Radioprotective activity of Polyalthia longifolia standardized extract against X-ray radiation injury in mice

Radioprotective Effect of Piperine, as a Major Component of Black Pepper, Against Radiation-induced Colon Injury: Biochemical and Histological Studies

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing radiotherapy are prone to radiation-induced gastrointestinal injury. Piperine is an alkaloid component in black pepper with a unique chemopreventive activity against oxidative stress-related damage in healthy tissues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of piperine on intestinal damage.

METHODS

In this study, mice were divided into eight groups: including the control, piperine (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg), radiation (6 Gy), and piperine+radiation (10, 25 and 50 mg/kg + 6 Gy) groups. The radioprotective effects of piperine were evaluated by biochemical (MDA, GSH, and PC) and histopathological assessments in colon tissues.

RESULTS

The 10 mg/kg dose of piperine significantly reduced the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers compared to the group that received only radiation. In addition, pre-treatment with 10 mg/kg piperine diminished the histopathological changes like vascular congestion in the submucosa, while the dose of 50 mg/kg led to the infiltration of inflammatory cells.

CONCLUSION

Based on this study, it is concluded that piperine, at low dose, with its antioxidant properties, could reduce the colon damage caused by radiation.

Standardized Polyalthia longifolia leaf extract induces the apoptotic HeLa cells death via microRNA regulation: identification, validation, and therapeutic potential

Polyalthia longifolia var. angustifolia Thw. (Annonaceae), is a famous traditional medicinal plant in Asia. Ample data specifies that the medicinal plant P. longifolia has anticancer activity; however, the detailed mechanisms of action still need to be well studied. Recent studies have revealed the cytotoxicity potential of P. longifolia leaf against HeLa cells. Therefore, the current study was conducted to examine the regulation of miRNAs in HeLa cancer cells treated with the standardized P. longifolia methanolic leaf extract (PLME). The regulation of miRNAs in HeLa cancer cells treated with the standardized PLME extract was studied through Illumina, Hi-Seq. 2000 platform of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and various in silico bioinformatics tools. The PLME treatment regulated a subset of miRNAs in HeLa cells. Interestingly, the PLME treatment against HeLa cancer cells identified 10 upregulated and 43 downregulated (p < 0.05) miRNAs associated with apoptosis induction. Gene ontology (GO) term analysis indicated that PLME induces cell death in HeLa cells by inducing the pro-apoptotic genes. Moreover, the downregulated oncomiRs modulated by PLME treatment in HeLa cells were identified, targeting apoptosis-related genes through gene ontology and pathway analysis. The LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis identified the presence of Vidarabine and Anandamide compounds that were previously reported to exhibit anticancer activity. The findings of this study obviously linked the cell cytotoxicity effect of PLME treatment against the HeLa cells with regulating various miRNAs expression related to apoptosis induction in the HeLa cells. PLME treatment induced apoptotic HeLa cell death mechanism by regulating multiple miRNAs. The identified miRNAs regulated by PLME may provide further insight into the mechanisms that play a critical role in cervical cancer, as well as novel ideas regarding gene therapeutic strategies.

Mechanisms of the In Vivo Antitumor Activity of Polyalthia longifolia Leaf Extract Against HeLa Cell Xenograft Tumor: A Microscopic-Based Histological and Immunohistochemical Microanalyses

The present study investigated the effects of Polyalthia longifolia leaf extract against the growth of HeLa cell xenograft tumor in nude mice and its underlying mechanism. The nude mice xenografted with HeLa cells were treated with 5% DMSO (vehicle control), 20 mg/kg/body weight of etoposide (positive control), and 500 and 1000 mg/kg/body weight of leaf extract, respectively. Antitumor activity was evaluated with apoptosis, proliferation, and angiogenesis using microscopic-based histological and immunohistochemical microanalyses. The tumor tissue histological and immunohistochemical analyses showed that the HeLa tumor cell death was associated with apoptosis and decreased (p < 0.05) expression of Ki-67 in tumor tissues. The extract also inhibits tumor angiogenesis by downregulating (p < 0.05) the expression of VEGF and CD31 in tumor tissues after treatment for 35 days. Conclusively, the P. longifolia leaf extract effectively inhibited HeLa cell xenograft growth in nude mice. The possible mechanism was related to induction of apoptosis, inhibition of tumor HeLa cell proliferation by decreasing the Ki-67 protein expression, and prevention of tumor angiogenesis by reducing VEGF and CD31 protein expression in HeLa cells.

