Folate derivatives, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and 10-formyltetrahydrofolate, protect BEAS-2B cells from high glucose-induced oxidative stress and inflammation.

Folate (vitamin B) and its biologically active derivatives are well-known antioxidant molecules protecting cells from oxidative degradation. The presence of high glucose, often found in diabetic patients, causes oxidative stress resulting in cellular stress and inflammatory injury. Cells in organs such as the lung are highly prone to inflammation, and various protective mechanisms exist to prevent the progressive disorders arising from inflammation.

Crocetin exerts hypocholesterolemic effect by inducing LDLR and inhibiting PCSK9 and Sortilin in HepG2 cells.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is an important post-transcriptional regulator of plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Inhibition of PCSK9 has emerged as an attractive strategy in recent years to combat hypercholesterolemia stimulating the search for PCSK9 inhibitors. The carotenoid crocetin exhibits hypocholesterolemic effect.

Insights from a Pan India Sero-Epidemiological survey (Phenome-India Cohort) for SARS-CoV2.

To understand the spread of SARS-CoV2, in August and September 2020, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (India) conducted a serosurvey across its constituent laboratories and centers across India. Of 10,427 volunteers, 1058 (10.14%) tested positive for SARS-CoV2 anti-nucleocapsid (anti-NC) antibodies, 95% of which had surrogate neutralization activity.

Adaptive evolution of engineered yeast for squalene production improvement and its genome-wide analysis.

In the present study, the adaptive evolution of a metabolically engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain in the presence of an enzyme inhibitor terbinafine for enhanced squalene accumulation via serial transfer leads to the development of robust strains. After adaptation for nearly 1500 h, a strain with higher squalene production efficiency was identified at a specific growth rate of 0.28 h with a final squalene titer of 193 mg/L, which is 16.

Classification, characterization and structural analysis of sugar nucleotidylyltransferase family of enzymes.

Sugar Nucleotidyl Transferases (SNTs) constitute a large family of enzymes that play important metabolic roles. Earlier, for one such SNT, termed N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate uridyltransferase- GlmU, we had established that two magnesium ions - Mg and Mg - catalyze the sugar-nucleotidyl transfer reaction. Despite a common structural framework that SNTs share, we recognized key differences around the active-site based on the analysis of available structures.

Low Molecular Weight Chitosan (∼20 kDa) protects acrylamide induced oxidative stress in D. melanogaster by restoring dopamine and KIF5B levels.

Acrylamide (AA) presence and formation are predominant in fried, baked and heat-processed foods. Using Drosophila model, we have investigated the dietary AA-arbitrate oxidative stress induced neurotoxicity and the effect of soluble Low Molecular Weight Chitosan (LMWC) supplementation. We assessed the neurodegenerative and behavioural effect of AA (0-10 mM) exposure in Drosophila (adult males).

Development, characterisation and efficacy evaluation of biochemical fungicidal formulations for postharvest control of anthracnose ( Penz) disease in mango.

The objectives of the study are to develop and characterise formulations with volatile molecules in an emulsifiable concentrate form, for their antimicrobial properties and to evaluate their efficacies against Penz., to control anthracnose in mangoes after harvest. Results showed EC39 and EC40 among formulations were characterised for their excellent emulsification properties, the droplet size of 192.

How substrate subsites in GH26 endo-mannanase contribute towards mannan binding.

Comprehensive knowledge on the role of substrate subsites is a prerequisite to understand the interaction between glycoside hydrolase and its substrate. The present study delineates the role of individual substrate subsites present in ManB-1601 (GH26 endo-mannanase from Bacillus sp.) towards interaction with mannans.

Investigating the inhibitory potential of 2-Aminopurine metal complexes against serine/threonine protein kinases from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis - a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is one of the most devastating disease. The discovery of Ser/Thr protein kinases (STPKs) in Mtb opened a new avenue for developing anti-tubercular inhibitors. The in-vivo inhibitory effects of many metal ions have been demonstrated in literature.

Ascorbyl stearate and ionizing radiation potentiate apoptosis through intracellular thiols and oxidative stress in murine T lymphoma cells.

