Effect of quercetin or butylated hydroxytoluene on cooled or frozen-thawed ram sperm quality

Cooling and freezing processes cause physical and chemical damage to sperm by cold shock and oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two antioxidants on sperm parameters of cooled and frozen-thawed ram semen diluted in an egg yolk-based extender. Semen was collected from 30 rams and processed in two consecutive experiments to test the inclusion of different concentrations of quercetin and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in an egg yolk-based semen extender. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was added as a solvent to the semen extender in a ratio of 1 mL DMSO for 90 mg of quercetin and 1 mL DMSO for 880 mg of BHT. After collection, semen was diluted at 200 × 106 motile sperm/mL (control) and split into different groups in each experiment. In experiment 1, semen was diluted with the extender containing quercetin (Q5, 5 μg/mL; Q10, 10 μg/mL; Q15, 15 μg/mL) or DMSO alone (DMSO1, 0.055 μL DMSO per mL; DMSO2, 0.165 μL DMSO per mL). In experiment 2, semen was diluted with the extender with BHT (BHT1, 0.5 μg/mL; BHT2, 1 μg/mL; BHT3, 1.5 μg/mL) or DMSO alone (DMSO3, 0.375 μL DMSO per mL; DMSO4, 1.125 μL DMSO per mL). After dilution, the semen was divided into two aliquots. Treated ram sperm samples were also subjected to different storage methods. The first set of samples was cooled at 5 °C for 24 h, whereas the second set of samples was frozen-thawed. Sperm motility parameters and plasma membrane integrity (PMI) were evaluated immediately after dilution (0h) and 24 h after cooling and in the frozen-thawed samples via computer-assisted sperm analysis and epifluorescence microscopy, respectively. The inclusion of quercetin or BHT did not affect sperm motility parameters or PMI of fresh, cooled, or frozen-thawed sperm in this study (P < 0.05). However, further studies are needed to test the effects of these antioxidants on the fertility of cryopreserved ram semen.

A comparative study on the antioxidant activity of Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel and nine commonly used substances to compare the antioxidant activity of foods and medicinal plants

Reactive species, such as the free radicals produced during cell metabolism, are described as the main cause of oxidative stress, a process responsible for the development of degenerative diseases. Thus, the investigation of natural products containing chemical components with antioxidant capacity becomes necessary, since the frequent ingestion of these products may prevent the occurrence of this adverse event. In this perspective, total phenols (<b>TPC</b>) and total flavonoids (<b>TFC</b>) of the crude methanolic extract (<b>MCE</b>) and ethyl acetate fraction (<b>EAF</b>) obtained from <i>Gladiolus dalenii</i> bulbs were quantified and their antioxidant capacity evaluated and compared with that of gallic acid (<b>GA</b>), tannic acid (<b>TA</b>), pyrogallol (<b>PyG</b>), n-propyl gallate (<b>nPG</b>), quercetin (<b>Qtn</b>), rutin (<b>Rut</b>), butylated hydroxytoluene (<b>BHT</b>), 6-hydroxy-2,5,7-tetramethyl-chroman-2-carboxylic acid (<b>Trolox</b>) and ascorbic acid (<b>Asc)</b> using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydroxyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method. The study revealed that the antioxidant activity of <b>MCE</b> (EC₅₀=6.550 ± 0.31 µg/mL) and <b>EAF</b> (EC₅₀=5.960 ± 0.61 µg/mL) was higher effect than <b>Rut</b> (EC₅₀=9.110 ± 0.04 µg/mL) and <b>BHT</b> (EC₅₀=11.18 ± 0.03 µg/mL), and in turn lower than that of the other substances analyzed. The antioxidant activity found for <i>G. dalenii</i> extracts may be due to the high level of TPC found in this species.

