The Effect of Ferrous Nano-oxide Particles on Physiological Traits and Nutritional Compounds of Soybean ( Glycine max L) Seed

ABSTRACT Soybean (Glycine max L.) seed contains amounts of protein, lipid, carbohydrate and mineral elements, which protein and lipid have been known as a main part for soybean's trade value. In this study, in order to investigate the effect of ferrous nano-oxide particles on nutritional compounds of soybean seed, an experiment with 5 treatments and 3 replications was conducted as a randomized complete block design. Treatments were 5 concentrations of ferrous nano-oxide particles including 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 g L-1 which were sprayed 3 times at 4 and 8 leaves stage and pod initiation. Lipid and protein contents, fatty acids profile, some of mineral elements such as Fe, Mg, Ca and P, chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll content were determined. Results showed that solution containing ferrous nano-oxide particles had significant effect on nutritional compounds of soybean seed (P<0.01) compared to control. The highest content of lipid and protein (25.4 and %33.8, respectively) observed by applying 0.75 g L-1 of ferrous nano-oxide and the lowest content was also in control. Changes in the trends of fatty acids profile (palmitic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids), some of mineral elements (Fe, Mg, Ca and P) and chlorophyll contents were similar to lipid and protein levels which by increasing in concentration of ferrous nano-oxide from 0 to 0.75 g L-1 all measured parameters also increased, but reduction in all parameters was observed in concentration from 0.75 to 1 g L-1. In conclusion, application of 0.75 to 1 g L-1 ferrous nano-oxide had the best effect on the nutrient composition of soybean seed.

Differential expression on mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase (mTcTXNPx) in Trypanosoma cruzi after ferrocenyl diamine hydrochlorides treatments

Abstract Resistance to benznidazole in certain strains of Trypanosoma cruzi may be caused by the increased production of enzymes that act on the oxidative metabolism, such as mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase which catalyses the reduction of peroxides. This work presents cytotoxicity assays performed with ferrocenyl diamine hydrochlorides in six different strains of T. cruzi epimastigote forms (Y, Bolivia, SI1, SI8, QMII, and SIGR3). The last four strains have been recently isolated from triatominae and mammalian host (domestic cat). The expression of mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase was analyzed by the Western blotting technique using polyclonal antibody anti mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase obtained from a rabbit immunized with the mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase recombinant protein. All the tested ferrocenyl diamine hydrochlorides were more cytotoxic than benznidazole. The expression of the 25.5 kDa polypeptide of mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase did not increase in strains that were more resistant to the ferrocenyl compounds (SI8 and SIGR3). In addition, a 58 kDa polypeptide was also recognized in all strains. Ferrocenyl diamine hydrochlorides showed trypanocidal activity and the expression of 25.5 kDa mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase is not necessarily increased in some T. cruzi strains. Most likely, other mechanisms, in addition to the over expression of this antioxidative enzyme, should be involved in the escape of parasites from cytotoxic oxidant agents.

Antiplasmodial activity of iron(II) and ruthenium(II) organometallic complexes against Plasmodium falciparum blood parasites

This work reports the in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparumblood forms (W2 clone, chloroquine-resistant) of tamoxifen-based compounds and their ferrocenyl (ferrocifens) and ruthenocenyl (ruthenocifens) derivatives, as well as their cytotoxicity against HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Surprisingly with these series, results indicate that the biological activity of ruthenocifens is better than that of ferrocifens and other tamoxifen-like compounds. The synthesis of a new metal-based compound is also described. It was shown, for the first time, that ruthenocifens are good antiplasmodial prototypes. Further studies will be conducted aiming at a better understanding of their mechanism of action and at obtaining new compounds with better therapeutic profile.

Effect of activation of canonical Wnt signaling by the Wnt-3a protein on the susceptibility of PC12 cells to oxidative and apoptotic insults

Wnt proteins are involved in tissue development and their signaling pathways play an important role during embryogenesis. Wnt signaling can promote cell survival, which is beneficial for neurons, but could also lead to tumor development in different tissues. The present study investigated the effects of a Wnt protein on the susceptibility of a neural tumor cell line (PC12 cells) to the cytotoxic compounds ferrous sulfate (10 mM), staurosporine (100 and 500 nM), 3-nitropropionic acid (5 mM), and amyloid β-peptide (Aβ25-35; 50 µM). Cells (1 x 10(6) cells/mL) were treated with the Wnt-3a recombinant peptide (200 ng/mL) for 24 h before exposure to toxic insults. The Wnt-3a protein partially protected PC12 cells, with a 6-15 percent increase in cell viability in the presence of toxic agents, similar to the effect measured using the MTT and lactate dehydrogenase cell viability assays. The Wnt-3a protein increased protein expression of β-catenin by 52 percent compared to control. These findings suggest that Wnt signaling can protect neural cells against apoptosis induced by toxic agents, which are relevant to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases.

