Free Radicals and Antioxidants

Malnutrition-Related Diabetes: The Forgotten Form

Subramani Parasuraman — 2025-09-29

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease caused by insufficient insulin production or inefficient insulin utilization inside the body, causing hyperglycemia and damage to various body systems, particularly to the nerves and blood vessels. Diabetes mellitus affects approximately 537 million adults worldwide, with projections estimating it to rise as high as 783 million by the year 2045. Many individuals remain undiagnosed, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This increasing trend poses significant public health challenges, making diabetes one of the leading causes of death globally.1 In the year 2022, 14% of adults aged 18 and older were living with diabetes, with 59% not taking medication. Diabetes treatment coverage is lowest in low- and middle-income countries. In 2021, diabetes caused 1.6 million deaths, with 47% occurring before the age of 70 years. Mortality rates from diabetes have been steadily increasing since 2000, while the probability of dying from noncommunicable diseases decreased by 20% globally between 2000 and 2019.2

Comparison of Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Properties of Six Species of Ocimum

Soumen Saha — 2025-09-29

The present study highlight total phenolic content and antioxidative properties of six selected Ocimum species (Ocimum basilicum L., Ocimum kilimandscharicum Guerke, Ocimum gratissimum L., Ocimum canum Sims., Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (green type) and Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (Purple type) which is being investigated. Leaves from each type of plants are taken and extracted using methanol. Total phenolic content was estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and antioxidant activity was assessed using iron (III) reduction, carotene-linoleic acid bleaching, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and superoxide anion free radical scavenging assays. The phytochemicals which are collected from each extract are found to be rich in antioxidant properties and they can be used effectively as an alternative to preservatives in food industry.

Effect of Photoperiod and Melatonin Administration on the Midgut of the Nocturnal Insect Spodoptera litura

Subramanian Panchu Ravindra Rajan Subala — 2025-09-29

Background: Melatonin is known to be powerful antioxidant in animals. However, few studies have been conducted to verify the protective effect of melatonin in insects. This study's objective was to interpret the changes in photoperiod with response to melatonin and luzindole in midgut physiology of S. litura. Materials and Methods: Third instar S. litura larvae (N=180) were maintained with different types of treatment follows, i) Control (phosphate buffer saline; pH 7.5); ii) Melatonin (4.3 × 10–5 M/100 mL diet) and iii) Luzindole (is 250 mM/100 mL diet); under Photoperiods (24L: 0D; 12L: 12 D and 0L: 24 D) in Molecular entomology Laboratoy, Periyar University, Salem during March 2016-July 2017. The developmental parameters and Reproductive attributes of S. litura were statistically analyzed. Treated S. litura midgut tissues were stained with hematoxylin eosin, and photographed under Phase Contrast microscope. Results: Results indicate that 12L: 12D showed the cellular injury in the lumen and columnar epithelial cells, whereas in 0L: 24D, intercellular spaces expanded along with the columnar cells were detected in melatonin and luzindole treatments. When larvae treated with luzindole, histological changes such as cytoplasm vacuolization, breakdown of the brush border membrane, vesicle formation were examined. The control larvae of S. litura kept under 0L: 24D and 24L:0D which displayed a layer of columnar and epithelial cells that was well maintained. Conclusion: This work has demonstrated the distinct impacts of luzindole and photoperiod on the histology and developmental fitness of the nocturnal insect S. litura.

Short, Mid, and Long-Term Melatonin Exposure Alleviates the Effects of Abamectin on the Antioxidant Defense Mechanism in the Midgut of Spodoptera litura (Insecta: Lepidoptera)

Subramanian Panchu Ravindra Rajan Subala — 2025-09-29

Introduction: Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), a serotonin derivate, is a powerful antioxidant due to its capacity to stimulate the innate immune response in plants and animals. However, in invertebrates, few studies have been conducted to verify the protective effect of melatonin in the antioxidant defense system. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate melatonin antioxidant role in short-term (24 hr), intermediate (72 hr), and long-term (144 hr) effects against abamectin, the family of avermectins exposure in the midgut of S. litura. Materials and Methods: Melatonin affects ROS generation, nitrite content, protein carbonyl content, TBARS levels, antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GST, CAT, and GPx), ascorbic acid levels, and AChE levels were studied. Results: Results showed that abamectin exposure substantially increases nitrite, TBARS, and ascorbic acid levels (p<0.001). In contrast, long-term melatonin exposure (144 hr) declined ROS, carbonyl content, SOD, GPx, AChE, and ascorbic acid levels (p<0.05). Short-term melatonin exposure (24 hr) was also observed to be effective by significantly reducing (p<0.05) ROS, GST, and Gpx levels in abamectin-exposed animals. Similarly, long-term melatonin exposure (144 hr) showed small DNA fragments similar to control and expression of 100 and 75kDa proteins because of its protective mechanism in insects. Similarly, luzindole, a melatonin antagonist, has small DNA fragments because of its blocking actions on the melatonin receptors in insects. Conclusion: The present study shows that melatonin reduces free radical generation and has protective effects on pesticide-exposed insects, especially in long-term exposure to animals. This effect of indoleamine may be a possible strategy to prevent the damage caused due to abamectin exposure in animals.

Cord Blood Oxidant and Antioxidant Profiles in Term Nigerian Newborns with Perinatal Asphyxia

Demilade Kehinde Kuti — 2025-09-29

Background: Perinatal Asphyxia (PA) often leads to the generation of free radicals and oxidants which affect the newborns antioxidant status. Little is known about the oxidant and antioxidant status of babies with various severity of asphyxia in developing countries with huge burden of the disease, hence the aim of this study. Materials and Methods: Babies delivered at term at the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria were consecutively recruited into a comparative cross-sectional study design over a nine-month period. Those with 5-min Apgar score <7 were classified as PA, while the comparative group had Apgar score ≥7. 5 mL of cord blood from the babies were analysed for Total Oxidants (TOS) and Antioxidants Status (TAS) and their components using Liquid Chromatography. (Water Incorporate, California, U.S.A) Data obtained were analysed using SPSS version 21. Results: 84 babies were recruited for each group with male preponderance 1.2:1. Sixty-one (72.6%) of the PA group had moderate (score 4-6); 23 (27.4%) had severe (score ≤3) PA, and 66 (78.6%) had features of Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE). The cord blood TOS [0.4 (0.2-5.7) vs. 0.1(0.02-0.4) ng/dL; p<0.001] was higher in PA group. Conversely, cord blood TAS [114.2 (97.7-137.9) vs. 249.9 (111.8-340.6) ng/dL; p<0.001] was lower in the babies with PA. However, TOS and TAS were not related to the severity of PA and HIE. Conclusion: Increased oxidative stress was demonstrated in term babies with PA, which was not associated with severity. Cord blood TOS and TAS may be good biomarkers of PA in term Nigerian babies.