Neuroprotective potential of Celastrus paniculatus seeds against common neurological ailments: a narrative review

The most common human neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD) etc. have been recognized to result from a complex interplay between genetic predisposition and defective cellular dynamics such as inappropriate accumulation of unfolded proteins, oxygen free radicals and mitochondrial dysfunction. The treatment strategies available today for these neurodegenerative ailments are only palliative and are incapable of restraining the progression of the disease. Hence, there is an immense requirement for identification of drug candidates with the ability to alleviate neuronal damage along with controlling progression of the disease. From time immemorial mankind has been relying on plants for treating varied types of dreadful diseases. Among the various medicinal plants used for treating various neurological ailments, Celastrus paniculatus (CP) popularly known as Jyotishmati or Malkangni is well known in the Ayurveda system of Indian Traditional Medicine whose seeds and seed oil have been used for centuries in treating epilepsy, dementia, facial paralysis, amnesia, anxiety, sciatica, cognitive dysfunctions etc. This review apart from specifying the phytochemical characteristics and traditional uses of C. paniculatus seeds and seed oil also exemplify the comprehensive data derived from various research reports on their therapeutic potential against some common neurological disorders.

Biological activity of interferon gamma and lipopolysaccharide on the nitric oxide production in C6 astroglioma cells and some unexpected effects of potentization

Background: A proinflammatory environment is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases where astrocyte involvement is also well established. Astrocytes and microglia in central nervous system are mainly involved in the release of cytokines, oxygen free radicals and nitric oxide (NO). Several studies on C6 astroglioma cells, a widely used in vitro model for these events, demonstrated that co-stimulation of this cell line with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon gamma (IFN-) induces a synergistic nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression.1 In our laboratory we are using this versatile cell model in order to carefully investigate dose-response effects of various putative agonists or inhibitors and to assess the possible changes provoked in those agents by different procedures of dilution and succussion (agitation) (potentization according to the homeopathic terminology).

In vitro Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Quinoa Flavonoids Extracted by Ethanol-Ammonium Sulfate Aqueous Two-Phase System

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a functional and ideal food for human nutrition and an Andean seed-producing crop. In this study, ultrasonic-assisted extraction of total flavonoids in Quinoa with ethanol (C2H5OH)-ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) aqueous two-phase system was performed based on the Box-Behnken experimental design principle. The highest extraction rate of TFQ under the condition of 28% C2H5OH -14% (NH4)2SO4 aqueous two-phase extraction system was used to analyze the variance of TFQ extraction rate as the response value. The multiple quadratic linear regression equation was obtained by a three-factor three-level response surface method. The extraction rate= 74.28+1.78 A+0.10 B+0.38 C+0.20 AB+0.05 AC+0.05 BC+1.000E-002 A2-0.94 B2-0.69 C2. The response surface analysis showed that the best extraction conditions of aqueous two-phase were the crude TFQ mass fraction 20.6%, pH 7.18, NaCl mass fraction 2.23% and the maximum value predicted by the extraction rate model was 75.929 3% (P=0.994). The average extraction rate of TFQ was 75.3%, according to the optimal two-aqueous phase extraction conditions. The ETFQ has varying degree of scavenging effect on hydroxyl radical, oxygen free radicals, nitrite and ·ABTS+ compared with vitamin C. Among them, the scavenging effect of the ETFQ on hydroxyl radical, oxygen free radicals and ·ABTS+ was greater than vitamin C, except nitrite. Also, the ETFQ has the strongest inhibitory effect on E. coli and Bacillus subtilis, and the inhibitory rate can reach up to high dose 97.59 and 98.44%, MIC is 1.56 mg/mL; the second is the inhibition of S. aureus, MIC is 6.25 mg/mL. It has the weakest inhibitory effect on Salmonella. The antibacterial rate was positively correlated with the ETFQ mass concentration. The results help to discover the medicinal effects of quinoa in addition to nutrition to carry out more in-depth research and increase economic value. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers

Effects of Traditional Chinese Medication-Based Bioactive Compounds on Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress

The oxidative stress reaction is the imbalance between oxidation and antioxidation in the body, resulting in excessive production of oxygen free radicals in the body that cannot be removed, leading to excessive oxidation of the body, and causing damage to cells and tissues. A large number of studies have shown that oxidative stress is involved in the pathological process of many diseases, so inhibiting oxidative stress, that is, antioxidation, is of great significance for the treatment of diseases. Studies have shown that many traditional Chinese medications contain antioxidant active bioactive compounds, but the mechanisms of those compounds are different and complicated. Therefore, by summarizing the literature on antioxidant activity of traditional Chinese medication-based bioactive compounds in recent years, our review systematically elaborates the main antioxidant bioactive compounds contained in traditional Chinese medication and their mechanisms, so as to provide references for the subsequent research.

