Bacopa phospholipid complex retrieves aluminum maltolate complex-induced oxidative stress and apoptotic alterations in the brain regions of albino rat

Effect of Berberine against Cognitive Deficits in Rat Model of Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatic Encephalopathy (Behavioral, Biochemical, Molecular and Histological Evaluations)

BACKGROUND

Liver cirrhosis (LC) is one of the chronic liver diseases with high disability and mortality accompanying hepatic encephalopathy (HE) followed by cognitive dysfunctions. In this work, the effect of berberine (Ber) on spatial cognition was studied in a rat model of LC induced by thioacetamide (TAA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided into six groups: (1) control; (2) TAA, 200 mg/kg/day, i.p.; (3-5) TAA + Ber; received Ber (10, 30, and 60 mg/kg, i.p., daily after last TAA injection); (6) Dizocilpine (MK-801) + TAA, received MK-801 (2 mg/kg/day, i.p.) 30 m before TAA injection. The spatial memory, BBB permeability, brain edema, liver enzymes, urea, serum and brain total bilirubin, oxidative stress and cytokine markers in the hippocampus were measured. Furthermore, a histological examination of the hippocampus was carried out.

RESULTS

The BBB permeability, brain edema, liver enzymes, urea, total bilirubin levels in serum and hippocampal MDA and TNF-α increased significantly after TAA injection (p < 0.001); the spatial memory was impaired (p < 0.001), and hippocampal IL-10 decreased (p < 0.001). Ber reversed all the above parameters significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001). MK-801 prevented the development of LC via TAA (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Results showed that Ber improves spatial learning and memory in TAA-induced LC by improving the BBB function, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Ber might be a promising therapeutic agent for cognitive improvement in LC.

Anti-migraine activity of freeze-dried latex obtained from Calotropis gigantea Linn

Migraine which is characterized by a pulsating headache affected an estimated population of 12% worldwide. Herbal products like latex derived from Calotropis gigantea R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) are a representative intervention to treat migraine traditionally. However, post-harvesting stability issues of latex affect its biological potential. Freeze-drying has been successfully employed for the encapsulation of herbal bioactive compounds resulting in stable dried preparations. Latex derived from Calotropis gigantea (C. gigantea) was microencapsulated using chitosan by freeze-drying (FDCG) method and compared with sun ray-dried latex (ADCG). Current investigation was aimed to improve the shelf life of latex by freeze-drying microencapsulation technique and evaluation of its anti-migraine potential. Dried latex powders (ADCG and FDCG) were evaluated in terms of phenolic content, coloring strength, first-order kinetic, color parameters (L*, a*, b*, C*, and E*), moisture, water activity, solubility, and hygroscopicity. Additionally, apomorphine-induced climbing behavior, L-5-HTP-induced syndrome, and MK-801-induced hyperactivity were used to evaluate the anti-migraine potential of powdered latex. FDCG showed good physicochemical properties due to its higher concentration of phenolic and flavonoid contents. Moreover, FDCG significantly reduced the apomorphine-induced climbing behavior, L-5-HTP-induced syndrome, and MK-801-induced hyperactivity in a dose-dependent manner through an interaction of dopaminergic and serotonergic receptors. In conclusion, the method developed for shelf life improvement of latex offered maximum protection over a period of 10 weeks with retaining its natural biological potential; thus, it can be effectively utilized in the treatment or management of migraine. Anti-migraine effect of Calotropis gigantea freeze-dried latex by inhibition of dopamine and serotonin receptors (D1 and D2: dopamine receptors; 5-HT: serotonin receptors); yellow color represents serotonergic, and blue color indicates dopaminergic neurons.

Evaluation of Cerebellar Function and Integrity of Adult Rats After Long-Term Exposure to Aluminum at Equivalent Urban Region Consumption Concentrations

High amounts of aluminum (Al) are found in soil and water. It is highly bioavailable, which makes it an important agent of environmental imbalance. Moreover, Al is considered a neurotoxic agent that is associated with several neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, this study investigated the effects of long-term Al chloride (AlCl₃) exposure on motor behavior, oxidative biochemistry, and cerebellar tissue parameters. For this, adult Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Al-D1 (8.3 mg kg^-1 day^-1), Al-D2 (5.2 mg kg^-1 day^-1), and control (distilled water); all groups were orally exposed for 60 days by intragastric gavage. After the exposure period, animals performed the open field, elevated plus maze, rotarod, and beam walking tests. Then, the blood and cerebellum were collected to evaluate Al levels and biochemical and morphological analyses, respectively. Our results demonstrate that animals exposed to Al doses presented a higher Al level in the blood. In the spontaneous locomotor activity, Al exposure groups had traveled a lower total distance when compared with the control group. There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) between exposed and control groups when anxiogenic profile, forced locomotion, fine motor coordination/balance, pro-oxidative parameter, and density Purkinje cells were compared. Thus, aluminum exposure in equivalent doses to human consumption in urban regions did not promote significant changes in the cerebellum or motor parameters.

Exposure to ambient dusty particulate matter impairs spatial memory and hippocampal LTP by increasing brain inflammation and oxidative stress in rats

OBJECTIVES

Exposure of healthy subjects to ambient airborne dusty particulate matter (PM) causes brain dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the effect of sub-chronic inhalation of ambient PM in a designed special chamber to create factual dust storm (DS) conditions on spatial cognition, hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress in the brain tissue.

METHODS

Adult male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were randomly divided into four groups: Sham (clean air, the concentration of dusty PM was <150 μg/m³), DS1 (200-500 μg/m³), DS2 (500-2000 μg/m³) and DS3 (2000-8000 μg/m³). Experimental rats were exposed to clean air or different sizes and concentrations of dust PM storm for four consecutive weeks (exposure was during 1-4, 8-11, 15-16 and 20-23 days, 30 min, twice daily) in a real-ambient dust exposure chamber. Subsequently, cognitive performance, hippocampal LTP, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and brain edema of the animals evaluated. As well as, inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress indexes in the brain tissue measured using ELISA assays.

RESULTS

Exposing to dust PM impaired spatial memory (p < 0.001), hippocampal LTP (p < 0.001). These disturbances were in line with the severe damage to respiratory system followed by disruption of BBB integrity (p < 0.001), increased brain edema (p < 0.001), inflammatory cytokines (p < 0.001) excretion and oxidative stress (p < 0.001) in brain tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that exposure to ambient dust PM increased brain edema and BBB permeability, induced memory impairment and hippocampal LTP deficiency by increasing the inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in the brain of the rats.