Pleurotus albidus Modulates Mitochondrial Metabolism Disrupted by Hyperglycaemia in EA.hy926 Endothelial Cells.

Hyperglycaemia exacerbates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), contributing to the multiple complications associated with diabetes. Mitochondrial dysfunction is also known to be associated with diabetes. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the effect of Pleurotus albidus extract on the mitochondrial dysfunction induced by hyperglycaemia in EA.hy926 endothelial cells. The results showed that P. albidus treatment prevented the increase in the activity of complex I of the electron transport chain and minimized the ROS production induced by hyperglycaemia. In addition, the extract minimized oxidative damage to lipids and proteins, caused an imbalance in the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and decreased the nitric oxide levels induced by hyperglycaemia. These data contribute to our understanding of the mitochondrial disorder induced by hyperglycaemia as well as establishing the conditions required to minimize these alterations.

Evaluation of productivity and antioxidant profile of solid-state cultivated macrofungi Pleurotus albidus and Pycnoporus sanguineus.

The aim of this study was to investigate the production profile of Pleurotus albidus and Pycnoporus sanguineus on different waste substrates containing natural phenolics, and also to investigate whether phenolic-rich substrates can improve the phenolic content of these macrofungi. The medium formulated with Pinus sp. sawdust (PSW) made possible the highest yields (2.62±0.73%) of P. sanguineus. However, the supplementation of PSW with apple waste (AW) resulted in better P. albidus yields (23.94±2.92%). The results indicated that the substrate composition affected macrofungi production, also the chemical composition and the presence of phenolic compounds in the production media influence phenolic content and antioxidant activity in macrofungi.

Proteomic analysis identifies differentially expressed proteins after red propolis treatment in Hep-2 cells.

Here we investigated alterations in the protein profile of Hep-2 treated with red propolis using two-dimensional electrophoresis associated to mass spectrometry and apoptotic rates of cells treated with and without red propolis extracts through TUNEL and Annexin-V assays. A total of 325 spots were manually excised from the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and 177 proteins were identified using LC-MS-MS. Among all proteins identified that presented differential expression, most were down-regulated in presence of red propolis extract at a concentration of 120 µg/mL (IC50): GRP78, PRDX2, LDHB, VIM and TUBA1A. Only two up-regulated proteins were identified in this study in the non-cytotoxic (6 µg/mL) red propolis treated group: RPLP0 and RAD23B. TUNEL staining assay showed a markedly increase in the mid- to late-stage apoptosis of Hep-2 cells induced by red propolis at concentrations of 60 and 120 µg/mL when compared with non-treated cells. The increase of late apoptosis was confirmed by in situ Annexin-V analysis in which red propolis extract induced late apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The differences in tumor cell protein profiles warrant further investigations including isolation of major bioactive compounds of red propolis in different cell lines using proteomics and molecular tests to validate the protein expression here observed.

Flavan-3-ol compounds prevent pentylenetetrazol-induced oxidative damage in rats without producing mutations and genotoxicity.

Seizure disorder is a chronic condition in the brain that affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of this disorder and can cause neuronal injury. Approximately one in three treated patients suffers from seizures regardless of pharmacological intervention, which results in oxidative damage. The present study aims to investigate the possible protective effect of antioxidant-rich Vitis labrusca extract on pentylenetetrazol-induced oxidative damage in Wistar rats. Possible behavioral alterations, genotoxic and mutagenic effects of the extract were also evaluated. The results showed that V. labrusca extract provides a significant protective effect against oxidative damage to lipids and proteins induced by pentylenetetrazol in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus and liver of rats. Also, the extract did not alter locomotor behavior. Moreover, it was non-genotoxic and non-mutagenic. Our results suggest the possibility of using V. labrusca extract as a therapeutic agent to minimize neuronal damage associated with seizures.

Chemical characterization, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Brazilian red propolis.

Propolis is known for a long time for its health benefits and biological activities. Here, the red variety from the northeast of Brazil was chemically analyzed and extracts were investigated regarding their antioxidant and antitumor activity. Hydroalcoholic extracts, obtained from the red propolis, revealed polyphenol content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging potential and enzymatic activities for catalase-like and superoxide dismutase-like. Cytotoxic activity was evaluated for human laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma cell (Hep-2), human cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) and human normal epithelial embryonic kidney (Hek-293). Survival analysis for non-tumor cell line showed greater IC50 compared to tumor cell lines, suggesting an increased sensitivity that may correlate with the higher proliferative index of the tumor vs. normal cells. Our results indicate that the Brazilian red propolis is capable of inhibiting cancer cell growth and constitutes an excellent source of antioxidant and antitumor natural agent.