Date of Award
Fall 8-7-2025
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Natural Science
First Advisor
Dr Sengupta bidisha
Second Advisor
Dr Odunuga Odutayo
Third Advisor
Dr Fry Darrell
Fourth Advisor
Dr Roy Debarshi
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a condition that results from the build-up of oxidants due to the imbalance between the production of oxidants and the body's antioxidant defenses, posing serious risks to cellular integrity and significantly affecting biomolecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. The therapeutic potential of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) ethanol extract and kaempferol against hydroxyl radical-induced oxidative damage on human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated. Hydroxyl radicals, the most reactive free radicals, were generated via the Fenton reaction (1mM FeSO4 with 7mM H2O2) and their presence was confirmed by the methylene blue bleaching test. Spectroscopic techniques including circular dichroism (CD), UV-Vis absorption, and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering, were employed to evaluate structural and conformational changes in HSA. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of derivatives of kaempferol in the watercress extract, supporting the phytochemical basis of its antioxidant activity. The current study found that the synergy of both watercress and kaempferol can function as natural protective agents against oxidative protein damage.
Repository Citation
Aziekwu, Nkeiruka Angela A. and Aziekwu, Nkeiruka Angela A., "EFFECT OF WATERCRESS EXTRACT AND KAEMPFEROL AGAINST OXIDATIVESTRESS" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 627.
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/627
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
