Flavonoid fractions of diosmin and hesperidin mitigate lead acetate-induced biochemical, oxidative stress, and histopathological alterations in Wistar rats

Nanoformulated 3'-diindolylmethane modulates apoptosis, migration, and angiogenesis in breast cancer cells

Background

It is well-established that specific herbal plants contain natural active ingredients that have demonstrated anti-cancer potential. Therefore, they are considered highly beneficial as a potential adjuvant, alternative or complementary agent in anti-cancer therapy. However, the low chemical stability and limited bioavailability of 3, 3'-Diindolylmethane (DIM), a plant-derived compound used in clinical settings, limit its therapeutic applications. To overcome this challenge, researchers have focused on developing innovative approaches to improve DIM's biological activity, such as utilizing nanoformulations. Here, we investigated the potential benefits of coating DIM nanoparticles (DIM-NPs) with PEG/chitosan in the treatment of breast cancer. Our results demonstrate the molecular mechanism underlying the activity of DIM-NPs, highlighting their potential as an effective therapeutic strategy for breast cancer treatment.

Methods

DIM-PLGA-PEG/chitosan NPs were synthesised and characterised using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and evaluated the impact of these NPs on two breast cancer cell models.

Results

DIM-NPs had an average diameter of 102.3 nm and a PDI of 0.182. When treated with DIM-NPs for 48 h, both MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells displayed cytotoxicity at a concentration of 6.25 g/mL compared to untreated cells. Furthermore, in MDA-MB-231 cells, treatment with 2.5 μg/mL of DIM-NPs resulted in a significant decrease in cell migration, propagation, and angiogenesis which was further enhanced at 10 μg/mL. In chicken embryos, treatment with 5 μg/mL of DIM-NPs on day 2 led to a significant reduction in angiogenesis. Furthermore, this treatment induced cell death through a regulatory pathway involving the upregulation of Bax and p53, as well as the downregulation of Bcl-2. These results were supported by in-silico analysis of DIM's binding affinity to key proteins involved in this pathway, namely Bax, Bcl-2, and p53.

Conclusion

Our findings show that DIM-NPs induces apoptosis, inhibit migration, and reduce angiogenesis in breast cancer. However, further research using a preclinical cancer model may be necessary to determine the pharmacokinetics of DIM-NPs and ensure their safety and efficacy in vivo.

Myrtenal improves memory deficits in mice exposed to radiofrequency-electromagnetic radiation during gestational and neonatal development via enhancing oxido-inflammatory, and neurotransmitter functions

Objective

Radiofrequency-electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) exposure during gestational and neonatal development may interact with the foetus and neonate considered hypersensitive to RF-EMR, consequently resulting in developmental defects associated with neuropsychological and neurobehavioral disorders, including learning and memory impairment. This study assessed the potential of Myrtenal (Myrt) to improve memory deficits in C57BL/6 mice exposed to RF-EMR during gestational and neonatal development.

Method

Thirty-five male mice were randomly allocated into 5 cohorts, each comprising of 7 mice. Group I was administered vehicle, Group II: RF-EMR (900 MHz); Group III: RF-EMR (900 MHz) + 100 mg/kg Myrt; Group IV: RF-EMR (900 MHz) + 200 mg/kg Myrt; and Group V: RF-EMR (900 MHz) + donepezil 0.5 mg/kg.

Results

Myrt treatment improved short-term memory performance in RF-EMR (900 MHz)-exposed mice by augmenting activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes and proinflammatory cytokines, thereby protecting the brain from oxido-inflammatory stress. Additionally, Myrt restored the homeostasis of neurotransmitters in RF-EMR-exposed animals.

Conclusion

Results from the present study shows that exposure to RF-EMR impaired short-term memory in animals and altered the response of markers of oxido-inflammatory stress, and neurotransmitters. It is therefore conceivable that the recommendation of Myrt-enriched fruits may offer protective benefits for foeti and neonates prone to RF-EMR exposure.

