RESUMO
Acrylamide (ACR) is produced during food processing and has been shown to cause health problems. Selenium, especially in its nanoscale, is an important trace element in human nutrition. Chitosan-stabilized selenium nanoparticles (Ch-SeNPs) stability and its protective potential against ACR-induced injury in rats were evaluated. Ch-SeNPs displayed high radical-scavenging activity and reducing power that were not significantly changed for 60 days at 4°C. The transmission electron microscopy images and dynamic light scattering results demonstrated high stability of Ch-SeNPs during storage. ACR (20 mg kg-1 day-1 ) led to elevate the level of malondialdehyde, dopamine and noradrenaline in blood serum, and cerebral cortex. Ch-SeNPs (0.2 mg kg-1 day-1 ) displayed more protection against ACR-induced damages comparing to Na2 SeO3 . More than 90% of the glutathione pool in the brain tissue was in reduced form. Correlation coefficient analysis demonstrated the attenuating effect of Ch-SeNPs against ACR-induced brain-injury and hormone imbalance. Administrating Ch-SeNPs 15 days before ACR-treatment is required for obtaining the best protection. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Ch-SeNPs used in the present study characterized by its high storage stability for two months without losing its antioxidant potential. After conducting toxicity tests, it is suggested to supplement some foods with Ch-SeNPs because of its high antioxidant potential and significant protection ability against the oxidative stress damages in living organisms. These advantages may nominate the Ch-SeNPs for several industrial applications in the field of food processing and protection.
RESUMO
The ethanolic extracts of many plants have been used in alternative medicine. The present study aimed at evaluating the antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and anticancer potential of cactus and lupin ethanolic extracts compared to utoral drug (UT) on the colon Caco-2 cancer cell line. Bioactive components, cytotoxicity of Caco-2 cell cycle, and gene regulation of apoptosis genes were studied by HPLC, flow cytometer, and RT-PCR, respectively. Lupin extract (LE) contained high bioactive components and antioxidant potential. The predominant phenol, flavonoid, and sterol in LE were rosmarinic acid (2,004.8 µg/ml), quercetin (9,912 µg/g), and ergosterol (2.77 µg/g). LE and its mixture with utoral showed high cytotoxicity and effective potential in regulation of gene expression of proapoptotic and antiapoptotic genes in Caco-2 cells. In conclusion, LE and cactus extract (CE) could be considered as natural preparations with high anticancer properties against Caco-2 cells. LE had the highest anticancer potential among the tested preparations. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The study demonstrated that lupine and cactus extracts have high potential as anticancer substances. These natural extracts can be used to prepare therapeutic mixtures or foods.