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Nanoparticles (NPs) have distinct properties due to their small size and high surface area-to-volume ratio. These characteristics result in unique features not seen in bulk materials. Metals, semiconductors, and polymers are among the many varieties. Nanomaterials are used in various industries, including medical, electronics, and environmental cleanup. However, their potential environmental and health consequences must be carefully considered. Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) have received significant attention due to their outstanding physicochemical features and diverse applications in various sectors. MNPs are utilized in different fields, from electronics to health. Previously, the effect of various metal nanoparticles on the structure, stability, and functionality of metabolic enzymes was investigated. Copper (Cu) NPs were found to have significant negative impacts on these enzymes. The focus of the current investigation turned to serum albumin, a vital plasma protein containing oxidized cysteine residues. The findings demonstrated that NPs had a minor impact on the structure and stability of serum albumin, in contrast to the effects observed on reduced cysteine-containing enzymes.

Background/Objectives: Silybum marianum extract, obtained via microwave-enhanced extraction, was evaluated for its antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities to explore its therapeutic potential. Methods: The extraction was performed using microwave-enhanced techniques, and LC-MS/MS was employed to profile the metabolites in the extract. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified using spectrophotometric methods. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, Phenanthroline, and FRAP assays. Enzyme inhibition assays were conducted to evaluate antidiabetic activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Antimicrobial activity was determined using the disc diffusion method, and in silico ADMET and drug-likeness analyses were performed for key metabolites. Results: The extract contained 251.2 ± 1.2 mg GAE/g of total phenolics and 125.1 ± 1.6 mg QE/g of total flavonoids, with 33 metabolites identified, including phenolic acids, tannins, flavonoids, and flavolignans. Strong antioxidant activity was observed, with IC50 values of 19.2 ± 2.3 μg/mL (DPPH), 7.2 ± 1.7 μg/mL (ABTS), 22.2 ± 1.2 μg/mL (CUPRAC), 35.2 ± 1.8 μg/mL (Phenanthroline), and 24.1 ± 1.2 μg/mL (FRAP). Antidiabetic effects were significant, with IC50 values of 18.1 ± 1.7 μg/mL (α-glucosidase) and 26.5 ± 1.3 μg/mL (α-amylase). Antimicrobial activity demonstrated inhibition zones of 8.9 ± 1.1 mm (Bacillus subtilis), 12.6 ± 1.6 mm (Escherichia coli), 8.2 ± 1.2 mm (Fusarium oxysporum), and 9.2 ± 1.1 mm (Aspergillus niger). In silico analyses showed high absorption, favorable metabolism and excretion, and minimal toxicity, with no hERG channel inhibition or hepatotoxicity. Conclusions: The comprehensive results highlight the significant antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities of S. marianum extract, suggesting its potential for therapeutic and preventive applications.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent and lethal form of liver cancer with limited treatment options. Silymarin, a flavonoid complex derived from milk thistle, has shown promise in liver disease treatment due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of silymarin in HCC through a comprehensive in silico approach. Methods: This study employed a network pharmacology approach to identify key molecular targets of silymarin in HCC. The Genecards and Metascape databases were used for target identification and functional annotation. Molecular docking analysis was conducted on the primary silymarin components against VEGFA and SRC proteins, which are critical in HCC progression. MD simulations followed to assess the stability and interactions of the docked complexes. Results: Network pharmacology analysis identified several key molecular targets and pathways implicated in HCC. The molecular docking results revealed strong binding affinities of silymarin components to VEGFA and SRC, with Silybin A and Isosilybin B showing the highest affinities. MD simulations confirmed the stability of these interactions, indicating potential inhibitory effects on HCC progression. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive in silico evaluation of silymarin’s therapeutic potential in HCC. The findings suggest that silymarin, particularly its components Silybin A and Isosilybin B, may effectively target VEGFA and SRC proteins, offering a promising avenue for HCC treatment. Further experimental validation is warranted to confirm these findings and facilitate the development of silymarin-based therapeutics for HCC.

