Rosemary Flowers as Edible Plant Foods: Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Properties in Caenorhabditis elegans

Rosmarinus officinalis L., commonly known as rosemary, has been largely studied for its wide use as food ingredient and medicinal plant; less attention has been given to its edible flowers, being necessary to evaluate their potential as functional foods or nutraceuticals. To achieve that, the phenolic profile of the ethanolic extract of R. officinalis flowers was determined using LC-DAD-ESI/MSn and then its antioxidant and anti-ageing potential was studied through in vitro and in vivo assays using Caenorhabditis elegans. The phenolic content was 14.3 ± 0.1 mg/g extract, trans rosmarinic acid being the predominant compound in the extract, which also exhibited a strong antioxidant capacity in vitro and increased the survival rate of C. elegans exposed to lethal oxidative stress. Moreover, R. officinalis flowers extended C. elegans lifespan up to 18%. Therefore, these findings support the potential use of R. officinalis flowers as ingredients to develop products with pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical potential.

Download Full-text

Caenorhabditis elegans as an in vivo Model to Assess Amphetamine Tolerance

Brain Behavior and Evolution ◽

10.1159/000514858 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Dayana Torres Valladares ◽

Sirisha Kudumala ◽

Murad Hossain ◽

Lucia Carvelli

Keyword(s):

Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Drugs Of Abuse ◽

Genetic Model ◽

In Vivo Model ◽

C Elegans ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

In Vitro Data

Amphetamine is a potent psychostimulant also used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. In vivo and in vitro data have demonstrated that amphetamine increases the amount of extra synaptic dopamine by both inhibiting reuptake and promoting efflux of dopamine through the dopamine transporter. Previous studies have shown that chronic use of amphetamine causes tolerance to the drug. Thus, since the molecular mechanisms underlying tolerance to amphetamine are still unknown, an animal model to identify the neurochemical mechanisms associated with drug tolerance is greatly needed. Here we took advantage of a unique behavior caused by amphetamine in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> to investigate whether this simple, but powerful, genetic model develops tolerance following repeated exposure to amphetamine. We found that at least 3 treatments with 0.5 mM amphetamine were necessary to see a reduction in the amphetamine-induced behavior and, thus, to promote tolerance. Moreover, we found that, after intervals of 60/90 minutes between treatments, animals were more likely to exhibit tolerance than animals that underwent 10-minute intervals between treatments. Taken together, our results show that <i>C. elegans</i> is a suitable system to study tolerance to drugs of abuse such as amphetamines.

Download Full-text

Identification of gmhA, a Yersinia pestis Gene Required for Flea Blockage, by Using a Caenorhabditis elegans Biofilm System

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.73.11.7236-7242.2005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 73 (11) ◽

pp. 7236-7242 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

Creg Darby ◽

Sandya L. Ananth ◽

Li Tan ◽

B. Joseph Hinnebusch

Keyword(s):

Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Yersinia Pestis ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Yersinia Pseudotuberculosis ◽

C Elegans ◽

Transposon Insertion ◽

Insertion Mutants ◽

Random Screening

ABSTRACT Yersinia pestis, the cause of bubonic plague, blocks feeding by its vector, the flea. Recent evidence indicates that blockage is mediated by an in vivo biofilm. Y. pestis and the closely related Yersinia pseudotuberculosis also make biofilms on the cuticle of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, which block this laboratory animal's feeding. Random screening of Y. pseudotuberculosis transposon insertion mutants with a C. elegans biofilm assay identified gmhA as a gene required for normal biofilms. gmhA encodes phosphoheptose isomerase, an enzyme required for synthesis of heptose, a conserved component of lipopolysaccharide and lipooligosaccharide. A Y. pestis gmhA mutant was constructed and was severely defective for C. elegans biofilm formation and for flea blockage but only moderately defective in an in vitro biofilm assay. These results validate use of the C. elegans biofilm system to identify genes and pathways involved in Y. pestis flea blockage.

