Enhancement of the photokilling effect of TiO2 in photodynamic therapy by conjugating with reduced graphene oxide and its mechanism exploration.

As a promising next-generation photodynamic therapy (PDT) photosensitizer, TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) has gained great attention due to its higher efficiency. Yet, its application in PDT is strongly limited by its UV light response range. In this work, TiO2 NPs conjugated with reduced graphene oxide (RGO-TiO2) composites were successfully prepared by hydrothermal reduction method. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), UV-vis spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Superior adsorption and killing efficiency under UV-A light or visible light were achieved in the presence of the RGO rather than that of unmodified TiO2. The optimal photocatalytic activity was obtained when modified proportion was 0.2 (RGO:TiO2). Dark cytotoxicity was observed using 0-500µgmL-1 RGO-TiO2 during long incubation time. In parallel, following exposure of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2 cells) to RGO-TiO2 and UV-A or visible light irradiation, a marked decrease in the ratio of the super-coiled DNA, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and the oxidative damage effects, as well as increased the apoptosis rate and intracellular calcium concentration were observed. Moreover, photocatalytic RGO-TiO2 composites killed the HepG2 cells by apoptosis pathway. The results suggested that RGO-TiO2 composites were an excellent candidate as a PDT photosensitizer in the near future.

Study on the cytotoxic activity of platinum(II) complexes of (1R,2R)-N(1)-cyclopentyl-1,2-cyclohexanediamine with substituted malonate derivatives.

Three platinum(II) complexes of (1R,2R)-N(1)-cyclopentyl-1,2-cyclohexanediamine with malonate derivatives were designed, synthesized and spectrally characterized. MTT assay showed that the complexes possessed positive cytotoxic effect on the four human solid tumor cell lines. Among the complexes, complex 2 demonstrated the strongest cytotoxic activity compared to cisplatin and oxaliplatin against HepG2 cell line (IC50=3.04µM). Furthermore, the results of gel electrophoresis revealed that complex 2 interacted with DNA in a different mode from that of cisplatin. Mechanism studies of cell proliferation inhibition and cellular uptake indicated that complex 2 entered HepG2 cell more efficiently than cisplatin, exhibited massive G2 accumulation and then induced apoptosis.

Dual targeting of microtubule and topoisomerase II by α-carboline derivative YCH337 for tumor proliferation and growth inhibition.

Both microtubule and topoisomerase II (Top2) are important anticancer targets and their respective inhibitors are widely used in combination for cancer therapy. However, some combinations could be mutually antagonistic and drug resistance further limits their therapeutic efficacy. Here we report YCH337, a novel α-carboline derivative that targets both microtubule and Top2, eliciting tumor proliferation and growth inhibition and overcoming drug resistance. YCH337 inhibited microtubule polymerization by binding to the colchicine site and subsequently led to mitotic arrest. It also suppressed Top2 and caused DNA double-strand breaks. It disrupted microtubule more potently than Top2. YCH337 induced reversible mitotic arrest at low concentrations but persistent DNA damage. YCH337 caused intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis and decreased MCL-1, cIAP1 and XIAP proteins. In this aspect, YCH337 behaved differently from the combination of vincristine and etoposide. YCH337 inhibited proliferation of tumor cells with an averaged IC50 of 0.3 µM. It significantly suppressed the growth of HT-29 xenografts in nude mice too. Importantly, YCH337 nearly equally killed different-mechanism-mediated resistant tumor cells and corresponding parent cells. Together with the novelty of its chemical structure, YCH337 could serve as a promising lead for drug development and a prototype for a dual microtubule/Top2 targeting strategy for cancer therapy.

Synthesis, X-ray structure and in vitro cytotoxicity studies of Cu(I/II) complexes of thiosemicarbazone: special emphasis on their interactions with DNA.