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plant extracts is an eco-friendly method with potential for biomedical and environmental applications. This study aims to synthesize silver nanoparticles (SO-AgNPs) using Salvia officinalis L. extract and evaluate their antioxidant and antibacterial properties, positioning them as candidates for applications in sustainable biomedicine and wastewater treatment. S. officinalis L. extract was used to synthesize AgNPs under optimized conditions, with a 10% extract/AgNO₃ ratio and a reaction time of 180 min. The SO-AgNPs were characterized using ATR-FTIR, XRD, SEM, DLS, and Zeta potential analysis. The antioxidant activity of the extract and SO-AgNPs was evaluated using ABTS+• and DPPH• radical scavenging assays. Antibacterial activity was tested against 11 bacterial strains and bacteria isolated from industrial effluent, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) determined for both the extract and SO-AgNPs. The SO-AgNPs demonstrated potent antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 0.233 mg/mL and 0.305 mg/mL in the ABTS+• assay, and 0.173 mg/mL and 0.185 mg/mL in the DPPH• assay for the extract and SO-AgNPs, respectively. Antibacterial testing showed MIC values of 0.25 mg/mL for SO-AgNPs and between 3.12 and 6.25 mg/mL for S. officinalis L. extract against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, MRSA, B. cereus, and S. epidermidis. For bacteria isolated from industrial effluent, the MIC values were 0.125 mg/mL for SO-AgNPs and 0.5 mg/mL for the extract. This study highlights the dual antioxidant and antibacterial capabilities of S. officinalis L. extract and SO-AgNPs, demonstrating their potential for use in both biomedical and environmental applications, including wastewater treatment.

Investigations into the phenolic constituents of the butanolic fraction of Crataegus monogyna were optimized using LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, identifying and quantifying at least 23 fingerprint phytochemical compounds. The major phenolic compounds were epicatechin (99.916 ± 2.208 mg/g), isoquercetrin (53.31 ± 1.172 mg/g), chlorogenic acid (47.457 ± 1.010 mg/g), quinic acid (37.819 ± 1.406 mg/g), rutin (29.98 ± 0.740 mg/g), hesperidin (5.296 ± 0.177 mg/g, detected for the first time in the C. monogyna species), astragalin (1.774 ± 0.020 mg/g), and nicotiflorin (1.482 ± 0.016 mg/g). The antioxidant properties of the lyophilized butanolic fraction were evaluated using DPPH, GOR, ABTS, CUPRAC, and reducing power assays, all of which demonstrated that there was strong activity. Additionally, the neuroprotective effect was evaluated in vitro, showing a potent inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with an IC50 of 43.65 ± 2.10 µg/mL. The antidiabetic effect was investigated through α-amylase inhibition (IC50 = 91.19 ± 0.10 µg/mL), showing high inhibitory activity. In addition, the butanolic extract exhibited significant urease inhibition with an IC50 of 26.36 ± 0.05 µg/mL. These results suggest that Algerian C. monogyna has potential as a therapeutic agent for managing diabetes complications and as a natural source of AChE inhibitors, making it a promising subject for the treatment of urease-related conditions. Its high concentrations of natural antioxidants, such as epicatechin, isoquercetrin, chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, rutin, hesperidin, and astragalin, make it suitable for integration into medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and the food sector.

Ovarian cancer poses a significant challenge to women's health, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of compounds derived from Hyoscyamus niger, a medicinal plant with a history of traditional use, focusing on their antioxidant properties and their ability to inhibit epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase a promising target in cancer therapy. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of H. niger extract revealed the presence of 21 phenolic compounds, with luteolin and p-coumaric acid notably exhibiting the highest concentrations. The extract displayed robust antioxidant activity across multiple assays, and its performance in the Reducing Power assay highlights its potential in reducing oxidative stress. Molecular docking results indicate that several phenolic compounds may serve as EGFR inhibitors, offering promising avenues for further investigation in cancer therapy. Notably, hyperoside emerged as a strong candidate due to its favorable binding energy and interactions within the EGFR active site. This study demonstrates the therapeutic promise of H. niger-derived compounds in targeting ovarian cancer through antioxidant activity and EGFR inhibition. Further research is warranted to validate their efficacy and safety, potentially opening up new avenues for ovarian cancer treatment.

