Protective effect of Pumpkin seed extract on sperm characteristics,biochemical parameters and epididymal histology in adult male rats treated with Cyclophosphamide

Cancer treatment with cyclophosphamide (CP) may result in reproductive toxicity as one of its side effects. The pumpkin seed is a rich natural source of antioxidant. We have assessed the possible protective efficacy of pumpkin seed extract on sperm characteristics, biochemical parameters and epididymal histology of CP‐treated rats. Male adult Wistar rats were categorised into four groups. Group 1 served as control and received intraperitoneal (IP) injection of isotonic saline solution. Group 2 rats were treated with CP by IP injection in a single dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, only once. Group 3 and 4 received CP plus 300 and 600 mg/kg pumpkin seed extract respectively. Six weeks after treatment, sperm characteristics, biochemical parameters and histopathological changes were examined. Results showed that, sperm characteristics in CP‐treated rats were significantly decreased. Biochemical analysis results showed that the co‐administration of 300 mg pumpkin seed extract could increase the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level significantly. In CP‐treated rats, histopathological changes such as vacuolisation, disorganisation and separation of epididymal epithelium were observed as well. Interestingly, pumpkin seed extract could improve the above‐mentioned parameters remarkably in CP‐treated rats. Our findings indicated that pumpkin seed extract might be used as protective agent against CP‐induced reproductive toxicity.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of peroxiredoxin 4 involved in protection against oxidative stress in the silkworm Bombyx mori

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are a ubiquitous family of proteins that play important roles in insects in protection against oxidative stress through the detoxification of cellular peroxides. Here, we describe the cloning and characterization of a Prx4 cDNA of the silkworm Bombyx mori (BmPrx4). The BmPrx4 gene has an open reading frame of 744 bp encoding 248 amino acids and a conserved motif, VCP, involved in its presumed redox functions. The heterologously expressed proteins of the gene in Escherichia coli showed antioxidant activity, removed hydrogen peroxide and protected DnA. Western blotting analysis showed the presence of BmPrx4 in the haemolymph, suggesting that the protein is secretable. Moreover, BmPrx4 was expressed at all developmental stages. The expression level of BmPrx4 was relatively low during the feeding stage but high at the wandering stage. BmPrx4 was induced by quercetin or temperature stress. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that BmPrx4 is present in the brain, neurones and olfactory organ of the head in silkworms. Overall, our results indicate that the expression profile of BmPrx4 correlates well with protection from oxidative damage. Our data provide clues for the development of control technology for agricultural and forestry pests as the silkworm is a representative of lepidopteran pests.     

Uncertainty of antioxidant profiling in complex mixtures using liquid chromatography involving post-column derivatisation

The main goal of this paper is to discuss the problems associated with antioxidant profiling in complex samples using a high-throughput HPLC system coupled with post-column derivatisation reactor. Based on the experimental data reported in the literature, we demonstrated that improper optimisation of temperature and/or pH assay conditions performed using an on-line derivatisation reactor may substantially change the antioxidant peaks ratio of targeted phytochemical compounds. It has been found that despite the relatively high stability of flavonoids at high temperature and under binary mobile phase HPLC conditions, the reaction of target compounds with common ABTS, FCR and DPPH radicals at elevated regions (particularly above 100 °C) dramatically changes their antioxidant activity values expressed, for example, as TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) parameters. In principle, separation and detection processes of antioxidant profiling assay must not significantly affect the antioxidant activity of target compounds. In the case of foods eaten by humans or animals, critical experimental parameters such as pH and temperature concerning interaction of target analytes with derivatisation reagent should be as close as possible to the real physiological values.     

Some Preformulation Studies of Pyruvic Acid and Other α-Keto Carboxylic Acids in Aqueous Solution: Pharmaceutical Formulation Implications for These Peroxide Scavengers

The purpose of this study is to assess some of the variables determining the aldol-like condensation of pyruvic acid (1), a peroxide scavenger, in aqueous solution to parapyruvic acid and higher oligomers. Its stability is compared to 3 other α-keto carboxylic acids, 2 with sterically hindered methylene groups alpha to the keto functionality (2-3) and phenylglyoxylic acid (4) with no methylene group. High-performance liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy techniques are used in the kinetics and product analyses. 1 condensation is concentration dependent and base catalyzed above pH 7, consistent with the reaction mechanism proceeding through the attack of the fraction of the methylene group, alpha to the keto group, in its anionic form, at the keto group of a second molecule of 1. The major product is confirmed to be parapyruvic acid, but higher-order oligomers are also observed. All 3 of the other α-keto carboxylic acids 2-4 are considerably less reactive, with 4 being completely stable. Stable solutions of 1 can be prepared by the use of relatively dilute solutions maintained at slightly acidic pH values. 1 prevents the oxidation of methionine on addition of hydrogen peroxide.     

