scholarly journals Identification of New Peptides from Fermented Milk Showing Antioxidant Properties: Mechanism of Action

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Tonolo ◽  
Federico Fiorese ◽  
Laura Moretto ◽  
Alessandra Folda ◽  
Valeria Scalcon ◽  
...  

Due to their beneficial properties, fermented foods are considered important constituents of the human diet. They also contain bioactive peptides, health-promoting compounds studied for a wide range of effects. In this work, several antioxidant peptides extracted from fermented milk proteins were investigated. First, enriched peptide fractions were purified and analysed for their antioxidant capacity in vitro and in a cellular model. Subsequently, from the most active fractions, 23 peptides were identified by mass spectrometry MS/MS), synthesized and tested. Peptides N-15-M, E-11-F, Q-14-R and A-17-E were selected for their antioxidant effects on Caco-2 cells both in the protection against oxidative stress and inhibition of ROS production. To define their action mechanism, the activation of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Keap1/Nrf2) pathway was studied evaluating the translocation of Nrf2 from cytosol to nucleus. In cells treated with N-15-M, Q-14-R and A-17-E, a higher amount of Nrf2 was found in the nucleus with respect to the control. In addition, the three active peptides, through the activation of Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, led to overexpression and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes. Molecular docking analysis confirmed the potential ability of N-15-M, Q-14-R and A-17-E to bind Keap1, showing their destabilizing effect on Keap1/Nrf2 interaction.

2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez ◽  
Roberto I. Márquez-Hernández ◽  
Lorenzo E. Hernández-Castellano

AbstractMilk is an important protein source in human diets, providing around 32 g protein/l (for bovine milk, which constitutes some 85% of global consumption). The most abundant milk proteins are α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, αs-casein, β-casein, and κ-casein. Besides their nutritional value, milk proteins play a crucial role in the processing properties of milk, such as solubility, water bonding, heat stability, renneting and foaming, among others. In addition, and most importantly for this review, these proteins are the main source of bioactive components in milk. Due to the wide range of proposed beneficial effects on human health, milk proteins are considered as potential ingredients for the production of health-promoting functional foods. However, most of the evidence for bioactive effects comes from in vitro studies, and there is a need for further research to fully evaluate the true potential of milk-derived bioactive factors. Animal genetics and animal nutrition play an important role in the relative proportions of milk proteins and could be used to manipulate the concentration of specific bioactive peptides in milk from ruminants. Unfortunately, only a few studies in the literature have focused on changes in milk bioactive peptides associated to animal genetics and animal nutrition. The knowledge described in the present review may set the basis for further research and for the development of new dairy products with healthy and beneficial properties for humans.


Beverages ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Vassilios Ganatsios ◽  
Poonam Nigam ◽  
Stavros Plessas ◽  
Antonia Terpou

The consumption of fermented foods posing health-promoting attributes is a rising global trend. In this manner, fermented dairy products represent a significant subcategory of functional foods with established positive health benefits. Likewise, kefir—a fermented milk product manufactured from kefir grains—has been reported by many studies to be a probiotic drink with great potential in health promotion. Existing research data link regular kefir consumption with a wide range of health-promoting attributes, and more recent findings support the link between kefir’s probiotic strains and its bio-functional metabolites in the enhancement of the immune system, providing significant antiviral effects. Although it has been consumed for thousands of years, kefir has recently gained popularity in relation to novel biotechnological applications, with different fermentation substrates being tested as non-dairy functional beverages. The present review focuses on the microbiological composition of kefir and highlights novel applications associated with its fermentation capacity. Future prospects relating to kefir’s capacity for disease prevention are also addressed and discussed.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 3579
Author(s):  
Svetlana A. Popova ◽  
Evgenia V. Pavlova ◽  
Oksana G. Shevchenko ◽  
Irina Yu. Chukicheva ◽  
Aleksandr V. Kutchin