Background and Objectives: Phycocyanin, a water-soluble blue pigment extracted from cyanobacteria, is used in various industries. Research has explored its health benefits like antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. However, challenges remain in extracting it efficiently and ensuring stability. This study employs a Quality by Design (QbD) approach to extract Phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis PCC 7345, focusing on Target Product Profiles (TPPs) and Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs). Phycocyanin concentration and purity are the primary CQAs, as they significantly impact product quality. The manuscript investigates the application of the Box-Behnken design to achieve consistentcy extraction of phycocyanin. Methods: Risk assessment via Ishikawa diagrams highlights influential factors. A Box Behnken design evaluates Phycocyanin concentration and purity across 15 formulations. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis affirms quality, sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) validates protein structure, and gas chromatography provides additional insights into molecular composition. Antioxidant potential and enzyme inhibitory activities of the extracted Phycocyanin were analyzed. Results: Phycocyanin exhibits superior antioxidant potential, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2′-casino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and Nitric Oxide Scavenging activity being 40.70 µg/ml, 23.25 µg/ml, and 17.74 µg/ml, respectively. The therapeutic potential of phycocyanin can be confirmed with its effectiveness in inhibition of α-Amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes in a concentration-dependent manner having IC50 values of 72.24 µg/ml and 82.45 µg/ml respectively. Conclusion: The QbD approach ensures quality Phycocyanin extraction. Its antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties indicate a promising role in diverse applications in health management.

Phosphate additions in processed foods are a health risk that has been overlooked. This study examined the effects of a permitted food additive (E452; Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP)) on trypsin solubility, structure, and stability at the intestinal physiological pH of 6.0. SHMP-treated trypsin samples were assessed for conformational changes and aggregation propensity using various spectroscopic and microscopic methods. Far-UV CD spectroscopy and intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence showed a rise in fluorescence intensity and alpha-helical structure up to 10 μM SHMP (∼1:1 M ratio). Secondary structure loss, tryptophan quenching, and solubility decrease with an increase in SHMP concentration (>10 μM). SHMP-treated trypsin aggregates showed poor ThT fluorescence. According to kinetics, SHMP leads to trypsin aggregation instantly. All spectroscopic studies showed trypsin denatured at above 10 μM SHMP. Thus, digestive enzyme structure and solubility loss will impair food digestion and health. Therefore, SHMP should be avoided as a food additive.

The search results offer comprehensive insights into the phenolic compounds, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic effects, LC-MS/MS analysis, molecular docking, and MD simulation of the identified phenolic compounds in the Astragalus arpilobus subsp. hauarensis extract (AAH). The analysis revealed substantial levels of total phenolic content (TPC), with a measured value of 191 ± 0.03 mg GAE/g DM. This high TPC was primarily attributed to two key phenolic compounds: total flavonoid content (TFC) and total tannin content (TTC), quantified at 80.82 ± 0.02 mg QE/g DM and 51.91 ± 0.01 mg CE/g DM, respectively. LC-MS/MS analysis identified 28 phenolic compounds, with gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, catechin, and others. In the DPPH scavenging assay, the IC50 value for the extract was determined to be 19.44 ± 0.04 μg/mL, comparable to standard antioxidants like BHA, BHT, ascorbic acid, and α-tocopherol. Regarding anti-inflammatory activity, the extract demonstrated a notably lower IC50 value compared to both diclofenac and ketoprofen, with values of 35.73 µg/mL, 63.78 µg/mL, and 164.79 µg/mL, respectively. Cytotoxicity analysis revealed significant cytotoxicity of the A. arpilobus extract, with an LC50 value of 28.84 µg/mL, which exceeded that of potassium dichromate (15.73 µg/mL), indicating its potential as a safer alternative for various applications. Molecular docking studies have highlighted chrysin as a promising COX-2 inhibitor, with favorable binding energies and interactions. Molecular dynamic simulations further support chrysin’s potential, showing stable interactions with COX-2, comparable to the reference ligand S58. Overall, the study underscores the pharmacological potential of A. arpilobus extract, particularly chrysin, as a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Further research is warranted to elucidate the therapeutic mechanisms and clinical implications of these natural compounds.

