Search Results (8,262)

Administration of oxygen microbubbles (OMBs) has been shown to increase oxygen and decrease carbon dioxide in systemic circulation, as well as reduce lung inflammation and promote survival in preclinical models of hypoxia caused by lung injury. However, their impact on microenvironmental oxygenation remains unexplored. Herein, we investigated the effects of intraperitoneal administration of OMBs in anesthetized rats exposed to hypoxic ventilation (FiO₂ = 0.14). Blood oxygenation and hemodynamics were evaluated over a 2 h time frame, and then organ and tissue samples were collected for hypoxic and metabolic analyses. Data showed that OMBs improved blood SaO₂ (~14%) and alleviated tissue hypoxia within the microenvironment of the kidney and intestine at 2 h of hypoxia. Metabolomic analysis revealed OMBs induced metabolic differences in the cecum, liver, kidney, heart, red blood cells and plasma. Within the spleen and lung, principal component analysis showed a metabolic phenotype more comparable to the normoxic group than the hypoxic group. In the spleen, this shift was characterized by reduced levels of fatty acids and 2-hydroxygluterate, alongside increased expression of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione and hypoxanthine. Interestingly, there was also a shuttle effect within the metabolism of the spleen from the tricarboxylic acid cycle to the glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathways. In the lung, metabolomic analysis revealed upregulation of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine synthesis, indicating a potential indirect mechanism through which OMB administration may improve lung surfactant secretion and prevent alveolar collapse. In addition, cell-protective purine salvage was increased within the lung. In summary, oxygenation with intraperitoneal OMBs improves systemic blood and local tissue oxygenation, thereby shifting metabolomic profiles of the lung and spleen toward a healthier normoxic state. Full article

Pinctada fucata meat is the main by-product of the pearl harvesting industry. It is rich in nutrition, containing a lot of protein and peptides, and holds significant value for both medicine and food. In this study, a new active protein was discovered and expressed heterogeneously through bioinformatics analysis. It was then identified using Western blot, molecular weight, and mass spectrometry. The antibacterial activity, hemolysis activity, antioxidant activity, and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme II (ACE2) inhibitory activity were investigated. An unknown functional protein was screened through the Uniprot protein database, and its primary structure did not resemble existing proteins. It was an α-helical cationic polypeptide we named PFAP-1. The codon-optimized full-length PFAP-1 gene was synthesized and inserted into the prokaryotic expression vector pET-30a. The induced expression conditions were determined with a final isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactoside (IPTG) concentration of 0.2 mM, an induction temperature of 15 °C, and an induction time of 16 h. The recombinant PFAP-1 protein, with low endotoxin and sterility, was successfully prepared. The recombinant PFAP-1 protein exhibited strong antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in vitro, and the diameter of the inhibition zone was 15.99 ± 0.02 mm. Its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were 37.5 μg/mL and 150 μg/mL, respectively, and its hemolytic activity was low (11.21%) at the bactericidal concentration. The recombinant PFAP-1 protein significantly inhibited the formation of MRSA biofilm and eradicated MRSA biofilm. It also demonstrated potent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 40.83 μg/mL. The IC₅₀ of ACE2 inhibition was 5.66 μg/mL. Molecular docking results revealed that the optimal docking fraction of PFAP-1 protein and ACE2 protein was −267.78 kcal/mol, with a confidence level of 0.913. The stable binding complex was primarily formed through nine groups of hydrogen bonds, three groups of salt bridges, and numerous hydrophobic interactions. In conclusion, recombinant PFAP-1 can serve as a promising active protein in food, cosmetics, or medicine. Full article