The pyrazoline ring is defined as a “privileged structure” in medicinal chemistry. A variety of pharmacological properties of pyrazolines is associated with the nature and position of various substituents, which is especially evident in diarylpyrazolines. Compounds with a chalcone fragment show a wide range of biological properties as well as high reactivity which is primarily due to the presence of an α, β-unsaturated carbonyl system. At the same time, bicyclic monoterpenoids deserve special attention as a source of a key structural block or as one of the pharmacophore components of biologically active molecules. A series of new diarylpyrazoline derivatives based on isobornylchalcones with different substitutes (MeO, Hal, NO2, N(Me)2) was synthesized. Antioxidant properties of the obtained compounds were comparatively evaluated using in vitro model Fe2+/ascorbate-initiated lipid peroxidation in the substrate containing brain lipids of laboratory mice. It was demonstrated that the combination of the electron-donating group in the para-position of ring B and OH-group in the ring A in the structure of chalcone fragment provides significant antioxidant activity of synthesized diarylpyrazoline derivatives.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Hui Wong ◽  
Anna M. Barron ◽  
Jafri Malin Abdullah

Natural products remain a crucial source of drug discovery for accessible and affordable solutions for healthy aging. Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (CA) is an important medicinal plant with a wide range of ethnomedicinal uses. Past in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that the plant extract and its key components, such as asiatic acid, asiaticoside, madecassic acid and madecassoside, exhibit a range of anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and cognitive benefits mechanistically linked to mitoprotective and antioxidant properties of the plant. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are key drivers of aging and neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Here we appraise the growing body of evidence that the mitoprotective and antioxidative effects of CA may potentially be harnessed for the treatment of brain aging and neurodegenerative disease.


2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eui Hyun Kim ◽  
Geon A Kim ◽  
Anukul Taweechaipaisankul ◽  
Seok Hee Lee ◽  
Muhammad Qasim ◽  
...  

Oxidative stress (OS) is a major problem during in vitro culture of embryos. Numerous studies have shown that melatonin, which is known to have antioxidant properties, prevents the occurrence of OS in embryos. However, the molecular mechanisms by which melatonin prevents OS in embryos are still unclear. The present study suggests a possible involvement of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant-responsive element (Nrf2/ARE) signaling pathway, which is one of the prominent signals for OS prevention through Nrf2 activation, connecting melatonin, OS prevention and porcine embryonic development. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin (10−7 M) on porcine embryonic development via the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway; brusatol (50 nM; Nrf2 specific inhibitor) was used to validate the mechanism. Treatment of porcine embryo with melatonin significantly increased formation rates of blastocysts and their total cell numbers and also upregulated the expression of Nrf2/ARE signaling and apoptosis-related genes (MT2, NRF2, UCHL, HO-1, SOD1 and BCL-2). Furthermore, the expression of proteins (NRF2 and MT2) was also upregulated in the melatonin-treated group. Concomitantly, brusatol significantly inhibited these effects, upregulating the expression of KEAP1 and BAX, including the expression level of KEAP1 protein. These results provide evidences that melatonin prevents OS through Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway in porcine in vitro fertilization -derived embryos.


Marine Drugs ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingting Niu ◽  
Gaoqing Fu ◽  
Jiawei Zhou ◽  
Hui Han ◽  
Juanjuan Chen ◽  
...  

Floridoside is a low-molecular-weight organic compound, which can be accumulated by red algae under stressful conditions to protect cells via its excellent antioxidant properties. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant mechanism of floridoside toward human hepatocyte L-02 cells. We found that floridoside had no toxicity to L-02 cells, and no reactive oxidative species were induced by it either. However, the expression of hemoxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein was up-regulated upon exposure to floridoside, and two antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and GSH-Px, were activated by floridoside. Moreover, we investigated the pathway involved in the production of these antioxidants, p38/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) MAPK-nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. ERK1/2 and p38 phosphorylation, nuclear translocation of Nrf2, and activation of ARE luciferase activity were observed upon exposure to floridoside. siRNA interference and inhibitor treatment suppressed the HO-1 expression and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38, respectively. These results indicated that floridoside exerted its antioxidant activity by activating HO-1 expression via p38/ERK MAPK-Nrf2 pathway in human hepatocyte L-02 cells.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhagavathi Sivamaruthi ◽  
Periyanaina Kesika ◽  
Mani Prasanth ◽  
Chaiyavat Chaiyasut

