Antioxidative Effect of Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) Macerate as “Green Extract” in Inhibiting the Oxidation of Fish Oil

The aim of the study was to assess the antioxidant effect of concentrated oil macerate of sage (M) as a “green extract” in inhibiting the oxidation of Fish Oil (FO). In the homogenization-assisted maceration process, FO was used as a solvent for the sage active substances to produce M, which was then added to FO (25% w/w) and evaluated for its effect by monitoring the level of oxidation during refrigerated and room temperature storage. The macerate also examined polyphenols, plant pigments, DPPH antioxidant potential, oxidation level and sensory quality. It was shown that the maceration process made it possible to obtain aromatized M, containing polyphenols (carnosic acid, carnosol) and pigments, but with an increased level of peroxides, free fatty acids, compared to the control oil. M showed antioxidant properties and inhibited FO oxidation. It showed the best efficiency in FO during refrigerated storage, in the third month it reduced the level of peroxides by about 9 times, compared to the control. M retains unchanged quality at refrigerated temperature for up to 3 months. Sage macerates are „green extracts” that can be used as effective natural antioxidant additives, following preparation improvements to reduce the amount of peroxide formed.

Progesterone Inhibits LPS-Induced Oxidative Stress Through Nrf2/Keap1 Pathway in Bovine Endometrial Epithelial Cells

Background Postpartum uterine infection can lead to endometrial inflammation and oxidative damage. Progesterone makes the animal more susceptible to uterine infection. Progesterone has been proved to play an anti-inflammatory role in inhibiting uterine innate immunity, and to reduce tissue oxidative damage. But the effect of progesterone on the oxidative damage of bovine endometrium has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect and mechanism of progesterone (1, 3, and 5 ng/mL) on oxidative damage in primary bovine endometrial epithelial cells (BEEC) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli. Results Compared with the LPS group, there were decreases (P < 0.05) in the levels of reactive oxygen and malondialdehyde, and increases (P < 0.05) in the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and total antioxidant capacity in the cotreatment groups of progesterone and LPS. The cotreatment of LPS and P4 upregulated (P < 0.05) the mRNA abundance of antioxidant genes and the key protein levels in Nrf2/Keap1 pathway, and promoted the Nrf2 protein to enter the nucleus. The use of progesterone receptor antagonist mifepristone reversed the antioxidative effect of progesterone. Conclusions Progesterone protects BEEC from LPS-induced oxidative damage by activating Nrf2/Keap1 pathway through progesterone receptor.

Flavonoids: Molecular Mechanism Behind Natural Chemoprotective Behavior-A Mini Review

The given review summarizes the various molecular mechanisms responsible for the metabolic action of flavonoids as anticancer agents. Various types of flavonoids have proven to show biological & pharmacological activities like anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-allergic, and antidiarrheal activities. The chemoprotective nature of flavonoids is also discussed due to their ability to inhibit topoisomerase enzymes at various stages of cancer, such as tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. The various biomolecular activities which are responsible for their role as the chemopreventive agent may be due to their antioxidative effect, anti-angiogenic properties, induction of protective enzymes, inhibitory action on the cell-like protein kinase activity inhibition, spreading of tumor cells, apoptosis induction, tumor cell invasion to name a few. There has been much-emerging evidence based on the versatility of flavonoids, their complex mechanism of action, lesser side effects, and varied pharmacological properties that make them potential anticancer agents. Challenges associated with their use in extraction, isolation, purification, and checking bioefficacy are also discussed.

Antioxidative properties and antigenotoxic potential of Gentiana lutea extracts against the heterocyclic aromatic amine 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine, PhIP

Lipid oxidation that occurs in different types of food can cause alterations in nutritional qualities, flavour, texture and shelf life of foods. Furthermore, high temperature cooking of protein-rich food can lead to formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines capable of compromising the integrity of DNA molecules. To reduce these harmful effects, research has been focused on investigating plants as a source of potential natural food additives and preservatives. Thus, the aim of this study was to estimate antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities of 50% ethanolic-aqueous root and leaf extracts of the medicinal plant, Gentiana lutea. Antioxidative effect was investigated using the DPPH assay, while antigenotoxicity against the mutagen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) was determined using Salmonella Typhimurium TA 1535 in the SOS/umuC assay. Leaf extract showed high antioxidative effect with the ability to neutralize up to 87% of free radicals at 400 µg mL-1. Antigenotoxicity testing revealed that both extracts exhibited remarkable genoprotective activity against PhIP-induced DNA damage, with the highest inhibition levels being 70% and 85% for root and leaf extracts, respectively. Results obtained are encouraging and suggest further research of G. lutea extracts as potential food preservatives and additives in improving food quality and human health.

