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Moringa oleifera (MO) has been an important plant for food and traditional medicine in Asian countries, including Indonesia. The leaves of these plants are reported to be rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and micronutrients and have been proven to have nootropic properties. Therefore, we investigated whether MO could provide protective effects on SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells exposed to H2O2. In this study, we observed cotreating water‐extracted MO leaves on the inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We found that this treatment enhanced the activities of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. In addition, it suppressed the mRNA expression levels of apoptotic gene‐related genes, specifically Bcl‐2 associated protein X (BAX) and caspase 3. Furthermore, it promoted neuroplasticity by increasing the brain‐derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression in SH‐SY5Y cells. The protein expression of phosphorylated‐Akt and phosphorylated‐CREB, essential genes in neuroplasticity, was also increased in cells treated with H2O2 and MO. Therefore, the neuroprotective effects of MO against oxidative stress are attributed to its antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties, as well as its ability to modify the neuronal signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tyrosol (TYR) and parthenolide (PLT) have been used as synthetic antioxidant and natural anticancer compounds. In the current study, we aimed to synthesize an encapsulated complex of both PLT and TYR in a hybrid coating layer consisting of lecithin and chitosan molecules, a proper biocompatible drug delivery system to evaluate its antibacterial and anticancer potentials on human liver HepG2 and pancreatic Panc cancer cell lines. The chitosan-lecithin-coated PLT/TYR nanoparticles (clPT-NPs) were synthesized applying an auto-self-assembling method. The clPT-NPs were characterized utilizing DLS, FTIR, zeta potential, and TEM analysis. The clPT-NPs' antioxidant activity was measured by running ABTS and DPPH antioxidant assays. Moreover, the antibacterial potential of clPT-NPs was evaluated by applying disk diffusion, MIC, and MBC assays. Finally, the nanoparticles' cytotoxicity and apoptotic activity were studied by conducting MTT, Flow cytometry, AO/PI cell staining, and real-time PCR techniques. The clPT-NPs (38 nm) exhibited significant antioxidant activity by inhibiting ABTS and DPPH radicals at 187 and 290 μg/mL IC50 concentrations, respectively. Also, the nanoparticles induced a notable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus at 0.0625 mg/mL MIC and 0.125 mg/mL MBC concentrations. The clPT-NPs selectively decreased the cancer cells' survival and increased the apoptotic dead cells by up-regulating apoptotic gene expression (BAX and Cas-8) and down-regulating BCL-2 anti-apoptotic gene expression. The PLT toxicity has been merged with improved TYR antioxidant activity, which has been functionalized in a safe, biocompatible hybrid nano-delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide, and its incidence is increasing. Despite advances in medical science, the treatment of colon cancer still poses a significant challenge. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of Adiantum pedatum (AP) extract and/or piceatannol on colon cancer induced via phenylhydrazine (PHZ) in terms of the antioxidant and apoptotic pathways and histopathologic changes in the colons of male albino rats. The rats were randomly divided into eight groups: control, AP extract, piceatannol (P), PHZ, PHZ and AP treatments, PHZ and P treatments, PHZ and both AP and P, and PHZ and prophylaxis with both AP and P. The results demonstrated that PHZ induced oxidative damage, apoptosis, and histopathological changes compared to the control group. However, the administration of AP or P or AP + P as therapy or prophylaxis significantly ameliorated these changes and upregulated the colonic mir-145 and mRNA expression of P53 and PDCD-4 while downregulating the colonic mRNA expression of PI3K, AKT, c-Myc, CK-20, SOX-2, OCT-4, and NanoG compared to the PHZ group. These findings suggest that the candidate drugs may exert their anti-cancer effects through multiple mechanisms, including antioxidant and apoptotic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common and aggressive type of liver cancer. Most chemotherapeutic medications nowadays imply oxidative stress leading to toxicity, which causes the necessity to find agents with better safety profiles against normal cells in addition to their anticancer activity. Sitagliptin has been shown to possess antioxidant as well as apoptotic properties by the specific suppression of dipeptidyl-peptidase 4, a glycoprotein produced in many tissues that have been thought to promote tumorigenesis and metastasis. Methods: Five groups of cell lines were included: Control (untreated HepG2 cells); cisplatin treatment HepG2 cells; sitagliptin treated HepG2 cells; combination of different concentrations of cisplatin plus sitagliptin (250 μg/mL) treated HepG2 cells, and finally, combination of different concentrations of sitagliptin plus cisplatin (25 μg/mL)-treated HepG2 cells. After an incubation period for 48 hours, the supernatants were collected to quantify the level malondialdehyde (MDA) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) by ELISA assay kits. Data were finally gathered and analyzed statistically. Results: Our findings indicated that sitagliptin significantly decreased the oxidative stress, particularly at high concentrations, through decreasing the MDA level. In addition, sitagliptin exhibited significant apoptotic activity against HepG2 cells through decreasing BCL-2 level. In combination with cisplatin, sitagliptin significantly potentiated the apoptotic effect and reduced the oxidative stress parameters. Conclusions: Sitagliptin showed apoptotic and antioxidant activity against HCC which may potentiate chemotherapeutic agents like cisplatin, in addition to reducing the oxidative stress against normal cells.

Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide, and its incidence is increasing. Despite advances in medical science, the treatment of colon cancer still poses a significant challenge. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of Adiantum pedatum (AP) extract and/or piceatannol on colon cancer induced via phenylhydrazine (PHZ) in terms of the antioxidant and apoptotic pathways and histopathologic changes in the colons of male albino rats. The rats were randomly divided into eight groups: control, AP extract, piceatannol (P), PHZ, PHZ and AP treatments, PHZ and P treatments, PHZ and both AP and P, and PHZ and prophylaxis with both AP and P. The results demonstrated that PHZ induced oxidative damage, apoptosis, and histopathological changes compared to the control group. However, the administration of AP or P or AP + P as therapy or prophylaxis significantly ameliorated these changes and upregulated the colonic mir-145 and mRNA expression of P53 and PDCD-4 while downregulating the colonic mRNA expression of PI3K, AKT, c-Myc, CK-20, SOX-2, OCT-4, and NanoG compared to the PHZ group. These findings suggest that the candidate drugs may exert their anti-cancer effects through multiple mechanisms, including antioxidant and apoptotic activities.

The aim of this study was to synthesize chitosan nanoparticles loaded with rapeseed extract (RPE-CN) and to evaluate its therapeutic effects. The RPE-CNwas synthesized (Ion gelation), characterized (DLS, FTIR, atomic and electron microscopy) and their toxicity was evaluated by MTT method.Anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic effects were evaluated by qPCR method. Its antioxidant power was measured by ABTS, DPPH and FRAP methods and CAM method was used to evaluate its anti-angiogenic effects.Treatment with RPE-CN(Ps: 93.81 nm, PDI: 0.3, and ζ p: +35mv) reduced MCF7 cell viability and increased expression of genes associated with apoptosis (Caspase-3 and Caspase-9), inflammation (IL10) and antioxidant (SOD).RPE-CN exhibited notable inhibition in ABTS, DPPH, and Fe3+-TPTZ free radicals. Finally, angiogenesis in CAM tissue was suppressed by the down-regulation of VEGFR gene expression. According to the results, RPE-CN can be introduced as a potential chemo-preventive agent in the treatment of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the cryoprotective potential of natural antioxidant curcumin in Hariana bull semen was evaluated as an additive in a tris‐based extender with the assessment of motility and motion parameters of spermatozoa, membrane intactness, progesterone‐receptor binding, protein carbonyl content, cervical mucus penetration, cryocapacitation‐associated and apoptotic‐like changes. The collected ejaculates were divided into five groups in the tris‐based extender (control without curcumin‐I, 10 µM‐II, 25 µM‐III, 50 µM‐IV and 75µM‐V) and were cryopreserved. Groups II and III containing 10 and 25 µM curcumin substantially (p <.05) improved the post‐thaw sperm parameters like viability, motility, and velocity parameters; intact acrosome and membrane; lowered protein carbonyl content; DNA fragmentation and cryocapacitation‐associated changes in comparison to control. It was interesting to note that early apoptotic‐like changes in sperm cells were significantly (p <.05) decreased in Group II along with an increase in a higher population of sperm cells having high mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Higher progesterone‐receptor binding, Vanguard distance and in vitro capacitation response were observed only in Group II (10µM) compared to other groups. In conclusion, curcumin in a semen extender manifests cryoprotective effects and may be incorporated at 10 µM concentration in a Hariana bull semen extender for better post‐thaw sperm quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the sixth leading cause of cancer death among men worldwide. Herbal medicines are the principal source of health care known to humans. Natural compounds are essential sources of antioxidant and anti-cancer novel compounds, primarily resulting in high levels of variety and novelty. Nanotechnology has revolutionized the field of anticancer therapies imaging, diagnosis, and delivery of drugs using nanoparticles (NPs). In this study an attempt to assess the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Tamarix mannifera aqueous