Honey protects against cisplatin-induced hepatic and renal toxicity through inhibition of NF-κB-mediated COX-2 expression and the oxidative stress dependent BAX/Bcl-2/caspase-3 apoptotic pathway

Benzbromarone mitigates cisplatin nephrotoxicity involving enhanced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α) expression

AIM

Despite the great efficacy reported for cisplatin as a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, its clinical use is limited by the challenge of facing its serious side effect; nephrotoxicity. In this study, the effect of the benzbromarone on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α) was investigated against cisplatin nephrotoxicity.

MAIN METHODS

Rats were administered benzbromarone (10 mg/kg/day; p.o.) for 14 days, and cisplatin (6.5 mg/kg; i.p.) as a single dose on the 10th day. Blood and kidney tissue samples were collected for determination of kidney function, biochemical and molecular markers, as well as histopathological investigation.

KEY FINDINGS

Benzbromarone improved kidney function, that was evidenced by reduced serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen to nearly the half, compared to the group administered cisplatin alone. The protein expression of PPAR-α was enhanced with benzbromarone treatment, along with a considerable suppression of oxidative stress as benzbromarone reduced mRNA expression of NADPH oxidase, while increased the anti-oxidant HO-1 protein expression associated with enhancing Nrf2. Besides, it displayed a marked anti-inflammatory effect involved suppression of p38 MAPK/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway and its downstream targets. Moreover, benzbromarone retarded apoptosis associated with reducing the pro-apoptotic (Bax) and enhancing the anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) protein expressions. The protective effects of benzbromarone were also confirmed by histopathological results.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our data confirm the relation between PPAR-α, and the deleterious effects induced by cisplatin. It can also be suggested that enhancing PPAR-α expression by benzbromarone is a promising therapeutic approach that overcomes cisplatin nephrotoxicity, involving regulation of different signaling pathways: Nrf2/HO-1, p38 MAPK/NF-κB p65, and Bax/Bcl-2.

Both Matricaria chamomilla and Metformin Extract Improved the Function and Histological Structure of Thyroid Gland in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rats through Antioxidant Mechanism

There is increasing proof that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with the increased frequency of thyroid disturbances. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) herb and metformin showed therapeutic efficacy against polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic effect of both chamomile flower extract and metformin against thyroid damage associated with PCOS in rats. The PCOS model was developed in rats by injecting estradiol valerate, and it was confirmed to be associated with thyroid hypofunction biochemically and pathologically. Treatment of PCOS rats with both chamomile extract and metformin resulted in an improvement in serum level of thyroid hormones (TSH, p < 0.01; T3 and T4, p < 0.05) and the disappearance of most thyroid gland pathological changes demonstrated by light and electron microscopes. They also reduced the level of serum estrogen (p < 0.01). Both chamomile extract and metformin decreased MDA (p < 0.05) and increased GPx and CAT (p < 0.01). Only chamomile extract increased GSH (p < 0.01). Both treatments reduced the apoptotic death of thyroid cells as noted by the reduction of caspase-3 immunoexpression (p < 0.01). In conclusion, both Matricariachamomilla extract and metformin ameliorated hypothyroidism associated with PCOS through an antioxidant and antiapoptotic mechanism.

DHA-PC protects kidneys against cisplatin-induced toxicity and its underlying mechanisms in mice

DHA-PC protected the kidney against cisplatin-induced toxicity through sirtuin 1 activation, the inhibition of oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Ameliorative and protective effects of ginger and its main constituents against natural, chemical and radiation-induced toxicities: A comprehensive review

Fatal unintentional poisoning is widespread upon human exposure to toxic agents such as pesticides, heavy metals, environmental pollutants, bacterial and fungal toxins or even some medications and cosmetic products. In this regards, the application of the natural dietary agents as antidotes has engrossed a substantial attention. One of the ancient known traditional medicines and spices with an arsenal of metabolites of several reported health benefits is ginger. This extended literature review serves to demonstrate the protective effects and mechanisms of ginger and its phytochemicals against natural, chemical and radiation-induced toxicities. Collected data obtained from the in-vivo and in-vitro experimental studies in this overview detail the designation of the protective effects to ginger's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. Ginger's armoury of phytochemicals exerted its protective function via different mechanisms and cell signalling pathways, including Nrf2/ARE, MAPK, NF-ƙB, Wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β1/Smad3, and ERK/CREB. The outcomes of this review could encourage further clinical trials of ginger applications in radiotherapy and chemotherapy regime for cancer treatments or its implementation to counteract the chemical toxicity induced by industrial pollutants, alcohol, smoking or administered drugs.

Anti-Cancer and Protective Effects of Royal Jelly for Therapy-Induced Toxicities in Malignancies

Royal jelly (RJ) is a glandular secretion produced by worker honeybees and is a special food for the queen honeybee. It results in a significant prolongation of the lifespan of the queen honeybee compared with the worker honeybees through anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activities. Consequently, RJ is used as cosmetic and dietary supplement throughout the world. In addition, in vitro studies and animal experiments have demonstrated that RJ inhibits cell proliferation and stimulates apoptosis in various types of malignant cells and affects the production of various chemokines, anti-oxidants and growth factors and the expression of cancer-related molecules in patients with malignancies, especially in patients treated with anti-cancer agents. Therefore, RJ is thought to exert anti-cancer effects on tumor growth and exhibit protective functions against drug-induced toxicities. RJ has also been demonstrated to be useful for suppression of adverse events, the maintenance of the quality of life during treatment and the improvement of prognosis in animal models and patients with malignancies. To understand the mechanisms of the beneficial effects of RJ, knowledge of the changes induced at the molecular level by RJ with respect to cell survival, inflammation, oxidative stress and other cancer-related factors is essential. In addition, the effects of combination therapies of RJ and other anti-cancer agents or natural compounds are important to determine the future direction of RJ-based treatment strategies. Therefore, in this review, we have covered the following five issues: (1) the anti-cancer effects of RJ and its main component, 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid; (2) the protective effects of RJ against anti-cancer agent-induced toxicities; (3) the molecular mechanisms of such beneficial effects of RJ; (4) the safety and toxicity of RJ; and (5) the future directions of RJ-based treatment strategies, with a discussion on the limitations of the study of the biological activities of RJ.