Preparation, characterization and investigation of the anti-‎human ovarian cancer of silver nanoparticles green-formulated by Salvia officinalis leaf ‎aqueous extract ‎

IntroductionIn the present study, we decided to prepare and formulate a new chemotherapeutic drug (silver nanoparticles in ‎aqueous medium using Salvia officinalis leaf aqueous extract) for the treatment of human ovarian cancer in the in ‎vitro condition.Material and methodsThe organometallic chemistry tests such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV–Visible Spectroscopy ‎‎(UV-Vis), and Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR) were used for characterizing of silver ‎nanoparticles. For investigating the antioxidant potentials of AgNO3, Salvia officinalis aqueous extract, and ‎silver nanoparticles, the DPPH test was used in the presence of butylated hydroxytoluene as the positive ‎control. To survey the cytotoxicity and anti-human ovarian cancer activities of AgNO3, Salvia officinalis ‎aqueous extract, and silver nanoparticles, MTT assay was used on the human ovarian cancer cell lines i.e., Caov-‎‎3‎, SK-OV-3, and PA-1‎. ‎ResultsIn UV-Vis, the clear peak in the wavelength of 421 nm indicated the formation of silver nanoparticles. In FT-IR ‎test, the presence of many antioxidant compounds with related bonds caused the excellent condition for ‎reducing of silver in the silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles inhibited half of the DPPH molecules in ‎the concentration of 251 µg/mL. The best result of anti-human ovarian cancer effects of silver nanoparticles ‎against the above cell lines was observed in the case of the SK-OV-3 cell line. ‎ConclusionsSilver nanoparticles had very low cell viability and anti-human ovarian cancer properties dose-dependently ‎against Caov-3‎, SK-OV-3, and PA-1 cell lines without any cytotoxicity on the normal cell line (HUVECs). ‎

A comparative experiment on the anti-chronic myeloid leukemia capacities of AgNO3, ‎Scrophularia striata leaf aqueous extract, and silver nanoparticles containing natural ‎compounds ‎

IntroductionIn the current study, silver nanoparticles were prepared and synthesized in aqueous medium using Scrophularia ‎striata leaf extract as stabilizing and reducing agents. Also, we investigated the anti-chronic myeloid leukemia ‎potentials of silver nanoparticles against BV173 (chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis), CML-T1 (chronic ‎myeloid leukemia in lymphoid blast crisis), EM-2 (chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis; relapse after bone ‎marrow transplantation), and JOSK-M (chronic myeloid leukemia in myelomonocytic) cell lines. ‎Material and methodsSilver nanoparticles were characterized and analyzed using common nanotechnology techniques including UV-‎Vis.‎‏ ‏and FT-IR Spectroscopy, Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), and Transmission ‎Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Energy Dispersive X‐ray Spectrometry (EDS). ‎ResultsFT-IR analysis offered antioxidant compounds in the nanoparticles were the sources of reducing power, ‎reducing silver ions to silver nanoparticles. FE-SEM and TEM images revealed a uniform spherical morphology ‎in size of 19.72 nm for the green synthesized nanoparticles. DPPH test revealed similar antioxidant potentials ‎for silver nanoparticles and butylated hydroxytoluene. Silver nanoparticles had very low cell viability and anti-‎chronic myeloid leukemia properties dose-dependently against JOSK-M, EM-2, CML-T1, and BV173 cell lines ‎without any cytotoxicity on the HUVEC cell line. The best result of cytotoxicity properties of silver ‎nanoparticles against the above cell lines was observed in the case of CML-T1 cell line. ‎ConclusionsAfter confirming in the in vivo and clinical trial studies, these nanoparticles can be administrated in humans for ‎the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia.‎

Antimicrobial activity and physicochemical properties of Balanites aegyptiaca seed oil

This study was aimed to assess the antibacterial and antifungal activities of Balanites aegyptiaca seed oil and characterize the physicochemical properties. Seeds were collected from the local central market, Khartoum-Sudan (2019). The samples were dried under shade and grinded, then the oil was extracted with a Soxhlet extractor using n-hexane. The percentage yield of the extract was found to be 25.64%. The seed oil was tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (G-), Escherichia coli (G-), Bacillus subtilis (G+), Staphylococcus aureus (G+), and Candida albicans to assess their antimicrobial properties. The extract of B. aegyptiaca seed oil has antimicrobial activity against most of the organisms tested. The fatty acid profile of the B. aegyptiaca seed oil was analyzed by GC/MS. The results revealed that the presence of five fatty acids, including saturated linoleic acid, oleic acid, and unsaturated palmate and stearic acids, also a unique antioxidant compound butylated hydroxytoluene. The physiochemical properties of the seed oil showed that the oil contained kinetic viscosity (57 cp), density (0.917 g/cm3), refractive index (1.472), acid value (49.96 mg/kg), saponification value (248.75 mg/g), ester number (234.79 mg/kg) and peroxide number (0.02 mg/kg). Through physiochemical analysis, it was found that oil can be used for human consumption due to the percentage yield of unsaturated acids (81%). In addition, the results of the antioxidant activity of the seeds oil showed that the seed oil had moderate antioxidant activity.

