DNA Protection against Oxidative Damage Using the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Garcinia mangostana and Alpha-Mangostin

A Mechanistic Review on Protective Effects of Mangosteen and its Xanthones Against Hazardous Materials and Toxins

Due to its pharmacological properties, α-Mangostin, mainly found in Garcinia mangostana (G. mangostana) L. (Mangosteen, queen of fruits), treats wounds, skin infections, and many other disorders. In fact, α-Mangostin and other xanthonoid, including β-Mangostin and γ-Mangostin, are found in G. mangostana, which have various advantages, namely neuroprotective, anti-proliferative, antinociceptive, antioxidant, pro-apoptotic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic through multiple signaling mechanisms, for instance, extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK 1/2), mitogenactivated Protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This review presents comprehensive information on Mangosteen's pharmacological and antitoxic aspects and its xanthones against various natural and chemical toxins. Because of the insufficient clinical study, we hope the current research can benefit from performing clinical and preclinical studies against different toxic agents.

The endophytic fungus Penicillium oxalicum isolated from Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort possesses DNA damage-protecting potential and increases stress resistance properties in Caenorhabditis elegans

The chemical composition and antioxidant activity of extracts (POE) of Penicillium oxalate isolated from Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort have been investigated. However, the biological activity of POE is limited, and its antioxidant, stress resistance and DNA protection effects in vivo are unclear. The current study aims to explore the beneficial effects of POE on DNA damage protection in pBR322 plasmid and lymphocytes and stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans. The results showed that POE increased the survival rate of C. elegans under 35°C, UV and H₂O₂ stress, attenuated ROS and MDA accumulation, and enhanced the activity of some important enzymes (SOD, CTA, and GSH-PX). In addition, the POE-mediated stress resistance involved the upregulation of the expression of the sod-3, sod-5, gst-4, ctl-1, ctl-2, daf-16, hsp-16.1, hsp-16.2, and hsf-1 genes and acted dependently on daf-16 and hsf-1 rather than skn-1. Moreover, POE also reduced lipofuscin levels, but did not prolong the lifespan or damage the growth, reproduction and locomotion of C. elegans. Furthermore, POE showed a protective effect against DNA scission in the pBR322 plasmid and lymphocytes. These results suggested that P. oxalate extracts have significant anti-stress and DNA protection potential and could be potential drug candidates in the pharmaceutical field, thus greatly broadening the understanding of the biological effects of the endophytic fungus P. oxalate.

Hepatoprotective effect of α-mangostin against lipopolysaccharide/d-galactosamine-induced acute liver failure in mice

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of α-mangostin (α-MG) on lipopolysaccharide/d-galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN)-induced acute liver failure and discover its potential mechanisms in mice. The results showed that α-MG could attenuate LPS/D-GalN-induced liver pathological injury, and decrease the hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) level, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1β and 6 (IL-1β, IL-6) levels and recovery hepatic glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities. The results also indicated that α-MG inhibited LPS/D-GalN-induced toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression and NF-κB activation. In addition, α-MG up-regulated the expressions of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). In conclusion, the results indicated that α-MG could protect against LPS/D-GalN-induced liver failure by activating Nrf2 to induce antioxidant defense and inhibiting TLR4 signaling pathway to induce anti-inflammatory effect.