Chitopentaose protects HaCaT cells against H2O2-induced oxidative damage through modulating MAPKs and Nrf2/ARE signaling pathways

Protective Effect of Arzanol against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress Damage in Differentiated and Undifferentiated SH-SY5Y Cells

Oxidative stress can damage neuronal cells, greatly contributing to neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). In this study, the protective activity of arzanol, a natural prenylated α-pyrone-phloroglucinol heterodimer, was evaluated against the H2O2-induced oxidative damage in trans-retinoic acid-differentiated (neuron-like) human SH-SY5Y cells, widely used as a neuronal cell model of neurological disorders. The pre-incubation (for 2 and 24 h) with arzanol (5, 10, and 25 μM) significantly preserved differentiated SH-SY5Y cells from cytotoxicity (MTT assay) and morphological changes induced by 0.25 and 0.5 mM H2O2. Arzanol reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by 2 h oxidation with H2O2 0.5 mM, established by 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay. The 2 h incubation of differentiated SH-SY5Y cells with H2O2 determined a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells versus control cells, evaluated by propidium iodide fluorescence assay (red fluorescence) and NucView® 488 assay (green fluorescence). Arzanol pre-treatment (2 h) exerted a noteworthy significant protective effect against apoptosis. In addition, arzanol was tested, for comparison, in undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells for cytotoxicity and its ability to protect against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, the PubChem database and freely accessible web tools SwissADME and pkCSM-pharmacokinetics were used to assess the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of arzanol. Our results qualify arzanol as an antioxidant agent with potential neuroprotective effects against neuronal oxidative stress implicated in NDs.

Oxya chinensis sinuosa (OC) Extracts Protects ARPE-19 Cells against Oxidative Stress via Activation of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs)/ Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) Pathway

Oxya chinensis sinuosa (OC) is a well-known edible insect. Several researches on the health benefits of OC consumption have been performed to date; however, their effect on eye health remains largely unknown. This study aimed to assess the protective effects of OC extracts on the oxidative stress on the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Oxidative damage has been identified as one of the key regulatory factors in age-related macular degeneration. H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, a well-known oxidative stress factor, can cause cell death in retinal pigment epithelia cells. In this study, we found that three OC extracts effectively prevented H2O2-induced ROS production and subsequent death of ARPE-19 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the OC extracts inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases including p38, JNK, and ERK. The OC extracts restored IκBα degradation induced by H2O2, indicating that OC extracts suppressed the activation of nuclear factor-κB. Furthermore, the three OC extracts were shown to have antioxidant effects by up-regulating the intracellular expression of key antioxidant proteins such as SOD, NQO, and HO-1. Here we demonstrated the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of the OC extracts on ARPE-19, indicating their potential role in improving eye health. These results suggest that three OC extracts plays a critical role in oxidative stress-induced cell death protects in ARPE-19 cells.

Arzanol, a natural phloroglucinol α-pyrone, protects HaCaT keratinocytes against H2O2-induced oxidative stress, counteracting cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species generation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial depolarization

Skin oxidative stress results in structural damage, leading to premature senescence, and pathological conditions such as inflammation and cancer. The plant-derived prenylated pyrone-phloroglucinol heterodimer arzanol, isolated from Helichrysum italicum ssp. microphyllum (Willd.) Nyman aerial parts, exhibits anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities. This study explored the arzanol protection against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced oxidative damage in HaCaT human keratinocytes in terms of its ability to counteract cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Arzanol safety on HaCaT cells was preliminarily examined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and microscopic observation. The arzanol pre-incubation (5-100 μM, for 24 h) did not induce cytotoxicity and morphological alterations. The phloroglucinol, at 50 μM, significantly protected keratinocytes against cytotoxicity induced by 2 h-incubation with 2.5 and 5 mM H2O2, decreased cell ROS production induced by 1 h-exposure to all tested H2O2 concentrations (0.5-5 mM), as determined by the 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) assay, and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] method). The 2-h incubation of keratinocytes with H2O2 determined a significant increase of apoptotic cells versus control cells, evaluated by NucView® 488 assay, from the dose of 2.5 mM. Moreover, an evident mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, monitored by fluorescent mitochondrial dye MitoView™ 633, was assessed at 5 mM H2O2. Arzanol pre-treatment (50 μM) exerted a strong significant protective effect against apoptosis, preserving the mitochondrial membrane potential of HaCaT cells at the highest H2O2 concentrations. Our results validate arzanol as an antioxidant agent for the prevention/treatment of skin oxidative-related disorders, qualifying its potential use for cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical applications.

