School of the Sciences
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Browsing School of the Sciences by Author "Basu, Paramita"
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Item The effects of nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NFE2)-related factor 2 (NRF2) activation in preclinical models of peripheral neuropathic pain(MDPI, 2022) Basu, Paramita; Averitt, Dayna L.; Maier, Camelia; Basu, ArpitaOxidative stress, resulting from an imbalance between the formation of damaging free radicals and availability of protective antioxidants, can contribute to peripheral neuropathic pain conditions. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, as well as products of the mitochondrial metabolism such as superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals, are common free radicals. Nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NFE2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor encoded by the NFE2L2 gene and is a member of the cap ‘n’ collar subfamily of basic region leucine zipper transcription factors. Under normal physiological conditions, Nrf2 remains bound to Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 in the cytoplasm that ultimately leads to proteasomal degradation. During peripheral neuropathy, Nrf2 can translocate to the nucleus, where it heterodimerizes with muscle aponeurosis fibromatosis proteins and binds to antioxidant response elements (AREs). It is becoming increasingly clear that the Nrf2 interaction with ARE leads to the transcription of several antioxidative enzymes that can ameliorate neuropathy and neuropathic pain in rodent models. Current evidence indicates that the antinociceptive effects of Nrf2 occur via reducing oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Here, we will summarize the preclinical evidence supporting the role of Nrf2 signaling pathways and Nrf2 inducers in alleviating peripheral neuropathic pain.Item Euphorbia bicolor (Euphorbiaceae) latex extract reduces inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in a rat model of orofacial pain(Hindawi, 2019) Basu, Paramita; Hornung, Rebecca S.; Averitt, Dayna L.; Maier, CameliaRecent studies have reported that the transient receptor potential V1 ion channel (TRPV1), a pain generator on sensory neurons, is activated and potentiated by NADPH oxidase-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are increased by advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), which activate NADPH oxidase by upregulating Nox4 expression. Our previous studies reported that Euphorbia bicolor (Euphorbiaceae) latex extract induced peripheral analgesia, partly via TRPV1, in hindpaw-inflamed male and female rats. The present study reports that E. bicolor latex extract also can evoke analgesia via reduction of oxidative stress biomarkers and proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines in a rat model of orofacial pain. Male and female rats were injected with complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) into the left vibrissal pad to induce orofacial inflammation, and mechanical allodynia was measured by the von Frey method. Twenty-four hours later, rats received one injection of E. bicolor latex extract or vehicle into the inflamed vibrissal pad. Mechanical sensitivity was reassessed at 1, 6, 24, and/or 72 hours. Trigeminal ganglia and trunk blood were collected at each time point. In the trigeminal ganglia, ROS were quantified using 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate dye, Nox4 protein was quantified by Western blots, and cytokines/chemokines were quantified using a cytokine array. AOPPs were quantified in trunk blood using a spectrophotometric assay. E. bicolor latex extract significantly reduced orofacial mechanical allodynia in male and female rats at 24 and 72 hours, respectively. ROS, Nox4, and proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines were significantly reduced in the trigeminal ganglia, and plasma AOPP was significantly reduced in the trunk blood of extract-treated compared to vehicle-treated rats. In vitro assays indicate that E. bicolor latex extract possessed antioxidant activities by scavenging free radicals. Together our data indicate that the phytochemicals in E. bicolor latex may serve as novel therapeutics for treating oxidative stress-induced pain conditions.Item In vitro antioxidant activities and polyphenol contents of seven commercially available fruits(Pharmacognosy Network Worldwide, 2016-10) Basu, Paramita; Maier, CameliaBackground: Fruits are considered one of the richest sources of natural antioxidants. Their consumption has been linked to the prevention of oxidative stress‑induced diseases. Objective: In this study, in vitro antioxidant activities of blueberry, jackfruit, blackberry, black raspberry, red raspberry, strawberry, and California table grape extracts were evaluated. Materials and Methods: Antioxidant activities were determined by 2,2‑diphenyl‑1‑picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), 2,2′‑azino‑bis (3‑ethylbenzothiazoline‑6‑sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anion (O2 −) scavenging assays, and ferric reducing power. Results: Black raspberry extract had the highest phenolic (965.6 ± 2.9 mg gallic acid equivalents [GAE]/g), flavonoid (186.4 ± 1.7 mg quercetin equivalents/g), and proanthocyanidin (2677 ± 71.1 mg GAE/g) contents. All fruit extracts exhibited increasing radical scavenging activities with increased concentrations. At 100 μg/ml, red raspberry extract showed the highest ferric reducing power (A700 = 0.3 ± 0.0052) and FRAP activity (A593 = 11.43 mM Fe2+/g). Black raspberry extract (100 μg/ml) exhibited the highest DPPH activity (A517 = 89.03 ± 0.0471). Jackfruit extract (100 μg/ml) had the highest ABTS (A734 = 35.6 ± 0.613), NO (A540 = 81.7 ± 0.2), and O2 − radical scavenging (A230 = 55.5 ± 0.2) activities. Positive correlations were observed between IC50 values for different radical scavenging activities and different polyphenolics. Red raspberry extract had the highest Pearson’s coefficient values (0.952–1) between total phenolics, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins and DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging activities. Conclusions: The antioxidant rich fruits in this study are good source of functional food and nutraceuticals that have the potential to improve human health.