Protective effect of polysaccharide fractions from Radix A. sinensis against tert-butylhydroperoxide induced oxidative injury in murine peritoneal macrophages

Gum Arabic/Gelatin and Water-Soluble Soy Polysaccharides/Gelatin Blend Films as Carriers of Astaxanthin-A Comparative Study of the Kinetics of Release and Antioxidant Properties

Polymer blending and incorporation of active substances offer a possibility of generation of novel packaging materials with interesting features. Astaxanthin is one of the most powerful antioxidants. Hence, in this study, water-soluble AstaSana astaxanthin (AST) was incorporated into 75/25 gum arabic/gelatin (GAR75/GEL25) and water-soluble soy polysaccharides/gelatin (WSSP75/GEL25) blend films in different concentrations (0, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%). Microscope images showed good compatibility between the polysaccharides and GEL. Basing on time required for 50% release, the WSSP-based film exhibited an approximately four-fold slower release rate (t_50% = 65.16–142.80 min) than the GAR-based film (t_50% = 14.64–34.02 min). This result was mainly ascribed to the slower dissolution of the WSSP-based carrier. The faster release rate of the GAR-based films resulted in stronger antioxidant activity (quarter-scavenging time (t_25%ABTS) = 0.22–7.51 min) in comparison to the WSSP-based films (t_25%ABTS = 0.91–12.94 min). The increase in the AST concentration was accompanied by gradually reduced solubility and the release rate. It is possible that the increasing number of starch granules (from the AST formulation) acted as a dissolution blocking agent. In general, the WSSP75/GEL25 film displayed the most linear (the Zero-order similar) release profile. So, this carrier has potential for release of AST at a quasi-constant speed.

The immunological and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides extracted from Enteromorpha linza

Polysaccharides extracted with water and alkali from Enteromorpha linza were a group of hetero polysaccharides, and their immunological and antioxidant activities were investigated employing various established in vitro systems. The structural analysis showed that they were composed of rhamnose, mannose, xylose, glucose, and galactose with different molar ratio. Available data obtained with in vitro models suggested that the two kinds of polysaccharide showed significant inhibitory effects on radical and could increase the capability of T and B lymphocytes proliferation. These results clearly establish the possibility that these polysaccharides extracted from E. linza could be effectively employed as ingredient in health or functional food, to all eviate oxidative stress. However, comprehensive studies need to be conducted in experimental animal models.

The suppressive effects of Bursopentine (BP5) on oxidative stress and NF-ĸB activation in lipopolysaccharide-activated murine peritoneal macrophages

BACKGROUND/AIM

Bursopentine (BP5) is a novel thiol-containing pentapeptide isolated from chicken bursa of Fabricius, and is reported to exert immunomodulatory effects on B and T lymphocytes. It has been found that some thiol compounds, such as glutathione (GSH) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) protect living cells from oxidative stress. This led us to investigate whether BP5 had any ability to protect macrophages from oxidative stress as well as any mechanism that might underlie this process.

METHODS

Murine peritoneal macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (2 μg/ml) were treated with single bouts (0, 25, 50, and 100 μM) of BP5.

RESULTS

BP5 potently suppressed the markers for oxidative stress, including nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation. It also decreased the expression and activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and promoted a protective antioxidant state by elevating GSH content and by activating the expression and activity of certain key antioxidant and redox enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). This suppressive effect on oxidative stress was accompanied by down-regulated expression and activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB).

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate that BP5 can protect LPS-activated murine peritoneal macrophages from oxidative stress. BP5 may have applications as an anti-oxidative stress reagent.

Role of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins-7 (BMP-7) in the Renal Improvement Effect of DangGui (Angelica sinensis) in Type-1 Diabetic Rats

Hyperglycemia induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation is believed as major factors leading to diabetic nephropathy (DN). DangGui (Angelica sinensis) is mentioned to show renal protective effect in combination with other herbs. Bone morphogenetic proteins-7 (BMP-7) is produced merit in protection of DN. The role of BMP-7 in DangGui-induced renal improvement is not clear. The present study investigated the effects of DangGui on renal functions, BMP-7 expression and the levels of ROS in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and high glucose-exposed rat mesangial cells (RMCs). After 1- or 4-week treatment, DangGui improved renal functions and increased renal BMP-7 expression in diabetic rats. The BMP-7 expression in RMCs was reduced by high glucose treatment and this could be reversed by DangGui. Moreover, RMCs exposed to high glucose were expired by BMP-7 RNAi transfection but those cells remained alive by scramble transfection. Thus, we employed regular RMCs to knock down BMP-7 with RNAi and we found that DangGui increased BMP-7 expression in these RMCs. Direct activation of BMP-7 expression by DangGui could be considered. The results of DPPH assay, DHE stain and lucigenin assay indicated that DangGui could inhibit high glucose-induced ROS in RMCs. These results suggest that DangGui has an ability to improve renal functions in STZ-diabetic rats through increasing endogenous BMP-7 expression and decreasing oxidative stress in kidney. The present study suggest that DangGui could be applied to improve renal functions in diabetic disorders.

