Protective effects and mechanisms of Terminalia catappa L. methenolic extract on hydrogen-peroxide-induced oxidative stress in human skin fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in aging-related phenomenon, including skin aging and photoaging. This study investigated the protective role and possible mechanism of Terminalia catappa L. methanolic extract (TCE) in human fibroblasts (Hs68) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative damage. METHODS: Various in vitro antioxidant assays were performed in this study. The effect and mechanisms of TCE on oxidative stress-induced oxidative damage were studied by using western blotting. RESULTS: The IC50 of TCE was 8.2 µg/mL for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, 20.7 µg/mL for superoxide anion radical scavenging, 173.0 µg/mL for H2O2 scavenging, 44.8 µg/mL for hydroxyl radical scavenging, and 427.6 µg/mL for ferrous chelation activities. Moreover, TCE inhibited the H2O2-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, resulting in the inhibition of c-Jun, c-Fos, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. TCE also increased hemeoxygenase-1 expression inhibited by H2O2. Finally, TCE was demonstrated reverse type I procollagen expression in fibroblasts after H2O2 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: According to our findings, TCE is a potent antioxidant and protective agent that can be used in antioxidative stress-induced skin aging.

Alleviation of Ultraviolet B-Induced Photodamage by Coffea arabica Extract in Human Skin Fibroblasts and Hairless Mouse Skin.

Coffea arabica extract (CAE) containing 48.3 ± 0.4 mg/g of chlorogenic acid and a trace amount of caffeic acid was found to alleviate photoaging activity in human skin fibroblasts. In this study, polyphenol-rich CAE was investigated for its antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties, as well as for its capability to alleviate ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced photodamage in BALB/c hairless mice. The results indicated that 500 µg/mL of CAE exhibited a reducing power of 94.7%, ferrous ion chelating activity of 46.4%, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of 20.3%. The CAE dose dependently reduced UVB-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in fibroblasts. Furthermore, CAE inhibited the UVB-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and p-inhibitor κB, and the translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) to the nucleus of fibroblasts. In addition, CAE alleviated UVB-induced photoaging and photodamage in BALB/c hairless mice by restoring the collagen content and reduced UVB-induced epidermal hyperplasia. CAE also inhibited UVB-induced NF-κB, interleukin-6, and matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression in the hairless mouse skin. The results indicated that CAE exhibits antiphotodamage activity by inhibiting UV-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Therefore, CAE is a candidate for use in antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antiphotodamage products.

N-(4-methoxyphenyl) caffeamide-induced melanogenesis inhibition mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: The derivative of caffeamide exhibits antioxidant and antityrosinase activity. The activity and mechanism of N-(4-methoxyphenyl) caffeamide (K36E) on melanogenesis was investigated. METHODS: B16F0 cells were treated with various concentrations of K36E; the melanin contents and related signal transduction were studied. Western blotting assay was applied to determine the protein expression, and spectrophotometry was performed to identify the tyrosinase activity and melanin content. RESULTS: Our results indicated that K36E reduced α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced melanin content and tyrosinase activity in B16F0 cells. In addition, K36E inhibited the expression of phospho-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-response element-binding protein, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, and tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1). K36E activated the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT) and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3ß), leading to the inhibition of MITF transcription activity. K36E attenuated α-MSH induced cAMP pathways, contributing to hypopigmentation. CONCLUSIONS: K36E regulated melanin synthesis through reducing the expression of downstream proteins including p-CREB, p-AKT, p-GSK3ß, tyrosinase, and TRP-1, and activated the transcription factor, MITF. K36E may have the potential to be developed as a skin whitening agent.

Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Activities of Taiwanese Purple-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) Extracts.

Purple-fleshed sweet potato (PFSP) (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) has been known to possess high amount of anthocyanins which contribute to its antioxidant activity. However, a few reports are available concerning its anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. In this study, PFSP "Tainung 73," which is locally grown in Taiwan, was steamed and extracted using acidified ethanol pH 3.5 under 80°C. Two kinds of crude anthocyanins extracts were obtained, namely, SP (Steamed, Peeled) and SNP (Steamed, No Peeled). Then, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of these extracts were investigated. Cell viability assay (MTT) showed that SP and SNP extracts were not toxic to RAW 264.7 cells. They even exhibited anti-inflammatory activities by suppressing the production of NO and proinflammatory cytokines, such as NF-κß, TNF-α, and IL-6, in LPS-induced macrophage cells. Anticancer activities of these extracts were displayed through their ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cell lines, such as MCF-7 (breast cancer), SNU-1 (gastric cancer), and WiDr (colon adenocarcinoma), in concentration- and time-dependent manner. Further studies also revealed that SP extracts could induce apoptosis in MCF-7 and SNU-1 cancer cells through extrinsic and intrinsic pathway. In the future, PSFP extracts may have potential to be applied in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and food industries.