Ascorbyl stearate (Asc-s) is a derivative of ascorbic acid with better anti-tumour efficacy compared to its parent compound ascorbic acid. In this study, we have examined radio-sensitizing effect of Asc-s in murine T cell lymphoma (EL4) cells at 4 Gy. Asc-s and radiation treatment reduced cell proliferation, induced apoptosis in a dose dependent manner by arresting the cells at S/G2-M phase of cell cycle.

Uptake of phenolic compounds from plant foods in human intestinal Caco-2 cells.

In continuation of our studies on the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds from food grains as influenced by domestic processing, we examined the uptake of phenolics from native/sprouted finger millet and green gram and native/heat-processed onion in human Caco-2 cells. Absorption of pure phenolic compounds, as well as the uptake of phenolic compounds from finger millet, green gram, and onion, was investigated in Caco-2 monolayer model. Transport of individual phenolic compounds from apical compartment to the basolateral compartment across Caco-2 monolayer was also investigated.

The role of yeast mA methyltransferase in peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation.

The precise and controlled regulation of gene expression at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels is crucial for the eukaryotic cell survival and functions. In eukaryotes, more than 100 types of post-transcriptional RNA modifications have been identified. The N-methyladenosine (mA) modification in mRNA is among the most common post-transcriptional RNA modifications known in eukaryotic organisms, and the mA RNA modification can regulate gene expression.

The mA methyltransferase Ime4 and mitochondrial functions in yeast.

In eukaryotes, the precise transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulations of gene expression are crucial for the developmental processes. More than 100 types of post-transcriptional RNA modifications have been identified in eukaryotes. The deposition of N-methyladenosine (mA) into mRNA is among the most common post-transcriptional RNA modifications known in eukaryotes.

Combinatorial bioactive botanicals re-sensitize tamoxifen treatment in ER-negative breast cancer via epigenetic reactivation of ERα expression.

Conventional cancer prevention has primarily focused on single chemopreventive compounds that may not be sufficiently efficacious. We sought to investigate potential combinatorial effects of epigenetic bioactive botanicals including epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in green tea polyphenols (GTPs) and sulforaphane (SFN) in broccoli sprouts (BSp) on neutralizing epigenetic aberrations in estrogen receptor-α (ERα) leading to enhanced anti-hormone therapeutic efficacy in ERα-negative breast cancer. Our results showed that this combinatorial treatment re-sensitized ERα-dependent cellular inhibitory responses to an estrogen antagonist, tamoxifen (TAM), via at least in part, epigenetic reactivation of ERα expression in ERα-negative breast cancer cells.

Effect of arginine:lysine and glycine:methionine intake ratios on dyslipidemia and selected biomarkers implicated in cardiovascular disease: A study with hypercholesterolemic rats.

The effect of intake ratios of arginine (Arg): lysine (Lys) and glycine (Gly): methionine (Met) on lipid profile and selected cardiovascular disease markers, was studied, in rats maintained on a hypercholesterolemic diet. The rise in blood cholesterol was countered by 32%, 24%, and 49%, respectively, through increased oral supplementation of Arg, Gly, and Arg+Gly; a corresponding increase in plasma phospholipids at the end of the 8-week study was observed. The elevated plasma cholesterol to phospholipids ratio was countered by 27, 40, and 57%, respectively, through oral supplementation of Arg, Gly, and Arg+Gly.

Phytochemical composition, in vitro antioxidant activity and antibacterial mechanisms of Neolamarckia cadamba fruits extracts.

Aqueous extracts of Neolamarckia cadamba fruits prepared at different maturity stages were used for the analysis of various phytochemicals, and their antioxidant and antibacterial activities were determined. Ripe fruit extract had highest phenolics (3.14 mM GAE/ g fruit extract) with caffeic acid, tannic acid, syringic acid and quercetin as major phenolic compounds.

Influence of Supplementation of Vegetable Oil Blends on Omega-3 Fatty Acid Production in CFR-GV15.

Objectives of this study were designed for improved production of mycelial omega-3 fatty acids with particular reference to EPA and DHA from the oleaginous fungus CFR-GV15 under submerged low temperatures fermentation supplemented with linseed oil and garden cress oil as an additional energy source. The fungus was grown at 20°C temperature for four days initially followed by 12°C temperature for next five days. The basal medium contained starch, yeast extract, and a blend of linseed oil (LSO) and garden cress oil (GCO) in the ratio 1 : 1.