A genome-wide integrated analysis of lncRNA-mRNA in melanocytes from white and brown skin hair boer goats (Capra aegagrus hircus)

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in many biological processes and have been extensively researched. Nonetheless, literature focusing on the roles of lncRNA in melanocytes is limited. Melanocytes are located in the basal layer of the epidermis and determine the color of an animal's skin and hair by producing melanin. The mechanisms of melanogenesis remain unclear. Here, melanocytes from Boer goat skins were successfully isolated and verified using morphological observation, dopamine staining, silver ammonia staining, and immunohistochemical staining in vitro. Phenotypic testing revealed that melanocytes isolated from goat skins with white and brown hairs showed significant differences in proliferation, migration, and melanogenesis (^**P < 0.01). RNA sequencing was performed with the isolated melanocytes, and through bioinformatic analysis, several candidate lncRNAs and mRNAs involved in stage-specific melanogenesis were identified. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that miRNA precursors and cis-regulatory effects of lncRNAs were deeply dissected using the function prediction software. Multiple lncRNA–mRNA networks were presumed to be involved in melanocyte migration, proliferation, and melanogenesis based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotation. This research provided novel bioinformatic insights into the roles of lncRNAs in mammalian pigmentation.

Potential anti-hepatocellular carcinoma properties and mechanisms of action of clerodane diterpenes isolated from Polyalthia longifolia seeds

Diterpenes are secondary metabolites that have attracted much attention due to their potential biological activities including anti-cancer potential. The aim of the current study is to assess the anticancer potential of the six known clerodane diterpenes (1–6) isolated from Polyalthia longifolia seeds and their underlying molecular mechanisms. These compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity in vitro by using MTT assays. The “two-phase model” with NDEA and PB ad libitum was used for induction of HCC and sorafenib was used as the standard drug. Prophylactic studies were carried out for compounds 4/6 at both low (5 mg/kg b.w) and high (10 mg/kg b.w) doses. Based on the MTT assay results, the two best compounds, 4 and 6, were selected for in vivo studies. The results showed that treatment with compound 4/6 significantly restored the changes in biochemical parameters and liver morphology observed in (NDEA + PB)-induced HCC rats. Additionally, the docking studies showed that compound 4/6 interacted with several key proteins such as MDM2, TNF-α, FAK, thereby inhibiting these proteins and reversing the negative impacts of NDEA. In conclusion, our results suggested that compounds 4 and 6 are potential therapeutic agents for HCC, mostly due to their ability to control typical cancer pathways.

In vitro antiaging activity of polyphenol rich Polyalthia longifolia (Annonaceae) leaf extract in Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY611 yeast cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Polyalthia longifolia var. angustifolia Thw. (Annonaceae) is commonly used in traditional medicine as a tonic for rejuvenation and exhibiting good antioxidant activities.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate P. longifolia methanolic leaf extract (PLME) antiaging activity at 1 mg/mL in Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY611 yeast.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antiaging effect of PLME was studied via replicative lifespan assay, antioxidative stress assays, reactive oxygen species (ROS) determination, reduced glutathione (GSH) determination, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) genes regulation studies and SOD and SIRT1 proteins activities.

RESULTS

The PLME treatment increased the growth and prolonged the lifespan of the yeast significantly (p < 0.05) compared to the untreated yeast group. Besides, the PLME also protected the yeast from oxidative stress induced by 4-mM-H₂O₂ via decreasing (p < 0.05) the ROS from 143.207 to 127.223. The antioxidative action of PLME was proved by spot assay. Phloxine B staining was further confirmed the PLME antioxidative action of PLME, where more whitish-pink live yeast cells were observed. In addition, the PLME also enhanced GSH content significantly (p < 0.05) in yeast treated with PLME from 16.81 to 25.31 μmol. Furthermore, PLME increased the SOD and SIRT1 genes expression significantly (p < 0.05) with ΔCt values of 1.11 and 1.15, respectively. The significantly (p < 0.05) elevated SOD and SIRT1 protein activities were recorded as 51.54 U/mg Prot and 1716 ng/mL, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

PLME exhibited good antiaging activities in S. cerevisiae, by modulating oxidative stress, enhancing GSH content, and increasing SOD and SIRT1 genes expression.

