Protective effect of taxifolin against prooxidant and proinflammatory kidney damage associated with acrylamide in rats

Toxicity mechanism of acrolein on energy metabolism disorder and apoptosis in human ovarian granulosa cells

Acrolein (ACR), an unsaturated, highly reactive aldehyde, is a widespread environmental toxin. ACR exerts permanent and irreversible side effects on ovarian functions. Granulosa cells play a crucial role in supporting ovarian function. Thus, in this study, we investigated the toxicity effects of granulosa cells induced by ACR. Following treatment with varying ACR concentrations (0, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μM), we observed that ACR exposure induced reactive oxygen species accumulation, mitochondrial energy metabolism disorder, and apoptosis in KGN cells (a human ovarian granulosa cell line) in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, mitochondrial biogenesis in KGN cells displayed biphasic changes after ACR exposure, with activation at a low ACR dose (12.5 μM), but inhibition at higher ACR doses (≥50 μM). SIRT1/PGC-1α-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis is crucial for maintaining intracellular mitochondrial homeostasis and cellular function. The inhibition/activation of the SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway in KGN cells validated its role in ACR-induced damage. The results indicated that the inhibition of the SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway aggravated ACR-induced cell damage, whereas its activation partially counteracted ACR-induced cell damage. This study attempted to uncover a novel mechanism of ACR-induced ovarian toxicity so as to provide an effective treatment option for safeguarding female reproductive health from the adverse effects of ACR.

Environmental toxicants and nephrotoxicity: Implications on mechanisms and therapeutic strategies

Kidneys are one of the most important organs in the human body. In addition to filtering 200 liters of fluid every 24 hours, the kidney also regulates acid-base balance, maintains electrolyte balance, and removes waste and toxicants from the body. Nephrotoxicity is the term used to describe the deterioration of kidney function caused by the harmful effects of medications and various types of environmental toxicants. Exposure to environmental toxicants is an inevitable side effect in the world's increasing industrialization and even more prevalent in underdeveloped nations. Growing data over the past few years has illuminated the probable connection between environmental toxicants and nephrotoxicity. Phthalates, microplastics, acrylamide and bisphenol A are environmental toxicants of particular concern, which are known to have nephrotoxic effects. Such toxicants may accumulate in the kidneys of humans after being consumed, inhaled, or come into contact with the skin. They can enter cells through endocytosis and accumulate in the cytoplasm. Small-sized nephrotoxicants can cause a variety of ailments including inflammation with increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, and apoptosis. This study uncovers the potential for new insights concerning the relationship between various environmental toxicants and kidney health. The objectives of this review is to establish information gaps, assess and identify the toxicity mechanisms of different nephrotoxicants, identify innovative pharmacological therapies that demonstrate promising therapeutic benefits/ relevance, and discuss the predictions for the future based on the analysis of the literature.

The effects of pinealectomy and melatonin treatment in acrylamide-induced nephrotoxicity in rats: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms

OBJECTIVE

Acrylamide (AA) is toxic and forms in food that undergoes high-temperature processing. This study aimed to investigate the effects of AA-induced toxicity on renal tissue in pinealectomized rats and the possible protective effect of exogenous Melatonin (ML) administration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty rats were randomized into 6 groups (n = 10): Sham, Sham+AA, Sham+AA+ML, PX, PX+AA, and PX+AA+ML. Sham and pinealectomized rats received AA (25 mg/kg/day orally) and ML (0.5 ml volume at 10 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal) for 21 days.

RESULTS

The results showed that malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) levels of the kidney and urea and creatinine levels of serum in the PX (pinealectomy)+AA group were more increased than in the Sham+AA group. In addition, glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels decreased more in the PX+AA group than in the Sham+AA group. Also, we observed more histopathologic damage in the PX+AA group. On the other hand, up-regulation of kidney tissue antioxidants, down-regulation of tissue oxidants, and improvement in kidney function were achieved with ML treatment. Also, histopathological findings such as inflammatory cell infiltration, shrinkage of glomeruli, and dilatation of tubules caused by AA toxicity improved with ML treatment.

CONCLUSION

ML supplementation exhibited adequate nephroprotective effects against the nephrotoxicity of AA on pinealectomized rat kidney tissue function by balancing the oxidant/antioxidant status and suppressing the release of proinflammatory cytokines.