Characterization of Novel Selected Microalgae for Antioxidant Activity and Polyphenols, Amino Acids, and Carbohydrates

The biochemical composition of three novel selected microalgae strains (Chlorophyta) was evaluated to confirm their potential possibilities as new sustainably produced biomass with nutritional, functional, and/or biomedical properties. Extracts from cultured Pseudopediastrum boryanum, Chloromonas cf. reticulata, and Chloroidium saccharophilum exhibited higher radical scavenging activity of DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) when compared to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), but lower than butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). Total phenolic compounds and amino acids were determined by newly developed RP-HPLC methods. Total phenolic contents, as µg g−1 of dry biomass, reached 27.1 for C. cf. reticulata, 26.4 for P. boryanum, and 55.8 for C. saccharophilum. Percentages of total analysed amino acids were 24.3, 32.1, and 18.5% of dry biomass, respectively, presenting high values for essential amino acids reaching 54.1, 72.6, and 61.2%, respectively. Glutamic acid was the most abundant free amino acid in all microalgae samples, followed by proline and lysine in C. saccharophilum and P. boryanum, and methionine and lysine in C. reticulata. Soluble carbohydrates in aqueous extracts ranged from 39.6 for C. saccharophilum to 49.3% for C. reticulata, increasing values to 45.1 for C. saccharophilum and 52.7% for P. boryanum in acid hydrolysates of dried biomass. Results confirmed the potential possibilities of these microalgae strains.

Introducing a novel chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of oral ‎squamous cell carcinoma‎: Silver nanoparticles green-formulated by ‎ ‎Matricaria chamomilla

IntroductionIn the present research, we formulated a modern chemotherapeutic drug by silver nanoparticles ‎‎(AgNPs) containing Matricaria chamomilla aqueous extract for the treatment of oral squamous ‎cell carcinoma.Material and methodsCharacterization of AgNPs was done by UV–Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier ‎Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and ‎Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE‐SEM). For investigating the antioxidant ‎properties of AgNO3, M. chamomilla, and AgNPs, the DPPH test was used in the presence of ‎butylated hydroxytoluene as the positive control. To survey the cytotoxicity and anti-oral ‎squamous cell carcinoma effects of AgNO3, M. chamomilla, and AgNPs, MTT assay was used ‎on the HSC-4, Ca9-22, and HSC-3 cell lines. ‎ResultsDPPH test revealed similar antioxidant potentials for M. chamomilla‎, AgNPs, and butylated ‎hydroxytoluene. Silver nanoparticles had very low cell viability and anti-oral squamous cell ‎carcinoma properties dose-dependently against HSC-4, Ca9-22, and HSC-3 cell lines without ‎any cytotoxicity on the normal cell line. The best result of anti-oral squamous cell carcinoma ‎properties of AgNPs against the above cell lines was seen in the case of the HSC-3 cell line. ‎ConclusionsAccording to the above findings, the silver nanoparticles containing M. chamomilla aqueous ‎extract can be administrated in humans for the treatment of several types of oral squamous cell ‎carcinoma. ‎

Formulation of a novel anti-human bone tumor supplement by silver nanoparticles green-synthesized using Nigella sativa leaf aqueous extract

