Effects of royal jelly on genotoxicity and nephrotoxicity induced by valproic acid in albino mice

Combination of metformin and sub-therapeutic dose of valproic acid prevent valproic acid-induced toxicity in animal model of epilepsy

Valproic acid (VPA) is one of the most prescribed drugs for epilepsy. Extended use of VPA not only induces hepatotoxicity but also impairs the cognitive functions. Metformin has been reported to prevent epileptogenesis and enhance memory. To counter the VPA-induced adverse events, it is hypothesized that combination of sub-therapeutic dose of VPA with metformin may attenuate the toxicity stemming from the therapeutic dose of VPA. Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling model of epilepsy in mice was used to assess the combined effects of sub-therapeutic dose of VPA (100 mg/kg) and metformin (200 mg/kg). The memory performance was analyzed by passive avoidance test, while alkaline comet assay was used to determine genotoxicity. Histopathological examination and serum biochemical analysis was performed to determine hepatotoxicity. Results showed that combination dose of VPA with metformin reduced seizure scores. VPA (300 mg/kg) administered as a single agent did not enhance memory impairment caused by PTZ, however, combination of sub-therapeutic dose of VPA with metformin enhanced memory function. Furthermore, in alkaline comet assay, combination therapy demonstrated reduced genotoxicity compared to the VPA 300 mg/kg. Histopathological examination of liver and analysis of serum hepatic enzymes revealed that combination therapy (VPA + metformin) reversed the toxicity as seen in case of PTZ or VPA (300 mg/kg) treated animals with no other treatment given. Based on the study data, it is concluded that the combination of sub-therapeutic dose of VPA with metformin might be used for epileptic seizures. This will prevent the hepatotoxicity and enhanced memory functions as compared to the VPA given as a single agent therapy.

Protective effect of royal jelly on fluoride-induced nephrotoxicity in rats via the some protein biomarkers signaling pathways: A new approach for kidney damage

Introduction: Protective effect of royal jelly (RJ) on fluoride-induced nephrotoxicity was investigated in this study.Methods: 42 healthy male Wistar rats (n = 42, 8 weeks of age) were divided equally into 6 groups with 7 rats in each; (1) Group-1: Controls fed with standard diet; (2) Group-2: RJ [100 mg/kg] bw (body weight), by oral gavage; (3) Group-3: Fluoride [50 mg/kg] bw, in drinking water; (4) Group-4: Fluoride [100 mg/kg] bw, in drinking water; (5) Group-5: RJ [100 mg/kg] bw, by oral gavage + Fluoride [50 mg/kg] bw, in drinking water; (6) Group-6: RJ [100 mg/kg] bw, by oral gavage + Fluoride [100 mg/kg] bw, in drinking water. After 8 weeks, all rats were decapitated and their kidney tissues were removed for further analysis. The protein expression levels of caspase-3, caspase-6, caspase-9, Bcl-2, Bax, VEGF, GSK-3, BDNF, COX-2 and TNF-α proteins in kidney tissue were analysed by western blotting techniqueResults: RJ increased Bcl-2, COX-2, GSK-3, TNF-α and VEGF protein levels and a decreased caspase-3, caspase -6, caspase-9, Bax and BDNF protein levels in fluoride-treated rats.Conclusion: RJ application may have a promising therapeutical potential in the treatment of many diseases in the future by reducing kidney damage.

Therapeutic effects of royal jelly against sodium benzoate-induced toxicity: cytotoxic, genotoxic, and biochemical assessment

In this study, the protective role of royal jelly (RJ) against the potential toxic effects of sodium benzoate was investigated in Allium cepa L. test material with physiological, genetic, and biochemical parameters. Physiological changes were evaluated by determining weight gain, rooting percentage, root length, and relative injury rate. The genetic evaluations were carried out with chromosomal abnormalities (CAs), micronucleus (MN), tail DNA formation, and mitotic index (MI) ratio parameters. The biochemical evaluations were carried out by determining lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities by determining levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Further, the interaction of sodium benzoate with antioxidant enzymes was evaluated with molecular docking analysis. The antimutagenic effect of RJ was evaluated as the inhibition of chromosomal abnormalities (CAs) and tail DNA formations. A total of six groups were formed in the study. A. cepa L. bulbs in the control group were treated with tap water; the bulbs in the administration groups were treated with sodium benzoate (100 mg/L), RJ (25 mg/L and 50 mg/L doses), and sodium benzoate-RJ combinations with these doses for 72 h. As a result, it was determined that sodium benzoate application caused inhibition of physiological parameters and MI; induced MN, CAs, and DNA damage; and also caused oxidative stress. Depending on the concentration of RJ application, it reduced sodium benzoate toxicity by showing therapeutic effects in all these parameters. Also, the interaction of sodium benzoate with antioxidant enzyme residues was determined by molecular docking analysis. As a result, it has been understood that abandoning the use of sodium benzoate will be beneficial for the environment and human health and concluded that the use of RJ in the daily diet will be effective in reducing the impact of exposed toxic ingredients.

Protective Effect of Thyme Honey against Valproic Acid Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats

Introduction

Valproic acid is a medication most commonly used in the treatment of emotional and neurological depression, psychological imbalances, epilepsy, and bipolar disorder. Dark honey, like thyme honey, contains more antioxidant compounds than other samples. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of thyme honey on the potential hepatic effects of valproic acid.

Methods

In this study, 48 male rats were randomly divided into 8 groups (n = 6): G1 (control): healthy rats (normal saline 0.9%), G2: thyme honey (1 g/kg), G3: thyme honey (2 g/kg dose), G4: thyme honey (3 g/kg dose), G5: VPA (500 mg/kg), G6: VPA (500 mg/kg) and thyme honey (1 g/kg), G7: VPA (500 mg/kg) and thyme honey (2 g/kg dose), and G8: VPA (500 mg/kg) and thyme honey (3 g/kg dose). Groups G1 to G5 received the drug for 28 days. On day 14, administration of thyme honey for G6 to G8 groups was carried out using gavage until day 28. VPA was administered one hour after honey. To carry out the biochemical evaluation, blood samples were collected from all the groups and their serums were used for MDA, TAC, and liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and GGT). Tissue samples of each rat were also removed for histological studies with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome staining.

Results

The use of thyme honey significantly improved the histopathological parameters of the liver tissue, including hypertrophic degeneration and nucleus alteration, expansion of sinusoids, fibrosis and hepatic necrosis, and inflammation as well as hypertrophy of Kupffer cells. In the groups receiving VPA, the rate of lipid peroxidation increased, which indicates the destruction of the liver cell membrane due to drug consumption. TAC levels also increased following increase in thyme honey dosage (p ≤ 0.05). The results of liver enzyme analysis showed a decrease in AST and ALT levels in the G6 group and a decrease in GGT level in the G8 group (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

Based on the results of this study, it seems that high percentage of antioxidants in thyme honey enabled it to improve hepatic complications and reduce the rate of hepatocellular destruction.