The metabolic syndrome and its associated co-morbidities have been recognized as predisposing risk factors for the development of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The present study reports on the beneficial effect of the Tanacetum balsamita methanol-aqueous extract (ETB) at 150 and 300 mg/kg bw on biochemical parameters related to oxidative stress, metabolic syndrome, and liver function in rat animal models with induced MAFLD. ETB was found to be non-toxic with LD50 > 3000 mg/kg and did not affect cell viability of hepatic HEP-G2 cells in a concentration up to 800 μg/mL. The pathology was established by a high-calorie diet and streptozotocin. Acarbose and atorvastatin were used as positive controls. At the higher dose, ETB reduced significantly (p < 0.05) the blood glucose levels by about 20%, decreased lipase activity by 52%, total cholesterol and triglycerides by 50% and 57%, respectively, and restored the amylase activity and leukocytes compared to the MAFLD group. ETB ameliorated oxidative stress biomarkers reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde in a dose-dependent manner. At 300 mg/kg, the beneficial effect of the extract on antioxidant enzymes was evidenced by the elevated catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activity by 70%, 29%, and 44%, accordingly, compared to the MAFLD rats. ETB prevents the histopathological changes related to MAFLD. ETB, rich in 3,5-dicafeoylquinic, chlorogenic, and rosmarinic acids together with the isorhamnetin- and luteolin-glucoside provides a prominent amelioration of MAFLD. Full article

Cardiomyopathy is the predominant defect in Barth syndrome (BTHS) and is caused by a mutation of the X-linked Tafazzin (TAZ) gene, which encodes an enzyme responsible for remodeling mitochondrial cardiolipin. Despite the known importance of mitochondrial dysfunction in BTHS, how specific TAZ mutations cause diverse BTHS heart phenotypes remains poorly understood. We generated a patient-tailored CRISPR/Cas9 knock-in mouse allele (Taz^PM) that phenocopies BTHS clinical traits. As Taz^PM males express a stable mutant protein, we assessed cardiac metabolic dysfunction and mitochondrial changes and identified temporally altered cardioprotective signaling effectors. Specifically, juvenile Taz^PM males exhibit mild left ventricular dilation in systole but have unaltered fatty acid/amino acid metabolism and normal adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This occurs in concert with a hyperactive p53 pathway, elevation of cardioprotective antioxidant pathways, and induced autophagy-mediated early senescence in juvenile Taz^PM hearts. However, adult Taz^PM males exhibit chronic heart failure with reduced growth and ejection fraction, cardiac fibrosis, reduced ATP, and suppressed fatty acid/amino acid metabolism. This biphasic changeover from a mild-to-severe heart phenotype coincides with p53 suppression, downregulation of cardioprotective antioxidant pathways, and the onset of terminal senescence in adult Taz^PM hearts. Herein, we report a BTHS genotype/phenotype correlation and reveal that absent Taz acyltransferase function is sufficient to drive progressive cardiomyopathy. Full article

The impact of fava bean processing methods (soaking, autoclaving, fermentation) on a legume-based bars’ quality, protein characteristics, and digestibility was shown. The antioxidant and the angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitory capacity before and after in vitro digestion were investigated to reveal the potential advantages of fava bean usage for snacks. All bars have demonstrated high protein content, varying from 22.1 to 25.1 g/100 g DB. Based on the fermented fava beans of Pleurotus ostreatus, the samples were characterized by a higher concentration of essential amino acids by 8.6% and a reduction of tannins by 18.5% compared with bars based on soaked fava beans. Sensory evaluation improved the color, texture, and overall acceptability of the bars with fermented legumes. Various types of bean processing did not significantly affect the protein digestibility of the bars. The fermentation method positively affected the angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitory properties of bars and increased by 16.5% (before digestion) and 15% (after digestion) compared with other samples. After digestion, samples were characterized by a high level of Fe bioaccessibility (100, 83, and 79% for the bars based on soaked, autoclaved, and fermented fava beans, respectively) and increased total phenolic content. These findings highlight the potential health benefits of fava bean usage for snack products. Full article

