Comparative Real Time EPR Investigation of Natural and Synthetic Antioxidants: As Potential Anticancer Agents and Radio-protectors

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the free-radical scavenging activity against DPPH stable radical and protective properties of the natural products SQGD and P. corylifolia and synthetic nitroxyl- free radical containing nitrosoureas SLENU and SLCNUgly against in vivo oxidative toxicity of antitumor drug CCNU. It was found statistically significant increase in the DPPH radical-scavenging capacity of both extracts with increase of radiation. The natural antioxidants were localised mainly in the organs and blood after EPR biodistribution study. All combinations of natural extracts/ synthetics agents exhibited considerably lower levels of Asc. radicals as compared to controls. It should be mentioned that the natural antioxidants possess higher oxidative protection in comparison with the synthetic antioxidants. Considerable decrease in ROS production in livers of mice was found after treatment with SQGD, P. corylifolia and SLENU, alone, compared to controls.In conclusion, because of well-expressed antioxidant activities of natural and synthetic antioxidants they might be used in the combination anticancer chemotherapy for reducing toxicity caused by anticancer drugs and/or low levels radiation therapy

Pregnancy Rates Associated with Oxidative Stress after Estrus Synchronization of Bulgarian Murrah Buffaloes in Breeding and Non-Breeding Season

Background: The current study aims to measure the effect of oxidative stress on the pregnancy rates of Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes during the breeding and non-breeding season. Methods: The study group consisted of 24 mature buffaloes more than 40 days after parturition. The following parameters were measured: Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) products, Ascorbate radicals, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Nitric Oxide (NO), Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), Protein Carbonyl Content (PPC), and total Nitric oxide. The Presynch/Ovsynch protocol was used for estrus synchronization. Results: A statistically significant increase in ROS products were measured in blood serum during the breeding season compared with the non-breeding season. The highest levels measured were in non-pregnant buffaloes during the breeding season. High levels of oxidative stress were registered due to low SOD activity in buffaloes during the breeding season compared to SOD activity during the non-breeding season. The highest SOD activity was observed in non-pregnant buffaloes during the summer season. The lowest GSH-Px levels were observed in non-pregnant buffaloes during both study periods. During the breeding season, concentrations of total NO and PPC were elevated. Conclusion: Comparing the obtained results for oxidative stress and antioxidant activity concerning pregnancy rate depending on the season showed that pregnancy in buffaloes during the breeding season was realized at higher values of NO and SOD. Increased oxidative stress was observed, resulting in a statistically significant increase in serum ROS products, as well as decreased SOD activity in buffaloes during the breeding season

Pulmonary Protein Oxidation and Oxidative Stress Modulation by Lemna minor L. in Progressive Bleomycin-Induced Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Bleomycin (BLM) administration is associated with multifunctional proteins inflammations and induction of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Lemna minor L. extract, a free-floating monocot macrophyte possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. The aim of the study was to examine the protective effect of L. minor extract on lung protein oxidation and oxidative stress modulation by BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in Balb/c mice. For this purpose, the protein carbonyl content, advanced glycation end product, nitroxide protein oxidation (5-MSL), and lipid peroxidation (as MDA and ROS), in lung cells were examined. The histological examinations, collagen deposition, and quantitative measurements of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF in lung tissues and blood were investigated. Intraperitoneal, BLM administration (0.069 U/mL; 0.29 U/kg b.w.) for 33 days, caused IPF induction in Balb/c mice. Pulmonary combining therapy was administered with L. minor at dose 120 mg/mL (0.187 mg/kg b.w.). L. minor histologically ameliorated BLM induced IPF in lung tissues. L. minor significantly modulated (p < 0.05) BLM-alterations induced in lung hydroxyproline, carbonylated proteins, 5-MSL-protein oxidation. Oxidative stress decreased levels in antioxidant enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems in the lung were significantly regulated (p < 0.05) by L. minor. L. minor decreased the IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α expression in lung tissues and plasma. The L. minor improves the preventive effect/defense response in specific pulmonary protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, ROS identifications, and cytokine modulation by BLM-induced chronic inflammations, and could be a good antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic alternative or IPF prevention involved in their pathogenesis

