Exploring the Chemical Profile, In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of <i>Santolina rosmarinifolia</i> Extracts

In this study, the phytochemical composition, in vitro antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous and 60% ethanolic (EtOH) extracts of Santolina rosmarinifolia leaf, flower, and root were examined. The antioxidant activity of S. rosmarinifolia extracts was determined by 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. The total phenolic content (TPC) of the extracts was measured by the Folin–Ciocalteu assay. The anti-inflammatory effect of the extracts was monitored by the Griess assay. The chemical composition of S. rosmarinifolia extracts was analysed using the LC-MS technique. According to our findings, 60% EtOH leaf extracts showed the highest Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) values in both ABTS (8.39 ± 0.43 µM) and DPPH (6.71 ± 0.03 µM) antioxidant activity assays. The TPC values of the samples were in good correspondence with the antioxidant activity measurements and showed the highest gallic acid equivalent value (130.17 ± 0.01 µg/mL) in 60% EtOH leaf extracts. In addition, the 60% EtOH extracts of the leaves were revealed to possess the highest anti-inflammatory effect. The LC-MS analysis of S. rosmarinifolia extracts proved the presence of ascorbic acid, catalpol, chrysin, epigallocatechin, geraniol, isoquercitrin, and theanine, among others, for the first time. However, additional studies are needed to investigate the direct relationship between the chemical composition and physiological effects of the herb. The 60% EtOH extracts of S. rosmarinifolia leaves are potential new sources of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory molecules in the production of novel nutraceutical products

Influence of silicon on aluminium toxicity in common and durum wheats

In acid soils, aluminium toxicity is the primary stress factor limiting the growth of plants. Silicon may reduce the toxic effects of Al in hydroponic culture. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Al and Si treatments on the growth and potassium uptake of roots and transport to the shoots of an Al-resistant common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and an Al-sensitive durum wheat (T. durum Desf.). Seedlings were grown hydroponically, at pH 4.1, with different levels of Al and Si. Increased levels of Al (0-100 $\mu$M) in the solution reduced root growth; however, shoot growth was not influenced, except in durum wheat in 7-d experiments. Si in the growth solution enabled plants to overcome Al toxicity symptoms. Seedlings of durum wheat proved to be more sensitive to Al and Si treatments. In short-term (6 h) uptake experiments, Si reduced the stimulatory effect of Al on K$^+$($^{86}$Rb) uptake of roots, which indicated a definite Al-Si interaction, principally in the roots. In long-term (4 d) Si pre-treatment experiments, no post-effect was detected.Influence du silicium sur la toxicité de l'aluminium chez le blé tendre et le blé dur. Dans les sols acides, la toxicité de l'aluminium est la première contrainte qui limite la croissance des plantes. Le silicium pourrait réduire les effets toxiques de l'aluminium en culture hydroponique. L'objectif de cette étude a été d'examiner les effets des traitements à base d'aluminium et de silicium sur la croissance et l'absorption de potassium des racines et son transport vers les tiges d'un blé tendre résistant à la toxicité de l'Al (Triticum aestivum L.) et d'un blé dur sensible à l'Al (Triticum durum Desf.). Les semis ont été effectués en culture hydroponique à un pH de 4.1 avec différents niveaux d'Al et de Si. L'accroissement des niveaux d'Al (0 à 100 $\mu$M) dans la solution a réduit la croissance des racines, alors que la croissance des tiges n'était pas influencée excepté pour le blé dur dans les expériences de 7 jours. Le Si dans les solutions nutritives a permis aux plantes d'échapper aux symptômes de la toxicité de l'Al. Les semis de blé dur ses ont montré être plus sensibles au traitement à l'Al et Si. Dans les expériences d'absorption à court-terme (6 heures), le Si a réduit l'effet stimulant de l'Al sur le prélèvement de K$^+$($^{86}$Rb) par les racines qui indiquaient une interaction définie Al-Si principalement dans les racines. Dans les expériences de pré-traitement avec Si à long terme (4 jours) aucun effet remanant n'a été détecté

Mass Spectrometric Identification of Ancient Proteins as Potential Molecular Biomarkers for a 2000-Year-Old Osteogenic Sarcoma

<div><p>Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant tumor of bone usually occurring in young adolescent and children. This disease has a poor prognosis, because of the metastases in the period of tumor progression, which are usually developed previous to the clinical diagnosis. In this paper, a 2000-year-old ancient bone remain with osteogenic sarcoma was analyzed searching for tumor biomarkers which are closely related to this disease. After a specific extraction SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis followed by tryptic digestion was performed. After the digestion the samples were measured using MALDI TOF/TOF MS. Healthy bone samples from same archaeological site were used as control samples. Our results show that in the pathological skeletal remain several well known tumor biomarkers are detected such as annexin A10, BCL-2-like protein, calgizzarin, rho GTPase-activating protein 7, HSP beta-6 protein, transferrin and vimentin compared to the control samples. The identified protein biomarkers can be useful in the discovery of malignant bone lesions such as osteosarcoma in the very early stage of the disease from paleoanthropological remains.</p></div

Representative mass spectra and the list of the identified tryptic peptides of two identified tumor biomarkers.

<p>A) Annexin A10, B) Vimentin. Some keratin contamination has been detected in the sample, the tryptic peptides of keratin were used as internal calibration standards and the peaks are marked with asterisk.</p

The line drawing map of the archaeological site.

<p>At this site we uncovered 33 graves from the late Roman period, arranged in four rows, very close to each other. Grave 186 (indicated with an red arrow) is located in the south-eastern section of the site, at 270–90°. The upper perimeter dimensions of the grave were 218 by 126 cm, the base 185 by 120 cm, with a depth of 48 cm.</p

Characteristic 1D SDS PAGE electrophoretogram of healthy control and the pathological bone samples.

<p>Lanes 1 and 2 are healthy control samples from Hodmezovasarhely-Gorzsa and Szegvar-Oromdulo, lanes 3–6 are osteosarcoma samples. Arrows show the spots of Annexin A10 (37.3 kDa) and Vimentin (26.8 kDa). The parameters of the separation are mentioned in the text.</p

The identified up-regulated proteins from 2000-year-old osteogenic sarcoma.

<p>(Mascot score>50).</p