Hepatoprotective properties of kombucha tea against TBHP-induced oxidative stress via suppression of mitochondria dependent apoptosis

Kombucha, a fermented tea (KT) is claimed to possess many beneficial properties. Recent studies have suggested that KT prevents paracetamol and carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity. We investigated the beneficial role of KT was against tertiary butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) induced cytotoxicity and cell death in murine hepatocytes. TBHP is a well known reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducer, and it induces oxidative stress in organ pathophysiology. In our experiments, TBHP caused a reduction in cell viability, enhanced the membrane leakage and disturbed the intra-cellular antioxidant machineries while simultaneous treatment of the cells with KT and this ROS inducer maintained membrane integrity and prevented the alterations in the cellular antioxidant status. These findings led us to explore the detailed molecular mechanisms involved in the protective effect of KT. TBHP introduced apoptosis as the primary phenomena of cell death as evidenced by flow cytometric analyses. In addition, ROS generation, changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, activation of caspases (3 and 9) and Apaf-1 were detected confirming involvement of mitochondrial pathway in this pathophysiology. Simultaneous treatment of KT with TBHP, on the other hand, protected the cells against oxidative injury and maintained their normal physiology.In conclusion, KT was found to modulate the oxidative stress induced apoptosis in murine hepatocytes probably due to its antioxidant activity and functioning via mitochondria dependent pathways and could be beneficial against liver diseases, where oxidative stress is known to play a crucial role.     

Fluorescence recovery after photo-bleaching as a method to determine local diffusion coefficient in the stratum corneum

Fluorescence recovery after photo-bleaching experiments were performed in human stratum corneum in vitro. Fluorescence multiphoton tomography was used, which allowed the dimensions of the photobleached volume to be at the micron scale and located fully within the lipid phase of the stratum corneum. Analysis of the fluorescence recovery data with simplified mathematical models yielded the diffusion coefficient of small molecular weight organic fluorescent dye Rhodamine B in the stratum corneum lipid phase of about (3-6) × 10(-9)cm(2) s(-1). It was concluded that the presented method can be used for detailed analysis of localised diffusion coefficients in the stratum corneum phases for various fluorescent probes.     

Reduced plasma total antioxidant status in first-episode drug-naive patients with schizophrenia

Excessive free radical production leading to oxidative stress may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Determination of total antioxidant status (TAS) provides an index of the sum of activities of all antioxidants. However, there have been few systematic studies to examine the relationship between TAS levels and psychopathology in first-episode and drug-naive patients with schizophrenia.TAS levels were determined in the plasma of 60 never-medicated first-episode patients with schizophrenia and 68 healthy control subjects. The schizophrenia symptomatology and the depressive symptoms were assessed by the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) and the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD). The results showed that TAS levels were significantly lower in first-episode patients with schizophrenia than in healthy control subjects (159.8 ± 45.8 U/ml vs 211.4 ± 46.8 U/ml, F = 39.5, df = 1, 126, p < 0.001). A trend toward significant inverse correlation between TAS levels and PANSS negative subscore was observed (r = 0.25, df = 60, p = 0.06). Our results suggest that oxidative stress occurs in an early course of schizophrenia and may have an important role in pathogenesis and perhaps, negative symptomatology of schizophrenia.     

Effects of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on oxidative stress and biochemical parameters in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease

Ethnopharmacological relevance

In South Africa, the plant Aspalathus linearis (Brum.f) Dahlg. (Fabaceae) is traditionally used as a “tea” referred to as rooibos or redbush. This plant has been listed as a medicinal plant based mostly on anecdotal evidence.

Aims of the study

Despite a long history of traditional use in South Africa, very little scientific data are available from controlled clinical trials confirming its popular use. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of rooibos on biochemical and oxidative stress parameters in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Materials and methods

After a washout period of 2 weeks, 40 volunteers consumed six cups of fermented/traditional rooibos daily for 6 weeks, followed by a control period. Blood biochemical parameters indicative of antioxidant activity and content (total polyphenols), lipid peroxidation (conjugated dienes - CDs, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances - TBARS), redox status (total glutathione - tGSH, ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione - GSH:GSSG), lipid profile (total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein - LDL and high density lipoprotein - HDL cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels) and liver and kidney function were measured at the end of each study period.

