Gastro-protective effect of l-arginine against nitric oxide deficiency-related mucosal injury induced by indomethacin: Does age matter?

Gastric ulcer is a common disease with increased prevalence in the aged population. Aged gastric mucosa has increased susceptibility to injury along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use due to impaired mucosal defense and decreased vasodilator release. We investigated whether l-arginine could protect against age-related gastric ulceration induced by indomethacin. Aged and adult male Wistar rats were administered sole and combined treatment of  l-arginine and Nω -nitro-l-arginine methyl ester ( l-NAME) before induction of gastric ulceration by indomethacin. The gastroprotective effect of  l-arginine was displayed only in adult rats with indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration, as evidenced by a significant decrease in ulcer index, oxidative stress parameters, and mucosal myeloperoxidase activity along with increased mucosal PGE2 levels. Interestingly, the mucosal gene expressions of NF-кB, iNOS, and COX-2 were significantly suppressed by  l-arginine pretreatment and aggregated upon pretreatment with  l-NAME in both adult and aged rats treated with indomethacin. In conclusion,  l-arginine protected the rats' gastric mucosa against indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration, possibly, at least in part, by enhancement of mucosal nitric oxide/PGE2 content along with suppressing gastric inflammation and oxidative stress. This study supposed that the gastroprotective effect of  l-arginine depends on aging, and even so, the adoption of a new approach to gastric ulcer treatment for the aged population is warranted.

Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant capacities, and in vitro biological activities of the extract of seed coat as by-products of pea.

Converting seed coat peas (hulls) (SCP) into beneficial products provides a solution for waste treatment. This study aimed to investigate the phytoconstituents and biological activities of SCP extract. Phytochemical screening, total bioactive compounds, and GC-MS analysis were evaluated. Then, the antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, and antiviral activities of SCP extract were determined. The results demonstrate that SCP extract has bioactive compounds such as carbohydrates (29.53 ± 4.23 mg/mL), protein (0.24 ± 0.02 mg/mL), phenolics (27.04 ± 0.94 mg GAE/g extract), and flavonoids (17.19 ± 0.48 mg QE/g extract). The existence of more than 16 substances was determined using GC-MS analysis. The extract showed potential antioxidant activities, with the maximum activity seen for extract (IC50 µg/mL) = 79.16 ± 1.77 for DPPH, 67.40 ± 5.20 for ORAC, and 61.22 ± 4.81 for ABTS assays. The SCP extract showed potent antimicrobial activity against four gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Streptomyces sp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella sp.) and two gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas sp.). SCP extract exhibited potential anticancer activity against lymphoma U937 and leukemic cells (THP1). The extract exhibited potential antiviral activity, with a selectivity index (SI) equal to 11.30 and 18.40 against herpes simplex-II (HSV-2) and adenovirus (Ad7), respectively. The results demonstrate more accurate information about peas by-products' chemical and antioxidant activities in various applications. The chemical components of peas by-products were found to have an in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral activity against leukemia and lymphoma.

Phytochemical Profile of the Ethanol Extract of Malvaviscus arboreus Red Flower and Investigation of the Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Cytotoxic Activities

Flowers are rich sources of bioactive antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer components. This study aimed to determine the constituents of the ethanol extract of Malvaviscus arboreus red flower (ERF) by GC-MS analysis and HPLC identification of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, in addition to the 1HNMR fingerprint. The antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of the ERF were investigated. The GC-MS analysis revealed twenty-one components, while HPLC analysis revealed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The ERF showed antifungal and antibacterial activity. The highest antibacterial activity was found against Vibrio damsela where a time-kill assay revealed a decline in the amount of viable V. damsela. For fungi, the highest activity was observed against Aspergillus terreus. Using the SRB test on HepG2, the anti-proliferative efficacy of the ERF was evaluated. Cell cycle analysis was utilized to determine autophagic cell death. The ERF prevented the proliferation of the HepG2 cell line with an IC50 of 67.182 µg/µL. The extract primarily promoted apoptosis in HepG2 cells by accumulating hypodiploid cells in the sub-G0/G1 phase, increased caspase 3/7 activity, and caused considerable autophagic cell death in apoptosis-deficient cells. Finally, the observed elevation of cancer cell death indicated that ERF had substantial anticancer potential against HepG2 cells.

