Therapeutic effects of chitosan-embedded vitamin C, E nanoparticles against cisplatin-induced gametogenic and androgenic toxicity in adult male rats

Potential ameliorative effects of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) fruit extract on cisplatin-induced reproductive damage in adult male albino rats

OBJECTIVE

Cisplatin (CP) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, but its severe side effects impact testicular function. We investigated the potential protective effects of bilberry extract against CP-induced testicular toxicity.

METHODS

Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four groups. Control animals received a single oral dose of 0.9% saline. Bilberry-treated rats received oral bilberry extract (200 mg/kg body weight [BW] dissolved in 1 mL of saline) daily for 10 consecutive days. CP-treated animals were administered a single intraperitoneal dose (7.5 mg/kg BW). Finally, a bilberry+CP group received oral bilberry extract (200 mg/kg BW) daily for 10 consecutive days, with one intraperitoneal dose of CP (7.5 mg/kg BW) on day 2. We assessed sperm count, motility, viability, and abnormalities, along with testis weight, testis weight-to-BW ratio, antioxidant activity, levels of oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA] and hydrogen peroxide [H2O2]), sex hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], and testosterone), and apoptotic and anti-apoptotic markers, and DNA damage. Testicular tissue underwent histopathological examination.

RESULTS

Among CP-treated rats, significantly lower values were observed for testis weight; testis weight-to-BW ratio; levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione, and B-cell lymphoma 2; and sperm count, motility, and proportion of normal sperm. CP administration was associated with higher MDA, H2O2, p53, Bax, cytochrome c, caspase 9, and caspase 3 levels, along with elevated tail moment. However, bilberry extract administration significantly improved all altered parameters.

CONCLUSION

Bilberry treatment demonstrated protective effects and reduced CP-induced testicular toxicity via antioxidant activity and cytoprotection.

Protective effect of spore oil-functionalized nano-selenium system on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by regulating oxidative stress-mediated pathways and activating immune response

In clinical practice, cisplatin is the most commonly used chemotherapy drug to treat a range of malignancies. Severe ROS-regulated nephrotoxicity, however, restricts its applicability. Currently, the main mechanisms leading to cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in clinical settings involve hydration or diuresis. However, not all patients can be treated with massive hydration or diuretics. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a treatment modality that can effectively reduce nephrotoxicity through a foodborne route. Selenium has been reported to have strong antioxidant as well as anticancer effects when administered as spore oil. Herein, we established cellular and animal models of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and synthesized spore oil-functionalized nano-selenium (GLSO@SeNPs). We found that GLSO@SeNPs inhibit the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by maintaining oxidative homeostasis and regulating related signaling pathways (the MAPK, caspase, and AKT signaling pathways). In vivo, GLSO@SeNPs could effectively improve cisplatin-induced renal impairment, effectively maintaining oxidative homeostasis in renal tissues and thus inhibiting the process of renal injury. In addition, GLSO@SeNPs were converted into selenocysteine (SeCys2), which may exert protective effects. Furthermore, GLSO@SeNPs could effectively modulate the ratio of immune cells in kidneys and spleen, reducing the proportions of CD3⁺CD4⁺ T cells, CD3⁺CD8⁺ T cells, and M1 phenotype macrophages and increasing the proportion of anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells. In summary, in this study, we synthesized food-derived spore oil-functionalized nanomaterials, and we explored the mechanisms by which GLSO@SeNPs inhibit cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Our study provides a basis and rationale for the inhibition of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by food-derived nutrients.

Cisplatin causes erectile dysfunction by decreasing endothelial and smooth muscle content and inducing cavernosal nerve senescence in rats

INTRODUCTION

Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II, CDDP), a drug widely used for cancer worldwide, may affect erectile function, but its side effects have not received enough attention. To investigate the effect of CDDP on erectile function and its possible mechanism.