IntroductionIn the present research, we formulated a modern chemotherapeutic drug by silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) containing Nigella sativa aqueous extract for the treatment of bone tumor.Material and methodsCharacterization of AgNPs was done by UV–Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE‐SEM). For investigating the antioxidant properties of AgNO3, N. sativa, and AgNPs, the DPPH test was used in the presence of butylated hydroxytoluene as the positive control. To survey the cytotoxicity and anti-bone tumor effects of AgNO3, N. sativa, and AgNPs, MTT assay was used on the human bone Ewing’s sarcoma (CADO-ES1 and MHH-ES1), human bone osteosarcoma (HOS and MG-63), and human bone chondrosarcoma (SW-1353 and CH-3573) cell lines.ResultsDPPH test revealed similar antioxidant potentials for N. sativa, AgNPs, and butylated hydroxytoluene. Silver nanoparticles had very low cell viability and anti-bone tumor properties dose-dependently against CADO-ES1, MHH-ES1, HOS, MG-63, SW-1353, and CH-3573 cell lines without any cytotoxicity on the normal cell line. The best result of anti-bone tumor properties of AgNPs against the above cell lines was seen in the case of the MG-63 cell line.ConclusionsAccording to the above findings, the silver nanoparticles containing N. sativa aqueous extract can be administrated in humans for the treatment of several types of bone tumors.

Assessment of Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Potential of Ethanolic Extract of Woodfordia fruticosa Flowers: GC-MS Analysis

Currently, the potential utilization of natural plant-derived extracts for medicinal and therapeutic purposes has increased remarkably. The current study, therefore, aimed to assess the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of modified solvent evaporation-assisted ethanolic extract of Woodfordia fruticosa flowers. For viable use of the extract, qualitative analysis of phytochemicals and their identification was carried out by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy. Analysis revealed that phenolic (65.62 ± 0.05 mg/g), flavonoid (62.82 ± 0.07 mg/g), and ascorbic acid (52.46 ± 0.1 mg/g) components were present in high amounts, while β-carotene (62.92 ± 0.02 µg/mg) and lycopene (60.42 ± 0.8 µg/mg) were present in lower amounts. The antimicrobial proficiency of modified solvent-assisted extract was evaluated against four pathogenic bacterial and one fungal strain, namely Staphylococcusaureus (MTCC 3160), Klebsiellapneumoniae (MTCC 3384), Pseudomonasaeruginosa (MTCC 2295), and Salmonellatyphimurium (MTCC 1254), and Candidaalbicans (MTCC 183), respectively. The zone of inhibition was comparable to antibiotics streptomycin and amphotericin were used as a positive control for pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains. The extract showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity during the albumin denaturation assay (43.56–86.59%) and HRBC membrane stabilization assay (43.62–87.69%). The extract showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging assay and the obtained results are comparable with BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) with percentage inhibitions of 82.46%, 83.34%, and 84.23%, respectively. Therefore, the obtained results concluded that ethanolic extract of Woodfordia fruticosa flowers could be utilized as a magnificent source of phenols used for the manufacturing of value-added food products.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Antiradical Properties of Some Phyto and Mammalian Lignans

In this study, the antioxidant and antiradical properties of some phyto lignans (nordihydroguaiaretic acid, secoisolariciresinol, secoisolariciresinol diglycoside, and α-(-)-conidendrin) and mammalian lignans (enterodiol and enterolactone) were examined by different antioxidant assays. For this purpose, radical scavenging activities of phyto and mammalian lignans were realized by 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical (ABTS•+) scavenging assay and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging assay. Additionally, the reducing ability of phyto and mammalian lignans were evaluated by cupric ions (Cu2+) reducing (CUPRAC) ability, and ferric ions (Fe3+) and [Fe3+-(TPTZ)2]3+ complex reducing (FRAP) abilities. Also, half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were determined and reported for DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging influences of all of the lignan molecules. The absorbances of the lignans were found in the range of 0.150–2.320 for Fe3+ reducing, in the range of 0.040–2.090 for Cu2+ reducing, and in the range of 0.360–1.810 for the FRAP assay. On the other hand, the IC50 values of phyto and mammalian lignans were determined in the ranges of 6.601–932.167 µg/mL for DPPH• scavenging and 13.007–27.829 µg/mL for ABTS•+ scavenging. In all of the used bioanalytical methods, phyto lignans, as secondary metabolites in plants, demonstrated considerably higher antioxidant activity compared to that of mammalian lignans. In addition, it was observed that enterodiol and enterolactone exhibited relatively weaker antioxidant activities when compared to phyto lignans or standard antioxidants, including butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), Trolox, and α-tocopherol.