Free radical scavenging and antiatherogenic activities of Sesamum indicum seed extracts in chemical and biological model systems

Impact of Treatment with Antioxidants as an Adjuvant to Standard Therapy in Patients with Septic Shock: Analysis of the Correlation between Cytokine Storm and Oxidative Stress and Therapeutic Effects

Cellular homeostasis is lost or becomes dysfunctional during septic shock due to the activation of the inflammatory response and the deregulation of oxidative stress. Antioxidant therapy administered alongside standard treatment could restore this lost homeostasis. We included 131 patients with septic shock who were treated with standard treatment and vitamin C (Vit C), vitamin E (Vit E), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), or melatonin (MT), in a randomized trial. Organ damage quantified by Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and we determined levels of Interleukins (IL) IL1β, Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), Transforming growth factor B (TGFβ), IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, and Interferon-γ (IFNγ). The SOFA score decreased in patients treated with Vit C, NAC, and MT. Patients treated with MT had statistically significantly reduced of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and IL-10 levels. Lipid peroxidation, Nitrates and nitrites (NO3- and NO2-), glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase decreased after treatment with Vit C, Vit E, NAC, and MT. The levels of thiols recovered with the use of Vit E, and all patients treated with antioxidants maintained their selenium levels, in contrast with controls (p = 0.04). The findings regarding oxidative stress markers and cytokines after treatment with antioxidants allow us to consider to future the combined use of antioxidants in a randomized clinical trial with a larger sample to demonstrate the reproducibility of these beneficial effects.

Morphological, physiological and biochemical response of Lallemantia species to elevated temperature and light duration during seed development

Seed weight, storability, and germinability can depend on maternal plant's environment. However, there is slight information about the effect of light and temperature on seed quality of Lallemantia species. The purpose of this research was to determine the properties of physio-biochemical of maternal plant, seed quality, and seed chemical composition of Lallemantia species (Lallemantia iberica and Lallemantia royleana) under temperature (15 °C, 25 °C, and 35 °C) and photoperiod (8 hd^-1, 16 hd^-1, and 24 hd^-1) maternal plants environment. Increasing temperature and photoperiod caused a reduction in leaf chlorophyll, stomatal movement, total soluble sugar, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzymes activities, and an increment in malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content of seeds. However, the highest weight, germination, vigor index, and longevity, seed chemical compositions were obtained in offspring which matured under 25 °C for 16 hd^-1. The highest germination, oil, and relative percentage of fatty acids (oleic acid (OA), linoleic acid (LA), and linolenic acid (LNA)) were obtained in L. iberica seeds. On the contrary, longevity, mucilage, and sucrose were more abundant in L. royleana seeds. Overall, this research has clearly shown that temperature and light quality and quantity of maternal plant's environment have an immensely effect on producing of seeds with high-quality. However, it is necessary to investigate the impact of the epigenetic mechanisms of the maternal plant on the offspring in future studies.

Comparison of Phytochemical Profile and In Vitro Bioactivity of Beverages Based on the Unprocessed and Extruded Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Seed Byproduct

In this research functional beverages based on the unprocessed and extruded sesame seeds byproduct were fabricated; phytochemical profile, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and hypoglycemic potential were evaluated. Twenty-four phytochemical compounds were identified in total in both beverages; fourteen of the phytochemical compounds were not modified by the extrusion process. Seventeen of the 24 compounds were identified in the unprocessed sesame seeds byproduct flour beverage-10% (UB10) and 21 in the extruded sesame seeds byproduct flour beverage-10% (EB10). The compounds only identified in UB10 are caffeic acid, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, and isorhamnetin; and in EB10 those compounds were vanillic acid, acteoside, luteolin, quercetin, and melanoidins. No significant difference was observed in the content of total phenolic compounds (TPC) (14.90 and 15.97 mg GAE/100 mL) and total flavonoids (TF) (5.37 and 5.85 mg QE/100 mL). An increase in the biological activity of ESFB10 (IC50: ABTS = 0.19, DPPH = 0.21, α-amylase = 1.01, α-glucosidase = 0.17, DPP4 = 0.11 mg/mL) was observed, compared to UB10 (IC50: ABTS = 0.24, DPPH = 0.31, α-amylase = 2.29, α-glucosidase = 0.47, DPP4 = 0.30 mg/mL). Therefore, the extrusion process had a positive effect, which displayed the highest efficiency inhibiting the free radicals and enzymes related to carbohydrate metabolism.

