Lam, commonly known as moringa, is a plant widely used both as a human food and for medicinal purposes around the world. This research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the aqueous extract of
leaves ...(MoAE) and benzyl isothiocyanate (BIT) in rats with induced breast cancer. Cancer was induced with 7,12-dimethylbenzaanthracene (DMBA) at a dose of 60 mg/kg by orogastric gavage once only. Forty-eight rats were randomly assigned to eight groups, each consisting of six individuals. The control group (healthy) was called Group I. Group II received DMBA plus saline. In addition to DMBA, Groups III, IV, and V received MoAE at 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day, respectively, while Groups VI, VII, and VIII received BIT at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/day, respectively. Treatment was carried out for 13 weeks. Secondary metabolite analysis results identified predominantly quercetin, caffeoylquinic acid, neochlorogenic acid, vitexin, and kaempferol, as well as tropone, betaine, loliolide, and vitexin. The administration of MoAE at a dose of 500 mg/kg and BIT at 20 mg/kg exhibited a notable decrease in both the total tumor count and the cumulative tumor weight, along with a delay in their onset. Furthermore, they improved the histological grade. A significant decrease in serum levels of VEGF and IL-1β levels was observed (
< 0.001) with a better effect demonstrated with MoAE at 500 mg/kg and BIT at 20 mg/kg. In conclusion, this study suggests that both the aqueous extract of
leaves and the benzyl isothiocyanate possess antitumor properties against mammary carcinogenesis, and this effect could be due, at least in part, to the flavonoids and isothiocyanates present in the extract.
In this work, possible relationships between global DNA methylation and metal/metalloid concentrations in earthworms have been explored. Direct correlation was observed between soil and tissue As, ...Se, Sb, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ag, Co, Hg, Pb (p<0.05). Speciation results obtained for As and Hg hint at the capability of earthworms for conversion of inorganic element forms present in soil to methylated species. Inverse correlation was observed between the percentage of methylated DNA cytosines and total tissue As, As+Hg, As+Hg+Se+Sb (β=−0.8456, p=0.071; β=−0.9406, p=0.017; β=−0.9526, p=0.012 respectively), as well as inorganic As+Hg (β=−0.8807, p=0.049). It was concluded that earthworms would be particularly helpful as bioindicators of elements undergoing in vivo methylation and might also be used to assess the related risk of epigenetic changes in DNA methylation.
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► Several metals and metalloids contribute to epigenetic gene regulation. ► As, Hg, Se, Sb inversely correlated with global DNA methylation in earthworms. ► Biomethylation of the above elements in worms suggested. ► Elements biomethylation apparently competes with DNA methylation. ► DNA methylation a biomarker of epigenetic risks related to soil metals/metalloids.
Biomethylation of As, Hg in earthworms versus DNA methylation – a candidate biomarker of epigenetic risks related to the presence of metals/metalloids in soil.
Abstract It is well established that both, the deficiency and possible overload of mineral micronutrients have adverse health effects. It is also generally accepted that non-essential xenobiotics ...contribute to oxidative damage, which is considered one of the principal factors in diabetes and its complications. The purpose of this work was to gain an insight on the global role of metal/metalloids in the progress of diabetes mellitus type 2. In such approach, aluminum, vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, molybdenum, mercury, cadmium and lead were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in serum and urine of 76 diabetic patients (age 52 ± 8 years, 5–16 years of DM2, 52 subjects with slight-to-moderate complications and 24 with severe complications). A series of anthropometric and clinical parameters usually evaluated in the follow-up of patients were assessed by standard methods. Statistical analysis (unpaired t -test, analysis of correlation and principal component analysis) was then carried out in search of possible relationships existing among metals/metalloids and these parameters. The results obtained suggest that antagonistic interaction between molybdenum and copper might be involved in the progress of diabetes complications.
The objective of this work was to examine possible effects that the exposure to cadmium and selenium might have in Lepidium sativum. Nine hydroponic cultures were obtained, according to the three ...level factorial design that covered plants exposure to 0, 0.5, 2.0 mg L-1 of cadmium (as cadmium chloride) and selenium (as sodium selenite). Shoots growth was evaluated during two weeks after germination and the following parameters were measured in the biomass: Cd, Se, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, fatty acids and malondialdehyde. The results obtained indicate that selenium is capable to counterbalance the adverse effects of cadmium in terms of growth inhibition, decreased concentration levels of essential micronutrients and oxidative damage; however, such protective role is apparently restricted by the concentration levels of two elements in the growth medium.
In this work, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry determination of Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, V, Zn, Th and U in commercial tequila has been accomplished. ...The samples were tenfold diluted (1% HNO₃), ethanol (4% v/v) was added to multi-element calibration solutions and possible spectral interferences were controlled by the use of collision/reaction cell technology. The results obtained in the analysis of 40 brands showed low concentration levels of the elements, in agreement with actual Mexican regulations, except for copper. Statistically significant differences were found between the concentration levels of copper, molybdenum, mercury and thorium in 100% agave and mixed tequila brands. In search of parameters useful for discrimination between 100% and mixed tequila categories, 5-hydroxy-methylfuraldehyde, 2-furoic acid (2-FAC), 2-furaldehyde (2-FAL), 2-furylmethylketone (2-FMC), 5-methylfuraldehyde (5-MFA), syringaldehyde (SIR) were also determined, using simple and fast reversed phase chromatographic procedure. Principal component analysis was used as the variable reduction procedure. In the multivariate model obtained, a natural separation of 100%, mixed and aged tequilas has been observed in the space defined by the first three principal components that accounted for 94% of total system variability. The analysis of correlation revealed statistically significant direct relationship between 100% tequila and 2-FAL, 5-MFA, Cu (β = 0.781, p = 0.028; β = 0.688, p = 0.042; β = 0.664, p = 0.046, respectively), between mixed tequila and Hg, Th, Mo (β = 0.948, p = 0.000; β = 0.905, p = 0.002; β = 0.867, p = 0.012, respectively) and between aged tequila and SIR, 2-FAC (β = 0.937, p = 0.000; β = 0.889, p = 0.000, respectively). In conclusion, among 25 parameters initially selected, the above 8 (2-FAL, 5-MFA, Cu, Hg, Th, Mo, SIR, 2-FAC) could be useful in the multivariate discrimination between tequila categories.
