Bioactive phytochemicals from Salvia officinalis attenuate cadmium-induced oxidative damage and genotoxicity in rats

Mechanism of cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity

Heavy metals are found naturally in our environment and have many uses and applications in daily life. However, high concentrations of metals may be a result of pollution due to industrialization. In particular, cadmium (Cd), a white metal abundantly distributed in the terrestrial crust, is found in mines together with zinc, which accumulates after volcanic eruption or is found naturally in the sea and earth. High levels of Cd have been associated with disease. In the human body, Cd accumulates in two ways: via inhalation or consumption, mainly of plants or fish contaminated with high concentrations. Several international organizations have been working to establish the limit values of heavy metals in food, water, and the environment to avoid their toxic effects. Increased Cd levels may induce kidney, liver, or neurological diseases. Cd mainly accumulates in the kidney, causing renal disease in people exposed to moderate to high levels, which leads to the development of end-stage chronic kidney disease or death. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of Cd-induced nephrotoxicity, the mechanisms of Cd damage, and the current treatments used to reduce the toxic effects of Cd exposure.

Salvia officinalis restores semen quality and testicular functionality in cadmium-intoxicated male rats

The present study investigated the potential ability of Salvia officinalis, one of the oldest medicinal plants, to protect male rats against cadmium reproductive toxicity. Twenty-eight healthy male rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 7); control, Salvia-extract treated group, cadmium treated group and a group treated with both Cd and Salvia. Administration of cadmium reduced the relative testis to body weight and significantly affected sperm parameters by decreasing motility, viability, count and increasing morphological aberrations. Comet assay was used to detect DNA fragmentation in sperms of the rats exposed to Cd. Serum levels of testosterone T, follicle stimulating hormone FSH, and luteinizing hormone LH were significantly decreased. The biochemical analysis of testicular tissue showed a significant rise in Malondialdehyde MDA level coupled with a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase SOD, glutathione peroxidase GPx and catalase CAT). The histological examination of testis sections after Cd administration revealed severe degeneration of spermatogenic cells. Seminiferous tubules were filled with homogenous eosinophilic fluid associated with atrophy of other seminiferous tubules. Co-treatment with the Salvia officinalis extract restored the oxidative enzymes activities and decreased the formation of lipid peroxidation byproduct, which in turn ameliorated the effect of Cd on sperm parameters, DNA damage and testis histopathology. Taken together, it can be concluded that the synergistic antioxidant and radical savaging activities of Salvia officinalis prevented the effect of Cd on semen quality, sperm DNA damage, along with the oxidative stress and histological abnormalities in the testis tissues.

Natural Compounds of Salvia L. Genus and Molecular Mechanism of Their Biological Activity

The study of medicinal plants is important, as they are the natural reserve of potent biologically active compounds. With wide use in traditional medicine and the inclusion of several species (as parts and as a whole plant) in pharmacopeia, species from the genus Salvia L. are known for the broad spectrum of their biological activities. Studies suggest that these plants possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiangiogenic, hepatoprotective, cognitive and memory-enhancing effects. Phenolic acids, terpenoids and flavonoids are important phytochemicals, which are primarily responsible for the medicinal activity of Salvia L. This review collects and summarizes currently available data on the pharmacological properties of sage, outlining its principal physiologically active components, and it explores the molecular mechanism of their biological activity. Particular attention was given to the species commonly found in Kazakhstan, especially to Salvia trautvetteri Regel, which is native to this country.

Impacts of heavy metal exposure on the prostate of murine models: Mechanisms of toxicity

Heavy metals are elements found into the environment mainly due to anthropogenic activities. Naturally occurring and higher released doses cause disorders in the prostate, which depends on appropriate hormonal regulation, and exposure to heavy metals may impair prostate homeostasis. The current work highlighted the main mechanisms of toxicity of different environmental heavy metal contaminants, such as aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, and nickel, and their impacts found in the prostate morphophysiology of murine models. The repercussions triggered by heavy metals on the prostate include hormonal imbalance and oxidative damage, leading to morphological alterations, which can vary according to the chemical properties of each element, exposure time and concentration, and age. The information of altered biological pathways and its impacts on the prostate of exposed murines are related to human outcomes being useful in the real context of human exposure.