Evaluation of In Situ Antiaging Activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY611 Yeast Cells Treated with Polyalthia longifolia Leaf Methanolic Extract (PLME) Using Different Microscopic Approaches: A Morphology-Based Evaluation

Polyalthia longifolia is known for its anti-oxidative properties, which might contribute to the antiaging action. Hence, the current research was conducted to evaluate the antiaging activity of P. longifolia leaf methanolic extract (PLME) in a yeast model based on morphology using microscopic approaches. Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY611 strain yeast cells were treated with 1.00 mg/mL of PLME. The antiaging activity was assessed by determining the replicative lifespan, total lifespan, vacuole morphology by light microscopy, extra-morphology by scanning (SEM), and intra-morphology by transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. The findings demonstrated that PLME treatment significantly accelerated the replicative and total lifespan of the yeast cells. PLME treatment also delays the formation of large apoptotic-like type 3 yeast cell vacuoles. The untreated yeast cells demonstrated aging morphology via SEM analysis, such as shrinking, regional invaginations, and wrinkled cell surface. The TEM analysis revealed the quintessential aging intracellular morphology such as swollen, wrinkled, or damaged vacuole formation of the circular endoplasmic reticulum, a rupture in the nuclear membrane, fragmentation of the nucleus, and complete damaged cytoplasm. Decisively, the present study revealed the vital role of PLME in the induction of antiaging activity in a yeast model using three microscopic approaches—SEM, TEM, and bright-field light microscope.

Protective effect of coix seed seedling extract on 60 Co-γ radiation-induced oxidative stress in mice

Exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) can cause oxidative damage to human body, leading to various diseases and even death. In this study, the potential radioprotective effect of coix seed seedling extract (CSS-E) was studied through a model of ⁶⁰ Co-γ radiation-induced oxidative stress in mice. Overall radioprotective effect of CSS-E against radiation-induced damage was evaluated by biochemical analysis and histopathological analysis. The results showed that CSS-E could significantly reduce the IR-induced damage to the hematopoietic system. CSS-E-M (200 mg/kg BW) pretreatment could increase the activities of superoxide dismutase in serum, liver, and spleen increased by 31.68%, 45.10%, and 56.67%, respectively, and the glutathione peroxidase levels in serum, liver, and spleen of mice were improved by 19.17%, 41.97%, and 130.56%, respectively. Meanwhile, the glutathione levels of serum, liver, and spleen in CSS-E-M group were increased by 17.10%, 35.06%, and 40.71%, respectively. The contents of MDA in different tissues and serum could be reduced by CSS-E-M treatment to the normal level. Moreover, CSS-E could markedly reduce the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in radiation mice, among which CSS-E-M group showed maximum restoration with decreased AST and ALT levels by 20.13% and 32.76% as compared against IR group. In conclusion, these results indicated that CSS-E could be used as a potential natural radioprotectant against IR-induced damage.

Phytoconstituents and renoprotective effect of Polyalthia longifolia leaves extract on radiation-induced nephritis in rats via TGF-β/smad pathway

Renoprotectors are highly demanded due to environmental nephrotoxic factors. P. longifolia leaves extract alleviating effect was assessed in nephritic-induced rats by whole body shot dose of γ-radiation. Many biomarkers were detected using several assays. Renohistopathological examinations were performed. Moreover, the extract phytoconstituents were identified using spectroscopic analysis. In-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of some compounds was examined using histamine release assay. Post-irradiation treatment with the extract significantly ameliorated all elevated biomarker levels. Creatinine and urea were adjusted, TGF-β/Smad signaling was suppressed causing down-regulation to microRNA-21. Nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, glutathione and kidney injury molecule-1 were normalized in comparison with the γ-irradiated group. The renohistopathological analysis was consistent with the biochemical study. Phytochemical analysis resulted in the isolation of two diterpenoids (γ-methoxybutenolide clerodane diterpene and 16(R/S)-hydroxycleroda-3,13-dien-16,15-olide-2-one), aporphine alkaloid (anonaine) and flavonol (kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside). The latter two showed moderate anti-histaminic activities. Our results indicated that P. longifolia reduced oxidative stress and nephropathy in rats due to its anti-inflammatory principles.