Samples of lavender, rosemary and laurel essential oils obtained from plants cultivated in Mexico were analysed by GC-MS using a non polar capillary column. Characterisation of individual components ...was performed using a commercial mass spectrometry library, and 53 components were identified. The analysis of bioactive compounds highlighted a 5 and 2-fold increased quantity of potent antibacterial 1,8-cineole (46.5%) and camphor (12.3%) in lavandin "provence", compared to the French cultivars. It also showed a 3- and 2-fold increase in camphor and linalool concen-tration in rosemary and laurel compared to the average level, making them promising alternatives for medicinal treatment. Strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were analyzed for their susceptibility to these essential oils using the agar disc diffusion method and their antimicrobial activity was demonstrated. To our knowledge, this is the first report on antibacterial activity of lavender essential oil, recently added to the Mexican pharmacopeia, against Mycobacterium smegmatis (Mc Rv 3782 PW2).
Covalent modifications of nucleobases are thought to play an important role in regulating the functions of DNA and various cellular RNA types. Perhaps the best characterized is DNA methylation on ...cytosine (methyl tag attached to carbon 5 position) and such modification has also been detected in stable and long-lived RNA molecules. In this work, we propose a novel procedure enabling very sensitive quantification of methylcytidine and other ribonucleosides, based on reversed phase liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection. The procedure relies on labeling ribose residues with osmium, by formation of a ternary complex between cis-diol ribose groups, hexavalent osmium (K(2)OsO(2)(OH)(4)) and tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED). The derivatization reaction was carried out with 50 : 1 molar excess of Os to ribonucleoside, pH 4, for 2 h at room temperature. The structures of Os-labeled cytidine and methylcytidine were confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The separation of Os-labeled cytidine (C), uridine (U), 5-methylcytidine (5mC) and guanosine (G) was achieved on C18 column (Gemini, 150 × 3 mm, 5 μm) with isocratic elution (0.05% triethylamine + 6 mmol L(-1) ammonium acetate, pH 4.4: methanol (85 : 15)) and a total flow rate 0.6 mL min(-1). The column effluent was on-line introduced to ICP-MS (a model 7500 ce, Agilent Technologies) for specific detection at (189)Os. Calibration was performed within the concentration range 0-200 nmol L(-1) of each ribonucleoside and the analytical figures of merit were evaluated. For 100 μL injection, the detection limits for C, U, 5mC, G were 24, 38, 21 and 28 pmol L(-1), respectively. While introducing Os(vi)-TEMED to the column, it eluted in the dead volume and the detection limit for osmium was 20 pmol L(-1). The results obtained in this work might be helpful in the analysis of RNA digests, providing quantitative data on the ribonucleoside composition and RNA methylation (measured as the percentage of methylated cytidines with respect to total RNA cytidines).
Moringa oleifera Lam, commonly known as moringa, is a plant widely used both as a human food and for medicinal purposes around the world. This research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the aqueous ...extract of Moringa oleifera leaves (MoAE) and benzyl isothiocyanate (BIT) in rats with induced breast cancer. Cancer was induced with 7,12-dimethylbenzaanthracene (DMBA) at a dose of 60 mg/kg by orogastric gavage once only. Forty-eight rats were randomly assigned to eight groups, each consisting of six individuals. The control group (healthy) was called Group I. Group II received DMBA plus saline. In addition to DMBA, Groups III, IV, and V received MoAE at 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day, respectively, while Groups VI, VII, and VIII received BIT at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/day, respectively. Treatment was carried out for 13 weeks. Secondary metabolite analysis results identified predominantly quercetin, caffeoylquinic acid, neochlorogenic acid, vitexin, and kaempferol, as well as tropone, betaine, loliolide, and vitexin. The administration of MoAE at a dose of 500 mg/kg and BIT at 20 mg/kg exhibited a notable decrease in both the total tumor count and the cumulative tumor weight, along with a delay in their onset. Furthermore, they improved the histological grade. A significant decrease in serum levels of VEGF and IL-1β levels was observed (p < 0.001) with a better effect demonstrated with MoAE at 500 mg/kg and BIT at 20 mg/kg. In conclusion, this study suggests that both the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves and the benzyl isothiocyanate possess antitumor properties against mammary carcinogenesis, and this effect could be due, at least in part, to the flavonoids and isothiocyanates present in the extract.
The objective of this work was to examine possible effects that the exposure to cadmium and selenium might have in Lepidium sativum. Nine hydroponic cultures were obtained, according to the three ...level factorial design that covered plants exposure to 0, 0.5, 2.0 mg L-1 of cadmium (as cadmium chloride) and selenium (as sodium selenite). Shoots growth was evaluated during two weeks after germination and the following parameters were measured in the biomass: Cd, Se, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, fatty acids and malondialdehyde. The results obtained indicate that selenium is capable to counterbalance the adverse effects of cadmium in terms of growth inhibition, decreased concentration levels of essential micronutrients and oxidative damage;however, such protective role is apparently restricted by the concentration levels of two elements in the growth medium.
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