Antioxidant Capacity and Total Phenolic Content in Fruit Tissues from Accessions of Capsicum chinense

In the past few years, there has been a renewed interest in studying a wide variety of food products that show beneficial effects on human health. Capsicum is an important agricultural crop, not only because its economic importance, but also for the nutritional values of its pods, mainly due to the fact that they are an excellent source of antioxidant compounds, and also of specific constituents such as the pungent capsaicinoids localized in the placental tissue. This current study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and total phenolic contents from fruits tissues of two Capsicum chinense accessions, namely, Chak k’an-iik (orange) and MR8H (red), at contrasting maturation stages. Results showed that red immature placental tissue, with a Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) value of 55.59 μmols TE g−1 FW, exhibited the strongest total antioxidant capacity using both the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the CUPRAC methods. Placental tissue also had the highest total phenolic content (27 g GAE 100 g−1 FW). The antioxidant capacity of Capsicum was directly related to the total amount of phenolic compounds detected. In particular, placentas had high levels of capsaicinoids, which might be the principal responsible for their strong antioxidant activities

Efecto de las condiciones de almacenamiento refrigerado sobre el estrés oxidativo en raquis de uva de mesa, cv. Red Globe

Indexación: Web of Science; ScieloTable grape (Vitis vinifera L.) quality includes the condition of both the berries and the rachis. In the present report, physiological parameters of Red Globe rachises from fully elongated inflorescences (RFEI) and from mature clusters were studied after storage at 0 or 20 °C for different durations. To understand changes in rachis physiology as a result of changes in temperature conditions and storage time, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were measured. In addition, hydrogen peroxide content, membrane lipoperoxidation (TBARS), total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity (FRAP) were assayed. TBARS was higher in mature rachises than in RFEI. This parameter remained constant throughout storage, indicating a change presumably associated with ontogeny or senescence processes. Short-term storage (096 h) increased SOD, CAT and APX activities in RFEI, while in mature rachises, no changes were observed in enzyme activities or in hydrogen peroxide content. Longer cold storage (25 or 53 days at 0 °C) of mature rachises reduced CAT activity, but SOD and APX activities did not change under these conditions. At 0 h, the FRAP and total phenolic contents of mature rachises were three and 20 times higher than in immature rachises, respectively.La calidad de uva de mesa (Vitis vinifera L.) involucra tanto la condición de bayas y el raquis. En el presente trabajo, los parámetros fisiológicos de raquis de 'Red Globe' de inflorescencias completamente elongadas (RFEI) y de racimos maduros fueron estudiados después de almacenamientos por diferentes tiempos a 0 ó 20 °C. Para entender los cambios en la fisiología del raquis debido a variaciones de temperatura y condiciones de almacenamiento, se midieron las actividades de superoxido dismutasa (SOD), catalasa (CAT), ascorbato peroxidasa (APX). Además fueron analizados el contenido de peróxido de hidrógeno, lipoperoxidación de membranas (TBARS), compuestos fenólicos totales y capacidad antioxidante (FRAP). TBARS de los raquis maduros a la cosecha fue mayor que el de inflorescencias completamente elongadas (RFEI). Este parámetro permaneció constante a través del almacenamiento, indicando cambios presuntamente asociados a ontogenia o procesos de senescencia. Almacenamiento cortos (0-96h) incrementaron la actividad de SOD, CAT y APX en RFEI, sin embargo no se observaron cambios en la actividad de estas enzimas o contenido de peróxido de hidrogeno en raquis maduros. Almacenamiento refrigerado prolongado (25 ó 30 días 0 °C) de raquis maduros redujo la actividad de CAT, pero SOD y APX no mostraron cambios bajo estas condiciones. A 0 h el contenido de FRAP y fenólicos totales de raquis maduros fueron tres y 20 veces mayores que en raquis inmaduro respectivamente.http://ref.scielo.org/m3mg4

Augmentation of antioxidative potential of in vitro propagated Mentha piperita L.

