Melissa officinalis Protects against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats and Potentiates Its Anticancer Activity on MCF-7 Cells

Ameliorative effect of rosiglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator gamma agonist on adriamycin-induced cardio toxicity via suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis

We investigated the rosiglitazone (RSG) effect on adriamycin (ADM)-induced cardio toxicity in experimental animals. Forty adult Wistar male rats were separated into four groups as follows: normal control; RSG (10 mg/kg)-treated; ADM (10 mg/kg)-administered; and ADM (10 mg/kg) + RSG (10 mg/kg)-treated. Serum lipid level, different biochemical biomarkers, histological analysis, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1), Caspase 3, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and Bax gene expression were assessed in serum and cardiac tissue samples. Our results show that RSG treatment in ADM-administered animals significantly diminished low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and total cholesterol, and increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) in comparison with the ADM group. RSG treatment reduced the effect of ADM administration on cardiac dysfunction markers such as cardiac troponin T Creatine Kinase-MB, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase, showing the amelioration of cardio toxicity in ADM-administered rats. Additionally, RSG treatment significantly decreased the level of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide in cardiovascular tissue. RSG-treated rats in combination with ADM likewise showed a significant increase in reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase content, and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as compared with ADM group. Moreover, RSG treatment in ADM rats significantly increased an Nrf2 and HO-1 expression in comparison with ADM group. While in apoptosis parameters, RSG treatment in ADM rats significantly diminished a cleaved caspase-3 and Bax expression as well as expanded Bcl-2 expression when contrasted with ADM group of rats. In conclusion, RSG is capable of protecting heart toxicity in ADM-treated animals through defensive effects on oxidative stress and biochemical markers.

Apigenin attenuates doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity via reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis in male rats

AIMS

Doxorubicin, an antibiotic belonging to anthracycline family, has been used for treatment of malignancies. Cardiotoxicity is the main adverse effect of doxorubicin. Apigenin, as a flavonoid, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumoral properties. The aim of this study was the assessment of any protective effect of apigenin on cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin.

MAIN METHODS

40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, cardiotoxicity (DOX), apigenin treated group (DOX + Api 25) and apigenin group (Api 25). At the end of the experiment, the markers of cardiac function (%EF, %FS, LVIDs, LVIDd), cardiac and liver injury (LDH, CK-MB, cTn-I, ALT, and AST), cardiac apoptosis (Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase3), cardiac oxidative stress (SOD, GSH, MDA) and cardiac fibrosis were measured.

KEY FINDINGS

Apigenin improved cardiac functional parameters. The levels of cardiac and liver injury markers were significantly decreased in DOX + Api 25 compared to DOX. Treatment with apigenin caused significant decrease in percentage of cardiac fibrosis in comparison with DOX. Apigenin in DOX + Api 25 group led to significant decrease in apoptotic proteins (Casp3, Bax) and a significant increase in anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl2). In apigenin treatment groups, SOD levels significantly increased while a significant decrease was observed in MDA. The amount of GSH in DOX + Api 25 had no significant change in comparison to control and Api 25 groups.

SIGNIFICANCE

Apigenin reduced cardiac injuries induced by DOX through anti-fibrotic, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. It seems that apigenin prevents cardiac injuries and improves cardiac function.

Teratogenic jervine increases the activity of doxorubicin in MCF-7/ADR cells by inhibiting ABCB1

Jervine is a natural teratogenic compound isolated from Veratrum californicum. In this study, for the first time, we revealed a novel activity of jervine in sensitizing the anti-proliferation effect of doxorubicin (DOX). We demonstrated that the synergistic mechanism was related to the intracellular accumulation of DOX via modulating ABCB1 transportation. Jervine did not affect the expression of ABCB1 in mRNA nor protein levels. However, jervine increased the ATPase activity of ABCB1 and possibly served as a substrate of ABCB1. The molecular docking results indicated that jervine was bound to a closed ABCB1 conformation and blocked drug entrance to the central binding site at the transmembrane domain. The present study identifies jervine acts as a substrate of ABCB1, and has potential to be developed as a novel and potent chemotherapy sensitizer used for patients developing multidrug resistance.

