The evaluation of the genotoxic and oxidative damage potentials of Ulothrix tenuissima (Kutz.) in vitro

Boron Compounds Exhibit Protective Effects against Aluminum-Induced Neurotoxicity and Genotoxicity: In Vitro and In Vivo Study

Genetic, neuropathological and biochemical investigations have revealed meaningful relationships between aluminum (Al) exposure and neurotoxic and hematotoxic damage. Hence, intensive efforts are being made to minimize the harmful effects of Al. Moreover, boron compounds are used in a broad mix of industries, from cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to agriculture. They affect critical biological functions in cellular events and enzymatic reactions, as well as endocrinal and mineral metabolisms. There are limited dose-related data about boric acid (BA) and other boron compounds, including colemanite (Col), ulexite (UX) and borax (BX), which have commercial prominence. In this study, we evaluate boron compounds’ genetic, cytological, biochemical and pathological effects against aluminum chloride (AlCl₃)-induced hematotoxicity and neurotoxicity on different cell and animal model systems. First, we perform genotoxicity studies on in vivo rat bone marrow cells and peripheric human blood cultures. To analyze DNA and chromosome damage, we use single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE or comet assay) and micronucleus (MN) and chromosome aberration (CA) assays. The nuclear division index (NDI) is used to monitor cytostasis. Second, we examine the biochemical parameters (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative status (TOS)) to determine oxidative changes in blood and brain. Next, we assess the histopathological alterations by using light and electron microscopes. Our results show that Al increases oxidative stress and genetic damage in blood and brain in vivo and in vitro studies. Al also led to severe histopathological and ultrastructural alterations in the brain. However, the boron compounds alone did not cause adverse changes based on the above-studied parameters. Moreover, these compounds exhibit different levels of beneficial effects by removing the harmful impact of Al. The antioxidant, antigenotoxic and cytoprotective effects of boron compounds against Al-induced damage indicate that boron may have a high potential for use in medical purposes in humans. In conclusion, our analysis suggests that boron compounds (especially BA, BX and UX) can be administered to subjects to prevent neurodegenerative and hematological disorders at determined doses.

Brown Algae Padina sanctae-crucis Børgesen: A Potential Nutraceutical

Padina sanctae-crucis Børgesen is distributed worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas; belongs to the Dictyotaceae family, and has proven to be an exceptional source of biologically active compounds. Four compounds were isolated and identified, namely: dolastane diterpene new for the genus Padina; phaeophytin and hidroxy-phaeophytin new for the family Dictyotaceae, and; mannitol first described in this species. Saturated fatty acids as compared to the percentages of unsaturated fatty acids were shown to be present in greater abundance. Palmitic and linolenic acid were the main saturated and unsaturated acids, respectively. Cytotoxic and antioxidant activities were evaluated using human erythrocytes. In vivo evaluations of acute toxicity and genotoxicity were performed in mice. Methanolic extract of P.sanctae-crucis presented antioxidant activity and did not induce cytotoxicity, genotoxicity or acute toxicity. Since Padina sanctae-crucis is already used as food, has essential fatty acids for the nutrition of mammals, does not present toxicity and has antioxidant activity, it can be considered as a potential nutraceutical.

Investigation of cytotoxic, genotoxic and oxidative properties of carvacrol in human blood cells

Carvacrol (CVC), a major constituent of genera Origanum and Thymus, is such a substance that has attracted attention because of its wide variety of beneficial biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer effects. However, there are limited data on the cytogenetic and antioxidant effects of CVC in cultured human blood cells. The aim of this study was to investigate for the first time the genetic, oxidative, and cytotoxic effects of CVC in cultured human blood cells ( n = 5). Human blood cells were treated with CVC (0–200 mg/L) for 24 and 48 h and then cytotoxicity detected by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and (3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay, while DNA damage was also analyzed by micronucleus (MN) assay, chromosomal aberration (CA) assay and 8-oxo-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) level. In addition, biochemical parameters (total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and total oxidative stress [TOS]) were examined to determine the oxidative effects. The results of LDH and MTT assays showed that CVC (at concentrations above 100 mg/L) decreased cell viability. In our in vitro test systems, it was observed that CVC had no mutagenic effects on human lymphocytes. On the other hand, CVC (at 50, 75, and 100 mg/L) treatment caused statistically important ( p < 0.05) increases in TAC and TOS levels (at 150 and 200 mg/L) on human lymphocytes. In conclusion, CVC can be a new resource of therapeutics as recognized in this study with their nonmutagenic and antioxidant features.

In vitro risk assessment of usnic acid

Lichens are symbiotic organisms composed of fungi and algae and are very common in Turkey. Lichen secondary metabolites are mainly phenolic compounds produced by fungal partner of lichen symbiosis. Usnic acid (UA) is one of the most common lichen metabolites, and it was reported that to be effective for a wide range of pharmacological purposes including antiviral, antitumor, and antiprotozoal. However, there are limited data on the genotoxic and antioxidant effects of UA in cultured human peripheral blood cells. Therefore, the aim of this thesis study was to investigate the genetic and oxidative effects of UA in cultured human blood cells ( n = 5). The UA was added into culture tubes at various concentrations (0–200 μg/ml). Chromosomal aberrations (CA) and micronuclei (MN) tests were performed for genotoxic damage influences estimation. In addition, biochemical parameters (total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative status (TOS)) were examined to determine oxidative effects. In our in vitro test systems, it was observed that UA had no mutagenic effects on human lymphocytes. Furthermore, our results indicated that low concentrations (1 and 5 μg/ml) of UA caused increases of TAC levels in cultured human blood cells. And, the TOS levels were not changed ( p > 0.05) when all the concentrations (except for 200 μg/ml) of UA were applied. In conclusion, UA can be a new resource of therapeutics as recognized in this study with their nonmutagenic and antioxidant features.