131-137Mentha piperita L., as an aromatic culinary herb and a source of variety of phytochemicals including effective antioxidants, is overexploited by food industry. It demands rapid conservation by means of in vitro propagation of improved clones. Here, we have made an attempt to evaluate and augment the antioxidative potential of M. piperita L. by additing a precursor to the tissue culture derived clones and compared it with the in vivo plants so that tissue culture derived plants can serve as an alternative source of drug. M. piperita L. were analyzed for total phenol, flavonoids, total antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidase activity. Total phenol content in in vivo plants was lesser than in in vitro. In case of total flavonoid content, it also varies through the season where tissue culture derived plants showed similar and continuous production of total flavonoids content. The percentage inhibition of the in vitro plant extract of precursor fed clone was higher than that of in vivo plant extract. Antioxidant capacity of ascorbic acid was used as a reference standard from which plant extracts with potential antioxidant activity were compared. After addition of precursor, the in vitro mint plant proved more efficient in inhibiting lipid peroxidation after one hour than the in vivo plant, which has high absorbance value indicating lipid peroxide formation

Soil Remediation Assessment by Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species in Lizard Testis: An Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) Approach

Recent developments in applied research have led to implement novel operative protocols for life-based restoration of contaminated soils, including new monitoring approach. Here, we report the measurements of reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in lizard testis performed in the framework of the project Life Ecoremed. The ROS levels detected by electron spın resonance (ESR) spectroscopy using the spin-trapping technique were analyzed and validated using measurements of total soluble antioxidant capacity and the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase enzymatic activity, which detect the gonadal antioxidant defense and DNA repair, respectively. The investigations on soil biosentinel Podarcis sicula reproductive health gave significant evidence that the ROS level in the testis well correlates with alteration of the antioxidant capacity. In specimens coming from polluted sites, before remediation, a significant increase of ROS content was detected respect to that found in specimens from an unpolluted site. Thereafter, an evident decrease of the ROS levels, corresponding to high levels of total soluble antioxidant capacity and low repair of DNA integrity, has been detected after remediation. Thus, the data relative to all the polluted sites examined support the testis of Podarcis sicula as an elective tissue for an innovative and reliable screening method, based on ESR analysis of ROS, in the soil remediation assessment

Herbal Remedies for Combating Irradiation: a Green Antiirradiation Approach

Plants play important roles in human life not only as suppliers of oxygen but also as a fundamental resource to sustain the human race on this earthly plane. Plants also play a major role in our nutrition by converting energy from the sun during photosynthesis. In addition, plants have been used extensively in traditional medicine since time immemorial. Information in the biomedical literature has indicated that many natural herbs have been investigated for their efficacy against lethal irradiation. Pharmacological studies by various groups of investigators have shown that natural herbs possess significant radioprotective activity. In view of the immense medicinal importance of natural product based radioprotective agents, this review aims at compiling all currently available information on radioprotective agents from medicinal plants and herbs, especially the evaluation methods and mechanisms of action. In this review we particularly emphasize on ethnomedicinal uses, botany, phytochemistry, mechanisms of action and toxicology. We also describe modern techniques for evaluating herbal samples as radioprotective agents. The usage of herbal remedies for combating lethal irradiation is a green antiirradiation approach for the betterment of human beings without high cost, side effects and toxicity

Evidence for Oxidative Stress and Defective Antioxidant Response in Guinea Pigs with Tuberculosis