Halophytic plants possess a huge range of active constituents and medicinal benefits. In this study, extracts (water, ethanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and n-hexane) of two halophytes of the genus Petrosimonia (P. brachiata and P. nigdeensis) were investigated for their phytochemical profiles and pharmacological properties. The phytochemical profiles of both species were investigated using an untargeted metabolomics approach based on high-resolution mass spectrometry. The two species show different polyphenolic profiles and these are influenced by the different extraction solvents used. The same extracts were used for different bioactivity assays. The results show that all extracts yielded total flavonoid and phenolic contents of 11.14–24.22 mg GAE/g and 3.15–22.03 mg RE/g, respectively. While extracts of both species demonstrated a radical scavenging ability in the ABTS assay (16.12–98.02 mg TE/g), only the polar and moderately polar extracts (water, ethanol, and ethyl acetate) showed scavenging potential in the DPPH assay (4.74–16.55 mg TE/g). A reducing potential was also displayed by all extracts in the CUPRAC and FRAP assays (26.02–80.35 mg TE/g and 31.70–67.69 mg TE/g, respectively). The total antioxidant capacity of the extracts ranged from 0.24 to 2.17 mmol TE/g, and the metal chelating activity ranged from 14.74 to 33.80 mg EDTAE/g. The water extracts possessed a higher metal chelating power than the other extracts. All extracts acted as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (0.16–3.85 mg GALAE/g) and amylase (0.11–1.28 mmol ACAE/g). Moreover, apart from the water extracts, the other extracts also showed anti-butyrylcholinesterase activity (0.73–2.86 mg GALAE/g), as well as anti-tyrosinase (36.74–61.40 mg KAE/g) and anti-glucosidase (2.37–2.73 mmol ACAE/g) potential. In general, the water extracts were found to be weak inhibitors of the tested enzymes, while the ethanol extracts mostly showed an inhibitory effect. The obtained findings revealed the antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties of these two species and demonstrated that the solvent type used affected the pharmacological properties of the extracts and hence, can be useful to further investigate the active constituents yielded in the extracts and understand the mechanisms involved. Full article

Salinity is one of the primary abiotic stresses that seriously hampers plant quality and productivity. It is feasible to reduce or reverse the negative effects of salt through the supplementation of silicon (Si) and aspartic acid (Asp). However, the question of how exogenous Si and Asp induce salt tolerance in celery remains incipient. Thus, this study was performed to determine the synergistic effects of Si and Asp on the alleviation of salt stress in celery. To this end, the celery plants were cultivated in a controlled regime (light for 14 h at 22 °C; darkness for 10 h at 16 °C) and treated with one of five treatments (CK, 100 mM NaCl, 100 mM NaCl + 75 mg/L Si, 100 mM NaCl + 100 mg/L Asp, and 100 mM NaCl + 75 mg/L Si + 100 mg/L Asp). Results showed that solely NaCl-treated celery plants developed salt toxicity, as characterized by decreased growth, declined photosynthetic ability, disturbed nutritious status and internal ion balance, and a boosted antioxidant defense system (Improved antioxidant enzymes and reduced ROS accumulation). In contrast, these adverse effects of NaCl were ameliorated by the additions of Si and Asp, regardless of Si, Asp, or both. Moreover, the mitigatory impacts of the co-application of Si and Asp on salt stress were more pronounced compared to when one of them was solely applied. Collectively, exogenous Si and Asp alleviate the degree of salt stress and thereby improve the salt tolerance of celery. Full article

This study explores the potential of producing bioethanol from seaweed biomass and reusing the residues as antioxidant compounds. Various types of seaweed, including red (Gelidium amansii, Gloiopeltis furcata, Pyropia tenera), brown (Saccharina japonica, Undaria pinnatifida, Ascophyllum nodosum), and green species (Ulva intestinalis, Ulva prolifera, Codium fragile), were pretreated with dilute acid and enzymes and subsequently processed to produce bioethanol with Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4741. Ethanol production followed the utilization of sugars, resulting in the highest yields from red algae > brown algae > green algae due to their high carbohydrate content. The residual biomass was extracted with water, ethanol, or methanol to evaluate its antioxidant activity. Among the nine seaweeds, the A. nodosum bioethanol residue extract (BRE) showed the highest antioxidant activity regarding the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibition of H₂O₂-treated RAW 264.7 cells. These by-products can be valorized, contributing to a more sustainable and economically viable biorefinery process. This dual approach not only enhances the utilization of marine resources but also supports the development of high-value bioproducts. Full article

