• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.169-174
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• 2010

The seed of Phaseolus calcaratus Roxburgh (PHCR) is traditionally used for anti-pyretic and antiinflammatory effects. Although these effects are believed to be related to its antioxidant potential, little information is available for the mechanisms by which PHCR seed might scavenge free radicals or otherwise act as an antioxidant. In the present study, we purified some fractions from the ethanol extract of PHCR seed and evaluated each fraction's ability to scavenge free radicals generated by cell-free systems. We also identified active compound that is putatively responsible for free radical scavenging by analyzing NMR spectra. PHCR samples exhibited a concentration-dependent radical scavenging activity against hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anions, and DPPH radicals. Of the samples tested, a methanol-eluted sub-fraction from the PHCR extract, named $FF_4$, scavenged these radicals more effectively than the other fractions. We identified catechin-7-O-$\beta$-Dglucopyranoside as the active compound responsible for free radical scavenging potential of $FF_4$.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.159-188
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to reseach the effect of Daehwanggamchoeumja(大黃甘草飮子) and its component groups on diabetes, free radicals, and antioxidants system in Alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The experimental group was divided into three groups: Daehwanggamchoeumja(DG), and its components groups, Gamdutang (Gamcho&Daedu; DG-I) and Daehwanggamchotang(DG-2). The results were obtained as follows: 1. In the study of effect on diabetic metabolic dysfunction(Glucose, Triglyceride, Total Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, Total Protein, Albumin, Creatine, BUN), only DG has a significant effect. 2. In the study on free radical scavenging effect in vitro(the suppressing effect on peroxidation of linoleic acid on concentration, the scavenging effect of DPPH radical, inhibitory effect of superoxide in xanthine-xanthine oxidase system, inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation reaction by hydroxy radical in $H_2O_2Fe^{2-}$system, and the effect on Nitrate reductase activity), DG and DG-2 have more effect than DG-l relatively. 3. In the study on antioxidants system in vivo(The level of serum LPO, The level of hepatic LPO, Catalase, GSH, GST), only DG has a significant effect. These results suggest that Daehwanggamchoeumja(大黃甘草飮子) has an effect on diabetes, peroxidative damage by free radical, so it seems to be useful to prevent and treat diabetes. The mechanisms of these are supposed to be involved in antioxidant and three drugs' cooperative synergy effect.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2000

The mechanisms of benzene toxicity is not fully elucidated, although the metabolism of benzene is very well understood. In order to study the mechanism of benzene toxicity, we investigated DNA damage induced by benzene metabolite, 1,2,4-benzenetriol (BT) in HL-60 cells by alkaline comet assay. To investigate the mechanism of cellular DNA damage induced by BT, the cells were treated with antioxidant such as vitamin C, SOD, catalase, and chelating agent such as deferoxamine (DFO), bathocuproinedisulfonic acid (BCDS). BT induced DNA damage in dose-dependent manner at concentration between 10$\mu\textrm{m}$ and 100$\mu\textrm{m}$. The antioxidant vitamin C itself induced DNA damage at higher concentration. The DNA damage induced by BT in HL-60 cells was protected at low concentraiton of vitamin C whereas no protective effect was found at high concentration. In hibitory effect of SOD on DNA damage by BT was observed and this suggested that BT produce superoxide anion (O2-) causing DNA damage. Catalase protected BT-induced DNA damage suggesting that BT produce H2O2 during autooxidation of BT. Both Fe(II)-specific cheiating agent, deferoxamine (DFO) and Cu(I)-specific chelating agent, bathocuproinedisulfonic acid (BCDS) inhibited BT0induced DNA damage. This suggested that DNA damage was caused by active species which was produced DAN damage. This suggested that DNA damage was caused by active species which was produced by the autooxidation of BT in the presence of Cu(II) and Fe(III). These findings suggest that reactive oxygen species play an important role in the mechanism of toxicity induced by benzene metabolites.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.130-136
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• 2003