Chemical Constituents of the Leaves of Diospyros kaki (Persimmon)

Diospyros kaki (persimmon) leaves have long been utilized as traditional medicine for the treatment of ischemic stroke, angina, and hypertension and as a healthy beverage and cosmetic for anti-aging. This study aimed to isolate as many compounds as possible from an ethanol extract of the persimmon leaves to identify the biologically active compounds. The antioxidative effect of the ethyl acetate layer from the ethanol extract of the persimmon leaves was demonstrated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and online high-performance liquid chromatography-2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (HPLC-ABTS) analysis. A new flavonoid, kaempferol-3-O-β-d-2″-coumaroylgalactoside (1), and a new natural compound, kaempferol-3-O-β-d-2″-feruloylglucoside (3) were isolated from the ethyl acetate layer, along with 25 previously known compounds, including fourteen flavonoids, one ionone, two coumarins, seven triterpenoids, and one acetophenone. Their structures were determined by the interpretation of spectrometric and spectroscopic data. All isolated compounds were rapidly evaluated using an online HPLC-ABTS assay, and of these, compounds 4–8, 11, 13, 15, and 16 clearly showed antioxidative effects. The amount of these compounds was 0.3–0.65% of the extract.

L-Carnitine Improves Cytoprotection during Cryopreservation: A case study on Nili-Ravi Buffalo Sperm

The current study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidative effect of L-Carnitine at post thawing following cryopreservation of Nili-Ravi buffalo sperm. For this purpose, semen from three buffalo bulls were collected for 3 weeks using an artificial vagina (N=18; replicates). The qualified ejaculates were diluted employing tris-citric acid extender i.e., control did not receive any L-Carnitine and experimental groups having 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 ng/mL of L-carnitine at 37 C with approximately 50 x 106 sperm/mL. The semen was cooled at 4 C and then equilibrated (4 hours), filled in straws (0.5 mL) at4 C, placed on LN2 vapours for 10 min, and kept into an LN2 container. The thawed semen was evaluated for post-thaw quality. The integrity of the sperm plasma membrane and motility (P?0.05) was highest in the extenders having 1.0 ng/mL of L-carnitine as compared to the control(received no L-Carnitine). However, sperm chromatin integrity and viability(live sperm with intact acrosome) remained similar. It was concluded that supplementing 1.0 ng/mL L-Carnitine of extender can improve the post-thaw quality of cryopreserved sperm. Based on the results of the current experiments it is recommended to include L-carnitine extender to improve post-thaw quality of buffalo sperm in terms of its motility and integrity ofits plasma membrane. Keywords: Buffalo, Sperm, Cryopreservation, Extender, L-Carnitine, Artificial insemination.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Ameliorates Dimethylnitrosamine Induced Renal Toxicity in Rat

Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) is an established carcinogen. It is toxic to several organs viz. liver, kidney, lungs and immune system. Several drugs have been used in the past to modulate its toxicity using experimental models. Present study was designed to investigate the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) on renal toxicity caused by DMN in laboratory rat. Since oxidative mechanisms form etiological causing its toxicity, the proposed study focuses on amelioration of oxidative stress expressed by ZnONPs, if any. Present results show that administration of ZnONPs (50 mg/kg) to DMN (2μl/100g body weight) treated rats diminuted the concentration of malonaldehyde, H2O2 and NO in the kidney. However, GSH concentration increased after ZnONPs treatment. Results on glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase favored an antioxidative effect of ZnONPs. These results find support from diminished oxidative DNA damage manifested by ZnONPs in DMN treated rats. Histopathological results on kidney also indicate a protective effect of ZnONPs on renal toxicity of DMN. A comparison of results between control and ZnONPs treated rats suggests that ZnONPs might be toxic to renal tissue. Nevertheless, the study suggests that ZnONPs possess strong therapeutic/antioxidative potential against DMN induced renal toxicity.