Chlorogenic acid attenuates hydrogen peroxide‑induced oxidative stress in lens epithelial cells

Antigenotoxic and Life-Prolonging Effects of Flavoured Kombuchas on Drosophila melanogaster

Research background

Kombucha is a fermented beverage with several health benefits; however, to improve its antioxidant activity, new raw materials such as hop, madimak and hawthorn were included in the present study.

Experimental approach

The somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) was performed on the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) to evaluate the antigenotoxic potential of black tea-flavoured kombucha and three other flavours of kombuchas (hop, madimak and hawthorn) against H2O2- and K2Cr2O7-induced genotoxicity. Furthermore, a lifespan assay was performed to assess the effects of kombuchas on the longevity of the fruit fly.

Results and conclusions

According to the results obtained from the SMART assay, hop-flavoured kombucha attenuated genotoxicity induced by H2O2, and madimak-flavoured kombucha reduced genotoxicity induced by H2O2 and K2Cr2O7. Black tea- and hop-flavoured kombucha prolonged the lifespan of the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) after the treatment with H2O2 and K2Cr2O7.

Novelty and scientific contribution

Hop-flavoured kombucha is a promising antioxidant that protects the genome and extends the lifespan of the fruit fly. This study sheds light on novel beverages that can combat ageing and protect against genotoxicity.

Candidate genes identification and RNA-seq based pathway analysis associated with primary angle-closure glaucoma with cataract

BACKGROUND

Cataract is commonly observed in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma; however, its underlying pathological mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to improve our knowledge on the pathological processes involved in primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) by identifying potential prognostic genes associated with cataract progression.

METHODS

Thirty anterior capsular membrane samples were collected from PACG patients with cataracts and age-related cataracts. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these two cohorts were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were performed to screen the DEGs, and potential prognostic markers and their coexpression network were then predicted by bioinformatic analyses. The DEGs were further validated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

A total of 399 DEGs were found to be specifically associated with cataracts development in PACG patients, among which 177 and 221 DEGs were upregulated and downregulated, respectively. STRING and Cytoscape network analyses revealed seven genes-CTGF, FOS, CAV1, CYR61, ICAM1, EGR1, and NR4A1-that were remarkably enriched and mainly involved in the MAPK, PI3K/Akt, Toll-like receptor, and TNF signaling pathways. RT-qPCR-based validation further confirmed that the sequencing results were accurate and reliable.

CONCLUSIONS

Herein, we identified seven genes and their signaling pathways that may contribute to cataract progression in patients with high intraocular pressure. Taken together, our findings highlight new molecular mechanisms that may explain the high incidence of cataracts in PACG patients. In addition, the genes identified herein may represent new foundations for the development of therapeutic strategies for PACG with cataract.

Comparison of methods to experimentally induce opacification and elasticity change in ex vivo porcine lenses

At the moment, cataract, which is the opacification of the eye's lens, can only be treated by surgery. In order to develop and test new pharmacological treatment strategies for the disease, there is a need for an appropriate in vitro model using ex vivo animal lenses. In this study, porcine lenses were incubated in either culture medium, glucose, triamcinolone acetonide, sodium chloride, hydrogen peroxide, sodium selenite, neutral buffered formalin, or were exposed to microwave heating to experimentally induce lens opacification. Changes in the lens morphology, weight, size, and elasticity were monitored 7 days after treatment. The fastest induction of dense opacification was seen in lenses exposed to sodium chloride, neutral buffered formalin, and microwave heating. No change in the size and weight of the lenses were detected, whereas loss in elasticity could be detected in lenses treated with formalin solution or microwave heating. Thus, neutral buffered formalin- and microwave-treated ex vivo porcine lenses seem to be a suitable model for mature cataracts, whereas hypertonic sodium chloride may be useful for studies on osmolarity-induced lens opacification.

Tandem mass spectrometry of aqueous extract from Ficus dubia sap and its cell-based assessments for use as a skin antioxidant

Since 2006, Ficus dubia has been reported as a new Ficus species in Thailand. As per our recent report, the red-brown aqueous extract of F. dubia sap (FDS) has been determined to strongly exhibit in vitro anti-radicals. However, the phytochemicals in the FDS extract related to health-promoting antioxidation have not been explored. Thus, in this study, we aimed to investigate the chemical components of the F. dubia sap extract by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/QTOF-MS) and its potential use in cosmetics in terms of cellular antioxidation on keratinocytes (HaCaT), phototoxicity, and irritation on 3D skin cell models following standard tests suggested by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). It was found that the sap extract was composed of quinic acid and caffeoyl derivatives (e.g., syringoylquinic acid, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, and dimeric forms of caffeoylquinic acids). The extract has significantly exhibited antioxidant activity against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HaCaT cells. The cellular antioxidative effect of the FDS extract was remarkably dependent on the presence of 3- and 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid in the extract. Furthermore, the FDS extract showed negative results on skin phototoxicity and irritation. Overall, the results reveal that the FDS extract could be developed as a new antioxidant candidate for a skin healthcare product.

