"Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of Floscopa scandens Lour".

OBJECTIVE: To explore the total phenolic and flavonoid content, enzymatic, non-enzymatic antioxidant properties, anti-inflammation and anticancer activities of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Floscopa scandens (F. scandens). METHODS: Non-enzymatic antioxidant activity was examined by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, nitric oxide scavenging assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay, superoxide scavenging assay and metal chelating assay. Enzymatic antioxidant ability was screened for the antioxidant enzymes such as ascorbate oxidase, peroxidase, catalase and polyphenol oxidase. The anti-inflammatory property was proved with the inhibition of protein denaturation and protease inhibitory assays. In vitro anticancer activity was assessed by cell viability assay. RESULTS: Methanol extract contained high amount of phenols (198.41 mg catechol equivalent/gram extract) and flavonoids (101.70 mg quercetin equivalent/gram extract) showed higher activity than hexane and ethyl acetate extracts in all experiments. Fresh plant showed considerable enzymatic antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that the methanol extracts of F. scandens could be used as a potential source of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer bioactive compounds.

An inhibitory enzyme electrode for hydrogen sulfide detection.

An enzymatic biosensing system has been developed to study the capability of ascorbate oxidase (AOx), EC (1.10.3.3), in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) detection, based on the inhibition of AOx activity. The immobilization parameters including glutaraldehyde (GA) concentration and pH were optimized using experimental design. The optimized values of GA concentration and pH were found to be 12.5% (w/w) and 7, respectively, where the enzymatic reaction reached the steady-state level within 55 s. A linear relationship was observed between the decrease in the oxygen concentration and H2S concentration, where H2S concentration is in the range of 1-15 mg/L. Moreover, to investigate the selectivity of the biosensor, a certain H2S concentration (9 mg/L) was used against different ions. The results indicated that Fe(3+) and SO4(-2) ions had no significant (11% error) effect on the H2S detection. The operational stability of the biosensing system was determined in terms of response to H2S concentration, at optimal working conditions. The enzyme electrode could retain 73% of its original sensitivity after this period, which has made it possible for the system to measure H2S with concentrations as low as 0.5 mg/L.

Biomolecules and nutritional quality of soymilk fermented with probiotic yeast and bacteria.

Soymilk was fermented with five isolates of probiotic lactic acid bacteria and in combination with probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii. Nutritional profile like fat, protein, ash, pH, acidity, polyphenol, and protein hydrolysis were analyzed. Polyphenol content decreased from 265.88 to 119 microg/ml with different cultures. Protein hydrolysis ranged from 2.46 to 2.83 mmol l(-1) with different cultures. The antioxidant activity was assessed using different methods like 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging assay, inhibition of ascorbate autoxidation, and measurement of reducing activity. The activities varied with the starters used but, nevertheless, were significantly higher than those found in unfermented soymilk. Bioconversion of the isoflavone glucosides (daidzin + genistin) into their corresponding bioactive aglycones (daidzein + genistein) was observed during soymilk fermentation. Total glucosides in soyamilk were 26.35 mg/100 ml. In contrast, aglycones genistein and daidzein were quantitatively lesser accounting 2.91 mg/100 ml (genistein 1.17 mg/100 ml and daidzein 1.19 mg/100 ml). Soymilk fermented with probiotic cultures resulted in the reduction of glycosides ranging from 0.40 mg to 1.36 mg/100 ml and increase in aglycones ranging from 6.32 mg to 13.66 mg/100 ml.

Inhibition of intramolecular electron transfer in ascorbate oxidase by Ag+: redox state dependent binding.

