Tucum-Do-Cerrado (Bactris setosa Mart.) Consumption Modulates Iron Homeostasis and Prevents Iron-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Rat Liver

Cell-Cycle-related Protein Centromere Protein F Deficiency Inhibits Cervical Cancer Cell Growth by Inducing Ferroptosis Via Nrf2 Inactivation

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the severe cancers that pose a threat to women's health and result in death. CENPF, the centromere protein F, plays a crucial role in mitosis by regulating numerous cellular processes, such as chromosome segregation during mitosis. According to bioinformatics research, CENPF serves as a master regulator that is upregulated and activated in cervical cancer. Nevertheless, the precise biological mechanism that CENPF operates in CC remains unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the function of CENPF on cervical cancer and its mechanism. We conducted immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis to examine the expression levels of CENPF in both cervical cancer tissues and cells. To explore the hidden biological function of CENPF in cell lines derived from CC, we applied lentivirus transfection to reduce CENPF manifestation. CENPF's main role is to regulate ferroptosis which was assessed by analyzing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), malonaldehyde (MDA), etc. The vitro findings were further validated through a subcutaneous tumorigenic nude mouse model. Our research finding indicates that there is an apparent upregulation of CENPF in not merely tumor tissues but also cell lines in the carcinomas of the cervix. In vitro and vivo experimental investigations have demonstrated that the suppression of CENPF can impede cellular multiplication, migration, and invasion while inducing ferroptosis. The ferroptosis induced by CENPF inhibition in cervical cancer cell lines is likely mediated through the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. The data herein come up with the opinion that CENPF may have a crucial role in influencing anti-cervical cancer effects by inducing ferroptosis via the triggering of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Compounds of tucum-do-cerrado (Bactris setosa) fruit with antioxidant activity

'Tucum-do-cerrado' (Bactris setosa) is an edible fruit from the Brazilian 'Cerrado' biome marked by a high antioxidant potential and polyphenol content when compared to other fruits from the same biome. Its antioxidant activity is higher in the peel than in the pulp. Ethanolic and aqueous peel extracts were analyzed by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. We also investigated the aqueous peel extract for its antioxidant mechanism and isolated some of its compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography. Among the extracts tested, the aqueous peel extract exhibited the highest FRAP values, with a predominant free radical scavenger activity. The isolated compounds were identified as two catechins, a cyanidin, a peonidin, and a quercetin. Testing the antioxidant potential of the isolated compounds using the 2-deoxyribose degradation assay revealed that catechin and quercetin showed the highest antioxidant activity. Thus, our results advance the identification of 'tucum-do-cerrado' compounds with antioxidant activity.

Synthesis of Quercetin-Acid Esters and Its Reduction of H2 O2 -Triggered PC12 Cells Damage by Down-Regulating ROS

Quercetin is a kind of polyphenolic flavonoid compounds which has perfect antioxidant properties. However, quercetin is not available in many situations due to its poor bioavailability. In this work, the QAEs with better solubility and even stronger antioxidant properties were synthesized, through the esterification between quercetin and the chlorinated cinnamic acid or its derivatives, whose chlorination were achieved by using SOCl₂ . The protective effects of the QAEs were evaluated by the H₂ O₂ -induced apoptosis experiment in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) and its ability to remove ROS generated by oxidative stress. Compared with the original quercetin group, the QAEs groups showed much improved cell viability and capability of removing ROS, which means their higher bioavailability than the parent.

Pro-Oxidant and Cytotoxic Effects of Tucum-Do-Cerrado (Bactris setosa Mart.) Extracts in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Caco-2 Cells

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Bioactive natural compounds can act in cancer chemoprevention as tumor growth inhibitors. Tucum-do-cerrado (Bactris setosa Mart.) is a Brazilian fruit that contains several phenolic compounds. This study investigated the effect of tucum aqueous extract in Caco-2 cells in comparison to primary human intestinal organoids and fibroblasts. Cells were exposed to 0.5 and 1 mg/ml of tucum aqueous extract for 24 h. ROS production, mRNA levels for SOD1 and SOD2, CAT, GPX1, NFE2L2, HIF1A and NOS2 were evaluated in Caco-2 cells exposed to tucum extract. Cell viability of Caco-2 cells was decreased upon tucum extract exposure. Mitochondrial ROS levels increased in Caco-2 cells exposed to tucum extract. The mRNA levels of SOD1, SOD2, CAT, GPX, NFE2L2 and HIF1A were downregulated in Caco-2 cells exposed to tucum extract, while NOS2 mRNA levels remained unchanged. Protein levels of SOD2, CAT and NRF2 remained unchanged in Caco-2 cells treated with tucum extract, indicating that catalase and SOD2 cellular functions may be unaffected by the tucum extract at 24 h, of exposure. Aqueous extract of tucum-do-cerrado may induce cellular toxicity in a cancer cell-specific manner, possibly through increased mitochondrial ROS production and gene expression regulation.

