Protective activity of ellagic acid in counteract oxidative stress damage in zebrafish embryonic development

Ellagic acid treatment during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes improves development competence after parthenogenetic activation and somatic cell nuclear transfer

Ellagic acid (EA) is a natural polyphenol and a free radical scavenger with antioxidant properties. This study investigated the protective effects of EA during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes. To determine the optimal concentration, IVM medium was supplemented with various concentrations of EA. Treatment with 10 μM EA (10 EA) resulted in the highest cleavage rate, blastocyst formation rate, and total cell number per blastocyst and the lowest percentage of apoptotic cell in parthenogenetic blastocysts. In the 10 EA group, abnormal spindle and chromosome misalignment were rescued and the ratio of phosphorylated p44/42 to total p44/42 was increased. Furthermore, the reactive oxygen species and glutathione levels were significantly decreased and increased, respectively, and antioxidant genes (Nrf2, HO-1, CAT, and SOD1) were significantly upregulated in the 10 EA group. mRNA expression of developmental-related (CDX2, POU5F1, and SOX2) and anti-apoptotic (BCL2L1) genes was significantly upregulated in the 10 EA group, while mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic genes (BAK, FAS, and CASP3) was significantly downregulated. Ultimately, following somatic cell nuclear transfer, the blastocyst formation rate was significantly increased and the percentage of apoptotic cell in blastocysts was significantly decreased in the 10 EA group. In conclusion, addition of 10 EA to IVM medium improved oocyte maturation and the subsequent embryo development capacity through antioxidant mechanisms. These findings suggest that EA can enhance the efficiencies of assisted reproductive technologies.

A network pharmacology approach to elucidate the anti-inflammatory effects of ellagic acid

Ellagic acid (EA) is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound found in various fruits and vegetables like strawberries, raspberries, pomegranates, and nuts such as pecans and walnuts. With its antioxidant properties, EA has shown potential health benefits, although further research is necessary to fully comprehend its effects, mechanisms, and safe and effective application as a complementary medicine. Notably, there is accumulating evidence of EA's anti-inflammatory effects; however, the precise underlying mechanism remains unclear. To investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of EA, a network pharmacology approach was employed. The study identified 52 inflammation-related targets of EA and revealed significant signaling pathways and relevant diseases associated with inflammation through GO and KEGG analysis. Furthermore, topological analysis identified 10 important targets, including AKT1, VEGFA, TNF, MAPK3, ALB, SELP, MMP9, MMP2, PTGS2, and ICAM1. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted, indicating that AKT1, PTGS2, VEGFA, and MAPK3 are the most likely targets of EA, as evidenced by their molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area binding energy calculations. In summary, this study not only confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of EA observed in previous research but also identified the most probable targets of EA.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

The Efficacy and Safety of the Zhuyun Formula and Auricular Acupressure for the Infertile Women with Recurrent Implantation Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Recurrent implantation failure (RIF), a clinical disorder characterized by failure to achieve pregnancy after repeated (≥3) embryo transfer, is a challenge for reproductive demands worldwide. In our preliminary work, the Zhuyun formula (ZYF) with auricular acupressure, a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with a small sample size for RIF, can improve the clinical pregnancy rate (41.2% vs. 26.7%, treatment group vs. control group, p < 0.05). Based on the toxicological and pregnancy-related pharmacological analysis of ZYF for RIF, the T-cell receptor signaling pathway might be involved in the pharmacological activity. This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of the CAM therapy according to pregnancy outcomes and maternal and child health and investigating the changes of T-helper (Th) cells in the peripheral blood of unexplained RIF women.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a prospective, two-arms, randomized, nonblinded study. All eligible women were randomly assigned to the treatment group (TG) and the control group (CG) according to a computer-generated randomization list in sealed opaque envelopes. Blood samples were collected from the two groups, and serum Th1, Th2, and Treg were detected by flow cytometry. The cytokines were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The TG was administrated with ZYF and auricular acupressure for three months before ovarian stimulation, while the control group was on a waiting list for the same period. The primary outcome was CPR. The second outcomes were the serum levels of immune parameters. For the safety evaluation, the perinatal outcomes of maternal and child were obtained by follow-up. Post-hoc sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the effect of missing data.