Effect of vinpocetine against acrylamide-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Vinpocetine (VIN) is a synthetic drug derived from the natural alkaloid vincamine. The antioxidation and anti-inflammation effects of VIN allow it to be used for multiple therapeutic purposes. So, the research aims to discover the possibility of using VIN to improve the nephrotoxicity of acrylamide (ACR). Twenty-four male albino rats were used in the trial: rats in the control group received 0.5 mL of oral saline, rats in the VIN group received an oral dose of VIN (5 mg/kg), rats in the ACR group received an oral dose of ACR (38.27 mg/kg), and rats in the VIN + ACR group received VIN and then ACR 1 h later. Rat blood and kidneys were collected 10 days after the experiment began to assess biochemical parameters and to examine both renal histopathological and immunohistochemistry. The ACR-treated rats showed high levels of serum kidney function biomarkers (creatinine, urea, and uric acid), serum protein biomarkers (total protein, albumin, and globulin), renal kidney injury molecule (KIM)-1, renal malondialdehyde (MDA), and renal caspase-3 immunoexpression. Moreover, ACR lowed both renal superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and renal glutathione (GSH) level and caused renal histological alterations. While administration of VIN improved serum kidney function biomarkers, serum protein biomarkers, renal KIM-1, renal oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA, SOD, and GSH), renal caspase-3 immunoexpression, and renal histological alterations induced by ACR. The study confirmed the ability of VIN to reduce the nephrotoxic effects of ACR, which was evident through the results of biochemical parameters and histological and immunohistochemical examinations of the kidney tissues.

Optimization of the Flavonoid Extraction Process from the Stem and Leaves of Epimedium Brevicornum and Its Effects on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Renal Injury

Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is a broad-spectrum alkylated antitumor drug. It is clinically used in the treatment of a variety of cancers, and renal toxicity is one of the adverse reactions after long-term or repeated use, which not only limits the therapeutic effect of CTX, but also increases the probability of kidney lesions. The total flavonoids of Epimedium stem and leaf (EBF) and Icariin (ICA) are the main medicinal components of Epimedium, and ICA is one of the main active substances in EBF. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that EBF has a variety of biological activities such as improving osteoporosis, promoting cell proliferation, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, etc. However, few studies have been conducted on the nephrotoxicity caused by optimized CTX extraction, and protein-ligand binding has not been involved. This research, through the response surface optimization extraction of EBF, obtained the best extraction conditions: ethanol concentration was 60%, solid-liquid ratio of 25:1, ultrasonic time was about 25 min. Combined with mass spectrometry (MS) analysis, EBF contained ICA, ichopidin A, ichopidin B, ichopidin C, and other components. In this study, we adopted a computational chemistry method called molecular docking, and the results show that Icariin was well bound to the antioxidant target proteins KEAP1 and NRF2, and the anti-inflammatory target proteins COX-2 and NF-κB, with free binding energies of -9.8 kcal/mol, -11.0 kcal/mol, -10.0 kcal/mol, and -8.1 kcal/mol, respectively. To study the protective effect of EBF on the nephrotoxicity of CTX, 40 male Kunming mice (weight 18 ± 22) were injected with CTX (80 mg/kg) for 7 days to establish the nephrotoxicity model and were treated with EBF (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg) for 8 days by gavage. After CTX administration, MDA, BUN, Cre, and IL-6 levels in serum increased, MDA increased in kidney, GPT/ALT and IL-6 increased in liver, and IL-6 increased in spleen and was significant ((p < 0.05 or (p < 0.01)). Histopathological observation showed that renal cortex glomerular atrophy necrosis, medullary inflammatory cell infiltration, and other lesions. After administration of EBF, CTX-induced increase in serum level of related indexes was reduced, and MDA in kidney, GPT/ALT and IL-6 in liver, and IL-6 in spleen were increased. At the same time, histopathological findings showed that the necrosis of medullary and corticorenal tubular epithelium was relieved at EBF (50 mg/kg) dose compared with the CTX group, and the glomerular tubular necrosis gradually became normal at EBF (100 mg/kg) dose. Western blot analysis of Keap1 and Nrf2 protein expression in kidney tissue showed that compared with model CTX group, the drug administration group could alleviate the high expression of Keap1 protein and low expression of Nrf2 protein in kidney tissue. Conclusion: After the optimal extraction of total flavonoids from the stems and leaves of Epimedium, the molecular docking technique combined with animal experiments suggested that the effective component of the total flavonoids of Epimedium might activate the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway after treatment to reduce the inflammation and oxidative stress of kidney tissue, so as to reduce kidney damage and improve kidney function. Therefore, EBF may become a new natural protective agent for CTX chemotherapy in the future.

