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OBJECTIVE: To investigate SOD-liked, GPx-liked and cellular anti-oxidation activities of fractionated mucus proteins from Perionyx excavatus (Pe) and Eudrilus eugeniae (Ee) in the MC3T3 osteoblast precursor cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The crude mucus proteins were extracted from Pe and Ee and fractionated using the anion exchange chromatography method with FPLC. The fractionated proteins were studied to determine their SOD-liked and GPx-liked activities. The most efficient fractions were studied for cellular anti-oxidation activities in the MC3T3 cell line including scavenging, protecting and repairing conditions. RESULTS: The results showed that the highest SOD-liked activities of EeANX1 were found at 4.17 µg/ml and GPx-liked activities of EeANX4 were found at 5.26 µg/mL. EeANX1 had no cytotoxic effect on MC3T3 at 500 µg/mL, and the IC50 of EeANX4 was over 300 µg/mL. When both EeANX1 and EeANX4 were investigated for cellular anti-oxidation activity in MC3T3 cells at 20 µg/mL, the cellular superoxide and total ROS production of were significantly (p<0.05) lower than those of 250 μM pyocyanin (ROS inducer) in ROS scavenging, protecting and repairing conditions. The 20 µg/mL of EeANX1 and EeANX4 demonstrated increased SOD and GPx activities in MC3T3. Investigation of the scavenging, protection and repairing conditions of MC3T3 treated with 20 µg/mL each of EaANX1, EaANX4 and 250 μM pyocyanin demonstrated that the proteins had significantly lower SOD activities and higher GPx activities than the 250 μM pyocyanin. CONCLUSIONS: The EeANX1 and EeANX4 fractions demonstrate SOD-liked and GPx-liked activities, as well as cellular anti-oxidation activities. These fractions could be developed as a natural anti-oxidant. This research could provide benefit to the study of cellular anticancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the enzymatic anti-oxidative, hemolytic and cytotoxic activities of crude mucus proteins from the two earthworms including Eudrilus eugeniae (African night crawler) and Perionyx excavatus (Blue worm). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bioactivities were determined by hemolytic activity, cytotoxic activity using HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, L-929 mouse fibroblast and TK6 human lymphoblast cell lines and antioxidant activity. RESULTS: The results indicated that the hemolytic activity of mucus proteins of P. excavatus was higher than that of E. eugeniae.The cytotoxic activity of the mucus proteins of E. eugeniae could inhibit the growth of HepG2 with the IC50 at 144.2 ± 0.18 μg/mL but showed no effect on L-929 and TK6. On the other hand, the crude proteins of P. excavatus decreased cell viability of both L-929 and HepG2 with their IC50 respectively were 6.87 ± 0.16 and 174.3 ± 0.19 μg/mL but they did not reduce the growth of TK6 cell line. The SOD-like activity of P. excavatus and E. eugeniae crude proteins were found with the IC50 at 149 μg/mL and 386.2 μg/mL, respectively. For GPx-like activity, crude proteins of P. excavatus exhibited significant (p ≤ 0.05) greater activity than those of E. eugeniae when tested at the concentration 100 μg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the bioactivities of crude mucus of earthworms which served as alternative natural proteins for the prophylaxis or treatment of free radical-related diseases as well as development of dietary supplements and cosmetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on a study conducted to investigate the antioxidative effects of proteins isolated from Cajanus cajan, or pigeon pea, against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in the intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2 cells) of human beings. In the study, the proteins isolated from pigeon pea were lyophilized, and tight junction proteins expression were analyzed by western blot assay. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) was used to evaluate tight junction function by incubating culture cells with pigeon pea protein (PPP) before H2O2 exposure. The study concluded that PPP exhibits tight junction protective effect against H2O2 by an improvement of TER.

Gymnema inodorum (GI) is an indigenous medicinal plant and functional food in Thailand that has recently helped to reduce plasma glucose levels in healthy humans. It is renowned for the medicinal properties of gymnemic acid and its ability to suppress glucose absorption. However, the effects of gymnemic acids on adipogenesis that contribute to the accumulation of adipose tissues associated with obesity remain unknown. The present study aimed to determine the effects of gymnemic acids derived from GI tea on adipogenesis. We purified and identified GiA-7 and stephanosides C and B from GI tea that inhibited adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. These compounds also suppressed the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ( Pparγ )-dependent genes, indicating that they inhibit lipid accumulation and the early stage of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation. Only GiA-7 induced the expression of uncoupling protein 1 ( Ucp1 ) and pparγ coactivator 1 alpha ( Pgc1α ), suggesting that GiA-7 induces mitochondrial activity and beige-like adipocytes. This is the first finding of stephanosides C and B in Gymnema inodorum . Our results suggested that GiA-7 and stephanosides C and B from GI tea could help to prevent obesity.