Results

One hundred and twenty-three women were randomized into the TG (n = 62) and CG (n = 61). The CPR was increased significantly in the TG (45.2%) than CG (26.2%) (p = 0.029). Twenty blood samples were collected, and the Th2/Th1 and Treg expression level was significantly higher in the TG than in the CG. IL-2, IL-10, and Foxp3 were higher significantly in the TG than in the CG. The maternal and child perinatal outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusions

The ZYF with auricular acupressure was effective and safe in improving the pregnancy outcomes of RIF. It might be related to balancing the level of cytokines related to the immune tolerance of the maternal-fetal interface to protect the embryo from the maternal immune system. Clinical Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry; date: 14/Dec/2013; no. NCT03078205.

TiO2-NPs and cadmium co-exposure: in vitro assessment of genetic and genomic DNA damage on Dicentrarchus labrax embryonic cells

The increased titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) spread and their interaction with organic and inorganic pollutants arouses concern for the potential hazards for organisms and environment. This study tested in vitro the genotoxic effects of TiO₂-NPs (1 μg/mL) and cadmium (Cd) (0.1 μg/mL) co-exposure using Dicentrarchus labrax embryonic cells (DLEC) as experimental model. The genotoxicity tests (Comet assay, Diffusion Assay and Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) were conducted after 3, 24 and 48 hours of exposure to TiO₂-NPs and Cd alone and in combination. The results showed that the percentage of DNA damage and apoptotic cells increases following 48 hours TiO₂-NPs exposure, while DNA instability was detected for all the times tested. Cd induced genotoxic effects starting from 3 hour-exposure and for all the treatment times. Cd + TiO₂-NPs co-exposure did not cause any genomic damage or apoptosis for all the exposure times. The possibility that Cd and TiO₂-NPs form aggregates no longer able of penetrating the nucleus and damaging the genetic material is discussed.

He's Yangchao Recipe Ameliorates Ovarian Oxidative Stress of Aging Mice under Consecutive Superovulation Involving JNK- And P53-Related Mechanism

Objective

To evaluate the effects of He's Yangchao Recipe (HSYC) on ameliorating ovarian oxidative stress of aging mice under consecutive superovulation.

Methods

An 8-month-old C57BL/6 female mouse was chosen to establish an aging model under ovarian hyperstimulation. Mice were randomly separated into four groups: R1 as the control group, R4 as the model group, NR4 with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) administration, and TR4 with HSYC administration. Oocyte collection, in vitro fertilization, and embryo culture were performed. The serum hormone levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA); the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level of oocytes, the number of growing follicles, corpus luteum, ovulated oocytes, and developing embryos at each stage, along with the proportions of fragmented oocytes and abnormal mitochondria in granulosa cells (GCs) and the apoptosis rate of GCs were calculated; the mRNA and protein levels of JNK, P53, BAX were detected by real-time PCR and the Simple Western System.

Results

HSYC enhanced estradiol, progesterone, and inhibin-B levels and increased growing follicle and corpus luteum and ovulated egg counts compared to the R4 group (P < 0.05), whereas it decreased the proportions of fragmented oocytes (P < 0.01); Meanwhile, embryos from mice subjected to four superovulation cycles with HSYC treated had a higher hatching potential. The ROS level of oocytes is downregulated by HSYC (P < 0.01) and the percentage of abnormal mitochondrial in ovaries of the TR4 group was also significantly declined compared to the R4 group (P < 0.05); the most TUNEL-positive cells proportion was detected in the R4 group; nevertheless, HSYC effectively attenuated this detrimental effect (P < 0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of JNK and P53 in ovary tissues were reduced in the TR4 group while these genes were upregulated by repeated superovulation (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

HSYC exerted promising effects on promoting the diminished ovarian reserve and decreased oocyte quality induced by both aging and consecutive ovarian superovulation, potentially via the ROS/JNK/p53 pathway.

Oxysterols profiles in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos exposed to bisphenol A

INTRODUCTION

Oxysterols are cholesterol oxidation products and bioactive lipids involved in developmental signaling pathways, embryonic and postembryonic tissue patterning and homeostasis. The embryonic period is a very sensitive window of exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), hence the role of BPA on the levels of oxysterols in the very early stages of zebrafish embryogenesis is a relevant novel field of investigation.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the role of BPA on oxysterols levels in zebrafish embryos at 8 and 24 hours post fertilization (hpf) with cytochromes P450 (CYPs)-modulating chemicals (carbamazepine, ketoconazole, and hydrogen peroxide).

