Inflammation is the immune system’s first biological response to infection, injury, or irritation. Evidence suggests that the anti-inflammatory effect is mediated by the regulation of various inflammatory cytokines, such as nitric oxide, interleukins, tumor necrosis factor alpha-α, interferon gamma-γ, as well as the non-cytokine mediator, prostaglandin E2. Currently, the mechanism of action and clinical usefulness of phytochemicals is known; their action on the activity of cytokines, free radicals, and oxidative stress. The latter are of great relevance in the development of diseases, such that the evidence collected demonstrates the beneficial effects of phytochemicals in maintaining health. Epidemiological evidence indicates that regular consumption of fruits and vegetables is related to a low risk of developing cancer and other chronic diseases.

Plants belonging to the genus Opuntia spp. are the most abundant of the Cactaceae family, grown throughout America and the Mediterranean central area. Its fruit, known as cactus pear or prickly pear, is an oval berry grouped in different colors. Some studies have shown its antioxidant activities which may help in preventing chronic pathologies such as diabetes. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of three varieties of prickly pear juice (red-purple, white-green and yellow-orange) in five different concentrations (100, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/mL) by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical) colorimetric method, selecting the best variety to determine its anticlastogenic potential against methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). The results indicate that the highest antioxidant was found in the juice of the prickly pear red-purple variety (PPRP), in all concentrations. Its anticlastogenic potential was therefore evaluated with a micronucleus assay. The experiment was run over two weeks. A negative control was included along with a positive control with MMS (40 mg/kg), a group of mice treated with PPRP (25 mL/kg), and three groups with PPRP (in doses of 25, 16.5 and 8.3 mL/kg) plus the mutagen. The PPRP was administered daily by oral gavage and the MMS was injected intraperitoneally five days prior to the end of the experiment. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h in order to determine the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPE). The results indicated that PPRP is not a genotoxic agent, on the contrary, it may reduce the number of MNPE. In this regard, the PPRP showed an anticlastogenic effect directly proportional to its concentrations. Thus, the highest protection was obtained with a concentration of 25 mL/kg after 48 h of treatment.

The p53 gene— “the guardian of the genome”—is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the genome, along with cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and cell differentiation. New analytical devices are needed to recognize the main alterations this gene could suffer, since it is one of the most frequent in human cancer. For this reason, we developed an electrochemical DNA biosensor with high sensitivity and specificity to monitor the 175p2 mutation of the p53 gene. We modified a screen-printed gold electrode (SPGE) by immobilizing a thiolated DNA probe sequence with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid to detect its complementary sequence through the hybridization reaction. Doxorubicin (Dox) was used to increase the sensitivity of the biosensor, and the entire process was evaluated using the Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) technique. The measurement range of the developed device is from 1 fM to 100 nM of the p53 gene mutation with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.2 fM. In the presence of Dox, the LOD increased up to 175 aM, becoming one of the highest efficiency devices in the field. The electrochemical DNA biosensor selectively detects the p53 suppressor gene mutation; it distinguishes between different non-complementary and complementary sequences. Our results indicate a high potential of our sensor for the p53 gene 175p2 mutation detection, which is convenient in the early diagnosis of diseases related to this gene. Resumen. El gen p53—“guardián del genoma”—es responsable de mantener la integridad del genoma, así como de la regulación del ciclo celular, la apoptosis, y la diferenciación celular. Es necesario desarrollar nuevos dispositivos analíticos para reconocer las principales alteraciones que este gen podría sufrir, ya que es uno de los más frecuentes en el cáncer humano. En este sentido, se desarrolló un sensor electroquímico de ADN de alta sensibilidad y especificidad para identificar la mutación 175p2 del gen p53. Para ello, se formó una monocapa sobre un electrodo de oro que contenía secuencias sonda de ADN tiolado junto con ácido 11-mercaptoundecanoico, las cuales se emplearon para detectar la mutación del gen a través de la reacción de hibridación. Finalmente, se utilizó doxorrubicina (Dox) para aumentar la sensibilidad del biosensor; el proceso se evaluó mediante la técnica de Voltamperometría Cíclica (VC). El rango de medición del dispositivo desarrollado es de 1 fM a 100 nM de la mutación del gen p53 con un límite de detección (LOD) de 2.2 fM. En presencia de Dox, el LOD aumentó hasta 175 aM, convirtiéndose en uno de los dispositivos de mayor eficiencia en el campo. El biosensor electroquímico de ADN detecta selectivamente la mutación del gen supresor p53 y es capaz de distinguir entre diferentes secuencias complementarias y no complementarias. Nuestros resultados indican un alto potencial del biosensor para la detección de la mutación 175p2 del gen p53, lo cual es conveniente en el diagnóstico oportuno de enfermedades relacionadas con este gen.