Organic Beet Leaves and Stalk Juice Attenuates the Glutathione Peroxidase Increase Induced by High-Fat Meal in Dyslipidemic Patients: A Pilot Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial

The beet, including the leaves and stalk (BLS), is a vegetable with great antioxidant potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in the nutritional composition and the concentration of total phenolics between the organic and conventional BLS and to verify whether the ingestion of an organic BLS juice containing different concentrations of polyphenols modulated some biomarkers of oxidative stress after the ingestion of a high-fat meal in individuals with dyslipidemia. A controlled, randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial with a washout period of 1 week was carried out. A 12-h fasting blood sample was collected. Afterward, the participants consumed a high-fat meal, followed by the ingestion of a placebo or one of the organic BLS juices containing either 32.0 or 77.5 mg/100 mL of polyphenols. Blood samples were obtained 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after the first blood collection. The composition analysis showed that organic BLS had a better nutritional composition than conventional ones. The high-fat meal induced postprandial hypertriglyceridemia after 120 min (p < 0.001) and increased the concentration of malondialdehyde after 30 min (p < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant increase in GPx in 30 min (p = 0.026). This increase was attenuated in the group that received the highest dose of polyphenols when compared with the placebo after 30 min (p = 0.045). Therefore, the organic BLS juice containing 77.5 mg of polyphenols was efficient at modulating one of the postprandial mechanisms of enzymatic antioxidant protection in individuals with dyslipidemia.

The Protective Effect of Aspirin Eugenol Ester on Oxidative Stress to PC12 Cells Stimulated with H2O2 through Regulating PI3K/Akt Signal Pathway

Aspirin eugenol ester (AEE) is a new pharmaceutical compound esterified by aspirin and eugenol, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other pharmacological activities. This study is aimed at identifying the protective effect of AEE against H₂O₂-induced apoptosis in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and the possible mechanisms. The results of cell viability assay showed that AEE could increase the viability of PC12 cells stimulated by H₂O₂, while AEE alone had no significant effect on the viability of PC12 cells. Compared with the control group, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were significantly decreased, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly increased in the H₂O₂ group. By AEE pretreatment, the level of MDA was reduced and the levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px were increased in H₂O₂-stimulated PC12 cells. In addition, AEE could reduce the apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by H₂O₂ via reducing superoxide anion, intracellular ROS, and mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) and increasing the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Furthermore, the results of western blotting showed that compared with the control group, the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, and Bcl-2 was significantly decreased, while the expression of Caspase-3 and Bax was significantly increased in the H₂O₂ group. In the AEE group, AEE pretreatment could upregulate the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, and Bcl-2 and downregulate the expression of Caspase-3 and Bax in PC12 cells stimulated with H₂O₂. The silencing of PI3K with shRNA and its inhibitor-LY294002 could abrogate the protective effect of AEE in PC12 cells. Therefore, AEE has a protective effect on H₂O₂-induced PC12 cells by regulating the PI3K/Akt signal pathway to inhibit oxidative stress.

Natural Antioxidants in Anemia Treatment

Anemia, characterized by a decrease of the hemoglobin level in the blood and a reduction in carrying capacity of oxygen, is a major public health problem which affects people of all ages. The methods used to treat anemia are blood transfusion and oral administration of iron-based supplements, but these treatments are associated with a number of side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and stomach pain, which limit its long-term use. In addition, oral iron supplements are poorly absorbed in the intestinal tract, due to overexpression of hepcidin, a peptide hormone that plays a central role in iron homeostasis. In this review, we conducted an analysis of the literature on biologically active compounds and plant extracts used in the treatment of various types of anemia. The purpose of this review is to provide up-to-date information on the use of these compounds and plant extracts, in order to explore their therapeutic potential. The advantage of using them is that they are available from natural resources and can be used as main, alternative, or adjuvant therapies in many diseases, such as various types of anemia.

Acute and subacute (28 days) oral toxicity studies of tucum almond oil (Bactris Setosa Mart.) in mice

Oils extracted from almonds are often used with particular interest due to their prospective health effects and benefits. Tucum is a Pantanal fruit widely consumed by local population and no in vivo toxicity studies regarding its safety are available in the literature to date. This study investigated the acute and subacute toxicity of tucum almond oil (TAO) in mice by evaluating its safety profile. For the acute (2000 mg/kg) and subacute (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) toxicity studies, TAO was administered orally to mice according to 425 and 407 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Guidelines, respectively. Food intake, body, and organ weight of animals were recorded. Signs of toxicity were assessed, and hematological, biochemical and histopathological analyses were performed. In the acute toxicity study, no mortality or behavioral changes were observed in mice treated with 2000 mg/kg, indicating that LD50 is higher than this dose. In the subacute toxicity test, the doses evaluated did not produce relevant changes in hematological, biochemical or histopathological parameters in the exposed animals. The data obtained suggest that TAO did not induce toxicity after exposure to a single or repeated doses and LD50 value may be considered to be more than 2000 mg/kg body weight.

