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Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective anticancer drug, but its use is limited by dose-dependent heart toxicity. Quercetin is a natural antioxidant frequently studied for its beneficial properties. Moreover, a wide range of dietary supplements are available for human use. This in vivo study aimed to explore the potential cardioprotective effects of quercetin in chronic DOX treatment. A total of 32 Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, DOX, DOX/Q-50, and DOX/Q-100, treated with saline, 2.5 mg/kg body-weight DOX, 2.5 mg/kg body-weight DOX + 50 mg quercetin, and 2.5 mg/kg body-weight DOX + 100 mg quercetin, respectively, for two weeks. Rats were monitored using cardiac ultrasound (US) and markers for cardiac injury. Oxidative damage and ultrastructural changes in the heart were investigated. Chronic DOX treatment led to a decline in cardiac function and elevated values of NT pro-BNP, troponin I, and CK-MB. Quercetin treatment slightly improved certain US parameters, and normalized serum NT pro-BNP levels. Furthermore, DOX-induced SOD1 depletion with consequent Nrf2 activation and DNA damage as shown by an increase in γH2AX and 8HOdG. Quercetin treatment alleviated these alterations. Oral administration of quercetin alleviated serum markers associated with DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Furthermore, it exhibited a favorable impact on the cardiac US parameters. This suggests that quercetin may have potential cardioprotective properties.

The present report focuses on a rapid and convenient method applicable in the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using goji berry (Lycium barbarum—LB) extracts rich in antioxidant compounds, as well as on the structural analysis and evaluation of the induced antioxidant protection and anti-inflammatory effects of the synthesized gold nanoparticles upon endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to hyperglycemia. The synthesized AuNPs were characterized using ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), whereas the presence of bioactive compounds from the L. barbarum fruit extract on the surface of the nanoparticles was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The antioxidant activity of the biosynthesized gold nanoparticles was evaluated on the HUVEC cell line. The results reveal that AuNPs with a predominantly spherical shape and an average size of 30 nm were obtained. The UV-Vis spectrum showed a characteristic absorption band at λmax = 536 nm of AuNPs. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids and carotenoids acting as capping and stabilizing agents of AuNPs. Both the L. barbarum extract and AuNPs were well tolerated by HUVECs, increased the antioxidant defense and decreased the production of inflammatory cytokines induced via hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative damage.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is known as the primary and most common cause of dementia in the middle-aged and elderly population worldwide. Chemical analyses of B. pendula leaf extract (BPE), performed using spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods (LC/MS), revealed high amounts of polyphenol carboxylic acids (gallic, chlorogenic, caffeic, trans-p-coumaric, ferulic, and salicylic acids), as well as flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, naringenin, hyperoside, quercetin, and quercitrin). Four groups of Wistar rats were used in this experiment (n = 7/group): control (untreated), Aβ1-42 (2 μg/rat intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.), Aβ1-42 + BPE (200 mg/Kg b.w.), and DMSO (10 μL/rat). On the first day, one dose of Aβ1-42 was intracerebroventricularly administered to animals in groups 2 and 3. Subsequently, BPE was orally administered for the next 15 days to group 3. On the 16th day, behavioral tests were performed. Biomarkers of brain oxidative stress Malondialdehyde (MDA), (Peroxidase (PRx), Catalase (CAT), and Superoxid dismutase (SOD) and inflammation (cytokines: tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α), Interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX 2)) in plasma and hippocampus homogenates were assessed. Various protein expressions (Phospho-Tau (Ser404) (pTau Ser 404), Phospho-Tau (Ser396) (pTau Ser 396), synaptophysin, and the Nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) signaling pathway) were analyzed using Western blot and immunohistochemistry in the hippocampus. The results show that BPE diminished lipid peroxidation and neuroinflammation, modulated specific protein expression, enhanced the antioxidant capacity, and improved spontaneous alternation behavior, suggesting that it has beneficial effects in AD.