Sodium benzoate induced toxicities in albino male rats: mitigating effects of Ficus carica and Cymbopogon citratus leave extract.

Herbal products have become widely used in managing and treating a wide range of illnesses. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant and protective effects of Cymbopogon citratus ethyl acetate and Ficus carica hexane leave extract (200 mg/kg b.w for both) on sodium benzoate (SB) (200 mg/kg b.w) toxicity in rats. For 6 weeks, four groups of five rats each (control, SB, F. carica + SB, and C. citrates + SB). Blood sample (liver, kidney) tissue and histological examination were used at the end of the experiment. According to the findings, the extracts have significant concentrations of total flavonoids, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity. Oxidative stress caused by SB exposure induced an increase in ALT, AST, ALP, glucose, urea, creatinine, uric acid, TG, TC, LDL, and MDA, while insulin and SOD were decreased. Furthermore, the biochemical alterations generated by SB in the blood serum, homogenate, liver, and kidney tissue were significantly reduced by C. citratus ethyl acetate and F. carica hexane leave extracts (P < 0.05). The leaf extracts of the examined plants had significant curative and preventive effects in SB-induced liver and kidney damage, resulting in diminished liver and kidney biomarker enzymes, an improved antioxidant defense system, and lipid peroxidation inhibition.

Analysis of the phytochemicals of Coriandrum sativum and Cichorium intybus aqueous extracts and their biological effects on broiler chickens.

Spices and herbs can be used as feed additives and viable alternatives to antibiotics in chicken production. This study analyzed the phytochemicals, minerals, and antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts from Coriandrum sativum seeds and Cichorium intybus roots. The effects of different concentrations of C. sativum and C. intybus extracts on blood parameters, growth and carcass traits, biochemical parameters, and antioxidant activity of broiler chicks were also examined. The results showed that C. sativum aqueous extract has relatively higher contents of total flavonoids and total phenolic acids than C. intybus aqueous extract. Both extracts contain elevated mineral elements, especially iron, potassium, and sodium. Therefore, dietary supplementation of C. sativum seed and C. intybus root extracts could enhance broiler chicken growth performance, carcass characteristics, liver function, lipid profile, and antioxidant status. These extracts could be utilized as natural feed additives and growth promoters for broiler chickens.

Hazardous effects of high voltage electromagnetic field on albino rats and protective role of Rosmarinus officinalis.

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are common in our everyday lives. They have many origins and severe effects on individuals and environments where they inflict a great deal of health and psychological harm. The current study investigated the impact of high voltage (H.V.) EMF 5.4 kV/m for 2 and 4 h per day with a frequency equal to 50 Hz alternating current (AC) on body weight (b.wt), blood indices, and certain liver enzymes of albino rats after 25 days of exposure to the electromagnetic field. This work focuses on the therapeutic action of methanol extract of Rosmarinus officinalis (R. officinalis) leaves at a dose (5 mg/kg b. wt) against harmful EMF-induced effects. The findings showed that electromagnetic field exposure induced a substantial decrease in red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), and catalase activity (CAT). Although white blood cells (WBCs), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels have increased significantly under EMF treatment. Treatment with R. officinalis showed attenuation in these parameters that were induced in rats exposed to H.V. These findings were followed by the histopathological analysis of the liver in the observations. Finally, we conclude that R. officinalis leaves extract offered substantial protection against H.V-induced liver damage and can be applied in drug production.

Effect of lactic acid bacteria isolated from some fermented dairy products on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of albino rats.

The current research was performed to evaluate the potential protective effect of Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei, Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis, and silymarin in the alleviation of health (hepatic and renal) complications caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. Healthy sixty albino rats were divided into six groups, the first group was control (negative), the second group (control positive) was injected CCl4 (1 ml/kg, 1:1 v/v paraffin oil mixture, i.p. every third day for 8 weeks), the third group (CCl4 + silymarin group) receiving both CCl4 and daily silymarin therapy (50 mg/kg, oral), and the fourth group: CCl4 + Lactobacillus paracasei (1 ml orally). The fifth group (CCl4 + Pediococcus acidilactici 1 ml orally) and the sixth group (CCl4 + Lactococcus lactis 1 ml orally) for 8 weeks per day. Biochemical markers were tested for blood, liver, and kidney tissue. Histopathological examination of the liver and kidney tissues was performed. The findings obtained have shown that Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei, Pediococcus acidilactici, and Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis improved the disrupted biochemical parameters caused by CCl4 therapy. Besides, the findings of the histopathology are in consistent with biochemical parameters and the protective ability of lactic acid bacteria suggesting that the best lactic acid bacteria were Pediococcus acidilactici that helped strengthen liver fibrosis caused by CCl4 therapy, while the best bacterium for improving renal damage was Lactococcus lactis.