A comprehensive review on Sesamum indicum L.: Botanical, ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, and pharmacological aspects

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sesamum indicum L. (Pedaliaceae) is an annual plant, which has been domesticated for well over 5000 years. It is widely cultivated for its seeds and is one of the oldest known oilseed crops. Traditionally, its seeds, seed oil, and different organs of the plant have been used to treat various diseases or conditions like ulcers, asthma, wound healing, amenorrhea, hemorrhoids, inflammations, etc. AIM OF THE REVIEW: The main aim of this review is to provide an outline and to assess the reported ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies of Sesamum indicum L.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An extensive literature survey was done on various search engines like PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Science direct, etc. Other literature sources like Wikipedia, Ethnobotanical books, Chapters were also studied to get maximum information possible on the Sesamum indicum L.

RESULTS

Over 160 different phytochemical compounds have been characterized and isolated from seeds, seed oil, and various plant organs, including lignans, polyphenols, phytosterols, phenols, anthraquinones, naphthoquinones, triterpenes, cerebroside, fatty acids, vitamins, proteins, essential amino acids, and sugars using suitable analytical techniques (e.g., LC-MS, GC-MS, HPTLC, HPLC). All the reported pharmacological activities like antioxidant, anticancer, antipyretic, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory are due to the virtue of these phytochemical compounds.

CONCLUSION

This review mainly highlights the botanical aspect of Sesamum indicum and its phytochemical constituents, ethnomedicinal uses, different pharmacological activities followed by ongoing clinical trials and future prospects. Sesamum indicum has great importance in traditional Indian medicine, which is further supported by modern pharmacological studies, especially in hepatoprotection, inflammation, and cancer. Several researchers have suggested that Sesamum indicum extracts and isolated compounds could have a wide therapeutic potency range. More research is needed to uncover key features of Sesamum indicum in medical practice, such as structure-activity relationships, toxicity, and therapeutic potential. In order to fully explore the plant's potential, safety assessments and implementation of an integrated cultivation method are also areas that need to investigate.

In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Colon Cancer Activities of Sesamum indicum L. Leaf Extract and Its Major Component, Pedaliin

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) leaves (SLs) are used as vegetables and traditional medicines in Asian and African countries. We investigated in vitro antioxidant and anti-colon cancer efficacy of ethanol extract of SL (SLE) and its major bioactive component. SLE contained appreciable amount of major classes of antioxidant phytochemicals, such as total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and carotenoids, and correspondingly exhibited antioxidant activities, such as radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). A cell viability assay showed that SLE time- and dose-dependently attenuated the growth of human colon cancer cells, HT29 and HCT116. Flow cytometry analysis showed that SLE increased sub-G1 (in HT29 and HCT116) and G2/M (in HCT116) cell populations, suggesting that the growth inhibition by SLE was due to induction of apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Trans-well and wound-healing assays showed that SLE alleviated invasion and migration of HT29 and HCT116 cells in non-cytotoxic conditions. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that pedaliin (6-hydroxylueolin 7-methyl ether 6-glucoside; pedalitin-6-O-glucoside) was a major constituent of SLE. Moreover, FRAP, growth-inhibitory, anti-invasive, and anti-migratory activities of pedaliin were found. These results demonstrated that SLE possesses in vitro antioxidant and anti-colon cancer activities and that pedaliin is a major component contributing to such activities.

Protection of natural antioxidants against low-density lipoprotein oxidation

This chapter reports essential information about the protective action of antioxidants against LDL oxidation. The activity of individual compounds (tocopherols, vitamin C, phenolic compounds) as well as extracts obtained from plant material (cereals, fruits, legumes, nuts, mushrooms, by-products of food industry) is reported. The structure-antioxidant activity relationship of phenolic compounds is discussed. This article summarizes the findings to date of both in vitro and in vivo studies using foods or phenolic extracts isolated from foodstuffs at inhibiting the incidence of LDL oxidation. This chapter summarizes also the reportings to date of in vivo studies using foods or beverages at inhibiting the incidence of LDL oxidation.

