Development, validation and application of first derivative spectroscopy ratio method for estimation of Bradford assay

Ultrasensitive Detection and Separation of Pancreatic Cancer Biomarker CA 19-9 Using a Multiphoton Laser Wave-Mixing Detector Interfaced to Capillary Electrophoresis

The carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) is the most commonly used biomarker in the clinical diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Multiphoton nonlinear laser wave-mixing spectroscopy is presented as an ultrasensitive detection method for CA 19-9. Wave mixing is an optical absorption-based method, and hence, one can detect CA 19-9 without labels in their native form using compact ultraviolet (UV) lasers or labeled samples using a visible laser. The wave-mixing signal exhibits a quadratic dependence on the sample concentration, and hence, it is an ideal sensor to monitor small changes in the sample. Wave mixing has inherent advantages over other absorption-based detection methods, including short optical path length (micrometer-thin samples instead of 1 cm cuvette) and excellent spatial resolution (micrometer probe). Since the laser wave-mixing probe volume is small (picoliter), it is convenient to interface to microfluidics or capillary-based electrophoresis systems to enhance chemical specificity. Our wave-mixing detectors could be configured as portable battery-powered devices suitable for field use. Laser wave-mixing spectroscopy offers enhanced selectivity levels for protein detection when coupled with capillary electrophoresis (CE). We report a concentration detection limit of 0.16 U/mL, and a corresponding mass detection limit of 1.2 × 10-8 U, and these detection limits are better than those of chemiluminescence- or ELISA- based methods.

Study on immunoregulation function of peony seed proteolysis product in mice

To explore the immunoregulatory function of peony seed proteolysis product in mice, the protein from peony seed meal was extracted and hydrolyzed with bromelain. The peony seed proteolysis product was fed to mice at three different doses of 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 g/kg for 21 days. The immunoregulation abilities of peony seed proteolysis product after each of these doses were evaluated in mice. Our results showed that all immune indices were higher in mice that had received a lavage with peony seed proteolysis product than in control mice. The immune indices of immune organs, delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction (DTH), phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages, serum hemolysin levels, lymphocyte proliferation (SI value), and levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 in the middle dose and high dose groups were significantly higher (p < .05) or extremely significant (p < .01) in comparison with the control group. These results indicate that the peony seed proteolysis product enhances immunological functions in mice. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Peony seed is rich in proteins and can be extracted and hydrolyzed using bromelain. The peony seed proteolysis product can enhance the nonspecific, humoral, and cellular immune responses. Thus, peony seed could be of potential value to obtain peony seed protein, which can be further developed and utilized in the manufacture of functional health products.

Anthraquinones Extract from Morinda angustifolia Roxb. Root Alleviates Hepatic Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride through Inhibition of Hepatic Oxidative Stress

In Southwestern China, the root of Morinda angustifolia Roxb. has been employed as a folk medicine for treating various types of hepatitis and jaundice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of anthraquinones extract from M. angustifolia root (AEMA) in carbon tetrachloride- (CCl₄-) induced liver injury in mice and identify the main bioactive components. Results indicated that AEMA pretreatment could significantly, in a dose-dependent manner, attenuate the increased levels of ALT and AST in mice serum induced by CCl₄. At doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, AEMA exhibited significant suppression of the elevated hepatic levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as marked upregulatory effects on the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in mice exposed to CCl₄. However, AEMA treatment had no effect on the antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) or the nonenzymatic antioxidant glutathione (GSH). Furthermore, two anthraquinone constituents were isolated from AEMA and identified as soranjidiol and rubiadin-3-methyl ether. Soranjidiol exhibited similar protective effects to those of AEMA on liver damage induced by CCl₄. Overall, our research clearly demonstrated the hepatoprotective effects of the AEMA, and anthraquinones, particularly soranjidiol, should be considered as the main hepatoprotective principles of M. angustifolia. In addition, the underlying mechanism may be, at least in part, related to its antioxidant properties.