Effect of moringa seed extract in chlorpyrifos-induced cerebral and ocular toxicity in mice.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is one of the most commonly used organophosphosphate-based (OP) insecticides. Its wide use has led to higher morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. Moringa seed extracts (MSE) have shown neuroprotective activity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial features. The literature lacks data investigating the role of MSE against CPF-induced cerebral and ocular toxicity in mice. Therefore, we aim to investigate this concern. A total of 40 mature male Wistar Albino mice were randomly distributed to five groups. Initially, they underwent a one-week adaptation period, followed by a one-week treatment regimen. The groups included a control group that received saline, MSE 100 mg/kg, CPF 12 mg/kg, CPF-MSE 50 mg/kg, and CPF-MSE 100 mg/kg. After the treatment phase, analyses were conducted on serum, ocular, and cerebral tissues. MSE100 and CPF-MSE100 normalized the pro-inflammatory markers (interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)) and AChE serum levels. CPF-MSE50 significantly enhanced these serum levels compared to CPF; however, it showed higher levels compared to the control. Moreover, the tissue analysis showed a significant decrease in oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO)) and an increase in antioxidant markers (glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX)), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in the treated groups compared to CPF. Importantly, the significance of these effects was found to be dose-dependent, particularly evident in the CPF-MSE100 group. We conclude that MSE has a promising therapeutic effect in the cerebral and ocular tissues of CPF-intoxicated mice, providing a potential solution for OP public health issues.

Microglia in Alzheimer's Disease: A Favorable Cellular Target to Ameliorate Alzheimer's Pathogenesis.

Microglial cells serve as molecular sensors of the brain that play a role in physiological and pathological conditions. Under normal physiology, microglia are primarily responsible for regulating central nervous system homeostasis through the phagocytic clearance of redundant protein aggregates, apoptotic cells, damaged neurons, and synapses. Furthermore, microglial cells can promote and mitigate amyloid ß phagocytosis and tau phosphorylation. Dysregulation of the microglial programming alters cellular morphology, molecular signaling, and secretory inflammatory molecules that contribute to various neurodegenerative disorders especially Alzheimer's disease (AD). Furthermore, microglia are considered primary sources of inflammatory molecules and can induce or regulate a broad spectrum of cellular responses. Interestingly, in AD, microglia play a double-edged role in disease progression; for instance, the detrimental microglial effects increase in AD while microglial beneficiary mechanisms are jeopardized. Depending on the disease stages, microglial cells are expressed differently, which may open new avenues for AD therapy. However, the disease-related role of microglial cells and their receptors in the AD brain remain unclear. Therefore, this review represents the role of microglial cells and their involvement in AD pathogenesis.

Bioactive-Based Cosmeceuticals: An Update on Emerging Trends.

Cosmetic-containing herbals are a cosmetic that has or is claimed to have medicinal properties, with bioactive ingredients purported to have medical benefits. There are no legal requirements to prove that these products live up to their claims. The name is a combination of "cosmetics" and "pharmaceuticals". "Nutricosmetics" are related dietary supplements or food or beverage products with additives that are marketed as having medical benefits that affect appearance. Cosmetic-containing herbals are topical cosmetic-pharmaceutical hybrids intended to enhance the health and beauty of the skin. Cosmetic-containing herbals improve appearance by delivering essential nutrients to the skin. Several herbal products, such as cosmetic-containing herbals, are available. The present review highlights the use of natural products in cosmetic-containing herbals, as natural products have many curative effects as well as healing effects on skin and hair growth with minimal to no side effects. A brief description is given on such plants, their used parts, active ingredients, and the therapeutic properties associated with them. Mainly, the utilization of phytoconstituents as cosmetic-containing herbals in the care of skin and hair, such as dryness of skin, acne, eczema, inflammation of the skin, aging, hair growth, and dandruff, along with natural ingredients, such as for hair colorant, are explained in detail in the present review.

Electrocardiographic and histopathological characterizations of diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats.

Diabetes is a clinical condition that is associated with insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia. Cardiomyopathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy are well known complications of the elevated blood glucose. Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a clinical disorder that is associated with systolic and diastolic dysfunction along with cardiac fibrosis, inflammation, and elevated oxidative stress. In this study, diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) 50 mg/kg. We determined the plasma levels of cardiac troponin-T (cTnT) and creatinine kinase MB (CK-MB) by ELISA. Diabetic rats showed abnormal cardiac architecture and increased collagen production. Significant elevation in ST-segment, prolonged QRS, and QT-intervals and increased ventricular rate were detected. Additionally, diabetic rats showed a prolongation in P wave duration and atrial tachyarrhythmia was observed. Plasma levels of cTnT and CK-MB were elevated. In conclusion, these electrocardiographic changes (elevated ST-segment, prolonged QT interval, and QRS complex, and increased heart rate) along with histopathological changes and increased collagen formation could be markers for the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats.

The Multifaceted Role of Curcumin in Advanced Nanocurcumin Form in the Treatment and Management of Chronic Disorders.

Curcumin is the primary polyphenol in turmeric's curcuminoid class. It has a wide range of therapeutic applications, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, and anticancer effects against various cancers, but has poor solubility and low bioavailability. Objective: To improve curcumin's bioavailability, plasma concentration, and cellular permeability processes. The nanocurcumin approach over curcumin has been proven appropriate for encapsulating or loading curcumin (nanocurcumin) to increase its therapeutic potential. Conclusion: Though incorporating curcumin into nanocurcumin form may be a viable method for overcoming its intrinsic limitations, and there are reasonable concerns regarding its toxicological safety once it enters biological pathways. This review article mainly highlights the therapeutic benefits of nanocurcumin over curcumin.

