scholarly journals The Potential of Lisosan G as a Possible Treatment for Glaucoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosario Amato ◽  
Maria Grazia Rossino ◽  
Maurizio Cammalleri ◽  
Anna Maria Timperio ◽  
Giuseppina Fanelli ◽  
...  

Lisosan G (LG), a fermented powder obtained from whole grains, is a nutritional supplement containing a variety of metabolites with documented antioxidant properties. We have recently demonstrated that orally administered LG protects diabetic rodent retinas from oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, blood-retinal barrier disruption, and functional damage. Here, we investigated whether LG may exert protective effects in a model of glaucoma and measured the amounts of selected LG components that reach the retina after oral LG administration. Six-month-old DBA/2J mice were given an aqueous LG solution in place of drinking water for 2 mo. During the 2 mo of treatment with LG, the intraocular pressure (IOP) was monitored and the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) functional activity was recorded with pattern-electroretinography (PERG). At the end of the 2-mo period, the expression of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers was measured with qPCR, and RGC survival or macroglial activation were assessed with immunofluorescence. Alternatively, LG was administered by gavage and the concentrations of four of the main LG components (nicotinamide, gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and quercetin) were measured in the retinas in the following 24 h using mass spectrometry. LG treatment in DBA/2J mice did not influence IOP, but it affected RGC function since PERG amplitude was increased and PERG latency was decreased with respect to untreated DBA/2J mice. This improvement of RGC function was concomitant with a significant decrease of both oxidative stress and inflammation marker expression, of RGC loss, and of macroglial activation. All four LG metabolites were found in the retina, although with different proportions with respect to the amount in the dose of administered LG, and with different temporal profiles in the 24 h following administration. These findings are consistent with neuroenhancing and neuroprotective effects of LG in glaucoma that are likely to derive from its powerful antioxidant properties. The co-occurrence of different metabolites in LG may provide an added value to their beneficial effects and indicate LG as a basis for the potential treatment of a variety of retinal pathologies.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6946
Author(s):  
Weishun Tian ◽  
Suyoung Heo ◽  
Dae-Woon Kim ◽  
In-Shik Kim ◽  
Dongchoon Ahn ◽  
...  

Free radical generation and oxidative stress push forward an immense influence on the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Maclura tricuspidata fruit (MT) contains many biologically active substances, including compounds with antioxidant properties. The current study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of MT fruit on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. SH-SY5Y cells were pretreated with MT, and cell damage was induced by H2O2. First, the chemical composition and free radical scavenging properties of MT were analyzed. MT attenuated oxidative stress-induced damage in cells based on the assessment of cell viability. The H2O2-induced toxicity caused by ROS production and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was ameliorated by MT pretreatment. MT also promoted an increase in the expression of genes encoding the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). MT pretreatment was associated with an increase in the expression of neuronal genes downregulated by H2O2. Mechanistically, MT dramatically suppressed H2O2-induced Bcl-2 downregulation, Bax upregulation, apoptotic factor caspase-3 activation, Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (JNK, ERK, and p38), and Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, thereby preventing H2O2-induced neurotoxicity. These results indicate that MT has protective effects against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in SH-SY5Y cells and can be used to prevent and protect against neurodegeneration.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 938
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Mastellone ◽  
Nadia Musco ◽  
Giuseppe Vassalotti ◽  
Diego Piantedosi ◽  
Alessandro Vastolo ◽  
...  

The possibility to associate nutraceuticals, as immune-modulating tools, to the treatment of visceral leishmaniosis is a matter of great interest. In this study, we investigated whether the administration of a nutritional supplement (DìLshTM, Dynamopet SRL, Verona, Italy) was able to exert beneficial effects on the inflammatory state and oxidative stress of the dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum. To this purpose, specific parameters, namely Tumor Necrosis Factor -alpha (TNFα), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Inteleukin-10 (IL-10), leptin, derivates of Reactive Oxigen Metabolites (d-Roms) and Biological Antioxidant Potential (BAP), as well as the haematological and biochemical profiles of the infected dogs, were investigated upon the treatment with the nutritional supplement and compared with the conventional pharmacological anti-Leishmania therapy. The animals underwent complete clinical examination and blood sample collection before (T0) and 3 months after (T90) the onset of the two treatments. The two treatments showed similar results: significant clinical improvement, ELISA positivity and IgG decrease, an increase in IL-10, and a decrease in IL-6 were observed in animals treated with the nutritional supplement. A decrease in d-Roms and an increase in BAP were also detected in both groups. On the whole, the nutritional supplement possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, suggesting that it may support animals’ health and be useful to extend the time a drug therapy is needed.


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 800
Author(s):  
Chatrawee Duangjan ◽  
Panthakarn Rangsinth ◽  
Shaoxiong Zhang ◽  
Xiaojie Gu ◽  
Michael Wink ◽  
...  