Phytochemicals from Polyalthia Species: Potential and Implication on Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Cancer, and Chemoprevention Activities

Polyalthia belong to the Annonaceae family and are a type of evergreen tree distributed across many tropical and subtropical regions. Polyalthia species have been used long term as indigenous medicine to treat certain diseases, including fever, diabetes, infection, digestive disease, etc. Recent studies have demonstrated that not only crude extracts but also the isolated pure compounds exhibit various pharmacological activities, such as anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-tumor, anti-cancer, etc. It is known that the initiation of cancer usually takes several years and is related to unhealthy lifestyle, as well as dietary and environmental factors, such as stress, toxins and smoking. In fact, natural or synthetic substances have been used as cancer chemoprevention to delay, impede, or even stop cancer growing. This review is an attempt to collect current available phytochemicals from Polyalthia species, which exhibit anti-cancer potentials for chemoprevention purposes, providing directions for further research on the interesting agents and possible clinical applications.

Effects of radiation and role of plants in radioprotection: A critical review

Radiation can be lethal at high doses, whereas controlled doses are useful in medical applications. Other applications include power generation, agriculture sterilization, nuclear weapons, and archeology. Radiation damages genetic material, which is reflected in genotoxicity and can cause hereditary damage. In the medical field, it is essential to avoid the harmful effects of radiation. Radiation countermeasures and the need for radioprotective agents have been explored in recent years. Considering plants that evolve in radiative conditions, their ability to protect organisms against radiation has been studied and demonstrated. Crude extracts, fractioned extracts, isolated phytocompounds, and plant polysaccharides from various plants have been used in radioprotection studies, and their efficiency has been proven in various in vitro and in vivo experimental models. It is important to identify the mechanism of action to develop a potent plant-based radioprotective agent. To identify this protective mechanism, it is necessary to understand the damage caused by radiation in biological systems. This review intends to discuss the effects of ionizing radiation on biological systems and evaluate plant-based radioprotectants that have tested thus far as well as their mechanism of action in protecting against the toxic effects of radiation. From the review, the mechanism of radioprotection exhibited by the plant-based products could be understood. Meanwhile, we strongly suggest that the potential products identified so far should undergo clinical trials for critically evaluating their effects and for developing an ideal and compatible radioprotectant with no side-effects.

Mitigative efficacy of the clinical dosage administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and romiplostim in mice with severe acute radiation syndrome

BACKGROUND

It has been reported that the high-dosage administration of domestically approved pharmaceutical drugs, especially granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and romiplostim (RP), is a rapid and appropriate medical treatment for preventing severe acute radiation syndrome (ARS) of victims exposed to lethal total-body irradiation (TBI). However, it remains unclear whether or not the clinical dosage administration of these drugs can ameliorate TBI-induced ARS and related high mortality in order to find various drug treatment options and less toxic optimum protocol depending on the situation surrounding the radiological accidents.

METHODS

We assessed the clinical dosage administration in combination with G-CSF and RP as intraperitoneal injection in C57BL/6 J mice exposed to more than 7-Gy lethal dose of X-ray TBI for the survival study evaluated by the log-rank test. Bone marrow and splenic cells were collected on the 21st day, when 1 week has passed from last administration, to detect the level of cell apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-related anti-oxidative gene expressions, and enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay using sera was performed for cell senescence and inflammation status analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer or Bonferroni/Dunn multiple comparison tests.

RESULTS

The combined once-daily administration of 10 μg/kg G-CSF for 4 times and 10 μg/kg RP once a week for 3 times improve the 30-day survival rate of lethal TBI mice compared with untreated TBI mice, accompanied by a gradual increase in the body weight and hematopoietic cell numbers. The radio-mitigative effect is probably attributed to the scavenging of ROS and the reduction in cell apoptosis. These changes were associated with the upregulation of Nrf2 and its downstream anti-oxidative targets in TBI mice. Furthermore, this combination modulated TBI-induced cell senescence an d inflammation markers.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggested that the clinical dosage administration in combination with G-CSF and RP may also have radio-mitigative effects on mice exposed to lethal TBI and may be a potent therapeutic agent for mitigating radiation-induced severe ARS.

