Co-administration of iron sulphate and nitroglycerin promoted oxidative stress and mild tissue damage in Wistar rats

Biosynthesized ZnO Nanoparticles Using Albizia lebbeck Extract Induced Biochemical and Morphological Alterations in Wistar Rats

Nano-based particles synthesized via green routes have a particular structure that is useful in biomedical applications as they provide cheap, eco-friendly, and non-toxic nanoparticles. In the present study, we reported the effect of various concentrations of Zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized using A. lebbeck stem bark extract (ZnO NPsAL) as stabilizing agent on rat biochemical profiles and tissue morphology. Adult Wistar rats weighing 170 ± 5 g were randomly classified into eight groups of five rats each; Group A served as a control fed with normal diet and water. Groups B1, B2, C1, C2, D1, D2, and E were treated with 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg of the 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 M biosynthesized ZnO NPsAL and zinc nitrate daily by the gavage method, respectively. The rats were anesthetized 24 h after the last treatment, blood samples, kidney, heart, and liver tissues were collected for biochemical and histopathological analysis. The rats mean body weight, serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, urea, bilirubin, protein, albumin, globulin, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and high-density lipoprotein were significantly altered with an increased concentration of biosynthesized ZnO NPsAL when compared with the control group (p < 0.05; n ≥ 5). Furthermore, histopathological analysis of treated rats' kidney, heart, and liver tissue revealed vascular congestion, tubular necrosis, inflammation, and cytoplasmic vacuolation. Biosynthesized ZnO NPsAL showed significant alteration in biochemical parameters and tissue morphology in rats with increasing concentrations of the nanoparticles.

Altered redox status, DNA damage and modulation of L-tryptophan metabolism contribute to antimicrobial action of curcumin

Identification and development of newer and better antimicrobials from natural products represent ongoing research efforts by many investigators. Curcumin is a polyphenol commonly found in the plant Curcuma longa (better known as turmeric). It has been reported to possess several bioactivities including antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-fibrotic, and antimicrobial properties. However, little is known about the antimicrobial mode of action of curcumin, thus undermining its prospects as an alternative antimicrobial agent. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of antimicrobial action by curcumin. The mechanism of inhibition was evaluated in representatives of Gram negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria isolates, treated with either curcumin singly or in combination with ascorbic acid (1000 μg/mL). Results showed that curcumin has broad antimicrobial capacity. In addition, curcumin only and/or co-treatment with ascorbic acid caused lipid peroxidation in S. aureus and E. coli, and by extension led to DNA damage, indicative of oxidative stress. It is plausible that the oxidative might be related to the activation of the kynurenine pathway in S. aureus but not in E. coli. Furthermore, curcumin exposure led to elevated total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and level of total thiol, but decreased nitric oxide level in the bacteria isolates. Together, the findings suggest that oxidative stress and DNA damage might be partly responsible for the antimicrobial action of curcumin.