Effect of iron gel on dentin permeability

This study evaluated in vitro the effect of an experimental gel containing iron on the reduction of hydraulic conductance of dentin. Thirty-six 1-mm-thick dentin discs obtained from extracted human third molars were divided into 3 groups of 10 specimens each. The groups corresponded to the following experimental materials: 1.23 percent acidulated phosphate fluoride gel, pH 4.1; 3 percent potassium oxalate gel, pH 4.1 (Oxa-Gel®); and iron sulfate gel (10 mmol/L FeSO4), pH 4.1. The gels were applied to dentin under the following conditions: after 37 percent phosphoric acid and before 6 percent citric acid. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test at 5 percent significance level. There was no significant differences (p<0.05) among the groups in any of the conditions for hydraulic conductance reduction, except for smear layer presence. The active agents reduced dentin permeability, but they produced significantly lower (p<0.05) reduction in hydraulic conductance when compared to presence of smear layer. The effectiveness in reducing dentin permeability was not significantly different (p>0.05) among the gels. This study suggests that the iron gel promoted reduction in dentin permeability comparable to that of the other agents and thus may be considered a good clinical alternative for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity.

Este estudo objetivou avaliar in vitro o efeito do gel experimental contendo ferro na redução da condutividade hidráulica na dentina. Trinta e seis discos de dentina humana de 1 mm de espessura, foram obtidos de terceiros molares extraídos divididos em 3 grupos de 10 espécimes cada. Os grupos foram divididos nos seguintes grupos experimentais: F- flúor gel a 1,23 por cento, pH 4,1; O- gel de oxalato de potássio a 3 por cento, pH 4,1; I- gel de sulfato ferroso FeSO4 a 10 mmol/L, pH 4,1. Os géis foram aplicados na dentina sob as diferentes condições: após o ácido fosfórico a 37 por cento a antes do ácido cítrico a 6 por cento. Os resultados foram analisados por ANOVA e teste de Tukey, com nível de significância de 5 por cento. Todos os grupos (gel de flúor, oxalato de potássio e gel de ferro) não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre si para todas as condições testadas, exceto na presença da smear layer (p<0,05). Os produtos utilizados reduziram a permeabilidade dentinária, entretanto apresentaram baixa redução quando comparados à smear layer (p<0,05). Não houve diferença significativa na efetividade dos géis testados para reduzir a permeabilidade dentinária (p<0,05). Este estudo sugere que o gel de ferro promoveu redução na permeabilidade dentinária comparável à dos outros agentes e, portanto, pode ser considerada uma boa alternativa clínica para o tratamento da hipersensibilidade dentinária.

Mitochondrial DNA damage associated with lipid peroxidation of the mitochondrial membrane induced by Fe2+-citrate

Desequilíbrio/acúmulo de ferro tem sido implicado em injúria oxidativa associada a diversas doenças degenerativas tais como, hemocromatose hereditária, b-talassemia e ataxia de Friedreich. As mitocôndrias são particularmente sensíveis a estresse oxidativo induzido por ferro - um carregamento alto de ferro em mitocôndrias isoladas pode causar uma extensiva peroxidação lipídica e a permeabilização de membrana. Nesse estudo, nós detectamos e caracterizamos danos do DNA mitocondrial em mitocôndrias isoladas de fígado de rato, expostas ao complexo Fe2+-citrato, um dos complexos de baixo peso molecular. A intensa fragmentação do DNA foi induzida após a incubação das mitocôndrias com o complexo de ferro. A detecção de finais 3' de fosfoglicolato nas quebras de fitas de DNA mitocondrial pelo ensaio 32P-postlabeling sugere um envolvimento de radicais hidroxila na fragmentação do DNA induzido por complexo Fe2+-citrato. Os níveis elevados de 8-oxo-7,8-diidro-2'-desoxiguanosina também sugerem que o estresse oxidativo induzido por Fe2+-citrato causa danos no DNA mitocondrial. Em conclusão, nossos resultados mostram que a peroxidação lipídica mediada por ferro esteve associada com severos danos do DNA mitocondrial derivados de ataque direto das espécies reativas de oxigênio.

Comparative studies of safi and ferrous gluconate on human volunteers

Majority of Pakistan population [about 70 percent] lives in far-flung rural areas where modern medicines are not available. Much of this population must therefore rely on traditional herbal medicine for relief from diseases. This signifies the importance of Eastern System of medicine in our society and stresses the need of research for these herbal medicines. Safi is one such herbal drug and is said to be used as a blood purifier. Besides this it shows a wide range of pharmacological actions. In the present study effects of Safi and an allopathic hematinic Sangobion were observed on hematological and biochemical parameters of human volunteers. Significant changes were noted in some of these parameters after 21 days long oral administration of Safi and Sangobion

Effect of Semecarpus anacardium nuts on lipid peroxidation.

Alcoholic extract of pericarp showed significant protection against FeSO4 induced lipid peroxidation, as compared with whole native nut and seeds. Mechanism of action may be through metal chelation or activation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, because the extract did not show hydroxyl and super oxide anion scavenging property. Further in vitro experiments against FeSO4, it did not maintain the level of reduced glutathione.

