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Opuntia ficus-indica L. is known for its beneficial effects on human health, but still little is known on cladodes as a potent source of antioxidants. Here, a direct, economic and safe method was set up to obtain water extracts from Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes rich in antioxidant compounds. When human keratinocytes were pre-treated with the extract before being exposed to UVA radiations, a clear

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a lipid-transport protein that functions as a key mediator of lipid transport and cholesterol metabolism. Recent studies have shown that peptides derived from human APOE display anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Here, we applied in vitro assays and fluorescent microscopy to investigate the anti-bacterial effects of full-length APOE. The interaction of APOE wit

The effects of encapsulating the cytotoxic dinuclear trithiolato-bridged arene ruthenium complex [(η6-p-MeC6H4iPr)2Ru2(μ2-S-p-C6H4tBu)3]Cl (DiRu-1) within the apoferritin (AFt) nanocage were investigated. The DiRu-1-AFt nanocarrier was characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy, ICP-MS, CD and X-ray crystallography. In contrast to previously reported Au- and Pt-based drug-loaded AFt carriers, we found n

Amyloidoses are devastating diseases characterized by accumulation of misfolded proteins which aggregate in fibrils. Specific gene mutations in Apolipoprotein A I (ApoAI) are associated with systemic amyloidoses. Little is known on the effect of mutations on ApoAI structure and amyloid properties. Here we performed a physicochemical characterization of L75P- and L174S-amyloidogenic ApoAI (AApoAI)

New five-coordinate Pt(ii) complexes containing a glycosylated carbene fragment were synthesized. A member of this class shows very high in vitro cytotoxicity and an exceptional selectivity toward malignant cells. The complex lacking the sugary portion fails in the recognition of cancer cells. The results support the use of glycosylation in the design of carbene Pt-based anticancer agents.

The wax apple (Syzygium samarangense) is traditionally employed as an antibacterial and immunostimulant drug in traditional medicine. This plant is rich in different flavonoids and tannins. In this study, we isolated two compounds from S. samarangense leaves: Myricitrin and 3,5-di-O-methyl gossypetin. Then, we investigated the mechanisms of action of the two compounds against oxidative stress (ind

Inorganic trivalent arsenic is a major environmental pollutant and exposure to human results in many pathologies, including keratosis and carcinoma. Here, we analyzed the effects of B. subtilis spores on human normal keratinocytes in the presence of sodium arsenite oxidative stress. Pre-Treatment of cells with spores before inducing oxidative stress was able to keep normal levels of intracellular

The beneficial role of the Mediterranean diet in the prevention of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, is well-recognized. In this context, Brassicaceae are considered important vegetables due to several evidences of their health promoting effects that are associated to bioactive compounds present in the edible parts of the plants. In this review, the mechan

In recent years, microalgae have gained considerable importance as potential source of biofuels and bioplastics. However, these markets are still developing, as the high costs of cultivation ask for exploiting microalgae into new areas and with a biorefinery approach towards a multicomponent cascade extraction process. Here, a sequential processing strategy was used to extract starch with high yie

Two anticancer gold(iii) compounds, Au2phen and Auoxo4, were encapsulated within a ferritin nanocage. The gold-compound loaded proteins were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and circular dichroism. X-ray crystallography shows that the compounds degrade upon encapsulation and gold(i) ions bind Ft within the cage, close to the side chains of Cys126.

BACKGROUND: Lipophilic antioxidants in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruits exert important functions in reducing the risk of human diseases. Here the effect of thermal processing on the antioxidant activity of lipophilic extracts from the commercial tomato hybrid ‘Zebrino’ was analysed. Carotenoid content and lipophilic antioxidant activity were determined and the ability of tomato extracts in re

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of several liver diseases. Many natural polyphenols can attenuate oxidative stress and liver injury. In this study, a phytochemical profiling of a methanol extract from leaves of Syzygium samarangense revealed 92 compounds belonging to flavonoids, phenolic acids, condensed tannins, and ellagitannins. The S. samarangense extract exhibited a n

Auoxo3, a cytotoxic gold(iii) compound, was encapsulated within a ferritin nanocage. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, circular dichroism, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography confirm the potential-drug encapsulation. The structure shows that naked Au(i) ions bind to the side chains of Cys48, His49, His114, His114 and Cys126, Cys126, His132, His147. The gold-encapsu

Novel coordinatively saturated platinum(ii) compounds bearing C-linked carbohydrates were synthesized and characterized. The complexes exhibit bipyramidal trigonal geometry with a bidentate nitrogen ligand and ethylene in the equatorial plane. The axial positions are occupied by a halide ligand X and a d-galactose or d-glucose derivative, linked either via C1 or C6. The compounds were designed for

The Japanese avant-garde dance form butoh, founded by Hijikata Tatsumi in the late 1950s, is known for its marked physicality. The choreographic methodology of butoh, however, is not focused primarily on instructing the dancers how to move their bodies. Instead, the dancers work with verbal and mental imagery to transform into butoh-tai, the “butoh body,” a special form of embodiment from which thThe Japanese avant-garde dance form butoh, founded by Hijikata Tatsumi in the late 1950s, is known for its marked physicality. The choreographic methodology of butoh, however, is not focused primarily on instructing the dancers how to move their bodies. Instead, the dancers work with verbal and mental imagery to transform into butoh-tai, the “butoh body,” a special form of embodiment from which th

Auoxo3 is a gold(iii) compound endowed with cytotoxic activity towards a variety of malignant cells. Encapsulation of Auoxo3 within horse spleen ferritin (Ft) improves the selectivity of the gold compound towards cancer cells over normal cells. In the current work, the changes in protein expression are presented in response to MCF-7 stimulation with Auoxo3-encapsulated Ft versus the free Au(iii) c

UV-A radiations are known to induce cellular oxidative stress, leading to premature skin aging. Consumption of açai fruit (Euterpe oleracea Martius) is known to have many health benefits due to its high level of antioxidants. Herein, we analyzed the ability of phenolic compounds extracted from this fruit to attenuate UV-A-induced oxidative stress in immortalized fibroblast. A methanol/water açai e

Aim: A Pt(II)-terpyridine compound, bearing two piperidine substituents at positions 2 and 2′ of the terpyridine ligand (1), is highly cytotoxic and shows a mechanism of action distinct from cisplatin. 1 has been incorporated within the ferritin nanocage (AFt). Materials & methods: Spectroscopic and crystallographic data of the Pt(II)-AFt nanocomposite have been collected and in vitro anticanc

Marine microorganisms represent a reservoir of new promising secondary metabolites. Surface-active proteins with good emulsification activity can be isolated from fungal species that inhabit the marine environment and can be promising candidates for different biotechnological applications. In this study a novel surface-active protein, named Sap-Pc, was purified from a marine strain of Penicillium