4-(p-X-phenyl)thiosemicarbazone of napthaldehyde {where X = Cl (HL¹) and X = Br (HL²)}, thiosemicarbazone of quinoline-2-carbaldehyde (HL³) and 4-(p-fluorophenyl)thiosemicarbazone of salicylaldehyde (H2L4) and their copper(I) {[Cu(HL¹)(PPh3)2Br]·CH3CN (1) and [Cu(HL²)(PPh3)2Cl]·DMSO (2)} and copper(II) {[(Cu2L³2Cl)2(µ-Cl)2]·2H2O (3) and [Cu(L4)(Py)] (4)} complexes are reported herein. The synthesized ligands and their copper complexes were successfully characterized by elemental analysis, cyclic voltammetry, NMR, ESI-MS, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Molecular structures of all the Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. All the complexes (1-4) were tested for their ability to exhibit DNA-binding and -cleavage activity. The complexes effectively interact with CT-DNA possibly by groove binding mode, with binding constants ranging from 104 to 105 M⁻¹. Among the complexes, 3 shows the highest chemical (60%) as well as photo-induced (80%) DNA cleavage activity against pUC19 DNA. Finally, the in vitro antiproliferative activity of all the complexes was assayed against the HeLa cell line. Some of the complexes have proved to be as active as the clinical referred drugs, and the greater potency of 3 may be correlated with its aqueous solubility and the presence of the quinonoidal group in the thiosemicarbazone ligand coordinated to the metal.

Antioxidant potential of date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seed protein hydrolysates and carnosine in food and biological systems.

Date seed protein hydrolysates were evaluated for antioxidant activity as well as solubility and water-holding capacity in food and biological model systems. Date seed protein hydrolysates as well as carnosine exhibited >80% of solubility over a pH range of 2-12. The hydrolysates and carnosine at 0.5% (w/w) were also found to be effective in enhancing water-holding capacity and cooking yield in a fish model system, which was nearly similar to sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP; 0.3%, w/w). Incorporation of hydrolysates (200 ppm) in fish model systems resulted in the highest inhibition (30%) of oxidation in comparison to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT; 9%). In addition, hydrolysates and carnosine inhibited ß-carotene oxidation by 75%. The hydrolysates (0.1 mg/mL) inhibited LDL cholesterol oxidation by 60%, whereas carnosine inhibited oxidation by 80% after 12 h of incubation. Additionally, hydrolysates and carnosine effectively inhibited hydroxyl (6 mg/mL) and peroxyl (0.1 mg/mL) radical-induced DNA scission. Therefore, date seed protein hydrolysates could be used as a potential functional food ingredient for health promotion.

Synthesis, molecular structure, biological properties and molecular docking studies on Mn(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) complexes containing bipyridine-azide ligands.

Metal complexes of the type Mn(bpy)2(N3)2 (1), Co(bpy)2(N3)2·3H2O (2) and Zn2(bpy)2(N3)4 (3) (Where bpy = 2,2-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and spectral (FT-IR, UV-vis) studies. The structure of complexes (1-3) have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies and the configuration of ligand-coordinated metal(II) ion was well described as distorted octahedral coordination geometry for Mn(II), Co(II) and distorted square pyramidal geometry for Zn(II) complexes. DNA binding interaction of these complexes (1-3) were investigated by UV-vis absorption, fluorescence circular dichroism spectral and molecular docking studies. The intrinsic binding constants Kb of complexes 1, 2 and 3 with CT-DNA obtained from UV-vis absorption studies were 8.37 × 10(4), 2.23 × 10(5) and 5.52 × 10(4) M(-1) respectively. The results indicated that the three complexes are able to bind to DNA with different binding affinity, in the order 2 > 1 > 3. Complexes (1-3) exhibit a good binding propensity to bovine serum albumin (BSA) proteins having relatively high binding constant values. Gel electrophoresis assay demonstrated the ability of the complexes 1-3 promote the cleavage ability of the pBR322 plasmid DNA in the presence of the reducing agent 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) but with different cleavage mechanisms: the complex 3 cleaves DNA via hydrolytic pathway (T4 DNA ligase assay), while the DNA cleavage by complexes 1 and 2 follows oxidative pathway. The chemical nuclease activity follows the order: 2 > 1 > 3. The effects of various activators were also investigated and the nuclease activity efficacy followed the order MPA > GSH > H2O2 > Asc. The cytotoxicity studies of complexes 1-3 were tested in vitro on breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and they found to be active.

Seabuckthron (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) leaf extract ameliorates the gamma radiation mediated DNA damage and hepatic alterations.