Flavonoids improve drought tolerance of maize seedlings by regulating the homeostasis of reactive oxygen species

Background and aims As drought threatens the yield and quality of maize (Zea mays L.), it is important to dissect the molecular basis of maize drought tolerance. Flavonoids, participate in the scavenging of oxygen free radicals and alleviate stress-induced oxidative damages. This study aims to dissect the function of flavonoids in the improvement of maize drought tolerance. Methods Using far-infrared imaging screening, we previously isolated a drought overly insensitivity (doi) mutant from an ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-mutagenized maize library and designated it as doi57. In this study, we performed a physiological characterization and transcriptome profiling of doi57 in comparison to corresponding wild-type B73 under drought stress. Results Under drought stress, doi57 seedlings displayed lower leaf-surface temperature (LST), faster water loss, and better performance in growth than B73. Transcriptome analysis reveals that key genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis are enriched among differentially expressed genes in doi57. In line with these results, more flavonols and less hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were accumulated in guard cells of doi57 than in those of B73 with the decrease of soil water content (SWC). Moreover, the capacity determined from doi57 seedling extracts to scavenge oxygen free radicals was more effective than that of B73 under the drought treatment. Additionally, doi57 seedlings had higher photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance, transpiration rates, and water use efficiency than B73 exposed to drought stress, resulting in high biomass and greater root/shoot ratios in doi57 mutant plants. Conclusion Flavonoids may facilitate maize seedling drought tolerance by lowering drought-induced oxidative damage as well regulating stomatal movement.

The study on the antioxidant activity of polysaccharides isolated from Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce

The polysaccharides isolated from Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce (POPs) by water extraction, after precipitation with ethanol were purified through deproteinization, decolorization, dialysis, and column chromatography leading to a purified polysaccharide (POPs-I) content of 90.7 %. The scavenging of oxygen free radicals and inhibition of lipid peroxidation (LPO) by POPs-I were analyzed using a colorimetric method. The results showed that the hydroxyl radical scavenging ability of the polysaccharides was weaker than that of benzoic acid, but stronger than those of ascorbic acid and mannitol, and that the superoxide anion radical scavenging ability was inferior to those of all three. When the concentration was higher than 1.0 mg/mL, the POPs-I could inhibit LPO by superoxide anion radicals to a certain degree. Therefore, this work suggests that POPs-I are potential antioxidant agents in medicine and functional food.

Dietary Thiols: A Potential Supporting Strategy against Oxidative Stress in Heart Failure and Muscular Damage during Sports Activity

Moderate exercise combined with proper nutrition are considered protective factors against cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal disorders. However, physical activity is known not only to have positive effects. In fact, the achievement of a good performance requires a very high oxygen consumption, which leads to the formation of oxygen free radicals, responsible for premature cell aging and diseases such as heart failure and muscle injury. In this scenario, a primary role is played by antioxidants, in particular by natural antioxidants that can be taken through the diet. Natural antioxidants are molecules capable of counteracting oxygen free radicals without causing cellular cytotoxicity. In recent years, therefore, research has conducted numerous studies on the identification of natural micronutrients, in order to prevent or mitigate oxidative stress induced by physical activity by helping to support conventional drug therapies against heart failure and muscle damage. The aim of this review is to have an overview of how controlled physical activity and a diet rich in antioxidants can represent a “natural cure” to prevent imbalances caused by free oxygen radicals in diseases such as heart failure and muscle damage. In particular, we will focus on sulfur-containing compounds that have the ability to protect the body from oxidative stress. We will mainly focus on six natural antioxidants: glutathione, taurine, lipoic acid, sulforaphane, garlic and methylsulfonylmethane.

Oxidative stress in animals: role in oncogenesis from pathomorphologist view

Oxidative stress is a pathological accumulation of free radicals that contribute to the launch of intracellular damaging action mechanisms. Free radical is an atom possessing free or missing electron, and seeking to restore the lost electron, taking it from other molecules ― as a result a new free radical is formed. The mechanism is chain reaction-based. Hypoxia acts as an additional stimulus to the appearance of oxygen free radicals. Cell hypoxia develops following any type of cell damage: mechanical, bacteriological, chemical, etc. Cell hypoxia inevitably leads to the development of an inflammatory reaction, which is followed by the formation of oxygen free radicals and, as a result, by oxidative stress development.