Natural extract and its fractions isolated from the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas flavipulchra STILL-33 have antioxidant and antiaging activities in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

In Vivo Anti-Vibrio Evaluation of Sponge-Associated Bacteria on the Survival Rate of Litopenaeus vannamei Infected with Pathogenic Vibrio Species

Sponge-associated bacteria are considered a rich source of bioactive compounds particularly to reduce the risk of Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection. The present study aimed to analyse the effectiveness of 19 isolates to control Vibrio infection in vivo. All 19 isolates displayed a non-pathogenic characteristic on shrimps (cell density of 106 cells/mL) as analysed using the pathogenicity test. The mortality caused by both Vibrio spp. on 50% of the shrimp population (LC50 value) had a cell density of 105 cells/mL as determined using the proportion interval method. On the basis of the challenge test, all isolates improved the survival rate of infected shrimps in diverse effectivities up to 89%, which was nearly 30% higher than the infected control. Two isolates coded as D6.9, and P5.20 reduced shrimp mortality after infection with Vibrio spp. 16S rRNA-based identification showed these isolates were closely similar to different genera of Bacillus and Staphylococcus. The extract derived from the most prospective isolate, D6.9, was dominated by 1-hydroxy-6-(3-isopropenyl-cycloprop-1-enyl)-6-methyl-heptan-2-one, hexadecanoic acid, 4-epicyclomusalenone [(24S)-24-methyl-28-norcycloart-25-en-3-one], and 2,4-dimethyl acetoacetanilide. This observation suggested these isolates characterised by in vivo anti-Vibrio activity need to be further developed as biocontrol candidates.

Effects of Xiao Chengqi Formula on Slow Transit Constipation by Assessing Gut Microbiota and Metabolomics Analysis in vitro and in vivo

The Xiao Chengqi (XCQ) formula is a newly constituted traditional Chinese medicine prescription in the treatment of intestinal motility deficiency and is effective in patients with slow transit constipation (STC). XCQ formula was reconstructed based on a "Chengqi" decoction. Astragali Radix, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, and cooked ground Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were added to the prescription to enhance. An STC rat model was constructed and treated with the formula to understand the detailed mechanism by which XCQ promotes intestinal peristalsis. The effects of the XCQ formula on intestinal microflora and metabolic levels and the possible molecular mechanism of its regulation were explored using 16S rDNA sequencing, metabolomics sequencing, and tissue RNA sequencing. The results showed a significant decrease in the abundance of Roseburia spp. in the feces of STC rats, a significant decrease in the content of butyl aminobenzene (BAB) in feces, and an increase in the number of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the colon of STC rats. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that BAB could activate IL-21R on the ICC surface, upregulate the phosphorylation of the downstream molecules STAT3 and ERK, and inhibit loperamide-induced ICC apoptosis. Therefore, the XCQ formula can improve the defecation status of patients with STC by protecting ICC activity, promoting the colonization of Roseburia spp. to promote peristalsis, and increasing the BAB content after metabolism.

Antiaging Properties of the Ethanol Fractions of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) Bud and Leaf at the Cellular Levels: Study in Yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The exposure of reactive oxygen species is one of the aging triggers at cellular level. The antioxidants have been used as strategic efforts in overcoming the accumulation of ROS. Previous research using crude extracts of clove bud and leaves showed its potential as an antioxidant agent. However, no data were available regarding the antioxidant and antiaging activities of subsequent fractions of clove extracts. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the antioxidant and antiaging activities of the n-hexane and ethanol fractions from clove bud and leaves. Antioxidant and antiaging activities were tested at the cellular level using the yeast model Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The highest flavonoid content was shown by clove leaf n-hexane fraction (25.6 mgQE·g−1). However, ethanol fraction of clove bud (FEB) showed the highest antioxidant activity based on TBA and antiglycation assays. FEB (8 μg·mL−1) and leaf ethanol fraction (FEL) (10 μg·mL−1) were able to induce yeast tolerance against oxidative stress. In addition, FEB could induce mitochondrial activity and delay the G1 phase of the cell cycle. FEB was found to be rich in gallic acid and (15Z)-9,12,13-trihydroxy-15-octadecenoic. Based on the data, FEB shows the potential antiaging activity, which is promising for further development as biopharmaceutical product formulations.

