In Vitro Anti/Pro-oxidant Activities of R. ferruginea Extract and Its Effect on Glioma Cell Viability: Correlation with Phenolic Compound Content and Effects on Membrane Dynamics

Shenqi formula delayed Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms by skn-1 pathway in Caernorhabditis elegans

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Shenqi formula is composed of Codonopsis pilosula (Cp) and Lycium barbarum (Lb), and it is traditionally used for promoting qi and nourishing the spleen, liver and kidney. Cp and Lb have been reported to improve cognitive performance in APP/PS1 mice, prevent the accumulation of Aβ, and reduce the neurotoxicity of Aβ to achieve the anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) effect.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Shenqi formula was explored the therapeutic effect on Caenorhabditis elegans AD pathological model and the underlying mechanism of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Paralysis assay and serotonin sensitivity assay was used to detect whether Shenqi formula can alleviate AD paralysis phenotype, and then DPPH, ABTS, NBT and Fenton methods were applied to investigate the scavenging capacity to free radical, ROS, ·O₂^- and ·OH of Shenqi formula in vitro. H₂DCF-DA and MitoSOX™ Red were employed to measure ROS and ^.O₂^- accumulation, respectively. RNAi was used to knock down the expression of skn-1 and daf-16 related to oxidative stress resistance signalling pathway. Fluorescence microscopy was used to record the expression of SOD-3:GFP, GST-4:GFP, SOD-1:YFP, and the nuclear translocation of SKN-1 and DAF-16. Western blot assay was carried out to test Aβ monomers and oligomers.

RESULTS

Shenqi formula delayed the AD-like pathological characteristics in C. elegans, and the complete Shenqi formula was more effective than Cp or Lb alone. The effect of Shenqi formula on delaying worm paralysis was partially eliminated by skn-1 RNAi, but not daf-16 RNAi. Shenqi formula significantly inhibited the abnormal deposition of Aβ protein, decreased Aβ protein monomers and oligomers. It increased the expressions of gst-4, sod-1, and sod-3 similar to paraquat, companied by rise then fall of ROS and ^.O₂^- in AD worms.

CONCLUSIONS

Shenqi formula at least partially depended on SKN-1 signalling pathway to exert its anti-AD effect, and it is potential to be used as a kind of health food to prevent the progress of AD.

Natural Food Supplements Reduce Oxidative Stress in Primary Neurons and in the Mouse Brain, Suggesting Applications in the Prevention of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases pose a major health problem for developed countries, and stress has been identified as one of the main risk factors in the development of these disorders. Here, we have examined the protective properties against oxidative stress of several bioactive natural food supplements. We found that MecobalActive^®, Olews^®, and red and white grape seed polyphenol extracts may have a neuroprotective effect in vitro, both in the SH-SY 5Y cell line and in hippocampal neuron cultures, mainly by reducing reactive oxygen species levels and decreasing caspase-3 activity. In vivo, we demonstrated that oral administration of the supplements reduces the expression of genes involved in inflammation and oxidation mechanisms, whereas it increments the expression of genes related to protection against oxidative stress. Furthermore, we found that preventive treatment with these natural extracts increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes and prevents lipid peroxidation in the brain of stressed mice. Thus, our results indicate that some natural bioactive supplements may have important protective properties against oxidative stress processes occurring in the brain.

Recent Advances in Liposomal Drug Delivery System of Quercetin for Cancer Targeting: A Mechanistic Approach

Quercetin (QT, 3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone), is a natural flavonoid with nutritional value and acts as a potential free-radical scavenger (antioxidant). QT has also been explored for its anti-cancer as well as anti-proliferative activities against numerous cancerous cells. Moreover, QT exhibits significant pro-apoptotic activity against tumor cells and is well established to control the growth of different carcinoma cells at various phases of the cell cycle. Hence, it can reduce the burden of human solid cancer and metastasis. Both these activities have been established in a diverse class of human cell lines in-vitro as well as in animal models (in-vivo). Apart from the promising therapeutic activities of QT molecule, their applications have been limited due to some major concerns, including low oral bioavailability and poor aqueous solubility. Also, rapid gastrointestinal digestion of QT seems to be a key barrier for its clinical translations for oral drug delivery in conventional dosage form. Henceforth, to overcome these drawbacks, QT is loaded with liposomal systems, which exhibit promising outcomes in the upregulation of QT by the epithelial system and also improved its targeting at the site of action. Furthermore, Liposomes based Drug Delivery Systems (LDDS) have showed significant therapeutic activity with conjugated drug moiety and exhibit safety, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mitigated toxicity despite having certain limitations associated with physiological and biological barriers. Herein, in this review, we have focused on the mechanism related with the chemotherapeutic activity of QT and also discussed the promising activity of QT-loaded LDDS as a potent chemotherapeutic agent for cancer therapy.

Structure of the flavonoid catechin in solution: NMR and quantum chemical investigations

DFT-PCM statistical index scan curves and ¹H-NMR profiles reveal conformational changes when a solid catechin sample is dissolved in acetone solvent.