extract, functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT-COOH) and their combination on PC3 cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moringa oleifera is a highly nutrious medicinal plant with various potential applications in the treatment of diabetes, oxidative stress, bacterial infections and inflammation. This study assessed the effects of the leaf extract of Moringa oleifera on the expression of specific apoptotic and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in the liver and kidney of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in male Wistar rats. Rats weighing between 200 and 250 g were randomly divided into four groups: non-diabetic control (NC), non-diabetic Moringa treated (NC + MO), diabetic control (DM) and diabetic Moringa treated (DM + MO). Diabetes was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (55 mg/kg) and treated with 250 mg/kg of MO extracts. Interleukin (IL-1α), interleukin (IL-12) and interleukin (IL-18) were assayed in the kidney and liver homogenates. Kidney and liver sections of rats were assessed for apoptotic cell death markers. Antioxidant capacity and phytochemical contents of methanol extract of MO were estimated. MO extract shows the presence of polyphenols, flavonols and alkaloids. Diabetic rats treated with MO was compared with untreated diabetic rats. A significant decrease in serum NFkβ levels was observed. There was upregulation of BCL-2 in both the kidney and liver in diabetic treated rats. A reduction in interleukin levels in the kidney (IL-18) and liver (IL-1α, IL-18) interleukin levels were observed in diabetic treated rats. This study demonstrates that MO exerted anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties in diabetic rats due to its capacity to reduce nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic damage induced by STZ and to regulate the expression and suppression of specific apoptotic cell death markers. The high phytochemical and antioxidant content of MO leaves may be responsible for its anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects. • Effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on apoptotic and inflammatory biomarkers • Moringa oleifera (MO) extract shows the presence of polyphenols, flavonols and alkaloids. • Upregulation of BCI-2 in both kidney and liver of diabetic treated rats. • MO reduced nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic damage in STZ-induced diabetic rats. • The high phytochemical and antioxidant content of MO leaves may be responsible for its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease which causes rigidity, resting tremor and postural instability. The neuroprotective effects of an ethanolic extract of Bacopa monnieri (BM) were evaluated in a Parkinsonian mice model induced by the MPTP. The present study investigates the mechanisms of neuroprotection elicited by BM, an herb traditionally recognized by the Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda. An ethanolic extract of BM was co-treated with the MPTP induced mouse model of PD and was shown to significantly rescue the motor behaviour (Rotarod, Grip Strength and Foot Printing test). Furthermore, on biochemical parameters too BM significantly showed protective effect as Catalase, LPO, Nitrite, SOD, GR, GPx parameters showed marked improvement and levels of Dopamine, DOPAC and HVA were enhanced significantly. There was a significant reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in the substantia nigra (SN) in MPTP treated group, which was considerably restored by the use of BM extract. BM also facilitated neuroprotection by creating an anti-apoptotic environment indicated by reduced apoptotic (Bax and caspase-3) and increased levels of anti-apoptotic (Bcl2) protein expression, respectively. Altogether, the present study suggests that BM treatment provides nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuroprotection against MPTP induced Parkinsonism by the modulation of oxidative stress and apoptotic machinery possibly accounting for the behavioural effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorella pyrenoidosa is a freshwater green alga which is generally utilized as a part of wastewater treatment prepare. The present research expects to investigate the cancer prevention agent movement and anticancer capability of the microalgae Chlorella pyrenoidosa developed from