Copper or free radical scavenger?

Computationally designed p-coumaric acid analogs: searching for neuroprotective antioxidants

Newly designed p-coumaric acid derivatives are promising candidates as multifunctional antioxidants with neuroprotective effects.

Accumulation potential and tolerance response of Typha latifolia L. under citric acid assisted phytoextraction of lead and mercury

Chelate-assisted phytoextraction by high biomass producing macrophyte plant Typha latifolia L. commonly known as cattail, is gaining much attention worldwide. The present study investigated the effects of Lead (Pb) and Mercury (Hg) on physiology and biochemistry of plant, Pb and Hg uptake in T. latifolia with and without citric acid (CA) amendment. The uniform seedlings of T. latifolia were treated with various concentrations in the hydroponics as: Pb and Hg (1, 2.5, 5 mM) each alone and/or with CA (5 mM). After four weeks of treatments, the results revealed that Pb and Hg significantly reduced the plant agronomic traits as compare to non-treated plants. The addition of CA improved the plant physiology and enhanced the antioxidant enzymes activities to overcome Pb and Hg induced oxidative damage and electrolyte leakage. Our results depicted that Pb and Hg uptake and accumulation by T. latifolia was dose depend whereas, the addition of CA further increased the concentration and accumulation of Pb and Hg by up to 22 & 35% Pb and 72 & 40% Hg in roots, 25 & 26% Pb and 85 & 60% Hg in stems and 22 & 15 Pb and 100 & 58% Hg in leaves respectively compared to Pb and Hg treated only plants. On other hand, the root-shoot translocation factor was ≥1 and bioconcentration factor was also ≥2 for both Pb & Hg. The results also revealed that T. latifolia showed greater tolerance towards Hg and accumulated higher Hg in all parts compared with Pb.

Structures of the solvated copper(ii) ion in ammonia at various temperatures

We investigated theoretically the structures and relative stabilities of the solvated copper(ii) ion in ammonia, Cu²⁺(NH₃)_n, n = 1–10.

Biological and biochemical characteristics of male reproductive system, serum metabolites and carcass quality of Japanese quails by the supplementation of Pinus ponderosa leaves and α-tocopherol acetate

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of Pinus ponderosa leaves (pine leaves) and α-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E) powder on male reproductive system, serum metabolites and carcass characteristics of Japanese quails. A total of 360-day-old male quails were purchased from the open market and kept at poultry shed for ninety-four days. After ten days of adaptation, all quails were randomly assigned into 4 groups, control (IC); supplemented with α-tocopherol acetate (IE) at the rate of 150 mg/L; Pinus ponderosa leaves (IP) at the rate of 150 mg/L; and 70 mg α-tocopherol acetate and 70 mg Pinus ponderosa leaves (IEP). Pinus ponderosa leaves and α-tocopherol acetate supplementation had not significantly (p > .05) effected on final body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of quails. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and total cholesterol (TC) were significantly (p > .05) affected by IE and IP groups as compared to IC and IEP groups. Triglyceride (TG), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) significantly (p < .05) increased in all treatment groups except for the IC group. Aspartate transaminase (AST) significantly (p > .05) decreased in treatment groups as compared to control group. Overall, the mineral levels significantly (p < .05) increased in treatment groups as compared to control. Cloacal gland index values, the quantity of foam production and testis weight were significantly (p < .05) increased in treatment groups. It was concluded that the supplementation of Pinus ponderosa leaves and α-tocopherol acetate improved the testis weight, foam production, serum antioxidant enzymes and mineral level especially zinc in Japanese quail considered an indicative characteristic of higher sperm production rate and improved sexual activity. Further, higher gametogenesis rate, sperm production or reproductive behaviour including different hormonal level will be analysed in future study.

Total Phenolic, Anthocyanin, Catechins, DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity, and Toxicity of Lepisanthes alata (Blume) Leenh