Pyromeconic acid-enriched Erigeron annuus water extract as a cosmetic ingredient for itch relief and anti-inflammatory activity

Erigeron annuus (EA), traditionally used to treat disorders such as diabetes and enteritis, contains a variety of chemicals, including caffeic acid, flavonoids, and coumarins, providing antifungal and antioxidative benefits. However, the ingredients of each part of the EA vary widely, and there are few reports on the functionality of water extracts in skin inflammation and barrier protection. We assessed the therapeutic properties of the extract of EA without roots (EEA) and its primary ingredient, pyromeconic acid (PA), focusing on their antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative capabilities using HMC-1(human mast cells) and human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Our findings revealed that histamine secretion, which is closely related to itching, was notably reduced in HMC-1 cells following pretreatment with EEA (0.1% and 0.2%) and PA (corresponding concentration, 4.7 of 9.4 µg/mL). Similarly, they led to a marked decrease in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-8, IL-6, and IFN-γ. Furthermore, EA and PA enhanced antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) production, and showed reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity in HaCaT cells. Moreover, at the molecular level, elevated levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TARC, and MDC induced by TNF-α/IFN-γ in HaCaT cells were mitigated by treatment with EEA and PA. We also revealed the protective effects of EEA and PA against SDS-induced skin barrier dysfunction in HaCaT cells by enhancing the expression of barrier-related proteins. Using NanoString technology, a comprehensive analysis of gene expression changes indicated significant modulation of autoimmune and inflammatory genes by EEA and PA. In summary, this study suggests that EEA and the corresponding concentration of PA as an active ingredient have functional cosmetic applications to alleviate itching and improve skin health.

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidative Effects of Polysaccharides Extracted from Unripe Carica papaya L. Fruit

This study evaluated the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of polysaccharides extracted from unripe Carica papaya L. (papaya) fruit. Three papaya polysaccharide (PP) fractions, namely PP-1, PP-2, and PP-3, with molecular weights of 2252, 2448, and 3741 kDa, containing abundant xylose, galacturonic acid, and mannose constituents, respectively, were obtained using diethylaminoethyl-Sepharose™ anion exchange chromatography. The antioxidant capacity of the PPs, hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, ferrous ion-chelating assay, and reducing power assay revealed that the PP-3 fraction had the highest antioxidant activity, with an EC50 (the concentration for 50% of the maximal effect) of 0.96 mg/mL, EC50 of 0.10 mg/mL, and Abs700 nm of 1.581 for the hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, ferrous ion-chelating assay, and reducing power assay, respectively. In addition, PP-3 significantly decreased reactive oxygen species production by 45.3%, NF-κB activation by 32.0%, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 generation by 33.5% and 34.4%, respectively, in H2O2-induced human epidermal keratinocytes. PP-3 exerts potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects; thus, it is a potential biofunctional ingredient in the cosmetic industry.

Waste Citrus limon Leaves as Source of Essential Oil Rich in Limonene and Citral: Chemical Characterization, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties, and Effects on Cancer Cell Viability

This study investigated chemical composition, cytotoxicity in normal and cancer cells, and antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the essential oil (EO) isolated by hydrodistillation from the discarded leaves of lemon (Citrus limon) plants cultivated in Sardinia (Italy). The volatile chemical composition of lemon leaf EO (LLEO) was analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry combined with flame ionization detection (GC/MS and GC/FID). The most abundant component of LLEO was limonene (260.7 mg/mL), followed by geranial (102.6 mg/mL) and neral (88.3 mg/mL). The antimicrobial activity of LLEO was tested using eight bacterial strains and two types of yeasts by a microdilution broth test. Candida albicans showed the greatest susceptibility (MIC = 0.625 μL/mL) and Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were inhibited at low LLEO concentration (MIC values from 2.5 to 5 μL/mL). The C. limon leaf EO displayed radical scavenging ability (IC₅₀ value of 10.24 mg/mL) in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazylhydrate (DPPH) assay. Furthermore, the LLEO impact on cell viability was explored by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in cancer HeLa cells, A375 melanoma cell line, normal fibroblasts (3T3 cells), and keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). LLEO, at 24 h of incubation, significantly reduced viability from 25 μM in Hela cells (33% reduction) and A375 cells (27%), greatly affecting cell morphology, whereas this effect was found from 50 μM on 3T3 fibroblasts and keratinocytes. LLEO's pro-oxidant effect was also established in HeLa cells by 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay.