Antioxidant and Antifatigue Activities of Polygonatum Alte-lobatum Hayata Rhizomes in Rats

Polygonatum alte-lobatum Hayata, a rhizomatous perennial herb, belongs to the Liliaceae family and is endemic to Taiwan. We investigated the antioxidant and anti-fatigue activities of P. alte-lobatum in exercised rats. Levels of polyphenols, flavonoids and polysaccharides and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging activity were measured in extracts of P. alte-lobatum (EPA). Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups for 8-week treatment with vehicle (control) and low-, medium-, and high-dose EPA (LEPA, MEPA, HEPA; 0, 75, 150, and 375 mg/kg/day, respectively). Exercise performance was evaluated by exhaustive treadmill exercise time and by changes in body composition and biochemical variables at the end of the experiment. EPA contained polyphenols, flavonoids and polysaccharides, with polysaccharide content at least 26 times greater than that of polyphenols and flavonoids. Trend analysis revealed that EPA dose-dependently scavenged DPPH free radicals. EPA treatment dose-dependently increased endurance running time to exhaustion and superoxide dismutase activity and total antioxidant ability of blood. EPA dose-dependently decreased serum urea nitrogen and malondialdehyde levels after exercise. Hepatic glycogen content, an important energy source for exercise, was significantly increased with EPA treatment. EPA could be a potential agent with an anti-fatigue pharmacological function.     

夹竹桃花脂溶性成分提取工艺优化及其生物活性分析

目的 研究夹竹桃花脂溶性成分的提取工艺、组成成分及生物活性。方法 利用Box-Behnken响应面法优化提取工艺，GC-MS分析组成成分，滤纸片扩散法和二倍连续梯度稀释法分析抑菌活性，并测定抗氧化活性。结果 最佳提取工艺为索氏提取4 h，连续提取4次，料液比1∶ 15，得率9.16%，比优化前提高了13.09%。脂溶性成分含有烷烃类、醛类和酯类等30种化合物，具有还原能力和清除DPPH自由基、羟自由基、超氧自由基的能力，对枯草芽孢杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠埃希菌和铜绿假单胞菌的最小抑菌浓度分别为1.22，1.72，0.75，1.96 g·L^–1，最小杀菌浓度分别为2.34，2.84，1.88，3.32 g·L^–1。结论 脂溶性成分最佳提取工艺得率为9.16%，以烷烃类、醛类、酯类为主，具有一定的抗氧化和抑菌活性，可为夹竹桃资源的开发利用提供参考。     

Protective effect of curcumin against myocardium injury in ischemia reperfusion rats

Context: Curcumin has long been used as a condiment and a traditional medicine worldwide.

Objective: The current study investigates the possible protective effect of curcumin on heart function in myocardium ischemia-reperfusion (MIR) rats.

Materials and methods: We fed Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats (10 in each group) either curcumin (10, 20 or 30?mg/kg/d) or saline. Twenty days later, the rats were subjected to myocardial injuries by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery (60?min), and subsequently, the heart (3?h) reperfused by releasing the ligation. Then, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation products, antioxidant enzymes and gene expression were assessed in myocardium tissue.

Results: Only the rats that were supplemented with curcumin (10, 20 or 30?mg/kg/d) showed significant (p?Discussion and conclusion: Curcumin intake might reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by stimulating JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway, decreasing oxidative damage and inhibiting myocardium apoptosis.     

Melatonin: Antioxidant and modulatory properties in age‐related changes during Trypanosoma cruzi infection

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin on selected biomarkers of innate and humoral immune response as well as the antioxidant/oxidant status (superoxide dismutase—SOD and reduced glutathione levels (GSH) to understand whether age‐related changes would influence the development of acute Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infection. Young‐ (5 weeks) and middle‐aged (18 months) Wistar rats were orally treated with melatonin (gavage) (05 mg/kg/day), 9 days after infection. A significant increase in both SOD activity and GSH levels was found in plasma from all middle‐aged melatonin‐treated animals. Melatonin triggered enhanced expression of major histocompatibility class II (MHC‐II) antigens on antigen‐presenting cell (APC) and peritoneal macrophages in all treated animals. High levels of CD4⁺CD28‐negative T cells (*P<.05) were detected in middle‐aged control animals. Melatonin induced a significant reduction (***P<.001) in CD28‐negative in CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in middle‐aged control animals. Contrarily, the same group displayed upregulated CD4⁺CD28⁺T and CD8⁺CD28⁺T cells. Melatonin also triggered an upregulation of CD80 and CD86 expression in all young‐treated groups. Significant percentages of B and spleen dendritic cells in middle‐aged infected and treated animals were observed. Our data reveal new features of melatonin action in inhibiting membrane lipid peroxidation, through the reduction in 8‐isoprostane, upregulating the antioxidant defenses and triggering an effective balance in the antioxidant/oxidant status during acute infection. The ability of melatonin to counteract the immune alterations induced by aging added further support to its use as a potential therapeutic target not only for T. cruzi infection but also for other immunocompromised states.     

Prooxidant–antioxidant balance,hsTnI and hsCRP: mortality prediction in haemodialysis patients,two-year follow-up

Oxidative stress and inflammation are highly intertwined pathophysiological processes. We analyzed the markers of these processes and high-sensitive troponin I (hsTnI) for mortality prediction in patients on haemodialysis. This study enrolled a total of 62 patients on regular haemodialysis. The patients were monitored for two years, and the observed outcomes were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Blood samples were taken before one dialysis session for analysis of the baseline concentrations of prooxidant–antioxidant balance (PAB), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidative status (TOS), hsTnI, hsCRP and resistin. The overall all-cause mortality was 37.1% and CVD mortality 16.1%. By univariate and multivariate logistic regression, our findings suggest that good predictors of all-cause mortality include hsCRP and PAB (p?p?p?p?p?=?.001). Our data suggest that hsCRP and PAB are very good predictors of all-cause mortality. For CVD complications and mortality prediction in HD patients, the most sensitive parameters appear to be hsTnI and hsCRP.