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally administered CDDP (CDDP group) or the same volume of normal saline (control group). Erectile function was evaluated after a one-week washout. Then, histologic changes in the corpus cavernosum and cavernous nerve (CN) were measured. Other Sprague-Dawley rats were used to isolate the major pelvic ganglion and cavernous nerve (MPG/CN). RSC96 cells were then treated with CDDP. SA-β-gal staining was used to identify senescent cells, and qPCR was used to detect the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Finally, the supernatant of RSC96 cells was used to culture MPG/CN. Erectile function was measured after administration of CDDP. The cavernosum levels of α-SMA, CD31, eNOS, and γ-H2AX, the apoptosis rate and the expression of p16, p21 and p53 in CN were also assayed. The senescent phenotype of RSC96 cells treated with CDDP was identified, and neurite growth from the MPG/CN was photographed and measured.

RESULTS

The CDDP group had a significantly lower ICP/MAP ratio than the control group. Compared to the control group, the CDDP group exhibited significantly lower α-SMA, CD31 and eNOS levels and significantly higher γ-H2AX and apoptosis rates in corpus cavernosum. In addition, CDDP increased some senescence markers p16, p21 and p53 in CN. In vitro, CDDP induced RSC96 senescence and SASP, and the supernatant of senescent cells slowed neurite outgrowth of MPG/CN.

DISCUSSIONS

CDDP treatment could induce erectile dysfunction, by affecting the content of endothelial and smooth muscle and causing SASP in CN. The results indicate that CDDP treatment should be considered as a risk factor for ED. Clinicians should pay more attention to the erectile function of cancer patients who receive CDDP treatment.

Pharmacological Effects of Cisplatin Combination with Natural Products in Cancer Chemotherapy

Cisplatin and other platinum-based drugs, such as carboplatin, ormaplatin, and oxaliplatin, have been widely used to treat a multitude of human cancers. However, a considerable proportion of patients often relapse due to drug resistance and/or toxicity to multiple organs including the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and the cardiovascular, hematologic, and nervous systems. In this study, we sought to provide a comprehensive review of the current state of the science highlighting the use of cisplatin in cancer therapy, with a special emphasis on its molecular mechanisms of action, and treatment modalities including the combination therapy with natural products. Hence, we searched the literature using various scientific databases., such as MEDLINE, PubMed, Google Scholar, and relevant sources, to collect and review relevant publications on cisplatin, natural products, combination therapy, uses in cancer treatment, modes of action, and therapeutic strategies. Our search results revealed that new strategic approaches for cancer treatment, including the combination therapy of cisplatin and natural products, have been evaluated with some degree of success. Scientific evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrates that many medicinal plants contain bioactive compounds that are promising candidates for the treatment of human diseases, and therefore represent an excellent source for drug discovery. In preclinical studies, it has been demonstrated that natural products not only enhance the therapeutic activity of cisplatin but also attenuate its chemotherapy-induced toxicity. Many experimental studies have also reported that natural products exert their therapeutic action by triggering apoptosis through modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p53 signal transduction pathways and enhancement of cisplatin chemosensitivity. Furthermore, natural products protect against cisplatin-induced organ toxicity by modulating several gene transcription factors and inducing cell death through apoptosis and/or necrosis. In addition, formulations of cisplatin with polymeric, lipid, inorganic, and carbon-based nano-drug delivery systems have been found to delay drug release, prolong half-life, and reduce systemic toxicity while other formulations, such as nanocapsules, nanogels, and hydrogels, have been reported to enhance cell penetration, target cancer cells, and inhibit tumor progression.

Targeted Delivery of Drugs and Genes Using Polymer Nanocarriers for Cancer Therapy

Cancer is one of the primary causes of worldwide human deaths. Most cancer patients receive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but these treatments are usually only partially efficacious and lead to a variety of serious side effects. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new therapeutic strategies. The emergence of nanotechnology has had a profound impact on general clinical treatment. The application of nanotechnology has facilitated the development of nano-drug delivery systems (NDDSs) that are highly tumor selective and allow for the slow release of active anticancer drugs. In recent years, vehicles such as liposomes, dendrimers and polymer nanomaterials have been considered promising carriers for tumor-specific drug delivery, reducing toxicity and improving biocompatibility. Among them, polymer nanoparticles (NPs) are one of the most innovative methods of non-invasive drug delivery. Here, we review the application of polymer NPs in drug delivery, gene therapy, and early diagnostics for cancer therapy.