Polysaccharides extracted from mulberry fruits (Morus nigra L.): antioxidant effect of ameliorating H2O2-induced liver injury in HepG2 cells

BACKGROUND

Mori Fructus is an economical and readily available traditional Chinese medicine and food. Polysaccharides in Mori Fructus have clear antioxidant activity and have been found to alleviate oxidative stress (OS)-induced liver damage in experimental studies. The mechanism of regulation of cellular antioxidant activity by mulberry polysaccharides has been suggested to be Nrf2, but it is not clear whether the Nrf2 pathway is mediated by activation of other targets, and the exact process of effects in hepatocytes has yet to be elucidated.

METHODS

In this study, the basic characterization of total polysaccharides extracted from mulberry fruits (Morus nigra Linn.) was analyzed. A model of oxidative damage induced by H₂O₂ in HepG2 cells was established. The levels of cellular oxidation-related markers, including ROS, SOD and Gpx, were then examined. Furthermore, Q-PCR and Western-blot were used to detect the expression of genes and proteins related to the PI3K/Akt-mediated Nrf2 signaling pathway.

RESULTS

The results showed that a total mulberry polysaccharides (TMP) has a molecular weight of 57.5 kDa with a pyranose ring mainly composed of glucose (48.81%), galactose (22.79%) and mannose (18.2%). TMP reduced the accumulation of ROS in HepG2 cells after H₂O₂ treatment and modulated the activity of SOD and Gpx. Q-PCR and Western-blot showed that TMP could up-regulate the expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT, Nrf2, NQO1 and HO-1.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that TMP can reduce ROS accumulation in H₂O₂-treated HepG2 cells and restore cell viability by activating the PI3K/AKT-mediated Nrf2 pathway. TMP may be a potent antioxidant agent that could slow down oxidative damage to the liver.

Protective Effects of Fermented Houttuynia cordata Against UVA and H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Skin Keratinocytes

The biological activities of Houttuynia cordata (H. cordata) fermented with Aureobasidium pullulans (A. pullulans) was investigated for human skin keratinocyte-induced chemical and photo oxidations. In this research, H₂O₂/UVA-induced HaCaT cell lines were treated with H. cordata water/ethanol extracts (HCW/HCE) and fermented with A. pullulans water/ethanol extracts (HCFW/HCFE). A. pullulans fermented with H. cordata (HCFW) increased in 5.4-folds of total polyphenol (HCFW 46.89 mg GAE/extract g), and 2.3-folds in flavonoids (HCFW 53.80 mg GAE/extract g) compared with water extracts of H. cordata (HCW). Further, no significant cytotoxicity for HaCaT cells showed by all the extracts of H. cordata fermented with A. pullulans. HCFW extracts have significantly lowered inflammation factors such as COX-2 and Hsp70 proteins in oxidative stressed HaCaT cells induced by H₂O₂ and UVA treatments. All H. cordata extracts significantly downregulated gene expression involved in oxidative stress and inflammation factors, including IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2, TNF-α, NF-κB, and MMP-1 in the H₂O₂/UVA-treated HaCaT cells. However, keratin-1 gene expression in the UVA-treated HaCaT cells was increased in twofolds by HCFW extracts. Further, A. pullulans fermented H. cordata extracts (HCFW/HCFE) reduced the genes involved in oxidative stresses more effectively than those of H. cordata extract only. Overall, the polyphenol-rich extracts of H. cordata fermented with A. pullulans showed synergistic protective effects for human epidermal keratinocytes to prevent photoaging and intrinsic aging by anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory functions.