Epigallocatechin gallate protects BEAS-2B cells from lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis through upregulation of gastrin-releasing peptide.

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) plays a major role in the development and maintenance of lung epithelial cells by promoting cell division, whereas its suppression causes growth arrest and apoptosis. The present study shows that human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin from gram-negative bacteria, downregulated GRP expression and induced apoptosis via upregulation of p53 and active caspase-3, signifying the importance of GRP in lung epithelial cell survival. However, in the presence of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol in green tea, BEAS-2B cells resisted LPS-induced apoptosis and restored the expression of GRP and its downstream effectors such as epidermal growth factor receptor and NF-κB, as analysed by immunoblotting and qPCR.

Ascorbyl Stearate Promotes Apoptosis Through Intrinsic Mitochondrial Pathway in HeLa Cancer Cells.

Background: Ascorbic acid is proposed to have antitumor potential against certain cancer types but has the limitation of requiring high doses for treating cancer. Ascorbyl stearate (ASC-S) is a fatty acid ester derivative of ascorbic acid with comparable potent apoptotic activity. The present study was aimed at understanding the pathway involved in apoptotic activity of ASC-S in cervical cancer cells.

Culture media optimization of Porphyridium purpureum: production potential of biomass, total lipids, arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acid.

Porphyridium purpureum a red marine microalga is known for phycobiliproteins (PB), polyunsaturated fatty acids and sulphated exopolysaccharides. In the present study, effects of media constituents for the production of different polyunsaturated fatty acids from P. purpureum were considered using a response surface methodology (RSM).

Oleic acid, hydroxytyrosol and n-3 fatty acids collectively modulate colitis through reduction of oxidative stress and IL-8 synthesis; in vitro and in vivo studies.

Our recent study has demonstrated that medium chain triglycerides (MCT) and monounsaturated fatty acids potentiate the beneficial effects of fish oil on risk factors of cardiovascular disease. In the present study, we have investigated the influence of MCT or olive oil on the protective and mucosal healing ability of fish oil in ulcerative colitis using cell simulation and animal models. Caco-2 cells grown in medium chain fatty acids enriched medium has exaggerated t-butyl hydroperoxide induced cell damage, GSH depletion, and IL-1β induced IL-8 synthesis, compared to the cells grown in oleic acid & hydroxytyrosol (OT) enriched medium.

Evaluating the inhibitory potential of Withania somnifera on platelet aggregation and inflammation enzymes: An in vitro and in silico study.

Context Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is traditionally used for treating various ailments, but lacks scientific evaluation. Objective This study evaluates Withania somnifera (WS) for its effect on platelet activity and inflammatory enzymes.

Antioxidant and neuroprotective potential of chitooligomers in Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to Monocrotophos.

The objectives of this investigation were to establish the propensity of the chitooligomers (COS) to ameliorate neurodegeneration and oxidative stress in Caenorhabditis elegans induced by an organophosphorus insecticide, Monocrotophos (MCP). COS was prepared from α-chitosan by the enzymatic method using chitosanase and characterized by HPLC and electron spray ionization-TOF-(ESI-TOF)-MS. We exposed age synchronized L4 C.

Maternal and neonatal dietary intake of balanced n-6/n-3 fatty acids modulates experimental colitis in young adult rats.

Background: The imbalance of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the maternal diet impairs intestinal barrier development and sensitizes the colon response to inflammatory insults in the young rats. With a view to overcoming this issue, we designed this study to investigate the effect of maternal and neonatal intake of different proportions of n-6/n-3 fatty acids on colon inflammation in the young adult rats.

Methods: Female Wistar rats were assigned into four groups, and each group fed one of four semisynthetic diets, namely n-6, low n-3, n-6/n-3 and n-3 fatty acids for 8 weeks prior to mating, during gestation and lactation periods.

Anti-platelet activity of water dispersible curcuminoids in rat platelets.

Curcuminoids are active principle of turmeric with plethora of health beneficial properties. In this study, we have evaluated for the first time the effect of water dispersible curcuminoids on rat platelet aggregation. Curcuminoids (10-30 µg/mL) significantly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by agonists viz.