Chemical Profile, Antioxidant, Anti-Proliferative, Anticoagulant and Mutagenic Effects of a Hydroalcoholic Extract of Tuscan Rosmarinus officinalis

This study aimed to characterize the chemical profile of an ethanolic extract of Tuscan Rosmarinus officinalis (Roex) and to determine its in vitro bioactivity. The content of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, hydroxycinnamic acids and triterpenoids was determined, and high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis revealed that rosmarinic acid and other hydroxycinnamic derivatives were the main constituents of the extract. Roex demonstrated to have both antioxidant activity and the capability to scavenge hydrogen peroxide in a concentration dependent manner. Moreover, NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts and human breast adenocarcinoma cells MDA-MB-231 viability was influenced by the extract with an IC₅₀ of 2.4 × 10^-1 mg/mL and 4.8 × 10^-1 mg/mL, respectively. The addition of Roex to the culture medium of both the above cell lines, resulted also in the reduction of cell death after H₂O₂ pre-treatment. The Ames test demonstrated that Roex was not genotoxic towards both TA98 and TA100 strains, with and without S9 metabolic activation. The extract, by inactivating thrombin, showed to also have an anti-coagulating effect at low concentration values. All these biological activities exerted by Roex are tightly correlated to its phytochemical profile, rich in bioactive compounds.

Musa balbisiana Fruit Rich in Polyphenols Attenuates Isoproterenol-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy in Rats via Inhibition of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Musa balbisiana Colla (Family: Musaceae), commonly known as banana and native to India and other parts of Asia, is very rich in nutritional value and has strong antioxidant potential. In the present study, we have developed Musa balbisiana (MB) fruit pulp powder and evaluated its cardioprotective effect in cardiac hypertrophy, which is often associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. An ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS) has been used for the detection and systematic characterization of the phenolic compounds present in Musa balbisiana fruit pulp. The cardioprotective effect of MB was evaluated in a rat model of isoproterenol- (ISO-) induced cardiac hypertrophy by subcutaneous administration of isoproterenol (5 mg/kg⁻¹/day⁻¹), delivered through an alzet minipump for 14 days. Oral administration of MB fruit pulp powder (200 mg/kg/day) significantly (p < 0.001) decreased heart weight/tail length ratio and cardiac hypertrophy markers like ANP, BNP, β-MHC, and collagen-1 gene expression. MB also attenuated ISO-induced cardiac inflammation and oxidative stress. The in vivo data were further confirmed in vitro in H9c2 cells where the antihypertrophic and anti-inflammatory effect of the aqueous extract of MB was observed in the presence of ISO and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), respectively. This study strongly suggests that supplementation of dried Musa balbisiana fruit powder can be useful for the prevention of cardiac hypertrophy via the inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress.

SUMOylation Evoked by Oxidative Stress Reduced Lens Epithelial Cell Antioxidant Functions by Increasing the Stability and Transcription of TP53INP1 in Age-Related Cataracts

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cataracts. Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins have great effects on cell stress response. Previous studies have shown that TP53INP1 can arrest cell growth and induce apoptosis by modulating p53 transcriptional activity and that both TP53INP1 and p53 are substrates of SUMOylation. However, no previous research has studied the effect of SUMOylation on the oxidative stress response in cataracts. This is the first study to investigate the effect of SUMOylation of TP53INP1 in oxidative stress-induced lens epithelial cell injury and age-related cataract formation. We found that the oxidative stress-induced endogenous SUMOylation of TP53INP1 promoted human lens epithelial cell (holed) apoptosis and regulated hLEC antioxidant effects by increasing the stability and transcription of TP53INP1 in age-related cataracts. SUMO-1, SUMOylation, and TP53INP1 were upregulated in lens tissues affected by age-related cataracts. A SUMO-1-specific protease, SENP1, acted as an oxidative stress-sensitive target gene in hLECs. This study identified for the first time that TP53INP1 can be SUMOylated in vivo, that the SUMOylation of TP53INP1 is induced by oxidative stress, and that SUMOylation/deSUMOylation can affect the stability and transcription of TP53INP1 in hLECs.

Evaluation of the antioxidant effects of different histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) on human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) after UVB exposure

BACKGROUND

To compare the protective effects of the histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) β-hydroxybutyrate (βOHB), trichostatin A (TSA), suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and valproic acid (VPA) on human lens epithelial cells(HLECs) following ultraviolet-B (UVB) exposure.

