Antigenotoxic and Free Radical Scavenging Activities of Extracts fromMoricandia arvensis

Guidance for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring anti-genotoxicity

Since DNA damage can occur spontaneously or be produced by the environmental genotoxins in living cells, it is important to investigate compounds that can reverse or protect DNA damage. An appropriate methodology is essential for the responsive identification of protection offered against DNA damage. This review includes information on the current state of knowledge on prokaryotic cell-based assays (SOS chromotest, umu test, vitotox assay) and cytogenetic techniques (micronucleus assay, chromosome aberration test and sister chromatid exchange assay) with an emphasis on the possibility to explore genoprotective compounds. Throughout the last decade, studies have extrapolated the scientific methodologies utilized for genotoxicity to assess genoprotective compounds. Therefore, shortcomings of genotoxicity studies are also mirrored in antigenotoxicity studies. While regulatory authorities around the world (OECD, US-EPA and ICH) continue to update diverse genotoxic assay strategies, there are still no clear guidelines/approaches for efficient experimental design to screen genoprotective compounds. As a consequence, non-synergetic and inconsistent implementation of the test method by the researchers to execute such simulations has been adopted, which inevitably results in unreliable findings. The review has made the first attempt to collect various facets of experimentally verified approaches for evaluating genoprotective compounds, as well as to acknowledge potential significance and constraints, and further focus on the assessment of end points which are required to validate such action. Henceforth, the review makes an incredible commitment by permitting readers to equate several components of their test arrangement with the provided simplified information, allowing the selection of convenient technique for the predefined compound from a central repository.

GC/MS Profiling of the Essential Oil and Lipophilic Extract of Moricandia sinaica Boiss. and Evaluation of Their Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activities

The genus Moricandia (Brassicaceae) comprises about eight species that were used in traditional medicine. Moricandia sinaica is used to alleviate certain disorders such as syphilis and exhibits analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antioxidant, and antigenotoxic properties. Throughout this study, we aimed to figure out the chemical composition of lipophilic extract and essential oil obtained from M. sinaica aerial parts using GC/MS analysis, as well as their cytotoxic and antioxidant activities correlated with the major detected compounds' molecular docking. The results revealed that both the lipophilic extract and the oil were found to be rich in aliphatic hydrocarbons, accounting for 72.00% and 79.85%, respectively. Furthermore, the lipophilic extract's major constituents are octacosanol, γ-sitosterol, α-amyrin, β-amyrin acetate, and α-tocopherol. Contrarily, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes accounted for the majority of the essential oil. The essential oil and the lipophilic extract of M. sinaica showed cytotoxic properties towards human liver cancer cells (HepG2) with IC₅₀ values of 126.65 and 220.21 µg/mL, respectively. The lipophilic extract revealed antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay with an IC₅₀ value of 2679 ± 128.13 µg/mL and in the FRAP assay, moderate antioxidant potential was expressed as 44.30 ± 3.73 µM Trolox equivalent/mg sample. The molecular docking studies revealed that ꞵ-amyrin acetate, α -tocopherol, γ-sitosterol, and n-pentacosaneachieved the best docking scores for NADPH oxidase, phosphoinositide-3 kinase, and protein kinase B. Consequently, M. sinaica essential oil and lipophilic extract can be employed as a viable management strategy for oxidative stress conditions and the formulation of improved cytotoxic treatment regimens.

A Polyphenols-Rich Extract from Moricandia sinaica Boiss. Exhibits Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory and Antipyretic Activities In Vivo