Anthocyanins and catechin are natural antioxidants presented in many plants. Lepisanthes alata (Blume) Leenh is a plant with fruit that ripens to an intense red. This coloring suggests a high polyphenol content. However, limited information is available regarding the polyphenol or other antioxidant content in this fruit or its suitability as a food additive. The purpose of this research was to determine the total phenolic, total monomeric anthocyanin, catechin, epicatechin and epigallocatechin gallate content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and toxicity in rind, flesh, seed, and whole fruit of L. alata. This research was conducted using an exploratory method with four analyses; samples from six parts of the plant were analyzed for polyphenols (rind, fruit pulp, seeds, whole fruit, bark, and leaves), four for anthocyanins (rind, fruit pulp, seeds, and whole fruit), and six parts of the plant for DPPH radical scavenging activity in water, methanol, and ethanol (rind, fruit pulp, seeds, whole fruit, bark, and leaves) and toxicity. This plant was found to contain high levels of polyphenol; the lowest level was measured in the flesh (0.64 mg GAE/g of DW) and the highest in the whole fruit (2.87 mg GAE/g of DW). The lowest anthocyanin content is found in the flesh and the highest in the rind with the respective average values of 672.27 mg/100 g FW and 1462.82 mg/100 g FW. Epicatechin is the major catechin in whole fruit and bark of L. alata. L. alata DPPH radical scavenging activity was in the range of 21.23 to 92.5% depending on the solvent, and the highest activity was recorded in bark in ethanol extract. No toxins were found in any part of the plant indicating that an extract from it could be safely used as a natural antioxidant supplement in processed foods to protect against free radicals.

A Computational Investigation of the Binding of the Selenium Analogues of Ergothioneine and Ovothiol to Cu(I) and Cu(II) and the Effect of Binding on the Redox Potential of the Cu(II)/Cu(I) Redox Couple

The complexes formed from the binding of ovoselenol (OSeH) and ergoseloneine (ESeH) to Cu(II) and Cu(I) have been investigated with DFT methods. From the calculated thermodynamics, the binding of OSeH and ESeH to Cu(II) and Cu(I) ions increases the reduction potential for the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox couple. The calculated reduction potentials for the Cu(II)(OSe)2/Cu(I)(OSeH)3+ and Cu(II)(ESe)2/Cu(I)(ESeH)3+ redox couples were found to be 1.15 V and 1.24 V in a dilute aqueous solution. By combining the half reactions for the oxidation of OSeH to the diselenide OSeSeO with the reduction of Cu(II)(OSe)2 to Cu(I)(OSeH)3+, the calculated EMF was 0.90 V. For the oxidation of ESeH to the diselenide ESeSeE with the concomitant reduction of Cu(II)(ESe)2 to Cu(I)(ESeH)3+, the calculated EMF was 0.67 V. Thus, for both systems, the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) with concomitant formation of either diselenide is thermodynamically favourable, and it is expected that both OSeH and ESeH are suitable for the protection against copper induced oxidative damage. As a result, the inhibition of the recycling of Cu(I) to Cu(II) is thermodynamically favourable in the presence of OSeH and ESeH.

The effect of administration of copper nanoparticles to chickens in their drinking water on the immune and antioxidant status of the blood

The aim of this experiment was to determine what dosage of copper (Cu) nanoparticles, added to a standard dietary supplementation with copper sulfate, would improve antioxidant and immune defense in chickens. The experiment was conducted with 126 broiler chickens assigned to seven treatments with three pens per treatment and six broiler chickens per pen. The basal-diet treatment did not receive Cu nanoparticles (nano-Cu) and as shown by analyses it was Cu-deficient (-29% vs. National Research Council (NRC) recommendations; 5.7 vs. 8 mg/kg). Broiler chickens received nano-Cu (0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mg/kg body weight per day) via a tube into the crop over three 3-day periods (days 8-10, 22-24 and 36-38) or three 7-day periods (days 8-14, 22-28 and 36-42). As a result, in the nano-Cu-treated broilers the total experimental Cu intake was from -11% to +96% versus NRC recommendations. At the age of 42 days of broilers, their blood indices were determined. The obtained results showed that correction of the deficient basal diet of chickens with nano-Cu to a level of copper exceeding the NRC recommendation by 54% increased the antioxidant potential of the organism and inhibited lipid peroxidation. At the dosage of +96% versus NRC, some symptoms of a deterioration in antioxidant status appeared (a decrease in the level of glutathione plus glutathione disulfide and an increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase and ceruloplasmin activity and in lipid hydroperoxide content). Additionally, +7% versus the recommended Cu dietary level was followed by unfavorable results, indicating a deterioration in red blood cell parameters and stimulation of the immune system (an increase in interleukin-6, immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM and IgY). To conclude, it was shown that it is possible to simultaneously increase antioxidant and immune defense of chickens by supplementing their diets with nano-Cu - up to 12 mg per bird during 6 weeks of feeding, that is to a level no more than 7% over the NRC recommendation for growing broiler chickens.