Investigations into cholinesterase inhibition have received attention from researchers in recent years for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Cholinesterase enzymes, namely, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), hold pivotal significance in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) treatment. In this study, we utilized the ethanolic extract of Astragalus crenatus followed by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) to separate and identify at least 21 compounds in the extract. Rosmarinic acid exhibited the highest concentration (96.675 ± 1.3 mg/g extract), succeeded by hesperidin (79.613 ± 1.2 mg/g extract), hesperetin (75.102 ± 1.4 mg/g extract), rutin (68.156 ± 1.6 mg/g extract), chlorogenic acid (67.645 ± 1.5 mg/g extract), fisetin (66.647 ± 2.3 mg/g extract), and hyperoside (63.173 ± 1.5 mg/g extract). A. crenatus extract efficiently inhibited both AChE and BChE activities in a dosage-dependent manner. Molecular docking was employed to scrutinize the anticholinesterase mechanisms of the identified phytocompounds. Notably, a network pharmacology analysis was executed for the most efficacious compound. Based on binding energies, hesperidin emerged as the most potent inhibitor against both AChE and BChE, exhibiting scores of −10.5 Kcal/mol and −9.8 Kcal/mol, respectively. Due to its dual inhibition of AChE and BChE activities, hesperidin from Astragalus crenatus holds promise for the development of novel therapeutics aimed at neurological disorders, particularly AD.

Obesity has become a serious health problem in the world, with increased morbidity, mortality, and financial burden on patients and health-care providers. The skeletal muscle is the most extensive tissue, severely affected by a sedentary lifestyle, which leads to obesity and type 2 diabetes. Obesity disrupts insulin signaling in the skeletal muscle, resulting in decreased glucose disposal, a condition known as insulin resistance. Although there is a large body of evidence on obesity-induced insulin resistance in various skeletal muscles, the molecular mechanism of insulin resistance due to a disruption in insulin receptor signaling, specifically in the gastrocnemius skeletal muscle of obese Zucker rats (OZRs), is not fully understood. This study subjected OZRs to a glucose tolerance test (GTT) to analyze insulin sensitivity. In addition, immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting techniques were used to determine the expression and tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and insulin receptor-β (IRβ), and the activation of serine-632-IRS-1 phosphorylation in the gastrocnemius muscle of Zucker rats. The results show that the GTT in the OZRs was impaired. There was a significant decrease in IRS-1 levels, but no change was observed in IRβ in the gastrocnemius muscle of OZRs, compared to Zucker leans. Obese rats had a higher ratio of tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and IRβ than lean rats. In obese rats, however, insulin was unable to induce tyrosine phosphorylation. Moreover, insulin increased the phosphorylation of serine 632-IRS-1 in the gastrocnemius muscle of lean rats. However, obese rats had a low basal level of serine-632-IRS-1 and insulin only mildly increased serine phosphorylation in obese rats, compared to those without insulin. Thus, we addressed the altered steps of the insulin receptor signal transduction in the gastrocnemius muscle of OZRs. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of human obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Proflavine is a well-known antiseptic and bacteriostatic drug, however, it has the potential to be hazardous and mutagenic. Proflavine enters cells and intercalates between DNA base pairs, resulting in mutation and replication inhibition. Previously several investigators demonstrated that photo-activated proflavine generated double-stranded DNA breakage and protein structural alterations. The present study investigated the role of hydroxyl radical (·OH) due to activation of proflavine in the breakdown of protein and enzyme by photo-activated proflavine. The results show that the formation of hydroxyl radicals increased as the photo-illumination period increased, as did the concentrations of proflavine and Cu (II). As demonstrated by SDS-PAGE, the excess of free radicals due to proflavine resulted in oxidative modifications and degradation of BSA protein and trypsin enzyme. Additionally, with an increase in Cu (II) concentration, photo-illuminated proflavine induced a considerable loss of enzyme activity and also accelerated the degradation of the enzyme. Bathocuproine, a particular Cu (I)-sequestering agent, prevented protein degradation and enzyme inactivation. Hydroxyl radical scavengers inhibited the protein-damaging process, indicating that hydroxyl radicals play a substantial role in protein damage. The tryptophan moiety was quenched by proflavine, demonstrating that it binds to proteins and enzymes, changing their structure and activity. As a result, this study helps to better understand proflavine's deleterious influence on protein and enzyme degradation by oxygen-free radicals.

The excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation due to diabetes-induced hyperglycemia is believed to play a central role in the pathophysiology of diabetic complications including diabetic retinopathy. However, the mechanism of excess ROS generation due to hyperglycemia is still uncertain. In this study, we measured ROS levels under the influence of low and hyperglycaemic conditions in the cultured retinal Muller (TR-MUL) and bovine retinal endothelial cells (BRECs) to better elucidate the basis of oxidative stress. The most common fluorescent dye, CM-H2DCFDA was used to examine the ROS level in the cultured retinal cells after incubations with high (30 mM) and low glucose (5.5 mM), and treatments with metabolites (pyruvate, glutamate, and glutamine), oxidizing agents (diamide, CuSO4), and endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Our results showed high glucose did not increase ROS levels in both TR-MUL and BRECs cells; on the contrary, high glucose resulted in a significant decrease in ROS levels compared to low glucose (P

Our previous study uncovered potent inhibitory effects of two naphthoquinones from Impatiens balsamina, namely lawsone methyl ether (2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, LME) and lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), against α-glucosidase. This gave us the insight to compare the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of LME and lawsone in high-fat/high-fructose-diet- and nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for 28 days. LME and lawsone at the doses of 15, 30, and 45 mg/kg, respectively, produced a substantial and dose-dependent reduction in the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, and food/water intake while boosting the insulin levels and body weights of diabetic rats. Additionally, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in diabetic rats were significantly normalized by LME and lawsone, without affecting the normal rats. LME at a dose of 45 mg/kg exhibited the most potent antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects, which were significantly comparable to glibenclamide but higher than those of lawsone. Furthermore, the toxicity evaluation indicated that both naphthoquinones were entirely safe for use in rodent models at doses ≤ 50 mg/kg. Therefore, the remarkable antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic potentials of LME make it a promising option for future drug development.

This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and antidiabetic properties of cultivated Hyoscyamus albus L. The ethanol extract was analyzed using LC-MS/MS, and 18 distinct phenolic compounds were identified. Among these, p-coumaric acid (6656.8 ± 3.4 µg/g), gallic acid (6516 ± 1.7 µg/g), luteolin (6251.9 ± 1.3 µg/g), apigenin (6209.9 ± 1.1 µg/g), and rutin (5213.9 ± 1.3 µg/g) were identified as the most abundant polyphenolic molecules. In the in vitro antidiabetic experiment, the ability of the plant extract to inhibit α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities was examined. The results indicated that the extract from H. albus L. exhibited a higher inhibitory effect on α-amylase compared to α-glucosidase, with an IC50 of 146.63 ± 1.1 µg/mL and 270.43 ± 1.1 µg/mL, respectively. Docking simulations revealed that luteolin, fisetin, and rutin exhibited the most promising inhibitory activity against both enzymes, as indicated by their high contrasting inhibition scores. To further investigate the in vivo antidiabetic effects of H. albus L., an experiment was conducted using STZ-induced diabetic mice. The results demonstrated that the plant extract effectively reduced the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. These findings suggest that H. albus L. may have therapeutic potential for managing hyperlipidemia, a common complication associated with diabetes. This highlights its potential as a natural remedy for diabetes and related conditions.