In Situ Release of Ulvan from Crosslinked Ulvan/Chitosan Complex Films and Their Evaluation as Wound Dressings

When a wound forms due to any injuries, it should be covered with a functional wound dressing for accelerating wound healing and reducing infection. In this study, crosslinked ulvan/chitosan complex films were prepared with or without the addition of glycerol and chlorophyll, and their wound healing properties were evaluated for potential application in wound dressing. The results showed that the tensile strength and elongation at break of the prepared ulvan/chitosan complex films were 2.23-2.48 MPa and 83.8-108.5%, respectively. Moreover, their water vapor transmission rates (WVTRs) were in the range of 1791-2029 g/m²-day, providing suitable environment for wound healing. Particularly, these complex films could release ulvan in situ in a short time, and the film with chlorophyll added had the highest release rate, reaching 62.8% after 20 min of releasing. In vitro studies showed that they were biocompatible toward NIH 3T3 and HaCaT cells, and promoted the migration of NIH 3T3 cells. These complex films could protect HaCaT cells from oxidative damage and reduce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS); the addition of chlorophyll also effectively reduced the inflammatory response induced by LPS as found in the reduction in both NO and IL-6. Animal models showed that the complex films added with glycerol and chlorophyll could promote wound healing in the early stage, while accelerating the regeneration of dermal glands and collagen production. Briefly, these ulvan/chitosan complex films had good physiochemical properties and biological activity, and could accelerate wound healing both in vitro and in vivo.

Transcriptome expression profile of compound-K-enriched red ginseng extract (DDK-401) in Korean volunteers and its apoptotic properties

Ginseng and ginsenosides have been reported to have various pharmacological effects, but their efficacies depend on intestinal absorption. Compound K (CK) is gaining prominence for its biological and pharmaceutical properties. In this study, CK-enriched fermented red ginseng extract (DDK-401) was prepared by enzymatic reactions. To examine its pharmacokinetics, a randomized, single-dose, two-sequence, crossover study was performed with eleven healthy Korean male and female volunteers. The volunteers were assigned to take a single oral dose of one of two extracts, DDK-401 or common red ginseng extract (DDK-204), during the initial period. After a 7-day washout, they received the other extract. The pharmacokinetics of DDK-401 showed that its maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) occurred at 184.8 ± 39.64 ng/mL, Tmax was at 2.4 h, and AUC0-12h was 920.3 ± 194.70 ng h/mL, which were all better than those of DDK-204. The maximum CK absorption in the female volunteers was higher than that in the male volunteers. The differentially expressed genes from the male and female groups were subjected to a KEGG pathway analysis, which showed results in the cell death pathway, such as apoptosis and necroptosis. In cytotoxicity tests, DDK-401 and DDK-204 were not particularly toxic to normal (HaCaT) cells, but at a concentration of 250 μg/mL, DDK-401 had a much higher toxicity to human lung cancer (A549) cells than DDK-204. DDK-401 also showed a stronger antioxidant capacity than DDK-204 in both the DPPH and potassium ferricyanide reducing power assays. DDK-401 reduced the reactive oxygen species production in HaCaT cells with induced oxidative stress and led to apoptosis in the A549 cells. In the mRNA sequence analysis, a signaling pathway with selected marker genes was assessed by RT-PCR. In the HaCaT cells, DDK-401 and DDK-204 did not regulate FOXO3, TLR4, MMP-9, or p38 expression; however, in the A549 cells, DDK-401 downregulated the expressions of MMP9 and TLR4 as well as upregulated the expressions of the p38 and caspase-8 genes compared to DDK-204. These results suggest that DDK-401 could act as a molecular switch for these two cellular processes in response to cell damage signaling and that it could be a potential candidate for further evaluations in health promotion studies.

Dihydroquercetin composite nanofibrous membrane prevents UVA radiation-mediated inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress by modulating MAPKs/Nrf2 signaling in human epidermal keratinocytes

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a key cause of skin inflammation and photodamage in the environment. Dihydroquercetin composite nanofiber membrane (CPD) is a nano-scale membrane cloth prepared by electrospinning technology. The results in this study showed that CPD could enhance the activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and GSH-Px induced by UVA radiation, and reduce the overexpression of ROS. MAPKs/Nrf2 signaling is associated with inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress. Compared with control HaCaT cells, we found that CPD pretreatment prevents MAPK (p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-P38)/Nrf2-induced inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress signaling during UVA exposure pathway overexpression. Immunofluorescence experiments also showed that CPD could reduce the fluorescence intensity of Caspase-3 and TNF-α. These results suggest that CPD may be a successful healing agent that provides reinforcement against UVA-induced oxidative and irritating skin compensation.

[Islet biomimetic microenvironment constructed by chitosan oligosaccharide protects islets from hypoxia-induced damage by reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species]

Objective

Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)/hyaluronic acid methacryloyl (HAMA)/chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) hydrogel was used to construct islet biomimetic microenvironment, and to explore the improvement effect of GelMA/HAMA/COS on islet activity and function under hypoxia.