An insight into novel therapeutic potentials of taxifolin

Taxifolin is a flavonoid compound, originally isolated from the bark of Douglas fir trees, which is often found in foods such as onions and olive oil, and is also used in commercial preparations, and has attracted the interest of nutritionists and medicinal chemists due to its broad range of health-promoting effects. It is a powerful antioxidant with excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and other pharmacological activities. This review focuses on the breakthroughs in taxifolin for the treatment of diseases from 2019 to 2022 according to various systems of the human body, such as the nervous system, immune system, and digestive system, and on the basis of this review, we summarize the problems of current research and try to suggest solutions and future research directions.

Renoprotective Effect of Taxifolin in Paracetamol-Induced Nephrotoxicity: Emerging Evidence from an Animal Model

BACKGROUND

Taxifolin (TXF) is a flavonoid found abundantly in citrus/onion. Encouraging results on its renoprotective effect have been reported in a limited number of drug-induced nephrotoxicity animal models. The present study aimed to evaluate for the first time the potential renoprotective effects of TXF in a paracetamol (PAR)-induced nephrotoxicity rat model.

METHODS

Rats were divided into three equal groups (n = 6 animals per group). Group 1 (PAR group, PARG) received PAR diluted in normal saline by gavage (1000 mg/kg). Group 2 (TXF group, TXFG) received TXF diluted in normal saline by gavage (50 mg/kg) one hour after PAR administration. Group 3 (control group, CG) received normal saline. Twenty-four hours after PAR administration, all animals were sacrificed using high-dose anesthesia. Blood samples were collected and kidneys were removed.

RESULTS

The serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine levels and serum malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased in the PARG. The serum glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and total glutathione levels were significantly higher in the TXFG. At the same time, the kidneys of the PARG animals demonstrated tubular epithelium swelling, distension and severe vacuolar degeneration. The kidneys of the TXFG animals showed mildly dilated/congested blood vessels.

CONCLUSIONS

The TXF renoprotective effects are promising in preventing PAR-induced nephrotoxicity, mainly through antioxidant activity, and warrant further testing in future studies.

Carvacrol prevents acrylamide-induced oxidative and inflammatory liver damage and dysfunction in rats

Background: Acrylamide causes hepatotoxicity with the effect of oxidative stress and inflammatory processes. Carvacrol is a monoterpenic phenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Aims: To determine the effects of carvacrol on oxidative liver injury induced by acrylamide administration in rats. Methods: Rats were divided into three groups of six animals each: healthy group acrylamide group (ACR), and acrylamide + carvacrol group (TACR). First, carvacrol (50 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to the CACR group. One hour later, acrylamide (20 mg/kg) was given orally to the ACR and CACR groups. This procedure was performed for 30 days, after which the animals were sacrificed. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and total glutathione (tGSH) levels, total oxidant (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), and nuclear factor kappa b (NF-κB) were measured in the excised liver tissues. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were determined in blood serum samples. Liver tissues were also examined histopathologically. Results: In the ACR group, malondialdehyde, TOS, ALT, AST levels, and NF-κB, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels were found to be high, and tGSH and total antioxidant status levels were low. In addition, diffuse degenerative changes and necrosis in hepatocytes, and moderate inflammation in the portal region were detected in the liver tissues of the ACR group. While carvacrol prevented the biochemical changes induced by acrylamide, it also alleviated the damage in the histological structure. Conclusion: Carvacrol may be used for liver damage caused by acrylamide.

Taxifolin Prevents Cisplatin Nephrotoxicity by Modulating Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway and Mitigating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Mice

Cisplatin (CIS) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of several malignancies. The clinical use of CIS is associated with adverse effects, including acute kidney injury (AKI). Oxidative stress and inflammation are key events in the development of CIS-induced AKI. This study investigated the protective effect of taxifolin (TAX), a bioactive flavonoid with promising health-promoting properties, on CIS-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. TAX was orally given to mice for 10 days and a single dose of CIS was injected at day 7. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were elevated, and multiple histopathological alterations were observed in the kidney of CIS-administered mice. CIS increased renal malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-1β, and decreased cellular antioxidants in mice. TAX remarkably prevented kidney injury, ameliorated serum BUN and creatinine, and renal MDA, NO, NF-κB p65, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and boosted antioxidant defenses in CIS-administered mice. TAX downregulated Bax and caspase-3, and upregulated Bcl-2. These effects were associated with upregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 activity in CIS-administered mice. In conclusion, TAX prevented CIS-induced AKI by mitigating tissue injury, oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death. The protective efficacy of TAX was associated with the upregulation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling.