Intramolecular electron transfer within zucchini squash ascorbate oxidase is inhibited in a novel manner in the presence of an equimolar concentration of Ag(+). At pH 5.5 in acetate buffer reduction of the enzyme by laser flash photolytically generated 5-deazariboflavin semiquinone occurs at the Type I Cu with a rate constant of 5 x 10(8) M(-1)s(-1). Subsequent to this initial reduction step, equilibration of the reducing equivalent between the Type I Cu and the trinuclear Type II, III copper cluster (TNC) occurs with rate constant of 430 s(-1). The 41% of the reduced Type I Cu is oxidized by this intramolecular electron transfer reaction. When these reactions are performed in the presence of Ag(+) equimolar to dimeric AO, the bimolecular reduction of the enzyme by the 5-deazariboflavin semiquinone is not affected. As in the case of the native enzyme, intramolecular electron transfer between the Type I Cu and the TNC occurs, which continues until 25% of the reducing equivalent has been transferred. At that point, the reducing equivalent is observed to more slowly return to the Type I Cu, resulting a second reduction phase whose rate constant (100 s(-1)) is protein and Ag(+) concentration independent. The data suggest that partial reduction of the TNC results in Ag(+) binding to the enzyme which causes the apparent midpoint potential of the TNC as a whole to decrease thereby reversing the direction of electron flow. These results are consistent with the inhibitory effect of Ag(+) on the steady-state activity of ascorbate oxidase [S. Maritano, E. Malusa, A. Marchesini, presented at The Meeting on Metalloproteins, SERC Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington, England, 1992; A. Marchesini, XIX Convegno Nazionale SICA, Italian Society of Agricultural Chemistry, Reggio Calabria, Italy, September 2001.].

Ascorbate oxidase based amperometric biosensor for organophosphorous pesticide monitoring.

An amperometric principle based biosensor containing tissues of cucumber, rich in ascorbic acid oxidase, was used for the detection of organophosphorous (OP) pesticide ethyl paraoxon, which inhibits the activity of ascorbic acid oxidase. The optimal concentration of ascorbic acid used as substrate was found to be 5.67 mM. The biosensor response was found to reach steady state within 2 min. A measurable inhibition (> 10%) was obtained with 10 min incubation of the enzyme electrode with different concentrations of the pesticide. There was a linear relationship between the percentage of inhibition of the enzyme substrate reaction and the pesticide (ethyl paraoxon) concentration in the range 1-10 ppm with a regression value 0.9942.

Inhibition of ascorbate oxidase by phenolic compounds. Enzymatic and spectroscopic studies.

Competitive inhibition by phenolic compounds of the ascorbic acid oxidation reaction catalyzed by ascorbate oxidase was investigated at pH 7.0 and 23.0 degrees C. Inhibition of p-nitrophenol is pH dependent over the range 5.0-8.0, with inhibitor binding favored at higher pH. Bulky substituents on the phenol nucleus reduce or prevent the inhibitory effect. The presence of phenol affects the binding characteristics of azide to the trinuclear cluster of the enzyme. In particular, binding of azide to type 2 copper is prevented, and the affinity of azide to type 3 copper is reduced. In addition, reduction of type 1 copper is observed upon prolonged incubation of ascorbate oxidase with excess phenol and azide, but not with phenol alone. It is proposed that binding of phenolic inhibitors occurs at or near the site where the substrate (ascorbate) binds. NMR relaxation measurements of the protons of phenols in the presence of ascorbate oxidase show paramagnetic effects due to the proximity of the bound inhibitor to a copper center, likely type 1 copper. Copper-proton distance estimates between this paramagnetic center and p-cresol or p-nitrophenol bound to ascorbate oxidase are between 4.4 and 5.9 A.

Laser flash photolysis experiments on the effects of freezing and salt addition on intramolecular electron transfer within one-electron reduced ascorbate oxidase.