Development and validation of a machine learning-based prognostic risk stratification model for acute ischemic stroke

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a most prevalent cause of serious long-term disability worldwide. Accurate prediction of stroke prognosis is highly valuable for effective intervention and treatment. As such, the present retrospective study aims to provide a reliable machine learning-based model for prognosis prediction in AIS patients. Data from AIS patients were collected retrospectively from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between August 2017 and July 2019. Independent prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic analysis and used to develop machine learning (ML) models. The ML model performance was assessed by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and radar plot. Shapley Additive explanations (SHAP) values were used to interpret the importance of all features included in the predictive model. A total of 677 AIS patients were included in the present study. Poor prognosis was observed in 209 patients (30.9%). Six variables, including neuron specific enolase (NSE), homocysteine (HCY), S-100β, dysphagia, C-reactive protein (CRP), and anticoagulation were included to establish ML models. Six different ML algorithms were tested, and Random Forest model was selected as the final predictive model with the greatest AUC of 0.908. Moreover, according to SHAP results, NSE impacted the predictive model the most, followed by HCY, S-100β, dysphagia, CRP and anticoagulation. Based on the RF model, an online tool was constructed to predict the prognosis of AIS patients and assist clinicians in optimizing patient treatment. The present study revealed that NSE, HCY, CRP, S-100β, anticoagulation, and dysphagia were important factors for poor prognosis in AIS patients. ML algorithms were used to develop predictive models for predicting the prognosis of AIS patients, with the RF model presenting the optimal performance.

Streptomyces Bioactive Metabolites Prevent Liver Cancer through Apoptosis, Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Markers in Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

A safe and effective treatment for liver cancer is still elusive despite all attempts. Biomolecules produced from natural products and their derivatives are potential sources of new anticancer medications. This study aimed to investigate the anticancer potential of a Streptomyces sp. bacterial extract against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver cancer in Swiss albino mice and explore the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. The ethyl acetate extract of a Streptomyces sp. was screened for its potential anticancer activities against HepG-2 using the MTT assay, and the IC₅₀ was also determined. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis was used to identify the chemical constituents of the Streptomyces extract. Mice were administered DEN at the age of 2 weeks, and from week 32 until week 36 (4 weeks), they received two doses of Streptomyces extract (25 and 50 mg/kg body weight) orally daily. The Streptomyces extract contains 29 different compounds, according to the GC-MS analysis. The rate of HepG-2 growth was dramatically reduced by the Streptomyces extract. In the mice model. Streptomyces extract considerably lessened the negative effects of DEN on liver functions at both doses. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were significantly (p < 0.001) decreased, and P53 mRNA expression was increased, both of which were signs that Streptomyces extract was suppressing carcinogenesis. This anticancer effect was also supported by histological analysis. Streptomyces extract therapy additionally stopped DEN-induced alterations in hepatic oxidative stress and enhanced antioxidant activity. Additionally, Streptomyces extract reduced DEN-induced inflammation, as shown by the decline in interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels. Additionally, the Streptomyces extract administration dramatically boosted Bax and caspase-3 levels while decreasing Bcl-2 expressions in the liver according to the Immunohistochemistry examination. In summary, Streptomyces extract is reported here as a potent chemopreventive agent against hepatocellular carcinoma through multiple mechanisms, including inhibiting oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, and inflammation.

Effect of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Polyphenolic Acid Injection on Improving Limb Use and Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Acute Stroke

Aims. To investigate the effect of injectable salvia polyphenolic acid on the improvement of limb movement and cognitive dysfunction in acute stroke patients. Materials and Methods. The clinical data of 90 acute stroke patients were collected for retrospective study and divided into 45 cases each in the comparison group and the observation group according to the different treatment methods; using basic treatment + salvianolic acid, the comparison group implemented conventional alteplase and butalbital treatment, and the observation group used injectable salvianolic acid treatment, to observe and compare the clinical efficacy, changes in neurological deficits, cognitive function, and motor function scores before and after treatment in the two groups. Results. The NIHSS (National Institute of Health stroke scale) score, cerebral infarct volume, NSE (neuron-specific enolase), and S100β (A neurotrophic factor) levels were reduced after treatment compared with those before treatment in this group, and the NIHSS score, cerebral infarct volume, NSE, and S100β levels in the observation group were lower than those in the comparison group after treatment, and the difference was statistically significant ( $P<0.05$ ). Compared with the clinical efficacy of the comparison group and the observation group, the treatment effect of the observation group was better than that of the comparison group, and the difference was statistically significant ( $P<0.05$ ). After treatment, the cognitive function and motor function scores of both groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment, and the degree of improvement of each score in the observation group was significantly better than that in the comparison group ( $P<0.05$ ). During the trial, two patients in the comparison group developed a generalized rash and withdrew from the experiment, and the rash subsided after anti-allergic treatment, and no significant adverse events were observed in the remaining participants. There was no statistically significant difference in liver and kidney function and cardiac enzyme test indexes between the two groups of patients at 14 days of treatment ( $P>0.05$ ). Conclusion. Danshen polyphenolic acid for injection has definite clinical efficacy in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, and it can effectively improve cognitive and motor functions and promote neurological recovery in patients with high safety.