Methods

Islets cultured on the tissue culture plate was set as the control group, on the GelMA/HAMA/COS hydrogel with COS concentrations of 0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 mg/mL respectively as the experimental groups. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the microscopic morphology, rheometer test to evaluate the gel-forming properties, contact angle to detect the hydrophilicity, and the biocompatibility was evaluated by the scaffold extract to L929 cells [using cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay]. The islets were extracted from the pancreas of 8-week-old Sprague Dawley rats and the islet purity and function were identified by dithizone staining and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) assays, respectively. Islets were cultured under hypoxia (1%O 2) for 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively. Calcein-acetyl methyl/propidium iodide (Calcein-AM/PI) staining was used to evaluate the effect of hypoxia on islet viability. Islets were cultured in GelMA/HAMA/COS hydrogels with different COS concentrations for 48 hours, and the reactive oxygen species kits were used to evaluate the antagonism of COS against islet reactive oxygen species production under normoxia (20%O 2) and hypoxia (1%O 2) conditions. Calcein-AM/PI staining was used to evaluate the effect of COS on islet activity under hypoxia (1%O 2) conditions. Islets were cultured in tissue culture plates (group A), GelMA/HAMA hydrogels (group B), and GelMA/HAMA/COS hydrogels (group C) for 48 hours, respectively. Immunofluorescence and GSIS assays were used to evaluate the effect of COS on islet activity under hypoxia (1%O 2) conditions, respectively.

Results

GelMA/HAMA/COS hydrogel had a porous structure, the rheometer test showed that it had good gel-forming properties, and the contact angle test showed good hydrophilicity. CCK-8 assay showed that the hydrogel in each group had good biocompatibility. The isolated rat islets were almost round, with high islet purity and insulin secretion ability. Islets were treated with hypoxia for 24, 48, and 72 hours, Calcein-AM/PI staining showed that the number of dead cells gradually increased with time, which were significantly higher than those in the non-hypoxia-treated group ( P<0.001). Reactive oxygen staining showed that GelMA/HAMA/COS hydrogels with different COS concentrations could antagonize the production of reactive oxygen under normal oxygen and hypoxia conditions, and this ability was positively correlated with COS concentration. Calcein-AM/PI staining indicated that GelMA/HAMA/COS hydrogels with different COS concentrations could improve islet viability under hypoxia conditions, and cell viability was positively correlated with COS concentration. Immunofluorescence staining showed that GelMA/HAMA/COS hydrogel could promote the expression of islet function-related genes under hypoxia conditions. GSIS assay results showed that the insulin secretion of islets in hypoxia condition of group C was significantly higher than that of groups B and C ( P<0.05).

Conclusion

GelMA/HAMA/COS hydrogel has good biocompatibility, promotes islet survival and function by inhibiting reactive oxygen species, and is an ideal carrier for building islet biomimetic microenvironment for islet culture and transplantation.

Study on Extraction and Antioxidant Activity of Flavonoids from Hemerocallis fulva (Daylily) Leaves

Hemerocallis fulva is a medical and edible plant. In this study, we optimized the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) process of extracting flavonoids from Hemerocallis fulva leaves by single-factor experiments and response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum extraction conditions generating the maximal total flavonoids content was as follows: 70.6% ethanol concentration; 43.9:1 mL/g solvent to sample ratio; 61.7 °C extraction temperature. Under the optimized extraction conditions, the total flavonoid content (TFC) in eight Hemerocallis fulva varieties were determined, and H. fulva (L.) L. var. kwanso Regel had the highest TFC. The cytotoxicity of the extract was studied using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8 assay). When the concentration was less than 1.25 mg/mL, the extract had no significant cytotoxicity to HaCaT cells. The antioxidant activity was measured via chemical antioxidant activity methods in vitro and via cellular antioxidant activity methods. The results indicated that the extract had a strong ABTS and •OH radical scavenging activity. Additionally, the extract had an excellent protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative damage at a concentration of 1.25 mg/mL, which could effectively reduce the level of ROS to 106.681 ± 9.733% (p < 0.001), compared with the 163.995 ± 6.308% of the H2O2 group. We identified five flavonoids in the extracts using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Infrared spectroscopy indicated that the extract contained the structure of flavonoids. The results showed that the extract of Hemerocallis fulva leaves had excellent biocompatibility and antioxidant activity, and could be used as a cheap and potential source of antioxidants in the food, cosmetics, and medicine industries.