The protective effects of onion extract (OE), onion powder extracted in ethanol for 2 days. on carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced hepatotoxicities and the possible mechanisms involved in this protection were investigated in mice. Pretreatment with OE prior to the administration of $CCl_4$ significantly reduced the increase in serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activities and hepatic lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, pretreatment with OE significantly prevented the depletion of reduced glutathione content in the liver of $CCl_4$-intoxicated mice. $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity was also prevented, as indicated by a liver histopathologic findings. The effects of OE on the cytochrome P450 (P450) 2E1, the major isozyme involved in $CCl_4$ biotransformation were investigated. Treatment of mice with OE resulted in a significant decrease in P450 2E1-dependent p-nitrophenol and aniline hydroxylation in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with these observations, the P450 2E1 expressions were also decreased, as determined by immunoblot analysis. OE also exhibited antioxidant effects in FeCl$_2$-ascorbate induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenates and in superoxide radical scavenging activity. These results show that the protective effects of OE against the $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity may be due to its ability to block bioactivation of $CCl_4$, mainly tty inhibiting the expression and activities of P450 2E1 and by scavenging free radicals.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.19 no.2 s.20
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• pp.184-192
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• 1986

Since the wide spread application of hyperbaric oxygenation in clinical setting, the problems of oxygen toxicity have been attracting a deep interest from the researchers on hyperbaric medicine as a practical issue. Among extensive research trials, the study on the protective agents against oxygen toxicity occupied one of the most challenging field. As the mechanisms of oxygen toxicity, the role of the oxygen free radicals produced by peroxidation process are strongly accepted by the leading researchers on oxygen toxicity, the probable protective effects of antioxidant against oxygen toxicity are sustaining a sufficient rationale. In this study, the author attempted to evaluate the effect of vitamin E as a protective agent against oxygen toxicity through the observation of death rate, convulsion rate, time to convulsion, and macroscopic and microscopic pathological changes of experimental rats exposed to 100% oxygen at 5 ATA for 120 minutes. The findings observed are as follows: 1) The death rate, convulsion rate, time to convulsion, organ/body weight ratio and microscopic pathological findings were identified as reliable objective and quantitative indices for oxygen toxicity. 2) Vitamin E showed excellent protective effects against CNS and pulmonary oxygen toxicity as a strong antioxidant. The most effective dose seemed to be around 400 mg/kg 3) The results of this study are supporting the oxygen free radical hypothesis on oxygen toxicity.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.315-328
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• 2021

Fusarium and Rhizoctonia genera are important pathogens of many field crops worldwide. They are constantly evolving and expanding their host range. Selecting resistant cultivars is an effective strategy to break their infection cycles. To this end, we screened a collection of Medicago truncatula accessions against Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, and Rhizoctonia solani strains isolated from different plant species. Despite the small collection, a biodiversity in the disease response of M. truncatula accessions ranging from resistant phenotypes to highly susceptible ones was observed. A17 showed relative resistance to all fungal strains with the lowest disease incidence and ratings while TN1.11 was among the susceptible accessions. As an initiation of the characterization of resistance mechanisms, the antioxidant enzymes' activities, at the early stages of infections, were compared between these contrasting accessions. Our results showed an increment of the antioxidant activities within A17 plants in leaves and roots. We also analyzed the responses of a population of recombinant inbred lines derived from the crossing of A17 and TN1.11 to the infection with the same fungal strains. The broad-sense heritability of measured traits ranged from 0.87 to 0.95, from 0.72 to 0.96, and from 0.14 to 0.85 under control, F. oxysporum, and R. solani conditions, respectively. This high estimated heritability underlines the importance of further molecular analysis of the observed resistance to identify selection markers that could be incorporated into a breeding program and thus improving soil-borne pathogens resistance in crops.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1193-1203
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• 2019

We investigated the protective effects of 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (BDB) from Polysiphonia morrowii Harvey against hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced apoptosis in Vero cells. BDB exhibited scavenging activity for DPPH, hydroxyl, and alkyl radicals. BDB also inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced lipid peroxidation, cell death, and apoptosis in Vero cells by inhibiting the production of ROS. To evaluate the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis inhibition, the expression of Bax/Bcl-xL and $NF-{\kappa}B$ was assessed by western blot assay. BDB significantly suppressed the cleavage of caspase-9 and PARP and reduced Bax levels in $H_2O_2$-induced Vero cells. Besides, BDB suppressed the phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}$B and the translocation of p65 in $H_2O_2$-induced cells. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of BDB on ROS production, cell death, and lipid peroxidation in an $H_2O_2$-stimulated zebrafish embryo model. Taken together, these results indicated that ROS generation and cell death were significantly inhibited by BDB in zebrafish embryos, thereby proving that BDB exerts excellent antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.271-276
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• 2019