METHODS

Upon a dose range finding, zebrafish embryos were exposed to environmentally relevant (0.04μM) and toxicological (17.5 μM) BPA concentrations. Seven oxysterols were profiled by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS).

RESULTS

Similarly to the CYPs-modulating chemicals, BPA caused: i) no significant changes at 8 hpf and ii) a dose-dependent increase of total oxysterols at 24 hpf, with 27-hydroxycholesterol as the most regulated oxysterol.

DISCUSSION

In the first day post-fertilization of the zebrafish embryos, the role of BPA alike a CYPs-modulating chemical was confirmed by the similar oxysterol changes observed with the already known CYPs-modulating chemicals.

Evaluation of Zebrafish DNA Integrity after Individual and Combined Exposure to TiO2 Nanoparticles and Lincomycin

Environmental contamination by nanoparticles (NPs) and drugs represents one of the most debated issues of the last years. The aquatic biome and, indirectly, human health are strongly influenced by the negative effects induced by the widespread presence of pharmaceutical products in wastewater, mainly due to the massive use of antibiotics and inefficient treatment of the waters. The present study aimed to evaluate the harmful consequences due to exposure to antibiotics and NPs, alone and in combination, in the aquatic environment. By exploiting some of their peculiar characteristics, such as small size and ability to bind different types of substances, NPs can carry drugs into the body, showing potential genotoxic effects. The research was conducted on zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed in vivo to lincomycin (100 mg/L) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) (10 µg/L) for 7 and 14 exposure days. The effects on zebrafish were evaluated in terms of cell viability, DNA fragmentation, and genomic template stability (GTS%) investigated using Trypan blue staining, TUNEL assay, and the random amplification of polymorphic DNA PCR (RAPD PCR) technique, respectively. Our results show that after TiO₂ NPs exposure, as well as after TiO₂ NPs and lincomycin co-exposure, the percentage of damaged DNA significantly increased and cell viability decreased. On the contrary, exposure to lincomycin alone caused only a GTS% reduction after 14 exposure days. Therefore, the results allow us to assert that genotoxic effect in target cells could be through a synergistic effect, also potentially mediated by the establishment of intermolecular interactions between lincomycin and TiO₂ NPs.

The bioactivity and applications of pomegranate peel extract: A review

Pomegranate peel (PP) is a by-product in the processing of pomegranate products, which is usually discarded as a waste. However, a large number of researches have shown that pomegranate peel extract (PPE) is rich in a variety of phenolic substances, among which ellagic acid (EA), as one of the main active components, has significant biological activities, such as anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotection, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial. We analyzed the mechanism of EA's biological activity, and discussed its application in the food industry, for instance, food preservation, food additives, and functional foods. Combined with the research status of PPE, we discussed the limitations and development potential of PPE, in order to provide theoretical reference and scientific basis for the development and utilization of pomegranate by-products. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Pomegranate peel (PP), the inedible part of the fruit, is usually treated as waste. In recent years, researchers have been committed to exploring various bioactive ingredients in PP and exploring its potential benefits to human health, which has far-reaching significance. In this paper, the chemical constituents of polyphenols in PP were reviewed, mainly focusing on the biological activity and mechanism of ellagic acid (EA). We reviewed the applications and invention patents of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) in food field, including food preservation, food additive, and functional foods, providing reference for the recycling and reuse of PP.

Divya-Herbal-Peya Decoction Harmonizes the Inflammatory Response in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Zebrafish Model

Background

Divya-Herbal-Peya (DHP) is a plant-based decoction containing fourteen herbs in precise quantities; usually prescribed by the practitioners in Ayurveda to alleviate stress and minimize the exasperating symptoms of recurring infections. Our study aims to provide an experimental validation to the immunomodulatory properties of DHP.

Methods

Physico-chemical analysis of DHP was performed to evaluate the presence of secondary metabolites. The phytochemicals were then identified and quantitated through HPTLC, UHPLC, and GC-MS techniques. To address the scientific rationale behind DHP, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was intraperitoneally injected in adult zebrafish to develop inflammatory response. Following LPS-induction, abnormality in locomotory behaviour was determined by evaluating the relative swim velocity and the rate of turning in experimental zebrafish. Pathophysiological effects were determined through opercular frequency, behavioural fever, and caudal fin damage. LPS-mediated inflammation was measured of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNFα, IL-6, and IL-1β expression in the serum of study animals, by RT-PCR.