In vitro assessment showed that H. rhamnoides (HrLE) extract possessed free radical scavenging activities and can protect gamma (gamma) radiation induced supercoiled DNA damage. For in vivo study, Swiss albino mice were administered with HrLE (30 mg/kg body weight) for 15 consecutive days before exposing them to a single dose of 5 Gy of beta radiation. HrLE significantly prevented the radiation induced genomic DNA damage indicated as a significant reduction in the comet parameters. The lipid peroxidation, liver function enzymes, expression of phosphorylated NFkappaB (p65) and IkappaBalpha increased whereas the endogenous antioxidants diminished upon radiation exposure compared to control. Pretreatment of HrLE extract ameliorated these changes. Based on the present results it can be concluded that H. rhamnoides possess a potential preventive element in planned and accidental nuclear exposures.

Altering gene expression by aminocoumarins: the role of DNA supercoiling in Staphylococcus aureus.

BACKGROUND: It has been shown previously that aminocoumarin antibiotics such as novobiocin lead to immediate downregulation of recA expression and thereby inhibit the SOS response, mutation frequency and recombination capacity in Staphylococcus aureus. Aminocoumarins function by inhibiting the ATPase activity of DNA gyrase subunit B with a severe impact on DNA supercoiling. RESULTS: Here, we have analysed the global impact of the DNA relaxing agent novobiocin on gene expression in S. aureus. Using a novobiocin-resistant mutant, it became evident that the change in recA expression is due to gyrase inhibition. Microarray analysis and northern blot hybridisation revealed that the expression levels of a distinct set of genes were increased (e.g., recF-gyrB-gyrA, the rib operon and the ure operon) or decreased (e.g., arlRS, recA, lukA, hlgC and fnbA) by novobiocin. The two-component ArlRS system was previously found to decrease the level of supercoiling in S. aureus. Thus, downregulation of arlRS might partially compensate for the relaxing effect of novobiocin. Global analysis and gene mapping of supercoiling-sensitive genes did not provide any indication that they are clustered in the genome. Promoter fusion assays confirmed that the responsiveness of a given gene is intrinsic to the promoter region but independent of the chromosomal location. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the molecular properties of a given promoter, rather than the chromosomal topology, dictate the responsiveness to changes in supercoiling in the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus.

Non-DSB clustered DNA lesions induced by ionizing radiation are largely responsible for the loss of plasmid DNA functionality in the presence of cisplatin.

The combination of cisplatin and ionizing radiation (IR) increases cell toxicity by both enhancing DNA damage and inhibiting repair mechanisms. Although the formation of cluster DNA lesions, particularly double-strand breaks (DSB) at the site of cisplatin-DNA-adducts has been reported to induce cell death, the contribution of DSB and non-DSB cluster lesions to the cellular toxicity is still unknown. Although both lesions are toxic, it is not always possible to measure their frequency and cell survival in the same model system. To overcome this problem, here, we investigate the effect of cisplatin-adducts on the induction of DSB and non-DSB cluster DNA lesions by IR and determine the impact of such lesions on plasmid functionality. Cluster lesions are two or more lesions on opposite DNA strands with a short distance such that error free repair is difficult or impossible. At a ratio of two cisplatin per plasmid, irradiation of platinated DNA in solution with (137)Cs γ-rays shows enhancements in the formation of DNA DSB and non-DSB cluster lesions by factors of 2.6 and 2.1, respectively, compared to unmodified DNA. However, in absolute terms, the yield for non-DSB cluster lesions is far larger than that for DSB, by a factor of 26. Unmodified and cisplatin-modified DNA were irradiated and subsequently transformed into Escherichia coli to give survival curves representing the functionality of the plasmid DNA as a function of radiation dose. Our results demonstrate that non-DSB cluster lesions are the only toxic lesions present at a sufficient frequency to account for the loss of DNA functionality. Our data also show that Frank-DSB lesions are simply too infrequent to account for the loss of DNA functionality. In conclusion, non-DSB cluster DNA damage is known to be difficult to repair and is probably the lesion responsible for the loss of functionality of DNA modified by cisplatin.

Analysis of the expression and antioxidant activity of 2-Cys peroxiredoxin protein in Fasciola gigantica.