Beneficial effects of Salvia officinalis essential oil on vanadium-induced testicular injury, DNA damage and histological alterations in Wistar rats

Vanadium has been shown to catalyze the generation of reactive oxygen species. Since free radical production and lipid peroxidation are potentially important mediators in testicular physiology and pathophysiology, the present study was conducted to elucidate vanadium-induced oxidative damage in rat testis and the ameliorative role of Salvia officinalis essential oil (SEO) against the adverse effects of this heavy metal. Adult male Wistar rats were treated daily during 10 days either with ammonium metavanadate (5 mg/kg bw, intraperitoneally), SEO (15 mg/kg bw, orally) or their combination. A group of rats receiving daily a saline solution served as a negative control. Vanadium treatment induced a significant decrease in body and reproductive organ weights, serum testosterone level and sperm number and motility. An increase in lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation as well as a marked inhibition in the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the testes and seminal vesicles indicated the occurrence of oxidative stress after vanadium toxicity. Histopathological changes in testis and seminal vesicles were also observed following vanadium administration. However, co-administration of SEO to vanadium-treated rats resulted in an appreciable improvement of these parameters, emphasizing the therapeutic effects of SEO. It can be suggested that SEO mitigates vanadium-induced reproductive damage due to its antioxidant capacity. Thus, we can hypothesize that SEO supplementation could protect against vanadium poisoning.

Cadmium-Induced Kidney Injury: Oxidative Damage as a Unifying Mechanism

Cadmium is a nonessential metal that has heavily polluted the environment due to human activities. It can be absorbed into the human body via the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and the skin, and can cause chronic damage to the kidneys. The main site where cadmium accumulates and causes damage within the nephrons is the proximal tubule. This accumulation can induce dysfunction of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, leading to electron leakage and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cadmium may also impair the function of NADPH oxidase, resulting in another source of ROS. These ROS together can cause oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids, triggering epithelial cell death and a decline in kidney function. In this article, we also reviewed evidence that the antioxidant power of plant extracts, herbal medicines, and pharmacological agents could ameliorate cadmium-induced kidney injury. Finally, a model of cadmium-induced kidney injury, centering on the notion that oxidative damage is a unifying mechanism of cadmium renal toxicity, is also presented. Given that cadmium exposure is inevitable, further studies using animal models are warranted for a detailed understanding of the mechanism underlying cadmium induced ROS production, and for the identification of more therapeutic targets.

Role of Fucoxanthin towards Cadmium-induced renal impairment with the antioxidant and anti-lipid peroxide activities

Kidney damages caused by cadmium are considered to be one of the most dangerous consequences for the human body. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of fucoxanthin supplementation on mice models subjected to cadmium-induced kidney damage. The mice treated with cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) were observed to have significantly reduced the cross-section area of glomeruli. Cadmium exposure has also caused the damage of the structural integrity of mitochondria and increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN), kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM1), and neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels. Peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) levels in cadmium-exposed mice were markedly declined. Caspase3, caspase8, and caspase9 gene expressions in association with apoptosis were dramatically elevated in renal tissues. The CdCl₂ treated mice were orally administered with 50 mg/kg Shenfukang, 10 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg, and 50 mg/kg fucoxanthin for 14 days. The results revealed that high doses of fucoxanthin administration significantly decreased BUN, KIM1, NGAL levels, increasing POD, SOD, CAT, and ascorbate APX levels. Fucoxanthin administration also promoted recovery of the renal functions, micro-structural organization, and ultra-structural organization in the renal cells. In summary, the ameliorative effects of fucoxanthin supplementation against cadmium-induced kidney damage were mediated via inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis, promoting the recovery of structural integrity of mitochondria.