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Previously, Glochidion zeylanicum methanol (GZM) extract has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-aging properties. However, the effect of GZM on neuroprotection has not been reported yet; furthermore, the mechanism involved in its antioxidant properties remains unresolved. The study is aimed to demonstrate the neuroprotective properties of GZM extract and their underlying mechanisms in cultured neuronal (HT-22 and Neuro-2a) cells and Caenorhabditis elegans models. GZM extract exhibited protective effects against glutamate/H2O2-induced toxicity in cultured neuronal cells by suppressing the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and enhancing the expression of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SODs, GPx, and GSTs). GZM extract also triggered the expression of SIRT1/Nrf2 proteins and mRNA transcription of antioxidant genes (NQO1, GCLM, and EAAT3) which are the master regulators of cellular defense against oxidative stress. Additionally, GZM extract exhibited protective effects to counteract β-amyloid (Aβ)-induced toxicity in C. elegans and promoted neuritogenesis properties in Neuro-2a cells. Our observations suggest that GZM leaf extract has interesting neuritogenesis and neuroprotective potential and can possibly act as potential contender for the treatment of oxidative stress-induced Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related neurodegenerative conditions; however, this needs to be studied further in other in vivo systems.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Barbieri ◽  
Michele Guescini ◽  
Cinzia Calcabrini ◽  
Luciana Vallorani ◽  
Anna Rita Diaz ◽  
...  

Creatine (Cr) is a nutritional supplement promoting a number of health benefits. Indeed Cr has been shown to be beneficial in disease-induced muscle atrophy, improve rehabilitation, and afford mild antioxidant activity. The beneficial effects are likely to derive from pleiotropic interactions. In accord with this notion, we previously demonstrated that multiple pleiotropic effects, including preservation of mitochondrial damage, account for the capacity of Cr to prevent the differentiation arrest caused by oxidative stress in C2C12 myoblasts. Given the importance of mitochondria in supporting the myogenic process, here we further explored the protective effects of Cr on the structure, function, and networking of these organelles in C2C12 cells differentiating under oxidative stressing conditions; the effects on the energy sensor AMPK, onPGC-1α, which is involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and its downstream effectorTfamwere also investigated. Our results indicate that damage to mitochondria is crucial in the differentiation imbalance caused by oxidative stress and that the Cr-prevention of these injuries is invariably associated with the recovery of the normal myogenic capacity. We also found that Cr activates AMPK and induces an upregulation ofPGC-1αexpression, two events which are likely to contribute to the protection of mitochondrial quality and function.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Vladana Domazetovic ◽  
Irene Falsetti ◽  
Caterina Viglianisi ◽  
Kristian Vasa ◽  
Cinzia Aurilia ◽  
...  

Vitamin E, a fat-soluble compound, possesses both antioxidant and non-antioxidant properties. In this study we evaluated, in intestinal HT29 cells, the role of natural tocopherols, α-Toc and δ-Toc, and two semi-synthetic derivatives, namely bis-δ-Toc sulfide (δ-Toc)2S and bis-δ-Toc disulfide (δ-Toc)2S2, on TNFα-induced oxidative stress, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and claudin-2 (Cl-2) expression. The role of tocopherols was compared to that of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant precursor of glutathione synthesis. The results show that all tocopherol containing derivatives used, prevented TNFα-induced oxidative stress and the increase of ICAM-1 and Cl-2 expression, and that (δ-Toc)2S and (δ-Toc)2S2 are more effective than δ-Toc and α-Toc. The beneficial effects demonstrated were due to tocopherol antioxidant properties, but suppression of TNFα-induced Cl-2 expression seems not only to be related with antioxidant ability. Indeed, while ICAM-1 expression is strongly related to the intracellular redox state, Cl-2 expression is TNFα-up-regulated by both redox and non-redox dependent mechanisms. Since ICAM-1 and Cl-2 increase intestinal bowel diseases, and cause excessive recruitment of immune cells and alteration of the intestinal barrier, natural and, above all, semi-synthetic tocopherols may have a potential role as a therapeutic support against intestinal chronic inflammation, in which TNFα represents an important proinflammatory mediator.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Annamaria Tisi ◽  
Marco Feligioni ◽  
Maurizio Passacantando ◽  
Marco Ciancaglini ◽  
Rita Maccarone

The blood retinal barrier (BRB) is a fundamental eye component, whose function is to select the flow of molecules from the blood to the retina and vice-versa, and its integrity allows the maintenance of a finely regulated microenvironment. The outer BRB, composed by the choriocapillaris, the Bruch’s membrane, and the retinal pigment epithelium, undergoes structural and functional changes in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness worldwide. BRB alterations lead to retinal dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Several risk factors have been associated with AMD onset in the past decades and oxidative stress is widely recognized as a key factor, even if the exact AMD pathophysiology has not been exactly elucidated yet. The present review describes the BRB physiology, the BRB changes occurring in AMD, the role of oxidative stress in AMD with a focus on the outer BRB structures. Moreover, we propose the use of cerium oxide nanoparticles as a new powerful anti-oxidant agent to combat AMD, based on the relevant existing data which demonstrated their beneficial effects in protecting the outer BRB in animal models of AMD.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 4027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Xu ◽  
Yi Lu ◽  
Jumin Hou ◽  
Chao Liu ◽  
Yonghai Sun