In this study, tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) seed extracts with potential antioxidant activity and toxicity to cancer cells were developed as functional foods and nutraceutical ingredients in the form of emulsion gel beads. Three extracts were obtained from ethanol and water: TSCH50, TSCH95 and TSCH. All extracts exhibited high potential for superoxide anion scavenging activity over the IC50 range < 5-11 µg/mL and had no toxic effects on normal cells, however, the water extract (TSCH) was the most effective due to its free radical scavenging activity and toxicity in mitochondrial membranes of cancer cells. Next a study was designed to develop a new formulation for encapsulation and intragastric floating delivery of tamarind seed extract (TSCH) using wax-incorporated emulsion gel beads, which were prepared using a modified ionotropic gelation technique. Tamarind seed extract at 1% (w/w) was used as the active ingredient in all formulations. The effect of the types and amounts of wax on the encapsulation efficiency and percentage of the active release of alginate gel beads was also investigated. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of both waxes into the gel beads had an effect on the percentage of encapsulation efficiency (%) and the percentage of the active ingredient release. Furthermore, the addition of water insoluble waxes (carnauba and bee wax) significantly retarded the release of the active ingredient. The addition of both waxes had a slight effect on drug release behavior. Nevertheless, the increase in incorporated waxes in all formulations could sustain the percentage of active ingredient release. In conclusion, wax-incorporated emulsion gel beads using a modified ionotropic gelation technique could be applied for the intragastric floating delivery and controlled release of functional food and nutraceutical products for their antioxidant and anticancer capacity.

Lansium domesticum Corr. or "long-kong" is one of the most popular fruits in Thailand. Its peel (skin, SK) and seeds (SD) become waste unless recycled or applied for use. This study was undertaken to determine the bioactivity and phytochemical components of L. domesticum (LD) skin and seed extracts. Following various extraction and fractionation procedures, 12 fractions were obtained. All fractions were tested for antioxidant capacity against O2(-•) and OH(•). It was found that the peel of L. domesticum fruits exhibited higher O2(-•) and OH(•) scavenging activity than seeds. High potential antioxidant activity was found in two fractions of 50% ethanol extract of peel followed by ethyl acetate (EA) fractionation (LDSK50-EA) and its aqueous phase (LDSK50-H2O). Therefore, these two active fractions were selected for further studies on their antioxidative activity against DNA damage by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in human TK6 cells using comet assay. The comet results revealed DNA-protective activity of both LDSK50-EA and LDSK50-H2O fractions when TK6 human lymphoblast cells were pre-treated at 25, 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL for 24 h prior to H2O2 exposure. The phytochemical analysis illustrated the presence of phenolic substances, mainly scopoletin, rutin, and chlorogenic acid, in these two active fractions. This study generates new information on the biological activity of L. domesticum. It will promote and strengthen the utilization of L. domesticum by-products.

Claudins constitute a family of at least 27 proteins with four transmembrane domains, and play a pivotal role in maintaining tight-junctions seals in diverse epithelial tissues. The expression of claudin-4 often changes in intestinal tissues of inflammatory bowel disease and various human cancers. Therefore, claudin-4 is a promising target for treatment of these diseases. In our previous study, we established a reporter cell line to monitor claudin-4 expression on the basis of a functional claudin-4 promoter. Using this cell line, we have performed a cell-based screen of a library containing 2642 biologically active small-molecule compounds to identify modulators of claudin-4 expression. The screen identified 24 potential modulators of the claudin-4 promoter activity. Fourteen of these compounds (12 of them novel) induced endogenous claudin-4 expression. The identified compounds might serve as lead compounds targeting aberrant gene expression in inflammatory bowel disease.

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are found mostly in red grape seeds. Many publications have reported that OPCs possess an excellent anti-oxidant effects. Since it could against cellular damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS) led to reduce the risk of chronic disease and cancers. We carried out this study on the Thai OPCs to evaluate the mutagenicity/ anti-mutagenicity and anti-oxidative DNA damage effects in TK6 cells by micronucleus (MN) and comet assays. In the MN assay, OPCs-treatment of TK6 cells at concentrations ranging from 10-200 ?g/ml (4 and 24 h) did not cause micronucleus induction over the negative control group but revealed a significant reduction the micronucleus frequencies against the known mutagen (mitomycin C). In the comet assay, OPCs-treated TK6 cells at concentrations of 100, 250, 500, and 1,000 ?g/ml could inhibit DNA damage induced by H(2)O(2) as indicated by 18.7, 36.4, 30.6, and 60.1%, respectively. Our results suggest that OPCs possess the anti-mutagenic and anti-oxidative DNA damage effects in TK6 cells under the conditions of this assay.