Screening of Antioxidant Potentials and Bioactive Properties of the Extracts Obtained from Two Centaurea L. Species (C. kroumirensis Coss. and C. sicula L. subsp sicula)

Herbal medicines, dietary supplements, or infusions with health promoting effects can note strong consumer demand. Hence, researchers and scientists have been increasingly focusing on the promotion of medicinal plants. In this respect, the present study has the evaluation of the biological properties of different extracts (hexane, chloroform, methanol, ultrasonic, essential oil, and supercritical) obtained from two Centaurea species (C. kroumirensis (Coss.) and C. sicula L. subsp sicula) as purpose. Antioxidative activities were assessed by in vitro assays including total phenolic content, free radical scavenging assay and ferric ion reducing power. Among the fourteen extracts examined, the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant abilities were recorded in ultrasonic ethanol extracts of both Centaurea species. Additionally, these extracts exhibited a noticeable strong protective effect of the human skin fibroblast cell line (HS-68) that was exposed to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. According to our results, the sonication with ethanol might be an ideal, rapid, and eco-friendly extraction method for obtaining a polyphenol-rich extract that exhibited high antioxidant activity. The results presented herein suggest that Centaurea species could be promoted as an antioxidant resource that could be exploited for the development of nutraceuticals or in pharmacology industry.

Effects of thermal preparation and in vitro digestion on lignan profiles and antioxidant activity in defatted-sesame meal

Defatted-sesame meal (DSM), a byproduct of sesame oil, has attracted considerable interest in the food industry because of its strong antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to measure the content and distribution of lignans in DSM and evaluate their antioxidant activity after thermal processing and in vitro digestion. The results showed that the sesame lignans (SL) content and antioxidant activity were significantly influenced by the temperature and time during thermal preparation, and the maximum antioxidant potency composite index (ACI) was obtained after roasting the samples at 240 °C for 20 min. As sesame seed was processed with longer time and higher temperature, more pinoresinol diglucoside (PD) and sesamol were measured in DSM. According to the correlation matrix under thermal preparation, a significant contribution to the antioxidant potency of DSM was discovered. After in vitro digestion, the release amount of lignans increased by 19.6%, and the values of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and ACI gradually declined after digestion, with a 40% decrease in both the DPPH radical scavenging activity and the ACI from oral to intestinal phase. These results could be used to help improve the bioavailability of SL and obtaining high quality sesame byproducts.

How to change the ratio of unsaturated (omega 3, 6, 7 and 9) to saturated fatty acids in Oenothera biennis L. oil under water deficit stress, fertilizers and geographical zones

The 2015-2020 dietary guidelines for Americans advise substituting total unsaturated fatty acids (∑UFA) for total saturated fatty acids (∑SFA). Thus, field experiments were carried out to verify the influence of irrigation regime (well-irrigated and water deficit) and fertilizers (chemical and biological) on the ratio of ∑UFA to ∑SFA of evening primrose seed oil. Therefore, two experiments were conducted at the experimental stations (arid and semi-arid) of Iran in 2014 and 2015. Experiments were conducted in a split factorial layout within a randomized complete block design with three replications. Water deficit significantly reduced UFA (omega 3, 6, 7 and 9), ∑UFA and ratio of ∑UFA to ∑SFA (especially in the arid region), but it increased SFA and ∑SFA (especially in the arid region). In fact, fatty acid quality (increased ratio of ∑UFA to ∑SFA) of evening primrose seed oil was significantly increased in well-irrigated compared to water deficit stress (especially in the semi-arid region). Bio-fertilizers (Azospirillum lipoferum and Glomus mosseae) and chemical fertilizers (urea + triple superphosphate) increased the ratio of ∑UFA to ∑SFA of evening primrose seed oil (especially in the semi-arid region), but fatty acid quality of evening primrose oil was significantly increased in bio-fertilizers compared to the chemical fertilizers (especially in the arid region).

