Naringin protects against paclitaxel-induced toxicity in rat testicular tissues by regulating genes in pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and JNK/MAPK signaling pathways

Docetaxel-induced liver and kidney toxicity in rats can be alleviated by suppressing oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, apoptosis and autophagy signaling pathways after Silymarin treatment

Approximately 20 million new cancer cases have occurred worldwide, and dose limitation occurs because of the liver and kidney toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. Inflammation/apoptosis/ROS pathways appear to be activated in the liver and kidney toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. This study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of silymarin (SLY) use against docetaxel (DTX)-induced liver and kidney damage in rats. For this purpose, 30 mg/kg DTX was administered intraperitoneally to Sprague Dawley rats on the first day of the study, followed by SLY (25 or 50 mg/kg/day) orally for 7 days. Then, various analyses were performed on liver and kidney tissues using biochemical, molecular and histological methods. The data obtained showed that DTX administration suppressed antioxidant markers and increased lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney tissues. It was also determined that DTX administration triggered markers of endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, apoptosis and autophagy. On the other hand, SLY treatment increased enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels and decreased malondialdehyde levels. Additionally, SLY alleviated DTX-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, apoptosis and autophagy in liver and kidney tissues. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that DTX increased the density of 8-OHdG positive cells in liver and kidney tissues, while oxidative DNA damage decreased after SLY administration. ALT, AST, ALP, Urea and Creatinine levels increased in the DTX group and decreased in the SLY treatment groups. In conclusion, DTX administration caused toxicity in liver and kidney tissues and damaged tissue integrity, while SLY treatment alleviated DTX-induced toxicity.

The interplay of oxidative stress, apoptotic signaling, and impaired mitochondrial function in the pyrethroid-induced cardiac injury: Alleviative role of curcumin-loaded chitosan nanoparticle

This study assessed the consequence of exposure to a pyrethroid insecticide, fenpropathrin (FPN), on the heart and the probable underlying mechanisms in rats. Moreover, the probable protective effect of curcumin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CMN-CNP) was evaluated. Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were distributed into four groups orally given corn oil, CMN-CNP (50 mg/kg b.wt), FPN (15 mg/kg b.wt), or CMN-CNP + FPN for 60 days. The results revealed that FPN exposure increased serum cardiac damage indicators. In addition, a substantial increase in the reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde content but reduced enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and altered architecture was recorded in the cardiac tissue of FPN-exposed rats. Additionally, a significant down-regulation of expression of the mitochondrial complexes I-V, mitochondrial dynamics, and antioxidants-related genes but up-regulation of apoptosis-related genes was detected in the FPN-exposed group. Immunofluorescence analyses revealed higher amounts of the harmful protein 4-hydroxynonenal in the heart tissue of FPN-exposed rats. Nevertheless, the earlier disturbances were significantly rescued in the FPN + CMN-CNP treated group. Conclusively, our findings reported the cardiotoxic activity of FPN and the involvement of several mitochondrial imbalances as a probable underlying mechanism. Also, the study findings proved the efficacy of CMN-CNP in combating FPN cardiotoxic effects.

The ameliorative effect of carvacrol on sodium arsenite-induced hepatotoxicity in rats: Possible role of Nrf2/HO-1, RAGE/NLRP3, Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase-3, and Beclin-1 pathways

Arsenic is a toxic environmental pollutant heavy metal, and one of its critical target tissues in the body is the liver. Carvacrol is a natural phytocompound that stands out with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. The current study aims to investigate the protective feature of carvacrol against sodium arsenite-induced liver toxicity. Thirty-five Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into five groups: Control, Sodium arsenite (SA), CRV, SA + CRV25, and SA + CRV50. Sodium arsenite was administered via oral gavage at a dose of 10 mg/kg for 14 days, and 30 min later, CRV 25 or 50 mg/kg was administered via oral gavage. Oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy damage pathways parameters, and liver tissue integrity were analyzed using biochemical, molecular, western blot, histological, and immunohistological methods. Carvacrol decreased sodium arsenite-induced oxidative stress by suppressing malondialdehyde levels and increasing superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities, and glutathione levels. Carvacrol reduced inflammation damage by reducing sodium arsenite-induced increased levels of NF-κB and the cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, RAGE, and NLRP3) it stimulates. Carvacrol also reduced sodium arsenite-induced autophagic (Beclin-1, LC3A, and LC3B) and apoptotic (P53, Apaf-1, Casp-3, Casp-6, Casp-9, and Bax) parameters. Carvacrol preserved sodium arsenite-induced impaired liver tissue structure. Carvacrol alleviated toxic damage by reducing sodium arsenite-induced increases in oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagic damage parameters in rat liver tissues. Carvacrol was also beneficial in preserving liver tissue integrity.