Laser flash photolysis has been used to investigate the effects of freezing protein solutions and of adding various salts on the kinetics of one-electron photoreduction by 5-deazariboflavin semiquinone (5-DRFH.) of oxidized ascorbate oxidase (AO) from zucchini in 100 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The initial reaction between oxidized AO and 5-DRFH. is quite rapid (k approximately 10(8) M-1 s-1) and occurs at the blue Type I Cu center. Subsequent to this, a slower, protein concentration-independent intramolecular reoxidation of the Type I Cu is observed, with kET approximately 150 s-1, resulting in 40-50% reoxidation of the blue Cu center and the establishment of an electron transfer (ET) equilibrium between the various Cu centers in AO. When such a sample of AO was frozen overnight at -30 degrees C, flash photolysis of the thawed sample showed no effect on the kinetics of reduction of the Type I Cu by 5-DRFH. However, the rate constant for intramolecular ET decreased to a value of 2.7 s-1, with only 20% reoxidation of the Type I center. Reduction of the enzyme with ascorbic acid, followed by O2 oxidation, resulted in restoration of rapid intramolecular reoxidation (kET = 130 s-1), with 33% of the Type I Cu reduced by 5-DRFH. being reoxidized. These results are consistent with previous work which showed that samples of AO with initially low activity can be reactivated by ascorbic acid turnover in the presence of O2. When AO was frozen in the presence of ascorbic acid, similar inhibition of intramolecular ET was obtained, whereas upon turnover of this sample by further addition of ascorbic acid and exposure to O2, activity was not restored. The effects of addition of (NH4)2SO4, Na2SO4, NH4Cl, NaCl, KCl, and KF on the kinetics of Type I Cu reduction by 5-deazariboflavin semiquinone and on the subsequent intramolecular ET were also examined. A twofold increase in the bimolecular rate constant for reduction of the Type I Cu was observed for the two sodium salts at high concentrations (500 mM). Intramolecular ET was also significantly affected upon addition of all three chloride salts. Although the intramolecular ET rate constant was not altered, the fraction of reduced Type I Cu reoxidized by the trinuclear cluster decreased with increasing Cl- concentration, regardless of the cation. Total inhibition of intramolecular ET was observed at a significantly lower concentration of KF than observed with the Cl- salts. Sulfate ion had no effect on either parameter. These changes are thus ion specific, suggesting that they are related to ion binding by the protein, possibly at one of the coppers of the trinuclear cluster.

EPR spectra of type 3 copper centers in Rhus vernicifera laccase and Cucumis sativus ascorbate oxidase.

In order to reveal the detailed structure of the trinuclear site composed of type 2 copper and a pair of type 3 copper centers in multicopper oxidases, the action of inhibitors such as azide, thiocyanate, and fluoride on laccase and ascorbate oxidase has been investigated by absorption, CD, and EPR spectroscopies. Anaerobic reactions of inhibitor-treated laccase and ascorbate oxidase with pyrocatechol and L-ascorbate, respectively, gave EPR signals originating from the inhibitor-bound type 3 copper, except for the case of F(-)-laccase. The hyperfine splittings of these EPR signals (Az = 10.10(-3)-18.10(-3) cm-1) were smaller than those of type 2 copper centers (ca. 20.10(-3) cm-1), indicating that type 3 copper has a tetragonal geometry with tetrahedral distortion. The facile detection of a series of the inhibitor-bound type 3 copper centers indicates that the action of the exogenous anionic inhibitors is not only to interfere the access of dioxygen to the trinuclear site, but also to restrain the reduction of type 3 copper by lowering its reduction potential.

X-ray structures and mechanistic implications of three functional derivatives of ascorbate oxidase from zucchini. Reduced, peroxide and azide forms.