The development of granulomatous inflammation with caseous necrosis is an important but poorly understood manifestation of tuberculosis in humans and some animal models. In this study we measured the byproducts of oxidative stress in granulomatous lesions as well as the systemic antioxidant capacity of BCG vaccinated and non-vaccinated guinea pigs experimentally infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In non-vaccinated guinea pigs, oxidative stress was evident within 2 weeks of infection as measured by a decrease in the serum total antioxidant capacity and blood glutathione levels accompanied by an increase in malondialdehyde, a byproduct of lipid peroxidation, within lesions. Despite a decrease in total and reduced blood glutathione concentrations, there was an increase in lesion glutathione by immunohistochemistry in response to localized oxidative stress. In addition there was an increase in the expression of the host transcription factor nuclear erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which regulates several protein and non-proteins antioxidants, including glutathione. Despite the increase in cytoplasmic expression of Nrf2, immunohistochemical staining revealed a defect in Nrf2 nuclear translocation within granulomatous lesions as well as a decrease in the expression of the Nrf2-regulated antioxidant protein NQO1. Treating M. tuberculosis–infected guinea pigs with the antioxidant drug N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) partially restored blood glutathione concentrations and the serum total antioxidant capacity. Treatment with NAC also decreased spleen bacterial counts, as well as decreased the lung and spleen lesion burden and the severity of lesion necrosis. These data suggest that the progressive oxidative stress during experimental tuberculosis in guinea pigs is due in part to a defect in host antioxidant defenses, which, we show here, can be partially restored with antioxidant treatment. These data suggest that the therapeutic strategies that reduce oxidant-mediated tissue damage may be beneficial as an adjunct therapy in the treatment and prevention of tuberculosis in humans

Effect of Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri infection on fruit quality, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of ‘Deveci’ pear,

Pear decline is an important threat for Turkish pear production. In this study, we attempt to compare several pomological characteristics, total phenolic content and total antioxidant capacities in Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri infected and noninfected ‘Deveci’ pear from Bursa, Turkey. Based on pear decline symptoms, the fruit samples were taken in October 2008 on harvest maturity from four infected and non-infected trees. Presence of Candidatus P. pyri was later confirmed by nested PCR tests. The result indicated that infection significantly reduced fruit size, width, length; and increased pH, color values of a, b and hue. Abortive and healthy seed numbers and weights, soluble solids and acidity did not change significantly. Similarly, the infection did not affect the flesh color. To investigate a possible differential response on skin and flesh of fruits, total phenolic (TP) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) analyses were conducted on skin and flesh tissues separately. The results indicated that, infected skin tissue had higher total phenolic and total antioxidant capacity for both methods analyzed (TEAC and FRAP). TP content of skin increased from 806 to 923 μg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g fresh weight (fw) while TP content of flesh increased from 195 to 249 μg GAE/g fw. TAC also found to be enhanced on infected fruits. On average, non-infected trees had 32.4 and 28.3 μmol TE/g fw for TEAC and FRAP, respectively. Infection increased these averages to 35.4 and 32.3 μmol TE/g fw tabulating 18 and 12% increase in flesh tissue. Similarly, the TEAC and FRAP averages increased from 4.0 to 5.8 and 3.3 to 4.9 μmol TE/g fw, respectively.Keywords: Abiotic stress, FRAP, pear decline, phytoplasma, TEA

Time course of oxidative damage in different brain regions following transient cerebral ischemia in gerbils

The time course of oxidative damage in different brain regions was investigated in the gerbil model of transient cerebral ischemia. Animals were subjected to both common carotid arteries occlusion for 5 min. After the end of ischemia and at different reperfusion times (2, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 h and 7 days), markers of lipid peroxidation, reduced and oxidized glutathione levels, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and copper/zinc containing SOD (Cu/ZnSOD) activities were measured in hippocampus, cortex and striatum. Oxidative damage in hippocampus was maximal at late stages after ischemia (48-96 h) coincident with a significant impairment in glutathione homeostasis. MnSOD increased in hippocampus at 24, 48 and 72 h after ischemia, coincident with the marked reduction in the activity of glutathione-related enzymes. The late disturbance in oxidant-antioxidant balance corresponds with the time course of delayed neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA1 sector. Cerebral cortex showed early changes in oxidative damage with no significant impairment in antioxidant capacity. Striatal lipid peroxidation significantly increased as early as 2 h after ischemia and persisted until 48 h with respect to the sham-operated group. These results contribute significant information on the timing and factors that influence free radical formation following ischemic brain injury, an essential step in determining effective antioxidant intervention