with more favorable redox potentials. The covalent anchoring of the alkyne group of the complex to azide functionalized mesoporous silica through “click” chemistry resulted in the retention of the SOD activity and improved stability. A dicationic Cu(II)-N4-Schiff base complex encapsulated in mesoporous silica was also tested as an SOD mimic, displaying higher activity than the free complex, although lower than [Cu(pypapn)(solv)2]2+. The robustness of covalently attached or encapsulated doubly charged Cu(II) complexes in a mesoporous matrix appears as a suitable approach for the design of copper-based hybrid catalysts for O2•− dismutation under physiological conditions.

Small Molecule Pytren-4QMn Metal Complex Slows down Huntington's Disease Progression in Male zQ175 Transgenic Mice.

Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder considered a rare disease with a prevalence of 5.7 per 100,000 people. It is caused by an autosomal dominant mutation consisting of expansions of trinucleotide repeats that translate into poly-glutamine enlarged mutant huntingtin proteins (mHTT), which are particularly deleterious in brain tissues. Since there is no cure for this progressive fatal disease, searches for new therapeutic approaches are much needed. The small molecule pytren-4QMn (4QMn), a highly water-soluble mimic of the enzyme superoxide dismutase, has shown in vivo beneficial anti-inflammatory activity in mice and was able to remove mHTT deposits in a C. elegans model of HD. In this study, we assessed 4QMn therapeutic potential in zQ175 neo-deleted knock-in mice, a model of HD that closely mimics the heterozygosity, genetic injury, and progressive nature of the human disease. We provide evidence that 4QMn has good acute and chronic tolerability, and can cross the blood-brain barrier, and in male, but not female, zQ175 mice moderately ameliorate HD-altered gene expression, mHtt aggregation, and HD disease phenotype. Our data highlight the importance of considering sex-specific differences when testing new therapies using animal models and postulate 4QMn as a potential novel type of small water-soluble metal complex that could be worth further investigating for its therapeutic potential in HD, as well as in other polyglutamine diseases.