Cardioprotective Effect of Taxifolin against Isoproterenol-Induced Cardiac Injury through Decreasing Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Cell Death, and Activating Nrf2/HO-1 in Mice

Oxidative stress and inflammation are key components in cardiovascular diseases and heart dysfunction. Herein, we evaluated the protective effects of (+)-taxifolin (TAX), a potent flavonoid with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, on myocardial oxidative tissue injury, inflammation, and cell death, using a mouse model of isoproterenol (ISO)-induced acute myocardial injury. Mice were given TAX (25 and 50 mg/kg, orally) for 14 days before receiving two subsequent injections of ISO (100 mg/kg, s.c.) at an interval of 24 h on the 15th and 16th days. The ISO-induced cardiac tissue injury was evidenced by increased serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), along with several histopathological changes. The ISO also induced increased malondialdehyde (MDA) with concomitant declined myocardial glutathione level and antioxidant enzymes activities. Moreover, ISO-induced heart injury was accompained with elevated cardiac NF-κB p65, TNF-α, IL-1β, Bax, and caspase-3, as well as decreased Bcl-2, Nrf2, and HO-1. Remarkably, TAX reduced the severity of cardiac injury, oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death, while enhancing antioxidants, Bcl-2, and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling in ISO-injected mice. In conclusion, TAX protects against ISO-induced acute myocardial injury via activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and attenuating the oxidative tissue injury and key regulators of inflammatory response and apoptosis. Thus, our findings imply that TAX may constitute a new cardioprotective therapy against acute MI, which undoubtedly deserves further exploration in upcoming human trials.

Effect of taxifolin on methotrexate-induced oxidative and inflammatory oral mucositis in rats: biochemical and histopathological evaluation

BACKGROUND

The role of oxidative stress, as well as inflammation in the pathogenesis of methotrexate (MTX)-induced oral mucositis, is a known fact. The anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of taxifolin-the effect we tested against MTX-induced oral mucosal damage-are well known.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluating biochemically and histopathologically the effects of taxifolin on methotrexate-induced oral mucosal damage in rats.

METHODOLOGY

In the taxifolin+MTX (TMTX) group, 50 mg/kg taxifolin was orally administered to rats by gavage. In the MTX and healthy (HG) groups, normal saline was applied to rats as solvent by the same method. One hour after administration of taxifolin and solvent, 5 mg/kg MTX was orally administered to rats in the MTX and TMTX groups. Taxifolin and methotrexate were administered once a day for 30 days. Macroscopic, biochemical, and histopathological evaluations were performed on the inner cheek and tongue tissues of rats. These parts were removed after rats were killed with a high-dose anesthesia.

RESULTS

Taxifolin with MTX prevented the increase in oxidant and pro-inflammatory parameters, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), on the inner cheek and tongue tissues of rats. Moreover, taxifolin antagonized the decrease in total glutathione (tGSH). Taxifolin decreased MTX-induced histopathological damage.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that taxifolin may be useful to treat MTX-associated oral mucositis.

Targeting p-AKT/mTOR/MAP kinase signaling, NLRP3 inflammasome and apoptosis by fluvastatin with or without taxifolin mitigates gonadal dysfunction induced by bisphenol-A in male rats

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical substance that is widely used in industry for manufacturing of plastic bottles and resins. Recent reports found that BPA may mimic the effects of estrogen to a great manner that might disrupt the normal hormonal balance in the human body. Fluvastatin is an agent used for treatment of hypercholesterolemia that was proven to possess promising antioxidant ant anti-inflammatory properties. Taxifolin is a polyphenolic compound with potential antioxidant and antiestrogenic effects. The present study investigated the prospect of fluvastatin with or without taxifolin to mitigate testicular dysfunction elicited by BPA in rats. In a model of BPA-induced testicular toxicity, the hormonal profile was assessed and the testicular tissues were examined by biochemical analysis, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. Fluvastatin with or without taxifolin improved the body weight gain, hormonal profile, testicular weight and functions, sperm characteristics, the antioxidant status, and the anti-inflammatory mechanisms together with enhancement of autophagy and suppression of the proapoptotic events induced by BPA in the testicular tissues. In addition, fluvastatin with or without taxifolin significantly mitigated the histopathological and the immunohistochemical changes induced by BPA in the testicular tissues. These desirable effects were more pronounced with fluvastatin/taxifolin combination relative to the use of each of these agents alone. In tandem, fluvastatin/taxifolin combination might counteract the pathogenic events induced by BPA in the testicular tissues which may be considered as a novel strategy for amelioration of these disorders.