Download Full-text

Mulberry Anthocyanin Extract Ameliorates Oxidative Damage in HepG2 Cells and Prolongs the Lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans through MAPK and Nrf2 Pathways

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2017/7956158 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Fujie Yan ◽

Yushu Chen ◽

Ramila Azat ◽

Xiaodong Zheng

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Hepg2 Cells ◽

Insulin Signalling ◽

Glucose Consumption ◽

Redox Status ◽

C Elegans ◽

Beneficial Effects

Mulberry anthocyanins possess many pharmacological effects including liver protection, anti-inflammation, and anticancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether mulberry anthocyanin extract (MAE) exerts beneficial effects against oxidative stress damage in HepG2 cells and Caenorhabditis elegans. In vitro, MAE prevented cytotoxicity, increased glucose consumption and uptake, and eliminated excessive intracellular free radicals in H2O2-induced cells. Moreover, MAE pretreatment maintained Nrf2, HO-1, and p38 MAPK stimulation and abolished upregulation of p-JNK, FOXO1, and PGC-1α that were involved in oxidative stress and insulin signalling modulation. In vivo, extended lifespan was observed in C. elegans damaged by paraquat in the presence of MAE, while these beneficial effects were disappeared in pmk-1 and daf-16 mutants. PMK-1 and SKN-1 were activated after exposure to paraquat and MAE suppressed PMK-1 activation but enhanced SKN-1 stimulation. Our findings suggested that MAE recovered redox status in HepG2 cells and C. elegans that suffered from oxidative stress, which might be by targeting MAPKs and Nrf2.

Download Full-text

Identification of phenolic secondary metabolites from Schotia brachypetala Sond. (Fabaceae) and demonstration of their antioxidant activities in Caenorhabditis elegans

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1768v1 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Mansour Sobeh ◽

Esraa A ElHawary ◽

Herbenya Peixoto ◽

Rola M Labib ◽

Heba Handoussa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Activity ◽

Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Nuclear Translocation ◽

Antioxidant Activities ◽

In Vitro Assays ◽

Flavonoid Glycosides ◽

Alcoholic Extract ◽

C Elegans

Background: Schotia brachypetala Sond. (Fabaceae) is an endemic tree of Southern Africa whose phytochemistry and pharmacology were slightly studied.The present work aimed at profiling the major phenolics compounds present in the hydro-alcoholic extract from S. brachypetala leaves (SBE) using LC/HRESI/MS/MS and NMR and prove their antioxidant capabilities using novel methods. Methods: In vitro assays; DPPH, TEAC persulfate decolorizing kinetic and FRAP assays, and in vivo assays: Caenorhabditis elegans strains maintenance, Intracellular ROS in C. elegans, Survival assay, GFP expression and Subcellular DAF-16 localization were employed to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Results: More than forty polyphenols ,including flavonoid glycosides, galloylated flavonoid glycosides, isoflavones, dihydrochalcones, procyanidins, anthocyanins, hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives, hydrolysable tannins, and traces of methylated and acetylated flavonoid derivatives were identified. Three compounds were isolated and identified from the genus Schotia for the first time, namely gallic acid, myricetin-3-O-α-L-1C4-rhamnoside and quercetin-3-O-L-1C4-rhamnoside.The tested extract was able to protect the worms against juglone induced oxidative stress and attenuate the reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. SBE was also able to attenuate the levels of heat shock protein (HSP) expression. Discussion: A pronounced antioxidant activity in vivo, which can be attributed to its ability to promote the nuclear translocation of DAF-16/FOXO, the main transcription factor regulating the expression of stress response genes. The remarkable antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo correlates to SBE rich phenolic profile.

Download Full-text

Polyphenols from Blumea laciniata Extended the Lifespan and Enhanced Resistance to Stress in Caenorhabditis elegans via the Insulin Signaling Pathway

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10111744 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1744

Author(s):