Myofibrillar Protein Interacting with Trehalose Elevated the Quality of Frozen Meat

This work studied the interactions between trehalose/chitooligosaccharide (COS) and myofibrillar protein (MP), and the effect of such interactions on the quality of meat after freezing was also evaluated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that both trehalose and COS could enhance the content of hydrogen bonds of MP. Zeta potential measurement displayed trehalose/COS reduced the absolute value of the surface potential of MP. The results of Raman spectroscopy suggested that the hydrophobic residues of MP were more exposed after treatment with trehalose/COS. Thus, trehalose and COS could both interact with MP through non-covalent bonds. Subsequently, the evaluation of the effect of trehalose and COS on the physicochemical properties of frozen meat was conducted. Results showed that both trehalose and COS significantly reduced thawing loss of frozen meat, and sensory evaluation showed that trehalose had a better performance from the perspective of smell, texture, and overall consumer acceptance. In conclusion, trehalose/COS interacting with MP can reduce meat thawing loss, which might provide technical guidance in the quality control of frozen meat.

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Cellulase Extraction from Nymphaea hybrid Flower and Biological Activities: Antioxidant Activity, Protective Effect against ROS Oxidative Damage in HaCaT Cells and Inhibition of Melanin Production in B16 Cells

In this study, ultrasonic-assisted cellulase extraction (UCE) was applied to extract flavonoids and polyphenols from the Nymphaea hybrid flower. The extraction conditions were optimized using the response surface method (RSM) coupled with a Box-Behnken design. The crude extract of Nymphaea hybrid (NHE) was further purified using AB-8 macroporous resins, and the purified extract (NHEP) was characterized by FTIR and HPLC. In vitro activity determination by chemical method showed that NHEP displayed strong free radical scavenging abilities against the DPPH and ABTS radicals, good reduction power, and hyaluronidase inhibition. The cell viability by CCK-8 assays showed that NHEP had no significant cytotoxicity for B16 and HaCaT cells when the concentration was below 100 μg/mL and 120 μg/mL, respectively. NHEP with a concentration of 20–160 μg/mL can more effectively reduce the ROS level in H₂O₂ damaged HaCaT cells compared with 10 μg/mL of VC. The 40 μg/mL of NHEP had similar activity against intracellular melanin production in the B16 melanoma cells compared with 20 μg/mL Kojic acid. Good activities of antioxidation, whitening and protective effect against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage promote the potential for NHEP as a functional raw material in the field of cosmetics and medicine.

Ginsenosides Conversion and Anti-Oxidant Activities in Puffed Cultured Roots of Mountain Ginseng

CRMG (Cultured Roots of Mountain Ginseng) have the advantages in scale-up production, safety, and pharmacological efficacies. Though several methods are available for the conversion of major to minor ginsenosides, which has more pharmacological activities, a single step process with high temperature and pressure as a puffing method took place in this study to gain and produce more pharmacologically active compounds. Puffed CRMG exhibited an acceleration of major ginsenosides to minor ginsenosides conversions, and released more phenolic and flavonoid compounds. HPLC analysis was used to detect a steep decrease in the contents of major ginsenosides (Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2, Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc and Rd) with increasing pressure; on the contrary, the minor ginsenosides (20 (S, R)-Rg3, Rg5, Rk1, Rh1, Rh2, Rg6, F4 and Rk3) contents increased. Minor ginsenosides, such as Rg6, F4 and Rk3, were firstly reported to be produced from puffed CRMG. After the puffing process, phenolics, flavonoids, and minor ginsenoside contents were increased, and also, the antioxidant properties, such as DPPH inhibition and reducing the power of puffed CRMG, were significantly enhanced. Puffed CRMG at 490.3 kPa and 588.4 kPa had a low toxicity on HaCaT (immortalized human epidermal keratinocyte) cells at 200 μg/mL, and could significantly reduce ROS by an average of 60%, compared to the group treated with H2O2. Therefore, single step puffing of CRMG has the potential to be utilized for functional food and cosmeceuticals.