Ursolic acid prevents doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity in mice through eNOS activation and inhibition of eNOS uncoupling

In addition to the known antitumour effects of ursolic acid (UA), increasing evidence indicates that this molecule plays a role in cardiac protection. In this study, the effects of ursolic acid on the heart in mice treated with doxorubicin (DOX) were assessed. The results showed that ursolic acid improved left ventrical fractional shortening (LVFS) and left ventrical ejection fraction (LVEF) of the heart, increased nitrogen oxide (NO) levels, inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and decreased cardiac apoptosis in mice treated with doxorubicin. Mechanistically, ursolic acid increased AKT and endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation levels, and enhanced eNOS expression, while inhibiting doxorubicin induced eNOS uncoupling through NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) down-regulation. These effects of ursolic acid resulted in heart protection from doxorubicin-induced injury. Therefore, ursolic acid may be considered a potential therapeutic agent for doxorubicin-associated cardiac toxicity in clinical practice.

Antioxidant and anticancer activities of Trigonella foenum-graecum, Cassia acutifolia and Rhazya stricta

BACKGROUND

Here, we determined in vitro antioxidant activity, total phenols and flavonoids and evaluated antiproliferative activity of three medicinal plant extracts: Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek), Cassia acutifolia (Senna) and Rhazya stricta (Harmal).

METHODS

The leaves of the three medicinal plants were extracted with 70% ethanol. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were determined by using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assay. Total flavonoid and phenolic contents were determined using colorimetric assays. MTT assay was used to estimate the antiproliferative activities of the extracts against human hepatoma (HepG2) cancer cell line. In addition, the effects of R. stricta extract on cell cycle, colony formation, and wound healing of HepG2 cells and tube formation of HUVEC cells were assessed.

RESULTS

Percentage inhibition of DPPH scavenging activity were dose-dependent and ranged between (89.9% ± 0.51) and (28.6% ± 2.07). Phenolic contents ranged between (11.5 ± 0.013) and (9.7 ± 0.008) mg GAE/g while flavonoid content ranged between (20.8 ± 0.40) and (0.12 ± 0.0.01) mg QE/g. Antiproliferative results of the extracts were found to be consistent with their antioxidant activity. Among the extracts evaluated, that of R. stricta showed the best antioxidant, antiproliferative and antimetastatic activities at low concentration. It also inhibited the colony-formation capacity of HepG2 cells and exhibited antiangiogenic activity. Cell cycle analysis showed significant arrest of cells at G2/M phase 12 and 48 h after treatment and significant arrest at G1/S phase after 24 h of treatment. Consistent data were observed in western blot analysis of protein levels of Cdc2 and its cyclin partners.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings introduce R. stricta as a potentially useful anti-metastatic agent and a novel potential anti-tumour agent for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment.

Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. Decreases Oxidative Stress in Blood Cells and Prevents Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an efficient chemotherapeutic agent, but its clinical application is limited by its cardiotoxicity associated with increased oxidative stress. Thus, the combination of DOX and antioxidants has been encouraged. In this study, we evaluated (I) the chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of aqueous extracts from Guazuma ulmifolia stem bark (GUEsb) and leaves (GUEl) in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride- (AAPH-) or DOX-induced lipid peroxidation inhibition in human blood cells, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) quantification using the fluorescent probe dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) in K562 erythroleukemia cells incubated with GUEsb and stimulated with hydrogen peroxide; (II) the viability of K562 cells and human leukocytes treated with GUEsb in the absence or presence of DOX using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay; (III) the acute toxicity of GUEsb; and (IV) the cardioprotective effect of GUEsb in C57Bl/6 mice treated with DOX. The chemical composition indicated the presence of flavan-3-ol derivatives and condensed tannins in GUEsb and glycosylated flavonoids in GUEl. GUEsb and GUEl showed free-radical scavenging antioxidant activity, antihemolytic activity, and AAPH- as well as DOX-induced malondialdehyde content reduction in human erythrocytes. Based on its higher antioxidant potential, GUEsb was selected and subsequently showed intracellular ROS reduction without impairing the chemotherapeutic activity of DOX in K562 cells or inducing leukocyte cell death, but protected them against DOX-induced cell death. Yet, GUEsb did not show in vivo acute toxicity, and it prevented MDA generation in the cardiac tissue of DOX-treated mice, thus demonstrating its cardioprotective effect. Taken together, the results show that GUEsb and GUEl are natural alternatives to treat diseases associated with oxidative stress and that, in particular, GUEsb may play an adjuvant role in DOX chemotherapy.

