Structure-function of hydroxyl radical scavenging and chromium-VI reducing cysteinetripeptides derived from rye secalin

This study evaluated for the first time hydroxyl radical scavenging and chromium VI (Cr(VI) reducing properties of four cysteine containing peptides derived from rye secalin. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to determine the antioxidation mechanism and the effect of residue order. The peptides tested (CQV, QCA, QVC, QCV) were obtained from in silico digestion of rye secalin with Proteinase-K and selected because they contained thiol, a known redox functional group. It was found that at pH 7.4, CQV had the highest Cr(VI) reducing activity (76 %) followed by QCA and QCV (30.8 and 25.5 %, respectively). QVC and GSH had similar but lower activities (11.3 and 11.7%). At pH 3.0, CQV and QCV were found to be less active than the other two peptides. In the hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, CQV had the highest activity with 28.9 ± 1.3 % inhibition of the formation of HO• radicals compared to 19.0 – 13.6% for other peptides. The highest reactivity of CQV with Cr(VI) under neutral conditions was due to the proximity of thiol and amine of glutamine that allowed the formation of a transition state that facilitated the reduction. Cysteine at the N-terminal was important for both the reduction of chromium (pH 7.4) and the HO• scavenging activity because the S-H bond at that position was found by the DFT analysis to have the lowest bond dissociation energy

Phytochemicals in human milk and their potential antioxidative protection

Diets contain secondary plant metabolites commonly referred to as phytochemicals. Many of them are believed to impact human health through various mechanisms, including protection against oxidative stress and inflammation, and decreased risks of developing chronic diseases. For mothers and other people, phytochemical intake occurs through the consumption of foods such as fruits, vegetables, and grains. Research has shown that some these phytochemicals are present in the mother’s milk and can contribute to its oxidative stability. For infants, human milk (HM) represents the primary and preferred source of nutrition because it is a complete food. Studies have reported that the benefit provided by HM goes beyond basic nutrition. It can, for example, reduce oxidative stress in infants, thereby reducing the risk of lung and intestinal diseases in infants. This paper summarizes the phytochemicals present in HM and their potential contribution to infant health

4,5-Epoxide-1,6-dimethyl-1-vinylhexyl p-coumarate: A novel monoterpene derivative from Cleistopholis patens

A novel monoterpene derivative (1) and four known partially and total acetylated tri- and tetrarhamonoside dodecanyl ether derivatives: cleistrioside-2 (2) and cleistrioside-3 (3), cleistetroside-6 (4) and cleistetroside peracetate (5) have been isolated from the fruits of Cleistopholis patens. KEY WORDS: Cleistopholis patens, Annonaceae, Oligosaccharide, Partially acetylated tri- and tetrarhamnoside dodecanyl ether derivatives, Cleistrioside, Cleistetroside, Monoterpene derivative  Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2003, 17(2), 177-180

Pepsin digested oat bran proteins: Separation, antioxidant activity, and identification of new peptides

The aim of this study was to determine pepsin hydrolysis conditions to produce digested oat bran proteins with higher radical scavenging activities and separate and identify peptides. Isolated proteins were then digested with different concentrations of pepsin and incubation times. Hydrolysates produced with 1: 30 enzyme substrate (E/S) ratio and 2 h possessed the highest peroxyl radical scavenging activity, 608 ± 17 μM TE/g (compared to 456-474 μM TE/g for other digests), and was therefore subsequently fractionated into eight fractions (F1-F8) by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). F1 and F2 had little activity because of their low protein contents. Activities of F3-F8 were 447-874 μM TE/g, 20-36%, and 10-14% in the peroxyl, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radical tests, respectively. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to identify a total of fifty peptides that may have contributed to the activity of F3, a fraction that better scavenged radicals

Antioxidant activity of oat proteins derived peptides in stressed hepatic hepg2 cells

The purpose of this study was to determine, for the first time, antioxidant activities of seven peptides (P1–P7) derived from hydrolysis of oat proteins in a cellular model. In the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, it was found that P2 had the highest radical scavenging activity (0.67 ± 0.02 µM Trolox equivalent (TE)/µM peptide) followed by P5, P3, P6, P4, P1, and P7 whose activities were between 0.14–0.61 µM TE/µM). In the hepatic HepG2 cells, none of the peptides was cytotoxic at 20–300 µM. In addition to having the highest ORAC value, P2 was also the most protective (29% increase in cell viability) against 2,2′ -azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride -induced oxidative stress. P1, P6, and P7 protected at a lesser extent, with an 8%–21% increase viability of cells. The protection of cells was attributed to several factors including reduced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species, increased cellular glutathione, and increased activities of three main endogenous antioxidant enzymes