2-Cys peroxiredoxin (Prx) is the main antioxidant enzyme in Fasciola species for detoxifying hydrogen peroxide which is generated from the hosts' immune effector cells and the parasites' own metabolism. In this study, the recombinant Prx protein from Fasciola gigantica (rFgPrx-2) was expressed and purified in a prokaryotic expression system. This recombinant protein with molecular weight of 26 kDa was enzymatically active in reduction of hydrogen peroxide both in presence of thioredoxin and glutathione systems, and also protected the supercoiled plasmid DNA from oxidative damage in metal-catalyzed oxidation (MCO) system in a concentration-dependent manner. By immunoblotting, using antibody against rFgPrx-2 as probe, a native FgPrxs, whose MW at 25 kDa, was detected in all developmental stages of the parasite. Concentrations of native FgPrxs were increasing in all stages reaching highest level in adult stage. The antibody also showed cross reactivities with corresponding proteins in some cattle helminthes. Natural antibody to FgPrxs could be detected in the sera of mice at 3 and 4 weeks after infection with F. gigantica metacercariae. By immunofluorescence, FgPrxs was highly expressed in tegument and tegumental cells, parenchyma, moderately expressed in cecal epithelial cells in early, juvenile and adult worms. Furthermore, FgPrxs was also detected in the female reproductive organs, including eggs, ovary, vitelline cells, and testis, suggesting that FgPrxs might play an essential role in protecting parasite's tissues from free radical attack during their life cycle. Thus, FgPrxs is one potential candidate for drug therapy and vaccine development.

Cytotoxicity and topoisomerase I/II inhibition activity of novel 4-aryl/alkyl-1-(piperidin-4-yl)-carbonylthiosemicarbazides and 4-benzoylthiosemicarbazides.

A series of eight thiosemicarbazide derivatives was examined for cytotoxicity in breast cancer cell cultures. Among them, 4-benzoylthiosemicarbazides proved to be only slightly less potent than chlorambucil in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 lines. In contrast, 4-aryl/alkylthiosemicarbazides revealed significantly lower cytotoxicity effect. Subsequently, all titled compounds were tested as potential human topoisomerase I and II (topo I and topo II) inhibitors. Mechanistic studies revealed that tested thiosemicarbazides act as both topoisomerase I and topoisomerase II inhibitors. Among them, the best inhibitory activity was found for 4-benzoylthiosemicarbazides (1 and 2) with IC50 at 50 µM against topo II.

Icilin inhibits E2F1-mediated cell cycle regulatory programs in prostate cancer.

Aberrant expression of cell cycle regulators have been implicated in prostate cancer development and progression. Therefore, understanding transcriptional networks controlling the cell cycle remain a challenge in the development of prostate cancer treatment. In this study, we found that icilin, a super-cooling agent, down-regulated the expression of cell cycle signature genes and caused G1 arrest in PC-3 prostate cancer cells. With reverse-engineering and an unbiased interrogation of a prostate cancer-specific regulatory network, master regulator analysis discovered that icilin affected cell cycle-related transcriptional modules and identified E2F1 transcription factor as a target master regulator of icilin. Experimental analyses confirmed that icilin reduced the activity and expression levels of E2F1. These results demonstrated that icilin inactivates a small regulatory module controlling the cell cycle in prostate cancer cells. Our study might provide insight into the development of cell cycle-targeted cancer therapeutics.

New insights into the mechanism underlying the synergistic action of ionizing radiation with platinum chemotherapeutic drugs: the role of low-energy electrons.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficiencies of platinum chemotherapeutic drugs (Pt-drugs) in the sensitization of DNA to the direct effects of ionizing radiation and to determine the role of low-energy electrons (LEEs) in this process. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Complexes of supercoiled plasmid DNA covalently bound to either cisplatin, carboplatin, or oxaliplatin were prepared in different molar ratios. Solid films of DNA and DNA modified by Pt-drugs were irradiated with either 10-KeV or 10-eV electrons. Damages to DNA were quantified by gel electrophoresis, and the yields for damage formation were obtained from exposure-response curves. RESULTS: The presence of an average of 2 Pt-drug-DNA adducts (Pt-adducts) in 3199-bp plasmid DNA increases the probability of a double-strand break by factors of 3.1, 2.5, and 2.4 for carboplatin, cisplatin, and oxaliplatin, respectively. Electrons with energies of 10 eV and 10 KeV interact with Pt-adducts to preferentially enhance the formation of cluster lesions. The maximum increase in radiosensitivity per Pt-adduct is found at ratios up to 3.1×10(-4) Pt-adducts per nucleotide, which is equivalent to an average of 2 adducts per plasmid. Carboplatin and oxaliplatin show higher efficiencies than cisplatin in the radiosensitization of DNA. Because carboplatin and cisplatin give rise to identical reactive species that attach to DNA, carboplatin must be considered as a better radiosensitizer for equal numbers of Pt-adducts. CONCLUSION: Platinum chemotherapeutic drugs preferentially enhance the formation of cluster damage to DNA induced by the direct effect of ionizing radiation, and LEEs are the main species responsible for such an enhancement via the formation of electron resonances.