Chitosan oligosaccharides alleviate acute heat stress-induced oxidative damage by activating ERK1/2-mediated HO-1 and GSH-Px gene expression in breast muscle of broilers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) on acute heat stress (AHS) induced poor meat quality by alleviating oxidative damage through mitogen-activated protein kinase-nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant responsive element (MAPK-Nrf2-ARE) signaling pathway. A total of 108 thirty-five-day-old Chinese indigenous broilers (Luhua chicken) was used for this 42-d experiment. The broilers were randomly allocated to 3 treatments: control group (CON), AHS group, and AHS with 400 mg/kg COS supplementation (AHS-C) group. Both CON and AHS groups given the basal diet, and the AHS-C group given the basal diet with 400 mg/kg COS supplementation. On d 42, broilers in the AHS and AHS-C groups treated with AHS (increasing temperature from 24 to 34°C in 2-h and held for another 2-h), and the CON group under normal temperature (24°C). AHS exposure elevated (P < 0.05) body temperature (rectal, comb, eyelids, and feet) of broilers, increased (P < 0.05) breast muscle lightness (L*), drip loss, share force, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) scavenging activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and catalase (CAT) activity, however, decreased (P < 0.05) pH_45min, pH_24h, redness (a*), and relative expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Compared to the AHS group, dietary COS supplementation increased (P < 0.05) breast muscle pH_45min, pH_24h, and a*, H₂O₂ scavenging activity, as well as relative expression of HO-1 and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), however, decreased (P < 0.05) drip loss, share force, superoxide anion free radicals (O₂^•−) scavenging activity, ROS production, and MDA content. It was concluded that AHS impaired meat quality, which may be related to oxidative damage, as evidenced by increasing ROS production, MDA content, and decreasing the relative expression of HO-1. Dietary COS supplementation could effectively elevate the meat quality of broilers exposed to AHS via decreasing ROS production, activating the Nrf2 pathway, and Nrf2-mediated HO-1 and GSH-Px gene expression.

Optimization of Fermentation Process of Pomegranate Peel and Schisandra Chinensis and the Biological Activities of Fermentation Broth: Antioxidant Activity and Protective Effect Against H2O2-induced Oxidative Damage in HaCaT Cells

In this study, the lactobacillus fermentation process of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel and Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (PP&SC) was optimized by using the response surface method (RSM) coupled with a Box-Behnken design. The optimum fermentation condition with the maximal yield of ellagic acid (99.49 ± 0.47 mg/g) was as follows: 1:1 (w:w) ratio of pomegranate peel to Schisandra chinensis, 1% (v:v) of strains with a 1:1 (v:v) ratio of Lactobacillus Plantarum to Streptococcus Thermophilus, a 37 °C fermentation temperature, 33 h of fermentation time, 1:20 (g:mL) of a solid–liquid ratio and 3 g/100 mL of a glucose dosage. Under these conditions, the achieved fermentation broth (FB) showed stronger free radical scavenging abilities than the water extract (WE) against the ABTS⁺, DPPH, OH⁻ and O₂⁻ radicals. The cytotoxicity and the protective effect of FB on the intracellular ROS level in HaCaT cells were further detected by the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The results showed that FB had no significant cytotoxicity toward HaCaT cells when its content was no more than 8 mg/mL. The FB with a concentration of 8 mg/mL had a good protective effect against oxidative damage, which can effectively reduce the ROS level to 125.94% ± 13.46% (p < 0.001) compared with 294.49% ± 11.54% of the control group in H₂O₂-damaged HaCaT cells. The outstanding antioxidant ability and protective effect against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in HaCaT cells promote the potential for the FB of PP&SC as a functional raw material of cosmetics.

The water-soluble non-starch polysaccharides from natural resources against excessive oxidative stress: A potential health-promoting effect and its mechanisms

The water-soluble non-starch polysaccharides isolated from natural resources have become research hotpots in the field of food science and human health due to widely distributed in nature and low toxicity. It has indicated that the health-promoting effect of water-soluble non-starch polysaccharides were partly attributable to against excessive oxidative stress. Indeed, excessive oxidative stress in the body has been reported in occurrence of disease. The water-soluble non-starch polysaccharides from natural resources exhibit antioxidant activity to against oxidative stress via scavenging free radicals promoting antioxidant enzymes activity and/or regulating antioxidant signaling pathways. In this review, the water-soluble non-starch polysaccharides as medicine agent and the factor affecting antioxidant as well as the relationship between oxidative stress and disease are summarized, and the mechanisms of water-soluble non-starch polysaccharides therapy in disease are also discussed. It will provide a theoretical basis for natural polysaccharides used for the treatment of diseases.