Cytotoxic Activity and Composition of Petroleum Ether Extract from Magydaris tomentosa (Desf.) W. D. J. Koch (Apiaceae).

The petroleum ether extract of Magydaris tomentosa flowers (Desf.) W. D. J. Koch has been analyzed by GC-MS. It is mainly constituted by furanocoumarins such as xanthotoxin, xanthotoxol, isopimpinellin, and bergaptene. Other coumarins such as 7-methoxy-8-(2-formyl-2-methylpropyl) coumarin and osthole also occurred. The antiproliferative activity of Magydaris tomentosa flower extract has been evaluated in vitro on murine monocyte/macrophages (J774A.1), human melanoma (A375) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) tumor cell lines, showing a major activity against the latter

Chemistry meets Industry and Society A creative showcase conference

Buffalo milk contributes to 13% of the world milk production and is abundantly produced in Southern Italy regions. Buffalo milk is appreciated for its nutritive properties and is highly suitable for the manufacturing of wide range of dairy products. Several studies showed many bioactive peptides in different dairy species such as bovine, ovine and caprine milk, but few studies have been conducted on the buffalo dairy products (1). The present work is focused on the identification of bioactive peptides released after in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion of protein fraction isolated from buffalo-milk dairy products by ultra- and nanofiltration pilot plant. The gastrointestinal digests of protein fractions were monitored by RP-UHPLC-DAD, while, the peptide identification was carried out by UHPLC-Orbitrap-based tandem mass spectrometry. 165 peptides were identified in Yoghurt, 152 in Scamorza, 146 in Mozzarella, 136 in Grana and Ricotta and 120 in Ice Cream samples (1). The peptides belong to both buffalo caseins (αs1-, β-, k-CN) and whey proteins (α-LA, β-LG). Six G.I. digests of dairy products were tested in a model of oxidative stress using IEC-6 cells. Among them, buffalo ricotta cheese was the most active. UHPLC-PDA-MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of two abundant β-lactoglobulin peptides (BRP: YVEELKPTPEGDL, f:60-72 and BRP2: SFNPTQL, f:168-174). To confirm the hypothesized chemical structures and study their specific biological activity, the peptides were synthesized by conventional solid-phase peptide synthesis methods. The antioxidant potential of the identified peptides was then evaluated in a model of hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress in IEC-6 cell line. The peptides reduce ROS release and increase nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 activation and the expression of antioxidant cytoprotective factors such as heme oxygenase 1, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 and superoxide dismutase (2). The bioavailability of β-lactoglobulin peptides was evaluated in intestinal transport studies through Caco-2 cell monolayer. Only BRP2 showed equal bi-directional transport and linear permeability, suggesting that it was mainly absorbed through passive diffusion. In addition to its local effects, administration of BPR2 on mice mesenteric arteries counteracts the Angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction by Nrf2 nuclear translocation, reduction of active form of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) and NADPH oxidase activity. The analysis at molecular level of treated vessels showed an induction of Nrf2 translocation to nucleus associated with increased expression of MnSOD and Rac1 deactivation. The data indicate how protein fraction of buffalo ricotta cheese could be an important source of antioxidant compounds, as well as YVEELKPTPEGDL and SFNPTQL peptides could be considered as an “ingredient” for nutraceuticals formulations and functional and personalized foods, in order to prevent the onset of some gastrointestinal pathologies and cardiovascular diseases

Bioavailable Citrus sinensis extract: Polyphenolic composition and biological activity

Citrus plants contain large amounts of flavonoids with beneficial effects on human health. In the present study, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of bioavailable polyphenols from Citrus sinensis was evaluated in vitro and ex vivo, using the murine macrophages cell line J774A.1 and primary peritoneal macrophages. Following simulated gastro-intestinal digestion, the in vitro bioavailability of Citrus sinensis polyphenolic extract was assessed using the human cell line Caco-2 grown as monolayers on a transwell membrane. Data demonstrated a relative permeation of its compounds (8.3%). Thus, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of polyphenolic Citrus sinensis fraction (Cs) was compared to the bioavailable one (CsB). Results revealed that Citrus extract were able to reduce macrophages pro-inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide, iNOS, COX-2 and different cytokines. Moreover, the effect of Citrus sinensis polyphenols was associated with antioxidant effects, such as a reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) increased expression. Our results provide evidence that the bioavailable polyphenolic constituents of the Citrus sinensis extract accumulate prevalently at intestinal level and could reach systemic circulation exerting their effect. The bioavailable fraction showed a higher anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential compared to the initial extract, thus highlighting its potential nutraceutical value

Hydrogen Peroxide Promotes Injury-Induced Peripheral Sensory Axon Regeneration in the Zebrafish Skin

Production of H2O2 by injured zebrafish skin cells promotes the regeneration of nearby somatosensory axon terminals, thus coordinating wound healing of the skin with sensory reinnervation

Sulla costituenda Camera arbitrale per le vertenze economiche FIGC (con lo sguardo rivolto alla Commissione vertenze arbitrali FIP)

Il saggio esamina la natura e le funzioni della nuova Camera arbitrale per le vertenze economiche della Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC). In attesa che sia emanato il Regolamento della Camera, l’Autore compie una serie di riflessioni, anche de iure condendo, sulla struttura della Camera arbitrale, sul carattere rituale o irrituale degli arbitrati da essa amministrati, sulla composizione degli organismi arbitrali giudicanti, sul criterio di decisione delle controversie e sull’esecuzione del lodo. A tal fine, utili spunti per il ragionamento sono forniti dal confronto con la disciplina della Commissione vertenze arbitrali della Federazione Italiana Pallacanestro (FIP). L’analisi complessiva lascia emergere una ritrovata vitalità dell’arbitrato endofederale