Project description:The unregulated use of acetaminophen (APAP), an antipyretic and analgesic drug, harms hepatocytes and kidney cells, leading to liver failure and acute kidney injury. Herein, we investigate whether APAP damages macrophages in the immune system by observing its effects on macrophage proliferation and apoptosis. Using proteomics, we analyzed the effects of APAP on macrophage protein expression profiles and evaluated whether polydatin, the active ingredient in grapes and wine, can repair the damaged cells. The results showed that APAP alters the morphology and physiological processes of macrophages, inhibits macrophage proliferation, and promotes apoptosis. We observed 528 differentially expressed proteins when 500 µg/mL APAP was administered to the cells. These proteins are involved in biological processes including cell division, apoptosis, and acute phase response. Overall, our findings demonstrate that APAP harms the immune system by damaging macrophages and that polydatin can repair this damage.
Project description:The effects of a mixture of Hippophae rhamnoides (HR) and Zingiber mioga (ZM) extract (ZH) on intracellular lipid accumulation were investigated in vitro and the anti-obesity effects of ZH evaluated in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity. The results revealed that ZH inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and Huh-7 cells by suppressing adipogenic and lipogenic gene and protein expression. To evaluate the anti-obesity effects of ZH, mice fed a high-fat diet were orally administered low and high doses of ZH (low, ZM 400 mg/kg + HR 100 mg/kg; high, ZM 800 mg/kg + HR 200 mg/kg) for 9 weeks. ZH significantly reduced body weight gain and adipose tissue accumulation with no reduction in food intake when compared to control treatment. Furthermore, ZH reduced hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol levels, as well as adipose cell size, in the liver and epididymal fat pads, respectively, through inhibition of adipogenesis and lipogenesis-related gene expression. These results suggested that ZH inhibits lipid accumulation, thereby indicating its potential for use as a new therapeutic strategy for obesity.
Project description:Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica Houtt.) is Poland's invasive weed, for which there is no efficient control method. The rhizomes of this species are rich in resveratrol. In this work, we evaluated (1) the effectiveness of electromagnetic microwaves (MV) in destroying Japanese knotweed using an original device, HOGWEED (MV of 2450 MHz), (2) the ecotoxic effect of the MV on the soil environment, and (3) the resveratrol content in knotweed rhizomes after MV treatment. The field studies were carried out in 2022 in southern Poland. Cut plants were MV-treated for times of 5.0-25.0 min. The MV efficiency was checked 10 and 56 days after treatment (DAT). After MV treatment, fresh soil samples were taken to analyze their ecotoxicity. As a result, at 56 DAT, knotweed was controlled if MV was used for at least 20.0 min. The MV did not affect the soil ecotoxicity. The MV-treated soils were classified as non-toxic or low-toxic. To analyze the resveratrol content, healthy knotweed rhizomes were dug out, treated with MV in the laboratory at 2.5-10.0 min, and analyzed for resveratrol content in HPLC-MS/MS. As a result, the resveratrol in the rhizomes significantly decreased in a time-dependent manner following MV exposure.
Project description:Reynoutria japonica Houtt. is a critical invasive alien plant in Europe and North America with a drastic impact on native flora. However, R. japonica has medicinal potential, especially as a source of stilbenes. In order to explore the potential of simple extractions of R. japonica, we conducted qualitative and quantitative analyses of fresh R. japonica rhizome infusion, decoction, and macerates with ethanol by UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn and UHPLC-DAD, with a focus on major constituent groups of stilbenes and anthranoids. Since R. japonica rhizome extracts showed antimicrobial potential in the past, we also evaluated the antimycobacterial effect of raw R. japonica extracts for the first time against Mycobacterium smegmatis. Of thirty-four characterized substances, six were stilbenes and twelve anthranoids. The main constituents, four trans-stilbenes and eight anthranoids, were quantified in a validated UHPLC-DAD method. The 38% ethanol macerate showed high stilbene (155.078 mg/100 g fluid extract) and low anthranoid content (5.420 mg/100 g fluid extract), while decoction showed the highest anthranoids. Antimycobacterial testing gave good results for all macerates (MIC 256 µg/mL) and trans-resveratrol (64 µg/mL). Extraction and enrichment of stilbenes from fresh plant material by simple extraction methods with food-grade solvents might encourage consideration of wild harvest of rhizomes over classic means of eradication of R. japonica.
Project description:The Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica Houtt.) is considered as one of the most aggressive and highly successful invasive plants with a negative impact on invaded habitats. Its uncontrolled expansion became a significant threat to the native species throughout Europe. Due to its extensive rhizome system, rapid growth, and allelopathic activity, it usually forms monocultures that negatively affect the nearby vegetation. The efficient regulation of partitioning and utilization of energy in photosynthesis enables invasive plants to adapt rapidly a variety of environmental conditions. Therefore, we aimed to determine the influence of light conditions on photosynthetic reactions in the Japanese knotweed. Plants were grown under two different light regimes, namely, constant low light (CLL, 40 μmol/m2/s) and fluctuating light (FL, 0-1,250 μmol/m2/s). To evaluate the photosynthetic performance, the direct and modulated chlorophyll a fluorescence was measured. Plants grown at a CLL served as control. The photosynthetic measurements revealed better photosystem II (PSII) stability and functional oxygen-evolving center of plants grown in FL. They also exhibited more efficient conversion of excitation energy to electron transport and an efficient electron transport beyond the primary electron acceptor QA, all the way to PSI. The enhanced photochemical activity of PSI suggested the formation of a successful adaptive mechanism by regulating the distribution of excitation energy between PSII and PSI to minimize photooxidative damage. A faster oxidation at the PSI side most probably resulted in the generation of the cyclic electron flow around PSI. Besides, the short-term exposure of FL-grown knotweeds to high light intensity increased the yield induced by downregulatory processes, suggesting that the generation of the cyclic electron flow protected PSI from photoinhibition.
Project description:Hippophae rhamnoides L. is a deciduous shrub that contains many unique bioactive substances. This sea buckthorn possesses anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular protective properties. Herein, the effects of phenylpropyl compounds extracted from H. rhamnoides L. on doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiotoxicity were evaluated in zebrafish. Cardiac injury in zebrafish was induced using 35 μM Dox for 96 h, and 30 μM phenylpropanoid compounds were used as the protective treatment. The cardioprotective effects and mechanisms of the four phenylpropanoids were investigated using microscopy, behavioral analysis, acridine orange staining, western blotting, flow cytometry, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The extracted phenylpropanoids could significantly relieve Dox-induced cardiac injury in zebrafish and inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The mechanisms of action were mainly related to the stability of mitochondrial biogenesis and function maintained by phenylpropanoids in zebrafish. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the protective effect of sea buckthorn against myocardial injury in zebrafish. Our findings provide support for the further research and development of sea buckthorn and its components.