Inflammation Mediated Hepcidin-Ferroportin Pathway and Its Therapeutic Window in Breast Cancer

Experimental and clinical data strongly support that iron is an essential element which plays a big role in cancer biology. Thus, hepcidin (Hp) and ferroportin (Fpn) are molecules that regulate and maintain the metabolism of iron. A peptide hormone hepcidin limits recycled and stored iron fluxes in macrophage and hepatic hepatocyte, respectively, to the blood stream by promoting degradation of the only iron exporter, Fpn, in the target cells. Moreover, the inflammatory microenvironment of breast cancer and altered hepcidin/ferroportin pathway is intimately linked. Breast cancer exhibits an iron seeking phenotype that is accomplished by tumor-associated macrophage (TAM). Because macrophages contribute to breast cancer growth and progression, this review will discuss TAM with an emphasis on describing how TAM (M2Ф phenotypic) interacts with their surrounding microenvironment and results in dysregulated Hp/Fpn and pathologic accumulation of iron as a hallmark of its malignant condition. Moreover, the underlying stroma or tumor microenvironment releases significant inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and bone morphogenetic proteins like BMP-2 and 6 leading in aberrant Hp/Fpn pathways in breast cancer. Inflammation is primarily associated with the high intracellular iron levels, deregulated hepcidin/ferroportin pathway, and its upstream signaling in breast cancer. Subsequently, scholars have been reported that reducing iron level and manipulating the signaling molecules involved in iron metabolism can be used as a promising strategy of tumor chemotherapy. Here, we review the key molecular aspects of iron metabolism and its regulatory mechanisms of the hepcidin/ferroportin pathways and its current therapeutic strategies in breast cancer.

The Action of JAK/STAT3 and BMP/HJV/SMAD Signaling Pathways on Hepcidin Suppression by Tucum-do-Cerrado in a Normal and Iron-Enriched Diets

The Brazilian savanna fruit, tucum-do-cerrado (Bactris setosa Mart.) reduces hepatic hepcidin levels. Therefore, we investigated the effect of tucum-do-cerrado on the TfR/HFE and/or BMP/HJV/SMAD and JAK/STAT pathways, in normal and excess iron conditions. Rats were treated with: control diet (CT); control diet +15% tucum-do-cerrado (Tuc); iron-enriched diet (+Fe); or iron-enriched diet +15% tucum-do-cerrado (Tuc+Fe). Tucum-do-cerrado (Tuc) decreased hepatic Hamp and Hjv mRNA levels but did not alter Bmp6, Smad7, Tfr1, and Hfe mRNA levels; pSMAD1/5/8 and pSTAT3 protein levels; labile iron pool (LIP); and inflammatory biomarkers, compared to the CT group. The iron-enriched diet increased Hamp mRNA levels, as well as pSMAD1/5/8 and pSTAT3 protein levels, while no difference was observed in Hjv, Bmp6, Smad7, Tfr1, and Hfe mRNA levels and LIP compared to the CT group. The association of tucum-do-cerrado with the iron-enriched diet (Tuc+Fe) decreased Hamp, Hjv, Bmp6, and Hfe mRNA levels and pSTAT3 protein content compared to the +Fe group, while increased Hamp and decreased Hfe mRNA levels compared to the Tuc group. Therefore, the inhibition of hepatic hepcidin by tucum-do-cerrado consumption may involve the downregulation of intestinal Dmt1 and hepatic Hjv expression and deacetylation mediated by SIRT1 by a mechanism that is independent of tissue iron content. However, in excess iron conditions, the modulation of hepatic hepcidin expression by tucum-do-cerrado seems to be partially mediated by the inflammatory signaling pathway, as well as involves the chelating activity of tucum-do-cerrado.

Tucum-do-cerrado (Bactris setosa Mart.) modulates oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis-related proteins in rats treated with azoxymethane

Oxidative and inflammatory responses play an important role in the development and prevention of cancer, with both responses being modulated by phytochemical compounds. This study investigated the chemopreventive effect of tucum-do-cerrado fruit in rats treated with azoxymethane. Wistar rats were treated for 12 weeks with: a control diet (CT); a control diet + AOM (CT/DR); a control diet + 15% tucum-do-cerrado (TU); or a control diet + 15% tucum-do-cerrado + AOM (TU/DR). The association of tucum-do-cerrado and AOM (TU/DR) increased glutathione-S-transferase activity, decreased MDA levels, increased levels of COX2, TNFα and BAX, and decreased Bcl2/Bax ratio, compared to the CT/DR group. Carbonyl levels, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA levels, and aberrant crypt foci showed no difference between the treatments. In conclusion, tucum-do-cerrado reduced lipid oxidative damage, induced a pro-inflammatory effect, and promoted a pro-apoptotic “environment” in rats treated with AOM; however no changes in aberrant crypts were observed.

