Pre-clinical studies comparing the anti-inflammatory potential of artemisinic compounds by targeting NFκB/TNF-α/NLRP3 and Nrf2/TRX pathways in Balb/C mice.

Artemisinin, artemether, artesunate, and dihydroartemisinin are renowned for their antimalarial potential. The current study aims to repurpose the above-mentioned artemisinic compounds (ACs) by conducting an intercomparison to evaluate their antiinflammatory potential (AIP). In order to develop potential candidates for the evaluation of AIP of ACs (50 and 100 mg/kg BW), carbon tetrachloride (1ml/kg body weight (BW)) was administered intraperitoneally to BALB/c mice. Alterations in animal behavior were assessed weekly through tail suspension test, force swim test, open field test, Y-maze test, inverted screen analysis, and weight lifting test. Aberrations in hematological, serological, endogenous antioxidants, and oxidative stress marker profiles were assessed in all twelve groups. Histological alterations were read using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Levels of inflammatory markers including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), were determined using immunohistochemical analysis (IHCA). Antioxidant markers i.e., nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf-2) and thioredoxin (TRX) were also quantified through IHCA. Comet assay was performed to quantify DNA damage. Oral administration of ACs to mice significantly alleviated the carbon tetrachloride induced inflammation in comparison with silymarin. Reduced levels of several inflammatory markers including nitric oxide, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, interleukin-1 beta, NF-κB, TNF-α, and NLRP3, underscore the substantial AIP of ACs. IHCA depicted the revitalized percent relative expression of Nrf-2 and TRX in groups treated with ACs. Behavioral analysis revealed that ACs-treated groups significantly (p<0.05) attenuated the memory deficit, anxiety, and depressive-like behavior. Moreover, histopathological, hematological, serological, and endogenous antioxidant profiles indicated substantial AIP of ACs. Findings of comet assay further bolstered the compelling evidence as DNA damage was significantly (p<0.05) curbed down after ACs (100 mg/kg) treatment. All these outcomes implied that ACs exhibited AIP in a dose-dependent manner with maximal AIP imparted by artemisinin (100 mg/kg). This pre-clinical investigation avers the tremendous AIP of ACs targeting key molecular pathways. The current study divulges artemisinin as the most potent antiinflammatory agent among the tested compounds.

Characterization and comparative evaluation of wound healing potential of Ajugarin I and Ajuga bracteosa Wall. ex Benth.

Ajuga bracteosa (family: Lamiaceae), commonly known as kauri booti, is an important ethnomedicinal plant. The current research was conducted to appraise and compare the in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial profiles as well as in vivo wound healing potentials of Ajugarin I and A. bracteosa extract. Ajugarin I and polyphenols in A. bracteosa were enumerated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis that confirmed significant amounts of Ajugarin I (2.2 ± 0.02 µg/mg DW) and other phenolic compounds (14 out of 17 standards). A. bracteosa (374.4 ± 0.20 µg AAE/mg of DW, 201.9 ± 0.20 µg AAE/mg of DW, 87 ± 0.30%) showed a higher antioxidant profile compared to Ajugarin I (221.8 ± 0.50 µg AAE/mg of DW, 51.8 ± 0.40 µg AAE/mg of DW, 27.65 ± 0.80%) with 1.86-, 3.89-, and 3.15-fold greater activity in ferric reducing antioxidant power, total antioxidant capacity, and free radical scavenging assays, respectively. Likewise, A. bracteosa showed antibacterial activity against 3/5 strains (MIC 25-200 µg/ml) than Ajugarin I (2/5 strains; MIC 50-200 µg/ml). Hemolytic (<2% hemolysis) and dermal toxicity tests rendered both samples non-toxic. Additionally, A. bracteosa (100 ± 2.34% at day 12; 9.33 ± 0.47 days) demonstrated 1.11- and 1.24-fold higher percent wound contraction and epithelization time, respectively, than Ajugarin I (95.6 ± 1.52% at day 12; 11.6 ± 0.47 days) as assessed by an excision wound model in mice. Histopathological examination further reinforced the better wound healing potential of A. bracteosa with good epithelization, collagen synthesis, fibroblast proliferation, and revascularization. Briefly, we endorse the significant comparative antioxidant, antibacterial, and wound healing activities of A. bracteosa and Ajugarin I and present these as prospective candidates for wound healing drugs.

