Search

Background: Juglans regia L. has a history of traditional medicinal use for the treatment of various maladies and have been documented with significant antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. Although all parts of the plant are medicinally important, but male the flower of the plant has not been yet investigated against the photo-damage.Purpose: The present study, we sought to determine the photoprotective effect of the male flower of J. regia L. against ultraviolet-B radiation-induced inflammatory responses in human skin cells.Methods: The profile of pharmacological active compounds present in the male flower of J. regia was analyzed by GC-MS. Then, the antioxidant property of methanolic extract of J. regia (MEJR) was analyzed by in vitro free radical scavenging assays. Further, we analyzed the sun protection factor of this extract by spectrophotometry. Moreover, we investigated the photoprotective effect of MEJR against UVB induced inflammatory signaling in human epidermal cells. Human skin epidermal keratinocytes (HaCaT) were pretreated with the MEJR (80 µg/ml), 30 min prior to UVB-irradiation at a dose of 20 mJ/cm2 and were investigated for lipid peroxidation, enzymatic antioxidants activity, apoptosis and inflammatory markers expression level.Results: The GC-MS results showed the presence of good amount of pharmacologically active compounds in the MEJR. We observed that the MEJR possess significant free radical scavenging activity and it was comparable with standard antioxidants. Further, the MEJR exhibits 8.8 sun-protection-factor (SPF) value. Pretreatment with MEJR, 30 min prior to UVB-irradiation, prevented ROS generation, lipid peroxidation and restored the activity of antioxidant status in HaCaT cells. Moreover, MEJR pretreatment significantly prevented UVB activated inflammatory markers like TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, NF-κB, COX-2 in HaCaT.Conclusion: The present findings suggest that MEJR exhibit photoprotective effects and hence it may be useful for the treatment of inflammation related responses. The pharmacological mechanism of MEJR partly associated with its UV absorbance, modulation of inflammatory signaling as well as due to its free radical scavenging capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Captive rearing programs have been initiated to save the European common spadefoot ( Pelobates fuscus), a toad species in the family of Pelobatidae, from extinction in The Netherlands. Evaluating whether this species needs ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation and/or dietary supplementation for healthy bone development is crucial for its captive management and related conservation efforts. The bone mineralization in the femurs and the thickest part of the parietal bone of the skulls of European common spadefoots ( n = 51) was measured in Hounsfield units (HUs) by computed tomography. One group, containing adults ( n = 8) and juveniles ( n = 13), was reared at ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo without UVB exposure. During their terrestrial lifetime, these specimens received a vitamin-mineral supplement. Another group, containing adults ( n = 8) and juveniles ( n = 10), was reared and kept in an outdoor breeding facility in Münster, Germany, with permanent access to natural UVB light, without vitamin-mineral supplementation. The HUs in the ARTIS and Münster specimens were compared with those in wild specimens ( n = 12). No significant difference was found between the HUs in the femurs of both ARTIS and Münster adults and wild adults ( P = 0.537; P = 0.181). The HUs in the skulls of both captive-adult groups were significantly higher than in the skulls of wild specimens ( P = 0.020; P = 0.005). The HUs in the femurs of the adult ARTIS animals were significantly higher than the HUs in the femurs of the adult Münster animals ( P = 0.007). The absence of UVB radiation did not seem to have a negative effect on the bone development in the terrestrial stage. This suggests that this nocturnal, subterrestrial amphibian was able to extract sufficient vitamin D3 from its diet and did not rely heavily on photobiosynthesis through UVB exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural molecules from different origins exhibit high therapeutic potential. Among them, molecules from marine algae are of particular interest. In the present study, we investigated the preventive effect of a protein extract (PE) of Ulva rigida against UVB-induced cellular damages. We demonstrated that a treatment of cortical astrocytes with 50 μg of PE induced a strong glioprotective effect and suppressed harmful effects of UVB radiations, increasing in particular cellular viability. In additional assays, this extract promoted the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase and inhibited the production of stress markers, such as H 2 O 2 or lipid peroxidation. As expected, proteolytic digestion or heating treatment of algal extract inhibited this preventive effect, arguing for the predominant role of the protein fraction. Thereafter, proteomic investigations allowed to identify several proteins from the extract, among which calmodulin revealed to represent an important contributor to the observed protective activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Although the photosynthesis and bioavailability of vitamin D are influenced by various factors, vitamin D is produced in the skin by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight. However, vitamin D insufficiency is being recognized as a common problem, even in areas with abundant sunshine. Objective. This study assessed vitamin D status by measuring plasma 25(OH)D concentrations in rural women in southern Ethiopia living in the Rift Valley at 7°3' N latitude. Methods. Nonpregnant women (n = 202) living in three adjacent rural communities volunteered to participate in this cross-sectional study. Demographic, socioeconomic, health, and food frequency data were acquired by questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and a fasting venipuncture blood sample were obtained by qualified professionals. