Antioxidants

Partial hepatectomy (PH) causes bleeding and oxidative stress, which can slow early liver recovery. To address this, we made cerium-doped bioactive glass fibers (Ce-BGFs) using sol–gel electrospinning. We tested these fibers both in vitro and in a 70% PH mouse model. The fibers showed sustained ion release and lowered H₂O₂-induced ROS in hepatocytes. In vivo, Ce-BGFs lowered hepatic ROS fluorescence on postoperative day 1 compared to untreated PH controls (4.17 ± 1.20 vs. 34.52 ± 1.47). Serum AST levels decreased (66.42 ± 15.93 vs. 89.62 ± 16.66 U/L). Ce-BGFs also reduced blood loss (0.039 ± 0.016 vs. 0.102 ± 0.038 g) and bleeding times (13.67 ± 3.21 vs. 37.00 ± 1.73 s). By day 3, we observed more Ki67-positive cells, suggesting better early hepatocyte proliferation (3.92 ± 1.25% vs. 1.14 ± 0.29%). However, liver-to-body weight ratios were not significantly different at this stage. Proteomic profiling showed enrichment in pathways for oxidative stress, inflammation, and pentose phosphate metabolism. Ce-BGF treatment also led to time-dependent cytokine changes and helped preserve liver glycogen after PH. In addition, the PAS-positive area at postoperative day 1 was higher with Ce-BGF treatment than with untreated PH (10.27 ± 1.31% vs. 3.50 ± 1.03%), indicating greater hepatic glycogen preservation. These results show that Ce-BGFs provide local hemostasis and are associated with reduced oxidative stress, attenuated liver injury, enhanced early hepatocyte proliferation, and greater glycogen preservation after PH.

Cryptotanshinone (CTS), a bioactive diterpenoid extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, has long been recognized as a traditional Chinese herbal compound. This study reveals that CTS exerts potent anti-hypertrophic effects against angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiac hypertrophy by targeting Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3)-mediated epigenetic and mitochondrial pathways. In both in vitro and in vivo models, CTS ameliorated pathological hypertrophy, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Mechanistically, CTS upregulated SIRT3, reducing histone H3K9 acetylation (H3K9ac) and restoring mitochondrial dynamics by balancing fission (DRP1) and fusion (MFN2) proteins. Genetic ablation of SIRT3 exacerbated hypertrophy and mitochondrial dysfunction, while pharmacological inhibition with 3-TYP abolished CTS benefits. These findings elucidate CTS as a therapeutic candidate for cardiac hypertrophy by activating SIRT3, which is accompanied by reduced H3K9ac and restored DRP1/MFN2 balance, highlighting potential in cardiac hypertrophy treatment.

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) nephrolithiasis is closely associated with crystal-induced oxidative injury, impaired antioxidant defenses, and enhanced crystal retention in renal tissues. Nephrolepis cordifolia is a medicinal fern traditionally used for urinary tract-related disorders and edema, but its antioxidant-related protective activity against CaOx nephrolithiasis has not been systematically investigated. In this study, ethanol and water extracts of Nephrolepis cordifolia tubers were evaluated using CaOx crystallization assays, HEK293T cell-based oxidative stress assays, and a glyoxylate-induced mouse model. The extracts inhibited CaOx crystal growth and aggregation and shifted SEM-observed crystal morphology from calcium oxalate monohydrate-like aggregates toward less adhesive calcium oxalate dihydrate-like forms. FTIR spectra further indicated extract-associated changes in the structural and hydration characteristics of the resulting CaOx crystals. In cells, the extracts showed good cytocompatibility and reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species. In vivo, both extracts reduced renal crystal deposition and histopathological injury, restored antioxidant defenses, decreased malondialdehyde accumulation, downregulated CD44 and osteopontin expression, and improved serum and urinary biochemical abnormalities. The water extract generally produced stronger protection than the ethanol extract. LC–MS profiling of both ethanol and water extracts annotated diverse constituents, including flavonoid-related compounds, glycosides, phenolic constituents, terpenoid-related molecules, and lipid-associated components. These findings indicate that Nephrolepis cordifolia extracts mitigate CaOx nephrolithiasis partly by restoring redox homeostasis and limiting oxidative injury-associated crystal retention.