Graduation Semester and Year

Spring 2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Chemistry

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

First Advisor

Subhrangsu S Mandal

Abstract

Inflammation is a natural biological response to harmful stimuli. It initiates a series of reactions that prompt defensive and curative mechanisms, ridding the body of offending agents and healing remaining injuries. Inflammation involves the intricate communication between cells, requiring complex signaling that mediates various pathways. This acute form of inflammation is vital for our survival, promoting a myriad of mechanisms that function to defend and heal. However, if this inflammatory response is not resolved, it results in a prolonged condition referred to as chronic inflammation. This persistent inflammatory state is incredibly harmful, damaging the host's healthy cells, tissues, and organs. When left unchecked, chronic inflammation can contribute to several illnesses, making it a primary therapeutic target for treatment. Resveratrol, a phytoalexin found in plants, has been previously studied for its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, we investigated the effect of resveratrol on pro-inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and other vital mediators of the immune response (NF-κB subunits). Resveratrol displayed a notable trend in a dose-dependent fashion, decreasing the production of known proinflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and TNFα as well as reducing nitric oxide (a type of ROS) levels. Chapter 1 gives a brief overview of immunity, vital signaling pathways, key cells of the immune system, and a general description of resveratrol to generate a greater understanding of the research conducted. Chapter 2 illustrates the effects resveratrol has on several proinflammatory mediators, providing further evidence of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Disciplines

Biochemistry | Molecular Biology

License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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