Bio and phyto-chemical effect of Amphora coffeaeformis extract against hepatic injury induced by paracetamol in rats

Evaluation of the biological efficiency of Terminalia chebula fruit extract against neurochemical changes induced in brain of diabetic rats: an epigenetic study

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic and progressive metabolic disorder that can stimulate neuroinflammation and increase oxidative stress in the brain. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the efficacy of ethanolic Terminalia chebula extract against the neurochemical and histopathological changes induced in the brains of diabetic rats. The study clarified the reduction in oxidative stress induced in the brains of diabetic rats by the significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in levels of the antioxidants with decreasing the peroxidation products via ethanolic T. chebula extract at both doses (400 and 600 mg/kg). Moreover, T. chebula extract improved the brain integrity by lowering levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), β-amyloid (Aβ) content, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and acetylcholine esterase (ACHE) significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in a dose dependent manner compared to brain of diabetic rats. Severe nuclear pyknosis and degeneration were noticed in neurons of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum in brains of diabetic rats. The severity of these alterations decreased with T. chebula extract at a dose of 600 mg/kg compared to the other treated groups. The different electrophoretic protein and isoenzyme assays revealed that the lowest similarity index (SI%) values exist in the brains of diabetic rats compared to the control group. The quantity of the most native proteins and isoenzyme types increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in the brains of diabetic rats, and these electrophoretic variations were completely diminished by T. chebula extract. The study concluded that T. chebula extract ameliorated the biochemical, histopathological and electrophoretic abnormalities induced in the brains of diabetic rats when administered at a dose of 600 mg/kg.

Lipid accumulation mechanism of Amphora coffeaeformis under nitrogen deprivation and its application as a feed additive in Carassius auratus aquaculture

BACKGROUND

Amphora coffeaeformis, a unicellular diatom, can significantly accumulate lipids under nitrogen (N) limitation. However, the molecular mechanism underlying lipid accumulation in A. coffeaeformis remains unknown and its application development is lagging.

RESULTS

This work analyzed the lipid composition of A. coffeaeformis under N deprivation and investigated its mechanism underlying lipid accumulation using RNA-seq. The results showed that the total lipid content of A. coffeaeformis increased from 28.22 to 44.05% after 5 days of N deprivation, while the neutral lipid triacylglycerol (TAG) content increased from 10.41 to 25.21%. The transcriptional profile showed that N deprivation induced wide-ranging reprogramming of regulation and that most physiological activities were repressed, while the upregulation of glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase directly determined TAG accumulation. Moreover, we explored the effect of A. coffeaeformis as a food additive on the lipid composition of crucian carp. The results showed that the contents of unsaturated fatty acids in the meat of fish supplemented with A. coffeaeformis were significantly increased, indicating its potential application in animal nutrition for improving meat quality indicators.

CONCLUSION

The findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms of neutral lipid accumulation and revealed the key genes involved in lipid metabolism in A. coffeaeformis. Moreover, we also confirmed that A. coffeaeformis can be used as feed additive for improving the lipid composition of crucian carp meat, which provided evidence for the biotechnology application of this high-oil microalgae.

The hepato- and neuroprotective effect of gold Casuarina equisetifolia bark nano-extract against Chlorpyrifos-induced toxicity in rats

BACKGROUND

The bark of Casuarina equisetifolia contains several active phytoconstituents that are suitable for the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs). These nanoparticles were subsequently evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing the toxicity induced by Chlorpyrifos (CPF) in rats.

RESULTS

Various hematological and biochemical measurements were conducted in this study. In addition, markers of oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions quantified in liver and brain tissues were evaluated. Histopathological examinations were performed on both liver and brain tissues. Furthermore, the native electrophoretic protein and isoenzyme patterns were analyzed, and the relative expression levels of apoptotic genes in these tissues were determined. The hematological and biochemical parameters were found to be severely altered in the group injected with CPF. However, the administration of Au-C. equisetifolia nano-extract normalized these levels in all treated groups. The antioxidant system markers showed a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in conjunction with elevated levels of inflammatory and fibrotic markers in both liver and brain tissues of the CPF-injected group. In comparison, the pre-treated group exhibited a reduction in these markers when treated with the nano-extract, as opposed to the CPF-injected group. Additionally, the nano-extract mitigated the severity of histopathological lesions induced by CPF in both liver and brain tissues, with a higher ameliorative effect observed in the pre-treated group. Electrophoretic assays conducted on liver and brain tissues revealed that the nano-extract prevented the qualitative changes induced by CPF in the pre-treated group. Furthermore, the molecular assay demonstrated a significant increase in the relative expression of apoptotic genes in the CPF-injected rats. Although the nano-extract ameliorated the relative expression of these genes compared to the CPF-injected group, it was unable to restore their values to normal levels.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated that the nano-extract effectively reduced the toxicity induced by CPF in rats at hematological, biochemical, histopathological, physiological, and molecular levels, in the group pre-treated with the nano-extract.