METHODS

HLECs were divided into subgroups: four HDACi groups, a control group, a UVB-treated group and a DMSO group (cells treated with DMSO and UVB irradiation). In the HDACi groups, HLECs were cultured with different concentrations of HDACis 12 h prior to UVB irradiation. The protective effects of the HDACis were evaluated by assessing apoptosis rates, cell activity and expression levels of genes associated with apotosis (caspase-3, Bcl-2, BAX, SOD1, FOXO3A and MT2). The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were detected in order to evaluate oxidative stress.

RESULTS

The results showed that SAHA (1 μmol/L, 2 μmol/L) and TSA (0.2 μmol/L) had mild protective effects on cell viability. βOHB (4 mmol/L) and TSA (0.2 mol/L) demonstrated protective effects on BCL-2 expression. TSA (0.2 mol/L) showed protective effects on SOD1 expression. TSA (0.2 mol/L) and SAHA (1 μmol/L) suppressed BAX and caspase-3 expression. TSA (0.2 mol/L, 0.8 mol/L) and SAHA (1 μmol/L, 2 μmol/L) suppressed the expression of FOXO3A and MT2. SOD levels were increased after treatment with βOHB (4 mmol/L), SAHA (8 μmol/L) and TSA (0.1 mol/L, 0.2 mol/L). T-AOC levels were increased in UVB-treated HLECs after treatment with SAHA (2 μmol/L). MDA levels decreased in UVB-treated HLECs following treatment with TSA (0.2 mol/L, 0.8 mol/L). ROS levels decreased in UVB-treated HLECs following treatment with βOHB (4 mmol/L), SAHA (1 μmol/L, 2 μmol/L) and TSA (0.2 mol/L). Western blotting results demonstrated that SOD1 levels significantly increased in the βOHB (4 mmol/L), SAHA (1 μmol/L, 2 μmol/L), TSA (0.1 mol/L, 0.2 mol/L) and VPA (5 mmol/L) groups. Only SAHA (1 μmol/L) had an anti-apoptotic effect on UVB-treated HLECs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that low concentrations of HDACis (1 μmol/L of SAHA) mildly inhibit oxidative stress, thus protecting HLECs from oxidation. These results may suggest that there is a possibility to explore the clinical applications of HDACis for treatment and prevention of cataracts.

Chlorogenic Acid Exerts Beneficial Effects in 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Neurotoxicity by Inhibition of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

BACKGROUND Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a dietary polyphenol derived from many plants, has been previously reported to exert neuroprotective properties. However, its pharmacological role in Parkinson's disease (PD) and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the present study, we investigated the beneficial effects of CGA against the toxicity of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in animal and cellular models. One week after 6-OHDA administration, the behavioral activities of rats were determined by rotarod test and apomorphine-induced rotational test. The viability and apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells following 6-OHDA exposure were determined by MTT assay and annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, respectively. The activities of antioxidant enzymes in the rat striatal tissues and SH-SY5Y cells were detected by ELISA. RESULTS The results demonstrated that 6-OHDA-induced PD-like behavioral impairments of rats were significantly forestalled by CGA administration. The increased apoptosis and reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes in the striatum of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats were also attenuated by CGA. Moreover, in an in vitro experiment, the impaired viability and enhanced apoptosis of 6-OHDA-injured SH-SY5Y cells were significantly restored by CGA pretreatment. In addition, CGA also obstructed 6-OHDA-induced ROS production and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in SH-SY5Y cells. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these data show that CGA might be an effective neuroprotective compound that mitigates oxidative stress and ER stress in PD.

Enhanced Antioxidant Activity of Bioactives in Colored Grains by Nano-Carriers in Human Lens Epithelial Cells

The use of phytochemicals for preventing chronic diseases associated with oxidative stress such as cataracts is hindered by their low bioavailability. The effects of nano-carriers on the antioxidant activities of extracts of black rice with giant embryo (BRGEx) and soybeans (SBx) have been determined in human lens epithelial B3 cells. Scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrated that rGO (reduced graphene oxide) has a flat surface unlike GO (graphene oxide), which has a distinctive wrinkled structure with defects. UPLC analysis revealed 41.9 μg/100 g of γ-oryzanols in water extract of BRGE, and 111.8 μg /100 g of lutein, 757.7 μg/100 g of γ-tocotrienol, 4071.4 μg/100 g of γ-tocopherol in 40% ethanol extract of soybeans, respectively. Even though a low concentration of BRGEx alone did not show any antioxidant activity in B3 cells, co-treatment of BRGEx with rGO together substantially reduced hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoxal-induced DNA damage, as determined by phosphorylated γH2AX. In addition, SBx with rGO also attenuated DNA damage. Furthermore, intracellular reactive oxygen species were significantly decreased by combining extracts of these colored grains with rGO. These results suggest a potential application of nanocarriers for enhancing the bioavailability of phytochemicals.