The MLN4924 inhibitor exerts a neuroprotective effect against oxidative stress injury via Nrf2 protein accumulation.

It was explored the cytoprotective and antioxidant effect of MLN4924, a specific inhibitor of Nedd8-activating enzyme (NAE), against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced damage in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). Primary cultures of CGNs were exposed to H2O2 after preincubation with MLN4924. The compounds were removed, and CGNs were incubated in culture medium for 24h in order to determine cell viability by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) assays.

Mitochondria as a target in the therapeutic properties of curcumin.

Curcumin, a phenolic compound extracted from Curcuma longa, is commonly used in Asia as a spice and pigment and has several biological functions, particularly antioxidant properties. It has been reported that curcumin exhibits bifunctional antioxidant properties related to its capability to react directly with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and also to its ability to induce the expression of cytoprotective and antioxidant proteins through the transcription factor nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Recently, it has been postulated that the mitochondrial function and metabolism are associated with Nrf2 and that curcumin has shown activities against mitochondrial dysfunction.

Paradoxical cellular effects and biological role of the multifaceted compound nordihydroguaiaretic acid.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a phenolic compound obtained from the leaves of the evergreen desert shrub Larrea tridentata (Creosote bush), which has been used anciently in folk medicine for the treatment of multiple diseases. At the molecular level, NDGA is a potent scavenger of reactive oxygen species. Lipoxygenase inhibition by NDGA has been broadly studied over several cell models; however, NDGA exerts other antioxidant properties and cytoprotective effects in non-tumor cells, which are related with its role as modulator of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) antioxidant pathway.

New insights into antioxidant strategies against paraquat toxicity.

Paraquat (PQ, 1,1'-dimethyl-4-4'-bipyridinium dichloride) is a highly toxic quaternary ammonium herbicide widely used in agriculture, it exerts its toxic effects mainly because of its redox cycle through the production of superoxide anions in organisms, leading to an imbalance in the redox state of the cell causing oxidative damage and finally cell death. The contribution of mitochondrial dysfunction including increased production of reactive oxygen species besides the reduction in oxygen consumption as well as in the activity of some respiratory complexes has emerged as a key component in the mechanisms through which PQ induces cell death. Although several aspects of PQ-mitochondria interaction remain to be clarified, recent advances have been conducted with reproducible results.