In vitro assessment of cytogenetic and oxidative effects of α-pinene

α-Pinene (α-pinene), a bicyclic monoterpene, is present in the oils of many species of coniferous trees, most notably the pine, and is known for its diverse biological properties such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antioxidant. However, there are limited data on the cytogenetic and antioxidant effects of α-pinene in cultured human blood cells (n = 5) for the first time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the genetic, oxidative, and cytotoxic effects of α-pinene in cultured human blood cells (n = 5) for the first time. Human blood cells were treated with α-pinene (0 to 200 mg/L) for 24 and 48 h, and then cytotoxicity was detected by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and (3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay, while DNA damage was also analyzed by micronucleus (MN) assay, chromosomal aberration (CA) assay and 8-oxo-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG). In addition, biochemical parameters (total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative stress (TOS)) were examined to determine oxidative effects. The results of LDH and MTT assays showed that α-pinene (at 200 mg/L) decreased cell viability. In our in vitro test systems, it was observed that α-pinene did not cause any statistically important changes in the rates of studied genotoxicity endpoints but dose-dependent alterations were observed in TAC and TOS levels. α-Pinene treatment caused increases in TAC levels (at 25 and 50 mg/L) and decreases in TOS levels (only at 200 mg/L) on human lymphocytes. In conclusion, the findings of the present study confirm for the first time that α-pinene could be a significant source of natural antioxidant compound that may have beneficial health effects.

Marine algal natural products with anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties

For their various bioactivities, biomaterials derived from marine algae are important ingredients in many products, such as cosmetics and drugs for treating cancer and other diseases. This mini-review comprehensively compares the bioactivities and biological functions of biomaterials from red, green, brown, and blue-green algae. The anti-oxidative effects and bioactivities of several different crude extracts of algae have been evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Natural products derived from marine algae protect cells by modulating the effects of oxidative stress. Because oxidative stress plays important roles in inflammatory reactions and in carcinogenesis, marine algal natural products have potential for use in anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Potential anticancer activity of carvone in N2a neuroblastoma cell line

Carvone (CVN) is a monocyclic monoterpene found in the essential oils of Mentha spicata var. crispa (Lamiaceae) and Carum carvi L. (Apiaceae) plants and has been reported to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, and antitumor activities. The beneficial health properties of CVN have encouraged us to look into its anticancer activity. To the best of our knowledge, reports are not available on the anticancer activity of CVN in cultured primary rat neuron and N2a neuroblastoma (NB) cells. Therefore, the present study is an attempt toward exploring the potential anticancer activity of CVN, if any, in cultured primary rat neuron and N2a NB cells. Our results indicated that CVN (only at 25 mg/L) treatment led to an increase in the total antioxidant capacity levels in cultured primary rat neuron cells compared with control cells. Also, CVN (at concentrations higher than 100 mg/L) treatment led to an increase in the total oxidative stress levels in both cell types. The mean values of the total scores of cells showing DNA damage (for comet assay) were not found to be significantly different from the control values in both cells (p > 0.05). On the other hand, after 24 h treatment with CVN, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay showed that CVN application significantly reduced the cell viability rates in both cell types at concentrations higher than 100 mg/L. Summarizing, our data suggest that CVN represents little potential for promising anticancer agent to improve brain tumors therapy.

Role of aqueous Bryoria capillaris (Ach.) extract as a genoprotective agent on imazalil-induced genotoxicity in vitro

In recent years, a number of studies have suggested that lichens might be the easily accessible sources of natural drugs that could be used as a possible food supplement. Extensive research is being carried out to explore the importance of lichen species, which are known to contain a variety of pharmacological active compounds. On the other hand, imazalil (IMA), a commonly used fungicide in both agricultural and clinical domains, is suspected to produce very serious toxic effects in vertebrates. In this context, the antigenotoxic effect of aqueous Bryoria capillaris (Ach.) extract (BCE) was studied against the genotoxic damage induced by IMA on cultured human lymphocytes using chromosomal aberrations (CA) and micronucleus (MN) as cytogenetic parameters. Human peripheral lymphocytes were treated in vitro with varying concentrations of BCE (5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 µg/mL), tested in combination with IMA (336 µg/mL). BCE alone was not genotoxic, and when combined with IMA treatment, it reduced the frequency of CAs and the rates of MN. A clear dose-dependent decrease in the genotoxic damage of IMA was observed, suggesting a genoprotective role of BCE. The results of the present study suggest that this plant extract per se do not have genotoxic potential, but can modulate the genotoxicity of IMA on peripheral human lymphocytes in vitro. In conclusion, our findings may have an important application in the protection of cultured human lymphocyte from the genetic damage and side effects induced by agricultural and medical chemicals that are hazardous to people.