Comparing Glycerol with Dimethylformamide and Combination for Cryopreservation of Pug Dog Semen in Egg Yolk Plasma Containing Extender

Background: In order to find an alternative cryoprotectant for canine semen, different cryoprotectants, as dimethyl sulphoxide and ethylene glycol, dimethyle formamide either alone or in combination with glycerol have been evaluated on pooled semen of different breeds with different opinions. Methods: In the current study the effect of glycerol, DMF and their combination in Tris-citric acid-fructose egg yolk plasma extender on motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), acrosome integrity (AI), inner mitochondrial membrane potential (IMMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzymes in frozen-thaw semen of pug breed was compared. Result: Values for motility, viability, (PMI), AI were significantly (p less than 0.05) high in TCFEYP-G compared to TCFEYP-DMF and TCFEYP-G+DMF at post thaw. However, HIMMP and MIMMP/MDA were non-significantly (P greater than 0.05) high and low in TCFEYP-G compared to TCFEYP-DMF and TCFEYP- G + DMF at post thaw, respectively. MDA concentration was significantly (p less than 0.05) low in TCFEYP-G compared to TCFEYP-DMF and TCFEYP-G + TCFEYP-DMF extenders. However, H2O2, scavenging capacity of spermatozoa, cryopreserved in TCFEYP-G was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher than in TCFEYP-DMF and TCFEYP-G + TCFEYP-DMF. However, there was no significant (p greater than 0.05) difference in superoxide free radical scavenging activity and nitrite concentration of spermatozoa among the three extenders. Activity of GPX, SOD and Catalase was also significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in TCFEYP-G compared to TCFEYP-DMF and TCFEYP-G+DMF. However, values were reverse for GRE activity. This study concludes that glycerol is a healthier cryoprotectant to protect canine spermatozoa from cryo-injury during freezing-thawing process.

Design, Synthesis and Biological Activities of Dihydroaurones

To widen aurones applicability in achromatic food and cosmetic applications, a series of dihydroaurones were designed to mimic natural aurones as well as synthetic aurones. Dihydroaurones have been synthesized from the corresponding aurones by hydrogenation. These dihydroaurones and their corresponding aurones were screened for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and tyrosinase enzyme inhibitory activity. Synthesized dihydroaurones (3b-f) displayed superior antioxidant activity in superoxide free radical scavenging assay than the standard gallic acid. Dihydroaurones (3b-f) also exhibited significant tyrosinase enzyme inhibitory activity and two dihydroaurones (3h, 3j) showed promising 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory activity.

EFFECT OF COMBINATION OF TWO PLANTS ON ANTI-OXIDANT ACTIVITY

Anti-oxidants are essential for maintaining optimum health and well being by acting against damage caused by free radicals. Regular consumption of vegetables and fruits with anti-oxidant activity can reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of Psidium guajava and Syzygium cumini leaves individually and as a combination of ethanolic leaf extracts of both in 1:1 ratio. The antioxidant activity of ethanolic leaf extracts of Syzygium cumini and Psidium guajava and its 1:1 combination were determined by different methods such as Superoxide free radical scavenging assay, Hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay and Hydroxyl radical scavenging assay.The 1:1 combination of ethanolic leaf extract of Syzygium cumini and Psidium guajava showed higher antioxidant activity than the individual extracts. Out of the two individual extracts, Syzyium cumini showed more activity than the Psidium guajava extract. A dose dependent increase in activity was found in all methods. The percentage inhibition of combined extract by hydroxyl radical scavenging assay and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay was 72.70 and 76.15 respectively. Superoxide free radical scavenging assay, showed inhibition of 63.5percentage.From the result it is concluded that leaves of both the plants possess anti-oxidant activity and Syzygium cumini exhibited more activity than Psidium guajava. But the combination of both is superior to individual extracts in exhibiting anti-oxidant activity. The results showed the possibility of synergistic or additive effect of combination of ethanolic extracts of Syzygium cumini and Psidium guajava leaves in the ratio 1:1.

Chemical and pharmacological evaluation of manglicolous lichen Roccella montagnei Bel em. D. D. Awasthi

Background Lichen is a composite organism composed of fungus in association with algae or cyanobacteria. Particularly, lichen betide to mangroves are named as manglicolous lichens. From the folklore, lichen extracts were used in the management of many infections and diseases. Results The chemical investigation of acetone extract of manglicolous lichen Roccella montagnei (RM-Ac) yielded nine known metabolites namely divarinolmonomethylether (1), ethyl divaricatinate (2), divarinol (3), orcinol (4), methyl 2,6-dihydroxy-4-methylbenzoate (5), haematommic acid (6), atranol (7), ethyl haematommate (8) and ethyl orsellinate (9). Except 4, all are for the first reported from this species. The RM-Ac and its metabolites (1–9) were screened for antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS and superoxide free radical assays), anti-inflammatory, anticancer (SRB assay using A549, DLD-1, FADU, HeLa and MCF-7) and acute toxicity studies. The pharmacological results showed that compounds 6 and 8 depicted potent inhibitory profile against ABTS free radical (with IC50 value of 40.0 and 40.5 μg/mL, respectively) and protein denaturation (with IC50 value of 435 and 403 μg/mL, respectively). LD50 of RM-Ac was found to be above 2 g/Kg body weight. Moreover, the RM-Ac showed prominent inhibition of formalin-hind albino rat paw oedema at both the tested doses, i.e., 100 and 200 mg/Kg b.w than that of the standard drug (indomethacin). Furthermore, the compounds 6 and 8 exhibited significant degree of specificity against HeLa, FADU and A549; besides, they showed very little degree of specificity against NHME cell line specifying less toxicity to normal cells. Conclusion It can be concluded that the manglicolous lichen R. montagnei has an aptitude to act against free radicals, inflammation and cancer, and the main metabolites responsible for its biological activity are 6 and 8.