Preclinical anticancer studies on the ethyl acetate leaf extracts of Datura stramonium and Datura inoxia.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a horrific disease relentlessly affecting human population round the globe. Genus Datura encompasses numerous species with reported medicinal uses. However, its potential as a source of natural anticancer agents is yet to be determined. Datura stramonium (DS) and Datura inoxia (DI) are the two species chosen for this study. METHODS: Total phenolic and flavonoid content (TPC and TFC) as well as antioxidant activity were assessed through colorimetric method. Polyphenolic quantification was done by RP-HPLC. Following extract standardization ethyl acetate leaf extracts of both species (DSL-EA and DIL-EA) were chosen for anticancer studies. In vitro cytotoxicity using various models including cancer cell lines was monitored. Following toxicity studies, benzene (0.2 ml) was used to induce leukemia in Sprague-Dawley rats. Extracts were orally administered to preventive (100 and 200 mg/kg) and treatment (200 mg/kg only) groups. The antileukemic potential of extracts was assessed through haematological, biochemical, endogenous antioxidants and histological parameters. RESULTS: Significant TPC and TFC were estimated in DSL-EA and DIL-EA. RP-HPLC quantified (µg/mg extract) rutin (0.89 ± 0.03), gallic acid (0.35 ± 0.07), catechin (0.24 ± 0.02) and apigenin (0.29 ± 0.09) in DSL-EA while rutin (0.036 ± 0.004) and caffeic acid (0.27 ± 0.03) in DIL-EA. Both extracts exhibited significant brine shrimp cytotoxicity (LC50 < 12.5 µg/ml). DIL-EA exhibited greater cytotoxicity against PC-3, MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 cell lines (IC50 < 3 µg/ml in each case) as well as higher protein kinase inhibitory action (MIC: 25 µg/disc) compared to DSL-EA. Leukemia induced in rats was affirmed by elevated serum levels of WBCs (7.78 ± 0.012 (× 103) /µl), bilirubin (7.56 ± 0.97 mg/dl), Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) (133.75 ± 2.61 nM/min/mg protein), decreased RBCs (4.33 ± 0.065 (× 106)/µl), platelets (344 ± 3.19 (× 103)/µl), total proteins (2.14 ± 0.11 g/dl), Glutathione S-transferases (GST) (81.01 ± 0.44 nM/min/ml), endogenous antioxidant enzymes levels and abnormal liver and kidney functionality in disease control rats. Both species revealed almost identical and significant (p < 0.05) alleviative effects in benzene induced leukemia. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive screening divulged the tremendous potential of selected species as potent source of natural anticancer agents in a variety of cancers particularly leukemia. Present study might provide useful finger prints in cancer research and mechanistic studies are prerequisite in logical hunt of this goal.

CeO2 nanoparticles synthesized through green chemistry are biocompatible: In vitro and in vivo assessment.

Widespread use of cerium oxide (CeO2 ) nanoparticles (NPs) is found in almost all areas of research due to their distinctive properties. CeO2 NPs synthesized via green chemistry have been characterized for antioxidant, phytochemical, and biological potential. Physical characterization through scanning electron microscopy, XRD, and TGA showed that the NPs are circular in shape, 20-25 nm in size, and stable in a wide range of temperature. NPs display significant antioxidant (32.7% free radical scavenging activity) and antileishmanial (IC50 48 µg mL-1 ) properties. In vitro toxicity tested against lymphocytes verified that NPs are biocompatible (99.38% viability of lymphocytes at 2.5 µg mL-1 ). In vivo toxicity experiments showed no harmful effects on rat serum chemistry and histology of various organs and did not even change the concentration of antioxidative enzymes, total protein contents, lipid peroxidation, and nitrosative stress. These observations are in line with the statement that plant-based synthesis of CeO2 NPs lessens or nullifies in vitro and in vivo toxicity and hence CeO2 NPs are regarded as a safe and biocompatible material to be used in drug delivery.

Quercus dilatata Lindl. ex Royle ameliorates BPA induced hepatotoxicity in Sprague Dawley rats.

Quercus dilatata Lindl. ex Royle was evaluated for in vitro polyphenol content and antioxidant potential as well as in vivo protective role against bisphenol A (BPA) induced hepatotoxicity. The distilled water-acetone (QDDAE) and methanol-ethyl acetate (QDMEtE) extracts were standardized and administered in high (300 mg/kg body weight (BW) and low (150 mg/kg BW) doses to Sprague Dawley rats, injected with BPA (25 mg/kg BW). Silymarin (50 mg/kg BW) was used as positive control. Subsequently, blood and liver homogenates were collected after four weeks of treatment, and the defensive effects of both extracts against oxidative damage and genotoxicity were assessed via hematological and biochemical investigations, determination of endogenous expression of enzymes as well as levels of free radicals and comet assay. Between the two extracts, maximum phenolics (213 ±â€¯0.15 µg gallic acid equivalent/mg dry extract (DE) and flavonoids (55.6 ±â€¯0.16 µg quercetin equivalent/mg DE) content, DPPH scavenging activity (IC50: 8.1 ±â€¯0.5 µg/ml), antioxidant capacity (53.7 ±â€¯0.98 µg ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/mg DE) and reducing potential (228.4 ±â€¯2.4 µg AAE/mg DE) were observed in QDMEtE. In in vivo analysis, a dose dependent hepatoprotective activity was exhibited by both the extracts. QDDAE demonstrated maximum reduction in levels of alanine transaminase (49.77 ±â€¯3.83 U/l), thiobarbituric acid reactant substances (33.46 ±â€¯0.70 nM/min/mg protein), hydrogen peroxide (18.08 ±â€¯0.01 ng/mg tissue) and nitrite (55.64 ±â€¯1.79 µM/ml), along with decline in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (4.13 ±â€¯0.072 mm/h), histopathological injuries and DNA damage in BPA intoxicated rats as compared with QDMEtE. Likewise, QDDAE also significantly restored activity levels of endogenous antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (POD) and GSH with values of 6.46 ±â€¯0.15 U/mg protein, 6.87 ±â€¯0.1 U/min, 11.94 ±â€¯0.17 U/min and 16.86 ±â€¯1.56 nM/min/mg protein, respectively. Comparative results were obtained for QDMEtE. In conclusion, the present study endorses the significant hepatoprotective potential of standardized extracts of Q. dilatata with known polyphenolics content and validates the traditional use of this plant in natural medicine to manage disorders like hepatotoxicity.