the wastewater created tremendously by the instructive foundation. Regular cancer prevention agents, including shades, phenolics, and tocopherols, were measured in methanolic concentrates of microalgae biomass. The consequences of every test were connected to the substance of regular cancer prevention agents in microalgae biomass. Phenolic mixes were found as real patrons to the cell reinforcement action in all cancer prevention agent tests while carotenoids were found to add to the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) radical rummaging movement, ferrous lessening power (FRAP), and ABTS-radical searching limit action. Cytotoxicity of the concentrate was controlled by Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) test. The tumor cells experiencing apoptosis were controlled by Hoechst 3324 fluorescence recoloring. The apoptotic cells were splendid white shaded, which speaks to they have experienced chromatin build-up and atomic fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the study, melatonin, a known antioxidant pineal peptide was used as an additive in the tris-egg yolk glycerol-based semen extender in Hariana bull semen and post-thaw sperm characters were evaluated. In the study, Group I was a control without melatonin; and Group II, III, and IV were having 0.5 mM, 1 mM, and 2 mM melatonin/80 × 106 spermatozoa, respectively were treatment groups. Thirty-two semen ejaculates from 4 Hariana bulls were processed for freezing and post-thaw sperm characteristics were evaluated. Sperm motility, velocity, the viability with intact membrane, and total antioxidant capacity were markedly (P < 0.05) improved in Group IV compared to all other groups. The lipid peroxidation and total protein carbonylation were substantially (P < 0.05) decreased in Group IV compared to all other groups. The population of cryocapacitated, acrosome-reacted, and apoptotic-like spermatozoa were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in Group IV. Further, the relative band intensity of 74 kDa protein and percent of spermatozoa showing positive immune reactivity to tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins was decreased in Group IV. The progesterone-receptor ligand binding, in vitro capacitation response, and Vanguard distance were markedly (P < 0.05) improved in Group IV. In summary- Group IV having 2 mM melatonin was found to be optimal in providing cryoprotective effects to Hariana bull spermatozoa after freezing-thawing and can be suitably used as a semen additive during semen cryopreservation. • Melatonin in semen extender lowers oxidative damage to spermatozoa. • Melatonin in semen extender lowers cryocapacitation-like changes in spermatozoa. • Melatonin ion semen extender minimizes apoptotic-like changes in spermatozoa. • 2 mM melatonin can be used as an additive in Tris-egg yolk based semen extender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants have been used in many countries for millennia as therapeutic agents for numerous diseases from diabetes to cancer. Gentiana plants are used in folk medicine to treat various diseases. This study mainly focuses on the vital pharmacological properties of ethanol extract of G. septemfida Pallas, including antioxidant, apoptotic, cytotoxic properties (in HT-29, human colorectal cell line) and phenolic compounds. Expression of apoptosis related genes (Bcl-2, Bid, Bax, caspase-3, caspase-7, caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-10) in the apoptosis pathway were determined for apoptosis inducing activity. Additionally, we also evaluated the mineral composition (P, Ca, Mg, K, Fe, Mn, Zn, B and Cu) of G. septemfida Pallas. The ethanol extract showed antioxidant activities (phosphomolybdenum, 225.21 ± 6.95 mg/g; DPPH, IC 50: 581.7 ± 14 μg/mL; ABTS, IC 50: 217.11 ± 2.2 μg/mL) and also exhibited apoptotic and cytotoxic effects on the human colorectal cell line. The major phenolics were identified by HPLC were ferulic, ellagic and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. G. septemfida Pallas is a potential source of anticancer agents for colon cancer treatments, and an alternative source of antioxidant agents for pharmacological applications. However, further research is required before such use could be proposed with confidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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