Current Issue : April-June Volume : 2025 Issue Number : 2 Articles : 5 Articles
This study was aimed at extracting, characterizing, and exploring the detoxification activity of the peptide-containing polysaccharide from Agaricus balchaschensis. An anion adsorption fraction was acquired through hot water extraction. Its structure was analyzed, and the potential protective effect against cadmium-intoxicated mice was explored. Structural analysis revealed that the principal component of the peptide-containing polysaccharide of A. balchaschensis (ABPCP) is polysaccharide, which consists of glucose, mannose, galactose, and xylose, containing (1 → 4)-linked α-D-glucan, (1 → 3)-linked β-D-Glcp, (1 → 4)-linked β-D-Glcp, (1 → 6)-linked β-D-Glcp, (1 → 6)-linked β-D-Manp, (1 → 3)-linked β-D-Galp, (1 → 6)-linked β-D-Galp, and (1 → 4)-linked β-D-xylan. The amino acid content of ABPCP is 11.747 mg/g. Threonine, serine, glutamate, glycine, alanine, cysteine, valine, methionine, lysine, and arginine were detected in ABPCP, among which the content of glutamate was the highest. The alleviating effect of ABPCP on cadmium poisoning in mice was investigated. ABPCP significantly reduced the cadmium content in serum and the heart, kidneys, and liver, which indicates that ABPCP could promote cadmium discharge. ABPCP also significantly decreased serum nitric oxide, endothelin-1, urea, uric acid, and serum creatinine, alleviating kidney and liver damage caused by cadmium. All these results manifest that ABPCP can lower the cadmium content in organs and alleviate the damage to kidneys and livers damaged by Cd....
Background/Objectives: Treatment of patients with myocardial ischemic diseases crucially involves cardiac reperfusion (CR). However, oxidative stress and tissue lesions caused by CR may also lead to lethal complications, such as arrythmias and vasoplegic syndrome (VS). Although methylene blue (MB) has long been used to treat VS due to cardiac ischemia and reperfusion (CIR) and/or surgery because of its vascular effects, MB’s effects on the heart are unclear. Therefore, we investigated the potential cardioprotective or arrhythmogenic effects of MB in an animal model of CIR. To this end, 12–16-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups: (a) rats subjected to SHAM surgery with no ischemia; (b) rats subjected to CIR and treated with a vehicle (SS + CIR); and (c) rats subjected to CIR and treated with 2 mg/kg i.v. MB before ischemia (MB + ISQ) or (d) after ischemia but before reperfusion (ISQ + MB). An ECG analysis was used to evaluate the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), atrioventricular blocks (AVBs), and lethality (LET) resulting from CIR. After CIR, rat hearts were removed for histopathological analysis and lipid hydroperoxide (LH) measurements. Results: The incidence of VA, AVB, and LET was significantly increased in the MB + ISQ group (VA = 100%; AVB = 100%; LET = 100%) but significantly reduced in the ISQ + MB group (VA = 42.8%; AVB = 28.5%; LET = 21.4%) compared with the SS + CIR group (VA = 85.7%; AVB = 71.4%; LET = 64.2%). LH concentration was significantly reduced in both MBtreated groups, but myocardial injuries were increased only in the MB + ISQ group when compared with the SS + CIR group. Conclusions: These results indicate that MB produces a biphasic effect on CIR, with cardiotoxic effects when administered before cardiac ischemia and cardioprotective effects when administered after ischemia but before cardiac reperfusion....