Functional analysis of down-regulated miRNA-221-5p in HeLa cell treated with polyphenol-rich Polyalthia longifolia as regulators of apoptotic HeLa cell death

MicroRNAs are endogenous small non-coding-RNAs that control gene expression and cancer development. Previous studies reported that Polyalthia longifolia treatment induced apoptotic cell death in HeLa cells by down-regulation of miR-221-5p. Hence, the current study was conducted to validate the down-regulated miR-221-5p in HeLa cells. Functional analysis of miR-221-5p was conducted through the gain-of-function, and loss-of-function approach and the miRNA expression was quantified by a real-time polymerase chain reaction. The P. longifolia treatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced miR-221-5p expression when compared to the untreated HeLa cells with a double delta Ct value of 6.32 and the expression fold change value was reduced up to 0.013. The transfection of miR-221-5p mimic significantly increased the expression of miR-221-5p with an expression fold change as high as 0.53 while anti-miR-221-5p transfected HeLa cells show the most significant decrease in miR-221-5p expression with an expression fold change of 0.011. The MTT assay results revealed that the over-expression of miR-221-5p increased the cell proliferation and viability of polyphenol-rich P. longifolia-treated HeLa cells and confirmed the role of downregulated miRNA 221-5p in HeLa cell death. The flow-cytometry analysis showed that the miR-221-5p over-expressed cells decreased the apoptosis of cells induced by polyphenol-rich P. longifolia treatment in HeLa cells, which proved the oncogenic role of miR-221-5p to inhibit apoptosis. Moreover, the depletion of caspase-3 in miR-221-5p-overexpressed HeLa cells showed the roles of downregulated miR-221-5p in the induction of apoptosis. In conclusion, these results suggest that the down-regulated miR-221-5p was involved in regulating apoptosis in HeLa cancer cells.

Diverse functions of the thrombopoietin receptor agonist romiplostim rescue individuals exposed to lethal radiation

In cases of radiological accidents, especially victims exposed to high-dose ionizing radiation, the administration of appropriate approved pharmaceutical drugs is the most rapid medical treatment. However, currently, there are no suitable candidates. The thrombopoietin receptor (TPOR) agonist romiplostim (RP) is a therapeutic agent for immune thrombocytopenia and has potential to respond to such victims. Here, we show that RP administration in mice exposed to lethal-dose radiation leads not only to the promotion of haematopoiesis in multiple organs, including the lungs but also a reduction in damage to organs and cells. RP also causes a rapid increase in the number of mesenchymal stem cells in the spleen. In addition, RP suppresses the expression of several miRNAs involved in radiation-induced leukemogenesis, suggesting the presence of targets other than TPOR. Among the currently approved pharmaceutical drugs, RP is the most suitable candidate for victims exposed to high-dose ionizing radiation.

Icariin protects against radiation-induced mortality and damage in vitro and in vivo

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of icariin both in vivo and in vitro, an active flavonoid glucoside derived from medicinal herb Epimedium, and its possible mechanisms against radiation-induced injury. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to lethal dose (7 Gy) or sub-lethal dose (4 Gy) of whole body radiation by X-ray at a dose rate of ∼0.55 Gy/min, and icariin was given three times at 24 h and 30 min before and 24 h after the irradiation. After irradiation, hematological, biochemical, and histological evaluations were performed. We further determined the effect of icariin on radiation-induced cytotoxicity and changes in apoptosis-related protein expression. Results: Icariin enhanced the 30-day survival rates (20 and 40 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner, and protected the radiosensitive organs such as intestine and testis from the radiation damages. Moreover, hematopoietic damage by radiation was significantly decreased in icariin-treated mice as demonstrated by the increases in number of peripheral blood cells, bone marrow cells (1.7-fold), and spleen colony forming units (1.7-fold). In addition, icariin decreased the radiation-induced oxidative stress by modulating endogenous antioxidant levels. Subsequent in vitro studies showed that icariin effectively increased cell viability (1.4-fold) and suppressed the expression of apoptosis-related proteins after irradiation. Conclusion: These results suggest that icariin has significant protective effects against radiation-induced damages partly through its anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties.