Evaluation of Brown Micro-Algae Synergies With Low Dose γ-Radiation Against Chronic Hepatitis Induced by D-Galactosamine in Rats

Introduction

Hepatic inflammation is considered key driver of hepatic tissue impairment.We aimed to explore the interaction of Halamphora coffeaeformis (Amph.) with low dose ionizing γ radiation (γR) exposure against D-galactosamine (D-GaIN)-induced chronic hepatitis in Albino rats.

Methods

Chronic hepatitis was induced with single dose of D-GalN (400 mg/kg BW i.p.). Rats received 400 mg Amph/kg BW daily by gastric gavage concomitant with .25 Gy γ-R. Liver oxidative stress and inflammatory status were assessed. Gene expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFKB) were estimated by q-PCR. D-Galactosamine injection significantly encouraged hepatic oxidative damage and inflammatory disturbance accompanied with improved intercellular adhesion molecule-1 level (ICAM-1).

Results

messenger RNA gene expression levels of STAT3 and NF-kB were expressively higher in D-GaIN-treated animals. Histopathological examination supported results. Interestingly, Amph treatment with γ-radiation (γ-R) subjection displayed significant improvement of oxidative and inflammatory status along with controlled signaling molecular factors which was supported by amended histological structure of induced liver hepatitis.

Conclusion

Results conclude the efficacious control of liver hepatitis progression by dual collaboration of Amph. with low dose γ-R via control of vital growth signaling factors linked with inflammation thru anti-inflammation, antioxidative and anti-proliferative activities.

Targeting Some Key Metalloproteinases by Nano-Naringenin and Amphora coffeaeformis as a Novel Strategy for Treatment of Osteoarthritis in Rats

Osteoarthritis (OA) represents the highest degenerative disorder. Because cartilage erosion is a common pathological alteration in OA, targeting some key metalloproteinases such as MMP-3, ADAMTS-5 besides their inhibitor TIMP-3 by natural products, could be an effective strategy to protect against osteoarthritis. Forty female Wister rats were categorized into five equal groups. Control, osteoarthritic (OA) (monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) 2 mg/50 µL saline, single intra-articular injection), OA+ indomethacin (2 mg/kg/daily/orally), OA+ nano-naringenin (25 mg/kg/daily/orally), and OA+ Amphora coffeaeformis (772 mg/kg/daily/orally). Treatments were initiated on the 8th day after osteoarthritis induction and continued for 28 days thereafter. Finally, blood and knee joint samples were collected from all rats for biochemical and histopathological evaluations. The current study showed that MIA induced oxidative stress, which resulted in changes in the inflammatory joint markers associated with increased right knee diameter and higher clinical scores for lameness. Amphora coffeaeformis followed by nano-naringenin exhibited a potential anti-arthritic activity by reducing the concentrations of serum MMP-3, ADAMTS-5, and joint MDA and increasing the levels of serum TIMP-3 and joint GSH, similar to indomethacin. The histopathological results confirmed these outcomes. In conclusion, Amphora coffeaeformis and nano-naringenin can be considered as natural therapeutic agents for osteoarthritis owing to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Assessment of Amphora coffeaeformis and Scenedesmus dimorphus algae as immunostimulant agents on Biomphlaria alexandrina snails against Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosoma mansoni is the main factor of human schistosomiasis which is responsible for high rates of mortality. Recently, the use of alternative biological control agents has gained importance in disease control because the intensive use of molluscicides is very harmful to human health and poses risks to the environment. In the present work, the potential effect of two freshwater algae, Amphora coffeaeformis and Scenedesmus obtusus, on the immune response of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails against infection with S. mansoni was investigated. Two different concentrations 1 and 2 g L− 1 from each dried algal material were tested on snails before exposure to miracidial infection by one day. The use of Amphora coffeaeformis has a greater immunostimulatory effect than Scendesmus obtusus at a low concentration of 1.0 g L− 1. The tested algae affected the snail’s hemocytes and its immune response to S. mansoni as evidenced by a significant decrease in infection rate and cercariae production. In addition, increasing in total hemocyte count, the formation of vacuoles, the appearance of several pseudopodia, and the formation of coarse granules in hemocytes of infected snails treated with A. coffeaeformis. Intense tissue reactions were also observed. In conclusion, it was confirmed that these algae can be used as an immunostimulant in the prevention and control of S. mansoni.