Antimicrobial activity of rosemary leaf extracts and efficacy of ethanol extract against testicular damage caused by 50-Hz electromagnetic field in albino rats.

Rosemary is a restorative plant that has numerous utilizations in traditional medicine. In this investigation, rosemary leaf extracts were examined for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The antimicrobial activity was tested against 8 bacterial strains. The antioxidant feature of rosemary extract on rat testicular tissue after exposure to the electromagnetic field. Sixty adult male albino rats weighing 180-200 g (aged 2 months) were divided into six groups: control group, rosemary group (receiving rosemary extract at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.wt), EMF (2 h) group (exposed to 50 Hz and 5.4 kV per meter of magnetic field for 2 h), EMF (4 h) group (exposed to 50 Hz and 5.4 kV per meter of magnetic field for 4 h), EMF (2 h) + rosemary group (receiving both magnetic field for 2 h and extract), and EMF (4 h) + rosemary group (receiving both magnetic field for 4 h and extract). After 30 days, the rats were sacrificed, and some estimates were determined. Results exhibited that the ethanolic extract of rosemary leaves was active against pathogenic bacteria. Results also demonstrated that exposure to EMF diminished level of male hormones (e.g., follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, and luteinizing hormone (LH)) in serum and catalase (CAT) activity remarkably and increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in comparison to the control group. Signs of improvement in the male hormones, CAT activity, and MDA levels were noticed during the treatments with rosemary. Histological results showed that the rosemary extract inhibited the destructive effect of electromagnetic fields on testicular tissue. This research reveals that the ethanolic extract of rosemary has many beneficial effects that can be compelling in supporting individuals living with EMF ecological contamination.

Dual effects of quercetin in doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and its modulation of the cytotoxic activity of doxorubicin on human carcinoma cells.

Quercetin (QUR) has been shown to induce anti-, as well as, pro-oxidant effects depending on the dose and on the redox state of the cell. This study investigated the effects of different doses of QUR on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats with emphasis on the suggested mechanisms and its modulation of the cytotoxic activity of DOX on different human carcinoma cell lines. Three doses of QUR (10, 50, and 100 mg kg(-1)) were administered orally to adult male albino rats for 14 days, in the presence or absence of nephrotoxicity induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of DOX (15 mg kg(-1)) at day 7 of the experiment. Moreover, the effect of QUR in the presence of DOX on the cell viability of four different human cancer cell lines; PC3, HELA, MCF7, and HEPG2 was studied. Results showed that the lowest dose of QUR was more effective in preserving renal function (kidney index, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, renal malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, reduced glutathione, catalase activity, renal expressions of TNF-α, IL-1B, iNOS, and caspase-3, and renal histopathology) than higher doses. Alternatively, the pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory mechanisms have been reflected at highest QUR dose. In conclusion, QUR protected against DOX-induced nephrotoxicity with a provision to dosage adjustment. Furthermore, QUR did not interfere but rather enhanced the cytotoxic effects of DOX on different human cancer cell lines.

Ameliorative effect of eprosartan on high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced early diabetic nephropathy in rats.

Diabetic nephropathy becomes the single most frequent cause of end-stage renal disease. The present study aimed therefore to investigate possible protective effect of eprosartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, on high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced early diabetic nephropathy in rats and various mechanisms underlie this effect. Male Wistar rats with type 2 diabetes induced by high-fat diet/streptozotocin were treated with eprosartan at the dose levels of 30 and 60mg/kg daily for 5 weeks. Eprosartan induced a nephroprotective effect as evident by the significant decrease in serum creatinine, urea, total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels, urinary albumin excretion and kidney index as well as renal levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide products (nitrite/nitrate), in addition to angiotensin II, inducible nitric oxide synthase, transforming growth factor-ß1 and collagen IV expressions with a concurrent increase in renal levels of reduced glutathione and catalase activity compared to diabetic untreated rats. Histopathological examination confirmed the renoprotective effect of eprosartan. In conclusion, eprosartan protects rats against high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced early diabetic nephropathy possibly, in part, through its antioxidant effect as well as by abrogating the overexpression of angiotensin II, inducible nitric oxide synthase, transforming growth factor-ß1 and collagen IV.