Background: Suppressor of fused (SuFu) is a tumor-suppressor gene that regulates hedgehog signaling. Its involvement in some malignancies is broadly accepted. However, its association with colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis is not clear. Likewise, no study has clearly associated blood-based inflammatory biomarkers with cancer diagnosis/prognosis as yet. Aim: Our goal was to look at SuFu expression levels in CRC patients and its relationship with other clinicopathological factors. Additionally, we looked into the function of a few blood-based biomarkers in CRC and whether or not a combined strategy at the genetic and clinical levels can be applied in CRC. Methods: The investigation included 98 histopathologically confirmed CRC samples and adjacent normal tissues (controls). A colonoscopy was followed by a targeted biopsy for each suspected colon cancer patient. A CT scan and MRI were also performed on every patient with rectal cancer. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used for assessment. A Beckman Coulter DxH900 was used to examine blood parameters. A Beckman Coulter DxI800 was used to identify pretreatment carcinoma embryonic antigens (CEA) and carbohydrate antigens (CA 19–9) in CRC patients. Results: The expression of SuFu was associated with gender, education, passive smoking, tumor grade, perineural invasion (PNI), lymph node metastasis (LNM), node status, stage, vital status, and recurrence (p < 0.05). In the combined analysis, the areas under the curve produced by the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and red cell distribution width (RDW) were the greatest (AUCRDW+PLR+NLR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.86–0.93, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the most severe pathological features were linked to RDW, PLR, NLR, and HPR. SuFu expression, node status, LNM, PNI, and stage all had significant correlations with OS and DFS rates in IHC-based univariate survival analysis (p < 0.05). According to the Cox regression, CA-19.9 had a strong independent predictive link with 3-year DFS (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In CRC, SuFu was downregulated both transcriptionally and translationally, was primarily nucleo-cytoplasmic, and was expressed less in high-grade tumors. In addition, SuFu was linked to a poor overall and disease-free survival rate. It may be possible to use SuFu as a therapeutic target for CRC in the future. However, SuFu expression had no effect on RDW, PLR, NLR, or HPR serum levels.

Background and Objectives: Glycation and oxidative stress are the major contributing factors responsible for diabetes and its secondary complications. Aminoguanidine, a hydrazine derivative, is the only approved drug that reduces glycation with its known side effects. As a result, research into medicinal plants with antioxidant and antiglycation properties is beneficial in treating diabetes and its consequences. This investigation aimed to examine the efficacy of the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds against the D-ribose-induced glycation system. Materials and Methods: The suppression of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes were used to assess the antidiabetic capacity. UV–Visible, fluorescence, and FTIR spectroscopy were used to characterize the Nigella sativa seed extract and its efficacy in preventing glycation. The inhibition of albumin glycation, fluorescent advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation, thiol oxidation, and amyloid formation were used to evaluate the extracts’ antiglycation activity. In addition, the extent of glycoxidative DNA damage was analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: The IC50 for the extract in the α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition assays were approximately 1.39 ± 0.016 and 1.01 ± 0.022 mg/mL, respectively. Throughout the investigation, it was found that the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds (NSAE) inhibited the level of ketoamine, exerted a considerable drop in fluorescence intensity, and reduced carbonyl production and thiol modification when added to the D-ribose-induced glycation system. In addition, a reduction in the BSA-cross amyloid formation was seen in the Congo red, thioflavin T assay, and electrophoretic techniques. NSAE also exhibited a strong capability for DNA damage protection. Conclusion: It can be concluded that Nigella sativa could be used as a natural antidiabetic, antiglycation treatment and a cost-effective and environmentally friendly source of powerful bioactive chemicals.

