Terpenoid biotransformations by Mucor species

Terpenoids are natural products of great interest due to their widespread use in agrochemicals, drugs, fragrances, flavouring and pigments. Biocatalysts are increasingly being used in the search for new derivatives with improved properties especially to obtain structurally novel leads for new drugs which are difficult to obtain using conventional organic chemical methods. This review, covering up to the end of 2012, reports on the application of Mucor species as catalysts in terpenoid biotransformation to obtain new drug targets, enhance pharmacological activity or decrease the unwanted effects of starting material

Additional file 1: of Gold Nanoparticles as a Direct and Rapid Sensor for Sensitive Analytical Detection of Biogenic Amines

UV–vis spectra of GNPs, histidine–GNPs, histamine–GNPs, FS–GNPs, SS–GNPs. (DOCX 76 kb

Role of N-Acetylcysteine and Coenzyme Q10 in the Amelioration of Myocardial Energy Expenditure and Oxidative Stress, Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride Intoxication in Rats

This study is designed to evaluate the potential impact of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) each alone or in combination against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced cardiac damage in rats. Animals were treated with CCl 4 in single intraperitoneal dose of 1 mL/Kg body weight; CCl 4 -intoxicated animals were pretreated with 20 mg/kg/d NAC or pretreated with 200 mg/kg/d CoQ10 or NAC and CoQ10 with the same previously mentioned doses. Carbon tetrachloride–intoxicated rats showed a significant elevation in nitric oxide and lipid peroxides and downregulation in reduced glutathione level and calcium adenosine triphosphatase. Cardiac glycolytic enzymes levels such as lactate dehydrogenase, phosphofructokinase, and hexokinase were declined coupled with a reduction in glucose content after CCl 4 treatment. Moreover, myocardial hydroxyproline level was significantly increased after CCl 4 -treatment indicating accumulation of interstitial collagen. N-acetyl cysteine and/or CoQ10 effectively alleviated the disturbances in myocardial oxidative stress and antioxidant markers. These antioxidants effectively upregulated the reduction in cardiac energetic biomarkers due to CCl 4 treatment. N-acetyl cysteine and/or CoQ10 significantly decreased hydroxyproline level compared to that of CCl 4 -treated rats. The current data showed that the aforementioned antioxidants have a remarkable cardioprotective effect, suggesting that they may be useful as prophylactic agents against the detrimental effects of cardiotoxins

Nutritional, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anticholinesterase Properties of <i>Phyllanthus emblica</i>: A Study Supported by Spectroscopic and Computational Investigations

Dietary fruits and vegetables play a vital role as food and drugs and are the main sources of antioxidant defences against degenerative diseases, such as brain dysfunctions, cardiovascular diseases, immune system deteriorations, and cancers, brought on by oxidative damage. Phyllanthus emblica is a significant herbal remedy used in conventional medicine to recover lost strength and power. In this research, the potential value of Phyllanthus emblica as a food and drug is researched. The total phenolic, total flavonoid, and total tannin contents as well as the nutritional value, vitamin C, vitamin E, and mineral contents of different organs of P. emblica were evaluated. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of extracts and fractions of different organs of P. emblica were determined. A total of eleven flavonoids, simple phenolic, tannin-related phenolic, and tannin molecules were isolated from a hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves and fruits. The structures were identified by spectroscopic data and comparison with the literature values as gallic acid (1), naringenin 7-O-(6″-O-galloyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), 3,3′-di-O-methyl ellagic acid-4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), 1-O-galloyl glycerol (4), 1,6-di-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), flavogallonic acid bislactone (6), corilagin (7), ethyl gallate (8), urolithin M5 (9), (E)-p-coumaroyl-1-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (10), and 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (11). Among them, compounds 3 and 10 are first isolated from the plant. Molecular docking was performed to investigate the comparative interactions between positive controls (galantamine and donepezil) and selected compounds utilizing acetylcholinesterase (4EY7) as a target receptor. Results exhibited the potency of these compounds against the target receptor. In summary, P. emblica has a wealth of minerals, vitamins C and E, and polyphenolic phytochemicals that may work together to treat infectious disease, prevent and/or treat oxidative-damage-related illnesses including Alzheimer’s disease

State of the Art in Separation Processes for Alternative Working Fluids in Clean and Efficient Power Generation