The preventive effect of taxifolin on acrylamide-induced heart damage in rats

ABSTRACT Objective Acrylamide is a toxic compound widely used in industrial sectors. Acrylamide causes reactive oxygen species formation and the subsequent lipid peroxidation reaction, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of oxidative damage. Taxifolin is a flavonoid with antioxidant properties that inhibit reactive oxygen species formation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the preventive effect of taxifolin on acrylamide-induced oxidative heart damage. Methods The rats were divided into three groups: Acrylamide, Acrylamide+Taxifolin , and Healthy group. Water and food intake and body weight alterations were recorded daily. Malondialdehyde, total glutathione, nuclear factor kappa-B, total oxidant status, and total antioxidant status levels were analyzed from the heart tissue. Troponin-I levels, the parameter known as a cardiac biomarker, were analyzed from the blood sample. The cardiac histopathologic examination was also performed. Results In the Acrylamide group animals, the malondialdehyde, nuclear factor kappa-B, total oxidant status, and troponin-I levels were significantly higher compared to the ones of Acrylamide+Taxifolin and Healthy groups. The levels of total glutathione and total antioxidant status were significantly lower compared to Acrylamide+Taxifolin and Healthy groups’. Additionally, in the Acrylamide group, body weight gain, food and water intake, significantly declined compared to the Acrylamide+Taxifolin and Healthy groups. However, in the Acrylamide+Taxifolin group, taxifolin supplementation brought these values close to Healthy group ones. Furthermore, taxifolin treatment ameliorated structural myocardial damage signs induced by acrylamide. Conclusion Acrylamide exposure significantly induced oxidative damage to rat heart tissue. Taxifolin was able to improve the toxic consequences of acrylamide biochemically and histopathologically, possibly due to its antioxidant properties.

The effect of Hippophae rhamnoides L. extract on acrylamideinduced brain injury in rats

Purpose:

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) have been shown in the pathogenesis of acrylamide neurotoxicity. Hippophae rhamnoides L. extract (HRE) has a cytoprotective effect by stabilizing the production of ROS, IL-1β and TNF-α. The objective of the article was to investigate the effect of HRE on acrylamide-induced brain damage in rats biochemically and histopathologically.

Methods:

To the HRE+acrylamide only (ACR) group (n=6) of the animals, HRE was administered orally at a dose of 50 mg / kg into the stomach by gavage. The same volume of solvent (olive oil) was administered orally to the ACR (n=6) and healthy (HG) (n=6) groups. One hour after HRE administration, acrylamide was given orally at a dose of 20 mg/kg to HRE+ACR and ACR groups in the same way. This procedure was repeated once a day for 30 days. At the end of this period, brain tissues extracted from animals killed with 50 mg/kg thiopental anesthesia were examined biochemically and histopathologically.

Results:

It has been shown that HRE prevents the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), IL-1β and TNF-α with acrylamide and the decrease of total glutathione (tGSH) and glutathione reductase (GSHRd) levels in brain tissue.

Conclusions:

HRE may be useful in the treatment of acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity.

Therapeutic Approach of Flavonoid in Ameliorating Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Targeting Mitochondrial-Induced Oxidative Stress

Diabetes cardiomyopathy is one of the key factors of mortality among diabetic patients around the globe. One of the prior contributors to the progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy is cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction. The cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction can induce oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes and was found to be the cause of majority of the heart morphological and dynamical changes in diabetic cardiomyopathy. To slow down the occurrence of diabetic cardiomyopathy, it is crucial to discover therapeutic agents that target mitochondrial-induced oxidative stress. Flavonoid is a plentiful phytochemical in plants that shows a wide range of biological actions against human diseases. Flavonoids have been extensively documented for their ability to protect the heart from diabetic cardiomyopathy. Flavonoids' ability to alleviate diabetic cardiomyopathy is primarily attributed to their antioxidant properties. In this review, we present the mechanisms involved in flavonoid therapies in ameliorating mitochondrial-induced oxidative stress in diabetic cardiomyopathy.