Synthesis and anticancer activity evaluation of some new 1,2,3,5-tetrazine derivatives attached to benzothiazole moiety

A series of novel tetrazine derivatives, containing benzothiazole framework, were prepared during the coupling reactions of some diazotized 2-aminobenzo[d]thiazole derivatives with p-acetaminophen. Their structures were elucidated based on NMR and MS spectrometry. The anticancer activity and the safety of the synthesized compounds along with the entire precursors were assessed against three human cancer cell lines and a normal cell line. All the synthesized compounds showed selective cytotoxic activity against the cancer cell lines used in comparison to the normal Vero cell line. Their IC50 values varied from 2.02 to 171.67 μM.The Cameroonian Ministry of Higher Education special research allocation, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the University of Pretoria.https://www.arkat-usa.org/arkivoc-journalam2023Paraclinical Science

The use of plants in the traditional management of diabetes in Nigeria: Pharmacological and toxicological considerations

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The prevalence of diabetes is on a steady increase worldwide and it is now identified as one of the main threats to human health in the 21st century. In Nigeria, the use of herbal medicine alone or alongside prescription drugs for its management is quite common. We hereby carry out a review of medicinal plants traditionally used for diabetes management in Nigeria. Based on the available evidence on the species׳ pharmacology and safety, we highlight ways in which their therapeutic potential can be properly harnessed for possible integration into the country׳s healthcare system. Materials and methods: Ethnobotanical information was obtained from a literature search of electronic databases such as Google Scholar, Pubmed and Scopus up to 2013 for publications on medicinal plants used in diabetes management, in which the place of use and/or sample collection was identified as Nigeria. ‘Diabetes’ and ‘Nigeria’ were used as keywords for the primary searches; and then ‘Plant name – accepted or synonyms’, ‘Constituents’, ‘Drug interaction’ and/or ‘Toxicity’ for the secondary searches. Results: The hypoglycemic effect of over a hundred out of the 115 plants reviewed in this paper is backed by preclinical experimental evidence, either in vivo or in vitro. One-third of the plants have been studied for their mechanism of action, while isolation of the bioactive constituent(s) has been accomplished for twenty three plants. Some plants showed specific organ toxicity, mostly nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic, with direct effects on the levels of some liver function enzymes. Twenty eight plants have been identified as in vitro modulators of P-glycoprotein and/or one or more of the cytochrome P450 enzymes, while eleven plants altered the levels of phase 2 metabolic enzymes, chiefly glutathione, with the potential to alter the pharmacokinetics of co-administered drugs. Conclusion: This review, therefore, provides a useful resource to enable a thorough assessment of the profile of plants used in diabetes management so as to ensure a more rational use. By anticipating potential toxicities or possible herb–drug interactions, significant risks which would otherwise represent a burden on the country׳s healthcare system can be avoided

Impact of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on peptide profile and bioactivity of cooked and non-cooked oat protein concentrates

Oat (Avena sativa) is one of the most cultivated and consumed cereals worldwide. Recognized among cereals for its high protein content (12% to 24%), it makes it an excellent source of bioactive peptides, which could be modified during processes such as heating and gastrointestinal digestion (GID). This work aims to evaluate the impact of heat treatment on the proteolysis of oat proteins and on the evolution of antioxidant peptide release during in vitro static GID, in terms of comparative analysis between cooked oat protein concentrate (COPC) and non-heated oat protein concentrate (OPC) samples. The protein extraction method and cooking procedure used showed no detrimental effects on protein quality. After GID, the proportion of free amino acids/dipeptides (40% for both samples (OPC and COPC), thus producing peptides with low molecular weight and enhanced bioactivity. Furthermore, during GID, the amino acid profile showed an increase in essential, positively-charged, hydrophobic and aromatic amino acids. At the end of GID, the reducing power of OPC and COPC increased >0.3 and 8-fold, respectively, in comparison to the non-digested samples; while ABTS•+ and DPPH• showed a >20-fold increase. Fe2+ chelating capacity of OPC and COPC was enhanced >4 times; similarly, Cu2+ chelation showed a >19-fold enhancement for OPC and >10 for COPC. β-carotene bleaching activity was improved 0.8 times in OPC and >9 times in COPC; the oxygen radical antioxidant capacity assay increased 2 times in OPC and >4.7 times in COPC, respectively. This study suggests that OPC after cooking and GID positively influenced the nutritional and bioactive properties of oat peptides. Thus, COPC could be used as a functional food ingredient with health-promoting effects, as hydrothermal treatment is frequently used for this type of cereals