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In this study, effects of parabens on antioxidant defenses and oxidative damages in gills and liver of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were evaluated. Adult Nile tilapia were exposed to methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and benzylparaben and a mixture of methyl and propylparaben for 6 and 12 days. The biomarkers analyzed were superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), total glutathione (GSH-t) and lipid peroxidation measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Results indicated that exposure to parabens caused biochemical changes in gill and liver cells, which in turn modulated enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in Nile tilapia. SOD, GPx and GR activity significantly increased in gills and liver after exposure to most parabens. CAT activity had little (liver) or no alteration (gills) in this fish species after treatment with parabens. GSH-t content in liver decreased after 6 days of exposure to parabens, but after 12 days, GSH-t levels increased in liver in all treatments, indicating an antioxidant adaptation to exposure to sublethal doses of parabens. Regarding the MDA levels, no alterations were observed in gills compared to control and in liver the MDA content was reduced after 12d of exposure to ethylparaben, butylparaben and paraben mixture, indicating no lipid peroxidation in the analyzed tissues. Our results demonstrate parabens-induced adaptive responses in fish, which were important in the protection against oxidative damages., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Inga edulis is a fruit tree native from Central and South America. Different species of Inga have demonstrated high polyphenolic content and high antioxidant capacity. The oxidative stress significantly contributes to the development of several chronicle diseases, particularly age-related diseases. Therefore, photochemoprevention is an emerging interest in the use of naturally occurring antioxidants for their therapeutic use. A partial purification of the extract was carried out onto macroporous resin and the main components of I. edulis leaf extract and fraction were identified using UPLC-DAD-MS/MS as epicatechin, apigenin C-di-hexoside, myricetin-O-hexose-deoxyhexose, myricetin-O-deoxyhexose and vicenin-2, which was identified for the first time in I. edulis. Both extract and fraction presented high antioxidant capacity, the fraction exhibiting higher polyphenol and flavonoid contents and higher content of vicenin-2, suggesting that the fractioning process effectively resulted in the partial purification of the extract. The cytotoxicity and photostability were assessed in L929 fibroblast cells to evaluate whether I. edulis extract and fraction were suitable for topical application. The UVA and UVB irradiated extract and fraction did not decrease the antioxidant capacity and cell viability of L929 fibroblasts, demonstrating the photostability of the samples. The fractioning process successfully purified and enriched I. edulis extract, and both the extract and fraction are potential candidates to be safely incorporated in topical photochemopreventive formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar ultraviolet radiation exposure, particularly UVB rays (280–320 nm), can lead to skin lesions, photocarcinogenesis and acceleration of skin photoaging since UVB radiation may reach both the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin. Treatments that can ameliorate UVB-induced skin damage include natural extracts, which can act as skin photochemoprotective agents. Byrsonima crassifolia is widely used in the folk medicine. Previously studies have shown high antioxidant activity of BC leaves extracts. In this study we described the first photochemoprotective potential of Byrsonima crassifolia extract (BCP) and fraction (BCF) against UVB-induced damage in keratinocytes and the ability of topical formulations with BCP or BCF to increase the antioxidant activity in pig ear skin. The results of characterization of BCP and BCF indicate that the phenolic content was increased two-fold after an enrichment process for obtaining BCF. Despite differences in the phenolic content, both BCP and BCF exhibited similar IC 50 values for lipid peroxidation and the DPPH method during the antioxidant activity study. However, for the chemiluminescence assay using the xanthine/luminol/XOD, BCF exhibited higher antioxidant activity than BCP. The different phenolic content in BCP and BCF did not influence their photochemoprotective activity in HaCaT cells, and both samples exhibited similar levels of protection. After treatment with BCP and BCF (1.2–5 μg/mL) and UVB irradiation exposure, the effect of lipid peroxidation in vitro was maintained in cell culture, and both IL-6 and TNF-α secretion and NF-κB activation were suppressed. After the development of the different formulations, BCP and BCF increased the antioxidant activity on skin and the formulation containing BCF showed higher skin retention, especially for (+) catechin, which was able to pass through the stratum corneum. Based on these findings, BCF could be topically applied to prevent/treat the damage induced by UVB radiation in the skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The renin angiotensin system plays a crucial role in erectile function. It has been shown that elevated angiotensin-II levels contribute to the development of erectile dysfunction ( ED). Oppositely, angiotensin-(1-7) ( Ang-[1-7]) mediates penile erection by activation of receptor Mas. Recently, we have developed a formulation based on Ang-(1-7) inclusion in cyclodextrin ( CyD) [ Ang-(1-7)- CyD], which allows for the oral administration of Ang-(1-7). Aim In the present study, we evaluated the effects of chronic treatment with Ang-(1-7)- CyD on penile fibrosis, oxidative stress, and endothelial function in hypercholesterolemic mice. Methods Apolipoprotein( Apo) E−/− mice fed a Western-type diet for 11 weeks received Ang-(1-7)- CyD or vehicle during the final 3 weeks. Collagen content and reactive oxygen species ( ROS) production within the corpus cavernosum were evaluated by Sirius red and dihydroethidium staining, respectively. Protein expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase ( nNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase ( eNOS), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate ( NADPH) subunits (p67-phox and p22-phox), and AT1 and Mas receptors in the penis was assessed by Western blotting. Nitric oxide ( NO) production was measured by Griess assay in the mice serum. Cavernosal strips were mounted in an isometric organ bath to evaluate the endothelial function. Main Outcome Measures The effect of Ang-(1-7)- CyD treatment on penile fibrosis, oxidative stress, and endothelial function in hypercholesterolemia-induced ED. Results Ang-(1-7)- CyD treatment reduced collagen content in the corpus cavernosum of ApoE−/− mice. This effect was associated with an attenuation of ROS production and a diminished expression of NADPH. Furthermore, Ang-(1-7)- CyD treatment augmented the expression of nNOS and eNOS in the penis and elevated vascular NO production. Importantly, these effects were accompanied by an improvement in cavernosal endothelial function. Conclusion Long-term treatment with Ang-(1-7)- CyD reduces penile fibrosis associated with attenuation of oxidative stress. Additionally, cavernosal endothelial function in hypercholesterolemic mice was markedly improved. These results suggest that Ang-(1-7)- CyD might have significant therapeutic benefits for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Fraga-Silva RA, Costa-Fraga FP, Savergnini SQ, De Sousa FB, Montecucco F, da Silva D, Sinisterra RD, Mach F, Stergiopulos N, da Silva RF, and Santos RAS. An oral formulation of angiotensin-(1-7) reverses corpus cavernosum damages induced by hypercholesterolemia. J Sex Med 2013;10:2430-2442. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]