Antiaging and Antioxidant Bioactivities of Asteraceae Plant Fractions on the Cellular Functions of the Yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Research on antioxidants has been gaining worldwide attention because of their essential applications for medicinal purposes. In this study, we conducted bioprospecting of six Asteraceae plants as the source of antiaging and antioxidant agents. Water and chloroform fractions from Ageratum conyzoides L., Dichrocephala integrifolia (L.f.) Kuntze, Galinsoga parviflora (Cav.), Mikania micrantha Kunth, Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski, and Synedrella nodiflora L. were collected and assayed for their in vitro antioxidant activities and potential antiaging properties using the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe as the model organism. Based on the in vitro assay, the water fractions of S. trilobata showed a strong antioxidant activity. Interestingly, all treatment solutions promoted the stress tolerance phenotype of S. pombe to strong H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress conditions. Moreover, compared with the treatments without plant extract/fraction, all extract and fraction treatments, except the chloroform fractions of A. conyzoides, promoted yeast cell longevity. Strong induction of mitochondria activity was found following the treatments with the extracts and fractions of S. nodiflora, D. integrifolia, and M. micrantha and likely mimicked the calorie restriction-induced lifespan. Interestingly, S. nodiflora water fractions significantly upregulated the mRNA transcripts of the Pap1-mediated core environmental stress response, namely, ctt1 gene in S. pombe. These data indicated that the fractions of Asteraceae plants had potential antioxidant and antiaging activities through various cellular modulations. S. nodiflora water fraction has been shown to have antioxidant and antiaging activities in S. pombe, by modulating stress tolerance response, inducing mitochondrial activity, and increasing the ctt1 gene expression. Compounds analysis identified that S. nodiflora water fraction contained some primarily compounds including oxyphyllacinol, valine, and sugiol.

Sponges and Their Symbionts as a Source of Valuable Compounds in Cosmeceutical Field

In the last decades, the marine environment was discovered as a huge reservoir of novel bioactive compounds, useful for medicinal treatments improving human health and well-being. Among several marine organisms exhibiting biotechnological potential, sponges were highlighted as one of the most interesting phyla according to a wide literature describing new molecules every year. Not surprisingly, the first marine drugs approved for medical purposes were isolated from a marine sponge and are now used as anti-cancer and anti-viral agents. In most cases, experimental evidence reported that very often associated and/or symbiotic communities produced these bioactive compounds for a mutual benefit. Nowadays, beauty treatments are formulated taking advantage of the beneficial properties exerted by marine novel compounds. In fact, several biological activities suitable for cosmetic treatments were recorded, such as anti-oxidant, anti-aging, skin whitening, and emulsifying activities, among others. Here, we collected and discussed several scientific contributions reporting the cosmeceutical potential of marine sponge symbionts, which were exclusively represented by fungi and bacteria. Bioactive compounds specifically indicated as products of the sponge metabolism were also included. However, the origin of sponge metabolites is dubious, and the role of the associated biota cannot be excluded, considering that the isolation of symbionts represents a hard challenge due to their uncultivable features.

The Antiaging Effect of Active Fractions and Ent-11α-Hydroxy-15-Oxo-Kaur-16-En-19-Oic Acid Isolated from Adenostemma lavenia (L.) O. Kuntze at the Cellular Level

Background: The extract of Adenostemma lavenia (L.) O. Kuntze leaves has anti-inflammatory activities and is used as a folk medicine to treat patients with hepatitis and pneumonia in China and Taiwan. The diterpenoid ent-11α-hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (11αOH-KA) is the major ingredient in the extract and has wide-spectrum biological activities, such as antitumor and antimelanogenic activities, as well as anti-inflammatory activity. However, the physical and biological properties of this compound as an antioxidant or antiaging agent have not been reported yet. Methods: In addition to in vitro assays, we monitored antioxidative and antiaging signals in Schizosaccharomyces pombe (yeast) and mouse melanoma B16F10 cells. Results: A. lavenia water and chloroform fractions showed antioxidant properties in vitro. The A. lavenia extracts and 11αOH-KA conferred resistance to H₂O₂ to S. pombe and B16F10 cells and extended the yeast lifespan in a concentration-dependent manner. These materials maintained the yeast mitochondrial activity, even in a high-glucose medium, and induced an antioxidant gene program, the transcriptional factor pap1⁺ and its downstream ctt1⁺. Accordingly, 11αOH-KA activated the antioxidative transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2, NRF2, the mammalian ortholog of pap1⁺, in B16F10 cells, which was accompanied by enhanced hemeoxygenase expression levels. These results suggest that 11αOH-KA and A. lavenia extracts may protect yeast and mammalian cells from oxidative stress and aging. Finally, we hope that these materials could be helpful in treating COVID-19 patients, because A. lavenia extracts and NRF2 activators have been reported to alleviate the symptoms of pneumonia in model animals.