In this study, the aerial parts of Moricandia sinaica were evaluated for their in vivo analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities. The analgesic activities were examined using acetic acid-induced writhing, the hot plate test and the tail flick method. The anti-inflammatory and the antipyretic activities were evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats and brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia in mice, respectively. The aqueous fraction of the methanol extract (MS-3) showed to be the most bioactive among the other investigated fractions. At the dose of 500 mg/kg, the fraction (MS-3) showed a significant percentage inhibition of the carrageenan-induced edema by 52.4% (p < 0.05). In addition, MS-3 exhibited a significant inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhes by 44.4% and 61.5% (p < 0.001) at 250-mg/kg and 500-mg/kg doses, respectively. At 120 min post-treatment, the rat groups treated with MS-3 displayed statistically significant reduction in rectal temperature (p < 0.001) by 1.7 °C and 2.2 °C at 250- and 500-mg/kg doses, respectively. The phytochemical composition of the fraction (MS-3) was characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-PDA-MS/MS). Molecular docking studies demonstrated that the polyphenols identified in MS-3 revealed good binding energy upon docking to some target proteins involved in pain response and inflammation, such as the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and the cyclooxygenase COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Based on the findings from the present work, it could be concluded that the aerial parts extract of M. sinaica exerts potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects in rats.

Phytochemical and Biological Profile of Moricandia arvensis (L.) DC.: An Inhibitor of Pancreatic Lipase

Pancreatic lipase, a key enzyme for lipid absorption, is one of the most important targets for the treatment of obesity, while natural compounds have recently attracted much interest as potential inhibitors of this enzyme. Here, in an attempt to find new effective agents, the methanolic extract from Moricandia arvensis (L.) DC. and its sub-extracts were investigated for their potential inhibitory activity. The ability to inhibit pancreatic lipase was verified through the in vitro evaluation of the prevention of p-nitrophenyl caprylate hydrolysis. The antioxidant activity was also verified by means of DPPH and β-carotene bleaching tests. Compositional profiling revealed that flavonoid glycosides were the main specialized metabolites present in the methanolic extract from the aerial parts of the plant with kaempferol and quercetin representing the two O-glycosylated aglycones. Kaempferol-3-O-β-(2″-O-glucosyl)-rutinoside and kaempferol-3-O-a-arabinosyl-7-O-rhamnoside were the most abundant flavonols. The crude methanolic extract and the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate sub-extracts showed a strong lipase inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 2.06 ± 0.02, 1.52 ± 0.02 and 1.31 ± 0.02 mg/mL, respectively. The best capacity to scavenge DPPH radical was detected for the ethyl acetate sub-extract (IC50 = 171.9 ± 1.0 µg/mL), which was also effective in protecting linoleic acid from peroxidation (IC50 = 35.69 ± 2.30 µg/mL). Obtained results support the hypothesis that M. arvensis can be a source of bioactive phytochemicals for the pharmacological inhibition of dietary lipids absorption.

Phytochemical capacity of Nitraria retusa leaves extracts inhibiting growth of melanoma cells and enhancing melanogenesis of B16F10 melanoma

BACKGROUND

Here, phytochemical profile of Nitraria retusa (N. Retusa) leaf extracts was identified and their ability to induce apoptosis and inhibiting growth of melanoma cells and enhancing melanogenesis of B16F10 melanoma was evaluated.

METHODS

The Apoptosis was evidenced by investigating DNA fragmentation, and Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining. Amounts of melanin and tyrosinase were measured spectrophotometrically at 475 nm.

RESULTS

Extracts from Nitraria retusa exhibited significant anti-proliferative activity after 48 h of incubation. Our result was confirmed by ladder DNA fragmentation profile. All extracts showed also the ability to enhance melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity of B16F10 melanoma cells.

CONCLUSION

The tested extracts have a significant biological effect which may be due to their bioactive compounds.

The use of endemic Iranian plant, Echium amoenum, against the ethyl methanesulfonate and the recovery of mutagenic effects