Highly efficient synthetic iron-dependent nucleases activate both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic death pathways in leukemia cancer cells.

The nuclease activity and the cytotoxicity toward human leukemia cancer cells of iron complexes, [Fe(HPClNOL)Cl2]NO3 (1), [Cl(HPClNOL)Fe(µ-O)Fe(HPClNOL)Cl]Cl2·2H2O (2), and [(SO4)(HPClNOL)Fe(µ-O)Fe(HPClNOL)(SO4)]·6H2O (3) (HPClNOL=1-(bis-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-amino)-3-chloropropan-2-ol), were investigated. Each complex was able to promote plasmid DNA cleavage and change the supercoiled form of the plasmid to circular and linear ones. Kinetic data revealed that (1), (2) and (3) increase the rate of DNA hydrolysis about 278, 192 and 339 million-fold, respectively. The activity of the complexes was inhibited by distamycin, indicating that they interact with the minor groove of the DNA. The cytotoxic activity of the complexes toward U937, HL-60, Jukart and THP-1 leukemia cancer cells was studied employing 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), fluorescence and electronic transmission microscopies, flow cytometry and a cytochrome C release assay. Compound (2) has the highest activity toward cancer cells and is the least toxic for normal ones (i.e. peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)). In contrast, compound (1) is the least active toward cancer cells but displays the highest toxicity toward normal cells. Transmission electronic microscopy indicates that cell death shows features typical of apoptotic cells, which was confirmed using the annexin V-FITC/PI (fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide) assay. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that at an early stage during the treatment with complex (2) mitochondria lose their transmembrane potential, resulting in cytochrome C release. A quantification of caspases 3, 9 (intrinsic apoptosis pathway) and caspase 8 (extrinsic apoptosis pathway) indicated that both the intrinsic (via mitochondria) and extrinsic (via death receptors) pathways are involved in the apoptotic stimuli.

The antioxidant activity of allylpyrocatechol is mediated via decreased generation of free radicals along with escalation of antioxidant mechanisms.

Allylpyrocatechol (APC) is responsible for the antiinflammatory activity exhibited by the methanolic extract of leaves of Piper betle. As antiinflammatory compounds may display antioxidant properties and vice versa, we investigated the antioxidant effect of APC. APC effectively reduced phorbol-myristate-acetate-induced generation of reactive oxygen species and superoxide in murine peritoneal macrophages as well as inhibited Escherichia-coli-induced phagocytic activity of macrophages. Furthermore, pBluescript SK(+) plasmid DNA damage induced by addition of sodium ascorbate was attenuated by APC as it inhibited transformation of the supercoiled form to a relaxed form. In addition, APC increased the enzymatic (catalase) and nonenzymatic (GSH) antioxidant components of murine macrophages. Taken together, APC exhibited an antioxidant activity which was mediated both via decreased generation of free radicals along with increase in cellular antioxidants.

Topoisomerase assays.

Topoisomerases are nuclear enzymes that play essential roles in DNA replication, transcription, chromosome segregation, and recombination. All cells have two major forms of topoisomerases: type I enzymes, which make single-stranded cuts in DNA, and type II enzymes, which cut and pass double-stranded DNA. DNA topoisomerases are important targets of approved and experimental anti-cancer agents. The protocols described in this unit are for assays used to assess new chemical entities for their ability to inhibit both forms of DNA topoisomerase. Included are an in vitro assay for topoisomerase I activity based on relaxation of supercoiled DNA, and an assay for topoisomerase II based on the decatenation of double-stranded DNA. The preparation of mammalian cell extracts for assaying topoisomerase activity is described, along with a protocol for an ICE assay to examine topoisomerase covalent complexes in vivo, and an assay for measuring DNA cleavage in vitro.

Quinacrine has anticancer activity in breast cancer cells through inhibition of topoisomerase activity.