This study investigates the effects of xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol, on tumor progression in syngeneic mouse cancer models. Xylitol is known for its dental health benefits, but emerging evidence suggests broader biological roles, including potential anti-cancer properties. We explored xylitol’s impact on two mouse cancer models: 4T1 mammary carcinoma and B16F10 melanoma. Xylitol’s efficacy in inhibiting cancer cell lines and modulating tumor progression was assessed using immunocompetent female mice. The experiments involved intratumoral and peritumoral administration of a 20% xylitol solution in two mouse strains: BALB/c (4T1 mammary carcinoma) and C57BL/6 (B16F10 melanoma). Tumor volume, histopathology, and metabolomic analyses were conducted to gauge xylitol’s influence. The study revealed that xylitol administration initially reduced tumor growth in the B16F10 melanoma model, accompanied by alterations in tumor metabolism. However, similar effects were not observed in the 4T1 mammary carcinoma model, and melanoma tumor growth re-commenced in the melanoma model after stroma deterioration caused xylitol solution leakage. These findings suggest that xylitol may have potential as an adjunct therapy in cancer treatment, specifically in melanoma. The differential response between the two cancer models underscores the complexity of cancer biology and the need for further investigation into xylitol’s mechanisms of action and its role in cancer therapy....
Citrus fruits are widely distributed in East Asia, and tea made from citrus peels has demonstrated health benefits, such as a reduction in fever, inflammation, and high blood pressure. However, citrus leaves have not been evaluated extensively for their possible health benefits. In this study, the α-glucosidase-inhibitory activity of Jeju citrus hot-water (CW) and ethyl alcohol (CE) extracts, along with hesperidin (HP) (a bioactive compound in citrus leaf extracts), was investigated, and furthermore, their effect on postprandial blood glucose reduction in an animal model was determined. The hesperidin contents of CW and CE were 15.80 ± 0.18 and 39.17 ± 0.07 mg/gextract, respectively. Hesperidin inhibited α-glucosidase (IC50, 4.39), sucrase (0.50), and CE (2.62) and demonstrated higher α-glucosidase inhibitory activity when compared to CW (4.99 mg/mL). When using an SD rat model, during sucrose and starch loading tests with CE (p < 0.01) and HP (p < 0.01), a significant postprandial blood glucose reduction effect was observed when compared to the control. The maximum blood glucose levels (Cmax) of the CE administration group decreased by about 15% (from 229.3 ± 14.5 to 194.0 ± 7.4, p < 0.01) and 11% (from 225.1 ± 13.8 to 201.1 ± 7.2 hr·mg/dL, p < 0.05) in the sucrose and starch loading tests, respectively. Our findings suggest that citrus leaf extracts standardized to hesperidin may reduce postprandial blood glucose levels through the observed inhibitory effect against sucrase, which results in delayed carbohydrate absorption. Our findings provide a biochemical rationale for further evaluating the benefits of citrus leaves....
Background/Objectives: Neurodegenerative ocular diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma, represent growing public health concerns. Oxidative stress plays a key role in their development, damaging retinal cells and accelerating disease progression. Melatonin (Mel) is a potent antioxidant with neuroprotective properties; however, it faces limitations such as low solubility. This study proposes the use of human serum albumin nanoparticles (Np-HSA) to enhance the delivery of Mel to the posterior segment of the eye and evaluates its neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic effects on the retina. Methods: A model of retinal degeneration was induced in New Zealand albino rabbits using cytotoxic and oxidative agents. Np-HSA-Mel nanoparticles were administered subconjunctivally, and cellular viability and retinal functionality were assessed using flow cytometry and pupillary light reflex (PLR). Histological and immunohistochemical studies, including the TUNEL assay, were performed to analyse cell survival and apoptotic index. Results: Np-HSA-Mel significantly preserved pupillary function and cell viability, demonstrating lower apoptosis compared to Mel solution and Np-HSA alone. Histologically, eyes treated with Np-HSA-Mel exhibited fewer structural alterations and greater cellular organisation. The TUNEL assay confirmed a significant reduction in the apoptotic index of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) treated with Np-HSA-Mel. Conclusions: Np-HSA-Mel effectively overcame ocular barriers, achieving greater neuroprotective efficacy at the retinal level. These findings highlight the synergistic potential of albumin and Mel in treating neurodegenerative ocular diseases, opening new perspectives for future therapies....
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