Abstract:In this study, the acetylcholinesterase inhibition and in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities of Ganoderma lucidum grown on germinated brown rice (GLBR) were evaluated. In antioxidant assays in vitro, GLBR was found to have strong metal chelating activity, DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl and superoxide radical scavenging activity. Cell-based antioxidant methods were used, including lipid peroxidation on brain homogenate and AAPH-induced erythrocyte haemolysis. In antioxidant assays in vivo, mice were administered with GLBR and this significantly enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the mice sera, livers and brains. The amount of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds were 43.14 mg GAE/g and 13.36 mg CE/g dry mass, respectively. GLBR also exhibited acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. In addition, HPLC analyses of GLBR extract revealed the presence of different phenolic compounds. These findings demonstrate the remarkable potential of GLBR extract as valuable source of antioxidants which exhibit interesting acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.

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Abstract:We aimed to investigate the antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of the anthocyanin rich extract of grape skin. Grape skin anthocyanin (GSA) neutralized free radicals in different test systems, such as 2,-2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays, to form complexes with Fe 2+ preventing 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced erythrocyte hemolysis and oxidative DNA damage. Moreover, GSA decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in isolated mitochondria thus inhibiting 2',-7'-dichlorofluorescin (DCFH) oxidation. In an in vivo study, female BALB/c mice were administered GSA, at 12.5, 25, and 50 mg per kg per day orally for 30 consecutive days. Herein, we demonstrate that GSA administration significantly elevated the level of antioxidant enzymes in mice sera, livers, and brains. Furthermore, GSA inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the in vitro assay with an IC 50 value of 363.61 µg/mL. Therefore, GSA could be an excellent source of antioxidants and its inhibition of cholinesterase is of interest with regard to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

Apigenin, a nonmutagenic flavonoid, has been found to have antitumor properties and is therefore particularly relevant for the development of chemotherapeutic agents for cancers. In this study, time-and dose-dependent cell viability and cytotoxicity were assessed to determine the effects of apigenin on A2058 and A375 melanoma cells. Melanoma cells were pretreated with different concentrations of apigenin and analyzed for morphological changes, anoikis induction, cell migration, and levels of proteins associated with apoptosis. Apigenin reduced integrin protein levels and inhibited the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), which induce anoikis in human cutaneous melanoma cells. Apigenin exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of melanoma cell migration, unlike untreated controls. Furthermore, apigenin treatment increased apoptotic factors such as caspase-3 and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in a dose-dependent manner, demonstrating the metastasis of melanoma cells. Our results provide a new insight into the mechanisms by which apigenin prevents melanoma metastasis by sensitizing anoikis induced by the loss of integrin proteins in the FAK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway. These findings elucidate the related mechanisms and suggest the potential of apigenin in developing clinical treatment strategies against malignant melanoma.

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Asparagus cochinchinensis (Loureiro) Merrill. (AC) is used as a traditional medicine for treating inflammation and oxidative stress-related diseases. In this study, aqueous extract of AC tuber was investigated to determine the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Free radical-scavenging activities as well as total phenolics and flavonoid contents of the extracts were measured. As primary screening of anti-inflammatory activity, cell viability and inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production were determined using the lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. The levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds from AC were found to be 459 Ϯ 1 mg gallic acid equivalent/g (GAE/g) dry mass and 642 Ϯ 4 mg catechin equivalent/g (CE/g) dry mass, respectively. AC showed 2,2diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, nitrite scavenging and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner. Significant NO production and cell viability were also found in the extracts. Results suggest that AC can be a source of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSAsparagus cochinchinensis has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. Dried roots are being used for medicinal purposes. The roots contain asparagine, starch, mucilage and sugars. The dried root is antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antiseptic, antipyretic, diuretic, expectorant, stomachic, nervous stimulant and tonic. It is taken internally in the treatment of fever, sore throat, debility, coughs, etc. The plant has a folk history for the treatment of cancer. Modern research has detected antitumor activity. It is now being studied for the treatment of lung cancer. The findings of this study can demonstrate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract from A. cochinchinensis dried roots. The effects would be useful to improve human health. bs_bs_banner Journal of Food Biochemistry

Antioxidant properties and total phenolic, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, b-carotene and lycopene contents of ethanol and water extracts from the edible mushroom Russula virescens (RV) were examined in this study. Various experimental models including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)diammonium salt (ABTS), nitrite, hydroxyl and superoxide radical scavenging activity, inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation, DNA protection and catalase activity were used to characterize the antioxidant activity of the extracts. The IC50 values for DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were 0.22 and 0.44 mg/mL, respectively, for water extract and 1.90 and 0.65 mg/mL, respectively, for ethanol extract. The levels of phenolic compounds were 8.74 and 2.21 mg gallic acid/100 g dry mass, and flavonoid compounds were 2.83 and 1.02 mg catechin/100 g dry mass for the water and ethanol extracts, respectively. In addition, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses of RV extract revealed the presence of different phenolic compounds. R. virescens can therefore be considered to be a potential source of natural antioxidants. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONMushrooms accumulate a variety of secondary metabolites, including phenolic compounds, polyketides, terpenes and steroids. Also, flavoglaucin, a mushroom phenolic compound, has been found to be an excellent antioxidant and nonmutagenic synergist. In this study, the antioxidative activities of an edible mushroom were investigated in relationship to their total phenolic and flavonoid contents.