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Antibacterial and antioxidant activities form an essential component of the bioactive properties of plant products. The antibacterial and the antioxidant properties of three types of aqueous extracts of four herbs and spices were evaluated. While the total phenolic content, DPPH radical scavenging activity and oxidoreduction potential methods were used for the antioxidant properties determination, the inhibition diameters of extracts toward the growth of Staphylococcus warneri, Bacillus cereus, Enterobacter cloacae and Proteus vulgaris were evaluated. Although the phenolic content did not correlate with the antibacterial activity of plant extracts, it linearly correlated (R2 = 0.827) with DPPH scavenging activity of the studied plants following the order: sumac > ginger > rosemary > cinnamon. The oxidoreduction potential values linearly correlated with both the phenolic content (R2 ≈ 0.88) and DPPH scavenging activity values (R2 ≈ 0.96). The oxidoreduction potential could be proposed as a useful companion tool combined with other techniques when determining the antioxidant activity of plant extracts and food products is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) consists of psychiatric or somatic symptoms negatively affecting the daily life. PMS treatment can involve the use of complementary-alternative approaches. Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may treat PMS. This study aimed to investigate the effect of drinking HRW on the severity of premenstrual symptoms and the quality of life of women who suffer from PMS. Methods: This study is a randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomized into two groups (intervention group=33, control group=32) using the block randomization method. Participants were requested to consume 1500-2000 mL of HRW daily in the intervention group and drink water in the placebo group. Participants began drinking either HRW or placebo water from day 16 of their menstrual cycle until day 2 of the following cycle for three menstrual cycles. The research data were collected using a Demographic Information Form, Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), and Short form of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL- BREF). Results: The intervention group had significantly lower mean scores than the control group in both the first and second follow-ups on the PMSS (P<0.05). In the first follow-up, the intervention group had significantly higher mean scores in the Physical Health and Psychological domains of the WHOQOL-BREF compared to the control group (P<0.05). Group × time interaction was significant for PMSS (F = 10.54, P<0.001). Group × time interaction was insignificant for WHOQOL- BREF (P>0.05). Conclusions: The consumption of HRW reduces the severity of premenstrual symptoms and improves individuals' quality of life in physical and psychological domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the number of studies documenting the presence of Microplastics (MP) in fish is increasing, research studies focused on its detoxification are very limited. In this study, rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss) were randomly divided into two groups after being fed with MPs (15% polypropylene [PP] +15% polyethylene [PE]) for 2 months. MP excretion without any application (PP+PE) in group I fish, and excretion of MPs with hydrogen-rich water (HRW) application (PP+PE+HRW) in group 2 were investigated under semi-static conditions for 21 days. This effect was also compared by using positive and negative control groups (Control [no treatment, free PP, PE or/and HRW] and only HRW group). In this direction, the following were determined: PP+PE chronic toxicity in aquatic organisms, the toxicity mechanism and the effect of HRW as a possible treatment method in blood tissue; with hematological indices ([RBC count [RBC], leukocyte count [WBC], hemoglobin value [Hb], hematocrit ratio [Hct], platelet count [PLT], hemoglobin count per erythrocyte [MCHC], mean hemoglobin amount per erythrocyte [MCH] and mean erythrocyte volume [MCV]) in other tissues (liver, gill and brain tissue) oxidative stress response (catalase [CAT]), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), reactive oxygen products (ROS), malondialdehyde ([MDA] levels), DNA damage (8-OHdG: 8-Hydroxy-2-Deoxyguanosine), and the apoptosis (caspase 3) levels were investigated. In addition, acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) activity, which is important in neurotoxicity pathways in the brain, was determined. The presence of plastics (PP/PE) in target tissues (muscle, liver, gill and gastrointestinal tract) was also obtained. The results showed that PP+PE caused toxicity in all three tissues. MPs showed an inhibiting effect on antioxidant enzyme activities and an inductive effect on MDA, ROS, 8-OHdG, and caspase 3 levels. HRW showed a mitigating effect on MP-mediated toxicity in O. mykiss brain, blood, gill, and liver by controlling the ROS/GSH/MDA pathway. HRW can be suggested as a costeffective and eco-friendly curative for the protection of fish from the oxidative damages produced by the ingestion of microplastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of molecular hydrogen, delivered as hydrogen-rich saline (HRS), on spinal cord injury was investigated. Four-month-old male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 24) were classified into four groups: (1) control—laminectomy only at T7-T10; (2) spinal injury—dura left intact, Tator and Rivlin clip compression model applied to the spinal cord for 1 min, no treatment given; (3) HRS group—applied intraperitoneally (i.p.) for seven days; and (4) spinal injury—HRS administered i.p. for seven days after laminectomy at T7–T10 level, leaving the dura intact and applying the Tator and Rivlin clip compression model to the spinal cord for 1 min. Levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured in blood taken at day seven from all groups, and hematoxylin–eosin (H & E) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) were used to stain the tissue samples. IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly lower in the group treated with HRS following the spinal cord injury compared to the group whose spinal cord was damaged. A decrease in apoptosis was also observed. The anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effect of IL-6 may be a clinically useful adjuvant therapy after spinal cord injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]