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF SUBSTITUTED FLAVONES

Objective: The flavonoids are a heterogeneous group of plant polyphenols that are endowed with several biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic properties. They are believed to interfere with the various free radical-producing systems and they also enhance the functions of endogenous antioxidants. The aim of this study was to compare the antioxidant activity of synthesized substituted flavones by various free radical scavenging assays.Methods: The flavones used in the study, 6,3’,4’ - trihydroxy flavones (THF) and 3-hydroxy-6,3’-dimethoxy flavones were synthesized using standard procedures and their antioxidant activity was compared by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, reducing power capacity, superoxide free radical scavenging assay, and 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6- sulphonic acid assay.Results: In the DPPH assay, THF has an inhibitory concentration 50% value of 18.89 μg/ml which was much better than that of standard ascorbic acid which was 26.1 μg/ml. The THF had a much better antioxidant activity in most of the free radical scavenging assays.Conclusion: From the study, it can be seen that the flavones showed significant antioxidant activity that can be used for treatment of various diseases

Preliminary study on physicochemical and biochemical stress markers at poultry slaughterhouse

Pre-slaughter stress can result in variations in the glycogen storage and metabolic changes of muscle, responsible for quality poultry meat. Aim of this study was to investigate, as preslaughter stress markers and quality meat, physicochemical (pH), biochemical (muscle glycogen content), and chemical (super oxides free radicals) parameters. The carcass quality, as incidence of individual carcass defects, also was evaluate. A number of 20 broilers was processed with two different electrical stunning: high (250 Hz; 640 mA; 60V) (Lot C or control) and low (150 Hz; 360 mA; 60 V) (Lot A) frequency and intensity, using sinusoidal alternating current. As preliminary results, the use of low frequency and intensity induced faster pH decline post mortem and adequate acidification of pH at 3 hours (6.49 Lot C; 6.37 Lot A), better muscle glycogen reserve (0.770 μl/50mL Lot C; 1.497μl/50mL Lot A), and lightly more rapid muscle oxidation (IDF: 0.109 Lot C; 0.122 Lot A), (FOX: 0.131 MeqO2/kg Lot C; 0.140 MeqO2/kg Lot A). The incidence of individual carcass defects sufficient to cause downgrading or rejection, both in Lot C and Lot A, was generally low. In a multidisciplinary approach, to assess animal welfare and quality poultry meat, additional and feasible parameters should be implemented. Monitoring of pH, muscle glycogen reserve and superoxide free radical production measurements might be markers easier to use, routinely, in practice at abattoir. Further studies are needed to evaluate the usefulness of these parameters.

Synergistic Antioxidant Scavenging Activities of Grape Seed and Green Tea Extracts against Oxidative Stress

Grape seed and green tea extracts are reported to produce antioxidant scavenging activities against free radical toxicity. This study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that a specific combination of these extracts presents a synergistic antioxidant scavenging activities. The extracts of grape seed, green tea and their mixtures were characterized by phytochemical studies and tested for phenolics and flavonoids. In vitro antioxidant activity for individual extract and its mixtures was determined by DPPH, hydroxyl and superoxide free radical scavenging methods. The amount of total phenolics varied among the different extracts and ranged from 43.74 to 67.68 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) / g dry weight, whereas total flavonoids content ranged from 4.25 to 11.66 mg of quercetin equivalents (QU) /g dry weight. The present results suggest that both extracts reported a highly contents of total phenolic and flavonoids compounds, also the mixtures of these extracts can synergistically enhance antioxidant activity. Antioxidant potential from mixture 2 (grape seed extract 200 mg: green tea extract 100 mg) was comparable to that of standard. HPLC results showed that the most abundant components in the mixture 2 extract were epigallocatechingallate while the lowest was the procyanidine.

Antioxidant Activity of Silk Fibroin Peptide Hydrolyzed by Pancreatin

This research adopts the pancreatin hydrolysis of silk fibroin active peptide, evaluate the antioxidant activity of hydrolysates. In the process of hydrolysis of silk fibroin, by measuring the amino nitrogen content of neutral formaldehyde titration method. Find the amino nitrogen content gradually stabilized at around 0.37g/L, and superoxide free radical scavenging rate changing with time fluctuation trend, superoxide free radical scavenging rate to a maximum of 65.03% at 220min.The use of silk fibroin hydrolysis process optimization,reaction time 160min, enzyme concentration4% , substrate concentration 20mg/ml, pH 8, temperature 38°C. The hydrolysis process under the hydrolysate on superoxide radical scavenging rate of 72.73%. The scavenging rate of hydroxyl radical is 47.24%. Red blood cell hemolysis induced by H2O2 inhibition rate was 24.30%.