Lipids and Secretory Vesicle Exocytosis

In recent years, the number of studies implicating lipids in the regulation of synaptic vesicle exocytosis has risen considerably. It has become increasingly clear that lipids such as phosphoinositides, lysophospholipids, cholesterol, arachidonic acid and myristic acid play critical regulatory roles in the processes leading up to exocytosis. Lipids may affect membrane fusion reactions by altering the physical properties of the membrane, recruiting key regulatory proteins, concentrating proteins into exocytic "hotspots" or by modulating protein functions allosterically. Discrete changes in phosphoinositides concentration are involved in multiple trafficking events including exocytosis and endocytosis. Lipid-modifying enzymes such as the DDHD2 isoform of phospholipase A1 were recently shown to contribute to memory acquisition via dynamic modifications of the brain lipid landscape. Considering the increasing reports on neurodegenerative disorders associated with aberrant intracellular trafficking, an improved understanding of the control of lipid pathways is physiologically and clinically significant and will afford unique insights into mechanisms and therapeutic methods for neurodegenerative diseases. Consequently, this chapter will discuss the different classes of lipids, phospholipase enzymes, the evidence linking them to synaptic neurotransmitter release and how they act to regulate key steps in the multi-step process leading to neuronal communication and memory acquisition.

In vitro anthelmintic activity of Dennettia tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) Fruits against Haemonchus contortus

Helminthosis is one of the greatest causes of parasitic disease and loss in animal productivity. As such, the control of helminth parasites is of critical importance. This study was aimed to investigate the in vitro anthelmintic activity of Dennettia tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) fruits against Haemonchus contortus. Using in vitro techniques, the anthelmintic activity of extracts and fractions of D. tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) was evaluated for ovicidal (Egg hatch inhibition test) and larvicidal (larval mortality test) activity. Besides, the maximum tolerated dose was determined in adult albino rats administered, 300, 400, and 500 mg/kg body weight of the CME fraction, and observed over a period of 48 h for signs of toxicity and mortality. Phytochemical screening uncovered the occurrence of flavonoids, steroids/triterpenes, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, carbohydrates, and alkaloids in the crude methanol extract (CME), the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), and butanol fraction. The maximum tolerated dose of the CME of D. tripetala did not produce observable signs of toxicity or death in all the rats given up to 500 mg/kg. The CME and EAF of D. tripetala fruits produced a significant ( p < 0.05 ) reduction in the hatchability of H. contortus eggs in a concentration-dependent manner, while the CME at concentrations between 12.5 and 100 mg/ml completely inhibited the hatching of H. contortus eggs. Similarly, EAF at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/ml completely inhibited the hatching of H. contortus eggs. The CME and EAF of D. tripetala fruits produced significant ( p < 0.05 ) larvicidal activity against L₃ of H. contortus in a concentration-dependent manner while the CME at concentrations between 6.25 and 100 mg/ml caused larval mortality of H. contortus L₃ larvae completely. This study suggests that methanol extract and fractions of D. tripetala fruits possess beneficial anthelmintic (ovicidal and larvicidal) activity against H. contortus, and may be a suitable alternative anthelmintic candidate for the control of nematodes.

Novel Pomegranate-Nanoparticles Ameliorate Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity and Improves Cisplatin Anti-Cancer Efficacy in Ehrlich Carcinoma Mice Model

Cisplatin (CISP) is one of the most widely used anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents with remarkable efficacy against various types of cancers. However, it has been associated with nephrotoxicity amongst other undesirable side effects. Pomegranate (PE) is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent effective against cancer, with a superior benefit of not being associated with the common toxicities related to the use of conventional chemotherapeutic agents. However, the application of PE is limited by its reduced solubility and decreased bioavailability. We investigated the potential of a novel nanoparticle (NP) enclosing PE to enhance its solubility and improve its bioavailability, and efficacy to prevent CISP-associated nephrotoxicity in a mice model of Ehrlich solid carcinoma (ESC). All mice were grouped into four cohorts: (I) control, (II) tumor, (III) CISP, and (IV) CISP + PE-NPs. The data obtained demonstrated that PE-NPs was beneficial in potently ameliorating CISP-induced nephrotoxicity in ESC mice. PE-NPs significantly attenuated CISP-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the kidney via improving activities of antioxidants (SOD, GSH, and CAT). Additionally, PE-NPs considerably decreased CISP-induced inflammation in the kidney by decreasing the levels of NF-kB, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Notably, PE-NPs did not assuage the antitumor efficacy of CISP as revealed by histological assessment and tumor weight data. In summary, PE-NPs may be a potent alternative anticancer therapy devoid of nephrotoxicity.