Oxidative Stress and Cocaine Intoxication as Start Points in the Pathology of Cocaine-Induced Cardiotoxicity

Psychomotor stimulants are the most commonly used prohibited substances after cannabis. Globally, their use reaches epidemiological proportions and is one of the most common causes of death in many countries. The use of illicit drugs has negative effects on the cardiovascular system and is one of the causes of serious cardiovascular pathologies, ranging from abnormal heart rhythms to heart attacks and sudden cardiac death. The reactive oxygen species generation, toxic metabolites formation, and oxidative stress play a significant role in cocaine-induced cardiotoxicity. The aim of the present review is to assess acute and chronic cocaine toxicity by focusing on the published literature regarding oxidative stress levels. Hypothetically, this study can serve as a basis for developing a rapid and effective method for determining oxidative stress levels by monitoring changes in the redox status of patients with cocaine intoxication

Water-Soluble Alkali Lignin as a Natural Radical Scavenger and Anticancer Alternative

Several phytochemicals, which display antioxidant activity and inhibit cancer cell phenotypes, could be used for cancer treatment and prevention. Lignin, as a part of plant biomass, is the second most abundant natural biopolymer worldwide, and represents approximately 30% of the total organic carbon content of the biosphere. Historically, lignin-based products have been viewed as waste materials of limited industrial usefulness, but modern technologies highlight the applicability of lignin in a variety of industrial branches, including biomedicine. The aims of our preliminary study were to compare the antioxidant properties of water-soluble alkali lignin solutions, before and after UV-B irradiation, as well as to clarify their effect on colon cancer cell viability (Colon 26), applied at low (tolerable) concentrations. The results showed a high antioxidant capacity of lignin solutions, compared to a water-soluble control antioxidant standard (Trolox) and remarkable radical scavenging activity was observed after their UV-B irradiation. Diminishment of cell viability as well as inhibition of the proliferative activity of the colon cancer cell line with an increase in alkali lignin concentrations were observed. Our results confirmed that, due to its biodegradable and biocompatible nature, lignin could be a potential agent for cancer therapy, especially in nanomedicine as a drug delivery system

The <i>Azadirachta indica</i> (Neem) Seed Oil Reduced Chronic Redox-Homeostasis Imbalance in a Mice Experimental Model on Ochratoxine A-Induced Hepatotoxicity

Liver damage severity depends on both the dose and the exposure duration. Oxidative stress may increase the Ochratoxine-A (OTA) hepatotoxicity and many antioxidants may counteract toxic liver function. The present study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective potential of Azadirachta indicaA (A. indica; neem oil) seed oil to reduce acute oxidative disorders and residual OTA toxicity in a 28-day experimental model. The activity of antioxidant and hepatic enzymes, cytokines and the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers –MDA, GSPx, Hydroxiproline, GST, PCC, AGEs, PGC-1, and STIR-1 were analyzed by ELISA. The free radicals ROS and RNS levels were measured by EPR. The protective effects were studied in BALB/C mice treated with A. indica seed oil (170 mg/kg), alone and in combination with OTA (1.25 mg/kg), by gavage daily for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, mice treated with OTA showed changes in liver and antioxidant enzymes, and oxidative stress parameters in the liver and blood. A. indica oil significantly reduced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation compared to the OTA group. In addition, the hepatic histological evaluation showed significant adipose tissue accumulation in OTA-treated tissues, while treatment with 170 mg/kg A. indica oil showed moderate adipose tissue accumulation

Is Illicit Substance Use Gender-Specific? The Basic Points of Mental and Health Disorders