Tao Chen ◽

Siyuan Luo ◽

Xiaoju Wang ◽

Yiling Zhou ◽

Yali Dai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Ageing Effect ◽

C Elegans ◽

Enhanced Resistance ◽

Resistance To Stress

Blumea laciniata is widely used as a folk medicine in Asia, but relevant literature on it is rarely reported. We confirmed that polyphenol extract (containing chlorogenic acid, rutin, and luteolin-4-O-glucoside) from B. laciniata (EBL) showed strong antioxidant ability in vitro. Hence, in this work, we applied Caenorhabditis elegans to further investigate the antioxidant and anti-ageing abilities of EBL in vivo. The results showed that EBL enhanced the survival of C. elegans under thermal stress by 12.62% and sharply reduced the reactive oxygen species level as well as the content of malonaldehyde. Moreover, EBL increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and superoxide dismutase. Additionally, EBL promoted DAF-16, a transcription factor, into the nucleus. Besides, EBL extended the lifespan of C. elegans by 17.39%, showing an anti-ageing effect. Different mutants indicated that the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway participated in the antioxidant and anti-ageing effect of EBL on C. elegans.

Download Full-text

A fast and reliable method for monitoring genomic instability in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans

Archives of Toxicology ◽

10.1007/s00204-021-03144-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Merle Marie Nicolai ◽

Barbara Witt ◽

Andrea Hartwig ◽

Tanja Schwerdtle ◽

Julia Bornhorst

Keyword(s):

Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Animal Experiments ◽

Model Organism ◽

Animal Testing ◽

C Elegans ◽

Testing Strategies ◽

Genotoxic Agents ◽

Genotoxicity Testing

AbstractThe identification of genotoxic agents and their potential for genotoxic alterations in an organism is crucial for risk assessment and approval procedures of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Classically, testing strategies for DNA or chromosomal damage focus on in vitro and in vivo (mainly rodent) investigations. In cell culture systems, the alkaline unwinding (AU) assay is one of the well-established methods for detecting the percentage of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). By establishing a reliable lysis protocol, and further optimization of the AU assay for the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), we provided a new tool for genotoxicity testing in the niche between in vitro and rodent experiments. The method is intended to complement existing testing strategies by a multicellular organism, which allows higher predictability of genotoxic potential compared to in vitro cell line or bacterial investigations, before utilizing in vivo (rodent) investigations. This also allows working within the 3R concept (reduction, refinement, and replacement of animal experiments), by reducing and possibly replacing animal testing. Validation with known genotoxic agents (bleomycin (BLM) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH)) proved the method to be meaningful, reproducible, and feasible for high-throughput genotoxicity testing, and especially preliminary screening.

Download Full-text

Detecting changes in the Caenorhabditis elegans intestinal environment using an engineered bacterial biosensor

10.1101/717215 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jack W. Rutter ◽

Tanel Ozdemir ◽

Leonor M. Quintaneiro ◽

Geraint Thomas ◽

Filipe Cabreiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Rational Design ◽

Model Organism ◽

Bacterial Biosensor ◽

Intestinal Environment ◽

C Elegans ◽

Ideal Candidate ◽

Diagnostic Applications

AbstractCaenorhabditis elegans has become a key model organism within biology. In particular, the transparent gut, rapid growing time and ability to create a defined gut microbiota make it an ideal candidate organism for understanding and engineering the host microbiota. Here we present the development of an experimental model which can be used to characterise whole-cell bacterial biosensors in vivo. A dual-plasmid sensor system responding to isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside was developed and fully characterised in vitro. Subsequently, we show the sensor was capable of detecting and reporting on changes in the intestinal environment of C. elegans after introducing exogenous inducer into the environment. The protocols presented here may be used for aiding the rational design of engineered bacterial circuits, primarily for diagnostic applications. In addition, the model system may serve to reduce the use of current animal models and aid in the exploration of complex questions within general nematode and host-microbe biology.

