Search Results (3)

Fruits are an important source of a healthy diet due to their essential nutrients for daily intake. Melon is known as a significant fruit crop of the Cucurbitaceae family based on its various dietary benefits, but its shelf life needs to be maintained for long-term usage. 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is a cyclopropene-derived synthetic plant growth regulator (PGR) that is used for significantly delaying the ripening process and maintaining the shelf life of climacteric fruits during storage. In this study, freshly harvested melon fruits were fumigated with various concentrations (1.0 µL·L⁻¹, 2.0 µL·L⁻¹, and 3.0 µL·L⁻¹) of 1-MCP treatment for 12 h (h) and stored at low temperature (8 ± 1 °C) for 30 days (d). The obtained results showed that 1-MCP fumigation coupled with low-temperature treatment maintains the postharvest shelf life of melon fruit. It was noticed that the increase in color hue (a* (red/green), b* (blue/yellow), L* (lightness)) was slowed down and the external fresh color was effectively maintained. At the same time, the firmness, soluble solids, titratable acids (TAs), and vitamin C (VC) content seemed to be maintained at a high level; weight loss and cell permeability were reduced; respiratory intensity and ethylene emission were inhibited; and the accumulation of superoxide anions and malondialdehyde (MDA) was also reduced. In addition, an upsurge in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) was noticed in melon fruits under the combined treatment of 1-MCP and low-temperature storage as compared with the control group (CK, without treatment), indicating that 1-MCP treatment can effectively enhance the antioxidant metabolism of melon fruits during storage. Overall, we can recommend that the 3.0 µL·L⁻¹ concentration of 1-MCP had the best effect on maintaining the internal and external quality of sweet melon fruit during storage. Full article

Vitamin C (VC), also known as ascorbic acid, plays a crucial role as a water-soluble nutrient within the human body, contributing to a variety of metabolic processes. Research findings suggest that increased doses of VC demonstrate potential anti-tumor capabilities. This review delves into the mechanisms of VC absorption and its implications for cancer management. Building upon these foundational insights, we explore modern delivery systems for VC, evaluating its use in diverse cancer treatment methods. These include starvation therapy, chemodynamic therapy (CDT), photothermal/photodynamic therapy (PTT/PDT), electrothermal therapy, immunotherapy, cellular reprogramming, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and various combination therapies. Full article

The turn-on mutations of the KRAS gene, coding a small GTPase coupling growth factor signaling, are contributing to nearly 25% of all human cancers, leading to highly malignant tumors with poor outcomes. Targeting of oncogenic KRAS remains a most challenging task in oncology. Recently, the specific G12C mutant KRAS inhibitors have been developed but with a limited clinical outcome because they acquire drug resistance. Alternatively, exploiting a metabolic breach of KRAS-mutant cancer cells related to a glucose-dependent sensitivity to oxidative stress is becoming a promising indirect cancer targeting approach. Here, we discuss the use of a vitamin C (VC) acting in high dose as an oxidative “Trojan horse” agent for KRAS-mutant cancer cells that can be potentiated with another oxidizing drug arsenic trioxide (ATO) to obtain a potent and selective cytotoxic impact. Moreover, we outline the advantages of VC’s non-natural enantiomer, D-VC, because of its distinctive pharmacokinetics and lower toxicity. Thus, the D-VC and ATO combination shows a promising path to treat KRAS-mutant cancers in clinical settings. Full article