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Pagliari S, Sicari M, Pansera L, Guidi Nissim W, Mhalhel K, Rastegar S, Germanà A, Cicero N, Labra M, Cannavacciuolo C, Montalbano G, Campone L. A comparative metabolomic investigation of different sections of Sicilian Citrus x limon (L.) Osbeck, characterization of bioactive metabolites, and evaluation of in vivo toxicity on zebrafish embryo. J Food Sci 2024; 89:3729-3744. [PMID: 38709878 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.17079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Citrus fruits are a diverse and economically important group of fruit crops known for their distinctive flavors and high nutritional value. Their cultivation and consumption contribute significantly to the global agricultural economy and offer a wide range of health benefits. Among the genetic diversity of citrus species, Citrus x limon (L.) Osbeck is particularly relevant due to its chemical composition and potential health benefits. Two cultivars from the Sicily region (southern Italy) were compared for their phenolic content and preliminary antioxidant activity to select the distinctive extract with potential biological activity. A detailed characterization revealed the occurrence of phenolics, coumarins, and flavonoids. The quantification of metabolites contained in the selected extract was performed by an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatographic method coupled with an ultraviolet detector. Different concentrations were tested in vivo through the fish embryo acute toxicity test, and the 50% lethal dose of 107,833 µg mL-1 was calculated. Finally, the effect of the extract on hatching was evaluated, and a dose-dependent relationship with the accelerated hatching rate was reported, suggesting a Femminello Zagara Bianca green peel upregulating effect on the hatching enzymes. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Citrus fruits and their products continue to be one of the natural food sources with the highest waste output. In this study, we demonstrate how food industry waste, particularly lemon peel, is rich in bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may be used in the nutraceuticals industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Pagliari
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirea Sicari
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Lidia Pansera
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Werther Guidi Nissim
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Kamel Mhalhel
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Sepand Rastegar
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Antonino Germanà
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Nicola Cicero
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Science and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Science4life Spin-off Company, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Massimo Labra
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ciro Cannavacciuolo
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Montalbano
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Luca Campone
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
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Xing LZ, Zhang W, Zhao YD, Xu J, Zhang YX. Pyrazolamide derivatives inhibit α-Synuclein aggregation, disaggregate preformed fibers, and reduce inclusion formation in neuron cells. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 268:116198. [PMID: 38368711 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
α-Syn fibers, the primary cause and central element of Lewy bodies (LB), play a pivotal role in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). This research aims to identify more potent inhibitors of α-Syn aggregation. A series of N-aryl-3-aryl-pyrazole-5-carboxamide derivatives were designed and synthesized for this purpose. Among them, four candidate compounds, combining pyrazole and polyphenol blocks, were identified through screening, demonstrating good inhibitory effects with IC50 values in the low micromolar range (1.25-4.29 μM). Two candidates exhibited high permeability through the blood-brain barrier. Mechanistic studies using various methods revealed that the candidates preferentially bind to the aggregation-prone domains-proNAC or NAC domains of α-Syn. This binding hinders the conformational transition from random coil/α-helix to β-sheet, preserving α-Syn proteostasis. As a result, it interferes with α-Syn nuclei formation, prolongs the lag phase, decelerates the elongation phase, and ultimately impedes the formation of α-Syn fibrils. Additionally, the candidates demonstrated promising results in the disaggregation of preformed α-Syn fibers, potentially by binding to specific sites near the β-sheet domain within fibers. This reduces fiber stability, causing rapid collapse and yielding smaller aggregates and monomers. Crucially, the candidate compounds exhibited significant inhibitory efficacy against α-Syn aggregation within nerve cells with low cytotoxicity. This resulted in a notable inhibition of the formation of LB-like α-Syn inclusions. These compounds show considerable promise as potential therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Zi Xing
- Green Catalysis Center, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Daxue Road 75, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Green Catalysis Center, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Daxue Road 75, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ya-Dong Zhao
- Green Catalysis Center, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Daxue Road 75, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ji Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience Research Institute, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Kexue Road 100, 450001, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Yun-Xiao Zhang
- Green Catalysis Center, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Daxue Road 75, 450052, Zhengzhou, China.
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