The protective effects of sesamol in a neonatal rat model of necrotizing enterocolitis

Background and aim: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe gastrointestinal inflammatory disease associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Its pathophysiology includes hypoxic-ischemic injury that may be related to oxygen-derived free radical formation. Sesamol is considered to be an antioxidant and free radical scavenger with anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of sesamol in a neonatal rat model of NEC.Materials and methods: The study included 1-day-old Wistar albino rat pups (n = 34) that were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1 (NEC), group 2 (NEC + intraperitoneal sesamol), group 3 (NEC + oral sesamol), and a control group. NEC was induced by exposure to hypoxia/reoxygenation, following cold stress and hyperosmolar enteral formula feeding. Sesamol 100 mg kg^-1 dose^-1 was administered intraperitoneally to group 2 and orally to group 3 for 3 days. On day 4 all rats were sacrificed. Histological injuries, the Bcl-2, caspase-3, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were measured in intestinal samples.Results: The grade of intestinal damage, and Bcl-2 and caspase-3 levels in group 1 were significantly higher than in groups 2 and 3 and the control group, and intestinal damage was significantly more severe in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. The MDA activity was significantly lower in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1 (112, 89, and 144 nmol mL^-1, respectively). Groups 2 and 3 had significantly higher SOD and GSH-Px activities than group 1 (SOD: 1.75, 1.74, and 0.89 U mg^-1; GSH-Px: 114, 121, and 110 nmol of NADPH min^-1 mg^-1, respectively).Conclusions: The present findings highlight that sesamol has beneficial effects on intestinal injury in a rat model of NEC through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The Potential Protective Effects of Phenolic Compounds against Low-density Lipoprotein Oxidation

BACKGROUND

The exact mechanism(s) of atherosclerosis in humans remains elusive, but one theory hypothesizes that this deleterious process results from the oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Research suggests that foods rich in dietary phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity can mitigate the extent of LDL oxidation in vivo. With regard to the different classes of flavonoids, there appears to be a structurefunction relationship between the various moieties/constituents attached to the flavonoids' three ring system and their impact at retarding LDL oxidation.

METHODS

This article summarizes the findings to date of both in vitro and in vivo studies using foods or phenolic extracts isolated from foodstuffs at inhibiting the incidence of LDL oxidation. Three bases: SCOPUS, Web Science, and PubMed were used for search.

RESULTS

An often used method for the determination of antioxidant properties of natural phenolic compounds is the LDL oxidation assay. LDLs are isolated from human plasma and their oxidation is induced by Cu2+ ions or 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH). The sample is incubated with a phenolic extract or individual/isolated phenolic compounds. LDL oxidation is then monitored by various chemical methods (e.g., measurement of the generation of conjugated dienes and trienes). This technique confirmed the antioxidant properties of several extracts as obtained from plant material (e.g., grapes, berries, orange, grapefruit, coffee, tea, chocolate, olives, nuts) as well as the individual phenolic compounds (e.g., luteolinidin, apigenidin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, catechin, quercetin, rutin). Several studies in vivo confirmed protective effects of phenolic compounds against LDL oxidation. They covered the healthy subjects with hyperlipidaemia, overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, heavy smokers, patients receiving haemodialysis, patients with peripheral vascular disease, and subjects at high cardiovascular risk. The studies comprise individuals of all ages, and the number of participants in the different experiments varied widely.

CONCLUSION

Properly designed double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised clinical trials offer stronger evidence as to the impact of dietary phenolics consumption at retarding LDL oxidation. More such clinical trials are needed to strengthen the hypothesis that foods rich in dietary phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity can mitigate the extent of LDL oxidation in vivo.

Pharmacological, ethnopharmacological, and botanical evaluation of subtropical medicinal plants of Lower Kheng region in Bhutan

Background

The Bhutanese Sowa Rigpa medicine (BSM) uses medicinal plants as the bulk ingredients. Our study was to botanically identify subtropical medicinal plants from the Lower Kheng region in Bhutan, transcribe ethnopharmacological uses, and highlight reported pharmacological activities of each plant.

Methods

We freely listed the medicinal plants used in the BSM literature, current formulations, and the medicinal plants inventory documents. This was followed by a survey and the identification of medicinal plants in the Lower Kheng region. The botanical identification of each medicinal plant was confirmed using The Plant List, eFloras, and TROPICOS. Data mining for reported pharmacological activities was performed using Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and SciFinder Scholar.

Results

We identified 61 subtropical plants as the medicinal plants used in BSM. Of these, 17 plants were cultivated as edible plant species, 30 species grow abundantly, 24 species grow in moderate numbers, and only seven species were scarce to find. All these species grow within the altitude range of 100–1800 m above sea level. A total of 19 species were trees, and 13 of them were shrubs. Seeds ranked first in the parts usage category. Goshing Gewog (Block) hosted maximum number of medicinal plants. About 52 species have been pharmacologically studied and only nine species remain unstudied.