Results

Plasma antioxidant capacity was not altered, but plasma total polyphenol levels increased significantly after rooibos consumption compared with the control levels (from 79.8 ± 16.9 mg/L to 89.8 ± 14.1 mg/L). Significant decreases in plasma markers of lipid peroxidation were found after rooibos consumption, as reported by levels of CDs (167.3 ± 29.5 nmol/mL vs. 108.8 ± 20.1 nmol/mL) and TBARS (1.9 ± 0.6 μmol/L vs. 0.9 ± 0.3 μmol/L). Reduced glutathione (797 ± 238 μmol/L vs. 1082 ± 140 μmol/L) and the GSH:GSSG ratio (41 ± 14 vs. 76 ± 17) were both significantly increased after consumption of rooibos. The lipid profiles showed that rooibos consumption, compared with the control values, significantly decreased serum LDL-cholesterol (4.6 ± 1.3 mmol/L vs. 3.9 ± 0.7 mmol/L) and triacylglycerols (1.7 ± 0.8 mmol/L vs. 1.2 ± 0.7 mmol/L), while HDL-cholesterol (0.9 ± 0.1 mmol/L vs. 1.2 ± 0.2 mmol/L) was significantly increased.

Conclusion

Confirming its popular use, consumption of fermented, traditional rooibos significantly improved the lipid profile as well as redox status, both relevant to heart disease, in adults at risk for developing cardiovascular disease.     

Punica granatum (pomegranate) and its potential for prevention and treatment of inflammation and cancer

The last 7 years have seen over seven times as many publications indexed by Medline dealing with pomegranate and Punica granatum than in all the years preceding them. Because of this, and the virtual explosion of interest in pomegranate as a medicinal and nutritional product that has followed, this review is accordingly launched. The pomegranate tree, Punica granatum, especially its fruit, possesses a vast ethnomedical history and represents a phytochemical reservoir of heuristic medicinal value. The tree/fruit can be divided into several anatomical compartments: (1) seed, (2) juice, (3) peel, (4) leaf, (5) flower, (6) bark, and (7) roots, each of which has interesting pharmacologic activity. Juice and peels, for example, possess potent antioxidant properties, while juice, peel and oil are all weakly estrogenic and heuristically of interest for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and sequellae. The use of juice, peel and oil have also been shown to possess anticancer activities, including interference with tumor cell proliferation, cell cycle, invasion and angiogenesis. These may be associated with plant based anti-inflammatory effects, The phytochemistry and pharmacological actions of all Punica granatum components suggest a wide range of clinical applications for the treatment and prevention of cancer, as well as other diseases where chronic inflammation is believed to play an essential etiologic role.     

印度蜂蜜提取物中的酚类化合物的抗氧化活性及α淀粉酶抑制活性研究(英文)

AIM:To evaluate the antioxidant and α-amylase inhibition potential of phenolic compounds in the extracts of Indian honey.METHODS:Phenolic compounds were extracted from Indian honey through column chromatography.The antioxidant poten-tial of extracted phenolic compounds was measured by two different biochemical assays:ferric reducing antioxidant power(FRAP) assay and scavenging activity on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radicals.Moreover,α-amylase inhibition assay of phenolic compounds of honey was also evaluated.RESULTS:The scavenging inhibition rate varied from 86.8% to 78.6% from the highest(6 mg·mL-1) to the lowest(1.5 mg·mL-1) concentration,whereas,reducing power assay varied from 0.89 Abs to 0.19 Abs from the highest to the lowest concentration.Butylated hydroxytoluene(BHT) was used as reference compound for antioxidant assays.α-amylase inhi-bition assay is reported from the phenolic honey extracts for the first time.The inhibition rate for α-amylase varied from 88.8% to 30.5% from the highest(20 μg·mL-1) to the lowest concentration(4 μg·mL-1).CONCLUSION:Honey phenolic extract possessed antioxidant and α-amylase inhibition activity,thus increasing its potential therapeutic property.     

Rooperol as an antioxidant and its role in the innate immune system: An in vitro study

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Biologically active rooperol is formed when the glucose subunits of the nontoxic glycoside, hypoxoside, are cleaved by β-glucosidase. Hypoxoside is isolated from Hypoxis, a medicinal plant genus frequently used by the indigenous people of South Africa as an immune system booster. The aim of this study was to investigate rooperol's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties using the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assay, NO and ROS production, and phagocytosis.

Materials and methods

Differentiation of human promonocytic U937 leukemia cells to monocyte–macrophages was induced using 10–100 nM 1,25(OH)₂D₃ and PMA over 72 h. Differentiation was confirmed by light microscopy and flow cytometry. Undifferentiated and/or differentiated cells were treated with DMSO (0.25 v/v%, vehicle control), hypoxoside (50 μg/mL), rooperol (20 μg/mL) or PMA (10/20 nM, positive control). ROS production was measured in undifferentiated and differentiated monocyte-macrophages using DCFH-DA and flow cytometry. Phagocytosis of pHrodo™ Escherichia coli BioParticles^® was measured using pre-treated monocyte-macrophage differentiated U937 cells. NO production was measured in monocyte–macrophage differentiated U937 cells using DAF-2 DA and flow cytometry.