Results

Our study phytochemically characterized and ascertained the presence of glycyrrhizin, rosmarinic acid, gingerol, cinnamic acid, protocatechuic acid, gallic acid, ellagic acid, piperine and cinnamaldehyde in DHP decoction. LPS induced aberrant locomotory patterns, behavioural fever and caudal fin damage in zebrafish. A significant increase in gene expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNFα, IL-6, and IL-1β was also determined. However, these locomotory deviations and behavioural fever were negligible in zebrafish groups pre-administered either with DHP in a dose dependent manner or dexamethasone (DEX). The altered opercular rate, caudal fin damage and elevated transcription levels of pro-inflammatory genes upon LPS-induction were averted in groups pre-treated with DHP and DEX.

Conclusion

DHP prophylactically prevented the LPS-induced abnormal behaviour and inflammation-related pathophysiology in zebrafish. Immunomodulatory properties of DHP may not have therapeutic intervention, but do confer nutraceutical health benefits against mild infections.

Anti-Genotoxicity Evaluation of Ellagic Acid and Curcumin—An In Vitro Study on Zebrafish Blood Cells

Genotoxicity is the ability of specific substances to cause DNA damage, affecting development, physiology, and reproduction. This is often mediated by induction of oxidative stress. This in vitro study aims to test the ability of two antioxidants, ellagic acid (EA, 100 µM) and curcumin (Cur, 40 µM) to protect zebrafish blood cells from the genotoxic action of benzene (10 µL/mL). Cells were treated for 30, 60, and 90 min with EA or Cur alone and in combination with benzene. The antigenotoxic role of antioxidants was evaluated in terms of cytotoxicity by trypan blue dye, genome stability by RAPD-PCR technique, DNA fragmentation and percentage of apoptotic cells using Comet and Diffusion assay, respectively. The results did not show statistical differences in terms of cell viability, genome stability, DNA damage and apoptosis between cells treated with antioxidants. When zebrafish blood cells were co-incubated with individual antioxidants and benzene, a significant improvement of these parameters was observed in comparison with cells incubated in benzene. Our results suggested that EA and Cur are able to protect zebrafish blood cells against DNA damage and apoptosis caused by mutagenic substance, and laid the foundation for future studies investigating their antigenotoxic potential in DNA oxidative damage therapy.

DNA Damage in Human Amniotic Cells: Antigenotoxic Potential of Curcumin and α-Lipoic Acid

Oxidative imbalances in the gestational phase are responsible for certain complications during pregnancy and for foetal and neonatal genetic disorders. In this work, using human amniocytes, we aimed to evaluate the protection provided to foetal DNA by two concentrations of antioxidant molecules, α-lipoic acid (LA) and curcumin (Cur), against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced damage. Genotoxicity tests, performed by the random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) technique and TUNEL tests, showed that the lowest concentration of LA-protected cells and DNA from H₂O₂ insults. However, a greater ability to protect the amniocytes’ DNA against H₂O₂ was observed following co-treatment with the highest concentration of Cur with H₂O₂. In fact, a genomic template stability (GTS%) similar to that of the negative control and a statistically significant reduction in the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were revealed. Moreover, following a combined treatment with both antioxidants and H₂O₂, no statistical difference from controls was observed, in terms of both induced mutations and DNA breaks. Furthermore, no effect on morphology or cell viability was observed. The results demonstrate the ability of LA and Cur to protect the genetic material of amniocytes against genotoxic insults, suggesting their beneficial effects in pathologies related to oxidative stress.