Conclusion

Lower Kheng region is rich in subtropical medicinal plants and 30 species present immediate economic potential that could benefit BSM, Lower Kheng communities and other Sowa Rigpa practicing organizations.

Effects of Vegetables on Cardiovascular Diseases and Related Mechanisms

Epidemiological studies have shown that vegetable consumption is inversely related to the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, research has indicated that many vegetables like potatoes, soybeans, sesame, tomatoes, dioscorea, onions, celery, broccoli, lettuce and asparagus showed great potential in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, and vitamins, essential elements, dietary fibers, botanic proteins and phytochemicals were bioactive components. The cardioprotective effects of vegetables might involve antioxidation; anti-inflammation; anti-platelet; regulating blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipid profile; attenuating myocardial damage; and modulating relevant enzyme activities, gene expression, and signaling pathways as well as some other biomarkers associated to cardiovascular diseases. In addition, several vegetables and their bioactive components have been proven to protect against cardiovascular diseases in clinical trials. In this review, we analyze and summarize the effects of vegetables on cardiovascular diseases based on epidemiological studies, experimental research, and clinical trials, which are significant to the application of vegetables in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Comparison of phenolic components and biological activities of two Centaurea sp. obtained by three extraction techniques

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to compare the polyphenol content, total phenolic, total flavonoid, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the extracts obtained from Centaurea amaena Boiss. & Balansa and Centaurea aksoyi Hamzaoğlu & Budak.

METHODS

Both species were subjected to maceration, Soxhlet and ultrasonication extractions with methanol in order to macerated (ME), Soxhlet (SE) and ultrasonicated (UE) extracts. Their phenolic profiles were qualitatively examined by LC-MS. Their antioxidant activities were determined by phosphomolybdenum, β-carotene bleaching and DPPH assays. Agar diffusion and broth dilution methods were carried out to find the antimicrobial activity of these extracts against fifteen microorganisms.

RESULTS

Quercetin, quercetin-3-β-D-glucoside and protocatechuic acid were the main components of the both extracts obtained by Soxhlet extraction. The highest phenolic and flavonoid contents were found in the UE for both species. All the extracts exhibited good total antioxidant and DPPH radical scavenging activity. UE obtained from C. amaena showed the highest antioxidant activity with the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents. The antibacterial activity of UE obtained from C. amaena was better than other extracts and antibacterial activity of C. amaena was also better than C. aksoyi.

DISCUSSION

This study confirms that ultrasonic extraction may be an ideal, simple and rapid method to obtain polyphenol-rich extracts have antioxidant as well as antibacterial activity from both Centaurea species especially from C. amaena.

Anti-Hypertensive Herbs and Their Mechanisms of Action: Part II

Traditional medicine has a history extending back to thousands of years, and during the intervening time, man has identified the healing properties of a very broad range of plants. Globally, the use of herbal therapies to treat and manage cardiovascular disease (CVD) is on the rise. This is the second part of our comprehensive review where we discuss the mechanisms of plants and herbs used for the treatment and management of high blood pressure. Similar to the first part, PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were utilized, and the following keywords and phrases were used as inclusion criteria: hypertension, high blood pressure, herbal medicine, complementary and alternative medicine, endothelial cells, nitric oxide (NO), vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, hydrogen sulfide, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), oxidative stress, and epigenetics/epigenomics. Each of the aforementioned keywords was co-joined with plant or herb in question, and where possible with its constituent molecule(s). This part deals in particular with plants that are used, albeit less frequently, for the treatment and management of hypertension. We then discuss the interplay between herbs/prescription drugs and herbs/epigenetics in the context of this disease. The review then concludes with a recommendation for more rigorous, well-developed clinical trials to concretely determine the beneficial impact of herbs and plants on hypertension and a disease-free living.

Sesamol suppresses the inflammatory response by inhibiting NF-κB/MAPK activation and upregulating AMP kinase signaling in RAW 264.7 macrophages

OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN

Sesamol is a lignan isolated from sesame seed oil. In recent years, it was found that sesamol could decrease lung inflammation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury in rats. In this study, we investigated whether sesamol exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated macrophages.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RAW 264.7 cells were treated with sesamol, then treated with LPS to induce inflammation. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines were analyzed with ELISA. The gene and protein expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were evaluated with real-time PCR and Western blots, respectively. We also examined inflammatory signaling pathways, including nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways.