In this study, potential genotoxic effects of ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) that caused mutagenicity in a variety of organisms were tried to resolve by the methanol and chloroform extract of Echium amoenum (EAmet and EAchl) Fisch. & C.A. Mey. from the family of Boraginaceae, which is an endemic plant, and is used as an alternative treatment among public in Iran. Somatic mutation and recombination test with Drosophila wing was used to determine the genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects in our investigations. For this purpose, 3-day-old transheterozygous larvae of mwh/flr3 genotype of Drosophila melanogaster were used in all our experiments. The larvae were fed chronically on the Drosophila instant medium (DIM) including 1 ppm EMS. However, in another application group, different concentrations (1, 2 and 4 ppm) of EAmet and EAchl were added to DIM including 1 ppm EMS (EMS + EAmet and EMS + EAchl). Then, for the matured individuals, wing preparates were prepared within the mediums that include control group that has only DIM, negative control group that contains dimethyl sulfoxide and application groups in different concentrations that contain EMS, EMS + EAmet and EMS + EAchl. Clone induction frequency for the normal wing phenotype of EMS application group was observed to be 2.00. In the EMS + EAmet application group, the value of 1 ppm EAmet is 1.49, value of 2 ppm EAmet is 1.08 and value of 4 ppm EAmet is 0.72; in the EMS + EAchl application group, the value of 1 ppm is EAchl 1.33, value of 2 ppm EAchl is 0.67 and value of 4 ppm EAchl is 0.56 were determined. This decrease observed between EMS and all application groups in terms of total induction frequency is statistically significant ( p < 0.05). These results concluded that chloroform extracts were more effective than the methanol extracts of E. amoenum.

Antimutagenic and free radical scavenger effects of leaf extracts from Accacia salicina

Background

Three extracts were prepared from the leaves of Accacia salicina; ethyl acetate (EA), chloroform (Chl) and petroleum ether (PE) extracts and was designed to examine antimutagenic, antioxidant potenty and oxidative DNA damage protecting activity.

Methods

Antioxidant activity of A. salicina extracts was determined by the ability of each extract to protect against plasmid DNA strand scission induced by hydroxyl radicals. An assay for the ability of these extracts to prevent mutations induced by various oxidants in Salmonella typhimurium TA102 and TA 104 strains was conducted. In addition, nonenzymatic methods were employed to evaluate anti-oxidative effects of tested extracts.

Results

These extracts from leaf parts of A. salicina showed no mutagenicity either with or without the metabolic enzyme preparation (S9). The highest protections against methylmethanesulfonate induced mutagenicity were observed with all extracts and especially chloroform extract. This extract exhibited the highest inhibitiory level of the Ames response induced by the indirect mutagen 2- aminoanthracene. All extracts exhibited the highest ability to protect plasmid DNA against hydroxyl radicals induced DNA damages. The ethyl acetate (EA) and chloroform (Chl) extracts showed with high TEAC values radical of 0.95 and 0.81 mM respectively, against the ABTS^.+.

Conclusion

The present study revealed the antimutagenic and antioxidant potenty of plant extract from Accacia salicina leaves.

Leaf extracts from Nitraria retusa promote cell population growth of human cancer cells by inducing apoptosis

BACKGROUND

In this report the phytochemical profile of Nitraria. Retusa (N. Retusa) leaf extracts were identified and their ability to induce apoptosis in human chronic myelogenous erythroleukaemia (K562) was evaluated.

METHODS

Apoptosis of the human chronic myelogenous erythroleukaemia (K562) was evidenced by investigating DNA fragmentation, PARP cleavage and caspases 3 and 8 inducing activities, in the presence of N. retusa extracts.

RESULTS

Our study revealed that the tested extracts from N. Retusa contain many useful bioactive compounds. They induced in a time-dependent manner the apoptosis the tested cancerous our cell line. This result was confirmed by ladder DNA fragmentation profile and PARP cleavage, as well as a release in caspase-3 and caspase-8 level.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that the tested compounds have a significant antiproliferative effect which may be due to their involvement in the induction of the extrinsic apoptosic pathway.

Leaf extracts from Moricandia arvensis promote antiproliferation of human cancer cells, induce apoptosis, and enhance antioxidant activity

The in vitro antiproliferative, apoptotic, and antioxidant activities from leaf extracts of Moricandia arvensis, which are used in traditional cooking and medicines, were investigated. The MTT assay revealed that only TOF (total oligomer flavonoids), ethyl acetate (EA), chloroform (Chl), and petroleum ether (PE) extracts inhibited the proliferation of K562 cells. Apoptosis plays a very important role in the treatment of cancer by promoting the apoptosis of cancer cells and limiting the concurrent death of normal cells. Thus, the possible effects of M. arvensis extracts on the induction of apoptosis in human leukemic cells (K562 cells) were investigated. The electrophoretic analysis of DNA fragmentation confirms that TOF, Chl, PE, and EA extracts provoke DNA fragmentation. Using the lipid peroxidation inhibitory assay, the antioxidant capacity of M. arvensis extracts was evaluated by the ability of each extract to inhibit malondialdehyde formation. It was revealed that EA and TOF extracts are the most active in scavenging the hydroxyl radicals.

