RESUMEN
Hericium erinaceus (H. erinaceus) is a rare and appreciated fungal species belonging to the division Basidiomycota used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine for its medicinal value. This species of mushrooms brings the most diverse benefits for the human body, and can have beneficial effects for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study investigated whether ethanolic extract from the fungal biomass of H. erinaceus enhances cognitive function via the action on cholinergic neurons using the scopolamine (SCOP)-induced zebrafish (Danio rerio) model of memory impairment. The ethanolic extract from the fungal biomass of H. erinaceus was previously obtained using an ultrasonic extraction method (UE). The administration of H. erinaceus extract to zebrafish, with a pattern of AD induced by scopolamine, showed an improvement in memory evaluated by behavioral and biochemical tests on brain tissue. These results suggest that H. erinaceus has preventive and therapeutic potentials in managing memory deficits and brain oxidative stress in zebrafish with AD.
RESUMEN
This scientific research focused on the production of hydroethanolic extract of the plant species Lycopodium selago L. (L. selago) by the ultrasound-assisted extraction (USAE) and the identification of biocompounds with high antioxidant activity is of interest for possible phytotherapeutic treatment against Alzheimer's disease (AD). The extract was phytochemically analyzed to investigate polyphenols, flavonoids, and identify the sesquiterpenoid alkaloid huperzine A (HupA), which is known in the literature for its great relevance in AD. Evaluation and comparison of the antioxidant activity of the extract were performed by four complementary spectrophotometric methods (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, ORAC). In vitro tests of the extract showed an excellent reciprocal link between the concentration of polyphenols and the measurement of the antioxidant activity of the extract with the sesquiterpenoid HupA. To confirm the antioxidant activity, L. selago hydroethanolic extract was administered in vivo to zebrafish (Danio rerio) with a pattern of scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment. Moreover, this study explored a possible correlation between the expression of oxidative stress markers in the brain tissue with the behavior of the scopolamine zebrafish model. In vivo tests showed that this fern could be used as a nutritional supply and as a phytotherapeutic method to prevent or treat various neurodegenerative diseases that call for high-nutritive-value medications.
RESUMEN
Extracts obtained from different plant species proved to be a valuable tool in various biomedical applications. In the same time, the phytosynthesis of noble metal nanoparticles represents an already well-established route for obtaining nanoparticles with biological activity. The present paper studies the antioxidant activity and the cytogenetic effects of the alcoholic extracts from rhizomes of Aconitum toxicum Rchb., before and after the phytosynthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles, on the meristematic root cells of Allium cepa L., and on the general mitotic index and the progression rate through the mitotic phases, respectively, as well as on the genetic material organized in chromosomes. The extracts were characterized in terms of total polyphenolics content (1.49% and, respectively, 2.29%) and aconitine content (by HPLC - 4.891â¯mg/L and, respectively, 18.211â¯mg/L), while the phytosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles was monitored by UV-Vis spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and electron microscopy. Both the extracts and the obtained nanoparticles were evaluated for antioxidant potential (the antioxidant activity ranging between 78% and 84.32%) and cytogenetic effects. The obtained results prove the phytosynthesis of AgNPs and AuNPs with dimensions ranging from 9â¯nm to 15â¯nm for AuNPs, respectively from 53â¯nm to 67â¯nm for AgNPs. The extracts obtained from rhizomes of A. toxicum Rchb. induced mitotic stress, as well as a series of nuclear and mitotic aberrations. The biosynthesis of AgNPs and AuNPs intensified the antioxidant and mitostimulatory activity of the extracts.