RESULTS

Sesamol inhibited production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and proinflammatory cytokines. Sesamol markedly suppressed mRNA and protein expression of iNOS and COX-2. Sesamol enhanced the protective antioxidant pathway represented by Nrf2 and HO-1. Moreover, sesamol suppressed NF-κB transport into the nucleus and decreased MAPK activation, but it promoted adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggested that sesamol ameliorated inflammatory and oxidative damage by upregulating AMPK activation and Nrf2 signaling and blocking the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

The seed of the Amazonian fruit Couepia bracteosa exhibits higher scavenging capacity against ROS and RNS than its shell and pulp extracts

Couepia bracteosa is an interesting source of bioactive compounds which may be investigated for protecting human health against oxidative damage.

Inhibition of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation by anthocyanins from defatted Canarium odontophyllum pericarp and peel using in vitro bioassays

Canarium odontophyllum, also known as CO, is a highly nutritious fruit. Defatted parts of CO fruit are potent sources of nutraceutical. This study aimed to determine oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation effects of defatted CO pericarp and peel extracts using in vitro bioassays. Cell cytotoxic effect of the CO pericarp and peel extracts were also evaluated using HUVEC and Chang liver cell lines. The crude extracts of defatted CO peel and pericarp showed cytoprotective effects in t-BHP and 40% methanol-induced cell death. The crude extracts also showed no toxic effect to Chang liver cell line. Using CD36 ELISA, NAD⁺ and LDL inhibition assays, inhibition of oxidative stress were found higher in the crude extract of defatted CO peel compared to the pericarp extract. Hemoglobin and LDL oxidation assays revealed both crude extracts had significantly reduced lipid peroxidation as compared to control. TBARS values among defatted CO pericarp, peel, and cyanidin-3-glucoside showed no significant differences for hemoglobin and LDL oxidation assays. The protective effects of defatted CO parts, especially its peel is related to the presence of high anthocyanin that potentially offers as a pharmaceutical ingredient for cardioprotection.

Hydroxyl radical-modified fibrinogen as a marker of thrombosis: the role of iron

Excessive free iron in blood and in organ tissues (so called iron overload) has been observed in degenerative diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer, neurological, and certain autoimmune diseases, in which fibrin-like deposits are also found. Although most of the body iron is bound to hemoglobin and myoglobin in a divalent ferrous form, a certain amount of iron exists in blood as a trivalent (ferric) ion. This particular chemical state of iron has been shown to be toxic to the human body when not controlled by endogenous and/or dietary chelating agents. Experiments described in this paper show for the first time that ferric ions (Fe(3+)) can generate hydroxyl radicals without participation of any redox agent, thus making it a special case of the Fenton reaction. Ferric chloride was also demonstrated to induce aggregation of purified fibrinogen at the same molar concentrations that were used for the generation of hydroxyl radicals. Iron-aggregated fibrinogen, by contrast to native molecule, could not be dissociated into polypeptide subunit chains as shown in a polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The mechanism of this phenomenon is very likely based on hydroxyl radical-induced modification of fibrinogen tertiary structure with the formation of insoluble aggregates resistant to enzymatic and chemical degradations. Soluble modified fibrinogen species can be determined in blood of thrombotic patients by the reaction with protamine sulfate and/or by scanning electron microscopy. In view of these findings, it is postulated that iron-induced alterations in fibrinogen structure is involved in pathogenesis of certain degenerative diseases associated with iron overload and persistent thrombosis. It is concluded that the detection of hydroxyl radical-modified fibrinogen may be utilized as a marker of a thrombotic condition in human subjects.