Hepatoprotective effect of Trigonella foenum graecum against ethanol-induced cell death in human liver cells (HepG2 and Huh7)

BACKGROUND

The plant Trigonella foenum graecum, also known as fenugreek, has been shown to have anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. In this study, the hepatoprotective effect of fenugreek seed extract (FSE) against ethanol-induced cell death was investigated in human liver cells (HepG2 and Huh7).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The cytotoxic effect of FSE and ethanol on cells was evaluated by exposing the cells at different concentrations. Following that, the cells were pre-incubated with 5-25 μg/ml FSE, followed by a cytotoxic concentration (0.5 mM) of ethanol. MTT and neutral red uptake assays were performed in treated cells to assess the ability of FSE to protect cells from the cytotoxic effects of ethanol. When compared to controls, ethanol treatment significantly reduced the viability of HepG2 and Huh7 cells and altered the cell morphology, whereas treatment with FSE significantly increased cell viability and reversed ethanol-induced morphological changes. Furthermore, pretreatment with FSE dose-dependently reduced lactate dehydrogenate (LDH) leakage, lipid peroxidation (LPO) level, and catalase activities while increasing glutathione (GSH) level induced by ethanol. Pretreatment with FSE also reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), caspase enzyme activities, and protein expression of caspase-3 and -9. In HepG2 cells, ethanol-induced apoptosis was observed, whereas FSE treatment reduced apoptosis by downregulating the expression of pro-apoptotic marker genes and upregulating the antiapoptotic gene.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, this study reports on the mechanistic details of the hepatoprotective potential of FSE. The results also suggest that fenugreek seeds may be useful in preventing liver diseases caused by toxicants such as ethanol.

Impacts of microplastics on reproductive performance of male tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) pre-fed on Amphora coffeaeformis

This study examines the potential defending effects of the diatom, Amphora coffeaeformis, as a feed additive versus the deleterious effects (mainly on gonads) caused by microplastics (MPs) in Nile tilapia, Oreochromes niloticus. Groups of male tilapia were pre-fed diets with four different supplementation levels of A. coffeaeformis (0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%) for 70 days, then exposed to 10 mg/L MPs for 15 days. Thereafter, samples were taken from the four experimental groups and the control fish group, for evaluating blood picture, erythrocytes alterations, biochemical parameters, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SDO), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). In addition, male reproductive performance was assessed by quantifying the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone (T), also testicular sections and GSI% were also assessed. The results showed that the number of leucocytes were significantly (p < 0.05) higher, but the number of red blood cells (RBCs), the level of Hemoglobin (Hb), the percentage of Hematocrit (Ht), the number of platelets, and the eosinophil percentages were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) when fish exposed to MPs. Biochemical parameters (ALP, glucose, uric acid, albumin, and A/G ratio) were significantly increased after MP exposure compared with the control group. Furthermore, MPs induced a significant decline in both serum LH and T levels. Testicular, histological, degenerative changes and testis-ova were found in the MP-exposed fish. Thus, A. coffeaeformis supplementation displayed ameliorative properties that detoxified the negative effects of MPs. This study provides a better understanding of the reproductive injuries caused by MPs exposure and evidence for the use of A. coffeaeformis as a natural remedy in freshwater tilapia.

Amphora algae with low-level ionizing radiation exposure ameliorate D-galactosamine-induced inflammatory impairment in rat kidney

d-Galactosamine (d-GalN) is a well-known toxin that causes many metabolic and morphological abnormalities resulting in advanced renal failure and liver damage. Occupational exposure to low-level ionizing radiation (<1 Gy) was shown to enhance cell protection via attenuating an established inflammatory process. The present study was therefore aimed to investigate the protective impact of Amphora coffaeiformis extract and low dose gamma radiation against d-GalN induced renal damage in rats. Forty-eight adult male Swiss albino rats were distributed equally into eight groups. The measurements included antioxidants activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) as well as lipid peroxidation level in kidney tissue. Also, kidney function tests and inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor alpha and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) were measured. Additionally, relative quantification of kidney nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) gene was estimated. Histopathological examination was also performed in kidney tissue. The results revealed decreases in antioxidant activities and downregulation of Nrf-2 expression accompanied by increases in lipid peroxidation level, kidney function tests and inflammatory markers in d-GaIN group. The treatment with Amphora algal extract and low dose gamma radiation ameliorated the previous measurements which were harmony with histopathological findings. In conclusion, A coffaeiformis extract and low dose gamma radiation provided marked functional and histological effects in the treating acute renal damage induced by d-GalN in rats.