Alpha-crystallin protein performs structural and chaperone functions in the lens and comprises alphaA and alphaB subunits at a molar ratio of 3:1. The highly complex alpha-crystallin structure challenges structural biologists because of its large dynamic quaternary structure (300–1000 kDa). Camel lens alpha-crystallin is a poorly characterized molecular chaperone, and the alphaB subunit possesses a novel extension at the N-terminal domain. We purified camel lens alpha-crystallin using size exclusion chromatography, and the purity was analyzed by gradient (4–12%) sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Alpha-crystallin was equilibrated in the pH range of 1.0 to 7.5. Subsequently, thermal stress (20–94 °C) was applied to the alpha-crystallin samples, and changes in the conformation and stability were recorded by dynamic multimode spectroscopy and intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence spectroscopic methods. Camel lens alpha-crystallin formed a random coil-like structure without losing its native-like beta-sheeted structure under two conditions: >50 °C at pH 7.5 and all temperatures at pH 2.0. The calculated enthalpy of denaturation, as determined by dynamic multimode spectroscopy at pH 7.5, 4.0, 2.0, and 1.0 revealed that alpha-crystallin never completely denatures under acidic conditions or thermal denaturation. Alpha-crystallin undergoes a single, reversible thermal transition at pH 7.5. The thermodynamic data (unfolding enthalpy and heat capacity change) and chaperone activities indicated that alpha-crystallin does not completely unfold above the thermal transition. Camels adapted to live in hot desert climates naturally exhibit the abovementioned unique features.

Diabetic retinopathy remains a primary source of blindness with the growing pandemic of diabetes. Numerous studies have shown that early neurodegeneration caused by elevated oxidative stress may initiate microvascular damage in the diabetic retina during the last few decades. A variety of preventive and treatment strategies using phytochemicals that possess high antioxidants have shown great promise in reducing diabetes-induced neurodegeneration retinal damage. In this investigation, we employed an extract of Loranthus regularis, a traditional medicinal herb which is found to improve diabetes and associated complications in experimental studies. We orally treated STZ-induced diabetic rats with L. regularis and analyzed the neurodegenerative factors in the retina. After treatments, we used Western blotting techniques to analyze the protein content of neurotrophic factors (NGF, BDNF, TrkB), apoptotic factors (cytochrome c, Bcl-2, Bax), and phosphorylation of AKT in the diabetic retina. Additionally, we used ELISA methods to measure the contents of BDNF and the activity of Caspase-3 and biochemical procedures to determine the levels of glutathione and lipid peroxidation (TBARS). Our findings show that L. regularis treatments resulted in a considerable increase in neurotrophic factors and a decrease in apoptotic factors in the diabetic retina. Furthermore, in diabetic retina treated with L. regularis, the level of Bcl-2 protein increased, while the phosphor-AKT signaling improved. As a result, L. regularis may protect against diabetic-induced retinal neuronal damage by increasing neurotrophic support and reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis. Therefore, this study suggests that in diabetic retinopathy, L. regularis could be a potential therapy option for preventing neuronal cell death.

Diabetes, being a metabolic disease dysregulates a large number of metabolites and factors. However, among those altered metabolites, hyperglycemia is considered as the major factor to cause an increase in oxidative stress that initiates the pathophysiology of retinal damage leading to diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes-induced oxidative stress in the diabetic retina and its damaging effects are well known, but still, the exact source and the mechanism of hyperglycemia-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation especially through mitochondria remains uncertain. In this study, we analyzed precisely the generation of ROS and the antioxidant capacity of enzymes in a real-time situation under ex vivo and in vivo conditions in the control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat retinas. We also measured the rate of flux through the citric acid cycle by determining the oxidation of glucose to CO2 and glutamate, under ex vivo conditions in the control and diabetic retinas. Measurements of H2O2 clearance from the ex vivo control and diabetic retinas indicated that activities of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes are intact in the diabetic retina. Short-term hyperglycemia seems to influence a decrease in ROS generation in the diabetic retina compared to controls, which is also correlated with a decreased oxidation rate of glucose in the diabetic retina. However, an increase in the formation of ROS was observed in the diabetic retinas compared to controls under in vivo conditions. Thus, our results suggest of diabetes/hyperglycemia-induced non-mitochondrial sources may serve as major sources of ROS generation in the diabetic retina as opposed to widely believed hyperglycemia-induced mitochondrial sources of excess ROS. Therefore, hyperglycemia per se may not cause an increase in oxidative stress, especially through mitochondria to damage the retina as in the case of diabetic retinopathy.