The Effect of Ginger Active Component (Zerumbone) on Human Cancer Cells.

Zerumbone, a sesquiterpene extracted from rhizomes of ginger (zingiber zerumbet Smith) is reported to have anti-proliferative activities and can induce toxicity in human cancer cells. However, its molecular mechanisms' are still poorly understood. In this study, in vitro antioxidant (DPPH, H2O2, Fe2+ chelating and reducing power), apoptotic and anti-proliferative activities of zerumbone were investigated in human cancer cells. The specific objective was to identify whether zerumbone-induced cell death occurs through apoptosis, autophagy, necrosis or another fmID of cell death by undeliaking morphological and biochemical characterisation. Human cancer cell line (Caco-2, Huh-7 and EA.hy926) viability and activity with time and in the presence of different concentrations of zerumbone were investigated using LDH. In addition, characterisation of cell death induced by different concentrations of zerumbone including changes in cell sizerphosphatidylserine externalization, caspase activation and P ARP-l involvement were studied. The results showed that cancer cell death occulTed in the absence of DNA fragmentation and caspase activation at (5 g/μml). Additionally, cancer cell death was characterised by cell shrinkage and an absence of necrotic cell death pathway. Anti-proliferative activity of zerumbone (5 and 10 Ilg/ml) on human cancer cells was also investigated by changes in the DNA content using flow cytometry

The Effect of Ginger Active Component (Zerumbone) on Human Cancer Cells.

Zerumbone, a sesquiterpene extracted from rhizomes of ginger (zingiber zerumbet Smith) is reported to have anti-proliferative activities and can induce toxicity in human cancer cells. However, its molecular mechanisms' are still poorly understood. In this study, in vitro antioxidant (DPPH, H2O2, Fe2+ chelating and reducing power), apoptotic and anti-proliferative activities of zerumbone were investigated in human cancer cells. The specific objective was to identify whether zerumbone-induced cell death occurs through apoptosis, autophagy, necrosis or another fmID of cell death by undeliaking morphological and biochemical characterisation. Human cancer cell line (Caco-2, Huh-7 and EA.hy926) viability and activity with time and in the presence of different concentrations of zerumbone were investigated using LDH. In addition, characterisation of cell death induced by different concentrations of zerumbone including changes in cell sizerphosphatidylserine externalization, caspase activation and P ARP-l involvement were studied. The results showed that cancer cell death occulTed in the absence of DNA fragmentation and caspase activation at (5 g/μml). Additionally, cancer cell death was characterised by cell shrinkage and an absence of necrotic cell death pathway. Anti-proliferative activity of zerumbone (5 and 10 Ilg/ml) on human cancer cells was also investigated by changes in the DNA content using flow cytometry

Protective Effects of Punicalagin on Caco-2 Intestine Cell Line under Oxidative Stress Caused by Tert-butyl hydroperoxide

Hydrolysable tannin polyphenols from pomegranate (punicalagin) have been reported to show a wide range of health properties correlated to their high antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. The objective of the current study was to investigate the protective effect of punicalagin on cell viability and redox status of cultured Caco-2 cells exposed to oxidative stress induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The production of malondialdehyde, and total glutathione levels, as well as the generation of reactive oxygen species were used as markers of cellular oxidative status. Pretreatment of Caco-2 cells with 5 and 10 µM punicalagin for 24 hours significantly protected cell viability after exposure to tert-butyl hydroperoxide IC50 = 3 mM for 2 hours. The examined doses prevented the decrease of total glutathione and the increase of malondialdehyde induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide in Caco-2 cells. Reactive oxygen species generation provoked by tert-butyl hydroperoxide was significantly reduced at the same concnetrations. Finally, cell morphology with treatments before and after induction by tert-butyl hydroperoxide showed irreversible effect of the oxidizing agent. The results of the biomarkers analyzed showed that treatment of Caco-2 cells with the natural dietary antioxidant punicalagin protected the cells against oxidative stress

Protective Effects of Punicalagin on Caco-2 Intestine Cell Line under Oxidative Stress Caused by Tert-butyl hydroperoxide

Hydrolysable tannin polyphenols from pomegranate (punicalagin) have been reported to show a wide range of health properties correlated to their high antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. The objective of the current study was to investigate the protective effect of punicalagin on cell viability and redox status of cultured Caco-2 cells exposed to oxidative stress induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The production of malondialdehyde, and total glutathione levels, as well as the generation of reactive oxygen species were used as markers of cellular oxidative status. Pretreatment of Caco-2 cells with 5 and 10 µM punicalagin for 24 hours significantly protected cell viability after exposure to tert-butyl hydroperoxide IC50 = 3 mM for 2 hours. The examined doses prevented the decrease of total glutathione and the increase of malondialdehyde induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide in Caco-2 cells. Reactive oxygen species generation provoked by tert-butyl hydroperoxide was significantly reduced at the same concnetrations. Finally, cell morphology with treatments before and after induction by tert-butyl hydroperoxide showed irreversible effect of the oxidizing agent. The results of the biomarkers analyzed showed that treatment of Caco-2 cells with the natural dietary antioxidant punicalagin protected the cells against oxidative stress

Pyrolysis and thermogravimetric study to elucidate the bioenergy potential of novel feedstock produced on poor soils while keeping the environmental sustainability intact

This work focused on exploring the bioenergy potential of biomass produced on salt-affected soils by growing two types of grasses, namely Parthenium hysterophorus (carrot grass) and Pennesetum benthiumo (mott grass), without using fertilizers or pesticides. The whole plant biomass of both grasses was pyrolyzed at three heating rates (10, 30, and 50 °C min−1) in a joined Thermogravimetry–Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TGA–DSC) analyzer under an inert (nitrogen) environment. The pyrolysis of both grasses was shown to occur in a three-stage process, while most of the thermal transformation occurred at the temperature range of 240–400 °C. The pyrolytic behavior was assessed by estimating the kinetic parameters, using the isoconversional models of Kissenger–Akahira–Sunose and Ozawa–Flynn–Wall. The average values of the activation energy of carrot and mott grasses were shown to be 267 kJ mol−1 (R2 ≥ 0.98) and 188 kJ mol−1 (R2 ≥ 0.98), indicating the suitability of both grasses for co-pyrolysis. Whereas, the difference in the values of enthalpy change and the activation energy was shown to be <~5 kJ mol−1 at each fractional point, which indicated that the product formation was being favored. Moreover, the high heating values of carrot grass (18.25 MJ kg−1) and mott grass (18.63 MJ kg−1) have shown a remarkable bioenergy potential and suitability of co-pyrolysis for both grasses. This study will lead to establishing an energy-efficient and cost-effective process for the thermal transformation of biomass to bioenergy

Composition and Potential Health Benefits of Pomegranate: A Review

Background: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruits are widely consumed and used as preventive and therapeutic agents since ancient times. Pomegranate is a rich source of a variety of phytochemicals, which are responsible for its strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory potential. Objective: The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date overview of the current knowledge of chemical structure and potential health benefits of pomegranate. Methods: A comprehensive search of available literature. Results: The review of the literature confirms that juice and extracts obtained from different parts of this plant, including fruit peel, seeds, and leaves exert health benefits in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antimicrobial and anti-tumour effects of pomegranate fruit are of particular scientific and clinical interest. Conclusion: Further investigations are required to clarify the mechanism of action of the bioactive ingredients and to reveal full potential of pomegranate as both preventive and therapeutic agent