The medicinal uses, toxicities and anti-inflammatory activity of Polyalthia species (Annonaceae)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Polyalthia is one of the largest and notable genera in Annonaceae family. Polyalthia species have been widely used in folklore medicine for the treatment of rheumatic fever, gastrointestinal ulcer and generalized body pain. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies on Polyalthia Species have also corroborated the significant anti-inflammatory potential of its extracts and secondary metabolites.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review is an attempt to assess the anti-inflammatory activity of Polyalthia species by giving critical appraisal and establishing evidences of their traditional uses. Moreover this review will highlight the lead compounds for future drug development that can serve as a potential anti-inflammatory drug with comparative efficacy and minimum side effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An extensive literature review, focusing the anti-inflammatory potential of Polyalthia species was conducted using the following databases:PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Ovid, Scopus and ProQuest, as well as the locally available books, journals and relevant documents. The reference lists of retrieved papers were also searched for additional studies.

RESULTS

The Polyalthia species have shown significant anti-inflammatory activity through various mechanism of action. The most significant anti-inflammatory mechanism includes the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), prostaglandins (PGs), pro-inflammatory cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The data suggests that hydroxycleroda-3,13-dien-15,16-olide and 16-oxocleroda-3,13-dien-15-oic acid, quercetin, rutin, spinasterol, α-spinasterol, goniothalamin and (-)-5-hydroxygoniothalamin are the most potent anti-inflammatory compounds from Polyalthia species with comparable IC₅₀ with positive controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Numerous pharmacological studies have supported the use of Polyalthia species against pain, rheumatic fever, haemorrhages and inflammation in traditional medicine. Flavonoids, diterpenoids, sterols and styrylpyrones from genus Polyalthia are the most significant class of compounds with potent anti-inflammatory activity. Secondary metabolites from these classes should be brought into further research to fill the gaps of knowledge in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, bioavailability, and toxicity in order to convert the pre-clinical results into clinical data for further investigation.

Cholinergic and cytoprotective signaling cascades mediate the mitigative effect of erythropoietin on acute radiation syndrome

The present investigation aimed to evaluate the radiomitigative efficacy of the recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) against acute radiation syndrome (ARS) in a rat model. Rats were irradiated with a single sublethal dose of γ-radiation (7 Gy; total body irradiation; TBI) on the 1st day of experimental course, then received EPO (5000 IU/kg; i.p.) 24 h after irradiation, and rats were observed for 30 days of survival analysis. Administration of EPO improved 30-day survival, alleviated TBI-induced myelosuppression and pancytopenia, by augmenting lymphocytes and other white blood cells in the peripheral blood of rats, while bone marrow and spleen cellularity were restored. EPO post-exposure treatment alleviated hepatotoxicity biomarkers and restored splenic function. EPO abrogated radiation-induced oxidative stress through the upregulation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α-7-nAChR) and the pro-survival Janus kinase-2 and signal transducers and activators of transcription JAK-2/STAT-3 signaling mediated via enhancing nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor-2 (Nrf-2) cytoprotective machinery in liver and spleen of irradiated rats. Moreover, EPO treatment prevented hepatic and splenic apoptosis. The present study establishes the implication of α-7-nAChR-JAK-2/STAT-3-Nrf-2 signaling cascade in the radiomitigative potential of EPO against ARS.

Standardized Polyalthia longifolia leaf extract (PLME) inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis: The anti-cancer study with various microscopy methods

Over the years a number of microscopy methods have been developed to assess the changes in cells. Some non-invasive techniques such as holographic digital microscopy (HDM), which although does not destroy the cells, but helps to monitor the events that leads to initiation of apoptotic cell death. In this study, the apoptogenic property and the cytotoxic effect of P. longifolia leaf methanolic extract (PLME) against the human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa) was studied using light microscope (LM), holographic digital microscopy (HDM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The average IC₅₀ value of PLME against HeLa cells obtained by MTT and CyQuant assay was 22.00μg/mL at 24h. However, noncancerous Vero cells tested with PLME exhibited no cytotoxicity with the IC₅₀ value of 51.07μg/mL at 24h by using MTT assay. Cytological observations showed nuclear condensation, cell shrinkage, multinucleation, abnormalities of mitochondrial cristae, membrane blebbing, disappearance of microvilli and filopodia, narrowing of lamellipodia, holes, formation of numerous smaller vacuoles, cytoplasmic extrusions and formation of apoptotic bodies as confirmed collectively by HDM, LM, SEM and TEM. In conclusion, PLME was able to produce distinctive morphological features of HeLa cell death that corresponds to apoptosis.