Role of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins-7 (BMP-7) in the Renal Improvement Effect of DangGui (Angelica sinensis) in Type-1 Diabetic Rats

Hyperglycemia induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation is believed as major factors leading to diabetic nephropathy (DN). DangGui (Angelica sinensis) is mentioned to show renal protective effect in combination with other herbs. Bone morphogenetic proteins-7 (BMP-7) is produced merit in protection of DN. The role of BMP-7 in DangGui-induced renal improvement is not clear. The present study investigated the effects of DangGui on renal functions, BMP-7 expression and the levels of ROS in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and high glucose-exposed rat mesangial cells (RMCs). After 1- or 4-week treatment, DangGui improved renal functions and increased renal BMP-7 expression in diabetic rats. The BMP-7 expression in RMCs was reduced by high glucose treatment and this could be reversed by DangGui. Moreover, RMCs exposed to high glucose were expired by BMP-7 RNAi transfection but those cells remained alive by scramble transfection. Thus, we employed regular RMCs to knock down BMP-7 with RNAi and we found that DangGui increased BMP-7 expression in these RMCs. Direct activation of BMP-7 expression by DangGui could be considered. The results of DPPH assay, DHE stain and lucigenin assay indicated that DangGui could inhibit high glucose-induced ROS in RMCs. These results suggest that DangGui has an ability to improve renal functions in STZ-diabetic rats through increasing endogenous BMP-7 expression and decreasing oxidative stress in kidney. The present study suggest that DangGui could be applied to improve renal functions in diabetic disorders.

Bioactivities of major constituents isolated from Angelica sinensis (Danggui)

Danggui, also known as Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Apiaceae), has been used in Chinese medicine to treat menstrual disorders. Over 70 compounds have been isolated and identified from Danggui. The main chemical constituents of Angelica roots include ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, butylidenephthalide and various polysaccharides. Among these compounds, ferulic acid exhibits many bioactivities especially anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory effects; Z-ligustilide exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neuroprotective and anti-hepatotoxic effects; n-butylidenephthalide exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-cardiovascular effects.

An antioxidant phytotherapy to rescue neuronal oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of ischemic neuronal injury. A Chinese herbal formula composed of Poria cocos (Chinese name: Fu Ling), Atractylodes macrocephala (Chinese name: Bai Zhu) and Angelica sinensis (Chinese names: Danggui, Dong quai, Donggui; Korean name: Danggwi) (FBD), has been proved to be beneficial in the treatment of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R).This study was carried out to evaluate the protective effect of FBD against neuronal oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro. Rat I/R were established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 1 h, followed by 24 h reperfusion. MCAO led to significant depletion in superoxide dismutase and glutathione and rise in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitric oxide in brain. The neurological deficit and brain infarction were also significantly elevated by MCAO as compared with sham-operated group. All the brain oxidative stress and damage were significantly attenuated by 7 days pretreatment with the aqueous extract of FBD (250 mg kg(-1), p.o.). Moreover, cerebrospinal fluid sampled from FBD-pretreated rats protected PC12 cells against oxidative insult induced by 0.2 mM hydrogen peroxide, in a concentration and time-dependent manner (IC(50) 10.6%, ET(50) 1.2 h). However, aqueous extract of FBD just slightly scavenged superoxide anion radical generated in xanthine-xanthine oxidase system (IC(50) 2.4 mg ml(-1)) and hydroxyl radical generated in Fenton reaction system (IC(50) 3.6 mg ml(-1)). In conclusion, FBD was a distinct antioxidant phytotherapy to rescue neuronal oxidative stress, through blocking LPO, restoring endogenous antioxidant system, but not scavenging free radicals.

The protective effects of the active fraction of Shaofu Zhuyu decoction on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative injury in vascular smooth muscle cells

In this paper, the protective effects of the active fraction (SF-7) from Shaofu Zhuyu decoction (SFZYD) were tested on a hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) oxidative injury model. This active fraction (SF-7) shows potent antioxidant properties. The cell viability and oxidative damage markers of VSMCs were determined after exposure to H₂O₂ for 16 hours. It was observed that SF-7 significantly increased cell survival and reduced apoptosis of H₂O₂-injured VSMCs. Moreover, SF-7 could markedly increase intracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decrease the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in H₂O₂-injured VSMCs, and suppress the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. Thus, SF-7 exhibits protective effects against H₂O₂-injury on VSMCs, which may be associated with its antioxidant properties. It is suggested that SF may be useful in the treatment of blood stasis syndrome in which oxidative injury is mainly implicated.