In general, fermented foods (FFs) are considered as functional foods. Since the awareness about the health benefits of FFs has increased, the consumption of FF also improved significantly in recent decades. Diabetes is one of the leading threats of the health span of an individual. The present manuscript details the general methods of the production of FFs, and the results of various studies (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies) on the antidiabetic properties of FFs. The fermentation method and the active microbes involved in the process play a crucial role in the functional properties of FFs. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have been reported on the health-promoting properties of FFs, such as anti-inflammation, anticancer, antioxidant properties, improved cognitive function and gastrointestinal health, and the reduced presence of metabolic disorders. The studies on the functional properties of FFs by randomized controlled clinical trials using human volunteers are very limited for several reasons, including ethical reasons, safety concerns, approval from the government, etc. Several scientific teams are working on the development of complementary and alternative medicines to improve the treatment strategies for hyperglycemia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 3668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Bochnak-Niedźwiecka ◽  
Michał Świeca

This study evaluates nutrients and health-promoting compounds responsible for antioxidant capacity in eight novel formulations based on lyophilized fruit and vegetable powders. The composition contained lyophilized carrot, pumpkin, lentil sprouts, raspberry, strawberry, and apple. The effect of functional additives on the antioxidant, nutritional, and functional characteristics of powdered beverages was determined in the powders and after rehydration followed by in vitro digestion. The antioxidant activity, phenols, vitamin C, and reducing power were significantly higher in the powders enriched with additives having potential functional properties. Furthermore, the analyses indicated that all the powdered formulations may be potential sources of total starch (100–112 mg/100 mL) and proteins (125–139 mg/100 mL). The designed powdered beverages after reconstitution exhibited high antioxidant content, reasonable consumer acceptance, and good in vitro bioaccessibility. The best results of antioxidant capacity were obtained for beverages enriched with raspberry, i.e., 10.4 mg Trolox equivalent (TE)/100 mL and 12.1 mg TE/100 mL rehydrated at 20 °C and 80 °C, respectively. Additionally, color characteristics were used as indicators of the quality of the powdered beverages. This research promotes the reduction of food waste, since whole plant tissues are used, thus allowing maximum exploitation of food raw materials; moreover, drying provides stable shelf life.


1999 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 713-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Hughes

Many epidemiological studies have shown an association between diets rich in carotenoids and a reduced incidence of many forms of cancer, and it has been suggested that the antioxidant properties of these compounds are a causative factor. Attention has focused on the potential role of one specific carotenoid, β-carotene, in preventing cancer, and numerous publications have described in vitro experiments and animal studies which suggest that not only can this carotenoid protect against the development of cancer, but also several other chronic diseases. Since the immune system plays a major role in cancer prevention, it has been suggested that β-carotene may enhance immune cell function. Several human trials, using dietary β-carotene supplementation with a wide range of intakes, have been undertaken to address this hypothesis. The general conclusion of these studies is that this compound can enhance cell-mediated immune responses, particularly in the elderly. The present article will review some of these human studies and, hopefully, complement the reviews of other authors associated with the present symposium, some of whom will also describe work in this area. Potential mechanisms for the effects of carotenoids on immune function will also be reviewed. Finally, possible reasons for the failure of three major prospective studies to demonstrate a beneficial effect of β-carotene supplementation on lung cancer risk will be discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shan Gao ◽  
Nuo Heng ◽  
Fang Liu ◽  
Yong Guo ◽  
Yu Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Natural astaxanthin (ASTA) has strong antioxidant properties and has been widely used as a health product to improve human health. However, the effects of ASTA on the reproductive performance of aging roosters have been poorly studied. We aimed to investigate the effects of dietary ASTA on semen quality and antioxidant capacity in aging roosters and to explore the potential mechanism of semen quality change via anti-oxidation defense system. Methods In the present study, 96 53-week-old Jinghong No. 1 layer breeder roosters were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet containing 0, 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg ASTA for 6 weeks. Results Semen quality in the ASTA groups remarkably improved than that in the control group, and antioxidant activities, the abilities to scavenge hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions, increased gradually with ASTA addition (P < 0.05). In addition, the mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes as well as the mRNA and protein levels of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were markedly increased in the 50–100 mg/kg ASTA group (P < 0.05). Conclusions Collectively, these results demonstrate that dietary ASTA may improve semen quality by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and the ability to scavenge hydroxyl radicals, which may be related to upregulation of the MAPK/Nrf2 pathway.


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