The optimum submerged culture condition of the culinary-medicinal white jelly mushroom (Tremellomycetes) and its antioxidant properties.

Tremella fuciformis is a natural edible and medicinal mushroom commercially available in Taiwan. In this study, the effects of initial pH, incubation time, and various media to optimize exopolysaccharide (EPS) production by T. fuciformis were evaluated in shake flasks and a bioreactor. The antioxidant properties were investigated. The results showed that using potato dextrose broth medium (pH 9) and a 48-hour incubation time in a shake flask was the most efficient condition from which to obtain maximum EPS. However, the quantity of EPS from different initial pH values (5-9) was not significantly different. Total polyphenol and ß-glucan contents from every EPS sample (pH 5-9) were evaluated. T. fuciformis polysaccharides (10 mg/mL, pH 9) could scavenge 40.63% of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals. The chelating abilities of ferrous ion of all extracts reached more than 80%. EPS extract from the initial pH value of 9 showed the highest reducing power among the other pH values (half maximal effective concentration = 5.97 mg/mL). The EPS from T. fuciformis was noncytotoxic to mouse skin fibroblasts (NIH/3T3), and survival rates were more than 100% using MTT assay. The samples were used to analyze the scavenging activity against oxidative damage induced by ultraviolet B radiation and hydrogen peroxide. The results showed the antioxidant activity occurred in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Furthermore, these findings prove that the EPS of T. fuciformis from submerged culture possess antioxidant properties and can be used as an alternative treatment for cell protection.

Control of silverleaf whitefly, cotton aphid and kanzawa spider mite with oil and extracts from seeds of sugar apple.

Development of alternative methods for pest management is needed with the increased concern for adverse effects of pesticides for human health and the environment. The main goal of our study was to test the oil from seeds of sugar apple (Annona squamosa), an edible tropical fruit for pest control. The oil pressed out of seeds was as effective in controlling the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), infesting leaves of tomato plants in greenhouse conditions as the recommended insecticide, with the advantage of not being phytotoxic. When observed with a scanning electron microscope, the seed oil caused whitefly nymphs to shrink and detach from the leaf surface. Sugar apple seed oil was also very effective in controlling the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae), on melon leaves and the Kanzawa spider mite, Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida (Acari: Tetranychidae), on soybean leaves. The study revealed the possibility of developing the oil from sugar apple seeds, an agricultural waste, into a broad spectrum product friendly to the environment and human health for crop pest management.

Control of silverleaf whitefly, cotton aphid and kanzawa spider mite with oil and extracts from seeds of sugar apple / Controle da mosca-branca, do pulgão do algodoeiro e do ácaro de kanzawa com óleo e extratos de sementes de fruta-do-conde

Development of alternative methods for pest management is needed with the increased concern for adverse effects of pesticides for human health and the environment. The main goal of our study was to test the oil from seeds of sugar apple (Annona squamosa), an edible tropical fruit for pest control. The oil pressed out of seeds was as effective in controlling the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), infesting leaves of tomato plants in greenhouse conditions as the recommended insecticide, with the advantage of not being phytotoxic. When observed with a scanning electron microscope, the seed oil caused whitefly nymphs to shrink and detach from the leaf surface. Sugar apple seed oil was also very effective in controlling the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae), on melon leaves and the Kanzawa spider mite, Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida (Acari: Tetranychidae), on soybean leaves. The study revealed the possibility of developing the oil from sugar apple seeds, an agricultural waste, into a broad spectrum product friendly to the environment and human health for crop pest management.

É crescente a necessidade de desenvolvimento de métodos alternativos para o manejo de pragas com o aumento da consciência pública sobre os efeitos adversos de pesticidas à saúde humana e ao ambiente. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi o de avaliar o óleo de sementes de fruta-do-conde (Annona squamosa), uma fruta tropical comestível, para o controle de pragas. O óleo prensado de sementes foi tão eficiente quanto o pesticida recomendado para controle da mosca-branca Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) infestando folhas de tomate em casa-de-vegetação, com a vantagem de não apresentar fitotoxicidade. Em observações ao microscópio eletrônico de varredura, o óleo de semente induziu ao ressecamento das ninfas e o seu desprendimento da superfície da folha. O óleo de sementes de fruta-do-conde também foi eficaz no controle do pulgão do algodoeiro, Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae), infestando folhas de melão, e do ácaro de Kanzawa, Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida (Acari: Tetranychidae), em folhas de soja. Este estudo revelou a possibilidade de utilizar o óleo de sementes de fruta-do-conde, um sub-produto agrícola, como produto de largo espectro de ação mas seguro ao ambiente e à saúde humana, em programas de manejo de pragas agrícolas.