The X-ray structures of three functional derivatives of ascorbate oxidase (EC 1.10.3.3) from Zucchini have been determined and are compared to the "native" oxidized form. The fully reduced form of ascorbate oxidase has been refined to a crystallographic R-factor of 19.6% for all reflections between 8.0 A and 2.2 A resolution. The geometry at the type-1 copper (CU1) is unchanged compared to the oxidized form, but the oxygen ligand bridging the copper ions CU2 and CU3 (spectroscopic type-3 copper pair) is released and the copper ions move apart yielding a trigonal planar co-ordination with their ligating histidine residues. The co-ordination at the copper ion CU4 (spectroscopic type-2 copper) is not affected. The copper-copper distances increase from an average 3.7 A in the native form to 5.1 A for CU2-CU3, 4.4 A for CU2-CU4 and 4.1 A for CU3-CU4. The peroxide derivative of ascorbate oxidase has been refined to a crystallographic R-factor of 16.0% for all reflections between 8.0 A and 2.59 A resolution. The geometry at the type-1 copper site is not changed compared to the oxidized form. The oxygen ligand bridging copper atoms CU2 and CU3 is lost, too. The peroxide binds terminally to the copper ion CU2 as hydroperoxide. Copper ion CU2 is fourfold co-ordinated to the NE2 atoms of the three histidine residues and to the oxygen atom of the terminally bound peroxide molecule in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Copper ion CU3 is threefold co-ordinated as in the reduced form and co-ordination around copper atom CU4 is unaltered. The copper-copper distances increase to 4.8 A for CU2-CU3 and 4.5 A for CU2-CU4. The distance CU3-CU4 remains 3.7 A. Treatment with peroxide causes a partial depletion of copper ion CU2. The refinement for the azide derivative of ascorbate oxidase converged at a crystallographic R-factor of 17.8% for all reflections between 8.0 A and 2.32 A. There are no significant structural changes at the type-1 copper site. The oxygen ligand bridging copper ions CU2 and CU3 is again released. Two azide molecules bind terminally to copper ion CU2. Copper ion CU2 is fivefold co-ordinated to the NE2 atoms of the three histidine residues and to both terminally bound azide molecules in a trigonal-bipyramidal manner. Copper-copper distances increase to 5.1 A for CU2-CU3 and 4.6 A for CU2-CU4. The distance CU3-CU4 is decreased to 3.6 A.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Effect of selected physico-chemical parameters on changes in ascorbate oxidase and ceruloplasmin activities]. / Wplyw wybranych parametrów fizykochemicznych na zmiany aktywnosci oksydazy askorbinianowej i ceruloplazminy.

The paper presents the results of kinetic studies covering the reactions with the participation of two enzymes belonging to the group of "blue oxidases"--ascorbate oxidase and ceruloplasmin. Using variable physico-chemical parameters of reactions such as: temperature, presence of denaturizing factors, various substrates, it was possible to draw conclusions as to the structure and mechanism of reactions catalyzed by these enzymes. The following findings were established: 1. Ceruloplasmin is characterized by the absence of quarternary structure and lesser substrate specificity as compared with ascorbate oxidase. 2. The mechanism of reactions catalyzed by ceruloplasmin and ascorbate oxidase is different, probably due to the fact that there is no typical active centre binding the substrate in ceruloplasmin. 3. The application of variable parameters of physico-chemical reactions in the kinetic studies facilitates the description of the structures of enzymes and the mechanism of reactions being catalyzed by them.

Inhibition of ceruloplasmin and other copper oxidases by thiomolybdate.

The dietary antagonism between copper and molybdate salts prompted a study of the inhibition of copper enzymes by thiomolybdate (TM). TM strongly inhibited the oxidase activity of five copper oxidase with I50% values in the 1-5 microM range. The mechanism of the TM effect on the copper oxidase, ceruloplasmin (Cp) (E.C. 1.16.3.1), was studied in detail. In Vmax vs. E plots, TM gave parallel data suggesting irreversibility but a large number of TM molecules per Cp were required. The inhibition of Cp by TM could not be reversed by dialysis. Isolation of TM-inhibited Cp on Sephadex G-10 did not yield any active Cp molecules. Cu(II) did not restore any inhibited oxidase activity. Gel electrophoresis supported the covalent binding of Cp by TM without any extensive change in protein structure. EPR results confirmed that Cu(II) is reduced to Cu(I) after reaction with TM. However, the Mo(VI) in MoS4(2-) did not change in oxidation number. Analysis of the TM-Cp compound accounted for all six Cu atoms as found in native Cp. The data suggest the covalent binding of sulfide to Cp copper. TM also inhibited the activity of ascorbate oxidase, cytochrome oxidase, superoxide dismutase, and tyrosinase. However, no inhibition of carbonic anhydrase, a zinc enzyme, was observed at 1 mM TM.

Copper ion binding and enzyme inhibitory properties of the antithyroid drug methimazole.

The antithyroid drug, methimazole (1-methyl-2-thiolimidazole), is a powerful chelator of cupric ion. This is reflected in its ability to selectively inhibit certain copper oxidases. Uricase, ascorbic oxidase and monoamine oxidase are not affected. Ceruloplasmin oxidase is slightly inhibited and tyrosinase is markedly inhibited by methimazole.