Eastern Anatolia in Turkey, were screened for their possible antioxidant activities by two complementary test systems, namely DPPH free radical scavenging and β-carotene/linoleic acid. Total phenolic content of the extracts of Salvia species were performed Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and gallic acid used as standard. A wide variation has been observed among species in terms of antioxidant activity and total phenolic content. In both DPPH and β-carotene system, the most active plant was Salvia verticillata with a value of IC 50 =18.3 μg/ml and 75.8%, respectively. This specie also has the highest total phenolic content (167.1 mgGAE/g DW). The total amount of phenolics was between 50.3 to 167.1 mg GAE/g DW among species. A positive linear correlation was observed between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the extracts. The results suggest that the extract of Salvia species, notably Salvia verticillata with the highest antioxidant activity, can be used as natural antioxidants in the food industry.

To investigate the efficacy of antioxidant therapy on collagen synthesis in corrosive esophageal burns, 110 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups of 22 animals each. A standard esophageal caustic burn was produced by 1 ml of 10% sodium hydroxide solution for the rats in groups B to E; group A was instilled only with 0.9% saline after preparation of the distal esophageal segment. Group A animals (controls) were uninjured and untreated. Group B had untreated esophageal burns. Esophageal burns were treated in group C with vitamin E (10 mg/kg IM), in group D with vitamin C (10 mg/kg IP), and in group E with methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg IM) on each of 5 days. Eight rats from each group were killed 4 days after initiation of the study and the abdominal esophagus was studied for tissue malondialdehyde (MDA; micromol/g protein) levels. The other rats were killed 28 days after initiation of the study and determination of hydroxyproline (HP) (microg/g tissue) levels in esophageal tissue was performed for 8 rats in each group. Histopathologic evaluation was also performed in the other 6 rats from each group. MDA levels in esophageal tissue were significantly lower in groups C (9.24 +/- 2.62, P < 0.01) and group E (6.26 +/- 2.22, P < 0.001) than in group B (12.35 +/- 1.80). HP levels were significantly lower in groups A (0.75 +/- 0.21, P < 0.001), C (1.11 +/- 0.15, P < 0.01), and E (0.96 +/- 0.15, P < 0.001) than in group B (1.40 +/- 0.20). Histopathologically, collagen deposition in the submucosa and tunica muscularis was lower in groups C and E than in group B (P < 0.05, and 0.01, respectively). Our results demonstrate that treatment with antioxidant drugs such as vitamin E and methylprednisolone decreased tissue HP levels, and thus inhibited new collagen synthesis and stricture formation in rats with alkali-induced caustic esophageal burns.

Fruit skin color, total phenolics, total anthocyanins, soluble solids content, titratable acidity and total antioxidant capacity in fresh fruits of a number of local and well-known fig (Ficus carica L.) genotypes and cultivars grown in northeastern Turkey were determined. TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays were used to determine total antioxidant capacity. Fruit skin color of genotypes were found to be very diverse, i.e., light green, light purple, purple, dark purple and black. The content of total phenolics, soluble solids content (SSC) and titratable acidity greatly varied in the range from 24 to 237 mg of gallic acid equivalent per 100 g fresh weight, 18.60 to 26.30 % and 0.16 to 0.47 % in local genotypes and studied cultivars. In general, total antioxidant capacities determined by two methods expressed higher values in the local fig genotypes compared with the cultivars. The results suggested that genotype is the main factor that determines difference in the composition of bioactive compounds in figs and provide information on putative health benefits locally grown genotypes.

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Abstract. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of quercetin on nitric oxide synthase (NOS), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and apoptosis in renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. A total of 42 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. The control, I/R and I/R+quercetin (I/R+Q) groups were treated with quercetin (50 mg/kg intraperitoneal) 1 h prior to the induction of ischemia. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). p53, endothelial NOS (eNOS) and NF-κB expression were assessed immunohistochemically, and apoptosis assesment was performed using terminal deoxy nucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay. The mRNA levels of inducible NOS (iNOS) in renal tissue were determined by realtime polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). MDA levels were significantly decreased in the quercetin group compared to the I/R group. However, GSH levels were significantly increased with quercetin treatment in the I/R group. Histological results, the number of apoptotic and p53-positive cells, NF-κB and eNOS expression levels were significantly decreased in the quercetin treatment group compared to the I/R group. iNOS gene expression increased in the I/R group, but no significant difference was found between the I/R and quercetin treatment groups. Therefore, quercetin not only has antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities, but also has an inhibitory effect on eNOS and NF-κB for renal tissue protection during I/R injury in rats. Therefore, quercetin may be a promising renoprotective therapeutic agent.