Beet Stalks and Leaves (Beta vulgaris L.) Protect Against High-Fat Diet-Induced Oxidative Damage in the Liver in Mice

Some flavonoids identified in beet stalks can help the antioxidant endogenous defenses during a chronic inflammation process. The current study investigates the effect of polyphenols present in beet stalks and leaves on liver oxidative damage in mice fed a high-fat diet (HF). The control (CT) or HF diet groups were supplemented with dehydrated beet stalks and leaves (SL) or beet stalk and leaf ethanolic extract (EX). In terms of Vitexin-rhaminoside equivalents (VRE), EX groups received ~5.91 mg of VRE·100 g⁻¹ diet, while the SL groups received ~3.07 mg VRE·100 g⁻¹ diet. After 8 weeks, we evaluated fasting blood glucose; cholesterol, hepatic Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and hepatic Glutathione (GSH), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Glutathione reductase (GR) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Dehydrated beet stalks and leaves (HFSL) attenuated the deleterious effects of a HF diet on lipid metabolism, reduced fasting blood glucose levels, ameliorated cholesterol levels and reduced GPx and GR activities (p < 0.05) compared to the HF group. However; the addition of ethanolic extract from beet stalks and leaves was unable (p > 0.05) to prevent the liver damage caused by HF diet in mice. The presence of flavonoids, such as Vitexin derivatives in beet stalks and leaves can help the liver damage induced by HF diet.

Tucum-do-Cerrado (Bactris setosa Mart.) May Promote Anti-Aging Effect by Upregulating SIRT1-Nrf2 Pathway and Attenuating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Aging may be related to oxidative damage accumulation and a low-grade inflammation, both responses are modulated by iron and phytochemicals. This study investigated the effect of tucum-do-cerrado (Bactris setosa Mart.) consumption on the expression of sirtuins (SIRT 1 and 3) and senescence marker protein-30 (SMP30), and on the redox and inflammatory responses, in adult rats supplemented or not with dietary iron. Male Wistar rats were treated for 12 weeks with: control diet (CT); iron enriched-diet (+Fe); control diet + 15% tucum-do-cerrado (Tuc); or iron enriched-diet + 15% tucum-do-cerrado (Tuc + Fe). Iron supplementation (+Fe) increased liver, spleen and intestine iron levels, transferrin saturation, serum iron, serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels, hepatic carbonyl content and and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, hepatic Nrf2 protein and Nqo1 mRNA levels and decreased the renal Sirt1 mRNA levels in relation to CT group. Tucum-do-cerrado consumption (Tuc) increased hepatic SOD activity, Nrf2 and SIRT1 mRNA and protein contents, and Nqo1 mRNA levels, while it decreased the renal SOD activity compared with the CT diet. The consumption of tucum-do-cerrado associated with the iron-enriched diet (Tuc + Fe) increased the iron levels in tissues and serum transferrin saturation, compared to the CT diet, while promoting a decrease in hepatic carbonyl and renal malondialdehyde levels, marginally reducing serum IL-6 levels, and increasing hepatic SIRT1 protein content, renal Sirt1 and hepatic Nrf2 mRNA levels, compared to the +Fe group. None of the treatments altered Smp30 mRNA levels. The results suggest that tucum-do-cerrado consumption might promote an anti-aging effect by increasing SIRT1 expression, which may enhance Nrf2 mRNA and protein levels and its downstream pathway, which in turn decrease oxidative damage to proteins and the levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α), induced by iron excess.

Antioxidants Mediate Both Iron Homeostasis and Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress is a common denominator in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. Therefore, antioxidants are often used to protect cells and tissues and reverse oxidative damage. It is well known that iron metabolism underlies the dynamic interplay between oxidative stress and antioxidants in many pathophysiological processes. Both iron deficiency and iron overload can affect redox state, and these conditions can be restored to physiological conditions using iron supplementation and iron chelation, respectively. Similarly, the addition of antioxidants to these treatment regimens has been suggested as a viable therapeutic approach for attenuating tissue damage induced by oxidative stress. Notably, many bioactive plant-derived compounds have been shown to regulate both iron metabolism and redox state, possibly through interactive mechanisms. This review summarizes our current understanding of these mechanisms and discusses compelling preclinical evidence that bioactive plant-derived compounds can be both safe and effective for managing both iron deficiency and iron overload conditions.