Among the groups of users of illicit substances, a high percentage are persons deprived of their liberty; at the same time, each social and age group is also affected, to one degree or another. The purpose of this study is to provide general data on the relationship between different psychostimulants, clinical and socio-demographic studies, and gender, both among the general population and in one of the most at-risk groups. This review identifies the use of illicit substances as gender-specific in the general population. A detailed study of the causal relationship between the use of illicit substances and gender was carried out. Electronic databases Academic Search Complete, PubMed, HealthCare, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies up to 2022 associated with drug abuse and mental and health disorders. The analysis indicated that the human population showed significant differences between the sex of the consumer as to the type of drug consumers, development of addiction, and relapse. We focus on the pathological changes caused by drug use, the personal and physiological individual traits that influence drug choice, and the extent of use in one of the most affected groups of individuals. The study may provide some guidance in developing gender-specific treatment and prevention, including response to some pharmacological and behavioral therapies. The review is intended for a wide audience of social workers, toxicologists, and pharmacologists

Flavonoids Extraction Kinetics, Antimicrobial Activity and Radical Scavenging Potential of Bulgarian Woundwort (Solidago virgaurea L.)

The medicinal plant woundwort (Solidago virgaurea L.) characterizes by diuretic, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory activity and it has been applied for urinary tract, nephrolithiasis and prostate disorders treatment. The aim of the present study was to analyze the extraction kinetics of catechin, epigallocatechin and quercetin from Bulgarian woundwort extracts, to assess the antibacterial potential of the medicinal plant extracts against four bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Bacillus cereus), their antioxidant capacity and radical scavenging potential. The concentrations of the flavonoids in the extracts obtained at different extraction conditions (solvent, temperature, extraction time) were determined by newly-developed by the scientific team RP-HPLC-PDA methodologies. The agar well diffusion method was applied to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the plant extracts. The 70% EtOH extracts at 20 &deg;C displayed significantly higher antibacterial activity against the foodborne pathogenic bacteria S. aureus and P. aeruginosa as compared to the 70% and 98% EtOH extracts at 30 &deg;C and 20 &deg;C, respectively. The medicinal plant exhibited satisfactory antioxidant potential and radical-scavenging activity

Therapeutic approach of glutathione/glutathione peroxidase-4 axis modulation in the light of ferroptosis

In the 21st century beginning, the evidence of a new type of programmed cell death, different from apoptosis, began to accumulate. In 2012, the ferroptosis concept was officially introduced. It refers to a kind of cell death that is associated with iron accumulation in the cell, impaired redox potential, and ROS increment with concomitant lipid peroxidation. Ferroptosis plays an important role in the pathophysiology of several organ damages such as tumors, neurodegenerative, ischemia-reperfusion, inflammatory diseases, and others. In ferroptosis, the leading mechanism is the glutathione (GSH) depletion and inactivation of Glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPX4), which strongly shifts the oxidative balance in the cell, leading to the activation of certain signalling pathways to induce oxidative death. The article aims to focus attention on the modulation of the GSH/GPX axis as a key factor in the treatment of these diseases

Flavonoids Extraction Kinetics, Antimicrobial Activity and Radical Scavenging Potential of Bulgarian Woundwort (<i>Solidago virgaurea</i> L.)

The medicinal plant woundwort (Solidago virgaurea L.) characterizes by diuretic, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory activity and it has been applied for urinary tract, nephrolithiasis and prostate disorders treatment. The aim of the present study was to analyze the extraction kinetics of catechin, epigallocatechin and quercetin from Bulgarian woundwort extracts, to assess the antibacterial potential of the medicinal plant extracts against four bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Bacillus cereus), their antioxidant capacity and radical scavenging potential. The concentrations of the flavonoids in the extracts obtained at different extraction conditions (solvent, temperature, extraction time) were determined by newly-developed by the scientific team RP-HPLC-PDA methodologies. The agar well diffusion method was applied to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the plant extracts. The 70% EtOH extracts at 20 °C displayed significantly higher antibacterial activity against the foodborne pathogenic bacteria S. aureus and P. aeruginosa as compared to the 70% and 98% EtOH extracts at 30 °C and 20 °C, respectively. The medicinal plant exhibited satisfactory antioxidant potential and radical-scavenging activity