Free radicals are unstable molecules that are hazardous at high concentrations, damaging cell components, interrupting biological functions, and eventually “attacking” healthy cells. The damage from free radicals, measured as oxidative stress, can attribute to carcinogenic qualities. The purpose of this experiment is to determine if the medicinal herb, Niuhuang Qingxin Wan (Gwanjulgo) could scavenge free radicals. Through a Soxhlet extraction procedure, pure Gwanjulgo extract was produced as treatments for the experimental groups,—0.20 mL of 100% concentration extract and 50% concentration extract—while the control group received no treatment. The <i>Helix aspersa</i> snails were all injected with 0.20 mL of 70% tert-butyl alcohol for 24 hours to induce free radicals. Subsequently, the oxidative stress measures from the hemolymph samples were compared using a TBARS assay test. The control group yielded the highest average malondialdehyde value of 34.883 μM, showing the most cell injury; whereas the 50% concentration resulted in the lowest average malondialdehyde value of 3.568 μM, implying lower levels of oxidative stress. An ANOVA test determined that the data was statistically significant (p &lt; .00001) and the alternative hypothesis was accepted. Niuhuang Qingxin Wan extract, a vital derivative compound, have drastically decreased the malondialdehyde levels. Results claimed that the 50% solution was the most effective in reducing free radicals, supporting its potential in developing effective cancer treatments and methods of cancer prevention. Therefore, further research can explore the effects of Gwanjulgo treatment on oxidative stress when compared to existing cancer therapies like Fluorouracil (5FU) and radiation.

Biomarkers of oxidative stress in <i>Helix aspersa</i> snails for assessing the effects of pure Niuhuang Qingxin Wan extract

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

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Biomarkers of oxidative stress in Helix aspersa snails for assessing the effects of pure Niuhuang Qingxin Wan extract