To investigate the effects of Pseudomonas monteilii SX001 on various parameters of cucumber plants under salt stress, the salt-sensitive cucumber variety “Jinyou No. 4” was used as the test material, and coconut bran was used to simulate salt stress by applying NaCl solution. The results indicated that salt stress significantly reduced the morphological structure, relative growth rate, root morphology, and photosynthetic parameters of the cucumber plants. Leaf starch, soluble sugar, and sucrose contents significantly increased, whereas their levels in roots decreased. Cell membrane damage leads to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, with notable increases in the activities of major antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, and POD. Nitrogen metabolism was disrupted, as evidenced by a significant decrease in nitrate nitrogen content and an increase in ammonium nitrogen content, as well as a significant reduction in the activity of NR enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism. The enzyme activity in the cucumber rhizosphere soil decreased. However, Pseudomonas monteilii SX001 significantly enhanced the growth of cucumber seedlings under salt stress, improved photosynthetic efficiency, and facilitated sugar transformation and transport via glucose metabolism. Additionally, Pseudomonas monteilii SX001 reduced the reactive oxygen content and increased antioxidant enzyme activity. It also increased the activity of substrate enzymes and decreased the diversity of rhizosphere soil microorganisms but also increased the abundance of Asticcacaulis, Acinetobacter, Brevundimonas, Pseudomonas, and Enterobacter. These findings demonstrate that Pseudomonas monteilii SX001 is a promising bioinoculant for alleviating salt stress in cucumber production and improving soil health. Full article

Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medic flower (AMf) exhibits both nutritional value and bioactivities such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and hepatoprotective effects. The aim of this investigation was to examine the potential impact of three different solvent extracts of AMf: supercritical CO₂ extraction extract, water extract, and ethanol extract (AME), on management of diabetes. All three extracts demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 157–261 μg/mL) and lipase (IC₅₀ = 401–577 μg/mL) activities while enhancing the α-amylase activity (32.4–41.8 folds at 200 μg/mL). Moreover, all three extracts exhibited notable inhibition of the formation of advanced glycation end-products, including the Amadori products (inhibition rates = 15.7–36.6%) and the dicarbonyl compounds (inhibition rates = 18.6–28.3%). Among the three extracts, AME exhibited the most pronounced inhibitory effect. AME displayed substantial in vitro and intracellular antioxidative activity, and effectively reduced ROS production (135% at 500 μg/mL) in β-cells under hyperglycemic (HG) conditions. AME also enhanced the activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, which were markedly decreased in the HG-induced β-cells. Furthermore, AME protected β-cell viability and maintained normal insulin secretion under HG conditions, likely due to its ability to reduce oxidative stress within β-cells. This study demonstrated the potential of AME in preventing and managing diabetes and its associated complications. Further in vivo research is necessary to thoroughly elucidate the preventive effects and their underlying mechanisms. Full article

The fruit of the cashew, a tree belonging to the family Anacardiaceae, is composed of approximately 10% nut (cashew) and 90% stalk or pseudofruit, usually discarded in situ and fermented in the soil. This review identifies cashew pseudofruit’s physicochemical characteristics and bioactive compounds and their possible relationship to health benefits. Different processing techniques have been used to preserve the pseudofruit, and the effect of these techniques on its nutrients is also reviewed in this work. Cashew is a highly perishable product with moisture content above 80% w/w and 10% w/w sugars. It also has a high content of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins and high antioxidant properties that are best preserved by nonthermal processing techniques. The pseudofruit presents the high inhibitory activity of α-amylase and lipase enzymes, has anti-inflammatory and body weight reduction properties and healing activity, and controls glucose levels, insulinemia, and insulin resistance. For all these reasons, cashews have been promoted as a propitious food/ingredient for preventive and therapeutic management of different pathologies such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension, fatty liver, and acne. Moreover, it has positive effects on the intestinal microflora, among others. This pseudofruit has a high potential for the development of functional foods. Full article

Difenoconazole-loaded (CS-DIF) microcapsules were synthesized by encapsulating difenoconazole into biocompatible chitosan. The physical and chemical properties indicated that the encapsulation and chemical loading rates were 85.58% and 61.98%, respectively. The microcapsules exhibited prominent controlled-release and surface stability performance. The cumulative release rate was only 33.6% in 168 h, and the contact angle decreased by 11.73° at 120 s compared with difenoconazole. The antifungal activity of the CS-DIF microcapsules against Curvularia lunata was confirmed through observations of colony growth, in vitro and in vivo inoculation, mycelium morphology, as well as DNA and protein leakage. The antioxidant enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase decreased by 65.1%, 84.9%, and 69.7%, respectively, when Curvularia lunata was treated with 200 μg/mL microcapsules, compared with the control in 24 h. The enzymatic activity of polyphenol oxidase decreased by 323.8%. The reactive oxygen species contents of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anions increased by 204.6% and 164%, respectively. Additionally, the soluble sugar and soluble protein contents decreased by 65.5% and 69.6%, respectively. These findings provided a novel approach to control the growth of C. lunata efficiently, laying a foundation for reducing the quantity and enhancing the efficiency of chemical pesticides. The CS-DIF microcapsules exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on fungus, effectively preventing and controlling leaf spot disease and showing potential for field applications. This study might be of great significance in ensuring plant protection strategies. Full article