The small molecule Quinacrine (QC, a derivative of 9-aminoacridine), an anti-malaria drug, displays activity against cancer cell lines and can simultaneously suppress nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and activate p53 signaling. In this study, we investigated the anticancer mechanism underlying these drug activities in breast cancer cell lines. QC caused a dose-dependent decrease of both anchorage dependent and independent growth of breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) without affecting normal breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A), as evident from clonogenic cell survival, [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl-)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] viability, wound healing and soft agar growth. QC activated the proapoptotic marker Bax, PARP cleavage, p53 and its downstream target, p21 (Cip1/Waf1) and downregulated the antiapoptotic marker Bcl-xL and relative luciferase activity of NF-κB in MCF-7 cells. Results of DAPI nuclear staining and FACS analysis show that QC increased apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. QC caused apoptosis by increasing the cell population in S-phase and simultaneously decreasing the G1 and G2/M populations. A dose-dependent increase of DNA damage as measured by the comet assay was seen in MCF-7 cells after exposure to QC. With regards to the mechanism of DNA damage, we found that QC inhibited topoisomerase activity in MCF-7 cells by increasing the unwinding of supercoiled DNA. Collectively, the results demonstrate that QC has efficient anticancer potential against breast cancer cells via not only an induction of p53 and p21 but also an induction of S phase arrest, DNA damage and inhibition of topoisomerase activity.

Antioxidant activity and protective effect against plasmid DNA strand scission of leaf, bark, and heartwood extracts from Acacia catechu.

UNLABELLED: The antioxidant activity of methanol extract/fractions of leaf, bark, and heartwood of Acacia catechu was evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including free radical, superoxide and hydroxyl radical, reducing power, metal ion chelation, as well as hydroxyl radical induced DNA strand scission. The leaf, bark, and heartwood powder was extracted in methanol and the lyophilized methanol extract was fractionated with different solvents in the order of increasing polarity. The results indicate that ethyl acetate fraction of heartwood has the highest antioxidant capacities, presenting lower EC(50) values particularly in free radical scavenging activity, including DPPH radicals (4.76 ± 0.14 µg/mL), superoxide anions (26.21 ± 0.79 µg/mL), and hydroxyl radicals (33.69 ± 1.42 µg/mL), in direct assay systems. Reducing power was also highest in ethyl acetate fraction of heartwood (EC(50) of 79.05 ± 1.02 µg/mL). As for the chelating power on ferrous ions, leaf extract was more effective than bark and heartwood extracts. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate and acetone fractions of heartwood significantly protected pBR322 supercoiled plasmid DNA against strand scission induced by hydroxyl radicals in a Fenton's reaction mixture. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The present investigation suggests that the three organs of A. catechu differ significantly in their antioxidant potential as seen in the DPPH radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay, metal ion chelating assay, superoxide radical scavenging assay and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay. Further, our results showed that crude methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction of heartwood of A. catechu might have a good potential as a source for natural health products due to its antioxidant and DNA protective activities.

Cysteine-rich cyanopeptide beta2 from Spirulina fusiformis exhibits plasmid DNA pBR322 scission prevention and cellular antioxidant activity.

Isolation of three different active peptides from C-phycocyanin (C-pc) beta chain of S. fusiformis and their biological properties are reported. Phycocyanin peptide beta fraction 2 (cyanopeptide beta 2) facilitated both antioxidant and plasmid DNA strand scission prevention activity due to higher cysteine moieties in the isolated peptide. The peptide significantly scavenged the free radicals like 1-1,-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl and ferric reducing ability of plasma, increased the absorbance values in reducing power and also showed the higher trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity values in total reactive antioxidant potentials assay. Cyanopeptide beta 2 also inhibited reactive oxygen species induced DNA pBR322 damage in dose dependent manner along with free radical scavenging properties suggesting the role in the DNA integrity which is also evident by DNA binding activity of peptide. In addition, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was dose dependent (10 and 20 ng/ml) and significantly quenched by cyanopeptide beta2 in human fibroblast cell line TIG 3-20. In vitro cell scratch injury assay demonstrated the capacity of cyanopeptide beta2 in cell migration in to wounded area suggesting fibroblast proliferation and migration. The results suggest that cyanopeptide beta2 can be a free radical scavenger and effective peptide for future biomedical applications like wound healing, atherosclerosis, cell redox potential and hypoxia.