Gas turbines must now comply with much stricter emission control regulations. In fact, to combat the greenhouse effect, regulatory authorities have drastically reduced allowable emission levels. For example, in less than 12 years, the United States' Clean Air Act issued the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), which tightened the NOx emission margin of natural gas combustion (from 75 ppm to 10 ppm). On the other hand, despite those efforts, the high demand for energy produced by fossil-fueled gas turbines in power plants has resulted in dramatic increases in anthropogenic CO2 and NOx emitted by gas combustors. Most systems responsible for these undesirable emissions are directly linked to power generation, with gas turbines playing a pivotal role. Yet, gas turbines are still widely used in power plants and will continue to meet the growing demand. Therefore, sequestration and separation techniques such as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Air Separation Units (ASU) are essential to reduce CO2 and NOx emissions while allowing large amounts of power to be generated from these systems. This paper provides an in-depth exami-nation of the current state of the art in alternative working fluids utilized in the power generation industry (i.e., gas turbines, combustion). In addition, this paper highlights the recent contribution of integrating separation techniques, such as air separation, steam methane reforming, and water-gas shifting, to the power generation industry to facilitate a continuous and adequate supply of alternative working fluids.Funding: This publication was made possible by NPRP 13 grant # [NPRP13S-0203-200243] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The findings herein reflect the work and are solely the responsibility of the author.Scopu

Arctium lappa Root Extract Prevents Lead-Induced Liver Injury by Attenuating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation, and Activating Akt/GSK-3β Signaling

Arctium lappa L. (A. lappa) is a popular medicinal plant with promising hepatoprotective activity. This study investigated the protective effect of A. lappa root extract (ALRE) on lead (Pb) hepatotoxicity, pointing to its ability to modulate oxidative stress, inflammation, and protein kinase B/Akt/glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3&beta; signaling. Rats received 50 mg/kg lead acetate (Pb(Ac)2) and 200 mg/kg ALRE or vitamin C (Vit. C) for 7 days, and blood and liver samples were collected. Pb(Ac)2 provoked hepatotoxicity manifested by elevated serum transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase, and decreased total protein. Histopathological alterations, including distorted lobular hepatic architecture, microsteatotic changes, congestion, and massive necrosis were observed in Pb(II)-induced rats. ALRE ameliorated liver function and prevented all histological alterations. Pb(II) increased hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), caspase-3, and DNA fragmentation, and serum C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-&alpha;, and interleukin-1&beta;. Cellular antioxidants, and Akt and GSK-3&beta; phosphorylation levels were decreased in the liver of Pb(II)-induced rats. ALRE ameliorated LPO, NO, caspase-3, DNA fragmentation and inflammatory mediators, and boosted antioxidant defenses in Pb(II)-induced rats. In addition, ALRE activated Akt and inhibited GSK-3&beta; in the liver of Pb(II)-induced rats. In conclusion, ALRE inhibits liver injury in Pb(II)-intoxicated rats by attenuating oxidative injury and inflammation, and activation of Akt/GSK-3&beta; signaling pathway

Reproductive Injury in Male Rats from Acrylamide Toxicity and Potential Protection by Earthworm Methanolic Extract

This study examined the protective effect of earthworm extract (EE) on acrylamide (ACR)-induced reproductive dysfunction. Forty male rats were allocated into four groups (n = 10). The G I (control) group received distilled water (D.W.). The G II group received ACR (5 mg kg&minus;1 B.W. in D.W.) 5 days per week, orally, for 3 weeks. The G III group was administered EE (300 mg kg&minus;1 B.W in D.W.) 5 days per week, orally, for 3 weeks. The G IV group was pretreated with EE for 3 weeks and then co-treated with EE and ACR for an additional 3 weeks. ACR decreased the number of sperm, sperm viability, and total motility. However, it increased testosterone levels with no effect on the FSH or LH levels. Moreover, ACR increased the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO). Meanwhile, it decreased the glutathione (GSH) concentration in testicular tissues. Notably, the expression levels of p53 and Ki-67 were increased in the degenerated spermatogenic cells and in the hyperplastic Leydig cells of the testis of the ACR-treated group, respectively. Acrylamide induced alterations in the testicular tissue architecture. Interestingly, EE restored the sperm parameters and recovered the testicular histological structures and the biochemical alterations induced by ACR. In conclusion, earthworm extract ameliorated ACR-induced reproductive toxicity via restoring the testicular antioxidant balance and suppressing p53 and Ki-67 expressions in testicular tissues