In this study, a new component of Cyclocarya paliurus polysaccharides (CPP20) was precipitated by the gradient ethanol method, and the protective effect of CPP20 on hypercholesterolemia mice was investigated. In vitro, CPP20 had the ability to bind bile salts and inhibit cholesterol micelle solubility, and it could effectively clear free radicals (DPPH•, •OH, and ABTS+). In vivo, CPP20 effectively alleviated hypercholesterolemia and liver damage in mice. After CPP20 intervention, the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px) and the level of HDL-C in liver and serum were increased, and the activity of aminotransferase (ALT and AST) and the level of MDA, TC, TG, LDL-C, and TBA were decreased. Molecular experiments showed that CPP20 reduced cholesterol by regulating the mRNA expression of antioxidation-related genes (SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT) and genes related to the cholesterol metabolism (CYP7A1, CYP27A1, SREBP-2, HMGCR, and FXR) in liver. In addition, CPP20 alleviated intestinal microbiota disturbances in mice with hypercholesterolemia and increased levels of SCFAs. Therefore, CPP20 alleviates hypercholesterolemia by alleviating oxidative damage, maintaining cholesterol homeostasis, and regulating gut microbiota. Full article

Cancer and oxidative stress are interrelated, with reactive oxygen species (ROS) playing crucial roles in physiological processes and oncogenesis. Excessive ROS levels can induce DNA damage, leading to cancer, and disrupt antioxidant defenses, contributing to diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. Antioxidant mechanisms include enzymes and small molecules that mitigate ROS damage. However, cancer cells often exploit oxidative conditions to evade apoptosis and promote tumor growth. Antioxidant therapy has shown mixed results, with timing and cancer-type influencing outcomes. Multifunctional drugs targeting multiple pathways offer a promising approach, reducing side effects and improving efficacy. Recent research focuses on sulfur-nitrogen heterocyclic derivatives for their dual antioxidant and anticancer properties, potentially enhancing therapeutic efficacy in oncology. The newly synthesized compounds often do not demonstrate both antioxidant and anticancer properties simultaneously. Heterocyclic rings are typically combined with phenyl groups, where hydroxy substitutions enhance antioxidant activity. On the other hand, electron-withdrawing substituents, particularly at the p-position on the phenyl ring, tend to enhance anticancer activity. Full article

Salt stress is one of the major environmental problems in agricultural production, severely limiting crops’ germination, growth and yield. Silicon (Si) is a widely recognized beneficial element in plants, which can promote plant growth especially under stressful conditions. With the emergence of nanotechnology in agriculture, silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) have been shown to be a promising tool in nano-enabled agricultural production. However, the comparative effects of Si and SiNPs in alleviating salt stress in plants remain unclear, which would limit the application of SiNPs in agricultural practice. In this study, the effects of SiNPs and conventional Si (silicate) on tomato (a typical low-Si accumulator) seed germination, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and the expression of genes related to hormone metabolism were investigated. The results showed that SiNPs more effectively promoted seed germination percentage, fresh weight, and Si content than conventional Si. Simultaneously, SiNPs more significantly modulated the activities of antioxidant enzymes and alleviated salt stress-induced oxidative damage in tomato seeds. Moreover, exogenous SiNPs addition promoted the expression of genes responsible for gibberellin (GA) synthesis and abscisic acid (ABA) catabolism, while downregulating the expression of genes related to GA deactivation and ABA synthesis in tomato seeds under salt stress. Overall, our results indicate that SiNPs are more effective than conventional Si in promoting tomato seed germination under salt stress via modulating antioxidant enzyme activity and key endogenous hormone metabolism, which could be based on the higher accumulation of SiNPs in tomato seeds than conventional Si. Full article