Effect of raspberry extract on wound healing

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of raspberry extract on wound healing and compare it with that of ellagic acid. The elimination of excess free radicals was the key to preventing wound inflammation; cellular antioxidation activity was evaluated using an oxidative stress damage cell model. Cell proliferation ability was measured using the WST-1 assay, and the migration capacity was determined using the wound scratch assay. A mouse wound model was used to verify the effect of raspberry extract on wound healing. The cellular antioxidant activity of the extract ((50.31±3.17) μg/mL) was slightly lower than that of ellagic acid ((44.59±2.38) μg/mL). The results of a cell proliferation assay showed that both raspberry extract and ellagic acid at 5 μg/mL could significantly (P&lt;0.01) promote the proliferation of HaCaT cells. After culturing for 24 h and 48 h, the cell healing rates of the extract were (41.11±0.38) per cent and (68.88±2.51) per cent, respectively, whereas the corresponding rates of ellagic acid were (39.01±2.40) per cent and (70.33±0.89) per cent; hence, there were no significant differences between them (P&gt;0.05). The wound areas of mice fed low, medium, and high doses of raspberry extract for 14 days were 1.66, 1.41, and 1.24 mm2, respectively, which were significantly lower than that of the blank control group, 2.18 mm2 (P&lt;0.05). These findings indicate that raspberry extract and ellagic acid exhibit similar antioxidant capacities and equivalent cell proliferation-promoting capabilities. In the mouse test, raspberry extract effectively promoted a reduction in wound area. This work demonstrates the potential of raspberry extract in wound healing, suggesting a promising application of raspberry resources in the fields of functional foods, cosmetics, and medicine.

Protective Effects of Curcumin on the Outcome of Cryopreservation in Human Sperm

Cryopreservation causes decreased sperm fertility potential due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and physical-chemical damage, resulting in reduced sperm viability and motility. The addition of antioxidants to freezing media could protect sperm from cryo-damage, counteracting the harmful effects of ROS. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of curcumin supplementation in freezing medium on preventing cryo-damage in human semen. Semen samples collected from fertile men were cryopreserved in freezing medium supplemented with different concentrations of curcumin (2.5, 5, 10, and 20 μM). After freezing-thawing, sperm parameters, DNA fragmentation, intracellular ROS, and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) gene expression were evaluated. Supplementation with 20 μM curcumin in freezing medium caused increases in progressive and nonprogressive motility and significant reductions in intracellular ROS and DNA fragmentation in frozen-thawed sperm cells. Following cryopreservation, GPX4 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in thawed semen supplemented with 20 μM curcumin compared to the control. The results showed that curcumin supplementation in freezing medium was protective against human sperm parameters and sperm DNA, counteracting oxidative damage induced by the freeze-thaw process.

Adsorption of Cd to TiO2-NPs Forms Low Genotoxic AGGREGATES in Zebrafish Cells

The aquatic environment is involved in the pollutants spreading mechanisms, including nanomaterials and heavy metals. The aims of this study were to assess the in vivo genotoxicity of Cd (1 mg/L) and to investigate the genomic effects generated by its co-exposure with TiO₂-NPs (10 µg/L). The study was performed using zebrafish as a model for 5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of exposure. The genotoxic potential was assessed by three experimental approaches: DNA integrity, degree of apoptosis, and molecular alterations at the genomic level by genomic template stability (% GTS) calculation. Results showed an increased in DNA damage after Cd exposure with a decrease in % GTS. The co-exposure (TiO₂-NPs + Cd) induced a no statistically significant loss of DNA integrity, a reduction of the apoptotic cell percentage and the recovery of genome stability for prolonged exposure days. Characterization and analytical determinations data showed Cd adsorption to TiO₂-NPs, which reduced free TiO₂-NPs levels. The results of our study suggest that TiO₂-NPs could be used for the development of controlled heavy metal bioremediation systems.

In vitro ameliorative effects of ellagic acid on vitality, motility and DNA quality in human spermatozoa

Oxidative stress (OS) plays a significant role in the etiology of male infertility, resulting in the impairment of male reproduction. This condition, characterized by an imbalance in the levels of oxidizing and antioxidant species in the seminal fluid, has a harmful impact on sperm functions and DNA integrity. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-genotoxic action of ellagic acid, a polyphenolic molecule of natural origin having a powerful antigenotoxic, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative role. An OS condition was induced in vitro by incubating normozoospermic human semen samples in benzene for 45, 60 and 90 min. DNA integrity was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay, RAPD-PCR was performed to calculate the genome template stability, while the percentage of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed by the 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescein assay. Our results showed that ellagic acid has a consistent protective effect on DNA integrity, as well as on sperm vitality and motility, by counteracting generation of intracellular ROS. The results of this study suggest ellagic acid as a suitable molecule to protect sperm DNA from oxidative stress, with a potentially significant translational impact on the management of the male infertility.