Results

Rooperol was shown to have similar or greater antioxidant potential than ascorbic acid. Differentiation of human promonocytic U937 leukemia cells to monocyte–macrophages were confirmed morphologically (cell attachment, clump- and pseudopodia-formation) and biochemically (CD11b and CD14 cell surface marker expression). Rooperol significantly increased ROS and NO production, and phagocytosis in undifferentiated and/or differentiated human promonocytic U937 leukemia cells. Hypoxoside had no or very little effect on ROS and NO production, and phagocytosis.

Conclusion

This study confirms previous reports that hypoxoside has to be converted to rooperol to be biologically active. The FRAP assay confirms the antioxidant capacity of rooperol seen in previous studies, whereas rooperol's induction of ROS and NO production, and phagocytosis constitute novel findings. Possible mode(s) of action for the in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of rooperol may be explained by ROS and NO production, and phagocytosis.     

Enlarged extracellular space of aquaporin-4–deficient mice does not enhance diffusion of Alexa Fluor 488 or dextran polymers

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channels expressed on glia have been implicated in maintaining the volume of extracellular space (ECS). A previous diffusion study employing small cation tetramethylammonium and a real-time iontophoretic (RTI) method demonstrated an increase of about 25% in the ECS volume fraction (α) in the neocortex of AQP4^−/− mice compared to AQP4^+/+ mice but no change in the hindrance imposed to diffusing molecules (tortuosity λ). In contrast, other diffusion studies employing large molecules (dextran polymers) and a fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) method measured a decrease of about 10%–20% in λ in the neocortex of AQP4^−/− mice. These conflicting findings on λ would imply that large molecules diffuse more readily in the enlarged ECS of AQP4^−/− mice than in wild type but small molecules do not. To test this hypothesis, we used integrative optical imaging (IOI) to measure tortuosity with a small Alexa Fluor 488 (molecular weight [MW] 547, λ_AF) and two large dextran polymers (MW 3000, λ_dex3 and MW 75,000, λ_dex75) in the in vitro neocortex of AQP4^+/+ and AQP4^−/− mice. We found that λ_AF=1.59, λ_dex3=1.76 and λ_dex75=2.30 obtained in AQP4^−/− mice were not significantly different from λ_AF=1.61, λ_dex3=1.76, and λ_dex75=2.33 in AQP4^+/+ mice. These IOI results demonstrate that λ measured with small and large molecules each remain unchanged in the enlarged ECS of AQP4^−/− mice compared to values in AQP4^+/+ mice. Further analysis suggests that the FRAP method yields diffusion parameters not directly comparable with those obtained by IOI or RTI methods. Our findings have implications for the role of glial AQP4 in maintaining the ECS structure.     

Characterization of phenolics,betacyanins and antioxidant activities of the seed,leaf, sprout,flower and stalk extracts of three Amaranthus species

Hydrophilic extracts from different parts including leaves, stalks, seeds, flowers and sprouts of 3 Amaranthus species (Amaranthus hypochondriacus, Amaranthus caudatus and Amaranthus cruentus) were characterized for their phytochemical profiles including the phenolics and betacyanins by UHPLC and LC–ESI–MS, and their antioxidant activities by FRAP and ORAC assays. The main betacyanins in Amaranthus samples were identified to be amaranthine and isoamaranthine. Eleven phenolic compounds (gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, gentistic acid, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, ferulic acid, salicylic acid, rutin, ellagic acid, kaempferol-3-rutinoside and quercetin) were identified in the extracts of different parts of Amaranthus. The total phenolic content (TPC) ranged from 1.04 to 14.94 mg GAE/g DW; the total flavonoid content (TFC) ranged from 0.27 to 11.40 mg CAE/g DW; while the total betalain content (TBC) ranged from 0.07 to 20.93 mg/100 g DW. FRAP values ranged from 0.63 to 62.21 μmol AAE/g DW and ORAC ranged from 30.67 to 451.37 μmol TE/g DW. The leaves of Amaranthus showed the highest TPC, TFC, TBC, FRAP and ORAC values; while the seeds and stalks the lowest. There was a strong correlation between TPC, TBC, TFC and the antioxidant activity. The result suggests that all parts of the Amaranthus plant can be a good source of antioxidants.