The aim of this study was to investigate free radical-scavenging activity of Salvia officinalis L., Thymus vulgaris L., Urtica dioica L. extracts and mixture of extracts, and to evaluate the effect of these extracts on the ability of mitochondria to generate free radicals. The evaluation of the activity of extracts using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DDPH), 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) radicals scavenging assays and tyrosine nitration inhibition (TNI) techniques showed that thyme extract had the strongest free-radical-scavenging activity.
Gellerich FN, Gizatullina Z, Trumbeckaite S, Nguyen HP, Pallas T, Arandarcikaite O, Vielhaber S, Seppet E, Striggow F.
Abstract:
Despite extensive research, the regulation of mitochondrial function is still not understood completely. Ample evidence shows that cytosolic Ca2+ has a strategic task in co-ordinating the cellular work load and the regeneration of ATP by mitochondria. Currently, the paradigmatic view is that Cacyt2+ taken up by the Ca2+ uniporter activates the matrix enzymes pyruvate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase.
Baliutyte G, Baniene R, Trumbeckaite S, Borutaite V, Toleikis A.
Abstract:
Though extracts of Ginkgo biloba leaves (GBE) have a wide pharmacological application, little is known about GBE effects on mitochondria. In this work, effects of ethanolic GBE on the respiration of isolated rat heart and liver mitochondria were investigated. We found that GBE stimulates the pyruvate + malate-dependent State 2 respiration of heart mitochondria and decreases mitochondrial membrane potential. Uncoupling effect of GBE was found to be due to its protonophoric action and is likely to be mediated by the ATP/ADP-translocator and uncoupling proteins.
Kopustinskiene DM, Liobikas J, Skemiene K, Malinauskas F, Toleikis A.
Abstract:
K(ATP) channel openers protect ischemic-reperfused myocardium by mimicking ischemic preconditioning, however, the protection mechanisms have not been fully clarified yet. Since the skinned fibers technique gives an opportunity to investigate an entire population of mitochondria in their native milieu, in this study we have investigated the effects of K(ATP) channel openers pinacidil and diazoxide on the respiration rate of rat heart mitochondria in situ, oxidizing physiological substrates pyruvate and malate (6+6 mM).
Bernatoniene J, Trumbeckaite S, Majiene D, Baniene R, Baliutyte G, Savickas A, Toleikis A.
Abstract:
Crataegus (Hawthorn) fruit extracts (CE) are widely used for the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases (arrhythmias, heart failure, myocardial weakness, etc). Despite the fact that many of these diseases are associated with disturbances of the mitochondria, no data have been found on the effect of CE on their function.