Molecular characterization of the grape seeds extract's effect against chemically induced liver cancer: In vivo and in vitro analyses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer property of grape seed extract (GSE) during early stages of developing liver cancer using a two-stage carcinogenic model combining diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 2-Acetyl Aminofluorene (2-AAF). Administration of GSE at doses 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg per day started at the beginning of promotion periods and continued for 14 weeks. GSE dramatically inhibited pre-neoplastic foci formation as well as significantly decreased the number and the area of placental glutathione-S-transferase in livers of DEN-2AAF-treated rats by approximately 4 & 10 fold deductions, respectively. GSE's effects were associated with induced apoptosis, reduced cell proliferation, decreased oxidative stress and down regulation of histone deacetylase activity and inflammation makers, such as cyclooxygenase 2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, nuclear factor-kappa B-p65 and p- phosphorylated tumor necrosis factor receptor expressions in liver. GSE treatment also decreased the viability of HepG2 cells and induced early and late apoptosis through activating caspase-3 and Bax. Furthermore, GSE induced G2/M and G1/S cell cycle arrest. The present study provides evidence that the GSE's anticancer effect is mediated through the inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, modulating oxidative damage and suppressing inflammatory response.

Oral administration of Ginsenoside Rg1 prevents cardiac toxicity induced by doxorubicin in mice through anti-apoptosis

Although Ginsenoside Rg1 has been reported to have protective cardiac effects, its effects on cardiac toxicity induced by doxorubicin needs to be studied. The present study investigated the effects of oral administration of Rg1 on the heart in mice treated with doxorubicin and found improved fractional shortening and ejection fraction of the heart and decreased cardiac apoptosis in mice treated with doxorubicin. The underlying mechanisms include increased phosphorylation of Akt and Erk by Rg1, increased ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax, and decreased release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, thereby protecting the heart from doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. This phenotype suggested that the oral administration of Rg1 may be a potential method preventing the cardiac toxicity caused by doxorubicin in clinical practice.

Functional and Structural Assessment of the Effect of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity

Cardiomyopathy induced by doxorubicin (DOX) was recognized at an early stage and also several years after drug administration. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have many properties that make them suitable for preventive and/or regenerative therapies. In this study, we evaluated the effect of MSCs in the functional and the structural improvement of DOX-induced cardiomyopathy in rats. Ninety adult male albino rats were randomly divided into three equal groups of thirty rats each: Group I (control): rats received normal saline. Group II (DOX- group): rats received DOX. Group III (DOX-MSCs group): rats received DOX for 2 weeks then human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs). Rats in all groups were evaluated for: physical condition, electrocardiography (ECG), and hemodynamic parameters. Serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and DNA fragmentation on heart tissue isolated DNA were estimated for evaluation of the mechanism and the extent of the damage. Hearts were examined histopathologically for detection of MSCs homing, structural evaluation, with counting of the collagen fibers for evaluation of fibrosis. DOX-administered rats showed significant functional and structural deterioration. DOX-MSCs treated rats (group III) showed improved functional and structural criteria with restoration of all biochemical indicators of cardiac damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) to normal, as well. In Conclusion, hUCB-MSCs significantly ameliorated the cardiotoxic manifestations as shown by biochemical, functional, and structural cardiac improvement. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3119-3129, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.