Morchella conica Pers. (M. conica) has been used both as a medical and edible mushroom and possesses antimicrobial properties and antioxidant activities. However, the antioxidant properties of polysaccharides purified from M. conica have not been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro antioxidant properties of a polysaccharide NMCP-2 (neutral M. conica polysaccharides-2) purified from M. conica, as determined by radical scavenging assay and H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HEK 293T cells. Results showed that NMCP-2 with an average molecular weight of 48.3 kDa possessed a much stronger chelating ability on ferrous ions and a higher ability to scavenge radical scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) than the other purified fraction of NMCP-1 from M. conica. Moreover, 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetra-zolium bromide (MTT) assay showed that NMCP-2 dose-dependently preserved cell viability of H2O2-induced cells. The NMCP-2 pretreated group reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and increased the mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) levels. In addition, Hoechst 33342 staining revealed cells treated with NMCP-2 declined nuclear condensation. Ultrastructural observation revealed that NMCP-2 pretreatment alleviated the ruptured mitochondria when exposed to H2O2. Furthermore, western blot analysis showed that NMCP-2 prevented significant downregulation of the protein expression of Bax, cleaved caspases 3, and upregulated Bcl-2 levels. These results suggest the protective effects of NMCP-2 against H2O2-induced injury in HEK 293T cells. NMCP-2 could be used as a natural antioxidant of functional foods and natural drugs.


Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Zhou ◽  
Weijie Xie ◽  
Xiangbao Meng ◽  
Yadong Zhai ◽  
Xi Dong ◽  
...  

: Accumulating evidence has indicated that inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy in retinal Müller cells are involved in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1), a novel saponin extracted from Panax notoginseng, posesses pharmacological properties, including treating diabetic encephalopathy and improving microcirculatory disorders. Nevertheless, its beneficial effects on DR and the potential mechanism remain to be elucidated. In this study, we found retinal vascular degeneration, reduced retinal thickness, and impaired retinal function in db/db mice were all dramatically attenuated by oral treatment with NGR1 (30 mg/kg) for 12 weeks. NGR1 pretreatment also significantly inhibited apoptosis, markedly suppressed the VEGF expression, markedly increased PEDF expression and markedly inhibited oxidative stress and inflammation in rat retinal Müller cells (rMC-1) subjected to high glucose (HG) and in the retinas of db/db mice. Furthermore, NGR1 pre-treatment upregulated the level of PINK1 and Parkin, increased the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, and downregulated the level of p62/SQSTM1 in rMC-1 cells induced by HG and in the retinas of db/db mice. Moreover, NGR1 administration enhanced the co-localization of GFP-LC3 puncta and MitoTracker in rMC-1 cells. Importantly, knockdown of PINK1 abolished the protective effects of NGR1. In conclusion, these phenomena suggested that NGR1 prevented DR via PINK1-dependent enhancement of mitophagy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Longlong Li ◽  
Yao Yao ◽  
Zhihao Jiang ◽  
Jinlong Zhao ◽  
Ji Cao ◽  
...  

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a popular dietary supplement that has well-known benefits in animals and humans, but there is not enough information about the mechanisms underlying its effects. The present study aimed at investigating these mechanisms through in vitro experiments on the effects of DHEA on rat liver BRL-3A cells exposed to oxidative stress through H2O2. The findings showed that DHEA increased the antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased ROS generation, and inhibited apoptosis in H2O2-treated cells. These effects of DHEA were not observed when the cells were pretreated with known antagonists of sex hormones (Trilostane, Flutamide, or Fulvestrant). Furthermore, treatment with estradiol and testosterone did not have the same protective effects as DHEA. Thus, the beneficial effects of DHEA were associated with mechanisms that were independent of steroid hormone pathways. With regard to the mechanism underlying the antiapoptotic effect of DHEA, pretreatment with DHEA was found to induce a significant decrease in the protein expression of Bax and caspase-3 and a significant increase in the protein expression of PI3K and p-Akt in H2O2-treated BRL-3A cells. These effects of DHEA were abolished when the cells were pretreated with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. No changes were observed on the p-ERK1/2, p-p38, and p-JNK protein levels in H2O2-induced BRL-3A cells pretreated with DHEA. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that DHEA protects BRL-3A cells against H2O2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis through mechanisms that do not involve its biotransformation into steroid hormones or the activation of sex hormone receptors. Importantly, the protective effect of DHEA on BRL-3A cells was mainly associated with PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, rather than MAPK signaling pathways.


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