Therapeutic potential of morin against liver fibrosis in rats: modulation of oxidative stress, cytokine production and nuclear factor kappa B.

Therapeutic potential of morin, a member of flavonoid family, against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats was investigated and compared with that of silymarin. Results show that treatment with morin (30 mg/kg/day) revealed attenuation in liver index and serum biomarkers of liver function that were enhanced by chronic CCl4 intoxication. Further, morin inhibited the elevated levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide and restored hepatic reduced glutathione to its normal level. The increased production of hepatic hydroxyproline content by CCl4 was markedly decreased by administration of morin. In addition, treatment with morin significantly attenuated the inflammatory responses caused by CCl4 as evident by the decreased hepatic tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) level, immunohistochemical expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and nuclear factor kappa B. Collectively, this study indicates that morin possesses antifibrotic effect in the CCl4 model of fibrosis via reducing oxidative stress, inflammatory responses and fibrogenic markers.

Anti-inflammatory potential of curcumin and quercetin in rats: role of oxidative stress, heme oxygenase-1 and TNF-α.

Flavonoids are group of compounds that have been shown to possess potent anti-inflammatory effects in both cellular and animal models of inflammation. In the current study, the single and combined effects of the two flavonoids, curcumin and quercetin, against carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in rats were evaluated with emphasis on the role of oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory enzyme, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Curcumin (50 mg/kg), quercetin (50 mg/kg) and a combination of both were orally administered for 14 days before carrageenan injection in rats and compared with the reference nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, indomethacin (10 mg/kg). The percentage increase in paw thickness was calculated. Frozen hind paws were used for the estimation of lipid peroxides (malondialdehyde, MDA), nitric oxide (NO), reduced glutathione (GSH), TNF-α level and HO-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. Formalin-fixed hind paws were used for histopathological examination. Results showed that both curcumin and quercetin caused reduction in carrageenin-induced edema and lymphocytes infiltration along with the decrease is being even higher in case of their combination. Additionally, both flavonoids reduced MDA and NO formation, and restored GSH contents in the paw. Furthermore, both flavonoids increased HO-1 mRNA expression and decreased the elevated TNF-α level. Results showed that both flavonoids moderately lowered inflammation, while their combination was more effective. Accordingly, this study suggests that the reduction in oxidative stress and modulation of HO-1 mRNA expression and TNF-α release by curcumin and quercetin may contribute to the synergistic anti-inflammatory effects of these two flavonoids upon combination.

Protective effects of curcumin, alpha-lipoic acid, and N-acetylcysteine against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats

No disponible

Liver fibrosis is a major health problem that can lead to the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. On the other hand, several antioxidants have been shown to possess protective effect against liver fibrosis. Therefore, in the present work, the effectiveness of curcumin, alpha-lipoic acid, and N-acetylcysteine in protecting against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis as well as the mechanism(s) implicated in this protective effect was studied. The antioxidants used in this study resulted in hepatoprotective effect as evident by substantial (..) (AU)

Protective effects of curcumin, α-lipoic acid, and N-acetylcysteine against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

Liver fibrosis is a major health problem that can lead to the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. On the other hand, several antioxidants have been shown to possess protective effect against liver fibrosis. Therefore, in the present work, the effectiveness of curcumin, α-lipoic acid, and N-acetylcysteine in protecting against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver fibrosis as well as the mechanism(s) implicated in this protective effect was studied. The antioxidants used in this study resulted in hepatoprotective effect as evident by substantial decreases in collagen deposition in histopathological examinations in addition to significant decrease in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, bilirubin, and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α) as well as hepatic malondialdehyde concentration, with a concurrent increase in serum matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) levels as compared to CCl(4) fibrotic group. In conclusion, curcumin, α-lipoic acid, and N-acetylcysteine protect rats against CCl(4)-induced liver fibrosis most possibly through their antioxidant activities and their capacities to induce MMP-13 and to inhibit TGF-α levels.