Physiological Roles of Red Carrot Methanolic Extract and Vitamin E to Abrogate Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Challenge and Apoptosis in Rat Testes: Involvement of the Bax/Bcl-2 Ratio.

The precise analysis of the contents of the red carrot is still ambiguous and its role in the maintenance of male fertility needs to be further reconnoitered. Hence, this study targets the physiological impacts of either red carrot methanolic extract (RCME) or vitamin E (Vit. E), co-administrated with cadmium chloride (CdCl2) on rat testes, specifically those concerned with apoptosis and oxidative challenge. Four groups of adult male rats (n = 12) are used; control, CdCl2, CdCl2 + Vit. E and CdCl2 + RCME. LC-MS analysis of RCME reveals the presence of 20 different phytochemical compounds. Our data clarify the deleterious effects of CdCl2 on testicular weights, semen quality, serum hormonal profile, oxidative markers and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Histopathological changes in testicular, prostatic and semen vesicle glandular tissues are also observed. Interestingly, our data clearly demonstrate that co-administration of either RCME or Vit. E with CdCl2 significantly succeeded in the modulation (p < 0.05) of all of these negative effects. The most striking is that they were potent enough to modulate the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio as well as having the ability to correct the impaired semen picture, oxidant status and hormonal profile. Thus, RCME and Vit. E could be used as effective prophylactic treatments to protect the male reproductive physiology against CdCl2 insult.

Natural Small Molecules Targeting NF-κB Signaling in Glioblastoma.

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a transcription factor that regulates various genes that mediate various cellular activities, including propagation, differentiation, motility, and survival. Abnormal activation of NF-κB is a common incidence in several cancers. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive brain cancer described by high cellular heterogeneity and almost unavoidable relapse following surgery and resistance to traditional therapy. In GBM, NF-κB is abnormally activated by various stimuli. Its function has been associated with different processes, including regulation of cancer cells with stem-like phenotypes, invasion of cancer cells, and radiotherapy resistance identification of mesenchymal cells. Even though multimodal therapeutic approaches such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapeutic drugs are used for treating GBM, however; the estimated mortality rate for GBM patients is around 1 year. Therefore, it is necessary to find out new therapeutic approaches for treating GBM. Many studies are focusing on therapeutics having less adverse effects owing to the failure of conventional chemotherapy and targeted agents. Several studies of compounds suggested the involvement of NF-κB signaling pathways in the growth and development of a tumor and GBM cell apoptosis. In this review, we highlight the involvement of NF-κB signaling in the molecular understanding of GBM and natural compounds targeting NF-κB signaling.

The protective effects of 18ß-glycyrrhetinic acid against acrylamide-induced cellular damage in diabetic rats.

This study was aimed at elucidating the protective effects of 18ß-glycyrrhetinic acid (18ßGA) against acrylamide (Acr)-induced cellular damage in diabetic rats. Rats were randomly assigned into eight groups (n = 8) following 12 h of fasting: control group, a single dose of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneally (diabetic group), 50 mg/kg 18ßGA orally after 2 weeks from STZ injection (18ßGA group), 20 mg/kg Acr after 1month from STZ injection (Acr group), STZ plus Acr (STZ-Acr group), STZ plus 18ßGA (STZ-18ßGA group), Acr plus 18ßGA (Acr-18ßGA group), or STZ plus Acr plus 18ßGA (STZ-Acr-18ßGA group). Administration of 18ßGA alone increased GSH, GSH-PX, SOD, and CAT in both liver and kidneys. While STZ injection was associated with diabetic and oxidative stress changes as indicated by the higher serum glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and antioxidant enzyme activities, together with increased lipid peroxides and decreased antioxidant biomarkers in the liver and kidneys. Similarly, the co-administration of STZ and Acr was associated with similar, more augmented effects, compared to STZ alone. The administration of 18ßGA normalized STZ and Acr-induced elevations in oxidative defense variables in the liver and kidney tissues and blood biomarkers. Thus, our study demonstrated that the damaging effects of Acr were more exaggerated in diabetic rats. Furthermore, it showed the ability of 18ßGA to inhibit reactive oxygen species generation and restore the antioxidant defenses in diabetic rats with Acr-induced liver and kidney cytotoxicity.

Exploring the Promise of Flavonoids to Combat Neuropathic Pain: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Implications.

Neuropathic pain (NP) is the result of irregular processing in the central or peripheral nervous system, which is generally caused by neuronal injury. The management of NP represents a great challenge owing to its heterogeneous profile and the significant undesirable side effects of the frequently prescribed psychoactive agents, including benzodiazepines (BDZ). Currently, several established drugs including antidepressants, anticonvulsants, topical lidocaine, and opioids are used to treat NP, but they exert a wide range of adverse effects. To reduce the burden of adverse effects, we need to investigate alternative therapeutics for the management of NP. Flavonoids are the most common secondary metabolites of plants used in folkloric medicine as tranquilizers, and have been claimed to have a selective affinity to the BDZ binding site. Several studies in animal models have reported that flavonoids can reduce NP. In this paper, we emphasize the potentiality of flavonoids for the management of NP.