Hypolipidemic and antioxidative effects of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) juice on high- fat/cholesterol-dietary hamsters

Noni juice (NJ) is rich in phytochemicals and polysaccharides. Lipid-lowering and antioxidative effects of NJ were investigated in this study. Fifty male hamsters were assigned randomly to one of the following groups: (1) normal diet and distilled water (LFCD); (2) high-fat/cholesterol diet and distilled water (HFCD); (3) HFCD and 3 ml NJ (including 0.20 g solids)/kg BW (NJ_L); (4) HFCD and 6 mL NJ (including 0.40 g solids)/kg BW (NJ_M); (5) HFCD and 9 ml NJ (including 0.60 g solids)/kg BW (NJ_H) for six weeks. NJ supplementation decreased (p < 0.05) serum triacylglycerol, cholesterol, atherogenic index, malondialdehyde levels, and hepatic lipids in HFCD hamsters, whereas serum trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, glutathione, and fecal lipids in HFCD hamsters were increased (p < 0.05) by NJ supplementation. Although NJ supplementation downregulated (p < 0.05) sterol regulator element binding protein-1c in HFCD hamsters, it upregulated (p < 0.05) hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha and uncoupling protein 2 gene expressions in HFCD hamsters. Results demonstrate that NJ promotes cardioprotection in a high-fat/cholesterol diet.

Ameliorative effects of herbal combinations in hyperlipidemia

The roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Withania somnifera, Asparagus racemosus, and Chlorophytum borivilianum and seeds of Sesamum indicum are ayurvedic medicinal plants used in India to treat several ailments. Our previous studies indicated that these plants possess hypolipidemic and antioxidant potential. The present study was aimed at investigating the composite effects of these plants on hypercholesterolemic rats. Three different combinations (5 gm%, given for four weeks) used in this study effectively reduced plasma and hepatic lipid profiles and increased fecal excretion of cholesterol, neutral sterol, and bile acid along with increasing the hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity and bile acid content in hypercholesterolemic rats. Further, all three combinations also improved the hepatic antioxidant status (catalase, SOD, and ascorbic acid levels) and plasma total antioxidant capacity with reduced hepatic lipid peroxidation. Overall, combination I had the maximum effect on hypercholesterolemic rats followed by combinations II and III due to varying concentrations of the different classes of phytocomponents.

Hydroxyl radical and its scavengers in health and disease

It is generally believed that diseases caused by oxidative stress should be treated with antioxidants. However, clinical trials with such antioxidants as ascorbic acid and vitamin E, failed to produce the expected beneficial results. On the other hand, important biomolecules can be modified by the introduction of oxygen atoms by means of non-oxidative hydroxyl radicals. In addition, hydroxyl radicals can reduce disulfide bonds in proteins, specifically fibrinogen, resulting in their unfolding and scrambled refolding into abnormal spatial configurations. Consequences of this reaction are observed in many diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer and neurological disorders, and can be prevented by the action of non-reducing substances. Moreover, many therapeutic substances, traditionally classified as antioxidants, accept electrons and thus are effective oxidants. It is described in this paper that hydroxyl radicals can be generated by ferric ions without any oxidizing agent. In view of the well-known damaging effect of poorly chelated iron in the human body, numerous natural products containing iron binding agents can be essential in the maintenance of human health. However, beneficial effects of the great number of phytochemicals that are endowed with hydroxyl radical scavenging and/or iron chelating activities should not be considered as a proof for oxidative stress.

trans-Fatty acid isomers in two sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed byproducts under processing

The present study has been inspired by the growing need for rigorously controlling the nutritional quality and safety of food products. The impact of application in the food industry on fatty acids composition, trans-fatty acids (TFAs), and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) profiles were investigated in a highly consumed candy byproduct of sesame seed (chamia) in comparison to fresh sesame seed oil (SSO) and heated SSO under simulated frying experiments. The effect of treatment on SSO was studied by determining the TFA and CLA changes. Results showed significant differences between the two byproducts in TFA and CLA amounts. Total TFAs were found to be significantly higher in chamia than fresh SSO (1.31 versus 0.066%, respectively; p < 0.05) and even higher than all heated SSO from 2 to 10 h at 180 °C (1.31 versus 0.33%, respectively; p < 0.05). A significant linear relationship was found between trans-monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), trans-polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), and total TFA and the time of processing, with a correlation coefficient (R(2)) greater than 0.9 for TFA and PUFA, with a higher correlation assigned to PUFA (r = 0.988; p < 0.001), followed by TFA (r = 0.959; p < 0.01) and MUFA (r = 0.844; p < 0.05). Principal component analysis of the fatty acid (FA) profiles showed discrimination between chamia and both fresh and heated SSO. A high stability of SSO against isomerization reactions as compared to their chamia sample counterpart has been noted. These findings suggest that the food industry engenders relatively higher changes in fatty acid configurations than the frying process.