Screening of the bioactive compounds in Amphora coffeaeformis extract and evaluating its protective effects against deltamethrin toxicity in rats

Pyrethroids are synthetic chemicals similar to the pyrethrins, but more toxic to insects and mammals and persistent in the environment than pyrethrins. This study aimed to identify the bioactive compounds of Amphora coffeaeformis extract (ACE) and to determine their potential protective activity against deltamtherin (DEL) insecticide in rats. Six groups of male albino rats were treated for 4 weeks included the control group, ACE-treated group (772 mg/kg b.w.), DEL-exposed group (13.5 mg/kg b.w.), DEL plus ACE-treated group, and the groups treated with ACE for 14 days before or after DEL. At the end of treatment, blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical assays. The GC-MS identified 18 compounds; most of them are fatty acid methyl ester, and the HPLC identified 8 polyphenols and significant amounts of vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B9, and E. The in vivo results revealed that DEL induced significant alterations in hematological and serum biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers, proinflammatory cytokines, and NF-κB. ACE protects against DEL toxicity, and the protection was more pronounced in the groups treated with ACE plus DEL or ACE after DEL suggesting that ACE could be used for the prevention or the treatment of DEL toxicity. It could be concluded that ACE is a promising candidate for the production of bioactive compounds and should be considered in the pharmaceutical and food application.

The potential neuroprotective role of Amphora coffeaeformis algae against monosodium glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in adult albino rats

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a neurotoxin found in most processed and infant formulas. Amphora coffeaeformis (AC) has neuroprotective properties. We investigated, for the first time, the potential neuroprotective role of AC on MSG-induced neurotoxicity in brain using a unique procedural approach. The AC extract was characterized via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Animals were assigned into six groups; a control group, low dose MSG (LD-MSG), high dose MSG (HD-MSG), combined groups (LD-MSG + AC) (HD-MSG + AC) and AC only group for eight weeks. Assessment of the cognitive and mood domains was done via Barnes maze and an open field. Gene expression of Bdnf, TrkB, NMDA-B2 and mGlur5 in the hippocampus was obtained via real-time PCR. The hippocampi of the animals were assessed for structural changes. Oxidative stress was assessed in the cerebrum. The results revealed that omega-6 and β-coumaric acid represented the highest percentage among the constituents in the AC extract. The NO level was decreased in the LD-MSG + AC compared to LD-MSG. SOD was diminished in both treated groups compared to the untreated group. HD-MSG + AC exhibited an increase in the number of wrongly visited quadrants compared to the HD-MSG group. HD-MSG + AC showed decreased anxiety-like behavior compared to HD-MSG. LD-MSG + AC and AC groups revealed enhanced anxiety-like behavior. HD-MSG + AC showed under expressed NMDA-B2 and over expressed Bdnf and TrkB genes, compared to HD-MSG. LD-MSG + AC revealed under expression of Bdnf gene compared to LD-MSG. The AC group revealed under expressed TrkB gene compared to the control group. Overall, the results refer to the potential neuroprotective properties of AC alga against MSG neurotoxicity.

Evaluation of the Biological Efficiency of Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized Using Croton tiglium L. Seeds Extract against Azoxymethane Induced Colon Cancer in Rats

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered as the most common type of gastrointestinal cancers. Chemotherapy became limited due to the adverse side effects. Therefore, the most effective Croton tiglium extract was selected to be incorporated by silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) then evaluated against colon cancer induced by azoxymethane (AOM) in rats.

METHODS

Different hematological and biochemical measurements were quantified in addition to markers of oxidative stress. Specific tumor and inflammatory markers were assayed. Colonic tissues were examined histopathologically in addition to immunohistochemistry (IHC). Native proteins and isoenzymes patterns were electrophoretically assayed beside expression of Tumor Protein P53 (TP53) and Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) genes in colonic tissues.

RESULTS

It was found that AOM caused significant (P≤0.05) elevation in the hematological and biochemical measurements. C. tiglium nano-extract restored these measurements to normalcy. Tumor and inflammatory markers elevated significantly (P≤0.05) in sera of AOM induced colon cancer group in addition to increasing peroxidation products with decline in antioxidant enzymes activities in colon tissues. Nano-extract restored these measurements to normalcy in post-treated group. Histopathological study revealed that nano-extract minimized severity of inflammatory reactions in all nano-extract treated groups and prevented  anti-Keratin 20 antibody expression in post-treated group. The lowest similarity index (SI%) values were noticed with electrophoretic protein (SI=71.43%), lipid (SI=0.00%) and calcium (SI=75.00%) moieties of protein patterns, catalase (SI=85.71%), peroxidase (SI=85.71%), α-esterase (SI=50.00%) and β-esterase (SI=50.00%) isoenzymes in colon cancer group. Furthermore, AOM altered the relative quantities of total native bands. The nano-extract prevented the alterations that occurred qualitatively in nano-extract post-treated group and quantitatively in all nano-extract treated groups. Levels of TP53 and APC gene expression increased in AOM injected group and nano-extract restored their levels to normalcy in the post-treated group.

CONCLUSION

C. tiglium nano-extract exhibited ameliorative effect against the biochemical and molecular alterations induced by AOM in nano-extract post-treated group.