Zingerone (ZGR), a phenolic alkanone isolated from ginger, has been reported to possess pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. This study was initiated to determine whether ZGR could modulate renal functional damage in a mouse model of sepsis and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The potential of ZGR treatment to reduce renal damage induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery in mice was measured by assessment of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lipid peroxidation, total glutathione, glutathione peroxidase activity, catalase activity, and superoxide dismutase activity. Treatment with ZGR resulted in elevated plasma levels of BUN and creatinine, and of protein in urine in mice with CLP-induced renal damage. Moreover, ZGR inhibited nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ activation and reduced the induction of nitric oxide synthase and excessive production of nitric acid. ZGR treatment also reduced the plasma levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, reduced lethality due to CLP-induced sepsis, increased lipid peroxidation, and markedly enhanced the antioxidant defense system by restoring the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in kidney tissues. Our study showed renal suppressive effects of zingerone in a mouse model of sepsis, suggesting that ZGR protects mice against sepsis-triggered renal injury.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2021

Male infertility has a complex etiopathology, which mostly remains elusive. Although research has claimed that oxidative stress (OS) is the most likely underlying mechanism of idiopathic male infertility, the specific treatment of OS-mediated male infertility requires further investigation. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a vitamin-like substance, has been found in measurable levels in human semen. It exhibits essential metabolic and antioxidant functions, as well as playing a vital role in mitochondrial bioenergetics. Thus, CoQ10 may be a key player in the maintenance of biological redox balance. CoQ10 concentrations in seminal plasma directly correlate with semen parameters, especially sperm count and sperm motility. Seminal CoQ10 concentrations have been shown to be altered in various male infertility states, such as varicocele, asthenozoospermia, and medical or surgical regimens used to treat male infertility. These observations imply that CoQ10 plays an important physiological role in the maintenance and amelioration of semen quality. The present article thereby aimed to review the possible mechanisms through which CoQ10 plays a role in the regulation of male reproductive function, and to concisely discuss its efficacy as an ameliorative agent in restoring semen parameters in male infertility, as well as its impact on OS markers, sperm DNA fragmentation, pregnancy, and assisted reproductive technology outcomes.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: The antioxidant ebselen will be able to limit or prevent the ototoxicity arising from 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD). Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) disease is a disorder of lysosomal storage manifested in sphingolipidosis. Recently, it was noted that experimental use of HPβCD could partially resolve the symptoms in both animals and human patients. Despite its desirable effect, HPβCD can induce hearing loss, which is the only major side effect noted to date. Understanding of the pathophysiology of hearing impairment after administration of HPβCD and further development of preventive methods are essential to reduce the ototoxic side effect. The mechanisms of HPβCD-induced ototoxicity remain unknown, but the resulting pathology bears some resemblance to other ototoxic agents, which involves oxidative stress pathways. To indirectly determine the involvement of oxidative stress in HPβCD-induced ototoxicity, we tested the efficacy of an antioxidant reagent, ebselen, on the extent of inner ear side effects caused by HPβCD. Materials and Methods: Ebselen was applied prior to administration of HPβCD in mice. Auditory brainstem response thresholds and otopathology were assessed one week later. Bilateral effects of the drug treatments also were examined. Results: HPβCD-alone resulted in bilateral, severe, and selective loss of outer hair cells from base to apex with an abrupt transition between lesions and intact areas. Ebselen co-treatment did not ameliorate HPβCD-induced hearing loss or alter the resulting histopathology. Conclusions: The results indirectly suggest that cochlear damage by HPβCD is unrelated to reactive oxygen species formation. However, further research into the mechanism(s) of HPβCD otopathology is necessary.