The manufacture of biosensors has significantly increased in the field of biomedicine, driven by their miniaturization and portability. However, the quality of the obtained results can be compromised by potential inconsistencies on the electrode surface arising from manufacturing defects and necessary pre-treatments before use. This study evaluated four cleaning methods for screen-printed gold electrodes (SPGEs): HClO₄, H₂O₂ (electrochemical and chemical agent exposure methods). The electrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at magnifications of ×5000, ×20,000, and ×50,000. After comparing the results, the most effective pretreatment was selected. Furthermore, a final comparison was conducted to assess the capacity for depositing a genetic mutation of the K-ras gene, before and after applying the selected cleaning method. The results indicated that the untreated electrodes were not uniform and exhibited surface interference, detected by SEM as dark spots. These interferences were effectively eliminated by an electrochemical cleaning method, complemented by CV with [Fe(CN)₆]³−/⁴−, which also stabilized the electrode surface, allowing for the correct deposition of the DNA probes. Graphical abstract

In the scientific literature, it has been documented that electrochemical genosensors are novel analytical tools with proven clinical diagnostic potential for the identification of carcinogenic processes due to genetic and epigenetic alterations, as well as infectious diseases due to viruses or bacteria. In the present work, we describe the construction of an electrochemical genosensor for the identification of the k12p.1 mutation; it was based on use of Screen‐Printed Gold Electrode (SPGE), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), for the monitoring the electron transfer trough the functionalized nanostructured surface and corresponding morphological changes. The sensitivity of the genosensor showed a linear response for the identification of the k12p.1 mutation of the K-ras gene in the concentration range of 10 fM to 1 μM with a detection limit of 7.96 fM in the presence of doxorubicin (Dox) as DNA intercalating agent and indicator of the hybridization reaction. Thus, the electrochemical genosensor developed could be useful for the identification of diseases related with the K-ras oncogene.

Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz is a perennial herbaceous climbing plant with tendrils and tuberous roots belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. Its fruits (“chayote”), stems, roots, and leaves are edible and are commonly ingested by humans. It has shown medicinal properties attributed to its bioactive compounds (vitamins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, triterpenoids, polyphenolic compounds, phytosterols, and cucurbitacins), which together have been associated with the control and prevention of chronic and infectious diseases, highlighting its antibacterial, anti-cardiovascular/antihypertensive, antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antiproliferative, and antioxidant activities. The objective of the study was to determine the antigenotoxic potential of two types of fresh chayote juice (filtered (FChJ) and unfiltered (UFChJ)) against DNA damage produced by benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) using an in vivo mouse peripheral blood micronucleus assay (MN). The juices were consumed freely for 2 weeks. A negative control, a control group of each juice, a positive batch [B[a]P], and two combined batches (B[a]P plus FChJ or UFChJ) were included. Blood smears were stained and observed under a microscope to quantify the number of micronucleated normochromic erythrocytes (MNNEs). The results indicate: (a) B[a]P increased the frequency of MNNEs and reduced the rate of PEs; and (b) no juice produced toxic effects or induced MN. On the contrary, both juices were genoprotective. However, the most significant effect was presented by UFChJ at the end of the experiment (70%). It is suggested that UFChJ has a greater amount of fiber and/or phytochemicals that favor the therapeutic effect. Possibly, the genoprotection is also related to its antioxidant capacity.