Antioxidant activity and chemical composition of three Tunisian Cistus: Cistus monspeliensisCistus villosus and Cistus libanotis☆

The chemical composition of three rockrose Cistus species, Cistus monspeliensis, Cistus libanotis and Cistus villosus, collected in Tunisia, was studied by HPTLC, focusing on the terpenes and phenols constituents. Diterpenes of Cistus are important as the main constituents of the leaf sticky aromatic resin, known as labdanum, which are highly appreciated in perfumery. Polyphenols in the methanolic extracts of each species were identified, quantified as total and as flavonoids and tannins, and tested for antioxidant activity. Diterpenes were evident in C. libanotis and C. monspeliensis, whereas they were practically absent in C. villosus; C. libanotis had higher phenolic amount, whereas antioxidant activities were important, but different according to the following tests: DPPH radical scavenging, conversion of the Fe^3+/ferricyanide complex and inhibition of β-carotene bleaching. The reported data confirm the validity of utilisation of Cistus sp. in marketed herbal products, as well as the relevant presence of diterpenes in species actually not used for labdanum production.     

Codimension-two border collision bifurcation in a two-class growth model with optimal saving and switch in behavior

Nonlinear Dynamics - We consider a two-class growth model with optimal saving and switch in behavior. The dynamics of this model is described by a two-dimensional (2D) discontinuous map. We obtain...     

Acrolein and Copper as Competitive Effectors of α-Synuclein

Mounting evidence supports the role of amyloidogenesis, oxidative stress, and metal dyshomeostasis in the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Parkinson's Disease is characterized by α-synuclein (αSyn) accumulation and aggregation in brain regions, also promoted by Cu²⁺. αSyn is modified by reactive carbonyl species, including acrolein (ACR). Notwithstanding these findings, the interplay between ACR, copper, and αSyn has never been investigated. Therefore, we explored more thoroughly the effects of ACR on αSyn using an approach based on LC-MS/MS analysis. We also evaluated the influence of Cu²⁺ on the protein carbonylation and how the ACR modification impacts the Cu²⁺ binding and the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Finally, we investigated the effects of ACR and Cu²⁺ ions on the αSyn aggregation by dynamic light scattering and fluorescence assays. Cu²⁺ regioselectively inhibits the modification of His50 by ACR, the carbonylation lowers the affinity of His50 for Cu²⁺ and ACR inhibits αSyn aggregation both in the presence and in the absence of Cu²⁺.