Download Full-text

CSC-1

The Journal of Cell Biology ◽

10.1083/jcb.200207117 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 161 (2) ◽

pp. 229-236 ◽

Cited By ~ 67

Author(s):

Alper Romano ◽

Annika Guse ◽

Ivica Krascenicova ◽

Heinke Schnabel ◽

Ralf Schnabel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Genetic Analysis ◽

Chromosome Segregation ◽

Kinase Activity ◽

Aurora B ◽

Aurora B Kinase ◽

C Elegans ◽

The Individual

The Aurora B kinase complex is a critical regulator of chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. In Caenorhabditis elegans, AIR-2 (Aurora B) function requires ICP-1 (Incenp) and BIR-1 (Survivin). In various systems, Aurora B binds to orthologues of these proteins. Through genetic analysis, we have identified a new subunit of the Aurora B kinase complex, CSC-1. C. elegans embryos depleted of CSC-1, AIR-2, ICP-1, or BIR-1 have identical phenotypes. CSC-1, BIR-1, and ICP-1 are interdependent for their localization, and all are required for AIR-2 localization. In vitro, CSC-1 binds directly to BIR-1. The CSC-1/BIR-1 complex, but not the individual subunits, associates with ICP-1. CSC-1 associates with ICP-1, BIR-1, and AIR-2 in vivo. ICP-1 dramatically stimulates AIR-2 kinase activity. This activity is not stimulated by CSC-1/BIR-1, suggesting that these two subunits function as targeting subunits for AIR-2 kinase.

Download Full-text

Sequence and transmembrane topology of MEC-4, an ion channel subunit required for mechanotransduction in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The Journal of Cell Biology ◽

10.1083/jcb.133.5.1071 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 133 (5) ◽

pp. 1071-1081 ◽

Cited By ~ 78

Author(s):

C C Lai ◽

K Hong ◽

M Kinnell ◽

M Chalfie ◽

M Driscoll

Keyword(s):

Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Ion Channel ◽

Critical Role ◽

Comparative Sequence Analysis ◽

Mechanical Stimuli ◽

Transmembrane Topology ◽

C Elegans ◽

Carboxy Terminal

The process by which mechanical stimuli are converted into cellular responses is poorly understood, in part because key molecules in this mode of signal transduction, the mechanically gated ion channels, have eluded cloning efforts. The Caenorhabditis elegans mec-4 gene encodes a subunit of a candidate mechanosensitive ion channel that plays a critical role in touch reception. Comparative sequence analysis of C. elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae mec-4 genes was used to initiate molecular studies that establish MEC-4 as a 768-amino acid protein that includes two hydrophobic domains theoretically capable of spanning a lipid bilayer. Immunoprecipitation of in vitro translated mec-4 protein with domain-specific anti-MEC-4 antibodies and in vivo characterization of a series of mec-4lacZ fusion proteins both support the hypothesis that MEC-4 crosses the membrane twice. The MEC-4 amino- and carboxy-terminal domains are situated in the cytoplasm and a large domain, which includes three Cys-rich regions, is extracellular. Definition of transmembrane topology defines regions that might interact with the extracellular matrix or cytoskeleton to mediate mechanical signaling.

Download Full-text

Pigmented Corn Varieties as Functional Ingredients for Gluten-Free Products

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10081770 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1770

Author(s):

Francesca Colombo ◽

Chiara Di Lorenzo ◽

Katia Petroni ◽

Marco Silano ◽

Roberto Pilu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Chemical Characterization ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Gluten Free ◽

Cell Agglutination ◽

Free Products ◽

Phenolic Profile

Oxidative stress, one among the several factors responsible for the gluten toxicity in celiac disease, together with inflammation and duodenal mucosal injury, are only partially reduced by the gluten-free diet. Thanks to their phenolic profile, the pigmented varieties of corn could be an interesting source of dietary antioxidants for the formulation of new gluten-free ingredients. The aim of this research was: (1) to characterize the phenolic profile and the associated antioxidant properties of corn samples with different pigmentation, using spectrophotometric and chromatographic techniques and (2) to assess the stability of anthocyanins during the gastro-intestinal digestion. The pigmented varieties showed a significantly higher content of polyphenols compared to the common yellow varieties and, as a consequence, a higher antioxidant activity. Although corn is among the cereals most frequently used in gluten-free products, it can produce an inflammatory response in some celiac patients. Therefore, after the chemical characterization, the safety of the pigmented varieties for celiac patients was confirmed using different in vitro models (cell agglutination test and the measure of transepithelial electrical resistance). Although in vivo studies are necessary, the data collected in this study underline that the pigmented corn could have a role in reducing the oxidative stress at the intestinal level in celiac subjects.

Download Full-text