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. ELISA kits from ImmunoDiagnostic Systems were used to determine concentrations of 25(OH)D with external quality control standards from UTAK Laboratories. Results. The self-reported mean ± SD age was 30.8 ± 7.8 years. The mean number of pregnancies was 4.7 ± 2.7, household size was 6.0 ± 2.6, and BMI was 20.0 ± 2.2. None of the participants reported ever consuming vitamin D-rich foods, fortified foods, or dietary supplements. Only 15.8% of the participants had 25(OH) D levels above 50 nmol/L, and 14.8% were below 30 nmol/L, which represents risk of deficiency relative to bone health. Conclusions. Vitamin D insufficiency is a serious problem in the study population, and living near the Equator does not assure adequate vitamin D status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term effects of UVB exclusion and temperature on the methanol extractable (ME) phenolics (flavonoids, phenolic acids) and iridoids of Menyanthes trifoliata L. (Mt) leaves were studied in northern Finland (68°N) using wooden frames covered with filters for UVB exclusion (polyester filter), control (cellulose acetate filter) and ambient (no filter) conditions. Analysis of ambient plots showed no effect of the daily mean temperature (2σ = 1.58 °C) on the leaf ME compound content and composition, but minimum temperatures decreased the flavonol content. UVB exclusion did not affect the total ME compound content but significantly decreased the proportion of flavonols concomitantly with an increase in iridoids. Due to its high iridoid content, Mt appears as an interesting model plant for studying the iridoid biosynthesis and its regulation under stress conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in low but ecological-relevant doses acts as a regulator in the plant's secondary metabolism. This study investigates the effect of UVB radiation from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) [peak wavelength of (290 ± 2) nm] on the biosynthesis of health-promoting secondary plant metabolites (carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and glucosinolates) of green and red leafy vegetables of Lactuca sativa , Brassica campestris , and Brassica juncea followed by evaluation of potential adverse effects in a human liver cell model. UVB radiation led to a significant increase in individual secondary plant metabolites, especially of phenolic compounds and glucosinolates, e.g. alkenyl glucosinolate content. Kaempferol und quercetin glycoside concentrations were also significantly increased compared to untreated plants. The plant extracts from Lactuca sativa, Brassica campestris , and Brassica juncea were used to assess cytotoxicity (WST-1 assay and trypan blue staining), genotoxicity (Comet assay), and production of reactive oxygen species (EPR) using metabolically competent human-derived HepG2 liver cells. No adverse effects in terms of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, or oxidative stress were detected in an extract concentration ranging from 3.125 to 100 μg ml−1. Notably, only at very high concentrations were marginal cytostatic effects observed in extracts from UVB-treated as well as untreated plants. In conclusion, the application of UVB radiation from LEDs changes structure-specific health-promoting secondary plant metabolites without damaging the plants. The treatment did not result in adverse effects at the human cell level. Based on these findings, UVB LEDs are a future alternative, promising light source to replace currently commonly used high-pressure sodium lamps in greenhouses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increases in general circulatory time, half-life and bioavailability increase the efficacy of any drug molecule. Rutin (3, 3′, 4′, 5, 7 -pentahydroxyflavone-3-rhamnoglucoside) is a flavonoid known for its ability to regulate cell metabolism, gene expression, and protect against oxidative stress, although certain biophysical aspects of their functioning are not yet clear. Non protein and small protein molecules with electrophilic properties are transported through the blood to their target site by binding with albumin. The authors therefore hypothesized that modification of rutin-albumin binding by changing the microenvironment in which it is delivered can increase the efficacy of the molecule. Therefore, the interaction of rutin in different solvent systems with albumin have been studied to evaluate the bioavailability and efficacy of the molecule to introduce it as a drug for combating UVB radiation-induced damage in biological systems. We evaluated the effect of rutin–albumin interaction in blood plasma in various modes of delivery (in DMSO, alcohol and PEG). The biological activity and efficacy of different solvents for rutin delivery and its bioavailability were studied using UVB irradiated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro. Amelioration of UVB radiation-induced oxidative damage and cell death by rutin has been studied by MTT assay and Tryphan blue exclusion assay and LDH-cytotoxicity assay. In these three studied systems the most effective concentration of rutin was also determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]