Fluorescent metal-organic frameworks MIL-101(Al)-NH2 for rapid and sensitive detection of ellagic acid

Ellagic acid (EA) is a symmetric natural phenol bioactive compound present in fruits and nuts, and has attracted substantial interest worldwide owing to its beneficial health effects. Here, the exploration of luminescent metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) of MIL-101(Al)-NH₂ (MIL = Materials of Institute Lavoisier) for rapid and sensitive sensing of EA in aqueous solution was reported initially. The porous MIL-101(Al)-NH₂ MOFs was synthesized by solvent-thermal method with inexpensive 2-aminoterephthalic acid and aluminum salt, which exhibited uniform spherical crystals (~340 nm) and specific mesoporous structure (3.2 nm). The fluorescence intensity of MIL-101(Al)-NH₂ at 425 nm showed a good linear relationship with EA concentration in the range of 0.15-100 μM. The detection limit was as low as 43.8 nM, the rapid response time was within 2 min, and the cost of detection was low. In addition, the "turn off" fluorescence probe could be utilized for visual detection of EA according to the color change under the UV lamp. Based on the Stern-Volmer equation, the quenching constants was decreased with the rise of temperature, which indicated that the probable quenching mechanism was static quenching. The nanoprobe was successfully used to detect EA in the cherry and serum samples. MIL-101(Al)-NH₂ represents the first instance of MOFs-based fluorescent probe in EA detection. This work not only enriches the detection method of EA, but also expands the potential application of MIL MOFs in small molecules.

Ellagic acid alleviates clozapine‑induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes

Clozapine (CLZ) as an antipsychotic agent is very effective in treating of psychosis disorders and resistant schizophrenia, but the risk of severe cardiac toxicity effects restricts its clinical use. There are several interrelated hypotheses to explain clozapine-induced cardiotoxicity which all of them may be related to oxidative stress. Therefore, the current study investigated the harmful effects of clozapine on cardiomyocytes and assessed the cytoprotective effect of ellagic acid (EA). Freshly isolated adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes were incubated for 4 h at 37 °C with 00.05% ethanol as control, CLZ (50 µM), CLZ (50 µM) + a series of EA concentrations (10, 20 and 50 µM) and EA (50 µM). To evaluate the protective effect of EA, the markers of cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm) collapse, lysosomal membrane integrity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and oxidized/reduced glutathione (GSH/GSSG) content were checked by biochemical and flowcytometry techniques. Our results demonstrated that EA (10, 20 and 50 µM) effectively inhibited CLZ-induced cytotoxicity which is associated with ROS overproduction and amelioration of mitochondrial and lysosomal damages. In addition, EA (10, 20 and 50 µM) in the presence of CLZ reduced the production of MDA as a specific marker lipid peroxidation and GSSG. Collectively, these findings suggested that EA protects cardiomyocytes from oxidative injury through inhibiting ROS formation, mitochondria dysfunction, and lysosomal damages, which suggest a potential therapeutic strategy of EA for CLZ-induced oxidative stress and cardiotoxicity.

Genome-Protecting Compounds as Potential Geroprotectors

Throughout life, organisms are exposed to various exogenous and endogenous factors that cause DNA damages and somatic mutations provoking genomic instability. At a young age, compensatory mechanisms of genome protection are activated to prevent phenotypic and functional changes. However, the increasing stress and age-related deterioration in the functioning of these mechanisms result in damage accumulation, overcoming the functional threshold. This leads to aging and the development of age-related diseases. There are several ways to counteract these changes: 1) prevention of DNA damage through stimulation of antioxidant and detoxification systems, as well as transition metal chelation; 2) regulation of DNA methylation, chromatin structure, non-coding RNA activity and prevention of nuclear architecture alterations; 3) improving DNA damage response and repair; 4) selective removal of damaged non-functional and senescent cells. In the article, we have reviewed data about the effects of various trace elements, vitamins, polyphenols, terpenes, and other phytochemicals, as well as a number of synthetic pharmacological substances in these ways. Most of the compounds demonstrate the geroprotective potential and increase the lifespan in model organisms. However, their genome-protecting effects are non-selective and often are conditioned by hormesis. Consequently, the development of selective drugs targeting genome protection is an advanced direction.