The effects of cadmium chloride on secondary metabolite production in Vitis vinifera cv. cell suspension cultures

BACKGROUND: Plant secondary metabolites are possess several biological activities such as anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-aging, etc. Cell suspension culture is one of the most effective systems to produce secondary metabolites. It is possible to increase the phenolic compounds and tocopherols by using cell suspensions. Studies on tocopherols production by cell suspension cultures are seldom and generally focused on seed oil plants. Although fresh grape, grape seed, pomace and grape seed oil had tocopherols, with our best knowledge, there is no research on tocopherol accumulation in the grape cell suspension cultures. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of cadmium chloride treatments on secondary metabolite production in cell suspension cultures of grapevine. Cell suspensions initiated from callus belonging to petiole tissue was used as a plant material. Cadmium chloride was applied to cell suspension cultures in different concentration (1.0 mM and 1.5 mM) to enhance secondary metabolite (total phenolics, total flavanols, total flavonols, trans-resveratrol, and α-, ß-, γ- δ-tocopherols) production. Cells were harvested at two days intervals until the 6th day of cultures. Amounts of total phenolics, total flavanols and total flavonols; trans-resveratrol and tocopherols (α-, ß-, γ- and δ-tocopherols) and dry cell weights were determined in the harvested cells. RESULTS: Phenolic contents were significantly affected by the sampling time and cadmium concentrations. The highest values of total phenolic (168.82 mg/100 g), total flavanol (15.94 mg/100 g), total flavonol (14.73 mg/100 g) and trans-resveratrol (490.76 µg/100 g) were found in cells treated with 1.0 mM CdCl2 and harvested at day 2. Contents of tocopherols in the cells cultured in the presence of 1.0 mM CdCl2 gradually increased during the culture period and the highest values of α, ß and γ tocopherols (145.61, 25.52 and 18.56 µg/100 g) were detected in the cell cultures collected at day 6. CONCLUSIONS: As a conclusion, secondary metabolite contents were increased by cadmium chloride application and sampling time, while dry cell weights was reduced by cadmium chloride treatments.

Effect of red and white grapes and their seeds extract on hyperuricemia in rats fed high fructose diet

Hyperuricemia appear to be rapidly increasing worldwide and frequently cause symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Elevated uric acid is influenced by dietary and lifestyle factors, and dietary modification is effective in reducing hyperuricemia. So that, the present study was planned to evaluate the effects of red grapes [5%], white grapes [5%], red grapes seed extract [2.5%], white grapes seed extract [2.5%] in hyperuricemic rats fed high fructose diet [60%] for four weeks. The results indicated that, red grapes, white grapes and both seeds extract were significantly decrease [P<0.05] serum urea, uric acid and creatinine in hyperuricemic rats as compared to the control group [+ve]. There were no significant difference in kidney functions between both grapes pulp and their seed extract on the effect on serum urea, uric acid and creatinine. Also, all types of grapes and their seed extracts were significantly improve [P<0.05] lipid profile and liver functions .It could be concluded that, red and white grapes as well as their seed extracts improved kidney and liver functions and lipid profile. This study is promising and could help in the management of hyperuricemia and hypercholesterolemia. The data presented may offer a promising natural and safe new trend for the prevention or the delay of hyperuricemia

Neuroprotective effect of grape seed extract against the histopathological changes of the cerebral cortex of adult albino rats induced by aluminum chloride

Aluminum [Al.] is a neurotoxic metal and its exposure may be a factor in the etiology of various neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, a great awareness about the role of Al. in Alzheimer's disease [AD], which demonstrated increasing prevalence of AD in areas with relatively high content of Al. in drinking water. This experimental study tried to identify the histopathological changes induced by aluminum chloride and the possible protective role of grape seed extract against its neurotoxicity using histological and immuno-histochemical study. Material and In this study, 35 adult albino rats were used. The rats were divided into two main groups; control and experimental groups. 9 rats were used as a control group [group I]. The experimental group [group II]; consisted of 26 rats, which were equally subdivided into 2 subgroups; Subgroup [IIa]; each animal received aluminum chloride 100mg/kg.b.wt/day orally for 9 weeks and Subgroup [IIb]; each animal received the same dose of aluminum chloride with concomitant administration of 50mg/kg.b.wt./day grape seed extract orally for 9 weeks. Specimens of the cerebral cortex of the control and experimental groups were taken and prepared for histological and immuno-histochemical examinations. The differently stained sections of the subgroup [IIa] revealed that aluminum chloride induced obvious neuronal damage, where the cortical layers appeared disorganized. The most characteristic pathological feature was the necrosis of the pyramidal cells and appearance of neurofibrillary tangles in their cytoplasm with disappearance of the glutathione reductase enzyme from the cytoplasm of the damaged neurons. The neuropil appeared edematous with dilated blood capillaries containing amyloid collection. On the other hand, addition of grape seed extract in subgroup [IIb] alleviates the deleterious effects of aluminum chloride, where the cortical layers appeared organized with apparently normal blood capillaries. Many pyramidal cells appeared normal with central nuclei and basophilic cytoplasm. However, the neuropil appeared edematous. The immuno-histochemical stain showed reappearance of the+ve reaction to the glutathione reductase enzyme. This experimental study tried to hypothesize that aluminum chloride administration induces histopathological changes, which might be involved in the pathogenesis of AD. It also identified the protective role of grape seed extract against the Al induced neurotoxicity