Zinc in the prevention of Fe2+-initiated lipid and protein oxidation

In the present study we characterized the capacity of zinc to protect lipids and proteins from Fe2+-initiated oxidative damage. The effects of zinc on lipid oxidation were investigated in liposomes composed of brain phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylserine (PS) at a molar relationship of 60:40 (PC:PS, 60:40). Lipid oxidation was evaluated as the oxidation of cis-parinaric acid or as the formation of 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Zinc protected liposomes from Fe2+ (2.5-50 microM)-supported lipid oxidation. However, zinc (50 microM) did not prevent the oxidative inactivation of glutamine synthetase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase when rat brain supernatants were oxidized in the presence of 5 microM Fe2+ and 0.5 mM H2O2. We also studied the interactions of zinc with epicatechin in the prevention of lipid oxidation in liposomes. The simultaneous addition of 0.5 microM epicatechin (EC) and 50 microM zinc increased the protection of liposomes from oxidation compared to that observed in the presence of zinc or EC separately. Zinc (50 microM) also protected liposomes from the stimulatory effect of aluminum on Fe2+-initiated lipid oxidation. Zinc could play an important role as an antioxidant in biological systems, replacing iron and other metals with pro-oxidant activity from binding sites and interacting with other components of the oxidant defense system.

Effect of Tamrabhasma, an Indian indigenous preparation of copper, on rat gastric mucosal resistance.

Tamrabhasma (TMB), an Indian indigenous preparation of copper, was studied for its effects on factors related to rat gastric mucosal resistance. Rats of either sex treated with TMB (2.5 mg/kg po, twice daily for 3 days) showed (i) increased mucosal sialomucin and fucose contents; (ii) decreased gastric juice DNA and protein; and (iii) no change in DNA and the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine in to mucosal cell DNA. aspirin treatment decreased both the sialomucin and fucose contents, and increased DNA and incorporation of [3H]-thymidine in to mucosal cell DNA. However, aspirin increased gastric juice DNA and protein contents. Since gastric juice DNA and the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into mucosal cell DNA indicate the rate of mucosal shedding and cell proliferation, the results indicate ways in which TMB may increase gastric mucosal resistance to damage.

Role of iron in the virulence of Vibrio vulnificus isolated from Cuddalore coastal waters (India).

V. vulnificus strains isolated from different sources of Cuddalore coastal waters were tested for their virulence activity through their LD50 values in mice. As infections of V. vulnificus have been correlated with pre-existing liver disease and hemochromatosis, the role of iron on virulence was determined using. iron overloaded mice. The LD50 was in the range of 10(4)-10(7) cells in normal mice but 10(1)-10(2) cells in iron-injected mice, thus providing evidence that iron may play a major role in the pathogenesis of V. vulnificus.

Effect of a new herbo-mineral hypolipidemic agent on plasma lipoprotein pattern in rat atherosclerosis.

Hyperlipidemia was induced in rats by feeding an atherogenic diet for 5 months. The effect of administration of an indigenous hypolipidemic agent, Anna Kaara Raaja Sindhooram (AKRS) on the plasma lipoprotein profile was studied in the presence and absence of dietary lipid stimuli. Hyperlipidemia produced an enormous increase in the cholesterol and triglyceride contents of the low density (LDL) and very low density (VLDL) lipoprotein fractions and reduced the level of the putative non-atherogenic high density cholesterol (HDL-C). The agarose gel electrophoretic pattern showed a decrease in alpha-lipoproteins and an increase in beta-lipoproteins in the hyperlipidemic rats. AKRS treatment for 5 months altered the lipoprotein pattern favourably by raising HDL-C and lowering LDL-C in the treated rats.

The effect of riboflavin on the hematologic changes in iron supplementation of schoolchildren.

A supplementation trial was carried out in 101 children, 6-12 years of age, in 3 primary schools in a rural area. Their hemoglobin level and PCV (mean +/- SD) were 11.64 +/- 1.21 g/dl and 0.356 +/- 0.028 respectively, 74% of them were anemic and the hemoglobin level were correlated with the MCHC (P < .01) . Fifty-one per cent of them had hookworm infection and all those with hemoglobin levels below 10 g/dl had hookworm infection, but there was no difference in mean hemoglobin level between those with hookworm infection and those without. The children were divided into 3 groups: Group I comprising 39 children who received placebo tablest; Group II of 33, who received ferrous sulphate (60 mg elemental iron); Group III of 29, who received ferrous sulphate (60 mg elemental iron) with riboflavin (6mg). Each child received one tablet after lunch on schooldays and evaluation was carried out after receiving 80 to 90 tablets. The mean hemoglobin change of Group II was 0.60 g/dl larger than that of Group I (P < .005) with 52% of them responding to iron. The mean hemoglobin change of Group III was 0.38 g/dl larger than that of Group II (P < .005) with 86% of them responding to iron and riboflavin. Thus additional riboflavin is beneficial in iron supplementation.