Chloroform extract from Moricandia arvensis inhibits growth of B16-F0 melanoma cells and promotes differentiation in vitro

OBJECTIVES

Poor therapeutic results have been reported for treatment of malignant melanoma; therefore in this study we have investigated inhibitory capacity of ethyl acetate, chloroform (Chl) and methanol extracts from Moricandia arvensis on mouse melanoma (B16-F0) and human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cell proliferation. Influence of Chl extract on percentage distribution in cell cycle phases and melanogenesis was also studied.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cell viability was determined at various periods using the MTT assay, and flow cytometry was used to analyse effects of Chl extract on progression through the cell cycle and apoptosis. In addition, amounts of melanin and tyrosinase were measured spectrophotometrically at 475 nm.

RESULTS

Chl extract exhibited significant anti-proliferative activity after incubation with the two types of tumour skin cells. Morphological changes in B16-F0 cells, accompanied by increase of tyrosinase activity, and of melanin synthesis were observed, which are markers of differentiation of malignant melanoma cells. Furthermore, cell cycle analysis revealed that B16-F0 cells treated with Chl extract were arrested predominantly in G(1) phase.

CONCLUSION

Chl extract had the ability to reverse malignant melanoma cells from proliferative to differentiated state, thus providing a new perspective in developing novel strategies for prevention and treatment of malignant melanoma, possibly through consumption of the extract in an appropriate cancer prevention diet. Moreover, there is scope for the extract being introduced into cosmetic products as a natural tanning agent.

Cell protection induced by Acacia salicina extracts: inhibition of genotoxic damage and determination of its antioxidant capacity

Antioxidant activity of Acacia salicina extracts was determined by the ability of each extract to inhibit lipid peroxidation, to protect against DNA strand scission induced by hydroxyl radicals, and to scavenge the free radical, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS(*+)). The IC(50) values of the inhibitory activity toward lipid peroxidation of total oligomer flavonoids (TOF), methanol, ethyl acetate, and aqueous extracts were respectively 28, 52, 472, and 480 microg/mL. All extracts have the ability to scavenge the ABTS(*+) radical by a hydrogen-donating mechanism and to protect pKS plasmid DNA against hydroxyl radicals- induced DNA damage. An assay for the ability of A. salicina extracts to prevent mutations induced by various mutagens in Salmonella typhimurium TA102 and TA104 cells was conducted. TOF, methanol, ethyl acetate, and aqueous extracts from leaf parts of A. salicina showed no mutagenicity either with or without the metabolic enzymes preparation (S9). Protection against methylmethanesulfonate-induced mutagenicity was observed for TOF, methanol, and ethyl acetate extracts. Likewise, all extracts exhibited a high inhibition level of the Ames response induced by the indirect mutagen, 2-aminoanthracene. The antigenotoxic activity could be ascribed, at least in part, to their antioxidant properties, but we cannot exclude additionally mechanisms. Thus, A. salicina may serve as an ideal candidate for a cost- effective, readily exploitable natural phytochemical compound.

Antigenotoxic and antioxidant activities of Pituranthos chloranthus essential oils

The SOS-chromotest in Escherichia coli is a widely used bacterial genotoxicity assay to test potential carcinogens. The aim of this work is to evaluate the genotoxic and antigenotoxic activities of essential oils obtained from aerial parts of Pituranthos chloranthus. The tested essential oils were not genotoxic towards both E. coli PQ37 and PQ35 strains. These essential oils reduced significantly Nifuroxazide and H(2)O(2)-induced genotoxicity. Essential oils showed a protective effect against damages induced by radicals, obtained from the photolysis of H(2)O(2), on DNA plasmid through free radical scavenging mechanisms. The scavenging capacity of these essential oils was also estimated by evaluating the inhibition of ABTS(+.) radical.